Book Review - Without Reservations

Attention: This book is a male-male love story and contains homoerotic sex acts that may be offensive to some readers.

I discovered J.L Langley when I read her short story With Love in the anthology Hearts From the Ashes. This is the second story in her With/Without series.

Chayton Winston is a Native American who happens to be a wolf. He’s always dreamed of a fair-haired, fair-skinned mate. He’s always played straight and dated several women. Imagine his surprise when he finally discovers his mate and learns it’s a he.

Keaton Reynolds is a professor of Ancient Civilizations at NMSU and also a wolf. He has recently moved to the area to start a new life away from his family and ex-lover.

While hunting one evening, Keaton is shot (presumably by poachers). The local game warden finds him and takes him to Chayton who is the local veterinarian. It’s while Chay is treating Keaton, he discovers he is his mate.

Keaton wakes up to suddenly find himself with a mate. Of course, Chay isn’t sure what to do about the situation. Keaton suggests they just act as though they are not mates and get on with their lives. However, Chay is determined to make it work.

Together the two work to make their relationship stronger and battle the prejudices against homosexuals (as well as Chay’s mother’s hatred of white people). Eventually, the two fall into a comfortable life together and deal with other’s feelings toward them. They also must deal with some issues from Keyton’s past as someone is trying to kill him.

During the course of the story, we meet Chay’s parents. His father, Joe, realizes that Chay and Keayton are mates. His mother was not impressed with Keyton (she met him before finding out they are mates). In fact, she was downright rude to him. Joe shows them both that he has no problems with the relationship and welcomes Keyton as a part of the family. Eventually, Chay’s mother comes around and deals with it.

Jacob Romero is a local Private Investigator hired by Joe to watch over and protect Keyton. He is also a wolf and a part of their pack.

Remington Lassiter is one of Chay’s best friends, but he is a major jerk (and homophobic). He and Chay have a major falling out when Remi discovers Chay and Keyton having sex. Later in the story, Remi is attacked by the assailant who is after Keyton and almost killed. He is changed into a wolf by Chay and Jacob (who we discover is Remi’s mate, but Remi doesn’t know yet).

By the end of the story, Keyton is reunited with his family, the identity of the attacker is revealed and Chay and Keyton begin a new chapter of their lives together.

The author weaves a tale of paranormal / gay romance / erotica in a way that is fun to read and keeps you interested until the end. This is one of those books you find hard to put down.