Book Review: Howl Sweet Howl by Tia Fielding

Howl Sweet Howl by Tia FieldingTitle: Howl Sweet Howl
Series: Finnshifters, Book 3
Author: Tia Fielding
Genre: Paranormal Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: November 13, 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

Life at the Jarvela farm hobbles on when the new year rolls in. Losing his wife and co-alpha in the storm of the decade emotionally paralyzed Sean, though he tries to cope and attempts to pick up the pieces with their children. Rider, another alpha, could give him the love and comfort he needs, but Sean is too depressed to recognize the possibility of having a male partner, and he goes into mental tailspin.

Rider makes the hard decision to leave for a while, and Sean turns his energy and sadness into working on the neighboring Metsala farm with the other members of their farm family. But Sean isn’t really getting better, and that won’t change until he can let his wolf out again. If he doesn’t, he might lose his sanity too.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Wanted to like this novella because of the set up but the leads were separated much of the story so the relationship wasn’t developed enough for me.

The Set Up: Sean and his kids are devastated after the death of Zora, his wife and mate. Sean and Zora had started a tentative triad relationship with the lone wolf, Rider, before Zora’s death. Rider wants to offer Sean comfort and love but Sean isn’t ready so Rider leaves. Now it’s up to Sean to heal enough to return Rider’s love.

Why I Read this Book: I want to love this series.

What I Liked: I love the setting and world building here. Sean and his wolf kids live on a communal farm in Finland. The adults are all different shifters but they work together to build a safe, productive life for them all. Sean’s kids are adorable and the communal parenting is well done here, as illustrated when Sean realizes his little girls need opportunities to be little girls and lets them paint the men’s nails.

I also like the shifter world building. There is a mysterious Council who rules the shifters around the globe and is responsible for keeping humans ignorant of their existence. This adds a nice mystery element as the Council asks Sean and the others to prepare a neighboring farm for new shifters. Who Rider’s contact is on the Council also plays nicely into the farm and a bit into his relationship with Sean. This novella does just as its predecessors did and sets up the next beautifully. This is what keeps me coming back to the series even though I find the romances lackluster. 

What I Didn’t Like: This romance had such promise but it fizzled for me. Rider allows Sean to grieve but also takes care of Sean and lays his heart before him. Sean then says he’s not ready and Rider leaves (no spoiler as it says all this in the synopsis). This leaves the men apart for much of the novella. There is an email from Rider but other than that no communication between the leads occurs until the novella is nearly complete. This wasn’t a romance developed in my opinion, but the story of how Sean heals enough to want Rider; that’s not the same thing for me and wasn’t what I want in romance.

IMO: Howl Sweet Howl isn’t a great romance but the communal farm and the shifter world building may entice me to read book four even though I was disappointed in this one.

 

J9’s Rating:
2 Frogs

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About J9: Vegan. Avid runner. Android addict. Never without a book in hand. Currently devouring MM romance but reads historial romance and paranormal romance as well. Follow J9 on Twitter.

2 comments:

  1. Sorry to read this wasn't up to your expectations. I'll keep that in mind:) When I saw the tag for your post I had to come see it! This series sounds exciting. I almost missed a new author and series. I love reading a series whether they have to be read in sequence or can be read as stand alones. Thanks for sharing. I'm going over to Goodreads to check these out:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's a great concept and wildly popular. Maybe I'm just bah-humbugging but I really looked forward to this romance and it just didn't work for me.

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