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Alex Steward #1
Fear the Wolf
From the moment she shifted into a werewolf, Alex was terrified. First, of the man who attacked her—then of the creature within her.
Alex wants to build a life in Hopewell, but she struggles to keep her savage passenger caged. If her inner wolf breaks free again, people could die, and she’ll be the one hunted.
For help, she relies on her best friend Emma, a wizard and the only person she trusts with her secret. But Emma has her own Mitch. He’s twisting her into someone unrecognizable…and he may be harming other vulnerable supernatural citizens.
To save Emma, Alex must make alliances with wizards and werewolves alike, face the Committee, unravel deadly conspiracies, and confront her own worst fear—herself.
Fear the Wolf is Book 1 in the Alex Steward urban fantasy series. This werewolf mystery book features a strong female shifter lead, ride-or-die friendships, found family, suspense, humor, and kick-ass action…all set in the Midwest. Fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison will enjoy this fast-paced paranormal thriller!
Alex wants to build a life in Hopewell, but she struggles to keep her savage passenger caged. If her inner wolf breaks free again, people could die, and she’ll be the one hunted.
For help, she relies on her best friend Emma, a wizard and the only person she trusts with her secret. But Emma has her own Mitch. He’s twisting her into someone unrecognizable…and he may be harming other vulnerable supernatural citizens.
To save Emma, Alex must make alliances with wizards and werewolves alike, face the Committee, unravel deadly conspiracies, and confront her own worst fear—herself.
Fear the Wolf is Book 1 in the Alex Steward urban fantasy series. This werewolf mystery book features a strong female shifter lead, ride-or-die friendships, found family, suspense, humor, and kick-ass action…all set in the Midwest. Fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison will enjoy this fast-paced paranormal thriller!
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
About the author
Stefanie Gilmour
7 books33 followersStefanie is a graphic designer who enjoys creepy and fantastical stories. Her short fiction has been published in The Quiet Ones literary magazine.
Plants, concerts, books, and writing are a few of her favorite things. She’s a Midwest native and lives there with her patient husband and their tolerant cat.
Plants, concerts, books, and writing are a few of her favorite things. She’s a Midwest native and lives there with her patient husband and their tolerant cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 26, 2023
If you’ve enjoyed urban fantasy like the Dresden Files but wish it had more of a focus on female characters, this debut should satisfy! It has a sympathetic heroine who faces a lot of obstacles—including her inner wolf—as she tries to figure out who is targeting her community, including her best friend. There’s a satisfying mystery and a hint of romance, too. A promising start to a fresh new werewolf series.
July 15, 2024
This was a 4.5 star read for me. I’ve not read much Urban Fantasy before and this was a great one. I was sucked into the world and story created. Alex is such a relatable character and loved her development throughout the story. Her relationship with her friends and the other characters were also relatable. We’ve all had a friend where you didn’t like a guy they were dating, this takes that up a notch. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series
March 10, 2024
Review of audiobook to come
September 26, 2023
This is a fun and engaging urban fantasy novel. Alex, the unwilling heroine, is strong and sassy and says and does the things I wish I could to the rude people I come in contact with. I was always rooting for Alex while also wanting to yell at her to be careful! The remaining cast of characters and setting are well developed and interesting. The story sucks you in. I stayed up way too late reading when I needed to be up early the next morning because it was so hard to put down. The story constantly left me guessing where her next turn would lead. I can't wait for the next book!
May 14, 2025
I read this a year or so after the book came out, and I love it so much. I feel like I could be walking around and talking with the characters from this book and never know it. They all feel so real and like actual people. (Well, most, anyways) I got sucked in and I couldn't put the book down. I LOVE this series and I'll never stop recommending it to others.
October 6, 2023
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of Fear the Wolf as part of Stefanie Gilmour’s (very successful) Kickstarter campaign this summer.
While written from the female lead’s POV, I had no difficulty navigating the thoughts and actions of our protagonist, Alex, as she in turn navigated her lonely life and the somber world around her. Gilmour does a wonderful job filling each setting with apt backdrops, keeping the story grounded while also touching on the fantastical elements prowling about. There’s some terrific worldbuilding, but not at the expense of the story and our attention.
As a fan of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and The Southern Vampire Mysteries from Charlaine Harris, I delighted in the story holding to the staples of urban fantasy - the hidden world around and within our own “commoner” domain, the struggles of keeping these worlds separate, the alternating needs for division and alliance - but also in finding Gilmour’s unique, personal spins on the facets of the genre. She has some truly unique concepts that surprised me (and that is no easy task).
Fast-but expertly-paced dialogue and action made this a quick, delicious read. Fear the Wolf was a very strong debut from a burgeoning author - and I look forward to Alex Steward’s return.
While written from the female lead’s POV, I had no difficulty navigating the thoughts and actions of our protagonist, Alex, as she in turn navigated her lonely life and the somber world around her. Gilmour does a wonderful job filling each setting with apt backdrops, keeping the story grounded while also touching on the fantastical elements prowling about. There’s some terrific worldbuilding, but not at the expense of the story and our attention.
As a fan of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and The Southern Vampire Mysteries from Charlaine Harris, I delighted in the story holding to the staples of urban fantasy - the hidden world around and within our own “commoner” domain, the struggles of keeping these worlds separate, the alternating needs for division and alliance - but also in finding Gilmour’s unique, personal spins on the facets of the genre. She has some truly unique concepts that surprised me (and that is no easy task).
Fast-but expertly-paced dialogue and action made this a quick, delicious read. Fear the Wolf was a very strong debut from a burgeoning author - and I look forward to Alex Steward’s return.
December 12, 2024
Alex Steward is a werewolf living in Hopewell. After a traumatic event that led to her turning later in life, she was forced to leave her family and home to stay safe. After bouncing around, she has been in Hopewell for a few years and has carved out a life for herself. She has 2 close friends and an apartment. But after Alex and her friend Emma are attacked after going out one night, everything changes. Alex is thrust into a world she knows hardly anything about and must fight to save Emma from a threat greater than just a couple thugs outside the club.
Alex is a strong-willed woman, but she has a fear of what she is that drives her to be insecure. She was never taught about becoming a wolf and it frightens her. She also has a fear/dislike of men after her transformation. But she does not let that stop her from getting close to Ben, the man she met through Emma. Alex has a tendency to act first and think later which can get her into trouble, but she genuinely wants the best for everyone. She is so loyal, she gets involved in dangerous situations to save her friends - both old and new.
We get glimpses of her original friends, Anne and Emma, in this book. Anne is a police officer who seems to be the motherly one of the group. And Emma wants to help other people. She works for an organization that does just that, which is where she meets Mitch. We also get a little about her newer friends - Ben, Trish and Nate. I would love to get more back story about all of them! We were given just enough to wonder more about all of them.
There was a lot of action in this book. It was easy enough to figure out, so not a lot of surprises but the story line was intriguing. You know early enough who the bad guy is, you just have to figure out how they are connected and what their end game is. And while this book doesn't conclude the whole story, it sees the conclusion of the main conflict. And there are enough questions left unanswered hat you want to read the next book to find out what the rest of the story really is.
Alex is a strong-willed woman, but she has a fear of what she is that drives her to be insecure. She was never taught about becoming a wolf and it frightens her. She also has a fear/dislike of men after her transformation. But she does not let that stop her from getting close to Ben, the man she met through Emma. Alex has a tendency to act first and think later which can get her into trouble, but she genuinely wants the best for everyone. She is so loyal, she gets involved in dangerous situations to save her friends - both old and new.
We get glimpses of her original friends, Anne and Emma, in this book. Anne is a police officer who seems to be the motherly one of the group. And Emma wants to help other people. She works for an organization that does just that, which is where she meets Mitch. We also get a little about her newer friends - Ben, Trish and Nate. I would love to get more back story about all of them! We were given just enough to wonder more about all of them.
There was a lot of action in this book. It was easy enough to figure out, so not a lot of surprises but the story line was intriguing. You know early enough who the bad guy is, you just have to figure out how they are connected and what their end game is. And while this book doesn't conclude the whole story, it sees the conclusion of the main conflict. And there are enough questions left unanswered hat you want to read the next book to find out what the rest of the story really is.
August 21, 2025
Fear the Wolf by Stefanie Gilmour is a werewolf urban fantasy and book 1 of the Alex Steward Series. We follow Alex through an action packed mystery in the town of Hopewell where other supernatural townsfolk are being targeted. Throughout Alex is fighting an internal battle with her inner wolf for fear of harming others or becoming a target herself. As a regular vampire reader I'm generally cautious of books with the other side of the supernatural due to the vibes being so different but the concept of a werewolf struggling with their own wolfness and it being urban fantasy rather than horror just stuck in my brain, I had to see how it played out. I was pleasantly surprised with how much this drew me in. Alex is immediately charming in a completely non-approachable way and has the straight shooter approach with her friends that I absolutely love to read. That being said, she has a soft side that occasionally comes out and is loyal to her friends whether it's convenient or not. Alex is the kind of friend you want for a night in or a fight.
The plot starts off simple enough with strange happenings with the supernatural community before it takes you on a thrill ride that had me hooked. It really takes a step back and thinks "if there were supernatural beings in a small town minding their business how would people mess that up?" It's a very present issue in the world and to see it thought out in an urban fantasy creates a visibility on the issue without it blatantly stating it. You get the message without realizing that's what's happening and have fun while doing it.
For a story that's about werewolves on the surface you get a strong tale of friendship, found-family, and accepting yourself for who you are. I will definitely be returning to see what other kinds of trouble Alex gets herself into through the series and am left knowing werewolves aren't so bad after all.
The plot starts off simple enough with strange happenings with the supernatural community before it takes you on a thrill ride that had me hooked. It really takes a step back and thinks "if there were supernatural beings in a small town minding their business how would people mess that up?" It's a very present issue in the world and to see it thought out in an urban fantasy creates a visibility on the issue without it blatantly stating it. You get the message without realizing that's what's happening and have fun while doing it.
For a story that's about werewolves on the surface you get a strong tale of friendship, found-family, and accepting yourself for who you are. I will definitely be returning to see what other kinds of trouble Alex gets herself into through the series and am left knowing werewolves aren't so bad after all.
August 25, 2023
This eARC was provided through Booksirens.com and I am giving an unbiased review.
This is the first book of a shifter series by this new author. The plot description sounded interesting enough, I decided to request it for review. I was not completely disappointed.
The story follows Alex, aged in her 20's, as she tries to keep the wolf in her contained, afraid it comes out, she will hurt people. While doing this, trying to keep a job, and hiding under the radar of the supernatural Committee, who govern the Supes. Unintentionally, she drags herself into a larger mess, that it seems only she can help clean up.
Overall the story wasn't bad. I enjoyed learning about the characters that revolve around the MC. There isn't a lot of background story to our MC, but it comes out in bits and pieces as the story progresses. There isn't much about the backgrounds of the supporting cast. Worldbuilding was fine, as scenes were easily pictured, and seemed consistent with the timeline and urban-ness of the story setting.
Our MC has several conflicts that almost follow each other with no break in between, and it makes the story drag a bit. I could understand how overall, they all lead to the same conclusion, but I felt like the author was trying to shove too many conflicts into the story. I don't recall specifically which ones could have possibly been omitted, as if I remember correctly, they all introduced something/someone/some group/some-something that the author wanted to be sure the reader knew. It just felt like "c'mon, really? That much conflict?" and my attention would wane a bit.
Aside from the couple small issues I noted, I did enjoy the story, and would be interested in reading future books in this series - I'm always curious where the author(s) go next.
This is the first book of a shifter series by this new author. The plot description sounded interesting enough, I decided to request it for review. I was not completely disappointed.
The story follows Alex, aged in her 20's, as she tries to keep the wolf in her contained, afraid it comes out, she will hurt people. While doing this, trying to keep a job, and hiding under the radar of the supernatural Committee, who govern the Supes. Unintentionally, she drags herself into a larger mess, that it seems only she can help clean up.
Overall the story wasn't bad. I enjoyed learning about the characters that revolve around the MC. There isn't a lot of background story to our MC, but it comes out in bits and pieces as the story progresses. There isn't much about the backgrounds of the supporting cast. Worldbuilding was fine, as scenes were easily pictured, and seemed consistent with the timeline and urban-ness of the story setting.
Our MC has several conflicts that almost follow each other with no break in between, and it makes the story drag a bit. I could understand how overall, they all lead to the same conclusion, but I felt like the author was trying to shove too many conflicts into the story. I don't recall specifically which ones could have possibly been omitted, as if I remember correctly, they all introduced something/someone/some group/some-something that the author wanted to be sure the reader knew. It just felt like "c'mon, really? That much conflict?" and my attention would wane a bit.
Aside from the couple small issues I noted, I did enjoy the story, and would be interested in reading future books in this series - I'm always curious where the author(s) go next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
What's it like to be a woman and also a werewolf? I can't personally answer either of those questions, but after reading Fear the Wolf I feel like I could give it a pretty good go. Throughout this book I could feel the protagonist's turmoil as she struggles in a world that is often less than hospitable to either one.
We are given an urban fantasy world that appears deep and approachable. Secret committees, werewolf nightclubs, magic specializations. This is the book Jim Butcher would have written if he was a woman (and also a werewolf). There's a lot of great worldbuilding in this book, and I got the feeling that there's even more going on behind the scenes. Stefanie Gilmour scratched the surface of her world and left me wanting more, hopefully in book two!
But worldbuilding is nothing without a good story and a talented writer to tell that story. The plot grabs you right away and never slows down. There's barely a moment to take a breath before the protagonist rushes headlong into the next scene, which usually means her next problem. I always wanted to know what would happen next and how each problem would get resolved, and that kept up right until the end.
Fear the Wolf is a fun and entertaining read that kept me engaged for the entire book. To sum up, what is Fear the Wolf? It's fun!
We are given an urban fantasy world that appears deep and approachable. Secret committees, werewolf nightclubs, magic specializations. This is the book Jim Butcher would have written if he was a woman (and also a werewolf). There's a lot of great worldbuilding in this book, and I got the feeling that there's even more going on behind the scenes. Stefanie Gilmour scratched the surface of her world and left me wanting more, hopefully in book two!
But worldbuilding is nothing without a good story and a talented writer to tell that story. The plot grabs you right away and never slows down. There's barely a moment to take a breath before the protagonist rushes headlong into the next scene, which usually means her next problem. I always wanted to know what would happen next and how each problem would get resolved, and that kept up right until the end.
Fear the Wolf is a fun and entertaining read that kept me engaged for the entire book. To sum up, what is Fear the Wolf? It's fun!
February 12, 2024
3.5 stars
Fear the Wolf is the first in a series by Stefanie Gilmour. The protagonist, Alex, found out later than usual that she was a werewolf; she didn’t have the opportunity to learn about how this would affect her, meet many other werewolves that could guide her, or find community with other paranormals. This has made her a little prickly, to say the least. But she does have a couple of close friends, and she will do anything to protect them.
Gilmour is a great storyteller as shown by my inability to put this novel down, even though I didn’t really like the main character most of the time. Alex didn’t give any other characters more than a sentence or two before she decided that she disliked them and snapped something mean, and she didn’t listen to anyone’s advice to slow down, even though it put them in danger. There is a difference between being a strong woman and fighting against societal norms, and just being short-tempered and shortsighted. However, there is still an underlying good and vulnerability that kept me interested.
The setting and world-building were good, the pacing was quick and full of action, and the secondary characters were decently fleshed out. Many things were set up in this first book to lead in some compelling directions in the next titles.
I will pick up the next in this series to see where it goes. Thank you to BookSirens for providing the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Fear the Wolf is the first in a series by Stefanie Gilmour. The protagonist, Alex, found out later than usual that she was a werewolf; she didn’t have the opportunity to learn about how this would affect her, meet many other werewolves that could guide her, or find community with other paranormals. This has made her a little prickly, to say the least. But she does have a couple of close friends, and she will do anything to protect them.
Gilmour is a great storyteller as shown by my inability to put this novel down, even though I didn’t really like the main character most of the time. Alex didn’t give any other characters more than a sentence or two before she decided that she disliked them and snapped something mean, and she didn’t listen to anyone’s advice to slow down, even though it put them in danger. There is a difference between being a strong woman and fighting against societal norms, and just being short-tempered and shortsighted. However, there is still an underlying good and vulnerability that kept me interested.
The setting and world-building were good, the pacing was quick and full of action, and the secondary characters were decently fleshed out. Many things were set up in this first book to lead in some compelling directions in the next titles.
I will pick up the next in this series to see where it goes. Thank you to BookSirens for providing the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2024
Trigger Warning: Scene with attempted SA
I love a character who is messy. Still figuring themselves out even as they have to deal with whatever is happening around them. Alex is a werewolf, but she doesn’t really love being a werewolf. She feels like she can’t control her wolf and that scares her a lot. So she’s been hiding that part of herself ever since the first time she unleashed the wolf and discovered what she really was… but those types of secrets are impossible to keep forever.
When Alex’s best friend becomes entangled with a guy who seems to be up to no good and other supernaturals in town are being targeted and attacked, Alex ends up revealing her werewolf nature. Even as she fears the consequences, Alex can’t help but embrace the new community she finds and the wizard who captivates her wolf as well as her human self.
This series opener is gritty, but emotionally deep with an excellent case that showcases the world, the societal structure, and the characters very well. Really loved seeing Alex not just face but start to want to embrace her wolf, and I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
I love a character who is messy. Still figuring themselves out even as they have to deal with whatever is happening around them. Alex is a werewolf, but she doesn’t really love being a werewolf. She feels like she can’t control her wolf and that scares her a lot. So she’s been hiding that part of herself ever since the first time she unleashed the wolf and discovered what she really was… but those types of secrets are impossible to keep forever.
When Alex’s best friend becomes entangled with a guy who seems to be up to no good and other supernaturals in town are being targeted and attacked, Alex ends up revealing her werewolf nature. Even as she fears the consequences, Alex can’t help but embrace the new community she finds and the wizard who captivates her wolf as well as her human self.
This series opener is gritty, but emotionally deep with an excellent case that showcases the world, the societal structure, and the characters very well. Really loved seeing Alex not just face but start to want to embrace her wolf, and I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
October 28, 2025
I came across this book at a local book seller event. I grabbed the book because the cover caught my attention, and the author painted a fantastic picture of adventures with a werewolf. I have never read any of books with a werewolf being the main character.
Alex is a strong independent woman who will go to great lengths to save her friends. Along the way she starts to learn she can lean into her wolf, and wants to learn how to learn to better control that side of her. Honestly these are lessons we can probably all learn from.
I think what I found so refreshing is sure she develops a closeness to a male, but the book is not what that is about. No over the top bedroom scenes, which I appreciated. It was nice to see that their relationship is going to grow by them getting to know each other before they decide to jump right into the other stuff.
I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
As a side note I was lucky enough to meet the author in person, and what a lovely person.
Alex is a strong independent woman who will go to great lengths to save her friends. Along the way she starts to learn she can lean into her wolf, and wants to learn how to learn to better control that side of her. Honestly these are lessons we can probably all learn from.
I think what I found so refreshing is sure she develops a closeness to a male, but the book is not what that is about. No over the top bedroom scenes, which I appreciated. It was nice to see that their relationship is going to grow by them getting to know each other before they decide to jump right into the other stuff.
I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
As a side note I was lucky enough to meet the author in person, and what a lovely person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
I finished Fear the Wolf the other day and just found time to post it! Alex feels so real. It’s looking at a werewolf at a different angle than I’m used to. It isn’t all about her shifting, it’s about her relationships with the friends she's come to love. While her being a werewolf doesn’t take a back burner, there’s far more to the story than shifting and finding a mate in the pack. In fact, there’s no pack or dominant male fighting all the time. I love the idea, meeting werewolf friends for the first time and they’re not pulling her in and forcing her into a pack. Alex stands on her own, gets things done and doesn’t let anyone stand in her way. Such a breath of fresh air not to hear about mates, packs and fighting. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a romantic interest and he’s a kind wizard with a troubled past. I can’t wait to get the next one, Cage the Wolf is out and I’ll be getting it soon.
September 25, 2023
Intense, magical and fast-paced: “Fear the Wolf” will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next as Alex Steward navigates the world of the supernatural, while learning more about herself – morals, strength and werewolf abilities – in the process.
Despite desiring anonymity, Alex finds herself in the middle of a high-stakes conflict while trying to protect her friend Emma, who happens to be a wizard. In the process, this loner finds others who are accepting of who she is and a community of others just like her. And of course, a fair share of villains who are making life difficult for the supernatural community.
I stayed up late to finish this one, and I’m looking forward to the next installment. (Please tell me it will be out soon!)
Despite desiring anonymity, Alex finds herself in the middle of a high-stakes conflict while trying to protect her friend Emma, who happens to be a wizard. In the process, this loner finds others who are accepting of who she is and a community of others just like her. And of course, a fair share of villains who are making life difficult for the supernatural community.
I stayed up late to finish this one, and I’m looking forward to the next installment. (Please tell me it will be out soon!)
January 11, 2024
I love a good Werewolf book, and this one is an excellent series starter.
In this book Alex is working through her own mixed feelings about what she is, and her past, while dealing with present issues that are impacting the magical community. The FMC is a balance of tough, capable, a bit of a 'hot mess', caring, and self-doubting that make her really relatable. This book has all the action and intrigue I was hoping for, with just the right amount of tension, and a sprinkle of potential romance that flowed well with the story but in no way overpowered it. I was ready to roll into book two immediately after finishing book one, so I'm lucky that at the time of writing this review there's less than a month until that one releases.
In this book Alex is working through her own mixed feelings about what she is, and her past, while dealing with present issues that are impacting the magical community. The FMC is a balance of tough, capable, a bit of a 'hot mess', caring, and self-doubting that make her really relatable. This book has all the action and intrigue I was hoping for, with just the right amount of tension, and a sprinkle of potential romance that flowed well with the story but in no way overpowered it. I was ready to roll into book two immediately after finishing book one, so I'm lucky that at the time of writing this review there's less than a month until that one releases.
March 29, 2025
Stefanie Gilmour’s Fear the Wolf is the initial entry in the Alex Steward series about a woman in her twenties at odds with her lycanthropy. The novel starts with Alex and her two best friends having a girls’ night out. Alex wants to keep her wolf subdued, but when she partially changes twice, and once on video, she seeks support from other supernaturals. But as she’s making new friends, she’s starting to lose her two best old ones.
All the elements of an urban fantasy—an introduction into hidden societies, persecution, a sensible magic system—are here. Readers will be turning pages long into the night. Fear the Wolf is a gripping novel of friendship, adventure, and suspense. Alex’s first foray into a broader world is an exciting read that leaves the reader wanting more.
All the elements of an urban fantasy—an introduction into hidden societies, persecution, a sensible magic system—are here. Readers will be turning pages long into the night. Fear the Wolf is a gripping novel of friendship, adventure, and suspense. Alex’s first foray into a broader world is an exciting read that leaves the reader wanting more.
June 3, 2025
I love this book and intend on getting the next book as quickly as I can!
I met Stefanie at a comic con recently (such a lovely person). As I wandered past her table, I asked a question that I’d asked a few other authors, “What genre?” When she replied, “Urban Fantasy!” I stopped in my tracks. I replied. “Oh, I looove Urban Fantasy!” The conversation was on!
I’ve been hunting a new book series to read, having reread The Dresden Files tor the seventy millionth time, the same with The October Daye series, I decided to give this book a shot. I have zero regrets. None.
If you need a great new series to read, start here!
I met Stefanie at a comic con recently (such a lovely person). As I wandered past her table, I asked a question that I’d asked a few other authors, “What genre?” When she replied, “Urban Fantasy!” I stopped in my tracks. I replied. “Oh, I looove Urban Fantasy!” The conversation was on!
I’ve been hunting a new book series to read, having reread The Dresden Files tor the seventy millionth time, the same with The October Daye series, I decided to give this book a shot. I have zero regrets. None.
If you need a great new series to read, start here!
October 3, 2023
This is the authors debut book and what a book it is. It's got a reluctant heroine who is a werewolf and she is learning what that means and what it takes to travel in the supernatural world. She just wants to be left alone and can't because someone is messing with her friends. I love that she learns from her mistakes. This is an awesome store let alone a debut book. I would definitely recommend this book. And I can't wait for more.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 3, 2023
I read this book in a day because I was so geeked to read another local Michigan author!! This is a great urban fantasy with stubborn, hard headed female lead and a small cliff hanger to keep you intrigued for the book(s) to come! Despite there not being much a plot twist or element of surprise, I still really enjoyed the book! I wanted to yell at the main character many times for her antics but I also loved the strong morals and community-centered relationships in this book!
3.5/5 stars fa me!!
3.5/5 stars fa me!!
December 18, 2025
This was a gripping start to an urban fantasy series that pulled me in fast and didn’t let go. Alex is a compelling, flawed heroine, and her struggle to control the wolf inside her feels raw, emotional, and very real. I loved the focus on friendship, found family, and the moral gray areas woven into the mystery. The pacing is sharp, the stakes are high, and the Midwest setting gives the story a refreshing edge. With suspense, humor, and plenty of action, Fear the Wolf delivers a strong, addictive opening that left me eager for the next book.
October 4, 2023
What a fun book to read! It was easy to envision the world in which Alex and her friends (and enemies) lived. The characters seemed real and relatable, even though I've never known a werewolf. It was great to have a strong female as the lead character. I must confess I was totally sucked in by this book and had a hard time putting it down. I'm looking forward to the next adventures of Alex and her friends.
October 12, 2023
Fear the Wolf gives us real-world dilemmas experienced through the lives of supernatural anti-heroes. We see the effects of trauma, mistrust, misogyny, sexism, and discrimination through the eyes of Alex, Hopewell’s resident werewolf. Alex shocked me with her relatability and I never looked back.
Thanks, Stef Gilmour, for introducing me to Alex Steward. Her boldness and bravery to stand up for her marginalized community inspired me. I’m already craving Book 2!
Thanks, Stef Gilmour, for introducing me to Alex Steward. Her boldness and bravery to stand up for her marginalized community inspired me. I’m already craving Book 2!
October 30, 2023
Full disclosure: Stef is a friend and it's SO wonderful to see her write and publish. Even though this is not a genre I regularly dabble in, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The little glimpses of GR also made me smile. The dialog is sharp, the world expanded beautifully, and I can't wait to see what comes next. I also really liked that the misunderstanding conflict came with the best friend instead of the romantic interest.
April 22, 2025
Alex Steward is my favorite kind of character. She's got some problems, she doesn't always say the right thing, she's not always the nicest, but holy hell is she loyal to her friends. This Jessica Jones meets She-Hulk story has a nonstop action, a slew of imperfect side characters, and a storyline that's 100% relevant in our country right now.
If you like magic and werewolves — especially the female versions — read this book! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
If you like magic and werewolves — especially the female versions — read this book! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
January 6, 2026
This was my first shifter book and for the first ~25% I was unsure if it was my thing. While I wouldn't say I'm jumping at every shifter book I see, I do really like how this one explained and showed shifting. It really picked up at the 40% mark and kept me engaged from that point on. Alex is messy and I appreciate that. At some points she was a little insufferable, but who isn't in real life? The friendships shown in the book were well done as well.
Overall, it was a good read.
Overall, it was a good read.
August 30, 2023
This book was great! An amazing first introduction to lively characters with complex motivations and histories. Alex was a perfect female lead. The action was well paced which is usually hard to find in books like these. The only gripe I really had was the infodump-y nature of some aspects of the universe but I’m really eager to read the next installments of the series!
September 26, 2023
Looking for a book you can really sink your teeth into? Fear the Wolf is a compelling story with vividly described characters and settings. This urban fantasy with a rich community of werewolves and wizards is both funny and action packed. I was quickly drawn in by the main character, Alex, as she struggles to control her anger and her inner beast.
September 27, 2023
This was a great debut novel. I like the world-building of supernatural and fantasy stories, and this one felt rich and detailed. I'm excited to see how the author expands the world (lots of mentions of larger governing organizations and conspiracies), and I'm also eager to hear more of Ben's back story and how he ended up getting tethered.
October 2, 2023
Great book from a new author. I loved the plot and the world she created. Once I got rolling I couldn’t put it down. Well developed main character and crew. I appreciated backgrounds not being over explained but rather trickled in as the story progresses. I truly can’t wait for the next installment!
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