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Perth Shifters #2
The Gentle Wolf
Omega Aodhan Donne has buried his past, his life revolves around his chocolaterie, Little Star, a place where he creates sweet and happy memories. Demisexual, and used to being shoved in the friends category by the time he falls for someone, he throws all his energy into creating romantic moments for others in his store, neglecting his needs. His highlight for two years has been the man who visits his shop every Tuesday.
Beta Thomas Wilson is an historian who believes the past should be unearthed, working as the curator at Western Australia’s only shifter museum, educating children and adults about shifter history. Quiet and hard-working, he allows himself to visit Aodhan at Little Star once a week, as a treat.
When Aodhan decides he wants to get know Thomas better, he offers him a window into a complicated history that influenced the lives of shifters in the whole of Australia, and faces the possibility of Thomas learning too much about his dark past.
After deciding to take it slow, their unconventional relationship becomes a whirlwind, sweeping them up together and blowing open the doors hiding their painful pasts. They couldn’t face their truths alone, but if they’re willing to face them together, Aodhan and Thomas may get the love they’ve always yearned for.
(99,800 words)
Beta Thomas Wilson is an historian who believes the past should be unearthed, working as the curator at Western Australia’s only shifter museum, educating children and adults about shifter history. Quiet and hard-working, he allows himself to visit Aodhan at Little Star once a week, as a treat.
When Aodhan decides he wants to get know Thomas better, he offers him a window into a complicated history that influenced the lives of shifters in the whole of Australia, and faces the possibility of Thomas learning too much about his dark past.
After deciding to take it slow, their unconventional relationship becomes a whirlwind, sweeping them up together and blowing open the doors hiding their painful pasts. They couldn’t face their truths alone, but if they’re willing to face them together, Aodhan and Thomas may get the love they’ve always yearned for.
(99,800 words)
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2020
5 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Pia Foxhall
16 books176 followersPronouns: They/them
Aka not_poignant
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Aka not_poignant
http://not-poignant.tumblr.com/
http://archiveofourown.org/users/not_...
http://archiveofourown.org/users/thes...
NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/dJsDhQ
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 14, 2020
3,5☆
I started this book because it has two of my favorite things: demisexual MC and wolf shifters.
The wolf scenes were really good and loved how many of them were in the book, I love shifting scenes. And it was cute that Aodhan loved being wolf this much! Loved the contrast between Aodhan and Thomas, they were so different but in a way so much alike.
Both Thomas and Aodhan were great characters and their relationship was really lovely. The demisexual part was well written, it was real.
Loved the story and the writing style, but it was too slow for me. I enjoyed reading it.
I started this book because it has two of my favorite things: demisexual MC and wolf shifters.
The wolf scenes were really good and loved how many of them were in the book, I love shifting scenes. And it was cute that Aodhan loved being wolf this much! Loved the contrast between Aodhan and Thomas, they were so different but in a way so much alike.
Both Thomas and Aodhan were great characters and their relationship was really lovely. The demisexual part was well written, it was real.
Loved the story and the writing style, but it was too slow for me. I enjoyed reading it.
November 13, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
The Gentle Wolf is the second book in the Perth Shifters series by Pia Foxhall. While Aodhan shows up in Blackwood, and Coll and Braden appear a couple of times here, these stories do stand alone quite well and this works fine as a standalone. This is a really interesting series for me as it reads as almost a combination of a traditional paranormal shifter story and an omegaverse world. Here we have wolves with packs and who shift. The wolves came out to the world a generation ago and fought for their rights among humans. At the same time, this is an omegaverse world with alphas/betas/omegas, where the males do go into heat, but there is no mpreg. So it is an unusual genre blend that I think works really well. The world building is nicely developed and the way shifters and their history are integrated really adds nice depth to the series.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
The Gentle Wolf is the second book in the Perth Shifters series by Pia Foxhall. While Aodhan shows up in Blackwood, and Coll and Braden appear a couple of times here, these stories do stand alone quite well and this works fine as a standalone. This is a really interesting series for me as it reads as almost a combination of a traditional paranormal shifter story and an omegaverse world. Here we have wolves with packs and who shift. The wolves came out to the world a generation ago and fought for their rights among humans. At the same time, this is an omegaverse world with alphas/betas/omegas, where the males do go into heat, but there is no mpreg. So it is an unusual genre blend that I think works really well. The world building is nicely developed and the way shifters and their history are integrated really adds nice depth to the series.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
October 15, 2021
Trigger warnings: PTSD, , betrayal of trust between siblings, systemic oppression in shifter society, dementia.
3.5 stars.
So I was really excited to read this because I knew a) it followed a secondary character from the first book and b) it has a demisexual protagonist. And while I liked the relationship and the fact that it's about a museum curator falling for a chocolatier, I kind of struggled at times having read this and Blackwood SO close together. And reading two books almost back to back with protagonists who have PTSD as a result of past sexual assault was.......a little much tbh.
That being said, it was fun to see more of the shifter community in Perth and I would *love* to have a book from Jodi's perspective.
3.5 stars.
So I was really excited to read this because I knew a) it followed a secondary character from the first book and b) it has a demisexual protagonist. And while I liked the relationship and the fact that it's about a museum curator falling for a chocolatier, I kind of struggled at times having read this and Blackwood SO close together. And reading two books almost back to back with protagonists who have PTSD as a result of past sexual assault was.......a little much tbh.
That being said, it was fun to see more of the shifter community in Perth and I would *love* to have a book from Jodi's perspective.
November 9, 2020
3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a surprisingly gritty shifter romance. On one level, it is the story of a chocolatier who falls for a museum curator. But it is also the story of a young man who must come to terms with his difficult past before he can begin to build meaningful relationships with the people he cares about.
If child abuse and dysfunctional families are triggers, readers will want to approach this book with caution. Parts of Aodhan’s experiences are truly horrific. But other parts of Aodhan’s life are beautiful. The descriptions of his chocolates made me perpetually hungry and I love the way he has crafted his business. Similarly, Thomas’ passion for his museum is wonderful and I love the way the two men’s passions match and compliment each other beautifully.
Ace romance is incredibly difficult to write because the basic romance story arc doesn’t necessarily fit an Ace relationship. Here, Aodhan is demisexual with a personal history of child abuse. Neither of these things makes for a sexy read. Thomas is also recovering from a toxic relationship so when his baggage tangles with Aodhan's, it puts an incredible strain on a fledgling relationship. Ultimately, it is very difficult for readers to see Thomas and Aodhan’s relationship progressing or moving forward. In Ace romance, increased openness or intellectual intimacy is more difficult to convey than the progressive sexual intimacy that underpins most romance writing. The result here is a story that seems to wander at times and a central relationship that builds incredibly slowly.
I remain conflicted about this book. I really appreciated Aodhan’s growth in the book - growth in his relationship with Thomas, but also in his relationship with his friends and his sister. However, the story does feel slow and rambling and I’m not sure the quality of the writing is always strong enough to support the intensely important themes being explored.
This is a surprisingly gritty shifter romance. On one level, it is the story of a chocolatier who falls for a museum curator. But it is also the story of a young man who must come to terms with his difficult past before he can begin to build meaningful relationships with the people he cares about.
If child abuse and dysfunctional families are triggers, readers will want to approach this book with caution. Parts of Aodhan’s experiences are truly horrific. But other parts of Aodhan’s life are beautiful. The descriptions of his chocolates made me perpetually hungry and I love the way he has crafted his business. Similarly, Thomas’ passion for his museum is wonderful and I love the way the two men’s passions match and compliment each other beautifully.
Ace romance is incredibly difficult to write because the basic romance story arc doesn’t necessarily fit an Ace relationship. Here, Aodhan is demisexual with a personal history of child abuse. Neither of these things makes for a sexy read. Thomas is also recovering from a toxic relationship so when his baggage tangles with Aodhan's, it puts an incredible strain on a fledgling relationship. Ultimately, it is very difficult for readers to see Thomas and Aodhan’s relationship progressing or moving forward. In Ace romance, increased openness or intellectual intimacy is more difficult to convey than the progressive sexual intimacy that underpins most romance writing. The result here is a story that seems to wander at times and a central relationship that builds incredibly slowly.
I remain conflicted about this book. I really appreciated Aodhan’s growth in the book - growth in his relationship with Thomas, but also in his relationship with his friends and his sister. However, the story does feel slow and rambling and I’m not sure the quality of the writing is always strong enough to support the intensely important themes being explored.
August 14, 2023
THE GENTLE WOLF is the second book in the Blackwood series and, wow, I hope you're ready for a read that will knock your socks off.
Aodhan is Braden's best friend and a well-renowned chocolatier in his own right. Thomas is the curator/owner of a local museum. For the past two years, Thomas has gone to Aodhan's shop every Tuesday for a coffee. Both of these have their own issues to work out.
What an amazing story! This covers some serious issues like child abuse, emotional and mental abuse, demisexuality, depression, survivor's guilt, and a whole host of other things so please don't expect a light and fluffy read. Instead, what you get is a story full of depth and feeling without being depressing in and of itself.
The pacing is perfect for this story and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my enjoyment of the book. The characters are outstanding and now I really can't wait for Hunter's book. I don't actually know if he's got one but I sincerely hope he does. Braden and Coll from book one pop up now and again but you don't have to have read their book to get this one. Different settings, some different characters, all good.
Aodhan and Thomas make the perfect couple and I was with them every step of the way as they tried to work through turbulent pasts. One of the best bits for me was when Iona told Thomas something and he told her just exactly what she had done. I'm trying to be deliberately vague but, trust me, read the book and you'll know which part I'm talking about.
Blackwood was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one? Phenomenal! Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 16, 2020
Aodhan is Braden's best friend and a well-renowned chocolatier in his own right. Thomas is the curator/owner of a local museum. For the past two years, Thomas has gone to Aodhan's shop every Tuesday for a coffee. Both of these have their own issues to work out.
What an amazing story! This covers some serious issues like child abuse, emotional and mental abuse, demisexuality, depression, survivor's guilt, and a whole host of other things so please don't expect a light and fluffy read. Instead, what you get is a story full of depth and feeling without being depressing in and of itself.
The pacing is perfect for this story and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my enjoyment of the book. The characters are outstanding and now I really can't wait for Hunter's book. I don't actually know if he's got one but I sincerely hope he does. Braden and Coll from book one pop up now and again but you don't have to have read their book to get this one. Different settings, some different characters, all good.
Aodhan and Thomas make the perfect couple and I was with them every step of the way as they tried to work through turbulent pasts. One of the best bits for me was when Iona told Thomas something and he told her just exactly what she had done. I'm trying to be deliberately vague but, trust me, read the book and you'll know which part I'm talking about.
Blackwood was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one? Phenomenal! Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 16, 2020
November 16, 2020
Check out our full post for THE GENTLE WOLF on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
This is a surprisingly gritty shifter romance. On one level, it is the story of a chocolatier who falls for a museum curator. But it is also the story of a young man who must come to terms with his difficult past before he can begin to build meaningful relationships with the people he cares about.
If child abuse and dysfunctional families are triggers, readers will want to approach this book with caution. Parts of Aodhan’s experiences are truly horrific. But other parts of Aodhan’s life are beautiful. The descriptions of his chocolates made me perpetually hungry and I love the way he has crafted his business. Similarly, Thomas’ passion for his museum is wonderful and I love the way the two men’s passions match and complement each other beautifully.
Ace romance is incredibly difficult to write because the basic romance story arc doesn’t necessarily fit an Ace relationship. Here, Aodhan is demisexual with a personal history of child abuse. Neither of these things makes for a sexy read. Thomas is also recovering from a toxic relationship, so when his baggage tangles with Aodhan's, it puts an incredible strain on a fledgling relationship. Ultimately, it is very difficult for readers to see Thomas and Aodhan’s relationship progressing or moving forward. In Ace romance, increased openness or intellectual intimacy is more difficult to convey than the progressive sexual intimacy that underpins most romance writing. The result here is a story that seems to wander at times and a central relationship that builds incredibly slowly.
I remain conflicted about this book. I really appreciated Aodhan’s growth in the book – growth in his relationship with Thomas, but also in his relationship with his friends and his sister. However, the story does feel slow and rambling and I’m not sure the quality of the writing is always strong enough to support the intensely important themes being explored.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
December 25, 2020
I actually DNF this which doesn't happen often.
I just didn't enjoy it or connect with the characters.
I just didn't enjoy it or connect with the characters.
November 14, 2021
not every romance novel is light and fluffy. The Gentle Wolf shows how romance can tackle heavy issues while still exploring the joy of new love.
Character is crucial in a story like this. Both Aodhan and Thomas are likeable, sympathetic people. They work hard and are devoted to their respective professions.
Aodhan strives to make his chocolaterie, Little Star, a safe haven — a place for joyous moments for his customers. This is partly a coping mechanism for dealing with a very traumatic past. However, the scenes at the cafe also show his genuine caring for other people. We get to see how he engineers opportunities to better the lives of his employees — creating a secure job for a formerly homeless man and facilitating training for his assistant — while also taking a very sincere interest in their lives.
Thomas is passionate about shifter history and dedicated to educating the community. Like Aodhan, he’s a great boss who values the specialist knowledge of his employee and encourages her to research and design her own exhibits.
Thomas’s museum is one of the places where the worldbuilding really shines. The story is set in contemporary Perth, albeit an alternate history version where wolf shifters outed themselves to the public in the 80s. Although shifters have gained the general acceptance of the public, there’s still a lot of ignorance prevalent. By allowing the reader to sit in on part of a school group Thomas is educating, the author allows us to not only see Thomas in his element, but also show us how shifters fit into the science of this world.
This also ties in to one of the most brilliant things about this book: its grasp of intersectional marginalisation. Although it is touched on only briefly, it is made clear that while shifters are present in both Indigenous and Anglo societies, each have different attitudes and cultures involving shifters. More relevantly, the story shows that even though shifters have emerged into public consciousness and have won themselves rights, those rights aren’t distributed equally. Alphas remain privileged in both shifter and human societies, while omegas have little protection from abuse. This has been a particular theme not only of this book, but the series as a whole.
As you might have gathered, this is a book that comes with some trigger warnings — which is helpfully announced up front and the details included in the back to assist both those who need the warnings and those looking to avoid spoilers. Readers with sensitivities around child abuse, incest and PTSD will want to tread carefully. No abuse is ever shown explicitly on screen, but remains a shadow cast over the story.
Which may make the novel sound like it’s all doom and gloom. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a story about healing, and while that is often difficult for the characters, the author makes sure to share with us their moments of joy. Aodhan takes genuine pleasure in being a wolf, and there are some lovely scenes of gatherings with friends, not to mention the excitement of new love. Plus, getting to see the characters begin to come to terms with their issues is cathartic.
It should be noted that healing is not a fast process, so some readers may find the book a little slow. However, I found it entirely suitable to the subject matter and never felt like it dragged. I did feel there was a bit of an imbalance between the characters, with more focus being devoted to Aodhan. But this also felt somewhat appropriate. The issues that these characters face, while both serious, are not equal: Thomas experienced one abusive relationship as an adult, whereas Aodhan faced years of abuse by his family as a child. It makes sense that the latter is going to have a greater impact and need more time and energy to come to terms with.
One last thing that should be mentioned, particularly in relation to representation, is that Aodhan is demisexual. I’m not the best person to judge the quality of this depiction, but I found it a refreshing choice for a romance novel, particularly one that features explicit sex. It is made clear that although it takes Aodhan a fair bit of time before he feels sexual attraction to a person — needing to be around them and establish a friendship first — he is still more than capable of feeling that attraction.
On the whole, The Gentle Wolf is a thoughtful and intelligent romance novel that deals sensitively with some difficult topics. It is a very fitting addition to the Perth Shifters series and I hope to see more in the future.
Character is crucial in a story like this. Both Aodhan and Thomas are likeable, sympathetic people. They work hard and are devoted to their respective professions.
Aodhan strives to make his chocolaterie, Little Star, a safe haven — a place for joyous moments for his customers. This is partly a coping mechanism for dealing with a very traumatic past. However, the scenes at the cafe also show his genuine caring for other people. We get to see how he engineers opportunities to better the lives of his employees — creating a secure job for a formerly homeless man and facilitating training for his assistant — while also taking a very sincere interest in their lives.
Thomas is passionate about shifter history and dedicated to educating the community. Like Aodhan, he’s a great boss who values the specialist knowledge of his employee and encourages her to research and design her own exhibits.
Thomas’s museum is one of the places where the worldbuilding really shines. The story is set in contemporary Perth, albeit an alternate history version where wolf shifters outed themselves to the public in the 80s. Although shifters have gained the general acceptance of the public, there’s still a lot of ignorance prevalent. By allowing the reader to sit in on part of a school group Thomas is educating, the author allows us to not only see Thomas in his element, but also show us how shifters fit into the science of this world.
This also ties in to one of the most brilliant things about this book: its grasp of intersectional marginalisation. Although it is touched on only briefly, it is made clear that while shifters are present in both Indigenous and Anglo societies, each have different attitudes and cultures involving shifters. More relevantly, the story shows that even though shifters have emerged into public consciousness and have won themselves rights, those rights aren’t distributed equally. Alphas remain privileged in both shifter and human societies, while omegas have little protection from abuse. This has been a particular theme not only of this book, but the series as a whole.
As you might have gathered, this is a book that comes with some trigger warnings — which is helpfully announced up front and the details included in the back to assist both those who need the warnings and those looking to avoid spoilers. Readers with sensitivities around child abuse, incest and PTSD will want to tread carefully. No abuse is ever shown explicitly on screen, but remains a shadow cast over the story.
Which may make the novel sound like it’s all doom and gloom. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a story about healing, and while that is often difficult for the characters, the author makes sure to share with us their moments of joy. Aodhan takes genuine pleasure in being a wolf, and there are some lovely scenes of gatherings with friends, not to mention the excitement of new love. Plus, getting to see the characters begin to come to terms with their issues is cathartic.
It should be noted that healing is not a fast process, so some readers may find the book a little slow. However, I found it entirely suitable to the subject matter and never felt like it dragged. I did feel there was a bit of an imbalance between the characters, with more focus being devoted to Aodhan. But this also felt somewhat appropriate. The issues that these characters face, while both serious, are not equal: Thomas experienced one abusive relationship as an adult, whereas Aodhan faced years of abuse by his family as a child. It makes sense that the latter is going to have a greater impact and need more time and energy to come to terms with.
One last thing that should be mentioned, particularly in relation to representation, is that Aodhan is demisexual. I’m not the best person to judge the quality of this depiction, but I found it a refreshing choice for a romance novel, particularly one that features explicit sex. It is made clear that although it takes Aodhan a fair bit of time before he feels sexual attraction to a person — needing to be around them and establish a friendship first — he is still more than capable of feeling that attraction.
On the whole, The Gentle Wolf is a thoughtful and intelligent romance novel that deals sensitively with some difficult topics. It is a very fitting addition to the Perth Shifters series and I hope to see more in the future.
November 30, 2020
Content warning for this book (contains spoilers):
I’m calling it now – this is the best book I’ve read in 2020. I loved Aodhan and Thomas so much, and they were so good for each other.
I’m a gay man who identifies as demisexual/gray-asexual, and many of Aodhan’s experiences and feelings as an adult really struck a chord with me. The author captures the emotions and worries of someone who is demisexual exceptionally well.
This is the slowest of slow-burn love stories, but I loved that. Both men have deep emotional scars from their past. I especially appreciate that their pasts weren’t presented and then – well, that’s over with, now on to the rest of the story. We are the sum of our history, and that can inform our emotions and needs. This is the case for Aodhan and Thomas. Over two years they have (unknowingly) laid the foundation for a strong relationship while becoming acclimated to each other. Watching these two men come to lean on each other for support was wonderfully sweet and gratifying.
While this is a shifter book in a genre that frequently treats the shifter subgenre as trope-laden connect-the-dots stories, The Gentle Wolf digs deeper. The personal histories, particularly Aodhan’s, can affect the larger world, and the hints of connections outside the immediate story setting were intriguing. I would especially love to hear more of the Noongar (SW Australia Aboriginal) shifters. Foxhall’s obvious respect for the Noongar culture and traditions is very much appreciated.
This is the second book in the Perth Shifters series, but I think it stands alone quite well. The first book (Blackwood) was enjoyable and worth seeking out (I rated it 4 out of 5) but it is by no means as deep or nuanced as The Gentle Wolf, though it is a good introduction to the author’s worldbuilding. I recommend them both, but I especially love The Gentle Wolf!
As a side note, between N. R. Walker, Keira Andrews, and now Pia Foxhall, I kind of want to spend a month in Australia to see all of the wonderful places mentioned in their books (and I know that still wouldn’t be enough time)!
I’m calling it now – this is the best book I’ve read in 2020. I loved Aodhan and Thomas so much, and they were so good for each other.
I’m a gay man who identifies as demisexual/gray-asexual, and many of Aodhan’s experiences and feelings as an adult really struck a chord with me. The author captures the emotions and worries of someone who is demisexual exceptionally well.
This is the slowest of slow-burn love stories, but I loved that. Both men have deep emotional scars from their past. I especially appreciate that their pasts weren’t presented and then – well, that’s over with, now on to the rest of the story. We are the sum of our history, and that can inform our emotions and needs. This is the case for Aodhan and Thomas. Over two years they have (unknowingly) laid the foundation for a strong relationship while becoming acclimated to each other. Watching these two men come to lean on each other for support was wonderfully sweet and gratifying.
While this is a shifter book in a genre that frequently treats the shifter subgenre as trope-laden connect-the-dots stories, The Gentle Wolf digs deeper. The personal histories, particularly Aodhan’s, can affect the larger world, and the hints of connections outside the immediate story setting were intriguing. I would especially love to hear more of the Noongar (SW Australia Aboriginal) shifters. Foxhall’s obvious respect for the Noongar culture and traditions is very much appreciated.
This is the second book in the Perth Shifters series, but I think it stands alone quite well. The first book (Blackwood) was enjoyable and worth seeking out (I rated it 4 out of 5) but it is by no means as deep or nuanced as The Gentle Wolf, though it is a good introduction to the author’s worldbuilding. I recommend them both, but I especially love The Gentle Wolf!
As a side note, between N. R. Walker, Keira Andrews, and now Pia Foxhall, I kind of want to spend a month in Australia to see all of the wonderful places mentioned in their books (and I know that still wouldn’t be enough time)!
November 14, 2020
I have to be honest and say that I enjoyed the first book in this series more than the second one. This was a good read, but whereas the first book was a slow burn that took off about halfway through the story, this book was way more drawn out. It is definitely a slow-burn but it is a slow slow-burn read.
Aodhan is an omega. Though he tries to distance himself as much as possible from his past, it seems to catch up with him when he least expects it to – whether it be in real life or his nightmares. But regardless of who his grandfather was or what he did to Aodhan while he was growing up, he has made a success of himself with his own store called Little Star.
For the past two years, Aodhan has had a regular named Thomas who comes in every Tuesday. Recently Aodhan has noticed something inside of him has begun to change. He has started feeling an attraction to Thomas. Aodhan is demisexual this is somewhat unexpected. Aodhan decides it is time to take a risk and let Thomas know that he has a crush on him and this risk pays off. Thomas has evidently been feeling the same for him for a while now. Both men enter a relationship knowing that it will be slow going because they both have things in their past that holds each of them back.
After several months of seeing each other, things are still moving slowly between them and Thomas knows that even though he has started to open up about his past, Aodhan has a firm lock on his that seems to not have a key. After Aodhan’s sister takes it upon herself to reveal the truth to Thomas, he knows it is going to be a huge feat to get Aodhan to not only talk about his past and the abuse he suffered, but to also get him to deal with it as well. If not then these two may not stand a chance at a real relationship. Will Aodhan finally deal with the things that happened to him or will he act as if they did not happen as he has always done?
This was a good read but I was really hoping for more out of this book after reading the first book in the series. Regardless of not being my favorite I do look forward to whatever this series will have coming out next. I really hope that it will be Hunter’s book. I think that will be a great one!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author via GRRT for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 10, 2020
The Gentle Wolf by Pia Foxhall is the second book in the Perth Shifters series. I haven't read the first book and I didn't have a problem keeping up with this one. The characters from the first book appear quite a few times in this second installment but if you want to know their story, you're going to have to read the first book!
Aodhan is happy with his life. He owns and spends a significant amount of time at his chocolate shop called Little Star. In spite of a traumatizing youth, he has spent his life putting that behind him and moving on.
Thomas runs the local Shifter Museum and he has been coming to Aodhan's shop every week on Tuesday for two years. He is completely absorbed in the museum and a relationship isn't really on his radar. He is content with the way he can see Aodhan once a week.
The thing that makes these two main characters quite interesting is the trauma that they have faced in the past. Both men have gone through something challenging and traumatic and it has molded who they are. The author does a great job of exploring how emotional and psychological abuse/damage can change everything about a person.
When these two men reveal that they both have feelings for one another, they begin a slow and challenging journey to one another. I absolutely enjoyed the two of them and the way that they were so open and loving. It was a pleasure to read the way that Aodhan was so forthcoming about his thoughts and feelings. He is a unique character and I thoroughly enjoyed him.
There is a great supporting cast in this book as well. Hunter is an alpha with a secret and I'm really hoping that he and his attitude will be appearing later in the series. Braden is Aodhan's old roommate and he's really coming into his own. Each character that is introduced has a reason to be in the story - they were fully developed and interesting and often entertaining.
I would definitely continue to read this series!
Aodhan is happy with his life. He owns and spends a significant amount of time at his chocolate shop called Little Star. In spite of a traumatizing youth, he has spent his life putting that behind him and moving on.
Thomas runs the local Shifter Museum and he has been coming to Aodhan's shop every week on Tuesday for two years. He is completely absorbed in the museum and a relationship isn't really on his radar. He is content with the way he can see Aodhan once a week.
The thing that makes these two main characters quite interesting is the trauma that they have faced in the past. Both men have gone through something challenging and traumatic and it has molded who they are. The author does a great job of exploring how emotional and psychological abuse/damage can change everything about a person.
When these two men reveal that they both have feelings for one another, they begin a slow and challenging journey to one another. I absolutely enjoyed the two of them and the way that they were so open and loving. It was a pleasure to read the way that Aodhan was so forthcoming about his thoughts and feelings. He is a unique character and I thoroughly enjoyed him.
There is a great supporting cast in this book as well. Hunter is an alpha with a secret and I'm really hoping that he and his attitude will be appearing later in the series. Braden is Aodhan's old roommate and he's really coming into his own. Each character that is introduced has a reason to be in the story - they were fully developed and interesting and often entertaining.
I would definitely continue to read this series!
October 2, 2020
So, disclaimer: not only did I read this book for free but I know the author.
BUT I CAN OBJECTIVELY SAY IT'S REALLY GOOD AND YOU SHOULD READ IT
My reaction to Pia while reading was "these two traumatised repressed self sacrificing workaholics are trying so hard and they need to kiss" And then they did and it was amazing :D
It's a m/m romance, set in an alternate Perth where a small proportion of the population are 'shifters': able to turn into wolves, with omegaverse-y biology where asides from regular gender there's also being alpha, omega or beta. I'm usually not super into omegaverse, but Pia writes it in a really interesting way, with believable worldbuilding(*), and they complicate biological imperatives without undermining the things that make the tropes fun.
The other thing this story explores thoughtfully is trauma, I can't think of a hurt-comforty romance about two people helping each other through their respective traumas that I've connected with more.
But also it's just a really nice romance about two really likeable but complex characters who I ended up shipping SUPER hard by the end: demisexual omega chocolatier Aodhan, and his quiet regular customer, the beta Thomas, who RUNS A LITTLE MUSEUM :D As a former museum science communicator, those parts were super cute and believable. The parts about being from a family of fucked up activists was believable and wrenching. And while I can't judge the chocolatier parts from personal experience, they certainly made me hungry, and Pia's love for Perth's bush shines through just as much as in the previous book.
(This is a sequel to the previous Perth Shifters book, Blackwood, but you don't need to read that to understand this one, and the dynamics are pretty different)
(*)they gloss over the whole "people turning into wolves" thing pretty painlessly and if you can roll with that you're good.
BUT I CAN OBJECTIVELY SAY IT'S REALLY GOOD AND YOU SHOULD READ IT
My reaction to Pia while reading was "these two traumatised repressed self sacrificing workaholics are trying so hard and they need to kiss" And then they did and it was amazing :D
It's a m/m romance, set in an alternate Perth where a small proportion of the population are 'shifters': able to turn into wolves, with omegaverse-y biology where asides from regular gender there's also being alpha, omega or beta. I'm usually not super into omegaverse, but Pia writes it in a really interesting way, with believable worldbuilding(*), and they complicate biological imperatives without undermining the things that make the tropes fun.
The other thing this story explores thoughtfully is trauma, I can't think of a hurt-comforty romance about two people helping each other through their respective traumas that I've connected with more.
But also it's just a really nice romance about two really likeable but complex characters who I ended up shipping SUPER hard by the end: demisexual omega chocolatier Aodhan, and his quiet regular customer, the beta Thomas, who RUNS A LITTLE MUSEUM :D As a former museum science communicator, those parts were super cute and believable. The parts about being from a family of fucked up activists was believable and wrenching. And while I can't judge the chocolatier parts from personal experience, they certainly made me hungry, and Pia's love for Perth's bush shines through just as much as in the previous book.
(This is a sequel to the previous Perth Shifters book, Blackwood, but you don't need to read that to understand this one, and the dynamics are pretty different)
(*)they gloss over the whole "people turning into wolves" thing pretty painlessly and if you can roll with that you're good.
December 28, 2020
Received a copy from Gay Romance Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I loved so many of the conversations this book had and loved the examination of falling in love can work and look for different sexualities.
The overarching conversation this book has is that there is no right or wrong way to fall in love and have a relationship. Much of the book is about Aodhan addressing his own internalized expectations of what a relationship "looks like" and how it isn't wrong that the relationship ship he is building with Thomas differs from that.
I also really appreciated the conversations the book had about agency and unresolved trauma. There is an amazing scene that discusses how when we do what we think it best for another person, without consulting them, we are taking away their agency on the subject and making them conform to our expectations which I loved seeing in a romance novel.
The author also does a good job of showing how there are different ways to heal and that there really isn't any "correct " way to do it. That we have to take ourselves into account and figure out what works best for us. The author also shows how one person s was of healing can conflict/be in direct opposition to someone else's way of healing and while neither are "wrong" ways to heal, we have to be respectful of someone else's coping mechanisms.
I did feel like the end wrapped up everything a little too quickly. There are quite a few things addressed in the epilog that o ly got like a paragraph or two that I felt could have been longer or addressed sooner.
Aodhan also seems to be gender non-conforming in some ways, like wearing nail polish, and I wish this was examined further or talked about a bit more beyond the nail polish.
Trigger Warnings for sexual assault, incest, unresolved trauma, PTSD, internalized oppression, charcuterie with dementia, past domestic violence, anger issues.
I loved so many of the conversations this book had and loved the examination of falling in love can work and look for different sexualities.
The overarching conversation this book has is that there is no right or wrong way to fall in love and have a relationship. Much of the book is about Aodhan addressing his own internalized expectations of what a relationship "looks like" and how it isn't wrong that the relationship ship he is building with Thomas differs from that.
I also really appreciated the conversations the book had about agency and unresolved trauma. There is an amazing scene that discusses how when we do what we think it best for another person, without consulting them, we are taking away their agency on the subject and making them conform to our expectations which I loved seeing in a romance novel.
The author also does a good job of showing how there are different ways to heal and that there really isn't any "correct " way to do it. That we have to take ourselves into account and figure out what works best for us. The author also shows how one person s was of healing can conflict/be in direct opposition to someone else's way of healing and while neither are "wrong" ways to heal, we have to be respectful of someone else's coping mechanisms.
I did feel like the end wrapped up everything a little too quickly. There are quite a few things addressed in the epilog that o ly got like a paragraph or two that I felt could have been longer or addressed sooner.
Aodhan also seems to be gender non-conforming in some ways, like wearing nail polish, and I wish this was examined further or talked about a bit more beyond the nail polish.
Trigger Warnings for sexual assault, incest, unresolved trauma, PTSD, internalized oppression, charcuterie with dementia, past domestic violence, anger issues.
November 24, 2020
The Gentle Wolf this is the second book in the Perth Shifters series by author Pia Foxhall. I really loved this story. I like a good friend to lovers’ story and this one is that. There is a glossary in the start of this book for slang used and other words you might not get if you are not from Australia. I liked it; I didn’t need it I was not lost but it was nice to have. Also, this book I feel should be read in order. We have met Aodhan before in book one. I think it adds to this story that we knew him before.
Aodhan is an omega he is also a chocolaterie. I like his job I would eat my weight in chocolate if I had it though. He loves to give everyone around him that romantic moment he never gets for himself. He is demisexual so he is friend-zoned a lot. He has such a kind caring heart.
Thomas is a beta. He is a historian. Works as a curator at Western Australia’s only shifter museum. He loves to educate the children.
I loved he has a ton of patience. He is not overly macho. He as he would say is a simple guy who likes simple things. I loved his personality he is kind, sweet, and perfect for Aodhan.
This is a beautiful story. Friends to lovers’ type of story. I just ama sucker for a true love story and this story allows me to fall in love with the characters along the way. I highly recommend this one when you want to believe in true love winning the day.
Five Shooting Stars
Aodhan is an omega he is also a chocolaterie. I like his job I would eat my weight in chocolate if I had it though. He loves to give everyone around him that romantic moment he never gets for himself. He is demisexual so he is friend-zoned a lot. He has such a kind caring heart.
Thomas is a beta. He is a historian. Works as a curator at Western Australia’s only shifter museum. He loves to educate the children.
I loved he has a ton of patience. He is not overly macho. He as he would say is a simple guy who likes simple things. I loved his personality he is kind, sweet, and perfect for Aodhan.
This is a beautiful story. Friends to lovers’ type of story. I just ama sucker for a true love story and this story allows me to fall in love with the characters along the way. I highly recommend this one when you want to believe in true love winning the day.
Five Shooting Stars
January 27, 2021
Book one of the series was seriously good, like a 4.5 star book for me, a stingy star giver. What I loved about the first book was the development of the characters, a slow yet satisfactory romance, lots of depth in the world building, complex interactions, the fight for rights coming from the right person...there was so much to build on and I was super excited to dive into book two, especially with the author's ability to write a convincing path toward healing trauma. This was not that.
Neither character really grasped my attention or my heart, even by the end. I liked them alright in the end and thought they were okay for one another, but neither sunk deep or were truly memorable in the best ways. Together they were fine, but there was so little page time for them building toward something wonderful together that I couldn't root for them.
What was done well was the world building and continuing on from the depth of the first book, that worked well. Also dealing with trauma. It was a painful look into a horrible past and was tackled with aplomb. Beyond that, integrating it into the romance, was less than I hoped for.
In the end it was a nice story that was average for me, nothing stellar like the first book of the series, but not a throwaway novel either. The author can do better so I'm looking forward to what comes next despite not being blown away by this particular story.
Neither character really grasped my attention or my heart, even by the end. I liked them alright in the end and thought they were okay for one another, but neither sunk deep or were truly memorable in the best ways. Together they were fine, but there was so little page time for them building toward something wonderful together that I couldn't root for them.
What was done well was the world building and continuing on from the depth of the first book, that worked well. Also dealing with trauma. It was a painful look into a horrible past and was tackled with aplomb. Beyond that, integrating it into the romance, was less than I hoped for.
In the end it was a nice story that was average for me, nothing stellar like the first book of the series, but not a throwaway novel either. The author can do better so I'm looking forward to what comes next despite not being blown away by this particular story.
November 13, 2020
The reader is taken back to Australia for Book #2 of Perth Shifters.
We get the pleasure of being reintroduced to Braden and Cull from Book #1. but this plot centers on Aodhan and Thomas.
Of course, there's more to the plot than that but being a chocolatier is what Aodhan does for a living and a very successful one at that. Aodhan's present two yearlong hang-up is with Thomas Wilson, the local curator of the only shifter museum in Western Australia. Aodhan is a people person and loves his cafe-chocolaterie, loves creating new and unusual items, loves his painted nails. He has an effervesces about him that just attracts people, shifter, and human alike. That is except for aforesaid Thomas Wilson. Thomas' habit of coming to the cafe every Tuesday always has Audhan anxious before, during, and after Thomas shows up. Thomas only sees Audhan as a friend but under the surface is aware of an attraction to the charmer. Not until further into the story do they discover a common thread in their separate lives that has challenged them both to come to grips with what life has thrown at them; traumatic, distressing, emotional curve balls. This is a satisfying second book in this series, and I look forward to what a secondary character, the quirky Jesse, has to say about his life. I was given an ARC of this story for an honest review.
We get the pleasure of being reintroduced to Braden and Cull from Book #1. but this plot centers on Aodhan and Thomas.
Of course, there's more to the plot than that but being a chocolatier is what Aodhan does for a living and a very successful one at that. Aodhan's present two yearlong hang-up is with Thomas Wilson, the local curator of the only shifter museum in Western Australia. Aodhan is a people person and loves his cafe-chocolaterie, loves creating new and unusual items, loves his painted nails. He has an effervesces about him that just attracts people, shifter, and human alike. That is except for aforesaid Thomas Wilson. Thomas' habit of coming to the cafe every Tuesday always has Audhan anxious before, during, and after Thomas shows up. Thomas only sees Audhan as a friend but under the surface is aware of an attraction to the charmer. Not until further into the story do they discover a common thread in their separate lives that has challenged them both to come to grips with what life has thrown at them; traumatic, distressing, emotional curve balls. This is a satisfying second book in this series, and I look forward to what a secondary character, the quirky Jesse, has to say about his life. I was given an ARC of this story for an honest review.
October 19, 2020
Here is another different style of shifter book from Pia Foxhall. This is set in the same world as Blackwood. Aodhan is Brendan’s best friend and former roommate. He hides a very dark secret from his childhood that has shaped his very personality and drives him to act the way he does. He throws every second of himself into his chocolate shop. He is slowly getting to know the curator from Australia’s only shifter museum Thomas who is trying to explore more of the local history of famous figures from shifter progress/history. As Thomas digs into more background of shifters, he accidentally unearths something from Aodhan’s past that threatens to undermine their budding relationship. There are issues of serious sexual and psychological abuse as well as discrimination against a portion of society. This is not a light and fuzzy book but it is very well written and worth the read. The author handles issues without beating them over your head, just like in the first book in the Perth Shifters series. I highly recommend both of the books but they can each be read as stand alones. I did read an ARC.
November 20, 2020
I’m not sure why, but it took me a while to get into The Gentle Wolf. I’m also not sure at what point in the story that I got pulled in, but I suppose the important part is that it happened.
Both Thomas and Aodhan were “relationship shy” but for very different reasons. Thomas was recovering from a toxic relationship. He knew logically that there was no comparison between his ex and Aodhan, it was hard to convince his heart.
Aodhan was recovering from something much worse, but very few people knew about his past and he wanted to keep it that way. Hiding something from someone is no way to start a relationship. Thomas knew that there was something in Aodhan’s past, but he was patient.
These two men were perfect for each other, but they had to learn to trust not only each other, but themselves before they could get beyond their pasts.
This is the first book I’ve read by Pia Foxhall, which means that I did it again. I picked up the 2nd book in a series before I read the first. Although it would have been nice to have the back story of a few characters, but I don’t think it affected my enjoyment of The Gentle Wolf. That doesn’t mean that I won’t back track and eventually pick up Blackwood so I can get to know Braden and Coll a little bit better. 😉
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Gentle Wolf. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Both Thomas and Aodhan were “relationship shy” but for very different reasons. Thomas was recovering from a toxic relationship. He knew logically that there was no comparison between his ex and Aodhan, it was hard to convince his heart.
Aodhan was recovering from something much worse, but very few people knew about his past and he wanted to keep it that way. Hiding something from someone is no way to start a relationship. Thomas knew that there was something in Aodhan’s past, but he was patient.
These two men were perfect for each other, but they had to learn to trust not only each other, but themselves before they could get beyond their pasts.
This is the first book I’ve read by Pia Foxhall, which means that I did it again. I picked up the 2nd book in a series before I read the first. Although it would have been nice to have the back story of a few characters, but I don’t think it affected my enjoyment of The Gentle Wolf. That doesn’t mean that I won’t back track and eventually pick up Blackwood so I can get to know Braden and Coll a little bit better. 😉
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Gentle Wolf. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 21, 2023
4.5/5 (rounded down)
It's been a while since I've picked up this kind of book (past trauma), and I've got to say I'm pleasantly surprised. Although it was a bit boring, I did enjoy the slower pace, which allowed the characters to adjust comfortably to their newfound relationship. I love them both for taking things slow so they can understand where their boundaries are at.
It's a wonderful novel on how we can heal from past traumas, and I like that the MC's don't only depend on each other to heal and move on - Aodhan and Iona have a complex bond and I'm so happy they are able to work through their issues regarding their family together and repair their relationship. Aodhan and Hunter also have a beautiful friendship, really hoping Hunter gets his HEA as well! Super glad that the author doesn't portray the MC's relationship as a "love heals everything" kind of thing like some other books may end up as.
The demisexual and indigenous representation is also appreciated!!
It's been a while since I've picked up this kind of book (past trauma), and I've got to say I'm pleasantly surprised. Although it was a bit boring, I did enjoy the slower pace, which allowed the characters to adjust comfortably to their newfound relationship. I love them both for taking things slow so they can understand where their boundaries are at.
It's a wonderful novel on how we can heal from past traumas, and I like that the MC's don't only depend on each other to heal and move on - Aodhan and Iona have a complex bond and I'm so happy they are able to work through their issues regarding their family together and repair their relationship. Aodhan and Hunter also have a beautiful friendship, really hoping Hunter gets his HEA as well! Super glad that the author doesn't portray the MC's relationship as a "love heals everything" kind of thing like some other books may end up as.
The demisexual and indigenous representation is also appreciated!!
January 1, 2021
This is the second book in The Perth Shifters Series. A frustrating book the writing was okay. I wanted to like this story so much more but there was imbalance in the writing. This is fiction, this is a story, and its lack of romance is a problem. The characters don’t have to be the most loving and romantic people, but you need to feel a connection other than friends between the main characters. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters likeable. Aodhan and Caleb are the MC’s of this book. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
October 27, 2020
This is book 2 in the Perth Shifters series but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
I found this to be quite unique compared to the other shifter stories out there.
We rarely get an Omega and Beta pairing and I really liked this.
Also the representation appealed to me. I love that we have a demisexual MC. The representation was handled well by the author, which is a plus for me.
This was exceptionally compelling and interesting.
This was a refreshing take from the usual shifter stories out there and I absolutely adored this.
I found this to be quite unique compared to the other shifter stories out there.
We rarely get an Omega and Beta pairing and I really liked this.
Also the representation appealed to me. I love that we have a demisexual MC. The representation was handled well by the author, which is a plus for me.
This was exceptionally compelling and interesting.
This was a refreshing take from the usual shifter stories out there and I absolutely adored this.
November 14, 2020
Another slow burn romance.
While Aodhan is an Omega, he has gone a different route to the standard omega caring role of teacher or nurse, and opened his own business of being a chocolatier.
Thomas runs a museum, to try and educate people on shifter history.
As it takes Aodhan some time to trust someone due to past history, by the time he wants to try a relationship, hes been put into the friendship box. So taking this and his history into consideration Thomas takes his time with a relationship with Aodhan.
I adore all the handmade chocolates.
While Aodhan is an Omega, he has gone a different route to the standard omega caring role of teacher or nurse, and opened his own business of being a chocolatier.
Thomas runs a museum, to try and educate people on shifter history.
As it takes Aodhan some time to trust someone due to past history, by the time he wants to try a relationship, hes been put into the friendship box. So taking this and his history into consideration Thomas takes his time with a relationship with Aodhan.
I adore all the handmade chocolates.
November 18, 2020
The second book in the Perth Shifters is very emotional and will have your attention from start to finish. Aodhan loves chocolate and he also cares for Thomas but don't know how to act on it. Thomas has issues past and is very leery of dating an omega because of how he was treated in the past. The two men have to work out their past before they can start a relationship. The story is slow-burn, a lot angst, sweet at times, but these two are loveable that you can't help but root for their romance and it's well written.
November 18, 2020
I was so happy when I discovered that book 2 in this amazing series was the story of Aodhan and his journey to find his forever. As good as book 1, Ms Foxhall developed more endearing characters struggling with dreams and fears, reacting in a very intense and emotional way to the situations on this dystopian world, while fighting to overcome many obstacles in their road to happiness. A very enjoyable book 2... I am looking for more books on this world or at least written by this author. Simply amazing!
November 15, 2020
Aodhan has focused on his shop since he has determined that having a relationship is not something that he will achieve. Even though he keeps looking at one of his regulars, Thomas. Thomas has a past that has caused him anxiety and he doesn't fully trust his instincts. As these two find out more about each other as well as slowly building a relationship, something beautiful occurs. There are bleak parts but it simply adds to the story.
November 15, 2020
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. This is the 2nd book in this series and is the story of Aodhan and Thomas. Aodhan is a chocolatier and is a very successful one at that. Thomas only sees Aodhan as a friend but under the surface is aware of an attraction to the charmer. This story is slower moving then the last one but is very interesting. This is a beautiful romance with loveable characters who don’t shy away from difficult issues.
November 16, 2020
Aodhan is an omega that owns his own chocolaterie, Little Star. Thomas is a beta that s historian and runs the shifter museum in Western Australia. He’s been coming into Little Star once a week for two years. This story was good but also was really slow compared the first story in the universe. Both main characters dealt with trauma and abuse and the author dealt with it well. I received an advanced copy, and this is my voluntary review.
November 18, 2020
Like 99% of the supernatural romance books I read, I bought this only because I love the author's other works, so I'm not really the target audience. This book started very slow, and it took me a long time to become invested in the characters and their relationship. In general I thought the pacing was a bit off, especially in the beginning, when the book hadn't shown me the friendship it told me about. (Aodhan had never even been to the museum before!) The last third was my favorite, and I liked Aodhan's complicated relationship with his sister.
November 6, 2020
I thought I was in love with my best friend but I knew it wasn't realistic I mean we're both Omegas so when Braden found his Alpha it was time to move on. I love my shop the Little Star and when Thomas one of my long time customers asked me out, I started to realized that maybe he was the future I have been searching for.
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