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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Note: This ARC was provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lone Wolf by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt is the fourth novel in the multi-authored Bluewater Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment. Book four spotlights two men who also happen to be gifted writers, one with an already established name and following and one who moonlights as a fan fiction author. They start off as two usernames, "Wolf Hunter" and "Lone Wolf", on a forum dedicated to Wolf's Landing but establish a friendship over two years. When Wolf Hunter suggests they meet to discuss Lone Wolf's fan fiction, circumstances for and between the two begin to change.
Hunter Easton is a former career military man turned bestselling author, thanks to his widely popular Wolf's Landing book series that has been turned into an equally successful television series filmed in his town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. People can't get enough of his books and the demand for book eight to be released is high. Unfortunately, Hunter is having difficulty finishing it, no thanks to an old-fashioned case of writer's block. An online friend shares his Wolf's Landing fan fiction with him and Hunter is pleasantly surprised by how fantastic it is, believing it could be just what the series needs.
Kevin Hussein is an IT specialist but his true passion is writing and he's always been able to do that by writing Wolf's Landing fan fiction during his free time. Usually limited to short stories and snippets, Kevin's finally able to put together novel-length fan fiction and shares it with his closest friend who just happens to be someone he met online on a forum they both hang out at. Little does he realize that the "Wolf Hunter" his "Lone Wolf" has been friends with is none other than his literary idol and writer of the Wolf's Landing series of books--Hunter Easton.
Kevin's life begins to undergo developments he would never have dreamed of but the reality of it all starts to take its toll on him and he desperately looks to Hunter for guidance. Hunter tries his best to provide Kevin the support that he needs as his professional life shifts from one industry to a completely different one, but Kevin sees it as Hunter pushing him away and begins to wonder what Hunter's true motivations are. On the other hand, Hunter is used to being protective of his space and solitude but is that more important than Kevin filling a void he never realized existed?
Both Hunter and Kevin love writing but we find them at two different points in their writing careers: Hunter has achieved success and status but is already faced with writer's block while Kevin is just about to make it big but is already overwhelmed by the demands being put on him by suddenly becoming a very public figure. I liked that the story wasn't about Hunter taking advantage of Kevin's talent. It allowed the book to take the story on a more original and creative angle and didn't rely on what would be considered the more common tangent.
They had a what I'm assuming is about a twenty-year age difference but, aside from some kidding around, it wasn't really a factor in their relationship, which was nice since that's usually an issue in other books. This latest book in what's already an interesting series definitely raised the heat level but it wasn't just about the sex because the characters and story are more than enough to keep your attention from start to finish. If you haven't read any of the books in the series, they can all be read as standalones, though there's definitely no harm in reading them in order. ^.^ Lone Wolf gets five stars! ♥
Lone Wolf by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt is the fourth novel in the multi-authored Bluewater Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment. Book four spotlights two men who also happen to be gifted writers, one with an already established name and following and one who moonlights as a fan fiction author. They start off as two usernames, "Wolf Hunter" and "Lone Wolf", on a forum dedicated to Wolf's Landing but establish a friendship over two years. When Wolf Hunter suggests they meet to discuss Lone Wolf's fan fiction, circumstances for and between the two begin to change.
Hunter Easton is a former career military man turned bestselling author, thanks to his widely popular Wolf's Landing book series that has been turned into an equally successful television series filmed in his town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. People can't get enough of his books and the demand for book eight to be released is high. Unfortunately, Hunter is having difficulty finishing it, no thanks to an old-fashioned case of writer's block. An online friend shares his Wolf's Landing fan fiction with him and Hunter is pleasantly surprised by how fantastic it is, believing it could be just what the series needs.
Kevin Hussein is an IT specialist but his true passion is writing and he's always been able to do that by writing Wolf's Landing fan fiction during his free time. Usually limited to short stories and snippets, Kevin's finally able to put together novel-length fan fiction and shares it with his closest friend who just happens to be someone he met online on a forum they both hang out at. Little does he realize that the "Wolf Hunter" his "Lone Wolf" has been friends with is none other than his literary idol and writer of the Wolf's Landing series of books--Hunter Easton.
Kevin's life begins to undergo developments he would never have dreamed of but the reality of it all starts to take its toll on him and he desperately looks to Hunter for guidance. Hunter tries his best to provide Kevin the support that he needs as his professional life shifts from one industry to a completely different one, but Kevin sees it as Hunter pushing him away and begins to wonder what Hunter's true motivations are. On the other hand, Hunter is used to being protective of his space and solitude but is that more important than Kevin filling a void he never realized existed?
Both Hunter and Kevin love writing but we find them at two different points in their writing careers: Hunter has achieved success and status but is already faced with writer's block while Kevin is just about to make it big but is already overwhelmed by the demands being put on him by suddenly becoming a very public figure. I liked that the story wasn't about Hunter taking advantage of Kevin's talent. It allowed the book to take the story on a more original and creative angle and didn't rely on what would be considered the more common tangent.
They had a what I'm assuming is about a twenty-year age difference but, aside from some kidding around, it wasn't really a factor in their relationship, which was nice since that's usually an issue in other books. This latest book in what's already an interesting series definitely raised the heat level but it wasn't just about the sex because the characters and story are more than enough to keep your attention from start to finish. If you haven't read any of the books in the series, they can all be read as standalones, though there's definitely no harm in reading them in order. ^.^ Lone Wolf gets five stars! ♥
geeknb's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the fandom/writer problems on this one more than the romance. I couldn't quite get a grip on Kevin and his insecurities. Or Kevin in the bedroom. To start he was all pushy with heavy hints about handcuffs in his overnight bag but that didn't really go anywhere.
Spoiler
And don't get me started on the ending. Kevin should have manned up and gone to see Hunter. Or least have made a phone call. I got the impression Kevin would have let Hunter get away if Hunter hadn't made the first move.caitri's review against another edition
5.0
I received an advance copy of the ebook through NetGalley in exchange for this review.
Lone Wolf is one of those m/m romance novels that is evocative of fanfic—in a good way. More than once I’ve had conversations with fannish friends about how we wish that finding books we want to read were as easy as finding fanfics that suit our mood; the “coffeehouse” and “bookstore” stories that are the literary equivalent of hot chocolate or ice cream to comfort and soothe. Lone Wolf evokes both of these tropes, adds some meta discussions about writing and fanfic, and provides the obligatory steamy sexy and happy ending (pun not intended at first, but now it is) that will please many a reader.
The novel is part of Riptide Publishing’s “Bluewater Bay” series, a set of (so far) five novels by ten writers set in a shared universe. The eponymous bay is home to author Hunter Easton, famous for his Wolf’s Landing paranormal novels that are being adapted for a popular television series that is also being shot in the small town in northwest Washington. The popularity of the books and television series is meant to evoke Twilight and Game of Thrones—and does so in a way that encourages even more nods and winks to the audience. After all, it is the vast popularity of rewritten fan novels of Twilight that have given mainstream audiences a knowledge of contemporary fandom that makes a lot of the discussions in Lone Wolf accessible to the reader in a way that they wouldn’t have been even five years ago.
You see, Hunter Easton, famous author, also likes to hang out in his own fan forum using the pseudonym Wolf Hunter, and his best friend in fandom is Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf has just finished his long-awaited fan novel—one that Hunter has been waiting for as eagerly as the other fans online. Disobeying his editor’s injunction to never read fanfic, Hunter has read everything by Lone Wolf, but nothing by anyone else. (This is how we know they have something **special** together.) Hijinks ensue when Hunter finishes the fic, absolutely has to meet Lone Wolf in person, finds out that he is gorgeous, gay, and single, and online friendship quickly becomes in person romance. In the meantime there are discussions of fandom, the writing trade, the con circuit, and all of those things that are one part wishful thinking to three parts absolute accuracy. (Ever been in a miserable writing critique circle when you know you’re a great writer? Yeah, those scenes are here. Ever had long, in-depth conversations about fictional people as if they were real? Those too. Love the perfect coffee shop setting with the elaborate descriptions of delicious caffeine? Oh yes.)
Lone Wolf is a quick, easy read, and the perfect thing to relax with when you’ve had too much “real life”—online, or off.
ariannemaya's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, but really not as much as what I was hoping, considering who wrote it. I loved all the references to fandom; it shows that the authors know what they are talking about and respect fandom for what it is. The two MCs were adorable, and the other characters around them very enjoyable. Problem is, at some point, it felt like the conflict boiled down to them not talking to each other, or talking but assuming stuff instead of asking what the other meant. It got very, very annoying. And that's not something I say often, but there was almost too much sex; one or two scenes could have been cut and the story wouldn't have suffered in any way. It wasn't boring, but if I get to a sex scene and think, "what, again?" well there's a problem.
tellingetienne's review
2.0
First, I want to say I think a lot of people who were into the first book in the series are really going to enjoy this follow up. It's a cute book with solid writing from a author duo who work well together.
So why am I only giving this two stars? It just didn't work for me, I couldn't suspend my disbelief for the plot to work. Hunter and Kevin were cute enough characters, but because I wasn't buying the plot, they just became generic romance guys doing generic romance things. I ended up skimming the end of the book, just so I would be able to give it a fair enough review.
So why am I only giving this two stars? It just didn't work for me, I couldn't suspend my disbelief for the plot to work. Hunter and Kevin were cute enough characters, but because I wasn't buying the plot, they just became generic romance guys doing generic romance things. I ended up skimming the end of the book, just so I would be able to give it a fair enough review.
teresab78's review
3.0
Far too long for the plot. It got repetiative and boring. I struggled to remain engaged. I did like the premise and the characters. There were funny moments but not a lot of tension.
jolie1883's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
This book, like the others in the series are easy to read, easy to follow and had no complicated plots/subplots that could possibly ruin your lunch. I liked it, like a sweet unexpected breeze that swings the hammock.
This book, like the others in the series are easy to read, easy to follow and had no complicated plots/subplots that could possibly ruin your lunch. I liked it, like a sweet unexpected breeze that swings the hammock.
dreamerfreak's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
My life is too much right now to write a full review, but I will say that the view of fans and fandom presented in this book was upsetting, and, as someone deeply involved in fandom, kind of offending?
On top of that, Hunter is a bit of a creep, and the sprinkle of Islamophobia didn't help. The only saving grace that rounded this out to an entire star was the fact that against all odds I found myself unexpectedly enjoying this from time to time because Witt and Voinov are just good writers, even when the subject matter is dicey.
On top of that, Hunter is a bit of a creep, and the sprinkle of Islamophobia didn't help. The only saving grace that rounded this out to an entire star was the fact that against all odds I found myself unexpectedly enjoying this from time to time because Witt and Voinov are just good writers, even when the subject matter is dicey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Islamophobia