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Feral Hearts Tales #1
Love Bites
Ryder has been friends with Tucker since they were in the first grade. They grew up together, they joined the Marines together and they moved to the vast metropolis of New York City together. Nothing could tear them apart.
Or so they believed. When they get bitten by a mysterious creature, they find themselves drawn together in a whole new way that is both exciting and terrifying. Neither of them is prepared to face the feelings they now have or what that could mean for their future.
This is the story of their quest for a cure, which takes them through such locales as Little Avalon, the Wild Wood and the haunted ruins of Old Syracuse. Together they must face down dangers and challenges even as they grapple with the life-shift of now being mated werewolves.
Join Ryder and Tucker for a fun, romantic adventure set in an Earth much like our own, but where magic and magical creatures are as much a part of the world as science and technology.
Or so they believed. When they get bitten by a mysterious creature, they find themselves drawn together in a whole new way that is both exciting and terrifying. Neither of them is prepared to face the feelings they now have or what that could mean for their future.
This is the story of their quest for a cure, which takes them through such locales as Little Avalon, the Wild Wood and the haunted ruins of Old Syracuse. Together they must face down dangers and challenges even as they grapple with the life-shift of now being mated werewolves.
Join Ryder and Tucker for a fun, romantic adventure set in an Earth much like our own, but where magic and magical creatures are as much a part of the world as science and technology.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2012
17 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
D. River
9 books86 followersD. River has been writing for many decades, and most of it is filthy, dirty stuff that you absolutely shouldn't read. Highly-trained experts have successfully quarantined most of that work to keep innocent bystanders from debilitating cases of blushing.
D. River started putting out books for sale with Wild Horses. Since no one told him to stop, he went on to publish other novels, including the popular Love Bites. The men in white coats caught up with him, though, and he vanished off the face the of Earth. Having made his escape and having set up shop in an abandoned adult toy factory, he is now ready to unleash more paranormal romances/adventure stories on an unsuspecting world.
D. River started putting out books for sale with Wild Horses. Since no one told him to stop, he went on to publish other novels, including the popular Love Bites. The men in white coats caught up with him, though, and he vanished off the face the of Earth. Having made his escape and having set up shop in an abandoned adult toy factory, he is now ready to unleash more paranormal romances/adventure stories on an unsuspecting world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 30, 2013
Unique and complex take on the m/m werewolf genre. The book is set in a New York similar to our own but one where witches, vampires and all things occult are the norm. Ex soldiers and best friends Tucker and Ryder are attacked and bitten while walking in Central Park. They are horrified to discover they turn into werewolves at the next full moon.
The plot is a great mix of fantasy and action and follows the MC's journey from human to werewolf and from friends to soulmates. Along the way they are manipulated, hunted, and come close to death. They also receive help from surprising sources and make new friends. They struggle against their new reality and fight even harder against the overwhelming attraction they feel for each other.
Even though there is a soulmate/bond theme, there is no insta-love in the sense that many m/m romance fans have grown tired of. It's a very satisfying slow burn love. The sex scenes (yes there are some furry ones too) are excellent! The author has taken the GFY trope and turned it completely on its head! I especially loved the way that friendship was such a huge issue for Tucker and Ryder. And even though they fall in love as well they never lose that boyish enjoyment and utter loyalty they shared all their lives.
Thank God there's a sequel. Highly Recommended!
The plot is a great mix of fantasy and action and follows the MC's journey from human to werewolf and from friends to soulmates. Along the way they are manipulated, hunted, and come close to death. They also receive help from surprising sources and make new friends. They struggle against their new reality and fight even harder against the overwhelming attraction they feel for each other.
Even though there is a soulmate/bond theme, there is no insta-love in the sense that many m/m romance fans have grown tired of. It's a very satisfying slow burn love. The sex scenes (yes there are some furry ones too) are excellent! The author has taken the GFY trope and turned it completely on its head! I especially loved the way that friendship was such a huge issue for Tucker and Ryder. And even though they fall in love as well they never lose that boyish enjoyment and utter loyalty they shared all their lives.
Thank God there's a sequel. Highly Recommended!
February 3, 2013
Under Construction
Rating:
3.80 stars.
Genre:
Intersting paranormal m-m-romance novel situated in an alternative reality with a good gay-for-you implementation.
Infos
main characters:
Ryder, paramedic and best friends with Tucker. He’s the more considerate of the “awesome twosome”—as they call their friendship.
Tucker, is doing odd jobs while trying to get a job with a state forestry service. He is leery of the Enlightened; and is also the more go-getting of the two.
secondary characters:
Matchitehew, a dream speaker of the Algonquian Nation .
Trey, the a son of the leader of the powerful Hood family, . They hunt occult creatures for generations and supplying the black market with (gruesome) ingredients and items for magical purposes.
Content & Reading: Pros/Neutral/Cons
+ Interesting, alternative world where paranormal beings (the Enlightend, or their representation O.A.K.S., the Occultist-American Kinship Society) live (more or less) openly with humans long before the settlers came to America. As an example, Christoph Columbus was a seafaring sorcerer who slew the Great Serpent that patrolled the Atlantic, and cleared the way for the settlers.
+ Neither the standard werewolves nor wolf shifters, the lycans here are a mix of both but also with some other influences, like .
+ The GFY and the implicit conflict by their wolf spirits being mates and the MCs being (formerly) straight best friends was good implemented.
o 3rd person POV by Ryder.
- The emphasis on the "humans destroying Mother Earth" in some of the first chapters was a bit too much for my taste.
- The related blood thirsty tendency of one of the MC’s wolf spirits—although consistent with the whole story and that his human half held it (mostly) in check—was a bit uncomfortable for me.
(Sex-/)Love Scene(s):
Quantity: medium
Rating:
3.80 stars.
Genre:
Intersting paranormal m-m-romance novel situated in an alternative reality with a good gay-for-you implementation.
Infos
main characters:
Ryder, paramedic and best friends with Tucker. He’s the more considerate of the “awesome twosome”—as they call their friendship.
Tucker, is doing odd jobs while trying to get a job with a state forestry service. He is leery of the Enlightened; and is also the more go-getting of the two.
secondary characters:
Matchitehew, a dream speaker of the Algonquian Nation .
Trey, the a son of the leader of the powerful Hood family, . They hunt occult creatures for generations and supplying the black market with (gruesome) ingredients and items for magical purposes.
Content & Reading: Pros/Neutral/Cons
+ Interesting, alternative world where paranormal beings (the Enlightend, or their representation O.A.K.S., the Occultist-American Kinship Society) live (more or less) openly with humans long before the settlers came to America. As an example, Christoph Columbus was a seafaring sorcerer who slew the Great Serpent that patrolled the Atlantic, and cleared the way for the settlers.
+ Neither the standard werewolves nor wolf shifters, the lycans here are a mix of both but also with some other influences, like .
+ The GFY and the implicit conflict by their wolf spirits being mates and the MCs being (formerly) straight best friends was good implemented.
o 3rd person POV by Ryder.
- The emphasis on the "humans destroying Mother Earth" in some of the first chapters was a bit too much for my taste.
- The related blood thirsty tendency of one of the MC’s wolf spirits—although consistent with the whole story and that his human half held it (mostly) in check—was a bit uncomfortable for me.
(Sex-/)Love Scene(s):
Quantity: medium
November 9, 2015
3.5 stars
This was an interesting read. On the one hand, the writing was brilliant with delightful banter and easy flowing dialogue. On the other hand, the plot was sometimes predictable and things that should have happened on page we didn't get to experience. I put the book down several times but I was able to pick it back up easily. It interested me enough to read the second book so that's why I rounded up to four stars. It was a pretty good read; I think most who like UF/PNR would enjoy it, even if it does steer into fluff from time to time.
April 13, 2014
This was one of those yo-yo kind of reads for me. First I liked it. Then I waned. Then I liked it again. And then I started to wane gain. Then I liked it again. Eventually it just kind of boiled down to me highlighting the shit out of the parts that I really liked because of course I'm never one to resist marine-packing-testosterone. Yeah.So.OohRah.and all that masculine-sexy shit. The characters had bite and the sexual chemistry had a seasoned-flavoring. And I'm shameless to say this is what kept me reading.
Tucker's dominant-brooding sexually-overt presence and Ryder's sensually non-submissive undertone complimented the primitive dynamics of the story well.
It's a simple shifter story of two hunky-male best buds (both heterosex-ex-marines) joined at their tight muscle-bound hips. Ryan can't keep a girl to save his life and Tucker goes through them pretty much like toilet paper because of their manly-bonded friendship. One night our beastie/boys are bitten by some renegade-emo-teen-lycan..hiding out in some bushes. And this sets the tone for a rather long-winded story of a convincing friendship evolving into a very sexy man-love story..lycan-shifter-styled.
Tucker's dominant-brooding sexually-overt presence and Ryder's sensually non-submissive undertone complimented the primitive dynamics of the story well.
It's a simple shifter story of two hunky-male best buds (both heterosex-ex-marines) joined at their tight muscle-bound hips. Ryan can't keep a girl to save his life and Tucker goes through them pretty much like toilet paper because of their manly-bonded friendship. One night our beastie/boys are bitten by some renegade-emo-teen-lycan..hiding out in some bushes. And this sets the tone for a rather long-winded story of a convincing friendship evolving into a very sexy man-love story..lycan-shifter-styled.
July 22, 2024
4.75 out of 5
I originally read these in 2016, as I was just starting into the m/m paranormal romance genre. Re-reading them now that I have a little more context makes the books that much better.
D. River has created a unique world here, one where the paranormal and everyday society as we know it exist side by side. In the 20th century there was a war between the two sides and an uneasy truce was established, with the human government having the upper hand and segregating the paranormal folk (vampires, fairies, wizards, etc.) to small enclaves. Meanwhile outside the cities, faerie elements run rampant in the Wild Places. There even the very trees actively work to repel human invaders.
Amidst all of this is the legend of the werewolves, or lycans, created by Native Americans to defend against European settlers. Lycans were fearsome creatures, killing machines bent on destroying humans. The last lycan was killed over a hundred years ago, and they were wiped from the face of the earth. And so the scene is set…
The heart of these stories is Ryder and Tucker, friends since childhood, inseparable since then. I loved these guys so much! The author has created a couple of relatable, well-rounded characters with clear and understandable motivations. While the gay-for-you/out-for-you trope is usually fingernails on a chalkboard for me, I like how their relationship is handled here. The boundaries between platonic and romantic love prove to be more flexible than expected, and I’m not gonna lie – Tucker’s alpha dominance is really freaking sexy! The story is told from Ryder’s point of view, and it’s a good choice. He’s a lovable goof, strong in his emotions and his love for Tucker. He’s a perfect foil to Tucker’s somber and stoic demeanor.
The secondary characters are delightful too. River is skilled as building a character with an economy of exposition and without resorting to stereotypes or archetypes, so even if a character isn’t on the page long you have a good idea of they kind of person they are.
The other thing that I really liked about these books is there is a sense of humor throughout which keeps the story from getting too weighty. Even better, some of that humor shows up in the (smoking hot!) sex scenes, which I love. It keeps everyone involved from taking themselves too seriously. The plot here is fast-paced, and there are some nice over-arching mysteries as the characters deal with their own problems too. There are so many plot threads here that D. River could easily write a dozen more books, and I’d happily read every one of them!
These books are a great combination of interesting setting, great characters, and an intriguing and fast-paced plot. I highly recommend these!
Original Review:
4.5 out of 5, rounded up
This book is a case where I loved it in spite of its flaws. The bad parts first: Tucker, for all of the backstory given, is still a bit of a cipher. Telling some of the story from his perspective instead of only through Ryder would have helped with that. More importantly the story structure reminded me very much of some of the knock-off fantasy novels I read back in the 80's. Intro, Things Happen, Quest #1, Quest #2, etc., Happy-For-Now (until the next book).
But you know what? Even with that I loved the heck out of this book. D. River is a fun storyteller, and he keeps the plot moving forward at a good clip. Ryder is an intriguing character, and even Trey (introduced late in the book) was a relatable, interesting guy. And the relationship between Ryder and Tucker? Holy hell, that is pure hotness! This is definitely one of my more enjoyable reads of the year so far.
I originally read these in 2016, as I was just starting into the m/m paranormal romance genre. Re-reading them now that I have a little more context makes the books that much better.
D. River has created a unique world here, one where the paranormal and everyday society as we know it exist side by side. In the 20th century there was a war between the two sides and an uneasy truce was established, with the human government having the upper hand and segregating the paranormal folk (vampires, fairies, wizards, etc.) to small enclaves. Meanwhile outside the cities, faerie elements run rampant in the Wild Places. There even the very trees actively work to repel human invaders.
Amidst all of this is the legend of the werewolves, or lycans, created by Native Americans to defend against European settlers. Lycans were fearsome creatures, killing machines bent on destroying humans. The last lycan was killed over a hundred years ago, and they were wiped from the face of the earth. And so the scene is set…
The heart of these stories is Ryder and Tucker, friends since childhood, inseparable since then. I loved these guys so much! The author has created a couple of relatable, well-rounded characters with clear and understandable motivations. While the gay-for-you/out-for-you trope is usually fingernails on a chalkboard for me, I like how their relationship is handled here. The boundaries between platonic and romantic love prove to be more flexible than expected, and I’m not gonna lie – Tucker’s alpha dominance is really freaking sexy! The story is told from Ryder’s point of view, and it’s a good choice. He’s a lovable goof, strong in his emotions and his love for Tucker. He’s a perfect foil to Tucker’s somber and stoic demeanor.
The secondary characters are delightful too. River is skilled as building a character with an economy of exposition and without resorting to stereotypes or archetypes, so even if a character isn’t on the page long you have a good idea of they kind of person they are.
The other thing that I really liked about these books is there is a sense of humor throughout which keeps the story from getting too weighty. Even better, some of that humor shows up in the (smoking hot!) sex scenes, which I love. It keeps everyone involved from taking themselves too seriously. The plot here is fast-paced, and there are some nice over-arching mysteries as the characters deal with their own problems too. There are so many plot threads here that D. River could easily write a dozen more books, and I’d happily read every one of them!
These books are a great combination of interesting setting, great characters, and an intriguing and fast-paced plot. I highly recommend these!
Original Review:
4.5 out of 5, rounded up
This book is a case where I loved it in spite of its flaws. The bad parts first: Tucker, for all of the backstory given, is still a bit of a cipher. Telling some of the story from his perspective instead of only through Ryder would have helped with that. More importantly the story structure reminded me very much of some of the knock-off fantasy novels I read back in the 80's. Intro, Things Happen, Quest #1, Quest #2, etc., Happy-For-Now (until the next book).
But you know what? Even with that I loved the heck out of this book. D. River is a fun storyteller, and he keeps the plot moving forward at a good clip. Ryder is an intriguing character, and even Trey (introduced late in the book) was a relatable, interesting guy. And the relationship between Ryder and Tucker? Holy hell, that is pure hotness! This is definitely one of my more enjoyable reads of the year so far.
July 8, 2012
D. River's new "Love Bites" seems to be the first in what promises to be a new series called "Feral Hearts." If the next books are as much fun as the first, we're in for a real treat. Ryder and Tucker are characters that I fell for very quickly, and by the end of the book I was hungry for more.
The werewolf romance has produced some interesting books, but River's spin on this youthful genre makes it both intensely individual and personal as a story; as well as more vividly romantic than many m/m romances I've read. He does this by setting up a trope I particularly dislike--the "gay for you" mode where straight guys suddenly find themselves hankering after a guy--and turning it on its head. He won me over in a big way.
Tucker and Ryder are lifelong friends, straight guys who have always been close, through thick and through thin. They live in a world where occult folks--from vampires to witches--are part of society, even if they tend to live on the fringes, marginalized as tourist attractions and tolerated as local color. When the two buddies are attacked one night after a game of one-on-one basketball in a NYC playground, they are forced to take a closer look at the magical ghetto they have always avoided; and they're forced to look more closely at their own relationship and deal with some increasingly uncomfortable realities.
The book becomes something of a road trip--imagine "Lord of the Rings" as a gay buddy movie. (Well, that's not too difficult, actually.) But it is not an epic journey: it is a personal journey into the nature of good and evil, the relativity of cultural perceptions, and the boundaries between friendship and love. Somewhere in the midst of all this, D. River has managed to create what I felt was the most romantic scene I've ever read in a m/m novel. I was captivated from the first pages, and I look forward to the next installment in this series, which is sure to become a classic of the genre.
The werewolf romance has produced some interesting books, but River's spin on this youthful genre makes it both intensely individual and personal as a story; as well as more vividly romantic than many m/m romances I've read. He does this by setting up a trope I particularly dislike--the "gay for you" mode where straight guys suddenly find themselves hankering after a guy--and turning it on its head. He won me over in a big way.
Tucker and Ryder are lifelong friends, straight guys who have always been close, through thick and through thin. They live in a world where occult folks--from vampires to witches--are part of society, even if they tend to live on the fringes, marginalized as tourist attractions and tolerated as local color. When the two buddies are attacked one night after a game of one-on-one basketball in a NYC playground, they are forced to take a closer look at the magical ghetto they have always avoided; and they're forced to look more closely at their own relationship and deal with some increasingly uncomfortable realities.
The book becomes something of a road trip--imagine "Lord of the Rings" as a gay buddy movie. (Well, that's not too difficult, actually.) But it is not an epic journey: it is a personal journey into the nature of good and evil, the relativity of cultural perceptions, and the boundaries between friendship and love. Somewhere in the midst of all this, D. River has managed to create what I felt was the most romantic scene I've ever read in a m/m novel. I was captivated from the first pages, and I look forward to the next installment in this series, which is sure to become a classic of the genre.
to-read-pruned
January 30, 2013I love how that one dude is, like, in prime fucking position...
March 6, 2018
Editing :/
***3.8 stars***
I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to see what waits Tucker and Ryder. I really enjoyed this author’s take on shifters and all thing magical. Seriously, this would have been a solid four stars if not for the grammar and punctuation errors. Overall, I’m glad I found this book!
***3.8 stars***
I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to see what waits Tucker and Ryder. I really enjoyed this author’s take on shifters and all thing magical. Seriously, this would have been a solid four stars if not for the grammar and punctuation errors. Overall, I’m glad I found this book!
February 5, 2013
World building needed way more depth to be engaging. It felt rushed and I just couldn't get into it.
October 10, 2017
3.5 Stars
There were things I really loved about this book but the pacing was all over the place for me. I found myself engrossed in parts of it and wanting to skim in other parts of it. I wanted a bit more world building then the author provided but I thought the characters had a lot of depth and I really liked them. Some parts of the story dragged but I loved the slow burn of the relationship from two best friends to two soul mates and although we've seen the whole mate concept done to death in this genre - this was something a bit different and new so for that alone I give the extra 1/2 star to make it 4 stars. The chemistry was off the page and when we finally got to the sex it was HOT! I loved these two guys together. I'm sure I'll read the next book but I don't find myself in a super hurry to do so.
There were things I really loved about this book but the pacing was all over the place for me. I found myself engrossed in parts of it and wanting to skim in other parts of it. I wanted a bit more world building then the author provided but I thought the characters had a lot of depth and I really liked them. Some parts of the story dragged but I loved the slow burn of the relationship from two best friends to two soul mates and although we've seen the whole mate concept done to death in this genre - this was something a bit different and new so for that alone I give the extra 1/2 star to make it 4 stars. The chemistry was off the page and when we finally got to the sex it was HOT! I loved these two guys together. I'm sure I'll read the next book but I don't find myself in a super hurry to do so.
October 1, 2017
A great story - I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
Tucker and Ryder have been friends since primary school and when they both get bitten by some strange creature their feelings towards each other become more than friendly. They also find that they have become werewolves. On a quest to see if they can reverse this curse/hex they find themselves in the midst of something bigger.
A brilliant tale from a new author for me that I enjoyed so much that I instantly downloaded the sequel - apparently Book 3 is promised but hasn't yet happened, fingers crossed it does soon.
5 stars
Tucker and Ryder have been friends since primary school and when they both get bitten by some strange creature their feelings towards each other become more than friendly. They also find that they have become werewolves. On a quest to see if they can reverse this curse/hex they find themselves in the midst of something bigger.
A brilliant tale from a new author for me that I enjoyed so much that I instantly downloaded the sequel - apparently Book 3 is promised but hasn't yet happened, fingers crossed it does soon.
5 stars
January 29, 2013
4 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Ryder and Tucker are the best of friends and nothing will ever change that, but the days and weeks following an attack by a mysterious creature pushes them to the limit. Discovering they are now Lycan (a long dead race), fighting their inner battles with the wolf spirits and the sudden confusion of being attracted to each other is hard to process, but throw in a series of quests and it just might tear them apart.
This is a great shifter & paranormal novel that delves into imagination and gives us a great mix of paranormal, myths and legends. Ryder is a man who is loyal to a fault but is far from a push over, he will do what has to be done but he also has a nurturing side. Tucker is a man who holds himself in tight control, terrified that he will turn into the kind of man his father was, but he is also loyal and protective and would give up his own happiness to make Ryder happy… oh and they are both very straight. The night they are both bitten is the night it all changes for them; with everything that is thrown at them from that moment on, their greatest fear is losing each other.
This is an excellent story that doesn’t just give us an adventure and action, it also gives us the complex process as Ryder and Tucker have to decide just what to do about their curse and also the new developing feelings they have for each other. The story is from Ryder’s perspective so we get all his feelings and confusion, we do get an idea of what Tucker is also deciding because Ryder knows him so well, but there is still a touch of angst while they process what is going on.
The storyline is brilliant, far from the usually paranormal stories, the background and world building is great so we get a good grip of what is happening in the paranormal world and Ryder and Tucker’s romance is quite realistic to the setting. I absolutely loved the adventure they found themselves on, ending with a series of quests from finding a cure, to discovering a lost relic, to helping a haunted town AND Herne the Huntsman, all the while being chased by hunters who want blood and a Dream Speaker who wants war.
I have to recommend this to those who love paranormal, primal shifters, urban fantasy, alternative world, hot primal sex in shifter form, hot sex in human form, a great adventure, a friends to lovers romance and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Ryder and Tucker are the best of friends and nothing will ever change that, but the days and weeks following an attack by a mysterious creature pushes them to the limit. Discovering they are now Lycan (a long dead race), fighting their inner battles with the wolf spirits and the sudden confusion of being attracted to each other is hard to process, but throw in a series of quests and it just might tear them apart.
This is a great shifter & paranormal novel that delves into imagination and gives us a great mix of paranormal, myths and legends. Ryder is a man who is loyal to a fault but is far from a push over, he will do what has to be done but he also has a nurturing side. Tucker is a man who holds himself in tight control, terrified that he will turn into the kind of man his father was, but he is also loyal and protective and would give up his own happiness to make Ryder happy… oh and they are both very straight. The night they are both bitten is the night it all changes for them; with everything that is thrown at them from that moment on, their greatest fear is losing each other.
This is an excellent story that doesn’t just give us an adventure and action, it also gives us the complex process as Ryder and Tucker have to decide just what to do about their curse and also the new developing feelings they have for each other. The story is from Ryder’s perspective so we get all his feelings and confusion, we do get an idea of what Tucker is also deciding because Ryder knows him so well, but there is still a touch of angst while they process what is going on.
The storyline is brilliant, far from the usually paranormal stories, the background and world building is great so we get a good grip of what is happening in the paranormal world and Ryder and Tucker’s romance is quite realistic to the setting. I absolutely loved the adventure they found themselves on, ending with a series of quests from finding a cure, to discovering a lost relic, to helping a haunted town AND Herne the Huntsman, all the while being chased by hunters who want blood and a Dream Speaker who wants war.
I have to recommend this to those who love paranormal, primal shifters, urban fantasy, alternative world, hot primal sex in shifter form, hot sex in human form, a great adventure, a friends to lovers romance and a happy ending.
July 31, 2012
I have to say I was eagerly anticipating this novel. I really enjoyed the other D. River gay romance/erotica novels. But I'm even more a fan of urban fantasy, so reading that he was writing a urban fantasy was exciting. I was also nervous about him jumping to another genre. Happily, this is now my new favorite River book. Even more happily, it is clearly the first book of a new series.
I really like the world creation. The characters pull me through a story, but in urban fantasy a rich and interesting world thrills me. And the rich world here kept me curious and interested and is a major reason I'm anxious to see more in this series.
At the start of the novel, the protagonists rarely interacted with the supernatural residents of this world. It is largely our world, but throughout their history magical and supernatural creatures (legends in our world) openly exist. But occult denizens are often oppressed and ghettoized here.
The protagonists are best friends since childhood and they're straight. There is a romance storyline between them, but it isn't the typical Gay-For-You. I'm generally skeptical of the idea that sexuality is so fluid that one can switch "for the right person", but the story used the supernatural aspects of the world to make it work for me. Plus, the doubts, fears, and growing relationship between the two was quite sweet.
And this is still erotica, and it's hot. But the sex only appears in a few scenes as the fantasy and relationship-developing fill most of the pages. I'm glad. Well-written sex is great, but I can really sink my canines into the strong story.
I don't want to say more because I want to avoid spoilers on the story, but I found this step into urban fantasy engrossing and very entertaining. I look forward to the next chapter.
I really like the world creation. The characters pull me through a story, but in urban fantasy a rich and interesting world thrills me. And the rich world here kept me curious and interested and is a major reason I'm anxious to see more in this series.
At the start of the novel, the protagonists rarely interacted with the supernatural residents of this world. It is largely our world, but throughout their history magical and supernatural creatures (legends in our world) openly exist. But occult denizens are often oppressed and ghettoized here.
The protagonists are best friends since childhood and they're straight. There is a romance storyline between them, but it isn't the typical Gay-For-You. I'm generally skeptical of the idea that sexuality is so fluid that one can switch "for the right person", but the story used the supernatural aspects of the world to make it work for me. Plus, the doubts, fears, and growing relationship between the two was quite sweet.
And this is still erotica, and it's hot. But the sex only appears in a few scenes as the fantasy and relationship-developing fill most of the pages. I'm glad. Well-written sex is great, but I can really sink my canines into the strong story.
I don't want to say more because I want to avoid spoilers on the story, but I found this step into urban fantasy engrossing and very entertaining. I look forward to the next chapter.
August 5, 2012
I have more than a thousand mm werewolf/shifter files (short stories to novels, many mediocre or worse) in a 4000 file collection of mm fiction/romance in my Calibre library. I think this gives me a wide enough basis of comparison to say the this a really unique and very well written entry into this field, something very different, and the world in which it is set is very interesting and well thought out. The plot was clear and very fast moving, the characters were well developed, and the story quickly drew me in, Once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down and I read it in a single evening. I was very sorry when it ended, wanting to read more. This is clearly set up to be the first in a series and so it leaves some things deliberately unresolved. I hope it receives the audience it deserves and I really look forward to the next novel in the series.
September 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! The author took the time to develop the world she'd set her characters in and the relationship between the MCs was very well paced. They went from being straight best friends to gay and mated and I could feel their struggle to adapt. They didn’t magically know it all about being gay or having a relationship. Their fear and panic of the unknown was palpable and I was rooting for them to make it through it all together. I would definitely read a second book about these characters.
July 19, 2014
Other than the occasional urge to slap one or the other of the MCs upside the head because of stupid thoughts or not communicating with each other, I quite enjoyed this. Familiar themes in a lot of ways but I found the way they were used to be different and interesting.
There definitely needs to be another book or four, though. So many interesting ideas to follow up on, and I'd like to see these characters again.
There definitely needs to be another book or four, though. So many interesting ideas to follow up on, and I'd like to see these characters again.
October 29, 2017
Decent read. I enjoyed the setting and most of the plot. The characters got on my nerves though. I just wanted to smack them and I rolled my eyes a lot. I liked the dynamics between them though. Just some of their choices were not the smartest, and it was glaringly obvious they were trusting the wrong person. I liked the addition to their pack that happens towards the end and the Moon Spirit was fun.
December 4, 2012
One of the better were books I have read - and I have read A LOT of were books.
From what I read from the reviews, I think the more appropriate phrase would be "Wolf for You".
Oh,, and if you're a Teen Wolf fan (the awesome show, not the awful movie), just think...Sterek.:)
From what I read from the reviews, I think the more appropriate phrase would be "Wolf for You".
Oh,, and if you're a Teen Wolf fan (the awesome show, not the awful movie), just think...Sterek.:)
July 22, 2012
3.5 Stars Mostly sex in shifted form.
October 15, 2012
I loved this book! Tucker and Ry made an awesome couple. I'm glad that Ry kicked as much ass as Tucker. He was some little guy that couldn't hold his own. I can't wait for the next book.
October 2, 2015
I REALLY enjoyed this! Very much hope there is more to come!
March 10, 2016
Re-read and enjoyed it as much as the first time.
February 19, 2024
I had a love/disliked relationship with this story, sometimes I loved it, then there times I thought I may DNF it. I am glad I finished it and I will read book 2 Moon Born because overall it wasn't a bad read.
● Paranormal
● Wolf shifters (Lycans)
● A bit of a different take on the Lycan/Wolf shifter story
● Best friends to lovers (this was one of the 'dislike' parts, it worked and it didn't. I think I get where the author was going but it felt off.)
● A family of hunters
● Some magic
● Raising the dead (that was cool)
● Ended up loving the MCs... Ryder & Tucker
● I really felt for Trey
● Some on and off page violence
● I had a few quibbles along the way
● Ryder & Tucker had sex on the brain *rolls eyes* LOL
● There is an HEA but Ryder & Tucker's story doesn't end here
● I seem to have a love/dislike relationship with this author LOL
December 13, 2021
Premise: Two best friends get bitten by a werewolf one day and go on a quest to cure themselves, meeting several people on the way some of whom are out to help/hunt them/use them. Oh, and there are some very helpful and informative ghosts. Meanwhile, the bite makes the best friends GFY.
A very unique take on the werewolf genre. I don't mean the concept of werewolves, that is pretty much the same as expected, but the world building and the slow discovery of werewolf history was interesting. But I'm giving this book three stars only because of the sex. There was a lot of it and it was all, frankly, boring. So that left me to skip a lot of pages.
But, other than that, I liked the progress of the story and it had a very satisfactory HFN, especially since all of my questions were answered. I hate when books don't do that. I'm in the mood for a more fun and fast-paced book now so I won't immediately start the sequel Moon Born but I'm definitely keeping it in my Want-to-read list.
A very unique take on the werewolf genre. I don't mean the concept of werewolves, that is pretty much the same as expected, but the world building and the slow discovery of werewolf history was interesting. But I'm giving this book three stars only because of the sex. There was a lot of it and it was all, frankly, boring. So that left me to skip a lot of pages.
But, other than that, I liked the progress of the story and it had a very satisfactory HFN, especially since all of my questions were answered. I hate when books don't do that. I'm in the mood for a more fun and fast-paced book now so I won't immediately start the sequel Moon Born but I'm definitely keeping it in my Want-to-read list.
Read
August 5, 2022This book is suffering from an identity crisis.
Reaction while reading:
"So there are some weird tonal shifts going on. First bros playing basketball, with gratuitous descriptions of sculpted torsos. Then horny werewolves. Then elementary school flashbacks. Now they are encountering fae forest spirits, collecting sacred acorns. And the ex-marines schtick seems super-tacked on. Do ex-marines often pursue forestry? Who are these characters and what is this story?"
In the end I never really found out. I mean, there were more ghosts than I was expecting?
It meandered along, and at around 90% I still wasn't sure how or if it would end at all. There was a bit of closure, and while not enough tension for a cliffhanger, it's not a complete story either.
Reaction while reading:
"So there are some weird tonal shifts going on. First bros playing basketball, with gratuitous descriptions of sculpted torsos. Then horny werewolves. Then elementary school flashbacks. Now they are encountering fae forest spirits, collecting sacred acorns. And the ex-marines schtick seems super-tacked on. Do ex-marines often pursue forestry? Who are these characters and what is this story?"
In the end I never really found out. I mean, there were more ghosts than I was expecting?
It meandered along, and at around 90% I still wasn't sure how or if it would end at all. There was a bit of closure, and while not enough tension for a cliffhanger, it's not a complete story either.
April 8, 2024
This series is decent but it's unfinished no matter what angle you look at it, and the author seems to have abandoned it. That's what really made me lose interest, I think. It's a pretty hot best friends to werewolf lovers story. The lore of the magical world (including but not limited to werewolves) is unique. The side character Trey throws a nice twist to things. It's a real shame nothing more will ever come of this, most likely.
3 stars for me, could easily be a 4 or 4.5 star series though if it wasn't abandoned.
3 stars for me, could easily be a 4 or 4.5 star series though if it wasn't abandoned.
October 12, 2017
2.5-3 stars
I appreciated the different take to the werewolf myth but certain parts the story weren't engaging to me and I'd have liked something more with regard to the romance between the main couple.
I appreciated the different take to the werewolf myth but certain parts the story weren't engaging to me and I'd have liked something more with regard to the romance between the main couple.
February 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that they had not just one shifted forms. I would have liked to see them in full wolf form more and hopefully we will in the next book. I’m glad they decided to stay lycan.
December 28, 2020
I loved it!!!!!!!
Lycans like not the usual we are used to but the pure wild animal instinct. With a lot of paranormal i hope book 2 will reveal more about it.
To my fantasy lover bookfriends get on it!
P.S.
The love part was genuine to me...!
Lycans like not the usual we are used to but the pure wild animal instinct. With a lot of paranormal i hope book 2 will reveal more about it.
To my fantasy lover bookfriends get on it!
P.S.
The love part was genuine to me...!
Read
July 6, 2021Dnf at 65%
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