ARC Review - Publish Date July 2, 2023
Author: Tanja Longoria
Series: Book 1 of Healing Blood Series
Category: Paranormal Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
"She knew following a stranger into the unknown was stupid. At the same time, the tugging within her became stronger, and another thought arose within her. Even if she couldn't trust him, he wouldn't be able to hurt her. The worst thing a person could do to another human was to kill them, and she knew he wouldn't be able to do that to her. On the off chance he did attempt to hurt her, she knew she would survive it." - Niev
The Wolf Slayer was a strong story with enjoyable moments, however, some elements of the writing and character development could be improved on.
The dialogue between characters was silted at times, not all of it felt like natural conversation. There was a lot of telling not showing, especially when it came to Niev and Blake's relationship - possibly because they fell in love so quickly that there wasn't time to show anything but a mysterious instant-love connection.
"He still couldn't explain his obsession with her, but that was exactly what it was. Day and night his thoughts returned to her and it was driving him mad." - Blake
Blake and Niev's relationship was sugar-sweet, and both of them jump head-first into each other with barely an introduction. There was plenty of graphic spice in this book, mostly of the vanilla variety. These scenes give readers tons of chemistry between the two main characters, which was lacking at the beginning of the book.
"He didn't know her, yet he missed her." - Blake
Despite being in his 30s, Blake comes off as a teenager instead of his own man. When both his father and his brother stepped over the line and put his relationship with Niev at risk, Blake didn't fight back, only stoically refused to forgive them. There are reasons he submits, but it is hard to reconcile the strong, confident lover with scenes of him meekly giving in to demands and orders. Perhaps other shifter books have ruined me with the big bad alpha routine but Blake comes across as a boy in constant trouble, not a man willing to do anything for the woman he claims to love.
"'Niev, please don't say that. I trust you but I just can't go against my father. I have to obey him.'
'What are you? Six years old? You're a grown man. It's really getting frustrating.'"
Niev was easygoing, despite all the changes happening around her. She tended to rely on vague instincts to make decisions, which made me wonder if this was linked to her connection with Blake. Though she was called a strong modern woman by other characters, I found her to be a doormat at times, especially when she repeatedly tried to change her personality to fit in. Niev was extremely brave when fighting for others, I wish she had the same confidence and courage to stand up for herself.
"A woman willing to fight didn't fit into this world, even less a woman that had already fought a wolf." - Niev
The community ostracizing Niev because of her abilities was disjointed, there wasn't any indication that werewolves had prejudice against special abilities until that moment. Considering the men shapeshift into wolves and also heal more quickly than humans, I'm not sure why a faster healing ability was so outrageously hated.
Overall, The Wolf Slayer had a great storyline but could use some finesse. I still have a lot of unanswered questions about Niev. The book concluded with a happy-for-now ending but gave us an ominous epilogue. Obviously, there are plenty more enemies that await Niev and Blake, as well as the rest of the Timber Wolves.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Tanja Longoria for the opportunity.
Tropes and Themes: Wolf Shifters, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Insta-Love, Surprise Pregnancy.
Blurb
Growing up in the human world and unaware of her healing ability, Niev is in for a shock when she discovers that she is indestructible. As she discovers who and what she is, she meets Blake Timber, a cursed werewolf who struggles with his fate of being the only alpha never to rule his own pack. After learning Niev is pregnant with his child, Blake has no other choice but to break his father's orders and bring her home and reveal himself to her. As Niev tries to adjust to her new life, her new home is attacked, and Blake’s life is at risk.
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