Dr. Jason Kunik is working on the most earth-shattering genetics project ever, DNA mapping of a new species, the quickened—dogs who can shift into human form. The problem is, no one knows the quickened exist and Jason can’t betray them by publishing his studies. When he moves to Mad Creek to continue his research in a town full of quickened, all he wants is peace, quiet, and to be allowed to bury himself in his work. Perhaps if he figures how out the mutation is activated, he can silence his own inner dog forever.

Milo is a hospice comfort dog who has bonded with, and lost, many beloved patients in his life. He intuitively understands sickness and pain on a spiritual level most can’t see. When he gains the ability to become a man, he thinks he finally has everything he ever wanted. But being a man isn’t the same thing as being loved, and taking shelter in Mad Creek isn’t the same thing as finding a home.

When a mysterious illness hits Mad Creek and threatens all the quickened in town, it’s up to the scientist and the comfort dog to figure out what it is and how to stop it. Along the way they might discover that true love is possible—if you wish upon a star.

This is the third book in the “Howl at the Moon” series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

I unabashedly hard-core LOVE and ADORE this series! It just keeps getting better!

Geneticist Dr. Jason Kunik is a third generation Malamute shifter who avoids touch, hasn’t shifted in over twelve years, and suppresses his dog’s senses and habits as much as possible. His entire focus is on finding the switch that allows dogs to quicken into humans.

People skills had never been Jason’s strong suit. He’d always been more comfortable with his test tubes, computers, and microscopes. But the time had come to collect data of the personal kind, and his work was too important to fail because Jason Kunik was an ineffectual communicator.

When Lily Beaufort goes to say goodbye to an old friend she meets Milo, a young hospice comfort labradoodle that Lily recognizes as a Quickened. When Lily brings Milo back with her to Mad Creek he ends up staying with Jason. I loved how from the beginning Milo is constantly touching Jason, always giving warmth, comfort, and affection.

Excerpt: “You are very smart, Jason,” Milo said. “You think about work all day. So you don’t have empty room in your head to see people.” His voice was matter-of-fact, as if he’d figured it out and that was that.
But Jason didn’t like this picture of himself. He saw other people! He thought he’d been pretty damned sensitive to Milo, actually. So it hurt that Milo would say that.
“That’s not true. Just because I think about my work a great deal, that doesn’t mean I’m insensitive to the needs of others. For example, I’ve allowed you to touch me as much as you wanted because I know you need it.” He waved his hand between them, pointing out the fact that their shoulders and knees were connected.
So there. It wasn’t exactly gallant of Jason to point it out, but Milo had upset him. He thought he deserved a little more credit.
Milo stared at him in surprise. Then he laughed. It was just a little growl-sounding chuckle, but the mirth behind it was clear.
“What?” Jason demanded.
Milo composed his features. He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You do know! What was funny about that?”
Milo drank his broth and took a few more fries and began chewing on them. His legs swung under the table restlessly.
“Milo?”
Milo sighed. He put his partially eaten french fries on his plate and half turned to look at Jason, studying his face. “Is it good to ask too many questions? I think no.”
“It’s ‘I think not.’ And I wouldn’t ask you a question if I didn’t need the answer.”
Milo shrugged. “Okay. I will answer.” He sighed. “Jason, you need this touch. Not me.”
With that, Milo turned back around and ate another fry, his face placid.
Jason opened his mouth to protest. Closed it. When Daisy brought their plates, he took a bite of his pancakes, even though his appetite had vanished and he felt a little shell-shocked.
He needed the touch? He did?
Milo was right. Maybe it was better not to ask so many damned questions.

When a virus begins attacking the residents of Mad Creek and they get a tip on the origins of the disease, Jason, Milo, Matt (the MC from How to Walk Like a Man) and Tim (the MC from How to Howl at the Moon) work together to try to find a cure.

Told mainly from Jason’s point of view, it does include some Milo POV and the initial chapter from Lily’s POV when she finds Milo. I loved the points of view and pacing of the story. Honestly I just absolutely loved this story from start to finish.

The feels in this one had me wound up tight and I spent a lot of the story on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested in Jason and Milo’s relationship and in mystery of the sickness hitting Mad Creek.

For those that want to know it’s true there’s not a lot of sexy times, and what’s there comes towards the end, but it fits with the story and it works. This story is more about the heart…and Milo completely stole mine.

I have to say the only thing I think could possibly make this better is when Matthew Shaw does the narration for the audio book.

I can hardly wait for the next one…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!