I always like rags to rage stories.
I wanted to read a Cinderella-ish female vindication story (with werewolves and lots more blood and violence) without having to guess what happens next. Don’t give me plot twists or surprises. I want to be able to say: “…gasp…oh no…she just happens to be more than meets the eye.” I also, in this instance, need a stereotypical “real” man who knows he’s a man, who acts manly and saves her from un-manly evildoers…but still respects her as a person (the power doesn’t hurt either.) Thankfully, he’s not stupid or excessively patronizing.
There is a new (for me) concept of a second chance mate, which I really like. Normally if the mate is rejected, we have to suffer through the eventual reconnection with an asshole or they never find that type of love again or they die. The second chance mate is also a fated mate.
I enjoyed every non-nail biting moment. Sometimes predictability is what we need to shut out the chaos in our mind and world. And the satisfaction of knowing exactly what is going to happen.
Lucy is the sole daughter of her father after his fated mate dies very early in her life. Years later, her father and half-siblings are killed in a rogue attack. Her father’s second mate Ursa aka evil stepmother subsequently kicks her out of her home. Then, the pack alpha Ranger’s chosen (not fated) mate, Miranda, turns her into a punching bag for the pack. I have to wonder if the author intentionally chose her name, since it means “worthy of admiration” when in fact she is the polar opposite.
Lucy is relegated to the basement laundry and sleeps on a dog bed. At least the room stays warm from the driers! Food is often withheld from her for days as punishment for imagined infractions. When she can sneak out of the small basement window, the trash can becomes fine dining.
At 18, when she finally meets her wolf Lia, she also discovers to her absolute horror, Ranger is her fated mate. However, Ranger he rejects her. Make stupid choices, win stupid prizes as he finds out later.
That was yesterday and today is a different story. Her wolf is here now, and everyone will find out how cataclysmicly wrong they are about her strength. Lia smugly tells Lucy that all will be well, because they are special, and have not one but two ultra-rare characteristics. Badass heroine mode engaged. gasp…quelle surprise…we didn’t see that coming. With Lia as a crutch, she finally has the confidence to shrug off years of savage abuse. As readers, we know she will need decades of deep therapy, but for now, she’s committed to racing towards a pack with a reputation of power and deadliness. The burning question…will they accept her…duh…as if…of course..
What about Ranger and his wolf Rex? The stupid prize has been delivered. Thus begins operation “Catch Lucy and Make Her Fix Things.”
North leads to the expected Shangri-la. She meets her “second chance” mate, Diesel. She finds a new family, joins a happy pack and looks forward to the upcoming mating ceremony. Did I mention twin pups conceived after first time sex?
But…gasp…oh no. In addition to Ranger seeking her, a third party has entered the fray. One with an awesome number of well-paid rogues behind him. He claims that Lucy is HIS mate.
This is an acceptable low angst plot twist.
Stargazing, kidnapping, coincidences, shocking discoveries, secret tunnels, mass mobilization, a sad death, an avalanche, and the eventual showdown with hundreds of werewolves follows.
HEA guaranteed. And the evil stepmother? Gasp…oh no…wait…oh, YES! Retribution 10/10.
This is the very book I needed to read right now. Maybe on another day, I’d toss it into the donate bag, but for now I can imagine I’m the one who lays waste to my problems.
Triggers: physical abuse/torture, miscarriage, attempted rape