This was a really cozy and clever book, perfect for reading in fall when you want something a little spooky but still cute and romantic. I enjoyed the overall concept and plot of the book, but I did struggle with the pacing for the first half because it felt like a lot of world building/character set up and not a lot of actual plot/action happening, though I did really enjoyed uncovering the supernatural world along with Cassandra. (Though I did find the use of the word “mortal enemy” used just a bit too much). Overall it was a really fun read and definitely one that’s best read with a mug of tea in hand!

I really enjoyed this book and that shocked me. I do not normally into these books but I enjoyed it. Also I love a good love story so its not hard to make me happy. With that being said I would def read the book again thats how much I liked it and that is something I rarely say. But do your self a favor and read it.

First off thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!
I was excited to read this magical werewolf book! However, I had some issues reading it and trying to stay on track. I wanted to love it, but I had a hard time liking the characters, especially Seth. I hated that he fat shamed his ex "best friend. "
There was definitely some funny parts, that gave me a good chuckle and I thought it had more potential.
I did think the basic storyline was good, and fun. The author was good with that, and her humor sprinkled throughout.
Again, I appreciate the opportunity to read the book.

Ok. It took me a bit to get in to this one, but I'm so glad I stuck it out! Excellent world building. Really unique story with fabulous characters. Plenty of drama. Plenty of laughs. A nice big scoop of steam/spice though it took a bit to get there.

A decent look at the long term trauma of bullying and fat shaming and it's effects all the way into adulthood.

A great story for horror movie buffs as well.

I can't wait for the next book (fingers crossed for Nancy's story).

I do not like selected below three stars, this was an ok story but got me irritated of the hero the male ex best friend. I felt so sorry for the female lead character. She was fat shamed by this supposed best friend during their last day. So, I was a bit surprised reading along that Grandma was friends with him still. Like hm what, and also if he was friends with the lady wouldn’t he have heard of her passing. Anyways, this story got a bit confusing about these two and how the town didn’t feel embarrassed by their past previous actions towards her. This was an ok story, but read at your own risk.

Going into this book, I was super excited. This is my first of this author, and I love the name and cover of this book. However, this book just didn't do it for me. There was too much drawn out banters and I just wanted the conversation to flow a bit better. It was a cozy read, but that was just about it for me. There was something about the way the smut was written, as well, that just wasn't doing anything for me.

I want to personally thank NetGalley, as well as the author, publisher, and anyone else involved in providing copies, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviews will also be submitted to Goodreads when possible.

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf by Charlotte Stein was a deliciously funny, chaotic, romantic, slow-burn that I devoured in less than 12 hours. LETS TALK ABOUT IT.

I’m all for the paranormal romance because I like to believe there is MORE than what meets the eye and I feel like this book caters to those of us who believe that. Charlotte did a great job at integrating the supernatural with humor and longing that there were times I actually chortled (see sentient microwaves) and actively wished I could be Cassie (see raccoon familiar). There’s also the aspect of growing up and realizing bullies don’t have the same hold on you as they once did - which made me love the book even more based on my personal experience.

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf is scheduled to release on October 1st, 2024, making it the perfect addition to your tbr spooky reads! Make sure to mark your calendar 🦝

I am obsessed with this book. I loved the world, the magic system and the relationship between Cassandra and Seth. I felt like I got to know them so well through the engaging dialogue. I would love to see more from these characters.

No lie, Cassie and Seth were kind of a hot mess when they got around one another. I mean, they had the big issue from high school hanging over them (which was pretty major) and they then had to throw in all their heretofore unrealized FEELINGS for one another. These two just kept tangling themselves up whenever they got near one another. It was laughably awkward even BEFORE we got to the whole werewolf/witch thing.

Which is an important thing. I mean, Seth is a werewolf. And he's not doing so hot when Cassie encounters him for the first time after returning to Hollow Brook. And this not doing so how thing made Seth make some rather questionable choices as to how to handle his little problem. Which led to Cassie getting a crash course in supernaturals.

On Cassie's end, she's suddenly hit with the fact she's a witch. And she's been one her entire life, she just didn't know it and when she stops and pays attention to that little niggle of intuition interesting things can happen. So, yeah. She's got a lot to deal with. Not the least of which is the dealing with her former best friend. The guy she trusted above all others. The one who caused her to have more than a little baggage after what happened all those years ago.

Let's just say these two have a lot they have to work through on top of dealing with Cassie's newfound abilities before they can get where they need to be.

A bumbling break-in attempt, a town that has more than a few secrets, some dirty talking, a little flying, bad guys who need a push, messy spells, sentient microwaves, a man who made a terrible mistake and is paying for it, and a lady who is being introduced into a whole new world. MAN, these two and their lack of filter when they got going was HILARIOUS!

I wanted to love this book I thought the magic system was unique and the plot was "chef kiss" magnificent. But there was too much dialogue and I felt like I was reading a screen play. The pace was also off and felt like it was moving slow. There was enough action and tension. The main male character also kind of annoyed me, he was way too timid. Not that that necessarily a bad thing I was just having a hard time liking him as a personal preference in men.

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf is a "cozy romance" and a good fit for lovers of paranormal/witchy romances that have a good dash of comedy and Halloween Town spookiness. Althought explicit, How to Help a Hungry Werewolf burns low and slow in the spiciness department, but will be enjoyed by patient fans of second chances and sweet relationship development. No moody, broody, or snooty alpha heroes here! Seth Brubaker (ML) is a dorky HIMBO in touch with his emotions. If that is not your jam, you might to look elsewhere!

In my opinion, the main draw of this romance novel is not the romance itself, but rather the comedic banter between Cassie (FL) and Seth, and the spooky/cozy world that Stein has created. While I found myself CACKLING at some of the supernatural cast of characters (the sentient sassy microwave was GENIUS, Stein), I was not patient enough for the slow burn. Even the Gilmore Girls style banter (that at times turns utterly cringy) was not enough to distract me from the slow pace of the novel, and the constant edging towards a romance that felt further away each time. That said, once the big reveal/main conflict occurs, I was HOOKED. I cannot believe I didn't see that coming!

As a side note, I appreciate that How to Help a Hungry Werewolf dealt with issues of bullying and fatphobia appropriately, and didn't make Cassie's curviness or her feelings (good or bad) about it her ENTIRE personality.

SPOILER: I did not fully understand Seth's reasons for dropping Cassie and hanging out with their former bullies in highschool. Yes, he wanted to be cool and sexy in her eyes. But how is hanging out with her former tormentors going to do that?! Is he THAT much of a HIMBO?

Book 1 in The Sanctuary for Magical Creatures series

I’m going to start with the book itself and then go into my thoughts and critiques afterward.

This book centers around Cassie and Seth. Cassie and Seth’s relationship is anything but straightforward. They are childhood friends turned enemies turned friends and then finally turned lovers. Cassie is pulled back to her home-town in order to take care of her late grandmother’s house. Once there Seth and Cassie unintentionally bump into each other. Their meet-cute is rather endearing, and should definitely be enjoyed! This is a paranormal-romance light book, that navigates the intersection of rom-com, traditional romance, and women’s fiction.

The rest of this review is solely my opinion and should be taken as constructive criticism. I want and cheer for every author to write an amazing book. 😊

I think this book is more geared for people who want to read magical realism. This book feels like a paranormal romance-light rom com up until about the 50% mark. The first half is very intriguing and we want more of Cassie and Seth, specifically their romance. Unfortunately, we don’t get that until the 60% mark, and even then it’s disguised as something that has to be solved and used as tension. Even though there would have been plenty of tension using the “what does the other person really think/feel” card. And then we don’t get any love-together scene until just before or at 80%. Then those were all the scenes we got until the very end that had the conflict. Man, that was rough, especially since this was “advertised” as a romance. Now, if this is a rom-com, women’s fiction, chick-lit, whatever you want to call this type of book, then I get it, that’s perfectly normal. However, I should not have been bored when we got to that point, no matter what type of fiction it is. I was engrossed and read the first half of the book within a day. Then it took me three days to finish it, because it wasn’t holding my interest anymore.

Hopefully the author wasn’t using what Cassie said at the beginning of the book as a twist for the end? Because any romance reader (including me) picked that up as soon as it was read. There was no surprise at the end, we already knew. If that is supposed to be the twist, then somethings need to be changed and this should be marketed and sold to young or new adults, and not just because of the twist. There were other things that took me too out of the story- things that I didn’t believe. Such as Cassie having a hard time with the pic on her phone. Are you telling me this smart as a whip, intuitive witch suddenly can’t tell Muggle life from magic? We are told that humans just don’t process the magical things around them, or right in front of them, and that’s cool and unique! But, Cassie can’t tell what’s normal from magical? No. I don’t buy it. Especially since this was never brought up or mentioned previously.

And finally, there were the little things, that most likely (and hopefully) will have already occurred before publishing this book in October, such as the dropped/missing words that are needed to make some sentences make sense, the improper e-book formatting, either having god capitalized or not throughout the whole book (not just capitalizing it at the end), using the word “snap” instead of (I forget the word that’s actually used) for snapping the fingers (I think click or something else weird was used instead), and finally the a) first this and then b) because of that was so strange to read in a fiction book (I think it happened four times, once was my personal limit). And, in my humble opinion, if this book really is a magical realism paranormal romance book in the same vein as Bride by Ali Hazelwood (which I also read) then the first love-together scene has got to come before the 80% mark, especially if there’s not going to be much smexual tension.

*This e-ARC was gifted to me by Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.*

Friends to enemies to lovers - I’m here for it. Love that Charlotte Stein embraced the campiness of the genre and wrote so much humorous banter! A nerdy himbo, cute animal side kick, and endless magic potions. Thanks to NetGalley, Charlotte Stein, and St. Martin’s publishing group for an ARC.

DNF - this was just the shallow best read. Like, the easiest, most obvious option was taken time. Now, I didn't assume this would be high brow art, given the title, but come on.

New fave werewolf book!! New fave werewolf writer!! This book was sooo much fun. The tension? The spice? The witchy vibes?? 12/10 absolutely loved it. My only issue was sometimes it could be a little difficult to follow along—especially the prologue. For me, it was a little vague and I had to reread it (and other chapters) a few times.

This was such a lovely story from (almost) the start to the very end! Slow burn burned just right and now I want to be a witch so I can have a raccoon call me mom 🦝

I thought this book was just so cute! I absolutely loved the main female character and had so much fun reading her story. This book is absolutely perfect for fall and had all of the best vibes. Would highly recommend.

Cassandra and Seth have history. From best friends to mortal enemies to a duo trying to navigate a new norm, as Cassandra learns more from Seth, she realizes she never had the full story. This supernatural romance is a fun, quick read.

I've read nearly all of Charlotte Stein's works over the past few years, and this book brings a refreshing new twist to her usual style. She swiftly creates a world rich with mythological elements, seamlessly integrated without feeling forced or pretentious. The characters are both endearing and likable, and the journey from friends to lovers is as tantalizingly frustrating for readers as it is for the characters. The story sets the stage for a series, featuring other intriguing residents of the town. Overall, this book is an offbeat and fun read, sprinkled with the signature heat that fans of Charlotte Stein have come to expect.

While I do my best to finish each ARC that I receive this book, unfortunately, I DNF'd. But my reasons for DNF'ing may be your reasons for picking this book up!

I DNF'd this book at 35%. It is heavy with witty banter and one-liners, which I know many readers will love. For me, it was so saturated that it lost the impact of the humour. It started to feel like it was taking me away from the characters and the plot, with the banter and witty internal monologue was the primary focus. I found myself internally screaming "GET TO THE POINT" during conversations because it was continual banter, wit, and one-liners, instead of just saying what needed to be said. As I said at the outset of this review, you may adore this style of writing. But unfortunately, I felt myself starting to slide into a reading slump so I needed to put this down.

Other than the writing style, I was enjoying other aspects of the book. The plot was moving slower than I'd like, but that was due to the writing style more than anything else. The tropes that seemed to develop were looking good, though I don't want to speak about what they might be as I did not finish so cannot say if they were accurate or even if they would be spoilers.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.