This book was a struggle to get through. I really enjoyed the premise, an alpha she-wolf with no desire to mate again and an alpha he-wolf who has no desire to take over a pack meet. She is a forester and he's a park ranger investigating bad wolf activity in the national park. It had the bones to be really good. But it wasn't.
The author over explained every single detail. Nothing was left up to nuance or interpretation. I don't mind being explained to, I don't. I mind being told the same thing, in different POVs, multiple times. It was insulting. WE GET IT, Pepper doesn't want anyone taking over her pack. WE GET IT, Eric doesn't want to take over a pack. OKAY!!
The writing was also awkward to me, no build up or tension (could be because of the over explanations). When I would get into it, the dialogue wasn't bad, but it was everything between the dialogue that was odd. Sometimes even the dialogue was over explaining what was happening.
The POVs that came from other wolfs? Completely unnecessary to the story. Didn't enhance it at all and in fact was a bit icky. The "Psychologist" turned criminal profiler? Hard to believe. Also over explained and felt unbelievable.
There were points made in the book that didn't need to be there, ie.: Pepper calls the Y household, Mrs. Y is doing the dishes so Mr. Y answers. WHAT? Why? Why was that necessary to the book?
Timelines were ignored. Someone was unavailable to talk and then the next page they were available?
Pepper is on the phone with Susan and then on the next page she's talking to Susan in person in her house?
Then, can we talk about the love declaration? We barely know each other, have spent so little time together, BUT I LOVE YOU ERIC. No... even instalove is better than that. They aren't fated mates so it doesn't make sense. The instant mating? Also, what the heck.
This book could have been so good. I thought since it was being re-released that it would have been heavily edited but it doesn't appear to be the case. I can't imagine what it originally was like.
I received a free E-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.