Tag Archives: shifter romance

Book Review: Wolf’s Lady, by Jessica Marting

I recently asked for recommendations for monster romance or PNR that stood alone. Jessica Marting‘s Magic & Mechanicals series was one that someone suggested. And as I happened to already own Wolf’s Lady (book one), I gave it a read.

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The only mistake Lady Adelle Thornber ever made turned into a scandal that rocked London and saw her banished to Scotland, the reluctant bride of a reclusive baron. But Lord Henry MacAulay isn’t what she was expecting: he cares deeply for his barony and for her.

As the sole heir to the Roseheath title and werewolf alpha, Henry knew that he had to take a mate someday. He just didn’t expect to find her in a disgraced noble’s daughter forced into marriage with him.

As he falls more deeply in love with Adelle, he can’t bring himself to tell her what he really is. But if he doesn’t, it may not be his werewolf nature that could tear them apart.

my review

I thought this was a sweet, if predictable, shifter romance. I liked Adelle and Henry. I especially liked that they were plain-spoken and simply told each other what they wanted from the other. This meant that, outside the obvious deception mentioned in the blurb, there was very little angst in the development of the relationship. However, I also thought the villain was overblown and cliched. And the plotting is pretty shallow. There isn’t a lot to the story. But for a sweet, fluffy, easy read, it’s worth picking up.

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Book Review: Wolf Gone Wild, by Juliette Cross

I purchased a paperback copy of Wolf Gone Wild, by Juliette Cross.

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What’s the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf?

Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he’s cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.

Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven–no werewolves. They’re known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls in the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she’s ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

What Evie doesn’t know is that Mateo’s wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she’s in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

my review

This was a big MEH for me, but mostly because I’m the wrong reader for it. It is paranormal, with witches, vampires, shifters, etc. But the fantasy aspect is definitely nothing more than background shading. Most of the actual plot is just Evie and Mateo flirting and falling in love, the same as in any sweet contemporary romance. And I avoid sweet contemporary romances with extreme prejudice because they bore me to tears. As such, I was bored with 99% of this book.

The case wasn’t helped by the fact that it is very heavy on pop-culture references. But I am a person who literally goes years between binge-watching shows sometimes. I have not seen the wolf gone wild photonew Starwars movies. I couldn’t tell you what characters are DC and which Marvel, etc. So, almost all of the “Aww, isn’t Evie’s geekery so cute and relatable” fell FLAT for me. These are not references that hold any emotional impact for me, and thus I was…again…bored.

If I used stars on this blog, I’d give the book three stars for being competently written/edited and having likable enough characters. But I am not the right reader for this kind of paranormal romance.


Other Reviews:

Review – Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross

Alpha’s Commentary is Spectacular! Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross [ARC Review]

 

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Book Review: A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing, by Susanna Allen

I borrowed a copy of Susanna Allen‘s A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing through Hoopla.
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A Duke in want of a wife…

Alfred Blakesley, Duke of Lowell, has long been an enigma. No one dares to give a man of his status the cut direct, but there’s simply something not quite right about him. What would the society ladies say if they learned the truth―that the Duke of Lowell is a wolf shifter and the leader of a pack facing extinction if he doesn’t find his true love? So now he’s on the hunt…for a wife.

Felicity Templeton has a goal of her own: to remain unwed until her twenty-fifth birthday, when she will inherit a significant fortune. But that all changes when she meets Alfred, the dashing duke who’s determined to have her for his very own…

my review

This was absolutely ridiculous. Nothing about Felicity’s reactions felt believable. So, it took a lot of suspension of disbelief. But it was ridiculous in a cute way. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated Felicity’s backbone and how unflinchingly and openly willing to want Alfred was.

I was annoyed at how often Felicity fell asleep and was able to be picked up, moved, undressed, etc, in her sleep. This is a scenario that only really makes sense with small children and I find it a wolf in duke's clothing photohorrendously infantilizing when authors subject their adult female characters to this. (It’s only ever women too. I can’t think of a single male character this happens to.) Additionally, this is labeled “a steamy shapeshifter regency romance” on Amazon. But that calling that is a stretch. There’s basically nothing more than angst and a kiss at the very end, and even then, the sex is very tame. So, I don’t know what steamy scale it’s rated on, but don’t expect much.

All in all, for a bit of light fluff, this was fun. But I wouldn’t call it anymore than that.


Other Reviews:

ARC Review: A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing by Susanna Allen

Review: A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing – Susanna Allen