A girls' night out at an exclusive club goes wrong for Mikayla when she sees her fiance, Elliot, having an affair with another woman at the same club. Heartbroken, she chooses to spend the night with a handsome young man named Jason Bloodright, who, unbeknownst to her, is the werewolf alpha of the Eclipse Moon pack. Meanwhile, Jason believes he has finally found his mate and Luna for his pack in Mikayla. But, as Mikayla and Jason slowly bond over their mutual attraction, a bloody war brews between the Eclipse Moon and Dark Moon packs, spearheaded by the tyrannical alpha, Justin. While Mikayla reveals her witch heritage, Jason loses his pack members to the war. Will he lose Mikayla too? Get yourself a copy of Coming Into Power by Tamara Smith.

A young adult romance novel featuring werewolves and witches, Coming Into Power is a must-read for fans of the supernatural genre. Tamara Smith weaves a captivating yarn full of romance, action, and paranormal thrills that will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails in anticipation of what's coming next. Smith's narrative is smooth, complemented by a fast-paced plot with a couple of well-placed curveballs that take you by surprise and keep you invested in the story. In addition, the two main characters have their POVs, which gives us access to their inner thoughts and feelings, making them all the more relatable. Overall, I found it an absorbing young adult supernatural thriller.

Coming into Power by Tamara Smith is a paranormal romance that revolves around its central character Mikayla, who initially appears to possess all the requisites for a fulfilling life with a stable job to support her while she completes college, dependable friendships, and an ideal fiancé. However, this all comes crashing down when she discovers her partner's infidelity. And what does this lead to? The seeking of comfort in a deep cup and a one-night stand. Jason is an alpha and dominant figure in a formidable pack of werewolves. Mikayla and Jason are slated for mate bonding, something Mikayla is rightly wary of, given a break-up that's about five seconds old, and is also confronted by an opposing faction amid a developing war. As the story progresses, Mikayla's personal history is uncovered, leading her to question her newfound existence, encompassing affection, conflict, and leadership. Mikayla must decide whether to embrace her newfound supernatural identity or return to everyday human existence.

I had a moment where I seriously wanted to smack down Mikayla's loser fiancé Elliott. Of course, we know there will be a delicious alternative, but it still doesn't lighten the burden of anger that I, as a real-life Mama bear to a college student, was ready to unleash on him. Come on over here, girl. Let Mama hug you. Two things stand out in this first brilliant novel in the new Mikayla Tale series. The first is that Tamara Smith is skilled at building tension and a slow roll that turns into a sizzle. The writing is occasionally rough around the edges but I loved the alternating point of view, which is clearly defined, and the dialogue feels modern and authentic. I can hear Jason whispering to Mikayla and asking if she's ok, and I visualize the hope in his eyes, which brings me to standout number two. There is no instant love in Coming into Power, and Mikayla has agency. Smith gives our girl choices, makes her a leader, and pushes men who would otherwise try to swoon power away into the back seat. Jason, have a seat. This isn't really about you. Overall, this is a fascinating story with a lot going for it, and I look forward to seeing where it heads next.