North by Anna Hackett [Review]

North (Hunter Squad #2) by Anna Hackett
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: April 13, 2025

Hunter Squad
1. Jameson
2. North - Paperback | Kindle
3. Marc

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Hell Squad
1. Marcus

Anna Hackett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

We survived the invasion and beat the aliens. But they left something behind…

I was born to protect. I’m a Connors, a soldier like my father before me, and I’m the medic for Hunter Squad. Every time we go out to hunt the mutated monsters the aliens left behind, I’m there to treat anyone who gets hurt.

But sometimes, I can’t always save everyone, and that haunts me.

When Hunter Squad is called out to rescue two missing boys, I’ll do anything to bring them home alive. Even work with our brand-new recruit, Jessica Ramos.

I’m not convinced she’s the right fit for the team, but she’s an expert when it comes to monsters. The creatures are exhibiting dangerous new behaviors, and we have to stop them. Whatever it takes.

Working alongside Jess, everything about her gets under my skin: her confidence, her intelligence, her fit, curvy body, and her damn freckles.

When old memories come back to haunt me, it’s Jess who helps me. Jess who draws me in a way no woman ever has. I can’t afford to let myself care for her.

Falling in love is not on my agenda.

Thoughts on North: Things are heating up for the Hunter Squad crew. I'm talking in more than just the relationship department, too. They're seeing more instances where the hybrids left behind by the Gizzida are banding together and working cooperatively. Which is not great for the human survivors, quite frankly. Because these hybrids are grabbing individuals to use for unknown (for now!) purposes, but when the humans (and animals) are kept in a sort of stasis in cocoons, I can't imagine ANYTHING good coming from that.

Good thing new recruit Jess Ramos is good at cataloging and deciphering behaviors. She might not know what's going on yet, but she has the brains and experience to help figure it out. While most of the HS crew accept her pretty quickly, North is a little more guarded. In part because he's drawn to her and in part because he doesn't want to be. After all, being distracted in the field can cost one of his fellow squad mates their lives.

And that's not something North is willing to face.

BUT...the big guy is VERY attracted to Jess. Not only is she smart and a good soldier, she sees through him in a way he's not used to. She's there when he needs her and her competence starts to chip away at the wall he's built around his heart.

A few familiar faces (I do love the OG HS crew popping up), some daring rescues, hybrids showing some unsettling planning abilities, a man who fights hard and loves harder, and a lady who is finding her groove with the HS crew (and with her new hunny bunny)!