Book Review: When a Werewolf's Friends Set Him Up on a Date

 Blind Date With a Werewolf, by Patricia Briggs (Ace)

When Asil, an ancient, deadly, and drop-dead gorgeous werewolf, becomes the recipient of five blind dates arranged via online dating apps by his anonymous “Concerned Friends,” the fun begins. These “friends” are concerned about Asil becoming a recluse, which these social encounters are supposed to rectify. They have not only created a profile for him in his human form, but they have pretended to be him in corresponding via email with his prospective dates. There are rules to this game, of course, including the length of time each date must last and how much bloodshed is acceptable. Intrigued, Asil accepts the challenge…only to discover that his first date, Kelly, is a gay man, while Asil is firmly straight. (Oops!) But Kelly is a pleasant dinner-and-dance companion, as much confused by the mix-up as Asil. It also turns out that the “vampire”-themed event is attended by actual vampires out for their next victims. Then, of course, chaos ensues and bodies pile up.

Although this book features a recurring series character, it works well as a stand-alone. The author has done a wonderful job weaving together episodes into a dynamic flow, and balancing inner and outer dramatic tension. The unifying theme is the relationship between the human Asil and his inner wolf, which adds deep psychological resonance to this urban fantasy.