Demi Calloway was born banished. Magically bound and left human among the supernatural, she struggles to survive her first year in college. When the alpha's son visits and discovers Demi, Sawyer extends an offer of freedom - she can return to wolf city and participate in the mating year rituals or keep living in exile. When Demi leaves everything behind, she discovers that she's not exactly a normal wolf, and although she is attracted to Sawyer, she might not be the best option for his mate.

I read this book in two sitting. I really enjoyed the characters, magical lore and the writing style. Up until the last chapter, I was really grooving with this plot. The cliffhanger however, soured this book for me. I understand the need to create dramatic tension between books; however, the logic of the lore completely dissolved in the final confrontation. Unless Sawyer was drugged before the final scene to mute his connection with Demi, his reaction is out of scope. I don't know if this is a salvageable series for me. As always, your mileage may vary.

This was excellent. I’ve been in a reading slump lately, but this book sucked me in immediately. I really like the FMC, and found her story fascinating. She lives this fairytale of abuse, a prince saving her, getting to go to this fancy school, making a new friend, and the promise of a better future than she would have had. And on top of it, the MMC is seriously perfect! Squee worthy moments. I loved watching her open up to him and seeing their relationship progress. And her wolf? I thought that was so cool! I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next. I loved the other plot of finding out more about the FMC, the mysteries surrounding her, and need to know more now! The ending?? I can’t!!! Major cliffhanger. Seriously though, I really loved this book.

If you're into magic, romance, and a good dose of teenage drama, this book's got you covered! Picture a world where witches and werewolves clash, and if that sounds like your vibe, then you’re in for a treat.
The story kicks off with Demi, our badass main character, who’s been living a totally witchy life at Delphi Witches' College, even though she's secretly a shifter. Her parents were exiled from Wolf City before she even got to experience it, so she's got some serious identity issues to sort through.
Then, in walks Sawyer Hudson, the super-hot son of the pack’s Alpha. The two cross paths and, trust me, the chemistry between them is instant. Sawyer's so intrigued by Demi that he pretty much sweeps her away from her life at witch school to Wolf City, where she ends up in a werewolf version of The Bachelor. Yep, it's as wild as it sounds!
Their banter and tension are totally off the charts, and it’s fun watching their relationship grow. But just when things start heating up, Sawyer does something game-changing: he frees Demi from her magical cuffs, unleashing her true powers. And let’s just say, she’s far from your average werewolf, which keeps the story exciting and full of surprises.
Leia Stone’s writing is playful and addictive, pulling you right into this magical world where werewolf pack life meets the chaos of college life. The characters are a blast, and if you’re into paranormal romance with a fierce female lead, this one’s a must-read! It’s all about finding yourself, falling in love, and embracing the wild side—even if that side is something totally unexpected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

You know those books that have you giggling and kicking your feet while you’re reading?? That was me during this book! The FMC is so feisty and witty and the MMC is so, so sweet. The connection between them is so cute and genuine. I love the romance 🥹 The storyline is pretty interesting and different compared to other fantasy books I’ve read recently which is so nice. Plus it ends on a cliff hanger that will leave you swearing 🤬😤 and itching to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series! So fun!!

WOLF GIRL - LEIA STONE

I have a few Leia Stone books waiting for me on my Kindle so when I saw the new edition of Wolf Girl became available as an ARC, I had to apply! And I'm so glad that it was granted. Here's a synopsis: 

When my parents were banished from Wolf City before I was born, I thought there was no way I would ever live in a pack again. Cuffed, with my shifter magic bound, I was forced to go to school with witches in order to keep my true nature from coming out. Then I met him. Sawyer Hudson. He took one look at me, and an hour later, I was being pulled out of school, taken into Wolf City and leaving my parents and everything I knew behind.

As I've already mentioned, Wolf Girl was first published in 2020, but the series' covers have had a revamp (which I think look amazing) and the books are being re-released. 

Wolf Girl is a fast and action-packed read, with little preamble before we're thrown right in along with Demi, the main character. It remains fast-paced right until its shocker (in a good way) of an ending, which will have you reaching for book 2 immediately.

I liked how this world has so many different types of magical beings in it, as well as the idea of hybrids. This made it feel very refreshing compared to other books with similar beings. The characters are young and witty, and the action is high stakes - even with the idea that there's a werewolf Bachelor going on in the background!

The only thing that felt at odds to me was that the tone of the book is very young adult but the storyline includes open-door spicy scenes and a very upsetting past traumatic event. Despite this being a bit jarring, I did thoroughly enjoy this read and want to continue the series to find out what happens next.

Thank you to Leia Stone, NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Release date: 8 October 2024

Review score: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

TWs: r*pe, violence, de*th, gore, s*xual content

I have no idea why I waited so long to read this book. It was absolutely amazing, and I devoured it in one sitting. Demi's parents were banished before she was even born, now she must attend the school for rejects where she's an outcast. However, a chance meeting and small interaction with Sawyer Hudson son of the Curt, the Alpha of Werewolf City and the man who banished her mother, changes her life forever. Demi finally gets the chance to attend school and live within the boundaries where she always wanted to be. She is finally free in more ways than one, but there's more to her than what meets the eyes. Demi soon realizes that her life is in danger and has to keep a huge secret and Sawyer is determined to protect her and her secret. It's not as easy as they think as threats are coming from every angle. This story was full of surprises, secrets, threats, deaths, betrayal, jealousy, revenge, steamy scenes and more. This story does mention rape so readers wanting to stay away from that topic, beware. It ends with a major cliffhanger regarding Demi, Sawyer and Meredith and I'm definitely looking forward to reading what happens next.

This story is howling with magic, romance, and a dash of teenage angst that will leave you on the edge of your seat and ready for more!

If you’ve ever wished for a whirlwind romance in a fantastical world where werewolves and witches collide, then this book will be your new favourite.

Meet our fierce FMC, Demi, a young girl whose parents were banished from the mythical Wolf City before she even got her first taste of pack life. Cuffed and cursed to attend Delphi Witches’ College, she’s been living in a witchy wonderland, hiding her true shifter magic. Talk about a major identity crisis!

Just when you think things couldn’t get more complicated, enter the swoon-worthy Sawyer Hudson, the Alpha's son with a magnetic pull that could make even the most aloof witch swoon.

Their first encounter? Let’s just say sparks fly faster than a witch on a broomstick! Sawyer’s intrigued by our heroine, and in a matter of hours, he’s whisking her away from her mundane witchy school life to the bustling pack dynamics of Wolf City. Who needs a normal college experience when you can be thrown into the chaos of Werewolf Bachelor, the ultimate contest for Sawyer's heart? It’s a reality show with teeth!

As the plot thickens, the chemistry between Sawyer and our Wolf Girl is off the charts. The playful banter, heated glances, and the delicious tension will have you rooting for them at every turn.

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Sawyer decides to release our heroine's cuffs and unbind her magic, unveiling the mystery of her true nature. Spoiler alert: she’s not just any ordinary werewolf, and her transformation is one that keeps the pages turning!

Leia Stone’s writing is as enchanting as it is humorous. The world building is vivid, immersing you in a realm where the politics of pack life intertwine with the fun and quirky dynamics of college shenanigans. Plus, the cast of characters, witches and wolves alike, bring a delightful mix of personalities that add depth to the story.

Perfect for fans of paranormal romance with a strong FMC. It’s a charming tale of self-discovery, love, and learning to embrace your true self even if that self is a mysterious creature that defies all expectations!

“Wolf Girl,” by Leia Stone

First, I am a huge fan of Leia Stone books, and this one did not disappoint. This is my favorite YA werewolf book. I loved Sawyer from the first second he appeared in the story, he is so sweet and supportive. The social media thing was so adorable. I loved all the characters and how they added to the entire story and the boarding school vibe of the book. I love the marriage selection aspect of the book, it’s one of my guilty pleasures in books. There are SA triggers in the trauma, and I really felt for the character. The ending was absolutely insane, and I can’t wait to read book 2! 5 out of 5 stars, perfect (other than they play call of duty lol).

-Werewolves, Witches, Fae, Vampires
-Boarding School
-Marriage Selection

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

Thank you to Bloom, Leia Stone, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Wolf Girl in exchange for my honest review.

Wolf Girl is the first book in Stone's unique series. This book follows Demi, a werewolf whose parent's were Banished from Wolf City before she was born. As a result, Demi grew up cuffed, unable to access her werewolf side. While attending Delphi Witches' College, Demi has an accidental run-in with the Alpha's son, Sawyer. Sawyer is instantly drawn to Demi and before she knows what is even happening or who she even ran into, she is being taken away to Wolf City to attend college and participate in the Alpha's mate selection. While Demi is beyond confused as to how she even ended up in this situation, she is also thrilled. That is, until she learns that she is not an ordinary werewolf.

I really enjoyed this book. You cannot go into it expecting an adult fantasy romance series, it is truly geared for teens. If you go into it expecting an adult book, the character development and plot will come across as young and not fully thought out. However, as a teen/young adult book, this book is a really fun. Demi is thrown into a strange environment with absolutely no clue what is going on. Sawyer is constantly appearing wherever she goes and she cannot figure out why. The plot if fun and face paced, and the world building is great. This is truly a fun read that all readers can enjoy. While Sawyer and Demi's relationship feels super rushed, I loved the development of Demi as a character and her friendships even more than that relationship. She goes from being an outcast to having friends. She suddenly has access to her magic and is trying to navigate this new environment that her parents have told her nothing about, not even why they were banished in the first place. I highly recommend this book to all fans of Stone.

"Wolf Girl" by Leia Stone is an absolute whirlwind of shifter magic, romance, and heart-pounding adventure! From the very start, Demi's journey had me hooked. Growing up as an outcast, hiding her true nature among witches and vampires, Demi’s life takes a thrilling turn when the Alpha’s son, Sawyer Hudson, sweeps her into the high-stakes world of Wolf City. The combination of mystery, magic, and sizzling chemistry between Demi and Sawyer kept me turning the pages late into the night. It’s like "Werewolf Bachelor" meets epic self-discovery, and I couldn’t get enough!

What makes this book so special is not just the intense romance and action-packed plot, but Demi’s fierce determination and strength as she uncovers the truth about her powers. Her journey from being banished to uncovering the mystery of what she really is—something far more dangerous than a regular werewolf—is filled with jaw-dropping twists and unforgettable moments. If you love shifter romances with strong female leads, a swoon-worthy Alpha, and plenty of magic, "Wolf Girl" will not disappoint. I’m already counting down the days to the next book!

4.25 stars

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows our Main Character Demi and her love interest Sawyer Hudson aka the alpha. I will admit I loved this book. It doesn't take too long to get you into the world and everything. Demi and Sawyer have genuine chemistry. Also the whole Werewolf Bachelor joke was amazing! I think the only downside to this book is that, we didn't get in my opinion. The characters too fleshed out. It felt very fast and quick paced. However I feel like there is so much more to our MCs that I hope is explored more in the later books.

Fantastic introduction to characters and story in a new series called Wolf Girl.
Demi never fit in, and when she meets Sawyer the future alpha of the biggest wolf pack. They have their ups and downs but Sawyer always, always stands by her side. Demi learns a lot about herself, her nature, her upbringing and their hea is right around the corner when everything changes and leaves the reader witha major cliffhanger that wants me to read the next installment now. I recommend the book and the series, 5 stars.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Wolf Girl by Leia Stone is a first person-POV paranormal romance novella with a Werewolf Bachelor setup and discussions of trauma from SA. When Demi, an exiled young were, meets Sawyer, the son of the alpha, she’s not really expecting much to come of it. But Sawyer has her exile lifted so she can compete with all the other eligible young weres in Werewolf City to become his mate.

The most interesting thing I found was how this took the fated mate trope and somewhat turned it on its head. The aspect of knowing when someone is The One right away is still present, but there’s more room for werewolves to have had previous partners, to fall in love over time instead of Instalove, and for there to be the potential for a connection that isn’t mutual. A lot of werewolf romances that I have read tend to focus on the fated mate trope in a specific way so it was nice to see it subverted but also played a little bit straight at the same time.

Trauma from SA is very much on the page though we only get small details of what happened. There aren’t any flashbacks, but there is repeated use of the word ‘rape’ and there is a discussion regarding labelling someone a ‘rapist’ when there was consent when we get Demi’s mother’s backstory which is juxtaposed to the people who hurt Demi. Nothing felt like it was there for shock value or to be edgy; it all felt handled quite well and respectfully while also exploring how some people misuse certain terms for their own gain. Trauma is shown via a physical allegory by Demi’s wolf being split from her, which is something I’ve never seen before and I appreciated how it connected to the themes.

Demi and Sawyer’s romance doesn’t reach the possessive stage immediately and we see more glimpses of it over time compared to some werewolf romances where it happens pretty quickly. Demi is given the space to come around to her feelings for Sawyer and to have negative emotions around being part of this Bachelor-esque set up and focuses mostly on how Sawyer is behaving rather than the young women she’s technically competing with for his attention.

Content warning for mentions of SA

I would recommend this to fans of paranormal romance, readers looking for a werewolf romance in a world that includes vampires, fey, and witches, and those looking for a shorter paranormal romance first in a series.

4.25 Stars ⭐️

I just read a couple of heavy books and wanted something a bit lighter and this looked fun. It was. This is a pretty fast and easy read/listen with a little bit of a different perspective on the Shifter world.

We are introduced to Demi who is a wolf shifter whose family was banished from "Wolf City" before she was born. Because of this, they live in a kind of offshoot of the city, where the magical rejects are forced to live. But the important thing is that she has been "cuffed" with these magical cuffs which take away her ability to shift. She has never shifted and does not have access to her wolf.

Things begin when she accidentally meets another wolf shifter - Sawyer - who immediately realizes her situation and since he happens to be the Alpha's son, he is able to get her out of there and into the Wolf City University (they are college aged). Demi then discovers that they way he did that was to invite her to participate in an event that happens every 25 years. The alpha's son is entering his "mating year" and has to find a mate. Demi calls it the Wolf Bachelor, or something similar, and I found that funny.

To top things off, it seems that Demi is not a normal wolf. Wouldn't you know it, there are secrets galore. Her past, her family history, all of these new things are being discovered and she finds herself in danger.

But other than competing with 50 other girls/wolf shifters to make the top 20 (seriously...remember, Wolf Bachelor?), her life becomes very complicated.

This was just what I needed. Totally not too complicated, a fast easy read - well, listen, since I listened to it on audio - and it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Unfortunately, it does have a cliffhanger, which seems to be the norm lately with most books in this genre. Ugh. That was the only thing that kind of irritated me. But, I am invested now, so I will be continuing on....

Thank you to NetGalley and to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book is out for publication on October 8, 2024.