My Real-Time Response: An I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS read

My Quick Summary: OUTSTANDING!

My Confession: I love this book so much!!! I am a HUGE fan. I admit that I requested this galley again just because I wanted to read it and keep it fresh in my mind as I prepare to read book two (Yes, I am totally geeking out in a big way!!! 🤓 I got approved!!!).

When I saw it marked as available, I actually thought it was the audiobook. (Can you even imagine what that would be like?!?! 😍) Needless to say, whether this book is consumed in a digital-E format or (dare I hope) in an audio form, it is now and will forever more be EXCEPTIONAL.

My Commitment: Today is dedicated to Wolf God and to Hunter's Kiss. 😁😜😎

My Review: Wolf God by Veronica Douglas was non-stop action and intrigue from beginning to end. This story had great elements. The plot had an air of fantasy, mythology, and dark realism mixed together. The main characters each had texture and depth. The emotional arc was brilliantly executed. I really loved being able to see the dual perspectives of the leads. They were so well written that I could not help but feel invested in each of them. I completely understood their unique struggles.

About the Characters:

Samantha and Cadean's story...WOW! (If I say anything right now, it would be too much. I'm still trying to recover from what happened. Much respect, Ms. Douglas. You wrote that and mic dropped, as far as I am concerned. Bravo!)

Wulfric, Mel, and Kass were a force. I loved their sense of loyalty and commitment to the Wolf God. They represented Cadean's inner circle. I want to better understand how they all came to be a band set to defend the Wolf God's kingdom.

Rune was a character that I hope to see again. There is definitely more to him than meets the eye. I can see him doing something even more remarkable later. (He made me think of Dobby, who was such a beloved character in the Potter series.)

Auren comes across like a villain. He is not trustworthy. He is written quite well. I can see things taking shape through his actions.

The Queen and the Fae were perplexing. So tricky. Their truth is a lie. Right?

Selene and her grandmother were supporting characters who helped to move the story along. Although they were lesser characters, they were instrumental in helping to better understand what was going on with the people who were being protected in Cadean's realm. Selene was interesting in that she allowed us to see the king's humanity. She was loyal to her king, but she also had a new sense of loyalty with her savior, Samantha, after being saved twice. (I'm thinking she'll show up again, for some reason.) The grandmother was sassy and wise. I enjoyed her defiant streak. (I think she knew more than what she was letting on during the celebration.) I do hope she makes an appearance in the other books, as well.

The Others: Even though this was story one, there were other characters who were mentioned. I am anxious to see how they will be used in the series. The wolves, Samantha's mother, Samantha's father, her best friend and her partner, the voices - what is the what with them?

My Final Say: I could not stop reading this book. It was utterly enthralling. There is really so much that I want to say about this book, but I don't want to ruin it for other readers. I'll simply sum things up by saying that this is a MUST READ. I'm going all in with this series. I must find out what comes next. Is there a fan club?!?! 🤓

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Besties-of-all-time: Yes
Status: M
Level: BOMB 💣💥
Cover: 5/5
Chemistry: 5/5
Tension: 5/5
Ending: 5/5

My Update: I stand by my original review post. This masterpiece in storytelling gets a 💎 rating.

Thank you to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I am most appreciative that I was granted an opportunity to read this incredible work. All of the words I have shared are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.

My first book by this particular author and I was not dispointed. I was immediately pulled in and loved the stroy between Samatha and Cadean. The world building was great, and the tension between our two MC's was delightful, 100% would recomend to any fanatasy reader.

A riveting plot, compelling characters and a heart wrenching and suspenseful paranormal romance. A can't-put-down read!

Slow burn Enemies to Lovers

I really enjoyed this. Haven’t read any of the other books that prequel this but I quite liked the conflict. It felt realistic - the tug between your mind and your heart/body and trying to reconcile the devastation she has seen first hand vs the protective caring side of the wolf god that Samantha is faced with.

I liked the world building - I’m curious about Sam’s powers and her relationship with the moon goddess and what is trapped within those pylons. The character development is also pretty good. Caedean and Samantha are clearly defined and the side characters don’t feel like extras/fillers for the story.

I’m anxiously waiting for book 2 to see how this all gets resolved. I hope Sam stops her foolishness (even as it isn’t - I just can’t help but root for Caedean), and gets back to where she belongs. I’m also ready for some steamy scenes as their chemistry is spellbinding haha.

4.25 stars overall

I could not put this book down as it neared the end! Samantha and Cadean are two very complicated characters, they drive me crazy (in a good way.) Samantha is hard headed and annoying at times.. well, most of the time, while Cadean is misunderstood and wants to be loved. The tension build up between them kept me on edge and eager to read more. I was relieved to see that the second installment in this series is coming out soon, because I simply don’t want to wait to continue the story!!

Sweet slow burn, I loved Cadean and his obsession with Sam! I didn't read the series this is a spin-off of, so I haven't witnessed his madness, only what we're shown in Wolf God. He's the perfect, tortured, morally grey hero: bent but not broken, full of longing and hope, and willing to burn down the world for Sam.

Sam was a little much at times, but I think she was supposed to be. Her repetition of FML is what got to me the most, but overall she was a great, strong, female lead. She can hold her own and genuinely wants to help people.

There's also a great cast of side characters. Cade's brother gives me the heebie jeebies. Kass is the snarky friend every paranormal novel needs. And then there's the goblin...I hope Mel never catches him!

When I realized the next book in this series isn't out yet, I may have fallen to my knees and cried to the heavens. Maybe...

Fans of Kelley Armstrong's Bitten will love the will-they-or-won't-they aspects and the internal struggles of the heroine, but in THIS book, we get to see what the hero is thinking, too!

Thank you, NetGalley and Veronica Douglas, for the opportunity to review this book. All thoughts are my own.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Wolf God (Ruthless Gods: Wolf God #1) by Veronica Douglas from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Veronica Douglas is a new-to-me author, but the summary was interesting and I am glad that I had the opportunity to read Wolf God

The premise is intriguing, but it does start with an action scene and alludes to previous events and history that the reader (if you’ve never read anything else by the author) has no context for and the author doesn’t really flesh out. Kind of a negative for a first in a series. However, you’ll be swept in quickly and all too soon the final chapter is almost at an end with lots of plot threads up in the air.

The pacing of this novel could be smoothed out a bit so the flow is better, but the writing is solid and plot is engrossing.

Looking forward to the next novel in this series by Veronica Douglas.