Hello steamy book lovers! Get ready to turn up the heat with The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson. This fun and steamy read is made even better by the dual perspective that lets you dive into both Mackenzie and Noah’s heads. 

The story kicks off with Mackenzie, who’s only a year out of residency and already feeling the heat from her grandmother to find the perfect mate. In a moment of desperation, she blurts out the name of the last guy she’d ever actually date—Noah, aka ‘The Big Bad Wolf of Denver General.’

Noah, an interventional cardiologist with a gruff reputation, has his own problems. He’s an unmated alpha, and when someone threatens to expose his secret, his career could be on the line. Enter Mackenzie with her wild idea to pretend they’re dating, and suddenly, Noah has a way to keep his secret safe while Mackenzie gets her grandmother off her back.

The best part? The story flips between their perspectives, so you really get a feel for what’s going on in both of their minds. You see Mackenzie trying to keep things light and casual, even as her feelings start to get more serious. And then there’s Noah, who’s all tough on the outside but is struggling with this growing attraction he can’t quite ignore. Considering neither of them have ever been the relationship type, their thoughts about each other are quite interesting. From finding each other incredibly annoying to incredibly attractive, we get an inside scoop on it all. 

As their fake relationship starts to feel a little too real, the tension ramps up, especially when their fake-mate act leads to a very real friends-with-benefits situation where lines blur between what’s pretend and what’s not.

To say the least, Ferguson’s writing is engaging and full of personality. She strikes a great balance between humor and heart, making you laugh one minute and feel all the emotions the next. She has a great writing style and knack for creating characters. 

Mackenzie is easy to relate to—she’s strong but vulnerable, trying to juggle her new career and her personal life.  Then there’s Noah, the quintessential grumpy guy who turns out to have a lot more going on beneath the surface. Watching him struggle with his emotions as he falls for Mackenzie is one of the highlights of the book.

The chemistry between them is off the charts, and Ferguson knows how to keep that spark alive throughout the story. The transition from their fake relationship to something more physical—and eventually emotional—is handled really well. It feels natural, and you’re right there with them as they start to blur the lines between what’s fake and what’s real.

Even though the story follows some familiar romance tropes, Ferguson keeps it fresh with witty dialogue and well-developed characters. We ultimately knew where the story was going, but the journey was so enjoyable that we didn’t mind. And, we have a feeling that you won’t either.

Does The Fake Mate get our stamp of approval?

Engaging Plot: Does the book have a compelling storyline that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end? We definitely stayed hooked from start to finish. The supernatural aspects of the book made it very unique and kept us guessing until the end. We’ve never been werewolves before, so how would we know how our bodies would react to finding our mate, especially if we tried to stay away from them? 

Well-Developed Characters: Are the characters multidimensional, with realistic motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story? We really got into Mackenzie and Noah as characters. Mackenzie is relatable with her pressure from her grandmother and her career, and Noah’s tough exterior hides a lot more. It was great seeing how different their personalities are, yet the effect their differences had on each other. 

Strong Writing: Is the prose well-crafted, with vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and a consistent narrative voice? The writing was spot on. Ferguson’s descriptions and dialogue felt real and vivid, making it easy to picture the scenes and connect with the characters. The narrative voice was consistent and engaging, which kept us entertained and immersed in the story.

Emotional Impact: Does the book evoke a range of emotions in readers, from laughter and joy to sadness and empathy? We definitely felt a range of emotions while reading. There were lots of laugh-out-loud moments, but also some sweet and touching scenes that made us feel for the characters.

Originality: Does the book bring something fresh and unique to its genre or subject matter, avoiding clichés and predictable plot twists? Even though the fake dating trope is pretty familiar, the paranormal twist was a fresh take.

Pacing: Is the pacing of the story appropriate, with a good balance of action, exposition, and character development? The story moves at a nice pace, with just the right amount of tension building as Mackenzie and Noah’s fake relationship starts to feel a lot more real.

World-Building: Does the book create a richly imagined world that feels immersive and believable? The world-building was impressive. Ferguson created a believable shifter world that felt immersive but didn’t overwhelm the story.

Theme and Message: Does the book explore meaningful themes and deliver a message that resonates with readers? Instead of focusing solely on love and societal expectations, The Fake Mate also explores themes like the struggle between personal identity and public persona. Both Mackenzie and Noah are trying to juggle who they are with the roles they’re expected to play. 

Resolution: Does the book provide a satisfying resolution to its central conflicts and story arcs? Watching the transition from a fake relationship to a real one was fulfilling, and it tied up the conflicts and story arcs in a way that felt complete.

Overall Enjoyment: Most importantly, did we enjoy the book? While we could have lived with a few less steamy scenes, or at least a change in how they were written, we really did enjoy this book. It got us hot and bothered, which isn’t a bad thing, and had us wanting to know how every little detail of their relationship would play out both personally and professionally. 

Have you read The Fake Mate yet? 

If you’ve read The Fake Mate, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read it yet, are you going to?