This ended up not being what I expected at all...

• First of all, the third person narration kept throwing me off, because it's written in the kind of conversational tone you'd expect from a first person perspective. This took me out of the story several times.

• Next, the story itself, or lack thereof. For a book about a werewolf, there's not much werewolf activity to speak of, and only one major action scene once we get to the book's climax. I guess because this is a supernatural story, I didn't expect it to be so character-focused. This plus the lack of major conflict until the very end just made the story feel a bit stale.

• In terms of characters, Brian and his two friends/colleagues were likeable and I loved seeing him opening up to them as the novel progressed. Tyler was a terrible pseudo-antagonist and I saw the revelation about Abe coming from a mile off.

• There were some genuinely funny moments but the overall tone was all over the place.

Disappointed, to the say the least, because I thought this had so much potential based off the title, cover, and premise.

★★½ rounded down.

Many thanks to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy to review.

Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing Tony Santorella, Bored Gay Werewolf. Being my first experience with Tony's work, and after reading this story, I'm eager to explore more of his books in the future. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of Bored Gay Werewolf in exchange for an honest review. I had the pleasure of reading this captivating book in May 2023, spending almost an entire day engrossed in its pages. Bored Gay Werewolf was first published June 1, 2023. The narrative, told using Third-person perspective following Brian, spans 15 chapters and 253 pages.



Summary:
Brian is a young man who struggles with the challenges of adulthood. He works tirelessly at his shift job and spends his free time with his friends Nik and Darby. However, he often forgets to take care of his personal space and has monthly transformations into a werewolf. Tyler, a Millennial were-mentor, takes notice of Brian's unique condition and offers him an opportunity to join forces in taking on the mythological world. Seeking self-improvement with the help of Tyler's guidance, but as he delves deeper into Tyler's world, he realizes that his expansion plans are not as innocent as they seem. Along the way, Brian becomes estranged from his former friends.

Review:
- Upon reading the title, my initial impression was that this book would be a delightful and enchanting queer romance with a supernatural twist. While the story did incorporate these fantastical elements, it also delved into the very real and relatable issues that I feel many individuals of the main character's age face. The author skilfully weaves together a story that balances both whimsy and realism, resulting in a truly captivating read. In my opinion, this book was written with some good character development. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and creating a vivid sense of place throughout the story. the author's skilful control of the pacing made for a enjoyable reading experience. The book's world building was good. I think that the attention to detail made the world feel real and allows us as readers to fully engage with the story.

In my personal opinion, I feel that the book would have been a bit more captivating for me if it had commenced with the day Brian was turned rather than just alluding to it. The book wasn't lacking in any way, as it still manages to deliver a thrilling and entertaining storyline. However, starting the book with such a pivotal moment I feel would have added an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the story. Overall, I believe that this small change could have greatly enhanced the experience and made for an even more exceptional book

I did like how the book delved into the psyche of the main character, Brian, and explored the effects of his transformation into a wolf. The vivid portrayal of Brian's experiences as a wolf I feel is both fascinating and thought-provoking. I think that the author skilfully took us on a journey through Brian's life before his transformation, providing valuable insight into his character and some of his motivations. As a reader who enjoys a healthy dose of werewolf lore, I found that there was actually not much exploration of this aspect of the story. The book's inclusion of popular TV shows and literature was a delightful addition that allowed us to explore and experience the references for ourselves. Adding layer of interactivity made the reading experience all the more enjoyable and engaging.

In this book, the absence of romance I feel worked well for the story, considering the complex circumstances Brian was facing allowing for a more nuanced exploration of Brian's character and struggles, making it a refreshing and compelling read. For me I found that It was a pleasant surprise to find a book that didn't rely on romantic subplots to drive the story forward. This is especially noteworthy given that the main character was queer, as many books in this genre tend to overemphasize romance as a defining aspect of LGBTQ+ experiences.

-The introduction of the characters allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story from the very beginning. The way in which the characters were presented was both captivating and engaging, leaving me eager to learn more about their individual stories. I feel that the supporting cast of characters in this book was a delight to read about. Specifically, Nik and Darby, two of Brian's closest friends and colleagues, stood out as vibrant characters with their own unique personalities and inner lives. The bond between the three of them was also a joy to witness and added depth to the story.

-While reading the book, I was struck by how it evoked memories of two popular television shows: "Bitten," which first aired in 2014, and "Teen Wolf," which aired in 2011. The book's themes and characters bear a resemblance to those portrayed in these shows, making it a must-read for fans of supernatural dramas. The conclusion of the book strongly hinted at the possibility of a follow-up instalment, which left me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the story of Brian and his companions. I am hopeful that a sequel is in the works, as I am eager to delve deeper into the world that the author has created and witness the further development of these intriguing characters. The anticipation of the release of the Audible version of this book had me overjoyed, and I eagerly purchased it with my final credit on the site. As soon as it was available, I dove right into the story for the second time, relishing every moment of the experience while reading along.


For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 7. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

I have reviewed Bored Gay Werewolf for LoveReading.co.uk and chosen it as a Liz Pick for the month of publication.

This book dares to ask the question 'what if a werewolf was lazy and gay?'. Brian works at a diner after dropping out of college because he uhhhh... was turned into a werewolf. He doesn't do much but work and get drunk with his pals Nik and Darby. One day he meets a man called Tyler who comes into the diner all "I know what you are" and wants to involve him in The Pack, a place for werewolves to Level Up.

I had a lot of fun with this! It is quite light on the fantasy which suits me because that's not really my genre. I loved Nik and Darcy and thought they added a lot of richness to the story. Tyler was the perfect hateful antagonist because like... we all know that guy. V enjoyable!

Bored Gay Werewolf sounded like a dark, humorous and unusual read so I was definitely looking forward to reading it. However, once I started it, I found it was nothing like what I was expecting. I feel like the book was just confused. It didn’t know what it wanted to be. This in turn made it more difficult to engage with the characters. Sadly this one just wasn’t for me.

This was a great book - easy to read, and unlike most of the usual werewolf books which seem to be sexy shifters or horror tales. In this one, Brian was cursed to be a werewolf, and it derails his whole life. He drops out of college, separates himself from friends and family and develops a drinking problem. We meet him as his life is aimless and unfulfilling, and so does Tyler. Tyler swoops into Brian's life with a self help programme and a massive dose of hetero, macho bs. He's instantly dislikable, having the face of every rich, entitled dudebro you find in the big city. The loathing only grows as the story progresses.

The ending is left wide open, and it's be great to see more from the characters in the future. There is clearly scope to develop the world and spark a series with Brian and his friends.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of the book on exchange for an honest review.

Brian is a college drop out, working as a waiter and oh yeah, he’s a gay werewolf.

After dropping out of college, moving back home into his parents house then having to move out on his own Brian meets Tyler. Tyler seems like he has it all but as they get to know one another it sounds like he’s trying to start a werewolf cult or multi level marketing scheme. Brian’s life is massively improving thanks to Tyler’s strict regime until the dynamic changes. Luckily Brian has his best friends Nik and Darby by his side.

I 100% judged this book by its cover! I loved the cover art and the title definitely caught my attention. I wish listed this book on NetGalley and the NetGalley gods were in my favour and granted me my wish!

It was funny at first then it got a little more dark and serious. It’s not the typical type of book I’d go for as I predominantly read thrillers but I’m branching out this year so I’m glad this was another opportunity to do so.

There were no surprises in the book, they were all hinted at or obviously going to happen which I’m not a fan of but I guess that’s normal for fantasy? The ending made it sound like there would be a sequel, if there was I would definitely read it.

Overall I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read and a nice break from all the thrillers I read.

Very much not where I expected this to end up — having very much enjoyed the fun yarn and witty writing, I hadn’t realised the book was actually gonna be this well thought-through.

I loved quite how clearly creepy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_rights_movement">MRA</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt-right">fash</a> the antagonist is — the red flags get bigger and bigger, but Santorella starts off with relatively subtle signs that made me feel “this is hinky” and just kept dialling up the “Danger Will Robinson!”. The contrast between the antagonist and the MC’s friends is both increasingly stark and delightful.

The protagonist isn’t the most self-confident lycanthrope in Oregon, but he is a sweetheart and very relatable and his friends are just lovely. I do hope there’s going to be a sequel.

I received a free advance copy from NetGalley in the expectation of an honest review.

This is a slight but fun story chatting the story of when a hapless werewolf stumbles into the orbit of a lycanthrope life coach. The MC is endearing and the book zips along at a pace. It won't change your reading world but makes for good beach or pool fodder. (Copy received via Netgalley in return for an honest review)

Thank you to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bored Gay Werewolf does what it says on the tin: the main character, Brian, is bored, he’s gay, and he’s a werewolf. As someone who ticks two of those boxes (I’ll let you decide which), I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw it, but I was not prepared for how much I would love it.

The plot of Bored Gay Werewolf is simple and excellent: Brian isn’t very good at being a werewolf, and when someone comes along and offers to change his life, he can’t say no. But this stranger’s motives might not be as pure as Brian first thinks, and this new relationship puts a strain on Brian’s friendships. As well as loving the plot, I also loved the writing style, and thought the pacing was great. It’s really easy to read and I inhaled it in a short space of time because I didn’t want to put it down. No spoilers here but I really enjoyed the ending and hope this becomes a series, because I would love to see what the gang does next.

Reading Bored Gay Werewolf is the most fun an enby can have without taking their clothes off. The witty banter between the characters is genuinely funny, and I loved Brian’s cynical, bemused, and indeed, bored, narration. Also a werewolf being called Brian is just objectively hilarious. I highlighted so many quotes that made me laugh, and I love how, behind the silly werewolf disguise (affectionate), this book is actually a deeply satirical exploration of queer culture, capitalism, and toxic masculinity.

In addition to Brian, there are two wonderful supporting characters in Darby, a Non-Binary polymath, and Nik, an overworked and under-paid bar manager and medical student. Darby is your classic ethereal and quirky enby, and they have more emotional maturity in their little finger than Brian does in his entire werewolf body. Nik is warm and sensible but takes no shit, and is exactly the kind of work mum everyone should have in their life. For someone not used to having close friends, Brian is reluctant to let Nik and Darby in, and seeing his barriers come down and their relationships flourishing is a really enjoyable part of the book.

Brian attempts to make some other new friends over the course of the book, and these characters present a chilling insight into millennial straight culture and toxic masculinity. Bored Gay Werewolf is very much about finding your pack and embracing the people who embrace you for who you are, rather than changing yourself to fit in with people you don’t even want to fit in with in the first place. You shouldn't have to force yourself to go camping for anybody.

I don’t always manage to see books in my head as I’m reading them, but I could picture Bored Gay Werewolf really clearly - particularly the characters of Tyler and Mark, who I fancast as Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan, respectively, in the movie version of Bored Gay Werewolf. Someone please make this happen. I can offer zero money in terms of funding, but would be a happy and willing extra. It gave me the same fun and campy feels as a cheesy 00s horror comedy, and I think we should bring that genre back. It’s also a lot like What We Do In The Shadows, which I adore.

In conclusion, Bored Gay Werewolf is a great fun and campy read that belies the satirical examination of queer culture, capitalism, and toxic masculinity underneath. I recommend it to all the other bored gay werewolves out there who want to enjoy life a bit more.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review. I was intrigued by the blurb and eye catching title. I liked getting to know the characters and there are some really parts to this. However, though the writing is good, overall I found it a bit slow moving and the unfolding plot felt a little forced when new people were introduced. I like the set up at the end which suggests more books may follow, but I’m not sure I’ll rush out to read.

Bored Gay Werewolf is a novel about an aimless guy who happens to be a werewolf and what happens when he meets someone trying to create what seems to be a start-up for werewolves. Brian works at a restaurant, spends his time drinking with his coworkers Nik and Darby or having Grindr hookups, and doesn't deal well with his monthly transitions into a wolf. When he meets Tyler, who seems to have everything sorted out and is also a werewolf, maybe it is the chance Brian needs to get his life on track. Tyler's plan for the The Pack (™) includes getting Brian in shape and in control, but it seems that Tyler's business plans might go further than that, and meanwhile, Brian is drifting away from his friends and his previous self.

The title of this book is such a hilarious draw to read it, and it really gets across the tone, which is partly satirical, partly fun, and partly a sincere look at queer community and finding your people. I love books that integrate some kind of mythological creature into an everyday modern world and this one is a pretty funny way of doing it, exploring toxic masculinity within hustle culture and within ideas of werewolves at once (and it's not just the name Tyler that offers hints of Fight Club). The plot turns from a slower paced slacker falls into something unexpected to a faster pace by the end, with at least one twist I didn't see coming. I did expect the ending to be less uplifting yet ridiculous and maybe more satirical or dark, but to be honest, I think the ending does suit the book generally (and seems to set up for a potential sequel).

If we're going through each part of the title, then the werewolf element is well-covered and fun, it's got some classic slacker protagonist stuff, and then there's the depiction of Brian being gay and of queerness in general, which really makes this book enjoyable. There's lots of interesting parts of the book exploring queerness, like excessive heterosexuality of the people Brian meets through Tyler (and the ways in which Brian has to navigate the gender and sexual stereotypes that arise when he's around these people) and the various jokes about coming out as a werewolf, and it was nice to see a non-binary friend character in adult fiction who, yes, is a bit notably quirky, but is also a rounded person.

I had a lot of fun with this book, which is like hustle culture werewolf Fight Club but the protagonist has some friends. It's not what you'd expect from a werewolf novel and that makes it an enjoyable read, even if the ending is perhaps a little too easily resolved. Definitely one where the wild title and cover actually deliver a suitably fun book.

So this was a super-weird book, as could be expected from the plot. It played into some tropes, and the main characters could have had more personality. The side characters are super! It wasn't too predictable, that's also a plus. Overall, I really enjoyed reading it! Fun!

Brian, in his mid twenties, doesn't really know what to do with himself. He works shifts at the diner with Nik and Darby, drinks, and turns into a werewolf once a month. When Tyler drops into his life with a shared "furry little problem" and grand ideas about uniting werewolves all over with "The Pack", Brian's life changes - but is it for the better?

This was a fun, whacky, and weird book. I loved Brian's friends/colleagues Nik and Darby, who were vibrant characters with their own inner lives. I couldn't help but root for Brian to sort himself out, and develop from his character at the start of the book. I wasn't expecting some of the turns it took, though it did play into some tropes.

This is a book about queer community and figuring out where you belong and it's also about toxic maculinity and morality. I found the pace of the story dragged a little, and I'm not big on the ending, but fundamentally it was a good, quick read.

Well, this is fun! The bored gay werewolf in question being Brian, a waiter who dropped out of college after being 'turned' and is struggling with his monthly change when alpha-werewolf Tyler finds him post-full moon carnage and promises him there is another way. Cue lots of fun as Brian tries to channel his inner Goop and keep his canine instincts under control as Tyler tries to establish his new werewolf-only social network, The Pack (TM). The expected carnage follows, with lots of laughs along the way like a hairier, full moon-only Buffy. This big-hearted novel is about finding your 'pack' in unexpected places. Lovely.

I do not typically read a lot of werewolf fiction due to the frequency of it being over-the-top alpha masculine attitudes. But seeing the description of this book being of a gay man in a dead end job trying to work out where he'd going in life...whilst juggling monthly transformations?
That sounded different, and I was excited to dive into Brian; a twenty-something, bored gay man. Who is a werewolf.

I also never thought I'd relate so much to this character but as someone who worked as a waiter and lost their direction in my twenties? Sure, I found it very easy to understand a lot of Brian's thoughts and opinions. Admittedly, I like to think I hold life to a higher standard than Brian's fairly flippant "oopsie-daisies", but than again, I'm not a werewolf.

Brian is not exactly a hero, and he is frequently a frustrating protagonist. Lost and isolated, he is found by another werewolf, who wants to show him the ropes, help him master his beast, as it were. As someone who has met many Tylers (sadly), I did pick up the vibe faster than our protagonist (had to agree with side character Nik, begging him to pick up a book!)

Speaking of Nik! The side characters were really enjoyable, all servers, balancing the life of serving while working toward their goals. Nik, the older woman who manages evenings at the restaurant while simultaneously revising and Derby the colourful nonbinary explosion of artful expression and performance. I loved them both, especially as a nonbinary person myself. (Also enjoyed Derby's love interest from the get go). Watching Brian desperately wanting to form closer connections with these two but holding them at arm's length was both relatable and again, frustrating.

The antagonists! I highlighted so much of Tyler's speech as rage inducing frequently, so the author here did a great job of executing the trust fund "bro" character well. I wish we'd got to know Mark somewhat more, as I felt there was more to know maybe after the first time we meet him.

I don't want to give more of the plot away than is in the blurb, but I found it engaging and genuinely funny throughout. While I was not surprised by some of the revelations, I was pleased to have worked it out and I wonder if a sequel will be in the works. I genuinely hope so because I'd love to see more of Brian and his motley crew (and hopefully see him get a bedframe and maybe a sofa?)

4*