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Winterstoke Wolves #1
Playing by the Book
Luke spends his life with his nose in romance novels. But will he recognise the real thing when it comes crashing into his life?
Cal Sherwood is an omega on the run. He's determined that the dangerous alpha who kept him imprisoned will never find him.
Cal has strict rules to keep safe: keep moving, take blockers, and stay away from the local packs.
When he finds himself in the small mountain town of Aylewood as snow begins to fall, he's forced to break the last of those rules or face freezing to death outside on his own.
Despite himself, he soon starts to feel at home in Aylewood and a certain attractive alpha makes him reluctant to leave...
Luke Winterstoke owns a second-hand bookstore in Aylewood, and has always wanted to find love and have a family of his own, but has never managed to find love until now.
When a handsome stranger comes to town, Luke finds himself inexplicably drawn to him despite the fact that the man is clearly hiding something.
A pregnancy takes them both by surprise, but it's a chance for them both to finally have the family and happiness they've always wanted...until Cal's shocking past comes catching up with them at the worst possible moment.
Playing by the Book is an M/M mpreg omegaverse love story with lots of sweet, sexy moments and hurt/comfort scenes. The book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2019
124 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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May 24, 2021
3.75 ABO stars!
I was hooked on this story right from the start. Omega on the run bumping into kind hearted alpha. I can never resist this particular setup in a romance. For the first half of the book I was thrilled to have found a new author in the genre as talented as AK Byrde and S Cayto.
Around the midpoint something I considered vital happened off page. That put a damper on my enjoyment, and the romance arc never quite recovered for me. Add to that a total lack of communication between the MCs, and them basically making as stupid choices as possible, just like in a bad movie. I was nearing my dnf threshold fast. What kept me going were the story ideas beside the main romance were very good, and eventually the main plot got back on track towards the end. The epilogue was perfect, such a longed for happy ending is always a rare treat to find.
Can't wait to meet the side characters as MCs in their own right in the following books in the series, and look forward to more of the good plot ideas hinted at in this book.
I was hooked on this story right from the start. Omega on the run bumping into kind hearted alpha. I can never resist this particular setup in a romance. For the first half of the book I was thrilled to have found a new author in the genre as talented as AK Byrde and S Cayto.
Around the midpoint something I considered vital happened off page. That put a damper on my enjoyment, and the romance arc never quite recovered for me. Add to that a total lack of communication between the MCs, and them basically making as stupid choices as possible, just like in a bad movie. I was nearing my dnf threshold fast. What kept me going were the story ideas beside the main romance were very good, and eventually the main plot got back on track towards the end. The epilogue was perfect, such a longed for happy ending is always a rare treat to find.
Can't wait to meet the side characters as MCs in their own right in the following books in the series, and look forward to more of the good plot ideas hinted at in this book.
August 31, 2021
3
If there was a theme it would be go with your gut. I spent most of the book waiting for the MC to stand up for himself. And it wasn’t the omega. This was case of everyone thought they knew best, and was wrong. I can’t even say the two MC’s had miscommunication. They didn’t really get to communicate because one of the brothers, mainly the youngest kept giving advice he had no knowledge of. Also why in the world would you write their first time off the page? There were glimpses flash backs but nothing really for the reader. The writing was ok, the smexy was non, and the brothers will get books and I can only hope Luke is petty cause I’d give them all the unsolicited crappy advice they gave him.
If there was a theme it would be go with your gut. I spent most of the book waiting for the MC to stand up for himself. And it wasn’t the omega. This was case of everyone thought they knew best, and was wrong. I can’t even say the two MC’s had miscommunication. They didn’t really get to communicate because one of the brothers, mainly the youngest kept giving advice he had no knowledge of. Also why in the world would you write their first time off the page? There were glimpses flash backs but nothing really for the reader. The writing was ok, the smexy was non, and the brothers will get books and I can only hope Luke is petty cause I’d give them all the unsolicited crappy advice they gave him.
February 16, 2020
2.5.
Very basic runaway omega shifter stuff. Low-level mediocre. In present tens which isn't for my taste.
Very basic runaway omega shifter stuff. Low-level mediocre. In present tens which isn't for my taste.
February 16, 2020
I picked this book free, I think. I started reading and I thought it was going to be a didn’t finish. It started with everything in present tense—reaches, runs,panics. I hate that. But, I kept reading thinking I didn’t pay for it so I can just start and, if it continues I will stop. The story kept getting better. At some point the author either stopped writing in present tense or I stopped noticing it. The story caught me up in a new world—shifters and mpreg. One thing that I don’t like is when the omegas are treated like second class citizens and have no autonomy. In this world, it worked because the pack the omega runs into doesn’t behave that way. The omega is not a doormat and he is strong and smart—but sometimes he didn’t make good decisions. That’s why he has been running. The alpha is not one dimensional, he showed unexpected kindness and caring while being very protective of his pack. There was lots of suspense and action. It’s hard to rate—but I did buy the second book! The middle and end of the story is much better than the beginning.
July 7, 2022
Running To A Good Guy
Cal has escaped the abusive man that kidnapped him years earlier and ran as far as he could. He ends up in a new town and working at bookstore for Luke who's one of four brothers of a pack of wolves. The good kind. This time he found somewhere safe, though his kidnapper is still out there looking for him.
Luke and his brothers along with some more their friends and pack allies have to go after Cal when he gets taken after given birth to Luke's child after being there for a year the abuser found him. Though they get Cal back even have help from same guy helped him escape the first time.
I was liking it at first but then got kinda boring in places and there was no full out sex so took star off for that. If the other books are ever free like this one I might read, but I won't pay for them.
Cal has escaped the abusive man that kidnapped him years earlier and ran as far as he could. He ends up in a new town and working at bookstore for Luke who's one of four brothers of a pack of wolves. The good kind. This time he found somewhere safe, though his kidnapper is still out there looking for him.
Luke and his brothers along with some more their friends and pack allies have to go after Cal when he gets taken after given birth to Luke's child after being there for a year the abuser found him. Though they get Cal back even have help from same guy helped him escape the first time.
I was liking it at first but then got kinda boring in places and there was no full out sex so took star off for that. If the other books are ever free like this one I might read, but I won't pay for them.
November 17, 2021
While I liked the book, I felt like the actions of the rival alpha were kinda extreme and I can't understand how he got away with half of the stuff he did outdated pack laws or not. My main gripe about this book is how when Cal first arrives at the pack house there are a bunch of people there that stop what they're doing to stare at him but through the rest of the series there are never other people who hang out at the pack house other than the Winterstoke family. Like all the other books in the series, I enjoyed the book but looking back I really can't say why. I will say that it had an awesome epilogue.
May 2, 2024
Twas not what I was expecting...
I was so hoping that there would be no angst in my omega on the run story, but alas there was some.
I am also not crazy about stories where there are pack wars and this one had it in spades.
Besides that though, Cal and Luke were cute together. It was insta-everything and I loved that.
I was so hoping that there would be no angst in my omega on the run story, but alas there was some.
I am also not crazy about stories where there are pack wars and this one had it in spades.
Besides that though, Cal and Luke were cute together. It was insta-everything and I loved that.
February 16, 2020
Caleb Sherwood is an omega on the run with his omega dad. One night while his dad is at work Cal can't stop his cravings for snacks, and while out to get some he's kidnapped by a ruthless alpha, Reed. He spends nine years being held against his will when an unlikely source helps him escape.
Luke Winterstoke is an alpha who has a love of books, so he's opened his own bookstore. His brother Adam is the alpha of their pack. He has another alpha brother Gregor and an omega brother Jax. One day after work he returns to the pack house and comes across an omega that's passing through. Luke is always suspicious of strangers and makes it his job to watch out for what the new guy is up to. Luke decides he'll kill two birds with one stone and offers Cal a job at his bookstore.
It doesn't take long for Cal and Luke to form a liking for each other. Nightly runs and chases bring these two together. Due to some bad suppressors and Luke's bad decision making, Cal ends up pregnant. On the day of their cubs birth Reed shows up claiming Cal. Cal reluctantly goes with Reed to protect his family. Luke and his family demand Cal be returned since Reed never claimed Cal and Luke did. Reed refuses to return Cal and this leads to a challenge. Cal is rescued once again by the unlikely source and takes Ben, another abused omega, with him. This is a HEA book with a epilogue that is rather nice.
This could have easily been a 5 star book IMO but for two major issues I had with it. First it's written in telling format. Each sentence is Luke did this, Cal did this, etc... It was very annoying. Also this is a book set in America, about Americans, but has many words spelled with European English. If you're going to write a book about Americans, use American English spellings!!! Also there are many grammar and punctuation issues throughout this book. It needed better editing. Second problem I had is that the Winterstoke pack are pansies. This is a total let down. Also the council member they contact, to petition for Cal's return, is a total jerk. It was almost like he was mad he was being bothered with this issue. Hoping that book 2 is better. Recommending for the story.
Luke Winterstoke is an alpha who has a love of books, so he's opened his own bookstore. His brother Adam is the alpha of their pack. He has another alpha brother Gregor and an omega brother Jax. One day after work he returns to the pack house and comes across an omega that's passing through. Luke is always suspicious of strangers and makes it his job to watch out for what the new guy is up to. Luke decides he'll kill two birds with one stone and offers Cal a job at his bookstore.
It doesn't take long for Cal and Luke to form a liking for each other. Nightly runs and chases bring these two together. Due to some bad suppressors and Luke's bad decision making, Cal ends up pregnant. On the day of their cubs birth Reed shows up claiming Cal. Cal reluctantly goes with Reed to protect his family. Luke and his family demand Cal be returned since Reed never claimed Cal and Luke did. Reed refuses to return Cal and this leads to a challenge. Cal is rescued once again by the unlikely source and takes Ben, another abused omega, with him. This is a HEA book with a epilogue that is rather nice.
This could have easily been a 5 star book IMO but for two major issues I had with it. First it's written in telling format. Each sentence is Luke did this, Cal did this, etc... It was very annoying. Also this is a book set in America, about Americans, but has many words spelled with European English. If you're going to write a book about Americans, use American English spellings!!! Also there are many grammar and punctuation issues throughout this book. It needed better editing. Second problem I had is that the Winterstoke pack are pansies. This is a total let down. Also the council member they contact, to petition for Cal's return, is a total jerk. It was almost like he was mad he was being bothered with this issue. Hoping that book 2 is better. Recommending for the story.
September 4, 2025
from the first page I was captivated. yes yes yes, it's a mpreg, wolf shifter romance with an omega on the run afraid of his shadow and a big bad soft alpha who is suspicious of the new supposedly Beta who he thinks is a spy. but there is more about Cal than meets the eye or nose.
throw in an evil alpha who is after the omega who escaped and wounded his pride. challenges and misunderstandings, heats and passion, slow but fast awakenings and of course a pup.
it is formulaic, but it works. love this type of book and the author captivates you from the start building up the characters, the pack the dangers, the HEA. the pack is different in some ways, it's not your normal pack with a super strong alpha. each character has death, vulnerability and in that strength.
Cal and Luke I could not but like even when they where being blind about what was in front of the eyes and noses, Gregory the gardener alpha and Adam the quiet reserved pack leader alpha are adorable and you xant but want to getbto their story.
I think you may have git the gist, I'm a fan....
throw in an evil alpha who is after the omega who escaped and wounded his pride. challenges and misunderstandings, heats and passion, slow but fast awakenings and of course a pup.
it is formulaic, but it works. love this type of book and the author captivates you from the start building up the characters, the pack the dangers, the HEA. the pack is different in some ways, it's not your normal pack with a super strong alpha. each character has death, vulnerability and in that strength.
Cal and Luke I could not but like even when they where being blind about what was in front of the eyes and noses, Gregory the gardener alpha and Adam the quiet reserved pack leader alpha are adorable and you xant but want to getbto their story.
I think you may have git the gist, I'm a fan....
February 16, 2023
Luke and Cal are characters with different stories, different backgrounds, and different experiences with what a pack is.
It would have been such a good book if they actually communicated: there is no bonding between them, no talking about themselves, no getting to know each other. It's rather strange that they fall in love like that.
A lot of scenes were like clippings of their story, with time skips or a mention of something that happened. I would have appreciated a conversation between them.
The plot was still good, it just could have been better.
It would have been such a good book if they actually communicated: there is no bonding between them, no talking about themselves, no getting to know each other. It's rather strange that they fall in love like that.
A lot of scenes were like clippings of their story, with time skips or a mention of something that happened. I would have appreciated a conversation between them.
The plot was still good, it just could have been better.
March 15, 2020
The story was great, addictive and I couldn't leave the book until I finished it. At some point I totally stopped noticing the tense in which it was written. It would have been great if the book was written in first person (Cal/Luck) way, because more feelings would have been revealed and the flow would have been better, I guess, but anyways it was great. Can't wait to finnish work so I can read the next one.
February 21, 2020
Great start to series
This book doesn’t bring much new to the idea of a hurt omega running away and ending up finding his fated mate but it is well written and very readable. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
This book doesn’t bring much new to the idea of a hurt omega running away and ending up finding his fated mate but it is well written and very readable. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
May 13, 2020
Good read
This was really good start to a new series. I loved how Cal spoke his mind to Luke concerning their relationship or lack there of. The author has the right mix of action, drama, and heat. I'm definitely ready for the next book in this series.
This was really good start to a new series. I loved how Cal spoke his mind to Luke concerning their relationship or lack there of. The author has the right mix of action, drama, and heat. I'm definitely ready for the next book in this series.
August 3, 2022
Good start
I was debating between 4 and 4.5 (rounded to 5). While I liked the story, there were parts that dragged out and I didn’t like Cal, he lacked character and not quite likable. I did like all the Winterstoke brothers and will continue with the series.
I was debating between 4 and 4.5 (rounded to 5). While I liked the story, there were parts that dragged out and I didn’t like Cal, he lacked character and not quite likable. I did like all the Winterstoke brothers and will continue with the series.
June 6, 2025
I expected more.
I had expected more from this story but it didn't pan out. I guess, I've read too many other wolf-shifter stories that are better than this one. I found myself skimming the chapters so, I may have missed some important pieces of the story.
I had expected more from this story but it didn't pan out. I guess, I've read too many other wolf-shifter stories that are better than this one. I found myself skimming the chapters so, I may have missed some important pieces of the story.
January 1, 2024
😍😍😍😍
Wow this was so good! Lots of angst!!! I really hopE Cals dad appears in future books!! I can't wait for the next book!!!
Wow this was so good! Lots of angst!!! I really hopE Cals dad appears in future books!! I can't wait for the next book!!!
January 4, 2024
DNF @ 40%
This is Omegaverse with fade to black ( who does this?!)There are better books with the same plot.
This is Omegaverse with fade to black ( who does this?!)There are better books with the same plot.
November 25, 2025
Pretty good first book. The plat was interesting and the MC's were well written. The book does need a proofreader and an editor but it didn't take me from the story too much.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews