Luna Trials

Mating Season #1

by Heather K. Carson

She wants to escape. He wants to win. Neither of them were looking for love, but sparks fly and their fates collide on the popular wolf shifter dating show, Mating Season.

Aspen:
I’m the lowest-ranking wolf from a pack that only exists to guard the shifter prison in our territory, but I’ve been planning my escape for years.

I just have to make it through one more heat, then I’m done with this pack and the alpha-holes that run it.

Everything changes when my pack gets an invitation to Mating Season, the reality show where Alphas and Lunas from around the country meet to pick their chosen mates.

And my Alpha is sending me.

I’m forced into a dangerous world where TV producers dictate the rules. As if that wasn’t crazy enough, a powerful and sinfully handsome Alpha has his sights on me, making me a target for the elite shifters from other packs.

I never wanted to pick a chosen mate or settle down as some Alpha’s bride. I wanted freedom. But now I have to act the part viewers expect if I have any hope of surviving this year’s Mating Season.

Ranger:
The unmated Alphas may be on this show to find a match, but I came here for one reason…
And it wasn’t her.

When she walks into the wolf den wearing an oversized fluffy sweater and blinking those big brown eyes, my beast immediately staked his claim.

I’m here to play the Alpha Games, but I intend to win so much more.

I know what she is to me. She knows it too even if she denies the pull.
Aspen is mine.

Luna Trials, book one of Mating Season, is a dual POV wolf shifter romance story set in a future world where fated mates have become a thing of the past as humans and shifters integrate into a blended society. These books will tease you mercilessly with spice as they progress through the trilogy to the overall HEA. (Books are on a rapid release schedule and will all come out by this summer- 2024). If you like females who stand up for themselves, overly possessive alpha males, and laughing at bad reality television, scroll up now to start reading about the 7th Annual Mating Season.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Omegaverse, Paranormal Romance

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2024

About the author

Heather K. Carson is the mother of two feral little boys by day and published author by night. When she isn't working on a new book or refereeing a wrestling match, she's covered in mud from playing in the garden or dancing around the kitchen and whipping up enough food to feed the monsters she created.

In her paranormal romance books, you'll find world building twists, lovable side characters, beastly males, and strong female leads who like to shake things up.

Heather currently resides in the Pacific Northwest and spends whatever free time she gets by running away to the mountains with her equally exhausted husband and the best chocolate lab in the whole world.

Find out more and sign up for her mailing list to get some bonus content @ www.heatherkcarson.com

Reviews

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a shifter romance fanatic, I wanted to love this, but I just didn’t. The premise of the plot sounded really interesting and I was really excited when I won a copy off of Goodreads but good God I was absolutely bored reading this. It’s a very quick read, I was able to read it in one night, but I was bored. I ended up having Siri read it to me as I cleaned.

The characters were uninteresting. There was no movement with the plot or the secret behind the love interest.
It’s not a series that I will personally continue.

[pages_that_burn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspen is fiery 🔥 Thankfully! It started off slow for me but sticking around is worth it. A different take on shifter fated mates that had me giving my guy some background for my out loud commentary. Ranger the MMC though...swoon.

Look out for the unreal CLiFF 🚡

4🌟
1🌶

Fated Mates / Shifters / Possessive MMC / Touch Her and ☠️ / Forced Proximity / Wealth Gap

[Hannah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is dating game show meets reality tv meets werewolves and I just ate it UP.

[Rose Ewins · Rating 3 out of 5]

what silly goofy fun. took me back to my roots

[fortheloveofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Island but with wolf shifters

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are things I liked about this book, the concept of a reality show is pretty original and the FMC was, at least during the first part of the book, not super annoying. This doesn’t hold up though once she gets on the show. And the MMC lacks depth, badly. I didn’t really get a feel for who he was as a character despite the multiple POVs.

Where I think this book really falls flat is the “romance” between the main characters.
There really was zero spice, zero romance, zero chemistry.
I get the whole “mated at first sight” idea, but if we are to believe these characters are “fated-mates” then they should have at least something going on beyond smelling each other. There is no banter, no interest in interacting.
Despite this Ranger gets obsessed with her, but they are basically never around each other for long enough to have any type of conversation. And when they do have a conversation, it lasts like a minute and she always runs away.

I don’t know. Maybe things will pick up in the second book. It’s not a long read, and it’s actually not badly written. I might try the second book when it comes out.

[Anna Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a definite must read. I enjoyed the characters; Ranger and Aspen and different storylines that are happening along said the main storyline is just as captivating. I am interested to see what happens now that they have gotten to the actual Alpha Trials. Aspen and Ranger are both interesting characters. One is shy but won’t stand down to anyone but herself and Ranger is completely headstrong and stubborn. This book was so incredibly fun! Lots of plotting and drama.

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok wow! I got this as an arc read and I couldn’t put it down! I’m normally not a fan of trials and games my anxiety can’t take it, but this one it wasn’t just the trials it was whole story that had me sitting on the edge of my set wanting more. I love that we get both sides from the MC’s. There is so much mystery and intrigue!

If your looking for a fated mates, morally grey alpha male that is possessive touch her and 💀, and a female that stands for what she believes in, speaks her mind, but still sees the best in most. Along with some amazing side characters some you wish you punch, others the book would just not be the same without them. This book is for you! There is a small cliffhanger. However, the next two books will be coming out soon! So don’t that persuade you! You will regret it promise ♥️

[Lynzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Honestly I wasn’t expecting much from this but I flew through it! It left on a cliffhanger so off I go to the next one!

FMC really carried this book though. Often in this genre it’s the MMC that keeps us all coming back, they’re hot and dominating and we can’t help ourselves. But Ranger really fell to the way side here, the only personality trait is that he is protective, we literally get nothing else except red flags and promises of giant wolf cock. Though we see it not at all. I’m actually happy that there was no spice in this one outside of innuendo and imagination, I was intrigued by the reality TV show of it all even though we didn’t get much.

Aspen is one of those “innocent” FMC’s without it becoming incredibly annoying. And honestly it’s more uninformed than innocent most of the time. She’s basically an orphan and her whole pack hates her, woe is me, but she makes it work and I’m interested enough to see this (trilogy?) through to the end.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried liking it but it was impossible. The main characters are awful and it gets worse by the end of the book. The ending is disappointing and I’ve seen this premise done better with literally the same title by a different author written before this book on a reading app. The idea still had the potential though but the execution was lacking

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling pretty neutral towards it, but hoping that the characters and plot get more depth in the second book. A lot of the references to things we don't know got old instead of intriguing. Like okay, just tell me or move on. I like Aspen, but her and Ranger have no chemistry.

[Mallory Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am HOOKED. It has drama. It has SLOW burn. Possessive MMC. It doesn't lose it's intrigue, I read the whole book in a few hours. I couldn't put it down. The only downside is waiting for the next one

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Goddess, Aspen.” He shook his head. “Could you be any more pathetic?”

Thanks, Trenton. I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

[Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ — Kinda meh

I have no idea what happened in this book but at the same time I know exactly what happened. I cannot explain it. Basically, dystopian werewolf bachelor/bachelorette (idk the difference) but there's also something else going on.

Tropes: Dual POVs, fated mates, werewolves/wolf shifters, reality show, touch her and die, forced proximity, wealth gap

Plot
Aspen, the lowest-ranking wolf in her pack, has been plotting her escape for years. She's only one heat away from being free when her alpha forces her to participate in Mating Season, a reality dating show for wolf shifters.

Aspen never wanted to settle down or chose a mate, but if she does this, she gets her freedom, so she agrees. Thrown into a world where TV producers make the rules, she is forced to act like someone she isn't. As if that wasn't enough, a powerful alpha on set has his sight on her, and he is not letting her go without a fight.

Emotional damage report
I'm completely fine tbh.

FMC — Aspen
I'm kinda neutral about her. I don't really feel anything for her, good or bad. She's there. She does stuff. She's not that annoying.

MMC — Ranger
Don't like him. He has one (1) personality trait and it's possessiveness. Honestly, he's batshit insane and not always in a good way.

Romance
Kinda slowburn, which I appreciate, but even though it's fated mates, the (almost) instant obsession makes me feel a little icky.

Moral compass check
⁃ He put cameras??? In her bedroom????? Immediate strike
⁃ I don't care if it was 'for protection' that shit is creepy as fuck
⁃ Pretty much everything about Ranger is a red flag (Aspen even acknowledges it several times)

World building
It's kind of interesting but doesn't feel very developed. Maybe I just missed something, or several somethings, but it just feels kinda flat.

Liked
⁃ Dual POVs
⁃ A FMC who actually points out the obvious gender inequality in werewolf communities
⁃ The reality show thing is kinda interesting
⁃ Aspen's grandpa
⁃ Aspen working as a teacher at the prison and helping the inmates get their GEDs

Disliked
⁃ The cameras (obviously)
⁃ Ranger's obsession and possessiveness
⁃ 'Alpha-hole'🫩
⁃ Heats and ruts apparently making you lose your mind
⁃ That the wolf is a different being inside them
⁃ Stephanie & Trent
⁃ That redheaded girl

???
⁃ "I wished she was the romantic type. That would make things easier. I’d bring her all the heads of her enemies and buy her jewelry. I knew the way to a romantic’s heart." I beg your finest pardon

Final thoughts
Didn't like it. Didn't hate it. Will read the next one because apparently I like torturing myself.

Would I recommend?
Nope. It's not bad, I just wouldn't recommend it.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was if reality TV was a book.

Was there any plot - not really.
Were the characters outstanding - nope.
Was the writing incredible - also no.

And yet! I couldn't put it down! I devoured this. And despite it being 1 am as I write this, I'm not going to sleep, I'm going to pick up the sequel because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!

It's trashy, romance drama at it's finest and so readable.

The characters all super likable and easy and I just can't wait for more of them!

[°˖✧˚lindsay˚✧˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a wolf shifter romance book is good when the male love interest having the same name as your childhood dog (Ranger) doesn’t impede enjoyment like it normally would.
It’s a bit of Hunger Games, The Mate Games, etc.
You’ve read it before, but it’s uniquely done and even a bit funny.

[Sweetpea4me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never knew I could like wolf shifters till now! Aspen is kind of forced to enter this dating show (like The Batchelor) with the vise that she could better her life with the winning money. Then, she meets ranger (also there for his own motive.) I love that they both converse with their wolves throughout the whole story, and the tension between them is 🔥. It was fun reading about the elements they had to go through in the competition. The ending left my jaw on the floor. Great way to pull the readers in clamoring for more.

[Kash♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic Dating show but with werewolves? YES PLEASE.

[NJMomof4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

story didn’t finish

Enjoyed it but the book didn’t have an ending so I took away a star. So many unanswered questions. Good read.

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, continuing the series.

[Lisha.reads Sielalisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranger and Aspen

Kilig 🦋🦋🦋
Spice🌶️🌶️
Laugh 😅😅
Sad😭😭
Angry/irritated😠😠
Intriguing 🤔
Possessiveness 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Werewolves meet the Bachlor.🤣🤣

[Allie Rohrbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m only slightly ashamed at my love for slow burn alpha romance novels 😅

[Lucia Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

What type of cliffhanger was that?!? Slow start to the book but interesting. Definitely invested enough to read book 2.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great read. Cliffhanger not so much

The book was great. Loved the characters, plot and the drama. The cliffhanger ruined the book. I don't mind series but to have a book end abruptly without the ending and not cool.

[bay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Like I’m going to read the next one probably but mostly because this one didn’t feel like a complete book

[D K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let the games begin!!! 3.75Stars! 💜

After reading the blurb, I was jumping at the bit to read this book. What an entertaining and fun story it is! Aspen, a smart, fierce, independent and all around amazing FMC, has been ordered to attend a Mating TV Show by her Pack Alpha, which is the last place she is interested in being at. Ranger, the Alpha of his pack, a very dominant, somewhat surly and mysterious MMC, is also attending in order to further some sort of secret agenda. This two clash from the very beginning and don’t exactly see eye to eye! I am really looking forward to continue reading the rest of the books from this trilogy, which according to the author, will be released in the coming months (before the summer), so we won’t have long to wait! I will say though, that this book needed a bit more polish and definitely more world building. Nonetheless, the story is captivating enough and a really enjoyable read!

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this book but don’t like the way they ended just to haft to buy Alpha Games just to cut it off stupid why can’t you people do 1 full story?????

[Gamar ❤]

apparently I was down bad to have read this instead of something in my TBR, so lets pretend I didn't

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate to say it bc this a dumb silly book but l ate this up in one night