COVERT DESIRES (ALPINE WOODS SHIFTERS, BOOK #5) BY SONDRAE BENNETT: BOOK REVIEW

Covert Desires
Alpine Woods Shifters, Book #5
By Sondrae Bennett
ISBN# 9781616504281
Author’s Website:  http://www.sondraebennett.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Sammy

*Beware of possible Spoilers*

Synopsis:

Will desire be enough once all their secrets are revealed?

Still recovering from a traumatic assignment, Amber is wary of the man who shows up at her door with a plate of cookies and a welcoming smile. Instinct warns her he’s not all he seems. Then again, neither is she. Since she was sent to root out the secrets of the town and its people, she might as well accept his invitation to dinner. But when things start to heat up between them, will her loyalty lie with her job, or the man trying to win her heart?

Danny knows Amber is an FBI agent. Tasked by his brothers and the shifter council to keep her from discovering too much, he sets out to seduce her, a perfect cover to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t learn about his pack or their society. He hadn’t counted on a blazing attraction at first sight, though. His wolf knows Amber is his mate, and he’ll do anything to keep her safe and happy. But how can he reveal everything he is, and everything he’s been keeping from her, without losing her forever?

CONTENT WARNING: This book contains explicit sex.
A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance (Goodreads)

Review:

This is the first book I have read by Sondrae Bennett, what a treat. I love shifter stories and have read many in this genre.  How’d I missed this author???? I’m so happy to have found this series and will be going back and reading all the books that belong to it. Even though this book was #5 in the series, it’s a stand alone, clearly there is history but it doesn’t take away from this story.

Although, the story is shorter, Sondrae was able to let us get to know the characters, who they are and where they came from, which I think is impressive since it wasn’t a full length novel. I liked Danny and how he was straight forward, yet had a darker side when he needed it. I loved that the author didn’t make excuses for what Amber did undercover and that she gave as good as she got in the boudoir or out rock climbing.

One of my favorite parts was and I’m going to have to quote here.

“Well, you didn’t let me finish breakfast. Only fair to share your sausage with me.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. How unoriginal. But his shocked burst of laughter told her he enjoyed the corniness of the sentiment if nothing else.” 

That Sondrae was able to make that corny statement funny and entertaining with the character knowing she said something dorky was great. Because, let’s face it,  who hasn’t said something like that in a hot new relationship at some point?

A small inconsistency for me was that, when Amber is described it’s as okay looking, and of course that changes when Danny gets to know and care for her. But, at one part of the story it says Amber was Vasquez’ trophy girlfriend, usually that means a stunning beauty or lots of power and money, none of which Amber had according to the description of her.

Covert Desires is about a caring relationship, not some crazy boyfriend who has to tie you up to have fun. I would recommend this book for adults, or very mature older teens, depending on how you parent. It’s a fun read that doesn’t get bogged down in darkness and yet still has some meat to the story. I’m looking forward to reading the other stories and I hope Laurie will be getting her own book.