Angie Cox's Reviews > The Fake Mate

3 ⭐️ This was a fun omegaverse story


I mean, it's just a few lies and a fake relationship. Nothing bad ever came from that.


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ paranormal / shifter romance
✨ contemporary setting
✨ omegaverse
✨ doctor MCs
✨ she needs a boyfriend, he needs a mate
✨ fake dating
✨ co-workers
✨ grumpy x sunshine
✨ strangers to friends with benefits
✨ he falls first
✨ 7 year age gap
✨ teasing banter
✨ 3/5 spice
✨ "you can take it", "good girl"
✨ lack of communication because fear of rejection
✨ third act breakup
✨ groveling
✨ HEA


My Thoughts:

For anyone who isn't familiar with omegaverse, this is a great place to start. If you're not familiar with the concept at all, just do a quick google search for an explanation.


What I liked:

I really enjoyed the beginning of this story. Mackenzie and Noah are both doctors but rarely work together, so they're essentially strangers. She's very approachable and friendly while Noah is serious, standoffish, and known as the Boogeyman of Denver. These two are total opposites and it wasn't apparent how they'd be a match at the beginning, but as the story progresses and they get to know one another, Mackenzie thaws his cold heart while Noah makes hers burn. They're both a little awkward around each other at first, which was super realistic considering the situation. And they end up developing a genuine friendship, which I thought was sweet. They're romance was sweet, but of course, it was also very spicy.

There's a total of 6 explicit sex scenes that go on for quite a few pages, so this is for the smut lovers. And if you're wondering about the type of smut, just know it has a lot of the usual omegaverse stuff: scenting, praise, knotting, licking, biting, and chasing. All very primal. And even though these two are shifters (they can turn into wolves), don't worry, they only do it as humans.


What I didn't like:

There’s not a lot going on besides the romance, so once they’re together I started losing interest. Sure, there's some drama with Noah being outed as an alpha by a mysterious person, who is revealed at the end. But, that side plot was predictable so the reveal wasn't a surprise. So around 60% of the story when the romance is established, I ended up skimming a lot of the non dialogue just to see how it all ends.

The third act breakup was also very predictable. It was also incredibly frustrating because none of it would have happened if Noah had just talked to Mackenzie, but he got scared(?) and decided to make choices for the two of them even if he knew it would make them both miserable. It was a dumb decision.

However, I will say the groveling and makeup sex afterwards was satisfying; so at least the story ended on a high note.

Priya was a random, annoying friend. All she ever did was ask Makenzie about her sex life with Noah and it just got really weird after a while.


Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC and Berkley Romance for providing a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.


Favorite Quotes:

"Once you go know you'll . . . want for . . . not."
_______

"Oh my God. You made a joke! Was that your first one? Are you hurt in any way?
"Always a delight, you are."
_______

"I'll make sure you can never catch me."
"Oh, I will catch you."
"You think so?"
"I do. I'm not letting you get away from me, Mackenzie."
_______

"That's the funny thing about love, Noah. It's terrifying, and there are no guarantees. We don't fall in love because it's a sure thing. We fall in love because our hearts don't speak the same language as our brains. Your heart doesn't have that little voice that worries about what-ifs. It sees something good and it goes all in. Sometimes you just have to listen to your heart more than your head."
_______

"Only you could hook up with the biggest asshole we've ever met and turn him into a house husband."
_______

"Mackenzie, I - I'm finding there isn't much I don't like where you're involved."
_______

Mackenzie Carter is in my skin now. She lives in my blood. Without ever intending for it to happen. . . my pretend mate became the very real woman I'd like to spend the rest of my life with.
_______

"When I'm with you . . . I don't feel like I'm just going through the motions in life. When I'm with you . . . I feel like I'm actually living.
_______

"I can grovel for the rest of my life."
"I'm going to be a pain."
"It's fine. I'm an expert at being insufferable."
"And I'm going to get scared."
"I can be there to make sure it doesn't last."
_______