Review: Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross

Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross

(Stay a Spell #1)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

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 into 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.

I loved this fun, sexy romance between a nerdy witch and an out of control werewolf. 

He woos her with Star Wars! *swoon*

I love the characters in this and I’m excited to read the rest of the series, 6 in total, one book for each sister. The world-building in this is pretty classic urban fantasy but I like that each sister has a different type of magic.

Evie Savoie is a witch who specialises in breaking hexes. She’s also a star wars fan and comic book connoisseur/artist. I love that she’s nerdy like me! She’s also a total sweetie who can’t resist helping a desperate werewolf, even though it’s against her sister’s rules. Wolves are dangerous.

Mateo is awesome and I love that we can hear his wolf Alpha’s voice in his head. The inner dialogue is hilarious! His wolf is all violence and sex and is totally at odds with Mateo’s gentle, artistic nature. However, they agree on one thing, they want Evie. 

I was so keen for the forced proximity, friends to lovers romance in this and I was not disappointed! The story also kept me guessing over who would have cursed Mateo. I really enjoyed every minute of it.

If you’re looking for a funny, steamy paranormal romance with all the classics - werewolves, witches and vampires - then pick this one!  

Happy reading!

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ARC Review: Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz

Of Wicked Blood by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz

(The Quatrefoil Chronicles #1)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

No rest for the wicked... or the cursed.

SLATE

I didn’t mean to steal the Bloodstone from the De Morel’s crypt.

Scratch that, I did mean to steal it.

Until I realized it was a curse-magnet that only comes off if I, along with a jolly trio, successfully defeat four curses.

If any of us fail, I’m dead.

I’ve never been a glass half-empty sort of person, but my glass looks in dire need of a refill right about now.

The only highlight of this wicked treasure hunt: feisty, entitled Cadence de Morel.

CADENCE

I was raised on tales of magic, in a small town reputed to be the birthplace of French witchcraft.

Did I believe all the stories I heard? Absolutely not. I mean, if magic existed, Maman wouldn’t have died, and Papa wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair, right?

Wrong.

The night Slate Ardoin waltzes into my life, wearing a ring he stole from my mother’s grave, I call him a monster.

But then I meet real ones, and Slate, well . . . he becomes something else to me.

Something frustrating to live with but impossible to live without.

Something I will fight for, no matter the cost.

*Warning: profuse cursing (and not just the magical kind).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Curses and treasure and demons oh my!

I really enjoyed this story of a ragtag crew on a life-threatening magical scavenger hunt. They only have a limited time to find all the pieces of the puzzle in order to restore magic otherwise Slate will die and they will lose their chance forever. The danger and the urgency feel very real. A few times the characters missed things which seemed obvious to me, but I suppose they were a bit busy either trying not to die or flirting.

The romance is sweet, enemies to lovers with plenty of tension and I hope they kick it up a notch in the next book. I really enjoyed the verbal sparring between Slate and Cadence, though I did find the changing POVs a little confusing at times. Slate and Cadence both have very rich back stories and I enjoyed getting to know their characters. 

I love the morally grey characters in this, it makes the plot so much more interesting. There is definitely something sinister going on and I can't wait for that reveal.

The French historic town setting is really cool too, very atmospheric, and it adds to the mystery and the danger.

If you're looking for a unique read with suspense, curses, and perfectly imperfect characters, then definitely give this one a try! This series will be a duology.

Happy reading!

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Review: Firefighter Griffin by Zoe Chant; a sweet/steamy shifter romance

Firefighter Griffin by Zoe Chant

(Fire & Rescue Shifters #3)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Single mom Hayley Parker has always had to face every parenting challenge on her own — but when her five-year-old son unexpectedly turns into a lion cub, she finds herself with more than she can handle. With her little boy stuck up a tree and yowling for help, the only thing she can think to do is call the fire department…

Ex-firefighter Griffin MacCormick has the heart of a lion and the eyes of an eagle — literally. As a unique shifter with two inner animals, his battling beasts are slowly tearing his body and soul apart. Forced to retire from the elite all-shifter Alpha Team by his degenerative condition, he struggles to be content working as a dispatcher… until one day he takes a call that will change his life.

When Griff meets Hayley, both his lion and his eagle instantly recognise her as their one true mate. But how can he ask Hayley to risk her heart on a dying man, when she’s already been abandoned once in the past? And when Hayley’s arrogant lion shifter ex unexpectedly reappears on the scene with a horrifying demand, how can Griff protect his mate and her cub?

This book starts with a lion cub caught up a tree. It’s adorable and I had so much fun reading it. It’s the story of a single (human) mum who’s kid turns into a lion cub, and the (half-lion half-eagle shifter) firefighter who comes to her rescue. This is a perfectly sweet and steamy true-mates story, complete with a jealous ex, and a crew of mythical beast shifters.