Story: 4.5/5 ⭐

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TJ Klune does not fail to make me ugly cry once again! Wolfsong is a coming of age/found family story. It follows the life of Ox, a simple and endearing boy who's been told by his father all his life that he's dumb. Father of the year am I right? Well his dad up and leaves him to take care of his mom so good riddance, but the damage has already been done. One day the empty house down the road is suddenly occupied. He meets a boy who doesn't stop talking, he learns that something terrible had happened to the boy to render him essentially mute for a year...until he met Ox. Ox soon learns their secrets and not soon after tragedy strikes, splitting up the pack.

Every time, TJ Klune, EVERYTIME. I always end up ugly crying for at least 50% of his books, this one not to be excluded! Ox's history is already sad enough with how he was brought up to believe that he would amount to nothing, but his journey to becoming a bigger (psychosocially, not physically-he's described to be as big as an ox) is heart warming and endearing. You can't help but want to coddle him and protect him from the world, as the Bennett's did. I love that it encompasses the coming of age and found family tropes. They can be tricky to incorporate but TJ Klune does a great job of developing the characters and their relationships. Of course he takes them away and leaves you bawling, but that's besides the point. My only issue is the ending, to me it felt just a tad bit rushed and underdeveloped, but only a tad.

***I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author/publishing company and netgalley for this opportunity!

Having read and adored Klune's previous works "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and "Under the Whispering Door," when I saw this one was available, I had to give it a try. Despite the fact that it's a little out of my wheelhouse - I don't often go for the supernatural-creatures vibe insofar as werewolves - I was just as charmed by the cast of lovable characters as I was in "Cerulean Sea" and "Whispering Door," and it is absolutely in the creation of his characters that Klune shines here. The fact that they're werewolves is sort of just tangential for a lot of the book; it's their everyday interpersonal experiences that are the forefront, they just happen to be werewolves dealing with them. Even the more wolf-y moments are crisply done, and realistically so. There's an eventual foray into explicitly sexual scenes, which, honestly, adds absolutely nothing to the book; the rest of the book is so lovely that there was a real disconnect for me. If the narrative is served by sex scenes, they're fine to have, and frankly, I don't care how graphic they are. But with these ones, they just felt like they were there because they could be, and even the dialogue/description/language used felt completely out of place in regards to the rest of the book. Overall, the world of Green Creek, and these wonderful characters, will have me returning for more of their stories, but I might end up just skimming any future sex scenes - "Wolfsong" was a better book without them.

I can not sing enough praises for this book! I absolutely loved it. I was completely transported and felt as if I was apart of the pack myself. I felt all the same emotions as Ox. The fight scenes were intense and left me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely can not wait to read the rest of the series. I will definitely be buying all of them!

I’m a mood reader, but sometimes my ARC schedule “forces” me to pick up a book despite my current mood. And with Wolfsong’s publication date looming, I felt that I had reached that point. Yes, Wolfsong was on my TBR and yes, I requested the ARC. But I just wasn’t in the mood to read it right now. Why do I mention this? Because my mood can so affect my impressions of a book, and yet, AND YET, Wolfsong just effortlessly knocked my mood out of the park. It HOOKED. ME. IN. and held on as I binged the 500 pages. Wolfsong, a story about a family of werewolves and their human neighbor, is 500 pages of 5⭐️ action, anticipation, friendship, family, love and heart. It’s a wonderfully entertaining summer read. It’s perfect for when you just want to have fun and get lost in a book. Think Twilight, but make it gay.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I tell you I have been dying to read this story for years it is by no means an exaggeration. My Twilight era fanboy has always wanted a gay werewolf story like this and MAN was TJ Klune the one to deliver it. The way this story grabs you immediately is some of the best writing I’ve read in such a long time. The connection between Ox and Joe is immediate, despite the age difference. They grow from a big bro/little bro friendship, to best friends, to mates over the course of several years. The supernatural aspect is thought out and portrayed beautifully…well explained without spending tedious amounts of time on World building (Klune needs to teach a class on how to achieve this). All, and I mean all, of the Bennetts are top tier level characters. The Bennetts are everything the Cullens wish they were. Ox and Joe each have their own tragic backstory which makes the plot turns even more heart breaking, but the payoff is beautiful. This book is a journey I wish I could experience for the first time all over again. Favorite of the year so far!

Re-release Date: July 4
Pages: 528
Genre: sci fi / fantasy

Perfect if you like:
🐺 Found Family
🐺 Paranormal romance (slow burn and open door)
🐺 Fated Mates
🐺 Werewolves, witches, and humans in the Pacific Northwest

- From the publisher -

Oxnard Matheson was twelve when his father taught him a lesson: Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then his father left.

Ox was sixteen when the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harboring a secret that would change him forever. The Bennetts are shapeshifters. They can transform into wolves at will. Drawn to their magic, loyalty, and enduring friendships, Ox feels a gulf between this extraordinary new world and the quiet life he’s known, but he finds an ally in Joe, the youngest Bennett boy. 

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his heart. Violence flared, tragedy split the pack, and Joe left town, leaving Ox behind. Three years later, the boy is back. Except now he’s a man – charming, handsome, but haunted – and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

- Review -

I’ll start by saying that I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and will forever consider it a comfort read. I was super excited, then, to receive this eARC for a re-release of Wolfsong.

There were aspects of the novel that I really enjoyed. One of my favorite things about Klune’s books is found family. He is good at giving people who feel left out a place they belong. In Wolfsong, Ox is no exception. The Bennetts take him in and become his family, providing him love, support, and a community. He gives it right back, brave and sturdy and loyal.

The description of the scenery was lush and vibrant, and it made me want to go to the PNW to see the forest.

I also enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Mark and Elizabeth (but can we talk about how I just kept picturing a Lizzy Bennet werewolf the whole time after reading her full name together?). Elizabeth might just have been my favorite character in the novel.

On the whole, I found the simplistic writing style effective, but there were times it got repetitive and the pack thoughts (packpackpack, brothersonlove, etc.) were used too much. I found myself sobbing and laughing at different parts of the book and was taken on an emotional rollercoaster as it progressed.

I often thought that I was reading Twilight but with werewolves. Klune does poke fun at himself for that with some quips and references about sparkly vampires. The parallels are there, though.

Most problematic for me, however, was the age gap between Ox and Joe. I understand the fated mates trope and that this is a paranormal romance book where Joe’s a wolf and not a human, but it made me very uncomfortable that Ox thought of Joe romantically before he was 18. Had that not occurred, I probably would have given this book a higher rating.

A lot of people love this book, so consider giving it a read if you like paranormal romance with a werewolf and human MMCs, books that will make you sob, be angry, and laugh and found family themes. Check the TWs before reading because this book is definitely violent and open door.

While I had some issues with Wolfsong, I’m going to read Ravensong (the next book in the series) because I really liked Gordo and Mark’s characters and want to see their story play out.

Wolfsong is a re-release by Tor Publishing Group. Much thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC. My opinions are my own.

Candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome

Wolfsong is such a heartfelt story of found family and love and lose. I smiled and giggled and cried through the entire book.

Ox was sixteen when he met a tiny tornado of a boy on a dirt road. Ox wasn't much of a talker, his dad had always told him he was dumb as an Ox, but the boy was content talking enough for the both of them. The boy told Ox that he smelled like candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome and he had to come home and meet his family. From there on out he was a part of the Bennet family in all ways but blood.

At seventeen the Bennet family told Ox their secret, they were werewolves and that little tornado of a boy would grow up to be their Alpha someday. That same tornado of a boy who knew that he was in love with Ox even before he knew what love meant because he was candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome.

Wolfsong spans the course of decade from start to finish. I really enjoyed watching Ox and Joe grow in this story. The way the story is written really lets you get inside of Ox's mind and feel what he feels, good and bad. This is a love story, but it is not an easy road for them but wraps up their story nicely at the end.

Very much looking forward to continuing the Green Creek series with Ravensong, another couples story!

My first experience with a book by TJ Klune was Under the Whispering door, which I adored. Then I read House on the Cerulean Sea after it was recommended to me, and it became my favourite read of 2021. So when he has a new book out, I can’t help but jump on the band wagon. Thanks to Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.



Wolf Song is the first book in the Green Creek Series and is about Ox, a 16 year old who has always been told by his father he will amount to nothing and that he is stupid. He is told it so much that he believes it. Then the Bennett pack moves in next door, and they hold a deep secret. They are shapeshifters. Ox is launched into a whole other world he never imagined possible and discovers perhaps he is more than his father told him.

Ok, so TJ Klune has done it again. This is a beautifully told, emotional, cosy read with adventure, love, family, secrets, and so much more. It is a story of self-discovery and of self belief. It is also the perfect example of found family.

Klune always has this way of imbuing his worlds with so much emotion, which comes out and leaks into your heart and soul. Wolf Song is one of those books that will stick with you for a while, and I’m very excited for book 2.

It is a big book, and it is slightly slower paced at times, but this story embraces you in a big warming hug and doesn’t let you go. Just like The House in the Cerulean Sea, we meet some great characters you can’t help but fall in love with.

But the main character, Ox, is everything a main character should be. He is complex. He is brave, but more importantly, he is real and raw. He has flaws, and he is far from perfect, but this makes him all the more interesting. Having spent his whole life being told he is dumb and won’t amount to anything, all it takes is one young boy, Joe, to help him see that he should never believe everything his father told him. Thus, we see Ox embark on a journey of self-discovery, which will make you feel every emotion.

The supporting character and said young boy, Joe, is also a wonderful addition to the story. We first meet this young boy when he runs up to Ox, all innocent and happy. He comes across as bubbly, fun, light-hearted, and a ray of sunshine, but there is much more to Joe than meets the eye, and as we get to know him we learn just what he has had to overcome at such a young age.

This book made me cry several times, but I loved every minute of this book. If you are a fan of TJ Klune’s other books and you like supernatural stories, I would highly recommend this book. It may not be a book of non-stop action, but what it is, is a beautiful, well told story of adventure, a coming of age tale, and as always a wonderfully cosy LGBT read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – a superb coming of age/ supernatural/ journey of self-discovery all wrapped up in a stunning, cosy read.

I picked up this book after reading The House in the Cerulean Sea. For some reason, I thought this would have a similar tone and be aimed at a similar audience, but this story is a lot different. TJ Klune is a talented writer. The story drew me in. The foreshadowing, tension, and emotion kept me turning pages. I found some of the prose to be repetitive. I could see Klune was going for a theme/tone/message, but the repetition got to be too much for me. I also cannot recommend this book to most of my fellow readers because of profanity and sexual content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Ox has always been bigger than others, and he's been told that words are not his strength. He and his mother live in Green Creek, and he works at the local garage. Little changes in the small town until a family moves into the house up the road. Ox finds himself drawn to the family, especially the boy with a dark past and big heart.

I’ve been a big fan of Klune’s more recent works, and have wanted to read his earlier novels. While I could definitely tell that his writing has changed since writing Wolfsong, I fell in love with these characters and his world! It was not perfect, but it was angsty, enthralling and I could not put down. It's like gay Twilight if the Cullens were werewolves, and I mean that in the best possible way. I liked the character development, and I did not foresee the twists and turns of the plot. I must be in my werewolf era, because this book spoke to me and I can’t wait to continue the series.

I would definitely call this a paranormal romance, and caution readers that it’s different from his newer novels, but Green Creek and this pack have my whole heart!

I have been a TJ Klune fan since House in the Cerulean Sea and was so happy to find out that Wolfsong and the rest of the Green Creek series was going to be re-released! This story is so much, but at its core, it is a love story. A story of two lost boys who find each other without knowing they are looking. A story of family and friendship and the bonds that tie people together through grief, tragedy, love, and joy. Green Creek is an unusual town with unusual people in it.
I loved this story - the narration style puts you right into Ox's mind as he experiences things, letting you see what is going in through his eyes. And Ox is a unique character in a unique book, who doesn't always understand what is happening but expresses his feelings and thoughts in a way that carries the reader along as events unfold. The love and friendship that evolves between Ox and the Bennetts is beautiful and funny and sweet and heartbreaking, as are those between Ox and the men of Gordo's shop. While the central conflict gets resolved by the end, it doesn't come without loss and not all questions are answered - given that this is a series, it makes sense for there to be lingering mysteries and secondary conflicts that don't get resolved. I look forward to reading the rest of the series (even though I usually hate reading big honking fantasy series!) and finding out what happens to the rest of the characters that I have come to know and love.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Wolfsong's re-release early!

I have decided to DNF this book at 35%.

I was interested in this title because I have enjoyed a couple of other books by this author. I did not realize this book was about Werewolves and that type of fantasy doesn’t hold my interest.

I also found a lot of the dialogue between two of the main characters frustrating and immature.

I wasn’t interested in continuing with this story or these characters.

This is the tale of the Bennett pack of werewolf shifters, the oldest, most respected pack in the entire country, and how a human boy named Ox first heals the broken family at the end of the lane and then makes them stronger than they'd ever been before.

At the core of the story, though, are Ox Matheson and Joe Bennett. How they meet, how they grow up, together and separately, how they become family and eventually more. Mates.

At 12, Ox's drunken father leaves for good, telling his son that he's "dumb as an ox" and that "people will give you shit all your life." Ox never feels like he fits in and that he isn't worth much at all.

Then 4 years later, Ox meets a little blond tornado named Joe on the side of the road, who is convinced that Ox is his personal "everything."

At 10 years old, Joe had been kidnapped and broken by a monster. He'd withdrawn from the world and hadn't spoken a single word for over a year. Until he meets a 16 y.o. boy who immediately becomes his entire world.

The next 7 years are mostly " candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome ," with lots of humor and touching moments of family and belonging -- until Joe's monster returns and TJ gives us a huge dose of wookie cry face. Bastard.

Wolfsong by TJ Klune is a soul-stirring adventure centered around Ox Matheson, a young man who discovers a world of werewolves and witches when he meets the extraordinary Bennett family. As Ox forms an unexpected connection with Joe, the youngest Bennett boy, tragedy strikes, tearing the pack apart. Years later, when Joe returns as a troubled man, Ox can no longer ignore the undeniable bond between them. The book expertly explores themes of love, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds of family while seamlessly incorporating LGBTQ+ representation.

TJ Klune's Wolfsong is a remarkable adult fantasy romance that weaves together elements of werewolves, witches, and adventure with a slow-burn romance and relatable main characters. Klune's unique writing style, though occasionally choppy, effectively conveys the profound emotions and immerses readers in Ox's world. The book explores universal themes of identity, acceptance, and self-worth while capturing the essence of small-town life and creating a sense of community and belonging. Despite minor flaws in pacing and the handling of the age gap between characters, Wolfsong is an enchanting and powerful novel that will resonate with fans of supernatural romance and LGBTQ+ representation.

I am pretty sure I love everything TJ Klune writes. This one grabbed my heart and wrenched it. It hit a little close to home for a variety of reasons. This book is a fantastic adventure that will be sure to pull at the heart strings.

“It’s always the ones who are the quietest who often have the greatest things to say.”

This book spoke to my soul. I want to wrap Ox in a hug and protect him. The world needs more pure people like Ox. I loved following his journey, growth and adventure. TJ Klune knocked this one out of the park.

Ox is different. He’s always known he was - his daddy told him repeatedly, before he left Ox and his mother. Ox was different, and when Joe and the Bennetts move into the house at the end of the lane, they begin to show him how different is wonderful.

What follows is an adventure of found family, love, belonging and adventure - with a few werewolves and witches thrown in because why not.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🐺 Werewolves, witches and adventure
🐺 Open door romance (slowwww burn)
🐺 Awkward main characters
🐺 Best friends to lovers
🐺 Being loved for who you are

Wolfsong is a rerelease by Tor books. Thank you to Netgalley and Tor books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️
I never know what to expect when reading TJ Klune books cause it's always a different vibe everytime hahaha. The found family aspect in this book and the fantasy aspect worked so well together in this book! There were some cringe aspect and lots of dialogue based writing in this book but it wasn't hard to follow!

One thing that was weird for me is that Joe was 10 and Ox was 16 when they met? And then in the story Joe and Ox are partners? This aspect was kinda weird for me and not a fan of this age gap 🥲.

The writing style in this is unique for sure cause it's a bit choppy if that makes sense! But the writing was a bit long and some aspect of the book was repetitive 🥲

This book has queer romance, werewolves romance, found family!


Thank you Netgalley, TOR Forge for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

No one does a found family or warm fantasy read like TJ Klune! Wolfsong was a stunning read. When a mysterious family moved into Green Creek, Ox Matheson’s world becomes filled with magic, but when tragedy hits, he had to do everything he can to keep this pack alive. There’s werewolves, magic, love, found family, steam, literally everything. It’s a 500 page book that reads as fast a novella—the pacing, the language, the characters, it’s all captivating and addicting. I loved Ox. He’s brave and quiet and willing to sacrifice everything for those he loves. The family in this is beautiful, I loved the pack and their acceptance of Ox too. It’s special and supportive. The writing too—Ox starts this book as 12 years old and follows him fully into adulthood and his journey and growth felt so organic. Plus he and Joe are just a wonderful love story too, their connection so striking. The action and the love were all so well balanced and TJ Klune is just a genius. I’m really excited for more of this Green Creek series.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: July 4, 2023

This was my second TJ Klune book and first in the Green Creek Series. After requesting this arc I realized this had already been published and this version was a refresh and release.

After reading The House on the Cerulean Sea, I wasn’t sure what to expect. TJ Klune has such a unique writing style. Simple but such strong messaging throughout.

WolfSong is a fantasy romance with LGBTQ2+ representation really well done! I really enjoyed this first book in the series and will be adding the rest to my tbr. I’m not quite done with the quirky, unique characters of Green Creek.

Oxnard (Ox) Matheson had always been told he wasn’t quite enough. Not always the quickest to understand or learn and often the subject of ridicule with his peers. When Ox’s father left him and his mother when he was 12, he made sure Ox knew to not expect much from this life.

When Ox was sixteen, the Bennett family moved in beside them. Introducing him to the energetic 10 year old Joe and lifelong friends Kelly and Carter. Ox had never belonged before and with the Bennett’s he didn’t just belong, he was something a somebody.

The Bennett’s introduced Ox to a world of magic, witches and werewolves but with that comes evil. Evil came to them when Ox was 23 and Joe was 17. The evil stripped Ox and the Bennett’s of their leader and some of them sought revenge. Splitting the pack in what would be the toughest years ahead nearly broke them all.

Back together and trying to mend all that is broken between them, Ox and Joe fight to merge the broken packs and find a way back together. The evil isn’t dead though and is coming back for them. Can Ox and Joe come together and defeat the evil and keep their family safe? Or will the evil win and break them apart forever.

I loved this book! I enjoy fantasy and magic and this was done in such a way that it was easy to follow and left me routing for them all to find their way back to each other. This was a story of love and loss, family relationships and the knowledge that not all family members are blood. This was a 4 plus star read for me!!

#NetGalley #wolfsong #tjklune

“…the world is a wide and scary place. And every now and then, you just have to be reminded of the way home.”

I picked up WOLFSONG on a whim, knowing vaguely it was about gay werewolves and found family and had a bit of a cult following. Unfortunately I can’t count myself among that group - this book is not for me. I was intrigued initially; I enjoyed Ox finding connections at the shop and with the Bennetts, the beginning of their powerful relationships to each other, and the slow reveal of the werewolf family and other fantasy elements of the story. But (spoiler) the transition from Joe being a literal child to Ox’s lover really didn’t work for me. I probably should have stopped reading then, but I had liked enough of the story that I dragged myself through the end, getting increasingly annoyed with jagged and weirdly repetitive writing style. There’s a lot of emotion here, devastating loss and intense anger, all-consuming love and fierce loyalty, but because I wasn’t really invested it didn’t keep me engaged. This definitely feels like a particular kind of fanfic, juvenile with randomly graphic smut, and perhaps I’d have liked it better if I went in with that expectation. Not for me but cheers to y’all who love this, there’s three more books in this series. Thanks to Tor Books for the review copy; this re-released edition is out 7/4.

Content warnings: death of a parent, grief, violence, gore, child abuse, kidnapping/torture of a child, threats of sexual violence, domestic violence, murder