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The Wolves of Lydon #1
The Night Wolf
The night wolf is a legend told to scare children into obeying their parents. It is said that to control a night wolf is to harness limitless power…. Gareth Blackthorn has been Alpha of the prosperous Lydon pack for nearly two decades. Breaking with tradition, Gareth doesn’t take over other packs by challenge. Instead, he lets wolves come to him and petition for admittance. He’s had his pick of the best, the brightest, and the most talented. Until now. A power-hungry Alpha desires Omega Sean Adler’s talent… and his submission, whether given freely or not. He’s been on the run since he was fifteen, surviving any way he could, until one night, he knows he’ll finally succumb to the injuries from his latest attack—and he’s ready to go. That’s when Gareth finds him, and Gareth’s wolf insists on claiming Sean as his mate. But there’s something mysterious about Sean, something tied to the mark on his shoulder…. Now Gareth must decide. Will he keep Sean despite the dangers that will arise, or will he throw the young man back to the wolves?
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
73 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 29, 2020
I can't do it, dnf at 79%.
It's the writing. The writing and me are just not getting along.
It's just, not my cup of tea..
I might even go as far as to say it felt very under developed and lacking in believable dialogue.
It's hard to put into more words what exactly is off about it other than, in my opinion, the writing needs a lot of work.
The story itself is interesting. A rich pack that's insulated and only takes a selected few wolves under its wings. An Alpha that finds the mystical omega. The effect the omega has on the pack and the Alpha. The writer lost me when m-preg came into play... it happened so abruptly to be believable ( as believable as m-preg is in itself ), the idea of the 'The Night Wolf' is very cool...
I'll leave it at the fact that the writing itself did a disservice to the storytelling. It's too bad because the story itself is interesting.
It's the writing. The writing and me are just not getting along.
It's just, not my cup of tea..
I might even go as far as to say it felt very under developed and lacking in believable dialogue.
It's hard to put into more words what exactly is off about it other than, in my opinion, the writing needs a lot of work.
The story itself is interesting. A rich pack that's insulated and only takes a selected few wolves under its wings. An Alpha that finds the mystical omega. The effect the omega has on the pack and the Alpha. The writer lost me when m-preg came into play... it happened so abruptly to be believable ( as believable as m-preg is in itself ), the idea of the 'The Night Wolf' is very cool...
I'll leave it at the fact that the writing itself did a disservice to the storytelling. It's too bad because the story itself is interesting.
September 4, 2020
Yea, this novel didn’t really work for me. I’ve been looking for a M/M paranormal romance and thought I’d found the jackpot with The Night Wolf.
I was mistaken.
There’s no real plot. It’s like Parker mashed together a bunch of scenes that don’t really connect together. This book was not one I liked... at all.
I prefer more intimacy in my romance novels. I want to see the couple create a bond that grows into love. In The Night Wolf, it was like Garett just slipped and fell into Sean’s WAP and magically came out in love.
Characters - boring and lifeless
Plot - ephemeral like a man you’d meet on a dating app (i.e. a ghost)
Writing - ok, definitely not bad. I wasn’t moved by it but not bad.
Romance/Passion - lackluster and nonexistent
I was mistaken.
There’s no real plot. It’s like Parker mashed together a bunch of scenes that don’t really connect together. This book was not one I liked... at all.
I prefer more intimacy in my romance novels. I want to see the couple create a bond that grows into love. In The Night Wolf, it was like Garett just slipped and fell into Sean’s WAP and magically came out in love.
Characters - boring and lifeless
Plot - ephemeral like a man you’d meet on a dating app (i.e. a ghost)
Writing - ok, definitely not bad. I wasn’t moved by it but not bad.
Romance/Passion - lackluster and nonexistent
August 14, 2020
bruhhh this book needs some serious trigger warnings. It started out like a somewhat stereotypical shifter book with your classic serious and competent pack Alpha meeting an abused refugee from another pack.
There were some... darker implications from the start but jeeez did they really have to go that far??
I'm kinda mad because I feel like that stuff did not add to the story at all and was only used for cheap shock value and to create pure evulz villains and thus, to have justification for the easy "plot resolution". Which, while foreshadowed, still felt very much like an ass-pull but I honestly wasn't very involved in the story anymore at that point.
I strongly disliked the clear black & white painting of the characters. I also resented the moral implications of the story resulting from the asspull ending (which gave me religious vibes in a bad way) and which I'm not sure the author even intended.
tl;dr:
August 3, 2021
My two friends arrived with more books and this one was on top so I eagerly started it right away. I had read Parker Williams’ books before and really enjoyed them...but he wrote then with another author. I was very happy to find something that this fantastic author had written on his own and to say it was a fabulous tale would be an understatement. The bad guys were so incredibly bad that it made Gareth’s wolf pack seem like living, walking, breathing saints...I do believe that Sean absolutely qualified for sainthood. The Night Wolf gives an entirely different view on shifters. There town sounded like a fabulous place to live even if you were entirely human. It almost makes you wish it wasn't fiction. On the other hand,....maybe not. On a side note: The book description isn't exactly right. Garth never considered throwing Sean back to the wolves and Sean's mark is something very special.
June 10, 2020
Many authors stick to one genre where they feel comfortable writing. Some readers do the same. Some folks like to mix it up. I'm one of those, so is Parker Williams. If I want contemporary, Williams writes it. BDSM? Same. Were-wolf mpreg? Yeah, buddy. And he writes it well.
Some of the usual werewolf tropes exist here, but he threw in a few new ones, too. Mother Moon. Loved her in all her baddassed glory. It would be hard to say a lot about the story without giving spoilers, but let me say I had a hard time putting the book down, seeking any free moment to read.
There's hurt/comfort, and there are references to severe abuse, so be warned if that's a problem for you.
There were some pretty awesome secondary characters that I hope we will learn more about in future books.
Are we there yet?
Some of the usual werewolf tropes exist here, but he threw in a few new ones, too. Mother Moon. Loved her in all her baddassed glory. It would be hard to say a lot about the story without giving spoilers, but let me say I had a hard time putting the book down, seeking any free moment to read.
There's hurt/comfort, and there are references to severe abuse, so be warned if that's a problem for you.
There were some pretty awesome secondary characters that I hope we will learn more about in future books.
Are we there yet?
June 29, 2020
Great start to what I know will be an awesome series! I absolutely loved Sean and Gareth!
May 30, 2020
I picked up this book because I'd read another by this author and really enjoyed it. I thought for sure this author wouldn't add to the pile of terrible shifter books. *sigh*
The blurb was interesting, but the whole "night wolf" thing was really brushed under the rug until the end. The writing itself is very simple, the characters skin-deep, and the scenes quickly fill with unrealistic and crazy-ridiculous situations capped by equally eye-roll-inducing dialogue. Telling more than showing, but it flowed well enough to get me through to the end. It's really something when you're relieved to reach the end of a book that's not even all that long.
But werewolf Jesus? omg, seriously? there was another series recently that tried this very same thing, minus a few of the nutso world-building. The writing was better in the other series, too, but the plot quickly zigged and zagged to ludicrous-ville before the end of the trilogy. This book is apparently the beginning of a series, too, but we're already at ludicrous speed. I'm getting off this crazy train.
The blurb was interesting, but the whole "night wolf" thing was really brushed under the rug until the end. The writing itself is very simple, the characters skin-deep, and the scenes quickly fill with unrealistic and crazy-ridiculous situations capped by equally eye-roll-inducing dialogue. Telling more than showing, but it flowed well enough to get me through to the end. It's really something when you're relieved to reach the end of a book that's not even all that long.
But werewolf Jesus? omg, seriously? there was another series recently that tried this very same thing, minus a few of the nutso world-building. The writing was better in the other series, too, but the plot quickly zigged and zagged to ludicrous-ville before the end of the trilogy. This book is apparently the beginning of a series, too, but we're already at ludicrous speed. I'm getting off this crazy train.
August 18, 2020
A fail for me for two reasons: Cartoonishly bad villains and preachy tone.
May 28, 2020
An amazing story of hope, love, and redemption. And so much more. So often we think our lives don't mean much, especially when there's an abuser in the mix. But when you find the right set of people and family, it changes. And you change. And things start to fall into place the way they should. And those who have become almost complacent, learn that new things aren't always bad. Some are horrifying as you will see in this book. (Possible triggers, btw. Rape and torture) but when things fall where they are supposed to, people become empowered and things really change. This is such a great book. And I'm so happy I got to read it.
May 29, 2020
Gareth is an Alpha. The type of Alpha that is kind, smart, protective, makes sure everyone knows and feel they have a purpose in the pack, in life. Unlike the alpha, Sean is running away from.
Sean is an Omega. Living on the run. Life has not been easy for him so far. Showing Gareth things/life from a different perspective.
Looking forward to the next books to come. I love how the author weaves the words into these great stories. Hopefully I won’t cry (too) much in the futures books.
Sean is an Omega. Living on the run. Life has not been easy for him so far. Showing Gareth things/life from a different perspective.
Looking forward to the next books to come. I love how the author weaves the words into these great stories. Hopefully I won’t cry (too) much in the futures books.
July 21, 2020
A fabulous book that I so enjoyed. I loved how the author made his own, very unique world made up of common lore and some never-before-seen, at least by me. Sean and Gareth are wonderful characters and I so loved seeing them find each other. I can’t wait for the next book!
September 17, 2020
This was a really great story. If you enjoy shifter romance than this will hit the spot. I'm excited to read more!
January 17, 2021
It was an OK story, I think I was expecting a lot though, but that's on me.
RTC
RTC
August 3, 2021
60%....DNF, just not my cup of tea.
July 31, 2020
Sorry, DNF. Simply couldn't do it. Writing wasn't terrible but the plot went sideways.
June 21, 2020
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed the start of this new series and while I wouldn’t say it was a totally new take on the shifter genre, it was different enough that it didn’t feel repetitious and boring. I loved both of the MCs and loved all the supporting characters from the Lydon pack. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Although it definitely ended in a happy place, I still found the ending sad. Probably because it didn’t quite end how I wanted it to. That’s more a personal preference than anything the author did wrong. All in all, a highly enjoyable read. I’ll definitely continue the series in the future.
I really enjoyed the start of this new series and while I wouldn’t say it was a totally new take on the shifter genre, it was different enough that it didn’t feel repetitious and boring. I loved both of the MCs and loved all the supporting characters from the Lydon pack. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Although it definitely ended in a happy place, I still found the ending sad. Probably because it didn’t quite end how I wanted it to. That’s more a personal preference than anything the author did wrong. All in all, a highly enjoyable read. I’ll definitely continue the series in the future.
May 27, 2020
An amazing start to this series. I love Sean and Gareth! I couldn't stop read once I started. I am loving this new story by Parker Williams. I am in love with these characters and I really hate that evil Alpha. My emotions were on a rollercoaster but I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to see what happens nexts in this world.
June 7, 2020
Omg!!!
This was the best shifter story ever! Parker Williams is a great writer. This is a different take on shifters and I'm here for it. I'm sad that Sean and Garreth had to leave but I hope there will be other books so we can find out what happens next!
This was the best shifter story ever! Parker Williams is a great writer. This is a different take on shifters and I'm here for it. I'm sad that Sean and Garreth had to leave but I hope there will be other books so we can find out what happens next!
June 1, 2020
My Rating : 4🌟
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Kindle/ May2020
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I really loved the concept of this book and how it unravelled. That ending was amazing ! Plus I can't say no to a good fated mates book now can I ?
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Kindle/ May2020
.
I really loved the concept of this book and how it unravelled. That ending was amazing ! Plus I can't say no to a good fated mates book now can I ?
July 9, 2020
I really enjoyed this book . Wasn't a typical shifter story .
May 29, 2020
Wow! This story completely blew me away. I am a huge shifter fan and I have read many shifter books, so when I say a book is good, I mean it.
This is not your typical shifter romance. There are trigger warnings: references to rape, beatings, abuse, neglect, and ownership. These are mentioned throughout the read but only in passing, not in real time. There is not a lot of description of these triggers but they exist, so be forewarned.
Sean is special. He has the mark of Mother Moon on him and he has the secret that he has tried to keep hidden about him being an omega as well. Even though these two combined makes him very valuable, he has not run across an alpha who has treated him that way. Instead he has only met alphas like Ryker, the one alpha who Sean has been running from for as long as he can remember.
Sean has had about all he can take. He is too scared to come out of wolf form because of the bounty Ryker has placed on him. Ryker’s right-hand man was able to catch up to Sean and beat and battered him so badly that he has broken ribs and the he can no longer remember the last time he ate. It is beginning to look very bad for Sean, especially now that he is sick. Wolves are not supposed to be able to get sick but Sean is.
Gareth is the alpha of the Lydon pack. His pack and land have always been blessed by Mother Moon. He is a caring alpha who believes in taking care of those around him. When his wolf smells Sean, even before Gareth does, he knows immediately that there is something very different about this wolf who is half dead. Gareth refuses to let that happen. So he rushes Sean to their pack land so their pack doctor can care for him.
The doctor is shocked at how bad off Sean is. He has never seen anything like it before but with how taken with the wolf as Gareth is, the doctor will do whatever necessary to make sure he is okay. Once Sean finally wakes up, he is afraid that Gareth is going to be like all the other alphas he has met. It takes time, but eventually Sean realizes that Gareth is actually a good person and a good alpha. This is when everything for Sean changes.
There is still the threat of Ryker finding Sean but for the first time in his life, he has found a family, a pack, and an alpha who is his mate and very much treats him as an equal. The question is, what will happen once Ryker does finally track Sean down? How will Gareth feel about Sean once he knows all the secrets that Sean has hidden from him?
This book was such an incredible read. I honestly was not ready for the book to end. I truly hope that this will be a series because I can see so much more for both Gareth and Sean in the future, but I can say the same about some of he supporting characters as well. I truly look forward to what ever is to come next. Amazing read!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
This is not your typical shifter romance. There are trigger warnings: references to rape, beatings, abuse, neglect, and ownership. These are mentioned throughout the read but only in passing, not in real time. There is not a lot of description of these triggers but they exist, so be forewarned.
Sean is special. He has the mark of Mother Moon on him and he has the secret that he has tried to keep hidden about him being an omega as well. Even though these two combined makes him very valuable, he has not run across an alpha who has treated him that way. Instead he has only met alphas like Ryker, the one alpha who Sean has been running from for as long as he can remember.
Sean has had about all he can take. He is too scared to come out of wolf form because of the bounty Ryker has placed on him. Ryker’s right-hand man was able to catch up to Sean and beat and battered him so badly that he has broken ribs and the he can no longer remember the last time he ate. It is beginning to look very bad for Sean, especially now that he is sick. Wolves are not supposed to be able to get sick but Sean is.
Gareth is the alpha of the Lydon pack. His pack and land have always been blessed by Mother Moon. He is a caring alpha who believes in taking care of those around him. When his wolf smells Sean, even before Gareth does, he knows immediately that there is something very different about this wolf who is half dead. Gareth refuses to let that happen. So he rushes Sean to their pack land so their pack doctor can care for him.
The doctor is shocked at how bad off Sean is. He has never seen anything like it before but with how taken with the wolf as Gareth is, the doctor will do whatever necessary to make sure he is okay. Once Sean finally wakes up, he is afraid that Gareth is going to be like all the other alphas he has met. It takes time, but eventually Sean realizes that Gareth is actually a good person and a good alpha. This is when everything for Sean changes.
There is still the threat of Ryker finding Sean but for the first time in his life, he has found a family, a pack, and an alpha who is his mate and very much treats him as an equal. The question is, what will happen once Ryker does finally track Sean down? How will Gareth feel about Sean once he knows all the secrets that Sean has hidden from him?
This book was such an incredible read. I honestly was not ready for the book to end. I truly hope that this will be a series because I can see so much more for both Gareth and Sean in the future, but I can say the same about some of he supporting characters as well. I truly look forward to what ever is to come next. Amazing read!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 18, 2020
Wow, this cover is awesome but the blurb sold me. I love a good shifter story and it's been a while since I read one. This one is amazing! It is unique. The pack set up is different and it's not the run of the mill The Alpha is the big fighter, fated mates type pack. It is like a hidden community that Gareth picks and chooses his individuals to make sure he has a good pack. But is that the right way to run things? Then on his way from meeting a client, he scents a wolf near death. His wolf insists he brings him home. Then everything starts to change. Gareth finds himself pulled to Sean, his wolf calls him to mate and shows him scenes of a life Gareth always dreamed of but could never have. Or can he?
Sean is afraid of Alphas because he knows that Ryker has a bounty on him, and all Alphas will sell him or use him for his power if they find out his secret. Plus, he has a secret that even Ryker doesn’t know, and that one makes it more important that he doesn’t let Ryker claim him.
This was a great set up for a series. It is interesting, the worldbuilding amazing, the characters intriguing, action-packed, I read through this in a night. I was shocked and worried in a few spots, nearly cried in a few, and was so very happy at the end. Now I am ready for Quinn’s story and really want Caleb’s fast!
So if you like shifters, Werewolves, Mpreg shifter (one of the best I have read lately) hurt/comfort, Mates, some hot man-sex, and great romance this is for you! I highly recommend it.
Sean is afraid of Alphas because he knows that Ryker has a bounty on him, and all Alphas will sell him or use him for his power if they find out his secret. Plus, he has a secret that even Ryker doesn’t know, and that one makes it more important that he doesn’t let Ryker claim him.
This was a great set up for a series. It is interesting, the worldbuilding amazing, the characters intriguing, action-packed, I read through this in a night. I was shocked and worried in a few spots, nearly cried in a few, and was so very happy at the end. Now I am ready for Quinn’s story and really want Caleb’s fast!
So if you like shifters, Werewolves, Mpreg shifter (one of the best I have read lately) hurt/comfort, Mates, some hot man-sex, and great romance this is for you! I highly recommend it.
May 27, 2020
4.25 Stars
I really enjoyed this story. I don't want to spoil much about this story so I'm going to keep things vague as possible.
Sean is an omega on the run from a violent and evil Alpha who will stop at nothing to possess him. Gareth is an alpha who has always carefully considered who he allowed into his pack. After Gareth's wolf senses Sean in the woods, Gareth finds himself reconsidering a lot of his views. Even though Sean has a number of secrets, Gareth accepts him as is (which I loved).
Gareth is the kind of alpha I think most people would approve of. He wants his people happy and works hard to make sure everyone has a place and a purpose. He believes in finding alternative solutions to whatever problems arise. Sean opens Gareth's eyes to a lot of things, and I loved that Gareth used that knowledge right away and started looking to make things even better for his pack and others. I loved that even as Sean had no reason to trust Gareth, he takes stock in what he sees and opens his mind to the possibility that not all alphas are bad.
I really hated the alpha after Sean. Once he appeared on page, and you see what he's done to so many people, I wanted him to suffer greatly. I was encouraged by how determined Gareth was to save the people he could and keep Sean safe at the same time. The ending was a bit of a surprise (a good one) and I can't wait to see how the pack continues to change and grow after the events in this book. I also am looking forward to seeing Gareth and Sean as they navigate their new roles.
I really enjoyed this story. I don't want to spoil much about this story so I'm going to keep things vague as possible.
Sean is an omega on the run from a violent and evil Alpha who will stop at nothing to possess him. Gareth is an alpha who has always carefully considered who he allowed into his pack. After Gareth's wolf senses Sean in the woods, Gareth finds himself reconsidering a lot of his views. Even though Sean has a number of secrets, Gareth accepts him as is (which I loved).
Gareth is the kind of alpha I think most people would approve of. He wants his people happy and works hard to make sure everyone has a place and a purpose. He believes in finding alternative solutions to whatever problems arise. Sean opens Gareth's eyes to a lot of things, and I loved that Gareth used that knowledge right away and started looking to make things even better for his pack and others. I loved that even as Sean had no reason to trust Gareth, he takes stock in what he sees and opens his mind to the possibility that not all alphas are bad.
I really hated the alpha after Sean. Once he appeared on page, and you see what he's done to so many people, I wanted him to suffer greatly. I was encouraged by how determined Gareth was to save the people he could and keep Sean safe at the same time. The ending was a bit of a surprise (a good one) and I can't wait to see how the pack continues to change and grow after the events in this book. I also am looking forward to seeing Gareth and Sean as they navigate their new roles.
May 28, 2020
Sean is running for 10 years from his abuser, Alpha Ryker, saved by Gareth. Sean is treated badly by alpha and he thought all alphas are the same so he don't trust Gareth.
Eventually Sean can see the differences between Gareth and Ryker. Gareth taking care of him, keep him save and showed Sean how real Alpha should treat their pack. Sean feel welcomed and find new family in Gareth's pack.
Sean kept a secret, it slowly revealed but near the end the secret fully unfolded. The secret that change the shifter's world.
This book has different perspective on shifter's world and it's refreshing! I enjoyed it a lot, can't wait for the next book!
Eventually Sean can see the differences between Gareth and Ryker. Gareth taking care of him, keep him save and showed Sean how real Alpha should treat their pack. Sean feel welcomed and find new family in Gareth's pack.
Sean kept a secret, it slowly revealed but near the end the secret fully unfolded. The secret that change the shifter's world.
This book has different perspective on shifter's world and it's refreshing! I enjoyed it a lot, can't wait for the next book!
September 29, 2020
Started out interesting. Liked Sean and Gareth and the other characters. Then it just got worse and worse. The storyline was odd. I have read several shifter/mpreg books before but this did not do it for me. He gives birth like two weeks after he gets pregnant? Look of super good and super evil characters. Definitely won't read more.
June 8, 2020
Again I left a shifter book at 50%, but I think this time it wasn't the book, it was me, the moment the relationship became insta-love I flipped, but that's how shifter stories go. So yeah it was totally me.
July 8, 2020
3.5 stars. This was hard to rate. There were interesting aspects to the story, but it felt like it could have been so much better. Overall I enjoyed it, but it was too simplistic and could have had an edgier feel to it.
May 30, 2020
Shifters, mpreg, inclusiveness, strong main characters and an awesome premise are just a few things that make this an outstanding beginning to a new series.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 1, 2020
This was entertaining. A little heads-up as a tag or in the blurb that this included mpreg would have been appreciated! The ending made no practical sense whatsoever.
June 6, 2020
This book is awesome! I love a well written shifter story and this book was it. I couldn't out it down. I most definitely will be reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews