Gordon is a nerdy forensic pathologist who enjoys talking to the corpses in the morgue. Oh, and he’s a vampire. The corpses—and his lab assistants—have been enough for Gordon for a very long time, but every now and then, Gordon wonders what he might find if he ventured outside his comfort zone.
Adler considers himself a pretty normal homicide detective, except of course he turns into a wolf once a month. He can trust his instincts, and they tell him that nerdy, vampiric, and smart is what he needs, both in wolf and human form. The only question is, how to win the heart of a doctor who mostly talks to corpses?
Can those two make it work in a world that has gotten used to vampires and werewolves, but maybe not so much to one of each dating? They will have to figure that out while working together to solve a string of copycat murders and keep their city safe.
The Doctor’s Wolf takes you along to murder scenes, so there is blood and violence. Domestic abuse is discussed.
Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them. For updates, join her newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/ksHV9g Or become a member of her Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/25502...
"Gordan looked at the werewolf above him, getting ready to descend, and wondered if he'd be there from now on. If he'd be someone Gordan would be coming home to."
This was different than I expected, but I enjoyed it quite a bit! The social awkwardness between Gordon and Adler was pretty darn adorable if you ask me. The blushing and the stammering and the nervousness to not say the wrong thing. And that describes both of them! Even the wolf! If you think just because Adler is a seasoned werewolf detective that the man doesn't get tongue tied when faced with the guy he has a crush on, then you'd be wrong. Seriously, it was just so cute!
"He wanted to make sure Gordon knew what it meant that he was here, in Adler's bed. No wolf would take a random lover home like this, show him off, allow in a strange scent."
I loved the fact that Gordon was a pathologist. It's a profession we don't often hear much about. I think that is likely why the word corpse coming up so much in the book was kind of startling in a way. It's not a term one hears in the day the day of everyday life for the majority of the population. In many of the conversations the word was being used by Maxim, a vampire hunter, in such a sophisticated, yet sassy way I was often laughing. Maxim was an absolute treat, and I am so happy Piper has confirmed he will be getting his own book in the future.
As for the romantic aspect, the relationship between Gordon and Adler is sort of just beginning. Even though Adler's wolf instincts tell him that Gordon is his mate, Adler still has to respect Gordon's choice in the matter. Gordon is a vampire, so he doesn't have the same possessive instincts as his detective. In fact, those instincts of Adler's get him into trouble a time or two with his vamp. I'm waffling back and forth on whether to consider the ending a HFN vs HEA. I can't get into the specific reasons without spoiling the story, so I think I'll just let readers decide on their own when they finish.
3.5⭐️ but not enough to round up...hope the second part delivers a bit more.
This was a book I wanted to love more than I ultimately did. There are parts of The Doctor’s Wolf that worked really well for me, parts I genuinely enjoyed, and parts that kept me at arm’s length throughout the reading experience. It had good ideas, strong characters, but an uneven execution.
Let me start with what really worked for me, because there is a lot.
I loved Gordon. Truly. A quirky, socially awkward vampire pathologist who talks to corpses as a coping mechanism is exactly my kind of character. He’s gentle, observant, quietly lonely, and deeply endearing. His oddness isn’t played for cheap laughs, but as something meaningful, something that helps him survive the world he’s in. Every time the story leaned into Gordon being unapologetically strange, I was fully on board. Gordon felt like a character who survives by compartmentalising, by clinging to small joys and rituals, and that made me relate to him in an odd way.
And I loved Adler just as much. Adler is soft in all the ways that matter. A werewolf detective who is competent, caring, emotionally open, and deeply respectful, even when his instincts are screaming otherwise. His devotion to Gordon, the way he balances his protective nature with consent and communication, and his genuine tenderness made him incredibly easy to root for. Watching Adler learn how to balance instinct and choice was one of the most satisfying aspects of the story, and once the book leaned into the shifter dynamics and the romance, I was fully on board.
And then there’s Maxim.... Maxim overshadows the narrative to such an extent that Adler and Gordon often feel like side characters in their own story, particularly in the first quarter of the book and throughout the murder investigation. He solves the case, conducts the interviews, uses compulsion, tracks down the suspect, and ultimately drives the resolution. Adler and Gordon contribute, yes, but mostly in supportive or confirmatory ways. As a reader, this made the mystery feel distant and oddly impersonal, as if it was being solved behind closed doors while the protagonists watched from the sidelines.
The murder mystery itself never really clicked for me. While the premise is interesting, it felt underdeveloped and emotionally flat compared to the romance. Key revelations happen off-page, tension is low, and the resolution comes quickly and without much payoff. Instead of feeling integrated into Adler and Gordon’s journey, the mystery functions more as a backdrop than a driving force, which was disappointing given how much space it occupies.
Another issue for me was the writing style, especially early on. The first 20 to 25 percent of the book was genuinely confusing. There’s frequent head-hopping, unclear dialogue attribution, and moments where the narration shifts between first-person and third-person within the same paragraph. At times, I had to stop and re-read just to figure out who was speaking or reacting. This made it harder to settle into the story and delayed my emotional connection to the characters.
Once the book shifted its focus toward Adler and Gordon’s bond, everything clicked. Their dynamic is sweet, intense, and grounded in communication. I loved watching Adler navigate his instincts rather than letting them override Gordon’s agency, and I loved Gordon pushing back, questioning, and growing more confident within the relationship. Those moments felt assured and emotionally satisfying.
I loved Gordon. I loved Adler. I loved the romance, the heat, and the shifter dynamics when the book leaned into them. But the imbalance in character focus and a murder mystery that never fully captured me keep me from rounding up. Maybe when I have read the second one and can see the bigger picture...let's see.
DNF 11% the author doesn't introduce characters and writes as if I should already know them and care about them? how wolf fell for vampire? why vampire hunter tries to play matchmaker? that said vampire hunter is friends with vampire. so what's his criteria for killing? also this hunter seems to be the mc instead of wolf and vampire because in those 11% were more nonsense banter from him than anything else. maybe there will be answers to those questions later in the book, but I don't see why I should continue reading
I love Alexa’s writing and this book has every reason why!
Adler and Gordon were absolutely swoon-worthy from their adorable jealous wolf ways to their comic collecting sweetness. As usual Alexa managed to combine a lovely romance with an intriguing plot. You get some fun suspense and drama (if Maxim is involved there is going to be drama lol) with a beautifully sweet and gentle budding romance between Adler and Gordon (aided capably by the match making skills of a golden haired hunter). One of my favourites parts of this was that Adler had wolf led instincts which were heightened by the full moon but which he actually made an effort to control in so far as he could. He talked about them, accepted when they wouldn’t be considered acceptable by non-wolf standards and made an effort to make sure Gordon felt safe and comfortable without bashing who he was as a wolf. So often werewolves are written with major red flags and it all just gets shrugged off as well he’s a wolf so he can do whatever he wants because it’s his ‘nature’. Adler didn’t deny who he was, he didn’t denigrate his instincts and that part of him but he also didn’t just act with reckless disregard for others. He was responsible enough to know that just because you have an instinct to do something doesn’t mean it’s always okay to follow through. Similarly, I liked that Gordon was allowed to worry without being made to feel less than. Papa Maxim helped talk him through it (for all his eccentricities at first glance, he is a truly good person, friend and gives off a fatherly presence, even if it’s one that is ever so slightly unhinged) and Gordon was capable of sitting back for a moment and thinking through his feelings. It was lovely for read and made me love them all the more. I am so freakin’ excited for the second book and for Maxim, Clement and Heath to find their people. I hope they all get stories because they are standout characters. I absolutely loved this and can’t wait for more!
Alexa's world-building is great in this. In a world where the supernatural live alongside humans, Adler is a detective with the police and Gordon works for the Forum, the entity that covers supernatural matters. They cross paths on a murder investigation.
Maxim, a hunter who I adore FYI, sets them up, and though it's a bit rocky at first, once they agree to have a date, it's just sweetness.
One of my favorite things is characters who communicate, even when it's hard, and these two certainly do that. I loved their connection. It's very much a slow burn in terms of heat, but once they get there, it's fantastic.
The Doctor's Wolf is very much a HFN and though it was initially a serial, I didn't feel that with reading the book. It had a cohesive plot and didn't give me the episodic feel.
I'm looking forward to part 2 for more of Gordon, Adler, and Maxim. I hope Maxim gets his own love interest. His interactions with his son are hilarious.
Loved this book. Gordon is a vampire, who is a forensic pathologist and Adler, is a wolf, and a detective. Gordon’s friend Maxim set up Gordon and Adler on a date, but Gordon leaves. When Gordon goes with Adler and Maxim to a murder investigation. The story starts from there with them trying to figure out who is killing those fae women. Loved the world building and how Gordon and Adler communicated to each other how they were feeling. Great chemistry and heat between the MCs. Cannot wait to read more in this series.
The Doctor's Wolf: Part One is the first book in the Supernatural Lovers series. This is the story of Gordon a vampire nerd and Adler a werewolf detective. I always enjoy Alexa Piper's books and this one is no exception. I love a nerdy vampire so much and Gordon is just something extra. I love Maxim a vampire hunter who becomes matchmaker and sets Gordon and Adler up. I love the world building that Alexa always puts in her stories. I just can't wait for more of this series. I would definitely recommend this book.
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. It is so nice to see Alexa write in a slightly different style than their Phoenix Immortal series. While this one does have vampires too, the scenery, world building, and the characters themselves are completely different than those in that series. I love when an author can show variety with their writing, and when they are able to create new worlds with exciting new characters that are unique and fresh. That's what Alexa did here with Gordon and Adler.
This story started off a bit slow for me, there was quite a lot of back and forth between the two MC's which got a bit redundant after a while. However, once they were finally able to find their footing with each other the pace picked up a bit and flowed a lot better. I liked how there was different POV's, but in the beginning where the chapter started in Gordon's POV then switched to Bryan's mid chapter I wish that switch was marked. Since it wasn't a notable switch I was a bit confused that it went from Gordon's POV to Bryan's back to Gordon's. Despite that first chapter though, each time the perspectives switched after that were marked, which I appreciated.
The characters themselves were great. I liked how quirky and unique Gordon's character is. He loves collecting trinkets, playing games, reading, and giving special cookies to his coworkers. He's a bit of a recluse but due to Maxim's matchmaking interference, he's getting more out of his comfort zone. Adler's character is great as well, you can tell he really cares about Gordon and is passionate about his job as a detective.
The case that was prominent throughout the story was interesting and written well. I was trying to figure out if they're was clues within the writing that would point to who was the bad guy. I liked how that was written, and I loved all the intricate details that went into describing each crime scene, along with explaining what was happening next with the case. Overall this was a great way to start a new series and I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here.
It had all the components to be good, but fell flat.
There was never much tension. For a crime setting where they're chasing a serial killer, I never felt any sense of danger nor suspense of any kind. And despite Adler being a cop and Gordon being a forensic pathologist, neither really contributed anything to the investigation, and for some reason, Maxim (a cameo character) did everything for them.
The pacing of the relationship was peculiar. One minute Gordon's running away, the next he wants to be all up in Adler's business. One minute Adler is ready for anything Gordon's willing to give, the next he's saying he needs to go on a date first and wants commitment.
It felt a bit like reading fragments that were written separately and then stitched together. I think it would have benefited from cutting the Maxim character (or at least his involvement being reduced) from the storyline so that the two main characters would have had something to do in the story other than worry about their relationship.
On paper, this had everything I love: a serial killer investigation, a cop, a forensic pathologist, and the promise of tension both romantically and plot-wise. But while nothing was objectively bad, nothing truly stood out either.
For a story centered around chasing a killer, I never felt suspense or danger. Adler and Gordon, who should have driven the investigation, barely seemed to contribute. Oddly, Maxim, who felt more like a side cameo, ended up doing most of the heavy lifting. That choice drained a lot of potential tension.
The romance was fine but lacked spark. I kept waiting for either the emotional stakes or the mystery to elevate the story. The mystery itself was almost too easy to solve, and without meaningful conflict, the whole thing felt flatter than it should have.
It was good. And that is the problem. With a premise like this, I wanted great.
Talked myself into 3 stars because there was just enough going on that I stuck it out but man, I do not understand these 5 star reviews. This book seemed like a contiuation of another story so is it a spin-off? I do like the cover though.
The dialog was ROUGH. Every character was OTT...EVERY. ONE. There was NO relationship development...just Gordon running away, Adler chasing him several months later, crossing paths at work, sex (with stereotypical growling from Adler), a couple of chats, sex again (with mating bites), and then 'I love yous'. Maybe with book two, it will develop more? And Gordon was an introverted, shy, reserved, nerdy VAMPIRE. I've never read about one of those before and I'm not sure I liked it. He showed moments of sassy but very few moments.
‘Gordon’s eyebrows rose, and his jaw dropped, which was bad, given that it made Adler want to claim Gordon’s mouth. The wolf was all for that. “I’m sorry about him,” Gordon said. “And again—noted. So very, very noted.”
What starts out as a unknown meetup, becomes a chance for love, in Alexa Piper’s fascinating book one in the Supernatural Lovers series.
The Doctor’s Wolf allows us to enter the paranormal world of vampire Dr. Gordon Morris, handsome vampire with colorful dye jobs who works with the deceased for the Forum. His path is crossed by werewolf Detective Adler, through vampire hunter Maxim, as they deal with the homicides of part fae. Adler finds something in Gordon that pulls at his heart, but Gordon has some struggles to go through before he can open his own heart.
A wonderful new series that will be a joy for Piper’s readers!
This was an incomplete book. Not just because it was the first of 2 parts but because the plot felt unfinished. The romance part felt forced and the world that the author tried to build around the mystery did not hold as much interest. The intro to a world where supernaturals are out is not unheard of but to see the events that have happened in our timeline have happened regardless of their coming out was a new take. In this world the Ripper murder took place too, but they were a hate crime against the Fae. Now we have a copycat running around. But that plot was not at all pursued with as much vigour or detail for this book to be a Romantic Mystery/Thriller. I am hoping with the way the book ended that the author hopes to tackle some plot points in part 2 and I am looking forward to see if the sparks between Adler and Gordon actually spark something in me in the 2nd book
I adored Adler...he was so open with his feelings towards Gordon. He has an amazingly dirty mouth and he's determined to make his mate happy. Gordon, on the other hand, was more closed off and harder to understand. I didn't get as emotionally connected to him and I wanted more depth to his feelings. I also needed to know how and why he became a vampire...that part was left out. Being a vampire doesn't seem to affect Gordon in any real way; except not being a morning person. Definitely want more about Maxim.
The Doctor's Wolf: Part One (Supernatural Lovers Book 1) Alexa Piper
Gordon, Alder, Maxim, Heath These four characters are so unique from any other characters written before. I enjoy all books by this author, this book, these characters are very well written and so likeable. I didn't want it to end and would love to see more of them in the future. The development of Gordon and Alder relationship was outstanding. The connection between Maxim and Heath and their storylines, you could imagine everything they were talking about. This was probably my new favorite book by this author.
A vampire forensic pathologist, a detective who is also a wolf, a mystery, a connection, some really lovely world building and strong chemistry between the main characters all make for an immersive and interesting (in the best ways) reading experience. Gordon and Adler are exactly the kind of characters that are easy to invest in, and I can’t wait to see more from this series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I liked the classic approach where werewolves and vampires don´t get along so well. Gordon and Adler are well matched, with common ground and interests, but wih enough differences in character and taste to make their pairing interesting. The realistic way in which the fundamental differences between species gives this book something unique. They must speak and hear one another and acommodate some quirks not their own. Really enjoyed the story with enough smut to make this a lovely book.
Gordon and Adler are absolutely adorable and perfect for each other. It's definitely not smooth sailing for our nerdy, awkward forensic pathologist but I think our determined wolf can handle himself just fine. Maxim was so cute in his matchmaking role trying to get these two together. The world building and mystery are very well done and I can't wait for more from this eclectic group.
I loved every awkward moment between Gordon and Adler! Detective Adler could have never imagined finding himself so nervous about getting things right. He was absolutely smitten with the nerdy pathologist. The chemistry was hot and adorable!
AN OUTSTANDING READ WITH SUCH A BEWITCHING WORLD THAT THIS AUTHOR HAS CREATED.
A great start to the Supernatural Lovers series. I really enjoyed Gordon and Adler. These two are so great and made me smile. This author's writing is so fantastic. So looking forward to more from this series.
This was insanely hot and also written so engagingly that it was as though I was halfway into a long series rather than reading the first book. The world building is organic and immersive, the characters engaging, and the emotion real, tender, and sweet.