When Kyle Slidell moved to Boston, MA for work, he didn’t expect to develop a Massachusetts-sized crush on his neighbor, Tobias Rogan. After watching Tobias with occasional hellos for a few months, Kyle is thrilled to learn that Tobias is into him, too.
But Tobias isn’t what he seems, and neither are most of the rest of Kyle’s neighbors. Kyle finds this out too late, when one of the neighbors turns out to be a rogue werewolf who attacks Kyle. And it turns out Kyle’s other neighbors are also werewolves, Tobias is their Alpha–and now Kyle is a werewolf too, and Tobias’s mate! But, being as stubborn as he is, even in wolf form vegan Kyle refuses to eat meat.
The werewolf world is not a calm place, as Kyle learns. Some local wolves have a grudge against Tobias. And Tobias has attracted attention beyond the Boston limits from those who want to make sure he never poses a threat to them. Together, Kyle and Tobias build a life together while fighting to protect their pack and each other.
Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat is a male/male romance series, with books 1-5 originally published between 2011-2014. Beginning in 2022, those books have been revised and updated for re-release. Books 1-3 are from Kyle’s point of view; books 4 and 5 are from Tobias’s. Additional books are planned, since Kyle talks a lot and Tobias has informed the author that their story didn’t end where she thought it did. These books include on-page discussion of off-page sexual assault; discussion of parental abuse; violence between werewolves (in human form and in wolf form); depictions of PTSD; and other content readers might find triggering. Book-specific warnings are in the individual book descriptions.
The books:
Salad on the Side
When Kyle Slidell was transferred to Boston by his company, he didn’t expect to start crushing on his new neighbor, Tobias Rogan.
He didn’t expect Tobias to say yes to a date.
And he sure as hell didn’t expect to be attacked by a werewolf while picking strawberries for his dinner with Tobias–or to become a werewolf himself.
Even as a werewolf, Kyle maintains his veganism. He’s the only known were who can outstubborn his wolf, the only one who isn’t bound by the compulsion power possessed by alphas, and the only known *male* mate of a male Alpha. Because that’s who Tobias turns out to be: Alpha of the pack Kyle has unknowingly been living among.
Which is the last thing Kyle expected.
This book contains discussion of past sexual trauma (the trauma does not occur on-page, the conversation does), physical violence between werewolves, abduction, and a werewolf Alpha living with PTSD.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback!
Reviews listed below were done for the 2022 edition of this book. No changes were made to the content of the story for the 2024 reissue.
Author Anthony Avina gives Salad on the Side 5 stars and says, “Heated, engaging, and thrilling, author Karenna Colcroft’s “Salad on the Side” is the perfect first novel in the Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat series and a brilliant LGBTQ-driven supernatural romance novel.”
Joyfully Jay gives Salad on the Side 3.5 stars and says, “Overall, I think this is a great selection for people who love werewolf stories.”
Bayou Book Junkie gives Salad on the Side 3.5 stars and says, “With plenty of subplots and secondary characters included in Salad on the Side, I’d recommend this book to fans of shifter romances looking for a new series.”
MM Fiction Cafe gives Salad on the Side 4 stars and says, “Seriously though as quirky as the title suggests, this story is quite a page turner. It has all the wholesome ingredients of a good novel.”
TTC Books and More gives Salad on the Side 4 meows and says, “This story is a fun, unusual take on werewolves. Especially with one that is vegan. I liked some of the characters, disliked others (in a good way).”
Rainbow Book Reviews says of Salad on the Side, “I have to admit the author deviated a little from where I thought she’d go which made the ending more interesting.”
Veggie Burgers to Go
Kyle Slidell has been a werewolf for three months now. The only thing that makes it bearable is his mate Tobias Rogan, the Alpha of their pack. Now Kyle must accompany Tobias to the regional gathering of Alphas, where Tobias will declare Kyle his mate.
The Arkhon, leader of the Northeast Region, is in favor of Tobias and Kyle’s relationship, but not all in attendance at the gathering approve. Alpha Saul Hughes sees the relationship as proof that Tobias is too weak to rule a pack, and sets his sights on taking over both Boston packs.
No one anticipates the drastic actions Saul will take. At his command, tragedy strikes, and Kyle is left to fight for his pack and mate while Tobias fights for his life.
This book also includes the Christmas-themed short story “Tofurkey and Yams,” originally published as a separate short story. This book includes on-page discussion of off-page abuse and sexual assault; depictions of PTSD; gun violence; and a main character losing his temper with his mate and coming far too close to crossing the line between consensual and coercion.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
Reviews listed below were done for the 2022 edition of this book. No changes were made to the content of the story for the 2024 reissue.
Joyfully Jay gives Veggie Burgers to Go 4.5 stars and says, “Overall, I enjoyed this installment of Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat tremendously.”
TTC Books and More gives Veggie Burgers to Go 4 meows and says, “I’m anxious for the next book, as I’m loving this series.”
MM Fiction Cafesays, “A good addition to this unique take on werewolves that is the Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat.”
Paranormal Romance Guild gives Veggie Burgers to Go 4 stars and says, “Overall, I found this to be a great shifter story to read with a lot of different aspects coming together to build up the atmosphere and emotion that is experienced.” This review was also posted on QueeRomance Ink.
Hummus on Rye
On the night of the full moon, a six-year-old human boy goes missing. When Boston North Pack Alpha Tobias Rogan is blamed for the disappearance, Tobias’s mate, Kyle Slidell, knows who is truly responsible: Rogue werewolf Saul Hughes, who has come to Boston seeking to remove Tobias from his rank. Permanently. And he is using members of Boston North to do it.
Immune to the powers wielded by Saul, Kyle is able to locate the child. But to rescue the boy and clear his mate’s name, he must disobey a werewolf ruler and violate shifter law. And he might not survive the aftermath.
This book was originally published in 2012. This version has been revised, edited, and expanded from the original. This book contains child abduction; references to off-page abuse and sexual assault; violence between werewolves; and depictions of PTSD.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
Reviews listed below were done for the 2023 edition of this book. No changes were made to the content of the story for the 2024 reissue.
Joyfully Jay gives Hummus on Rye 4.5 stars and says, “All in all, I thought Hummus on Rye was an excellent addition to Colcroft’s werewolf series. Kyle and Tobias continue to grow and love and I just loved seeing them fall more in love with each other. The main villain was deliciously insidious.”
TTC Books and More gives Hummus on Rye 5 stars and says, “I love the uniqueness of this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!”
Queer Sci Fi says, “The story-telling was excellent. Along with well-developed, complex characters, we got an action-filled story with good pacing.” (No star rating is given.)
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog gives Hummus on Rye 5 stars and calls Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat a “high suspense series.”
MM Romance Reviewed gives Hummus on Rye 4 stars and says, “I am getting more and more attached to the characters in the series and can’t wait to read the next book later this year.”
Rainbow Book Reviews says of Hummus on Rye, “An explosive ending, to be sure! A really good addition to the series.” (Note that this review was originally done and posted with the release of the 2013 edition of this book, and was reposted to coincide with the 2023 rerelease. One of the items noted about the book in this review was addressed and resolved in the 2023 edition.)
Try the Tofu
Another spring, another trip to Pennsylvania for the regional Alpha gathering. After the tragedy at the last gathering, Alpha Tobias Rogan can only hope that this event will go smoothly. Especially since his mate Kyle Slidell refuses to stay behind in Boston.
At the gathering, Tobias’s hopes are dashed when a visiting stranger challenges the Arkhon of the Northeast Region to a fight for rank—and wins. But the challenger wasn’t acting of his own free will. There’s a larger plan in play, and Tobias knows who’s behind it.
To protect his region, with his mate by his side, Tobias will do whatever it takes. So much for things going smoothly.
This book includes conflict between mates and reference to a past physical fight between those mates; mention of off-page murder, abduction, and child abduction; violence between werewolves; references to past abuse and sexual assault; and depictions of PTSD.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback!
Reviews listed below were done for the 2023 edition of this book. No changes were made to the content of the story for the 2024 reissue.
TTC Books and More gives Try the Tofu 5 meows and says, “If you like paranormal romance, werewolves, vegan, twists, suspense and lots of heat you will love this.”
Joyfully Jay gives Try the Tofu 4.75 stars and says, “Needless to say, I was enthralled with this installment.”
Rainbow Book Reviews reviewed Try the Tofu and says, “Very exciting addition filled with a lot of intrigue, backstabbing, and violence.”
Tempeh for Two
All werewolf Tobias Rogan ever wanted was to live a quiet life with his mate, Kyle Slidell, in the smallest pack in the United States. The pack Tobias once ruled. He never wanted to be a leader, but fate keeps throwing him into the role, first as Alpha and now as Arkhon, the ruler of the Northeast Region. And he isn’t done.
The Anax, ruler of all werewolves in the country, is threatening the very existence of the werewolf world and must be removed from the rank. Only Tobias is strong enough to challenge and defeat him.
But the Anax knows Tobias’s plans, and he is determined to keep his rank at any cost. With Kyle’s life hanging in the balance, Tobias must choose: save the world or save his mate.
This book contains on-page violence between humans and between werewolves, including the on-page death of a human; mention of gun violence; references to past abuse and sexual assault and threats of those things; and depictions of PTSD. This book was previously published in 2014. This edition has been moderately revised and re-edited and includes a newly-written ending.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
Reviews listed below were done for the January 2024 edition of this book. No changes were made to the content of the story for the June 2024 reissue.
Cat from TTC Books and More gives Tempeh for Two 5 meows and says, “If you like Werewolves, and a vegetarian one that hates conflict, established couples, friends, twists, suspense and a hot and steamy romance, you will like/ love this.”
Maryann of QueeRomance Ink says, “I was very entertained by Tempeh For Two. It wasn’t what I had expected.”
Joyfully Jay‘s reviewer Camille gives Tempeh for Two 3.75 stars and says, “I was so excited to to jump back into this wolf shifter world. I have loved seeing how Tobias and Kyle’s relationship has grown and developed.”
Rainbow Book Reviews says of Tempeh for Two, “Very, very, exciting finale to a series that I’ve enjoyed.” (Note that this review was originally posted for the release of the 2014 edition of this book, and was reposted to coincide with the 2024 rerelease. Tempeh for Two is no longer the finale of Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat.)
Take Some Tahini
A werewolf pack reels from the loss of five members, including the Alpha and Beta, at the teeth and claws of Canadian werewolves. Summoned by a frantic call from a young werewolf who survived the massacre, Anax Tobias Rogan, the highest-ranked wolf in the United States, heads to North Dakota.
Tobias is able to stabilize the pack, but his trip takes a toll on his relationship with his mate, Kyle Slidell. When the Canadian Anax, Silas Creighton, requests a meeting, Tobias seizes the opportunity for a trip with Kyle to restore their connection.
With an international conflict to resolve and a traumatized young werewolf in tow, Tobias and Kyle struggle to find time for each other. And then assassins try to take Tobias’s life…
This book includes discussions of past sexual assault and physical child abuse, homophobia including a French Canadian homophobic slur, a child character living with cancer, and depictions of grief and mourning.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback!
Camille of Joyfully Jay gives Take Some Tahini 4.75 stars and says, “I love how the world continues to expand, how Tobias and Kyle continue to love each other despite the odds, and how this specific book offers glimmers of hope for their future… all while setting the stage for much bigger battles.”
Cat of TTC Books and More gives Take Some Tahini 5 meows and says, “If you like paranormal romance, especially werewolves, fated Mates, twists and some heat you will love this.” (Note: The review is part of the guest post to promote the release of Take Some Tahini; scroll down on that page to read the review.)
And Kyle and Tobias’s “theme song”: