ARC Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Once in a Full Moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Publication: Katherine Tegen Books (December 28, 2010)


Description: Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.


Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.


Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.


Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.


My Thoughts: I enjoyed this romantic paranormal. Celeste was a really well-rounded character. She lives on the right side of town but not in the richest part. She is a good friend to Ivy and Abby. They do all the typical teenage girl things like gossip fests, shopping sprees and sleepovers. But Celeste also likes the outdoors and likes volunteering at the nursing home. She is special friends with Mr. Worthington, an active 89-year-old. She is friendly and polite to everyone no matter which side of town they come from.


She even has a boyfriend - sort of. Nash is the best friend of the boys her best friends are dating. He is a star athlete and the boy she had a crush on for years. But she really isn't that into him. They are dating more because of their friends than because of any attraction they feel to each other. Nash takes her for granted. He wants her around as a cheering section but isn't very supportive of the things she likes.


Then the new boy comes to town. Brandon is gorgeous but he lives on the wrong side of the tracks. She is attracted but doesn't want to cause trouble with her friends. She is even more attracted to him after he saves her from some wolves in the woods. She was walking home after a visit to a psychic with her friends and it looks like what the psychic had to say is coming true. But her friends keep pushing her toward Nash and Brandon's fears that he might be a werewolf also make the course of their romance rocky.


There are persistent legends about werewolves in the town. Celeste has heard them all her life. She is even doing an English paper on werewolves as part of a folklore assignment. The research becomes lots more relevant when it seems that Brandon is turning into a werewolf too. And the sightings are becoming more frequent. And the wolves around town are doing odd things. Tensions build.


This was a sweet romance. I think it would be quite suitable for younger YAs. The chapters were short and the emotions were intense. I read the eARC on my Kindle and am eager to see the final finished book. There was a lot of weird formatting in the file I received. I am eager to see how the moody pictures of tree branches that took up screens and screens on my Kindle appear in the actual book. I will certainly be ordering a copy for my HS Media Center. 


Favorite Quote:

"Someone--please help me!" I screamed. "Help!"


I was blinded, lost, cold and alone -- only I wasn't as alone as I would have liked. Branches crunched and twigs crackled, and the sound of heavy breathing was near.


Then I heard a deep, maddening, and fiery growl. This time it was coming from behind me.