Author's Moonstruck is a standalone novel and my FIRST Black wolf shifter romance.Amaryllis James is eager to move on with her life. After a night she doesn’t want to think about, she returns to managing Bill’s General Store in the hopes of keeping her life small and familiar. The last thing she needs is a dangerously handsome stranger wandering in and turning her routine upside down.
Enter Cyrus Pierce.
As Beta of MoonShadow, he’s in Canyon City on pack assignment—nothing more. Help at the pack’s business front for a few weeks. Report back. Leave. Except the human woman running the store is his mate, and something strange is stalking the town from the shadows.
As attraction turns dangerous and secrets rise to the surface, Cyrus realizes Canyon City is hiding more than rumors, and Amaryllis may be tied to it in ways neither of them expected.
Between the mystery of who did it?; Ms. Mae surprising me (minor characters); the Comedic relief from some of the other minor characters; Cyrus and Amara’s bantering and the story telling, this book kept me entertained and wanting to read more!
I also love how patient Cyrus was with Amara! He won her over being a true cowboy and in the end she rode her cowboy! 😉🤭 I do hope we see a book two in the near future!
The slow burn. The yearning. The plot twist. The spice!!
I'm a visual reader and this was something I could see myself watching on Amazon Prime or Hulu. A mini series or something. Let's break it down.
THE CHARACTERS
I consider myself a character reader and the MCs did not disappoint. Cyrus is everything you want in an MMC. He's patient, possessive, protective, generous - ugh! I think it was only and he was spending BANK on Amaryllis. A provider! He was sexy too. That motorcycle? A hundred times YES! But what I loved most was how he helped Amaryllis work through her life altering issue. He was so patient when he led her through it. But don't get it twisted. He was quick to let her know when she was messing up too. 🤣
And Amaryllis! This was her book for sure! I was proud of how she navigated her trauma and came out on top. I enjoyed her cowgirl background, slightly grumpy personality, and the drama with her mama. A strong FMC with a strong character arc. She had her own stuff going on and wasn't just waiting on Cyrus to come around. 🙌🏾
THE PLOT
WHOO! There was a twist in this book that snuck me outta nowhere and it was sooo good. It was a huge part of Amaryllis's development and carried into the mystery subplot perfectly. Speaking of the mystery, the author weaved it so well with the romance that one never outshined the other. The mystery was a fun part of the story that kept me reading just like the romance.
THE PACING
The story starts a bit slow despite the characters meeting in the first chapter. But this is because the suspects are being introduced and the slow burn is building. But after chapter 8, the story really takes off! I didn't mind the start at all since I was keyed in on the mystery and the build up. 🕵🏾♀️
THE ROMANCE
A TRUE, well-executed slow burn that felt very worth it when the spice hit. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
CYRUS'S YEARNING MADE THIS ROMANCE!! This is how an MMC yearns!!! There are way too many MMCs obsessed with how FMCs look. Not Cyrus. This man was DOWN BAD for Amaryllis because of everything she was. He knew she was gorgeous but when we slipped into his POV, he talked about how much he loved her and wanted to be with her. How much he wanted a future with her.
And I loved his wolf. Did it have him Yes. But did it have him obsessed with breeding her? NO. Did it talk? ALSO NO. Thank God! 🤣 But he was so about his woman and you could see it in the way he showed up for her time after time. Ugh!! Their relationship felt so earned. 🥰
THE SPICE 🌶🌶🌶
Spice is one of Ms. Jade's strengths for sure. I read her previous books and her spice is always sexy af, well written, and well placed. That dual POV mating scene was immaculate. She described Cyrus as a yapper and she DID NOT lie. The nasty scenes in this book are creative and make that slow burn worth it. You will want a CYRUS. 🥵😝😝😝
THE VIBE
BLACK!!! This book is Black and beautiful. I definitely clocked several ties to our culture. Not just how they looked but food, hygiene, Bill Pickett, character names. All done in a way that felt natural and didn't feel like name dropping. I loved it. In my opinion, this is how you make a book feel Black. I hope Ms. Jade continues to write her wolf shifter romance in Black ink. 💯
So yeah, definitely read this book. Don't be afraid if you've never read wolves. It's not omegaverse. And if you have, I'd like to say if you like xyz, you'd like this but nobody else writes Black wolf shifter romance like this. There are no comps. Read it and you'll see what I mean.
If you like wolf shifters but find yourself wanting more than the standard "woman gets kidnapped or running away from a bad situation and then forced to stay with her wolf mate until the bond kicks in," check it out!
I don't even know where to start with my review but I ate this up in about a day, chile. It was soooo good. First of all, I absolutely LOVED how Black this book was. Ms. Jade wrote Cyrus and Amaryllis in a really good, positive way. They FELT Black. Even if she were to take away their looks, they would still feel Black. And that was it for me.
There was this part where Cyrus If you're a Black woman, YOU KNOW three hours ain't enough time lol but its not just hair stuff. It's also the mention of a customer's AKA sweater and then her later telling Cyrus she's the pretty sister. That's Black culture. And a motorcycle ride to a reggae spot? That's STRAIGHT outta Love Jones. There were so many Black gems I probably didn't catch them all but it made this read SO enjoyable.
I'm just getting into paranormal romance but I find the stories to be kind of linear in a way, not much happening plot wise. THIS was not like that. Moonstruck had a mystery (that I solved btw) and the romance was a TRUE slow burn. They didn't start being nasty until like And the spice scenes are EVERYTHING! So creative. The The way Cyrus was talking during? Jesus. He's a book bae for sure!
There's a big twist in the book that had me gagged! I did NOT see it coming the way it did. But it added an amazing layer to the story, especially for Amaryllis's development. And for their relationship development too. Cyrus and Amaryllis felt earned, not just pushed together. They were fated mates that had to choose each other. It wasn't just the flip of a switch. He was actually there, yearning, protecting and providing for her. It was so sweeeettt!!!!
I could type about Moonstruck forever. I honestly wish there was more of them. This is hands down my favorite read of 2026 so far. I mean I made a GR account just to review it. Ms. Jade said that she is writing a novella for Moni next since people asked about her. I can't wait to read it.
I’m new to shifter romances and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised, happy, thrilled and satisfied by this story!
First of all, the author’s writing style is so illustrative and all immersive (in a balanced way of course) that it was so easy to get lost in the story. I actually intentionally delayed finishing this book because I didn’t want it to end.
The book follows a strong willed, highly successful yet complex FMC who’s trying to adjust to her new normal in a new town, away from her close knit family. The MMC is a motorcycle riding wolf shifter, stopping by in this new town and immediately realizes that the FMC is his fated mate.
There’s a painfully delicious slow burn (intimacy doesn’t happen until 80%) in, that’s so well written it’ll have you experiencing a plethora of emotions. And if I wasn’t squirming, I was screaming, if not screaming I was clutching my pearls! The romance is well done.
I also appreciated the different nods to cultures (cowboy, southern, Caribbean) as well as the subtle nods to pop culture (beyonce), that were tastefully done in a way that didn’t take away from the story.
I think that this black shifter romance was so tastefully done and the minor indicators of the unique experience of blackness along with the magical uniqueness of paranormal magic was a masterpiece.
Moonstruck by Jade Ambrosia is the epitome of a slow-burn romance! Don’t let the gentle pacing fool you—after chapter 10, the action kicks into high gear and you won’t be able to put it down.
I absolutely adored this standalone shifter romance and honestly wish it were a duology or even a full series. There’s so much potential with the other wolves and the mysterious MoonShadow that I’d love to see explored further.
Amaryllis and Cyrus have fantastic chemistry, and their banter is pure gold. Watching their relationship develop from sparks to something deeper was an absolute treat.
One aspect I especially loved about this book is Amaryllis’s character arc. The challenges she faces—particularly her complicated relationship with her mother and the life-altering accident that sparks the story—are woven into her journey with genuine depth. Watching her confront her fears, heal, and grow into her own strength feels both believable and truly empowering.
Cyrus is the perfect counterpart—supportive, intriguing, and just the right amount of brooding. Together, they make a couple you genuinely want to root for.
If you’re craving a slow-burn, supernatural romance with heart, humor, and plenty of heat, Moonstruck is a must-read. Fingers crossed we get more stories from this world!
**Tropes first because this one?? FATED, DANGEROUS, and ADDICTIVE 👀🐺🔥**
• wolf shifter romance • fated mates 🖤 • small-town mystery • protective beta MMC • “she’s human… but not just human” energy
Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Moonstruck starts off simple—small town, quiet life, just trying to move on… and then *he* walks in and everything shifts 👀
Cyrus?? Instant “that’s my mate” energy—but with stakes. Because this isn’t just attraction… something is *wrong* in this town 🔥
And Amaryllis?? She’s trying to keep her world small, safe, manageable—but the deeper the story goes, the more you realize she’s connected to something way bigger than she thought 🖤
The tension in this?? So good.
It’s not just romance—it’s mystery, danger, and that constant feeling that something is lurking just out of sight 👀
✨ This is a 5⭐ because: • the fated mates dynamic hits perfectly • the mystery adds a strong, addictive layer • the chemistry builds naturally and feels intense • it keeps you hooked from start to finish
✨ If you love: • wolf shifter romance 🐺 • fated mates • small-town settings with secrets • romance mixed with suspense
This one is emotional, tense, and seriously hard to put down 👀🔥
Jade Ambrosia gave us a paranormal romance that’s equal parts swoon-worthy and genuinely funny—and I loved every second of it.
At its core, this is a fated mates story, but what really stood out to me was how intentional the pacing felt. This is a true slow burn. The connection between Cyrus and Amaryllis isn’t rushed—it builds through tension, banter, and moments that make the eventual payoff sweet and satisfying.
I loved both of the MCs. Cyrus is definitely a new book bae!
I also really loved the nods to Black culture throughout the story—and especially the subtle homages to Black romance films. Those moments added a layer of familiarity and warmth that made the story feel even more intentional.
If you’re into:
✨fated mates ✨ he falls first energy ✨ slow burn that actually takes its time ✨small-town romance with a touch of mystery
…this one is absolutely worth picking up.
No notes. I’ll definitely be back for the next wolf shifter romance.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this arc via booksprout and all my opinions are my own.
I love me a good werewolf story and this definitely delivered. It was a different take on werewolf lore and thats fine. I honestly love when authors make up new versions, better than being stale and over use of the same depictions. The author did an amazing job of world and character building. Each character had a unique voice and I could picture how they look based on the descriptions. There was mystery, emotion, mild heartache and happiness. It wasn't just about a town or pack, it was also about the people involved. Also for spicy lovers, oh this definitely has the spice you want and realistic scenes that don't make you turn your head upside down trying to figure out how tf that possible. There were some twists that I didn't see coming nor did I predict the correct perpetrator lol so Bravo for keeping me on my toes. All in all I really did enjoy the story especially the banter and growing love of Amaryllis and Cyrus.
I received a review readers copy of this story, and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed this book, with strong willed stubborn characters that had to learn to love each other. To be patient, and to understand each other and the world around them more. The world building was immersive, the bond was there but not instant (at least not for both of them) and the growth the characters had both together and individually was amazing to read. This book was also written in a way that made me feel like I was part of it, which drew me in even more and made me love each moment! They may have been fated, but that didn't mean it would be easy, and I love that despite being fated they still had to actually work to learn about each other and choose it, choose each other, and to actually choose the bond. They didn't just get struck by fate and do a 180, and it felt more realistic and created a much stronger connection for me as a reader. Also the cowboy hat <3
Thank you to the author for this gifted e-Arc I loved this so much, I stayed up until 4am to finish it, once I started I couldn’t put it down, it’s addicting. I haven’t read a shifter romance in a while and this was absolutely amazing. I absolutely loved Amara and Cyrus, their chemistry even when they were strangers could be felt from the beginning.The writing was great, the pacing was good, and the banter and yearning were off the charts and the spice will have you blushing and clutching your pearls, if I could give it 6 stars I would 10/10!!!!! “and looking at you now under this tree with the light hitting your skin, all I can think is sunshine must’ve been made for you” (swoons🤤). And to the author- the way chapter 29 ended was so disrespectful, had my eyes wide open then the scene ended.😂
I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review of this book.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I am not into the whole wolf or fantasy genre and was a bit skeptical on if I would be able to follow the language and context but this book did not overwhelm a newbie at all. The story telling was great and the romance was amazing. I found myself smiling while reading. It was almost impossible for me to put the book down most nights because I HAD to know what was going to happen next. I also love that we found ourselves in a mystery and didn’t even realize it until we were in the thick of it.
This book is for romance lovers who are looking for a subtle hint of mystery.
I'm not a book reviewer by any means so thank you to Ms. Jade for letting me read her book. I'm sad this is the only thing she has published right now. I'd love to read more from her.
My friend joined this ARC team and asked me to join. At first I was like nah you got it. We don't typically enjoy reading the same type of romance. The last time she tried to get me to read a wolf romance I couldn't even finish it because the fmc was basically a hostage. My friend swore up and down this one was different and it actually was.
I loved this damn book. It literally starts with "Act I: Somebodies Lying". So for me, I was on guard paying attention to all the characters we met in those first 5 or 6 chapters. I was trying to solve the mystery! And did!
But the romance in Moonstruck is undefeated. My God. When I say this mmc yearned for like of the book. It was sooo goood. Not once did he try to hold her hostage or no shit like that. He was always there for her when she needed him. *shakes head* Mm.
The twist with Amaryllis caught me off guard and gave her so much depth. Her character arc was solid. She wasnt just floating through the book. She was making choices and setting boundaries. I loved the little bit of sass she had toward him too. It was cute.
And the spice -- I have never read sex scenes this well-written. Cyrus has a mouth on him and you can take that how you want. But I will say its a slow burn so you're gonna work for it but its SO worth it in the end.
This story blends paranormal romance, small‑town mystery, and slow‑burn tension in a way that feels addictive.
The chemistry between Amaryllis and Cyrus is instant but layered, shaped by secrets, trauma, and instincts neither of them fully understand.
Their dynamic is equal parts tender and volatile, and watching them circle each other drawn in, pulling back, drawn in again was one of my favorite parts.
🌿🖤 If you love: • found family with bite • a touch of danger • and a heroine who refuses to be underestimated… go ahead and add this to your spring TBR.
This was delightful read! The main couple are so adorable and super hot! This was a new and fresh shifter romance that wasn’t predictable or stale. I thoroughly enjoyed Cyrus and Amara’s journeys. The yearning y’all! The spice was immaculate and the plot and twists were well written. I’m usually a really good plot twist catcher and this one got me. I was hooked right away. Moonstruck was my first book into my ARC journey and I’m so happy I started with this one. This is your next summer read for sure!
What To Expect ✦ Black romance ✦ Wolf shifters ✦ Chosen mates ✦ Slow burn (yearning!) ✦ He falls first ✦ Secret identity ✦ Forced proximity ✦ Small town romance ✦ Touch her and die ✦ Grumpy x sunshine
The slow burn was intense and magnificent. But when that flame was ignited...whew! I absolutely love the protective fierceness of Cyrus and the challenges Amaryllis faced and overcame... She made me proud. I also loved how BLACK this book was. It was very clear from character descriptions to small details like Riddims, box braids (iykyk) and the Bill Pickett Rodeo, this was a beautiful Black Love Story.
I am still getting acquainted with paranormal/shifter books, but this was absolutely amazing. Add to it, having the small-town mystery element, I literally could not put it down. I read through this in a day with ease.
While it is a standalone, it could easily become a series. This was such a well-written Black shifter story. I’d recommend this a million times over!!
This is a new author for me, so I had to take my time to read this one. I want to start off with saying I love the lore behind the supernatural aspect of this book. Whereas everyone wants to the alpha to fall in love, this is not that. Which makes this even more interesting to me, I liked the FMC and MC. Though there was some parts where both kind of annoyed the heck out of me. Their story came together nicely, the plot itself was rich with some interesting elements to it. I don’t wanna spoil it for anyone haha.
Just be prepared for some turns haha. Overall I’d read another book by this author. There was some drawback for me. It was slow in the beginning of the book. Almost didn’t finish but it picked up around 30-45% of the book.
4.5/5⭐️ This fast pace, paranormal romance was such a good read. The book starts with an awesome dedication!!!! ( kudos!!!)
Moonstruck introduces you to Amaryllis, FMC. She resides in a small town and is currently employed in the local store. She holds her own set of secrets. The MMC, Cyrus is sent to the small town to look after the local shop by his Alpha. Cyrus is authoritative …in his own right, and did I mention he is a motorcycle riding Beta😏.
I truly Enjoyed Ambrosia descriptive writing. There are so many elements that I enjoyed…from the family dynamics depicted within the book, the relatable characters, the banter and of course the Slowburn 🫠
❤️Thank you Jade Ambrosia for this advance reader copy.
Tropes include: 🐺Wolf shifters 🏡Small town vibes 😍He falls first…. 🤬”Who did this to you?” 🥵Slow-burn A touch of mystery/suspense….🫣
Paranormal Shifters He falls first Chosen mates Secret identity Small town Forced proximity Touch her Grumpy sunshine Black romance Plus size FMC
Cyrus and Amaryllis
A slow burn paranormal romance that pulled me back into shifter world. The author built a world filled with secrets and suspense. The characters have been well developed. The writing was good and entertaining. It started slow but when it got going, it kept getting better. The relationship wasn’t forced. Even though they were fated mates, they didn’t force the relationship. It developed in a realistic sense that it took time. They got to know each other.
The author did a fantastic job writing the Beta's story from the Moonshadow pack. It was fun to see the other characters again. It's impressive how well they were incorporated into Cyrus and Amaryllis's story.
As much as I like this book and appreciate how well rounded it is for an inner-connected standalone; I do think that there is missed potential in expanding the depth. Truly, nothing is missing. Questions are not left unanswered. I can just see the potential of it having been so much bigger.
Regardless, it's a cute story. Starts off a bit slow, but there was a note from the author stating it would be. It was nice knowing that- which made it not irritating waiting for it to pick up.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I found myself smiling and laughing to myself while reading the banter between the MMC and FMC. Due to their antics, it was hard to put the book down.
It is a slow burn with him falling first (love at first sight). One of the things I loved was the MMC let the FMC set the pace of the buildup of their relationship. He was patience with her need to move slower. When he misstepped, he was quick to fix it so she wouldn't pull back. When she finally gave in to her desire, this book got hot, hot, hot.
3.5⭐️ A nice wolf shifter romance with a green flag mmc who falls first.
The FMC Amaryllis is trying to move on with her life, keep a low profile. Cyrus, who comes to town on pack business, finds out that the woman running the store he needed to check on is his mate.
This is a slowww burn romance with spice towards the end of the book and lots of banter between the MCs, making it an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the mystery sub plot that runs throughout the book which i personally did not guess.
I do think it was missing something, the beginning was kind of day to day stuff, not really much happened until around 40%, then i couldn't stop reading! 🙃
Moonstruck by Jade Ambrosia was such a good time if you love a small-town paranormal romance with tensionnn. The whole human x wolf shifter dynamic mixed with the fated mate bond had me locked in, especially with Cyrus falling first (we love that). I really enjoyed the slow burn and how their connection built while all the secrets and danger were creeping in the background. Amaryllis trying to keep her life simple while everything keeps pulling her deeper was chef’s kiss messy in the best way. Overall, this was giving cozy but suspenseful with just enough yearning to keep me invested—definitely a solid read for shifter romance lovers.
I really liked this book. I am a sucker for a good wolf shifter book and this was definitely that. Beta Cyrus going at Amara's pace and meeting her where she was was so intentional. The build up to them becoming one was just right; it felt organic and not drawn out. The banter and the touch of mystery was chef's kiss. I gave it 4🌟 because I felt as if there was a book before I should have read. It seemed as though I needed to read Alpha Selena and Aleck's story. All in all it was a really good book and I look forward to the next one (the author's note at the end reassured me about what's coming).
This is such a good book. I’m usually not a slow burn person but the story kept me hooked from the start. I absolutely loved the MCs. The chemistry is off the charts and once the spice hits it hits lol you know how sometimes you find a character that just hits you deep in your soul? Maybe that’s just me but amaryllis is that character. I just feel so connected to her it’s wild. I definitely recommend this one. I was lucky enough to receive this as an arc and these are my own thoughts. Go read it!
You know, sometimes that slow, sultry burn in a book can hit just the spot! This romance was a great one, tugging at your heartstrings and allowing you to savor the intimacy that lasts for ages. And that tension build up!! Sweet Mother of Pearl!! I love the way this author sprinkle in that intriguing mysterious plot that ties everything together perfectly!! it was like putting the cherry on top of a great book!!
Whew chile....who knew I needed a shifter romance in my life. I fear this has become my favorite sub-genre of romance.
I loved the build-up between Amaryllis and Cyrus and the slow burn that simmered between them.The yearning alone, my God today! Cyrus is definitely book Bae.
The mystery/thriller aspect played out perfectly and added the perfect level of suspense. The side characters of friends and family tied in with the plot and helped carry the storyline.
Jade is an amazing author that bring her characters to life on the pages as you read! I love her wolf shifter series and how inclusive it is. Amarillys is an amazing strong and independent woman that grew in the face of adversity. And Cryus learned how to love and not control in a way that was natural and not creepy. There were parts that had me on the edge of my seat and parts that made me laugh loudly! This is a too tier wolf shifter book!
This book is completely addicting—I had such a hard time putting it down! The slow burn, the yearning, the tension… it was all done so well and kept me hooked from start to finish.
Jade Ambrosia brings the characters to life in a way that makes you feel everything right along with them, which made the emotional pull even stronger.
If you love wolf shifters with spice and plenty of tension, this is definitely one you’ll want to pick up!
Cyrus had me from the start. Protective, steady, and genuinely showing up for his mate in the best way. Amara is navigating a lot, she had to grow on me but I liked seeing her growth as she learned to balance her independence with letting someone in. The playful banter, slow burn, and small town vibes all came together nicely. ARC Copy
Very sweet and cozy wolf shifter romance! A perfect palette cleanser after a dark romance read. You’ve got fated mates and he falls first as the main tropes.
I love how Amara expresses and holds her boundaries throughout the book. And for his part, Cyrus listens and does better. He’s got that non-toxic masculinity that is so sexy.