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Silk brushed against my eyes, then wrapped around my wrists . . .

I can’t remember ever dreaming of being tied to bedposts with silk ties. A couple years ago, I barely knew gays lived anywhere other than New York or California. Who knew they were everywhere and quite willing to offer their neckwear in service to the greater good? At least, to my greater good.

Ah, the memories.

That isn’t where our story begins. It was just something that happened along the way I can’t get out of my head. You know, that memory of heart-pounding fear and adrenaline combined with the tingle of warm oil drizzling across skin? The sweet hint of cologne mingled with a day’s sweat?

I really didn't know what was happening, but it was awesome!

You’re going to love this book because everyone loves a cheeky romance full of unexpected charm & sizzle.

Get it now.

From Casey Morales, author of the hilariously charming hit, My Accidental First Date, comes the real-life, laugh-out-loud continuation of Michael's journey from newborn gay to . . .

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2022

82 people are currently reading
124 people want to read

About the author

Casey Morales

62 books415 followers
Casey Morales is an LGBT storyteller and the author of multiple bestselling MM romance novels. Born in the Southern United States, Casey is an avid tennis player, aspiring chef, dog lover, and ravenous consumer of gummy bears.

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5 stars
161 (46%)
4 stars
115 (32%)
3 stars
54 (15%)
2 stars
17 (4%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Katherine.
2,869 reviews13 followers
July 18, 2022
Slowly finding a way

As Michael's saga continues he had more open chances but that also leads to plenty bigger problems and some sweet and sad moments.

Though Michael feels an attraction to men it isn't something he is yet willing to openly acknowledge or even truly understands. Things begin to change when he finds himself at a gay bar and meets a man who becomes both friend and mentor. But even as Michael begins to embrace this new side of him he still struggles with actually coming out. As such it is a wild ride as he has new experiences and meets new people, but with a sad edge as he struggles with his own guilt and uncertainty about what he is doing. The story ends on a happy relationship note, but with plenty of uncertainty about the future. Looking forward to what comes next!
Profile Image for BeckieLouLou.
676 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2025
4.5 Stars. Audiobook. Different but wonderful. The journey of a young man questioning his desires and exploring the many options out there. Non-traditional romance, this is not a story of a boy finding The One right away, it’s the long sexy road towards that partner. 5 book series, following the same maybe-not-straight twenty something as he dates around and sleeps in lots of different places. There is romance, we see a new relationship bloom and wither in each book until he does find The One. There is also the sometimes-silly, sometimes-poignant coming of age shenanigans as we see many bed partners, ranging from a first crush, a casual hook-up, a no-name escapade, dating a single dad and being part of a couples fantasy. Lots of exploration and discovery on the road.
No actual wolves or shifters, lol! Contemporary, present day, nothing paranormal what so ever. I always thought that “raised by wolves” meant being raised wild/rough/uncivilized, but this author seems to mean it as being raised in a very strict religious family. Since I try not to read blurbs, I honestly thought this was going to be. A wolf shifter paranormal story. It’s not.

The narration grew on me, it became more and more perfect as we got to know the MC, single POV, one narrator doing multiple voices really well. By the end, I don’t think anyone could have done a better job, especially the quite introspective moments, with softened voice and sighs. Really great job by Jon Curtis.
212 reviews
April 29, 2022
I’m enjoying seeing Michael’s journey to becoming more himself. He is a bit naïve when it comes to knowing things that seem like common knowledge though, but that might be what it’s like in an ultra conservative household.

I do enjoy the little side notes where the author talks directly to the reader. That make me laugh because I’m old enough to actually remember a rotary phone and dialup internet. I did get a little confused about his dad… First, Michael said he is a PK, which stands for Preachers Kid. Then it says, “I work with my dad,” I said. “He owns a company that sells private-label products to pharmacies.” (Direct quote) So is he a retired preacher or is his mother the preacher? I don’t think it ever says.

There’s not a traditional HEA, but it only has a slight cliffhanger at the end that won’t make you upset to wait for the next book. I’m assuming there will be a conclusion or a continuation for Michael and Carter in the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed a BookSirens ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Dekaydreader.
1,000 reviews18 followers
October 1, 2023
Bombed out on this series with this book. I thought the first was cute and quirky; a touch weird, but fun nonetheless. This one has the same vibe, and at first I was enjoying it. Michael's refusal to come to grips with himself got wearing after awhile, but that was not what turned me off. What annoyed and then incensed me was the cavalier attitude towards consent, prep, and most especially safe sex. Apart from Dwayne's talk with Michael after Michael's encounter with Fly Boy, which was concerning in so many ways, there was not even any mention of practicing safe sex, or even thinking about practicing it. There were other things chipping away at my reading pleasure: the author is one of those who loves, loves, loves the word cum to the point of using it as a verb as well as a noun. I personally find the word repulsive even as a noun; using it as a verb is an assault. The author also seems to have trouble remembering the story line and keeping the secondary characters straight from one paragraph to the next, and I had trouble reconciling a full-time entrepreneur, with a family business consisting of peddling his homemade "pain cream" as a traveling salesman with being a preacher. Sounds shifty as shit to me, especially if you're going to be all "fire and brimstone upon the sinners". Mammon and God don't usually go together in this mindset. Oh, never mind, they have evangelicals in their corner, the most surely-going-to-hell, if there really is one, group ever. Anyway, I am no longer charmed by Michael's witlessness, nor the oddball narrative style of this series, so, bye-bye, wolves. I made myself read this book to the end, but it's still pissing me off on so many fronts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Wide Eyes, Big Ears!.
2,646 reviews
July 27, 2025
In this longer second book in the series, Michael, a religiously repressed guy in his early 20s ventures further into the gay scene. He’s invited to club that confuses him since there only seem to be men dancing together. As he grows in confidence and understanding, Michael experiences a series of firsts, including a wild night with a flight attendant, developing a crush, acquiring some gay friends and allies, and being accepted into a single gay dad’s happy family.

This series works well because it balances Michael’s touching naivety with his sexual adventurousness. He continually allows himself to be drawn into fish-out-of-water situations which scare and fascinate him in equal measure and there’s some lovely gentle humour in that. Along the way, he’s slowly starting to accept his sexuality. I’m sure this series is semi-biographical, Michael’s self-reflection and self-deprecation feel realistic and entirely relatable. While there’s a lot more of Michael’s story to come in future books, I guess you could read this as a standalone HEA romance. 🎧 Jon Curtis has the perfect youthful voice to channel Michael on the audio and he gives another excellent performance here!
Profile Image for Traci S.
2,062 reviews14 followers
May 19, 2022
Wonderfully funny and charming!

I am loving this series, the novella was excellent and this full length novel is even more enjoyable. I loved that we get to see Michael starting to really explore and discover himself, his internal dialogue as he ventures more and more out of his comfort zone is so well done. Funny, engaging and insightful, I was 100 percent invested in this character right from the start. A real highlight for me was Michael’s budding friendship with Dwayne, who becomes a bit of a mentor. I loved Dwayne’s combination of snark, humor and genuine care for the younger and sheltered Michael. I was not expecting this when Dwayne was first introduced but it was a lovely surprise. In this book Michael is just starting to seek out and even embrace these new experiences and feelings and I loved every step of the journey. Hilarious, sweet, hot and excellent characters (Dwayne, Katie, Carter.. love, love, love). I cannot wait for the next book and Michael’s next date! Very highly recommend❤️❤️

I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review
Profile Image for Janice Wilson.
637 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2023
This second book find Michael taking further steps on his newborn gay journey. He still struggles to accept he is gay, but he is making strides towards that truth. He ends up having an very fun and fulfilling night with a nameless and gorgeous man. And then later on, he meets Carter, a single dad of two young sons, and they start dating. Carter becomes his first boyfriend and quickly falls for him and for his kiddos.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the references to AOL, chat rooms, and dial-up internet. Good times. His anonymous hook-up was fire, and his relationship with Carter is so sweet and endearing. His friendships with other gay men in his community is beautiful to witness, as they alternate between wanting to know all the sordid details of his escapades as well as warning him about the pitfalls and tribulations of gay relations. I can't wait to read the next book.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chelsea Moore.
456 reviews11 followers
May 22, 2022
This book is a continuation of Michael’s story. He continues on his path to self discovery and explores his new found sexuality. We get to hear his internal dialogue as he figures out what he likes, what he doesn’t and seeing him step outside of his comfort zone. This book once again was laugh out loud hilarious and it was so very enjoyable to read. I am having so much fun reading this book and seeing Michael come into his own. This book is full of hilariousness, heat, sweetness and such fun characters. I am so excited to keep reading this hilarious series!!

I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens, and this is my honest review.

POV: 1st Person Single POV (Michael)

Standalone or series: Book 2 in the Raised by Wolves series

Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩

Would I read it again: Most definitely!
Profile Image for Rachel.
741 reviews9 followers
June 27, 2022
This story is not quite as funny as the first in the series, 'My Accidental First Date.'

Things get a bit more serious as Michael comes out to one sister. He falls in love seriously, but there are severe complications, ending with a cliff-hanger.

The writing is witty and sweet--captures all those feelings of an excellent relationship and the boundless sorrow when it ends (we think.) Michael still thinks in the same hilarious stream of consciousness and tells us all about it. Dwayne, his friend, still listens to everything and offers wise advice, which Mikey doesn't take. I hope he doesn't get a disease, but he could.

This is a series, and you have to go from start to finish, or it won't work. It is sweet and funny to see this young man work out who he is and how to live in the world.

I received an advance review copy for free and left this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Chantale St-Gelais.
137 reviews
May 9, 2022
ARC review

Do not refrain from reading this book. Second book in the series that loses a star in passing. Again, it's all my fault I was curious about Mike's fate in his quest to find his identity and self-acceptance, despite the fact that I didn't line up to read a romance as I like them.

Even though mike's process towards his identity isn't easy, which by the way is wonderful, his path to get there isn't so bumpy either.
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Again the type of writing and the humor of the author me more greatly. The romance, my reason for reading a book, begins in the last quarter. Part to which I give a 5/5.

Casey could have seen me giving it 5/5 by giving our gorgeous Mike a bit more character and uncertainty.
16 reviews
April 15, 2022
Stumbling Through Gay Life Without A Handbook

Michael is innocently stumbling through his life of self discovery. His eyes are wide open but he never seems to completely understand what he sees. Fortunately he has compassionate mentors to guide him on his journey.

The story takes place in the dark ages where rotary dial phones co-exist with the dawn of washing machine sized desktop computers. There’s just one little problem in chapter 9 when someone gets a text message. Ignore it and the rest of the story will make for an enjoyable read.

But you will need to wait for the next book for a conclusion.
Profile Image for Dinoh (Akari).
455 reviews6 followers
June 3, 2022
(ARC Review)
I've been reading some pretty nerve-wracking books and needed something lighter to ease my mind a bit, and this second installment in Michael's life is just that.

In this second novel, we see more of his self-search, his self-discovery. He has a rather naive way of seeing things, things that today seem obvious to us, but a few years ago and due to his upbringing, that naivete is not so out of place.

He has an internal dialogue with himself and with the reader that is quite funny, and brightens up situations that would otherwise be more difficult to deal with.

I look forward to reading the next date!
209 reviews5 followers
July 12, 2022
I absolutely loved the second book in the Raised by Wolves series. Michael is still struggling to accept that he isn't straight, yet is going to night clubs to pick up men when he meets Carter. Carter is a single dad of two young boys and Michael quickly falls in love with all of them.

Michael's coming out to his sister, his relationship with Dwayne, and the love his waitress Katie showed him were the highlights of the book to me.

This book made me smile, but like Michael's friend Dwayne, I am a little worried that things happened too quickly with Carter and his boys. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Author 19 books3 followers
June 27, 2022
I love Michael and his time with Carter. Sometimes it almost seems unbelievable how much he doesn't know at his age, but I realize it was a different time and he was really sheltered. They seem so perfect together and wonderful. I'm also really glad to see him have a good mentor and finding who he can be himself with. Everything seems to be going so right, I will hate to be devastated soon because this isn't the last book in his journey. But, the journey must continue and I'm moving right on to the next book.

*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
Profile Image for stephanie cox.
1,177 reviews19 followers
July 31, 2022
My Next Date is a continuation of Michael's POV trying to find his footing in this new self-discovery world of his. He is going out to bars, making new friends and even confiding in his sibling. Michael may be stumbling through this process, but I do enjoy watching him grow into the person he is meant to be. I love watching Michaels new fling with Carter grow, but like his friend Dwayne I hope he takes a step back and is careful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Brad Secrest.
99 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2023
Well done

As with most coming out stories, the power behind self-acceptance comes from within AND without. Friends, crushes, and lovers (for one night or more) influence most people when they finally accept themselves for who they are and come on out. This story hits all of these marks. A lot of humor is thrown in the midst of the story telling and I love to laugh. I can relate to just about everything Casey touches on. It’s well-written and the characters are well-rounded. It’s been a joy to read and look forward to reading more of Casey’s works.
926 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2022
This has really been a great series. The end of this book made me cry to know it's a true life experience for Casey, my heart broke for him. It's funny reading about rotary dialed phones, big desktop computers and if you were really luckily you had a cell phone but it was the size of a cinder block lol. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Helen Smith.
451 reviews5 followers
June 20, 2025
I think Casey Morales is one of the best writers in MM romance, and this story bears that out. Every page is filled with witty, clever writing and the story absolutely captivated me, particularly knowing that it's true. I simultaneously wanted to rush to devour the entire story immediately, while also wanting to savor it slowly. I look forward to reading the remaining 3 books in the Raised by Wolves series!
Profile Image for Deanna.
2,748 reviews66 followers
July 28, 2025
Ten Stars For This Series!

Heartwarming story. Funny! I love this naive soul.
Casey Morales is an excellent writer. An innocent young man raised in an environment that would probably want to send him to one of those torture prison that these churches miss call Conversion therapy. It takes an a talented writer to make a reader smile about a young man who is has been raised with hate. This is becoming one of my favorite characters.
Profile Image for Steven Marshall.
467 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2025
This refers to the audiobook version.
This gentle story meanders along as the ever naïve Michael continues to discover that he is attracted to boys, but not gay, but maybe. We meet some great characters in this one, especially Carter and his two adorable young boys. Dwayne is a rock to Michaels crazy and the constant references to what life was like at the birth of email and the internet, while funny, do make me feel old.
This is a charming and gentle story, expertly read by Jon Curtis.
Profile Image for Euell Santistevan Jr.
8 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2022
Thrilling and Sexy, turning every page with glee trying to figure out what Michael will be up to next and how he will discover more about himself. How his friends will react, or even his family. Michael goes through all of the emotions of a gay heart.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Amanda Reeves.
3,681 reviews38 followers
May 29, 2022
This is the continuing adventure of Michael and his discovery of just about everything. While he is having an adventure finding out who he is sexually, with the help of wonderful people, he seems to also be finding out about other things. I am in love with this series and can't wait to keep reading about his dates and what he discovers next.
659 reviews2 followers
July 2, 2022
Michael accidentally works out who he is, and who he wants

Sweet and hot from the beginning, but gets gradually more emotional at the end, as a HEA looms. With a couple of detours Michael gets from coping and straight, to happy with a man who is probably ‘the one’. The writing style is fun, it’s almost like seeing all the thoughts in someone’s head, as they happen.
Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
3,324 reviews31 followers
August 9, 2022
This is sweet

Michael is slowly learning all about who he is and about the realization that he is probably gay. I have a bad feeling though that this relationship with Carter is going to end badly. I lived through this timeframe. I am going to read the next one but I am going to have my tissues ready.
Profile Image for Jamie Rice.
984 reviews
August 6, 2025
My next date by Casey Morales. Ok he is still naive as hell and acts of he doesn't know basic knowledge which I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt about certain things. But it seems like a conflict of character because one moment he seems scared and afraid of his shadow and the next he is allowing someone to blind fold him and tie him up.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,270 reviews26 followers
May 2, 2022
This installment in the series was just as fun as the first one. I love that Michael's education is being helped along by his new friend, Dwayne and that we get to follow him through adventures of meeting new people.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Profile Image for stardragon.
1,321 reviews7 followers
May 31, 2022
Michael is discovering his new life style in the age of dial phones and dial up internet. Dwayne a friend and mentor is helping him discover the gay life. This is a funny series with great characters and fast paced humor. Waiting for book 3.
Profile Image for Thera.
837 reviews10 followers
June 16, 2022
Swoony and heart wrenching

A nice continuation of the story. It was nice seeing Michael come out of his shell more. I loved his relationship with Carter. It broke my heart when it ended.
188 reviews
June 27, 2022
A good continuation of book 1. Relations are a work in progress no matter our age. These two seem to help each other. (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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