What do you think?
Rate this book
Nightstar Shifters #1
Sailing With Her Wolf
Wolf shifter, Marley Gerwulf, was protective of her human best friend, Zara York. Their friendship dated back to their sophomore year in high school. Throughout the years they had been glued to each other's hip, experiencing life together. When Zara broke up with her longtime boyfriend, Marley suggested a three-week girls trip, sailing the Pacific Ocean. It would help her friend clear her mind and celebrate her newly found single life. Marley had spent the last fourteen years of her life, knowing they'd only ever be friends. Her wolf had identified Zara as her mate the day they'd met. The urge to mate was strong, but she was always able to overcome it, knowing she'd rather have Zara in her life as a friend, then not at all. After setting sail with Tahiti as their destination, an intense storm caught them off guard damaging their yacht. Floating aimlessly along in the ocean, Marley was determined to ensure their survival. With life or death situations at every turn, will Marley be able to protect Zara while resisting the call to mate?
204 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2020
About the author
Ariel Marie
73 books1,557 followersCleveland-born and raised, Ariel Marie has been delighting readers for over a decade with her signature blend of pulse-pounding action, steamy romance, and paranormal thrills. From shifters and vampires to fae and witches, she spins worlds where supernatural forces collide with intense emotion—and readers can't get enough.
Many of Ariel’s devoted fans appreciate her ability to transport them into richly imagined worlds, returning again and again to the characters they love. She’s proud to be an indie author, cherishing the freedom to deliver stories on her terms—and it shows in the passion behind every page.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Ariel curled up planning her next novel—often inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling.
Many of Ariel’s devoted fans appreciate her ability to transport them into richly imagined worlds, returning again and again to the characters they love. She’s proud to be an indie author, cherishing the freedom to deliver stories on her terms—and it shows in the passion behind every page.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Ariel curled up planning her next novel—often inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
May 3, 2022
**'At least try writing readable stories..'
1.5stars!
A discombobulating story -- nothing to read/see here. The cover is the only nice thing about this book!
1.5stars!
A discombobulating story -- nothing to read/see here. The cover is the only nice thing about this book!
July 15, 2020
2.5 stars- a short, wolf shifter friends-to-lovers erotica, bluntly told
November 29, 2022
Barley scrapped to the end of this one. Werewolves are my fav, so I’m a sucker for werewolf/shifter stories and am willing to read one’s pretty much no matter what, but this one didn’t rlly do it for me. I kinda didn’t think it would, bc I have a hard time with novellas. I can read short fic all day long, but I have a lot harder time connecting with original characters on shorter amounts of time ESPECIALLY for romance, bc I’m not an instalove gal. And this was basically instalove erotica that… didn’t do it for me in the erotica dept. and I didn’t rlly connect with either character much.
The narrator was new to me, and did a decent job though, so I would def listen to another title read by her.
The narrator was new to me, and did a decent job though, so I would def listen to another title read by her.
April 13, 2022
I've read most of this series already but am revisiting it in audio because...idk 🤷 they're short, they're steamy, and they're available on Scribd.
I'm going to give this a 2.75 rounded up. It's just okay. The writing quality isn't great, a lot of redundancies and poor phrasing, as well as some terribly cringey dialogue (though, that's a personal opinion, some might find that stuff hot). The story is also very basic - low angst relationship that magically works out perfectly and a tiny bit of action on the side to provide some sort of "conflict".
The plus points for this are that it's very steamy and even though the author uses some language I find super unsexy, personally, I can still appreciate the level of spice. If you want a low-angst romance, this is definitely that. Sometimes, it's nice to just get in a quick read/listen, so that's another positive. Also, the narration is better than I expected, tbh.
Do I recommend it? Idk, maybe...if you want 🤷🤷
I'm going to give this a 2.75 rounded up. It's just okay. The writing quality isn't great, a lot of redundancies and poor phrasing, as well as some terribly cringey dialogue (though, that's a personal opinion, some might find that stuff hot). The story is also very basic - low angst relationship that magically works out perfectly and a tiny bit of action on the side to provide some sort of "conflict".
The plus points for this are that it's very steamy and even though the author uses some language I find super unsexy, personally, I can still appreciate the level of spice. If you want a low-angst romance, this is definitely that. Sometimes, it's nice to just get in a quick read/listen, so that's another positive. Also, the narration is better than I expected, tbh.
Do I recommend it? Idk, maybe...if you want 🤷🤷
February 6, 2022
I’m still not sure what I just read.
Now don’t get me wrong✋🏻 I’m all here for wolf/vamp fiction.
What I’m not here for was the fact the word ‘bestie’ was used maybe 40 times in a span of 20 pages. Or the spelling errors, or the expressions ‘she licked the titty’ or ‘forbidden hole’. I should be not laughing at spice scenes, and yet tears PHYSICAL TEARS folks, we’re pouring from my eyes in hysterics.
I don’t know what else to say.
Also vampires suddenly randomly attacked and that plot point lasted maybe 5 sentences before we were thrown back into lord knows what.
I’m just- I’m so confused. My brain is like in this state of denial of what I just read tbh.
Now don’t get me wrong✋🏻 I’m all here for wolf/vamp fiction.
What I’m not here for was the fact the word ‘bestie’ was used maybe 40 times in a span of 20 pages. Or the spelling errors, or the expressions ‘she licked the titty’ or ‘forbidden hole’. I should be not laughing at spice scenes, and yet tears PHYSICAL TEARS folks, we’re pouring from my eyes in hysterics.
I don’t know what else to say.
Also vampires suddenly randomly attacked and that plot point lasted maybe 5 sentences before we were thrown back into lord knows what.
I’m just- I’m so confused. My brain is like in this state of denial of what I just read tbh.
June 28, 2021
SAILING WITH HER WOLF was alright but it just didn’t grab my attention as much as I was hoping for. I also found the writing a bit choppy and fragmented which made it hard to really get into the flow of reading it. That being said I did like Marley and Zara and they were a sweet and very sexy couple together. I think my biggest issue is that after they initially get stuck on the yacht I just lost interest in their story. I also felt like in the beginning they came across much older, maybe in their mid to late 20s but once they’re rescued and back around their parents they felt very young as if they were only 18 or 19.
June 19, 2020
This book might not be for everyone, but I loved it. I’m a hardcore shifter fan so even though the characters weren’t well developed, I understood where this story was going.... to a lot of sex, mate claiming, and the HEA we all love. If your looking for a rich or thoughtful read, this isn’t it and I would recommend you pass. If you want a quick read with sex, a dominate wolf, and plenty to let your imagination wander, this is it ;)
April 4, 2023
Narrators voice 🔥
Definitely brought my rating from 2 to a 3
Definitely brought my rating from 2 to a 3
May 2, 2024
For my first sapphic shifter romance, I couldn't have picked a better one. Marley and Zara's relationship was the smoothest transition from friends to lovers that I have ever seen!!
After reading some reviews this book was not received well by some and I really don't understand why. It was fun, sexy, and surprisingly swoon worthy for being the length it was. Zara and Marley had already loved one another, for years. This was their time to explore what more their friendship could be. And for Marley it was always Zara but for Zara this one new. The exploration of bodies and minds was ever present here. I loved it.
Auri Alden did such a good job at narration too. It can be difficult for me to have only a solo narrator in MM romances or Sapphic romance because the distinction of voices isn't always there. It was here and I loved how she was able to incorporate both of their voices even in back-and-forth conversations.
This will not be the last book I read in the Nightstar Shifter series. I am curious to see if we will get more of Marley's pack or if it will be full of all new characters.
After reading some reviews this book was not received well by some and I really don't understand why. It was fun, sexy, and surprisingly swoon worthy for being the length it was. Zara and Marley had already loved one another, for years. This was their time to explore what more their friendship could be. And for Marley it was always Zara but for Zara this one new. The exploration of bodies and minds was ever present here. I loved it.
Auri Alden did such a good job at narration too. It can be difficult for me to have only a solo narrator in MM romances or Sapphic romance because the distinction of voices isn't always there. It was here and I loved how she was able to incorporate both of their voices even in back-and-forth conversations.
This will not be the last book I read in the Nightstar Shifter series. I am curious to see if we will get more of Marley's pack or if it will be full of all new characters.
October 3, 2020
It was an okay read. A werewolf shifter story that is more focused on the romance part and mating than an actual plot and stuff. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
March 1, 2021
Low stakes, f/f shifter romance...and it was pretty cute.
Marley has known since meeting Zara at age 16 that the girl who would become her best friend is her mate, but because humans aren't exactly open-minded about sexuality, she's chosen to be Zara's protector and keep her close rather than telling her that they could be more. For 14 years, she's been making it work while Zara goes through a series of unfulfilling relationships with men who always disappoint her. Months after her latest break-up, Marley's decided to take Zara on a 3 week sailing vacation (🎶 a 3 week sailing vacation 🎶) on one of her family's yachts. A small one. For 4-5 people. When things do not go as planned, Marley gets the chance to show Zara how good of a mate she could be, if Zara is open to the possibilities.
Overall, I liked this story. I liked that both mains were 30—such a rarity in PNR—and they had a solid, non-dramatic friendship that was believably deep. I would have liked a little more personality to them both, but at least it wasn't Generic Marshmallow Alpha and TSTL Heroine. I'm not a fan of billionaire romances, but Marley wasn't obnoxious or spoiled, and I liked the portrayal of an Alpha who didn't force what they wanted on their mate but was instead patient and protective as close as they could get without stalking and being a complete creeper. And I was surprised that this had more sex and slightly more graphic than the other f/f books I've stumbled upon. So, pretty good and pleasant to read.
There are editing issues in here, enough to make a point about it, and the one conflict while stranded felt rather shoe-horned in, since it didn't make any sense when one thought about it for too long. ()
Calling this one a Real Rating of 3.5 stars.
Marley has known since meeting Zara at age 16 that the girl who would become her best friend is her mate, but because humans aren't exactly open-minded about sexuality, she's chosen to be Zara's protector and keep her close rather than telling her that they could be more. For 14 years, she's been making it work while Zara goes through a series of unfulfilling relationships with men who always disappoint her. Months after her latest break-up, Marley's decided to take Zara on a 3 week sailing vacation (🎶 a 3 week sailing vacation 🎶) on one of her family's yachts. A small one. For 4-5 people. When things do not go as planned, Marley gets the chance to show Zara how good of a mate she could be, if Zara is open to the possibilities.
Overall, I liked this story. I liked that both mains were 30—such a rarity in PNR—and they had a solid, non-dramatic friendship that was believably deep. I would have liked a little more personality to them both, but at least it wasn't Generic Marshmallow Alpha and TSTL Heroine. I'm not a fan of billionaire romances, but Marley wasn't obnoxious or spoiled, and I liked the portrayal of an Alpha who didn't force what they wanted on their mate but was instead patient and protective as close as they could get without stalking and being a complete creeper. And I was surprised that this had more sex and slightly more graphic than the other f/f books I've stumbled upon. So, pretty good and pleasant to read.
There are editing issues in here, enough to make a point about it, and the one conflict while stranded felt rather shoe-horned in, since it didn't make any sense when one thought about it for too long. ()
Calling this one a Real Rating of 3.5 stars.
August 28, 2021
“I’m all yours, Zahra. Always have been.”
2.5 stars. Erotic paranormal romance novella about a wolf shifter who's been in love with her best friend since they were 16, and the sailing trip they take which pushes them to take their relationship further. It's one of those books that's rather too short to leave lasting impressions, but it got the job done. There are certain tropes that tend to pop up within shifter romances that reeeeally aren't for me, and happily, this didn't have any of them. The plot was pretty rudimentary but I liked the characters fine and I'll always have the biggest soft spot for friends to lovers. Especially best friends to lovers, when there's been years of pining. Also, it was pretty sexy. ✨ Listened to the audiobook as read by Auri Alden, who's a new-to-me narrator whom I really liked! I can say the same about this author, who I'll def try again in the future.
June 13, 2020
This one is a fantasy with a friends-to-lovers storyline with two very, very attractive women on the cover.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
May 30, 2023
no puedo creer que sea la primera historia de hombres lobos que leo que no es tóxica
July 2, 2023
Besides the use of 'forbidden hole' for the anus, and some other questionable body part/fluid names, this one was pretty good.
The sex was hot, the plot was engaging. A very fast and easy read.
The sex was hot, the plot was engaging. A very fast and easy read.
August 24, 2020
Mates at last
Knowing your best friend is your life mate and not acting on it takes real courage. Once Marley and Zara are alone together they develop their friendship into more. Sara can see that her true love was with her all along. They battle the elements and a few vampires while finally being mated to each other. This is fun and short paranormal romance with many hot couplings. Read it just for pure pleasure.
Knowing your best friend is your life mate and not acting on it takes real courage. Once Marley and Zara are alone together they develop their friendship into more. Sara can see that her true love was with her all along. They battle the elements and a few vampires while finally being mated to each other. This is fun and short paranormal romance with many hot couplings. Read it just for pure pleasure.
May 6, 2023
Shape shifter and a human who are best friends on a luxury yacht for a girls’ getaway, then a big storm that knocked out all the technology, then sort of listlessly floating along or not—couldn’t really tell—then the human “bestie” spontaneously figures out she’s actually attracted to the shifter. Then a deserted island and a magically well stocked castle where they decide not to call for help & rescue when they could and thus could’ve avoided the random vampires that show up. So much, too much. Genre more aptly paranormal erotica.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
Short, smutty read. A good pallet cleaner if you need a quick smut read between high fantasy reads 💛
February 28, 2022
I don't mind reading books with sex scenes hanging together by a sliver of plot if the sex is written well but Sailing With Her Wolf felt as uninspired as its title.
Two friends, Zahra and Marley, go on a three weeks vacation on a yacht and two gal pals alone nude tanning under the sun is the perfect way to spark attraction. For Marley, the feelings she has suppressed for Zahra for fourteen years (fourteen years!) have become painful for her as her wolf demands her to give in and mate with her best friend. For Zahra, this is unchartered territory, she has never had feelings for a girl before, and definitely not for her best friend.
The worst part about this book is that it felt as if the author was in a rush to get it written and done with—though this might be a disservice to the author, she may have put a painstaking amount of work behind this. However, the almost mechanical sex scenes, the emotionless confession, the monotonous wangst and conflict and the stupidity of it all was grating. I wouldn't call this an erotica at all, it didn't do anything for me. At some point I was confused about whether they were doing anal or vaginal sex—who knows what the “forbidden hole” is?
Two friends, Zahra and Marley, go on a three weeks vacation on a yacht and two gal pals alone nude tanning under the sun is the perfect way to spark attraction. For Marley, the feelings she has suppressed for Zahra for fourteen years (fourteen years!) have become painful for her as her wolf demands her to give in and mate with her best friend. For Zahra, this is unchartered territory, she has never had feelings for a girl before, and definitely not for her best friend.
The worst part about this book is that it felt as if the author was in a rush to get it written and done with—though this might be a disservice to the author, she may have put a painstaking amount of work behind this. However, the almost mechanical sex scenes, the emotionless confession, the monotonous wangst and conflict and the stupidity of it all was grating. I wouldn't call this an erotica at all, it didn't do anything for me. At some point I was confused about whether they were doing anal or vaginal sex—who knows what the “forbidden hole” is?
March 22, 2022
I’ve read so many wattpad/werewolf stories in my lifetime, so I know what I’m talking about in that regard. Usually I don’t really care about writing quality (lol) and the plot flowed way too fast for me, but I was like eh, I can handle that.
The real reason I’m giving this 1 star is that I went in wanting hot lesbian sex (this is coming from a hot lesbian herself: me), but instead, I got a book that seemed to be written by a man who doesn’t know a single woman (even though this author is a woman)? I thought this would be a fun short sweet romp, but it turned into a fetishized view of lesbians and I’m NEVER down for that. Had to DNF, it was painful.
The real reason I’m giving this 1 star is that I went in wanting hot lesbian sex (this is coming from a hot lesbian herself: me), but instead, I got a book that seemed to be written by a man who doesn’t know a single woman (even though this author is a woman)? I thought this would be a fun short sweet romp, but it turned into a fetishized view of lesbians and I’m NEVER down for that. Had to DNF, it was painful.
May 31, 2020
A tight, interesting storyline with some drama, angst and erotic sex scenes featuring Marley and Zara the leads in this paranormal romance, one a wolf shifter and the other her human friend.
The author has written a quick enjoyable romance with a HEA. 5 stars.
I rec'd an ARC from Booksprout and this is my voluntary, un-biased review.
The author has written a quick enjoyable romance with a HEA. 5 stars.
I rec'd an ARC from Booksprout and this is my voluntary, un-biased review.
August 31, 2024
I would put money down that this was written by AI, written by a man, or written by a man using AI.
My complaints are long and numerous, and I'm not trying to spend any more energy then I already have on this book. Considering the surrounding context did NOT help in any of the following, here's a list of quotes for your consideration:
" She licked the titty"
"in the most sweetest kiss"
"Her gaze flew to Zara, finding them closed and a single tear disappearing into her hairline."
“I’m tracking you know.” (now)
"“Father!” she choked out his name, too full of emotions."
"that would make the strictest dieter forget their diet."
Keep in mind, I only started highlighting at 40% in when it became impossible to ignore, so there's definitely more.
Why did vampires show up? No one knows. Were vampires or the existence of them mentioned at all through out this story before they showed up? No. Did readers have any indication that vampires would show up at any point or were they INCREDIBLY RANDOM?
The author or the AI bot had a really had time staying consistent on how they/it wanted to write sex scenes. Body parts were described in weird or scientific terms with absolute zero in between. In these pages ALL of the following words/phrases can be found alongside the usual players: Areolae (pl.), mounds, globes, bottom, honey, forbidden hole, anus, mons, mons pubis, titty.
Plot? Nonexistent to holy. Rejected porn script.
Characterization? None.
What I didn't pay for monetarily (this book was a Stuff Your Kindle find), I paid for emotionally by forcing myself to finish this book.
My complaints are long and numerous, and I'm not trying to spend any more energy then I already have on this book. Considering the surrounding context did NOT help in any of the following, here's a list of quotes for your consideration:
" She licked the titty"
"in the most sweetest kiss"
"Her gaze flew to Zara, finding them closed and a single tear disappearing into her hairline."
“I’m tracking you know.” (now)
"“Father!” she choked out his name, too full of emotions."
"that would make the strictest dieter forget their diet."
Keep in mind, I only started highlighting at 40% in when it became impossible to ignore, so there's definitely more.
Why did vampires show up? No one knows. Were vampires or the existence of them mentioned at all through out this story before they showed up? No. Did readers have any indication that vampires would show up at any point or were they INCREDIBLY RANDOM?
The author or the AI bot had a really had time staying consistent on how they/it wanted to write sex scenes. Body parts were described in weird or scientific terms with absolute zero in between. In these pages ALL of the following words/phrases can be found alongside the usual players: Areolae (pl.), mounds, globes, bottom, honey, forbidden hole, anus, mons, mons pubis, titty.
Plot? Nonexistent to holy. Rejected porn script.
Characterization? None.
What I didn't pay for monetarily (this book was a Stuff Your Kindle find), I paid for emotionally by forcing myself to finish this book.
December 26, 2023
3 ⭐
Fast and smutty as advertised
Once the story got going it was good and engaging, however the introduction with all the info dumping was a bit much.
I also wasn't a huge fan of their "friendship", I know this is a novella so the author didn't have much time to set it up but the MCs have been best friends for 15 years, and through all of them Marly knew that they were fated mates and never said anything to Zara...this is praised in the book as something unselfish but in Zara's shoes I would have been mad to find out that my best friend has known about this for 15 YEARS and never told me, not even hinted at wanting to date. Idk maybe it's just me. Once I let go of this ick factor the rest of the novella was pretty good 👍
Narrator: Auri Alden
Fast and smutty as advertised
Once the story got going it was good and engaging, however the introduction with all the info dumping was a bit much.
I also wasn't a huge fan of their "friendship", I know this is a novella so the author didn't have much time to set it up but the MCs have been best friends for 15 years, and through all of them Marly knew that they were fated mates and never said anything to Zara...this is praised in the book as something unselfish but in Zara's shoes I would have been mad to find out that my best friend has known about this for 15 YEARS and never told me, not even hinted at wanting to date. Idk maybe it's just me. Once I let go of this ick factor the rest of the novella was pretty good 👍
Narrator: Auri Alden
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2020
Fantastic story! Characters that will steal your heart. A storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat and glued to your kindle! For me it was a love- hate deal as the characters face their demons. You will feel their emotions and struggles. A definite must read.
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.
September 20, 2023
dnf @ 50%
i got this book from a free website and already had low expectations but they went down even more after this. the writing and pacing of this book were extremely weird and made it impossible to actually read the book. the storyline wasn’t bad and had potential but it just didn’t work out.
i got this book from a free website and already had low expectations but they went down even more after this. the writing and pacing of this book were extremely weird and made it impossible to actually read the book. the storyline wasn’t bad and had potential but it just didn’t work out.
June 28, 2022
[ 3.25 stars ] this was lowkey so chaotic like idk what the plot was lmao and i also found some minor typos but whatever! it was fun and gay emotionally-repressed turned feral werewolf plus her human mate equaled a good time so we move !!
November 8, 2021
4 stars cause those parents sucked 😂
Did Not Finish
March 26, 2022DNF at 16%
This is on the same level as the story I wrote together with my friend in 6th grade, if not worse.
Someone please recommend me a good sapphic shifter book!
This is on the same level as the story I wrote together with my friend in 6th grade, if not worse.
Someone please recommend me a good sapphic shifter book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews