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Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephone in this shifter fantasy romance standalone!
A god wants me dead.
My ancestors stole half his soul then imprisoned him in Tartarus, thinking he'd be forgotten. That he could never return.
They were wrong.
The day he rips open a portal between our worlds, my life is over. As the current guardian of his cursed soul, my head is on the chopping block, but there's a snag in his plan. This dark god believes he's my fated mate.
We're not, but he refuses to take no for an answer.
When he kidnaps my cousin, I'm forced to make a deal. To rescue her, I have to spend six months in Tartarus. Pretending to be his mate. His queen.
Saving both our lives means fake dating the king of monsters. The real danger comes when my modern-day Hades makes it clear that he wants not just my life, but my love.
That was never part of the bargain, but with every stolen kiss and forbidden touch—I just might be handing him my heart.
Mate Me is a spicy standalone romantasy set in the Immortal Vices and Virtues Universe. Every book is a guaranteed happily ever after with a satisfying ending and no cliffhangers.
A god wants me dead.
My ancestors stole half his soul then imprisoned him in Tartarus, thinking he'd be forgotten. That he could never return.
They were wrong.
The day he rips open a portal between our worlds, my life is over. As the current guardian of his cursed soul, my head is on the chopping block, but there's a snag in his plan. This dark god believes he's my fated mate.
We're not, but he refuses to take no for an answer.
When he kidnaps my cousin, I'm forced to make a deal. To rescue her, I have to spend six months in Tartarus. Pretending to be his mate. His queen.
Saving both our lives means fake dating the king of monsters. The real danger comes when my modern-day Hades makes it clear that he wants not just my life, but my love.
That was never part of the bargain, but with every stolen kiss and forbidden touch—I just might be handing him my heart.
Mate Me is a spicy standalone romantasy set in the Immortal Vices and Virtues Universe. Every book is a guaranteed happily ever after with a satisfying ending and no cliffhangers.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2024
640 people are currently reading
4518 people want to read
About the author
Kel Carpenter
79 books2,163 followersKel Carpenter is a master of werdz. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s traveling the world, lovingly pestering her co-author, and spending time with her family. She is always on the search for good tacos and the best pizza. She resides in Maryland and desperately tries to avoid the traffic.
For subrights or media and film inquiries, please reach out to kel@kelcarpenter.com.
For subrights or media and film inquiries, please reach out to kel@kelcarpenter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 13, 2024
4.5/5*
Original review
This book was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane!
Original review
This book was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane!
Mate Me
is the first standalone book in the third season of the
Immortal Vices and Virtues: Shadow Shifter Bonds,
and tells the story of Reagan and Caius.
When I read the news that there's going to be a third season of the Immortal Vices and Virtues books, I got so excited. This Fantasy Romance universe is so amazing. The stories, the characters, and the world are so cool, and I love that each book is written by a different author (duo). The first Immortal Vices and Virtues season is an eleven-book series where the main character finds her true mate, and the second Immortal Vices and Virtues: Her Monstrous Mates season is a six-book series where the main character finds her multiple mates. So there are definitely books in this universe for everyone!
The third season is about the shadow shifters and Tartarus, and the first book starts with the king of Tartarus, Caius. And let me tell you that I love him. He's so caring and patient, and I loved the effort he put into Reagan. Reagan is not your typical female lead who instantly falls in love with the hot male lead, lol. Not at all! But the more you get into the story, the more she tries to open up to Caius. I really liked Caius and Reagan's story, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the other characters from Tartarus.
Mate Me was another amazing book in the Immortal Vices and Virtues world, and I didn't expect anything else! I truly love reading every book in the series. They're all so amazing, and I highly recommend them! I'm also really loving the Tartarus world, and I'm excited to get to read more about the other characters. I'm so ecstatic that there's a third Immortal Vices and Virtues season, and I hope they won't stop making new seasons!
April 24, 2024
I've sacrificed my sleeping time to finish this book. Only got 3 hours of sleep before having to get ready for work.
I think I've read one Kel Carpenter book before, and honestly I don't think I was that impressed. Maybe it was the dud or the wrong timing, because this one grabbed my attention like nothing else.
Technically, it was not twisty turn or did something other books haven't. It is still comprised of your typical fantasy romance hero and heroine. The push and pulls of one misunderstood entity and the guardian who has to keep him from destroying the world.
Hell, aside from a few aspects, it reminded me of a couple books.
However, coming out from my slump, I find enjoyment in things that I usually look at very critically before. For me, as long as I couldn't stop reading it, staying up till 4 in the morning clutching my e-reader, it means it did its job.
It's a great story overall.
I think I've read one Kel Carpenter book before, and honestly I don't think I was that impressed. Maybe it was the dud or the wrong timing, because this one grabbed my attention like nothing else.
Technically, it was not twisty turn or did something other books haven't. It is still comprised of your typical fantasy romance hero and heroine. The push and pulls of one misunderstood entity and the guardian who has to keep him from destroying the world.
Hell, aside from a few aspects, it reminded me of a couple books.
However, coming out from my slump, I find enjoyment in things that I usually look at very critically before. For me, as long as I couldn't stop reading it, staying up till 4 in the morning clutching my e-reader, it means it did its job.
It's a great story overall.
March 11, 2024
We start the third and final immortal vices and virtues series. Loved returning to this world, and the wonderfuls writers.
This is a great start on the series and truly loved it, loved the characters, the chemistry between them, the relationship between Caius and Reagan.
Caius was so swoony and loving and caring what everyone wants in a mate but Rae couldn't accept it just for the preconception she has of him but he just demonstrates that she is right for him in every way.
-------------
Comenzamos la tercera y última serie de vicios y virtudes inmortales. Me encantó volver a este mundo y a los maravillosos escritores.
Este es un gran comienzo para la serie y realmente me encantó, me encantaron los personajes, la química entre ellos, la relación entre Caius y Reagan.
Caius era tan desmayado, cariñoso y preocupado por lo que todos quieren en una pareja, pero Rae no podía aceptarlo solo por la idea preconcebida que tiene de él, pero él simplemente demuestra que ella es adecuada para él en todos los sentidos.
This is a great start on the series and truly loved it, loved the characters, the chemistry between them, the relationship between Caius and Reagan.
Caius was so swoony and loving and caring what everyone wants in a mate but Rae couldn't accept it just for the preconception she has of him but he just demonstrates that she is right for him in every way.
-------------
Comenzamos la tercera y última serie de vicios y virtudes inmortales. Me encantó volver a este mundo y a los maravillosos escritores.
Este es un gran comienzo para la serie y realmente me encantó, me encantaron los personajes, la química entre ellos, la relación entre Caius y Reagan.
Caius era tan desmayado, cariñoso y preocupado por lo que todos quieren en una pareja, pero Rae no podía aceptarlo solo por la idea preconcebida que tiene de él, pero él simplemente demuestra que ella es adecuada para él en todos los sentidos.
did-not-finish
March 14, 2025DNF at 7%.
This book is overly complicated.
Also, I am SO tired of negative motivation based on "I saw someone lose someone they loved and it looked really hard so I will never love anyone".
Ugh. It's so overused. Also, it's super dumb.
This book is overly complicated.
Also, I am SO tired of negative motivation based on "I saw someone lose someone they loved and it looked really hard so I will never love anyone".
Ugh. It's so overused. Also, it's super dumb.
June 24, 2024
God I almost dnfed sooo many times during this book. First it was about 100 pages too long. Second she was soooo irritating!!! Third it was the slowest slow burn ever and was infuriating the way she treated him still!! He was great but she was on my last nerve. Also way too many family members. Guessed who villain was halfway through correctly too. Her cousin Nog was sooo annoying too wayyy too much of him and I saw he's in her sisters book too... Jesus.
March 20, 2024
From the first page I was HOOKED. The way I fell for Caius, the love I have for Reagan, the tears, the laughs. I ignored my family and read it in a single sitting. I just could not put it down!
December 9, 2024
Rating: ⭐/5.
Type: 📖 physical book.
Genre: new adult paranormal romance.
Overall impression: this would have ended up in my dnf graveyard if I hadn't spent 70 AUD on a special edition of it. Now, when I ultimately sell it for a loss - at least I've read it and sucked as much "enjoyment" as I can out of it. Ultimately, this read like a poorly written fanfic that belongs on Wattpad. The characters were all carbon copies of each other - with immature dialogue, actions and personalities. There's no way the FMC was bordering on 30 and the MMC was thousands of years old. And don't even get me started on the dark unicorn shifter crap that was thrown in there as a mic drop moment but then was barely brought up again, making it meaningless.
Best bits:
✅ Shifter-witch hybrid / God
✅ Fated mates
✅ Available as a Butterfly Book Club special edition
Worst bits:
❌ MMC is God of Monsters but no monsters are featured in this book
❌ MMC is a shadow daddy but never uses his shadows except to make the room dark once
❌ MMC is thousands of years old but speaks like a modern day teenager
❌ FMC was just as insufferable
❌ FMC had pretty much no powers and her shifter abilities were hinted at but never became relevant
❌ Wtf even is a dark unicorn because it appeared once and all I remember it doing was tripping a lot
❌ Not a retelling of Hades/Persephone or Beauty and the Beast (no clue why the blurb states that it is, it's more like a retelling of Twilight with the annoying YA-like FMC and ancient obsessive MMC)
❌ No character diversity (their personalities were all the same)
❌ Lame dialogue
❌ The romance (insta-lust, forced and unbelievable)
❌ The expectation that the FMC should just accept the MMC because 'his people' think he deserves a mate and he's a good person, even though he stole the FMC's sister and used her as a hostage to get the FMC to come to him
❌ The spice
❌ Animal and human side as separate, so they have these weird convos between two sides of the same person
❌ Plot of convenience (ex thrown in to make the MMC look like a BIG guy, random powers that only pop up when the characters need them the most)
❌ Plot was predictable
❌ Cookie cutter villain
❌ So much more...
Type: 📖 physical book.
Genre: new adult paranormal romance.
Overall impression: this would have ended up in my dnf graveyard if I hadn't spent 70 AUD on a special edition of it. Now, when I ultimately sell it for a loss - at least I've read it and sucked as much "enjoyment" as I can out of it. Ultimately, this read like a poorly written fanfic that belongs on Wattpad. The characters were all carbon copies of each other - with immature dialogue, actions and personalities. There's no way the FMC was bordering on 30 and the MMC was thousands of years old. And don't even get me started on the dark unicorn shifter crap that was thrown in there as a mic drop moment but then was barely brought up again, making it meaningless.
Best bits:
✅ Shifter-witch hybrid / God
✅ Fated mates
✅ Available as a Butterfly Book Club special edition
Worst bits:
❌ MMC is God of Monsters but no monsters are featured in this book
❌ MMC is a shadow daddy but never uses his shadows except to make the room dark once
❌ MMC is thousands of years old but speaks like a modern day teenager
❌ FMC was just as insufferable
❌ FMC had pretty much no powers and her shifter abilities were hinted at but never became relevant
❌ Wtf even is a dark unicorn because it appeared once and all I remember it doing was tripping a lot
❌ Not a retelling of Hades/Persephone or Beauty and the Beast (no clue why the blurb states that it is, it's more like a retelling of Twilight with the annoying YA-like FMC and ancient obsessive MMC)
❌ No character diversity (their personalities were all the same)
❌ Lame dialogue
❌ The romance (insta-lust, forced and unbelievable)
❌ The expectation that the FMC should just accept the MMC because 'his people' think he deserves a mate and he's a good person, even though he stole the FMC's sister and used her as a hostage to get the FMC to come to him
❌ The spice
❌ Animal and human side as separate, so they have these weird convos between two sides of the same person
❌ Plot of convenience (ex thrown in to make the MMC look like a BIG guy, random powers that only pop up when the characters need them the most)
❌ Plot was predictable
❌ Cookie cutter villain
❌ So much more...
March 8, 2024
Best book I have read so far this year! I loved every minute and could not put it down. The main characters are absolutely wonderful! I love the dynamics of this twisted and insane world! From start to finish this book holds you in the palm of its hand and destroys you from the inside out and then puts you back together again! Amazing!!!
March 6, 2024
I’ve read most of the books in this world and Caius and Reagan were something else. For once I didn’t see some of the twists coming and I loved it. The struggle of acceptance for Reagan. Cauis’ dedication and persistence is swoon worthy. Loved the HEA for these two 😍
March 15, 2024
Mate Me
This is an amazing way to start the next installment of the Immortal Vices and Virtues world. Cauis and Reagan are both strong, stubborn characters that you want to know more about. Most of Reagan's past is shrouded in lies and half-truths and she doesn't know what is fact and what is fiction. There is betrayal around every corner.
There's plenty of heat, mystery, humor and oh so much love. You will get a happy ending.....it just takes a long way around
This is an amazing way to start the next installment of the Immortal Vices and Virtues world. Cauis and Reagan are both strong, stubborn characters that you want to know more about. Most of Reagan's past is shrouded in lies and half-truths and she doesn't know what is fact and what is fiction. There is betrayal around every corner.
There's plenty of heat, mystery, humor and oh so much love. You will get a happy ending.....it just takes a long way around
June 3, 2024
Mate Me is the first book in the Immortal Vices and Virtues: Shadow Shifter Bonds series. Every book is an interconnected standalone with a new main couple, and is written by a different author. In this book, Reagan has inherited half of the soul of the primordial known as the Soulless One or The King of Monsters, after it was stolen from him. Imprisoned in Tartarus, the Soulless One, Caius, escapes and goes to retrieve his soul from Reagan, but is shocked to discover that they are fated mates. She denies their bond, so he uses her cousin as bait, forcing her to spend six months in Tartarus pretending to be his mate and queen so that he can persuade her to give him a chance.
This was such a fun, easy read and I binged it within 24 hours (as opposed to the intended month-long readalong). I enjoyed Caius's unexpectedly sweet personality (he's the King of Monsters but he's more like the King of Sweethearts) and how patient he was with Reagan. It also successfully swerved my two pet peeves: third act breakup and miscommunication. I loved that they properly talked! They still argued occasionally but it was never dragged out and I really appreciated that they talked things through.
I enjoyed the plot a lot, and was very pleased that I'd guessed things in advance. But honestly I was unsure if I would end up being right about the villain or if it was all a diversion. It was a fun read either way though. There was such a good group of side characters too, and looking at the blurbs of other books in the series, quite a few of them get their own book which makes me very happy!
As well as 8 books in this particular series already available (or coming out imminently), there are also two other related series: Immortal Vices and Virtues and Immortal Vices and Virtues: Her Monstrous Mates. And they're all available on Kindle Unlimited! So if you have KU and love paranormal romance connected standalones, there are 25 books on there across the 3 series!
This was such a fun, easy read and I binged it within 24 hours (as opposed to the intended month-long readalong). I enjoyed Caius's unexpectedly sweet personality (he's the King of Monsters but he's more like the King of Sweethearts) and how patient he was with Reagan. It also successfully swerved my two pet peeves: third act breakup and miscommunication. I loved that they properly talked! They still argued occasionally but it was never dragged out and I really appreciated that they talked things through.
I enjoyed the plot a lot, and was very pleased that I'd guessed things in advance. But honestly I was unsure if I would end up being right about the villain or if it was all a diversion. It was a fun read either way though. There was such a good group of side characters too, and looking at the blurbs of other books in the series, quite a few of them get their own book which makes me very happy!
As well as 8 books in this particular series already available (or coming out imminently), there are also two other related series: Immortal Vices and Virtues and Immortal Vices and Virtues: Her Monstrous Mates. And they're all available on Kindle Unlimited! So if you have KU and love paranormal romance connected standalones, there are 25 books on there across the 3 series!
March 11, 2024
Thank you to the authors and to Paper Myth's for this advanced copy.
I'll be honest with you. I did not read the description of this book when I signed up for it. I saw the authors, the cover, and knew it dealt with Mate's and Shifters and said SIGN ME UP.
I think even if I had read the blurb, I'd still have signed up. Persephone x Hades meets Beauty and the Beast? Yes please.
While this doesn't really give me Beast from the story, I can definitely see PxH in the idea line.
Raegan is a guardian. She's also a witch and a shifter, but she's never been able to shift or utilize her powers properly. She comes from a long line of descendants who've been guardians.
Caius was betrayed. By someone he loved and by his brethren (not all but some). He just wants to get his soul back and move forward, but the guardian is believed to be his fated mate.
I do love the premise of this story and I did enjoy reading it, but sadly.. I just couldn't get into it. It was like watching things happen on repeat chapter after chapter.
And I'm honestly moody as all hell right now. So I'm shelving the book for the time being in the hopes that picking it back up later will allow me to enjoy it more thoroughly. I'll still give it a four out of five stars because it's decent quality writing and it's totally possible this is a me problem and not a book problem.
What you'll find:
- Fated Mates
- Shifters (not just wolves)
- Comedic relief with the sidekick family members
- Struggling with grief and loss in many forms
- Kind of World building, but minimal (my head doesn't hurt)
- Betrayal
- Mystery and on page murder
I'll be honest with you. I did not read the description of this book when I signed up for it. I saw the authors, the cover, and knew it dealt with Mate's and Shifters and said SIGN ME UP.
I think even if I had read the blurb, I'd still have signed up. Persephone x Hades meets Beauty and the Beast? Yes please.
While this doesn't really give me Beast from the story, I can definitely see PxH in the idea line.
Raegan is a guardian. She's also a witch and a shifter, but she's never been able to shift or utilize her powers properly. She comes from a long line of descendants who've been guardians.
Caius was betrayed. By someone he loved and by his brethren (not all but some). He just wants to get his soul back and move forward, but the guardian is believed to be his fated mate.
I do love the premise of this story and I did enjoy reading it, but sadly.. I just couldn't get into it. It was like watching things happen on repeat chapter after chapter.
And I'm honestly moody as all hell right now. So I'm shelving the book for the time being in the hopes that picking it back up later will allow me to enjoy it more thoroughly. I'll still give it a four out of five stars because it's decent quality writing and it's totally possible this is a me problem and not a book problem.
What you'll find:
- Fated Mates
- Shifters (not just wolves)
- Comedic relief with the sidekick family members
- Struggling with grief and loss in many forms
- Kind of World building, but minimal (my head doesn't hurt)
- Betrayal
- Mystery and on page murder
June 30, 2024
4.5⭐/3🌶️
This was a fun take on the Persephone x Hades story with an interesting shifter twist to it.
I highly enjoyed the setting of the worlds and though a non-magic US with standing features was really cool.
I liked Reagan and Caius's chemistry and through that their interactions were amazing. The banter amongst all the characters was top tier and had me cackling through out the story. The spice was good as well. I would have liked to see more interactions between Reagan and her shifter though.
Things to expect:
- He falls first
- Mate Bonds
- Magic systems
- Greek Mythology
- Family Ties
- Chasing
- Banter
This was a fun take on the Persephone x Hades story with an interesting shifter twist to it.
I highly enjoyed the setting of the worlds and though a non-magic US with standing features was really cool.
I liked Reagan and Caius's chemistry and through that their interactions were amazing. The banter amongst all the characters was top tier and had me cackling through out the story. The spice was good as well. I would have liked to see more interactions between Reagan and her shifter though.
Things to expect:
- He falls first
- Mate Bonds
- Magic systems
- Greek Mythology
- Family Ties
- Chasing
- Banter
March 31, 2025
Being in a book slump sucks as much as this book was dumb
March 18, 2024
4.25 stars! A great start to the newest season of Immortal Vices and Virtues - Shadow Shifters. Caius and Reagan have quite the interesting entanglement, what with her housing half of his soul, the result of a curse and banishment thousands of years prior. But a fateful incident thrusts them into a situation where he is suddenly faced with the opportunity to regain the lost half of his soul, until he comes face to face with the woman housing it - his mate. Unfortunately Reagan doesn’t believe she can have a mate, so that puts a damper on things, and definitely ups the complication level.
Caius is very cunning and manipulative in how he lures Reagan into Tartarus, but as time passes, and more and more comes to light regarding their history and truth versus spun tales, it becomes more and more clear that all is not as it seems. But unexpected betrayals, along with some interesting helpers propel this story into more engrossing waters. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, and as we learned more and more about, well everything, this part of the IVAV world becomes more and more interesting.
There is great chemistry between our main characters, and the side characters definitely add an interesting flair, adding some fun banter and unexpected levity as well as emotion to both sides of this story. Overall, this is a pretty slow burn, and that is actually appreciated, because it holds up to what you expect of these characters and the ways they react to the situations they are presented. The character development for Caius and Reagan is really great - there’s a gradual shift for Reagan, and Caius definitely has some interesting growth, but they both remain true to who they inherently are, and I appreciated that in the end.
Like I said, loved this kick of into a new area of the IVAV universe, and I’m definitely looking forward to more to come!
Caius is very cunning and manipulative in how he lures Reagan into Tartarus, but as time passes, and more and more comes to light regarding their history and truth versus spun tales, it becomes more and more clear that all is not as it seems. But unexpected betrayals, along with some interesting helpers propel this story into more engrossing waters. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, and as we learned more and more about, well everything, this part of the IVAV world becomes more and more interesting.
There is great chemistry between our main characters, and the side characters definitely add an interesting flair, adding some fun banter and unexpected levity as well as emotion to both sides of this story. Overall, this is a pretty slow burn, and that is actually appreciated, because it holds up to what you expect of these characters and the ways they react to the situations they are presented. The character development for Caius and Reagan is really great - there’s a gradual shift for Reagan, and Caius definitely has some interesting growth, but they both remain true to who they inherently are, and I appreciated that in the end.
Like I said, loved this kick of into a new area of the IVAV universe, and I’m definitely looking forward to more to come!
September 15, 2024
I have been in such a slump. I get out of it. Then go right back to it! I backed this authors kickstarter and got my books the other day! The cover is so stunning, but I wasn't sure what to expect out of the story. I can say the story was as wonderful and beautiful as the cover and the sprayed edges!!
I love the plot with Caius and his lost soul and the guardian, Reagan. She's now one of my favorite FMC. She's very smart, strong, and with a personality and temper to match. This was true enemies to lovers, at least on Raegan's end. I also love her because she's in her late 20s. She's not a teenager destined to save the world. She was relatable in so many ways. Clara, her cousin, and her family were really close, and I love how they fought for her.
Caius is so dreamy, and I love how kind and patient he was with Reagan. He was just as shocked and taken aback, yet, with him being so much older, he allowed Reagan time to get used to everything. He was patient and trusted her. He opened himself up to her even if she wasn't feeling the same. He appreciated her strength. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her.
There are a lot of similarities between this story and beauty and the beast, Hades and Persephone, and even Samson and Delilah with a certain character. I was so surprised with how much I loved this story. It was the perfect length and, best of all, a HEA ending! Yes, this is a part of a series, but it's a standalone!! Ugh! That made me so happy. I can't wait to see what other stories these two authors will come up with.
I love the plot with Caius and his lost soul and the guardian, Reagan. She's now one of my favorite FMC. She's very smart, strong, and with a personality and temper to match. This was true enemies to lovers, at least on Raegan's end. I also love her because she's in her late 20s. She's not a teenager destined to save the world. She was relatable in so many ways. Clara, her cousin, and her family were really close, and I love how they fought for her.
Caius is so dreamy, and I love how kind and patient he was with Reagan. He was just as shocked and taken aback, yet, with him being so much older, he allowed Reagan time to get used to everything. He was patient and trusted her. He opened himself up to her even if she wasn't feeling the same. He appreciated her strength. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her.
There are a lot of similarities between this story and beauty and the beast, Hades and Persephone, and even Samson and Delilah with a certain character. I was so surprised with how much I loved this story. It was the perfect length and, best of all, a HEA ending! Yes, this is a part of a series, but it's a standalone!! Ugh! That made me so happy. I can't wait to see what other stories these two authors will come up with.
March 11, 2024
Folks!! Immortal Vices & Virtues is back for a third series - THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!
Once again I am VERY grateful to be on the ARC team and getting a wee first look at these books cause they are amazing - I have already prewarned my friends who I told about this series that it will be released on 15 March! They are buzzing too!
So as with the IVV world previously we have a series of books that link in together but can be read as standalone books but better read in order so you get the in jokes, references and glimpses of past or future main characters!
I’m starting this after a rubbish nights sleep & it’s already 8pm I am going to be one snoozy potato at work tomorrow because we all know I have no self control with books!
I’m going in…
I’m laughing - Burke and Hare have nothing on Reagan (that’s a body snatching reference for you Scottish history buffs!).
Woah - this was fantastic, I couldn’t put it down.
The story was great with the twists and turns that kept me guessing at every nodded head or seemingly innocent comments I was suspicious of EVERY ONE!
The ending though - gah - I shed a wee tear.
Absolutely brilliant read from this duo of authors as always!
If you haven’t already get yourself started on the Immortal Vices and Virtues series, book 1, series 1 is called Reject me by these same authors, you will not regret it and it’s on Kindle Unlimited. I have read all the books so far and there has not been a bad one.
Just wonderful
5⭐️
Once again I am VERY grateful to be on the ARC team and getting a wee first look at these books cause they are amazing - I have already prewarned my friends who I told about this series that it will be released on 15 March! They are buzzing too!
So as with the IVV world previously we have a series of books that link in together but can be read as standalone books but better read in order so you get the in jokes, references and glimpses of past or future main characters!
I’m starting this after a rubbish nights sleep & it’s already 8pm I am going to be one snoozy potato at work tomorrow because we all know I have no self control with books!
I’m going in…
I’m laughing - Burke and Hare have nothing on Reagan (that’s a body snatching reference for you Scottish history buffs!).
Woah - this was fantastic, I couldn’t put it down.
The story was great with the twists and turns that kept me guessing at every nodded head or seemingly innocent comments I was suspicious of EVERY ONE!
The ending though - gah - I shed a wee tear.
Absolutely brilliant read from this duo of authors as always!
If you haven’t already get yourself started on the Immortal Vices and Virtues series, book 1, series 1 is called Reject me by these same authors, you will not regret it and it’s on Kindle Unlimited. I have read all the books so far and there has not been a bad one.
Just wonderful
5⭐️
March 16, 2024
Mate Me
Fantastic! A fast-paced enemies to lovers story that fit perfectly in the Vices and Virtue world! In this series there’s a new world to explore and of course a new host of exciting characters and beings to discover.
I loved the world and absolutely loved the characters. I also thoroughly enjoyed the different kinds of creatures and beings that were introduced. I can’t wait to see more and to read the other characters stories.
As for this one, it introduced us to this new world and the main characters were Caius and Reagan.
Reagan was a spicy, feisty woman who was stubborn and took no crap from anyone.
Caius was a sexy, dark, king of monsters that was fun to read, easy to root for, morally grey, and fiercely protective.
Their relationship was slow to start and took work to get to but well worth the wait. I loved how it developed and evolved over time.
I highly recommend this book and this world if you haven’t read the other series that are part of this huge multi author world.
Tropes to love:
- enemies to lovers
- Shadow daddy
- Fierce FMC
- Fated mates
- Another world
- Body paint ;)
- Forced proximity
- Protective and caring MMC
- He falls first
Fantastic! A fast-paced enemies to lovers story that fit perfectly in the Vices and Virtue world! In this series there’s a new world to explore and of course a new host of exciting characters and beings to discover.
I loved the world and absolutely loved the characters. I also thoroughly enjoyed the different kinds of creatures and beings that were introduced. I can’t wait to see more and to read the other characters stories.
As for this one, it introduced us to this new world and the main characters were Caius and Reagan.
Reagan was a spicy, feisty woman who was stubborn and took no crap from anyone.
Caius was a sexy, dark, king of monsters that was fun to read, easy to root for, morally grey, and fiercely protective.
Their relationship was slow to start and took work to get to but well worth the wait. I loved how it developed and evolved over time.
I highly recommend this book and this world if you haven’t read the other series that are part of this huge multi author world.
Tropes to love:
- enemies to lovers
- Shadow daddy
- Fierce FMC
- Fated mates
- Another world
- Body paint ;)
- Forced proximity
- Protective and caring MMC
- He falls first
March 31, 2024
The first installment in the Immortal Vices and Virtues, Mate Me starts off very interesting. It's a Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephone retelling. This story follows Reagan and Caius. Reagan for years has had to keep part of herself hidden for a very good reason and as the story progresses, we discover why. I was immediately enthralled with the blend of mythology and romance in a shifter fantasy setting. I really enjoyed some of the Spanish words, and I wished there were more sprinkled throughout. I enjoyed how the fated mates fought from the beginning and we slowly saw how the relationship grew for Reagan and Caius. This was a fun world with many twists and turns. I know I gasped when I came across the plot twist. It was really good! Great and satisfying conclusion.
A very special thanks to the authors for the ARC.
A very special thanks to the authors for the ARC.
October 25, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half of the book and gobbled it up, unfortunately the second half just didn’t live up to the first.
The fmc sometimes felt really annoying, childish and agitating for someone who’s in her late 20’s, and the mmc felt more and more like a cookie cutter version of every misunderstood romantic interest, and i felt like he didn’t actually have any personality of his own, also let’s not support men who punch holes in walls.. twice.
It’s more of a guilty pleasure read that’s so bad that it’s kind of good.
The fmc sometimes felt really annoying, childish and agitating for someone who’s in her late 20’s, and the mmc felt more and more like a cookie cutter version of every misunderstood romantic interest, and i felt like he didn’t actually have any personality of his own, also let’s not support men who punch holes in walls.. twice.
It’s more of a guilty pleasure read that’s so bad that it’s kind of good.
December 29, 2024
J'ai bien aimé cette lecture, simple, rapide et sans prise de tête. Le mythe de Hades et Persephone est ici revisité et ils se nomment Reagan et Caius. J'ai apprécié l'intrigue autour de nos héros qui sont en danger perpétuel dans le royaume de Tartare. J'ai ri avec les personnages secondaires et notamment Nog ! Et j'ai été ravie de revoir très brièvement Danny et Elias de leur autre titre : Rejette-Moi.
Dans l'ensemble, c'est une lecture fun avec des personnages attachants et une romance sympathique. J'aimerais bien une histoire entre Clara et Pol !
Dans l'ensemble, c'est une lecture fun avec des personnages attachants et une romance sympathique. J'aimerais bien une histoire entre Clara et Pol !
March 13, 2024
My emotions are wrecked....The highs, the lows, joy, love, loss, deception, redemption, this story had it all. This was an absolutely beautiful story I loved these characters so much. Per normal Kel and Aurelia fashion the make you fall fast and hard for their characters with their fire and determination. At the end of this I was about in tears, it was so sad yet so freaking sweet. And of course I need a novella from the FMC's cousin because these do such an amazing job with their supporting characters that I can't help but want more.
March 15, 2024
What a way to start a new season of Immortal Vices and Virtues! I was pleasantly surprised to find such a good story in this shared world after so many stories have been told.
Reagan and Caius are fated mates and most of the story is set in Tartarus. He falls first and she struggles to accept her new reality. I would not really call this story fake dating, there’s like one date. However, it is full of action with endearing side characters. Overall a great standalone book.
Reagan and Caius are fated mates and most of the story is set in Tartarus. He falls first and she struggles to accept her new reality. I would not really call this story fake dating, there’s like one date. However, it is full of action with endearing side characters. Overall a great standalone book.
March 24, 2024
2024 Reads #173/250
May 16, 2025
Tempt audiobook - This was a fun, easy breezy read. Nothing too stressful or complicated. Perfect for the beach! 🌶️🌶️
May 24, 2025
Separate enough from previous books to be a stand alone. Overall a fun ride
Read
November 29, 2025Not today Satan. I have too many other books waiting to finish this absolute nonsense.
November 9, 2024
3.5 Stars - (written while reading) - The full concept of the story is fully explored in the first ten chapters so not sure what is left in the story as it seems like we know the basics already. There is a big information dump but not so much that it is overwhelming. Although, there is no spice for these first ten chapters it doesn’t suffer for it. Give me intense eye contact loaded with forbidden promise over straight smut any day. The world building is intense, with so many different creatures and supernatural aspects in just the few characters, but then it is a story stretched across two different worlds.
The character of Caius in the beginning is just broody enough to be intriguing but not highly annoying but I didn’t vibe with the puppy love, golden retriever persona development because for me, that didn’t vibe with who he was made out to be. Reagan is no shrinking wallflower but I feel that in the first quarter of the book, before she went to Tartarus, she was more independent and utilised her common sense in situations and was kind of a badass rather than the rest of the book where she relies on her internal unicorn to save her. I had more chemistry with the sun while I was reading than the main characters did together. Give me long lingering sizzling gaze that develops into something meaningful and not just no interest until the words ‘fated mates’ gets dropped then suddenly they are the only person for you.
So much information was dropped that could have been relevant, if it had been explored. The Primordials, the witch cult, grave robbing, there’s mention of the other supernatural creatures roaming the Earth but then this never gets mentioned again. I mean wouldn’t the other Primoridial gods get themselves involved in what is happening with Caius as there was so much underlaying conflict and tension when he was banished in the beginning. Since none of this was explored it just seemed like filler for filler’s sake and ultimately shows this books wattpad origins more completely as those stories too have just filler events around the sex. But you expect it there. And speaking of the sex, given what this book is, its origins and its look (I took the discreet cover to read in public) I expected more smut. There were only a few scenes and they weren’t as hot as I expected. There was only one scene which was the ‘mating ritual’ not as hot as you would expect from the name but it was heatedly romantic. The other scenes were like fucking with no finale.
The entire epilogue could have been scrapped, it had no bearing on the story and as this book is a stand alone it has no bearing on future events. There was just no need to have it included. This book leaned too much into its wattpad origins for it to be higher than a 3.5 star read. The whole fated mates issue could have been deeper and more of a catalyst than just ‘this is what we are so deal with it’. I found Reagan’s character too blinkered for a character who in the first couple of chapters was actually intuitive and intelligent. We never get an explanation as to why a god would have a fated mate when it is supposed to be impossible and the character behind the conflict was too obvious too early on.
That isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy reading it. This book in parts was well written and the dialogue was humorous in parts so much so that I found myself smiling down at the page. The banter between Raegan and Caius was fun to read at times. This one is more of a guilty pleasure read and I will probably find myself picking it up again at some point.
Video Review = https://youtu.be/mx6TFmSa4TE
The character of Caius in the beginning is just broody enough to be intriguing but not highly annoying but I didn’t vibe with the puppy love, golden retriever persona development because for me, that didn’t vibe with who he was made out to be. Reagan is no shrinking wallflower but I feel that in the first quarter of the book, before she went to Tartarus, she was more independent and utilised her common sense in situations and was kind of a badass rather than the rest of the book where she relies on her internal unicorn to save her. I had more chemistry with the sun while I was reading than the main characters did together. Give me long lingering sizzling gaze that develops into something meaningful and not just no interest until the words ‘fated mates’ gets dropped then suddenly they are the only person for you.
So much information was dropped that could have been relevant, if it had been explored. The Primordials, the witch cult, grave robbing, there’s mention of the other supernatural creatures roaming the Earth but then this never gets mentioned again. I mean wouldn’t the other Primoridial gods get themselves involved in what is happening with Caius as there was so much underlaying conflict and tension when he was banished in the beginning. Since none of this was explored it just seemed like filler for filler’s sake and ultimately shows this books wattpad origins more completely as those stories too have just filler events around the sex. But you expect it there. And speaking of the sex, given what this book is, its origins and its look (I took the discreet cover to read in public) I expected more smut. There were only a few scenes and they weren’t as hot as I expected. There was only one scene which was the ‘mating ritual’ not as hot as you would expect from the name but it was heatedly romantic. The other scenes were like fucking with no finale.
The entire epilogue could have been scrapped, it had no bearing on the story and as this book is a stand alone it has no bearing on future events. There was just no need to have it included. This book leaned too much into its wattpad origins for it to be higher than a 3.5 star read. The whole fated mates issue could have been deeper and more of a catalyst than just ‘this is what we are so deal with it’. I found Reagan’s character too blinkered for a character who in the first couple of chapters was actually intuitive and intelligent. We never get an explanation as to why a god would have a fated mate when it is supposed to be impossible and the character behind the conflict was too obvious too early on.
That isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy reading it. This book in parts was well written and the dialogue was humorous in parts so much so that I found myself smiling down at the page. The banter between Raegan and Caius was fun to read at times. This one is more of a guilty pleasure read and I will probably find myself picking it up again at some point.
Video Review = https://youtu.be/mx6TFmSa4TE
November 13, 2024
meh
Whenever Kel Carpenter teams up with another writer, the story seems to fall much flatter than her independent novels. What was the point of the death god unicorn!
Whenever Kel Carpenter teams up with another writer, the story seems to fall much flatter than her independent novels. What was the point of the death god unicorn!
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