The Odd Wolf, Part I

by L.L. Graham

SOMETIMES AN ACT OF VIOLENCE STRIPS AWAY THE LAST LINGERING ILLUSION OF ROMANCE IN A RELATIONSHIP.

WHEN ONE OF HER MYSTERIOUS BLACKOUTS LEAVES HER COVERED IN FUR, ALICE FEELS “NORMAL” IS DEFINITELY OUT OF HER REACH. AND WHEN SHE GETS KIDNAPPED BY THE LOCAL SHIFTER PACK, ALICE KNOWS HER LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

TERRIFIED AND MORE ALONE THAN EVER AT THEIR RURAL ESTATE IN ENGLAND, ALICE LEARNS THAT WOLF SOCIETY AND LAWS ARE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT SHE KNOWS.

MOST WANT ALICE DEAD, BUT THE ALPHA CLAIMS TO HAVE OTHER PLANS FOR HER.

WILL ALICE LEARN WHAT SHE CAN ABOUT THIS MYSTERIOUS PACK TO ESCAPE TO SAFETY?
OR COULD THEY BE THE FAMILY SHE’S BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL ALONG?

TO SURVIVE, WILL SHE FIND ALLIES,OR WILL SHE AGAIN CHOOSE FREEDOM?



please check the trigger warnings

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Supernatural, Adult, Disability

Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2024

Reviews

[Ricardo Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription and read it on my tablet using the Kindle app.

The story starts as a tough drama about how the main female character, Alice, is surviving a tremendously toxic relationship with her boyfriend until she leaves him. This part is tremendously explicit and a masterpiece in the writing style for this topic. Then the story changes abruptly but is perfectly linked to an urban paranormal fantasy story full of werewolves and their political problems between the different alphas, with enough action and a slow-burn romance between the main female character, Alice, and the main Alpha, Cyrus. I found all the parts where Alice is discovering the werewolf world and how her newly discovered abilities work very enjoyable.

I honestly enjoyed this story, and the cliffhanger at the end left me wanting more. If you enjoy this kind of fantasy story, this book is a great addition to your collection. Just be aware of the triggers, which are perfectly explained by the author at the beginning of the book.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨


I had the absolute pleasure of being able to read The Odd Wolf by L.L. Graham.
This is a paranormal shifter romance about a woman named Alice who has dealt with a lot of hardships throughout her life. After escaping her abusive boyfriend Alice starts her journey of freedom… unfortunately Alice sufferers from a mysterious illness that causes her to have frequent dizzy and fainting spells. During one of these episodes Alice gets taken by a group of people and held captive by a very hot and very grumpy Cyrus. Tackling the struggles of her illness, finding whom she can trust and other issues Alice shows even with her struggles she’s still a total baddass!

L.L. Graham has done an amazing job in presenting POTS and also shows representation in ADHD and Autism with some of her characters. She writes in a way that shows you the hardships and tough experiences that Alice has been through but also shows that with the right people around you, the right support network can really help with someone going through one of the toughest times in your life.
I honestly cannot wait for the next book already! 💕💕

[becci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d never read a paranormal shifter romance before but I enjoyed this one. What makes this special for me is the portrayal of the main character who has a chronic illness and how she copes with that on a daily basis while figuring out who she really is. There are some heavy themes in this book so definitely recommend checking triggers before reading. I actually found this a little hard to read because I’m so naive to chronic illness but this book definitely opened my eyes to the struggles people face daily. Can’t wait for the next book

[greataunttessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this part of The Odd Wolf! The main character representing people with chronic illnesses is something I know I needed in a book, but truly loved! Bringing awareness in a way that also involves fantasy is creative and captivating

[Christine Freeburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with a story that's told well. Alice's chronic conditions are so well put across when reading it. The only bit of criticism I have is that I wish the story was more gripping at times. I felt like I was waiting for something big to come but didn't quite get there. Nevertheless, the story line is still worth the read and will definitely be looking for part 2 when it arrives.

[Tatyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. When I first picked up The Odd Wolf I was not expecting the roller coaster of emotions to follow as I followed Alice's journey.
The setting, the character build with not only the main character but secondary characters was amazing.
The author is very clear with the triggers at the start, which isn't as common with books as it should be and the clear representation of being more than your disability was incredible.
Knowing it is part one, I am ecstatic for part two to find its way onto my shelf. I will most certainly be reading this again, I really loved it! You can tell the author really put her heart into this. <3

[Emma Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be a super early advanced reader for this book and I am so excited it's finally going to see its release 🤩

I adored the story spun by Graham here and can tell that a heck of a lot of care and compassion went into its craft.

This is a shifter romance which somehow managed to be super fun whilst also addressing some heavy themes.

There are a number of different representations here like chronic illness, abuse victims etc, but it all created a really compelling character who you couldn't help but route for.

I can't wait to buy a copy upon actual release! And definitly can't wait to see more in this series

[M. Shays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn The Oddball & The Beast

If you want a slow burn with a grumpy male lead who throws major Beast vibes, you need to take this journey into Alice's life in The Odd Wolf.
Alice is a 20-something childless woman who struggles with frequently fainting & ADHD. She has a history of abuse she's trying to overcome to find her place in life. During a fainting spell in a very public location, she is immediately put on the radar of a local secret wolf shifter society.
She is kidnapped & held captive by this group led by Ruby, her captor & Cyrus, the clans Alpha. Alice discovers strange secrets about herself that connect her to this clan & she becomes aware that there's many hidden fantasy creatures and clans spread throughout the world coexisting with humans.
The story is largely driven by 3 themes. Alice discovering her true self while learning about the members of this wolf pack. Alice & Cyrus, building a forbidden connection. Lastly, the hierarchy & secrets of the shifter society.
What I really enjoyed about the story is how different characters all have their very own unique & realistic voices. I feel these characters are very flawed & relatable in their own ways. I'm very intrigued to discover the mystery surrounding Alice & Cyrus & to see where that connection leads them.
What I didn't love is that we didn't get more of an understanding of their history & connection in the story. I would've liked to have learned more about the shifter society. I'm sure these things are held for book 2. I also would love more of Melissa. In a story heavily driven by serious characters, she's a major ray of sunshine driving life into this fantasy world.
I think if you're looking for a character to make you feel seen, if you are strange or disabled or childless or socially awkward, then you should join Alice in The Odd Wolf. The slow burn feels like it's building to a monster payoff. I'd give this book 4.5 stars 🌟 I look forward to continuing this story in book 2.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Odd Wolf by L.L. Graham is a captivating story about a woman struggling both in life & in her health that unexpectedly discovers a whole other world. I will keep things vague because it was exciting not knowing what would happen next!

I am always ecstatic to see any sort of disability/mental health representation. I love even more when they have multiple because that is so true to real life. This book showcased a main character with both POTS & ADHD. The POTS representation especially was incredibly vivid & felt so true to experience with the draining & exhausting existence I love finding authors & stories that have characters with chronic illnesses.

The Odd Wolf is great for fans of…
💜 Shifter Romance
💜 Disability/Mental Health Representation
💜 Found Family
💜 Ultra Slow Burn
💜 Opposites Attract
💜 Grumpy Alpha

This book covers some extremely difficult topics & I thought it did a great job with gracefully & accurately portraying them.

I appreciated the interesting cast of characters. There’s so much more to this story to be told & my curiosity is beyond peaked. I ended this wanting more, which I think is a fantastic sign to a great book. I am so rooting for a specific pair up. I am very excited to continue reading this series.

If you’re looking to read an intriguing indie author debut of a shifter romance with excellent representation & fascinating story, I highly recommend checking out The Odd Wolf Part 1!

Massive thanks to the author for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Content Warnings:
The author did a fantastic job of having the content warnings at the beginning as well as resources, which I always appreciate.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world building is fascinating and the characters are interesting. I genuinely connected with them. The Author’s writing is beautiful and the book is gripping. There is an unusual mystery. This is an epic fantasy. If you are a fantasy reader, I am sure you will love this book. The author has portrayed both weak and strong side of a woman. While Male Main Character is so warm and good.

Sam was clearly a toxic man. After breaking up with Sam, Alice meets Rachel and later go to library. But a strange thing happens in the washroom and before she could able to fathom her situation, She finds herself in the midst of the people of wolf pack. She is oblivion to herself. After so many strange things happens in the plot. Alice is able to fathom things and she decides for herself. Cyrus is such a warm character. I liked Ruby’s character too. Other characters were supportive as well. I liked the ending. I can’t wait to read next book in series.

Many Thanks to the Author.

[Curious Hazel Green Eyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ Okay, well i think i am quiet ready for another adventure”
And what a rabbit hole Alice found for herself and talking the reader along for the ride. This is a brilliant POV from a neurospicy FMC. It has that amazing pack wolf vibe that you want from a werewolf paranormal romance. Alice had me laughing and screaming at my kindle. I am looking forward to hopefully many more instalments of the Odd Wolf.

I give this book 3.5/5 stars

[The Bookish Bruxa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not generally a fan of shifter books, but I was intrigued by the disability representation in this story, so I decided to give it a shot. I was very impressed with the way neurodiversity, childlessness, and invisible illness were portrayed, and I feel like this is a great read for anyone who struggles with any of those things and needs to feel "seen". I'm sure that future works from this author will only get better and better 💜

[K.C. McMillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story told in (one pov) first person narrative (which I love) and to see how a woman dealing with so much could still be so strong was beautifully written. The author really penned together an interesting tale. The descriptive details and the flow of the story were awesome, and this is a debut. I'm in awe.

This story is about a young woman named Alice who leaves an abusive relationship with this jerk named Sam. (Phew, I can't stand him) I'm glad Alice left him because, wow!

When Alice is bascially kidnapped and brought to a strange place, she discovers that this world is not exactly what it seems. She is actually a wolf, yet her unique gift is different from the others, and she must figure out why and how ....while trying to escape.

There was a lot of tension between Alice and another interesting character, the leader of the wolf pack, Cyrus. Now, that was crazy and then something happened (no spoilers), and I was like NOOO! (The slow burn was real😩)

Overall, this was a great read with one heck of a cliffhanger!
I can't wait for the next book!!

Recommended for those who enjoy stories with....
▪︎Enemies to lovers
▪︎Curvy FMC
▪︎Wolf shifters
▪︎Slow burn
▪︎ Disability rep
(POTS & ADHD)
▪︎No Surprise pregnancy

**Thank you to the author for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Traversingfiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a girl who professes no triggers, this book has taken me a while to read.

There's a huge amount of personal experience woven into Alice's narrative and where I can usually distance myself very easily from fictional characters, there were too many aspects of Alice's character and experience that were like holding up a mirror to my own - so I had to take breaks.
I allowed myself time to process that the reactions I was having for this character were much kinder than the reactions I allowed myself.
I had to ensure I was in the right headspace to take in the story.

This is wonderfully written, exquisitely detailed, and I can imagine it was both deeply therapeutic but also traumatic to write.

Laura, is such a wonderful debut.

[Gemma Osment · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part one of the story and i look forward to reading the 2nd.
There are triggers so please do read them if u have them.
I love shifter romances so this was what intrigued me to it,but it was different to other shifter books ive read.
It deals with alice who has a chronic illness and cyrus who is an alpha.
The author writes about topics(chronic illnesses)that are usually in books but they did so well .
Roll on book 2

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that keeps you wanting to read more. I definitely will be looking for more books by this author.

[Rachel Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an uncorrected proof of The Odd Wolf, so I can't comment on the final text, but I can comment on the story, the characters, and their relationships – all of which are excellent.

Paranormal shifter romance is not my usual choice of read, but right from the start I cared about the narrator, willing her to escape from her abusive boyfriend and discover who she could be without him. Along the way she meets a pack of wolf shifters, and discovers that she might have more in common with them than she realised. When their Alpha offers her a safe place to stay, not everyone in the pack is happy with his decision. She finds herself trying to figure out who she can trust – and what to do about her developing feelings for the pack's untouchable leader. Has she exchanged one dangerous relationship for another, and can she win the support of the other shifters in time to save herself?

It's a great plot, but what makes this book special is the portrayal of a main character who faces physical challenges every day. She is used to managing her invisible disability (POTS?), but the new challenges of leaving her abuser, discovering who she really is, and fighting for her place among the shifters put extra pressure on her body and mind. I loved the way the author refused to portray her as a victim, instead showing the reader a strong female lead character, and a survivor adapting to a new situation.

The shifters she meets all have strong, and sometimes arrogant, personalities, but I enjoyed getting to know all of them. Each person she meets in the pack has their own reasons for being tough, confident, obedient, troubled – or friendly – and their developing relationships with the narrator kept the pages turning.

The author doesn't hold back in depicting the violence of the narrator's abuser, or the power struggles in and between shifter packs. There are some very graphic scenes in the book, but they don't feel out of place. For me, they added to the physical reality of living in a shifter body, and emphasised what all the characters have to survive every day.

Pick up this book if you're looking for a strong POTS MC, feisty female characters and intriguing male characters, a narrator on a journey of self-discovery – complete with huge revelations and costly mistakes, and an author who doesn't pull her punches.

[Julia Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unusual read and not one I would usually pick up. But the premise intrigued me as did the cover so I thought I would give it a go. The Odd Wolf is about a young woman who feels disconnected from real life. Trapped in an abusive relationship with a domineering bully, she battles with an undiagnosed illness that regularly attacks leaving her faint and nauseous. Struggling to get by, one day she snaps and walks away from everything.

She is about to discover that life is rarely that simple, for there is something about her that even she doesn’t know. She is a wolf shifter. Flaring out and panic-shifting near a pack’s territory, they sniff her out and take her prisoner. Unsure what she is or what to do with her, they assume she is a rogue wolf and threaten her life. Terrified out of her wits, she tries to come to terms with what they are telling her, that she is a wolf inside. Due to her ignorance, she is incapable of controlling her shifts which could mean discovery and danger for them all.

The Odd Wolf is the first book I have read where the main character has such a debilitating illness, and I had to Google exactly what Potts is. It’s also a refreshing read in that the heroine is plus-size, awkward, and socially inept. It’s also a very honest book. As a reader, I felt it had been written from the heart and perhaps personal experience on the writer’s part. There are a few triggers, so sensitive souls be warned.

With shades of Stockholm Syndrome, as her imprisonment stretches into days and weeks, her growing attraction to the alpha could cause real issues. The rest of the pack, with a few exceptions, despise her, and the descriptions of her despair, loneliness, and fear are very evocative. Overall, an interesting and emotional debut novel and I will be very interested to see where the writer takes the story next.

[NoMo Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd Wolf is an exciting debut novel by emerging author Laura Graham. Not usually a reader of paranormal fiction, this is the first time I’ve read a shifter book about werewolves, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable tale. Laura has a sharp and sassy style, and you’re rooting for the main character throughout the story. We follow a young woman named Alice as she escapes from an abusive relationship, where she experienced multiple miscarriages, only to then discover her ability to shift form. She is soon absorbed into a werewolf pack, where she discovers new powers and new ways of being, and also the possibility of new romance. It’s a great metaphor for any of us who have felt the odd one out and have then unexpectedly found our place.

Despite the supernatural elements of the novel, Laura has woven so much of her own personal story throughout the narrative - I haven’t read a novel where childless grief is so firmly squared within such a normally unrelated genre. Many of the book’s readers may not be purposefully seeking out a story of childlessness, but Laura has cleverly woven our voices and concerns within a book that will still appeal to shifter fans.

And, in addition to standing up for the childless community, Laura also represents herself as a person with a chronic illness via Alice. Our lead character fights to accept her difficult relationship with her health amidst the dramatic physical changes of becoming a werewolf - and this loss of control over her body is something that she is already all too familiar with. Amidst all the action and flirtatiousness, there is true empathy in Laura’s voice - this is a portrayal of the realities of both childlessness and disability, even amidst a paranormal backdrop.

[Caitlin Mazur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Odd Wolf is an exciting supernatural adventure following Alice, a woman who leaves an abusive relationship while struggling with a mysterious illness that causes her blackouts and fainting spells. After having one of these episodes, she’s kidnapped by a mysterious group of people who take her to a gorgeous estate in England. There, she meets Cyrus, a formidable alpha, with a heart of gold. Unsure of who to trust, Alice must learn how to come to terms with her past, tackle her future, and let others care about her.

L.L. Graham does an excellent job weaving a suspenseful tale with a cast of fun, diverse characters you absolutely want to root for. This book is filled with disability and mental health representation from main and side characters alike. I loved that we got to experience Alice’s struggles firsthand. Graham provides a realistic representation of what people living with invisible illnesses must deal with daily. I appreciated that we got to explore Alice’s fears, wants, and struggles inside of the larger plot — and we never see her become the damsel in distress, which was a refreshing take!

The relationships between Alice and the other characters was expertly done and so fun to read. I loved that we got some slow-burn romance tension as well as strong, female friendships throughout the book. This was a fantastic tale and I look forward to reading the next part of Alice’s adventures!

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice, finding the strength to not only survive a toxic, dangerous relationship every day, eventually manages to break up with her toxic, dangerous boyfriend and gets away from him. During this time, she is suffering with an unknown mysterious illness with symptoms, including extreme dizziness and fainting spells.

After leaving her ex, she is taken by Cyrus and his group. It is with them that she learns that she is actually more than she thinks.

I have to give Laura Graham credit with her talent. She has given a masterclass in writing style and technique in dealing with sensitive topics. Even when the story suddenly changes, it remains perfectly linked together. The romance between Alice and Alpha Cyrus, it's just perfect. But, it is a tedious slow burn. It is not insta love or a quick love story.

But through it all, the story is never lost.

The book does end on a chef`s kiss of a cliffhanger. And please, pay attention to the trigger warnings. The author explains them at the beginning of the book for a reason. Your Mental Health Matters!

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on a werewolf novel. There isn't a lot of action, so at times it was a slow read. However, it does leave with a bit of a cliffhanger ending which lets you know there will be another book continuing this story. Alice is an odd wolf and has a lot of medical conditions which causes a lot of problems throughout the book. The author was able to realistically portray the medical conditions which Alice was suffering with, most specifically POTS. A lot of information was given when dealing with all the trauma and medical issues Alice was dealing with. However, I did find a bit of a disconnect between Alice and Cyrus. He is the main love interest, but the connection didn't fully feel right. This will probably develop more in the second book as I believe the first one was more to show the struggles which Alice has to go through in her daily life.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has a heroine who suffers. She suffers at the hands of her ex, the loss of her baby and her illnesses. This could be a hard book to read so please read the trigger warnings. I read this and enjoyed it very much as Alice’s struggles were relatable and this made me sympathise with her; Her flaws made her a more real and rounded person.
The other pivotal characters in the story are just as interesting as well and all of these details and intricacies make this a very good read.

[N.A Preedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first paranormal shifter romance I’ve read and OMG, I loved it! L.L Graham wrote beautifully, her book absolutely captivating from the start. Alice is such a strong character who suffers with an illness that causes fainting spells, and get held captive by a HAWWt Cyrus. I adored how L.L Graham represented POTs, and brings awareness in a way I rarely experience in fiction books! Slow burn, Rollercoaster emotions, HAWWWT and paranormal! Definitely worth the read!

[Kellie Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

There could be triggers with this story at the beginning. Look at the list.

This isn't a typical shifter story. Alice decides to finally leave her abusive husband. She struggles with a lot of health issues and during a particular episode is discovered by a wolf shifter society. She gets kidnapped and learns of a world that she only thought was fantasy. But with the love of Cyrus and the others she is able to overcome. It feels very Beauty and the Beast. It was good

[Destiny Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I need more of Cryus and Alice! They relationship of should I or shouldn’t I is so good! And I love it! Fuck Sam all the way around! Just wanna let y’all know that! I couldn’t put this book down! I just needed to know what was happening next! Literally already need the second book!

[Chelle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The debut book by L.L Graham is a book involving wolf shifters. This is not your normal shifter love story. This is a tale of disability, heartbreak, and leaving abuse. Honestly, if you want a book that will make you cry as it feels based on life, this is it. So grab the book and meet Alice, Cyrus, Ruby, Axel, and Melissa. I can't wait for book 2.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, took me back to my AO3 roots, also reminded me of an elevated version of my fave wattpad fic, so that was actually really fun. This book has lots of rep - ADHD, POTS, autism, childless. It does also have TWs, I’ve put these in the caption. This is a part one, part two is not out yet. It does end on a ciffhanger, so just beware of that before reading. Grumpy sunshine, enemies to friends. Overall a really nice read, would recommend.

[E.B. Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start from a promising author. L.L. Graham uses her characters to advocate for the neurodiverse. If you like romance, shifters and shunning societal expectations, this could be a good book for you.

[J.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's nice to see representation in fantasy books.
The author did a great job of providing not only neurodiversity, but also invisible illnesses.
Shifter romance fans looking will definitely want to put this on their list.