1 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐
1 ❤️ out of 5 ❤️
2.5 🌶️ out of 5🌶️
A Non-Spoiler Synopsis
Ruby is used to feeling like an outsider in her small town. Growing up, her love of all things gothic after the tragic death of her parents didn’t make her popular amongst the kids at school. But she had her eccentric Aunt and her loving, and popular, sister Lena to lean on.
Now as an adult it is Ruby’s turn to be the rock for her sister.
Lena has been having strange trance like episodes. Ruby’s once popular sister now isn’t fit for most company when she stares into space saying ominous things like “They’re coming”. That frightens most people. Due to her sister being unable to work Ruby is supporting them both working at the local town bar. As if she didn’t have enough to worry about, on her usual trek through the woods after her shift she begins to feel a presence following her through the woods. Instead of frightening her, this presence excites her, but it’s not the only thing watching her through the trees…
The Smut and Vibes of “A Curse of Blood and Wolves” (Warning light spoilers)
Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. There wasn’t anything overtly wrong with it, but it was severely lacking in plot. The majority of the book focuses on the romance between Ruby our MFC and Rafe our MMC. The book sets up this interesting plot point focusing on Lena, who along with Ruby, is a Seer, but it ends up feeling more like an afterthought. Lena is having visions of blood and wolves but this only serves to act as the set up for Ruby and Rafe.
Rafe is the titillating presence Ruby feels watching her as she walks through the forest, but he only reveals himself after another wolf attacks Ruby in an attempt to kidnap her or her sister. Once he reveals himself and starts protecting the sisters, this plotline disappears for the majority of the book and feels like a wasted opportunity.
I was also somewhat annoyed by how the romance between Rafe and Ruby unfolded. Personally, I am not a fan of the trope of emotionally constipated men relying on the FMC to act as his therapist. I am all for seeing complicated “not nice” characters go develop and work through their inner turmoil ( Yes, I am a Nesta fan) but we didn’t really see any development with Rafe. It was more so Ruby consistently saying they should be together while Rafe was pushing her away “for her own good”.
All in all, while I am not a fan of this book if you’re looking for a light read that is heavy on smut you may enjoy this book. Personally, I need a bit more plot to with the smut.