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Werewolves of Wheeling #1

The Way We Were[wolf]

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He’s keeping a secret.
She trusts the wrong people.
When they meet, it’s a hairy situation.



Eric Myer’s life is totally under control.
And he hates it.

But moving from place to place and living life one full moon at a time is something he’s gotten used to.

So when he asks his bossy brother if they can stay in Wheeling until the next full moon, Eric is shocked when he agrees. This is it— his chance to finally feel what it’s like to call a place home.

And if it doesn’t work out, they’ll move along. Just like they always have.

But when a quirky new receptionist starts working at his hair salon, his plans scatter faster than trick-or-treaters at a house handing out raisins.

All his life, he’d worked like a dog to keep his distance from humans. And yet, with Lucy, he can’t get close enough. So when she needs help decorating the storefront window for the Halloween festival, he jumps at the chance.

Over trips to the pumpkin patch and late nights decorating the salon, Eric realizes saying goodbye to Wheeling before the full moon will be sad. But saying goodbye to Lucy is going to kill him. But he has to…

before he kills her.

The Way We Were(wolf) is a paranormal romcom as sweet as your favorite autumnal beverage. It has slow-burn chemistry and plenty of sizzle without on-page explicit content.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2023

25 people are currently reading
115 people want to read

About the author

Lindsey Jesionowski

7 books76 followers
Lindsey Jesionowski is a wife and mom who does most of her writing in her car in the school pickup lot. She’s a native of West Virginia, a lover of coffee, and a fan of books with happy ever afters—so she decided to write one.

Lindsey’s books are full of heart and humor with plenty of sizzle and no explicit content. Just lots of smiles.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Jaida.
170 reviews44 followers
October 20, 2025
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾𓃦☽⋆⁺₊✧⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

DNF page 30 21% Chapter 4

The first line was a little concerning "Stop– you can't do this!" Eric froze, the blades in his hand an inch from the old man's head.... anyway the chapter headings are so cute! The chapter headings were honestly the best part, the characters were weird the romance was cringe-worthy, and the age gap was way to large in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend but I guess if you like all of this or at least are just ok with it then maybe check it out for Halloween.

The characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucy ~ She was just really awkward and I didn't really like her much.

Eric ~ The second hand embarrassment from him was ridiculous. Her are some examples: "𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁-𝘀𝗲𝘂𝘀𝘀?" 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱. "𝗔 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁?" "𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁-𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁-𝗦𝗲𝘂𝘀𝘀? 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲. 𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸." 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁– 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀. 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱. "𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁?" 𝗨𝗵-𝗼𝗵. "𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱," 𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗽. I mean my "snout" is also typically in a romance book but I would never say something like that so how is that an excuse? Anyway there is also this: 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘆, 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵. Yeah no I'm done.

Nathan "Nate" ~ He was actually not terrible so maybe I'll pick up the next book which is about him and Stella.

Stella ~ she was ok a little hyper but fine I guess.

What to expect
🎃 Paranormal RomCom
🎃 Werewolf MMC
🎃 Halloween Vibes
🎃 Workplace Romance
🎃 Third Person Dual POV
🎃 Age Gap (200 years)
🎃 Awkwardness

Quote
~~~~~~~
⚡He had a wild look about him, like he'd been struck by lightning or chugged a Stanley full of coffee. Maybe both.

Content
~~~~~~~
❤️‍🔥Romance| Tons of constant blushing, a mention of Lucy looking at Eric the same way he looks at cows or sheep or anything beefy before he sinks his teeth in

🤬Language| dang

🗡️Violence| none

🏳️‍🌈LGBTQ| none

✝️ Religion/spirituality| none

⚠️Other| Mentions of the COVID-19 pandemic, mentions of Eric eating whole cows and sheep...
Profile Image for Susan Z (webreakforbooks) .
1,126 reviews117 followers
October 18, 2023
This book won title of the year from me as soon as I saw it. I love a good play on words. Sadly for Lindsey Jesionowski, no monetary prizes or true accolades are afforded to Title of the Year 😂

The play on words continues as Eric, the titled werewolf, and Lucy, work at Hairy Stylez. COME ON! So perfect.

This a super cute fun paranormal romcom. It's full of fun Halloween festivities, sweet characters and swoony moments. I highly recommend it for spooky season, but it's absolutely perfect anytime.
Profile Image for ChristinaReadsOnTheRoad.
376 reviews11 followers
October 4, 2023
Happy Pub Day to The Way We Were(wolf), a spooky but sweet closed door novella part of the Monster Mash RomCom Madness series! I am not someone who likes to be scared – I’m more likely to be at the pumpkin patch than the haunted corn maze, and yet Lindsey wrote the perfect paranormal romance to get me in the Halloween spirit.

Lucy moved back to Wheeling to escape one struggle after another – losing a job, getting dumped, and overall struggling in her self-confidence as an artist. They volunteer to decorate their salon storefront for the Halloween festival, and along the way Eric is against the clock to avoid shifting into his werewolf form, afraid that once Lucy learned about his half-wolf self, she’d want nothing to do with him. Eric was the absolute softest werewolf there ever was, and he was completely in love with Lucy from the start. This book is a standalone, but it was fun to see Easter eggs from characters and visit some of my favorite places (Mountain Brew!) of the When in West Virginia series.

Lindsey’s writing range can make me not only laugh but cry, but for this book, I was cheesy grinning from ear to ear. If you love fall shenanigans, a Folklore-era hero, and just enough spooky (not not any frights!), I’d recommend The Way We Were(wolf). Thank you, Lindsey, for the advanced copy to review.
Profile Image for Tricia Anson.
554 reviews54 followers
November 11, 2024
This was such a fun and sweet novella! The werewolf aspect was new for me and it made for a really cute fall read to sneak in between the busyness.
Profile Image for Kaci Bonar.
381 reviews10 followers
July 30, 2024
It’s kind of crazy if you think about it, reading a fall/Halloween book at the end of July, but I never got around to it last year and have fallen in love with Lindsey’s writing, so it was time!  I love the fun title and that alone made me curious as to how this would be pulled off, I’m the first to admit being a little skeptical bit me in the butt this time!  This was so good!  This story was all that and a pumpkin roll!

Lucy is an ordinary woman, who has had some difficulty in trusting the right people and has been sheltered most of her life!  Since she recently hit rock bottom, Lucy headed to Wheeling to get a new start with the help of her cousin, Stella, giving her a job, and her uncle providing housing!  While working with for her cousin at the hair salon, Lucy’s path crosses with a tall, handsome and heavily bearded man named Eric!  This man embodies everything she would want but has an element of mystery about him that can’t help but make her curious!

Eric is a stylist at the salon and seems to feel drawn to the small town of Wheeling, despite what his brother, Nathan, says he wants to stay around!  They have moved around a lot when things start to get complicated, and Eric is tired of it!  While Nathan says it’s to protect his brother, you come to realize maybe it’s more to protect their identity of being werewolves!  Eric knows that it isn’t all in his head as he starts to fall in love with the spunky, yet insecure Lucy and is determined to show her that he can be someone she can rely on and trust!

This book hits you straight in the heart and all for the best reasons!  It’s feels like there is a fundamental truth, that everyone wants to feel loved and like they can trust the ones they are with!  The quirky nods to fall, pumpkin rolls, specialty coffees (featuring cameos from other stories), and the trip to Crafty Cathy’s just add to the overall vibe!  I can see why my bestie was hoping for a sequel to this story!  Bravo Lindsey- so when is that sequel coming?!
Profile Image for Randi Sampson.
1,775 reviews94 followers
September 20, 2023
Clearly this is a little different than my usual reads. Until the last month, it had been a VERY long time since I'd picked up any type of paranormal fiction. Not because I was opposed to the idea or anything like that, but just because I hadn't really seen any that appealed to me. My favorite type of 'monster'/Halloween stories tends to be things like Halloweentown or Hocus Pocus. I want it to be lighthearted and fun... with more humor than horror. So, when I saw that a group of romcom authors that I adore were coming out with sweet paranormal romcoms...!? I was actually really excited about it!

Oh my goodness, this was such a fun read! Having again not read any paranormal romance in a long time, I cannot say how it really compares to others in the genre but to me, it just feels like the perfect cozy fall romcom...in which the main male character just happens to be a werewolf. There's no horror or over the top angst... just a fun love story between a girl and a werewolf. And I absolutely adored it! It had all the great fall and Halloween vibes I could ask for, many laugh out loud moments and so much chemistry. Also, a werewolf hairstylist? Yes, please. (See also, my love of Halloweentown).

I was surprised to discover that this book actually took place in the same town as the When in West Virginia series, so it was really fun to see some familiar names and places too. (Though you definitely will be able to enjoy this one as a standalone if you haven't read that series.)

If you're looking for a fun Halloween read, this is absolutely one to check out!

The Way We Were(wolf) is a closed-door romance with nothing but kisses and no language.

**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jennifer Whalen.
120 reviews20 followers
October 23, 2023
This sweet novella was adorable and a fun romcom, paranormal romance.

I’ve never read a paranormal romance before - not even Twilight - so I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was really fun!

I liked the paranormal, magical elements to the story. It’s a great story with lots of fun Halloween & fall vibes. And don’t worry- you’ll get some spooky vibes here and there without anything scary or intense.

Eric was a sweet & swoony man, er, werewolf.
I loved how he encouraged Lucy and how much she cared for him. They fell hard and fast for each other - and of course we got a happy ending!

Lindsey writes some of the swooniest, muscle-y fictional men, if you’ve never read a book from her I recommend you do - and be prepared for swooning!

📖 Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nyla.
97 reviews9 followers
September 27, 2023
Thanks so much to Lindsey Jesionowski for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I went in blind and I wasn't disappointed, it's very different from my usual reads, and I am not complaining and just in time for spooky season. I loved this sweet rom com, and seeing the paranormal element really fit into the story. It was hilarious, sweet, super fun and a quick read.

I loved seeing how the story unravelled for Eric and Lucy and I enjoyed the cameos from some of my favourite characters!

The writing and dialogue is seamless, peppered with funny moments and sweet scenes, I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Andrew Brandt.
Author 13 books71 followers
September 17, 2023
Lindsey Jesionowksi’s latest romcom adds a bit of a supernatural element to the plot but nonetheless, it’s a perfect, witty and charming romp through the woods.

I love Jesionowksi’s dialogue. Her characters and their wit are so quick on their feet and her prose captures those turns of phrase as well.

The Way We Were(wolf) is a fun Halloween-themed romcom but, like all of Lindsey’s books, it has some real heart and a few gut-punches. I devoured it. Sank my teeth into it. Tore it apart. (That’s all the puns I have)
138 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2023
If you are looking for a fun Halloween read then this is the book for you. You will get lots of Fall/Halloween vibes. All mixed in with the fun of a romcom. Lucy has always believed that she trust the wrong people Eric wants to convince Lucy that she is great all while keeping the biggest secret of all. Lucy and Eric are so fun together and they chemistry is great. This is a clean closed door romcom hurry and read it before Halloween.
Profile Image for Abby Huffer.
786 reviews12 followers
October 4, 2023
This is the cutest, sweetest spooky read. No tricks, just treats to read for Spooky Season🕸️ Eric is a werewolf hiding in plain sight who falls for Lucy🧡 The clock is ticking for Eric to leave, but will love prove stronger?! Absolutely adored this! Hilarious puns and tie ins to Lindsey’s other series👏🏻
Profile Image for Jenn Lockwood Editing.
280 reviews8 followers
October 9, 2023
This book was so much fun! Love the whole “Monster Mash” concept in this 6-author collaboration!
He’s a werewolf and they work together at a hair salon. Let the fun begin!
Awesome fall/Halloweeny vibes, hilarious shenanigans, and a cutie-pie dog named Casper!
This is the perfect read for an October weekend!
Profile Image for Linda Elliott.
1,592 reviews9 followers
October 14, 2023
What a very cute story to read and short as well

You wanna meet a cute couple both with insecurities? Then this is a book for you. The author has a way of making this story just fly by. The connection the 2 have, the people that work around in the city they live in was ideal for Halloween time story.
Profile Image for September  Angel.
259 reviews29 followers
October 18, 2023
This was such a cute romance. Eric & Lucy are strangers when they meet but seem to connect well together. Before you know it they have bitten by the love bug. All their moments together are so sweet. But Eric is keeping a secret from Lucy a big were(wolf) of a secret. If Lucy were to find out would they be able to make a go of this newfound love? Or would she run the other way?
This is a small town romance with all the fun that comes with a small town. Welcome to the world of Paranormal RomCom’s. This is perfect story for this time of year.
1,383 reviews8 followers
February 10, 2025
Loving the Paranormal Romance

Can love conquer all? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out. This was a great book that has healing past hurts, trusting ourselves and others, and enjoying life day by day. Lucy and Eric are just so darn sweet together. I enjoyed the whole story and the surprises along the way.
Profile Image for Anne William.
Author 7 books63 followers
October 5, 2023
Why is wanting something/someone you can't have so hot? I don't know, but what's for certain is Eric is hot and I loved this first #monstermashromcommadness cozy-paranormal book! It's exactly what we all need to kick off our October!
Profile Image for Bailey White.
49 reviews
October 18, 2023
Such a cute book! So glad I found this author from instagram @beyond_grey. After being from the area I loved reading a book that took place in Wheeling! My favorite part was the mention of moondog!! 💛
457 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2023
A Hallmark Twilight but with only a werewolf.

Twilight without all the angst. Hallmark with a Halloween twist. Clean in words: no swearing. Clean in Kisses only and no crude inuendos. Clean as in no drinking or alcohol mentioned.

Highly recommend
Profile Image for Happy Reading Watching.
1,106 reviews42 followers
Read
November 3, 2023
PARANORMAL ROMCOM 🎃📖🐺❤️

This is a genre I am SUPER new to, and this was cute. Will check out more books by this author.

If you enjoy...
◇Short books/Novellas
◇Fast-paced story
◇Sweet Romance
◇Paranormal stories
Overall, it was a good, fun holiday read 🎃📖
Profile Image for Mystic Forest Crafts.
641 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2024
Pros:

This is a perfect introduction to the author’s writing and is all things cozy autumn. This book will give you pumpkin spice with small dash of spooky wrapped in the warm hug of a cozy paranormal romance.

Cons:

I just want more…
Profile Image for Lissa Ruck.
955 reviews17 followers
October 4, 2023
I absolutely loved Eric & Lucy's sweet,caring, funny,loving, swoony story!!!
Profile Image for readupbuttercup_.
188 reviews7 followers
October 6, 2023
So cute for Halloween!! I would have gave it 5 stars but I gave it 4 because I have a hard time with 3rd person POV.
Profile Image for Jaycee Funk.
259 reviews5 followers
October 12, 2023
I really hoped I would like this one. It was a tough read. The pure number of similes and metaphors in this book was such a distraction.
Profile Image for Aubree.
1,275 reviews12 followers
did-not-finish
November 8, 2023
I just couldn’t get through this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. It just didn’t grab me and now that we are a week past Halloween I don’t think I’ll be picking it up again.
Profile Image for Hannah Crawford.
283 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2024
What a fun Halloween jaunt. This little monster novella had me wishing for more of Lucy and Eric.
406 reviews
November 2, 2024
Cute story with a happy ever after ending with a werewolf. What more could you want. Loved it!!
Profile Image for Tracy.
1,960 reviews8 followers
January 5, 2025
All the Halloween vibes. It's a sweet, clean novella. Not terribly meaty, but a quick escape.
692 reviews
April 28, 2025
So cute

This was a really cute novella. Short and sweet. I love the characters and the fact it took place in a salon. Good clean read
Profile Image for Kate Fredrick.
197 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2023
This was the cutest monster themed romance story! This is perfect for Halloween or really anytime you want an adorable little clean fantasy-ish romance fix with a heartwarming leading man and a leading lady who will surprise you in many ways. Lindsey brings you back to Wheeling WV, the small town with Mountain Brew the coffee shop that turns your name famous with your order and Hairy Stylez the hair salon with not one, but two working werewolves. Don't worry, these werewolves are the kind who don't mean to hurt anyone, instead they plan to leave town before the full moon, and they actually turn into their werewolf selves. The only problem is that Eric runs into Lucy and his desire to leave comes to a crashing halt. Can Eric risk Lucy find out who he really is? Is Lucy even willing or able to see Eric for who he is and not the monster he is? But Lucy has her own demons she must overcome in her life. There are so many sweet moments in this story that will have you smiling, your heart melting, and just laughing out loud. If you love pumpkin rolls, strangers to friends to lovers, bowling dates, secrets, fall cozies, and super protective families this is the perfect clean romance for you.
Thank you, Lindsey, for my free eBook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback, these opinions are 100% my own.
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