Read if you like:
Forbidden Romance
Touch her and die
Fated mates

“Is that what you wanted, brave girl? You wandered through the woods hoping the big bad wolf would find you?”
A Curse of Blood and Werewolves by Melissa McTernan was such a fun and delightful read. I loved how the story began with Ruby, a gothic bartender and her secret desire for the man stalking her in the woods. The book starts with the first encounter between Ruby and the loner werewolf that’s been watching her in the woods for months. A steamy story inspired from the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood with plenty of slow burn romance rife with tension.
The characters were well fleshed out and didn’t feel like caricatures of the original fairytale. In all her flaws, Ruby was the sensible character with dark desires. She found herself attracted to the stranger at night and that fantasy does come to play in later scenes *wink*. Rafe as a character was someone that had to grow on me as he was constantly making me groan in frustrations from the choices he made. Other characters in this book such as Ruby's sister and Rafe's two brothers were set up in a way that I can see them being explored in the rest of the series.
This was easily a 5-star read for me. I did not want to put this book down once I started to read it. It does take a good majority of the book before there are any major spice scenes. As this is an adult novel I will note that there are multiple explicit scenes throughout the novel. It’s still a very sweet and romantic story at its core. I will say that the constant push and pull of the two mmcs started to get repetitive throughout the novel. I am excited for the rest of this series.

Loc 3982 85% in the book there’s a pov change that isn’t marked by a line like the others are. I am not sure if this was intentional.
I will add links and post this on my socials when the publish date is closer. Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Curse of Wolves by Melissa McTernan is a captivating and alluring retelling of the classic fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood. This dark and steamy rendition took me on a thrilling journey, weaving together elements of fantasy and romance.

ARC review: All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love fairytale retellings and I have read so many good ones before so I wanted to try reading this book. The premise is quite cool, but the execution is weak and lacking.

I have a few issues. First of all, the fact that the main girl's name is Ruby and the main guy's ex is called Scarlett is lowkey funny. You could tell the author tries pretty hard to make it known that this is a Red Riding Hood retelling. Second of all, I appreciate that our main guy is soft and respectful, but if you're gonna call him an alpha, at least have him act like it. Why is Ruby more alpha than him? I find him quite boring to be a love interest. Thirdly, there is no point for this to be a series. This could be a romance-focused standalone and I would eat that sh-- up!

Thank you NetGalley and OMC for this arc!

This book really surprised me (in a good way)! I was a little apprehensive to read it when I saw it was a fairytale retelling, because sometimes I feel like they aren’t done well, especially for romances. But I loved this book.

I liked that this book was a “retelling” that had its own originality. The author kept certain major components of the Little Red Riding Hood story, like the classic red color scheme, wolves, and a woodsy/nature setting, while bringing a thrilling, forbidden romance into the plot. If you like forbidden romance, fantasy, fated mates, you will love this book!

I LOVED Rafe’s character. His complex emotions surrounding not only his relationship with Ruby, but also his family and pack life were so raw and heartbreaking. I felt like Rafe and Ruby’s characters were both so layered and written so well to show their different sides and how they complimented and accepted one another.

I love a good cliff hanger and plot twist at the end of a novel, and this one was no exception! But I do wish they explored/displayed Lena’s issues a little more. I understand they probably intentionally left many questions unanswered regarding her gifts (I have a feeling more of this storyline will be explored if there is another book) but I loved Lena! And I would have liked to see more into her struggles and how that worked within the main storyline, especially towards the end.

I also have a feeling there will be a book or at least more scenes in future books on Pheobe and Theo…I hope so because they had me giggling and smiling in the epilogue.

My rating is a 4.5 but I’ll be rounding it up to a 5 for reviews! *thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital copy*

This one was okay. I wish we would have seen Rafe discover Ruby instead of the book starting with him already watching her. Rafe as the hero was alright but I was not super connected to him. This was an alright start but I don’t think I will be continuing the series.

“To anyone who grew up but never outgrew fairytales.”

I enjoyed this spin on a classic Little Red Riding Hood story! The romance between the main characters was beautiful, and left me wanting more!

I do feel like the plot, outside of the romance, could have been developed a bit more. The story started off kind of slow, and ended when it was getting so good! I love the world the author built, and it would have been nice to go into it more.

Overall, a fun, quick read and I will definitely be tuning in for the next book to see where all these characters end up!

A Curse of Blood and Wolves, a dark and twisted Little Red Riding Hood retelling is the perfect werewolf romance. Ruby always feels like someone is watching her while on her way home in the woods, although it doesn't make her afraid- she feels thrilled. Rafe can't get her out of his mind, he needs to follow her.

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance, their romance was super sweet. The way fate destined them to be together, even though they both had personal yhings to work on was beautiful.

The book was most definitely a page turner, the plot was extremely entertaining- I wish there was some more focus on it, and the author's writing style was simple and easy to get through. There was a lot of good dialogue as well, it was very engaging.

The novel did end on a cliffhanger, and although I normally enjoy these, it seemed very abrupt in this book.

Overall this steamy romance novel was a delicious read. I would definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a werewolf romance. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Publication Date: 1 October 2023

An dark and different re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood, and I really enjoyed it.

I loved the relationship between Ruby and Rafe, but I feel that a bit more focus on the plot rather than their relationship would have made the story more exciting. It also felt like the book finished a bit abruptly, cliffhangers aren't always a bad thing but it was a very sudden stop.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did like this book but I will not be continuing this series.
I did receive an ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

✨ARC review✨

“Well, brave girl, you better run”

This felt like so much more than a fairytale re-imagining. I was sucked into this story and couldn’t tear myself away. I laughed, cried, I was happy, angry…so many emotions. Rafe is..swoon. And Ruby is a phenomenal female force. I’m not ready to part with them!

Story has:
Fated mates
Werewolves 🐺
Witches 🧙🏻‍♀️
Nymphs
Seers
Family tension
Touch her and 💀
Spice 🌶️

<b>I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</b>

I was sent an unsolicited copy of this book and I decided to take the plunge. I hadn't read any full-length paranormal romances in a hot minute and it's neat to have one ready and waiting like a takeaway pizza. A Curse of Blood and Wolves was a modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood where the lupine figure wants far more than Grandma's pastries in her basket. It wasn't that subtle of a recreation where the heroine was literally named Ruby and wore a red jacket. It was nearly identical to the Once Upon a Time character who also worked in a small town restaurant. There's only so many ways to change up a character without losing it's core identity. My biggest issue with this book was how meek and unintimidating our wolf behaved in A Curse of Blood and Wolves. I was expecting a ferocious alpha, not a wolf pup still suckling their mother's milk.

I thought Rafe as a love interest was kind and respectful, but he had no cajones. He swerved romantic opportunities like they were traffic cones and he dug in his wolf claws over accepting matehood. I found it difficult to believe he was a powerful alpha when he gave off serious omega energy. There's nothing wrong with gentle heroes and I usually prefer them to overbearing meatheads, but the pieces didn't match up. He would have fit in perfectly for any other romance setting, but it was laughable to call him an alpha. I didn't take him seriously and that affected my enjoyment of the book. As unfortunate as it is to say, his sweetness and goodness didn't make him the top dog in the pack.

A Curse of Blood and Wolves was a nice respite from my continuous train of historical romance, but it was mediocre at best. I wanted more from the characters, especially the hero. The heroine was forgettable and the majority of the plot blended together. They had some good chemistry but they were interrupted several times. Quit teasing me! I don't believe I'll continue with this series, but I'm thankful for this opportunity. It seems like the primary Curse of Blood and Wolves was the day I wasted reading about a wimpy alpha wolf.

Re-imaging of Little Red Riding Hood. Yes, please!!🔥🔥 Finished this in a couple of hours and I loved it! It has Witches, Werewolves, Seers, and Nymphs.

“Is that what you wanted, brave girl? You wandered through the woods hoping the big bad wolf would find you?”

Have you ever been walking and felt like someone was watching you? Well, that’s what Ruby felt.

Ruby works at the bar and lives with her sister a little away from the downtown scene.

Rafe can not get Ruby’s scent out of his mind. While he’s watching and protecting her. He’s been on his own away from his family and pack for years.

Ruby’s and Rafe’s love story was so beautiful. How they both were not looking to get into a relationship but found each other. Both had things they needed to work on and together they supported and balanced out well.

I laughed so much during the book. I enjoyed the humor a lot in the dialogue. I felt like this book had everything! It was fast-paced, twists, love, and fairytale. I highly recommend it!

“Fate doesn’t make mistakes.”

Thank you, Melissa McTernan, One More Chapter, and Netgalley for this EARC. As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram (@Alexandriavwilliams_) shortly.

A Curse of Blood and Wolves is a dark and twisted retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It is a deeply atmospheric werewolf romance with plent of spice.

I absolutely loved Ruby and Rafe's love story! They had so much chemistry and were an excellent match. I thought the plot flowed exceptionally well and the writing style was simplistic and beautiful. This book is truly a page turner; I simply could not put it down!

Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and cannot recommend it enough. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel!

A dark romantic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Ruby feels drawn to a stranger Rafe with a difficult past,... The romance is terrific. There's a werewolf here too. Love the fated mate angle.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I loved this so much. If you want a Bella and Jacob smutty romance this one is for you.

It is a Red Riding Hood retelling but honestly it was way better than I expected it to be and gave me a lot of Bella and Jacob vibes. It is a small town, family feuds, wolf packs romance and I was obsessed with it all!

I will be talking about this book and recommending a lot in the future because the story was so addictive.

This book is going to be a part of a trilogy; each book following a different brother. I’m craving book 2 already!

Dark, sexy, atmospheric, and romantic, although a bit predictable.

My first werewolf novel (excluding the Twilight series), and I'm not sure if I'll read Book 2 when it comes out, but it was a relatively enjoyable read.

A chemistry filled retelling of Little Red Riding Hood featuring big, brooding werewolves and a brave and gothic woman with the patience of a saint. Let me put aside my feminist notions and show me a hulking, tortured bad boy (who’s not so bad) protecting his woman and I am all over it. Ruby and Rafe have to work together to try and find out who is targeting Ruby and her sister and why, which means spending a lot of time together in close proximity and trying to deny the wild attraction they feel for each other (or at least one of them is making a valiant attempt). Rafe is a softie with a bad history who’s absorbed a lot of his baggage through years of abuse from his father and he only wants what’s best for Ruby, but this strong and defiant female main character is not ready to be a victim, despite her lack of means to protect herself from the supernatural, and she’s not interested in being pushed away by her new werewolf bodyguard. You’ve got to give it to her, she’s incredibly forgiving of all the stupid stuff Rafe says and does and I would say the one downside to this book is how wildly frustrating Rafe is - there’s only so much I can take and I really needed him to fight for Ruby. Give the girl a break, she’s got enough on her plate without having his baggage thrown at her. All that being said, this was a great steamy romance with a delicious supernatural element that really brought this retelling to life.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thanks to netgalley and OMC for a free copy of this book to review.

"Is it possible to be drawn to someone that you've never met?"
"Fate doesn't make mistakes."

This is a sweet and spicy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Two sisters living in the forest are in danger from unknown wolves. But one wolf is stalking Ruby for another reason all together.

What you will find in this book:

🐺 Fated Mates
🐺 Werewolves
🐺 Steamy romance
🐺 Fairy tale retelling
🐺 Stubborn and strong FMC
🐺 Overprotective MMC

I really enjoyed this book overall, I just wished it had more plot in this book instead of stretching it out over the series. This book mostly consisted of the relationship development between Rafe and Ruby, which was great with lots of spicy and a bit of kink! But I felt like I wanted the plot and world building to be fleshed out a little more.
That being said, I'll be reading the next book because I need to know what happens, the book was just getting sooo good... and then it ended!

Overall a quick, light, mild fantasy read with lots of spice and a little kink. Perfect for smut lovers!
I always do enjoy a werewolf romance myself!

Congratulations to the author on a great debut!

First I have to start with the cover because it's absolutely stunning and it's what grabbed my attention initially. More often than not a well-done cover will sell me on a book.

"A Curse Of Blood and Wolves" is a darker, spicy re-imaging of the classic "Little Red Riding Hood". From the blurb alone I had a feeling I would enjoy this story, I really like reading books from this genre or with this kind of trope in it.

I thought the author's writing style was engaging, the plotline was intriguing and the pacing felt very well done. Ruby & Rafe's love story was romantic, steamy and a bit whimsical. I can't wait to see future fanart of Rafe!

Overall I think this book is going to do very well with it's intended audience and I would recommend it.

Thank you Melissa McTernan, Net Galley and Harper Collins UK - One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Wow, this book was so good!!! Honestly, when I read the blurb that described very little about the book, I knew I had to drop everything and read this ASAP.
And I devoured it.

Ruby & Rafe's story was whimsical, romantic, quirky & steamy. I loved the retelling of the classic but with a twist. The backstories & several sub-plots were amazing that blended right in with the story.

I'm so invested in these characters that I need the other books in the series soon! And especially with the couple known for book 2, it's going to be one hell of a ride.


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