It's been four months since hedgehog shifter Avery Babineaux started his investigation into the disappearance of Lacey, a young woman from the Portland Pack. Despite finding himself in danger more than once, he's continuing to investigate, committed to bringing Lacey home. Now that he's started working with a licensed private investigator, Corbin Reid, he's hoping to learn more and be able to track down every possible lead.

There are days when Dylan Green would prefer that his mate not get himself tangled up in his private detective work. He admires and appreciates Avery's dedication; he just doesn't care for the fact that Avery's investigations put him in danger. And Dylan's wolf is very much the protective type, so he can't just stand back and let Avery walk into situations where he might get hurt. But he knows that Avery's just as unlikely to back down as he is, and the two of them will need to find a way to live with the current state of things.

But as Avery gets closer to finding out the truth about Lacey, the danger is likely to only grow--for both of them.

Of course I had to read the follow up to the first ever hedgehog shifter novel I've read. And I love that the authors carried over the same spirit, that excellent balance between humor and seriousness, that I enjoyed so much in the first book. And he same sort of unexpected twists and turns exist to keep readers guessing and on the edges of their seats... ( )

Hedgehog shifters? Yes, because nothing says sexy like hedgehog. I'll pass, thanks.

As funny and imaginative as the first story about prickly hedgehog shifter Avery and his protective wolf shifter mate Dylan, this sequel also focuses on the unsolved mystery of the disappearance of a young female werewolf. Her having vanished still bothers Avery, and now that he has his own issues with loan sharks and petty criminals resolved and is firmly mated to Dylan, he can focus on the case. Dylan, for his part, isn’t really happy about Avery putting himself in danger, but for the sake of a peaceful relationship he tried to control his protective streak. Not very successfully…much to my amusement. The humor is as good in this second volume as in the first, the characters are even more fun since I now know them, and the mystery adds an element of suspense and danger that had me thoroughly engaged in the story.

Avery has come a long way. No longer stuck-up, an arrogant snob, or a naïve, spoiled brat. He still has his moments, but he now has a job he is interested in and a mate he loves with all his heart. Becoming a PI is not easy, and Avery still has lots to learn, but he clearly has a talent and the determination to make it. His main interest remains the vanished female werewolf, and figuring out what happened there, then catch the kidnappers, keeps him busy. So busy in fact, that Dylan feels neglected, and keeping him happy is the other main challenge for Avery. He has to learn to balance his professional and his personal life, and that is an entirely new challenge for the former “rich son”. Avery also struggles with his stuck-up family and their lack of acceptance of his mate, but his newfound pride in who he is and what he does help him deal with their stupidity. Way to go, Avery!

Dylan hasn’t changed that much on a personal level – he’s still pretty dominant and protective – but he has learned how to be in a relationship and become a supporter for Avery’s ambitions. But Dylan has his limits – and “never” seeing Avery because he always works late is one of them. The fact that he almost always shadows Avery when he is on a dangerous assignment may add to the stress – not that Dylan would admit this. Compromising ids not in Dylan’s nature – but then Avery is no champion of that particular ability either. Between the dangers of the case, various interfering and supportive friends, and Dylan’s feelings for his mate, he definitely has his hands full!

If you liked Avery in Dylan in book one and want to know how they’re doing, if stories about unusual shifters and dangerous mysteries are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is fast-paced, adventurous, emotional, and hilarious in turn, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I laughed my head off – again - and hope the next sequel will be published soon.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

2.5 ( )