For nerdy bookworm Devon, agreeing to become the villainous werewolf warlord’s mate isn’t just a matter of self-sacrifice–it’s living the dream.
Unfortunately, his new life in Grayridge isn’t quite like his fantasies. Constantine is so much colder than he was in the dreams that summoned Devon to him, and his ruthless, militant packmates aren’t exactly accepting of the outsider.
Especially when Devon himself suspects he might be a defective omega. But after spending most of his life in his brother’s shadow, Devon isn’t about to let his Main Character Moment ™ pass him by without a fight.
-
Author's Note: This is the sixth serial installment of The Wolf's Mate series, and part one of Villain and the Geek, which is Devon and Constantine's story arc. Devon and Constantine are the only two POV characters, but you'll recognize plenty of familiar faces from previous stories in the series. Prepare for one irresistibly redeemable (?) villain, a lovable nerd who's convinced he's a defective omega, intrusive family members, and omegaverse shenanigans.
I liked this, but I didn’t think it was as fun as the others in the series. Mostly because Brad was rarely in this, and I mega love that dude. He’s so funny, and with him being gone, the humor was low. Most of the time I was just yelling at Devon to get a back bone. But I’m still dying for the next book because I need to see what happens. Also why was this so short???
It was so much fun to finally read about bookworm Devon and his fated mate and perceived bad guy of the series Constantine!
Perhaps not as laugh-out-loud funny as the first five stories in this series, I still gobbled this installment up in one sitting, relishing in the introduction of some new characters and enjoying the slow-burn romance between out-of-his-depth Devon and Constantine, the Grayridge pack alpha who consumes his every thought.
After the build-up in Brad and Raul’s stories, I was eager to get my hands on this sequel, desperate to see what would happen between Devon and Constantine, now that a treaty between packs has been formed, with Devon at the centre of the negotiations, essentially bartering himself for peace between Raul and Constantine’s packs.
These two have some major insecurities to overcome in their developing relationship, with communication not really factoring into their dynamic yet, but the way they watch each other when the other isn’t aware and the way they yearn to be what the other needs, is providing all the right vibes for me in this early stage of their courtship.
Mostly, this installment follows Devon in his new transition into the Grayridge pack, concluding with their highly anticipated mating ceremony and some tasty bedroom shenanigans that left them both satisfied and overwhelmed by the depths of their growing feelings.
Needless to say, the next installment couldn’t come fast enough.
First of all - what a fantastic cover! Damn, Constantine's hot AF! 🔥
After more than 500 pages of the Brad-Raul saga, I've finally come to the book I wanted to read since the very beginning - Devon's book.
Don't get me wrong, Brad and Raul were fine, but once you realise there's a longhaired villain involved, well - the show is over. I had to make it through Brad's yapping to get to this book and it was worth the wait.
Starting out where we finished with the last installment, Devon agrees to go to Constantine's home as his mate to ensure the peace between the packs. In this book Devon finally gets there, but things in Constantine's home are even more eerie than Devon imagined. I could vividly imagine the house, the estate, Constantine's family and Devon all alone and conflicted, trying to fit in. The book started out very promising.
However, I don't think it was a good choice to end this tension and build-up between the MMCs in this installment already. Devon needed more time alone in Constantine's house and with his family, maybe just so he'd get a little more feisty and independent and Constantine and Devon needed to be apart a bit longer.
Constantine and Devon had sex right after the mating ceremony at the end of the story and it looked to me that it came out of nowhere, because they both seemed very reluctant to get close and especially Constantine had other strong reasons against having any kind of intimacy with Devon, so I was hoping he'd hold himself back and let Devon be for a little longer.
That would certainly contribute to the anticipation and add valuable time for real feelings to evolve between the MMCs. There were no lingering looks, no half-spoken sentences, no real desire - or rather, desire was just starting to develop, that's how it felt to me. It would keep me on my toes if that were present and yes, I'd gladly read about 4 installments until they'd finally have sex, yes, in this case I would, no complaining.
So now it probably follows that Devon will get rejected and they haven't even spent any time together, haven't done anything together, so I'm really hoping Devon isn't going to be that ultra submissive omega here who gets profoundly hurt and runs or cries all the time, because that'll just take the fun out of everything.
Yes, I am kind of disappointed that sweet tension ended already, but I'm looking forward to another installment nevertheless.
As much as I liked Brad and Raul's relationship, it felt more like a farce than anything else. Devon and Constantine's relationship comes across as more believable, and I really liked their more realistic and toned down story. Not that I didn't enjoy how funny Bro and the Beast was; this was just more my jam. I can't wait for the next part to come out. 4.5 stars, rounded up 💙
I'm happy this series is back with Devon's story in Villain and the Geek. Constantine and his pack are very different to Stone Hollow. It was interesting getting an inside perspective. Where this installment fell down for me was the lack of interaction between Devon and Constantine. The best parts were when they were together. but for the most part they were separate and kind of pining after each other. Luckily I'm sure we'll get more of them together in the next books so my rating will go up as their books go on!
DELIGHTFUL. I obviously devoured this: even if it were a longer story, I would have still inhaled it start to finish. If there's one thing I love, it's this (kinda) rejected mate trope and ALLLLLLL the pining from afar, and ALLLLL (I hope) future groveling. I loved that Costantine and Devon's story had this kind of slow-burn start: hopefully Costantine will get his head out of his ass in the next installment, but I'm a sucker for this kind of relationship angst and I can't wait to see him make it up to Devon for his behaviour. I loved Devon: he's very, very different from Brad, and I appreciated it. I can't wait to see him blossom in his new pack.
I loved the side characters soooo much: I want Melody to marry me, and I want Daniel to marry me aswell. They're so fun, and so cute and I loved how sweet they were to Devon. I also LOVED seeing Brad and Raul again, and I'm so damned excited for book two. I think this second arc will have a very different vibe from Brad's one, and I'm all for it.
The good + Devon the sad omega + Brad offering to fight Constantine for Devon + The sibling bond between Brad and Devon
The neutral o Brad's books were carried mostly by humor and the ridiculous plot. Devon's first book is a lot darker, and I assume so will the rest of his books be o This book is not called Bro's Bro and the Beast, and it's a real missed opportunity
The bad - Devon didn't push back at all against anything he was told or made to do. He was such a pushover, which didn't fit with what his character was like in previous books. Yes, he was shy and found it hard to stand up for himself, but there's a difference between reluctant compliance (possibly out of fear) and the easy resignation that Devon displayed here - There was no connection at all between Devon and Constantine. Constantine was an asshole to Devon the entire time, even -
I am so angry at this book. Brad's books were funny, and they were carried by the humor and ridiculous plot. But this book was much darker and didn't hold my attention as much. However, this book was entirely ruined for me when the happened at the end of the book. Both Devon and Constantine acted wildly out of character, it made no sense with the rest of the book, and I'm so disappointed with what happened and how it happened that I completely lost interest in the rest of the series. I won't be reading Devon's next book.
The pace of the book was slower than the other books in the series, but this was normal since it was the beginning of a new story. Constantine was different from what I expected. I think I expected him to be more badass and talkative. Devon was exactly what I expected. He was a sweetheart. I guess I expected the book to be different too. I don't know why, but the atmosphere was a bit strange. I still haven't figured out exactly what the problem was. I'm excited for the next book though.
I found this less entertaining than the first book of the series since this is a start of a new one, The characters chemistry barely there, and they're just doing nothing mostly in the book.
This is definitely NOT a carbon copy of Brad story
Constantine, my man. I love him so much.
I don't like that It's so short.It should have been longer, and I want more world building. I just loved the interactions that he has with Devon, I just wish to see more. I guess I'll get more couple time in book two.
Finally we get to the nerd/villan story! I absolutely can relate to awkward, insecure Devon more than everything-always-works-out-great-for-him frat boy Brad. Constantine has way more substance than Raul. I appear to have a major weakness for the bad boy type. Bit more seriousness and relationship focus but still taking the piss type writing style. Easily my fave out of all these serials.
I love this great slow-burn romance between Constantine and Devon. They have a connection, but due to a variety of factors are resistant to the bond that is fully simmering between the two. They are so connected to one another. so I loved seeing their dynamic and connection build so slowly and effectively over the course of this story. Loved it and cannot wait for the next entry.
More serious than the previous books and a bit slower-paced. I know this is the first book for Constantine and Devon, but I didn't love this installment.
The MCs rarely interacted and spent 90 percent of the time in different rooms of Constantine's mansion. Devon was sad, lonely, and being harassed by most of Constantine's family and Constantine was brooding about something (we don't really know what yet) and afraid to get near Devon so he just ignored him. Cameos from Brad and Raul were bright spots.
This is a novella-length book, with a to-be-continued ending. I didn't learn anything new about either of them. I felt bad for Devon, but other than that it was just, meh. Even so, I'm sure I'll pick up the next one to see what happens next.
Having agreed in book 5 to become Constantine's mate, Devon's life at the Grayridge compound is nothing like the dreams that drew him to his brother's mate's arch enemy. Whoops.
This is the 6th installment in this series and focuses on Constantine and Devon figuring out how to navigate these new circumstances. Constantine is being a dumbass, Devon is too timid but still has backbone, and Constantine's mother is a beyotch drill sergeant whose disdain for Devon permeates every interaction they have.
This should not be read out of order, and it's possibly a good idea to re-read this when the next installment is released. Which hopefully is soon!
It was so good to be back in the world of The Wolf's Mate, especially so we could get the first part of Devon and Constantine's story. More of a slow burn and I feel like challenges are coming. Can't wait for more
First of all, can we talk about that cover? Gorgeous!
Now, for the book, I loved this SO much. I was really looking forward to Devon and Constantin’s story because who doesn’t love a nerd x cold guy pairing? The way Constantin was trying (but failing badly) to keep Devon at a distance but was growing more and more obsessed with him got me gigging and kicking mt feet.
Devon is a cinnamon roll that needs to be protected at all cost because he’s so precious. As he finds himself and where he stands as Constantin’s omega and in the pack; my heart hurt for him. I just want him to be happy and feel loved all the time because he deserves it.
I can’t wait to keep up with this series and I especially can’t wait to see their feelings for each other grow deeper.
No me gusto mucho que el pobre Devon fuera ignorado la mayoría del tiempo por ese odioso 🥺 de paso que lo más necesitaba era cariño y atención por todas sus inseguridades. Devon mi corazón esta contigo 🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Omg this was a delight. I was already excited about Devon and Constantine's story, but they have now stolen my heart and soul. Take me away you two! Please.
Never would I have imagined to love this book as much as I did, or that it was actually kinda...sweet? Dare I say our "villainous" white wolf is actually a considerate and tender beast underneath?
As an introvert myself, Devon is an infinitely more relatable MC than Brad, whose personality kind of started to get grating by the end vol 2. I understood Dev's insecurities, self doubts and low self esteem all too well, so I immediately empathize with him. It's heartbreaking to see him feeling he is "defective" and not belong anywhere.
Surprisingly Constantine has his own doubts too, and we were able to catch a glimpse of a man, er wolf, who has the weight of being a responsible leader weighing down on his shoulders. He's a more complicated character than Raul and being the classic kuudere (the cold and stoic exterior archetype), he's someone who has a hard time tapping into his true feelings, and allowing them to overtake his ever so rational mind. So seeing him being so gentle to Devon at the end made me gush and melt.
The new Grayridge wolves are fabulous too, especially Melody. Can't wait to see more of them; yes even the overbearing Eliane, Constantine's mom.
Because these volumes are short novellas, Devon and Constantine's relationship has really just begun. Despite the fairly sweet ending, I don't think it's going to be smooth sailing from here. There's still a lot we don't know about Constantine and his pack, and I can totally see the misunderstandings loom in the horizon. I could be wrong but I can't wait to find out.
edit: i think was a really great first book, considering we are just tipping our toes into devon and constantine’s world. i’m expecting great things from later books!