Book Review: Love Aggression by Cindy Sutherland

Cindy Sutherland has a new MM paranormal book out:

Tyler Calvano knew his ex-wife’s boyfriend was bad news from the way the little hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, from a smell of danger, from an animal instinct his ex had once appreciated. He wished she’d listened to him. Custody exchanges were hard enough on Jesse, now Ty had to wonder—did Jesse have enough wolf bursting inside him yet to have heard his mother’s pleas as she was gunned down? He couldn’t trust the police to protect them. He took Jesse and he fled across the continent, as far as he could go.

Ty and Jesse became Tanner and Jason—different names, different lives. The nightmares still woke Jesse. Ty kept looking over his shoulder. The only spot of light was a man at the daycare, Kelan, a shifter like Ty—a wolf in human guise, ready to change, ready to protect. The daycare was safe. But another shifter was something Ty hadn’t counted on. With it came the complications of pack rivalries, of shifter brothers who tormented Kelan, of the unreasoned animal want that grew every time Ty caught scent of him.

And every day, the killers kept looking for them, the only people who might identify them. Ty couldn’t take risks. Ty couldn’t open his heart. Ty had to keep Jesse safe. Nothing else mattered.

Buy Links 
Publisher - Amazon

4 Stars!

So, this was a different kind of shifter story. Tyler is a half-shifter on the run with his young son Jesse, after witnessing the murders of several people, including Jesse's mother and her boyfriend. Now, the men who killed them are after Tyler and Jesse and they end up in a small town where they meet Kelan, who co-owns the daycare where Tyler signs Jesse in. Kelan is a half-shifter, as well, and both him and Tyler are attracted to each other, although Tyler isn't sure he wants to put Kelan at risk. When he discovers that other shifters in town have been bullying Kelan, Tyler finally realizes he has to protect Kelan, who he feels is as his as his own son is, all the while keeping an eye out for the men that are still hunting them.

I liked Tyler and Kelan, they were caring and supportive of each other and Jesse, who was truly adorable and stole every scene he was in. They had great chemistry, both as a couple and as a family. 

"You know, you don't have to keep picking up every stray that comes along needing a pack."  

"The way I see it, I'm just building the family I was meant to have, not the one I was born with. Makes me a lucky man."

It was nice seeing Tyler forming his own pack, starting with Kelan and ending with Woof, who I'm very intrigued about. They were a cohesive unit and worked great together. Even with the addition of Beth, Kelan's BFF and a human.

This is my first book by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect and really, even after reading a blog post regarding the title, I still don't see the reason for it. It doesn't really add up for me. The first half of the book was a bit on the light side, setting things up and allowing the reader to get acquainted with the main characters. The second half, especially the last 30% of the book, was very fast-paced and action-packed and more than made up for the rest. I was completely riveted by all that was happening and couldn't put it down until the very end. The writing was good, but the dialogue felt a bit stilted at times, especially during the first portion of the story, but overall, I found the book entertaining and engaging and have no trouble recommending it.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***