The Familiar

Bad Tom #1

by Jill Nojack

Sometimes a cat has to man up.

Tom has been mostly cat for a long time, but when the witch who enslaved him dies, he has one last chance to become a man again and maybe to find love, too. He just needs to tell Cassie, a sensible girl who knows nothing about the witchy business all around her, that he's trapped in the body of the kitten she cuddles at night. But cats aren't known for their conversational skills, and a powerful warlock is determined to take Cassie for himself. To make things worse, Tom is rapidly running out of lives.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Witches, Cats

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Jill Nojack is a writer, musician and artist. She has rarely managed to make a living from the pursuit of her creative endeavors. Instead, she is a corporate drone who stays up late to indulge her passions. This passion paid off in 2015 when her book The Familiar: Book One in the Bad Tom Series was selected by readers for publication on Kindle Press through the Kindle Scout award program.

Ms. Nojack has cred. Way back in the long ago, she romped through a degree in English. She followed it up with a Master’s degree in Sociology. During her time at University she served on the staff of the school’s literary magazine. She eventually stepped in to the editor’s role.

When she isn’t exploring her creative side, Jill enjoys laughing too loud and long in public and talking about herself in third person. She resides in the great American Midwest with a long-suffering cat.

Reviews

[May]

This was a great read! There are some unconventional characters and interesting situations. The cat used to be human and is finally transitioning to being human again after remaining in cat form for the past 40 years. He used to be a playboy, but now he's able to reflect on his past ways and try to be a better person. There are a few funny parts, but this is not a comedy piece. The romance was gradual - nice and slow. I really liked the thought process of the characters.

Summary:
Unconventional characters with faults
Gradual romance (good development)
A few funny parts

[Sarah]

Ever wonder what your cat is really thinking

This book was so much fun it kept switching between the voice of the cat and the voice of the young lady. I was really hoping book 2 would already be for-sale but it's not . Great story, good Mysteries going on and ends unexpectedly.

[Victoria]

Funny in places; a quick beach read. Clever too, much appreciated in this genre! I read the whole thing in one day while on vacation at a resort in Dominican Republic. By my count I have four more books, but 12 more days here. Oops. I miscalculated how much I can read when I have time on my hands. (Other people come here to party. I come here to read on the beach. To each his own!) I may have to download the second book of this series before my vacation ends. The first one ends on quite the cliffhanger and I'm hooked.

[Maria]

I didn't this was a comedy at all, way too cruel and gross! I know he was a very stupid and clueless by horniness, but 48 years as a sex-slave was way too much! I admit it was a pretty entertaining and engrossing book, but it wasn't funny in the least, so maybe it shouldn't say it's a comedy on the cover!

[Jessica Aspen]

Love this cozy witch mystery author. So much fun!

[Cass]

3,5 stars

[Nora Peevy]

A charming, whimsical first series book. I love Tom!

[Kathy]

I received this book to read and review through the Kindle Scout program. The blurb called it a romantic comedy, but, for me, the comedy was sorely lacking throughout most of the book. Tom has been a cat for years and years because of a spell cast by a witch. When she dies, he hopes to return to his normal self. The witch’s granddaughter comes in to take over her grandmother’s house and small store. Tom and Cassie, the granddaughter, spend a lot of time working to remove the spell that Tom is living under. The book had an interesting plot, but the plot was not quite enough to hold my interest. There was also a sinister angle to the story, as a creepy town man, Kevin, tries to get Cassie to sell him the store and house and leave the area. As I read the book, I had some difficulty figuring out just what Kevin was up to, as the author did not really make things clear in that respect. The story began well enough, but lost steam for me not far into it. I also did not find much humor in the story, as it progressed, as I said, and never really did gain back any momentum. Frankly, there were several times I was tempted to just put it down and consider the whole thing a wash. In addition, I did not see as much character development, other than Tom, who had more than the other characters though still not a great deal. This is the first part of a series, so perhaps the next books will be better. However, I am not sure I will read them, in all honesty, after reading this one. I enjoy books about witches and their lives, as they work their way along, mixing the paranormal powers they possess with normal, everyday life, especially when a lot of humor is involved, but this book did not cut it for me.

[Rebecca]

This book is classified as paranormal romantic comedy. Paranormal meets the bill, but I'd argue that it's a romantic comedy. A few moments of the story felt humorous, but mostly it was more on the dark side: murder (or possible murder, at least the intent was there), a philandering husband turned appropriately into a tomcat and also forced to be a sex slave to an old witch, and a peeping Tom. Not my idea of humor. Not that there's anything wrong with the story. I enjoyed reading it. I just kept expecting it to live up to the genre the author stated the story was, and when it didn't, it clouded my expectations. The story itself kept my interest, wondering what would happen next and how or if Tom's predicament would be resolved. This story is complete in itself, but the end leads into another adventure.

[Pam]

The description (below) sounded interesting. The book isn't. Gave up at 2%.

from Amazon: Sometimes a cat has to man up.

Tom has been mostly cat for a long time, but when the witch who enslaved him dies, he has one last chance to become a man again and maybe to find love, too. He just needs to tell Cassie, a sensible girl who knows nothing about the witchy business all around her, that he's trapped in the body of the kitten she cuddles at night. But cats aren't known for their conversational skills, and a powerful warlock is determined to take Cassie for himself. To make things worse, Tom is rapidly running out of lives.

[Andrea]

Charming

I wasn’t sure I would like “The Familiar” at the very beginning, but soon I was quite taken with the characters: Tom, trapped in the body of a cat by evil witch Eunice, Cassie, granddaughter of Eunice, and Gillian, ex-wife of the bespelled Tom, along with the rest of the “choir” in this small town somewhere near Salem, Mass. The story of the coven’s undoing of Eunice’s bad works and the outwitting of some of her nefarious partners in charm-based crime makes for an entertaining read. Cozy and a little creepy, this book turned out to be a treat.

[Jenn]

Surprising

I was expecting something higher on the junior scale but instead this is more dramatic and sinister. One of my biggest issues is that it's not really noted when they first person points of view switch. The first time we hear from Cassie after multiple chapters of Tom I had to reread for a second.

I saw the twist coming, but overall I found the book interesting and look forward to reading more.

[MaryAnn Edwards]

Cpmedy

This book was so entertaining. I
loved reading every ridiculous word😂. I love paranormal books and will look forward to another enjoyable read that is likely filled e
with comedy. Thank you

[Jecca]

A bit peculiar. It took some reading for me to actually get into the story, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. So much that, after that ending, I had to buy Book 2. Recommended for those looking for a para rom to read during the Halloween season.

[Lisa]

Where is the comedy?

I picked this book because I wants a romantic comedy. Well, there is a hint of romance. What isn't there is comedy. Not a drop.
If you want comedy, even a smile, look elsewhere.

[Gail A Ostrove]

Very clever

Kept me guessing as to whom Tom would wind up with. What happens with Cassie now she is consumed with Eunice's spirit. How will Tom use his ability to change at will. Can he go on to lead a productive existence as a man cat.

[Jo]

Funny, clever, ever so slightly macabre, what's not to love? I devoured this in one sitting and can't wait to check out the rest of the series, thanks to that jawdropping ending.

[Stephanie Nicholson]

Enjoyed this more as I read, I liked the growth of the main characters. I found flowed well and a bit predictable but looking forward to the next installment.

[Christine]

Enjoyed, a little different in the fantasy realm. Kept me reading.

[Charlotte Shea]

Really great read

It is nice to get away from it all and read a really good book. I'm ready to step into another great read with book 2
C. A. Harlow

[Debbie]

Love Cat, Tom, and Cassie

Truly a fun witchy adventure, writing this review is keeping me from starting the next book. JILL NOJACK IS MY NEW FAVE

[PyranopterinMo]

A pleasant book with a bit more about cats and people than I expected.

[Dotty Dey]

I really liked this book. Tom turning into a cat was fun.

[Bookworm52732]

A pleasant surprise until it ended with a cliffie. Good thing I have the rest of the series...

[Jean]

Could not finish. This might be a good book for others but I could not get into it.

[Elizabeth Bandur]

Clever storyline. I like the cat character, fun read.

[Kelly O'Mara Whites]

This was a great fun story. Something to take your mind off the current situation. I liked the characters and the story line. Very entertaining.

[Jen]

Couldn't finish this book. Definitely wouldn't call it a comedy

[Betty]

At first I wasn't sure I'd like this book, but as I read further I enjoyed it. The characters grew on you especially when the plot developed.

[Judy A. Kuhl]

It was ok.

The premise for the story is different. It was just ok, though. There was some humor, the characters were ok. Maybe the series will improve.