Wolf Cursed

Spells & Shifters #1

by Robyn Herzman

Fate brings them together, a curse keeps them apart.

There’s been a series of murders in Thornewood Grove and there’s only one me.

Humans have been killed in our little supernatural town, and for some un-Goddessly reason, the werewolves are pointing the claw at me. Oh, sure, blame the witch. Someone in the four quarters is trying to frame me, until my innocence is proven, the werewolf Alpha holds me captive in his estate. Rude.

If found guilty, I could have my powers taken away, he could throw me in a dungeon or have me killed. My best bet is to work with the infuriating werewolf, Drake Sinclair. Even if I do want to taser his eyebrows off sometimes.

As our undeniable attraction grows, I discover there’s more to the werewolf than his tall, brooding temperament. I’m no murderer, and he is perhaps not the villain (who is surprisingly good at baking) I’d always thought.

Wolf Cursed is the first in the interconnected standalones of the Spells & Shifters series and features Calliope Thorne and Drake Sinclair. Each book will follow a different Thorne sister. These books are very slow-burn with spice at the end, and each has a HEA/HFN. They can be read individually.

For fans of Juliette Cross and Kerri Maniscalco, Spells & Shifters features strong, badass FMCs, and brooding (but not alphahole) MMCs with cinnamonroll hearts, forbidden love, found families and happily ever afters.

Genres: Slow Burn, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers, Paranormal Romance, Ebooks, Shapeshifters, Romance

423 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2023

Reviews

[Amanda Eising · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOODNESS! Or should I say Goddess?? 😉 this book was amazing and a definite MUST read for anyone who loves supernatural worlds and has a thing for a “touch her and die” type of guy! There were some fun Beauty and the Beast parallels that I enjoyed and the twists and turns had me laughing, crying and not wanting to put it down! I would highly recommend this book you will NOT be disappointed! I can’t wait to read what’s next!

[Jordan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for granting me early access to this masterpiece!

If your favorite tropes are: enemies to lover, HEA, fated mates then this is for you!

I fell in love with Calliope and Drake. The way their story progresses through this one was beautifully written and flowed so effortlessly. I do wish there was more world building as there are 4 sections of Thornewood Grove and we didn’t get to explore any of the vampire section. But overall I loved the character development, the tender love that Drake has with Callie, & the way their alliance will create a better world for all involved in it. I do hope for more to the series because I’m dying to know what adventures Callie & Drake take on together! This murder mystery, cursed town had some great twists in the plot that I did NOT expect (Reed 👀) and I look forward to hopefully more from this author for this series!

[Katherine Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader.

Paranormal romances have always been a guilty pleasure of mine, so when I read the synopsis of this book, I was super excited.

Without giving too much away, Wolf Cursed has the perfect amount of mystery, suspense, and slow burn enemies to lovers romance.

*possible spoilers from this point on*

Living in a world where all paranormals are separated, Callie, a witch, finds herself in a non-ideal situation with Drake, the alpha of the local werewolf pack. She’s forced to stay with him in his home while she is accused for committing murder within their small (mostly paranormal) town.

Even after her innocence is proven, things in the town continue to get more complicated. Alongside Drake and her not-so-enthusiastic sister, she works to uncover the alleged curse that courses through the town.

It’s impossible to not fall for drake. 1) the man is hot. 2) cinnamon roll Vs total alpha hole 3) always trying to make things right.

[Christina Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches, werewolves, and vampires oh my!
Someone is killing humans, and it's believed to be a witch. Did she do it, or is she being framed? Wolves and witched hate each other. They have for years! Can she prove her innocence?

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I did not want to put it down, and the only reason I did was so I would not finish it in a day. Very well written. You have twists and turns that I never saw coming. You easily call in love with characters. It has the perfect amount of suspense and mystery and who doesn't love an enemy to lovers romance.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this story. I love a good enemies to lovers when written well and not soaked in trauma at the hands of your enemy turned lover. Also, love a good macho man with a marshmellow golden retriever heart. The character development is great. The only thing I didn't love was the ending bc it just sort of ends? It seemed very abrupt. I know this is a series, but it wasn't graceful.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Special thank you to the author for letting me read this in advance.

This is my first book by this author but won’t be my last. I love her writing style. The story was great and it was hard to put down. I really love witches so anytime I get to read a book with witches I’m pretty excited. Fun enemies to lovers romance. Looking forward to others in the series!

[Alex (HEABookNerd)]

DNF

Just didn't grab my attention.

[Natalia]

DNF @ 35%
Couldn't connect with the story and specially with the writing.
This was supposed to be enemies to lovers, but there's instant instalust by both parts, so basically they are going to "fight the feeling" just because someone said times ago they were enemies, and that the other main issue. The H, the Alpha, owner and Master of the town is just too beta!! meeehh, there are problems in his "city" people being oppressed, starving, beaten for the last +10 years, and he has zero knowledge about it.
Maybe it will make sense further in the book, I have zero interest on finding out.

[izaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

**disclaimer: this is my first review and i haven’t found a reviewing style. it’s also 2am as i’m rambling this together.** mild spoilers but nothing devastating.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. ◡̈

honestly… when i read that it was meant to be a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers troupe i was expecting.. more of a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers. the main supernatural focuses were witches and werewolves who supposedly hated each other, yet the fear/hatred between the main characters didn’t really last long (minus Callie’s older sister, Morganna; who stayed true to her .. mostly distaste of werewolves). yes, the slow-burn of the MCs having sex didn’t happen until the final 25-15% of the book but..
there wasn’t nearly enough banter/push-back. Drake’s immediate guilt of the way he treated the witches was too along the lines of ‘omg i didn’t know!’ and ‘i swear to make it up to you all forever’ (not direct quotes but the vibes are there).
i did really like the aspects of the different types of witches; blood, white, and green, wishing there was more depth to it!! the few werewolf-shifting scenes were also among my favorites but i’m biased-ly always interested in scenes of that variety.

if you’re hoping for a not-so-serious read about a lovely-dovey romance between an introverted(?) healer witch and a cooking/baking werewolf with mild daddy issues(lol), Wolf Cursed is definitely a good read. but.. if you were hoping for a more intimidating, SLOOWWWWW-burn, true-to-troupe enemies-to-lovers… let me remind you what i wish was reminded to me; don’t judge a book by its cover. as you will be surely as wrong as i was.

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the world that was created for this book. It was familiar but still had distinct components that made it unique and different from other supernatural stories. 

The witches have been controlled and oppressed by the werewolves for 17 years. Now, there are a string of murders that indicate that Calliope is the killer. Except she isn't, and she actually knows the victims.  Is she why they're being targeted? 

Alpha Drake seems to think she may be responsible though, enough to make her stay on werewolf territory until they can find out more information. What starts out as a semi-kidnapping turns into a tentative friendship between the witches and wolves. Secrets and curses are revealed, bonds are discovered, and Callie and Drake navigate uncharted territory between the witches and wolves. 

Watching them fall for each other was really sweet. They were learning about each other and their people, and trying to go beyond what they were to focus on who they are. I moved watching everyone come together and realize that they're better together. Of course, there are always obstacles to peace though, in this case one that's killing innocent people. 

The design of the interactions between different supernatural beings was really well done, and the story itself had a lot of things connected that were revealed in an exciting way. My favorite was still Callie and Drake though. I'm glad they chose what they did! 

[Nath · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🐺 WOLVES, MAGIC, AND AN ANCIENT CURSE 🩸.

OH. MY. GODDESS. From the moment I started reading “Wolf Cursed” by Robyn Herzman, I was hooked. I couldn't stop reading until I finished.

The story goes like this: Callie is a white witch who works at a hospital in Thornewood Grove, a town run by werewolves. The town is divided into the Witch Quarter, the Vampire Quarter, the Wolf Quarter and the Human Quarter. Life goes relatively normal… until Callie is accused of a couple of murders. That's why she meets Drake, the leader of the wolf pack, who is the one in charge of bringing justice.

Oh, and by the way, a curse affects the whole town. Yes, I thought it was important to comment on that.

The entire book is written from Callie's point of view, and she is a suuuper cool character who has a beautiful family. Her sister Morganna is my favorite haha. 🧙‍♀️

And what to say about the development of the relationship between Callie and Drake: it's a passionate, respectful, and wonderful romance. One would do anything for the other and, at least in the book, they do. Even accepting their mistakes and improving themselves. Plus saving each other's lives a couple of times. ♥✨

This romantasy is special for people who enjoy reading:

✨ Enemies to lovers.
✨ Witch + werewolf.
✨ Found family
✨ Mates

I highly recommend this book to you. There are some plot twists that left me shocked, and some chapters that filled my heart. 🥺 I would like to read more world-building, but I think that will come in the next books of the saga.

Overall, this was an excellent read! Thanks Robyn, for the privilege of being an ARC reader for this beautiful story.

[Caylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for giving me early acces to this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quick synopsis: Humans are being murdered in Thornewood Grove and the werewolves all believe that the evidence points to Calliope Thorne, a witch. The Alpha werewolf, Drake Sinclair, decides to hold her prisoner in his estate to protect the town and to prevent any further deaths. As clues are discovered, the unlikely duo find an undeniable attraction growing between them. Will solving these murders bring them together or validate why the witches, vampires and werewolves have been seperated for all these years?

I really enjoyed the author's writing style, the characters were very interesting and I found that I was quite invested in their story. There were some twists in this book that I didn't see coming, which was great! There was only one scene that felt "awkward" to read - which was when Drake & Callie were getting in a car to go to a certain location (I just couldn't understand why Callie would try to get in the driver's seat when she doesn't even know where they were going); I had to go back and reread a couple of pages to try and figure out what was going on. Barring this scene, the story flowed beautifully and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved a good paranormal and this book did not disappoint. I love the Beauty and a beast references throughout. Callie is our fmc and is completely relatable. Callie is a white witch who is barely scraping by when a slew of murders point to her as the main suspect. Drake the alpha decides to “kidnap” her in order to keep their area safe until she can otherwise be proven innocent. During this time Drake and Callie challenge one another to look at things from a different perspective. Because of a long history of contempt between the werewolves and witches (due to demons) there seems to be a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding by both parties. Callie is exonerated when a murder happens during her time at the estate under the surveillance of the werewolves. Drake releases Callie but both are drawn to one another and he invites her back for a date. Fate seems to have brought them together but a curse may keep them apart. There are many challenges along the way and both communities must work together to overcome the curse. A sacrifice must be made for both sides to life the curse and live in peace with one another. This book is a slow but good burn - enemies to lovers. The world of magic, witches, demons, werewolves and vampires all come together in the gripping tale.

[brew.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!
If you like witches, werewolves and vampires, I think this book will be right up your ally!🖤

✔️Fated mates
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Slow burn
✔️Murder mystery
✔️HEA

Someone is killing Humans in town. All fingers are being pointed to Calliope, a witch. But did she do it? Or is she being framed? Before she can prove her innocence he is taken and held captive by the Alpha of the Werewolves. During her time at the estate she starts to have strange feelings about Alpha, but it’s complicated. Wolves and witches have hated each other for the last 17 years after a deal was made to rid the town of bloodthirsty demons.

A few things I loved:
* The plot was well written with a good slow burn teasing you a little bit in the middle and ending with a bang 😏 at the end
* There was a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming
* FMC and MMC were easy to fall in love with and found myself rooting for them the whole time
* The spicy scenes were great
* Kept my attention

All in all, this was a good book. I’d be happy to read more that follow this story line!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

[Chef Orro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, I had to skim it to finish it. I really liked the individual witch powers that were introduced and the cozy aspect of the novel, but I couldn’t take the cringe. The characters were so hypocritical, for example Calliope being oppressed for 17 years, but being super friendly and open with the werewolves. The back story want well explained, it seemed like everything could have been solved with some communication. Also the dad being evil because he had to drink blood for a decade is such a bad plot. And the step dad saying that Calliope shouldn’t be with Drake because he is a werewolf is rich considering his kind decimated the population 17 years ago. And the mom dying was so random. Also can we stop with moaning over food, I get it you haven’t had great food in a while but orgasmic moaning, there have to be better ways to create sexual interest in the main character. I’ve eaten some very delicious food in my life and have never moaned, only swore which I think is more appropriate.

[Katlyn Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book! Has your enemies to lovers, fates mates, touch her you die.

4⭐️
1.5🌶️


Callie just wants to fill her hearts desire by helping everyone around her until a string of murders start happening. After a lot of questions and not many answers, she figures out they’re being linked to her family.
Having to have the help of the pain in the a$$ Alpha, Drake, whom she despises, she starts down a path she won’t be able to turn back from to figure out how to save those around her she loves.

Drake doesn’t want anything to do with the witches. He has to be in control of his town and figure out why these murders keep happening. Until they lead straight to a known which family. Drake must do what he needs to do he can protect the town and his family. All while trying to figure out Callie and what exactly her purpose is to the murders and to him.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Meet Callie, White Witch, specialty - Healing. Naturally because of her abilities she works at the local hospital. However, soon she is accused of murder and being held basically against her will by the local werewolf pack that was been ruling over this town for the last 17 years. Drake, the alpha, soon brings her into help with his investigation into said murders. Things start getting interesting between the two.

The idea of humans, witches, werewolves and vampires living in the same town yet in separate sections of the town is interesting. Not really interacting with the other species, we soon learn why they all don't interact and how this changes over the course of the book. Urban fantasy, mystery and lots of spice that will bring some color to your cheeks ;)

[Dawana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy where wolves, vampires, demons, humans, and witches live together and yet separate. 17 years post a war with the demons and no one knows the truth or trusts each other. Some murders of people close to Calli brings her into the Alpha’s sites. But as they work to investigate the murders, more and more truths come out.

Calling is all in her head. She thinks so much out. She’s introverted and you see it in her. The whole book is her point of view. I wish we had heard from Alpha Drake, but I see why we didn’t. We would have learned secrets too early.

There was light spice but the scenes there were had me blushing.

This book had fantastic world building. I would be sad if that was the only book. Mor needs a book. So does Harvey.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off thank you to Robyn Herzman for allowing me to have early access to read this book!!

Now on to the review of the book:

It did take me a couple of pages to get into the book, but once I really got into the story I could not put it down! It will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Keep you guessing what will happen next, you think you know what will happen next but you will be wrong. I don't want to comment much on the story cause I want everyone to experience finding out the details as the story unfolds.

I normally don't care for slow-burn enemies to lovers, but this book has enough to keep you interested!

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story really drew me in! It's a classic enemies to lovers, with a hint of mystery thrown in. I really liked the characters and was invested in their relationships, both the romantic ones and the familial. The only downside for me was the timeline--it felt really rushed, and I feel like the events of the story happened really quickly for what was going on (trying not to give any spoilers🙈🙈). I kept going back a few pages to make sure there weren't time jumps or something that I skipped on accident. But other than that, I loved the vibes between Callie and Drake! I'm hoping for a sequel where we get deeper into Opal and Cory's arrival and how they fit into the story.

[Mrs A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was was an interesting take on shifter romance, I’ve read quite a few of them but this book was able to stand out with its fresh take.

The world building is good and I enjoyed references to beauty and the best in this. Calliope and Drake are complex well written characters. They are both bound by duty and loyalty to their families. Their romance is slow burn in nature with longing and tension. The side characters were fabulous, especially Morgana. I want a sister like that who’ll have my back. I also enjoy good banter and this book had it in spades.

Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

4.5 ⭐️

[Amanda Workman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world within Wold Cursed has witches, werewolves, vampires, and humans living within their own fractions. Despite this, the werewolves rule over them all. There’s a who done it component to the storyline, since humans are being murdered.

The character development is great. At first I found Callie a little whiney but was glad that she grew out of that. I also enjoyed the development of the side characters. They really added to the story.

The endless twists will have you on the edge of your seat. I read this whole book in 24 hours. It’s such an amazing read.

Tropes: Grumpy meets Sunshine, Alpha, Fated Mates, Magic,

[the_bibliophagist · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Anyone could come up here and discover us. They could walk in on us any moment, and I wouldn't stop, Calliope. I would keep going. Nothing could stop me bringing you to pleasure."

This is the first time reading from this author and I was pleasantly surprised. I like the story itself with all the twists and turns.
I love the characters, especially Morganna. (I hope she gets a book) The relationship between Callie and Drake starts off rocky but eventually find their way. Fair warning this is a slow burn due to some circumstances, but when they do get together it is hot. I wish the author would put an index in for all the classifications of the different witches and what they do/powers.
I can't wait for the next book. I need to know what happens with the other sisters and the extended family.

[Maghon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

Wow! Calliope is an amazing character to start this little stand alone slash series with curses and supernaturals and all kind of secrets. I love that Drake is her interest. There was a lot of past and secrets to uncover and I have to say, I couldn’t put this book down. Her sisters make me laugh as they’re all so different. Harvey and Hannah make me want to hug them. It’s not all sweet and pretty. There’s some crying involved. But the mystery and intrigue with some slow burn romance thrown in meant I couldn’t put this book down!! I can’t wait for the next book because I’ve also loved Morganna and I can’t wait to see her inner thoughts!

[Jette · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 ⭐️
A lovely written Slow-Burn Romance about a young healers witch and the alpha of the local wolf pack.
After being suspected of murdering two people, that were connected to her, Calliope, is ordered to live in the mansion of the alpha wolf, Drake.
The local witches and the local wolf pack seem to be enemies, because of a curse made a long time ago to protect the city from the demon attack.
After slowly building a bond and trying to get behind the murder, Drake and Calliope get closer.
But darkness lies within the mansion and they have to face serious problems.

Happy-end guaranteed
Some good spice 🌶️
Would recommend and read again

[Niki Konschuh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say WOW!
Excellent book written well! I love the story line. The descriptions that are given. Very detailed oriented. And can I be honest and say I had a couple dreams of dreams from it! You feel like you are in the story.
😊💜 I can’t wait to read another one! 🔥💖
The suspense of what’s going to happen next. Along with the actions that happen in it are great!
Love the fantasy of vampires and witches. The slow burn of what’s going on/gonna happen next! I finished this in two days!
Highly recommend this book to everyone!!!

[Tabetha Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book, my review is honest and voluntary.

This story was great, witches, werewolves, and vampires what more do you need? Add in familial drama and curses and it's essentially the full package!
I didn't want to put the book down, I needed to know what happened next.

The FMC is a huge book-nerd and introvert which I identified with straight off and her introverted-bookishness was well written.
The MMC gave major 'looks like he could kill you, is actually a cinnamon roll' vibes.

I'm interested to see what the next book entails.

[Amber Gransinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free as an arc copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

I can’t say enough good things about this book! I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. I ranked this book in my top 10 reads of the year. If you like ACOTAR and Fourth Wing I’d recommend you read this book!

We follow the POV of a witch who has been setup and learn about the longtime fued between the werewolves and witches while investigating suspicions murderes.

Themes found in this book are supernatural, enemies to lovers, murder mystery, touch her/him and die.


2/5 🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Toni Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a series of murders point to Calliope Thorne she makes a deal with the Alpha of the werewolves Drake Sinclair. She will stay with him until it is proved she is not the killer. Unbeknownst to them there is an attraction that neither one can resist, unfortunately there is also a little matter of a curse that is keeping them apart.
     This book has witches, werewolves, vampires and humans, with a little mystery, romance, suspense and some spice. A great read

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves, witches, vampires and humans, oh my! I fell in love with the oh so good Callie and the oh so bad Drake. And then they fell in love as the book developed. This author did such a great job writing a classic enemies to lovers, Beauty and the Beast type book. I loved all the magic surrounding the witches! Each one had their own special gifts that compliment the others so well. Such a great read! I cannot wait to see what happens with Callie and Drake.