Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Wolfgang
SERIES: Vampire’s Mate (Book 5)
AUTHOR: Grae Bryan
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 238 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2023
BLURB:
Wolfgang Volker is many things: vampire, psychopath, connoisseur of fine living. But impulsive? Never that. Until the day he sets foot in Hyde Park and catches a certain enticing scent on the wind. His mate is here, gorgeous and oblivious and undeniably human. And it doesn’t take long for Wolfe to make the most impulsive move of his whole undead existence.
Dr. Eric Monroe has plenty going for him: he’s good-looking, he’s a doctor, he’s… well, that’s kind of it. And true, the citizens of Hyde Park think he’s a sleaze and a dud and make sure to let him know it. And no, he doesn’t have any real friends or family members who don’t drive him up the wall. But that’s fine, right? Until the day his standing massage appointment ends not with a tip, but with a bite.
Now Eric has to navigate a new world, a new existence, a new, very particular diet. All while coming to terms with the strange, obsessive, all-too-alluring vampire who claims they’re destined mates. But what does it mean to be mated to someone who’s never truly cared for another person before? And can Wolfe convince Eric to stick around long enough to find out?
Wolfgang is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a possessive, psychopathic vampire soft only for his mate, and the insecure, needy human who can’t quite come to terms with being wanted just as he is. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.
REVIEW:
You know those moments when you read a book blurb and the premise really calls to you and the blurb is well written so why not take a chance on a brand new author? Well I did that 4 books ago and I landed a real winner. This series is so well written and the characters have become alive for me. I know, I know…bad Mom pun with dealing with the undead/vampires! But they really have. These men and all their fated mates have touched me. You have close to feral vampires that would lose their last shrewd of humanity soon and then fate lead them to meeting their fated mate. And those newly turned mates help soften the corners and make you have to like some of these monsters no matter who they used to be. I wouldn’t say they tame their mates inner beast but maybe make it satiated and more tolerant for sure.
Wolfgang Voelker is a psychopath! That’s the truth. He was before he asked to be changed. Asked. To. Be. Changed!!! He’s narcissistic and he knows it. He’s also always in control and doesn’t have an impulsive bone in his dead body. So scenting his true fated mate after all these years and had never even understood the concept of love or putting someone else first in his life is a huge change in the vampire’s life. And his beast overcoming him to get their mate faster was a true shock. But now the man is his and he needs to figure out what’s next.
I will admit I was a tiny bit hesitant to read a true psychopath’s story. I also wasn’t too keen on the sleazy doctor’s story either. So color me surprised when they both wormed their way into my heart. First Eric. Reading his backstory and why he became who he is now made way more sense. His creators, because parents is to good a term for the self-serving things they were, demands on him and their lack of basic love and affection for him left him feeling always less than and unloved. He needed/craved human attention, kindness and companionship but didn’t have the basic tools to navigate the world to look for and find what he needed. Wolfe’s condition literally made him self-absorbed and demanding. It really surprised me that Wolfe became such a doting mate. He understood something being his possession and he took very good of his processions that were important to him. But caring for and needing his mate was a whole new experience that he wasn’t prepared for. But, in combination with his beast and his mate, he somehow transformed to who/what he needed to be to care for the most precious thing in his life…his Eric. Watching Eric soften, for him at least, Wolfe was a huge gift. He called to Wolfe inner beast and soothed him when they were together. Both men on paper should never have worked with the surface knowledge we had witnessed in previous books. But, when you got to know the real men inside their coat of armor, you discovered that they both extremely well suited for each other in a completely touching way.
I loved that Grae brought back all our favorite Vampire’s Mates in this book. I am deeply invested in each of their stories and love getting to see them again. Having Danny be a guide and confidant for Eric when he first was turned was fitting. Have the sweet Jay/Johann become a mentor of sorts was a great touch too. Jay is the one vampire that truly gets Wolfe. Eric didn’t just need his mate but a community to make him whole and those mates and Jay are the perfect community for him to grow in.
I know that we get Colin mated with the Tucson twins next and that is to be the end of the series. However, I am still hoping for at least a couple novellas to add to this series. I really need their camping trip. I don’t see Soren or Wolfe as the camping type. And Lucien spending a week in the woods with Roman, Soren and Gabe will be very interesting. I also really need an update on how little Riley is doing.
If you haven’t had the chance to dive in to this series you are in for a true treasure. It is extremely well written and this universe Grae Bryan has developed is riveting and will suck you right in! I know if a true psychopath vampire and a slutty doctor can grab hold of your heart you know you have a real winner.
RATING: 
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