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Maple Hollow #2
Wild Wicked Mate
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26From #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, comes a brand new small-town romance set in the quirky town of Maple Hollow!
The closer the proximity, the stronger the spark...
Phoebe and Theo have been best friends for years, never anything more, despite the sparks between them. And after ignoring her desire for so long, Fee has become adept at ignoring their connection.
Until now.
Because when Theo invites her on a road trip, Fee can’t say no. But the only thing separating them on their journey is the heated tension in the cab of his truck...
Acting on their attraction might change everything for Fee and Theo, but is it a risk they’re willing to take?
The closer the proximity, the stronger the spark...
Phoebe and Theo have been best friends for years, never anything more, despite the sparks between them. And after ignoring her desire for so long, Fee has become adept at ignoring their connection.
Until now.
Because when Theo invites her on a road trip, Fee can’t say no. But the only thing separating them on their journey is the heated tension in the cab of his truck...
Acting on their attraction might change everything for Fee and Theo, but is it a risk they’re willing to take?
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Laurie Gilmore
25 books17.5k followersLaurie Gilmore is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe & Mail bestselling author who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.
She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.
She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.
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September 20, 2026Safety note - from the first book of the series we know that the MCs have been friends for a decade, in love with each other and fated mates, but Theo (MMC) fucks around a lot. Swoony.
The whole drama is that he can’t be with her because of his father. Mmkay.
I wonder if author will make Phoebe (FMC) a virgin who waits patiently for the MMC while he enjoys himself plenty
─ ✦ ────
"Theo was a spoiled fuckboy who spent his days screwing women he barely knew and shirking all responsibilities."
“It’s after noon. Why were you still asleep?”
“I had company last night.”
Rafe grimaced. “Still fucking every human, nymph, and witch in a fifty-mile radius?” There was no shortage of pretty, available creatures in these woods or the surrounding towns, and his brother seemed to be acquainted with all of them.
“You know I don’t fuck witches. Not since that last one put a hex on me.” He shuddered and shuffled into the adjoining kitchenette.
“That wasn’t a hex. She told her friends to avoid your dumb ass,” Rafe grumbled.
“Where’s Phoebe?”
That wiped the smirk off his brother’s face.
“What do you care?”
“Does she know you’re still fucking around?”
Theo leaned his hands on the counter separating them, his eyes flashing. “That’s none of your business.”
“I didn’t get you out of the pack so you could fuck everything that moves. I thought you and Phoebe—”
Theo cut him off with a slam of his hand on the counter. “She’s none of your business. We are none of your business.”
"Theo had dropped the flirty charmer act as soon as Phoebe came into the room and now moved closer to her. Ruby didn’t miss how he watched her, the blatant need in his eyes."
“They’ve been friends for years. I suspect he loves her.” He shrugged. “I assumed when we left the pack they would get together. My father never would have allowed it, mating with a nymph. He didn’t tolerate half-breeds.”
“So, they’re not together?” Ruby moved again, facing him once more.
“No. Theo fucks whoever he wants and still calls Phoebe a friend.”
“What did you do?” Phoebe raised a brow, tension coiling her muscles. Jealous. She was jealous of what he might have done with the seer. And Theo was just enough of an asshole to run with it.
“Nothing.” Theo shrugged, pulling down his mug from the cabinet. “Just had a little fun.”
“Is there no one you won’t… You know what? Never mind.”
He turned to her, leaning his back against the counter, a slow grin crossing his face. “Just you, I guess. But only because you won’t let me.”
“Poor pretty baby,” she teased, but the color had risen in her cheeks again, her gaze flicking down to his bare chest. “Must be so hard to have women throwing themselves at you.”
“That has nothing to do with my pretty face,” he purred. “I do have some skills.”
──── ✦ ─
The whole drama is that he can’t be with her because of his father. Mmkay.
I wonder if author will make Phoebe (FMC) a virgin who waits patiently for the MMC while he enjoys himself plenty
─ ✦ ────
"Theo was a spoiled fuckboy who spent his days screwing women he barely knew and shirking all responsibilities."
“It’s after noon. Why were you still asleep?”
“I had company last night.”
Rafe grimaced. “Still fucking every human, nymph, and witch in a fifty-mile radius?” There was no shortage of pretty, available creatures in these woods or the surrounding towns, and his brother seemed to be acquainted with all of them.
“You know I don’t fuck witches. Not since that last one put a hex on me.” He shuddered and shuffled into the adjoining kitchenette.
“That wasn’t a hex. She told her friends to avoid your dumb ass,” Rafe grumbled.
“Where’s Phoebe?”
That wiped the smirk off his brother’s face.
“What do you care?”
“Does she know you’re still fucking around?”
Theo leaned his hands on the counter separating them, his eyes flashing. “That’s none of your business.”
“I didn’t get you out of the pack so you could fuck everything that moves. I thought you and Phoebe—”
Theo cut him off with a slam of his hand on the counter. “She’s none of your business. We are none of your business.”
"Theo had dropped the flirty charmer act as soon as Phoebe came into the room and now moved closer to her. Ruby didn’t miss how he watched her, the blatant need in his eyes."
“They’ve been friends for years. I suspect he loves her.” He shrugged. “I assumed when we left the pack they would get together. My father never would have allowed it, mating with a nymph. He didn’t tolerate half-breeds.”
“So, they’re not together?” Ruby moved again, facing him once more.
“No. Theo fucks whoever he wants and still calls Phoebe a friend.”
“What did you do?” Phoebe raised a brow, tension coiling her muscles. Jealous. She was jealous of what he might have done with the seer. And Theo was just enough of an asshole to run with it.
“Nothing.” Theo shrugged, pulling down his mug from the cabinet. “Just had a little fun.”
“Is there no one you won’t… You know what? Never mind.”
He turned to her, leaning his back against the counter, a slow grin crossing his face. “Just you, I guess. But only because you won’t let me.”
“Poor pretty baby,” she teased, but the color had risen in her cheeks again, her gaze flicking down to his bare chest. “Must be so hard to have women throwing themselves at you.”
“That has nothing to do with my pretty face,” he purred. “I do have some skills.”
──── ✦ ─
Want to Read
June 11, 2026These covers are absolutely incredible, 10/10 cover design
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So many promising scenarios, so much mutual yearning, so little honesty.
Theo the werewolf and Phoebee “Fee” the wood nymph have known each other for 10 years. They feel a deep connection and suspect they might be “fated mates,” but naturally, they spend most of that decade talking themselves out of it. Now they’ve teamed up to join the hunt for Ruby’s missing sister, Lena.
Gilmore puts the friends-to-lovers and one-bed/forced-proximity tropes to repetitive work here. The sexual tension is basically the entire plot, but there is so much rehashing of insecurities, past trauma, and reasons they absolutely cannot be together that I started to wonder if these two would ever stop talking about having sex long enough to actually have it.
Guys. YOLO. Just get over yourselves and bang in that waterfall already!
Don’t worry, readers—there’s plenty of spice eventually. This series definitely delivers on the sex scenes. It’s just a matter of surviving the 300 pages of emotional foreplay first.
This was a cozy read in the sense that not much happens, but there’s plenty of distraction from the actual plot. We switch locations constantly and spend a lot of time running around the woods of Maine. At one point, I started wondering when anyone had last worked or changed clothes. I’m pretty sure everyone in Maple Grove is either unemployed, starving, or living in the woods. Do they even have paved roads?
Hopefully, the next book will explain why Lena and Knox are being so secretive and why they have to be MIA to do it—aside from the sexy times they are obviously having. At this point, I’m less interested in finding Lena than I am in finding Lena’s personality. Why is the search taking this long?
I would, however, happily read a friends-to-lovers book about Sawyer the human and Callie the witch. Give me that. I need a break from these damaged werewolf men and Lena’s ongoing drama.
Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed this series more if it were set in the olden days. That’s what I expected from the first book’s cover, anyway. Sometimes the limits of the past would actually serve the story better. Give me horses, lanterns, handwritten letters, and absolutely no cell service. It would up the spooky vibes and make the fact that no one has caught on to the paranormal population yet that much easier to swallow.
Theo the werewolf and Phoebee “Fee” the wood nymph have known each other for 10 years. They feel a deep connection and suspect they might be “fated mates,” but naturally, they spend most of that decade talking themselves out of it. Now they’ve teamed up to join the hunt for Ruby’s missing sister, Lena.
Gilmore puts the friends-to-lovers and one-bed/forced-proximity tropes to repetitive work here. The sexual tension is basically the entire plot, but there is so much rehashing of insecurities, past trauma, and reasons they absolutely cannot be together that I started to wonder if these two would ever stop talking about having sex long enough to actually have it.
Guys. YOLO. Just get over yourselves and bang in that waterfall already!
Don’t worry, readers—there’s plenty of spice eventually. This series definitely delivers on the sex scenes. It’s just a matter of surviving the 300 pages of emotional foreplay first.
This was a cozy read in the sense that not much happens, but there’s plenty of distraction from the actual plot. We switch locations constantly and spend a lot of time running around the woods of Maine. At one point, I started wondering when anyone had last worked or changed clothes. I’m pretty sure everyone in Maple Grove is either unemployed, starving, or living in the woods. Do they even have paved roads?
Hopefully, the next book will explain why Lena and Knox are being so secretive and why they have to be MIA to do it—aside from the sexy times they are obviously having. At this point, I’m less interested in finding Lena than I am in finding Lena’s personality. Why is the search taking this long?
I would, however, happily read a friends-to-lovers book about Sawyer the human and Callie the witch. Give me that. I need a break from these damaged werewolf men and Lena’s ongoing drama.
Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed this series more if it were set in the olden days. That’s what I expected from the first book’s cover, anyway. Sometimes the limits of the past would actually serve the story better. Give me horses, lanterns, handwritten letters, and absolutely no cell service. It would up the spooky vibes and make the fact that no one has caught on to the paranormal population yet that much easier to swallow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2026
Wild Wicked Mates
Rate 4 ☕️☕️☕️☕️
Summary
After ten years of friendship a wild goose 🪿 chase on Lena disappearance came an unexpected road trip forcing Phoebe and Theo them into close quarters, pushing them to risk their friendship for something deeper. Experiencing betrayal, spice 🌶️, trauma and some good snacks on the way.
My Thoughts 💭
Wanting to know more about the new series Maple Hollow I immediately look through NetGalley. Luckily got accepted dive right to it. Definitely fates but in the wrong timing Theo was dealing with the trauma his father had put him through as well as Rafe and Knox. He was finding his own path but Phoebe was in his thoughts even when he pushing his feelings down. As for Phoebe well she wasn’t expecting to fall for a werewolf given that she is a nymphs and the given “ obvious rule” that mythical creatures can’t breed together. Which made it hard for them to be distance but it was obvious that they would become more than flirty friends. We get the cozy winter vibes whats a road trip without some snack on the way. We do get a glimpse on the third book 📖 can’t wait.
Tropes ❄️
• Family Secrets
• Betrayal
• Flirty friends
• Mythical Creatures
• Past Trauma
• Forced proximity
Spicy 🌶️ 3
Thank you Laurie Gilmore, Harper Collins Publishing, and Harper 360 for the opportunity to ARC Read. #WildWickedMate #NetGalley
Rate 4 ☕️☕️☕️☕️
Summary
After ten years of friendship a wild goose 🪿 chase on Lena disappearance came an unexpected road trip forcing Phoebe and Theo them into close quarters, pushing them to risk their friendship for something deeper. Experiencing betrayal, spice 🌶️, trauma and some good snacks on the way.
My Thoughts 💭
Wanting to know more about the new series Maple Hollow I immediately look through NetGalley. Luckily got accepted dive right to it. Definitely fates but in the wrong timing Theo was dealing with the trauma his father had put him through as well as Rafe and Knox. He was finding his own path but Phoebe was in his thoughts even when he pushing his feelings down. As for Phoebe well she wasn’t expecting to fall for a werewolf given that she is a nymphs and the given “ obvious rule” that mythical creatures can’t breed together. Which made it hard for them to be distance but it was obvious that they would become more than flirty friends. We get the cozy winter vibes whats a road trip without some snack on the way. We do get a glimpse on the third book 📖 can’t wait.
Tropes ❄️
• Family Secrets
• Betrayal
• Flirty friends
• Mythical Creatures
• Past Trauma
• Forced proximity
Spicy 🌶️ 3
Thank you Laurie Gilmore, Harper Collins Publishing, and Harper 360 for the opportunity to ARC Read. #WildWickedMate #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks much to NetGalley for the arc! I realize this is part of a series, thankfully, it holds its own as a stand-alone as well. I probably won't backtrack to read the first nor am I looking forward to the one that follows. On a scale of one to five stars, I can round ip to three, though it's more like two and a quarter.
The story follows two different species od magical creature navigating a missing persons investigation while actively fighting a mutual attraction. There's a constant will they won't they, and even when they do, they don't. I personally don't enjoy that kind of a relationship--one that relies on unsaid cues and implications that hang in the air. It's frustrating as a lot of their problems could have been solved much sooner in the book, and I was ESPECIALLY pissed off at FMC's mother by the end.
The vernacular and writing style was fine, as were the open-door scenes that were scattered throughout the book. Wild Wicked Mate gets a full extra star for the three gratuitous sex chapters at the end, which I enjoy, though I know others may find excessive. I would recommend this to fans of the miscommunication trope and for people who don't mind banging their head into a wall when frustrated.
The story follows two different species od magical creature navigating a missing persons investigation while actively fighting a mutual attraction. There's a constant will they won't they, and even when they do, they don't. I personally don't enjoy that kind of a relationship--one that relies on unsaid cues and implications that hang in the air. It's frustrating as a lot of their problems could have been solved much sooner in the book, and I was ESPECIALLY pissed off at FMC's mother by the end.
The vernacular and writing style was fine, as were the open-door scenes that were scattered throughout the book. Wild Wicked Mate gets a full extra star for the three gratuitous sex chapters at the end, which I enjoy, though I know others may find excessive. I would recommend this to fans of the miscommunication trope and for people who don't mind banging their head into a wall when frustrated.
August 13, 2026
I’m a sucker for small-town and paranormal romances. So Maple Hollow was pretty much made for me.
In book 2, Lena is missing and the whole town pairs off to search for her. Best friends (with a loaded history) Theo and Fee set off on a road trip to look for the seer at a resort the sisters used to visit. The forced proximity ignites their spark, but the wolf and dryad are keeping secrets that might just burn it all down.
If you’re not a fan of miscommunication and lies, this might be tough for you. But hang in there — it’s worth it!
I enjoyed the flashback scenes that explained Theo and Fee’s history. And after the wild goose chase ended, I devoured the rest of the story.
Can’t wait to find out what Knox is up to in book 3!
Thanks to HarperCollins for the gifted e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
In book 2, Lena is missing and the whole town pairs off to search for her. Best friends (with a loaded history) Theo and Fee set off on a road trip to look for the seer at a resort the sisters used to visit. The forced proximity ignites their spark, but the wolf and dryad are keeping secrets that might just burn it all down.
If you’re not a fan of miscommunication and lies, this might be tough for you. But hang in there — it’s worth it!
I enjoyed the flashback scenes that explained Theo and Fee’s history. And after the wild goose chase ended, I devoured the rest of the story.
Can’t wait to find out what Knox is up to in book 3!
Thanks to HarperCollins for the gifted e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
August 16, 2026
Wild Wicked Mate is the follow up to Big Bad Wolf and while it was enjoyable I didn’t love it quite as much as the first. I really enjoyed and appreciated Theo’s character but Fee made frustrating decisions nearly the entire book and that made it less enjoyable to me. The chemistry between these two was great and the self discovery of who they wanted to be and understanding themselves better was satisfying. If you enjoyed the first book I’d definitely recommend the second! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
August 9, 2026
Phoebe and Theo have been friends for years. They are in a mission to find a missing woman from their small town. They both try to ignore their strong fated mate’s connection but it only grows stronger on their mission. I loved all of the quirky small town characters we meet along the way! Maple Hollow is magical!
I absolutely loved this book! What a fun fast paced read with lots of spice that surprised me! I loved Laurie Gilmore from the Dream Harbor series and this second book in the Maple Hollow series did not disappoint!
Tropes:
-Small Town
-Friends to Lovers
-Fated Mates
-Found Family
I absolutely loved this book! What a fun fast paced read with lots of spice that surprised me! I loved Laurie Gilmore from the Dream Harbor series and this second book in the Maple Hollow series did not disappoint!
Tropes:
-Small Town
-Friends to Lovers
-Fated Mates
-Found Family
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cute small town romance. It had best friends, it had forced proximity, it had a grumpy sunshine. Honestly the only thing that would have made it better would be a fantasy element...oh wait it has that too! Wild Wicked Mate is a cute fantasy, fated mates romance. And like any good fated mate romance, the main characters fight it every step of the way.
Phoebe and Theo are two headstrong best friends determined not to be together. But fate has different plans. The longing in this book is insane. Like it will actually drive you insane. You want them to be together so bad and of course they won't play along. But that's what makes a romance book so good. There are so many cute moments in this book that you will absolutely eat up. I could not put this book down. Seriously, I'm writing this review at 1:30 am. Should I be sleeping? Probably. Do I regret staying up to plow through this book? Not one bit.
I will also say, there is not a lot of nymph representation in the fantasy world, so I really enjoyed that part of this book. The wold building was also really good. I felt like I was on every part of the journey with Phoebe and Theo. I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series and also anxiously await the third.
Phoebe and Theo are two headstrong best friends determined not to be together. But fate has different plans. The longing in this book is insane. Like it will actually drive you insane. You want them to be together so bad and of course they won't play along. But that's what makes a romance book so good. There are so many cute moments in this book that you will absolutely eat up. I could not put this book down. Seriously, I'm writing this review at 1:30 am. Should I be sleeping? Probably. Do I regret staying up to plow through this book? Not one bit.
I will also say, there is not a lot of nymph representation in the fantasy world, so I really enjoyed that part of this book. The wold building was also really good. I felt like I was on every part of the journey with Phoebe and Theo. I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series and also anxiously await the third.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Laurie Gilmore really said “You thought the first book was chaotic? Cute. Watch this.” I had such a good time with Theo and Fee. These two have been circling each other for YEARS and the amount of “we’re just friends” energy between them while everyone else could probably see what was happening from space? PLEASE. Theo was probably my biggest surprise. Underneath all that teasing, flirting and wolfy confidence is someone carrying a lot of hurt. His past definitely explains some of his walls and watching him slowly let Fee in emotionally was probably my favorite part of their story.
And Fee? I loved her. She has this sweet, slightly chaotic forest nymph energy, but she’s also much stronger than she initially seems. Their friendship felt important before the romance ever took over, which made their eventual shift into something more feel earned. The friends to lovers plus fated mates combination worked REALLY well for me here. There’s yearning, tension, misunderstandings, emotional baggage. I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Lena and how the search for her keeps pulling everyone deeper into the bigger Maple Hollow storyline. There’s definitely more happening underneath the romance and I’m officially invested in figuring out where all of this is going.
But honestly? The found family/pack aspect might be stealing the show for me. By the end, I was sitting there like…wait. Did we accidentally assemble an entire supernatural support group? The last couple of chapters especially made me smile. Seeing Theo and Fee finally comfortable with what they are to each other, while everyone else is basically becoming one giant, wonderfully weird little family, gave me the cozy payoff I wanted.
And THEN THE BOOK HAD THE AUDACITY TO END WITH MORE QUESTIONS. 🙃
Lena. Knox. The Highlanders. The grove. The wolves.
EXCUSE ME, LAURIE???
I need answers.
I also have to admit, there were moments where the miscommunication and secrets between Theo and Fee tested my patience. There were several points where I wanted to grab them both by the shoulders and say “PLEASE JUST HAVE THE CONVERSATION.” It slowed things down for me occasionally, but thankfully the emotional payoff made up for it. To be honest, I think this book gave me more of what I liked about Maple Hollow… quirky supernatural characters, small town weirdness, romance, mystery, found family and just enough chaos to keep me turning pages.
And now I’m sitting here wondering how I’m supposed to patiently wait for the next book when Maple Hollow clearly has unfinished business.
Final thoughts: Theo and Fee were adorable, frustrating, dramatic, and completely incapable of making things easy for themselves.
Basically… I loved them.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 and Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read this eARC before its October 20, 2026 release via NetGalley. I’m so happy I got the chance to visit Maple Hollow again!
And Fee? I loved her. She has this sweet, slightly chaotic forest nymph energy, but she’s also much stronger than she initially seems. Their friendship felt important before the romance ever took over, which made their eventual shift into something more feel earned. The friends to lovers plus fated mates combination worked REALLY well for me here. There’s yearning, tension, misunderstandings, emotional baggage. I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Lena and how the search for her keeps pulling everyone deeper into the bigger Maple Hollow storyline. There’s definitely more happening underneath the romance and I’m officially invested in figuring out where all of this is going.
But honestly? The found family/pack aspect might be stealing the show for me. By the end, I was sitting there like…wait. Did we accidentally assemble an entire supernatural support group? The last couple of chapters especially made me smile. Seeing Theo and Fee finally comfortable with what they are to each other, while everyone else is basically becoming one giant, wonderfully weird little family, gave me the cozy payoff I wanted.
And THEN THE BOOK HAD THE AUDACITY TO END WITH MORE QUESTIONS. 🙃
Lena. Knox. The Highlanders. The grove. The wolves.
EXCUSE ME, LAURIE???
I need answers.
I also have to admit, there were moments where the miscommunication and secrets between Theo and Fee tested my patience. There were several points where I wanted to grab them both by the shoulders and say “PLEASE JUST HAVE THE CONVERSATION.” It slowed things down for me occasionally, but thankfully the emotional payoff made up for it. To be honest, I think this book gave me more of what I liked about Maple Hollow… quirky supernatural characters, small town weirdness, romance, mystery, found family and just enough chaos to keep me turning pages.
And now I’m sitting here wondering how I’m supposed to patiently wait for the next book when Maple Hollow clearly has unfinished business.
Final thoughts: Theo and Fee were adorable, frustrating, dramatic, and completely incapable of making things easy for themselves.
Basically… I loved them.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 and Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read this eARC before its October 20, 2026 release via NetGalley. I’m so happy I got the chance to visit Maple Hollow again!
August 12, 2026
Small-town romance, werewolves, dryads, found family, and enough unresolved feelings to make me want to SCREAM, all wrapped up in something that somehow feels like a modern-day folktale 🐺🌳✨
I absolutely adored Big Bad Wolf, so my expectations for Wild Wicked Mate were ridiculously high. And while Big Bad Wolf still has a tiny extra piece of my heart, this was absolutely a five-star read. I did not want to put it down.
Theo and Phoebe have ten YEARS of history, chemistry, hurt, and feelings they refuse to acknowledge. The chemistry was never the problem. These two needed to admit to THEMSELVES that this was more than that, and waiting for them to finally get there was making me want to scratch my eyeballs out 😂 And then they still had to actually tell each other! The slow burn was killing me in exactly the way a good slow burn should.
I also was not prepared for Theo to be such a soft boy underneath all that swagger 🫠💕 The way he is with Phoebe just got me, especially because there’s so much hurt tangled up in their history alongside all that love.
And I loved everything happening around them just as much. The oak grove, the nymphs, the neighbors and friends slowly becoming their own little chosen pack, the road trip, the one-bed situation, even the BUNK BED situation 😅 It takes everything I love about small-town romance and drops it into this magical little world where werewolves and dryads just happen to be part of the neighborhood.
That’s what I love about this series. It feels almost fable-like, like these characters and their stories have existed forever and we’re just getting to hear them now. But at the same time, it’s funny and modern and romantic and full of all these familiar tropes that never feel like they’re there just to check a box.
And I am VERY invested in everything still brewing in the background with this pack 👀
Five stars for Theo and Phoebe, and now Lena and Knox need to get over here because I am READY 🐺🌳💕
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins 360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕
I absolutely adored Big Bad Wolf, so my expectations for Wild Wicked Mate were ridiculously high. And while Big Bad Wolf still has a tiny extra piece of my heart, this was absolutely a five-star read. I did not want to put it down.
Theo and Phoebe have ten YEARS of history, chemistry, hurt, and feelings they refuse to acknowledge. The chemistry was never the problem. These two needed to admit to THEMSELVES that this was more than that, and waiting for them to finally get there was making me want to scratch my eyeballs out 😂 And then they still had to actually tell each other! The slow burn was killing me in exactly the way a good slow burn should.
I also was not prepared for Theo to be such a soft boy underneath all that swagger 🫠💕 The way he is with Phoebe just got me, especially because there’s so much hurt tangled up in their history alongside all that love.
And I loved everything happening around them just as much. The oak grove, the nymphs, the neighbors and friends slowly becoming their own little chosen pack, the road trip, the one-bed situation, even the BUNK BED situation 😅 It takes everything I love about small-town romance and drops it into this magical little world where werewolves and dryads just happen to be part of the neighborhood.
That’s what I love about this series. It feels almost fable-like, like these characters and their stories have existed forever and we’re just getting to hear them now. But at the same time, it’s funny and modern and romantic and full of all these familiar tropes that never feel like they’re there just to check a box.
And I am VERY invested in everything still brewing in the background with this pack 👀
Five stars for Theo and Phoebe, and now Lena and Knox need to get over here because I am READY 🐺🌳💕
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins 360 for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a direct continuation of Big Bad Wolf, so definitely read that one first or the characters, plot, and world will mean very little to you. It does give some closure to what's exactly going on with Lena, but I'm hoping for a third book about her and Knox. Because something is going on there and I need it.
The main plot of "finding Lena" both drug and wrapped up earlier than I would have thought. It's hard to be invested in a plot point when one of the characters knows it's just a wild goose chase. Or would it be wolf chase?
I enjoyed both of the characters and the fact that neither of them stayed celibate throughout the ten years they were friends, pining for the other. It's a role commonly given to the female character and it's overdone.
I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Theo taking care of Fee when she was ill--it's a trope that I find a lot of joy in for whatever reason. It was also the point where he came to his senses about what he wanted.
If you're looking for a book about idiots in love--this is a book for you to try. If you're not a fan of the miscommunication (or non-communication) trope, this may be one for you to tread carefully with. There's a lot of hiding feelings because of misunderstandings and angst and species differences. That happens to be my jam, so I liked it.
Can I just say that I didn't like Fee's mom? She's flighty and nosy and is only around when something interesting is happening. It reminds me of Bella's mom in Twilight, who I also don't like. Be a better mom, Runa. Not just a girlfriend.
Once again, this is darker and spicier than the Dream Harbor series, with most of the coziness.
It's also interesting that humanity is the true bad guy in the story--destroying Fee's grove and taking the wolves' land. A truth that exists outside of fiction that's being used in a light handed way without being preachy.
Fingers crossed for a third book!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
The main plot of "finding Lena" both drug and wrapped up earlier than I would have thought. It's hard to be invested in a plot point when one of the characters knows it's just a wild goose chase. Or would it be wolf chase?
I enjoyed both of the characters and the fact that neither of them stayed celibate throughout the ten years they were friends, pining for the other. It's a role commonly given to the female character and it's overdone.
I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Theo taking care of Fee when she was ill--it's a trope that I find a lot of joy in for whatever reason. It was also the point where he came to his senses about what he wanted.
If you're looking for a book about idiots in love--this is a book for you to try. If you're not a fan of the miscommunication (or non-communication) trope, this may be one for you to tread carefully with. There's a lot of hiding feelings because of misunderstandings and angst and species differences. That happens to be my jam, so I liked it.
Can I just say that I didn't like Fee's mom? She's flighty and nosy and is only around when something interesting is happening. It reminds me of Bella's mom in Twilight, who I also don't like. Be a better mom, Runa. Not just a girlfriend.
Once again, this is darker and spicier than the Dream Harbor series, with most of the coziness.
It's also interesting that humanity is the true bad guy in the story--destroying Fee's grove and taking the wolves' land. A truth that exists outside of fiction that's being used in a light handed way without being preachy.
Fingers crossed for a third book!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am so happy to be back in Maple Hollow! There is some magic Laurie Gilmore injects into every book she writes...(I am loving the paranormal so thoroughly). You will laugh at the banter, smile at every endearing moment between Theo & Phoebe, and cry both happy + sad tears. This book gripped me from the first chapter and I was flipping the pages faster & faster to see what was going to happen. I read this in ONE DAY!
I loved the glimpses we got of their past woven with present day events. It was like small little puzzle pieces that slowly showed readers foundation of their love - imperfections & all. It was like nostalgic yearning mixed with present day achinggggg for each other, I was so completely captivated. And when the boundaries of the friendship finally is torn down with no secrets??? I had real tears in my eyes. Laurie Gilmore is so immensely talented how she can evoke such emotions in her writing so flawlessly. Their love was so beautifully portrayed.
Have I mentioned yet we get a treehouse in a nymph grove?? Or snowed in - a cabin with the fireplace crackling & stockings hung?? That cozy whimsy feeling you got reading that sentence is prevalent in this entire book. But don't worry - also SPICE (bunk beds... if you know, you know).
I loved Phoebe and Theo's parts in "Big Bad Wolf" and I was so thankful we got their story alongside the dual timeline of book 1. I am now extremely desperate for Knox & Lena's story.
Thank you Laurie Gilmore from the bottom of my heart, I love and will continue to love absolutely every piece of work you release. I am so thankful for your stories and your brilliant creative mind. Thank you also to Harper 360/HarperCollins & NetGalley, I am so grateful.
I loved the glimpses we got of their past woven with present day events. It was like small little puzzle pieces that slowly showed readers foundation of their love - imperfections & all. It was like nostalgic yearning mixed with present day achinggggg for each other, I was so completely captivated. And when the boundaries of the friendship finally is torn down with no secrets??? I had real tears in my eyes. Laurie Gilmore is so immensely talented how she can evoke such emotions in her writing so flawlessly. Their love was so beautifully portrayed.
Have I mentioned yet we get a treehouse in a nymph grove?? Or snowed in - a cabin with the fireplace crackling & stockings hung?? That cozy whimsy feeling you got reading that sentence is prevalent in this entire book. But don't worry - also SPICE (bunk beds... if you know, you know).
I loved Phoebe and Theo's parts in "Big Bad Wolf" and I was so thankful we got their story alongside the dual timeline of book 1. I am now extremely desperate for Knox & Lena's story.
Thank you Laurie Gilmore from the bottom of my heart, I love and will continue to love absolutely every piece of work you release. I am so thankful for your stories and your brilliant creative mind. Thank you also to Harper 360/HarperCollins & NetGalley, I am so grateful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tropes: fated mates • werewolves meets dyrad • forced proximity • road trip • family trauma • found family/found pack • brotherly drama
I really loved getting to dive deeper into this family and the messy relationships between the brothers. We’re still dealing with the fallout from the anlpha battle, especially between Knox and his younger brothers, and there’s definitely some healing that needs to happen within the pack.
This book also picks up with the search for Ruby’s sister, Lena, who we met in Big Bad Wolf. It takes us on a road-trip-style adventure with Theo and Phoebe. And honestly… putting these two together was a recipe for chaos or success 🤭
Theo has spent his whole life feeling like the runt of the pack and never being taken seriously, which has made trusting people difficult. Phoebe has secrets of her own, though, especially when it comes to staying loyal to her family of dryads. And I loved the little glimpse into their world, especially the way the trees and dryads always seem to know what’s happening and are constantly chatting amongst themselves. Hello drama! 👀
What starts as friendship and lust slowly turns into something neither of them can really ignore. As they travel together searching for Lena, they begin to realize that maybe what they have isn’t just attraction… maybe they’re fated mates.
If you loved Big Bad Wolf, this picks up right where it left off and leaves you with another cliffhanger.
I really loved getting to dive deeper into this family and the messy relationships between the brothers. We’re still dealing with the fallout from the anlpha battle, especially between Knox and his younger brothers, and there’s definitely some healing that needs to happen within the pack.
This book also picks up with the search for Ruby’s sister, Lena, who we met in Big Bad Wolf. It takes us on a road-trip-style adventure with Theo and Phoebe. And honestly… putting these two together was a recipe for chaos or success 🤭
Theo has spent his whole life feeling like the runt of the pack and never being taken seriously, which has made trusting people difficult. Phoebe has secrets of her own, though, especially when it comes to staying loyal to her family of dryads. And I loved the little glimpse into their world, especially the way the trees and dryads always seem to know what’s happening and are constantly chatting amongst themselves. Hello drama! 👀
What starts as friendship and lust slowly turns into something neither of them can really ignore. As they travel together searching for Lena, they begin to realize that maybe what they have isn’t just attraction… maybe they’re fated mates.
If you loved Big Bad Wolf, this picks up right where it left off and leaves you with another cliffhanger.
August 13, 2026
I absolutely loved Wild Wicked Mate! 💕 Laurie Gilmore has once again delivered that perfect blend of small-town charm, romance, chemistry, and just enough drama to keep me completely invested.
The characters were so easy to root for, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There’s something about the Maple Hollow series that makes the town feel like a place I’d happily disappear into for a while. The romance had plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and the emotional side of the story gave it that extra depth that kept me turning the pages.
I especially loved the cozy small-town atmosphere and the way the story balances heart, humor, and spice. Laurie Gilmore has a real talent for creating characters who feel relatable and romances that are incredibly easy to get swept up in.
If you’re a fan of small-town romance, irresistible chemistry, lovable characters, and a story that gives you all the feels, Wild Wicked Mate is definitely worth picking up!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.75/5
Another wonderful addition to Maple Hollow, and I’m already looking forward to more from this world! ❤️
Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Harper Collins, Harper 360, and of course the wonderful Laurie Gilmore for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I can’t wait to read the first book next!
The characters were so easy to root for, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There’s something about the Maple Hollow series that makes the town feel like a place I’d happily disappear into for a while. The romance had plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and the emotional side of the story gave it that extra depth that kept me turning the pages.
I especially loved the cozy small-town atmosphere and the way the story balances heart, humor, and spice. Laurie Gilmore has a real talent for creating characters who feel relatable and romances that are incredibly easy to get swept up in.
If you’re a fan of small-town romance, irresistible chemistry, lovable characters, and a story that gives you all the feels, Wild Wicked Mate is definitely worth picking up!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.75/5
Another wonderful addition to Maple Hollow, and I’m already looking forward to more from this world! ❤️
Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Harper Collins, Harper 360, and of course the wonderful Laurie Gilmore for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I can’t wait to read the first book next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Harper 360 and Laurie Gilmore for the e-ARC of Wild Wicked Mate via Netgalley.
This book was such a fun read. The setting was more winter themed but just as cozy as Laurie Gilmore's books tend to be.
I HIGHLY recommend reading Big Bad Wolf before starting Wild Wicked Mate as there is an overarching storyline that continues throughout the series it seems.
While we do see Rafe and Ruby again, Theo and Fee are the main characters in Wild Wicked Mate and I love them.
Theo seemed like such a play boy and without any cares in Big Bad Wolf. His character showed quite a bit of growth throughout the story. Finding himself and finally accepting things that he struggled to come to terms with.
Fee was just so likeable, and there were times that my heart wanted to break for her. She wrestled with some of the same struggles that Theo had but from a different aspect.
The overarching storyline keeps the story moving while keeping the romantic relationship development between Theo and Fee the main focus. There are flashbacks throughout that give the story depth and context that readers wouldn't get otherwise.
I'm thrilled with this story so far, and extremely interested to see where it goes from here.
This one is for lovers of fated mates, yearning, second chances, and finally embracing the inevitable.
This book was such a fun read. The setting was more winter themed but just as cozy as Laurie Gilmore's books tend to be.
I HIGHLY recommend reading Big Bad Wolf before starting Wild Wicked Mate as there is an overarching storyline that continues throughout the series it seems.
While we do see Rafe and Ruby again, Theo and Fee are the main characters in Wild Wicked Mate and I love them.
Theo seemed like such a play boy and without any cares in Big Bad Wolf. His character showed quite a bit of growth throughout the story. Finding himself and finally accepting things that he struggled to come to terms with.
Fee was just so likeable, and there were times that my heart wanted to break for her. She wrestled with some of the same struggles that Theo had but from a different aspect.
The overarching storyline keeps the story moving while keeping the romantic relationship development between Theo and Fee the main focus. There are flashbacks throughout that give the story depth and context that readers wouldn't get otherwise.
I'm thrilled with this story so far, and extremely interested to see where it goes from here.
This one is for lovers of fated mates, yearning, second chances, and finally embracing the inevitable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the second book in the Maple Hollow series, and I would definitely recommend reading the first one before you read this one. The story pretty much picks up right where that one left off. We also get the story of Theo, a werewolf, and his best friend Phoebe “Fee,” a dryad. They’ve danced around one another for years but have never taken the next step to becoming more than friends, until now.
I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. Right from the beginning Fee is keeping information from Theo, and lying to him. That goes on throughout the majority of the book, until it all comes out of course and a fight and breakup ensue. For someone who supposedly wanted more with Theo, starting off with a lie was not a good way to go.
Theo was also holding things back from Fee, so a lot of the book was them not telling each other things. I just felt frustrated for the majority of the book, and never really connected with Theo and Fee. There is an overarching story going on though that has kept my interest, and I believe I know who the couple in the third book will be. I want to thank Harper 360/Harper Collins and NetGalley for the copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/F
I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. Right from the beginning Fee is keeping information from Theo, and lying to him. That goes on throughout the majority of the book, until it all comes out of course and a fight and breakup ensue. For someone who supposedly wanted more with Theo, starting off with a lie was not a good way to go.
Theo was also holding things back from Fee, so a lot of the book was them not telling each other things. I just felt frustrated for the majority of the book, and never really connected with Theo and Fee. There is an overarching story going on though that has kept my interest, and I believe I know who the couple in the third book will be. I want to thank Harper 360/Harper Collins and NetGalley for the copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/F
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Harper 360 and Netgalley for the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wild wicked Mate is book two in Maple Hollow series, and focuses on best friends Phoebe (Fee) who is a Dryad, and Theo, who is a Werewolf. It's a slow burn friends to lovers romance with SO. MUCH. mutual yearning. Not only do we get a tangled but sweet love story, but we get a cozy, quirky town full of fun characters and various species, too!
Fee and Theo are helping their family and friends find a missing person, who coincidentally is a seer and twin sister of Ruby (from book one). Two rival packs both want the seer to help provide answers about their pack futures. No one is sure where she is, if she's in danger, and the town pulls together to look for her. During this search there are side plots happening that also help to set up for book three, and I'm so looking forward to it!!
I loved the fun banter, flirting, and smirks from Theo; and how his and Fee's story developed. Friends to Lovers is such a great trope when done right. I'm honestly obsessed with Maple Hollow series and it's unique population! I can't wait for more of this series and anxiously awaiting for more!
Wild wicked Mate is book two in Maple Hollow series, and focuses on best friends Phoebe (Fee) who is a Dryad, and Theo, who is a Werewolf. It's a slow burn friends to lovers romance with SO. MUCH. mutual yearning. Not only do we get a tangled but sweet love story, but we get a cozy, quirky town full of fun characters and various species, too!
Fee and Theo are helping their family and friends find a missing person, who coincidentally is a seer and twin sister of Ruby (from book one). Two rival packs both want the seer to help provide answers about their pack futures. No one is sure where she is, if she's in danger, and the town pulls together to look for her. During this search there are side plots happening that also help to set up for book three, and I'm so looking forward to it!!
I loved the fun banter, flirting, and smirks from Theo; and how his and Fee's story developed. Friends to Lovers is such a great trope when done right. I'm honestly obsessed with Maple Hollow series and it's unique population! I can't wait for more of this series and anxiously awaiting for more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wild Wicked Mate is a howling good time! I have been looking forward to reading this since the moment I finished Big Bad Wolf! This is a road trip romance with werewolves and other paranormal beings. When the story opens, Phoebe and Theo are just starting to get cozy with each other after being friends for many years. They are interrupted by a call from Theo’s brother, Rafe (Big Bad Wolf) asking for their help finding Lena, Ruby’s sister. Lena, a seer, is missing and they are afraid another wolfpack has kidnapped her. Everyone in their small town comes together to search for her.
Theo is funny and sweet and thinks Phoebe is beautiful, but he’s always held himself back from her. Now he’s ready to be more than friends. Phoebe has been in love with Theo for a long time but she doesn’t want to risk losing their friendship. But as they travel together, they flirt and things get pretty steamy. This book is pretty spicy!
I loved the found family in this story and the book cover is so pretty with Phoebe’s treehouse. There are BIG secrets revealed later in the story that I didn’t see coming and I’m hoping there will be a third story with Lena and Knox (Theo’s brother). This is a fun world to visit. Thank you to the author, HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC. My full review will be at Spoonerreads.com closer to the release date. 10/20
Theo is funny and sweet and thinks Phoebe is beautiful, but he’s always held himself back from her. Now he’s ready to be more than friends. Phoebe has been in love with Theo for a long time but she doesn’t want to risk losing their friendship. But as they travel together, they flirt and things get pretty steamy. This book is pretty spicy!
I loved the found family in this story and the book cover is so pretty with Phoebe’s treehouse. There are BIG secrets revealed later in the story that I didn’t see coming and I’m hoping there will be a third story with Lena and Knox (Theo’s brother). This is a fun world to visit. Thank you to the author, HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC. My full review will be at Spoonerreads.com closer to the release date. 10/20
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wild Wicked Mate was fine. I’m not mad I read it, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it either.
Friends to lovers is already my least favorite romance trope, and this particular version didn’t work for me. This wasn’t two longtime friends suddenly seeing each other differently, Phoebe and Theo have clearly wanted each other for years, flirt constantly, and have feelings neither is particularly good at hiding. Once Theo was no longer with his pack, I had a hard time understanding what was actually preventing them from being together. The central obstacle felt too flimsy to sustain an entire novel, so instead of yearning, I mostly felt frustrated waiting for them to finally acknowledge the obvious.
There were still cute moments, and I liked the paranormal small-town setting and found family elements, but I never became invested enough in the romance. By the final quarter, I was skimming to finish.
A solid three stars: not a bad read, just not one that worked particularly well for me.
Wild Wicked Mate was fine. I’m not mad I read it, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it either.
Friends to lovers is already my least favorite romance trope, and this particular version didn’t work for me. This wasn’t two longtime friends suddenly seeing each other differently, Phoebe and Theo have clearly wanted each other for years, flirt constantly, and have feelings neither is particularly good at hiding. Once Theo was no longer with his pack, I had a hard time understanding what was actually preventing them from being together. The central obstacle felt too flimsy to sustain an entire novel, so instead of yearning, I mostly felt frustrated waiting for them to finally acknowledge the obvious.
There were still cute moments, and I liked the paranormal small-town setting and found family elements, but I never became invested enough in the romance. By the final quarter, I was skimming to finish.
A solid three stars: not a bad read, just not one that worked particularly well for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wild Wicked Mate takes us back to Maple Hollow where Lena is missing . Theo, Rafe's brother and Fee, his best friend are trying to help to find Lena. They have been best friends for 10 years and a year ago, Theo promised Fee things would be different between them and took those promises back the next day. Fee and Theo have remained friends, but have been careful about spending too much time together. The search for Lena puts them in close proximity where they are forced to explore their feelings and what they mean to each other.
I so enjoyed this book and am loving the Maple Hollow series! I love Theo and Fee's devotion to their friendship and sometimes misguided space they give each other. I also just love this town and all of the paranormal creatures that live there. This is another cozy mystery romance and the perfect book to enjoy curled up by the fire with hot cider. Highly recommend and I CANNOT wait to see what is next for Maple Hollow! Thank you Harper360 and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I so enjoyed this book and am loving the Maple Hollow series! I love Theo and Fee's devotion to their friendship and sometimes misguided space they give each other. I also just love this town and all of the paranormal creatures that live there. This is another cozy mystery romance and the perfect book to enjoy curled up by the fire with hot cider. Highly recommend and I CANNOT wait to see what is next for Maple Hollow! Thank you Harper360 and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a big fan of the first in this series, and I was so excited to see this second installment of Maple Hollow out so soon!
Here we delve into the story of Theo and Fee. They have been friends for 10 years, with Theo being a gigantic idiot for much of the last year or so. Like, bro can’t get out of his own way. The book picks up where the last one left off, with a major event underway.
Fee is put in a position where she is asked to keep an impactful secret. Most of the book we see her having an internal battle around said secret, while she and Theo are thrown into close proximity (hello, only one bed trope!) where they can’t as easily brush off their feelings and attraction for each other. It all ends well but, good lord, Theo is just supremely immature. I understand it given his pack and family dynamics, but be prepared to want to shake him a few times. All-in-all, it was a fun story and well worth the read.
Thank you Harper360 for sending this ebook for my review consideration. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Here we delve into the story of Theo and Fee. They have been friends for 10 years, with Theo being a gigantic idiot for much of the last year or so. Like, bro can’t get out of his own way. The book picks up where the last one left off, with a major event underway.
Fee is put in a position where she is asked to keep an impactful secret. Most of the book we see her having an internal battle around said secret, while she and Theo are thrown into close proximity (hello, only one bed trope!) where they can’t as easily brush off their feelings and attraction for each other. It all ends well but, good lord, Theo is just supremely immature. I understand it given his pack and family dynamics, but be prepared to want to shake him a few times. All-in-all, it was a fun story and well worth the read.
Thank you Harper360 for sending this ebook for my review consideration. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded 4)
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC. All thoughts, feelings, and opinions are my own!
This story follows Theo (Rafe from book one's brother) and Phoebe as they continue to solve the mysteries this town has to offer. We meet them in the first book and get a little bit of their 10-year history. This story continues plot lines from book one, so it is very important to read this series in order to understand what is going on and why certain things matter.
I was so interested in the overarching plot, so I was a little disappointed that this book doesn't touch on it as much as book one. This book focuses a lot on the main couple, so I felt like I was missing some of my townsfolk that I came to love.
I really loved getting to see this relationship ebb and flow throughout the years. I would have loved more chapters in the past but the ones that were included did a great job and showing the highlights we needed.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes! This book left me with so many questions!
Rating: 3.5/5 (Rounded 4)
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC. All thoughts, feelings, and opinions are my own!
This story follows Theo (Rafe from book one's brother) and Phoebe as they continue to solve the mysteries this town has to offer. We meet them in the first book and get a little bit of their 10-year history. This story continues plot lines from book one, so it is very important to read this series in order to understand what is going on and why certain things matter.
I was so interested in the overarching plot, so I was a little disappointed that this book doesn't touch on it as much as book one. This book focuses a lot on the main couple, so I felt like I was missing some of my townsfolk that I came to love.
I really loved getting to see this relationship ebb and flow throughout the years. I would have loved more chapters in the past but the ones that were included did a great job and showing the highlights we needed.
I cannot wait to see where this series goes! This book left me with so many questions!
September 8, 2026
I am so excited to read the next Maple Hollow Book!! After the first book, Big Bad Wolf, I needed Theo and Fee's story. I loved seeing both their current friendship/relationship and also flashbacks to when they first met and became friends.
Theo was so cavalier in the first book but once I read his book, I could see his scars inside and out. He has been through so much and it changed him. My heart broke for him losing his brothers and pact and how he didn't feel like he was good enough for Fee. I am happy he was honest with her eventually.
Fee, this little nymph, I loved her but man she made me mad in the beginning 🤣 I get her reasoning (not going to spoil) but I also wanted to shake some sense into her. I do love how much she loves Theo and cares for him as a friend and as her mate/love.
I loved the road trip setting and the different situations they end up in, especially running into Fee's mom. It was a great slow burn and I loved their connection as friends to mates and their love!
I am now waiting impatiently for book 3 as I want to see Lena's story, I have been excited from book 1 to read it and now I am even more excited!!! I can't wait!!
Theo was so cavalier in the first book but once I read his book, I could see his scars inside and out. He has been through so much and it changed him. My heart broke for him losing his brothers and pact and how he didn't feel like he was good enough for Fee. I am happy he was honest with her eventually.
Fee, this little nymph, I loved her but man she made me mad in the beginning 🤣 I get her reasoning (not going to spoil) but I also wanted to shake some sense into her. I do love how much she loves Theo and cares for him as a friend and as her mate/love.
I loved the road trip setting and the different situations they end up in, especially running into Fee's mom. It was a great slow burn and I loved their connection as friends to mates and their love!
I am now waiting impatiently for book 3 as I want to see Lena's story, I have been excited from book 1 to read it and now I am even more excited!!! I can't wait!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're in the mood for a spicy friends-to-lovers situationship that may or may not be fated mates, this might be right up your alley. It's very much a "don't think about it too much, just vibe with it" kind of book, and I can absolutely see people having a great time with it.
Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I went in expecting a long friendship, years of pining, and fated mates to give me the slow burn of my dreams, but I never quite felt the yearning or found the reasoning behind them not pursuing a relationship convincing enough. I also struggled to connect with the characters, although their backstories were compelling.
The mystery surrounding the pack and Lena's disappearance was a nice touch, though, and definitely left me curious about what the next book has in store. Ultimately, I just couldn't get into this one, but I can see why the tropes and vibe will work for many readers.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper360 for the eARC! The review reflects my own honest opinions.
Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I went in expecting a long friendship, years of pining, and fated mates to give me the slow burn of my dreams, but I never quite felt the yearning or found the reasoning behind them not pursuing a relationship convincing enough. I also struggled to connect with the characters, although their backstories were compelling.
The mystery surrounding the pack and Lena's disappearance was a nice touch, though, and definitely left me curious about what the next book has in store. Ultimately, I just couldn't get into this one, but I can see why the tropes and vibe will work for many readers.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper360 for the eARC! The review reflects my own honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 2, in the Maple Hollow series, WILD WICKED MATE, takes up after where the book left us with a cliffhanger - but the twist here is that we don't get the story of Lena and her "abduction" but of Dryad Phoebe and youngest werewolf brother, Theo.
Like the first book, the chemistry between the two characters is off the charts, especially since this starts out as an unlikely friends-to-lovers story ( my favorite trope!)
Theo and Phoebe and the town of Maple Hollow are tasked with locating Lena, whom everyone believes is with the alpha brother, Knox ( PS she is, and we know that from the beginning, so no spoilers here.)
What evolves is a story of secrets, misdirection, angst, and family dysfunction. Plus a whole lot of slow burn, then steamy intimacy.
I loved Theo. Broken down by a cruel father, thinking himself worthless when he is sososos worthy of every bit of love and affection. This was a great story, IMHO, even though once again it ended on a cliffhanger!!! And I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and Ms. Gilmour for a sneak peek. I can not wait for Lena's story!!! 5 stars
Like the first book, the chemistry between the two characters is off the charts, especially since this starts out as an unlikely friends-to-lovers story ( my favorite trope!)
Theo and Phoebe and the town of Maple Hollow are tasked with locating Lena, whom everyone believes is with the alpha brother, Knox ( PS she is, and we know that from the beginning, so no spoilers here.)
What evolves is a story of secrets, misdirection, angst, and family dysfunction. Plus a whole lot of slow burn, then steamy intimacy.
I loved Theo. Broken down by a cruel father, thinking himself worthless when he is sososos worthy of every bit of love and affection. This was a great story, IMHO, even though once again it ended on a cliffhanger!!! And I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and Ms. Gilmour for a sneak peek. I can not wait for Lena's story!!! 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this enemies-to-lovers werewolf × nymph romance!
The yearning between these two was everything. The way they kept denying what was so obviously happening between them had me waiting for the moment they finally admitted they could no longer avoid their connection. Sometimes you just have to accept that the chemistry is CHEMISTRY.
Theo was such an incredible friend and mate. He consistently went above and beyond for the people he cared about even when helping them went against his better judgment. That loyalty made me love him even more.
And Phoebe! She may have been cunning at first, but ultimately, I truly believe she had their best interests at heart.
Now I’m VERY interested in what happens next because Lena and Knox?! I’m already getting mate vibes from their connection, and I need to know if my theory is right.
Needless to say, I’m excited for the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review
The yearning between these two was everything. The way they kept denying what was so obviously happening between them had me waiting for the moment they finally admitted they could no longer avoid their connection. Sometimes you just have to accept that the chemistry is CHEMISTRY.
Theo was such an incredible friend and mate. He consistently went above and beyond for the people he cared about even when helping them went against his better judgment. That loyalty made me love him even more.
And Phoebe! She may have been cunning at first, but ultimately, I truly believe she had their best interests at heart.
Now I’m VERY interested in what happens next because Lena and Knox?! I’m already getting mate vibes from their connection, and I need to know if my theory is right.
Needless to say, I’m excited for the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an arc read from NetGalley. I loved the story of Rafes brother and his nymph friend. I liked the slow burn of them too. Even though the FMC was buying time for the "seer" which is the sister of book 1's sister, she didn't want to lie to the MMC but knew she couldn't tell him. I liked everything from the plot of this book to the flashbacks but when the FMC and MMC first met. How they have always had this connection that there was no denying but themselves but because the MMC was the son of the alpha he couldn't go for a nymph. Being that his dad had gotten his older brothers girl friend dead, he didn't want to risk his friend the FMC. I liked how in the end it turned out she had some wolf in her and that is why she was also to mate with the MMC and she wasn't going to leave him which was his fear. Truly enjoyed this 2nd book of the series. I don't think you have to read the first book to understand the characters. It's a plus if you do though.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a seer close to the town disappears at the end of the last book, everyone is scrambling to find her. Theo and his best friend Phoebe are on a road trip to some of Lena's favorite places on the off chance she just needed to escape for awhile. Ten years of friendship while denying their yearning for more make for a tense ride, especially with the secrets Pheobe is keeping. Close proximity, days of tension, and one bed scenarios finally have Theo ready to give them a chance. Will their friendship survive the fallout if he's wrong?
This series is so good! I love the small town feel, with the magical creatures blending in with the clueless humans. Tensions are heating up between the packs, development is threatening the very forests they live in, and Lena and Ruby may be the key to their survival. I'm so excited to read what happens next with Knox and Lena!
Thank you Harper Collins 360 for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This series is so good! I love the small town feel, with the magical creatures blending in with the clueless humans. Tensions are heating up between the packs, development is threatening the very forests they live in, and Lena and Ruby may be the key to their survival. I'm so excited to read what happens next with Knox and Lena!
Thank you Harper Collins 360 for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn't able to read the first installment in this series as it wasn't available to request on NG, buttttt this was still a fun book. Did I feel like I was missing key parts? Sure but I was still able to enjoy Phoebe and Theo's story.
Wild Wicked Mate is a story of two long time best friends and all the highs and lows of navigating their friendship and more. A lot of spice! A lot of human emotions for wolves and fae and other mythical beings. WWM has characters that have realistic and relatable emotions, while still maintaining the fantasy element and it's all layered into an interesting and not quite normal town.
I think the blending of contemporary and fantasy is done really well here. And the spice? Delicious, if unexpected from the cozy book title 🤭
I'd read this one again after the first and I think I'd enjoy it even more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Wild Wicked Mate is a story of two long time best friends and all the highs and lows of navigating their friendship and more. A lot of spice! A lot of human emotions for wolves and fae and other mythical beings. WWM has characters that have realistic and relatable emotions, while still maintaining the fantasy element and it's all layered into an interesting and not quite normal town.
I think the blending of contemporary and fantasy is done really well here. And the spice? Delicious, if unexpected from the cozy book title 🤭
I'd read this one again after the first and I think I'd enjoy it even more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
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