I haven't read any Little red Riding Hood retellings before, but enjoyed this one. The writing was good. I like both Ruby and Rafe. I wish the next book was already released. I'd like to find out what happens next.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review

Spicy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
If you’re looking for an easy read with lots of spice this is your book.
An entertaining reading for when you don’t know what to read and are in a reading slump, once you’re start reading it you won’t stop!

I requested this novel through NetGalley because of the Little Red Riding Hood descriptions. I love that fairytale. I'm not sure those are the vibes I get, but the elements are there.


A Curse of Blood and Wolves is a romance with paranormal characters. There is, of course, drama surrounding their love, and that is the story that I enjoyed most.


Lone wolf and woodworker (Rafe) is obsessed with the lady (Ruby) who walks through the woods to get home. He saves her from outsider wolves who have began to move in on Ruby and her sister. Rafe has to face his estranged family in order to get answers and protect her. This brings up a lot of issues that he hasn't dealt with in a long time.


The romance plays on the line of being dark. Our characters are dangerously attracted to one another- Ruby is attracted to Rafe stalking her through the woods. They are turned on by the thrill of the literal chase. When it comes to supernatural beings, I'm more forgiving of the behaviors that would be disturbing if they were human. And this story makes sure they ask for consent and have open communications surrounding their intimacy.


We get a glimpse of a lot of key players in Rafe's family, which I am interested in learning more about. His 2 brothers, his step mom and his father. We learn some of Rafe's childhood and get snippets of his father in action. I am also curious to see how the lives of the pack differ under different leadership.

The characters, when they showed up, were all fine. I feel like the sister should have been more fleshed out, I don't remember her name, but she is described to play an important roll in what is happening. I also dislike when supernatural beings who have lived for many years seem to be emotionally underdeveloped. Rafe has been around at least since WW1, yet in the now he still believes that no woman could love a beast like him because of how an old flame reacted to him. Despite Ruby constantly saying otherwise. Because of this, there's a lot of "I'm no good for you" struggle that the couple goes through. I just don't find it believable that he's never had another love prior to Ruby. The instalove and lack of communication when things go wrong brings down the quality of this relationship.


I personally would have liked more of the family drama and wolf laws, and am probably going to read the next book in the series to see if it continues to develope. However, I feel like this may be a series that focuses on the different wolve brothers and their romantic relationships, per the last chapter.


If you are looking for an intro to some dark(ish) romance, I think this "steamy reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood" would work well. I think fans of the True Blood series may enjoy this as there seems to be a world of other supernatural romances happening in this world.

That you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the opportunity to review. This is an ARC review and opinions are strictly my own.

The concept of an adult, Little Red Riding Hood, werewolf romantasy doesn’t sound terrible. And there may be versions out there already that have done this well. For me, A Curse of Blood and Wolves had opportunity, but didn’t cash in on the things that it needed to in order to resonate with me.

What I liked: The book did pick up slightly more at the end. For folks looking for some spice, it is there.

What I didnt like:
- The MMC - his self-loathing was far beyond a character trait - it was his whole personality. I would have liked to see his character develop further as opposed to slightly somewhat at the very end of the book.
- The relationship - I’m all for a slow burn, but the “will they, wont they, wait…are they?” Back and forth was just ridiculous and annoying. And his behavior was just incredibly immature.
- The character development just seemed lacking in this book. I wanted to like these characters, but I honestly didnt know what made Ruby tick. Lena was and continued to be a mystery. And there were subplots that were introduced and then seemingly forgotten about. Ruby is described as goth but is she really? That doesn’t seem to matter at all in her character development or for the story - again, just a detail that seems to get mentioned and then forgotten about.
- Some of the writing was cheesy and made me physically roll my eyes. Ex. “And they were about to seal the deal. She was ready to mate the hell out of her werewolf.” Nope. No thanks.
- Needless and Confusing Flashbacks - these made no sense and honestly confused me.

I get that with fantasy sometimes you just have to let things slide, but there were parts of this book that just didn’t make any sense from a character development perspective to move the plot somewhat forward. For example, Ruby mentions that now she thinks that she’s magically a seer bc she had a dream when she was little? HUH? Or that she’s just going to bring a giant wolf into her home? Because that’s normal and totally fine.

There were also elements introduced to the story that just didnt make sense to introduce. For example - Ruby’s CareBear t shirt or his obsession with feet? Why is this needed? And why bring it up once and then never mention it again? These details are distracting and just took me further out of the story they were trying to create.

All in all, 2 stars. I finished it but will I continue the series? Probably not. Glad if others enjoyed, but not for me.

#ACurseofBloodandWolves #NetGalley

Star rating: 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

<b>Plot:</b> I adore the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, though occasionally it’s nice to read something different and this book hit that spot. Ruby’s initial apprehension about Rafe quickly fades and the story primarily focuses on Rafe trying to keep things platonic between them as a means to protect Ruby, despite their mutual attraction. The dual-POV worked well to portray what both characters felt. This book is a twist on the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, and the author captured that vibe well of Ruby being watched in the forest by the big bad wolf, Rafe, who in fact turns out to be very nurturing. I would have enjoyed a bit more action-adventure, in lieu of some of the scenes involving travelling to/from Ruby’s work. However, the author weaved in quite a bit about the main characters’ personal and family histories and the pack-dynamics, which left me wanting to know what happens next.

<b>Characters:</b> I enjoyed that Rafe’s struggles were explored. He has a past that he’s not proud of and the guilt of that still weighs heavily on him, compounded by trauma from life in the wolf pack. The author set out Rafe’s history in detail and the way he fights fate to try to remain platonic with Ruby as a means to protect her. Rafe is the type of MMC whose love for the FMC is insatiable and radiates that “don’t touch her” energy! I felt that Ruby’s character would have benefited from more depth and vulnerability - i.e., scenes that enable the reader to fall in love with her.

Rafe and Ruby’s siblings, along with a few different creatures (seers, witches, nymphs) were secondary characters discussed throughout who piqued my interest, and it seems these creatures / characters may be explored further in the next book.

There was a double cliff-hanger at the end, given we were treated to a third POV in the epilogue from a secondary character who I wanted to read more about. I hope the next book in this series gives us that character’s love story!

<i>Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

Ruby is being stalked through the forest on her way home. But she isn't in danger - her stalker is actually a sexy werewolf determined to keep her safe.

This twisty romantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is a fast paced and engaging read with much more romance than action. Good if you're after a quick and easy read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Fairy tales are my favourite. Since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by them, and as I grew up I came to love darker retellings. Finding genuinely good ones that stand out in today's sea of fairy tale retellings and fairy tale-inspired books is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But Melissa Mcternan knocked it right out of the woods with this one.

A Curse of Blood and Wolves is a fascinating and engrossing read. The unique qualities and the dark chemistry between our major characters had me hooked from the beginning to the end. This is a sizzling paranormal romance that will sweep you off your feet, but it's not Prince Charming doing the sweeping; instead, it's the big bad Wolf, but Prince Charming has always been overrated.

Thank you to the author and HarperCollins UK for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A romantasy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood filled with all sorts of fantastical creatures, such as werewolves, witches and seers.

Firstly, a shout out to the dedication of this book, you're definitely never too old to enjoy a fairytale:

'To anyone who grew up but never outgrew fairytales. Here's a grown up one just for you'.

Onto the book, the FMC was great, I loved her personality and sarcasm, however the MMC was a bit of a whiney in places and grated on me a bit. Saying that, I did really enjoy learning more about Rafe's background and history!

The romance between Rafe and Ruby was filled with tension and had such lovely development, and of course steam. I would have, however, liked the book to delve more into the world building and magic systems as the first of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for this copy. This review is voluntary.

If you're a fan of forbidden romance, fantasy, and fated mates, "A Curse of Blood and Wolves" is a must-read! Melissa McTernan weaves a dark and steamy fairytale re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood that will leave you utterly captivated.

Ruby, our fearless protagonist, is a character you'll root for from the very beginning. Her complex layers, stemming from childhood trauma and her role as the leader and provider for her family, make her incredibly three-dimensional. As she navigates a world teeming with werewolves, witches, and other magical creatures, her strength and resilience shine through.

Enter Rafe, a character who oozes possessiveness whether in human or wolf form. The chemistry between Ruby and Rafe ignites the pages, creating a perfect blend of slow-burning tension and sizzling romance.

While some may have expected a book overflowing with spicy scenes, "A Curse of Blood and Wolves" surprises with its focus on plot development. This approach forces readers to engage deeply with the story and characters, making it all the more satisfying.

Melissa McTernan effortlessly crafts a thrilling journey that seamlessly merges fantasy and romance. The world-building is intricate, drawing you into a realm filled with magic, intrigue, and hidden desires.

As an advanced reader, I can confirm that this book is a page-turner you won't want to put down. It promises a rich story arc that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this trilogy. With a diverse cast of characters and intriguing backgrounds, the future holds endless possibilities.

In conclusion, "A Curse of Blood and Wolves" is a spellbinding read that redefines the boundaries of romantasy. If you enjoy works by authors like Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy, and J. Bree, this book should be at the top of your reading list. Get ready to be sucked into a world where witches, werewolves, seers, and nymphs collide, and emotions run high. Rafe and Ruby's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, and I can't wait to see where it leads next. Mark your calendars for its release on October 1st!

Disclaimer: My thoughts and opinions on this book are entirely my own as an advanced reader and were not influenced or sponsored by the publishing company or the author in any way.

3.5 rounded to 4
Quick read but lacked character development. I would have loved more background on characters or growth to help me be invested a bit more in there. The spice was better than the story in my opinion but I would be interested to read book 2. I have questions about Ruby and want to know more about her and her sister Lena. I also am intrigued about Rafe's brother's Theo and Knox.

Recommend for werewolf shifter stories and spice!

This is one book where I recommend putting on your TBR this weekend to kick off October! I am absolutely obsessed and pulling out my hair because of the cliff hanger at the end. The whole time reading, it kept checking all the boxes I love from a paranormal romance; werewolves, forbidden romance, fated mates, great spice, touch her and die energy, morally grey golden retriever vibes and other magical characters.

The characters are so genuine and the atmosphere is alluring; it just made me want to be a part of their little town in the woods. Rafe was the absolute sweetest even in his mistakes, and was definitely a swoon worthy book boyfriend you just want to curl up on the couch to watch movies with. Ruby was quirky, fierce and took no shit from anyone; her humour and banter was one of the best things about this book. I also really enjoyed the fact that she did not give up on Rafe or be too forceful when he was figuring out some battles within himself; this was so cute, and made me fall in love with the book even more. I was so captivated and invested in this steamy romance that I read this in one sitting, I could not stay away. Overall it was a wonderful fairytale retelling that I was not expecting to fall this far in love with today. I desperately need Theo and Phoebes story next!

Thank you NetGalley, ONE MORE CHAPTER, and HarperCollins UK for a chance to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

Warning: There may be spoilers in this review.

I gave this book a 2 star review as I thought it lacked in a lot of ways. For one, I thought the main characters lacked chemistry. Sure they were attracted to each other but that was it, there didn't really seem to be an emotional connection. It is just hard to imagine them as mates if they don't also have the emotional connection as well. As for the relationship itself, I was more invested in other characters' stories than theirs. It just fell flat for me. Another key piece I felt was missing was the world building. It was advertised as a fantasy but I just didn't sense those elements other than there being supernatural creatures. Along with that, nothing was really explained other than that these things existed. I think it would be a better story if more fantastical elements were written in. There was back story on the characters but not the world itself or any information that may be important to the story. The pacing of the book also threw me off because I feel like nothing really happened? Like there were a few scenes with a fight with a wolf and that was all that really happened. I felt like I was just listening to someone's inner monologue rather than a story. To me, this read like the typical werewolf mate stories on Wattpad that everyone reads after their Twilight phase lol.

Along with the pacing, I felt the narration was a little difficult to follow sometimes. There would be no indication that it would be switching from a present POV to a past POV until specific names were brought up in a certain way and then I had to go back and reread with the knowledge that it is being told from the past. It also randomly switches from third person pov from one to another quite abruptly. One minute it will be talking about Ruby and then the next sentence will be about Rafe. I think if the author broke it up differently, it would flow better. Same goes for any past POV's too. Having them italicised would make it easier for readers. One last thing I noticed is that there would be sections for "time jumps" but it wouldn't even jump any time. It would just pick right up where they left off, so I didn't understand why this was even done.

Like I mentioned before, I was more interested in another characters' romance (Theo and Phoebe). If the story continues along with them (which I hope it does), I would be interested to see if the author can make the relationship feel more than just surface level. I think moving into another POV would be good for this story but at the same time, it feels like the ending of this book was kind of abrupt. There was a lot left unfinished but it doesn't really seem like there is a next book coming from the way the ending was written.

Is it possible to be drawn to someone you have never met? For Ruby it is. Every night while walking home from work, she feels eyes on her, a silent stalker who follows her home. But instead of being afraid, or creeped out, or any other rational emotion, she feels a thrill, a pull towards the monster lurking in the shadows. And a monster he is, turns out her personal stalker is a werewolf.

So, I was immediately drawn into this cover, and I am a lover of dark romances, fairy tale retellings and fantasy and paranormal romances and couldn't wait to dive into this story. All those tropes made me feel like it was a perfect fall read. Stalkers, romantasy, and smut? Oh my.

Ruby is strong-willed, and feels like she can take care of herself, after all she has been taking care of others almost all her life. She doesn't need anyone else to protect her- not from her stalker, and certainly not from creatures that go bump in the night.

Rafe is more than he seems. He is immediately drawn to Ruby, and his need to protect her, even though he doesn't even know her, is running at an all time high- but what if the thing Ruby needs protection from, is him? He is a monster after all...


So, I did enjoy this book. It has it all- from a beautiful eye catching cover, to stalkers, paranormal creatures, mystery, insta-lust, and smut. It was a quick & easy fall read and perfect for those who love little red Riding hood. 3.5⭐ out of 5⭐s.

Three and a half
If you fancy a slightly saucy story about Red Riding Hood then this should certainly fit the bill. Ruby is no shrinking violet and is well aware that someone follows her when she leaves work and is more than capable of calling him out on it ! Rafe finds the little goth barmaid fascinating but when she's attacked isn't going to hide anymore !
This was a pretty quick read for me and I think would suit those new to adult fantasy that has a strong romantic aspect. I enjoyed the strong bond between the two sisters and really liked that even though Rafe was a werewolf he functioned easily in the modern world. Perhaps a little too simplistic for my tastes at times but nonetheless I enjoyed learning about Rafes Pack and their history. An intriguing epilogue so clearly the author has more to share with readers.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Okay ahhh this book was such a lovely and swoony fantasy romance, I absolutely loved their grumpy/sunshine interactions and the very, very long due relationship between the MCs (they fall in love well pretty fast, but the MMC takes a while to get over his past trauma and actually get into a relationship with the FMC). The werewolf/general paranormal lore in this book was pretty fascinating, and I'm very excited to see where the plot goes in book 2!

TWs - violence, death, fighting, parental abuse

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This Red Riding Hood inspired shifter romance was a fun time. If you like fated mates, grumpy men with mixed feelings and wolfy fun, this book has it. I'm looking forward to the sequel already.

The MMC had some depth, and I expect there to be more as the series progresses and I'm excited to get to know some of the side characters more. There was some predictability in the plot line, but that comes with the genre.

I really liked this book. The storyline was great, I loved the characters and I was just hooked from start to finish. The author made me keep on reading! This was the perfect read right now and I can't wait for the second book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This one was a DNF for me unfortunately. It just had too much that made me cringe. Very Insta love fated mates which I generally dislike but was also just done poorly here to the extreme. The book felt all over the place and just not at all believable (even within a fantasy lol).

Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a fun little red riding hood retelling. I enjoyed that the world building wasn’t super intense. It relies on some general supernatural knowledge which most of the population would have. I’m exciting to see more building on other characters and types of non-human beings in later books.
I liked that Ruby was so accepting of Rafe and what he was. Including the parts that might be messy. Their relationship was definitely typical mates insta love but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when you consider typical werewolf lore ect.
I think their relationship tension was the only thing that I didn’t enjoy reading. It felt less 3rd act break up and more rollercoaster, which gave me anxiety for how it was all going to end up.
I’m excited for what their future has in store though and the cliffhanger! Yikes!

DNF @ 20%. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get into this book. The world building is seriously lacking and while I loved the idea of Rafe and Ruby, they were flat characters who made it impossible to want to keep up with. I found myself finding reasons not to pick this book up, so I am going to go ahead and say it’s simply not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc.