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Lone Wolf
Jackson Lewis isn’t a typical werewolf. He isolates himself in a small town outside Spokane and dedicates himself to making his business—Lone Wolf Brewery—a success. If it leaves him little time for romance, he’s okay with that. His soul mate could be out there somewhere, but he isn’t actively looking.
So he’s in for quite the shock when he literally bumps into his soul mate—Leo Gallagher, an adorable, nerdy, vibrant music therapist who’s Jackson’s polar opposite.
But he’s human. And a man.
Jackson is straight—or at least he’s always assumed so. Though he can’t deny his attraction to Leo, it’s a lot for both of them to deal with.
While Jackson and Leo figure out what their future might hold, they face prejudice from both the human and werewolf communities—including a group of fanatics willing to kill to show humans and werewolves don’t belong together.
So he’s in for quite the shock when he literally bumps into his soul mate—Leo Gallagher, an adorable, nerdy, vibrant music therapist who’s Jackson’s polar opposite.
But he’s human. And a man.
Jackson is straight—or at least he’s always assumed so. Though he can’t deny his attraction to Leo, it’s a lot for both of them to deal with.
While Jackson and Leo figure out what their future might hold, they face prejudice from both the human and werewolf communities—including a group of fanatics willing to kill to show humans and werewolves don’t belong together.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
10 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Anna Martin
48 books478 followersAnna Martin is from a picturesque seaside village in the south west of England. After spending most of her childhood making up stories, she studied English Literature at university before attempting to turn her hand as a professional writer.
Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, she is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theatre (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), travelling, learning to play the ukulele, and Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.
Although her most recent work is in the LGBT romance genre, in the past Anna has worked on a variety of different projects including short stories, drabbles, flash fiction, fan fiction, plays for both children and adults, and poetry. She has written novels in the Teen or Young Adult genre, Romance and Fantasy novels.
Anna is, by her own admission, almost unhealthily obsessed with books. The library she has amassed is both large and diverse; "My favourite books," she says, "are 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee and 'Oryx and Crake' by Margaret Atwood." She also owns multiple copies of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park books and re-reads the Harry Potter novels with almost startling regularity.
Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, pre-reading and creative ass-kicking provided by her closest friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept any responsibility for anything Anna has written.
Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, she is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theatre (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), travelling, learning to play the ukulele, and Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.
Although her most recent work is in the LGBT romance genre, in the past Anna has worked on a variety of different projects including short stories, drabbles, flash fiction, fan fiction, plays for both children and adults, and poetry. She has written novels in the Teen or Young Adult genre, Romance and Fantasy novels.
Anna is, by her own admission, almost unhealthily obsessed with books. The library she has amassed is both large and diverse; "My favourite books," she says, "are 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee and 'Oryx and Crake' by Margaret Atwood." She also owns multiple copies of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park books and re-reads the Harry Potter novels with almost startling regularity.
Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, pre-reading and creative ass-kicking provided by her closest friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept any responsibility for anything Anna has written.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 13, 2018
I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that Anna Martin wrote this book. It didn't ring true to her style.
I love werewolf stories, but this one was an epic disaster: disjointed, crowded with too many side plots, and focused on a tepid "you're my soulmate" relationship between two not terribly likeable MCs (I especially disliked Jackson).
I felt no passion between Leo and Jackson, maybe because Jackson insisted over and over AND OVER again ad nauseam that he was STRAIGHT. Not bi, but straight.
He's fucked thirty women, and now his mate's not only human but a man! The horror! The horror!
The book features a fire/arson, an anti-werewolf human terrorist organization, strange family dynamics, music therapy with children, a criminal investigation, some kind of drug bust (maybe? I was totes confused) at a gay bar, and an attack on Leo's roommate, but little relationship development, never mind romance.
I hated Jackson's little temper tantrum about Leo's bracelet (how about giving your mate the benefit of the doubt?) and Leo giving in so easily.
Jackson was rude and standoffish, bemoaning the fact that his mate was human and a man. Leo was the more sympathetic character, but he was kind of a doormat and not particularly interesting.
The relationship didn't feel solid to me, since Jackson remained in denial about his sexuality. He's not attracted to men, only Leo, but Leo is a man, so Jackson must be somewhat fluid, right? But SHUT UP. He's straight.
The narrative was at once chaotic (jumping from one side plot to the next, and from scene to scene) and repetitive (how many times can I read about Jackson's reluctance to mate with a man?). I was honestly tempted to DNF.
Plus, the steam was MIA until 80%, which is pretty much unforgivable for a werewolf soulmate story. Also, no knotting!
The ending was uninspired, and a number of loose ends were left dangling (probably to set up a series).
I wish I could write a more positive review. I've enjoyed Martin's work in the past, but this book was a big, fat disappointment.
I love werewolf stories, but this one was an epic disaster: disjointed, crowded with too many side plots, and focused on a tepid "you're my soulmate" relationship between two not terribly likeable MCs (I especially disliked Jackson).
I felt no passion between Leo and Jackson, maybe because Jackson insisted over and over AND OVER again ad nauseam that he was STRAIGHT. Not bi, but straight.
He's fucked thirty women, and now his mate's not only human but a man! The horror! The horror!
The book features a fire/arson, an anti-werewolf human terrorist organization, strange family dynamics, music therapy with children, a criminal investigation, some kind of drug bust (maybe? I was totes confused) at a gay bar, and an attack on Leo's roommate, but little relationship development, never mind romance.
I hated Jackson's little temper tantrum about Leo's bracelet (how about giving your mate the benefit of the doubt?) and Leo giving in so easily.
Jackson was rude and standoffish, bemoaning the fact that his mate was human and a man. Leo was the more sympathetic character, but he was kind of a doormat and not particularly interesting.
The relationship didn't feel solid to me, since Jackson remained in denial about his sexuality. He's not attracted to men, only Leo, but Leo is a man, so Jackson must be somewhat fluid, right? But SHUT UP. He's straight.
The narrative was at once chaotic (jumping from one side plot to the next, and from scene to scene) and repetitive (how many times can I read about Jackson's reluctance to mate with a man?). I was honestly tempted to DNF.
Plus, the steam was MIA until 80%, which is pretty much unforgivable for a werewolf soulmate story. Also, no knotting!
The ending was uninspired, and a number of loose ends were left dangling (probably to set up a series).
I wish I could write a more positive review. I've enjoyed Martin's work in the past, but this book was a big, fat disappointment.
October 6, 2018
Man, this was a disappointing read.
I like Anna Martin as a person and as an author, and that's why it pains me to report that Lone Wolf was... not good.
Look, I'm going to be generous and give the book 2-stars, but I simply didn't enjoy the story, and reading is all about enjoyment.
I'm no stranger to gay-for-you stories, but this one really irked me. I didn't like how bisexuality was not addressed enough, and how Jackson treated being attracted to a man like an unfortunate disease. Yes, we get it, you're not gay! Jeez.
Jackson was not a likable MC. I have a soft spot for MCs that start off as asses and then morph into someone you absolutely love. Jackson wasn't that type of character. He treated Leo like garbage, and Leo just... took it.
One of the things I hate in romance is reading about dysfunctional relationships. I don't read romance to read a story where a couple fights and is hot/cold for the entirety of the plotline. The werewolf/human dynamics felt too heavy, and I didn't love this shifter world where shifters live openly. Not my bag. In this book, the relationship felt like work and reading it felt like work.
The writing wasn't technically bad, and I know Anna Martin has huge talent, but the chemistry just wasn't there for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I like Anna Martin as a person and as an author, and that's why it pains me to report that Lone Wolf was... not good.
Look, I'm going to be generous and give the book 2-stars, but I simply didn't enjoy the story, and reading is all about enjoyment.
I'm no stranger to gay-for-you stories, but this one really irked me. I didn't like how bisexuality was not addressed enough, and how Jackson treated being attracted to a man like an unfortunate disease. Yes, we get it, you're not gay! Jeez.
Jackson was not a likable MC. I have a soft spot for MCs that start off as asses and then morph into someone you absolutely love. Jackson wasn't that type of character. He treated Leo like garbage, and Leo just... took it.
One of the things I hate in romance is reading about dysfunctional relationships. I don't read romance to read a story where a couple fights and is hot/cold for the entirety of the plotline. The werewolf/human dynamics felt too heavy, and I didn't love this shifter world where shifters live openly. Not my bag. In this book, the relationship felt like work and reading it felt like work.
The writing wasn't technically bad, and I know Anna Martin has huge talent, but the chemistry just wasn't there for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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October 5, 2018
Things got a bit muddled at times in this one and I couldn't decide whether I wanted to thump Jackson or hug him for a lot of the book but, over all I enjoyed this shifter romance.
Personally I think there was maybe a bit too much of the different tension elements all fighting with each other to provide the key plot narrative.
Jackson's repeated insistence that he wasn't gay did get a tad too much, even while he was clearly falling for Leo, but I did like them much better as a pair when they made a go of it properly.
The world building was good though, with the parallels between shifters being second class citizens and a lot of what's happening in the "real world" and that worked well for me.
It's relatively low steam but there's a couple of first time sex screens which raised the temperature somewhat!
I would be interested to read more in this world, Mitch's story especially.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Personally I think there was maybe a bit too much of the different tension elements all fighting with each other to provide the key plot narrative.
Jackson's repeated insistence that he wasn't gay did get a tad too much, even while he was clearly falling for Leo, but I did like them much better as a pair when they made a go of it properly.
The world building was good though, with the parallels between shifters being second class citizens and a lot of what's happening in the "real world" and that worked well for me.
It's relatively low steam but there's a couple of first time sex screens which raised the temperature somewhat!
I would be interested to read more in this world, Mitch's story especially.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Read
October 9, 2018This is a DNF @ 51% for me.
-Unlikable main character
-Lack of chemistry
No rating
-Unlikable main character
-Lack of chemistry
No rating
September 29, 2018
DNF at 58% ...
I was so excited about the blurb, that i couldn't wait to receive the ARC.
Well then, here is my honest opinion : i never read a more homophobic-undertoned book in my entire life!!!!
Dear author WHY this book got written?! What inspired you to do so? You think being gay means you must be happy with what the society troughs at you and you should be thankful to have it?! Because, let me tell you as a gay man, that is the feeling your words gave me!
Jackson is the most awful MC out there in MM genre! I read a lot of MM, i'm very familiar with all the sub-genres in MM literature, but this book is one of the worse... At 58% there is no chance that the table be turned and make this asshole likable, none.
And Leo?! WTH man?! Where is your pride?! If someone would treat me such a way he could rot in hell, i wouldn't care. It was like Leo felt the "connection" instead of the werewolf but the next chapter Leo know nothing about mating! He was the tolerant one, to understand that Jackson is straight , waiting around like a puppy that this asshat comes at his senses and accept him.
The story treats being gay like a disease, like our society does, and paints Leo in a very inferior position. It's sickening! It's hateful! Sending a very very wrong message!
I'm so angry! Generally i'm not reviewing books under 3 stars, but this!
This story needs a rethinking and rewriting.
Who ever approved this book being published, made a horrible mistake!
I was so excited about the blurb, that i couldn't wait to receive the ARC.
Well then, here is my honest opinion : i never read a more homophobic-undertoned book in my entire life!!!!
Dear author WHY this book got written?! What inspired you to do so? You think being gay means you must be happy with what the society troughs at you and you should be thankful to have it?! Because, let me tell you as a gay man, that is the feeling your words gave me!
Jackson is the most awful MC out there in MM genre! I read a lot of MM, i'm very familiar with all the sub-genres in MM literature, but this book is one of the worse... At 58% there is no chance that the table be turned and make this asshole likable, none.
And Leo?! WTH man?! Where is your pride?! If someone would treat me such a way he could rot in hell, i wouldn't care. It was like Leo felt the "connection" instead of the werewolf but the next chapter Leo know nothing about mating! He was the tolerant one, to understand that Jackson is straight , waiting around like a puppy that this asshat comes at his senses and accept him.
The story treats being gay like a disease, like our society does, and paints Leo in a very inferior position. It's sickening! It's hateful! Sending a very very wrong message!
I'm so angry! Generally i'm not reviewing books under 3 stars, but this!
This story needs a rethinking and rewriting.
Who ever approved this book being published, made a horrible mistake!
September 29, 2018
Ummm, okaayyy? What did I just read?
Full disclosure:
I'm a shifter snob.
Why? Because of nonsense like this. Ugh ugh ughhh.
There was absolutely NO connection between the shifter's human and wolf.
Then the actual 'shifting' was rather pathetic.
And the sexual identity crisis (or lack thereof) was irritating as hell.
This is what it boils down to..
A man (shifter) walks past another man (human) and says, "You're my soul mate".
But then argues that it can't be...because he's straight.
The rest of the book is him maintaining the 'it can't work' argument because his mate has a cock.
The shifter is prickly and difficult to like.
The bulk of this story is added drama.
I struggled to finish. And was extra grumpy that it never improved.
* 2 are-you-kidding-me? stars*
Full disclosure:
I'm a shifter snob.
Why? Because of nonsense like this. Ugh ugh ughhh.
There was absolutely NO connection between the shifter's human and wolf.
Then the actual 'shifting' was rather pathetic.
And the sexual identity crisis (or lack thereof) was irritating as hell.
This is what it boils down to..
A man (shifter) walks past another man (human) and says, "You're my soul mate".
But then argues that it can't be...because he's straight.
The rest of the book is him maintaining the 'it can't work' argument because his mate has a cock.
The shifter is prickly and difficult to like.
The bulk of this story is added drama.
I struggled to finish. And was extra grumpy that it never improved.
* 2 are-you-kidding-me? stars*
September 12, 2018
I hid this review so that you’d know right up front: I didn’t care for this and there might be some spoilery type things in the review.
November 28, 2018
Full disclosure, I have read some reviews before I started this book and told myself I have no great desire to read this one, but apparently I preordered. I do *not* hate read books, ever, but I won't deny that I went into this one with some kind of preformed bias.
I actually would have liked it quite a bit, thought guys had a nice chemistry, but OMG Jason got on my nerves with his "I am not gay" and God forbid not bisexual either. If I had a penny for every time he said it and it sounded all kinds of wrong to me ( straight person mind you). Anyways, just wanted to make a brief comment since I indeed spend seven bucks on this.
I actually would have liked it quite a bit, thought guys had a nice chemistry, but OMG Jason got on my nerves with his "I am not gay" and God forbid not bisexual either. If I had a penny for every time he said it and it sounded all kinds of wrong to me ( straight person mind you). Anyways, just wanted to make a brief comment since I indeed spend seven bucks on this.
October 8, 2018
I requested this book, solely for the author's name only. I loved her other books (The Impossible Boy and Signs).
But this one was a major disappointment, this was not like the two books I read before.
To make it worse, Jackson is like someone I will avoided all my life for his denials, that's never end until even the end of the book. All 'I'm straight' and all 'I'm not gay' things, exhausted me, and made me wanted to slap him in the face. I have no idea why Leo still put up with that asshole.
Oh! I knew it! Leo is the sweetest, most forgiving, adorable human being! Aka 'doormat'!
The only character I liked in this book is Mitch, Leo's room-mate.
Jackson can't even live without Leo, but to my disappointment, he kept denying it, avoiding Leo, and even when they're sleeping together, it's for Jackson's enjoyment only!
Not until more than 80 percent mark.
I'm so disappointed. This is obviously not Anna Martin best work. I can't recommend this to shifter lover. I'm not sure this is the book you're looking for.
October 5, 2018
This is my first book by Anna Martin. First a big sigh. I didn't like Jackson at all, even by the end. This is the first book in a long while where the main character didn't grow on me over time. Instead, he annoyed me the more I read. When he finds out his mate is a man, he's stunned because he's always seen himself as only straight. Instead of seeing where the relationship might go because you know, they're mates, Jackson continues to deny it. And he takes it out on Leo, who then accepts all the crap Jackson puts on him without fighting back. On top of Jackson and Leo, there is a convoluted plot that had too many things happening at once that left the story disjointed and a couple of times, I had to set the book down and almost didn't finish. The ending was abrupt and I felt no chemistry between the MC's. All in all, not a wonderful introduction to this world.
October 9, 2018
I love Anna Martin and will still read her future release, but Lone Wolf simply doesn't work for me. Jackson is the kind of MC that doesn't grow on me, in fact his character didn't show much growth. I'm okay with asshole and jerk, but they usually change their behavior half way through and win me over, but not Jackson. When I read shifter story, I always love the soulmate connection. Is strong and undeniable, but it also didn't happen here. Jeez.. I hope Leo dump his ass and go with Mitch, the roommate.
November 15, 2018
This book was disappointing to say the least. WTF, did I just read?! If I could sum up this book in one word it would be Exhausting. I’m upset and disheartened with the way this story unraveled. Jackson managed to crack my top 3 most despised MC’s (with the top honor going to Aiden from Bound to Be by Lyn Forester, yet another soulmate disgrace that should make anyone meeting theirs run in the opposite direction.)
It seems like the definition of soulmate doesn’t mean what I think it means.
How and or why is it okay to treat your soulmate like something your dog threw-up? Jackson never warmed-up to Leo or the idea of being in a relationship with man. He made it perfectly clear that if it was up to him he’d be knee deep in lady-bits. Why am I supposed to find a borderline homophobic MC attractive? Poor little Leo hanging on to any scraps Jackson deemed fit to give him.
I’m not saying that Jackson had to jump feet first in to a relationship with Leo especially if he felt uncomfortable but what I am saying is he should have tried harder to wrap his head around it and at least met Leo in the middle. Leo couldn't feel the mate-bond because he was human so If Jackson was really and truly bothered by being mated to a man he could have and should have kept his Fucking. Mouth. SHUT! The situation was extremely one-sided. Jackson was a cruel-grade A-douche who deserved nothing more than to go through life alone.
What also irritated me was the constant reminders of Jackson’s sexuality, like I get it he’s “straight” all the other dude-bros can sleep safe knowing their virtue is intact.
Cos that’s all gay men bring to the table, butt-sex. Never mind the fact that that's just a small insignificant part of who they are or that women do it too. They’re definitely not human beings who love-hurt-feel in the same capacity as anyone one in any relationship, right? What it all comes down to is, butt-sex. (Insert eye roll here)
This book was an epic fail and one I hope to never relive again. I will definitely bypass this author in the future.
It seems like the definition of soulmate doesn’t mean what I think it means.
How and or why is it okay to treat your soulmate like something your dog threw-up? Jackson never warmed-up to Leo or the idea of being in a relationship with man. He made it perfectly clear that if it was up to him he’d be knee deep in lady-bits. Why am I supposed to find a borderline homophobic MC attractive? Poor little Leo hanging on to any scraps Jackson deemed fit to give him.
I’m not saying that Jackson had to jump feet first in to a relationship with Leo especially if he felt uncomfortable but what I am saying is he should have tried harder to wrap his head around it and at least met Leo in the middle. Leo couldn't feel the mate-bond because he was human so If Jackson was really and truly bothered by being mated to a man he could have and should have kept his Fucking. Mouth. SHUT! The situation was extremely one-sided. Jackson was a cruel-grade A-douche who deserved nothing more than to go through life alone.
What also irritated me was the constant reminders of Jackson’s sexuality, like I get it he’s “straight” all the other dude-bros can sleep safe knowing their virtue is intact.
Cos that’s all gay men bring to the table, butt-sex. Never mind the fact that that's just a small insignificant part of who they are or that women do it too. They’re definitely not human beings who love-hurt-feel in the same capacity as anyone one in any relationship, right? What it all comes down to is, butt-sex. (Insert eye roll here)
This book was an epic fail and one I hope to never relive again. I will definitely bypass this author in the future.
January 11, 2021
Algo debe estar mal en mí como lectora, tras hacer DNF a diestro y siniestro últimamente, este libro, que tiene tan pobres valoraciones, no me ha parecido nada terrible, de hecho serían unas 3,5 que he redondeado a la baja porque le falta algo de fuerza y el final ha sido bastante abrupto y me ha dejado un poco como... ¿ya?
Si no fuera por eso, le hubiera dado 4, me gusta el dilema que plantea y como muestra la construcción de una pareja , no todo es siempre asdgfhlhñjfjldñdldñ
Si no fuera por eso, le hubiera dado 4, me gusta el dilema que plantea y como muestra la construcción de una pareja , no todo es siempre asdgfhlhñjfjldñdldñ
October 8, 2018
This was my first story from Anna Martin and overall I would say it was an enjoyable one. I love paranormal and I love m/m romance. So the fact that this story is both of those definitely had me interested in reading it.
The blurb hooked me so I went into this expecting good things. I was told in the blurb that Leo and Jackson were polar opposites and boy was that correct. One was a loner and preferred his solitude versus the other being a music therapist who enjoys helping and being around people daily. One was a human while the other was a werewolf. And then of course one of them was straight while the other was gay. All three of those things presented their own set of challenges for this couple. The moment they met they knew they were soulmates, but those other things stood in between them and finding happiness. This definitely made for a different take on things.
I've read paranormal stories with shifters and humans falling in love. I've read many stories both paranormal and not where the two main characters had completely different personalities. And of course I have read quite a few stories where one character is openly gay while the other didn't even realize they were attracted to the same sex until they met that one special person. Having all of that rolled into one though? That was a first for me. And again I have to say that overall it was well done.
I definitely felt myself liking Leo's character more than Jackson's. I felt like Leo was much more open and accepting of the situation that they found themselves in. I felt like Jackson was very quick to jump to conclusions or very quick to put up walls. But as they got to know each other better and grew closer everything just started to click and the story flowed very well. There was a danger/ mystery element that added a good twist.
I would be interested in reading other stories by this author.
June 21, 2019
Ce livre est une catastrophe niveau traduction et relecture !!!
C'est une honte de mettre en vente un livre d'une si mauvaise qualité !
C'est une honte de mettre en vente un livre d'une si mauvaise qualité !
April 16, 2019
I was really disappointed by this book. The pacing felt off, which resulted in the relationship development feeling rushed and patchy. Not one of Martin's best.
October 11, 2018
2.5- 3 stars- More meh than yeah
Man, it’s always disappointing to write reviews like this. When I first read the blurb for Lone Wolf, I was really excited. I enjoy well-written shifter books, especially when they offer up something a bit different from the norm, and I usually really enjoy this author’s work. Better yet, this book is set in my hometown- so I was hoping to get some good landmarks referenced that made me connect with the book and characters that much more. Unfortunately, that trend didn’t hold here. Perhaps it was a case of trying to conquer too much with the characters, romance, suspense, and side plots, but the writing and flow felt disjointed and repetitive. Add to that a lack of strong characters and minimal chemistry, and Lone Wolf ended up being a bit of a letdown for me.
From the start, Lone Wolf wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Jackson and Leo are solid characters in theory, with decent back stories that promise all kinds of sparks, but I found the men to be fairly frustrating the more they developed. In particular, Jackson’s insistence in proclaiming he wasn’t gay got old really fast and Leo’s hot and cold responses at the end rather than honest communication wore on me. Admittedly, the gay-for-you trope tends to be a hard sell for me, and when that’s combined with the “soul mate” brand of insta-love, I’m even less enthused. I needed some level of chemistry to ignite between Jackson and Leo so I saw why they were soul mates and what made their relationship worth fighting for, and I simply never saw or felt that. On top of the lackluster romance, there were lots of extraneous side plots involving hate groups, property damage, assault, and familial relationships impeding the flow of the novel, and it became too much. Once moments and self-reflections became a three-peat occurrence, my interest in Lone Wolf waned considerably. Overall, I think the plot was promising, but it simply didn’t work all that well for me. Though I don’t doubt that this will be an enjoyable read for some, for now I’ll just look forward to the author’s next release.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
Man, it’s always disappointing to write reviews like this. When I first read the blurb for Lone Wolf, I was really excited. I enjoy well-written shifter books, especially when they offer up something a bit different from the norm, and I usually really enjoy this author’s work. Better yet, this book is set in my hometown- so I was hoping to get some good landmarks referenced that made me connect with the book and characters that much more. Unfortunately, that trend didn’t hold here. Perhaps it was a case of trying to conquer too much with the characters, romance, suspense, and side plots, but the writing and flow felt disjointed and repetitive. Add to that a lack of strong characters and minimal chemistry, and Lone Wolf ended up being a bit of a letdown for me.
From the start, Lone Wolf wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Jackson and Leo are solid characters in theory, with decent back stories that promise all kinds of sparks, but I found the men to be fairly frustrating the more they developed. In particular, Jackson’s insistence in proclaiming he wasn’t gay got old really fast and Leo’s hot and cold responses at the end rather than honest communication wore on me. Admittedly, the gay-for-you trope tends to be a hard sell for me, and when that’s combined with the “soul mate” brand of insta-love, I’m even less enthused. I needed some level of chemistry to ignite between Jackson and Leo so I saw why they were soul mates and what made their relationship worth fighting for, and I simply never saw or felt that. On top of the lackluster romance, there were lots of extraneous side plots involving hate groups, property damage, assault, and familial relationships impeding the flow of the novel, and it became too much. Once moments and self-reflections became a three-peat occurrence, my interest in Lone Wolf waned considerably. Overall, I think the plot was promising, but it simply didn’t work all that well for me. Though I don’t doubt that this will be an enjoyable read for some, for now I’ll just look forward to the author’s next release.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
October 24, 2018
You sure this is Anna Martin’s book?
October 9, 2018
I had been waiting to read this and I'd seen so many poor reviews and I hoped that I would still love it. I didn't. I don't know that I've ever actually read a book like this where I didn't care for one of the MC's and I really really didn't like the other.
I've read some shifter books and I felt like this one was far from the norm as far as they go. Everything that I've read recently stereotypes shifters as sexually fluid, so this was bizarre to me. I feel like maybe if the roles were reversed and the human was constantly saying he was straight.... no, not even then.
I just don't understand what the point was. Once they finally were together it seemed so strained. Like, the day after and Leo has to ask Jackson if he's attracted to him? Seriously? And if I read the word soulmate one more time...ugh.
The actual writing was excellent, but when it's good writing about something boring and frustrating, it isn't super fun to read. This one was a loss for me, but I will look out for the next Anna Martin work.
I've read some shifter books and I felt like this one was far from the norm as far as they go. Everything that I've read recently stereotypes shifters as sexually fluid, so this was bizarre to me. I feel like maybe if the roles were reversed and the human was constantly saying he was straight.... no, not even then.
I just don't understand what the point was. Once they finally were together it seemed so strained. Like, the day after and Leo has to ask Jackson if he's attracted to him? Seriously? And if I read the word soulmate one more time...ugh.
The actual writing was excellent, but when it's good writing about something boring and frustrating, it isn't super fun to read. This one was a loss for me, but I will look out for the next Anna Martin work.
January 29, 2019
This was an ok read. Leo Gallagher who is human and Jackson Lewis who is werewolf meet by chance at the hospital Leo works at and they realize they are soul mates. Jackson and Leo take the time throughout the book to learn about each other and to find their way in being mates when the outside world seems to have it out for them. This book was frustrating at times Jackson who is not gay but he has a male soul mate Leo who is gay and out going where as Jackson is not he is a loner who keeps to himself. For me this book lacked sparks between the two MC's. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
June 21, 2019
DNF...
Pas à cause de l’histoire, mais de la qualité de la traduction. Rien que sur les 30 premières pages, au moins deux coquilles ou phrases « étranges » à chaque page, certes, ce ne sont pas des fautes, mais au bout d’un moment c’est fatigant d’essayer de reconstruire pour comprendre. Du coup, c’est plat et impossible de rentrer dans le récit ni d’avoir de l’empathie pour les personnages.
Pas à cause de l’histoire, mais de la qualité de la traduction. Rien que sur les 30 premières pages, au moins deux coquilles ou phrases « étranges » à chaque page, certes, ce ne sont pas des fautes, mais au bout d’un moment c’est fatigant d’essayer de reconstruire pour comprendre. Du coup, c’est plat et impossible de rentrer dans le récit ni d’avoir de l’empathie pour les personnages.
October 8, 2018
I enjoyed this shifter romance because it was very unlike so many other werewolf books I have read. Definitely “unconventional”, and I appreciated that. I liked it quite a bit.
Jackson is a werewolf who just wants to be left alone to brew his beer. Leo is a music therapist at a local hospital. A chance encounter brings Man and Wolf together, where Jackson discovers Leo is his Soul Mate. While revered as a special and cherished bond, the fact that Leo is a man and human has both shifter society and humans upset.
I want to applaud Ms. Martin for approaching the whole “mate” (in this case “soul mate”) trope from a completely different angle. Instead of the usual declaration of “MATE!” and pages of passionate sex, the need and drive to mark in livid bruises that said partner has been claimed, we have trepidation, concern, and no small amount of emotional angst. Jackson did NOT expect to find a mate, much less a mate that was male. The scene with him researching gay sex was just…perfect. For myself, the tentative dating and “get to know” was a welcome change.
This is set in Spokane, WA, where “supposedly” shifters and humans have a better relationship that elsewhere in the world. But, as we find out through the eyes of Jackson and Leo, not quite the case. Each man is confronted with their societal and friend expectations of what is “acceptable”. So while wolves are out in society, it’s not entirely a comfortable affair. I thought Ms. Martin did an excellent job of showing that discomfort from both a human and wolf viewpoint.
*I* appreciated Jackson’s and Leo’s best friends support and detested it. Both sets of friends individually wanted Jackson and Leo to be happy and find love and happy every after…but NOT with Jackson/Leo. It was an interesting dichotomy: friend/brother/sister/parent expressing their wishes for Jackson/Leo to not be alone, but only if its with someone they approve of. Where I grew to detest this feeling was the fact that BOTH Jackson and Leo were faced with this expressed emotion. In the overall scheme of the story, it was too much. One set of friends would have been adequate.
A couple of detraction's: I didn’t like how Jackson blew up at Leo when he realized Leo was wearing Human Protection League bracelet. It was over the top, but I suppose necessary to the plot in some degrees. Still, didn’t like it.
Leo’s friend Mitch – at first I liked his flamboyant sassy-pants attitude, but his personality switched partway through the book and there was less “wolf” and more “ass”.
I could keep rambling on about this story, but I’ll draw to a close. *I* enjoyed this because it was different: there was a struggle to form a relationship, it wasn’t insta-love and pages of bruising sex (thankfully), and in their own way, Leo and Jackson were going to make it work. So if you are looking for a non-standard paranormal/werewolf shifter book with two people trying to come to terms with themselves, you might like this one.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Jackson is a werewolf who just wants to be left alone to brew his beer. Leo is a music therapist at a local hospital. A chance encounter brings Man and Wolf together, where Jackson discovers Leo is his Soul Mate. While revered as a special and cherished bond, the fact that Leo is a man and human has both shifter society and humans upset.
I want to applaud Ms. Martin for approaching the whole “mate” (in this case “soul mate”) trope from a completely different angle. Instead of the usual declaration of “MATE!” and pages of passionate sex, the need and drive to mark in livid bruises that said partner has been claimed, we have trepidation, concern, and no small amount of emotional angst. Jackson did NOT expect to find a mate, much less a mate that was male. The scene with him researching gay sex was just…perfect. For myself, the tentative dating and “get to know” was a welcome change.
This is set in Spokane, WA, where “supposedly” shifters and humans have a better relationship that elsewhere in the world. But, as we find out through the eyes of Jackson and Leo, not quite the case. Each man is confronted with their societal and friend expectations of what is “acceptable”. So while wolves are out in society, it’s not entirely a comfortable affair. I thought Ms. Martin did an excellent job of showing that discomfort from both a human and wolf viewpoint.
*I* appreciated Jackson’s and Leo’s best friends support and detested it. Both sets of friends individually wanted Jackson and Leo to be happy and find love and happy every after…but NOT with Jackson/Leo. It was an interesting dichotomy: friend/brother/sister/parent expressing their wishes for Jackson/Leo to not be alone, but only if its with someone they approve of. Where I grew to detest this feeling was the fact that BOTH Jackson and Leo were faced with this expressed emotion. In the overall scheme of the story, it was too much. One set of friends would have been adequate.
A couple of detraction's: I didn’t like how Jackson blew up at Leo when he realized Leo was wearing Human Protection League bracelet. It was over the top, but I suppose necessary to the plot in some degrees. Still, didn’t like it.
Leo’s friend Mitch – at first I liked his flamboyant sassy-pants attitude, but his personality switched partway through the book and there was less “wolf” and more “ass”.
I could keep rambling on about this story, but I’ll draw to a close. *I* enjoyed this because it was different: there was a struggle to form a relationship, it wasn’t insta-love and pages of bruising sex (thankfully), and in their own way, Leo and Jackson were going to make it work. So if you are looking for a non-standard paranormal/werewolf shifter book with two people trying to come to terms with themselves, you might like this one.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
November 19, 2018
The blurb excited me. I love a fated-mate story and I love the trope that was once labeled GFY. But, this one did not meet my expectations.
Jackson was not likeable. At all. One would think a character like him would grow on a reader. But nope—nada—nil. Jackson is not someone I’d like to know—ever. Leo, on the other hand, was super-likeable, with a vibrant personality and the patience of a saint. Why he persistently stuck it out with Jackson is beyond my ability to understand.
The couple was not a couple through most of the first part of the book and only became one due to Leo’s ability to forgive and Jackson’s strong drive to be with his soul mate. Toward the middle to end, the two started to spend more time together, eventually had sex, and Leo moved in with Jackson. But did that stop Jackson from adamantly stressing that he’s still straight? No, it did not.
To be honest, I’m left with a bad feeling—as if being anything but straight is wrong. I’m sure—or I hope—that wasn’t the author’s intention, but these two men didn’t gel for me. (Leo deserved so much more!) In the very last chapter, when Leo was asked if he was Jackson’s partner, he replied that he’s his soul mate. Really? Apparently, even Leo conceded defeat.
It pains me to say this but I don’t recommend this to anyone unless they enjoy frustrating characters.
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
Jackson was not likeable. At all. One would think a character like him would grow on a reader. But nope—nada—nil. Jackson is not someone I’d like to know—ever. Leo, on the other hand, was super-likeable, with a vibrant personality and the patience of a saint. Why he persistently stuck it out with Jackson is beyond my ability to understand.
The couple was not a couple through most of the first part of the book and only became one due to Leo’s ability to forgive and Jackson’s strong drive to be with his soul mate. Toward the middle to end, the two started to spend more time together, eventually had sex, and Leo moved in with Jackson. But did that stop Jackson from adamantly stressing that he’s still straight? No, it did not.
To be honest, I’m left with a bad feeling—as if being anything but straight is wrong. I’m sure—or I hope—that wasn’t the author’s intention, but these two men didn’t gel for me. (Leo deserved so much more!) In the very last chapter, when Leo was asked if he was Jackson’s partner, he replied that he’s his soul mate. Really? Apparently, even Leo conceded defeat.
It pains me to say this but I don’t recommend this to anyone unless they enjoy frustrating characters.
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
October 10, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Lone Wolf pairs the sweet and friendly Leo with the more reserved and, at times, somewhat surly Jackson. I can deal with a hero like Jackson who isn’t always likable as long as he gets there in the end, which he did for me here. Jackson has built this really isolated life, and he is totally thrown when he meets Leo. But Martin makes an effort to show us that Jackson is a good, caring guy underneath it all, and I could see those elements here. So I could deal with his less likable moments because I felt like we got there in the end. What I liked here is the way these guys build their relationship and take time to work things out. Often with fated mates stories, we get men who fall immediately for each other despite not knowing one another at all, or who force things because of their mating. Here, the guys take time to get to know one another and work through their conflicts, which made their ultimate falling for one another and building a life together feel more realistic.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Lone Wolf pairs the sweet and friendly Leo with the more reserved and, at times, somewhat surly Jackson. I can deal with a hero like Jackson who isn’t always likable as long as he gets there in the end, which he did for me here. Jackson has built this really isolated life, and he is totally thrown when he meets Leo. But Martin makes an effort to show us that Jackson is a good, caring guy underneath it all, and I could see those elements here. So I could deal with his less likable moments because I felt like we got there in the end. What I liked here is the way these guys build their relationship and take time to work things out. Often with fated mates stories, we get men who fall immediately for each other despite not knowing one another at all, or who force things because of their mating. Here, the guys take time to get to know one another and work through their conflicts, which made their ultimate falling for one another and building a life together feel more realistic.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
October 17, 2018
I'm going straight in to say this was an okay book, not my favorite but not horrible. I think if I read Jackson say he was "straight" one more time I would have thrown my Kindle. Look, it's like this, if you are a man having sex with another MAN, honey you are not straight. Jackson was all about telling everyone he was straight but he jumped right into all aspects of sex with Leo. Yes, yes, yes I understand that it takes some people longer to realize they are gay but stop insisting you are "straight", enough already.
Okay, I got that out so I can talk about the story now, (1st) the soul mate thing- either it's a big deal or it isn't- they can decide to walk away from their soul mate? How does that make them soul mates, two parts of a whole? Not enough was actually explained, just a general, we've researched it and this is what we think. (2nd) Brandon, Jackson's brother, he's tried it all but what? Jackson's sister, she's searching for her soul mate, so that makes them pretty important right? (3rd) The brothers that owned the bar, seriously, they were rude. (4th) Mitch, I thought he was the best character in the book. Maybe he needs to meet Brandon.
I'm assuming there will be another book because we were left hanging with the bar.
ARC provided for an honest review
Okay, I got that out so I can talk about the story now, (1st) the soul mate thing- either it's a big deal or it isn't- they can decide to walk away from their soul mate? How does that make them soul mates, two parts of a whole? Not enough was actually explained, just a general, we've researched it and this is what we think. (2nd) Brandon, Jackson's brother, he's tried it all but what? Jackson's sister, she's searching for her soul mate, so that makes them pretty important right? (3rd) The brothers that owned the bar, seriously, they were rude. (4th) Mitch, I thought he was the best character in the book. Maybe he needs to meet Brandon.
I'm assuming there will be another book because we were left hanging with the bar.
ARC provided for an honest review
October 20, 2018
3.5 Stars
I’m a little undecided on my feelings for this book. While I have completely loved a few of Anna Martin's books in the past (Impossible Boy was an utterly fabulous book), I just feel a little let down on this one. It had a lot of potential to be great, it just wasn’t on par with some of the previous titles. But I will say that if this is her first time in writing a shifter/true mate book I think it was a good start and because of her writing style it should only improve onto books in the future if she follows this course in writing. For me, personally, this book wasn’t great, but it was ok. There were times I liked it and there were times I was left a little frustrated and confused and not sure of the way some things ended up resolved. Almost like some of the thoughts and actions weren’t completely followed through and the focus was put onto the wrong parts of the story and events along the way, it was just a little disjointed with a lot of outside stuff going on not geared towards the main plot of the story.
Leo (human) and Jackson (werewolf) meet by chance at the hospital Leo works at, and they realize they are soul mates. Jackson and Leo take the time throughout the book to learn about each other and to find their way in being mates when the outside world seems to have it out for them.
What I really didn’t get was, ok, they’re fated soul mates, but they really didn’t act like it. There was no real moment of clarity since Jackson fights off “being gay” right from the start through the book until almost literally the very end. He is not gay, he doesn’t want to be gay, he doesn’t want to have a soul mate, and he definitely doesn’t want that soul mate to be a man. I understand that he was really hesitant about how he felt since having feelings for a man was really new and totally unexpected for him. And, if this was a regular M/M book *not a fated mates story* that would have been more believable to me. I would have loved reading that part of the storyline, where one supposedly really full on straight guy realizes his new feelings and comes out for the guy he can’t deny. But… They Are Fated Mates. So, in reality, they shouldn’t have had such a hard time connecting as a couple and I think Jackson’s reluctance was a large part of the storyline that didn’t really need all that focus. It really made him come off as a jerk and ultimately he ended up treating Leo like crap because of it.
Another point… I think that bringing the Human Protection Agency and their madness more to the forefront of this book would have been a better route to go. I felt kind of let down that we didn’t get more details on their brand of crazy and who they were and the acts of violence towards the humans/werewolves they went after. IMO, I think that needed to be the main part of the story not Jackson's lack of liking men. And the ending, when they are finally caught… I just needed more, it did not feel resolved at all. I could have really gotten behind more angst and mystery and suspense when it came to that part. Super Disappointing.
Ok, and the last point I would like to bring up…Scent marking… Why, oh why bring up scent marking and make it this huge deal for werewolves' mates having other people’s scents being on them, but then never say anything about it again through the whole entire book. Especially with having Leo’s roommate be another wolf, and having all these side characters being so close in contact with Leo. Wouldn’t that have driven Jackson nuts? Having another werewolf’s scent being on him all the time. But nothing is said or done on either side from Leo or Jackson, or even the roommate, who very obviously hated Jackson and could have made it a lot more miserable for him by rubbing all over Leo more. lol.
Ok, so now that I vented a little bit on the points I wasn’t fond of, let me reiterate that there were things that I did actually like in this book. Overall, I liked all of the characters individually, even Jackson who ends up having a Teddy Bear center under a large tough outer shell. Leo was cute and a decently likable character. I would love to see Leo’s roommate get a book and his HEA too. I think the premise of this book was good and I liked the gist of the storyline we got. This book had a lot of potential to be great and I think that if there is a next Fated Mates/shifter book for this author, there is definitely room for improvement and it could be another fantastic addition. I do really enjoy this author's books so I will still be checking out whatever else she has coming for us next, regardless of what the story contains.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.***
I’m a little undecided on my feelings for this book. While I have completely loved a few of Anna Martin's books in the past (Impossible Boy was an utterly fabulous book), I just feel a little let down on this one. It had a lot of potential to be great, it just wasn’t on par with some of the previous titles. But I will say that if this is her first time in writing a shifter/true mate book I think it was a good start and because of her writing style it should only improve onto books in the future if she follows this course in writing. For me, personally, this book wasn’t great, but it was ok. There were times I liked it and there were times I was left a little frustrated and confused and not sure of the way some things ended up resolved. Almost like some of the thoughts and actions weren’t completely followed through and the focus was put onto the wrong parts of the story and events along the way, it was just a little disjointed with a lot of outside stuff going on not geared towards the main plot of the story.
Leo (human) and Jackson (werewolf) meet by chance at the hospital Leo works at, and they realize they are soul mates. Jackson and Leo take the time throughout the book to learn about each other and to find their way in being mates when the outside world seems to have it out for them.
What I really didn’t get was, ok, they’re fated soul mates, but they really didn’t act like it. There was no real moment of clarity since Jackson fights off “being gay” right from the start through the book until almost literally the very end. He is not gay, he doesn’t want to be gay, he doesn’t want to have a soul mate, and he definitely doesn’t want that soul mate to be a man. I understand that he was really hesitant about how he felt since having feelings for a man was really new and totally unexpected for him. And, if this was a regular M/M book *not a fated mates story* that would have been more believable to me. I would have loved reading that part of the storyline, where one supposedly really full on straight guy realizes his new feelings and comes out for the guy he can’t deny. But… They Are Fated Mates. So, in reality, they shouldn’t have had such a hard time connecting as a couple and I think Jackson’s reluctance was a large part of the storyline that didn’t really need all that focus. It really made him come off as a jerk and ultimately he ended up treating Leo like crap because of it.
Another point… I think that bringing the Human Protection Agency and their madness more to the forefront of this book would have been a better route to go. I felt kind of let down that we didn’t get more details on their brand of crazy and who they were and the acts of violence towards the humans/werewolves they went after. IMO, I think that needed to be the main part of the story not Jackson's lack of liking men. And the ending, when they are finally caught… I just needed more, it did not feel resolved at all. I could have really gotten behind more angst and mystery and suspense when it came to that part. Super Disappointing.
Ok, and the last point I would like to bring up…Scent marking… Why, oh why bring up scent marking and make it this huge deal for werewolves' mates having other people’s scents being on them, but then never say anything about it again through the whole entire book. Especially with having Leo’s roommate be another wolf, and having all these side characters being so close in contact with Leo. Wouldn’t that have driven Jackson nuts? Having another werewolf’s scent being on him all the time. But nothing is said or done on either side from Leo or Jackson, or even the roommate, who very obviously hated Jackson and could have made it a lot more miserable for him by rubbing all over Leo more. lol.
Ok, so now that I vented a little bit on the points I wasn’t fond of, let me reiterate that there were things that I did actually like in this book. Overall, I liked all of the characters individually, even Jackson who ends up having a Teddy Bear center under a large tough outer shell. Leo was cute and a decently likable character. I would love to see Leo’s roommate get a book and his HEA too. I think the premise of this book was good and I liked the gist of the storyline we got. This book had a lot of potential to be great and I think that if there is a next Fated Mates/shifter book for this author, there is definitely room for improvement and it could be another fantastic addition. I do really enjoy this author's books so I will still be checking out whatever else she has coming for us next, regardless of what the story contains.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.***
June 17, 2019
RELECTURE RELECTURE RELECTURE SVP !!!!!
October 20, 2018
Der Werwolf Jackson Lewis mag es gern ruhig und abgeschieden. Und so lebt er auch. Fern ab von der Stadt hat er sich ein Haus gekauft und betreibt dort eine Mikrobrauerei, die inzwischen ziemlich erfolgreich ist. Seinen Seelengefährten zu finden, steht nicht weit oben auf seiner Agenda. Doch ausgerechnet er, der nicht sucht, der findet. In einem Krankenhaus läuft er Leo Gallagher über den Weg, der sich als sein Seelengefährte herausstellt. Doch die Sache hat einen Haken. Leo ist ein Mensch und Jackson ist nicht schwul. Nicht einmal bisexuell und Menschen und Werwölfe mischen sich nicht!
Auch Leo ist nicht besonders begeistert. Er lebt mit einem Werwolf zusammen und hat eine gewisse Ahnung von der Werwolfkultur. Jackson jedoch erscheint ihm ziemlich rüde und wenig mit ihm kompartibel. Dennoch drückt er ihm seine Visitenkarte in die Hand, ehe sie sich wieder trennen. Und Leo scheint recht zu behalten, denn es braucht Zeit bis Jackson sich bei ihm meldet und sie sich langsam annähern und kennenlernen. Doch die kulturellen Unterschieden wiegen schwer und der Umstand, dass Jackson eben sich nicht zu Männern hingezogen fühlt, scheint das Konzept der Seelengefährten-Sache irgendwie ad absurdum führen.
Während Leo ziemlich cool und sehr sympathisch ist, muss man sich mit dem distanzierten Jackson erst anfreunden. Der hält nicht nur seinen Gefährten auf Abstand, sondern auch seine Familie. Das ist eher untypisch und hat doch einen Grund, der erst im Laufe der Geschichte gelüftet wird. Für den Leser jedoch nicht ganz nachvollziehbar.
Nachvollziehbar hingegen ist die langsame Annäherung zwischen Leo und Jackson. Dahingehend ist die Geschichte überzeugend, denn zwischen den Helden scheinen sich wirklich Berge aufzutürmen, die nicht so leicht zu überwinden sind. Zudem gibt es gewisse Gruppierungen, die es gar nicht gern sehen, wenn sich Werwölfe und Menschen näher kommen, oder gar verbinden.
Der Crime-Aspekt tut der Geschichte gut, da er etwa Spannung in die ganze Sache bringt. Oft gibt es längere Zeitsprünge, ehe es zwischen Leo und Jackson wieder vorangeht. Das ist manchmal ein wenig lähmend, weil man sich eben etwas mehr Spannung und Interaktion zwischen den Helden wünscht.
Dennoch, eine solide Geschichte, die durchaus ihre Höhepunkte hatte. Jedoch fehlt es ihr ein wenig an Inspiration, Witz und Romantik. Denn dieser Aspekt kommt für mich ein wenig zu kurz, auch wenn sie natürlich ihre Gefühle für sich entdecken.
Auch Leo ist nicht besonders begeistert. Er lebt mit einem Werwolf zusammen und hat eine gewisse Ahnung von der Werwolfkultur. Jackson jedoch erscheint ihm ziemlich rüde und wenig mit ihm kompartibel. Dennoch drückt er ihm seine Visitenkarte in die Hand, ehe sie sich wieder trennen. Und Leo scheint recht zu behalten, denn es braucht Zeit bis Jackson sich bei ihm meldet und sie sich langsam annähern und kennenlernen. Doch die kulturellen Unterschieden wiegen schwer und der Umstand, dass Jackson eben sich nicht zu Männern hingezogen fühlt, scheint das Konzept der Seelengefährten-Sache irgendwie ad absurdum führen.
Während Leo ziemlich cool und sehr sympathisch ist, muss man sich mit dem distanzierten Jackson erst anfreunden. Der hält nicht nur seinen Gefährten auf Abstand, sondern auch seine Familie. Das ist eher untypisch und hat doch einen Grund, der erst im Laufe der Geschichte gelüftet wird. Für den Leser jedoch nicht ganz nachvollziehbar.
Nachvollziehbar hingegen ist die langsame Annäherung zwischen Leo und Jackson. Dahingehend ist die Geschichte überzeugend, denn zwischen den Helden scheinen sich wirklich Berge aufzutürmen, die nicht so leicht zu überwinden sind. Zudem gibt es gewisse Gruppierungen, die es gar nicht gern sehen, wenn sich Werwölfe und Menschen näher kommen, oder gar verbinden.
Der Crime-Aspekt tut der Geschichte gut, da er etwa Spannung in die ganze Sache bringt. Oft gibt es längere Zeitsprünge, ehe es zwischen Leo und Jackson wieder vorangeht. Das ist manchmal ein wenig lähmend, weil man sich eben etwas mehr Spannung und Interaktion zwischen den Helden wünscht.
Dennoch, eine solide Geschichte, die durchaus ihre Höhepunkte hatte. Jedoch fehlt es ihr ein wenig an Inspiration, Witz und Romantik. Denn dieser Aspekt kommt für mich ein wenig zu kurz, auch wenn sie natürlich ihre Gefühle für sich entdecken.
November 2, 2018
2 stars because I finished it.
Usually, I really like Anna Martin but not this one. It went on and on and on about "I'm not gay", and the anti-wolf league. The characters never made me feel like they truly liked each other. Oh, they were soul mates and said so over and over again but, there was nothing. A good chunk of the book for months they weren't even together and then all of a sudden we're getting ready to move it but there was no movement on their relationship. I just didn't enjoy it.
I got it from Hoopla.
Usually, I really like Anna Martin but not this one. It went on and on and on about "I'm not gay", and the anti-wolf league. The characters never made me feel like they truly liked each other. Oh, they were soul mates and said so over and over again but, there was nothing. A good chunk of the book for months they weren't even together and then all of a sudden we're getting ready to move it but there was no movement on their relationship. I just didn't enjoy it.
I got it from Hoopla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2018
It was my first Anna Martin experience and an unusual one. What start as a curious journey finished as poor end. It's really an unfinished business and a sad reading.
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