Title: A Curse of Blood and Wolves (Wolf Brothers #1)
Author: Melissa McTernan
Genre: Fantasy romance
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Publication Date: October 1, 2023
Format: Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by Net Galley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review
Length: 356 pages

Read if you like: little red riding hood retelling in an adult fantasy setting, extremely spicy fantasy, fated mates, a range of magical creatures, slow burn romance, miscommunications 

Rating: 

*A quick note: when I receive a complimentary ARC of a book via Net Galley, a publisher, an author, or otherwise, this does not impact my review of the book. All my reviews are my honest and genuine thoughts and feelings.

A Curse of Blood and Wolves jumped out at me because of the premise: a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in a fantasy romance novel. Admittedly, I love fairy tales, so the thought of getting an adult one was very appealing to me. I was grateful to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was clear from the very first page that this book was going to be focused very closely on the romance aspects of the plot, and that it was going to contain a heavy degree of spice. It took a little while for the plot to begin to ramp up in tandem with the establishment of the spicy romance aspects, but once it did, I found the book a quick, entertaining read.

If you’re looking for a spicy romance with a light fantasy setting, this was an easy read to get into and breeze right through. I typically prefer my books a little more plot-heavy, but I enjoyed my time with this one and can see some potential for the rest of the series based on the plot twist ending. 

The Book: A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan

A Curse of Blood and Wolves follows Ruby Bellerose, a feisty 20-something woman working at a bar in a small town in Maine. Ruby works long shifts to support both her and her sister, who has fallen ill with random visions that plague her frequently enough that she can’t manage to hold down a job. Ruby’s parents died tragically when the girls were young in a car crash, and her aunt raised them in her home until her death when the girls took ownership of the cottage for themselves.

As Ruby is walking home, she senses something watching her. While she’s a little freaked out, she’s also a little excited about the prospect, and she lets it go on for some time before addressing the figure in the shadows. The figure is Rafe, a werewolf who finds himself inexplicably drawn to Ruby, and while he’s initially satisfied to stay hidden in the shadows, when Ruby is attacked by an unfamiliar werewolf, Rafe steps in to save her and finds he can’t leave her be afterwards for desperate fear of her safety. Ruby isn’t used to having anyone look out for her and is trepidatious of Rafe’s presence, but eventually concedes to allow him to stay with the girls until they determine who is trying to hurt her.

From here, Ruby and Rafe embark on adventures to try to determine who could be after Ruby while also developing feelings for each other. Before the end of the book, both Ruby and Rafe will have to face all of the skeletons in their respective closets while sorting through their feelings for each other as they try to solve the mystery of who is hunting the girls, and what role they want in each other’s lives as they address it.

The Review

You know that feeling when you pick up a book with the explicit purpose of feeling good and forgetting reality? And you’re not fussed about what the book is about or how strong a piece of literature it is, you just want to enjoy a new story? This is what A Curse of Blood and Wolves did for me. It initially felt light on plot, and the characters were so incredibly horny at all times that at the beginning, I was a little irritated as I just wanted to get to know them on a deeper level, but I soon sunk into the story and before long, was finding it supremely entertaining.

In terms of the characters, Ruby and Rafe were fun and easy to understand. I think Ruby was supposed to be a little more goth, a little more hard-edged, but I found from page one that seemed like a front and you only know her as a softer character just trying to get by. Similarly, Rafe was also clearly supposed to be tough and vicious, but he came off as broodier and more sensitive than anything else. When they finally overcame their miscommunications, it was nice to see them come together. I felt they were stronger characters together than they were apart.

The plot was light, and so was the fantasy setting. It was contemporary fantasy, so mostly very familiar elements, and there was an overarching danger that propelled the characters forward, but the focus was more on the romance than anything else.

As a whole, I felt like this was an entertaining book. I think it would resonate well with readers who like the romance aspect of romantasy more than the fantasy aspect, and I think the plot left some interesting potential for book two. I read it between heavier books, and I felt like that added to the experience, as I enjoyed getting lost in the silly banter and romantic vibes that the book gave off. It was a quick and enjoyable read and I’m glad I squeezed it in right before the end of the month. It releases October 1, so if it sounds appealing to you, know that it hits shelves soon!