Reviews

The Beast Within Me by Beau Lake

nerdbrarian's review

5.0

Rafe returns home to his wolf pack in Wharton, Virginia, haunted by the horrors of World War II and what he did during the war. Returning to his role as both Alpha and the manager of the pack's ramshackle hotel, he discovers humans have been killed or gone missing while he was away. Suspecting his pack, he forbids the killing of humans. Things settle down until a mysterious woman named Ama, fleeing from a choice that ruined her and her fiancé's life, arrives in the sleepy seaside town looking for a job. When Ama shows her wolfishness, she's accepted into the pack, something she has never had before. An instant connection brings Rafe and Ama together, until humans are once again found murdered in Wharton and Ama's past comes for her. This speedy read balances steamy encounters with believable character development, a hallmark of talented author Beau Lake's engaging writing. The mystery leaves you guessing, but where this novel shines is the exploration of these strong yet flawed characters. The characters virtually leap off the page thanks to very real themes of PTSD, abuse, self acceptance and female empowerment. Beautifully intertwining paranormal romance with a classic mystery, this is a welcome installment in the Wolves of Wharton series. While this is easily read alone, readers of The Beast Beside Me will love rediscovering Ama Chilton, one of the most intriguing characters in the first book. Her journey is both beautiful and inspiring. Beau Lake's Wolves of Wharton series is a can't miss read for fans of realistic characters, small-town settings and paranormal mysteries.
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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.