This is one of the few well rounded paranormal lesfics I've read, it had a little of everything; some angst and some fluff but also fairly realistic despite its supernatural elements. This is a second chance romance and while you can feel the chemistry and your rooting for them to get back together there were quite a few times I wondered if they would because of all the challenges and obstacles the characters individually had to face. Spoiler alert! They do find their way back to each other but it was done in a sort of unorthodox manner that provided an enjoyable climax.

5 perfect stars
Another brilliant paranormal romance by Williams with really great character development. And another real page turner. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. It was worthy of every single minute spent reading it. Williams' next book can't come soon enough. Highly recommended!

This is a story about lost.

The main character is abandoned by her birth parents. She loses her first love. She loses herself when she changes into a werecoyote. She loses her adoptive parents when they see her first change.

This story is also about surviving and overcoming hardships.

The main character experiences ups and downs; more downs than lows. But she is a fighter.

The most interesting part of the book are the lectures given by the main character who is a psychotherapist. The author’s education helped give the lectures authenticity.

THIS BOOK CONTAINS AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

First I have to say I enjoyed this book. BUT, I'm not sure what it wanted to be.....A shape shifting delema, adolescent romance, psychotherapy lesson, comedy, theological lesson, animal advocate or romance. I loved it all but I would have loved to had more of the shape shifter action.
I loved the characters, friendships, dialog and hated the so called Christians.
I will continue to read Ms Williams stories because they are sweet, loving, caring for animals and children. And very, very different.

I was given an ARC for an honest review.

4.5* This book turned out different from what I thought it would be. It is a romance with a paranormal angle.. But, the story also explored heavier social and psychological issues, like abuse and abandonment issues.
The main character, Riley, is a foundling discovered by hikers and then adopted by a rich couple. Things seem perfect until she suddenly transformed into a were-creature when she was a teen. Her adoptive parents basically freaked out and sent her off to college and told her not to come back.
Then we fast forward to Riley 20 years later, working as a psychotherapist and also teaching a psychology class. Riley now has a found family support system, her professor and now business partner Peggy, Peggy's wife Barbara, and Barbara's brother, Tom. These 3 are wonderful side characters who exude such warmth and love. Then she meets Fiona again, the great love of her teenage life. The feelings are still there, but Fiona has a precocious daughter and an abusive husband. So, the question becomes how can Riley and Fiona get their happily-ever-after? And will Fiona accept Riley if she finds out she's a were-coyote?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My main criticism though is that sections of it got quite heavy on the psychological analyses and discussions. It's understandable as the author is a psychotherapist and of course, so is the main character. While I find all this talk of different types of personality disorders fascinating, it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
**Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This is first book for me from Karen and I have to admit I really love it. There is this connection with the characters from the begining. It is extremely difficult to put it down.
I love the story and the drama that involved the couple as well as their journey. Honestly now that I read this book I am intrigued as to how other of her books are like.

I loved the concept of this book. The plot is just great and I really wanted the two women’s relationship to succeed. The author manages to create a very atmospheric story, where a were (or two, maybe more?) seems perfectly feasible. The various animals, from coyotes, to cat, to turtles add to the charm, which is somewhat surprising given the violence that permeates through most of the relationships. The scripture stuff was a bit heavy handed, but integrated well with the inclusion of a reverend. The psychotherapy stuff was even more heavy handed, and I get why it was there, but there really was a tad too much of it. Just because the author has expert knowledge doesn’t mean it all has to be used at once.

Usually I read a book for the romance but I love it when I learn something new! There's so much knowledge that I gained after reading this book! I spent a lot of time going back and forth from reading and searching the internet when different things sparked my interest. For example: I spent some time searching for coywolves, and turtles. So, I definitely had a fun time while reading this book (I love researching!).

I've read a lot of paranormal/shape shifting romances and this one was different from the ones I've read before. Loved it! The writing is fantastic and goes deeper than the surface. I'm always on the lookout for authors who take you to a deeper level within their story. This one has a lot of layers!

This was my first book that I've read by Karen Williams and it won't be my last.

I picked Coyote Blues as a paranormal shapeshifting story, but I just got something more than that. I was thinking it will be an action filled fantasy with fights and shapeshifting, but I just got something better.. Actually the book was closer to drama and romance genres than fantasy.
It’s a second chance love novel between Riley and Fiona. They’ve been through a lot. Riley got abandoned twice, once by her birth mother and then by her adoptive parents, because of her lycanthropy. She needs to get through the past happenings, that hurt her, the loss of family and the loneliness after she got separated from her true love. Also Fiona had her own problems since her husband abuse her mentally and physically as well, and the only good thing is her daughter, Edy.
The lovers cross path again and get a second chance to find peace in each other.
A beautifully written love story with heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes.

Thank you for the Publisher and NetGalley for the free copy.

This is the first book I have read from Karen Williams and I am looking forward to reading more from her. This is technically a were/shape-shifter book but there wasn't so much an emphasis on the shifting. It was more on the physiology? psychology? on of the -ologies of the human mind. I learned so much about that I felt I was sitting in the classroom with Riley's students. I really did enjoy that part of the book. I also enjoyed Edy. She was cute and even though she was 10 going on 11 for some reason i kept seeing this small big eyed kid. So the story is basically about Riley, a were-coyote, who discovers this after she has fallen in love with Fiona. They are torn apart and don't reunite until about 20 years later, Fiona with a kid and a ring on her finger.
This book touches on abuse, both physical and mental. I don't know if I am reading to much into, but those class scenes are really about Riley. All of it. And it was interesting to see how the victim, rescuer, and persecutor all played out. I really did like this book. Though if you are going into thinking its a true shape-shifter or were book you will be disappointed. While it does have the aspect, the book really is about the human mind.
I am wondering there will be another book to this one as the world it weaves is open to it and paths were not taken, such as David, Madison and her friend, and i think others.

Riley was adopted by a rich family she was having a great life until her parents saw her transform into a werecoyote. Not wanting anyone to know they since Riley away with a trust fund and to never return again.

Fiona and Riley met when they were young each summer they grew closer and eventually became lovers but when Fiona is outed for bring with Riley her life comes crashing down. Her parents forced conversion camps on her and eventually she marries a man the only good thing about her marriage is her daughter Edy but now as an adult she just a former shell of herself.

Riley became a psychotherapist has a practice with her good friends who knows about her being a werecoyote and doesn’t treat her any difference. Riley life turn upside down when her first love Fiona comes into her office she learns that Fiona is in trouble she vows to help her through it.

Riley and Fiona has to deal with a lot that had been thrown at them but with help of friends they get through it. Sometimes being born or adopted into a family doesn’t make you family sometimes having the right people in your life who accept you for who you really are ,are what makes a family.




I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This book touched me and I almost had to put it down and walk away. But I kept going. The last scene with Riley’s father almost made me cry and my heart hurt for her. But man, isn’t is the sign of an awesome writer who can make a reader feel such emotion? I’ve never read this authors books before but I will go look for more. She made me root for Riley and for Fiona because they were each other’s soul mates and were lost until they reconnected. I loved it.

This books was interesting to say the least it’s an lgbtq romance were instead of the parents kicking her out because she’s gay it because she’s a werecoyote. It’s weird that she’s mentioned to have a tail and her adoptive parent don’t seem to care it annoys me that when autism was mentioned they discribed mainly male autism traits not girl.

Two young women fall in love when they spend the summers together. After being forced apart they meet by chance later in life. This book is a beautifully and realistically written romance in which the main characters are an excellent portrayal of a soul deep connection.

Riley: After living a privileged childhoos with rich parents everything changes when Riley discovers she's a werecoyote. Unfortunately her parents witness the transformation and send her off with a trust fund and an understanding that she should not return, How such a decision effect her not only immediately afterwards, but also a long time after is expertly written. It follows Riley like a shadow through the entire book.
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Fiona: Being raised in a very christian family Fionas life crash completely when she's outed for being with Riley. After having suffered through conversion camps she eventually try to appease her family by marrying a man. Having to close off a lot of her self, adult Fiona is a shadow of her former self and the hopelessness is tangible when reading the book.

Pro:
Very realistic and knowledgeable portrayal of mental health issues - Unique portrayal of how mental health issues effects you in the long run.
Living during and after being mentally or physically abused - This book shows two different types of abuse. Fiona suffers through both mental and physical spousal abuse. Riley gets neglected not only by her birth mother who left her in the woods, but then also by her adoptive parents who replace her when she isn't as they want her to be. Where parental neglect due to lycantrophy might not be an issue in the real world, being neglected because of your sexual orientation is. Both the MCs walk different paths that a lot of people in the LGBT community can relate to.
Different approach to a were"wolf" - Williams have made Riley a very unique werecreature. Rileys personality, profession and interaction with nature paints a very different picture than how the mainstram werecreature is.

Con:
-

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Wow, I really wasn't expecting Coyote Blues to suck me in and consume me until I finished it. This romance has it all. mystery, despair, love, hope, chemistry, fantasy and so much more. This second chance romance did not go as I anticipated and I was very happy with the ending. The description that comes with the book is so very accurate and I don't want to recapped that. What I do want to say is that Riley is a very good person who just had a bad hand dealt to her when she was 17yo. She lost her parent and her first love plus having to deal with the fact that she is a werewolf.. Once she gets to college, she happens to come across a very good person who was able to help her and become the family she needed. 20 years later her life is settled and she comes back across Fiona. The only problem is Fiona is being abused by her husband. Oh the road that Riley goes down to help Fiona. Williams effectively throws in a few twists and turns that keep you wanting to read. The only downfall of the book is that too much time is spent on giving details on narcissist and sociopaths and psychopaths. I would have liked a little less detail on that aspect. Sure it's goes along with what is happening in Coyote Blues, but not necessary. This romance might be a bit dark for those who have experience abuse and you might want to skip this one if so.

4.25 stars

Riley E. Dawson and Fiona Bell were teenagers when they fell in love. And they had sex. But the post-sex excitement possibly triggered Riley's first coywolf transformation, and witnessing their daughter turning into a beast, Riley's adoptive parents cut ties with her and sent her away. She never saw Fiona again. Until twenty years later. As an experienced clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Riley found herself losing control the moment Fiona showed up in her therapist office.

CW: physical and psychological abuse, animal abuse

We all know that the justice system is seriously flawed. For those who are interested in reading this book, I suggest that you put aside your judgements based on the law and some morals. Otherwise, parts of the story might not sit well with you.

Also, because this story has close ties with Native Americans, I suggest reading this (https://www.insider.com/native-american-offensive-racist-things-2020-1) by Benny Wayne Sully from Insider and decide for yourself if some aspects of Coyote Blues are (borderline) racist. Also, as an East Asian who grew up in Taiwan, I cannot say if Asian Americans would find using "almond-shaped eyes" to describe features offensive. But somehow I think at least some would. Because of these potentially inappropriate terms, I cannot give a perfect 5-star rating no matter how perfect the overall plot was. But I will give this book the benefit of the doubt until someone within the community declares it unreadable.

In terms of the storyline, Coyote Blues is extremely well-written. Every single event happened for a reason and some later ones would definitely prompt you to realize the connections. Williams is a great storyteller and it is clear that she took careful planning of all details.

Both Riley and Fiona had been through so much since their last encounter twenty years ago as teens. Riley had to cope with being a werecoywolf and abandoned by her adoptive parents. But with Peggy, Barbara, and Tom, they formed the amazing family that Riley needed in her adulthood. It was also sweet to read about Riley’s friendship with her coyote pack. And Fiona lived through her parents’ reprimand of her sexuality and suffered extensively under Jim’s abuse. As for Fiona's daughter Edy, she was an amazing girl. Though at times I felt her dialogue sounded younger than her eleven years, her mental maturity and intelligence definitely exceeded her age.

Surprisingly, I was also very intrigued by all the lectures Riley gave. It read oddly like TOEFL listening scripts, but I love how I get to learn a little more about personality disorders. Riley's classes were light-hearted highlights for me.

Coyote Blues is an excellent work of fiction. I have not read a book that incited so many thoughts in a while. Highly suggest checking it out!

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I started out really excited to read this as I love paranormal romances, the beginning of this book was great. As it went on it was hard for me to read about the abuse Fiona went through. What was hard for me was as I read it seemed that Riley was guarding over the abuse and then just letting it happen and disappearing from their lives for a day or so. This back and forth really got to me and made me less interested in the read. I could be wrong about the timeline but that is the impression I got while reading. This issue made the other wonderful parts of the book duller which is why it only received three stars from me.

I have never read one of Williams books before but now she has a fan. Rarely do I read paranormal books but I was hooked at the synopsis.
Riley was such a great character, she was adopted as a child when she was found as a newborn on a trail Her adoptive parents knew that there was something different about her but don’t fully understand until her father sees her change to a wolf at 16. Prior to that Riley meets Fiona when they were kids. They see each other every summer and what started as friendship changes to something more. Their love for one another is so innocent but that all changes when Riley’s parents send her away and Fiona’s evangelical Christian parents send her off to a conversion camp. They don’t see each other for 20 years when Riley who is now a therapist gains a new patient whose husband has abused her and her child. That woman is Fiona and their love for one another has never died.
I can’t say enough about this author. She has done so much research for this book regarding wolves and abnormal psychology I felt I was not only reading a romance but a textbook as well. I love when an author does this because it makes the story so much more authentic. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
4.5 stars.
I was given this ARC via NetGalley and publisher for an honest review. Many Thanks!

I am a great fan of paranormal fiction, and I enjoy it when there's a good novel in my hands. I loved this one. It has a lot of history between the characters, a lot of background story about the main character Riley, and very tense moments in Fiona's life with her husband.

CW: abusive husband

Creative tale. Second-chance romance with a supernatural kicker.

On the same summer day when she was 17, the best and worst things happened to Riley Dawson: she experienced love and she shape-shifted for the first time. Her parents, witness to the latter, eventually banish her from their lives, and Riley is forced to leave, not seeing the girl she loves again for 20 years. When Fiona Barrett (nee Bell) walks into Riley's clinic, Riley is ecstatic and terrified. She is still in love with Fiona, but her lycanthropic affliction means Riley can never be with her. Furthermore, Fiona's husband is an abusive sociopath who would - literally - rather kill Fiona and her 11-year-old daughter than let them go.