The only thing that frightens shapeshifter Selene Rhodes more than the full moon is the idea of falling in love.
Selene Rhodes has lived her whole life with a terrible secret: not only can she take the form of any animal at will, but once a month the full moon transforms her into a fierce wolf-creature without a human conscience. Managing her condition means living by a strict routine, and more importantly, abstaining from intimate relationships with human beings. Selene is convinced that love and friendship can only bring her pain.
Forensic pathologist Eve Thomas is well-acquainted with the pain of romantic love. Swearing off relationships after having her heart broken by a cheating ex, Eve throws herself into her work: catching murderers. When Selene comes to her aid after an attack by a masked man in Golden Gate Park, Eve is shocked by how powerfully she is drawn to her mysterious savior.
Shaken by her own feelings for Eve, Selene is even more terrified to realize she isn’t even close to being the scariest monster stalking San Francisco. There is someone out in the city who is killing for pleasure, and his next target is the one woman he thinks might be able to stop him: Eve.
In the eternal struggle between vampires and werewolves, I am in the fang camp. Yes, I prefer the undead to the furry. This often leads me to quickly pass on most lycanthrope stories, but this one was by Meghan O’Brien so I had to give it a chance.
I love Meghan’s take on shapeshifters. Rather than the typical uber-tough alpha thug werewolves, Selene is intriguingly different. Conflicted and frightened she condemns herself to solitude, dreading every lunar cycle… until Eve. Selene has a “deep empathetic connection” to Eve that drives the couple to rubber band between fierce overwhelming emotional seduction and anxiety driven fear. Whatever chemistry that’s between them is beyond their comprehension; and mine. Once I suspended my disbelief at the whole supernatural destined love, I enjoyed the push-pull dynamic more. Their frequent and incredibly hot sex helped too.
Beyond the ‘hooking up’ story, there is a serial killer murder mystery to be solved and my new favorite shapeshifter and forensic pathologist couple is up to their necks in solving the crime before it finds them.
The story has great pacing and keeps you on the edge of your seat until it’s heart pounding end. I can’t wait for sequel.
