--2.5- 3 stars--

The first book in the Outcasts series piqued my interest with the different takes on shifters and left me with a good amount of questions. With the future of Clay and Damian’s relationship being the primary unresolved plot thread from Bad Moon Arising, I was excited to start Trouble’s on the Way. Unfortunately, I had trouble staying invested in the second book and found myself stopping and restarting the story multiple times.

In the first book, Clay came across as closed off and rather brusque. Disappointedly that didn’t change much in the second novella and the reader doesn’t get very far past Clay’s walls until the end of the book. Additionally, the relationship between Clay and Damian really stalled out, adding more pieces to the puzzle rather than solving much of it and diminishing my interest in this couple. I did appreciate there was more background on Damian and why he left his pack and bonded mate behind for the Outcast pack, but that too led to plenty more unanswered questions. Although the author’s creativity and different approaches to shifter packs, their structure, and behaviors was once again noteworthy, I expected much more character and relationship development by the end of Trouble’s on the Way. Instead, I found myself less interested in Clay, Damian, and now Billy Ray than I was after the first novella. That combined with the foreshadowing of an MPreg storyline in the future leaves me thinking this is where I’ll stop. I think if you are really into shifter books that involve pack dynamics, alphas, and omegas- the Outcasts series may be a better fit for you than it was for me.

Unfortunately, this book didn’t work as well for me as the first in the series.

The thing that I really liked about the first book was the way the author played with the conventions of werewolf stories, like having the newly bitten transform into a puppy rather than a scary monster. However, this one worked against some of that unconventionality. Yes, Clay becomes a puppy when he wholly shifts, but he also can shift into something like the traditional man-wolf werewolf. That felt like a copout to me.

I’m also not entirely on board with the fated mates aspect of the story. I like Clay and Damian together, and adding a third member to their relationship in the form of Damian’s mate Billy Ray didn’t thrill me, even if the purpose seems to be in part to set up some sort of special destiny for the three of them. I did appreciate the fact that Billy Ray is gender fluid, though.

Then add to that the fact that a lot of the conflict in this book was built around the fact that people just wouldn’t TALK to each other like reasonable adults. That’s always frustrating.

So, yeah, not as good as the first. But I’m up for reading the next in the series, simply because I want to know what happens to Clay and Damian.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Trouble’s on the Way is the second book in Outcasts, CL Mustafic’s paranormal romance series. The must read prequel, Bad Moon Arising, pulled me right in with the unusual characters and clever twists. This is not your typical shifter story, but then, nothing I’ve read by this creative author can be considered typical… and that’s a wonderful thing!

Life after the hook-up from hell will never be the same for Clay. Becoming an “infected” (one who contracts lycanthropy, rather than being born a wolf) is more than he ever bargained for. While he admits he’s got strong feelings for Damian, their relationship is fraught with issues. Between discounting his attraction to Damian as simply due to his beast, and blaming Damien for infecting him in the first place, Clay is having a tough time getting past all this.

Dragging Clay home to Alabama might not be the smartest move for them, but Damian knows they need the protection of a pack - and he’s got some unfinished business as well. Billy Ray is Damian’s true mate and he’s been waiting patiently for Damian to return so they can consummate their bond. There are some very interesting issues which led to Damian moving away in the first place, and his reemergence changes everything for the three men.

Mustafic puts her characteristic touch on this shifter romance and there’s a darker edge to Trouble’s on the Way as the series moves forward. All three of the main characters are dealing with some intense issues; they’re all keeping secrets, and playing their cards close to their vests.

This is a wonderfully creative shifter world. Leave it to CL Mustafic to explore areas of this society I would never have even considered. There’s so much involved in the phenomenon of a mated pair: what it means for the pack, the ways it affects both wolves, and how both partners deal with it. Even more intriguing is what’s involved in becoming an infected, watching Clay’s wolf evolve is so interesting to see.

I don’t want to give anything away, but this is one of the most original shifter stories I’ve read and I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I have a feeling there are quite a few surprises yet to come, and I’m sure whichever way Outcasts plays out, I’ll enjoy it. Bring on the next episode!

I requested this title because I was curious to see how the story evolved after the events of the first book. Unfortunately this book didn't really work for me. There are still a lot of questions left unanswered, why can't someone explain all there is to know about werewolves to Clay? Every time something new gets added to the mix and this is kind of frustrating.
I appreciated the representation in this book, it was nice to see a bigender character in the story.
The thing I couldn't excuse was Clay's behaviour, he's really mean and sometimes just to make Damian mad.
I expected more answers and I'm sad to say I was disappointed.

This book picked up immediately after the ending of BAD MOON ARISING and has Clay and Damian getting a job with Billy Ray, Damian’s fated mate. This causes drama and contention because Clay is (unwillingly) falling in love with Damian, and Damian already knows he loves Clay and has reasons for not mating with Billy Ray in the past.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. There is some interesting world building (fated mates have their mates eye until the bond is completed) and some stuff that makes me questionable (Billy Ray is bigender and not sure if that’s because he’s omega, or if he’s omega because he’s bigender). In some ways I don’t feel like there was much relationship development and it’s very pre-relationship, especially regarding Billy Ray’s place in the dynamic. Still curious, especially because there’s been a few things that make me think Billy Ray can get pregnant.

Overall, I’m just not sure how to feel about this book. I still wanna see the continuation of their relationship and figuring out how all three of them fit and work together. I also like some of the casual queerness that came up (as I said, Billy Ray is bigender and one of the side characters is asexual). But in other ways this book doesn’t seem to have had much happen?