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Breaking Tradition #2
Mist and Marrow
Linden Van Doren is in a strange position. He’s an emancipated omega holding down two jobs, so he should be out from under anyone’s thumb but in reality, there are still weird lupine rules to follow. For instance, if an alpha wants to court him, he’s not allowed to say no. If that same alpha asks for his hand in bonding, however, as there’s no contract that anyone holds but him, he can certainly say no to that. And would. He trusts no alpha to keep their word even though they’re the only ones who could make his dreams come true. It’s all very confusing and a bit ridiculous but until all omegas are free to do whatever they want with their lives, his odd circumstances are the norm. He’s also doing his very small part to help others—and that just became a problem.
Wade Massey is a homicide detective with the Chicago PD. He’s partners with Avery Davenport, which puts him in close, continual contact with Avery’s friend, Linden Van Doren. Wade isn’t sure what it is about Linden that drives him nuts. And annoying the hell out of the stunning omega should make Wade want to stay away from him. The problem is, he can’t seem to do that. Besides, Linden needs a keeper. Wade has never actually met anyone who needs someone looking out for them more and really, no one but Wade can be trusted to do it and keep their hands off the tantalizing man.
When the FBI comes knocking because omegas have gone missing, Wade finds out that Linden has been far more active in the fight to help other omegas than he imagined. When both men are drafted to help, they are suddenly thrown together in a situation where, for once, neither of them can walk away. Wade’s been great at making excuses and Linny’s been fantastic about hiding his feelings. None of that works anymore.
Linden knows he wants Wade—he knew the night the possessive human carried him out of hell—but loving someone who can never return his feelings is stupid and Linden’s finished with that. Wade’s never been attracted to a man before and perhaps it’s not desire or lust, but simply his protective instincts gone wild. If neither of them can be brave, there’s no hope for the future. But perhaps just winnowing through the mist of confusion down to the marrow where the truth lies will set them both free.
Trigger Warning: Discussion of repeated sexual abuse of a main character, including when he was a minor. No abuse occurs on page.
Wade Massey is a homicide detective with the Chicago PD. He’s partners with Avery Davenport, which puts him in close, continual contact with Avery’s friend, Linden Van Doren. Wade isn’t sure what it is about Linden that drives him nuts. And annoying the hell out of the stunning omega should make Wade want to stay away from him. The problem is, he can’t seem to do that. Besides, Linden needs a keeper. Wade has never actually met anyone who needs someone looking out for them more and really, no one but Wade can be trusted to do it and keep their hands off the tantalizing man.
When the FBI comes knocking because omegas have gone missing, Wade finds out that Linden has been far more active in the fight to help other omegas than he imagined. When both men are drafted to help, they are suddenly thrown together in a situation where, for once, neither of them can walk away. Wade’s been great at making excuses and Linny’s been fantastic about hiding his feelings. None of that works anymore.
Linden knows he wants Wade—he knew the night the possessive human carried him out of hell—but loving someone who can never return his feelings is stupid and Linden’s finished with that. Wade’s never been attracted to a man before and perhaps it’s not desire or lust, but simply his protective instincts gone wild. If neither of them can be brave, there’s no hope for the future. But perhaps just winnowing through the mist of confusion down to the marrow where the truth lies will set them both free.
Trigger Warning: Discussion of repeated sexual abuse of a main character, including when he was a minor. No abuse occurs on page.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2022
146 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
125 books5,015 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
November 26, 2024
4 Stars
Turns out, this is my first Mary Calmes read in around two and a half years (shocking!!), but what a tasty story to get myself back into that addictive Calmes-frame-of-mind.
There are some heavy themes at play here, exploring an omegaverse alt-world that is pretty damn brutal and essentially inhuman to poor omegas. There’s A LOT of reference to past rape and abuse, inflicted on omega MC Linden Van Doren from his childhood all the way through to the harrowing events of book one. But thankfully, this book sees Linny healing in healthy ways, now safe under the protection of Alpha cyne Graeme Davenport (Muscle and Bone MC), no longer beholden to the cruel abuse and exploitation his father (and others) thrust upon him for so many years.
Now, going against the grain of what omega-nature dictates, Linny runs a successful business and orchestrates a covert side hustle, serving as an intermediary named Luna, helping mistreated omegas relocate/escape their dire straits—waiting for the day when decent Alphas like Graeme can pass new laws giving omegas greater self-governance than ever before.
Until then, Linny does what he can to help those in need, but he walks a dangerous line, essentially putting him in the crosshairs of both inquisitive human law enforcement and unidentified lupine powers who are running their own omega trafficking rings, desperate to put a stop to “Luna” and their meddling. The best way to catch the bad guys, though, is to dangle Luna as bait. A risk Linny is all on board with, willing to do whatever it takes to save more omega lives.
Enter human detective Wade Massey, a fierce protector of Linny since the moment they met, determined to act as Linny’s bodyguard in this undercover mission, unwilling (and unable) to take a backseat when Linny’s life is at stake (again). Wade still claims disinterest in both men and relationships, but the more time he spends in Linny’s mesmerizing orbit, the more he begins to imagine a different life for himself—a life where Linny will forever be safe, adored and worshipped by the good detective, lupine expectations be damned.
As is the norm with a Calmes paranormal-themed series, the chemistry between Linny and Wade is full of passion and possession and need. There’s been some definite pining and unrequited love on Linny’s end, for a long time, but as stoic and stubborn as Wade is at the outset, it’s still clear in every protective and tender moment he’s with Linny that his (briefly unidentified) feelings are strong and resolute in return.
Unlike in book one, the romance is much more a slow burn here, which I greatly appreciated, particularly given Wade’s dormant bisexuality and Linny’s trauma-filled past. But oh boy, when they embrace their attraction, there is no going back, showcasing, once again, just how great Calmes writes mated pairs in her PNR stories.
This had a nice pacing to it, with decent character development (that was helped along by great bones in book one) and an engaging suspense arc that kept me guessing at culprits among the large cast of characters. The end was a bit rushed, but I was too engaged to really think much of it until after the dust had settled. The fact that everyone got their HEA, while still leaving this series open to more sequels and world-expansion, left me a fairly satisfied reader.
**************************
Audio Edition:
With Nick J. Russo at the helm how could this be anything but an enhanced and enjoyable audiobook experience.
Turns out, this is my first Mary Calmes read in around two and a half years (shocking!!), but what a tasty story to get myself back into that addictive Calmes-frame-of-mind.
There are some heavy themes at play here, exploring an omegaverse alt-world that is pretty damn brutal and essentially inhuman to poor omegas. There’s A LOT of reference to past rape and abuse, inflicted on omega MC Linden Van Doren from his childhood all the way through to the harrowing events of book one. But thankfully, this book sees Linny healing in healthy ways, now safe under the protection of Alpha cyne Graeme Davenport (Muscle and Bone MC), no longer beholden to the cruel abuse and exploitation his father (and others) thrust upon him for so many years.
Now, going against the grain of what omega-nature dictates, Linny runs a successful business and orchestrates a covert side hustle, serving as an intermediary named Luna, helping mistreated omegas relocate/escape their dire straits—waiting for the day when decent Alphas like Graeme can pass new laws giving omegas greater self-governance than ever before.
Until then, Linny does what he can to help those in need, but he walks a dangerous line, essentially putting him in the crosshairs of both inquisitive human law enforcement and unidentified lupine powers who are running their own omega trafficking rings, desperate to put a stop to “Luna” and their meddling. The best way to catch the bad guys, though, is to dangle Luna as bait. A risk Linny is all on board with, willing to do whatever it takes to save more omega lives.
Enter human detective Wade Massey, a fierce protector of Linny since the moment they met, determined to act as Linny’s bodyguard in this undercover mission, unwilling (and unable) to take a backseat when Linny’s life is at stake (again). Wade still claims disinterest in both men and relationships, but the more time he spends in Linny’s mesmerizing orbit, the more he begins to imagine a different life for himself—a life where Linny will forever be safe, adored and worshipped by the good detective, lupine expectations be damned.
As is the norm with a Calmes paranormal-themed series, the chemistry between Linny and Wade is full of passion and possession and need. There’s been some definite pining and unrequited love on Linny’s end, for a long time, but as stoic and stubborn as Wade is at the outset, it’s still clear in every protective and tender moment he’s with Linny that his (briefly unidentified) feelings are strong and resolute in return.
Unlike in book one, the romance is much more a slow burn here, which I greatly appreciated, particularly given Wade’s dormant bisexuality and Linny’s trauma-filled past. But oh boy, when they embrace their attraction, there is no going back, showcasing, once again, just how great Calmes writes mated pairs in her PNR stories.
This had a nice pacing to it, with decent character development (that was helped along by great bones in book one) and an engaging suspense arc that kept me guessing at culprits among the large cast of characters. The end was a bit rushed, but I was too engaged to really think much of it until after the dust had settled. The fact that everyone got their HEA, while still leaving this series open to more sequels and world-expansion, left me a fairly satisfied reader.
**************************
Audio Edition:
With Nick J. Russo at the helm how could this be anything but an enhanced and enjoyable audiobook experience.
August 23, 2023
Reread/Relisten: August 2023
everything i originally said still stands. i feel like this was over done with the politics, but i still liked to read about Wade and Linden.
I hope that Critt and Sasha get a book that would be adorable.
3.5 stars rounding up for Nick J Russo’s narration: July 2022
This was a cute story but I felt like there was a lot of Alpha Omega politics that was explained quite often in this story. While yes it is nice to see how each author does their own Alpha/Beta/Omega story I felt like this was over explained.
I wished for more Wade and Linden and their relationship rather than the politics of it all.
But I did enjoy the book, I feel like you do have to read the first book to really get the full picture of everything that happens in this story. But with all the explaining of the politics, I feel like this could also read this as a standalone if you really wanted to try.
Can’t wait for book three… maybe Critt and Sasha…?
everything i originally said still stands. i feel like this was over done with the politics, but i still liked to read about Wade and Linden.
I hope that Critt and Sasha get a book that would be adorable.
3.5 stars rounding up for Nick J Russo’s narration: July 2022
This was a cute story but I felt like there was a lot of Alpha Omega politics that was explained quite often in this story. While yes it is nice to see how each author does their own Alpha/Beta/Omega story I felt like this was over explained.
I wished for more Wade and Linden and their relationship rather than the politics of it all.
But I did enjoy the book, I feel like you do have to read the first book to really get the full picture of everything that happens in this story. But with all the explaining of the politics, I feel like this could also read this as a standalone if you really wanted to try.
Can’t wait for book three… maybe Critt and Sasha…?
April 14, 2022
I was so excited for this after meeting Wade and Linden in book one but this was just not it for me.
The info dump on the lore was just too overwhelming and just tedious! I skimmed most of the chapters because the connection was NOT hitting as hard as I wanted it too. Also, sadly, there were no mentions of pea coats but there were jodhpurs (which I think is pretty up there).
As usual, I'm just gonna complain and then continue to eat whatever Mary's cooked anyway because for some unfathomable reason I can't seem to give up on her!
The info dump on the lore was just too overwhelming and just tedious! I skimmed most of the chapters because the connection was NOT hitting as hard as I wanted it too. Also, sadly, there were no mentions of pea coats but there were jodhpurs (which I think is pretty up there).
As usual, I'm just gonna complain and then continue to eat whatever Mary's cooked anyway because for some unfathomable reason I can't seem to give up on her!
April 19, 2022
Ok. I went into this fresh off a re-read of Muscle and Bone. Which, if you read my original review, was a weird read for me when it was released so a re-read was necessary. It became a little less weird for me on the re-read so I figured I started this with a pretty open mind.
First off, this was not what I was expecting AT ALL! I wasn't even sure how I was going to take to Linden and well, this setup sure took care of any of the dislike I may have felt toward him. This Linden is Linny and yeah. Good job.
So yeah, I liked that aspect of the story. I liked that what I felt I was missing with Avery from the first book was here and here on steroids with Linny. He was the epitome of what I think of as an Omega and I loved that no matter what he'd been through (and believe me, I can't even think about what that was) he has a back bone.
Second, I liked Wade a lot. I liked him in the first book and couldn't wait to see how he was going to come around in this one. It was fun, and lovely.
What I didn't like, the repetitiveness of the Omega explanation. It felt that every character Linden or Wade interacted with included an instruction manual or history of the Omega. I was so tired of reading it and angry that it had to keep being explained. It was a lot of the book honestly. Too much.
Overall, I might have liked it better than the first or at least they rate the same.
Now that I get we are Breaking Tradition I've settled into it a bit better and am now looking forward to the third book concluding the Trilogy.
First off, this was not what I was expecting AT ALL! I wasn't even sure how I was going to take to Linden and well, this setup sure took care of any of the dislike I may have felt toward him. This Linden is Linny and yeah. Good job.
So yeah, I liked that aspect of the story. I liked that what I felt I was missing with Avery from the first book was here and here on steroids with Linny. He was the epitome of what I think of as an Omega and I loved that no matter what he'd been through (and believe me, I can't even think about what that was) he has a back bone.
Second, I liked Wade a lot. I liked him in the first book and couldn't wait to see how he was going to come around in this one. It was fun, and lovely.
What I didn't like, the repetitiveness of the Omega explanation. It felt that every character Linden or Wade interacted with included an instruction manual or history of the Omega. I was so tired of reading it and angry that it had to keep being explained. It was a lot of the book honestly. Too much.
Overall, I might have liked it better than the first or at least they rate the same.
Now that I get we are Breaking Tradition I've settled into it a bit better and am now looking forward to the third book concluding the Trilogy.
February 11, 2023
Mary Calmes is one of the first M/M authors that I ever read. I love her characters and her writing style in everything that she has written, especially her "Matter of Time" and "Marshalls" series...two of my favorites that have been reread several times. This story follows a very different shifter culture than we usually find. It is intriguing, but sometimes barbaric in nature with the treatment of the omegas. Linny and Wade make such a perfect and amazing couple from the start as they work out how to combine their human and lupine relationship. As usual, Mary Calmes has skillfully given us a story that engages not only the mind but the heart as well. This is book 2 in the series and though I often read out of order, this series seems to be more in need to be read in order to see the advancement of the characters which overlap...so if you wish to get the most of these characters read Muscle and Bone first.
April 13, 2022
I liked this, as I thought the whole premise was interesting and the characters were well-written. However, half if not most of the story is dedicated to explaining the social structure of the alpha/omega world. It felt repetitive and I no longer felt engaged with the story.
I also didn't like that Wade and Linden had met before this story started, and sparks had already been flying without the reader there to witness the magic; I'm old school in that I like the whole shebang with lovers meeting on-screen and carrying out their story from there.
I do like Mary Calmes though and her general writing style, so I'll give this one three stars and not two.
I also didn't like that Wade and Linden had met before this story started, and sparks had already been flying without the reader there to witness the magic; I'm old school in that I like the whole shebang with lovers meeting on-screen and carrying out their story from there.
I do like Mary Calmes though and her general writing style, so I'll give this one three stars and not two.
April 13, 2022
For me personally, it's like a different author has written this series. Both books lack the Mary magic. Big plot gaps, unlikable MCs, a quarter of the book spent going over the lore from the first book in the series. I can't fathom that this is the same author who wrote my beloved Marshals. I love Mary, but I don't love this series, sadly.
April 12, 2022
3.5 stars
April 15, 2022
2.5
There are all the ingredients there for a Mary story but somehow it feels like she put on the hand brake while wirting it. Might be because like the first book in this series there is a lot of somehow repetitive descriptions and explanations (this time about the horrifying rules Omegas have to live by), might be beause Linden is too femme for my taste (while I like Wade quite fine) and certainly because of some plot gaps and because I still don't understand the resolution of that Bluebeard case which came too quick, like it just had to be there but she was only interested in it being spectacular but not in the case itself.
Guess I have to read one of her other books again just to remind myself why Mary Calmes is usually nearly an insta-read for me ... maybe I start with the "He said, he said" story of her latest newsletter, I always enjoy that.
There are all the ingredients there for a Mary story but somehow it feels like she put on the hand brake while wirting it. Might be because like the first book in this series there is a lot of somehow repetitive descriptions and explanations (this time about the horrifying rules Omegas have to live by), might be beause Linden is too femme for my taste (while I like Wade quite fine) and certainly because of some plot gaps and because I still don't understand the resolution of that Bluebeard case which came too quick, like it just had to be there but she was only interested in it being spectacular but not in the case itself.
Guess I have to read one of her other books again just to remind myself why Mary Calmes is usually nearly an insta-read for me ... maybe I start with the "He said, he said" story of her latest newsletter, I always enjoy that.
April 17, 2022
I'm glad we got Linden's story.
I enjoyed 'Mist and Marrow' just as much as 'Muscle and Bone', and with the same niggle of there being a few scenes that happen off page I'd've really liked to have gotten to read.
It's a paranormal romance series more in line with Calmes' L'Ange series - with a different couple as the main characters each time - and I'm looking forward to see if there'll be another book in the series. I hope so.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I enjoyed 'Mist and Marrow' just as much as 'Muscle and Bone', and with the same niggle of there being a few scenes that happen off page I'd've really liked to have gotten to read.
It's a paranormal romance series more in line with Calmes' L'Ange series - with a different couple as the main characters each time - and I'm looking forward to see if there'll be another book in the series. I hope so.
3.5 stars rounded up.
May 8, 2024
It was ok. Maybe 2.5-3. Not as good as book 1. Lots of stuff happened, extraneous stuff not so much the romance.
Reread May 2024. Again, lots of stuff and needed more plot.
Reread May 2024. Again, lots of stuff and needed more plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
This was wayy better than Book 1! The heavy info dump and unsubtle real-world parallels between women condition and omega rights are still there, but the story made a bit more sense.
Maybe it's because the love interest is human and doesn't fuck with the weird abo lore and just respects his partner as a living being instead of focusing on his omeganess. This book was nothing life changing but def cute!
The mystery was a bit underwhelming, as Linden is immediately presented as Luna, leader of a network to replace omegas who ran away from their abusive situation. I thought it'd take a more important place in the story, and I WANTED to see more of that, but nope. It was established to pull Linden and Wade together and justify putting them on an "op" and having them live together, but the plot only basically existed in the first and last chapter. Everything in the middle was just both characters pining for each other. So obviously, the plot beyond the relationship is empty and boring.
But again, not as bad as book 1! If I ever remember this series, I'll probably go and read Book 3 when it releases... will it be about sasha and critt??
Maybe it's because the love interest is human and doesn't fuck with the weird abo lore and just respects his partner as a living being instead of focusing on his omeganess. This book was nothing life changing but def cute!
The mystery was a bit underwhelming, as Linden is immediately presented as Luna, leader of a network to replace omegas who ran away from their abusive situation. I thought it'd take a more important place in the story, and I WANTED to see more of that, but nope. It was established to pull Linden and Wade together and justify putting them on an "op" and having them live together, but the plot only basically existed in the first and last chapter. Everything in the middle was just both characters pining for each other. So obviously, the plot beyond the relationship is empty and boring.
But again, not as bad as book 1! If I ever remember this series, I'll probably go and read Book 3 when it releases... will it be about sasha and critt??
April 13, 2022
Really?
A vegan werewolf. Really? Nothing more to say, not one of her better efforts. Rather disappointing really. I'm not really I am interested in the third book.
A vegan werewolf. Really? Nothing more to say, not one of her better efforts. Rather disappointing really. I'm not really I am interested in the third book.
April 9, 2024
4.5 stars rounded to 4
Mist and Marrow is the sequel to Muscle and Bone in Breaking Tradition series with different main characters but with same general cast and framework. Main characters familiar from the first story. HEA, MM PNR Romance. GFY/Bi. Shifter. Alpha-Omega. Forbidden relationship. Hurt-Comfort. Sweet and Cute. Suspense. Trigger warning: murder, main character's past abuse.
2POV, 1st person, past tense. This edition 294 pages, 12th April 2022.
First of all, I absolutely loved the series starter and the very good world building I appreciate and which makes the whole thing so interesting. I'd looked forward to Linden's story a lot. I reread the first one before this one came out and loved it again. I love this second title a lot too, but to a lesser extent as the series starter. As I started to read, I expected suspense to happen, lots of things start to happen, but it kept not happening - until the end. That was a bit of a letdown. I expected more action and suspense actively earlier or for the story to go on. It felt like the story hardly got to really start going, when it already ended already so abruptly with a huge speed. That's my only complaint. I was pretty surprised.
It was lovely to get to read how Linden found a mate :) It was great that the partner was Avery's work partner Wade we already got to know in book one and how it was explained. It's great when it's all built on what's already there so that the characters can have more of a backstory.
I'll be rereading this one undoubtedly too.
Mist and Marrow is the sequel to Muscle and Bone in Breaking Tradition series with different main characters but with same general cast and framework. Main characters familiar from the first story. HEA, MM PNR Romance. GFY/Bi. Shifter. Alpha-Omega. Forbidden relationship. Hurt-Comfort. Sweet and Cute. Suspense. Trigger warning: murder, main character's past abuse.
2POV, 1st person, past tense. This edition 294 pages, 12th April 2022.
First of all, I absolutely loved the series starter and the very good world building I appreciate and which makes the whole thing so interesting. I'd looked forward to Linden's story a lot. I reread the first one before this one came out and loved it again. I love this second title a lot too, but to a lesser extent as the series starter. As I started to read, I expected suspense to happen, lots of things start to happen, but it kept not happening - until the end. That was a bit of a letdown. I expected more action and suspense actively earlier or for the story to go on. It felt like the story hardly got to really start going, when it already ended already so abruptly with a huge speed. That's my only complaint. I was pretty surprised.
It was lovely to get to read how Linden found a mate :) It was great that the partner was Avery's work partner Wade we already got to know in book one and how it was explained. It's great when it's all built on what's already there so that the characters can have more of a backstory.
I'll be rereading this one undoubtedly too.
April 15, 2022
Hmmmm, not as good as the first book for me. I felt like we were in stalemate, stalemate, stalemate, and then BAM! Mated, living together, I'm-going-to-take-care-of-you too quickly. I also didn't feel like Linden's trauma was taken seriously. I feel like that should have come up more as his and Wade's relationship progressed.
March 28, 2023
Not sure what to make of this. The pacing felt off with repetitive info dumps on werewolf society that leeched away any tension. While I don't mind forced proximity to get MCs together they went directly from ignoring their mutual attraction to HEA without any further relationship development.
April 16, 2022
This is an entertaining, well-written second book in the Breaking Tradition series. It is the second in what will be a trilogy. In this book, Linden, an omega who appeared in Book 1, is now emancipated and runs his own successful businesses. He still must adhere to lupine dating traditions, but he can reject any mating requests. Wade, a police detective, is part of Linden's friend circle and someone to whom Linden has been highly attracted. Wade is human, only dates women, and although heavily drawn to Linden, he doesn't want to risk hurting Linden if things don't work out. When danger comes up related to Linden's secretive work in helping omegas, the two men must work together. This book has an interesting take on the omegaverse, with non-traditional roles and representations. The story is well-paced, intriguing, and the love affair between the two men is the ultimate passion.
April 24, 2022
3.74927 stars.
Fun. Not as good as her best old stuff, but not as bad as some recent efforts. The heroes are classic (that’s a polite way of saying “the usual”) calmes heroes, but none of them glow in the dark, so there’s that.
Fun. Not as good as her best old stuff, but not as bad as some recent efforts. The heroes are classic (that’s a polite way of saying “the usual”) calmes heroes, but none of them glow in the dark, so there’s that.
May 23, 2023
Great Read!
Simply love Linden and Wade! I enjoyed Linden’s story and growth. The growth in both of them was amazing to see. Another win for Mary Calmes.
Simply love Linden and Wade! I enjoyed Linden’s story and growth. The growth in both of them was amazing to see. Another win for Mary Calmes.
April 25, 2022
This was a slog through. Waaaaay too much background and not particularly likeable MCs.
April 21, 2022
I was thrilled when I saw Muscle and Bone was expanding to a trilogy and that it was finally time for Linden and Wade to get their happily-ever-after. Yet the story left me feeling disappointed, there were some inconsistencies between the storylines which irked me and on top of that there seemed to be a disconnect in communication between Wade and Linden.
So let me start, in Muscle and Bone we learn that omegas can't come unless with an alpha. So after Wade and Linden hook-up the first time, shouldn't Linden and Wade both be having epiphanies? Instead we are back to the, we can never be together because Wade is only human and Linden is only omega. They also seemed to be at each other throats, which isn't how book #1 left off. In fact, Muscle and Bone ended with Linden basically pining for Wade and Wade being his oblivious self.
That being said, Mist and Marrow has Wade and Linden essentially avoiding each other, and when they can't, they argue and bicker. Wade is constantly putting his foot in his mouth and being an insensitive jerk. In comparison, Linden is still trying to recover from his trauma and establish a life for himself. While I initially viewed Linden as a fragile character, he definitely had strength in this story. But his and Wade's relationship could have really used some finessing. When it came to things in the bedroom, the sexual chemistry between these two is off the charts.
Yet any form of communication between them seems forced. They both have trouble articulating their feelings and instead of being transparent, they just end up saying hurtful things instead. It was frustrating, with so much other danger happening that these two just couldn't get it right. The ending of the book also felt very abrupt. I actually reached it and said "that's it?". I wanted some closure, I had lingering questions surrounding the plot that never got answered. And as a reader, that is frustrating. I plan picking up the last book in the series and hope that it can revive my interest in the series.
So let me start, in Muscle and Bone we learn that omegas can't come unless with an alpha. So after Wade and Linden hook-up the first time, shouldn't Linden and Wade both be having epiphanies? Instead we are back to the, we can never be together because Wade is only human and Linden is only omega. They also seemed to be at each other throats, which isn't how book #1 left off. In fact, Muscle and Bone ended with Linden basically pining for Wade and Wade being his oblivious self.
That being said, Mist and Marrow has Wade and Linden essentially avoiding each other, and when they can't, they argue and bicker. Wade is constantly putting his foot in his mouth and being an insensitive jerk. In comparison, Linden is still trying to recover from his trauma and establish a life for himself. While I initially viewed Linden as a fragile character, he definitely had strength in this story. But his and Wade's relationship could have really used some finessing. When it came to things in the bedroom, the sexual chemistry between these two is off the charts.
Yet any form of communication between them seems forced. They both have trouble articulating their feelings and instead of being transparent, they just end up saying hurtful things instead. It was frustrating, with so much other danger happening that these two just couldn't get it right. The ending of the book also felt very abrupt. I actually reached it and said "that's it?". I wanted some closure, I had lingering questions surrounding the plot that never got answered. And as a reader, that is frustrating. I plan picking up the last book in the series and hope that it can revive my interest in the series.
April 17, 2022
I’ve never been crazy over shifter books, even Mary Calmes’ ones. And I’m still really disappointed that she’s been doing dual POV books.
So while this obviously wasn’t going to be a 5 star read for me, I did like it more than the first book in the series. It was a little less bogged down with wolf lore, which was nice.
I really wish this had been just from one POV though… either or, Wade or Linden… I’m just not a fan of dual POV, especially when it’s from an author that was a favourite for so long because she didn’t write dual POV
So while this obviously wasn’t going to be a 5 star read for me, I did like it more than the first book in the series. It was a little less bogged down with wolf lore, which was nice.
I really wish this had been just from one POV though… either or, Wade or Linden… I’m just not a fan of dual POV, especially when it’s from an author that was a favourite for so long because she didn’t write dual POV
April 14, 2022
you did it again Ms. Calmes
I will say the first book is my favorite so far but I was very happy and enjoyed this book tremendously. It made me cry it made me laugh so many times out loud it made me feel good at the end. Your writing is always amazing thank you for sharing you gift .
I will say the first book is my favorite so far but I was very happy and enjoyed this book tremendously. It made me cry it made me laugh so many times out loud it made me feel good at the end. Your writing is always amazing thank you for sharing you gift .
April 16, 2022
2.25 stars!
to be honest, this one was a bit of a let down. Things didn't make sense more times than not? And I found the romance lacking in terms of chemisty but mostly the relationship progression was lukeworm
to be honest, this one was a bit of a let down. Things didn't make sense more times than not? And I found the romance lacking in terms of chemisty but mostly the relationship progression was lukeworm
April 19, 2022
DNP @ 30%...Nope...I just can't...too much rape descriptions...parents selling their kid..getting off on it...nope
May 10, 2022
Unfortunately, this installment doesn't rise to the level of the first book that I enjoyed reading. One major issue, too much time spent on repeating background details of the lupine culture.
mission-aborted
July 30, 2022Didn't care for this one. I found the whole shifter rules a big yawn.
October 19, 2024
I enjoyed Book 1 more. I really like Wade, but I didn’t end up liking Linden and him together as much as I thought I would.
June 4, 2023
Med angst, easy OV read with an entertaining vigilante omega and confused human detective.
3.75⭐️
3.75⭐️
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