Grim Tide

by Ivy Whitaker

After a life-changing accident, Karina Levy begins a new life, upending everything she's ever known to move across the country. Avery Locke has become her anchor, inspiring something in her that resonates with the monster she's a Werewolf.

They're buried alive by Pleasant Valley's mysteries. For every fistful of dirt they push away another fills their mouth. They cannot be together until all truths are laid bare. Or until they dig themselves out of the hole someone else made for them.

Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2021

About the author

Ivy Whitaker writes paranormal romance and contemporary sapphic love stories designed to make your heart ache in the best way. She’s obsessed with crafting believable characters and throwing them into unbelievable situations—because love is messy, healing is hard, and happily-ever-afters are always worth the fight.

A multi-series, multi-genre author (who has it on good authority from her partners that she’s doing a good job), Ivy lives in Western New York with her partners, her human child, and four demanding fur children. When she’s not writing, she’s probably wrangling chaos, designing something witchy, or drinking a cup of coffee she (almost) forgot she made.

Website: https://ivywhitaker.com/
Blog: https://ivywhitaker.com/blog
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Reviews

[Annie (Houseofbooksandboardgames) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

I liked the characters and am interested to see what happens next but this kind of felt more like a prequel than a book one. It just felt like not enough happened. I'm sure most of the information I wanted will be addressed in later books but I found myself getting frustrated with what was focused on and what things were just sort of glossed over.

Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and Ivy Whitaker for the ARC!

[Thrill & Throne · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: Grim Tide by Ivy Whitaker 🐺

I will start this review by saying this is my first paranormal/werewolf romance (thanks for popping my cherry, Ivy 🤪)

This book kept me hooked as I immersed myself into the world of the ironically-named Pleasant Valley. The words of wisdom sprinkled throughout the story spoke to my soul, meanwhile the banter had me laughing out loud! 🤣

The FMC, Karina, is a newly-turned werewolf who is not only trying to figure out how to tame her beast, but also navigate life with a traumatic brain injury following a near-death accident. I truly saw so much of myself in her character growth/development, she won’t be a forgotten character for me anytime soon 💚

🌙 TROPES 🌙

✨ Paranormal Romance
🐺 Shifter Romance (Werewolves)
🕯️ Gothic Romance
🔺 Love Triangle
🏡 Small Town
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
🚫 Forbidden
💫 Fated Mates
🛡️ Protective/Reluctant Hero
⚠️ Dangerous Attraction (“I shouldn’t want you”)
😈 Alpha-hole
🔥 Slowburn

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book! Firstly, I’m so appreciative for the opportunity. I found this book very easy to get into. Karina, the FMC, is very likable. She is trying to find herself/connect with the new changes in her life. There’s also mystery around what happened to her and uncovering past memories. I enjoyed the connection between Avery and Karina. Tropes include fated mates, love triangle, age gap, slow burn, werewolves, paranormal romance and small town vibes! 4⭐️ 2🌶️

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this book!

This book was so good that I devoured it in 1 sitting. It was fast-paced and had the right level of detail that I could imagine the setting and characters but didn't feel bogged down with details. There are multiple cliffhangers that have me desperate for book 2. The romance and spice are perfect and don't overpower the rest of the plot. Highly recommend for fans of paranormal romance!

[Ivana Loustalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Hawthorn & Aster and Ivy for giving me an advanced copy of this book! I'm writing my most honest review of this.
This was a really awesome beginning of a paranormal gothic romance, with werewolves, witches and human monsters.. this story left me wanting for more!
The forbidden love between Karina and Avery, their age gap, boss - employee relationship and her friendship with his daughter, makes a really complicated story.. not to mention the dangerous interactions with the Pack and their Alpha and Beta.. and then there's "problematic" Miguel..
If you are into Twilight vibes but with shapeshifters, small town triangle romance/drama, fated mates and amnesia.. this story is the One!

🌙 TROPES 🌙

✨ Paranormal Romance
🐺 Shifter Romance (Werewolves)
🕯️ Gothic Romance
🔺 Love Triangle
🏡 Small Town
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
🚫 Forbidden
💫 Fated Mates
🛡️ Protective/Reluctant Hero
⚠️ Dangerous Attraction ("I shouldn't want you")
😈 Alpha-hole
🔥 Slowburn

[Amie Derricott · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Grim Tide we’re introduced to Karina, a high-achieving lawyer preparing to marry the love of her life, whose life is upended when she’s bitten by a werewolf resulting in a devastating fall and leaving her with a life changing brain injury. Her journey begins with a cross-country move, leaving everything she knows behind to start a new life under the guidance of Avery, nicknamed the werewolf whisperer, and his family, who has been designated to help her come to terms with her change and guide her in her new life as a wolf. Unfortunately nothing is ever that straight forward and Karina finds herself caught up in some shady goings on within the pack and falling for the man she absolutely shouldn’t fall for
I loved that this was a slight twist on the standard werewolf story, where characters are usually born as a shifter. In Karina’s case, she is bitten before her transformation takes place, but we see very little of her wolf throughout the book and the main focus is on the emotional turmoil she is going through coming to terms with her new identity and the aftermath of her accident which has left her with memory loss. The snippets we do get of her wolf are just of her communicating internally with the wolf rather than seeing her change fully.
Karina herself is a fantastic FMC. She’s sharp, introspective, and flawed in ways that make her feel incredibly relatable to the reader. You feel for her as she tries to make sense of a world that has completely changed and thrown her into utter turmoil. Her relationship with Avery’s daughter, Natalie, is a huge highlight within the story. Natalie’s warmth, humour, and fierce loyalty bring much-needed light to Karina’s otherwise turbulent days, and their fast-forming friendship and Natalie’s willingness to unquestioningly accepr Karina into their family is so heartwarming. This balances out with the tall, dark and handsome Avery, her father, who although he comes across as genuine and considerate, can also be somewhat aloof and distant towards her.
Of course, no werewolf novel would be complete without a bit of forbidden romance and hidden danger. Karina soon finds herself drawn to someone she absolutely shouldn’t fall for, while also getting caught in murky pack politics and secrets that threaten not only her safety but that of Avery and his family too. The stakes are high, but there is definitely a fine balance in keeping the story grounded even as it veers into darker territory.
My one criticism is that I felt in some parts that I was missing some vital information somewhere, particularly around how Karina and Avery came to be introduced and how she even found out she was a werewolf, but I’m hoping that we get more of this information filled in in the next book.
This is perfect for anyone who loves a forbidden romance, age gaps, shifters, love triangles, slow burns and small towns, I really enjoyed reading it and I’m gutted the next one isnt out until 2026

[ReadTheHotline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim Tide | Ivy Whitaker

🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I have an unhealthy obsession with werewolf romance because steamy shifters just hit different. 🐺🌶️

In Grim Tide, Karina Levy’s whole world gets flipped upside down when she survives an accident that should've ended her. But as fate would have it, instead of focusing on her recovery, Karina quickly realizes there's something wild and hungry living under her skin. Enter my personal werewolf dreamboat Avery Locke who might be the only one that can help Karina understand these life-altering changes. He's selfless, he's patient, and he's trying SO HARD to be the perfect gentleman while teaching her control (but damn did I NEED him to let that restraint slip just a little more).

To navigate this bizarre life change, Karina settles into a new town with a new job and Avery by her side as her mentor and wolf-guide. As they get to know each other on a deeper level, feelings and animalistic urges begin to push to the forefront. The way he's torn between protecting her and wanting her? Chef's kiss and pure torture in the best way. 💗

But why settle for one gentlemanly werewolf, when you can have a feisty one too? I really loved the part of this story where bombshell Miguel enters the villa with the mantra of "screw control, let's see what chaos you can create". The love triangle vibes are delicious: steady devotion versus wild temptation. 🔥

Karina's journey of figuring out her new reality while piecing together fragmented memories set against increasingly dangerous pack politics brewing around her had me flipping pages way past my bedtime. The pacing of this story is absolutely gripping and proves Ms. Whitaker will not be taking her foot off the gas throughout this series.

Tropes for sure:

🐺 Shifter romance
🔺 Love triangle
🏡 Small town
⏳ Age gap
💼 Workplace romance
🚫 Forbidden
💫 Fated mates
🛡️ Protective/reluctant hero
⚠️ Dangerous attraction ("I shouldn't want you")
😈 Alpha-hole
🔥 Slow burn

The spice level in Grim Tide was enough to fog up my kindle, but left me desperate for more. Book two cannot come fast enough because I NEED to see Avery finally lose that careful control (and all his clothes) and I need answers about Karina's past.

You can read Grim Tide on June 24, 2025! Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and Ivy Whitaker for the opportunity to read and howl over this arc.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW of “GRIM TIDE”🐺🖤 Book 1 in Grim Tide Series

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌙 TROPES 🌙

✨ Paranormal Romance
🐺 Shifter Romance (Werewolves)
🕯️ Gothic Romance
🔺 Love Triangle
🏡 Small Town
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
🚫 Forbidden
💫 Fated Mates
🛡️ Protective/Reluctant Hero
⚠️ Dangerous Attraction ("I shouldn't want you")
😈 Alpha-hole
🔥 Slowburn

Karina wakes up from an accident, she almost was drowning, to find out that her life changed after one day. She moves from Florida to Pleasant Valley with Avery Locke’s help, the helper from a pack.

She tries to adjusts her life to the island and the pack from there, even tries to not fall in love with Avery at workplace and slowly to remember her accident. She doesn’t know who pushed her in the water, but from her nightmare slowly she will remember.

She befriend with Avery’s daughter Natalie who helps her out being by her side and to past these hardships she gets on the island. She gets trouble from Iqra, the envious beta of Karina and Avery’s relationship, and she tries to survive as a lone wolf.

This book is an introduction to this universe created by Ivy, it’s fast paced and some elements are moving too fast, but we’ll get to see and discover more next summer in the book 2. I like how she is writing the story, highlighting Karina’s internal struggles with her life and the pack dynamic. I didn’t like the Miguel moments but that’s simply my impression. I can’t wait to see more of Avery and Karina’s life as a couple in the next books!

[Mary Anne Wangen · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Werewolves
✨ Fated mates
✨ Age gap romance
✨ Slowburn
✨ Love triangle

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Grim Tide focuses on Karina - a new werewolf with no memory of who turned her and why. She is taken in by Avery and his family, and they help her navigate the difficulties of being a new werewolf. The attraction between Karina and Avery is apparent from the start, but Avery keeps a respectful distance. Miguel, another werewolf, meets Karina and their relationship is explosive from the start. What will Avery do? How can Karina survive her werewolf impulses, attraction to Avery, and threats from the local pack?

I enjoyed reading this book and I read it in two days. From the start, I was drawn by the mystery of who attacked Karina. I had suspects in my mind, so I was surprised when it was revealed in the end who the true culprit was.

As an FMC, Karina was alright. Her internal conflicts were understandable. I did love her friendship with Natalie. I think we all need a friend like Natalie in our lives!

On the other hand, Avery as the MMC was frustrating in a good way. The slow burn with Karina made me want to scream “just kiss already!” so many times. Also, the way Avery cares not just for Karina but his children and pack was endearing.

If anything, I felt like the story moved at a slower pace. I got to know Karina and Avery majority of the book, but that was it. The plot’s conflict was not really introduced until
about 70% through, and it felt rushed. I hope the next book will focus more on the local pack and what they are doing.

[Samantha Bosnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the following you will love this book.
#paranomalromance #gothicromance #lovetriangle #smalltown #agegap #workplaceromance #forbiddenlove #slowburn, please read the trigger warnings before reading this book, your mental health is important.

Grim Tide is a wild emotional, steamy ride, for a debut author excellent story line, with great characters, fast paced read, come and enjoy the ride with werewolves, witches and even human monsters.

Karina Levy is your FMC, she had a life changing accident, she woke up almost drowning, she begins a new life, leaving everything and everybody behind moving across country. This is a story about her navigating her new life, learning to control her inner self all the while dealing with brain damage from the traumatic accident she was in.

Avery Locke has become her rock/anchor in Karina’s life, helping her to learn to control her inner beast that Karina didn’t know she had, but he has woken it up, Avery is a werewolf, and is showing her people who like her, who understand her and what she is going thru.

During these two’s journey they end up being buried alive in Pleasant Valley, “For every fist of dirt they pushed away another fills their mouth, these two cannot be together until all truths are laid bare, or until they dig their way out of the hole someone else made for them!”

It is hard to explain without giving anything away at time, but I loved how I watched Karina grow in this book, trying to find out what really happened to her, with Avery’s help. This is definitely a wild ride.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grim Tide hooked me from page one and refused to let go. Ivy Whitaker blends shifter chaos, pack secrets, and slow‑burn tension into something that feels addictive in the best way.

Karina is such a compelling FMC, she’s newly turned, disoriented, and carrying the weight of an amnesia‑inducing fall that ripped her old life away. Watching her navigate a world she doesn’t remember, while her wolf pushes and snarls beneath her skin, made every chapter feel charged. She’s vulnerable but stubborn, scared but still fighting, and I loved being inside her confusion and grit.

And then there’s Avery. Older, controlled, steady in a way that makes you want to lean into him. He’s the one trying to guide her through the storm of her new instincts, but the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. It’s slow, electric, and threaded with this deep, aching pull; like they’re orbiting each other whether they want to or not.

But in the Grim Moon pack something is off. There’s a rot under the surface, secrets no one wants to name, and every chapter peels back another layer of danger. The suspense is so good, it’s tense without overshadowing the romance.

And Miguel… he’s the wild card. Where Avery is calm control, Miguel is pure instinct. He’s feral, unpredictable, the kind of shifter who feels more wolf than man. His presence adds this sharp, dangerous tension to the story. He doesn’t just complicate things; he upends them.

By the time I finished, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. So many questions left unanswered and a whole lot more in store for Avery & Karina!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gripping Dive into a Mysteriously Woven World

Grim Tide is a testament to exceptional world-building and remarkably natural dialogue. From the moment I began, I was absorbed in the intricate and imaginative setting Whitaker has crafted. It feels lived-in, layered, and compelling, drawing you deeper with every page.

What truly impressed me were the conversations between characters. They flow so authentically, never feeling forced. Each interaction adds depth to the personalities involved and makes the relationships feel genuinely earned, whether tense, tender, or riddled with unspoken secrets.

Now, about that ending... While not a traditional cliffhanger, Grim Tide is less about answering questions and more about raising them. In fact, pretty much every question posed throughout the book remains unanswered, which might sound frustrating, but it's anything but. The way Whitaker navigates this ambiguity is brilliant; instead of leaving me feeling jaded or unsatisfied, I'm left brimming with anticipation. It's a bold move that pays off, ensuring that the mysteries of this world and its inhabitants linger long after the final page.

I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment to uncover more of this captivating narrative. If you enjoy rich world-building and character interactions that truly sing, and you don't mind a book that leaves you hungry for answers, Grim Tide is a fantastic read!

[Micasareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Ivy Whitaker for an ARC of this book!

The plot is interesting and this is book 1, book 2 is coming out summer 2026, so it ends on a cliffhanger. The writing was good too, I enjoyed the read, it’s an interesting concept on shifters and Pack drama that I haven’t read before.

My rating is low because it just wasn’t for me, I’m not a fan of MCs being intimate with others not in the relationship (not that the MCs were in a relationship, no cheating involved). If this were a why-choose book I’d have different feelings about it, but I don’t believe it is, so it kinda ick’d me out a bit. Especially because the FMC describes having a “hollow feeling” after the deed is done, and there’s mentions of bonds (which I’m assuming is like a mate bond) which I’m sure will come into play more in book 2.

Ages are also never mentioned (or I wasn’t closely reading well) so it’s a bit ambiguous as to the characters ages, but there is a 20 year age gap between MCs. We get 1 or 2 POVs from the MMC, but this is mainly told from the FMCs POV.

There is mentions of drowning, head trauma, and mugging on page. As well as CPR to resuscitate an MC.

The spice! There is some spice in there, solo spice, spice with a side character, and spice between MCs. The scenes aren’t fade to black but also not super explicit, somewhere in between but still very much open door spice. There aren’t too many scenes, it is mostly a plot driven book.

❤️❤️❤️
🌶️🌶️

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just say I was so excited to get an advanced reader copy of this and I am so happy to share my honest opinion with you about this book.

The first thing that captivated me about this book was the cover. It is absolutely spectacular. There was just something so mesmerizing about that cover that I knew I wanted to read this book even before reading the synopsis of it.

However once I started to actually read this book it was better than I anticipated. First, let's start with the tropes:


🌙 TROPES 🌙

✨ Paranormal Romance
🐺 Shifter Romance (Werewolves)
🕯️ Gothic Romance
🔺 Love Triangle
🏡 Small Town
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
🚫 Forbidden
💫 Fated Mates
🛡️ Protective/Reluctant Hero
⚠️ Dangerous Attraction ("I shouldn't want you")
😈 Alpha-hole
🔥 Slowburn

Our FMC finds herself battling with a dramatic ring injury after an accident. In addition she's a darn werewolf. So she's on this journey of discovering who she is as well as trying to recover from this accident and regain some of her memories.

Imagine having your life mapped out and everything is perfect and then one day with the flip of a switch everything you knew and loved was gone.

This gave me everything I was looking for from that small town vibe to a great love triangle as well as some suspense and mystery. Plus I always love a good shape shifter book.

This is definitely one I would add to your must read list and I personally would like to read more from this author.

[Tammy-Rose Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Grim Tide by Ivy Whitaker thanks you and hawthorn.and.aster.services for giving me this book as an arc for an honest review. And dang was it everything I love. I missed reading stories with werewolves.

My heart goes out for Karina 💔 she has a life altering and changing experience I mean she nearly died after that fall off the cliff. Then having to leave everything behind for a fresh start as she needs to learn and accept her new life as a werewolf, worse with the fact she can't remember anything of the night she it happend due to her head injury.

Her meeting Avery everything changes ( her mentor and being 20 years ago gap ). I love the found family she now has found and feels like she has a place with him and his daughter who's her best friend. I mean I know alot of you would like Miguel ( they do have a physical 🥵🥵🥵 relationship) but me I prefer her and Avery. They tension the longing. The secrets and Involving his daughter in finding out secrets of the pact now that was something 😅

If you love werewolves, high stakes, love triangle, FMC who suffers from memory loss but knows what she wants and trying to find ways to help. This is for you. It's pack with heat, jealousy, bad tempered werewolves and secrets that need to be solved.

Can't wait for what happens in the next books...

Releases June 24th 2025

[thevelvetthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS OFFERING WAS LAID UPON THE ALTAR,
AND THE CONGREGATION FELL TO THEIR KNEES IN REVERENCE.

I AM CLUTCHING MY ROSARY, PREACHING THE LITURGY OF GRIM TIDE,

IVY WHITAKER HAS CREATED A DARK PARANORMAL ROMANCE THAT FEELS LESS LIKE A BOOK AND MORE LIKE A RITUAL.

AFTER A TRAGIC ACCIDENT STEALS HER MEMORIES AND TRANSFORMS HER INTO A WEREWOLF, KATERINA FLEES TO PLEASANT VALLEY A SMALL TOWN HAUNTED BY SECRETS.

THERE SHE MEETS AVERY, THE MAN WHO GUIDES NEWLY CHANGED WOLVES THROUGH THEIR FIRST SHIFT.

HE BECOMES HER ANCHOR.
HER SAFETY.
HER BEST FRIEND'S FATHER.
SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN.

YET SOMETHING IRRESISTIBLE FORMS BETWEEN THEM.
THE TENSION IS SO PALPABLE, SO TABOO,
IT FEELS LIKE WHISPERING A PRAYER YOU SHOULD NEVER
SPEAK ALOUD.

THE SLOW BURN IS STUNNING, AND WHEN THEY FINALLY KISS, AFTER BEING EDGED FOR ABOUT 75% OF THE BOOK
I SCREAMED, BARKED, BLUSHED, AND ASCENDED.

THEIR TENSION IS HOLY.

KATERINA'S INTERNAL CONFLICT, GRIEF, AND CONFUSION ARE WRITTEN WITH SUCH VIVID CLARITY THAT I FOLLOWED EVERY BEAT WITH HER.

THIS BOOK IS A PIECE OF ART, WRITTEN WITH SURGICAL PRECISION EVERY WORD, EVERY MOMENT STITCHED TOGETHER LIKE THE PERFECT CLOSING OF A WOUND.

I AM ALREADY HOWLING FOR BOOK TWO

[Sharlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌶️🌶️🌶️

First of all Thank very much for this ARC. I really enjoyed reading this and can't wait for the next book.

This book is a shifter story, but not like the ones I'm used to. Maybe it is because of where the story starts. Karina isn't directly integrated into the pack, so you don't get to know the inner workings of werewolf/packlife. 

I find that this story has just the right pace. Karina is trying to figure out what happened to her, is coming to terms with what she's become whilst battling her extreme emotions of her wolf and herself. Struggling to understand what it all means and on top of that there is something dark looming over their heads as the pack has some dark secrets that are yet to reveal themselves.

This book is a good mix of love, mystery and spicyness. The spicy scènes were hot, I still can't get the steam of my glasses. I would definitely recommend this book if you like a slow burn shifter story with mystery and secrets and offcourse the added spice.

[smut_and_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you Hawthorne and Aster along with Ivy Whitaker for the advanced reader copy. This is going to be my honest review.

Please read the trigger warnings before starting as there is a traumatic, literally life changing event that starts the book, assault and other things.

While not the spiciest of books I've read when it did have spice it was 🥵. Karina was well written along with Avery the FMC and MMC. My biggest issue with them was it took sooo long and then seemed to happen and they just fell kind of flat in the end. I ended up having more questions than answers when I was done which has made me look forward to the second book in hopes to have them answered! Like what are they doing in the fortress building in the woods? What is Iqra going to do? What is going to happen with Karina and Avery to name a few!!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paranormal Romance? Yes please
Mystery and Suspense? Sign me up!

A horrific accident leaves Karina with memory loss and the awareness she is now a werewolf. Leaving everything and everyone behind she starts a new life in Pleasant Valley. There she meets Avery who promises to help her this new life and what it means to be a werewolf. There is an irresistible pull between the two main characters, but it will be anything but easy for the both of them. While the town is called Pleasant Valley, it is anything but. There is more than meets the eye, with hidden secrets and someone out to kill Karina. The more our main characters dig, the more danger they are in.

This was a pretty quick read, easy to follow and the spice was great. Just enough. This book ends on a cliffhanger and wanting for the next book in the series.

[Claire Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐ 3🌶️
I really enjoyed this book!

The author did an amazing job of building the world and creating some serious anticipation of what's to come in the next book.

I am fully invested in Avery and Karina's relationship and where it will go in the next book, are they mates aren't they....

The mystery surrounding the Grim Moon pack was really well written and has so many moving pieces but I get the feeling not all is as it seems and then there is the mystery of Karina's accident, it was all very captivating and kept me hooked. I also liked that I haven't read a Werewolf book quite like this one and I have read a decent about at this point. There were a lot of questions left up in the air with the cliff hanger at the end but I absolutely can't wait to read the next book to see if they are all answered!

This was an ARC review I chose to write.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim Tides is a paranormal romance, werewolves shifter, work place, age gap, and small town romance! The story follows Karina, who has newly become a werewolf. She struggles with learning how to keep the beast inside her at bay and doesn't know how to control the shifting. In comes Avery. He basically takes her in to teach her all the things she needs to know about being a werewolf. They share a connection, but Avery is very sweet and respectful and doesn't want to push her. But then she meets Miguel, a werewolf from another pack and things with Miguel are intense and explosive. I also loved the whole mystery aspect to the story of her trying to figure out who turned her and why and how to get those memories back. The story is pretty fast paced and there's a lot of tension with the whole love triangle aspect. The little cliffhanger at the end definitely left me needing to know more!

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim Tide was an engaging read with a solid mix of mystery, action, and character-driven storytelling. I really enjoyed the characters—each had a distinct background that added depth and made them feel real. The plot moved at a good pace overall, though at times it felt a little rushed. Still, the narrative remained linear and easy to follow, with just enough suspense to keep things interesting.

What stood out to me was the unique take on shifter life. Instead of the usual focus on the bond and unity of pack dynamics, this story leans more into the theme of personal control and restraint, which added an original and refreshing twist to the genre.

While the story was on the shorter side, it definitely piqued my curiosity, and I’m looking forward to seeing where these characters go next.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Grim Tide. It’s an enclosed circle and I don’t know if this is purposefully done for the story or not. Karina is an interesting character and sometimes it seems as if Whitaker is going in the direction that she is an Alpha. Her personality before and after the accident has the base for one. I like the romance. I see potential problems and that’s good for the story. (Notice how I’m not giving anything away here…kudos to me.) I can see this series running for at least a couple more books.

Grim Tide is the start of a new adventure in Pleasant Valley where there are secrets everywhere and death is just behind you. You’ll be bookmarking scenes to read again and again.

Thank you to Hawthorn and Aster for this free copy of Grim Tide!

I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Coco (Channel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thank you to Hawthorn and Aster for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

Paranormal shifter story

Karina is a lawyer who is turned into a werewolf shifter right before she suffers an accident that we the audience have to learn about over several chapters.

Karina moves to a small town to be with other shifters. She meets Avery - a shifter who helps new shifters. Avery is twenty years her elder but the sparks spark between them.


Okay all that being said - the writing was meh. I honestly didn’t feel like I had an introduction or an ending to this. Granted the book was setting up for book 2 but I still felt it ended in a weird place.

The storyline was cool but could have provided a bit more to give it some added umph. I love werewolf books so I was determined to finish. But honestly I’m not sure I will read book 2

[Nyasia Melendez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanna start by saying thank you to Hawthorn and Aster’s and to Ivy Whitaker for a copy of this book! This is a werewolf shifter romance with other magic thrown in. I enjoyed this book and want to know what’s going to happen next but I do feel like some of the sentence structure had me re reading parts to make sure I understood what was going on or who was talking. This is an age gap romance which to my surprise is actually my first one so we’ll have to see how I feel about this trope because right now I just keep looking around as if in watching out for them to make sure they don’t get caught 🤣. I do feel like there could be a little more world and character building just so that we could understand the area and places better but that’s coming from someone who reads a lot of Romantacy books. All in all I think it’s worth the read and I can’t wait to review my ARC of book 2 The Fall!

[Alex Lux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read Grim Tide as an ARC and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Watching Karina work through her new reality while trying to come to grips with her past trauma is heart wrenching. Her journey is written in a way that makes is very relatable even if you aren't a werewolf. You just can't help but root for her.

You also get the bonus of the absolute best side character in Natalie and 2 love interests. I need Natalie as my best friend asap. I was howling at some of the one liners from her. You have 2 polar opposite forbidden love interests (not why choose). One that you want for all the wrong reasons and the other that is more mate(?) material.

I still have so many unanswered questions for Karina's story. I can't wait to find out more in the second book.

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy, what are you doing to me?! Grim Tide had me hooked from page one, the suspense, the forbidden romance, the slow-burn tension… I had to remind myself to breathe.

Karina’s journey had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. Avery? The definition of patient, steady, brooding perfection. Miguel? Chaotic temptation wrapped in danger. And me? Stuck in the middle, yelling “Karina, girl, I get it!”

The gothic vibes, the small-town secrets, the “touch her & die” energy, everything was chef’s kiss. Honestly, this book deserves way more hype, way more reviews, and way more people screaming about it online.

Ivy, you’ve got something special here, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Please, whatever you do… don’t make us wait too long for your next book!

[Blitheroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book is mostly setting the stage for the next books in the series so we're getting a lot of setup and background information, getting to know our main characters. There isn't a ton of action here, and I think that's what really threw me off. I wanted to see more action.

Karina is an interesting FMC, a newly turned werewolf struggling with amnesia and coming to terms with her inner wolf. She has so much potential!! She's also super overrun by hormones at the moment so she makes some questionable decisions.

Avery is older, kind of a best friend's dad situation. He's a strong, steady, calming presence. I really wanted to see him be more possessive alpha type.

I wanted to see more action and a little more tension. Pretty good read though.

[nyq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Hawthorne & Astre, as well as Ivy Whitaker, for the opportunity to get to read this beauty.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5

Grim Tide pulled me in from the first page. Karina's world is flipped upside down after a near-death accident... I honestly feel for her. And what follows is a deliciously wild, emotional, and steamy ride. Avery is the protective, slow-burn werewolf dream, while Miguel brings the chaotic temptation I couldn't get enough of. I don't usually like love triangles, but this was perfection. I loved the tension and how fast-paced it was, as well as addictive, and it was honestly impossible to put down.

I look forward to more. 🤩

[litlindseyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ivy Whitaker and Hawthorn & Aster for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I enjoyed getting introduced to these characters in book one of this series, Grim Tide. This steamy PNR did not leave readers wanting in the spice department! I’ve never really read an age gap romance where the premise is dad’s best friend and I didn’t hate it. The side characters were comical (Avery’s daughter) and I enjoyed the mystery amnesia aspect of the Karina’s storyline.

-Slow Burn
-Paranormal Romance
-Werewolves & Witches
-Pack Politics, Drama, & Danger
-Age Gap
-Love Triangle
-Fated Mates
-Forbidden Romance