Title: The Wolf at Bay
Series: Big Bad Wolf: Book Two
Author: Charlie Adhara
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 262 Pages
Category: Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense
At a Glance: I loved so many things about this book. Charlie Adhara’s writing is fantastic, and the story and characters are engrossing.
Reviewed By: Jules
Blurb: Going home digs up bad memories, so it’s something Bureau of Special Investigations agent Cooper Dayton tries to avoid. When he’s guilted into a visit, Cooper brings along Oliver Park, his hot new werewolf partner, in the hopes the trip will help clarify their status as a couple…or not.
When Park’s keen shifter nose uncovers a body in the yard and Cooper’s father is the prime suspect, Cooper knows they’re on their own. Familial involvement means no sanctioned investigation. They’ll need to go rogue and solve the mystery quietly or risk seeing Cooper’s dad put behind bars.
The case may be cold, but Park and Cooper’s relationship heats up as they work. And yet if Cooper can’t figure out what’s going on between them outside of the bedroom, he’ll lose someone he… Well, he can’t quite put into words how he feels about Park. He knows one thing for sure: he’s not ready to say goodbye, though with the real killer inching ever closer…he may not have a choice.
Review: I am absolutely LOVING this series, you guys. I fell in love with Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park in Charlie Adhara’s first book, The Wolf at the Door, and fell even harder in the sequel. The new book, The Wolf at Bay, picks up about four months after the first one ended. Park and Dayton are still partnered up, working for the BSI, solving cases involving werewolf crimes, and working together seamlessly, but as they also grow closer in their personal relationship, Cooper begins to struggle with how to label what’s going on between them. Or, to be honest, with figuring out what it even is that’s going on. Are they just fuck buddies? Boyfriends? Possibly more? Cooper is pretty sure he wants more. He’d love to take their partnership to a new level outside of work, but isn’t sure what Oliver wants, and he’s such a goofball he can’t even figure out a way to just talk to Park.
The guys have just finished up a case, but Cooper doesn’t really have any down time to stew over their relationship status, though, because his dad calls and reminds him that he’s supposed to be coming home for his brother’s engagement party the upcoming weekend. And, as icing on the awkward-family-visit cake, Cooper’s dad suggest he bring Park along. They’ve got a few days off coming to them, so they decide to go for it. If nothing else, they should be able to use the time over this super relaxed and celebratory weekend to clear things up between them, right? Ha! I think we all know that things are probably not going to go to plan.
As the blurb states, a body turns up in Cooper’s dad’s back yard, and Cooper and Oliver end up working covertly to do some digging of their own, before the local police or FBI agents finger Cooper’s dad for the murder. I really liked the mystery aspect of the storyline. It was well-done and intriguing, and definitely kept me guessing. And Adhara also did an excellent job weaving together the mystery thread with the romance thread and giving each equal time. At times, because Cooper’s neighborhood is so quirky and full of secrets, I felt like I was watching an episode of Desperate Housewives! And, I mean that in a totally complementary way! And the guys are just so sweet and genuine with each other. I died at moments like this one (delivered in Cooper’s classic deadpan style, of course):
“…Shit, you might not believe in magic, but to me you’re as close to magical as anything I’ve ever known. And not just because of the whole werewolf thing, but because you’re you. All special and brilliant and patient and funny and you know, sort of good-looking sometimes, I guess.”
Also, throughout the investigation, we get more pieces of both Dayton and Park’s histories, bigger glimpses into each of their backstories. We learn quite a bit more about Park’s family background, and some stuff from Cooper’s childhood that helps explain a little more why he is the way he is. And there is a fair amount more in this book as far as wolf stuff goes. At least, as it pertains to Park. Adhara shows us more about how being a werewolf affects Oliver in different situations, and we might even get a littttle peek of his wolf in action. 😉
I loved so many things about this book. My love for Park and his dry, snarky sense of humor is ridiculous. I one million percent adore him. I love Cooper, and also Cooper’s family. His brother, Dean, is totally amazing, as is his fiancée, who is also Cooper’s childhood best friend. I love the little hints of domesticity we see in the very beginning of the book—the guys watching movies and reading poetry, and Oliver making Cooper meals so that he’ll take care of himself. And, the heat, you guys…Guhhh. These two are an inferno. Not even joking.
So, go grab this one! Charlie Adhara’s writing is fantastic, and the story and characters are engrossing. And, if you need me, I’ll be rocking in the corner waiting for April, which is when we’ll be getting the next book!
You can buy The Wolf at Bay here:
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