The first thing I want to comment on was that it has been quite a while since I read the first book in this series. I went back and read my review of the first book and it was very apparent that I really enjoyed it. With that being said, I was COMPLETELY confused with the beginning of this book, the timeline, and the way that the events occur in the beginning. Honestly, I was clueless. To me, it was confusing with the way it is told. I started listening on Audible, but ended up finding the print version to try to get a better feel for what was going on. After a while, I did recall that there is a very different writing style by this author in the first book. Once I got a handle on who was who and what the heck was going on – things began to improve immediately.

So – book 2. We are back in Green Creek – even though there is a large portion of the beginning of the book detailing the 3 years of travel that Gordo and the Bennet boys embark on as they are looking for Richard Collins. Again, kind of confusing because there are overlapping timelines with events that already occurred in the first book. I really felt that the info in that section was not really pertinent and I couldn’t really figure out why so much time is spent on it. Not that its bad, it just took a while for the current story to begin.

Okay- so once things begin, they begin with gusto. I’m not sure why exactly, but there were so many times that this book just hit me with emotional punches as we learn about the events that occurred in Gordo’s life. Especially with the abandonment of Gordo from the Bennet pack – the way it happened and the fall out. Man of man did that bring out lots and lots of “feels” from me. My eyes watered many times and I just hurt for him – but I also felt extremely protective of him so I experienced lots of feelings of what I felt was justifiable anger. Gordo’s behaviour was not really angelic either, but it was easy to see that he was acting out. Alright, enough about that.

So – we now have a new Bennet pack of 12 -consisting of wolves, humans and a witch. The events of this book deal with a very suspicious other Alpha – the Alpha of All (the position that Joe was supposed to take). This Alpha, Michelle Hughes, does some questionable things that become suspicious very quickly. More importantly, she neglects to inform Joe and Ox’s pack about a sickness that is turning wolves into Omegas – which basically means they turn feral and have to be put down. There is obviously more at play here when it becomes known that she “sent” her second for a visit and this wolf just happens to be infected and things devolve from there.

There is so much going on in this book, but a lot of it revolves around Gordo and his feelings of abandonment and disappointment from Mark Bennett. Gordo is Mark’s mate, yet the two of them just end up hurting eachother over and over again over many years. It really is heart breaking, yet TJ does a wonderful job of bringing the reader along and being able to actually feel this roller coater of emotions.

As the book progresses, there is lots and lots of action. A coup attempt reveals itself involving alliances between some really AWFUL people – human who are Hunters of wolves, this other Alpha and some other surprises that I won’t get into because of spoilers. TJ does such an amazing job with the character development of the pack – the comradery between them (especially the humans) is hilarious and there were many times that I just ended up laughing out loud. I love this pack.

During the fight, there is help from unexpected allies and we also see that Ox is much more powerful (and unique) than anyone has ever seen before. This story has a story arc that is pretty much completed, yet it opens the door for the next – and obvious -conflict. I enjoyed listening to this, but also alternated between reading as well. Again…..loved, loved, loved the pack members. I am excited about continuing the series. I hope that a certain wolf does not have long to live….seriously.