Review: The Pack or the Panther by Tara Lain

Reviewed by Whuppsy
The Pack or the Panther (Tales of the Harker Pack #1) by Tara Lain
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 202pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Cole Harker, son of an alpha werewolf, is bigger and more powerful than most wolves, tongue-tied in groups, and gay. For twenty-four years, he’s lived to please his family and pack—even letting them promise him in marriage to female werewolf Analiese to secure a pack alliance and help save them from a powerful gangster who wants their land. Then Cole meets Analiese’s half-brother, panther shifter Paris Marketo, and for the first time, Cole wants something for himself.

When Analiese runs off to marry a human, Cole finally has a chance with Paris, but the solitary cat rejects him, the pack, and everything it represents. Then Cole discovers the gangster wants Paris too and won’t rest until he has him. What started as a land dispute turns into World War Wolf! But the bigger fight is the battle between cats and dogs.

Review
Cole Harker is this sweet guy who puts his pack above even his own wants and needs. He’s a gay, young alpha to be. He’s one of the most powerful shifters around and he’s being coerced into marrying into a neighboring pack to seal an alliance. That’s not really the problem. The problem is that he’s expected to marry a Woman!! No one accepts that he’s gay. Not his parents or his pack mates.

Paris Marketo is the half-brother of Analiese, the female that Cole is to marry. Now, Paris is just as attracted to Cole as Cole is to Paris. The sparks fly around the two of them. One of the biggest issues is that Paris is a Panther shifter and Panther’s by nature are solitary creatures. Paris works in an exclusive club were he’s an exotic dancer, so he does know how to seduce. Not that he has to try hard for Cole. Cole willingly allows himself to be seduced. He wants Paris for himself and is willing to have him.

There is a bit of suspense and mystery surrounding the villain of this story. Why he does what he does, his obsession with Paris, how he goes about his business. He’s actually a very perfect villain for these guys. He allows his crazy to run amok and bring our boys together.

There is of course hot, sexy man sex happening between the two of them. Being attracted to and wanting each other is not their issue, it’s finding a way to do it. As well as holding on to their own beliefs that in fact hold them back from themselves and each other.

The cast of characters, both main and secondary were so well written. You weren’t lost as to who was speaking as they were all so very distinctive. I loved Lindsey, Cole’s best friend. He was the one that really had Cole’s back throughout the entire book. The story flowed rather smoothly and I was never jarred out of the world that Tara has put forth. You were never lost as to what was happening. You felt the emotions that our MC’s were going through. I loved the humor that was prevalent throughout the entire book. I liked that Tara used humor to also keep things from getting stale.

Overall, this is a wonderful quick, easy read. The book had it’s moments of intense angst and drama. Yet, there were also so many moments of growth and understanding. There were moments of laughter and yes, so smexy good times. It’s a great book to read if you want a bit of drama and yet some sweetness that will really keep you interested.

4 Pants Off