After a murder threatens to expose them, Angus Chilton leads his wolf pack across the country. When they settle in a place where he harbors bucolic childhood memories, Angus meets Hunter Bailey, a handsome, human barista. Angus and Hunter are drawn together by shared trauma and similarly problematic ex’s. But, can Angus keep Hunter safe when his murderous, impulsive, and jealous ex catches wind of their burgeoning relationship? Conversely, can Hunter keep Angus safe from his own?
Wow, that was a rollercoaster! There were several twists and turns in Angus and Hunter’s story; the author really keeps you on your toes. I appreciate this wasn’t a perfect, easy love story for our MCs, but it worked out in the end. The author did a good job of creating very human (and werewolf) characters that had depth and flaws. The characters draw you in. I liked that we got to read the story through four characters’ view points, not just our two MCs. It gave the story a new dimension I’m not use to seeing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A mix of romance, action, and even a little horror, The Beast Beside Me is the first book in the Wolves of Wharton series by Beau Lake. This story tells the tale of two star crossed lovers, Angus the werewolf, and Hunter the human. Though they are from very different walks of life, both men are eager to look to what the future might hold, but are haunted by the lingering presence of their past lovers.
This was a great read, and I found it to be extremely well written. Beau is a talented writer who paints a vivid picture of the characters and settings with her descriptions and use of metaphor. The story switches between the points of view of four different characters, and while at times I did think they sounded a bit similar, I felt that overall this helped to flesh out each of these characters more fully.
Angus and the small pack of werewolves he leads have been forced to hightail it across the country after James, his ex-husband but current packmate, makes some impulsive and deadly decisions. The pack makes their way to Wharton, Oregon, a sleepy town on the west coast where Hunter the human runs the local coffee shop. Hanging over his head and around his cafe is Geoff, Hunter’s aloof ex whom he was with for several years before things ended due to a lack of commitment.
Though the book lacked the kinky faire that normally accompanies my reading choices, this erotic romance novel wasn’t lacking in the sexiness department. The chemistry between Angus and Hunter is palpable, and their scenes together are filled with all the heat and steaminess you’d want. The scenes with their exes are just as intense, and James’s in particular often left me feeling with a growing sense of unease that suited his part of the story perfectly.
The world these characters live in, the beachside city of Wharton, Oregon, is described in wonderful detail. From Hunter’s coffee shop and his bungalow, to Angus’s Grandmother’s own home, Beau takes the time to paint a full picture of each of these settings. Though we don’t get to learn much about the werewolves’ pasts or where they come from, the mystery only made me want to learn more. I imagine these questions may get answered further in the series.
Three other books in the Wolves of Wharton series have been released, two novels and a novella, with more books planned in the future. They switch focus between male/male, male/female, and female/female romantic pairings, so if you don’t find what you like in this one, maybe one of the others will suit you! I generally don’t read anything but stories with male/male pairings (I get enough straight romance in every other piece of media, thank you), but I was so into this story I am honestly considering picking up the rest just so I know what happens next.
Overall I thought this was an amazing book. The genres all mix surprisingly well together, and there were several chapters where I was on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen next. There are a lot of twists and turns for both Angus and Hunter to deal with on their road to love, some you’ll see coming, and others you won’t. If you like werewolves, romance, and men willing to fight for each other, you’ll love this book.
3.5 stars. It’s was a fun read! The pacing was great and I enjoyed the authors range of vocabulary. I teetered between 3 and 4 stars. The plot was rather simple and straightforward. Though, there are gay werewolves which is super exciting!
I wanted to like this book so much-- I loved the blurb, and the struggle the wolves face between their animal impulses and human social constraints outlined in the beginning was interesting. But the actual development of these concepts was a confusing mishmash of sadness and inexplicable choices. Both Angus and Hunter stay with abusive partners, discount logic, and turn on a dime. Angus’s packmates act like sociopaths, with no rationale for doing so. It’s hard to empathize with, or like, either protagonist, let alone the supporting characters, and humans are not immune from the complete lack of ethics or rationality (see Geoff’s character arc, or even Candy’s tacit rejection of her own brother’s basic needs). There’s lots of potential here, but it wasn’t really realized. The book didn’t really work for me, but if you want a dark, angsty, at time inexplicable werewolf/human romance, it might be a fit for you. It’s also well written in that the prose is clear and readable, and the dialog isn’t wooden: even when things don’t make sense, they’re lucidly described.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have received an arc copy. I have NEVER giving a book 1 star rating but this book was nothing worth to me. I hate the main characters and I feel so much pain for the "exes". I have skipped all sex scenes with Hunter and Angus, because they made me mad.
Let's begin at the beginning of the book. Angus was married to James. James broke their marriage off and fucked with Ronnie. The same evening he murderd Ronnie. This is also the reason why James, Angus, Leigh and Luka needs to find a new place, because of evidence of Ronnies death. Angus is mad when James smells like another man when he lays in their bed. It was clear from the beginning James was done with their relationship, and they broke up, so it isn't cheating. Later in the story they get a little bit back together.
Hunter and Geoff. I feel so sorry for Geoff, he deserves the WORLD. Geoff told Hunter years ago he didn't want to marry because of some trauma's. Hunter asks Geoff to marry him and Geoff told him no. Hunter and Geoff are broken up, so both are free to hook-up with who they want.
Hunter and Angus met at Hunter's workplace. They have a click and I really liked them. I thought they are a cute fit, but then Geoff message Hunter that he miss him and loves him, instead of blocking his ex or ignoring it all he asks Geoff to come to his house after Hunter met James as wolf. Ofcourse I understand to be shocked and want someone to tell your scared. The way Hunter tells Geoff everything he knows about their identity and calls them a monster. This was just disgusting, it isn't Hunter's place to tell secrets that isn't from him! Geoff and Hunter have sex this day, later this day Angus goes to Hunter's house. I still don't understand how he didn't smell Geoff on Hunter when he smelled Ronnie on James.
Hunter leads Geoff and Angus on. He kisses Angus, fucks him, then fucks Geoff tells Geoff he wants to be together. Then it is Angus and then he change to Geoff. James only wish is to be back together with HIS ALPHA, HIS MATE, HIS "HUSBAND". James was mean towards Hunter and protective off Angus towards others, like a real MATE. James was lead on by Angus, gived falls hope in the end, James thought he had his lover back. Geoff TOLD Angus that Hunter and him had sex and Angus isn't mad at Hunter about it?!. You are mad at your "Husband" at the time that he hooked-up when you broke-up, but when you are third wheel with Geoff and Hunter then it is alright? Hypocrite.
Hunter, I hate him the most, leading on Geoff, Angus, Calling Geoff and James monsters, playing with Geoff feelings. Geoff loved Hunter so much and Hunter used him.
the ending: Geoff goes after Angus, because he is a threat to him, James goes after Hunter to kill him, because he is the reason why Angus was almost death. After this Angus goes after his own MATE and murders him, for a CHEATING BITCH. Angus is the worst ALPHA MATE, a wolf can have. James tries to attack the person responsible for this MESS. I understand why James wanted to kill Hunter. If he just stayed together with Geoff and didn't lead Angus and Geoff on, then this all whouldn't have happend.
I prefer Hunter death than James.
All with All: Hunter and Angus are both hypocrites and never deserved their "exes". I would have love it more to see Geoff ending with James then those two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Beast Beside Me by Beau Lake kicks off the Wolves of Wharton series with a thrilling mix of paranormal romance and suspenseful horror. The story follows Angus Chilton, a wolf shifter who leads his pack on the run after a murder threatens to expose their existence. Settling in a nostalgic town, he meets Hunter Bailey, a charming human barista, and their connection ignites despite the dangers lurking around them.
Lake masterfully intertwines themes of shared trauma and the complexities of relationships, crafting a narrative that explores the darker sides of love and loyalty. Angus and Hunter are relatable characters, each grappling with their own problematic exes, adding depth to their budding romance. The tension escalates as Angus's jealous and impulsive ex-boyfriend poses a deadly threat, forcing Angus to confront not only external dangers but also his own primal instincts as a wolf.
The blend of horror and romance creates an engaging atmosphere, with plenty of action and suspense to keep readers on edge. Lake doesn't shy away from the gruesome realities of the shifter world, ensuring that the stakes are high. The writing is vivid, painting a picture of both the beauty of their connection and the brutality of their circumstances.
For readers seeking a werewolf tale that balances romantic tension with dark, thrilling elements, The Beast Beside Me delivers a compelling start to the series. With its rich character development and a plot that keeps you guessing, it sets the stage for an exciting journey into the world of the Wolves of Wharton.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Beast Beside Me is a werewolf story in the traditional sense in that it has an opening sequence where a werewolf seduces, attacks and eats his victim. Pretty scary in its detail as well. It seems to bridge the gap between traditional stories and the more modern take in gay paranormal shifter romances because it is a romance. The wolves still have some human attributes in that they can grasp things in their front paws / hands, can stand on their hind legs and can talk. More realistically, when they get injured as a wolf they are still injured when they shift back to ‘human’. There is no magical healing going on here.
This is the story of Angus Chilton and his small pack of wolves including James, his partner, Leigh and Luca. They flee their home when James gives into his wolf side and head for Angus’ grandmother’s home town. There they meet Hunter and his ex-boyfriend Geoff. Angus and Hunter are attracted to each other and have to face the consequences of it when they give into their attraction.
The story is dark and visceral. I shuddered on more than one occasion and found it to be OK in small doses. It is very well done and makes no compromises. Give it a go if you like things bloody and intense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To get back at his ex, James, a member of a werewolf pack, hunts for a one-night stand, but the encounter ends with a savage murder. Angus, the pack's Alpha and James' ex, leads James and the rest of their pack across the country to the sleepy beachside town he grew up in to hide out. Exploring Wharton on their first day, Angus finds himself drawn to Hunter, the human owner of a local cafe who is recovering from his own recent breakup. As the two start flirting, jealousy grows among pack-members and humans alike, building to a violent confrontation that could ruin everything. Author Beau Lake does a beautiful job balancing intriguing character development with steamy encounters that make for an engrossing series debut. I loved how all of the characters are flawed, and the reader isn't quite sure who to root for at first. The story is told from the first-person perspectives of the different characters, with a deft use of flashbacks and internal dialogue that expand on the characters' experiences. The steamy scenes are definitely X-rated, but they also serve to deepen the reader's understanding of the different characters, making them anything but gratuitous. Building to an edge-of-your-seat conclusion, The Beast Beside Me will leave you breathless for the next in the series.
In *The Winter’s Edge*, the complex emotional landscape of Angus Chilton’s life is unveiled with sensitivity and raw intensity. As the leader of a werewolf pack on the run from a murderous ex, Angus seeks solace in Wharton, a quiet town where his painful past intersects with a chance at new love. The chemistry between Angus and Hunter Bailey, a human barista with his own history of trauma, is palpable, with their relationship navigating the murky waters of shared grief, physical and emotional healing, and dangerous external threats. The author deftly blends moments of tenderness with intense passion, creating a relationship that feels both deeply personal and fraught with tension. The tension escalates as Angus's violent past resurfaces, threatening their fragile connection, and the narrative expertly explores the high stakes of love when the shadows of one's history loom large. With well-crafted characters, emotional depth, and a plot that balances romance with suspense, *The Winter’s Edge* is a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and survival amidst turmoil.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an enjoyable, quick read. I adored Angus, he was the best person/wolf of the entire book. Hunter, well I liked him at times but he was very wishy-washy at parts, and that back and forth is bothersome and feels immature. The story kicks off with some action and drama out the gate but then it slowed. My biggest complaint is there wasn’t enough Angus and Hunter together. It was a few days and then weeks apart. And even though Angus hadn’t done anything to Hunter or to prove he shouldn’t be trusted, Hunter trusted the words of others without even truly listening to Angus and that gets annoying. This story had potential and the bare bones of a good book but for me it missed the mark. There just wasn’t enough of the relationship between the two main MC’s, too much back and forth drama. I honestly had trouble deciding how to rate this because I did enjoy the read, so in the end I would give it A 3.5 and rounded it up to 4 because a lot of this is my own opinion based on my likes and dislikes. The writing was done well. The characters could have used more development and bonding. I very much disliked all the supporting characters except Ama and Renee. So, the sex. It was decent, they are vers which I wasn’t really expecting. Lots of drama and action. And in the end they get an HEA.
This book is full of angst, action and sex. Angus, James, Luka and Leigh left Portland quickly after James killed a guy he was hooking up with. He had gone wild and attacked him in his wolf. Angus takes responsibility because he is the pack alpha, but down deep he knows that James is a loose cannon. It doesn't help that they are "husbands" but not in a legal sense. James was changing, not doing what was best for the pack and by killing a man, brought trouble to the pack. A trip to his grans home town, has the pack crashing for a while until they get their feet back under them. But soon Angus is drawn towards Hunter. Nothing is easy. Hunter has just broken up with Geoff, but events have Hunter struggling and back into Geoff's arms.
There is a lot going on and it is best to pay attention! Eventually things work out and there is a HEA for at least two of them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enough of the frogs, bring on the Princes! Angus is Alpha of his conflicted pack. James, his partner wants more of life and storms out of their apartment. While out, James commits an unpardonable act and the pack must go on the run. Angus' main conflict is he still wants James, but he knows he's toxic. They head east toward Angus childhood safe memories. He meets Hunter who owns the coffee shop and they are attracted to each other. So, here are two men, one a werewolf, with both of their exes living near, in their lives and not ready to let go. Will the exes gracefully step aside? Will Angus' pack stand by him? Will Hunter and Angus successfully handle their exes? The story was nice, but the exes carried more weight than Angus and Hunter. The exes took up too much room. Nice story. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angus is an alpha shifter who wants to live a simple hidden life but his now Ex James wanted more to life, When they broke up James went out and killed a human which caused them to have to move back to Angus's coastal Home town. Angus meets Hunter the human who owns the local coffee shop. These two are drawn to one another, but Hunter's Ex and Angus's ex are still around. I do now want to give anything away so I will not go into too much more detail. Some things happened throughout the story between the main characters and their ex's that caused me - personally not to be able to give this more then 3 stars. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and the story is well written and has a lot of action, description and wolves.
Out of the gate with a murder hanging over their heads. I'm all in!
Angus Chilton is an alpha, and leader of his pack. After his ex killed a human, quick decision needed to be made for the good of the pack. Not looking to have a mate, given all that has happened. Life has a way of throwing curve balls.
Hunter Bailey a human and a coffee shop owner. He's also making an attempt to get back to normal, after a breakup. Working to keep his mind off the personal and emotional drama, he didn't expect to fall for anyone else so soon.
Too bad exes don't like to remain that way. Never is it ever easy to get rid of controlling exes. As long as they have one another, the fight will be worth it.
Can Angus and Hunter, rise above the emotional roller coaster for their happily ever after?
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Angus and Hunter have both had recent breakups and both ex's are still around. Werewolf Angus has an argument with his partner James who then goes out and picks up a young man in a club and with the inducement of a sexual encounter they end up in the man's SUV. When the man is distracted James turns and kills him then eats him but he has just killed the son of an important politician so Angus has the pack moving out of the city to stay with his grandmother. Hunter had been living with Geoff for years but whenever marriage is mentioned Geoff refuses to talk about it then after a row Hunter gets him to move out. Then Angus enters the coffee bar he owns.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angus' ex partner James jeopardizes their pack by committing a murder that forces the pack to go on the run. All Angus wanted was a simple life and James wanted more and when he didn't get it he acted out. The pack relocates back to the place where Angus grew up. Once there he meets Hunter who is human. Hunter owns the a coffee shop and he is also just out of a relationship with an not too wonderful ex. They are attracted to one another and want to move forward together but both are dealing with exes who are not ready to move on yet. They need to break free of the past to move forward. Will they be able to convince their exes that it is time to move on?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At first I was excited to see where the story and the characters would lead. Angus and Hunter seem likeable and as if they'd make a good couple. Both their ex's on the other hand are plainly aggravating and annoying. Their relationships with the protagonists are toxic. Sadly, the back and forth between Hunter and Angus, as well as both of them with their respective ex partner gets quite tiresome after a while. Then there are the side characters, mostly Angus' pack, who are very one dimensional and don't act rational or comprehensible most of the time.
While the first half of the book was quite interesting, the second half sadly dragged on and felt irritating at best.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great plot! Great characters! I wanted to throttle the baddies!
Read the whole book in a day, and couldn't put it down, the author had me so invested in Hunter and Angus' love story.
Beau Lake has a unique writing style, modern and open. Very easy to read and understand. Her treatment of werewolves was just different enough to be intriguing. The story progresses quickly and as a reader I was right along for the ride. Her characters are complex and believable and her treatment of a m/m romance was done wonderfully.
The book itself has beautiful typesetting with large, easy-to-read print. A few editorial things.
There is definitely romance in this book but there is more suspense and revenge going on. This is a very well written and very intense story. It took a little bit for me to get into it as the beginning is a bit gruesome and I don’t read things like that very much but it sucked me in and I ended up liking it a lot. It features werewolves that are more primitive and are a small pack of five that are having trouble containing their wolffish side. If you like this kind of story then I recommend this book as a very satisfying read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This one is hard to review because on one hand I really love the over arching story. But frankly this story was a bit more “on page” violent. You can almost feel the hate. I had picked up the paperback at a book convention based on the blurb. I ended up picking up the audio copy during a sale on Audible. So I give the book a 4.0. The voice on the narration seems to fit the mood of the story. BUT the audio copy starts out with a very dramatic chapter that takes place much later in the story which really throws things off. I have reported this to Audible and they say they will push this to their tech team.
“I’ve never met someone like you,” I reply. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the moment we met. Hunter, you’re beautiful.”
This was a very interesting story and I was hooked from the start. Great world building. I love the forms the wolf shifters have in this book. Human Hunter was probably the most traumatized person I've ever read about after discovering the existence of a mythical creature. From that point onward, I grew a dislike for him. He was too back and forth. And in fact, the couples were too back and forth with their ex's in this story for my liking. Felt like a lot of drama. For me the story was a 3 star, but I'm rating it a 4 because I really did like this world.
I liked how the characters reacted to each other. I also liked how the characters were complex and their loyalties unclear till the very end. The relationship between Angus & Hunter as well as between them and their exes are complex and messy as well.
I won't give anything away as I don't want to spoil the story for others. All I will say is that I was unable to put the book down and would certainly recommend it to others.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angus Chilton is an alpha shifter whose ex, James, killed a human. Angus moved the pack across the country to get them away from the trouble. He ends up meeting Hunter Bailey, the human owner of the local coffee shop, and the two of them are attracted to each other. Things get messy, however, when both of their ex’s don’t like to let go, apparently. Can Angus and Hunter do anything to protect each other from the fallout? Will they ever get totally free of their ex’s?
After reading this book I had to take a little time to compose myself and get my thoughts clear in my head before I put them in a review. Wow this book was amazingly written. Once I started I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. This book has twists and turns you don’t know what’s happening. will they all get there happily ever after or will it all go wrong. To find out what happens go buy the book. You won’t be disappointed I wasn’t.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There is alot to this book. You get a lot of back story but it's told in a way that doesn't make you cringe at the world building. It's not an overflow of information. Both of the main characters are relatable. In the romance genre you tend to see awkward or unbelievable responses. Beaus characters respond like sane individuals and it really helped draw me in. I look forward to reading more and hope there is more MM in the future from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was excellent. The Wolves of Wharton had a great storyline. I have not read a book by Beau lake before but I will definitely read more. Both the characters and the story were great. Both Angus and Hunter were great together. I thought the storyline with the exes was intriguing and it kept me interested. I am definitely interested in the rest of the series. I definitely recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A traditional werewolf start to the storyline but very dark and bloodthirsty in places. I liked the authors noticeable differences with the werewolves such as not healing on change, talking and standing etc. The MC were very relatable and unique as was the story. If you are expecting a overdone mm sweet omega/mpreg then this is not for you! As for me I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Angus is a wolf shifter who is alpha of his small pack. His ex is going feral and he doesn't know what to do. They have to leave Portland because his ex killed a human. He takes his pack to his home town where his grandmother lives. Hunter is human and just broke up with his boyfriend because he doesn't want to get married. he owns a coffee shop and that's where he meets Angus. They're both attracted to each other but can Hunter accept who Angus is. I really enjoyed this book.
10/10. this is my dog’s favorite bedtime story. He loves the action and adventure. He loves finally having some main character representation, even if it’s only some of the time in the case of the shifting, and all of the time in the case of the sexuality. He was even ok with the steamier parts of the book. I was grateful because I thoroughly enjoyed the book myself and now we have a new bedtime story that isn’t Dr Seuss.
I have to warn anyone wanting to read this, it's really good but it's dark. And if you have triggers, be careful. I'm dark myself for saying this but there was a moment I was so happy for. And it was when someone died. Was more than deserved. I was glad to see a happy ending out of it though. I really loved Angus and Hunter both. And they both deserved good in their lives. It's a good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.