Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Shedding Lies
SERIES: Comet Lake Chronicles (Book 6)
AUTHOR: Layla Dorine
PUBLISHER: Desolate Press
LENGTH: 268 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 23, 2024
BLURB:
For more than a decade, mates Baz and Charlie have lived separate lives. Baz has spent much of it on the road as the president of the Howling Devils Motorcycle Club, protectors of the Comet Lake Pack, and one of the biggest contributors to the pack’s financial success. Charlie, on the other hand, has spent most of that time trying to move past the accusations that cost him five years of good standing among his friends and family. Between bitterness, loneliness, and a longing for the truth, he continues to harbor ill will towards his mate, even after Baz keeps his promise about walking away should he ever find the wolf meant to be their third. Now Kale is living with Charlie, wanting to learn more about Baz, and struggling to process the events that landed him at Comet Lake.
A licensed teacher, Kale struggled to abide by his former packs’ strict adherence to social class status, especially when it came to the education of the packs’ pups. He never believed that learning should be restricted and sought to give all his students an equal education, despite how many times he was reprimanded for not following the school’s curriculum. When they couldn’t control him, his old pack sought to be rid of him and his progressive way of thinking, even if that meant betraying him in the process. Their loss has become Comet Lake’s gain, as his new pack is beyond excited to have another educator in their midst, especially one who cares more about the pups’ futures than any fur he might ruffle. Now he’s helping to create a new classroom where those who struggle with focus and sensitivity issues will have a chance to thrive without being overwhelmed. As a bonus, it’s his mates who have been tasked with bringing that new room to life, and he cannot wait to see the results of their collaboration.
If they can set aside their feuding ways to work together and embrace the bonds of brotherhood that they once shared, it just might bring them one step closer to becoming the bonded triad the fates intended for them to be. Unfortunately for the trio, the struggles they’ve left behind haven’t finished wreaking havoc on their lives. If they are to have any hope of a future, they must first shed the lies of the past and reveal the truths they’ve long kept hidden.
REVIEW:
I love this series and have been waiting for my next book. This book answered a lot of questions I have had about Baz, the Howling Devils MC Prez, and Charlie, the gruff guy running the wood shop that Tobias was assigned to as part of his incarceration.
Baz knew he had made in his bed when Charlie was falsely accused for the assault on those wolves years ago. He couldn’t prove it otherwise even though he knew Charlie didn’t do it. And if he told Charlie who he knew did do it would have destroy him even more. So, for years, he was out on the road with the MC helping The Comet Lake pack to thrive and be safe. And he lost the love of his life and best friend in the process. So, when their third fated mate was found close to death he did what he promises…he gave Kale to Charlie and walked away broken hearted all over again. What was life worth living if he couldn’t have his mates. But the strong willed Kale never agreed to those terms and will be damned if these two are going to keep him what he rightfully deserves. But can two forty-something wolf shifters with enough guilt and hurt between them to choke an elephant learn how to forgive so they can be the triad they all deserve?
Yeah, I knew there was bad blood between Charlie and Baz. And I figured that it was something pretty significant but never saw all this coming. And seeing Baz so defeated that it took Charlie yelling in his connection to find the strength to hold on. But Baz feels so bad about what happened to his mate and he couldn’t do a gosh darn thing to fix it. So Baz just stumbled along alone for all those years. He loved that man so much and it was impossible for him to ever be unfaithful.
The younger mate Kale surprised me with his tenacity and grit. He was no push over and was going to make darn sure those two mates of his saw to it to get past their hurt and learn how to all love each other. It was the minimum he would accept!
I was kind surprised that there weren’t as many explosive sex scenes in this book as I expected with the reunion of Baz and Charlie plus the addition of Kale. But that’s not what this book was about. It was about forgiveness and perseverance. I loved how Kale was so young yet so strong and he would make Sue he had his way because it was the right way. And he was the light that shone on Baz for Charlie to finally see clearly that Baz loved him so much and it had only been Charlie. If Baz couldn’t have Charlie he didn’t want anyone. So for Baz to find their mate and bring him to Charlie was the supreme sacrifice. Because he knew he was out. So it was Baz that my heart ached for. He did what ever he could to make Charlie safe and taken care of. Even if he didn’t always deserve it. I agree what happened to Charlie was tragic but his treatment of Baz was heartbreaking.
One of the parts I loved the most was the school system at Comet Creek and Octavius Goodnow’s progressive thinking in connection with student learning. Oh how I wish we had schools that believed in his vision and how he encouraged Kale to build upon his desires for student learning that was outside the box. Just because students are the same age doesn’t mean that they learn the same way or at the same speed. With the way their school was set up children had a much greater chance at succeeding.
I love this series and this particular book touched me deeply. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
RATING: 
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