REVIEW: Untamed Delights by Suzanne Wright

Untamed Delights by Suzanne Wright is the eighth and final book in The Phoenix Pack series. The king of bad jokes, wolf shifter and pack enforcer Dominic meets Mila, a cat shifter. For the first time ever, Dominic’s wolf is drawn to a woman and wants more than his normal one-night stand. Mila, however, is dealing with the fact her true mate, Joel, has imprinted on her cousin, Adele, ruining her chance of being with the cat fated for her. Worse, Joel and Adele have moved back to the pride, which is irritating her cat to no end. Mila has heard the rumors about Dominic and has a hard time taking his interest seriously, but he’s determined to prove he means it. Will she and her cat be able to move on past the disappointment of losing her true mate to give Dominic a chance?

I’ve read this series from the beginning, and I’m sad to see it end (although the author promises appearances from the pack in her new upcoming series about the Olympus Pride, which is Mila’s pride). I’ve been looking forward to Dominic’s story since his character was first introduced, as he comes across as the most free-spirited and light-hearted amongst his packmates. I was slightly disappointed in this book, however, mainly because I had a hard time with Mila.

Mila spends a good portion of the book trying to push Dominic away. Even when she’s with him, she’s reluctant to mate with him because he’s not her fated mate. Knowing that she could never have her fated mate, she is still reluctant to choose another mate, even if the mating bond could be just as strong between bonded pairs as it could be between fated pairs. I also couldn’t understand why she didn’t mention to anyone other than her immediate family that Joel was her fated mate. If she told her uncle, the leader of the pride, he most likely wouldn’t have let Joel and Adele move back. Instead, she kept it to herself, suffering in silence every time she had to see them, which angers her cat to no end.

I couldn’t stand Joel and Adele. Joel has an urge to protect Mila from everything, including from Dominic, but yet he couldn’t tell she was his fated mate? He didn’t question why he was that way with her. And Adele knew, but didn’t tell Joel. He should have been given the option of being with his fated or mate or choosing to be a bonded pair with Adele. She was also selfish in moving back to the pride, knowing how upset Mila’s cat would be. The lengths she goes to make sure that Joel stays with her, to the point of endangering both Mila and Joel’s lives, wouldn’t have been necessary if she had just stayed with Joel’s pride. I wondered why they had even moved back, anyways, but that wasn’t really clear.

I did like that readers get to see another side of Dominic in this book. Normally he’s portrayed as the wolf who’s quick with the cheesy jokes. For those who enjoyed that side of him, don’t worry, you still get to see it.

“As it happens, my Alpha is considering having me committed. Especially since I keep claiming my watch is magic. But it really is.”
She gave him a droll look. “Is that so?”
“Oh, yea.” He glimpsed at his watch. “According to this, you’re not wearing underwear.”
Her brows drew together. “Actually, I am.”
“Really, Hmm.” Frowning, he tapped the watch. “Must be an hour fast.”
She shook her head, lips twitching. “Unreal.”

He also comes across in this book as more serious and protective than readers have seen in other books. It was interesting to see this side of him, and I also enjoyed learning more about his backstory, which, up until now, hasn’t really be revealed.

Several members of Mila’s pride are introduced, probably to set up the new series. They seemed interesting and I’m looking forward to reading about them.

This could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the prior books first. Not only will you have a better understanding of Dominic, but a lot of his packmates are in this book, and it would help you to keep them all straight.

Untamed Delights is about two people weary of love finding their way to one another. While it wasn’t my favorite of the series, it’s worth giving a read. With a good blend of humor and angst, readers of paranormal romances are going to enjoy their journey to happiness.

Book Info:

Publication: July 16, 2019 | Montlake Romance | The Phoenix Pack #8

Cat shifter Mila Devereaux can’t help but see it as a betrayal. That her one true mate imprinted himself on another female was hard enough to accept. Struggling to be at peace with her loveless fate, she doesn’t fight the suggestion of entering an arranged mating. Then she meets Dominic, a pack enforcer with a notorious reputation. It’s in his very scent. This irresistible playboy—and delicious badass wolf—is making Mila’s fantasies come alive again.

Alarming, compelling, and heady with sensual energy, Dominic is an expert at making women shed their inhibitions. Now everything about him—his killer smile, his perfectly sculpted body, and his smooth-as-honey voice—is drawing in a captivating new catch. But for the first time in his life, Dominic is feeling more than a fling. He finds himself tantalized by a female who makes him think of forever. He wants all of Mila and won’t be satisfied until he has it.

As the passion grows wild, so does the risk. They’re falling in love in the shadows and secrets of their pasts. And it’s threatening to destroy everything Mila and Dominic are fighting for. And are destined for.