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The Unicorn's Mate
Most places in Uthar don’t survive without a unicorn to support the natural world, and Baila Nahon is no exception after their unicorn passes away. Mayor Archer Cole, desperate to save his farming village from relentless drought, puts an ad in the national paper for any unicorn to come and save them. Unfortunately, none will stay once they see the devastated village…until Rourke Renyay. Now the villagers of Baila Nahon must show the unicorn they’re worth saving.
Rourke is young and doesn’t yet have access to his magic, but he’s full of hope and a desire to be useful. As a rare male unicorn, he knows he’ll be accepted anywhere, but he wants to be embraced for himself, not his novelty. When he meets Archer, Rourke knows he’s found the right place to fall in love, access his magic, and save a peaceful, country village. He just has to convince a virgin that he’s worth loving and show the villagers that all love is precious.
Though times are changing, prejudices still exist, and some of the villagers have a big problem with being host to a gay unicorn…especially when the trans mayor they barely tolerate gets involved with him. Can Archer and Rourke change minds and save Baila Nahon, or will they be forced to take their love—and their magic—elsewhere and consign a village to the desert?
This book has a slow-burn love story with a toppy unicorn and a nervous virgin, mild angst because of small-town prejudices, strong women getting sh*t done, giant puppers pulling wagons, and unicorns who are horsey below the waist with a HEA ending.
Rourke is young and doesn’t yet have access to his magic, but he’s full of hope and a desire to be useful. As a rare male unicorn, he knows he’ll be accepted anywhere, but he wants to be embraced for himself, not his novelty. When he meets Archer, Rourke knows he’s found the right place to fall in love, access his magic, and save a peaceful, country village. He just has to convince a virgin that he’s worth loving and show the villagers that all love is precious.
Though times are changing, prejudices still exist, and some of the villagers have a big problem with being host to a gay unicorn…especially when the trans mayor they barely tolerate gets involved with him. Can Archer and Rourke change minds and save Baila Nahon, or will they be forced to take their love—and their magic—elsewhere and consign a village to the desert?
This book has a slow-burn love story with a toppy unicorn and a nervous virgin, mild angst because of small-town prejudices, strong women getting sh*t done, giant puppers pulling wagons, and unicorns who are horsey below the waist with a HEA ending.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2022
54 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Delaney Rain
29 books307 followersEmerging author of gay erotic paranormal romances featuring monsters and the men who love them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 27, 2022
This novella is bad bordering on terrible.
We're dropped into the middle of the story, with no world building or background development.
The setting is a bizarre mix of super traditional homophobic society and centaur-like unicorns who walk on two legs and may or may not have a horn (never mentioned) but have magic (if properly harnessed).
The male unicorn in the story wears dresses, which cool, except how does a small bigoted village accept a femme unicorn?
Not to worry because within 24 hours, the unicorn falls for the town mayor, who's trans and hellbent on remaining a virgin.
What's a unicorn to do? Why, get rapey of course, by pressuring Asher to get down and dirty, then throwing toast at Asher the next morning when Asher doesn't accept him as his mate.
While I commend including a trans character, I felt like there was something borderline offensive about how Archer was presented, like he needed magic to be himself and it was just that easy.
Maybe I'm wrong because I'm not trans, but it made me mildly uncomfortable.
The entire story is a muddled, incoherent mess.
Stay away.
We're dropped into the middle of the story, with no world building or background development.
The setting is a bizarre mix of super traditional homophobic society and centaur-like unicorns who walk on two legs and may or may not have a horn (never mentioned) but have magic (if properly harnessed).
The male unicorn in the story wears dresses, which cool, except how does a small bigoted village accept a femme unicorn?
Not to worry because within 24 hours, the unicorn falls for the town mayor, who's trans and hellbent on remaining a virgin.
What's a unicorn to do? Why, get rapey of course, by pressuring Asher to get down and dirty, then throwing toast at Asher the next morning when Asher doesn't accept him as his mate.
While I commend including a trans character, I felt like there was something borderline offensive about how Archer was presented, like he needed magic to be himself and it was just that easy.
Maybe I'm wrong because I'm not trans, but it made me mildly uncomfortable.
The entire story is a muddled, incoherent mess.
Stay away.
July 28, 2022
All of this author's stories have been great! But this one IMO is the very best!!!
This story hits homeruns in every aspect! The two MCs are so well crafted that I feel like I might meet them somewhere. The world the author created is detailed and complex and full of surprises! Finally the story is just timeless and full of love!
This story hits homeruns in every aspect! The two MCs are so well crafted that I feel like I might meet them somewhere. The world the author created is detailed and complex and full of surprises! Finally the story is just timeless and full of love!
July 23, 2022
I liked the interesting premise of a romance between a human and unicorn falling in love. I liked the backstory and enjoyed the two heroes together. I thought it ended pretty abruptly, but it had a HEA that was pretty satisfying.
It was a sweet book and I enjoyed it.
3.5 rounded up
It was a sweet book and I enjoyed it.
3.5 rounded up
July 22, 2022
What's not to absolutely LOVE?!
Oh man! Oh geeze! I know I say this every single time but this might be my new favorite Delaney rain story. Holy crapers!!! The world building! The fear turned acceptance! The insanely loveable characters! *unintelligible squealing*
Same-centric (love that by the way) Mayor Archer Cole is struggling to keep his dying village together and puts out an ad for a unicorn to help save them. All the while doubting he will ever get love or true acceptance after his gender transformation. Oh my gods you could practically feel his pain and it makes a person want to jump into the pages and give him a big hug. Same-centric and ultra rare male unicorn Rourke answers the ad and immediately falls in love with the village (and its sweet, handsome mayor).
Archer struggles with his self worth and even though he's head over heels for Rourke he just can't seem to let himself understand that he deserves love too. Good thing Rourke is relentless in his pursuit! ( ;p )
This story of love, acceptance, and understanding had my cheeks hurting from grinning and my heart squeezing almost nonstop. Delaney rain has VERY MUCH outdone herself with this amazing gem. I already can't wait to read it again!!!!
Oh man! Oh geeze! I know I say this every single time but this might be my new favorite Delaney rain story. Holy crapers!!! The world building! The fear turned acceptance! The insanely loveable characters! *unintelligible squealing*
Same-centric (love that by the way) Mayor Archer Cole is struggling to keep his dying village together and puts out an ad for a unicorn to help save them. All the while doubting he will ever get love or true acceptance after his gender transformation. Oh my gods you could practically feel his pain and it makes a person want to jump into the pages and give him a big hug. Same-centric and ultra rare male unicorn Rourke answers the ad and immediately falls in love with the village (and its sweet, handsome mayor).
Archer struggles with his self worth and even though he's head over heels for Rourke he just can't seem to let himself understand that he deserves love too. Good thing Rourke is relentless in his pursuit! ( ;p )
This story of love, acceptance, and understanding had my cheeks hurting from grinning and my heart squeezing almost nonstop. Delaney rain has VERY MUCH outdone herself with this amazing gem. I already can't wait to read it again!!!!
July 24, 2022
First of this is high fantasy and I love that she created a world for this book. The idea of unicorns in her book are great and I am very curious if we might get more stories in this universe.
As for the story it is very interesting too and I kind of love that there are different words for some things. For example instead of homosexual they say „same centric“ it’s kinde cute.
I like the characters and I appreciate that one of the main characters is transgender.
Overall I also really liked the couple together, especially in the beginning when the visit the dogs. That was such a cute scene.
However something I didn’t like is that at one point one of them is wooing the other quite aggressively and that left a bitter taste behind. We do know they both are into each other but still this felt kinde off.
Also the end felt a little too rushed and I wish the author would have taken more time for this couple to get to know each other better. I do love insta love stories but I think this could have been much better if these two could have had a little more time.
Another small thing is that I couldn’t understand how they could take a bath when they have so bad of a water shortage.
Overall though I still like this a lot and am eagerly waiting for a next book by the author.
As for the story it is very interesting too and I kind of love that there are different words for some things. For example instead of homosexual they say „same centric“ it’s kinde cute.
I like the characters and I appreciate that one of the main characters is transgender.
Overall I also really liked the couple together, especially in the beginning when the visit the dogs. That was such a cute scene.
However something I didn’t like is that at one point one of them is wooing the other quite aggressively and that left a bitter taste behind. We do know they both are into each other but still this felt kinde off.
Also the end felt a little too rushed and I wish the author would have taken more time for this couple to get to know each other better. I do love insta love stories but I think this could have been much better if these two could have had a little more time.
Another small thing is that I couldn’t understand how they could take a bath when they have so bad of a water shortage.
Overall though I still like this a lot and am eagerly waiting for a next book by the author.
August 6, 2022
so awesome!!
This is my first book by Delaney Rain and I want to read them ALL! I loved the theme of being free to love whomever you love and whomever you’re meant to be. I know I emotionalize (is that a word?) the books I read. I know I make some of them personal. That’s because some of them hit me emotionally like that. The freedom to love is something everyone should have and that Archer felt he didn’t deserve it, wasn’t worthy of it, oh, it broke my heart. That Rourke and Archer’s own friends worked to prove that it was okay for him to find his happiness made the book all the sweeter.
If you’ve never read Delaney Rain or her gay monster romance books, you are in for a treat!!
This is my first book by Delaney Rain and I want to read them ALL! I loved the theme of being free to love whomever you love and whomever you’re meant to be. I know I emotionalize (is that a word?) the books I read. I know I make some of them personal. That’s because some of them hit me emotionally like that. The freedom to love is something everyone should have and that Archer felt he didn’t deserve it, wasn’t worthy of it, oh, it broke my heart. That Rourke and Archer’s own friends worked to prove that it was okay for him to find his happiness made the book all the sweeter.
If you’ve never read Delaney Rain or her gay monster romance books, you are in for a treat!!
July 24, 2022
lovely story
This one’s a bit more slow burn than Delaney normally writes, but considering the length of the book I didn’t feel like it was too drawn out. The world building and character development was great. I love all this author’s books and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!
This one’s a bit more slow burn than Delaney normally writes, but considering the length of the book I didn’t feel like it was too drawn out. The world building and character development was great. I love all this author’s books and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!
July 24, 2022
Cute, hot and fun
Loved this take on shifters, it was a sweet read, very low angst. Packed in a lot in very few pages.
If you want a very quick, fun read then this is the book for you.
Loved this take on shifters, it was a sweet read, very low angst. Packed in a lot in very few pages.
If you want a very quick, fun read then this is the book for you.
July 23, 2022
Lovely
What an excellent story with well written characters. It is always nice when you get a good sense of the cast.
What an excellent story with well written characters. It is always nice when you get a good sense of the cast.
July 27, 2022
Great addition
I really enjoyed this story. I loved both MC’s they fit perfect but Rourke was my favorite. He came in and knew what he wanted. Wasn’t going to let Archer go.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved both MC’s they fit perfect but Rourke was my favorite. He came in and knew what he wanted. Wasn’t going to let Archer go.
July 23, 2022
There's only one word for this book, a word which kept slamming me in the head while I ate this book like candy - CHARMING. This book is utterly charming in every way, from hoof covers ( <-- I never thought those words would melt my heart), to a fem unicorn wearing decadent frocks, to a trans man who just wants to be accepted for who he is. I could not love this book more than I do, and if Delaney wants to throw us some bonus stories in this world *cough* Khleo *cough* or unicorn babies, I would be very, very happy!
August 6, 2022
Read : July 27, 2022
Rating :4 Stars
Interesting world once again, and a lovely cast of characters that I wouldn't mind having their own stories.
Rating :4 Stars
Interesting world once again, and a lovely cast of characters that I wouldn't mind having their own stories.
August 7, 2022
This was so adorable.
July 24, 2022
Fun, sweet, different, fluffy. Gorgeous cover art on this one, too 😍
August 6, 2022
Super fun fluffy book thats honestly worth a read. Not super long. Cute characters and interesting setting. Limited world building but enough to get an idea of the world
August 7, 2022
A new to me author, but I think this will be the first book of many!
This story is simply gorgeous. It's a story of accepting yourself and recognising that there are people around who will support you - you simply need to see it. It's a serious theme, but it's portrayed in a manner that is sensitive but light. There are never any real heavy or depressing sections.
This story is the perfect light read where you want to escape or refresh your mind. I was absolutely surprised by how much I loved it, and I can't wait to read the other books by this author.
This story is simply gorgeous. It's a story of accepting yourself and recognising that there are people around who will support you - you simply need to see it. It's a serious theme, but it's portrayed in a manner that is sensitive but light. There are never any real heavy or depressing sections.
This story is the perfect light read where you want to escape or refresh your mind. I was absolutely surprised by how much I loved it, and I can't wait to read the other books by this author.
November 6, 2022
This was such a sweet story, as always adore this author's writing just grabs me every time and had me smiling throughout. I adored the concept with the unicorns and the setting is lovely, with the village and world building is done very well for a short read.
Archer and Rourke are adorable together, the flirting from Rourke and Archers instant admiration. Rourkes tail and outfits, playing matchmaker for the rest of the village and getting Archer to accept his feelings. How well suited they're and the steam is fun too, as they finally get together as mates and the magic bringing the village back to life.
Very fast paced, soft and entertaining story. All of the feel good vibes, perfect fluffy comfort read and a sweet happy ending ❤
Archer and Rourke are adorable together, the flirting from Rourke and Archers instant admiration. Rourkes tail and outfits, playing matchmaker for the rest of the village and getting Archer to accept his feelings. How well suited they're and the steam is fun too, as they finally get together as mates and the magic bringing the village back to life.
Very fast paced, soft and entertaining story. All of the feel good vibes, perfect fluffy comfort read and a sweet happy ending ❤
September 2, 2022
The good parts of this were really great, but there were also some parts that felt . . . off/icky? Listen, fated mates is fated mates, but when there’s someone resisting, for whatever reason, let them have that time to figure stuff out.
I think my main issue was how high concept this novella is. We’re slammed into this fantasy world without much context, and . . . it seems like there are some ideal things about the world, but a few uncomfy things that feel a little bit too close to our garbage world. (For example, a town where the majority were same-centric or cool with people being same-centric, but a town council full of bigots running the show.)
I’m here for a self-abnegating MC being brought out of their shell and finally able to see their own worth. However, the weird talk about how Archer was a virgin and that’s one of the things that drew the unicorn to him, and how the other MC will MAKE him see how right they are for each other . . . I get what the author was going for, but it just all seemed a bit too much to cram into less than 200 pages. If we could have built up to it a bit more, maybe understood a bit more about the world and why it is the way it is . . . I could’ve enjoyed it more.
The language around the unicorn magic he acquires when they mate was absolutely lovely. (Which, I did have a hard time fully getting the anatomy, I guess he’s a centaur/satyr until he gets his magic, then he can shift between that form and full unicorn?) I also wish we had additional book to explore more about how the town would improve with his unicorn magic.
I think my main issue was how high concept this novella is. We’re slammed into this fantasy world without much context, and . . . it seems like there are some ideal things about the world, but a few uncomfy things that feel a little bit too close to our garbage world. (For example, a town where the majority were same-centric or cool with people being same-centric, but a town council full of bigots running the show.)
I’m here for a self-abnegating MC being brought out of their shell and finally able to see their own worth. However, the weird talk about how Archer was a virgin and that’s one of the things that drew the unicorn to him, and how the other MC will MAKE him see how right they are for each other . . . I get what the author was going for, but it just all seemed a bit too much to cram into less than 200 pages. If we could have built up to it a bit more, maybe understood a bit more about the world and why it is the way it is . . . I could’ve enjoyed it more.
The language around the unicorn magic he acquires when they mate was absolutely lovely. (Which, I did have a hard time fully getting the anatomy, I guess he’s a centaur/satyr until he gets his magic, then he can shift between that form and full unicorn?) I also wish we had additional book to explore more about how the town would improve with his unicorn magic.
July 8, 2023
Overall, enjoyable, but almost kind of a miss. I had a harder time reading this one. There was a conservative religion in charge of law and framing sociocultural values. Although the story ends with multiple happy events and couples, that and the homophobia and transphobia was a downer.
I also had a bit more difficulty relating to Rourke or Archer. Archer was a good person but kind of bland? Rourke starts out almost kind of shy and quiet at home and then seems very outgoing, spirited, and a bit conceited. Partly that may have been merely in comparison to those around him but it felt like a stereotype and I wasn't vibing with it.
I did love the literal 6 ft tall dogs though!
There were some errors suggesting it needed more proofreading before being let loose into the world. Some were minor and easy to overlook while others had me confused, rereading passages and going back pages to double check I didn't miss something.
I also had a bit more difficulty relating to Rourke or Archer. Archer was a good person but kind of bland? Rourke starts out almost kind of shy and quiet at home and then seems very outgoing, spirited, and a bit conceited. Partly that may have been merely in comparison to those around him but it felt like a stereotype and I wasn't vibing with it.
I did love the literal 6 ft tall dogs though!
There were some errors suggesting it needed more proofreading before being let loose into the world. Some were minor and easy to overlook while others had me confused, rereading passages and going back pages to double check I didn't miss something.
August 10, 2023
This confused me at first regarding the unicorn and world since we kind of just have to wait for things to be revealed. Like I had no idea the upper half was human and lower half was unicorn for Rourke. I liked Kleo a lot and would have liked more of Philomena as well; she was a feisty woman who got things done.
While I did like Archer’s character, he was the reason this was such a slow burn. I kind of get where he was coming from given the pushback from some of the older/ruder council members, but it would have been nice to see embrace his love a little sooner. It got a bit boring at times since not much happened until the last 1/4 of the book or so. One thing I really loved was how people rallied around Archer and helped him achieve his much deserved love story. I’m thinking 3.5 out of 5 stars, but not sure if I’m going to round up or down. I think down.
While I did like Archer’s character, he was the reason this was such a slow burn. I kind of get where he was coming from given the pushback from some of the older/ruder council members, but it would have been nice to see embrace his love a little sooner. It got a bit boring at times since not much happened until the last 1/4 of the book or so. One thing I really loved was how people rallied around Archer and helped him achieve his much deserved love story. I’m thinking 3.5 out of 5 stars, but not sure if I’m going to round up or down. I think down.
April 11, 2023
4 stars…
This was cute! The unicorn in question is only bottom half horse in the beginning (I was a tiny bit confused for a bit) but he can transform which is cool. Also… gender transformation spells? Fun. Love that for us. Wish it was that easy in real life for trans folk.
2/5 on spice. 3/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
This was cute! The unicorn in question is only bottom half horse in the beginning (I was a tiny bit confused for a bit) but he can transform which is cool. Also… gender transformation spells? Fun. Love that for us. Wish it was that easy in real life for trans folk.
2/5 on spice. 3/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
January 4, 2026
It was a cool idea, but honestly, I was pretty bored throughout it.
September 21, 2022
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. It had some funny moments. I liked the MCs. Would I have liked it more if there would have been more world building and backgrounds? Probably. But it is a novella, and for that for me it absolutely delivered. I had fun reading it.
I would absolutely love more books set in the same world.
I really enjoyed this book. It had some funny moments. I liked the MCs. Would I have liked it more if there would have been more world building and backgrounds? Probably. But it is a novella, and for that for me it absolutely delivered. I had fun reading it.
I would absolutely love more books set in the same world.
August 9, 2022
This is a very quick romance read that's just fine. I loved the world-building and the whole thing with unicorns helping villages and the main characters separately but I wasn't super on board with the romance. It felt insta-lovey and in some parts, it felt like Rourke was really forcing himself at Rourke to the point of being the slightest bit uncomfortable. Other than that it was a cute, fast fantasy read.
November 23, 2022
This book was a bit all over the place and although I definitely don't think it was bad, it wasn't great either. All in all it was a decent read and the love story is cute. But that's about it, there were also a lot of things that bothered me.
First of all, the village is described as being old fashioned and bigoted and more of those things. And at first they get upset with everything and grumble and disagree with about anything Archer says. But later in the story everything is all of a sudden all lovey dovey and happy and basically everyone is open to everything. I couldn't find a reason for this and the sudden change in demeanor didn't make any sense.
The story is pretty heavily build upon LGBTQ things. And I don't think I have issues with that but I did have issues with this story. I don't know, I just felt like there was too much focus on it. So Archer used to be a woman and now he's a guy. I understand that comes with insecurities but I don't see how it was supposed to be such a big deal and I especially don't see how according to Archer the whole country would be interested in his mating with the unicorn. Then there was how unicorns wear dresses and walk on 2 legs. And Rourke used it to his full advantage, dressing in pretty things that could be taken off with just 1 simple flick of the wrist. But he also goes on about how he wants to be useful and wants to help and is not afraid of hard work.
There's also apparently a thing where it's perfectly acceptable for unicorns to be together with the same gender, unless it's a unicorn with a human of the same gender. Then all of a sudden the human can get arrested. And yes, the law was changed a few years back, but to me it made no sense at all in the first place.
And then Archer is all worried because him getting together with Rourke would be same gender and no one in the town would accept it and the whole country would be in uproar and oh woo me...
Oh and then there's Archer's best friend who loves wearing dresses and then at the end of the story a lot of people actually find partners and the whole city is pretty much a rainbow community.
And let me be clear, I don't mind that, but to me it also wasn't necessary for the story to focus so much on that. First the whole town is bigoted, then everyone all of a sudden wants to be together with the same gender and try on dresses.
It felt too forced and even though the story is sort of cute and easy going and pretty casual and relaxing, I didn't like it that much. Too much that didn't make sense.
First of all, the village is described as being old fashioned and bigoted and more of those things. And at first they get upset with everything and grumble and disagree with about anything Archer says. But later in the story everything is all of a sudden all lovey dovey and happy and basically everyone is open to everything. I couldn't find a reason for this and the sudden change in demeanor didn't make any sense.
The story is pretty heavily build upon LGBTQ things. And I don't think I have issues with that but I did have issues with this story. I don't know, I just felt like there was too much focus on it. So Archer used to be a woman and now he's a guy. I understand that comes with insecurities but I don't see how it was supposed to be such a big deal and I especially don't see how according to Archer the whole country would be interested in his mating with the unicorn. Then there was how unicorns wear dresses and walk on 2 legs. And Rourke used it to his full advantage, dressing in pretty things that could be taken off with just 1 simple flick of the wrist. But he also goes on about how he wants to be useful and wants to help and is not afraid of hard work.
There's also apparently a thing where it's perfectly acceptable for unicorns to be together with the same gender, unless it's a unicorn with a human of the same gender. Then all of a sudden the human can get arrested. And yes, the law was changed a few years back, but to me it made no sense at all in the first place.
And then Archer is all worried because him getting together with Rourke would be same gender and no one in the town would accept it and the whole country would be in uproar and oh woo me...
Oh and then there's Archer's best friend who loves wearing dresses and then at the end of the story a lot of people actually find partners and the whole city is pretty much a rainbow community.
And let me be clear, I don't mind that, but to me it also wasn't necessary for the story to focus so much on that. First the whole town is bigoted, then everyone all of a sudden wants to be together with the same gender and try on dresses.
It felt too forced and even though the story is sort of cute and easy going and pretty casual and relaxing, I didn't like it that much. Too much that didn't make sense.
July 28, 2023
Love of self
A really sweet story with a slight bit of angst about being true to yourself and some truly lovely relationships.
In this world magic is normal and unicorns help bring out the magic of the land, to the point that a place without a unicorn will wither and die. Archer is the mayor of a town that finds itself in that exact situation and he is desperately working to find a unicorn to come to their small rough town so that it doesn't all fall apart. At the same time Archer is struggling personally with the lack of magic as it means his own transformative magic to make him into who he truly is rather than how he was born is fading. Archer fears both losing the town and losing himself without a unicorn.
Rourke finds himself needing to find a place to bring his magic to, but drawn to wanting to actually work. As a rare male unicorn he is in high demand and has been courted by many rich men offering him a life of pampered luxury keeping their field lush and making rich men richer. Rourke knows he doesn't want that and also needs to find his mate to bring out his magic. Archer believes his mate will be a working man himself, and an ad in the paper for a struggling town draws him immediately. Rourke soon finds a place in Archer's town but struggles to find a place with Archer himself.
All of the uncertainty of the book comes from Archer. Between being both transformed and liking the same sex, he thinks he cannot truly be himself and be a good mayor to the town. Constantly putting the town before him he denies himself any chance of happiness. Rourke is having exactly none of that, bursting into the town like a breath of fresh air and shaking things up for everyone, especially the mayor he is attracted to. It takes some changes and some shows of support, all of which is really lovely to see and paints a beautiful picture. It was a sweet and lovely story of love triumphing and one that is a really nice read.
A really sweet story with a slight bit of angst about being true to yourself and some truly lovely relationships.
In this world magic is normal and unicorns help bring out the magic of the land, to the point that a place without a unicorn will wither and die. Archer is the mayor of a town that finds itself in that exact situation and he is desperately working to find a unicorn to come to their small rough town so that it doesn't all fall apart. At the same time Archer is struggling personally with the lack of magic as it means his own transformative magic to make him into who he truly is rather than how he was born is fading. Archer fears both losing the town and losing himself without a unicorn.
Rourke finds himself needing to find a place to bring his magic to, but drawn to wanting to actually work. As a rare male unicorn he is in high demand and has been courted by many rich men offering him a life of pampered luxury keeping their field lush and making rich men richer. Rourke knows he doesn't want that and also needs to find his mate to bring out his magic. Archer believes his mate will be a working man himself, and an ad in the paper for a struggling town draws him immediately. Rourke soon finds a place in Archer's town but struggles to find a place with Archer himself.
All of the uncertainty of the book comes from Archer. Between being both transformed and liking the same sex, he thinks he cannot truly be himself and be a good mayor to the town. Constantly putting the town before him he denies himself any chance of happiness. Rourke is having exactly none of that, bursting into the town like a breath of fresh air and shaking things up for everyone, especially the mayor he is attracted to. It takes some changes and some shows of support, all of which is really lovely to see and paints a beautiful picture. It was a sweet and lovely story of love triumphing and one that is a really nice read.
March 9, 2023
There is Archer and Rourke. Had to check the names, because forgot after 5 s after finishing the book.
I was quite lost in this book. Who is who? What kind of world it is? We have strange magical beings, without explanation of how they incorporate into this world. A lot of bigoted humans... Magical gender change - how does this work? Then very fast one-eighty when looks everyone turns gay... Who wears dresses and why? Is this some norm in this society, but nothing is explained?
The main character is in denial most of the book but dives head first into a sexual relationship which feels forced somehow...
The Unicorn dude felt... over-the-top most of the time.
Sex was cringe-worthy ...
How does this mate thing work?
How does mate magic work?
So many questions
Not enough answers
I tried...
I was quite lost in this book. Who is who? What kind of world it is? We have strange magical beings, without explanation of how they incorporate into this world. A lot of bigoted humans... Magical gender change - how does this work? Then very fast one-eighty when looks everyone turns gay... Who wears dresses and why? Is this some norm in this society, but nothing is explained?
The main character is in denial most of the book but dives head first into a sexual relationship which feels forced somehow...
The Unicorn dude felt... over-the-top most of the time.
Sex was cringe-worthy ...
How does this mate thing work?
How does mate magic work?
So many questions
Not enough answers
I tried...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
Well, I loved this! This is set in a fantasy world, a mix of old time with some things of today, where unicorns are necessary for the area to thrive.
I don't think there are content warnings, but I do want to throw out that there is transphobia, homophobia, and dead-naming in this book.
I really enjoyed Archer and Rourke, and all the sweetness between them when they first meet. Archer is the town mayor and worries he will never be accepted by the town. When Rourke arrives, the attraction is there, and he is dead set on having Archer as his mate. These two had such great dialogue back and forth.
This is another book from Delaney where I have enjoyed the group or small town aspects with a group of characters. Fun, sweet, and sexy!
I don't think there are content warnings, but I do want to throw out that there is transphobia, homophobia, and dead-naming in this book.
I really enjoyed Archer and Rourke, and all the sweetness between them when they first meet. Archer is the town mayor and worries he will never be accepted by the town. When Rourke arrives, the attraction is there, and he is dead set on having Archer as his mate. These two had such great dialogue back and forth.
This is another book from Delaney where I have enjoyed the group or small town aspects with a group of characters. Fun, sweet, and sexy!
May 26, 2024
Gay unicorn meets reluctant fated mate.
Things I liked: Different terminology. For example using same centric to describe the MM and FF relationships. I loved the unicorn. He was quite sassy.
Things that annoyed or puzzled me: The human man characters is FTM. In a few places it was said he was glamoured to appear physically male, then in others it said he was transformed. But when it described these terms it sounded like glamour was just that, a nonphysical illusion, whereas transformed was a magical physical transformation. The terms kept switching but from the some of the scenes it sounded like the main character had opted for the transformation not just glamour. I think maybe the author because confused which term she used, then used them interchangeably.
Things I liked: Different terminology. For example using same centric to describe the MM and FF relationships. I loved the unicorn. He was quite sassy.
Things that annoyed or puzzled me: The human man characters is FTM. In a few places it was said he was glamoured to appear physically male, then in others it said he was transformed. But when it described these terms it sounded like glamour was just that, a nonphysical illusion, whereas transformed was a magical physical transformation. The terms kept switching but from the some of the scenes it sounded like the main character had opted for the transformation not just glamour. I think maybe the author because confused which term she used, then used them interchangeably.
February 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Unicorn’s Mate offers a hopeful, heartfelt romance set against a struggling village that depends on magic, community, and courage to survive. Archer Cole’s determination to save his people pairs beautifully with Rourke’s earnest optimism, creating a relationship built on trust, patience, and mutual admiration. Their slow burn connection feels genuine as both navigate vulnerability, prejudice, and the pressure of expectations placed on them by others. Themes of acceptance, belonging, and the power of love to heal both land and hearts run strongly through every chapter. Delaney Rain’s warm tone and vivid emotional beats make the story feel comforting, inspiring, and deeply romantic.
The Unicorn’s Mate offers a hopeful, heartfelt romance set against a struggling village that depends on magic, community, and courage to survive. Archer Cole’s determination to save his people pairs beautifully with Rourke’s earnest optimism, creating a relationship built on trust, patience, and mutual admiration. Their slow burn connection feels genuine as both navigate vulnerability, prejudice, and the pressure of expectations placed on them by others. Themes of acceptance, belonging, and the power of love to heal both land and hearts run strongly through every chapter. Delaney Rain’s warm tone and vivid emotional beats make the story feel comforting, inspiring, and deeply romantic.
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