3.5 STARS - This was more like 3.5 stars for me, but I had some nits to pick that held me back from giving it a full 4. There are spoilers beyond this. Consider yourself warned.Good writing. I like the world that the author has created. The characters and their relationships are easy to get hooked into. It also has a good amount of well detailed sex scenes, which is essential, imho.I was not as in love with Remi's character in this book. Having met him in book #1 as Chay's homophobic best friend, I was unprepared for his 180 degree personality shift. From gay bashing, macho jerk firefighter to sensitive, healing, effeminate submissive was as little to much change for me. The author did try to justify or explain some of this with Remi's backstory, but it kept jangling on my willing suspension of disbelief. Miscellaneous: Jake was an all around good alpha. Don't know why he was sweating letting his Dom side out. He was a cupcake compared to some I've read and I'm thankful for that! BUT... Neither saliva NOR shower gel is an acceptable substitute for lube! Not now, not ever.The pack split and imminent territory change was a shock. I wish we'd had more resolution on what happens to Remi and Sterling's father. I feel really, really sorry for Rhys. @3 years is a LONG time to wait! I don't think the wolves should find their mates that long before they can do anything about it. It's like arranged marriages for children. Summary: Like this book less than #1, but will definitely continue with the series, at least for another book or two. D/s, or bdsm relationships are not my favorite thing to read, so if it looks like the author is going stick with this, I may have to wander elsewhere. Oh J.L. Langley is on a serious roll with this series! I adored this second book and, in fact, it's my favorite of them so far. The writing was just as good. The plot, the dialogue, etc. were all fantastic. I think I fell more for this book because of the two main characters.I'll admit I didn't like Remi a whole lot when he was first introduced in the prior book. He came across as a homophobic, arrogant little snot! He was verbally cruel to Keaton and I didn't care for him. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt mainly because I figured if Chay was his best friend and had been for all those years then there must be redeeming qualities to him. I'm so glad I was right! I fell in love with Remi. All the abuse and fear he's lived with his entire life broke my heart. I could understand the walls he puts up to protect himself and, more importantly, from letting anyone ever know in order to protect his little brother, Sterling. (On a side note I am crazy about Sterling and can't wait to read his story). Remi is vulnerable but definitely NOT weak.I mentioned in my review of book one that Jake is hot, hot, and more hot. Well, I had no idea how incredibly smoking he was. OMG. He's got it all, literally. Looks, body, job, SUV and Hog, personality, sense of humor…oh I could go on and on. But what's even better about Jake is that he's a Dominant! Oh yeah, baby! He's hesitant to let Remi know this, though, because he doesn't want to traumatize him after his years of abuse. But, then something miraculous and amazing occurs - and, no, I can't say because that would be a spoiler - and Remi's world changes again. Even more so than when he was changed into a wolf. And this big occurrence affects Jake and his friends, too. So, we've got major things going on (yes, I know, you just want me to say and I'm not gonna), and on top of all of that Jake and his partner are beginning to investigate Remi and Sterling's dad. And let me tell you the dad is a real piece of work. Everything you associate with small-minded, bigoted, child and spouse abusers. He's just Meh.So, for obvious reasons, I can't give away the ending. HA! Just trust me on this - you want to read this book. You need to read this book. You won't regret reading this book.
What do You think about With Caution (2008)?
Much better than Without Reservations. Some places were really skillfully written.
—Romana
