How to Help a Hungry Werewolf is a “cozy romance” and a good fit for lovers of paranormal/witchy romances with a good dash of comedy and Halloween Town spookiness. Althought explicit, How to Help a Hungry Werewolf burns low and slow in the spiciness department, but will be enjoyed by patient fans of second chances and sweet relationship development. No moody, broody, or snooty alpha heroes here! Seth Brubaker (ML) is a dorky HIMBO in touch with his emotions. If that is not your jam, you might to look elsewhere!
In my opinion, the main draw of this romance novel is not the romance itself, but rather the comedic banter between Cassie (FL) and Seth, and the spooky/cozy world that Stein has created. While I found myself CACKLING at some of the supernatural cast of characters (the sentient sassy microwave was GENIUS, Stein), I was not patient enough for the slow burn. Even the Gilmore Girls style banter (that at times turns utterly cringy) was not enough to distract me from the slow pace of the novel, and the constant edging towards a romance that felt further away each time. That said, once the big reveal/main conflict occurs, I was HOOKED. I cannot believe I didn’t see that coming!
As a side note, I appreciate that How to Help a Hungry Werewolf dealt with issues of bullying and fatphobia appropriately, and didn’t make Cassie’s curviness or her feelings (good or bad) about it her ENTIRE personality.
SPOILER: I did not fully understand Seth’s reasons for dropping Cassie and hanging out with their former bullies in highschool. Yes, he wanted to be cool and sexy in her eyes. But how is hanging out with her tormentors going to do that?! Is he THAT much of a HIMBO?
How to Help a Hungry Werewolf by Charlotte Stein (The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, #1)
Publication Date: October 1, 2024
Subgenres: paranormal romance, magic romance, werewolf romance, witch romance, shifter romance, romantic comedy
Tropes/Themes: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, werewolves, witches, curvy heroine, HIMBO hero, second chances, forced proximity, slow burn, fated mates, bullying, fatphobia, small town romance.
Spiciness: Slow burn but explicit. Spiciness doesn’t really start until 50% into the book, and doesn’t reach it’s big moment (if you catch my drift) until about 80% into the book.
Setting: The sleepy and spooky town of Hollow Brook.
Main Characters:
- Cassandra Camberwell – Cassie was humiliated in high school by her former best friend (Seth Brubaker). A decade or so later, she returns to the sleepy town of Hollow Brook following her grandmother’s passing and reunites with Seth. Though still angry with him, that new circumstances of him being a werewolf and revealing that she is a witch, lead them back to each other.
- Seth Brubaker – Cassie’s former best friend and now werewolf and “mortal enemy”. He is regretful of his actions towards Cassie in highschool and understanding of her disdain towards him. However, he is in desperate need of witchy potions. As they work together, Seth introduces Cassie to the wonderful world of the supernatural.
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