Caffeinated Reviewer

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London is the first standalone in the Darkaway Island series. If you love small-town supernatural romances with a secret island, the Bachelor TV show vibes and a bit of suspense mixed in, you’ll love this sexy, cozy paranormal romance.

Daphne Dupree needed to get out of town after things at work got a little…complicated. The last thing she expected when she filled out a silly online quiz was winning a singles trip to paradise. Too good to be true? Probably.

Turns out, Darkaway Island is more than a little strange. People in costumes. Large dogs running around unleashed. And there’s a lot of crazy talk about monsters.

But the weirdest of all is that she seems to be part of a…dating contest.

The prize: a smoking-hot cowboy with an unhealthy fixation on the moon.

Travis Monroe wasn’t planning to stay long on the island. As the grumpy werewolf star of a supernatural soap opera, all he wants is to give his newly-inherited ranch to his sister then fly back to the set on his private plane.

Trouble is, if he isn’t mated by the White Wolf Moon, the ranch reverts to a half-brother he just met, and his sister loses everything.

Solution: Find a mate, sign over the property, break up. Falling in love isn’t in the script.

As Travis and Daphne spend time together on group dates and one-on-ones, his feelings for her grow, extending far beyond duty to his family. And she learns he’s more—much more—than just fangs and fur.

But a rival pack is stirring up trouble, and Daphne is hiding a secret of her own.

Do Travis and Daphne find love in paradise only to lose it in the end?

I’ve enjoyed reading books by Laurie London and was delighted to see that she is publishing again. Running with the Werewolf is the first in the Darkaway Island series. This first book is about Daphne Dupree and Travis Monroe. Daphne’s life is currently complicated. She is on the run when she learns she has won an online contest. An all expenses paid trip that is just the escape she needs.

When she boards the ship destined for Darkaway Island, she has her first met cute with Travis Monroe. She doesn’t know it, but Travis is a shifter and TV star whose father’s recent death has put him in a difficult situation. The tale that unfolds is delightful as Daphne learns not only is she taking part in a dating game but that supernatural creatures exist.

I loved Darkaway Island, from its coffee shops to its unusual guests and inhabitants. It’s like a destination holiday place for the supernatural world. Travis is a werewolf soap opera star who needs to marry before the next White Wolf Moon or he and his sister will lose their family ranch. Travis hopes to marry, give the property to his sister and divorce after. He never intended to find love. Swoon.

London weaves in some suspense as we learn about Daphne’s troubles and a certain book she is trying to get rid of and unhappy contestants. Travis’s sister created the contest to help him find a mate. He’ll play the game, but not by the rules. The author takes some time to introduce us to some contestants and folks who call Darkaway Island their home. I loved it, from the fairies to the seedier side.

The romance was sweet, with some heated moments that I quickly devoured. It was fun watching love sneak up on Travis and Daphne. Overall, this was a fun, light, cozy paranormal romance with familiar tropes and a supernatural twist on the Bachelor that made me smile. A fun novel for book club. (includes recipe and book club questions) I look forward to the next couple.

Amazon

About Laurie London

Laurie London lives in a small town outside of Seattle, but it's not Forks. She's been a cocktail waitress, hotel maid, candy store manager, and a bridal gown salesperson. Although she's married to her husband and has two lovely children, she enjoys writing stories about men who don't exist in real life.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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