Loved the World, Struggled With the Heroine
Spoilers ahead, and a warning for readers who dislike OMD (Other Man Drama).
First, I want to say I’m still giving this book 4 stars because it’s clear how much love and work Lola put into it. I adore her writing style and usually connect deeply with her characters. That said, I struggled with this installment in the Shifter City series and almost put it down several times.
I’ve been working my way through Lola’s library, and I love prickly, unlikeable heroines (Henley’s series is one of my favorites). But Hazel? I didn’t warm up to her until about chapter 18 or 20. Up to that point, she felt like a spoiled, privileged brat. She was aware of her advantages, but not really making an effort to rise above them either. I could understand the weight of her role, but she had love and support around her, unlike her mom. Honestly, her mother’s guardedness toward Roman made far more sense to me.
I’ll be honest, I liked the supporting characters much more than Hazel for most of this book.
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Final Thoughts
I am still excited for book 3, and I will keep reading because I love Lola’s worlds and side characters. But this one did not land for me the way her others usually do. If you love Lola’s writing, it is worth pushing through, but be prepared, because Hazel is a tough heroine to root for until very late in the game.
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Spoilers Below
I am honestly surprised Merrick did not end up in a neck brace with all the mixed signals Hazel was sending. It often felt like she was toying with him for the high of his attention without much regard for how it hurt him, especially after they mated, which made it feel extra harsh.
Her prejudices also rubbed me the wrong way. The idea that her mate could not be strong enough to be an alpha just because he was a different species was not only unfair, it felt completely out of character for a supposed leader. On top of that, the Noah storyline made little sense. Hazel knowingly put herself and Merrick into that messy situation, and Noah being kept in the pack despite everything he had done felt like blatant favoritism. Frankly, I do not buy the romance angle with him and Chandler either. He has not earned it. If anything, he should be groveling hard in book 3.
Finally, for someone who is supposed to be so badass, Hazel came off oddly aloof and passive until the kidnapping plot kicked in. It made her growth arc harder to believe.