Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Sometimes love catches you by the tail.

Native American veterinarian—and werewolf—Chayton Wilson dreams of a fair-haired mate. However, he’s shocked to find his mate is a man. He’s not quite sure what to do with a male mate, but he’s more than willing to find out.

Keaton Reynolds wakes up in wolf form and finds himself with a mate. He’s instantly attracted, but not thrilled to find out the man is supposedly straight. A past relationship where his partner denied being gay left a bad taste in his mouth. Keaton wants to make a break for it and pretend he never set eyes on Chay—but Chay is not ready to let him go.

 

Together they work to battle prejudice and solidify their shaky relationship. When a power struggle in Keaton’s pack threatens Keaton’s life, the two men must quickly learn whether they can depend on each other.

First edition published by Samhain Publishing, October 2006.

Second edition published by Dreamspinner Press, September 2019.

Book Review

This is the first book in J.L. Langley's series 'With or Without'. Anytime I start reading a series, especially from a new author (to me), I'm holding my breath at the beginning hoping it will be as good as it appears to be. In this case, it only took a chapter in to realize I had hit the jackpot with this author and this series. The writing is top of the line. Crisp, concise, and well paced. The plot is a fairly simple one but the dialogue and interactions are so great they kept me entertained until the end.

Chay Winston is a thirty-year-old, Native American veterinarian and werewolf in New Mexico. He has been wishing for his mate since he was four years old. He has dreamt of his mate since he was a child and always dreamed of sunshine hair and sky-blue eyes. Now this doesn't make his mom happy as she's fairly prejudiced against white people and always corrected him by saying his mate would be a beautiful girl with dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. Chay stops correcting her but he knows his mate will be a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Keaton Reynolds is twenty-five, a PhD, a werewolf, and Caucasian recently moved to New Mexico. Keaton is gay. He's always been gay. In fact when he came out to his birth pack when he was sixteen and home from college (brilliant, too) his brother and four pack members attacked him. He kicked their butts because he's a very powerful wolf but has no interest in being Alpha. Keaton has only had one real boyfriend, if you could call him that, and that guy refused to acknowledge Keaton in public. So, you can imagine his mindset.

These two meet when Keaton is shot and the game warden brings him to the vet to get fixed up. You can imagine Chay's utter surprise when his mate turns out to be a guy. And Keaton's when his turns out to be straight. Oh the tangled webs we weave… Needless to say it takes a bit for them to get their bearings. They discover there's a lot they really like about the other and they have a lot of things in common. As time goes on Chay is no longer concerned that his mate is male. He wants him and Keaton is his. Keaton, understandably, is a little more hesitant to give his heart. He doesn't want to be rejected again by a straight man who is just experimenting.

Now comes the problem. Someone is trying to kill Keaton and they have no idea who. Keaton is shot, his brake line is cut, he is poisoned, etc. The intrigue grows stronger and it's interesting to get the answer at the end. The supporting cast of characters is really great. Chay's dad is one in a million. We're introduced to his best friend Remi, who's kind of a jerk in the beginning. We meet Jake who is hotter than hot. Chay's mother is a work in progress but I like how the author wrote her - no holds barred and no worrying about being PC.

I really loved this book and can't wait to jump into the next one.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 195 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-September-2020
Price	$6.99 ebook, $10.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Without-Reservations-J-L-Langley-ebook/dp/B08GSQ75X3