Angel by Lola Dodge (Manhattan Ten #4)
Releases March 24, 2015
Paranormal Romance
Samhain
Reviewed by May
The Manhattan Ten are the premier superhero group in the country. Angel is the key organizer of the group – dealing with all of the logistics and keeping things running smoothly. When she heads to Los Angeles to pick out a new recruit at a college event she ends up also picking up a wild man to watch over.
Not just any guy- Tequani is a panther shifter and brother of one of her teammates. Soon the pair is getting along better than they could have anticipated – and getting to the bottom of some dirty business in addition to falling for each other and finding a new recruit for the team.
I have one complaint about this, and all Lola Dodge stories: I need her to write full-length novels! I get so wrapped up in her world with her amazing and strong heroines, her focused plots, and her quick paced writing that I don’t ever want to step back out. The only problem I ever have at the end of one of her books is that it ended when I wanted way more.
Angel is no exception.
“Don’t give me that look.” Angel’s eyes narrowed as she tapped the glass with a red lacquered fingernail. “You know better than to shift in public. It’s either go nicely with me, or these guards will escort you to the zoo.”
I couldn’t help a growl, but I ducked my head. Let her think I’d play nice.
“Good.” She straightened and waved a few of the men over.
Oh Tequani (aka Quan), you don’t know who you’re messing with – and I love that he underestimates her.
“I’m opening the door,” Angel called. Be nice.”
My tail twitched, ready to jump.
The door swung open, and I froze.
I hadn’t read a threat from her, but Angel stood with her feet braced on high-heels, a gun balanced in both hands.
I leaped, and she side-stepped.
Bang bang.
Both shots hit my flank, and by the cold pricks and chemical scent, they weren’t bullets. I managed a few more bounds before the drugs hit my system and my legs gave out. I slid, sprawling just shy of the guards holding the perimeter.
“Step back from him.” At Angel’s commanding voice, they all hopped away.
This bitch.
Tequani is really wild (he does live in the jungle…) and so in touch with his primal instincts and I loved the contrast and balance he brought to Angel (Angelina) who is very regimented and serious. She keeps everything really locked down and he’s tearing stuff up – such a fun match for a romance.
The other members of her team (many of whom have been featured in previous stories) did not have major roles here, and that worked well for me. This could be read as a stand-alone story or as a part of the series. The author does a good job of having the stories be connected while also making them strong enough to start with any story that appeals to a new reader.
I would have liked the romance to be a bit more developed, I would have loved to see more with the team, and I would have loved as many pages with Tequani as possible – but that would have all required more space.
For this short length story it was a really solid story that combined a new budding romance, adding on new characters we will likely see in future installments, and a mystery/problem to solve that kept things focused and gave our characters a great space to both bond and spend time together as well.
Overall I recommend both this story and this series overall to anyone who wants a little romance with their fun superhero stories. I hope to see many more installments in this series- I can’t get enough.
Grade: A
Previous reviews of this series
I just couldn’t resist this book. Bought it today and read it in one fell swoop. You are right, Lola Dodge needs to write longer stories! Now I’m going to have to buy all of the previous novellas.