Heartsong by T.J. Klune Series: Green Creek #3
Published by BOATK Books on October 22, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Gay, LGBT, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Shifters, Supernatural, Urban, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves, Witches
Pages: 455
Format: eBook
Source: I Bought It
Goodreads
All Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning feral. It’s enough—until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine.
Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes—the Alpha of all—and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home.
But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he’s been told. Whispers of traitorous wolves and wild magic abound—but who are the traitors and who the betrayed?
More than anything, Robbie hungers for answers, because one of those alleged traitors is Kelly Bennett—the wolf who may be his mate.
The truth has a way of coming out. And when it does, everything will shatter.
Heartsong was the book I never knew I needed. I love the Green Creek series, starting with Wolfsong and continuing with Ravensong. Ox and Gordo’s stories felt necessary and right as they both played such a huge role in the series as it was developing.
Robbie, as much as I liked him, always felt more like a periphery character to me. Same with Kelly. So colour me surprised when I found out that Heartsong was about the middle Bennett brother and his mate Robbie. I was willing to give T.J. Klune the benefit of the doubt (given that I have loved all of his books thus far and trusted his judgement) but I wasn’t sure if I would connect with them the same way I did Ox and Joe. Gordo and Mark.
Robbie was a fun character but Ox and Gordo’s stories resonated with me so deeply and I really didn’t think I would feel the same with Robbie as the new point of view character. Oh, how wrong I was.
But, I’m getting ahead of myself here. Firstly, a little bit of background. Heartsong is the third book in the epic Green Creek series, about a family of werewolves and their pack which includes werewolves, witches, and humans alike. The characters have been gone through so much tragedy in the first and second books, but have come out stronger than ever and determined to face their ultimate foe: Robert Livinstone – father to Gordo and the person who threatens all they hold dear.
I struggled to see where Robbie would fit into all this, despite the fact that he had a connection to the temporary Alpha of all Michelle Hughes, and originally came to Green Creek to report back to her on the Bennett pack and its unlikely Alpha Ox (and later Ox and Joe).
Robbie was a bit of an enigma before, despite it being clear that he and Kelly were developing ‘something’ between them. I honestly had no idea how the story was going to develop and how Robbie would fit into it all.
The story begins with Robbie working with Michelle Hughes and her witch Ezra, acting as her second in command. But all is not as it seems, for unbeknownst to Robbie, there is a deception at play, one that threatens his very own sanity. Who are the wolves he dreams about, and why does it feel they are howling him home?
my review
I am not going to go into too much depth about the story here (I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone who hasn’t read this book yet) but Heartsong put me through the emotional wringer. At the start, I thought I knew what was going on. When when I realised that all was not quite as it seems… well, it was a punch right to the gut.
This book will DESTROY you. Break your heart into a million tiny pieces. But it will also put it all back together again in the best possible way.
Robbie and Kelly own my soul. I honestly didn’t think I would connect with them much as although I liked their characters a lot, I wasn’t hugely attached to them. More fool me. Heartsong pretty quickly became my favourite book of the series and Robbie and Kelly my favourite couple. I love them both so much and they deserve the whole world and more.
Robbie was an amazing narrator and his story is just so heart-breaking. He really needed the love and acceptance of his own pack and he got all that and more. Kelly is such an old soul with a kind and gentle heart (though he can certainly roar when his pack is threatened). Together, they made a beautiful pair and the way the story unfolded was like getting a first and second chance to witness their love story (you’ll totally understand what I mean when you read the book!)
Of course, this series would not be complete without its wonderful cast of side characters. They were all in fine form here and the newer additions to the pack were also most welcome. I love these characters so much – they are all so wonderfully flawed and achingly human (even the wolves!) I really enjoy spending time with them all.
The over-arching plot is thickening and tightening at the same time in Heartsong. All the threads are coming together and the pack have to face more and more adversity. This book is really where everything starts to come together and you can tell that T.J. Klune is a master storyteller because there were so many moments that took me by surprise but when I thought back I could see everything leading to these moments. Bravo sir!
to sum up
With every book in this series, each couple has become my new favourite. However, I honestly don’t think anything could ever top the bond that Robbie and Kelly have (though I’m so excited for Carter and Gavin’s story!) The way in which their relationship develops over this book is unique. They are both an existing establishment couple (mates) but are developing a new bond as well (I’m not making much sense, but just trust me on this, m’kay?)
You get to see both perspectives and it is wonderful and exciting and awful and heartrending, all at the same time. Your heart bleeds for them and they so deserve to get a break from all the crap that life keeps throwing at them.
The plot is exciting and really ups the ante (which is totally surprising because its not like the first couple of books lacked for excitement and drama!) These characters have faced some terrible trials but the worst is yet to come (and when it does, it is brutal and horrific).
If anyone can face down the monsters, it is the goddamn Bennett pack though and I am here for it!! (just please don’t hurt my babies Klune – Imma gonna come after you!! j/k) 😉
for more of my reviews, click the below link:
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