Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: How to Love Thine Enemy

SERIES: Howl At The Moon #6

AUTHOR: Eli Easton

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 232 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2023

BLURB:

Can a forbidden love heal the rift between two enemy tribes?

Legend says that centuries ago, the sled dogs and the Inuit were so deeply bonded that the dogs rose up on two legs and became men. The Qimmig and the People lived together happily until one of the Inuit betrayed the dog-men. The Qimmig fled, vowing never to return.

Taq figured that was just another story elders told around the campfire. But when he witnesses two guys survive a polar bear attack by shifting into dogs, he has to rethink everything. Could the Qimmig really exist? And could they have anything to do with the special, golden-eyed boy he’d played with as a child?

Cupun has missed his old friend, Taq. But it is forbidden for the Qimmig to have anything to do with one-skinned Inuit. When a series of events brings Taq back into his life, the feelings of protectiveness and joy awakened in his dog’s heart tell him that Taq is his soul mate.

But neither the Qimmig nor the Inuit are prepared to accept this bond. Are the boys fated for tragedy? Or will their love find a way?

REVIEW:

This is such a heartfelt warm love story set in the deepest most inaccessible parts of Alaska, where tribal myths come to life and love conquers all.

The Quimmig tribe, back in the mists of time were betrayed by the Inuit and left to forge their own path.  Vowing to have nothing to do with the Inuit again, they only visit in the dead of night to steal the supplies they can’t get from the land.  The Inuit let the tales of the Quimmig people, that can shift into Dogs, fall into myth and fable, tall stories told to children around the campfires.  They view the people that come to steal as hippies living in a commune high in the mountains, wastrels, and scoundrels to be avoided and scorned.

Taq leads an uneventful life with his Inuit tribe, he has always known he is different to the rest but has kept those differences hidden as he doesn’t want to jeopardize his place in the tribe, he knows in his heart of hearts that if it comes out that is the most likely outcome.  As a young boy he played along the ocean shore, across the rocks, exploring hidden caves and forests.  He made friends with a strange boy with golden eyes, who didn’t belong to his tribe, but they played and explored together and developed a friendship so strong they thought nothing could ever break it.

Cupun had always felt connected to Taq when they played as boys, but when the tribe elder found out about their friendship he forbade Cupun from seeing Taq ever again, so he left and broke both their hearts.

When a strange set of circumstances see the old friends re-united it is apparent straight away that the connection the boys had was still there, stronger than ever.  Cupun realises that it is a mate bond not just their strong childhood friendship bonds.  Taq had never forgotten his boyhood friend and was overjoyed to be reunited with him.  Taq knows that being gay is frowned upon by his Inuit tribe but seeing the example of other gay couples within the Quimmig tribe he grasps the opportunity to be with Cupun forever.

These young men, with gentle souls and so much love for each other, face their respective tribes that both condemn their connection and right to be together. They show great courage to stand up for their right to love each other, determined that they will be together and leave if that is their only option.

They are both so sweet together and the joy of their re-connection jumped off the page.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this gentle love story.

RATING:

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