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Lunamois #1

Howlin' For You

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Isabella came to Lunamois, WA for one reason-to find herself. What she finds instead is even more delicious.

The town of Lunamois, WA is a known supernatural hub, but that doesn't stop Isabella Gregory from taking a job there as the event planner for the seventy-fifth anniversary. If anything, it seals the deal.

Isabella's goals are clear-do a good job and find out what the hell she's supposed to be doing with her life. Falling in love with a sweet, small town in the middle of nowhere is not on that list-and neither is the local werewolf handyman, Nick Martin.

Nick's goals are also clear-make his newfound mate, Isabella, fall in love with him. She may view this job as temporary, but Nick knows he can win her over. Even if he has to keep things from her in the meantime.

When all is revealed, will a mate bond prove to be strong enough to carry them through?

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2026

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About the author

Zoe Shae

5 books92 followers
Zoe Shae has always been fascinated by stories. Whether she was creating them with her father, or reading them, they have always been a constant. Creating them now is a dream come true.
Zoe enjoys writing, singing, reading, info-dumping about her special interests, and spending time with her family.
You can follow Zoe on social media everywhere at @AuthorZoeShae.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
Profile Image for mackenzie.
408 reviews339 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 25, 2026
⤷ 3 stars

not much to say about this other than it was a fun time and a great palate cleanser if you ever need one n feel in a silly goofy mood 🫡

★ i’m ready to have so much fun with this one 🤭

★ thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc! all opinions are my own <3
Profile Image for Kayla W.
158 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2026
A Perfect, Cozy Supernatural Romance!

I absolutely loved everything about this book! Howlin' For You is a super cute, super cozy paranormal romance that completely stole my heart.The story takes place in a wonderful little town called Lunamois. It is an amazing place where everyone is welcome, including every kind of supernatural creature.

The plot follows a werewolf shifter named Nick who is trying to win over his human mate, Izzy. The storyline is beautiful, and the plot kept me totally engaged from the very first page.

I fell completely in love with both Nick and Izzy from the very start of their relationship. Their bond is so sweet, and watching them together was wonderful. I also absolutely adored Georgie! The friendships and characters in this book are so well-written and lovable.

If you are looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read with great characters, an adorable setting, and a perfect romance, you need to read this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advance copy to read and review.
Profile Image for clara.
466 reviews172 followers
August 27, 2026
3.5

a quick and easy spicy romance perfect for fall. getting to know nick and isabella was so fun!

i knew this would be more focused on the spice than the plot itself, but i still wished we had more time to watch their emotional connection develop. i still had a lot of fun and recommend reading it, just know what you’ll be getting!

the small town setting mixed with the supernatural element worked perfectly! the secondary characters were so interesting and fun to get to know. and now i can’t wait for the upcoming books for the other characters that are other supernatural beings 🤭

ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Beyond the Pages with Eva K.
3,337 reviews176 followers
August 18, 2026
Quick Summary: A supernatural, Twilighty-Forks-like romance

My Review: Howlin' For You by Zoe Shae is book #1 in the Lunamois series. It is categorized as "Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." It has officially released TODAY (8/18/26).

About the Book: "The town of Lunamois, WA is a known supernatural hub...

Isabella came to Lunamois, WA for one reason—to find herself. What she finds instead is even more delicious."

In My Own Words: Tangled attraction, mate bonding, secrets, and love tell the story of a human and a werewolf who are fated for forever in a place where open acceptance is the norm.

About the Main Characters: Event planner + Handyman = Fated mates

- Isabella Gregory -> "Isabella’s goals are clear—do a good job and find out what the hell she’s supposed to be doing with her life."

Isabella is searching for identity, acceptance, heart, and home. She finds answers to her questions in the town of Lunamois.

- Nick Martin -> "Nick’s goals are also clear—make his newfound mate, Isabella, fall in love with him."

Nick knows who he wants and is willing to put in the work to get her. He has found what he has waited so long for. In his own way, he tries to assure her and draw her.

About the Supporting Characters: I loved the cast of characters in this story. I cannot wait to be pulled into the what and how of them.

About the Setting: Lunamois, WA is a place I would love to visit. It sounded like an amazing town. A place of acceptance and everything that is "right with the world." A town with its own lore. I liked that it was described as "a sweet, small town in the middle of nowhere." That offered up an air of mystery that intrigued me.

About the Conflict: "Nick knows he can win her over. Even if he has to keep things from her in the meantime. When all is revealed, will a mate bond prove to be strong enough to carry them through?"

Although this story is what I would consider to be light and fluffy, there is a degree of tension and other underlying elements that contribute to a nice emo-conflict arc. Getting the heat & chemistry, the attraction pull with a dash of push, the work, and the doubts & insecurities to mash up made for a very entertaining read.

My Favorites/What I Liked/Loved (minimally coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

🫖🥐 - Tea, baked goods & other eats and treats
🐺🐾 - Supernatural community
🥧🎟️ - Farms and festivals
✨🌶️ - Twinkles, sprinkles, and spicy times
❤️🔒 - Mate bonds
🍂🍵 - All things autumn
🗺️🫂- Found family aspect

My Final Say: This novel is of the hot & spicy variety. It is cozy and cute, but it is also muy caliente. It is fresh, original (in its own way), and highly entertaining.

I am #howlin' for more. Let's go!!!

Other: Readers who enjoy paranormal romances with heart and heat may like this book.

*** This novel does present some content that may be triggering. Potential readers should refer to any author/publisher notes. ***

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Level: ❤️‍🔥
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publishers (Xpresso Book Tours | Shae Publishing LLC), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more books from this writer. This promises to be an amazing series.
Profile Image for Tessa K.
59 reviews
June 9, 2026
I knew I was in trouble from the moment I started this book. I stayed up way too late and ended up finishing it in the middle of the night. It was so good! I got completely addicted and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I loved the cozy fall setting, the charming small-town feel. The romance was great, the spice delivered, and Nick? he had me swooning🥵. I’m officially obsessed and desperately need more!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Minty Margins.
108 reviews6 followers
June 11, 2026
A massive thank you to Zoe Shae and Xpressotours for the NetGalley ARC/Widget of Howlin’ For You! Where do I start with my review?!? For me, Howlin’ For You is one of those books I am SO glad I requested as a first time reader of Zoe Shae. I had an amazing time! Huge fan of her storytelling style and I will be checking out her other books— especially the others to come in this series!! I absolutely adoreddddd Isabella and Nick our MC’s!!!!

For Isabella, it can be so hard to feel like you belong anywhere when you have parents that are just…honestly terrible with their ideas of support. She’s so talented and capable of amazing things which we see in Lunamois, but has a difficult time accepting compliments or believing she’s enough. Trust is a huge thing for her. Nick is more than happy to fill in where others have failed and makes it a personal mission to take care of her in every way possible because she deserves it…also she’s his fated mate! He cooks for her!!! There is a chase scene in the woods!!!! I guess if you been around my reviews, you may know that I’m apparently a big fan of these LOL. I LOVE when characters have absolutely sizzling chemistry and we have that with Isabella and Nick. They are drawn to each other even though Isabella’s a human and Nick is a wolf shifter. It’s super tasty!!!!

It’s not all spice though- there’s a huge town anniversary event taking place, and both of them have personal things they are working on and acknowledge that they struggle. I’m so glad they get their HEA, because they deserve it.

Also- I love whatever is wrong(or right lol) with the mayor. What a delightfully peculiar individual. I hope we see more of him as well as several other characters. I’m very invested in their stories too.
Profile Image for Anya.
210 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2026
ARC Review Advanced Copy Received from NetGalley

This was an incredible book! I loved how cozy the small town feel was. I loved the MCs and the different take on werewolves. I’m so used to werewolves being part of shifters, it was refreshing having Nick be a fairly traditional version of a werewolf. I really enjoyed seeing Isabella’s emotional growth throughout the book, and her standing up for herself at the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

‼️MILD CONTENT SPOILERS‼️
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Tropes/content:
MF
Werewolf x Human
Fated mates
Paranormal small town
Autumn vibes
Insta-love-ish
Prîmal chäse
Knøtting
Bønding bîte

TW/CW:
Both MCs deal with trauma and insecurities that affect the relationship but they do communicate and resolve their issues
Mentions dëath of parents
Mentions mental, emotional, and verbal abūse by parents
Profile Image for Sara.
62 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2026
I never thought werewolves would be a new trope for me but let me tell you 🥵 knotting with his mate? The intense intimacy in this book between him and Isabella? I was panting!
This book had me wanting to rewatch all of twilight, and vampire diaries. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves small town vibes, who resonates with a girl road-tripping, feeling lost only to find the love of her life who happens to be the ULTIMATE partner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for BigRed.
104 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2026
This was bland and just a bit of a nothingburger. However my bigger problem was the WMC was an out of town event planner, hired to throw a party for the town’s 75th anniversary, and the MMC is a handyman contractor who helps her and yet she calls him “boss”. She also screens all of his calls and organises his schedule like she’s his PA…? Before they even become romantically involved! Absolutely not ✋🛑
Profile Image for Sam.
46 reviews5 followers
July 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This was such a cute and cozy omegaverse werewolf romance! I liked the build up of their relationship, it was almost like a slow burn and insta love at the same time. I really liked how Nick would give her her space to figure out what she wanted or how she wanted to handle things 💕The story was short and sweet but somehow packed a punch with the trauma and issues with their families. LOVED!
Profile Image for Jenna.
1,821 reviews92 followers
August 12, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Howlin' For You combined two of my favorite things: small town romances and werewolf knots. How am I to possibly refuse? It was specifically made for me. I really loved this book and read it in a single day. We had a werewolf handyman and a human event planner falling in love in a supernatural Stars Hollow: West Coast Edition. I enjoyed nearly every element other than that the hero hid the fact that she was his mate until it was too late. Like bro, please tell her before you bless her with your knot. I'm begging ya! That's commitment. Other than a minor miscommunication that could have been way worse (trust me), this had me howlin' in all the right ways. I'm looking forward to reading more in this collection, especially the werewolf florist and the mayor who may or may not be a vampire. Can you say yum? I'm so happy I gave this book a chance because I need more knots in small towns like yesterday.

Profile Image for Aelin Sage.
429 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2026
Super cute! Not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope which is why it’s not a 5⭐️ read. Izzy and Nick have that immediate chemistry that comes with finding your mate. I love the small town vibes of the Lunamois. Izzy coming to terms with what they want out of their live was great. Definitely excited to read Georgie’s and Dane’s story of when they find mates.
Profile Image for Katie Gullo.
249 reviews9 followers
August 13, 2026
*ARC REVIEW*

10% plot, 90% knot and I’ve never been happier
Profile Image for Emily G.
613 reviews29 followers
August 26, 2026
A cute, fun paranormal romance with instalove, low angst and found family!
Profile Image for Anna Christodoulou-Vega.
440 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 16, 2026
BOOK REVIEW: HOWLIN’ FOR YOU
by Zoe Shae

Okay, Lunamois, WA… where do I sign up to move there?! 🐺

Isabella Gregory comes to Lunamois for one reason: to find herself. She takes a temporary job planning the town’s seventy-fifth anniversary, hoping a change of scenery will help her figure out what she actually wants to do with her life.

What she definitely isn’t planning on? Falling in love with this quirky supernatural town or catching the attention of Nick Martin, the local werewolf handyman.

The problem? Nick already knows something Isabella doesn’t…

She’s his mate.

And Nick has one very clear goal: make Isabella fall in love with him and convince her that maybe Lunamois, and he aren’t as temporary as she thinks.

I really enjoyed this one! It was cute, cozy, spicy, and had that supernatural small-town charm that made me want to pack a bag and visit Lunamois myself. I especially loved Isabella’s journey because underneath the romance, she’s trying to figure out where she belongs and what she wants her future to look like.

And then there’s Nick. 🐺

Sir knew exactly what he wanted and went after it! I loved his determination to win Isabella over, but I was also waiting for everything he was keeping from her to come crashing down. Because we all know secrets have a way of coming out at the WORST possible time. 👀

The chemistry and mate bond between these two made their romance so much fun, but what really worked for me was the combination of romance, self-discovery, supernatural elements, and finding a place that unexpectedly feels like home.

✨ TROPES & VIBES ✨
🐺 Werewolf x Human
🌙 Fated Mates
🏡 Supernatural Small Town
🔥 He Falls First
🔨 Werewolf Handyman
💗 Finding Yourself
🤫 Secrets
✨ Found Family Vibes
🌶️ Spice
❤️ HEA

Howlin’ For You was such a fun paranormal romance and a perfect read when you want something cozy, spicy, and a little wild. Sometimes you go somewhere hoping to find yourself…and end up finding a werewolf who has already decided you’re his forever. 🐺

Would I visit Lunamois? ABSOLUTELY. Would I be hoping there was another single werewolf handyman living there? ALSO ABSOLUTELY.
Profile Image for Josephine Salgado.
19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 10, 2026
If you love a light, cozy small town story with top tier romance, fated mates, and tons of spice, Howlin’ for You needs to be on your TBR!

I absolutely adored this book. The story is a dual POV following Izzy and Nick.

Izzy is a regular human who has spent her life jumping from job to job, never really feeling cared for or like she belonged anywhere. She takes a temporary event planning job in Washington in a small town where supernaturals and humans co exist. she isn't looking for love. But love finds her anyway!

Nick, our MMC. He’s a werewolf who after 32 years, assumed his fated mate just didn't exist. Until he catches Izzy's scent. Nick is everything you want in a book boyfriend. He's possessive, charming, thoughtful, and incredibly protective. He has past trauma and a fear of being left alone, but he still lets Izzy in. I completely fell for him and how deeply he cares for her.

He’s terrified that telling her his secret will scare her away, wanting her to choose him on her own terms rather than just because of a fated bond.

Even though their relationship was pretty fast paced, I wasn't complaining at all! The tension between them is incredible. Once they become intimate Nick wants to take things slow to make sure Izzy is completely comfortable, showing how amazing his self control can be. Even when his wolf form comes into play, he ensures she always feels safe. The spice between them was definitely super HOT.

They both fall hard but are secretly guessing how the other feels. Being with nick gives Izzy that instant feeling of familiarity and safety she’s been missing her whole life, Making her want to turn this temporary job into a permanent life.

Side note, I also loved Georgie's character. Her long standing friendship with Nick is so sweet, and I loved her dynamic and friendship with both main characters.

This story in general was beautiful. It had just the right amount of drama, but nothing they didn't overcome. It left me definitely wanting more!
Profile Image for Madisen.
8 reviews
June 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 Stars)

This book perfectly mixes two of my favorite things, Gilmore girls and Twilight. This book is a cozy, small-town, “hoA hoA hoA”, everyone knowing everyones business, and a town full of caffeine addicts vibes that is perfect for fall.
And the love interest, Nick, looks like Aragorn? Consider me SOLD!🍂🐺⚔️☕

I’m typically not a huge fan of the instant-love trope, but I thought it was so well done and I loved it in this book. He falls first and harder; the devotion and respect that Nick shows towards Izzy is so beautiful. I really liked seeing that it was clear Nick fell for her as a person and not just because of the mating bond. I thoroughly enjoyed the werewolf lore she used, and the spice did not disappoint. Plus, the heartwarming found-family dynamics and the amazing side characters (like Georgie!) make the town of Lunamois feel so alive and welcoming.

⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
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The ending felt a bit rushed, with her quick trip back to Seattle and her forgiving Nick so fast. I would’ve liked to see a bit more groveling from Nick before she forgave him. I struggled with the miscommunication trope in this book because it felt like they could’ve had such a simple conversation to clear it up, and given their ages, it felt odd they couldn’t do that. While we got to hear about both of their traumas, we didn’t get to unpack Izzy’s and it felt sudden that she was able to get past that so quickly. She seemed to also work things out with her parents where they wanted to come to Lunamois and meet Nick as well. I really wanted to see how that would unfold, so hopefully we will get that in a following book!
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FINAL THOUGHTS:
It was a very quick, easy read that hooks you from page one. Even though I only gave this book three stars, I had a very fun time reading it. I’ve grown attached to each and every character in this book and am excited to see what happens in the future for them. I can't wait for the rest of the Lunamois standalone series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
515 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ❤️📚

If you're looking for a spicy werewolf romance, Howlin' For You is definitely worth checking out! 🐺🔥 This book leans heavily into the romance and steam while still giving readers a fun paranormal setting.

The story follows Nick, a werewolf shifter, as he tries to win the heart of his human mate, Izzy. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop, and there were plenty of sweet and spicy moments that kept me turning the pages. ❤️✨

Where the book lost me a little was toward the ending. Everything wrapped up much more quickly than I expected, and I would have preferred if the final chapters had been given a little more room to breathe. Izzy's return to Seattle and her decision to forgive Nick happened so fast that it didn't feel completely earned. Personally, I wanted Nick to work a little harder to regain her trust before everything was resolved. 😅

I also wasn't the biggest fan of the miscommunication between the main characters. It felt like many of their problems could have been solved with one honest conversation, which made parts of the conflict a bit frustrating to read. Considering they were both adults, I expected them to communicate a little better.

Another thing I wished the book had explored more was Izzy's emotional journey. We learn about the struggles and trauma both characters have experienced, but I felt Izzy's healing happened very quickly. The reconciliation with her parents also felt a little sudden, and I would have loved to see those relationships develop more naturally before reaching such a happy conclusion.

Even with those issues, I still enjoyed the book. The chemistry between Nick and Izzy was strong, the romance was entertaining, and the paranormal elements made for a fun read. 🐺💕 Overall, this was an enjoyable, spicy shifter romance with plenty of steam and a lovable couple. While I wanted a little more depth and a slower resolution, I still had a good time reading it. 🌙📖✨
Profile Image for Sue Reads.
35 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
July 3, 2026
What a fun, cozy paranormal romance! Howlin' For You was exactly the kind of lighthearted palate cleanser I needed. Filled with fated mates, a charming supernatural small town, plenty of spice, and lovable characters, this was an easy book to binge in just a couple of sittings.

When Isabella accepts a temporary job as an event planner in the quirky town of Lunamois, she's looking for a fresh start, not her soulmate. But local werewolf handyman Nick immediately recognizes her as his fated mate and is determined to win her heart before she returns home. As Izzy settles into the welcoming community, she begins to question whether Lunamois could become more than just a temporary stop.

I absolutely loved the cozy small-town atmosphere and the paranormal world Zoe Shae created. The town felt warm and welcoming, and I found myself just as invested in the side characters as I was in Nick and Izzy. Georgie and Dane completely stole every scene they were in, and I'm already hoping they get their own story!

Nick and Izzy had undeniable chemistry, and their relationship was sweet, supportive, and very spicy. While I understand that the fated mates trope naturally leans into insta-love, I personally would have enjoyed seeing their romance develop a little more gradually. The conflict also relied a bit too heavily on miscommunication for my taste, and I would've liked the resolution to have been explored in a little more depth.

Overall, this was a fun, feel good paranormal romance that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're looking for a cozy, spicy werewolf romance with lovable characters and low-stakes drama, this is definitely worth picking up.

If you love:

🐺 Werewolf romance
❤️ Fated mates
🏡 Cozy small-town romance
🌶️ Spicy romance
🤝 Found family

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for yaya.
7 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 9, 2026
Howlin’ For You NetGalley Review:
Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley & XpressoBookTours for letting me read this early!
I am going to be completely honest, I did go into this knowing the mmc was a werewolf, however I have never read werewolf AUs nor did I know the, to put it simply, mechanisms of these types of relationships 😅 let’s just say I was thoroughly surprised.

Now for the review:
•In all honesty, I definitely enjoyed this more than I anticipated. I read it in under 24 hours. It’s only 259 pages, so it’s a very quick and cute read. Diving into a werewolf au was not on my 2026 bucket list, but it was definitely a treat!

•I’m a slow burn girlie, and this was definitely not a slow burn. I think that was my one and only issue with this book, that it was pretty fast pace, but seeing as it’s a pretty short read, it didn’t bother me all that much. I really enjoyed Izzy and Nick’s relationship. They were so sweet and obviously their chemistry was off the walls. I little fast paced for me but Im assuming that is to be expected fated mate tropes.

•The storyline was simple but I enjoyed it. Once again, as this being my first werewolf au, I assume the whole plot is basically them forming their bond and whatnot. And if you’re into this genre, then I definitely think you’ll enjoy this. I also think if you’ve energy read a werewolf au and want to see what it’s about, then this is a great started book! I’ll definitely be more open to reading them now that I’ve read this one.

•All in all, I would definitely recommend, especially if you enjoy this genre, or if you’re wanting to broach into this genre. I’d describe it best as a cozy, lighthearted love story. It comes out August 18th, make sure to add it to your tbr!
Profile Image for Eva.
785 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 5, 2026
Thank you to, NetGalley and the author, for the advanced copy.

I’m annoyed. That’s the jigs of it. Also, baited by a beautiful cover…

This story was a cute werewolf small town romance, nothing crazy or innovative but it worked. We had a great guy, Nick, who was devoted and took his time to accommodate for his mate who is human and knows nothing of werewolf relationships. He was sweet, patient and open. Did he keep a single fact hidden from her for HER SAKE? Yeah. Would she have freaked and been different had she known? Yeah.

The FMC, Isabella, had a complicated relationship with her parents, a nomadic lifestyle and some self image issues. But she wasn’t bad, curious and after a while open to changing her ways…until the reveal.

How disappointing, making a level headed and open minded FMC suddenly do a 180 and turn emotional and insecure, not to mention the over the top “I won’t chase him” and “I’m also mad at you” bratty little tantrum. I was flabbergasted a grown woman couldn’t find it in herself to, literally, listen to the man she’d been building something with, who’s never broken her trust, always had her best interests at heart and would do anything for her.

And on top of that, why would she want to have a relationship with her parents at all. The way they treat her (of course her mom is her biggest hater how cliché) and after her supposed growth I would have assumed she loved herself enough to distance herself from that but again, inconsistent behavior on her part, not surprised.

This story started good, but left me with a sour feeling, simply wishing the author had thought of not ruining the FMC at the crucial point of her character arc.
Profile Image for Velvet.
34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Shae Publishing for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Howlin’ for You hoping for a quick, wholesome, low-stakes read—something light and comforting to unwind with after work. It did deliver that feeling initially, but as I continued reading, I found myself noticing more aspects that didn’t quite work for me.

One of my biggest issues was the repetition. Certain details, such as Georgie being Nick’s best friend and the owner of Tea Leaves or Isabelle color-coding Nick’s calendar, were reiterated often enough that I found them distracting rather than helpful.

I also struggled to feel the chemistry between Isabelle and Nick. I generally don’t mind insta-love, but Nick’s attempts to explain his attraction to Isabelle through very ordinary, benign traits felt a little too forced for me. I had a similar issue with the friendships; I wanted to feel more natural chemistry and connection between Nick and his best friends, but some of their interactions didn’t quite click. There were also moments involving the townspeople that felt somewhat awkward or contrived.

The writing style was another challenge for me. At times, it felt a little juvenile, particularly when paired with the more sexual content, and some of the dialogue and descriptions came across as corny rather than charming.

Unfortunately, I ultimately decided not to finish the book. I can see the appeal of a cozy, small-town romance with low stakes, and I think readers looking for that particular vibe may enjoy it more than I did. For me, though, the writing and character dynamics made it difficult to stay invested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marie’s Book Barn Reviews.
435 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2026
Howlin' For You is a cute and cozy fall-themed read that also has funny moments, spicy moments, and a wonderfully done shifter/fated mates romance story.

Isabella is new to the cozy and cute small town of Lunamois, WA, for a job opportunity, but this town is not just any normal small town; it's full of the supernatural, beings, and everything in between. Her plan figure out what she wants for her life and do the job she was hired to do, what she didn't account for... Nick Martin.

Nick is the handyman in town, but he also has another side to him: he's a werewolf, and he just found his fated mate in the new woman in town. He is dead set on having her fall in love with him and to see his small cozy town as more than just a temporary stop in her life, but a place she can see herself staying in and building a life in with Nick by her side, and start their lives together.

This was a fun read. It was the perfect read to help get me ready for fall and sweater weather. I loved that even though Nick knows right away that Isabella is his mate, he takes his time with her and shows her the kind of life they could have and how much he cares for her, and I thought that was so sweet and cute.

There's spice, but not too much spice, and I thought it was done very well.

This was a book I really enjoyed and had a great time reading. It was a feel-good read that left me happy with how the story ended. It was a wonderful experience, and it's a book that I highly recommend reading and adding to your TBR.

Thank you, NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, Shae Publishing LLC, and Zoe Shae for the early copy of this book.
Profile Image for _CamillaJane_.
66 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 9, 2026
I'm in love with a werewolf, and his name is Nick.

This book was perfection for a small-town, cosy, low-angst read. It has easily jumped to the top of my cosy reads pile.

We have our FMC, Isabella, who has never really felt at home anywhere. She drifts from one job to the next, with nothing ever feeling quite right. When she takes an event planner job in a thriving small supernatural town, she meets Nick, our werewolf MMC.

He's EVERYTHING. Thoughtful, kind, considerate, a good cook, handy around the house, and packed with all our favourite wolfy traits: possessive, scent-obsessed, protective, and delivering utterly feral spice.

While there wasn't actually a great deal of event planning, I couldn't have cared less. The romance completely made up for it. While this book definitely brings the spice, the development of their relationship felt so genuine.

I was a little disappointed to be left with one final unanswered question at the end, which I can't really elaborate on without spoilers. Ultimately, though, it didn't ruin the experience for me. I just like complete closure when it comes to my paranormal romance relationships.

I'm actually sad that I finished this book so quickly. I didn't want it to end, and I will be stalking through Zoe Shaes other books to chase this new addiction.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and Zoe Shae for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication. I can't wait to reread it.
Profile Image for KathrynAlyse.
113 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 12, 2026
A huge thank you to NetGalley and author Zoe Shae for providing me with an ARC of Howlin’ for You!
I absolutely devoured this book in a single day. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Isabella, an independent human woman searching for a place where she truly belongs. Her journey leads her to a small town known for its supernatural residents, where she takes a new job and quickly finds herself working alongside Nick, a werewolf who only shifts during the full moon.

What Isabella doesn’t realize is that Nick knows from the moment they meet that she’s his fated mate. Watching him quietly care for her, protect her, and pay attention to every little detail completely stole my heart. His patience, tenderness, and unwavering devotion made him the perfect book boyfriend. After everything Isabella has been through, seeing someone love her the way she truly deserves was incredibly satisfying.

This book delivers so many of my favorite tropes: fated mates, found family, slow-burn romance, and some seriously steamy spice. The chemistry between Isabella and Nick was fantastic, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

If you’re looking for a cozy paranormal romance with lovable characters, heartfelt moments, and plenty of swoon-worthy romance, and some hot spice I highly recommend picking this one up. I had an absolute blast reading it!
Profile Image for Dominique Franklin.
421 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 23, 2026
ARC gifted in exchange for review.

100 stars, actually not a single note.

I was hooked from the dedication because I was looking for an escape and Howlin For You gave me that in the best way. I was up until 1:30 AM reading and I had to force myself to turn off my Ipad and go to bed because I had work in the morning. I spent the entire time giggling, kicking my feet and occasionally crying because this book hit me so hard. This book is what happens when two real lovers find each other. Izzy has never fit in, never felt good enough, never lived up to the weight of her parent's expectations. She has bounced from temp job to temp job trying to find her place in the world after dropping out of med school. She moves constantly, always trying to find a place that feels like home until she receives a mysterious email from someone named Clover inviting her to be the event planner for the 75th anniversary of a small town called Lunamois that she's never heard off. It's a haven for supernaturals, werewolves in particularly and she jumps at the opportunity. Nick Martin has lost everything, and is burying himself in work as the town handyman to distract himself from how lonely life has gotten without his family. He yearns to find his mate but as the years go by, it seems more and more unlikely. Being a people pleaser, he is so overloaded with work so he thinks nothing of it when the Mayor calls him and asks to meet to discuss his help with the town's 75th anniversary celebration in 3 weeks. Little did he know that the Mayor was about to change the course of his life and introduce him to the person he had spent his whole life searching for.
    The chemistry between Izzy and Nick was electric from their first meeting. I was rooting for them so hard and how could you not. They complement each other so well. She is tough when she needs to be but fears that she isn't good enough after years of her parents' criticisms. She is deeply empathetic with a heart of gold, and she is so blind to how she literally lights up every room she enters, how she makes people come alive in her presence like flowers stretching towards the sun. All she ever wanted was to find her home, her place and people that truly loved her. Nick with his giant heart of gold, is golden retriever energy to the core and there is nothing he wouldn't do for her. The way he lifts her up constantly, never letting her doubt her worth or the way she impacts people with her kindness. He sees her emotional wounds and does everything in his power to love her louder than the doubting voices in her head. It was beautiful to read about them falling in love and healing.
    The town felt so cozy and welcoming, like the kind of place you wander into and end up never leaving because of how it embraces you. Georgie and Dane are so supportive of Nick, and Georgie's relationship with Izzy reminded me so much of the dynamic between my bestie and I. I just want them to both find their happily ever after so badly my sweet baby angels.
    It is impossible not to get attached to every character in this book, except Izzy's parents. If those people have no haters, well Nick Martin and I don't exist honestly. I finished this book with tears in my eyes because it made me yearn so deeply for what Izzy and Nick have. I've read a lot of romance novels over the years, and fell in love with a lot of fictional men but Nick Martin might just be the one to top them all. This book made me feel seen, and gave me hope that maybe my own love story is still out there, maybe there's still time to find my place, and my thing that makes me light up the way event planning makes Izzy light up.
    Howlin For You is a love letter to everyone who has ever felt like they just aren't good enough and don't deserve to be loved as they are. It's one of those books that I can tell will have a lasting impact on me and I will never shut up about Nick and Izzy.
Profile Image for bookish206.
72 reviews
August 15, 2026

What a fun and refreshing palate cleanser! This is my first time reading a book by Zoe Shae and it will not be my last. This shifter romance was so sweet, cozy, and especially SPICY! It gave me all the fall vibes and now I want summer to be over so I can order a pumpkin spice latte or make that tea. lol

The moment I started this book I was invested in Nick and Isabella's romance. They are so cuuuuuute! Sure, it was instalust but they are Goddess-given soulmates so I was all in. We almost got halfway in (44% to be precise) before any real spice started. I give Nick credit for holding out for that long, especially since he could smell Isabella's lust. (Remember he's a werewolf with a heighten sense of smell.)

"Be the man she needs right now. Not the wolf she'll need later." lol

It's not all smut and knotting though. Isabella and Nick both have their own problems that cause doubts from both sides. Nick has abandonment issues from losing his loved ones. Isabella has feelings of not being good enough from the way she was raised. I'm glad they figured it out. Also, their friendship with Georgie was so precious and I hope we get her story next!

Thank you Zoe Shae, Xpresso Book Tours, and Net Galley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

"You're perfect exactly as you are. Bumps, bruises, emotional scars, and all."

"Grief stays with us, becomes part of who we are. We just learn how to carry it."
Profile Image for Jessica.
142 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 7, 2026
3⭐️. This was a lighthearted, cozy, feel good, easy time.

➕Add in:
Werewolves
Mates
Knotting
Found family
Low to no conflict

Isabelle is a human girl, only child, whose parents made her feel like she was never good enough. She did some traveling and many job changes to try and “find herself” but nothing ever felt right. She never had any serious relationships or felt worthy of love and commitment.

She moved to a small paranormal town to plan an event. At the planning meeting she is paired with the town handyman / hot giant werewolf / her mate.

He decides not to tell her right away because she’s human. Giving her a chance to fall in love with him. This works well because they’re both drawn and attracted to each other. He is also scared to be left…feeling like he loses everyone he loves after his parents die in a car accident and his brother leaves afterward. There is a lot of story here that we just aren’t given.

Anyway, things are going well until Isabelle hears from other townsmen that she’s his mate, she feels betrayed, he’s genuinely sorry and apologizes, they work it out.

Hence - little to no conflict to overcome. Which is good for them, but it doesn’t bring a lot of excitement for the reader. You could easily read this book distracted with a hit of skimming and be ok.

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy!*
Profile Image for PagesWithGigi.
158 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the initial premise of this story! The idea of the main character taking a temporary job in a small town and finding her mate there felt incredibly cozy, charming, and full of potential. The overall vibe at the beginning was exactly the comforting werewolf romance I was looking for.

We were introduced to far too many townspeople with background details and names. It felt overwhelming and shifted the focus away from the main couple.

The plot felt heavily driven by repetitive miscommunication. The constant internal back-and-forth of "Should I tell them?" and "Do they really want me?" became quite frustrating, especially since the characters are mature adults.

The conflict near the end felt forced. The MMC was consistently reassuring, communicative, and open about his feelings and serious intentions. Despite his constant reassurance, the FMC let doubts about the "fated mates" concept completely overshadow his genuine actions, leading to an unnecessary breakup that felt unrealistic given how much clarity he had already provided.

​Overall, while it had a wonderful, cozy start and a great concept, the heavy reliance on miscommunication kept me from fully connecting with the execution.
Profile Image for Cassie.
131 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2026
🚨Releasing to the wild on August 18th!🚨
Omg this was so damn sweet! I could not put this book down, it was such a fun read! Isabella is an amazing woman, haunted by the disappointment her mother makes her feel. Nick is just as amazing, and he's haunted by the grief of losing his parents to an unfortunate car accident and an okder brother who couldn't bare to stick around town. Their both haunted by things they can't control, but damn do they find solace in each other! The banter, the friendships and community, Nick's dirty talk 🥵 this book has it all. While it is a small town paranormal romance, its cool that within the town of Lunamois there are several different species of creatures..though werewolf is dominant. Can't say I've read a werewolf romance that had knotting in it before, but it was hot 😏. With this being the first in the series I hope we get a book on Georgie and Dane, now that I know they get their HEA as well! Georgie is seriously a vibe. Some too moments; shortly after Nick and Izzy meet he takes her to the town cafe and literally scents her order on her 😱 and of course when Georgie is tryna talk Izzy outta killing Nick for not telling her that she's his mate and making her spiral into dispair 😑. This book is such a vibe! Thank you @authorzoeshae and @netgalley for the privilage to be part of your ARC team!
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