I went into this hoping for a really unique parnormal romcom. What I got was hella smut. The book generally was cute but the plot was extremely thin and the spicy scenes (which was half the book) used all the terms that make me cringe.

As mentioned, the cover for The Fake Mate doesn’t scream shifter romance but the book follows two doctors, Mackenzie and Noah. These two don’t exactly know each other but end up deciding to help each other. Of course with the title, you can surmise that it’s a “fake-mating” romance.

Mackenzie is trying to get her grandmother off her back while Noah is trying to hide his alpha status. It’s a win-win situation for both of them until their feelings start to get involved. Of course, that also involves these two getting hot and heavy as well which is delightful.

There were two specific elements I adored about The Fake Mate and that’s the romance between Noah and Mackenzie. It was clear from when the fake-mating started, these two were meant to be. In a way, it felt like two puzzle pieces finally coming together and I couldn’t get enough.

The other thing I adored was how Noah took care of Mackenzie during her heat. I didn’t know The Fake Mate would have so much caretaking and I couldn’t get enough of it. Seeing Noah take care of her, it just melted my heart and it was just so nice to read.

Even though I didn't enjoy The Fake Mate as much as The Nanny, I do think it’s a great place to start if you’re new to shifter romance. Plus it’s just one of those books you’ll immediately fall into. It also reminded me a lot of The Love Hypothesis if you’re looking for something comparable to that book or author.

Lana Ferguson needs to teach a masterclass on steamy scenes and tension because I couldn't look away from this book. No, really—I was so invested that I was sneaking a few pages here and there at work and would read on every break and quiet moment until I'd finished.

This book is an omegaverse romance—a genre I haven't really explored to any real extent. The whole idea of wolf shifters having designated classes ("alpha", "beta", "omega") isn't new to me, though, but I've never read a book where it tied so perfectly into an otherwise hilarious contemporary romcom. I don't wanna go too in-depth into the plot, but basically the FMC needs a fake date to get her grandmother off her back, and the MMC is conveniently in need of a fake mate for a problem of his own.

I can't express enough how well the steamy scenes were written. I'm not usually that invested in spice in romances, even though it's nice to have, but Lana Ferguson manages to craft steamy scenes that deepen the romantic tension AND the universe's lore at the same time. I just loved it so so much.

One of my favs of the year <3

This book was so fun! I’m not normally a fan of alpha/omega romances or grumpy/sunshine but this was sweet and spicy.

Mackenzie’s grandma has been pushing her to find a boyfriend and settle down. Problem is, all the men Mack’s been seeing are horrible. Enter Noah, resident grump at the hospital they both work at. He’s having a problem with the board because he’s been keeping his alpha status a secret. So Mack offers a “fake mate” romance to keep everyone off their backs. And everyone falls for their ruse… and Mack and Noah fall for each other.

The side characters are adorable and Mack and Noah are a couple worth rooting for. Mack is smart, sassy, independent, and determined while Noah is reserved, serious, and full of heart. I would recommend this book to readers looking for a light-hearted read or who like the grumpy/sunshine, fake romance, or alpha/omega tropes.

I love that shifter mates is hitting the contemporary rom com section. The book has the best of both worlds and was a fun quick read. Hope to see more like this from Lana Ferguson 🤩

Y’all, no you don’t understand, I’m obsessed. Fake Mate made me want to enter my omegaverse era.

Mackenzie and Noah work together at the hospital, but on different floors. When they both need help, a fake mateship seems to be the solution to both of their problems. As they get to know each other and their guards fall, the only thing fake is their ability to pretend.

I adored this story. Both Mackenzie and Noah’s personalities shine as individual characters, but truly excel when they’re together. The way that they both seemingly thaw and melt into this comfortable relationship is so good. They really were fated mates.

The spice? The dirty talk? Insanely good. I cannot stop thinking about this.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of The Fake Mate. All opinions are my own.

This book had everything I could want - fake dating, hot ER doctors, a shifter multiverse. As soon as I was approved, I put my cozy pajamas on and settled for a night of banter, smut, and medical puns. All of this makes it extra unfortunate that I have to say it felt like this book failed to deliver on multiple fronts. It felt like I was reading a draft that held a lot of promise, but ultimately was not nearly fleshed out enough to stand alone as an actual book.

For example, we meet Mackenzie and Noah, our darling doctors and aspiring fake mates, and are given some vague hints about the cocktail of hormones and "fate" calling them together. It's a tried-and-true "mate" scenario with the interesting twist of making our shifters high profile doctors. You would think with all this medical talk, we would get some sort of explanation as to the shifters vs. human side of the world. I was constantly questioning WHY these two characters were "shifters" let alone why the book involved a USA 2023 shifter/human world. The dynamics are NEVER explained. Biologically, I had no idea what it meant that these two were "shifters" - does that mean their parents are too? Is it passed down? Are shifters an actual separate species than humans? We are given NONE of this information. It's almost like this book did the opposite of info dumping - it was info lacking, I kept wondering why the author had never thought to expand or explain any of their decisions as they wrote.

There were tons of random pop culture references thrown throughout. The author wanted us to know that this book was set in the very real and current world, right down the street in Denver, just with shifters as well. It was odd and disjointed. I've read alpha/beta/omega etc. romances before that took place in the "real" world and didn't involve shifters but allowed for (and explained) the biological causes of these extra characteristics and mates. I almost wish that had been the case here - I have to wonder what my star rating for this book would have been if the author had thrown out the thinly supported plot of Mackenzie and Noah shifting into animals and invested intention to detail in their connection instead.

All of these complaints are very reasonable to me and easily why this book lost two stars. However, I do feel like this review should have the disclaimer that my rating may be biased by the fact I hated that the book included a doctor/patient role play scene in a hospital room where they worked. Noah thinks to herself "This is so ridiculous, like something out of a bad porn movie" during this scene. He pulls some dumb stunts in this book, but I have to agree with him here. Their relationship has a fake start, climaxing (pun intended) during Mackenzie's spontaneous heat, and then this gross role play is one of the only intimate sex scenes we are given?? (I will say I am EXTREMELY grateful the author did not try to pull any sex scenes while these two were shifted into animals. I think that would have done me in.) I also think that if you are going to make the bonding part of mates so important, you should at least include the bite/bonding scene on page. When I got the epilogue and realized we had been given hospital smut but denied the emotional bond scene this book was culminating in, I debated going getting my JD just to make it law no other mate books could pull this disappointing trick as well. It felt like copping out of giving us the emotional scenes we were begging for by the end. I was sad that so much plot potential and character development was sacrificed to make this book "fun" and "sexy".

If you like contemporary paranormal romances with plenty of spice, give this one a try. Mackenzie and Noah are doctors in the same hospital -- and they're both werewolves too. When both find themselves in need of a significant other, they decide to fake a relationship. I really enjoyed the world-building and werewolf culture. The grumpy-sunshine and fake-dating tropes reminded me quite a bit of Ali Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis," and I think Hazelwood fans who like paranormal romance will like this one.

Having read Lana Ferguson's first novel, The Nanny, I knew that I had to try The Fake Mate, even if it wasn't something I'd usually try. If you're also a fan of her but uncertain if this would be something you like, I can bet that you most likely will. While there are some shifter events and episodes that aren't in your typical non-fantasy romance, for the most part The Fake Mate does have all of the elements of a 'typical' romance, plus the fun that Ferguson brings to the novel. There are moments of hilarity, deeply felt emotional turmoil, and just overall fun. You'll find The Fake Mate to be a fun and sexy quick read.

I finished this book within less than a day, splitting my reading into two sessions, with interruptions from real-life obligations slowing me down.

If I had begun reading on a leisurely weekend, it would have been a one-sitting indulgence; I was completely engrossed and reluctant to set it aside.

The story is a delightful blend of humor and sweetness, combining the beloved tropes of Grumpy x Sunshine and Fake Dating, with an added touch of Reylo coding. It feels as though this romance novel was tailor-made for my reading preferences.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson!

this was so so so amazing i honestly want to relive every single second of this book and i can't believe it's over

Mackenzie Carter is tired of her grandmother trying to set her up on dates and, without thinking, she blurts out that she’s met someone. Unfortunately, the first name out of her mouth is the last man she would ever want to be paired up with - Noah Taylor, the big bad wolf of Denver General. Noah has worked hard to keep his alpha designation a secret for years, afraid that the stigma surrounding unmated alphas will ruin his career. But an anonymous tip has his world crumbling down around him. So when Mack asks him to be her fake boyfriend on the same day he has to meet with the board, he proposes a fake dating scheme that will keep her grandmother off her back and the board off his. But chemistry is hard to ignore and the pair find themselves developing a very real friends with benefits arrangement that has them blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s just pretend.

I never knew I need a contemporary paranormal romance, but when Lana Ferguson tells me she’s got some “wolfy shit” (her exact words) coming out, it becomes an immediate need. The grumpy/sunshine vibes are immaculate, the fake dating turned real friends with benefits is hot as all hell, and the underlying question of whether they will be found out had me flipping pages as fast as I could.

As a Grey’s Anatomy enthusiast (despite how outrageous it is), it was so much fun to see a story like this in a hospital setting. The hospital politics, the one person who always has all the gossip, the exam room shenanigans - it hit all the right notes. Plus, the scene that directly references Grey’s made me actually laugh out loud.

One thing that does not need to be stated but will be anyways: Lana Ferguson knows how to write spice. If you’ve read her debut THE NANNY, then you know exactly how much steam to expect. Maybe keep a fan close by so your hand doesn't get tired from fanning yourself through all the spicy scenes.

And speaking of THE NANNY, there is a quick cameo from our favorite geriatric bestie Wanda and it’s the most Wanda cameo ever and had me chuckling well after I read it.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for free and have voluntarily written this review.

In a moment of exasperation, Mack tells her grandmother a small lie - that she is dating fellow shifter (and doctor) Noah. Turns out that Noah could also use a fake girlfriend to appease the medical board who are concerned about his shifter temperament. As the two stumble into a fake relationship, they discover that shifter biology might be stronger than intentions and feelings are unpredictable.

Several tropes weaving together to make a fast paced and spicy romance. Mack and Noah are well rounded and full of banter. Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood.

I feel I must start my review by saying that while I have read a lot of werewolf and shifter fiction (with the usual alphas, submissive, and dominants) I don’t typically read omegaverse.

I loved the plot itself - where the plot existed. Mackenzie, or Mack, is a relatively new surgeon in the ER. Noah is a grumpy head of Cardio. Despite being 2 of the few shifters in the hospital, they don’t really talk much until Mack tells her grandma they’re dating in an attempt to avoid more awkward setups. Noah for his part needs a fake mate to protect his job - can’t have an unmated alpha doing surgery on people with open chest cavities after all.

The problem is the pacing of the book. The whole plot gets set aside for a good portion of the middle to just have some repetitive sex scenes followed by knotting. This is coupled with some awkward mid coitus language that just took me out of the moment repeatedly. (How many times does he need to ask her to come on his knot?) I don’t know if this is awkward because it’s awkward or if I just don’t typically read these kinds of stories.

They finally get back to the plot and we’re into some pretty usual 3rd act romance fare but I don’t buy the reasoning for their break up at all. It felt pretty forced that the nemesis of the book even cares whether Noah and Mack are together as long as Noah is out of the way, so the blackmailing to make them break up is just weird and out of place.

In addition I take some issue with these 2 medical professionals repeatedly thinking that facts of their anatomy have been grossly over exaggerated. In a world where there is medicine (suppressors) to manage an Alpha’s urges and their anatomy is discussed in medical text books AND THESE PEOPLE ARE DOCTORS I just don’t buy that they aren’t fully aware of what will happen when they couple.

This book was a LOT of fun. I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed Ferguson’s book The Nanny. You can expect just as much delectable tension and steam in this book.

-fake dating
-grumpy x sunshine
-workplace romance
-shifter romance
-contemporary paranormal romance

Steam rating: 4/5

CW: abandonment

After seeing everybody RAVE about The Nanny on booktok, I was very excited for The Fake Mate. Lana Ferguson is known for her spice x sweet combo, and her second novel did not disappoint. I thought the premise of the book was very intriguing, and the chemistry between the characters was lots of fun to watch play out on the page. There was a very well written enemies to lovers arc, and the hospital setting only added to the depth and complexity of the story. As someone who loves both romance with a plot and romance without a plot (hehe), this was a delightful combination of both. I can see this being a great fall/Halloween read, but it can also be enjoyed with a cup of hot apple cider all year round.

This book was a ball of fun! I read it as we were entering the fall season, and I absolutely enjoyed the Paranormal vibes. This was a fun fake dating story that has the humor and writing that captivated me in Lana's debut, The Nanny. Noah and Mackenzie's banter made this story enjoyable and the book is definitely spicy and fun, I think there were times that I felt too lost in the book, but otherwise, this is a fun PNR book that will be fun to read in the winter.

I loved Lana Ferguson's last book and was looking so forward to reading this one but I didn't even end up finishing it. I could not get past the whole "wolf/shifter" aspect. It was a disappointment to find that there was more of a fantasy element to this story rather than a straightforward rom-com like I was expecting.

The Fake Mate
Pub Date: Dec. 5th, 2023

Read if you like:
🔬The Love Hypothesis x Shifter Omegaverse
🩺 Doctor Romance
🌦️ Grumpy/sunshine
👫 Fake dating and Dual POV
💜 Age-gap
🩻 Workplace romance

What I liked:
- I absolutely LOVE socially awkward men and Noah is no exception to that. A smart, bumbling, social outcast?? Hello, sign me up.
- I love Mackenzie so much!! This might be the only time where I will ever love a female character over a male (only by a tiny tiny amount). She loves soup, knock-off pink drinks, is admirably sociable, brave, etc,. She's perfect, and I loved spending time with her.
- This romance was super spicy and super funny! Noah and Mackenzie's dates were super cute, their little meet ups in the hospital, their texts/emails, and the ski lodge....chef's kiss, really.

What I didn't like:
- This book was a *little* long for my liking. I found myself skimming over a couple bits about either of the characters inner-thoughts, but it's not long enough where I would suggest you don't read it. Just long enough where I felt the need to dock its rating a bit...
- No epilogue showing Noah and Mackenzie actually mated! I know it's obvious they they will one day mate, but it would have been a cute moment to have at the end.
- (I liked The Nanny better. I'm so sorry. It had to be said. I still loved this book though! Obviously because it only took me a day to read it LOL).

I personally enjoy paranormal romances during the fall, but the setting of this book is also perfect for its wintery release date! I LOVE LOVE LOVED The Nanny, so if you feel the same, I would certainly check this one out!