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Nose to Tail Inc. #1
Wolfmanny
Three hot werewolves, sexual tension thick enough to cut with a knife, an impending Colorado winter, and a rambunctious pack of werewolf pups. Stand back and watch the fur fly.
When Kenneth Marcon loses his nanny to a bite from one of his inherited kids, he knows he needs someone strong to contain five werewolf children. What he finds isn’t a stalwart nanny, but a werewolf manny named Jack. Kenneth and his assistant, Miles, aren’t sure if Jack is what they need, but he’s what they have to work with.
Jack’s got what it takes to keep the kids busy—and attract both Miles’s and Kenneth’s attention. The two old friends have been circling each other for years, but with Jack as the final piece to the puzzle, it’s time to finally act on those urges. When Kenneth is forced to travel instead of solidifying the bond with his new mates, Jack and Miles take desperate measures to get him back, even as they save the kids from one disaster after another. Amidst the chaos, they have to learn how to become not just a pack, but a family.
When Kenneth Marcon loses his nanny to a bite from one of his inherited kids, he knows he needs someone strong to contain five werewolf children. What he finds isn’t a stalwart nanny, but a werewolf manny named Jack. Kenneth and his assistant, Miles, aren’t sure if Jack is what they need, but he’s what they have to work with.
Jack’s got what it takes to keep the kids busy—and attract both Miles’s and Kenneth’s attention. The two old friends have been circling each other for years, but with Jack as the final piece to the puzzle, it’s time to finally act on those urges. When Kenneth is forced to travel instead of solidifying the bond with his new mates, Jack and Miles take desperate measures to get him back, even as they save the kids from one disaster after another. Amidst the chaos, they have to learn how to become not just a pack, but a family.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2017
81 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Julia Talbot
307 books267 followersJulia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia is a hybrid author, and has been published by many presses as well as self publishing. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
February 7, 2017
*sigh*
Details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details, details...
So. Many. Details.
If I had to plot outline the story for 'significant' events, there would be maybe three'ish. And the rest was entirely day-to-day life details, with the kids, with the housekeeper, with the rest of the staff.
It was way too much for me to actually focus on the three mates, which never seemed to have any actual deep, heart-felt conversations. There was so much dialogue in this story, so the fact that more of it didn't center around the three MC's learning more about one another felt a bit odd.
I came extremely close to DNF'ing the story by around 50%, but stuck with it, just to try and give the rest of the story a fair shot.
However, nothing changed. It was still page after page after page after page of what I felt were irrelevant details of running a household with 5 kids and a lot of staff.
The minutiae of the story did allow for a few sexy scenes, but I still didn't really get any sense of bone-deep connection between the Alpha and his two mates.
The romance definitely took a back seat page count-wise to 'everything else,' which I didn't really care for, so I'd rate this one at around 2 *well-written, but not overly entertaining* stars.
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My ARC copy of the story was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
June 6, 2017
4/5 - Just the lighthearted fluffy family love I needed.
I started listening to this audiobook right after finishing Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste, which definitely had a strong dark theme. Although the book was good, I needed something a little bit lighter to follow it up with and Wolfmanny fit that description perfectly.
Usually when I read shifter books it's because I've gotten into a shifter phase and I sniff out shifter books like they're candy. A lot of those books also tend to be angsty or also have dark and/or emotionally heavy and intense feelings associated with them, but Wolfmanny was different and I hoped it would be purely based on the title. This book was all lighthearted family fun and fluff with a shifter threesome and adorable kids.
I would say the only negative to this book was the number of characters. Not only did we have Jack, Miles, Kenneth, and the kids to keep track of, but there was also the rest of the pack and other supporting characters. It's not so much that the characters were bad or written poorly, because they weren't, there were just so many of them to cram into such few pages and I liked them so much that I really wished I'd have gotten to know each of them a little bit more in-depth.
However, on the flip side, I do have to say that the characters were fantastically written. Usually in books that have this number of side characters that were only briefly mentioned or had minor roles, you start to get this feeling of being completely overwhelmed by trying to keep track of characters that are seemingly useless, but the supporting characters in this book actually served a purpose. Each one of the characters interacted in a way that completely changed my view of the MC's and allowed me to see a completely different part of them.
The narration on this book was also pretty good. Again, the number of characters made it hard to keep track of some things but I think the narrator did a pretty solid job. There's only so many ways in which you can change your voice to represent a new character, but somehow he managed to make it work well enough to keep everyone separated and keep me engaged in the story.
This is my first Julia Talbot read, but I'm already impressed. This was a long audiobook to listen to, but it was 100% worth it and I would recommend this book to other M/M/M Shifter readers who might be looking for some lighthearted fluff.
I started listening to this audiobook right after finishing Light from the Dark by Mercy Celeste, which definitely had a strong dark theme. Although the book was good, I needed something a little bit lighter to follow it up with and Wolfmanny fit that description perfectly.
Usually when I read shifter books it's because I've gotten into a shifter phase and I sniff out shifter books like they're candy. A lot of those books also tend to be angsty or also have dark and/or emotionally heavy and intense feelings associated with them, but Wolfmanny was different and I hoped it would be purely based on the title. This book was all lighthearted family fun and fluff with a shifter threesome and adorable kids.
I would say the only negative to this book was the number of characters. Not only did we have Jack, Miles, Kenneth, and the kids to keep track of, but there was also the rest of the pack and other supporting characters. It's not so much that the characters were bad or written poorly, because they weren't, there were just so many of them to cram into such few pages and I liked them so much that I really wished I'd have gotten to know each of them a little bit more in-depth.
However, on the flip side, I do have to say that the characters were fantastically written. Usually in books that have this number of side characters that were only briefly mentioned or had minor roles, you start to get this feeling of being completely overwhelmed by trying to keep track of characters that are seemingly useless, but the supporting characters in this book actually served a purpose. Each one of the characters interacted in a way that completely changed my view of the MC's and allowed me to see a completely different part of them.
The narration on this book was also pretty good. Again, the number of characters made it hard to keep track of some things but I think the narrator did a pretty solid job. There's only so many ways in which you can change your voice to represent a new character, but somehow he managed to make it work well enough to keep everyone separated and keep me engaged in the story.
This is my first Julia Talbot read, but I'm already impressed. This was a long audiobook to listen to, but it was 100% worth it and I would recommend this book to other M/M/M Shifter readers who might be looking for some lighthearted fluff.
February 6, 2017
There are all types of shifter books out there. Some are fierce, angsty, and dramatic. Others are warm, family based, fluffy, and no angst. That is where Wolfmanny falls into. There is no angst at all. It’s strictly a fluffy, fun, family read.
There are a massive amount of characters in this book. Kenneth is the alpha of this pack. He’s a billionaire and takes care of his sister’s pups after she died. Miles is the beta and best friend turned mate, Jack is the Manny and he also is the mate. It’s a ménage shifter story. Then you have Mrs. Horn, Nadine, Monie, Jim and Jo, Ginny, Thomas…. The list goes on and on. Was it bad or confusing? A little confusing but not bad.
Secondary characters are vital in a book. They are the voices to shift the story and help flesh out the main characters. This story is told in Miles, Kenneth, and Jack’s POV. Multiple point of views with well over 10+ characters did mix me up a little.
I did absolutely love the warmth of the story and I adore dialog in books and this one had a lot of dialog. Some love that some don’t, I do. There’s a certain amount of awesomeness to a story where money is never an issue. The kids want for nothing and you get all giddy when they have Christmas and it’s so loving and huge. This pack was all about the love and praise.
Everything about Wolfmanny is designed to make you feel good. To make you smile and to have zero stress. So if you want fluffy family fun this is a great one to read.
There are a massive amount of characters in this book. Kenneth is the alpha of this pack. He’s a billionaire and takes care of his sister’s pups after she died. Miles is the beta and best friend turned mate, Jack is the Manny and he also is the mate. It’s a ménage shifter story. Then you have Mrs. Horn, Nadine, Monie, Jim and Jo, Ginny, Thomas…. The list goes on and on. Was it bad or confusing? A little confusing but not bad.
Secondary characters are vital in a book. They are the voices to shift the story and help flesh out the main characters. This story is told in Miles, Kenneth, and Jack’s POV. Multiple point of views with well over 10+ characters did mix me up a little.
I did absolutely love the warmth of the story and I adore dialog in books and this one had a lot of dialog. Some love that some don’t, I do. There’s a certain amount of awesomeness to a story where money is never an issue. The kids want for nothing and you get all giddy when they have Christmas and it’s so loving and huge. This pack was all about the love and praise.
Everything about Wolfmanny is designed to make you feel good. To make you smile and to have zero stress. So if you want fluffy family fun this is a great one to read.
Read
May 31, 2018I've realized too many other books out there, this one just isn't working for me. Maybe a later date I will finish...
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dnf
June 5, 2021Dnf @ 25% Aside from the first two chapters, this story didn't deliver what I expected. At the point I decided to give up, the romance hadn't started yet and I couldn't feel any attraction sizzle between anyone.
February 5, 2017
“Wolfmanny” has no story at all. I was looking for some shifter fun but what I got was a bundle of shifter kids raging hell and a ménage m/m relationship which was not at all exciting or romantic.
There was no plot here, just a lot of conversations and a wide variety of animal shifters. There were too many characters and with the constant dialogues everything felt very cluttered. The kids were cute and fun at first but their shenanigans got repetitive after some time and that part lost its charm soon after.
There was a helluva lot going on with a bunch of kids and a whole pack of shifters but it was all without any proper structure. The whole story felt like CHAOS with a capital ‘C’.
The romance part starts when the wolfmanny comes to the house to take care of the whole brood of wolf kids. The boss/alpha, his personal assistant and the wolfmanny suddenly becomes mates one afternoon. The insta-love would have been ok if more page time was given to the development of the relationship. But most of the time two out of them are paired and sent off on “business” which was completely unnecessary. There was not enough exposure to their relationship to connect with them or to feel their ‘wolfy’ love for each other.
The story started out ok but it lost its steam with repetitive events, no plot progression or character development. I had high hopes but they got dashed pretty much at the 30% mark of the story. I cannot recommend it.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
There was no plot here, just a lot of conversations and a wide variety of animal shifters. There were too many characters and with the constant dialogues everything felt very cluttered. The kids were cute and fun at first but their shenanigans got repetitive after some time and that part lost its charm soon after.
There was a helluva lot going on with a bunch of kids and a whole pack of shifters but it was all without any proper structure. The whole story felt like CHAOS with a capital ‘C’.
The romance part starts when the wolfmanny comes to the house to take care of the whole brood of wolf kids. The boss/alpha, his personal assistant and the wolfmanny suddenly becomes mates one afternoon. The insta-love would have been ok if more page time was given to the development of the relationship. But most of the time two out of them are paired and sent off on “business” which was completely unnecessary. There was not enough exposure to their relationship to connect with them or to feel their ‘wolfy’ love for each other.
The story started out ok but it lost its steam with repetitive events, no plot progression or character development. I had high hopes but they got dashed pretty much at the 30% mark of the story. I cannot recommend it.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
April 9, 2018
I'm really not sure what to say about this (Audio)book.
~At around 2 hours in I was still confused. There are so many characters, 3 main characters, Kenneth, Miles and Jack, and Several main Kids with more added towards the end, as well as a ton of their staff members and employees. I just had a really hard time following the story and keeping track of who was who.
~At around 3-3.5 hours, I was finally getting into the story wanting to know what was happening between the men and how there family all fit together, the storyline was getting decent and I was actually glad to see how it ended.
~At about 4-4.5 hours I was Sure the story was Close to over since it seemed to be coming to an end, the MC's were together, the kids were all happy, everything seemed right in their world and there was no more existing Drama.
But Alas.... There were THREE MORE HOURS in this book. What. The. Hell...
So, I kept listening. And really there was just So Much information, I felt like we were overloaded and overwhelmed by it. But even with all of that there wasn't much depth to this story at all just a lot of small details that are not really needed and seemed to just add stuffing to this book. I really ended up just tuning in and out through the entire book. If you want something to listen to in the background as noise without getting pulled into a deep story this is the book for you.
I think the only thing that really saved this one for me, and made me actually listen to the whole thing without giving up was the narrator, Joseph Morgan. He did a decent job with what he was given.
~At around 2 hours in I was still confused. There are so many characters, 3 main characters, Kenneth, Miles and Jack, and Several main Kids with more added towards the end, as well as a ton of their staff members and employees. I just had a really hard time following the story and keeping track of who was who.
~At around 3-3.5 hours, I was finally getting into the story wanting to know what was happening between the men and how there family all fit together, the storyline was getting decent and I was actually glad to see how it ended.
~At about 4-4.5 hours I was Sure the story was Close to over since it seemed to be coming to an end, the MC's were together, the kids were all happy, everything seemed right in their world and there was no more existing Drama.
But Alas.... There were THREE MORE HOURS in this book. What. The. Hell...
So, I kept listening. And really there was just So Much information, I felt like we were overloaded and overwhelmed by it. But even with all of that there wasn't much depth to this story at all just a lot of small details that are not really needed and seemed to just add stuffing to this book. I really ended up just tuning in and out through the entire book. If you want something to listen to in the background as noise without getting pulled into a deep story this is the book for you.
I think the only thing that really saved this one for me, and made me actually listen to the whole thing without giving up was the narrator, Joseph Morgan. He did a decent job with what he was given.
March 27, 2017
Not a great book in the grand scheme, and really quite mediocre in the menage department.
May 9, 2017
2.5 Stars rounding up to 3 because I enjoyed the narration. The story...meh...not so much.
I absolutely expected there to be a strong "kid" side to the story - Jack is a Manny after all, but I honestly expected a lot more from the romance side.
The mate bond between Kenneth, Miles, and Jack isn't really explained, or the things (like telepathy) that come with the bond.
Though it was told with some POV by all three main characters, Jack, Miles and Kenneth, I never really felt like I got to connect to the threesome. There's definitely passion, but not much real communication. There's a lot about the day today minutiae with the kids and household, but I wanted more about their bond.
In the end I enjoyed Joseph Morgan's narration, but wanted more from the story and romance.
Note: My copy of the audio, bought from Audible when it was first released, came with a 1:49 duplication in the beginning and several sound quality bumps throughout. Dreamspinner is checking to make sure the duplication of the first part of chapter one is fixed.
I absolutely expected there to be a strong "kid" side to the story - Jack is a Manny after all, but I honestly expected a lot more from the romance side.
The mate bond between Kenneth, Miles, and Jack isn't really explained, or the things (like telepathy) that come with the bond.
Though it was told with some POV by all three main characters, Jack, Miles and Kenneth, I never really felt like I got to connect to the threesome. There's definitely passion, but not much real communication. There's a lot about the day today minutiae with the kids and household, but I wanted more about their bond.
In the end I enjoyed Joseph Morgan's narration, but wanted more from the story and romance.
Note: My copy of the audio, bought from Audible when it was first released, came with a 1:49 duplication in the beginning and several sound quality bumps throughout. Dreamspinner is checking to make sure the duplication of the first part of chapter one is fixed.
May 8, 2017
Well that was moderately entertaining...
Ironically for me this one was saved by the narrator. Joseph Morgan is a new to me narrator and I have to say he totally saved this story for me. His voices were good even his kids voices and there were more than a couple of kids, both boys and girls, in this one.
'Wolfmanny' is the story of Kenneth who is the pack alpha, Miles who is Kenneth's second in command and whose feelings for Kenneth are stronger than either are willing to acknowledge until the arrival of Jack. Jack is the latest manny in a long list of nannies hired to care for Kenneth's nieces and nephews who have come to live with him following his sisters death. It's not easy finding someone to corral 5 kids let alone 5 shifter children ranging in age from 15 down to 3 year old twins, but Jack's not just any manny...he's ex-military and with this bunch that's a definite plus.
I enjoyed the interaction between these three. While both Miles and Jack respected the fact that Kenneth was the alpha it didn't mean that they weren't willing to call him on his bullsh*!. Unfortunately it's as our men are exploring their newly discovered attraction that Kenneth needs to go out of the country on business. The repercussions from his absence have some unfortunate consequences on Kenneth and Jack and Miles decide that desperate times call for desperate measures.
There was a lot of potential to this story and for me there was only one real issue and it was a big detraction from what was suppose to be the main storyline of the relationship between these three men and that was the details...all the details...so many details and more details. There were so many details at times that was all there was detail, after detail, after detail, after detail and on and on and on. I get that this was done in part to reinforce how crazy the day to day lives of these men were with 5 children, a pack to protect and provide for and a multi-million dollar company to run but at times it was such a distraction from the story that well to be honest I pretty much forgot anything else that was going on other than the details of this group cooking a mean. I think anyone who comes from a large family or runs a business can appreciate how busy life was for this group without the constant and repetitive litany of the details of their day to day activities.
I have to admit had I been reading this the constant repetition of these events would probably have bored me to tears. Luckily for me I was listening to the audio book and Mr. Morgan managed to keep things from sounding like so much tedious repetition.
Unfortunately for me this was a bit disappointing because my first experience with reading Julia Talbot was her 'Thatcher Brothers' series and for me that series was pure delight. I love those Thatcher boys and Ms. Talbot's writing was over the top entertaining and I have to admit that series is the standard by which I judge anything I read from this author. So while the Thatcher's were all 5 star reads for me...the men of Wolfmanny just didn't measure up. They were entertaining just not over the top.
********************
An audiobook of Wolfmanny was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Ironically for me this one was saved by the narrator. Joseph Morgan is a new to me narrator and I have to say he totally saved this story for me. His voices were good even his kids voices and there were more than a couple of kids, both boys and girls, in this one.
'Wolfmanny' is the story of Kenneth who is the pack alpha, Miles who is Kenneth's second in command and whose feelings for Kenneth are stronger than either are willing to acknowledge until the arrival of Jack. Jack is the latest manny in a long list of nannies hired to care for Kenneth's nieces and nephews who have come to live with him following his sisters death. It's not easy finding someone to corral 5 kids let alone 5 shifter children ranging in age from 15 down to 3 year old twins, but Jack's not just any manny...he's ex-military and with this bunch that's a definite plus.
I enjoyed the interaction between these three. While both Miles and Jack respected the fact that Kenneth was the alpha it didn't mean that they weren't willing to call him on his bullsh*!. Unfortunately it's as our men are exploring their newly discovered attraction that Kenneth needs to go out of the country on business. The repercussions from his absence have some unfortunate consequences on Kenneth and Jack and Miles decide that desperate times call for desperate measures.
There was a lot of potential to this story and for me there was only one real issue and it was a big detraction from what was suppose to be the main storyline of the relationship between these three men and that was the details...all the details...so many details and more details. There were so many details at times that was all there was detail, after detail, after detail, after detail and on and on and on. I get that this was done in part to reinforce how crazy the day to day lives of these men were with 5 children, a pack to protect and provide for and a multi-million dollar company to run but at times it was such a distraction from the story that well to be honest I pretty much forgot anything else that was going on other than the details of this group cooking a mean. I think anyone who comes from a large family or runs a business can appreciate how busy life was for this group without the constant and repetitive litany of the details of their day to day activities.
I have to admit had I been reading this the constant repetition of these events would probably have bored me to tears. Luckily for me I was listening to the audio book and Mr. Morgan managed to keep things from sounding like so much tedious repetition.
Unfortunately for me this was a bit disappointing because my first experience with reading Julia Talbot was her 'Thatcher Brothers' series and for me that series was pure delight. I love those Thatcher boys and Ms. Talbot's writing was over the top entertaining and I have to admit that series is the standard by which I judge anything I read from this author. So while the Thatcher's were all 5 star reads for me...the men of Wolfmanny just didn't measure up. They were entertaining just not over the top.
********************
An audiobook of Wolfmanny was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I’ll admit, I was on this one pretty much from the moment I heard the title. Then when I realized it was a wolf shifter, manny, menage, well, I was all in. I was hoping for a fun romp, and that is pretty much what this story delivers.
Those of you who know my reading tastes know I am not always big on books with kids. So yes, jumping into a manny book was a bit of a leap for me, but it ended up working. The kids are crazy, yes. There are a lot of them and they are active and all going in different directions. But they are also sweet and loving and kind to everyone. Yes, it is fairly unrealistic that while these children are certainly high energy, they are also pretty much angelic in all other respects. They love being with their family, they love one another, they love their Kenneth, Jack, and Miles, they seem well adjusted to the loss of both parents, and pretty much all they want is to all be together. With the exception of teenager Simone, they are universally adoring of time with their family. In fact, they are so isolated in their Aspen home that they virtually never interact with anyone other than family and staff. So that all takes some suspension of disbelief, but the kids are endearing and the story is sweet. I would say the primary focus of this book is on the kids and the family in general, and Talbot does a nice job showing their connection to one another and how important this bond is to them all.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
I’ll admit, I was on this one pretty much from the moment I heard the title. Then when I realized it was a wolf shifter, manny, menage, well, I was all in. I was hoping for a fun romp, and that is pretty much what this story delivers.
Those of you who know my reading tastes know I am not always big on books with kids. So yes, jumping into a manny book was a bit of a leap for me, but it ended up working. The kids are crazy, yes. There are a lot of them and they are active and all going in different directions. But they are also sweet and loving and kind to everyone. Yes, it is fairly unrealistic that while these children are certainly high energy, they are also pretty much angelic in all other respects. They love being with their family, they love one another, they love their Kenneth, Jack, and Miles, they seem well adjusted to the loss of both parents, and pretty much all they want is to all be together. With the exception of teenager Simone, they are universally adoring of time with their family. In fact, they are so isolated in their Aspen home that they virtually never interact with anyone other than family and staff. So that all takes some suspension of disbelief, but the kids are endearing and the story is sweet. I would say the primary focus of this book is on the kids and the family in general, and Talbot does a nice job showing their connection to one another and how important this bond is to them all.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
March 20, 2021
this was a quick sweet fun read. it was enjoyable and i liked the characters and who they are. it made me giggle and smile.
February 6, 2017
Prepare to turn your brain off, because we’re not talking a lot of substance here.
Premise of the story is Jack, a Manny and Special Forces guy, receives a job request to handle Kenneth’s adopted brood: one 14 year old teenage girl starting her adult wolfish transition, one 11 year old boy, one nine year old girl, and a set of puppy/twins who just made the transition to two legs from four and are in their “terrible two” phase. Kenneth dearly loves these kids, as does his beta Miles, but the hired tutors can’t handle the rambunctious group. Jack is called in.
When Jack arrives, the attraction between him, Kenneth, and Miles is immediate and after a sweaty tussle, we find our group of guys mostly mated. Kenneth heads off to handle a business transaction with Miles, Miles later get sent home, Kenneth becomes sick because the mating isn’t complete, Jack saves the day.
This bounced between Jack and the kids and Jack and the adults, with little substance of either. There was probably more on page emotional bonding between Jack and the kids than there was from Jack, Kenneth and Miles – and that’s what I wanted to see. More emotional bonding, the guys getting to know the guys, what beyond a mate bond pulled these three together? How did Jack complete the group? Where was this desire to have a family coming from for Jack, because from the readers point of view this family thing was coming out of left field. HOW was the mate bond left incomplete when Kenneth took off?
Kids, kids were cute and Jack had an instant rapport with all of them. My one tiny point of contention was Kenneth smacking Simone on the rump in affirmation – yeah, it’s “werewolves” and all wolfie, but it’s really demeaning to women and inappropriate to smack a young female on derrière in my humble opinion, wolves or not.
Overall, the story seemed to be more about the kids, I liked Jack’s report with them, I liked the age dynamics. The man on man on man action could have used some “getting to know you” emotional support. The bonding business felt glossed over and odd. I really liked all the additional shifters: the Minks as body guards, a fox as security, beavers as household staff, an Ostridge as a tutor and more.
If you’d like an intro to Talbot’s writing, or if you’re a fan, this is a sweet, quick read about a group wolf shifters (and a fox shifter, three mink shifters, and a regular dog) finding family.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
Premise of the story is Jack, a Manny and Special Forces guy, receives a job request to handle Kenneth’s adopted brood: one 14 year old teenage girl starting her adult wolfish transition, one 11 year old boy, one nine year old girl, and a set of puppy/twins who just made the transition to two legs from four and are in their “terrible two” phase. Kenneth dearly loves these kids, as does his beta Miles, but the hired tutors can’t handle the rambunctious group. Jack is called in.
When Jack arrives, the attraction between him, Kenneth, and Miles is immediate and after a sweaty tussle, we find our group of guys mostly mated. Kenneth heads off to handle a business transaction with Miles, Miles later get sent home, Kenneth becomes sick because the mating isn’t complete, Jack saves the day.
This bounced between Jack and the kids and Jack and the adults, with little substance of either. There was probably more on page emotional bonding between Jack and the kids than there was from Jack, Kenneth and Miles – and that’s what I wanted to see. More emotional bonding, the guys getting to know the guys, what beyond a mate bond pulled these three together? How did Jack complete the group? Where was this desire to have a family coming from for Jack, because from the readers point of view this family thing was coming out of left field. HOW was the mate bond left incomplete when Kenneth took off?
Kids, kids were cute and Jack had an instant rapport with all of them. My one tiny point of contention was Kenneth smacking Simone on the rump in affirmation – yeah, it’s “werewolves” and all wolfie, but it’s really demeaning to women and inappropriate to smack a young female on derrière in my humble opinion, wolves or not.
Overall, the story seemed to be more about the kids, I liked Jack’s report with them, I liked the age dynamics. The man on man on man action could have used some “getting to know you” emotional support. The bonding business felt glossed over and odd. I really liked all the additional shifters: the Minks as body guards, a fox as security, beavers as household staff, an Ostridge as a tutor and more.
If you’d like an intro to Talbot’s writing, or if you’re a fan, this is a sweet, quick read about a group wolf shifters (and a fox shifter, three mink shifters, and a regular dog) finding family.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
February 19, 2018
The instant connection between the three main characters lacked chemistry and the reasons keeping them apart were weak at best. The whole thing felt stilted and forced. I was ready to love this book, based on the synopsis and sample but it turned out to be such a disappointment instead.
April 9, 2017
Seriously? I'd have liked less sex, less "mate", and more plot. Having said that, I really enjoyed the plot. I did want to kick Kenneth for putting his health in jeopardy.
March 10, 2021
This one is difficult to rate because although it is sold as a romance, there isn't a lot in the way of romance. I certainly didn't feel like Miles and Kenneth were circling each other, and there wasn't a whole lot of tension between the 3 of them before they actually hooked up. Okay so there were a couple of steamy scenes and a few sweet moments but in reality, their bond came second to the many plots surrounding the kids
So I'd say 3 stars for the kids and half a star for the "romance"
The kids were really great and the adults circled them a lot and really got involved. It was super sweet from that respect.
A lot of chatting and eating though. I didn't need every tiny detail about their day
So I'd say 3 stars for the kids and half a star for the "romance"
The kids were really great and the adults circled them a lot and really got involved. It was super sweet from that respect.
A lot of chatting and eating though. I didn't need every tiny detail about their day
February 20, 2018
This was okay but I never really figured out why these kids needed a special forces protection nanny. Why would anyone try to kidnap them? Especially given they were home-schooled they never went out. And I didn't really get the menage and no wonder the kids were wild, the "father" worked non-stop and never spent any time with them. I don't get big families so I don't find the idea of a passle of kids adorable or cute. It stresses me out. LOL But that's me. So it was okay, but nothing that I particularly loved.
March 6, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up
a nice story , enjoyable read :)
a nice story , enjoyable read :)
September 6, 2017
This was a total miss!!!! I can't recall anything I liked about this book.
February 8, 2017
Wolfmanny by Julia Talbot
Review by Shee Reader for Boy Meets Boy Reviews
Rating: 4.5 Hearts
Really, when I saw this book was available for review, I nearly dislocated my arm trying so hard to request it! I really enjoy Julia’s writing, and really, with hot wolfy men included, what’s not to like? It is an MMM menage which really just adds to the fun!
Kenneth loses his nanny (an ostrich shifter) after she is bitten by one of his inherited kids. His sister died leaving her five babies with their father, but he soon lost the spot and dropped them off at uncle Kenneth’s mansion. As a serious business man, he has more than enough resources to take care of the kids, and he loves them fiercely, but five wolf shifter kids can’t be cared for by a prey animal!
After calling a favour with an old friend, Kenneth manages to source himself a Wolf shifter whose specialisms include education and antiterrorism! Jack puts his planned vacation on hold and heads up to the very very cold reaches of Colorado to take care of the CEO’s kids. A fifteen year old struggling with the teen stuff and new shifting, a twelve year old/nine year old trouble twin pack and three year old twins. Never one to shy from a challenge, Jack packs his bag, and gets on his way.
Jack is right in the middle of it right away, and Kenneth manages to let him. Kenneth’s right hand man and pack Beta, Miles has always been there for Kenneth in business and as his best friend, but Jack’s arrival changes the dynamic a whole lot, and Kenneth starts to see Miles with new eyes. The three men are mates, and the chemistry is red hot, but the consumption takes a while.
Kenneth is taken away on business and Miles accompanies him, despite the fact that Miles usually stays home. They both trust Jack to keep the kids safe and keep the home fires burning while they are away.
When the trip drags on and on, Kenneth sends Miles home and part of him believes that Jack and Miles would be better off without him. They disagree, and Jack calls an old friend and has Kenneth kidnapped and brought home. The incomplete mating bond has been agony for all the men, but Kenneth, being alone, is far sicker than the others. Then follows reuniting of the three hot men and all the children. There’s Christmas, New Years and a new batch of desperate kids to take in, plus some lovely intriguing new men for the pack. I sure do hope there will be more books for their stories!
I absolutely loved this book!
The men are hot and strong, the kids are adorable and hilarious, the wolfiness is amazing, and fuzzing out and playing in the snow is a highlight! There are so many great parts to the story, but a favourite for me was almost all the other characters in the story were shifters of various kinds. Such a great part to the tale! I also adored the ‘dad’ name the kids used for Kenneth was so cute.
There were twists and some suspense, the emotion was very relatable, and the characters were so very appealing from the outset.
If big hot shifters who are loving and nurturing is your thing, this is a must read book!
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Shee Reader for Boy Meets Boy Reviews
Rating: 4.5 Hearts
Really, when I saw this book was available for review, I nearly dislocated my arm trying so hard to request it! I really enjoy Julia’s writing, and really, with hot wolfy men included, what’s not to like? It is an MMM menage which really just adds to the fun!
Kenneth loses his nanny (an ostrich shifter) after she is bitten by one of his inherited kids. His sister died leaving her five babies with their father, but he soon lost the spot and dropped them off at uncle Kenneth’s mansion. As a serious business man, he has more than enough resources to take care of the kids, and he loves them fiercely, but five wolf shifter kids can’t be cared for by a prey animal!
After calling a favour with an old friend, Kenneth manages to source himself a Wolf shifter whose specialisms include education and antiterrorism! Jack puts his planned vacation on hold and heads up to the very very cold reaches of Colorado to take care of the CEO’s kids. A fifteen year old struggling with the teen stuff and new shifting, a twelve year old/nine year old trouble twin pack and three year old twins. Never one to shy from a challenge, Jack packs his bag, and gets on his way.
Jack is right in the middle of it right away, and Kenneth manages to let him. Kenneth’s right hand man and pack Beta, Miles has always been there for Kenneth in business and as his best friend, but Jack’s arrival changes the dynamic a whole lot, and Kenneth starts to see Miles with new eyes. The three men are mates, and the chemistry is red hot, but the consumption takes a while.
Kenneth is taken away on business and Miles accompanies him, despite the fact that Miles usually stays home. They both trust Jack to keep the kids safe and keep the home fires burning while they are away.
When the trip drags on and on, Kenneth sends Miles home and part of him believes that Jack and Miles would be better off without him. They disagree, and Jack calls an old friend and has Kenneth kidnapped and brought home. The incomplete mating bond has been agony for all the men, but Kenneth, being alone, is far sicker than the others. Then follows reuniting of the three hot men and all the children. There’s Christmas, New Years and a new batch of desperate kids to take in, plus some lovely intriguing new men for the pack. I sure do hope there will be more books for their stories!
I absolutely loved this book!
The men are hot and strong, the kids are adorable and hilarious, the wolfiness is amazing, and fuzzing out and playing in the snow is a highlight! There are so many great parts to the story, but a favourite for me was almost all the other characters in the story were shifters of various kinds. Such a great part to the tale! I also adored the ‘dad’ name the kids used for Kenneth was so cute.
There were twists and some suspense, the emotion was very relatable, and the characters were so very appealing from the outset.
If big hot shifters who are loving and nurturing is your thing, this is a must read book!
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2021
Rather Boring
Written as though it is a sit-com, this book had lots of nonsensical dialog, jumping from one character to another, poorly structured and difficult to follow at times. As a TV show it might be palatable but as a book it just seems to go nowhere. I simply could not find anything to keep me interested and eventually just quit. Not sure if I should try the next book in the series or just quit while I’m ahead.
Written as though it is a sit-com, this book had lots of nonsensical dialog, jumping from one character to another, poorly structured and difficult to follow at times. As a TV show it might be palatable but as a book it just seems to go nowhere. I simply could not find anything to keep me interested and eventually just quit. Not sure if I should try the next book in the series or just quit while I’m ahead.
April 14, 2018
Lack of a story or romance or steam, but interesting kids (in a shifter menage?)
The good:
- The kids were interesting, and I liked seeing domestic scenes play out, with the new, expert nanny/manny sizing them up.
- The minks were cool.
- I loved how the (beta?) Miles always selflessly had his alpha’s back.
- The strength of Jack to stand up to the Alpha, while generally being a laid back, cool, go-with-the-flow guy.
The not-so-g00d:
- Plot was missing. Story was missing. It was like the combination of domestic/kids scenes with a tiny bit of almost-but-not-quite-instant-mate/instant-menage bits and pieces thrown in, and a small bit about a workaholic.
- The potential for relationship exploration among the hard-driven Alpha, the mercenary turned manny, and the long-serving supporting friend was great, but the book delivered almost nothing (and undermined it even more with neither working the instant mating trope well, but basically going from attraction to full menage in a quick scene or two).
- The menage steam was low, so this didn’t even have the benefit of plenty of smoldering interactions to distract from the lack of story.
- Stereotypical sex roles - Miles the smaller, less aggressive best bud always bottoms, the Alpha always tops, and the studly strong but not quite alpha guy switches.
- What the ‘ef is up with the invisible Nadine?
Story - 1 star
Steam - 1.5 stars
Setting - 2 stars
Kids characters - 4 stars
Miles loyalty, Jack’s strong but fun loving manny - 3 stars
2.22 stars - rounded up because I did enjoy reading about a nice variety of kids in a PNR, and found that to be a nice change of pace (even if it didn’t fit). For all of my complaints, I enjoyed reading it while I had the pages in front of me, but it left me scratching my head about how it was worth it afterwards.
The good:
- The kids were interesting, and I liked seeing domestic scenes play out, with the new, expert nanny/manny sizing them up.
- The minks were cool.
- I loved how the (beta?) Miles always selflessly had his alpha’s back.
- The strength of Jack to stand up to the Alpha, while generally being a laid back, cool, go-with-the-flow guy.
The not-so-g00d:
- Plot was missing. Story was missing. It was like the combination of domestic/kids scenes with a tiny bit of almost-but-not-quite-instant-mate/instant-menage bits and pieces thrown in, and a small bit about a workaholic.
- The potential for relationship exploration among the hard-driven Alpha, the mercenary turned manny, and the long-serving supporting friend was great, but the book delivered almost nothing (and undermined it even more with neither working the instant mating trope well, but basically going from attraction to full menage in a quick scene or two).
- The menage steam was low, so this didn’t even have the benefit of plenty of smoldering interactions to distract from the lack of story.
- Stereotypical sex roles - Miles the smaller, less aggressive best bud always bottoms, the Alpha always tops, and the studly strong but not quite alpha guy switches.
- What the ‘ef is up with the invisible Nadine?
Story - 1 star
Steam - 1.5 stars
Setting - 2 stars
Kids characters - 4 stars
Miles loyalty, Jack’s strong but fun loving manny - 3 stars
2.22 stars - rounded up because I did enjoy reading about a nice variety of kids in a PNR, and found that to be a nice change of pace (even if it didn’t fit). For all of my complaints, I enjoyed reading it while I had the pages in front of me, but it left me scratching my head about how it was worth it afterwards.
February 17, 2017
In general, I’m a fan of Julia Talbot’s shifter stories. I like her writing style – especially as it applies to shifters – the short sentences and “animalistic” type utterances fit with the sub-genre.
In this case, I enjoyed the writing and parts of the romance, but the bulk of the story wasn’t so much about the romance, and that got tedious.
A lot of the story is the kids – and there are a lot of them – all doing mischievous things – all the time! It got overwhelming. Then, just as our triad – mysteriously – hooks up, 2 of the 3 go to England for business. That was super frustrating. I didn’t fully understand why they hooked up (when Miles had been with Kenneth for years) and we don’t spend a lot of non-sex time with them as a triad.
All in all, if you’re in the mood for a lot of silliness – the kids being wolfy and trouble and sometimes funny – and some hot ménage sex – this is for you. If you want a carefully crafted love story, I’d keep looking.
2.75 (rounded to 3) of 5 stars
In this case, I enjoyed the writing and parts of the romance, but the bulk of the story wasn’t so much about the romance, and that got tedious.
A lot of the story is the kids – and there are a lot of them – all doing mischievous things – all the time! It got overwhelming. Then, just as our triad – mysteriously – hooks up, 2 of the 3 go to England for business. That was super frustrating. I didn’t fully understand why they hooked up (when Miles had been with Kenneth for years) and we don’t spend a lot of non-sex time with them as a triad.
All in all, if you’re in the mood for a lot of silliness – the kids being wolfy and trouble and sometimes funny – and some hot ménage sex – this is for you. If you want a carefully crafted love story, I’d keep looking.
2.75 (rounded to 3) of 5 stars
February 19, 2017
Not my cup of tea
I wanted to read this book as the description sounded interesting but it just wasn't for me and didn't live up to expectation. I found it hard going where I had to go back and re-read over passages to grasp them. The story was just all over the place and was a bit higgedy piggedy that I didn't know where I was. This book was priced at £5.80, an expensive book for me and was certainly not worth it, there was hardly any raunchy bits and was more just one monologue of family life which is alright in segments but not all the way through where its basically only that. I also needed the writing to flow but sadly it didn't making it more of an effort to get through the book as well. There was no reaction from the characters being in a relationship not even from the children who seemed to have an opinion on everything. So this author was new to me but sadly I don't think will become a favourite.
I wanted to read this book as the description sounded interesting but it just wasn't for me and didn't live up to expectation. I found it hard going where I had to go back and re-read over passages to grasp them. The story was just all over the place and was a bit higgedy piggedy that I didn't know where I was. This book was priced at £5.80, an expensive book for me and was certainly not worth it, there was hardly any raunchy bits and was more just one monologue of family life which is alright in segments but not all the way through where its basically only that. I also needed the writing to flow but sadly it didn't making it more of an effort to get through the book as well. There was no reaction from the characters being in a relationship not even from the children who seemed to have an opinion on everything. So this author was new to me but sadly I don't think will become a favourite.
April 23, 2022
OMG, this book was hilarious. The kids are a handful, but in a good way, for sure. Miles, Kenneth, and Jack definitely love each other and they love those kids so much.
There is just such a connection between the 3 guys, and all their staff, it's definitely a family. It just gives such a great feel to the books, and it really made me want to reread it as soon as I was done reading it.
There is just such a connection between the 3 guys, and all their staff, it's definitely a family. It just gives such a great feel to the books, and it really made me want to reread it as soon as I was done reading it.
November 8, 2017
2.5* rounded up for Jim and Joe
September 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this. Lots of kids and they were cute and funny. I actually liked the kids more than the relationship between the adults.
July 8, 2017
I really wanted to like this book more than I did.
It did deliver on the family situation front, which was the reason I bought the book as soon as I heard about it.
Kenneth is an alpha werewolf with a huge and successfull business. Three years ago his sister died and left him her five children: the 15yo Simone, 12yo Thomas, 9yo Ginger and the 3yo twins Joe and Jim. The kids, being kids, are up for all kinds of shenanigans and when their nanny quits, previous pack-enforcer Jack takes on the job.
I loved reading about the kids, about Jack getting to know them and them developing further, them playing and having small problems that Jack helps to solve as he grows to love the whole family. That part was perfect and I loved every line of it.
The big disappointment for me was the romance part. Mainly because there wasn't really any romance, more insta love and lust. I could have done very well without that entire plot line.
Going hand in hand with the bad romance, at least partly, was the way some things were "wolf-ified". Since (almost) all of the characters are werewolves, the author made an effort to slightly change some terms and the way people call and interact with each other to appear more "wolf-y". Which in theory isn't a bad idea, but it doesn't translate so well into practice.
Along with that, there were seveal instances of characters saying something extremely mysogynistic, or casually suggesting violence against each other, which bothered me even though luckily they never actually went through with it in either case and it didn't show in the way they interacted.
Finally, the biggest flaw for me was the writing. Everything that happenend along with sparse describtions was packed very densely together with random detail here and there, which was often confusing to read (because you couldn't tell who was talking, or why x was happening when y wasn't even finished or even just started yet) and overall lacked depth.
It did deliver on the family situation front, which was the reason I bought the book as soon as I heard about it.
Kenneth is an alpha werewolf with a huge and successfull business. Three years ago his sister died and left him her five children: the 15yo Simone, 12yo Thomas, 9yo Ginger and the 3yo twins Joe and Jim. The kids, being kids, are up for all kinds of shenanigans and when their nanny quits, previous pack-enforcer Jack takes on the job.
I loved reading about the kids, about Jack getting to know them and them developing further, them playing and having small problems that Jack helps to solve as he grows to love the whole family. That part was perfect and I loved every line of it.
The big disappointment for me was the romance part. Mainly because there wasn't really any romance, more insta love and lust. I could have done very well without that entire plot line.
Going hand in hand with the bad romance, at least partly, was the way some things were "wolf-ified". Since (almost) all of the characters are werewolves, the author made an effort to slightly change some terms and the way people call and interact with each other to appear more "wolf-y". Which in theory isn't a bad idea, but it doesn't translate so well into practice.
Along with that, there were seveal instances of characters saying something extremely mysogynistic, or casually suggesting violence against each other, which bothered me even though luckily they never actually went through with it in either case and it didn't show in the way they interacted.
Finally, the biggest flaw for me was the writing. Everything that happenend along with sparse describtions was packed very densely together with random detail here and there, which was often confusing to read (because you couldn't tell who was talking, or why x was happening when y wasn't even finished or even just started yet) and overall lacked depth.
July 4, 2017
I’m just gonna put it out there and say that this book really didn’t do it for me. I had a hard time finding depth in the various categories I look for. Scenery, characters, plot, heat index, tension…all of them fell short for me.
I got a clear sense the author knew her characters and really cared about their lives. She presented both the love of the mated trio as well as their love towards their children (inherited children after the mom died giving birth to twins), and the pack. I got the feeling throughout that the author really wanted to create a sense of the three main characters struggling to find the balance in their lives as newly mated sexual adults, but also as responsible men who love their family and want the best for them. And in some of the scenes where the wolves are running or playing, the writing really did draw me in.
Unfortunately, I found each chapter offered very little by way of developing the story. Nothing really happens. Alpha has beta. They hire a manny. That mate thing happens where weres seem to know right away they belong together; throw a few kids and their drama into the mix, and that’s it. The dialogue is very much like any kind of conversation you might have in your own living room, but doesn’t do anything to reveal inner thoughts, feelings, or emotions. I felt like I was watching this wolf pack live its life from the outside, never finding a foothold to really care about anything of depth or substance.
This was a miss for me, but don’t rely on my word alone. The concept is what made me pick the book up. Read other reviews and see if they have something different to say that affirms your interest in giving the book a shot.
Reviewed by Taz for The Novel Approach
I got a clear sense the author knew her characters and really cared about their lives. She presented both the love of the mated trio as well as their love towards their children (inherited children after the mom died giving birth to twins), and the pack. I got the feeling throughout that the author really wanted to create a sense of the three main characters struggling to find the balance in their lives as newly mated sexual adults, but also as responsible men who love their family and want the best for them. And in some of the scenes where the wolves are running or playing, the writing really did draw me in.
Unfortunately, I found each chapter offered very little by way of developing the story. Nothing really happens. Alpha has beta. They hire a manny. That mate thing happens where weres seem to know right away they belong together; throw a few kids and their drama into the mix, and that’s it. The dialogue is very much like any kind of conversation you might have in your own living room, but doesn’t do anything to reveal inner thoughts, feelings, or emotions. I felt like I was watching this wolf pack live its life from the outside, never finding a foothold to really care about anything of depth or substance.
This was a miss for me, but don’t rely on my word alone. The concept is what made me pick the book up. Read other reviews and see if they have something different to say that affirms your interest in giving the book a shot.
Reviewed by Taz for The Novel Approach
March 18, 2021
I'm not quite sure what to make of Wolfmanny. Part of me feels like it's just one huge introduction to the main family in the pack (Alpha Kenneth, his mates Miles and Jack - the Manny - the 5 children and all the household staff) with the hope that subsequent books in the series will have a bit if action. There's another part of me that feels that the book is a series of missed opportunities. Jack's introduced to us as having a combination of special skills, but we only really get to see the nanny side; an opportunity for a teeny bit of action/jeopardy in the storm was ignored, etc.
I guess what I'm left with is a need for something to balance out the saccharin because literally everyone is so nice and if there are any less than perfect character traits there's always a justification: Simone gets a bit snappy, but it's ok - she's at a horribly hormonal stage in her life. Gunnar is being antagonistic, but it's ok - it's just pack banter and he's just charmingly playful. This spills over into the storyline, too. There are very few significant plot points that aren't an observation of family people doing family things very sweetly. The road to the mating bond is the only real deviation from this for me - that didn't go that smoothly, though the 3 men worked everything out in the end.
So, the long and short of my review is I'm left questioning my motivations as a reader given I'm left hungry for even the tiniest bit of angst or action; but I think readers who love fluff, fluff and more fluff will get along just fine with Wolfmanny. 3*
A copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
I guess what I'm left with is a need for something to balance out the saccharin because literally everyone is so nice and if there are any less than perfect character traits there's always a justification: Simone gets a bit snappy, but it's ok - she's at a horribly hormonal stage in her life. Gunnar is being antagonistic, but it's ok - it's just pack banter and he's just charmingly playful. This spills over into the storyline, too. There are very few significant plot points that aren't an observation of family people doing family things very sweetly. The road to the mating bond is the only real deviation from this for me - that didn't go that smoothly, though the 3 men worked everything out in the end.
So, the long and short of my review is I'm left questioning my motivations as a reader given I'm left hungry for even the tiniest bit of angst or action; but I think readers who love fluff, fluff and more fluff will get along just fine with Wolfmanny. 3*
A copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
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