She crash-landed in a cursed town with wild magic in her veins and a warlock’s claim on her soul.

Cora Thorne wasn’t looking for a fresh start —but the Veil took her anyway. Now she’s stuck in Hollow Oak, where the trees whisper secrets, the muffins glow at dawn, and the town’s lion-shifter ranger growls like she’s already his.

Callum Cross protects this place with claws and silence. He doesn’t trust Cora’s fae blood, her too-bright magic, or the way she hums under her breath like she belongs.

But the relic buried beneath the forest is waking. Her curse is tied to it. And the only thing more dangerous than what’s coming… is what’s sparking between them.

Titles in the Hollow Oak Mates series include: Love at First Roar ~ Mate Night Snack ~ Claws for Celebration ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Love at First Roar
Series:  Hollow Oak Mates #1
Author:  Kala Aster & Milly Taiden
Published:  July 24, 2025
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Love at First Roar begins the Hollow Oak Mates series with the complicated romance between Cora, a witch on the run, and Callum, lion shifter protector of this small town.  Cora has been running from the warlock who ruined her life for so long now.  She’s tired and alone.  When a spell of protection misfires, she finds herself in the forest surrounding Hollow Oak, tossed through the Veil with no idea what awaits her there.

The last thing Callum expected while on patrol was this human in the middle of the forest.  It’s obvious that she’s trouble, but exactly what kind isn’t clear.  That the Veil allowed her through spoke in her favor, yet Callum never trusts easily, and there’s something about her that draws him in as his lion keeps a careful watch.  

Before long, Cora will find herself under the “protection” of Callum, as the council decides if she can stay.  “Protection” or “guarding” is the same thing in Cora’s opinion.  Yet, this town feels like a safe haven, like she could belong here, like maybe she can stop running.  And if she’s drawn to an annoying lion who has issues, well, she has issues of her own, and surviving is at the top of the list.

Love at First Roar by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden is intense.  The danger surrounding Cora is very real, and the wariness of Callum speaks of past pain.  There is world-building, but I expect that in the first story of a series, we’re introduced to a charming, magical town with quirky residents, and magic sensed in the air they all breathe. 

I loved Love at First Roar by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden.  Yes, it’s intense, for the danger this couple will face is very real, very evil.  Watching them navigate their attraction, learn to trust each other, and face down a villain who would destroy worlds to get what he claims is his was a complex, haunting, intriguing story.  If you enjoy a well-written, emotional, steamy, haunting shifter romance, then you’d love Love at First Roar.  I’m so looking forward to the next story in this new series.

This title releases on July 24, 2025.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

If you love this author’s work, be sure to visit our Kala Aster page or our Milly Taiden page for reviews of other series, or just to discover series you might have missed.

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)