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Squeak First, Ask Questions Later: A wolf-otter small town shifter romance
A human walks into town, clueless…
Now I'm the local shifter punchline.
My name is Marcus Drake. Yeah, it screams dragon. Instead—surprise—I shift into an anxious, kleptomaniac, motormouth otter.
I’m amnesiac, dodging magical surges, and Squeak won't shut up.
Cue Layla Rios—the town’s fiercest alpha, gorgeous, and as warm as a blizzard.
Trapped under the same roof, with Squeak narrating her every move, much to her annoyance.
Then the fated mate bond flares between us, and Layla’s past threatens our future.
The magic boils around us. It’s sink or swim—and I’m no dragon hero, but this otter is facing fate, claws out and heart first.
And when the moon hits high tide and the bond goes kaboom,
I’ll either wash up alone—or surface with the alpha who hates sharing a bathtub.
Now I'm the local shifter punchline.
My name is Marcus Drake. Yeah, it screams dragon. Instead—surprise—I shift into an anxious, kleptomaniac, motormouth otter.
I’m amnesiac, dodging magical surges, and Squeak won't shut up.
Cue Layla Rios—the town’s fiercest alpha, gorgeous, and as warm as a blizzard.
Trapped under the same roof, with Squeak narrating her every move, much to her annoyance.
Then the fated mate bond flares between us, and Layla’s past threatens our future.
The magic boils around us. It’s sink or swim—and I’m no dragon hero, but this otter is facing fate, claws out and heart first.
And when the moon hits high tide and the bond goes kaboom,
I’ll either wash up alone—or surface with the alpha who hates sharing a bathtub.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 9, 2025
This was a book that promised a possibly crazy good time with a motley sort of characters all tucked into a contemporary fantasy world with a taste of romance.
Instead Squeak First, Ask Questions Later is a novella look into what is Lumen Hollow and an introduction to those characters that will be met at a later time in more detail so it felt like character profiles weren't really built up besides Squeak. Even so there were explorations throughout to see how much caffeinated otter the reader could take. Meanwhile our amnesiac Marcus is deadly flat on his own personality although seeming to follow the otter and at other times embracing flatlined amnesiac.
Various other characters who promise to be interesting are also introduced and suggestions of both conflicts as well as villains are dropped hints for later adventures.
All in all it wasn't quite what I was expecting but the promise is still there so we will see how the next book turns out.
Instead Squeak First, Ask Questions Later is a novella look into what is Lumen Hollow and an introduction to those characters that will be met at a later time in more detail so it felt like character profiles weren't really built up besides Squeak. Even so there were explorations throughout to see how much caffeinated otter the reader could take. Meanwhile our amnesiac Marcus is deadly flat on his own personality although seeming to follow the otter and at other times embracing flatlined amnesiac.
Various other characters who promise to be interesting are also introduced and suggestions of both conflicts as well as villains are dropped hints for later adventures.
All in all it wasn't quite what I was expecting but the promise is still there so we will see how the next book turns out.
August 12, 2025
3.5 stars. This short story is male otter shifter lead (Marcus) POV, well written, and the beginning of a clean, fantasy, male amnesiac otter shifter/female wolf shifter alpha (Layla), opposites attract, small town romantic comedy serial. I laughed at Marcus’ otter side (Squeak), and his playful antics and running commentary on the world. I empathised with Marcus’ confusion, given his amnesia. I enjoyed Layla’s stoic but caring presentation. I enjoyed the ongoing mystery around Marcus’ memory, origins, and reason for being in town. The story ended on a cliffhanger, which I’m less thrilled about, but the next story is available so I’m off to read end that.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
September 1, 2025
Omg, I need a Squeak! Adorable & Lovable! I've found my new happy place, and it's a magical mystery tour of drama, laughs, and a fluffy, adorable Squeak! Who needs to solve the mystery of an amnesiac shifter with their whole 'who am I?' crisis when you've got a Squeak? Lol! Squeak is the best, but I am invested in all of the characters. (Considering the amnesiac actually is Squeak!) And what’s up with the dragon-ish side! That’s exciting too!
This new series is a super promising fantasy world packed with characters all vying for the title of “Most Interesting Person in the Room.”
Squeak’s chaotic charm made me fall in love with this book and I'm ready to follow his tiny, squeaky adventures wherever they lead!
This new series is a super promising fantasy world packed with characters all vying for the title of “Most Interesting Person in the Room.”
Squeak’s chaotic charm made me fall in love with this book and I'm ready to follow his tiny, squeaky adventures wherever they lead!
August 5, 2025
My name is Marcus Drake.
Yeah, it screams dragon. Instead—surprise—I shift into an anxious, kleptomaniac, motormouth otter.
Cue Layla Rios—the town’s fiercest alpha, gorgeous, and as warm as a blizzard
Starts off super hilarious and ends on a deep note
Amnesia is a very important part of this tale of otter nonsense and it’s a very full 65 pages of said nonsense in the best of ways!
Talking cutlery and sentient houses…. And a ghost who welcomes a stranger “back” to town?
Short cute shifter story, interesting place & inhabitants
Just who and what is Marcus?
What is Layla going to do?
Will Squeak drive everyone crazy?
I NEED to know !!
Yeah, it screams dragon. Instead—surprise—I shift into an anxious, kleptomaniac, motormouth otter.
Cue Layla Rios—the town’s fiercest alpha, gorgeous, and as warm as a blizzard
Starts off super hilarious and ends on a deep note
Amnesia is a very important part of this tale of otter nonsense and it’s a very full 65 pages of said nonsense in the best of ways!
Talking cutlery and sentient houses…. And a ghost who welcomes a stranger “back” to town?
Short cute shifter story, interesting place & inhabitants
Just who and what is Marcus?
What is Layla going to do?
Will Squeak drive everyone crazy?
I NEED to know !!
July 25, 2025
Starts off super hilarious and ends on a deep note
Amnesia is a very important part of this tale of otter nonsense and it’s a very full 65 pages of said nonsense in the best of ways!
I could not stop laughing! He’s an Otter and Lumen Hollow is a very magical place! Talking cutlery and sentient houses…. And a ghost who welcomes a stranger “back” to town?
This is a great palette cleanser and I cannot wait to read more of this authors works!
Amnesia is a very important part of this tale of otter nonsense and it’s a very full 65 pages of said nonsense in the best of ways!
I could not stop laughing! He’s an Otter and Lumen Hollow is a very magical place! Talking cutlery and sentient houses…. And a ghost who welcomes a stranger “back” to town?
This is a great palette cleanser and I cannot wait to read more of this authors works!
September 1, 2025
Marcus wakes up with no memories whatsoever except his name in a strange town, stranger still he turns into an otter. His otter personality is more outgoing than Marcus. Basically the story is how Marcus learns about shifters, the community he’s found himself in, and how to navigate his new world. Plenty of humor along the way.
July 18, 2025
Short cute shifter story, interesting place & inhabitants. It is I guess, the start of a new series.
I received the book in exchange for a fair review. I'm now looking for the next book to see if the good world building continues to delight.
I received the book in exchange for a fair review. I'm now looking for the next book to see if the good world building continues to delight.
August 1, 2025
Nice! The author definitely aroused my curiosity. Just who and what is Marcus? What is Layla going to do? Will Squeak drive everyone crazy? Inquiring minds want to know!
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2025
This was only the intro to a story? And it was clunky...
August 22, 2025
A fun introduction to Marcus and Layla as Marcus stumbles upon Lumen Hollow after waking up with no memories and discovering he’s an otter shifter. I can’t wait to see where this story goes!
October 3, 2025
This was *so* delightful!
If you have
a) Any interest in "shifter" stories;
b) A liking for slow-burn romances;
c) A sense of humour;
You will enjoy this book!
If you have
a) Any interest in "shifter" stories;
b) A liking for slow-burn romances;
c) A sense of humour;
You will enjoy this book!
September 19, 2025
Interesting beginning. The characters are your typical grumpy sunshine dynamic with an inner river otter voice for the MMC thrown in that acts like a 5 year old. It's funny and endearing. It's very short so it simply serves to set the scene for the next. It could have almost been just the first few chapters of the second book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews