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Virtue Shifters #1
Timber Wolf
Wolf shifter and carpenter Jake Rowly left his home town of Virtue straight out of high school and never planned to return. But a broken heart sends him back into the fold, because if there's one thing Virtue doesn't have, it's any chance of romantic complications. Then he meets newcomer Mabs Brannigan, and realizes fate has brought him home again….
All single mother Mabs Brannigan wants is a safe, friendly place to raise her young son. When a distant relative leaves her a falling-down farmhouse in upstate New York, it seems like the chance of a lifetime to start over...until an unethical contractor runs off with her money and she's left with the devastating truth that she may have to sell the farm that she and her son have already come to love.
Jake needs a place to stay. Mabs needs a carpenter. It seems like a match made in Heaven, but Jake doesn't want to move too fast with a single mom trying to build a new life...and Mabs can't imagine a gorgeous, sexy guy like Jake would be interested in anything more than her amazing old house.
But when Mabs's past comes back to haunt her, and winter traps them together, Jake and Mabs find they're ready for whatever romance may bring...and that the house holds more secrets than they know!
TIMBER WOLF is a sweet, steamy standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliffhangers. If you're looking for charming, funny paranormal shifter romance, one-click now and fall in love with the Virtue Shifters!
All single mother Mabs Brannigan wants is a safe, friendly place to raise her young son. When a distant relative leaves her a falling-down farmhouse in upstate New York, it seems like the chance of a lifetime to start over...until an unethical contractor runs off with her money and she's left with the devastating truth that she may have to sell the farm that she and her son have already come to love.
Jake needs a place to stay. Mabs needs a carpenter. It seems like a match made in Heaven, but Jake doesn't want to move too fast with a single mom trying to build a new life...and Mabs can't imagine a gorgeous, sexy guy like Jake would be interested in anything more than her amazing old house.
But when Mabs's past comes back to haunt her, and winter traps them together, Jake and Mabs find they're ready for whatever romance may bring...and that the house holds more secrets than they know!
TIMBER WOLF is a sweet, steamy standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after and no cliffhangers. If you're looking for charming, funny paranormal shifter romance, one-click now and fall in love with the Virtue Shifters!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
987 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Chant
326 books1,509 followersZoe Chant loves writing paranormal romance. Over a cup of tea (or something stronger) she whips up sexy tales of hunky heroes and adventurous heroines to tantalize and satisfy her readers. Sizzling hot romance, no cliffhangers!
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
While series should ideally be read in order, all of Zoe’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. This includes books within series.
To get a free book for subscribing to her mailing list, please follow this link: https://www.zoechant.com/join-my-mail...
Zoe's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32545...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
December 2, 2022
To be frank, I would not have picked this book up for the cover, but I scooped it up because I've loved the author's cozy mysteries under another name (the Dublin Driver mysteries), and I'm so glad I did. This is such an incredibly gentle, cozy romance between a single mom who's been left in the lurch in multiple ways and the sweet, reliable carpenter (who just happens to be a wolf shapeshifter) who meets her, immediately knows (due to his wolf side) that she is IT for him, and moves into her barn (without any pressure or expectation) to rebuild her falling-apart house for/with her without any payment. There's a huge amount of adorkable flirting on both parts along the way, along with a lot of laughter, and a lot of detailed, in-depth house-renovation, with most of the drama coming from the woes of the falling-apart house, and no nasty romantic "black moment" to cause any stress. Mabs and Jake are adorable together, and I loved the whole sense of a strong, supportive community forming around them both.
The only reason it's not a total 5-star read for me was that one phone interaction between Jake and his parents, near the end of the book, flung up a whole bunch of questions for me that strained character credulity a bit too far (would a sweet, steady, reliable guy who loves his supportive parents REALLY not even mention to them that he'd moved town for months? or give them so much as a Thanksgiving phone call? really?), but honestly, that was a very small point that didn't take away from the cozy feel of a warm book-hug that the whole rest of the book gave me. And I'm definitely going to be reading all of the rest of C.E. Murphy's romances as Zoe Chant/Murphy Lawless next!
The only reason it's not a total 5-star read for me was that one phone interaction between Jake and his parents, near the end of the book, flung up a whole bunch of questions for me that strained character credulity a bit too far (would a sweet, steady, reliable guy who loves his supportive parents REALLY not even mention to them that he'd moved town for months? or give them so much as a Thanksgiving phone call? really?), but honestly, that was a very small point that didn't take away from the cozy feel of a warm book-hug that the whole rest of the book gave me. And I'm definitely going to be reading all of the rest of C.E. Murphy's romances as Zoe Chant/Murphy Lawless next!
September 5, 2020
Disappointed in irrelevant wolf shifter.
Being a shapeshifter was totally unnecessary to the story and actually just seemed to be thrown in there. The story would have been the same without Jake turning into a wolf. Other than providing warmth in the cold or growling at the ex, turning into a wolf served no purpose. It would have read the same if Jake was just an ordinary guy.
Being a shapeshifter was totally unnecessary to the story and actually just seemed to be thrown in there. The story would have been the same without Jake turning into a wolf. Other than providing warmth in the cold or growling at the ex, turning into a wolf served no purpose. It would have read the same if Jake was just an ordinary guy.
April 16, 2021
Very cute & fluffy read.
October 4, 2020
I'm sorry, but my goodness, was that boring! I managed to plow my way through it, but it's just a jumble of home repair (sorry, "restoration"), ridiculous inner dialogues between a man and a wolf, and repeated conversations between the MCs that do nothing to move the plot or the relationship forward.
Seriously, what happens in this story?
Mags moves to a small town, her contractor runs off with her money, and luckily hot guy carpenter Jake offers to help her in exchange for a place to stay. Oh, and she's offered a half-million dollars to sell the place, but turns it down because the house "means something to her" even though she didn't know the relative who lived there or had ever even known the place existed until it was given to her.
Then Mags and Jake fix things, and then more things need fixed, and Jake fixes things while Mags works, and then things they thought could wait to be fixed next year need to be fixed now, so Jake fixes more things.
During all the repairing, we learn that Jake is a wolf shifter for absolutely no reason. It does nothing to enhance the story. Why couldn't he just be a regular carpenter?
Oh, and the MCs unnecessarily hide their secret crushes on each other. They never really flirt or show outward interest in each other, and when they finally have sex in the last 15% of the book, it lasts about a paragraph and is about as exciting as you'd imagine a paragraph-long sexual encounter to be.
Then after 200 pages of nothing, there's a custody battle, house tampering plots, hidden mattresses of cash, and an uncovered past murder over the course of 30 pages.
November 19, 2023
Zoey changed her own lore I've known for a couple of books now (clothes changing with the shifter even tough they're not mythic) but I really loved Jake and Mabs with Noah ❤ they are soooo amazing
July 28, 2020
I didn't realize this author was the same one who wrote the Walker Papers, a favorite series of mine, til she posted about this book on twitter. I thought I would give it a try since I like her and this one sounded like one that I would like and sure enough it was.
I really liked Mags, how she was holding onto thing by her fingernails, but she wasn't too down about it. It seemed like she looked to what she had, not what she didn't. She lived in a town that she liked, the towns people helped her out and she had an adorable son. Then her friend seemed introduced her to an old school mate that just moved back to town and Jake luckily enough had the skills to help her fix her house. The time the two of them spent together helped build a good friendship, one that built to more and helped Mags accept Jake's secret.
I loved how the help that Mags got from the town, especially the Judge on a couple different fronts. And Noah brought some great levity to the book, especially at how he seemed to know what was going on with Jake.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I really liked Mags, how she was holding onto thing by her fingernails, but she wasn't too down about it. It seemed like she looked to what she had, not what she didn't. She lived in a town that she liked, the towns people helped her out and she had an adorable son. Then her friend seemed introduced her to an old school mate that just moved back to town and Jake luckily enough had the skills to help her fix her house. The time the two of them spent together helped build a good friendship, one that built to more and helped Mags accept Jake's secret.
I loved how the help that Mags got from the town, especially the Judge on a couple different fronts. And Noah brought some great levity to the book, especially at how he seemed to know what was going on with Jake.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.
July 18, 2020
Reviewed at Shifter Haven
We have a brand new series starting with ‘Timber Wolf‘, the first story in the ‘Virtue Shifters‘ series. I always love getting caught up in a new world, and this one is going to be both interesting and delightful… and sexy as well.
Frankly, what you’d want to know before picking up ‘Timber Wolf‘ can be found in the cover description. What isn’t there is the fun antics of a little boy (a whirlwind of questions, excitement and just being a kid), or the slow burn feeling as Jake and Mabs work their way toward expressing their attraction, their draw to each other actually spoken out loud and not in their minds (or in Jake’s case inner dialogue with his wolf). Or a quiet small town with some regular, some quirky, some downright evil residents that we get to explore in this opening story. The world-building, that is necessary in any new series, is skillfully woven into narrative or dialogue with ease and felt completely natural to the events happening.
I fell in love with this couple and with little Noah, and his puppy Wolf. We actually have two bad guys to despise for slightly differing reasons. The suspense about certain events is given in small doses that lead up to a very satisfying reveal, and although I’d had the thought but promptly didn’t worry about the ‘whats’ and continued on enjoying what was happening then – that reveal was perfect for me. I had fun in this new world, and I’m now hooked on learning more about the ‘Virtue Shifters‘ for there were so many possibilities – I’m curious if I guessed correctly or not.
If you love a tale well told, a fun, sexy adventure, and two people who are just right for each other then you’ll want to start off this new series right now with ‘Timber Wolf‘ – I’m betting you’ll be hooked just like I am.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
We have a brand new series starting with ‘Timber Wolf‘, the first story in the ‘Virtue Shifters‘ series. I always love getting caught up in a new world, and this one is going to be both interesting and delightful… and sexy as well.
Frankly, what you’d want to know before picking up ‘Timber Wolf‘ can be found in the cover description. What isn’t there is the fun antics of a little boy (a whirlwind of questions, excitement and just being a kid), or the slow burn feeling as Jake and Mabs work their way toward expressing their attraction, their draw to each other actually spoken out loud and not in their minds (or in Jake’s case inner dialogue with his wolf). Or a quiet small town with some regular, some quirky, some downright evil residents that we get to explore in this opening story. The world-building, that is necessary in any new series, is skillfully woven into narrative or dialogue with ease and felt completely natural to the events happening.
I fell in love with this couple and with little Noah, and his puppy Wolf. We actually have two bad guys to despise for slightly differing reasons. The suspense about certain events is given in small doses that lead up to a very satisfying reveal, and although I’d had the thought but promptly didn’t worry about the ‘whats’ and continued on enjoying what was happening then – that reveal was perfect for me. I had fun in this new world, and I’m now hooked on learning more about the ‘Virtue Shifters‘ for there were so many possibilities – I’m curious if I guessed correctly or not.
If you love a tale well told, a fun, sexy adventure, and two people who are just right for each other then you’ll want to start off this new series right now with ‘Timber Wolf‘ – I’m betting you’ll be hooked just like I am.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
December 27, 2021
Absolutely lovely
Absolutely lovely and beautiful story of two lonely people trying to find a better life and happiness. I loved it.
Absolutely lovely and beautiful story of two lonely people trying to find a better life and happiness. I loved it.
November 17, 2025
I borrowed Timber Wolf ~ Virue Shifters ~ Book 1 by Zoe Chant from the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon.
Jake Rowley, wolf shifter and carpenter came back to Virtue, New York years after having left when he graduated from high school with no intention to ever rerurn. Sarah, one of his high school friends introduced him to Mabs and her four-year-old son, Noah.
Mabs had inherited a historical house from a great-aunt that needed a lot of work after her contractor had left will all her money. Jake volunteered to help her fix it for a place to live in her barn.
Her ex-boyfriend and Noah's father finds her to make trouble, a local real estate agent is trying to force her to sell and winter stoms coming early and a whole in the roof, plus solving a murder in the small town that comes together makes this an exciting plot with lots of good people helping and coming together to protect their own. Nice sweet shifter story that I loved.
Jake Rowley, wolf shifter and carpenter came back to Virtue, New York years after having left when he graduated from high school with no intention to ever rerurn. Sarah, one of his high school friends introduced him to Mabs and her four-year-old son, Noah.
Mabs had inherited a historical house from a great-aunt that needed a lot of work after her contractor had left will all her money. Jake volunteered to help her fix it for a place to live in her barn.
Her ex-boyfriend and Noah's father finds her to make trouble, a local real estate agent is trying to force her to sell and winter stoms coming early and a whole in the roof, plus solving a murder in the small town that comes together makes this an exciting plot with lots of good people helping and coming together to protect their own. Nice sweet shifter story that I loved.
March 1, 2022
Read : March 1, 2022
Rating: 3 Stars
Cutesy, even though she's down on her luck and struggling to swim up Mabs manages to come across as mostly cheerful(also helped by hot dude) and gets stuff done.
I liked her character and the kid is cute and funny.
The guy, he's funny-ish and helps a lot, a general good guy but I didn't really get a feel for him since he's kinda... Bland?
Also, why a shifter though? Not trying to be an a-hole but honestly confused as to why it was a part of the story since it wasn't for the plot? Was it just for the pun in the title basically?
Rating: 3 Stars
Cutesy, even though she's down on her luck and struggling to swim up Mabs manages to come across as mostly cheerful(also helped by hot dude) and gets stuff done.
I liked her character and the kid is cute and funny.
The guy, he's funny-ish and helps a lot, a general good guy but I didn't really get a feel for him since he's kinda... Bland?
Also, why a shifter though? Not trying to be an a-hole but honestly confused as to why it was a part of the story since it wasn't for the plot? Was it just for the pun in the title basically?
August 2, 2020
Predictable but cute
This made for a sweet and simple light read. Very pg13 but it worked.
It was very unrealistic but it made for a nice easy read.
This made for a sweet and simple light read. Very pg13 but it worked.
It was very unrealistic but it made for a nice easy read.
August 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this book
Read
February 18, 2024Well, this was a delight. Charming, feel-good romance in a small town, with all you could possibly want in the way of pining, longing and an adorable whirlwind of a four-year-old. Just lovely.
April 30, 2021
I want to give this 3 or 4 stars for the characters. They were adorable and relatable. But the plot is so very predictable and so very slow. Also the guy did not have to be a shifter. The shifter part was thrown in as an afterthought or like the author didn’t know what to do with it. It literally did not affect or influence or come into any part of the story.
December 25, 2022
Mabs Brannigan is a single mom, who by a stroke of good fortune has inherited a home in upstate NY. Well in terms of a place to stay it's good, however it requires much renovation. Her great aunt Doris seems to have only lived in a couple of rooms in the house and the rest was truly in sad shape. She had planned out everything and now the contractor took off with her money, leaving her little hope of getting things done. Her son Noah is a whirlwind of energy and in order to do the few things she knows she can handle alone; her friend and town librarian Sarah Ekstrom is coming over.
Sarah calls to say she's bringing an old friend with her and really nothing else.
Jake Rowley left Virtue, never intending to come back. A romance gone bad has him returning where he's sure he won't have any romantic complications. He's going to need a place to stay and Sarah has an idea about that.
Then there's the realtor that calls offering a lot of money for the property. Mabs isn't interested, she wants this home for her and Noah and will restore it to its former glory following rules for historic landmarks.
Jake needs a place to stay, and Mabs needs someone to help her renovate. One would say it's a match made in heaven, but Jake's wolf is sure Mags is his mate.
There are plenty of ups and downs in this book as Jake and Mabs explore a relationship and renovate.
More annoyance from the realtor and to top it off Noah's father shows up with threats even though he has had nothing to do with Mabs or Noah from the beginning.
I love the way this story plays out. The town of Virtue is welcoming in a very different way than most small towns.
I am already reading the next book in the series.
Sarah calls to say she's bringing an old friend with her and really nothing else.
Jake Rowley left Virtue, never intending to come back. A romance gone bad has him returning where he's sure he won't have any romantic complications. He's going to need a place to stay and Sarah has an idea about that.
Then there's the realtor that calls offering a lot of money for the property. Mabs isn't interested, she wants this home for her and Noah and will restore it to its former glory following rules for historic landmarks.
Jake needs a place to stay, and Mabs needs someone to help her renovate. One would say it's a match made in heaven, but Jake's wolf is sure Mags is his mate.
There are plenty of ups and downs in this book as Jake and Mabs explore a relationship and renovate.
More annoyance from the realtor and to top it off Noah's father shows up with threats even though he has had nothing to do with Mabs or Noah from the beginning.
I love the way this story plays out. The town of Virtue is welcoming in a very different way than most small towns.
I am already reading the next book in the series.
July 12, 2020
A Second Chance!!!
Mabs Brannigan was just looking for a safe place to raise her four-year-old son Noah. Then she found out that a distant relative she hadn't known about left her a falling down farmhouse in upstate New York. That piece of news couldn't have come at a better moment. Her chance at starting afresh was nearly lost when a crock contractor ran off with all her money.
Now it looked like she and her son were about to lose the house they've come to love. Until she met Jake Rowly, a handsome as sin stranger who was looking for a place to stay and who also turned out to be a carpenter. There was an instant attraction between them but neither one of them didn't want to move to fast.
Jake Rowly, a Wolf shifter who'd left his hometown years ago after high school. He never had any plans to return until he got his heart broken and decided to move back home. He never expected for his life to chance so much. Fate was a funny thing.
Just as things between Mabs and Jake were taking a new direction, her past came back to haunt her. But the new man in her life wouldn't let anything nor anyone upset her and Noah's lives.
Sarah Ekstrom was an old friend of Jake's. She was also friends with Mabs, so when she found out about them. Let's just say that she was extremely happy for her two friends. They both found happiness when they least expected it.
TIMBER WOLF is the first book in Zoe Chant's new series, VIRTUE SHIFTERS . It was a wonderful read. Zoe Chant did a great job. Looking forward to what comes next. Two thumbs up!
****I received a free copy from the author, without any obligation to review.****
Mabs Brannigan was just looking for a safe place to raise her four-year-old son Noah. Then she found out that a distant relative she hadn't known about left her a falling down farmhouse in upstate New York. That piece of news couldn't have come at a better moment. Her chance at starting afresh was nearly lost when a crock contractor ran off with all her money.
Now it looked like she and her son were about to lose the house they've come to love. Until she met Jake Rowly, a handsome as sin stranger who was looking for a place to stay and who also turned out to be a carpenter. There was an instant attraction between them but neither one of them didn't want to move to fast.
Jake Rowly, a Wolf shifter who'd left his hometown years ago after high school. He never had any plans to return until he got his heart broken and decided to move back home. He never expected for his life to chance so much. Fate was a funny thing.
Just as things between Mabs and Jake were taking a new direction, her past came back to haunt her. But the new man in her life wouldn't let anything nor anyone upset her and Noah's lives.
Sarah Ekstrom was an old friend of Jake's. She was also friends with Mabs, so when she found out about them. Let's just say that she was extremely happy for her two friends. They both found happiness when they least expected it.
TIMBER WOLF is the first book in Zoe Chant's new series, VIRTUE SHIFTERS . It was a wonderful read. Zoe Chant did a great job. Looking forward to what comes next. Two thumbs up!
****I received a free copy from the author, without any obligation to review.****
August 30, 2020
I liked a lot about this book, more so than several recent books by this author. The longer length gives the story room to breathe and unfold at a more natural pace - we get to see several months of interaction between the hero and heroine, rather than meet-lust-love within a week or so. I also appreciated the older age of the two leads, and that both had life experience behind them. The small-town supporting cast was believable and not twee (thank goodness!), and while this book can certainly stand on its own, it looks to be the first in a series and I won't mind spending more time in this world.
The only bits that bring it down for me are the slightly rushed and neatly wrapped up ending. There are two main threats to Mabs throughout this book- the persistent real-estate agent trying to get her to sell, and the worry about her ex returning. While obviously you don't want to wrap up the conflict too early in a story, both threats have resolutions that felt a little bit too neat and pat to me. There's also the miraculous windfall that I saw coming and was still a bit disappointed in - of course I'm glad that Mabs and her son won't have to struggle, but it still felt a bit too trite. Maybe I'm just feeling cynical these days!
ETA: I also love a snarky dialogue between a shifter and their animal, which Jake and his wolf have in spades. The house restoration stuff was interesting too, particularly to anyone who follows accounts like CheapOldHouses or dreams of having a front porch one day.
The only bits that bring it down for me are the slightly rushed and neatly wrapped up ending. There are two main threats to Mabs throughout this book- the persistent real-estate agent trying to get her to sell, and the worry about her ex returning. While obviously you don't want to wrap up the conflict too early in a story, both threats have resolutions that felt a little bit too neat and pat to me. There's also the miraculous windfall that I saw coming and was still a bit disappointed in - of course I'm glad that Mabs and her son won't have to struggle, but it still felt a bit too trite. Maybe I'm just feeling cynical these days!
ETA: I also love a snarky dialogue between a shifter and their animal, which Jake and his wolf have in spades. The house restoration stuff was interesting too, particularly to anyone who follows accounts like CheapOldHouses or dreams of having a front porch one day.
February 2, 2023
I love all things Zoe Chant!
Zoe Chant is one of my all time favorite paranormal romance writers. Her imagination and creativity is beautiful to behold. The way she makes even mythical creatures come to life is magical. To read her novels is to experience a virtual fantasy trip to a world where people can shift into sea dragon's and Phoenixes and relax at a tropical resort with all sorts of different shifters! Talk about the Lion laying down with the lamb!
A timber wolf shifter like in Timber Wolf , Virtue Shifters Book1, might seem mundane compared to mythical shifters. Yet, one who works with wood, renovates old houses, and looks good without a shirt and with a low hanging toolbelt, sounds pretty yummy to me. Jake and Mabs love story is pure Zoe Chant enchantment. The romance is slow burning with enough heat to make even the stoniest heart flutter. And so like Zoe Chant, there is a bit of mystery and suspense to the story. It is more than tangled sheets and sweaty naked bodies, there is an entertaining story to keep you so entranced you will not want to put this book down.
Timber Wolf is one of those novels you can easily finish in one setting ,though you may find yourself reading past bedtime or neglecting some household chores to do it. If you are a fan of paranormal romance like I am, a messy house or a little less sleep ,is a small price to pay for an enchanting story!
Zoe Chant is one of my all time favorite paranormal romance writers. Her imagination and creativity is beautiful to behold. The way she makes even mythical creatures come to life is magical. To read her novels is to experience a virtual fantasy trip to a world where people can shift into sea dragon's and Phoenixes and relax at a tropical resort with all sorts of different shifters! Talk about the Lion laying down with the lamb!
A timber wolf shifter like in Timber Wolf , Virtue Shifters Book1, might seem mundane compared to mythical shifters. Yet, one who works with wood, renovates old houses, and looks good without a shirt and with a low hanging toolbelt, sounds pretty yummy to me. Jake and Mabs love story is pure Zoe Chant enchantment. The romance is slow burning with enough heat to make even the stoniest heart flutter. And so like Zoe Chant, there is a bit of mystery and suspense to the story. It is more than tangled sheets and sweaty naked bodies, there is an entertaining story to keep you so entranced you will not want to put this book down.
Timber Wolf is one of those novels you can easily finish in one setting ,though you may find yourself reading past bedtime or neglecting some household chores to do it. If you are a fan of paranormal romance like I am, a messy house or a little less sleep ,is a small price to pay for an enchanting story!
July 27, 2020
I loved this story about Jake and Mabs. Mabs is escaping from her ex, who was horrible to her and really didn't care for their son. Jake returned to his hometown but needed a place to stay and Mabs needed help restoring a house she inherited. Match made in heaven! And she is his fated mate, to boot! So it was a sweet set up made better with great characters who were good mature people. I love Zoe Chant's books because in most cases, once the couple is a team, they are a TEAM against the bad guys and it is wonderful not to have to deal with miscommunication issues that break them up. Not to mention, Jake may be an alpha male but he realizes that Mabs also is alpha in such a way that she can also take care of herself.
It's a great small town romance and while there were bad guys in the story, they weren't well characterized. However, they provided a foil for which these two had to overcome to achieve their HEA. I think the ending was a little rushed but it doesn't take away from how well the love between these two grew. I received an early copy and was thankful for the opportunity to escape to this new wonderful world.
It's a great small town romance and while there were bad guys in the story, they weren't well characterized. However, they provided a foil for which these two had to overcome to achieve their HEA. I think the ending was a little rushed but it doesn't take away from how well the love between these two grew. I received an early copy and was thankful for the opportunity to escape to this new wonderful world.
September 16, 2020
This was a cute story, that held my interest, had me chuckle a few times, and left me smiling at the end. There was a lot of angst for the couple just trying to get together (being unsure of making the first move past being friends), but in the end, it was sweet, and felt more realistic that they got to know each other so well before actually being in a relationship. This is the sort of "fated mate" thing that I like to see, so it doesn't seem like it's just the mate thing in the driver seat of the relationship. I liked the characters, especially Jake. Mabs (her name really was hard for me to get past- it was just jarring), was a good relatable character. There wasn't much world building, but it felt like it takes place in present time, and not really needing much for world building, I wasn't lost or confused reading, so I think that was a valid point to the world building. I would have liked a tad more wolf, it was easy to forget the paranormal aspect of the story, until the wolf showed up/talked to him in his head. The characters were fleshed out nice, and left me happy they got their HEA. I would read more in this "Virtue" world, when the books release.
March 28, 2025
✨ 4.5 stars ✨
Heartfelt, homey, and full of fated sparks. Timber Wolf by Zoe Chant is everything I love in a low-angst, high-heat shifter romance—small-town charm, slow-burn tension, and a protective hero who falls hard for a woman who doesn’t believe she deserves him.
Jake Rowly is the kind of cinnamon roll alpha who makes you want to renovate a farmhouse just to catch his attention. Mabs is a relatable, resilient single mom whose love for her son is as fierce as Jake’s growing devotion to her. Their connection is immediate but tender, unfolding with enough sizzle to keep things interesting without losing that sweet emotional payoff.
What really stood out to me was how grounded the story felt. The stakes were personal, not apocalyptic—which gave every moment of vulnerability between Jake and Mabs that much more weight. I also loved the setting: snowy days, small-town gossip, and a dilapidated farmhouse full of secrets? Yes, please.
If you’re looking for a cozy shifter romance that blends steam, sweetness, and second chances, Timber Wolf will warm your heart like a wood-burning stove in a snowstorm.
Heartfelt, homey, and full of fated sparks. Timber Wolf by Zoe Chant is everything I love in a low-angst, high-heat shifter romance—small-town charm, slow-burn tension, and a protective hero who falls hard for a woman who doesn’t believe she deserves him.
Jake Rowly is the kind of cinnamon roll alpha who makes you want to renovate a farmhouse just to catch his attention. Mabs is a relatable, resilient single mom whose love for her son is as fierce as Jake’s growing devotion to her. Their connection is immediate but tender, unfolding with enough sizzle to keep things interesting without losing that sweet emotional payoff.
What really stood out to me was how grounded the story felt. The stakes were personal, not apocalyptic—which gave every moment of vulnerability between Jake and Mabs that much more weight. I also loved the setting: snowy days, small-town gossip, and a dilapidated farmhouse full of secrets? Yes, please.
If you’re looking for a cozy shifter romance that blends steam, sweetness, and second chances, Timber Wolf will warm your heart like a wood-burning stove in a snowstorm.
November 7, 2021
Jake, Mary Anne (Mabs), and Noah with Wolf Make Four! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert!
Jake, a Virtue Wolf shifter, returned home as a restoration carpenter, only to meet his fated mate, Mary Anne and her son, Noah, as they repair the Old Brannigan House, willed to her after her Aunt's death. Together they battled, pesky murdering realtor, Cole Preston, her dead beat ex-Bruce, and a collapsed roof from heavy snow and Preston's shenanigans, as their love for each other grew and blossomed in Virtue. Jake revealed his shifter secret to a non-plussed Noah, and an accepting Mabs, who slowly rebuilt her old self confidence. With Sarah and Judge Owens on their side, Bruce and Cole were dispatched, as her Aunt's money loaded mattress and Cole's handkerchief were found in the mattress. Definitely a HEA novel!!
Great plot and characters with justice for Aunt Sarah finally delivered with a 'money is the root of all evil ' flowing through the novel. A Must-Read!
11/03/21- 11/07/21 COVID-19 DST Ends.
Jake, a Virtue Wolf shifter, returned home as a restoration carpenter, only to meet his fated mate, Mary Anne and her son, Noah, as they repair the Old Brannigan House, willed to her after her Aunt's death. Together they battled, pesky murdering realtor, Cole Preston, her dead beat ex-Bruce, and a collapsed roof from heavy snow and Preston's shenanigans, as their love for each other grew and blossomed in Virtue. Jake revealed his shifter secret to a non-plussed Noah, and an accepting Mabs, who slowly rebuilt her old self confidence. With Sarah and Judge Owens on their side, Bruce and Cole were dispatched, as her Aunt's money loaded mattress and Cole's handkerchief were found in the mattress. Definitely a HEA novel!!
Great plot and characters with justice for Aunt Sarah finally delivered with a 'money is the root of all evil ' flowing through the novel. A Must-Read!
11/03/21- 11/07/21 COVID-19 DST Ends.
August 19, 2020
I think if I had to come up with a single word to describe this one, it would be 'sweet'.
It was a fast, enjoyable, light-hearted read, and I liked both of the main characters - enough to forgive the instalove and the fated mate tropes (on the plus side the 'fated mate' thing didn't make the male lead massively possessive or alphajerk-esque, which made the trope easier to forgive)
I thought it was going in the same direction as Elizabeth Hunter's Grit (at one point, but it veered off on its own plotline (renovating Mabs's house), and while I liked Mabs and Jake, they never really truly connected with me as viscerally as Cary and Melissa did (and Noah was EXACTLY the kind of 'adorable precociousness' I commented that I was so glad Abby wasn't)
I'm a bit too lurghed to come up with a coherent review for it beyond that, but basically: yep, fun, fast, easy on the brain, and a solid 3-star from my perspective
It was a fast, enjoyable, light-hearted read, and I liked both of the main characters - enough to forgive the instalove and the fated mate tropes (on the plus side the 'fated mate' thing didn't make the male lead massively possessive or alphajerk-esque, which made the trope easier to forgive)
I thought it was going in the same direction as Elizabeth Hunter's Grit (at one point, but it veered off on its own plotline (renovating Mabs's house), and while I liked Mabs and Jake, they never really truly connected with me as viscerally as Cary and Melissa did (and Noah was EXACTLY the kind of 'adorable precociousness' I commented that I was so glad Abby wasn't)
I'm a bit too lurghed to come up with a coherent review for it beyond that, but basically: yep, fun, fast, easy on the brain, and a solid 3-star from my perspective
August 16, 2021
A single mother, a returning local and a Huge old house needing alot of TLC.
Mab a her son Noah, are living in the Branigan farmhouse since she inherited it, now learning her contractor has taken off with all her money. For renovation is the last thing Mab needs,. When friend Sarah arrives with a strange man in tow, Mabs is struck with how handsome and big he is. Jake stares at the huge old structure infront of him making note of place in need of repair asap, sand afew that had been started, when his wolf sat up and took notice of the woman Sarah was introducing to him Jake saw a beautiful if small compacted woman, with a small boy. MATE AND CUB!!!!Nope not interested in a ready made family.
Find out how it works out. Another great story, from Zoe Chant,
A growing fated love, lots of funny moments, some tense ones, and a mystery and murder.
Great read, complete though it left me feeling there should have been more.
Mab a her son Noah, are living in the Branigan farmhouse since she inherited it, now learning her contractor has taken off with all her money. For renovation is the last thing Mab needs,. When friend Sarah arrives with a strange man in tow, Mabs is struck with how handsome and big he is. Jake stares at the huge old structure infront of him making note of place in need of repair asap, sand afew that had been started, when his wolf sat up and took notice of the woman Sarah was introducing to him Jake saw a beautiful if small compacted woman, with a small boy. MATE AND CUB!!!!Nope not interested in a ready made family.
Find out how it works out. Another great story, from Zoe Chant,
A growing fated love, lots of funny moments, some tense ones, and a mystery and murder.
Great read, complete though it left me feeling there should have been more.
December 26, 2021
Beware of wolf
Mabs inherited a rundown but historic house in Virtue. She seizes on the opportunity for a fresh start for her and her precocious four year old son Noah. After his break up, Jake returns to his hometown. After her contractor runs off with her money, a mutual friend introduces her to Jake a carpenter. Jake is immediately smitten and his wolf tells him she is his mate. Still gun shy after his break up and because Mabs is not a shifter, he decides to take it slow. As he helps her restore the house and fend off unwanted visitors they grow closer. Jake's reveal of his wolf is well-timed and quite entertaining. Less heat than I expect from a Zoe Chant novel but once they take their relationship to the next level, Mabs reaps the benefits of a shifter lover. Noah steals almost every scene he's in and Mabs and Jake are likeable characters you'll enjoy reading. I've already downloaded book two.
Mabs inherited a rundown but historic house in Virtue. She seizes on the opportunity for a fresh start for her and her precocious four year old son Noah. After his break up, Jake returns to his hometown. After her contractor runs off with her money, a mutual friend introduces her to Jake a carpenter. Jake is immediately smitten and his wolf tells him she is his mate. Still gun shy after his break up and because Mabs is not a shifter, he decides to take it slow. As he helps her restore the house and fend off unwanted visitors they grow closer. Jake's reveal of his wolf is well-timed and quite entertaining. Less heat than I expect from a Zoe Chant novel but once they take their relationship to the next level, Mabs reaps the benefits of a shifter lover. Noah steals almost every scene he's in and Mabs and Jake are likeable characters you'll enjoy reading. I've already downloaded book two.
March 9, 2022
A bit too soppy
I know it's better not having high expectations for such kind of book but anyway I always try to give it a chance.
It's not a bad book at all, the characters are sweet. Mabs is a single mother with a 4 years mischievous kid and Jake is a sexy shifter and a carpenter with a broken heart. Mabs needs to renovate the house she inherited and Jake needs a house and a new start in life...
I loved Jake's wolf inner monologues. This beast is hilarious and a sassy one😉😂 Jake is really a sweet guy, concerned for Mabs and her son, and their wellbeing.
No violence, betrayal, and pain here (well, there is f*ckhead ex and a too gready realtor but you will handle them easily😉). The story is just a too slow paced romance with not enough steam...alas boring😔
The end was something else with a bit of action and an unexpected plot twist which was quite interesting but as I got bored 50% of the read, I just have to rate this book not more than ⭐⭐⭐.
I know it's better not having high expectations for such kind of book but anyway I always try to give it a chance.
It's not a bad book at all, the characters are sweet. Mabs is a single mother with a 4 years mischievous kid and Jake is a sexy shifter and a carpenter with a broken heart. Mabs needs to renovate the house she inherited and Jake needs a house and a new start in life...
I loved Jake's wolf inner monologues. This beast is hilarious and a sassy one😉😂 Jake is really a sweet guy, concerned for Mabs and her son, and their wellbeing.
No violence, betrayal, and pain here (well, there is f*ckhead ex and a too gready realtor but you will handle them easily😉). The story is just a too slow paced romance with not enough steam...alas boring😔
The end was something else with a bit of action and an unexpected plot twist which was quite interesting but as I got bored 50% of the read, I just have to rate this book not more than ⭐⭐⭐.
December 30, 2022
Single mom Mary Anne ‘Mabs’ Brannigan felt defeated. The contractor she’d hired to refresh the antiquated farmhouse she inherited ran off with the money and if it wasn’t for her waitress job, Mabs couldn’t feed herself and four year old son, Noah.
In town nursing his broken heart, carpenter Jake Rowly agrees to accompany a friend to Mabs’ home for the possibility of work and a place to stay until he gets on his feet. A woman was the last thing on Jake’s mind; that is until he walked into single mom Mabs Brannigan’s kitchen. From that second, Jake never wants to leave Mabs.
To my taste, this is a nice lazy day read and the secondary character, the sleazy realtor and blustering ex broke into the romance with perfect timing and relevance to a smooth and interesting story. If there was a gripe for me, it would be the small late mystery that also helped to wrap this outing.
Rating: 4.25stars
In town nursing his broken heart, carpenter Jake Rowly agrees to accompany a friend to Mabs’ home for the possibility of work and a place to stay until he gets on his feet. A woman was the last thing on Jake’s mind; that is until he walked into single mom Mabs Brannigan’s kitchen. From that second, Jake never wants to leave Mabs.
To my taste, this is a nice lazy day read and the secondary character, the sleazy realtor and blustering ex broke into the romance with perfect timing and relevance to a smooth and interesting story. If there was a gripe for me, it would be the small late mystery that also helped to wrap this outing.
Rating: 4.25stars
December 9, 2023
Wolf and his mate...
Mabs is a woman who was looking for a good home for her son. She had raised him all by herself. When her aunt died, Mans inherited her hone in Virtue. The house wasn't in great shape but with a little work it was liveable. She hired a carpenter to help fix the place but he stole her money and disappeared. Jake, a wolfshifter, grew up in Virtue but had left after high school. He returned to Virtue to just have some time to relax. When he sees Mabs he knows she is his mate. He offers to stay.at her place and help fix everything up. It wasn't long before Labs realized she was in love with him. He loves her and her son. They were working on her aunts bedroom and took her mattress out to the barn for her son to play on. He was upset when the mattress burst open and money poored out. So her money problems were over and they were able to pay off all of the debts she had charged to work on her house.
Mabs is a woman who was looking for a good home for her son. She had raised him all by herself. When her aunt died, Mans inherited her hone in Virtue. The house wasn't in great shape but with a little work it was liveable. She hired a carpenter to help fix the place but he stole her money and disappeared. Jake, a wolfshifter, grew up in Virtue but had left after high school. He returned to Virtue to just have some time to relax. When he sees Mabs he knows she is his mate. He offers to stay.at her place and help fix everything up. It wasn't long before Labs realized she was in love with him. He loves her and her son. They were working on her aunts bedroom and took her mattress out to the barn for her son to play on. He was upset when the mattress burst open and money poored out. So her money problems were over and they were able to pay off all of the debts she had charged to work on her house.
July 11, 2020
Once again 'Zoe' brings another fresh new series to fall in love with. Virtue is a wonderful small town that Mabs immediately falls in love with. The house she inherited, that's another story. She and her son are looking for a new place to call home. But the house needs restoring. Her best friend introduces her to Jake when he comes back to town. He is a carpenter and perfect for her in more ways than one. Jake had no intention on staying in Virtue. He definitely wasn't looking for a relationship. However, there is something about Mabs that he is drawn to. His wolf knows she is his mate, the man, not so much. The more time they spend together, their feelings become stronger. A story of love and friendship. Mr. Growly and Noah had also built a bond. I can't wait for the next one. An amazing read for all PNR fans. This my voluntary opinion of an advanced copy I received.
July 14, 2020
This was a lovely read once I got into it. The main characters were lovingly written and Virtue sounds like a great place to live and work. This is one to smile over and relax with when you just want to cuddle up with a good romance. Perfect for me right now.
I struggled with the inner dialogue of 'ooooh, so pretty/handsome' to start with as it felt a little too much and also rather lengthy in places, but it eased off and the space got given to character growth, a whirlwind four year old and a sweet romance I really enjoyed with a great, nicely paced growing relationship.
A man supporting the woman's actions and letting her get on with things as he sees her as capable? *swoons* Thank you!
Shall go and look up other books by the author now and am looking forward to reading more.
Currently on KU.
I struggled with the inner dialogue of 'ooooh, so pretty/handsome' to start with as it felt a little too much and also rather lengthy in places, but it eased off and the space got given to character growth, a whirlwind four year old and a sweet romance I really enjoyed with a great, nicely paced growing relationship.
A man supporting the woman's actions and letting her get on with things as he sees her as capable? *swoons* Thank you!
Shall go and look up other books by the author now and am looking forward to reading more.
Currently on KU.
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