I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. The main characters Ryker and Chess is great. This is written like a novella. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page. I absolutely enjoyed this romance book. It is a m/m romance. This ebook is in stores for $2.99 (USD).

I love Mell Eight and the whimsical view of fantasy worlds the author always brings to the table. This book is a shapeshifter romance. Ryker was captured and tortured in Afghanistan - in way that is very specific to were animals. He has severe PTSD and really fears that he is going to hurt someone. He has withdrawn to a remote cabin in the woods to keep others safe from himself. Chess was a few years younger than Ryker - but had a serious crush on him. Chess is now a police detective and is sent to question Ryker about murders of were animals where the MO is similar to what happened to Ryker during the war.

Chess and Ryker reconnect immediately - and seem to definitively choose each other as mates. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter Chess is kidnapped by the murderer and Ryker has to help find him.

This is a very quick story - but the details and emotions are so beautifully written you'll wish it was longer! I am hoping for maybe a few more stories about this community.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

A very well written and engaging shifter romance, love the characters and there journey to be together.

This book moved quickly and addressed issues of PTSD with consideration and skill. The characters knew each other before, and now have the opportunity to build their relationship. While solving kidnapping, murder case, Chess needs Ryker’s help. Ryker struggles with his memories of being held against his will and tortured. Chess is respectful and loving. Their bond, not to mention their bond as shifters, is strong and natural.

This romance was so good, I wanted more. Wounded Alpha by Mell Eight is an M|M shifter romance. The blurb covers the majority of the plot quite well. Due to the length of the story, the characters were not as fleshed out as they could be. This was a short but entertaining read. I believe I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed that, although it is a paranormal romance, it does deal with real issues like PTSD. Overall, I would absolutely read another story by this author.

I received a complimentary electronic arc of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I picked up Wounded Alpha by Mell Eight not realizing it was a novella which was more than fine for me. It gave me a chance to sample out the author who is new to me. Not too bad, I liked her writing style. As for the book I really enjoyed it. I’m not going to hash out the details of the book because they author has done a fine job of it in the blurb. Instead let me cover why I enjoyed the book.

For starts, I like the characters and their stories. The wounded Ryker and the gentle Chess. We get just the right amount of history about each of them so when they connect, it isn’t such an unbelievable insta-love. Not too many secondaries which made it okay because, as this was a quickie, it left me clueless as to whom the killer was. The story itself has just the right amount of angst, suspense, intrigue, and danger to keep me hooked enough to finish the book all in one sitting. All around a great story.


Received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Exact Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This story was rather short, especially since there's a lot of stuff happening in the story. I liked how those who weren't an Alpha weren't portrayed as weak. The story flow was enjoyable and there weren't any dull moments in the story. However, there were some scenes that felt rushed - Especially the kidnapping and hospital scenes. Nonetheless, I would recommend this book to others.

This story's universe has members of the were community leaving in the open with no hatred or prejudice from humans.

I receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wounded Alpha is a very short mystery suspense novella. Ryker came back from his time in the military in Afganistan broken. He was tortured and only barely escaped with his life. Since then he's been living on the edge of society, avoiding contact with people. When the young man he once had a bit of a crush on at high school turns up investigating a series of murders that seem very similar to what Ryker went through, the attraction between them is instant. The three years age difference between Ryker and Chess is no longer an issue and they both feel the instant attraction.
This is a very short story. We do get enough about the past and what's going on now. Don't expect any twists or turns though, the mystery side of this is very straightforward and dealt with quickly. As for romance, there are clearly plenty of intense feelings, but again, this is dealt with in a short space of time and there's no huge angst or coming to terms with feelings. I think you could read this in one sitting more or less.
This is short, but it was still an enjoyable read. Chess and Ryder are both likeable characters that work well together.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

War is hell. Ryker suffered as a POW and suffers from PTSD. As a werewolf that could be deadly. He’s turned himself into basically a hermit to keep from hurting anyone. Now he has to help the cops solve the mystery of the dead were-animals with injuries like his.
The interaction between Ryker and Chess is terrific. The mystery is a little choppy. All in all a good read.

"While Ryker’s body came back from Afghanistan just fine, his mind didn’t, and his thoughts wander back there in painful flashbacks that have present-time consequences. In order to avoid hurting anyone, Ryker secludes himself in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Then Officer Chess Medcull shows up with a case of were-animals being tortured and killed in a way similar to how Ryker almost died in the war. In order to stop the murders, Ryker must face the demons in his head, and maybe, just maybe, allow Chess to help. That is, as long as neither is the next victim."

3 and a half stars.

The blurb pretty much summarises the whole book for you, except how they catch the killer. Not that that is a bad thing, I could relax reading this book knowing exactly where it was going. The main focus is on Ryker, his PTSD struggles a horrible consequence of war. His relationship with Chess is quite downplayed - they were both interested before Ryker shipped out and they take up that interest from there on meeting again, but in a quiet way. While not instalove, it was a bit underwhelming when they are commented on as mates by the Alpha. No gushing declarations of love here, more quiet showing by being there for the other.

I found the book flowed well, I liked Ryker a lot and felt for him. Chess seemed like a good fit for him, but neither he nor the other characters were as well developed, which kept me from being as deeply engaged while reading as I might have been. I'd happily read another book by this author , but I wouldn't hunt them out.