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Virtue Shifters #8
Buck the Halls
He’s really just a deer fellow... Stag shifter Keith Raleigh is back home in Virtue for a family Christmas when he’s roped into a fundraising event by eight year old Noah Brannigan. All Keith has to do is cut his hair... which he’s been growing for twenty years! The moment he sees his stylist, though, Keith knows his heart has been comandeered forever... but a full-on deer-saster convinces his stag that Keith shouldn’t tell Stacy the truth about himself now — and is deertermined to make sure he can’t!
She hates this time of deer... Hairdresser Stacy Carbone didn’t like the holidays until fawny, gorgeous Keith walked through her salon door. From the moment she meets him, he feels right... but it also seems like he might be holding something back. After a dinner date debacle, Stacy just hopes that someday she’ll be able to undeerstand.
Of course, once she learns his secret, it’ll all be obvious in hindsight, but until then, Stacy has to buck her holiday tradition of being a grinch, and hope she can find her hart’s true desire in Keith!
Buck the Halls is a funny, fast-paced romantic comedy sure to endeer itself to readers everywhere! One-click now to read this light shifter romance with a guaranteed deerly beloved on the way!
She hates this time of deer... Hairdresser Stacy Carbone didn’t like the holidays until fawny, gorgeous Keith walked through her salon door. From the moment she meets him, he feels right... but it also seems like he might be holding something back. After a dinner date debacle, Stacy just hopes that someday she’ll be able to undeerstand.
Of course, once she learns his secret, it’ll all be obvious in hindsight, but until then, Stacy has to buck her holiday tradition of being a grinch, and hope she can find her hart’s true desire in Keith!
Buck the Halls is a funny, fast-paced romantic comedy sure to endeer itself to readers everywhere! One-click now to read this light shifter romance with a guaranteed deerly beloved on the way!
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2023
164 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Chant
326 books1,506 followersZoe Chant loves writing paranormal romance. Over a cup of tea (or something stronger) she whips up sexy tales of hunky heroes and adventurous heroines to tantalize and satisfy her readers. Sizzling hot romance, no cliffhangers!
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 21, 2024
😊
🎄 Christmas
❤️ buck shifter
🎄 small town
❤️ fated mates
🎄 clean romance
❤️ novella
A sweet, clean Christmas novella.
🎄 Christmas
❤️ buck shifter
🎄 small town
❤️ fated mates
🎄 clean romance
❤️ novella
A sweet, clean Christmas novella.
December 31, 2024
Fiction / Romance / Christmas / Shifter / Fated mates / Clean
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Fantastic holiday read. It was so funny, I was cracking up. Great short read to get you in the holiday spirit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Fantastic holiday read. It was so funny, I was cracking up. Great short read to get you in the holiday spirit.
December 28, 2023
A Stag and the Hairdresser....
Stacy is a beautician and doesn't like the Christmas season because she has to work so much harder. Keith is a stag shifter and goes into Stacy's shop to get his hair cut to help with a charity. When he sees her he knows she is his mate. Unfortunately when he goes out with his family to run free as a deer he realizes his antlers have disappeared. His stag is mortified and doesn't want him to tell Stacy that he is a shifter. But when Keith is getting lunch to take to Stacy he has an accident and ends up waking up at the vets trying to figure out what happened. His sister goes to get Stacy and when she takes her to the vet Stacy is so surprised. She ends up walking up to Keith in his stag form. When she realizes it is Keith she finally understands what he hadn't told her about himself. She was happy and Keith was so relieved that she finally knew his secret and was still in love with him. Virtue is an amazing town and a wonderful series. I have enjoyed reading it and I definitely recommend it to everyone.
Stacy is a beautician and doesn't like the Christmas season because she has to work so much harder. Keith is a stag shifter and goes into Stacy's shop to get his hair cut to help with a charity. When he sees her he knows she is his mate. Unfortunately when he goes out with his family to run free as a deer he realizes his antlers have disappeared. His stag is mortified and doesn't want him to tell Stacy that he is a shifter. But when Keith is getting lunch to take to Stacy he has an accident and ends up waking up at the vets trying to figure out what happened. His sister goes to get Stacy and when she takes her to the vet Stacy is so surprised. She ends up walking up to Keith in his stag form. When she realizes it is Keith she finally understands what he hadn't told her about himself. She was happy and Keith was so relieved that she finally knew his secret and was still in love with him. Virtue is an amazing town and a wonderful series. I have enjoyed reading it and I definitely recommend it to everyone.
February 22, 2024
Laughs, love and shifter vanity
This is a sweet, swoony, adorable, hilarious, and fun shifter novella set in the shifter sanctuary town of Virtue. Stacey is a human hairdresser in the town and she is not a fan of Christmas. Keith is a stag shifter who comes into Stacey’s salon to get his very long hair cut for charity. Keith recognizes her as his fated mate as soon as he sees her and Stacey feels an embarrassing level of attraction and chemistry as well. The internal dialogue of Keith’s stag and his ridiculous family while the human Keith fumbled through romancing Stacey was hands down the best part of this book. I will be reading this book again and again. While short, the writing was good, the characters were well developed, and the storyline was fun and engaging. I am excited to read more about this town. 4.5 stars.
This is a sweet, swoony, adorable, hilarious, and fun shifter novella set in the shifter sanctuary town of Virtue. Stacey is a human hairdresser in the town and she is not a fan of Christmas. Keith is a stag shifter who comes into Stacey’s salon to get his very long hair cut for charity. Keith recognizes her as his fated mate as soon as he sees her and Stacey feels an embarrassing level of attraction and chemistry as well. The internal dialogue of Keith’s stag and his ridiculous family while the human Keith fumbled through romancing Stacey was hands down the best part of this book. I will be reading this book again and again. While short, the writing was good, the characters were well developed, and the storyline was fun and engaging. I am excited to read more about this town. 4.5 stars.
August 10, 2024
Buck the Halls is book eight of the Virtue Shifters series. I'm still determined to make it through the series, but it isn't easy. And the attempted pun in the title doesn’t work for me at all.
Hairdresser Stacy is a longtime Grinch, hating Christmas and all that goes with it. Most of her customers are hurried at this time of year, and they’re often rude. When a drop-dead gorgeous man walks into her salon to get his beautiful, waist-length auburn hair cut, she’s surprised to find that she wants to get to know him so much that she’s willing to go to Virtue’s Holiday Market with him.
Stag shifter Keith has agreed to get his wealth of hair cut for a playground fundraiser. He’s accustomed to people being impressed by his appearance, but he isn’t prepared to meet his fated mate and find himself stunned. A very silly occurrence convinces his very vain inner buck that he doesn’t dare show Stacy his animal self.
The only conflict in this one is whether Keith’s inner stag will let him show Stacy who he really is. I gave it three out of five stars, and it only got that many because Stacy is well-written and somewhat believable.
Hairdresser Stacy is a longtime Grinch, hating Christmas and all that goes with it. Most of her customers are hurried at this time of year, and they’re often rude. When a drop-dead gorgeous man walks into her salon to get his beautiful, waist-length auburn hair cut, she’s surprised to find that she wants to get to know him so much that she’s willing to go to Virtue’s Holiday Market with him.
Stag shifter Keith has agreed to get his wealth of hair cut for a playground fundraiser. He’s accustomed to people being impressed by his appearance, but he isn’t prepared to meet his fated mate and find himself stunned. A very silly occurrence convinces his very vain inner buck that he doesn’t dare show Stacy his animal self.
The only conflict in this one is whether Keith’s inner stag will let him show Stacy who he really is. I gave it three out of five stars, and it only got that many because Stacy is well-written and somewhat believable.
January 5, 2024
Sweet and fun return to Virtue
Keith, a red deer shifter, meets his mate when she cuts his super long hair as part of a fundraiser to build a playground. But the unexpected consequence of the cut hair makes his very vain deer not want his mate to learn about him until the consequence is reversed. But can he really wait that long?
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses and no major action. The characters are sweet and engaging, with the deer as much of a character as Keith! I recommend you read these books in order. All of them are sweet and fun! Enjoy!
Keith, a red deer shifter, meets his mate when she cuts his super long hair as part of a fundraiser to build a playground. But the unexpected consequence of the cut hair makes his very vain deer not want his mate to learn about him until the consequence is reversed. But can he really wait that long?
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some kisses and no major action. The characters are sweet and engaging, with the deer as much of a character as Keith! I recommend you read these books in order. All of them are sweet and fun! Enjoy!
January 16, 2024
Keith and Stacy's HEA! 4.45*****/5 Spoiler
Keith Raleigh, a red shifter stag, and Stacy Carbone, a Christmas-hating hair stylist, met as Keith pledged Noah to get his hair cut to raise funds for a Virtue playground for the kids. As Stacy cut and styled Keith's long mane, he lost his antlers. This made his proud stag, embraced to show himself to his fated mate. In the end, after double entendre- laden conversations, and clumsy dates, his sister revealed to Stacy his true nature. Yep honesty is shown once again to be the bedrock of any blossoming relationship! A Quick Hilarious Read!
01/14/24 - 01/14/24 COVID-19 MLKJr'24
Keith Raleigh, a red shifter stag, and Stacy Carbone, a Christmas-hating hair stylist, met as Keith pledged Noah to get his hair cut to raise funds for a Virtue playground for the kids. As Stacy cut and styled Keith's long mane, he lost his antlers. This made his proud stag, embraced to show himself to his fated mate. In the end, after double entendre- laden conversations, and clumsy dates, his sister revealed to Stacy his true nature. Yep honesty is shown once again to be the bedrock of any blossoming relationship! A Quick Hilarious Read!
01/14/24 - 01/14/24 COVID-19 MLKJr'24
May 9, 2025
Terrific All Ages (almost) Fated Mate Story
I totally love this story!! Oh...but I cannot say why without spoilers...hmm. Well, I can say this: Keith's stag has the most unique personality of any shifter I have ever read about. Keith is awesome too. And Stacy...those two fit together as mates so very well.
I especially appreciate the absence of intimate love scenes. There is some suggestive language, but it's all double meanings, not sexting.
I can recommend this to all ages--almost.
Don't miss this one!
Thank You Team Zoe Chant for this book and for making it available on Kindle Unlimited. I am going to buy a copy for myself. It's a keeper.
I totally love this story!! Oh...but I cannot say why without spoilers...hmm. Well, I can say this: Keith's stag has the most unique personality of any shifter I have ever read about. Keith is awesome too. And Stacy...those two fit together as mates so very well.
I especially appreciate the absence of intimate love scenes. There is some suggestive language, but it's all double meanings, not sexting.
I can recommend this to all ages--almost.
Don't miss this one!
Thank You Team Zoe Chant for this book and for making it available on Kindle Unlimited. I am going to buy a copy for myself. It's a keeper.
June 17, 2024
Again the inner animal is the funniest thing. Keith and Stacey are so cute together and Keith’s stag’s whole posing thing is so funny. Essentially, Stacey is a hairdresser who cuts Keith’s extremely long hair for a charity fundraiser. Keith knows she’s his mate but when he shifts later, his rack of antlers is gone like his hair. They’ll grow back but his vain buck is devastated. So follows fake antlers and chaos. All the antler shenanigans and melodramatic deer made me laugh. The book ended a bit abruptly though.
December 5, 2023
Virtue makes me want to live in a small town. The whole shifter sanctuary thing definitely helps. I don't know who I loved more, Keith or his Stag. Stacy was so full of personality when she was with Keith. But I have to say, this series would not be the same without little Noah. He brings so much life to each story. Another amazing read for 'Zoe'. Happy reading for the holidays! This is my honest opinion of an advanced copy I received.
December 6, 2023
Sweet, funny & short
This low angst romance takes place over about three days. I love that the guy is a stag, and his stag is vain. Most of the humor comes from the stag being vain, but he has a chaotic family that's pretty funny too.
The story takes place during the Christmas season, but doesn't actually include Christmas--mostly just the bustle leading up to it, so if Christian isn't your religion (or you just don't like it), you'll probably still enjoy this story.
This low angst romance takes place over about three days. I love that the guy is a stag, and his stag is vain. Most of the humor comes from the stag being vain, but he has a chaotic family that's pretty funny too.
The story takes place during the Christmas season, but doesn't actually include Christmas--mostly just the bustle leading up to it, so if Christian isn't your religion (or you just don't like it), you'll probably still enjoy this story.
December 14, 2023
Another lovely holiday romance in the Virtue Shifter set by Murphy Lawless!Zoe - this one with an adorkable male lead who has the vainest stag that ever lived for a shift form.
At some point, when I'm really in need of a safe-warm-hug of a comfort read series, I'm going to go back to the beginning of the Virtue Shifters series and just binge-read the lot of them.
Meanwhile, on with some other Zoe holiday shifter romances :-)
At some point, when I'm really in need of a safe-warm-hug of a comfort read series, I'm going to go back to the beginning of the Virtue Shifters series and just binge-read the lot of them.
Meanwhile, on with some other Zoe holiday shifter romances :-)
December 5, 2023
This author never disappoints
All of the Virtue Shifter books are full of fun and puns and make great, feel-goos, lighthearted reading.
This one steps up to the plate and hits a home run….again.
And Noah Is ALWAYS amazing!
Now I have to read them all over again from the beginning!
All of the Virtue Shifter books are full of fun and puns and make great, feel-goos, lighthearted reading.
This one steps up to the plate and hits a home run….again.
And Noah Is ALWAYS amazing!
Now I have to read them all over again from the beginning!
December 6, 2023
Cute little story. Typical shifter stuff - boy shifter meets human girl - fated mates, etc. In this one the guy has really long hair. For charity he decides to get it all cut off and she's the hair dresser. Only problem - he's a deer and loses his antlers when he gets his hair all chopped off. The deer thinks he's "unbeautiful" and doesn't want the woman to see him. I enjoyed it.
December 12, 2023
Cute and funny!
I love the books by Murphy Lawless, (sometimes aka Zoe Chant). The stories and dialogue are spot on and always funny in the 'Virtue Shifters' series. The town of Virtue would be a great place to live, and Noah Brannigan's brief appearances are always amusing! Light and enjoyable reading is right here.
I love the books by Murphy Lawless, (sometimes aka Zoe Chant). The stories and dialogue are spot on and always funny in the 'Virtue Shifters' series. The town of Virtue would be a great place to live, and Noah Brannigan's brief appearances are always amusing! Light and enjoyable reading is right here.
December 17, 2023
A great read
Love the humor in the story! Who would have thought a stag could be so vane and think it was ugly with no antlers? Wearing a fake set of felt antlers made for so much comedy! I would have liked more story after she found the truth but that's just my thoughts. Since its not my story it is what it is and ended. Definitely worth reading.
Love the humor in the story! Who would have thought a stag could be so vane and think it was ugly with no antlers? Wearing a fake set of felt antlers made for so much comedy! I would have liked more story after she found the truth but that's just my thoughts. Since its not my story it is what it is and ended. Definitely worth reading.
January 8, 2024
Buck the Halls (Virtue Shifters Book 8)
This was a sweet and funny book. The intertactions between the human and his animal were hilarious. Especially after the haircut. It was cute to see Noah in this book also (read the entire series to know all the characters). It looks like this will be a HEA like all the rest of this series.
This was a sweet and funny book. The intertactions between the human and his animal were hilarious. Especially after the haircut. It was cute to see Noah in this book also (read the entire series to know all the characters). It looks like this will be a HEA like all the rest of this series.
January 11, 2024
Another great book
I have been reading Zoe Chant's books for almost 6 years now. I just love how she writes shifters and how the animal itself is a separate entity but at the same time giving humor. My husband can always tell when I'm reading one of her books because I giggle a lot.
I have been reading Zoe Chant's books for almost 6 years now. I just love how she writes shifters and how the animal itself is a separate entity but at the same time giving humor. My husband can always tell when I'm reading one of her books because I giggle a lot.
January 12, 2024
Brilliant Series
Buck the Halls (Virtue Shifters Book 8) by Zoe Chant. When hairdresser Stacey meets Stag shifter Keith it was love at first sight, they are fated mates. Keith has his very long hair cut off for charity but when shifters his magnificent antlers had gone. How could he show Stacey how magnificent he was without antlers.
Buck the Halls (Virtue Shifters Book 8) by Zoe Chant. When hairdresser Stacey meets Stag shifter Keith it was love at first sight, they are fated mates. Keith has his very long hair cut off for charity but when shifters his magnificent antlers had gone. How could he show Stacey how magnificent he was without antlers.
December 23, 2024
Sweet Holiday Story
Another great story in the Virtue Shifter series. This is a perfect fun holiday read. I was hooked all the way through. I loved Stacy and Buck together. Noah is super cute as always. I love the humor throughout. This is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.
I highly recommend thus book and this series
Another great story in the Virtue Shifter series. This is a perfect fun holiday read. I was hooked all the way through. I loved Stacy and Buck together. Noah is super cute as always. I love the humor throughout. This is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.
I highly recommend thus book and this series
September 9, 2025
buck
Buck the Halls is another great sweet book from Virtue Shifters. It’s a fun, engaging and interesting read to escape into the magical world of shifters. I was so intrigued to read a Christmas shifter story, it’s like a reader watching and walking beside the couple as they change from being a grinch to the acceptance of Christmas.
Buck the Halls is another great sweet book from Virtue Shifters. It’s a fun, engaging and interesting read to escape into the magical world of shifters. I was so intrigued to read a Christmas shifter story, it’s like a reader watching and walking beside the couple as they change from being a grinch to the acceptance of Christmas.
December 7, 2023
Adorable
This was such an entertaining read! Keith's stag is hilarious. And the reindeer antler headband...ok, no spoilers. This was a quick and enjoyable, happy Christmas read. Treat yourself!
This was such an entertaining read! Keith's stag is hilarious. And the reindeer antler headband...ok, no spoilers. This was a quick and enjoyable, happy Christmas read. Treat yourself!
December 10, 2023
Virtue Christmas Story
This wasn't as good as I expected as I did start to get frustrated with the Stag I don't think that the stag should be in charge as he was on not telling Keith's gated mate that he is a shifter I was tempted to stop reading but stuck with it to the end
This wasn't as good as I expected as I did start to get frustrated with the Stag I don't think that the stag should be in charge as he was on not telling Keith's gated mate that he is a shifter I was tempted to stop reading but stuck with it to the end
December 12, 2023
laughed so hard
Sweet, funny, and so romantic, That Stag and his vain streak was making Keith’s life so miserable but I could help laugh at the predicaments he got into. So worth reading.
Sweet, funny, and so romantic, That Stag and his vain streak was making Keith’s life so miserable but I could help laugh at the predicaments he got into. So worth reading.
December 13, 2023
A Delightful Holiday Romp
Lighthearted, tongue in cheek, laugh out loud delightful holiday read. Amusing characters in an imaginative tale of finding love with a surprisingly unusual person.
Lighthearted, tongue in cheek, laugh out loud delightful holiday read. Amusing characters in an imaginative tale of finding love with a surprisingly unusual person.
December 22, 2023
the best Christmas shifter tale I’ve read to date
This book was humorous throughout. I enjoyed being back in Virtue. It was a quick read. All I can, say without spoiling something, is bless their hearts and Merry Christmas!
This book was humorous throughout. I enjoyed being back in Virtue. It was a quick read. All I can, say without spoiling something, is bless their hearts and Merry Christmas!
December 29, 2023
a very slow burn
It was so adorable my cheeks hurt. But very slow paced. Some of the conversation could have .. SHOULD HAVE been edited. So much dragged on and was really was unnecessary. A very cute story though. Should be a novella.
It was so adorable my cheeks hurt. But very slow paced. Some of the conversation could have .. SHOULD HAVE been edited. So much dragged on and was really was unnecessary. A very cute story though. Should be a novella.
January 18, 2024
Nice
Would it be great if shifters were here no more divorce, maybe they are,anyway this is so cute and adorable, a must read well the whole series is so far, some better than others but still worth the read
Would it be great if shifters were here no more divorce, maybe they are,anyway this is so cute and adorable, a must read well the whole series is so far, some better than others but still worth the read
January 29, 2024
Grinchless
Grinch turned not after love at first sight. I love it! *spoiler-ish incoming* The different way the shifter thought about telling their fated mate was a nice change from the usual! I really enjoyed the fact that the animal side came out a little more in the human side in this one too. This has made me want to reread the series!
Grinch turned not after love at first sight. I love it! *spoiler-ish incoming* The different way the shifter thought about telling their fated mate was a nice change from the usual! I really enjoyed the fact that the animal side came out a little more in the human side in this one too. This has made me want to reread the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
A giggle fest
You know males are sensitive about the size of their antlers.... so suddenly shedding them really interferes with a stages self image.
The number of (mostly) internal conversations kept me giggling throughout this book
You know males are sensitive about the size of their antlers.... so suddenly shedding them really interferes with a stages self image.
The number of (mostly) internal conversations kept me giggling throughout this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews