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The Wolves of Arcadia Bay #1

Lost Shift: The Wolves of Arcadia Bay

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As her eighteenth birthday draws near, werewolf Katie knows it's only a matter of time before her secrets and treacherous past come to light. Terrified that her adopted pack and the only boy she's ever loved will be caught in the crossfire, Katie Clay does the only thing she knows to keep them safe. She runs. After leaving the girl he wanted for his mate back in Rock Falls, Beta Donovan Hazelton's life has come to an awkward standstill, filled with pressures he can't escape. When circumstances beyond their control shove them together and leave them devoid of options, Donovan and Katie must trek across the country and take matters into their own hands. With a merciless enemy and unexpected attraction nipping at their heels, they'll have one chance to make an end of Katie's past. If they fail, it will be the end of them.

308 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2023

4 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Skelly

37 books162 followers
AJ Skelly (also writing as April J. Skelly) is an author, reader, and lover of all things fantasy, medieval, and fairy-tale-romance. And werewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avid life-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she's always been fascinated with the written word. She lives with her husband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find their way into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea together and stay up reading far later than they should.

You can read more of her short stories at www.ajskelly.com.

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5 stars
33 (63%)
4 stars
12 (23%)
3 stars
6 (11%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Rose | Adventurous Bookworm.
1,211 reviews174 followers
April 25, 2024
Wow, this book put my emotions through the wringer. WOW (If you know what I'm talking about, you KNOW.)
I don't know what else to say other than to go order a copy right now, request that your library get a copy, and pray for the next book of the series to come out soon.
I tried to savor this book and not read it too fast, but I did not succeed. It was so engaging that I couldn't put it down. The characters were well developed and I really enjoyed seeing those from Skelly's other series, The Wolves of Rock Falls, again. Again, the author showed friendships so well, bringing another layer into the story.
My only critique is that some of the werewolf plot points were a little...iffy and confusing. With some things, it almost seems like the author boxed herself into a corner with some of the details from the Rock Falls series and now has to work around them. However, this was still a minor concern and didn't take away from the book since her characters are so strong.
A note about the paperback: the art on the pages was such a surprise, but it looks so good.

1000/5 Stars

Content: quite a bit of kissing and some suggestive comments (this book is best for older teens and up), death & violence

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review is not required. I did choose to buy a copy of the book after reading though.


_____


I can't wait!
Profile Image for Sharon Loves to Read.
324 reviews101 followers
October 24, 2025
[Edit: I just found out this is marketed to YA.😔 Downgrading to 3⭐️ due to content issues. See below.]

I loved this!! The characters were so well written! They drew me into their stories and stole my heart.

I wasn't sure how much weirdness to expect from a paranormal book about werewolves, but I thought it was very lightly told--no humans were preyed upon, and I don't even think there were any animals hunted either. They just seem like humans who shape-shift into wolves. (The shape-shifting was pretty cool, too.)

There was a decent amount of romantic tension and some steamy kisses, but I can't complain since it is written for adults and it doesn't get explicit. There is a scene that gets more detailed than I was comfortable with, but it is supposed to be cringey so I can let that go. (Two people doing private things in a public place.🤮 It isn't presented positively at all.)

Apparently I read this before I should and have been spoiled for a few things in a prior series, but I didn't know there was a prior series, so 🤷‍♀️. For those who need to know, the Wolves of Rock Falls should be read before this one.
Profile Image for Brooke J Katz.
Author 7 books9 followers
October 10, 2023
This is my first Rock Falls Book, it's a stand alone in the Rock Falls actually this is a wolves of Arcadia oh my word I'm just all for this world!!! This book has a few spoilers but I feel like as someone who hasn't read any of the previous series they are spoilers that make you want to read the entire series. I want more now! AJ does a fantastic job world building and developing these characters. You really feel like part of the pack and you feel the weather around them, you feel the transformations they go through. It is just so cool how she does that.
I loved the slow burn, cinnamon roll mc, friends to lovers and the angst!
Such a great book definitely recommend.
Profile Image for E.A..
Author 12 books191 followers
March 27, 2024
My endorsement for Lost Shift:

"Lost Shift is a swoon-worthy escape into adventure and romance. Skelly weaves an addicting love story with equal parts friendship and steamy-sweet kisses. She deftly portrays real-life characters, found family, and tops it off with the test of true love. This is a story you won’t be able to put down!"
—E. A. HENDRYX, author of Suspended in the Stars

Thanks to the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Anna.
Author 20 books328 followers
November 16, 2023
Wow. This book! It starts off right where Pack Shift ends with Donovan’s story and takes you on an ABSOLUTE ROLLAR COASTER! I love both Donovan and Katie and you don’t want the story to end. Yet you absolutely want to find out Katie’s secret, you want to see the issues resolved, and you’re cheering Donovan and Katie (a fellow bibliophile) to the bitter end.

This is the perfect ending to the Wolves series, and though I don’t want it to end, I’m so happy with this ending and the loose end that was Donovan’s love life.

All in all—a solid five star read!
Profile Image for V. Romas Burton.
Author 11 books160 followers
November 8, 2023
AJ Skelly delivers in yet another thought-provoking and romantic novel. As the start up in a new spin-off series, Lost Shift offers many swoon-worthy scenes that will leave you wanting more. With new characters to love and new twists to enjoy, Skelly has created the foundation for a fantastic new series.
Profile Image for Crystals_littlelibrary.
108 reviews
November 15, 2023
“Sadness lances my heart. Would I never stop loving this boy.”

“The scent of the bookstore wrapped around me like an embrace as I opened the door and the bell jingled.”

“The thought of something happening to her sent Wolf pacing, all tied up in knots.”

“Katie was heart and soul. She was warmth, light, fire, intelligence, and passion. She was breathtaking. Wolf nudged me.”


I absolutely adored this fun, slowburn fantasy romance! The characters were great, with an amazing story line! I was in it hook line and sinker the moment I started reading.

I loved how Katie was an avid book reader, like myself! She loved the smell and feeling of a bookstore! Having main characters love books as much as I do is always a positive in any storyline for me!

Donavan is a great male character that you fall in love with immediately! His love and loyalty to others makes my heart happy. He makes mistakes with Katie but makes up for them in the long run.

If you love light reads, with a great storyline and amazing characters that you will fall in love with immediately then you definitely want to read Lost Shift!
Profile Image for Kailey.
794 reviews94 followers
December 1, 2023
Its been a while since I read a book in one sitting! This one was amazing! I hadn't read The Wolves of Rock Falls before this, but besides some mild spoilers, I don't think I missed much. I definitely want to read them now! I loved the chemistry between Donovan and Katie. Friends to more is one of my favorite tropes. I would definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Crystal Roberts.
421 reviews11 followers
November 4, 2023
Secrets, desires, werewolves …. This is just some of the themes in this shifter book by A.j. Skelly!!! Welcome back to Rock falls!!! I was over the moon excited to dive into this new series and get to meet Katie and Donavan. They are over the top adorable as characters and you just instantly fall in love with them….. warning on this series the end with throw you for a loop and hopefully you will recover ….. I wasn’t sure I would!!!!

I would recommend this book to anyone and have!!!!
Profile Image for Briana Briggs.
243 reviews20 followers
October 31, 2023
Such a fun, beautiful book. It was awesome to get to see some favorite characters from previous books. But I really loved Katie and Donovan's story! I absolutely loved it. Donovan and Katie are just so cute together, especially after Van got his head out of his @$$. I mean I get it, he was still getting over the fact that he was all set to marry someone else and then let her go, but still, he was just plain stupid.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 13 books88 followers
September 27, 2023
Once again, Skelly has written a binge-worthy book that stands above the rest! This book is swoony, fun, and full of action. If you enjoyed the other Wolf Pack books, then you don't want to miss out on this one. The shifter lore pulls you right in and doesn't let you go until the book is done. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a clean shifter romance!
Profile Image for Donnesa McPherson.
110 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2023
I cannot get over all that is amazing with these books. Although this one can stand alone. .I would still recommend all of them adding this beauty to the pile! Add it to your TBR, call your local library and suggest this amazing add! You will not be disappointed ❤️🐺
6 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2023
Lost Shift had all my favorite tropes and somehow put a new spin on them. I read this book in mere hours, unable to keep myself from diving head first into AJ Skelly's world-building, characters, and all the tension that exists between them. Even though this is the first book I've read by Skelly, I immediately felt connected and invested with the characters... like so quick. Now I'm just sitting here waiting for her next project, because wow. I'm in love with the Wolves of Arcadia Bay.
Profile Image for Kristen Valenzuela.
642 reviews
November 4, 2023
Wow! What a great way to end this series! The love story was the primary focus and I was getting worried at 85% and the BIG SHOWDOWN hadn’t happened yet. That last 15% was packed with action and ACTION and surprises. “Never leave a game early because you miss that unexpected home run “ applies here. That ending!!!! Wow!
Profile Image for Jacklyn Roberts.
76 reviews
June 17, 2024
The romance and Mystery in this book is so good!!
From start to finish this book is just amazing!
It is so well written that I hated when I had to put it down!!
Katie and Donovan are just perfect for each other and I’m so glad that their story got told!
Having said that THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS?!? If you read it YOU KNOW WHAT I AM REFERRING TO!!
You are on my list AJ!!
You can’t play with people’s feelings like that!!
Profile Image for Book Ecke.
125 reviews8 followers
October 17, 2023
Book: Lost Shift
Genre: Fantasy/Werewolves Fiction
Language: English

Today's coffee was served with the book "Lost Shift: The Wolves of Arcadia Bay" by A.J. Skelly. It is a pulse-pounding ride of emotions that had me utterly enthralled. This book expertly spins a tale of love, secrets, and the intricate world of werewolves as Katie, our protagonist, approaches her eighteenth birthday. Fearing the revelation of her perilous past and its potential impact on her adopted pack and her beloved, she makes a daring decision to run. Her journey collides with Beta Donovan Hazelton, a character we know from Skelly's "The Wolves of Rock Falls" series.
The book truly shines in its character development and the portrayal of unbreakable bonds of friendship. Skelly crafts characters so vividly that you can't help but invest in her stories. Though some aspects of the werewolf mythology may have left me slightly bewildered, it in no way detracted from the gripping narrative.
In conclusion, "Lost Shift" is an electrifying addition to the supernatural fiction genre, with its enthralling story, slow-burning romance, and unforeseen plot twists. I devoured it and eagerly await the next chapter in this spellbinding series. The shocking ending left me craving more, and A.J. Skelly has secured a top spot on my must-read list.

Get your copy from: https://amzn.to/3Q2MI53

Gratitude: I received the book from the team managed by Jessica Gwynn for an honest review and to assist with the launch party.
Profile Image for Suzie.
Author 2 books9 followers
October 24, 2023
With werewolves, romance, action, and a touch of suspense, Lost Shift has it all.

Donovan is the son the alpha who cares deeply for his pack. Confidence is his middle name...until he won a contest for the right to claim a specific girl as mate, then gave her up so she could be with the man she loved. Shaken, he returns to his pack, questioning himself and his abilities. His desire to protect everyone around him and the uncertainty that comes with a major change of plans made him instantly relatable for me.

Katie is a sweet, book-loving wolf with a secret. Although she loves her pack, she's fearful of trusting them with her secret, because she believes a deeper connection will get them killed. Her selflessness and openness, with everything but her secret, makes her endearing and someone I want for a best friend.

Read Lost Shift for fun trek across the US, diving deeper in the werewolf lore of Skelly's world, and look at fighting for what matters.

Content warning: There was a lot of kissing and several instances of innuendo that make this, to me, inappropriate for younger teens.
Profile Image for The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V..
1,077 reviews27 followers
June 23, 2024
Oh, man! I loved this so much and then the ending ruined it. I loved the Wolves of Rockfalls series, and this start to a new series with another wolf pack set in the same world had me hooked from the start. Katie and Donovan had a fab friendship that got weird and then became something more. It was a beautiful friends-to-lovers with a twisty and very intense plot. There were so many intriguing elements of the world that made this story pop off the page with unexpected moments I had NOT seen coming.

But the author decided to gloss over an emotionally damaging ending and added an epilogue where some unexplained magic is provided after the fact to still give the book a HEA. It felt cheap and was a real disappointment. I would have honestly been happier being left with the emotional damage, but could see that if the choice had been made to show the "miracle" in the moment as it unfolded, I would have probably found the ending really satisfying. As it is, this book dropped from a solid 5 stars to 3.5. Why, Ms Skelly?! Why?!
Profile Image for Bookish Britt.
217 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2024
✨Urban Fantasy Review ✨

Teenage mutant werewolves : ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧 Werewolves, and mates, and pack bonds, oh my. The mystery around Katie’s heritage and impeding birthday was what really kept me interested however, it was a subplot to the main romance of the book. I also enjoyed the wolf pack dynamic and wished it was developed in more detail. It’s pretty slow paced until the very end where the ending might throw you for a second! Overall a nice read and I so appreciate that it was absent of spice and profuse swearing!

Author: AJ Skelly
Publisher: Quill & Flame Publishing
Audio: Quill & Flame Publishing

🔔Content notes: childhood trauma,detailed attraction described, heavy romance/kissing described, violence/murd** mentioned
Profile Image for Sofia Simpson.
Author 7 books113 followers
September 15, 2023
Lost Shift is a fantastic addition to AJ Skelly's other wolf books! I loved the dynamic between the two characters in this book, they come alive off the pages. I fell in love with Donovan in Pack Shift, Wolves of Rock Falls #4, even though he wasn't the main character, he was just that good to read.
The romantic suspense between he and Katie is on fire and is full of the heat but none of the spice, which I love. The tension and adventure in the book are also on point, really this book is an all-around five in my book. Put this first on your list to read!
262 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2023
3.5 stars. I really liked this book. I thought it was fun but then the ending felt really rushed. I was at 90% and the bad guy problem wasn’t resolved. Then it all happened in like 1 chapter. I wanted some more detail about things and so I was disappointed by the ending.

Overall, I did like it but will not likely read it again.

This book was clean though so that was nice! (No sex, little/no gore, no swearing)
Profile Image for Jason McCoy.
Author 1 book11 followers
July 17, 2024
Doing the right thing can suck sometimes, and Donovan is really dealing with the fallout of being an honorable guy. So what can break a hero out of his funk? Travel, of course!
Fans of the Rock Falls wolves will love this story, and even if it’s your first venture into AJ Skelly’s world, you will catch up quick.
I loved the quick action, friends to more vibes, and yeah, the nice guy might not finish first, but his reward is so worth reading.
Profile Image for Haley Kilgour.
1,310 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2023
So this book definitely had some twists and turns. And the ending had me totally thinking something else for a hot second.

I do like that there wasn’t this instant attraction. There was that for Katie but she wasn’t willing to take what she wanted if it wasn’t real.

I also wasn’t expecting this spinoff series to bring in the original cast so soon which was fun!
Profile Image for Brandy.
40 reviews
November 4, 2023
The Book:
The paperbacks of “The Wolves of Rock Falls” were black and white but “Lost Shift” has the most amazing edges!! Not only the paperback version but also the full color hardcover and I must say, I’m in love!
On the cover you see a woman and a wolf in the woods with a full moon in the background. The green in the cover gives it an mystical vibe.

The Story:
Katie Clay is a werewolf but that’s not her only secret. She lives with the Hazelton pack for years now and is madly in love with the pack’s Beta Donovan. But with her 18th birthday around the corner she’s afraid her past will come for her and she decides to take a run for it.
Donovan Hazelton is a defeated Beta. He feels the pressure of finding the right mate and makes a mistake while being distracted, staying isn’t an option.

My Review:
"Soggy fur is miserable. It drips everywhere, and even as a werewolf, the smell of wet dog gets to me"-Katie Clay (Lost Shift).

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G read.
I really loved the Wolves of Rockfalls series so I had high expectations for Lost shift and AJ delivered!
The book is written from the POV of the two main characters, Katie and Donovan, so you experience the story from both of their points of views. This way you get to know them throughout the book and you will totally connect with one, or both.
Lost Shift is a young adult smut free fantasy romance book and I love that it’s packed with swoon. It’s filled with so many unexpected twists and turns that you can’t fully dream of but have to stay alert and just keep on reading.
With AJ’s way of worldbuilding and describing characters you can almost see the story happen as it were a movie.
I’ve read many werewolf books but author AJ Skelly just always finds a way to make them original and that’s what I love about her books.
I truly recommend Lost shift and if you haven’t read the Wolves of Rockfalls series, than you definitely should read those as well 😊.
Profile Image for Brittany Eden.
Author 13 books66 followers
October 17, 2023
With her usual (and awesome) page-turning pacing and swoon, AJ Skelly's LOST SHIFT had that perfect mix of paranormal romance plus a story focusing on the value of found family. It's those relatable characters that ground what many of us have affectionately termed Skelly's "wolf books" in reality. Once again, I read it way too fast, and as always, I turned the last page and immediately asked when the next book would come out! And while this story can be read without reading The Wolves of Rock Falls series, I promise you that you'll be slavering for more wolf books at the end of LOST SHIFT in the best way.
Profile Image for Suzie.
Author 2 books9 followers
October 24, 2023
With werewolves, romance, action, and a touch of suspense, Lost Shift has it all.

Donovan is the son the alpha who cares deeply for his pack. Confidence is his middle name...until he won a contest for the right to claim a specific girl as mate, then gave her up so she could be with the man she loved. Shaken, he returns to his pack, questioning himself and his abilities. His desire to protect everyone around him and the uncertainty that comes with a major change of plans made him instantly relatable for me.

Katie is a sweet, book-loving wolf with a secret. Although she loves her pack, she's fearful of trusting them with her secret, because she believes a deeper connection will get them killed. Her selflessness and openness, with everything but her secret, makes her endearing and someone I want for a best friend.

Read Lost Shift for fun trek across the US, diving deeper in the werewolf lore of Skelly's world, and look at fighting for what matters.

Content warning: There was a lot of kissing and several instances of innuendo that make this, to me, inappropriate for younger teens.
Profile Image for Ashley Lavering.
Author 10 books125 followers
December 9, 2023
Enjoyed it

I liked this werewolf romance. The plot was pretty good and the romance was well done. While there were no sex scenes the kissing was very heated. I loved how Van waited on Katie and helped her process her trauma and respect her while also letting her know he wasn't going to let her go. He showed her service and wooed her with books and love. I could totally believe in their chemistry and love and was rooting for them to make it.
680 reviews
January 6, 2024
Stinker but really good

I was not sure what to think when I got this. Wow, it was a very well written story. I enjoyed getting to know Van and Katie. The author had me going at the end. Yet, there was a HEA. This is a clean read but they have passion, just not explicit detail.
Profile Image for Kd James.
125 reviews
December 27, 2023
So this author is local to the area and I thought it would be fun to read 🥰 it’s a cute story, nothing to really brag about. This was a stand alone book, but she has multiple series that intertwine
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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