Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

The characters were sweet and interesting, their romance was a bit quick but considering the length of the story that's understandable. I really think it could have been better fleshed out if it were longer but all in all it was an enjoyable read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*

Okay so I probably should have looked up the author's other works before reading, as the content took me by surprise somewhat, but it wasn't terrible.

It's actually quite a sweet story, and has some interesting world-building elements woven in despite the short length. I feel like it has the potential to be a full novel, but the author seems to prefer to focus on adding in as many sex scenes as possible. As an asexual person, I can't connect with that kind of insta-sexual content, but understand that many readers enjoy this, so it's not a negative as such. Some readers want a light read with some smut, and that is certainly delivered here.

My concern however, as voiced by others, is the focus on mlm sexual relationships, written by a female author, in a way that fetishizes them for a female audience. These books are common, and can be harmful to queer relationships. They're stereotypical, unrealistic and performative, not a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.

I think the author has potential, and I really enjoyed the characters and the world. Perhaps a focus on plot over porn would be preferable.

Finding the Wolf is a curious and addictive mix of sweet and cute but sexy.

Nyle, the youngest dragon at the mountain, is given the task of finding the missing Prince Leon. While Nyle doesn't like to go into the human world, as they love to make everything so complicated, he goes because he was asked by the Elder Dragon. Only when he finds the prince he discovers that he is so much more than he has ever imagined and finds he can't part with such a treasure. And we all know about dragons and treasure.

Nyle is adorable and innocent and just so naive that you just can't help but love him. Leon is a little minx that you also can't help but love for being such a trouble maker. Yes, there is a very insta-love attraction, smexy times but I'm not mad at it. I love,love,loved that Nyle kept calling Leon his pretty. I have a thing for dragons and I'm just going to let that preferential treatment be known. Also, I'd totally be down for more about Nyle's parents Toel and Gail.

Finding the Wolf was cute and fun and light with some spicy smexy time that I was just here for. I am so down for reading more in The Dragon's Hoard series.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was completely different. I enjoy it. This was my first book from this author
There are some explicit scene but not that descriptive as other books this is boy love so Iwaildn't recommend it if that manners you uncomfortable. The author did a good job on writing the story. It is a fast pace story and short. I did enjoy the love between both male protagonist. There was action, trust, and forgiveness. It mentions dragons, werewolves and Wizards. The story was great and the way it ended seem like a dream come true in which there is a union between the different diverse individuals. It was a different type of story and interesting. Thank you.

This book is the classic Mell Eight combination of sweet, weird, and sexy. Nyle is a dragon - the youngest of his kind. He has been tasked to find a missing prince. He finds the prince quickly - but also finds so much more. Leon is the missing prince - but things are more than what they seem.

Meeting Leon opens Nyle's eyes to so much - up until that point he is a pretty typical dragon, focused only on his hoard and scientific experiments. Meeting Leon changes everything. I loved the steps Nyle takes to not only keep Leon safe but to make sure they can be together. They are truly too adorable together.

This is an updated version of a previously published book and the first part of a series - but it is totally worth the read or re-read.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

3.5 stars The premise of this was interesting and the multilayered plot was done well in this novella length story. We got some pretty complex world building done in a way that avoided info-dumping, and even an epic battle. A great love story (albeit a little 'insta) with a side order of Dragon-human-werewolf political and cultural dynamics. Super enjoyable.

This isn’t my first book featuring dragons that I’ve read by Mell Eight. Just for the record, same author, totally different take on dragons. I adore the dragons in the Supernatural Consultant series. Its more contemporary setting is a modern take on young dragons and is a very family centered series. The Dragon’s Hoard has a more “old-world” feel and although Nyle is young by dragon standards, he’s been around for quite some time. The sense of family is totally different in Finding the Wolf as well. There’s a disconnect between the dragons which keeps them pretty much emotionally isolated. Which is one of the reasons why Leon becomes so important to Nyle. His hoard is full of his most treasured possessions and Leon quickly becomes the most treasured of all.

As in most of Mell Eight’s supernatural stories, there’s a mystery to be solved and evil to be conquered. I found myself getting wrapped up in the suspense even more than the growing romance between Leon and Nyle. Things are far from over by the end of Finding the Wolf. Leon and Nyle found their HEA, but readers are still left with questions about discoveries that were made. Since this is a series that’s been republished, we shouldn’t have to wait long for the next book in The Dragon’s Hoard series, Breaking the Shackles.

trigger warning
<spoiler> trauma, slavery, implied rape and torture </spoiler>

The youngest dragon gets send on a mission: Finding the missing prince who was send out to investigate the case of disappearing humans.

The dragons in this book are shapeshifters and can switch between their dragon form and one that nearly looks human, doing so at will. Same goes apparently for the werewolves, who can decide which form they want - unless gravely injured, when their body will simply react on it's own.

The first scene ends in a random sex scene, which is exactly why I didn't like this book. I've read things by the author in the past, and liked them, but there it was more about the romance and the plot.
This kind of thing simply is not for me and I wouldn't have requested it if I'd know.
But I like that under the impressum, the publisher gives a warning about the amount of sex in this novella, it simply was too late for me at that point and I thought it's short, let's read it regardless.

The plot as such is pretty straightforward. There is a certain problem that needs to be adressed, but everyone it involves wants to work together to get it over with.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

This was a light , fun and quick read . I liked it ,

Would I read it again ? No .

I just reviewed Finding the Wolf by Mell Eight. #FindingtheWolf #NetGalley

I am going to be perfectly honest here; I did not finish this book. The story itself seemed okay but when I looked into the author a little more, I was very disturbed to find all of her books are mlm while she is, in fact, a woman. I cannot knowingly and willingly read material that is a fetishization of queer people.

I liked the story ... but not too much.

One of the things that disappointed me was the rhythm of the story, everything happens too fast, in the first 3 chapters the Dragon has already found the prince and they have decided that they love each other, etc. and it makes sense if we consider that there are only 6 chapters. But still, I was not convinced by that romance.

I would have liked more chapters to be taken, not only for us to get to know our protagonists better, but for there to be a deeper connection between them than being mates' or the equivalent in dragon.

Toel and gail enchanted me from their first appearance. And in general what happens in the kingdom of Leon is interesting, I wanted to know more about what happened there, but everything is so fast that it is anticlimactic.

So while it wasn't my favorite, it's a good story.

Thanks to Netgally for the e-copy

This was very different to what I usually read. I don’t read a lot of fantasy or erotica so I’m not well versed in what is common in either. But I felt like many plot points were glossed over and found some of the character interactions cringey. Things often didn’t make the most sense and weren’t very believable in how they were happening. I liked the idea of this as it reminded me of an old writing prompt of the dragon falling in love with the prince locked away in a tower but with a werewolf spin on it, i just don’t think it was executed amazingly. But there was nothing deeply problematic or offensive so two stars from me.

Ughhhhh DNF @10%

I love dragons. I love wolves. I love dragons and wolves together. I do not love having a main character exclaim “you poor thing” when other characters says he’s never had sex. That level of allonormativity and casual exclusion of asexuals is a quick way to make me throw a book away.

A fun M/M romance book. It was a nice weekend read, that was both entertaining and engaging to read.

Mell Eight brings the heat with the start of her new series “The Dragon’s Hoard”. Finding the Wolf also has the main fantasy breeds in the same world: dragons, wolves, humans, and of course the magi.

Eight drops us into a 19th century looking world where the ladies sell their wares and pick-pockets run through the streets looking for marks. Servants still have to walk through side streets so they are not seen by the elite. Eight’s descriptions of the buildings made me feel much like Nyle did while he was walking: ick! (laugh)

There are three “territories”: town, where the humans live; the dragon’s area; and the The Wilds where all other species live. No one really cares for a species that isn’t like them. Lord Dragon Nyle is sent to town to find the Third Prince of the Human Court who is missing.

Luckily Leon is easy to find and Nyle is lobbed into another mystery. Who is telling the truth and who is lying becomes of the utmost importance.

Then there is the minor issue of Leon himself. There are secrets hidden within him and he is a very pretty gem of a man. You know how dragons love their pretties. Leon is no exception.

Eight’s descriptive writings guarantee readers a good time during the romance between Nyle and Leon. I thought of fanning myself during these scenes - they are that hot!

The mystery is solid and simple as this is a novella. Eight moves the story quickly and with lots of movement. I will admit there was a twist at the end I did not see coming, but it completely makes sense for the next book in the series.

I think my favorite character is Nyle’s Hatch Mother, Gail. She is funny, intrusive, and alludes to an interesting back story. Eight shows the extremes between being raised in a healthy environment versus an abandoned one.

Finding the Wolf is a fun fast romp. Nyle and Leon are a great match. Eight has created a world you want to visit again and again.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

This was a pretty fun read!! The characters were sweet and I adored the world building. I can usually get behind insta-love but i do feel like this one could have benefited from a slower build up. That aside it was still a quick fun read

this was enjoyable. though i dont feel the chemistry or romance between Nyle and Leon.

i like the worldbuilding, it is pretty cool.

This was an okay read for me. I didn’t love it, but I had no huge, irreconcilable issues with it either. It focuses on a werewolf who is the third son of a King and a centuries-old dragon who is the youngest of his kind and who is tasked with finding the mortal prince which is a concept that drew me in.

The setting was interesting and had an intriguing magic system and range of species, however, I felt that it fell into a lot of tired tropes and plot points. I was not a fan of the ‘romance’ which was the central focus of the book. It didn’t feel overly romantic to me and it happened very fast and out of nowhere, it was also very possessive and clingy which I’m not generally a fan of. I probably should have seen that coming but it just didn’t click with me.

The writing was alright, but a lot of the dialogue was cringy and I felt uncomfortable at parts reading it. The plot also felt one-dimensional. Overall, it was a decent enough book in my opinion but not anything spectacular.

2.5 sad stars

**Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
#FindingtheWolf #NetGalley

Pros
+ m/m romance
+ dragons & werewolves

Neutral
/ The dragon calls his lover his "pretty" a lot. It didn't really bother me but I see how it could be really annoying.

Cons
- none of the slow-burn relationship buildup of Kelpie Blue :'(
- insta-bang into insta-love
- insta-bang was dub-con in my book
- didn't connect with any of the characters
- super basic plot

TW: mind control, slavery (off-page), prostitution (off-page), physical assault, dubious consent