Book Reviews

Book Blurb

After graduating college, Zeki Janowitz returns to his hometown of Wolf’s Paw before beginning his career as a consulting wizard. But he has no plans to stay. Wolf’s Paw, a werewolf refuge, shuns human magic and a very human Zeki. Despite that, Zeki can’t help but wish he belonged there the way he’s always wanted to, which has a lot to do with one werewolf in particular, Theo Greenleaf. 

Years away haven’t lessened Zeki’s feelings for the quiet werewolf, although Theo has grown even more withdrawn in Zeki’s absence. When town gossip informs Zeki that Theo is suffering from a mate’s rejection, Zeki is outraged on Theo’s behalf—but also wonders if this means he might finally be able to at least get Theo to consider him. For that, Zeki would stay in Wolf’s Paw no matter what it cost him. 

Werewolves usually don’t recover from losing their mates, and Theo barely pulled through. Now, he doesn’t know what to think when this new, braver Zeki attempts to woo him. It’s almost as if Zeki doesn’t have a clue that he is the one who broke Theo’s heart. But they are grown up now, and the magic the town fears might have drawn them back together for an unprecedented second chance. If anyone can figure out how to woo their mate after messing it up the first time, it might be a clever human wizard and werewolf with hidden talents. 

Author's Note: Being(s) in Love: Magical creatures known as beings emerged from hiding amid the destruction of the First World War. Since then they’ve lived on the margins of the human world as misunderstood objects of fear and desire. Some are beautiful, others fearsome and powerful. Yet for all their magic and strength, they are as vulnerable as anyone when it comes to matters of the heart.

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, March 2015.

Book Review

What happens when two men—one human with a rare talent for magic, and one a werewolf with less self-confidence than should be legal—are meant for each other, yet are too clueless to figure it out? This story describes their painful, yet hilarious (when watching from the outside) journey to an actual relationship. They very much need a “Beginner’s Guide to Wooing Your Mate”, but since no such manual is available to them, I got to watch their attempts at connecting, communicating, and understanding. I have rarely, while reading a book, laughed so frequently, rolled my eyes as often, and yelled at both men to “just open your eyes and get a clue” as intensely as while perusing this novel.

Zeki may be “only” human, but he is intelligent, more than capable in his chosen field of magic, and above all, determined to find out what the heck is going on, or not going on, between him and Theo. Confused yet? So is Zeki. There are a lot of things he doesn’t know about werewolves and mating rituals and how things are done in Wolf’s Paw, but none of that can stop him feeling what he does, which is a whole lot of pining and unrequited (or so he thinks) love for the amazing werewolf male. Zeki has crushed on him since high school! The scene where he sees Theo again for the first time after being away at school for years is hot, extremely funny, and sets the tone for the entire book.

Theo is in so much pain from the (imagined) rejection he’s had to suffer from his mate that his thinking isn’t any clearer than Zeki’s lust-filled imaginings. The interesting thing is that Theo may be a werewolf, but he has no clue about the right way to do things either. His head is full of rules and regulations and restrictions, all developed in an attempt to protect humans from overbearing werewolf alphas. He is trying to be so careful, and cannot even see the truth that is staring him in the face. It would be funny if it weren’t so frustrating!

As hilarious as it is sweet, this story just goes to show when two men who clearly love each other are too hesitant and careful not to hurt the other. Anyone who is not a diplomat will be shaking their head at them, like I did, and yet—they are so clearly meant for each other. The “misunderstanding” that causes all this might be ridiculous in any other context, but in this specific world, with the rules set out by the author, it makes total sense for Zeki and Theo to be confused.

If you’re looking for an entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, if you enjoy a sweet romance with some fascinating supernatural touches, and if you’re looking for a read that will vex you as much as amuse you, then you will probably enjoy this novel. I am definitely hoping for the next instalment of the ‘Being(s) In Love‘ series to make its appearance sooner rather than later.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 185 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	06-March-2020
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Wooing-Your-Being-ebook/dp/B084VVVX5N