Neon Elegies

by L.B. Benson

Lana McKinley needs a change of scenery. After an unexpected breakup, moving back in with her parents, and surviving a kidnapping, she’s battling more demons than she can manage. Escaping to the big city with her older brother and his new girlfriend seems like the best plan, and reconnecting with the flirtatious falcon shifter she met the night of her brother’s challenge might be the perfect way to ease her troubled heart.

Max Acheson can’t get his friend’s sister out of his mind. The memory of her smiling down at him after he tried to rescue her from her captives taunts him, even if he doesn’t think he’ll ever see her again. Max has never considered settling down because of his own abandonment issues—no one can hurt you if things never get serious—but when Lana shows up in Argent he might have to break the rules of friendship to get closer to her.

When Max and Lana find out they share more in common than the ability to shift, something beyond friendship and flirtation blooms. But when family duty beckons her home and past hurts resurface, can Max and Lana build something strong enough to withstand the challenge? Or will their relationship end up as just another sad song?

NEON ELEGIES is the second book in The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow series by L.B. Benson. This paranormal romance features shifters, best friend’s sister x brother’s best friend romance, flirtatious duets, healing from heartbreak, and found family.

Paperback

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

L.B. Benson is a native Texan and a lifelong reader. She formally immortalized her love of books by earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas.

While she primarily writes romance, you can find her engrossed in almost any genre.


L.B. spends her spare time dreaming up stories in the Texas countryside where she lives with her family.

Stay up to date by following along on Instagram & TikTok: @lb_the_author

Or sign up for L.B.'s newsletter at: https://lbtheauthor.com

Reviews

[⚔️Sarah⚔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like exactly what I needed. I got to dive back into a world that I love, hang out with awesome characters, and heal a little bit. It sucked me in from the start, and I could not stop!

I was so excited to get to know Lana. I liked the glimpse we got of her in Sunset Daydreams, and I knew she was gonna be good. I did not realize how hard I was going to connect with her. She absolutely had that eldest daughter vibe. She has taken on a lot of responsibilities that she did not ask for, but her family means everything to her, so she does it. I also appreciated her healing journey. By no means is she finished with it, which made it feel even more real. She had her ups and downs in dealing with her trauma and found a community of people to help her work through it. It made me connect even more with her.

Max is so precious. He is just there. He is there for his friends, his chosen family, Lana, in every way possible. I mean, the book starts out with him letting friends borrow his car! He is just such a wonderful support. He goes on a bit of his own healing journey, and it was so touching.

We also get to be back with some favorites. Shane and Kaycia are obviously back in the mix, dealing with the aftermath of Sunset Daydreams. I loved watching Kaycia and Lana together. I want it. The way that Kaycia just scoops her right up and helps Lana through they way the rest of the group helped her before. I also loved diving into Shane and Max’s friendship more. They have some great moments together. And Jamila and Raquel!!! They continue to be my favorite duo. Jamila makes my heart feel warm. She is the friend everyone deserves to have. And Raquel is just so chaotic, and I love her. We also got to see more of Woodbine Hollow and meet Max’s band! I loved it all!!!

I have fallen so in love with Benson’s stories and the way she writes. So much of that is highlighted in this book. The way this woman creates a found family! I desperately love all her characters, but the way they interact with each other, just the outpouring of love they all have for one another. That’s what it's all about. It's beautiful. I think this element really supports the other big part of this book I loved. The healing. This book was more character driven than anything. Two people coming together, healing their wounds and finding themselves. Watching Lana start to process and begin healing from the aftermath of Sunset Daydreams. Watching Max be vulnerable and allow love into his life after keeping up walls he has had since he was young. I loved seeing it. And she did it all while keeping the tone light. I needed that.

This book was just beautiful. I think the next book is going to pack punch, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how our favs continue to heal and deal with everything coming down the line.


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[coffeewithmykindle - Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read… review to come

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neon Elegies hit me right in the heart. I was full-on crying by the end. The epilogue destroyed me in the best way. Lana’s growth and her connection with Max (“Pretty Bird,” I will never recover) was so tender, and the mix of softness and spice/heat between them had me completely hooked.

Both characters carry some pretty deep wounds and messy histories, and I really appreciated how thoughtfully that was handled. Their reactions were aligned with how anyone with their experiences would act and their individual healing felt earned. It made the emotional payoff so satisfying. I also love how naturally queer this world is. Argent and Woodbine Hollow are the accepting little spaces everyone wishes they had. There were no big moments of explanation or spectacle, just quiet, everyday acceptance. It felt validating and refreshingly real.

This is a bi4bi love story told with nuance, heart, and so much care. Lana’s bisexuality is never erased. It’s just a part of who she is, and LB Benson's story gives Lana space to exist without justifying it. I think this one is going to resonate deeply with a lot of readers, especially during Pride, but honestly, anytime.

Tropes & vibes you’ll find inside:
🖤 Friends to lovers
🖤 Falcon MMC x Wolf FMC
🖤 Queer normative world
🖤 Friend’s sister x brother’s friend
🖤 Soft & spicy
🖤 Found family
🖤 Healing broken hearts
✔️ Rediscovering your worth

Thank you so much LB for the ARC copy of NE, and the opportunity to be one of the first group to meet my favorite darlin's. 🖤🖤

[monika_is_booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max was always one to keep things casual. But when his best friend's little sister, who he couldn't stop thinking of after a brief encounter, turns up in the city, his resolve to never settle down starts to crumble bit by bit.

Lana needs a change after an unexpected break up and all the other things she went through recently. Going to the city seems to be a good idea and surely there's no harm in becoming friends with the flirtatious falcon shifter, right?

This series. THIS SERIES!!! I love it so much. Lana and Max are just so perfect for each other!! While both have their own issues to work on, the two are encouraging each other every step of the way. I fell even more in love with all the characters in the series in this book.
I love, love, LOVE this mismatched found family of humans and shifters with all my heart and can't recommend "The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow" enough!! It's the perfect balance between fluff and heavier themes, filled with amazing characters, a bit of action and a lot of love 🥰

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

"I thought an angel had come down to carry me off. Turns out it was just my best friend's little sister. No wings- just claws and a wicked smile."

*Many thanks to L. B. Benson for allowing me to read an ARC of Neon Elegies. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

Neon Elegies is book two in The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow series, a paranormal romance series of interconnected standalones. In this story wolf shifter Lana moves to the city to get over a devastating break-up and find herself again. She's welcomed by her brother's friends, but she forms a special connection with falcon shifter Max. Their shared love of music ignites a spark that neither of them can deny. While this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading this series in order to experience Max and Lana's meet cute in Sunset Daydreams.

Neon Elegies is a low stakes paranormal romance. Max and Lana have great chemistry! Their flirting had me grinning throughout the story. They have instant chemistry but it's a slower burn before they act on their feelings. The attraction and lead up is fantastic. I love how deeply music is ingrained into this story. The song writing and performance aspects were compelling and beautifully described. The duet! Be still my heart!

This story has less action/conflict compared to Sunset Daydreams. Instead it focuses more on character development. On healing a broken heart, self-acceptance, learning to be vulnerable, and risking your heart for a chance at love. I loved the cozier, lower stakes nature of this story. It's easy to read, the worldbuilding easy to understand, and a great time! This series is perfect for beach read season!

Check out Neon Elegies if you're looking for:
-Dual POV paranormal romance
-Wolf shifter FMC/falcon shifter MMC
-Brother's best friend
-All of the flirting
-Slower burn before the spice kicks in
-Found family
-Healing after a break-up/loss

"Despite the chill of the rain and the fear and blood, I saw exactly what Shane would be leaving behind. The friends who came to his aid without a thought for themselves. The love that's kept him afloat when ours was too far away. I never envied my brother's exile, but at that moment I envied his life."

"You gonna put on a show for me now?"
"Only if you'll dance for me."

"You don't have to apologize, darlin'. We all have demons. I'll listen anytime you want to tell me about yours, okay?"

"I'll wait however long I have to for you, Lana."

"All those things that light you up, you shouldn't dim them. And no one who loves you should either."

[Sarah ⟡ Tea & Tomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you L.B. Benson for the free gift!

A shifter romance steeped in flirtation and family ties, but one that stays on the surface when it had the potential to dive deep.

Neon Elegies continues the Wolves of Woodbine Hollow series with Lana and Max, bringing together a best friend’s sister and a reluctant-to-love falcon shifter in a city full of magical tension and romantic possibility. Their chemistry is palpable from the beginning, especially for readers familiar with the previous book, but unfortunately, the emotional stakes don’t quite land.

Given Lana’s traumatic backstory (including surviving a kidnapping), I was hoping for more exploration of how that experience shaped her. Instead, her healing arc is mostly implied or waved away with a quick emotional dump, a gesture, and the magic of close physical proximity. Similarly, Max’s emotional barriers, rooted in fear of abandonment, are hinted at but not deeply unpacked.

Their connection feels more like insta-lust turned fated bond rather than a fully developed emotional journey. The mate bond clicks into place after one night together, and from there, the story doesn’t challenge their relationship much beyond a few fleeting conflicts. There was a lot of potential for nuance and emotional growth, especially around the themes of trauma recovery and fear of intimacy, but the story skims those waters rather than diving in.

Final Thoughts: Light, flirty, and easy to read, but if you’re hoping for layered emotional arcs or grounded romantic development, this one might leave you wanting more.

[Pitoufa's Bookish Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from L.B. I've been waiting for Max and Lana's story since the release of Sunset Daydreams 😍 I loved the dynamic between the two, and the banter made the reading experience a pleasurable one ❤

I liked how chill Max's character was 🤣 he was the kind of person who'd use humor to deflate serious situations. He always had a smile plastered on his face, which made him seem unbothered and comfortable in his life; but behind those radiant smiles and easygoing personality hid the heartbreaking story of a kid who'd been abandoned far too many times  💔 Sure, he ended up forming his found family, but that didn't make his past any less painful. Max used to be a player, but when he fell, he fell hard, and Lana was the proof ❤

Shane's sister, Lana, was first introduced as a somewhat cold and indifferent woman. The truth was, she'd been dealt quite a lot on her part as well, and in the end, not forming meaningful connections became like second nature to her 💔 She became the eldest sibling in the house after Shane was cast away by his clan, she'd lost quite a lot, and everything left her feeling numb. It took Lana lots of courage to leave her birthplace and venture out of her comfort zone, but she ended up getting reunited with her estranged older brother, having a circle of friends in her corner, and falling irrevocably for a man after having lost hope on love ❤

[Lisa Conant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falcon Shifter MMC x Wolf Shifter FMC
Reformed Playboy
Bi4bi Rep MC's (but this story they are a M/F couple)
Slowish Burn
Both Healing from Past
Found Family

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶 1/2

A cozier, lighter addition to this series of shifters. It was real fun getting to see Max and Lana have their own story (this can be standalone). They have immediate chemistry and have many sweet moments.

I do wish we dove deeper into the effects of their past traumas. Max has abandonment issues and Lana has a bit of PTSD from her kidnapping and having to shoot someone in book one. The healing arc felt too quick. There were opportunities for this to be emotionally "heavier" but didn't quite hit those marks like book one did. Their dynamic is an easy one and just more straightforward, not really any suspense.

But if you want a quick, easy- loving shifter couple, this will fit the bill. It's also a notably queer normative world for those that especially like seeing that and it's more present in this book than most I read so I was a little more surprised by that, but it's positively done. In the end it did leave me wanting more heft emotionally, so it sadly didn't leave much of an impression. They felt safe, expected. But I definitely reccomend book one!

[Alexandria Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you LB Benson for the chance to read early.

Neon Elegies is such a cozy read. The feeling you get when you are sitting by a fireplace on a cool crisp fall day with a hot mug of cider in your hands and a good book to curl up with. This book to be exact. This is how I describe the feelings I got from reading it.

What to Expect:
*Paranormal Romance
*Book Two in The Wolves of Woodbine Hollow series
*Wolf Shifter FMC
*Falcon Shifter MMC
*Nicknames "Pretty Bird" and "Darlin'" had me swooning
*Brother's friend/Friend's sister
*Flirty friends to lovers
*Healing from past trauma and breakups
*Found Family
*Slow Burn
*Sweet Banter
*Low Stakes
*Music Duets
*Trigger Warnings: (May Contain Spoilers)
-Graphic Sexual Scenes
-Mild Violence/Physical Assault/Blood
-Strong Language
-Discussion of Kidnapping & Death (flashback)
-Anxiety
-Child Abandonment (flashback)
-Alcohol & Mild Drug Use
* and so much more

I love LB's writing. Always have and always will. Her writing is easy to follow/read. It has always come to me at the exact right time and I am forever grateful for it. Like Neon coming when I desperately need a sweet romance from the broken heart I received from last read. Lana is a baddie who dealing with some tough stuff in her life. But I like how she presses on and figures out what she wants from life. She does this with the help of Max the flirty falcon shifter who just wants to help her out and love her for her. He has got it bad where Lana is concerned. All the side characters are 1,000,000/10 no notes. I can't wait for the next story in the series.

[Lexi Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

There are authors I just know are gonna knock it out of the park every time and LB is 100% on that auto-read list 👏🏻

In Neon Elegies we get all the spicy goodness and a big heaping of a beautiful emotional bond of 2 complex characters on their own journeys to find their safe place to land 🥹 Lana and Max coming together was spectacular and had me feeling all the big feels 🥹 I just wanted to wrap both of these precious angel babies in a hug 🥺 Also the bi-panic went CRAZY in this book, I absolutely could not tell you who was hotter. I’m tryin to be the filling in that shifter sandwich 😮‍💨 LB does it again 👏🏻 Gimme a fiddle playin bad@ss she-wolf and her lead singer, guitar playing falcon shifter lover boy all day every day 😮‍💨

[Amber Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picked up almost right where book 1 left off - the aftermath of the big showdown, Shane is set to be Alpha and his sister Lana is trying to figure out what comes next. She decides to come into the city for some new experiences. Along the way she has several run-ins with Max, one of Shane’s friends. Ultimately, this book is all about the two of them coming together, supporting each other, and healing from some difficult past experiences. This is all surrounded by the amazing shifter found family, some musical performances, and of course a handful of shenanigans. I enjoyed all of the feels and can’t wait for book 3.

[Robin (DocRobReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I liked Max from the first book, and I understood Lana from the first book, but I wasn't sure how they were going to work together in book 2. I should have had faith that Benson would work it out. 😍 They ended up being a great pairing to root for, and Max dealing with his past trauma made me 🥺. This was a wonderful entry into the Wolves of Woodbine series, and I'm pumped to see what happens between [redacted] and [redacted] in book 3. 🥳
4.25🌟

[Rosieee · Rating 5 out of 5]

LB does it again. I absolutely adore Max and Lana. They both have rough exteriors but are huge softies. And I LOVE where LB took the series plot with the underlying pack dynamics. IDK how she does it but please keep doing it!!!
Obsessed obsessed obsessed. I wait patiently for book 3 and what else is to come!

Shifter romance, book two of the Woodbine Hollow series

[Madison Rusnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
🌶️

What a cozy, fun time!! I really enjoyed focusing on Max and Lana, their budding relationship and their journeys to healing themselves. This story had some hilarious moments, specifically with Shane. I loved seeing more of him and Kaycia! I am very VERY excited for Aubrey's story, OMG! I also hope one day for a novella about Quel and Jamila👀.

[Kristen Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!
Usually when I think of a “feel-good” or “cute” book, it’s shallow and honestly lacking story and character development. This does not! It was cute but also just simply GOOD. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Joyce Fernandez (Prestel)]

Quick read, solid prose. Another great book from Benson.

[T.M. Ghent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story. It felt nice to be back in this world and just enjoy an amazing duo. Highly recommend and now I'm screaming for the next one.

[Kristen Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely continuation in the Wolves of Woodbine Hollow series. I loved getting to know Lana and Max. Their dynamic is so fun and flirty but what I love best is getting a peek at their inner demons/past traumas. This series is the perfect summer series, it’s refreshing and so fun!

Thank you to the author for the ARC !