I ending up DNFing the book at 51%.

The premise was fun, but it didn't end up working for me. The dialogue felt very YA (although some if it was fun), but the whole book ended up feeling YA. It was almost like that's how it was written and then the characters were just aged up. I didn't get far enough in to read any potential sexy times, so I don't know how that was handled. A lot of simple things, like what the 27 year old FMC did for work, were just ignored. But we're told the MMC sold gremlin poop to make money. Ok. I'm bummed, I liked the authors last book and was excited for a paranormal.


Trigger/content warnings as listed by author: parental neglect, bullying, fatphobia

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Oh this book was so fun. An easy read with some added spice and a bit of magic. Well done.

This was such a surprisingly sweet book. I thought this would just be a cute spooky season, second chance witch/werewolf romance. The relationship between Seth and Cassie was so much more than I expected. Seeing them become friends again, working thorough their past hurt feelings and eventually admitting that they'd fallen in love was an emotional journey. And there was still the fun magical, new witch learning her powers aspect too.

Second chance romance between two ex high school best friends as they try and break the werewolf curse on one of them. Cassandra Camberwell has returned to her hometown of Hollow Brook after her grandmother's passing, all she meant to do was inspect the house and go through her grandmother's things and leave... but then Seth Brubaker shows up at her door demanding to see her grandmother. Cassandra and Seth used to be best friends, she even had a crush on him...until the incident in highschool where he became hot, abandoned her, publicly fat shamed and humiliated her and befriended all her bullies. Cassandra left highschool and was homeschooled until she could finally leave the town... Seth broke her heart. Yet here he is now all those years later and revealng to her that he is a werewolf and that she is a witch who could help him (she never even knew she was a witch). Yet this new Seth claims that all he wants is her help to get rid of the curse and he'll leave her alone, and she can't resist him, especially now that he's so hot despite the trauma he caused. Things take a turn when they get into a strange mating bond situation and Cassandra has to consider if she can be with the very man who bullied her all those years ago. I want to start off by saying I did not know this was a bully romance when I got into it, I did not know that the main female lead would be falling for the very guy who fat shamed her and literally forced her into homeschooling.... and never even really did anything to make up for it all those years later. I loved Charlotte's previous book and was so so excited to see her new paranormal romance, especially since this would be the first in a series but was completely thrown by what I was reading when it came down to it. These individuals did not feel like they were in their late 20s, they did not feel like grown adults at all. I also could not get over the fact that Cassandra simply forgave Seth and said: yeah its all good, he's hot so it's fine?? HELLO??? He did nothing and I mean nothing to ever warrant her falling for him again, he didn't grovel, he didn't really explain, and he just used his hotness to het her to help him and be with him again?? Like it's one thing if he was compelled or forced to say it but when he explains why he did, I was just grossed out and honestly if it were me, I would have punched him in the face and slammed the door. I was expecting a cute second chance romance but this was not cute at all for me. I love Charlotte's previous book and will definitely be reading more from her, however this book just did not hit the mark for me.

Release Date: October 1,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. How to Help a Hungry Werewolf is Charlotte Steins debut paranormal romance. Cassandra Camberwell returns to her hometown after her Grandmothers death to clean out her house and decide what she will do with the house. While she is in the process of sorting through her grandmothers possessions her high school nemesis and former best friend breaks into the house desperate for a potion her grandmother made for him. Much to Cassandras's shock Seth Brubaker is a werewolf now and she herself is a witch. This book is a romp through the paranormal genre with witches and werewolves, fairies and magic, talking raccoons, flying cars and vacuum cleaners and a host of potions and lotions. Cassandra learns to have confidence in her abilities, she and Seth are able to repair their friendship and she has the bullies who made her high school years tortuous on the run.
The story is light hearted, body positive and very steamy. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it. Publishing Date: October 1, 2024 #StMartinsPress #CharlotteStein #HowToHelpAHungryWerewolf #NetGalley #ContemporaryRomance #ParanormalRomance
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #romancereader

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by St. Martin's Press.

When Cassandra (Cassie) Camberwell returns to her hometown of Hollow Brook to clear out her late grandmother’s ramshackle old house, the last thing she expects is Seth Brubaker on her doorstep. Her former best friend was responsible for the worst moment of her high school life, and she can not imagine he wants to do anything but torment her all over again.

Until she unearths the real reason this annoyingly gorgeous beast of a man keeps hanging around: he is an actual werewolf, who is certain she is the witch that will ease his suffering. But Cassie just not sure if she can trust him again. So Seth offers a pact: he will teach her all about her undiscovered magic, and she will brew the potions he needs. No feelings, no funny business, just a witch and a werewolf striking a deal.

Totally doable. Until they get hit with a do-or-die mating bond. And now the heat is rising, in between fights with formers bullies and encounters with talking raccoons. They just have to not give in. Unless giving in just might be the very thing they never knew they always wanted.

Did I pick this book to read because of the synopsis and cover? Yes I did. Like how can you not read this just because of the cover. However, I was a bit disappointed. There was a bit of world building that was established in the book, but it was underdeveloped. And the relationship between Seth and Cassie was sweet but I never really got the enemies to lover vibes, which was how the book was marketed, which is upsetting since enemies to lovers is my favourite trope. I also was not fully onboard with the explanation of why Seth treated Cassie, the way he does when they were in high school. I just needed more depth to know the whole situation. The only thing I really liked reading about was the magical system and I hope we get more of it in the next book of the series. It is still a pretty light and quick read and if you supernatural romance with spice, this might be right up your alley.

I so wanted to like this book and appreciated the author's content warning at the beginning. However, I just couldn't be sold on this romance after what happens to set up tension between these characters. I was so turned off of the MMC in the prologue that there was no way I wanted to continue reading about him finding love with the person he treated so disgustingly in high school. Not for me, and I won't be trying this author again.

I had SO MANY laugh out loud moments with this story and it was such a classic rom-com meets paranormal. Think Bewitched or Sabrina the Teenage Witch!

Coming back to the town where you were humiliated by your ex-best friend and bullies, and now you discover you are a witch and you have to help your sworn enemy.

What isn't to love?!

My second Charlotte Stein read… I had honestly thought that the last release had been her debut since I’d not heard of her previously or seen her titles before, but now I’m seeing so many! It’s just these newer ones with the illustrated covers that are getting noticed and spread on social media (and I have her early ‘25 book in my hands, too)! I’ll have to check out some of her older works.

This storyline is a complete deviation from the last, as it’s a paranormal, werewolf and witch, former high school besties turned enemies, second chance romance. The previous book was a ghost writer and the “author” in forced proximity, complete opposites and not exactly liking each other from the start, who become lovers. Both main female characters are large girls, so we have fat girl representation in both books.

I enjoyed Werewolf far more than I expected to, and far more than the last book! This was quite a lighthearted paranormal tale, where the former friends, who had quite a terrible falling out in high school, reunite when she (Cassandra) has to return to the small town she fled after the horrific bullying got to be too much to endure, and dropped out, leaving for good. She’s back after her grandmother passed, and she has to clean up and sell the house. She’s got an intruder one evening, who happens to be the former best friend turned bully (Seth), searching the house for something her grandmother promised him…

Fast forward to the pair making a magical deal - something neither expected, but draws them back together in very unlikely circumstances. Those circumstances lead to a really fun book and very interesting storyline (quite unexpected, in so many ways)! I definitely had a good time reading this one, and think it’s a perfect addition to everyone’s Halloween TBR … though it would really be a good read any time of the year.

The audiobook was narrated by Yael Rizowy, a new-to-me voice (I’m always still so surprised, as a dozen + year listener, when I come across a new name as a narrator! So many new ones, it seems, recently, and all doing great). I enjoyed her performance, but it would of course be better to have two voices doing two viewpoints.

I received an advance read and listen copy from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and Macmillan Audio, and this is my honest feedback.

Great premise, interesting characters. And while this is well-written SPICY, I'd actually like more time spent on the house and the other characters. I also thought the rebuilding of the relationhip was true to life. Looking forward to more in the series.

4.5 rounded up!

This was such a delightful, lighthearted, horny, supernatural romp. When I say horny, I mean this was possibly the horniest book I’ve personally read. We’re talking supernatural levels of horny. There were times it became more smut over plot but that was fine with me and it didn’t stay that way the whole book. I had a good time reading it! It was a silly and fun read and perfect for spooky season🎃

The bullying was hard to read and I don’t feel like we got a good enough explanation from Seth about his part in that. The rest was a lot of fun though.

🐺 Legit laughs
🐺 Explicit spice
🐺 Friends to enemies to friends to lovers
🐺 Werewolves, witches, magic

What a perfectly timed fall release!

This is a cute premise - very much gives me Vampire Diaries vibes. I struggled a little bit because it did feel a bit more young/YA than what I usually read.

Overall it was fun and entertaining.

I had such high hopes for this one. I was disappointed. The writing was so hard for me to get into. I think if it was in first person I could have followed better. I hated the fat shaming. I almost dnf at the prologue, but kept going. The steam was hot but everything else was meh.

DNF @ Page 109

I only got 109 pages into this but it was already so repetitive. Cassie thinks Seth is evil because he pulled a prank on her in high school. Seth apologizes and tries to respect her boundaries because he actually grew up after high school. Cassie is sure that he only has evil motives. Seriously, Cassie clearly has not grown up since she graduated and spends her time holding grudges.

The writing in this also really bothered me. The tone felt very immature for an adult book and already a lot of the lore didn't make sense. What little explanation I've gotten on the magic system was so vague and basically magic works however the person with the magic wants it to work. There's no rhyme or reason as to werewolves transformation-some change for the moon, others change due to high emotions. Seriously, pick a lore and stick with it.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC to me!

I really enjoyed this quick and hilarious read. I think this is the perfect fall romance. It had a great balance of humour to serious moments. We can all guess what kind of hungry he was and it didn't disappoint. Definitely a spicy read. I kinda hope there is more in this series and it's not a standalone. I loved the writing style and characters. Great job.

Cassie returns to her hometown, Hollow Brook, to clean out her grandmother's old house when she unexpectedly finds her former best friend at her door and in need of serious help. Seth was at fault for her worst moment in high school (don't we all have one of those?!) leaving Cassie to assume he wants to torment her again. Her attitude softens when it turns out he is an actual werewolf and not just a figurative beast. He is convinced she is the witch to help him. Cassie is wary and uncertain if she can trust him after what happened in high school. He promises her to teach her all about magic if she will brew the potions he needs.

As usual, Charlotte Stein makes the perfect romance - romantic, sexy, laugh out loud funny, and heartfelt enough to tug on your emotions! This romance is the perfect read for spooky season - there are witches, werewolves, and a romance that will take you on quite the emotional journey - one so tender you'll want to read it over and over again. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for letting me read this ARC which I completely adored!

A fun and easy spooky season read. Who doesn't love a magical and talking raccoon? While some curvy readers might read the fatphobia talked about in the book, I found it to be an honest representation as to how words and actions about our bodies a children can cause long term harm. I found that to be incredibly relatable. A fun story, great character development, spicy scenes, and the humor to boot.

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf by Charlotte Stein a cute cozy paranormal romance.
A magical story with good character development and a decent plot.
This second chances witchy/werewolf romance was humorous and intriguing.
I was intrigued from the very beginning and Stein’s writing as usual kept my attention till the very end.
This was such a deliciously addictive and humorous read that I couldn’t get enough of!
The writing was incredibly engaging, and the characters all soo wonderfully witty.

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book was soooo slow and over-told. I wanted more dialogue and the characters were a little more immature for the age they portrayed. I wasn't a huge fan and really had a hard time staying "in" the story.

ARC there’s something about this writing that just propels me through her books. This is childhood friends to bully to enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers. A lot of it is just misunderstandings. They talk all the time but can’t communicate to save their lives. CW fatphobia, fat shaming, bullying.