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The Lone Wolf Paradox
The bisexual, asshole, lumberjack, werewolf your TBR needs!
Praise for The Witch of Wall Street “In a subgenre known for its small towns, THE WITCH OF WALL STREET shoots above the crowd like a skyscraper.” Olivia Waite, New York Times Book Review
Two lone wolves are pushed to confront what it means to build a pack of their own and rely on their village after being alone for so long. The only risk, they might just fall for each other in the process.
When Bea Howell puts her beloved farmhouse up for rent as a last-ditch effort to save her family’s apple orchard and moves into the garage apartment to earn extra money, she never expected that a total asshole, full-time lumberjack, and fellow werewolf would move in with kids in tow.
Untethered by a pack, Lane has spent most of his adult life on the move and uncommitted to any man or woman. When his parents, who are raising his sister’s children, are ostracized from the community, he returns to Maine and moves the kids across the state in search of anonymity and a fresh start. Renting the quaint farmhouse was an obvious choice, but his werewolf landlady, was a surprise.
Having sworn off a relationship after her divorce, Bea is surprised when she starts to develop feelings for the interloping werewolf, leading to Bea’s increased involvement in Lane’s family life. Distracted by his infatuation, Lane can’t help but aid Bea with the floundering farm, which makes him unavailable when the kids need him most. As their lives intertwine, Bea is wooed by Lane’s quiet competence, while Bea’s tenacity only furthers Lane’s attraction.
Praise for The Witch of Wall Street “In a subgenre known for its small towns, THE WITCH OF WALL STREET shoots above the crowd like a skyscraper.” Olivia Waite, New York Times Book Review
Two lone wolves are pushed to confront what it means to build a pack of their own and rely on their village after being alone for so long. The only risk, they might just fall for each other in the process.
When Bea Howell puts her beloved farmhouse up for rent as a last-ditch effort to save her family’s apple orchard and moves into the garage apartment to earn extra money, she never expected that a total asshole, full-time lumberjack, and fellow werewolf would move in with kids in tow.
Untethered by a pack, Lane has spent most of his adult life on the move and uncommitted to any man or woman. When his parents, who are raising his sister’s children, are ostracized from the community, he returns to Maine and moves the kids across the state in search of anonymity and a fresh start. Renting the quaint farmhouse was an obvious choice, but his werewolf landlady, was a surprise.
Having sworn off a relationship after her divorce, Bea is surprised when she starts to develop feelings for the interloping werewolf, leading to Bea’s increased involvement in Lane’s family life. Distracted by his infatuation, Lane can’t help but aid Bea with the floundering farm, which makes him unavailable when the kids need him most. As their lives intertwine, Bea is wooed by Lane’s quiet competence, while Bea’s tenacity only furthers Lane’s attraction.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
M.J. Etkind
3 books39 followersM.J. Etkind lives a double life. By day, she is a corporate girly with a business degree. By night, she writes romance novels in a cozy book filled apartment. When she is not writing, she can be found walking her dog and getting coffee. M.J. Etkind’s most favorite fun fact is that she once took an entire vacation to visit a bookstore. Follow M.J. Etkind on Instagram for updates on future book releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bea and Lane. You sucked me so far into this story it was all I wanted to read before bed. I do love a wolf pack story and this one did not disappoint.
Let's start with Bea who is head strong and so stubborn. But let's be honest it's what makes her so relatable and fun.
Lane is not your typical brooding bad boy (as much as he might like to think he is). He's a nerdy man who just needs to be shown some affection and kindness.
This was definitely more of a slow burn than i'm used to but it felt so worth the wait.
I really wanna read more about Bea and Lane and their life together.
I'll be so honest the author was spot on: this absolutely 100% is the bisexual, asshole, lumberjack, werewolf you definitely need to read.
Let's start with Bea who is head strong and so stubborn. But let's be honest it's what makes her so relatable and fun.
Lane is not your typical brooding bad boy (as much as he might like to think he is). He's a nerdy man who just needs to be shown some affection and kindness.
This was definitely more of a slow burn than i'm used to but it felt so worth the wait.
I really wanna read more about Bea and Lane and their life together.
I'll be so honest the author was spot on: this absolutely 100% is the bisexual, asshole, lumberjack, werewolf you definitely need to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really loved the message of this book, and enjoyed the slow paced, calm that this book had.
I would revisit book to enjoy it when I'm more agreeable to cozy, relationship focused book.
I enjoyed it, but I think I would've enjoyed it more if it was a much more right time.
💌 If love mature characters, who communicate, take their priorities seriously, no misunderstandings and fun chemistry you should definitely read this!
💖 Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
I would revisit book to enjoy it when I'm more agreeable to cozy, relationship focused book.
I enjoyed it, but I think I would've enjoyed it more if it was a much more right time.
💌 If love mature characters, who communicate, take their priorities seriously, no misunderstandings and fun chemistry you should definitely read this!
💖 Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
March 17, 2026
If you like paranormal romance this is for you. We meet two lone wolves Bea and Lane. Bea is trying to preserve her family farm by renting it out to make money facing pressure from business partners. Lane our single dad feels that he has to provide for his niece and nephew due to their parents and grandparents dealing with personal situations that make the kids' lives feel suffocating. What happens next read to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Big choices need emotional groundwork.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book touches on timely and sensitive topics such as abortion, LGBTQ+ representation, ADHD and I want to be clear that I don’t have an issue with any of that. I actually appreciate seeing those themes in fiction. What didn’t quite work for me was how they were handled. Instead of feeling like an organic part of the story, the characters often articulated the themes directly, almost as if they were explaining the issues to ME. This flattened the dialogue and made it feel less like real people talking and more like position statements.
And as a result the story became less immersive since characters sounded like spokespersons rather than individuals.
The abortion storyline especially wasn’t difficult because of the subject itself, but because of how it played out within the relationship. Instead of fully exploring the emotional weight like the fear, guilt, resentment, or conflict it moved quickly to “he’s lazy, I don’t want kids with him anyway.” The character wasn’t morally wrong, but the story didn’t earn the decision dramatically.
Big choices need emotional groundwork.
Without that foundation, I felt disconnected from the heroine.
There were definitely things I enjoyed, though. The overall vibe was cute and cozy, and I especially liked the first half. I also truly admired Bea's love and dedication to the farm! I just wish the other themes had been woven in more naturally so the story felt more immersive.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book touches on timely and sensitive topics such as abortion, LGBTQ+ representation, ADHD and I want to be clear that I don’t have an issue with any of that. I actually appreciate seeing those themes in fiction. What didn’t quite work for me was how they were handled. Instead of feeling like an organic part of the story, the characters often articulated the themes directly, almost as if they were explaining the issues to ME. This flattened the dialogue and made it feel less like real people talking and more like position statements.
And as a result the story became less immersive since characters sounded like spokespersons rather than individuals.
The abortion storyline especially wasn’t difficult because of the subject itself, but because of how it played out within the relationship. Instead of fully exploring the emotional weight like the fear, guilt, resentment, or conflict it moved quickly to “he’s lazy, I don’t want kids with him anyway.” The character wasn’t morally wrong, but the story didn’t earn the decision dramatically.
Big choices need emotional groundwork.
Without that foundation, I felt disconnected from the heroine.
There were definitely things I enjoyed, though. The overall vibe was cute and cozy, and I especially liked the first half. I also truly admired Bea's love and dedication to the farm! I just wish the other themes had been woven in more naturally so the story felt more immersive.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"It was the thought of having another wolf in her very cultivated space, the safe space she had built for herself over the last few years. Isolated, sure, but safe."
GENRE: Romance
RATING: 4/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
Tropes: Werewolves/Shifters, Forced Proximity, Temporary Guardian, Slow Burn
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Review:
The Lone Wolf Paradox is a story about two lone wolves who are scared of being a part of a community because of their past. This is a story of Bea and Lane, who meet as two wolves in a small town/area and who dont belong to a pack or a community.
This is a story of exploring family dynamics, who we are in a larger community and what it means to stick to what we want and finding a safe space for ourselves. I think M.J. Etkind does this beautifully, exploring themes of finding oneself alone and in a relationship throughout the story. We also address what it means to be who we are as we fight against the expectations of what society tells us.
Bea explores this through resisting wanting to join the community in her town to save her small business and resisting accepting help from her community and others around her. We get to go on a journey with her, with some flashbacks at her life before her divorce as well. When Bea meets Lane, there's a lot of discussion and focus on whether Bea wants children in her future, which I thought was handled well. We dive into why this is something she is considering and thinking about, weighing whether it fits her as a person to be a parent and if it's something she wants.
Lane, on the other hand, explores this differently by moving away from a community that his family have been excommunicated from as a Wolf pack. We go through Lane resisting joining a community as it is something he was never fully accepted in and always stood out for many reasons. Due to this, his relationship with Bea starts out on a rocky stand as he comes across as someone who doesn't settle down.
Bea and Lane coming together and getting to know each other with the other elements in the story leads to a lovely story of two lone souls finding each other. I quite enjoyed the guardianship element to the story too and getting to see Lane interact with the twins and how they all handled the move.
This is a lovely story, all in all! As always, look at the trigger warnings and I hope you guys enjoy it as I did. I look forward to reading more by the author, including the two previously published book! Thank you to the author and netgalley for the Arc copy
March 18, 2026
Etkind’s third book blends the paranormal with the cozy reality of small town living brilliantly.
I absolutely loved how cozy the book was while still having stakes. Etkind was able to represent so many real life situations from failing businesses to parental abandonment to strange new living situations while also maintaining an underlying feeling of comfort and coziness.
I absolutely loved watching our two lone wolf MCs learn that depending on others and becoming a pack wasn’t giving up independence or getting hurt by your community, it was gaining a found family who was there for you no matter what. Both of them had been hurt by others in the past to the point of becoming lone wolf, hence their ability to connect despite being very different individuals. Their growth and acceptance of their own little pack was fantastic to watch develop.
Watching playboy Uncle Lane struggle as the main parental figure for pre-teen twins was very endearing. The fact that he wasn’t going to rely on anyone else to help him, he was just going to push through, made it so much sweeter when Bea decided to help. And this full moment transformation for Bea from wanting nothing to do with the kids because she didn’t want to become consumed with being someone’s mom and losing herself to helping Lane with everyday woes with the kids was so beautiful to watch.
I further loved how Bea had the support of Lane, as well as several others in the community, to help reinvent her struggling farm in order to keep her family business alive. As time went on, she came to see others as genuinely wanting to help her instead of bothersome folk she tried to avoid at all costs. I especially loved that she saw in Lane a competent man who would hold her hand and help her find a solution instead of someone who would take control of the situation and tell her what to do. It’s called a competence kink y’all 😉
Between Bea, Lane, Rebecca the local bar owner, the ever helpful witches who acted as defacto aunts to Bea (and really everyone), and the kids, the found family vibe was strong in this one!
I would be remiss if I didn’t add in the fantastic rep that Etkind included in this book. There was bisexual, transexual, and lesbian representation, as well as ADHD rep in a young girl (which is harder to diagnose). Kudos to Etkind for authentically including representation we need to see more of in books.
Finally, I loved the references to Etkind’s first novel, Dishwasher Safe. I love little Easter eggs like this and it reminds me that I need to bump that one up on my TBR!
Thank you so much to M.J. Etkind for the physical and eARC! The thoughts and opinions above are honest and my own.
I absolutely loved how cozy the book was while still having stakes. Etkind was able to represent so many real life situations from failing businesses to parental abandonment to strange new living situations while also maintaining an underlying feeling of comfort and coziness.
I absolutely loved watching our two lone wolf MCs learn that depending on others and becoming a pack wasn’t giving up independence or getting hurt by your community, it was gaining a found family who was there for you no matter what. Both of them had been hurt by others in the past to the point of becoming lone wolf, hence their ability to connect despite being very different individuals. Their growth and acceptance of their own little pack was fantastic to watch develop.
Watching playboy Uncle Lane struggle as the main parental figure for pre-teen twins was very endearing. The fact that he wasn’t going to rely on anyone else to help him, he was just going to push through, made it so much sweeter when Bea decided to help. And this full moment transformation for Bea from wanting nothing to do with the kids because she didn’t want to become consumed with being someone’s mom and losing herself to helping Lane with everyday woes with the kids was so beautiful to watch.
I further loved how Bea had the support of Lane, as well as several others in the community, to help reinvent her struggling farm in order to keep her family business alive. As time went on, she came to see others as genuinely wanting to help her instead of bothersome folk she tried to avoid at all costs. I especially loved that she saw in Lane a competent man who would hold her hand and help her find a solution instead of someone who would take control of the situation and tell her what to do. It’s called a competence kink y’all 😉
Between Bea, Lane, Rebecca the local bar owner, the ever helpful witches who acted as defacto aunts to Bea (and really everyone), and the kids, the found family vibe was strong in this one!
I would be remiss if I didn’t add in the fantastic rep that Etkind included in this book. There was bisexual, transexual, and lesbian representation, as well as ADHD rep in a young girl (which is harder to diagnose). Kudos to Etkind for authentically including representation we need to see more of in books.
Finally, I loved the references to Etkind’s first novel, Dishwasher Safe. I love little Easter eggs like this and it reminds me that I need to bump that one up on my TBR!
Thank you so much to M.J. Etkind for the physical and eARC! The thoughts and opinions above are honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This had potential but didn't work for me, sadly. 2 ⭐
I liked what this book is trying to be. It's trying to be a solid werewolf romance, it's trying to be a book with a diverse cast of characters, it's trying tacle important subjects that are central to today's society. I just don"t thinki it manages to do any of it well.
I was into it in the first 45%, We're introduced to Bea, she's competent and stuborn and she won't give up on her family's farm. And then, we meet Lane, a bisexual, lumberjack werewolf who has to parent 2 teenagers. I loved them, by the way. The main characters are dealing with weighty personal struggles — divorce, raising teenagers alone, difficult family dynamics, loneliness — and that grounded emotional backdrop worked well. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it had a comforting, hopeful tone that kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the latter half lost much of that momentum. Especially in the final third, the story felt overly tidy and conflict-free. Tensions dissolved too easily, character growth seemed to stall, and everything wrapped up in an almost unrealistically perfect way, both romantically and professionally. The third-act breakup felt contrived rather than earned. There’s also a recurring debate about having (or not having) children and the responsibilities that come with parenthood. While it’s an important subject, the discussion felt repetitive and didn’t evolve much, circling back to the same points again and again.
As for the werewolf element, it ended up feeling more like a decorative detail than an integral part of the story. The characters’ “shifter” identities rarely added meaningful stakes or depth. Aside from being a bit more wolfish during the full moon and keeping it secret from humans, there wasn’t much exploration of pack dynamics or the tension between animal and human nature. In the end, the plot would have unfolded much the same way if the characters hadn’t been shifters at all.
Thanks to the editor for giving my the opportunity to read this book early
I liked what this book is trying to be. It's trying to be a solid werewolf romance, it's trying to be a book with a diverse cast of characters, it's trying tacle important subjects that are central to today's society. I just don"t thinki it manages to do any of it well.
I was into it in the first 45%, We're introduced to Bea, she's competent and stuborn and she won't give up on her family's farm. And then, we meet Lane, a bisexual, lumberjack werewolf who has to parent 2 teenagers. I loved them, by the way. The main characters are dealing with weighty personal struggles — divorce, raising teenagers alone, difficult family dynamics, loneliness — and that grounded emotional backdrop worked well. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it had a comforting, hopeful tone that kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the latter half lost much of that momentum. Especially in the final third, the story felt overly tidy and conflict-free. Tensions dissolved too easily, character growth seemed to stall, and everything wrapped up in an almost unrealistically perfect way, both romantically and professionally. The third-act breakup felt contrived rather than earned. There’s also a recurring debate about having (or not having) children and the responsibilities that come with parenthood. While it’s an important subject, the discussion felt repetitive and didn’t evolve much, circling back to the same points again and again.
As for the werewolf element, it ended up feeling more like a decorative detail than an integral part of the story. The characters’ “shifter” identities rarely added meaningful stakes or depth. Aside from being a bit more wolfish during the full moon and keeping it secret from humans, there wasn’t much exploration of pack dynamics or the tension between animal and human nature. In the end, the plot would have unfolded much the same way if the characters hadn’t been shifters at all.
Thanks to the editor for giving my the opportunity to read this book early
March 8, 2026
Thank you to M.J. Etkind and Izzi House Books for an ARC of this book!
Rating: 4.25/5
Spice: 2/5
Tropes: werewolves, grumpy x grumpy, single uncle, strong FMC, slow burn, LGBTQ+ representation, ADHD representation
*Please check trigger warning before reading this book*
-------------------------------------------------
As someone who has read ARCs for M.J. before, let me just say this book did not disappoint! Bea is a 30 year old divorcee who wants nothing more than to save her grandparents' farm and to be left alone. Lane is a bisexual lumberjack who has suddenly found himself in charge of his sisters two 12 year old kids and starting a life in a new town. With Bea, a fellow werewolf, as his landlord. The two have a rocky introduction but soon begin to grow on each other, stealing glances when they think the other doesn't notice (they totally do). As they fight feelings for each other and try to balance their own responsibilities, their pasts come back to haunt them just when they thought everything was going their way...
I adored this book. It tackles werewolves in a different light, not focusing on the ABO relationships but instead living a slightly different lifestyle than the humans which I really enjoyed. There were call backs from characters in her past two books (Dishwasher Safe + The Witch of Wall Street) but you don't necessarily have to have read them to enjoy the book. There was a plethora of LGBTQ+ representation across couples in the book and even ADHD got some time in the spotlight. M.J. does a good job normalizing topics that may be seen as taboo in real life by blending them into her characters and stories. Only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the book at the start (hello slow burn) but it did pick up to a point where I finished majority of it in one sitting. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Rating: 4.25/5
Spice: 2/5
Tropes: werewolves, grumpy x grumpy, single uncle, strong FMC, slow burn, LGBTQ+ representation, ADHD representation
*Please check trigger warning before reading this book*
-------------------------------------------------
As someone who has read ARCs for M.J. before, let me just say this book did not disappoint! Bea is a 30 year old divorcee who wants nothing more than to save her grandparents' farm and to be left alone. Lane is a bisexual lumberjack who has suddenly found himself in charge of his sisters two 12 year old kids and starting a life in a new town. With Bea, a fellow werewolf, as his landlord. The two have a rocky introduction but soon begin to grow on each other, stealing glances when they think the other doesn't notice (they totally do). As they fight feelings for each other and try to balance their own responsibilities, their pasts come back to haunt them just when they thought everything was going their way...
I adored this book. It tackles werewolves in a different light, not focusing on the ABO relationships but instead living a slightly different lifestyle than the humans which I really enjoyed. There were call backs from characters in her past two books (Dishwasher Safe + The Witch of Wall Street) but you don't necessarily have to have read them to enjoy the book. There was a plethora of LGBTQ+ representation across couples in the book and even ADHD got some time in the spotlight. M.J. does a good job normalizing topics that may be seen as taboo in real life by blending them into her characters and stories. Only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the book at the start (hello slow burn) but it did pick up to a point where I finished majority of it in one sitting. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
February 23, 2026
First of all, the trigger warning is there for a reason. everyone is entitled to their opinions but to be nasty towards an author for writing about something VERY real and VERY emotional in their book that YOU ignored a TW on is wild. Women should be allowed to do what they want with their own bodies, regardless if you agree with it or not. Abortions save lives, abortion is healthcare, abortion is normal.
Bea is struggling with the farm she inherited from her grandparents, sales are down and she’s behind on multiple vendor payments. When an opportunity presents itself for funding for the farm Bea has to get creative with her presentation to secure this loan and keep the farm afloat. As a way to make quick money, Bea has rented out the farm house to Lane, a grumpy, mysterious wolf who is a stand in dad to his sisters twin pre-teens. They just moved to town and are having trouble adjusting to a new life and tend to get into trouble. Lane and Bea are instantly territorial towards each other but can feel the sexual tension building as they continue to run into each other. Lane wants to focus on being a more present parent and proving he doesn’t need a packs help to raise the kids and Bea wants to prove that she can run this farm, her dream, by herself without any help. But they both soon learn that maybe it’s okay to ask for help and to need a pack for assistance, because it really does take a village.
This is the perfect cozy, paranormal romance, found family fall read you need on your shelf this year. The spicy scenes with Lane and Bea are drool worthy but also the inclusivity and the humor make this story. finding someone you can be so relaxed with that will prove to you they aren’t leaving. Also love love loved the crossover with Alisi and Sean from Dishwasher Safe!! my favorite part honestly of the whole book!
Bea is struggling with the farm she inherited from her grandparents, sales are down and she’s behind on multiple vendor payments. When an opportunity presents itself for funding for the farm Bea has to get creative with her presentation to secure this loan and keep the farm afloat. As a way to make quick money, Bea has rented out the farm house to Lane, a grumpy, mysterious wolf who is a stand in dad to his sisters twin pre-teens. They just moved to town and are having trouble adjusting to a new life and tend to get into trouble. Lane and Bea are instantly territorial towards each other but can feel the sexual tension building as they continue to run into each other. Lane wants to focus on being a more present parent and proving he doesn’t need a packs help to raise the kids and Bea wants to prove that she can run this farm, her dream, by herself without any help. But they both soon learn that maybe it’s okay to ask for help and to need a pack for assistance, because it really does take a village.
This is the perfect cozy, paranormal romance, found family fall read you need on your shelf this year. The spicy scenes with Lane and Bea are drool worthy but also the inclusivity and the humor make this story. finding someone you can be so relaxed with that will prove to you they aren’t leaving. Also love love loved the crossover with Alisi and Sean from Dishwasher Safe!! my favorite part honestly of the whole book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this book did not fully work for me. While the premise had potential—combining small-town dynamics, complex family situations, and elements of wolf shapeshifting—the execution ultimately fell flat.
Several significant themes run throughout the story, including complicated family relationships, unplanned pregnancy, and difficult personal decisions. While these are meaningful topics, they often felt introduced without the depth or exploration needed to make them feel fully developed within the narrative. At times, the story seemed to move quickly past heavier moments rather than allowing the emotional impact to fully land.
The paranormal elements were also more limited than I expected. The wolf shapeshifting and other supernatural components appeared only briefly, which made the fantasy aspects feel underutilized compared to the strong presence of the contemporary storyline.
I also struggled to connect with the main characters. Bea and Lane both came across as somewhat immature in their decision-making, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship and personal growth throughout the story.
Because this was an ARC, I also noticed a number of editing issues, including punctuation errors and incomplete sentences or paragraphs. These may be addressed before final publication, but they did impact the overall reading experience.
While this book may appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with light paranormal elements and family-centered storylines, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me.
Unfortunately, this book did not fully work for me. While the premise had potential—combining small-town dynamics, complex family situations, and elements of wolf shapeshifting—the execution ultimately fell flat.
Several significant themes run throughout the story, including complicated family relationships, unplanned pregnancy, and difficult personal decisions. While these are meaningful topics, they often felt introduced without the depth or exploration needed to make them feel fully developed within the narrative. At times, the story seemed to move quickly past heavier moments rather than allowing the emotional impact to fully land.
The paranormal elements were also more limited than I expected. The wolf shapeshifting and other supernatural components appeared only briefly, which made the fantasy aspects feel underutilized compared to the strong presence of the contemporary storyline.
I also struggled to connect with the main characters. Bea and Lane both came across as somewhat immature in their decision-making, which made it difficult for me to fully invest in their relationship and personal growth throughout the story.
Because this was an ARC, I also noticed a number of editing issues, including punctuation errors and incomplete sentences or paragraphs. These may be addressed before final publication, but they did impact the overall reading experience.
While this book may appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with light paranormal elements and family-centered storylines, it ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me.
March 23, 2026
March 2026 Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews (BookTome Edition): “The Lone Wolf Paradox” by M.J. Etkind
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
In a small town in New England..
A farmer tries to keep her farm afloat and has no time for Romance..
An uncle takes on the role of Single Dad and tries to provide a sense of normalcy for the lives of his niece and nephew..
These two lone wolves have much to unpack..Before they build a pack!
From the author that brought you “Dishwasher Safe” and “The Witch of Wall Street” comes M.J. Etkind’s third Contemporary Paranormal Romance publication! Etkind not only continues to effectively incorporate Paranormal societies and lore in a modern setting and narrative that reflects important social commentary, but she specifically tackles the pressures and obstacles some people might face when the economy gets complicated and, in some situations, community assistance can feel limited or emotionally unavailable. Bea, our farmer FMC, is trying to preserve her family farm by renting it out to make money, facing pressure from business partners and feeling like she has no time to pursue relationships or downtime. Lane, our single dad MMC, feels that he has to provide for his niece and nephew due to their parents and grandparents dealing with personal situations that make the kids' lives feel suffocating. But when these two characters come together, Etkind is teaching readers that even when it feels like you only have yourself to rely on, sometimes you’ll find that help and care, even when it seems so far away, can and will eventually be found, whether it’s from a friend, family member, a loved one, or the found family you make on your life journey. Wanna drive down to Pine Falls, Maine? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits stores on March 17, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter:
Tropes: Paranormal Romance, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Werewolf Shifters, Farmer FMC x Tree Expert/Single Dad MMC, Slow Burn Romance, Bi Representation, and Small Business Rescue Narrative.
Trigger Warnings: (Full Description in the Book).
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
In a small town in New England..
A farmer tries to keep her farm afloat and has no time for Romance..
An uncle takes on the role of Single Dad and tries to provide a sense of normalcy for the lives of his niece and nephew..
These two lone wolves have much to unpack..Before they build a pack!
From the author that brought you “Dishwasher Safe” and “The Witch of Wall Street” comes M.J. Etkind’s third Contemporary Paranormal Romance publication! Etkind not only continues to effectively incorporate Paranormal societies and lore in a modern setting and narrative that reflects important social commentary, but she specifically tackles the pressures and obstacles some people might face when the economy gets complicated and, in some situations, community assistance can feel limited or emotionally unavailable. Bea, our farmer FMC, is trying to preserve her family farm by renting it out to make money, facing pressure from business partners and feeling like she has no time to pursue relationships or downtime. Lane, our single dad MMC, feels that he has to provide for his niece and nephew due to their parents and grandparents dealing with personal situations that make the kids' lives feel suffocating. But when these two characters come together, Etkind is teaching readers that even when it feels like you only have yourself to rely on, sometimes you’ll find that help and care, even when it seems so far away, can and will eventually be found, whether it’s from a friend, family member, a loved one, or the found family you make on your life journey. Wanna drive down to Pine Falls, Maine? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits stores on March 17, 2025!
Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter:
Tropes: Paranormal Romance, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Werewolf Shifters, Farmer FMC x Tree Expert/Single Dad MMC, Slow Burn Romance, Bi Representation, and Small Business Rescue Narrative.
Trigger Warnings: (Full Description in the Book).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hmm, I would describe this as a Hallmark romance with added werewolves. It has strong queer representation, some hot-topic issues form US society (abortion, health insurance). I was invested in the beginning, probably somewhere until the middle - I liked the MCs who dealt with different issues (divorce, single guardianship of teenagers, toxic family, isolation, etc.). It was nothing revolutionary but rather cozy and hopeful. And then, the second hald, especially the last third, things got really boring and just too neat and perfect. There was no real conflict any more, no character development - everyone was nice, caring, things worked out both personally and professionally. The third-act break-up was just ridiculous. The repetitive talk about not/having children, the responsibility of raising them, while it's an important topic, I felt it was poorly handled and the same argument was repeated every three pages or so.
And don't get me started on the shifter thing, it was no more than a curious quirk of some of the characters. They were more wolf than human around full Moon and tried to hide it from the humans but again, there was no real conflict there, no depth ragrding pack/animal nature of the characters. The story wouldn't have been much different if they were regular people.
In short, this didn't work for me but could be the right story for someone else.
CW: abortion, toxic family,
And don't get me started on the shifter thing, it was no more than a curious quirk of some of the characters. They were more wolf than human around full Moon and tried to hide it from the humans but again, there was no real conflict there, no depth ragrding pack/animal nature of the characters. The story wouldn't have been much different if they were regular people.
In short, this didn't work for me but could be the right story for someone else.
CW: abortion, toxic family,
April 26, 2026
This book was super cozy and filled with your typical romance tropes, with a werewolf twist. Throw in talk of abortion, bisexual wolves, wolves born with incorrect human traits, and you’ve got yourself a nice update on the expected alpha wolf stuff.
Bea owns a farm and is a lone werewolf. She was married but made a decision to own her own happiness and struck out on her own. She has been struggling to make the farm profitable and her latest stop-gap measure is renting out the farmhouse while staying in the guest apartment. Lane has been a bit of a vagabond, but has massively stepped up for his niece and nephew while his sister is trying to find herself. His family is far from perfect, and living in the town he grew up in is not helping matters for the two young wolves. When they get kicked out of school, he makes the rather drastic decision to relocate and take a job in Bea’s town. Which means he also decides to rent her property, without even realizing the landlord is a wolf, too.
It was super fun watching these two dance around each other, navigate life with the twins, and generally grow as humans. Both really struggled to ask for help, no matter how hard life got. This romance was very cozy and satisfying. While I mentioned the topics up top, since it’s just part of the everyday life for them, it’s not treated as anything weird or worth fighting about. I enjoyed that element, too. We get a very satisfying HEA for everybody involved.
Bea owns a farm and is a lone werewolf. She was married but made a decision to own her own happiness and struck out on her own. She has been struggling to make the farm profitable and her latest stop-gap measure is renting out the farmhouse while staying in the guest apartment. Lane has been a bit of a vagabond, but has massively stepped up for his niece and nephew while his sister is trying to find herself. His family is far from perfect, and living in the town he grew up in is not helping matters for the two young wolves. When they get kicked out of school, he makes the rather drastic decision to relocate and take a job in Bea’s town. Which means he also decides to rent her property, without even realizing the landlord is a wolf, too.
It was super fun watching these two dance around each other, navigate life with the twins, and generally grow as humans. Both really struggled to ask for help, no matter how hard life got. This romance was very cozy and satisfying. While I mentioned the topics up top, since it’s just part of the everyday life for them, it’s not treated as anything weird or worth fighting about. I enjoyed that element, too. We get a very satisfying HEA for everybody involved.
March 17, 2026
Thank you to @mjetkindauthor for my free published copy and digital @netgalley review copy of this book!
Read this book if you like: bisexual lumberjack werewolves, small town, found family, shifter romance, forced proximity, and single “dad.”
Bea Howell is the last wolf shifter in her part of Maine. She keeps herself aloof from the humans in town and tries to make a living from her grandparents’ farm. But money is tight, so she decides to rent out the farmhouse to a single lumberjack and his two preteens. When they arrive she realizes they are also shifters. Lane, ever a lone drifter, has taken on the responsibility of raiding his niece and nephew. He’s learning to parent but also finding himself drawn to his landlady. Against her better judgment, Bea finds herself invited into a pack. As Bea and Lane opens their hearts to each other and the people in town, they begin to realize that maybe being in a pack is better than being a lone wolf.
This is a character driven story with a great arc for both MMCs. I loved the single parent aspect as well. The twins were a riot! The plot is a slow burn, as they both have trust issues, with sweet romance and satisfying spicy scenes. I loved the shifter aspects of the story and the found family/small town. Gorgeous scenery combines with quirky small town characters to populate a rich setting.
Pick this one up tomorrow if you love small town shifter romance.
Read this book if you like: bisexual lumberjack werewolves, small town, found family, shifter romance, forced proximity, and single “dad.”
Bea Howell is the last wolf shifter in her part of Maine. She keeps herself aloof from the humans in town and tries to make a living from her grandparents’ farm. But money is tight, so she decides to rent out the farmhouse to a single lumberjack and his two preteens. When they arrive she realizes they are also shifters. Lane, ever a lone drifter, has taken on the responsibility of raiding his niece and nephew. He’s learning to parent but also finding himself drawn to his landlady. Against her better judgment, Bea finds herself invited into a pack. As Bea and Lane opens their hearts to each other and the people in town, they begin to realize that maybe being in a pack is better than being a lone wolf.
This is a character driven story with a great arc for both MMCs. I loved the single parent aspect as well. The twins were a riot! The plot is a slow burn, as they both have trust issues, with sweet romance and satisfying spicy scenes. I loved the shifter aspects of the story and the found family/small town. Gorgeous scenery combines with quirky small town characters to populate a rich setting.
Pick this one up tomorrow if you love small town shifter romance.
March 6, 2026
I feel like this was a book about two grown, healthy adults (wolves) who were trying to decide if they wanted to be in a relationship, and good for them.
Lane, to me, was very much a Golden Retriever or Golden Wolf if you will. I know he kept being referred to as an asshole, but I just wasn’t getting an asshole vibe from him at all. His parenting skills were chopped here, I loved his calmness and his laid-back vibe. Everything about him was great.
Bea and I would not be friends. I didn’t like her from page one and she never grew on me. I respect that she was stubborn and wanted to keep her family’s farm, but she was just way too tense. I need her to calm down a lot. Her stress was giving me stress.
I loved the small town vibe and all the characters that came with it. The witches, Doug, Rebecca. Honestly, everybody made just enough appearances to get to know them and like them.
The storyline with the children was probably my favorite part, because they were really funny and I think Lane was just such an amazing guardian. It made it really fun to read. Also, the things they were going through were so relatable, minus the shifting. After that part kind of phased out everything kind of slowed down for me and I lost interest.
Lane, to me, was very much a Golden Retriever or Golden Wolf if you will. I know he kept being referred to as an asshole, but I just wasn’t getting an asshole vibe from him at all. His parenting skills were chopped here, I loved his calmness and his laid-back vibe. Everything about him was great.
Bea and I would not be friends. I didn’t like her from page one and she never grew on me. I respect that she was stubborn and wanted to keep her family’s farm, but she was just way too tense. I need her to calm down a lot. Her stress was giving me stress.
I loved the small town vibe and all the characters that came with it. The witches, Doug, Rebecca. Honestly, everybody made just enough appearances to get to know them and like them.
The storyline with the children was probably my favorite part, because they were really funny and I think Lane was just such an amazing guardian. It made it really fun to read. Also, the things they were going through were so relatable, minus the shifting. After that part kind of phased out everything kind of slowed down for me and I lost interest.
March 8, 2026
The Lone Wolf Paradox blends small-town life, community relationships, and paranormal elements into a story that’s easy to settle into.
Bea Howell is trying to manage her life and responsibilities when Lane arrives in town with children in his care and a past that clearly carries some secrets. As their paths continue to cross, it becomes obvious that there’s more happening in this quiet town than meets the eye.
What stood out most to me was the community dynamic and the way the people connected to the town and the surrounding land shape the environment Bea and Lane are navigating. That aspect helped give the story a grounded small-town atmosphere.
The pacing felt steady overall, and the book was easy to read. The romance develops gradually, though it didn’t give me strong “tingle” moments personally. Some parts of the mystery were a bit predictable, but the unfolding situation in town still kept me curious about what would happen next.
Overall, this feels like a good pick for readers who enjoy small-town paranormal romance with a slower-burn relationship and a bit of mystery woven through the story.
Thank you to M.J. Etkind, Izzi House Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Bea Howell is trying to manage her life and responsibilities when Lane arrives in town with children in his care and a past that clearly carries some secrets. As their paths continue to cross, it becomes obvious that there’s more happening in this quiet town than meets the eye.
What stood out most to me was the community dynamic and the way the people connected to the town and the surrounding land shape the environment Bea and Lane are navigating. That aspect helped give the story a grounded small-town atmosphere.
The pacing felt steady overall, and the book was easy to read. The romance develops gradually, though it didn’t give me strong “tingle” moments personally. Some parts of the mystery were a bit predictable, but the unfolding situation in town still kept me curious about what would happen next.
Overall, this feels like a good pick for readers who enjoy small-town paranormal romance with a slower-burn relationship and a bit of mystery woven through the story.
Thank you to M.J. Etkind, Izzi House Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Two lone wolves must confront what it means to build a pack after being alone.
In an effort to help save her orchard, Bea puts her farmhouse up for rent.
Lane has taken temporary guardianship of his sisters kids and is looking for a fresh start.
What immediately drew me in to wanting to check out this book… a$$hole lumberjack! Well done on the tag line grab!
Bea and Lane were the perfect poster match for opposites attract/this isn’t going to happen! Each trying to stay on their own side of the orchard so to speak but crossing paths at every chance.
I enjoyed the growth opportunities and community relationships presented throughout. This wasn’t your typical werewolf paranormal read and I thought it was a nice change of pace.
There is a lot tackled in this book so be sure to check trigger warnings before reading.
I so appreciated the fantastic ARC package with the beautiful character art card, sticker and bookmark. The cover of this book - can you feel their tension??? Welcome to Pine Falls… enjoy the read!
Thank you to the author, MJ Etkind, Izzy House Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
In an effort to help save her orchard, Bea puts her farmhouse up for rent.
Lane has taken temporary guardianship of his sisters kids and is looking for a fresh start.
What immediately drew me in to wanting to check out this book… a$$hole lumberjack! Well done on the tag line grab!
Bea and Lane were the perfect poster match for opposites attract/this isn’t going to happen! Each trying to stay on their own side of the orchard so to speak but crossing paths at every chance.
I enjoyed the growth opportunities and community relationships presented throughout. This wasn’t your typical werewolf paranormal read and I thought it was a nice change of pace.
There is a lot tackled in this book so be sure to check trigger warnings before reading.
I so appreciated the fantastic ARC package with the beautiful character art card, sticker and bookmark. The cover of this book - can you feel their tension??? Welcome to Pine Falls… enjoy the read!
Thank you to the author, MJ Etkind, Izzy House Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novel features a reversed grumpy/sunshine trope, which was a fresh change for me. It has been a while since I delved into werewolf shifter novels, and I miss my Wattpad era. However, this book stands out from the typical werewolf shifter stories I've read, if my memory serves me correctly.
I experienced a mix of emotions while reading it. I appreciated the role reversal of the grumpy female main character and the sunshine male main character, but I felt that the pacing of the events was a bit slow, which put me off a bit. The story addresses several serious topics, such as abortion, guardianship, financial struggles, and toxic family dynamics, adding a realistic depth to the characters, with a touch of fantasy from their werewolf identities. There's also a good representation of LGBTQ+ characters.
However, I noticed that the first half of the novel focused heavily on these serious issues without any resolution in sight. Then, in the second half, the story suddenly picked up pace, with everything falling into place rather quickly, culminating in a happy ever after (HEA). This shift felt a bit rushed and disconnected to me.
So if you ignore the pacing of events, this was a decent read.
#TheLoneWolfParadox #NetGalley
I experienced a mix of emotions while reading it. I appreciated the role reversal of the grumpy female main character and the sunshine male main character, but I felt that the pacing of the events was a bit slow, which put me off a bit. The story addresses several serious topics, such as abortion, guardianship, financial struggles, and toxic family dynamics, adding a realistic depth to the characters, with a touch of fantasy from their werewolf identities. There's also a good representation of LGBTQ+ characters.
However, I noticed that the first half of the novel focused heavily on these serious issues without any resolution in sight. Then, in the second half, the story suddenly picked up pace, with everything falling into place rather quickly, culminating in a happy ever after (HEA). This shift felt a bit rushed and disconnected to me.
So if you ignore the pacing of events, this was a decent read.
#TheLoneWolfParadox #NetGalley
Read
February 8, 2026Bea ha pasado años intentando que la granja de su familia sobreviva, aunque cada temporada trae más perdidas que ganancias. Acostumbrada al trabajo pesado, a la rutina del campo y a ser la única loba de la zona desde que su vida personal se vino abajo. Su plan inmediato es simple, resistir lo suficiente para no perder todo lo que sus abuelos construyeron, incluso si eso significa alquilar la casa y conformarse con menos de lo que soñaba.
Su aislamiento se rompe cuando percibe el rastro de otro cambiaformas en el bosque que rodea su propiedad. El desconocido aparece también en el pueblo, y su actitud segura y desafiante despierta tanto desconfianza como una atracción incómoda que Bea no esperaba sentir. Con el estrés del dinero, la presión de la comunidad y la incertidumbre de compartir territorio con alguien nuevo, Bea tendrá que decidir si proteger la vida que ha levantado con tanto esfuerzo o arriesgarse a que la presencia de ese otro lobo cambie el rumbo de todo lo que creía bajo control o amenaza con alterar la estabilidad que tanto le costó construir.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Su aislamiento se rompe cuando percibe el rastro de otro cambiaformas en el bosque que rodea su propiedad. El desconocido aparece también en el pueblo, y su actitud segura y desafiante despierta tanto desconfianza como una atracción incómoda que Bea no esperaba sentir. Con el estrés del dinero, la presión de la comunidad y la incertidumbre de compartir territorio con alguien nuevo, Bea tendrá que decidir si proteger la vida que ha levantado con tanto esfuerzo o arriesgarse a que la presencia de ese otro lobo cambie el rumbo de todo lo que creía bajo control o amenaza con alterar la estabilidad que tanto le costó construir.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My rating: 2 ⭐️, 3 🌶
I want to start by thanking NetGalley and M.J. Etkind for the E-ARC.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. However, there were several issues that made it hard for me to finish. There are some spoilers in this review.
First, chapter four isn't complete. It cuts off in the middle of a sentence and that made it hard to know what was happening. Second, the passage of time isn't handled well. I wish the author would date each chapter so we can better understand how time is progressing. For example, one chapter ends on Christmas Eve and the next chapter is suddenly in the middle of January. Third, it felt as if important discussions about relationships were avoided and it prevented us from seeing the characters grow and mature. Fourth, the FMC Bea has a sister that has a baby in chapter 21, and yet in the same chapter Bea states that she doesn't have any nieces or nephews. There's also a lot of formatting errors that made it difficult to get through the book.
I feel like there is the potential for a good book here. But for me, the number of formatting, consistency, and timing errors made it hard to finish it in its entirety. Hopefully, these errors can be corrected prior to publication day.
I want to start by thanking NetGalley and M.J. Etkind for the E-ARC.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. However, there were several issues that made it hard for me to finish. There are some spoilers in this review.
First, chapter four isn't complete. It cuts off in the middle of a sentence and that made it hard to know what was happening. Second, the passage of time isn't handled well. I wish the author would date each chapter so we can better understand how time is progressing. For example, one chapter ends on Christmas Eve and the next chapter is suddenly in the middle of January. Third, it felt as if important discussions about relationships were avoided and it prevented us from seeing the characters grow and mature. Fourth, the FMC Bea has a sister that has a baby in chapter 21, and yet in the same chapter Bea states that she doesn't have any nieces or nephews. There's also a lot of formatting errors that made it difficult to get through the book.
I feel like there is the potential for a good book here. But for me, the number of formatting, consistency, and timing errors made it hard to finish it in its entirety. Hopefully, these errors can be corrected prior to publication day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first werewolf shifter book and I loved the way these werewolves managed themselves by going out on runs and preparing for full moons. But I also loved the family drama. Lane was a temporary guardian to his twin niece and nephew which was going to be challenging for him. He wasn’t used to staying in one place for too long, and he just seemed to move around for jobs. And his love life? Well, he wasn’t a commitment guy to men or women. The kid’s attitudes and experiences seemed like any other family except the shifter part. From his niece fighting at school, obsessing over makeup, and being diagnosed with ADHD Lane was handling it all shockingly well.
Then there was Bea, the owner of the farmhouse he was renting. She was also a werewolf who didn’t want to help with Lane with the kids, but she couldn’t help herself. She slowly softened up to Lane and family. But she was cautious she didn’t want to get hurt, and besides she was too busy trying to save her family farm.
The pacing of the Bea and Lane’s friendship turned relationship was excellent and the slow burn was worth the wait.
If you enjoy reading about new beginnings, family drama with a side of werewolf this is excellent.
Then there was Bea, the owner of the farmhouse he was renting. She was also a werewolf who didn’t want to help with Lane with the kids, but she couldn’t help herself. She slowly softened up to Lane and family. But she was cautious she didn’t want to get hurt, and besides she was too busy trying to save her family farm.
The pacing of the Bea and Lane’s friendship turned relationship was excellent and the slow burn was worth the wait.
If you enjoy reading about new beginnings, family drama with a side of werewolf this is excellent.
March 29, 2026
The Lone Wolf Paradox completely pulled me in with its cozy small town atmosphere, heartfelt character growth, and delicious slow burn romance. Bea and Lane were such a compelling pair because they’re both stubborn, wounded, and fiercely independent, which made watching them slowly learn to trust each other incredibly satisfying. I especially loved that this story wasn’t just about romance, but also about healing, community, and realizing that needing other people doesn’t make you weak. Bea’s struggle to save her family farm and Lane’s role as a suddenly devoted guardian gave the story so much emotional depth. The found family element was one of my favorite parts, and the side characters made Pine Falls feel warm, lived in, and magical. I also really appreciated the inclusive representation woven naturally throughout the book. Lane was such a standout love interest too, not just gruff and sexy, but genuinely kind, capable, and endearing.
Some Tropes:
Slow burn romance
Werewolves
Forced proximity
Found family
Small town romance
Temporary guardian/guardian role
Strong, stubborn FMC
Bisexual love interest
Some Tropes:
Slow burn romance
Werewolves
Forced proximity
Found family
Small town romance
Temporary guardian/guardian role
Strong, stubborn FMC
Bisexual love interest
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t expect The Lone Wolf Paradox to pull me in the way it did, but it absolutely did. There’s such a strong, immersive atmosphere from the start, and I found myself settling into the story so easily. It’s one of those books that has a distinct mood, and I really enjoyed spending time in it.
The characters were probably my favorite part. I genuinely liked them, flaws and all, and I became invested in their journey pretty quickly. I kept thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading, and every evening I looked forward to picking the book back up to see what would happen next.
I also really appreciated M.J. Etkind’s writing style. It feels natural and sincere, never forced, and the emotional moments landed beautifully. The story flows well, and the pacing made it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable and heartfelt read for me. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it, and I’d happily recommend it to others who love character-driven stories with a strong emotional core. Definitely five stars from me.
The characters were probably my favorite part. I genuinely liked them, flaws and all, and I became invested in their journey pretty quickly. I kept thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading, and every evening I looked forward to picking the book back up to see what would happen next.
I also really appreciated M.J. Etkind’s writing style. It feels natural and sincere, never forced, and the emotional moments landed beautifully. The story flows well, and the pacing made it hard to put down.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable and heartfelt read for me. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it, and I’d happily recommend it to others who love character-driven stories with a strong emotional core. Definitely five stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Welcome to Pine Falls where two lone wolves dealing with familial and financial stressors find support from each other and their small town community. The main heroine, Bea, goes on a journey from trying to save her family farm on her own to realizing that it's okay to receive help from those around you. Bea's stubbornness of not wanting to accept help was frustrating at times, but I really enjoyed her character growth that led to her opening up to community members who wanted to help her. I also loved Bea's ability to set boundaries on her domestic relationships, making sure that she would not get sucked into the role of mother of Lane's niece and nephew. I appreciated Lane's character arc as well, going from transient nomad to a stable figure for Kennedy and Maddox as well as Bea. This small town also has a cast of great supporting characters (including an appearance from the mer folk from M.j. Etkind's first book Dishwasher Safe).
This is a great cozy shifter romance that has me ready for fall, hayrides, and apple picking. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.
This is a great cozy shifter romance that has me ready for fall, hayrides, and apple picking. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.
March 20, 2026
I really enjoyed The Lone Wolf Paradox by M.J. Etkind. This book hit so many of my favorite tropes and emotional beats, and I found myself completely pulled into the story from start to finish.
The forced proximity was done so well, it created that perfect tension and slow-building connection that kept me hooked. And Lane? I absolutely loved him. The way he stepped up and took care of his niece and nephew said everything about his character. He wasn’t just talk, he showed up, over and over again, in the ways that mattered most.
One of my favorite parts was how he refused to give up on Bea. Even when she pushed back (a lot), he still found ways to insert himself into her life and help her, whether she wanted it or not. It never felt overbearing, just steady, determined, and honestly kind of swoon-worthy.
I also loved the sense of community in this book. Watching the whole town come together to help Bea save her family farm gave me all the small-town, found-family vibes I adore. It added so much heart to the story.
Bea really shined in her own ways too. I especially appreciated how she showed up for Kennedy when she needed guidance and support, those quieter, more personal moments added depth and authenticity to her character.
Another part that really stuck with me was the twins’ mother coming back into their lives. Seeing her finally able to step into her role as a mother, now that the grandparents were no longer there to push her out, added such an emotional layer and a sense of healing to the story.
And that ending… the happy ever after was just beautiful and perfect. It wrapped everything up in such a satisfying, heartfelt way that left me smiling long after I finished.
Overall, this was a warm, emotional, and character-driven story with just the right mix of romance, family, and small-town charm. Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up!
The forced proximity was done so well, it created that perfect tension and slow-building connection that kept me hooked. And Lane? I absolutely loved him. The way he stepped up and took care of his niece and nephew said everything about his character. He wasn’t just talk, he showed up, over and over again, in the ways that mattered most.
One of my favorite parts was how he refused to give up on Bea. Even when she pushed back (a lot), he still found ways to insert himself into her life and help her, whether she wanted it or not. It never felt overbearing, just steady, determined, and honestly kind of swoon-worthy.
I also loved the sense of community in this book. Watching the whole town come together to help Bea save her family farm gave me all the small-town, found-family vibes I adore. It added so much heart to the story.
Bea really shined in her own ways too. I especially appreciated how she showed up for Kennedy when she needed guidance and support, those quieter, more personal moments added depth and authenticity to her character.
Another part that really stuck with me was the twins’ mother coming back into their lives. Seeing her finally able to step into her role as a mother, now that the grandparents were no longer there to push her out, added such an emotional layer and a sense of healing to the story.
And that ending… the happy ever after was just beautiful and perfect. It wrapped everything up in such a satisfying, heartfelt way that left me smiling long after I finished.
Overall, this was a warm, emotional, and character-driven story with just the right mix of romance, family, and small-town charm. Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2026
I’m always up for a good werewolf story, so The Lone Wolf Paradox sounded right up my street. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the spot for me.
The premise is interesting - two lone wolves trying to build a sense of pack and community while navigating family responsibilities and unexpected attraction. I also appreciated the inclusion of bisexual representation and the small-town, rural setting around the apple orchard.
That said, I struggled to really connect with the main characters. Neither Bea nor Lane felt particularly likeable to me, which made it difficult to get fully invested in their relationship or the emotional stakes of the story. The pacing also felt a little flat at times, and I kept waiting for the plot to really pull me in.
As someone who loves “wolfy” books, I was hoping for a bit more from the werewolf elements as well. The paranormal side of the story felt fairly light, which left it feeling a little underwhelming overall.
It’s not a bad read by any means, and the themes of family, community, and learning to rely on others are nice. It just didn’t quite deliver the level of character connection or wolfy vibes I was hoping for.
The premise is interesting - two lone wolves trying to build a sense of pack and community while navigating family responsibilities and unexpected attraction. I also appreciated the inclusion of bisexual representation and the small-town, rural setting around the apple orchard.
That said, I struggled to really connect with the main characters. Neither Bea nor Lane felt particularly likeable to me, which made it difficult to get fully invested in their relationship or the emotional stakes of the story. The pacing also felt a little flat at times, and I kept waiting for the plot to really pull me in.
As someone who loves “wolfy” books, I was hoping for a bit more from the werewolf elements as well. The paranormal side of the story felt fairly light, which left it feeling a little underwhelming overall.
It’s not a bad read by any means, and the themes of family, community, and learning to rely on others are nice. It just didn’t quite deliver the level of character connection or wolfy vibes I was hoping for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very much appreciated the opportunity for this ARC. I wanted to love this. Good skeleton. Cozy, small town vibes. Slowburn. HEA. Real life issues relatable content regarding abortion, divorce, family toxicity, the healthcare system, pregnancy, ADHD for adult and child. Good representation of the LBTBQ+ community. Loved the support system of friendship. It read slow. The big topic issues read as an educational piece to me vs. being a part of the story. The wolf aspect was interesting. There were too many big topics thrown into one book for me. Some aspects felt underdeveloped, some redundant, forced and lacked real character development. I did not appreciate the third act break-up. Loved these words from Lane to Bea, “You are a dreamer who sees what could be; you are a realist who knows how to protect herself.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a really good read!!! I loved the concept and thought that the story was strong. I loved the cover. It features artwork of Bea and Lane with a barn behind them. I loved the colours and they autumnal shades! The writing was excellent and flowed nicely. The book was written in third person from Bea and Lane's point of view. The setting of Pine Falls, Maine. This is a fictional small town and I loved the pine reference as Maine is the Pine Tree State! The world-building for this small town was wonderful. I loved Bea and Lane!!! Their dynamic was excellent. Bea was very savvy and independent. Lane was caring and compassionate. I loved his tattoo work! It sounded so beautiful. He may be a new book boyfriend!!! I definitely recommend this book!
March 7, 2026
This is a review of an advanced copy from NetGalley
This one was… good, but not amazing. The Lone Wolf Paradox had an interesting premise and I liked the overall shifter worldbuilding, but the story felt a bit slow at times. The characters were likable enough and I appreciated that the relationship wasn’t instant love, but I never felt fully invested in them.
There were moments where the emotional depth and themes about identity and belonging really worked, but the pacing dragged in places and some parts of the plot felt underdeveloped. I kept waiting for something to really hook me, and it never quite got there.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, just not a memorable one for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
This one was… good, but not amazing. The Lone Wolf Paradox had an interesting premise and I liked the overall shifter worldbuilding, but the story felt a bit slow at times. The characters were likable enough and I appreciated that the relationship wasn’t instant love, but I never felt fully invested in them.
There were moments where the emotional depth and themes about identity and belonging really worked, but the pacing dragged in places and some parts of the plot felt underdeveloped. I kept waiting for something to really hook me, and it never quite got there.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, just not a memorable one for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
April 18, 2026
This was such a cute story! A perfect cozy read. I loved the family dynamic between Lane and the kids. I also appreciated Lane’s character development from being a child-free bachelor to a guardian of two kids. MJ Etkind really showed his growth. Bea is definitely more stubborn and stressed out, but she’s determined and a hard worker. I loved that about her. However, I feel like her character development wasn’t as strong as Lane’s. I feel like I needed to see more from her. Besides that, the relationship between Bea and Lane is a slow burn. I loved that they really got to know each other over time before anything serious happened, even if they were attracted from the get-go. Overall, a sweet read with just a dash of spice. 💖
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