Out of the Cage: After falling off a cliff and becoming seriously injured, a man’s world is turned upside down.
Elroy Greer has been having a really bad month. A co-worker blames him for mistakes he didn’t make. His car is broken into. He lost most of his friends to his ex in the break-up. Then his hiking buddy bails at the last second, leaving Elroy alone at a trailhead. He decides some time in nature to get away from it all is still an excellent idea and heads out on his own. True to his bad luck, Elroy gets caught in a spring flash storm, loses his way, and tumbles off a cliff. He expects to die out there, but he doesn’t. Elroy wakes up in a log cabin with a man who’s already supposed to be dead—Rueben Calhoun. Except, Rueben is calling himself Dermot Reever. As Dermot begins explaining about wolf shifters and mates and that they are destined to be together, Elroy can hardly believe it’s real. He’s sure he’ll wake up and find it’s all been a pain-medicine-induced dream. If it’s not a dream, can Elroy really take the chance that his bad luck won’t ruin everything and have enough faith to begin a relationship with a wolf shifter in hiding?
A couple of books ago there was a lawyer Reuben that was planning his “death” by motorcycle accident. Dermot is his new identity. I thought it was so cool how Elroy had a crush on him before he “died.”
Short and sweet with a little bit of drama mixed in and some interesting developments at the very end regarding the current story arc with Larson. Also, Jared and Carson are back although they were in so many of the books from overlapping series’s that it didn’t seem like they were gone at all.
I really enjoyed this cute book which had two very likable main characters, Elroy (human) and Dermot (wolf shifter). My favorite part of the story is when Dermot proved to Elroy that he was truly a wolf shifter. That's always so entertaining. It was also nice having Jared and Carson back in the plot (they're hilarious). This was a very enjoyable and intriguing romance.
So -- my epic re-read journey is continuing. I am reading the 4 series that make up the Stone Ridge World series in order of creation. This is #135. I really love Charlie's writing and the stories, but they drifted down to short stories and novellas early in the series. Shorter and shorter, for the same amount of $$$. Most hit the 3/5 level while others edge to the 2/5 because they have holes or little plot. This one has little to no real story line. I am finding that more and more, these books leave a lot to be desired. Fortunately - since I have bought all of these (yes - $6,900.) I can binge read and it becomes much more.
Reuben is in hiding after faking his death to change his identity. Elroy is having trouble at work, in his personal life and with his family. Then he falls down a cliff and is rescued by Dermot (Reuben). It has been mentioned in the series about paranormals changing their identity and this book shows a little bit more about it. A bit short and a bit of a rushed ending but good to see old favourites again.
Dermot (Rueben) life in transition. Elroy life in chaos. Mates finally come together. El’s new family help discover the person targeting him and surprise Jared is back