Secret Chemistry Review

 Secret Chemistry  

Author: Chris T. Kat

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

American release date: January 10, 2013

Format/Genre/Length: Novel/M/M Paranormal Romance/220 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

At the tender age of thirteen, Tim is a responsible young man who loves his siblings, especially his little brother Robin, who is only one. Tim and his family are all werewolves. His father, Ralf, is the alpha of their pack. But trouble is brewing one day when Ralf is away from home and Tim’s mother Paula is confronted by other pack members over the issue of hybrid pups. Some wolves think they are abominations and the pups that result from such unions should be killed.

Tim has been restless all day, but he doesn’t know why. He keeps smelling something wonderful, that seems to call to him. When the trouble erupts with his mother and the others, she telepathically tells her children to run home immediately. Tim intends to obey but suddenly he smells that scent again, and it’s stronger now, closer. He can’t do anything less than search for the source. He finds and chases a wounded mother wolf and her pup—and, to Tim’s amazement, the pup is the source of the scent. Tim is shocked on two counts—the pup is his mate, and he is a hybrid.

Tim realizes the pup is not ready to be mated, and neither is he. All he can do for now is get him to safety, and keep an eye on him until he is ready, painful though that decision is. But things beyond his control occur and he has no idea where his mate—his Jay is—and there is nothing he can do about it.

Fast forward eighteen years. Tim has never mated. And the pack won’t accept him as alpha, because of his behavior after losing Jay. Ralf chooses Robin, instead, who is less than enthusiastic over the prospect of becoming alpha. Tim has never ceased pining for his Jay. Will he ever see him again?

I totally loved this book. I must say that Chris T. Kat writes everything well, but when she writes about children and animals, she shines. Her affinity for them is obvious in every detail. Her shifters, in their animal form, are so realistic and endearing. She especially excels at playful banter and repartee between her characters.

I’ve read some criticisms of the book and don’t understand or share them. There’s an eighteen year gap between the first and second parts of the story. But to fill that in with what happened is totally unnecessary and would have bogged everything down. As for complaints about Tim’s knot, well, that’s how dogs and wolves are built. It’s there nature. Not like Chris invented it.

The relationship between young Tim and young Jay is precious. Of course, she had to let them grow up before they could mate. Duh. They were thirteen and three. When they meet again, they are ready, and the chemistry between them is hot, hot, hot.

I can’t wait for the next book—Secret Energy. This was a great read. Like a freshly baked cinnamon roll, it’s sweet, gooey, and sensual. Did I mention the sex  is hot? It sure is. A must read for fans of Ms. Kat, and those who enjoy hot shifter stories.