The Fake Mate

Oh I really enjoyed this. Who doesn’t love a fake dating turned friends with benefits situation that ends up with them falling in love & a HEA! 🤩 (Bar EMILY - yes you - but she’s a numpty)🤣 It’s fun, light & fluffy. Just what I needed. Now onto Lana’s other books ☺️

When pretending becomes more than just a game, Spilling the tea on fake mates. When fake relationships get REAL... 😏 The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson is a steamy paranormal romance set in a world where wolf shifters are integrated into modern society. The story follows two doctors at Denver General Hospital: Mackenzie "Mack" Carter, an ER physician and rare omega shifter, and Noah Taylor, an interventional cardiologist and unmated alpha. Mackenzie, weary of her grandmother's constant matchmaking efforts, lies about having a boyfriend and names Noah, the hospital's gruff and intimidating cardiologist. Coincidentally, Noah's hidden alpha status is exposed to the hospital board, jeopardizing his career. To protect his job, he agrees to Mackenzie's proposition of a fake relationship. What begins as a mutual arrangement to solve their problems soon evolves into a genuine connection, blurring the lines between pretense and reality. Character Breakdown Mackenzie "Mack" Carter: A 29-year-old ER doctor with sandy brown hair and amber eyes. Raised by her grandmother after her mother's death and her father's abandonment, Mackenzie is sociable, jovial, and intelligent. She is an omega, a rare and often stigmatized designation in her world. Despite her grandmother's attempts at matchmaking, she remains wary of relationships due to past emotional scars. Noah Taylor: An interventional cardiologist known as "The Big Bad Wolf of Denver General." He has spent years hiding his alpha status to avoid the stigma associated with unmated alphas. When his secret is exposed, he faces potential career repercussions. Initially gruff and stoic, Noah's true nature is revealed as he develops feelings for Mackenzie. Moira Carter: Mackenzie's well-meaning but overbearing grandmother, eager for Mackenzie to settle down and start a family. Her constant matchmaking adds pressure to Mackenzie's personal life. Themes of the book The Tension Between Fate and Choice: The novel explores the conflict between biological imperatives and personal choice, particularly in the context of omega-alpha relationships. Mackenzie and Noah grapple with societal expectations and their own desires, questioning whether their bond is predestined or a result of their choices. Stigma and Identity: Both main characters face stigma related to their shifter designations. Mackenzie's omega status subjects her to stereotypes, while Noah's unmated alpha status threatens his career. The story delves into themes of identity, acceptance, and the challenges of living authentically in a judgmental society. Love and Vulnerability: As Mackenzie and Noah navigate their fake relationship, they confront their fears and vulnerabilities. The evolving dynamic challenges them to open up emotionally, leading to personal growth and a deeper connection. The Complexity of Relationships: The novel examines how relationships can be multifaceted, evolving from pretense to genuine affection. It highlights the complexities of human connections and the unpredictable nature of love. The Fake Mate offers a blend of humor, heart, and heat, set against the backdrop of a paranormal medical world. It appeals to readers who enjoy steamy romances with strong character development and thematic depth. Lying to my grandmother was a small price to pay for getting her off my back. Lying to Noah? That was a whole different level of complicated. It’s funny how sometimes you lie to protect yourself, but the truth ends up hurting a lot more. I didn’t believe in fate. But maybe... just maybe, it had a way of proving you wrong. We’re just pretending. But somewhere in between the lies, I found something real. You think you’re protecting your heart by pushing people away, but all you’re doing is making it harder to let them in. He was the kind of man who made you forget your name, and I didn’t know if I should run or let him have my heart. Maybe love wasn’t supposed to be logical. Maybe it was just supposed to be real. I never believed in the fairy tales. But standing here with him, I was starting to wonder if I was wrong. We were both pretending, but I wasn’t sure I was pretending anymore. He might have been my fake mate, but it felt like he was the only one who could make me feel whole. Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

It was a really good book! I just think that books with werewolves may not be for me 😕 It was quite cringey and ick inducing at times, I loved the characters but I dont think he was alpha material! I wasn't a fan of the spice and the knotting situation cringes me out, I skipped it all 😂 I feel the same as when I read bride by Ali Hazelwood, which is why I think these books aren't for me! I did like it and had an alright time just not my favourite!

Steamy is not an exaggeration, wow. For something so fluffy in every other aspect, it sure is spicy. Very cute and sweet light read.

I got this after reading Mate by Ali hazelwood. And it honestly did not disappoint. I love the writing, the characters and the humour

I was so excited to read this, and while it was good it fell a little below my expectations. I loved the almost immediate Twilght reference! I love pop culture references in books. Especially something that I'd from my childhood/teens years, it was so nostalgic. The agreement of fake dating was also immediate - but this was good to not drag it out as it literally is the title of the book. But I found the spicy scenes a bit cringy. Lots of references to knotting - which wasn't as cringe in Ali Hazelwoods Bride but here the spicy scenes were quite long and there were quite a few. The miscommunication trope is one of my least favourites, this wasn't that exactly, more lack of real communication and talking about how they feel. Alot of things could be solved if they just told each other how they felt... I think if I hadn't read this so near to Bride, I may have enjoyed it more? It honestly wasn't a bad book, just I've read better? But it was super fun and I loved the hospital setting! I love Greys Anatomy and this gave me those sort of vibes, with the drama and gossip of the hospital.

As a piece of romantic fiction, it’s okay. As a paranormal romance however, this falls incredibly short of the mark. When something is billed as a shifter story, I expect more shifting to take place. I expect to learn about a shifters place in society and how any ranks differ from one another. I also expect there to be more substance. I don’t think the author clearly portrays their idea of an alpha or an omega. The story just felt weak; as if it had been a straight romance that was edited to include the shifter angle. I felt it lacked any real authenticity. As an avid reader of PNR, I’d advise anyone looking for a good shifter story look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a fake relationship story with a watered down shifter aspect, then give it a read. As I said at the start, it’s okay but it’s not great.

Omg loved loved loved this book ❤️ cute, sexy, witty 👌

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson 3.75/5⭐️ •My Blurb• In an effort to get her matchmaking Gran off her back, Mackenzie lies about dating a coworker. The only problem is the coworker is beyond grumpy and wouldn’t possibly help her out, right? Noah has a problem of his own and when Mackenzie brings him her fake dating proposal, he one ups her by asking her to be his fake mate. There’s no way they will catch feelings until that’s exactly what these opposites do… •My Thoughts• This was cute! I love fake dating so I was predisposed to enjoy this one, throw in wolf shifters and grumpy/shine and it was a safe bet that I would enjoy it. This was my first omegaverse book and it was fun. I’ll admit I’ve been super curious about all the things that make a book a part of the omegaverse world and some things I absolutely enjoyed (scenting, marking, mates). Some things I didn’t need but still overall an enjoyable experience. I did wish there had been more with the actual wolf shifting aspect, it was an extremely minor part of the book. I enjoyed our main characters and their bantery dynamic. Noah was a grumpy lost puppy and while I would have liked it if he was a bit more alpha-y in regular life, he was still adorable and had some swoony moments. I loved Mackenzie’s snarky sense of humor and how she loved baiting/teasing stoic Noah. I enjoyed watching both characters grow both as a couple and as individuals. I felt like plot held its own even though the spice was a big part of the storyline. Definitely a good time and I’d even venture that it’s a great book for the omegaverse curious/beginners!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars The Fake Mate is an omega verse story about two doctors who need each other’s help and fake date, Mackenzie to get her grandma to stop setting up dates and Noah, to deceive the board that he was mated, and his status won’t be a problem while working. "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 read Bride, which I really loved, and this book was recommended to me from that page. Reading the synopsis, I was sold and immediately bought myself a copy haha. Diving into the book while journeying back home from Italy. The opening really grabbed my attention immediately. I also really loved how the fake dating part really starts from the very first chapters. Both Noah and Mackenzie dive into the thick of it without really knowing each other. The writing is done so well, it is addicting and soooo hard to put this book down! I love the pacing and the scenes are written so good! Definitely a book that could easily be read in one sitting if you have the time. The humour throughout the book had me laughing like an idiot wihle reading about these two idiots in love. Mackenzie is such an amazing character. She is kind-hearted and very bright and present. She is smart and fierce as well. Noah was more of a brooding in the background kinda guy, but once you break through his touch, shy demeanour, he is actually really sweet, loyal and would do anything for those he loves. I love the grumpy x sunshine trope, which was done soooo well! I love how Noah’s walls were slowly crumbling down under Mackenzie’s attention and their chemistry was through the roof! I just kept screaming and smiling whenever they were together. I loved the banter and the development and just everything about the two. Also, they are just so hot together! It wouldn’t have surprised me at all if they were somehow soulmates underneath it all. The plot itself was a bit predictable, but I still very much enjoyed how it played out and how they went about it all. It was written in a way that drew me in and I loved every second of it! Overall, The Fake Mate was such a fun, quick read that I very much enjoyed! I really want more books like this one, it was amazing!

Muy bueno. Ellos tienen mucha química. La prota es la leche y la historia entretenida.

Meritíssimo é uma leitura emocionalmente intensa, que exige preparo emocional e deve ser lida com atenção e responsabilidade. A trama gira em torno de Isabela, uma mulher marcada por um passado de abusos, que começa a trabalhar como governanta para o juiz Sebastian — um homem emocionalmente distante, principalmente de seus três filhos, Clarisse, Clara e Christian. Aos poucos, a convivência vai transformando todos os envolvidos, e o livro passa a girar em torno de vínculos, cura, justiça e reconstrução. A relação de Isabela com as crianças é, sem dúvida, o ponto mais bonito da história. É por meio dessa conexão que ela encontra força para seguir e também para transformar Sebastian, que passa a enxergar os próprios filhos como crianças — e não como a lembrança dolorosa da perda da esposa. Os momentos em que todos estão juntos, como uma família, são os mais comoventes e os que mais aquecem o coração do leitor. No entanto, há problemas sérios na condução da narrativa. O prólogo traz uma cena de abuso sexual extremamente gráfica, que poderia ter sido tratada com mais delicadeza — talvez em terceira pessoa, com menos detalhes. O excesso de sofrimento imposto à protagonista também pesa negativamente. Em determinado ponto, um novo trauma é inserido (o câncer), o que torna a narrativa mais confusa e emocionalmente desgastante. E o desfecho de uma das cenas mais tensas do livro — quando o personagem Lucas sofre um atentado e, depois, tudo é “resolvido” com um sonho e uma melhora repentina — parece uma manipulação emocional forçada e desnecessária. A escrita da autora tem potencial, mas ainda é imatura. Há trechos fluidos e envolventes, e outros completamente travados ou desnecessários. Os diálogos soam forçados, os cenários são pouco descritos, e há muitos erros ortográficos. Wanessa tenta adotar uma linguagem mais formal, mas demonstra dificuldades, provavelmente por vir de um estilo mais informal. Ainda assim, a autora demonstra criatividade e consegue construir uma história que prende a atenção — só precisa de mais cuidado técnico e amadurecimento na escrita. Mesmo com seus defeitos, Meritíssimo é um livro que pode e deve ser indicado — desde que o leitor tenha maturidade emocional para lidar com os temas tratados. É uma leitura indicada para maiores de idade, e não deve ser acessada por adolescentes ou leitores sensíveis sem preparo. Ainda assim, é uma obra que toca, que levanta reflexões importantes e que pode até ser uma ponte de empatia e acolhimento para quem passou por situações semelhantes às de Isabela. A mensagem principal do livro — de que o abuso nunca é culpa da vítima — é extremamente necessária e poderosa. Por isso, apesar das falhas, é um livro digno de ser lido por quem pode suportá-lo.

Tempi brevi ed ottime condizioni.