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.

2.75 stars. This book reads a lot like fanfiction to me, in the way that the writing needs some development and it has one of those dramatic plots, complete with possessive shifter and a lot of spice. And don't get me wrong, I can usually get into the plot and did find myself loving to hate this book which made me race through it. That being said, the spice wasn't necessarily to my taste and at times felt uncomfortable to read, especially with the dynamic between the characters and how these two people with a very complex relationship and a lot of valid feelings 'have to' be intimate. However, the author has woven a lot of intrigue into the story and a reveal I didn't see coming, and I do like to be kept on my toes so it also delivered in that sense. Both main characters had experienced some very painful life events. I'm a little horrified at how Kane's experiences were glossed over though and really think that needs acknowledgement, but since I have read a proof of the book it's possible there has been some editing since my read. Anyway, I didn't find it well written but this story does have the addictive quality that reminds me of the days where I'd binge fanfic.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc.


For a fantasy this book was written very simply as it was very easy to understand and read. I did feel that the long triangle wasn’t done to its fully potential. Nothing really dragged out had had suspense in the way that some would think.

In terms of this being the first in a series I felt as though everything wrapped up quite nicely so it feels done in my mind. I already have a feeling what the next book will follow and I think it could’ve ended better


Many things about this book seemed really young yet it was quite spicy.

The book felt like it needed to go through more rounds of editing. The mystery failed to catch my attention, the characters felt flat, and the romance was lackluster. All the falling in love and found family development happened off-page in the past. I think that is why I failed to connect with it. It also did not help that to make up for that the author used, what I consider to be, an excessive amount of flashbacks. We would get to a point and to give context to why the scene was important, we'd get hit with a flashback. It is like the author wanted to convince me of the emotional stakes. But it did not work. I did not care. I just wanted to get back to the present and move on with the plot.

2 ⭐
3 🌶️

Shadowed Moonlight was frustrating. I was enjoying the story, but the fact that the FMC would not talk to the MMC and just kept making assumptions about him and others repeatedly drove me up the wall. She cried everywhere when she found out she was wrong, and the MMC forgave her repeatedly. Then, they solved everything with sex. So I kept reading because the story's mystery was holding my attention, and I could get by the behavior of the FMC. She could read auras, which came in handy in the mystery. Until the end, then the cliffhanger ending was just icky, in my opinion. I don't know how the author will write their way out of this, and I don't think I can stand the FMC for another book or three.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Staughton, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.

I'm not sure how to feel about this one, because I didn't love it, but I still had a great time. I would start by noting that it feels much more like a paranormal romance than an urban romantasy.

On the one hand, it's very entertaining. It's fast-paced. I was invested and immersed in the story the entire time while reading. It has a second-chance romance. There's a murder mystery element. It has hot steamy scenes and some pretty cute moments overall. The alpha possessiveness was everything. I also liked Kane, our MMC, even though the FMC, Briar, was slightly aggravating.

On the other hand, it's a bit frustrating. The plot relies a lot on miscommunication. A lot of the happenings were just too convenient... but didn't have the backstory to support the motives. The plot just feels thin in general. The characters lack depth for the most part. And, I found the conclusion rushed and anti-climatic. I'm left with questions that have unsatisfying explanations or none at all, although I should note that this is the first in a series.

I would stress checking the content warnings. One of the occurrences discussed would be quite triggering to some readers, and it kind of comes out of left field.

Overall, it was enjoyable and captivating even though I felt that the plot lacked structure. The author did a fabulous job of keeping me engaged, and I didn't dislike the story or struggle through it, even though I had a lot of issues with the development.

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓗𝓸𝓭𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓲𝓷 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀