Absolutely loved this read funny cute and perfect for fall tbr October must read
Sweet spicy and funny
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. The chemistry between Cassie and Seth is there from the start but past history and new found magic make this a slow burn path to the finish

What would you do if you found out that your love of creatures from paranormal movies found their way into your real life and that you yourself was actually a witch? Our main character has to deal with that as well as many other issues. This book is funny, sad, romantic, frustrating, anger inducing and stirs many other emotions as our main character comes back to deal with her grandmother's death and face off with her bullies, ex-bestfriend turned bully and other grumpy townsfolk. Not all is lost though as she finds not everyone is unhappy to see her! This is a great story of second chances and learning to love yourself. If you like werewolves, witches, fairies, trolls, goblins, talking animals and more along with a fun spicy romance then you are in the right place. I love the narrator for the audiobook as she really brings the characters to life, especially the snarky thoughts of the main character. I really hope there will be more from these characters or townspeople as the author has created a wonderful world that I would love to explore more!

Thank you to NetGalley and SMP/Macmillan for the eARC. Unfortunately this book was not for me. I found the story to be much more YA with some spicy scenes tacked on near the end. The characters did not act like they were nearly 30. I think this could have been better for me if the behaviors and dialogue from the characters were more mature or this was a true YA novel.

This audiobook and romance were so dang cute! It was the perfect little fall/spooky season listen! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to swoon and laugh.

I wanted to love this one so much! It started off so great with Cassandra learning she’s a witch and he’s a werewolf. I loved the back story and the banter. It’s a mix of second chances and friends to lovers. Seth Brubaker is a great name, and the way the narrator says it makes it hilarious. It’s funny, but it just fell flat in the middle for me. I think there just wasn’t enough conflict in the middle to keep me interested. I thought the narrator did a great job. I liked the world, but this was just okay for me. Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

Cassie is back in her hometown where her childhood best friend turned high school nemesis, Seth Brubaker. Her grandmother has recently passed and Cassie is putting her house in order. Then Seth turns up with a very hairy problem that her grandmother was apparently helping her with: lycanthropy. Turns out Cassie's abilities far surpass that of her grandmother, and she needs a crash course in the supernatural. Something Seth is all too happy to provide if it means a chance at restoring her trust in him.
I ADORED this book. It's fun and cute, emotional and gut wrenching. At times silly, at times serious, and at other times very very hot. I've seen people say "golden retriever" energy. "himbo" energy. Seth Brubaker IS GOLDEN RETRIEVER ENERGY, no one else has ever golden retrievered as hard as Seth. The banter between him and Cassie from beginning to end as their relationship shifts and heals is hysterical and honest.
Cassie is amazing at being down to earth, realistic, and hopeful. She is constantly in awe of this new world around her, and even though she still has emotional scars, she hasn't allowed them to turn her into a world-weary scorned adult incapable of thinking she's lovable. Just not by the boy who broke her heart, which fair. The constant denial of their feelings and "this is totally fine, we're adults" was absurd but in the best way.
My only negative is there should have been more Pog. I listened to the audiobook, and I will also say the way the narrator did male voices was not great, but I got over it quick when she succeeded so great at Pog. Whom I would die for.
I'm excited for more world building and to actually meet more characters. That was admittedly another weak point, but I digress, there was so little interaction and what we did get was very interesting. I just wish, since these characters got the level of attention that they were also given a chance to do something to assist the story.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining plot with a lot of supernatural elements I loved! However, I thought there were several parts in the story I didn't fully understand or didn't think were explained well enough. My biggest drawback from this book was the MMC. I believe the mix of how the MMC was written and the narrator made him sound like an annoying, dumb middle school or high school boy. By the end, I found the MMC enduring and goofy, but I wish I weren't so dismissive of his character.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook for How to Help a Hungry Werewolf in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun time. The audiobook was well done and the narrator was engaging. The book is a rom-com and so I expected and wanted to laugh, which I did, thank goodness. There are some rom-coms out there that aren't that funny and this was in parts. There's something about talking fairytale creatures and talking raccoons that just get me. The voices for these creatures were hilarious! The fairies! OMG. Listening to the audio definitely makes me rate this book higher than I otherwise would have reading it physically.

The book itself is not deep, even though it touches upon bullying. I still don't know what Seth's deal was in high school that made him treat Cass poorly. I might have missed that part or can't find any justification for it. I do wish we got more backstory on Cassie's family history and Seth's transformation. While listening to the book, I felt like parts were missing. Oh, and knotting was missing too. If there are weres, there had better be knots.

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.

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.

Cassandra experiences regular bullying at school for her weight. She is most disappointed in her old best friend, Seth when he crosses the boundary between silent acceptance of her bullying to active bullying when he yells at her on stage during a talent show like experience.

Fast forward to 10 years later, and Seth is at her door looking for her grandmother. Cassie is her grandmothers house to clean it out after she died. He reveals more to her than she ever knew about her own family.

She reveals that he is rummaging around and desperate to find something her grandma used to provide to help with his symptoms of being a werewolf. Yes, a werewolf… and it only gets cheesier from there 😅

Not my flavor of spice, but I won’t yuck anyone else’s yum 🤷🏻‍♀️
Male character came off more like a dumb jock, ehh..

A look into the long term impact into bullying, I felt the topic was handled well. This is different from the typical I love my bully now, but can’t share why without spoilers so give it a chance!

Narrator did a great job with expressing humor, sassy attitude, and emotion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Out on 10/1/24

I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Macmillan Audio.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t know what I was expecting but I didn’t expect it to be this spicy and I was so here for it.
I thought Cassie was so very relatable. She is a plus-sized woman who was bullied for her size. So, when she reconnects with Seth who was her friend until he made some remarks she isn’t easy to forgive.

In time he shows her who she is and that she is worthy of love in any size while also showing her who she is. She learns that she is more than just a woman she is a witch, and she can help him and others with her gift.

I really enjoyed the back and forth I felt like that story was the right balance of plot and romance.

I thought the narrator did a fantastic job and I would completely listen to her again.

Laugh out loud funny! Their rivalry both tense and lighthearted as they understand their past. Her journey to discovery was endearing and charming as she took in her new reality. I got sucked in fast, the storytelling (especially in audio) is really fun, kinda carefree and light but not, if that makes sense. Just when I settled into the fun and intrigue of the story, the heat hit hard and I mean hard! A delightful, intense spice that absolutely works for their characters. I fell hook, line and sinker for this story from start to finish. So emotionally invested that I practically threw the book at the wall at a certain intense moment. I felt everything Cassie felt and that is truly masterful writing. I adored this story and will definitely be snatching up all of Stein’s books.
The narration was top tier. I am used to dual narration and often miss the alternate voice in single, but not in this case. The dual voices created by Yael Rizowy are just as good as any two narrators.

Okay so I liked this. A lot. But oh my god. These two were so incredibly stupid. The highest level of idiots to lovers there ever has been. I wanted to smack their heads together and yell at them. But then hold them. I don't know. Truly liked it and yet, also hated parts of it???? I knew going in that this was a bully romance, and I expected more of a grovel. The world building in this was shaky and the pacing was both too fast and too slow. This book was a true three-star read for me. The good parts of this book were EXCELLENT. I loved the chemistry between Cassie and Seth. They were explosivley hot. There's nothing I like more than a "for science" or "of course there's no feelings here" sex scene. But Cassie faking NOT having O's was just weird. I love Charlotte's writing and I just think this book was not a testament to how incredible an author she is.

There was both too much happening and yet not enough. But the narrator was PHENOMENAL and I will absolutely be listening to more audiobooks read by her. Her voice was engaging and smooth and I really loved this audio. I wish I loved the book as much as I did the audio.

Okay, here’s a more casual review:
So, I just finished How to Help a Hungry Werewolf and let me tell you, it was a total blast! The banter between the characters was hilarious, the smut was 🔥, and the magic was just plain cool. I loved the world-building—it felt like a place I could actually visit.

The only thing that kinda bugged me was how quick Cassie was to forgive Seth. Like, witch, he really messed up. I mean, he should’ve at least apologized or something, right?

But other than that, the narrator did a great job and the book was a total win. Definitely recommend it if you’re into fantasy with a side of hotness.

I didn't hate this, but I don't think I'll be seeking out the rest of the series. It started off strong for me, but it veered into ridiculous pretty quickly. I know that was intentional and will absolutely work for some, it just didn't land for me. The back half of the book is positively brimming with spice, so if that's what you are there for you'll probably enjoy that aspect. The werewolf change was somewhat unique, but the jokes often didn't land well and tropes I usually enjoy felt off - sentient objects, talking animals, fated mates.

Two ex best friends mend fences as they help each other come to terms with their newfound supernatural powers (her as a witch, him as a werewolf) and slowly fall in love. The first in a new series, this was a really fun paranormal romance featuring a fat FMC and a lovable cinnamon roll hero. Great on audio and perfect for spooky season reading!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I’m excited for all the paranormal spooky reads this season, and a werewolf romance seemed like a good start. This started cute, although a bit quirky and corny, with Seth, a former high school best friend, showing up on Cassie’s doorstep as a werewolf. Apparently, he knows she has witchy powers, but she doesn’t.

This had the potential to be a sweet second-chance romance. Seth shows Cassie parts of the magical world as she comes into her witchiness. They also have to work out some lingering past hurts between them. But things quickly go from paranormal cozy to crazy steamy - and that’s where we stay. This one needed way more depth for me.



Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook.

Rating: 3.5
Spice: 2

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf kicks off Charlotte Stein’s The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series with a delightful mix of humor, heart, and supernatural charm. The story centers on Josie, a quirky, lovable FMC, who’s now working at a sanctuary for magical creatures. She reunites with Ben, her childhood best friend turned grumpy werewolf, and their chemistry is impossible to resist. Their banter and connection give the story a fun, nostalgic vibe, and watching them navigate their friendship-turned-romance is a treat.

The audiobook really enhances the playful dynamic between Josie and Ben, making the humor and their history even more enjoyable. This is a light, feel-good read perfect for fans of supernatural romance with a big dash of humor. I’d definitely recommend the audio for extra personality!

Tropes:

Supernatural Creatures
Found Family
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Quirky Humor
Series Opener

I did not enjoy this story as I felt the characters were very immature as was the humor. I could see where the writer was going with the story - something like 'That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon' but it did not land for me. The story felt simultaneously rushed but then also nothing happened.