The Night Calling

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first. *Another* werewolf romance with an alpha-hole love interest? But *The Night Calling* disarmed me within chapters—partly because Shane isn’t just a brooding cliché, but a legitimately *awful* person who somehow earns his redemption through sheer, stubborn chemistry. The dual narration is a masterclass in contrast: Candace Joice’s heroine sounds like she’s one betrayal away from setting the world on fire, her voice rough with exhaustion and rage. Maxx Pinkins, meanwhile, gives Shane a performance that’s all lazy confidence until it isn’t—his delivery in the later chapters, when the veneer cracks, is *electric*. I found myself rewinding just to hear the shift in his tone when he realizes he’s in too deep. The pacing is where this audiobook *shines*. At under seven hours, there’s no fat—every scene either escalates the tension or deepens the emotional stakes. The pack dynamics feel lived-in, with side characters who aren’t just props, and the paranormal threat isn’t some vague “big bad” but a visceral, immediate danger. My two critiques: First, the heroine’s internal monologue occasionally veers into *too* much self-pity, which slows the momentum in a few spots. Second, the ending—while satisfying—wraps up *just* a little too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on moral gray areas. Still, the narration elevates even the weaker moments, and the central dynamic is so addictive I immediately checked for the next book. If you love enemies-to-lovers with actual *enmity* and a side of supernatural grit, this one’s a full-moon howl of a good time.