I only discovered TJ Klune’s books last year and immediately fell in love with them. Having read three of his standalone novels, I was ready to move on to his Green Creek series, which is beautifully addictive. “Wolfsong” (the first book in the series) is an enthralling tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of family. Set in a small, fictional Oregon town where werewolves roam and ancient magic runs deep, the story follows the life of Oxnard (aka Ox) Matheson, a young man who discovers a world beyond his wildest dreams right outside his front door.

Ox is different, and he knows it. He’s big and awkward but also sweet and gentle and no stranger to bullying. His father told him several times that he was stupid, would never be happy, and would never amount to anything – and continued to remind Ox of this until the day he left Ox and his mother for good.

As Ox looks toward finishing high school, Gordo, a family friend, gives him a job as a mechanic at a local service shop. Gordo has always been more of a father to Ox than his actual father ever was, and Ox sees this opportunity as a way to help his mother out financially. They’ll be fine, just the two of them. But then, one day, as he’s walking home, Ox runs into a very eager and very chatty young man named Joe. Joe and his family just moved into the house next door to Ox’s, and soon, the Bennetts (Joe’s parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, his two brothers Carter and Kelly, and his uncle Mark) have taken Ox and his mother in as surrogate family members. But there’s something Ox doesn’t know – the Bennett’s are a pack of werewolves, and Joe has imprinted on Ox.

As the story develops and time passes, Ox and Joe’s connection grows stronger until Joe is finally an adult and ready to mate. But before they can seal their connection, a dark enemy from Joe’s past emerges, putting the Bennetts and other werewolf packs across the country in danger. Will this be the end of Ox and Joe, or will it bring them closer together?

Klune’s writing draws you in from the very first page with its vivid descriptions and heartfelt emotions. As the plot unfolds and dark forces threaten to tear the pack apart, Klune ramps up the tension with expert precision. The pacing is spot on, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you race towards the thrilling conclusion. And when the final showdown comes, it’s both heart-pounding and heart-wrenching in equal measure.

Another strong point of the novel is the characters. They all feel so real that you can’t help but be swept up in their lives. Ox, in particular, is a protagonist you can’t help but root for. His journey from a lonely, misunderstood boy to a strong, confident man is both inspiring and heartwarming. I absolutely adored him.

The dynamic between Ox and Joe, the youngest Bennett boy, forms the novel’s emotional core. Their bond is deep and powerful, spanning years and miles, and Klune captures every moment of their relationship with breathtaking detail. I will admit that the bond between them made me uncomfortable in the beginning. When the two first meet, Ox is sixteen, and Joe is only 11 or 12. Granted, it’s only a five-ish year age difference, but it still felt a little inappropriate. Keep in mind that absolutely NOTHING sexual or otherwise happens between Joe and Ox until Joe is much older (the novel spans many years), and I eventually grew to be fully on board with their relationship; it’s just that the intensity of Joe’s feelings toward Ox felt strange in the beginning. Ultimately, I found their love story beautiful and even a little swoon-worthy.

But Wolfsong is more than just a love story. It’s a tale of family, of friendship, and of the ties that bind us to the ones we love. With their fierce loyalty and unwavering support, the Bennett family is a shining example of what it means to honestly care for one another. Their relationships are complex and richly drawn, and I felt like I was a part of the pack. I cared for every character in this ragtag pack – both human and werewolf. I can’t wait to read more about them in future installments.

In the end, Wolfsong is a story about acceptance, finding one’s place in the world, found family, and the healing power of love. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you eager to dive into the next in the series. I’m not at all surprised that TJ Klune has crafted yet another masterpiece that is sure to captivate readers for years to come.