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Bill Willingham’s Fable, Grimm, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets American Gods in this psychological paranormal romance where mythical creatures live in disguise.

“You’re mad because I didn’t kiss you, aren’t you?”
“I’m mad because I want to kiss you now.”


Vina wants a summer escape, but she wasn’t expecting a coffee run to send her bumping into a wolf shifter. Now he’s imprisoned in her family’s bookstore, and setting him free is out of the question. Her powerful scarf is unable to leave him, and a ruthless organization is days from discovering their crime. For many years, Wolf shifters were forbidden from entering San Francisco. Should a witch or wolf die by either of their hand, the ancient Blood Contract that contributed to their peace will break.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧TROPES✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
♡ Forced proximity
♡ Hopeless romantic vs realist
♡ I'll kill for you
♡ Love rivals
♡ *the rest are spoilers*
♡ A fat cat named Sushi.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2025

7 people are currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

Miriam Yvette

17 books50 followers
Fantasy romance author and fantasy Artist. Latina. Wife. Gamer. #SPFOX entrant. Creator of #CD901

Readers who love awkward first kisses will enjoy my stories!

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Timothy Wolff.
Author 6 books83 followers
October 4, 2025
Very entertaining

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one. Maybe something like Twilight with scarves. But this honestly was a ton of fun. The dry humor was perfect for me, and I absolutely loved the important scenes having artwork on the pages. Really appreciated the contrasts because the two leads. I immediately preordered book two.

“What she had done was a clean romance reader’s horror and to a smutty dark romance reader, heaven.”

Lmao
Profile Image for Abigail.
56 reviews4 followers
August 12, 2025
Thank you so much for the ARC 🤍

This was a phenomenal paranormal romance and I’m excited for the sequel 🤭 We follow a witch with unique magic and a wolf shifter with important ancestry navigating a world that doesn’t want them to succeed. I was captivated by the world building, magic systems, and how the storyline unfolds. The banter and relationship building was well done; however, I found the pacing in certain points wasn’t my favourite. Also, I would love to learn more about some of the side characters! Overall this is an amazing book for anyone who loves werewolves, witches, and mystery 🤗

The character drawings inside the book are also incredible!!
Profile Image for Karen.
557 reviews6 followers
September 6, 2025
This story was awesome. The editing of the story was spot on, which I find refreshing. The author captured the emotions very well. The only reason this book didn't earn a 5 star is because it was easy to put down and get other stuff done. To me a 5 star book is one you can put down. I can't put my finger on why the book was easy to put down for a day or two and then come back to it. I'm so looking forward to the second book in this series. I will defiantly be looking for other books by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Vicky.
18 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2025
There’s nothing bad I can say about this book. It has everything you could want in a paranormal romance setting. The banter between Vina and Dante is just simply perfect and the right amount. This also has the perfect balance of romance and plot even if we haven’t gotten to the lovers aspect of the enemies to lovers trope. I had the hardest time putting it down and can’t wait to discover what happens next.
Profile Image for Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog).
3,104 reviews91 followers
September 22, 2025
An intriguing paranormal/urban fantasy romance. While there wasn’t much romance in there yet it does a good job laying the foundation for further books. The whole book was a good start to what promises to be an exciting series.

Not only are there witches and wolves but there’s also various other creatures in addition to strange dreams, past traumas, mysterious wolves, contracts, corrupt leaders, and so much more wrapped into this story. I look forward to seeing where things go.

This one was an interesting one with unique magicks like the scarf. I found that to be so cool and really want to know more about it.

Vina was a determined character. I do like her willingness to help and there remains a mystery about her that I can’t wait to uncover.

Speaking of mysterious Dante has that in spades! Now him I’d definitely like to unravel. There was so much to who he was that remains a secret and I want to know!

If you enjoy shifter/witch stories, hate to maybe allies, the beginnings of enemies to lovers, magic, mysteries, hidden pasts, secrets, forced proximity, they save each other, and so much more then check this one out.
Profile Image for Katherine Tricker.
262 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2025
Wow! I have devoured this story. I love all the characters, it got straight into the action without it feeling rushed.

The plot unravelled at a good pace, and kept me glued to the pages as I learnt more about the main characters. The villain in the story starts off as fairly mild but there some shocking things revealed as the story plays out and I hate him in that glorious way you only do when they are written to be hated.

The cliffhanger has left me in total suspense and I need the second book yesterday 🤣

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Ashley Nussman-Berry.
35 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2025
AfterDark: Book 1 pulled me in from the very first chapter and had me wanting to drop everything so I could binge read. The pacing is strong, the worldbuilding is explained clearly, and the author ties up loose ends in a way that makes the story flow smoothly.
The mix of suspense, romance, and supernatural elements kept me hooked, and the main characters are engaging in a way that makes you want to know what happens next. The ending left me eager for more—I can’t wait to continue with the next books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sheriah Sexton.
10 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the fresh take on paranormal beings. I found myself reading into the late hours of the night because I just couldn’t get enough. The banter between the characters and the magic systems were intriguing and I can’t wait to read the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Bronze Gayle.
Author 5 books5 followers
August 5, 2025
What a fantastic world Miriam has created here! We have a stoic, moody, muscular Mexicano wolf shifter (Dante) who gets literally entangled with a very special young witch called Vina. From the start there is friction and mystery. Vina's magical artifact--a relic from the First Witch, Garnet--is a red scarf with a will of its own and exercises its freedom by leaving Vina during a freak accident at the onset of the story, wrapping itself around a few unsuspecting humans, immediately transporting them to purgatory, before finally wrapping itself round the neck of a handsome, tall stranger whose aura can handle the crazy magical piece of knitting!

The couple seem to have been brought together, but why? It's an exciting journey finding out why this interesting wolf shifter has entered the territory of San Francisco, a realm off limits to wolf shifters due to an ancient feud between witches and wolf shifters. For a quarter of the book or more, you get to know Dante better as he is transformed into a warbler, a spell cast by Vina's powerful mother, Rilanda. The poor thing is tormented and questioned, kept prisoner in the family's bookstore. Even the cat, Sushi, has its way with him, leaving an emotional scar behind.

There are so many memorable characters throughout this book: trolls, leprechauns, fae, shifters, wolves, smug warlocks, sexy vampires, powerful enigmatic witches, etc! Everything you could want in a fantasy series. I was reminded of some of my favourite televsion series as I encountered the characters and the complexity and fragility of their hidden world: "Lost Girl," "Grimm," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and even Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" came to mind!

Mind you, paranormal romance is definitely NOT the genre I would willingly choose to read. Nevertheless, I loved this. I found the story captivating and the characters compelling. I can't wait to find out what happens next. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Bill Conrad.
Author 5 books12 followers
June 25, 2025
I have been an avid fan of Miriam Yvette’s work, and I recently learned that an ARC copy of her latest book is available. Of course, I signed up for ARC.
Miriam’s novel introduces Vina, a sharp and determined protagonist navigating the everyday bustle of San Francisco while carrying the burden of her magical legacy. The opening scenes, set against the backdrop of Johnny’s Café and Rune Books, are both charming and tense, immediately grounding me in a world where the mystical and mundane coexist. Miriam’s detailed writing and emotional depth make Vina’s inner struggles and reactions to betrayal, magic, and responsibility all the more compelling.
One of Miriam’s strongest story qualities is her ability to balance high-stakes magical conflict with relatable emotional undertones. A good example is the red scarf. This object has powerful and mysterious properties. Yet it was also a symbol of identity, family legacy, and personal struggle.
The arrival of Dante adds both conflict and comic relief. I enjoyed their evolving relationship, which had tension, fun banter, and begrudging cooperation.
Afterdark is a fresh and spirited take on the urban fantasy genre. Miriam’s book is filled with lore, humor, and heart. The fantastic characters contain themes of family, heritage, and strength. The writing style is immersive and polished, with an engaging pace that pulled me in from the first page.
Miriam continues to be one of the best new authors out there, and I look forward to her future works.

Profile Image for Sammyll.
335 reviews17 followers
October 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this magical world that Miriam has created. From the first page I was hooked! From the Red Scarf to the tantalising Wolf Shitfer Dante, I was riveted. The banter, & humour was entertaining , as are the spells amd side characters. Miriam's writing flowed with ease but at times I felt it lost some mementum but this did not put me off from engaging with the characters or the story.

Steeped in mystery, drama & amongst the chaos, a brilliant world of magic enticed me to read at full speed. I reached the end to a major cliffhanger. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Bill Adams.
Author 6 books87 followers
December 31, 2025
This is a fast-paced slooooooow-burn urban fantasy romance where the enemies to lovers are enemies the entire time. Lots of intrigue and the book ends on a massive cliffhanger. I really liked Vina's character and her chronic passing out because of her magic. The idea of a magic scarf that sends humans to purgatory is also really cool. Dante is such a douche but I still liked him. All in all, a fun quick story!
Profile Image for Victoria.
Author 27 books64 followers
September 23, 2025
I have high expectations for this author, and she never disappoints. The first installment of the Witches and Wolves series is a fast-paced adventure that is funny, exciting, and emotional.

AfterDark is a paranormal romance slow burn that lures you into this story on page one. Witches, wolves, and trouble lurks, and I couldn't get enough.

Eagerly awaiting book 2.
Profile Image for Cutesy Nay.
310 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2025
ARC through booksirens

Alright this story did not go in the direction I thought it would, different from all my other reads and really enjoyed it.

I got a bit confused by a few characters and who they were/their position (arbitrators)
Profile Image for elles. bookshelf.
453 reviews21 followers
October 11, 2025
Review Copy - I really enjoyed reading from the perspectives of our main characters Vina and Dante and liked seeing the developing tension between them. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope so of course I enjoyed this, and there was also humour which was a great addition. There were a few other characters I struggled to recall but this got easier as the plot progressed.

The plot is full of action and I liked this, I also favoured Yvette’s writing style which included the switching of perspectives but some scene changes were a little hard to follow. The world building is complex and I didn’t understand this as quickly as I would have liked, but by the end of the book I definitely understood it a lot more. The plot includes witches and werewolves and AfterDark felt unique compared to other books with these characters.

Before reading I was aware the ending had a cliffhanger, this made me all the more intrigued for book 2! I’m hoping for more romance and spice in the second book, and I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, a huge thank you to the author and Book Sirens for providing me with this copy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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