My Initial Reaction...
I launched into How to Run with a Naked Werewolf immediately after finishing The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, eager to continue watching the lives of my favorite Alaskan community. And once again, I was shocked and disappointed. Someday I will learn to read the synopsis for this series (assuming it's not over), since had I read it, I would have known that How to Run with a Naked Werewolf did NOT actually take place in Grundy, Alaska with the Colombian Basin Pack. And yet somehow, it's my favorite book in the Naked Werewolf series so far.
The Narration...
I know you have to be sick of me praising Amanda Ronconi - I'm almost tired of it. And yet, she continues to deliver fantastic performances. She just GETS the characters and makes them come to life, complete with appropriate differentiation between characters and of course, her trademark snark. I recommend any book read by her.
The Characters...
How to Run with a Naked Werewolf is told from the point of view of Anna, whose connected to the Columbian Basin Pack we love by being their former doctor. Their former doctor on the run. Anna was hiding out with the pack (though they didn't know it) because she was running from her husband. He got controlling and abusive and she finally had enough. But he's the type that won't let her go - and now he's caught her scent again, so she's on the run again. As you can imagine, her experiences have made Anna a bit skiddish, particularly around men. She doesn't trust them (or anyone, really). But at the same time, she's a strong chic, even if she's not fully aware of it. I mean, it takes a lot to run away from that life, not to mention to become a doctor to werewolves!
And it's lucky for Caleb that she's been a werewolf doctor, because when she first meets him it's saving his butt. He's injured in a shoot out and she helps him escape and then tends to his wounds. It takes her only minutes to realize that he's healing way too fast and that he must be a werewolf too. In fact, she figures out quickly EXACTLY who he is. He's also connected to the Columbian Basin Pack - he grew up there, but with his father's death, he doesn't spend much time there. Instead, he's a bounty hunter, putting his wolfy skills to money making use. He's sort of what you'd expect in a bounty hunter - he's got a job to do and he's doing it - pushing emotions aside. But he's got a softer side, which Anna totally brings out in him.
The Story...
So the story for How to Run with a Naked Werewolf revolves around this massive road trip basically. Anna has to get to her new papers and life, Caleb has jobs to do on the way, so he takes her along with him. What makes it really fun is that Anna doesn't tell Caleb that she knows who he is - so he thinks he has to hide that he's a werewolf from her. Waiting to see that shoe drop was entertaining - I kept thinking it was going to happen and then it wouldn't!
The other really fun part of this plot was seeing their relationship grow, despite Anna's lies. They fall into this comfortable friendship. She gradually opens up to him and he gradually relaxes around her. She starts helping him with his work - doing all his paperwork and organizing his jobs - of course she's doing it to push him along towards her destination more quickly, but it turns into this perfect relationship. And all the while they're flirting, but never crossing that line. And you're waiting for that shoe to drop too - when will they realize that they're falling in love?
Concluding Sentiments...
As always with these books, there was tons of humor of the sassy and snarky kind. You've got a snarky heroine and an overprotective wolf, which Molly has proven time and again makes for a fanastic combo. Loved every minute!