Moonstruck

Moonstruck #1

by Heather Young-Nichols

A steamy, WOLF SHIFTER, touch her and die, paranormal, first in a TRILOGY romance.

After living under my father's rule, I’m about to break free.

My father has kept me on a short leash my entire life. It doesn’t seem as if he likes me very much. To him, I’m a commodity. Something he can trade to grow his wealth. It doesn’t matter that the man he’s chosen for me to marry is mean and cruel.

Then Orin shows up at a ball he isn’t supposed to be at. I don’t know it but he’s here for me.

Finding out what he is… scares the hell out of me.

Finding out I’m his supposed mate… I don’t know that I’ll recover.

Orin won’t hurt me and anything I have to deal with is better than living under my father’s thumb.

Until a rival pack makes a grave mistake. They take me from Orin and I don’t think any of them will live to see morning.

Moonstruck is a fated mates, shifter romance with a virgin heroine, touch her and die vibes, and a sexy shifter that’s willing to do anything to protect her.

Genres: Audiobook

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

About the author

Heather Young-Nichols is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romances. She writes swoony heroes and snarly heroines with a heap of romance.

When she's not writing, she's binging a show with her kids, watching baseball, or snuggling with her cuddly animals.

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Reviews

[Miranda Reads]

"The world spun around me."

Elizabeth Davis, only daughter of Henry Davis, spent her entire life under his thumb.

And she played her part well - yes sir, no sir, whatever you'd like sir. It was enough to keep her head down and her wits about her - she just had to survive..

"Though much more comfortable in trousers, Father didn't allow it. A proper girl always wore dresses."

But then her father announced that Elizabeth was to get married.

Reeling in shock and horror, Orin came into her life.

"I did my best to look uninterested..."

And despite herself, Elizabeth found herself quite beside herself.

"Lovely night," a deep voice said...

Orin was completely unlike any man she set her eyes upon ...and just like that her life is completely turned upside down.

And Orin has a secret - one that could destroy everything and everyone she's ever loved.

I went into this book expecting an over-the-top paranormal romance and that's EXACTLY what was delivered.

So while I did have a lot of fun in the beginning of the book ... I think it was for reasons the author wasn't expecting or hoping for...

Elizabeth's love was so all-consuming that I often wondered how she functioned before Orin came into her life.

Orin was so over-the-top brooding (I'm too dangerous for you, yet I cannot stay away) that I wondered how he managed to get up every morning without falling into a pit of despair.

The will-they-won't-they plot was so clearly defined from the beginning that there's not much in terms to guess what happens next...and yet...I did enjoy most of it.

The first half of the book really hit me in the nostalgic feels with the Edward-Bella, though with Orin being a werewolf, it's more like Edward's brooding with Jacob's furry situation.

The ending was...a downturn for the book. I really had fun in the beginning, but then the character's illogical responses and the plot's general jumpiness began to wear on me.

Overall, it was a nice throwback and this book absolutely nailed the end-all-be-all love that so clearly defines this genre.

A huge thank you to the narrator and the author for providing me with a free audible copy* of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*A note on the audio, I rather enjoyed listening to the book. The tone/inflection was consistent and the main character's inner voice fit her behavior/thoughts rather well. I wish there was a bit more distinction for the male characters, but I feel like that could be a tricky thing to accomplish.

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[Scarlett (Carrie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

So let's start with the narrator, wonderful! I thought she was great! Honestly no complaints there at all! But I do have issues... most of it with grammar or repeating a sentence way too much and so close to the same sentence. So this book really needs a good editor for all the simple mistakes like 'though' instead of 'thought'.

The story is really good! It's not often I see shifter books set in the past. This was the early 1900's I believe. So I thought that was really nifty. I didn't like the insta-love that was in this book but I did enjoy the heat level. It was perfect without over doing it. So A+ there!

So while there are issues that really need to be taken care of, it's not a bad story at all and I did enjoy it!

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (8/13/2018)!💝

Blurb:
A woman being forced into a marriage. A shifter searching out his mate. When their two worlds collide, will love be enough to save them?

When werewolf Orin finds his mate, and she’s human, that becomes the least of his worries. His pack wants her dead, and she’s about to marry another man.

Elizabeth has never considered defying her father’s plan. Fantasized about defying him, but never thought she could do it. Until she meets Orin, a dark, forbidden stranger who claims he’s her mate. She’s terrified by the way he makes her feel yet is taken with the way he treats her as a person. Not even her father’s most brutal punishments are enough to keep her away.

The fight with Orin’s family is put on hold when Elizabeth is taken hostage by a rival pack. Turns out defying her father was the easy part. Now Elizabeth is in for a real fight to get back to the life she’s created with Orin… If she can survive.

[Juliana Ignácio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth is being forced into a marriage of convenience, and Orin, a shifter, is looking for his mate.
Orin discovers that Lizzie is his mate, but his pack wants her dead, while Lizzie dares to defy her father wishes to marry.
This story is full of drama and determination for them to have their HEA.
When Elizabeth is taken hostage by a rival pack, she'll have to fight to survive and be able to have her HEA with Orin.
I really liked this story and I’m looking forward to more of these characters.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

Moonstruck is an interesting book. It was a little rough to read about Lizzie's relationship with her father but the chemistry between her and Orin was magical. I don't want to give away any spoilers so it is hard to describe what a good book it is. A little heavy but not distressingly so.

[Sophie Koufes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonstruck is a Historical Paranormal Romance Novel that will keep you on your toes till the very end. The synopsis is intriguing as well as the narrative. The world building descriptions and settings are well detailed. The writing style captures the essence of the genre perfectly. Character's are complex and well seasoned. Supporting character's are a integral part of the narrative and are well composed. Brimming with sweet moments and suspenseful ones that will tug at your heart. I would love to see this novel extended into a series as I would love to learn more about Orin and Elizabeth's families.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonstruck is the first book in the Moonstruck series. This is the tale of Elizabeth and Orin.

Book details:
A woman being forced into a marriage. A shifter searching for his mate. When their two worlds collide, will love be enough to save them?

When werewolf Orin finds his mate, and she’s human, that becomes the least of his worries. His pack wants her dead, and she’s about to marry another man. Elizabeth has never considered defying her father’s plans. Fantasized about defying him, but never thought she could do it. Until she meets Orin, a dark forbidden stranger who claims he’s her mate. She’s terrified by the way he makes her feel yet is taken with the way he treats her as a person. Not even her father’s most brutal punishments are enough to keep her away.

The fight with Orin’s family is put on hold when Elizabeth is taken hostage by a rival pack. Turns out defying her father was the easiest part. Now Elizabeth is in a real fight to get back to the life she’s created with Orin…. If she can survive.

Review:
This story is full of drama and determination for them to have their HEA. When Elizabeth is taken hostage by a rival pack, she’ll fight to survive and be able to have her HEA with Orin. The writing style captures the essence of the genre perfectly. Characters are complex and well developed. Supporting characters are an integral part of the narrative and are well composed. Brimming with sweet moments and suspenseful ones that will tug at your heartstrings. I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen in the coming books for this series. I would most definitely suggest anyone to check out Moonstruck and give it a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

There werewolf parts weren’t the focus of this story but just enough to add a bit of danger. This was completely told in Lizzie’s POV. Her father hates her since she killed his beloved wife in childbirth, mind you her mother had secrets she kept about her family and why she ran from her family but they are Uncivilized wolf pack that Lizzie will learn and what Orin and his family pack have against them and so forth later on. There will be triggers for some like Lizzie’s father will beat her including backhands to the face in front of people, also man handling from her mothers people, attempted rape from her mothers pack since they see Lizzie as a brood mare to birth powerful wolves. This story will have some inconsistencies for example in a part where he was him her bedroom at her father’s house, he jumped down from her room and a few words later, Lizzie was looking at Orin so judge his body language?.... left left so how is she looking at him? And another when she was kidnapped she was wearing a skirt and when Orin saved her and took her to their bathroom after leaving her prison she’s wearing bloody slacks, her kidnappers never gave her cloths so from a skirt to pants? A sack of flower at the store should be flour.... things like that. Other then a few hatred people that Lizzie deals with and the history of her mothers people, this wasn’t a bad story, wished it had some view points from Orin but it was good.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wolf-shifter paranormal fantasy romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are intriguing, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with being a moonstruck, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy lust, passion, spice, and desire with all the sizzling feelings, action, adventure, heartfelt emotions, being kidnapped, Orin is my only hope of survival, drama, complications, a forbidden stranger, and more. To find out if there is a happily ever after I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with moonstruck and explicit romance that is sure to take readers on an exhilarating roller coaster ride that is wild and unforgettable.

Elizabeth is about to break free

The day a forbidden stranger appears and claims to be my mate, I'm not only surprised but can't believe he's talking to me. My father keeps me on a short leash but I can't deny my attraction to him.

The magnetic pull of Orin is too much for me to fight and when I discover he's not at all what he seems, I don't think I'll ever recover. I've been promised to someone else so Orin promises to keep his distance.

That's not what I want. It's not what he wants but things are complicated when a rival pack kidnaps me.

Orin is my only hope of survival and he's willing to do anything to get me back.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Akshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Moonstruck series although you can read it as a stand-alone. The twists and unexpected turns keep you reading and turning the pages. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. This book has strong, well-developed characters, an interesting story line full of suspense, danger, action, mystery, unexpected twists, passion, and an exciting ending. It is the love story of Elisabeth and Orin. Elisabeth has had a cruel upbringing by a father who blames her for her mother's death during childbirth. She meets Orin, a handsome stranger, at one of her father's parties during which she learns of her father's intentions to marry her off to a cruel, sadistic man for financial gain. Orin does everything in his power to help the beautiful innocent woman being used as a pawn in her father's actions. He feels a deep infatuation for her instantly. She is hopelessly in love with Orin in a very short time because he gives her the attention and admiration that she has been denied all her life. It is a beautiful love story with a lot of obstacles they work together to overcome.

[Candy76 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 1920's. Lizzie grew up without her mom and was stuck with the only parent left, her father. Her father was a strict man and Lizzie didn't feel love from her father. He blames her for her mother passing after childbirth. At the age of 21 she has little freedom to dress how she'd like or do anything. Then she meets Orin. He has secrets but that doesn't stop them from meeting secretly. I forgot, she is supposed to marry someone her father chooses for financial reasons. She has grown attached to Orin and vice versa, but they will never be together. Will Lizzie rebel or live in misery?
Once I started reading, I was entranced. At first it seemed that the story took place in more modern times but then as I kept reading I realized that the language was from another time. I enjoyed the tale of Lizzie and Orin and how they started. I could eventually envision a time with dirt roads and the fact that women were seen and not heard. I'm glad I didn't live in this era. Heather is a talented writer and with her writing transferred me to another time. I recommend you give Heather a look with magical stories.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Davis has grown up with a controlling father who expects her to be perfect and listen and obey him in all things. Henry Davis has arranged her marriage to a cruel man in order to get financial benefits for his company. Elizabeth is drawn to a handsome stranger, and for the first time in her life, she takes a chance on love and freedom to be herself. Orin Vilkatas is drawn to Elizabeth, too. He doesn't understand it because she isn't one of his kind. Orin fights the attraction but still promises himself to protect her. He has to protect his families SECRETS. When he refuses to marry her,she takes her life into her own hands to make sure she can't be forced into a marriage. Orin stops her, and the Adventures start. Her world is turned up side down. What will her father do when he finds out what they have done? Will she find out his supernatural SECRETS? What will Orin's family do when they find out he has put them all at risk? What will happen when they all find out that Elizabeth's mother had enemies and now they are after them all? I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shayay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t really like the whole damsel, arranged marriage type books, but I love shifter stories so I wanted to give this a listen. The narrator did a good job and she really fit the characters well. Orin and Elizabeth have good chemistry and they are really sweet together. They have some good passion too. Elizabeth’s father is really strict with her and has arranged for her to marry a cad of a man. When she meets Orin at a party, the connection between them can’t be denied. Orin tries to push her away because he doesn’t want her involved in his shifter world. There’s danger afoot! I like that Elizabeth stands up for herself, but she does also act like a damsel, so I didn’t love her but she’s okay. She grew up pampered; she’s kind of weak in physicality, so she doesn’t offer much that way. It’s great she’s exerting her independence, but unfortunately, it leads to her making poor decisions. Orin is a sweetheart and I loved how protective he is. The time period seemed weird to place at times, but overall an entertaining story. There’s some interesting action and the story pulled me in.

[Mary]

This is an intriguing paranormal romance. The story is about Orin and Elizabeth. He is a wolf shifter searching for his fated mate. She is human with a very controlling father. Orin sees her at the first party, at her fathers house, that kicks off the season. The attraction and pull between them is instant and strong. Every thing is stopped when her father demands it is time for her to retire. Then she remembers what Orin says and sneaks out to meet him. Her father is demanding she marry Noah, a horrible excuse for a man. Orin, loves Elizabeth but he has secrets and cannot marry her. Will she be brave and go against her father's demands? Will Orin take a chance? This is an intriguing story with some surprises along the way. There is also a bit of suspense, action, danger, kidnapping and good twists.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth met Orin at a party at her father’s house and her father was very strict with her because her mother died giving birth to her. She snuck out and met him the garden after her father told her to go to bed but Noah her intended threatened her, Orin took care of that problem. Orin’s wolf decided that Elizabeth was his mate even though she was human after they got married her father disowned her and had to hide so his brothers wouldn’t kill her. Read her mother’s journal found out that her was from a wolf pack but couldn’t turn, her grandfather took her to use her body. When rescuering her, Roman one of Orin’s brothers was killed and caused a problem. Things worked out. Good book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out very good. It’s not typical shifter story. The differences were nice and added to the story but people who follow shifter stories might not care for it. I am a huge shifter reader so I did have a few issues through the story. The story moves along at a nice pace. Although it really zipped along during the second half.

This is my first book by this author. Her characters are interesting and I could see the growth in them. The story was different but still good. I enjoyed it. I listened to this on audio. Amanda Abeillan did a good job with all these characters and was easy to listen to.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read this book I went through a bunch of emotions. I could feel the characters pain, happiness, love, and joy. There are moments that you see how very naive Elisabeth really is. This nativity makes you want to smack her upside her head at times and tell her to think. I absolutely loved the characters though. They have amazing personalities that fit well in their roles. I am very glad I read the story as it is jammed packed with action, drama, and suspense. It pulled me in and didn’t let go. It is an absolute must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth (Lizzie) is controlled by her father, and he has setup who she is to marry, but she doesn't think he is a very good man. Luckily Lizzie is distracted by her attraction to Orin, a stranger who starts to be at more events she is also at. Can Lizzie escape her father's grasp, and find her own happiness? Will Orin be a man she can trust? What will she think of Orin's secret? I enjoyed Lizzie and Orin's story, it's set it older times (around Prohibition, so expect some old fashion expectations).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[E.J. Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book I've read by Nichols. Have to say, the book was a little all over the place. Grammar mistakes, the heroine somehow discovering the MC male's name before he even introduced himself as Orin was odd to read. While I was engaged storyline and wanting to know more, I ended up stopping after chapter 5. The story was going all over the place, nothing that kept me grounded to the characters and not really caring about her contracted marriage she was going to have to go through. The description of world building was little to none so I had no idea of setting or time period it was set too. Everything was very muted.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I first started reading this book, but I do know that this wasn’t it. Lizzie and Orin’s story is the sweet yet angst-y emotional drama I’ve come to expect from a Heather Young-Nichols title, but it also contains a thread of real-world brutality that was quite unexpected from what I’ve read before. The book stands alone, but I hope we’ll see more from this world in the future because I’m nowhere near done hearing about Orin, Lizzie, and their families.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

[Nancy Varanauski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth or Lizzy??

Finally, a story with a good plot. Sure, we have werewolves, sex, and a controlling father , but, this is the roaring 1920's. Women have the vote, bobbing their hair and wearing flapper dresses,except for Elizabeth. Lizzy is being forced into an arranged marriage, her life is doomed. Then Orin enters her life and Lizzy begins to find her voice and inner strength. All of this makes an interesting story that I am sure readers will cheering Elizabeth on. This book was free and I am living an honest, voluntary review.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonstruck: A Shifter Romance was a good read by Heather Young-Nichols. Orin is a werewolf who finally found his mate but she';s human. His pack wants her dead and she's about to marry another man. Elizabeth always fantasized about defying her father's plan but never thought she could. That is until she meets Orin. Elizabeth is taken hostage by a rival pack and all she wants is to get back to the life she's created with Orin. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I first started reading this book, but I do know that this wasn’t it. Lizzie and Orin’s story is the sweet yet angst-y emotional drama I’ve come to expect from a Heather Young-Nichols title, but it also contains a thread of real-world brutality that was quite unexpected from what I’ve read before. The book stands alone, but I hope we’ll see more from this world in the future because I’m nowhere near done hearing about Orin, Lizzie, and their families.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about hot possessive alpha's and Orin fits that description to a T. After following the trail to his mate and finding Elizabeth he knows she's safer and better off without him but he can't let her go, or watch her father marry her off to someone else. So he swoops in, marries her, and chaos erupts in the form of his family, secrets from her past, and a death that rocks them both. A great first book in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orin and Elizabeth. Hes an alpha and all that entails and what you expect. Shes just an object of society advancement to her father and hes just promised her to a hateful mean man. When Orin goes looking for his mate it takes him to a ball hes not invited to. There is where he sees her and claims her to save her. This leads to all kinds of twists turns entanglements danger suspense betrayal and chemistry and sexy alpha control.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Heather Young-Nichols; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Moonstruck Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Lizzie & Orin; they meet at the ball. He claims her as his mate, she feels that’s better than being under her father’s thumb until a rival pack kidnaps her.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth's father is strict and arranges a marriage but she ends up meeting Orin her fated mate at a party and things take some interesting and dangerous turns. Not only does Elizabeth find her mate she finds out about some family secrets that change her life forever. Moonstruck is book one in the series and after that ending, I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong characters and an intriguing storyline. The author does a great job building the story and painting her scenes. She brings suspense, a bit of danger and a strong chemistry. The story moves fluidly and is an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her father is a cruel man who does not seem to like her and he has kept her on a tight leash. He has also planned a marriage for her but she is about to meet her true mate. They are there to save her and make her his. How will it all go? Can she have a better life with them? See just how it will all go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth meets Orin at her father's party. She sneaks out to meet him in the garden. Orin's wolf knows Elizabeth is his mate. After they get married, she has to hide from her family. A great story that draws you in with plenty of drama.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.