I love a good urban fantasy series, but I felt like this first installment in Sam Quinn's story tried to do too much all at once. Right out of the gate we are in a world with werewolves, vampires, shifters, wicches (witches, please), demons, and dwarves. Not to mention the big bad monsters who are hunting Sam. While I can appreciate a diverse urban fantasy setting; there was just too much going on for a first book in the series.

I also had an issue with Sam's character - set up as a strong, independent loner wolf with an abusive past; she falls head first into damsel-in-distress mode when a broody vampire looks her way. Speaking of broody vampires - am I the only one who thought that relationship came out of left field?

While I can see where some readers might love this book, it was just an okay read for me. Entertaining and action packed but nothing that kept me interested enough to continue with the series.

I don’t know why I went into this book expecting it to wow me. It may have been the way it began because I thought it was going to be about a kickass female character. She had been surviving on her own for a while with unsavory characters hunting for her, after all. The protagonist was also a rape survivor — don’t get me started on how I hate when authors use rape as a backstory for characters. As soon as she entered into a relationship, though, she turned into a helpless damsel-in-distress. What’s more, she knew her life was in danger yet she kept on roaming around at random. If you know you cannot handle the threat, being out and about wouldn’t be a smart thing to do, would it? All that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this book. It is a fun, fluffy, and quick read.

I really wanted to like this story and went into it with high expectations. I mean really, a new urban fantasy series with werewolves and a bookstore- sounded right up my alley. My biggest problem with the book though was the main character, we just did not mesh well at all. I was expecting a tough capable wolf girl, but instead Sam was timid and afraid at every turn, most certainly the damsel in need of rescue- and don't get me wrong, the handsome powerful vampire who kept saving the day was great, but I wanted Sam to save the day herself.

Sam was turned into a wolf through a very violent physical and sexual attack 7 years before the story started, but the attack was brought up or flashed-backed to almost constantly it felt like it happened in this story. (Keep in mind I do not like to read books with rape in them and if I had know how prominent a role this played in the book I probably would not have picked it up.) I have read another werewolf urban fantasy story where the main character was turned werewolf the same way but it was not the focus of the series or the defining moment of the character's personality whereas I felt like this was. I really feel like Sam needed some intense therapy she never got and until she gets it life will not be ok for her- or me the reader.

Ok back to the damsel thing, legitimately, Sam was attacked in (almost) every single chapter, someone or another trying to kill her (in some very creative and terrifying ways), and she was almost never able to fight them off or see them coming and needed a strong man to save her life. I really hated that. Also, Sam lacked common sense and kept wandering around at night by herself with no weapons, or swimming in the dark ocean with a dead body- when we all know she can't defend herself. I was incredibly frustrated with her for a majority of the book which made it hard to read at times so I had to take breaks from the story.

Ok all that being said, she did get a little bit more sense and seemed to heal when it came to affection (even though I think she still needs some intense professional help) by the end of the book. I think this series has potential, I would just love Sam to become more independent and capable and I need a little bit more world building (and less talks about architecture and the city). I might pick up the next book and see what will happen next.

It takes a lot to get 5 stars out of me. This book hit it out of the park, checking all my boxes: paranormal, romance, gritty, mystery, magic, smut, and even threw in a bunch of awesome supporting characters. I was dragging my feet about finishing this book because I didn't want it to end and knew I'd have to wait for the next one. This has officially become the top rated book I've read this year, and I've read a lot of more popular books. It just goes to show you - take a chance!

Sam is a bar and bookstore owner (yes, it's a combination of the two) but what makes it even more unique is that it caters only to supernatural clientele. Having been assaulted and turned into a werewolf, she's got some baggage, but has created a supportive circle around her of some truly awesome friends. I'm absolutely in love with Owen, Dave, and her random mix of customers. The blend of supernatural species coupled with their willingness to help out the quirky owner really won me over.

So, the story has to have a point, right? Other than me fangirling all over the place about the characters, Sam has recently seen an uptick in attempts on her life. There's a variety of attacks, but they all seem to be trying to get her out of the way. The local master vampire, Clive, who also just happens to be a regular at the bar/bookstore, ends up stepping up to try to save Sam... pretty regularly. He is yummy and a fantastic match to the Sam's complicated life. There's a bunch of surprises along the way, but we do get to a non-cliffhanger ending, which still had me wanting more. I'm very excited to see where Sam's wild and crazy ride takes us next!

This is the first book that I have read from this author and I was definitely impressed with its originality and strong storyline. This is the first book in the series and it will have you rushing to the pre-order button for the next one.

Sam Quinn is having a bad day, or more like a bad few days. One minute she’s happily chatting about zombies in fiction in her bar and the next she’s dealing with a dead werewolf that’s literally washed up on her doorstep. The whole scene is bringing back bad memories best left forgotten. But the past rarely likes to stay buried and a new threat is looming. Someone or something wants Sam dead or vulnerable. Could it be tied to her traumatic past? The secrets her mother kept?

For seven years Sam has spent her time rebuilding her lift after far too much tragedy. Now that life hangs in the balance and she’s not sure if she can make it out of this alive. Good thing she’s got a few friends an a certain master vampire who is invested in her continued breathing. As the bodies pile up and the threats increase she’s going to need a lot of help to untangle the secrets and mysteries of the past and her family. Why is a lone wolf suddenly so interesting to so many people?

I really liked this the characters were very interesting as was the story. Most of the time I kind of wanted to hug Sam though I doubt she would welcome it. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Snarky paranormal fiction and fright…
Paragraph 1: Book blurbs don’t always paint a complete picture about the book

The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly is the first book in the new Sam Quinn series. Set in San Francisco, the Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar is the creation of Sam Quinn, a wolf shifter and reclusive book nerd, whose childhood was spent hiding with her mother and, after a traumatic assault and rape, whose days as a young adult are spent holed up in her establishment serving the supernatural community. Between the layered magical wards and her layers of oversized clothes, Sam lets very few beings get close enough to ever hurt her and hopes it will be enough to stay hidden from the psycho who almost ended her life but left her body covered with grizzly scars and a unique infinity tattoo as a daily reminder of her past. When the body of a young women with the same scars and tattoo washes up at her establishment her days of hiding seem to be over. Even though her world is upturned and she is forced to face her past she realizes that she has loyal friends and a hot, vampire protector who might even be more than a friend.

Paragraph 2: An author can’t go wrong with a snarky main character and sexy vampire leading man

Seana Kelly has put her own style on paranormal romance while still using the tried and true recipe of snarky and sexy. Sam Quinn is the diamond-in-the-rough character whose traumatic past has left her self-conscious of her appearance but her wit and humor a perfected as a defense mechanism for dealing with life. She is a diverse heroine with undiscovered power whose personality is a patchwork of famous book babes. Her snark, sass, and banter help to balance out the vicious and gruesome mental attacks that are progressively getting worse and would have taken her life if not for the interest and devotion of the formal yet undeniably attractive supernatural boss of the city, Clive Fitzwilliam. Clive guards himself just as closely with his polished persona and ironhanded rule of San Francisco, which is why Sam can’t understand his fascination with her or her situation. Who would have thought such a cold vampire could generate temps hot enough to melt the walls keeping her from reaching her full potential?

Paragraph 3: Without the reviewer’s opinion it would just be a book summary

The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly was an unexpected twist on this subgenre of paranormal romance stories. As you can tell by the format of this review I just had to tip my hat to her unique method of titling each chapter. The book is a really great mix of funny and suspense and it keeps you fixated from one page to the next. While the snark is a big part of this book, intermixed with all the catchy dialogue is a serious story of healing from a traumatic experience to find wholeness, strength, and happiness. While the one-after-another violent attacks on Sam, both physically and mentally, at the beginning of the story seemed a little much initially, it helped the reader actually feel the weight and uncertainty of the situation as compared to the climax and ending, which left you contented and excited to see where book 2 The Dead Don’t Drink at Lafitte’s, (Sam Quinn, Book 2) will go with this plot.

i never ended up downloading this, i've been reading other reviews on this and it sounds pretty good, so i might go get it~

Great read! I’ve been in a bit of a book slump recently but this totally got me out of it! This was everything i look for in an urban fantasy. Interesting world, fun characters and a good story with action and romance. I loved seeing Sam grow and change. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Text is a bit loose

There is a lot of potential here for a successful series but my cranky old preference for tightly written text made me mark a lot of sentences that could be tighter and more informative. If you are not a cranky grammarian you will probably like Sam Quinn and her bookstore and bar.

I chose The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar because the title caught my attention. I love the idea behind a bookstore/bar combo, and it sounds like an ideal setting. Throw in a werewolf owner, and you have my attention. It has everything necessary for a good book - the plot is solid, the main character is engaging, there’s humor and romance, as well as a mysterious backstory and plenty of possible bad guys.

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old main character felt more like an angsty teenager than a traumatized young woman, and her cast of good guys all felt too perfect. Even the romance came off as too sweet for an urban fantasy or a paranormal romance, whichever the goal may be.

I really wanted to enjoy this, but it wobbled too often between teenaged ‘hopes and fears’ and adult themes to fully engage me. I did keep reading, though, and it will be interesting to see how the series grows.

Urban fantasy has always been by far my favorite genre, and I do like a little bit of romance running through it if it’s not the main part of the story. It’s been hard finding trad published ones, so I was excited coming across this one. I admit at first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this. But with excellent writing and interesting characters, I was drawn in. By the end of the book, I knew I couldn’t wait to come back to this unique and interesting world. I would like a little more explanation of the bar and bookstore next time, though. This is a good series starter, but there is reference to the protagonist’s past rape for those who have triggers. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Sam Quinn is a survivor. Despite a childhood spent in hiding and a brutal attack by a werewolf pack, Sam has managed to piece together a life that suits her, running a bar and bookstore for supernaturals and making a small group of friends who watch her back. When a body shows up on her doorstep, Sam sees scars that match her own on the victim. Her secrets in her past are about to come to a forefront and Sam will need the help of her new friends to survive.

Sam Quinn is a delightful character that made me think of Brigg's Mercy Thompson. Like Mercy, Sam has a nose for trouble, a will to stand up for the little guy and doesn't back down from a challenge. I look forward to reading more about Sam and company.

Before I begin my review for The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly, I would personally like to thank the author, the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and I have reviewed it honestly.

A fast paced, tragic and death defying supernatural tale, The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar tells the tale of a scarred werewolf as she overcomes her horrific past. Death haunts her at every turn as we explore captivating characters, smouldering romance and undying friendships.

The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar features, but is not limited to, the following themes:
○ NA fantasy
○ Supernatural beings
○ Supernatural bar
○ Magic and spells
○ Werewolves
○ Smut
○ Vampires
○ Witches (wicches)
○ Assassination attempts
○ Protagonists with a dark past
○ Scars

My overall rating for The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar is…

5 Stars!

Prepare for a panic attack because this one was a gripping tale that hit me right in the feels. Female protagonists with scars and a dark past always hold my heart in their fists and I love experiencing their transformations with them as they overcome their life’s horrors. Also, her name is Sam and that’s a pretty cool name in my professional Sam opinion. Back to the book, I loved the authors engaging and fun writing style and the horrific, exciting and romantic events that made this book unstoppable. Supernatural readers will devour this book.

I wasn't sure, at first, about this book.  The title had me wondering.  That didn't stop me though, as I've been in many supernatural bars in my lifetime (through books), and I knew this would have to be interesting.

Interesting it was.  And violent.  Sam is knocked down, knocked around, and literally beaten not just once, but several times through this story.  All because someone wants to kill her.  She has no idea who she pissed off or why they could possibly be pissed off as she has kept her head down and out of sight for most of her life.  She also doesn't know why the Master Vampire of the city stops in once a month for a drink at her bar.

The story is a tale of survival.  Getting beaten down and abandoned but still pulling herself up to do what she has to.  There is snark woven in and through this book as Sam has a sassy personality.  I had a tough time following along once or twice throughout the book, but Sam gets these horrible visions.  She may think it's really happening, but it's only happening in her mind.  I want to tell you that only because I got confused.

Clive Fitzwilliam.  Old vampire.  Master of the city.  Head of the Nocturne for San Francisco.  Rich and powerful and a force to be reckoned with.  Yep, he falls for the 24 year old werewolf.

Their combination has been done in other books, but I still like it.  Mostly, their relationship isn't the forefront of the book.  It's the mystery of who wants Sam wiped off the face of the Earth.  Whether it be bravery or stupidity, Sam takes things into her own hands and, again, does what she has to do to survive.

I like rooting for the underdog and Sam really got the party started.  I liked this book and I can hardly wait for the next book to be released.

I give it 4 stars.

An excellent first book in a new urban fantasy series. The world building is phenomenal. The characters are interesting. Sam is complex and endearing. Clive will be your next book boyfriend. There is so much going on here. There is the supernatural, humor, slow burn romance, mystery, and action. I quickly became invested in the characters and the story. I can't wait for more!

"Welcome to The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar. I’m Sam Quinn, the werewolf book nerd in charge. I run my business by one simple rule: Everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink, be they vampire, wicche, demon, or fae. No wolves, though. Ever. I have my reasons.

I serve the supernatural community of San Francisco. We’ve been having some problems lately. Okay, I’m the one with the problems. The broken body of a female werewolf washed up on my doorstep. What makes sweat pool at the base of my spine, though, is realizing the scars she bears are identical to the ones I conceal. After hiding for years, I’ve been found.

A protection I’ve been relying on is gone. While my wolf traits are strengthening steadily, the loss also left my mind vulnerable to attack. Someone is ensnaring me in horrifying visions intended to kill. Clive, the sexy vampire Master of the City, has figured out how to pull me out, designating himself by personal bodyguard. He’s grumpy about it, but that kiss is telling a different story. A change is taking place. It has to. The bookish bartender must become the fledgling badass.

I’m a survivor. I’ll fight fang and claw to protect myself and the ones I love. And let’s face it, they have it coming."

Urban Fantasy set in a San Francisco bookstore!?! Is someone reading my dream book ideas list?

THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB BOOKSTORE AND BAR by Seana Kelly is first book in the Sam Quinn urban fantasy series. The protagonist, Samantha (Sam) Quinn, is a werewolf book nerd and runs a combination bookstore and bar for the supernatural community of San Francisco. Well, almost all of the supernatural community. No other werewolves are allowed. When a female werewolf is found dead immediately outside her establishment and she is covered in scars identical to Sam’s, things begin to rapidly escalate.

Sam is a likeable character who is definitely someone you can root for. She is complex, scarred, unique, honest, witty, but somewhat aloof. The main secondary characters enhanced the story and their depth was built as the story progressed. The world-building was excellent. By the end of the book, Sam has become a strong protagonist and I expect she will grow even more in book two of the series. Themes include murder, relationships, power, secrets, assaults, friendship, trust, protection, romance and much more. While this story line has a romance component and there is a steamy scene near the end of the book, that is not the main theme.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining urban fantasy with plenty of action and a great start to a new series. There are some unusual plot twists. If you are a fan of urban fantasies or paranormal romances and want to start a new series, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Independent Publishers Group – NYLA and Seana Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

This is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy series featuring the protagonist Samantha (Sam) Quinn. She operates a bookstore / bar called the Slaughtered Lamb after the pub from the film An American Werewolf in London.. She is the only werewolf in San Francisco and her establishment serves the supernatural community of San Francisco.

Our adventure begins when a body of a woman washes up on her doorstep and in trying to recover the body, her necklace, the only memory of her mother is broken. Suddenly, multiple attempts on her life are occurring and she has to try to recover her memories and find out who and why she is being targeted.

It is a well written story, if a little repetitive. The characters are likable but I felt Clive, the vampire, should have been a little more scary, despite his relationship with Sam. Also, Sam should have transformed earlier in the tale to cement werewolf in the reader's mind. There is a lot of talk but little werewolf action until the end. It would have made her revelations have more weight as well.

Overall, it was a fun ride and I would consider following the further adventures of Sam and company.

I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and NYLA for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks is the first in a new series. I truly enjoyed this book. It has a little of everything, humor, romance, fantasy, paranormal, mystery! I felt for Samantha the bar owner, a confused werewolf that just can't catch a break!! She has an interesting relationship with Clive a vampire. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to try something new, plus it's based on San Francisco one of my favorite cities to visit. 4 stars