Humanity for Beginners is a quietly charming novella that subverts some current tropes common in urban fantasy shifter stories.

For a start, it centres a lesbian woman in her 40s--not your typical werewolf protagonist. Gloria denies the others' insistence she's their pack alpha. In fact, she denies there's a pack at all (though never that they're a family). Self-control is very important to her and she does her best to act as rationally and as human as she can. This doesn't always work in her favour.

Gloria's attitude towards pack dynamics stands in strong contrast to the toxic masculinity of the other packs portrayed in this story. Gloria doesn't dominate through violence and aggression, as the other packs do. Instead, her approach is more maternal; she can't help but be genuinely concerned for the well-being of her adopted family. This doesn't mean she's a pushover or that she wears her heart on her sleeve. Indeed, she sometimes struggles to stay neutral and let her fellow werewolves to make their own decisions, even though it's really important to her that they do. She also is capable of enforcing boundaries where necessary.

This resistance to toxic masculinity also manifests in the type of story this is. Set in a rural guesthouse, Humanity for Beginners is a domestic tale that centres on relationships. As the characters sort out romantic, pack and family dynamics, they're also busy preparing food, cleaning rooms and taking bookings. It's a gentle story without a whole lot of action, though conflict remains present.

While each of the characters was distinct, the characters external to the pack could have used a little more depth. In particular, I would have liked to learn a little more about Damien, who is part of the family even though he's not a werewolf. However, I feel the author did a reasonable job within the constraints of a novella.

Overall, Humanity for Beginners was a subversive story that was a pleasure to read.

This was a nice short story, but I found it wasn't very substantial, even considering its length. I tend to like my short fiction with a mystery or an intrigue in it, rather than the "slice of life" genre, so maybe this was more of a its-not-you-it's-me situation. Still, I liked the idea of a quasi-pack (because they're not a pack, don't call them that or Gloria will hit you over the head) comprised of female werewolves, because it's quite rare to find female werewolves at all in fiction, let alone all-female packs. (Sorry. Quasi-packs. Werewolf communes?)

If you're looking for a short, sweet and fluffy read with lesbian werewolves then this is the book for you. Sadly I'm a bit of an angsty person (lmao) so it wasn't exactly my thing, but it might be yours.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a great short read, it was different and gave just enough to leave me wanting more. I am not usually a fan of novellas but this one was perfect, with the supernatural element as well as the friendship and loves that we are introduced to. This is a great quick read that you will enjoy!

*I received this book from NetGalley, and Less than Three Press in return for an honest review.*

I believe that the most recent werewolf story/book I read I made some comment about how it had been the best, or among the best or . . . well, I've this vague recollection I made a comment like that regarding a werewolf book relatively recently. I've also relatively recently rated two werewolf books close to 3 stars, so I've not exactly gone out of my head regarding werewolf stories.

Why do I mention that? Why do I start off my review that way? Simple. I surprised myself here. I, somewhat randomly, looked at various books/short stories on offer on Netgalley, saw this story here, thought it looked interesting, and read it. And, I have to say, found myself in a warm fuzzy place that actually made me teary-eyed at a few moments (no idea what that's about, maybe my eyes are off). And, not only do I have this vague feeling that I've just read one of the better werewolf stories I've attempted, I also feel as if I've read one of the better lesbian stories. I do not wish to use the word 'best' or 'one of the best' as I seem to be miss-using that phrase/word lately. But . . . something like that.

The story? Something like a slice of life look at a group of women living and working in England. At a bed and breakfast (there was some comment that flew past me without me paying much attention indicating that it was something different than that . . . but I might have misread that). All have some 'issues' they are attempting to get through, pasts to live down. A lot of those issues occurred/developed because of another thing all these women share in common - they are werewolves.

There's Gloria, the 'not-the-alpha' who owns and runs the place, Nadine the chef, Lissa & Louisa who are loners/and or newly bitten (within six months) who are the waitresses (and have been circling each other. Then there's . . . the gardner man. Who is human. And whose name is escaping me for some reason. mmphs. Then there's Eben, another human, who comes calling one night looking for someone.

Lovely story. As mentioned, warm and fuzzy. Fun. Unexpectedly explicit briefly (I had accidentally mixed several book snippets together and forgot this one did have that bit about 'some explicit content'). It probably hit me differently than someone else, especially if they read it after reading my review. Since I wasn't expecting anything and they would be (it's one of those 'went so far and then . . . new scene' type of explicit action).

I've never read anything by this author. I now desire to dive into their stuff and hopefully find some more interesting stuff.

Rating: 5+

February 28 2017

Just terrific! I can't wait for a sequel! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I'd like a different ending. I love the entire pack!

I would write the plot, but it might give away the storyline. Let's just say that the book was a surprise gift tonight. I was delighted to read this author's take on werewolves. Humour, compassion, and kindness mixed with great storytelling. I would love to stay at this B & B anyday. The supportive characters were just amazing. I love the two guys on the roof with a tranquilizer gun.

I highly recommend this read!

Gloria did not intend to start a halfway house for lesbian werewolves. It just sort of happened. Between running a small bed-and-breakfast with her friend Nadine, helping one young lycanthrope adjust to life after the bite and soothing ruffled fur when the other brings home an unexpected cat, Gloria has more than enough to keep her busy, but one thing is definite: she is not nor ever will be an alpha, whatever Nadine says. And the ever-expanding circle of misfits in her guesthouse is certainly not a pack.

This short book was well done. The writer doesn't let the story or the relationships become bogged down with over-explained backstory. I really enjoyed that the characters were described to the reader as more of an unconventional family than the typical blood lust, wolf pack stories flooding the market. (Definitely a more feminine perspective on a wolf pack.) Of particular note was the fact that the love scenes were not overly explicit nor did they drown out the thread of the story line. This was a pleasant Saturday afternoon read and well worth my time.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

🍴 This is cute short story that finally takes the werewolves, alphas etc cliches and shows it all in a different light. There are two main plot-lines - one of the girls being tracked down by her family, and a rival Alpha male challenging the group - which are set against a lot of light day-in-the-life style scenes.

🏡The relationships are sweet and believable, if a little obviously sign-posted but this is clearly a romance story so that's not a big problem.

🐺 The real strength of this story are the characters and their relationships with each other within the family/ pack. It's especially nice to see the werewolf trope done featuring different, well-rounded women (and not just the Strong Female Character™) instead of hyper-muscular shirtless guys. The story felt like a good length for the plot, but I could easily see a series of novellas featuring Gloria and the guesthouse family.

This review will be posted on my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales, on 09 Feb 2017.