A Wolfe in the Woods

by Zoey Draven, Marcio Catalano

A Little Red Riding Hood inspired retelling, where the wolf isn’t the only monster in the woods…

Blanchette Redfield has spent years sacrificing everything for her career. Working brutal hours under Graymore city’s most powerful corporate heir, she’s burned out, hollowed out, and one wrong move from defeat.

When she’s forced on a mandatory leave, she’s sent back to Everwick-by-the-Sea—her idyllic, quaint hometown, brimming with painful memories of her beloved late grandmother. On the outskirts lies Juniper Woods, an ancient forest steeped in magic and local legend…

A former high-profile lawyer turned reclusive caretaker of a crumbling B&B at the forest’s edge, Jonathan Wolfe only wants to be left alone. Grumpy and a bit wild, he knows exactly who Blanchette is…and wants nothing to do with her.

But Jonathan is hiding a secret. He’s a Lycan, bound to protect the sacred land he inherited. Falling for a pretty city girl with sad eyes isn’t on his endless to-do list. But despite their best efforts, they can’t stay away from each other.

As their attraction deepens, Juniper Woods is threatened. Caught between a future she’s spent years building and the newfound love with a Lycan she’s come to crave, Blanchette must decide what matters most, even if it means putting herself in the dangerous crosshairs between two forces destined to clash.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Werewolves, Shapeshifters

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

Zoey Draven has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Her love affair with the romance genre started with her grandmother's old Harlequin paperbacks and has continued ever since. As a Top 100 Amazon bestselling author, now she gets to write the happily-ever-afters—with a cosmic, otherworldly twist, of course!

When she's not writing, she's probably drinking one too many cups of coffee, hiking in the redwoods, or spending time with her family.

Sign-up for Zoey Draven's newsletter for new release announcements and bonus content: http://bit.ly/2lkn8M4

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

I wanted to be absolutely feral over this book. Instead, I finished it thinking "That was lovely" which, unfortunately, isn't quite the same thing.

A grumpy Lycan. An enchanted forest. Cottagecore magic. A Little Red Riding Hood retelling. On paper, this should've been an easy win for me. Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for it to completely sink its teeth into me...

...and it never quite did.

What worked for me
(aka: the reasons this still landed at 3 stars)

Juniper Hollow was the real main character

Forget the romance - I was ready to frolic irresponsibly into Juniper Woods myself. I was one berry tart away from quitting my job, moving into a cozy little cottage and becoming local folklore. Juniper Hollow felt less like a setting and more like somewhere I wanted to come home to.

The setting absolutely carried this book for me. The enchanted forest, the cozy cabins, the cliff walks, the butterfly sanctuary, Grandma June's cottage, the festivals...it all felt wonderfully immersive. This wasn't just a backdrop - it had a heartbeat. Every trail, cabin and hidden corner felt lived in, making it impossible not to want to wander straight into its embrace.

Every time the story leaned into the folklore, the ancient magic and the bond between the land and its protectors, I was completely locked in.

Blanche's journey home

I was expecting to obsess over the romance but I found myself far more invested in Blanche untangling the life she'd accidentally built.

The burnout, the guilt over her grandmother, the relentless chase for promotions and success, only to realise she'd lost herself along the way...that felt incredibly relatable. Watching her reconnect with Everwick, rediscover slower living and question what success actually looked like gave the story emotional weight beyond the romance.

It wasn't about finding Jonathan.

It was about finding herself again.

Where it lost me
(aka: where my feral little reader heart started checking the progress bar)

Sir .. I was rooting for you

Jonathan had one hell of a first impression. Grumpy, capable, quietly protective, rebuilding cabins with his sleeves rolled up? I was absolutely prepared to climb that man like a tree.

Unfortunately...he slowly talked me out of my own crush.

I completely understood why he struggled with trust after everything he'd experienced. His past explained his fears. But when he bought into Erik's manipulation so quickly after everything he and Blanche had built together, I found myself more frustrated than heartbroken.

I understood where he was coming from.

I was still annoyed.

By the end, I found myself more emotionally invested in the enchanted forest than I was in the actual wolf man, which probably isn't ideal for a romance.

Too much talking...not enough tension

This book is incredibly emotionally mature...almost to a fault.

Nearly every obstacle was followed by another heartfelt conversation, another emotional revelation and another moment of mutual understanding. Individually, those scenes were beautifully written. Collectively, they started feeling repetitive.

I kept waiting for the romance to become messy. To ache. To leave me desperate for these two to find their way back to each other.

Instead, everything felt surprisingly...safe.

Even the conflict resolved itself quicker than I expected and by the end almost every loose thread had been tied into a neat little bow.

The final act finally remembered it was fantasy

Ironically, the last quarter of the book was exactly what I'd been waiting for.

The stakes skyrocketed, the fantasy elements finally stepped into the spotlight, the Little Red Riding Hood inspiration came alive and suddenly I couldn't put the book down. It was exciting, dangerous and genuinely gripping.

My only complaint?

I wish we'd borrowed a little of that energy much earlier because the ending showed me exactly what this book had been capable of all along.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those books that's very easy to admire but a little harder to become obsessed with.

The writing is beautiful. The setting is magical. Blanche's personal journey was genuinely touching. But the leisurely pacing, repetitive emotional beats and romance that never quite reached the emotional intensity I was craving meant I finished this feeling pleasantly satisfied rather than completely consumed.

Sometimes I wanted less couples therapy...

...and just a little more wolf.

Final Verdict

A beautifully written fantasy romance with an enchanting setting and heartfelt themes about grief, home and starting over but one that never fully embraced the bite hidden beneath its bark.

3 ⭐️ - Choosing the wolf. Keeping the forest.

10/10 would frolic irresponsibly. 7/10 would answer the wolf's call.

Tropes and Vibe:
• Little Red Riding Hood retelling
• Grumpy Lycan MMC
• Burnt-out corporate FMC
• Small town meets big city
• Cottagecore fantasy
• Enchanted forest
• Cozy magical vibes
• Emotional healing
• Acts of service
• Protective MMC
• Slow burn romance
• Found home
• Ancient magic & folklore
• Forest as a character
• Corporate corruption subplot
• Cottage restoration
• Quiet yearning
• Touch her and the whole forest throws hands
• Emotionally mature communication
• Fresh starts & second chances

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Pre-read:

Excuse me while I go frolic irresponsibly into enchanted woods because there's a grumpy wolf man waiting 🐺

Little Red Riding Hood retelling ✔️
Burnt-out corporate FMC ✔️
Grumpy Lycan MMC ✔️

Choosing delusion. Choosing the wolf. Choosing happiness 🤞🏼✨️

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished it!!!!! I’m sad to report this book was quite dry and slightly boring until the last bit.

I’m not sure what happened here, the writing was eloquent and poetic, but the characters took way too long marinating in whatever this plot was.

3.5 stars, mostly because of the last quarter of the story. Finally there was intrigue, shifting, fighting, and some wonderfully written intimacies. It’s too bad the first 3/4 of the story was so slow.

What sat with me the most was how selfish the FMC was in the way she treated her grandmother. How would you ever get over that guilt?

I think this was the longest buddy read in the history of buddy reads. Thanks for choking this one down with me, Isabella. Let me know when you’ve finished it lol!

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trading corporate life for lakeside COZINESS & some LYCAN D 🐺🌲🌙 Beautifully slow paced, cottage-core romantasy that soothes the soul of every overworked girlie!

Blanchette is burnt-out corporate girlie on a forced vacation to a lakeside cabin 🌲🌙 Mystical woods, soft cozy mornings & a Forrest Daddy! Blanche rediscovers her hometown with the grumpy B&B owner even though her adventures stir up feelings of unresolved grief. Single girl vacation is exactly what she needs & yes that INCLUDES SOME LYCAN SMUT!

Quiet, slow love built on vulnerable conversation & comfortable friendship! I absolutely loved the coziness of this relationship. The mystical setting coupled with slow paced storyline conjured a romantic coziness to their love ♥️ AND THE SMUT…I will forever praise cozy shy love that turns extra spicy in the bedroom!

🌲 cozy cabins, enchanting greenhouses, & butterfly sanctuaries

🌙 “grab on spider monkey” moment

🌲 demure dom/sub spice!

🌙 MMC that apologizes and admits when he’s wrong

Worrrrrk it PLOTLINE! I felt like this book had such a heartfelt message of returning to your roots & recognizing the importance of slow-paced PEACEFUL existence ✨ I honestly think many of us dream of living the city life for a cozy magical town…especially if the location includes a FOREST DADDY!

urban romantasy
red riding hood retelling (loosely based)
grumpy mmc
vacation getaway
hardworking fmc/mmc
magical elements
forced proximity
grief
HEA

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feels like it was written by A.I.

I usually love Zoey Draven but this book was awful. I DNF'd. It read like it was entirely written using A.I. Very disappointing.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

First: I’ve seen other reviews and their thoughts. Everyone has opinions, good and bad. I saw Draven post about some of the negative reviews on her Threads, and it seems like it’s causing people to hop into said reviews with a pretty shocking amount of anger. Yikes all around on that front.

I’m not going to make any accusations.

All I’m going to say is that whether AI was used or not, it doesn’t change the fact that parts of the book SOUND like AI. And that in and of itself is a problem. I think we’re entering an age where authors (unfortunately) have to watch what they write for fear of it matching the patterns of an LLM.

I can tell when Draven is writing. She has some clear tells (such as ‘I saw X’ to describe something). I find it charming, and it’s why I come back to her time and time again.

Since I have a decent grasp of her style, I’d say I can tell when Draven is NOT writing. And many, many parts of this book simply don’t sound like her. Which is to be expected, considering it’s co-authored.

But something is just off.

Here are (some) parts that sound like Draven (or at least written in a way I enjoy):

“In my room, I sat down on the edge of the bed, letting my shoes slip off and curling my legs beneath me. I leaned back on my hands and stared at the ceiling, letting the quiet settle around me. Letting myself finally breathe. It was so still that I found myself wondering if I’d ever really heard nothing before. It had been like this last night too, but somehow it still felt unfamiliar. Graymore was never this quiet.”

“The table was already made, I saw. A beautiful roast glistened under the soft light at the center, steam curling off it. A dish of golden potatoes sat beside it, skin crisped and herbs tucked between. There were fresh herbs in a vase next to it too, a pitcher of water catching the light.”


Here are (some) parts that don’t:

“I’d told May—explicitly—to make sure no guests went past the chain perimeter I’d set up. There were signs. Warnings. Rope. It wasn’t subtle.”

“The narrative I wrote wasn’t hers—it was mine. Built off assumptions and formed from scraps.”

“The old thing creaked like a memory when I sank into it.” (What does this even mean…?)

This is all from the *same page*:
“There was something reverent about it—the way the sound filled the clearing, loud but soothing, wild but constant. It wasn’t grand, like some postcard landmark. But it felt untouched. Sacred.”
“This moment shimmered—light and color and cold air. Everything about it felt brighter. Sharper. Alive.”
“I didn’t move. Didn’t want to. The city felt like a memory, distant and gray. And this? This was the opposite. This was vibrancy. Color. Breath.”


Then there are just straight up errors (these are only a few of them—I’m not here to play editor, but someone probably should have?):

“…oysters on ice, today’s catch from the coast off Vellamara, including oysters.”

“the kind sold at roadside stands and ferry stalls.”

“The little nickname brought a flush a warmth spreading in my chest.”

“Just watched his eyes as continued watching everything else around us.”

“I looked at kettle for a long moment before turning back to May, swallowing.”


There’s also this whole plot point with baking a pie for a competition that doesn’t take place until fall? Johnathan remarks that “even though it was a festival in the fall, Everwick was already advertising [the competition].” And later, Blanche remarks “it was still summer” but then she talks about the judges tasting the pie they’re actively baking, so it’s not like it was a test run. What is the reason for ANY of this? It’s the most insane plot point. It doesn’t even warrant a spot in this review, honestly. I’m just so baffled by it that I felt the need to include it anyway. WHAT WAS THE PLAN HERE???

I am very disappointed. At the end of the day, to me, it’s just not a good read. I’d actually describe it as sloppy. There are so many ellipses and em dashes that the book becomes redundant and bogged down. The banter isn’t very fun, the purple prose is egregious, and there’s very little fantasy to be had in general. (I think of the magic in The Midnight Arrow, which felt cozy and thought-out, and find Wolfe in the Woods to pale in comparison.)

For a man that can shift into a wolf, Johnathan is straight up boring. Blanche is also flat and lacks any semblance of personality. We don’t find out she’s (supposedly) passionate about marketing until it’s convenient to the plot (70% into the novel).

And if anyone wants to jump into the comments and get angry at me, all I’ll say is this: go bake a pie.

[Gyula]

DNF 18%

I love me some Zoey. & when I saw that she’s co writing with one of her most commonly used audiobook narrators, I was so in because I’m a huge fan of his as well. But this book just isn’t well done unfortunately & not up to her usual standards IMO. & what a waste of a stunning cover too.

I think when an author knows one subgenre so well & makes a move into something else, the story may not land with the same success. The woman knows her aliens😂 but switching over to cottagecore romantasy makes this storytelling feel so inauthentically her. Or maybe it’s the fact that it can be tough to co-write a story when you’ve always been a lone author; especially this being Marcio’s first book.

Regardless, the pacing is a mess. The story starts slow & continues to progress so boring. The FMC is an overworked career woman who returns home but she’s so dry & has zero personality. Zoey also knows how to write a detestable MMC but this guy is just gross with nothing remotely gripping to his macho facade.

I do love this romantasy combination of cozy, urban, futuristic, different species including wolves, subtle magic. The different settings adds another great touch. I’m sure the romance & plot will pick up. But overall, the romance & plot so far is so dreadfully stale that I’ll stick to her aliens🙃

[AvidReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟

First of all how stunning is that cover?!!!

So beautifully written, this book was perfect amount of cozy, spooky and gloomy. The small town nuisances were captured so beautifully.

Jonathan comes to Blanche’s life (grumpily) when she’s at the end of her rope. They both were weary and beaten by life, so it was amazing to read how they go from acquaintance to reluctant friends to lovers. This is also a story of redemption, friendship, healing and self growth.

May was interesting another character I liked. I also enjoyed second half more than the first.

If you love romance books with cozy town, supernaturals, a dash of suspense and action- this book is for you.

Recommended and safe.

-Grumpy x sunshine.
-Small town
-Werewolf hero.
-Magical elements.
-Spooky and cozy.
-KU.

I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 10%

And to be honest, it's only Zoey Draven's name on the cover that kept me reading that long.

This book is horribly written. Well, at least the first 3 chapters which is as far as I got. The first few chapters are full of info-dumps, almost solely focused on world building before I have a reason to care. The overly descriptive prose feels incredibly self-indulgent and doesn't tell me anything I need to know.

The main focus of the first chapter is the FMC stressing about a very important presentation she has to give while she's running late and not feeling well. Why is the presentation so important? No idea, not told. Why does the FMC have to present? Again, no idea. What I can tell you is that the building's retina scanners are down, there is a long line for the elevators and she's the last person to get one, and when she finally does she shares it with a minotaur who is described in more detail than we have about the FMC to this point and who apparently has a problem selecting the right floor. The whole elevator ordeal goes on for pages and pages and has virtually nothing to do with the story.

Then we get to chapter 2. She's back in her apartment after passing out at the end of her disastrous presentation, her friend is with her and apparently between chapter 1 and chapter 2 she almost died. What the fuck? Why didn't we get any description about that? Chapter 1 ended with her passing out - how did that escalate to near death? No idea, not described.

Nothing else really happens in chapter 2 except emphasising that she hates her job but can't quit (even when her rich best friend virtually guarantees her another job) for reasons that are completely unexplained. But don't worry. We know that she painted the walls of her apartment forest green but missed a spot so moved a bookcase to cover it. Because, priorities.

Chapter 3 is her driving to a holiday location her best friend forced her to go to. And even though the FMC is driving so obviously must have the address, she doesn't actually realise where she's headed until she's almost there. Despite being very familiar with the area.

Because clearly she is an absolute fucking idiot.

So yeah. I didn't even get to the point where the MMC was introduced because I was spending more time writing out kindle notes to vent my frustration than getting any enjoyment from the story itself.

The worst part is that I'm a Zoey Draven fan. I've read and enjoyed pretty much anything she's ever published. But this book is so bad that I'm now going to second guess buying any future releases. If this was the first thing I'd read from her I would never even try another book. Because the quality of writing is just that bad.

Overall this was very disappointing.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A Wolfe in the Woods” by Zoey Draven and Marcio Catalano

3⭐/5⭐
3🌶/5🌶

“Sometimes, out in these woods, you find things you weren’t looking for.”

I’m a bit sad rating this three stars, but unfortunately the story fell a bit flat for me. I kept waiting for *more* to happen, more details about the toxicity of the city (it almost seemed like there was something extra nefarious going on), more tension between the MCs, more grovel, more time given to characters feeling animosity towards each other.

I do give kudos for co-writing a book, especially one that is outside of Zoey’s usual subgenre; it does not sound like an easy task. I think the writing itself was fine, my main issues were the pacing of certain storylines and scenes, and how the characters reacted to conflict.

Perhaps what I enjoyed the most was the idyllic Everwick-by-the-Sea setting; it reminded me of a town with an ocean view from Kiki’s Delivery service! Very quaint, cute, and easy to picture.

Overall, that missing umph with the characters ultimately left me feeling less strongly towards the story by the end of it. I will still read Zoey’s books and still consider myself a huge fan, I just might stick with her sci-fi books going forward.

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Thank you to the Authors for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**

4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶

This was a slightly spooky/cozy shifter romance set in a coastal town. There are evil corporations, misunderstood wolves, burnt out workers, and some heavy grief over a lost loved one. It felt like a Hallmark romance with the small town and the romance, but it had a lot more depth to it. I would definitely read more books set in this world!

☆shifter romance
☆small town
☆meddling friends
☆learning to live with your grief
☆spicy
☆miscommunication

[Merry Jayned · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I’ll huff…and I’ll puff…and I’ll blow your dreams down.”

DNF'd right after reading this line.

[Hina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This fan of Zoey Draven is confused

At first I put it down to the change in genre (cozy slow, slice of life almost, sweet romance? OK that's new). Then I put it down to the co-author who i don't know anything about. In the end though I just left confused.

This is so far from being anything resembling a Zoey Draven story and i don't know why. I also don't know why it's seemingly not been proofread or edited. The story is overly sweet and without any tension, too slow, long and with random meaningless tangents. Some of which are full of errors (pie making, anyone?) There's typos everywhere and plenty of "huh? That doesn't make sense with what I've just been told?"

Im used to well paced, tension filled romance with steamy payoffs, set well into a broader plot and world building that makes sense. That was not this by a long shot.

I hadn't thought of AI til I came to the reviews to see if anyone else was puzzled like me. I have no way of knowing. And neither does anyone else. But that's kind of the problem.

When an author makes a book which is so left field for thier usual fare, thier reader base will be confused. When that creation is not only different, but filled with nonsensical parts, a lack of editing, proofreading and cohesion, resulting in a startling drop in quality compared to earlier works, in todays world its enough to say - "this reads so badly and like nobody cared enough to make sure the finished product got to me in a good state without typos, developmental and logical issues, that I will suspect AI. And if its not AI.... the quality is such that it might as well be"

It's a harsh world out there with AI. And it must be hard to keep smashing it out the park with books as an author. Indeed I've noticed that to my personal preference of recent last few books have seemed less good overall. But that's because an author is only human.

When something like this is published, reading like a debut wattpad serial rather than a professional authors creation based on years of experience, it's very confusing. I don't know what happened, and I feel let down. I hope Zoey Draven picks back up the ball, brushes herself off and goes OK, what happened, and how can I get back to making smashing books. If the next Draven book follows this format, ill be sticking to her very good backlog. Hoping for the best.

Because honestly, this mess just seemed disrespectful. Like, "i have a massive reader base they'll read anything i serve them even if I couldn't be bothered to do a good job, or get anyone to proofread it" disrespectful. Please don't waste our time and money like that.

[feliciaslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️

ARC review
Oh how I love a good urban fantasy with a swoony romance and fleshed out characters set in a small town. You also get a story that’s loosely inspired fairytale story (little red ridinghood). Honestly perfect for anyone who loves romantasy!

I loved Blanchette and Jonathan’s story. I’ll always love a good grumpy x sunshine trope. The banter and spice was spot on, as well as the heartfelt moments between the two of them. It was surprisingly emotional with their pasts, and especially with Blanchette’s grandmother.

What hit me the most is the mentions of Blanchette grandmother throughout the book and how much the story centers around her legacy. As someone who has lost her grandmother, it definitely hit close to home and made me very much emotional. It also drew me closer to Blanchette and her character. I adore her and her compassion for people around her, including her grandmother.

I flew through this book and I fell in love with Juniper Woods, and would love to see more if the authors ever decides to write more in this universe. If you love cozy romantasy with a grump MMC and a determined FMC then you should most definitely check out this book!!
I have always loved (and will continue to love) Zoey’s writing and I loved seeing Marcio making his writing debut alongside. I can’t wait to see what stories Marcio writes in the future!

A big thank you to Zoey and Marcio for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[✨Gretch✨ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Blanchette and Jonathan are both from the city, and corporate world, however Jonathan may have escaped to the countryside, but Blanchette is still pounding her head into a wall working for a horrible boss at a job that she is coming to hate. So after bombing an important meeting, she is told to take a week off and have a vacation. This leads her coming back to Juniper Hollow and staying at Jonathan's newly opened and renovated B&B. Jonathan is a big ol grumpy Lican, but Blanchette slowly tears down his walls.

I was so excited for this because I love Zoey's work, and I also love a good urban fantasy. However, this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. There were some plot points that didn't make sense (small ones like the fucking pie), but nothing too bad to write about. Jonathan had me practically in his lap, annnnd then he lost me when he didn't believe Blanchette. I know it had to happen to help move the plot along for the ending, and how Jonathan has major trust issues, but that just pissed me off. Because what do you mean that you are building this relationship and trust with Blanchette and then you attempt to throw it all away and believe her scumbag boss when you already know his MO? Yea that's a hell nah brother for me.

Overall this was a good book and a good story if you can overlook some small plot holes. The characters are all older and mature (for the most part) and it had me sucked in, but not enough that I would come back and visit for a re-read.

[Zeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Wolfe in the Woods follows a stressed and overworked heroine who eventually finds herself venturing into a dangerous, fairytale-esque forest, where the familiar Big Bad Wolf is very much the villain rather than the romantic hero. There is romance, danger, and a darker spin on familiar re-tells of the fairytale.

This wasn’t exactly a typical Zoey Draven book, since it was co-written with a male author. (I suspect Zoey helped him sex it up for the female gaze.) Overall, it was okay.

I liked the characters, and I especially liked that the Big Bad Wolf is not the hero of the story for a change. He’s thoroughly detestable, like the original cautionary fairytale, rather than another attempt to put a sexy misunderstood spin on that particular old chestnut. I actually found that refreshing.

My biggest problem was that I found the story kind of boring until she finally got into the woods—and that didn’t happen immediately. Because of that, it lacked the hook I wanted at the beginning. I also felt like I was just dropped into the story without really understanding the world or even the time period. You do get those answers soon enough, but the opening still felt jarring to me.

I also feel like there were some loose ends- or at least things that were introduced in a way that made me expect them to matter more than they ultimately did. Why did she faint and have to go to the hospital at the beginning? I gathered it was stress and possibly diabetes, but then... nothing really comes of it? And why was her boss so determined to keep her in her job? Yes, I understand that he was using her to do his work, but the way it was presented made me expect something more sinister than the depressingly mundane corporate reality of dumping extra work on a competent woman.

So, anyway, I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series. Maybe if the writing improves?

Because, and this is what might get me, the grumpy wolf romance part? I DID like that. :D

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Your trip is booked and your fate is sealed." Sounds like the start of a relaxing getaway (and a wee bit ominous)... until someone growls, "My, Blanchette... what big eyes you have."

Enchanting woodland vibes with eerie whispers (and scratches), and spooky magic!
Even though Blanche and Jonathan felt an instant spark, their love story was a slow-burn journey shaped by healing, grief, and learning to trust again. They both carried the weight of their pasts.

It wasn't just a mysterious romance… it was a quiet, heartfelt journey of finding home in each other.

Add in the charming town of Everwick, a B&B cabin tucked beside a magical spooky forest, local legends, lurking danger, and a grumpy lumberbeast Lycan, and you have a haunting yet cozy start to a fun new genre for Zoey Draven... especially if you enjoy atmospheric and world-building stories!

💫 A Wolfe in the Woods by Zoey Draven & Marcio Catalano
Paranormal Shifter Romance | Little Red Riding Hood (Inspired) | Small-Town | Cabin in the Spooky Woods | Grief x Healing | 426 pp | 4⭐
📌 Release Date: July 28th

💫 Favorite Quote:
1️⃣ “I’ve fallen pretty hard for you, Red.”
“I’ve fallen pretty hard for you too, Jonathan Wolfe.”

2️⃣ “This land is mine… and I protect what’s mine.” I pressed him harder into the stone. “And you’re trespassing.”

________________________________________

Thank you to Zoey Draven & Marcio Catalano for the opportunity to read and honestly review this eARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

[AnuG · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first saw the map at the beginning of the book, I assumed I was about to read a medieval fantasy romance. Imagine my disappointment when I realized the story is actually set in a modern corporate world, with the fantasy elements largely confined to the woods nearby. The combination of corporate offices and lycans simply didn't work for me.

The biggest issue was the pacing. There was far too much introspection and too little action. The romance is undeniably slow burn, but for a slow burn to be satisfying, the payoff has to be explosive. Here, it wasn't. The first meeting between the FMC and MMC lacked tension and chemistry, and when the romance finally culminated, it left me completely underwhelmed. It never delivered the emotional or romantic intensity I was waiting for.

For a fantasy romance, the fantasy itself felt surprisingly muted. Yes, the MMC is a lycan, the FMC works for a lycan pack, her best friend is an elf dating a vampire, and there are creatures like a minotaur in the background. Yet these elements rarely influence the story in a meaningful way. Strip away the supernatural labels, and this could easily pass for a modern-day Hallmark or Harlequin romance with a fantasy veneer.

I was also left with several unanswered questions. Jonathan's behavior during the first night, scratching at Blanche's door, felt inadequately justified. Protective or mate instincts are one thing, but since this wasn't presented as a true mate bond, his compulsive behavior needed a clearer explanation.

May's introduction was another missed opportunity. Early on, Blanche describes seeing a tall, unnaturally thin shadow behind the door, but when she opens it, it's simply May. I immediately wondered if May was using glamour magic—perhaps she was actually a witch disguising herself as a frail, blind old woman. Later, she transforms into an owl, but none of these details are meaningfully explained, making the setup feel incomplete rather than mysterious.

Jonathan's relationship with his father was confusing. Early in the book, it's implied that his father was abusive toward both Jonathan and his mother, which ultimately drove her away. Yet Jonathan spends much of the novel burdened by guilt over not fulfilling his duties to his father. I struggled to reconcile those emotions with the history we were given. The letter his father leaves behind also felt underwhelming. Rather than offering new insight or emotional closure, it mostly repeated information the reader already knew through Jonathan's internal reflections.

The novel also repeatedly emphasizes Jonathan's "legacy," but I never felt that legacy was clearly defined. As the caretaker of the woods, there was an opportunity to build something truly magical. I kept expecting the spirits of the forest to be revealed as his true pack, creating a unique take on what it means for a lone wolf to belong. Instead, the climax introduces shadowy creatures that resemble wendigos and ghouls without much explanation. Ironically, a pack of actual wolves coming to Jonathan's aid might have felt more emotionally satisfying and thematically coherent than the vague supernatural entities we ultimately got.

What surprised me most is that this doesn't feel like the kind of story I expect from Zoe Draven. Her books usually have rich world-building, compelling fantasy elements, and unforgettable romantic chemistry. This novel, however, felt unusually restrained and somewhat bland. Knowing that it was co-written with another author may explain why it reads so differently from her usual work.

Overall, Wolfe in the Woods wasn't a bad book, but it was a disappointing one. The fantasy elements lacked depth, the romance never truly ignited, and too many intriguing plot threads were left unresolved. For me, it read more like a contemporary romance dressed in fantasy clothing than a genuine fantasy romance.
-----------

Edit:


The significance of Jonathan's grandfather's map of Juniper Hollow is never fully explored, nor is it explained how Eric obtained the map from Jonathan's cabin.

Fang's storyline also left me scratching my head. When he released Blanche, I assumed he was secretly acting on someone else's orders—perhaps Eldridge Skol whose motives remained ambiguous throughout the story. Instead, Fang suddenly seemed to have an agenda of his own, but the novel never explains who he was actually working for or why. It felt like an important plot thread that was introduced but never developed.

And yes ..Eric Skol intrigued me more than Jonathan Wolfe 🫪

[thevalkyriereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! Not what I typically expect from Zoey Draven. It was the cutest, coziest fantasy book I’ve read in forever. The love interests felt mature, they acted their age (for the most part) and I have so much fun reading this. It was a fantasy Hallmark read. I highly recommend if you are looking for a magical, coastal, small town with pie bake offs and eerie woods that protect their own.

[imaginary trouble]

DNF @ 48% it was all *meh*

[riley ☠︎︎ · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25 stars✨

I’m not a big fan of urban fantasy so I was nervous about how much I’d actually enjoy this. It was pretty decent. I hated the gross evil city but loved the small coastal town and mountains.
Blanche’s journey back to her roots… had me tearing up😭 I loved that she found her way back.
Jonathan was dick in the very beginning but made up for it soon after. Well, he had another dick moment. But we got over that bridge!

thoughts while reading:
- Pre-read: I don’t really care for urban fantasy but I will read ANYTHING Zoey Draven writes.
- I struggle with guilt and anxiety and I feel like I’M experiencing her guilt about her grandmother. I’m tearing up rn
- He made a whole cabin after HER 😍
- Oh come on you dipshit fuckhead
- Meg is the real (accidental) matchmaker here

[Zahra (Bookish_Platypus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

This was a sloooow burn and unfortunately I don't think that worked very well for me. There's a lot of set-up for this story as opposed to Zoey's other books but for some reason even with all the set-up, I was left with a lot of confusion and questions about this particular world. I think it would've been better for me if I was just thrown into the world and learned things along the way since we didn't really get a full scope of things anyway.

As for the romance, in my opinion it was non-existent on one page and then made a complete 180 on thr next page. I think I got whiplash from how quickly these two characters decided they were super into each other. That's not to say that there wasn't some attraction and lust beforehand but I genuinely feel like there wasn't a proper build-up to lead to the change of heart.

That being said, once they do properly fall for one another I did ADORE them together and their moments together were definitely my favorite part of the book! Even their simple quiet moments working separately but in the same room were perfect.

There is an overarching plot with some intense moments that made things really pick up towards the end of the book. I do feel like some of the resolutions to the conflicts were a little convenient buuuut this is a fairytale retelling and that's a pretty common trope in fairytales so I think it's warranted.

Overall while this is the first time I haven't loved a Zoey Draven book, it still had its moments :)


Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!!

[TheKailyChapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blanchette Redfield has had enough. Feeling lost in her corporate career and still reeling from the loss of her grandmother, her life feels more uncertain than ever. When her friend Meg intervenes and books her a getaway at a B&B in the woods, Blanche has no choice but to finally take some time for herself. Upon arrival, she encounters the grumpy B&B owner, Jonathan Wolfe, who seems to have already formed some very strong (and not very pleasant) opinions about her. What was supposed to be a quick mini-retreat may end up being much more than Blanche bargained for.

I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this book gave me Hallmark Channel Romance But Make It Paranormal vibes, and I mean that in the absolute best way. The story consistently balanced cozy and spooky in a way that felt effortless, set against the backdrop of the tiny coastal town of Everwick-by-the-Sea, complete with an annual berry festival! In the middle of all that charm is a genuinely heartfelt story of healing and growth that tied everything together into a warm, thrilling paranormal romance.

Thank you to Zoey Draven and Marcio Catalano for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[April T. Verne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went in Blind.

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.75/5)

**A Wolf in the Woods** by Zoey Draven had me completely enchanted by its atmosphere. The eerie, magical forest felt alive, and Zoey Draven's writing pulled me into a world I never wanted to leave.

**Favorite tropes:**
🐺 Protective wolf hero
🌲 Enchanted woodland setting
❤️ Slow-burn romance
✨ Forced proximity
🖤 Touch-her-and-you'll-regret-it vibes
💫 Found family

The chemistry between the characters was undeniable, and there were so many moments that had me smiling and rooting for them. I especially loved the tension and emotional connection as their relationship unfolded.

A few favorite lines:

> "You are safe with me."

> "Come here."

While I really enjoyed the world-building and romance, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed enough that it pulled me out of the story. Even so, the immersive setting, heartfelt romance, and unforgettable atmosphere made this a worthwhile read.

If you love mystical forests, protective heroes, and romances with a touch of magic, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.

** I want to know more about the accountant!!!

[dessie*₊⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounding up. I do believe there’s an audience for this, this one just wasn’t what I’d expected.

More of a cozy hallmark movie mixed with urban fantasy than ‘traditional’ (I don’t really know the word I want to use) shifter/werewolf romance. Honestly I would’ve liked more cliche … wolfisms. It was a fairly modern story which surprised me. And for full transparency, I skimmed most of the last half, waiting for it to click.
It’s quite long. Slowburn fans this could be one for you.
I had a list of small nit-picky things that I ultimately don’t think are worth listing here. (Some awkward lines or confusing character reactions.) I like Zoey Draven’s work. I want all the werewolf romances whether they’re catered to my taste or not. I respect what the two authors were going for despite it not hitting the right notes for me.


**Thank you to the authors for the e-arc.

[Marta Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I did except.

This book is everything I needed! Suspenseful with the right dose of romance, secrets and magical creatures! Unique story line and flawless writing were a big bonus too. I was wondering what this duo gonna do with Red Hood retelling and I’m not disappointed how everything turned out . I fall hard for Red and Jon, a must read to me.

[Gülşah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars.

It’s literally the same story of her other books, but in different settings. It was ok.

[Lucie Rangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red

I liked it, I didn’t love it. I feel like every conflict resolved itself way too quickly and conveniently. The potential was there, but something was lacking.
The main thing that bothered me was the FMC selfishness when it came to her grandmother. It was something I had hard time forgiving.
Overall, there were parts I liked and parts I didn’t. It was quick, easy read.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kann leider mit den anderen Büchern der Autorin nicht mithalten. War irgendwie langweilig.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I really wanted to like this. I enjoy Zoey Draven, and this magical world had so much potential, but a few things put me off. One, it’s obvious AI was used to write parts of this book, especially Jonathan’s POV. It read like every other AI book out there, and I’m exhausted reading this stuff. It feels taxing at this point, not to mention disappointing. Two, I didn’t care about either character. I got 30% into the book, and neither author had convinced me to care about either the FMC or MMC. I only hung in there for the world building and magic, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.

If the authors were to rewrite this without AI, and with better character development, I think it could be special. Until then, it’ll remain as DNF.

[Sammie Bow]

DNF @ 26%. Struggling with this, just can’t get into it and a little bored. So disappointed. Unsure if I’ll come to it or not.