Author: Allegra Hall

Series: Lost Moon: Unravelling Monsters Universe

First Published: 24 November 2024

“I’m not a patient man. I’m used to getting what I want and getting it quick, but for you I will be as patient as you need me to be. Whatever you need from me, I’ll do it.”

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Allegra for sending a copy my way!

For wolves, there is always the small chance that fate will choose your partner.

Werewolf and practicing witch Bronte may be the chosen heir to her grandmother’s dynasty, but when she makes a split decision it threatens to alter the course of her future. Chasing pixies and a stolen relic into the human world leads her straight to Weston, a handsome and wealthy wolf shifter with questionable morals and a scent that calls to her like nothing else ever has before. With her inner wolf crying ‘mate,’ it’s impossible to deny the instant attraction between them.

Pack alpha Weston has no intention of ever settling down, that is until he meets his fated mate. Bronte is perfect; beautiful, intelligent, powerful, and headstrong. However, they are from two different realms, are two different wolves — shifter and werewolf — and they both have ties and obligations they are expected to keep.

Weston cannot abandon his pack, and Bronte is hiding something about the magical stone she needs to retrieve. There’s no doubting the lust and instinct-driven loyalty between them, but reconciling their two different lives seems impossible, and the question

Is this love, or has fate made the wrong choice?

When Allegra Hall announced that she was releasing a prequel to A Wolf in the Garden, which tells the story of Van’s parents, I did not think I was going to enjoy it as much because of Weston. But boy, was I wrong. I adored Howl so much! We got to see The First Realm, and I loved seeing how Weston and Bronte’s star-crossed lovers romance happened.

Bronte has spent her life trying to live up to her grandmother’s impossibly high standards as the chosen heir to the most powerful werewolf clan. She’s endlessly fascinated by the Second Realm and spends her spare moments watching contraband VHRs. When a gaggle of rogue pixies steal a valuable heirloom and open a portal into the Second Realm, without thinking, Bronte follows them. She ends up in New York City and lead to Weston – her fated mate and the man she’s had visions of. What she didn’t expect was for him to be a powerful alpha shifter rather than a werewolf. Weston is equally perplexed, but can’t deny that his wolf recognises Bronte as his mate. He’s a powerful, ruthless leader who never planned to settle down, as he has a pack to care for and a tech company to run. Though powerfully drawn together, the couple faces insurmountable obstacles: conflicting duties and a bitter rivalry between their races.

I was not expecting the time travel elements, but I adored it. It gave me The Time Traveler’s Wife vibes. I loved getting to West at different points in their life. It was amusing that their arguments are what triggered her time travel visions, and it’s future West who talks her through how stupid his past self is. These moments felt like the universe telling Bronte that she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. There is an understandable tension as the pair learn to communicate and compromise. West is used to getting his way, no questions asked, but so is Bronte. I was a little worried that there was going to be a slight power imbalance, and that Bronte was going to be the only one who had to make sacrifices for their relationship but, thankfully, that’s not the case. 

West is the textbook definition of a cold, grumpy hero who’s only soft for his heroine and I ate that up. It was so sweet. And the way his future self could recognise when past Bronte was there are always checked in to see how she was and what was happening in her timeline make me swoon.

In terms of the steamy scenes, there is a strong breeding kink in here, just a heads up if that’s not your jam. During her visions, Bronte has her meeting her children. She is desperate to see them again, so a lot of the steamy scene is here to focus on getting her pregnant.

I loved the exploration of the werewolf and shifter culture we have here. We are told that they are mortal enemies after the historic war left the shifters with no territory in the First Realm and they’ve had to migrate to Earth, where they are trapped under the veil. West’s interactions with Bronte’s family, and Bronte’s with West’s pack, are intricately infused with the conflict and animosity between their two races. It added to the whole star-cross lovers’ vibe. I enjoyed watching the pair learn more about each other’s cultures and unlearn toxic stereotypes.

Howl’s set in the 90s, which as a 90s kid I adored. I just loved all the little nods Allegra included from fax machines, VHR tapes and pop culture references. It was subtle, but the perfect way to highlight to time period. Plus, we get our initial glimpse of The First Realm, a traditional high fantasy environment, which is a delightful contrast to the urban setting. In this timeline, the veil is still in place so loved getting to learn how the glamour affects everyone.

I would love to get more from Bronte and West’s story – even if it’s just a short story – especially given the last few visions we have. I am completely enchanted by the world Allegra has created. I am beyond excited for the release of the next one, where we’ll be back in New Zealand and feature a dragon shifter. Say less, I need to read it ASAP. If you like monster and paranormal romance, this series is 100% for you. As Howl is a prequel, you can either read this first or start with A Wolf in the Garden and then pick it up. The choice is yours!