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Reluctant Mate #1
Reluctant Mate
Protecting his family's future meant taking a mate, but he never counted on his mate being another man.
When Gray's father informs him he needs to take a mate, he has no problem with it. He'd been thinking it was time to find a permanent partner to bond with. An alliance with one of the most influential wolf shifter families in New Orleans was a good move to protect his people if ever their secret existence was revealed. However, when his father told him he'd have to mate with the head of the Cain family, Gray drew the line. He would not under any circumstances ever mate with a man!
When Gray's father informs him he needs to take a mate, he has no problem with it. He'd been thinking it was time to find a permanent partner to bond with. An alliance with one of the most influential wolf shifter families in New Orleans was a good move to protect his people if ever their secret existence was revealed. However, when his father told him he'd have to mate with the head of the Cain family, Gray drew the line. He would not under any circumstances ever mate with a man!
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2012
14 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Eden Cole
51 books265 followersEden Cole has been creating stories in her head since she was a small child. Love and romance, sensual pleasures find their voice in her erotic stories of romance. Fantasy, paranormal and science fiction are her favorite genres to write in.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 10, 2012
I guess I should've know better. Eden Cole has been hit or miss for me. More miss than hit especially after her last shifter series.
What did I like? Nothing.
What didn't I like? Everything.
There was a prologue that didn't have to be one. It could've been the first couple of paragraphs of the first chapter. It didn't feel right. The reasoning behind what Gray's father suggested I guess I can see, but not so much. Gray had no backbone. Always showing up late to piss off your father does not make a backbone. Gray didn't want to mate but did it out of family pressure from his dad.
What pissed me off about this is the first time Lucas and Gray meet. They go off and talk and Gray is trying to tell him why he feels the way he does. Mind you, Gray doesn't know who he is but Lucas knows who Gray is. Lucas sets out automatically to convince Gray to do this with no thought of how Gray would feel. I understand his reasoning but it still does not justify his actions.
Gray kept telling him throughout the story he wanted a female mate. So what does Lucas do?
There were several things missing in the story. You know what the biggest one was? CHEMISTRY!!!!!! The MCs did not have it at all. So when Gray tells Lucas he loves him I rolled my eyes and said WTF? How?
After this, I've decided to leave Eden Cole books alone. Why waste my money on a bunch of misses.
Keep in mind, this is all my opinion. If you like Eden Cole's stories go for it. You might like it. I, on the other hand didn't.
What did I like? Nothing.
What didn't I like? Everything.
There was a prologue that didn't have to be one. It could've been the first couple of paragraphs of the first chapter. It didn't feel right. The reasoning behind what Gray's father suggested I guess I can see, but not so much. Gray had no backbone. Always showing up late to piss off your father does not make a backbone. Gray didn't want to mate but did it out of family pressure from his dad.
What pissed me off about this is the first time Lucas and Gray meet. They go off and talk and Gray is trying to tell him why he feels the way he does. Mind you, Gray doesn't know who he is but Lucas knows who Gray is. Lucas sets out automatically to convince Gray to do this with no thought of how Gray would feel. I understand his reasoning but it still does not justify his actions.
Gray kept telling him throughout the story he wanted a female mate. So what does Lucas do?
There were several things missing in the story. You know what the biggest one was? CHEMISTRY!!!!!! The MCs did not have it at all. So when Gray tells Lucas he loves him I rolled my eyes and said WTF? How?
After this, I've decided to leave Eden Cole books alone. Why waste my money on a bunch of misses.
Keep in mind, this is all my opinion. If you like Eden Cole's stories go for it. You might like it. I, on the other hand didn't.
July 17, 2014
I like crack.
Good thing though.
'Cause this book was pure crack.
Ok, so, you have two guys who are completely straight (Double GFY FTW!) are forced into bonding for different reasons...
who then decide to try to sleep together to prove to Gray's father that there is no way that neither will ever like smexin' it up with a man.
Their first few times in bed end up feeling like extreme gay chicken where each tries to outdo the other.
And then they decide they will proceed with the mating ceremony because both are starting to have
but agree that they will pick up women together because that is what they think the other wants. However, surprise, surprise (or not...) they get jealous when a woman shows interest...
and confess that they are in love.
And this, of course, happened in the span of a week.
Like I said, this was a quick, fun read of smutty-goodness crack that I just rolled with and enjoyed.
Good thing though.
'Cause this book was pure crack.
Ok, so, you have two guys who are completely straight (Double GFY FTW!) are forced into bonding for different reasons...
who then decide to try to sleep together to prove to Gray's father that there is no way that neither will ever like smexin' it up with a man.
Their first few times in bed end up feeling like extreme gay chicken where each tries to outdo the other.
And then they decide they will proceed with the mating ceremony because both are starting to have
but agree that they will pick up women together because that is what they think the other wants. However, surprise, surprise (or not...) they get jealous when a woman shows interest...
and confess that they are in love.
And this, of course, happened in the span of a week.
Like I said, this was a quick, fun read of smutty-goodness crack that I just rolled with and enjoyed.
February 19, 2014
I'll admit to being quite surprised by this one. Its actually a really interesting read, with great characters and plenty of smexy scenes, that were pretty HOT for two straight guys lol
February 11, 2012
Okay, first thing first. This book could use some serious editing. As for the plot, two straight guys having sex to prove they can't mate is just ridiculous. I caught myself shaking my head and muttering REALLY? definitely too many times. Still, I kept reading, so that should count for something, I think. And since I'm feeling generous today, I'm rating this 2 stars. Though frankly, it's more like 1.5 - 1.75 stars *shrugs*
February 9, 2012
3.75 stars
After glancing back at all my reviews here, it seems a good majority of the books I read have vampires or werewolves in them. Well, Reluctant Mate will not be the exception. This time it’s wolf shifters!
Set in New Orleans, Gray is ordered by his wealthy father to take a mate. Reluctantly Gray agrees, figuring it will be some social butterfly with more family money than sense, but is utterly surprised when his father tells him he’s going to bond with a man to tie their two socially prominent families together! To say Gray is unhappy is an understatement. He’s not gay, has no desire to be with a man and tells his father so. His father ignores him and Gray leaves wondering how he can fulfill his duty to his family line if he’s all but married to a guy.
Enter Lucas Cain, Gray’s future mate. Lucas, on the other hand, has no say in whether he can turn down Gray’s father’s offer. He can’t. With the entire Cain family depending on him to pull them out of poverty and save their ancestral home, Lucas has no choice. However, he’s determined not to be some ‘quivering virginal bride’ on his wedding night, so he seeks out Gray to see if they could be compatible. Here’s where the plot gets interesting and takes the werewolf bonding trope and twists it all up. There is no Instant-Love or immediate bonding. Yes, Gray and Lucas have sex, just to see if they could do it at all, after all they are both straight men, right? And the sex? Nothing Earth shattering.
Yep, you read that right. No bells, whistles or falling in love declarations after their first time together. The sex doesn’t suck, but moonbeams don’t go off either. Gray thinks he’s find an out of their “arranged marriage,” as he tells his father that Lucas and he are not compatible in the sack. Is Gray off the hook? Absolutely not. Dad is too crafty for that. He tells Gray they need more practice! At that pronouncement, I was won over.
The rest of the book is Gray and Lucas “practicing” and coming to terms with their impending bonding.
First, I enjoyed the fact that Reluctant Mate tried something different than the usual bonding/mating/love-you-forever-the-instant-we-hook-up plot. Gray and Lucas have to work on their relationship, inside the bedroom and outside. Second, wolf shifters, first times and arranged marriage are favorite tropes of mine…so that had me right there. My big niggle, and the reason why I did not rate this novella higher, was the ending. It felt rushed and a tad bit clichéd. Everything up to that point was different than the usual tropes, but the end sort of went back to the typical werewolf bonding stories that you’d expect and I was disappointed since the first half of the novel bucked those clichés.
So, recommended, with provisions.
Reviews by Jessewave
After glancing back at all my reviews here, it seems a good majority of the books I read have vampires or werewolves in them. Well, Reluctant Mate will not be the exception. This time it’s wolf shifters!
Set in New Orleans, Gray is ordered by his wealthy father to take a mate. Reluctantly Gray agrees, figuring it will be some social butterfly with more family money than sense, but is utterly surprised when his father tells him he’s going to bond with a man to tie their two socially prominent families together! To say Gray is unhappy is an understatement. He’s not gay, has no desire to be with a man and tells his father so. His father ignores him and Gray leaves wondering how he can fulfill his duty to his family line if he’s all but married to a guy.
Enter Lucas Cain, Gray’s future mate. Lucas, on the other hand, has no say in whether he can turn down Gray’s father’s offer. He can’t. With the entire Cain family depending on him to pull them out of poverty and save their ancestral home, Lucas has no choice. However, he’s determined not to be some ‘quivering virginal bride’ on his wedding night, so he seeks out Gray to see if they could be compatible. Here’s where the plot gets interesting and takes the werewolf bonding trope and twists it all up. There is no Instant-Love or immediate bonding. Yes, Gray and Lucas have sex, just to see if they could do it at all, after all they are both straight men, right? And the sex? Nothing Earth shattering.
Yep, you read that right. No bells, whistles or falling in love declarations after their first time together. The sex doesn’t suck, but moonbeams don’t go off either. Gray thinks he’s find an out of their “arranged marriage,” as he tells his father that Lucas and he are not compatible in the sack. Is Gray off the hook? Absolutely not. Dad is too crafty for that. He tells Gray they need more practice! At that pronouncement, I was won over.
The rest of the book is Gray and Lucas “practicing” and coming to terms with their impending bonding.
First, I enjoyed the fact that Reluctant Mate tried something different than the usual bonding/mating/love-you-forever-the-instant-we-hook-up plot. Gray and Lucas have to work on their relationship, inside the bedroom and outside. Second, wolf shifters, first times and arranged marriage are favorite tropes of mine…so that had me right there. My big niggle, and the reason why I did not rate this novella higher, was the ending. It felt rushed and a tad bit clichéd. Everything up to that point was different than the usual tropes, but the end sort of went back to the typical werewolf bonding stories that you’d expect and I was disappointed since the first half of the novel bucked those clichés.
So, recommended, with provisions.
Reviews by Jessewave
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2012
1.5 stars. So-so short paranormal m/m romance about a wolf shifter who's pissed off that his father has arranged for him to mate a man instead of a woman.
June 15, 2013
I enjoyed this, it was a short book and usually with MM at least one of the romantic leads knows he's gay and has known for some time but in this instance neither knew they were gay (or bi as the case may have been) as they'd each only ever been with or been attracted to females before meeting.
Even their meeting wasn't a romantic one, they were being paired by their families cause one had the wealth and the other the political influence so Gray's father decided Gray had to mate with Lucas so they could have Lucas' families political influence on their side while Lucas's family had lost all their wealth because of his uncle and were in danger of losing everything so they needed Gray's families wealth.
Neither one expected to actually fall for each other and be mates, hence the title as both were initially loathe to admit they could be attracted to each other and somewhat embarrassed by their reactions to each other.
It was a quick read but I'd recommend it!
Even their meeting wasn't a romantic one, they were being paired by their families cause one had the wealth and the other the political influence so Gray's father decided Gray had to mate with Lucas so they could have Lucas' families political influence on their side while Lucas's family had lost all their wealth because of his uncle and were in danger of losing everything so they needed Gray's families wealth.
Neither one expected to actually fall for each other and be mates, hence the title as both were initially loathe to admit they could be attracted to each other and somewhat embarrassed by their reactions to each other.
It was a quick read but I'd recommend it!
February 20, 2012
All of the clichés and none of the romance.
This is one of those books whose characters are so vaguely drawn as to be indistinguishable from each other. Every other page I had to stop and try to remember which guy is the rich one, and after a while I stopped caring that I couldn't tell the difference between them.
Not horrible, but absolutely one of those books where when the MC's declare their love for each other you just ask 'why'?
This is one of those books whose characters are so vaguely drawn as to be indistinguishable from each other. Every other page I had to stop and try to remember which guy is the rich one, and after a while I stopped caring that I couldn't tell the difference between them.
Not horrible, but absolutely one of those books where when the MC's declare their love for each other you just ask 'why'?
May 27, 2016
I enjoyed this book.. I think the major problem I had was other than that I'm good :)
September 6, 2015
The beginning of the story started off pretty well even with a well used plot line. The build up was working but I felt like the story got rushed into an ending too quickly. The story needed more length and drama to make it work as it is it falls a little flat.
September 10, 2016
I'm not at all fond of stories that use m/m sex simply as a titillating trick for salivating fans. I guess I can't stop thinking that, even nowadays, being gays is pretty difficult. You don't change into being one all of a sudden. In my opinion this kind of plot is demeaning.
February 9, 2012
Instant noodles.
May 4, 2022
The premise was good but the execution was lacking. I mean it was only 70 pages but still. They essentially met, decided to have sex to prove it wouldn't work, somehow that turned into being each other's best friends and then oops I accidentally mated you. Not what I was hoping this would be at all.
May 8, 2017
Por este libro conseguí otra autora. QUiero leer todos sus libros y que no quede ninguno por fuera. Ame la historia, que fue corto, y la idea
December 1, 2017
You get shit, then you get the amount of story development in this book!
December 27, 2017
Too much sex.
July 21, 2024
A really good base idea followed by insufficient development resulted in a so so novella.
June 11, 2012
I rather enjoyed this story.
It is simplistic in its plot where Gray, a very rich arrogant man, is forced to take a mate because his father said so. While Lucas, a poor resigned but proud man, agrees to take a mate to help his family out of debt. Gray and Lucas are two very different people because Gray is selfish while Lucas is selfless (he has a big family to feed after all).
In the beginning, I found the fact that they both didn't want to take a male mate (because they're both straight) really cute because they think experimenting with each other to prove there's no connection will be the end of the horrible arranged mating. The story became hotter when they realized they actually have chemistry and even though this story is more than half sex, I liked seeing their transformations from uber straight to being attracted to each other.
Gray is pretty freaked out about being attracted to Lucas so he wavers back and forth between wanting him and never wanting to touch him again. That was one of the things I really liked about the story as well as the fact they actually tried and became friends. Since this is GFY, I enjoyed the emotional struggle of being with a man. Unfortunately, Gray's constant wavering is also what annoyed me. Gray was very focused on proving he wasn't gay so he brought up a lot of women talk to Lucas. It grew tiresome because he kept suggesting they go out for a weekend to pick up chicks. I also didn't really like what happened in the end. Not only is the story more HFN than HEA but one of the last scenes really annoyed me.
In the end, I liked the story and enjoyed it. It's a somewhat typical shifter story except not insta-mate. It's cute and the characters do have a connection but more than once I was annoyed by the characters actions. Still, I do like what they went through and am intrigued by their families. I'll be reading the sequel soon.
It is simplistic in its plot where Gray, a very rich arrogant man, is forced to take a mate because his father said so. While Lucas, a poor resigned but proud man, agrees to take a mate to help his family out of debt. Gray and Lucas are two very different people because Gray is selfish while Lucas is selfless (he has a big family to feed after all).
In the beginning, I found the fact that they both didn't want to take a male mate (because they're both straight) really cute because they think experimenting with each other to prove there's no connection will be the end of the horrible arranged mating. The story became hotter when they realized they actually have chemistry and even though this story is more than half sex, I liked seeing their transformations from uber straight to being attracted to each other.
Gray is pretty freaked out about being attracted to Lucas so he wavers back and forth between wanting him and never wanting to touch him again. That was one of the things I really liked about the story as well as the fact they actually tried and became friends. Since this is GFY, I enjoyed the emotional struggle of being with a man. Unfortunately, Gray's constant wavering is also what annoyed me. Gray was very focused on proving he wasn't gay so he brought up a lot of women talk to Lucas. It grew tiresome because he kept suggesting they go out for a weekend to pick up chicks. I also didn't really like what happened in the end. Not only is the story more HFN than HEA but one of the last scenes really annoyed me.
In the end, I liked the story and enjoyed it. It's a somewhat typical shifter story except not insta-mate. It's cute and the characters do have a connection but more than once I was annoyed by the characters actions. Still, I do like what they went through and am intrigued by their families. I'll be reading the sequel soon.
February 11, 2012
This is a short shifter story about two guys, Gray and Lucas, who are forced together by circumstances. Gray is told by his father that he is to mate with the head of another pack - that happens to be a male. Of course Gray says hell no, not happening. His intended decides to take matters into his own hands regarding their meeting and he finds Gray away from everything and they decide together to prove that a mating between them will never work. Except that it kinda does. Lucas takes Gray back to his place and they have sex. And they both kinda like it but don't want to admit it. Neither of them has ever been with a man before, so it's all new territory for them. They are uncomfortable but not repulsed by any means.
Turns out that they make pretty good friends and they decide they should maybe give it another go. Lucas is responsible for his entire family and this mating is a way to make them safe and taken care of. Gray respects that and he since he really likes Lucas, he thinks maybe they can find a way to make it work out.
Gray does some kind of boneheaded stuff towards the end of the story, but Lucas seems determined to try to go along with him because he feels mated.
Turns out that they make pretty good friends and they decide they should maybe give it another go. Lucas is responsible for his entire family and this mating is a way to make them safe and taken care of. Gray respects that and he since he really likes Lucas, he thinks maybe they can find a way to make it work out.
Gray does some kind of boneheaded stuff towards the end of the story, but Lucas seems determined to try to go along with him because he feels mated.
April 11, 2015
This is a simple arranged marriage story with two men M/M contemporary wolf-shifter romance.
What do you do when your parents choose you a life-mate, but it is the same sex as you and you've never been gay....
This was a great premise for a story about love and passion coming from part an effort to try and part friendship. This was cute and awkward when they decide to kiss in order to try out mating so that they could prove to Grey's father that their relationship wasn't going to work. This was a short story 73 pages so I wouldn't pay for it like it was a full length novel. But this was sweet and could have been easily turned into full length because there was real chemistry between M/M.
2 stars
What do you do when your parents choose you a life-mate, but it is the same sex as you and you've never been gay....
This was a great premise for a story about love and passion coming from part an effort to try and part friendship. This was cute and awkward when they decide to kiss in order to try out mating so that they could prove to Grey's father that their relationship wasn't going to work. This was a short story 73 pages so I wouldn't pay for it like it was a full length novel. But this was sweet and could have been easily turned into full length because there was real chemistry between M/M.
2 stars
December 27, 2014
The biggest difference between this & other shifter books is that there was no insta/mate/love ... having said that, I needed to know WHY two heterosexual men were compelled to mate for 'political' reasons ... how did such a poor, needy family have enough clout to warrant 'forcing' a mating between Gray & Lucas ... my other niggle with this book was the lack of introspection as their physical relationship developed ... this short story had some good ideas but I feel that it was left too shallow & under-developed ... I'd love to read a thoroughly extrapolated version of this story.
December 14, 2015
First, I'll say what I did like. I liked the characters - a lot. I liked their personalities and their bond and friendship
To be honest, the storyline was just too never-going-to-happen. I mean, they weren't gay before they met, they weren't gay after they met - why should they suddenly turn gay just because they're married? They were forced into a situation and just happened to fall in love? Yeah, sorry, not buying it. But, regardless, it was an entertaining read.
Edit: Also, the prologue was unneccasery, it could have been the first chapter, not a prologue
2 stars
To be honest, the storyline was just too never-going-to-happen. I mean, they weren't gay before they met, they weren't gay after they met - why should they suddenly turn gay just because they're married? They were forced into a situation and just happened to fall in love? Yeah, sorry, not buying it. But, regardless, it was an entertaining read.
Edit: Also, the prologue was unneccasery, it could have been the first chapter, not a prologue
2 stars
July 20, 2013
Well I can say I liked it. Good plot, setting, and loved the characters. I liked that unlike the usual books neither character had started off with knowledge of their gay/bi sexuality. I liked the twist that instead of a mystical force that stated both were mates it was a slow, fall in love process. I liked the pace of the book and the stereotypical characters. There's nothing outstanding that I didn't like about the book it just wasn't one of my favorites.
August 26, 2014
5 Pinky Stars!
February 15, 2012
hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa omggg!!! I know some people didn't fancy the storyline. But it was hilarious to me, different from the usual gay-for-you plot-line. It was outrageous trying to prove how wrong they were for each other by having sex, but I loved it! Unrealistic yes....but really who cares, it was entertaining 3.5 stars!!!
February 27, 2012
This had the potential to be a much better book. However, a lot was left unanswered. It was never explained why Gray couldn't marry a women to achieve the powerful alliance his father wanted. If Lucas's family was so poor and his deceased uncle had such a bad reputation as being a gambler and drunk, how would this have been a good political match for Grays family?
May 9, 2016
Definitely a different take on the usual arranged mate premise. Kind of bothers me a bit, though, like you can just turn gay by having forced sex with someone of the same gender.
Women are all awful. Well everyone is except the two MCs I guess.
Fine for what it is, even if a bit instalovey.
Women are all awful. Well everyone is except the two MCs I guess.
Fine for what it is, even if a bit instalovey.
March 11, 2016
I love this book. It's a great M/M romance. While it is a quick read there is a lot packed into it. There are some up and down emotions throughout the book along with some steamy scenes. There is also some character development that I was surprised at but very much enjoyed. I would recommend this to someone who enjoys M/M romance and paranormal romance.
March 1, 2012
3.5 Stars.
This is good quality fluff.
If your in the mood for a quick light hearted read that is sweet and sexy. Then this book is for you! Dont expect a huge plot because there is hardly any plot. This is more character driven and cutesy.
I enjoyed it and it fit my mood perfectly :)
This is good quality fluff.
If your in the mood for a quick light hearted read that is sweet and sexy. Then this book is for you! Dont expect a huge plot because there is hardly any plot. This is more character driven and cutesy.
I enjoyed it and it fit my mood perfectly :)
February 10, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this short novella. I admit, the sex between Gray and Lucas was hot, but this plot somehow didn't make sense. And simply everything developed to fast, the plot could have been better and with deeper written story. I'm disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews