Hear Her Howl

by Kim DeRose

As fiercely feminist as it is hopeful, this speculative, sapphic YA romance is simultaneously a modern-day war cry and a PSA that there is a wolf who slumbers us all—we only have to wake her.

Rue’s life is over. After she’s caught kissing a girl behind the Sunday School classrooms, she gets exiled to Sacred Heart so she can be transformed into her mother’s idea of a respectable lady. The irony of being sent to—of all places—an all-girls Catholic boarding school is not lost on Rue, especially when she falls immediately and irreversibly under the spell of its ethereal, ferocious outcast, Charlotte Savage. 

But there’s more to Charlotte than her sharp gaze and even sharper Charlotte Savage is, against all logic, a werewolf. And Rue can become one, too—any woman can, if she’s brave enough to heed the wild that howls inside of her.

She and Charlotte aren’t alone in answering the call, and upon forming a wolf pack of wild girls who refuse to remain docile, Rue realizes she couldn’t have been more wrong. Her life isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

This world is not kind to women, much less wild women…but God help the man who tries to cage the girls of Sacred Heart.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT, Lesbian, Queer, Paranormal, Feminism

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2025

About the author

Kim DeRose writes dark, magical stories about strong, magical girls. She grew up in Santa Barbara, California, where she spent childhood summers reading books and writing stories (which she was convinced her local bookstore would publish). She now lives in New York City, where she spends all seasons reading books and writing stories. Kim earned her MFA in film directing from UCLA, and currently works in digital media. When she’s not reading or writing she can be found listening to podcasts on long walks, drinking endless cups of coffee, and spending time with her family.

You can visit her online at www.kimderose.com or find her on Instagram at @kimderosewrites

Reviews

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

🐺 Sign me up for all the books about wild girls who refuse to remain docile. 🔥🙌

It was their own form of communion, Rue had decided, their own form of worship. The stars that sparkled overhead were more gorgeous than any stained-glass window; the cold wind that rattled the trees and cooled their hot fur was more soul-soothing than any hymn. The wild was their religion, the forest their cathedral.

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved every word of this! I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager.

[KMart Vet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books feel like they were written for the younger version of you who needed them most, and Hear Her Howl absolutely sits in that space. It’s a younger YA blend of fairytale vibes, werewolf mythology, and unapologetic girlhood; a story about being “too much” in a world that keeps insisting girls quiet themselves. The setup is simple enough: exile to a strict girls’ school after kissing another girl, a magnetic outcast, and what happens when a girl finally decides she’s done being obedient. But the heart of the book is in that transformation as the girls at Sacred Heart decide they’re tired of being caged.

The friendship dynamic is the strongest part of the novel: found family that feels supportive, messy, and absolutely necessary. It’s cathartic in that inner-child-healing way, the kind of book younger me would’ve clung to fiercely. The sapphic romance adds a sweet thread of yearning and connection. The social commentary around expectations, girlhood, and reclaiming your own wildness lands with a real emotional punch. I also loved the fresh spin on the werewolf myth; less monster, more liberation.

Where it stumbled for me was in the areas where it leaned very young. That’s not inherently a flaw, but it did mean I didn’t connect as deeply as I wanted to. This was less healing an inner child and more wishing that this existed when I was a child. Some of the antagonists felt over-the-top in a way that flattened the tension instead of heightening it, and a few emotional beats didn’t quite hit the depth they were reaching for. Still, for its intended audience, I think this story shines.

Overall, this is a vibrant, heartfelt fairytale remix with a sapphic core, a fierce sense of sisterhood, and the reminder that sometimes saving yourself means choosing the people who let you be loud, wild, and wholly yourself. A wonderful pick for younger YA readers or anyone looking to reconnect with the version of themselves who needed permission to howl.

Thanks so much to Storygram and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ari (Books. Libraries. Also, cats.)]

Not sure how I feel about this one! I liked the ending (or at least I think I did?) but struggled with the pacing throughout the book, especially with the primary antagonist being introduced quite late in the book. I felt like I still had a lot of unanswered questions and there were parts of the story that I wish had delved a bit deeper.

[Morgan 📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 4.5⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Overall rating: 3.5/5⭐️

🏳️‍🌈Sapphic
✝️Catholic School
🐺Werewolves
🏡Found family
💙Young Adult

Rue kissed a girl so naturally her mother sends her to an all girl Catholic school. But instead of conforming she finds her true self and lets it howl.

This was a fast paced new twist with a feminist take on werewolves. The repression on teenage girls. The deep dive into religion and sexuality as a young girl. Learning how to be accepted and finding female friendship. And most importantly how to embrace your femininity and wild nature.
The overall themes and messages of this book I think are very important for young women to read. But I did feel the story fell flat in some aspects. For a young adult novel it was ok.

Thank you to Storygram Tours & Kim DeRose for this completed physical copy.

[Jenny Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

fifth wave feminism tik tok crash course + werewolf

[Christy Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it. especially the message of the book, learning to accept ourselves and others, as we truly are, and not who people want us to be.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newest book out from my favorite author and I couldn't put it down! Sisterhood and wolves, yes. More, please!

[Anna Brassiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

sapphic romance about girls unleashing their inner wolves? YES YES YEEEEEEES! 💜