*Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. – this post may contain spoilers.*
The next instalment in Laurie Gilmore’s Maple Hollow series is Wild Wicked Mate (publishing 20 Oct), which follows Theo, the runt of the pack, and his nymph best friend, Phoebe. Their ten-year situationship walks the line between friendship and attraction as both try to resist the unrelenting pull between them. Can Theo leave his insecurities – and his pack – behind to build a life with Phoebe? And can she forgive him for the past ten years? As pressure mounts to find Ruby Bellerose’s missing sister, Lena, the whole town pitches in to search for her. But the nymphs already know where she is hiding. Can Phoebe keep the secret from the one person she cannot bear to betray, all in the name of saving the wolves and dryads?
Wild Wicked Mate is a friends-to-lovers paranormal romance set in the cosy small town of Maple Hollow. Following the events of Big Bad Wolf, Lena’s disappearance and the highlanders closing in on their territory make finding her a race against time. Theo and Phoebe volunteer to help, and their road trip forces them to confront what they feel for one another. What I love about Laurie Gilmore’s books is the cosy small-town atmosphere, which brings a real sense of intimacy to the story. Yes, everybody knows everyone’s business, but there is a well-crafted sense of community – not just in her Dream Harbor series, but in this one too. Readers know exactly what to expect, now with an added paranormal twist.
Theo and Phoebe’s journey is interspersed with flashbacks that offer insight into their friendship, from Fee’s flaky mother to their first meeting. Their relationship is not always smooth, though: with the looming pull of fated mates between them, it is a constant push and pull. I liked that these barriers made the eventual declaration of love carry much more weight. I also enjoyed learning more about Theo and Rafe’s past, especially the pack and the nymphs. I would have liked to see more of the dryads, though, as they seem really intriguing.
Overall, Wild Wicked Mate had all the ingredients of a close-proximity romance that I really enjoy. While Theo can be very stubborn, I liked that he and Phoebe did not reconcile too quickly; they both had to recognise their feelings first. The book also explores the power of friendship and learning to accept yourself. I’m very intrigued to see what the next book will bring, especially with Lena and Knox, and I hope it pulls the wolf politics and paranormal rivalry together.
You can read my review of book 1, Big Bad Wolf and my reviews of Laurie Gilmore’s cosy small-town Dream Harbour series here: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe ,The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, The Christmas Tree Farm, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House,The Gingerbread Bakery, and The Daisy Chain Flower shop.
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Amy is a writer and reviewer and her action-packed debut novel, CORNELIA FAIRFIELD AND THE DARKENED HEART is available in paperback from WATERSTONES and independent bookshops, and ebook (with an exclusive bonus chapter only on Kindle / Kindle Unlimited AMAZON).
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