Review: The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare

June 14th, 2010 | 5 Stars, ARC, D-F, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Paranormal, Regency, Virgin Heroine, Werewolf

by Susan S., guest reviewer

Lydia Dare whips up another captivating wolfish read! Her combination of intrigue, sexual tension, and humor will keep you reading well into the night.

The Wolf Next Door is book three from Dare’s werewolf trilogy. This final installment gives us the story of Lord William Westfield, the middle brother, the last bachelor of the bunch.

Does it stand alone? Yes. But, I guarantee if you read one from the trilogy, you’ll want to read them all.

Did I spy any cameo appearances? Plenty! For beginners, the heroine, Prisca Hawthorne made her first appearance in book one A Certain Wolfish Charm for meddling in someone else’s affairs. You’ll see Caitrin again, Elspeth’s coven sister from book two Tall, Dark, and Wolfish. We’ll spend plenty of time with the Westfield gang: Alice, Major Forster, Ben, Simon, Elspeth, Lily and Oliver York. You’ll reacquaint yourselves with the Hawthorne’s: Sir Herbert, Emory, Pierce, Garrick and Darius from book one. In this novel, we’ll meet Prisca’s fifth brother, Blaine, who was off in Cambridge in the earlier installments.

Since their failed elopement, (heroine) Prisca Hawthorne and (hero) Will Westfield have had a difficult time moving on with their lives. Of course…Will’s none the worse for wear. He’s an unrepentant blackguard and she’s heard all about his exploits; from her brothers and gossipmongers. Speaking of brothers, Prisca has five: Emory, Pierce, Garrick, Darius, and Blaine. The Hawthorne men are well aware of their sister’s feelings towards Westfield and conspire to bring Will and Prisca back together. What ensues is a sheer battle of wills! Prisca and Will continue to banter, while her brothers continue to meddle. In enters a dashing golden haired man, the Earl of Brimsworth, Dashiel Thorpe. Consequently, throwing a monkey wrench in Will’s plans to win Prisca back.

Will realizes the Earl’s duplicity, and Prisca senses she’s in more danger than just losing her heart. When two wolves battle for the ultimate prize…Prisca, who will “claim” her?

Favorite comedic moment: Will is attached to a headboard and is accidentally clocking everyone in the head.

Favorite romantic scene: Will’s baring his soul, he tells Prisca the first time he felt whole. She was just a girl, and he appeared to her as a wolf.

My favorite character: Will. He’s determined to redeem himself in Prisca’s eyes and fights to win her back. (Evil grin) I love when this sexy wolf gets foxed!

Underlying theme: Everyone deserves a second chance.

Recommendations: If you like smooth writing, and happily-ever-afters that leave you smiling, you should add The Wolf Next Door to your to-be-read list. If you find yourself drawn time and time again to paranormals, historicals, werewolves, trilogies, and romances, then it’s a must read.

Rating: 5 Stars

Buy: The Wolf Next Door (Book 3)

Historical, Paranormal Romance, June 2010, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Print Pages 395. Mass Market Paperback, ISBN# 978-1-4022-3696-9.

PS... There might be more werewolf novels in Dare’s future. I read a small sneak peak of The Taming of the Wolf. Caitrin, Elspeth’s coven sister will encounter someone whose future is unreadable and the Earl of Brimsworth is once again, as wild and dangerous as ever.