Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: From Bad To Worse
SERIES: Saint Lakes #12
AUTHOR: April Kelley
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 179 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 9, 2023
BLURB:
Wesley is between a rock and a hard place. His savior is a wolf shifter who gives him panic attacks.
Wesley is always scared. He never thought of himself as naïve, but he realizes he is when the senator he used to work for turns on him. When a wolf shifter, who claims to be his fated mate, comes to his rescue, Wesley knows he’s in even more danger. Paranormals are the enemy, after all.
Sully’s mate is the enemy. He’s sure of it before he even meets him. His assignment is to protect Wesley with his life, but he can’t protect him from a past that comes back to haunt him.
Wesley has to leave his fears and prejudices aside if he wants to escape danger. Can Sully save his life in time for him to embrace love?
From Bad to Worse is the twelfth novel in the MM Paranormal Romance Saint Lakes series. If you like forced proximity, fated mates running from bad guys, and two people who couldn’t be more different, then you’ll love this action-packed romance.
Buy From Bad to Worse to find out how bad it gets.
REVIEW:
Since being rescued, Westley has been under the guard of Anna, an enhanced human, and Sully, a wolf shifter. While events unfold in Saint Lakes, Westley’s tainted worldview of shifters is changing. Also, the closer he gets to Sully, the safer he feels. Westley’s safety is paramount to Sully since Westley is Sully’s fated mate. But, with events on the horizon, will they get their happily ever after?
From Bad to Worse is the twelfth book in the Saint Lakes Series. It is a sweet enough tale, with Sully and Westley being lovely men who are made to be with each other, incurring tender and protective elements throughout the story. However, the account is similar to previous installments. While the overall narrative arc is furthered (in baby steps), and another book is now being advertised, I can’t help wondering if it will ever conclude.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Westley and Sully. Worldbuilding has evolved over the series, and other than some more details on new characters introduced in the previous book, there isn’t much to add. Although I must say that I very much liked the alliances that are being forged, proving that Saint Lakes isn’t the only place where interspecies collaborations happen.
There is much to like about this story. The kitten is cute. I am an Anna fan – I love her blunt delivery of the facts, and she has a well-hidden heart. In some ways, she is a female version of Fane. The introduction of Spider Sylvain (a scene stealer) makes me wonder about the long-term purpose of others. Although I like Sylvain’s bad boy image, which makes him an interesting character who could handle a spin-off series of his own (which I would read) – emphasis on the spin-off, not, included in this one. While a formidable task force is building, which gives the impression that it’s no longer the Somerset clan against the world, the cast has expanded so much that I find it difficult to remember who is paired with whom and their skillset.
As already mentioned, what I thought was a twelve-book series is now thirteen. I get that characters and tales take on a life of their own. But what began as the somerset boys finding mates while dealing with a considerable threat to their existence – has now expanded to other clan members. They are nice books, and some of the novels are memorably great, but they are getting formulaic, dampening the suspense, and my interest in them is waning. In truth, I am now only reading the books because I’m too far in to stop, and the end has got to be close.
In conclusion, From Bad to Worse is a nice enough story containing some series progression and the inclusion of more potentially bad-ass characters. However, I am now hungry for the final act.
RATING: 
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