Once Bitten is a paranormal romance that brings together Norse mythology and werewolf legend. The plot is fast paced, and the characters, Sonya and Ty, are interesting, and believable. I enjoyed the romance between them, and especially the initial teacher/student dynamic that forced them to keep their feelings in check, though this did seem to jump forward and then back again a bit too much, and the constant reminders that starting a relationship was a bad idea got a little repetitive, especially in Ty's narrative. I also felt that there was room to develop the background mythology a little more, particularly as regards Sonya's birthmark, which seemed to resolve without much impact, referencing some other character that never actually came into the book, but just fell out of the story as an aside. Some of the dialogue was also a little stilted, especially where it was used as a way to explain rather than advance the plot. There's a good story here, but it could really do with a better edit/re-write-- it currently reads like a promising first draft rather than a finished novel.

Pages and pages of inner dialogue and descriptions of things. Boring boring and more boring.

No attraction between the two characters. It was not what I thought it was going to be. I will skip the rest of the series.

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I loved it! It's an amazing read. It has been quite some time since I read paranormal romance and I'm glad that I read this one. It's book one in what looks like a promising new series. Characters are all well-written, story is engaging, and there are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting from the very beginning until the end. There is also some mystery around main characters.
When Sonya's one mistake lead to her becoming a werewolf, she has no idea what to do. Somehow Ty ends up to be the one to help her through her change. She is wary of him. She doesn't think that she can trust anyone in this new world, which has been unknown to her until now. But soon she realizes that Ty is exactly who he says he is... and the attraction between them is unmistakable. But will she even survive this ordeal to think about her future.
Ty has never helped a new werewolf before so there are a lot of things he doesn't know. He is trying his best to help Sonya. One thing is clear to him, there is no way he will ever let anyone hurt her. He will protect her and be there for her as long as she will have him. Even after her change he'd still wants to be with her. Now they only need to stay alive, and make to until after she changes.... but what they don't know is that things will get even more complicated then they're anticipating...
It's an intriguing story. I think it's brilliantly written. There was no dragging, it flowed smoothly, there was enough romance, adventure, and mystery to make it perfect. I think all paranormal readers will love this book.

Great read looking forward to reading more of the characters - hope there'll be more!

DNF. Read to 30%. Just couldn't get into it. I know his dialogue was written that way on purpose, but it just felt so,stilted. I didn't like her. She kept going on about honesty but didn't tell him everything. And neither her actions, reactions, or emotions seemed at all realistic.

Once Bitten, Heather McCorkle

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, 

 My first read of Heather's novels, but I love the werewolf genre and this sounded fun. 
I found it a little - well - bland I guess? It was well written, the characters were all clearly set out and the take of the werewolf genre had some fresh additions. Sounds good doesn't it?
However I just found the story dragged, with nothing much happening until the last 20% or so. Even then I found that for a group so set in rules and hierarchy the story-line went well off track.

I couldn't see how all these things, all these anarchist actions wouldn't have been seen coming, if those in charge had been taking note. Its hard to see a rigid, supposedly strong and well run system fall down so badly by the actions of such inept characters. 
There didn't seem to have been much thought or planning of what would happen,  and the ones creating the mayhem were strangely lacking in intelligence and strategy.
The story-line is sound, and things like this do happen but it needed to have characters that were capable of planning and executing such a strategy for me to believe it.

Its kind of a one plot book too, in that Sonya's transforming was a part of that overall plot. I liked Ty, apart from his manner of speaking which proved irritating after a time, but he was so laid back he was almost horizontal, which didn't fit so well with his thoughts on throwing everything, disregarding all the rules, because he was so attracted to Sonya. I anted to say "get a grip man, its only for a couple of weeks!!" The man I thought he was would have done just that, not been mulling constantly about giving in to temptation.
Its one of those reads that feels very simplistic, not complex drama but a quick easy read. Depends what you want - and its different for everyone, for me its more often the complex drama that does it. 

First books in a series have a hard task and for me this one doesn't quite live up to the promise of the description. I'm undecided as to whether I want to continue with it. I'll see nearer the time I guess, how much other things I've got on and whether I'm pulled in by the description. I'm not saying I would read more, not saying its a no go for me but I am on the fence over it. 

Stars: two and a half, a good premise but it needs a bit more action and drama, a little more speed for me. Maybe in the later books?

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

A high tention static between our two main characters. The story is a great idea and I hope the myths get developed further. It seemed more focused on the romance aspect. I expected more for the ending. But it was good reading.

Holy werewolves, Batman! What did I just read!! Once Bitten by Heather McCorkle is incredible! Book 1 of The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow Series, this book has a winning combination of romance and heat, action, and drama, not to mention plenty of Norse lore and mythology to make a paranormal lover combust! This story was unique and quite different from the shifter stories we’ve come to know and love. Ms. McCorkle did a marvelous job with weaving her story and I am so looking forward to what’s coming next.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

3.5 Stars Once Bitten is the first book in The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow and the first book I have read by Heather McCorkle. I enjoyed this story and loved the Norse aspect. I look forward to seeing what the author brings us next

This novel involves Norse mythology, based on Loki and that the werewolves are descended from Fenir, Loki's son. There is also some romance and action. This novel contains first person points of view from Sonya and Ty, but more from Sonya's perspective.
Sonya is a med student who gets bitten by Raul, a man whom she was seeing. She does not know what this means. Ty finds Sonya and becomes her kennari, to help prepare her for her shift into wolf form on the full moon, which includes controlling her emotions. Ty is a lone wolf and there is a reason for this, which he explains to Sonya after someone tells her to ask him about it. Ty is a history teacher at the university and since he is not allied with any pack, he felt he was the best person to teach Sonya. However, the three packs are still after Sonya, but she has no idea why they want her. As Sonya and Ty begin to train, they also have to keep fighting their attraction for each other since it is forbidden for a teacher student relationship. However, there are still werewolves out there who want to disrupt their plans. When Sonya and Ty discover people being bitten without their permission, it adds another layer of mystery onto their plates. Will Sonya be able to shift without going mad? Will Sonya and Ty be able to be together and can they stop all the trouble that is brewing?

This was an interesting take on werewolves, one I haven't read before....but it's a lot to take in. There's lore, and characters and a whole lot more that goes into this story. I must admit that I didn't feel the chemistry between the leads like I probably should have and the complicated lore was somewhat distracting from Sonya's journey for me. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next in this series, as I am assuming we will get a story on Ayra. I had to force myself though this book as it drug in several places.
This was a complimentary advanced reader copy from the author/publisher in exchange for a honest review via Netgalley.