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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
4.50 💖
Tbh, I really enjoyed Howl!
The MMC (Jamie) was absolutely lovable – such a sweet, caring cinnamon roll, and I couldn’t get enough of him. I love the way Jamie cared about her. He's overprotective but in a good way. I also love Raegan and her obsession with lemon thingys. She's so cute and sometiems I want to be there to support her all the way!
OH AND- LOL! Cleetus! Such a baby, love him too 😂🤍
The friends-to-lovers romance felt warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy autumn read. I loved the small-town setting, and the mix of supernatural creatures made everything feel magical- and Aidan sounds utterably sexy. :3 I wish I could get more of him! (sorry Jamie)
It’s a low-stakes, feel-good story that focuses more on sweet moments than drama, which I appreciated! 💖
But the reason I minus 0.5 💖 is because there's a few plot points felt a bit scattered, and I wanted a little more depth in some moments.
ANYWAY!!! 💖💖🫶🏻
If you’re looking for something light and charming to curl up like a burrito with this fall, this one’s a great pick! 😂
Lots of love to the author, can't wait for her next book 🤭
Tbh, I really enjoyed Howl!
The MMC (Jamie) was absolutely lovable – such a sweet, caring cinnamon roll, and I couldn’t get enough of him. I love the way Jamie cared about her. He's overprotective but in a good way. I also love Raegan and her obsession with lemon thingys. She's so cute and sometiems I want to be there to support her all the way!
OH AND- LOL! Cleetus! Such a baby, love him too 😂🤍
The friends-to-lovers romance felt warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy autumn read. I loved the small-town setting, and the mix of supernatural creatures made everything feel magical- and Aidan sounds utterably sexy. :3 I wish I could get more of him! (sorry Jamie)
It’s a low-stakes, feel-good story that focuses more on sweet moments than drama, which I appreciated! 💖
But the reason I minus 0.5 💖 is because there's a few plot points felt a bit scattered, and I wanted a little more depth in some moments.
ANYWAY!!! 💖💖🫶🏻
If you’re looking for something light and charming to curl up like a burrito with this fall, this one’s a great pick! 😂
Lots of love to the author, can't wait for her next book 🤭
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Howl was the perfect fall read. Small town, fall vibes, drama, love and supernatural beings made it fantastic. Rae and her battles with anxiety and navigating adulthood and relationships were relatable and real despite it taking place in a paranormal society, and her friendship with Jamie is one we all hope for
Thank you to the author for the eArc and the chance to read this world ahead of publishing. I hope we see more of this little town
Thank you to the author for the eArc and the chance to read this world ahead of publishing. I hope we see more of this little town
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you so much to Meg Alivien for the ARC! <3
“Howl” is the first novel in the Monster boyfriend series. Although the author promises a low stakes, mostly vibes romance I think that is a bit underselling it. “Howl” is meant to be a feel-good novel, something safe you sometimes crave when you just want something that you know will not let you down, but its female main character has a lot of depth to explore.
Raegan Baker is a timid and mostly reserved person, given this is a dual POV romance, we get to see her deepest thoughts. There are things we witness from her mind where we can see that she struggles a lot with imagery. She sees other people thinking about her with pity when it’s really just her idea of herself. She sees in other people what she sees for herself. I am unsure if I can assess her as someone with low self-esteem but there are things that she said about herself that resonated with me. “I am afraid of ruining this friendship”, she never expects Jamie to be the person to cause trouble. She puts the weight of messing up something good on her. Jamie has a good reason to fear messing up their relationship - he is a werewolf and Raegan finding that out may cause a strain on their relationship. But Raegan only fears her feelings and how their relationship will evolve.
Though Jamie feels like the one that has a lot more to lose since his feelings for her are more intense, a possible bump in their friendship would cause more harm mentally to Raegan. When she says she’s not ready to be completely naked in front of him, I wasn’t sure if it was because she thought that was such an intimate step in their relationship or that she did not feel comfortable with her body. I believe it could be both: maybe she thinks it’s a little too soon but also as she is shy she probably feels self-conscious being around him without any clothes.
Jamie also has some questions in regards to their relationship and how Raegan will see him but that is mostly because his body is different and knowing her too well, he is afraid to let her down. Jamie struggles with accepting the wolf and his part as a werewolf in society, while Raegan's battles are more within.
That does not mean that this romance is not cosy and adorable, because it is. But it’s not without its depth and meaning on the character’s side. The plot is very straightforward because the main focus is definitely the characters and their struggles with relationships and accepting how they are. “Howl” is a journey through the minds of two people who struggle to navigate their feelings from friends to lovers. It has lots of endearing moments that will make the reader smile and feel that they’ve read a good story.
“Howl” is the first novel in the Monster boyfriend series. Although the author promises a low stakes, mostly vibes romance I think that is a bit underselling it. “Howl” is meant to be a feel-good novel, something safe you sometimes crave when you just want something that you know will not let you down, but its female main character has a lot of depth to explore.
Raegan Baker is a timid and mostly reserved person, given this is a dual POV romance, we get to see her deepest thoughts. There are things we witness from her mind where we can see that she struggles a lot with imagery. She sees other people thinking about her with pity when it’s really just her idea of herself. She sees in other people what she sees for herself. I am unsure if I can assess her as someone with low self-esteem but there are things that she said about herself that resonated with me. “I am afraid of ruining this friendship”, she never expects Jamie to be the person to cause trouble. She puts the weight of messing up something good on her. Jamie has a good reason to fear messing up their relationship - he is a werewolf and Raegan finding that out may cause a strain on their relationship. But Raegan only fears her feelings and how their relationship will evolve.
Though Jamie feels like the one that has a lot more to lose since his feelings for her are more intense, a possible bump in their friendship would cause more harm mentally to Raegan. When she says she’s not ready to be completely naked in front of him, I wasn’t sure if it was because she thought that was such an intimate step in their relationship or that she did not feel comfortable with her body. I believe it could be both: maybe she thinks it’s a little too soon but also as she is shy she probably feels self-conscious being around him without any clothes.
Jamie also has some questions in regards to their relationship and how Raegan will see him but that is mostly because his body is different and knowing her too well, he is afraid to let her down. Jamie struggles with accepting the wolf and his part as a werewolf in society, while Raegan's battles are more within.
That does not mean that this romance is not cosy and adorable, because it is. But it’s not without its depth and meaning on the character’s side. The plot is very straightforward because the main focus is definitely the characters and their struggles with relationships and accepting how they are. “Howl” is a journey through the minds of two people who struggle to navigate their feelings from friends to lovers. It has lots of endearing moments that will make the reader smile and feel that they’ve read a good story.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Howl
Meg Alivien
252 pgs
"A smile warms my face. There are so many versions of her, and I love every one of them. The stubborn, confrontational Raegan, the overthinker, the playful and lighthearted Raegan, and the one I'm looking at now: the unguarded Raegan in her safe place. A perfect little burrito protected from the world."
Ahh! What a fun and superbly different take on a werewolf romance! If Gilmore Girls were mixed with a splash of Vampire Diaries, a dollop of Halloweentown, and just a sprinkle of bookish sparkle, you'd have Howl, a fun, small-town, Halloween werewolf romance. Reagan is the FMC that vibes and seems like one that would make a great friend, and Jamie is the protective cinnamon roll MMC with a supernatural secret. Meg wrote characters that were easy to get to know and fun to read, making for an enjoyable story. I loved Jamie's character, his witty comebacks, his support of his friends, and his nickname for Raegan. UGH, perfection. Raegan was a fun FMC, and I loved that she worked at the bookstore, finding new books for her bookshelf being a priority of hers. I stand behind her 100%. Her cat, Cleetus, was a perfect addition, and I hope he sticks around in the series. The supernatural touches to the book were perfectly written, and the ex-boyfriend arc delivered some deliciously protective behavior from Jamie. I do have to say that I need more Aidan, though!
"As I drift off listening to the sound of his steady breathing, I wonder if it's possible for humans to have soulmates. If so, I'm pretty sure he's mine."
Howl was a quick read and perfect for the Halloween season, and I will definitely continue the series! I recommend that it be added to all TBRs, but especially if you want a spicer Halloween Gilmore Girls vibe, like a protective, mate-possessive golden retriever type wolf, or need a quick, spicy Halloween read! Thank you, Meg Alivien, for the book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Meg Alivien
252 pgs
"A smile warms my face. There are so many versions of her, and I love every one of them. The stubborn, confrontational Raegan, the overthinker, the playful and lighthearted Raegan, and the one I'm looking at now: the unguarded Raegan in her safe place. A perfect little burrito protected from the world."
Ahh! What a fun and superbly different take on a werewolf romance! If Gilmore Girls were mixed with a splash of Vampire Diaries, a dollop of Halloweentown, and just a sprinkle of bookish sparkle, you'd have Howl, a fun, small-town, Halloween werewolf romance. Reagan is the FMC that vibes and seems like one that would make a great friend, and Jamie is the protective cinnamon roll MMC with a supernatural secret. Meg wrote characters that were easy to get to know and fun to read, making for an enjoyable story. I loved Jamie's character, his witty comebacks, his support of his friends, and his nickname for Raegan. UGH, perfection. Raegan was a fun FMC, and I loved that she worked at the bookstore, finding new books for her bookshelf being a priority of hers. I stand behind her 100%. Her cat, Cleetus, was a perfect addition, and I hope he sticks around in the series. The supernatural touches to the book were perfectly written, and the ex-boyfriend arc delivered some deliciously protective behavior from Jamie. I do have to say that I need more Aidan, though!
"As I drift off listening to the sound of his steady breathing, I wonder if it's possible for humans to have soulmates. If so, I'm pretty sure he's mine."
Howl was a quick read and perfect for the Halloween season, and I will definitely continue the series! I recommend that it be added to all TBRs, but especially if you want a spicer Halloween Gilmore Girls vibe, like a protective, mate-possessive golden retriever type wolf, or need a quick, spicy Halloween read! Thank you, Meg Alivien, for the book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*ARC Review* A fun fall story. I took great comfort following the MMC and FMC, I could identify with some of their struggle and still wander into this fantastic world. I recommended this read, but beware once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down!
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Paranormal Small Town Romance 👻 🧡🐺🧡🧛🏻
Friends to lovers
HOWL is a great cozy fall read with a little pumpkin spice, if you know what I mean. It was just enough of a slow burn to keep you reading. The movements of plot that added to the story kept you reading for longer and truly using the remaining brain power to try and figure out what comes next.
I will say I felt I needed more of all the things. Some portions felt a bit rushed and fast paced. But sometimes living in a small town doesn’t mean you don’t have the hustle and bustle like the big cities. So it fit the vibe of both setting and characters. I did really enjoy reading about a character that loves romance just as much as me and also is a mental illness girlie.
Friends to lovers
HOWL is a great cozy fall read with a little pumpkin spice, if you know what I mean. It was just enough of a slow burn to keep you reading. The movements of plot that added to the story kept you reading for longer and truly using the remaining brain power to try and figure out what comes next.
I will say I felt I needed more of all the things. Some portions felt a bit rushed and fast paced. But sometimes living in a small town doesn’t mean you don’t have the hustle and bustle like the big cities. So it fit the vibe of both setting and characters. I did really enjoy reading about a character that loves romance just as much as me and also is a mental illness girlie.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yes, yes, yes Meg! Ahhhh this book is so dang good, I knew it would be after all the teasers I had seen but it very much exceeded my expectations on every level. This book ticked all of my boxes for cozy small town monster romance, the sweet friendship between the two main characters that develops into something more as the book goes on and secrets are unearthed; absolute gold dust.
We follow the absolutely adorable best friends Raegan and Jamie where at the start of the book an encounter with Raegans possessive douche of an ex-boyfriend propels the relationship between these two friends into something more complicated. With both Raegan and Jamie fighting their developing feelings for each other in fear of ruining their friendship, as well as a monumental wolfy secret that Jamie is yet to share means you are in for one heck of a ride. The main question of the book is once everything is on the table will they take the plunge in this beautiful cozy fantasy romance.
The small town of Shadow Hills, with its whole host of paranormal residents, is gorgeously described within this book and with the host of amazing characters we have met I’m excited to see what else this series will bring and I definitely cannot wait to read more! I adored exploring the town within this book and all of the stores on Main Street with their unique feel, and as much as the small town is explored during this story there is definitely so much more.
I was absolutely rooting for Raegan and Jamie throughout the whole book, they are so damn sweet with each other it is absolutely irresistible and meant that I could not put this book down, I needed to know what was going to happen next. Exploring Raegan as a character including her anxiety and insecurities and watching her become more confident as the book went on and knowing what she wanted was so fulfilling. Also, reading that Jamie is her safe space and him continuously being that for her throughout everything that happens in this book made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Jamie is also absolutely incredible, he’s hidden himself for so long and denied what he truly is that when he begins to accept all of who he is especially once everything is out in the open with Raegan which changes his dynamic as a character. Damn that male has a way with words when he’s let off the leash. Genuinely, reading as the relationship between these two shifts and as they navigate the uncertain waters of their new feels gave me an absolute sense of heart warming fulfilment.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book, it was absolutely spectacular and I wish I could read it again for the first time.
We follow the absolutely adorable best friends Raegan and Jamie where at the start of the book an encounter with Raegans possessive douche of an ex-boyfriend propels the relationship between these two friends into something more complicated. With both Raegan and Jamie fighting their developing feelings for each other in fear of ruining their friendship, as well as a monumental wolfy secret that Jamie is yet to share means you are in for one heck of a ride. The main question of the book is once everything is on the table will they take the plunge in this beautiful cozy fantasy romance.
The small town of Shadow Hills, with its whole host of paranormal residents, is gorgeously described within this book and with the host of amazing characters we have met I’m excited to see what else this series will bring and I definitely cannot wait to read more! I adored exploring the town within this book and all of the stores on Main Street with their unique feel, and as much as the small town is explored during this story there is definitely so much more.
I was absolutely rooting for Raegan and Jamie throughout the whole book, they are so damn sweet with each other it is absolutely irresistible and meant that I could not put this book down, I needed to know what was going to happen next. Exploring Raegan as a character including her anxiety and insecurities and watching her become more confident as the book went on and knowing what she wanted was so fulfilling. Also, reading that Jamie is her safe space and him continuously being that for her throughout everything that happens in this book made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Jamie is also absolutely incredible, he’s hidden himself for so long and denied what he truly is that when he begins to accept all of who he is especially once everything is out in the open with Raegan which changes his dynamic as a character. Damn that male has a way with words when he’s let off the leash. Genuinely, reading as the relationship between these two shifts and as they navigate the uncertain waters of their new feels gave me an absolute sense of heart warming fulfilment.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book, it was absolutely spectacular and I wish I could read it again for the first time.
this is the perfect cozy little paranormal romance!! It was such a good introduction to the town and I can’t wait to be back!! Raegan and Jaime were honestly the sweetest! Friends to fated mates?? It was so low angst but lots of big revelations! And all the drama was external but still gave them a little tension to work through! It was a good time!
Thanks to Meg Alivien for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!