The Second and His Bonded: Kincaid Pack Book 2, Kiki Clark

Kieran and Bennett had a bit of a spark in The Alpha and His King that I was absolutely looking forward to reading all about in this story, but while there was a lot of devotion and a bit of a spark in the book none of that came until well over halfway through it.  What carried me through the story was the yearning I had to see Bennett finally get his HEA.  He definitely got it, but it was absolutely hard-won and not without a considerable amount of angst and peril along the way.

I fell in love with Bennett in the first book of the series much more than I ever loved either of those MC's so was looking forward to this book to see him find his way to a forever love.  Bennett was similar in this book to the first where he was kind, gruff, and concerned with the care of others, but there was an avoidance and obliviousness here that wasn't present before.  He knew he was drawn to Kieran and knew there was something wrong, but he gets all butt-hurt with Kieran's lashing out the first time he extends his brand of caring.  All the patience and understanding flew out the window and then he's surprised and gutted when the results of his actions pretty much recreated exactly what happened with Kai.  The blinders surprised and disappointed me.

Their relationship was always rocky, but it was Kieran's hot and cold behavior, his immaturity, his willful and intentional hurting of Bennett that bothered me the most.  It took way, way too long for him to soften and appreciate what Bennett was offering.  Even Bennet's mature and wise decision to wait until Kieran was ready was overshadowed by Kieran's inability to think logically, accept his own feelings, and his weak-willed attempts at adjusting to his new life.  The abuse he suffered was severe and some of his reactions are understandable, but his near constant decision to isolate and deny himself the things he knew and acknowledged he needed was beyond frustrating, especially because it lasted so dang long.

There is a wonderful moment though, when we're predicting a TSTL moment because of his stubborn need to assert himself, but instead there's intelligent action, proper precautions taken, and a courage found that nearly completely redeems him.  Kieran finds his backbone and inner strength and even though it took nearly the whole book to get there, we're rewarded with someone that's worthy of the Bennett I fell in love with at the series' outset.  His own acceptance of his new home, his new family, it was gradual and took more of the focus of his side of the story once it got really rolling and I liked that that aspect was given adequate page time.

Overall we were given a story that too closely imitates the first book rather than becoming something truly unique despite the carryover of abusive family and a wonderful conclusion filled with hope for a whole lot of suffering shifters.  The lead-in to the next book promises more internal angst as well as a new face to an old threat and even though I wasn't completely astounded by awesomeness as yet in the series, I'm looking forward to where we're going next.

$4.99 on Amazon

As the son of an enemy, Kieran never expected to find a family with the Kincaid Pack... or a true mate’s bond.

After barely escaping his abusive family, wolf shifter Kieran McAllister struggles to find his place in the Kincaid Pack. Especially with the pushy but gorgeous second-in-command showing up every time Kieran turns around… and making him want things he shouldn’t.

The traumatized wolf who continuously refuses Bennett Young’s help has begun to haunt his dreams. But if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that tiger shifters don’t have mates. So why can’t Bennett get Kieran’s sad eyes out of his head?

Despite their differences, Kieran and Bennet find something they never expected in each other. Just as their bond begins to grow though, Kieran's past threatens to destroy the very pack they both have been fighting to protect.