The Wolf at Bay

The Wolf at Bay (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf)

Cooper and Oliver are trying to figure out their partnership–both at work and on a more personal level. Cooper doesn’t want to admit he has feelings for Oliver, because that means he’ll be hurt if/when Oliver leaves.

We all know how well that works.

When he realizes he has forgotten about his brother’s engagement party, he takes Park with him. Except that Cooper isn’t out to his family, and the werewolves aren’t out to anyone.

This book has one of my favorite opening scenes–I absolutely adore his conversation with the nosy older woman.

“I don’t know his favorite flower.” She sucked her teeth mock disapprovingly. “I’m not sure he even has one,” Cooper added defensively.

“What about birthday?”

“Something that goes with the gift you got him because you better not just be walking in with some lousy flowers. So which is it?”

Cooper laughed. “What if I want to get him some flowers just because?”

She raised an eyebrow and sniffed. “Uh-huh, right. You-fucked-up-flowers it is, then.”
…
“What kind of flowers for just because?”

“That depends on just because what. Just because you love him?”

Cooper coughed. “Oh, well. Let’s not get crazy. What are my other options?”

She snorted. “Like that, is it? You sound like my second husband, Gary. He couldn’t handle looking like he cared either. A man like that gives daisies. Dead by the end of the work week. Don’t be a daisy man, friend.”

“I thought you said you’ve been married for thirty-two years.”

“And I was. Just not to the same man or for consecutive sentences.” She cackled.

That passage is hilarious, but also tells you everything you need to know about Cooper and the state of his relationship with Oliver.

When Cooper spends time with his family, you see precisely just how screwed up his relationship is–but also you get to see Park call him on it.

“What’s wrong with calling?” Park said. “Besides, you’d probably get along better if he knew what you did. Or some version of it, anyway.”

“If he can’t be proud of every part of me, he doesn’t get to know the rest,” Cooper hissed. “I’m not some kind of fucking pick’n’mix bag.”

“They didn’t even know you were in the hospital.” Park’s voice was raised now, his eyes dilating and possibly glowing gold, though through the haze of Cooper’s frustration with his father, everything seemed brighter. “You almost died, Cooper.”

“Yeah, and? You think if he’d seen me tubed up in some hospital that would fix us?”

Also, this passage is like a punch to the gut.

“I’m sorry,” Cooper blurted. His heart was beating hard, but fuck it, what were they here for if not this?

Park looked at him. He had that same odd look on his face he’d had when they first got to Jagger Valley that looked so much like nerves, but a little hopeful, too. “For what?”

“Everything. Well, for earlier, and for being, you know, me.” Cooper laughed awkwardly.

“What the hell, Dayton,” Park said, sounding angry. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”

Mind you, the mystery is also excellent here. But I really love watching Cooper unpack and deal with his shit.

Publisher: Carina Press

Rating: 9/10

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