Hiding In Plain Sight

I loved Hiding in Plain Sight by Bru Baker. It’s the third book in the Camp H.O.W.L. series and the twenty-eighth book in the Dreamspun Beyond series. The book is a standalone, so you don’t have to read the other two books in the series to know what’s going on with the couple in this book but reading the other two books will only enhance your reading experience since there are cameos from the other couples in this book. And the returning characters from Camp H.O.W.L. like the camp director Anne Marie and the camp counselors, doctors, and therapists. The story was well written with a great storyline and well-developed complex characters.

I liked that in this book we get to see more of how the campers get to spend their days while also getting to watch Harris while he works through his unrequited mate bond with his best friend, Jackson.

I loved Harris. I loved his dedication to the camp as a therapist and to keeping in touch with his friends. He’s known that he and Jackson were mates for a while, but he also knows that Jackson isn’t looking for a mate and so he decides he would rather keep Jackson as a friend than to try and mess that friendship up by pushing for more and potentially being rejected. Harris knows that an unrequited bond is easier to live with then a rejected mate bond. But that can’t help him from pining for his mate. When the camp gets a new celebrity camper, Harris is assigned as her therapist and the person in charge of her. Having such a big celebrity in the camp will mean upping their security system and border patrols while she’s there and guess who put in their security system? That’s right…Jackson, who works for Jordan at Fangs and Fury in between working as a police officer. For Harris having Jackson at the camp for the length of the celebrity’s stay will be both heaven and hell. Heaven because he’ll get to be around his mate every day and hell while he waits to find out if Jackson has gotten the Tribunal Enforcer job and will be moving to New York City and will have to break all of his bonds, both pack and personal.

I loved Jackson. He’s a little oblivious to the attraction between him and Harris until his wolf decides that Harris is his potential mate. He’s completely focused on his career and doesn’t have any plans for a mate. And actually to get the career that he wants as a Tribunal Enforcer he’ll have to break his bonds with both his pack and any personal bonds that he also has. His ultimate job is to be a pack second like his dad, and he knows that if he gets the Tribunal job that he won’t have any problem getting a job as a pack second. After getting back from his interview for the Tribunal job he learns that Jordan has taken a job for camp H.O.W.L. to overhaul their security for a high profile celebrity camper. Which would normally be no problem but for some reason, Jackson’s wolf has been pushing him to bond with his best friend Harris, which with the potential job requirements is inconvenient and is making him second guess if he really wants to continue with his plans for his career or give it up and keep his mate. Poor Jackson feels like a yo-yo.

I loved this addition to the series, and I think that you will too. If you have enjoyed the other books in the Camp H.O.W.L. series, then I recommend giving this book a try.

3.75 Stars

For a story that revolved around wolf-shifter “Camp H.O.W.L” universe took on an interesting aspect in the way the shifters involved weren’t slave to their basic urges. I loved that Baker mould her shifters as enhanced human version who not only focus on their animal instinct. This displayed brilliantly by Harris, the senior counselor at camp who - despite knowing for years that he mate bond with his best friend - managed to keep Jackson from finding out. He basically represent the title as a whole. Even with his unrequited feeling, Harris still managed to function and did his work at the camp.

In his part, Jackson mainly thought Harris as having crush on him. His own attraction to Harris didn’t take effect until his nesting urge - for want of a better word - rose. In short, he was maturing. That their finding their way together went through quite a number of obstacles, self-acceptance, internal once-over, and not a little selfless act/decision was another positive point here. The character development really made the romance between these two friends delicious to follow!

This third installment to “Camp H.O.W.L.” series also put appearance on other supernatural beings (after they were only mentioned as an aside so far). Also, their turn-out into the plot was such that it gave added oomph to the overall plot, including romance between Harris and Jackson. I thought this other paranormal being aspect put interesting spin to the Camp H.O.W.L. universe especially for upcoming stories. Who know what would happen, especially given the way Harris and Jackson ended up with.

Harris's unrequited mate bond with long time friend, Jackson is painful to watch. It's something that happened over time, by accident with really only Harris suffering until Jackson gets hit upside his head when he figures it out. But, the timing is all bad.

I started this book thinking the thing was about Harris, but it's not. And that's what I really liked. Jackson is a big, badass alpha with a life plan to become a Tribunal Enforcer so he can eventually retire to start a family. That type of work is what he's made for and the job would be great except he must change packs and can't have a mate. So there are decisions to be made by both men.

The last installment of Camp H.O.W.L has good action, some suspense and smexy scenes. I liked the sinister take on the fey and the moments when Jackson mopes on the couch eating bon bons while pining over Harris. I also appreciated the times Harris was able to show he's tough and resourceful. Neither guy was a pushover and they both worked for their HEA. This is a delightful, funny read that will keep you smiling all the way through the end.

* Advanced copy provided for an honest review.

This was a good addition to the Camp H.O.W.L. series and is Harris and Jackson’s story. They are mates, and in the shifter world, that would have been simple, but not in the world Bru Baker created. Once again she writes about a well-known trope with a twist of her own. Yes, Harris and Jackson are mates, but they have a choice in whether they want to give in or not. Nothing is cast in stone here.
They are very much human, but still, there are the unmistakable wolf traits that I so love in shifter stories.
The story develops at a rather fast pace, and to be honest, sometimes a bit too fast for my taste. There is a lot happening: tensions around a high-profiled wolfling, Jackson’s career choices, and the presence of other paranormal creatures. The events are linked together and affect each other profoundly, which results in heart-pounding, captivating moments. But I found it a bit disappointing that they were solved so quickly, maybe because there was too much going on. The thrills were good but short-lived.
That also had its effects on the characters. I really liked them. Especially Harris. He is a good guy, very considerate of each and everyone in the camp, even to the extent of giving up his own possible forever happiness. But with all the things happening around them, I didn’t feel their connection as much as I would have liked. I found there were mere glimpses of their attraction than a full-on relationship. The times they were together, though, were sweet and sexy.
So, although this is not my favorite in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I hate to see the last of Camp H.O.W.L., but luckily this author promised a spin-off series, and I can’t wait to read that.
This is the third installment in the Camp H.O.W.L. series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, as there are recurring characters, I recommend reading the books in order.

I have enjoyed this series but I have to admit the going was slow on this book. I like both Jackson and Harris but there were things that just slowed down the reading for me. Like how many jobs Jackson had and him trying for this Eastcoast enforcer job. But he was an Enforcer though we never see any of that and I didn't understand why this was there unless it was a requirement to join the higher up Enforcers. He was a police officer, though he sure missed a lot of work and he worked with Jordan at Fang and Fury which seemed they did the most. All of these jobs just overwhelmed me and made me wonder how he had time for any romance though he didn't want any since he couldn't have any bonds or ties if he got this new Enforcer job. As far as I was concerned the Fangs and Fury and Enforcer tryouts were good enough. I was dead on a 3 for this book because though it was slow for me I loved all the characters and the premise of the story and that too is why I soldiered on. I am so glad I did. Suddenly the story broke and there was lots of action with the campers, the high profile camper which in the beginning I wondered why they would take on such a thing but it does make it worth it. Candace is a great character on her own! I guess there was just so much going on in such a short story at first it was overwhelming then BAM the dam broke and it was awesome. There were some nailbiting twists I never saw coming, and the end was one of the o most satisfying I have read in a long time! There are just enough heat and a touch of wit and charm that makes this a really good book.
If you like paranormal books, werewolves, enforcers, camp councilors, suspense, twists, tension, mates, and a surprise super happy ending this is for you! Now bring on the new series!