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Wolves of Willow Bend #3.5
Wolf Next Door
Tyler Buckley divides his time between fixing cars in his father's shop and reclamation projects with his brothers. Losing his brother and his mate in the same year could have turned him into a surly, unapproachable wolf, but he kept his sights set on the wins in his life--his brothers, A.J.'s new mate and his family. The last thing he needs or wants is for Claire Webster to return home. Her arrival detonates an old rage inside the wolf, but he's determined to stay as far away from her as possible.
When she was five years old, the wolf next door told her he was her mate and then ordered her not to play with one of her friends. From that day forward, Claire butted heads with Ty and his constant interferences. At sixteen, she caught the eye of a visiting Hunter, a wolf who treated her like a lady and not a possession. Wanting more than to be ordered around, she followed him away from Willow Bend, determined to never look back. Eight years later, she sends a request to the new Alpha of Willow Bend. She wants to come home and, when he allows her the opportunity, she's both relieved and terrified. The first person she runs into is the last one who ever wanted to see her again.
The wolf next door grew up, and Tyler Buckley's frigid welcome leaves her out in the cold. Can she admit she made the wrong choice, and would he even listen if she could?
*Originally released as part of Under a Wolf Moon anthology.
When she was five years old, the wolf next door told her he was her mate and then ordered her not to play with one of her friends. From that day forward, Claire butted heads with Ty and his constant interferences. At sixteen, she caught the eye of a visiting Hunter, a wolf who treated her like a lady and not a possession. Wanting more than to be ordered around, she followed him away from Willow Bend, determined to never look back. Eight years later, she sends a request to the new Alpha of Willow Bend. She wants to come home and, when he allows her the opportunity, she's both relieved and terrified. The first person she runs into is the last one who ever wanted to see her again.
The wolf next door grew up, and Tyler Buckley's frigid welcome leaves her out in the cold. Can she admit she made the wrong choice, and would he even listen if she could?
*Originally released as part of Under a Wolf Moon anthology.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
28 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Heather Long
262 books2,288 followersI love books. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Books were my best friends when I was growing up. Books didn’t care if I was new to a town or to a class. They were always there, my trustiest of companions. Until they turned on me and said I had to write them.
I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.
After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.
Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.
Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.
One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.
I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!
I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.
After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.
Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.
Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.
One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.
I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 16, 2016
Enjoyed this one but I really wanted to know more about what went on in Sutter Bute. The little bit that was told wasn't enough to make you understand just what Claire went through. The stuff told on why she left was so bland it just took away from the story and left you feeling like you didn't get enough. With nothing going on in the story after the first little tiff with Linc, that really was nothing, you don't get the action like in other stories.
So basically, she up'd and left, up'd and came back, the siblings didn't want her there but after one talk he was good with her, willing to work it out. We find out just how close she was to Cassius but take us on the journey, even if it's a flashback of what she went through, even if it's just the mess that pushed her out. Or if that's Cassius story give an example of her first real day there or something. What happened with Justin, give us something. Watered down, no action but just enough to make you want to read the next one.
So basically, she up'd and left, up'd and came back, the siblings didn't want her there but after one talk he was good with her, willing to work it out. We find out just how close she was to Cassius but take us on the journey, even if it's a flashback of what she went through, even if it's just the mess that pushed her out. Or if that's Cassius story give an example of her first real day there or something. What happened with Justin, give us something. Watered down, no action but just enough to make you want to read the next one.
July 16, 2020
Firstly this book on amazon is listed as book 5. Yet here its 3.5 and it's not in the 3 book collection of books 4, 5 n 6. Confusing. The author needs to amend the Amazon listing. Note bayou wild is also listed as book 5 too which is correct as per goodreads. Just spent 20 mins back n forth trying to work our which book was next.
Why arent the .5 books included in the 3 book deal? 2.99 for 140 plus pages is a bit steep if you ask me. I normally never pay that for less than 200 pages but as I've already invested in books 4- 6 I have no choice but to pay it cos if I'm gonna read a series I'll read every book.
Also come on it's a big series 15 plus books, why hasnt the author put it on ku?
Ok to the actual book, o really enjoyed it, great plot and mcs, well written and do hlsd I read it.
Still think the no Ella's are too expensive m the whole series should be on ku. If one book is crap you may think twice about buying the next book but on ku you will still read it n may continue on to read the whole series. Esp for these long series. Crazy
Why arent the .5 books included in the 3 book deal? 2.99 for 140 plus pages is a bit steep if you ask me. I normally never pay that for less than 200 pages but as I've already invested in books 4- 6 I have no choice but to pay it cos if I'm gonna read a series I'll read every book.
Also come on it's a big series 15 plus books, why hasnt the author put it on ku?
Ok to the actual book, o really enjoyed it, great plot and mcs, well written and do hlsd I read it.
Still think the no Ella's are too expensive m the whole series should be on ku. If one book is crap you may think twice about buying the next book but on ku you will still read it n may continue on to read the whole series. Esp for these long series. Crazy
August 13, 2018
Tyler had known Claire was his mate from a young age. Feeling stifled she had an opportunity to leave Toman's pack and she took it. Her parents were devastated, Tyler even more so.
Now she's requested to return to Willow Bend, Mason is a good Alpha but his concern is for the whole pack. Tyler will be a major factor in whether or not she gets to stay even though his mother has offered to sponsor her.
As Tyler slowly learns her reasons for leaving, he also knows he still loves her. He is also going to have to come to terms with his part in why she left.
Claire will also have to find her place within the pack, as well as figure out her relationship with Tyler. Much has changed under Mason all for the good but he will do what is best for the whole pack, not an individual.
Emotional with plenty of family drama and the ever intuitive Mason who seems to know the outcome before it's a reality.
Now she's requested to return to Willow Bend, Mason is a good Alpha but his concern is for the whole pack. Tyler will be a major factor in whether or not she gets to stay even though his mother has offered to sponsor her.
As Tyler slowly learns her reasons for leaving, he also knows he still loves her. He is also going to have to come to terms with his part in why she left.
Claire will also have to find her place within the pack, as well as figure out her relationship with Tyler. Much has changed under Mason all for the good but he will do what is best for the whole pack, not an individual.
Emotional with plenty of family drama and the ever intuitive Mason who seems to know the outcome before it's a reality.
January 1, 2022
Loved that we get another of the triplets stories.
I loved that Claire was such a tough, take no prisoners woman but I just wanted more about her time in Sutter Butte pack.
We get her telling Tyler but we aren’t taken through it from Clair’s side, just a condensed version of a quite serious situation.
I liked that Tyler took the blame for their childhood problems but as Claire said, she could have told him what he was doing wrong.
Entertaining in how it all plays out but what is Ranae’s problem? Talk about overboard.
I read and reviewed this series more years ago than I want to remember.
Seeing there are a lot more books added to this series, I am rereading them through Kindle Unlimited.
I loved that Claire was such a tough, take no prisoners woman but I just wanted more about her time in Sutter Butte pack.
We get her telling Tyler but we aren’t taken through it from Clair’s side, just a condensed version of a quite serious situation.
I liked that Tyler took the blame for their childhood problems but as Claire said, she could have told him what he was doing wrong.
Entertaining in how it all plays out but what is Ranae’s problem? Talk about overboard.
I read and reviewed this series more years ago than I want to remember.
Seeing there are a lot more books added to this series, I am rereading them through Kindle Unlimited.
February 8, 2017
A nice interlude story. I purchased books 1-3 together as an Amazon deal. I read them over the weekend. I liked the story development and the characters so much that over the last two weeks, I have read books 4 through 10. The characters were well developed, and although each book was a standalone, there was thread of continuity and overlapping characters throughout. The story came to life and the last book, although not a cliffie, makes you really want to read the next one (which is not out until March, 2017). Well worth your time and money to read the series.
September 28, 2023
Not quite as good as some of the others, but I think that’s because it’s not full length. I would have loved for more reasoning behind up and leaving but the pack was dysfunctional under previous alpha so I get it.
June 3, 2025
The H is triplet, very bitter after his mate left him years before. She's judged by many, yet she's strong and Mason supports her. Gradually the H learns her truth, and helps to make things right for her. Great heroine.
June 17, 2024
For a story that started out with the characters in so much pain, what a transformation to the sheer joy and love that we ended up with <3
July 1, 2015
For me ? Not a bad book but not a great one either,just didn't really do it for me...
Like my title says,this one really didn't do much for me,didn't Love it but I felt whether I connected with the characters or not
Ms. Long did too a job on this too give it a low rating... Tyler worked things out as fast a syrup in the winter time,I mean,seriously 8 years apart and he honestly had NO clue he
Coulda/shoulda done something differently or not at all ? Ok I
Know most males aren't always good at self reflection but it seems if this was soo totally out of the blue for him,thinking he was being the "perfect" mate ( So NOT!) you'd think he'd have stopped and asked the question " what did I do?" At least once or twice ... Unless he was a total narcissist,which for all his faults he never seemed to be... Though I really appreciated how Claire handled things with honesty and intelligence and never backed down from either accepting the blame for her actions or explaining them..... Thou I guess I sorta understand I didn't really like how restraining and controlling the pack/alpha seemed to be ... Ok I get having to re earn trust and proving herself before she can rejoin the pack but considering what ALL her knew of her ,treating no her like a just released criminal from prison seemed a bit much... Not allowed to leave the house or yard area without an escort ? That really grated on me,and if I were blessed with being a shifter this is one of the many worlds I wouldn't want to call home... Might give it a try again some day but for not it was just ok for me...
Like my title says,this one really didn't do much for me,didn't Love it but I felt whether I connected with the characters or not
Ms. Long did too a job on this too give it a low rating... Tyler worked things out as fast a syrup in the winter time,I mean,seriously 8 years apart and he honestly had NO clue he
Coulda/shoulda done something differently or not at all ? Ok I
Know most males aren't always good at self reflection but it seems if this was soo totally out of the blue for him,thinking he was being the "perfect" mate ( So NOT!) you'd think he'd have stopped and asked the question " what did I do?" At least once or twice ... Unless he was a total narcissist,which for all his faults he never seemed to be... Though I really appreciated how Claire handled things with honesty and intelligence and never backed down from either accepting the blame for her actions or explaining them..... Thou I guess I sorta understand I didn't really like how restraining and controlling the pack/alpha seemed to be ... Ok I get having to re earn trust and proving herself before she can rejoin the pack but considering what ALL her knew of her ,treating no her like a just released criminal from prison seemed a bit much... Not allowed to leave the house or yard area without an escort ? That really grated on me,and if I were blessed with being a shifter this is one of the many worlds I wouldn't want to call home... Might give it a try again some day but for not it was just ok for me...
January 5, 2016
Fantastic Series - I highly recommend it. (12 Books to this point) = Overall Rating 4.5 Stars
I found the first book to be my least favourite - found heroine annoying and the sex a bit brutal, but Heather Long started building an interesting world with inter-related plots and relationships that became a series I could not put down - it just kept getting better with each book. (See ratings below)
One minor complaint - each book in the series needs a major edit of the Ebooks. There are at least a dozen mistakes in each book (spelling, wrong tense, grammar, missing words, etc.) that should have been corrected by a good edit.
WOLVES OF WILLOW BEND - MY RATINGS:
Book 0.5 Wolf at Law (Prequel) - 3 Stars
Book 1: Wolf Bite - 3 Stars
Book 2: Caged Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 3: Wolf Claim - 4 Stars
Book 3.5: Wolf Next Door - 4 Stars
Book 4: Rogue Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 5: Bayou Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 6: Untamed Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 6.5: Wolf with Benefits - 5 Stars
Book 7: River Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 7.5: Single, Wicked Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 8: Desert Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 9: Snow Wolf is on my 2016 MUST READ list..
I found the first book to be my least favourite - found heroine annoying and the sex a bit brutal, but Heather Long started building an interesting world with inter-related plots and relationships that became a series I could not put down - it just kept getting better with each book. (See ratings below)
One minor complaint - each book in the series needs a major edit of the Ebooks. There are at least a dozen mistakes in each book (spelling, wrong tense, grammar, missing words, etc.) that should have been corrected by a good edit.
WOLVES OF WILLOW BEND - MY RATINGS:
Book 0.5 Wolf at Law (Prequel) - 3 Stars
Book 1: Wolf Bite - 3 Stars
Book 2: Caged Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 3: Wolf Claim - 4 Stars
Book 3.5: Wolf Next Door - 4 Stars
Book 4: Rogue Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 5: Bayou Wolf - 4 Stars
Book 6: Untamed Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 6.5: Wolf with Benefits - 5 Stars
Book 7: River Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 7.5: Single, Wicked Wolf - 3 Stars
Book 8: Desert Wolf - 5 Stars
Book 9: Snow Wolf is on my 2016 MUST READ list..
November 5, 2015
I originally read this story in the Under a Wolf Moon anthology and I enjoyed it. Of course when it came out as its own book, I had to have it for my collection.
I appreciated the more in depth view of Tyler that this story shows. I also liked the glimpse of Sutter Butte Claire provides. I liked the basis of this story, much like a second chance romance, but not quite. Each wolf had decent reasons for acting the way they did that didn't seem forced and also stayed true to what I would expect in a "relationship" that starts so young. I enjoyed both MCs and I felt the novella was the perfect length. All in all, a great addition to an already fantastic series.
I appreciated the more in depth view of Tyler that this story shows. I also liked the glimpse of Sutter Butte Claire provides. I liked the basis of this story, much like a second chance romance, but not quite. Each wolf had decent reasons for acting the way they did that didn't seem forced and also stayed true to what I would expect in a "relationship" that starts so young. I enjoyed both MCs and I felt the novella was the perfect length. All in all, a great addition to an already fantastic series.
September 22, 2015
Wolf Next Door -Heather Long
This book was awesome. I loved it from start to finish, it was interesting and exciting. It had a great storyline and strong characters Ty and Claire had a complicated relationship and even after all those years apart they still had such a great chemistry, it was fierce to begin with but then it became warm and then explosive. It came across perfectly. It also had loads of warmth, humor and a few tears. I loved it and it is definitely worth the read. I highly recommend it!
This book was awesome. I loved it from start to finish, it was interesting and exciting. It had a great storyline and strong characters Ty and Claire had a complicated relationship and even after all those years apart they still had such a great chemistry, it was fierce to begin with but then it became warm and then explosive. It came across perfectly. It also had loads of warmth, humor and a few tears. I loved it and it is definitely worth the read. I highly recommend it!
May 5, 2019
This is a book about second chances. Sometimes even the young people need a second chance. Tyler Buckley knew that Claire Webster was his mate when they were only children. But being a child, he thought this meant that he would tell her what to do. As they grew older, Claire started to feel stifled by this. A Hunter from Sutter Buttes passing through lured her away with promises of freedom.
Now years later, she’s come back to rejoin the pack. Could these two reconnect and fall in love again?
Now years later, she’s come back to rejoin the pack. Could these two reconnect and fall in love again?
September 20, 2015
I was given an ARC by the author for an honest review.
This is the first time i read something of this author and i have to say i loved it!
Getting to meet the family and the people of Willow Bend was fascinating.
THe story was well written with some amazing scenes .
Its one of those books that make you stress eat while reading to see what in the world will happn with the characters.
Loved it!
This is the first time i read something of this author and i have to say i loved it!
Getting to meet the family and the people of Willow Bend was fascinating.
THe story was well written with some amazing scenes .
Its one of those books that make you stress eat while reading to see what in the world will happn with the characters.
Loved it!
February 5, 2016
This author was recommended to me when I was begging for shifter recs. One of the things I like most about it is they're not too complicated or dramatic. They're short sexy stories, and, for my current craving, they ONLY have wolves. No dragons or vikings or gods, etc. It's humans and wolves. And that's it.
July 6, 2016
Love Ty and Claire's story and hope we learn more about the pack from Sutter Butte in the future. I did enjoy learning more about the past and how it shaped the triplets and their family but would love to learn what made Claire the Alpha female she is. That being said I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
December 12, 2015
Sweet
Ty and Claire are just awesome. You get to drive deeper into pack life. As well as learn important things. About trust, love and loyalty. Well worth the money. And time to read it.
Ty and Claire are just awesome. You get to drive deeper into pack life. As well as learn important things. About trust, love and loyalty. Well worth the money. And time to read it.
December 7, 2019
Intense and sexy
Oh the tension between Tyler and Claire has intense, and I was completely engrossed in their story. It was sexy, but full of such heartache. Definitely a great story I’m glad I took the time to read.
Oh the tension between Tyler and Claire has intense, and I was completely engrossed in their story. It was sexy, but full of such heartache. Definitely a great story I’m glad I took the time to read.
September 20, 2015
One word: RAWR!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and I think that pretty much sums it up.
I love all her books. *scampers off to shop*
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and I think that pretty much sums it up.
I love all her books. *scampers off to shop*
August 17, 2016
10/10
August 10, 2020
I like this series a lot. Great characters and fun plots.
July 18, 2021
So good
I loved this so much. Can’t wait for the next one! I’m loving these characters and the setting and all of it. Gah! So good!
I loved this so much. Can’t wait for the next one! I’m loving these characters and the setting and all of it. Gah! So good!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews