Another reviewer described this as “underwhelming,” and I agree. The storyline is okay, but the characters aren’t ones I connected with or enjoyed, and the progression of events isn’t… smooth?

I gag for a good age gap, but I feel that Victor could/should have been aged up a few years (maybe 21, as someone else suggested). We begin with Victor going in for a job interview with Cole (already a “tier below” in general status) and Victor’s lack of connection with his wolf (one tier down in shifter status), so the slightly uncomfortable combination of Victor not even knowing they were mates and wondering if kissing the interviewing staff was part of the process was made into a bit more uncomfortable situation by the years of experience between a 30-something with a “fresh” 18yo.

Overall, it isn’t a novella I’ll revisit or even remember beyond the age gap. I had high hopes for it, but I checked it off my TBR with a feeling of disappointment.