Midnight Moon

Rebel Wolf #1

by Linsey Hall

Werewolves aren’t real….right?

I’ve been on the run from the mob for years. But no one can hide from the City Pack forever. When they find me, they give me two options—pay back my father’s debt or die.

If I want to live, my only shot is to rob the most powerful man in the city—the gorgeous Garreth Locke. He has a smile to melt your heart and a body to scramble your mind.

But Garreth isn't just a hot, rich guy. Turns out, he's a freaking werewolf. And he wants me as much as I want him. Problem is, he's also dangerous. I can't let him know I'm trying to steal from him to pay back my enemies. I have no idea how I’m going to get out of this alive, or with my heart intact.

Midnight Moon is the first in a new werewolf fated mates trilogy by Linsey Hall.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2022

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Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

Reviews

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oo what a fabulous way to start a new series ! Lyra is just doing what she can to keep her head above water when she gets blackmailed by an old associate of her father. Trying to save her friend Lyra agrees to steal a valuable book from the wealthy businessman Garreth who is staying at the hotel where she works. It's just too bad that Garreth is already very much aware of Lyra but there are other secrets that will both surprise and amaze !
This was very different to other books I've read by this author and honestly I was truly sucked in as I thoroughly enjoyed not having any idea how this would play out. Sometimes books can be formulaic and the reader whilst enjoying the journey has a good idea what might happen but not with this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the not knowing and the chemistry this couple fights was well described and certainly tantalizing. This was a breath of fresh air with a very likeable heroine in Lyra and I very much look forward to discovering what happens next.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[CassDamm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨

This was a 3 star read through and through. There were some parts that were good and you’re like eager to see what happens and then I swear the author makes the worst choice ever on how to proceed and ruins it. (This happened about 5 times and the worst part is one of those events was one of the most important parts of the book.)

I’m going to read book 2 bc they’re short reads and I’m a ridiculously fast reader and I can shelf the whole series. But with the decisions made in this I do not expect much more than average.

[Naia Pard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up last night to finish this book. Hear me out.

It is an easy and a fun read, so I am wholeheartedly recommending it, especially if you are on a lookout for some easy-peasy reading.

The Plot

A maid working in a prestigious hotel in Seattle covers the shift for her best friend. She arrives to clean the room that is usually booked by the notorious [insert name of the love interest]. What the protagonist doesn’t know is that:

-the [love interest name] is a werewolf

-that she is his mate

-that she is not human

As she cleans the room she kind of losses track of time and so, when [the love interest name] enters the suit he immediately sniffs her out (he can do that, he is a strong Alpha wolf :>). In that moment the PoV switches to him and we read his thoughts—how he sensed from the first second that in that apartment, somewhere in one of the rooms is his mate—but he restrains himself from running straight into her arms because [some family related trauma, mainly sthg about his father).

So, he jumps straight into shower, knowing fully well that his mate is in that apartment and that she would probably be too shy to try to barge into the bathroom. So, he waits patiently in the shower cabin, under the blasting jet of water, to hear out her moves around the rooms. After that moment the PoV switches back to her.

She is alarmed that she might be found out that she hasn’t finished cleaning before the client arrived. Apparently she sees the situation so dire that she opens the windows and climbs down the wall of the building—to which I was wondering why didn`t she use the door? Or, is it really such a big deal to be “caught” cleaning by the hotel guest?

Then, their fates collide yet again when she is forced by a mob boss to steal a book from him [the love interest]. In his turn, he uses her as his pretense girlfriend for some annual convention. From then on other things happen, not too great, neither too insignificant. It is just the appropriate amount of fun and cute.

There are several things that bothered me with that book, which I didn`t pen down and of course that I can`t remember now while writing this review. So, there`s that, too.

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[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

A wonderful start to the series. I loved how well written each character was. Lyra,even though I felt like she accepted magic existing so easily,I liked her character.

Gareth was fun. And I loved how we had a duel pov. And got to see both sides of their story.

I dont like the miscommunication trope but I'm interested to see how this story goes ahead. Especially after how it ended! Can't wait to see Lyra and Gareth's happily ever after.

[Conveniently Tongueless · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typically, I enjoy the fluff and snark that is Lindey Hall. Midnight Moon, however is not up to even that lax standard. The book is pure soap. The plot lags, stutters and stalls the whole way through. There’s one genuine conflict, and the lead character is aimlessly led down a slow and meandering path to one shot at avoiding the life or death peril. It’s ridiculous. She gets dressed up in a free, new wardrobe to spend two days skiing and using the same excuses to mistrust the one man who is nice to her, so she can steal from him. That’s it. I explained in one sentence what it took Hall far too many to tell.

Take me back to the Shadow Guild, please.

[Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series!!

Garreth is still a bit of a mystery to me, which I love. I can see he is going to fight the mateship, if this persists into book 2 it will become annoying for me. Clearly a hot dominate alpha with a smidge of mystery and way too much hard headedness ...... should lead to an explosive relationship when he finally gives in 🤞

Very cool FMC, Lyra. Love all the little tid bits we learn regarding her past. There is just enough to keep the storyline flowing but plenty of room for some major surprises. Considering she did not know about the magical world her hiccups with decision making is understandable. Hall does not let this issue go on and on. Lyra quickly adjusts and is on her way to being a strong FMC.

No heat in this. Like none. There is some tension but if you are looking for a steamy read, it isn't in book 1.

Happy reading,
DD 🥂

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a huge fan of books with wolf shifters, but since I adore this author, I knew I’d try it. This series starter is different than any series by this author, and I loved it. Lyra is the poor main character who is kind of caught in the middle of a shifter war of sorts, and she’s being blackmailed to steal from Garreth. I really liked this chemistry between Lyra and Garreth, but I admit that I couldn’t stand that Lyra didn’t tell Garreth the truth when that might have made things better. I can’t stand that! LOL! Well-written, great plot, interesting characters, and action-filled, this book had it all. This was an excellent series beginning, and I think it’s probably the best by the author so far. After the end, I can’t wait to see how she’s going to get out of the trouble she’s in. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick bit of fluff, it has entertainment value but the FMC suffers heavily from TSTL and head-scratching choices.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Midnight Moon has some great bones and a really interesting premise. However, the timing of the plot was rushed with the ending being super rushed and it really bogged down the book for me. There were also some consistency errors, does she like coffee or not(?) because it’s stated she doesn’t drink it but the whole book coffee is mentioned about 15 times with her drinking it. I think what the author did best was with the relationship between the MCs the tension was spot on! I would’ve enjoyed this book more if the story was told in the hero’s POV only.

I felt breathless with the ending so the cliffhanger did what it needed to!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a good storyline where the main character is the underdog. This is the case with "Midnight Moon." Lyra has never had a break in life. Her father betrayed her family when he left her in debt with the mafia upon his death. Then, at the age of fourteen her mother dies of a drug overdose. This has caused her to shy away from friendships and social situations. For many years she made her living as a thief. To make matters worse she works as a low level maid at an upscale hotel and has a tyrant of boss who relishes in finding mistakes people make so that he can berate or fire them.

When Lyra's best friend pleads with her to take her shift cleaning the room of one of the hotel's rich patrons she agrees even though she knows that the rich must have the same maid every day. In addition, Lyra is aware of Gareth, the rich patron her friend cleans for. Her father told her that he killed someone when he was seventeen. She believes he is also a mobster. While cleaning Gareth's room Lyra is mortified when he returns to the room early. She is not suppose to be in a room while a patron is there. So, what does she do? She exits the room through the window on the tenth floor. Scaling walls has never been a problem for her. Little does she know but Gareth is well aware that she has been in his room and he recognizes something she has no knowledge of.

When Lyra's fathers mob friends catch up with her that blackmail her into working for them. They kidnap her best friend and threaten to kill her as well as Lyra if she doesn't get her hands on an expensive book in the possession of none other than Gareth. When she goes back to the room to retrieve the book she runs into Gareth and he blackmails her into aiding him in spying on his enemies in an upcoming conference. This is no regular conference and Lyra is about to get a real education in the supernatural world.

There is so much going on in this read as well as so much to recommend it. The storyline is fast paced, the chemistry between Lyra and Gareth is sizzling and the action is wonderful. I especially enjoyed the way the author keeps the reader on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will transpire next. I am anxious to read the next book in this series.

[Marvelous Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. The book flowed too quickly, and a lot of the time points were off, which was distracting.

Garreth takes Lyra away to the "Winter PACs conference" and she doesn't have any belongings. Except for the clothes Garreth had delivered to her hotel room, from his personal shopper. Then when they get to the conference, she has her own pajamas?

She wore an old pair of shorts and a ratty t-shirt with a summer camp logo. The clothes had to be hers. It gave me an insight into her life. Just a tiny one, but I clung to it. Hall, Linsey. Midnight Moon (Rebel Wolf Book 1) (p. 118). Bonnie Doon Press. Kindle Edition.

In another scene, everyone is eating breakfast, talking about coffee. Then in the next paragraph they are talk about leaving, and that lunch was good.

"“Thanks, George.” Viv grinned, then pointed to me. “This is Lyra. She’s visiting for a little while.” “Lyra, my love, do you drink coffee?” “I do.” “Then help yourself to the pot over there.” He used a spatula to point to a side table bedecked with coffee and pastries. My stomach growled at the sight of it, and he laughed. The morning passed quickly as we ate and drank with the rest of the group. Garreth never showed up, and eventually I stopped looking at the door and paid attention to the people I was meeting. They were all so nice that it was easy to forget they could turn into wolves, whenever they wanted. When lunch as over,...Hall, Linsey. Midnight Moon (Rebel Wolf Book 1) (p. 138). Bonnie Doon Press. Kindle Edition.

It happens again in a couple other places. which makes the book feel a bit rushed at times, because huge chunks of time are being skipped over. Overall, a fun enjoyable read, just in needing some editing.

[Ash P Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah this book is about Garreth Locke, now I'm even more excited to read how his story goes. And Lyra is just lovely. Poor thing is caught between a rock and a hard place. What a cliffhanger ending! Can't wait until the next book comes out.

Advanced review copy provided for voluntary review consideration

[Jamie J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Betrayal BS

I’m a fan of Linsey Hall normally and thought the characters were decent, however every cliche that happens when the main character doesn’t use her brain and acts like all she knows is “me no trust” and doesn’t use any judgment or nuance or instinct is unfortunately all this book is. I was so aggravated at her lack of thought or rational assessment of anything and stupidity blindly trusting the villain I couldn’t enjoy the book as much as I wanted to.

[Spicy_Walnut · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 49%
It's not that I didn't like the book it just didn't grab me. And the story felt bland and the h was so clueless and just went along with anything. So this was a no-go for me.

[Aris · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing

This book has good potential. I normally enjoys Linsey Hall’s books but this one has too many plot holes that were hard to ignore. The book often pointed out how shifters have supernatural hearing and then a few lines later a vital conversation would take place in a room full of shifters but no one was able to overhear it (where was the supernatural hearing then). The book also pointed out that shifters were able to read body language like heart rate but the shifter love interest was never able to sense when the main character was experiencing fear even when her chapter described an increase in heart rate due to fear. It just wasn’t enjoyable. It felt rushed. It also didn’t feel like a complete book. The entire book felt like it was the first 10 chapters of a larger book.

[Irene Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre

The storyline is okay if a little boring , the main characters come across as weak and wishy washy. The book is very short and feels more like an episode than a book I have found this a common trend with this author. It is a little unbelievable that everything just falls into place Garreth being at the hotel where Lyra works and she is his mate, she is found by a mob she has been hiding from for 10years who need her to steal a book. She doesn't know about magic or what she is it is all wrapped up into a bear little package. Disappointing

[Victoria (nocturnalintimacy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited.

This was entertaining, but I had some issues with it. Lyra is a hotel maid on the run from the mob. But she doesn't leave the city, and instead enrolls in business school with her real name and crosses her fingers that they're not looking. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The shifters in the story have super-sensory hearing one scene, but not the next. It's all very convenient.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unknown shifter

Lyra is linsey hall new character. She is a rebel between working under the table and hiding from the mob.

Little does she know her life is going to change because of a book.

This is the first book in a new series! excited to see where it goes.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic start to a brand new series that isn't affiliated with any of
Linsey Hall's other series (yet, and that I know of!).

Lyra is a maid in a hotel simply trying to make a living for herself and eventually attend business school. That is until she's asked to stand in for her best friend and clean the suite a rival mob boss is staying in.

Gareth is the leader of his pack, trying to make up for his father's failings, and protect his pack from a rival pack trying to encroach on his land and take everything from him. He's already lost several pack members to this other pack and he'll be damned if he'll lose everything to him. Unfortunately he doesn't have the numbers to fight this.pack, so he has to try diplomacy to keep them at bay. At least for now.

Everything goes wrong however when it turns out his mate has betrayed him by 'working' for the rival leader.

This book flows very well with a great storyline and solid characters. Although I do have to say that the 'nemesis' is a bit cliché in the fact that he gives everyone the creeps and is obviously the bad guy. However, this doesn't take away the enjoyment of the book, it's just my opinion.

I really enjoyed this story and didn't want to put the book down. Once again Linsey has written a gripping story with a complicated love story - gotta say it's probably something most of us love, feeling the tension and attraction between the protagonists that neither want to deny for themselves, or act upon - love watching them go from cold distrust to heating up the sheets with lust!

I loved the ending, didn't expect that in the least, and now am eagerly awaiting release of the next instalment.

Thank you Linsey Hall for such a great book 😊

[Ghouliana Darkana · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spice, but a hell of a plot!

Shifterverse with a touch of mafia vibes. I expected more spice with the ages, and it being about shifters. Nothing to report. Pretty interesting story though! The very minor thing that bothered me was that the FMC had a throat injury and bruises to the point she had to wear a scarf the next day and then it was just never touched on again even though she had to strip in front of someone later on that same day that her friend mentioned she would get in trouble for wearing the scarf to work and she said she just wouldn't get caught then. Why even add that into the book? I mean you could have used that incident as a way to show us that she healed quickly or something which is how she got away with none of the shifters noticing bruising on her neck despite being constantly framed as beings who notice every detail, scent, and facial twitch. Interesting enough book to start the year off and I definitely do plan on starting the 2nd book right after writing this! Hoping for some steam in this next book and a HEA for two deserving characters.

[Sheila Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Pretty good story that started off with a struggling girl hiding from what she believes is the mob. Working under the table for a sleazy hotel manager. She runs into who she believes is another powerful man of unsavory business. She has strange abilities like unusual strength & hearing as well as unnatural climbing skills.
Some inconsistencies took me out of the flow of the story. Her motorcycle wouldn't start so of course tightening a wheel nut fixed it right up. Her instincts would scream at her when something was dangerous so she continued forward regardless yet when it happens again she ponders how she always listens to her instincts so she avoids the path she's on. After a rough scene where she receives a ring of bruises so dark she needs to hide them with a scarf around her neck, soon after she undresses for a shop lady & it's never mentioned as if they & the scarf magically disappear. The secrets & lies that are measured between the H and h become almost comical. Of course the H thinks hers are worse. To be continued.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of Wolf shifters stories, I loved the characters. A heroine whose circumstances and the mistakes she has made have her between a rock and a hard place, and a hero who learned that trust has a great cost and can even destroy what is most loved. I was struck by the strong internal struggle that Lyra and Garreth have, to not show the vulnerability that each feels to the other. I think Lyra's ignorance, her lack of protection, and the ideas instilled in her made her an easy victim. I am extremely intrigued with the book, the challenge Lyra now, has to face and the course for Garreth to take. The series promises to be full of intrigue, action and suspense with these characters that what they exude is distrust, fury, violence and the romance is something they have to leave behind, I hope it is only for now. I voluntarily reviewed this copy which has left me looking forward to the next book.
.

[Kathy Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fated mates story

I love this one! However, I can't help but think how this story would have turned out if Lyra only told Gareth the truth. Her parents certainly didn't do her any favors! Being raised as half human with a father that let the mob know his family would pay his debts really messed her up. I also find it hard to believe in a world of magic she never thought that book had something more important in it. I feel bad for Gareth too. I really believe he is totally screwing himself over by rejecting Lyra. His macho, ego stuff is getting in the way of his happiness. If he would have just let himself have feelings about her. She could help unite both packs I believe, if she can learn to fight I believe she could kill the City Pack alpha. She is bigger than him. It sounds like Gareth is prejudice against mountain lions because his mother was one & she betrayed the pack. The other packs sounded like they were a mixture of all shifters.

[Elaina Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm....excuse me, Linsey, why did you do us dirty with the cliffhanger??! I was devouring Midnight Moon. I love Lyra and Garreth so much, and then it just ends!!

I have been reading your books since pretty much the beginning, and the way you weave completely different romances, characters, and problems, while also staying in the same world is incredible. There has not been a single book of yours that I have not loved.

At times, Garreth made me want to punch him because he is denying his feelings for Lyra all because of the sins of his father. Just kiss her already!! I won't spoil the ending of the book, but both of them have some explaining to do in the next book. All I will say is the truth will set you free. LOL

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I am anxiously awaiting book two!

[Sarah Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Linsey’s other books you like this start to a new series and new cast of characters.
Linsey has found a successful formula in story telling that she can duplicate over and over again and this series is no exception.
I liked the push and pull between Lyra and Garreth in this story. If I hadn’t read any of Linsey’s other books I wouldn’t have felt like I was reading another story of a poor girl down on her luck meeting a rich and mysterious guy she finds herself drawn to. I’m hopeful in the next books we can see how the Seattle pack is different from her other supernatural characters and where Lyra fits into this world.

If you like shifter stories with a strong female lead, mystery and a slow burn fated mates that try to fight fate, you’ll like this start to a new series.

[Stephen R Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Shockingly Good

Talking about a good story about love and hate stories, this is one heck of one rollercoaster ride for sure. One minute the heroine is scaling walls and the next minute she’s setting herself up for betrayal, all in within a matter of days her life is turned upside down.
She doesn’t know what she is or who she’s dealing with but her survival is dependent on what she finds out about herself and what she’s dealing with.
The details are in the book and that’s all I’ll tell you. It’s an excellent read and full of great characters from humans to shifters and witches. Which one comes out on top is anyone’s guess but it’s worth checking out. In the meantime I’m off to read the next book in the series. Good Reading!

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyra's is asked by her friend Meg, to help her with a job. Lyra is full of nerves because it could get her fired. Lyra sees Garreth from door form his room, she flees by the most unexpected way. Lyra has been hiding due to her what her father did. Lyra learned the hard way, you can't run. They find her and make her do something she doesn't want to. She has to take something of value from a powerful man.

This is all I can say, I am not going to give spoilers away. This is a must-read book. You will be on a wonderful rollercoaster ride with this story. This book will engage you from the first page, you will not put it down. I highly recommend reading this book, you will not regret it.

[Lita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book and I really hope the next one will be out soon.

I was a little disappointed to find a few typos but nobody is perfect and even editors can miss things. I guess I'm just used to very quality when reading books by this author.

I really like the characters and suspect that Meg is going to end up being a traitor but maybe not. I can't explain why I feel I this way but there it is. Of course I wish the worst for the bad guys and that the two mains will end up together and live HEA. Yeah, I know a purely romantic notion. I look forward to more of the Rebel Wolf series.

[madirosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to a new series! I believe this is a spin off of the Shadow Guild world since Garreth is the brother of Lachlan in Eve’s story although it’s never specifically mentioned in this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a different kind of story then Linsey usually writes which made it really enjoyable. The miscommunication trope is not a personal favorite of mine but these characters are making up for it. I am eager to see how it plays out. I really love Lyra and her attitude. She unapologetically only looks out for herself and it’s a nice change from the typically heroines who fall instantly for the guys. All I have to say is Garreth will need to grovel!!!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyra was just doing her job housecleaning her rooms and staying one step ahead on her bills, not believing in magic but she knew she was special. Took a shift from her friend and her life change forever. She went to the room not knowing she will be meeting Garreth a very handsome complicated alpha (wolf). Was blackmail into a weekend, by one guy and threaten into getting a book with her friend's life on hand, seeing magic, people changing into werewolf's other shapeshifters, and now the Olympia Pack is going to lose their land because of the book she had to steal to free her friend as she sits in jail at the Olympia and of all things, she shifts into a mountain lion Garreth is her mate.