Massive rockstar Cole St. Clair is making a comeback to the music scene after disappearing for a couple of years (and only a select few know that he’s now a werewolf). So he’s moving to LA to record a new album while filming a reality show about the process. But he’s really in LA because the woman he fell for while trying to figure out how to be a wolf and not a suicidal drug-addict hot (in more ways than one) mess now lives here, and he wants to try to win her back (if, in fact, she was ever his to begin with). Complications: Isabel’s parents are imploding, her brother died trying NOT to be a werewolf, and she’s built so many walls to keep herself safe that even a guy with zero red flags would have a challenge on his hands. And Cole has enough red flags to make a very, very large…somethingorother…out of them. Lots of flags. Also? The person in charge of the reality show has a history of inviting hot messes to star in her projects so she can throw wrenches in their path and film them losing control. For that to happen to Cole would be bad for lots of reasons. Can he keep himself together while projecting the image of Wildman St. Clair while also convincing Isabel that he’s a safe space?

The last in the Shiver series, this is my favorite by a lot, even though (because?) the main characters are nowhere to be found. Cole and Isabel have a much more interested (and much less exhausting?) storyline, and I adore them both. Smart people doing stupid things are rarely so easy to root for as here. Steifvater, I think, was honeing her Ronan skills in Cole, and it was so fun to watch. ( )

FROM GOODREADERS: Sinner.
Cole and Isabel share a past that never seemed to have a future. They have the power to save each other and the power to tear each other apart. The only thing for certain is that they cannot let go.

Even by the end there doesn't seem to be nearly enough to hold Cole and Isabella together - either as individuals or as a couple. Cole's LA is at least somewhat recognizable, but limited advantage is taken of the setting nor does any sense of real feeling for it settle into the story. ( )

I didn't realize this book was part of a series. Now I understand why I wasn't understanding the back story with the death of the old drummer.
Cole and Isabel are privileged whiny people who totally deserve each other. Cole turns into a werewolf sometimes. Isabel just whines a lot about her terrible life, but she is the least likeable character and least empathetic character I've ever read about. Of course, she wants to be a doctor and somehow gets through college and medical school in two years. ( )

Cole and Isabel have a very, very messy past, but Cole wants to change all that, so he goes to LA to find Isabel and make his rock star comeback. But will it be as easy as he hopes it will? Of course not, but where would be the fun in that?

I love, love, love The Wolves of Mercy Falls series and looked forward to seeing where the story between Cole and Isabel went. Cole is loveable and funny and flawed, so I connected with him right away. Unfortunately, Isabel spent most of the book being icy and cold to everyone around her, so I had some trouble with her. Maggie Stiefvater definitely took the time to explain why she was this way, but I still felt disconnected from her, and this took away from my ability to enjoy this story as much as I would have liked. And although I loved the ending, I felt like it was a bit rushed. I wish it had been drawn out more.

All in all, I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I had hoped I would.

3/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Scholastic Press, and Maggie Stiefvater for the opportunity to read and review this book. ( )