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Hunting - Now or Forever: MM Adult Urban Dark Paranormal Fantasy Love Story
Hunting - An MM Urban Paranormal FantasyA standalone dark romantasy from the Tides Series(please be sure and read the trigger warnings)Cal is everyone’s 'gay best buddy.' His friends all find love, but not this oddball shifter. He’s got a secret, and romance is off the table. When a handsome creature with a heartwarming smile swims into his life, things get . . . complicated. Then, aggressive Fae wolves mysteriously appear in the Florida Keys, throwing Cal into close contact with the handsome male he’s been trying to avoid.Doomed to a lonely existence, when a Gryphon hints at answers across the Veil, Cal jumps into action. If he thinks the Fates were unkind, he's in for one hell of a surprise when he breaks into Faerie. There’s a price on his head, and a dangerous pack of Fae wolves intend to collect no matter the cost.Cal’s options are limited. Die for love—or risk everything to find the truth.If you like steamy adult love stories that paint outside the lines, well-developed urban fantasy plots, crazy battles, and a well-rounded cast of paranormal and mythology characters, then you will love this standalone installment of the Tides Universe. All five books are on Kindle Unlimited, with more on the way!Here's what Editors and Beta readers are saying about Riveting. Well-written, with tons of action. Great sexual tension. An epic love story. A professional, talented author. The main male character is instantly likable. A unique, compelling, exciting story. Strong characters, a perfect villain, and an absolute page-turner. The ending is perfect.Story/writing comparisons - Thea Harrison’s ‘Elder Races,’ Laurell Hamilton’s ‘Anita Blakely,’ and Kresley Cole’s ‘Immortals After Dark.’
- GenresFantasy
481 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 23, 2024
Cal's story had to be told! And Penelope Austin does a beautiful job of telling his story. Even though I haven't read the other 4 books in the series and I jumped right into this one, I was completely captivated by Cal and his friends. This is a fun fae fiction with love, friendship, and feeling like an "other" at it's core. Whether a being identifies as gay or is a unique shifter to an oceanic creature, anyone can connect with Cal's fear at what he is as well as his desire to learn more about his past. This novel brought me to another world and took me on an adventure - not only in a fae realm but also in the Florida Keys. If you love reading stories you haven't heard before and can't predict what will happen, then this novel is for you. I am looking forward to going back and reading the other four books of the series!
March 23, 2024
It's a different kind of book. Paranormal urban fantasy set in the Keys with the standard gateway to Farie land. Its got everything I look for in a book, well written spice, fight scenes and the everyday problems of being hunted down by the supernatural and trying to find true love. Highly Recommend if you like the shifter genre but with more mercanire mermen and shapeshifting octopuses then most.
March 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Hunting by Penelope Austin is the 5th book in The Tides series and a good stand alone paranormal shifter romance adventure novel.
Shifter Cal is the nice guy, the one to always help out. but when he finds himself in trouble he’s not sure if others will step up. When he falls in love with Jovi, he knows it can’t go anywhere because if he mates, he dies. Looking for answers is dangerous business as he sets out on the adventure of a lifetime seeking a way to get his happily ever after.
This is a very well written account of Cal’s story. My emotions were all over the place… love, hate, then love again. From cute Bunny the squirrel in Fae, ginormous Stan the Gargoyle and the mystery surrounding Mr. Darcy the parrot, the plot twists and turns and kept me guessing. Lots of 🔥 and my favorite scene in the shower which was light hearted yet s€xy as he!!. Penelope Austin has done it again and I can’t wait to see whose story she writes next!!
Hunting by Penelope Austin is the 5th book in The Tides series and a good stand alone paranormal shifter romance adventure novel.
Shifter Cal is the nice guy, the one to always help out. but when he finds himself in trouble he’s not sure if others will step up. When he falls in love with Jovi, he knows it can’t go anywhere because if he mates, he dies. Looking for answers is dangerous business as he sets out on the adventure of a lifetime seeking a way to get his happily ever after.
This is a very well written account of Cal’s story. My emotions were all over the place… love, hate, then love again. From cute Bunny the squirrel in Fae, ginormous Stan the Gargoyle and the mystery surrounding Mr. Darcy the parrot, the plot twists and turns and kept me guessing. Lots of 🔥 and my favorite scene in the shower which was light hearted yet s€xy as he!!. Penelope Austin has done it again and I can’t wait to see whose story she writes next!!
April 1, 2026
This ended up being a really engaging read, especially considering it’s not a genre I usually gravitate toward.... and the spice whoa *fans face* also not something I am used too, but not mad about it. This is the first book I have read in the series, and it acts perfectly as a standalone, I did not feel like I was missing out important details about the Universe. I am a bit tired of long drawn out series so appreciated so much was packed into one book, leaving other books to other couples.
The worldbuilding is imaginative, with a wide range of creatures and lore. It was a little overwhelming at first keeping track of everything, but it becomes clearer as the story progresses. At times, the pacing is very fast and I occasionally had to go back and re-read sections to keep up, but it also keeps the tension high and the story moving.
The story follows Cal as he tries to uncover the truth about what he is while navigating a world filled with supernatural politics, danger, and tricksy fae. What stood out to me was how tightly the identity quest is woven into the romance. Cal’s hesitation to form relationships is grounded in the reality of what he is and what that could mean for his future, which gave the relationship real weight. Their MMC's connection felt genuine, and the intimacy between them was written in a way that felt grounded and believable, and I loved that the conflict that arises, comes from external pressures rather than unnecessary relationship drama, which is what maddens me when reading in the romance genre, I didn't have to yell at them to just communicate a bit more, though occasionally Cal does forget to ask some pretty important questions in some desperate moments.... I get it Cal, last thing on your mind! I do that too!
Cal's tendency to view himself as completely alone, despite evidence to the contrary, can feel frustrating at times, but it also makes sense in the context of his trauma and survivor’s guilt, I felt that he had depression, and certainly some abandonment issues, which makes sense in the context of the story. This made him more relatable to me. His choices throughout the story, especially moments where he shows compassion even when it puts him at risk, added depth and kept the story from feeling predictable.
The plot itself builds toward a high-stakes climax, with multiple threats converging and a strong sense of inevitability. The final act delivers on that tension, and I found the ending satisfying overall, even if it did feel slightly drawn out in places. I did enjoy the lighter moments scattered throughout, which helped balance the intensity.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced read with strong emotional undercurrents, an engaging romance, and an imaginative world. While there were a few pacing issues and in the beginning the dialogue was a bit clunky, I still had a great time with it and would recommend it to readers who enjoy paranormal romance, beautiful gay men, with high stakes and layered worldbuilding.
Speed swimming to get another book in the series!
The worldbuilding is imaginative, with a wide range of creatures and lore. It was a little overwhelming at first keeping track of everything, but it becomes clearer as the story progresses. At times, the pacing is very fast and I occasionally had to go back and re-read sections to keep up, but it also keeps the tension high and the story moving.
The story follows Cal as he tries to uncover the truth about what he is while navigating a world filled with supernatural politics, danger, and tricksy fae. What stood out to me was how tightly the identity quest is woven into the romance. Cal’s hesitation to form relationships is grounded in the reality of what he is and what that could mean for his future, which gave the relationship real weight. Their MMC's connection felt genuine, and the intimacy between them was written in a way that felt grounded and believable, and I loved that the conflict that arises, comes from external pressures rather than unnecessary relationship drama, which is what maddens me when reading in the romance genre, I didn't have to yell at them to just communicate a bit more, though occasionally Cal does forget to ask some pretty important questions in some desperate moments.... I get it Cal, last thing on your mind! I do that too!
Cal's tendency to view himself as completely alone, despite evidence to the contrary, can feel frustrating at times, but it also makes sense in the context of his trauma and survivor’s guilt, I felt that he had depression, and certainly some abandonment issues, which makes sense in the context of the story. This made him more relatable to me. His choices throughout the story, especially moments where he shows compassion even when it puts him at risk, added depth and kept the story from feeling predictable.
The plot itself builds toward a high-stakes climax, with multiple threats converging and a strong sense of inevitability. The final act delivers on that tension, and I found the ending satisfying overall, even if it did feel slightly drawn out in places. I did enjoy the lighter moments scattered throughout, which helped balance the intensity.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced read with strong emotional undercurrents, an engaging romance, and an imaginative world. While there were a few pacing issues and in the beginning the dialogue was a bit clunky, I still had a great time with it and would recommend it to readers who enjoy paranormal romance, beautiful gay men, with high stakes and layered worldbuilding.
Speed swimming to get another book in the series!
March 31, 2024
“I enjoy your company, and I’m not going anywhere. You’ve got me, whether you want it or not.”
I had so much fun reading this MM Paranormal Fantasy Romance.
There is such a great cast of characters that I fell in love with them, became friends with them, laughed with them and some of them I even despised. I was easily swept up and taken to this fabulous magical world that the author built for us. I found myself looking forward to seeing what new creature Cal and his friends would bump into on their adventure.
This is a page turner with something always happening : adventure, action, mystery and romance.
I liked the unique spins the author gives us.
This was the first book from this series as well as from this author and I look forward to reading more.
Fellow mood readers and those with triggers : there is violence, death, cheating and spice in this one. I found it to be a fun, entertaining and easy to read fantasy.
I had so much fun reading this MM Paranormal Fantasy Romance.
There is such a great cast of characters that I fell in love with them, became friends with them, laughed with them and some of them I even despised. I was easily swept up and taken to this fabulous magical world that the author built for us. I found myself looking forward to seeing what new creature Cal and his friends would bump into on their adventure.
This is a page turner with something always happening : adventure, action, mystery and romance.
I liked the unique spins the author gives us.
This was the first book from this series as well as from this author and I look forward to reading more.
Fellow mood readers and those with triggers : there is violence, death, cheating and spice in this one. I found it to be a fun, entertaining and easy to read fantasy.
April 3, 2024
So I've read the first 4 books in the series and I absolutely love that Cal finally got his happily ever after. I was so excited to see who Penelope paired him with from the previous books, I'm so here for this love story. This book took me through the whole range of emotions and I adored every second of it. I appreciate that she keeps you updated on the original characters you fell in love with too. Fantastic job again by this author. I can't wait for the next one.
April 5, 2024
New author for me, an interesting story that is a little different than what I normally read but well worth it. Should probably read the previous books to get some background but it still works as a standalone.
Not that much "romance" as such but an interesting twist on the shifter/Fae story. I enjoyed it would recommend. Cal and Jovi were fun together.
Not that much "romance" as such but an interesting twist on the shifter/Fae story. I enjoyed it would recommend. Cal and Jovi were fun together.
April 17, 2024
Cal is an octopus shifter and if he has sex he will die. He is trying to find a way to live his life full. He is trying to find out who is family is and why he was abandoned. I really enjoyed this book.
May 7, 2024
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I assumed this was a wolf shifter romance but it wasn’t. Overall I just struggled reading this book due to some of the themes.
March 30, 2026
My first book by Penelope as I had not read any previous book in this series so i had to go back and read the others. Though it says can be read as a standalone I do feel that I missed out of knowing some of the characters and their development. Apart from that this was a well written storyline set in a complex world that I did find easy to follow due to the detailed depth of the story. This along with the great fae and shifter characters and plenty of magic made it an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews