An excellent sequel to the world we were introduced to in book one. Here we have the development of Cooper and Park's relationship to the next level, all while the plotline takes place much closer to home for Cooper. The pair end up in the middle of a decades-old murder investigation that directly affects Cooper's family. This book feels more focused on Cooper than Park, however I appreciated the pieces of vulnerability we did get to see from Park, albeit from Cooper's POV. The climactic event happened both rather suddenly and yet, from a relationship standpoint, I absolutely adored the final reveal of their love for each other. Immersive, tense, and set amidst a whodunit plot, I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first!


Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Definitely.


 See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book



CHARACTERS: This book felt a lot more focused on Cooper than Park (which makes sense given we're only given one POV). In this book, Cooper struggles with his growing feelings for Park, believing it can't be love because it hasn't been long enough. Meanwhile, he's still not out to his family, so having this entire story set back in his hometown dregs up a lot of childhood Cooper that he's forced to contend with. At the same time, something strange is happening with Park that leaves him vulnerable with a mysterious ailment. Cooper has to sort out his feelings for Park before it's too late for the both of them. Meanwhile, Park comes through as just as wonderful as in the previous book. His well of compassion, gentleness, and patience is something that feels incredibly alpha-like in ways I don't usually see in shifter stories. The two of them have grown on me and I adore the equal power dynamics between the both of them as they figure out exactly what they mean to each other and how that's going to work.




PLOT: A whodunit murder mystery cold case set in Cooper's hometown. Back in town because of his brother's engagement to a childhood friend, Cooper and Park spend the book in Jagger Valley where Cooper has to contend with feelings and emotions and a past that's haunted him because he's never resolved it. With his father's innocent on the line, Cooper and Park try to uncover the murderer while running the risk of breaking the law. Cooper is too close to the case and neither of them are working in an official capacity.



EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.

3/5: medium. Immersive as the last book, though I did feel that this book was a little less high-stakes and action-based than book one.



CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 

90%. A large part of this comes from only being granted one POV, unfortunately. Because of that, we end up skipping the aftermath. It also felt far too quick in my opinion. However, the reveal of their feelings for each other was such a wonderful moment that it was hard for me not to feel a wonderful fulfillment. So on the relationship side of the ending: A+. I simply wished for a little bit more with the whodunit plot. That being said, I still finished this story quite content and ready to read the next book. No cliffhangers here!