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Lunaria Realms #4
A Den of Howls & Discontent
A BARGAIN I NEVER CHOSE. A FATE I NEVER WANTED. A PACK I’LL NEVER ACCEPT.
I fought against my destiny for as long as I could. But to protect my friends and keep war from breaking out, I had to join the notoriously cruel and vicious Alpha Pack.
Politics forced us to be together, but that doesn’t make us a pack. I don’t like them, and they don’t trust me. Cade and Bastian tolerate my presence, but there is a cold distance between us. Warrick is actively plotting my death. And Ryker… he wants to own me.
I will not be owned.
What I need is a way out. A way to bargain for my fate. And to do that, I need something valuable to offer. The wraiths that serve the Seelie King are searching for something in the mountains. The Alphas are hunting for it too.
I’m going to find it first.
Dive into the second trilogy of the why choose romantasy series, Lunaria Realms. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, rivals/enemies to lovers, with fast-burning spice and slow burning romance.
I fought against my destiny for as long as I could. But to protect my friends and keep war from breaking out, I had to join the notoriously cruel and vicious Alpha Pack.
Politics forced us to be together, but that doesn’t make us a pack. I don’t like them, and they don’t trust me. Cade and Bastian tolerate my presence, but there is a cold distance between us. Warrick is actively plotting my death. And Ryker… he wants to own me.
I will not be owned.
What I need is a way out. A way to bargain for my fate. And to do that, I need something valuable to offer. The wraiths that serve the Seelie King are searching for something in the mountains. The Alphas are hunting for it too.
I’m going to find it first.
Dive into the second trilogy of the why choose romantasy series, Lunaria Realms. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, rivals/enemies to lovers, with fast-burning spice and slow burning romance.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Alex Frost
5 books115 followersAlex Frost is… actually Maddox Grey. Dun dun duuuuun!
Okay probably not that dramatic of a reveal since it isn’t exactly a closely guarded secret. The pen name Alex Frost was created to publish the spicier fantasy series that fall under the “Why Choose” genre.
Why Alex Frost? Because Maddox is a freaking nerd. After being trained by local baristas to respond to the name “Alex” instead of Maddox, it seemed like the perfect pen name. Half of it anyway.
Since Maddox already shares their last name with Jean Grey of the X-Men, it seemed fitting to borrow Emma Frost’s last name for their other persona.
If you know, you know. (insert smirking face)
Okay probably not that dramatic of a reveal since it isn’t exactly a closely guarded secret. The pen name Alex Frost was created to publish the spicier fantasy series that fall under the “Why Choose” genre.
Why Alex Frost? Because Maddox is a freaking nerd. After being trained by local baristas to respond to the name “Alex” instead of Maddox, it seemed like the perfect pen name. Half of it anyway.
Since Maddox already shares their last name with Jean Grey of the X-Men, it seemed fitting to borrow Emma Frost’s last name for their other persona.
If you know, you know. (insert smirking face)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
May 19, 2026
A Den of Howls and Discontent is a fast-paced, spicy why-choose romantasy with banter that will have you kicking your feet. I genuinely had such a fun time reading this.
Rynn is forced into a pack that refuses to accept her and the relationship between her and each of the men varies wildly. Watching how those differences played out, kept things quite entertaining.
This was my first book by this author and I went in thinking I could jump in without reading the earlier books. While that is technically possible, I did find myself a bit lost at times. There are a lot of characters that seemed to be carried over from previous books and I had to flip back to the character list more than once to keep track of them. Personally, I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if I had started from book one and gotten to know everyone a bit more organically.
That being said, I can absolutely see the potential for this to be a five-star read with that background. The writing is strong and I’m definitely intrigued by the story enough to go back and start from the beginning of the series.
I’m excited to read the next book when it comes out and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Tropes ✨:
Why choose
Shifters
Forced proximity
Hate to lovers
Slow burning romance
Fast burning spice
Unhinged love interest
Feisty axe wielding FMC
Only one bed
🖤: “I might have been a bit hasty in my actions last night. Next time I stab you, I’ll make sure you deserve it first.”
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
Rynn is forced into a pack that refuses to accept her and the relationship between her and each of the men varies wildly. Watching how those differences played out, kept things quite entertaining.
This was my first book by this author and I went in thinking I could jump in without reading the earlier books. While that is technically possible, I did find myself a bit lost at times. There are a lot of characters that seemed to be carried over from previous books and I had to flip back to the character list more than once to keep track of them. Personally, I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if I had started from book one and gotten to know everyone a bit more organically.
That being said, I can absolutely see the potential for this to be a five-star read with that background. The writing is strong and I’m definitely intrigued by the story enough to go back and start from the beginning of the series.
I’m excited to read the next book when it comes out and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Tropes ✨:
Why choose
Shifters
Forced proximity
Hate to lovers
Slow burning romance
Fast burning spice
Unhinged love interest
Feisty axe wielding FMC
Only one bed
🖤: “I might have been a bit hasty in my actions last night. Next time I stab you, I’ll make sure you deserve it first.”
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book! I haven’t read the previous trilogy yet, but now I cannot wait to read it. The creatures in this world are super interesting, and the spice in this book was top-notch 🥵🥵
I loved the multiple points of view from each character. All of the characters were so diverse and interesting, and the tension between everyone was perfect.
I cannot wait for the next two books in this trilogy. I can already tell they’re going to be amazing based on how this book ended.
I loved this book! I haven’t read the previous trilogy yet, but now I cannot wait to read it. The creatures in this world are super interesting, and the spice in this book was top-notch 🥵🥵
I loved the multiple points of view from each character. All of the characters were so diverse and interesting, and the tension between everyone was perfect.
I cannot wait for the next two books in this trilogy. I can already tell they’re going to be amazing based on how this book ended.
May 26, 2026
I genuinely did not think I could love a new lead as much as Samara or get as invested in a new set of love interests as I did with her mates. And then Rynn showed up and proved me completely wrong.
Rynn's loneliness and her desperate yearning for a pack/family had me tearing up more than once, especially because her own former pack failed her so many times in the past. Especially as the Alpha pack makes it abundantly clear that she will never truly belong with them. The rejection is cold and deliberate and it hurts every time. Too bad they're all so deeply curious about their new member despite themselves.
My absolute favorite thing about this story is the ace spec representation in a why-choose. My HEART. It is so rare that an author recognizes there is room for everyone in spicy books and romance in general.
Ryker though. I typically struggle with possessive characters but he has so many layers and his backstory adds so much complexity that I found myself completely obsessed with him. The moment he I just want these two to find their way to happiness so badly. And for Rynn to admit her feelings. Bas is also SO complicated and I am so interested in his relationship with Rynn and Warrick. And CADE. Cannot wait to see him join the crew in loving Rynn.
None of these characters feel like copies of one another (or from other why choose books) and they're all so distinct from Samara's group as well, which takes real skill in a series like this. The plot and the world carry just as much weight as the relationships, which is everything I want from this genre. Seeing Sam and her loves in cameos, clearly happy, was such a warm little gift.
Fast spice, slow burn feelings. Perfection.
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages PA for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Rynn's loneliness and her desperate yearning for a pack/family had me tearing up more than once, especially because her own former pack failed her so many times in the past. Especially as the Alpha pack makes it abundantly clear that she will never truly belong with them. The rejection is cold and deliberate and it hurts every time. Too bad they're all so deeply curious about their new member despite themselves.
My absolute favorite thing about this story is the ace spec representation in a why-choose. My HEART. It is so rare that an author recognizes there is room for everyone in spicy books and romance in general.
Ryker though. I typically struggle with possessive characters but he has so many layers and his backstory adds so much complexity that I found myself completely obsessed with him. The moment he I just want these two to find their way to happiness so badly. And for Rynn to admit her feelings. Bas is also SO complicated and I am so interested in his relationship with Rynn and Warrick. And CADE. Cannot wait to see him join the crew in loving Rynn.
None of these characters feel like copies of one another (or from other why choose books) and they're all so distinct from Samara's group as well, which takes real skill in a series like this. The plot and the world carry just as much weight as the relationships, which is everything I want from this genre. Seeing Sam and her loves in cameos, clearly happy, was such a warm little gift.
Fast spice, slow burn feelings. Perfection.
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages PA for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
May 7, 2026
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy. This book was a lot of fun and there was a lot I liked about it
What I liked:
-Rynn’s dynamic with the guys. It broke my heart for her but made me want to keep reading
-Some good action scenes
-Bastien and Ryker really stood out to me and each had their own distinct personalities and dynamics with Rynn
-Rynn’s dry sense of humor
-Interested in Selene and how she will fit in with the pack in future books
What I didn’t like:
-Some of the characters world building, and politics were hard to remember/keep up with at times
-Cade and Warrick were hardly on the page.
-I get that this is a series but seeing it marketed as why choose made me expect some spicier scenes. Hopefully the spice will increase and Cade and Warrick’s presence as the series goes on.
Overall, this was really enjoyable and I flew through it quickly.
What I liked:
-Rynn’s dynamic with the guys. It broke my heart for her but made me want to keep reading
-Some good action scenes
-Bastien and Ryker really stood out to me and each had their own distinct personalities and dynamics with Rynn
-Rynn’s dry sense of humor
-Interested in Selene and how she will fit in with the pack in future books
What I didn’t like:
-Some of the characters world building, and politics were hard to remember/keep up with at times
-Cade and Warrick were hardly on the page.
-I get that this is a series but seeing it marketed as why choose made me expect some spicier scenes. Hopefully the spice will increase and Cade and Warrick’s presence as the series goes on.
Overall, this was really enjoyable and I flew through it quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
****ARC Review****
A Den of Howls & Discontent by: Alex Frost
An entertaining shifter romance with tons of political intrigue.
When Rynn was just child she was promised to the Alpha pack as a way to prevent war from breaking out between the orders of the Velesians (Narchis, Avala, and Fervis). But the Alpha pack never wanted her and certainly did not trust her.
For years, she has tried and failed to find a way to prevent being sent away to a pack she does not want to be a part of. For several months, she has tried to stay out of the way, keep to herself while she tries to find a way to be traded in a way that will maintain peace amongst the orders and allow the Alpha pack to save face.
The dysfunction within the house grows to a crescendo as Cade (Leader of the Pack) and Bastian (Second in Command) try to paint the facade that they are a happy Pack, Ryker (the youngest and hot-tempered) grows obsessive and territorial over Rynn, and Warrick (the most protective and violent member) threatens to kill Rynn at any chance he gets.
I really had a wonderful time reading this book. I had so much sympathy for Rynn. She held herself together even in the face of the loneliness and abandonment she had experienced. I was rooting for her happiness and praying that the pack would finally accept her as one of them.
But my favorite character by far has to be Ryker.
Is he unhinged? Yes.
Is he terrifying? Yes.
Do I love him? Unequivocally, yes.
A Den of Howls & Discontent is the fourth book in the Lunaria Realms series, and I am obsessed. I have not read the trilogy that precedes this book, but I will absolutely pick it up as soon as possible. Reading the trilogy before this book is not entirely necessary, as the author does an amazing job of filling you in on the history, backstory, politics, and magic system without overwhelming or confusing readers.
If you are looking for an entertaining shifter romance with tons of political intrigue, do not sleep on Alex Frost and A Den of Howls & Discontent.
A Den of Howls & Discontent by: Alex Frost
An entertaining shifter romance with tons of political intrigue.
When Rynn was just child she was promised to the Alpha pack as a way to prevent war from breaking out between the orders of the Velesians (Narchis, Avala, and Fervis). But the Alpha pack never wanted her and certainly did not trust her.
For years, she has tried and failed to find a way to prevent being sent away to a pack she does not want to be a part of. For several months, she has tried to stay out of the way, keep to herself while she tries to find a way to be traded in a way that will maintain peace amongst the orders and allow the Alpha pack to save face.
The dysfunction within the house grows to a crescendo as Cade (Leader of the Pack) and Bastian (Second in Command) try to paint the facade that they are a happy Pack, Ryker (the youngest and hot-tempered) grows obsessive and territorial over Rynn, and Warrick (the most protective and violent member) threatens to kill Rynn at any chance he gets.
I really had a wonderful time reading this book. I had so much sympathy for Rynn. She held herself together even in the face of the loneliness and abandonment she had experienced. I was rooting for her happiness and praying that the pack would finally accept her as one of them.
But my favorite character by far has to be Ryker.
Is he unhinged? Yes.
Is he terrifying? Yes.
Do I love him? Unequivocally, yes.
A Den of Howls & Discontent is the fourth book in the Lunaria Realms series, and I am obsessed. I have not read the trilogy that precedes this book, but I will absolutely pick it up as soon as possible. Reading the trilogy before this book is not entirely necessary, as the author does an amazing job of filling you in on the history, backstory, politics, and magic system without overwhelming or confusing readers.
If you are looking for an entertaining shifter romance with tons of political intrigue, do not sleep on Alex Frost and A Den of Howls & Discontent.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg! This was so good! The only thing I didn’t like was that it ended! 😭 I need more!! It’s a trilogy so lucky me! LUCKY US ACTUALLY!
You guys need to add this one to your tbrs IMMEDIATELY!! It’s a Why Choose! It has shifters! It has monsters!! It has closed proximity!! The love interests ranged from a little to a whole lot unhinged!! The FMC is such a badass!! AND there is another FC that has me very intrigued!! I’m telling you guys!!! It was so good!!!
This book is the number 4 from Lunaria Realms BUT it’s the first in a trilogy following Rynn; one of the 3 main characters from the Lunaria Realms. The first 3 books are a trilogy following Sam (Rynn’s bff). You can read that trilogy first to get a sense of the world and politics but if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Be advised though, because this is what happened to me, just starting this book I immediately wished I had read the 1st trilogy because ITS ALSO ANOTHER WHY CHOOSE AND ITS ABOUT VAMPIRES!!!! Need I say more!?!?! I regret not reading it first but, it’s ok, I’m getting the audiobooks which are duet narration and will be 💯 diving head first into it.
A Den of Howls and Discontent is detailed, easy to follow and easy to read! It has banter and lots of tension from characters that are having to be proximate to one another even though they are NOT FRIENDS AT ALL. They are more like rivals/enemies so, imagine!! It’s also dark and twisty, there’s magic and secrets AND long lost Fae history messing with the present. This book had my heart racing and mouth salivating quite often. 😂
It was so good I immediately pre-ordered it because this one earned a spot on my trophy bookshelf!
I would like to thank Alex Frost and Behind the Pages LLC for the opportunity to get an e-ARC of A Den of Howls and Discontent. I loved it!
All thoughts are my own! 🫶🏻✨
You guys need to add this one to your tbrs IMMEDIATELY!! It’s a Why Choose! It has shifters! It has monsters!! It has closed proximity!! The love interests ranged from a little to a whole lot unhinged!! The FMC is such a badass!! AND there is another FC that has me very intrigued!! I’m telling you guys!!! It was so good!!!
This book is the number 4 from Lunaria Realms BUT it’s the first in a trilogy following Rynn; one of the 3 main characters from the Lunaria Realms. The first 3 books are a trilogy following Sam (Rynn’s bff). You can read that trilogy first to get a sense of the world and politics but if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Be advised though, because this is what happened to me, just starting this book I immediately wished I had read the 1st trilogy because ITS ALSO ANOTHER WHY CHOOSE AND ITS ABOUT VAMPIRES!!!! Need I say more!?!?! I regret not reading it first but, it’s ok, I’m getting the audiobooks which are duet narration and will be 💯 diving head first into it.
A Den of Howls and Discontent is detailed, easy to follow and easy to read! It has banter and lots of tension from characters that are having to be proximate to one another even though they are NOT FRIENDS AT ALL. They are more like rivals/enemies so, imagine!! It’s also dark and twisty, there’s magic and secrets AND long lost Fae history messing with the present. This book had my heart racing and mouth salivating quite often. 😂
It was so good I immediately pre-ordered it because this one earned a spot on my trophy bookshelf!
I would like to thank Alex Frost and Behind the Pages LLC for the opportunity to get an e-ARC of A Den of Howls and Discontent. I loved it!
All thoughts are my own! 🫶🏻✨
May 19, 2026
5🌟 3🌶
Thank you BehindthePagesPR and Alex Frost!
Release Day Read! And an ARC at that! I binged the first 3 books of the Lunaria Realms when Book 3 came out and could not wait for more in this series! This now Rynn's trilogy. But don't fret, they are absolutely connected. We get snippets of those characters. Our MMCs in this are Ryker, Cade and Bastian. Spicy indeed. Lots of drama and intrigue with one hell of cliffhanger. Not to mention, all of the characters are a bit unhinged! Loooooved it! Alex Frost has definitely become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait for what's to come next!
Thank you BehindthePagesPR and Alex Frost!
Release Day Read! And an ARC at that! I binged the first 3 books of the Lunaria Realms when Book 3 came out and could not wait for more in this series! This now Rynn's trilogy. But don't fret, they are absolutely connected. We get snippets of those characters. Our MMCs in this are Ryker, Cade and Bastian. Spicy indeed. Lots of drama and intrigue with one hell of cliffhanger. Not to mention, all of the characters are a bit unhinged! Loooooved it! Alex Frost has definitely become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait for what's to come next!
May 10, 2026
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
An in-depth, political shifter romantasy perfect for readers looking for the slowest of romantic burns with uniquely spicy moments, distinct love interests, and a darkly vivid world.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3 ⭐
3 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"It can be difficult to help others when it feels like you yourself are drowning..."
"I have zero interest in Bastian and his misshapen abs."
"I do not have mishap-"
"You make a beautiful monster, Bastian."
I stared at Ryker. "You came."
"You needed me," he said simply.
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
With threats of war looming, feisty Rynn joins the vicious Alpha pack. She doesn’t need to like them to protect her friends, but the wolves are not what she expected. To change her fate, she needs to find something worth bargaining for.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Why Choose
🐺 Shifter Romance
💘 Rivals to Lovers
🔗 Forced Proximity
🫶 Mating Bonds
🧐 Political Intrigue
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🌶️ Sexually Explicit Content
👀 Non-Con Voyeurism
🩸 Violence
🥊 Past Domestic Abuse
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Engaging Action
+ Distinct Main Characters
+ Ryker and Bastian's Soft Sides
+ Intimacy Scenes
+ Creative Monsters
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Heavy Info-Dumping
- Main-Character Syndrome
- Conflicts felt Weak and Inconsistent
- Strange Time Skip Choice
- Felt like a Love Triangle instead of a Why Choose
- Not enough time spent on all Main Characters and Group Dynamics
- Too Many Side Characters
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I had high hopes for this one but it unfortunately just missed the mark. On the surface it has a lot of tropes I enjoy (why choose, rivals, slow burn, shifters), but I couldn't connect with the book.
The story immediately drops you in a significant amount of backstory. As the second trilogy in an ongoing series, it's mentioned that you don't need to know the previous plot, but I think the author overcompensated trying to bring readers up to speed.
The introduction of Rynn felt cheesy. She has Main‑Character‑Syndrome with unique qualities like different eye colours yet a massive insecurity complex. It's heavily shown she's meant to be “alone” and hated by her family, but she has plenty of friends throughout the book, including her brother.
The early time skip also felt strange. We miss months of initial interactions between Rynn and the pack before the story actually starts with an interesting meeting with a rival clan. It felt like the story should've started there and skipped the setup. The info‑dumping continues throughout, and I skimmed several sections to reach the parts I enjoyed.
There were some great moments: intriguing action sequences with wild, horrifying creatures. I also loved the alpha pack members. Each character felt distinct with their own issues, and I enjoyed their interactions. Though it was frustrating that everyone kept saying Rynn would never be part of the pack, and that seemed to be the only blocker to them connecting.
Ryker was a favourite - rough around the edges but an innocent softie who always put Rynn first. Bastian was also fun as the flirt but with a deeper sadness. Bas, Ryker, and Rynn had one of the hotter intimacy scenes and some soft moments.
However, given the Why Choose label, I expected more polyamorous spice. There isn't a scene with more than two characters intimately together. The spice was good (though rougher), but I wanted more throuple action and it felt more like a love triangle as a result.
Cade and Warrick were barely present in the plot and romance, which was disappointing. I believe they'll be more present later, but the marketing made me expect more. Yet there were also far too many characters. I imagine some were throwbacks to the original series (and I loved Remy), but it made an already complex political plot harder to follow. I wish more time had been given to the main characters instead.
I do think this book will appeal to readers who appreciate a slower, more in‑depth plot - it just wasn't what I expected based on the blurb.
Thank you to Alex Frost and Behind the Pages for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
An in-depth, political shifter romantasy perfect for readers looking for the slowest of romantic burns with uniquely spicy moments, distinct love interests, and a darkly vivid world.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3 ⭐
3 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"It can be difficult to help others when it feels like you yourself are drowning..."
"I have zero interest in Bastian and his misshapen abs."
"I do not have mishap-"
"You make a beautiful monster, Bastian."
I stared at Ryker. "You came."
"You needed me," he said simply.
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
With threats of war looming, feisty Rynn joins the vicious Alpha pack. She doesn’t need to like them to protect her friends, but the wolves are not what she expected. To change her fate, she needs to find something worth bargaining for.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Why Choose
🐺 Shifter Romance
💘 Rivals to Lovers
🔗 Forced Proximity
🫶 Mating Bonds
🧐 Political Intrigue
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🌶️ Sexually Explicit Content
👀 Non-Con Voyeurism
🩸 Violence
🥊 Past Domestic Abuse
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Engaging Action
+ Distinct Main Characters
+ Ryker and Bastian's Soft Sides
+ Intimacy Scenes
+ Creative Monsters
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Heavy Info-Dumping
- Main-Character Syndrome
- Conflicts felt Weak and Inconsistent
- Strange Time Skip Choice
- Felt like a Love Triangle instead of a Why Choose
- Not enough time spent on all Main Characters and Group Dynamics
- Too Many Side Characters
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I had high hopes for this one but it unfortunately just missed the mark. On the surface it has a lot of tropes I enjoy (why choose, rivals, slow burn, shifters), but I couldn't connect with the book.
The story immediately drops you in a significant amount of backstory. As the second trilogy in an ongoing series, it's mentioned that you don't need to know the previous plot, but I think the author overcompensated trying to bring readers up to speed.
The introduction of Rynn felt cheesy. She has Main‑Character‑Syndrome with unique qualities like different eye colours yet a massive insecurity complex. It's heavily shown she's meant to be “alone” and hated by her family, but she has plenty of friends throughout the book, including her brother.
The early time skip also felt strange. We miss months of initial interactions between Rynn and the pack before the story actually starts with an interesting meeting with a rival clan. It felt like the story should've started there and skipped the setup. The info‑dumping continues throughout, and I skimmed several sections to reach the parts I enjoyed.
There were some great moments: intriguing action sequences with wild, horrifying creatures. I also loved the alpha pack members. Each character felt distinct with their own issues, and I enjoyed their interactions. Though it was frustrating that everyone kept saying Rynn would never be part of the pack, and that seemed to be the only blocker to them connecting.
Ryker was a favourite - rough around the edges but an innocent softie who always put Rynn first. Bastian was also fun as the flirt but with a deeper sadness. Bas, Ryker, and Rynn had one of the hotter intimacy scenes and some soft moments.
However, given the Why Choose label, I expected more polyamorous spice. There isn't a scene with more than two characters intimately together. The spice was good (though rougher), but I wanted more throuple action and it felt more like a love triangle as a result.
Cade and Warrick were barely present in the plot and romance, which was disappointing. I believe they'll be more present later, but the marketing made me expect more. Yet there were also far too many characters. I imagine some were throwbacks to the original series (and I loved Remy), but it made an already complex political plot harder to follow. I wish more time had been given to the main characters instead.
I do think this book will appeal to readers who appreciate a slower, more in‑depth plot - it just wasn't what I expected based on the blurb.
Thank you to Alex Frost and Behind the Pages for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2026
I really enjoyed Den of Howls and Discontent more than I expected to. While the character development was clearly the main focus of the story, I found myself much more invested in the plot than I anticipated. The world felt dark and immersive, and the tension between the characters kept me wanting to keep reading.
One thing I especially appreciated was the balance between the romance/spice and the actual story. I’m not typically a smut reader, and while this definitely had some spicy scenes, it never felt like that was the entire point of the book or constantly shoved in your face. The relationships, emotional moments, and character dynamics carried much more weight for me, which made the romance feel more natural and enjoyable overall.
There were a few slower moments where the pacing dipped a bit, but overall I had a really good time with this book. The atmosphere, emotional tension, and strong character focus made this an easy 4 star read for me, and I’d definitely continue with the series.
Thank you so much to the Author Alex Frost and Behind the Pages PA for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team.
One thing I especially appreciated was the balance between the romance/spice and the actual story. I’m not typically a smut reader, and while this definitely had some spicy scenes, it never felt like that was the entire point of the book or constantly shoved in your face. The relationships, emotional moments, and character dynamics carried much more weight for me, which made the romance feel more natural and enjoyable overall.
There were a few slower moments where the pacing dipped a bit, but overall I had a really good time with this book. The atmosphere, emotional tension, and strong character focus made this an easy 4 star read for me, and I’d definitely continue with the series.
Thank you so much to the Author Alex Frost and Behind the Pages PA for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team.
July 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I immediately need more of this world.
A little note: this is technically book 4 in the series, however, this book is the start of a new trilogy that can be read without having read the first 3 books.
With that being said, I have not read the first 3 books but I will most definitely be going back and reading them as soon as I can because I NEED more of this world!
Upon starting this book, I was a little confused with all of the information being thrown at me (probably because I hadn't read the first 3 books) but I pushed through and eventually everything came together and I was HOOKED.
A why choose shifter romance with phenomenal spice, a plot that sucks you right in, beautiful world building, and amazing characters?! What more could you ask for? This one was so so so good!
I need the next book in my hands ASAP. I'm already missing these characters and this world. Highly highly recommend this one!
P.S. I love Ryker so much 😭
I immediately need more of this world.
A little note: this is technically book 4 in the series, however, this book is the start of a new trilogy that can be read without having read the first 3 books.
With that being said, I have not read the first 3 books but I will most definitely be going back and reading them as soon as I can because I NEED more of this world!
Upon starting this book, I was a little confused with all of the information being thrown at me (probably because I hadn't read the first 3 books) but I pushed through and eventually everything came together and I was HOOKED.
A why choose shifter romance with phenomenal spice, a plot that sucks you right in, beautiful world building, and amazing characters?! What more could you ask for? This one was so so so good!
I need the next book in my hands ASAP. I'm already missing these characters and this world. Highly highly recommend this one!
P.S. I love Ryker so much 😭
June 15, 2026
5 Stars 🌟
Thank you to Behind the Pages for the ARC opportunity! 🤍
I've made it to Rynn's trilogy! ✨️ After absolutely DEVOURING Samara's trilogy, I was curious as to how Rynn's story would compare. However, there was no need to fret because I loved every single second of this book. It was an absolutely phenomenal start to Rynn and the alpha pack's story. This time around, it's a bit of a chaotic, messy, slower burn, but with no less spicy moments. I'm adoring Rynn and have found myself relating to her more than I did with Samara. But that cliffhanger?? Wow! I'm left with so many thoughts and theories as to what may occur next. I'm excited to find out what will happen when the next one releases! 👀
Thank you to Behind the Pages for the ARC opportunity! 🤍
I've made it to Rynn's trilogy! ✨️ After absolutely DEVOURING Samara's trilogy, I was curious as to how Rynn's story would compare. However, there was no need to fret because I loved every single second of this book. It was an absolutely phenomenal start to Rynn and the alpha pack's story. This time around, it's a bit of a chaotic, messy, slower burn, but with no less spicy moments. I'm adoring Rynn and have found myself relating to her more than I did with Samara. But that cliffhanger?? Wow! I'm left with so many thoughts and theories as to what may occur next. I'm excited to find out what will happen when the next one releases! 👀
May 14, 2026
5 ⭐️
( I did receive a copy as an arc but this is my honest opinion)
Alex frost can do me no wrong 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I’m so happy to be back in the Lunaria realm!! This book follow rynn which is one of Samara’s best friends ( read all about Samara in the first trilogy) and I didn’t know what to expect going into rynn story but I loved it and I have so many questions. I need the backstory on bastian, warrick, and Cade. I love rynn and Ryker together especially towards the end of the book and I hope she chooses him. Honestly I’m really really excited to see where rynn story takes her in the next book because that cliffhanger was absolutely amazing but so messed up.
10/10 HIGHLY Recommend
( I did receive a copy as an arc but this is my honest opinion)
Alex frost can do me no wrong 🙂↕️🙂↕️ I’m so happy to be back in the Lunaria realm!! This book follow rynn which is one of Samara’s best friends ( read all about Samara in the first trilogy) and I didn’t know what to expect going into rynn story but I loved it and I have so many questions. I need the backstory on bastian, warrick, and Cade. I love rynn and Ryker together especially towards the end of the book and I hope she chooses him. Honestly I’m really really excited to see where rynn story takes her in the next book because that cliffhanger was absolutely amazing but so messed up.
10/10 HIGHLY Recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
3.5 ⭐️!
I enjoyed the original trilogy with Samara as our lead FMC so I was super excited to know we were getting a trilogy with Rynn as the new lead. I love Alex’s writing but unfortunately the plot for this book was underwhelming for me. It was slow paced and barely anything truly happened until the very end. I was also expecting more romance in this one but this was just a super enemies to lovers slow-burn where mainly the group of characters just hate one another. Nonetheless, the foundation of the story still made this an enjoyable read and hopefully the rest of the series will pick up in pace!
Thank you to Behind the Pages PA for the advanced copy!
I enjoyed the original trilogy with Samara as our lead FMC so I was super excited to know we were getting a trilogy with Rynn as the new lead. I love Alex’s writing but unfortunately the plot for this book was underwhelming for me. It was slow paced and barely anything truly happened until the very end. I was also expecting more romance in this one but this was just a super enemies to lovers slow-burn where mainly the group of characters just hate one another. Nonetheless, the foundation of the story still made this an enjoyable read and hopefully the rest of the series will pick up in pace!
Thank you to Behind the Pages PA for the advanced copy!
August 16, 2026
Yeah, no. I won’t be continuing this series. Rynn deserved better. Better mates. A better book. This whole story was torture porn: how can we hurt Rynn even more in the places that hurt the most? WTF was this experience? Imagine Vail at his worst actually being better than any of Rynn’s supposed “mates.”
Before starting, I thought Rynn’s story was going to be one book, not a trilogy. I wish it had been one. Or maybe just no book at all.
This book made me sad a lot. I didn’t like how Rynn didn’t belong in the pack. I also didn’t like the bet between Cade and Bastian. Was this a high school romance? Bastian and Cade were over 60 years old.
Before starting, I thought Rynn’s story was going to be one book, not a trilogy. I wish it had been one. Or maybe just no book at all.
This book made me sad a lot. I didn’t like how Rynn didn’t belong in the pack. I also didn’t like the bet between Cade and Bastian. Was this a high school romance? Bastian and Cade were over 60 years old.
June 5, 2026
3.75⭐️
I found out there were 3 books before this one once I started reading. You don't need to read them to understand the book.
It is fun, very inclusive and spicy.
The ending was kind of abrupt. I hope there will be a next book where this continues.
I found out there were 3 books before this one once I started reading. You don't need to read them to understand the book.
It is fun, very inclusive and spicy.
The ending was kind of abrupt. I hope there will be a next book where this continues.
June 26, 2026
Oh My Word!
1. I absolutely loved this book.
2. So much freaking tension.
3. Psycho shifters
4. Mates
5. The Freaking Cliffhanger!
6. @alexfrost.author I need the next book ASAP, I'm going to lose sleep over this.
1. I absolutely loved this book.
2. So much freaking tension.
3. Psycho shifters
4. Mates
5. The Freaking Cliffhanger!
6. @alexfrost.author I need the next book ASAP, I'm going to lose sleep over this.
June 13, 2026
I devoured this book. The previous trilogy was fun, although I much preferred the side characters/the mates to Samara herself. Rynn, however, I’ve been invested in since her appearance and so glad to be finally getting her trilogy. This book is so many levels of delightful unhinged messiness, it’s great. Everyone is unhinged and to say every relationship is complicated is an understatement. Can’t believe it ended like that and I don’t have the next two books right now.
Also, love the ace representation!
Also, love the ace representation!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Alex Frost for the ARC!
I've been desperately wanting more of Rynn's story with the Alpha pack since the first trilogy, so when I managed to get this ARC, I blew through it in a day, and what a ride! The author described most of the members of the Alpha pack as a bunch of walking red flags, and boy, ARE THEY. Unlike Samara from the first trilogy who mainly only had to deal with two members of her future harem actively hating her/nearly killing her, Rynn's story starts off with a bang with some very hot hate-fucking.
So let's run through the members of the pack first: I've got to start with Bastien, a feline shifter who is all smiles and manipulation and cruel words hiding a traumatic past and what feels like some deep self-worth issues . He shares a decent number of similarities with my favorite love interest from the first trilogy, Draven, which is fitting since they absolutely despise each other :DDD His relationship with Rynn is the trickiest due to the bet he's trying to win about getting her to stay in his bed, and even in his own POV, where the lies stop and the truth begins as he and Rynn genuinely start to grow closer from pretending just to be friends and normal packmates, I'm not sure even he knows.
Next there's Ryker, youngest and most feral of the Alpha pack who is the one that started the hate-fucking with Rynn but also starts to develop feelings for her. Their relationship is one of fights that almost always inevitably leads to sex but also a fierce protectiveness and the fact that Rynn is one of the only people besides the rest of the Alpha pack who doesn't fear Ryker.
Then for the two members of the pack who didn't get much screentime this book, but hopefully will get more later: Cade, the stolid and serious bear shifter who refuses to get close to anyone now because his past two loves all betrayed him, and Warrick, the vicious eagle shifter who seems a lot like Vail from the last book. Cade is reserved, and there's obvious respect between him and Rynn, but in terms of actual chemistry, you only get a little bit of that from other POV's about the two of them. He is the catalyst for the bet made with Bastien, which seemed a bit juvenile coming from him, but oh well. Warrick only shows up in the last 20% of the book, but given how Bastien constantly mentions him in his own POV, he feels a bit more fleshed out.
And then there's the new female member of the Alpha pack, Selene, who has been rejected from five previous packs for being a sex-repulsed asexual. She also doesn't get much screentime since she also shows up in the last 20% of the book, but she's a good counterpoint at least in an Alpha pack that badly needs someone else who's calm and level-headed.
And last but not least, our main character, Rynn: she works so hard and so desperately wants a place to belong, but she's constantly being told that she's not part of any pack, and so she's trying her best to accept that while negotiating between the different packs and the Moroi Blood Sovereign and investigating the mystery of the Unseelie Princes. She's not the political powerhouse that Samara was, but she is effective in getting things done and doggedly pursuing her goals, and I look forward to seeing how she'll grow in the next books of the series. (And hopefully more smut scenes with the rest of the cast because while there is some between her and Ryker, and one with her, Ryker, and Bastien, sort of, that's it for now)
As for the plot itself, we get more clues as to the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts and the world of Lunaria as a whole. I was glad that we got to see how Samara and them are all doing (and Kieran and Draven showed up!), and Cali shows up as well to give some context to the Fury side of things.
All in all, this is a great start to Rynn's trilogy, and I can't wait for the next book!
I've been desperately wanting more of Rynn's story with the Alpha pack since the first trilogy, so when I managed to get this ARC, I blew through it in a day, and what a ride! The author described most of the members of the Alpha pack as a bunch of walking red flags, and boy, ARE THEY. Unlike Samara from the first trilogy who mainly only had to deal with two members of her future harem actively hating her/nearly killing her, Rynn's story starts off with a bang with some very hot hate-fucking.
So let's run through the members of the pack first: I've got to start with Bastien, a feline shifter who is all smiles and manipulation and cruel words hiding a traumatic past and what feels like some deep self-worth issues . He shares a decent number of similarities with my favorite love interest from the first trilogy, Draven, which is fitting since they absolutely despise each other :DDD His relationship with Rynn is the trickiest due to the bet he's trying to win about getting her to stay in his bed, and even in his own POV, where the lies stop and the truth begins as he and Rynn genuinely start to grow closer from pretending just to be friends and normal packmates, I'm not sure even he knows.
Next there's Ryker, youngest and most feral of the Alpha pack who is the one that started the hate-fucking with Rynn but also starts to develop feelings for her. Their relationship is one of fights that almost always inevitably leads to sex but also a fierce protectiveness and the fact that Rynn is one of the only people besides the rest of the Alpha pack who doesn't fear Ryker.
Then for the two members of the pack who didn't get much screentime this book, but hopefully will get more later: Cade, the stolid and serious bear shifter who refuses to get close to anyone now because his past two loves all betrayed him, and Warrick, the vicious eagle shifter who seems a lot like Vail from the last book. Cade is reserved, and there's obvious respect between him and Rynn, but in terms of actual chemistry, you only get a little bit of that from other POV's about the two of them. He is the catalyst for the bet made with Bastien, which seemed a bit juvenile coming from him, but oh well. Warrick only shows up in the last 20% of the book, but given how Bastien constantly mentions him in his own POV, he feels a bit more fleshed out.
And then there's the new female member of the Alpha pack, Selene, who has been rejected from five previous packs for being a sex-repulsed asexual. She also doesn't get much screentime since she also shows up in the last 20% of the book, but she's a good counterpoint at least in an Alpha pack that badly needs someone else who's calm and level-headed.
And last but not least, our main character, Rynn: she works so hard and so desperately wants a place to belong, but she's constantly being told that she's not part of any pack, and so she's trying her best to accept that while negotiating between the different packs and the Moroi Blood Sovereign and investigating the mystery of the Unseelie Princes. She's not the political powerhouse that Samara was, but she is effective in getting things done and doggedly pursuing her goals, and I look forward to seeing how she'll grow in the next books of the series. (And hopefully more smut scenes with the rest of the cast because while there is some between her and Ryker, and one with her, Ryker, and Bastien, sort of, that's it for now)
As for the plot itself, we get more clues as to the conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts and the world of Lunaria as a whole. I was glad that we got to see how Samara and them are all doing (and Kieran and Draven showed up!), and Cali shows up as well to give some context to the Fury side of things.
All in all, this is a great start to Rynn's trilogy, and I can't wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy
I received this book as an ARC. Actual rating 3.5/5.
This is my first book by Alex Frost, and thus, first time reading a book in this series. A Den of Howls & Discontent is the next storyline in an interconnected world focused on Rynn, our FMC.
The story overall is a pretty easy read, and despite there being violence and action, it felt relatively lighthearted and low stakes. Not quite cozy because of the battles, but I never got the vibe that the situations were ever truly life or death.
Because this is the fourth book in the series, I did feel like I was missing something throughout the entire time I was reading. The world and the characters were all presented on a superficial level in which we are told most of their history and what their behavior trends towards versus seeing the development of it. There was a lot of alluding to past events, which anything related to the Moroi characters, who I assume were central in the first three books, didn't get a lot of deep background on, but there were also multiple references to the current pack members' backgrounds and histories. I felt slightly lost because I couldn't tell if those events were something from the previous books, or just not shown to the reader and told to us as an afterthought.
Progression of the plot points seemed to just happen relatively conveniently, where items and solutions were readily found, and places were readily traveled to and reached. There's an 8 month time jump in the beginning, in which I think was a missed opportunity to show the transition of Rynn to the pack of Alphas as well as build, for the reader, the relationship dynamics between Rynn and the members of the Alpha pack. Overly redundant throughout the entire book is the repeated mention of how Rynn is not a true member of the pack. Unless I missed something in the first three books, I felt that this was also underexplained and bit of a loose reason to base the entire plot on. The pack dynamics could have been better developed, and the mention that Rynn was technically not part of the pack doesn't make sense. It wasn't ever thoroughly explained how that "decision" was made to isolate her as non-member. Yeah, I get how the core members are protective of each other, but if they don't allow any females or new members because EVERYONE ELSE is an outsider, they can't have any growth of the pack. Truly, at what point will they actually feel safe and secure to do that?
When there was the talk of mate bonds, it was repeatedly mentioned that all of the members have to accept the bond. I found this vague in which I wondered, does that mean the specific characters feeling the bond or all members of the pack? The phrasing and the character(s) saying it made it sound like it was all the pack members, which in my mind doesn't make sense. Building off of this, I found that some of the word choices used and inferences were not overly intuitive in such that I found myself uncertain as to what the characters were trying to get across or hint at in their discussions.
As far as the characters, I generally liked them. However, I found it frustrating that Rynn, who came off as a sassy, independent, if not a stubborn character, caved SO easily to any form of inquiry or questioning. It almost seemed excessive on how easily she was able to be manipulated. Furthermore, we get a whole new character with her POV at 80% in the book. Her character, while briefly mentioned earlier on, is thrown into the mix and is quickly integrated into an "outsider" position in the pack. Similarly, we don't really see her relationship with them grow, but she's already claiming kitchen rights, talking back, and being dear friends with Rynn.
I like what the author was trying to do with the story as a whole, and I like the type of characters she's placed into this world. I think the execution could be a little better, but I am certainly interested in seeing where she takes things in this series.
This is my first book by Alex Frost, and thus, first time reading a book in this series. A Den of Howls & Discontent is the next storyline in an interconnected world focused on Rynn, our FMC.
The story overall is a pretty easy read, and despite there being violence and action, it felt relatively lighthearted and low stakes. Not quite cozy because of the battles, but I never got the vibe that the situations were ever truly life or death.
Because this is the fourth book in the series, I did feel like I was missing something throughout the entire time I was reading. The world and the characters were all presented on a superficial level in which we are told most of their history and what their behavior trends towards versus seeing the development of it. There was a lot of alluding to past events, which anything related to the Moroi characters, who I assume were central in the first three books, didn't get a lot of deep background on, but there were also multiple references to the current pack members' backgrounds and histories. I felt slightly lost because I couldn't tell if those events were something from the previous books, or just not shown to the reader and told to us as an afterthought.
Progression of the plot points seemed to just happen relatively conveniently, where items and solutions were readily found, and places were readily traveled to and reached. There's an 8 month time jump in the beginning, in which I think was a missed opportunity to show the transition of Rynn to the pack of Alphas as well as build, for the reader, the relationship dynamics between Rynn and the members of the Alpha pack. Overly redundant throughout the entire book is the repeated mention of how Rynn is not a true member of the pack. Unless I missed something in the first three books, I felt that this was also underexplained and bit of a loose reason to base the entire plot on. The pack dynamics could have been better developed, and the mention that Rynn was technically not part of the pack doesn't make sense. It wasn't ever thoroughly explained how that "decision" was made to isolate her as non-member. Yeah, I get how the core members are protective of each other, but if they don't allow any females or new members because EVERYONE ELSE is an outsider, they can't have any growth of the pack. Truly, at what point will they actually feel safe and secure to do that?
When there was the talk of mate bonds, it was repeatedly mentioned that all of the members have to accept the bond. I found this vague in which I wondered, does that mean the specific characters feeling the bond or all members of the pack? The phrasing and the character(s) saying it made it sound like it was all the pack members, which in my mind doesn't make sense. Building off of this, I found that some of the word choices used and inferences were not overly intuitive in such that I found myself uncertain as to what the characters were trying to get across or hint at in their discussions.
As far as the characters, I generally liked them. However, I found it frustrating that Rynn, who came off as a sassy, independent, if not a stubborn character, caved SO easily to any form of inquiry or questioning. It almost seemed excessive on how easily she was able to be manipulated. Furthermore, we get a whole new character with her POV at 80% in the book. Her character, while briefly mentioned earlier on, is thrown into the mix and is quickly integrated into an "outsider" position in the pack. Similarly, we don't really see her relationship with them grow, but she's already claiming kitchen rights, talking back, and being dear friends with Rynn.
I like what the author was trying to do with the story as a whole, and I like the type of characters she's placed into this world. I think the execution could be a little better, but I am certainly interested in seeing where she takes things in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3 ⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
This book had SO much potential for me, but unfortunately it ended up being a miss. The story follows Rynn, who’s forced into a cruel Alpha Pack to prevent war and must find a relic before the wraiths and Alphas get to it first… her only chance at freedom.
The premise sounded right up my alley, but the pacing really struggled for me. It felt like we’d get a tiny bit of plot progression, then pages and pages of history, backstory, politics, and internal monologues before moving forward again. Around 100 pages in, the plot finally started to pick up a little, and then it slowed right back down. I kept waiting for this huge relic-hunting adventure, but instead the story focused heavily on world building and political intrigue. I actually was interested in parts of the political tension, but everything was explained in such extreme detail that I started losing the plot and found myself skimming.
Rynn also frustrated me at times with the constant “I’m not really part of the pack” back-and-forth, while the guys kept reinforcing it. I also didn’t feel like the relationships developed naturally enough. Most of the time it felt like everyone was just talking about how attractive each other was rather than building genuine emotional connections.
That said… Ryker absolutely carried this book for me 😭 His jealousy, possessiveness, and sweet obsession had me hooked. The fact that he sleeps outside her room?? I ate that up. I also loved Bastian’s flirty energy and the secret bed-sharing/cuddling scenes between him and Rynn. The moments where they pretended to be a loving pack in public gave me slight fake-dating vibes, and I honestly wanted SO much more of that tension.
I also really liked the dynamics between the pack members themselves. Warrick openly hates Rynn, Cade treats her like an inconvenient distraction while secretly enjoying her company, Bastian constantly teases her, and Ryker is completely obsessed. Cade’s quieter connection with her probably interested me the most emotionally, especially because he’s so afraid of getting attached after being hurt before.
Some parts of the story just didn’t fully work for me, though. Certain plot points felt random or underdeveloped, like the fae mystery that never really went anywhere. Talis, the sentient being living inside the rings, would randomly chime in with funny comments, but I never really understood the point of it being there. Selene also felt more like a convenient plot device than a meaningful character, especially when she suddenly knew exactly where the artifact was.
I was also confused by a few character choices. Bastian supposedly has this incredibly gifted intuition, yet he somehow completely misses major things involving Ryker and Rynn? That drove me nuts. And while this is marketed as a why choose romance, this first book barely felt like one to me.
Overall, this just wasn’t the right fit for my reading taste, but I can absolutely see other people loving it if they enjoy extremely detailed world building, heavy backstory, political intrigue, and slower-moving fantasy romance. I personally wanted more relationship development, more tension, and way more actual plot progression.
Also… I’m still a little confused by that ending 😅
Thank you to the author for my early copy! 🫶
This book had SO much potential for me, but unfortunately it ended up being a miss. The story follows Rynn, who’s forced into a cruel Alpha Pack to prevent war and must find a relic before the wraiths and Alphas get to it first… her only chance at freedom.
The premise sounded right up my alley, but the pacing really struggled for me. It felt like we’d get a tiny bit of plot progression, then pages and pages of history, backstory, politics, and internal monologues before moving forward again. Around 100 pages in, the plot finally started to pick up a little, and then it slowed right back down. I kept waiting for this huge relic-hunting adventure, but instead the story focused heavily on world building and political intrigue. I actually was interested in parts of the political tension, but everything was explained in such extreme detail that I started losing the plot and found myself skimming.
Rynn also frustrated me at times with the constant “I’m not really part of the pack” back-and-forth, while the guys kept reinforcing it. I also didn’t feel like the relationships developed naturally enough. Most of the time it felt like everyone was just talking about how attractive each other was rather than building genuine emotional connections.
That said… Ryker absolutely carried this book for me 😭 His jealousy, possessiveness, and sweet obsession had me hooked. The fact that he sleeps outside her room?? I ate that up. I also loved Bastian’s flirty energy and the secret bed-sharing/cuddling scenes between him and Rynn. The moments where they pretended to be a loving pack in public gave me slight fake-dating vibes, and I honestly wanted SO much more of that tension.
I also really liked the dynamics between the pack members themselves. Warrick openly hates Rynn, Cade treats her like an inconvenient distraction while secretly enjoying her company, Bastian constantly teases her, and Ryker is completely obsessed. Cade’s quieter connection with her probably interested me the most emotionally, especially because he’s so afraid of getting attached after being hurt before.
Some parts of the story just didn’t fully work for me, though. Certain plot points felt random or underdeveloped, like the fae mystery that never really went anywhere. Talis, the sentient being living inside the rings, would randomly chime in with funny comments, but I never really understood the point of it being there. Selene also felt more like a convenient plot device than a meaningful character, especially when she suddenly knew exactly where the artifact was.
I was also confused by a few character choices. Bastian supposedly has this incredibly gifted intuition, yet he somehow completely misses major things involving Ryker and Rynn? That drove me nuts. And while this is marketed as a why choose romance, this first book barely felt like one to me.
Overall, this just wasn’t the right fit for my reading taste, but I can absolutely see other people loving it if they enjoy extremely detailed world building, heavy backstory, political intrigue, and slower-moving fantasy romance. I personally wanted more relationship development, more tension, and way more actual plot progression.
Also… I’m still a little confused by that ending 😅
Thank you to the author for my early copy! 🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC received in exchange for my honest review*
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was kindly gifted an e-Arc, which I appreciated.
I had high hopes for this one, as it has a lot of my favourite tropes, but I just didn’t connect with the book.
Firstly, this is the 1st book in a new trilogy, with 3 books pre-dating this one, following another character who is integral to Rynn’s story. As I hadn’t read these, I felt like I was dropped into a lot of backstories that I didn’t quite understand. The author does well to try to bring you up to speed with how these characters fit in with each other, but personally, I felt like I should have probably read these before diving in. I’m hopeful that if I had, I would have disliked the main FMC, Rynn, less!.
Immediately, you know Rynn is going to be main character, because she has all the tell-tale signs, different coloured eyes, chronic self-doubt and an inability to feel like she ‘belongs’ anywhere. I didn’t feel the authors portrayal of Rynn being ‘alone’ rang true. She was constantly surrounded by people wanting to help her and had very devoted friends.
The storyline at times feels stilted, or rushed over, and we miss months of vital information of Rynn trying to integrate with the pack, but then what seems like an unnecessary number of interactions where it is repeatedly stated that ‘Rynn will never be a part of the pack’. Right, I get that, but it isn’t even hinted at about WHY she won’t be part of the pack. I knew logically that there is going to be a reason and there will probably be a big reveal/secret uncovered in future books, but there didn’t seem to be any sense of suspense, or anything leading up to more information being given, which was disappointing.
There were definitely some moments of high stakes action and some good character growth and you can definitely tell that the author is building up to something.
Rynn as an FMC, wasn’t likeable for me, but I appreciate that if I had a bit more backstory about her, I might have liked her more.
Bastian was my favourite out of the Alpha’s, with Ryker a close second. Warwick and Cade barely feature in any real depth so I will reserve judgement on them for now. There was some great banter between characters and Bastian played the charming lothario who is secretly lovesick for a member of the Alpha pack, well.
As it had been labelled a polyamorous spice, I expected some, but there was barely any. A brief scene where there is intimacy with more than 2 people, but it was brief and not really explored in any great detail. At the end of the book, I felt it was more of a complicated love triangle (with the potential of it being a love square!), as opposed to a ‘why-choose’
I think this book will appeal to readers who appreciate a slower, more in depth plot. I did like what the author was doing with building the story as a whole, the premise of the story is intriguing, but based on the info in the blurb, it just didn’t resonate with me like I was expecting it to.
I will read the rest of the series because I feel invested now and I want to see some character progression and the possibility of a HEA, but I won’t be chomping at the bit to get to it, if that makes sense?
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was kindly gifted an e-Arc, which I appreciated.
I had high hopes for this one, as it has a lot of my favourite tropes, but I just didn’t connect with the book.
Firstly, this is the 1st book in a new trilogy, with 3 books pre-dating this one, following another character who is integral to Rynn’s story. As I hadn’t read these, I felt like I was dropped into a lot of backstories that I didn’t quite understand. The author does well to try to bring you up to speed with how these characters fit in with each other, but personally, I felt like I should have probably read these before diving in. I’m hopeful that if I had, I would have disliked the main FMC, Rynn, less!.
Immediately, you know Rynn is going to be main character, because she has all the tell-tale signs, different coloured eyes, chronic self-doubt and an inability to feel like she ‘belongs’ anywhere. I didn’t feel the authors portrayal of Rynn being ‘alone’ rang true. She was constantly surrounded by people wanting to help her and had very devoted friends.
The storyline at times feels stilted, or rushed over, and we miss months of vital information of Rynn trying to integrate with the pack, but then what seems like an unnecessary number of interactions where it is repeatedly stated that ‘Rynn will never be a part of the pack’. Right, I get that, but it isn’t even hinted at about WHY she won’t be part of the pack. I knew logically that there is going to be a reason and there will probably be a big reveal/secret uncovered in future books, but there didn’t seem to be any sense of suspense, or anything leading up to more information being given, which was disappointing.
There were definitely some moments of high stakes action and some good character growth and you can definitely tell that the author is building up to something.
Rynn as an FMC, wasn’t likeable for me, but I appreciate that if I had a bit more backstory about her, I might have liked her more.
Bastian was my favourite out of the Alpha’s, with Ryker a close second. Warwick and Cade barely feature in any real depth so I will reserve judgement on them for now. There was some great banter between characters and Bastian played the charming lothario who is secretly lovesick for a member of the Alpha pack, well.
As it had been labelled a polyamorous spice, I expected some, but there was barely any. A brief scene where there is intimacy with more than 2 people, but it was brief and not really explored in any great detail. At the end of the book, I felt it was more of a complicated love triangle (with the potential of it being a love square!), as opposed to a ‘why-choose’
I think this book will appeal to readers who appreciate a slower, more in depth plot. I did like what the author was doing with building the story as a whole, the premise of the story is intriguing, but based on the info in the blurb, it just didn’t resonate with me like I was expecting it to.
I will read the rest of the series because I feel invested now and I want to see some character progression and the possibility of a HEA, but I won’t be chomping at the bit to get to it, if that makes sense?
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Shoutout to BehindThePagesPA and the author Alex Frost for the ARC!
Great LGBTQI+ representation!
Den of Howls and Discontent completely pulled me into Alex Frost’s world even without having read the original trilogy first. While it’s connected to the author’s previous series, this story absolutely stands on its own and made it easy to become invested in the characters, relationships, and emotional stakes from the very beginning. At its core, this is a deeply character-driven why choose shifter romance, and that’s exactly what made it work so well for me.
What really stayed with me was Rynn’s emotional journey. She feels everything so deeply, and that sense of alienation and wanting somewhere — and someone — to truly belong to was woven throughout the entire story. There’s such a raw loneliness to her character at times, and it made the emotional connections hit so much harder because you could feel how badly she wanted acceptance, safety, and people who chose her fully.
The relationship dynamics were easily the highlight for me. Every love interest felt distinct and important to Rynn’s journey instead of blending together, and each connection brought something different emotionally. The chemistry felt natural, the tension was addictive, and the quieter moments of vulnerability and comfort carried just as much weight as the bigger dramatic scenes.
And Bastian? Easily one of the best MMCs I’ve read in a long time. He had that perfect balance of dangerous, possessive, and deeply devoted that makes a character impossible not to obsess over. Every scene with him carried so much intensity, but underneath that was genuine care and emotional depth that made him stand out from a lot of typical shifter MMCs. He completely stole the show for me.
But Ryker’s devotion to Rynn honestly wooed me too. There was something so tender and unwavering about the way he showed up for her emotionally that balanced out some of the harsher edges of the story perfectly. His loyalty felt steady and earned, and those moments where he prioritized her comfort, safety, and emotional wellbeing made some of the biggest impact on me while reading.
Alex Frost also creates such an immersive atmosphere with the pack dynamics, emotional tension, and underlying unrest simmering beneath everything. Even though the fantasy and shifter elements are compelling, this story really shines because of its characters and the emotional depth behind every relationship. And now I’m already desperate to see where Alex Frost takes these characters next, especially Cade, Warrick, and maybe even someone else?
If you love character-driven why choose romances with protective shifters, found family, yearning, emotional healing, and messy but meaningful relationships, Den of Howls and Discontent is absolutely worth picking up.
Great LGBTQI+ representation!
Den of Howls and Discontent completely pulled me into Alex Frost’s world even without having read the original trilogy first. While it’s connected to the author’s previous series, this story absolutely stands on its own and made it easy to become invested in the characters, relationships, and emotional stakes from the very beginning. At its core, this is a deeply character-driven why choose shifter romance, and that’s exactly what made it work so well for me.
What really stayed with me was Rynn’s emotional journey. She feels everything so deeply, and that sense of alienation and wanting somewhere — and someone — to truly belong to was woven throughout the entire story. There’s such a raw loneliness to her character at times, and it made the emotional connections hit so much harder because you could feel how badly she wanted acceptance, safety, and people who chose her fully.
The relationship dynamics were easily the highlight for me. Every love interest felt distinct and important to Rynn’s journey instead of blending together, and each connection brought something different emotionally. The chemistry felt natural, the tension was addictive, and the quieter moments of vulnerability and comfort carried just as much weight as the bigger dramatic scenes.
And Bastian? Easily one of the best MMCs I’ve read in a long time. He had that perfect balance of dangerous, possessive, and deeply devoted that makes a character impossible not to obsess over. Every scene with him carried so much intensity, but underneath that was genuine care and emotional depth that made him stand out from a lot of typical shifter MMCs. He completely stole the show for me.
But Ryker’s devotion to Rynn honestly wooed me too. There was something so tender and unwavering about the way he showed up for her emotionally that balanced out some of the harsher edges of the story perfectly. His loyalty felt steady and earned, and those moments where he prioritized her comfort, safety, and emotional wellbeing made some of the biggest impact on me while reading.
Alex Frost also creates such an immersive atmosphere with the pack dynamics, emotional tension, and underlying unrest simmering beneath everything. Even though the fantasy and shifter elements are compelling, this story really shines because of its characters and the emotional depth behind every relationship. And now I’m already desperate to see where Alex Frost takes these characters next, especially Cade, Warrick, and maybe even someone else?
If you love character-driven why choose romances with protective shifters, found family, yearning, emotional healing, and messy but meaningful relationships, Den of Howls and Discontent is absolutely worth picking up.
May 14, 2026
I genuinely do not even know what to say other than: I NEED THE NEXT BOOK IMMEDIATELY.
That’s honestly my biggest issue with this book — it’s only the first book in the trilogy, and now I have to wait 😭 I read this in a single day because I physically could not stop reading.
I already love why choose romances, but I also have to admit that not all of them are well-developed. Sometimes the relationships feel rushed, the characters blur together, or the emotional dynamics aren’t explored deeply enough. That was absolutely not the case here.
What I loved most about this book was how intentional the relationship development felt. This is a multiple POV story (which I LOVE in why choose romances), and the author really takes the time to build the connections between the FMC and each individual character instead of throwing everyone together all at once.
In this first book, the focus is mainly on two of the four MMCs, and I honestly think that was such a smart choice because it allowed those relationships to actually breathe and develop naturally. I’m assuming the following books will focus more on the other characters, and if that’s the case, I’m even more excited for what’s coming next.
And the FMC? I adored her. She’s strong and capable, but also incredibly soft underneath everything. More than anything, she’s just searching for connection, belonging, and a place that truly feels like home. That emotional core made her feel so relatable and easy to root for.
I also really appreciated that her situation with the pack wasn’t handled in the typical “I hate everyone and want to escape immediately” kind of way. Instead, she genuinely tries. She wants to build friendships, trust, and maybe even a family despite the circumstances, and that made me love her even more.
Now… the men frustrated me SO much 😭
But in the best possible way.
Because unlike in some books where the MMCs are cruel for no real reason, their reactions and mistrust actually made sense here. Their concerns felt believable given the situation, which somehow made it even more painful to watch her constantly being pushed aside when we as readers already know how good and loyal she truly is.
I just wanted to hug her the entire time.
And I need these men to GROVEL in the next books. Desperately.
(Except Ryker. Ryker is innocent. Ryker gets protection at all costs.)
The side characters were also amazing. The FMC’s two best friends were absolutely everything to me — fiercely loyal, powerful, protective, and fully ready to start a war for her if necessary. I loved seeing female friendships portrayed with so much loyalty and strength.
And now I absolutely need to go back and read the author’s previous trilogy about the first best friend because I am officially obsessed.
That’s honestly my biggest issue with this book — it’s only the first book in the trilogy, and now I have to wait 😭 I read this in a single day because I physically could not stop reading.
I already love why choose romances, but I also have to admit that not all of them are well-developed. Sometimes the relationships feel rushed, the characters blur together, or the emotional dynamics aren’t explored deeply enough. That was absolutely not the case here.
What I loved most about this book was how intentional the relationship development felt. This is a multiple POV story (which I LOVE in why choose romances), and the author really takes the time to build the connections between the FMC and each individual character instead of throwing everyone together all at once.
In this first book, the focus is mainly on two of the four MMCs, and I honestly think that was such a smart choice because it allowed those relationships to actually breathe and develop naturally. I’m assuming the following books will focus more on the other characters, and if that’s the case, I’m even more excited for what’s coming next.
And the FMC? I adored her. She’s strong and capable, but also incredibly soft underneath everything. More than anything, she’s just searching for connection, belonging, and a place that truly feels like home. That emotional core made her feel so relatable and easy to root for.
I also really appreciated that her situation with the pack wasn’t handled in the typical “I hate everyone and want to escape immediately” kind of way. Instead, she genuinely tries. She wants to build friendships, trust, and maybe even a family despite the circumstances, and that made me love her even more.
Now… the men frustrated me SO much 😭
But in the best possible way.
Because unlike in some books where the MMCs are cruel for no real reason, their reactions and mistrust actually made sense here. Their concerns felt believable given the situation, which somehow made it even more painful to watch her constantly being pushed aside when we as readers already know how good and loyal she truly is.
I just wanted to hug her the entire time.
And I need these men to GROVEL in the next books. Desperately.
(Except Ryker. Ryker is innocent. Ryker gets protection at all costs.)
The side characters were also amazing. The FMC’s two best friends were absolutely everything to me — fiercely loyal, powerful, protective, and fully ready to start a war for her if necessary. I loved seeing female friendships portrayed with so much loyalty and strength.
And now I absolutely need to go back and read the author’s previous trilogy about the first best friend because I am officially obsessed.
June 1, 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
A Den of Howls and Discontent is a captivating fantasy that blends political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and emotional character growth into a story that was difficult to put down. Alex Frost continues to build a world where power is never simple, trust is constantly tested, and every decision carries consequences that can change the course of a kingdom.
I loved Samara and getting to know her throughout the first three books, but I was so excited when I found out we would be getting Rynn's story in this installment. Rynn has never truly felt like she belongs not with her own pack and not with the Alpha pack either. The only place she feels at home is with her best friends, Samara and Cali. Despite wanting to make things work with the Alpha pack, she struggles to find her place when they make it painfully clear that she may never truly belong among them.
One of the things I really love about this series is the why-choose representation. Relationships are handled with care and respect, showing that love and connection can take many different forms. In this book, we get to know Ryker, who is possessive but also gives off major gentle giant energy. I loved peeling back the layers of his character, and that moment when he finally told Rynn who he chose had me completely invested. I cannot wait to see where their journey leads and eventually get their HEA. These two are absolutely giving touch-her-and-die energy, and I'm here for it.
Bas is a character I'm still trying to figure out. He's layered and complicated, but there’s something about him that keeps me on edge. I can't decide if I trust him or not, and I suspect that's exactly what the author intended. As for Warrick, I am both excited and nervous to see how his relationship with Rynn develops. It feels like there is so much potential there, and I know it's going to be an emotional journey. Then there's Cade. I have a feeling he's going to be the steady, caring one who encourages Rynn to open up and truly be herself. He seems like the type who listens, supports, and understands her when she needs it most. That being said, I also have a feeling he's going to surprise everyone and end up being the quiet one who's secretly the most dangerous or perhaps the dirtiest of them all.
This book is fast-paced, spicy, and packed with tension, while still delivering a slow-burn romance that keeps you wanting more. Between the action, character development, and relationship dynamics, I found myself completely invested in where the story is heading.
I would like to thank behindthepagesPA and the author for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
A Den of Howls and Discontent is a captivating fantasy that blends political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and emotional character growth into a story that was difficult to put down. Alex Frost continues to build a world where power is never simple, trust is constantly tested, and every decision carries consequences that can change the course of a kingdom.
I loved Samara and getting to know her throughout the first three books, but I was so excited when I found out we would be getting Rynn's story in this installment. Rynn has never truly felt like she belongs not with her own pack and not with the Alpha pack either. The only place she feels at home is with her best friends, Samara and Cali. Despite wanting to make things work with the Alpha pack, she struggles to find her place when they make it painfully clear that she may never truly belong among them.
One of the things I really love about this series is the why-choose representation. Relationships are handled with care and respect, showing that love and connection can take many different forms. In this book, we get to know Ryker, who is possessive but also gives off major gentle giant energy. I loved peeling back the layers of his character, and that moment when he finally told Rynn who he chose had me completely invested. I cannot wait to see where their journey leads and eventually get their HEA. These two are absolutely giving touch-her-and-die energy, and I'm here for it.
Bas is a character I'm still trying to figure out. He's layered and complicated, but there’s something about him that keeps me on edge. I can't decide if I trust him or not, and I suspect that's exactly what the author intended. As for Warrick, I am both excited and nervous to see how his relationship with Rynn develops. It feels like there is so much potential there, and I know it's going to be an emotional journey. Then there's Cade. I have a feeling he's going to be the steady, caring one who encourages Rynn to open up and truly be herself. He seems like the type who listens, supports, and understands her when she needs it most. That being said, I also have a feeling he's going to surprise everyone and end up being the quiet one who's secretly the most dangerous or perhaps the dirtiest of them all.
This book is fast-paced, spicy, and packed with tension, while still delivering a slow-burn romance that keeps you wanting more. Between the action, character development, and relationship dynamics, I found myself completely invested in where the story is heading.
I would like to thank behindthepagesPA and the author for the opportunity to review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 Stars
A Den of Howls and Discontentment is one of those romantasy books where you can immediately tell the author has built a much larger world than what fits into a single installment. The lore, politics, magic systems, hidden histories, and pack dynamics give the story far more depth than a standard why choose fantasy romance, and honestly that was what kept me hooked even during the slower sections.
What surprised me most was how emotionally layered the book felt underneath all the tension and worldbuilding. Rynn’s loneliness and constant struggle with belonging gave the story a heavier emotional core than I expected going in. The relationships aren’t just built around attraction — they’re tangled up in power, loyalty, survival, emotional dependency, and pack hierarchy in ways that made the dynamics feel messy and complicated in a good way.
I also really liked that the book doesn’t rely solely on spice to carry the story. The emotional tension, possessiveness, political instability, and gradual emotional integration into the Alpha pack all felt like the real focus. Bastian especially ended up being one of the most interesting characters for me because so much of his characterization hides beneath humor and emotional deflection.
That said, the pacing was definitely slow for me at times. The worldbuilding is dense and there’s a lot of setup happening throughout the book, which makes sense knowing this is the start of a larger trilogy, but I personally prefer books to have a more clearly defined central conflict and resolution within each installment. By the end, it felt like many of the biggest plot threads were still actively unfolding rather than fully coming together into one strong standalone arc.
Overall, this felt less like a complete story and more like the foundation for a much bigger emotional and political journey ahead. If you love lore-heavy romantasy with complicated pack dynamics, emotional tension, possessive alpha energy, hidden histories, and a strong sense of growing connection and belonging, I can absolutely see this working really well for the right reader. For me, it was an intriguing and layered start to the series that occasionally lost momentum under the weight of its own setup, but still left me curious about where the trilogy is heading next.
A Den of Howls and Discontentment is one of those romantasy books where you can immediately tell the author has built a much larger world than what fits into a single installment. The lore, politics, magic systems, hidden histories, and pack dynamics give the story far more depth than a standard why choose fantasy romance, and honestly that was what kept me hooked even during the slower sections.
What surprised me most was how emotionally layered the book felt underneath all the tension and worldbuilding. Rynn’s loneliness and constant struggle with belonging gave the story a heavier emotional core than I expected going in. The relationships aren’t just built around attraction — they’re tangled up in power, loyalty, survival, emotional dependency, and pack hierarchy in ways that made the dynamics feel messy and complicated in a good way.
I also really liked that the book doesn’t rely solely on spice to carry the story. The emotional tension, possessiveness, political instability, and gradual emotional integration into the Alpha pack all felt like the real focus. Bastian especially ended up being one of the most interesting characters for me because so much of his characterization hides beneath humor and emotional deflection.
That said, the pacing was definitely slow for me at times. The worldbuilding is dense and there’s a lot of setup happening throughout the book, which makes sense knowing this is the start of a larger trilogy, but I personally prefer books to have a more clearly defined central conflict and resolution within each installment. By the end, it felt like many of the biggest plot threads were still actively unfolding rather than fully coming together into one strong standalone arc.
Overall, this felt less like a complete story and more like the foundation for a much bigger emotional and political journey ahead. If you love lore-heavy romantasy with complicated pack dynamics, emotional tension, possessive alpha energy, hidden histories, and a strong sense of growing connection and belonging, I can absolutely see this working really well for the right reader. For me, it was an intriguing and layered start to the series that occasionally lost momentum under the weight of its own setup, but still left me curious about where the trilogy is heading next.
Review of advance copy
OMG... I genuinely don't know what Alex Frost put in this book because I could not put it down. I don't think I've ever read something that fast while being completely immersed in the story the entire time. I kept telling myself, one more chapter, and suddenly I was way farther into the book than I intended because I absolutely needed to know what happened next.
While you can read this without reading the first three books in the series, I highly recommend reading them first. I went into this one without having read the earlier books and immediately wished I had because I know it would have made the experience even better.
I absolutely loved Rynn. My heart hurt for everything she has gone through and the way she's been treated. Once she gives someone her loyalty, there are no limits to it, and after everything she's endured, she deserves every single thing she wants and then some.
And Ryker? Definitely a favorite for me. Not that I had any doubts about him throughout the book (because I really didn't), but his choices toward the end completely cemented his place for me.
Now Cade, Bastian, and Warrick... I see groveling in their futures and I am going to need every second of it. Especially Warrick 👀 Also, I am very intrigued by Selene and already need books two and three immediately.
This book gave me a little chaos, hot characters, banter, secrets everywhere, and constant "what's going on?!" moments. And can we also discuss that monster creature near the end because I already know that thing is about to live in my head and cause me nightmares for at least a week.
If you're in the mood for an epic fantasy why choose romance with spice, banter, tension, and chaos, I think you'll absolutely love this one.
- Tropes & Themes -
Growing why choose
Rivals/enemies to lovers
Slow burn romance + fast-burn spice
Shifters, vampires & furies
Only one bed
Political intrigue
Mating bonds
Banter
Multi first-person POV
A Den of Howls and Discontent is the fourth book in the Lunaria Realms series and marks the beginning of Rynn’s trilogy within the series. Each trilogy within the series can be read and enjoyed on its own. I received an advance review copy. Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages LLC for my eARC!
While you can read this without reading the first three books in the series, I highly recommend reading them first. I went into this one without having read the earlier books and immediately wished I had because I know it would have made the experience even better.
I absolutely loved Rynn. My heart hurt for everything she has gone through and the way she's been treated. Once she gives someone her loyalty, there are no limits to it, and after everything she's endured, she deserves every single thing she wants and then some.
And Ryker? Definitely a favorite for me. Not that I had any doubts about him throughout the book (because I really didn't), but his choices toward the end completely cemented his place for me.
Now Cade, Bastian, and Warrick... I see groveling in their futures and I am going to need every second of it. Especially Warrick 👀 Also, I am very intrigued by Selene and already need books two and three immediately.
This book gave me a little chaos, hot characters, banter, secrets everywhere, and constant "what's going on?!" moments. And can we also discuss that monster creature near the end because I already know that thing is about to live in my head and cause me nightmares for at least a week.
If you're in the mood for an epic fantasy why choose romance with spice, banter, tension, and chaos, I think you'll absolutely love this one.
- Tropes & Themes -
Growing why choose
Rivals/enemies to lovers
Slow burn romance + fast-burn spice
Shifters, vampires & furies
Only one bed
Political intrigue
Mating bonds
Banter
Multi first-person POV
A Den of Howls and Discontent is the fourth book in the Lunaria Realms series and marks the beginning of Rynn’s trilogy within the series. Each trilogy within the series can be read and enjoyed on its own. I received an advance review copy. Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages LLC for my eARC!
May 5, 2026
Why choose MMMMF
Shifters
Hate to love
Banter
Rejecting Bonds
This was such a great surprise, at first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this, especially because there was such a large time jump, and a chunk taken out of the beginning of the book. Basically at the beginning of the book Rynn comes to the new pack and then it goes to an eight month time jump so I was a little bit like I don’t know how I feel about that but it ended up being really good and I really enjoyed the overall plot in story and the tension between the characters was excellent. Rynn is looking for something and she’s basically trying to figure out a way that she can get out of this pack and not cause a war, but there is a lot of trust issues within the Pack so the Pack has said that they will not ever let her fully join the Pack and have basically told her that she’s not really a real member of their pack, but she will be safe and she can live there and all of those things but one of the things that Rynn has always desired is to have her own Pack and I feel loved and accepted because when her original family Pack made this deal with the alpha Pack when she was 15 years old, they basically immediately ended up, shunning her from the pack and as a shifter, especially a wolf shifter she desires, family, and bonding and Touch. It’s super important for her species. Now I have not read the first trilogy of this series and I’m assuming that there’s gonna be a lot more world building in that since it is the first of all of these you know interconnected trilogies, but I still felt like the world building was really good and I did understand kind of the different dynamics of the different beings and species in this world. I thought the author just made things really clear and easy to follow along even though there was a lot going on in this book.
I’m really excited for the next two books in this trilogy and this is one of those books that even though I have not read the previous books I’m excited to pick up those books now because I have not read them because I think this authors writing is really excellent.
Shifters
Hate to love
Banter
Rejecting Bonds
This was such a great surprise, at first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this, especially because there was such a large time jump, and a chunk taken out of the beginning of the book. Basically at the beginning of the book Rynn comes to the new pack and then it goes to an eight month time jump so I was a little bit like I don’t know how I feel about that but it ended up being really good and I really enjoyed the overall plot in story and the tension between the characters was excellent. Rynn is looking for something and she’s basically trying to figure out a way that she can get out of this pack and not cause a war, but there is a lot of trust issues within the Pack so the Pack has said that they will not ever let her fully join the Pack and have basically told her that she’s not really a real member of their pack, but she will be safe and she can live there and all of those things but one of the things that Rynn has always desired is to have her own Pack and I feel loved and accepted because when her original family Pack made this deal with the alpha Pack when she was 15 years old, they basically immediately ended up, shunning her from the pack and as a shifter, especially a wolf shifter she desires, family, and bonding and Touch. It’s super important for her species. Now I have not read the first trilogy of this series and I’m assuming that there’s gonna be a lot more world building in that since it is the first of all of these you know interconnected trilogies, but I still felt like the world building was really good and I did understand kind of the different dynamics of the different beings and species in this world. I thought the author just made things really clear and easy to follow along even though there was a lot going on in this book.
I’m really excited for the next two books in this trilogy and this is one of those books that even though I have not read the previous books I’m excited to pick up those books now because I have not read them because I think this authors writing is really excellent.
Review of advance copy
I’m starting to realize that why choose fated mates might be one of my favorite tropes. I’m a tension girl through and through. Give me characters who pine, who ache for each other, especially when hate is involved. Not only hating their would be mate, but hating that they can’t stop wanting them anyway. This book absolutely tortured me with that dynamic and I ate up every second of it while still begging for more.
Rynn was offered up as a political pawn to the Alpha pack when she was fifteen. Now she has to fulfill that promise and live with four pack members who will never trust her, never accept her, and certainly never love her. So she wants out. She has a plan, but she also has four big, hot obstacles standing in her way.
This book was just good. Like, damn good. Every character had such a distinct personality, all of them pushing Rynn away while secretly wanting nothing more than to pull her closer.
Ryker, the possessive psychotic one
Bastian, the charming slutty pretty one
Cade, the stoic leader
Warrick, the closed off enforcer who is looking for any reason to kill Rynn
And Rynn… her life has never been her own. She has never had a choice about where she ends up, but she is no wilting flower. She’s used to being hated and ignored. She’s smart, determined, and incredibly resilient. But underneath all of that, her heart is aching for someone to love her and choose her. She wants to be enough. She wants the one thing she’s never truly had, a home.
I will say, this is the first book in the series, but the second series set in this world. A lot of people, places, and references definitely went over my head at times (thank goodness for the character guide!), but honestly, I didn’t even care because the story, characters, and world stole my heart immediately.
And I already know this love affair with this world is only beginning. I’m so glad I have the previous series to binge while I very impatiently wait for book two.
Thank you so much to Behind the Pages and Alex Frost for this gifted copy. I'm so in love with this world, and can't wait to dig into the rest of the Lunaria Realms series!
Rynn was offered up as a political pawn to the Alpha pack when she was fifteen. Now she has to fulfill that promise and live with four pack members who will never trust her, never accept her, and certainly never love her. So she wants out. She has a plan, but she also has four big, hot obstacles standing in her way.
This book was just good. Like, damn good. Every character had such a distinct personality, all of them pushing Rynn away while secretly wanting nothing more than to pull her closer.
Ryker, the possessive psychotic one
Bastian, the charming slutty pretty one
Cade, the stoic leader
Warrick, the closed off enforcer who is looking for any reason to kill Rynn
And Rynn… her life has never been her own. She has never had a choice about where she ends up, but she is no wilting flower. She’s used to being hated and ignored. She’s smart, determined, and incredibly resilient. But underneath all of that, her heart is aching for someone to love her and choose her. She wants to be enough. She wants the one thing she’s never truly had, a home.
I will say, this is the first book in the series, but the second series set in this world. A lot of people, places, and references definitely went over my head at times (thank goodness for the character guide!), but honestly, I didn’t even care because the story, characters, and world stole my heart immediately.
And I already know this love affair with this world is only beginning. I’m so glad I have the previous series to binge while I very impatiently wait for book two.
Thank you so much to Behind the Pages and Alex Frost for this gifted copy. I'm so in love with this world, and can't wait to dig into the rest of the Lunaria Realms series!
Review of advance copy
I have been an arc reader for this series from the beginning of the first trilogy so I am so excited the author decided to continue the series with Rynn's story! Since the very first book from the Lunaria Realms series I have been wanting more of Rynn and her story. Rynn is a fiery, witty, and intelligent shifter FMC but fate has dealt her a poor hand. From a young age she has been promised to the Alpha pack and raised to know she will have no true place with them or her family any longer. All she wants is a place where she truly belongs and even though she has a place with her best friends it isn't the same as having a pack of her own.
What I loved about this first book in the series is all of the build up for what's to come! First, we see some amazing development between Rynn and the Alpha pack. We begin to learn more about each alpha and slowly learn the dynamics Rynn has with each of them. We see a vulnerability from her when she's around the alphas, thus leading to them manipulating her at times. This was hard to read about but absolutely leads to some important development among the characters which I loved. Outside of the relationships we also have some fantastic build up for the overarching plot that began in the first trilogy from this series. This world is complex and we are continuing to learn more and more about it. I loved seeing more monsters and secrets of the fae throughout the book. I am so excited for everything to come together and can't wait to see where the author takes this!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end! I read this in less than 24 hours and honestly don't really have any complaints. Even though these books are slightly longer it's a quick read that keeps me invested from the very first page. You don't need to read the original trilogy to understand what's happening in this book but I do recommend starting with it since it really sets the stage for this world and plot. Plus there are some incredible characters with such interesting backstories that you will meet in this book that the first trilogy focuses on. You don't want to miss out!
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for an advanced copy!
What I loved about this first book in the series is all of the build up for what's to come! First, we see some amazing development between Rynn and the Alpha pack. We begin to learn more about each alpha and slowly learn the dynamics Rynn has with each of them. We see a vulnerability from her when she's around the alphas, thus leading to them manipulating her at times. This was hard to read about but absolutely leads to some important development among the characters which I loved. Outside of the relationships we also have some fantastic build up for the overarching plot that began in the first trilogy from this series. This world is complex and we are continuing to learn more and more about it. I loved seeing more monsters and secrets of the fae throughout the book. I am so excited for everything to come together and can't wait to see where the author takes this!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end! I read this in less than 24 hours and honestly don't really have any complaints. Even though these books are slightly longer it's a quick read that keeps me invested from the very first page. You don't need to read the original trilogy to understand what's happening in this book but I do recommend starting with it since it really sets the stage for this world and plot. Plus there are some incredible characters with such interesting backstories that you will meet in this book that the first trilogy focuses on. You don't want to miss out!
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages for an advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I need to know what the author laced these pages with because I devoured this book! Finished it in less than 2 days, and I really can’t wait for the other 2 books!
I haven’t read a shifter book in a while, and this reminded me why I need to get back into them.
I haven’t read the previous trilogy that falls in the same world, with some of the overlapping characters (but you best believe I will!). Because of this, I completely understand why it might be a little bit harder to follow. There are characters from the first trilogy that show up here, but I was able to catch up pretty quickly.
I love the FMC, Rynn. I found her very relatable. She’s very emotional and wears her heart on her sleeve, yet builds these walls to protect herself. She’s a skilled fighter, but not perfect. She’s stubborn, sassy, angry, compassionate, and clearly searching for meaningful connection while simultaneously trying to protect herself from it.
All of the MMCs have very distinct personalities, though we spend the most time with two of the four in this book. Each relationship with Rynn feels unique, with their own strengths, flaws, tension, and complicated emotions. There’s mistrust, anger, care, attraction, and the beginnings of something deeper woven throughout all of their dynamics, which made everything incredibly addictive to read.
There are several plots going on, both relationship-wise and having to do with the monsters of Lunaria. I’m interested to see how this unfolds in the next 2 books, and especially how the relationships develop over time.
I also really enjoyed the female friendships, including those carried over from the previous trilogy and the introduction of a new friend whose role I’m very curious about moving forward.
There’s definitely some spice here, and after that buildup, I’m very excited to see even more in the upcoming books.
Overall, I’m completely hooked and already dying for more of Rynn’s story.
I haven’t read a shifter book in a while, and this reminded me why I need to get back into them.
I haven’t read the previous trilogy that falls in the same world, with some of the overlapping characters (but you best believe I will!). Because of this, I completely understand why it might be a little bit harder to follow. There are characters from the first trilogy that show up here, but I was able to catch up pretty quickly.
I love the FMC, Rynn. I found her very relatable. She’s very emotional and wears her heart on her sleeve, yet builds these walls to protect herself. She’s a skilled fighter, but not perfect. She’s stubborn, sassy, angry, compassionate, and clearly searching for meaningful connection while simultaneously trying to protect herself from it.
All of the MMCs have very distinct personalities, though we spend the most time with two of the four in this book. Each relationship with Rynn feels unique, with their own strengths, flaws, tension, and complicated emotions. There’s mistrust, anger, care, attraction, and the beginnings of something deeper woven throughout all of their dynamics, which made everything incredibly addictive to read.
There are several plots going on, both relationship-wise and having to do with the monsters of Lunaria. I’m interested to see how this unfolds in the next 2 books, and especially how the relationships develop over time.
I also really enjoyed the female friendships, including those carried over from the previous trilogy and the introduction of a new friend whose role I’m very curious about moving forward.
There’s definitely some spice here, and after that buildup, I’m very excited to see even more in the upcoming books.
Overall, I’m completely hooked and already dying for more of Rynn’s story.
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