This book was pretty confusing and unsatisfying.  There was a lot of sex and maybe this is simply a case where “erotica” is a better title than “romance” and that’s what the target audience should expect.  But for me – I was wanting a bit more relationship development than I got.

The title caught my eye – but even in the blurb you can see that this is NOT a paranormal story and really I have no idea why the title is the title.  Neither the color of Mark’s hair nor is there any real “wolfiness” in Scott take center stage thus making the title apropos. 

I’m not a big fan of erotica for erotica sake – don’t get me wrong – I love me some hot smexy times – but this just didn’t go far enough into romance land to appeal to me.  The sex was a bit much and didn’t have the corresponding feelz to balance it out.  IMHO.

As others have noted before – the lack of condoms really didn’t fit nor feel appropriate and I think that alone lands this out of the “romance” column and into “porn/erotica”.

This wasn’t my cup of tea – but I could see some glimpses of potential – so I wouldn’t avoid this author in the future.

2.5 of 5 stars

I do not have time nor the tolerance for the fetishizing of gay clubs by the presumably cis het female best friend of the mc. That opening page is absolutely gross

Ginger and the wolf is a tale of two very different worlds colliding and how not everyone is out to wrong you. 

Scott is a very successful businessman and Mark is a student who catches Scotts eye whilst out one night. They both hit it off immediately going from one night stands to dinner dates. A family crisis befalls Mark that shakes him and a decision is made that will test their relationship even its early days.

The writing in this book showed both perspectives and the characters internal dilemmas and thoughts to the world around them. Not the longest read, wished there was more as the characters are very likeable.

I just loved this book. It was so well-written that it captured my mind and I was dragged along for the ride. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down until I read the last page.

**2.75 stars**

What does the title really have to do with the story? If you are looking for anything that has to do with wolves/shifters… that sort of thing, then keep looking because you won’t find it here. Even the cover lends itself to the idea that there will be more “wolf-y” activities with the shirtless guy torso… 

Ginger and The Wolf tells the story of almost college graduate Mark and VPO Scott’s relationship. Throughout the book, Mark struggles with the idea that Scott is loaded and he is barely making ends meet. This varying financial stability is something that Mark focuses on throughout the book to the point that you wish he would get over himself. In no way does Scott hold this over his head or use it as leverage to get Mark to sleep with him. The two struggle to overcome this hurdle and find happiness with each other when something happens that threatens to crumble the stability [flimsy at it is] of their relationship. 

Overall, it was a cute read and that was pretty much it. There was nothing offered in Mark and Scott’s relationship that stood out enough to make it special. Generic. Scott makes good money and works for the company that Mark wants to intern at. Throughout the story, Mark hyper-focuses on all the tiny details that make Scott “rich” - the places they go to eat, what they eat, where Scott lives, his clothing… and I can get being self conscious about your finances when you meet someone who is actually better off, but it’s not like Scott ever held that over him. So after a while, it got old and annoying that Mark couldn’t connect more. At the same time, the entire book takes place over a few weeks, I get why they wouldn’t be that comfortable with one another. 

I will say that Ginger and the Wolf does go by quickly, taking only a day to read. So if you are in the mood for a quick read, then maybe you would enjoy this. Also, the family dynamic was something that I thoroughly enjoyed - really more than the relationship between Scott and Mark [which felt very superficial] - especially the small scenes with Mark’s parents and younger brother. The care that they showed for their son and the people that he was seen with was sweet and pretty rare in most m/m novels. And his younger brother! I loved that he was so invested in making sure that Mark was taking care of himself and I was happy to read how horrified he was that Mark was sleeping with random guys without using condoms. So if you enjoy family dynamics like these then this would definitely be a book to try out. 

Final notes: 
Alternating third person POV
Close knit family dynamics [supportive] 
Differences in financial standing 
Destructive sex practices [not using condoms]

A nice novella about two men who have a casual overnight fling which ends up being something much stronger. 

Scott is a wealthy successful executive and Mark is a young, fiercely independent college student. The age difference doesn't seem to bother the two men but what bothers Mark is that Scott is from an entirely different world and Mark isnt looking for help or a sugar daddy. Mark wants to make it on his own steam.

The story follows the way the relationship develops and the love that eventually emerges between them despite a misunderstanding. It is a nice story, a bit predictable but an ok read. 

Copy provided by Nine Star Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I didn't hate this book.  Both MC are likable and engaging.  However, I was so disturbed by the total disregard for safe sex and the discussion (or lack of ) condoms, it colored my perceptions of the book.  I definitely enjoy the May/Dec trope, but felt we weren't given enough backstory on either character to understand their actions.  It was definitely steamy and the characters had chemistry- I just wanted more from them emotionally-especially in the direction they went.  A likable read but would not be a re-read for me or recommended purchase.

I gave it a 3.5 star rating. I had a few issues with the dialogue of the story, but I enjoyed it overall. I wish both Scott and Mark had just a hint of more development, I loved their relationship. I also loved seeing Mark's family and how Scott acted around them. They are a really good match for each other though. If the Author was to write more with these character's I would def read them. It would be cool to see how Scott's family would react to Mark and how he would react to Scott's family. I will also state this book was more Erotica then Simple Romance. Not the Best, nor the worse I ever read either. Would be Kinda Hot though.

A passionate story about coming into adulthood and reconciling romance with independence. The chemistry between Mark and Scott is sexy and passionate-- complicated by their differences. I love a good M/M romance that has a well developed plot with layers to expose depths of the characters and hold your interest. Ginger and the Wolf succeeds on all accounts.

Kerry McBoyd strikes the perfect level of sophistication, with regards to Scott's tastes, without going overboard. Mark is so innocently naive while wanting to believe he is capable of standing on his own. There are many details that can be assumed, or that come to life in the reader's head due to McBoyd's skillful writing. The images are vividly portrayed.

I like that the 'ginger' aspect was matter-of-fact and not an obsessive detail like some might to make it. I also find it amusing, though so very true in real life-- that 34 is 'old' by gay dating standards. Scott is definitely 'mature' and will be able to teach Mark so much as their relationship progresses. Mark's supportive and loving family were heartwarming.

A fun reading experience, plotted well, with lots of heart and passion.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet and touching story of two different worlds coming together. I loved Kerry's writing style, this story and it's characters was easy to follow and fall in love with.

Umm, I'm not entirely sure what I just read. Was it erotica? Was it romance?

Did I enjoy it, though? Kind of yes, kind of no... :- ?

As the story began, Scott met Mark at a dance club, where they almost immediately went to Scott's luxury apartment and had some good ole' hot, sweaty sex.

That's all fine and good, except for a couple of things.

    - There was some bad, porn-style dialogue, including a lot of talk involving "loads", which I didn't find to be overly sexy. *cringes*

    - Scott decided to get all "Dominatrix without mercy", giving Mark orders on what to do while naked. Sorry, I really hate that domineering shit in stories. Thankfully, he was only that level of bossy asshole during that first scene, for which I was extremely grateful.

    - My face nearly fell off, when they finally got around to penetration, as they went bareback, without even asking the very important, "what's your status" question. After meeting like AN HOUR earlier.

    - But the biggest REALLY??? moment came later on in the book, after Mark was bareback-shamed by his younger brother, Mark brought up using condoms.

    Say WHAT? Dude had been shooting "up there" for a month and *NOW* using a rubber was supposed to do ANYTHING at all? That felt moronic to me, like it's going to "un-Load" him now or some such stupidity. No, that's not how rubbers work, sorry. 

Beyond the sex, though, I actually enjoyed the (somewhat limited) story line. Outside of bed, Scott was a nice, level-headed, responsible guy and Mark was your average college junior, about to head out into the real world. I wanted more of *this* story.

One thing I was dying for, however, were details about "The Thing" that happened in the past with Mark's ex, Lincoln. It was the reason he was hesitant to trust, but like so much mystical stardust, Lincoln was mentioned a few times, then we were never given ANY details as to what had gone down. Unresolved plot point much?

Lastly, the title seemed a bit misleading to me, mainly because the fact that Mark was a ginger was mentioned a whopping ONE time. And Scott being compared to a Wolf (at 34, too old for twink, not hairy enough to be a bear, and aggressive in bed) was also discussed only once.

So yeah, if you're looking for purely erotica, with some pretty decent filler plot, then by all means, give this one a go, without the slightest hesitation.

But if you're looking for a complete M/M contemporary romance, that's your decision to make and I'm staying out of it. ;- )

I'd rate the book at 3 stars, after taking away a star due to the "more sex, less plot" aspect of the story.

3.5*

Ginger and the Wolf

This is a difficult review to write. I adored parts of this book but unfortunately not all of it.
Scott and Mark meet in a club. Scott is thirty-four. A successful business man from a rich prominent family. Mark is a poor college student 

Scott was a fabulous character. He sees something in Mark (he obviously has better eyesight than me because I couldn’t see it) and he wants to explore the possibility. He’s rich but grounded and nearly perfect in every way. 
Yes I have a huge Scott crush.

Mark was a different matter. After the initial meet the more time we spent with him the less I actually liked him. I understand he wants to make his own way but his behaviour was too much at times. He reminded me of a baby throwing his toys out of the pram.
It didn’t help that we’re left in the dark regarding his past. This lack of history made it difficult understand where he was coming from and why he acted like he did.

But...
There’s a beautiful story here. The sex was hot and well written (and included Scott).
But...
I didn’t like that they had unprotected sex from the get go. This is a huge no no for me. They’ve only just met and know nothing about each other. 

In my opinion it’s worth reading this book for Scott alone. 
It wouldn’t take much to make this into a fabulous read. Just add that condom from the beginning and either tone Mark down a bit or give us some background on why he’s that way.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.

Mark, a college student, meets Scott, a well-off man in his thirties, at a club. They go home together and enter a relationship fairly quickly. It felt a little too fast paced. I enjoyed the chemistry between them; however, Mark’s constant insecurity regarding money started to get old fairly quickly, and as another reviewer mentioned there was a certain predictability to some of the plot. I think that we needed some more background on Mark and Scott. I still enjoyed the book, as it was well written, and I’d read it again. Just wish it was perhaps a bit longer and more detailed.

Sweet and touching story. Great story. I like the way Kerry wrote. Easy to follow, both on words and emotionally.

What first drew me to this book (besides the awesome cover and title) was the author's name. I'm a fan of the name Kerry myself, and I don't see it too often! :)

This book had some good things going for it and I didn't dislike it, but I don't think it really ever reached its potential, hence my rating of three stars.

The sex was written extremely well and was off-the-charts hot. I'm willing to bet that this author has a lot of experience writing erotica. I especially loved Scott's Dominant side. 

The MC's had great sexual chemistry, but that was all I felt. I didn't feel like either character was fully developed, and I didn't understand what made Scott so attracted to Mark as this was never explored. Scott says that Mark is the best man he's known in years, but we're never shown why. 

Mark was a complex character, but outside of his concern that their differences in wealth were a huge hurdle, we barely scratched the surface of what made him tick. I found him lacking in personality outside of the club. 

Finally, I found the climax to be extremely predictable.

From an editing perspective, there were some really awkward POV shifts. There was even a time when we flipped to Scott's POV during Mark's flashback.

I feel like this was more of an novella written to outline a novel, if that makes sense. More character and story development and more emotion would have made this a solid book. 

I look forward to seeing how this new author grows, and I would be happy to beta-read or read-to-review again in the future.

*Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mark is a college student just trying to get by when he meets Scott, and older, wealthy businessman. After spending the weekend together, Mark finds out they have a lot in common. He's trying to land an internship at the company that Scott is an exec at. Mark has a lot of pride. Will he let that get in the way?

I really really enjoyed this book. It was short enough to read in a single sitting. I just kept thinking how sweet Scott was. He truly cared for Mark and wanted to take care of him. Although I enjoyed Mark's character as well, I found him acting sometimes very childish. 

The overall theme was fun to see how the man with the entitlements and money was the less prideful. Great story and writing.