Full Moon Cruise: A Spicy Paranormal Romance Novella

by Gretchen Powell Fox

He tells her it’s all for show. His wolf has other plans.

When Piper Kensington’s best friend books her a ticket on a singles cruise, she doesn’t have high hopes. She’s thinking maybe she’ll get a tan, read a few good books, and hopefully get her mind off the dirtbag ex she just found out has been cheating on her.

The last thing she expects is to be trapped on the water with an entire ship’s worth of wolf shifters three days before the full moon… where it’s clear every passenger but Piper knows the real purpose of this sailing.

While all the other humans on board are eager to bag themselves a wolf mate, Piper is desperate for a way off the boat. But with the wolves already circling—literally—in the hopes of marking her as their own, her salvation lies with the last man she’d ever turn to for protection.

Atlas Silver has problems of his own. Despite his role as Prime Alpha of his pack and CEO of the company that runs these full moon sailings, he has never once claimed a mate. Now, rumors are swirling that he’s not the wolf he claims to be, leaving room for a rival alpha who has long been waiting to challenge him.

So when Atlas comes across a cornered and overwhelmed Piper, he makes her a pretend to be his mate to get his rival off his back, and he’ll ensure she makes it home unclaimed and in one piece.

If only it were that simple.

Because Atlas’s inner wolf has other ideas when it comes to the irresistible Piper. And when the line between reality and what’s for show starts blurring, she’s going to have to decide whether or not she still wants to run.

Good thing wolves like to chase.

–

This is a spicy MF paranormal romance standalone novella with a HEA where you'll

Wolf Shifter MMC + Human FMCFake MatingForced ProximityScent MarkingPrimal Play + HuntingKnotting + Claiming“Virgin” MMC (he’s never knotted anyone before)Heat 4 chili peppers
Full Moon Cruise is part of Goblin A Vacation Anthology, a bundle of four memorable vacation-inspired novellas. This is an adult paranormal romance book that contains strong language and open door spice, and is recommended for mature readers.

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal Romance

172 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 11, 2026

About the author

Gretchen Powell Fox spent her childhood in far-off places—figuratively and literally. She grew up with her nose buried in books and her feet on foreign soil. Both, she found, were essential in forming her deep fascination with stories.

Now, she crafts fantastical and futuristic worlds—along with the fiery heroines destined to change them for the better.

Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include Taylor Swift, polka dots, reading fantasy novels, and playing the ukulele.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two wild, wonderful children.

Find her on Instagram at @gretchenwritesbooks.

Reviews

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a BLAST. so spicy, so easy to read, great characters. thank you, Gretchen and team for this arc!

this is a spicy novella with a fun plot. this delivers on everything it says it will, just SO FUN.

4 ⭐️, all the vibes, all the knotting and wolves!

[Aleksandra · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Okay this was sooooooo much fun and I’m glad I read it that fast!!!!

It’s a novella so things were moving pretty fast, but I’m definitely not complaining about it here. The thing with wolf shifters is that I’m obsessed with how fast they’re moving in their relationships, truly. I mean, those instincts are strong, I don’t need them hesitating if they want each other or not. Because they do… 🤣🤣

I loved both Piper and Atlas (Piper especially), I wish we found out a bit more about Piper’s friends and Atlas’s betas.

Those spicy scenes were spicing 🤭🤭🤭 and to find out that he has never knotted anyone before her was a treasure.

Thank you to the author Gretchen and Team Gretchen Powell Fox for sending me this ARC. It was a pleasure, as always.












/spoilers for safety/

safety info for my girlies:
-safe
-no cheating, no sharing, no 3rd act breakup or separation
-both experienced (didn’t catch how long it’s been for him, but for her ever since she broke up with her ex bf), neither was a hoe though
-he has never knotted anyone before her 👀
-no OWD (we find out he was in arranged to be married and mated to his friend, they never loved each other though, they were committed to each other as they were supposed to marry, but she met her scent-match mate and her and Atlas didn’t mate in the end, don’t want to spoil too much but she never appears and is of no threat to the main couple)
-some OMD-not too bad tho (there’s a guy who wants her, she’s not interested in him, he’s an asshole, he attempts to sexually assault her near the ending of the book)

[Jenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

GRETCHENNNN IM HOWLING 🐺
FMC was fun as HELL! I cant believe how much happened in the span of such a short story!
🧏‍♀️Sassy FMC
🧔🏻‍♂️Protective MMC
🫦BANTERRRR
🐺Wolfy politics
😒A villain that will make you cheer when he gets what's coming to him
🌶🌶🌶🌶TENSION & DELICIOUS SPICE
🌏Fun world building

This book has it all!
And lowkey I hope Gretchen has some more stories up her sleeve in this world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stacey | read.with.stacey · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this e-arc novella 🫶

This delivered exactly what it set out to do! It’s a short, fast paced, fast burn, spicy novella about a human woman who accidentally goes on a wolf shifter cruise…. And you can just imagine what happens 😂 . There was enough backstory provided about the FMC and MMC that I was invested right away. I definitely had a fun time with it!

[Alexandra K. Sloane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me summing up this novella and how different but still Gretchen it is: "You're doing great sweetie!"

Ate it up and left no crumbs.

[Amanda | escapetoerilea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Gretchen for entrusting me with a gifted egalley!

Full Moon Cruise by Gretchen Powell Fox
Out 11/11!
Standalone

Paranormal romance novella
Wolf shifter x human
Extra spicy
Fake mating
Forced Proximity
Scent Marking
Primal Play + Hunting
Knotting/claiming
Do check the content warnings!

Stop it right now, Gretchen! This was SO FREAKING FUN! There was danger and feet kicking (so much feet kicking) and yearning and evil plots and I can't believe how much story was fit into this spicy lil snack! And what do you mean you gave me fake dating with a wolf shifter!? I ate this up and can't wait for the next adventure Gretchen gifts us with!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this arc showed up in my email I immediately paused everything to read it! It was absolutely delightful! It’s a novella so a quick and easy read and was just so much fun! I loved both the Broody mmc, Atlas and Piper, the go with the flow fmc. Definitely check this out if you like spicy wolf shifter stories with knotting!

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gretchen for this advanced copy. This was fun, spicy, and I always love Gretchen’s writing. Even with less than 200 pages, I still felt like the pacing was perfect and relationship progression was believable. Loved it!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I’m lucky to be one of Gretchen’s beta readers. I received a free copy of her book and my review might be slightly biased because I think she’s a total writing badass.**

TL;DR
Deliciously spicy with a fun plot. I thought it was very creative and an extremely satisfying read.

Full review:
If you’ve read the blurb you know that there’s a mixup and Piper ends up on a wolf mating cruise rather than the human singles’ one she was expecting. Piper isn't some badass who can save herself among wolves. She's a resilient, witty, brave, playful, and distinctly human woman who is in extraordinary circumstances and wins the luck lottery when she meets the extremely sexy and powerful Atlas. Getting involved with him saves her, and is also the cause of much of the trouble she encounters on her trip. I loved their chemistry. Yes, it’s fast paced. But Gretchen does such a good job of building something between them that’s more than just lust and fate. Sure, those two things have a big hand in what happens, but it’s very believable that these two will find their happily ever after together beyond the cruise.

The banter throughout is top notch, the external plot builds fantastic tension, while the sexual tension between the two of them is thicker than a wolf’s knot.

The whole thing was wonderfully smutty fun and I’m so glad Gretchen decided to bless us with this novella!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

*beta read

In summary: BARK BARK BARK.

Go preorder, thank me later.

[✨Gretch✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, fun and steamy wolf shifter read!

Piper sets sail on what she thinks is a singles cruise, only to find out she is surrounded by wolf shifters about to go wild on the blood moon. Not exactly what she signed up for, but when Atlas saves her from hungry wolves, and presents her with a plan to be fake mates so she can stay safe, she eagerly aggrees. The only catch? Atlas will have to sent her, and they have to put on a show for people when out and about.

If Gretchen writes it, I'm going to read it! This was the perfect palate cleanser novella that I needed, and has me wanting more from this world! I adore Piper and Atlas and I fell in love with both of them in under 200 pages. If there is ever more stories set in this world, or with them, I will be forsure reading it!

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this was the most fun, spicy, delightful time. I devoured this novella in one sitting, and I absolutely adored it. I was giggling and kicking my feet just as much as I was fanning myself; Piper is hilarious, and Atlas is hot AF, and he knows it.

Gretchen works her magic in a new genre, and it was fantastically executed. Novellas can sometimes be tricky when new lore needs to be introduced but she managed it flawlessly, gave a satisfyingly complete story, AND left enough tidbits to keep the door open for potentially more stories in this world in the future.

This is the perfect bite of a book for when you need a spicy break between heavier books.

[Samantha Hardesty · Rating 3 out of 5]

HE DID WHAT WITH HIS WHAT?! 🤯🤣

If I didn’t know that Gretchen wrote Full Moon Cruise before I read it, I would have been like “what do you mean that precious angel wrote this filth?!” and I mean that so respectfully 🤣🤣

Full Moon Cruise was NOT what I was expecting in the slightest but I didn’t realise how much I needed a palette cleanser until I dove in. And this was a hoot.

I don’t really know what else to say other than this is exactly what it says on the tin and a good little palette cleanser of smut.

[JPreads7 · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️, 3.5🌶️

I had the absolute best time with this book! This was the most perfect little spicy PNR novella that I didn’t know I needed🤭

I loved the FMC so much she had me laughing out loud and I loved her chemistry with the MMC. Their banter was great and I loved the fake mating situation, and it makes me want to read more fake mating books 😂

The plot was engaging as well too and I flew through the pages !

Long story short if you want a fun spicy novella I highly recommend!

[Karla Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn’t Gretchen I’m obsessed.

This was novella perfection, I did knot want to put it down. 😏😏

[Ginnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun spicy read!

[Joya · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

If you were one of those girlies who got really into werewolf fanfiction after watching Teen Wolf, this one’s for you! (It’s me. I’m one of those girlies.)

Full Moon Cruise by Gretchen Powell Fox is a fun, spicy paranormal romance novella that delivers exactly what it promises. When Piper’s best friend accidentally books her on a werewolf mating cruise, she finds herself in a pretty ridiculous situation. But one of the things I loved about Piper is how she rolls with the punches. She’s got a strong personality, a good sense of humor, and a refreshingly easygoing attitude. Sure, she’s surrounded by werewolves looking for mates, but she’s still on a cruise, so she might as well enjoy herself!

I really liked the dynamic between Piper and Atlas, the pack’s Prime Alpha, especially as their fake mating arrangement starts becoming something more. Their chemistry is fun, the spice is plentiful, and the whole premise is delightfully over the top in the best way.

My one significant issue was how the novella handled a scene where someone has drugged Piper without her consent. Although Atlas recognizes what’s happened and is careful not to take advantage of her, I felt the story moved past the incident far too quickly. Having your bodily autonomy violated like that is deeply unsettling, and I wanted more space for Piper to process what had happened to her. I understand that there’s only so much room for emotional exploration in a novella, but this particular moment deserved more attention, especially in a story so centered on desire and consent.

That aside, I had a great time with this one! It’s a quick, entertaining read that doesn’t try to be anything more complicated than it needs to be. If you’re in the mood for some spicy werewolf romance with a likable FMC and plenty of chemistry, this absolutely scratches that itch!

[Emily Holbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

All aboard!!!! Who knew that some of the most fun I would have reading this year would come from a wolf shifter romance novella?! Ummmm, not me.

I think it's always good to step outside your reading comfort zone every once in a while, and that's exactly what Full Moon Cruise was for me. Piper's bestie signs her up for what she believes is a singles cruise to help her get over her cheating ex-boyfriend. She's thinking she'll get a tan, read some books, and enjoy a little vacation. Instead, spoiler alert, she's actually on a cruise FULL of wolf shifters THREE DAYS before the full moon. What could possibly go wrong?!

You know you're in for a wild ride when we're not even two seconds into the story and everyone is getting dicked down at the first night's welcome event, right there on the pool deck!!! Enter Atlas, our MMC, who saves Piper from some wolf shifters with very questionable intentions. The solution? A little "fake mating" relationship for the remainder of the cruise, obviously.

The spice was HEAVY, and I genuinely could not put this novella down. But one of my favorite things about this book was how much fun you can tell Gretchen had writing it. That energy practically jumps off the page! It's over-the-top, completely ridiculous (in the BEST way), and such an entertaining reading experience.

I'm not typically someone who gravitates toward omegaverse, paranormal romance, or shifter romance, but this was such a pleasant surprise. Sometimes stepping outside your usual genres pays off, and *Full Moon Cruise* was proof of that. If you're looking for a fun, ridiculously spicy, quick read that might just pull you out of a reading slump, I highly recommend giving this one a chance!

[Marie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so so much Gretchen and Emily for having me as an ARC reader 😍

I absolutely adored Full Moon Cruise! This was such a fun and easy read! Exactly what I needed! I might have devoured the novella in less than half a day 🫣

Piper and Atlas are so cute together. I love how she stays fiery and fierce despite him being the alpha, and how he would be ready to do anything for her.

Also, I loved the spice hehe. It was the perfect dose of spice: the plot is here, things are happening plot-wise, and at the same time a good portion of this book has spicy scenes.

I also loved the phone messages between Piper and Reagan, this made them so much more relatable, and honestly, their conversations were hilarious. Especially on Reagan side, this woman is pure chaos 😂

So yeah, I loved Full Moon Cruise, I hate Killian, and I 100% recommend this novella. It's the perfect light and fun read for when you need an escape from reality, or from a reading slump.

P.S. Could such cruises (and Atlas specifically) exist in real life? Asking for a friend 👀

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my GOD WHAT EVEN WAS THAT GRETCHEN??

I WAS NOT READY FOR HOW GOOD THIS IS

It took me less than three hours to read this and I will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN 🤯🤯

Atlas and Piper are EVERYTHING

This was short and sweet and VERY spicy and delicious and I couldn’t get enough of it! How do I sign up to be a human on a wolf shifter full moon cruise?! TELL ME NOW OR I WILL RIOT 😤😤😤

Literally what the hell. Piper has no idea what her friend had gotten her into, and my LORD WAS IT DELIGHTFUL. HELLO????? FRIENDS????? SIGN ME UP FOR THIS PLEASE????

I’m obsessed with this. I need more of Atlas and Piper immediately. He’s so possessive and obsessed and I just CANNOT HANDLE HOW GOOD THIS WHOLE THING IS

12/10 recommend if you want a short and spicy wolf shifter romance with a possessive alpha and scenes that will make you SWEAT 🥵🥵🥵🥵

Sassy FMC💃
Possessive MMC🥵
Wolf shifter 🐺
“Fake” mating 😛
Knotting 🪢 (hot af)

[BeeFaith · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆.

⚠️ PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Once you start, you won't want to put it down.

Oh. My. Goodness! Atlas and Piper are Hot. Hot. Hot. Actually, no, that's not quite right; they're freaking SCORCHING! 🥵🔥🔥🔥

Gretchen does a phenomenal job setting the scene. From the start, it's clear Piper and Atlas are drawn to each other, but Piper is in the dark about what's going on, and Atlas is only sharing what he thinks she needs to know. It's obvious that he's keeping things from her. He may tell himself that he's doing it for her own good, but is he really? When Piper discovers what Atlas is hiding, she's fed up. No one is going to tell her what she can and cannot do, including him. The question is, what is she going to do about it? 👀🤭

Full Moon Cruise is a quick read that'll satisfy your hot shifter romance craving.

“𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”

[Shaleese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gretchen for this ARC.

My goodness, what a delightfilly fun read! Spice Level is extra high with the novella. Piper had me chuckling throughout. Could you imagine thinking youre headed on a singles cruise but turns out to be full of wolf shifters with the full moon in a couple days.... we meet some creepy wolves right off the bat, but thankfully big hunky Atlas swoops in. Piper is unapologetically herself, reminds everyone she can make her own choices, and even though her trip doesn't go as planned, she goes with it. Amazing how much fun and feeling Gretchen managed to get in this short story!

[Naz- bookhusbandcollector · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gretchen Powell Fox for the earc of Full Moon Cruise!

Our FMC Piper is sent on a "singles" cruise after breaking up with a trash ex only to find out that she is on full moon wolf cruise! This discovery leads to her being rescued by a hot man who turns out to be the hot wolfy owner of the cruise and they are going to fake date to keep her safe.

As things go in the paranormal world, there are other factors at play that bring them closer together and unable to resist each other. This is a short, spicy good time and the perfect little reading boost. If you love the things that come with a wolf shifter romances like scenting, knots, primal play etc, you need to read this book !

[Shirley Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun 🤩 I absolutely devoured it in about an hour and a half. I love a spicy little novella and I was super grateful to get the arc email on a rainy Sunday Morning 🤭
Anyway, I loved Piper and Atlas! She’s a sassy little spitfire and he’s tall, dark, and handsome. And veryyyy protective. We love a possessive man 🥵 their chemistry was off the charts hottt right from the start. I know this is a novella so everything happens fast but it didn’t feel rushed. I loved everything about it. The bad guy gets what’s coming to him in a very satisfying way, and we get a little backstory on Atlas. Overall 10/10 experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Allison Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen you made me a FERAL after reading last night. Did I stay up till way to late reading? Absolutely.
Novellas I rarely give a perfect rating on, because they need to have so many aspects built into such a small book..

HOWEVER... Gretchen has done it again!

The banter? Yes please (I may not look at sunscreen the same again)
Our MMC? His inner wolf is what all the book girlies are looking for!
He who must not be named? Maybe we throw him off the ship.

Absolutely fantastic and extremely recommend!

[Robin · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

If you want an addicting and delightfully spicy paranormal novella, you must pick this one up! Atlas and Piper are so adorable! You all know I love a slow burn, but these two are the exception! The energy between them and the human/wolf shifter dynamic sucked me right in! Atlas can mark me with his scent any time he wants (wink/giggle)!! The pack politics, his protective instincts, and her fiery personality created a great combo!

He looks at me with so much sincerity, it makes the inner corners of my eyes burn. “I think something inside me has always been waiting for you.”

“I think you deserve to take what’s rightfully yours, Primus.” A pause. A smile. A low, sultry laugh. “Come and claim it.”

[Emmy]

This was such a fun and fast novella! If you love wolf shifters this is a cute spicy read! It really had all the adventure and spice pact into one tiny read. Everything played out so smoothly and ended perfectly for being such a short book.
Fav quotes:
~”For the thrill of the chase.”
~“Oh, I bet he’s going to help you get off.”
~ “‘I promise, we’ll have plenty of fun of our own once I get back.’ Remember?”

[Amanda Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just so ecstatic that Gretchen, one of my favorite authors, wrote a wolf book, one of my favorite literary pleasures. This novella was an absolute delight, full of tension, humor, and spice. I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an ARC for early review so I was able to enjoy it without waiting on my ebook copy or the physical one I ordered (yes, I pre-ordered both but we don't judge here).

[Aluralyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gretchen for the eARC of this book.

Absolutely loved this spicy wolf shifter novella! I giggled and kicked my feet the whole time I read it. From the moment Piper and Atlas locked eyes, I knew I was completely, irrevocably in love with this couple. Then throw in a fake-dating proposal with a billionaire wolf, and I'm downright giddy!

I've loved reading wolf shifter romances for years, and this just reminded me it's been a while and how much I love them! I hope we get more, especially one with Piper's friend.

Tropes:
Wolf Shifter x Human
Primal Play/Hunting
Fake Mating
Forced Proximity
Spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Knotting

[purrs and plotlines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, spicy, and fun! This was such an amusing little novella. The fact that the FMC had zero idea what she was getting into nearly took me out. Piper is hilarious, bold, and not one to be trifled with. I really liked her. Atlas is everything you want him to be in an alpha: tall, broody, and forever swearing off love...until he meets Piper. I am really looking forward to Gretchen's spicy era because this was fire.