Raised by Wolves

by Bridget Essex

Meet Becca Swift! She's got the most overbearing family in the world—because she was raised by wolves. Literally. Becca is a werewolf, and she is part of a loud and crazy, up-in-your-business pack. In her day-to-day life, she tries to keep the fact that she's a werewolf a secret...

But then along comes Loren. Loren has legs for days, the most gorgeous smile Becca's ever seen, and a sense of humor that's off the charts. Becca's smitten.

Still, when Becca's mother asks her to bring Loren to dinner, Becca's not ready to tell Loren exactly what she is. So she begs her family, for one single night, to "try to act perfectly normal."

But "normal" just isn't in the DNA of this pack of werewolves.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Fantasy, Audiobook, Shapeshifters, LGBT, Lesbian Romance

231 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2016

About the author

My name is Bridget Essex, and I write about werewolves, vampires and lady knights; about two strong, courageous women who fall deeply in love with one another, living love stories that transcend time. I'm married to the love of my life, author Natalie Vivien.

I'm best known for my Knight Legends series, stories about women knights, real world hi-jinks and love stories that are out of this world. My Sullivan Vampire novellas are a popular series lauded as "TWILIGHT for women who love women," and I have several other series and stand-alone novellas, and I'm always putting out something new. Learn more at http://bridgetessex.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. A 3 star book. I'd love to give the narrator a whole star, but this just isn't a 4 star book without her.

First off - it has got to be the fastest Instalove I've ever read. Hot. But fast. I think that is my problem with this book - it is short(ish) so there really isn't much world building. Maybe it isn't fair, but I couldn't help but compare it to Jae's book Second Nature.

Because the world building is lacking we are just as confused as Becca. Becca who's Mother is the Alpha of their werewolf family pack and is attempting to groom Becca to follow her. The problem - Becca doesn't want to be the Alpha. Becca who doesn't want fight her Mother - literally fight her Mother. Becca who never bothered to ask questions about the Rules of this fight.

I did like how Essex showed how Becca did have leadership qualities during the family Dinner as Becca attempts to rein in her relatives so they won't give away their wolfisms-secrets to Loren.

Really though, it's the narrator, Maria Marquis made the book very enjoyable. For much of the last chapter I read along with the audio. Interesting to hear the choices Marquis made such as for Becca's Alpha Mother's voice & attitude.

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. I actually thought this was one of the better books I've read by Essex. But then the ending happened, and It was frustrating enough for me to knock this down a star. This book is a pretty quick read, less than 200 pages. And I thought Essex did a great job with the romance in such a short time. It was believable the amount of chemistry the characters had and the sex scenes were pretty steamy. So I was definitely enjoying myself until the end. It wasn't an unhappy ending, I just didn't like what happened, and it made me angry that the main characters let it happen. And how could Loren not give Becca's mom a good slap across the face, I have no idea. Or the fact that Becca didn't step up more for herself or Loren, once things calmed down, was disappointing. Then the book ends without this really resolved. Yeah poop on this ending.
Anyway, I still have a few more of Essex's books to read from Kindle Unlimited. They have been a mixed bag for me, but there's flashes of some really nice writing, so I'll keep reading.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someday I’ve got to figure out how to add Audible versions to Goodreads….it seems that my choices are nearly always only print or Kindle or e-book. Anyway, this review is, as you may have guessed, for the Audible version.

Audible doesn’t get nearly as many lesfic books as other formats, and so I sometimes pick up a book I probably wouldn’t if I were reading instead of listening. I was disappointed in the only other audiobook by Bridget Essex, “A Knight to Remember”, but I picked this up because….well, because it was available. I confess that I’m not always as discerning as I should be when browsing new releases on Audible!

Anyway, back to the book. It’s very light on character development, especially for Loren. It’s instalove like I’ve never encountered. The ending is…unexpected….weird….silly….nonsensical….I’m not sure what to say. I don’t want to include spoilers, so I won’t elaborate.

But - I really, really, really enjoyed this silly book! I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. I’m definitely embarrassed to admit that I’ve already listened to it three times this past week! Without a doubt, a huge attraction is the absolutely amazing narration by Maria Marquis! I love love love her voice and reading style! She’s so perfect for this book it turned what would probably have been a 3* into, well, I can’t really rate it 5* despite my multiple listenings, but certainly a 4* - recommended!

By the way, "Knight to Remember" felt very YA. "Raised by Wolves" may be light entertainment, but it definitely includes some enjoyable adult entertainment!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet fun read!

I think I am going on a werewolf fix for a bit, if anyone can recommend a good one I would appreciate it! Thanks :)

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Despite her fears she quickly finds herself attracted to the strikingly handsome bookstore employee. She is not a woman for a committed relationship, at least she always told herself. And then you have the problem of her family, her demanding mother, the Alpha wolf, and very disappointed in her daughter. Becca doesn't want to follow in the footsteps of her mother but Sophia is persistent. The family dinner party was crazy, ridiculous and it made me laugh so hard that my stomach hurt. The characters are very engaging and I really became attached to them all. This book was exciting, the love was heartwarming and there was something totally unexpected. Will love conquer all or destroy everything? You'll have to read this to find out more. Just go for it and enjoy.

[KA · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute, although ultimately forgettable. I can appreciate that it was intended to be a lighter take on werewolves, but it felt like the author didn't put much thought into the world building. How have the werewolves maintained the secret of their existence for so long if they've told humans who take it badly and then leave? The werewolf piece of the story felt like it could have easily been replaced by "my family is in the mafia and my mom wants me to take over" and the feel of the story would have been almost the same.

[Fia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bad fanfiction, wasn't it?

I usually like Bridget Essex' books. Not this one. The writing style was bad. I really felt like I was reading a fanfiction. Not a good one either.

2 stars because.... I'd give one star, but I like the author.

[Edith · Rating 1 out of 5]

If your mother kidnaps your girlfriend, threatens to murder her, then attempts to murder you, she's not your family. Get the fuck out of there. How the fuck does this book explicitly bring up the idea of chosen family and then completely fail to understand what that means?

[Cloak88 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, fun romance, bad ending. 2.5 stars

Becca is a werewolf, single and has a overbearing pack-alpha for a mother. She lives as a bit of a free spirit taking home women when she feels like it and living it up, so to speek. It's would be all fun, except that her mother insist that she replaces her and becomes pack alpha. Not a fun prospect when such changes in leadership are accompanied by a bloody battle involving fangs, fur and possible death.
Enter Loren a bookstore clerk that has Becca rethinking her ways and consider a far more permanent relationship. Except there is her mother and and the whole 'Alpha thing' going on.

In short this is a more lighthearted take on werewolfs mixed with a pretty steamy romance. I liked Becca, I liked Loren and their time together. And I even hated the mother (as I was ment to), but things fell apart a bit when Becca is forced by her mother to bring Loren to the famaly dinner/ gathering. Things get weird, unrealistic and lose a bit of fun there. In the end this novel left me unsatisfied with a world the was unlikely to exist (even fictionally) and a romance that felt unfinished.

[Concordia West · Rating 2 out of 5]

The strangest part about this book is that, reading it, I didn't get the sense that the author even likes werewolves very much. No desperate fights in dark alleys, no drying blood or glowing eyes, no evil vampire overlords or weird sexual habits, no running through the forest with the full moon shining through bare branches.

Just Xena and Gabrielle dating for like a week while Xena angsts about telling Gabrielle of her dark secret and using a LOT of literary metaphors considering she's not even supposed to like books.

No one seems to have told Gabrielle (or the author, for that matter) that fetischizing your SO is rarely seen as sexy.

At least it was pretty short, and the narrator was very good!

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everything was fine up until the last few chapters when her mom took her girlfriend hostage and forced her to become the alpha in order to save her. The lack of consent was not addressed whatsoever and made my skin crawl. Her mother was seriously awful and their relationship never had good resolution, yet the end was rushed and the MC basically had the opinion of “*shrugged shoulders* oh well, that’s just how my mom is,” even though she’d spent the ENTIRE book talking about how content she was with her life already, and how strongly she felt about NOT becoming alpha. I can’t remember the last time I was so angry and dissatisfied about a book ending.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This is a very well written tale about finding love and needing to hide who you really are. The characters are well developed and the storyline flows from the pages and right into your heart. When do you reveal your true self to the one you love? The surprising twists in this book will assure you that this book belongs on your must-read list.

[charles clayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌠🌟🌈HOWLING SPECTACTULAR🌈🌟🌠
The delivery of this story was so off the wall ! And yet vaguely believable that it works ! I did however get riled up with Becca when she was defiant in choosing not to reveal her secret even when the opportunities were present !!!
Other than that this was as good as all of her other Werewolves releases .

[naptimenow · Rating 3 out of 5]

It needs more editing and the ending needs a lot of work, but I did find the characters more engaging than I expected. It's an enjoyable beach read if you like the themes, but could be so much better, which is unfortunate.

[Jennifer Reaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun werewolf story that ended way too soon. A little bit of a wirlwind romance between the main characters and the dinner party was quite amusing. But I would have liked to have had a bit more to the story. it end with a bit up in the air. It was cute but more please!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy her writing. It’s not to be taken too seriously. I look at it as bubble gum for the brain.

[Lynn Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

An enjoyable and funny wolf shifter love story with plenty of angst that will have you cracking up. A nice addition to anyone's shifter reading library

[pamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A SOLID 3 STAR BOOK!!! If werewolves & wlw & short books are your jam. Go for this book

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 12th work by this author.

Essex tends to write about 3 or 4 things. (1) Most common, at least in what I’ve read, maybe not in everything written, would be works involving werewolves; (2) works involving knights; (3) works involving something else (i.e., angels); and (4) contemporary lesbian romance. That’s going by what I’ve read. Then there’s that 5 work series involving vampires that I haven’t read. I don’t recall if vampires have popped up in the works I’ve read by her. Well, a book titled ‘Raised by Wolves’ and involving a werewolf would fall directly in line with the above, right? Well yes and no.

The book does, in fact, involve a werewolf. The book, though, is somewhat different from the norm. At least in that, as far as I recall, the main focus of the book involves the actual werewolf. One of Essex’s common themes involves lesbian woman who dream of fantasy, of a shining knight coming to be their knight, of werewolves, and the like. Well that turns up in this book as well. The difference is the main character. In the other works, the main character is that lesbian woman dreamer. Here the main character is the werewolf. And the dreamer is the other woman in the relationship. This may or may not be a switch – recall, if you will, my mentioning of the 5 book vampire series (and that I’ve not read everything else written by this author), and that I don’t know what the dynamic is in those works. So, it’s just a switch in perspective from what I’ve read.

So. Becca Swift was raised by wolves. I was going to say ‘I don’t know why, but that made me think of stories of children being raised by wolves, like the she-wolf who raised Romulus and Remus (the brothers who, legend says, built Rome)’ but then I recalled why I was vaguely surprised that the main woman of the story was the werewolf instead of the non-wolf -> because of what I wrote in the prior paragraph. The main tends to be the dreamer, not the dream. Or, um, something like that.

Becca Swift is 33 and enjoys her life. Even if it involves living in a crappy apartment with a menial retail job. And her lack of lifelong companions. She likes her life set up that way. The problem is, though, that her mother rather dislikes basically everything about how Becca is living her life (except for the lesbian thing, she seems okay with that). Easy enough solution, right? Cut the bitch out of your life. Except, of course, (1) that love thing; (2) family; (3) mama Swift is the pack alpha with all that entails with being alpha. So, for many reasons, she can’t cut the bitch out of her life (what, a female dog is a bitch, is a female wolf not a bitch? Not sure, don’t particularly want to look it up now).

And so, after another session with her mother, during which mama Swift took every opportunity to loudly and verbally abuse her daughter, Becca is pissed and trying to kill a punching back. In comes beloved family member and cousin Rob. Stuff occurs; point though is that Rob points her towards a particular book store and a particular new worker at said book store. A way to clear her mind, or something like that.

And so, with reluctance, Becca pulls on her leathers and hops on her motorcycle and . . . wait, sorry, I just kind of expected this to be the next thing to occur. No, she gets on the bus. She’s too poor to have a motorcycle, I assume.

Becca makes it to that bookstore, sniffs out (literally) where the new worker is in the store, is enchanted and Becca meets the long legged blonde haired Loren. They appear to be taken with each other.

And so the two most important people in the story have met. Becca and Loren. Now it’s just a case of whether or not it’ll just be a one-night stand, or more. Oh, and the part wherein Becca’s a werewolf. And Loren’s a human.

It’s a neat story. I actually got quite into it. I was having fun, enjoying myself and then I kind of stopped. During one particular scene I realized the story was going to go a particular direction I didn’t want it to go, and I was right. It went that direction. And then the book abruptly ended after that. Still, I enjoyed the book so . . ..

Oh, and for those keeping track, there’s plenty of graphic sex that occurs.

February 19 2016

[Alastar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to bad

I thought it was an okay story, however one can get tired of hearing the hero always bemoaning how she doesn't want to do this and that. And the fight at the end was half whining and complaining and half fight.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was rather fun. Her mom pissed me off, but I appreciated the resolution.

[Mr Tron · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Jay Tuma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on a werewolf kick lately, and I finally was able to get to this one on my list.

Bridget Essex has yet to disappoint me in any book I have read.

Here we have a werewolf with a rather pushy mom, a best friend, and an attractive human that the MC just can't walk away from. Her mother is, unique, then again it is a pack so I can give her some leeway.

The ending was not what I expected but fit perfectly into the personality of the main character.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone that likes the werewolf genre.

Thanks to the author for sharing their gift with the readers!

[Jane Shambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmm

When I initially started this book I found it a little slow like reading someone's diary. But as I progressed I became hooked. As the novel developed I became engrossed in the story and then I couldn't put it down. Bridget never lets you down. Her writing style is fluid and easy to read. Her imagination holds no bounds. If you love to live free with your imagination this is for you. Have fun reading it.

[Nolly Frances Sepulveda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love them werewolves

I like Bridget Essex 's werewolf stories, they're well written and entertaining, her characters are fun as well as funny and the adventures and romance are climatic.

[terri stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Bridget never disappoints . This story was one of her best. Well written from beginning to end. Her characters as always are full of surprises that melt your heart. She makes you believe anyone can find love and happiness. Excellent story. I loved it.

[Yamino · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet but mediocre story. Despite being a story centered around a werewolf girl her being a werewolf doesn't seem to have much impact on the story other then she having a secret. Ending of a book also feels a bit lacking and unfulfilling.

[ithinkicould · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool main character, I wish the story was better.

[Glyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pbbbt I could probably put this on more shelves but I don't want to.

As with most of this author's work, there's a lot of detail put in for very little payoff. It was cool to see a gay dude as a side character, I think the first I've encountered in her stuff.

Still, I found it a bit too precious, all the wolfish things that Loren was into. Her cat is named Little Red, her fave book is 'A Lesbian Werewolf in London', her fave poet performs a poem about being in love with a werewolf, etc etc etc.

I felt like Becca's mom being frankly abusive and allowing horrible behaviour from the pack -- ie the fact that Becca's one uncle and his son are STRAIGHT UP SEXUAL HARASSERS -- aren't treated with enough seriousness. Becca says she doesn't want to use her power as alpha to exert too much power over her pack, but I hope she stops those guys because it isn't cute.

Oh and I guess it was kinda nice that the love interest was a blonde. Four for you, author.