Lone Girl by Kate Bloomfield
Series: Wolfling #2
Published by Indie
Published on: June 28, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Werewolves
Pages: 186
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | GoodReads
Eighteen year old Rose Goldman is on the run with former teacher Thomas Stone. Heading north towards a rumored Werewolf civilization, they are determined to stay together and make their controversial relationship work despite being hunted by the law. However, Rose soon fears that Tom regrets his decision to run with her as he realizes the danger he has put her in.
Warning: This novel contains material not suitable for persons under 18 years old such as sex scenes and coarse language.
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Kate Bloomfield’s werewolves were an unexpected favourite of mine last year, and I was really hoping that this sequel would prove to be just as shockingly wonderful as ALPHA GIRL. Rose now finds herself on the run with Tom, a man who’s not only twice her age, but also a convicted sex offender, and a recent jail escapee. The first couple of chapters were a rush with police chases, car theft, shoot-outs, and helped to further reinforce the taboo-ness of the protagonists’ love story. The plot could have gone in so many directions after that what with Stone having possibly turned a prison guard, and the rumours surrounding an Alaskan pack. Instead, the author decided to split the duo up because of a rookie mistake that any eighteen year old with a smartphone should be aware of, and then a government conspiracy thread surfaced which has become so predictable in this genre that it’s practically a cliché.
Rose and Tom’s student / teacher relationship was disturbingly irresistible in book 1, and readers had to come to terms with its many prohibited facets; however in LONE GIRL Bloomfield pushed things too far in my opinion. I’ve reluctantly accepted the age difference and weird power dynamics, but in this installment Stone mentioned that they have yet to use a condom. I realize that this series isn’t intended for younger audiences, and that the author enjoys pushing all kinds of no-no buttons, but why go there? I was ok with all-of-the-above, yet the blatant disregard of practicing safe sex, especially given the circumstances, was just plain irresponsible and unnecessary. Not to mention both of the characters’ blasé attitude towards teenage pregnancy. It certainly didn’t add anything to the story, and only succeeded in pissing me off.
The cops uncover their whereabouts because Rose ignores Tom’s warning about the authorities being able to track them via her phone, and after the whole condom thing, this pushed the heroine into too stupid to live territory. I understand that she’s young and naive, but what teenager doesn’t know this? Then Stone gets pissed at Goldman for being a kid—newsflash she IS a kid—and then abandons her on the side of the road. Now we have not one, but two TSTL characters. Crappy parental figures is a personal hang-up of mine in the Young / New Adult genres, and Rose’s mom and dad were real winners in book 1, and continued to impress in 2. The poor girl gets into a car crash while hitchhiking home after her lover ditches her, ends up in a coma for sixteen days, and her mother refuses to take her back. So, Goldman moves to California with her father, things go horribly awry during the full moon; her dad buys a one-way plane ticket to Alaska, and wishes her good luck finding the pack. Wow.
I have yet to say anything positive about this novel, and you’re probably wondering why I gave it 2.5 stars. Well, it wasn’t all bad, we learn some interesting things about this universe’s werewolves including that they don’t all share the same abilities, and that heightened senses aren’t necessarily a guarantee. Also, born wolves can’t change others, and only 2% of those bitten actually survive their first shift. So yeah, the mythology’s original, the plot had no major holes, and the writing/editing was good. You’ve most likely already guessed at what awaited Rose in Alaska because as I mentioned, the government angle was foreseeable to a fault. There was however, a couple of curve balls thrown in towards the end, and the story concluded on a cliffhanger. URGH! I’m undecided as to whether I’ll be continuing this series, but if it’s slated to be a trilogy I just might because I’ve made it this far.
LONE GIRL fell victim to the dreaded sequel syndrome, so here’s hoping that WILD GIRL will be the cure.
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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!
You know, I’m not one to hold authors to make sure their characters are using condoms and practicing safe sex. I don’t expect them to mention at every turn that condoms are used, kinda like I don’t expect them to tell me that the people put on their seat belt when they get in a car. But to blatantly mention not using them, that is kinda dumb, unless it was an “OMG, we forgot and didn’t use protection, AHHH”.
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Shine Audiobook by Dannika Dark (Review)
I don’t usually care about the condom thing either; I appreciate it if the author mentions it once, then I’ll assume they are using them going forward, but in this particular instance it just didn’t sit right with me given the age of the heroine. And, it wasn’t really an AAAAH moment, but rather a *shrug* hope you’re not preggo.
That cover is just a bit wicked. Yellow eyes. Had to look up if it is possible and it turns out that people with Jaundice often lose coloring in eyes that make them turn yellow.
The things blogging teaches me.
Nathan ( recently posted…Tough Travels- Novices
LOL Thanks for that random factoid, however in this case the eyes are because she’s a werewolf.
I do like the cover; her eyes goes very well with the theme of the book. But it sucks that you were barely able to find anything redeeming in this book.
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…Confessions of an Addict [#30]: The Evolution of a Book Hoarder
I rated the first book 5-stars, so I was expecting to be wowed by this one, but instead I wanted to throw it across the room.
I would have never made it past the mom refusing to see her and the dad with the one-way ticket. I hate that plot device in YA (and NA). Not everyone on the planet has crappy parents. I am pretty sure they are all used up by now.
On the condom thing, she could have just not mentioned it and it would have been fine. I would have assumed they used it or if she popped up pregnant later down the line thought it broke. To point out that it hasn’t been used just makes me wonder exactly why that would be mentioned. Now you will have zero sympathy for either of them should they end up pregnant.
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…#30DaysOfThanks2014 Day 7: Midnight Book Girl, Jane Austen Cover to Cover, Katherine Kellgren
The first installment was super original, but this one was nothing but NA tropes, I guess that’s why the pub date was pushed back so many times.
Ack there is no way I could read this one, I think I would want to chuck my kindle across that room and I love my kindle too much to risk it. 🙂
Have a great weekend Carmel!!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Delia’s Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer
Yup. That’s exactly how I felt. I knew that the chances of this book living up to Alpha Girl were slim, but I would have been ok with a 4-star read. Instead, we got this… Happy Friday!!
I remember your praise for Alpha Girl so you have no idea how sad I am to see this. I mean I do like that you find out new things about werewolves but that thing about condom is surely pushing it too far. Too bad, as I usually love romance in books with werewolves (hard to resist!). Great review, Carmel 🙂
Tanja recently posted…Bookish Problems #13 – Negative Reviews and One Star Ratings
Alpha Girl was one of my top werewolf reads of 2013, and I was hoping that Lone Girl would make my list this year. Alas…
Oh wow, I’m gonna be staying well away from this series and this book… plenty of the things you’ve mentioned would piss me off and I would probably DNF it, so I’m not even gonna try starting it!
Thank you for the honest review Carmel, I hope the next book will be much better for your sake!
Pili recently posted…Cover Reveal: Hear Me by Viv Daniels!!
I’m not even 100% positive whether I’ll even bother with the next one, it’ll really depend on the blurb, and other reviewers’ feedback. It won’t be at the top of my buy list, that’s for sure.
Just another reason I don’t have any interest in New Adult. I can read mg/ya and adult but NA just doesn’t appeal to me.
Kristina D recently posted…Some Thursday Randomness
I’ve read a few that have been decent, but you’re right, this genre is usually hit-or-miss.
Ugh…so sad when a sequel suffers the SS. From the sound of it, #1 was great. I’m kinda hoping it’s only gonna be a trilogy so you’ll read the last one…and hopefully it redeems the series. But this one sure hit all your hot buttons – the *wrong* hot buttons. Can #1 be read as standalone? I might do that. *ha* Anyway, thanks for the great review, Carmel.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**New Release Review ~ The Heart of Christmas ~ Brenda Novak**
Unless the author does something really drastic, I don’t see how she’ll be able to redeem this story line after the way this book ended. Alpha Girl can definitely be read as a stand alone. 🙂
THIS —> “fell victim to the dreaded sequel syndrome” is such a true statement that has happened to me more than once and boy-oh-boy do I hate that! That recently happened with a duology I read and I didn’t even know where to start with the review! Anyway, I hope the next installment works out! 😉
Cristina recently posted…Torture to Her Soul (Monster in His Eyes #2) by J.M. Darhower
Yuck! It’s SO much worse when it happens in a duology because that’s all you’re ever gonna get. At least in this case the author has a chance to redeem herself.
not for me at all… to start with i would have a problem with the fact she is that young and that eh is using her ( yes he is!!) but added to the fact there is the cliffhangers and all the others issues i really prefer to pass
Thank you for teh honest review
miki recently posted…Deadly, Calm, and Cold: Preorder giveaway! Win some handmade jewellery ( INT)
She’s actually the one who relentlessly pursues him, but yeah, this series definitely isn’t for everyone. It features a lot of subjects that make peeps uncomfortable.
even if she was the one wanting his affection as an adult he should have know better ( her wolf does not seem to have good instinct 😉 )
miki recently posted…Deadly, Calm, and Cold: Preorder giveaway! Win some handmade jewellery ( INT)
I so agree about the dreaded sequel syndrome! I haven’t read this series. I think I will await your verdict on the next book before I dive in.
I don’t blame ya! Book 2’s rarely outshine the series debut, and this is a prime example of that.
I haven’t heard of this series, and this book leads me to believe that isn’t a bad thing. I am tired of second book syndrome. This one would get on my nerves so I am skipping, I can’t believe you are actually considering reading the third.
What can I say, I’m a sucker for punishment! LOL I just loved the first book so much, that I’m reluctant to give-up even though I know that I should.
Have not heard of this series but now I am kind of er. Sorry that the second book did not work for you, that is really disappointing ;/ nothing worse then a cliché but to have the second book tank like that, thats unfortunate.
I’m not exactly surprised because I knew that Alpha Girl was going to be a tough act to follow, but still, I expected more.
Tom sounds like a real winner. I hate it when the author makes the characters do unrealistically dumb things. I’m glad I’m not the only one who just can’t give up on a series.
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Fallen Souls By Linda Foster Mini Review
I hadn’t had any reason to give-up on this series until now. Tom definitely didn’t earn any brownie points in Lone Girl.
Alpha Girl sounds really cool! And this sequel sounds like it had a lot of potential. I kinda want to read Alpha Girl, but I don’t want to have wasted my time or get pissed off after reading Lone Girl. I think I’ll wait and see what you do. 😉
Leila recently posted…Flashback Friday – The First (Unfortunate) Leila Reads Design – BookBlogWriMo Day 7
Alpha Girl WAS really cool, and I highly recommend it, just so long as you read it with an open mind because it’s not your typical NA. This book on the other hand, sucked the big one.
Too bad about the book, but great cover, creepy and nice
blodeuedd recently posted…Magic sometimes happen – Margaret James
I’ve read a bunch of excellent werewolf novels lately, so this was bound to happen sooner or later. *sigh*
This makes me pause. I was on the fence with the first one because of the forbidden trope. I wasn’t sure how it was handled, but I was thinking on giving it a try. However, with this one… I’m thinking no. If the third blows you out of the water, I might again rethink, but for now it is a no for me.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Talon by Julie Kagawa
The first installment was great, even as a stand-alone, and after this one I’m thinking that the author should have stopped there.
Definitely avoiding this one, it sounds dreadful. Thank you for the cliffhanger warning, I haven’t read any cliffhanger books for the bast 3 months so I’m good. HAHA
chyna recently posted…What’s the best way to become updated?
Wow! That almost seems like it should be a record! I sometimes manage to go a week, maybe two, but that’s pushing it.
HAHAHA oh my gosh that graphic for New Adult is the best thing ever. Too bad I’m not a big NA fan…they’re usually pretty angsty and I just find that annoying. Here’s hoping this series gets back on track!
Danya recently posted…Review: Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong
I know!! I’ve been dying to use it! Angst is a big no-no for me as well, and even though this book didn’t have overly much of it, most of the other elements didn’t exactly work either.
Oh I’m sorry this one wasn’t as good as the first one. I didn’t know it but I think I saw the cover a few days ago. But I confess I’m not sure… at last the world was interesting, that’s always a good thing.
I’m super torn as to whether I should continue reading or not. On the one hand I’m kinda curious, but on the other I’m dreading that book 3 might be even worse.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this one. It sounds like a mess. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up anyway, the cover sort of creeps me out!
Mogsy recently posted…Lootz: Mogsy’s Book Haul
I’m not a big fan of the cover either, however Alpha Girl was such an unexpected delight that I just had to march on.
man, to go from a 5 star to 2 1/2 is just…wow. Sorry you didn’t get to enjoy this one Carmel, hopefully the next one will be more enjoyable for you.
sharonda recently posted…Book Sales, #99 Cent Deals, Freebies, New Releases and PreOrders
Yeah, that’s a pretty big fall from grace, isn’t it? It’s too bad; I was really hoping that this series would maintain its momentum.
I like the cover, but I hate TSTL heroines and the practice of safe sex is one of my pet peeves in books (and in real life)… So.. I think I’ll steer clear of this one.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Movie Trailer: Minions
Even worse, the hero fell into the TSTL category as well. I might be able to forgive one character, but two? No way!
I didn’t get too far in Fifty Shades of Grey, so correct me if I’m wrong, but hte romance seems to be want to be “shocking” like that series. Sorry this one didn’t meet your expectations, sounds like it started off interesting enough though.
BTW I LOVE the “icon” for New Adult! 🙂
Bloomfield succeeded in delivering a shocking romance in book 1, but it would appear as though the novelty has worn off. Thanks for the icon love! They are available for purchase over at Parajunkee’s blog.
Mmm… Sounds interesting, but I don’t think I am sold on it. Good to see you found some positives from it though. Great honest review Carmel!
Naomi recently posted…Review ~ Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I wish that I could say that the good outweighed the bad… Such a same, I’d been looking forward to this one all year too.
That cover tho *___* I swear, NA always have the best covers! I wish the story itself was the best too 😛 When I saw the cliffhanger I know I won’t be starting the series, and looks like the story went downhill in here. Sorry this did not work for you, Carmel. I guess GOOD NA paranormal is kind of rare..
Paula M. recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Henge by Realm Lovejoy + Giveaway!!
Isn’t a good New Adult ANYTHING kind of rare?? 😉 The cliffie was just the last straw in an already meh read. I don’t know what the author was thinking…