Because You Rejected Me

Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves #1

by Blake R. Wolfe

Homeless and nursing a broken heart, I rejected my mate the first time he spoke to me. A hunky alpha werewolf in a cowboy hat is my fantasy come to life. But is it too late to reel him back in?

Matt

I was kicked out of my pack and my home after I told the alpha's son I loved him. He broke my heart and told everyone my secret. Now I'm a rogue wolf with nowhere to go. That is, until I hear rumors of a rogue wolf hotel in a small town up north. It's a place where wolves like me can go to get back on their feet, and I need all the help I can get.

However, the moment I arrive, some douchebag in a cowboy hat calls me his mate. I lay into him, calling him every name under the sun and telling him he was the last person I'd ever be with. When he stalks away with his tail between his legs, I'm sure I've seen the last of him.

But then I end up being forced to work on his farm to earn my keep.

Ace

I've been in the small town of Shifter Grove since I was seventeen, and despite a rocky start, it’s been a peaceful life thus far. However, the day Matt rolls into town, that peace is shattered. The moment I see him, my heart begins to pound, and I blurt out "mate" before I can stop myself.

He tears me a new one, and honestly, I don't blame him. But I can't stop thinking about those perfect lips of his or the way those shorts hug his body. For the first time in my life, I want to share my heart with someone and I'm pretty sure he hates me.

However, when Matt is sent to work on my farm by the hotel owner, I realize that this might be my second chance to prove myself.

standalone, hurt/comfort, fated mate, rejected mate, forced proximity, small town, size difference, alpha wolf, found family, strict roles, and HEA.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Fantasy, Found Family, Forced Proximity

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2024

About the author

Blake R. Wolfe has adored werewolves and monsters since he was a child growing up in a small rural Michigan town. Now he lives near the shores of Lake Michigan with his two partners, two cats that need to be fed every three seconds, and a dog that is very spoiled. He spends most of his free time hiking through the nearby forest, thinking up the next great romance story for his readers.

Blake writes under three separate Pen Names:

--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance

--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance

--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy

Sign up for Blake’s newsletter for exclusive discounts and special editions at www.blakerwolfe.com

Get access to exclusive short stories on Blake’s Patreon!
www.patreon.com/blakerwolfe

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because You Rejected Me is book one in the brand new series, Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves by Blake Wolfe. This is my first book by this author. I first noticed the cover of this one while I was scrolling. It’s no secret that cowboy hats are a weakness of mine! So I decided this was a great place to finally jump in.

Matt is twenty years old and is about as low as a person could get. After catching him in bed with the Alpha of his pack’s son, he was told to leave, he no longer had a pack. And his family cut him out of their lives as well. He was given a business card with the name of a hotel in Shifter Grove, Michigan so that’s where he decided he needed to go. Where else was he to go with no money, barely more than the clothes on his back and no car.

Ace has been in Shifter Grove for around ten years. After suffering a similar experience of his own, he got himself on his feet, bought a small piece of land to farm on and build himself a cabin. He keeps to himself, keeping his heart locked down. Until he walked into Sam’s hotel kitchen and there “HE” was. The word “mate” just fell right out of his mouth, scaring the young man like crazy.

This was a really sweet story of second chances. Not second chances with each other but a second chance at life, at finding happiness. It’s pretty steamy too so get your fan set up and ready to go! Both of these men so deserved to finally find true love, to find someone they could trust. I loved the found family all the residents have formed. But, perhaps not everyone is thrilled that Matt is starting over somewhere else?

I got through this pretty quickly and love the world this author has created. I love the idea of this little town where rogues can go to find a safe environment. The next book in the series will be their friend Andy’s book in Losing My Rejection.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Rod Lujano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say that I’m fully embracing my shifter era now. I had so much fun entering the universe of Shifter Grove. Loner Ace verbally vomits to Matt that he is his mate after seconds of meeting him, causing Matt to be suspicious of Ace´s intentions. I loved the interactions between both MCs, i enjoyed hoy different Ace was before meeting Matt, proving how string is the mating bond.
Matt had a good reason to be guarded and to retest his heart but once he got to know Ace a little better, he was all in. I love when a couple only has eyes for each other and how strong their bond grows over time. I also enjoyed the mystery revolving Matt´s stalker and wanna read more about it so the bad guys get what’s coming to them.

I loved this book so much, its short so I finished it in one sitting. If you are looking for hurt/comfort, smaller MCs, opposites attract and sexy Wolfy times this one is for you.

[Natalie H · Rating 2 out of 5]

October 2025
Kindle edition

Matt was as loveable as a cactus. That was my first impression and I couldn't change it even when they did hook up. I am curious about Sam. Ace was nice enough vomiting the first of the fated mate lines. It went from insta-mate to insta-hate, friendzone to mates.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the book kept me guessing the whole time! For some reason I tend to try to figure out where it’s going instead of being able to just sit back and enjoy the story and let it unfold on its own; because of that, I end up discarding one theory after another until I either end up figuring it out or being totally surprised due to a tangent I went off on. Regardless of which it was here, I loved Ace and Matt together. Ace was so adorably awkward and when he blurted out, “Mate,” at their first meeting, I got so tickled.

Matt was a little bit of a butt initially but it was easy enough to understand why after what he’d been through with his family and former pack but Ace totally won my heart by being so sweet and understanding with him, even when Matt was intentionally trying to pi*s him off; he was all in and was willing to give Matt however much time he needed. Thank goodness for Sam and Andy’s meddling, it might’ve taken him even longer to get there if it hadn’t been for a little kick in the pants every now and then!! 4.5 sweet (steamy) shifter stars for Ace and Matt!!

[Betsy]

Ben Coffman, who writes as Blake R. Wolfe, Atreus Rosewood, and Eoghan R. Cunningham goes on to my banned authors / dnr list bc:
➪ produces audiobooks using AI "virtual voice" (by his own admission & he seems very proud of this fact..)
➪ using AI translation, essentially scamming foreign, non-English speaking readers with poor quality translations & then having the gross, entitled attitude of having no respect to other languages & cultures
➪ who knows what else he uses AI for (writing, covers.. etc)
➪ i do not support anyone who uses AI in any way, shape or form - AI is stealing. support real artists.

[Justin Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a bit simple, but thats actually what I loved about it! It's such a cozy atmosphere, maybe even cozier than the Tellurian Pack series I read before this. This was much more of a small town cozy feel and I loved it. Matt & Ace were adorable and it was an absolutely lovely read. On to the next one!

[Shannon The Co-Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I enjoyed this so much! I don’t know if it’s where the last book I read was so bad or this one was just that good, but I thought it was great. It’s my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last. The narrator of the audiobook did a great job. I definitely recommend it.

[Axalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt et Ace avec un Culomètre à 🥵

OLÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ 🔥🔥🔥 On repart pour un touuuur ! Les romans de Blake Wolfe m'auront bien manqué quand même !

Je crois que le thème de cette saga c'est : "je rejette mon compagnon à notre première rencontre", moi qui pensait que ça allait être les cowboys en folie, tsssss

Encore très sympa comme histoire, simple, rapide et efficace, bieeeeen spicy aussi (mais on aime ça) ! Avec un loup jeté de sa meute qui trouve refuge dans une petite ville et un alpha maraîcher qui travaille nu et qui se trouve être son compagnon !

Alors oui, tout va très vite, ce n'est pas une histoire où vous allez souffrir, vous remettre en question ou quoi, mais vraiment, ça fait le taff et juste on déconnecte pour passer un bon moment 🤤

[Guilherme William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, there was nothing about the characters to like or dislike. The story is convoluted and things come out of nowhere. All that and the conclusion was still deeply unsatisfying because everything happened way too smoothly and without a concrete ending.

[Oreeee🌹 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why’s this guy yelling at everybody?🤨

[Kurohagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, which tells the story of a beautiful romance between two men who have been rejected by their community because of their sexuality. Set in a paranormal universe with werewolves, other shifters and fated mates, Matt and Ace find themselves in a refuge for rejected wolves, run by Sam.

Ace has found refuge in this small town for several years and lives his solitary life quietly, with no desire to find a partner, but Matt's arrival will upset what he has built up and what he thought he wanted for his future.

Matt faces rejection from his family and community when he arrives at Sam's hotel, and his first meeting with Ace goes rather badly.

Both men have to face their doubts, insecurities and fears before they can fully come to terms with each other.

Ace and Matt are adorable and hots. We enjoy watching them rebuild their relationship, with a little help from Sam and, of course, a few obstacles from their past.


I can't wait to discover what's next in this series, especially Sam's story


I love werewolves but I'm not so keen about the alpha/omega/mpreg. So I really like the universe of Blake R. Wolfe with only the alpha part of the wolves and fated mates.

-----

J'ai adoré ce livre qui raconte une belle romance entre deux hommes qui ont été rejetés par leur communauté à cause leur sexualité. Dans un univers paranormal avec des loup-garous, autres garous et âmes soeurs, Matt et Ace se sont retrouvés dans un refuge pour loups rejetés, dirigé par Sam.

Ace a trouvé refuge dans cette petite ville depuis plusieurs années et vit sa vie solitaire tranquillement, sans volonté de trouver un partenaire, mais l'arrivée de Matt va bouleversé ce qu'il a construit et ce qu'il pensait vouloir pour son avenir.

Matt doit faire face au rejet de sa famille et sa communauté quand il arrive à l'hôtel de Sam et sa première rencontre avec Ace se passe plutôt mal.

Les deux hommes doivent faire face à leurs doutes, leurs insécurités et leurs peurs avant de pouvoir pleinement s'apprivoiser.

Ace et Matt sont adorables et hots. On apprécie les voir se reconstruire et se construire leur couple avec le coup de pouce de Sam et évidemment quelques batons dans les roues venant de leur passé.

J'ai hâte de découvrir la suite de cette série et notamment l'histoire de Sam.


J'aime les loups-garous mais je ne suis pas très enthousiaste à l'idée de l'alpha/omega/mpreg. J'aime donc beaucoup l'univers de Blake R. Wolfe avec seulement la partie alpha des loups et âmes soeurs.

[Toni · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is laughable, predictable, and worse of all super short and made no sense.

I don’t even know how to really explain the wrongness of this book which is sad because I’ve read a lot of books that are written exactly the same way and every single one of them I didn’t like either.

There are ways to write a story that is short that includes all of the information and is a complete story and then there are stories like this book where majority of it is the smut aspect and everything else makes no sense. This is also not an enemies to lovers romance. That, would imply they had a relationship and they hated each other, then they had to work together and fell in love. That wasn’t the case. They were total strangers. They met, Matt freaked out over Ace calling him his mate and decided Ace was a weirdo and he disliked him. Dumb, and makes no sense when you think from a logical adult brain.

The danger in this book made me laugh because at 80% when they found out why Matt was being targeted, Ace sent the attacker away and that was it. That was also the end of the book.

The remaining 20% is a snippet of book 2, which begins with the same concept as book one, and in exactly the same way. Young man gets kicked out of pack, travels across the country or across the state to find this hotel where he immediately meets the person that would be his mate, that person hits on him in some form and the young man goes berserk and stomps away claiming the other is a weirdo, predator, whatever and they hate them. Childish and super immature.

The author writes like they didn’t plan the book, like they sat, they wrote, and then they sent it off to publishers without editing. No plot. This also reads like so many that are written by a middle-aged heterosexual women writing a homosexual romance or someone new to the shifter genre or to writing as a whole.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw one of my Goodreads friends recommending this book and the idea intrigued me. It’s a wolf shifter book about fated mates that find each other unexpectedly, but one of them is not ready for that idea at all.

Matt has been rejected by his pack, and his life has been turned upside down. But he was given information about a hotel that will help rejected wolves get back on their feet and that’s where he meets Sam and Ace. They both understand the situation as they’ve been there themselves and they just want to help young wolves get back on their feet. But Ace's reaction to Matt is so strong and he knows immediately he’s his true mate, but it makes him look more intimidating to the already downtrodden Matt. Bur as Matt and Ace start spending more time together, we get to see them actually build a friendship and eventually relationship and passion rather than just use a bond as an excuse.

The characters are likable and had a good connection. There’s a little bit of background drama , but not much relationship angst. It’s really just kind of a shortish, sweet, and spicy story about trust and finding your place in the world when you think that there’s no hope.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Matt is fragile from being heartbroken and devastated, but his first encounter with Ace proves he's also a bit of a firecracker.
Ace is a gentle, peaceful man who is very happy with his quiet, peaceful, single life, he doesn't need or want anyone else - until his first encounter with Matt turns his world upside down.
I enjoyed the way these likeable characters came together. There was instant lust, but they knew there was something more as well, but Matt had to go more slowly to build the trust that had been shattered by others.
This book has great characters and an interesting storyline regarding the hotel for rogue wolves, there was some danger and violence, there are some laughs, insecurities, steamy sexy times, and two wolf shifters that manage to find love and HEA.

I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion.

Bit of a spoiler:

I would have liked to know Matt's old alpha wasn't going to come after him again.

[Elodie Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story 🥰 super easy to read but the whole thing was flat.

The world building is good, I wanted to know about each character 😍 and I still want.
A few things disturbed me though.
First is Matt a beta ? I guess he is 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it was never really mentioned.
Second why adding some angst with the kidnapping when nothing is gonna happen about it afterwards? I wish justice would have been served !
Third, they are fated mates but it did not feel super deep. No mating bond, no deep feelings, I wish it would have been a bit more possessive.
Fourth: why rejecting him when two days after he is accepting him? 🙃😒
Rejection is, at least for me, rejecting the mates bond which implies deeper issues. Here it was just a bad first meeting, bad first impression I would say.

Well anyway Matt and Ace were cute 🥰 and I’m happy to have read their story. If you love super light and fluff love story this one is for you.

[Isel4books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come mi accade spesso, ogni volta leggo nuovi autori grazie a post sui social o perché me li presenta Amazon in base alle mie letture.
Ecco perché adesso la mia attenzione va a Blake R Wolfe e al suo amore per i lupi.
Ho iniziato con la serie I lupi del boschetto dei Mutaforma e proseguirò con tutto ciò che riuscirò a scaricare con l'abbonamento KU.
Il primo libro della serie ci presenta l'Alpha Ace che lascia il suo branco e trova riparo presso Shifter Grove e dopo dieci anni di solitudine all'arrivo di Matt, lupo che viene scacciato in malo modo dal suo branco e che grazie a un Beta si trova ad arrivare allo stesso luogo, apre di nuovo il suo cuore.
Una lettura piacevole ed emozionante, in alcuni punti più di altri e che ci presenta un luogo dove i lupi solitari, abbandonati e rinnegati trovano rifugio e amore, nonostante tutto.
Adesso vado a scoprire cosa ci racconterà Blake di Josh e Andy.

[Jessi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from Blake R. wolfe.
I found this to be an enjoyable start to a new series / book from a new author to me.

While I found the characters likeable they did feel a bit flat and one note. The book definitely picked up more towards the end that's when I decided I enjoyed it and would be reading the next in the series when it comes out.

This was the first book for me where there are alphas but no omegas. It did feel slightly odd having one without the other even if the author didn't wish to add mpreg it felt like it was missing the omegas in the class system within shifters. But since it's not brought up often it didn't feel too out of place.

All in all I would rate this book 4 stars and would recommend this book.

(This book was received as an advanced review copy and the review is all my own opinions)

[la review bleu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story. If you are looking for a wolf shifter romance with fated mates, hurt/comfort and all the feelings and steamy scenes - this is it.
Ace and Matt were both rejected by their pack.
And what is a shifter wolf without a pack? Where does one go?
Matt asked himself the same questions. His way leads him to a rogue wolf Hotel in a small town where he will unexpectedly meet his mate. A sexy alpha wolf shifter with a cowboy hat (Ace is so hot!).
There will be struggle, but there will be also a lot of love, laughter, and support from new friends.
I really enjoyed this.

There is no mpreg, but breeding ;) which I personally really liked!

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was a fantastic story. It was an action packed of drama. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. It was addicted moment. Matt and Ace were physical attracted to each other. Will Matt ex's mate be mad if he find someone else to falling in love with.But he had rejected him after all this time. As the chemistry was spicy hot and the sexual tension was fun and mid blowing of suspense. Ace was a mysterious guy but something about Ace that make Matt want him more.
I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf shifters Ace and Matt are perfect for each other. Both were kicked out of their packs for being gay. And while Ace has had ten years to let the hurt fester, it's a recent wound for Matt. Both landed in Shifter Grove, becoming protegees of the hotel owner, another wolf, Sam. Together Matt and Ace heal each other, finding attraction and love.
Shifters getting kicked out of their packs for being gay, is a well worn trope. It's also a well loved trope. Blake R Wolfe does it very well. Sweet with a dash of spicy danger.
Very much enjoyed. Quick read.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my review.

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt finds himself tossed out of his pack, his life upside down and not sure what he would have done if not for the card slipped into his hand to go to Shifter Grove.
Ace is just plain sweet. He knows right way that Matt is his mate and has the patience to wait.
Matt is struggling and at first comes across as rude and bratty.
Sweet alpha that waits for his mate. Young shifter that over time gets to know his alpha and he is safe with him. Funny secondary characters and a little angst.

[AuDHD_Anxiety_Smurf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this five stars, I really did. It was a beautiful MM shifter romance and the story was great. It was let down by the number of errors. I tried to overlook them, not to let them spoil the journey for me, but some sentences just didn’t make any sense to me at all because of it and some errors were so huge it was impossible to ignore. All of this could have been avoided with better proof reading, so it’s not easily excusable. So, four stars for a book that could have been five.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series. Ace and Matt made such a sweet couple! I liked how consistently calm and patient Ace was with Matt. Lots of fun supporting characters were introduced, and I'm looking forward to seeing them get their own stories. Recommended read, especially for shifter fans!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually the shifter books I read when they meet their fated mate, they are in bed/the bathroom in seconds. So it was a refreshing change to have Matt refuse Ace.
Matt was a sweet boy who had been hurt by the people he trusted. Ending up at a hotel for rogue wolves, I can understand why he ran from Ace but slowly he learnt to trust the folk close to him and he needed to say a big thank you to Sam, who I adored, he treated life like a soap opera and wasn't afraid to meddle. He was not afraid to tear a strip of Ace when he went all Alpha, but he knew Ace.
Ace was a loner, a bit set in his ways and only had time for his plants and his few friends. But after meeting Matt, he knew that he had to step up his game and not force the issue. Let Matt come to terms with the whole fated mate thing.
This was a quick read and as the story progresses, you see the characters slowly develop. Learning the reasons why they end up in Shifter Grove and even the secondary characters having their stories started, it will be a series I am looking forward too.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fated mate werewolves

Found this through Skye Kilaen’s newsletter and this author has a new reader. The rejected fated mates added a nice bit of tension. Ace was such a huge grump in the beginning but he immediately softened when he met Matt and so the tables turn when Matt tries to resist the inevitable. An engaging and unique take on werewolves all around.

[London Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another recommendation from another author...but she admitted she doesn't read this genre much. It was missing some critical pieces for me: the mating bond seemed one-sided and confusing, there was no bite at the end (or even mention of one), and a lot of the emotional turning points felt glossed over. I'm rounding up to four stars.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt & Ace! Wow!

Wow! I loved this story!

Matt, a young, broken shifter (wrongly accused), finds his way to Shifter Grove, where he slowly begins to find his strength, his voice and love with Ace (his mate), as well as absolute acceptance among the other wonderful rogue shifters!❤️

[Alexander Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I always enjoy this author and the Michigan rep. since I'm from Michigan too. Matt and Ace were cute together ❤️ Ace was patient and kind, just perfect. I did wonder what his previous name was though? There was A LOT of crying from Matt, but most of it was justified. A great story overall.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book was a fun read that didn't really require much in terms of critical thinking or emotions. I liked the characters. I liked the relationship. I liked the spice. Would I read it again, ehh maybe, but it was an enjoyable read made more pleasant after reading more emotionally charged books before this.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifter Grove where the lost are not lost.

The connection between Ace and Matt is hot. They are alike in many ways and they are different as well. They work things out for the better for both and for Shifter Grove.