Howl it all out
Elena is making moves. First she moved she and her daughter away from her husband. She moved careers. She moved out of her comfort zone and started dating 5 guys. She moved past her daughter deciding to become a wolf. Now she just has to ensure that Gabby will be taken care of, in case something happens, and she can move on to her new life with no worries. But when her pack comes under fire, she make a bold move for a human, she makes a move towards leadership. Not a token one as the alpha's girlfriend, but an actual take charge leading role. Who knew the nice, baking, mom of a teenager had it in her?
Spoilers ahead.
I said it after the 1st, and I'll say it again. This is so much more than just a cougar mom getting her groove on/back. This is an onion story. Layers upon layers. Learning that Auryn wrote this as the parental POV of a YA makes it even more amazing. Because the teenagers really are almost feral, breaking barriers, and changing everything. But, Gabby has to get it from somewhere, right? And it sure wasn't the DNA donor. Trigger warnings for a school shooting event. Considering how many parents, and grown teens, and now adults have survived, lost loved ones, or otherwise known that trauma, it bears a warning to readers. Only injuries, no losses, but with as prevalent as the occurrence sadly is, far too many have been touched by it. It isn't graphic, events move through and past it quickly.
*I love how Elena is learning what strength is. How it goes beyond physical.
*I intensely diskliked Gerardo after his casual indifference, but he claimed the irredeemable loathesome badge this book.
*I understand why the 2 hung back, and their concerns, but it was a little sad to see them do so.
*Can I say how much I adore Henry and hope maybe he finds someone(s) so he's a little less lonely? Even if it's just a new friend to BS with. His pack keeps him going, I just want his personal life to be as fulfilling.
*I'm loving all the mushy moments with the pack. And her new club.
*I maybe, possibly, ok really laughed hard over the ex's name. Especially with the cut.
*We get more info about this world of shifters, like an expansion pack. Punny, right?
This was sweet, funny, scary (especially from a parent's POV), wondrous and frustrating. Everything a second book should be to keep you going in the series. All too often trilogies are wow, ugh, and wrap up with a really?? And, while knowing this is only a trilogy is sad, because I am really enjoying these characters, there's a lot of room to expand, too. So, maybe, our beloved author will give us Gabby's story after she grows up? Or add some fun POVs about wolf camp? (Hint- David's) She's like catnip to us readers, creating these worlds and hooking us in. Seeing the announcement of a new book is like her rattling the tin. You just know you're going to roll in it and zone out.