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beyondevak's review against another edition
3.0
Moonstruck (Diablo Lake #1) was an interesting story. I really liked the idea of a town steeped in magic and the paranormal. Shifters, werewolves and witches living together in harmony...or were they???
Jace and KM, the main characters, had a hot and spicy relationship. It sizzled a bit when they were younger and later at their reunion of sorts, it began blazing anew. Though these two had insane chemistry and a bond that defied naysayers, their coming together seemed rushed, in a sense. They had a lust to love thing happening big time. Still, by the end of the story, things clicked into place.
Because this was the first book in the Diablo Lake series, a lot of background information about the town, the werewolf clans, the witches, the political strife, the power struggles, and even more was revealed. It was pretty heavy getting through it. The hanging threads were placed fairly well though.
This book had colorful characters who proved to be passionate about what they were passionate about. I found it humorous that they all loved food so much. What was that about? All in all, there was just enough texture and variety with the people in Moonstruck to keep me somewhat intrigued.
Rating: 3- to 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R, C
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Suspense/Intrigue: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Series: Yes
Stand Alone: +/-
Re-read: +/-
Source: NetGalley
Jace and KM, the main characters, had a hot and spicy relationship. It sizzled a bit when they were younger and later at their reunion of sorts, it began blazing anew. Though these two had insane chemistry and a bond that defied naysayers, their coming together seemed rushed, in a sense. They had a lust to love thing happening big time. Still, by the end of the story, things clicked into place.
Because this was the first book in the Diablo Lake series, a lot of background information about the town, the werewolf clans, the witches, the political strife, the power struggles, and even more was revealed. It was pretty heavy getting through it. The hanging threads were placed fairly well though.
This book had colorful characters who proved to be passionate about what they were passionate about. I found it humorous that they all loved food so much. What was that about? All in all, there was just enough texture and variety with the people in Moonstruck to keep me somewhat intrigued.
Rating: 3- to 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R, C
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Suspense/Intrigue: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Series: Yes
Stand Alone: +/-
Re-read: +/-
Source: NetGalley
morgan_haybook's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
A great start from Lauren Dane in the Diablo Lake series. Three years ago Katie Faith left her home after being left at the alter. Now that she's had time and a chance to grow, returning home when her father is recovering from a stroke is the perfect time to put her life back on track. What she wasn't expecting was sexy werewolf Jace catching her eye, and her heart. Back when they were teenagers Katie Faith and Jace shared a very special night. Jace has never forgotten the sexy witch and with her living in the apartment across the hall he's not about to let her go this time. A great, sexy, funny story about love lost and found and the wonderful town that harbors shifters and witches alike. Can't wait to continue the series!
bookworm_anna's review against another edition
1.0
premise was not compelling enough to finish (plus not spicy enough)
elliered's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feeling about this book....
FIRST I will be reading the second one
I wanted more world building (too much basic info not explained)
The romance was genuine but a bit sad that they kept talking about the pack of the H would benefit from the h joining
The story felt a bit rushed even though it took me ages to finish it
FIRST I will be reading the second one
I wanted more world building (too much basic info not explained)
The romance was genuine but a bit sad that they kept talking about the pack of the H would benefit from the h joining
The story felt a bit rushed even though it took me ages to finish it
xvicesx's review against another edition
3.0
It was alright, but not quite as good as I had expected it. It felt a touch like insta-love, too easy a romance and the barriers weren't real barriers to the couple... All in all, not bad, but I can't say I'm necessarily tempted to finish the series.
droar's review against another edition
2.0
This book went nowhere loudly(seriously there is sooooo muuuuccch pointless dialogue). While I do not in any way require my romance novel reads to have a strong and serious plot outside of the central love story, if you act like there is a political mystery going on for 98% of the novel I'm going to expect some actual story movement. Alas it was not meant to be. Moonstruck is inoffensive enough that I did finished it but I was actively grumpy for a least half the read whereupon I immediately returned it in disgust. Despite the clear efforts at tail end political cliffhanging I have no intention of picking up the follow-up story or likely reading any of Dane's other offerings. Not particularly recommended for anyone unless your thing is repetitive dialogue and overusing people's names in said dialogue.
cnapierkowski's review against another edition
3.0
I will read anything Lauren Dane writes but this seemed like a "light" version of her best work. I love this world and look forward to the next book in the series - hoping that we'll get more character development now that everyone knows what to expect.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
I very much enjoyed this book. I read it all yesterday because I just couldn't put it down.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I know this book will not be my last.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I know this book will not be my last.
chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
I’m an unabashed Lauren Dane fan and have been auto-buying her contemporary romances for a long time, but I always love it most when she visits the paranormal side. (I absolutely adore her Bound by Magick series, and suggest you pick up Heart of Darkness ASAP for a whole lot of “mine” goodness.)
So, yes, I totally jumped on Moonstruck. Werewolves plus magic plus Lauren Dane? SOLD. And I’m happy to report it lives up to the expectations. One of the things that is often standout in her work is the large family/friend dynamic. In this element Moonstruck is no exception.
Katie Faith moves back to Diablo Lake after her father has a stint in the hospital, which is rough for her because she fled following a pretty embarrassing left-at-the-altar moment. She wanted to pretend she doesn’t belong in her small hometown of shifters and witches, but she really does. Her magic is thriving, and that makes the two shifter packs (one with her ex and one with the super sexy next-door neighbor) want to argue over who she belongs to. Katie Faith belongs to herself, damn it, and hero Jace knows it. He won’t fall into the traps of others or the old “traditions” of his father.
Moonstruck is straight-up trope-y goodness with paranormal spice. You have lovers who are fated for one another—expect some quick desire to claim, but a whole lot of family obstacles making for delicious delays—class warfare, second-chance romance, and the perfect small-town setting. The secondary characters are fully developed, which makes me excited to see how the others’ stories will come together in later books.
It’s a light paranormal romance that offers some good laugh-out-loud moments and a comfortable feel for anyone who enjoys small-town romances of any persuasion. It’s a good start to a new series, and I’m excited to read more adventures in Diablo Lake.
I’m an unabashed Lauren Dane fan and have been auto-buying her contemporary romances for a long time, but I always love it most when she visits the paranormal side. (I absolutely adore her Bound by Magick series, and suggest you pick up Heart of Darkness ASAP for a whole lot of “mine” goodness.)
So, yes, I totally jumped on Moonstruck. Werewolves plus magic plus Lauren Dane? SOLD. And I’m happy to report it lives up to the expectations. One of the things that is often standout in her work is the large family/friend dynamic. In this element Moonstruck is no exception.
Katie Faith moves back to Diablo Lake after her father has a stint in the hospital, which is rough for her because she fled following a pretty embarrassing left-at-the-altar moment. She wanted to pretend she doesn’t belong in her small hometown of shifters and witches, but she really does. Her magic is thriving, and that makes the two shifter packs (one with her ex and one with the super sexy next-door neighbor) want to argue over who she belongs to. Katie Faith belongs to herself, damn it, and hero Jace knows it. He won’t fall into the traps of others or the old “traditions” of his father.
Moonstruck is straight-up trope-y goodness with paranormal spice. You have lovers who are fated for one another—expect some quick desire to claim, but a whole lot of family obstacles making for delicious delays—class warfare, second-chance romance, and the perfect small-town setting. The secondary characters are fully developed, which makes me excited to see how the others’ stories will come together in later books.
It’s a light paranormal romance that offers some good laugh-out-loud moments and a comfortable feel for anyone who enjoys small-town romances of any persuasion. It’s a good start to a new series, and I’m excited to read more adventures in Diablo Lake.