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.
Salad on the Side (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 1)
Heavily crushing on his attractive neighbor Tobias, Boston newcomer and vegan Kyle Slidell is thrilled when Tobias agrees to a dinner date. But while picking strawberries in the community garden for their dessert, Kyle comes face to face with something he couldn’t anticipate: A wolf. In East Boston. Who attacks him.
Kyle awakens in Tobias’s living room in a world he barely understands, but he learns three things: He is now a werewolf, Tobias is the Alpha of the pack Kyle’s attacker belongs to…and Kyle is still damned if he’ll eat meat. And soon he discovers that he is fated to be Tobias’s mate. Good thing he already likes the guy.
Adjusting to being a werewolf is far from easy, never mind adjusting to having a predestined mate and the disapproval of his packmates. And it’s even more complicated when a wolf from a neighboring pack, determined to destroy Tobias, kidnaps the pack’s healer. Immune to the power Tobias holds to command his pack, Kyle disobeys his mate and goes to the rescue–and to lengths he never imagined possible.
This book was originally published in 2011. The current version has been revised and re-edited with some content added. The story 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.”
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Salad on the Side 5 stars and says, “This is the first shifter book I have read where the wolf is vegan and a pacifist and where same sex romance is not readily accepted, but it is a whole different take on werewolves. I can’t wait for more of Tobias and Kyle’s adventures.”
Veggie Burgers to Go (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 2)
After three months, vegan Kyle Slidell is getting the hang of being a werewolf, and of being the predestined mate of the pack Alpha, Tobias Rogan. Now Tobias is bringing Kyle to a gathering of alphas at the home of the regional leader, where their pack will receive full recognition and Tobias will formally declare Kyle his mate, cementing their bond permanently.
But their happiness is dampened by conflict with Alpha Saul Hughes, who has the power to control all other werewolves–and a grudge against Tobias. Working with the wolf who changed Kyle, Saul sets his sights on taking over both Boston packs and removing Tobias permanently.
On the night of the full moon, as the werewolves hunt, tragedy strikes at Saul’s command. In the aftermath, Kyle is left to fight for his pack and mate while Tobias fights for his life.
This book was originally published in 2012. The current version has been revised and re-edited, with some content added. The book also includes the Christmas-themed short story “Tofurkey and Yams,” originally published as a separate short story in 2011. 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.
Christie Duke of Rainbow Book Reviews says of Veggie Burgers to Go, “A good addition to the series that definitely weighed in with the drama.”
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Veggie Burgers to Go 5 stars and says, “Suspense, betrayal, sex, death, lies and overcoming.”
Hummus on Rye (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 3)
On the night of the full moon, a six-year-old human boy goes missing, and werewolf Alpha Tobias Rogan is blamed. But Kyle Slidell, Tobias’s vegan mate, knows who is truly responsible. Saul Hughes, a former Alpha turned fugitive, has followed his victim Brianna, Tobias and Kyle’s newest packmate, to Boston. Saul will do anything to destroy Tobias, including turning members of Tobias’s own pack against him–and trying to turn Tobias against Kyle.
Immune to Saul’s mind-control power, Kyle locates the child. To rescue the boy and clear Tobias’s name, Kyle disobeys the regional werewolf leader, the Arkhon, and violates shifter law, placing his own life at risk and leaving Saul still on the loose in Boston.
As the full extent of Saul’s crimes and abuse of Brianna comes to light, Kyle works with Tobias and members of the neighboring pack to locate the fugitive. But before they can stop him, Saul takes Brianna captive–and one of them will not survive.
This book was originally published in 2012. This version has been revised, edited, and expanded from the original, with additional content originally published as a separate novel in 2013. 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.)
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Hummus on Rye 5 stars and says, “Kidnapping, betrayal, lies, explicit sex and danger to a human child and his father.”
Try the Tofu (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 4)
As werewolf Alpha Tobias Rogan prepares for a gathering of the region’s alphas, he’s haunted by memories of tragedy at the previous regional gathering. Tragedy that nearly took his life. And to his dismay, his mate, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell, the man fate brought him and his heart claimed, refuses to remain in safety in Boston. With their relationship fraying under the stress, the two travel to Pennsylvania for the gathering.
At the home of the regional ruler, the Arkhon Zane Wolfskin, a larger scheme begins to unfold, orchestrated by a werewolf more powerful than any other. A visiting stranger challenges Zane for leadership of the region–and wins. But the challenger wasn’t acting of his own free will, and under his rule, the Northeast Region will fall.
To protect his region, Tobias must act quickly, despite the cost to his relationship with Kyle. But if the wolf behind the plan learns Tobias’s intentions, the cost will be Tobias’s life.
This book was originally published in 2013. The current version has been revised and re-edited. It 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.”
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Try the Tofu 5 stars and says, “This series is wonderful, and I highly recommend reading them in order even though the author does a great job of keeping the reader abreast of what occurred previously.”
Tempeh for Two (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 5)
All werewolf Tobias Rogan ever wanted was to live a quiet life with his destined mate, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell, in the smallest pack in the United States. The pack Tobias once ruled as its Alpha. He never wanted to be a leader, but fate keeps throwing him into the role, first as Alpha and now as Arkhon, the leader of the Northeast Region’s werewolves. And he isn’t done. The Anax, ruler of all werewolves in the United States, is threatening the very existence of their world and must be removed from the rank. Only Tobias is strong enough to challenge and defeat him.
But the Anax knows Tobias’s intentions and co-opts one of Tobias’s employees, a human man who threatens Tobias with silver bullets. To save Tobias’s life, Kyle kills the man, a violation of shifter law. And when Tobias and Kyle travel to California for the annual gathering of all werewolf alphas and regional leaders in the country, the Anax’s men take Kyle into custody.
Tobias has allies in his bid to defeat the Anax–but the Anax has Kyle’s life in his hands. With the fate of the country’s werewolves at stake, Tobias must choose: Save the world, or save his mate.
This book was originally published in 2014. This version has been revised, re-edited, and expanded from the original. It 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.)
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Tempeh for Two 5 stars and says, “This book had lots of tension, lots of betrayal, lies and secrets and lots of explicit sex. You will have to find out for yourself what happens in California, and you won’t be sorry.”
Take Some Tahini (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 6)
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 to stabilize the pack.
But the trip takes a toll on Tobias’s relationship with his mate, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell. Fate put them together, but Kyle has chosen to part. A request from the Canadian Anax, Silas Creighton, gives Tobias an opportunity to rebuild things with Kyle: A road trip to Nova Scotia. As eager as Tobias to restore their relationship, Kyle agrees.
With an international conflict to resolve, a traumatized young werewolf in tow, and multiple threats to his life, Tobias struggles to make time for his mate. And when unexpected enemies invade Silas’s island stronghold, Tobias and Kyle’s relationship isn’t the only thing that might come to an end.
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.)
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Take Some Tahini 5 stars and says, “Wonderful characters, explicit sex, danger, betrayal, surprises and secrets make this series a must read.”
Bring on the Broccoli (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 7)
In their new home near Boston, Massachusetts, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell hopes he and the mate fate brought to him, Tobias Rogan, can finally have a peaceful life together. But Tobias is the Anax, ruler of all werewolves in the United States. The pressure of the rank and the power it carries are changing Tobias from the gentle, compassionate man Kyle fell in love with to someone far too much like the previous Anax: a power-hungry ruler who is all too eager to kill.
When a Boston wolf comes to Tobias for help in rescuing his mate from an abusive Alpha, Jack Leary, Tobias sentences Jack to death and is all too eager to carry out the sentence himself. But Jack flees, and when Tobias, Kyle, and their guards pursue him, tragedy strikes a pack that has already lost too much.
To bring Jack to justice and ensure that the power within Tobias doesn’t take control, Kyle will do anything he can–including becoming the Anax’s enforcer.
This book includes an on-page death in a werewolf attack, the on-page execution of a werewolf, discussions of abuse and assault, and depictions of PTSD.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback!
Camille of Joyfully Jay gives Bring on the Broccoli 4 stars and says, “This was a pretty solid read, especially for this series. Fans of Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat and these MCs will love getting to see their relationship continue to change as Tobias and Kyle assimilate to their ever-changing circumstances.”
Cat of TTC Books and More gives Bring on the Broccoli 5 stars and says, “This is one of my favorite series and each book is riveting. I did scold Karenna for making me cry (I won’t tell you what she told me) but I’m almost afraid to read the next one.”
Linda of Paranormal Romance Guild gives Bring on the Broccoli 5 stars and says, “This is a series I can’t recommend highly enough amazing characters, suspense, threats and a constant attempt by Tobias to make things better.”
Sorry About the Seitan (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 8)–Releasing July 10, 2025
Anax Tobias Rogan, ruler of all werewolves in the United States, has never liked Christmas. But this year, his mate, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell, and their young guard Quinn Boucher are eager to celebrate, and Tobias is trying to find the holiday spirit. He’s even planned the perfect gift for Kyle, one he hopes will revitalize the relationship that has been frayed by Tobias claiming the rank of Anax.
A call from Jed Howe, the Alpha who took in Tobias after he was changed as a teen, changes everything. Jed has slipped into dementia and believes the Alpha of a nearby pack is trying to steal his rank. Although Tobias manages to calm Jed, he knows the time he has dreaded has come. Jed is no longer fit to rule a pack, and Tobias must intervene before he causes any harm.
But before Tobias is able to stop him, Jed takes drastic and dangerous action against the other Alpha. Now Tobias, battling his own demons, is faced with the most difficult task of his life: Removing the man he considers a father from his rank–permanently.
This book includes references to abuse and sexual assault in characters’ pasts, depictions of PTSD, and the off-page suicide of a character.
Available for Kindle preorder. Releasing July 10, 2025 in Kindle and paperback formats.
Fresh Meat (young adult prequel novel; Tobias Rogan’s origin story)
Tired of constant fighting at home, fifteen-year-old Tobias Rogan dreams of getting out. Of never having to care for his younger sisters again. Of living a life far from New Hampshire. And when Tobias meets Larry Denning, he believes he’s found his chance.
But in one afternoon, Tobias’s life is turned upside-down when Larry attacks him. Tobias awakens to find that he’s been changed into a werewolf. The local pack Alpha takes him in, and Tobias begins to adjust to his new life as the pack searches for Larry to punish him for breaking shifter law.
When Larry changes another boy and dumps him at the Alpha’s home as a warning to Tobias, Tobias is no longer willing to wait for the pack to take action. He sets his own plan in motion–a plan for revenge.
This book was previously published in 2012. This version has been revised and re-edited from the original. It includes an inappropriate relationship between a 15-year-old boy and a man who claims to be 22; on-page emotional abuse and an incident of physical abuse; an on-page though vaguely described incident of SA; and a werewolf killing another werewolf.