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Axton & Leander #1
Winter Wolf
Imagine having almost everything you want: a place of your own, mountains to climb, woods to roam, lakes for swimming, and, above all, privacy. It's Axton's definition of paradise, because a werewolf needs his space and his secrets. He's the resident recluse of a sleepy, far flung town hours away from his cabin in the woods, but there's more than one hidden truth in Axton's life. The lycanthropy's enough to make a hermit out of him, but it's the fact that Axton's gay and closeted that keeps him shy. Friendship--let alone romance--isn't an option. Without a pack for support, Axton has to protect his secrets himself. And that means being careful.
All's well in the shapeshifter's life until the day a well meaning human decides to vacation in the cabin next door. At first Axton wants nothing to do with his new neighbor, but Leander Avilez is a dream: young, strapping, masculine. As if it's not enough that Leander's gorgeous, he's also charming, and Axton finds himself falling hard. But visions of sweet romance aren't in the realistic picture: Leander's thoroughly human. Axton's terrified of intimacy with someone who doesn't know his secret, because his change isn't forced by the full moon. Whenever Axton's hurt or surprised or on edge, he goes wolf--and he can't stop it. How is he supposed to keep his lycanthropy a secret from his new neighbor? And how is he going to hide his growing and undeniable attraction?
And why does Leander have to be straight, with a long list of ex girlfriends?
When Leander goes back to his life in Los Angeles, Axton can breathe a sigh of relief. There's moose to hunt and chores to do, and Axton doesn't have the time for a whirlwind werewolf romance, no matter how compelling the fiction of his erotic daydreams might be. But just when Axton's settled back into the werewolf bachelor groove, Leander comes back for another vacation--and then another, and another. They grow closer in time, but as drunken confessional conversations show, Leander's still straight and, oh, yeah, still totally human. Leander is two types of forbidden temptation at once, and Axton doesn't know how long he can stand it. What's a gay werewolf to do?
After Leander stumbles across what looks like a big bad wolf in the woods one day, he's understandingly a little panicked. Axton feels fifty shades of irrationally rejected by Leander's fear, and it's what finally makes him kiss his gay bromance-turned-romance dreams goodbye. Still, they get along so well, and Leander is the only person he's been close to in years, so Axton resigns himself to being just friends. There's some tension and some tender yearning--and maybe even some awkward almosts--but mostly, Axton's content.
The stakes are upped when Leander visits during a brutal winter, just before the blizzard of the decade hits. The cabins aren't winter proofed, because Axton spends all winter comfortably in his werewolf skin. For a human, the cabins are uncomfortable at best, and skittering towards dangerous as the storm worsens. It's Leander who decides they need to share a cabin and tough out the storm together--and if it was hard to keep his lycanthropy a secret before, Axton's got no idea how to keep Leander from waking up to a face full of fur and teeth now, with temperatures plummeting and emotions running high. But it's when skies clear and a hike goes wrong that things really go deadly.
Alone in the snow and hurt, how long can Leander survive? Will Axton find him in time? And when face to face with a wolf, will Leander be struck silent with wonder, or will he fight for his life?
Treat yourself to this exciting new book!
Blending romance and humor into a struggle for survival, Winter Wolf is a sweet, hot story that's sure to please. Curl up with Axton and Leander this winter and let this shapeshifter romance take you away.
All's well in the shapeshifter's life until the day a well meaning human decides to vacation in the cabin next door. At first Axton wants nothing to do with his new neighbor, but Leander Avilez is a dream: young, strapping, masculine. As if it's not enough that Leander's gorgeous, he's also charming, and Axton finds himself falling hard. But visions of sweet romance aren't in the realistic picture: Leander's thoroughly human. Axton's terrified of intimacy with someone who doesn't know his secret, because his change isn't forced by the full moon. Whenever Axton's hurt or surprised or on edge, he goes wolf--and he can't stop it. How is he supposed to keep his lycanthropy a secret from his new neighbor? And how is he going to hide his growing and undeniable attraction?
And why does Leander have to be straight, with a long list of ex girlfriends?
When Leander goes back to his life in Los Angeles, Axton can breathe a sigh of relief. There's moose to hunt and chores to do, and Axton doesn't have the time for a whirlwind werewolf romance, no matter how compelling the fiction of his erotic daydreams might be. But just when Axton's settled back into the werewolf bachelor groove, Leander comes back for another vacation--and then another, and another. They grow closer in time, but as drunken confessional conversations show, Leander's still straight and, oh, yeah, still totally human. Leander is two types of forbidden temptation at once, and Axton doesn't know how long he can stand it. What's a gay werewolf to do?
After Leander stumbles across what looks like a big bad wolf in the woods one day, he's understandingly a little panicked. Axton feels fifty shades of irrationally rejected by Leander's fear, and it's what finally makes him kiss his gay bromance-turned-romance dreams goodbye. Still, they get along so well, and Leander is the only person he's been close to in years, so Axton resigns himself to being just friends. There's some tension and some tender yearning--and maybe even some awkward almosts--but mostly, Axton's content.
The stakes are upped when Leander visits during a brutal winter, just before the blizzard of the decade hits. The cabins aren't winter proofed, because Axton spends all winter comfortably in his werewolf skin. For a human, the cabins are uncomfortable at best, and skittering towards dangerous as the storm worsens. It's Leander who decides they need to share a cabin and tough out the storm together--and if it was hard to keep his lycanthropy a secret before, Axton's got no idea how to keep Leander from waking up to a face full of fur and teeth now, with temperatures plummeting and emotions running high. But it's when skies clear and a hike goes wrong that things really go deadly.
Alone in the snow and hurt, how long can Leander survive? Will Axton find him in time? And when face to face with a wolf, will Leander be struck silent with wonder, or will he fight for his life?
Treat yourself to this exciting new book!
Blending romance and humor into a struggle for survival, Winter Wolf is a sweet, hot story that's sure to please. Curl up with Axton and Leander this winter and let this shapeshifter romance take you away.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2012
29 people are currently reading
1449 people want to read
About the author
S.P. Wayne
3 books142 followersS.P. Wayne lives and writes, sometimes even at the same time, in the American South. Her undergraduate degree is in psychology with a focus in animal behavior, and she's still not really sure why she did that to herself. She did briefly work in a zoo and was best friends with a gorilla, though, and that's pretty cool. Sometimes she writes articles about minority representation in comic books and sometimes she writes reviews of red lipsticks. As a Latina who grew up in Miami, she enjoys tropical and sub-tropical temperatures and yet writes endlessly about snow. Secretly, she writes poetry.
You can find her at used book stores, comic book shops, cafes, discotheques, the gym, and anywhere the sleepless over-caffeinated people of the world go late at night.
You can find her at used book stores, comic book shops, cafes, discotheques, the gym, and anywhere the sleepless over-caffeinated people of the world go late at night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
August 31, 2014
i don't always drink beer. but when i do...
hey! wtf! shifter book begun on a lark turns out to be awesomesauce? what fresh hells...?
writerly nits i am unable to refrain from picking, thusly spoiler tagged that you may freely ignore them if you so wish:
BUT!
check out all this awesome stuff!
so.
yeah.
problems. soooooo many problems. and yet—somehow—this book took me so far out of my own head i forgot about the sekret pain i've been nursing for months.
legit-legit. i was on that goddamned mountain with those boys.
simply lovely, and nuanced, and evidence of an irritatingly fulsome literary talent i can't wait to enjoy again.
and there are seeeeeeeequels!!!
hey! wtf! shifter book begun on a lark turns out to be awesomesauce? what fresh hells...?
writerly nits i am unable to refrain from picking, thusly spoiler tagged that you may freely ignore them if you so wish:
BUT!
check out all this awesome stuff!
- wonderful banter
- beautiful, jack-london-esque descriptions of the setting that served to highlight the isolation and hard-won parameters of our hero's current existence alone in the wilderness
- a truly engaging MC, and a nicely-drawn, semi-douche (and thus deliciously imperfect) love interest
- sly humor, served hot and pert
- lovely UST that had me helplessly grinding my junk into my mattress
- a vision of werewolves that actually makes a lick of sense, devoid of nearly all the power games and dominance play some people are completely obsessed-with but not me and look i'm totally not judging okay so hey let's not send me hate-tweets plz kthx
so.
yeah.
problems. soooooo many problems. and yet—somehow—this book took me so far out of my own head i forgot about the sekret pain i've been nursing for months.
legit-legit. i was on that goddamned mountain with those boys.
simply lovely, and nuanced, and evidence of an irritatingly fulsome literary talent i can't wait to enjoy again.
and there are seeeeeeeequels!!!
July 28, 2013
Oh, I really enjoyed this one.
The storyworld is a large step up from the usual tropey werewolf stuff. Axton's wilderness is beautiful in its starkness, and it fits him like a skin. The developing relationship is slow and calm, and seemed very real: closeness is followed by withdrawal, as Axton's seasons turn. I enjoyed the friendship between them in its own right. I was happy to read about Axton and Leander together, without dying of angst for Axton and Leander to be together.
One of the delights is the dialogue between the MCs. This is the most believable werewolf story I've read. Without pushing it too much Axton is clearly not human, but just in a kind of askew, different-way-of-experiencing the world way.
"Your hair gel smells expensive," Axton answered promptly, and then he actually heard the words that came out of his mouth. "I mean. Um."
"I'm not sure what to do with that information".
I found this pairing quietly humorous: not laugh out loud funny, but definitely chuckle out loud funny.
Ok, yes, there are some flaws. This wasn't edited, and it shows in a few missing words throughout, an adverb confusion, and at least one spell-check artifact ("he fund mentally believed"). The whole book is from Axton's pov, and then suddenly, half way, there's two sentences from Leander's pov. Then at 64% there's a whole lot from his pov, because Axton's not present, and Wayne didn't quite think this through. Also, that blurb *headdesk*. Please don't read the blurb.
I would have voted for this for among the best of 2013 if the author hadn't released it in late December 2012: another newbie mistake that I wish I could fix.
But you know what? It doesn't matter. The storytelling is strong enough that the flaws are worth it. I devoured it cover to cover and couldn't put it down.
Definitely recommended.
The storyworld is a large step up from the usual tropey werewolf stuff. Axton's wilderness is beautiful in its starkness, and it fits him like a skin. The developing relationship is slow and calm, and seemed very real: closeness is followed by withdrawal, as Axton's seasons turn. I enjoyed the friendship between them in its own right. I was happy to read about Axton and Leander together, without dying of angst for Axton and Leander to be together.
One of the delights is the dialogue between the MCs. This is the most believable werewolf story I've read. Without pushing it too much Axton is clearly not human, but just in a kind of askew, different-way-of-experiencing the world way.
"Your hair gel smells expensive," Axton answered promptly, and then he actually heard the words that came out of his mouth. "I mean. Um."
"I'm not sure what to do with that information".
I found this pairing quietly humorous: not laugh out loud funny, but definitely chuckle out loud funny.
Ok, yes, there are some flaws. This wasn't edited, and it shows in a few missing words throughout, an adverb confusion, and at least one spell-check artifact ("he fund mentally believed"). The whole book is from Axton's pov, and then suddenly, half way, there's two sentences from Leander's pov. Then at 64% there's a whole lot from his pov, because Axton's not present, and Wayne didn't quite think this through. Also, that blurb *headdesk*. Please don't read the blurb.
I would have voted for this for among the best of 2013 if the author hadn't released it in late December 2012: another newbie mistake that I wish I could fix.
But you know what? It doesn't matter. The storytelling is strong enough that the flaws are worth it. I devoured it cover to cover and couldn't put it down.
Definitely recommended.
November 25, 2024
Truly magnificent. I have never read such a wonderful book about werewolves. Werewolves aren't my favorite anymore, I've just had too many books that were all kind of the same. This one is unique.
It might be a bit because Axton is a lone wolf and doesn't have a pack, because I usually don't like the pack mentality that is portrayed in these books. But regardless of that, I'm really excited about the portrayal of the werewolf. It's wonderful how his wolfish and human nature get along, harmonize and make up the character itself.
Axton squinted his eyes once and remembered how handshakes worked. Right hand to right hand, firm but not too firm--careful of your wolf's strength, up and then down... ☺️🐾☺️
His encounters with Leander are rather simple at the beginning and tend to confuse the wolf. I think it's wonderful how he gradually gains trust in the human, but still keeps his distance.
He tried to look straight at Leander, but he found direct eye contact difficult--it wasn't something that wolves did. Direct eye contact was friendly with humans, but it was a challenge with wolves, and Axton had never been very good at cleanly switching between worlds. 🥺🐾🥺
The plot progresses slowly and Axton always has time to be completely wolf when Leander leaves the mountains to work in the city. I was worried that this might annoy me as I don't like interruptions in the main plot, but I couldn't put the book down.
The writing style is terrific for me, but may not be for everyone. Most of it is written from Axton's point of view and every now and then there are glimpses from Leander's side, but unfortunately they are a bit fluid, there are no clear divisions. Slightly confusing ... But I have to admit that I really liked it.
Yes and then there's a snowstorm and some drama, but even that was really perfectly written, not too much and felt very natural. And I love how these two are forced into more closeness and how they get even closer later after the secrets are revealed.
"Will you come when I call, Axton?" he asked, almost sing song for the double entendre.
"Yes," Axton moaned, beyond caring which way Leander meant the question, "Yes. Always." He would come for Leander over any distance, he would climb any mountain to be at his side, he would drop what he was doing to run to Leander in case he was in danger. He would come obediently and find Leander at the call of his name. He would come in messy spurts over his fingers when Leander asked.
"Good boy," 🫠🥵🫠
Just one more note, as this is not usually read so readily. This book is tagged with “gay for you” and yes, it kind of is. Leander is actually straight and Axton seems to be an exception for him. His sexuality doesn't play much of a role though, meaning there are no annoying inner monologues about how he should define himself now. For this first book, he simply accepts his attraction to Axton.
Intimacy only comes at the end of the book anyway, before that it's mainly about establishing the friendship between the two.
Goodness I love this book and thank Angelika for putting it on my radar. 😘
It might be a bit because Axton is a lone wolf and doesn't have a pack, because I usually don't like the pack mentality that is portrayed in these books. But regardless of that, I'm really excited about the portrayal of the werewolf. It's wonderful how his wolfish and human nature get along, harmonize and make up the character itself.
Axton squinted his eyes once and remembered how handshakes worked. Right hand to right hand, firm but not too firm--careful of your wolf's strength, up and then down... ☺️🐾☺️
His encounters with Leander are rather simple at the beginning and tend to confuse the wolf. I think it's wonderful how he gradually gains trust in the human, but still keeps his distance.
He tried to look straight at Leander, but he found direct eye contact difficult--it wasn't something that wolves did. Direct eye contact was friendly with humans, but it was a challenge with wolves, and Axton had never been very good at cleanly switching between worlds. 🥺🐾🥺
The plot progresses slowly and Axton always has time to be completely wolf when Leander leaves the mountains to work in the city. I was worried that this might annoy me as I don't like interruptions in the main plot, but I couldn't put the book down.
The writing style is terrific for me, but may not be for everyone. Most of it is written from Axton's point of view and every now and then there are glimpses from Leander's side, but unfortunately they are a bit fluid, there are no clear divisions. Slightly confusing ... But I have to admit that I really liked it.
Yes and then there's a snowstorm and some drama, but even that was really perfectly written, not too much and felt very natural. And I love how these two are forced into more closeness and how they get even closer later after the secrets are revealed.
"Will you come when I call, Axton?" he asked, almost sing song for the double entendre.
"Yes," Axton moaned, beyond caring which way Leander meant the question, "Yes. Always." He would come for Leander over any distance, he would climb any mountain to be at his side, he would drop what he was doing to run to Leander in case he was in danger. He would come obediently and find Leander at the call of his name. He would come in messy spurts over his fingers when Leander asked.
"Good boy," 🫠🥵🫠
Just one more note, as this is not usually read so readily. This book is tagged with “gay for you” and yes, it kind of is. Leander is actually straight and Axton seems to be an exception for him. His sexuality doesn't play much of a role though, meaning there are no annoying inner monologues about how he should define himself now. For this first book, he simply accepts his attraction to Axton.
Intimacy only comes at the end of the book anyway, before that it's mainly about establishing the friendship between the two.
Goodness I love this book and thank Angelika for putting it on my radar. 😘
February 15, 2014
**Free again at Amazon US, 2/15/14! The story has also been edited since I have read it so this is a great freebie!**
When I first started this book I thought I was going to drop it after just a few pages. My brain hurt trying to read it. It is just riddled with typos, run on sentences, and POVs that shift from paragraph to paragraph. It made reading quite confusing at times and pretty irritating. Still, I soldiered on and gave it the ol' college try. I have to say, the story is pretty sweet so I was able to read it all, and, in the end, enjoy it. I usually really like were-shifter books so it had that going for it. I also tend to like GFY stories, so this worked for me, topic-wise. I think this book could be really something if it had a good editor. It needs some serious cleaning up. Like major editing overhaul. I'm being generous and going for 3 stars because the story was pretty endearing.
When I first started this book I thought I was going to drop it after just a few pages. My brain hurt trying to read it. It is just riddled with typos, run on sentences, and POVs that shift from paragraph to paragraph. It made reading quite confusing at times and pretty irritating. Still, I soldiered on and gave it the ol' college try. I have to say, the story is pretty sweet so I was able to read it all, and, in the end, enjoy it. I usually really like were-shifter books so it had that going for it. I also tend to like GFY stories, so this worked for me, topic-wise. I think this book could be really something if it had a good editor. It needs some serious cleaning up. Like major editing overhaul. I'm being generous and going for 3 stars because the story was pretty endearing.
January 4, 2015
Written January 3, 2015
4.4 Shining Stars - Amazingly wonderful cozy - Simply heart-warming 'Wolf' reading
Book #1
In immediately need for another gay wolf-shifter story the other day I remembered this one there deep in my shelves. ~ Quite a boring not at all tempting cover... but who knows?! Never judge by the outside.
A few goofy happy dance steps on my kitchen floor...
So charmingly good - Yay, yay!!
I'm both surprised and very impressed. Next to full point from me for this shifter tale. ~ Andrea and company; You're all right, this is an enchanting M/M to not forget in the shelves.
***********************************************************
Winter Wolf is an boys loves boys PNR about the wolf shapeshifter Axton. A man in his thirties living alone in the big woods in a small cabin. One spring day he gets an, and only, new neighbor. A man named Leander.
Leander, a blond goodlooking young big city lawyer, is a friendly guy who want to experience some hiking and outdoor life on his vacations. A man who fascinate and is kind of enchanting charming for this lonely wolf. ~ But is isn't all that easy and this isn't an insta love (or insta happening) story. Leander is straight and in no way an werewolf. Two problems to start with for poor Axton.
Slowly starts an beautiful love tale...
***********************************************************
What a charming and delightfully cute "gay-for-you-my-wolf" story this turned out to be. I don't think I've read a shifter romance that the feeling of half animal half human been so palpable and present. This was a tender sweet wolfs, or a very lone werewolfs, own love-tale.
We were all the time so close to those magnificent forests, lakes and mountains of this, both summer and winter, nature set. We went with the wolf's daily lives for a time, his happy running, his longing and beautiful love for this human man, but also sometimes so realistic sad (loneliness...) thoughts.
..All this, so beautifully told, made my heart melt for this shifter-gem.
Axton is an amazing charming and wonderful shifter character and I look forward to meeting him later in the subsequent book, #2 - City Wolf. There I hope I'll get to know Leander more as well.
***********************************************************
Once a freebie book straight to the "later-shelf"...
There may be small flaws (such as other readers previously complained about) but for me they were in such cases trivial. Maybe it all went a bit too fast in the end (...but OMG we have to be very patient before we are there), but nevertheless, a heartbreaking heartmelting slowly developed romance.
Hurray for a perfect book choice (—after some less great audiobooks).
This is romantic quite simple romance stuff in the very best way.
Recommended for all you wolf-lovers and romantics readers who likes snow.
I LIKE - I enjoyed!
*********
Amazon freebie (Febr 16, 2014). Loved by a lot if friends... like Honeybunny Andrea.
4.4 Shining Stars - Amazingly wonderful cozy - Simply heart-warming 'Wolf' reading
Book #1
In immediately need for another gay wolf-shifter story the other day I remembered this one there deep in my shelves. ~ Quite a boring not at all tempting cover... but who knows?! Never judge by the outside.
A few goofy happy dance steps on my kitchen floor...
So charmingly good - Yay, yay!!
I'm both surprised and very impressed. Next to full point from me for this shifter tale. ~ Andrea and company; You're all right, this is an enchanting M/M to not forget in the shelves.
***********************************************************
Winter Wolf is an boys loves boys PNR about the wolf shapeshifter Axton. A man in his thirties living alone in the big woods in a small cabin. One spring day he gets an, and only, new neighbor. A man named Leander.
Leander, a blond goodlooking young big city lawyer, is a friendly guy who want to experience some hiking and outdoor life on his vacations. A man who fascinate and is kind of enchanting charming for this lonely wolf. ~ But is isn't all that easy and this isn't an insta love (or insta happening) story. Leander is straight and in no way an werewolf. Two problems to start with for poor Axton.
Slowly starts an beautiful love tale...
‘The long, mournful howl he'd heard only once before filled his ears and his heart, and he shuddered.’
***********************************************************
What a charming and delightfully cute "gay-for-you-my-wolf" story this turned out to be. I don't think I've read a shifter romance that the feeling of half animal half human been so palpable and present. This was a tender sweet wolfs, or a very lone werewolfs, own love-tale.
We were all the time so close to those magnificent forests, lakes and mountains of this, both summer and winter, nature set. We went with the wolf's daily lives for a time, his happy running, his longing and beautiful love for this human man, but also sometimes so realistic sad (loneliness...) thoughts.
..All this, so beautifully told, made my heart melt for this shifter-gem.
"Is this what you want?" he murmured, lips wet against Axton's neck, "Here?" Axton strained up in answer, canting his head to the side, offering his neck. "Yes," he breathed. Leander bit.
Axton is an amazing charming and wonderful shifter character and I look forward to meeting him later in the subsequent book, #2 - City Wolf. There I hope I'll get to know Leander more as well.
***********************************************************
Once a freebie book straight to the "later-shelf"...
There may be small flaws (such as other readers previously complained about) but for me they were in such cases trivial. Maybe it all went a bit too fast in the end (...but OMG we have to be very patient before we are there), but nevertheless, a heartbreaking heartmelting slowly developed romance.
Hurray for a perfect book choice (—after some less great audiobooks).
This is romantic quite simple romance stuff in the very best way.
Recommended for all you wolf-lovers and romantics readers who likes snow.
I LIKE - I enjoyed!
*********
Amazon freebie (Febr 16, 2014). Loved by a lot if friends... like Honeybunny Andrea.
February 6, 2022
2nd Read
*5 Stars *
*MM Romance, Contemporary, Wolf-Shifter, Friend-to-Lover, GFY/Bisexuality/First Time, Slow Burn, Low-Med Heat *
I am increasing my rating to 5 Stars because Winter Wolf is better on the second read.
This is honestly one of my favorite interpretations of the wolf-shifter; the detail in the wolf-form of the main character brings the kind of realism that is usually lacking in most PRN books.
I also have to say that sometimes I need a languid book that allows a romance to flourish not over a week but over the years, which is what this series is. There is hesitancy, awkwardness, friendship, laughter, worry, jealousy, relief, and the beautiful aspects of two lives slowly melding together.
I seriously love this book and recommend it to PRN lovers.
1st Read
4.25 Stars
This is unlike most shifter books because lycanthropy is described in-depth, and I haven't seen it before.
A decade of solitude in the wilderness has led to Axton being more connected to his wolf instincts than his human ones. As a result, his social cues are off. As a result, he struggles to maintain his human form under duress.
When he finds himself drawn to his new neighbor, Leander, he's further conflicted within himself. Both wolf and man want the proximity but are distraught over their shared secret of his sexuality and nature.
Winter Wolf appeals for its languid pace.
Time spent basking in the summer sun, sharing fish over a fire, hiking through the wilderness, sharing warmth during a winter storm. Silence, contemplation, companionship.
Seasons pass, and their friendship evolves slowly and beautifully.
The transition to more is abrupt but adds that oomph to the story right when it began to lag for me. However, I won't deny my patience was starting to thin a bit at Axton's understandable fear.
Leander, is a conundrum to me. I don't feel like I know him all that well just yet. But his persistence in befriending his unfriendly neighbor, seeking him out, teasing out a smile and a laugh out of him. He's charming and knows when to push and manipulate Axton.
I'm charmed by Winter Wolf . Truly, very charmed. The writing itself is very beautiful even with a few POV and editing niggles. Onwards
*5 Stars *
*MM Romance, Contemporary, Wolf-Shifter, Friend-to-Lover, GFY/Bisexuality/First Time, Slow Burn, Low-Med Heat *
I am increasing my rating to 5 Stars because Winter Wolf is better on the second read.
This is honestly one of my favorite interpretations of the wolf-shifter; the detail in the wolf-form of the main character brings the kind of realism that is usually lacking in most PRN books.
I also have to say that sometimes I need a languid book that allows a romance to flourish not over a week but over the years, which is what this series is. There is hesitancy, awkwardness, friendship, laughter, worry, jealousy, relief, and the beautiful aspects of two lives slowly melding together.
I seriously love this book and recommend it to PRN lovers.
1st Read
4.25 Stars
This is unlike most shifter books because lycanthropy is described in-depth, and I haven't seen it before.
A decade of solitude in the wilderness has led to Axton being more connected to his wolf instincts than his human ones. As a result, his social cues are off. As a result, he struggles to maintain his human form under duress.
When he finds himself drawn to his new neighbor, Leander, he's further conflicted within himself. Both wolf and man want the proximity but are distraught over their shared secret of his sexuality and nature.
Winter Wolf appeals for its languid pace.
Time spent basking in the summer sun, sharing fish over a fire, hiking through the wilderness, sharing warmth during a winter storm. Silence, contemplation, companionship.
Seasons pass, and their friendship evolves slowly and beautifully.
The transition to more is abrupt but adds that oomph to the story right when it began to lag for me. However, I won't deny my patience was starting to thin a bit at Axton's understandable fear.
Leander, is a conundrum to me. I don't feel like I know him all that well just yet. But his persistence in befriending his unfriendly neighbor, seeking him out, teasing out a smile and a laugh out of him. He's charming and knows when to push and manipulate Axton.
I'm charmed by Winter Wolf . Truly, very charmed. The writing itself is very beautiful even with a few POV and editing niggles. Onwards
January 3, 2025
This was just so wonderful and when I say I flew through this, I mean it. I read it all in one sitting and I can’t remember the last time that happened!
This is not your typical pack, alpha, moon shifter story but the story of beautiful, lonely, isolated, closeted and 100% lovable werewolf Axton, who was shunned by his family for being gay and now lives tucked away in and with nature and its seasons - but utterly alone.
Until the beautiful, straight, human city boy Leander buys the cabin next door and a slow, tentative friendship is formed. What follows is a whole lot of longing, pining and unrequited affection but also shenanigans, laughter and the adventures of a new friendship. I simply couldn’t get enough!
I especially appreciated the authors choice to switch up the regular lore behind werewolves and make shifting not about the ‘pull of the moon’ but about emotions and self preservation. I thought it gave Ax and the story an extra interesting and unique layer.
The writing was beautiful, even though the change of POV for sometimes not more than one sentence in a paragraph threw me more often than not. I think it would have been a better choice to stick to one POV altogether or switch perspectives between chapters.
Also: while I adored Ax (seriously, I love him so much, my poor, precious, beautiful baby), I didn’t really connect with Leander much. I think this mostly comes down to his (almost) absent POV and the fact that this is the first book of a trilogy, so the author probably wants to keep some stuff for the next books?
One last thing, that might be relevant for some of you: Leander is ‘straight’ for most of the book and quite the playboy, so he talks about his past and present girlfriends with our other MC Ax, and it does break his heart a little. All of this is before they get together though and completely off page. Just a heads up!
4,5⭐️
This is not your typical pack, alpha, moon shifter story but the story of beautiful, lonely, isolated, closeted and 100% lovable werewolf Axton, who was shunned by his family for being gay and now lives tucked away in and with nature and its seasons - but utterly alone.
Until the beautiful, straight, human city boy Leander buys the cabin next door and a slow, tentative friendship is formed. What follows is a whole lot of longing, pining and unrequited affection but also shenanigans, laughter and the adventures of a new friendship. I simply couldn’t get enough!
I especially appreciated the authors choice to switch up the regular lore behind werewolves and make shifting not about the ‘pull of the moon’ but about emotions and self preservation. I thought it gave Ax and the story an extra interesting and unique layer.
The writing was beautiful, even though the change of POV for sometimes not more than one sentence in a paragraph threw me more often than not. I think it would have been a better choice to stick to one POV altogether or switch perspectives between chapters.
Also: while I adored Ax (seriously, I love him so much, my poor, precious, beautiful baby), I didn’t really connect with Leander much. I think this mostly comes down to his (almost) absent POV and the fact that this is the first book of a trilogy, so the author probably wants to keep some stuff for the next books?
One last thing, that might be relevant for some of you: Leander is ‘straight’ for most of the book and quite the playboy, so he talks about his past and present girlfriends with our other MC Ax, and it does break his heart a little. All of this is before they get together though and completely off page. Just a heads up!
4,5⭐️
October 22, 2024
Awesome, truly unique werewolf shifter romance.
I adored Axton. I loved to see the world through his eyes. The plot was fantastic, I was glued to the pages.
Most of the time we get Axton's pov, but there were a few small glimpses from Leander's pov.
Stellar character development and relationship development.
Ax's longing, knowing Leander would never be for him, was heart breaking.
There were a few things I could nitpick at (the not existent editing for example) but for once I enjoyed myself so much while reading, I have nothing negative to say.
Hopping directly to the next installment, because I need much, much more time with them as a couple, the last chapters were not nearly enough.
Just a few quotes..
"Oh, god. Axton went wide eyed. He was being hugged. It was a very man to man hug, quick with hips far apart, but still. Axton blushed harder and tried to not die until he was released."
"Axton pretended to fish for a while, but then just enjoyed floating peacefully in the middle of his lake. His lake. His territory. Yes. His--
--he glanced at Leander--
Friend. Yes."
"Then Axton turned, fluid as shadows in the night, and changed shapes before his paws hit the floor. He tore down the road as fast as he could, feet hardly touching the ground. Tongue lolling, eyes wide, he didn't stop until he skipped to the edge of the first sharp curve--
He howled, deep and dark like water that had never seen sunlight."
"Axton bowed his head and stayed like that for a moment, snowflakes drifting onto his dark lashes. Was this his life? Was this who he was? Was he always going to be so distracted by beauty that he lost all sense of danger? Other people didn't do that, surely? What was the normal way to love?"
I adored Axton. I loved to see the world through his eyes. The plot was fantastic, I was glued to the pages.
Most of the time we get Axton's pov, but there were a few small glimpses from Leander's pov.
Stellar character development and relationship development.
Ax's longing, knowing Leander would never be for him, was heart breaking.
There were a few things I could nitpick at (the not existent editing for example) but for once I enjoyed myself so much while reading, I have nothing negative to say.
Hopping directly to the next installment, because I need much, much more time with them as a couple, the last chapters were not nearly enough.
Just a few quotes..
"Oh, god. Axton went wide eyed. He was being hugged. It was a very man to man hug, quick with hips far apart, but still. Axton blushed harder and tried to not die until he was released."
"Axton pretended to fish for a while, but then just enjoyed floating peacefully in the middle of his lake. His lake. His territory. Yes. His--
--he glanced at Leander--
Friend. Yes."
"Then Axton turned, fluid as shadows in the night, and changed shapes before his paws hit the floor. He tore down the road as fast as he could, feet hardly touching the ground. Tongue lolling, eyes wide, he didn't stop until he skipped to the edge of the first sharp curve--
He howled, deep and dark like water that had never seen sunlight."
"Axton bowed his head and stayed like that for a moment, snowflakes drifting onto his dark lashes. Was this his life? Was this who he was? Was he always going to be so distracted by beauty that he lost all sense of danger? Other people didn't do that, surely? What was the normal way to love?"
December 28, 2015
4 Stars
This story was charming, delightful, soul-stirring, and even heart-stoppingly intense towards the end there. I really enjoyed this one.
Axton is a lone gay werewolf, living the life of a recluse, far away from civilisation. He spends the majority of his time in his wolf form, changing to his “human configuration” when he finds the need to use those handy things we call thumbs. He lives the simple life, hidden away in the mountains, living mainly off the land, in a remote cabin he calls home. Life is lonely, but he’s safe.
Enter Leander. Leander is a young, very human, (seemingly) straight lawyer, who buys the only other cabin for miles around right near Axton’s. He wants a place to relax, a place to escape from the intensity of his city life whenever work permits time off.
Over the course of several “getaway” visits, Leander befriends Axton, imploring Axton to teach him what he knows about surviving in such a remote environment. The two spend a lot of time getting to know each other on hikes, while fishing or simply when lazing around by the peaceful lake.
This was very much a GFY story, with Leander being quite the ladies man when he meets Axton. The romance is a major slow-build, with none of the insta-love/MINE reactions that are so common in gay shifter stories. I loved the progression and pace of Axton and Leander’s relationship. In fact, I enjoyed the aspects of their growing friendship even more than the romantic feelings that ultimately sprang from it. This story didn’t delve too deeply into the romantic aspect of their love, but that’s what sequels are for!
Let it be known that Axton completely stole my heart with his endearingly sweet nature. I can’t recall the last time I found a character this lovable.
My one niggle was with the writing. There were more than a few grammatical errors scattered throughout this story, but it's nothing a subsequent edit couldn't fix.
This story was charming, delightful, soul-stirring, and even heart-stoppingly intense towards the end there. I really enjoyed this one.
Axton is a lone gay werewolf, living the life of a recluse, far away from civilisation. He spends the majority of his time in his wolf form, changing to his “human configuration” when he finds the need to use those handy things we call thumbs. He lives the simple life, hidden away in the mountains, living mainly off the land, in a remote cabin he calls home. Life is lonely, but he’s safe.
Enter Leander. Leander is a young, very human, (seemingly) straight lawyer, who buys the only other cabin for miles around right near Axton’s. He wants a place to relax, a place to escape from the intensity of his city life whenever work permits time off.
Over the course of several “getaway” visits, Leander befriends Axton, imploring Axton to teach him what he knows about surviving in such a remote environment. The two spend a lot of time getting to know each other on hikes, while fishing or simply when lazing around by the peaceful lake.
This was very much a GFY story, with Leander being quite the ladies man when he meets Axton. The romance is a major slow-build, with none of the insta-love/MINE reactions that are so common in gay shifter stories. I loved the progression and pace of Axton and Leander’s relationship. In fact, I enjoyed the aspects of their growing friendship even more than the romantic feelings that ultimately sprang from it. This story didn’t delve too deeply into the romantic aspect of their love, but that’s what sequels are for!
Let it be known that Axton completely stole my heart with his endearingly sweet nature. I can’t recall the last time I found a character this lovable.
My one niggle was with the writing. There were more than a few grammatical errors scattered throughout this story, but it's nothing a subsequent edit couldn't fix.
February 1, 2013
I'm having really good luck with m/m shifter romance so far this year. Each book just keeps getting better. I loved this story about wild reclusive young werewolf Axton whose wilderness seclusion is disturbed by a handsome city boy who begins to spend his holidays in a nearby cabin. Axton's skittishness and distrust slowly dissolve as the two men become closer and closer. This is a real slow burn romance. They don't get together till about 80% but the build-up is worth it. I couldn't resist Axton and his loyal unrequited love for Leander. It was so poignant. There's a very hopeful HFN ending but I feel I need some more stories about these two. How does Axton go in the city??? What about his pack? The townspeople? Will they accept what's going on?
Highly recommended for m/m shifter fans.
Edit: Saw this on the author's website: The start of trilogy! Will werewolf Axton get to die alone as a peaceful hermit, or is he going to do something stupid like fall for the attractive and meddlesome human next door?
COMING IN SPRING and SUMMER 2013:
City wolf and Running Wolf
Highly recommended for m/m shifter fans.
Edit: Saw this on the author's website: The start of trilogy! Will werewolf Axton get to die alone as a peaceful hermit, or is he going to do something stupid like fall for the attractive and meddlesome human next door?
COMING IN SPRING and SUMMER 2013:
City wolf and Running Wolf
March 4, 2014
4.5 Stars
This book! This story…WOW! It really caught me off guard. It’s beautiful, funny, sweet, and sexy. I adored every snow covered slope, warm sunny nap, and slow, tense push & pull captured on the page. Winter Wolf had it all. Everything I needed to keep me up all night reading and dreaming of wolves, snow, campfires, and love.
Axton prowls, paces, and guards his territory and life with silence and isolation. Away from it all--surrounded by woods, mountains, space, and privacy. His life seems to move with the seasons, the wind, water, and earth—it all swept me right in. A lonely sort of quiet settled over me as a got deeper and deeper into Axton’s patterns and world. A world filled with nature, past pains, and secrets. You see…Axton is a werewolf. A wolf surviving and living off of the land all by himself. No pack, no family, no friends, hell—very little human contact at all. Often forgetting many of his human ways, manners, words, and Haha…clothes along the way. You have to wonder if his locked away world is to protect others from his werewolf ways or to protect his heart from getting hurt again. But everything changes when his new neighbor, Leander, knocks on his door stirring up a whirlwind of emotion and need. Slowly making his way into Axton’s world and heart.
”There were many reasons Axton had settled into his isolated territory, but getting to experience winter to the fullest was his own private thrill. It was a time of year he always longed for, the stillness and the storms and the fervent joy of being the undisputed master of a clandestine kingdom.”
Ms. Wayne has a beautiful way with language and descriptions. Not just bringing the landscape alive but…everything! From the time of day to the cool cabin floorboards! Little phrases like “fullness of time” or how his hair “caught the sunshine” completely captivated and pulled me deeper into the magic. I could feel Axton curl up with regret, want, or loneliness and feel his joy as he padded along the earth. I loved this world! It felt so secluded and intimate to me. Just theirs—Axton and Leander’s special place and spot in the world to share. And oh, how I loved Axton and Leander.
”Axton’s breath caught in his throat—Leander was so close, and his neck was right there and, god, the crook of that muscular shoulder. Axton wanted to bury his face in it and never come up for air, living off the sweet scent there, all woods and man and confidence.”
The slow, patient way Ms. Wayne brings these two together as neighbors, friends, and maybe more was dazzling. Ups and downs. Tension and warmth. They would push at each other with humor and questions, but then pull each other even closer. Little by little. The buildup made my heart and stomach tense, flutter, and flip! I could feel how much Axton wanted more, but held back. His shyness was so adorable and heartbreaking at times. A shyness that came through in such small, beautiful ways--a shrug, shiver, blush or silent moment. Oh, the silence! The silence in this book is loaded with delicious, sexy tension. The way Axton and Leander could share time, grins, and quiet moments was gorgeous! Sometimes all I could hear was the crackle of the campfire or wind moving through the trees as they sat shoulder to shoulder sharing the night. Ms. Wayne knows how to use her silence! One of my favorite author skills. You have to jump into this world to feel the winter air, peace, chills, and heat.
I hope that made some kind of sense. I’m running on about three hours of sleep today, but wanted to pour my love out on the page right away. It is a rare and special reading experience for me to just sit down and read it all—take it all in—in one sitting. I could not stop reading last night. *sigh* A book experience I will cherish.
Go read it now! It’s a beautiful story alive with nature, friendship, and love.
June 16, 2017
3.5 Stars
First off if you hate grammatical errors and typos then this book is not for you. Second, if you hate slow burn romances then again, this book is not for you.
The above blurb is quite extensive and does not need rehashing. What I will tell you is that this book took its time in telling the story and progressing the relationship, but I was surprisingly ok with that (kind of akin to Wake Me Up or Chase the Storm). Axton's quirkiness and literalness was charming and endearing; his yearning and loneliness were palpable. Trapped into isolation of his own design and of necessity, his unrequited love for Leander was painful to witness.
However this is an m/m romance after all and a nice GFY one at that, once Leander catches on. I thought the progression was pretty realistic and of course I wanted more in the relationship development - good thing there's a sequel :)
First off if you hate grammatical errors and typos then this book is not for you. Second, if you hate slow burn romances then again, this book is not for you.
The above blurb is quite extensive and does not need rehashing. What I will tell you is that this book took its time in telling the story and progressing the relationship, but I was surprisingly ok with that (kind of akin to Wake Me Up or Chase the Storm). Axton's quirkiness and literalness was charming and endearing; his yearning and loneliness were palpable. Trapped into isolation of his own design and of necessity, his unrequited love for Leander was painful to witness.
However this is an m/m romance after all and a nice GFY one at that, once Leander catches on. I thought the progression was pretty realistic and of course I wanted more in the relationship development - good thing there's a sequel :)
August 12, 2016
DNF at 53%
You can't blame me-you can see I TRIED !
The first time I wanted to give up I was at 5%, this status didn't change from that moment, but to give up at 10% wasn't fairly and I am a fair reader.
So...
I can say NOTHING positive about this book.
Unappealing MCs, an amateur writing, bad dialogues-I swear my 12 and 13 years old nephews are much more mature in thier wording(don't delude yourself, it is not a YA book, Leander is a lawyer!!).
Not to mention an extremely boring plot.
You won't find my name on the waiting list for the next sequels.
My advice-try first the sample and decide after if it is one for you.
It was not for me.
For me it was one of the worst books I've read this year.
January 1, 2015
Two aspects of this story appealed to me. First the lack of instalove in a shifter book was a charming change if bucking the basic premise of mates/shifters. Second, the sense of place with the sensual descriptions of the surrounding environment even when it was fierce and deadly was alluring. On the other hand, the near broken state of Ax was heartbreaking and since a great deal of the narrative explored his thoughts and feelings which were self denigrating and repetitive was sad and almost too much. This is a very slow burn, gay for you story that takes the path less traveled. Re the sequel: I'd like to see how Ax takes to the city, but I will miss the woods.
Enjoyable for those who are patient and like melancholic suffering.
Enjoyable for those who are patient and like melancholic suffering.
February 3, 2013
4.5
I don't do shifter stories, normally. But something in MandyM's review spoke to me and her reviews have been like little 'x marks the spot' treasure locators for me lately, so I thought I'd give it a go.
And I struck gold! Winter Wolf hit many soft spots; the slow burn romance, the beautiful descriptions of Axton's hermit-like paradise in the woods (which is pretty much my idea of paradise too)and the poignant, almost sad, unrequited aspect to it that just hurts soooo gooood.
Axton and Leander have a way to go still in their relationship- too many imbalances and uncertainties and the fact that Leander still appears to be a somewhat benevolent asshole... so thank goodness there's a sequel due, in Spring 2013, apparently.
Highly recommended!
I don't do shifter stories, normally. But something in MandyM's review spoke to me and her reviews have been like little 'x marks the spot' treasure locators for me lately, so I thought I'd give it a go.
And I struck gold! Winter Wolf hit many soft spots; the slow burn romance, the beautiful descriptions of Axton's hermit-like paradise in the woods (which is pretty much my idea of paradise too)and the poignant, almost sad, unrequited aspect to it that just hurts soooo gooood.
Axton and Leander have a way to go still in their relationship- too many imbalances and uncertainties and the fact that Leander still appears to be a somewhat benevolent asshole... so thank goodness there's a sequel due, in Spring 2013, apparently.
Highly recommended!
July 19, 2025
Re-read November 2024: god, this was even better the second (third? fourth?) time around
This is one of those cases where the writing is a bit wonky -- head-hopping and some sloppy editing -- but the story and characters win the day. A basic, sparse, intimate tale: man, werewolf, two cabins, and an, at first tentative, later all-encompassing friendship set against the backdrop of a vast, harsh, beautiful wilderness. Throw in a traumatic backstory, intense loneliness, exquisite pining, peril, hurt/ comfort, and biawakening, and it's a potent mix.
A very promising series start, and book 2 is already on my kindle. My favorite wolfy couple since Cooper and Park -- high praise, indeed.
Might round up once I've read the whole series -- we leave them at an HFN, but this is very clearly just the beginning of their story.
ETA October 2023: yeps, I'm rounding up
This is one of those cases where the writing is a bit wonky -- head-hopping and some sloppy editing -- but the story and characters win the day. A basic, sparse, intimate tale: man, werewolf, two cabins, and an, at first tentative, later all-encompassing friendship set against the backdrop of a vast, harsh, beautiful wilderness. Throw in a traumatic backstory, intense loneliness, exquisite pining, peril, hurt/ comfort, and biawakening, and it's a potent mix.
A very promising series start, and book 2 is already on my kindle. My favorite wolfy couple since Cooper and Park -- high praise, indeed.
Might round up once I've read the whole series -- we leave them at an HFN, but this is very clearly just the beginning of their story.
ETA October 2023: yeps, I'm rounding up
January 11, 2025
the pov was really annoying bc i’m pretty sure it was supposed to be 3rd person from axton’s pov, but we’d randomly get a paragraph from leander every now and then??? at least i’ve officially reconfirmed omniscient pov would not be for me😵💫
the story was slower, which i was actually hoping for bc i wanted a slow, cozy, wintry vibe, but oops it actually ended up being slow boring😭 don’t listen to me tho, i’m in a mood recently and nothing i pick up works for me😭😭 ugh it’s too bad bc i realllyyy loved the premise, but skipping thru the sex scenes is the clearest sign of i’m done with this that’s possible and guess what ya girl was doing🤷♀️ sigh!
the story was slower, which i was actually hoping for bc i wanted a slow, cozy, wintry vibe, but oops it actually ended up being slow boring😭 don’t listen to me tho, i’m in a mood recently and nothing i pick up works for me😭😭 ugh it’s too bad bc i realllyyy loved the premise, but skipping thru the sex scenes is the clearest sign of i’m done with this that’s possible and guess what ya girl was doing🤷♀️ sigh!
December 31, 2020
I kind of loved this, though it was very slow burn.
Axton is a hermit who lives in the remote woods, near mountain foothills. He's a hermit because he's a werewolf without a pack who can't always control his shift, so staying alone is the best way to stay hidden.
Then he gets a sometimes-neighbor when Leander buys the cabin a quarter mile away as a kind of mountain retreat. Axton has been alone a long time, and whatever social skills he once had are....rusty, LOL. To say the least, he's anything but happy to have someone invade his haven. But his natural curiosity eventually puts him at Leander's door, and a friendship begins.
The story unfolds over several seasons, where Leander plans to visit maybe once or twice a year but finds himself coming more and more. They enjoy each other's company and though Axton never stops yearning, he mostly accepts that nothing can ever happen with them. Axton is gay *though he never says so to Leander, it doesn't come up* and Leander is straight. And human. When Leander is gone though, his life carries on and mostly, Axton is content.
Until Leander pays an unexpected winter visit, and disaster strikes. And then secrets come out.
I loved the way the relationship between these two develops, though it really does take a while. There's painful longing on Axton's part but his nature won't let him dwell on it. He's one of the most realistic werewolves I've ever read in his behavior, his thoughts and his reactions *at least as I would think of a werewolf, anyway* and Axton always has to work hard to hide that. Almost everything is from Axton's POV, so you don't really get to know too much of what Leander thinks or feels but I like how easy he is with Axton and how kind, never poking *much* at his awkwardness.
The writing is excellent and despite the at times somewhat slow pace, I was never bored. Being in Axton's head as both wolf and man was fascinating, and I really liked him.
I only had a couple of small issues. Mostly that after all the buildup, the ending felt rushed and kind of abrupt. And wow, . These were only small niggles though, and didn't keep me from loving the story. ❤ I look forward to following Axton to the city!
Thanks again to Kathleen, who was my awesome Secret Santa, for the book. I loved it! 😊
****
WinterElflette thinks I’ve been way better than I have but I greatly appreciate the fabulous gift, thank you!! 🥰
Axton is a hermit who lives in the remote woods, near mountain foothills. He's a hermit because he's a werewolf without a pack who can't always control his shift, so staying alone is the best way to stay hidden.
Then he gets a sometimes-neighbor when Leander buys the cabin a quarter mile away as a kind of mountain retreat. Axton has been alone a long time, and whatever social skills he once had are....rusty, LOL. To say the least, he's anything but happy to have someone invade his haven. But his natural curiosity eventually puts him at Leander's door, and a friendship begins.
The story unfolds over several seasons, where Leander plans to visit maybe once or twice a year but finds himself coming more and more. They enjoy each other's company and though Axton never stops yearning, he mostly accepts that nothing can ever happen with them. Axton is gay *though he never says so to Leander, it doesn't come up* and Leander is straight. And human. When Leander is gone though, his life carries on and mostly, Axton is content.
Until Leander pays an unexpected winter visit, and disaster strikes. And then secrets come out.
I loved the way the relationship between these two develops, though it really does take a while. There's painful longing on Axton's part but his nature won't let him dwell on it. He's one of the most realistic werewolves I've ever read in his behavior, his thoughts and his reactions *at least as I would think of a werewolf, anyway* and Axton always has to work hard to hide that. Almost everything is from Axton's POV, so you don't really get to know too much of what Leander thinks or feels but I like how easy he is with Axton and how kind, never poking *much* at his awkwardness.
The writing is excellent and despite the at times somewhat slow pace, I was never bored. Being in Axton's head as both wolf and man was fascinating, and I really liked him.
I only had a couple of small issues. Mostly that after all the buildup, the ending felt rushed and kind of abrupt. And wow, . These were only small niggles though, and didn't keep me from loving the story. ❤ I look forward to following Axton to the city!
Thanks again to Kathleen, who was my awesome Secret Santa, for the book. I loved it! 😊
****
WinterElflette thinks I’ve been way better than I have but I greatly appreciate the fabulous gift, thank you!! 🥰
February 27, 2014
This book is simply breathtaking and it's going straight up there with some of my all time favorite reads! From the first to the very last page I was captivated, I loved the simplicity of the story, the beautiful landscape, and the often very funny/sarcastic humor between Axton and Leander.
After being banished from his pack, Axton is forced to live an extremely isolated existence and has spend years living on his own in a cabin hundreds of miles from the the nearest town. He is free to live his life just the way he likes but is withdrawn and a bit of a sad figure. He find himself completely thrown when Leander, a lively, confident, and handsome guy moves into a nearby cabin. Axton's not used to having to deal with having anyone around but soon starts to enjoy spending time with Leander, showing him the sites. They soon become inseparable and start to realise exactly how much they mean to one other.
Favorite part...
This was an absolutely beautiful, slow burn GFY and I'd definitely recommend.
After being banished from his pack, Axton is forced to live an extremely isolated existence and has spend years living on his own in a cabin hundreds of miles from the the nearest town. He is free to live his life just the way he likes but is withdrawn and a bit of a sad figure. He find himself completely thrown when Leander, a lively, confident, and handsome guy moves into a nearby cabin. Axton's not used to having to deal with having anyone around but soon starts to enjoy spending time with Leander, showing him the sites. They soon become inseparable and start to realise exactly how much they mean to one other.
Favorite part...
This was an absolutely beautiful, slow burn GFY and I'd definitely recommend.
January 7, 2025
This was extremely readable - Axton is a super sweet MC & POV character. I found his slice-of-life wolf-ing/human-ing soothing, and I appreciated the story’s steady pace.
I was very charmed by all of Axton’s wolfy qualities that came through even when he was a human - it made me nostalgic for Fitz circa Robin Hobb’s Tawny Man Trilogy. Unfortunately musing along those lines (could you read Winter Wolf as a contemporary/paranormal AU? Reader, you could not) just had me thinking about how much more depth of storytelling - and how much more sad tragic isolated lonely wolfy father-figure-issues angst! - there is in that series than in this book. An unfair comparison, I am completely aware, since that series is probably well over a thousand pages (amongst thousands more pages of related series) and this book is just the first book in what I’m sure is a very decent self-published trilogy… it’s a respectable effort, I guess is what I’m saying, but that’s all.
What didn’t work for me was Leander’s characterization in the latter part of the book. His POV would slip through every once in a while in the earlier chapters, which felt much more like a self-publishing glitch than a conscious choice - in any case it felt like a sharp left turn to go from the way his POV was originally written, + the way he was characterized through Axton’s eyes, to the choices he made later on in the book. I think a later draft of this book might have laid that groundwork a little more successfully. As it was the later sexual developments just didn’t feel plausible to me. At the same time, there were some bold, fascinating choices re. the werewolf plot developments, one in particular, which I wish had been explored further; that aspect of the story felt set to the side a little in favor of accomplishing the HFN.
DNF @ 95%. I might read the next one, though - I would be interested to see how this author approaches a setting so different from the one in this book.
I was very charmed by all of Axton’s wolfy qualities that came through even when he was a human - it made me nostalgic for Fitz circa Robin Hobb’s Tawny Man Trilogy. Unfortunately musing along those lines (could you read Winter Wolf as a contemporary/paranormal AU? Reader, you could not) just had me thinking about how much more depth of storytelling - and how much more sad tragic isolated lonely wolfy father-figure-issues angst! - there is in that series than in this book. An unfair comparison, I am completely aware, since that series is probably well over a thousand pages (amongst thousands more pages of related series) and this book is just the first book in what I’m sure is a very decent self-published trilogy… it’s a respectable effort, I guess is what I’m saying, but that’s all.
What didn’t work for me was Leander’s characterization in the latter part of the book. His POV would slip through every once in a while in the earlier chapters, which felt much more like a self-publishing glitch than a conscious choice - in any case it felt like a sharp left turn to go from the way his POV was originally written, + the way he was characterized through Axton’s eyes, to the choices he made later on in the book. I think a later draft of this book might have laid that groundwork a little more successfully. As it was the later sexual developments just didn’t feel plausible to me. At the same time, there were some bold, fascinating choices re. the werewolf plot developments, one in particular, which I wish had been explored further; that aspect of the story felt set to the side a little in favor of accomplishing the HFN.
DNF @ 95%. I might read the next one, though - I would be interested to see how this author approaches a setting so different from the one in this book.
July 7, 2020
***3.5 - 4 ❤***
August 12, 2019
These guys certainly didn't rush things.
Axton is a lone wolf, and he likes it that way. So when Leander shows up and becomes his neighbor, he's quite annoyed. He only gets to see Leander in summers, when the man leaves the city to unwind. Axton shows everything to Leander in the area, they go hiking and fishing, and they slowly become friends, while Axton is trying to hide his secrets.
Up until 70% not much happened, besides Leander planting himself very firmly in Axton's life, while Ax is pining after Leander. We get to witness how Axton's feelings evolved from that early annoyance to adoration and love. It was quite the journey.
I enjoyed reading his thoughts, he's a funny and adorable guy. And the slow realization that he was falling in love, and his love is not returned because Leander isn't gay, was really heartbreaking.
The last few chapters were really intense, both plot-wise and emotionally. I thought it would be fluffy and cheesy but it went in a different direction and was all the better for it.
Still, there was one tiny thing that I would have liked some kind of explanation, but I'm hoping it was left unsaid because we get to learn more about it in book 2.
Also would like to know more of their history, especially Leander. He's life in the city is a bit of a mystery. Good thing book 2 is titled City Wolf. :)
This book ended with a HFN, and not a strong one. I feel like this is just the beginning of something beautiful.
Just a few thoughts about the writing: It's true that pov switches happened. We started with Axton and then Leander's thought started popping up here and there for one paragraph, and by the end he almost had a whole chapter to himself. I'm not sure if it was deliberate on the author's part, or she originally wanted to write in ominous pov (if so, that didn't work). And yes, it could have been better edited. But If you can overlook these things, your in for a treat.
3.5 stars rounded down. I enjoyed it and looking forward to the next.
Axton is a lone wolf, and he likes it that way. So when Leander shows up and becomes his neighbor, he's quite annoyed. He only gets to see Leander in summers, when the man leaves the city to unwind. Axton shows everything to Leander in the area, they go hiking and fishing, and they slowly become friends, while Axton is trying to hide his secrets.
Up until 70% not much happened, besides Leander planting himself very firmly in Axton's life, while Ax is pining after Leander. We get to witness how Axton's feelings evolved from that early annoyance to adoration and love. It was quite the journey.
I enjoyed reading his thoughts, he's a funny and adorable guy. And the slow realization that he was falling in love, and his love is not returned because Leander isn't gay, was really heartbreaking.
The last few chapters were really intense, both plot-wise and emotionally. I thought it would be fluffy and cheesy but it went in a different direction and was all the better for it.
Still, there was one tiny thing that I would have liked some kind of explanation, but I'm hoping it was left unsaid because we get to learn more about it in book 2.
Also would like to know more of their history, especially Leander. He's life in the city is a bit of a mystery. Good thing book 2 is titled City Wolf. :)
This book ended with a HFN, and not a strong one. I feel like this is just the beginning of something beautiful.
Just a few thoughts about the writing: It's true that pov switches happened. We started with Axton and then Leander's thought started popping up here and there for one paragraph, and by the end he almost had a whole chapter to himself. I'm not sure if it was deliberate on the author's part, or she originally wanted to write in ominous pov (if so, that didn't work). And yes, it could have been better edited. But If you can overlook these things, your in for a treat.
3.5 stars rounded down. I enjoyed it and looking forward to the next.
October 23, 2015
I liked this right up until 75%.
This book had the slowest burns of slow burns. When I got to 75% and still NOTHING happened, I started to get irritated. Up until that point I thought this would be a 4 star book.
Axton is a lone werewolf living alone in a cabin. He has been alone for years until he gets a new neighbor. Leander is kind and wants to be friends with Axton. But Axton doesn’t know how to do the social thing. (That was pretty cute)
Leander is only at the cabin for several weeks in the summer and in winter. But the two develop a deep friendship anyway. Axton just feels he can never let Leander know his two secrets, that he is gay and that he is a werewolf.
I couldn’t get a good feel for Axton in the first half of the book, but as the story progressed I started to really like him.
As I did Leander, right up until the point he does something very weird. Axton and Leander are trying to survive outside in a blizzard. When Axton finds Leander, he is asleep so Axton goes to sleep beside Leander in his wolf form to keep him warm.
Leander is shocked to find a wolf next to him when he wakes up. And here is where the crazy starts. Axton is no threat at all, he doesn’t attack Leander or makes any sudden moves and Leander grabs his knife and stabs Axton 3 times and then kicks him off the mountain!!
Euuh what??
Even when he thought it is a wolf, you don’t go around killing animals that are not attacking you…
When Leander finds Axton in human form he doesn’t suspect Axton is the wolf he just tried to kill. They go back to the cabin and Leander nurses Axton back to health.
After this there is some kissing, some sex, some manipulation (), and some angst. This part was awful. Especially the manipulation. Leander was such a dick.
Once they start talking, the fact that Leander stabbed Axton with a knife repeatedly never comes up! If I were him I would have at least said sorry….
The GFY aspect of this story was terrible. Leander just decides to go gay for Axton. It was totally unnecessary for the story. They GFY could have been left out completely. But by that time I hated Leander and skipped the frotting. It wasn’t even hot.
There is a very tiny HFN at the end. No love declarations, nothing. They will just see each other in a few months.
This could have been so good! But it was awful and frustrated the hell out of me….
This book had the slowest burns of slow burns. When I got to 75% and still NOTHING happened, I started to get irritated. Up until that point I thought this would be a 4 star book.
Axton is a lone werewolf living alone in a cabin. He has been alone for years until he gets a new neighbor. Leander is kind and wants to be friends with Axton. But Axton doesn’t know how to do the social thing. (That was pretty cute)
Leander is only at the cabin for several weeks in the summer and in winter. But the two develop a deep friendship anyway. Axton just feels he can never let Leander know his two secrets, that he is gay and that he is a werewolf.
I couldn’t get a good feel for Axton in the first half of the book, but as the story progressed I started to really like him.
As I did Leander, right up until the point he does something very weird. Axton and Leander are trying to survive outside in a blizzard. When Axton finds Leander, he is asleep so Axton goes to sleep beside Leander in his wolf form to keep him warm.
Leander is shocked to find a wolf next to him when he wakes up. And here is where the crazy starts. Axton is no threat at all, he doesn’t attack Leander or makes any sudden moves and Leander grabs his knife and stabs Axton 3 times and then kicks him off the mountain!!
Euuh what??
Even when he thought it is a wolf, you don’t go around killing animals that are not attacking you…
When Leander finds Axton in human form he doesn’t suspect Axton is the wolf he just tried to kill. They go back to the cabin and Leander nurses Axton back to health.
After this there is some kissing, some sex, some manipulation (), and some angst. This part was awful. Especially the manipulation. Leander was such a dick.
Once they start talking, the fact that Leander stabbed Axton with a knife repeatedly never comes up! If I were him I would have at least said sorry….
The GFY aspect of this story was terrible. Leander just decides to go gay for Axton. It was totally unnecessary for the story. They GFY could have been left out completely. But by that time I hated Leander and skipped the frotting. It wasn’t even hot.
There is a very tiny HFN at the end. No love declarations, nothing. They will just see each other in a few months.
This could have been so good! But it was awful and frustrated the hell out of me….
September 20, 2013
Axton, Axton, Axton… what are we going to do with you? Ah, maybe Leander knows, yes… it appears that he does.
Axton ‘s voice is snarky, intelligent, fun, a bit anti-social and distant. Of course, this is understandable as he’s been living in near isolation in his cabin in the woods, away from people and other werewolves. Ah, yes, he’s a were, who was banished from his pack. I’ll let him tell you that story when you read it, just like he did with Leander. Back to the distant thing for a moment, it seems to be a fragile thing that he’s ready to break free of if given a chance – not necessarily by someone else but by his own self.
And then there is Leander. He’s kind, capable, in tune, caring, teasing and his level of smartassery is quite healthy. Man, gotta love when two smartasses get together! I know I have more fun. ;) Anyway, these two challenge each other, physically and otherwise. They are two strong men with solid beliefs but wavering ideas. They seem at once both very compatible and yet at odds. It’s not that they aren’t trying because they are. It has that familiar ring of when you’re getting to know someone and there are fits and starts, successes and failures when reading and reacting to each other’s actions and emotions. Things are always more difficult when there are secrets and unknowns.
I had no idea what was coming about ¾’s of the way through this book. My heart was strangled, racing, the desperation and despair were dripping from the pages. The clashing elation and fear, what was going to happen??? My heart could barely take it, especially when I would insist on holding my breath. For those first three quarters, we experience the two steps forward, three steps back Axton and Leander take through several of their seasons. Sometimes together, sometimes not.
The tub scene. I shall only say that is one of the most tenderly, sensuously written passages I have read in a long ass time. It’s a turning point, it’s palpable the significance in this quiet act. When you know, when you want… mercifully, Axton has no clue at this moment, he’s simply in it.
I could see some readers tossing this into the pile with others who conclude that the ending was too fast, things were resolved too quickly. I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. What we have here is how life measures itself often: in millennia and milliseconds. It can be months or years before you hear the crackle and see the flash and smell the change. Suddenly, your plans, assumptions, fears and resignations get tossed right out of the swinging porch door, our heart taking command. We get to see, hear, taste, smell and feel their starts and stutters until their life together may finally be beginning. They have many seasons, and more, yet to share. There is immense promise for so much more.
So if you’re looking for a fun, creative story with character voices that can’t help but give you no choice to keep reading and find out what they’ll next say and do, this book is for you. *Grins*
Axton ‘s voice is snarky, intelligent, fun, a bit anti-social and distant. Of course, this is understandable as he’s been living in near isolation in his cabin in the woods, away from people and other werewolves. Ah, yes, he’s a were, who was banished from his pack. I’ll let him tell you that story when you read it, just like he did with Leander. Back to the distant thing for a moment, it seems to be a fragile thing that he’s ready to break free of if given a chance – not necessarily by someone else but by his own self.
And then there is Leander. He’s kind, capable, in tune, caring, teasing and his level of smartassery is quite healthy. Man, gotta love when two smartasses get together! I know I have more fun. ;) Anyway, these two challenge each other, physically and otherwise. They are two strong men with solid beliefs but wavering ideas. They seem at once both very compatible and yet at odds. It’s not that they aren’t trying because they are. It has that familiar ring of when you’re getting to know someone and there are fits and starts, successes and failures when reading and reacting to each other’s actions and emotions. Things are always more difficult when there are secrets and unknowns.
I had no idea what was coming about ¾’s of the way through this book. My heart was strangled, racing, the desperation and despair were dripping from the pages. The clashing elation and fear, what was going to happen??? My heart could barely take it, especially when I would insist on holding my breath. For those first three quarters, we experience the two steps forward, three steps back Axton and Leander take through several of their seasons. Sometimes together, sometimes not.
The tub scene. I shall only say that is one of the most tenderly, sensuously written passages I have read in a long ass time. It’s a turning point, it’s palpable the significance in this quiet act. When you know, when you want… mercifully, Axton has no clue at this moment, he’s simply in it.
I could see some readers tossing this into the pile with others who conclude that the ending was too fast, things were resolved too quickly. I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. What we have here is how life measures itself often: in millennia and milliseconds. It can be months or years before you hear the crackle and see the flash and smell the change. Suddenly, your plans, assumptions, fears and resignations get tossed right out of the swinging porch door, our heart taking command. We get to see, hear, taste, smell and feel their starts and stutters until their life together may finally be beginning. They have many seasons, and more, yet to share. There is immense promise for so much more.
So if you’re looking for a fun, creative story with character voices that can’t help but give you no choice to keep reading and find out what they’ll next say and do, this book is for you. *Grins*
February 26, 2014
If I could give Winter Wolf 50 ★stars★..it still wouldn't be enough because it was just that charmingly entertaining and grade A+ for content.
It hit on all my elements and for me..was a writer/reader chemistry match made in heaven. Understated humor that some might not be able to fully appreciate, as it's subtle but just enough. And the names..for once (oddly) I found them crazy-compelling. My next dog is going to be named Axton.
I'm not very shifter-friendly and tend to shy away from such reads..as they seem to be churned out in far too alarming frequency in Twilight-cult-like-volume..so I'm often mistrustful of such things.
But this one had that wonderful..just-out-of-the-dryer warmth and fresh-laundered fragrance I've come to recognize when a writer might be onto something..and I appreciated it immensely.
This will be only my second shifter book that I was able to embrace within the first few pages (1st being A Thread of Deepest Black)..so really nice job..and great catch.
It hit on all my elements and for me..was a writer/reader chemistry match made in heaven. Understated humor that some might not be able to fully appreciate, as it's subtle but just enough. And the names..for once (oddly) I found them crazy-compelling. My next dog is going to be named Axton.
I'm not very shifter-friendly and tend to shy away from such reads..as they seem to be churned out in far too alarming frequency in Twilight-cult-like-volume..so I'm often mistrustful of such things.
But this one had that wonderful..just-out-of-the-dryer warmth and fresh-laundered fragrance I've come to recognize when a writer might be onto something..and I appreciated it immensely.
This will be only my second shifter book that I was able to embrace within the first few pages (1st being A Thread of Deepest Black)..so really nice job..and great catch.
October 14, 2019
It actually pains me to give this book this rating, because it was such a great story, it's deserving of 5 stars. However, the editing is a bit wonky, so I can't in good conscience, give it that 5, lovely though it was. I'd love to see this story in the hands of a good editor, to fix the wrong words and the occasional, jarring bits of head hopping, I bet it would be wonderful.
Axton and Leander were such good characters, although, since most of the story was told in Axton's POV, Leander stayed a bit of a mystery, even at the very end. I wanted to know how his feelings for Axton grew, since he was a straight guy. However, it never felt awkward or forced, it moved along at a perfect pace.
Loved this story, and now am looking forward to seeing Axton joining Leander in his own world, for a change.
Axton and Leander were such good characters, although, since most of the story was told in Axton's POV, Leander stayed a bit of a mystery, even at the very end. I wanted to know how his feelings for Axton grew, since he was a straight guy. However, it never felt awkward or forced, it moved along at a perfect pace.
Loved this story, and now am looking forward to seeing Axton joining Leander in his own world, for a change.
February 11, 2015
Shhhhhhh.
This is a sneak review
A sneak read
The past few weeks I haven't had much time to read, review, even breathe.
I have ARCs and a beta-read that Im looking forward to finishing... but I cant concentrate until next week so I thought, let me not take reading seriously this week, let me just read whatever in 5 min stretches just to clear my mind, find my Zen, Find ME again.
And so I went, a book here and there, some ok, some DNFs, nothing WOW.
Cause as per my Monday rant with #teampuffyeyes books have seriously just ugh... taken a downfall. NA acting all YA, girls that do end up in the pages acting all dramaish, jealous, just seriously annoying. But alas this is a rant for another time.
Connections are told not shown.
Sex in the 1st 3 chapters. insta love.
What happened to good old sexual tension? What happened to feeling those connections??? It seemed as if it has seriously disappeared
So I start Winter Wolf, going in knowing that I don't do shifter books. If I read a paranormal I do vampires, not wolves.
There are editing issues, spelling errors. I could go on but for what????? Because these errors didn't take away from the fact that this author... this author SHOWED ME the connection btwn the 2 MCs.
This author showed me the vulnerability that I have been missing btwn 2 people who really like and want each other. This author showed me, gave me, with every bated breath some glorious sexual tension.
This author showed me how 1 lone wolf could make my heart sing, and hurt, and pound hard. And wish. And wait. And anticipate that 1st kiss. The 1st touch.
This book was so good. Im in love with Axton. So in love with him. GOD.
Dont make me go on.
I like Leander, But my heart beats for Axton
Shhhhhh
I gotta go, I cant keep singing praises, someone is calling me to do something or other.
Mare~Slitsread
This is a sneak review
A sneak read
The past few weeks I haven't had much time to read, review, even breathe.
I have ARCs and a beta-read that Im looking forward to finishing... but I cant concentrate until next week so I thought, let me not take reading seriously this week, let me just read whatever in 5 min stretches just to clear my mind, find my Zen, Find ME again.
And so I went, a book here and there, some ok, some DNFs, nothing WOW.
Cause as per my Monday rant with #teampuffyeyes books have seriously just ugh... taken a downfall. NA acting all YA, girls that do end up in the pages acting all dramaish, jealous, just seriously annoying. But alas this is a rant for another time.
Connections are told not shown.
Sex in the 1st 3 chapters. insta love.
What happened to good old sexual tension? What happened to feeling those connections??? It seemed as if it has seriously disappeared
So I start Winter Wolf, going in knowing that I don't do shifter books. If I read a paranormal I do vampires, not wolves.
There are editing issues, spelling errors. I could go on but for what????? Because these errors didn't take away from the fact that this author... this author SHOWED ME the connection btwn the 2 MCs.
This author showed me the vulnerability that I have been missing btwn 2 people who really like and want each other. This author showed me, gave me, with every bated breath some glorious sexual tension.
This author showed me how 1 lone wolf could make my heart sing, and hurt, and pound hard. And wish. And wait. And anticipate that 1st kiss. The 1st touch.
This book was so good. Im in love with Axton. So in love with him. GOD.
Dont make me go on.
I like Leander, But my heart beats for Axton
Shhhhhh
I gotta go, I cant keep singing praises, someone is calling me to do something or other.
Mare~Slitsread
November 27, 2013
A shifter I like!
I usually avoid shifter books, but Nikyta tricked me into reading this one swearing that it was different. So I set aside my aversion of all-things-shifters and dove right in...
In the beginning...
It started off a bit slow and there were so many editing mistakes and typos it was driving me crazy! Plus, there was head-hopping that drove me even more crazy than the typos...but I was determined to keep going and not let that hinder me too much...
Eventually...
I fell in love with Axton. The majority of the story was told from his POV and what was going on in his wolfy head. Here is Axton who spends his life as a lone wolf living in a cabin out in the middle of nowhere land...mostly in his wolf form to survive the harsh conditions. Then he gets a new, human neighbor, Leander, and his whole world is turned upside down. It gets a bit dark at times and there is very little dialogue, but I think the author perfectly captured the character of Axton and humanized him, even when such a large part of him was still animal.
And then finally...
There was romance! This was very slow burn, friends to lovers and I just loved the sweetness of Leander and Axton's friendship and how to slowly developed into more. I was briefly disappointed when it ended because I wanted more Axton and Leander, but then I saw there was a sequel planned. Now I'm all sad again because I have to wait indefinitely for it to release.
4 Stars because Axton will stick with me for a while.
I usually avoid shifter books, but Nikyta tricked me into reading this one swearing that it was different. So I set aside my aversion of all-things-shifters and dove right in...
In the beginning...
It started off a bit slow and there were so many editing mistakes and typos it was driving me crazy! Plus, there was head-hopping that drove me even more crazy than the typos...but I was determined to keep going and not let that hinder me too much...
Eventually...
I fell in love with Axton. The majority of the story was told from his POV and what was going on in his wolfy head. Here is Axton who spends his life as a lone wolf living in a cabin out in the middle of nowhere land...mostly in his wolf form to survive the harsh conditions. Then he gets a new, human neighbor, Leander, and his whole world is turned upside down. It gets a bit dark at times and there is very little dialogue, but I think the author perfectly captured the character of Axton and humanized him, even when such a large part of him was still animal.
And then finally...
There was romance! This was very slow burn, friends to lovers and I just loved the sweetness of Leander and Axton's friendship and how to slowly developed into more. I was briefly disappointed when it ended because I wanted more Axton and Leander, but then I saw there was a sequel planned. Now I'm all sad again because I have to wait indefinitely for it to release.
4 Stars because Axton will stick with me for a while.
July 25, 2016
3.5
Axton was one of the most interesting and different werewolves that I've read about in a long time. He's definitely more comfortable being a wolf so reading his struggles as he tried to remember his humanity when faced with his new neighbor was killer.
I loved the first 3/4 of this book with the focus on those struggles and the friendship that grew between him and Leander.
Unfortunately, the last 1/4 seemed rushed for me. I think Leander was too easily convinced of Axton's lycanthropy. I was also hoping for more of a stable ending for their relationship. Are they mates? Friends with benefits? Will Leander only come back to the cabin quarterly? It was all far too ambiguous for me to be really happy with it.
Still, it was definitely a unique spin on werewolf stories because so few give us the view point of the wolf. I adored Axton, I just wish that I loved Leander more.
ETA: I just found out this is part of a trilogy. Book 2 is called City Wolf! Blurb: Eventually leaving the security and sanctity of his forest to visit his lover, Axton finds himself in love and in Los Angeles. Life for a reclusive wolf isn’t easy in tinsel town, but every day gets sweeter. Everything is approaching perfection when Axton’s past suddenly starts to catch up with him…
Book 3: Running Wolf (No blurb available)
Okay, knowing that there's more story to come and questions will have answers have made me feel much better about this read.
Axton was one of the most interesting and different werewolves that I've read about in a long time. He's definitely more comfortable being a wolf so reading his struggles as he tried to remember his humanity when faced with his new neighbor was killer.
I loved the first 3/4 of this book with the focus on those struggles and the friendship that grew between him and Leander.
Unfortunately, the last 1/4 seemed rushed for me. I think Leander was too easily convinced of Axton's lycanthropy. I was also hoping for more of a stable ending for their relationship. Are they mates? Friends with benefits? Will Leander only come back to the cabin quarterly? It was all far too ambiguous for me to be really happy with it.
Still, it was definitely a unique spin on werewolf stories because so few give us the view point of the wolf. I adored Axton, I just wish that I loved Leander more.
ETA: I just found out this is part of a trilogy. Book 2 is called City Wolf! Blurb: Eventually leaving the security and sanctity of his forest to visit his lover, Axton finds himself in love and in Los Angeles. Life for a reclusive wolf isn’t easy in tinsel town, but every day gets sweeter. Everything is approaching perfection when Axton’s past suddenly starts to catch up with him…
Book 3: Running Wolf (No blurb available)
Okay, knowing that there's more story to come and questions will have answers have made me feel much better about this read.
September 3, 2016
I'm just going to make a few points because I basically said everything in my updates.
I enjoyed Axton's character. He's socially awkward, shy, and a bit on the submissive side. He was cute, and I grew to like him. By midway through, I started to get into the story more and the scenery and the world drew me in.
However, I simply couldn't get past the editing issues. There were problems with spelling, it was repetitive, head-hopping, etc. It needed major editing. I heard there may be an edited version out there, but I did not have it.
I also didn't like the dialogue. It seemed like both MC's were still in high school and this is not a YA book. It didn't fit the characters or Axton's inner voice.
This book just didn't work for me. I wasn't into the characters enough to overlook these issues.
I enjoyed Axton's character. He's socially awkward, shy, and a bit on the submissive side. He was cute, and I grew to like him. By midway through, I started to get into the story more and the scenery and the world drew me in.
However, I simply couldn't get past the editing issues. There were problems with spelling, it was repetitive, head-hopping, etc. It needed major editing. I heard there may be an edited version out there, but I did not have it.
I also didn't like the dialogue. It seemed like both MC's were still in high school and this is not a YA book. It didn't fit the characters or Axton's inner voice.
This book just didn't work for me. I wasn't into the characters enough to overlook these issues.
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