(out on September 1st from Harper Teen)
After the death of her mother and her father's new marriage to Priscilla aka Honey Bun, Shelby Locke hasn't been able to stay out of trouble. Not that any of it is her fault of course, it's just that she can't resist a guy who needs her help, with homework, or charitable events, or even a furry full moon problem.
Because that's what Austin Bridges III needs Shelby's help with.
After one too many broken curfews, Shelby's summer plans are put on the back burner and her father and stepmother send her away to brat camp, where she meets Austin, the British son of a rockstar and werewolf. And Shelby finds herself again in a situation where she has to choose between breaking the rules and helping a cute guy or staying out of trouble.
Never Cry Werewolf is a cute story with a premise most teens can relate to or appreciate. Shelby's parents don't understand her. She's not trying to get in trouble. She's trying to do the right thing, and rules like curfew are just getting in the way. The plot is straight-forward and believable.
As for the characters, Shelby's a likable character with a strong and consistent voice, and Austin is cute and personable. He doesn't help to hesitate his friends when they're in need either. I wasn't entirely convinced that he needed Shelby's help - it seemed like his being a werewolf couldn't have helped him help himself, but I understood why she wanted to help. The minor characters, like other campers have distinct, albeit less complex, personalities.
My only problem with it is that it was just cute. Never Cry Werewolf doesn't have the same emotional impact of other books in the genre, and I of course just read an amazing werewolf novel right before this one, and it just doesn't compare to Shiver. Regardless, this is a YA title that younger YA readers will enjoy and a cute story.
Contest Time!
I have an extra ARC of Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis to give away. You want it? Here's what you have to do -
Comment with your contact info to enter
+1 for new followers
+2 for current followers
+2 for linking back/posting about this contest
+2 for answering the question, "What's the craziest thing you did to help out a guy?"
+3 for referring someone to the contest
+3 for being the person referred
Be sure to tell me specifics otherwise I won't know how to tally up the points! Contest is open to anyone and it ends 8/20.
Check out the Heather Davis' website.