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Seventeen year old Lacey Hannigan knows that she's different from other people. Her ability to move things with her mind has made her an outcast, even in her own home. She hates the power that she has and wants nothing more than to be normal like everyone else. But when she is forced to run away from home or be sent to a hospital to be studied like some kind of science project, she has no choice but to rely on her telekinesis in order to survive on her own. She soon finds herself in more danger than she ever thought possible when she discovers that there are even stranger people than her in the world. Like Cole, a man with a deadly secret who has vowed to stop at nothing until he has her. And Jesse, who seems like the perfect man until she learns that he may not be who she thinks he is.

The unbelievable becomes reality when seemingly normal people shed their human skin for that of fur and prowl the streets at night looking for their next victim. Will Lacey's power be her saving grace or her doom?

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2011

159 people are currently reading
1926 people want to read

About the author

Elaine Pierson

12 books70 followers

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5 stars
592 (36%)
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466 (28%)
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349 (21%)
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145 (8%)
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82 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Krystle.
106 reviews
January 17, 2014
I got this book free on itunes so I knew that it wasn't going to be a amazing book. I give it 2.5 stars.

So the book started off pretty interesting, with Lacey running away from home. She makes it to a city (she described the city as big, but I never got the impression it was all that big) with the help of a friendly man and immediately gets into trouble. Crazy guys chase her then all of the sudden other werewolf are chasing her. I don't understand how they were having a hunt in human form while in the city when later on in the book their hunts are away from the city and they turn into their wolf. So the alpha of this pack, Cole, thinks she's a witch and want to keep her because of her telekinetic powers. She gets away from the pack and later on meets Cindy. Cole's pack, looking for Lacey, finds Cindy and kills her. She gets really chocked up about Cindy's death, as she should (it was her fault, but I'm not sure she ever figures that out), when she sees Tonya (both women have red hair). Lacey only knew Cindy for one day and not even a full day, but she did seem isolated from people where she grew up so maybe she felt Cindy was her best friend. Lacey meets Jesse shortly after and vows to protect her form his brother.

Lacey and Jessie's connection was basically insta-love. Well not instant because Cole and Jesse happen to be brothers and they happen to be twins that hate each other. Once Lacey figures out that Jesse and Cole are complete opposites, she falls in love with him. After a week. Also within that week she manages to get Jesse and his friend in a fight purposely. Turns out the friend was in on it, but he got punched in the face and she didn't even seem all that embarrassed or remorseful that it happened. Then they find out about her powers after Cole comes to take her.

Cole finally manages to kidnap Lacey away from Jesse and for no real reason Cole starts to fall in love with her. And she starts to act like she's attracted to him. She kisses him and has feelings for him. She talked about how she loved Jesse the whole time and then she kisses him brother that has drugged her and chained to a wall. Not only that, but she tells Cole stuff she never would tell Jesse. Like what her parents did to her and why she ran away. Also she tells him right away that she has a tumor (which is why she had the headaches and nose bleeds the whole time), but never tells Jesse. She wants him to turn her, but wont actually ask because she wants it to be his choice since he made a promise never to turn a human. He says he'd never turn her. So instead of sucking it up and asking or just dying she takes option number 3. Cole offered to turn her as long as she becomes his mate and of course wolves mate for life. So she runs to the guy that really started this mess and away from the guy she "loves" to live. Not very romantic or logical.

The love triangle seemed really high school to me. I guess Lacey was in high school, but Jesse and Cole should have known better. They never really said how old they were, but I have a feeling it was older than the 19 years they said. Lacey seemed like any other person with no real sense. Her only likable quality was her powers.

The book was interesting enough to finish, but I don't think I'll remember it for very long. It was free so it gave me something to read until I found my next book.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
176 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2014
Hmm. Not a bad premise, not bad for a free book either, although I agree that it was annoying when Lacey slutted up to Scotty just for Jesse's attention and then got mad at him for reacting (though WHAT an overreaction! Would you date someone who beat up his own friend for dancing with a girl they both just met??? Don't answer that, I know you're out there girls who salivate over that stuff.) Character problems continue: I don't exactly think Jesse is anyone's Prince Charming, and he in no way seems any older than Lacey. Cole is a sociopath. Sasha annoyed me, she was supposed to be so fierce but it was like she was too slutty to live. I hate when characters are created specifically for you to hate...I end up feeling sorry for them. Poor kid, where did she learn that sex would get her what she wants in life?

Plotwise, I thought it was too easy, the way Jesse's pack went to bed wanting Lacey out and then wake up emotionally attached to her. Plus, why didn't Cole grab Lacey that first time, when all the wolves are down and she's screaming at his feet. He was like ew, noisy, I'll try again tomorrow. Some cold-hearted kidnapper. I also was going to scream if one more person "stared in disbelieve". It's disbelief, Ms. Pierson.

I did say not bad for a free book, but I also wouldn't pay the $8 for the next two.
January 21, 2014
TEAM COLE

Wow! It's been a while since I've read a shifter novel....since reading Stray (Shifters, #1) by Rachel Vincent , I've been hooked! I love when I find one that sucks me in from the beginning and Growl most definitely fits the bill! Holy crap on a cracker! I'm sooo hooked! I mean more than Nightshade hooked....before the train wreck. I'm praying...please Ms. Pierson, don't break my heart! If this series lets me down like Bloodrose, I may never read again!

Totally kidding. Needless to say my fragile sensibilities may not be able to take it!

This book is freaking great! Must read....Team Cole!
Profile Image for Violet Stone.
327 reviews41 followers
May 25, 2020
This was alright. A bit like reading a wattpad story. But I am interested and could see myself finishing this series.
40 reviews
January 17, 2022
So addictive

first of all, Lacey is the most intriguing, admirably inspirational, obviously everything you could desire in a story heroine .
Warning: this review has spoilers!

lacey is a run away teenager with an unusual ability to move things with her mind (telekinesis). She's almost 18 years old, her parents plan to place her in some kind of asylum where they would put her through tortuous experimental testing that she went through before when she was younger. She refused to comply and so left home to escape a worse fate than any other she could think of.
Upon her journey she comes to the realization that the world is scary and cold place without anyone to lean on. She also has a close encounter with death in the form of a handsome man with a pack of friends that literally hunt her down a dark vacant area of town, where she fights them off. She manages to capture their pack leaders interest, because of what she can do with her mind.
Cole .
He knew Lacey was a rare find. And he didn't know what he wanted her for yet, he just knew he had to know everything she was capable of. And he will stop at nothing to capture her.

Jesse.
He looks exactly like the monster that tried to attack her the other day, but he was too kind to be him. Jesse invites her to stay with his pack, his family. She is informed then that Jesse is related to cole, his twin.

Cole is obsessed with finding lacey, and will kill anybody in his way from getting what he wants.

The whole werewolf dynamic of this story is addictive and will have you confused about who you want to root for, all characters are amazing.

371 reviews21 followers
December 8, 2012
4.5 Stars
Okay that was a wild ride. I did not see the ending coming.



The story is about a 17 year old girl named Lacey. She runs away from home because her parents threaten to hospitalize her for her telekinetic abilites. While on the run she runs into werewolves who hate humans. She escapes using her abilites, and that power interests the Alpha Cole. Trying to get away from him she gets rescued by Jesse and then things get crazy.



The characters were awesome. A love triangle, of course is involved... well kinda. The next book should be awesome because the author is really good at story telling. There was a couple of dull moments because when someone is trapped in a room for two weeks, how exciting can it really get?! But those moments were few and far between. Sadly no sex... but then again, she is only 17 and they are much, much older (though they never say an age) but it would have been hot!
Profile Image for Sarah Kalaitzidis.
186 reviews18 followers
February 22, 2014
This was such an amazing read, lots of action to keep you wanting to read what comes next with each page. I found nothing wrong with this book I loved it from start to end.

What I really enjoyed the most besides the plot was the characters. Each were different and brought something new and intriguing to the story. Lacey is such a brave girl despite how she was treated at home. I can see why she would run away from her home. She continued to stay brave even when she faced dangers brought by Cole and his gang. It makes me want to see how much she will change or if at all in the second book. Jesse's character gives me a sense of peace in Lacey's world. If there is one solid thing in this book its Jesse and his amazing nice guy personalty. Cole is what ever bad guy is, ruthless and mean but you see a change in him when Lacey is around. It makes me wonder if he will change more as you continue to read this series.

I don't know which of the boys I like but I can't wait to read the next book. I recommended this book to all werewolf lovers! Or paranormal lovers too!
Profile Image for Kelsey Terhune.
13 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2012
I found this book because it was free, i love finding new series. it helps when the first book is free, then you can get a feel for the writer. i read all three books in 2 days, the first book Growl is free, and i gladly paid for the other 2. i know she said the third book was the end, but hopefully we can see another lacey hannigan book sometime soon. dieing to know if she and cole had a boy or girl or twins, and if the baby(S) have any powers. this series is well writen, and a must read. thank you for bringing this story to life.
Profile Image for Sandra Lopez.
Author 3 books348 followers
January 14, 2019
Move over Carrie White, here comes Lacey Hannigan and she can get just as angry and dangerous. Her telekinetic powers are what draw you into to her tale; you just have to see what she can do.

And what choice did she have when she ran away from home? But things definitely take a turn for the worst when a pack of werewolves take a dark interest in her.

In her relentless pursuit for survival, Lacey meets other unusual characters. Apparently, no one is normal--or human for that matter.

The bulk of the story is basically a dog hunt for Lacey. She was the bone that every dog wanted to get their paws on. It got a little long-winded frankly.

Eventually I started thinking of Lacey as Bella from Twilight with twin brothers Jesse and Cole fighting over her like, well...dogs. On and on, back and forth, it eventually became a bore. It was endearing that the two actually fell for her. Then it became a battle for heart.

There were also too many wolves/characters to keep track of.

Although it was cool to see Lacey using her powers, it also put a damper on it when I found it that there was something wrong with her and using the powers were making her worse. That sucked.

This is an okay story, but I'm not sure if it be worth continuing the series if it's going to be nothing but a dog fight.
Profile Image for Donna.
874 reviews4 followers
October 24, 2017
A New Twist on Werewolfs

A great newish twist on werewolves. Jesse and Cole, twin brothers and sworn enemies were born werewolves, one good, one evil But which is which? Lacey Hannigan was born different and spent her entire life being treated that way. At not quite 18 she's had enough and runs away from home and right in the middle of the 2 brothers and their lifelong battle. What to do? Both brothers fall in love with lovely Lacey, but who will she pick? A fun and exciting read.
Profile Image for Katie.
783 reviews18 followers
May 9, 2017
I can't go on. DNF at 60%. This book is so annoying. Insta-Love and I mean Insta and the most immature lead character I've ever read. Why on earth when you're a runaway, having just escaped death a couple of times would you ask a girl in the home you've been given sanctuary to make you look sexy?! Like that's your priority, and then ask another guy to make your saviour jealous. I mean come on?! All I could do was laugh and cringe at the same time. It wasn't pretty.
Profile Image for Anika.
124 reviews
May 30, 2022
Definitely a YA book & meant for YA fans

This is definitely a YA book not meant for an adult to read as the back and forth, the indeciviness is too much for this adult to handle as the story continues to unfold the next action by Lacey, Cole and Jessie became predictable

I think the YA fans would like this book but an adult would be a little upset for spending the time reading this story...
Profile Image for Erth.
4,599 reviews
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.
Profile Image for Luna Jordan.
Author 2 books56 followers
March 24, 2024
Alright, so, apparently, I have owned this eBook since 2019 and never actually bothered reading it until now and I am deleting it; and I am definitely sure I got it for free back then, so, lucky me.

This was a waste of my time but, thankfully, I only read a few chapters and not the whole thing. That was enough for me to realize that the writing wasn’t that compelling to me.
Profile Image for Melissa.
199 reviews8 followers
January 4, 2018
Battle Royale

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. There was such intensity between the three main characters and plenty of action. Best shapeshifting novel I have ever read. (Reader beware for foul language and violence).
Profile Image for Maria Basham.
70 reviews
December 27, 2018
👍

I didn't think I would like this story but I couldn't have been more wrong. I fell into it hook, line, and sinker. Already into the next!
Profile Image for Main Energy.
656 reviews7 followers
September 23, 2022
Read this as a younger adult. I remember enjoying it but this time around it's not the same. I don't remember this story at all.
Profile Image for Susannah T.
42 reviews
May 2, 2024
Love going back an re reading an old series I found in high school. If you love the werewolf drama, identical twin brothers liking the same girl, and drama, definitely check this one out!
159 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2017
Human or???

This book. is really different to any other that I have read. I enjoyed it very much and can not wait for the next install
ment. j mj
Profile Image for Karen.
1,313 reviews41 followers
September 16, 2013
This is a 3.5 stars for me. I liked it but it was not that grab you and entrance you type read. Don't get me wrong though, there is plenty to like here and make you want to continue. The story has a slow build but then goes straight to action, which is refreshing since most of the time you have to wait several chapters before anything of note happens. I did want to find out more as I read and was not tempted to just skim, which is a good thing because sometimes things can get bogged down in the details. So it flowed well enough for me to keep track of what was important to the story.

Lacey Hannigan has a power, she can move things with her, not great for a seventeen year old who just wants to be normal. Her father left when was 4 unable to deal with a child so different, her mother was afraid of her, and her step-father wanted to her. So, Lacey runs away to the big city and lands in a situation she could not have anticipated. Her first night in town she becomes the target of a hunting pack and only her ability saves her, but it also peaks the interest of the Alpha and he wants her at any costs.

This is almost a coming of age story just with telekinesis and wolves. Lacey is a lost little girl who has been hurt by the people who should have loved and protected her. And while she thinks that she is able to take care of herself, she still needs the comfort of a family and friends. I liked Lacey most of the time but she was so much like most female characters, wishy-washy when it came to her love interest. The whole which one will it be thing.

The characters are believable but could have been fleshed out more, particularly those that are central to the story. The dialogue is appropriate but a little stiff in places, mostly when Lacey and Jesse are interacting. But as I have said, an enjoyable story which does make you want to continue the series in the end. I would recommend this to anyone who likes wolf shifters with a little twist. This has violence, a little romance,and family dysfunction.
Profile Image for Hayley.
187 reviews20 followers
November 13, 2014
Overall, I quite liked this book. This was a different twist on the traditional love triangle, and had elements that were both magical and supernatural.

Let's start with the positives. Firstly, Jesse and his pack were great. A little bit too convenient how they all pretty much ended up together, but they were all good characters and pretty well defined. I liked Jesse and Tonya in particular. The other positive was the plot. Fast-paced and interested, the twists were pretty good even though I did see a few of them coming. But it deep keep me interested and wanting to read me.

The downsides: Lacey was a bit too stupid at times and made some terrible, irrational decisions. Overall she was likable as a main character but it was a stretch at times. I also don't really like the whole 'I'm in love with you after two days' things; it always irks me. You can't love someone until you know them! And two days is not enough time! And then of course she goes and gets all annoyed when she finds out something about him that she doesn't like - of course she can't know everything yet!

But probably the biggest letdown was just the writing. Sasha (the evil, sexy werewolf) "sashayed" everywhere she walked. Yes, I get it, she's sexy and uses it to get what she wants. Could have come up with something a bit different every now and again, though. There was also a lot of dialogue that just didn't sound like things people say. And some serious continuity issues. Like when Jesse and Lacey are having lunch, and he goes and has a conversation that goes for a maximum of five minutes, and then not only has Lacey ordered her lunch, but it's arrived and she's eating it! A few times that happened, where conversations that wouldn't have covered more than a page seemed to meant that hours had passed.

So overall a passable read, I will probably look at getting the next one as I want to know what happens, and hopefully the writing improves! 3.5/5 stars.
21 reviews
May 18, 2016
First off this needs to be edited, there were a lot of gramatical errors and misspelled words. I'm not the type to notice things like that so if I'm noticing it you know you have a problem.

The premise started out really good - a girl who runs away from home because her parents are afraid of her powers. But then it fizzled into your typical girl torn between two brothers - one who is good and one who is bad - love triangle... with a dash of boy who doesn't have a chance thrown in there. I abhor love triangles in any book really but it's especially bad in Young Adult novels like these.

The background story for the main character Lacey was really well developed and unique but the reasons for certain werewolves to hate humans is a little bit of a stretch. So were the reasons for the sibling rivalry. And the fact that humans are so looked down on is puzzeling when you consider that most of the packs in question were once humans themselves. Or maybe don't live in an area heavily populated by humans and you won't have to tolerate them... or hunt. (Which is kind of gross if you think about it because like I mentioned before a lot of these wolves were once humans themselves... think about it)

The sibling rivalry was over something silly and a number of the characters were a little cliche in novels about werewolves (the special girl that has the alpha(s) vieing for her affections, the scheming newbie, the alpha's ex that will do anything to become the alpha's mate, etc.). I don't understand why the femme fatale werewolf on the dark side is so hell-bent on being the pack alpha's mate... I think a woman of her caliber would strive to become alpha herself.

The ending, while a bit predictable, had a a pretty good twist. I am most likely going to continue the series. At the moment I would recomend the series to other werewolf fiction lovers. (My opinion may change on how the story progresses but I'll keep you posted)
Profile Image for Kristy Mills.
1,933 reviews38 followers
July 18, 2013
OK I'm a little conflicted. This book was kind of rushed, the relationships really didn't have a chance to develop. Like when Lacey formed an unrealistic attachment to Cindy, the woman who let her spend the night at her house. She barely knew the woman and got emotional every time she saw Tonya who had the same color hair. Or when the characters fell in love after knowing each other a week and then went crazy when they were apart barely eating and sleeping because they missed each other so much. If it was some kind of wolf thing it would have made more sense, but that wasn't the way it was explained. That sort of irritated me.

BUT... Despite my complaints and the writing that seemed a bit juvenile sometimes, the story was still entertaining and it sucked me in. It was free, so I can't complain too much, but I had a feeling this was going to happen. I would read this free story, and then be compelled to buy the slightly more expensive books that continued the story. I will. I will be buying the next books, because I'm dying to know how this all pans out.

The story is about a teenager who has telekinetic powers that scare her family and in order to keep from being sent to a hospital she runs away. She meets a pair of twins who have their own supernatural secrets. They also hate each other and over the course of the book she develops relationships with both of them. I'm looking forward to continuing the story, because I kind of like both of the brothers, despite the one brother supposedly being evil, or bad, I ended up liking him. I find that I am not completely devoted to either of the brothers. So now I want to see how the author fixes this little conflict she has created.
1,240 reviews24 followers
October 20, 2015
Very teenage. Also, very teenage written, if that makes sense. Some teenage books are written with a mature voice... this one isn't.

The insta-love was a bit too much - even for me, and the falling for two brothers was just written because it was written. No real reason, was just what was next up in the story.

And ok, she's dying, but doesn't want to force the boy (who is still acting like your average teenager when his brother let slip quietly that he had changed one of his wolves 20 years before, and they still all look like teenagers) she loves to break a promise he made to another... So of course, the ONLY logical option is to leave the boy you love for the brother he hates and you don't want, even tho this decision will bind you to him for life... I mean, she's right, why would you bother to ask any of the 7 other wolves in the pack if they have a moral objection to changing a willing human. That would be a much sillier idea than decamping to spend the rest of you life, intimately, with your kidnapper and blackmailer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becca.
Author 33 books268 followers
October 21, 2012
SOOO...amazon has a good summary on the story, and i don't really like to do summaries. but i will say this: Girl. Werewolves. Awesomeness.

Heck if you like a good story with said things ^ up there, you will probably be drooling for Growl. Its a great, easy read that keeps you interested, and guessing up until the end, which then it makes you freak out (maybe it just me) but freak out to the point you viciously start searching for the next one and read it until you finish. It's intense and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Granted Lacey can seem vulnerable at times and i know a lot of people hate those kind of leads but hell everyone gets that way and i don't mind when someone tries to step in to save the day, like lets say, a super fine werewolf. But in the end Lacey is kickass and will kickass when need be.
Profile Image for Tina.
355 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2014
This was a very interesting story,with a lot of potential. I liked the story line, and even want to see what happens next.

The writing fell short for me, and it was disappointing because the story could have been great. At times it seemed like parts were rushed or added to move the story along. At times I thought no way would she or he do that or say that in certain situation. It also seemed like Lacey's personality changed, for no reason. She went from a girl who didn't want to get close to anyone and wore black for that reason, to a girl who quickly liked and fell in love with complete strangers within hours..... Just not very believable....

Like I said in he beginning of my review though, it was a great story. I had to keep reading to see what happened next, and I really want to see how thing develop in book 2. I just wish book 2 was also free....
Profile Image for Hendrix Eva.
1,945 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2014
Lacey (not my favorite name)is so isolated and pitiful in the begining, which I appreciated since it felt realistic for a child whose ordinary fits of crying were punctuated with extraordinary bouts of telekinesis. They don't prepare parents for that shit in "What to Expect when Expecting".

The character wasn't as completely endearing or fully developed to be a Jane Eyre archetype, but still a bit refreshing for this genre. She later states "Everyone has a sob story to tell but you can't live int he past, you have to move on." Pretty good advice from a 17 year old trouble-magnet who falls in love with both men in a set of identical twins.

I like when the author described werewolves as "more like a gang of preppy college boys or male models", hilarious! I LOVE that the girl made the first move on the guy, this does not happen that often in these magical teenager novels.
Profile Image for Kay.
69 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2014
I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I realize it's a young adult book, but it's written as if a young person wrote it as well, very simplistic. The plot is good, but the main character is overly childish. If the point of the story was to feel sorry for her, I didn't because she was such a spoiled-acting brat. By the end of the story where there is an opportunity to feel something for her, the reader is so sick of her that it takes away from the moment. Even with that being said, I am still interested in finding out what happens to her and the other characters next (hoping that her personality will change somewhat since the title of the next book is Change), so I'll probably try reading the next book in the series.
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