Cassie moves into her grandmother’s home after her passing, which is when she finds her former best friend turned bully, Seth, trying to break in. Turns out he’s a werewolf, she’s a witch, and they both can’t keep their hands off each other. 

I wasn’t totally into this book. At first I just didn’t love Seth’s version of a werewolf (more monster/creature, less wolf shifter), but then I just couldn’t get into the characters. I just didn’t vibe with them and it made it hard for me to get into the story. 

I also wasn’t expecting the plot to mainly be horniness. I thought there would be more issues with the Jerks (group of bullies) or something bigger but honestly the main storyline was dealing with the horniness. 

If you’re looking for something that’s pretty much all spicy scenes in the second half, you can give this one a try. It just wasn’t quite for me. There was too much I wanted more of - Seth apologizing, more grandmother stories/background/investigating, actual villains and not just high school bullies turned adults. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a chance to read and review this ARC. 

2 stars.

I did not like "How to Help a Hungry Werewolf" by Charlotte Stein. I am disappointed because I was really looking forward to it based in its description. This book should have been a young adult novel, especially considering the main characters act like they are 16. There was no reason this book needed to focus on adults because they certainly don't act like it. The spicy scenes feel added in at the last minute in an effort to broaden the reading audience. I totally understand why the main character, Cassie, is mad about what her supposed best friend, Seth, did to her in high school. Rightfully so! He fat-shamed her in front of the entire school, embarrassed her, and then ditched her for the "cool kids" while making fun of everything they used to love together. I get it, and I know what that feels like, so I can totally empathize. I don't need to read about it in a romance. It may have felt a little easier to believe if there was a big redemption, but Seth *barely* apologizes. Excuse me??! I did not like these characters. Cassie is SUCH A WHINER!!!! Oh my GOD, I wanted to slap her so frequently. On top of that, she deserves SO MUCH BETTER. She's just supposed to forgive Seth because he needs her help? Because he got hot? I say "F that!," BUT THEN SHE GOES AND DOES IT after complaining about him for over half the book!!! And Seth is *barely* a functioning person. He still doesn't know how to communicate in a basic conversation and she's falling for this dude?!? GIRL WHAT!?!? Baffling!!! AND!! Why are women still writing characters who fall for their bullies and not labeling them bully romances?! There is nothing lighthearted or funny about demeaning people only to turn around and let that person walk all over them years later. Even with the reason given, I was still pįssed off about how Seth treated Cassie. This is my second Charlotte Stein novel, and I have come to the conclusion that she is not the author for me. Despite the cool paranormal premise, I had a difficult time swallowing this book. It drags and drags and drags, and when I felt like it was nearly over, there was 37% OF THE BOOK LEFT. Nothing happens except talking for long stretches of time. It's plodding and infuriating. I appreciate that Stein writes about plus size characters, but they are almost always bleeding hearts with no backbone who let people trample over them for just one ounce of "love." Contrary to popular belief, you *can* have a good heart and not continue to accept disrespect from those who have wronged you. There are so many wonderful, funny, diverse paranormal romances out there with spectacular characters who have a genuine connection and know how to communicate with one another. Read those instead.

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlotte Stein, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf is a paranormal romance with a plus-size FMC,  a frenetic friends to enemies to lovers story with a slow burn into a dirty-talking inferno. To be honest, I don’t think I am the target audience for this book. I read it because I like Charlotte Stein and because I am trying to read romances with plus-size characters. 

While I was reading , I was reminded of Stein’s book “Never Sweeter” more than once. This was not a bad thing. “Never Sweeter” was one of the only bully romances I enjoyed (probably because it was more of a post-bully redemption story.) There is fat phobia and fat shaming on-page and historical. 

While this will never be a favorite of Stein’s books for me personally, I feel people who are shifter aficionados will enjoy it quite a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for an advance review copy. All opinions are solely my own.

This is a witchy small-town romance with friends to lovers and mating bonds. It really had the set up to be a cute story, but I really couldn't get into it. The characters were meant to be almost 30 but communicated like teenagers. Also, the author continually started sentences with and/or which was frustrating. It made whole sections seem like they were starting and stopping. Just stuttering along, it was awful. 

The plot would have been great for just the enemies-friends-lovers plot, but adding in the confrontation of Cassie and Seth's high school bullies just felt bloated. I think the story would have been way more interesting if it was about Cassie and Seth forgiving each other and discovering the magical world together. Instead, it just felt like a bad improv where the author kept yes anding the plot.

I did enjoy Cassie's foray into becoming a witch and discovering herself. I thought her enthusiasm and wonder were well done and fleshed her character. I also liked the dirty talk in the book. It was definitely spicy. But a lot of the actual communication between Cassie and Seth seemed like they were still in high school. The story would have worked a lot better if the characters were in their early 20s instead of late 20s.

Look, I didn't like this book. I thought it was messy and overall, it just wasn't for me. 

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy. All opinions are mine.

Charlotte Stein's "How to Help a Hungry Werewolf" is a delightful foray into the paranormal romance genre, and as a first-time reader of this type, I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The chemistry between Cassie and Seth is electric, drawing readers into their complex relationship filled with humor and tension. The narrative balances steamy moments with witty banter, making it both explicit and engaging.
Stein's writing captures the essence of small-town charm while exploring themes of forgiveness and self-discovery. The plot twists, add an exciting layer to the story. Overall, this book is a cozy, enchanting read that left me eager for more adventures in Hollow Brook. 

Cassie and Seth were a blast to read about, Seth's awkwardness was so charming and cute and Cassie's badassery as a witch was addictive to read. I absolutely loved "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" and this tops it to the next level. I'm officially a Charlotte Stein Stan after this best friends to enemies to lovers whirlwind of a book I fell in love with this world so easily and I already need more of this world and more of these characters PLEASE 

This is a silly fun little romance and I absolutely loved it + loved how Seth tried to makeup for his shitty teenage behavior 

Thank you so much SMP for the e-arc all opinions are my own

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! 
Sexy, fun, trauma healing, and even better enemies to friends to lovers. We've got spice, rife, toil and trouble. Hunky hunks and curvaceous witches. You don't have to read this, but you know, you should.