I made a terrible mistake judging this book by its cover. When I was doing my research about the series, I was honestly surprised by the reviews I saw for the first installment and so I didn’t wait any further.

This is a beautiful wolf-tale with strong characters and outstanding plot. This is the book two of the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ series. I did not read the first installment yet (and I will), but this sequel did a really nice job explaining the significant things that happened in the first installment.

Park and Cooper are probably one of the hottest pairs I’ve seen this year. Apparently, they’ve already established a good sexual relationship for the past few months and I am being overwhelmed by their every moment together (both in and out of bed.)

And the elements? Goodness, it is a top-notch! I appreciate how the author didn’t bother lecturing me about wolves and packs. She focused on amazing me with mind-blowing mysteries and angst-stuffed moments. Almost every scene offers different uninvited emotions, and who wouldn’t love a story like that? Specially if the main characters have the best chemistry you can see in a romance.

Another thing that I enjoyed so much about this book is the family drama. Cooper’s mother died when he is still young. The revelation of some relevant things that happened in the past is not just shocking to him as a son, but also to me as a reader. At the start, I genuinely felt the distance between Cooper and his family (father and brother.) But then Miss Adhara gave me the pleasantest family moments. First, Cooper’s sexuality discussion with his brother. Second, his heart warming conversation with his dad. So beautiful.

Just like me, you probably enjoy guessing out ‘who really did what’ while reading mysteries and loving it when you made the right guess. Be prepared my dear, this one’s different and you’d be lucky if you get one out of ten guesses right.

Like I said, I haven't read the first installment yet, but I could tell that these two hotties have been holding back some emotions in the past. The first installment must have been full of ‘anti-fraternizing’ rationality, and I am happy to see them finally admit their true feelings to each other.

The ending... let me put it this way. The air’s been cleared so no more hiding, the case is solved, the love is told. For me, it’s excellent.

Of course, I want the HEA! The real one. I couldn’t wait for the nest book which will be released next year around April. But it will be worth the wait, I am certain. A story as brilliant as this, I understand it takes time to write.

Heartily recommended for readers who enjoy being bitten by a strong alpha wolf-tale. You will not be disappointed.

***An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

A superb continuation of the Big Bad Wolf series. Although one could read this as a stand alone title, reading the first book, The Wolf at the Door, would give the reader the larger picture of Cooper and Oliver's relationships. Great balance of paranormal mystery and romance.

This is book two in the Big Bad Wolf series & you should really pick up the first book & read it as you see how they come together. Dayton is still finding it hard to come to grips with his feelings for Oliver as Dayton has a ton of baggage. Even though we can feel how Oliver feels for Dayton, he has problems coming right out & telling him. Watching these two finally come together & tell each other exactly how they felt was a joy to watch. I loved that his family accepted him for who he was and didn't turn their backs on him. There was a lot of healing done between Dayton & his father & brother. Dayton's brother is getting married and Dayton is guilted into stopping off to see them while on their way back home after finishing up a case. While there, there is a decades old cold case that surfaces in the form of a dead body found buried in his family home's back yard. I was so confused on who the actual killer was that it kept me glued to the pages. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something else came along and changed my mind. This is really an awesome series & I am saddened that I have to wait until 2019 for the next book in the series; I am a very impatient person!

An A+ continuation of Adhara's previous Bureau of Special Investigations work, Cooper and Oliver find themselves off duty but embroiled in a murder mystery in Cooper's hometown. Supernatural suspense bolsters a taut narrative, and there's a winning mix of emotional denouement and outright action. I loved it--and I loved how Cooper's family was a complete part of the story, too.

This book was just as good as the first in the series. I absolutely loved watching(reading about) Cooper and Oliver's relationship. The mystery was fantastic and kept me guessing. And seeing Cooper struggling with his true feelings for Oliver, it didn't feel like forced angst for the sake of having angst. I really appreciate an author who does that.
I hope this series continues!

Whether you are a fan of paranormal romance, M/M romance or romantic suspense, you will LOVE this book. Definitely start with 'The Wolf at the Door,' first in the series, which sees the FBI's Cooper Dayton drawn into the secret world of werewolves and assigned a new partner in Oliver Park, a werewolf himself – and then watch as they fall into bed, despite the awkward Cooper’s best efforts to drive Park away. Then continue onto this one, which is even better than the first. Written with dry humor, clever mystery plotting, deliberate world building and hot hot hotness, this series is sure to become your new obsession. The twist at the end is especially cleverly done, and seeing where Cooper came from here, and seeing the lengths Park will go to in order to protect him even as they try to define their relationship both in and outside of work hours, is just a heart’s delight. – Clara Shipman

5 stars.

This review will appear in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #2, out July 2.

The Wolf at Bay follows our (human) BSI agent, Cooper Dayton, and his werewolf partner (in bed and out) Oliver Park as they are heading to Cooper’s hometown of Jagger Valley, Maryland. Cooper has been avoiding his family but after his father called and reminded Cooper of his brother’s engagement party, he couldn’t say no. Unfortunately, the family time is tainted with the discovery of a dead body on Cooper’s family’s backyard, and his father become number one suspect…

After finishing the first book several days prior – it was sold for 99c at Amazon, and I decided to buy it – I couldn’t help to go straight reading the advanced copy of this book. I loved the prickly Cooper; I can’t help it, I have soft heart for characters like him. Characters who struggle to express their feelings, and often stumble in making the relationship work. It makes them imperfect and their personal development becomes a high interest for me to read.

Cooper has been kept his feelings towards Park to himself – trying not to look weak or needing Park. He, definitely, doesn’t need being protected by his werewolf lover (?) fucking buddy (?) partner (?) – yeah, Cooper is not sure how to define this relationship.

I loved reading Cooper’s character development as he is worrying about pushing Park away but at the same time cannot help to mouth off some barb comments. But Cooper is trying (damn it!), he knows that he needs to work things out. Which makes me rooted for him so hard * smile *

Park is not without fault, of course. I mean, he keeps things from Cooper, especially about his mysterious family, including the influence that Park clan has over other packs. Park finally explains several things to Cooper and I fully hoped there will be more to come to make this relationship more balanced.

The mystery is good … but I admit I am more focused on Cooper, Park, as well as Cooper’s interaction with his family, most especially his father. Cooper always thinks that his father is disappointed in him, which is why he never tells his father (or his brother) of his sexuality. I became teary eyed on one scene where Cooper and his father finally talk about things.

I think this book is a SOLID sequel … the third book will be released in April 2019, boy, now I have to wait months for that one!!

An absolutely brilliant follow up to The Wolf at the Door, this second in the series from Charlie Adhara ramps up the tensions big time both in the relationship stakes between Cooper and Oliver and also in the cold case murder mystery they end up exploring when returning to Coop's hometown for his brother's engagement.

There are lots of frustrations as Coop is unable to articulate his feelings for Park, but there's some truly emotionally connected scenes with the two men and a wonderful one with Coop's older brother Dean that had me a bit teary.

The mystery is well done, I was second guessing who the villain was right up until the final denouement and I loved the pacing of the investigation.

Roll on April 2019 for more from this dynamic duo!