A review by kp_hobbitreads
The Hunter and His Mates by Kiki Clark

4.0

#0.5 A New Pack for New Year: ★★★✮☆ | 3.5 stars
#1 The Alpha and His King: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#2 The Second and His Bonded: ★★★★✮ | 4.5 stars
#3 The Deputy and His Enforcer: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#4 The Hunter and His Mates: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars

So I don't read a lot of poly romances, because while I like them in theory, I often times have trouble believing that all 3 participants are equally invested and equally important to the relationship, but overall I think this story meets that threshold for me.

This is the fourth book in the series, and we get a lot more macro plot in this book than we did in the previous one which I liked. And, I really liked our three main characters individually, but also the way they interacted together.

I will admit that I was a little nervous at first. It felt very much like Jamie and Gabriel were together while Drake was off by himself working through the trauma he faced in Book 1. However, ultimately it worked for me, because Jamie wanted both Gabriel and Drake from the start, and Gabriel and Drake were very obviously attracted to each other - they just weren't quite sure what to do about it. And, once Jamie realized that having both was an option, it was less about 2 against 1 and more like....2 trying to convince their third he was meant to be with them.

I will say for all the macro plot, and having three main characters, I still felt like each of them was well developed. They had their own backstories, issues, a plot beats that all worked well together.

Three Thoughts:
1. I really loved the focus on therapy in this story. I think, especially in fantasy stories, there can be this tendency to kinda sweep aside character's trauma for plot. But, that didn't happen here. Drake has PTSD from the bombing and losing his arm, and he is really honest in therapy about what that means for him, and his progress feels authentic.
2. Gabriel broke my freaking heart. Not going to lie, I figured he would be the hardest sell for me. And, I worried that I would ultimately feel like the story should have just been Drake and Jamie, but that didn't happen. He is such a great character, and I love how much he loves both his mates. (Especially the scenes where is he massaging Drake's scars....so freaking sweet. And definitely sold me on those two together.)
3. I am absolutely here for the bromance brewing between Gabriel and Robson.

This was a really great entry in this series, and has me incredibly excited for the fifth book. Nico is such a great character and Keegan is a total mystery. (Also, I really, really, really hope Book 6 is Doc and Damien. *fingers crossed*)

content warnings: PTSD, discussion of trauma, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, violence, sex (on page)