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Foxwood Hollow #1
A Den Mate for Dylan
Welcome to Foxwood Hollow. In a world of fox shifters sits a small, quaint town where everyone knows your business. Often stifling, always safe, and forever a place to call home.
Dylan
Axel is the love of my life; he just doesn’t know it yet.
Ten out of ten do not recommend spending your formative years pining after an alpha who’s your brother’s best friend. But alas, here we are.
My only solution is to leave Foxwood Hollow and start afresh. So what do I do when I have no choice but to return home, only to realise all of those years and miles haven’t doused the flame?
Axel
He’s your best friend’s little brother. He’s your best friend’s little brother.
It was a mantra I’d repeated to myself for years, ever since my brain had shifted from omega smells good to omega smells like mine.
I’m happy for Dylan when he leaves Foxwood Hollow to chase his dreams. I always knew he was destined for a life larger than this little town can offer him. But I feel his absence like a gaping chasm, and the silence that follows has my alpha instincts going into overdrive.
When Dylan finally comes home, a lot has changed. But the soul-deep longing is as present as ever.
Can I really let him slip through my fingers again?
Dylan
Axel is the love of my life; he just doesn’t know it yet.
Ten out of ten do not recommend spending your formative years pining after an alpha who’s your brother’s best friend. But alas, here we are.
My only solution is to leave Foxwood Hollow and start afresh. So what do I do when I have no choice but to return home, only to realise all of those years and miles haven’t doused the flame?
Axel
He’s your best friend’s little brother. He’s your best friend’s little brother.
It was a mantra I’d repeated to myself for years, ever since my brain had shifted from omega smells good to omega smells like mine.
I’m happy for Dylan when he leaves Foxwood Hollow to chase his dreams. I always knew he was destined for a life larger than this little town can offer him. But I feel his absence like a gaping chasm, and the silence that follows has my alpha instincts going into overdrive.
When Dylan finally comes home, a lot has changed. But the soul-deep longing is as present as ever.
Can I really let him slip through my fingers again?
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2025
287 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
About the author
Emory Winters
7 books104 followersHaving been an avid reader her whole life, Emory got back into writing in early 2023. She began writing the first draft of Star-crossed Betas in June of the same year, and the story spilled out of her onto paper in just seven weeks.
It didn’t take long for Emory to realise that there were more love stories to be told and a larger mystery at hand, so it became book one of a four-part series.
In the rare moments Emory isn’t writing or editing, she can usually be found reading with her cat, Buffy. Or, in better weather, out walking in the beautiful Yorkshire scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for her books.
It didn’t take long for Emory to realise that there were more love stories to be told and a larger mystery at hand, so it became book one of a four-part series.
In the rare moments Emory isn’t writing or editing, she can usually be found reading with her cat, Buffy. Or, in better weather, out walking in the beautiful Yorkshire scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
March 2, 2025
2,75 stars.
While I loved the idea behind the story, a fox shifter (my first book with fox shifters!!) in love with his older brother's best friend, the romance didn't work for me and the story wasn't focusing enough on the characters in my opinion.
The MCs weren't fully fleshed out, sadly (and Axel wasn't even very likeable to me for a big part of the book. The fact that he had been together with someone else in the beginning of the story didn't sit well with me, either).
We didn't really get to know Dylan and Axel, and never learned WHY Dylan loved Axel. Where Axel's feelings had come from was perplexing and mysterious, too. We were told that it was like that, but there were no interactions that could have shown why either one of them had feelings for the other. To me that translated to their compatible scents being the only real reason, and that is not enough for me to believe in their connection.
I didn't feel any attraction between them, no chemistry.
The moment they jumped each other was way too early, there had been no emotional build up to it. And then there was way too much sex and too little relationship development for me.
As for the fox shifter part, sadly that seemed only to be an excuse for the den-making, nest-making and sex with knotting. Axel was one time in fox form because it helped him digging a den faster and once at the end of the book, and Dylan was one time in fox form as a kid. I would have loved to know more about the foxes' world than one side remark that they could eat chicken for every meal, because: fox shifters.
Overall this book wasn't bad, it just felt like there was so much that could have been developed, but the author just scratched the surface of themes they could have elaborated more deeply.
I don't know why I didn't check beforehand, but only after finishing this book I realised I had already read a book by this author, Star Crossed Betas, and I wasn't impressed with that one, either.. seems their writing isn't for me.
2,75 stars overall.
Ps the role play sex epilogue had me nearly changing it to 2 stars!!
While I loved the idea behind the story, a fox shifter (my first book with fox shifters!!) in love with his older brother's best friend, the romance didn't work for me and the story wasn't focusing enough on the characters in my opinion.
The MCs weren't fully fleshed out, sadly (and Axel wasn't even very likeable to me for a big part of the book. The fact that he had been together with someone else in the beginning of the story didn't sit well with me, either).
We didn't really get to know Dylan and Axel, and never learned WHY Dylan loved Axel. Where Axel's feelings had come from was perplexing and mysterious, too. We were told that it was like that, but there were no interactions that could have shown why either one of them had feelings for the other. To me that translated to their compatible scents being the only real reason, and that is not enough for me to believe in their connection.
I didn't feel any attraction between them, no chemistry.
The moment they jumped each other was way too early, there had been no emotional build up to it. And then there was way too much sex and too little relationship development for me.
As for the fox shifter part, sadly that seemed only to be an excuse for the den-making, nest-making and sex with knotting. Axel was one time in fox form because it helped him digging a den faster and once at the end of the book, and Dylan was one time in fox form as a kid. I would have loved to know more about the foxes' world than one side remark that they could eat chicken for every meal, because: fox shifters.
Overall this book wasn't bad, it just felt like there was so much that could have been developed, but the author just scratched the surface of themes they could have elaborated more deeply.
I don't know why I didn't check beforehand, but only after finishing this book I realised I had already read a book by this author, Star Crossed Betas, and I wasn't impressed with that one, either.. seems their writing isn't for me.
2,75 stars overall.
Ps the role play sex epilogue had me nearly changing it to 2 stars!!
June 24, 2025
Now that's what I call a super light book. Absolutely cheesy and extremely fluffy with a good dose of omegaverse sex.
I'm trying to read a very exhausting book right now and needed something for a break to keep my brain from tying itself in knots. This book was perfect for that.
Probably a story that would have bored me on any other day and I have to admit I was tempted not to finish it. But not because it's bad, but because it's really just sooooo endlessly cute that I lost a bit of faith.
So, if you're looking for a little something without depth but with quite a lot of cuteness and nice little omega sex scenes and no drama at all, this is something. Even the instances of miscommunication couldn't cause drama, it was all just so endlessly adorable.
We kissed violently almost, the years of pent-up frustration being taken out on our abused mouths until we were panting, gasping for breaths and trying to steal each other’s air.
Have mine, Dylan. Have my last breath if you want it. It’s yours. 🙄🫠🤩
His feet dug into my shoulder blades, holding my face against his hole as if I had any intention of stopping.
“Fuck, love. You taste amazing.”
I licked a stripe from his hole, over his taint and balls and up his leaking cock. His legs trembled, so I repeated the action over and over until he was writhing under me. 😳😋🤤
Well, even though it was totally cheesy and not really my thing, can I please get a book for Adam and definitely a book for Cooper, pretty pleeease …
I'm trying to read a very exhausting book right now and needed something for a break to keep my brain from tying itself in knots. This book was perfect for that.
Probably a story that would have bored me on any other day and I have to admit I was tempted not to finish it. But not because it's bad, but because it's really just sooooo endlessly cute that I lost a bit of faith.
So, if you're looking for a little something without depth but with quite a lot of cuteness and nice little omega sex scenes and no drama at all, this is something. Even the instances of miscommunication couldn't cause drama, it was all just so endlessly adorable.
We kissed violently almost, the years of pent-up frustration being taken out on our abused mouths until we were panting, gasping for breaths and trying to steal each other’s air.
Have mine, Dylan. Have my last breath if you want it. It’s yours. 🙄🫠🤩
His feet dug into my shoulder blades, holding my face against his hole as if I had any intention of stopping.
“Fuck, love. You taste amazing.”
I licked a stripe from his hole, over his taint and balls and up his leaking cock. His legs trembled, so I repeated the action over and over until he was writhing under me. 😳😋🤤
Well, even though it was totally cheesy and not really my thing, can I please get a book for Adam and definitely a book for Cooper, pretty pleeease …
February 27, 2025
I feel like I've been reading a lot of omegaverse lately. I don't know if that's a me thing or if there is suddenly just more of it floating around...I'm not mad about it but is omegaverse starting to become more mainstream? Wonders never cease.
I'll admit that I haven't really read much 'brothers best friend' trope but now that I have got a taste I'm definitely curious to read some more (feel free to give me recs).
The author mentions in the acknowledgements that this was a side project to help with writer's block of their main project and you can kind of tell. I mean it's a super easy and consumable read, I did the whole book in one morning (I'm not sure on the page count but I wouldn't be surprised if this is borderline novella size). I think though, that while low investmemt to read, that is probably it's biggest issue and it leads to the story just a bit too ambitious for the amount of content it tries to tackle.
Theres a bit of a second chance element going on here. The first 25% of the book covers Dylan's younger years with Axel (13 through 20). After teenage Dylan reconciles himself to never having a chance with Axel, due to Axel's long time girlfriend, he leaves to study on the other side of the country and returns home years later after finishing his degree and finds himself reconnecting with his unrequited childhood love. Both characters are physically intimate with other people prior to getting together but it's all off page and alluded to.
Honestly, it just felt like a bit of a whirlwind. I think we just flew through so many emotional scenes and milestones so quickly that I never really had a chance to invest in what was going on and as a result I just felt a bit emotionally removed from the whole experience. Which is a shame cause there was ot of potential here and I still enjoyed my time with it.
I thought the side story with Cooper and Patrick was cute and I hope they're the couple for book two. Axel and Cooper having their little 'coming out' conversations cause Cooper is an alpha who's into other alphas was very sweet.
Just a light hearted, quick and wholesome small town, 'brothers best friend', fox shifter, A/O story (knotting included). Provided a nice little palette cleanser.
The author was kind enough to provide an eARC and these thoughts are my own.
I'll admit that I haven't really read much 'brothers best friend' trope but now that I have got a taste I'm definitely curious to read some more (feel free to give me recs).
The author mentions in the acknowledgements that this was a side project to help with writer's block of their main project and you can kind of tell. I mean it's a super easy and consumable read, I did the whole book in one morning (I'm not sure on the page count but I wouldn't be surprised if this is borderline novella size). I think though, that while low investmemt to read, that is probably it's biggest issue and it leads to the story just a bit too ambitious for the amount of content it tries to tackle.
Theres a bit of a second chance element going on here. The first 25% of the book covers Dylan's younger years with Axel (13 through 20). After teenage Dylan reconciles himself to never having a chance with Axel, due to Axel's long time girlfriend, he leaves to study on the other side of the country and returns home years later after finishing his degree and finds himself reconnecting with his unrequited childhood love. Both characters are physically intimate with other people prior to getting together but it's all off page and alluded to.
Honestly, it just felt like a bit of a whirlwind. I think we just flew through so many emotional scenes and milestones so quickly that I never really had a chance to invest in what was going on and as a result I just felt a bit emotionally removed from the whole experience. Which is a shame cause there was ot of potential here and I still enjoyed my time with it.
I thought the side story with Cooper and Patrick was cute and I hope they're the couple for book two. Axel and Cooper having their little 'coming out' conversations cause Cooper is an alpha who's into other alphas was very sweet.
Just a light hearted, quick and wholesome small town, 'brothers best friend', fox shifter, A/O story (knotting included). Provided a nice little palette cleanser.
The author was kind enough to provide an eARC and these thoughts are my own.
November 30, 2025
Cute cute cute
A very sweet omegaverse story
And it kind of was like a second chance romance, which I love
So, an easy 5 stars for me 💕
A very sweet omegaverse story
And it kind of was like a second chance romance, which I love
So, an easy 5 stars for me 💕
March 7, 2025
2 bored out of my mind stars
I was interested in this book because it had fox-shifters, nesting, omegaverse, and a second chance trope. A couple small things that were fun - intergluteal, role play, hole admiration.
Some highlights:
“I fucking love your cute little cock,” I told him.
“How much is left?” I gasped. (I love a big dick - will it fit? scene.)
“I’m getting into character, less questions, please.”
“This might be our bizarrest role-play yet. It’s one thing to pretend I’m a firefighter coming to check your smoke alarms, but whatever this is, it seems weird.”
Unfortunately, it also had everything I didn't like from the author's debut book: second chance that just fixed itself, very little character depth (pining after someone isn't someone's entire personality), and telling.
It did have the same positives: queernorm world, women are also alphas.
But where was the world-building?
Where is the plot?
Why have fox-shifters if they don't shift and it has nothing to do with the story? One mention of being a fox, one scene where one MC is in his shifted form (at work), and voilá - at the 95% mark we finally see a shifted fox. It has absolutely nothing to do with the story, unless you're counting making dens a huge plot thing.
The omegaverse setting was light. Yes, there was a heat and a rut. One sex scene for the rut, one sex scene for the heat (iirc), by the time they synced up and had their heat and rut at the same time (again, lackluster omegaverse world-building) I was skimming out of boredom.
Nesting. A common part of omegaverse. Nothing new to see here. Omegas piling soft blankets and smelly mate clothing into a nest. Has Roe Horvat's omegaverse books ruined me for everything else? 👀
Second chance. The first chapters did a good job building up the painful unrequited pining as an adolescent, the emotions were there. Then, boom! college years spent in unsatisfying relationships and avoiding going home, only to have a massive hand waive we are together now. Didn't really feel like a second chance...
Biggest pet peeve. Telling me how to interpret dialogue. I didn't even know this was a pet peeve until I read this book.
Examples:
Telling the reader that there's a subject change.
“Well, we have quite the full house this summer by the looks of things,” Mom said, changing the subject. (What subject change??)
“Do you live here?” he asked, giving me whiplash with the abrupt change of subject. (The comments about subject changes were extremely distracting unnecessary.)
He took a moment to ponder the question, not seeming too fussed by the oddity of it out of nowhere. (Huh?)
Telling the reader how to interpret dialogue.
...he said, more honestly than I’d been expecting.
“See, studying pays off. It should be considered a transferable skill on my CV, really,” Dylan said, going off on a tangent. (This add-on after dialogue was really annoying. Stop telling us how to understand the dialogue...exhausting.)
“What?” he asked, understandably confused. (By saying "what" we already know he is confused. Give the readers some credit here. 🙄)
Cooper’s incredibly touching and insightful response almost threw me off why I’d asked him that in the first place. (This one takes the cake.)
Dual POV that actually felt like biased single POV.
Why was Axel painted as an asshole? I guess I'm not a fan of second chance that has apparent one-sided pining that blames the other MC for not getting it together fast enough. The book starts when the younger MC is 14 and the older MC is 16. They get together when the youngest is 20/21, so why the resentment?
Not only is Dylan apparently a capital-D dick, but the older brother is too?! This isn't an omega-inferior society, so the push for the omega to stand up for himself and dress everyone else down just felt unnecessary and awkward. Stilted dialogue lectures, omega gets to make mistakes but no one else can.
He chose not to go back to his hometown for years, hung up when his supposed fated mate called him, and then blamed his older brother for not telling him that Axel's father died? Big lecture because...? So no one else in that small town would have told him, and his mother and stepmother didn't tell him, yet it's the older brother's fault for being a Dick? Yeah, nah.
Second chance where they get together at the mark and what is the rest of the story going to be about?
I do read fluff and low-angst occasionally, but low-angst fluff does not necessarily have to equal zero substance and boring.
I will try the author's next books, I am very interested in the alpha/alpha pairing with the older brother and the big grump, Cooper & Patrick.
MC Names: Dylan & Axel
Tags: omegaverse lite, fox-shifters, second chance, brother's best friend, sex w/others, small town, adolescent to new adult, nesting, heats, ruts, knotting, mpreg world (not in book between MCs), queernorm world, omegas equal society, unrequited pining, parental death, low-angst, praise kink, lite spanking, role play, dildos, insecurities, big dick - will it fit?, small cock praise, hole appreciation, intergluteal, rimming, hand-feeding, gentle caretaking
I was interested in this book because it had fox-shifters, nesting, omegaverse, and a second chance trope. A couple small things that were fun - intergluteal, role play, hole admiration.
Some highlights:
“I fucking love your cute little cock,” I told him.
“How much is left?” I gasped. (I love a big dick - will it fit? scene.)
“I’m getting into character, less questions, please.”
“This might be our bizarrest role-play yet. It’s one thing to pretend I’m a firefighter coming to check your smoke alarms, but whatever this is, it seems weird.”
Unfortunately, it also had everything I didn't like from the author's debut book: second chance that just fixed itself, very little character depth (pining after someone isn't someone's entire personality), and telling.
It did have the same positives: queernorm world, women are also alphas.
But where was the world-building?
Where is the plot?
Why have fox-shifters if they don't shift and it has nothing to do with the story? One mention of being a fox, one scene where one MC is in his shifted form (at work), and voilá - at the 95% mark we finally see a shifted fox. It has absolutely nothing to do with the story, unless you're counting making dens a huge plot thing.
The omegaverse setting was light. Yes, there was a heat and a rut. One sex scene for the rut, one sex scene for the heat (iirc), by the time they synced up and had their heat and rut at the same time (again, lackluster omegaverse world-building) I was skimming out of boredom.
Nesting. A common part of omegaverse. Nothing new to see here. Omegas piling soft blankets and smelly mate clothing into a nest. Has Roe Horvat's omegaverse books ruined me for everything else? 👀
Second chance. The first chapters did a good job building up the painful unrequited pining as an adolescent, the emotions were there. Then, boom! college years spent in unsatisfying relationships and avoiding going home, only to have a massive hand waive we are together now. Didn't really feel like a second chance...
Biggest pet peeve. Telling me how to interpret dialogue. I didn't even know this was a pet peeve until I read this book.
Examples:
Telling the reader that there's a subject change.
“Well, we have quite the full house this summer by the looks of things,” Mom said, changing the subject. (What subject change??)
“Do you live here?” he asked, giving me whiplash with the abrupt change of subject. (The comments about subject changes were extremely distracting unnecessary.)
He took a moment to ponder the question, not seeming too fussed by the oddity of it out of nowhere. (Huh?)
Telling the reader how to interpret dialogue.
...he said, more honestly than I’d been expecting.
“See, studying pays off. It should be considered a transferable skill on my CV, really,” Dylan said, going off on a tangent. (This add-on after dialogue was really annoying. Stop telling us how to understand the dialogue...exhausting.)
“What?” he asked, understandably confused. (By saying "what" we already know he is confused. Give the readers some credit here. 🙄)
Cooper’s incredibly touching and insightful response almost threw me off why I’d asked him that in the first place. (This one takes the cake.)
Dual POV that actually felt like biased single POV.
Why was Axel painted as an asshole? I guess I'm not a fan of second chance that has apparent one-sided pining that blames the other MC for not getting it together fast enough. The book starts when the younger MC is 14 and the older MC is 16. They get together when the youngest is 20/21, so why the resentment?
Not only is Dylan apparently a capital-D dick, but the older brother is too?! This isn't an omega-inferior society, so the push for the omega to stand up for himself and dress everyone else down just felt unnecessary and awkward. Stilted dialogue lectures, omega gets to make mistakes but no one else can.
He chose not to go back to his hometown for years, hung up when his supposed fated mate called him, and then blamed his older brother for not telling him that Axel's father died? Big lecture because...? So no one else in that small town would have told him, and his mother and stepmother didn't tell him, yet it's the older brother's fault for being a Dick? Yeah, nah.
Second chance where they get together at the mark and what is the rest of the story going to be about?
I do read fluff and low-angst occasionally, but low-angst fluff does not necessarily have to equal zero substance and boring.
I will try the author's next books, I am very interested in the alpha/alpha pairing with the older brother and the big grump, Cooper & Patrick.
MC Names: Dylan & Axel
Tags: omegaverse lite, fox-shifters, second chance, brother's best friend, sex w/others, small town, adolescent to new adult, nesting, heats, ruts, knotting, mpreg world (not in book between MCs), queernorm world, omegas equal society, unrequited pining, parental death, low-angst, praise kink, lite spanking, role play, dildos, insecurities, big dick - will it fit?, small cock praise, hole appreciation, intergluteal, rimming, hand-feeding, gentle caretaking
March 3, 2025
2/5 ⭐️s - This book is so anticlimactic, I don’t even know where to start. I found it before release, read the blurb, and immediately knew it was something I’d love. No doubt. I waited over a month for it to finally drop, counting down the days, and for what? A massive disappointment.
It had so much potential - so much angst, so much yearning that should have been there. But none of it was. I have no idea why Dylan and Axel even like each other because their relationship is barely explored. We get nothing beyond the surface, no depth, no real emotional pull. I don’t feel anything for them. And it’s not even a length issue - I’ve given five stars to books just over 200 pages that hit with emotion. This? Nothing.
And then when they finally get together? It still doesn’t feel right. There’s no real connection, just constant bickering. It’s like the chemistry was an afterthought. And the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get because I went in with such high expectations. I was ready to love this book. I wanted to love this book. But it gave me nothing in return.
It had so much potential - so much angst, so much yearning that should have been there. But none of it was. I have no idea why Dylan and Axel even like each other because their relationship is barely explored. We get nothing beyond the surface, no depth, no real emotional pull. I don’t feel anything for them. And it’s not even a length issue - I’ve given five stars to books just over 200 pages that hit with emotion. This? Nothing.
And then when they finally get together? It still doesn’t feel right. There’s no real connection, just constant bickering. It’s like the chemistry was an afterthought. And the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get because I went in with such high expectations. I was ready to love this book. I wanted to love this book. But it gave me nothing in return.
February 27, 2025
Arc review! This book has all my favorite things!
So much pinning, omegaverse, small town, brothers best friend, so much NESTING!!!!! I really liked Dylan as a character he was a strong omega and didn’t take shit from anyone plus how he took care of axel was really swoony!
🦊 🦊 💕 🏳️🌈
Fun fact me and this author share a birthday! I’m excited to read more from her!!
So much pinning, omegaverse, small town, brothers best friend, so much NESTING!!!!! I really liked Dylan as a character he was a strong omega and didn’t take shit from anyone plus how he took care of axel was really swoony!
🦊 🦊 💕 🏳️🌈
Fun fact me and this author share a birthday! I’m excited to read more from her!!
February 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I loved young Dylan, so unbelievably steadfast in his unrequited love for Axel as he was growing up, how sweetly sad and broken hearted when he thought Axel found someone else. The pining in this book is truly sublime and over the course of years we see Dylan step out and experience life while still carrying a torch for Axel.
Axel is an unbelievably sweet kind character who’s grown up with Dylan. He’s Dyl-pot’s brother Cooper’s best friend. Something shifts though as these two get older and Axel can’t seem to put his finger on it.
Years later when they are reconciled they are finally in sync and are all in, reading about them building their relationship was absolutely adorable. There are a plethora of sweet and spicy moments .. I read the book in one go could not put it down and it left a big grin on my face, also that spa scene and the firefighter scene hot and hilarious, love it.
Is there something I can read about Mr Morgan and Cooper, asking for a friend 😁
Expect:
* Pining
* Brother’s best friend
* Possessive Alpha
* Maybe also a tiny bit clueless alpha hehe
* Bi awakening
* Small town
* Fox shifters omegaverse
* Knotting and nesting
* Low angst
* Emotional
* Humorous
* Sweet
* Swoony
* Heats and Ruts
I loved young Dylan, so unbelievably steadfast in his unrequited love for Axel as he was growing up, how sweetly sad and broken hearted when he thought Axel found someone else. The pining in this book is truly sublime and over the course of years we see Dylan step out and experience life while still carrying a torch for Axel.
Axel is an unbelievably sweet kind character who’s grown up with Dylan. He’s Dyl-pot’s brother Cooper’s best friend. Something shifts though as these two get older and Axel can’t seem to put his finger on it.
Years later when they are reconciled they are finally in sync and are all in, reading about them building their relationship was absolutely adorable. There are a plethora of sweet and spicy moments .. I read the book in one go could not put it down and it left a big grin on my face, also that spa scene and the firefighter scene hot and hilarious, love it.
Is there something I can read about Mr Morgan and Cooper, asking for a friend 😁
Expect:
* Pining
* Brother’s best friend
* Possessive Alpha
* Maybe also a tiny bit clueless alpha hehe
* Bi awakening
* Small town
* Fox shifters omegaverse
* Knotting and nesting
* Low angst
* Emotional
* Humorous
* Sweet
* Swoony
* Heats and Ruts
January 29, 2025
♾️ stars.
this was a book that i never wanted to end, i almost read the entire thing in one night but stopped myself because i couldn’t bare to part with them. this is exactly what i look for in an a/o book.
i NEED more. 🫣
i truly can’t describe how much i loved this.
SLICK. i can’t get over how much i love slick 💀
please read this.
this was a book that i never wanted to end, i almost read the entire thing in one night but stopped myself because i couldn’t bare to part with them. this is exactly what i look for in an a/o book.
i NEED more. 🫣
i truly can’t describe how much i loved this.
SLICK. i can’t get over how much i love slick 💀
please read this.
June 26, 2025
⭐️ 1/5— DNF at 53% | I came for comfort and soft fluff, but what I got was high blood pressure, a throbbing headache, and enough rage to light a fucking bonfire. 💢
I really tried, but this book just kept hurting me. Literally and figuratively. I gave this book everything. My time. My love for the tropes. My desperate need for a soft, low-angst, sweet romance. I even gave it three separate chances to make things right. But no—every time I tried to forgive, it handed me more emotional whiplash and made my headache worse. 😵💫
I was so sure this book would be my soft, sweet, safe little recovery read. I needed it after being emotionally destroyed by Shiver (but FYI I loved that book). I needed fluff. I needed love. I needed something to hold my heart and gently whisper, “it’s okay, baby.” Instead? I got betrayal, high blood pressure, and rage so real I had to physically stop reading—three times. ☠️
I love Omegaverse, knotting, nesting, mates—those tropes are everything to me. And yeah, this book had that... technically. But I spent over 39% of this thing watching Dylan pine over Axel while both of them pursued relationships with other people. Like... what the actual fuck? I don’t wanna read third-party love lives. I read for them. For the main couple. Together. Not their side quests. I DON’T WANNA READ THE MCs HAVE SEX WITH OTHER PEOPLE. 💩
And then finally—FINALLY—they fall into bed at the 39% mark during Axel’s rut, and I thought, “okay, here we go, now we’re cooking.” But nope. That rut ends, and Axel straight up leaves Dylan alone in his house, like some after-rut hookup. Dylan told Axel that it was his first time being with someone during their rut and being knotted, after nine years of loving him, and Axel couldn’t even be bothered to stay. Not even a proper goodbye. Just a vague lunch date and a whole lot of “you can go home now” energy. WHAT. THE ACTUAL. FUCK. 🤬🖕🏻
And I could not like Axel's character to save my life. The supposed “green flag,” sweet alpha? He was neglectful, has an EQ of a rock, and about as comforting as a fucking wet sock. And Dylan—oh, baby Dylan—was supposed to be strong, confident, assertive. And he was... except when it came to Axel. Then suddenly he was soft, quiet, forgiving, and heartbreakingly spineless. Because yeah, love makes you stupid. But this? This was watching someone I cared about fall apart for a man who didn’t deserve him. 💔🥴
I'm moving on to books that don't make me question my sanity or hurt my heart and head with every fucking chapter. I'm gonna give my time and attention for other books that will cherish the tropes I love. That will give me soft obsession and safe love without the emotional torment from an emotionally inept MC, and passive-aggressive “good guy” bullshit. Yes, I was talking about you Axel. 🤡
-
Quote:
“I’m a dick, okay? You’re right. I was with Lauren. I had no right to be jealous and possessive over you, but I was.” –Axel
-
“But you spent my rut with me?”
“I did,” he replied, smirking.
“Why?”
Dylan rolled his eyes at me dramatically. “You know why.”
“I know you had a crush on me as a kid, but that hardly seems like enough of a reason when you’ve held out for so long,” I replied.
He narrowed his eyes at me, and if looks could kill… I’d clearly said something very wrong.
“Are you,” he looked from side to side as if to assess how well the people sitting near us could overhear, “fucking kidding me?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
“You think I decided to spend your rut with you, build a nest for you off the back of some childish crush? Fuck you.“ Dylan stood from the table, but I grabbed his wrist before he could get very far.
-
Well, I have to agree with you Axel... You're a dick—and it's like you made it your life mission to be a fumbling idiot who kept on hurting the one you love. Awesome. Yay. 😒
I'll take a villain or a red flag MC or a morally gray bastard doing illegal shit in a dark romance any damn day over a so-called green flag MC doing "innocent" shit that ends up emotionally wrecking their partner. Because at least the villain owns it. At least I know what I'm signing up for. Axel's flavor of passive neglect dressed up as restraint? That shit cut deeper than any morally gray monster ever could. 👁👄👁
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🦊 MM, strict top/bottom
🦊 Axel King 23yo and Dylan Bailey 21yo
🦊 Axel: Top, Alpha, dark hair, dark brown eyes
🦊 Dylan: Bottom, Omega, curly brown hair, green eyes, russet orange fur (when shifted)
Genre and tropes:
🦊 MM omegaverse paranormal romance
🦊 Fox shifters
🦊 Small town
🦊 Alpha/Omega
🦊 Older brother's best friend
🦊 Second chance
🦊 Pining
🦊 Coming home/return to hometown
🦊 Heats and ruts
🦊 Knotting and nesting
🦊 Possessive Alpha
🦊 Mine mine mine
🦊 Size difference
🦊 Axel hand-fed Dylan sandwiches
🦊 Axel panicked when Dylan cried during nest building
🦊 Separation anxiety during rut/heat
🦊 Pet names: Dyl-pot, love
Safety info:
🦊 Angst: High
🦊 OW/OM drama: Yes, a fuck ton of them
🦊 Cheating/sharing: Cheating-adjacent for me
🦊 Third act breakup: Dunno
🦊 Ending: Dunno
🦊 Epilogue: Yes (Saw it on the content list)
🦊 POV: Dual, 1st person
🦊 Series structure: Interconnected standalone
Spice and kinks:
Rimming, slick, bareback, blowjobs, mild intergluteal sex, feeding
CW/TW:
Mention of parental death, underage drinking
I really tried, but this book just kept hurting me. Literally and figuratively. I gave this book everything. My time. My love for the tropes. My desperate need for a soft, low-angst, sweet romance. I even gave it three separate chances to make things right. But no—every time I tried to forgive, it handed me more emotional whiplash and made my headache worse. 😵💫
I was so sure this book would be my soft, sweet, safe little recovery read. I needed it after being emotionally destroyed by Shiver (but FYI I loved that book). I needed fluff. I needed love. I needed something to hold my heart and gently whisper, “it’s okay, baby.” Instead? I got betrayal, high blood pressure, and rage so real I had to physically stop reading—three times. ☠️
I love Omegaverse, knotting, nesting, mates—those tropes are everything to me. And yeah, this book had that... technically. But I spent over 39% of this thing watching Dylan pine over Axel while both of them pursued relationships with other people. Like... what the actual fuck? I don’t wanna read third-party love lives. I read for them. For the main couple. Together. Not their side quests. I DON’T WANNA READ THE MCs HAVE SEX WITH OTHER PEOPLE. 💩
And then finally—FINALLY—they fall into bed at the 39% mark during Axel’s rut, and I thought, “okay, here we go, now we’re cooking.” But nope. That rut ends, and Axel straight up leaves Dylan alone in his house, like some after-rut hookup. Dylan told Axel that it was his first time being with someone during their rut and being knotted, after nine years of loving him, and Axel couldn’t even be bothered to stay. Not even a proper goodbye. Just a vague lunch date and a whole lot of “you can go home now” energy. WHAT. THE ACTUAL. FUCK. 🤬🖕🏻
And I could not like Axel's character to save my life. The supposed “green flag,” sweet alpha? He was neglectful, has an EQ of a rock, and about as comforting as a fucking wet sock. And Dylan—oh, baby Dylan—was supposed to be strong, confident, assertive. And he was... except when it came to Axel. Then suddenly he was soft, quiet, forgiving, and heartbreakingly spineless. Because yeah, love makes you stupid. But this? This was watching someone I cared about fall apart for a man who didn’t deserve him. 💔🥴
I'm moving on to books that don't make me question my sanity or hurt my heart and head with every fucking chapter. I'm gonna give my time and attention for other books that will cherish the tropes I love. That will give me soft obsession and safe love without the emotional torment from an emotionally inept MC, and passive-aggressive “good guy” bullshit. Yes, I was talking about you Axel. 🤡
-
Quote:
“I’m a dick, okay? You’re right. I was with Lauren. I had no right to be jealous and possessive over you, but I was.” –Axel
-
“But you spent my rut with me?”
“I did,” he replied, smirking.
“Why?”
Dylan rolled his eyes at me dramatically. “You know why.”
“I know you had a crush on me as a kid, but that hardly seems like enough of a reason when you’ve held out for so long,” I replied.
He narrowed his eyes at me, and if looks could kill… I’d clearly said something very wrong.
“Are you,” he looked from side to side as if to assess how well the people sitting near us could overhear, “fucking kidding me?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
“You think I decided to spend your rut with you, build a nest for you off the back of some childish crush? Fuck you.“ Dylan stood from the table, but I grabbed his wrist before he could get very far.
-
Well, I have to agree with you Axel... You're a dick—and it's like you made it your life mission to be a fumbling idiot who kept on hurting the one you love. Awesome. Yay. 😒
I'll take a villain or a red flag MC or a morally gray bastard doing illegal shit in a dark romance any damn day over a so-called green flag MC doing "innocent" shit that ends up emotionally wrecking their partner. Because at least the villain owns it. At least I know what I'm signing up for. Axel's flavor of passive neglect dressed up as restraint? That shit cut deeper than any morally gray monster ever could. 👁👄👁
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🦊 MM, strict top/bottom
🦊 Axel King 23yo and Dylan Bailey 21yo
🦊 Axel: Top, Alpha, dark hair, dark brown eyes
🦊 Dylan: Bottom, Omega, curly brown hair, green eyes, russet orange fur (when shifted)
Genre and tropes:
🦊 MM omegaverse paranormal romance
🦊 Fox shifters
🦊 Small town
🦊 Alpha/Omega
🦊 Older brother's best friend
🦊 Second chance
🦊 Pining
🦊 Coming home/return to hometown
🦊 Heats and ruts
🦊 Knotting and nesting
🦊 Possessive Alpha
🦊 Mine mine mine
🦊 Size difference
🦊 Axel hand-fed Dylan sandwiches
🦊 Axel panicked when Dylan cried during nest building
🦊 Separation anxiety during rut/heat
🦊 Pet names: Dyl-pot, love
Safety info:
🦊 Angst: High
🦊 OW/OM drama: Yes, a fuck ton of them
🦊 Cheating/sharing: Cheating-adjacent for me
🦊 Third act breakup: Dunno
🦊 Ending: Dunno
🦊 Epilogue: Yes (Saw it on the content list)
🦊 POV: Dual, 1st person
🦊 Series structure: Interconnected standalone
Spice and kinks:
Rimming, slick, bareback, blowjobs, mild intergluteal sex, feeding
CW/TW:
Mention of parental death, underage drinking
February 12, 2025
4.5
What a delight, WHAT A DELIGHT.
I spent the whole time I was reading this GRINNING like a fool. "A Den Mate for Dylan" is such a lovely, romantic story. It's my second book by Emory Winters, and let me tell you: I think I'm ready to sell my own soul just to get my hands on the sequel ASAP.
(Also, if in the meantime, I manage to get my hands on the sequel to "The Northern Shifters" series, I won't complain either...... *grabby hands*)
This book had it all: a fated mates romance that will make any fan of the good ol' slow-burn happy, a forbidden(ish) brother's best-friend pairing, a whole lot of pining (SO MUCH PINING) and yearning and loving from afar (I nearly sobbed my eyes out!), delicious, delightful omegaverse dynamics (nesting? knotting? heats and ruts? possessiveness? YOU GOT IT), two protagonists that stole my heart and a small-town setting that will make you want to leave the big city ASAP. Also, did I mention a cast of side characters that I immediately fell in love with?
I really, really adored it. Surprisingly enough, while I usually don't love romances that start off with chapters in the past, I adored it here: it really showed how much Dylan had been yearning and suffering, and my heart really broke for him. Also, it made the fated mates aspect of Dylan and Axel's romance so much better: I'm not keen on instalove, so it was so SO refreshing to see an actual build-up to a fated mates/omegaverse pairing.
I adored both protagonists sooooo much: Dylan was such a hoot. Wickedly sassy and funny, absolutely not afraid to speak his mind and take charge of his life, with a huge heart and an even bigger praise kink (lol, no okay maybe not! I wish that aspect had been expanded a bit, actually). I loved Axel too: he's a bit obtuse at times, but he's also such a giant sweetheart, and I loved seeing his more vulnerable moments on page too. They were such cutie pies together too <3 honestly, they game me tooth ache with how much love and care and affection was going on, and I wouldn't want it any other way. This book was the MOST perfect palate cleanser <3
I LOVED THE SIDE CHARACTERS. I'm seriously FERAL over Cooper ( ) and I loved Adam too.
I can't wait to read whichever book comes next from Emory Winters. I'm so glad she decided to write an omegaverse series! Her first foray into it was *chef's kiss* perfection, and I'm excited for what comes next.
TWs/CWs: death of a parent (off page), social drinking; + the MCs are with other people before the main plot timeline (no cheating).
Many thanks to the author for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
What a delight, WHAT A DELIGHT.
I spent the whole time I was reading this GRINNING like a fool. "A Den Mate for Dylan" is such a lovely, romantic story. It's my second book by Emory Winters, and let me tell you: I think I'm ready to sell my own soul just to get my hands on the sequel ASAP.
(Also, if in the meantime, I manage to get my hands on the sequel to "The Northern Shifters" series, I won't complain either...... *grabby hands*)
This book had it all: a fated mates romance that will make any fan of the good ol' slow-burn happy, a forbidden(ish) brother's best-friend pairing, a whole lot of pining (SO MUCH PINING) and yearning and loving from afar (I nearly sobbed my eyes out!), delicious, delightful omegaverse dynamics (nesting? knotting? heats and ruts? possessiveness? YOU GOT IT), two protagonists that stole my heart and a small-town setting that will make you want to leave the big city ASAP. Also, did I mention a cast of side characters that I immediately fell in love with?
I really, really adored it. Surprisingly enough, while I usually don't love romances that start off with chapters in the past, I adored it here: it really showed how much Dylan had been yearning and suffering, and my heart really broke for him. Also, it made the fated mates aspect of Dylan and Axel's romance so much better: I'm not keen on instalove, so it was so SO refreshing to see an actual build-up to a fated mates/omegaverse pairing.
I adored both protagonists sooooo much: Dylan was such a hoot. Wickedly sassy and funny, absolutely not afraid to speak his mind and take charge of his life, with a huge heart and an even bigger praise kink (lol, no okay maybe not! I wish that aspect had been expanded a bit, actually). I loved Axel too: he's a bit obtuse at times, but he's also such a giant sweetheart, and I loved seeing his more vulnerable moments on page too. They were such cutie pies together too <3 honestly, they game me tooth ache with how much love and care and affection was going on, and I wouldn't want it any other way. This book was the MOST perfect palate cleanser <3
I LOVED THE SIDE CHARACTERS. I'm seriously FERAL over Cooper ( ) and I loved Adam too.
I can't wait to read whichever book comes next from Emory Winters. I'm so glad she decided to write an omegaverse series! Her first foray into it was *chef's kiss* perfection, and I'm excited for what comes next.
TWs/CWs: death of a parent (off page), social drinking; + the MCs are with other people before the main plot timeline (no cheating).
Many thanks to the author for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.
January 26, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Foxwood Hollow # 1
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
This was so good. The beginning had me in tears. The pining, the pain... it was top notch. I love good brother's best friend trope, especially if they grew up together. There is something about the pining for years that gets me in my feels.
Dylan is such a dynamic character. He was funny, dramatic and absolutely sweet. Thrown in Axel and they are such a stunning pair. The glimpses of the early years of their relationship set the feels for the last half of the book. I fell in love with Dylan's brother Cooper and I hope he gets his own book.
I liked the setup of this book. A decent portion of the book was watching their relationship blossom. It was refreshing not feeling so rushed to have the MCs get together and then have the book end. Overall, this was a really sweet omegaverse.
Tropes:
• Slow burn
• Omegaverse
• Fox shifters
• Brother's best friend
• Small Town
• Size difference
• HEA
Cheating:
Third-act breakup:
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.
Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Foxwood Hollow # 1
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
This was so good. The beginning had me in tears. The pining, the pain... it was top notch. I love good brother's best friend trope, especially if they grew up together. There is something about the pining for years that gets me in my feels.
Dylan is such a dynamic character. He was funny, dramatic and absolutely sweet. Thrown in Axel and they are such a stunning pair. The glimpses of the early years of their relationship set the feels for the last half of the book. I fell in love with Dylan's brother Cooper and I hope he gets his own book.
I liked the setup of this book. A decent portion of the book was watching their relationship blossom. It was refreshing not feeling so rushed to have the MCs get together and then have the book end. Overall, this was a really sweet omegaverse.
Tropes:
• Slow burn
• Omegaverse
• Fox shifters
• Brother's best friend
• Small Town
• Size difference
• HEA
Cheating:
Third-act breakup:
POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.
won-t-read-bc-nopes
June 26, 2025This cover keeps fooling me into thinking I should read this book. No, Sandy, No. You cannot. There is OM/OW action up the wazoo and on page, and these two are supposedly fated type mates. 😱 Just...no. Would feel like cheating and could never be unseen.
Kudos to the artist for that adorable cover though!
Kudos to the artist for that adorable cover though!
February 19, 2025
this was really sweet 🥰🥰🥰🥰 i enjoyed reading it !!!
November 20, 2025
EW THIS WAS SO CUTE. A perfect book for a rainy day in bed.
I've never read a fox shifter book before and it was so cozy.
Dylan really goes through it in the first half of the book omg. I'm so glad him and Axel got their second chance.
Can't wait for the next one!
I've never read a fox shifter book before and it was so cozy.
Dylan really goes through it in the first half of the book omg. I'm so glad him and Axel got their second chance.
Can't wait for the next one!
January 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
nesting scenes, man. they always get me.
also someone tell me right the fuck now that we'll get Cooper's book at some point I BEG
nesting scenes, man. they always get me.
also someone tell me right the fuck now that we'll get Cooper's book at some point I BEG
March 9, 2025
3/5 ⭐
Me repito a mí misma que debo dejar de tener altas expectativas con los libros; solo consigo desilusionarme. Pero, o sea, solo miren esa portada. ¡Es simplemente adorable! ¿Cómo no iba a pesar «sí, este libro será perfecto»? 🤧
Honestamente, qué decepción. Frustrante, anticlimático. Un romance de lo más tibio, donde los dos protagonistas tienen una falta de comunición terrible. Si algo, la única conexión entre ellos es su atracción sexual mutua. Es una historia casi vacía. Predecible. No hay nada que destaque.
Los personajes necesitaron mucho más desarrollo. Ambos tienen un carácter definido, pero no personalidad. No me gustó para nada que al principio ambos empezaran saliendo con otras personas. Honestamente, fue un drama innecesario. Creo que se pudo haber tomado esos primeros capítulos para realmente cimentar las bases de la atracción entre Dylan y Axel, pues todavía no entiendo cómo y por qué Dylan terminó tan obsesionado a una edad temprana del mejor amigo de su hermano (más allá del olor).
El romance es superficial y desapasionado, aunque bastante cute una vez que esos dos por fin están juntos. Dylan no me desagradó como personaje, e incluso su hermano, Cooper, tiene sus pequeños momentos de brillar. Axel, por otro lado, no destacó en absolutamente ningún momento...
En conclusión, un libro para pasar el rato, sin más, y que por mi parte será olvidado muy pronto. Le doy una ⭐️ extra por la portada.
Me repito a mí misma que debo dejar de tener altas expectativas con los libros; solo consigo desilusionarme. Pero, o sea, solo miren esa portada. ¡Es simplemente adorable! ¿Cómo no iba a pesar «sí, este libro será perfecto»? 🤧
Honestamente, qué decepción. Frustrante, anticlimático. Un romance de lo más tibio, donde los dos protagonistas tienen una falta de comunición terrible. Si algo, la única conexión entre ellos es su atracción sexual mutua. Es una historia casi vacía. Predecible. No hay nada que destaque.
Los personajes necesitaron mucho más desarrollo. Ambos tienen un carácter definido, pero no personalidad. No me gustó para nada que al principio ambos empezaran saliendo con otras personas. Honestamente, fue un drama innecesario. Creo que se pudo haber tomado esos primeros capítulos para realmente cimentar las bases de la atracción entre Dylan y Axel, pues todavía no entiendo cómo y por qué Dylan terminó tan obsesionado a una edad temprana del mejor amigo de su hermano (más allá del olor).
El romance es superficial y desapasionado, aunque bastante cute una vez que esos dos por fin están juntos. Dylan no me desagradó como personaje, e incluso su hermano, Cooper, tiene sus pequeños momentos de brillar. Axel, por otro lado, no destacó en absolutamente ningún momento...
En conclusión, un libro para pasar el rato, sin más, y que por mi parte será olvidado muy pronto. Le doy una ⭐️ extra por la portada.
March 22, 2025
3.5 rounded down!
First I loved how this was broken down into parts. The part 1 being Dylan when he was younger and his crush on Axel turning into more than that and how he dealt with Axel moving on without him. I actually gasped when part 2 was Axel, like I was not expecting that. Part 3 being them together and the dual POV was great because I felt like Dylan needed to see Axel without the "best friends little brother" pedestal and Axel needed to see Dylan as a grown man who could make his own decisions.
I thought Axel and Dylan were super cute together, I liked them spending time together during their respective ruts and heats and Axel building the den for Dylan was so sweet.
Super intrigued by Cooper/Patrick????
First I loved how this was broken down into parts. The part 1 being Dylan when he was younger and his crush on Axel turning into more than that and how he dealt with Axel moving on without him. I actually gasped when part 2 was Axel, like I was not expecting that. Part 3 being them together and the dual POV was great because I felt like Dylan needed to see Axel without the "best friends little brother" pedestal and Axel needed to see Dylan as a grown man who could make his own decisions.
I thought Axel and Dylan were super cute together, I liked them spending time together during their respective ruts and heats and Axel building the den for Dylan was so sweet.
Super intrigued by Cooper/Patrick????
March 2, 2025
Rating - 4.5 Stars
I think this was my first actual omegaverse and I couldn’t think of a better one to pop my cherry. Axel and Dylan were so very sweet.
Emory is amazing at writing stories that are just so easy to fly through. The banter, the feelings, the amazing side characters 👌 (I loved Adam from the first page we were introduced to him and I need his story like yesterday.)
Here we have best friend’s brother/old brother’s best friend and all of the pining in the beginning had me in a chokehold. These two even saved their most important and intimate moments for the other. I mean 🥹 And then when they finally give in and get together years later (declarations IN THE RAIN will never not slap) I couldn’t wait to see their chemistry explode.
What I love the most about shifters/omegaverse is the cuddling and scenting. And this book had so much scenting - I was eating it up.
“Much better. Mate was safe now. Mate smelled good. Smelled of us. Mate should always smell of us.”
This was a perfect low-angst story that will give you the sense of being wrapped in a warm blanket (kind of like Dylan’s nests).
I think this was my first actual omegaverse and I couldn’t think of a better one to pop my cherry. Axel and Dylan were so very sweet.
Emory is amazing at writing stories that are just so easy to fly through. The banter, the feelings, the amazing side characters 👌 (I loved Adam from the first page we were introduced to him and I need his story like yesterday.)
Here we have best friend’s brother/old brother’s best friend and all of the pining in the beginning had me in a chokehold. These two even saved their most important and intimate moments for the other. I mean 🥹 And then when they finally give in and get together years later (declarations IN THE RAIN will never not slap) I couldn’t wait to see their chemistry explode.
What I love the most about shifters/omegaverse is the cuddling and scenting. And this book had so much scenting - I was eating it up.
“Much better. Mate was safe now. Mate smelled good. Smelled of us. Mate should always smell of us.”
This was a perfect low-angst story that will give you the sense of being wrapped in a warm blanket (kind of like Dylan’s nests).
February 13, 2025
This was so sweet and full of pining, yearning, love, good friends, more characters who need their own stories lol, and steamy moments!
If you love
- Brother’s best friend
- Alpha/omega pairing
- Heats and ruts
- Nesting
- Pining and young love
You should grab this one! I loved that this book started when Dylan was so young and we got to see his crush and love for Axel through the years.
Dylan is such a sweetie and you really feel for him as he grows up yearning for Axel so much.
I also love how they were reunited and all the great chemistry between them as adults. There was banter, sass, and it was fun! And steamy! (And lots of tears? lol) and I really enjoyed this romance!!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
If you love
- Brother’s best friend
- Alpha/omega pairing
- Heats and ruts
- Nesting
- Pining and young love
You should grab this one! I loved that this book started when Dylan was so young and we got to see his crush and love for Axel through the years.
Dylan is such a sweetie and you really feel for him as he grows up yearning for Axel so much.
I also love how they were reunited and all the great chemistry between them as adults. There was banter, sass, and it was fun! And steamy! (And lots of tears? lol) and I really enjoyed this romance!!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2025
3.5 stars
Longstanding crush on brother's best friend leads to forced distancing and eventual reunion.
The first 20% of this is told in flashback's from Dylan's POV, and I found this actually quite effective. The chapters are short and start when he's 13, showing his childhood crush blossoming into something more, and him growing up and dealing with the reality of the unrequited love and taking his distance.
That said there's not a huge amount of actual page-time between them in that first section, so there was a lot of catching up to do and to be honest I found it a little rushed in the middle.
But I did really like them as a couple, and of course it turns out that . They share an epic kiss in the rain and a fair bit of sex and quickly come clean about their feelings.
I loved the nesting scenes, Dylan wants his nest to be perfect and is very snappish when Axel innocently asks him if it's ready. They have a fun, playful dynamic, but there's a lot of sweet caretaking and pampering too.
Overall this is very low angst, and I'd recommend it for a nice fluffy read.
Longstanding crush on brother's best friend leads to forced distancing and eventual reunion.
The first 20% of this is told in flashback's from Dylan's POV, and I found this actually quite effective. The chapters are short and start when he's 13, showing his childhood crush blossoming into something more, and him growing up and dealing with the reality of the unrequited love and taking his distance.
That said there's not a huge amount of actual page-time between them in that first section, so there was a lot of catching up to do and to be honest I found it a little rushed in the middle.
But I did really like them as a couple, and of course it turns out that . They share an epic kiss in the rain and a fair bit of sex and quickly come clean about their feelings.
I loved the nesting scenes, Dylan wants his nest to be perfect and is very snappish when Axel innocently asks him if it's ready. They have a fun, playful dynamic, but there's a lot of sweet caretaking and pampering too.
Overall this is very low angst, and I'd recommend it for a nice fluffy read.
January 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ This is one of the cutest books I've read in a long time! We follow Dylan, an omega, and Axel, an alpha, and how they have known eachother their entire childhood. From the very start of the book, we understand that Dylan is head over heels for Axel, and when Axel get together with another omega, Dylans world shatters. But even when Dylan goes to college, he can't seem to forget the alpha that is still living in their small home town.
- Because the alpha, who I’d loved since before I was even old enough to know what love was, didn’t love my nest. And he didn’t love me.
I adored this story so much, and I really hope we'll get more from this universe. There were so many good details, everything from Axel working with den-building, Dylan's nest making, (the shrek apron, iykyk), and so much more. I was smiling stupid, but I also shred a tear or two at these two beautiful characters. I'm so excited to read more from Emory Winters!
And a big thank you to the author for providing me with an arc of this great book!
- Because the alpha, who I’d loved since before I was even old enough to know what love was, didn’t love my nest. And he didn’t love me.
I adored this story so much, and I really hope we'll get more from this universe. There were so many good details, everything from Axel working with den-building, Dylan's nest making, (the shrek apron, iykyk), and so much more. I was smiling stupid, but I also shred a tear or two at these two beautiful characters. I'm so excited to read more from Emory Winters!
And a big thank you to the author for providing me with an arc of this great book!
January 30, 2025
Ok this was seriously one of the cutest books I have ever read! Dylan and Axel were absolutely precious, and their story was so sweet—even though it had my emotions all over the place in the beginning with how much Dylan pined after Axel.
So this just so cute and a definite must read!
So this just so cute and a definite must read!
August 24, 2025
ame completamente el libro, es que la pareja es lo más adorable que existe y ese beso bajo la lluvia yo grite, sin duda alguna leeré más libros de la autora y ya quiero leer el siguiente!!! ❤️❤️❤️
March 15, 2025
4.5⭐️
This book was so fluffy and sweet! I LOVED IT!
Dylan is such a cute little thing but with a sassy side. Axel is protective and caring and together they’re adorable.
It was such a cozy read, I had a wonderful time.
This book was so fluffy and sweet! I LOVED IT!
Dylan is such a cute little thing but with a sassy side. Axel is protective and caring and together they’re adorable.
It was such a cozy read, I had a wonderful time.
July 17, 2025
rounded up 1 star solely because Dylan and I have the same car
June 20, 2025
Like. WOW.
I don’t know what to say about this book except that I loved it WAAAY more than I expected. For something with minimal angst, it had me hooked from start to finish. I really, really need Cooper’s story. I’m willing to beg for it.
I don’t know what to say about this book except that I loved it WAAAY more than I expected. For something with minimal angst, it had me hooked from start to finish. I really, really need Cooper’s story. I’m willing to beg for it.
July 12, 2025
Es un libro lindo y entretenido pero siento que no se profundizan nada los personajes
May 30, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a cute lil cozy book with the whole older brother’s best friend goin on. Dylan was the king of pining, had a flair for dramatics, and was a hard worker. He liked to spoil Axel. Axel was tactless but caring. They had their fair share of poor communication moments, usually courtesy of Axel. There wasn’t a lot of plot beyond their relationship though.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: romantic relationships with other characters, romantic interest when one character is underage (2 year age difference, no acting on it or grooming, younger character doesn’t know), grief from parent death
This was a cute lil cozy book with the whole older brother’s best friend goin on. Dylan was the king of pining, had a flair for dramatics, and was a hard worker. He liked to spoil Axel. Axel was tactless but caring. They had their fair share of poor communication moments, usually courtesy of Axel. There wasn’t a lot of plot beyond their relationship though.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: romantic relationships with other characters, romantic interest when one character is underage (2 year age difference, no acting on it or grooming, younger character doesn’t know), grief from parent death
February 12, 2025
One of the cutest slow burn stories I've read. The characters were loveable, they pine, they cry, they're sad, they're happy, they're insecure, they love fully, they finally allow themselves to get what they wanted.
The story starts showing us Dylan an a young teen of 13 yo having a full crush on his brother's bff Axel but being seen as a kid. Each chapter shows Dylan one year older, one year more of having an unrequited crush and being heartbroken at seeing Axel with a girlfriend, someone who he will definitely share a den with.
They're fox shiters so building a den for their mate is like the most romantic thing ever and Dylan dreams of Axel building one for him only for Axel to be with his girlfriend and his dreams being crushed. So he goes away for university and tries to move on, but his wasn't a mere crush, that's a love for the ages.
When he goes home after getting his degree, the sparks that fly between Axel and Dylan can't be ignored. They talk a lot because communication is key and now that they're older they know best. They can't keep their hands off each other, like at all. The story is steamy, like scorching hot steam. I was not expecting that. Knots galore! I was pleasantly surprised.
It was such a sweet story and seeing them get together, even if it took a while, was really cute.
The story starts showing us Dylan an a young teen of 13 yo having a full crush on his brother's bff Axel but being seen as a kid. Each chapter shows Dylan one year older, one year more of having an unrequited crush and being heartbroken at seeing Axel with a girlfriend, someone who he will definitely share a den with.
They're fox shiters so building a den for their mate is like the most romantic thing ever and Dylan dreams of Axel building one for him only for Axel to be with his girlfriend and his dreams being crushed. So he goes away for university and tries to move on, but his wasn't a mere crush, that's a love for the ages.
When he goes home after getting his degree, the sparks that fly between Axel and Dylan can't be ignored. They talk a lot because communication is key and now that they're older they know best. They can't keep their hands off each other, like at all. The story is steamy, like scorching hot steam. I was not expecting that. Knots galore! I was pleasantly surprised.
It was such a sweet story and seeing them get together, even if it took a while, was really cute.
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