While war looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war in this next installment of the New Dawn novels. Logan’s childhood taught him love comes with the potential of pain. Long ago, he decided he’d never have a mate, but one explosive encounter with Mia—a woman as lethal as she is beautiful—has him questioning everything. There’s a problem. Her heart’s as closed off as his and winning her isn’t going to be easy. River Run soldier Mia doesn’t allow men close, especially not those who hope to capture her heart. The last person she expects to find herself drawn to is a Dark Shadow wolf renowned for his playboy ways. Not only is he sexy, but he’s also charming—a dangerous combination. Getting close to Logan will end in heartbreak. But with Logan’s bold pursuit to win her difficult to ignore, there’s a clash coming. Logan and Mia find themselves playing the most passionate of games and when everything comes to a head, they must decide if loves worth the risk.
Rachel M. Raithby started her writing career in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. She draws her inspiration from the many places she has lived and traveled, as well as from her love of the paranormal and thriller movies. She can often be found hiding out with a good book or writing more fast-paced and thrilling stories where love always conquers all. A Brit who has lived in many places, she now resides in a small town in New Zealand, with her dog, three cats and four children.
I wanted this to be a full length novel, and now I’m really looking forward to another book in this series. Rachel M. Raithby did a really fantastic job creating more characters that feel real and a plot that was well paced in such a short amount of time.
Logan and Mia are great characters and their story is full of hope. I just didn’t want their story to end.
I recommend checking this series out. I think it’s important to read them in order because you’ll be able to appreciate characters and storylines that reappear. Check it out!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with YA Bound Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*
Nothing new happens to propel the overall storyline forward, which I was disappointed with. This book almost totally overlaps with the previous one, but these books are more focused on the relationships rather than the events happening around them. I just want to know what’s going to happen with the war though! All that being said, it was interesting to see previous events from an outside perspective.
I love that we heard about Bass taking the fall for his friends when they were younger. I just love him! I’m also a big Olivia/Nico fan, so it was cute when we got to briefly see them together.
I liked Logan, I could definitely feel for him in his struggle to not want his heart to get broken. Looking forward to seeing him be more adorable in the future!
This was one of my favorite love stories. Logan is a player, lone wolf. Mia is a warrior with a career based mind. Both of them belong to different packs. However, both have baggage. That threatens to be their downfall. There is a war coming to these packs. And both packs will have to work together to get through it. Can Logan & Mia work their issues out, so they can be together?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another great read from Rachel M. Raithby. I really enjoyed Mia’s fiery personality and Logan c’mon who wouldn’t love him! I know I do 😍 Loved getting a look inside the packs from others point on view and love dominating MC’s. Definitely recommend 😊
As always, don't read these books out of order. They just won't make sense. Also, this review has several spoilers for the other books, but not for this one.
I always forget, between books, How immersive this world is. Each book tells the story of one couple, but also keeps weaving huge threads of the over all story arc. In this book Mia and Logan struggle to find a way to connect even though both have spent years running from all connections.
This book does not really add anything to the over all arc. It does however, at one point, push Kat into an action I've been dying to see since Winter Wolf, and which is absolutely vital to health of both packs- When left with no choice and hard decisions to make, she FINALLY pulls up her big girl panties, stops whining about not wanting to be in charge, add does what needs done.
The time line in this novella almost perfectly mirrors Lost Wolf. but sadly, if you're like me and were hoping to see the face off between Noah and Jackson, it's not in this book.
A general thought about the entire series, Every time I read a new book, I wonder is THIS the time when someone finally figures out that the biggest reason it is absolutely necessary River Run and Dark Shadow become friends is because whenever Kat and Bass have a kid, that kid will be alpha to both packs eventually, essentially uniting them? They really need to not see a lot of "us and them" before that happens. I've yet to see that epiphany in any of the books, and at this point it seems unlikely that with that many smart people involved, no one has figured that out yet. (When the packs do combine I like the names Dark River). 😉
Mia was in a foul mood. Pete had groped her ass one too many times during training, and it had driven her to the point of breaking. His possessiveness was sign she’d slept with him one too many times. Mia could say the words “this is casual. I’m not looking for a relationship” a million times, and it would never get through. Well, not to the smaller, dumber “second” male brain anyway. She’d give Pete one last chance. Then she’d have no choice but to beat his ass and put him back in his place. A good beating was sure to hurt a man’s pride, and taking away his pride was like castrating him. It did the trick every time. But none of that helped improve her mood for her night shift. And to make matters worse, she’d been paired for patrol with none other than Dark Shadow’s renowned playboy. “In a great mood as always, I see,” Logan said in greeting. Mia snarled. As the sound left her throat, she realized it was a little too aggressive and a lot unfair. Logan’s wolf flashed into his eyes, glowing copper peering out, but he also took a step back and lifted his hands, palms out. “Whoa, Mia. It was a joke.” His response surprised her; Logan was a dominant wolf, and they rarely backed down from uncalled for aggression. “Sorry.” He raised his eyes as they shifted to their browner human color. “Who’s pissed you off?” “Just men thinking I’m nothing but a pretty thing to look at.” Logan smiled. “You’re certainly pretty to look at.” Mia growled softly in warning, causing Logan’s grin to widen. “But! That’s not all you are.” Mia huffed, crossing her arms across her chest. “Not falling for your charm, Logan.” “Sure? Not melting a little?” He winked. Mia glared. Damn it. I wanna smile. “Want to fight away your bad mood?” Now he’s talking. Mia’s wolf pushed forward, filling her eyes. “Sure, if you want to take on a pissed-off wolf?” she warned, daring him with her gaze. “Oh, darling.” Logan smirked. “You’re forgetting I’m the more senior here.” He was right; he was the more senior in rank, but that didn’t mean he was more dominant. Not that she planned on informing him. There was no need to hurt his feelings by pointing out she was top dog. Or top wolf in this case. Instead, Mia smiled seductively and blew Logan a kiss. “Don’t hold back on me, babe.” She lifted a hand and crooked a finger. “Not a chance,” he whispered, darting forward, fists clenched, arms ready. Mia met him halfway, dodged his first hit, deflected his second. Her blood was singing, adrenaline washing away all traces of her previous frustration and anger. As promised, Logan wasn’t holding back. He moved with a grace she hadn’t expected, a lethal beauty that was kind of turning her on. His foot kicked out, connecting with her middle. He pulled back at the last second—their objective to connect not hurt. But still, the force was enough to have her breath rushing out of her and sliding back a step. Mia shook her head and laughed. “Oh, you’re going to pay for that one.” “Do your worst, chick.” She ignored the sexist term he’d used, deciding it didn’t matter when he was looking at her as an equal and not a piece of skirt. Avoiding his next attack, Mia twisted. Using her smaller frame to her advantage, she got close enough to lay hands on him and brought Logan to the ground. Her knee met his stomach, as she pinned his shoulders. He struggled once, twice, before managing to flip her. His triumphant expression should have infuriated Mia, but it only made the game sweeter. “Your move,” he said breathlessly. There was no way she’d get him off her without playing dirty. Logan was heavier and taller, and she didn’t have the strength to move him. Relaxing just a fraction, Mia allowed her gaze to turn alluring, her lips to lift just a little. Wriggling her hand free, she brought it up and beckoned him toward her mouth. Lust filled his gaze, but Logan wasn’t so easily fooled. “Not falling for it,” he mused. Mia licked her lips and held his gaze. The smile on his face faltered, his eyes focusing on her mouth, and Mia knew she’d won. His head dipped, his mouth brushing hers as she brought her knee up into his gut, pushing him off. Logan growled, rolling away and jumping to his feet. “Not fair,” he said breathlessly. Mia too was breathing heavily, and it had nothing to do with the exertion of fighting. The slight brush of his lips had been enough to flood her system with desire. Maybe there’s more than one way to work off my frustration? Stalking toward Logan, Mia took him in. She’d noticed him of course; you couldn’t meet him without appreciating his pure male beauty, but that didn’t mean she’d actually thought about sleeping with him. He was part of the Dark Shadow pack after all, but she figured one night wasn’t going to jeopardize the alliance. She was just blowing off a bit of steam with some good old-fashioned adult fun. No harm, no foul. “I’m not falling for it again, Mia, so you can wipe that ‘get me naked’ look off your face.” Mia smiled, prowling toward him with intent. He stood his ground and deflected her next few hits. They were panting and sweaty when Mia once again was tumbling Logan to the ground. This time though, the only emotion swirling through her blood was one of need, desire. Logan was hot, single, and she was a grown woman with a healthy appetite for sex; her night shift was looking up. “Mia?” Logan whispered, confusion and hunger filling his face. “There’s more than one way to work off a bad day,” she answered, claiming his lips.
The best series I have ever read. Human and wolf trait’s allowing the Shifters to live amongst men in peace is something I had never heard of. The evil inI humanity and in the animal kingdom is a strong force , but, so is love . I can’t wait to read the next book.
Keep in mind that this is number 4.5 (novella length) in an ongoing series where each book features a new couple falling in love but the underlying dynamics of the pack and the tension that helps motivate the storyline builds from the previous book. I highly recommend reading them in order but you would probably be ok picking up any of the books if are just interested in the wolfy romance aspect of the story. Rachel does do a nice job of giving enough background at the start of each story so you would not be floundering jumping in.
Everyone who knows me knows my love of all things werewolf romance! There is just something so compelling about the mate bond and the strong protective alpha vibes that just makes me happy. I read the first book Winter Wolf back in 2015 before the other books came out and I really enjoyed it. I did not know it was going to be a series at the time so I went on my way to other books but when the series recently came to my notice I was so excited to see there there were so many more books to jump into. I re-read Winter Wolf to refresh my knowledge of the world Rachel created (It was just as good the second time around, FYI) before jumping into the rest of the series which I ended up binge reading. One can never have enough of wolf drama and pack antics.
Wold Clash is dual narrated by Mia and Logan (even though I wish there had been more of Logan's view, just a few chapters scattered through the novella), two wolves from opposing packs that are tentatively at a truce. Both have personal baggage from the past that they can't seem to shake which puts a damper on them ever finding happiness. I really liked how Mia is a badass, no wilting flower that needs to be saved, but instead a warrior who holds her own in any fight. And Logan was completely fine with that, encouraging her to step up and take control, which you almost never see in the alpha wolf world. I did feel a little like I was thrown into the story with the two already in the middle of a "relationship" (fling??) so I missed out on getting to know them and their backstory as much as I would have liked (but this is usually my general issue with novellas, not enough pages for all the details I desire).
Overall this was a nice fast taste of this world that did end up having something similar to a happily ever after but with hints of a deeper battle brewing that I can't wait to learn more about. I do think my favorite part of the book though was seeing my favorite characters from the previous books pop up (I will always heart Bash and Kat!) and still be madly in love. I highly recommend this series to anyone who love werewolf stories, paranormal romance, strong characters and deadly battles.
Mia is a dominant wolf who's so focused on her soldier duties and isn't interested in relationships, ensuring that she never gets hurt when that person is taken away. As she was when the loss of her best friend drove her to this focused determination to be the best soldier for her Pack. One night Katalina gets her to let loose and come out, one night of fun... A cute copper eyed dark shadow wolf... Logan has felt loss, watching his mother wither away from the loss of his father. He's determined not mate, to allow himself to be that vulnerable. But fate has other ideas for these two, and when their pack alliance is in its infancy, the pull between these two will either make or break it. I recommend reading the series in order, but this book was full of emotion, i couldn't put it down.
Another brilliant book. I love the New Dawn world and was so happy to dive back in. Logan and Mia's journey gives you hope that no matter how broken you may be love can heal you.