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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Fae, shifters, sirens and other creatures abound in this series. It’s light, easy reading for dark, difficult times. Basically, the perfect bedtime books.
Fae, shifters, sirens and other creatures abound in this series. It’s light, easy reading for dark, difficult times. Basically, the perfect bedtime books.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
This continues to be quite the intriguing story as it expands on the background of Rowan Harbor, an enigmatic town that literally seems to harbor all sorts of paranormal fantasy creatures and their secrets.
Quickly starting where [b:Blackbird in the Reeds|37777178|Blackbird in the Reeds (The Rowan Harbor Cycle, #1)|Sam Burns|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514670678s/37777178.jpg|59421372] left off, this centers on Devon’s bff Jesse, a wolf who’s bound and determined to ignore his instincts and responsibilities. He’s been through a trauma that makes him eschew what comes naturally, but that excuse will only stick for so long.
When Jesse finds his long gone friend Isla hurt, unconscious, and left for dead in an alley, it sets off a series of events as Jesse and company try to figure out who and what hurt Isla. Slowly, Jesse comes into his own and finally embraces his wolf, a thing he should’ve done years ago.
So yes, there's a common theme running through this series so far. Fate, destiny, a continuation of setting things up for something big and most likely, something equally bad.
Not much is revealed, the romantic progression is barely a blip but this is supposed to be a trilogy of trilogies focusing on three main couples each with 3 planned stories all tied together as they become the new leaders of Rowan Harbor. I’m definitely intrigued and caught and look forward to more!!
This continues to be quite the intriguing story as it expands on the background of Rowan Harbor, an enigmatic town that literally seems to harbor all sorts of paranormal fantasy creatures and their secrets.
Quickly starting where [b:Blackbird in the Reeds|37777178|Blackbird in the Reeds (The Rowan Harbor Cycle, #1)|Sam Burns|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1514670678s/37777178.jpg|59421372] left off, this centers on Devon’s bff Jesse, a wolf who’s bound and determined to ignore his instincts and responsibilities. He’s been through a trauma that makes him eschew what comes naturally, but that excuse will only stick for so long.
When Jesse finds his long gone friend Isla hurt, unconscious, and left for dead in an alley, it sets off a series of events as Jesse and company try to figure out who and what hurt Isla. Slowly, Jesse comes into his own and finally embraces his wolf, a thing he should’ve done years ago.
So yes, there's a common theme running through this series so far. Fate, destiny, a continuation of setting things up for something big and most likely, something equally bad.
Not much is revealed, the romantic progression is barely a blip but this is supposed to be a trilogy of trilogies focusing on three main couples each with 3 planned stories all tied together as they become the new leaders of Rowan Harbor. I’m definitely intrigued and caught and look forward to more!!
rayonx's review
4.0
This book in one sentence: Jess has to overcome past trauma and embrace his werewolf nature in order to find the vampire that is threatening the town of Rowan Harbor and navigate a new relationship with his mate.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My recommendation:This is a lovely series and I highly recommend it. The paranormal setting of small town Rowan Harbor is great, and I love the whole cast of characters. The romance is slow-burn and second to the main mystery story arc, but still really sweet. I can't wait for book 8 of this series to find out how Jesses and Sean's story ends. The only disappointment is the cover art is not nearly nice as Blackbird and the Reeds.
Tropes: fated-mates
Content warnings: past abusive relationship
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
My recommendation:This is a lovely series and I highly recommend it. The paranormal setting of small town Rowan Harbor is great, and I love the whole cast of characters. The romance is slow-burn and second to the main mystery story arc, but still really sweet. I can't wait for book 8 of this series to find out how Jesses and Sean's story ends. The only disappointment is the cover art is not nearly nice as Blackbird and the Reeds.
Tropes: fated-mates
Content warnings: past abusive relationship
valerieullmerauthor's review
3.0
The story started out quickly, but I wouldn't call this a romance. I didn't know at the time I read the first and second book that each character introduced will be featured in the entire series and there is no HEA for the characters in each book. This is more of a mystery/action series. Jesse is working odd bookkeeping jobs and his friends and family are worried about him. He comes across his friend, who was attacked, which leads his protective instincts to flare. You meet Jesse's mate, Sean, but you don't truly get to know him in this book, and as a romance reader, I would have loved to see more of a connection between the two.
teresab78's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I really liked the character growth in this book. It is primarily focused on Jesse, in fact we hardly see him and Sean together, but this is just the start to their story. I’m getting a handle on this world and it’s creatures.
I really liked the character growth in this book. It is primarily focused on Jesse, in fact we hardly see him and Sean together, but this is just the start to their story. I’m getting a handle on this world and it’s creatures.
books_and_cha's review
3.0
Wolf and the Holly is the first time we're inside Jesse's head, and let me tell you: it's a dark place. Jesse Hunter struggles with his role as town protector, his ability to work well with people, and denies the wolf inside himself. The book begins with Jesse's 30th birthday party, where he muses on all this in the middle of festivities. As the night goes on, we meet a suspicious visitor who has everyone on edge and Jesse stumbles upon Isla, his childhood best friend, who was attacked in an alley and left for dead. Happy 30th, Jesse.
I'd say this had similar pacing to Blackbird in the Reeds, except it didn't feel as natural. In the first book, I was still understanding the storyverse, but here, I could have appreciated more speed in the first half. The second half flew by.
It could be because the plot itself dawdled. There were a lot of moments where Jesse was simply waiting for Isla to get better and fighting his internal demons to no avail. While Jesse's struggles to find his sense of self were poignant in the beginning, his issues were left unresolved for so long that it became frustrating to occupy his headspace.
I also took issue with his character development. There was no specific point where Jesse takes on the mantle, so to speak. It was more that responsibility and title of town protector were thrust upon him and he simply gives in. I would have liked a more solid, clarifying moment of triumph. I did like that Jesse learns to open up about his past. That felt like progress.
There wasn't a mystery here, so to speak. The person who attacked Isla was all but walking around with a neon sign. There was, however, a good bit of suspense where you wonder if the bad guy gets away with it.
The relationships in this book felt half-baked. I loved how much Jesse treasured Devon, but his relationship with Sean was hardly developed. There was instant attraction - and appreciation - but I would have liked more depth. I don't know anything about Sean. I also liked how Fletcher became a more prominent character in this book. I'm looking forward to reading his installment next.
I'd say this had similar pacing to Blackbird in the Reeds, except it didn't feel as natural. In the first book, I was still understanding the storyverse, but here, I could have appreciated more speed in the first half. The second half flew by.
It could be because the plot itself dawdled. There were a lot of moments where Jesse was simply waiting for Isla to get better and fighting his internal demons to no avail. While Jesse's struggles to find his sense of self were poignant in the beginning, his issues were left unresolved for so long that it became frustrating to occupy his headspace.
I also took issue with his character development. There was no specific point where Jesse takes on the mantle, so to speak. It was more that responsibility and title of town protector were thrust upon him and he simply gives in. I would have liked a more solid, clarifying moment of triumph. I did like that Jesse learns to open up about his past. That felt like progress.
There wasn't a mystery here, so to speak. The person who attacked Isla was all but walking around with a neon sign. There was, however, a good bit of suspense where you wonder if the bad guy gets away with it.
The relationships in this book felt half-baked. I loved how much Jesse treasured Devon, but his relationship with Sean was hardly developed. There was instant attraction - and appreciation - but I would have liked more depth. I don't know anything about Sean. I also liked how Fletcher became a more prominent character in this book. I'm looking forward to reading his installment next.
basil4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readersincealways's review
5.0
Second entry in a great series. Jesse’s story and the continuation of Devon’s as well. Introduces us to Fletcher whose story is next. Worth a read. Great stuff.
stardiver's review
4.0
I appreciated seeing more of the town's structure and the main character's POV is interesting. Like previously, the romance isn't the important part. Enjoyable