Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
I haven’t read a whole lot of urban fantasy, but this was enjoyable! Lots of spice, but also good characters and an extremely interesting world.

It had enemies to lovers between a strong female protagonist and a hot Alpha that sizzled on the pages. Throw in a murder mystery spread across a city and you've got me hooked.

This was a wonderful debut by this author. It was action packed, spicy and there was a murder mystery with a bit of suspense. The writing was easy to follow. I would of liked a little more in the world building, but it didn't affect my reading experience too much. The characters were interesting. I felt the chemistry between Kane and Briar. I loved that we saw how their relationship was in flashbacks. Once everything started to get revealed, I was shocked by the revelations. I didn't see them coming. Overall, I liked it.

Shadowed Moonlight kicks off a promising new fantasy trilogy with witches, werewolves, second-chance romance, and a murder mystery that keeps things moving at a fast pace. The chemistry between the leads is intense, and the tension from their complicated past adds real emotional depth.

The mix of magical beings is a strong point—I loved the dynamic between witches and werewolves—but I did wish for a bit more world-building to fully understand how everything fits together. Still, the plot is engaging and intriguing, with twists and danger that kept me turning pages.

A solid start to what looks to be an exciting and emotional paranormal series. I’m definitely curious to see where it goes next!

The worldbuilding is rich without overwhelming. You feel the mist in your lungs, hear the howl in your bones. There’s tension in every scene, like the story itself is holding its breath.

The characters? Deliciously complicated.
The heroine walks the line between fear and power. She doesn’t just stumble into danger—she chooses to face it. And that earns her more than just survival—it earns her transformation.
And the male lead? Oh, he’s exactly the kind of dark temptation that leaves bruises on your soul. Stoic, brooding, and emotionally wrecked in all the right ways. He doesn’t flirt—he warns. And yet, every warning feels like an invitation.

Because while it nails tone and emotional tension, the pacing stumbles in the middle. There’s a stretch where the stakes feel muddy, and the characters circle each other just a bit too long without forward momentum. And though the romance sizzles, I wanted more depth beneath the heat—more emotional exposure to match the physical tension.

But when it lands? Oh, it slays.
The final third hits hard—with revelations, raw vulnerability, and a payoff that feels earned. Harper knows how to close a story—with pain, promise, and just enough mystery to make you crave the next bite.

This was entertaining and I enjoyed it well enough for what it was, but I really dislike when the issues of a book could be solved if the characters just actually spoke to each other.

I didn’t expect to be gripped like that by this book. It had been a while since I read an Urban Fantasy book and this one hit the spot just right.
It was a very expected plot, most of the plot twists were predictable and we probably all could see them coming from miles away. But it works. It’s fast-paced and entertaining and I had such a great time I couldn’t wait to get back to the characters whenever I could.
I found the power dynamics interesting and even though the reasoning of the heroine was a bit weak sometimes, she got called out on it, which made it feel like she was looking for excuses more than just a weak plot point.
I’m already dying to read the next book.

🌙 𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓼, 𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓑𝓪𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷 🐺

A witch and a werewolf, a fake relationship, and a deadly mystery, Shadowed Moonlight had all the makings of a story I would love. But unfortunately, it didn’t work for me, and I ended up DNFing at 30%.

Briar’s life was shattered when Kane left her four years ago, but now she needs his help. To solve a string of supernatural murders and save her brother, she has to agree to one thing: pretending to be his mate. The cost? Everything.

The fast pacing kept the plot moving, but the writing felt repetitive and, at times, dull. I struggled to connect with Briar, finding her difficult to root for, and while Kane had potential, his possessiveness, and especially the lack of consent in some scenes, made me uncomfortable. The frequent use of weres for the wolves pulled me out of the story, and the romance leaned too heavily into steamy scenes, overshadowing the plot.

The murder mystery, which seemed like it was meant to be a key part of the story, felt more like a distant side quest than an integral element.

That’s not what I personally look for in a book, but readers who enjoy steamy paranormal romance with a dominant werewolf MMC might feel differently!

📅 Shadowed Moonlight was released on October 15, 2024.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and K.C. Harper for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Shadowed Moonlight by K.C. Harper is an exhilarating ride filled with passion, intrigue, and supernatural drama! From the very moment I dove into this story, I was hooked on the whirlwind of emotions and the compelling dynamics between the characters! 💖🐺

Our fierce heroine is navigating a heart-wrenching situation—her life fell apart when her Were lover, Kane, abandoned her four years ago, leaving her with shattered dreams and a heavy heart. Now, with her brother in peril, she must pluck up the courage to seek Kane’s help in solving a series of gruesome murders that have rocked their city, Cambria. Talk about high stakes! The tension practically sizzled off the pages! 🔥💔

Kane's re-emergence in her life as the new Alpha brings an intense mix of feelings. He’s dangerous and devastating, and it’s clear that their past is a tangled mess of unresolved emotions. The concept of faking a mating bond adds an intriguing level of complexity to their relationship. I adored how Harper layered that tension—having to play a role while fighting the resurgence of old feelings created so much delicious drama that kept me eagerly turning the pages! 🌌💞

The supernatural elite and the politics of the Were community add an engaging backdrop to the main story. It’s like stepping into a beautifully crafted world filled with mysterious creatures and high stakes where every decision matters. K.C. Harper does a magnificent job of immersing readers in this intriguing universe, making me feel like I was right there alongside the characters, navigating the shadows and secrets! ✨🦋

What I really loved about this book was how it explored themes of loyalty, love, and the prices we’re willing to pay for the ones we care about. Our heroine’s emotional journey is beautifully depicted, as she grapples with her feelings for Kane while facing the reality of their tumultuous history. The romantic tension is palpable, and I found myself rooting for them to overcome their past and forge a new path together! 🌹💪

As the plot unfolds and danger looms, it became clear that not just her heart, but everything is on the line. The thrilling climax and the twists and turns had me holding my breath—Harper knows how to keep the suspense alive while cleverly blending romance and conflict. It made for a captivating read that left me utterly spellbound! 📖💫

In conclusion, Shadowed Moonlight is a must-read for anyone who craves a blend of romance, suspense, and supernatural intrigue! K.C. Harper has created a world that’s as enchanting as it is dangerous, and I can’t recommend it enough! Grab your favorite cozy blanket, a warm cup of tea, and prepare to get lost in a story that will keep your heart racing until the very last page! 🌙💖✨ Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down! 🐾💕

A little disappointing... I wish the deep emotional connection between the two MCs had been more palpable throughout. The surface of the emotions was there but I couldn't find the longing...

The atmosphere and the vibes of this book are immaculate, live how it pulls you in amd the author put alot of thought into this and I appreciated that alot

3 stars

If you're into paranormal romance with a dash of mystery, Shadowed Moonlight offers an engaging, albeit imperfect, experience. The story follows Briar, an Aura Magi, and her ex-lover Kane, a werewolf who abandoned her years ago. Their reunion is fraught with tension as they team up to solve a series of supernatural murders in Cambria City. The "fake mate" trope adds an interesting layer to their dynamic, and the second-chance romance is both steamy and emotionally charged.
The murder mystery element is a highlight, with some genuinely chilling moments and an unexpected twist that caught me off guard. However, the fast-paced plot sometimes sacrifices depth, leaving certain conflicts feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The characters, while intriguing, could have used more fleshing out to make their motivations and emotions more relatable.
Despite its flaws, Shadowed Moonlight is an entertaining read for fans of urban fantasy and romance. Just be prepared for some predictable moments and a reliance on miscommunication as a plot device. If you enjoy stories with alpha werewolves, high stakes, and a touch of danger, this book might be worth diving into

Beautiful world building from the start. The characters are well written grow throughout the book. So much tension and twists and turns. I had a great time reading this book!

Shadowed Moonlight by K.C. Harper is a sizzling urban romantasy that combines heat with magic in a way that’s hard to put down. The fake-dating trope is done well, with great chemistry between the characters that keeps things exciting. The world-building is strong, and the plot is packed with enough twists to keep you hooked. While the pacing could be a bit faster in parts, the romance and action make up for it. A solid 4 stars—steamy, fun, and perfect for fans of urban fantasy with a romantic twist.

This is by no means what I would call well written book. It's full of tired tropes and the characters could solve 90% of the plot with using their words. THAT BEING SAID. It's entertaining. It's popcorn. It's fun trash. I had fun while reading it even through the eye roll moments. So if you like shifter romances and don't mind overused tropes in the genre, you'll have a great time. I had fun but I was able to suspend a lot of disbelief purely because A) i know the genre and B) whatever it's fun to watch the story progress.

Not too sure how I feel about this book, it was good, but not sure if I would recommend it to my friends or re-read it?

Its entertaining and fast paced - it has a murder mystery element I really enjoyed. The spice was fine, there was some cute moments BUT I think i had a really hard time with the miscommunication aspect, which is somehow a big part of the plot. The plot just lacks structure I think, but I think some extra editing could help with this. It just seemed like there were some plot holes and convenient happenings to try and fix these holes.

That being said, I did enjoy the writing. I've read some of K.C's other books and really enjoy her writing and will continue to check out her stuff.

The writing flows nicely for a fast-paced easy read. The characters are young and immature feeling. I haven’t finished the book, and might come back to it when I’m in the mood for a young feeling YA.

⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

There's potential and the blurb attracted me but the story didn't keep my attention.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine