Actual stars: 2.86
Lucy Adler lives with her family in a large, secluded mansion in Fairbanks, Alaska, where not everything is as it seems. While walking home from a friend’s house, she encounters what she believes to be a wolf, only to later discover that it is actually a supernatural shifter. At the same time, Lucy becomes determined to befriend her mysterious new neighbor, Will. Drawn to him in ways she cannot fully explain, she gradually develops a close bond with him.
Meanwhile, Lucy also grows closer to Alec, a handsome young man who has long harbored feelings for her. Alec’s twin is dating Lucy’s adopted older sister, further intertwining the two families. As Lucy spends more time with both young men, she realizes that her true feelings lie with Will, surprising herself with the depth of their connection. When she eventually discovers that Will is a beast whose violent nature is calmed by her presence, Lucy comes to understand that the world around her is far more complex than she ever imagined.
I think my favorite aspect of the book was Lucy herself, as well as the way the author portrayed both the romance and the atmosphere surrounding her. The descriptions of the setting and the unfolding events were particularly vivid, making the world feel immersive and easy to imagine. Although Lucy’s characterization could have been developed even further, she still came across as a believable and multidimensional protagonist rather than a shallow one. Her values, personality, and internal perspective gave her a depth that allowed me to better understand her motivations and connect with her throughout the story.
I’m not entirely sure whether I would recommend this book. I do think readers who enjoy paranormal romance and stories with mysterious supernatural elements may find it appealing. That said, I found the writing to be somewhat repetitive at times, and those repeated moments did little to add depth to either the characters or the storyline. Many of the plot developments also felt rather shallow, and I often wished the characters had taken a more active role in driving the narrative forward. As a result, much of the story felt predictable and emotionally flat to me.
Since this is the first book in a series, part of me is curious to continue and see whether the story develops more depth in later installments. At the same time, I’m not particularly compelled to pick up the next book immediately. For now, I think I’ll take a break and focus on other reads before deciding whether to continue the series.