Sandy M’s review of The Wolf Who Loved Me (The Wolf Who Loved Me Trilogy, Book 1) by Lydia Dare
Historical Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Apr 12
With this new spin-off trilogy, Lydia Dare is giving readers more of her werewolves with the Hadley brothers, three rakes who get into trouble every chance they get.
I’m glad the wolves are back. I know Ms. Dare was trying to give readers something different with the last three books in the series that featured vampires. Those stories were good, but they just lack the flare of those werewolves that I’ve enjoyed so much from the beginning of this series. This time around we have some fun with the half-brothers of Dashiel Thorpe, who is hero of The Taming of the Wolf. Twins Weston and Grayson and Archer Hadley are about to have their ears flicked to bring them into line after causing havoc at every turn. Dash and Caitrin are fed up and desperate measures are in the works.
Weston has always been enamored of Lady Madeline Hayburn, but she’s out of his league. Even knowing her father has brought in eligible bachelors for her to choose from doesn’t bring him any closer to his dream of having her. Society doesn’t look kindly on the Hadleys. So he has to admire her from afar, with only minimum interaction. The lady has marginally noticed Wes, but her priority is staying away from the gents who are vying for her attention. And her money.
All the problems really begin when Madeline spies Weston from her window in an altercation with another man, incapacitating him. She’s curious as to what he’ll do next, so she slips out of the house to follow him to the barn. But what she ends up seeing alters both of their lives completely. It’s the full moon and Wes has no control over his shifting when it’s time. When he realizes what Madeline has seen, and despite the fact she’s now frightened of him, his only option is to head to Gretna Green for a quick marriage. If her future is tied with his, her silence is assured.
But being kidnapped and forced to marry isn’t Madeline’s idea of making the problem go away. She does her best to get away from Wes, even though she becomes more attracted to him as time goes on. When she stops to see he is taking care of her, he does feel something for her, her need to escape lessens. When her father catches up to them, Madeline must make a choice. Should she go back home, which is what she’s wanted for so long, or now take a chance on the man who has come to mean something to her? Madeline decides to take a chance. She jumps from the inn window into the arms of her future.
Of course, now that she’s made that choice, things can only sail smoothly for so long. During their trip they acquire a couple passengers, both known to Wes, who make it more difficult for him to keep soothing his intended’s feathers. After finally making it to Gretna Green, becoming husband and wife, and enjoying the best wedding night, it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. Madeline spies Wes in a compromising position with the actress who shared their carriage, and she thinks the worst. So much so she runs to Wes’ so-called friend to help her get back home. That plan turns out to be a major mistake. During his search for his wife, Wes realizes he was wrong to force Madeline into marriage, she deserves better than he can ever give her. So once he’s found her, he’ll return her to her father. That’s best for all concerned.
Madeline, however, takes exception to that idea. And at the end of the book is my only nitpick. I thought perhaps once I pondered on it I might change my mind, but I’ve found I haven’t. I feel Madeline’s “begging” is taken a bit too far, especially at the time and place it happens. I know it’s because she has to convince Wes she’s true in her words and feelings toward him, but I think an alternative or even some type of compromise with that scene would have worked better. For me, anyway. Her actions, of course, move Wes and do convince him, but that’s just not the Madeline I’ve come to know during this read.
Other than that, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. The Hadley brothers aren’t as charismatic as Dash – he’s still my favorite hero of the series – but they make for good fun and eventually romance. I’m quite intrigued with the budding relationship between Archer and Madeline’s friend, Sophie. That should be one wild romp, which I’m looking forward to.
Grade: B
Summary:
Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems…
Specifically, she has so much of it that she’s dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners…
Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis…
Specifically, he’s just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it’s up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast…if she can…
Read an excerpt. (click the Excerpt tab)
Other books in this series:
