A page-turning paranormal suspense novel about a woman fighting for a new life―and the bite that shifts everything.
"A deeply satisfying tale . . . werewolf fans should check this out." ― Publishers Weekly
To escape her violent ex, Charlotte flees her home in the middle of the night with nothing but the cash in her pocket and a paper map leading her north to Alaska. She sheds her old self along the dyeing her hair, scrubbing off her fake California tan, and pawning all her jewelry. None of it is worth anything if she can’t stay alive.
Alone in the wilderness, Charlotte feels safe at last. Even if she’s lost, even if she’s only got a burner phone that lost its last bar miles ago, and even if she missed her turn and can’t find the cabin she was promised by a friend. Tucked into a sleeping bag in the back seat of her ancient truck, she’s finally living life on her own terms.
But that feeling is short-lived. In the middle of the woods, Charlotte’s attacked, brutally, unforgivingly―and something bites her leg. And it’s a bite that will change her life forever.
Z.W. Taylor is the author of "The Bite" series. When she's not writing, she wonders why her coffee pot sounds like a gurgling bogeyman, debates whether her cat is conspiring against her, and fills blank pages with ideas for the future.
The beginning of this book reminded me of the movie sleeping with the enemy
Charlotte is on the run from Nate, with the help of their housekeeper
He said he loved it rough, but too many nights had left her with purple prints around her neck for her to feel the same. He’d bought so many things for her that eventually her entire existence felt purchased…… he thought by buying her all those things would make up for his Abuse of her……. so, she was flat out done with him
Racing across the country heading towards Alaska where her housekeeper brothers cabin was…….. But then of course somehow, she manages to find herself in a sticky situation
But of course, with her pure luck she would get lost in the middle of Alaskan’s wilderness right as the sun was setting
Welcome to the world of supernatural’s If it wasn’t bad enough for Charlotte was on the run from her psychopath ex-boyfriend now she is fighting to survive being bitten by a werewolf.
Side note: This wasn’t a romance novel and there was no spice, if that’s what you are looking for
There is a somewhat of cliffhanger! I am looking forward to what is coming in the next installment ….. Mind you the next installment is already out. and I loved that cover as well
I’m very disappointed with the new published version. I felt that none of the characters were likable, the dialogue was choppy/unnatural, and the narration was confusing. I almost DNF. I was also surprised by the amount of spelling and grammatical errors- I was not expecting this in the published version. 1/5
I will be returning to the Wattpad version and pretending this sad imitation does not exist.
I haven't read a werewolf book as vividly descriptive as this one, it was fascinating. What happens after a bite to a human is so detailed in this story. It was well written and the characters are really great. A easy fast read that will leave you wanting more wolf stories.
Imagine the movie “Sleeping with the Enemy,” but if Julia Roberts ran away to Alaska, got bit by a werewolf, and started to turn into one!
The problem is, most humans who are bit end up dying because they don’t have werewolf DNA that makes the transition easier on their body. In order to fully transition, our FMC has to make it through 3 very painful full moons while trying to hold back the wolf inside of her so she doesn’t die.
She has help from a loner werewolf and a vampire as she tries to build up her strength to make it through the upcoming full moon. All while a pack of werewolves may want to kill her, she has the potential to go “rogue” based off how she was changed, and her abusive ex is trying to find her.
I thought this was the most fun, perfect werewolf book! I literally read this book in a day because I couldn’t put it down! I stayed up until 3:30 am reading it!
A few things to note:
-There are flashbacks and references to the physical, mental, and emotional abuse she went through with her ex. But it wasn’t too gory or uncomfortable in my opinion. -There was a near SA that she was saved from. -This wasn’t a romance and there was no spice, but I think those two things are going to happen later in the series. -There is not an annoying cliffhanger! So you don’t have to be frustrated that book 2 doesn’t come out until March of 2024.
I absolutely ate this up and it scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had. Turns out I was desperately missing a werewolf story in my life.
If I am comparing this book to the original edition, then this is sorely lacking. I know that when publishing, you need to take out and revise a lot. However, this published edition is not the same story as the original and it will never be as good as the original. It was good in it's own way but everything felt watered down when compared. The author said in a Q&A that we need to trust her with where she is taking the story but again, this feels like a completely different book. I would buy the original multiple times in a heartbeat no matter how long it is or how unedited it is, even though it's basically perfection. The original series is one that I have reread over and over again. It really changed me to my core where I endeavor to be more like Charlotte from the original edition. Regardless, I am curious to see what the other books in the series will look like.
Did I love everything in this book? Yes. Did they cut out my favorite part of the original story? Also yes. I totally understand why it was edited down and I hope they’re are incorporated into book 2 but there was definitely room for more of the story here. Levi had so much more depth on the original version and honestly really wish we had seen more of that here. Charlie and Levi’s relationship is one of my favorite parts of the story and to see so much of it missing is kind of sad. Still, I love this book and am looking forward to what comes next. For now, I’m going to go reread the original.
The original version of The Bite was one of the first books that I read on Wattpad and it was one of the reasons why I fell in love with reading.
I completely understand why the author decided to cut this series up because the original books were LONG, but because of that, I found this one to be kind of boring.
The changes that have been implemented in the published version are very intriguing though and it makes me excited for the future books and to see what else will be different and how it’ll all tie together.
3.5 ⭐️ This book has issues with pacing and over explanation, but it also has top tier body horror and lore that I would have been obsessed with in middle school so I’ve got to respect the craft
As someone who read Anne Rice for vampire lore and many others for werewolf lore, as a teenager and loved it; I was so excited about this book. But I have to ask myself, how are the ratings so high? The grammar issues are awful. However, I enjoyed the plot. I enjoyed it tremendously, which is the only reason I finished the book. But the spelling, grammar, and oftentimes scattered thoughts were hard to decipher sometimes. It was bad writing with a good plot. I wish I hadn't spent the money.
I received a signed copy of this book from the author recently and read all 300 pages in one sitting. I had never even heard about it before she reached out to me and I was so pleasantly surprised! The premise of this book is so freaking good! The amount of description used to describe everything happening is flawless and I truly loved it. To me, there isn’t another book on werewolves that even comes close to how good this is! I would recommend this to literally anyone! Fantastic read!
I read this in one day! I’ve only read a few werewolf books and this was really good. Charlotte was a mess and running for her life. Shes a strong female protagonist that finds friendship/family in a strange magical place. I can’t wait to read book 2! The author pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. I was apart of this story and enjoyed all the characters. And I loved the cover!
This book had a lot of potential. It's a good story with some great characters. I could relate to Charlotte in a lot of ways, trying to escape an abusive life and looking for a fresh start. I also really appreciated her checklist for what a woman is supposed to do/be. It reminded me of the Barbie movie. The author's take on what it would be like to shift into a werewolf was really interesting. My biggest complaint was how repetitive it felt. It seemed like she used the same descriptions over and over again. At least one time, I thought the conversation sounded just like something I had read in an earlier chapter. While there were a lot of original ideas that I appreciated, I felt like it could have been more smoothly executed. I suspect, though, that this author will continue to improve with time and I wish them all the best
I believe this was originally posted on Wattpad, so it's a super easy read! There wasn't romance, but the healthy friendships Charlotte made were really heartwarming. She was running from an abusive ex, and her new friends (werewolf & vampire) helped her control her shifting into a werewolf!
I saw many reviews saying that the Wattpad version is better, but as I started with the official version, I have no complaints here. It t was pretty good to me. There are lots of warning triggers, though. Domestic violence being central.
But the story in on itself was quite well done. I don't enjoy reading contemporary novels, but this one was good. Of course, the whole werewolf thing makes up for it hehehe No romance though. I kept waiting for it to appear, but not a drop of it. Which made me curious to see if it will happen in the next two books...
I have received an eARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
This is a powerful story of power within a woman...
Before reading this book you should check for TW. This book deals with a topic that is, unfortunately, an ongoing problem in society.
If you are new to werewolf stories this is a perfect book to start with. The whole story has a great pace, a little bit on the slower side which is perfect to get to learn a lot about the werewolf world. Every character has a strong personality with so much depth and halfway through the story, you are not here for the book you are here to stay for the characters...
Charlie, the MFC, is one strong character and her only mistake is that she believed in love blindly. When the problem goes to the no-returning point, she finally opened her eyes. Every thought, every trauma that was holding her back, she set as a marked point that needed to be crossed and there is no turning back. It started strong from the first chapter, you could just feel her pain and the hurt, the dilemma of whether what you are doing is the right thing, whether you are wrong, the lack of confidence that someone else brought up on you and is just killing your judgment.
Her journey to a better life starts with one good friend, some money, a car, an open road to Alaska, and an idea of being free and her own again. What she found there was not something she expected but in the end, what she needed found her.
The exciting world of werewolves, vampires, and witches is so well written and immersed in the world that is surrounding us, so be aware of who will you meet next :)
What is also an amazing fact is that this book was started at wattpad :)
(Some of my favorite tropes/vibes from the book.) •found family. •vampires and werewolves •fight to survive •healing trauma •badass fmc •twilight vibes(in the sense of scenery) •character development!!
Book one focuses more on Charlotte's trauma and healing throughout the story while she's also fighting to survive being bitten by a werewolf. Charlotte is by far one of my favorite fmc I've read about. This book was so well written and I fell in love with Z. W. Taylor’s writing. It was fast paced, but not so much that you’re jumping around and confused. She has a way of writing so vividly and descriptively that I truly felt like I was watching a movie. Every character that was introduced made me love the story more. I scriously have zero, absolutely zero complaints about this book. It was amazing from start to finish.
(Also to Z.W. Taylor I just want to say thank you for writing such a true perspective on leaving a dv relationship. Charlottes healing hit home for me and I cried by the end of this book.🖤)
Charlotte has been trapped in a toxic relationship and desperate times for desperate measures. Charlotte flees California with the aid of a Good Samaritan. However, when Charlotte gets to her next destination she has no idea she stepped from one bad situation and right into a new world she never thought possible. She’s bitten and suddenly pitted against herself in a game of survival.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspense and a good character who develops and changes and gets stronger from her experiences. This was a unique spin off on a individual werewolf story. I rate this a four out of five. I wished there was a healthy love interest but a girl can maybe hope there will be some spice in book two!
This ebook was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Ok WOW this book was so fun to read! I loved it. Do you want to get into the mind of a werewolf.... Look no further. This book will have you feeling every.single..excruciating bone crunch 👀 I love romance, was hoping for a little *spice*, but I actually ended up loving that there wasn't romance in this one (yet?!) Because that's exactly what Charlotte needed. ! This book deals mostly with our mc learning to overcome her past and present fears. Past- escaping an abusive ex. Present- uhm, turning into a werewolf. I look forward to book two.
Read if you enjoy: • paranormal suspense • werewolf, vampires • quirky characters • strong fmc • unique perspective
"Sometimes when you've been in the middle of a storm so long you forget its storming."
If you loved twilight growing up, then this is the book for you! It is more adult version and geared towards the werewolf side, instead of vampires. Which I’m more of a werewolf girly anyways. 🤣
I love that the story gets right into it instead of waiting around to find out What happens. I love the found family aspect for the FMC and I love that she is starting to find a friendship in Liam! I hope there is some type of romance in the second book because I think that could really help her heal from her abusive relationship that she was in.
Overall a solid four stars for this book, and I cannot wait for the second book to come out!
I am a vampire girly through and through but i love any kind of supernatural element.
This would be my third warewolf novel (the first was twilight and the second was from blood and ash) and I’m in love. The pacing was slow which allow all the character’s relationships to unfold naturally. There’s a suspenseful undertone and I have a feeling things are about to get wild. So excited.
I really enjoyed this very detailed suspenseful tale about a human being bitten by a werewolf and what she has to endure to either become a werewolf or essentially die. She befriends a vampire and a werewolf and their relationships are perfect. I love all the characters and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them in book 2! And I hope there is some revenge coming for a certain somebody too!
4 stars Finishing again in 4 in the morning, well if the story is storying we kinda do that It's all about the plot and the friendships and i loved it ..
I read the original on Wattpad and reread it every year. I can genuinely say this is and will ways be my favorite werewolf story EVER.
So why fix something that was never broken to begin with?!?!
Let me explain why I’m upset.
1. Yes we have the original characters but they are different. So so different. They don’t feel the same. Levi feels so different here not like papa Levi at all. Levi becomes a huge father figure to char and we didn’t really have that.
2. NATE. Why change how things went down with him? The original was so fucking perfect we got the best closure. Chat matured and became an amazing, strong (mentally AND physically) woman throughout the original.
3. A huge part of the original is the bonding between Levi, Lander, Derek and Eliot with char before and after her change. We got a few pages that don’t come close to how close and United of a family they became. Like a blood family totally united against anything and anyone.
4. THE BLOOD. I feel like so much was revealed and changed that surrounded blood that people that read the whole series know only comes way later in the books! It was so strange how major changes were made that really effect the plot of the story.
5. MAMA EVE. hello why was this revealed so early?? And also they took out Lydia which I understand why but still it was beautiful with her in the story.
PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THE ORIGINAL!!! U will be obsessed. I swear.
I was so fucking excited for this to publish and I’m sure if this would have been my first time reading this it would have been fine. But I know the original and how it’s way better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This gave me every bit of what I wanted from a werewolf based book despite little to no romance element, I BINGED the last 100 pages at 2am - I just couldn’t put it down! The last werewolf novel I enjoyed so much was the Shiver, Linger and Forever series back as a teen.
Not only does our MC Charlotte show some great character progression, from abused spindly runaway to a strong af bad b*tch, but we get what I can only describe as one of the best descriptions of humans shifting to wolves I’ve ever read. Finally it’s not all cute paws and howling at moons, it’s brutal, it’s raw and it makes you regret those teen years wishing you’d be bitten by a sexy werewolf. Charlotte battles with herself and her own demons but remains relatable and at times comedic throughout.
I love Levi’s gloomy character, he seems to have so much hidden that I can’t wait to further discover in book two. Derek and Elliot need to adopt me asap - I loved their dynamic and their not at all sparkly vibe! And Liam - well, if there’s not a spark there then I don’t know what! He is too cute and I hope his friendship with Charlotte blossoms as the series continues.
The only thing that could’ve made this better for me would’ve been a bit more of a prologue esque tale of Charlotte and Nate so we could garner a bit more hatred towards his character (although - what a pr*ck!) and maybe a little more spice but overall I adored this book!
ARC sent by the author in exchange for an honest review
Ok, this book had me at the MC driving a 4Runner 👌🏻🙌🏻
The story starts off with the FMC running away from her abusive boyfriend. The thoughts going through her head are very realistic to how someone in that situation is feeling.
Although I enjoyed reading this story, there where many things that could have really brought this book to its full potential. Like more information about the MC at the beginning, or more details and information about other things. Also there where some inconsistencies that I found.
Charlotte is strong, wants to take her life back after being controlled and putting up with her abusive ex for so long. When she is bitten and finds out about werewolves and how she might need to find a mate, she wants no part in having another man in her life. She is strong, determined and near the end she feels very empowered!
Not a lot of action happens in this book, it’s just the FMC’s journey after being bitten and the transition she needs to go through. The characters keep it interesting though, especially Derek. I love Derek !!
Trigger warnings Attempted SA & mention of past SA
So I didn't know anything about this book. I went to an author event saw the book loved the cover then decided to meet the author. I am so glad that I did.
This book was more to me than just a paranormal fantasy. The writer does such an amazing job with magic realism that this book felt like it could be real. The characters are interesting and well rounded. Yet we have so much more to learn about them and I can't wait.
Charlie has finally gotten up enough nerve to make a move and get far away from her abusive relationship. But she finds out soon that the stories of what goes bump in the night are more true than she wants to know. I love how the story unfolds. I especially find the grumpy old man charming and he has quickly become my favorite part of this book. I am eager to continue the story.
In short: Did I like it? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes but I would warn that its more realism than fantasy. Would I read my by this author? For sure.