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Cover of How to Trust a Hellhound

How to Trust a Hellhound

by Shannon Mae

🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate·spoiler·Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #4

Why Read This?

Handles the aftermath of an abusive relationship with real grace and care - watching Josh learn he deserves a healthy, nurturing relationship with Wilder is genuinely lovely. Plus the mate biting and creative tail usage add paranormal fun.

Synopsis

Wilder Angels, demons, hellhounds, Nephilim, and a whole host of other non-mortals—my pack of adopted hellhound sons sure knows how to pick a place. And yet somehow, the most interesting one of all is the sad, quiet human who’s become friends with the pack. Helping people heal and learn to trust is a specialty of mine, but I don’t see Josh as someone to adopt—my hellhound sees him as a mate. The problem? Josh doesn’t believe in anything supernatural. Plus, there’s the vicious and oddly hard to track ex-boyfriend, the meddling but strangely helpful sheriff, the delicate side project I’m working on, and the immortal evil rich guy running around. As I said, my boys sure know how to pick a town. Josh I’m the boring one. No imagination. No fun. In control. My ex-boyfriend taught me how to let loose and explore things, but then he changed… or maybe I just realized who he truly was. I want someone who cares for me, not someone who controls me, but I don’t think Rick will let me go easily. Everyone is willing to help, though, including the handsome dad of my best friend’s boyfriend. My inappropriate feelings for him aren’t helping matters, though. Not to mention that the more I hang out with everyone, the more my writer friend's supernatural stories suddenly don't seem so far-fetched. Something is strange about Paradise Falls, and I can’t help but think that Wilder is more involved than he lets on. It’s always the quiet ones (wink, wink); Josh doesn’t believe in hellhounds, but they believe in him; Wilder is just the hellhound to give Josh all the comfort and healing he needs; Helene is the best therapist for someone who’s been wronged; the entire pack gets involved (of course) and chaos ensues; abusive ex-boyfriends always get what’s coming to them; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

At a Glance

4.28 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️🌶️🌶️moderate
Endingspoiler
PairingM/M
Romance Pacinginsta-love
Energylow

Top Tropes

fated mateshurt/comforthealing romancerescue romanceforced proximity

Mood

heartwarmingromantichumoroushealingplayful

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.28 ★

Page Count

276 pages

Published

2025

Primary Genre

Paranormal Romance

Pairing

M/M

POV

Dual POV

Romance Pacing

Insta-love

Cliffhanger

spoiler

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

humorousbanter-heavyconversationalwarmemotional

Story Pacing

fast

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

low

Vibes

found family pack dynamicshealing from abuse into fated lovesnarky human meets patient hellhoundsmall-town paranormal coziness

Characters

FMC Archetype

N/A

MMC Archetype

shifter alphafound family dadsecretly softimmortal/ancient

Relationship Dynamics

hurt/comfortprotective love interestferal devotiononly soft for themfound family

Spice Details 🌶️

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Spice Level 3

Spice Style

emotional / lovingfantasy / supernatural intimacydominant / submissive

Getting Steamy

possessive/protectivegrowling / possessive soundsscent kinkbody worshipneck kisses / neck touchingmine declarations

Bringing the Heat

bonding/claiming/markingtail playsoft dom energypossessivemarking
Browse more books by spice level →
domestic violenceabuseemotional abuseviolencetorturecult themes
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World & Setting

World Type

paranormal

Primary Setting

small town / villagebunker / base / compound

Fantasy Creatures

Representation

gay

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

Best Time of Year

anytime

When & Where to Read

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