Wolf Moon

by Nora Roberts, Emily Foster (Narrator)

Simone's European hiking excursion is cut short when she is brutally attacked by a wolf-like creature in the Piedmont Mountains of Italy. When she awakens from the attack, she finds she has been changed in inexplicable ways and settles into an isolated lifestyle. While she is ever hopeful for a cure, she is also acutely aware that she may never be the same again.

Then Gabe Kirby walks into her life. Her desire for him is beyond human. As Simone risks breaking all of her own rules for a chance at happiness with Gabe, she begins to realize that he may be more than the love of her life—he may be the one to help her find the cure.

(A novella originally published in Moon Shadows.)

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Shapeshifters, Novella, Supernatural, Paranormal Romance

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following her high school graduation, Simone decided to take a year off to travel through Europe. While in the mountains of Northern Italy, she is attacked by a wolf. Though she survives the attack, Simone now becomes a werewolf on the nights of the full moon. Simone stays away from people as much as she can. She has spent over ten years searching for a cure for her condition. When she takes her dog to the vet for shots, she meets Gabe Kirby who has taken over the practice from his uncle. Simone is immediately enamored. Can she trust him with her secret?

I listened to the audiobook of this short story. Overall, I enjoyed the story and characters. But I did not care for the narration by Emily Foster. Many times I had a hard time figuring out if it was Simone or Gabe talking. They sounded too much alike at times. My rating: 3 Stars.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible Review

Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 3 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars

Went into this blind.
3.5*
I bought this audiobook during one of Audible sales and never really even looked at the blurb- it was a Nora book and on sale, so why not! So needless to say the prologue took me by surprise, But then the story had me intrigued. I liked the idea of Simone trying to figure out how to "cure" herself. The romance wasn't the best. I don't mind the idea of instalove, but the execution of this one didn't work for me, although I liked both characters. I understand why Simone was attracted so quickly, like she found her mate, but with Gabe being fully human his instant love for her was a little eh. Instant attraction I can get, but the instalove was a bit much.
The narrators voice was fine, but at times it was hard to differentiate which character was speaking.

[aarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this the only werewolf romance that Nora has ever written?? She should’ve focused on wolves instead of witches. 😅 Read via audio.

[Chris Berry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can understand why this was marked down on Audible. Woof (pun intended), this was really bad. I always say you know what you're getting with a book by Roberts, but this novella is actually an insult to her capabilities. I've read books by her that were far more solid.

This is the quality of most fanfiction: uncomfortable dialogue, a flimsy plot, and no character development whatsoever. Oh, and it had a really cringe-worthy romance that made no sense. They said "I love you" on day two and were using pet names by day three. [Insert barf emoji here.]

The reality here is that she is probably just really bad at writing short form and nobody told her. And she's so prolific that it'll get published anyway.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf Moon is a part of the anthology with other authors, “Moon Shadow”.

Simone wanted to live life on her terms at 18 years old, so she went backpacking through Europe alone. She barely made it through Italy when she was attacked and bitten by a wolf. Now she turns into a lycanthrope for 3 days at the full moon. 12 years saw her try and fail to find a cure for this infection. She just needed the help of Gabe, a vet she met in small town Maine. Simone’s wolf knows they are mates and she wants to turn Gabe, but Simone is fighting. Gabe knew Simone was different, but he had no idea just how different until she turned in specialty designed jail cell. For months, he helps her find a cure for her lycanthropy as they fall in love with each other.

For a short story, Wolf Moon is well done! The story is strong with a great romance. The plot was very interesting and simple enough that it worked well in short story form. The characters were well written. I would recommend checking out Wolf Moon!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a HUGE Nora Roberts fan, I ended up buying a couple of her earlier works when Audible was having this big sale. The stories weren't too long and they were definitely written a while ago, but, as usual, with Nora Roberts....you can't really go wrong.

One thing I was surprised about was that this story had a very unique take to it. It takes one of the fairly common tropes - dealing with lycanthropy - and then takes in a new and different direction.

I'm not going to go into spoilers because honestly, that was what surprised me and honestly, it ramped up my interest. All I will say is that if you have a couple of hours one day and want a new and different take on the shifter genre, give this a try. You won't be disappointed, at least I wasn't.

[Mickey LW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so different from Nora Roberts other books. I would luv more reads about the lycan wolves, as a child I was always drawn to wolves. Seeing them in a different light then others. The care and luv for there family. This story proves this to be true. I wish Wolf Moon had been a longer read as Nora Roberts other books are. Wolf Moon of course was well written. It grabbed me on the first page. I grew to luv the characters. To get to know there hearts, cry with them, laugh with them. To see from her eyes when she realized there was good in this world. Even though it was violence that turned her into a Lycan. Oops can't say anymore, but if you luv romance and suspense this story might be for you.

[IRE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short paranormal romance, part of an anthology 'Moon Shadows' Read only Wolf moon by NR tho.

"No, don't look at the needle, look at me. I told you it hurts less."

"It doesn't hurt when you do it."

He smiled as he slid the needle under her skin.
"Just take a minute. I love your eyes, have I told you that? The way the gold flecks over the green, like little spots of sunlight. When we make love, when I'm inside you, the green gets deeper, the gold brighter. I'm going to spend my life making your eyes change, Simone."

"Sometimes I think I'm imagining you, making you up inside my head so I don't go crazy."

[Scroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bad listen. The narrator sounded like a robot voice.

The story wasn’t really that interesting for an urban fantasy fan. I really didn’t connect with the heroines struggle for a cure. There was zero world building.

And as a lover of romance novels, this one was instant love and no relationship progress with any of the lovely tropes romance readers usually want (no buildup, love angst or sexual tension that was worth the read).

Incredibly dissatisfied! Might try something by the same author later, however this instalment does not make me understand any hype for this author that is supposed to sooooo good.

[Aparna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4 / 5
Recommendation: A novella filled with magic, romance and mystery with the typical Nora Roberts' writing flair that will entertain the reader thoroughly.

Wolf Moon is the first novella in the October 2004 anthology Moon Shadows written by Nora Roberts. The novella is a collaboration between four authors - Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan and Marianne Willman - with tales filled with moon, magic and love.

As I was reading the 2001 novella Midnight Serenade by Ronda Thompson (Review here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), it reminded me of Wolf Moon by Nora Roberts. As I mentioned in the review of that book I did pick up this anthology as well, couldn’t resist it once I remembered it. Thus my reviews of the four novellas follows beginning with Wolf Moon by Nora Roberts.

Eighteen years ago on a solo camping trip, Simone, gets attacked by a wolf turning her life into a cruel curse. Now she meets Dr. Gabe Kirby, the local vet, in the remote town in Maine, with whom she wants to have more with. Risking all will she confide in Gabe about what happened? Will Gabe accept her and aid her? Where will this latest hitch take the turn for Simone?

A mere 96 page novella which Nora Roberts spins it well with lot more details than one would expect for a novella. There is romance, magic and mystery - the trifecta that one typically sees in a Nora's book. Of course there is the element of paranormal here too. And not to forget the moon element keeping with the theme of the novella.

Yes, this is again one of those style of writing of Nora's that I love the most. Be it her usage of words, expression of feelings, description of the sceneries and scenarios, it is a through and through Nora in there. However, this is definitely not a quick read, for it comes with a lot more depth in it than just a typical paranormal romance plot.

A definite pick for those who want to start on Nora Roberts books.

Spoiler Alerts:

1) Spoiler Alerts:
a. Simone listens to the latest novel of Robert Parker on audio CD. I have never read Robert Parker's books though. However his character Spenser had a series of books, and a few movies to his name. I believe I saw one of the movies, but can't seem to remember which one.
b. Gabe likes to watch the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, an American supernatural drama. It had aired from 1997 thru 2003. Long before I was into the paranormal books, movies and TV shows, when I had watched an episode of this TV show, it had actually scared me. But now I don’t think so. More about the TV show here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_t....

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins with 17-year-old high school graduate Simone hiking solo through Europe which had been a dream of hers even before her parents died and she was taken in by relatives who never made her part of the family. She's attacked on an isolated trail in Italy and wakes up a werewolf.

The story moves eleven years into the future. Simone has been trying to discover a cure for lycanthropy since she was attacked. She has also built a business selling lotions and potions that she makes with all natural ingredients. she lives way out of town and doesn't make friends. It is a hard thing to do when you turn into a wolf three days a month. Her only companion is her well-trained dog.

When her dog is injured, she takes him to the vet who isn't the older man she has worked with before but his young, handsome nephew Gabe Kirby. The two are instantly attracted, but Simone has some big secrets that she's never shared with anyone. She is also really busy researching and trying to develop a cure that will make her human again.

Gabe is very persistent, and he's a veterinarian who may be able to help Simone if she can ever bring herself to share her secret with him. I liked the romance between the two of them. Each of the main characters were well-rounded and engaging people. I also liked the happy ending.

This story was first published in an anthology called Moon Shadows in 2015.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook but it seems the physical book has a different title. I struggled to finish this novella, in fact I fell asleep to it a couple times. It's not a bad book but I felt it fell flat but I think it was the narrator. I went back to the info page to make sure it wasn't a virtual voice. It wasn't so automated in her cadence. I looked for the physical book but wasn't willing to pay money to see if it was the problem.
I liked the characters but again the way it was read made things feel flat when the language was trying to paint a picture and build.people. if I can find this on Libby I'll try reading the book.

I found the background story of the FMC to be interesting and it sets her up to easily disappear from her old life when her adventure leads to her condition. Her meet cute with the MMC was well done and I loved that he felt the same instant connection she did. The two perspectives were different but both believable.
I enjoyed that they came together to try and find solutions as a team and that they both had different beliefs about the risks involved.
If I read the ebook I'll make a review of that as well because it is under a different title because it's an anthology.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am a werewolf fan, this book didn't really do it for me. It used the instalove tropes paired with infodumping. The heroine had a little resistance to the hero, but then she word-vomits all about her past. It's a wall of dialogue without any pauses for body language or setting. Basically, the things new writers are told to avoid. While I like Roberts (or have in the past), this is a "what not to do."

[Christiane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl turns Werewolf meets vet ... guess it's a modern day fairy tale.

Nora Roberts is a great writer. However she writes a lot. Seems she is recycling characters. Not sure if Elizabeth / Abigail from the witness was first or Simone from Wolf Moon - but they sounded very much alike.

The best virtues of this book were that it was short and it had a happy ending. OK read, but glad it wasn't longer.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was having the time of her life backpacking through Europe. She was in a forrest in Italy close to the border with France, her next adventure. It's getting dark she should have stopped somewhere.
She hers the howl and it's coming closer, but wolves don't attack people? This was really good and you just want her to succeed in her quest. Loved it.

[Francesca ❆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
This was my first Nora Roberts romance with a paranormal tone.
I really liked how she mixed it with the romance and how it didn’t overtake the tone of the whole story.
The two characters still had lots of room to develop and form a solid relationship.
It was a shame that it was so short tho…I would’ve loved it to be a full length novel.

[Cindy P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It honestly easily could've been a longer story so this felt like the clip notes version. And I would've liked their feelings to develop over time it seemed rushed but I did enjoy it for what it was. I think she did an interesting take on lycanthropy but this probably should've been a full length book v. A novella

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story that I couldn't stop listening to. A lovely romance with a side of wolf. To be fair, Nora Roberts is one of my favourite authors so I'm a little biased when it comes to her books. Enjoyment is usually guaranteed when I select one of her stories, and I wasn't disappointed.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Preference Rating 3.5/5 🌶️Audiobook (Audible)
I know this is a short read, but the insta-love was a little too “insta” for me. It would have been nice to have a few extra pages to build that a bit, especially from the MMC’s perspective. Otherwise I thought the story was creative and had nice scenic descriptions.

[Marjo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, yeah, it's a novella, limited space and all. Still, the combination of insta-love and pseudoscience was almost too much for me. A full lenght novel would have been better to really do justice to the concept. The rating is more for the potential than for the story proper

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very unrealistic, werewolves and other supernatural concepts aside, the characters say and do things completely impractical. I don't expect a truly realistic story from a romance novel, but a little more depth and character development would be nice.

[Bookcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be my first ever Nora Roberts book 🤷‍♀️ This was a nice short listen, would have liked a longer story that explores their relationship more. It's clean, but a likable story with low key irony.

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of a woman who lives a life of solitude due to her bing a werewolf for three weeks every month .O ne day she meets a man who may be her savior , helping her achieve a goal shes been working on for eleven years .

[anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

i can’t say it was a fun read. i honestly expected her to die after her last experiment.

😭😭

“She longed for love, to be touched and held. She craved the connection, craved knowing when she reached out a hand would be there to take hers.”.

[Jennifer, Just beyond normal ♑ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3-5 read and I am not sure if I am not liking the story or if I don’t like it because of the narrator. The whole story felt juvenile to me. The book felt short as well. I love Nora, just not this story..she has better books for sure

[Diana Huerta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't know until I got into it it was about a werewolf. Corny, didn't like

[Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very different than every other Nora Roberts book I have read, I was surprisingly pleased with this book !

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story with romance, werewolves nd suspense. I liked it.

[Teresa Keatts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio listen of novella; story was ok for paranormal.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and fun!
Simone and Gabe have an undeniable attraction neither of them really understands. Could they be mates for life? Paranormal werewolf shifter with a happily ever after!