Moonlight and Mischief

Bracken Creek Wolves

by Aly Hollis

Marigold needs a new roommate, and the only option is a charming wolf shifter who just joined their pack. Cozy fantasy meets paranormal romance in this sweet and spicy story.

Just six months ago, Jasper was the heir of an enemy pack. Now, he's striving to prove his loyalty and carve out a place in his new community. His biggest distraction? The beautiful and endlessly cheerful Marigold, the pack's beloved teacher.

Marigold puts everyone else first, stretching herself to her limits as she cares for her students and her family. After a falling out with her grandmother, Marigold needs a new place to live. She's nervous to stay with Jasper, but he's been a reliable friend, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's ridiculously gorgeous.

Unfortunately, Jasper's former pack still harbors a grudge and both Marigold's safety and the new life Jasper has built are under threat. Alliances are crumbling and Marigold must decide if a relationship with Jasper is worth the risk.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2024

About the author

Aly Hollis lives in the southwest with her family and a collection of blue heelers, sassy cats, and a singular aquatic turtle. She loves art, crafting, sewing, and anything else creative, especially writing fantasy stories.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5) So cutie, these books deserve way more hype! Perfect fall reads and feels like the PNW 🤍🐺

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good, if not honestly better than the first. I love their love story and trying to figure it out for themselves while the story is unfolding around them!

[ludiary ⁺｡⋆˚⁺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5
Me gustó más este q el anterior, pero xq ya es más un founded family tipo este libro se sintió más cozy q el primero, el primero es más twilight coded

[Melinda Cater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not gonna lie…I loved book 1–Campfires and Canines—buuuuuuuuut…and this is a huge but…I absolutely adored, appreciated, and loved book 2–Moonlight and Mischief—on a whole higher level! The story drew me in from the very first sentence and kept me entranced until the final word of the epilogue (yes! I read this in one setting)! The characters continued to be wonderful and become more fleshed out and completely lovely and endearing! And the friends to lovers vibes was absolutely top not! Excellent! Entirely Swoony and Epically Spicy! And I so so so recommend this series to any and all cozy, spicy romance lovers!!!

Marigold radiates sunshine and warmth. But underneath it all her life isn’t always sunshine and roses. She loves to take care of others but after her mom’s death and her grandma’s devotion to her patients…even against the comfort of her granddaughter…Marigold finds herself in search of a place to stay...and the path leads her to Jasper’s cabin.

Jasper has never felt the love and acceptance of a familial wolf pack. But from the moment he became a member of Bracken Creek he was accepted and drawn in by the friendly and sweet Marigold. Although he knows she has a long standing crush he can’t help but be drawn to her friendliness and sunshine. So when she shows up on his doorstep after an argument with her grandma, seeking a place to stay, he can’t help but invite her in.

And what follows is a sweet and spicy story about fitting in, finding your person…errrr…wolf, fighting for what’s right and true, friendship, family, love, and acceptance.

I absolutely love! Love! Love! Jasper who underneath his cocky smirks and sexy good looks has a heart of gold and the determination to keep Marigold, and his new pack protected and safe at all costs! He is sweet and funny and completely endearing and wanted nothing more than to take care of Marigold and I couldn’t help but fall head over heals in love with him! (That’s right…I’m adding him to my book boyfriend harem)!

And then there is Marigold whom I related to on so so so many levels. In one of my college classes I was voted (almost unanimously) as the Ray of Sunshine (yes…I still have the award somewhere). I too like to take care of others and bring sunshine to their lives, (it’s kind of an addiction…), and so I understood her on a deeper level. She was sweet and lovely but underneath it all she really needed someone to take care of her as well. Her character was just such a breath of fresh air.

Then there are the relationships. The friends to lovers was perfectly executed! This isn’t actually one of my favorite tropes but Hollis wrote it just so perfectly I absolutely loved it! Add in the perfectly created found family and actual family and you are in for one fantabulous read!

So yep…If you enjoy swoony, spicy, but oh so sweet romance, with fantastic characters, perfect coziness with it’s own unique and fantastical epic vibes, and perfectly written found family, then you absolutely NEED to read The Bracken Creek Wolves Series!!!

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After discovering this author in the summer and loving the first book I have waited patiently for this series to be completed before diving back into it and hells yes I was not disappointed. This had everything for me, friends to lovers, humor, action, spice and all the cozy fuzzy feels to make my romantic heart go pitter patter. Yep I'm totally enamored with the wolves of Bracken Creek.

After being disinherited as heir from a rival pack, Jasper is trying hard to find his place within the wolves that have welcomed him in. However, his growing attraction to the packs beloved teacher Marigold is proving to be a big distraction. Marigold is looking for a new roommate after a falling out with her grandmother, and moving in with Jasper seems like the ideal solution. But when Jasper's former pack comes back into the picture threatening Marigold and the new life he has made for himself, Jasper will stop at nothing to defend all those he loves. And Marigold must decide if giving her heart and having a relationship with the gorgeous wolf is worth the risk.

Now I'm not going to lie but I totally fell for Jasper the moment I met him in the first book. I just knew underneath that cockiness and false bravado was a tender heart and sensitive soul and I wasn't wrong. His determination to look after and protect Marigold endeared him to me even more, and when he baked cookies for her (his first time at baking) he cemented himself as another book boyfriend and will live rent free in my heart forever. Swoon....

And Marigold who has the personality of liquid sunshine, eternally bright and bubbly is just adorable. I did feel for her when her grandmother seemed to care more about the pack than her, so it seemed fitting that the girl with the sunshine outlook who always puts others before herself finds someone completely devoted to taking care of her.

I also enjoyed seeing Hazel and Slate again and how their relationship has deepened since the first book. Their playful banter and caring natures made me love them all the more.

To say that I enjoyed this book immensely is an understatement and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. The author has captured my heart with these stories and I'm totally hooked. So if you like a cozy, spicy, friends to lover's tale this series is for you. Highly recommend 😁

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been really getting into the cozy genre. I like taking a break from the more serious, darker stuff. Moonlight and Mischief gave that to me, it was more on the lighter but still with plenty of drama. Confession time. I didn't read the first book. Each book follows a new couple and therefore I really didn't have to read the previous book, however, I think I would have appreciated the story better if I had. Either way, the story was still enjoyable.


Marigold and Jasper were a mess. Both are pretty easygoing people but that is kind of where their problems stem from. They both are a little awkward and they weren't clear about, well, anything. Plus it didn't help that Mari was being stubborn for gods knows what reason. From what I pieced together Jasper has been through a lot and my heart went out to him in this situation because while everything says that he shouldn't be, he's a really good guy.


Alys did a good job with the pack politics because I was able to jump right in and figure things out. The story moved a little slowly for me and at times seemed to drag a bit, until the end when everything started to come together. Now that had my attention. The ending had it all, plot twists, action, romance, and a HFN. Moonlight and Mischief was good, it gave me all the cozy feelings.

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper is trying to make sure he belongs in the Bracken Creek pack; some people still don’t trust him but Marigold is completely on his side.
When she has an argument with her grandmother and moves out the only place she feels she can go is to Jaspers, to become his roommate.
Jasper has no problems as Marigold has become his best friend. The only problem is the mutual attraction between them. Not sure if she’s really interested or on the rebound after finding out the Cider has no romantic interest in her, things are going slowly. They are opposites in many ways, Marigold is love and caring, Jasper doesn’t really know love or caring due to his upbringing. That’s something that needs to change.
In the meantime, something strange is going on with the other packs.
This book has some action, a bit of a mystery, surprises of course and romance.
Although it doesn’t have to be read as part of the series, the background from the first book helps and the same wonderful characters are around.
This is another light, fun, easy, enjoyable read.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper was the heir of an enemy pack. After being taken in by the rival pack, he finds the pack is nothing like his initial thoughts. His journey to prove his loyalty and find a place within this new pack, it thwarted slightly by the pack's ray of sunshine, Marigold.

Marigold is the cheerful pack teacher who cares for everyone and puts everyone else before herself. However, her life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. She finds herself in a predicament and needs a place to life. Why not stay with her friend, Jasper? He is just her friend... Right?

This book is a good addition to the series. It gives a deeper look into Jasper and his past. Its shocking to find out Marigold's life is not what it seems. She is a strong female who uses her cheerful sunshine armor to hide her stressful and disheartening homelife. This is a great friends to lovers story, which I am not normally into but I enjoyed this one!

Tropes:
🐺Fated Mates
🌞Forced Proximity
🐺He Falls First
🌞Friends to lovers
🐺Werewolves
🌞One Bed
🐺Rival Packs
🌶️light spice

[Jessie Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super cute paranormal romance, it is book two in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I loved reading Marigold and Jasper's story, watching their love blossom. Jasper is new to the pack, an outsider by all means but with the help of his brother Slate and his mate Hazel he instantly has a group of friends to help him through the transition. During this time he's bonded with Marigold, she just gets him. The hardest part though is she's still pinning over Cedar. The opportunity arises after an argument with her grandmother and Marigold needs somewhere to stay. One thing leads to another while they share a home and Jasper is willing to show his sunshine just how much she means to him. I cannot wait for book 3 to follow Onyx and Ember!!!

[Destiny Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited patiently to read this and I was not let down. Friends to lovers meet wolf shifter in this wonderful cozy read. And I do mean cozy as in, sitting by a campfire huddled beneath a blanket while fighting the fact that you are falling for your best friend. Game nights with besties and intense battles per se with neighboring packs. I'm also strictly into men but the way that marigold handles a bow... yeah I totally get jaspers obsession with her. And speaking on jasper, yeppp I don't know how marigold held out so long. Not only was this book amazing but I'm immediately ready for book 3 because the sneak peak of ember and onyx has already sucked me in and left me begging for more.

[Lowri Kate 🌼 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I’m a big dark romance girly, but sometimes I just need to read something that makes me feel like I’m in a super comfy hug in front of a fireplace with a hot chocolate and this book gave me those exact vibes.

This friends to lovers is so innocent with enough angst and slow burn to keep you interested throughout. Add a touch of malicious shifter pack intentions and the plot drives at a great rate to keep in line with building romance throughout!

The next book in this series (going from the sneak peak at the end) seems to amp up that level of angst and I can’t wait to dive into it!

Thank you to Aly Hollis for the ARC copy 🥰

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Watching Jasper realize that he can have a happy, functional pack is so amazing. And the way he falls for Marigold is just so sweet.

Jasper is now with his brother, Slate and his mate Hazel in their pack. As Jasper works hard to find his place, he also finds himself looking for a place with Marigold, the pack's teacher.

When Marigold finds herself in need of a place to stay, Jasper offers up his guest room. Of course, they soon end up sharing a room, and begin to cross invisible lines.

With tensions high between packs, borders tense, and rivalries evident, the pack is on alert and ready to fight to keep everyone safe. Jasper and Marigold learn to rely on each other.

[Marini Drobish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chances

Marigold and Jasper become friends when he joins the pack after escaping from his overbearing parents. Marigold is the only person other than Slate and Hazel who will give him anything other than a glare and what begins as gratitude and friendship quickly escalates into something more. The action in this novel is constant and interwoven well with the romance so neither overtakes the other. The characters are engaging and pull the reader into an emotional connection with them where cheering for their successes is as prevalent as concern for their failings. This series is a joy and if shifter romances are an interest, these will not disappoint.

[Ashley Rudnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was absolutely entertained and enjoyed reading this book. A very fun, lighter read. Great for in between heavy books. But it doesn’t take away from the problems I personally had while reading. At times the writing felt clunky and awkward. Relationships between characters feel distant sometimes and then suddenly they’re together or acting closer than has been shown.

Zero regrets reading it and did have a good time!

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book of bracken creek. Can be read alone but it's nice to stay within the community we met in book 1. A nice portrayal of shifter wolves, a bit of pack drama between other packs to give the story some zest but heavily focused on our 2 love birds figuring out what they are to each other with minimal angst and decent communication. Easy read with only a few trigger warnings but my perspective is its very mild <3

[The Reading Lobster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was a disappointment. The writing felt very juvenile and I didn't feel like the characters were solid. They kept changing personalities throughout the book, clearly just to fit the direction the story was going. Certain topics that seemed important in the beginning were never mentioned again in the second half. Overall, not great!

[Rad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute I really liked jasper and marigolds story the slow burn was killing me 😂 and I called who the next book was gonna be about before the teaser at the end and I’m so excited for theirs!

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second entry to this entertaining series! Aly does a such a good job building characters for readers to fall in love with. The tension is high, the pacing is strong, and I love the forest setting. 4.5 stars

[Mandy Pittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this more of a 3.5 than a 3. It wasn’t as good as the first book was (to me). I liked parts of this more but overall I was frustrated with how it felt like Marigold was using him at times. I thought Jasper was precious and just deserves all the love.

[River · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute friends to lovers book. I enjoyed reading this and thought it was just great! This was a perfect story to read curled up in my blankets. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Valerie freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank you to Aly Hollis for letting me be an arc reader for you . It is a really nice warm and cozy book . I would definitely recommend this book

[Esmee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het was oke! Laatste deel was alleen minder leuk dan de eerste 2. Dus heb ik geen behoefte meer om het eerste deel te lezen. Er zaten leuke stukjes bij, maar alles leek zo half te zijn .

[Elise H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow burn, friends to lovers
Not too bad on the packs intrigue, but the fighting scenes were a bit messy

[Kristy Finto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! Loved these characters and can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Aly Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonlight and Mischief is getting a small refresh in January 2025. The ebook and paperback will be updated with new content, ahead of the Omnibus of the entire series being released in March.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one ever picks up a book and says, “I really want to read a miscommunication trope.” That’s what this is, but it’s still a cute, quick read so it wasn’t terrible.

[Tereza Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MMC is my favorite character of the entire series - and seeing him come into himself in this story made my heart warm!

[Olivia Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jordane Heal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Emily R · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️