So… this book was mostly Ashwood saying, “I still love you, I’m sorry, I wasn’t actually going to betray you,” and Bellamy saying, “I can never trust you again, get away from me,” while thinking about how much he secretly still loved and wanted him. For like seven hours (in real time). I’m a little torn, because I’m all for second chance romance with all the pain and angst and secret pining, and I appreciate that the author didn’t rush Bellamy’s feelings. But at the same time, this felt like it was just rehashing the same feelings over and over, without really anything else happening until over halfway through (since Bellamy was sick and stuck in bed), and it felt like it just went on for so long.

That being said, it was still a good romance, in the sense that I believed the feelings between them. And Ashwood was so sad and sweet with how much he still cared for Bellamy and would do anything to help him and wanted so badly to be able to make up for his betrayal. Though I could also understand why Bellamy was hurt, and pushing Ashwood away wasn’t a cruel act; in fact it hurt him too because he also still cared for the other man. So I would say not quite as gentle and tender of a romance as the first book, but still somewhat.

And this one included wolf shifters 🙂

You also get to know Bellamy more (obviously), plus you get to see how Galen and Azriel are doing, and you even learn a bit more about Oscar.

The audiobook, narrated by Iggy Toma, was enjoyable. He sounded natural, and though voices weren’t super different, there was slight difference, and I was able to keep track of who was talking. And thankfully this one did not have the volume variation issue the first book had.

Overall, an enjoyable and sweet, if a bit slow, romance.

*Even though each book in this series focuses on different characters, it’s recommended by the author to read them in order. I think it’s possible to read this one without the first, though you may be confused about a few things referenced and who some characters are.*

*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Date Read: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*