4.5 stars ( )

Against all odds, Easton made me love a shifter series.

I had some trouble getting into this installment, but once in, as usual with Eli Easton's work, I was immersed. I forgot I *wasn't* in Mad Creek. It's a sweet and worrying and clever tale, no pun intended.

You could start here, but you'll get more out of it if you've read the first three books. ( )

It was great to see Rav again. I really liked him and how he just found comfort in Mad Creek, despite the attempts to run him off because he is human. Sammy was such a sweetheart. Watching him come into his own and start to feel comfortable and connected with Rav was sweet. I liked Rav’s contributions to the town. ( )

This series keeps going from strength to strength! To see the world from a dog’s perspective is fascinating in and of itself, but to have the privilege of watching the process of “quickening” in this world Eli Easton has created is a special treat each and every time she adds a new volume. This time there is an abused dog, Sammy, who only wants to love and be loved. His story is heartbreaking but when he finally takes the step of shifting into “his human skin” and makes it to Mad Creek where he should be safe, he is followed. The guy who had him tagged with the best of intentions, Rav, has already half figured out Mad Creek’s secret when the story starts, but there is much more to come. What a treat!

Sammy has had a tough life since his first owner died – a woman he loved with all his doggie heart. I lived through all his trials and tribulations with him just waiting for him to figure out how to escape, and was along every step of the way. He is such a good guy – yes, a little naïve – but totally without guile. He wants to do well, and is a very fast learner, but he is scared of big men based on his past experience of them beating and kicking him when he was a dog. His childlike wonder and need to do well was very well portrayed, and some of the stuff he has to deal with now that he is human was just as heart-wrenching as I expected.

Rav is a good guy – but he has not always been as nice and animal-friendly as he is now. He has a big secret in his past, and it’s one that comes in very handy when Mad Creek needs help. Rav’s first interest is to figure out if he is going crazy for thinking the dog he rescued from a kill-shelter is now a gorgeous young man. Once he is sure he was right, it becomes a challenge to prove to the dogshifters of Mad Creek, especially their sheriff (Lance from book one), that they can trust him. Oh, and he is quickly falling for Sammy, even though Sammy doesn’t seem to be interested in him in a romantic way…

As you will have guessed by now, this is a story of many layers. The growth of Mad Creek has become an issue due to ever-increasing numbers of newly quickened finding their way to safety. The need for jobs to give everyone something to do and more houses requires an economy they do not have – and Lance, in his position as protector of the town, fights the addition of outsiders with everything he has. But Rav is not one to give up, and with Sammy by his side, they develop a pretty unique idea and a daring plan that might just help everyone get what they want. What a ride!

If you like the increasingly intriguing world of Mad Creek and its growing population of a human pack of dogshifters, if you like main characters who have to figure out who they are almost from scratch, and if you’re looking for a read that is funny, heartbreaking, suspenseful, and deeply emotional all at the same time, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. Sammy is a very special man and Rav turns out to be much deeper than I initially expected. Watching them fall in love was very sweet, and following their adventures certainly kept me entertained!


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

3.5*

Second MC: 8
Secondary characters: 9
Mystery: 4
Sexual tension: 5
Humor: 7
Hotness: 6
Product placement: 4
Ridiculousness: 4
Annoying: 4
Audio: N/A
To re-read: 7

My least favorite of the series. I don't know if there will be a 5th one, there was no indication. But I hope this isn't the sky-dive downward most series take after three books.
Ravi was interesting, I kind of wished he had a better story. I think because with previous books there was something huge going on (drug dealers, virus). But here none, the only mystery is that Ravi knew, and no one knew that he knew. Suspected but not acknowledged. And what was that conversation with Tim?
Sammy was indeed a goof, but I didn't get the feeling that I knew him. How did he feel? It was like Milo but boring. At least Milo was exciting and friendly. Sammy was just timid.
I was waiting for something to happen. It didn't ( )