What do you think?
Rate this book
The Holiday Shifter Mates #1
Halloween Werewolf
A wolf howls on the mountain.
Austin’s heart skips a beat.
It’s been a long time since he heard that sound.
And it brings back memories.
Some are good.
Some are bad.
It was the usual Halloween fun.
Then it was two “werewolf” pelts flaunted on a viral video.
All of it conjures up memories of Mateo, Austin’s first love.
When Mateo disappeared four years ago, Austin tried to let him go.
He tried to forget about the “werewolves.”
But he couldn't.
Mateo is one of them.
That howling means Mateo is back.
And Austin has no intention of letting him leave this time.
Austin’s heart skips a beat.
It’s been a long time since he heard that sound.
And it brings back memories.
Some are good.
Some are bad.
It was the usual Halloween fun.
Then it was two “werewolf” pelts flaunted on a viral video.
All of it conjures up memories of Mateo, Austin’s first love.
When Mateo disappeared four years ago, Austin tried to let him go.
He tried to forget about the “werewolves.”
But he couldn't.
Mateo is one of them.
That howling means Mateo is back.
And Austin has no intention of letting him leave this time.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2018
291 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Kestra Pingree
78 books80 followersKestra Pingree is a creative who doesn’t know how to stop. They are first and foremost a writer and storyteller with an endless library of books in their head just waiting to be typed. They are also an artist and animator, as well as a singer, songwriter, and voice actor. One day they swear they’re going to make their own video game, too.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 22, 2018
There were things I really liked about this book as well as some that I did not. Therefore I am gonna rate it by category then average those numbers for a complete rating.
World-building: 4 stars
Story: 4.5 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
Sex: 3 stars
Writing Quality: 2 stars
Book rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This book is the author's first time writing m/m romance. In some ways it shows, but overall she did a pretty decent job of it. I really liked the story, her characters and her world-building. Her take on shifters was refreshingly unique, and Mateo was just incredible. My only serious complaint about the book was the writing quality. There were just way too many 3-4 word sentences, through out most of the book and chapters 12 & 13 it was almost unreadable due to how choppy and truncated they were. Over all I enjoyed the book even with its issues and plan on reading book 2 (Christmas Polar Bear) when it is released.
World-building: 4 stars
Story: 4.5 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
Sex: 3 stars
Writing Quality: 2 stars
Book rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This book is the author's first time writing m/m romance. In some ways it shows, but overall she did a pretty decent job of it. I really liked the story, her characters and her world-building. Her take on shifters was refreshingly unique, and Mateo was just incredible. My only serious complaint about the book was the writing quality. There were just way too many 3-4 word sentences, through out most of the book and chapters 12 & 13 it was almost unreadable due to how choppy and truncated they were. Over all I enjoyed the book even with its issues and plan on reading book 2 (Christmas Polar Bear) when it is released.
November 1, 2018
2.75 - This just barely held together for me. The way the character was written seemed like he was mentally slow but I didn’t think that was the intention of the author. The main characters also lacked chemistry to me.
September 26, 2018
Mateo isn;t a berserker wolf but is close to it. His rages are only quieted by bleeding, either himself or others. After one particularly hard bleeding on his alpha, he leaves to go back to Utah. He is on the hunt for those who killed his parents. When he gets back he meets up with Austin, the one boy now man he cared about. Austin is totally surprised about Mateo being back but is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Mateo with him. Then the hunters return...
Oh my such action not only physically but emotionally. Two men each striving for something that may or may not happen. Happiness or sorrow is the name of the game which will win?
Fantastic story and read!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh my such action not only physically but emotionally. Two men each striving for something that may or may not happen. Happiness or sorrow is the name of the game which will win?
Fantastic story and read!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2024
3 stars is the best I can do.
A straightforward simple story with simple characters. No fluff, no pretension, no florid language. Not much character development, but they seemed like sincere, nice guys just trying to make a go of their relationship.oh, and one is human and the other a wolf shifter. So, there's that.
A straightforward simple story with simple characters. No fluff, no pretension, no florid language. Not much character development, but they seemed like sincere, nice guys just trying to make a go of their relationship.oh, and one is human and the other a wolf shifter. So, there's that.
September 26, 2018
I love Kamryn Hart’s stories they are so full of adventure sexy shifters and the lucky man or woman who can tame them and this story Halloween Werewolf is no exception. Austin is a human who was in love with a wolf shifter Mateo, Mateo just up and disappeared years ago he just moved away but now he’s back to settle some business, there’s no way Austin is going to let him go again. I loved this story and the characters Austin and Mateo it’s an amazing journey fraught with danger, suspense, twists and turns, passion and so much more to keep you entertained and turning the pages. A fantastic story a 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
September 28, 2018
A really good M/M shifter romance.💞🐺💞
First of all, can I say eeep! When I downloaded this book, I didn't realize that it was an M/M romance and I don't tend to read this type of sub-genre. However, having said that, I really enjoyed this story. Admittedly, yes, it took me a bit to get past certain things, but once I noticed the deep connection between Mateo and Austin, I was hooked.💕💗💕
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First of all, can I say eeep! When I downloaded this book, I didn't realize that it was an M/M romance and I don't tend to read this type of sub-genre. However, having said that, I really enjoyed this story. Admittedly, yes, it took me a bit to get past certain things, but once I noticed the deep connection between Mateo and Austin, I was hooked.💕💗💕
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2018
👍
☺ HALLOWEEN WEREWOLF is the first book in THE HOLIDAY SHIFTER MATES series by Kamryn Hart. I enjoyed reading this book and liked both of the main characters, Mateo and Austin. I am looking forward to reading more of this series; I'm curious and want to learn more about some of the other characters that were introduced in this first book -- especially about the twin tiger shifters, Lance and Yuri. 🐅
☺ HALLOWEEN WEREWOLF is the first book in THE HOLIDAY SHIFTER MATES series by Kamryn Hart. I enjoyed reading this book and liked both of the main characters, Mateo and Austin. I am looking forward to reading more of this series; I'm curious and want to learn more about some of the other characters that were introduced in this first book -- especially about the twin tiger shifters, Lance and Yuri. 🐅
September 26, 2018
He is still missing his mate so when he hears his call again. He knows he needs to find him. The howl brings back many memories some good some bad. Follow him as he tries to find his mate again. What had happen to him? See if he will find out
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2018
A cute second chance romance with a werewolf / human hero pair. I loved both men and their chemistry was hot and sweet. You could practically see the love between them. I also liked the side characters and hope to read more books based on those characters. Enjoy.
***I decided to review an ARC of this book.***
***I decided to review an ARC of this book.***
September 30, 2018
I absolutely loved this off the wall story. Loved how Mateo and Austin were able to reconnect after such a long separation.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.
October 13, 2018
Excellent book
Not your standard shifter book. This book has werewolf shifters that don’t follow the norms in other werewolf shifter books. The story is well written and the characters are well developed and enjoyable.
Not your standard shifter book. This book has werewolf shifters that don’t follow the norms in other werewolf shifter books. The story is well written and the characters are well developed and enjoyable.
Read
October 14, 2018Content Warnings
October 28, 2018
Cute and enjoyable
I have not read this author before and was looking for something that had some life to it and a good story line. This was a great book, sweet and left me smiling. Can't wait for the next one
I have not read this author before and was looking for something that had some life to it and a good story line. This was a great book, sweet and left me smiling. Can't wait for the next one
October 18, 2018
For how short this was it seemed to take a while to get going, but quite sweet in the end.
October 19, 2018
Halloween werewolf
Loved the characters and the storyline so it's a well deserved five stars and I would recommend this book to everyone as it was hard to put down until finished
Loved the characters and the storyline so it's a well deserved five stars and I would recommend this book to everyone as it was hard to put down until finished
October 18, 2024
This was a freebie and I had to have it. One, Halloween season bebe! Two, can't resist a PR. Three this is a M/M PR which is a rare thing. Weeeeeee!
Here we follow Mateo and Austin. They were friends when they were younger and they both had a crush on each other. Things happen and Mateo has to leave. Years past and Austin has been trying to get over his silly crush, but he can't shake the memories of Mateo. Mateo comes back to town to get revenge for his parents and he comes across Austin. The love is rekindled and they can't and won't be separated anymore. However, Mateo still needs to stop the murdering of shapeshifters.
This was cute. I liked Mateo and Austin. It was insta-love, but they have a past so it didn't bug me. They both crushed on each other hard for years even after Mateo had to leave.
The baddies are bad. Grrrrr. I'm with Mateo murder them.
Honestly my only complaint was that I wanted more of their past. I would've loved to seen some flashbacks here and there. I would've loved to see them young and crushing madly over each other. Eeee. Also, I would've loved to see them together longer. Maybe more interaction and dates?
All-in-all, this was cute and short. A nice romance with some baddies that need to be stomped out to save other shifters. I would've liked to see more flashbacks of them being young and maybe more dates. I'll give this 4 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful
Here we follow Mateo and Austin. They were friends when they were younger and they both had a crush on each other. Things happen and Mateo has to leave. Years past and Austin has been trying to get over his silly crush, but he can't shake the memories of Mateo. Mateo comes back to town to get revenge for his parents and he comes across Austin. The love is rekindled and they can't and won't be separated anymore. However, Mateo still needs to stop the murdering of shapeshifters.
This was cute. I liked Mateo and Austin. It was insta-love, but they have a past so it didn't bug me. They both crushed on each other hard for years even after Mateo had to leave.
The baddies are bad. Grrrrr. I'm with Mateo murder them.
Honestly my only complaint was that I wanted more of their past. I would've loved to seen some flashbacks here and there. I would've loved to see them young and crushing madly over each other. Eeee. Also, I would've loved to see them together longer. Maybe more interaction and dates?
All-in-all, this was cute and short. A nice romance with some baddies that need to be stomped out to save other shifters. I would've liked to see more flashbacks of them being young and maybe more dates. I'll give this 4 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful
August 25, 2021
This was my first book by this author. While it is the first in a series, I checked (several times) as I was reading it to make sure there wasn’t a previous book. Or maybe some note that said this series was a spin off of another one. Because I felt like I was dropped into the middle of something. It was like I was supposed to know these characters and what had happened to them. I’m not referring so much to the MCs, but the side characters. Yuri and Lance for one. Things were said about them that felt like I just should have known what had happened to them.
There wasn’t enough character development here. This was too short of a story, but could have been great if it was longer.
This author can write, it’s just that I don’t know if they remember that we, the readers, aren’t aware of what’s happening. You have to show us, tell us. You can’t just throw in statements that make us feel like we’ve been dropped smack dab into the middle of an on-going plot.
The end was fine and the romance was fine. It would have had me saying “beautiful” if it was just longer. And more in-depth.
I don’t know if I’ll read more of this author.
There wasn’t enough character development here. This was too short of a story, but could have been great if it was longer.
This author can write, it’s just that I don’t know if they remember that we, the readers, aren’t aware of what’s happening. You have to show us, tell us. You can’t just throw in statements that make us feel like we’ve been dropped smack dab into the middle of an on-going plot.
The end was fine and the romance was fine. It would have had me saying “beautiful” if it was just longer. And more in-depth.
I don’t know if I’ll read more of this author.
October 29, 2024
Halloween Werewolf starts off strong, introducing us to Mateo and his blazing anger issues. We soon learn about his heartbreaking past and the shifter found family who are his home. Meanwhile, Austin has a boyfriend he wishes he loved – but he’s never gotten over Mateo, his high school sweetheart, who disappeared years ago. He knows he should move on, but he’s still writing bad poetry about Mateo, proving some flames don’t easily die out.
When Mateo returns to town, sparks fly immediately with Austin and their second-chance romance is set in motion. The story is a quick, exciting read, with just the right mix of Halloween touches, suspense, and action, especially with the tension from hunters. I also loved seeing Austin in his role as a teacher and the relationships he has with his students.
This was a good, Halloween read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series for my Christmas reading.
What to expect:
Halloween
Shifters
Found Family
High School Sweethearts
Second chance romance
Paranormal
Other man (Austin has a boyfriend at the beginning but hasn’t slept with him and breaks up with him)
When Mateo returns to town, sparks fly immediately with Austin and their second-chance romance is set in motion. The story is a quick, exciting read, with just the right mix of Halloween touches, suspense, and action, especially with the tension from hunters. I also loved seeing Austin in his role as a teacher and the relationships he has with his students.
This was a good, Halloween read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series for my Christmas reading.
What to expect:
Halloween
Shifters
Found Family
High School Sweethearts
Second chance romance
Paranormal
Other man (Austin has a boyfriend at the beginning but hasn’t slept with him and breaks up with him)
September 17, 2024
This is a love story with a side of murderous revenge
Mateo a wolf shifter returned to where his parents were murdered bent on revenge. Austin is the human he left behind five long years ago. I'm their time apart Austin has become a beloved English teacher in the high school they both attended. Trouble ensues when the killers return looking for another werewolf pelt to add to their collection. Mateo and crew turn the tables and the guys move back to Alaska where the shifters welcome Austin.
Mateo a wolf shifter returned to where his parents were murdered bent on revenge. Austin is the human he left behind five long years ago. I'm their time apart Austin has become a beloved English teacher in the high school they both attended. Trouble ensues when the killers return looking for another werewolf pelt to add to their collection. Mateo and crew turn the tables and the guys move back to Alaska where the shifters welcome Austin.
April 28, 2024
THIS IS AMAZING
WOW!! I really enjoyed this. This is my first time reading KESTRA PINGREE. Shifters are my go to favorites. Mateo is a Wolf. He fears himself when anger gets the best of him. Austin is a human. Austin is the boy Mateo left behind. This is my other favorite, Second Chance Romance. This is a great, engaging story. I was totally taken in by the creativity. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
WOW!! I really enjoyed this. This is my first time reading KESTRA PINGREE. Shifters are my go to favorites. Mateo is a Wolf. He fears himself when anger gets the best of him. Austin is a human. Austin is the boy Mateo left behind. This is my other favorite, Second Chance Romance. This is a great, engaging story. I was totally taken in by the creativity. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
April 29, 2024
It was ok
I didn’t really get most of this. It felt a bit disjointed in places and a little wooden. The MCs…eh. Austin and Mateo obviously never forgot each other but it just didn’t feel genuine. It’s hard for me to describe. It had a lot of potential but I didn’t really enjoy reading it.
I didn’t really get most of this. It felt a bit disjointed in places and a little wooden. The MCs…eh. Austin and Mateo obviously never forgot each other but it just didn’t feel genuine. It’s hard for me to describe. It had a lot of potential but I didn’t really enjoy reading it.
May 19, 2024
Mates Reunited
Austin and Mateo were best friends and boyfriends in high school until a brutal tragedy forced Mateo away. Returning a few years later, he reunites with Austin. Unfortunately, there are still dark events overshadowing their relationship. Some may find this a bit too dark and disturbing. It is not a light, fluffy romance, but well written and engrossing.
Austin and Mateo were best friends and boyfriends in high school until a brutal tragedy forced Mateo away. Returning a few years later, he reunites with Austin. Unfortunately, there are still dark events overshadowing their relationship. Some may find this a bit too dark and disturbing. It is not a light, fluffy romance, but well written and engrossing.
February 24, 2025
Halloween Werewolf
It was a cute fast paced second chance werewolf romance. I enjoyed the story even if some things were a little rushed. The story flowed well and Mateo and Austin’s relationship was an instant connection and they were perfectly cute together.
Tropes for this one were; shifters, shifter/human, mate, second chance romance, hurt/comfort, and more!
It was a cute fast paced second chance werewolf romance. I enjoyed the story even if some things were a little rushed. The story flowed well and Mateo and Austin’s relationship was an instant connection and they were perfectly cute together.
Tropes for this one were; shifters, shifter/human, mate, second chance romance, hurt/comfort, and more!
October 4, 2025
Cute
This was a cute read. Austin is a teacher in Gasglow. Everything is fine until his past resurfaces. Mateo has been gone for 5 years. He left everything behind including Austin. The love of his life. Now that Mateo is back. His mission is to find the shifter hunters and end them. At what cost?
This was a cute read. Austin is a teacher in Gasglow. Everything is fine until his past resurfaces. Mateo has been gone for 5 years. He left everything behind including Austin. The love of his life. Now that Mateo is back. His mission is to find the shifter hunters and end them. At what cost?
October 11, 2025
Sweet and spicy
Really enjoyed this second chance shifter romance. We have one MMC that hasn't ever lost the love he felt for his first love. Then we have the other MMC, who thinks he is too broken and dangerous to love or be loved. It was a wonderful second chance for them and a bit of high stakes for just a few.
Really enjoyed this second chance shifter romance. We have one MMC that hasn't ever lost the love he felt for his first love. Then we have the other MMC, who thinks he is too broken and dangerous to love or be loved. It was a wonderful second chance for them and a bit of high stakes for just a few.
January 17, 2025
Meh.
The premise was okay. The plot was simple and ultimately boring. The sex scenes were not spicy.
After the big showdown, I skimmed the rest of the book and didn’t feel like I lost any valuable content.
The premise was okay. The plot was simple and ultimately boring. The sex scenes were not spicy.
After the big showdown, I skimmed the rest of the book and didn’t feel like I lost any valuable content.
October 16, 2023
This was such a fun book! I love Mateo and Austin together!!!! I can’t wait to continue the series!
September 28, 2024
respectfully good for what it is. i enjoyed it. dont think i will read the other books from the series but who knows. wouldnt be pulling teeth.
October 29, 2024
Not my personal cup of tea
November 3, 2024
Likeable characters and a decent story. The world building is different from the usual. Interested to see more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews