What do you think?
Rate this book
Norseton Wolves #1
Beast
Christina Stilton has waited all her life to become a wolf’s bride. Becoming mate to a stranger in a faraway pack is the only chance she has to escape her Appalachian life of poverty and abuse. She wants safety, but trusts The Fates to steer her toward love, too.
Love is the last thing on Anton Denis’s mind. He doesn’t want to saddle some hopeful woman to him. A brutal fight left him scarred and half blind. He’s a mercenary who can’t drive, can’t shoot straight, and on most days, can’t even crack a smile. He fully intends to send his mate away—to give her a chance at being matched to some stronger wolf—but stubborn Christina is intent on staying.
She might have been treated as a useless female back in Virginia, but her role in Anton’s small pack is clear. He needs to be loved and loved hard, and she’s just the woman for the job. She just needs to convince him to get out of her way and let her do it.
Love is the last thing on Anton Denis’s mind. He doesn’t want to saddle some hopeful woman to him. A brutal fight left him scarred and half blind. He’s a mercenary who can’t drive, can’t shoot straight, and on most days, can’t even crack a smile. He fully intends to send his mate away—to give her a chance at being matched to some stronger wolf—but stubborn Christina is intent on staying.
She might have been treated as a useless female back in Virginia, but her role in Anton’s small pack is clear. He needs to be loved and loved hard, and she’s just the woman for the job. She just needs to convince him to get out of her way and let her do it.
88 pages, ebook
First published May 29, 2015
About the author
Holley Trent
152 books301 followersHolley Trent is a romance author who spins campy yarns set in North Carolina. She has a wicked sense of humor and regularly puts her story characters into unexpected situations.
When she's not writing, she's reading or eating Twizzlers.
Her contemporary and fantasy romances have been published by Crimson Romance, Calliope Romance/Musa Publishing, and she has work due for release by Lyrical Press.
2013 brings a change of pace with her self-published series of paranormal novellas: Shrew and Company. Five women, five romances, one big bear of a problem. Check out boss-lady Dana's story in THE PROBLEM WITH PADDY, available now.
When she's not writing, she's reading or eating Twizzlers.
Her contemporary and fantasy romances have been published by Crimson Romance, Calliope Romance/Musa Publishing, and she has work due for release by Lyrical Press.
2013 brings a change of pace with her self-published series of paranormal novellas: Shrew and Company. Five women, five romances, one big bear of a problem. Check out boss-lady Dana's story in THE PROBLEM WITH PADDY, available now.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 20, 2022
Rated 4.5 Stars
Beast was such an enjoyable read. I loved the heroine, Christina she was small but mighty and fierce. I loved how protective the hero was of her. It was a short read but I felt like I got a true sense of the characters. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Beast was such an enjoyable read. I loved the heroine, Christina she was small but mighty and fierce. I loved how protective the hero was of her. It was a short read but I felt like I got a true sense of the characters. I can’t wait to read the next book.
April 16, 2018
This was a quick, fun read with little meat to it and a pretty standard PNR/shifter setup. I liked that this pack is new-ish and trying to establish itself, instead of being the most powerful pack in all the land. I liked the heroine, and the hero is fine, but the whole thing relies in the most stereotypical, ableist trope of the scarred hero who feels so ugly and unworthy and meh. I also feel like the book straddles the sexist line and will sometimes have the heroine commenting on how backwards werewolf gender politics are, but there's not really much of a challenge to it.
March 14, 2024
1.5* This is half a shifter book in a gender essentialist, pro-gun trench coat, with weird trad wife vibes (there is a whole scene about dryer sheets 🤷♀️). It does have an MMC who feels like he doesn’t deserve to be loved, and I honestly lap that stuff up, but in this case it’s wrapped up with so much unresolved internalised ableism that I just can’t. And also, all the romance parts are actually missing in action. Meh.
February 14, 2020
3 Stars
June 5, 2015
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I’m going to give Beast by Holley Trent the benefit of the doubt. I’m not generally a fan of novellas; I prefer to sink deeply into my novels and not come up for air for several hours, and that just isn’t something I can do with shorter books. They tend to feel rushed and incomplete. That wasn’t so with Beast, however.
Despite being a novella, the pacing was spot on. I never felt like I was missing part of the story, that the details were being skimmed over, or that I was being rushed. The writing too was clear and easy to follow, and with the exception of one typo, well-written. The world building was a fresh take on the werewolf lore, and a welcome change in a theme that’s been recycled over and over in the past few years.
I liked Christina and Anton as a couple. They contrasted and complimented each other in a way that I found endearing and fun to follow along. My only major point of contention was that neither were very strong characters. Anton was plagued with self-doubt that lead him to verbally put himself down on a regular basis—and it wasn’t a very attractive feature of his. I almost would have preferred that he be standoffish or outright mean. Christina, on the other hand, despite purportedly being regularly abused throughout her life, ended up being the stronger, more domineering of the couple. She was a bit of a spitfire (which I love in my female protagonists)—but it didn’t seem to fit with her backstory, which lead to her earlier abuse seeming to be more of a needless plot device to drum up sympathy for the diminutive girl.
Overall, I liked the novella. It wasn’t typical of what I normally read, but the chemistry was steamy, the character were interesting, and despite a few weak points where the characters were involved, I can genuinely say that I liked it. If you’re looking for a short, fun erotic/romance read that isn’t too vulgar, this would be a good pick for you.
I’m going to give Beast by Holley Trent the benefit of the doubt. I’m not generally a fan of novellas; I prefer to sink deeply into my novels and not come up for air for several hours, and that just isn’t something I can do with shorter books. They tend to feel rushed and incomplete. That wasn’t so with Beast, however.
Despite being a novella, the pacing was spot on. I never felt like I was missing part of the story, that the details were being skimmed over, or that I was being rushed. The writing too was clear and easy to follow, and with the exception of one typo, well-written. The world building was a fresh take on the werewolf lore, and a welcome change in a theme that’s been recycled over and over in the past few years.
I liked Christina and Anton as a couple. They contrasted and complimented each other in a way that I found endearing and fun to follow along. My only major point of contention was that neither were very strong characters. Anton was plagued with self-doubt that lead him to verbally put himself down on a regular basis—and it wasn’t a very attractive feature of his. I almost would have preferred that he be standoffish or outright mean. Christina, on the other hand, despite purportedly being regularly abused throughout her life, ended up being the stronger, more domineering of the couple. She was a bit of a spitfire (which I love in my female protagonists)—but it didn’t seem to fit with her backstory, which lead to her earlier abuse seeming to be more of a needless plot device to drum up sympathy for the diminutive girl.
Overall, I liked the novella. It wasn’t typical of what I normally read, but the chemistry was steamy, the character were interesting, and despite a few weak points where the characters were involved, I can genuinely say that I liked it. If you’re looking for a short, fun erotic/romance read that isn’t too vulgar, this would be a good pick for you.
March 9, 2020
I turned to Beast because I've loved Trent's work in the past and what's better for a restless night than a werewolf novella?
The good:
- It's a bare bones Beauty and the Beast retelling, with a physically damaged hero and an emotionally scarred heroine helping each other realize that they're worthy of love.
- Trent flips and subverts some werewolf lore and I'm here for it. Women wolves don't turn until they're mated, pregnancies aren't doomed, and while some packs are paternalistic and full of alphaholes this pack is purposefully fighting against that.
- The couples are chosen by the pack alpha instead of being the result of werewolf pheromones, another flipped trope. He has his reasons for putting people together, and by the end of the story we see why these two are a particularly good match.
The not-as-good:
- There's a bit too much story for an 88 page novella but she's setting up the world for a series so I can forgive.
This book is just the thing I needed to get my mind off everything going on in the world. For that reason, I suspect I'll be starting the next novella now-ish.
The good:
- It's a bare bones Beauty and the Beast retelling, with a physically damaged hero and an emotionally scarred heroine helping each other realize that they're worthy of love.
- Trent flips and subverts some werewolf lore and I'm here for it. Women wolves don't turn until they're mated, pregnancies aren't doomed, and while some packs are paternalistic and full of alphaholes this pack is purposefully fighting against that.
- The couples are chosen by the pack alpha instead of being the result of werewolf pheromones, another flipped trope. He has his reasons for putting people together, and by the end of the story we see why these two are a particularly good match.
The not-as-good:
- There's a bit too much story for an 88 page novella but she's setting up the world for a series so I can forgive.
This book is just the thing I needed to get my mind off everything going on in the world. For that reason, I suspect I'll be starting the next novella now-ish.
January 29, 2016
I love shifter stories and I was pleased to spot one by a new to me author.
I jumped in and was enjoying the storyline of the shifter version of mail-order bride and reluctant groom. He is physically damaged and doesn't think he deserves her and she has been shoved around and shoved aside for so long that one more rejecting really hurts. Both grow to appreciate the other and accept themselves and each other.
The story was good until the abrupt ending. And then there was the feeling that I had started in the middle. When I read the author's note at the end, I realized that I had. This is a spin-off series within the universe of her other series, Afotama Legacy. I would definitely recommend starting there.
So it was good, but left me wanting. I liked the writing and the world building and the way she gets her character's to connect along with the building romance. I would definitely read more by the author.
I jumped in and was enjoying the storyline of the shifter version of mail-order bride and reluctant groom. He is physically damaged and doesn't think he deserves her and she has been shoved around and shoved aside for so long that one more rejecting really hurts. Both grow to appreciate the other and accept themselves and each other.
The story was good until the abrupt ending. And then there was the feeling that I had started in the middle. When I read the author's note at the end, I realized that I had. This is a spin-off series within the universe of her other series, Afotama Legacy. I would definitely recommend starting there.
So it was good, but left me wanting. I liked the writing and the world building and the way she gets her character's to connect along with the building romance. I would definitely read more by the author.
May 31, 2015
I really enjoyed the story. The author has a unique take on female wolves. In this storyline, female shifters can not shift into their wolf until they are bitten by their mate and claimed. Christina was brought up under harsh conditions both financially and emotionally. She wants more out of her life so sight unseen she agrees to travel and have a mate selected for her by the alpha of her new pack. It is pretty brave behavior. Anton has lost his eye and doesn't feel deserving of the mate his alpha has selected for him. It is up to her to convince him that they truly belong together. I liked the sweetness of their romance and seeing two people who had almost lost hope find love together. I look forward to reading more stories featuring the wolves in the book. I read the story as part of the First Bite Anthology. I was sent a free copy in return for a honest review.
July 19, 2015
This is really good. I mean really. I loved the heroine. She was smart and could get a bit smart-mouthed, too. She had a bad upbringing in a mean pack that didn't value females. She is small, and apparently that bothered her family's pack, too. But she is one that makes lemons into lemonade and learned how to do anything she set her mind to. She set her mind to getting out of her home pack, and she had a chance when some pack she never heard of asked for mates. So she went--not knowing where, and not knowing who her mate would be.
The hero wasn't looking for a mate. He had recently been injured and lost the use of one of his eyes. He doesn't feel worthy of a mate or capable of taking care of one. Good thing our heroine knows just how to take care of him. It is a really nice romance with a bull-headed (but really nice) male and a cunning female who knows how to get what she wants.
The hero wasn't looking for a mate. He had recently been injured and lost the use of one of his eyes. He doesn't feel worthy of a mate or capable of taking care of one. Good thing our heroine knows just how to take care of him. It is a really nice romance with a bull-headed (but really nice) male and a cunning female who knows how to get what she wants.
April 23, 2021
Super short intro to series with shifters who are out of touch with human society. The H has self esteem issues, feels not good enough for a mate. She has self esteem issues too, but is more desperate than him. She forces him to bind to her, but he refused to participate in the usual mating. I liked the h, she was so frightened and very brave. She wanted a better life and knew he was the one she needed. He thinks he being brave, but he's a weak man, strong wolf.
August 4, 2017
It's not bad...I just didn't get it
Want to Read
December 8, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/24/2019)! 🎁
March 14, 2024
Is half of the story missing? This novella was massively underdeveloped. The idea of a mate call in which the alpha pairs up the single wolves is quite compelling but there wasn’t nearly enough information about how it all worked. Would they have made Christina go back to her old pack if Anton didn’t accept her as his mate? Add a heap of internalized ableism on Anton’s part, patriarchal BS reasons for forgoing the mating bite, and gender essentialist world-building and I was left wanting. Christina was just cooking and cleaning for him and refusing to leave. That does not a romance make. I don’t buy anything more than an arrangement between them. I wish Trent had gotten a comprehensive developmental edit. Hopefully the next installment is better, otherwise I’ll be skipping the rest of this series.
Characters: Christina is a 24 year old wolf shifter and a virgin. Anton is a 35 year old disabled wolf shifter and quartermaster. This is set in Norseton, NM.
Content notes: physical assault, past abusive pack, MMC scarred and blind in left eye (wolf form isn’t disabled), internalized ableism, sexism, family planning discussion, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention), pregnancy epilogue, on page sex, gendered euphemism for genitalia, p-in-v sex is the only “real” sex, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language
*Buddy read with Vicky!
Characters: Christina is a 24 year old wolf shifter and a virgin. Anton is a 35 year old disabled wolf shifter and quartermaster. This is set in Norseton, NM.
Content notes: physical assault, past abusive pack, MMC scarred and blind in left eye (wolf form isn’t disabled), internalized ableism, sexism, family planning discussion, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention), pregnancy epilogue, on page sex, gendered euphemism for genitalia, p-in-v sex is the only “real” sex, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language
*Buddy read with Vicky!
January 7, 2020
Sympathetic characters (wounded hero, oppressed heroine) made for a quick, steamy read. The werewolf clan world-building is very sexist/patriarchal but was made somewhat more palatable by the fact that both hero and heroine push at its boundaries. I was intrigued by the Afotama.
June 9, 2015
Christina is a very strong-willed, independent, wolf; however she has never been allowed to let her wolf come out. Being raised in the Appalachian Mountains women were to be seen and never heard. Barefooted and pregnant is the way of her people. Adam the Alpha of the No Name Mercenary Pack puts out an all call for mates. This is Christina’s hope at getting out from under the hand that hurts her deep to the core. The journey is long. Christina battles the demons she carries with her, doubt, fear that she will never measure up to be a good mate. Anton is a very strong wolf. He was the best shooter they had until an accident rendered his good eye scarred for life. Determined to live the life alone he will never be mated. Adam has other plans for him. Christina and Anton are paired. Anton refuses to bite her and mark her as his. Confusion and hurt run through Christina. Her anger is at an all-time high into getting the bachelor pad whipped into a home. Anton avoids her at all cost. He chooses a roommate relationship. Christina breaks down the walls that Anton keeps putting up. Finally a lot of loving gets him in the right direction. I love the direction that Holley Trent has taken this first book in the series. I cannot wait to read more.
August 25, 2015
I really, really enjoyed this book. The hero was noble, grouchy and sexy as hell. The heroine had true backbone and not just the kind that author tells you about ad nausem without an ounce of proof. I always enjoy a read by Holley Trent but this one is going to stick with me. Hell, it's going to make me check out the entire series. Plus, I really loved the fact or rather the view that the alpha pack is a community. Everyone serves a purpose. That's not something I've seen too often in a PNR. You know someone's going to die or they have to stop a curse. This book showed a preview of the actual world of living as a wolf. Loved it. And the humor, oh lawd. Loved it. Totally check this one out and like me, pick up the entire series.
March 21, 2019
A Decent, quick read. I liked the tweaks to the usual PR.
That 1. mates don't seem to be fated (at least not what I could tell in this book) and
2. They are chosen by the Alpha of the pack for the males - sort of like an arranged marriage deal.(which is different than any other shifter romance I've read - and plot wise could lead to some interesting pairings and issues.)
I also felt like I could follow along without reading the other series.
That 1. mates don't seem to be fated (at least not what I could tell in this book) and
2. They are chosen by the Alpha of the pack for the males - sort of like an arranged marriage deal.(which is different than any other shifter romance I've read - and plot wise could lead to some interesting pairings and issues.)
I also felt like I could follow along without reading the other series.
December 4, 2015
This started off well but the ending kind of sucked. Beast's reason for not biting Christina was dumb and I can't believe the issue was not even resolved at the end. Everything seemed to be wrapped up too quickly and without explanation.
July 4, 2015
Absolutely loved it
August 4, 2015
This was great read. Written well. It was a unique take on shifting.
August 7, 2015
One of those rare times when I wished a novella was longer. Would have *loved* to have learned more about the H/h. Great match.
August 9, 2015
This book was really enjoyable. Loved the storyline and especially the characters. This story was a little different to other shifter books I've read, but good different. Loved it!
September 23, 2022
3 She Knew How To Pick Them Stars
Beast is the first book in the Noreston Wolves series by Holley Trent.
This was very short. I didn't realize it was more novella spin off, than it's own series in truth when I picked it out. I do like the potential though for an interesting world building. Just learning the basics of the Afótama leads me to believe they have some intriguing nysteries behind their background. Then there's the creative twist the author has on the Werewolf culture, especially in regards to mating. It's a little archaic, but I have too many harsh misogynistic overtones so I'm reasonably sure I won't cringe to death.
I do wish we could have gotten more background on either of the main characters. Anton has apparently been irreparably damaged in a recent accident. A gnarly scar bisecting one eye completely, ruining his vision in that eye. He's struggling to cope with the changes being essentially half blind has brought him. And the damage to his appearance as well. I can understand to that extent, because we aren't told the circumstances that put him in this turmoil.. Then there's the heroine who's whol demeanor is based on poor treatment at her last pack, thankfully no r*p*. But beyond the extent that her alpha was a selfish and controlling man, there were men who abused her, and the boys were raised to act just like their fathers that's all we know. We do learn she once had brothers, and is a genius at building things, but I wish I could learn more about her because she seems simply brimming with untapped potential.
I think it will be interesting to learn what becomes of the possibility behind their combined potential to be an Alpha mate pair. And what that means for the pack they're in now?
This book is basically a teaser, and I imagine with actual knowledge into the Afótama series one might have even a bit more insight. I would still recommend, just with the preface that you probably need the background from Trents other books to read.
Beast is the first book in the Noreston Wolves series by Holley Trent.
This was very short. I didn't realize it was more novella spin off, than it's own series in truth when I picked it out. I do like the potential though for an interesting world building. Just learning the basics of the Afótama leads me to believe they have some intriguing nysteries behind their background. Then there's the creative twist the author has on the Werewolf culture, especially in regards to mating. It's a little archaic, but I have too many harsh misogynistic overtones so I'm reasonably sure I won't cringe to death.
I do wish we could have gotten more background on either of the main characters. Anton has apparently been irreparably damaged in a recent accident. A gnarly scar bisecting one eye completely, ruining his vision in that eye. He's struggling to cope with the changes being essentially half blind has brought him. And the damage to his appearance as well. I can understand to that extent, because we aren't told the circumstances that put him in this turmoil.. Then there's the heroine who's whol demeanor is based on poor treatment at her last pack, thankfully no r*p*. But beyond the extent that her alpha was a selfish and controlling man, there were men who abused her, and the boys were raised to act just like their fathers that's all we know. We do learn she once had brothers, and is a genius at building things, but I wish I could learn more about her because she seems simply brimming with untapped potential.
I think it will be interesting to learn what becomes of the possibility behind their combined potential to be an Alpha mate pair. And what that means for the pack they're in now?
This book is basically a teaser, and I imagine with actual knowledge into the Afótama series one might have even a bit more insight. I would still recommend, just with the preface that you probably need the background from Trents other books to read.
May 3, 2021
A very quick, fun and easy read. In this story we follow Christina who enters into a mating programme so she can escape her old fashioned pack, she ends up in Alpha Adams pack and is paired with Anton. At first Anton pushes her away deciding that she is too good for a male like him, as he is blind in one eye. Christina is determined to stay in the pack and win over hard-hearted Anton. Overall, it was an enjoyable story there was just two things that bothered me. The first being how quickly Anton accepted Christina after trying his hardest to push her away as he thought she deserved better, it felt rushed one moment denying wanting to be her mate whilst the next they were falling into bed with eachother. The second was that this book is a novella so it is very short, I think if it would have been a full length novel it would have been better and it wouldnt have felt so rushed. We could have explored their relationship and watch as they go closer and eventually fell in love.
July 15, 2022
He was such a sexy teddy bear!
I really liked this! It is a spinoff of another series, but since this is my first book by this author, I haven't read it. I didn't feel lost or like I was missing anything until the end. It felt rushed and names and groups were thrown around and I didn't follow it well. But the chemistry between these two was so sweet and sexy. You really felt their insecurities and I liked that they wanted to lift their partner up even without all the biting that was supposed to happen.
Beast felt more like a puppy because we don't actually get to see why they call him that aside from his appearance. But he was strong and supportive and the perfect book boyfriend.
I really liked this! It is a spinoff of another series, but since this is my first book by this author, I haven't read it. I didn't feel lost or like I was missing anything until the end. It felt rushed and names and groups were thrown around and I didn't follow it well. But the chemistry between these two was so sweet and sexy. You really felt their insecurities and I liked that they wanted to lift their partner up even without all the biting that was supposed to happen.
Beast felt more like a puppy because we don't actually get to see why they call him that aside from his appearance. But he was strong and supportive and the perfect book boyfriend.
July 9, 2017
Really a 2 & 1/2 star rating rounded up. This started out as a good read, but the ending was rushed & skipped over to the epilogue. Left me feeling frustrated for the missing part of the story. The main characters were good & likable, the world building was enough to follow for the most part what was going on, though I would have liked to know more about the arrangement with the group at the mansion, who/what they are. The bummer though, was the last 1/4 of the story was missing then it jumps to the epilogue with no indication of how far a jump to the future the epilogue dates. I wouldn't buy any of the rest of the series due to this one's ending.
September 2, 2021
Anton and Christina
It was a good quick read. Christina was sent away by her Alpha after a call for female wolves and she wasn't mad about it. She just prayed that her mate would be kind. What she didn't expect was that he was reluctant to take her for a mate because he was blind in one eye and had scars on his face. What he didn't know was she was not giving up on him any time soon. Highly recommended
It was a good quick read. Christina was sent away by her Alpha after a call for female wolves and she wasn't mad about it. She just prayed that her mate would be kind. What she didn't expect was that he was reluctant to take her for a mate because he was blind in one eye and had scars on his face. What he didn't know was she was not giving up on him any time soon. Highly recommended
May 17, 2017
Beast
The story was good but I thought there should be more.I always hate it when a book ends.The shifter in this book is different from the others I have read about.Instead of wanting a mate he kept trying to push her away.She was certainly a stubborn little wolf and usually got her way.
The story was good but I thought there should be more.I always hate it when a book ends.The shifter in this book is different from the others I have read about.Instead of wanting a mate he kept trying to push her away.She was certainly a stubborn little wolf and usually got her way.
December 13, 2017
Christina finally gets to be mated to a wolf but he won’t bite her because Anton thinks he’s damaged. Missing the use of one eye Anton thinks Christine is too good for him but she is determined to have a better life than she had and her stubbornness is going to get her there. I loved how feisty Christina is and her spirit
December 9, 2018
This one was ok for me. I feel like we were missing something in the setup of the world. I did like that Christina stood up for herself and what she wanted in this new start. At first I didn't like Anton, but by the end I liked that he was trying to protect Christina. They came to a good compromise by the end, one that could give them a chance at a real future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews