Wolf's Bane

4.5 star – for the series

Okay, sooooo I binge read this one. I might have actually liked it more had I not, which is saying something because I really, really liked this series. The romance is pretty slow burn and there is a ton of communication. COMMUNICATION! I always want characters to talk more and here they finally do! I do think there is a lot of outside of the couple talk too which I personally wouldn't like, but in this setting, in this pack, I understand why they do what they do.
That being said, I do think Elena overthinks things and makes people repeat things time and time again. She worries constantly, she's stubborn too which doesn't always help the beating some conversations to death and then it feels like she doesn't listen! But, there is communication and I was so happy for it. It makes the relationship growth feel more natural and the conversations between her and her daughter are lovely. I hope more teens are able to have such hope communications with their parents.

I also thought the characters were grand. Yes, Elena got on my nerves at times and I couldn't always tell Pax & Trent apart, but there are great characters. There are quite a few lgbt characters as well (gay, bisexual, asexual are explicitly mentioned and polyamory is also talked about). This is also an age gap book with Elena being 40 with the guys being 36, 30, 29, and I think Pax & Trent are... 32? while Elena's daughter is 14. I liked that her being a mom is taken seriously and ALSO Elena's decision about having more children is also taken at heart and no one tries to change her mind. Elena, while an over-thinker, is rational and not prone to dramatics like many younger heroines are. She trusts her guys and doesn't let gossip or people obviously trying to derail her relationship sway her mind. So, the over-thinking can be annoying, but if I'm being honest... super realistic? I'd probably act much the same way she does and I think if I read this series slower and spread it out I wouldn't have minded as much.

Okay, next we would probably talk... length? These books are massive! They are lovely and I fell into them, but WOW they are long. Personally? Loved it. It can feel like they are dragging at times, but I only felt that when I wondered “where is this going?” but thinking about it as character-driven and Elena's journey to finding where she belongs makes it work. This series does have some action scenes, but for the most part it is a book about relationships and personal growth. Not my usual thing, but these characters dug into my heart. There were times in book 2 and 3 that I ended up nearly in tears. My eyes were definitely watering.

I am attached to these characters, the pack, and the world. I would LOVE to read more set in this world.

So, if you're looking for a slower-paced, low stakes, slow burn romance with a huge cast of wonderful characters that is honestly just a happy, feel-good book, then you should give this series a try.