Member Reviews
This story is single POV that follows Briar. She is an aura reader that is sent to read the dead victims auras in hopes to find a killer. It also follows her in her love triangle/second chance romance.
It mainly focuses on her love life rather than the murders and deals with a lot of supernatural politics. The beginning was a bit hard to get into because the world building was a bit lacking.
In the first half of the story I felt for Briar. I was angry on her behalf because she was used as a pawn in so many peoples plans. Towards the second half though I got a little annoyed with her. Things that felt obvious took her so long to catch onto. It also begins to become very apparent that she's extremely naive. Even towards the end. Its actually a bit frustrating.
I loved the side characters like Lucas, Lisa, Theo, and Joaquin. They were honestly the best parts of the story for me. I felt so bad for them, especially my poor Theo. I even felt bad for Mason in the end. The plot twist definitely got me though. I didn't see that coming or the truths that each piece revealed either.
Although I had mixed emotions about this book, it was definitely interesting enough that I will be continuing the series. I will be eagerly awaiting the second book.
When I read the blurb of this book I was super excited to read it but I do feel like it didn't really live up to my expectations (my own fault for expecting too much!). It's a good book but unfortunately not for me. I know it will find its audience though since plenty of others seem to love it!
I'd like to read the author's future work (outside of this series) when it is released.
Thank you for the ARC!
I got an E-ARC thanks to Hodder Book via NetGalley
and I could say this book was hard to get into at first I was a little confused about the world and terms, but after getting to half the book that is when my interest stared to peak! I feel that this book is great if you want something fast passed and mainly in the romance side there’s is a plot which kind of reminded me of vampire diaries for some reason I might be off but over all the book is a good read I would recommend it!
This book has several elements that I LOVE like witches, werewolves and the setting being urban fantasy just made me even more excited to read it.
Despite being super fast paced, I feel that the reading flow got stuck at times because I found myself a little “lost” in the reading, it wasn't an immersive writing where you end up forgetting you're reading but even with all that, it was a book that I managed to read in two days.
Unfortunately I don't think any character was memorable for me, Briar and Kane are ex lovers who meet again and I actually liked this part of the romance but (again) nothing very memorable. I really liked the plot about the serial killer but I thought the ending was a bit open ended.
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
I think it's time to finally put myself out of my misery and fully commit to this DNF. I think I gave this book more than a fair shot, but I just can't do it anymore. I first DNFed at 7% because the writing was just so horrific. It was that typical cringey millennial writing with over the top characters and reactions. However, after reading the overwhelmingly positive reviews, I decided to give it another chance. To be fair, the writing did get better with a weird saying or phrase every once in a while. However, it became obvious that this book just wanted to be romantasy smut and just shoe-horned in a half thought out plot. To be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this genre of books. I have read my fair share of romantasy smut and have whole-heartedly enjoyed it. In this case, it just wasn't well-done. I finally fully DNFed at 44% and while there has been some pretty good tension between the two MCs, it also definitely suffers from that overly masculine, super tough, super strong, red-flag possessive MMCs. I have gotten so tired of this and honestly Kane seems extremely unattractive. I think the romantasy genre is entering that phase of oversaturation that killed the YA dystopian genre, and unfortunately this book is a good example of that. All of this paired with bad writing, a rough plot, and weak world-building made this a hard book to pick up
Thank you to HodderBooks and NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing masterpiece.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND PREORDER THIS BOOK. I could not put it down. The world building, the suspense, the EPIC love was captivating from the beginning. I hope to the powers at be that this author gives us more from these two main characters (Bry & Kane)
It's hard for me to put it down. The plot, characters, and writing are all well-done. I can't wait for everyone to read it when it's released.
I was definitely excited to read this and it didn't disappoint.
You’ll get:
Alpha Male
Sarcastic Female Lead
Second Chance love
Touch her and 💀 Vibes
Mates
There is a murderer on the loose and it’s not just one faction they are targeting. The humans, Weres, Shadow Walkers, and Magi are all in danger. With the combined help of a magi and a were, can they find out who is behind the killings before it’s too late?
Bry, our independent and loyal to a fault Magi, isn’t the type to take crap from anyone. She has a damaged past and is determined to make her future better, she just needs a chance! The chance comes calling when she is called to the last crime scene. Bry will do anything to help her brother, especially after he is found next to the latest victim. Desperate to clear this name, while also trying to make a life that will continue to provide for his brother, she agrees to work with the newest alpha of the northern pack. Oh, did I mention, it’s her ex?!
Kane, walked away 4 years ago. No calls, no contact, nothing, just simply left. Now, he’s back and Alpha of the Northern Pack. He has more than just solving this crime on his mind. He has some wrongs to right, that’s if Bry will stop death glaring him long enough to explain…
Kane may be our strong, protective alpha but that doesn’t mean he isn’t damaged inside, the past wasn’t kind to him.
Can these two work together to figure out what’s going on before they kill each other? The past always has a way of catching up and maybe there is more to this than either of them know.
2.75 but I have rounded up to 3 because the smut was really good, the world building was adventurous and original but the plot was a bit too convoluted and the reasoning/ending not satisfying enough to have gone through all of that.
An aura/which named Briar Stone was just a bit too basic for me as well as a wolf being called Kane Slade was just a bit too romantic paranormal by text book for me lol
I loved the werewolf lore. I loved the idea of being commanded. I loved the pack mentality and family element of the book but I was a little confused because at no time did he actually turn into a wolf? If this is part of their world set up then fine but it wasnt really clear to me from the start.
I wasnt a fan of the dialogue which while funny at times i found a little immature. It had an essence to it that was modern which fit the theme but it just wasnt a personal fave for me. Ive seen it done well in say Bride but this felt a little out of place at times.
I also wasnt a fan of the “obsidian” and “sage” references for swear words or versions of “oh my god”. It just sounded silly lol
As mentioned, i liked the smut a lot although i would have liked more aggression from kade both in the bedroom and when fighting. Other than one moment he didnt really show how bad he was despite the FMC saying it every five seconds lol
I love a happily ever after but the end left me feeling a bit deflated. However in a world where books are forced into being trilogies where its not needed, this was a nice aurprise to just be a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley for this digital arc. All thoughts are my own.
2.75 ⭐
“Shadowed Moonlight” is the first installment of an urban romantasy trilogy written by K. C. Harper and currently in progress.
I am so sad! I had high expectations for this title! Witches, werewolves and fake dating?! I jumped right in, without even thinking about it! And I took a big hit! That doesn't mean it's a bad book, just that unfortunately it didn't captivate me!
The writing is the element I enjoyed the most! Captivating, light and simple, it kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end. The fast, brisk pace pushed me to continue, allowing me to overcome my disappointment with the novel. In practice, I found myself reading it quickly, even without appreciating it!
The story, full of potential, seemed rather sloppy and rushed to me, with numerous convenient situations and several plot holes. Some things seem to happen totally at random just because yes, they have to happen, without any specific reason. The mystery part, centered on a dangerous killer, turns out to be more of a side note than anything else, pulled out when needed and then forgotten, with a solution that left me rather dissatisfied. During the reading I found myself huffing and rolling my eyes repeatedly, bored and annoyed by the narration. There was nothing that particularly struck me, nothing that engaged me. On the plus side, as mentioned above, is the really fast pace, which allowed me to wrap up quickly.
The characters, main and secondary, conveyed nothing to me. I found them superficial, poorly analyzed and with somewhat random attitudes. I was not able to bond with them, soon lost interest in their events, and followed them just because yes, I wanted to get to the end of the book. I'm sorry, because on paper the two main characters had all the makings of winning me over, and instead they didn't! Even the highly sizzling romance left me indifferent. And there was fake dating, a trope I love so much! How sad!
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished Shadowed Moonlight ARC by KC Harper, it’s a high heat and even higher stakes urban romantasy, the first in trilogy—just wow. The way I longed to read what would happen next! My theories… worthless! I felt so many emotions and sometimes they felt frayed. Whew. High heat is right and I loved every minute of it.
Urban Romantasy is a newer genre for me and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Briar and Kane have A LOT of history that’s heavy and heartbreaking, and I enjoyed how the author showcased the healing and even lack there of within the plot between current conversations and flashbacks. My theories of who and what was all behind, what assume, is the over arching plot of the trilogy and I can’t wait to read more of it.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC 😆
This has a really interesting plot, slightly predictable but different. Would love to see more of the story landscape. Would have been so much better if the relationship built up slowly and there was less naked sex in public places.
Loved it!!!!
I absolutely devoured this book, from the first page I was enraptured and couldn’t put it down! Shadowed Moonlight is a paranormal mystery romance, with loveable characters and a murderer on the loose. I loved the plot, the world, the characters and really hope we’ll get more (I will take anything, an extended prologue, second book, anything).
Summary: Briar’s Were lover Kane abandoned me four years ago, but now she needs his help to save her brother and solve murders.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
Briar is trying to hold it all together - building back her family's reputation, holding down a job and taking care of her addict brother. When her brother is implicated in a murder, she agrees to work for the supernatural council to solve a series of murders that is crossing community boundaries. This brings her right back to Kane - the werewolf who broke her heart and abandoned her years before. Can Briar pretend to date him long enough to solve the case.
I devoured this book - revelations kept me going, looking for the killer and trying to figure out what happened between Briar and Kane and why is blew up. If you like urban fantasy, read this!
No fue para mi, la idea es buena, pero siento que la escritura es muy juvenil para el tipo de temas que se tratan.
Tiene buenos elementos como las criaturas sobrenaturales y su enemistad con los humanos, la existencia de los tónicos y para que sirven, como cada especie tiene su propio grupo, aquelarre, manada, etc.
Me pareció interesante lo del asesino en serie, pero no se le sacó provecho.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book! The story centers around a powerful female protagonist, whose life was shattered by the sudden disappearance of her Were lover, Kane, four years prior. Now, facing a desperate need to save her brother, she finds herself entangled in a deadly game of secrets and betrayals, forced to work with the one man who tore her world apart: Kane. The premise is intriguing, setting the stage for a roller coaster of emotions as the heroine grapples with her past, present, and the undeniable pull of her rekindled feelings for Kane. The novel’s strength lies in its engaging plot. The mystery surrounding the murders in Cambria is gripping, demanding the reader's attention as the heroine dives deep into the world of the supernatural elite, uncovering hidden agendas and facing dangerous adversaries. The romance, however, is the true heart of the story. The reconnection between the heroine and Kane is both passionate and emotionally charged. Their past trauma and lingering feelings simmer beneath the surface, creating a palpable tension that keeps the reader invested in their journey. The author expertly balances the thrill of the mystery with the tender moments of their rekindled romance, creating a captivating dynamic. The story excels in its character development. The heroine is strong, independent, and fiercely loyal, even as she grapples with the pain of her past. Kane, while initially presented as the villain, is portrayed with complexity, showing glimpses of vulnerability and genuine affection that add depth to his character. Overall, the story delivers a compelling blend of mystery and romance, making it an enjoyable read for fans of paranormal fiction.
I wanted to love this because if any book was made for me a paranormal second chance romance is definitely a bit of me but I struggled with this quite a bit.
I found Briar a bit irritating and immature, the constant miscommunication between her and Kane made me super frustrated and I thought the serial killer angle was great but there were so many plot holes at the end that I ended up confused. I feel like basically everything was excused by the 'I was compelled' angle.
Overall, this wasn't one for me
The world building in this was fantastic and the relationship between the MCs was next level. Briar dealt with so much and still didn’t break, which is honestly commendable. I wish we got to see her powers utilized a little more. Kane is just hot. I feel like so much of their issues through the majority of this book would have been fixed if he had just TOLD her, but that would have been too easy I guess.
This book was definitely heavier than I expected and I would steer clear if you’re triggered by child loss/miscarriages.
Random notes from my read:
- Poor Mason
- Man, fuck her mom. Lucas is 15 for gods sake
- Holy crap, I don’t think I could ever forgive Kane if I was her
- Okay….maybe I would, but it would take some therapy. Also, f*ck Ronin
- Briar, you’re being a bit of an idiot……well, maybe more than a bit
- Oh Theo….
- Redemption arc for mom?
- I did and do NOT see that coming
- Not even a sad afterthought of Jared? Dang, that’s cold
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing the DRC and allowing me to provide my honest review
it’s been a while since I’ve read an urban fantasy and I DEVOURED Shadowed Moonlight. Werewolves, Vampires, and Witches, oh my!
The plot was packed with a wonderfully fun cast of characters, suspense, a serial killer, swoon-worthy romance and twists and turns keeping you guessing every moment. I absolutely loved Briar and Kane’s chemistry and found myself smiling a few times while reading their banter 🔥
didn’t realize this was apart of a series until late into the book, but I’m not complaining!
for fans of Crescent City, this one’s for you.
thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Four years ago, Kane left Briar out of the blue, and disappeared out of her life, leaving everything in turmoil. Her brother became and addict, and she struggles to make ends meet plus she self medicates to deal with the loss of Kane. The story started out well, but the world building in the beginning felt rushed and to me wasn't explained in detail. Purge, Tonic and other drug names dropped without necessarily explaining what they were. This book should have come with trigger warnings of miscarriage, drug abuse, and rape and the fact that it wasn't I hope is something that will be corrected when the book is published. The plot synopsis had intrigued me and I was excited to read it but I just don't think I was this books target audience. It seemed like the author was just in a hurry to have the main characters hook up. The dialogue felt awkward and roundabout, Kane as the love interest didn't stand out to me. I cannot recall how any of the characters looked like except their eyes. The villain reveal fell kind of flat for me. The author did a good job in pacing, keeping the story going, but the plot and character development was kind of meh. This isn't a series I would continue reading.