Undercover Wolf review

I received an ARC of Undercover Wolf from Harlequin. I had read a previous Alpha Force series book, Alpha Wolf by Linda O. Johnston, but didn't realize it was connected to Undercover Wolf until I was reading it. I can't say I liked Undercover Wolf any better than I did Alpha Wolf.

Quinn and Kristine fell completely flat for me as a characters. Quinn wasn't much of a hero - he's so busy doubting his decision to sign up for the military and teasing Kristine that he seems unable to do anything else. Kristine is supposed to be a smart and capable member of the military but she makes stupid decision after stupid decision. Also, she repeatedly talks about how much she likes Alpha Force and how protective she is of the shifters but then isn't willing to get close to one because of the differences between them - it doesn't make sense.

In fact, the entire story line is a little nonsensical. Perhaps it's my proximity to the Pentagon and Congress, but I always have trouble with books about "super secret government or military branches" that no one, or only a couple of people, know anything about. I can suspend disbelief and enjoy books about shifters, vampires, etc. but everyone has a line, that when reached forces the suspension of disbelief to fall - for me that line is apparently these kinds of secret agencies and units.

Undercover Wolf did have a lot of action and there was obvious and well-written chemistry between Quinn and Kristine. So if you are cool with the whole secret government agency idea and don't mind characters who aren't completely consistent, this may be a good read for you. I, however, will be skipping future Alpha Force books.

Undercover Wolf will be available as an ebook on February 1st and in paperback on February 5th.

Synopsis

Danger and desire collide in a race against timeP.I. Quinn Parran's mission is simple: to join Alpha Force, a unique military team of shape-shifters, and use their new elixir to enhance his shape-shifting abilities. With the aid of Sergeant Kristine Norwood, each shifting experiment sparks something more volatile than any challenge he's ever encountered: a primal passion. And when Quinn's brother vanishes on his honeymoon and is suspected of murder, Quinn must join forces with Kristine to investigate.

With no choice but to go deep undercover as newlyweds, Kristine finds herself enjoying the charade a little too much. She is attracted to Quinn, but isn't about to get involved with a shape-shifter. Until their quest becomes more dangerous, and Kristine must put aside her doubts and put her full trust in Quinn….