Claws & Cover Ups

Werewolf Regulation Bureau Files #2

by Tara Sterling

One werewolf cop. One human serial killer. Zero good choices.

Nick

Detective Nicholas Harper is starting to suspect his city has a villain problem. He’s busy hunting killers for the LAPD by day and the Werewolf Regulation Bureau by night. He absolutely doesn’t have time to obsess over Dr. Elliot Rhodes, the chronically unimpressed human who saw a werewolf shift and lied about it. But his wolf needs to know why.

Six months of stalking hasn’t helped. It’s time to change tactics. He’ll date Elliot. Get closer. Find the crack. Except the closer Nick gets, the more his “plan” involves fewer questions and fewer clothes.

And when the truth finally comes out, it’s already too late. Now Elliot is in danger. But Nick doesn’t share. He will tear the city apart to get Elliot back.

Elliot

Veterinarian by day. Killer of bad werewolves by night. A useless human before morning coffee. Elliot absolutely doesn’t have time for curious, annoyingly attractive detectives hovering around him. Especially werewolf ones.

But when Nicholas makes it clear he’s interested, Elliot can’t refuse. He has eyes. And needs. It was supposed to be casual. Just sex. No strings. Elliot didn’t expect Nicholas to make him come undone in more ways than one.

So, he's too distracted when the consequences finally catch up to him. And this time, the cost might be his life.

Tags: a golden retriever werewolf, a black cat serial killing human, high heat, friends who show love by stealing Nick’s dog, a grumpy human who’s only cute before coffee (allegedly), an overworked secret werewolf agency, criminally good tech support for criminals, and hookups that definitely aren’t just hookups.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Romance, M M Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up LOVING this book! At first I felt a little behind, with a lot of character names I felt like I should know who they were but didn’t, until I realized there’s a book before this. The book makes sense without it though, it just took me a few minutes to keep track of who was who.

I LOVED the rescue dog/dog dad angle (NO DOGS are harmed in the making of this book). I laughed so many times. I loved the black cat X golden retriever dynamic, and loved even more that the golden retriever MC was a dirty dirty boy in certain…areas 😏

This book is pretty equal on plot vs romance, with some great spice but not so much that it felt redundant. I loved the detective vs serial killer dynamic and the mystery story line. The ending is satisfying but leaves enough questions to lead into the next planned book. I hope we eventually get to actually meet Sam!

Detective vs serial killer
Grumpy vs sunshine
Shifter vs human
Besties
Dog dad/rescue dog
Moderate spice
Medium burn

[Nicanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Twist on the Grumpy x Sunshine Trope!

📚 Book = Interconnected Standalone (Book 2)
🔥 Burn = Medium-slow,
🎭 OW/OM Drama = No
🐺 Alpha Men = Yes,
🌶️ Heat/spice = 5/10,
😬 Angst = Medium,
💔 Third Act Breakup = No,
🤥 Cheating = No,
🌈 MM/FF = MM,
🤷🏻‍♀️ RH/ Poly = No,
🔹 Writing = 1st Person, MultiPOV
🔸 Genre = Paranormal Mystery / Shifter Romance
🔹 Tropes = MM✨Golden retriever werewolf (Cop)✨Black cat Human (Serial Killer)✨Vigilante Serial killer x Detective✨Grumpy / Sunshine✨Secret Identity✨Hookups - definitely not just hookups✨Murder mysteries “Who-done-it”✨Touch him and die✨Found family✨HFN✨
‼️ Triggers - My POV = Low. (please check before reading)

The story focuses on a series of human murders that Nick is investigating, alongside the secret serial killings Elliot is carrying out, all while their infatuation with each other grows. I loved the mystery of "who-done-it" regarding the human killings; the culprit was a total surprise, and I really didn’t see that coming!

Nick is a detective and a werewolf, but he’s basically a happy, cheery "golden retriever" cop, while Elliot is the grumpy, reserved serial killer. It was such a fantastic twist on the trope! I did find it a bit odd for Elliot to agree to go out with Nick in the first place—I mean, isn’t that pushing your luck a bit close to the mark when the guy is a detective? But their chemistry was wonderfully strong, and it was beautiful to read their relationship developing. They are so good for each other; Nick helps Elliot not be alone anymore, and Elliot (with Mickey’s help!) encourages Nick to take some much-needed down time.

This was a really entertaining read with great world-building around the hidden werewolf angle and the secret Bureau. The plot was nice and steady, with just enough angst thrown into the mix. I absolutely loved Nick’s new dog, Mickey! He seems like such a sweetheart, and I’m not surprised all his friends were eager to babysit him.

My heart really hurt for poor Elliot. He had such a terrible childhood that I can't say I blame him or Sam for turning to vengeful serial killer territory. That HFN ending was a tough one for me because I just wanted more of their story, especially after what they went through. I’m dying to know if Elliot and Nick will go after "him" together in the next book. They need to build that trust back up, and what better way than hunting another killer as a team?

I also really liked the side characters. Sam has such a high-energy, eclectic personality, and I can’t wait to see who eventually tames him! I haven’t read the first book (Oliver and Matt’s story), so I definitely need to go back and do that now. Since Elliot is such a grumpy loner in this book, it’s a total head-scratcher how he and Oliver became friends, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that started.

While there are some sexy scenes, they aren’t deeply in-depth, though there was a lovely bit of kink at the end! I would have loved for the pace to move a little faster, but that might just be because I was too eager to find out who the extra killer was and how Nick would discover Elliot’s secret.

Overall, this was an absolutely fun read with a great mystery. I can’t wait for more in this series!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is the second book in the Werewolf Regulation Bureau Files. I read the first book in the series to see if they could be read as a stand alone & to get a feel for the world created, the characters & the writing. The characters in this book are mentioned in book 1.

Characters:
Nicholas Harper 👮‍♀️ 🐺 🦮
Elliot Rhodes 👨‍⚕️ 🐕 🐈‍⬛

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Nick Harper has his hands full with two high pressure jobs. He a Detective with the LAPD & part of the Werewolf Regulation Bureau. Things are sticky with human & werewolf bodies piling up across his city. He’s also been trying to crack the puzzle that is Dr. Elliot Rhodes. Nick is literally like a dog with a bone when it comes to figuring out the good doctor’s secrets.

Dr. Elliot Rhodes is the blackest black cat to ever black cat. He takes his coffee as dark & abrasive as he is. His free time is spent killing bad werewolves. He would take candy from a baby. And he can’t stand the always smiling Nick. Becoming involved with the Detective trying to catch you isn’t a smart move. Right?

I honestly couldn’t wait to read this having just finished the first book. If the inner monologues of our MMC’s didn’t already pull me in, their banter would’ve. If you like true crime & rom-coms (& seriously, who doesn’t) this book is for you.

It’s the type of seamless read that you can do in a few hours, it just flows that good. I’d say this has medium angst because, you know, serial killers. The plot is intricate enough to keep you guessing but not so unbelievable that you get whiplash. The writing is succinct, whether the characters are speaking out loud or in their head. They are not flowery speakers (they’re tough guys!) though Nick can be a bit dramatic.

“My house has so many breakable things. What if he slips and hurts himself? Oh, god, I don’t even remember what paint I used. What if he licks the wall and gets sick? I have so many knives.” I finish.

Ok, Elliot can be dramatic too.

“Besides, if he suspected the truth, he’d be here with a SWAT team and handcuffs, not blushing and making vaguely cute declarations. Not that he’s cute. Vaguely stupid declarations, then.”

The spice… it’s a slow burn in the beginning, as it should be because they have to get to know each other!- after that, it’s on. Nick likes to give praise. 🔥

This can be read as a stand alone but do suggest reading Deck the Halls & Cover the Howls because it’s so good. This book ends on kind of a cliffhanger in that all your questions aren’t answered & there’s definitely more room for another Nick & Elliot book.

Other fun stuff: Murder boards! Meddling friends! Fun chapter names! Dogs! Taylor Swift! Kidnapping! Baking! Crocheting!


I give it five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Musings of a Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from author.

Grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract romance with a side order of murder.

Nick is a golden retriever werewolf who works as a top homicide detective for the LAPD. Elliot is a black cat human veterinarian with a lot of love for his animal clients and a decades-old vendetta against werewolves due to traumatic events he endured as a child.

I first met Nick and Elliot in book 1; Deck the Halls and Cover the Howls which focussed on their friends Ollie and Matt. I enjoyed this book and although it is not necessary to do so, I would recommend that you read it before picking up book 2 so that you get a bit of backstory and an introduction to the world these characters live in. There are also a lot of side characters who feature heavily in book 2.

I really liked the premise of this story as I love a good murder mystery and I was interested to see how the romance developed between the unlikely couple. For me, the best murder mysteries weave a story that allows the reader to make connections and solve the mystery alongside the characters as they go along. This didn’t quite happen in this story. I felt there was not enough actual investigation/clues and a lot of the conclusions were hastily drawn up by Nick towards the end to enable the dramatic climax and a resolution that satisfies both MMCs. The many side characters we meet along the way were fun, but I have to admit I did get a bit confused as to who some of them were and whether they were werewolves or humans! But that might be a me thing.

I did enjoy Nick and Elliot’s dynamic, the banter and the way Elliot starts to become more receptive to the idea of a relationship. The spice was decent as well but became a bit of a distraction towards the end. Overall, I feel their relationship needed something…more…as there were never any serious conversations on page between them where they actually tried to get to know each other better or explore their developing feelings. Elliot’s “I love you” moment as a result seemed to come a bit out of the blue.

Saying all that, I did enjoy the story and wanted to find out what happened. It ends on a HFN sort of cliffhanger, but one that is acceptable and doesn’t leave me wanting to launch my kindle at the wall!

Three stars from me. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book in advance and I leave this review voluntarily.

[Feral Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this ARC and I am FERAL!! Nick, the unhinged golden retriever of a werewolf, just barrels straight into Elliot’s life (after some light stalking😉). Who has the ultimate black cat energy with walls everywhere, but Nick somehow makes him crack in the best ways and melt in ways I did not expect.

I’m always here for a serial killer falling in love, but this specific dynamic is a top-tier obsession 💀. The way they navigate their “this is just casual” boundaries while clearly tearing each other apart emotionally had me completely hooked. Every scene they share, from the banter-filled arguments to the moments of quiet vulnerability, had me grinning, swooning, and clutching my Kindle all at once.

The slow burn is everything, building tension until it explodes into a delicious scorching heat 🥵. You can feel every inch of the chemistry, every stolen glance, every touch, and it’s impossible not to be completely invested.

On top of that, the amazing murder mystery / cat-and-mouse plot had me holding my breath. The twists, the pacing, and the way danger always seemed to lurk around the corner kept me glued to the pages. I was constantly second-guessing characters, wondering who could be trusted, and cheering for Nick and Elliot to somehow survive it all while also falling for each other.

The banter and side characters kept me laughing nonstop. The little interactions, the chaos, and the warmth of this found family make the story feel alive and so immersive. Also, Mickey the Rottweiler is the absolute best boy and I would 100% "pup-nap" him too 🐕.

I am obsessed and telling everyone to read this right MEOW!! Officially starting the countdown to book 3! I cannot WAIT to see what comes next for Nick and Elliot, and I am already mentally preparing for all the heart, heat, and chaos that will surely follow.

This book had me laughing, swooning, and holding my breath all at once, and I can’t recommend it enough. Rabidly awaiting book 3!!

So glad I signed up for this ARC and got to read Matt & Olivers Story in the Deck the Halls & Cover the Halls Book 1 Novella... Definitely check it out before starting Claws & Cover Ups.
10/10. 5 STARS. NO NOTES.

[Sam Tenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claws & Cover Ups ARC Review
Tara Sterling

This dual POV MM werewolf x human serial killer novel mixes high heat with intriguing mystery. When a serial killer is taking out werewolf after werewolf detective Nick- a werewolf himself- makes it his mission to uncover the killer’s identity. Right off the bat the reader knows who and what the motive is for these killings, but that doesn’t take away from the mystery aspect once we get to Nick trying to find clues. The relationship between Elliot and Nick evolves during all this too, with Nick trying to break down Elliot’s spiky exterior to get information from him- all while falling for him. The personality of Elliot definitely fits “black cat human” to a tee, and same for Nick being an actual golden retriever in a werewolf skin. Learning of Elliot’s past and the trauma that gave him his icy exterior gives him the perfect reason to go after werewolfs who have hurt others, basically being a vigilante in his own way. Watching him start to thaw this icy exterior because of Nick is a process but we begin to realize he is falling as the reader before Elliot even realizes it. On the flip side Nick falls fast and hard, his feelings under lock and key to keep Elliot from calling off their casual agreement, and Nick even forgoing the reason WHY he was hooking up with him in the first place. There is a mystery inside a mystery that goes on too, adding to the thrill of knowing one part of the mystery but waiting for the twist of the second one, keeping readers invested. The ending leaves readers on a cliff hanger, leaving them ready and waiting in anticipation for the next installment. Overall this indie author has a strong foundation and I cannot wait to see where her books go from here!

Personally I wish the cover choice had been one that wasn’t the title with a real person and a city-scape on it BUT that’s because I personally don’t really like how they look and are used so commonly. Covers with illustrations or that draw you to the book in other ways usually are what draw me to books BUT AGAIN that is just a personal preference I’m nit picking at. It does not take away from the story!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t worry, I won’t fall in love with him or something stupid like that.”

I’m such a sucker for the “I won’t fall in love” trope. Or is it a cliche? Either way. I’m on board 110%.
This is a take on it I haven’t seen though. Nicholas deciding to “fake date” Elliot to try to see if he knows about werewolves.
Which, Elliot definitely does, since he’s a serial killer, targeting werewolves who’ve killed humans before. I also liked that he didn’t use wolfsbane to kill them (wolfsbane kills humans too people!) but some concoction of drugs.
And Nicholas is actively investigating the killings, which creates this awesome sense of tension as the two get closer and you keep holding your breath waiting for Nicholas to figure out what Elliot has been doing.
Which he eventually does of course, when Elliot is kidnapped by a werewolf serial killer (or wanna be serial killer since he only killed two people?) who figured out he’s been offing werewolves and Nicholas has to save him.
I was kinda disappointed when I was getting towards the end because I didn’t see how it could possibly wrap up so quickly. So it was a relief to see there will be more books with these two.
Still, the ending did feel a little anticlimactic, what with Elliot being afraid of being caught the whole book and Nichalos trying to catch him (even if he didn’t realize) the whole book. It just feels like it wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly for me.
Honestly I’d have rather skipped some of the sex scenes(s) (blasphemy I know) towards the end to get some more exploration of Nicolas’ thoughts and behavior after Elliot went to see him. Or just another chapter.

Honorable mention to Mickey the Rottweiler, the absolute best boy. He keeps getting “pupnapped” (aka dog sat but no one wants to give him back) by Nicholas’ friends and yeah, I’d do the same.

[Nathalie Mariaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be selected to read this MML book before its release, and here's my review:

Nick, a werewolf, is part of the LAPD, but also of his wolf counterpart, who guards the secret of their existence while monitoring crimes committed by wolves.

Elliott is a veterinarian, and after a deeply traumatic past due to his serial-murdering werewolf neighbor, he has taken it upon himself to clean the city (and beyond) of dangerous wolves by inducing heart attacks with medication. He is aided by his best friend, Sam. They both believe they can go unnoticed, as the deaths are officially classified as natural… But since wolves almost never die of heart attacks, all their victims have attracted the attention of Nick and his partners, who are hunting this mysterious killer of deviant wolves.

One of Elliott's best friends is engaged to Matt, Nick's brother, and Nick and Elliott end up dating.

So we follow their story while another serial killer terrorizes the city, preying on humans.

First of all, I really appreciated the world-building, with the werewolves among us, but masked, without the caste system or predestination. I find it much more interesting because there's no sense of "it's just instinct, we can't help it."
They are different, yet close.
Obviously, we can imagine that in bed, having an exceptional physique and stamina is advantageous, which leads to a few steamy scenes that fit well into the story. The novel isn't written to justify these scenes, as is sometimes the case.

The romance between the two characters is well-developed, funny at times, and touching at others.

In short, a very good read, I hope to read the sequel soon 😉

For those who haven't read volume one, no worries, the stories are independent. There might have been a page missing with the characters' names and their relationships, but that's a minor detail.

[Ashly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I started this book, I wasn’t sure it was for me—one of the main characters initially came across as a little shallow or immature. But as the story unfolds, both characters really come to life, and the depth of their emotions becomes much clearer. The passion between them is intense, even though they don’t truly know each other at first.
Nick is a cop, a werewolf, and he also polices other werewolves. Elliot is a vet carrying trauma and some dark secrets. Nick’s instincts draw him straight to Elliot, even if he can’t explain why—so he starts dating him for intel. What follows is a mix of desire and deception, with both of them leaning into their connection while avoiding the truth.
The chemistry between them builds into some seriously compelling (and steamy) moments, but it’s the emotional tension and secrecy that really drive the story.
The ending delivers a satisfying twist—Nick solves a case and rescues Elliot—but it also leaves both of them with a lot to figure out. Elliot is beholden to Nick for protecting his dark secrets, but Nick doesn’t understand the true motivation behind Elliot’s actions. At the same time, Elliot poses a threat to werewolf secrecy, so they need to stay close to each other. Can they build a relationship and trust?
Bottom line: I can’t wait to find out what comes next for Nick and Elliot!

[🌵Kara🌵 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC of this book & agreed to give my honest review.

This book was SUCH a fun ride 😮‍🔥

Going into it, I already knew it had a lot of my favorite elements, but I wasn’t expecting to get so pulled in by the tension + character dynamics so quickly. The whole werewolf cop x human serial killer situation is unhinged in the best way, and the author really leans into that morally gray, cat-and-mouse energy.

✨ Tropes & vibes:
• 🐺 paranormal / werewolf
• 🔪 serial killer x law enforcement
• ⚖️ grumpy-black cat / sunshine-golden retriever
• 🖤 morally gray characters
• 🌃 urban fantasy + crime plot
• ❤️‍🔥 slow burn

The chemistry between the MCs is where this really shines. It’s not instant, it’s not easy, and there’s this constant push-pull that keeps the tension high. You can feel that underlying danger in their interactions, which makes it an addictive read.

The plot itself had enough going on to keep things moving, but it still gave the relationship space to develop in a way that felt intentional.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Open door, well-placed, and adds to the intensity without taking over the book.

The only reason this wasn’t a full 5⭐ for me is that I wanted a bit more depth in parts of the emotional payoff and plot. Also, I’ll admit it—I’m impatient 😂 slow burns are tough for me because I need the spice to start spicing and I want to know what’s coming now.

Overall, if you like your romance dark, tense, and just a little unhinged—with characters who probably need therapy but choose each other instead—this is absolutely worth the read 😮‍🔥🖤

[Chenoah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

obsessed!

I read a ton of M/M paranormal romance so when I read the blurb I already knew I was gonna be invested. But this was so much more! I can’t miss a serial killer falling in love, or the black cat/golden retriever chaos, it gets me every time but this one was unique and I was so here for it! I love the obsession, the slow burn and wanting to keep it causal while still having that delicious burning tension and heat. The balance between slow burn emotionally and physically was perfect. The spice wasn’t overdone and slipped into the story nicely. Not only that but the banter and found family was so funny and still sweet. I’m obsessed with Mickey! He can be “pup napped” by me anytime. And on top of all those emotions you add in the murder mystery. I didn’t know feel like I was reading a story line I’ve read 10 times, it felt fresh and kept me on my toes. Nothing felt overdone. This wasn’t rushed, it felt natural and you really got a good look at each characters personality and their dynamic between each other.
If you are looking for chaos, found family, characters that stick with you, lots of banter, moments that make you swoon, laugh and put you on edge, this is definitely the book for you. I can’t wait to read more of Elliot and Nicks story! I will definitely be reading all Tara Sterlings books from now on!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC copy of the book Claws & Cover Ups by Tara Sterling to read and here is my honest opinion.
The minute I realised it was a second book in a series I knew I had to read them in order (FOMO? me? noooo). So the first one (Deck The Halls & Cover The Howls) tells the story of Matt and Oliver, and I loved it 😍 l think it's best reading them in order but definitely not a must.
The second book tells the story of Nick and Elliot. Nick is a detective by day and a werewolf (who's also a detective) by night. He's a part of the Werewolf Regulation Bureau, a secret werewofls organization that deals with anything relates to werewolfs, which existence is kept a secret. Elliot is a veterinarian by day and a werewolf k1ller by night, but not only he hunts them and k1lls them he is also traumatized by a werewolf.
Sounds intriguing so far, right? I mean, this IS a romance book so the MMCs are going to end up together, aren't they? But one of them is the enemy of the other, so how is this going to work?
We got alot of murd*rs in this book, alot of falling in love, alot of werewolfs(!), lots of a cute dog called Mickey ❣️❣️❣️ and lots of steam. I give this one 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I can't wait for the next one. The ending is NOT a cliffhanger but it is a happy for now so I was okay with it.

[Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute!

This is the second in the series; you don't have to read the first book to understand what's going on. That being said, I think it probably would add something to read the first book because you're going to get to enjoy the characters a bit more whenever you have more background. Nick and Elliot are an interesting pair. I don't know that I think of Nick as golden retriever character entirely. He does have a happy puppy vibe in some ways but also, I don't think you can decide to date someone so that you can spy on them and still be completely 'golden retrievery' lol. That being said, Elliot is total black cat vibes and he and Nick are very cute together. They complement each other well. Elliot was definitely my favourite character. He had a lot of depth and it was interesting to see him start to open up a bit and grow. Where I felt a little let down (bear in mind, this was still a 4 star for me) was the mystery plot. It just felt a little lacking - not massively so, more like it was kind of left to sit and then suddenly everything comes together. I still thought the story as a whole was fun and I'll be grabbing the first book to read too and looking forward to the next in the series!

[Library_of_a_Trashpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Romance
Werewolves
Cop/serial killer
Amazing banter

1️⃣ **Overall Rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2️⃣ **Overview/Synopsis:**: What could possibly go wrong when a cop fake dates a serial killer to get close to him and crack the case?

3️⃣ **Favorite Character:** I loved Elliot so much. His sarcasm and general disposition just won me over.

4️⃣ **Most Memorable Scene:**: He starts the engine, and Taylor Swift’s My Tears Ricochet blares on the speaker. “Ahh, this song. So many feels,” he sighs.

5️⃣ **Favorite Quote or Line:**: “I’ll ruin you for anyone else.”

6️⃣ **Overall Review Summary:** I am such a fan of werewolf romances and this one was an absolute delight.

I love the mystery/cop show vibe. It was executed so well and I loved the twist in the end.

Elliot and Nicholas were so good together. Like I couldn’t get over how adorable Nick was and how he was not fooling anyone with his feelings. Elliot while a bit more prickly wasn’t fooling anyone either. It was perfect.

I’m absolutely going back to read the book before this, this was a brew so me author and I am so here for more. They said there will be more Nick and Elliot and I cannot wait.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Claws and Cover Ups, book two in the Werewolf Regulation Bureau Files series, written by Tara Sterling, is a paranormal romance with a golden retriever werewolf and a black cat serial unaliver human! Even though this is book two of the series, it can be read as a standalone, but it does mention side characters from the previous book.

The story focuses on two MMCs - Nick Harper and Dr. Elliot Rhodes. Nick is a detective and a werewolf. He is what we would all consider a happy-go-lucky golden retriever type of fella. Definitely a sunshine kinda guy. You have Elliot, the grumpy veterinarian and serial unaliver with a vendetta against werewolves stemming from a horrible childhood.

I loved how this was a mixture of true crime and a paranormal romcom. The two are complete opposites, but have amazing chemistry and banter. You got a romance with your who-dunit! Sprinkle a bit of spice in that, and it was a great read.

Thanks to Tara Sterling for gifting me an eARC of Claws and Cover Ups. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective falls for the bad guy and doesn't even know it

This was a fun read but it took me a bit to straighten out who everyone was. This is probably even better if read in order but it wasn't necessary.

I love the werewolf investing this serial k!lose who is basically doing his job. Plus it's even funnier when the big bad werewolf k!lier is just your little human vet.

I loved the adopted dog Dad aspect. He was so terrified at first and it was adorable. I appreciate that the dog was written throughout the whole story and wasn't just forgotten about like some animals and even side characters are.

I enjoyed following the investigation and the actual process of the k!ller. It was fun seeing how the clues worked with what actually was happening.

The relationship was organic and perfectly awkward as it started and progressed. It felt real and believable. The first time jitters were well expressed and once the door was opened they were insatiable. The spice enhanced their story rather than it just being there.

Overall I want to go back and read book one and will definitely read whatever comes next as well.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about an alpha looking MC who is a complete golden retriever and a cute adorable MC who has the personality of a hissy black cat with some "necessary stalking" then this is the book for you.
Nick had a constant smile on his face and a cheerful sweet personality that annoyed Elliot so much (but secretly loved) and let Nick know at every opportunity. Nick loved the challenge of trying to get the prickly and sarcastic Elliot to become his friend (and hopefully more) and earn his trust. Elliot might have grumbled about the cuddles, attention, and affection that Nick "forced" on him but he secretly craved and needed them. But little do they know that their secret work is going to blow up in their faces, making their HEA a little more difficult.
This book has a little bit of everything....snarky human, sweet werewolf, humor, suspense, action, mystery, a wicked twist, a cute dog that everyone tried to kidnap, and strong defense walls being crumbled with each turn of the page. Add in the intriguing side characters, it was never a dull moment.
Now I need the next book because Elliot still needs to complete his revenge. And will Nick be able to bend the rules 🤔

[The Writing Wormhole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claws and Cover-ups is one of my first dips into the shifter/werewolf sphere of romance. Not going to lie, I was a little worried at first that I wouldn't be able to understand it or get into it in the same way that I've written about other romances, but Tara Sterling makes it so compelling. There were bits and pieces that I had trouble following but I think it's because this is the second book in the series. Once I realized I was able to pick up and sort of piece together what I needed in order to continue reading but I would definitely recommend starting with the first in the series for context, and character development.

The characters are human despite some of them not fully being human, they're funny, they're messy, they're real and I really really liked what I read. There were times when I had to suspend my belief a little bit about the nature of the werewolf and let go of some of the lore I grew up consuming. But overall, a pretty solid read and I think it would do well as a graphic novel. Especially with some of the visual descriptions I think it'd be fun to see them play out in panels instead. Even if they were a little NSFW.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Veterinarian Serial Unaliver Meets Sunshiney Werewolf Detective

This is my first book by author Tara Sterling but will not be the last! I didn't realize it was book 2 when I volunteered to arc read but the book can be read as a standalone so I didn't have any issues with following along. I just didn't have any background or context for the other characters. If you struggle with not having background for the characters I would go read book 1 first. It is an HFN so I'm excited for the next part in Elliot and Nick's story. I will go back and read book 1 though! The characters... Elliot and Nick were kinda ridiculous in a good way. The stalking and "casual hookups" were funny to read about and there's absolutely nothing casual at all . The banter was bantering and the spice was good but not overdone. I loved the different side characters and their personalities. Overall a well written book! I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I read this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Berksun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good. It was fun, Nicholas is a great golden retriever :)

I was kind of pissed that there was some questions that didn’t got answered but at the end it shows we will have a continuation hopefully so we will end up with the answers.

I ended up giving 4 stars because their relationship was missing a bit of emotion at the end. We could have had few more pages with a bit more emotion when everything unveils and they end up confessing their love.

Spice was good and hot but could have had a little bit more heat into it. But they end up discovering some kinks so hopefully in the next book we will end up a bit more :) maybe even hopefully a shift fuck?

It’s a fun read, go read it. Enjoy it :)

It was an ARC copy I read sent to me by the author , so thank you.

Also looks like there is a previous book (200 pages) that talks about another couple already established in the book , definitely you don’t need to read it beforehand but after finishing this, I have to read it.

[Lisa Babin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual POV MM werewolf/ human serial killer book. I didn't realise there was a prior book so for any missing info be sure to read the first book prior.

The personality of Elliot definitely fits "black cat" and same for Nick being an actual golden retriever. The relationship between Elliot and Nick takes a natural progression. Nick trying to break down Elliot’s walls and falling fast and hard. While Elliot’s past leads you to see why he is the way he is, he lets down his walls for Nick. This couple is cute. Had some good laughs throughout this read as well.

This book is equal part plot vs spice, but has some great spice. I loved the detective vs serial killer dynamic. The book is an easy read. There are a couple of questions still not answered and characters needing their own book I’m sure in the making. The ending is satisfying but leaves questions. Overall, a good read 4/5

[Confuzedxneko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Elliot and Nick in this! Elliot is definitely black cat material, very much you will only be allowed the attention I give you otherwise you will feel my sharp wit. Nick on the other hand is about as golden retriever as a werewolf can get. He always sees the good in people, wants all the affection and needs all the socializing he can stand to be awake for. The relationship build up in this was more along the lines of how softly can I push no matter how long it takes to make Elliot realize he doesn't actually want to get rid of me, rather than the insta love that I tend to expect from werewolf stories (definitely a good thing here). This also left me guessing who the culprit was through the whole book, also whether or not Nick would ever figure out Elliot's extracurricular activities or if he would just forever get away with it. Overall this was very well done and I can't wait to read more!

[Brit ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read book one, I would’ve never guessed Elliot knowing about werewolves was because he was a serial killer of werewolves so when I read the blurb, my jaw dropped.

I loved how Nicholas decides that fake dating Elliot is the only way to get the answers to his questions. Nicholas is the ultimate definition of a workaholic that he is even investigating Elliot during the only free time he lets himself have. I was kind of shocked that 6 months had gone by without Nicholas catching Elliot at the start of the book. These two were actually so cute together even if Elliot was trying to hard to stay grumpy. I also loved how involved the other characters are.

I was distraught at the ending because I was not expecting the HFN but that was totally my fault for not catching that. So I will wait as patiently as possible for the next one because Im dying to know what happens next!!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the next book in this series that I signed up for an ARC of Book 2. And I'm so glad I did.

This world that Tara Sterling has created is so interesting to read about, and I loved the way Elliot was so determined to not get into a serious relationship but was sucked in by Nick's golden retriever energy. The serial killer / detective story was very well done, and I was impressed by how much empathy I had for Elliot all the way through.

Many bonus points for the rescue dog storyline as well, and how Nick is terrified of not being able to be a good dog parent. I also like the 'village' that helps to look after the dog when his job takes him away from home.

I'm really enjoying this series and I so hope that we get to meet Sam in the next book in the series.

I received an ARC copy with no strings attached, and this is my honest review of the book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received the ARC from the author

At first I was a little confused with the characters names but as the story goes on, reading the first book wasn't an absolute requirement. Though I recommend it!

This story was different, we have Nick who is a detective AND a werewolf and develops a little crush on the vet Elliot, who seemed grumpy all the time and didn't allow many people in. Elliot killed werewolves with the help of his friend, Sam, and brought justice to the victims.

What started as an unusual friendship to friends with benefits, ended up with a plot twist I obviously didn't see coming and the need to protect each other at all cost. There is a happy ending with the grumpy vet finally allowing himself to love someone.

[Kelly Viccars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an early release and it was a great introduction to what I hope will be a series. I didn’t realise there was a prior book for Matt and Oliver and I am now off to read that!
What’s not to like about this …. Paranormal murder mystery with an adorable detective and his dog, and a sarcastic hard to love vet who are both chasing the same bad guys but for different reasons. Thrown in is a bit of spice and adorable team of friends/ colleagues. The book is an easy read, a couple of questions still yet to be answered and characters needing their story told … all leading to a series.

[Neil Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a contemporary style there are two good plots running that end in a very satisfying conclusion. The main characters are complete opposites and you know what they say about opposites!

Detective Nicholas Harper and Werewolf is single minded and trying had not to get involved with Elliot, he has a case to solve.

Veterinarian by day. Killer of bad werewolves by night. A useless human before morning coffee. Elliot absolutely doesn’t have time for curious, annoyingly attractive detectives hovering around him. Especially werewolf ones. He is sarcasm on steroids and has built a wall around his feelings that would make the great wall of China look like a picket fence.

Some spicy interludes and on the whole a good read.

[sarah_eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

***REVIEW OF AN ADVACED COPY FROM AUTHOR***


Nick is an LAPD detective investigating a possible serial killer. He's also a werewolf and an officer with the werewolf bureau, a secret agency that investigates crimes against werewolves, investigating a definite serial killer of werewolves. He also thinks that his brothers friend, Elliott, saw him shift. So easiest way to find out, date him.
Elliott is a vet who is also very aware of the existence of werewolves. In fact, he's killed quite a few of them. So as much as he shouldn't say yes to dating to the hot werewolf detective, he needs to make sure Nick isn't onto him. Soon, the "i should say no" is getting harder and harder.
This was an action packed love story that had a slow burn at the beginning but got intense and didnt stop. Elliott's grumpy "dont talk to me till ive had coffee" is a perfect match for Nick's fun easy going but panics when he thinks his dog might get a hold of knives personality. They both learn to trust each other while learning about themselves. I cant wait to see where this story goes.
Thank you to the author, Tara Sterling, for allowing me to ARC read your book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Arc copy of this book. I did not realise this was book 2 however, I loved the story. In fact I am going to go read book 1.

Nicholas and Elliot are one of my new favorite duos. there is snark and sparks.

Mikey steals the show everywhere he goes. I promise you will fall for him as well.

I am usual not a werewolf fan due to the Knotting that is usually present and mentioned. However I am delighted to say that is NOT in this book. Thank You so much!

I also am thankful that there is mention of the prep work that goes into an MM sexual relationship.

I feel the author did a great job sharing this story with us and I encourage you to read it.

Thank you again Tara!

[So Not Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author


Oh, my I loved this boook SO MUCH! I mean, the plot plots, the smut smuts and the mistery does its thing, but the characters, OH the characters! I've never felt related to any character as much as I do to Elliott, and I'm not sure what this says about me that I feel so seen reading about a werewolf serial killer with a sociopathic attitude . I laughed a lot, but the relationship between Nick and Elliott is also very tender in its very peculiar way, and the feelings are handled in such a delicate way. One of the best, smartest use ov POVs I've read lately. Kudos to the author, I'm definitely gonna read the first book.