Entangled in the Woods

by Evi James

No more distractions. No more mistakes. Stay far away from the shifters.

All Elise Wilson wants to do this summer is spend her days isolated in the northern Minnesota wilderness, focusing on her graduate research of the local plant life. She’s given up on making friends and instead wants to prove herself as a serious researcher.

But then a disastrous one-night stand lands her trapped in the woods with a mysterious group of people who call themselves wolf shifters. People who seem a bit more…animal than human but who might just be the friends she’s needed all along.

Suddenly Elise finds herself caught up in the shifter’s world – locked behind magical wards as the pack competes in a hunting competition. She’s trying to think of nothing but completing her research, especially when she discovers a mysterious rot in the woods, but she can’t seem to stay away from the shifters. Specifically the pack’s alpha, Everett Silas, whose desire to heal the forest he calls home makes him as irresistible to Elise as the woods themselves.

As her study of the forest rot unleashes some deadly secrets within Everett’s pack, Elise finds herself more entangled within his world than she ever thought possible.

Entangled in the Woods is the first book in a debut paranormal romance series, featuring shifters, found family, slow-burn romance, and a love of plants. There is adult content; see author's website for a full list of content warnings. Please note that this book ends on a cliffhanger, which will be resolved in the second book. Perfect for fans of Heather Guerre and Juliette Cross!

Genres: Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Ebooks, Paranormal

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

About the author

Evi lives with her husband, two daughters, and numerous cats in Minnesota.

Come say hi on Instagram and Tiktok!
@evijamesauthor

Reviews

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plant scientist with a superiority complex goes to the woods to study flora and ends up entangled with men whose red flags could be seen from space. Elise is "not like other girls" – she runs, fixes plants with car keys, and silently judges women's athleisure while assuring us hers is for *actual* exercise.

Her scientific mission gets sidetracked by blackout drinking and waking up to non-consensual "options" that boil down to different forms of captivity. The university subplot about forest rot exists mainly to shuttle our heroine between questionable encounters with men who physically trap women while claiming to respect boundaries.

The cherry on top? Supernatural elements appear in the final act like they've been there all along, and the romance includes realistic performance issues – because nothing says "escapist fantasy" like bringing disappointing real-world problems into your paranormal forest adventure.

[Sam Sellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

This was a very bingable and fast-paced read!

I love shifter romances and the fact that it took place in Minnesota was the cherry on top!

The plot was very intriguing so it was hard to put down. I loved the FMC even though she was cringy at times. The MMC was scrumptious and the right amount of possessive. I loved the side characters but I wish there was more story and depth to them. The spice was fun but I wish there was a little more slow burn and chemistry overall between the main characters.

I was shocked by the cliffhanger and did not see it coming! As soon as I finished, I immediately ordered the second book.

Overall, this is a great debut novel!♥️

[Charity Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick and fun read! I’ve only read a handful of werewolf shifter novels and let’s just say, I am thoroughly intrigued! If you’re looking for an atmospheric, alpha male book set deep in the forest, then this is for you! Nothing like an intelligent woman making bad judgment calls that inevitably lead her into a camp full of sexy Lycans in the middle of a forest. I can’t think of a worse position to be in… *cough, cough* 👀

It has all the good stuff!
🌳 Fish Out of Water
🌱 Plant Lady FMC
🐺 Possessive Shifter MMC
🌳 Tension
🌱 Forced Proximity
🐺 Fated Mates
🌳 Different Worlds
🌱 Mystery
🐺 Spice with an… edge? 👀 iykwim?

Elise is so relatable and I felt myself getting secondhand embarrassment from some of her situations. She was easy to like and is essentially living my dream in this book. What I wouldn’t do to live in a cabin in the woods where I can hike every day and stare at the beautiful flora. 😍 When she’s not trying to solve the mystery of the decaying forest for her thesis, she’s catching herself pulled in the direction of Everett and his shifter pack.

Don’t get me started on Everett! There’s nothing I love more than a possessive MMC that falls first. His obsession with Elise is *chef’s kiss* and I can’t wait to get more of him in the next book!

[Samanthasue218 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers. Read via Kindle, thank you Evi James for allowing me to read this ARC for free and giving a voluntarily review.

If you are from Minnesota or love the vibes of this state, you will enjoy this! I absolutely loved picturing the scenery while reading. This book had me escaping reality and getting lost in a book. I enjoyed the thrill and mysterious of the characters, and of course the SPICE! The characters are easy to love and enjoy, but also have more depth to them, that I cannot wait to find out more about in this series. I really enjoyed how realistic the setting and the characters are in this, you also get real life aspects with the mythology aspect. Also who does not love a little drama in their books? I am very excited to see where this series takes us, cannot wait to read more!

Would I recommend? Yes, if you like a contemporary/modern mythological book, I think you will really enjoy this! Add to your TBR for October 3rd, 2024.

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a whole heck of a lot of *fanning face* action happening over here. PHEW! I don't know what it was about this book...maybe how Elise is so relatable from the get-go, her open vulnerability, her curiosity....IDK! But the tension and dirty banter alone had me covering my face and blushing.

This book was so fun. The writing was inviting and made you want to stay around. There are so many little seeds of information dropped even from the first chapter of the book that has you pocketing it because you know it'll come back later....you just don't know when.

Honestly, some of those answers I'm waiting on aren't even in this book, so now I'm just anxiously awaiting them for the next installment.

I really love Else's character, and her lack of understanding of her willpower. It's really endearing. Now, she's not perfect. I definitely had a few moments of shouting at her asking her if she's learned NOTHING?!? But still it was fun!

I need more of Everett, because just like Elise....it is so easy to get drawn into him and then POOF, nothing. I'm also REALLY wanting more Kleio, because she's adorable.

There is so much groundwork laid here, I'm excited to see where James takes the rest of this series and the world she has built.

Overall: recommend!

[Ashlie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Elise Wilson wanted was a peaceful summer in the Minnesota wilderness, focusing on her plant research and avoiding people. But one wild one-night stand flips her world upside down, trapping her in the woods with a pack of wolf shifters who are more animal than human. 🐺

Suddenly, Elise is wrapped up in their world—magical wards, hunting competitions, and all. She’s trying to focus on her research, especially when a mysterious rot threatens the forest. But the pack’s irresistible alpha, Everett Silas, keeps drawing her in with his passion for healing the land.

As the forest’s secrets unfold, so do the mysteries within Everett’s pack, leaving Elise more caught up in their world than she ever expected. 🌲💫

This book has it all—shifters, secrets, romance, and a whole lot of wilderness magic! 🌿

[Jasmin E Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I got towards the end of the book and thought I need to slow this read down to stay in the moment - as I really liked Evi's writing craft and bringing us an intelligent shifter read with suspense,steam, mystery & fantastic genre change up with actual credible and cleverly plotted twists.

I just wish Evi had other published works for me to read.

This author is certainly game changer in PNR.

Sated by Plants,Wolves & the pull of fated mates - bring on book 2. I hope the author offers bonus chapters on His POV.That would be hotaf giving that other push & pull angst & his perspective.

Jasmin E Reads

[Lisa Villarreal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and how the story unfolded was a lot of fun. It has a great plot that held my interest and left me wanting more. It's the right amount of emotional and pulled on my heart strings. I was waiting for the ending so it didn't necessarily surprise me but I am really excited for book 2 to see how this story goes.

I loved the found family vibes with the pack. The chemistry between fmc and mmc was on fire and the banter was cute. It is well written and easy to follow. Honestly just a real easy and quick story to read with some spicy moments. Easy to binge.

[Natalie’s_world_in_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review~ 4.5 ⭐️’s
This is the first book of The North Wood Series. This is Evi James debut novel and I’m very impressed.
A quick read. If you like shifter romance then this is for you!
Steam, twists, mystery and tension!
Everett 😍 my new Book BF ♥️Looking forward to reading another book from this author 🖤

Tropes~
🐺Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
🐺Different worlds
🐺Plant Lady FMC
🐺 Inhuman Hero
🐺 Mystery
🐺 Fish Out Of Water
🐺 Tension
🐺 Fated Mates
🐺Found Family
🐺 Shifters

Minnesota nature/outdoor vibes.

A Perfect October Read.

Get yours now!!! 🖤🐺🖤🐺

[Heather Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A plant lady gets lost in the woods and finds herself “stuck” with sexy werewolf shifters in this cute little debut novel by Evi James! 4 howls and a freakin’ cliffhanger!

[Katie Thesing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. Cant wait to read the second!!

[Erika Zeigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 - kind of boring, I liked the end though.

[Faye Drawdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, if you're here I know what you want.
The star rating.
I had to think about this long and hard.
I am giving it a 2.5 rounded up to a 3 ⭐⭐⭐. The spice is a 1🌶️.

There was potential here which is why it gets rounded up instead of down. Plus, the author's writing style wasn't horrible I just think she could have used a bit more time with a developmental editor. I definitely see some room for improvement both with the overall story and the character development. There was also potential for a better spice rating. I mean, It's right there. Wolves, running in the woods, magic, plants; I can think of a few cool scenes for spice that are truly missed opportunity.

Still, it was a good read if you just want something to kill some time and need a good slow-burn-ish romance. Or if you're a lover of plants. I'm interested to see where the author takes this story and who knows, maybe by the end of the story I'll feel differently than I do now.

If you want to check out my full review click @fayeseverexpandingbookshelf

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Not technically a series, though the ending really allows it to be.

Without giving too much away, this tale is about Elise, a graduate student going into the woods near the Canadian border to participate in a summer research program. Not an academic wilderness but a spiritual and emotional ride is the meeting of Everett: mystical and dominant shifter. This connection is immediate, magnetic-but both are held back by personal fears and powerful forces within the shifter community. The more she becomes entrenched in Everett's world, the more she is thrown into turmoil to test her limits, trust, and identity-something that entails heavy revelations with regard to her own place within this mystical world surrounding her.

Elise: Elise is an introverted woman at the beginning who loves nature and is just contented to be alone. With the closeness into Everett's life, an issue of trust arises; then comes the opening of emotions. The battle that goes on inside her between independence and intimacy is really thrilling since her journey charts learning how to trust not only others but also herself. Adding a bit more emotional depth to Elise are fears of incidents from her past and trauma, which take the process of her evolution understandably to higher levels of complexity.

Everett: He is, from the very second that we meet him, shrouded in mystery, provided he's a really strong, brooding alpha male. The deepness of his character goes with the protector role, which so often collides with his longing for Elise. This tends to be a source of tension between them, as Everett struggles between his duties and concerns of being a leader and the needs of an emotional connection. This ripples through an internal struggle serving as a prerogative effect given by his need to be in control, aligned with his fear of vulnerability-a kind of psychological richness adding so much to the depth of the story.

Supporting characters include Jenny and Leo.
They carry with them lightness and camaraderie that help balance the tension between Elise and Everett. Jenny is a rather carefree, at times flirtatious, counterbalance to the more introspective personality of Elise, bringing different sides to her character. Leo is standoffish and brings out the protector in Everett, with camaraderie and challenge to the group dynamic. d) Themes
Trust: Trust in relationships and in oneself is an issue, really, and their story-Elise and Everett's-is about learning to trust each other among the dangers and mysteries of Everett's shifter world. That will be on many layers: trust on an emotional level, on a physical safety level, and trust which allows deep, abiding bonding.

With Elise and Everett, from the very beginning, it was to be realized that the scales of power were in the balance. Everett's character is leadership in the shifter pack with elements of dominance, control, and responsibility, whereas Elise fights off the feeling of vulnerability created by alienation in an unfamiliar, dangerous world. Their relationship explores how power and vulnerability coexist and complement each other.

A journey into the woods, Elise's deeper quest to belong-not only in academia but also within a supernatural community that awakens desires she has never known and challenges the limits of her identity. The forest serves as a metaphor for the unknown; a place she is confronted by her fears and must find where she really belongs.

Evi James' writing is evocative, descriptive prose that enrols the reader in this plush, mystical setting. Her most apparent use of figurative language-especially while describing nature-links the physical setting with the emotional landscapes of the characters. First-person narration places the reader into an intimate relationship with the thoughts of Elise, personalizing the reader's experience in witnessing her journey. James masters pacing, balancing quiet moments of introspection with surges of passion and tension. By allowing Elise's and Everett's actions to play through each other's eyes, their emotional and psychological romance adds an excellent layer.

Wrapped around a great paranormal romance is an extreme dynamic between power, trust, and belonging.
These themes, however, James does manage to evoke through a series of tantalizing tongues of language, well-paced storytelling, and multi-dimensional character relationships. The power within this novel lies not only in the way it handles the fantastical and emotional-a manner by which its readers can really create deeply personal connections with the characters-but also in being little different from other genre tropes; Entangled in the Woods really goes deep with its psychological and emotional explorations. Thus, setting it apart from the mountain of paranormal romances out there. 5. Review

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Gripping plot, pretty deep emotionally engaging romance, though perhaps a bit too predictable arc.

Writing Style: ★★★★☆
Gorgeous descriptions, very effective dialogue, flowing pacing, especially through the middle parts.

Characters: ★★★★★
Multi-dimensional, relatable, great development, with real inner turmoil.

World-Building: ★★★★☆
Rich and immersive, though some of the shifter mythology backgrounds could have been developed a little more.

Spice: ★★★☆☆
Some erotic content to supplement emotional intensity in the characters.

Trigger Warnings: Entangled in the Woods contains mature themes including murder, descriptive sex, language, physical and emotional tension, depictions of possessive behavior, and moderate erotic content. Readers sensitive to power imbalances in relationships read with caution​(Entangled in the Woods_…).

I highly recommend this book to readers who love emotionally complex characters, paranormal romance with strong relationship dynamics, and a nature backdrop for some really intense personal growth. Fans of authors like Nalini Singh or Patricia Briggs will likely find themselves at home in Evi James's world of shifters and suspense.

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Spoilers below so read at your own risk.

Quick review: a decent idea that was not executed well. No real chemistry between MCs until the very end, and then it felt contrived. Side characters didn’t bring much of anything to the table and were mostly useless. My real gripe is the FMC and her ludicrous and unbelievable decision making skills (or lack thereof). She showed no survival instincts, contradicted her own goals constantly and generally made no sense in anything she did.

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Spoilers


I’m so disappointed by this book. I was looking forward to this duet, and I’m undecided if I’ll read the second one but boy oh boy was this one a let down. First, the writing style left something to be desired. A bit juvenile, with grammatical errors frequently, it was a struggle to stay in the story. But it was an easy read and quick, so if you enjoy the story you can overlook that.

What drove me to almost DNF was the absolutely ridiculousness of the FMC. She made decisions that no 22 year old in their sane mind would make. Choices that completely contradicted her own self-proclaimed goals/character at every turn, and constantly called into question her intelligence, survival instincts, and who the author wanted us to believe she was. What 22 year old woman willing gets into a tinted black SUV with two huge strangers she knows nothing about, alone, knowing she’ll be stuck at their “camp” for 3 days with no way home? I mean… there is no situation in any universe where I can make this decision make sense. Huge guy tells you that there are electric wards preventing you from leaving, and you think you’re sneaky enough to outsmart a bunch of *wolf shifters* and the wards? Continues to frequent the bar where all her troubles began, even after being reprimanded by her professor for drinking and partying? (In her defense she wasn’t really partying but still). Yeah sure.. I could use a drink, let’s go back there *again* and see what happens. Hashtag facepalm.


And this was some of many. She waffles constantly, and if her own internal monologues weren’t telling us who she was and what was important to her it wouldn’t have been as glaring, but because we’re constantly reminded of her goals, it’s painfully obvious when her actions contradict those, to the point of being ludicrous and unbelievable.

The MMC has been about as interesting as watching paint dry, the “villains” aren’t relevant or present in the story. The side characters range from slightly interesting with potential to as flat and useless as a blank sheet of paper. No one really brings much to the table.

Unfortunately this just didn’t execute the way it could have. All the moments of intrigue were glossed over (saving Everett with yarrow paste and everyone being impressed? Super interesting scene but we got all of 4 sentences and Elise staring at her shoes; attacked by two nasty shifters when trapped behind wards? Intense and interesting! Oh the possibilities for some dynamic story telling! We got a page of struggles, Everett saved the day quickly, and we’re back to camp for some good cooking! 🥴😒) It’s like it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be - we don’t cross over to dark romantasy though the hint is there. We’re not quite in cozy shifter mystery realm but we’re close. It was just… meh. Sigh.

[Amber Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐺🌱🐺🌱Steamy Shifter Romance 🐺🌱 🐺

This book is a captivating blend of vivid scenery, intriguing characters, and a thrilling narrative that seamlessly combines elements of contemporary life with mythology. If you're from Minnesota, or simply appreciate the charm of the state, you'll find the setting particularly immersive. The author does an excellent job of bringing the landscape to life, making it easy to visualize and adding a rich layer of atmosphere to the story.

From the very beginning, the protagonist, Elise, feels refreshingly real. Her vulnerability, curiosity, and internal struggles make her incredibly relatable. The chemistry between the characters, particularly through their witty banter and palpable tension, is one of the book’s strongest elements. The moments of spice are well-timed and add an extra layer of excitement to the plot.

What stands out most about this book is how well-developed the characters are. Elise’s journey is both endearing and frustrating at times, as she grapples with her own limitations and decisions. While there were moments when I found myself shouting, “Have you learned nothing?!”, her growth is part of what makes her so compelling. The secondary characters, especially Everett and Kleio, add even more depth to the story. Everett's enigmatic presence is both magnetic and elusive, leaving you wanting more, while Kleio's charm and playfulness offer a nice contrast.

The world-building is equally impressive. The author expertly blends realistic elements with mythological intrigue, creating a setting that feels both grounded and fantastical. This balance between the real and the mythological, coupled with just the right amount of drama, keeps the plot engaging without becoming overwhelming.

Overall, this book sets up an exciting series, and I’m eager to see where the story goes next.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you enjoy contemporary fiction with a mythological twist, well-developed characters, and a touch of suspense, you’ll likely find this book a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

"I'm just trying to get to know the pretty new girl. Never know when you're going to run offf again."

"You have three choices. One, you go back into the house and stay there for the weekend. Two, you keep running and I keep catching you. Or three, you get in the car."

"I would apologize to you for this inconvenience, but I will never apologize for keeping you safe."

"So, she has her own thoughts. I was wondering when you would start speaking up for yourself. You are a lively little one, aren't you Lyka."

"Not a problem. I'll replace the whole window if that's what it takes to get into your room."

"I'm glad you found your nerve, Elise. I love when you talk dirty to me."

"Knowing you, Lyka, you would be anything but quiet. I won't share the noises that will come out of your mouth when I make you come with anyone. Those noises are for my ears only."

"Did you think that you could run from me? I'll always catch you."

"It needs to be perfect, Lyka. I'm not about to take you ffor the first time in a situation that isn't anything but perfect."

"I love figuring out the puzzle to your pleasure, Lyka. I believe I just found the missing piece."

"I'm going to have to f*ck you every day to build up a tolerance for you so I can last longer than a couple of minutes."

[Belinda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise Wilson's plan for a distraction-free summer studying plant life is shattered when she becomes entangled with a group of wolf shifters 🐾 and their alpha, Everett. As a mysterious rot threatens the forest 🌿 and dangerous secrets emerge, Elise finds herself drawn deeper into their world.

I’ll always have a soft spot for werewolves, and this one didn’t disappoint! 🐺 The pack mentality, alpha behavior, mates, and found family aspects hooked me right in. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.

Elise was a tough character to love. While I admired her dedication to research 🧪 and her respect for the wilderness, 🌿 she let others decide everything for her, which made her feel passive at times.

Everett was a complicated alpha. 🔥 His hot-and-cold dynamic with Elise—arguing one moment and making out the next—was confusing, and their romance felt messy. 😅 I usually love tension, but their relationship needed more work.

The setting of the northern Minnesota wilderness and the magical world of shifters was beautifully done, 🌲 and Elise’s research into the mysterious rot added an intriguing layer to the story. But just when things were getting exciting, the book ended with so many questions and a cliffhanger! I need the sequel immediately. 🙌

Tropes you'll love:
🐺 Werewolf Shifters
🌲 Found Family
🌶️ Slow Burn Romance
💋 Hot and Cold Romance
🧪 Strong Female Protagonist
🔥 Alpha Hero
💥 Fated Mates
😳 One-Night Stand Creates a Messy Situation

Perfect for fans of Heather Guerre and Juliette Cross! Huge thanks to the author and BookSirens for the ARC! 💕

[Im Arcana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This def a surprising read. I was going in blind, as I was an arc reader on this book. I knew it had elements of mystery and fantasy that involved the FMC, Elise, moving to the woods to work on her thesis with a couple of roommates. They were told to not mingle with the locals as there had been altercations in the past. Unbeknownst to her there was more than nature and trees deep inside the woods. After hooking up with a local, why not live a little on the edge, she ends up being "held" for the weekend against her will.. In a world she had no clue existed, the world of shifters..Wolves... This is where she meets the MMC, Everett, a shifter who now has her scent embedded in him. There is a connection between them An attraction that seemed to pull them together. He wanted to make her his mate.

I enjoyed this book, it was a slow burn in the beginning. Great world building with a strong FMC who was not afraid to adventure into the forest alone. The banter was light enough to be felt with side eyes and casual flirting. But when the spice hit, I was surprised as how spicy it actually got. I was quite happy when the MMC and FMC finally got together. It was super hot and befitting that of a wolf and his mate. So also read your triggers and be aware this is a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to the next book, as there are many questions I have;)

Great Read;)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 📚
Title: Entangled in the Woods
Series: The North Woods: Book 1
Author: Evi James
Format: Paperback
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
🐺 Fated Mates
🌱 Shifter MMC
🐺 Plant Lady FMC
🌱 Found Family
🐺 Mystery
🌱 Fish Out of Water

Review:
Thank you Evi James for sending me a copy of this book! I loved this book and it was definitely giving Minnesota vibes. This story follows Elise, who is human and Everett, who is a shifter.

I haven’t read many shifter romances, but Evi James did a great job weaving details into the story. The descriptions in this book were so vivid and clear that I could truly picture everything going on. I really liked all the characters. Elise telling herself she was going to focus on only her studies and then getting distracted by hottie Everett was so funny. I was right there with her though! I love a possessive MMC and Everett did possessive so well! These two had amazing chemistry and banter! The romance was slow, but so worth it! I really liked how Everett and Elise’s romantic story played out! The tension was so good 🥵

I really liked all the side characters also! Everett’s pack taking Elise in almost immediately was really heartwarming. The story was really unique and the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. The cliffhanger has me so excited for the next book!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

*ARC review* A solid debut novel that begins with a feeling of a slow and soft contemporary romance and ends in full-on wolf shifter fantasy romance territory. The narrative is first-person and focuses solely on Elise, a graduate school student who studies botany. She decides to live in a cabin for the summer with two other students for the purpose of research in the wilderness.

Positives: The overall premise. You had me at cabin in the woods with the potential of meeting a mated wolf shifter. This does have spice (maybe a 3/5) that works well. The story is fun and it was a short read.

Otherwise, I know the description says slow burn, but the first 20% or so of the book did not have me. The plot doesn’t move much and the trigger of events (a.k.a the one night stand) was so thoroughly glossed over, it left me confused; however, as the story continues, I think the plot and the romance picks up and makes more sense. The book does end in a cliff hanger as it looks to be part of a series, so if you like the drama of a cliff hanger, this is for you. If you need closure and a HEA, you might want to wait until other books in the series releases.

[Shawn Costello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It has shifters, it takes place in Minnesota, it has fated mates. I was so excited. And the story was good. But the writing was very flat. Elise is supposed to be a plant expert, but there's no detail to any plants except for yarrow and a mulberry tree. There are only two other female characters mentioned before the epilouge, and they can barely hold a conversation that doesn't circle back around to men and sex.

The worst part, though, was probably all the typos and punctuation mistakes. There was one point where the author clearly meant to write, "He said," and it was in the book as "Ye said." And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Several sentences seemed as if the author meant to write them one way, and then went another way, and didn't go back and delete the first way.

I am giving this book 3 stars, though, because the plot, the story itself, was interesting, and the writing style seemed to change in the last couple of chapters and the epilouge. I am curious to see what happens in the 2nd book and hope that it feels less one-dimensional than this one did.

(All this being said, still a better book than 365 Days)

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Incredibly Unique Shifter Story!

Entangled in the Woods is a slow burn, fated mates wolf shifter story about Alpha Everett and graduate student researcher Elise set in the northern Minnesota woods. When Elsie starts her graduate research program at a remote cabin she crosses path with locals that she’ll soon learn are wolf shifter. While Elsie tries to find the answer to the mysterious problems in the land, she grows closer to her fated mate and his pack. But others aren’t as happy that she is there and soon a series of events changes the course of Elise’s life.
This book is an absolute must for wolf shifter fans! Hands down one of the best I read. Evi James has created a new world of shifters, mates, love, and mystery. I never expected the twists and turns that came. The storyline was new and unique take on shifter stories. Amazing characters, lots of banter, more than enough spice, and a cliffhanger that will ready to pick up the second book, Shadow in the Woods, available April 24, 2025!!!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
I'm sitting at a solid 3.8 star rating on this one! It was a very enjoyable read! Very binge-able. I read it in one day. I liked the characters and the idea of the wolf shifters. There was a nice found family vibe with Elise and the pack. I thought Elise was a really solid character and I loved seeing her knowledge and interaction with the plants and nature. I felt like that was a really cool and unique characteristic she had. The spice was good and fit in well with the story. It was a slow burn to a degree, but I feel like I would have liked to see a little bit more interaction between the characters, maybe some more banter, before they fell head over heels. The ending is a cliffhanger and did get me intrigued with how the story will be progressing in the next book.

If you like animal shifters, spice, a smart FMC and a protective MMC, then I would highly recommend this book! Really a solid debut novel!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I actually really liked this book more than I thought I was going to. I was so happy she wasn't gonna end up with who I thought at first I would have been so mad but anyway, I was a bit confused at first with this book I thought it could have used a bit more context but I do think it has potential. I did love the electrifying chemistry between Elsie and Everett 🌶🌶🌶🌶 and I always knew who the back staber was gonna be. But while the story could use more to it hopefully we will see more back story and character arcs and a more in depth story line in book two I mean that ending how could you 😂😂😂 love the level of spice but need more, more spice and 😏 more details please. Great book though can't wait on book two to find out what happens with Everett and Elsie and to find out more bout that epilog ending as well cuz color me curious bout that as well I have theories 🤔 but shall wait to see 👀

[Angie Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was ready for this book. I was not. Not even close. I love a good slow-burn shifter romance, but this one? This one devoured me like a wolf at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

First of all, Elise and Everett? I don’t want to be dramatic, but they might just be my new favorite fantasy couple. The chemistry? Off the charts— I kept hearing sexy blues in my head every time they were together. The tension? So thick you could cut it with a silver blade (not that we would, because, you know… werewolves). They’re sexy, they’re smart, and the way they orbit each other had me swooning one minute and fanning myself the next.

But it’s not just the romance—this book delivers on the mystery and suspense. Forest rot? Shifter politics? Secrets lurking in the woods? It had me on the edge of my seat and contemplating a side career in plant research just so I could live vicariously through Elise.

And let’s talk about that ending. Because I am so glad I read this book now and only have to wait about a month before the next one comes out. if I had to wait longer than that, I would be having some words with Ms. Evi. But also, thank you for an awesome book that beautifully laid the foundation for the next book (Ahem… some other authors should take notice).

Oh, and the fact that this book is set in Minnesota? I love that for me. So if you need me this summer, I’ll be disappearing into the Superior National Forest to see if this kind of thing actually happens. Wish me luck. Or send help. Either way.

If you love a slow-burn, fated-mates, forced-proximity romance wrapped in mystery and sprinkled with just the right amount of danger, you need this book in your life. Now excuse me while I go howl at the moon in frustration over the wait for book two. 🌙🐺🔥

4.5/5

[Bellaaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! A human college student accidently meets a pack of wolf shifters while working in a northern forest for her graduate thesis, and gets trapped in their world, and can't seem to escape it (but does she want to?)

Entangled in the Woods had great details, loveable characters, plot twists and a very well done romance plot intertwined (or should I say, entangled) with the non-romance mystery plot. The romance was a slow burn, which was actually slow (yay!). While this book ends on a cliff hanger, there were lots of questions I had through the book that were answered, which I appreciated, considering what the book leaves us with. If you like books with mix of both contemporary and mythical/fantasy elements, this book is for you!

Read on Kindle - Thank you to Evi James for the advanced reader copy!

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful read! I wast really sure what to expect because I went into this blind and what I got was amazing. Elise was so funny and awkward and just wanted to like study plants and conservation and she decides to let loose for one night and ends up dragged unwillingly to Camp with a bunch of wolf shifters and she’s like WHAT IS GOING ON. I loved seeing her grow closer to Kleio while she was at camp and the tension between her and Everett was absolutely tantalizing. Their banter and then their quickly growing feelings for each other were straight up chef’s kiss. There’s some really spicy scenes in the woods but when it finally makes it to the 🛏️room, just like be ready. The ending of this was actually insane in the best way and I NEED to know what happens next. Starting book two immediately.

[Kerie Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this debut novel!

Firstly, let me start by saying that this book is BINGEABLE! If you are looking for a quick, shifter romance that you could read in one sitting, then this is for you!

I was intrigued by the get go and found myself racing through the pages. The found family trope was perfect. A lot of the characters were so likeable (Kleio being by far my favourite). I wasn’t taken in by the fmc, but the other characters made up for it.

I would have liked there to have been more background about some of the other characters so that I could have a better understanding of them but maybe this will come in book 2?

And the ending?! Very intriguing, can’t wait to read more by this author!

[Ené · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being accepted when you thought you don’t belong.

A strong tension and heat filled paranormal romance with a lot of mystery.

The plot started a bit slow but it quickly picked up. Things just seem to keep happening. It was engaging, exciting, and just a very fun read. With depth and more than what things seem.

Elise simply wanted time away to focus on herself, her thesis, and hopefully, new friends. She’s very curious and clever, and knows to make use of her surroundings and the plant life around her.

All the other characters have also been super interesting! Elise finds the friend she was looking for, one that would listen to her and give her space. She finds a family who treats her like she’s a part of them. It’s wonderful.