Hair in All the Wrong Places

Hair in all the Wrong Places #1

by Andrew Buckley

What has he done?

What's happening to him?

And what on Earth is that smell?

For Colin Strauss, puberty stinks. Blackouts, hallucinations, and lapses in memory are the perils of growing up werewolf.

Worse than that, Colin worries he might have had something to do with the recent attacks on the townspeople. He may have eaten a person. It doesn’t matter that it’s someone he doesn’t particularly like. What kind of boy goes around eating people?

Foolishly, all Colin can think about is how Becca Emerson finally kissed him for the first time. Yep, hormones are afoot. Yikes!

But girls will have to wait. Collin better get himself under control before someone else ends up hurt or worse... dead.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Middle Grade, Werewolves, Horror, Urban Fantasy

231 pages, Unknown Binding

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

Andrew Buckley is an accomplished storyteller, educator, and keynote speaker with over two decades of experience in creative writing, storytelling, and marketing. As a published author, Andrew favours playing in the fantasy and paranormal sandboxes and has a terrible habit of writing with a humorous and satirical slant despite being asked politely on numerous occasions to ‘please stop doing that’. He continues to successfully navigate both traditional and self-publishing landscapes, crafting engaging speculative fiction that resonates with readers of all ages.

Known for his distinctive voice that seamlessly blends humour with compelling narratives, Andrew has established himself as a versatile creator across multiple platforms, including novels, comic books, screenplays, and podcasts. His engaging presentation style and deep understanding of storytelling mechanics make him a sought-after speaker at schools, colleges, writing conferences, and comic conventions worldwide.

Andrew is a self-proclaimed film school-educated writer, which means he’s spent most of his life with no money and a strong opinion about bad movies. Around the turn of the century he attended the Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film and Television program, graduating with excellence, and successfully selling multiple film and TV properties that have never seen the light of day. After abandoning the industry for many years, he was dragged kicking and screaming back into the film world when he co-wrote *Knight Terror*, a feature length horror comedy that is scheduled for production in late 2025.

As a marketing professional, Andrew has lent his expertise to major national and international brands, specializing in content creation, copywriting, and strategy development. His academic contributions include developing curriculum and teaching marketing, social media, and communication theory at the post-secondary level.

Based in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, Andrew continues to expand his creative portfolio while sharing his knowledge and passion for storytelling through various mediums. He is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management and maintains an active presence in both traditional and digital publishing spaces.

At the time you’re reading this, he’s likely busy working on several new projects and attempting to bend time and space to allow for more hours in the day.

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5/5 stars*

Really enjoyed this one, reminded me so much or Rick Riordan's style, which I ultimately love. Full review here!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin moves around a lot. From one family member to another and now he is stuck in a small town with his grandmother who is nasty to him and where he is bullied and considered a loser. He decides to run away only things don't go as planned. He is attacked by an animal and then starts having bizarre memories and hallucinations. His hunger increases and his body is changing. Turns out he is now a werewolf and this town is nothing like it seems.

I really enjoyed this story and Colin's experiences as puberty takes on a whole new meaning for him. I hope he will have more adventures, the setting is wonderful and there are so many secrets yet to uncover!

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hair in All the Wrong Places is a light-hearted comical fantasy read. It’s quirky, funny and fast-paced. I have to admit it isn’t my usual read but I enjoyed this book. The humour kept me giggling throughout.

Colin moved to Elkwood to live with his grandmother. Since moving to this small town he has never fit in. Colin is the average Joe. His school grades are acceptable and his social life is bearable. He is the guy that goes unnoticed, that is until he gets bitten by a werewolf. Now everything is changing. There is more to this small town than he realised. He may stand a chance with the girl of his dreams and he may be gaining hair in all the wrong places.

4 Stars out of 5. ARC received in exchange for a fair review.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin doesn't have a happy childhood. He's being bullied at school, his parents have abandoned him and he's being raised by an unkind grandmother. He lives in Elkwood, a strange village where he doesn't feel accepted. He has one friend at school, but he's often too busy to spend time with Colin. From afar he's got a crush on Becca, only he isn't popular boyfriend material, so he doesn't think he has a chance with her. Things drastically change for Colin when one night he sneaks out and drives around town by himself.

Colin's body is developing rapidly. He's less skinny, he can see and smell better, he's got an appetite and he has a lot more hair. What happened to him on the night he took his grandfather's car and why can't he remember? What's the connection between what happened to Colin and the classmate who's been eaten on that very same night? Colin has to figure it out before it's too late and more people will get hurt.

Hair in All The Wrong Places is a funny story about a boy who doesn't enjoy going to school and living with his grandmother. Colin's life is sad and lonely. He isn't afraid to speak up though and has a wonderful sense of humor. His reactions often made me laugh. When his body changes Colin's life becomes completely different, but fortunately he still has the same good-natured personality, which makes him a fantastic main character. The same goes for Becca, who's strong and inventive. She knows something Colin doesn't know, but he's bound to find out. A lot of secrets are being revealed and Colin finally understands many of the things that initially left him puzzled. Andrew Buckley has a great sense of timing and makes every revelation at the exact right moment.

Hair in All The Wrong Places is fast-paced and fabulous. I loved Andrew Buckley's ironic writing style. His writing is also vivid, to the point and laid-back, which makes it easy to picture everything he describes. I loved Colin, the people around him and the mysterious Elkwood. This book is both magical and entertaining, which is a good combination. I thoroughly enjoyed this cheerful story filled with creepy monsters.

[Laura Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything I love. An underdog, paranormal elements, action and first love. Right from the start I was hooked and found it extremely hard to put down. Colin is a self proclaimed loser who lives with his grandmother after being bounced around from one family member to another and only has one friend, Jeremy. He crushes on Becca and is bullied by a trio of friends but one night an unexpected event occurs and Colin will soon realize that not everything is as it seems. I love when an author excites my sense from the very beginning and keeps me enraptured in the plot along side fun and life like characters. This is a FANTASTIC read that I feel would be enjoyed by many age ranges and I cannot wait to read more of this author's books.

{I received an eARC when I signed up and was selected to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}

[Linda Teppler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Andrew just gets better as an author all the time. This book had all the gore and exciting wolfie descriptions fans love as well as a great story that never told us exactly who the main baddie was until the end. And I still want to know about ... Well I guess I will leave that question for a sequel, which this book could do with nicely!

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, during the course of a blog tour.

My review will be shared the day of my tour stop.

[Mieneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, werewolves… Between vampires, zombies and werewolves, which are sort of the staple monsters of the week in genre, werewolves have always been my favourite. Zombies generally give me nightmares, vampires are okay I guess, but meh. Werewolves, however, are super cool. I don’t know whether it is the “only be monstrous once a month thing” or the fact that it’s freaking wolves, but I’ve always liked them as monsters. As such, agreeing to read Andrew Buckley's Hair in All The Wrong Places wasn’t hard, especially as it sounded like it would be a tremendously fun read. And that first impression proved to be correct, with the added bonus of some great main characters who it was easy to love.

To start with those characters, our protagonist and narrator is Colin Strauss. At the start of the book Colin is your typical thirteen-year-old boy, whose main problems in life revolve around his trouble fitting in at school and living with a grandmother who doesn’t actually seem to like him much. This obviously doesn’t last long once the narrative gets going. Colin’s development is both a metaphor for puberty and the foibles of growing up and a great romp about the growing pains of a werewolf.

The budding romance between Colin and Becca was delightful, especially because they are rather down-to-earth about it and there was a lot of snarky back and forth, which I found endlessly entertaining. But the relationships that really touched me were the bonds Colin forms with his grandma and his mentor Silas. As a lad that has been basically abandoned by his parents, Colin has become pretty self-sufficient and doesn’t look to the adults in his life for much. As such his grandmother’s thawing towards him and Silas’ taking him under his wing and Colin actually letting them in was wonderful. Together they have to solve a huge threat to their community and this was an action-filled adventure that used these growing connections not just for emotional resonance, but to drive the plot as well.

Hair in All The Wrong Places is set in Elkwood, which is just a perfect place for this story. It felt like a mix between Storybrooke, Twin Peaks, and Hogsmeade, where many people aren’t what they seem and most don’t even know it. The creatures inhabiting the town were fun. They didn’t just display your normal, regular monster behaviours, but they also had really different ones, such as the vampires and werewolves not just being unable to co-exist because they are both apex predators, but because the actual smell of a werewolf makes a vampire violently sick, to name just one.

I was fascinated by Elkwood’s history and the book’s resolution also felt as if it opened up possibilities for future missions. Colin and Becca make a great team and I’d love to revisit them in the future. Humorous writing is always risky, because you can never be certain whether the reader will click with the author in that regard, but I definitely clicked with Buckley’s sense of humour. I had a great time with this entertaining, loveable middle grade novel. There is definitely some crossover with the younger end of YA, so if you have a reader that is just moved into reading YA novels, then they might like Hair in All The Wrong Places too.

This book was provided for review by the author.

[Phoebe Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the teenage werewolf book I’ve been wanting to read. It’s not perfect, and in some parts it’s a little confusing, but this is an enjoyable read for those who want a werewolf book that’s actually about werewolves. Colin is a boy living with his misanthropic grandma, and he thinks he’s a huge loser (and maybe he is, but maybe it’s just a high school thing). Colin gets bullied relentlessly at school by Gareth & Co. This is when he decides to run away, but there’s a werewolf plus a car attack that gets in the way. He hallucinates a lot, and I liked the instant post-bite action. None of that waiting a month for the next full moon here.

I like the awkward teen vibe Colin has going for him. It’s not forced. There’s a definite Teen Wolf vibe to Colin’s transformation. It’s fast/immediate. Colin has a friend (seriously, a single friend), and I guess part of the point is that he doesn’t really like or know anyone at school. This gives Colin’s character a feeling of isolation early on. He could’ve used a wacky friend.

There’s clearly something going on with Becca and her dad, Mr. Emerson, early on. Becca’s secret comes out later, and there are several mysteries surrounding people in this book that get dropped all together towards the end. You might guess the big secret, but you might not. It’s a standard enough paranormal twist, but there’s a certain level of confusion as to what is going on between different people in this story that it made me uncertain where it would resolve itself. A little surprise: not a bad thing.

Creepy dude, creepy dude, who are you? Silas Baxter, werewolf and werewolf hunter. There’s quite the conspiracy happening. It 100% involves Becca’s father, and that’s obvious. I wanted him to ultimately become more likable throughout the book, but Mr. Emerson never does. What kind of relationship does Becca have with her father? We never really find out. There’s a lot of strange people in Elkwood—the twins, Garth, Becca, her dad, Colin’s grandma. It feels like everyone else is in on this conspiracy except Colin. (And they are.) That’s okay, because Colin finds out soon enough what’s happening, and this story never makes you wait too long to get to the interesting parts.

Link to the blog review

[Sissy Lu {The Bookish Raven} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, it was comical, mysterious and entertaining. Andrew Buckley did well to blend in the awkwardness of a pubescent teen who has self-esteem issues. As if that isn't a hard enough period in life, add in a dose of werewolf-itis and you've got a pretty disastrous entry into teenhood.

Colin Strauss is a nobody, he's a dork, awkward and nothing to make one take a second look at him. He's been bounced around from family member to family member which means he's moved around his fair amount. Now he's living with his grandmother in Elkwood, she's blind and creepy. She also makes no qualms about her distaste for him.

He's constantly bullied in school to the point one day he's beaten and fairly humiliated in the alley nearby school and it drives him to steal his dead grandfather's car and try to leave town. Except the powers that be had a different idea and it was then that he was bitten by a mysterious creature.

That mysterious creature just happened to be a werewolf!

From there things become really interesting, a mystery murder pops up and Colin begins to not only experience new changes in his body, but there is a murder that must be unfolded and he cannot remember if it was him or not. The deeper Colin looks the more interesting things he finds out about Elkwood and its citizens, there are many, many secrets involved in this town.

Andrew Buckley creates this quirky little town full of interesting characters, that truly made me laugh out loud. This book was amusing and delightful to read. This would definitely be a fun read for a middle grader with the supernatural elements, mystery and humor tossed into it. Not to mention teen issues on top of it, such as attraction to the opposite sex.

What kept me from giving it a full five stars was that toward the ending it seemed to be prolonged a touch, but when you have an awkward, smart mouthy boy like Colin, it's not exactly a horrible thing!


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[Wortmagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im April 2016 passierte mir etwas Ungewöhnliches. Ich erhielt eine Rezensionsanfrage – auf Englisch. Da ich auf meinem Blog ausschließlich in Deutsch rezensiere, konnte ich es kaum fassen. Elli goes international, whoop whoop! Der kanadische Autor Andrew Buckley bat mich, sein neustes Werk „Hair in All the Wrong Places“ zu lesen und zu rezensieren. Ich schnupperte in die mitgesandte Leseprobe hinein und war sofort Feuer und Flamme. Das Buch sollte von dem kleinen Nerd Colin handeln, der sich in einen Werwolf verwandelt. Das klang nach Spaß, also sagte ich zu. Ende Oktober entschied mein Bauch endlich, dass es Zeit für die Lektüre war. Ich stürzte mich voller Vorfreude in Colins Abenteuer.

In einem Punkt waren sich Colin Strauss und sein Spiegelbild stets einig: er ist ein Loser. Ein großer, schlaksiger 13-jähriger Brillenträger, der bei seiner mürrischen Großmutter in Elkwood wohnt, die ihren Enkel für eine Verschwendung von Sauerstoff hält. Sein Leben war ganz und gar elend. Doch damit ist jetzt Schluss. Auf einmal sprießen Colin Haare an allen möglichen und unmöglichen Stellen. Er braucht keine Brille mehr. Sein Geruchssinn ist hypersensibel. Und erst die Muskeln! Vielleicht sollte er seine Verwandlung fürchten, aber er kann nicht anders, als jede Veränderung zu genießen. Auf Wiedersehen Loser, hallo Werwolf! Wäre da nur nicht die Ungewissheit, ob er etwas mit der Ermordung eines Mitschülers zu tun hat. Hat er ihn – igitt – gefressen? Colin muss herausfinden, was in jener Nacht geschehen ist und seine Kräfte zu kontrollieren lernen, bevor weitere Menschen verletzt werden. Während er versucht, die Rätsel seiner Werwolf-Existenz zu lösen, stolpert er über Geheimnisse, die seine Heimat in einem völlig neuen Licht erscheinen lassen. Offenbar ist Elkwood eine Menge, aber ganz bestimmt nicht langweilig.

Ich freue mich immer besonders, wenn mir ein Rezensionsexemplar gefällt. Es ist schön, dem Autor oder der Autorin positives Feedback geben zu können. Die Mail, die ich an Andrew Buckley schickte, nachdem ich „Hair in All the Wrong Places“ gelesen hatte, war für uns beide ein Grund zum Lächeln. Ich fand das Buch toll. Es punktete mit Witz, Charme und einer gehörigen Portion Action.
Wie erwartet genoss ich es in vollen Zügen, Colin bei seiner Transformation in einen Werwolf zu erleben. Er beobachtet jede noch so kleine körperliche Veränderung euphorisch. Seine Fähigkeit, sich über seine Verwandlung zu freuen, sicherte ihm zielstrebig meine Sympathie. Wie oft sind Gestaltwandler melancholische kleine Heulsusen, die ihrer Menschlichkeit hinterhertrauern, statt ihre neuen Kräfte zu begrüßen. Colin ist anders. Er opfert seine kümmerliche Existenz als Mensch gern für die Macht, die mit dem Dasein als Werwolf einhergeht. Er hasste sein Leben, er hasste Elkwood, er hasste die Schläger, die ihm jeden Schultag zur Hölle machten und ein bisschen hasste er wohl auch sich selbst. Für ihn ist die Infektion ein Segen, die ihn lehrt, sich so akzeptieren, wie er ist. Er mag sein neues Ich, wächst regelrecht in sein Leben hinein und erlangt sogar die Aufmerksamkeit des Mädchens seiner Träume, Becca. Kaum ein Young Adult – Roman kommt ohne Liebesgeschichte aus und „Hair in All the Wrong Places“ ist da keine Ausnahme. In diesem Fall fand ich diese allerdings reizend und überhaupt nicht aufdringlich. Becca ist reifer als die meisten Mädchen ihres Alters und hat eine angenehme, ernsthafte Ausstrahlung. Sie bestärkt Colins Selbstbewusstsein und zeigt ihm, dass es okay ist, individuell zu sein. Sie sind ein süßes Paar. Ich habe mich für Colin gefreut, trotz der Vorhersehbarkeit ihrer Beziehung. Ebenso fand ich es offensichtlich, dass Colin keinesfalls der Mörder seines Mitschülers Sam sein kann. Er ist ein lieber Junge und könnte niemals einen Menschen töten, nicht einmal als Werwolf. Dieser Erzählstrang geriet meiner Ansicht nach etwas durchschaubar, weil die Hinweise darauf, wer es tatsächlich gewesen sein könnte, ganz deutlich in eine bestimmte Richtung zeigen. Ich hatte bereits früh eine Vermutung, die letztendlich bestätigt wurde.
Von der großen Offenbarung hinsichtlich der wahren Natur Elkwoods wurde ich hingegen kalt erwischt. Das hatte ich nicht kommen sehen, obwohl mich im Verlauf der Handlung durchaus das Gefühl beschlich, dass dort irgendetwas Seltsames vor sich geht. Ich war schockiert – im positiven Sinne. Das Geheimnis, das Elkwood umgibt, ist gigantisch, fantastisch und bietet äußerst viel Potential für diverse Fortsetzungen. Diese Kleinstadt ist wirklich besonders, weshalb ich mir eine lebhaftere, greifbarere Atmosphäre gewünscht hätte. Andrew Buckleys Schreibstil ist bisher recht explizit. Meiner Meinung nach sollte er sich stärker an dem Prinzip „Show, don’t tell“ orientieren, um die Einzigartigkeit seines Settings zu unterstreichen und Elkwoods speziellen Charakter für sich selbst sprechen zu lassen. Auf diese Weise würde deutlicher, warum sich Colin keinen passenderen Ort für seine Verwandlung in einen Werwolf aussuchen konnte.

Manchmal ist Leichtigkeit in einem Buch mehr wert als ein ideal konstruierter Plot oder ein fehlerloser Schreibstil. „Hair in All the Wrong Places“ ist nicht perfekt, aber das muss es auch nicht sein. Colin ist es schließlich ebenfalls nicht. Es ist witzig, temporeich, kreativ und originell. Es hat Herz. Ich glaube, dass sich Andrew Buckley selbst nicht allzu ernst nimmt und seine Geschichte absichtlich mit einem Augenzwinkern erzählt. Meiner Meinung nach ist ihm am wichtigsten, dass seine Leser_innen Spaß an der Lektüre haben. Dieses Ziel hat er in meinem Fall definitiv erreicht. Ich fand „Hair in All the Wrong Places“ großartig und freue mich bereits jetzt unheimlich auf die Fortsetzung, die laut Buckley für August 2017 angesetzt ist. Ich drücke Colin ganz fest die Daumen, dass er die Pubertät als Werwolf unbeschadet übersteht.

Vielen Dank an Andrew Buckley für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionsexemplars im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension!

[Kim Upchurch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really quick, exciting read. Going to have to buy #2!!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this free book in exchange for an un-biased review.

Oh that title! You feel like you know just what you’re getting when you see it. A funny, tongue-in-cheek middle school book about werewolves. Puberty and monsters, in one silly package. I’m no stranger to this type of thing. I’ve got an 8 year old girl and a 15 year old boy. I’ve seen the Wimpy Kid books, watched the movies. Game night at our house is hilarious but at some point during the night I know I will plead, “Guys, no more fart jokes! Please!” I expected no more from this book. I looked forward to a fun read, but my eyes were ready to start rolling. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This book was delightful. It was still a ton of fun, don’t get me wrong. The main character, a young man who suddenly finds himself turning into a werewolf, is a mess of insecurity and growing pains. His attempts to charm the young woman he likes, while trying to deal with his personal changes are humorous. The character has a great sense of humor and is clever, though he’d never realize it about himself, but there is a sad history to him as well. Abandoned by his parents, he is isolated and lonely. The book has serious moments of peril and pathos. The scene where he is first bitten by the werewolf (I don’t feel like that’s a spoiler, we all know where werewolves come from), is harrowing. However, the book is nicely balanced, and the story moves along smoothly to its conclusion. It never gets too scary or too sad before it rights itself with some well-timed humor. The author’s experience with screenwriting shines here.

The atmosphere was also excellent, lending a sense of tension and apprehension to the scenes. I also liked the little details of how the physical changes affected the main character, his exaggerated sense of smell in particular being a nice touch. What I found most fascinating was the older werewolf we encounter. The glimpses we get of werewolf history and even the morality and ethics of monsters. Love it!

All in all, it was a fascinating, exciting and humorous read. I’m going to buy a copy for my son. I know he will enjoy it as I did. The author hints at the possibility of future books set in this world and I look forward to it. If you’d like a fun read, it’s well worth your time.

Spotify Song for this book: Level Up by Vienna Teng

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole's life basically sucks. Shuffled from place to place by his parents, who are too concerned with jobs and money to care for him, he finally ends up living with his grandmother. She is blind and cruel beyond words, always taking any opportunity to make him feel worthless. The town they live in is tiny, one of those "everyone knows everyone" types. And everyone knows he is an outsider. Kids at school are terrible to him, with the exception of his one friend Jeremy. And Becca...beautiful, goth Becca, who seems to have a crush on him FINALLY! But things are about to go from bad to just plain strange for Cole.

One evening after school, and another beat down from the bullies, Cole has had enough. He decided to take his late grandpa's car and go find his parents, beg them to let him stay. He never makes it though. Out of nowhere, a creature attacks the car and he ends up in the woods, in pain, with strange images flowing through his mind. Yet, when he wakes up, he is at home in bed. Thinking it was all a dream, Cole heads to school. All seems normal.... until it just.... IS... NOT!!

Hair in all the Wrong Places is a highly entertaining, adventurous story with a ton of humor, a little bit of romance, and mysteries abound. I had a blast reading this book, as I thought I would with a title as perfect as this one! There is never a dull moment. and it was interesting trying to anticipate all the twists and turns. Cole is a great character, one who deserves a huge pat on the back. I rooted for him from the get-go.

This book is so unique, truly, which is something that I highly appreciate. And look out for the twist at the end! I don't care how old you are, I think this is a book pretty much everyone could enjoy. Go ahead and give it a shot. And before I forget, the beginning is a letter to readers, and it was the PERFECT way to start this book. Automatic hook!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Each of the characters are so interesting and throughout the book you are keen to know more and that need for information drives you through this book and it became a sort of thriller to find out what will happen and who the killer is. I didn't really think that I would be so engrossed in this book and I kept thinking to myself that I would put it down at the end of the chapter however when I got to the end of the chapter I would just keep reading until eventually I got to the end of the book.

The description of the subtle changes that are occurring to Colin is amazing, yes he does turn into a werewolf however its the other changes such as having to shave every night and morning because his facial hair grows so quickly, it's little touches like these that really made me like the book as it is stuff that you don't see in other books and it really added to the idea of this poor boy becoming a werewolf but trying to hide it. Alongside these changes he also has to deal with the normal things that a teenage boy has to go through - school, homework, bullies and more importantly girls. How can you possibly focus on talking to girls when you're becoming a werewolf?! The idea seems impossible however it is written into the story so brilliantly that you really do feel sorry for Colin for dealing with these various changes.

It is a really enjoyable read, yes sometimes it can feel more middle grade than YA however it does fit in either category so I can't really knock it down for that. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout and although it isn't all fighting and attacks it still seems like there is action throughout the book.

Read more of this review and others like it at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/

[Nymisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Note : This book was given to me by Month9Books in return for an honest review. All opinions shared here are entirely my own and are not intended to offend anyone.)

Hair In All The Wrong Places is one of those books that really surprises me because I go in expecting the worst but it's really not. It is a young adult fantasy novel surrounding a werewolf. It's about a thirteen year old boy called Colin who gets bitten by an older werewolf. It deals with how a teenager's life changes when he suddenly goes from a lanky, awkward kid to a full blown muscled boy. That's about as much I can say without giving away spoilers.

Colin's narrative and personality is so dynamic and he'll take you for a ride. He's one of those kids that has a lot of depth but doesn't get too intense. He's honestly hilarious. I enjoyed reading from his point of view. He's emotional in all the right places and sarcastic wherever he can.

There was a fair bit of romance, or puppy love, in this book. It wasn't the core plot but added that touch of softness to the whole story. His love-interest is Becca Emerson and the mystery about her character is maintained up until the right point. You'll not see it coming.

Colin is the kid that gets beat up at school and is definitely not the outgoing, clique type of boys. This was something I could empathise with because I hated my school experience too. I don't know if Colin realises it but while reading I could really sense the strength inside him through his words and how he reacts to situations. He takes it all in stride.

Then he gets bitten and his mind and body is a mess. We get a little more insight into how...

Cick HERE for the full review on my blog.

[Carrie Ardoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, humorous read that fans of series like Percy Jackson and Goosebumps will love!

Colin Strauss doesn't fit in anywhere--least of all the town he's been living in for the past year. A town where he's had to endure the mean, blind grandma he lives with as well as bullying from cruel older kids at his school. He never gets a break. Until one day, by chance, he collides with a werewolf.

Colin is suddenly bigger, stronger, and well, hairier. He feels a strange power surging within him. He wants to eat EVERYTHING including his classmates! Colin must find out all about his freaky new shapeshifting ability all while trying to solve a murder he may have committed.

I immediately liked Colin and felt for him. Who hasn't been bullied or felt out of place? But when he decided he was going to do something about it, his life was changed forever. It was both funny and heartwarming to watch him deal with the wolf inside. If there was ever a kid who needed a jolt like becoming a werewolf, it was Colin Strauss.

As the book went on, the action never slowed down and I didn't once find myself losing interest. I finished it rather quickly once I learned all the secrets of the town. I am kind of hoping this is the beginning of a series so I can learn more about the intriguing townspeople living in Elkwood.

I did guess who the killer was early on, but the final showdown was worth it and still a fast paced part to read. I also didn't understand why Colin's grandmother had to be so mean to him all the time--it seemed unnecessary.

A little bit scary and gory, plenty hilarious, and with a little bit of romance, I think this book will be a hit with boys and girls from about 5th grade on.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone caught my eye--what a great one for a werewolf novel!

Colin is a kid with a pretty rough life. He's been pushed off to a small town to live with a super cranky grandmother, isn't exactly prime masculine material, is bullied and several townspeople make it clear that he's not welcome and should just leave. In other words, his life isn't exactly a sunny day dream. When enough is enough, and he tries to run away, a really weird accident turns his life upside down.

This is solid middle grade which will especially appeal to boys. The first pages start a direct conversation with the reader, drawing them in with tips and tricks to werewolves. After that, the story starts with Colin's miserable life. Any kid who has ever felt out of sorts and like a misfit will get Colin and feel for him. He's a natural type with a little sarcasm and not exactly filled with happy thoughts, except for the girl he likes...which he's also not sure how to deal with. So this really fits the age group well.

As for the writing, it does follow traditional story telling fashion for the most part, but throws in some other methods keeping it an interesting read. The pace flows nicely a little slower at times but never boring. The reader gets to know Colin and his thoughts well, which makes this an original and interesting pre-teen werewolf story with a fun twist.

Summed up, this is a great read for boys ages 9 and up, which takes a struggling boy and throws him into one of the whackiest situations ever. One thing is guaranteed, the readers will know how to deal with becoming a werewolf if, indeed, this problem should ever cross their path.

[Maddy Martinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad to be a part of "Hair in All the Wrong Places" Book Tour! Thank you so much to Chapter by Chapter for sending me a review copy of this novel and having me as a tour host! I really enjoyed the essence of the story - it is a quick read that is light and fluffy, definitely for someone who enjoys a type of Middle Grade fantasy. The main character is relatable and is easily understood throughout the entire book, and I found myself really enjoying what Colin had to say rather than wanting to skip to the action part of the plot. All of the characters are unique in their own ways and that element really assists the writing style as well, for you can tell when a certain character is talking without needing the extra "so and so said" at the end of each piece of dialogue. This was such a cute read, and I liked the romantic aspect as well, adding it in made the readers be able to root for the character and his love interest all while hoping that everything would turn out okay in the end. The romance did not over power the true nature and plot of the book, and for that I am thankful - we were able to focus at the problems at hand and not have the romance shadow over everything else that was happening throughout the novel. I highly recommend this book to fans of werewolf novels and any Middle Grade fantasy novel as well. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Andrew's writing and seeing more of his characters.

** You can find all of my reviews here, on my Goodreads page; add me as a friend!, as well as on my blog: www.thepaperworlds.blogspot.com and can find me on Instagram and Twitter as @thepaperworlds and on my Tumblr: www.thepaperworlds.tumblr.com **

[Karen Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello Andrew Buckley! Let me just say this.... I love me some werewolves! They have been one of my favorite supernatural creatures to read about. When I first received this request for this blog tour, I was a little hesitant because it was considered to be a middle-grade teen read, but Being a mother of teen boys, I was interested on this very different take on puberty.

Collin's life as a 13-yr-old is pretty miserable. Abandoned by his parents and passed from family member to family member, he ends up living with his grumpy, mean grandmother who calls him names everyday. Not to mention the bullying he receives at school, being a loser seems to be his life. That is until he steals his grandfather's old car one night trying to run away, but only to wake not remembering the events of the night. Now he is having weird dreams, crazy hallucinations, smells drive him crazy, and blank spaces in his memories. Even with all the weirdness, he gets a kiss on the cheek by the girl he has been crushing on all year. But even she seems to be hiding something.... along with the strange town he has been living in.

I can see this as a book a lot of teens, especially boys, could relate to and enjoy. There is a little of everything in this book from humor to action to a bit of romance. I am an action junkie and was satisfied with the way Buckley described details that weren't too graphic but exciting. Perfect for the age level involved.

Thanks to Chapter by Chapter, for the opportunity to review and share this great read! I recommend this book to everyone because it has something for us all!

[Jessica Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

UH-MAZE-ING!!


It's been a LONG time since my last Were read, but my love for all things werewolf has come back in full force!

Colin's life hasn't been the easiest, now living in a small town things can't seem to get any worse for him.....Suddenly his emotions are on steroids, his senses feel like they're on fire....even periods of time are missing. Colin just wants to know what the heck is going on, and when he finally finds out what's happening to him he takes it like any teenage boy would...AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

One of the things I absolutely loved about this entire book was that there wasn't a single predictable moment, not one. Trust me, there were a couple of times when I caught my self thinking, "...and THIS is when the bad guy jumps out!", but I was wrong. Every page was an unexpected twist, each character blew my expectation completely out of the water. Especially with Colin.

By the end of this book I would say that I was 100% committed to every character, no matter how small their roll. Andrew has a truly magical way with words, his character development is thought & it truly shines through in every single word.

Now my biggest issue....I have to sit here....patiently....waiting to see where Andrew takes Colin and the crew....if anywhere. (fingers crossed)





5/5

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard enough being a teenager without also dealing with an abnormal amount of body hair... and extra large teeth and claws. After a crazy night of unbelievable dreams, Colin's body starts changing. No more scrawny arms and bony legs. He has six-pack abs! He also has a beard that needs shaving three times a day. He meets a man named Silas who breaks the news that Colin is a werewolf. Silas knows this because he's the one that bit Colin. Silas is on the hunt for another evil werewolf, (Silas is a nice werewolf) that Silas suspects ate Colin's classmate.

Andrew Buckley has dished up a really fun murder mystery, fantasy, teen romance, comedy that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Lisa Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Such a fun read. Love, just love the title. A very fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love mysteries, especially murder mysteries and the fun
twisty ride through this book was awesome. Werewolves are my fav shifter and I'm always interested to see how an author handles this world. My granddaughter will be given a copy of this book as she's grown beyond the R L Stine books and I can't wait to discuss this story with her.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hair in all the Wrong Places is a quirky coming of age story with a wonderful supernatural twist. I enjoy all the more with the murder mystery. The main character is relateable and funny, while the supporting characters are interesting and well written.
I really hope this is not a stand alone.

[Carl Hackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Buckley is one of those authors who, when you've read one of their books, you know you will read everything they write. Hair In All The Wrong Places met and even exceeded my expectations. I read the novel in two sessions and only put it down the first time as I had a school visit.

Colin, a lanky weed of a kid whose reflection in the mirror agrees that he is a total loser, is sent to his grandmother's house because his parents couldn't be bothered to look after him. For most kids this would be a devastating occurrence, but for Colin it turns out to be the best thing that could ever have happened to him. Admittedly he is almost immediately bullied at his new school, nothing new there, but then he gets bitten by a werewolf when trying to run back to his parents; no idea why after the way they treated him, but there you go.

This turns out to be a positive event in his life and his new found strength and muscle growth are quite appealing to him. The increase in his sense of smell is also a boon, sometimes, as there are some things he can smell that I'm sure he would rather not.

The tale that follows is a fun read and will keep you pretty much enthralled throughout the entire novel and I have no hesitation in giving it five stars. I could have said more in the review, but any more would probably involve spoilers or me wittering on until I'd practically written out the entire novel :)

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was getting tired of all the Vampire-Werewolf-Zombies in the paranormal YA books.
So I didn’t think that I would enjoy this book this much.
Oh, I was wrong. Very wrong.

It started off like one of the John Green books (okay I admit, I’ve only read one, and I didn’t care for it much.) and then bit like Douglas Adams books (which is my FAVOURITE) and while the whole thing was like watching a Disney movie, with hint of Remus Lupin (werewolf, and a mentor. Duh).

Am I making sense here?

Well, anyway, it was a pleasant surprise for me.
I can’t wait to read the second book.

It was a light, fun read!

[Rebecca Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely recommend reading this book!

[Kristin Thorsness · Rating 5 out of 5]

The voice and wit in this book made me laugh out loud, and the heart left me excited to read its sequel. :-)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the title at the Scholastic book fair, I had to read it. It’s a perfect tween read! Part funny and part mystery/suspense. Don’t be scared of all the hair, it’s just your normal teenage boy werewolf.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hair in All the Wrong Places started off a bit slow, but once I got into it I just wanted to keep reading. I enjoyed the fast paced adventure in this book.