The follow-up to the bestseller Bride, Mate by Ali Hazelwood brings readers back to a paranormal world of vampyres and werewolves. It’s a story steeped in complicated dynamics, from political machinations to reluctant fated mates, with characters that bring it all together.
Serena Paris, half-human, half-werewolf, has found herself the mate of the Alpha of the Northwest pack. It’s a situation neither of them is particularly thrilled about, and they’re determined to keep their distance.
With no family and no pack, though, Serena has nowhere to turn when she’s targeted for her hybrid genes. Humans, Vampyres, and Weres all seem to want to use her for their own political ends.
Given Serena’s luck, it makes sense that the Vampyres after her are not her only problem. Her reluctant mate, Koen Alexander, the Alpha, is determined to protect her, even if he can’t seem to stand the sight of her sometimes. Koen is an immovable force — all her problems will have to go through him.
I love these two so much. The care and protection that Koen provides for Serena, even when he’s gruff and being an asshole, is just phenomenal. Yet another 10/10 book boyfriend from Ms. Hazelwood.
Mate is filled with a dry, witty humor that comes through in the hilarious banter that Koen and Serena use at first to cover up the awkward tension in their relationship, and then as their love language. Serena has such a funny way of looking at the world, and uses humor to cope with trauma, and it definitely will make you laugh.
“There are only that many kidnapping and murder attempts a child can endure before developing serious issues and self-destructive behaviors. We wouldn’t want her to grow up and, say, go to grad school.”
“Don’t worry,” Misery reassures me, “every day I drill into her that we’ll be disappointed in anything but a DJing career.”
This book artfully piques the curiosity about what these characters are hiding from each other and, therefore, the readers. It makes for a fast-paced and absolutely gripping read, especially in the second half. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in a single day.
The romance in Mate is a slow burn, with both main characters fighting their physical need for each other with everything they have. It creates an enticing tension that finally snaps, and when it snaps, it snaps with zeal.
Mate left me wanting more in the best possible way. I loved this book, and I sincerely hope this series continues, although I’m not sure if there are plans for that in the works. I will happily read anything Ali Hazelwood writes, but this book in particular struck the perfect chord on a cold fall day.
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