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The Pack #2

The Challenge

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Jess Carter wasn't looking for a place to belong when she arrived in Banks, Idaho. It was supposed to be a temporary spot to finish out her last year of high school and bond with her dad. Meeting Dom changed everything. Now, the Pack needs her. Dom needs her. And she's figuring out she needs them if they plan to survive what's coming. A challenge has been issued and if the Pack doesn't respond they'll be seen as weak. With the motel at capacity, they have a lot to lose if the challenge coming their way isn't met. Caleb is struggling, Anna is absent, and Sam refuses to see her brother or father. Can Jess bring them together before the Hanley's finish tearing them apart? Book 2 in the Pack series. Recommend reading The Pack first.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2018

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394 people want to read

About the author

Kristin Coley

38 books490 followers
Kristin is an an indie writer from Louisiana who believes happily ever after is a must. A fan of everything romance including paranormal and the occasional mystery, she only writes what she loves. When she isn't writing she's hanging out with her crazy collection of dogs and cats and daydreaming about the next dozen stories she wants to write.
You can reach her on her website for updates on her latest writing projects and promotions @ www.kristincoley.com

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5 stars
1,559 (38%)
4 stars
1,462 (36%)
3 stars
826 (20%)
2 stars
153 (3%)
1 star
38 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
Profile Image for Louise.
1,149 reviews22 followers
January 3, 2020
No. Nope.
Not what I thought it was going to be. A personal hatred of mine is pre-schoolers that talk like adults. Just no. I hated 'monster' and his cliche cookie craving, I hated that his parent was completely uninvolved in his daycare but was left to his sister and essentially strangers for crying out loud. Not doing anything unless he's got a cookie, terrorising adults, talking like a well-read adult. Just no. I wanted our breeding mare and sexy shifter to actually start doing some relationship building here but again... nope.
I DNFd at 35%.
Profile Image for Piseog.
1,671 reviews7 followers
February 18, 2019
I definitely preferred the plot of book 1, and the cliched but likeable romance between Dom and Jess. In this one we mostly focus on the side characters and I hate when we have all these secondary characters pairing off. There are at least 4 other romantic subplots in this one. I also couldn't get over Jess and her father's sudden turn-around on Monster (awful nickname). In the first book near the beginning, Jess mentions that she left her mother and brother behind and says to a friend that she has a 4 year old brother. We don't hear a thing about him then until near the end when she says this lovely thing to her mother-
“You’re shit out of luck, mommy dearest.  Why don’t you go bully that new husband of yours and the bastard you had with him.”

So it really sounded like she loved and missed her brother. Even worse, her dad doesn't mention the son he left behind once. Then Monster turns up in this one (not talking one bit like a 5 year old) and suddenly Jess and her dad love him so much. That wasn't obvious from their previous behaviour. Anyway, besides this it's a well-written YA and is a good read.
Profile Image for CARLA.
995 reviews40 followers
April 18, 2019
https://celebrityreaders.com/2018/10/...

If possible, I liked this one even better! A lot more happens and we get a better uderstanding of the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ shifters in this book. The pace is faster and we get lots more action and reaction in this one. We see double crosses and political manuvering that adds some great elements in this book. The romance evolves quite a bit in this book as well.

Jess’ family starts to become more involved in the main storyline and its awesome how quickly they become intregal to the story. Even her gold digging mom makes an appearence. Man, I love how she’s handled. Jess finally accepts the fact that she needs to know everything in order to survive and protect her family, plus there are things about her family that make them pretty important to the storyline. I really like how much power Jess is given about her involvement. Its not thrust upon her too soon, she is allowed to digest the info at her own pace. Although some of her reluctance ends up costing them in the end.

We get to know more about the shifter’s dynamic in this one and man there are lots of little things that you need to pay attention to. It is almost too much, almost but not quite. All these little things are necessary and make sense to the big picture that’s painted by the author. It all comes together (well mostly) and I love when all the loose ends are tied up. Still waiting ont the next one, which if I remember correctly, comes out at the end of November.
Profile Image for Shernell Joseph.
903 reviews14 followers
May 16, 2024
My new comfort series

These books are free on audible, and it's just a breeze to get through. I'm also reading it as well, but mostly listening to it.

I love the found family element.I enjoy every characters and I just love the world building. For such a traumatic storyline, the book is still very heartwarming. I kind of wish they described the abuse the ladies went through in the other wolfpack.
Profile Image for dumbells.
985 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2019
Started out ok. Was interested in the world building even though they had the coitus interruptus going on between the main characters to keep the readers interest – one of the cheap attempts if you ask me. I mean you got a naked dude on the cover and you gonna make the book YA and give the reader a few sex scenes that are interrupted at just the right moment in an effort to keep with the sexy atmosphere that is promised but also not to make your h an easy girl, guuurl come on. How transparent and insulting to your readers can you get.

But I was more interested in the world created and how the plot was going to develop so decided to ignore that and whether or not these two are gonna get it on eventually became a secondary plot. As it always is for YA books. The shift thought the lights and with a painful body metamorphisms was I guess also expected for YA, so I guess when you set your standards low it is hard to disappoint just to piss off. In essence this book had a good action packet attention holding story thought out. The speshul h and why she was speshul was cringy tho. Which is mostly why the next books fizzled out for me. When the supporting characters start to matter more than the main ones and turns out they end up having a career and an actual future in the end and the h is just there to narrate the turns in their lives then something went wrong there.

In the end was ok, but YA and their transparent attention grabbing ploys are too obvious and ultimate let downs for the expectation of more.

In the end was ok, but YA and their transparent attention grabbing ploys are too obvious and ultimate let downs for the expectation of more.
181 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2020
Liking Dom, not so much Jess.

What I like, is Dom. He should be the alpha.

As much as I enjoy reading about shifters, bonds, and mates, I easily became annoyed with Jess. At this point, I’m in it to read all about Dom. I don’t get why the heroine in books like this are often childish like. I get that she’s young, but if she’s committed to being with Dom, then why not complete the bond that will strengthen their link and help to better protect her and possibly her brother. Maybe it would be best if the author had made them the same age. Or perhaps Jess should have been older. During one part in the book, Jess was hiding in a tree from one of the Hanleys. When Dom was finally able to get to her, he began to express his deep feelings for her by telling Jess how much he loves her and how terrified he was at thinking something had happened to her. One of Jess’s comments was “God, did I break you”. Way to ruin a tender loving moment.

And what’s with Jess’s mother dropping off her 5 year old son to basically punish her daughter for moving out. Hello CPS. I liked Monster, but 5 year olds don’t talk like that. Well, maybe they do in the shifter world. His conversation was more of that of a ten year old.

Leah is a question I’m hoping to have answered. I’m also wondering if Anna will eventually take the role it seems she destined for.
Profile Image for S.R. Harris.
Author 5 books69 followers
April 5, 2020
This series is entertaining. I wasn't expecting to be so drawn in by a YA series.

The introduction of Monster and Dylan made this book a little better because I will admit that I am ready for the story line to move forward with Dom and Jess relationship.

I know there is something more going on and I am intrigued to see how this series is going to end.
Profile Image for Mandy Reads Indie.
1,962 reviews92 followers
June 16, 2019
Here is my take on all three books as a whole:

I greedily took in the whole series within a couple days. When I finished one, I had to quickly start the next. I had to know what would happen with The Pack and Jess. There was always something going on...some kidnapping or near kidnapping...some twist or love connection. It was just a great, quick read.

If you are looking for a great, NA shifter series, I highly recommend each of these books. 5 Stars for the entire series.
689 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2019
Sexy cover for a Zero Sex book. Cue eyeroll. BUT, this book is better in some ways to the last. First, no annoying parents! The father displays a back bone, awareness of his children, and a sense of honor. We’ll just forget the squandering of the college fund on a motel purchase and remodel that is full of non-paying guests, shall we? The storyline is somewhat tight, I like the addition of new characters and development of others (Wren, Dylan, Monster, Payne, Leah, Trent, and Liam).

The bad:
The writing: more grammatical issues than the first. Anna: went from easy going soft/quiet but strong, to reckless, selfish, and needy/desperate. Sigh. I used to love her character, but now not so much.
Caleb & Dominic: where is the alpha/beta bond? Caleb acts more like a lone wolf than Trent and leads less than Jess. Also, why is Jess allowed into so many pack skirmishes. She is the weakest link. She’s weak, reckless and has a strong scent. Makes no sense.

All-in-all an okay read. Will continue for the conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for nat.
6 reviews
November 3, 2019
Okay this book isn’t as terrible as you think it’s gonna be but still it’s not that great, I continued into the series just to see where it would go and it didn’t really go anywhere.
The main character Jess is annoying and I tried to like her I really did but I just couldn’t there’s not real originality to her personality.
The only character I liked in this was a 4 year old boy who loves cookies?
The romance just felt cringe and no real excitement.
Unfortunately this series just wasn’t what it should have been.
Profile Image for T.B. Caine.
630 reviews55 followers
July 1, 2022
The portrayal of Down Syndrome is questionable here and it made me uncomfortable. The r-slur is also used a few times about said character.

Yeah this just wasn’t as fun/good as book one. It wasn’t as focused on our main couple and they STILL haven’t banged. If feels like it’s too overly drawn out. And the focus on all of these other couples also isn’t working because they just are not developed as characters.

Meh sequel and probs not gonna continue the series sadly because the reviews I’ve read of book 3? PASS.
Profile Image for Amber.
388 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2018
Challenge accepted

This book has challenged my patience. I liked the first book, Dom was awesome and i liked the story line. This time around, I felt like the plot wasn't there and it seemed repetitive with the kidnapping and fighting. However,Trent and the rest of the supporting characters with their banter kept the story fun. Definitely going to read the last book to see how it all ends.
Profile Image for Shelby.
855 reviews21 followers
March 7, 2020
Aw man, this was a little disappointing. I ended up skimming the last 20% because I just lost interest. By the end it just felt like a lot of telling, and not a lot of showing. I really like Dom and Jess, but maybe this would have been better or more impactful from someone else’s perspective who was more closely related to the plot like Sam or Caleb or Wren. Dom and Jess felt like side characters even though they’re technically the mains. I don’t think I’m going to finish the series out.
849 reviews12 followers
September 29, 2018
Disappointed

Book one was great and I was looking forward to reading book two. Totally disappointed on this book. The storyline focused on the women's who escaped the Henley and in keeping them safe. A lot of sub plots. This book forgot to focus on Jess and Dom's relationship. All the lower rating reviews on this book hit it spot on. Not interested to read book three.
Profile Image for Charlie.
1,039 reviews5 followers
January 1, 2021
Got bored pretty quickly. This one was messier than the 1st book. Not going to finish.
376 reviews
December 13, 2018
This story is getting better and better! The relationship between Dom and Jess is delicious! His possessiveness is not overbearing it’s sexy. And their teasing is too cute. Finding out that she had a shifter gene and now her brother being dropped off at their footstep changes everything! Relationships change quickly between everyone especially after the death of an alpha. Who will step up to the plate? Son should be the alpha Caleb isn’t ready and Anna has caught the eye of a lone wolf oh it’s sooo good!!! I’m going right to next book!!!
644 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2018

Verified ARC Reader
tense and exciting

If you haven't read the earlier book you can still enjoy this but its a bit like eating toast without butter. High drama as the story unfolds with lots of clean romance and tension. Kidnapping challenges, threats, some surprising saviours and a monster to deal with Really looking forward to the next in the series as there are so many questions still to be answered and so many paths that could be followed

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6 reviews
August 31, 2018
The Challenge is a great second novel to The Pack! Jess and Dom's story continues wonderfully with the progression of their relationship but the book also gives you a deeper insight in to characters like Trent and Sam that only touched the surface in the last book. I also really felt for Caleb in his new role as Alpha and what he is struggling with in commanding the Pack. I really loves this series so far and can't wait for the next installment!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for J.S. Andersson.
Author 1 book45 followers
September 22, 2019
Loving this series...
There's some twists I didn't see coming in book 2...
Profile Image for Kathy L..
790 reviews16 followers
August 22, 2018
I am in love with this series! This book was just as amazing as the first. So much happens throughout this book that keeps you wanting more. The book ends at a good place but with a cliffhanger so there is obviously still more so know to expect another book to the series. The book was so addicting I did not want to put it down. I literally laughed out loud multiple times throughout this book. It was seriously amazing!
I love Jess and Dom. There are so many ships to root for, its great! I do feel for Anna, but I also love Trent so I will gladly back him up in this one. Caleb sort of got on my nerves in this one. I am pretty curious to see how this all turns out but I already have my suspicions.
There was definitely plenty of action in this book. A lot of back and forth going on as well.
I am so excited for the next book. Definitely a book I recommend for all paranormal/shifter lovers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for RomanceBookLoverinSeattle.
1,101 reviews15 followers
October 28, 2022
So disappointed in this installment. This doesn't feel at all anything like the first book which had sort of a quiet feel to it. What I loved about the first one were the subtle chemistry between Jess and Dom and all the interactions she had with Pack as she was getting to know them.

With this book, it had a lighter feel to it and not in a good way. I like romance and don't mind if there is a focus on other couples, but this felt very middle school like with the push/pull of Anna and Trent and Caleb and Leah and then also Payne and Dom's sister and how we see it through it Jess's eyes. It's not at all subtle which is what I loved about book 1. It's in your face and not in a good way.

Monster's introduction came out of left field and although I'm sure it was supposed to be cute and funny it just didn't work and blew tons of holes in this story. He immediately knows he is different, but never in his years before said/did anything out of the ordinary? His antics were over the top, which is not my style and didn't fit at all with the previous book, and how could she be such a great sister when he is mentioned maybe twice in the entire previous book. It's just weird and not fitting. My biggest pet peeve in books is when characters call the sister "sissy" or "sister". Maybe that happens in real life, but not in my real life and it feels very contrived.

I'm waffling now on book 3. Everything I loved in the first book was missing in this book and it went in a way and style that I just didn't enjoy. Honestly, it feels like a completely different writer.
Profile Image for Jill K. Davis.
1,420 reviews12 followers
April 14, 2024
Monster problems for our couple...

Jess and Dom's story continues as they struggle to keep the people they love safe and heal their wounds. New characters are introduced, and the relationships between old characters change. I love the introduction of Monster, Jess' little brother.
Profile Image for Brenda TXLassy88.
81 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2024
Muscles, muscles, long legged men with muscles. The description of these male characters will taunt my dreams if I keep drifting back to the descriptions of their physiques. 😉
Profile Image for Angela.
213 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2024
According to Audible, this is an occult paranormal romance, and Libby identifies it as a fantasy romance. No where have I seen any listing identifying this series as a young adult, anything.

I found this interesting as the lead female character is in high school. Not to mention, several other characters are also in high school, and the lead male love interest is a teacher at the same high school. It's all very confounding if you ponder for too long.

The student/teacher romance also seems to be a huge point of interest to many. I've seen several reviews comment on the romantic relationship between the two main characters as being wrong, disturbing, disgusting, etc. While I wholeheartedly agree when applied to reality or real life, this is FICTION and FANTASY FICTION at that. Get over it already.

I may never understand why a person chooses to apply real-world political correctness to a fiction book review. Much less rate it low stars based on that thought process alone? Why read the book in the first place? Especially when the book jacket or back cover clearly spells it out in advance...

Excerpt examples:
"Jess Carter only wants to finish out her senior year of high school" and "the stalkers are after her, the insanely hot guy is one of the high school coaches"

Rant over...the book itself is fine for what it is. Not a whole lot of "romance" other than some feelings of desire stated, the words I love you exchanged, some light kissing, and a few one line descriptions of ecstasy felt after a mating love bite. The synopsis states contain mature themes, which I've determined is in reference to misogynistic attitudes, crude references to sexually overpowering a woman, etc. etc.

As far as romance goes, unfortunately, it's 1☆ at best. The storyline repetiveness of actions amongest rival packs is boring and at best 2☆. I've read the first two books of this series in hopes that something exciting may actually redeem the series as a whole, but major letdown is what I've found. Pitty as it had potential, but alas, it never got off the ground. Time better spent elsewhere, IMHO.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,309 reviews130 followers
February 23, 2024
The Challenge is the second book in Kristin Coley's Pack series and I freaking loved it. This book was even better than the first and this audiobook had duo narration.


The first thing I want to say is that I love the relationship between Jess and her dad. They have a great family dynamic and both have adapted to pack life very well. I loved that Jess is stepping up with the pack, not afraid to state her opinion, and helps out when she can.


Jess and Dom are so coupley, they are freaking adorable. They actually communicate with each other, not afraid to admit their fears and talk through their problems. They're also lovey-dovey and it's great. I love Dom, he'll give Jess the world if she asks for it, he quietly protects everyone around him and listens to others' opinions. He might be the perfect guy.


The plot was fantastic. There's a new character, he was quite the surprise, and totally adorable and became a major character in the story which was totally unexpected. Speaking of unexpected there were a few new characters and Trent has more of a role in this one. I like the lone wolf and I hope he can somehow join the pack. Things with the Hanleys are, of course, a mess but the Navvare pack is dealing with its own issues. I did enjoy getting to see more of the pack and how they work.


The Challenge was excellent! Coley has created a complex shifter world. There were lots of twists and turns and nothing is for certain, the pack is on a knife’s edge and I don't know how things are gonna fall. The book ended with an unexpected question and a shocking revelation, I don't know what's coming next but I'll be there.
Profile Image for Sydney.
1,339 reviews67 followers
June 15, 2019
4 Action Packed Stars

I’m relieved there was way more action and drama in this book. I liked this one more than the first one.

Anna’s got some choices ahead of her. Many. Many choices. In her love life and her future.

We met Dylan and Liam in this book, both with their own complications. Dylan is Wren’s brother, he has Down Syndrome. Which causes some issues, since he can shift and doesn’t have to obey an Alpha command. Liam is one of the good Hanley’s. He is injured severely saving Dylan and the blood transfusion he needed adds to the complications revolving around Dom.

Dom has also created this same blood link with Trent, which can be seen as him forming a small pack. Obviously not a good thing in the eyes of his child Alpha, Caleb.

I really liked Caleb in the first book, but I’m taking the same path as Jess. He needs a stronger hand, everyone is making excuses for his behavior, and she’s the only one who seems to be putting him in his place. I get that he’s facing a lot, after losing his father and becoming Alpha so much earlier than anyone expected. But he was a douche a lot in this book.

It’s sad that so many of the women and children left, that were saved from the Hanley’s.

There’s a lot of frustrating complications when it comes to the obvious pairings in this book. Mostly that those few “breeding females” are basically expected to mate with shifters, to make more.

I have no idea how any other this is going to play out, which makes me really excited for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lydia.
1,123 reviews
November 14, 2022
This starts pretty much where the last one ended and we see all the women who escaped the Handlys now living at the inn.

I was a bit frustrated with Jess and her instance that Dom is not her mate when she knows full well he is. It is fine if she is not ready to take it to a more intimate level, but having that be the reason why she thought they were not mates was frustrating. I would have liked to have seen their relationship grow a bit more or strengthen, but it stayed about the same through the whole book.

I was not overly fond of Monster, how has this child never had any discipline, has been taught zero respect, and the obsession with cookies was over the top. I did like his relationship with Ren and Dylan. Speaking of Dylan, I'm surprised that Jess did not immediately think of him as the person Ren was visiting, b/c that is the first person I thought of.

I really like Trent and I like the idea of him and Anna together, I did not like however, how Anna was acting the whole story and how little info we go about her and on her. Clearly Trent knows something but it was frustrating how secretive he was about her.

I did really like Leah and I'm curious how she will be utilized going forward. And the introduction of Payne and how he and Sam might end up

I did enjoy the action and the over all progression of the story, there was never a dull moment or one that slowed the momentum of the story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews

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