⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

There's potential and the blurb attracted me but the story didn't keep my attention.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

thanks to netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for a review!

this was fun! nothing that i would absolutely rave about, but i enjoyed myself. i enjoyed the fake dating to real dating and second chance romance as i often do, but i fear there was one too many miscommunications thrown in there. had me yelling at my kindle because if these characters simply had a conversation, they would've figured it out. but if they had, no book huh. fast paced, got me invested quickly, and was a wild ride from start to finish.

I was looking forward to this one because who doesn't want a book about an alpha? A lot of the book was entertaining and I liked the characters for the most part, but there was some content that was uncomfortable to read and I don't remember seeing any trigger warnings at the beginning. I think those would have been helpful. First person is also a harder narrative and I think that played a role in why it took me so long to get through this.

Second chance romance in the paranormal urban fantasy romance trilogy following a witch who's mate is a werewolf who abandoned her... but now he's back and her coven wants her to get into a marriage with him to gain access to more intel about who could be out killing paranormal creatures and in exchange she'll get the help she needs for her brother who has become addicted to a drug.... despite how much she does not want to be near the man who destroyed her world and broke her heart, he's the only person who can help her... and when she finds out the truth about why he left, can she forgive him? Briar and Kane used to date, they were inseparable, completely in love.... until they weren't, until he left, until he destroyed her in unimaginable ways and she has spent years picking up the pieces of her heart and trying to forget him. Now years later Kane is back and now the head alpha of the northern wolf pack while Briar has focused her life on tending to her brother who has become a V-addict. When he gets worse and a new killer is in town, her coven asks her to become engaged to Kane in order to gain more access to intel and to work together to find out the killer and in exchange they will help her find a cure for her brother. Briar doesn't have a choice, but she just knows that she'll guard her heart against the very man who broke it the first time... yet being near him again... and him trying to explain what went wrong all those years ago... can she forgive him after everything is revealed or are some wounds too deep to forgive? This book was a lot, it was really heavy on the second chance but also on the relationship between Briar and Kane, and when the ultimate reveal happens and you find out what really happened to him you're left kind of going "huh?" and then its kind of swept under and you are asking yourself: okay but what about the trauma he endured??? Are we not going to address the torture and horrifying things that happened to him? Also the miscommunication was so heavy in this it was almost unbearable. I did enjoy Kane as a love interest but Briar was a bit harder to actually root for. Then there was the whole supernatural killer, evil ex, and bad coven thing that just kind of had me going: no thanks. I really wish I could like this more but to me it just felt okay. Yes it does engross you a bit but the overall quality was just okay at best. If you like second chance mates romance definitely give this a go, I think you'll have a fun time with it.

Release Date: October 15,2024

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

*Thanks Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I found the start of this book confusing and not well explained from the beginning. It didn’t grip me at all and for all of those reasons, this book was not for me and I did not wish to continue. I DNF-ed at 5% which is very abnormal for me, I usually try to give a book a longer chance, but this was just not set up well enough to keep me interested.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the gifted copy.

I am disappointed by this book - it had such great potential and does not deliver. The main character is quite annoying and I felt that there needed to be more world building.

Shadowed Moonlight is a fast-paced urban fantasy filled with witches, vampires, and werewolves navigating supernatural politics and romantic tension. Briar’s mission to protect her brother and solve a series of supernatural murders keeps the suspense high, while her reunion with her ex, Kane, adds an extra layer of drama and spice. Their chemistry is strong, though the fake mate arrangement brings plenty of tension. The plot has a few twists, some more surprising than others, and the world-building is solid, pulling you into a dark, intrigue-filled setting. It’s bingeable and satisfying overall, even if a few loose ends leave you curious for the next book.

I enjoyed reading this. The suspense was good. It was engaging and I loved the characters so much. I will look forward to read new books by this author.

I just couldn't put this book down! It's fast paced, the plot and characters are built beautifully. I can't wait to read the next one on this installment

I was expecting to like this way more than I did, but sadly the female lead character was way more annoying than I expected.

An urban romantasy set in a world with rival factions of werewolves, vampires and witches. The main protagonists have a power play they need to make stick, murders to solve, a war to avoid and a romance to rekindle - a fraught to do list. It's full of heated moments, mystery, tension and some fail safe tropes - forced proximity, fake dating, second chance romance. It's fast paced and bingeable. It's spicy. I'm not sure how I feel about the way things played out at the very end so I'm interested to see where it goes next.

“Shadowed Moonlight” is a paranormal romantasy book by K.C.Harper. The first instalment in her urban fantasy trilogy.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Romance/spice: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️ Supernatural love
⭐️ Urban fantasy
⭐️ Forced Proximity
⭐️ Jaw-dropping twists & suspense

My Review:

K.C. Harper’s "Shadowed Moonlight" is a captivating dive into the world of supernatural politics and personal redemption, skilfully blending romance and suspense. With a gripping premise centred around Briar, who is forced to confront her past when her former love, Kane, comes back into her life, the novel hooks you from the very beginning.

Briar’s journey is both heartbreaking and empowering. Four years after Kane’s abandonment, she’s determined to save her V-addicted brother while navigating a web of murders threatening her city. Harper does an excellent job of portraying Briar’s emotional turmoil and resilience as she grapples with her complicated feelings for Kane and her desperate need to protect her family. The stakes are high, and you can feel Briar’s urgency with every page.

Kane is a compelling character, embodying the tension between danger and desire. His return stirs up old wounds, and Harper expertly balances their unresolved history with the pressing mystery at hand. The dynamic between Briar and Kane is charged, making their fake mate arrangement both thrilling and fraught with tension.

The plot is well-paced, with twists that keep you on your toes. Harper’s world-building is rich, immersing readers in the complexities of the supernatural elite and the political manoeuvring that comes with it. The supporting characters add depth to the story, each with their own motivations and secrets that enhance the overall intrigue.

While the romance is a central focus, the themes of loyalty, trust, and personal sacrifice resonate throughout. The choices Briar faces are profound, leading to a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

Overall, "Shadowed Moonlight" is a compelling read that expertly weaves together romance, suspense, and supernatural elements. Harper's engaging writing and well-developed characters make this a standout novel, and I’m excited to see where Briar’s journey takes her next. If you enjoy stories filled with tension, passion, and mystery, this book is definitely worth picking up!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my early copy. All opinions are mine and sincere.

#ShadowedMoonlight #NetGalley #Hodder&Stoughton

This book is an urban fantasy filled with Magic, Witches, Werewolves and Vampires.
You have a supernatural killer on the loose and Bria’s younger brother is found at the scene of the murder high on V which he is addicted to.
Bria ends up making a deal with the Supernatural council to help her brother by finding the killer who has been murdering other supernaturals. Bria’s talent to see people’s last moments before death helps her to track down the killer and it’s not long before she discovers who it is.
Of course you can’t forget about the second chance romance, Slade left Bria high and dry four years ago. He broke her heart and her abandoned her with no explanation.
Now to help find the killer the pair have to pretend to be mates and world together to solve the crime.
The romance is perfect and there are a few spicy scenes between the two. The pair had such a great chemistry and it came across so well in the book.
It was so well written and flowed perfect. The characters were well written and I loved the side characters too!
The world building was fantastic and I loved the plot which has so many twist and turns and some I did not suspect!

I really enjoyed this urban fantasy book and it was definitely one of those books where once you started you didn’t want to put it down.
I definitely recommend reading this one and I’m really looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to the Publisher, Author and Netgalley for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Shadowed Moonlight by K.C. Harper
The Moonlight Series #1

Fast paced, intricately woven, immersive paranormal urban fantasy ~ First in a dark trilogy that is filled with twists and turns

What I liked:
* Briar Stone: magi/witch, fortune teller, aura reader of living and recently dead, loving sister, difficult backstory, loving sister, protective, caring, conflicted, learns a lot
* Kane Slade: werewolf, new alpha, has secrets, drawn to Briar as his mate, strong, lethal, dedicated, kind, supportive, good leader, knows what he wants
* That supporting characters were well developed and easy to get to know
* The intricately developed plot with frequent new tidbits unearthed adding to the story
* The murder mystery, its purpose, and finding out who “the phantom” really is
* The second chance romance theme that is believable – and how it became more believable as past events were slowly revealed
* The twist at the end and the hook to find out what will happen next
* Wondering if the phantom is really dead and if not, what part it will play as the series continues
* Liking the characters well enough to care about what will happen in their futures
* That it is appropriately geared to New Adult readers who like steamy darker stories like this one
* Knowing that there are another two books in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The idea of compulsion and the impact it had on more than one character in the story

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? I think so

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC – This is my honest review

5 Stars

I had a great time reading this, it was very entertaining. It was fast paced and I got immeresed in the story, the writing was great. I liked the MMC but the FMC could get on my nerves a bit. There was also just too much of miscommunication conflict....like the first time you got it but after that they should know to just talk to eachother.

Briar has spent the four years rebuilding her life after being abandoned by werewolf Kane. She agrees to use her powers to track down a serial killer stalking the city and taking out powerful targets in exchange for help saving her brother from his deadly addiction. This deal unexpectedly brings her back into Kane’s life, only now he is the new alpha of his pack. Can Briar keep herself safe, help her brother, and resist the embers of her attraction to Kane?

The writing easily captured my interest and kept me invested in the story, and the dialogue was top-notch. The author was really able to bring the world she created to life, and the interactions between the characters felt realistic. I liked the world building in the story, and appreciated the amount of thought that was put into how this kind of society would function. The power dynamics among the different species and within their own ranks was fun to explore, and there was quite a lot that I enjoyed about this story.

The one thing that didn’t manage to hook me, unfortunately, was the romance. I liked the complexity of Briar’s character, but I sometimes felt she was a bit inconsistent. Kane, on the other hand, I found bland if you looked at him more deeply than just the fact that he’s a werewolf. The ending of the book also seemed rushed, though I do like how it set itself up for a sequel. If you’re looking for a spicy werewolf romance with a healthy dose of intrigue, though, this may be for you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC. This is my honest review.

3/5 Part paranormal romance, part murder mystery, with the right amount of grit mixed in.

It's unfortunate, but I had high hopes for this book, but after finishing it, I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I had wanted to.

Shadowed Moonlight by K.C Harper is perfect for paranormal romance fans! It's set in a city where there are Magis (witches), Werewolves, and Vampires and humans. There is a strong of murders happening and our FMC, Briar, is a Magi who can read auras and essentially can help find the murderer. It's a "who-done-it romance with a paranormal twist! Fans of Ali Hazelwood's Bride will love this! The spice is excellent and well earned most of the time. I'd give the romance a 3/5 on the spicy scale. I really enjoyed the new world that K.C immerses us in right from the beginning. It is fast paced and a fun spooky read. Kane is the alpha of our dreams.