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Supernatural Selection #1
Single White Incubus
Does a bear shift in the woods?
Well, partially. That was what got grizzly shifter Ted Farnsworth into trouble. He wasn’t trying to break the Secrecy Pact. He just wants people to see the real him. So he signs up with the mate-matching service Supernatural Selection—which guarantees marriage to a perfect partner. Not only will Ted never be lonely again, but once his new beaver shifter husband arrives, they’ll build Ted’s dream wilderness retreat together. Win-win.
Quentin Bertrand-Harrington, scion of an incubus dynasty, has abstained from sex since nearly killing his last lover. When his family declares it’s time for him to marry, Quentin decides the only way not to murder his partner is to pick someone who’s already dead. Supernatural Selection finds him the ideal vampire, and Quentin signs the marriage agreement sight unseen.
But a mix-up at Supernatural Selection contracts Quentin with Ted. What’s Ted supposed to do with an art historian who knows more about salad forks than screwdrivers? And how can Quentin resist Ted’s mouthwatering life force? Yet as they work together to untangle their inconvenient union, they begin to wonder if their unexpected match might be perfect after all.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2018
122 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Russell
54 books416 followersE.J. Russell –grace, mother of three, recovering actor–writes romance in a rainbow of flavors. Count on high snark, low angst and happy endings.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
March 11, 2022
Audiobook - 5++++ stars
Story- 3.5 stars
Candy sugar coated sweet fluffy teddy bear shifter/incubus thingy.
I liked it. 😍
Story- 3.5 stars
Candy sugar coated sweet fluffy teddy bear shifter/incubus thingy.
I liked it. 😍
November 5, 2018
A sweet, fluffy paranormal story, just like I've come to expect from E.J. Russell.
Single White Incubus was really exactly as I thought it would be, and I'm not mad about that. I love an opposites attract story, and we get that plus a quasi enemies-to-lovers and an adorable, huge bear-shifter rolled into one. That right there spells a win for me.
However, as with many books by this author, it just was a little off. There were oodles of miscommunications, which I hate, and some rambling tangent storylines that took away from the relationship development. I felt like the story was too long with too much going on, and I was a bit bored by the end. Also, it was SO frustrating that these two didn't get their act together earlier. I mean, we barely got to see them as a couple. This book was like their intro story, to be honest.
But... yeah, cute. And fun. And a nice change of pace from the heavier stuff. I'll keep reading this series and see what else E.J. Russell can dish up for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
Single White Incubus was really exactly as I thought it would be, and I'm not mad about that. I love an opposites attract story, and we get that plus a quasi enemies-to-lovers and an adorable, huge bear-shifter rolled into one. That right there spells a win for me.
However, as with many books by this author, it just was a little off. There were oodles of miscommunications, which I hate, and some rambling tangent storylines that took away from the relationship development. I felt like the story was too long with too much going on, and I was a bit bored by the end. Also, it was SO frustrating that these two didn't get their act together earlier. I mean, we barely got to see them as a couple. This book was like their intro story, to be honest.
But... yeah, cute. And fun. And a nice change of pace from the heavier stuff. I'll keep reading this series and see what else E.J. Russell can dish up for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
November 4, 2018
So I went into this story hoping for a cute and fluffy read and I got so much more than that. 😇 E.J. Russell’s first book in the super natural selection series is funny, fast-paced, endearing and just the right amount of sexy. 😉 And I think this is one of the most unique pairings in shifters/paranormal romances so kudos to you Mrs. Russell. 👏
Quentin is a rich, entitled but kind and love-starved man who is afraid to be in a relationship with someone after the disaster with his human boyfriend long time ago. And Ted is the only extroverted bear-shifter in his area or more like ever in bear-shifter history who gets into a lot of trouble with people because of his over-friendliness. 😂 And when they both signed up for the supernatural matchmaking service, Quentin was supposed to end up with a vampire and Ted with a beaver shifter. But somehow, now Quentin’s at the doorstep of Ted’s mountain lodge legally and blood bonded to Ted as his mate. 😁 Both men couldn’t be anymore different but now they have to learn how to live together and overcome the obstacles in their marital life before they can learn how to love. 😌
Loved everything about this one. I was a bit miffed with Ted in the beginning by how he left Quentin alone at the lodge on their very first night but I forgave him quickly when he proved himself to be a loving, caring and trustworthy husband material. 😎 Loved Quentin’s quirky humor and how slow-burn this story is. Lots of intense UST with fair amount of smut and I loved every single second of that glorious mating! 😍 Major size difference!!!!!!! 🔥 And the ending was just sweet and romantic. Very hopeful for second book in the series and can’t wait to read that one! 😌
4.5 Ted loves Quentin in his mountainman attire stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Quentin is a rich, entitled but kind and love-starved man who is afraid to be in a relationship with someone after the disaster with his human boyfriend long time ago. And Ted is the only extroverted bear-shifter in his area or more like ever in bear-shifter history who gets into a lot of trouble with people because of his over-friendliness. 😂 And when they both signed up for the supernatural matchmaking service, Quentin was supposed to end up with a vampire and Ted with a beaver shifter. But somehow, now Quentin’s at the doorstep of Ted’s mountain lodge legally and blood bonded to Ted as his mate. 😁 Both men couldn’t be anymore different but now they have to learn how to live together and overcome the obstacles in their marital life before they can learn how to love. 😌
Loved everything about this one. I was a bit miffed with Ted in the beginning by how he left Quentin alone at the lodge on their very first night but I forgave him quickly when he proved himself to be a loving, caring and trustworthy husband material. 😎 Loved Quentin’s quirky humor and how slow-burn this story is. Lots of intense UST with fair amount of smut and I loved every single second of that glorious mating! 😍 Major size difference!!!!!!! 🔥 And the ending was just sweet and romantic. Very hopeful for second book in the series and can’t wait to read that one! 😌
4.5 Ted loves Quentin in his mountainman attire stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
November 11, 2024
Ted Farnsworth is a bear shifter who keeps getting caught on camera mid-shift, putting the supernatural community's secrecy in danger. To ease a bit of his lonely existence, he decides to find a husband using the services of a successful matchmaking agency, and gets matched with a beaver shifter who cannot shift, but nevertheless owns a successful building firm.
Quentin Bertrand-Harrington is an incubus with a deep fear of sex after nearly killing one of his partners. Obviously, his family gets annoyed with this behaviour after several decades, so they employ the services of a matchmaking agency to find a suitable mate: a respectable member of the vampire community.
Unfortunately for the two protagonists, a mixup at the agency, sees Quentin deposited on Ted's doorstep, with little to no phone signal, having to fumble his way through a magical marriage contract annulment.
As a rule, I'm not into muscly dumb heroes, even if I may enjoy the eye-candy. I am however very much into incubi as a concept, sooo... this is how I found myself continuing the story past the first chapter. Well, that and the fact that apparently I'm also a sucker for blind dates and matchmaking tropes.
If you take away the whole supernatural aspect, this basically turns into a clichéd Hallmark love story, where the actors nail the chemistry and the on-screen steamy scenes. It even had the overly clichéd makeover scene, where the big citygirl boy goes to the local thrift shop to buy his first jumper.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
If you like cheesy love stories, well-written steamy encounters, not to mention convenient last-minute hero saves the day tropes, then you should be jumping at the opportunity to read this.
=========
Review of book 2: Vampire With Benefits
Review of book 3: Demon on the Down-Low
Other books set in the Mythmatched World:
--------------------------------------
Review of Cutie and the Beast
Review of The Druid Next Door
Review of Bad Boy's Bard
Quentin Bertrand-Harrington is an incubus with a deep fear of sex after nearly killing one of his partners. Obviously, his family gets annoyed with this behaviour after several decades, so they employ the services of a matchmaking agency to find a suitable mate: a respectable member of the vampire community.
Unfortunately for the two protagonists, a mixup at the agency, sees Quentin deposited on Ted's doorstep, with little to no phone signal, having to fumble his way through a magical marriage contract annulment.
As a rule, I'm not into muscly dumb heroes, even if I may enjoy the eye-candy. I am however very much into incubi as a concept, sooo... this is how I found myself continuing the story past the first chapter. Well, that and the fact that apparently I'm also a sucker for blind dates and matchmaking tropes.
If you take away the whole supernatural aspect, this basically turns into a clichéd Hallmark love story, where the actors nail the chemistry and the on-screen steamy scenes. It even had the overly clichéd makeover scene, where the big city
Score: 2.7/5 stars
If you like cheesy love stories, well-written steamy encounters, not to mention convenient last-minute hero saves the day tropes, then you should be jumping at the opportunity to read this.
=========
Review of book 2: Vampire With Benefits
Review of book 3: Demon on the Down-Low
Other books set in the Mythmatched World:
--------------------------------------
Review of Cutie and the Beast
Review of The Druid Next Door
Review of Bad Boy's Bard
October 31, 2018
Cute.
I think I might have liked this a bit better than the series it is a spin-off of, The Fae Out of Water Series.
If not it is seriously close.
Like its predecessors, I go into these books wanting to love them and there is a lot there to love but I get so hung up on the miscommunication, no communication, martyrism (is that a word?) that goes on just too long and I am learning is just a bit too much for me that it just prevents it from happening.
Otherwise, yeah, cute. I loved getting to see some of the Kendrick brothers and there loves, surprise visits like that are always fun if you are in the know.
The next two books like fun, especially the third with a Kangaroo I can't wait to read about!
**ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
I think I might have liked this a bit better than the series it is a spin-off of, The Fae Out of Water Series.
If not it is seriously close.
Like its predecessors, I go into these books wanting to love them and there is a lot there to love but I get so hung up on the miscommunication, no communication, martyrism (is that a word?) that goes on just too long and I am learning is just a bit too much for me that it just prevents it from happening.
Otherwise, yeah, cute. I loved getting to see some of the Kendrick brothers and there loves, surprise visits like that are always fun if you are in the know.
The next two books like fun, especially the third with a Kangaroo I can't wait to read about!
**ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
October 27, 2018
2.5 stars
I’m not a fan of books where the couple only gets together in the last few pages. As was the case here.
Ted is a bear shifter, a very big, clumsy, extremely kind bear shifter. He has contacted Supernatural Selections to find him the perfect mate. And they have found just the guy for him. Rusty is an inactive beaver shifter and Ted can’t wait to meet him.
Quentin is an incubus. An incubus who doesn’t want to drain people’s energies. So he’s been on suppressants for decades. When he arrives at the house of the husband Supernatural Selections picked out for him, it is not what he was expecting. He didn’t expect a vampire to live out in the woods, far away from everyone and everything. There isn’t even electricity!
When Ted sees the stranger arrive, he isn’t sure why he’s there. Well, it turns out Supernatural Selections made a mistake. Quentin is Ted’s new husband. And they signed with blood, so it’s a pretty binding contract….
I was sure this was going to be awesome, but somewhere halfway through I got the feeling these guys would never get together. Yes, there are some (small) sex scenes, because they ‘have’ to consummate the marriage, but there were hardly any sweet or tender moments between these two.
There was a whole bunch of other stuff going on that all got together at the end, which was just too much for me. I wanted these guys to have some quiet time together, but they only got that on the last page.
So overall I ended up being quite disappointed in this book. I won’t be reading the other books when they come out.
------------------------------
An ARC of Single White Incubus was generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
I’m not a fan of books where the couple only gets together in the last few pages. As was the case here.
Ted is a bear shifter, a very big, clumsy, extremely kind bear shifter. He has contacted Supernatural Selections to find him the perfect mate. And they have found just the guy for him. Rusty is an inactive beaver shifter and Ted can’t wait to meet him.
Quentin is an incubus. An incubus who doesn’t want to drain people’s energies. So he’s been on suppressants for decades. When he arrives at the house of the husband Supernatural Selections picked out for him, it is not what he was expecting. He didn’t expect a vampire to live out in the woods, far away from everyone and everything. There isn’t even electricity!
When Ted sees the stranger arrive, he isn’t sure why he’s there. Well, it turns out Supernatural Selections made a mistake. Quentin is Ted’s new husband. And they signed with blood, so it’s a pretty binding contract….
I was sure this was going to be awesome, but somewhere halfway through I got the feeling these guys would never get together. Yes, there are some (small) sex scenes, because they ‘have’ to consummate the marriage, but there were hardly any sweet or tender moments between these two.
There was a whole bunch of other stuff going on that all got together at the end, which was just too much for me. I wanted these guys to have some quiet time together, but they only got that on the last page.
So overall I ended up being quite disappointed in this book. I won’t be reading the other books when they come out.
------------------------------
An ARC of Single White Incubus was generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
October 19, 2018
What a lot of fun this book is. I've not read any of the connected series but I'll be rectifying that pretty quickly.
I loved this world and this pairing and the humour and sweetness. I liked the opposites attract element of the narrative and the idea of a supernatural dating agency.
There also seems to be more going on in the background than first appears too and I want to know more about the other halves of this mixed up marriage.
I've already pre-ordered the complete collection with Riptide because next up is vampire Casimir and beaver non shifter Rusty and that sounds like a it's going to be a riot!
I loved how bear shifter Ted and Quentin sparked off each other from the beginning and the surrounding world and characters were also fully developed to provide a perfect backdrop.
This is low steam and low angst and perfect bedtime reading :)
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I loved this world and this pairing and the humour and sweetness. I liked the opposites attract element of the narrative and the idea of a supernatural dating agency.
There also seems to be more going on in the background than first appears too and I want to know more about the other halves of this mixed up marriage.
I've already pre-ordered the complete collection with Riptide because next up is vampire Casimir and beaver non shifter Rusty and that sounds like a it's going to be a riot!
I loved how bear shifter Ted and Quentin sparked off each other from the beginning and the surrounding world and characters were also fully developed to provide a perfect backdrop.
This is low steam and low angst and perfect bedtime reading :)
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
September 27, 2025
Lighthearted and fun bearshifter/incubus romance 🩷
I know I’ve said I’m rarely picking up books where the average rating is below 4, but it was at least close to 4, the audiobook was included in my subscription- and the cherry on top: Greg Boudreaux narrated, so I simply had to give it a chance.
And I’m glad I did. It made me smile almost the entire time, and even made me choke up a bit at some point (yes I KNOW they were getting their HEA, but I was too invested to stay aloof 😆)
It’s about Ted, a grizzly bear shifter, who (very atypical for a bear) hates being alone, and turns to a matchmaking agency to find his (magically guaranteed) perfect match. He gets paired up with an entire sensible beaver-shifter, and weds him by proxy. At the same time, there’s another marriage by proxy: Quentin, an incubus from a wealthy family, hates every potential partner his grandmother tries to pair him up with, turns to the agency - and gets married to a vampire, or so he thinks.
As these things tend to go, there’s a mistake and Ted ends up married to Quentin instead. Good thing there’s a way to “divorce” this magical bond…
Or is ittttttttt….
Prepare yourself to laugh at this almost perfect bear/himbo/sunshine & prickly city boy romance. I loved them both, and their weird little dance and each other until they finally give in to temptation.
I’m not entirely sure if I’d have rated it with 4 stars if not for Greg B. But listening to it, he added so much snark and chaos to his voices, there’s absolutely no way I can give it 3.
Read/listen to it if you’re looking for a good time - just perfect to take your mind off everything else.
I know I’ve said I’m rarely picking up books where the average rating is below 4, but it was at least close to 4, the audiobook was included in my subscription- and the cherry on top: Greg Boudreaux narrated, so I simply had to give it a chance.
And I’m glad I did. It made me smile almost the entire time, and even made me choke up a bit at some point (yes I KNOW they were getting their HEA, but I was too invested to stay aloof 😆)
It’s about Ted, a grizzly bear shifter, who (very atypical for a bear) hates being alone, and turns to a matchmaking agency to find his (magically guaranteed) perfect match. He gets paired up with an entire sensible beaver-shifter, and weds him by proxy. At the same time, there’s another marriage by proxy: Quentin, an incubus from a wealthy family, hates every potential partner his grandmother tries to pair him up with, turns to the agency - and gets married to a vampire, or so he thinks.
As these things tend to go, there’s a mistake and Ted ends up married to Quentin instead. Good thing there’s a way to “divorce” this magical bond…
Or is ittttttttt….
Prepare yourself to laugh at this almost perfect bear/himbo/sunshine & prickly city boy romance. I loved them both, and their weird little dance and each other until they finally give in to temptation.
I’m not entirely sure if I’d have rated it with 4 stars if not for Greg B. But listening to it, he added so much snark and chaos to his voices, there’s absolutely no way I can give it 3.
Read/listen to it if you’re looking for a good time - just perfect to take your mind off everything else.
September 16, 2019
Review for the entire series. (no spoilers)
Every book has a different couple, but the stories are all linked together through characters and events, and there is a very loose arc that starts in book 1 and has its resolution only at the end of book 3.
This series is also linked to another series by the same author (Fae Out of Water), and there are spoilers about it, so take that into account if you want to follow the chronological order and are bothered by spoilers. Otherwise, it’s possible to read this series without getting lost, since the author provided enough backstory about characters from the previous series whenever it was needed.
As for this series, it was my first read by this author and it was pretty much what I expected, cute and uncomplicated, with a premise (a matchmaking service for supernatural beings) and some unusual pairings that made it more original than the “usual” shifter/paranormal stories I’ve read so far.
There were a few instances (especially in book 2) of miscommunication and/or the characters making stupid choices, and (again in book 2) , but in general I found it an entertaining and light read.
The world building was very interesting, with lots of species and realms, and I liked how the supernatural politics were woven with the romances. Despite that, the world building had at least one obvious failing. It was never explained how everyone was so worried about protecting the secret of the supernatural world’s existence and yet a band of supernatural musicians had been touring for decades without anyone noticing that they weren’t getting older. Or how a bear shifter could plan on living the rest of his (much longer than usual) life in the same place, while interacting on a regular basis with humans living nearby. Humans that, supposedly, in the future couldn’t fail to notice that he won't be getting any older. Same thing for the beaver shifter who owns a construction business. What’s the long-term strategy?
None of these issues were ever addressed, even though the necessity of keeping the existence of non-human species a secret was repeated constantly throughout the series.
Every book has a different couple, but the stories are all linked together through characters and events, and there is a very loose arc that starts in book 1 and has its resolution only at the end of book 3.
This series is also linked to another series by the same author (Fae Out of Water), and there are spoilers about it, so take that into account if you want to follow the chronological order and are bothered by spoilers. Otherwise, it’s possible to read this series without getting lost, since the author provided enough backstory about characters from the previous series whenever it was needed.
As for this series, it was my first read by this author and it was pretty much what I expected, cute and uncomplicated, with a premise (a matchmaking service for supernatural beings) and some unusual pairings that made it more original than the “usual” shifter/paranormal stories I’ve read so far.
There were a few instances (especially in book 2) of miscommunication and/or the characters making stupid choices, and (again in book 2) , but in general I found it an entertaining and light read.
The world building was very interesting, with lots of species and realms, and I liked how the supernatural politics were woven with the romances. Despite that, the world building had at least one obvious failing. It was never explained how everyone was so worried about protecting the secret of the supernatural world’s existence and yet a band of supernatural musicians had been touring for decades without anyone noticing that they weren’t getting older. Or how a bear shifter could plan on living the rest of his (much longer than usual) life in the same place, while interacting on a regular basis with humans living nearby. Humans that, supposedly, in the future couldn’t fail to notice that he won't be getting any older. Same thing for the beaver shifter who owns a construction business. What’s the long-term strategy?
None of these issues were ever addressed, even though the necessity of keeping the existence of non-human species a secret was repeated constantly throughout the series.
July 13, 2022
Cute & Fun!
This was just a delight to listen to/read!
A simple case of wrongly wedded supernaturals who fall in love while trying to get out of their arranged marriage.
Bear shifter and incubus.
Opposites attract.
Fab narration.
This was just a delight to listen to/read!
A simple case of wrongly wedded supernaturals who fall in love while trying to get out of their arranged marriage.
Bear shifter and incubus.
Opposites attract.
Fab narration.
November 24, 2019
Well that was just downright adorable. Lots of fun, snark, and a few tears. Same world as Fae Out of Water. Ever so enjoyable!
May 16, 2022
4-4.5 stars
Wow this was a lot better that I thought lol. I have had really bad experiences with EJ Russel books but this one just did it for me haha I think cause I went in with such low expectations that this won haha also what a slump will make you resort to (choosing author you know you’ve never liked in the past but because Greg Boudreaux narrates you get that sucker)
Ted and Q-Bert!! 🥰
I’m excited for book two!
Wow this was a lot better that I thought lol. I have had really bad experiences with EJ Russel books but this one just did it for me haha I think cause I went in with such low expectations that this won haha also what a slump will make you resort to (choosing author you know you’ve never liked in the past but because Greg Boudreaux narrates you get that sucker)
Ted and Q-Bert!! 🥰
I’m excited for book two!
April 9, 2023
Sweet.
Ted and Quintin (aka Q-Bert) make for a great team.
Ties in nicely with the Fae Out of Water series (David & Alun Kendrick and Mal Kendrick all show up during the story).
Ted and Quintin (aka Q-Bert) make for a great team.
Ties in nicely with the Fae Out of Water series (David & Alun Kendrick and Mal Kendrick all show up during the story).
January 6, 2020
3.5 Stars
Adorably cute and funny! I probably would have rated this just a bit higher had it not been for the stylistic choice of switching to first person thoughts every now and then; it seemed random and inconsistent, and wasn't delineated as other writers do with italics or parentheses. But otherwise a sweet and sexy read. I loved how neither Quentin (Q-Bert LOL!) nor Ted seemed fit the expected behavioral molds for each of their supernatural species and how that was used to power the plot in many ways, and that the matchmaking agency was so good at their job that it seemed a mistake...because I also loved the message that who we think is perfect for us, who should be complement us exactly and match on paper, might not actually be the right partner. (Also, adored that the bear shifter was named "Ted.")
I never quite got around to finishing the Fae Out of Water series, but I did read the first one and I'm glad I did as both David and Alun (from book 1) are significant side characters. Gonna have to get around to the other books of that series as well as the next ones in this.
Adorably cute and funny! I probably would have rated this just a bit higher had it not been for the stylistic choice of switching to first person thoughts every now and then; it seemed random and inconsistent, and wasn't delineated as other writers do with italics or parentheses. But otherwise a sweet and sexy read. I loved how neither Quentin (Q-Bert LOL!) nor Ted seemed fit the expected behavioral molds for each of their supernatural species and how that was used to power the plot in many ways, and that the matchmaking agency was so good at their job that it seemed a mistake...because I also loved the message that who we think is perfect for us, who should be complement us exactly and match on paper, might not actually be the right partner. (Also, adored that the bear shifter was named "Ted.")
I never quite got around to finishing the Fae Out of Water series, but I did read the first one and I'm glad I did as both David and Alun (from book 1) are significant side characters. Gonna have to get around to the other books of that series as well as the next ones in this.
October 20, 2018
What a satisfying and sweet story..
Q-Bert and Ted are two paranormal guys that use
A dating agency. They end up together instead of
with the mate of their choosing.
The story is a bit typical. Storyline is cute.
The real saving grace for this whole book is how sweet
Ted is. You can't help but want to by hug him.
He is such a loving and cuddly bear.
This is a fun read and is entertaining.
One afternoon of some sweet love and talk of smores.
There is more of the same world to come in more clients
and this fun series.
(Given a copy for an honest review) (Thanks) (NetGalley)
Q-Bert and Ted are two paranormal guys that use
A dating agency. They end up together instead of
with the mate of their choosing.
The story is a bit typical. Storyline is cute.
The real saving grace for this whole book is how sweet
Ted is. You can't help but want to by hug him.
He is such a loving and cuddly bear.
This is a fun read and is entertaining.
One afternoon of some sweet love and talk of smores.
There is more of the same world to come in more clients
and this fun series.
(Given a copy for an honest review) (Thanks) (NetGalley)
October 9, 2018
This was a very pleasant surprise. The premise was unique and I fell in love with Ted & Q-Bert instantly. They both made me want to smack their heads together sometimes and I wondered if they would ever figure out that they were meant to be together, but their journey wrapped up perfectly in a way that I didn't predict. I am really looking forward to the next in the series and I'm excited to have been introduced to a new-to-me author!
*Provided by A Novel Take in exchange for an honest review.
*Provided by A Novel Take in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2018
I received an advance copy of Single White Incubus from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All words, thoughts, and opinions are my own
Content notes:
🐻 fatmisia (not from MCs)
🐻 class disparity
🐻 fear of freezing to death
🐻 casual ableism
🐻 threats of violence
🐻 memory of past flogging
🐻 fleas
🐻 “prude” type comments
🐻 on page sex
🐻 food with sex
Ahhh, I really enjoyed this! I’d been looking forward to it from the moment I saw the title - I mean, supernatural mating agency? Yes! I also really enjoyed revisiting the Kendrick brothers, sorta, from EJ Russell’s Fae out of Water series.
Ted is a grizzly shifter who isn’t like other bears, preferring to spend time with humans and have friends nearby rather than keep to himself. Unfortunately this gets him into trouble as he creates “Bigfoot sightings” and has a friend capture them, threatening the secrecy of the supernatural community. In an effort to change his ways, Ted signs up for Supernatural Selection and purchases a lodge to fix-up.
Quentin is an incubus who has had himself on suppressants for several decades after he nearly killed his partner during sex. He’s so afraid that something like that will happen again that he goes behind his grandmother’s back and signs up for Supernatural Selection and gets paired with a vampire; he figures if his partner is already dead, he doesn’t have to worry about draining them.
Somehow, Ted and Quentin end up signing contracts that mate them to each other rather than who the drafts of the contracts all claimed would be their perfect match. Their response is to decide to enact the Escape Clause so they can mate who they believe was their perfect match.
I really liked the way the found their way together and made things work. There’s really great scenes of domesticity and I like how they help each other work on the lodge. I also really like how Ted feeds Quentin and in some ways that shows their affection to me. While the story takes place over only a few weeks, it didn’t feel like insta-love and I liked how they had to work to see how, sometimes, mistakes are just the best way to the correct ending.
Content notes:
🐻 fatmisia (not from MCs)
🐻 class disparity
🐻 fear of freezing to death
🐻 casual ableism
🐻 threats of violence
🐻 memory of past flogging
🐻 fleas
🐻 “prude” type comments
🐻 on page sex
🐻 food with sex
Ahhh, I really enjoyed this! I’d been looking forward to it from the moment I saw the title - I mean, supernatural mating agency? Yes! I also really enjoyed revisiting the Kendrick brothers, sorta, from EJ Russell’s Fae out of Water series.
Ted is a grizzly shifter who isn’t like other bears, preferring to spend time with humans and have friends nearby rather than keep to himself. Unfortunately this gets him into trouble as he creates “Bigfoot sightings” and has a friend capture them, threatening the secrecy of the supernatural community. In an effort to change his ways, Ted signs up for Supernatural Selection and purchases a lodge to fix-up.
Quentin is an incubus who has had himself on suppressants for several decades after he nearly killed his partner during sex. He’s so afraid that something like that will happen again that he goes behind his grandmother’s back and signs up for Supernatural Selection and gets paired with a vampire; he figures if his partner is already dead, he doesn’t have to worry about draining them.
Somehow, Ted and Quentin end up signing contracts that mate them to each other rather than who the drafts of the contracts all claimed would be their perfect match. Their response is to decide to enact the Escape Clause so they can mate who they believe was their perfect match.
I really liked the way the found their way together and made things work. There’s really great scenes of domesticity and I like how they help each other work on the lodge. I also really like how Ted feeds Quentin and in some ways that shows their affection to me. While the story takes place over only a few weeks, it didn’t feel like insta-love and I liked how they had to work to see how, sometimes, mistakes are just the best way to the correct ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2023
Auch beim zweiten Mal hören wieder super unterhaltsam.
September 17, 2025
'Single White Incubus' (Supernatural Selection series) written by E. J. Russell (Audible) narrated by Greg Boudreaux
Cute storyline with an interesting magical and Fae world-build. However, there were lots of annoying
misunderstandings and miscommunications between not only our main characters, but also with many, many of the other characters in this storyline, as well, which took up most of this book.
I found myself getting bored with so many screw-ups that they became "eye rolling" after a while, and I was waiting for more and different things to happen, that just...didn't. So many stray threads involving other characters that the storyline often got confusing as to who-all was involved in what?
Some characters from her other series 'Fae Out of Water' appear in this one; their interactions with our MCs were interesting and integral to this book.
Seems like several loose ends, especially those relating to characters that the reader was led to believe were slated to show up (at some point) in this storyline, but didn't. Those characters and their break-away storyline seemingly will be cleared up in the next book. (Update: reading that book now, which focuses on them)
I did enjoy listening to this on Audible, for the most part, except when it got frustrating to try to figure out what was happening with a lot of side characters.
Apparently the audio version I bought also includes this next book, too...(yes).
(more review later)...
This book is tied in to the 'Fae Out of Water' series.
Cute storyline with an interesting magical and Fae world-build. However, there were lots of annoying
misunderstandings and miscommunications between not only our main characters, but also with many, many of the other characters in this storyline, as well, which took up most of this book.
I found myself getting bored with so many screw-ups that they became "eye rolling" after a while, and I was waiting for more and different things to happen, that just...didn't. So many stray threads involving other characters that the storyline often got confusing as to who-all was involved in what?
Some characters from her other series 'Fae Out of Water' appear in this one; their interactions with our MCs were interesting and integral to this book.
Seems like several loose ends, especially those relating to characters that the reader was led to believe were slated to show up (at some point) in this storyline, but didn't. Those characters and their break-away storyline seemingly will be cleared up in the next book. (Update: reading that book now, which focuses on them)
I did enjoy listening to this on Audible, for the most part, except when it got frustrating to try to figure out what was happening with a lot of side characters.
Apparently the audio version I bought also includes this next book, too...(yes).
(more review later)...
This book is tied in to the 'Fae Out of Water' series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
3.0 stars. This was fun and cute. I admit, based on the premise, I thought there would be a lot more smut.
Y'know how Nyla K can take a simple blow job and stretch it out for 10 pages? This was kind of the reverse. Blow job took all of 3 paragraphs, and after the build up to serious intimacy, I caught myself thinking, 'oh, so you wrapped your hand around his dick, and two sentences later, he came? that's it? well, okay then, moving on..'
I'm sorry, but you can't write a book about an incubus and get away with 3 tiny smutty scenes. I get that the tone of the book was romcom much more than erotica, but it still left me wanting something.. more romance, even? GIVE ME SOMETHING!
There were also several scenes that left me angry. Catching live fleas in a forest? I could roll around in leaves for an entire year without catching a single one. Grabbing it with your hands? Yeah, right! Anyone that's adopted a pet with fleas knows that it's impossible to do that, even with a full blown infestation.
Some other scenes were just drawn out for no reason. A good editor could have made this book great!
Y'know how Nyla K can take a simple blow job and stretch it out for 10 pages? This was kind of the reverse. Blow job took all of 3 paragraphs, and after the build up to serious intimacy, I caught myself thinking, 'oh, so you wrapped your hand around his dick, and two sentences later, he came? that's it? well, okay then, moving on..'
I'm sorry, but you can't write a book about an incubus and get away with 3 tiny smutty scenes. I get that the tone of the book was romcom much more than erotica, but it still left me wanting something.. more romance, even? GIVE ME SOMETHING!
There were also several scenes that left me angry. Catching live fleas in a forest? I could roll around in leaves for an entire year without catching a single one. Grabbing it with your hands? Yeah, right! Anyone that's adopted a pet with fleas knows that it's impossible to do that, even with a full blown infestation.
Some other scenes were just drawn out for no reason. A good editor could have made this book great!
October 26, 2018
So sweet it made my teeth ache. The story was fine and the writing was good.
November 1, 2018
4.5-ish
This was a really fun read.
I loved the paranormal element.
My only complaint is that the driving force behind the sequence of events in this novel is rushed, irresponsible decision making.
But angst stayed at low levels and, a huge plus for me, there weren't tens of pages of sex I had to skim through. The story preferred to focus on two unlikely people coming together, rather then describing just how they come.
I see myself re-reading this novel.
I hope the rest of the series will be at least this good.
This was a really fun read.
I loved the paranormal element.
My only complaint is that the driving force behind the sequence of events in this novel is rushed, irresponsible decision making.
But angst stayed at low levels and, a huge plus for me, there weren't tens of pages of sex I had to skim through. The story preferred to focus on two unlikely people coming together, rather then describing just how they come.
I see myself re-reading this novel.
I hope the rest of the series will be at least this good.
October 22, 2018
What a delight this was! This is the first story I have ever read from this author, and also the first story in a spin-off series from her Fae out of Water series (however, I will be going back and getting that series because I seriously loved this story). I thought that this story stood on its own very well, so you could totally start with this story if you wanted to.
The Supernatural Selection is a matchmaking service for the supernatural/paranormal community. Ted signs up for it hoping to find someone he can share a life with and who can put up with him - a bear who wants to socialize rather than be alone in life. And Quentin signs up for it hoping to find someone that he won't accidentally kill through his incubus ways. They are accidentally contracted to each other despite being originally given different intended partners. As the two work on the way to dissolve this marriage contact, they find out - maybe they don't want to?
I loved this story! I thought the writing was fresh, witty, a bit funny without being too over the top funny, and I adored Ted and Q-Bert (as Ted adorably nicknames him) together as they work together and ultimately fall for each other. Ted was just such a lovable character - seriously, how can you NOT fall in love with Ted and his genuineness, his gentle nature, and good heart?!
I thought the world building was interesting (I'm assuming we might learn more through the series that this book comes from) and I can't wait for stories with the other characters. I'm thinking there will be something for Zeke, maybe Matt, and what ever did happen to Rusty and Casmir?! I think we'll be finding that out, too.
Definitely look forward to more in this series and going back and checking out other work from this author!
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Supernatural Selection is a matchmaking service for the supernatural/paranormal community. Ted signs up for it hoping to find someone he can share a life with and who can put up with him - a bear who wants to socialize rather than be alone in life. And Quentin signs up for it hoping to find someone that he won't accidentally kill through his incubus ways. They are accidentally contracted to each other despite being originally given different intended partners. As the two work on the way to dissolve this marriage contact, they find out - maybe they don't want to?
I loved this story! I thought the writing was fresh, witty, a bit funny without being too over the top funny, and I adored Ted and Q-Bert (as Ted adorably nicknames him) together as they work together and ultimately fall for each other. Ted was just such a lovable character - seriously, how can you NOT fall in love with Ted and his genuineness, his gentle nature, and good heart?!
I thought the world building was interesting (I'm assuming we might learn more through the series that this book comes from) and I can't wait for stories with the other characters. I'm thinking there will be something for Zeke, maybe Matt, and what ever did happen to Rusty and Casmir?! I think we'll be finding that out, too.
Definitely look forward to more in this series and going back and checking out other work from this author!
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2018
A supernatural mating agency is not exactly unique, but the characters and their story in ‘Single White Incubus’ certainly are! From the moment Ted and Quentin are “mismatched” due to what seems like a monumental agency error, it was clear to me that they belong together – but it takes Ted and Quentin almost the entire novel to figure it out. To my delight this series is a spin-off from the ‘Fae out of Water’ books – which means several of my favorite characters are back. Alun Kendrick, a psychiatrist from the Faerie realm, and his adorable human/druid David are just two, but they play a somewhat significant role so that made me happy. The other thing I really loved was the sense of humor in the telling of this tale. While the situation is quite serious, what with the potential violation of council rules leading to termination, a witches’ ritual with horrifying consequences, and family interference that could ruin everything, the way both main characters approach life made me laugh more than once. It’s a great mix!
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 22, 2021
Yeah, I really enjoyed this book!
Sure, at times I felt I was missing something because this is set in a world that I believe had been built up via another series (one I plan to start after this) but I enjoyed myself nonetheless.
Ted was just a ray of (sometimes naive) sunshine and Quentin's background and situation made him the perfect complement to him.
Sure, at times I felt I was missing something because this is set in a world that I believe had been built up via another series (one I plan to start after this) but I enjoyed myself nonetheless.
Ted was just a ray of (sometimes naive) sunshine and Quentin's background and situation made him the perfect complement to him.
October 20, 2025
4,5
A really fun read/audio!!
Not too much spice in spite of having a sex demon as one of the MCs. But it makes total sense :-)
Very well narrated by Gred Boudreaux.
I'm on a EJ Russell audiobook wave right now, thanks to the titles included for free in my audible subscription.
Loved Camera Shy, liked Summer Kitchen, now I'm being sucked into her paranomrals. I was first interested in the second book of this series but then decided to better start chronologically. And what can I say - I started listening yesterday and finished this morning. Which is quite the feat for me.
I loved everything ab out the book which says a lot because I'm usually not much into the genre:
Ted is such a great character, a grizzly shifter, who's extroverted and loves social interaction - a rare thing for a bear shifter which is the reason why he's targeted by the bear shifter council and quite unlucky in love.
Quentin is an equal rarety - an introverted incubus who's still traumatized by having accidentally almost killed his boyfriend by "consuming" too much of said boyfriends life essence. He's refrained from repeating this mistake which means staying celebate (i.e. more or less starving himself) - as a sex demon!
Both guys are rather pressured into finding a partner because of their society's expectations and want to retain a morsel of independance who to spend the rest of their lives with by finding their "perfect match" via a partnership agency run by witches. Only, they end up with the wrong partner!
Instead of Quentin marrying Casimir, the vampire - who's dead anyway so cannot be killed by too much contact, he finds himself married to Ted - who expected to be married to Rusty, a beaver shifter who'd have been the perfect partner for his business plans, too.
Both guys are quite shocked at the start and act according to their personality (Quentin by bing pissy, Ted by fleeing the scene). How they come together to solve their dilemma and how they fall in love on the way is just great. I loved that both are no nonsense guys, very down to earth and realistic in their expectations. They didn't expect love with their spouses but hoped for connection and eventually maybe hopefully love. In working together towards a divorce, they get to know each other quite well - something I always treasure over insta-lust.
Quentin and Ted complement each other better than they could expect in the beginning and this seems a very organic development.
Yes, some details are just too convenient and some plot threads are loose - one reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars. But a wonderful read for sure!
A really fun read/audio!!
Not too much spice in spite of having a sex demon as one of the MCs. But it makes total sense :-)
Very well narrated by Gred Boudreaux.
I'm on a EJ Russell audiobook wave right now, thanks to the titles included for free in my audible subscription.
Loved Camera Shy, liked Summer Kitchen, now I'm being sucked into her paranomrals. I was first interested in the second book of this series but then decided to better start chronologically. And what can I say - I started listening yesterday and finished this morning. Which is quite the feat for me.
I loved everything ab out the book which says a lot because I'm usually not much into the genre:
Ted is such a great character, a grizzly shifter, who's extroverted and loves social interaction - a rare thing for a bear shifter which is the reason why he's targeted by the bear shifter council and quite unlucky in love.
Quentin is an equal rarety - an introverted incubus who's still traumatized by having accidentally almost killed his boyfriend by "consuming" too much of said boyfriends life essence. He's refrained from repeating this mistake which means staying celebate (i.e. more or less starving himself) - as a sex demon!
Both guys are rather pressured into finding a partner because of their society's expectations and want to retain a morsel of independance who to spend the rest of their lives with by finding their "perfect match" via a partnership agency run by witches. Only, they end up with the wrong partner!
Instead of Quentin marrying Casimir, the vampire - who's dead anyway so cannot be killed by too much contact, he finds himself married to Ted - who expected to be married to Rusty, a beaver shifter who'd have been the perfect partner for his business plans, too.
Both guys are quite shocked at the start and act according to their personality (Quentin by bing pissy, Ted by fleeing the scene). How they come together to solve their dilemma and how they fall in love on the way is just great. I loved that both are no nonsense guys, very down to earth and realistic in their expectations. They didn't expect love with their spouses but hoped for connection and eventually maybe hopefully love. In working together towards a divorce, they get to know each other quite well - something I always treasure over insta-lust.
Quentin and Ted complement each other better than they could expect in the beginning and this seems a very organic development.
Yes, some details are just too convenient and some plot threads are loose - one reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars. But a wonderful read for sure!
November 22, 2018
I read single white incubus and vampire with benefits, both are books by EJ Russell, back to back and I have to say even though I would normally pick the book with the vampire as the better one, this time it’s the opposite. I still enjoyed vampire with benefits but single white incubus was just a tad better.
I really liked the way it all worked out between Ted and Quentin in the end. I’ve always been a fan of the accidentally married trope or the married to the wrong person trope so this book played right into that.
I personally haven’t read a book by EJ Russell before Single White Incubus (and Vampire with Benefits) and just while writing this review I’ve found out that these books are a spin-off of another series – can absolutely be read as standalones though – so I will probably pick up the other series as well because I quite enjoyed it and I’m always on the lookout for some good LGBT paranormal romance. Those are quite rare in my opinion.
Rating: 3.75 stars
I really liked the way it all worked out between Ted and Quentin in the end. I’ve always been a fan of the accidentally married trope or the married to the wrong person trope so this book played right into that.
I personally haven’t read a book by EJ Russell before Single White Incubus (and Vampire with Benefits) and just while writing this review I’ve found out that these books are a spin-off of another series – can absolutely be read as standalones though – so I will probably pick up the other series as well because I quite enjoyed it and I’m always on the lookout for some good LGBT paranormal romance. Those are quite rare in my opinion.
Rating: 3.75 stars
March 25, 2022
Wow! That was fun!
Ted and Quintin are a great couple, and I especially loved Ted. I also loved revisiting characters from Russell's Fae Out of Water series, another favorite of mine. David and Alan? Love those two. And Mal!
Back to Ted and Quintin. They fit together perfectly, two pieces of a puzzle, so different, but with so much that makes them compatible. And I'm thrilled to see the next book is about Rusty and Casimir because I wanted to know what happened to them.
EJ Russell is an auto-buy author for me, and I've never been disappointed.
Highly recommended.
Ted and Quintin are a great couple, and I especially loved Ted. I also loved revisiting characters from Russell's Fae Out of Water series, another favorite of mine. David and Alan? Love those two. And Mal!
Back to Ted and Quintin. They fit together perfectly, two pieces of a puzzle, so different, but with so much that makes them compatible. And I'm thrilled to see the next book is about Rusty and Casimir because I wanted to know what happened to them.
EJ Russell is an auto-buy author for me, and I've never been disappointed.
Highly recommended.
October 28, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars
I liked this book, I just thought it to be too long. At about 50% in, I was ready for it to be over. I just never connected to it as much as I wanted to. It did get better in the last third of the book, but I was wanting more and I can’t put my finger on what exactly was missing. Overall, I liked it okay. I just didn’t love it.
I liked this book, I just thought it to be too long. At about 50% in, I was ready for it to be over. I just never connected to it as much as I wanted to. It did get better in the last third of the book, but I was wanting more and I can’t put my finger on what exactly was missing. Overall, I liked it okay. I just didn’t love it.
February 11, 2022
Audiobook Review:
Greg Boudreaux was the perfect narrator for this opposites attract, enemies to lovers, cute listen.
I liked both characters on their own, but I loved them together. They were charming and funny and the entire listen had me in a good mood.
Greg Boudreaux was the perfect narrator for this opposites attract, enemies to lovers, cute listen.
I liked both characters on their own, but I loved them together. They were charming and funny and the entire listen had me in a good mood.
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