Bears Behaving Badly

Annette is a social worker for the IPA, managing and working with juvenile shifters in crisis, much as a Child Protective Services worker would do in the human world. In fact, the shifters in this world have their own equivalent (and often interconnected) services that include hospitals, counseling, and even courts. Currently, a regular (for Annette) client in Dev, and adorably unapologetic werefox has been brought in with his ‘sister’ Caro, a young werewolf after Caro attacked and nearly killed an adult male. Brought in by David, a contractor to the IPA, Caro is not uttering any words, in her defense or not – and Dev appears to be much more upset by the fact he can’t see her- than in his own predicament. And that’s the set-up as we follow Annette and David through multiple adventures as they are digging to find out who is running a ‘ring of slavers’ for kids either unwanted or unknown in their area. This is a Dive Right In sort of book, with plenty of characters coming at you hard and fast, with partial backstories revealed as the story moves on: don’t fret – you’ll get plenty more information on everyone as the story unfolds: and much of that adds to readers (and our two main characters) trying to discover who is behind the child slavery ring, and just how deep it goes. Full of the usual snarky and often self-deprecating humor, a roommate (for Annette) who is ‘flexible’ with his masculinity, a judge who appears to be a wererhino, a boss who is a raptor, plenty of “stables’ that we meet through David, and a sweet moment when it dawns on Annette why Dev (and many of the other kids she works with and for) call her ‘Net’. We meet Annette’s foster mother and finally see the fierce Mama-Bear that is Annette when the chips are down and kids are in danger. With lots to look forward to as we get to know everyone better and see David and Annette’s relationship develop – I can see this becoming as well-loved as Davidson’s Queen Betsy series. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Loved it! No sane creature messes with Mama Bear.