Werewolf in Las Vegas by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Series: Wild About You #6
Published by Signet
Published on: March 4th, 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Werewolves
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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Win it all, or lose it all…
Giselle Landry is in Las Vegas to haul her wayward brother back home. But casino owner Luke Dalton is also looking for her brother, who has run off with his little sister. The two should join forces, but Luke is unaware that Giselle’s brother is also fleeing his duties as the future alpha of the Landry werewolf pack—which includes his Were bride.
The Landrys don’t believe in Weres mating with humans, and Giselle is no exception. Though Luke is wealthy, gorgeous, and protective, Giselle can’t let herself get close to him, even to solve their shared dilemma. But the tension wears away her resistance, and after a wild night with Luke, she is shocked to find she’s fallen for him.
But Luke still doesn’t know Giselle’s true identity. And once their siblings are found, Giselle must return to San Francisco. Can they overcome the odds—or will what happened in Vegas stay in Vegas?
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One of the reasons why I’ve stuck with the WILD ABOUT YOU series for as long as I have is because I can always count of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s books to be light and fun. They aren’t groundbreakingly original by any means but in the past I’ve found them to be entertaining. Unfortunately, that didn’t hold true for WEREWOLF IN LAS VEGAS; I found myself connecting more with the secondary characters than the main couple, the plot was so simple that it became frustratingly predictable, and after six novels I’m kind of done with the human / werewolf mating issue that’s been at the forefront of this series. In my opinion, the author either needs to take these books in a new direction or call it quits, and move on to writing something new.
This novel focuses a lot more on humans than werewolves which made it feel more like contemporary romance instead of paranormal. The story is cute but there’s not really much to it; Cynthia and Bryce are bouncing around LA leaving riddles behind for their siblings to unravel, plus a few childish water pranks just for shits and giggles. The overall plot felt trivial, and was just plain silly (not in a good way). I also thought that the author demonstrated a knack for stating the obvious; there was no subtlety involved, and with sentences like “radiate a feeling of togetherness, as if they shared a bond of great significance”, I found it hard not to roll my eyes. All of the characters seemed to always say/do exactly the right thing and precisely the right time which made the whole novel entirely too predictable for my tastes.
The constant theme throughout this series has been the human / werewolf mating debate. In the WILD ABOUT YOU universe there are two factions: those who think the species should mix, and those who think they shouldn’t. At first it was a fun concept, and I especially enjoyed it in WEREWOLF IN DENVER which was by far my favourite installment to date, but I think as a main story arc it has reached the end of its shelf-life. I voiced a similar complaint last year with regards to Katie Reus’ MOON SHIFTER series, and she turned it around by switching tactics in her latest release, AVENGER’S HEAT. So it definitely can be done, I just hope that Thompson realizes that she needs to shift gears before it’s too late.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t particularly like Giselle or Luke, it almost seemed like the author was more focused on setting up Bryce and/or Cynthia’s story for the next installment because the secondary characters were better developed than the two central ones. There was definitely no shortage of sex in this novel—how could there be with extended bonkathons—but Giselle and Luke’s relationship lacked chemistry so even a romp session involving chocolate cake couldn’t save it. Nothing about this book flowed well; not the romance, nor the writing and certainty not the narrative.
I hate to say it but after reading WEREWOLF IN LAS VEGAS I’m beginning to think that this series may be past its prime; if the next installment doesn’t strike out in a new direction, I’m going to seriously consider calling it quits. It’s been a good run but something’s got to give.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
It’s a cute idea for a series. I’ve always wondered about this series and it looks like the first few books are definitely worth it. I’ll still check them out but maybe steer clear of this one 😉 Thanks!
The first few installments were super fun & cute, but I think the series story arc has run its course. The author needs to end it or switch it up.
I grabbed this from NG but I think I’ll pass on it. I do however have books 1 & 2 in paper that I grabbed from a B&N sale couple of years ago and will try them just to get them off my shelf.
I STILL haven’t read book 1. LOL Apparently Lori hated it, so now I’m on the fence about reading it.
Aw. sorry to hear that this one didn’t live up to what you’d hoped.
Oh wells, you can’t like ’em all. Right?
Nice review! I stopped reading the series after A Werewolf in Seattle. I enjoyed the first two books. The third one was ok, but I could not take the human / werewolf mating issue any long. It got old fast and I wanted it resolved, but reading your review I see it still is not.
Ha! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who’s tired of the same old same old. I toughed it out longer than you, so that’s something I guess. 😉
I am sorry you are disappointed in this book/series Carmel, I do hope the next one wows you with something original again. I have not yet read this author.
I might not even read it… it’ll depend on the synopsis.
LOL that line does sound corny. I think I would appreciate that if it was said in a sarcastic manner. It doesn’t necessarily tally with “light and fun”.
This book was full of lines like that. I got a cramp in my eyeballs from so much eye rolling. LOL 😉
I am not at all familiar with this series, but just the title sounds a little quirky, and funny. Not funny to end up with cramps in your eyeballs form eye-rolling, though 🙂
Happy reading, Carmel
I enjoyed the earlier books, but this one… not so much. LOL
Oh well, I guess they can’t all be winners…
I have this one on this week’s Tempt Me post but it sounds like I should stick with the earlier books in the series when I’m ready for a light ready. Great review Carmel!
It’s your call, but that’d be my recommendation.
I haven’t tried this author yet but I’m curious about ther other books… I saw this one but well I’m not sure I’ll take it if it’s only 3 stars. And well if there are some problems with the romance, or the narrative, well it’s one book less to buy.
Plus, I bet your TBR pile is already big enough as it is! 😀
Oh sad :/ I only ever read book 1
Oh well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. All good series usually have at least one so-so installment.
I’ve read a few books in her other series, but I haven’t given this one a try yet. The covers are cute, though. Too bad about this one…
This is the only series I’ve read by this author; I still might go back and read book 1 though.
Oh no! Sorry to hear that this series is getting old for you. 🙁
It happens to the best of ’em. Time to move on I guess.