Big-hearted, goofy, anarchic and funny, Bored Gay Werewolf is a smart take on the doomsday logic of late capitalism and the complicated meeting point of masculinity and sexuality. While the werewolf storyline took a backseat to navigating identity and complex relationships, it brought humor and carried significant queer themes. A clever satirical observation of modern life, toxic masculinity, capitalism and ‘wellness’ culture. I think that the attention to detail made the world feel real and allows us as readers to fully engage with the story. For me I found that It was a pleasant surprise to find a book that didn't rely on romantic subplots to drive the story forward.

i was dubious at first, i didn’t really know what to make of this book, i wouldn’t say i found it good though, but it was definitely enjoyable. I found Bored Gay Werewolf a fun read, like a much lighter version of Woman, Eating which also uses supernatural creatures to comment on the absurdity of 21st century life.The way in which the characters were presented was both captivating and engaging, leaving me eager to learn more about their individual stories. Especially when a problem gets dropped into your lap and changes your life, and you’re not given a manual or any help, you’re just supposed to figure it out. However, starting the book with such a pivotal moment I feel would have added an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the story. But this stranger’s motives might not be as pure as Brian first thinks, and this new relationship puts a strain on Brian’s friendships. On the other hand, the fact that Brian's friends guessed long ago that he's a werewolf was charming.

But as Brian gets closer to Tyler's pack, and alienated from Nik and Darby, he realises that Tyler's expansion plans are much more nefarious than a little lupine enlightenment.It's not what you'd expect from a werewolf novel and that makes it an enjoyable read, even if the ending is perhaps a little too easily resolved. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself. I think it was meant to be an entertaining story with some commentary, and that is indeed what it was. In addition to Brian, there are two wonderful supporting characters in Darby, a Non-Binary polymath, and Nik, an overworked and under-paid bar manager and medical student.

I picked Bored Gay Werewolf off the library's June pride display, because who could resist a title like that? I really liked his friendship with Nik and Darby – Brian doesn’t give much back but they are a constant source of support and love and they were great!Tyler has got a plan and he wants Brian to be part of it, and weirdly his brand of self-help punditry actually encourages Brian to shape up and to stop accidently marking out bad tippers at the restaurant as potential monthly victims.

As someone who has met many Tylers (sadly), I did pick up the vibe faster than our protagonist (had to agree with side character Nik, begging him to pick up a book! But seeing the description of this book being of a gay man in a dead end job trying to work out where he'd going in life. Author Tony Santorella uses the concept of being a werewolf to discuss a journey of self-discovery where he realises that while his life may not be exciting, it is good. The mythological creature functions here as an allegory of sorts for toxic masculinity and hustle culture; Santorella, though, portrays the queer community in a more positive, even comforting light. Tyler's plan for the The Pack (™) includes getting Brian in shape and in control, but it seems that Tyler's business plans might go further than that, and meanwhile, Brian is drifting away from his friends and his previous self.

As Brian delves deeper into Tyler's worldview, darker motivations emerge, and he must use everything he's learned and everyone he knows to escape it. Seeking self-improvement with the help of Tyler's guidance, but as he delves deeper into Tyler's world, he realizes that his expansion plans are not as innocent as they seem. And he had a lot of the same thoughts that I was having in response to all the weird and/or problematic stuff happening around him. I genuinely hope so because I'd love to see more of Brian and his motley crew (and hopefully see him get a bedframe and maybe a sofa?