--2.5- 3 stars--

The first book in the Outcasts series piqued my interest with the different takes on shifters and left me with a good amount of questions. With the future of Clay and Damian’s relationship being the primary unresolved plot thread from Bad Moon Arising, I was excited to start Trouble’s on the Way. Unfortunately, I had trouble staying invested in the second book and found myself stopping and restarting the story multiple times.

In the first book, Clay came across as closed off and rather brusque. Disappointedly that didn’t change much in the second novella and the reader doesn’t get very far past Clay’s walls until the end of the book. Additionally, the relationship between Clay and Damian really stalled out, adding more pieces to the puzzle rather than solving much of it and diminishing my interest in this couple. I did appreciate there was more background on Damian and why he left his pack and bonded mate behind for the Outcast pack, but that too led to plenty more unanswered questions. Although the author’s creativity and different approaches to shifter packs, their structure, and behaviors was once again noteworthy, I expected much more character and relationship development by the end of Trouble’s on the Way. Instead, I found myself less interested in Clay, Damian, and now Billy Ray than I was after the first novella. That combined with the foreshadowing of an MPreg storyline in the future leaves me thinking this is where I’ll stop. I think if you are really into shifter books that involve pack dynamics, alphas, and omegas- the Outcasts series may be a better fit for you than it was for me.

Part two. Should not be read as stand alone. You will miss to much.
Clay and Damian are now taking a job near Damian 's old pack near Alabama. Of course being this close they would eventually run into someone from the old pack.
Just so happens to be Billy Ray. Which also happens to be the one that Damian left behind. Apparently there was a potential for a mate bond years ago. For many reasons things didn't happen the way things were suppose to.
The relationship between Clay and Damian takes a weird turn when Billy Ray is introduced.
I was really enjoying the story in till we learn about a two gendered wolf. Why is there a two gendered wolf?
Fits a narrative. Seems like political stuff inserted into a story.
The story is interesting, but don't care for this new turn of stupid events. Does not fit well. But then again maybe future
events will work out.
(Given a copy for an honest review) (NetGalley)

Unfortunately, this book didn’t work as well for me as the first in the series.

The thing that I really liked about the first book was the way the author played with the conventions of werewolf stories, like having the newly bitten transform into a puppy rather than a scary monster. However, this one worked against some of that unconventionality. Yes, Clay becomes a puppy when he wholly shifts, but he also can shift into something like the traditional man-wolf werewolf. That felt like a copout to me.

I’m also not entirely on board with the fated mates aspect of the story. I like Clay and Damian together, and adding a third member to their relationship in the form of Damian’s mate Billy Ray didn’t thrill me, even if the purpose seems to be in part to set up some sort of special destiny for the three of them. I did appreciate the fact that Billy Ray is gender fluid, though.

Then add to that the fact that a lot of the conflict in this book was built around the fact that people just wouldn’t TALK to each other like reasonable adults. That’s always frustrating.

So, yeah, not as good as the first. But I’m up for reading the next in the series, simply because I want to know what happens to Clay and Damian.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

This starts directly after Bad Moon Rising and since it features continuing characters, I would recommend reading them in order. In the aftermath of book one, decisions were made quickly--life changing decisions. You would hope that they would take the time to get to know each other after all of Blaine's lies, but unfortunately that is not the case. We know that Damian already has a mate whom he has refused. They have taken jobs in the area near Damian's old pack and Damian's mate, Billy Ray, is the project manager on their new job.

As near as I can figure, the bond that Damian and Clay have is due to Damian infecting Clay and Clay becoming his Alpha. Damian has the mate bond from birth with Billy Ray. Clay's wolf also seems to want to claim Billy Ray. At first I thought we would get a love triangle, but a triad makes more sense for the plot as written, however the way it happens is not romantic, or even erotic. I wanted some tenderness for Damian after the way he was treated by Blaine. Damian forgives Clay too easily for everything and I can't help but think that this relationship is not realistically going to get any healthier. However, after seeing the way Damian treats Billy Ray, I'm not sure he deserves it. In fact, Billy Ray forgives him for everything way too easily. Damian also does a complete 180 very quickly on not wanting to complete the mate bond, to not being able to help himself due to his jealousy. This is yet another example of jumping into the sex rather than getting to know Billy Ray, especially when we know know he doesn't feel anything for his mate at the time. The tone has changed from the cuteness of the "pup", to the desires of "the beast" which tells you all you need to know about the author's choices here. It doesn't make sense to me that Clay no longer wanted Billy Ray after Damian finally bonds with him, even after we are told that all Alphas will want to claim Billy Ray now. I don't know why this is even necessary, except to just cause conflict. How are we to believe these people can control themselves in public and humans don't know about them?

I was annoyed that all three characters seems to throw themselves into situations without thought to the consequences, even when some of them know what they will be. Clay is stubborn and not too interested in the packs, but no one seems to be giving him information he needs.

This books touches on pack politics within the pack and between packs and we know that the showdown is coming: between Damian and his parents and the triad and the pack. I am starting to really not like any of these packs. Pack law seems like law only when it is convenient for those in power. These are also just things we are told instead of shown--there is not a lot of world-building here.

By the time we get to the plot twist out of nowhere in regards to Clay (no, I won't tell you), I'm not sure where this can go. And then, they finally talk like mature adults. That doesn't make all the jealousy, anger, and bitterness go away, but it's a start. It also doesn't last. Pete makes Clay see some reason, but also finally tells him a whole lot about being a werewolf that he should have told him weeks ago, which leads us to another plot twist out of nowhere.

I liked the first book and I had high hopes for this one. I think there is just too much going on in the plot, without a lot of details, or small details thrown into the fray to justify what is happening whilst it is happening. I wish the characters were who they are, rather than feeling like the author is just throwing in characters for representation, convenience, or salaciousness. With the hormone changes Billy Ray has that are able to be detected by scent, I am wondering if the next book will be mpreg (male pregnancy). I admit that is not my favorite genre, so I will likely not read the next book because I just don't like babies in my erotic romance. I don't really like babies in real life either.

I would rate this 2.5 stars.

Trouble’s on the Way is the second book in Outcasts, CL Mustafic’s paranormal romance series. The must read prequel, Bad Moon Arising, pulled me right in with the unusual characters and clever twists. This is not your typical shifter story, but then, nothing I’ve read by this creative author can be considered typical… and that’s a wonderful thing!

Life after the hook-up from hell will never be the same for Clay. Becoming an “infected” (one who contracts lycanthropy, rather than being born a wolf) is more than he ever bargained for. While he admits he’s got strong feelings for Damian, their relationship is fraught with issues. Between discounting his attraction to Damian as simply due to his beast, and blaming Damien for infecting him in the first place, Clay is having a tough time getting past all this.

Dragging Clay home to Alabama might not be the smartest move for them, but Damian knows they need the protection of a pack - and he’s got some unfinished business as well. Billy Ray is Damian’s true mate and he’s been waiting patiently for Damian to return so they can consummate their bond. There are some very interesting issues which led to Damian moving away in the first place, and his reemergence changes everything for the three men.

Mustafic puts her characteristic touch on this shifter romance and there’s a darker edge to Trouble’s on the Way as the series moves forward. All three of the main characters are dealing with some intense issues; they’re all keeping secrets, and playing their cards close to their vests.

This is a wonderfully creative shifter world. Leave it to CL Mustafic to explore areas of this society I would never have even considered. There’s so much involved in the phenomenon of a mated pair: what it means for the pack, the ways it affects both wolves, and how both partners deal with it. Even more intriguing is what’s involved in becoming an infected, watching Clay’s wolf evolve is so interesting to see.

I don’t want to give anything away, but this is one of the most original shifter stories I’ve read and I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I have a feeling there are quite a few surprises yet to come, and I’m sure whichever way Outcasts plays out, I’ll enjoy it. Bring on the next episode!

Troubles on the way was a great sequel to Bad moon rising and continue the story of Clay and Damian in a fantastic way! it was a quick sweet and steamy read but not just that so much more! I loved the interesting dynamic that Billy Ray added to the story and just him/her as a character and Dante and some of the most messed up family dynamics that I have ever seen also added some amazing layers to the story that I just loved and couldn't put down! Overall a great addition to the Outcasts series I can't wait to see whats next! Great Job CL. Mustafic!!

I requested this title because I was curious to see how the story evolved after the events of the first book. Unfortunately this book didn't really work for me. There are still a lot of questions left unanswered, why can't someone explain all there is to know about werewolves to Clay? Every time something new gets added to the mix and this is kind of frustrating.
I appreciated the representation in this book, it was nice to see a bigender character in the story.
The thing I couldn't excuse was Clay's behaviour, he's really mean and sometimes just to make Damian mad.
I expected more answers and I'm sad to say I was disappointed.

********* WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS **************

I enjoyed the first book in this series (Bad Moon Arising). It was cute but left a lot of unanswered questions at the end, so I jumped at the chance to read the follow up.

I wish I hadn’t now, because Clay is the absolute worst. He wasn’t great in the first book, but I let it go because of the stressful circumstances. Yet after everything, he’s somehow come out of it even more of an asshole than before (and no, it doesn’t make it better if he knows he’s being an asshole!). He’s moody, irritating and incredibly childish, and the way he treats Damian is awful. I cannot for the life of me see what Damian sees in him, except for the whole messed up alpha wolf thing.

Not that Billy Ray is any better. At first I was really happy to see a bigender character blending so seamlessly into this world, but then I realised it was all mixed up with the whole fated-mates stuff (with a hint towards a possible m-preg in the future, which NOPE!) and it became too contrived for me. A lot of this is because I hate fated-mate stories. It’s why I don’t read much paranormal romance these days, even though I love shifter stories. I picked up the first book because it clearly didn’t have anything to do with fate or destiny, so to have it jump up here and slap me in the face was at first annoying and then pretty disappointing. I know it’s in the blurb, so it wasn’t a surprise, but I thought the relationship would progress into a triad, but it doesn’t, it just messes everything up because this is more of a serial than a series – which is another thing I hate, especially when it happens without warning.

And can everyone stop manipulating Damian for two minutes please, and quit laying on the guilt-trips so damn thick? No, he isn’t perfect here, thanks to a nice bit of uncharacteristic behaviour, but with the way everyone is treating him, I just wanted him to say fuck it, pack up his cats and trailer and drive off into the sunset, leaving the rest of them to sort themselves out. It’s a clusterfuck of a mess and I really hated the way the fated-mate stuff seemed to work. It’s not something I like at the best of times, so this snarled up emotional mess was never going to be for me.

Worst of all there is no progress. Damian and Clay finished the last book in a tentative relationship, heading somewhere new because of a big ol’ mess they left behind. They end this book in a tentative relationship, about to head somewhere new because of a big ol’ mess they left behind. Yes, they have the added complication of Billy Ray now, but everything else is basically the same. Clay is still resentful of something Damian did, Damian is still apologising for existing and too many questions remain unanswered (like what happened in the Outcast pack to make it okay for them to go back).

I’m disappointed. This series has turned into a serial, nothing is really happening relationship-wise and we’re in a fated-mate situation with a possible m-preg looming in the future. I’m done. Turns out these wolves are not for me and I’m sad because I’d hoped for so much more.

This book picked up immediately after the ending of BAD MOON ARISING and has Clay and Damian getting a job with Billy Ray, Damian’s fated mate. This causes drama and contention because Clay is (unwillingly) falling in love with Damian, and Damian already knows he loves Clay and has reasons for not mating with Billy Ray in the past.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. There is some interesting world building (fated mates have their mates eye until the bond is completed) and some stuff that makes me questionable (Billy Ray is bigender and not sure if that’s because he’s omega, or if he’s omega because he’s bigender). In some ways I don’t feel like there was much relationship development and it’s very pre-relationship, especially regarding Billy Ray’s place in the dynamic. Still curious, especially because there’s been a few things that make me think Billy Ray can get pregnant.

Overall, I’m just not sure how to feel about this book. I still wanna see the continuation of their relationship and figuring out how all three of them fit and work together. I also like some of the casual queerness that came up (as I said, Billy Ray is bigender and one of the side characters is asexual). But in other ways this book doesn’t seem to have had much happen?