A Pack of Vows and Tears by Olivia Wildenstein Series: The Boulder Wolves, #2
Published by Twig Publishing ISBN: 1948463172
on May 28, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Legends, Myths, Fables, New Adult, Romance, Werewolves & Shifters
Pages: 418
Read it as: eBook
Source: Purchased
My rating:
Check it out in Goodreads
Synopsis
She thought the fight was over but it was only just beginning.
Ness Clark's place amongst the Boulders and at Liam’s side is compromised. First, when her cousin claims Ness helped him elude his death sentence. And then, when August Watt, Ness’s childhood friend, comes home to Boulder.
Although August’s plan was to pledge himself and return to active duty, he finds himself incapable of leaving. This becomes problematic for Liam and Ness, because a mating link has clicked into place between Ness and the ex-marine. If not consummated, the link will fade, but that’ll take months. How long and hard can two people fight a physical attraction that renders their bodies unreceptive to anyone’s but their mates?
Ness is tired of fighting, tired of having to prove herself worthy of her pack’s trust and of her Alpha’s affection. But when an enemy pack arrives and threatens the Boulders, she has two choices: step aside and let the wolves who have pushed her away fend for themselves, or step up and help them fight the newcomers.
Ness has never stepped aside…not for anyone.
Why would she start now?
This story is so incredibly addictive. I’m in the middle of reading another book right now, but I paused it to finish this series. You see, last year I read the first book, and I was so intrigued, but the other books hadn’t come out yet. So I just kinda forgot. Until yesterday, when I saw it on my iBooks library and was like ‘huh, I think I enjoyed this one back then right?‘. Good thing I decided to continue. Le me tell you why.
It’s still unpredictable as hell
And I’m loving that. I hadn’t realized that all the time I was reading, even during the first book, I was non-stop judging the book, expecting it to pan out a certain way. Because, let’s be honest, wolf romance stories are not that hard to figure out, or are they?
Turns out this story keeps me on my toes. I’m hooked I tell you. It has its flaws, I’m not going to lie, but I can’t stop reading.
It has a love triangle, and… I’m not mad at it?
I don’t think I’m spoiling anything, since you can easily see this on the synopsis, so let’s talk about it.
In the first book I had my doubts about the romance between Ness and Liam -the new Alpha-. But I wasn’t sure the issues I had with their relationship would be relevant. I wasn’t sure if I should bother paying them attention. Maybe it’s just one of those books, where you either call it quits because you’re so mad, or just roll with it.
That’s what normalized mysogyny in books does to you I guess. From my era in which I accepted and romanticized dangerous ‘alpha-male’ behaviors. So, in the first book I wondered if how Liam behaved would be addressed and he would redeem himself, or if I’d be forced to accept Ness forgiving him and them living happily and problematically ever after.
I was, let’s say 80% expecting their relationship to evolve in this book and know each other better, and whatnot.
But this book completely trolled me. Turns out, Ness has a mate. Who is not, fucking Liam.
And I’m thrilled. I am living for it.
Liam if anything, gets worse. He’s hurtful, vindictive and just… such an idiot. The book -Ness- brings up the fact that he has issues because of his father, but that it’s not her responsability to soothe him, or put up with his shit.
And it’s funny because it shouldn’t be a surprise. It should be logic, that if someone continues to show you they’re undeserving of your trust and love, you should ditch that toxic crap, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. Sometimes this behavior is applauded in romance books. Especially wolf romance books, where being overprotective and possessive is supposed to be the point, and the draw of these stories. But this one teared down that trope and openly challenges it.
The whole story is about Ness being the only female wolf in an all-male pack. This is all about defying those tropes.
But back to that love triangle
I’m really okay with it because Ness is not a ping pong ball bouncing between two guys. I’m loving the angst and reactions of Liam realizing he’s doing it all wrong. But deep down, I really don’t want her to end up with him now. I want her to rise above that, and recognize he’s not the right one for her because if he really loved her, he wouldn’t have ever done the things he’s done, no matter how stressed or desperate he is.
So, I’m rooting for August, Ness’ friend and now mate.
Now that I think about it, this has strong Tamlin/Feyre/Rhysand vibes, but it’s ten times better because it didn’t blindside me. I’ve been feeling fishy about Liam the Alpha ever since the first book. This feels like a reward for sticking around.
I’m looking forward to
In the third and last book I’m hoping to see Ness taking more control and owning her decisions. I want her to do more things to show the pack that constantly turns their nose up at her that she’s done with their shit and that she doesn’t need them, but they need her. I’m totally on her side, byt this point.
See you in the next review!
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