Tuesday 30 July 2019

REVIEW - A PACK OF LOVE AND HATE - THE BOULDER WOLVES BY OLIVIA WILDENSTEIN

Title: A Pack Of Love And Hate
Series: The Boulder Wolves
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Publisher: Twig Publishing
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance,                                 Shapeshifter, Werewolf
Release Date: 13th August 2019

BLURB from Goodreads
ONLY ONE CAN WIN.

Volunteering to duel alongside Liam Kolane against the ruthless Creek Alpha could get Ness killed, but the alternative, leaving her hot-headed Alpha to die alone in the dueling ring isn’t an option. Not even when he places ridiculous conditions on her, like not spending time alone with August, her intended mate.

Ness didn’t want a mate, but that was before August stepped back into her life, before he picked up the scattered pieces of her heart. Between their shared history and the magical tether that binds them, Ness finds herself falling dangerously hard for the sexy shifter.

But Liam’s heart is on the line. A heart that still beats for Ness.

Only one man can win her love, the same way only one Alpha can rise from the duel.

Let the fight begin...
 

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US
Amazon UK

REVIEW
So as soon as I knew this was available to read, I knew I had, yes, I had to read it. I loved the first two books and although I was super sad that this was the last book in the trilogy but was really eager to find out what would happen in the Alpha duel!

At the end of bk2 Ness had volunteered to be at Liam’s side throughout his duel with Cassandra the Creek Alpha. Naturally people are shocked by this offer especially after Cassandra killed Julian the Alpha of the Pine pack so easily. As Ness and the Boulder Wolves had watched the awful defeat of Julian, they think that Cassandra had cheated in some way. They are up against time to try and find out what Cassandra used to defeat Julian, in time to be able to avoid or counteract it during Liam’s fight with her. Liam has accepted Ness as his second on the condition that she trains with him and stays away from August. If she is going to help and support Liam, he says he needs her 100% attention. Cassandra’s second is a Pine wolf called Justin and he is known as a dirty fighter and makes it clear he wants to put Ness “in her place”.

Ness’s training involves long runs, fitness and building muscle. As well as fighting in both forms and learning to protect herself. Liam, along with Lucas and Matt put her through her paces. Liam still holds out a hope that Ness may turn back to him romantically and is not above using the guise of training to keep her away from his love rival. Even taking her on a private jet to visit the River’s Pack. It’s whilst there that Ness and Liam first fight together as a team. Ness discovers a couple of other things too. Firstly, being this far away from August means she cannot feel the mating link, which on one hand its great to be free of it, yet at the same time she worries if August is okay and wonders if he may be taking advantage of the lack of the bond and finding someone else. Ness also learns of Ingrid, the River Alpha’s eldest daughter who reveals she has a crush on August, in fact the River Pack Alpha asks Liam if a marriage between packs would be acceptable, which has Ness worried. 

There’s so much going on in this book. Some loose ends tied up. A shock pregnancy that may seem to have been at the worst time possible but does actually turn out to be what a certain character needs to shoulder the fact they are going to be a parent and to shoulder the future responsibility that comes with a child. I usually makes notes as I read but I was so eager to read this book I just curled up with it and read the first chunk without a break. Then picked the book back up and read the remainder without stopping to take any notes, which I think is better, as note taking can slow the pace of the book, and boy this one is fast paced. I feel the majority of the questions that have been raised throughout the series have been answered. The series comes to a natural end, but never say never, maybe Olivia Wildenstein will revisit the Boulder Wolves again in the future. I’d certainly love some more shifter fiction even if it isn’t the Boulder & Pines we have come to love.

To sum up, what more can I say, it’s a perfect ending to brilliant shifter series. This series had everything, inside the Boulder pack problems, the need for a new Alpha of Boulder Wolves, Boulder Wolves set in their ways, Boulder Wolf secret of always having male wolves rather than any female ones and so much more! Not forgetting the amazing love triangle between August, Ness and Liam.
And my very last thought.....where on earth am I going to get my shifter reading fix now?!




1 comment: