For What It's Worth


Thursday, May 17, 2018

review: how to marry a werewolf (claw & courtship #1) by gail carriger


39682023Guilty of an indiscretion? Time to marry a werewolf.

WEREWOLVES


The monsters left Faith ruined in the eyes of society, so now they’re her only option. Rejected by her family, Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge.


But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.


AMERICANS

Backward heathens with no culture, Major Channing has never had time for any of them. But there’s something special about Faith. Channing finds himself fighting to prove himself and defend his species. But this werewolf has good reason not to trust human women.


Even if they learn to love, can either of them forgive?


From the New York Times bestselling author of the Parasol Protectorate series comes a stand alone romance set in the same universe. Look out for appearances from favorite characters and the serious consequences of unwarranted geology.


A Note On Chronology


The Claw & Courtship novellas can be read in any order. This book can be enjoyed without having read any of Gail’s other works. Set in the spring of 1895 this story occurs after events chronicled in Romancing the Werewolf.
~ Goodreads

Source: e-arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

Review:
I’ve become such a big fan of Carriger’s novellas – spun off from her Parasolverse (the Parasol Protectorate probably being the most popular). I admit that I’ve sort of dabbled in all her full length series but haven’t finished any of them ((more from being overwhelmed by review commitments that the quality of writing) but I’m always able to dip my toe back in to her world with these novellas without missing a beat. And How to Marry a Werewolf was another delightful installment.

Faith, an American, and a little quirky already with her interest in rocks, has been ruined for marriage by a scandal, and is sent off to London to enter a marriage on convenience with a werewolf.

When she arrives, she expects her extended family to reject her and for the supernatural citizens to be quite uncivilized. Much to her surprise nether is the case. London Society embraces Faith, even if she likes wear bicycle clothes and men’s hats and has a rock collection.

Unfortunately, the wolf that catches her eye is the very grumpy Major Channing.

These two are just TOO flipping cute together. They both feel damaged and unworthy of love but are strong willed and go toe to toe with each other and find a path to love in their own unconventional way. While the society men are wooing Faith with flowers – Channing is sending her rocks.

I especially loved how Carriger wove in the extended human and werewolf families. Biffy (from Romancing the Werewolf) and the pack are featured heavily and embrace Faith as one of their own immediately – even if it takes Channing a bit longer to realize what’s happening to him as he falls in love. lol 

And Faith’s cousins accept her just as she is and rally around her when her AWFUL parents come to London and try to humiliate her.

There’s a dash of intrigue, a slow burn romance, wonderful supporting characters and plenty of witty banter – my favorite thing!

It’s always a delight when a new book from this world pops up.

Highlight for content warning: Faith has suffered a miscarriage in the past and Channing has suffered abuse at the hands of vampires.

34 comments:

  1. I am interested, BUT, I so did not that YA series, or the series about Prudence's kid, so I am weary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like these novellas because they're just fun little visits into the world. The full length books were a tad too much for me.

      Delete
  2. This sounds like a book that I might like. I do like the premise for the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you like historical or steampunk I would give her books a try Mary.

      Delete
  3. Aww, this sounds adorable.I like the way this woman writes, well the little bit I've read of it, and I keep meaning to finish the Parasol series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a fun spin on historical and I love the character names. I think Faith's last name is Wigglebottom lol

      Delete
  4. I really need to get around to her books, they're so unique!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They really are and the spin offs are just the right length for me to keep up with!

      Delete
  5. I haven't read anything by this author, but I've been trying to squeeze in more Novellas! I tend to skip over them because... I actually don't know why, lol. I love the idea of Werewolves being a part of civilization, and I enjoy characters that go toe-to-toe because they're "secretly in love."

    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It hink you would like her books Lindsi! Start with Souless and then you could skip around with the novellas. I think it's best to have a little knowledge of the world first but you don't need to have read everything to understand the novellas.

      Delete
    2. Awesome! I'll definitely do that. Adding Souless to my list now. <3

      Delete
  6. Sounds fun, and I love the titles of these! A blogger a while back recommended Carriger's books to me, thought I'd really like 'em, but I haven't tried them yet. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe the first book in the Parasol Protectorate series is Souless. It would be a great place to start just to learn the world and the characters. It's a lot of fun if you like paranormal steampunk with a side of tea and crumpets lol

      Delete
  7. Arrghh. I have her Parasol Protectorate series but have yet to even crack open the spine! This novella sounds good, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're fun! Especially if you enjoyed her other series. IT's the same quirky characters and world.

      Delete
  8. I've never heard of this author, but these books do sound really good! I used to LOVE paranormal romance, so maybe I'll have to give these a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh really?? She was quite popular with her Parasol Protectorate series (both adult and YA) several years ago.

      Delete
  9. I admit that I have never heard of this author before but now you have me very interested in this book. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm surprised at how many commenters haven't heard of her! She has a fun writing style.

      Delete
  10. The author is unfamiliar, but the book sounds interesting. You have made me curious. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I may have to check this one out.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awww. This sounds like a cute story. I've never read this author's books before, but I always love a good werewolf romance. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really??? You are all shocking me that you haven't read or heard of her before! lol

      Delete
  13. Oh you remind me that I need to get back to the Parasol Protectorate series! I read *listened* to the first two books and loved them. Although, I was mightily peeved at Alexia's husband at the end of the second book! The audio books are fantastic, and the novellas sound really good too! Off to look up the third book at the library and see if they have the audio. Wonderful review, Karen! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. You had me at men's hats, lyrca and a rock collection. This sounds absolutely charming Karen! The few werewolf type romances I've come across, they always tend to be erotica or that alpha male, must take woman type reads. I love that this has that character banter. Channing sounds like a bit of a dope, which I'm all here for. I can imagine everyone else can see he's fallen in love, apart from himself. Definitely checking this one out for a lazy weekend read. brilliant review Karen! ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  15. The title sounds so fun, and from your review, this sounds really cute! I love that he sends her rocks since that's what she likes! They sound like a great couple.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've never heard of these! They look amusing... Historical paranormal romance?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've always been curious about Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series. This sounds delightful so I'll have to go ahead and give Carriger a go. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've not read any of Carriger's novellas but I am (very slowly) making my way through her Parasol Protectorate series. I definitely think these novellas sound good, sometimes it's nice to dip into a shorter story instead and this sounds like such good story. I'm amazed so much gets packed into a novella, I'll tell be putting this on my radar.

    ReplyDelete