Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I love this series so much! This book takes Dayton and Park to the zoo. When a family day out turns into a murder investigation, Dayton finds himself at the centre of an increasingly creepy string of events. As a serial killer, a stalker, and a new pack member frustrate Dayton’s attempt to plan their wedding, things get messy for Dayton and Park personally and professionally.

This is probably the most conventional murder mystery in the series, but it is a wonderfully complicated whodunnit. I was able to keep up with Dayton and Park, but it took work to piece together all the threads – both from this book and from previous books – and the many twists and turns. Parts of the ending still surprised me, but everything made sense in hindsight. It’s a satisfying mystery.

The romance in this book is weaker than in previous books. Dayton’s insecurities feel out of character at times. He’s way too needy here. I don’t feel like we get enough of Park to balance Dayton. There are some lovely moments at the end, but I don’t feel like either is at his best at the start of this book.

Without spoilers, I feel like this book concludes the first series story arc and opens up a whole new one. Readers will need to know the series to understand this book and I’m guessing we’ll need to know this book before moving on. I love the new direction and I loved all the fresh ideas as we get ready to move on with Park and Dayton. I can’t wait for the next book.

Cry Wolf is the fifth instalment of Charlie Adhara’s paranormal/romantic suspense Big Bad Wolf series, and I started reading it with mixed feelings; eagerness at the thought of another story featuring Cooper and Park, and sadness at the thought of having to say goodbye to them, because I thought this was to be the final book in the series. But having finished it, I’m now hopeful that we’re going to be gifted with yet more stories set in this world, because Cry Wolf sets up some extremely interesting potential plotlines, especially in relation to the things we learn about the hierarchy of wolf society, reminds us of a number of important unanswered questions, AND brings back a charismatic secondary character who – it seems to me – is crying out for an HEA of his own. So please, Ms. Adhara, can we have some more?

Note: Minor spoilers ahead for previous books in the series.

At the very end of Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, the newly engaged Cooper and Park received the unsettling news that Dr. Emily Freeman, the scientist who absconded with scientific proof of the existence of werewolves at the end of Thrown to the Wolves, had broken into their apartment, surrendered herself into custody and is refusing to speak to anyone but Cooper. Cry Wolf opens a week later as Cooper goes to see her; she tells him he’s in great danger and says she’ll tell him who’s coming for him in exchange for a deal that will grant her a new identity and see her released without charge. When Cooper doesn’t show a great deal of concern she takes great delight in taunting him about how little he really knows about werewolves and their way of life, and then clams up.

Eventually, Cooper, Park and their boss dismiss Freeman’s claims as just another attempt to manipulate Cooper, meaning he can get back to quietly freaking out about planning his and Park’s wedding. Marriage isn’t a thing in the werewolf community, but Park is so head-over-heels in love with Cooper, he’ll do whatever it takes to make him happy and enthusiastically accepted his proposal. But being unfamiliar with the concept of weddings and how to actually go about getting married, Park has left all the planning up to Cooper, who wants it to be perfect and is practically paralysed into indecision as a result. (Gah! – he luuuuuurves Park so damn much and he wants to show that he knows what a big statement Park is making by undergoing such a very human ritual, but how does he say that with flowers? Or a ring? Or a big wedding? Or a minutely curated guest list? Or a hundred other possibilities he really can’t decide on?)

The reappearance of Eli, Park’s ex, gives Cooper something else to think about. Eli is being blackmailed by someone from the distant past he’s worked hard to put behind him, someone from his days running with rebel packs who betrayed him horribly, leaving him trapped in fur with people who kept him in chains until the Park pack found him, rescued him and took him in. It all happened years ago, but Eli recently received a letter threatening to send evidence of his involvement to the big packs he and his fellow rebels stole from unless Eli pays him. Refusing to let this person control him again, Eli has tracked him down and discovered that he’s working as – of all things – a zookeeper in DC, and he asks Cooper for his help in finding the evidence, which he suspects is hidden somewhere at the zoo.

Cooper and Park visit the zoo next day to see what they can find out and it’s not long before they’re up to their necks in trouble. The body of Eli’s blackmailer is found floating in the sea lion pool, four long slashes on his torso that remind Cooper uncomfortably of those on his own body, the face a horrific rictus of elongated bone and tightly stretched skin that is neither man nor wolf. Eli goes into hiding, not prepared to take the rap for something he didn’t do, leaving Cooper and Park even more determined to help him and prove his innocence. But trouble seems to follow them, in the form of yet more strangely part-transformed dead wolves, and a nosy FBI agent – who happens to be Cooper’s ex-partner… and ex-lover.

Charlie Adhara once again delivers a clever, fast-moving, intriguing and twisty mystery that is full of red herrings, suspicious characters and dead ends, while continuing to expand the world she’s created, bringing in wolf lore and mythology, setting up a three-way power struggle between the ruling packs, the rebels and the WIP (Wolf Independence Party) – and placing Cooper right in the middle of it. And she combines all this with some truly stellar character and relationship development, skilfully eschewing the sort of manufactured drama that sometimes occurs in series featuring an established couple. Cooper is a complex and endearing PoV character, and his evolution throughout the entire series has been spectacular; he’s still very much the man we met in The Wolf at the Door – prickly, sarcastic, and socially awkward – but while he remains those things, he’s become someone who has learned to face his insecurities and to communicate fully and honestly with his partner. It’s been an amazing journey and I’ve adored watching his transformation from that insular loner who didn’t realise his own worth to a man who loves and is loved utterly and completely, and has come to realise he’s stronger than he’d ever believed. And even though we never get into Park’s head, the author does a fantastic job of showing us how his character is evolving, too, learning to accept his own dark past and becoming a committed romantic partner. Cooper and Park are one of my favourite pairings, a real odd-couple whose differences and imperfections somehow make them a perfect fit. Through it all, Ms. Adhara is keeping this series fresh and exciting, and even after five books, I’m nowhere near tired of reading about these characters.

I also enjoyed the presence of Cooper’s family in this book, and watching him getting on so well with his brother Dean and building a relationship with his father. Things between them were somewhat fragile back in The Wolf at Bay, and neither of them is naturally inclined to openness, but it was lovely to watch Ed being so supportive and Cooper accepting it and getting to know him better.

Cry Wolf is a swoonworthy blend of humour, tenderness and heartfelt passion, a fantastic addition to the Big Bad Wolf series, and possibly my favourite of the lot. The mystery is brilliantly done and kept me fully engaged from start to finish, and I continue to adore Cooper and Park individually and as a couple; they’re flawed, multi-layered, loveable characters whose love for each other shines through no matter what. Given all the loose ends and potential plot threads that emerge in this book, I’m extremely hopeful that this isn’t the end, and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment of Cooper and Park’s adventures!

Big Bad Wolf may be my favorite paranormal series now. It’s right up there with Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson novels, which I’ve loved for years.

Each book gets better and better, and everything about this one is excellent. The balance between romance and mystery is spot on, with the investigative elements of the book just as compelling as Park and Cooper’s love story. The paranormal world of the werewolves is well drawn, and Cooper’s role within it keeps getting more complicated and intriguing. (And that’s as close as I’m coming to a spoiler.)

What sets this series apart from others is the way Cooper has evolved from the beginning, though, and I admire how the author has handled his transformation. In many, if not most, series, the characters are relatively static in terms of their personality, and if there’s a change, it’s often because something bad happens to them. Here it’s the exact opposite. The series opened with Cooper suffering from PTSD; he’s angry and in pain in that first book, and it shows. However, Cooper’s been healing throughout, partially with Park’s support, but he’s also in therapy. (Cooper! Seeing a therapist! I mean, who would’ve thunk it in book 1?) He’s growing in his approach to handling his emotions and building relationships, including those with his family. Cooper’s not completely changed, but he’s HAPPY!

He’s also deeply in love, and Cooper isn’t afraid to show it now. This Cooper will tell Park things like, “You are my favorite part of living.” I mean, who wouldn’t swoon at that? And to go with those sweet emotional moments between Cooper and Park, there are several scorching hot scenes, too.

Take all that, and then add plenty of humor on top of it. Cooper is still the king of the snarky comment, and Park gets his in at times, too. They have excellent banter. But beyond that, the entire book feels lighter and funnier, even with murders happening in the background. Early on, for instance, Park tries to delicately lead the oblivious Cooper into phone sex, and that conversation and what follows had me laughing out loud.

Really, I can’t recommend this highly enough. Just read the series (if you haven’t already) and then READ THIS BOOK!

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

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is set to be published in January 2021.

"Cry Wolf" by Charlie Adhara is the long-awaited fifth instalment in the Big Bad Wolf series, an addictive mix of thriller, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
Agent Cooper Dayton, a human, and his partner Oliver Park, a shapeshifter, find themselves involved in the unofficial investigation of a murder case that gets more and more personal as the bodies pile up. On top of that, the couple is also busy planning their wedding.
This book makes for a rollercoaster of emotions, going with breakneck speed from thriller to erotica to urban fantasy, somehow managing to always find the perfect balance between humour, romance, and some pretty dark themes, such as psychologically abusive relationships (*not* the one between the main characters) and teenage homelessness.
The narration remains fast-paced, action-packed and awesomely written throughout.
I love the author's inventiveness, the amazing world-building that lets the reader glimpse so many interesting possibilities without being pedantic or over descriptive, always leaving you with an appetite for more.
The writing style is perfectly polished, the dialogues sound so real that you get the impression you're hearing the words, rather than reading them, and the witty banter is simply delightful. Each character has their own distinctive voice and this all makes for a very colourful reading.
I tend to be wary of shapeshifter romance novels - or any paranormal romance, actually - because they're often disappointingly repetitive and clichéd. "Cry Wolf" (the whole Big Bad Wolf series, really) is not like that, though: the characters are flawed and relatable - I even related to the ones I hated! - and they constantly defy stereotypes and your own reader's prejudices.
I particularly enjoy the trademark way Charlie Adhara has of presenting the investigation's "false leads"--all those characters you're going to peg as the unsub in the course of the narration only to learn later that they're not. The introduction of the false leads is done much more subtly here than in other thrillers, in a very natural, and thus more deceptive, way.
I was completely blindsided by most of the plot twists in this novel, which made for a highly gratifying reading experience. I can't imagine anything worse than reaching the end of a thriller only to find out that the killer was exactly who you had suspected all along! No danger of that happening in this book.
My favourite quote in "Cry Wolf" - possibly in the whole series - is: "He felt... not changed. But like he'd been seen, understood, and then cherished all the more for it, which had something of a transformative effect in itself."
My favourite scene is the one with the crocodile (I won't tell you more, I don't want to spoil it for you), plus obviously any scene with shapeshifted Park and/or Eli in it.
Kudos to the author for giving all the characters, even the minor ones you only get to see every couple of books or so, an amazing growth arc (I think Eli wins the prize for the best growth arc in this instalment).
I guess we might soon be seeing the Big Bad Wolf made into a TV series, or maybe into a series of feature films, because it has that kind potential.
The only problem is, now that I'm hooked to the series, it's going to be tough waiting for Book#6 to come out!

4.5 stars
Cry Wolf is my absolute favorite of the Big Bad Wolf series! Gah. I mean, Cooper and Park have come so far from their first tenuous meeting and it is just a b-e-a-utiful thing! The feelings. Oy! The feelings.

So our favorite werewolf/human couple is back and they are settling in after their fairly traumatic/life-altering couples resort getaway (Wolf in Sheep's Clothing). And if you haven't read the previous books, stop now and start at the beginning. This series is sequential and not stand alone. Cooper repping the "human" side of the equation is slightly having an issue in the whole human-based marriage thing he kind of sprung on Park and he is having a very Coop reaction to the whole situation. But, lo and behold his family ropes him into a family thing at the zoo, and then things get all weird and wolfy, and BAM! he stumbles into another werewolf secret murder mystery plot. Again. Because, well, it's Coop. There's a weird wolfy fairy tale and then Eli is there with all his perfection and sassiness. Oh, and Cooper gets a blast from the past. And it is just so damn hard to put this book down!

Now, first off, I absolutely LOVE that Cooper is starting to heal and grow as a person. He (in Wolf in Sheep's Clothing) realized some things about himself and his past traumas and has been taking steps to be a better mate to his partner and try to deal with his past constructively. And thank the heavens. It is so refreshing to have someone work constructively with the help of actual professionals to do so. It's not weak to ask for help and Cooper does (off-page) and it is wonderful. Also, Cooper is more expressive with Park now, which I was really very frustrated with the lack of talking in the earlier books. The communication between these two is just so sweet and I am here for all of it.
..."But in addition to being my partner, my... whatever the opposite of alpha is, the horizon that my first and last thought touches every day, and my hands-down favorite lay, you're also my best friend, Oliver. And maybe that doesn't sound as big of a deal because, you know, not a lot of competition. But it's true. You're my best friend and you make me feel like I can do anything. I just... I want you to feel that too." Cooper cleared his throat. "Uh, the bit about feeling supported, I mean, I'm not demanding you say I'm your best friend back. I haven't made us half-moon bracelets or anything."
Park's eyes crinkled as he smiled softly. He put his hand on top of Cooper's and entwined their fingers. "Have I told you I love you recently?"
"No, you've been cruelly reticent and I've had no choice but to be sentimental enough for the two of us." Cooper shook his fist at the ceiling. "Curse this new burden of being the most emotionally healthy person in the house. I hate it!"
Park laughed. "How could I ever not be happy when I have this?"

Plus, even after 5 books now, the saucy smexy times are still just fire!

I love that we get to see more of Eli. I love his little sassy-pants self and so want more with him. He's still such an enigma even with all the revelations and back story reveal we get here.

This was the first time actually reading a book from this series because I normally audiobooked it, but Cooper was a lot funnier in this one. Maybe it's character development or maybe we just lost some of his prickly porcupine snark in audio translation but I loved it! He had a lot of quick one-liners that were just the perfect amount of quick-dry wit that I can't get enough of.

I could not be happier with this series and I hope Charlie Adhara keeps her muse close. I enjoyed the hell out of this one. I still have so many questions!!!!! Please, please, please let there be more!

I had the absolute privilege of getting an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley and I could not be more grateful. All thoughts and comments are my own.

“Dreams change. People change. Please just don’t stop giving me the chance to change with you.”


I absolutely adore this series! Five books in, Oliver and Park feel like old friends, and I know to expect a good twisty mystery, lots of snarky humor, and a steamy and sweet relationship between them. This series can’t be read out of order, and this review will contain spoilers for previous books.

“Ignorance and influence are rarely as unrelated as they should be. You have a lot more power than you think. I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”


Cooper and Park have finally found a house that works for them – a bit of an architectural mess, but it sits on the edge of a forest – even if Park keeps trying to fill it up with decorative vases and other weird rich people decorations. Despite dire warnings from an old enemy, things are pretty quiet, and the only thing bugging Cooper lately is the anxiety of planning their wedding. Cooper doesn’t have that many friends and werewolves don’t really do the whole wedding thing, so a lot of traditional wedding advice feels useless. But when Park’s ex Eli unexpectedly turns up in DC, suddenly Cooper has a lot more to worry about that exactly what shade coral is. The past is catching up with Eli – and with Park and Cooper as well. But as the interconnectedness of the events surface, Cooper is left to wonder if it’s all a coincidence, or something more sinister.

“No matter what happened in the future, no one could take away the fact that imperfect Cooper Dayton had found his own perfect love. He’d never felt more stupidly lucky in his whole life.”


I adore book series that follow one couple, but it can often lead to some interesting narrative choices that jeopardize the couple’s HEA. There’s a quote in the beginning of this book about how people change over time and how their relationships change with them, and that’s what this series demonstrates expertly. This book isn’t really questioning their relationship, but more about Cooper reflecting about the course of their relationship and his hopes for their marriage. Cooper and Park met when they were both broken in different ways, and, like Cooper jokes, a lot of locations significant to their relationship are crime scenes. They’re healing together, but to Cooper, Park is revealing his essential goodness while Cooper is still, well, a sarcastic porcupine. Cooper wants Park to be truly happy, and he’s still not sure exactly what Park needs for that and how to provide that for him. Part of that is that Park still doesn’t talk much about werewolf things with him. But even though he still discounts himself, Cooper has a deep need to protect those around him, even those he’s only tangentially friends with, like Eli, and that’s something that Park appreciates. They’re so sweet (and, whoo, steamy) together, and I love how well their relationship, warts and all, is presented.

“Why does everyone keep implying I go places to find bodies? We’re just here to ask a few questions.”


In a large part, this book is the culmination of events from the past books. Cooper’s still dealing with the trauma from the initial attack that opened his eyes to the existence of werewolves, but at least now he admits he has PTSD and is seeing a therapist about it. Park is struggling with his history of being the Shepherd and how it affects their ability to do their jobs, not to mention the fact that his mom is still out there somewhere. One of the things I loved about this book was that we get more werewolf history, and especially a look at the interactions between the packs, WIP and the rebels. A large part of the book takes place at the zoo (and starts with Cooper finding Eli in a wolf exhibit, take that particular bit of symbolism how you will) and it’s fascinating how that ties in with the themes of the murder mystery – the need to court wealthy donors for money, the various cliques within the zoo, the ethics of caging wild animals. And of course, there’s plenty of humor, including continuous jokes from just about everybody that Cooper can’t go anywhere without finding a dead body (it’s so true, though).

“So the wolf world would be watching? Let them. Let them see this love. If anything made Cooper powerful enough to be feared, it was knowing he’d do anything to protect this.”


The book ends with the mystery wrapped up satisfactorily and with Park and Cooper on new, even firmer footing. There’s tantalizing hints of where the series will go next (please let there be more books, please!) and I cannot wait to see how Cooper and Park will deal with the next set of dead bodies.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The ending of the Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara pretty much defines bittersweet for me. I’ve followed it from the beginning and have eagerly awaited the release of every single book. I absolutely adore Adhara’s voice and her fresh, unique take on werewolves—a theme I don’t usually gravitate toward.

If you’re at all like me and find yourself a tad squicked out by the way some shifter romances are handled, then I can tell you right now… Adhara’s delightful take on the subject is handled quite beautifully. While there is some delicious heat in the series, none of it involves anything that could be mistaken for beastiality—that is, all sexually-based scenes are between a human and his shifter partner’s human form.

Now that that’s out of the way… let’s talk Coop. I’m not one to typically be a fan of single POV in my romance. I like to get the story from both sides as each character experiences the ups and downs of falling in love and maneuvers the pitfalls and highlights of being in a relationship. However, while this entire series is told strictly from Cooper Dayton’s POV, I rarely found myself upset by the lack of his partner Oliver’s POV. Perhaps it’s because Oliver is the shifter, and I’ve already mentioned my hesitancy in that department, but I honestly think it has everything to do with the fact that Coop is such a brilliant protagonist. He draws you in and tells the story going on around him with such heart.

Not only that, but watching Coop grow and change over the books has been a thing of beauty. I think Adhara should consider giving lessons on how to handle character growth and development because Coop is the poster child. His arc is so satisfying, and yet I was still left with this feeling of wanting more. So much more. I know this is the final book in the series, but it ends with questions and doesn’t feel like a true HEA. It feels a bit more like an HFN. Normally, that would irritate me as a reader, but in this case, it seems rather fitting. After following the same MCs for five books, they feel far more fleshed out and real than even the best-written characters can be after only a book or two or three. Therefore, it makes sense to believe their lives will go on after this series ends. At no point in any of our lives do we have a bow tied on all areas of our existence. There are always questions looming and uncertainties to tackle. By ending this series with such realism, it further makes the whole thing feel exactly that—real.

I would recommend this book—and in fact, this entire series—to just about anyone. Even if “shifters” aren’t your thing, I can almost guarantee you’ll love these books. And the romance between Coop and Oliver is so sweet and yet so very, very genuine. After all, we get to see their relationship develop over five books.

Cry Wolf marks the fifth book in the Big Bad Wolf series. This is a continuing story with an established couple and multiple plotlines and recurring secondary characters, so it’s definitely best read in order. I really love the way this author has blended suspense, a good shifter presence and world, banter, and a great romance.

There was a bit of a different energy in Cry Wolf than the previous books, probably due to the couple feeling more settled overall. While this change means the relationship is less of a source of conflict and angst, the characters and relationship development is still very much present. I especially liked how Cooper progressed during Cry Wolf, particularly regarding his place next to Park and among the wolf shifter world.

The suspense, case, and uncovered connections in Cry Wolf were really interesting. I liked how the secondary characters we’ve met or heard of before tied into the plot and enjoyed some of the twists along the way.

Then there’s the ending. I don’t know if Cry Wolf will mark the close of this wonderful series or not, as there aren’t a lot of loose ends but are some areas that could invite further plotlines. Regardless, the close of this book was amazing. As I mentioned, I liked where Cooper ended up personally, but more than that I loved where Cooper and Park were at in the final moments. The words and sentiments exchanged were some of the best I’ve read, probably ever, highlighting emotions that are so difficult to describe and quantify but which are relatable and palpable between these men. If you enjoy snarky characters, suspense, or paranormal romance, this series isn’t one to miss.

I know I sound like a broken record but I love this series. Often times when reading a series some books tend to blur together, the characters start to do the same thing over and over again with little variations which of course reduces the enjoyment one usually attains when reading a new book.

This series is different, yes, there are still things that happen over and over. Cooper remains grouchy and they solve different cases, at this point I think that's kind of the only similarities. I love Cooper and Park , especially how they work together and communicate. They act like a real couple who talk things through, including their fears and wants. As someone who absolutely distaste miscommunication I have been glad that this series haven't featured any of that.

Since we heard about Cooper's AQ I have been very interested to see how he interacts when he finally owns up to it, I do enjoy the little tidbit this book offered in regards to that. I love how everyone think Park is so scary when he is in fact a teddy bear when he is with Cooper.

I have no complaint about this book or this series, matter of fact I hope the author gives us many more books because I don't want to part from this dynamic duo.

Definitely recommended

Shared on Goodreads, indefinitely. Will be shared on Amazon when released.

OMG. I really really REALLY loved this book and I can't believe I read it in only a few days and now I have to wait all over again to read the next one.

<i>“It’s true. I did surrender,” Park murmured, sounding soft and even a little surprised. “I surrender everything to you, heart and soul.” </i>

So! the story! I can't really say much without giving away spoilers for all the other books, but let me tell you that it was a wild ride. It follows the events from book 4 and BOOOOOOOOOOOOY! ahahahah. Cooper gets re-acquaintanced with a former partner/boyfriend and Park's ex goes missing. This book is full of action and fluffy moments.

I really loved the moments between Cooper and Park. My babies have grown so much :') I also loved Eli. I was very glad to see he appears more frequently in this book.

I can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks to Net Galley for the copy

4.5 Stars.

“It’s true. I did surrender,” Park murmured, sounding soft and even a little surprised. “I surrender everything to you, heart and soul.”
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Cry Wolf is fifth book in the Big Bad Wolf series which is an adult Paranormal/mystery- with a sprinkle of romance- series, that follows the POV of Cooper Dayton- one grumpy as hell human, with a secret heart of gold- and his werewolf/fiancé- Oliver Park- who is the SWEETEST character ever/ Unless of course, Cooper is harmed in any way.
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My complaints with previous books have always been related to the plot and mystery. However, the author did a FABULOUS job with the mystery in this book. It was nail biting and I did not see the culprit coming.
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My favourite thing about this book and this series as a whole- is the romance between Cooper and Park. Their growth from the rocky beginning all the way back in The Wolf at the Door, to where they are at the end of Cry Wolf, makes me cry- it’s done so well. Cooper and Park are my comfort characters, their moments always make me smile and they’re just perfect for each other.
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Cry Wolf was a whirlwind of a book that seemed to cross the line between mythology and fantasy. We find out more about Park’s werewolf mythology and that some legends are very much true. This leads onto a overall story arc that is both nerve wrecking and exciting. I cannot wait to see what else Charlie Adhara has in store for us!

What stage of love was it when another person became a habit?


Ah this book. This delightful delightful book. Where do I begin?

Ah yes, from where the last book left off. Park and Cooper have finally moved in together and are about to get married when BSI agent moonlighting as trouble magnet, Cooper ends up in yet another conspiracy. This time involving Dr. Freeman who was an antagonist in book 3.

She turned herself in to the law enforcement/intelligence organization that deals with werewolf crimes. Why is she turning herself in? She doesn't say. Not only is she an annoying antagonist, she's also the character that unnecessarily withholds information because drama. And boy did it work. For a time.

I usually enjoy mm mysteries because they have a nice balance between romance and mystery. In this book though, the book relied a little too heavily on Park and Cooper's real time happily ever after. While it was definitely enjoyable, it took me out of the moment when Park and Cooper were able to squeeze in moments of intimacy when there are more urgent things to be figuring out. Like who sent Cooper beheaded flowers. Like why Park's ex suddenly showed up and disappeared. Like why werewolves are being found dead mid-shift.

Park and Cooper's romance is at its most wholesome.
“You are my favorite part of living,” Cooper whispered. “I’d do anything for you.”
Seriously. I'm surprised I didn't die of cavities.
“Responsibility, no,”Cooper agreed. “But in addition to being my partner, my…whatever the opposite of alpha is, the horizon that my first and last thought touches every day, and my hands-down favorite lay, you’re also my best friend, Oliver. And maybe that doesn’t sound as big of a deal because, you know, not a lot of competition. But it’s true. You’re my best friend and you make me feel like I can do anything. I just… I want you to feel that too.”
But I'd have loved to see them a bit more domestic. Perhaps that will be shown in the next book(s) because with the amount of sequel baiting that was shoved down my throat, it's unlikely there won't be more story here. The expansion of werewolf lore and increased world building is fascinating. However I'd have been a bit more appreciative of a 'Previously On' prologue before diving into the story. So while this isn't my favorite book in this lovely series it's still a standout book.

I can't wait to see what's in store for Park and Cooper.

I’ll be championing Charlie Adhara’s Big Bad Wolf series forever. It has such a hold on my heart &—as @gigireadsromance might say—my loins, & the series finale Cry Wolf gave me everything, every emotion that I associate with fantastic romance.

This series focuses on Cooper Dayton, a human, & Oliver Park, a werewolf, who are both work partners & lovers. In this particular book, they’re trying to help Oliver’s former lover & packmate Eli as someone tries to blackmail him.

I’m not usually a fan of series that focus on the same couples—once they hit their HEA I want it to be pretty much smooth sailing —but in each of these books the leads solves crimes, have hot sex, & do the emotional WORK to draw them even closer together so brava, I will read them every day of the week.

There’s a beautiful emotional arc to the series & in each book Adhara shows how each lead opens himself up more emotionally, how they they work through baggage on their own & then together, how they become the closest of friends who can go one step farther & actually say the words instead of just thinking them.

If you love:

Found family
Stony hearts that turn tender, but only for one person. It’s a hard-won sweetness that will make your heart three times larger.
A steamy (!), safe exploration of various fantasies.
Compelling mysteries

you must read this series. Thank you to Charlie Adhara for an absolutely unforgettable series & a five-star finale.

5 ⭐️. Cry Wolf is available on 01/18/21. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I'll start by saying if you haven't read the previous books in this series, turn around right now and do so. Cry Wolf will standalone, thanks to the author's expertise at including backstory, but these are character driven books and their development as well as that of the overall story arc is huge - as in do yourself a favor and read the previous books in order. As to Cry Wolf, it's fantastic - witty, emotional, steamy . . . everything I've come to love about this series taken to a higher level.

Coop is spending the day reconnecting with family at the DC Zoo when some strange events occur culminating with him running into Park's ex, Eli, who claims he's being blackmailed and needs help. Coop decides to open an investigation as dead "half-shifted" bodies start piling up. When it becomes clear someone is targeting Coop, he and Park dive into the case. Things get even stranger when Neil, Coop's sorta-ex, shows up on another unconnected case - or is it?

Readers are drawn into clashing plot lines that twist and careen, old werewolf legends about the coming of a powerful being, and the beautiful love story that is Coop and Park in Cry Wolf. I enjoyed the expanding werewolf world and legends and the implications they have on our heroes. The continued development of secondary characters fleshed the story out, leaving me wanting even more. And the planning of a wedding . . . well, it was everything I've wanted as a reader and more - so emotional and heart touching. The ongoing banter that speaks of a new level of comfort between these guys balances out the scorching hot love scenes. This book and series are a perfect combination of suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy and male/male romance. Highly recommended!

Charlie Adhara delivers another sensational hit with Cry Wolf. From the first book through to the fifth, Adhara keeps you on your toes with tantalizing mysteries as you fall in love all over again with werewolf Oliver Park and his partner Cooper Dayton.

If you told me the fifth book in this series would be the best (so far) I would be skeptical to say the least.
This was such a beautiful culmination of all that we've been building up to.
Cooper and Park are stronger than ever, and their character growth individually and as couple makes my heart so happy.
This is one of those stories that you can't help but get invested in.
I'm also excited about the strengthening of the secondary characters, they really build the backbone of a story, and I'm glad these two are getting that support.

This was also, ehm, really hot so... All in all, it checks all the boxes.

I'm not sure why I seem to prefer the odd-numbered books in this series, but Cry Wolf completely blew me out of the water. The mystery was extremely compelling, and we're now at the point where so many of the smaller elements from previous books are tying together to craft a storyline I was not expecting but am one hundred percent here for. Cooper and Park continue to grow and show new sides of themselves to one another and readers, and I loved seeing them (especially Cooper) engage more and do so willingly with the complexities of the werewolf world. Really great stuff here! Now I just have to sit around twiddling my thumbs until the sixth book is announced...

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was surprisingly heartwarming with minimum angst because Copper and Oliver are in a good place with each other and with everything else in their lives, including their respective families. I'm so glad we got to see the Daytons again, and Oliver's family seem to have begrudgingly made peace with Cooper too but we only hear about them, they don't appear. Also, we have yet to meet three of the Park siblings and I hope that happens in a future book otherwise my head will explode just imagining them. 😆
Anyway. Moving on.
Eli's back! I loved him in book 3 and I loved him here. Most of the humor in the book can be attributed to him, he outshines poor Cooper's snark so easily😏. Despite his history with Oliver its his dynamic with Cooper that stands out. Their friendship gave me so many feels at the end. We get a lot of his backstory and there seems to be a lot of future storyline potential in Eli.
We also get to meet Cooper's ex (Neil) and he is super shitty as a human being but still relevant to the crime subplot, and we get to learn a lot about Cooper's life as an FBI agent because of him. It was like finding a missing puzzle piece and some things about Cooper make a lot more sense now. I should point out that the way Cooper and Oliver dealt with that ass showing up was so mature, and they're soooo much more communicative now its just amazing. Ugh I love them in this one, they're utterly perfect!🥰❤
I won't describe what the murder mystery is but it starts off a bit dry, and then gets really freaky and personal for the MCs and there's even a mystic element to it for a little while. Good stuff 👏
Now the ending. Is this the last book? I don't feel like there's any huge plotline left unresolved but I hope we get more books because this series is too good to end. There are some big reveals at the end and some major developments for Cooper/Oliver as well as for the werewolf community but I feel like we get the general idea of how our guys would approach any future situation and what their stance is so I'm good with it even if this turns out to be the last book.
About the Moon legend: by the end of the book its clear that its a very subtle thing/power which has been present from the start of the series and its not going to drastically change anything for the lead characters or their world, (mainly because Cooper won't let it🙃) so I'm not worried too much about it.

Cry wolf was one of my most anticipated books of 2021, after inhaling and loving all other four books within one month in 2020.
This might be my new favourite in the series.
Cooper being all snuggly and cuddly and generally more open with his feelings and thoughts.
Park, a grown up man, a super strong werewolf everyone’s afraid of, being all shy and soft and blushing for Cooper.
I love that there isn’t just a lot of character development in this series, but also a lot of relationship development. They grow so much together, learn how to be together and just compliment each other so perfectly.
Can you believe Cooper and Park from book 1, barely getting a word out, compared to these two now having whole conversations about their feelings???! They are so so adorable! Two idiots in love!
Also they are so so funny together. I love their banter.

In this book you know right away that something is wrong, just not why and what exactly. It’s so gripping and I was in shock for the complete second half of the book.
You think you got it all figured out - and then you don’t.
It was like that with every book in the series for me, so gripping, surprising and shocking.

Btw Eli and Boogie are my new favourite couple in this book.
Charlie Adhara just crept her way up to my new favourite author. I wished there were physical copies for this series.
I love this series, I hope it’s never going to end!
I thought this will be the last book in the series and since it was the first with an epilogue I think it will be. But I’m hoping desperately for an Eli spin-off!!! I adored him in this!
I feel kind of empty now that it’s over, but at the same time so happy because it was a perfect conclusion.

I give Charlie Adhara a lot of credit, especially considering how lukewarm I was about this series in the beginning, for showing tremendous growth in her MCs and their relationship. Cooper and Park are solid as a rock now. For the first time in five books, I wasn't afraid that Cooper was going to screw something up with his now fiancé Park. In fact, several times they reached peak #RelationshipGoals by demonstrating trust, love, and even (gasp) honesty. They've come a long way from the start when it took Cooper an entire book (view spoiler) to tell Park that he was in love with him.

The mystery case du jour features numerous dead bodies and several blasts from the past, but again just when I expected some jealousy I was pleasantly surprised to see that the dynamics were very different. An intriguing secondary character from Thrown to the Wolves has an important part to play in this book and I would not be surprised to see him headlining his own series someday. And although we already knew about Cooper's unusual talent that makes his relationship with Park so special, there are new dimensions uncovered that might take Cooper's standing with the wolf community to a new level (deliberately being vague to avoid spoilers).

From a man of action who would rather be knocked unconscious than admit to having feelings in The Wolf at the Door to someone who can easily tell Park that how much he has enriched his life (and admit that he has been helped by therapy!), Cooper has undergone more emotional growth than almost any series character I can recall. If I were reading all five books in a row, I might have seen the brilliant arc that Adhara had sketched out for this unique MC, but taking them a year at a time, I admit I missed the point until now. I'd like to reread the entire series, with the knowledge that my strong desire to slap Cooper will eventually abate, to be replaced by admiration and respect for the person that Park helps him to become. Brava Ms. Adhara, you were one step ahead of me the whole time.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.