Reviewed by Laura

RATING: 8/10 – Brilliant, couldn’t put it down

SUMMARY:

He’s the last man she should ever want. She’s the last woman he can ever have.

Coming from a family with psychic gifts, Derek Gabriel was aware of but separate from the dangers of the supernatural world, until a rogue wolf shifter stripped away his humanity. The change he barely survived didn’t drive him insane, but the cultural bias against him as an inferior transformed wolf might. And it doesn’t help that he’s fallen for the daughter of the most powerful wolf in the country.

Almost from the moment she was born, Nicole Peyton started planning her escape from the strict confines of elite shapeshifter society, an old-fashioned world where women are valued only for their bloodlines and bank accounts. In New Orleans she has a bar she loves, friends in decidedly low places, and a smoldering sensual tension with an incredibly attractive and deliciously unsuitable man.

Their forbidden longing erupts into unbridled need—until Nick’s sister burns into town with a strike team hard on her heels. Saving her means Nick has to play by the Conclave’s rules…and give up the man she is growing to love. Unless Derek does something completely crazy—issue a challenge that could shake the foundations of their world. (Goodreads)

REVIEW:

I read ‘Crux‘ the first book in this series back in January and really enjoyed it, but ‘Crossroads‘ was even better! Although this book focuses on two new main characters – Nick and Derek, the storyline continues on from ‘Crux’ with all of the same characters, so I would recommend that you read it first.

Nick is the equivalent of werewolf royalty, daughter to the ruling alpha she is expected to marry for political gain and produce heirs. It is a fate she has spent most of her adult life running from, relocating to New Orleans and running a bar instead.

Derek has watched Nick from afar for years, fighting his physical attraction to her. Since he was bitten by a werewolf two years ago he has struggled to control his wolf and come to terms with his new life. In werewolf society a bitten wolf is viewed as inferior. But just as Derek and Nick are finally ready to admit their feelings for one another, Nick’s life gets thrown upside down with the arrival of her twin sister she would do anything to protect, and some shocking news.

This book very much sits on that line between paranormal romance and urban fantasy, it is darker, grittier and tougher than a romance which is part of the reason why I think I enjoyed it so much.

The attraction between Nick and Derek is so tangible and so believable that from the start I was fully sucked in and engrossed in their story. About two thirds of the way through I couldn’t see how they could possibly end up together and the pages whirled by as I willed the book to give me that happy ending. But that happy ending doesn’t come without a price, there are some shocks and sorrows along the way that makes the story all the more engaging and left me with a ball in my throat. Although I did read this book on holiday, I finished it in less than a day.

The romance between Nick and Derek is, well, steamy would perhaps be an understatement! This is fuelled by their mating instincts as two wolves, but it felt right and added to the growing love and wild passion between them that they had both tried to ignore for so long. It also adds to the desperation as the extent of the trouble Nick’s sister is in becomes apparent and looks as though it will drive them apart.

VERDICT:

This book counts towards the following BCC Reading Challenges:
Book #34 100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011
Book #2 Summer Romance Reading Challenge 2011