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Halloween Temptation
Claimed By the Panda
He wanted a fake boyfriend. I wanted to pet a panda. What could go wrong?
Matching costumes were a Halloween tradition in my friend group, and this year was my year to pick. Little did I know that partying with a group of people in panda costumes would attract someone with unimaginable abilities.
And he wanted me to pretend to be his fiancé? Whatever. Jian was the hottest man I’d ever seen. I’d have pretended to be just about anything for a peek inside his bedroom.
Even so, what I found when I woke up the next morning was… a bit of a shock.
After a Halloween blind date gone wrong led to a little white lie that put me dangerously close to angering my dad’s alpha-predator best friend, I had one find a willing accomplice to turn my lie into a reality. Enter cute, agreeable, and just a little too obsessed with pandas.
Getting him to agree was easy. Cody would do anything to pet a panda, and I just happened to be one (sometimes). Pretending to be engaged was supposed to be simple. After all, I was straight and not at all into Cody.
So why couldn’t I get this adorkable panda-lover out of my head—or my bed?
Part of the Halloween Temptation Multi-Author Series
This Halloween, carve out some time to enjoy some frightfully spicy stories. Don’t be afraid, none of it is real… or so our boys tell themselves. But if they face their fear, if they give into temptation, they’re in for an eerie-sistible first time. And if they’re lucky, find love - as a treat.
Matching costumes were a Halloween tradition in my friend group, and this year was my year to pick. Little did I know that partying with a group of people in panda costumes would attract someone with unimaginable abilities.
And he wanted me to pretend to be his fiancé? Whatever. Jian was the hottest man I’d ever seen. I’d have pretended to be just about anything for a peek inside his bedroom.
Even so, what I found when I woke up the next morning was… a bit of a shock.
After a Halloween blind date gone wrong led to a little white lie that put me dangerously close to angering my dad’s alpha-predator best friend, I had one find a willing accomplice to turn my lie into a reality. Enter cute, agreeable, and just a little too obsessed with pandas.
Getting him to agree was easy. Cody would do anything to pet a panda, and I just happened to be one (sometimes). Pretending to be engaged was supposed to be simple. After all, I was straight and not at all into Cody.
So why couldn’t I get this adorkable panda-lover out of my head—or my bed?
Part of the Halloween Temptation Multi-Author Series
This Halloween, carve out some time to enjoy some frightfully spicy stories. Don’t be afraid, none of it is real… or so our boys tell themselves. But if they face their fear, if they give into temptation, they’re in for an eerie-sistible first time. And if they’re lucky, find love - as a treat.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2025
27 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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October 5, 2025I'm disappointed to see authors I know have a no-AI stance working with an author that uses AI narration for almost all of their books. 7 out of 11, so far.
It's possible that whoever coordinated this Halloween series didn't know Ezra Dao uses Virtual Voice narration, but it would be great if the no-AI crowd stuck together.
Also, apparently Amazon is now paying AI-narrated books out of the Kindle Unlimited fund, so on top of screwing over human narrators, authors using AI are negatively impacting other authors.
It's possible that whoever coordinated this Halloween series didn't know Ezra Dao uses Virtual Voice narration, but it would be great if the no-AI crowd stuck together.
Also, apparently Amazon is now paying AI-narrated books out of the Kindle Unlimited fund, so on top of screwing over human narrators, authors using AI are negatively impacting other authors.
October 1, 2025
Nice...very nice...I will say I came in with low expectations...it was downplayed that this didn't have much of a plot but just plain ol fun and don't take too serious. Well when I tell you I was surprised how lovely this was. I enjoyed from start to finish. Jian finally embracing his panda after meeting his fated mate by chance. Cody the human who love pandas also who stole his heart. The family and friends...all were wonderful. This was to me was a solid romance to be a novella.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2025
I was coming to write a review to say this story was as mid as they come. One minute I loved it. Then the next it was like the characters has been body snatched.
But then I discovered that Ezra uses virtual voice to narrate their audio books. Instant regrets.
But then I discovered that Ezra uses virtual voice to narrate their audio books. Instant regrets.
October 8, 2025
This is the second in the Halloween Temptation series and is a smutty Halloween novella about a panda shifter and a panda-obsessed pretty boy. This is my first book this author and I adored it! It was fluffy, cute, spicy, but also swoony!
Jian is a grumpy, grumpy panda shifter who has always wished he had been born a fierce tiger shifter. When his family sets him up on a Halloween date with the daughter of a family friend (ahem - a tiger shifter) to have as a potential mate, he realizes that they won't leave him be unless he finds his own. He comes up with a plan to find himself a fake fiance that very night and bring him home to his family to get them off his back. He comes across a pretty twink who loves to spout facts about pandas and thus begins their road to their HEA. I loved grumpy Jian and Cody was just adorable, especially after he develops a certain oral fixation. Their story is super cute, swoony, and pretty smutty. Loved it!
What to Expect:
* Panda-obsessed pretty twink + Panda shifter
* grumpy/sunshine
* panda cosplays
* fake relationship
* fated mates
* lots of smut
* supportive family
* possessive MC "Mine"
* won't let him leave
* bi awakening
* first times
* hot springs
* tai chi
* self-acceptance
* Fluffball named Dandelion
Jian is a grumpy, grumpy panda shifter who has always wished he had been born a fierce tiger shifter. When his family sets him up on a Halloween date with the daughter of a family friend (ahem - a tiger shifter) to have as a potential mate, he realizes that they won't leave him be unless he finds his own. He comes up with a plan to find himself a fake fiance that very night and bring him home to his family to get them off his back. He comes across a pretty twink who loves to spout facts about pandas and thus begins their road to their HEA. I loved grumpy Jian and Cody was just adorable, especially after he develops a certain oral fixation. Their story is super cute, swoony, and pretty smutty. Loved it!
What to Expect:
* Panda-obsessed pretty twink + Panda shifter
* grumpy/sunshine
* panda cosplays
* fake relationship
* fated mates
* lots of smut
* supportive family
* possessive MC "Mine"
* won't let him leave
* bi awakening
* first times
* hot springs
* tai chi
* self-acceptance
* Fluffball named Dandelion
October 5, 2025
I just realized that if you were to remove ALL the sexy times, this book would be 50% shorter... 🤦♀️🤣
October 5, 2025
A panda shifter was what drew me to this book, add in that it is part of the series of fantastic halloween romances and I was hooked!
After overcoming the idea of panda shifters being oh so cute, which they are but which we are also reminded from the outset is not something they need to be constantly reminded of, or have shoved in their face in the form of one video after another on a date, it is easy to adore this story for what it is, a romance.
Jian is on a date set up by his parents which is going so badly, that he wants to get away from so quickly, that he blurts out he has found his fated mate and they are male. It quickly occurs to him that having said all that he needs a fake boyfriend. Cody and his friends have a halloween tradition of dressing in matching costumes, this year it was his turn to choose and he went with his favourite animal, a panda. When they bump into one another a very drunk Cody agrees to Jian's plan they end up back at Jian's cabin where, come the morning, his comfort levels with the other man have allowed him to shift during the night.
Cody wakes to finding himself cuddling a real panda (and a cat demanding breakfast) and he knows what he saw even is Jian tries to play it off. For Jian's part, he tries to be grumpy and avoid the topic but his panda is insisting Cody is their mate, the fake make out session convinces his mother and soon everyone, Cody included, is convinced. It might take Jian a little longer to join in but the testing, the erotic scenes, soon do the trick and we find ourselves laughing whilst reaching for the fan!
I love reading Ezra Dao's books, they always offer something completely unique in a romantic relationship, plenty of humour and heat in equal measure and with this one, a quick read novella with just enough characterisation that we feel content we know the characters as much as know about their attraction to one another. A fantastic short, spicy, shifter romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After overcoming the idea of panda shifters being oh so cute, which they are but which we are also reminded from the outset is not something they need to be constantly reminded of, or have shoved in their face in the form of one video after another on a date, it is easy to adore this story for what it is, a romance.
Jian is on a date set up by his parents which is going so badly, that he wants to get away from so quickly, that he blurts out he has found his fated mate and they are male. It quickly occurs to him that having said all that he needs a fake boyfriend. Cody and his friends have a halloween tradition of dressing in matching costumes, this year it was his turn to choose and he went with his favourite animal, a panda. When they bump into one another a very drunk Cody agrees to Jian's plan they end up back at Jian's cabin where, come the morning, his comfort levels with the other man have allowed him to shift during the night.
Cody wakes to finding himself cuddling a real panda (and a cat demanding breakfast) and he knows what he saw even is Jian tries to play it off. For Jian's part, he tries to be grumpy and avoid the topic but his panda is insisting Cody is their mate, the fake make out session convinces his mother and soon everyone, Cody included, is convinced. It might take Jian a little longer to join in but the testing, the erotic scenes, soon do the trick and we find ourselves laughing whilst reaching for the fan!
I love reading Ezra Dao's books, they always offer something completely unique in a romantic relationship, plenty of humour and heat in equal measure and with this one, a quick read novella with just enough characterisation that we feel content we know the characters as much as know about their attraction to one another. A fantastic short, spicy, shifter romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2025
What drew me to this book? A panda shifter—how could I resist? Add in that it’s part of a brilliant Halloween romance series and I was completely hooked.
Once you get past the idea of panda shifters being nothing but cute (which they are, but as Jian reminds us, they’re more than just walking viral videos), you’re treated to a genuinely delightful romance. Jian escapes a terrible blind date by blurting out that he’s found his fated mate… who just happens to be male. Enter Cody—dressed as a panda for a Halloween night out, very drunk, and very willing to play along.
What begins as a fake relationship quickly spirals into something more. From accidental cuddles with a real panda to hilarious misunderstandings and steamy scenes, this novella is equal parts funny, hot, and heartwarming. Jian may be reluctant, but his panda knows what it wants—and so does Cody.
Ezra Dao never disappoints. With charm, heat, and just enough character depth, this quick read is a perfect pick for fans of quirky, spicy shifter romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once you get past the idea of panda shifters being nothing but cute (which they are, but as Jian reminds us, they’re more than just walking viral videos), you’re treated to a genuinely delightful romance. Jian escapes a terrible blind date by blurting out that he’s found his fated mate… who just happens to be male. Enter Cody—dressed as a panda for a Halloween night out, very drunk, and very willing to play along.
What begins as a fake relationship quickly spirals into something more. From accidental cuddles with a real panda to hilarious misunderstandings and steamy scenes, this novella is equal parts funny, hot, and heartwarming. Jian may be reluctant, but his panda knows what it wants—and so does Cody.
Ezra Dao never disappoints. With charm, heat, and just enough character depth, this quick read is a perfect pick for fans of quirky, spicy shifter romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2025
Books from this writer are an automatic read for me.This book is a novel and I loved it as much as the other books from this writer. It is written with a Hallowen theme, which totally fits this period of the year, but you can read it at any other time in the year too of course.
Jian is a panda shifter, how cute is that? I have never read a book about a panda shifter before. Jian is on a date organised by his father and her father and he gets irritated with her showing him a lot of cute panda videos. So he makes up that he already has a partner, or actually a human mate.
Problem is, he doesn't, so he has to find somebody who wants to volunteer to play his mate. After the date he meets Cody who is dressed up as a panda. Cody says yes, without knowing what he says yes to.
But they belong together. That moment when Cody wakes up after their first night together? So good. Even though this is a short story, it is a finished one. Although I wouldn't have minded to read much more about Jian and Cody.
Jian is a panda shifter, how cute is that? I have never read a book about a panda shifter before. Jian is on a date organised by his father and her father and he gets irritated with her showing him a lot of cute panda videos. So he makes up that he already has a partner, or actually a human mate.
Problem is, he doesn't, so he has to find somebody who wants to volunteer to play his mate. After the date he meets Cody who is dressed up as a panda. Cody says yes, without knowing what he says yes to.
But they belong together. That moment when Cody wakes up after their first night together? So good. Even though this is a short story, it is a finished one. Although I wouldn't have minded to read much more about Jian and Cody.
October 14, 2025
4 stars
Panda shifter Jian tells a lie and needs to find a fake fated mate to bring home to his family. He runs into a group of friends all dressed as pandas for Halloween. Among them, Cody is obsessed with pandas. Jian gets the bright idea to convince Cody to act as his boyfriend in exchange for petting a real panda. Cody agrees (did I mention Cody was drunk as a skunk at the time?).
Cody convinces Jian’s parents they are dating and Jian and Cody grow close due to their overwhelming chemistry.
While I enjoy the story, it was a little frustrating when (often) I could not tell who was speaking. Many times several different people were speaking in the same paragraph and it threw me out of the story to figure out who was speaking.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone in a multi author series
Hangover… slight
Recommend… sure
Reread… sure
Panda shifter Jian tells a lie and needs to find a fake fated mate to bring home to his family. He runs into a group of friends all dressed as pandas for Halloween. Among them, Cody is obsessed with pandas. Jian gets the bright idea to convince Cody to act as his boyfriend in exchange for petting a real panda. Cody agrees (did I mention Cody was drunk as a skunk at the time?).
Cody convinces Jian’s parents they are dating and Jian and Cody grow close due to their overwhelming chemistry.
While I enjoy the story, it was a little frustrating when (often) I could not tell who was speaking. Many times several different people were speaking in the same paragraph and it threw me out of the story to figure out who was speaking.
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… standalone in a multi author series
Hangover… slight
Recommend… sure
Reread… sure
October 14, 2025
This was a short delightful tale of a panda shifter making up a fake fated mate to get out of a date, then actually having it be true. Cody is adorable, Jian is grumpy, Cody will do anything for panda pets (pandas are his favorite animal), and Jian will do almost anything for Cody. Really cute, sweet, rom-com worthy story as part of a Halloween multi-author series, sure to bring smiles, and maybe even giggles, as the mind pictures unfold. Definitely worth the hour to read, especially if you need a quick pick-me-up after a hard day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 15, 2025
Making up a boyfriend who's supposed to be his mate to get out of a date, and to get his parents off his back, is Jian's spur of the moment plan. Never did he think his date would tell her parents who told his parents. He has to find one quick! Running into a guy dressed up in a panda costume is fate! Cody loves pandas and knows lots of facts about them.
Little does Cody know that there's humans who turn into shifters and Jian is one! Cute pandas, cute human, and a HEA! This is a great, quick story! I really enjoyed it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Little does Cody know that there's humans who turn into shifters and Jian is one! Cute pandas, cute human, and a HEA! This is a great, quick story! I really enjoyed it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2025
Es cortito pero me gustó. Para pasar el rato está entretenido, toda la serie está pensada en historias cortas, con mucho 🔥 y química entre los personajes.
En esta historia presenta a Jian, un shifter panda, que está en una mala cita y miente para liberarse. Solo que su mentira lleva a consecuencias que no tuvo en cuenta, así se topa con Cody.
Jian convence a Cody de hacerse pasar por su novio falso en el almuerzo con su familia a cambio de ver un panda real.
Lo que comienza como una mentira, pronto comienza a tomar realidad..
En esta historia presenta a Jian, un shifter panda, que está en una mala cita y miente para liberarse. Solo que su mentira lleva a consecuencias que no tuvo en cuenta, así se topa con Cody.
Jian convence a Cody de hacerse pasar por su novio falso en el almuerzo con su familia a cambio de ver un panda real.
Lo que comienza como una mentira, pronto comienza a tomar realidad..
October 5, 2025
This was a fun and spicy romance by a new-to-me author. Fab world building, fascinating characters and a Halloween romance made this such an enjoyable read for me. It's also the first book of this multi-author series that I've read and this definitely has me curious about the rest of the series ;D I also love that we got a panda shifter! This was very fun for me. Cody may be human but he was the perfect match for Jian. Expect to be glued to your reader when you dive into this unique and spicy shifter romance. Good fun!
October 10, 2025
Grumpy panda?
Who said all pandas are happy? Jian is one grumpy panda shifter living in denial. But Cody is a goofy, panda loving ray of sunshine. This is a super cute novella that has heart, vulnerability, humorous moments and just enough spice. I would love to read about Jian's brothers finding their mates. Though they will have to get extra lucky to have fate bring them someone as adorable as Cody.
Who said all pandas are happy? Jian is one grumpy panda shifter living in denial. But Cody is a goofy, panda loving ray of sunshine. This is a super cute novella that has heart, vulnerability, humorous moments and just enough spice. I would love to read about Jian's brothers finding their mates. Though they will have to get extra lucky to have fate bring them someone as adorable as Cody.
October 11, 2025
Grumpy vs. sunshine, fake boyfriends, shifters fated mates
Jian is a very grumpy panda shifter who isn't exactly happy that he is one.
His family is pressuring him about finding a mate.
A drunken Halloween party leads to Cody, a human who just happens to love pandas.
As they slowly get to know one another, Jian realizes that they're fated mates and, with Cody's help, learns to finally accept his panda side.
Jian is a very grumpy panda shifter who isn't exactly happy that he is one.
His family is pressuring him about finding a mate.
A drunken Halloween party leads to Cody, a human who just happens to love pandas.
As they slowly get to know one another, Jian realizes that they're fated mates and, with Cody's help, learns to finally accept his panda side.
October 11, 2025
Jien is a panda shifter whose parents try to make a match for him with a tiger shifter. He lies and says he met his fated mate- a human male. He looks for someone to be a fake boyfriend and meets Cody, an adorable sweetheart who loves pandas. In this sweet, little, steamy novella it's all about attraction and possession. Short, hot and full of Panda Love. I received a copy of this through BookSprout and this is my voluntary opinion.
October 19, 2025
Cody chooses panda costumes for their group for Halloween this year. Jian asks Cody to be his fake fiance and he agrees so he gets to pet a panda and was drunk too. He needed that to keep from being mated to a tiger shifter, then he finds out that they are fated mates.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2025
I loved this book. It was such a fun, sweet romance. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Cody and Jian. They were really cute together. I liked that there were insecurities and some shyness there. And loved the dynamic between a panda shifter and a panda-loving human. 5 stars
October 22, 2025
Fake fiancee to the rescue. Jian needed to act fast. Cody happened to be the perfect choice. Grumpy and sunshine unite in what was supposed to be a scheme to fool his parents. Only to be true. Fate is funny that way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 4, 2025
Seriously cute MM romance
Some novellas are just crying out to be full length novels and this is one of them. Jian and Cody have chemistry galore and their romance was the perfect amount of sweet, spicy and funny. I was kicking my feet throughout this and didn’t want it to end.
Some novellas are just crying out to be full length novels and this is one of them. Jian and Cody have chemistry galore and their romance was the perfect amount of sweet, spicy and funny. I was kicking my feet throughout this and didn’t want it to end.
October 8, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked this story with its humor and fate stepping in. I like how Jian's lie has him meeting Cody who is exactly who he described in his lie. They are perfectly suited to each other and are in love.
October 9, 2025
So Cute
This was a quick but cute story. Jian and Cody wind up with such a sweet fated mates story that's mixed with just the right amount spice. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This was a quick but cute story. Jian and Cody wind up with such a sweet fated mates story that's mixed with just the right amount spice. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
October 15, 2025
Claimed By the Panda is a short, steamy romance. The story was interesting and the characters were likable. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2025
This was a cute and lighthearted short story, fluffy and spicy too. I loved the banter between Jian and Cody.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2025
Cute, fun and sexy.
October 2, 2025
So sweet and fluffy! Could have read about them for all of their lives honestly
October 6, 2025
This is part of a multi author series called Halloween Temptation, this is Jian and Cody’s story and we get a short spicy but sweet, fun fated mates story.
October 10, 2025
Adorable
So fricking cute, quick story and well written. Love the family unit and the vulnerability of Jian. Love reading this author!
So fricking cute, quick story and well written. Love the family unit and the vulnerability of Jian. Love reading this author!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews