I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was so much fun and I could not put it down. I simply devoured it within a few hours and couldn’t wait to pick up the next one. Hanna was such a fun character. She was bad a$$ and I had so much fun reading about her. This book is a slow slow burn, but it is sooo good. However, it is one that you are going to finish and then immediately want to pick up the next one because you will need to know what is happening. This book is also hilarious. I laughed out loud at several points while reading. And the banter is also top notch. I always struggle more with books where I loved it, like what else can I say beyond it is exceptional!

Love Bites is the first book in Cynthia St. Aubin’s Tales from the Alpha Art Gallery series, and it’s a delightfully offbeat blend of cozy mystery, paranormal romance, and snarky humor. Hanna Harvey is recently divorced, running low on funds, and determined to rebuild her life—preferably without disappointing her three cats or her cheese habit. A little creative résumé work lands her a job at the Alpha Art Gallery, and while it’s the perfect chance to work in a field she loves, her boss Mark Abernathy comes with a suspiciously long list of dead lady friends.

Hanna’s sass and gumption won me over right away. She’s a bit of a hot mess, but in a way that feels relatable. The resident artists are an absolute riot, adding a constant undercurrent of humor to the murder investigation. There’s even a hint of a love triangle between Mark, the dangerously charming gallery owner, and Detective James Morrison, the homicide cop who’s far too appealing for someone warning her she might be next on the killer’s list.

The mystery unfolds at a slightly slower pace than I expected, but it kept me guessing, and the cliffhanger ending makes me glad book two is already waiting on my shelf. I would have loved even a small peek into Detective Morrison’s perspective, but that’s more wishful thinking than a complaint.

A fun, fast read perfect for fans of paranormal cozies with plenty of humor and heart.

*This review will also be posted on the Bookcase and Coffee blog the week of release. Link below:
https://bookcaseandcoffee.com/category/reviews/

I did not realize I had read this when it was first published in 2019 but these are my thoughts from my reread this time around. I would give this a solid 3.5/5 stars. It is an cute, slightly weird mystery with slow burn romance elements and a love triangle. The writing is very clever and did make me genuinely giggle out loud more than once which is always a plus for me. I did not realize at first that it was the first in a series and it ended on a cliffhanger that was a bit hard to stomach without realizing what was happening but I think that is more on me than the author. I am rounding up to 4 stars for ease of rating but I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, easy read!

Love Bites is a super quick and easy read—a cozy mystery blended with an old-school paranormal romance love triangle. It’s the perfect pick if you’re in a reading slump or just want something light, fun, and fast-paced.

An absolute delight to read! I love the main character’s constantly running interior monologue and struggle with anxiety. Very relatable! Lots of humor and lovable characters. A must read if you liked Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison.

I really enjoyed this one and it was a great palate cleanser between my other reads. It was lighthearted and funny. I could certainly relate to the FMC Hanna as a fellow cat lady 😆 There was a bit of a love triangle, but also not... And while I'm not typically a fan of those, it's also not entirely clear where it's going with the two MMCs. I devoured this book in a day. It's not a long one, so if you're looking for a quick fun read before you need to fully commit your mental energy to your next heavy read, this is a great choice! I've already started on the next one!

🙌🏻 What worked for me:
• The overall vibes of this book! I'd rate it five stars for that alone! So. Much. Fun.
• Team Morrison or Team Abernathy? I'm not sure. I loved them both!
• What's the deal with Abernathy? The mysterious man kept me turning the pages.
• Wait...Steven can talk to the cats? I loved that random tidbit.
• Hanna, Hanna, Hanna....she was snarky and I loved it.
• Oh, did I mention the werewolves?

🚫 What didn't work for me:
• Honestly, this one just totally worked. I loved every second.

🤜🏻 Would I recommend: Yes! I absolutely binged this one. It was a weird, wild ride. I can't wait to read book two!

Read if you enjoy:
✔️ Love Triangles
✔️ Paranormal Mysteries
✔️ Cat Moms
✔️ Art History

A fun funky ride! The snark and sass of our Heroine Hanna as she navigates her new job, her secretive handsome boss, the quirky artists in residence and an art knowledgeable homicide detective investigating a string of bizarre murders, is pretty glorious. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Hello, 2005 called and it wants it's quirky leading lady trope back. Upon a little more research this is a rerelease of a 2019 book but it reads like an early aughts quirky trope filled nightmare. Very Sookie Stackhouse and not in a good way. I haven't cringed like that in two decades at least.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cynthia St. Aubin has written the perfect story with just the right amount of paranormal and romance. I love a good romance book but sometimes you need something different and this book was it! The story centers around Hanna and her new job at an art gallery. With the position comes the encounters with Mark Abernathy as well as James Morrison. Who knew working with art could be this much fun?!
This was a terrific, quick, enjoyable read and it comes highly recommended!

Mix a little supernatural into a humorous romance = Love Bites. There were times I laughed when Hanna shared her inner thoughts. As she struggles to rebuild her life after a divorce = the new job as an assistance at an art gallery is more than meets the eye. As a cat mom = her interactions with hers felt very familiar! Fast paced and funny. I am curious about what trouble Hanna gets into next and sexual tension with her boss, Mark Abernathy.

Thanks for the ARC Netgalley!

Love Bites totally stole my heart with its perfect mix of snark, mystery, and supernatural fun. The writing sparkles with humor and wit, making the darker moments feel balanced and engaging. Though, what really hooked me was the blend of quirky characters, sharp dialogue, and that irresistible vibe of danger lurking just beneath the surface. I’m completely invested and eagerly awaiting the continuation of the series.

It’s incredibly funny and well-written and I can only recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick 280-page, fun paranormal romance with some murder mystery. I‘m not sure how many books are in this series but I‘m definitely continuing with the next book!

After a messy divorce, Hanna Harvey is living in a tiny apartment with her three cats and rapidly diminishing bank account. When she's hired to be an assistant to a hunky gallery owner, she can't believe her luck. The gallery and offices are a mess, so she's exited to put her art history background and organizational skills to use. Then it's brought to her attention that her boss was the last person seen with a number of women who were later found brutally murdered. While Hanna can't believe he would be a violent killer, she can't help but notice some unusual things surrounding her boss and the gallery. The police detective investigating the murders is also easy on the eyes, so Hanna will have to keep her wits about her and her libido in check while she tries to figure out if she's really in danger.

I really loved this book! The quirky characters and funny dialogue really made the pages fly by! I'm glad to see this is the first book in a series because I'm looking forward to reading more of Hanna's adventures!

The title for this book totally threw me off and I went in expecting love...and some reciprocal biting.

I got neither but was instead taken on a journey of someone unknowingly being hunted and protected. Things didn't really start making sense to me until about 50% in the book. I was constantly thrown off by our FMC's train of thought that quickly went from suspicious to horny in seconds. Girl, pick a lane. Since this book was just setting up the foundation for the big reveal and future shenanigans, I feel like I can't really comment on the series until I read more. Like Hanna, will Abernethy answer any of my questions?

Also, will we get to see her shift into wolf form and finally shag her boss/protector? Looking forward to where this series goes in the next one. Thanks to Tor for the DRC and for traditionally publishing this and putting the series on my radar.

This is a great mystery with a snarky witty protagonist, I found this extremely entertaining and I was hooked from the beginning, love this authors writing style

I am terrible at mysteries. I honestly along with the main character Hanna was not sure that the murders that were following in the wake of her boss Abernathy was not the work of a serial killer or if Abernathy was a serial killer. Hanna is divorced, cat mom of three, and was in desperate need of a job when she got one at Abernathy's art gallery as his assistant. Then there are the murders, there were several murders that happen in close proximity to her boss. I thoroughly enjoyed his mystery, Hanna is a delight, the mystery surrounding Abernathy is engaging and there's alot going on.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced paranormal romantic comedy with a side of murder and mystery, Cynthia St. Aubin’s “Love Bites” might just be your new favorite escape. The first in the Tails from the Alpha Art Gallery series, it serves up a delicious cocktail of humor, heat, and homicide, anchored by a heroine who’s got more sass than sense—but in the most endearing way.

Meet Hanna Harvey: recently divorced, broke, and armed with an art history degree that hasn’t exactly opened doors. Desperate for work (and a change of scenery), she lands a job as an assistant at a bizarre but charming art gallery run by the enigmatic—and extremely attractive—Mark Abernathy. He’s handsome, brooding, and totally offbeat: no phone, no computer, and a wardrobe full of ruined, muddy clothing. Something’s definitely off.

Enter Detective James Morrison: also handsome, also interested in Hanna, and definitely suspicious of Abernathy—especially after a string of murders involving Abernathy’s past flames puts him at the top of the suspect list. As Hanna gets pulled deeper into this supernatural whodunit, she finds herself juggling two hot love interests, three beloved cats, and one very messy murder mystery.

Hanna is a delightfully snarky narrator with a quick wit and a relatable voice. Her banter with both Abernathy and Morrison is sharp and fun—even if it sometimes strays into “no one talks like that” territory. But hey, realism takes a backseat to fun here, and honestly? It works.

The side characters are scene-stealers. From the chaotic group of eccentric artists to Hanna’s sassy cats (yes, they have actual personalities), the supporting cast brings color and charm to every page. Special shoutout to Steven, who is my favorite for a reason.

This is urban fantasy-light with murder mystery and romance all mixed in. There's a slow unraveling of supernatural elements, an ongoing whodunit, and romantic tension that reads more like flirty sitcom banter than angst. It’s a quick, easy read with solid pacing—perfect for a binge. While some moments feel rushed or too convenient (like both love interests being immediately smitten with Hanna), the cliffhanger ending delivers just enough intrigue to have you clicking "buy" on book two.

Hanna lands a dream job with suspicious ease, and the way both Abernathy and Morrison fall for her stretches believability. There’s definite wish fulfillment energy here, which some readers will love and others might side-eye. A lot of the plot’s conflict could have been cleared up if Abernathy was even mildly more forthcoming. Mysterious is sexy—but complete silence while women around you are turning up dead? Not so much.

Overall, “Love Bites” is the kind of book that knows exactly what it is—a fun, fast paranormal mystery-rom-com—and fully embraces its chaotic charm. It’s light on angst, medium on heat, and high on laughs. The story sets up a promising series with murder, magic, and mayhem waiting just around the corner. If you enjoy books that don’t take themselves too seriously but still deliver sharp writing and engaging mysteries, this one’s worth a bite.

🎨 Content Warnings: murder, mild gore, sexual content, themes of divorce and betrayal.
📚 Verdict: A clever and quirky start to a binge-worthy paranormal mystery series. You’ll laugh, you’ll guess, and you’ll probably end up buying the sequel.