Story Rating: 4.75 stars
Audio Rating: 4.75 stars

Narrator: Greg Boudreaux
Length: 8 hours, 4 minutes

Audiobook Buy Links: Amazon/Audible | iBooks
Book Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks


Wes Cooper has settled into his godhood as best he can, and his life with his boyfriend, Hudson Rojas, is flourishing. They’ve found a rhythm, moved into a new house, and are enjoying time with their found family. But while investigating a seemingly routine case, they stumble upon something much more sinister. Shifters are dying from drug overdoses, and tracking it back to the source leaves them with more questions than answers.

Each new challenge appears to be connected to the last. As things get even deeper, the men, along with Lexi, Evan, and Iskander, do everything they can to get to the bottom of it. When it turns out that Hudson’s past has come back to haunt them, it gets even more dire. Just making it out alive is nearly impossible, but they have each other to rely on. In the end, their lives are changed forever.

This final book in the Not Dead Yet trilogy is definitely bittersweet. I was a tad reluctant to read this book, even though I was also desperate to find out what happens next, simply because I didn’t want to let these characters go. Burke has crafted such an interesting world, with characters that I’ve grown attached to. This book was a culmination of everything that has come before, and was a fitting end for these guys.

Burke has a knack for balancing the humor with the heavy, and it shines especially bright here. There are moments in this book that made me giggle, and others still that made my heart heavy. Though in no way hard to follow, this is a complex story with a lot of emotion, heart, and some heavier angst. But I was riveted to the page (or in my case to my speakers) as the tale unfolded. Each new twist had me on the edge of my seat, and each moment of reprieve allowed me to breathe.

I absolutely adore Wes. And as he’s the narrator of this series, that’s an important thing to point out. He carries the books in a beautiful way, with his humor and his heart. But Burke takes it one step further with really creating a whole host of memorable and important characters. Hudson, of course, gets a starring role. And I love the way he loves Wes. And the way he loves those he considers his band. Burke’s world building is fantastic, and the elements the author created come into play fully in this story.

Listening to this series in audio gave it an extra level for me. Boudreaux does an absolutely outstanding job. Not only is each character individual and immediately recognizable, but there’s an extra layer of emotion and heart that comes through with his performance. Everything about this narration worked for me.

All in all, I can’t praise this book and this series enough. Burke’s ability to craft a story is amazing. If you’re a fan of paranormal mystery and romance, then this is absolutely a series you should pick up. And I highly recommend doing so in audio.