Moonlight Secrets: (Book 1)

by Laura Lukasavage

212 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2024

Reviews

[Tay]

If you're looking for a captivating tale of self-discovery and supernatural wonder, this book has it all. From the moment Amberly uncovers her unique telepathic bond with wolves, her journey spirals into a whirlwind of mystery and revelation that kept me glued to the pages.

Amberly’s quest to understand her powers is beautifully layered with moments of awe and trepidation. Her relationship with the wolves adds an incredible depth to the narrative, bridging the human and the mystical in a seamless and delightful way. The story dives deep into her soul, bringing forth questions of identity and purpose that are relatable yet wrapped in an enchanting magical world.

The characters are compelling and well-developed. Amberly’s strength, curiosity, and vulnerability make her an endearing protagonist. The romantic twist in the plot is both surprising and heartwarming, providing a much-needed reprieve from the darker elements of her journey.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the rich, immersive world-building. The supernatural realm is vividly brought to life, with its own intricate rules and histories that add layers of complexity to Amberly's story. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes, making it hard to put the book down.

The themes of love, identity, and destiny are beautifully interwoven, making Amberly's adventure not just a quest for answers, but a profound journey of the heart and mind. The stakes are high, and the tension peaks as Amberly faces choices that could change not only her future but the future of all she holds dear.

In short, if you're a fan of fantastical adventures filled with magic, love, and soul-searching, this book is a must-read. It's an exhilarating journey that you'll find hard to forget. Highly recommend for those in need of a spellbinding escape!

[Morven T.H. Borthwick]

"Moonlight Secret" is an interesting novel (book 1 of a series), told in the first person from the perspective of Amberly. She discovers an ability: telepathic communication with wolves. Amberly, whose mother was a witch, also has two close friends who play roles in the story. Initially, when Amberly first encountered the wolf and later learns she could communicate with, I assumed it was a simple human-wolf interaction, perhaps a talking wolf and its pack. However, the wolf revealed that he and his pack are shapeshifters. This revelation significantly heightened my interest, making me eager to see how her encounters would develop, specifically the relationship that would blossom with the wolf. Julian, a shapeshifter himself, takes Amberly to his pack. There, she begins to uncover truths about herself and learns things she never knew. I appreciated the pacing of the story; it flowed well for this genre, and the narrative itself was exciting. The inclusion of wolf face illustration at the start of each chapter was good, constantly reminding the reader of the pivotal role wolves play throughout the story. But then I felt that the book was concluded without enough proofreading and enough editing to uplift it to its greatest potential, a lot of editing was needed in the story, and also some wording sparks to keep it reader interesting would have been a lot helpful. This is a young fantasy story with utmost potential, I hope the author can refocus on it and uplift it to the heights intended, this has indeed potential.

[John]

Moonlight Secrets is a story that stays with you long after the final page. The world of witches and shapeshifters feels grounded and vivid. Amberley is a relatable protagonist because her desire for the truth about her father feels so genuine. The tension within her family and the mystery of her past kept me hooked. I found the different perspectives of the characters to be a highlight. This choice allows the reader to see the internal struggles of everyone involved. It builds a rich environment where every action has weight. The pacing is quick and makes the book a fast read. I appreciated the way the lore is handled. It feels fresh and avoids many tired tropes found in fantasy novels.

Reading this book felt like a journey of discovery. I experienced the same curiosity and frustration as Amberley while she looked for answers. The emotional connection between the characters is strong and creates a sense of warmth. There is a specific comfort in the way the romance develops. It has a slow buildup that creates real stakes for the heart. I felt a surge of excitement during the scenes in the woods. The telepathic bond with the wolf is a standout moment that felt unique. This story left me with a sense of wonder and a desire to see what happens next. It is a solid pick for anyone who wants a tale about identity and belonging.

[Caroline Hurry]

Laura Lukasavage's "Moonlight Secrets: Dark Inheritance" is an addictive fantasy novel that pulls you in from the first page. The story weaves magic, shifters, destiny, and romance into a thrilling narrative filled with unexpected twists.
Amberly stands out as a compelling protagonist - strong-willed and rebellious. Her world shatters when she discovers hidden powers and a father she never knew existed.
Her tale unfolds with mystery and heart, while her telepathic connection with wolves adds a unique, otherworldly dimension.
The romance delivers tension as the chemistry between Amberly and her potential love interests creates electric moments that keep you guessing.
Supporting characters like childhood friends Logan and Troy bring warmth and humor, while newcomers Julian and Aaron introduce intrigue and conflict.
The world-building adds witches, shifters, and supernatural factions into an atmospheric backdrop. Multiple POVs reveal the motives behind key characters' actions.
With sprinkles of magic, romance, action, and emotional stakes, "Moonlight Secrets" is a must-read for fans of coming-of-age fantasy with shifters, witches, and mystery. I loved it!

[Amzi]

Moonlight Secrets is an enjoyable kickoff to the Dark Inheritance Series. Amberley and her friends bring an interesting brand of humor and color to this coming of age tale. Though I’m not generally a fan of those stories, I was hooked after a few chapters. The subtle world building and likeable characters got me over the hump.

In typical fantasy fashion, Amberly’s problems start small, then blossom into something more ominous. This is true whether it is her questions about of her ancestry, her strained relationship with her mother, or her interactions with her best friends Logan and Troy. And then Aaron, Angela, and Julian come strolling in…

By the time I finished the last page, I was eager to begin the next installment. I’m invested in the characters and find the concepts behind Laura Lukasavage’s fantasy world intriguing. It will be interesting to see how she handles the ever-expanding storylines!

If you are looking for a fantasy series with wolves and teenaged protagonists, give Moonlight Secrets a shot.

[Aubrey Cleeves]

Book One of the Dark Inheritance Series, Moonlight Secrets, is an engaging and ambitious book by the author Laura Lukasavage. It follows Amberly, a young witch with the unique skill of being able to communicate with wolves, and her story to uncover her family’s dark past and secrets. It has all the hallmarks of a YA novel: magic, a plot that grows in complexity, and characters who interact well with one another and grow on the reader as the book progresses.

I liked how Amberly respected and relied upon her friends, Logan and Troy, and the other characters who are introduced really drive the dynamic. We get to know them, but with internal dialogue and the author’s portrayal of emotions and reactions, we really get to understand what makes her tick. I really liked her as a protagonist.

The story moves along swiftly and there is danger and threats to Amberly’s world and relationships as the plot progresses. She realises just how much she has at stake when she is faced with choices she must make.

[Aaron Thompson]

Quick, punchy shifter romance that have you snatching up the rest of the series.

Moonlight Secrets is a charming, fun, shifter read. The chapters are short, you can get through it quickly, but there's plenty packed into the little package. There is lost and found family, magic, wolf-shifters, danger, a fated love triangle, intrigue, and a giant cliffhanger that hits you in the gut. It leaves you desperate to find out what's going to happen next! For fans of the Twilight series, give this one a shot. I feel it's better written, if not as densely packed.

I have seen other reviewers say there were a lot of editing errors, but I assume the author took those reviews to heart and did another extensive round of edits because I didn't see any.

TLDR: Fun shifter, romance that gets into the story quickly, and keeps you hooked.

[Jim]

Moonlight Secrets draws you in quickly with a voice that feels natural and easy to connect with. Amberly comes across as relatable from the start, balancing everyday frustrations with the growing realization that there is something much bigger behind her life and abilities.

The story blends coming-of-age moments with supernatural elements, especially through her connection to wolves and the mystery surrounding her family. As secrets begin to surface, the tension builds in a way that keeps you curious without feeling overwhelming.

The relationships are a highlight. Amberly’s dynamic with Logan and Troy adds warmth and humor, while hints of romance bring an extra layer of intrigue. These connections help ground the story even as the world expands into witches, shifting loyalties, and hidden truths.

What stands out most is how smoothly it reads. The writing is approachable and flows well, making it easy to keep turning pages. It feels like the beginning of a larger journey, with plenty left to discover.

A strong and inviting first book that sets up an interesting series ahead.