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Shelby Rhodes
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At First Irritation (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Shelby Rhodes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 832 ratings

Welcome, welcome. I can only guess you are here to read about my wonderful adventures? Oh, you don’t know who I am? Well, I’m Foxx Honeywell. An adorable, fierce vampire with a kink for violence. Any who, this marks the beginning of my story. A story of violence, blood, possibly pain, and love. Though, the love part is not so apparent at first.

So how does this story start, you may ask? Well, it starts with a simple—okay, maybe not so simple—law change, and a new job. I, Foxx, join the notorious Hunters Guild. An organization that used to murder my kind indiscriminately. But that was in the past. We've moved on and forward to better things, as paranormals are legal now! Yay, legal…

However, joining this government agency of questionable morals was just the catalyst of it all. Sure, the job is fun; lots of killing, maiming, blood, and even some explosions. But what is an adventure if you are all on your own? Boring, that’s what. No, the true satisfaction and fun comes not just from the job but from my partner on the job, Harlow Blackmore. The man is a sexy, silver fox of a human, who may or may not be a psychopath. He also possibly finds me irritating as hell. As any rational adult would, I choose to ignore those last parts and focus on the sexy! It will surely all work out in the end!

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance series with heat. There will be blood and violence. Please see inside for the full Content Warning!

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  1. Book 1 of 5
    The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx
  2. Print length
    282 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
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  5. Publication date
    July 21, 2023
  6. File size
    5.5 MB
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Product details

  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 832 ratings

About the author

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Shelby Rhodes

Shelby Rhodes

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Shelby Rhodes is a lover and writer of MM Paranormal Romance novels, but any genre is up for grabs. She loves building worlds and creating new realities. In her books you can expect to find a mix of humor and fluff with a dash of blood and violence. And while dramatic and comedic monologues may be her favorite things, that doesn't mean she won't try to rip your heart out.

Check out her website, www.ShelbyRhodesAuthor.com, for upcoming releases, free shorts, or if you just want to see what Shelby is currently working on.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
832 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book hilarious, with one review highlighting the snarky banter between Harlow and Foxx. Moreover, the pacing receives positive feedback for its decent world building, and customers enjoy the characters, with one describing Harlow as a grumpy psychopath. Additionally, they appreciate the romance and readability of the book.

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12 customers mention "Humor"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, particularly enjoying Foxx's character, with one customer highlighting the snarky banter with a psychopath.

"...constant snapping at each other, which makes this such a great and fun read!" Read more

"...Still enjoyed this, despite it being tainted. It was violent and spicy and I kinda love Foxx...." Read more

"...Of course violence reves Foxx’s desires. Unfortunately everything about Foxx drives Harlow crazy...." Read more

"...This was a fun, exciting and sexy story. Highly recommended" Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it adorable with decent world building, and one customer particularly appreciates Foxx's outfits.

"...Snarky banter with a psychopath and a kinky vampire. There is decent world building, great side characters and blood and gore...." Read more

"...This is hands down my favorite book of the year! A cute vampire, who gets turned on by violence, become partners with the psychopath of the Hunter's..." Read more

"...These two MCs are wonderful, adorable, and total opposites. You are gonna love the book too. 🤗..." Read more

"One hundred percent cute, one hundred percent bloodthirsty. Like, so much violence, but it leads to sexy times for our maladjusted team." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as their favorite book of the year.

"...This is hands down my favorite book of the year!..." Read more

"This is a definite read for everyone it will have you laughing ...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book, the bickering between the two main characters was very funny, and the sex scenes weren't over the top...." Read more

"I laughed so hard in so many places this book was so fun to read and I am so happy I already own book two" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning that Harlow is a grumpy psychopath.

"...I also loved that Harlow is a grumpy psychopath and can't stand how happy Foxx is or his choice in styling...." Read more

"...There is decent world building, great side characters and blood and gore. Of course violence reves Foxx’s desires...." Read more

"I think Foxx Honeywell is my new favorite vampire! Great characters! Very well paced and plotted! So much chaos! Highly recommend" Read more

"An enticing story, with quirky characters. Could not put it down once I started it. Loved every minute reading it." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as sweet and sexy.

"...This was a fun, exciting and sexy story. Highly recommended" Read more

"What a sweet and spicy book! The world building is excellent! I'm excited for future adventures for Harlow and Foxx...." Read more

"Delightful!!!!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • B. Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Harlow and Foxx
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Harlow is a hunter. He was one before the big reveal and had the company go legitimate on him. Foxx is a vampire. The hunters are now required to have a partner and Foxx is Harlow’s. This was a fun, exciting and sexy story. Highly recommended
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  • Abrianna
    4.0 out of 5 stars So much fun!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This new series from Shelby Rhodes promises to be a lot of fun!
    Foxx and Harlow are opposites in every way and when they're assigned to work together, Harlow can't think of anything worse, except the more time they spend together, the more they're drawn together.
    Neither of them knows what to expect from the other, but the chemistry between them can't be denied, even when they also annoy the living out of one another. Besides the bloody parts, the bickering and general peskiness of them both is what really drew me to these characters. They're partners to lovers and occasional annoyances to lovers and I am here for it.
    Both of them are a little bit on the side of unhinged, and I love that so much. Though Foxx is my favorite character. There's just something so...refreshing about him, even though he is absolutely insane.
    All in all, I am excited for the next book in the series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carrie Krogh
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved At First Irritation!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I loved At First Irritation by Shelby Rhodes. It's the first book in The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx. I loved this grumpy/sunshine story. I loved that Foxx is short, sadistic, upbeat, and a total bottom. I also loved that Harlow is a grumpy psychopath and can't stand how happy Foxx is or his choice in styling. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!

    I read this using the Kindle unlimited app.
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  • Stormy Dye
    5.0 out of 5 stars Foxx and Harlow
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    These two are so hilarious together! If it isn't the heat between them, it's their constant snapping at each other, which makes this such a great and fun read!
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  • TSF
    5.0 out of 5 stars I’m giving this a preemptive 5 star.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    (some) SPOILERS AHEAD!

    So the book ends to soon for me. It’s a decent stopping point but not a great one in my opinion.

    I would rate this a 4-4.5 star as is bc I wanted more out of the relationship aspect of this story. The blurb said it was a slow burn but in my On my way it’s not. The 2 MC’s definetely start a physical relationship before the book is halfway over. Now may the blurb meant a slow burn emotional relationship. That fits better.

    I gave this a preemptive 5 stars bc it was a really interesting read. I liked both MC’s and I see them circling each other emotionally and getting closer. If the author can capitalize on that in the next book it will be an amazing series.

    The vampires in this universe are different from the norm so that’s cool.

    It IS a little dark but nothing that really is over the top. It’s kinda hot how Foxx gets turned in and Harlow is so into it. THAT, I want more of that!

    Fingers crossed for the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ess.Ladd
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good but...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Soooo... you know when you read something and it's pretty good but it's almost exactly the same as another book that you've read recently? And you still kinda like it because you liked the first experience but it's tainted after your realization? That's this book. Grumpy hunter and overpowered sunshine monster forced to work together. Throw in a pet fish and a corrupted hunter organization secretly run by "monsters" and the sequel to that came out pretty recently.

    Still enjoyed this, despite it being tainted. It was violent and spicy and I kinda love Foxx. Don't know if I'd call it a "slow burn" since they were banging by the 50% mark but I guess since they were romantically banging it counts?

    Liked it, will definitely buy the next one.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • aqj ❤️📚
    5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of a hilarious chaotic series
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I am in love with this new world of Shelby Rhodes. Foxx and Harlow are complete opposites (grumpy/sunshine) and their new status as work partners takes many adjustments, especially for Harlow. Harlow is not happy about having a partner, especially a dimpled vampire with questionable fashion sense. But soon discovers that Foxx has many layers to him and shouldn't let those dimples fool him. He will €nd his enemy viciously while flashing those dimples the entire time (and he does, lol). Also, he can't ignore those sizzling sparks between them. And the discovery of having the same solution to annoying people, makes those sparks blaze.
    I can't wait to read what other chaotic mess these two get into. Cause from we learned about Foxx in this book, if he's involved there will be chaos 😂
    One person found this helpful
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  • Beth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Opposites attract?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great start to a new series! Snarky banter with a psychopath and a kinky vampire. There is decent world building, great side characters and blood and gore. Of course violence reves Foxx’s desires. Unfortunately everything about Foxx drives Harlow crazy. The push and pull between the two of them is played out through the whole story. Doesn’t have a HEA, but there is definitely very hot 🔥🔥🔥chemistry between them! I am waiting impatiently for the next book.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Flick
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is such an awesome start to a series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I’m kind of giddy right now as I’ve literally just finished the book and could not hold in my need to proclaim its awesomeness. Harlow and Foxx are the most perfect pair of ridiculous but oddly sweet creatures out there. Harlow somehow manages to be a massive moody grump whilst also being kind of hilariously cute. I mean, I know Foxx in all his cuteness make an adorable person when angry (hehe angy) but Harlow does too. For all his scowls I honestly kind of just wanted to pat him on the shoulder and tell him he’s a cutie (which I accept May or may not lead to death lol). He’s all violence and anger on the outside but honestly is quite sweet in his own special way. Foxx is the perfect mix of violence, sweetness and snark. He seems like a genuinely nice guy to be friends with. Sure a bit hyper but honestly sweet and kind and cuddly. What I love is that mixed in with all that is a vicious, bloodthirsty man who takes genuine pleasure in the violence he participates in. And why not give the people he focuses that violence against are bad people? The way he meshes with Harlow is lovely. No judgment, no condemnation; he understands the desire for violence and allows Harlow to be who he is (well, let’s face it, most of the time he’s actively encouraging it!). Add to that the fact that they are on fire together and their ridiculous snarking when they irritate each other and they’re the cutest couple (though I’m sure Harlow would claim they aren’t a couple - they totally are). The world building is also really interesting; it’s a fascinating the layers that have been created around the coming out of the paranormal. Just like for anyone who is different, there are the surface level issues but thing also things that go so much deeper and have such long-term effects on your every day life. The cases Harlow and Foxx deal with are interesting and provide a good bit of action and suspense but also allow even more understanding of the world Foxx and Harlow live in. I will say, I also have a feeling there may be a few surprises in respect of certain people and their origins but I’m going to leave it at that. Needless to say, I am absolutist buzzing in anticipation for the next book. I’m going to be all good and wait but I am seriously looking forward to it (and seeing what Harlow does to Foxx about a certain incident with a pink sun suit hehe)!
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  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Opposites attract (like polar opposite magnets)
    Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Harlow and Foxx could not be more opposite if you tried and Shelby Rhodes has really tried. I laughed so hard at all the stuff Foxx says and gets up to. Harlow is the perfect foil without being a two dimensional character. I just want to meet Foxx because I’m just like that, I love color, I talk too much and so on. Just to be clear I’m not a vampire. Yet.
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  • Samantha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and fun and murder-y
    Reviewed in Australia on August 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. Also - slight spoiler - can't wait to find out how old Foxx actually is.
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  • Saphirheart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice start to a new series
    Reviewed in Germany on June 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book a lot, the story is well crafted and intruiging. And the characters... i like them, MC and side characters as well. Amy favorite is Foxx, the second X is so. Extra! Would recommend! It reminded me a bit of Onley James Necessary Evils Series.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super funny
    Reviewed in Canada on August 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I adore the descriptions of the silly things Foxx wears. It is the best this book is funny as heck worth the read.
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