Loser Luna

Nighthowl Pack #1

by S.F. Heart

Ivy Holt has never been Luna material. She can’t shift, she can’t fight, and most of the pack thinks she’s destined to wilt in the background like one of her pressed flowers.

But the Mating Moon has other plans.

One ceremony gone wrong, and Ivy is suddenly bonded to Dorian Vale, the future Alpha golden boy. The one who was supposed to be with Seraphine perfect, fearless, practically bred for the Luna crown. Overnight, their fairy tale shatters, and Ivy becomes the scandal everyone loves to hate.

To save face, the Elders force Ivy and Dorian into training to prove their bond. Publicly, they must act like mates. Privately, sparks ignite, equal parts anger and desire they can’t ignore. The more they fake it, the more real it feels.

Can their bond survive the weight of a pack that wants it broken, or will they lose each other before they’ve even begun?

Genres: Paranormal

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

About the author

S.F. Heart writes character-driven paranormal romance about imperfect people, impossible bonds, and the kind of love that refuses to follow the rules.

Her stories explore identity, power, and the moment someone decides who they really want to be.

She’s a lifelong reader and professional writer. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s chasing after two kids and a very opinionated dog.

Reviews

[Snafuzled · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoo boy. This is going to take a minute. I have thoughts. Rating it 3 because the writing is good. I’d try another one of this author’s books. She’s created an interesting world where the eligible pack members walk into a moon circle thing and get zapped (shackled) with their fated mate. I love a good rejected mate book, and I love OW drama, but this one went way too far for me.

Spoilery thoughts….

MMC had a gf, who was our FMC’s bully. Everyone assumed they were going to be fated. No clue why… I guess because they’re both hot? He was NOT happy about the moon mating. I get that. He had expectations to be with the OW. Our FMC wasn’t pleased either. Confusion and angst reigns.

Moon mates are presumably sacred, his pack elders are demanding he be with the FMC. No one really has a choice here. Man Baby continues to be with the OW and he just craps all over his moon mate. He kisses OW TWICE in front of our FMC, and is apparently having sex with her. Finally FMC snaps and kisses OM. Good for her! Of course MMC sees and gets totally butt hurt over it, plays the wounded party, and shuns the FMC. I was enjoying the drama of it all, but here’s where they lost me…. FMC literally gaslights herself into believing she is the one in the wrong. Any groveling in this book comes from her. What in the misogynistic hellscape is this?

OW comes forward and claims pregnancy. Of course MMC doesn’t know if it’s his… cause yes, he was banging her. FMC decides… Oh, poor Man Baby… of course I will love this child because it’s a part of you. *Me bashing my head against the wall. More shenanigans ensue, but I never got over my fit of pique.

Loser Luna is an appropriate title.

[Tara W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

worst MMC, cheating, still loves OW whole time

I’ve read over 700 books never left a review. This MMC was the worst. Cheated and gaslit and constantly was there for the other woman, never ONCE standing up for the heroine while everyone treated her horribly. He was not redeemable. Book has me shaking with how terrible he was. Then using a fake pregnancy from the other woman for her to try and trap him, one from when he cheated, and heroine was supposed to be noble enough to rise above? Screw that. That’s not love or commitment when he didn’t once show you any. And the one side character who was genuine and kind she kissed after watching her “mate” go to OW AND after her “mate” repeatedly cheated she gaslit herself and let MMC into that she was evil and unworthy bc of it despite the fact MMC was emotionally abusive entire time and this lovely side character was nothing but kind to heroine. Who are these authors thinking this is okay?! DO NOT READ

[TJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most emotionally abusive MMC who constantly cheats and lets everyone humiliate MFC while also whole novel going back to OW. Supports OW, like talking MFC emotionally and physically needs help and he actively chooses OW repeatedly, when MFC desperately needs her, OW fakes pregnancy and we are supposed to get ok board that this is commitment to love that the MFC just accept it and support him even though the pregnancy happened while he was actively cheating?! The one side character that is kind and genuine to MFC and long into the novel after repeated emotional abuse and neglect from MMC the MFC kisses (even though hes been doing way more) in a moment of desperate comfort after MMC AGAIN goes to OW MMC gaslights her that her actions alone are why they’ll never work. Dude, she just watched you grope OW AGAIN after youve banged this woman and joined in with OW on the humiliate train over and over. Just NO. Worst book ever

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 2 out of 5]

After he was mated at the moon ceremony to the heroine he still slept with his girlfriend and then her parents lied about her being pregnant. I did not like the so called hero at all. I liked the heroine and I wish she would have ended up with Luca almost. But not a big fan of shifters so maybe that is my problem. I wanted to try though. His girlfriend actually came clean with the h.that she wasn't pregnant. But she was still mean to the heroine in the past.very much so. Did i mention how much I disliked the MMC. He sucked.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The drama was a lot of fun. I was frustrated that the h ends up having to be the one to grovel and fix things. I wanted her to be the one to ice him out and to let him be uncomfortable with her silence. I also didn’t like what she did to Luca, she knows he’s into her and she knows she’s into Dorian even if she is upset at that moment. Dorian is confused and doesn’t know how to navigate everything. The girl he has been with his whole life isn’t his mate, of course it’s going to be hard. We see that the h can develop feelings for the OM even with the bond so of course the Hs feelings for his girlfriend wouldn’t just go away with the bond. But the h just straight up uses another man because she’s being hurt and her self esteem is so low. It made her extremely unlikable. The H is a shellshocked moron don’t get me wrong but the h was just so reactionary and once again a hs bad behavior is just blamed on the unstable bond. I was hooked though.

Overall: 3.5

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 80% and skimmed the rest. Such a shame. Such good writing, but a nonsensical plot and characters who are mercurial and make impulsive and unrelatable decisions…totally ruined this for me.

If it’s a rejected mate story, why is the rejected female groveling? So, so disappointing. And then she has to accept everything else!???

I hope this author continues because I like her writing style. Hope she writes more relatable characters and a more palatable rejected mate plot in the future.

[Shelby Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Couldn’t put it down and it’s not the type of book I would typically go for!

[Asterope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was well written for a first novel. There's things that can be nitpicked, but all in all, I thought it was a good angsty read. I do wish Dorian and Ivy would have been more open and honest sooner. A lot of their issues were assumptions and misunderstandings. Though IMO, it was less Ivy's fault as Dorian gave the impression after the match that he was still into Serephine. So, I can't fault Ivy for acting the way she did. She thought he didn't want to be her mate, he apparently thought the same thing. Eventually they get there and once on the same page, everything works out. I am curious who will be featured in book 2 - Luca? Seraphine?

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up. I really enjoyed this I just wish it had all taken place over more time, things just progressed a little too quickly for me but I do like a slower burn so that may be a me thing. But I had a good time!

[Cayt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gen AI book cover. I don’t care how good the book is (this one isn’t great. 3 stars on its own). But Gen AI for the cover is a 1 star default. You can’t be an author without paying respect to the other arts - and a Gen AI book cover is a spit in their faces.

[Sara Falardeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the night of the Mating Moon, the entire Nighthowl werewolf pack is shocked when shy loner Ivy Holt is revealed as the fated mate of powerful Alpha apparent, Dorian Vale. Can Ivy rise to the occasion and step into the daunting role of the pack's Luna? Does she have the strength to stand against those in the pack who doubt the Moon's choice? Will she find her voice and her courage in time to claim her birthright—and the heart of her Alpha—before it's too late?

From the first page, Ivy and the Nighthowl pack pull you in and never let you go. I loved getting lost in Ivy's world of candlelit cottages, serene greenhouses, arcane rituals, glamorous ballrooms, and of course, the thrilling love triangle between Ivy, her fated mate, Dorian, and his handsome beta, Luca.

The romance is a will-they-or-won't-they slow burn, the kind that had me kicking my feet and giggling by the time all was revealed. The author does a great job of pacing the story and building tension in a way that kept me hooked and turning pages, and the ending was satisfying and heartwarming. This gem of a story was cozy, thrilling, and tender—a perfect fall read that I devoured in three days flat. More Nighthowl, please!

[KC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay. It was pretty, but it didn't really SAY anything.
The words were flowery, but empty. In the end, when she's defending the Alpha, she tells the pack "he bled for you in war!"

What war? There was never a mention of fighting or a battle or anything. They were college kids, and his father was still the Alpha.
It was like the author just needed the Luna's speech to sound good without taking the time to build the substance of the worldbuilding.

Parts like this: "For staring at him like a spectacle instead of an Alpha who’s carried them through every battle, every loss, and every winter that should have broken them."
There was no mention in the story that the pack struggled with harsh winters. No discussion about pack members preparing food stores and gathering warm clothing or firewood to make it through another hard winter.

It was just something that the author thought would sound good in a speech from the Luna, but she didn't bother to include the substance in the story to back it up.

A lot of potential, but overall, a lackluster effort.

[FAHDA · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story horrible AI editing

I’m so sick and tired of AI editing. All books becoming the same I know it was edited by AI because of many wording like for example “he said a comment. He did not laugh. He smile …” like when I see multiple sentences where the author has (she did not do this she did that) multiple of times in one paragraph I automatically know it was written by AI and it became so frustrating and distracting I wish it just written in a way “he smile and said …” I wish wish authors just stop using AI to correct their writing I don’t mind grammar mistakes I don’t mind errors as long as I see you writing. The story seems amazing but I just got so frustrated by chapter 7 I had to stop I can’t just keep skipping all the fulling words that I’m 100% sure were added by AI just to have the paragraph has meaning but not adding anything to the story … that is all .

[Corina Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loser Luna is a great read for anyone dipping their toes into were-fantasy romance.
If you’re new to werewolf romance, Loser Luna is a great place to start: charming, dramatic, and unexpectedly tender. Perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal romance, fated-mate tension with a modern feel.

The story is easy to follow, packed with emotion, and full of the classic pack-politics tension that makes this genre so addictive.

Ivy Holt is instantly lovable. She’s considered the “loser” of her pack because she can’t shift, can’t fight, and never seems to fit the mold everyone expects.
Instead, she finds comfort in plants, really showing her gentle, nurturing personality.

When Ivy suddenly becomes bonded to the future Alpha, everything in her life flips upside-down.

The romance blends slow-burn chemistry with emotional stakes, and the plot moves at a cozy, engaging pace that makes it easy to binge. It’s exactly the kind of story that makes were-fantasy feel approachable.

[Margerm, Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I had high hopes for this book. Readers posted outraged comments about how terrible the H was and cheating on the h with the OW but it turned out to be much ado about nothing for my taste. Right from the beginning the H and OW are a couple. The h is quiet and mocked often. She is twenty three and has not yet shifted. It is a shock to the pack when the bond between the h and H is revealed. Both the h and H try to distance themselves from the bond and each other. The Elders insist that they train together to build the pack's confidence in them. The H is jealous of seeing the h with his Beta and the h gets jealous when she sees the OW. The H builds an emotional wall to keep the h out and the h lacks confidence in believing that she is good enough to be the next Luna. Three sets of parents (the h's, the H's, and the OW's) are all awful. So much potential for more.

[البهلول أحمد مصطفى]

لم تكن آيفي هولت يومًا من مؤهلات لونا. فهي لا تستطيع التحول، ولا القتال، ويعتقد معظم أفراد القطيع أنها ستذبل في الظل كإحدى زهورها المجففة.

لكن لقمر التزاوج خطط أخرى.

طقوس واحدة انحرفت عن مسارها، وارتبطت آيفي فجأة بدوريان فيل، الفتى الذهبي المستقبلي لقائد ألفا. ذلك الفتى الذي كان من المفترض أن يكون مع سيرافين، مثاليًا، شجاعًا، وكأنه خُلق لعرش لونا. بين ليلة وضحاها، تحطمت حكايتهم الخيالية، وأصبحت آيفي فضيحة يكرهها الجميع.

للحفاظ على ماء الوجه، أجبر الشيوخ آيفي ودوريان على التدرب لإثبات ارتباطهما. علنًا، عليهما التصرف كشريكين. وفي الخفاء، اشتعلت شرارة، مزيج من الغضب والرغبة لا يمكنهما تجاهله. كلما تظاهرا، بدا الأمر أكثر واقعية.

هل سيصمد ارتباطهما أمام ضغط القطيع الذي يسعى لكسره، أم سيفقدان بعضهما قبل أن يبدأ؟

[Birren450 · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have Ivy and Dorian blessed by the moon to be the most unlikely pair to be alpha and Luna. We watch them fight their fate then try to come together, only to fight their fate again. The elders of the pack keep twisting things to benefit them. They have “control” over the pack and keep putting their snouts into where they don’t belong. Causing some chaos and strife among the members. To watch these two come into their own as the leaders of the their pack is wonderful and satisfying. I cannot wait to see how strong Ivy becomes in the next book and to follow them both as they learn to be who the moon chose them to be.

[E. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me a little bit of Poison Daughter (but with less twists and turns). Solid beginning and middle, but then the ending was a little bit too quick and tidy. A big speech to solve everybody’s problems… And they all lived happily ever after.

I also just don’t think I’m an alpha/wolf/mates kind of gal. Because the ending is always a forgone conclusion, no? I mean, I know that’s typically the case with romance books anyway. But I need a little bit more of a connection than just a sort of Godly/moon commandment to be together.

But all in all, not that bad. I liked Ivy. (Until the end) I didn’t understand the Academy setting at all. But I won’t belabor that point – it didn’t bother me that much. If you like enemies to lovers, with a slight paranormal tinge, and fated mates stories then this one is for you.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheating = H and h both do a bit of cheating, both fought their fated bond.

OW drama = OW was H's supposed mate to be, but she was not fated even though everyone expected it. She was h's bully, constantly placed herself next to the H and was trying to push h away often. Comeuppance? OW had an epiphany and came to the h and H's rescue preventing them from being split up and cast out. OW then was sent away, so she redeemed herself and left.

Rejected mate = H wanted to but also did not want to fight fate.

[Shona Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loser Luna is not my usual genre, but I was completely hooked from the start. It’s the kind of book you tear through in a sitting, a perfect summer read.
What won me over was watching Ivy’s transformation throughout the story. She starts out dismissed and underestimated by everyone around her, and the slow burn of watching her grow into herself is genuinely satisfying. By the end you’re fully rooting for her.
If you’re on the fence about paranormal romance, this is a great place to start. Highly recommend.

[K Hearring · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick read.

This could’ve been better, it needed more story & character development, it was rushed. He was hung up on Seraphina letting her cause problems, but would shut Ivy out when she interacted with Luca? Like come on, pay attention to her and no one else will be in your spot. But at the same time, the Luca kiss and feelings seemed random and weird. This boy has prob never noticed you before, now you’re turning to him and kissing him? That was weird and forced. It would’ve seemed more natural if he was a childhood friend or something.

[Suzanne Kohlmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's writing style was very good. I would read more from her once she develops a bit further.

I was absolutely in love with the story until about chapter 25 or so. After that, the MFC made one horrible decision after another. She was constantly running away rather than having a mature conversation and we're supposed to believe she's in her mid-twenties. She acts like she's 10 years old! It's hard to believe the conclusion is that the pack would support her when she has shown us throughout the entire book that she's immature and can't make a good decision under pressure.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book overall was alright. I just think it gave off high school drama, and I wanted more from all angles of the book. I was so obsessed with OWD, but I wish it played a bigger part in the book since it was a huge selling point in the synopsis for me. Plus, another drawback for me was that the book was completely in the FMC's POV, and I wish we would've jumped into the MMC's from time to time. I think it would've helped a lot with this story being able to see what he was thinking from time to time.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little over half way through this started getting repetitive and sluggish. The characters (in particular the FMC) felt incredibly inconsistent. There wasn't really any actual believabl development in the relationship (fated or no). It was kind of all over the place, the stakes and world weren't well defined, the relation was lackluste, and the conclusio felt anti-climactic. I did start out wuite enjoying it, however.

[Kathie Montefiore-Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read!

I was awestruck from the very first page. From there it just got better and better. A remarkable tale of an alpha, Dorian, mated with the pack’s unremarkable underdog, Ivy, who overcomes crippling self-doubt to become what she always was-the pack’s Luna. Absolutely fantastic.

[Vchilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more bond relationship based vs plot based and don’t expect smut, there is a scene or two but it’s not heavily detailed and I mean like it’s the type written flowery not erotically. I did enjoy the way the writer was able to destroy me emotionally and made me feel like I was right there with ivy feeling the bond tear us apart

[Sof · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, fun and angsty read. I liked the drama that came with the mmc being with someone else already while the moon mating ceremony revealed the fmc as his mate.

The pacing was a bit off though and I think that could have been fixed with this being dual pov. Plus it would have been cool to see things from his perspective.

✨single pov and first person pov
✨rejected mate

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfect palette cleanser book. Werewolf books is my comfort genre.
99.9 % of the time, they were human though.
I was wondering what happened to Ivy’s grandpa, he wasn’t mentioned in the books.
Callie in the beginning seemed so mean to her sister, then all of the sudden she wasn’t.

Curious about what’s going to happen to seraphine and her family.
What’s going on with the elders?

[Shanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

So… didn’t love it but didn’t hate it.

What I did detest was Dorian. He has like no character development. And what a shame it all came down on Ivy to pick up the pieces. Like why was Dorian acting all holier than thou and he was doing dirty shit too.

Dorian should’ve been on his knees begging for forgiveness. Not the other way around.

NOT ENOUGH MALE GROVELING!!!

[Michelle Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good…

This book does not have a slow, boring, needless second in it. It starts strong and stays strong. The story has been done in different ways many times but that does not make this one any less enjoyable…