The Mating Habits of Werewolves (Werewolves of Windermere #1) by N.J. Lysk

The Mating Habits of Werewolves (Werewolves of Windermere #1) Reviews

• 
  Mike

  Dark tale of forced mating and breeding - too dark & negative for me to enjoy
  
  If I hated reading a book, but it has enough positive reviews for those who appreciate the author's insights, I don't mind giving it an honest ("I hated it") one star even if the writing was not a train wreck. When I find a book that has a subject that really intrigues me, I will often peruse the negative reviews to see if something jumps out that indicates I might have a similar reaction (e.g a trigger or just a theme that isn't for me). Hence the purpose of this review is not to trash the author, but to honestly say why it's really not for me (and possibly others with similar tastes).
  
  On the positive side, the author explores the potential for oppression in a shifter Omegaverse where the male omega is very unwilling, and this is a logical outcome of some interpretations of the male omega breeder dynamic. Part of me wants to commend the author for looking at the dark, forced side of omega breeding, and mpreg fans who enjoy continuous angst and loads of self-pity/depression at being oppressed may find this dark side of shifter omega breeding to be novel and insightful.
  
  On the negative side, the protagonist clearly had his life ripped apart from him, was bred and mated off against his will, and he never got over it. Other reviewers bemoaned how unlikable Devlin was, and how much his continued bitterness and unhappiness dragged down the story. I have the exact opposite reaction, feeling I read a story where the protagonist was basically enslaved and raped, his family indicating that he should simply buck up and make the best of it, and, worst of all, the Alphas who bred him who were trying to be sympathetic were clueless and, in the end, came off worse to me than the unsupportive family and society around him.
  
  Basically, this is a trip through the unhappiness of someone forced into mating and breeding, and who never really gets over the feeling of being enslaved and raped. Whichever side one falls one (Devlin is too unsympathetic or Devlin is a victim who should never give in to the oppression around him), to me it's just a dark tale of omega mpreg (and does not fit in the "recommended in shifter romance" lists generated for me).
• 
  Jo * Smut-Dickted *

  I struggled with this one in a major way. It felt like it was really two stories tied together only with a dictate by an alpha. The omega here actually has been out in the "real world" and has a life - which he'd like to get back too. However, he comes back home after his dad dies to find himself subject to a new rule by his alpha brother about being forced to have a child in the next year - hence he needs to mate. So far yeah -- it's going in the dubcon/noncon way but then he decides on the mates and he never enjoys them. I think they enjoy him - but mostly due to biology. I didn't fall in love with any of the characters - and the secondary one's didn't help either. This is very like the authors other books with an omega who spends a ton of time not liking pretty much anything and being forced. Usually that works for me but not here.
  
  The sex wasn't hot - it was sort of clinical as it was ruled over by biology. I was hoping that might be its superpower but alas not so much. There is a deep seated hatred of omega's in this book - so much I started looking at this as a SJW/Political story about women in today's society. I wasn't clear overall about omega's and male omega's in this story - there was still world building lacking here. The consent/non-consent was conflicted. It really turned me off the way they all acted - Devlin with PTSD and two alpha's confused. And I didn't like the relationship between the two alpha's which was also screwed up royally - all sorts of issues. The whole reason for why to force this was strange - and Devlin's Mom's reasoning? What?
  
  Devlin needs therapy for sure - and the two alpha's need to come to grips with the fact they like each other more than they like him. And then the guy from Devlin's past - what's that about?
  
  It should all have worked for me - really -- because I have liked some of others from this author but this one just left me cold completely.
  
  For sure no romance here at all. The feminization is barely glanced over (and this author can write some smokin' feminization tales so that's not it). Sex was forgettable. I mean I sort of want to read the next one just to see because I was like WTH for most of the book. But this is just far too long of a book to spend in any characters head that is hating life 100% all the time -- if I want that I can read plenty of regular fiction with its constant depressing content.
• 
  Joyfully Jay

  A
  Joyfully Jay review.
  
  2.5 stars
  
  I struggled with The Mating Habits of Werewolves from the start for lots of reasons, but primarily because Devlin reads like a tortured soul. I’m usually fine with dubious consent, but something about Devlin’s situation unsettled me. When his brother decides all the pack omegas will have children, Devlin has no choice but to submit due to his status. This is problem number one for me, because there is no way to get past the fact that Devlin is essentially raped. He can’t say no. He can’t tell Rami and Naveen to stop and his biology forces him to submit. That isn’t dub con in my opinion, it’s just rape. And there’s nothing you can do to redeem a situation like that once it on the page, at least in terms of trying to pull something romantic from the relationship.
  
  Read Sue’s review in its entirety
  here.
  
  
  
• 
  Lissel

  The story could have been so much more enjoyable if only Devin had been likeable. But he wasn't. You know there is a problem when 80% into the book the MC keeps thinking his relationship with the 2 alphas he chose is non-consensual. There was not a single moment in the entire book when I felt any sort of chemistry between him and the other 2, let alone any love. He treated them as garbage, I just couldn’t justify his actions. He was being ordered to do something he didn’t want, that was shitty, but he could have handled the matter better, especially when the 2 alphas were so caring and supportive of him.
  So while I think the book was well written I have to be honest and say I didn't like it much.
  
• 
  Diana

  I enjoyed reading this book. The relationship between the three characters is fascinating and I liked all of them. However...
  
  I've read, let me think, four of the author's books now - the "Stars of the Pack" series plus this one. One theme that runs through all of them is the omegas' hatred for what they are, for the ways their status limits them, and their lack of control over their lives as a consequence of their biology.
  
  In this book the omega feels so revolted at being pregnant that he desperately tries to dissociate himself and becomes overwrought if his alphas look at his belly, try to listen to the babies, or anything similar. He's working on his feelings throughout the book, but from where I sit, he NEEDS THERAPY, because the kind of self-revulsion he has can lead to self-harm of many kinds. Dude should talk to somebody. Of course, there probably aren't a lot of shifter counselors...
  
  I would really like to see poor Devlin reach some kind of emotional equilibrium and acceptance of his own body. Future book maybe? (I know there's a book about Naveen and Rami, which I haven't read yet, but it looks to me like it doesn't reach much past the timeline of "The Mating Habits..."
• 
  Joyffree

  I really wanted to love this book
  The writing and the story line and the characters (for the most part) were solid and that is what kept me going right to the end
  I guess where the problem was for me is the reality of Devlin's situation - It was made quite glaringly clear throughout every page of this book that Devlin (in his own mind and this is kind of important) was nothing more than an incubator that no one saw as an equal or truly loved
  
  I enjoy the world of omegaverse - I get that the omega's many times are not happy with the way biology does not work in their favor - that they are seen first as an incubator and second as a person - What has always drawn me in is the omegas realization that they are loved, beyond just being a source to breed, and the slow evolution where they begin accepting and basking in the care and attention shown to them by their Alpha - nature vs nurture in a sort of twisted way I guess
  That does not happen here - Devlin makes a conscious choice to never forgive nor accept his situation or what he truly is -
  There is no real hea in this first book - will I read the second? Yes probably because it can't end like this - though maybe that is the author's intentions?
  
• 
  Cheryl_cajun

  Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Devlin was back home in his pack for the death of the alpha/Dominant for an omage. Never dreaming that he was going be stuck there force to breed by the new leader. Facing off with Brennan only to have two unknowns in his face. What naturally occurredin omegas was lacking in Devlin Submissive wasn't something he was looking forward to. Naveen or Rami..Naveen and Rami but what about Dan the human boyfriend he left behind to return for a funeral? Devlin is about to witness more than he thought possible but exciting all the same. Two alphas willingness to help him as much as was allowed but will more develope..only if one or both could control the urge to over look his willingness. Resenting will only last so long, but will it be to late when Devlin choses for more?Will Brennan find out and what price was about to be paid? Freedom it seems is a fleeting and fickle thing.
• 
  J

  Needs some polishing but it has a unique take and voice. Not the same rehashed...

  I would totally freak if my balls disappearedafter being commanded to have sex, agreeing to get it over with, and not being able to stop it nor enjoy it. I guess the testicles magically retreating to become ovaries makes more sense than the other stories that gloss over an explanation.

  I think it could have been presented somewhat differently. The title is like a thesis or published paper, which fits well with the main character. And at the end it's as though he's written the book as a guide, although more his story/experience (like it should be a companion to a more technical work). I know I'm not being helpful but these are my thoughts.
• 
  Kenike

  I liked the book but the main character was just so unhappy all the time! It was a new take on shifter stories. However the other two guys in the relationship found more of a connection than the main character did. This made me sad. I felt that there was more of the story to tell. I hope this author writes more to this story
• 
  Stacey

  I found this book to be interesting it was kind of hard for me to get totally involved with the MC
  I can understand how the Omega had alife he went to school had friends and even a boyfriend but none of them knew he was a shifter. I could understand how he must had felt when he went back home after the death of his alpha father,that his brother is now alpha and is telling him he must mate and have a baby. He had to do alot off things that was literally being forced on him. So yeah the whole time he was miserable and I felt like his mate we're trying to do what they could to make it easier for him. This was not a happy ending but in way if I was in his shoes I would probably feel the same way if all my hopes and dreams I had for myself were taken away from me. That my choice was not my own anymore.I voluntarily read An Advance reader copy and my opinion are my own.
• 
  Kirstin

  I honestly didn't know what to expect when I went into this and it was dark and bordering on the edge of non-con, but I really enjoyed the book and the writing.
  
  I was moved by how emotionally charged the story was. I felt for Devlin, being an Omega who was forced to be bred when he had his own life. He wanted other things and wanted to be able to be his own person. It wasn't really even about rebellion, but about wanting to live any life as long as he chose what it was.
  
  His two Alpha's were interesting. I really enjoyed how they balanced each other and fought to give Devlin the life he wanted and the life he would have chosen.
  
  I didn't love how mean Devlin seemed to get while processing the trauma he went through. He was hurt, but it hurt to read how much he resented them.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed reading the story and found it extremely entertaining.
• 
  Reading Addict

  In a lot of ways, lackluster. BUT I think this was the most realistic depiction of the psychological reality of becoming/being an omega. I HATE IT SO MUCH when omegas are all easy breezy about things that are so traumatic. This book was satisfyingly visceral.
• 
  Christi Snow

  A rating.
• 
  Ζωή Παππά

  I loved it so much! I couldn't put it down
• 
  M60601

  This was definitely a traumatic read, and I cried often. For that, I give it 4 stars. Devlin is a male omega who has been pursuing his education in Scotland when he learns that his father (the pack's Dominant Alpha) has died in an accident and he needs to return. He takes time to submit his thesis and returns to his younger brother now being he Dominant Alpha. Then his brother, Brennan announces his plans to expand the pack and how every (young) omega is expected to have a child in the following year.
  
  What follows is Devlin losing all the control he once had over his life. He used to date a human who he topped and loved, and now he has to leave his lover. He needs to defend his thesis but his brother won't let him go until he is pregnant (or at least trying really hard). And worst of all, during sex he loses all control of his own body so he can't communicate whether something feels good or bad or if he wants his partners to do something or stop.
  
  The few times Devlin has sex with his chosen Alphas, it traumatizes him to the point that he can't have them touch him. It was rather difficult to read as Devlin was very depressed. I thought he might honestly kill himself if pushed. Everything was just so against his nature. He didn't want to be pregnant and considers abortion. He considers running away from the pack so he never has to go through the pregnancy ordeal again. He considers so many things.
  
  At the same time, Devlin's Alphas are just amazing. They devote all their energy to making Devlin happy because they know how much he doesn't like the forced pregnancy. They don't touch him and instead pursue a sexual relationship with each other. They help face Devlin's brother. They plan how Devlin can work or leave the pack.
  
  By the end, everyone pretty much realizes that maybe forcing Devlin to get pregnant wasn't healthy for him. Though they try to reach out to him, he's just a bit too far gone to really accept their apologies and help. He does start learning to like sex again, or at least, he starts feeling sexual needs again.
  
  Overall, the story is hard to read. Devlin is incredibly cynical and mean. He is constantly in emotional and even physical pain, so he lashes out. Forcing someone to be pregnant, even if they consent to it, is like a rape of another kind. A very long, destructive rape.
• 
  Karla

  No just no! This book is junk, a long af bucketful of junk! I don't understand the good reviews to this crap(yes I will foerever refer to this book as crap). The main character Devlin is such a shitty selfish self centered crappy ahole! I tried to be simpathetic to him but after hours of his same winny crappy selfcentered shitty behaviour and horrible way of treating hi "mates" I couldn't take it anymore. My biggest regret is that I wasted so many hours reading this garbage. This one goes on my list of hated awful shitty af books, negative 100 stars finally dropped at 63% & there's a 2nd book of more of this crap? HELL Nah! steer away from this garbage people!
• 
  Lisa

  Too depressing to finish, but interesting to see someone tackling the 'dark' side of MPREG.