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Unfated Mates #1
Unfated Mates
F#@K FATE
Nat, a shy young girl who grew up too quickly, stumbles upon a terrifying yet gorgeous wolf boy in the woods. She takes him in, pretending he's her brother, making it awfully difficult for them when they find themselves falling in love. That and the fact that he can't seem to get hard, no matter how much he wants to be with her.
When they discover his body won't work because he already has a fated mate, Nat is devastated. But Caleb refuses to heed his body's call. No drug of destiny is going to tear him away from the girl he loves, even if it burns him alive.
But what chance do two young lovers have against fate itself?
A coming-of-age werewolf romance that puts a new spin on the fated mates trope.
WARNING: This book pushes at traditional boundaries and contains sexual scenes between a human in the form of a wolf and a human in the form of a human. There are also some dark background themes that include sexual abuse (no explicit scenes) as well as some violence, including sexualized violence.
Part 1 is YA (Young Adult) & part 2 more explicit NA (New Adult with 18 year old seniors in high school).
Nat, a shy young girl who grew up too quickly, stumbles upon a terrifying yet gorgeous wolf boy in the woods. She takes him in, pretending he's her brother, making it awfully difficult for them when they find themselves falling in love. That and the fact that he can't seem to get hard, no matter how much he wants to be with her.
When they discover his body won't work because he already has a fated mate, Nat is devastated. But Caleb refuses to heed his body's call. No drug of destiny is going to tear him away from the girl he loves, even if it burns him alive.
But what chance do two young lovers have against fate itself?
A coming-of-age werewolf romance that puts a new spin on the fated mates trope.
WARNING: This book pushes at traditional boundaries and contains sexual scenes between a human in the form of a wolf and a human in the form of a human. There are also some dark background themes that include sexual abuse (no explicit scenes) as well as some violence, including sexualized violence.
Part 1 is YA (Young Adult) & part 2 more explicit NA (New Adult with 18 year old seniors in high school).
300 pages, ebook
First published January 10, 2022
3122 people are currently reading
2766 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
August 12, 2022
Spoilers below
While I initially liked the premise, I didn't like it as the book went on. There were large gaps of time, the book was disjointed and didn't make sense sometimes, and...I'm sorry, but when the main characters finally did the deed, it was... uncomfortable at best. Cause he was in wolf form and my mind just went "ick". Blech.
While I initially liked the premise, I didn't like it as the book went on. There were large gaps of time, the book was disjointed and didn't make sense sometimes, and...I'm sorry, but when the main characters finally did the deed, it was... uncomfortable at best. Cause he was in wolf form and my mind just went "ick". Blech.
January 19, 2022
Such a fresh approach to the "fated mates" trope! I loved the "love conquers fate (or biology)" direction this book takes.
I debated for quite a while how to rate this.
I even consulted a friend because of how conflicted I felt.
The closest parallel I had was for the book All the Ugly and Wonderful things in that it was so well written it made me question myself and some strong feelings I have on taboo topics.
But damn when you get down to it, is that not the sign of some EXCELLENT writing? If an author can take a questionable topic and write it so damn well that you start questioning things, even if only in a fantastical and hypothetical sense, then I find that to be a sign of some hella good writing.
Plenty of people are going to judge me for giving this five stars, but idk what else to say because it was a damn good book. I will gladly blindly pick up anything else this author writes because even if I don't like the topic, I know they'll do it well enough to make me enjoy myself anyway.
I debated for quite a while how to rate this.
I even consulted a friend because of how conflicted I felt.
The closest parallel I had was for the book All the Ugly and Wonderful things in that it was so well written it made me question myself and some strong feelings I have on taboo topics.
But damn when you get down to it, is that not the sign of some EXCELLENT writing? If an author can take a questionable topic and write it so damn well that you start questioning things, even if only in a fantastical and hypothetical sense, then I find that to be a sign of some hella good writing.
Plenty of people are going to judge me for giving this five stars, but idk what else to say because it was a damn good book. I will gladly blindly pick up anything else this author writes because even if I don't like the topic, I know they'll do it well enough to make me enjoy myself anyway.
February 20, 2023
this book kept me reading but I didn't love it. The beginning was very YA which was off-putting to me because this was suggested in a monster smut group. Once they get older we get some heat, but it's not until the end that we get some real action. Sadly the epilogue felt YA again and rather lame.
January 27, 2022
If Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater crossed and resulted in an erotica? It would be Unfated Mates.
I absolutely love how Talionis is very explicit in the summary: you know what to expect from the Monster F*cking and you go in expecting a YA-ish story in the first half, followed by a very New Adult Second half.
This book just worked for me! Clearly it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but oh heck was it mine!
Nat is a social outcast, just trying to stay under the radar of child services so she can continue to live with her mother in their trailer at the edge of town. She is fourteen when she first discovers a large wolf in the woods. But this wolf doesn’t hurt her, instead she learns that he is a boy, Caleb, who has been fending for himself without a family. Nat takes him in as her “long-lost brother” and Caleb begins to live his life in the human world, but their connection ignites when they both grow older, until it becomes something neither can resist.
There is something so nostalgic and charming about all of the characters in Unfated Mates. They’re all awkward teenagers that try to do their best, fail sometimes, but keep getting up to try again. The chemistry between Nat and Caleb is absolutely explosive and just delicious. You get your drama from them hiding from the people in their town who think they’re actually siblings and from them trying to keep Caleb’s wolf under wraps, all while Caleb fights a reaction in his body that makes it painful to give and recieve pleasure from Nat in his human form… but only in his human form - if you catch my drift.
If you love drama filled paranormal YA, but want more monster spice? I think you might just have a good time with Unfated Mates. Just be sure to read all of Talionis’s summary beforehand so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Originally I had this at 4 stars, but I just had to add on an extra star for how good it hit my own personal itch of older YA stories cranked up extra hot.
*I received an eARC from Ceteris Paribus Publishing & NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I absolutely love how Talionis is very explicit in the summary: you know what to expect from the Monster F*cking and you go in expecting a YA-ish story in the first half, followed by a very New Adult Second half.
This book just worked for me! Clearly it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but oh heck was it mine!
Nat is a social outcast, just trying to stay under the radar of child services so she can continue to live with her mother in their trailer at the edge of town. She is fourteen when she first discovers a large wolf in the woods. But this wolf doesn’t hurt her, instead she learns that he is a boy, Caleb, who has been fending for himself without a family. Nat takes him in as her “long-lost brother” and Caleb begins to live his life in the human world, but their connection ignites when they both grow older, until it becomes something neither can resist.
There is something so nostalgic and charming about all of the characters in Unfated Mates. They’re all awkward teenagers that try to do their best, fail sometimes, but keep getting up to try again. The chemistry between Nat and Caleb is absolutely explosive and just delicious. You get your drama from them hiding from the people in their town who think they’re actually siblings and from them trying to keep Caleb’s wolf under wraps, all while Caleb fights a reaction in his body that makes it painful to give and recieve pleasure from Nat in his human form… but only in his human form - if you catch my drift.
If you love drama filled paranormal YA, but want more monster spice? I think you might just have a good time with Unfated Mates. Just be sure to read all of Talionis’s summary beforehand so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Originally I had this at 4 stars, but I just had to add on an extra star for how good it hit my own personal itch of older YA stories cranked up extra hot.
*I received an eARC from Ceteris Paribus Publishing & NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
March 13, 2023
Nat led a hard life. Her mom's in a drug addled stupor most days, she bullied violently by the kids in school and her mom's 'friend' keeps trying to get her alone. One day, she runs into the forest to escape him and meets a wolf. She's terrified at first but soon taking care of a starving wolf is the only thing keeping her going. She soon discovers her wolf is a boy who lost his family and decides to take in him. They tell people he's her brother which makes things complicated when they catch feelings for each other.
Okay so the first half of this a YA sweet. Caleb and Nat are so adorable as kids trying to figure out life without the guidance of their parents. I truly felt for Nat, being a bullied social outcast so by the time Caleb came along, I was 100% on her side and wanted good things for her. I adored Caleb's protectiveness and his willingness to kick ass and avenge Nat's mistreatment (pedos get the wall). I came to eventually like Preston, even though I wanted to throw some rocks at him (jerk). Then Ethan came along and really softened me toward Preston. The second half is where things got a tad uncomfortable for me. There was taboo scenes with Nat and Caleb (while wolf) that will bug some folks but meh. To me, Caleb was a person so it wasn't bestiality. Still made me a bit uncomfortable while my mind came to terms though. I know Vick is supposed to be the antagonist but I wish she gets her happy ending in another book. Loved this author's writing and it kept me interested from start to end. First read by this author and definitely not the last.
Okay so the first half of this a YA sweet. Caleb and Nat are so adorable as kids trying to figure out life without the guidance of their parents. I truly felt for Nat, being a bullied social outcast so by the time Caleb came along, I was 100% on her side and wanted good things for her. I adored Caleb's protectiveness and his willingness to kick ass and avenge Nat's mistreatment (pedos get the wall). I came to eventually like Preston, even though I wanted to throw some rocks at him (jerk). Then Ethan came along and really softened me toward Preston. The second half is where things got a tad uncomfortable for me. There was taboo scenes with Nat and Caleb (while wolf) that will bug some folks but meh. To me, Caleb was a person so it wasn't bestiality. Still made me a bit uncomfortable while my mind came to terms though. I know Vick is supposed to be the antagonist but I wish she gets her happy ending in another book. Loved this author's writing and it kept me interested from start to end. First read by this author and definitely not the last.
January 10, 2022
What a refreshingly interesting plot! Love it. Nicely written for the most part. A heartwrenchingly aching love and coming of age story.
February 23, 2023
I devoured this book. I dived in and didn't come back up for air until I was finished. When you connect and feel apart of the book that's when you know its the ride of a lifetime.
May 29, 2023
# Loved the way the OTT possessive, werewolf H loved the plain-jane looking, human h.
# High school romance
# High school romance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2024
2.5 I have no idea how I feel about this book star's 😅
January 16, 2022
I was given a digital copy of Unfated Mates through Netgalley for my honest review. This was my first Lexie Talionis read. It was fantastic. I loved it!
This book was not at all what I was expecting, though I did go in a bite blind by not reading the description ahead of time. It is a coming of age story about a girl, Natalie, who is struggling with life. She is very relatable to others as she experiences real life experiences such as abuse and bullying, thoughts of self loathing and pity, and feelings of being unloved and even abandoned. But the fates would have her intertwined with Caleb, half human, half wolf. This book touches on the same old taboo things, but in a way that captures you and just wont let go. I found myself with all of the feels! There are some not so popular/even triggering/borderline grotesque scenes if that bothers you... just say no. I mean he is a werewolf, she is a human... it is a love story... of course it is going to push boundaries. .. dare I say the dreaded "B" word... I was leery myself because well I like my dirty, nasty, NAUGHTY scenes, but I was skeered because that is just not my thing... notmally, BUT I will say it was delivered very carefully and IT WAS HOT.
Characters were developed just enough to love and hate them. Sentence structures flowed surprisingly well for me. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
This book was not at all what I was expecting, though I did go in a bite blind by not reading the description ahead of time. It is a coming of age story about a girl, Natalie, who is struggling with life. She is very relatable to others as she experiences real life experiences such as abuse and bullying, thoughts of self loathing and pity, and feelings of being unloved and even abandoned. But the fates would have her intertwined with Caleb, half human, half wolf. This book touches on the same old taboo things, but in a way that captures you and just wont let go. I found myself with all of the feels! There are some not so popular/even triggering/borderline grotesque scenes if that bothers you... just say no. I mean he is a werewolf, she is a human... it is a love story... of course it is going to push boundaries. .. dare I say the dreaded "B" word... I was leery myself because well I like my dirty, nasty, NAUGHTY scenes, but I was skeered because that is just not my thing... notmally, BUT I will say it was delivered very carefully and IT WAS HOT.
Characters were developed just enough to love and hate them. Sentence structures flowed surprisingly well for me. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
October 9, 2023
This book made me wish that DNFing didn’t bother me. I really tried to like it, but I just could not get into the story at all and the bestiality portion of the story just isn’t for me overall wish I didn’t read it.
August 7, 2025
Ok so this book was written with the sole intention of having the FMC take some wolf dick. That doesn't happen till 85% in but this book will constantly remind you that her taking doggy dong is the main goal here.
She meets the wolfy love interest as kids and he moves in and pretends to be her little brother. Only this brother is massively possessive and obsessed with her so he just outwardly flirts and manipulates her surroundings to his will. Oh and he wants to fuck her but can't get his cock up. But one day he remembers he's got a red rocket packed and ready and thus begins our journey to hell.
Honestly the scene itself isn't that bad. It's the attempted rape beforehand that was worse. And like he was in the throes of being feral but yeah he was gonna take her to pound town without her full consent and with fear instead of willingly.
I also hated how lowkey incesty this was the entire time. Like why is Vick flirting with her brother and sitting on his lap??? Is this a normal siblings thing you do cause I sure as heck don't!
You definitely can skip this even if it's peaking ur curiosity. Her taking that long tongue was better than "the" scene like literally anything was better simply because it was rushed and just needed to be over with by the time we got to it. And why for the love of god did we need to see the mess and did they not clean up in the river RIGHT BEHIND THEM.
She meets the wolfy love interest as kids and he moves in and pretends to be her little brother. Only this brother is massively possessive and obsessed with her so he just outwardly flirts and manipulates her surroundings to his will. Oh and he wants to fuck her but can't get his cock up. But one day he remembers he's got a red rocket packed and ready and thus begins our journey to hell.
Honestly the scene itself isn't that bad. It's the attempted rape beforehand that was worse. And like he was in the throes of being feral but yeah he was gonna take her to pound town without her full consent and with fear instead of willingly.
I also hated how lowkey incesty this was the entire time. Like why is Vick flirting with her brother and sitting on his lap??? Is this a normal siblings thing you do cause I sure as heck don't!
You definitely can skip this even if it's peaking ur curiosity. Her taking that long tongue was better than "the" scene like literally anything was better simply because it was rushed and just needed to be over with by the time we got to it. And why for the love of god did we need to see the mess and did they not clean up in the river RIGHT BEHIND THEM.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
If you want to read this book, one thing you’ll need to get cool about really quickly is a human fucking a shifter in wolf form. 🐺
Had I been the same person I was a year ago, knowing that, I probably wouldn’t have picked this book up. However, since having read a romance with an ant-like alien man, my tolerance for non-human copulation has skyrocketed. A wolf now seems… tame? 🤣
I loved the beginning of this book, and the overall message about not letting fate determine who you love. The writing was a little rough for me at times, and the story could occasionally feel juvenile (had I known that the romance would be between characters that were completing high school, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up in the first place), but I did like the concept overall and the sweetness of the slow-burn romance. I also wish the conflict with the primary antagonist was a little further developed and drawn out a bit more. It felt like that resolved itself a little too quickly. Overall, not a bad story, and I’m glad I gave it a try.
Spicy spoiler ahead 👀
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🐺 The wolf fucking happens at the 89% mark. You’re welcome, if that’s your thing.
Had I been the same person I was a year ago, knowing that, I probably wouldn’t have picked this book up. However, since having read a romance with an ant-like alien man, my tolerance for non-human copulation has skyrocketed. A wolf now seems… tame? 🤣
I loved the beginning of this book, and the overall message about not letting fate determine who you love. The writing was a little rough for me at times, and the story could occasionally feel juvenile (had I known that the romance would be between characters that were completing high school, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up in the first place), but I did like the concept overall and the sweetness of the slow-burn romance. I also wish the conflict with the primary antagonist was a little further developed and drawn out a bit more. It felt like that resolved itself a little too quickly. Overall, not a bad story, and I’m glad I gave it a try.
Spicy spoiler ahead 👀
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🐺 The wolf fucking happens at the 89% mark. You’re welcome, if that’s your thing.
March 4, 2023
I’ll start by saying I get why some struggle with this book. There is wolf on girl action, which clearly in real life wouldn’t be my jam at all but for the purpose of fiction I can see past the obvious ‘wrong’ of it all.
Obviously if you can’t then don’t read the book!
I did enjoy this story. I was rooting for Nat and Caleb from their first meeting and the concept of falling for someone other that the fated mate was a new spin on the genre that I loved.
Nat has been through a lot in her short life and Caleb was the perfect saviour she needed to show her worth and make her feel safe.
Caleb was a protective, jealous, slightly OTT character who knew what he wanted and never wavered. Nat was the one for him and nothing and no one would prevent him from being with her. They definitely had their struggles but I’m so happy they overcame them together. Nat’s growth throughout the story was incredible and seeing her fight for Caleb and be what he needed was a highlight.
I did have a couple of niggles but overall I still enjoyed reading this story.
I’d give it a safe 🌟🌟🌟🌟‘s - maybe slightly less.
Obviously if you can’t then don’t read the book!
I did enjoy this story. I was rooting for Nat and Caleb from their first meeting and the concept of falling for someone other that the fated mate was a new spin on the genre that I loved.
Nat has been through a lot in her short life and Caleb was the perfect saviour she needed to show her worth and make her feel safe.
Caleb was a protective, jealous, slightly OTT character who knew what he wanted and never wavered. Nat was the one for him and nothing and no one would prevent him from being with her. They definitely had their struggles but I’m so happy they overcame them together. Nat’s growth throughout the story was incredible and seeing her fight for Caleb and be what he needed was a highlight.
I did have a couple of niggles but overall I still enjoyed reading this story.
I’d give it a safe 🌟🌟🌟🌟‘s - maybe slightly less.
December 21, 2023
Idk wtf I just read but I read it. I liked the idea of it but the execution was just off the mark. I skipped the parts that got steamy when he was a wolf bc that’s just weird and truly didn’t add anything to the story. Don’t ask me why I even finished the book after it going in that direction a few times bc idk. The way it ended was weird. Like everyone knew they weren’t siblings but no one called them on it? Her little call out of the sheriff for kinda no reason considering she didn’t even know if he knew what happened. The whole fated mates but like not bc nothing went with it. Or how Vick just easily left and never tried to kill Nat. Doesn’t make sense to me. Or what she gave the sheriff. I won’t read the next one but I didn’t really like this one. The whole choosing your own mate and love wins is sweet but the go about with this was weird. 0/10 would not recommend if you want to actually enjoy what you read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
Wow! What a great take on the age- old theme of fated mates. This book is delicious!!!
I am a sucker for mates and werewolves and this was such a different direction that I adored it. I think it’s best to describe it as a fantasy you might have as a young adult- all of the things that you would love to happen to a down and out young girl and the way Caleb changes her life.
The romance side was amazing and the progression of their relationship felt right and also had a great amount of steam which wasn’t over the top.
My only niggles were that Nat must have cried herself to some terrible migraines 🙄 and the epilogue had me a little confused 👀
But overall, it has everything that I love in a book and is a great addition to M/F and werewolf heaven.
Definitely recommended from me- as long as you don’t mind kinky that is. X
I am a sucker for mates and werewolves and this was such a different direction that I adored it. I think it’s best to describe it as a fantasy you might have as a young adult- all of the things that you would love to happen to a down and out young girl and the way Caleb changes her life.
The romance side was amazing and the progression of their relationship felt right and also had a great amount of steam which wasn’t over the top.
My only niggles were that Nat must have cried herself to some terrible migraines 🙄 and the epilogue had me a little confused 👀
But overall, it has everything that I love in a book and is a great addition to M/F and werewolf heaven.
Definitely recommended from me- as long as you don’t mind kinky that is. X
August 25, 2024
“You are mine. Forever. If I have to fight the entire fucking universe to keep you, I will. And I’ll destroy anyone—anyone—who tries to take you away from me."
(Swoon.)
--
My actual rating is 3.5 but I'm rounding up because that feels fair.
So I read this book in one sitting and I have a lot to say. I've been very sick lately (I very nearly died from supraglottitis, I had to be rushed to the ER for suffocating on my own throat and everything, fun times) and I desperately needed something comforting. I needed cute, I needed cozy, I needed a male lead who would die for his partner, and I needed no superfluous plot outside of their relationship -- just good, straightforward romance about two people and what they'd endure to be together. Unfated Mates delivered on many fronts and fell short on others, and I wanna talk about it.
First, let's get the technical stuff out of the way. This might sound nitpicky but I want to mention it. Like why were there so few question marks? Sometimes it made sense because the characters weren't actually asking a question, just phrasing a statement as one, but more often than not straightforward, genuine questions ended in commas and periods. Maybe it's a stylistic thing? Idk, it made my brain itchy. Also, there was more than one instance of all caps. Italics would have worked perfectly in their place, so I didn't love that. There were more exclamation points than I'd use if I were writing it, too. The chapter breaks and scene breaks were so weirdly placed. You could practically see the author saying, "and cut," before we faded right back into the same scene, not even a moment later. I wish an editor had gone over this with a fine toothed comb; it really would've elevated the work. Also, why does everyone whine and whimper? Can we not? Thanks.
Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get into my more in depth thoughts.
You can definitely feel how much fun the author had while writing this book. She was obviously having a great time, so invested in her characters and the story she was telling, and it shines through even the lackluster parts to bring the book to life. I loved hearing her voice throughout the six hours or so it took me to read. It might have bothered me in another book, but her joy was infectious and (maybe because I'm sick and in a very low energy mood) it made me feel like I was hanging out with a friend the whole time I was reading. It was so comforting.
I loved most of the characters. Preston going from childhood bully to ride or die made me happy, and though Ethan joined the party late and somewhat abruptly, I liked the insight and unwavering support he offered to Nat and Caleb. Caleb was sweet and solid, and his devotion to Nat was so cute. The way they interacted made me smile more than once, just because the casual kissing and touching felt really organic for a couple in a relationship without being too much. I dug it. I really resonated with Nat. I, too, was an awkward, somewhat outcast kid in middle school who blossomed in high school, so I vibed with her a lot. I appreciate her character growth and change over the years. That was probably the best example of time actually passing.
The time skips weren't my favorite part of the book. I am also a writer (imposter syndrome go brrr) and always start out recording a story by writing a wall of notes. I wrote 25k words in one day for one story, all just notes and fragmented scenes.
I love this book, but it feels like it never made it much past that stage. The time skips felt like lines put in the notes that the author then tried to flesh out, but never really got the hang of. If Nat weren't changing as she grew up, you could totally read this as one consecutive story taking place over the course of like a month. Caleb changed somewhat, too, but not as much as Nat did (maybe not even as much as Preston? Idk) and it hurt the narrative a little to have them have the same conversation two years apart but act like they just had it a few days before. Idk, that could've been fixed with a meaner editor, and, as I always say, the best books have really mean editors.
One part the author did really well was Nat's anxiety about Caleb meeting his mate. In this world, wolves can't boink anyone but their "mate," which is a wolf of the opposite gender who emits pheromones or a smell or something that makes them aggressively horny. When they try to get physical with someone else, if feels like they're being "cooked from the inside out." Caleb struggles with wanting to be intimate with Nat. He usually can withstand the pain long enough for them to get at least a little physical, but he can't get hard and can't stay human long enough to feel satisfied. It's the main point of contention in this book. I'm not the biggest fan of how it was resolved, but for me it's more of a consent thing than a bestiality thing. The author did a solid job of making wolf-Caleb the same guy, just in different skin. His thoughts were the same, as were his actions, and he was able to switch between the two without losing any of his cognitive abilities or personality. That changed a little later in the book when Ethan was introduced, but because that was only briefly mentioned in one tense scene, it felt like an oversight in editing, not canon. The scene where Nat and Caleb finally have sex, though, was different. Caleb was in a heightened state of distress and couldn't think clearly. He couldn't even remember Nat's name, just that he loved her, and it felt less cathartic and more icky to read than I wanted it to be. All that tension build up just for me to be focusing on the wrong aspect of the taboo. I really wish it had been written with him completely coherent and able to consent, rather than the desperate act of someone on the verge of a mental/emotional cliff. It would've felt better with their arc, and Caleb's always been desperate for Nat so you could've even kept most of it exactly the same, but without vague "feral" stakes.
But yeah, the part around Vick, Caleb's mate, messed me up. When Nat witnessed their first meeting in years -- oof. My stomach was in KNOTS, sis. I was in physical pain for this girl, horrified alongside her as we watched the love of her life pop an erection for someone else so easily when he's fought so hard to try to get one for her and failed every time. I took vague notes while reading, and all I have down for that scene is "oh no. Oh poor thing. Oh gosh." It was UPSETTING.
I have a few last points I wanna make, but I'm gonna just rapid fire through them. First, the mom. I don't like how she was "dealt with" in the end. She was a mentally-absent opioid addict for the entirety of the book, but she was sweet when she was awake, and she's the entire reason Caleb and Nat were able to grow up together. At the end when they needed her out of the way, they had her committed by lying that she was suicidal. They were literally on the way to take her to her mom's house, but instead they threw her into a hospital because it was more convenient, and she was never mentioned again. It was gross and sad.
Second, where did the name Fenri come from for Caleb? It's literally never explained, and it makes no sense because Caleb knew his name in the beginning of the book. He was six when his parents died; he knew what they named him and went by it. Vick just shows up and starts calling him it and he and Nat just accept that's his name. It made no sense and felt like a major oversight.
Thirdly, the epilogue is bad. ✨
Anyway, I might come back to edit this review at some point because I've written it over the course of two days with breaks in between because I'm recovering from nearly dying, but I think I've said all I wanted to say. I leave you with a quote from Preston that I liked:
“Dude. You can always fight. Just because you can’t win, doesn’t mean you can’t fight.”
(Swoon.)
--
My actual rating is 3.5 but I'm rounding up because that feels fair.
So I read this book in one sitting and I have a lot to say. I've been very sick lately (I very nearly died from supraglottitis, I had to be rushed to the ER for suffocating on my own throat and everything, fun times) and I desperately needed something comforting. I needed cute, I needed cozy, I needed a male lead who would die for his partner, and I needed no superfluous plot outside of their relationship -- just good, straightforward romance about two people and what they'd endure to be together. Unfated Mates delivered on many fronts and fell short on others, and I wanna talk about it.
First, let's get the technical stuff out of the way. This might sound nitpicky but I want to mention it. Like why were there so few question marks? Sometimes it made sense because the characters weren't actually asking a question, just phrasing a statement as one, but more often than not straightforward, genuine questions ended in commas and periods. Maybe it's a stylistic thing? Idk, it made my brain itchy. Also, there was more than one instance of all caps. Italics would have worked perfectly in their place, so I didn't love that. There were more exclamation points than I'd use if I were writing it, too. The chapter breaks and scene breaks were so weirdly placed. You could practically see the author saying, "and cut," before we faded right back into the same scene, not even a moment later. I wish an editor had gone over this with a fine toothed comb; it really would've elevated the work. Also, why does everyone whine and whimper? Can we not? Thanks.
Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get into my more in depth thoughts.
You can definitely feel how much fun the author had while writing this book. She was obviously having a great time, so invested in her characters and the story she was telling, and it shines through even the lackluster parts to bring the book to life. I loved hearing her voice throughout the six hours or so it took me to read. It might have bothered me in another book, but her joy was infectious and (maybe because I'm sick and in a very low energy mood) it made me feel like I was hanging out with a friend the whole time I was reading. It was so comforting.
I loved most of the characters. Preston going from childhood bully to ride or die made me happy, and though Ethan joined the party late and somewhat abruptly, I liked the insight and unwavering support he offered to Nat and Caleb. Caleb was sweet and solid, and his devotion to Nat was so cute. The way they interacted made me smile more than once, just because the casual kissing and touching felt really organic for a couple in a relationship without being too much. I dug it. I really resonated with Nat. I, too, was an awkward, somewhat outcast kid in middle school who blossomed in high school, so I vibed with her a lot. I appreciate her character growth and change over the years. That was probably the best example of time actually passing.
The time skips weren't my favorite part of the book. I am also a writer (imposter syndrome go brrr) and always start out recording a story by writing a wall of notes. I wrote 25k words in one day for one story, all just notes and fragmented scenes.
I love this book, but it feels like it never made it much past that stage. The time skips felt like lines put in the notes that the author then tried to flesh out, but never really got the hang of. If Nat weren't changing as she grew up, you could totally read this as one consecutive story taking place over the course of like a month. Caleb changed somewhat, too, but not as much as Nat did (maybe not even as much as Preston? Idk) and it hurt the narrative a little to have them have the same conversation two years apart but act like they just had it a few days before. Idk, that could've been fixed with a meaner editor, and, as I always say, the best books have really mean editors.
One part the author did really well was Nat's anxiety about Caleb meeting his mate. In this world, wolves can't boink anyone but their "mate," which is a wolf of the opposite gender who emits pheromones or a smell or something that makes them aggressively horny. When they try to get physical with someone else, if feels like they're being "cooked from the inside out." Caleb struggles with wanting to be intimate with Nat. He usually can withstand the pain long enough for them to get at least a little physical, but he can't get hard and can't stay human long enough to feel satisfied. It's the main point of contention in this book. I'm not the biggest fan of how it was resolved, but for me it's more of a consent thing than a bestiality thing. The author did a solid job of making wolf-Caleb the same guy, just in different skin. His thoughts were the same, as were his actions, and he was able to switch between the two without losing any of his cognitive abilities or personality. That changed a little later in the book when Ethan was introduced, but because that was only briefly mentioned in one tense scene, it felt like an oversight in editing, not canon. The scene where Nat and Caleb finally have sex, though, was different. Caleb was in a heightened state of distress and couldn't think clearly. He couldn't even remember Nat's name, just that he loved her, and it felt less cathartic and more icky to read than I wanted it to be. All that tension build up just for me to be focusing on the wrong aspect of the taboo. I really wish it had been written with him completely coherent and able to consent, rather than the desperate act of someone on the verge of a mental/emotional cliff. It would've felt better with their arc, and Caleb's always been desperate for Nat so you could've even kept most of it exactly the same, but without vague "feral" stakes.
But yeah, the part around Vick, Caleb's mate, messed me up. When Nat witnessed their first meeting in years -- oof. My stomach was in KNOTS, sis. I was in physical pain for this girl, horrified alongside her as we watched the love of her life pop an erection for someone else so easily when he's fought so hard to try to get one for her and failed every time. I took vague notes while reading, and all I have down for that scene is "oh no. Oh poor thing. Oh gosh." It was UPSETTING.
I have a few last points I wanna make, but I'm gonna just rapid fire through them. First, the mom. I don't like how she was "dealt with" in the end. She was a mentally-absent opioid addict for the entirety of the book, but she was sweet when she was awake, and she's the entire reason Caleb and Nat were able to grow up together. At the end when they needed her out of the way, they had her committed by lying that she was suicidal. They were literally on the way to take her to her mom's house, but instead they threw her into a hospital because it was more convenient, and she was never mentioned again. It was gross and sad.
Second, where did the name Fenri come from for Caleb? It's literally never explained, and it makes no sense because Caleb knew his name in the beginning of the book. He was six when his parents died; he knew what they named him and went by it. Vick just shows up and starts calling him it and he and Nat just accept that's his name. It made no sense and felt like a major oversight.
Thirdly, the epilogue is bad. ✨
Anyway, I might come back to edit this review at some point because I've written it over the course of two days with breaks in between because I'm recovering from nearly dying, but I think I've said all I wanted to say. I leave you with a quote from Preston that I liked:
“Dude. You can always fight. Just because you can’t win, doesn’t mean you can’t fight.”
July 21, 2023
Unfated mates
This is an exceptional shifter romance that beautifully blends elements of coming-of-age, heartfelt emotions, and a wholesome relationship. This book offers readers an engaging and satisfying journey that will captivate and enchant its readers until the very end.
The story follows the life of the FMC who crosses paths with a wolf who turns out to be a shifter. What ensues is a compelling tale of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of finding one's place in the world.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is the well-developed characters as they go through a profound coming-of-age journey, navigating the challenges of high school, making ends meet and the feelings they develop for eachother throughout the years. I would classify this as a 'monster' romance in parts (intimacy in shifted form), so if that's not for you, don't read it. If this doesn't bother you, I can highly recommend it.
This is an exceptional shifter romance that beautifully blends elements of coming-of-age, heartfelt emotions, and a wholesome relationship. This book offers readers an engaging and satisfying journey that will captivate and enchant its readers until the very end.
The story follows the life of the FMC who crosses paths with a wolf who turns out to be a shifter. What ensues is a compelling tale of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of finding one's place in the world.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is the well-developed characters as they go through a profound coming-of-age journey, navigating the challenges of high school, making ends meet and the feelings they develop for eachother throughout the years. I would classify this as a 'monster' romance in parts (intimacy in shifted form), so if that's not for you, don't read it. If this doesn't bother you, I can highly recommend it.
April 5, 2025
A MF unfated mate shifter romance with a unique spin.
Originally was going to rate a 4 because the writing isn’t my style but after a month this story keeps coming back into my head so I changed it to a 5 because I keeping thinking about it.
I like that it didn’t follow the typical shifter/fated mate plot line.
There are 2 parts first being when they are 14/15
And the second part is when they are 18/19. It’s unknown the MMC age since he doesn’t have any memories since his parents died in a car accident when he was really young. And being in his wolf form has made him disconnected from his human half.
warnings with an explanation below:
Mating to human in wolf form
Sexual assault (off page no description)
Murder/violence
The MMC lost his parents at a very young age and he lived as his wolf until he was 15ish when he met the MFC. Because he doesn’t recall his life and know his history of his shifter culture there are a lot of things he doesn’t know and has to navigate to figure out which, as a reader, we are learning as he does. For his culture they are scent matched at a young age despite the dangers of a bad match. The scent match makes it so that the male cannot get hard for anyone but their scent match. He struggles throughout the story trying to figure that out. It also makes it so that it’s physically painful for both males and females if they try to mate with anyone else outside of their scent match.
The MMC finds the MFC in the woods when she’s running and hiding from her mother’s dealer who sexually assaults her. There is no description and it’s off page and kinda awkwardly explained like it’s implied that it’s happening without directly saying it. It is mentioned that this happened to her multiple times from her mother’s dealers. He takes a liking to her because she feeds him despite seeing that she’s malnourished and doesn’t have food for herself. His curiosity has him keep coming back and watching her and looking out for her. Over time he builds something beyond a fondness for her. Eventually he changes in front of her into his human form out of frustration when she doesn’t understand what he’s trying to communicate in his wolf form and they both continue to bond despite her being human. Eventually she asks him to stay with her in her mom’s trailer. At first he runs but when he comes back she’s being attacked and he saves her and that’s when he decides he’ll do anything for her even live in his human form. The mom who loves her daughter and knows that she’s done nothing for her since she’s addicted to drugs after some sort of accident helps her register the boy as her son into the school. So they are parading around as brother and sister.
The first part of this book it needs to be understood that this is from a prospective of a traumatized girl that is bullied by everyone, she’s alone and taking care of herself and her mom and is young minded in the way she thinks and speaks (but also had to grow up fast in a tough world)…. The writing can sound juvenile but I think it’s necessary for the plot but can still be off putting. The boy lost his parents at a really young age and was basically wild in his wolf form so he has zero understandings about human social interactions and what’s acceptable or not so the girl is constantly trying explain things to him while working around her own insecurities. So it’s definitely the weird middle school teenage awkwardness. All he knows is that he wants her and doesn’t see what the issue is but she’s trying to be his Jane to her Tarzan in the first half of the book. The only thing he doesn’t understand is that it hurts him extremely whenever they touch but he keeps trying because he loves her.
Part 2 fast forward a few years when they are 18+, he has to act like her brother and he’s extremely protective of her. He’s a popular jock and she’s still the awkward shy girl that’s super insecure. Their love story is sweet and innocent but also awkward. He doesn’t understand why she cannot see that he loves her and she does love him but she’s had a lot of past trauma that makes her believe she’s not pretty or worthy. The issue comes that he cannot get hard for her and he doesn’t understand why until later in the story when he runs into his own kind by accident. He later finds out that he can get hard in his wolf form and he wants to claim her that way but she’s human and that’s not normal so she keeps turning him down hurting his feelings thinking she’s rejected him. She has to explain the social norm and why that is “taboo” or a no-no.
When he runs into his kind another boy who just transferred to their school. They recognize each other as wolves. To complicate matters it turns out his sister is the MMC scent match mate. He explains the culture (mentioned in first paragraph). Turns out the sister is a horrible person. But the MFC feels like she needs him to meet her because she’s worried when he does he will choose that girl instead of her. He refuses and says he chooses the MFC and that she’s his mate and screw the scent match culture. The sister does catch scent of him and she wants to claim him. He chooses to battle her and proves multiple times that he will always choose the MFC. In the end they do mate while he’s in his wolf form and when they do it somehow breaks the scent bond and she becomes his official mate and he no longer has to be only in his wolf form for mating.
If you can get past the one part with wolf mating form at the end of the book and somewhat awkward communications between a traumatized lonely girl and a lone wolf then it’s worth the read.
Originally was going to rate a 4 because the writing isn’t my style but after a month this story keeps coming back into my head so I changed it to a 5 because I keeping thinking about it.
I like that it didn’t follow the typical shifter/fated mate plot line.
There are 2 parts first being when they are 14/15
And the second part is when they are 18/19. It’s unknown the MMC age since he doesn’t have any memories since his parents died in a car accident when he was really young. And being in his wolf form has made him disconnected from his human half.
warnings with an explanation below:
Mating to human in wolf form
Sexual assault (off page no description)
Murder/violence
The MMC lost his parents at a very young age and he lived as his wolf until he was 15ish when he met the MFC. Because he doesn’t recall his life and know his history of his shifter culture there are a lot of things he doesn’t know and has to navigate to figure out which, as a reader, we are learning as he does. For his culture they are scent matched at a young age despite the dangers of a bad match. The scent match makes it so that the male cannot get hard for anyone but their scent match. He struggles throughout the story trying to figure that out. It also makes it so that it’s physically painful for both males and females if they try to mate with anyone else outside of their scent match.
The MMC finds the MFC in the woods when she’s running and hiding from her mother’s dealer who sexually assaults her. There is no description and it’s off page and kinda awkwardly explained like it’s implied that it’s happening without directly saying it. It is mentioned that this happened to her multiple times from her mother’s dealers. He takes a liking to her because she feeds him despite seeing that she’s malnourished and doesn’t have food for herself. His curiosity has him keep coming back and watching her and looking out for her. Over time he builds something beyond a fondness for her. Eventually he changes in front of her into his human form out of frustration when she doesn’t understand what he’s trying to communicate in his wolf form and they both continue to bond despite her being human. Eventually she asks him to stay with her in her mom’s trailer. At first he runs but when he comes back she’s being attacked and he saves her and that’s when he decides he’ll do anything for her even live in his human form. The mom who loves her daughter and knows that she’s done nothing for her since she’s addicted to drugs after some sort of accident helps her register the boy as her son into the school. So they are parading around as brother and sister.
The first part of this book it needs to be understood that this is from a prospective of a traumatized girl that is bullied by everyone, she’s alone and taking care of herself and her mom and is young minded in the way she thinks and speaks (but also had to grow up fast in a tough world)…. The writing can sound juvenile but I think it’s necessary for the plot but can still be off putting. The boy lost his parents at a really young age and was basically wild in his wolf form so he has zero understandings about human social interactions and what’s acceptable or not so the girl is constantly trying explain things to him while working around her own insecurities. So it’s definitely the weird middle school teenage awkwardness. All he knows is that he wants her and doesn’t see what the issue is but she’s trying to be his Jane to her Tarzan in the first half of the book. The only thing he doesn’t understand is that it hurts him extremely whenever they touch but he keeps trying because he loves her.
Part 2 fast forward a few years when they are 18+, he has to act like her brother and he’s extremely protective of her. He’s a popular jock and she’s still the awkward shy girl that’s super insecure. Their love story is sweet and innocent but also awkward. He doesn’t understand why she cannot see that he loves her and she does love him but she’s had a lot of past trauma that makes her believe she’s not pretty or worthy. The issue comes that he cannot get hard for her and he doesn’t understand why until later in the story when he runs into his own kind by accident. He later finds out that he can get hard in his wolf form and he wants to claim her that way but she’s human and that’s not normal so she keeps turning him down hurting his feelings thinking she’s rejected him. She has to explain the social norm and why that is “taboo” or a no-no.
When he runs into his kind another boy who just transferred to their school. They recognize each other as wolves. To complicate matters it turns out his sister is the MMC scent match mate. He explains the culture (mentioned in first paragraph). Turns out the sister is a horrible person. But the MFC feels like she needs him to meet her because she’s worried when he does he will choose that girl instead of her. He refuses and says he chooses the MFC and that she’s his mate and screw the scent match culture. The sister does catch scent of him and she wants to claim him. He chooses to battle her and proves multiple times that he will always choose the MFC. In the end they do mate while he’s in his wolf form and when they do it somehow breaks the scent bond and she becomes his official mate and he no longer has to be only in his wolf form for mating.
If you can get past the one part with wolf mating form at the end of the book and somewhat awkward communications between a traumatized lonely girl and a lone wolf then it’s worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
delicious
It was honestly exactly what I was looking for. I would’ve liked a little more spice there at the end but otherwise I quite liked it. Caleb’s unwavering commitment and love was just ugh. Sir! I need someone like him in my life. I love him.
It was honestly exactly what I was looking for. I would’ve liked a little more spice there at the end but otherwise I quite liked it. Caleb’s unwavering commitment and love was just ugh. Sir! I need someone like him in my life. I love him.
April 15, 2024
***INTERESTING TWIST***
I have read so many wolf fated mates romances, but I never had this particular take on the overused plots. It's a bit shocking, but interesting as well.
I have read so many wolf fated mates romances, but I never had this particular take on the overused plots. It's a bit shocking, but interesting as well.
May 10, 2024
wow
Pretty good, I hope that there will be more books like this coming up. Maybe werewolf on werewolf in a different pack?
Pretty good, I hope that there will be more books like this coming up. Maybe werewolf on werewolf in a different pack?
Read
July 9, 2024Yuck.
May 7, 2023
sweet
Very good. Unique and well written. But no steam until like the very end. But some mild stuff prior. But I enjoyed he characters greatly.
Very good. Unique and well written. But no steam until like the very end. But some mild stuff prior. But I enjoyed he characters greatly.
February 6, 2024
i’m annoyed that i read this. no hate but actually what the fuck was that? poor nat, everything in her stupid life goes wrong all the time and she just takes it because she has no spine and nothing matters. like we get it…she has a hard life…can we talk about anything else?? idk man. not that i didn’t necessarily enjoy it, it was just like wtf is this constantly.
January 15, 2024
Not for me
The compete twist on this book was a bit too much for me. I rather stick to the more traditional aspect of wolf mates and mating. Not at all into the things that occur while he is in wolf form. Next book is completely not my type of book either. Not sure I would read another book from this author
The compete twist on this book was a bit too much for me. I rather stick to the more traditional aspect of wolf mates and mating. Not at all into the things that occur while he is in wolf form. Next book is completely not my type of book either. Not sure I would read another book from this author
June 30, 2022
Sweet and Surprising
I’m actually shocked by how much I loved this. This is about a shy, lonely girl. An orphan wolf boy fated to another. A really sweet coming-of-age story where they fight what fate had in store to make their own path.
I loved the fated/rejected mates trope twist that Lexie gave us and how she showed that ultimately what’s in your heart matters most, not what fate wants.
There were some interesting elements *ahem* that I actually ended up loving and hope they are shown in the rest of the series. I’m actually questioning why more werewolf romances don’t include this, it actually felt like such a natural progression and really showed that Nat loved ALL of Caleb.
Nat was such a strong character, she has been through a lot but still has such a kind heart.
And Caleb, damn. We all need a Caleb. He was OTT J/P. He didn’t just love Nat, she was his entire world. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would do anything for her. The secondary characters were great, I’m really looking forward to Preston and Ethan, the next couple.
SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS!!!
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HEA and there is NO cheating. These two only see each other, the thought of anyone else actually makes them physically sick. There’s some stuff with his wolf some may not be into but for me personally it just worked in this book.
I’m actually shocked by how much I loved this. This is about a shy, lonely girl. An orphan wolf boy fated to another. A really sweet coming-of-age story where they fight what fate had in store to make their own path.
I loved the fated/rejected mates trope twist that Lexie gave us and how she showed that ultimately what’s in your heart matters most, not what fate wants.
There were some interesting elements *ahem* that I actually ended up loving and hope they are shown in the rest of the series. I’m actually questioning why more werewolf romances don’t include this, it actually felt like such a natural progression and really showed that Nat loved ALL of Caleb.
Nat was such a strong character, she has been through a lot but still has such a kind heart.
And Caleb, damn. We all need a Caleb. He was OTT J/P. He didn’t just love Nat, she was his entire world. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would do anything for her. The secondary characters were great, I’m really looking forward to Preston and Ethan, the next couple.
SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
HEA and there is NO cheating. These two only see each other, the thought of anyone else actually makes them physically sick. There’s some stuff with his wolf some may not be into but for me personally it just worked in this book.
February 2, 2022
ARC from NetGalley
I almost didn't bother with this book because I'd read another of the author's books, and it sucked so bad it tainted me. This, however, was actually decently written. There were lots of times I became almost emotional because of the way the suffering of the characters was portrayed. It was done really well, and I felt I was able to connect with them and care about what happens to them, which is really important for me.
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I thoroughly read the warnings on this, but I guess I didn't expect the dog sex to be like.. like dog sex lol. That didn't really do it for me, but there were a lot of scenes between the MCs which were well-done steam aside from the dog bits. I'm an open-minded gal. I can get into some objectively weird shit. If things were a bit more anthropomorphic, I could have suspended the disbelief, but this was a bit too realistic for me and just mostly made me uncomfortable. I'm not docking anything for that though. It's like drinking a can of orange pop and complaining that it tasted too orange. *shrug*
I almost didn't bother with this book because I'd read another of the author's books, and it sucked so bad it tainted me. This, however, was actually decently written. There were lots of times I became almost emotional because of the way the suffering of the characters was portrayed. It was done really well, and I felt I was able to connect with them and care about what happens to them, which is really important for me.
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I thoroughly read the warnings on this, but I guess I didn't expect the dog sex to be like.. like dog sex lol. That didn't really do it for me, but there were a lot of scenes between the MCs which were well-done steam aside from the dog bits. I'm an open-minded gal. I can get into some objectively weird shit. If things were a bit more anthropomorphic, I could have suspended the disbelief, but this was a bit too realistic for me and just mostly made me uncomfortable. I'm not docking anything for that though. It's like drinking a can of orange pop and complaining that it tasted too orange. *shrug*
November 29, 2022
Read this.
I can’t remember where I saw this book recommended and I’m not one who usually reads books with a not strong FMC, but I REALLY did enjoy this book. To see the growth in both characters was realistic in my opinion for that setting and endearing. For an author to engage me on a story line I usually don’t read is amazing.
No cheating in the book!
🌶🌶/5 (not a book to read if you only want Smut)
Also read TW because it might not be some peoples jam.
I can’t remember where I saw this book recommended and I’m not one who usually reads books with a not strong FMC, but I REALLY did enjoy this book. To see the growth in both characters was realistic in my opinion for that setting and endearing. For an author to engage me on a story line I usually don’t read is amazing.
No cheating in the book!
🌶🌶/5 (not a book to read if you only want Smut)
Also read TW because it might not be some peoples jam.
June 8, 2023
Very perplexed how to rate this book.
Struggled - knew this was a YA book, but most was written more like 6-8th grade level and was off-putting given the nature, content and trigger warnings.
Concept intrigued me, but I ended up truly skimming the book. The ending and sex scene may be a complete ick factor for some, I for one was not expecting it. I have zero interest moving on to the next book.
Struggled - knew this was a YA book, but most was written more like 6-8th grade level and was off-putting given the nature, content and trigger warnings.
Concept intrigued me, but I ended up truly skimming the book. The ending and sex scene may be a complete ick factor for some, I for one was not expecting it. I have zero interest moving on to the next book.
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