Saturday, February 29, 2020

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Review

Series: Big Bad Wolf #4
Author: Charlie Adhara
Publisher: Harlequin - Carina Press
Release Date:  Mar. 2, 2020
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  4 Unique Hearts

*Many thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book.

Agent Cooper Dayton and his partner, Oliver Park, are going undercover—at a retreat for couples who need counselling. They do say the best cover story is one that’s close to the truth…

 Synopsis:
Agent Cooper Dayton is almost relieved to get a phone call from his former boss at the Bureau of Special Investigations. It means a temporary reprieve from tensions created by house hunting with Oliver Park, his partner both in work and in life. Living together in a forever home is exactly what Cooper wants. He’s just not keen on working out the details.

With a former alpha werewolf missing, Cooper and Park are loaned to the BSI to conduct the search at a secluded mountain retreat. The agents will travel to the resort undercover…as a couple in need of counseling.

The resort is picturesque, the grounds are stunning and the staff members are all suspicious as hell.

With a long list of suspects and danger lurking around every cabin, Cooper should be focusing on the case. But he’s always been anxious about the power dynamics in his relationship with Park, and participating in the couples’ activities at the retreat brings it all to the surface. A storm is brewing, though, and Cooper and Park must rush to solve the case before the weather turns. Or before any more guests—or the agents themselves—end up dead.

Review:
If not for a heads-up from a reading buddy, I wouldn't have read Charlie Adhara's Big Bad Wolf series. It just wasn't on my radar.  And what a mistake that would have been as it's quickly become one of my favorites.  Wolf In Sheep's Clothing is the fourth book of this fantastic series . . . a unique and intriguing blend of paranormal, male/male romance, and mystery suspense.  I love that the author devotes special attention to each element - mixing the ingredients to produce the perfect cocktail for readers - one that delivers a potent reading buzz both relationship and case wise.  While you can read any of these books as a standalone, the overall character and relationship development emerges slowly as an over-all story and series arc.  I advise reading the series in order of release.

Picking up soon after the close of the previous book, Wolf In Sheep's Clothing finds Cooper and Oliver house hunting, and it quickly becomes obvious that these two opposites have different ideas about what constitutes the "perfect house".  The banter between these guys is perfection and so much fun - full of snark, wit and snazz.  An unexpected phone call from Cooper's former BSI superior raises concerns about a wolf-shifter who disappeared while working as a ground's keeper at a wolf-oriented couple's retreat, and it brings a halt to their house hunting plans much to Cooper's relief.  Oliver and Cooper are sent undercover posing as a couple seeking counseling to search for information about the missing wolf.  A wide variety of characters are introduced that I found a bit hard to keep straight; however, they provide a unique pool of possible villains that kept me guessing and also serve to introduce more of the previously unknown wolf-lore which I loved.  As the story unfolds, the twisted plot lines intertwine and begin to reveal connections, truths, and hidden pasts and dangers resulting in a story that I couldn't put down.  A storm is brewing both literally and figuratively . . . who will survive?

Adhara's writing flows in a hypnotic manner that quickly drew me in, holding me entranced.  The pace elevates steadily in correlation with the growing suspense throughout.  The author's unique blend of paranormal, mystery and suspense is enhanced by multi-dimensional characters whose development is ongoing and highly addictive.  Cooper and Oliver wear their disguises well, especially when survival hinges on them trusting one another completely with everything.  As much as I love the suspense in this story, it's the character relationship development that held me bewitched through all four books.  Oh!  Did I forget to mention the insane, overwhelming, all-consuming chemistry between this big bad wolf and hardcore human?  Shame on me!  I'll just say don't stand too close because the heat is scorching hot!  Adhara brilliantly renders another story of two strong yet vulnerable men exploring a male/male relationship they're absolutely powerless to control in the middle of a chaotic case.  Oh the emotional turmoil!  I enjoyed every single minute of it and can't wait for book 5 rumored to be coming in 2021!  If you're a fan of paranormal romance, read this book.  If you're a fan of male/male romance, read this book!  If you're a fan of mystery suspense, read this book!  I highly advise everyone to grab the Big Bad Wolf series and carve out some alone reading time because you're entering binge-reading territory, my friends.  Enjoy!

My Rating:  4 Unique Hearts


Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra

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