Wildest Wish by Alex Gordon ~ Review

Darkest Wishes Series – Book 2

To keep her family safe, Regan Braaten accepts the job with Global Security Systems despite their nefarious reputation. Along with a few other gifted recruits, they fly her to their orientation facility in Alaska. As she learns how to harness her powers, she begins to trust her instructor Gin-perhaps more than she should. Definitely more than what her boyfriend, Jude, is comfortable with. Though her love life is in shambles, training’s going well. Until Regan discovers the devastating secret that Gin has been hiding. To protect everyone she loves, she flees knowing full well her choice will lead to redemption if she’s lucky, or ruin if she’s not.

Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: December 16, 2024

Darkest Wishes Series – Book One
Written by: Alex Gordon
Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: July 5, 2023

Excerpt:

Once they were far enough away not to overhear us, Mae prompted, “Is there something going on between you two? Rory’s quite convinced and not pleased that he would choose you when he could have her.” She mimicked Rory by pretending to toss her hair over her shoulder. Though it lacked the punch of Rory’s magnificent locks, Mae’s dark straight bob shone like an oil spill.

I pursed my lips to the side and shook my head. “No,” I said with exasperation. “We’re friends.” Now that Gin and I knew each other’s dirty little secrets, I was comfortable with the label. “And am I really that far down the food chain?” Sure, Rory was tall and gorgeous and looked like she could be a model on the cover of a magazine, but I wasn’t ugly.

“No,” she spat like the answer was obvious. “But I think sometimes us short people get a raw deal. Like we’re always categorized as cute, never beautiful. People are stupid.”

I couldn’t argue with her.

“And speaking of stupid.” She bumped me lightly with her arm. “Girl, Gin watches you like he’s the shark and you’re chum in the water.”

“Chum? Really?” I glanced at her with a look that said whatever.

“Okay, so a nice juicy tuna?” She snapped her jaw a couple of times revealing crooked front teeth and pointed canines.

I could do nothing besides laugh at the innuendo.

“No. Really. The way he stares sometimes gives me chills. I’ve been around. I survived years by reading people. That delicious specimen wants you something fierce. If somebody put a gun to my head, I’d say that boy’s halfway in love with you.”

I scoffed at her theory. The mere notion that Gin could have feelings for me was dangerous. If I would have met him before Jude—I shook the thought away. “Don’t be ridiculous. Gin and I are friends and nothing more,” I said a bit louder than I meant to.

Gin, obviously having heard my outburst, turned his head and winked.

Get ready for this book to end on a cliff hanger, because oh boy does it! Now I’m sitting here pacing until the next book comes out!

We are once again thrust into a world of magical powers and the teens that possess them. This time we meet a new group of “misfits” that are quirky and endearing and I loved the extra flavor they added to Regan’s journey. While working on strengthening their powers they trudged through the drama that never seems to be far behind.

Without giving anything away, I have to note that I did not like the storyline that was written for Jude in this book. I loved him in book one, and while I understand why his road had to go the way it did, I did not enjoy witnessing it. To evoke emotion from a reader about the evolution of a character whether that emotion be good or bad is a sign of good character development in my opinion.

There were some surprises and gasp worthy moments, and while the middle moved a tad too slowly for me and some of the struggles felt a bit redundant, the twists and moments of suspense kept the momentum going from beginning to end.

While this is technically a YA book, there is definitely mature content inside so be aware of that before recommending to a younger one.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this virtual book tour, Quill and Ink Book Tours

Alex Gordon is a bit of a wanderer, having lived in Washington, Montana, Germany, Alaska, and Tennessee where she currently resides with her husband and two rescued German Shepherds.

When not writing, you can probably find her hiking, or if she’s lucky–fishing, though she’s not opposed to camping out on the couch with dessert and bingeing murder mysteries.

Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/

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