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Love Potion for the Alpha
LOVE POTION FOR THE ALPHA by Alice Coldbreath
Jorah Mallon-Garth, medieval warrior and Alpha of the Varkash wolf pack seeks a human bride who will do his bidding...
Lady Isolde Merrell is pretty but altogether too plump to be noticed when her beautiful younger sister is around. In desperation she douses herself with a lust potion to snare the attentions of returning warrior Jorah Mallon-Garth who has just completed three years soldiering for the Crown. Suddenly she finds herself wedded and bedded by the Alpha male of the Varkash pack and bound for the Winterlands!
Jorah is tired of battle and vows to find a biddable human wife to take home with him. Once they arrive he is determined to impose order on his troublesome wolf-pack. Isolde’s curvaceous charms have him panting with need from the start. Her lush, warm body promises him things he has never even dreamed of possessing, a true mate of his heart. But his new bride proves to have hidden mettle as she challenges him on his long-held beliefs and soon has his pack realising she truly is their Alpha’s mate! Even if he still needs convincing she is equal to the task…
Please be warned this is a full length, hot BBW romance novel featuring a werewolf Alpha with steamy situations and strong explicit language. If you prefer things on the tamer side this is probably not the novel for you.
(Please be aware this was previously available under the title "Lust Potion for the Alpha")
Jorah Mallon-Garth, medieval warrior and Alpha of the Varkash wolf pack seeks a human bride who will do his bidding...
Lady Isolde Merrell is pretty but altogether too plump to be noticed when her beautiful younger sister is around. In desperation she douses herself with a lust potion to snare the attentions of returning warrior Jorah Mallon-Garth who has just completed three years soldiering for the Crown. Suddenly she finds herself wedded and bedded by the Alpha male of the Varkash pack and bound for the Winterlands!
Jorah is tired of battle and vows to find a biddable human wife to take home with him. Once they arrive he is determined to impose order on his troublesome wolf-pack. Isolde’s curvaceous charms have him panting with need from the start. Her lush, warm body promises him things he has never even dreamed of possessing, a true mate of his heart. But his new bride proves to have hidden mettle as she challenges him on his long-held beliefs and soon has his pack realising she truly is their Alpha’s mate! Even if he still needs convincing she is equal to the task…
Please be warned this is a full length, hot BBW romance novel featuring a werewolf Alpha with steamy situations and strong explicit language. If you prefer things on the tamer side this is probably not the novel for you.
(Please be aware this was previously available under the title "Lust Potion for the Alpha")
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2014
150 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
December 13, 2022
4 stars
Read this a few months back and forgot to review it.
I remember most of it which to me it means I liked it and would recommend. I wish there were more books set in this particular world, like the author did for her other series.
This was a mix of historical and paranormal, and for once I actually loved the combination.
I really liked the heroine. Her can do attitude and overall personality was endearing. As far as I remember, the hero was very typical, in the sense that he provided all the angst with his “I’m not fit for love and no woman will have power over me”.
I also liked how the book explored the idea of change - at a societal level (the Wolf society that is) and how the heroine really didn’t stand for any injustice in her house.
Read this a few months back and forgot to review it.
I remember most of it which to me it means I liked it and would recommend. I wish there were more books set in this particular world, like the author did for her other series.
This was a mix of historical and paranormal, and for once I actually loved the combination.
I really liked the heroine. Her can do attitude and overall personality was endearing. As far as I remember, the hero was very typical, in the sense that he provided all the angst with his “I’m not fit for love and no woman will have power over me”.
I also liked how the book explored the idea of change - at a societal level (the Wolf society that is) and how the heroine really didn’t stand for any injustice in her house.
April 24, 2023
This book answers the question ‘What if Alice Coldbreath wrote straight smut?’
This was entertaining and hot, with way more sexual description than I’m used to from this author, but I had a good time and wouldn’t mind more in this series.
I didn’t love the free use of the word ‘bitch’ but I guess when referring to female werewolves it’s maybe accurate? Also the beginning was a bit rough with the detrimental physical descriptions of the heroine by herself and her family members, but that went away as the story went on and her descriptions became less critical.
This wasn’t Coldbreath’s best work and the amount of unintentional pleonasm in this book is annoying and distracting. Coldbreath is a bit bad for this, but this book is terrible ‘he opened her legs and put her legs over his shoulder, her legs dangled down his back’ legs legs legs, this woman has legs, we get it, redundancies bother me. The good news is she’s gotten quite a bit better at either editing this out or avoiding it.
But I can’t complain as this is one of her very early works and she’s grown a lot. I’ve read way worse and this still felt like Coldbreath, so I’m happy.
This was entertaining and hot, with way more sexual description than I’m used to from this author, but I had a good time and wouldn’t mind more in this series.
I didn’t love the free use of the word ‘bitch’ but I guess when referring to female werewolves it’s maybe accurate? Also the beginning was a bit rough with the detrimental physical descriptions of the heroine by herself and her family members, but that went away as the story went on and her descriptions became less critical.
This wasn’t Coldbreath’s best work and the amount of unintentional pleonasm in this book is annoying and distracting. Coldbreath is a bit bad for this, but this book is terrible ‘he opened her legs and put her legs over his shoulder, her legs dangled down his back’ legs legs legs, this woman has legs, we get it, redundancies bother me. The good news is she’s gotten quite a bit better at either editing this out or avoiding it.
But I can’t complain as this is one of her very early works and she’s grown a lot. I’ve read way worse and this still felt like Coldbreath, so I’m happy.
September 4, 2022
*3.75*I immediately grabbed this story when I read it was about SHIFTERS! Umm, yes please!
The premise. Medieval warrior Jorah (alpha of the Varkash wolf pack) is looking for a bride after years of being at war. Lady Isolde is a three and twenty, insecure and always overlooked. She takes a "lust potion" in the hopes it will turn Jorah's head her way.
What I enjoyed : The multiple characters! I love a good found family.
✔️I need to know about the human woman who mated with the two shifter stable hands. Why isn't this a full-length story?!!
✔️I also need the story of the two men in a shifter relationship!
✔️Jorah's uncle. What a sweetheart.
✔️The steamy scenes. This author writes in such a way that makes everything feel so intimate and emotional. Plus, dang, I love how Jorah's wolf is obsessed with Isolde.
What didn't work so well : Isolde's insecurities took up too much space here. I get it, she has always felt inferior to her gorgeous, bodacious sister, but dang woman, you've got this man that ADORES every part of you, embrace that!
Jorah takes WAY too long to come to terms with their relationship. I won't go into details, but he needed a serious kick to the ass.
The premise. Medieval warrior Jorah (alpha of the Varkash wolf pack) is looking for a bride after years of being at war. Lady Isolde is a three and twenty, insecure and always overlooked. She takes a "lust potion" in the hopes it will turn Jorah's head her way.
What I enjoyed : The multiple characters! I love a good found family.
✔️I need to know about the human woman who mated with the two shifter stable hands. Why isn't this a full-length story?!!
✔️I also need the story of the two men in a shifter relationship!
✔️Jorah's uncle. What a sweetheart.
✔️The steamy scenes. This author writes in such a way that makes everything feel so intimate and emotional. Plus, dang, I love how Jorah's wolf is obsessed with Isolde.
What didn't work so well : Isolde's insecurities took up too much space here. I get it, she has always felt inferior to her gorgeous, bodacious sister, but dang woman, you've got this man that ADORES every part of you, embrace that!
Jorah takes WAY too long to come to terms with their relationship. I won't go into details, but he needed a serious kick to the ass.
May 30, 2023
I definitely recommend Alice Coldbreath's other works over this one, but there are elements of her strong writing in this story as well. I found Isolde (h) and Jorah (H) to be mostly frustrating with Isolde's poor self-image and Jorah's head up his ass for most of the book. These two meet when Jorah visit Isolde's father's holding to view the father's two daughters for a potential bride. Isolde was encouraged by her sister (who was annoying imo) to use a "love potion", which actually makes Jorah sick. There is some angst and misunderstandings. Jorah's wolf was smarter than him, since the wolf encouraged Jorah to claim Isolde from the start. But both of them do show growth and adaptability. The steamy times are well-written, which is what I expect from this author. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (H does get jealous of a childhood friend of h's who's actually romantically involved with her sister), h is a virgin and H is not (very vague history given).
I loved that Jorah's pack needed to have their customs and mindsets changed and that Isolde challenged them. Jorah, his Beta, and his squire have been away from the pack for three years and return to everything in shambles. The pack members and humans who remain were excellent side characters, especially Jorah's uncle who plays a very supportive and hard love role. Previously there had been a separation of pack vs. humans, even ones who had regular contact with the pack and Isolde turns that on its head in a progressive and good way.
The ending is a HEA following the resolution to Jorah and Isolde solidifying their relationship. There wasn't an epilogue and I think even a short one would have been more satisfying, even though the story includes plenty of day to day activities and changes in the pack before the major conflict. I knew going in that this wasn't likely to be my favorite of this author's books, but I did like reading a different style by her.
I loved that Jorah's pack needed to have their customs and mindsets changed and that Isolde challenged them. Jorah, his Beta, and his squire have been away from the pack for three years and return to everything in shambles. The pack members and humans who remain were excellent side characters, especially Jorah's uncle who plays a very supportive and hard love role. Previously there had been a separation of pack vs. humans, even ones who had regular contact with the pack and Isolde turns that on its head in a progressive and good way.
The ending is a HEA following the resolution to Jorah and Isolde solidifying their relationship. There wasn't an epilogue and I think even a short one would have been more satisfying, even though the story includes plenty of day to day activities and changes in the pack before the major conflict. I knew going in that this wasn't likely to be my favorite of this author's books, but I did like reading a different style by her.
March 3, 2017
THis story has two names, "Love Potion for the Alpha' or "Lust Potion for the Alpha"
Jorah the medieval werewolf lord and Izzy the curvy put upon human.
5 stars for first class cheesy goodness. ; )
This reads a bit like a comedy of errors. You have big bad grumpy Jorah who wants a biddable human for a wife instead of a mate. You know, have his cake and eat it too?!
Then there's Izzy who has lived her life in the shadow of her vain but beautiful sister. Her sister is afraid when Jorah comes looking for a wife, that he will pick her and she already loves another, so she dowses her sister in a stinky love potion. Jorah wants Izzy from the get go and now she will forever wonder if it was the potion or her.
What starts off pretty rocky between her and Jorah and the rest of his pack, slowly starts to resolve as everyone gets to know Izzy better. I loved it when she finally put her foot down about something. She may have come across as biddable when he first chose her, but that isn't really her nature as he will find out!
Jorah the medieval werewolf lord and Izzy the curvy put upon human.
5 stars for first class cheesy goodness. ; )
This reads a bit like a comedy of errors. You have big bad grumpy Jorah who wants a biddable human for a wife instead of a mate. You know, have his cake and eat it too?!
Then there's Izzy who has lived her life in the shadow of her vain but beautiful sister. Her sister is afraid when Jorah comes looking for a wife, that he will pick her and she already loves another, so she dowses her sister in a stinky love potion. Jorah wants Izzy from the get go and now she will forever wonder if it was the potion or her.
What starts off pretty rocky between her and Jorah and the rest of his pack, slowly starts to resolve as everyone gets to know Izzy better. I loved it when she finally put her foot down about something. She may have come across as biddable when he first chose her, but that isn't really her nature as he will find out!
August 8, 2022
Think of this as 'The Bride' by Julie Garwood meets any random wolfy paranormal romance. Usually, I have no issues with the formulaic arranged marriage trope of Alice Coldbreath but this one is one of her earlier works and it is clear because this feels heavily influenced(aka scene by scene copy) of 'The Bride'. Another issue was it was too wolfy for me and not in a good way. Again, I have read some paranormal romances in MM and loved them but this book has nothing new to offer.
The best part of it was the hot smutty scenes or maybe I felt so because the narrator was doing such a great job. Thank god!!! unlike all other books of AC, this one was not narrated by Anne Flosnik....I strictly avoid anything narrated by her.
The best part of it was the hot smutty scenes or maybe I felt so because the narrator was doing such a great job. Thank god!!! unlike all other books of AC, this one was not narrated by Anne Flosnik....I strictly avoid anything narrated by her.
August 14, 2022
2.5 campy-silly-kinda-hot stars! This was my first Alice Coldbreath book and I understand it’s one of the first books she published. I could tell. The writing needed serious polish and the story needed a good editor but despite that, this was a fun read! I think what redeemed the book for me was that I enjoyed the sexy times and all that wolfy alpha primal energy really did it for me 🥵
I have both of her Prizefighter books on my kindle and I’m really looking forward to reading them, but I was in the mood for pnr and thought I’d give this a try. My inner editor was cringing and normally this would be a two star read for me but maybe I was just in the mood for a little hot sexy cheesy fun?
She bit her lip, biting back a breathless moan as she felt his excitement passing to her. She felt achy and heavy in her breasts, between her thighs. Whatever he was going to do to her, she would be willing, she realised, panting. Suddenly his big hard fingers were sliding into her wet warm cleft. “So wet for me,” he groaned. “My good little wife.” “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes.”
He hesitated. “I need to join with you now,” he told her huskily. “Next time, I’ll go slower. I’ll make it up to you.” His words were shaky, and she realised how close he was to losing control. Giving in to his beast. She shivered.
I have both of her Prizefighter books on my kindle and I’m really looking forward to reading them, but I was in the mood for pnr and thought I’d give this a try. My inner editor was cringing and normally this would be a two star read for me but maybe I was just in the mood for a little hot sexy cheesy fun?
She bit her lip, biting back a breathless moan as she felt his excitement passing to her. She felt achy and heavy in her breasts, between her thighs. Whatever he was going to do to her, she would be willing, she realised, panting. Suddenly his big hard fingers were sliding into her wet warm cleft. “So wet for me,” he groaned. “My good little wife.” “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes.”
He hesitated. “I need to join with you now,” he told her huskily. “Next time, I’ll go slower. I’ll make it up to you.” His words were shaky, and she realised how close he was to losing control. Giving in to his beast. She shivered.
December 19, 2024
This was such a fun ride!
Werewolves and HR all together? Only Alice Coldbreath could make it work so finely. It was hawt, fun and so entertaining.
Werewolves and HR all together? Only Alice Coldbreath could make it work so finely. It was hawt, fun and so entertaining.
March 21, 2024
Spoilers ahead
After witnessing the bad mating between his parents medieval lord Jorah returns from war firm in his decision never to take a mate. He decides to marry a quiet, not too attractive and very biddable human
Isolde is the plump and quiet elder daughter, with her sister known as the beauty of f the family, already in love with someone else it is up to Isolde to capture Jorar's attention and get him to marry her. The sisters use a "lust portion" on the unwitting Lord and surprisingly enough he asks to marry Isolde immediately.
Isolde has a secret, what she doesn't know as she sets off for her new life with her husband is that he has an even bigger secret to tell
******
Now this!! This is what I found and loved in her baseborn bridegroom!! A hapless male and the feisty female who brings him to his knees. I love how the guys are j/p but so clueless too 😂
I think I loved Isolde more than Linnett, she was truly awesome
Hot as heck too
I liked how Isolde handled the wolf issue, so calm practical and intelligent is Isolde
I had hoped for more books about the wolves but alas this seems to be it for now 😭
No cheating
Virgin h
H had experience but it's not rubbed in our face
Slight slight ow
PNR
Historical
After witnessing the bad mating between his parents medieval lord Jorah returns from war firm in his decision never to take a mate. He decides to marry a quiet, not too attractive and very biddable human
Isolde is the plump and quiet elder daughter, with her sister known as the beauty of f the family, already in love with someone else it is up to Isolde to capture Jorar's attention and get him to marry her. The sisters use a "lust portion" on the unwitting Lord and surprisingly enough he asks to marry Isolde immediately.
Isolde has a secret, what she doesn't know as she sets off for her new life with her husband is that he has an even bigger secret to tell
******
Now this!! This is what I found and loved in her baseborn bridegroom!! A hapless male and the feisty female who brings him to his knees. I love how the guys are j/p but so clueless too 😂
I think I loved Isolde more than Linnett, she was truly awesome
Hot as heck too
I liked how Isolde handled the wolf issue, so calm practical and intelligent is Isolde
I had hoped for more books about the wolves but alas this seems to be it for now 😭
No cheating
Virgin h
H had experience but it's not rubbed in our face
Slight slight ow
PNR
Historical
September 7, 2021
4 stars. I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book! I’ve had it on my list for a long time, but when I tried to read it in the past, I stopped very early on. Now, it’s out on audiobook, and available on hoopla! 🙌🏻 So ofc, I listened to it right away. I really enjoyed the story, and the narration was very well done. My only complaint is that the book isn’t longer! I wish there had been more to this story… maybe an epilogue at least? I’m always a bit disappointed when a book ends right after conflict resolution.
Safety was good, virgin heroine, hero was experienced and had many lovers in the past. No others during the book.
Safety was good, virgin heroine, hero was experienced and had many lovers in the past. No others during the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
3.5 Hot! stars.
The H is a real jerk sometimes and the whole love potion thing went on too long. I loved that she stood up for herself and wouldn't accept his bad behavior until he pulled his head out of his rear. Another great book by this author!
The H is a real jerk sometimes and the whole love potion thing went on too long. I loved that she stood up for herself and wouldn't accept his bad behavior until he pulled his head out of his rear. Another great book by this author!
November 9, 2019
4,25
October 6, 2017
“Love Potion for the Alpha” is the story of Isolde and Jorah.
When curvy Isolde, who is looked over all her life for the beautiful sister Miriam gets a marriage offer from Jorah, she ends up using a “love potion” to entrap him- not knowing he’s a werewolf shapeshifter and the Potion actually noxiously repels him.
The rest of the story is her getting married to him, discovering his identity, fighting for her and her clans rights, lovemaking and ultimately mating.
Average read
Safe
2.5/5
When curvy Isolde, who is looked over all her life for the beautiful sister Miriam gets a marriage offer from Jorah, she ends up using a “love potion” to entrap him- not knowing he’s a werewolf shapeshifter and the Potion actually noxiously repels him.
The rest of the story is her getting married to him, discovering his identity, fighting for her and her clans rights, lovemaking and ultimately mating.
Average read
Safe
2.5/5
September 28, 2023
4 stars ✿
❛Don’t leave me Issy. Please. I’ve been such a fool, such a bloody fool.❜
❛I-❜
❛I couldn’t stand it,❜ he interrupted her, his voice shaking. ❛Gods! I love you so much…❜ He closed his eyes briefly and rested his forehead against hers. ❛Say you won’t leave me, please.❜
jorah mallon garth is, without a doubt, the most miserable hero and I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy and satisfaction when I see him like this. ˘͈ᵕ˘͈
❛Don’t leave me Issy. Please. I’ve been such a fool, such a bloody fool.❜
❛I-❜
❛I couldn’t stand it,❜ he interrupted her, his voice shaking. ❛Gods! I love you so much…❜ He closed his eyes briefly and rested his forehead against hers. ❛Say you won’t leave me, please.❜
jorah mallon garth is, without a doubt, the most miserable hero and I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy and satisfaction when I see him like this. ˘͈ᵕ˘͈
February 7, 2018
Minus 1 for " No Epilogue"
September 26, 2025
This story was so fun and very sweet (and spicy!)
This story felt like it could be in AC's Karadok world, just with shifters. I liked that she didn't drown us in lore and world building. She kept everything pretty simple but still unique. I like how Issy was sweet but could stand up for herself. She enacted change to the Keep in a kind (sometimes sassy) way. I loved that Jorah was just completely smitten with her from the start. The beginning of this story had me laughing. The relationship between Issy and her sister was really funny.
Overall, I would love to see AC return to this world.
This story felt like it could be in AC's Karadok world, just with shifters. I liked that she didn't drown us in lore and world building. She kept everything pretty simple but still unique. I like how Issy was sweet but could stand up for herself. She enacted change to the Keep in a kind (sometimes sassy) way. I loved that Jorah was just completely smitten with her from the start. The beginning of this story had me laughing. The relationship between Issy and her sister was really funny.
Overall, I would love to see AC return to this world.
November 2, 2022
September 2021 Reread: the new audible version of this book just dropped, and I enjoyed the voice actor who read it. I've been hesitant to listen to Coldbreath's stories since she—understandably—picks British actors to read. While I can enjoy that in a visual medium, I often find it distracting and off-putting in an audio book. No problems with this one.
-------------
A historical romance...with wolf shifters. A bit of a slow starter, but once it gets going, it's a lot of fun. This is a pretty smooth read with no peril, very little drama, and the potion + self esteem issues is the big sticking point for the heroine while the hero refuses to mate despite what his wolf wants, making this a good read for when you want something sweet that won't cause too much tension.
It's always interesting to look back on older works from authors I currently enjoy. This book has a lot of editing and formatting issues—which I did not count against it due to the age—but I can see a lot of what has developed into Coldbreath's formula for historical romances: all of the elements are there to one degree or another.
-------------
A historical romance...with wolf shifters. A bit of a slow starter, but once it gets going, it's a lot of fun. This is a pretty smooth read with no peril, very little drama, and the potion + self esteem issues is the big sticking point for the heroine while the hero refuses to mate despite what his wolf wants, making this a good read for when you want something sweet that won't cause too much tension.
It's always interesting to look back on older works from authors I currently enjoy. This book has a lot of editing and formatting issues—which I did not count against it due to the age—but I can see a lot of what has developed into Coldbreath's formula for historical romances: all of the elements are there to one degree or another.
November 12, 2024
4.5 stars
I loved this one! It read like a cute fairy tale. I loved the romantasy-medieval world building and every character had charm. The romance between Isolde and Jorah was really well carried off by AC ❤ - there was sweet angst, smoky steam, sigh worthy declarations, cute misunderstandings... And special nod to Uncle Cedric 😘!
This was my second book by AC and it won't be my last definitely! 💯 recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
4.4 stars This was a medieval wolf shifter romance with a BBW fmc and an alpha H. The H wants to marry a human so he doesn’t mate. The fmc has always been the plump plain Jane sister. Jorah has a choice between Isolde and her beautiful perfect sister. Since her sister is secretly engaged Isolde agrees to use a love/lust potion to lure Jorah away from her sister. The love potion makes Jorah throw up and pass out. Isolde hits all the marks as far as what Jorah wants in a wife. Simple and not demanding. They marry the next day and he falls pretty fast but fights it. This is low angst with a H that will kill anyone that says a word about his wife.
June 19, 2024
There is a thin line between a loveable idiot and a complete asshole. This was too close.
But in the end I loved Jorah and his brutish ways and it was way funnier and steamier than I expected. 🤭
But in the end I loved Jorah and his brutish ways and it was way funnier and steamier than I expected. 🤭
March 25, 2022
So I read AC's entire backlast a year ago or three, then one-clicked each one the day it came out since then. But for some reason, I never read this one. I bought it but passed it over. I'm glad I did, though, because it was exactly what I needed right now. Sweet, funny, claimy, witty, with a lovable heroine and just the perfect amount of angst for my stressed out self to handle. It's an Alice Coldbreath book, cover to cover, and I really wish she would write more in this world.
November 11, 2020
I do love a Alice Coldbreath story. I am not sure why but this story was good enough to keep me engaged enough to forget (momentarily) the anger I had towards hubby after a good old door-slamming total-silence-for-hours fight. It actually defused me, so yeah, I enjoyed it.
Spoilers:
Sure there were inconsistencies, like yes lots of horseback riding after virginal sex, but hey- its a story. And yes, he husband was a sexist dog (literally) but he came around with a beautiful apology. I took that apology and applied it to me personally so points for that.
Issy had lots of spunk, I liked how she was able to hold her tongue about issues that bothered her (again- just a story) and was able to win over all the other characters.
Its easier to read if you view it like a fairy tale, one with gay werewolves- surprise! No, not all just 2, but it was a twist for sure.
Spoilers:
Sure there were inconsistencies, like yes lots of horseback riding after virginal sex, but hey- its a story. And yes, he husband was a sexist dog (literally) but he came around with a beautiful apology. I took that apology and applied it to me personally so points for that.
Issy had lots of spunk, I liked how she was able to hold her tongue about issues that bothered her (again- just a story) and was able to win over all the other characters.
Its easier to read if you view it like a fairy tale, one with gay werewolves- surprise! No, not all just 2, but it was a twist for sure.
December 22, 2018
Love this book. The shifter H is determined he will not 'mate' his human bride. Her sister has convinced her to wear a potion to inspire his lust, because she's not pretty, but she is capable. The potion makes him vomit on his wedding night, she has no idea why. The H distances her from him, his pack and his life. He's fiercely jealous, irrational and mad for her. She gradually finds her place in his pack, and the confidence she needs to be his mate.
September 3, 2017
Utterly ridiculous and silly, this is perfect for when you're looking for some brain candy. I could have done without , but it was overall a safe read. No OP drama, no two angst, just a silly and grumpy alpha and his sweet human wife.
March 20, 2022
Medieval alpha werewolf hero, plus sized heroine, arranged marriage goodness.
I just love Alice’s heroes. They’re jealous, possessive, and so surly. It’s like my perfect trifecta in a book boyfriend.
I just love Alice’s heroes. They’re jealous, possessive, and so surly. It’s like my perfect trifecta in a book boyfriend.
July 18, 2017
Shifter story, it's a bit different. Very good.
June 21, 2023
Steam: 4.5/5 - Only part of the story I truly loved, but the bullshit from the rest of it seeped in a tiny bit.
Romance: such a toxic 2.75/5 - There's a valiant attempt at romance, and others might rate it a lot higher. I couldn't get over what a piece of shit the MMC was to really let any of that sink in.
Characters: 2.5/5 - Jora is a selfish jerk, and I couldn't think much less of him. He's oblivious, abusive, and takes his mistakes out on his wife when she helps him and his people. Oh, but you guys, his parents had a bad marriage, so he HAS to be like that 🙄
Poor Isolde couldn't stand up for herself even when given a ladder and has to be literally tricked into it.
Plot: 4/5 - I think I'd have liked this book a lot if I'd liked Jora even a little. His grovel at the end would have been phenomenal if only Isolde had actually been mad at him. She makes him work for it because she's stuck on a technicality, not because she's recognized that he's been awful.
I was so excited at the start of the book. My romance reading beginnings were with historicals before there was much else on the market. I was always so let down and frustrated by the deep misogyny that led to dubcon, rape, and all kinds of abuse for the heroine. I miss historicals but am very rarely willing to give them a shot for fear of the rampant patriarchal bullshit.
While Love Potion for the Alpha shows that it's self-aware, Isolde is never self-aware and Jora takes advantage of that over and over again. He abuses her with her naivety due to the abusive way she was raised and I hated it. I thought that might not be present here because it's got werewolves, we're already outside the box. And for whatever reason, Jora starts out the book with a tiny bit of "modernism". He sees Isolde and has the impression she's not a virgin but very quickly doesn't give a shit. That only lasts long enough to lure the reader into a false sense of security that the book isn't gonna drag us through regency sexism. Every time after that, when he thinks about Isolde's possible sex life before him, he's big mad and shamey. Of course he's slept with anyone he pleased to and that's not a consideration on anyone's mind.
Audiobook: 5/5 - Victoria Aston's performance had a lot to do with the fact that I've got many complaints but gave the book 4 stars. She imbued emotions into scenes I may not have added in my own brain and was so entertaining. And whooo, she does not hold back on the steam scenes 🔥
Rereadable: It very well might be re-listenable lol. I don't think I'd bother rereading it since it was Aston's performance that brought it to life for me.
Continuing with series/author: I'm not sure I'd read anything else by Coldbreath. Her other works seem like they're historicals as well and I'm nervous they'd have the same shit that literally made me cry with frustration at one point during listening.
Victoria Aston, on the other hand, I will be looking into and seeing what other authors she may have narrated for.
Romance: such a toxic 2.75/5 - There's a valiant attempt at romance, and others might rate it a lot higher. I couldn't get over what a piece of shit the MMC was to really let any of that sink in.
Characters: 2.5/5 - Jora is a selfish jerk, and I couldn't think much less of him. He's oblivious, abusive, and takes his mistakes out on his wife when she helps him and his people. Oh, but you guys, his parents had a bad marriage, so he HAS to be like that 🙄
Poor Isolde couldn't stand up for herself even when given a ladder and has to be literally tricked into it.
Plot: 4/5 - I think I'd have liked this book a lot if I'd liked Jora even a little. His grovel at the end would have been phenomenal if only Isolde had actually been mad at him. She makes him work for it because she's stuck on a technicality, not because she's recognized that he's been awful.
I was so excited at the start of the book. My romance reading beginnings were with historicals before there was much else on the market. I was always so let down and frustrated by the deep misogyny that led to dubcon, rape, and all kinds of abuse for the heroine. I miss historicals but am very rarely willing to give them a shot for fear of the rampant patriarchal bullshit.
While Love Potion for the Alpha shows that it's self-aware, Isolde is never self-aware and Jora takes advantage of that over and over again. He abuses her with her naivety due to the abusive way she was raised and I hated it. I thought that might not be present here because it's got werewolves, we're already outside the box. And for whatever reason, Jora starts out the book with a tiny bit of "modernism". He sees Isolde and has the impression she's not a virgin but very quickly doesn't give a shit. That only lasts long enough to lure the reader into a false sense of security that the book isn't gonna drag us through regency sexism. Every time after that, when he thinks about Isolde's possible sex life before him, he's big mad and shamey. Of course he's slept with anyone he pleased to and that's not a consideration on anyone's mind.
Audiobook: 5/5 - Victoria Aston's performance had a lot to do with the fact that I've got many complaints but gave the book 4 stars. She imbued emotions into scenes I may not have added in my own brain and was so entertaining. And whooo, she does not hold back on the steam scenes 🔥
Rereadable: It very well might be re-listenable lol. I don't think I'd bother rereading it since it was Aston's performance that brought it to life for me.
Continuing with series/author: I'm not sure I'd read anything else by Coldbreath. Her other works seem like they're historicals as well and I'm nervous they'd have the same shit that literally made me cry with frustration at one point during listening.
Victoria Aston, on the other hand, I will be looking into and seeing what other authors she may have narrated for.
June 20, 2022
What a fun listening experience! Loved this. Isolde, a woman on the verge of spinsterhood, douses herself in a love potion to win over Jorah, a visiting medieval lord on the way back from battle. He chooses her over her gorgeous sister, and she worries the love potion was the only reason. Little does she know he's wildly attracted to her and oh, by the way, from a werewolf pack and he's marrying her so he doesn't have to permanently mate with someone.
Basically, he's an idiot but she's wonderfully competent and wins everyone else over until he gives in to reason. He eventually came to his senses and I enjoyed their relationship.
Basically, he's an idiot but she's wonderfully competent and wins everyone else over until he gives in to reason. He eventually came to his senses and I enjoyed their relationship.
May 18, 2023
4.5 stars This was a great love story with a hint of paranormal. Stubborn male, feisty wife determined to change the status quo, help from his family and you have a recipe for success.
March 25, 2024
I might be wrong, but I think this is Coldbreath’s first published. It had good bones and a great story. It could’ve been fleshed out more and would have been great.
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