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Alpha's Burden
Fate chose the worst possible mate for me…my enemy.
Being bonded to Caden Blackburn used to be all I dreamed of. Those dreams were crushed the moment this pack branded my entire bloodline traitors for challenging his father.
Life in Silver Falls isn’t easy. As the only packmate unable to shift, I’m considered broken. No one wants a useless mate. Especially not Caden. Imperfections don’t fit within the rigid way he rules our pack as alpha.
I never thought he’d look at me with anything other than fury until our bond awakens. Instead of disgust, his gaze burns with desire, reviving feelings I buried once I’m in his powerful arms. We almost succumb to the pull to claim each other as fated mates.
But enemies don’t belong together. He reminds me by rejecting me in front of everyone.
I’ve learned to overcome whatever tries to break me, but in my shattered heart I wonder if I’ll survive the pain of Caden turning his back on me a second time.
Yet if he rejected me…why is he going feral if any other male tries to get near me?
Alpha’s Burden is the first book in the Rejecting Fates paranormal romance series featuring fated mates with a satisfying HEA in every book from USA Today bestselling author Veronica Eden writing as Luna Lark.
Being bonded to Caden Blackburn used to be all I dreamed of. Those dreams were crushed the moment this pack branded my entire bloodline traitors for challenging his father.
Life in Silver Falls isn’t easy. As the only packmate unable to shift, I’m considered broken. No one wants a useless mate. Especially not Caden. Imperfections don’t fit within the rigid way he rules our pack as alpha.
I never thought he’d look at me with anything other than fury until our bond awakens. Instead of disgust, his gaze burns with desire, reviving feelings I buried once I’m in his powerful arms. We almost succumb to the pull to claim each other as fated mates.
But enemies don’t belong together. He reminds me by rejecting me in front of everyone.
I’ve learned to overcome whatever tries to break me, but in my shattered heart I wonder if I’ll survive the pain of Caden turning his back on me a second time.
Yet if he rejected me…why is he going feral if any other male tries to get near me?
Alpha’s Burden is the first book in the Rejecting Fates paranormal romance series featuring fated mates with a satisfying HEA in every book from USA Today bestselling author Veronica Eden writing as Luna Lark.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2024
1250 people are currently reading
2238 people want to read
About the author
Luna Lark
1 book100 followersLuna Lark is a pen name for USA Today & Amazon Top 30 bestselling author, Veronica Eden, sweeping you away with wildly magical romances. Find your escape in her fantasy and paranormal worlds to indulge in spicy love stories brimming with alpha heroes, strong heroines, and swoony HEAs.
Find all bonus scenes and keep up with the latest books from Luna ➜ https://linktr.ee/lunalarkbooks
Find all bonus scenes and keep up with the latest books from Luna ➜ https://linktr.ee/lunalarkbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
September 11, 2024
fate chose the worst possible mate for me…my enemy.
in short—caden is an asshole. avery needs a backbone.
as someone who adores wolf shifter romance, this book is such a massive letdown it left me feeling disappointed. the best part of reading this book? me finishing it, to be honest. it had all of the elements of an intense enemies to lovers romance featuring fated mates, a main male character with a “who hurt you” and “touch her and die” mindset, maddening rejection that would leave me sobbing to myself and a main female character who could’ve made her love interest work for her affections with some serious grovelling.
instead, we have an asshole mmc who refused to interact with the fmc because of something her dad did. who shunned her and her sisters to live in some awful shack in the mountains as punishment for her dad's crimes. who rejects her in front of everyone once a bond decides to surface. who then later tries to seek her forgiveness once he remembers how much he loved her and forces the rest of the pack to accept it.
i’m so shocked, i have no idea what to think. all i know? count your mfing days, caden.
i know i was wrong to blame her. to think she was part of her father’s challenge. to put her through a punishment she didn't deserve.
caden's entire process of earning avery's forgiveness is to renovate her ramshackle cottage and build her a goddamn greenhouse. i don't recall a single apology that isn't materialistic. after seven years—and these two were “best friends” as children—caden pretends avery doesn't exist because her dad challenged his for the alpha title. we can't forget that avery's packmates mistreated and bullied her, rationed food portions (which forced avery to trade with humans in ashbury, a nearby town) and labelled her ‘witchling’ because she understood herbalism and used her knowledge to HELP her unappreciative packmates. all under caden's instructions!!
avery bent over for the bare minimum and forgave caden, without him needing to do much begging for her forgiveness. i’m shocked and appalled considering he was so rude to her and her little sisters. it was literally for no justifiable reason; caden’s reason is as terrible as the miscommunication trope and was literally no different. where’s avery’s fucking backbone? she allowed caden’s and her packmates' shit attitudes and behaviour continue for way too long. where’s the grovelling? the angst, the slow burn? i know this is labelled as “fated mates romance”, but this could’ve been less insta-love.
“run for me, little wolf. run so i can always catch you and remind you that you’re mine, mate.”
if this book is going to be 400+ pages, make it less “tell not show” and less repetitive. if there’s something that drives me insane (i’ll die on this hill) it’s when authors do nothing but tell you something happened. there’s no emotion. no feelings or thoughts whatsoever. i wanted to dnf the fuck out of this book, it was ridiculous!! make me feel something besides frustration and irritation with these characters. we’re supposed to believe avery and caden are childhood friends, but there’s no connection between them. again, it’s because there’s no showing of them as children growing up together, of shared experiences and general bonding.
it’s hard to view them as more when we’re denied an opportunity to witness anything.
other things that infuriated me:
- the wolf and human being separate entities. help mum, i’m scared.
- avery awakening her inner wolf because of the mfing bond!!!
- the random witches and caden’s spiteful family.
- i wanted to walk into traffic every time the word “mate” was used.
- “i’ll be the safe space you can rely on. the guardian of your heart as i always should've been.” good joke, caden.
August 1, 2024
This was like the Tyrants Alpha but the other book knew the assignment. This alpha ahole banishes the sisters to a shitty cabin with no electricity and ignores her for 7 years even though they had been best friends from childhood. Then he rejects her causing her extreme pain. A few days later he has a change of heart and decides to be nice and Avery just bends right over for him. Her sister almost died and they barely had enough to eat because of him but he's hot and smells good so all's forgiven right? I kept waiting for the grovel to come. Fixing her shitty cabin is not grovel and Avery needs a backbone. I wanted her to give him hell and make him suffer but nothing. Her sisters forgave him super fast too. Lena says "he's actually pretty nice." I repeat you idiot YOU ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF HIM. Dnf at 52%.
August 22, 2025
i love it when a random book from my tbr hits this good
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Avery Morgan (23) | Caden Blackburn (24)
FEATURES
∘ wolf shifter romance
∘ fated mates
∘ rejected mates
∘ childhood friends to enemies to lovers
∘ touch her and die
REVIEW
A rejected mates story where he immediately regrets it and starts atoning IS SO GOOD. This hit all the story beats I needed it to.
Caden has a lot to make up for, and through his POV, we see the depth of his remorse. I wish Avery had made him work harder for her forgiveness, but I loved how kind and empathetic she was. The way she was an outcast from her pack, yet still looked out for them encapsulates her as a character.
I was deeply, deeply, deeply disappointed to see that this is the only book in the series/universe currently released. I tried sifting through the author’s socials for any updates on upcoming releases and found NOTHING. I need Liam and Taryn’s book STAT.
OW/OM DRAMA none
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP none
ENDING HEA — four months later epilogue
POV dual / first person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 4.5 / 5
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES AND AGES
Avery Morgan (23) | Caden Blackburn (24)
FEATURES
∘ wolf shifter romance
∘ fated mates
∘ rejected mates
∘ childhood friends to enemies to lovers
∘ touch her and die
REVIEW
A rejected mates story where he immediately regrets it and starts atoning IS SO GOOD. This hit all the story beats I needed it to.
Caden has a lot to make up for, and through his POV, we see the depth of his remorse. I wish Avery had made him work harder for her forgiveness, but I loved how kind and empathetic she was. The way she was an outcast from her pack, yet still looked out for them encapsulates her as a character.
I was deeply, deeply, deeply disappointed to see that this is the only book in the series/universe currently released. I tried sifting through the author’s socials for any updates on upcoming releases and found NOTHING. I need Liam and Taryn’s book STAT.
OW/OM DRAMA none
CHEATING none
THIRD ACT BREAKUP none
ENDING HEA — four months later epilogue
POV dual / first person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 4.5 / 5
July 22, 2024
If there’s one thing about me it’s that if a book has fated mates in it, I’m gonna read it. Veronica SLAYED with this. It’s become one of my favourite wolf shifter romances and I will be waiting for the next one to release.
READ THIS ON RELEASE DAY!!!
READ THIS ON RELEASE DAY!!!
August 30, 2024
This was such a fun paranormal romance that made me want to read allll the paranormal romances after!
This is a rejected mates romance with someone who is an outcast from the pack because of what her father had done with the alpha. I will say, I did expect a bit more angst in here for it being a rejected mates romance, but the hero barely stays away from her after he rejects her, and she takes him back pretty easily. That being said, I still had a fun time reading this and I really loved how protective he was of her and how much they were pulled to each other. The wolves/shifter aspect was great and I did like the external plot that happened after about 50% of the book to the end. There's a bit of the mystery that has me intrigued that is going to carry on through book two and I'm excited to see where that goes!
If you want a lower angst paranormal romance that you'll fly through, I recommend this one!
This is a rejected mates romance with someone who is an outcast from the pack because of what her father had done with the alpha. I will say, I did expect a bit more angst in here for it being a rejected mates romance, but the hero barely stays away from her after he rejects her, and she takes him back pretty easily. That being said, I still had a fun time reading this and I really loved how protective he was of her and how much they were pulled to each other. The wolves/shifter aspect was great and I did like the external plot that happened after about 50% of the book to the end. There's a bit of the mystery that has me intrigued that is going to carry on through book two and I'm excited to see where that goes!
If you want a lower angst paranormal romance that you'll fly through, I recommend this one!
January 20, 2025
This book is SO SIMILAR to The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate and Cate C Well's Five Packs series.
***Spoilers obviously***
● The FMC:
- is an outcast in her pack (in this case for seemingly being a traitor and a non-shifter, in tyrant alpha's book for being disabled and a non-shifter)
- sneaks into town to sell her wares
- lives in a dilapidated house at the edge of the pack with other outcast females (in this case, her sisters)
- is into nature
- can't shift
- is fated mate to the alpha
- has kitchen duty
- talks to the MMC in wolf form and says she prefers his wolf form
- gets the alpha to eventually agree to them continuing to trade with the town
● The alpha is a young alpha, and rejects her
● There's a random roving witch
● Other males smell bad to her after her mate bond awakens (maybe this is just a shifter book thing though?)
● Males in the pack treat women like shit and want the pack to go back to older times where it was more violent and sexist
● Pack members are randomly and mysteriously going missing
It's obviously not all the same, there are story differences, but there were so many similarities that it really felt like I was re-reading the same book at certain parts. It's still entertaining and an easy read, and I'll probably read the rest of the series, but I hope that the next feels more unique.
Overall it was a quick read. I don't think the "rejection" really was that much of a rejection - he pretty much caved immediately to his wolf and the bond. And I also think the groveling was lacking after years of her being an outcast and her sister almost dying because of his rash actions. Then, after they get together, it felt like they went 0 to 60 immediately. I get that there's a fated bond involved which makes them feel a certain way but I do wish we'd seen a bit more of the struggle to overcome their past and grow together.
***Spoilers obviously***
● The FMC:
- is an outcast in her pack (in this case for seemingly being a traitor and a non-shifter, in tyrant alpha's book for being disabled and a non-shifter)
- sneaks into town to sell her wares
- lives in a dilapidated house at the edge of the pack with other outcast females (in this case, her sisters)
- is into nature
- can't shift
- is fated mate to the alpha
- has kitchen duty
- talks to the MMC in wolf form and says she prefers his wolf form
- gets the alpha to eventually agree to them continuing to trade with the town
● The alpha is a young alpha, and rejects her
● There's a random roving witch
● Other males smell bad to her after her mate bond awakens (maybe this is just a shifter book thing though?)
● Males in the pack treat women like shit and want the pack to go back to older times where it was more violent and sexist
● Pack members are randomly and mysteriously going missing
It's obviously not all the same, there are story differences, but there were so many similarities that it really felt like I was re-reading the same book at certain parts. It's still entertaining and an easy read, and I'll probably read the rest of the series, but I hope that the next feels more unique.
Overall it was a quick read. I don't think the "rejection" really was that much of a rejection - he pretty much caved immediately to his wolf and the bond. And I also think the groveling was lacking after years of her being an outcast and her sister almost dying because of his rash actions. Then, after they get together, it felt like they went 0 to 60 immediately. I get that there's a fated bond involved which makes them feel a certain way but I do wish we'd seen a bit more of the struggle to overcome their past and grow together.
July 25, 2024
Alpha’s Burden is the first book in the Rejecting Fates series! This is a fated mates, paranormal, enemies to lovers, shifter romance with the rejected mates trope!
“Fate chose the worst possible mate for me…my enemy.”
Avery has felt like an outsider to her wolf pack for some time. After something her father did, her family has been seen as enemies and she’s had to look after her sisters on her own. She is also considered “broken” since she’s Wolfless and the only packmate unable to shift. So when a mate bond kicks into place with the pack’s alpha, Caden Blackburn, Avery is shocked! Caden and Avery were close growing up but since the showdown between their fathers years ago and Caden busy with becoming alpha, their friendship slipped away. He ends up publicly rejecting her and their bond, but for some reason his wolf form still wants to protect and be close to Avery…
“I found my way back to you and I’ll never let you go. I’ll always take care of you, Avery. You’re mine to protect. Mine to love.”
I love wolf shifter romances and the rejected mates trope so I definitely had high expectations with this book. I liked how he’s still possessive and protective even after rejecting her. His wolf still wants her and eventually Caden realizes he’s the unworthy one of her (love to see it)! We get grovel from Caden, mostly in the form of caretaking, building her things, buying her things, fixing things around her house, and genuinely looking after and providing for Avery. We also get some “who did this?” moments which is always fun to see! I really liked seeing the side characters and other packs in this world already, can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts in this review are my own!
“Fate chose the worst possible mate for me…my enemy.”
Avery has felt like an outsider to her wolf pack for some time. After something her father did, her family has been seen as enemies and she’s had to look after her sisters on her own. She is also considered “broken” since she’s Wolfless and the only packmate unable to shift. So when a mate bond kicks into place with the pack’s alpha, Caden Blackburn, Avery is shocked! Caden and Avery were close growing up but since the showdown between their fathers years ago and Caden busy with becoming alpha, their friendship slipped away. He ends up publicly rejecting her and their bond, but for some reason his wolf form still wants to protect and be close to Avery…
“I found my way back to you and I’ll never let you go. I’ll always take care of you, Avery. You’re mine to protect. Mine to love.”
I love wolf shifter romances and the rejected mates trope so I definitely had high expectations with this book. I liked how he’s still possessive and protective even after rejecting her. His wolf still wants her and eventually Caden realizes he’s the unworthy one of her (love to see it)! We get grovel from Caden, mostly in the form of caretaking, building her things, buying her things, fixing things around her house, and genuinely looking after and providing for Avery. We also get some “who did this?” moments which is always fun to see! I really liked seeing the side characters and other packs in this world already, can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts in this review are my own!
July 29, 2024
Avery and Caden grew up as childhood best friends, but that was ruined when Avery’s dad, pack Beta, challenged Caden’s dad, pack Alpha, ultimately losing the challenge and his life. Avery and her sisters were outcast by the pack to live on their own in a rundown cottage on the outskirts of pack lands.
Flash forward seven years, Caden is now pack Alpha and Avery is the only wolfless pack member just trying to keep her sister healthy and safe. When fate reveals Caden and Avery are fated mates Caden is unable to put aside is hatred and distrust of his childhood best friend and rejects her in front of the entire pack, leading to the late reveal of her wolf. Too bad for him, his wolf is obsessed with her and he can’t seem to stay away.
I absolutely love a good enemies/fated mates story and this one was great. I devoured this book in 1.5 days and could already give it a re-read. I loved seeing Avery grow into herself more with the reveal of her wolf. I also loved seeing Caden’s endless struggle with his personal feelings and his wolf’s love for Avery. It was such a fun dynamic, not for Caden, but definitely for the reader. There was top tier groveling from Caden, truthfully though, if I were Avery I would have made it way harder for him. He messed up big time with her and deserved to suffer a little in return.
I loved the world that Veronica set up with this one. I really liked how their wolf was a part of them but also had their own thoughts and personalities that shined through. This book was so enjoyable and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to see where this goes next! I have some thoughts on who the next pair might be. If you’re a fan of shifters, enemies to lovers, groveling, and fated mates with a HAE, I definitely encourage you to pick this one up!
Huge thank you to Veronica for the ARC and gorgeous paperback copy!
Flash forward seven years, Caden is now pack Alpha and Avery is the only wolfless pack member just trying to keep her sister healthy and safe. When fate reveals Caden and Avery are fated mates Caden is unable to put aside is hatred and distrust of his childhood best friend and rejects her in front of the entire pack, leading to the late reveal of her wolf. Too bad for him, his wolf is obsessed with her and he can’t seem to stay away.
I absolutely love a good enemies/fated mates story and this one was great. I devoured this book in 1.5 days and could already give it a re-read. I loved seeing Avery grow into herself more with the reveal of her wolf. I also loved seeing Caden’s endless struggle with his personal feelings and his wolf’s love for Avery. It was such a fun dynamic, not for Caden, but definitely for the reader. There was top tier groveling from Caden, truthfully though, if I were Avery I would have made it way harder for him. He messed up big time with her and deserved to suffer a little in return.
I loved the world that Veronica set up with this one. I really liked how their wolf was a part of them but also had their own thoughts and personalities that shined through. This book was so enjoyable and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to see where this goes next! I have some thoughts on who the next pair might be. If you’re a fan of shifters, enemies to lovers, groveling, and fated mates with a HAE, I definitely encourage you to pick this one up!
Huge thank you to Veronica for the ARC and gorgeous paperback copy!
August 16, 2025
DNF 49%
Like watching paint dry
Like watching paint dry
July 31, 2024
Fun shifter romance!
I’m having a shifter romance moment this summer & was so excited to dive into this new release from Luna Lark. She ties in all of the fun I’ve come to expect from a werewolf romance:
Fated mates
Possessive MMC
Bold FMC
Rejected mates
Jealousy scenes
Perfect when you want something entertaining & fun without intense world building
I’m having a shifter romance moment this summer & was so excited to dive into this new release from Luna Lark. She ties in all of the fun I’ve come to expect from a werewolf romance:
Fated mates
Possessive MMC
Bold FMC
Rejected mates
Jealousy scenes
Perfect when you want something entertaining & fun without intense world building
July 31, 2024
I’ll be parked in the front row for the rest of Luna Lark’s debut shifter series (Luna Lark is Veronica Eden’s paranormal pen name).
Caden and Avery have known each other since they were young but after a heartbreaking “betrayal” between their families, Avery and her sisters are treated like the bottom of the pack, and Caden eventually takes over as Alpha for his dad.
Avery is used to being the outcast of the pack, but it’a 10x worse when her wolf is reawakened and she realizes Caden is her fated mate. Rejecting their connection to maintain the status quo, both Caden and Avery are left heartbroken until Caden starts groveling and begging Avery to give him a second chance. And once he is all in, he’s all in and they were so cute together. The author did a great job at building their connection, while also ensuring Avery made Caden work for her forgiveness. The spice was spicin, so 10/10 for that.
I can’t wait for the next book. There’s some unresolved pack drama that seems like it’ll cross over all the books, plus the author teased a potential couple, so I’m ready!
Caden and Avery have known each other since they were young but after a heartbreaking “betrayal” between their families, Avery and her sisters are treated like the bottom of the pack, and Caden eventually takes over as Alpha for his dad.
Avery is used to being the outcast of the pack, but it’a 10x worse when her wolf is reawakened and she realizes Caden is her fated mate. Rejecting their connection to maintain the status quo, both Caden and Avery are left heartbroken until Caden starts groveling and begging Avery to give him a second chance. And once he is all in, he’s all in and they were so cute together. The author did a great job at building their connection, while also ensuring Avery made Caden work for her forgiveness. The spice was spicin, so 10/10 for that.
I can’t wait for the next book. There’s some unresolved pack drama that seems like it’ll cross over all the books, plus the author teased a potential couple, so I’m ready!
August 24, 2024
I adored the first half of this book!
The unrequited bond, the survivalist bits, the hardships of Avery's family and the soft memories of the her teens.
This was all fabulous!
There was some hunting scenes that was a bit graphic for me and that's where it went sideways.
Once I got back to the story (had to take a break from the animals dying) it was better, but felt overwhelming with how much got packed into the last third of the book.
It was still good and I will definitely be reading the next book, but I am hoping it is less violent and more cohesive.
Much love to Luna Lark for my ARC!
The unrequited bond, the survivalist bits, the hardships of Avery's family and the soft memories of the her teens.
This was all fabulous!
There was some hunting scenes that was a bit graphic for me and that's where it went sideways.
Once I got back to the story (had to take a break from the animals dying) it was better, but felt overwhelming with how much got packed into the last third of the book.
It was still good and I will definitely be reading the next book, but I am hoping it is less violent and more cohesive.
Much love to Luna Lark for my ARC!
July 16, 2024
To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had never heard of the author before and the story sounded like a typical Wattpad wolf shifter/alpha rejected mate story. But frankly? That's not a bad thing per se. A lot of these stories that are suggested in adverts on Instagram (to read about various apps with in-app purchase options) sound perfectly interesting, but I don't read them because of the circumstances. This was finally a story that I could easily access. I am very grateful for this ARC and really enjoyed the story. It definitely satisfied my need for more wolf stories and I was quite impressed with the quality of the portrayal of the wolves' behavior, especially concerning their mates. I'm a psychology student and before that, I studied biology for a semester, including behavioral biology, so I always have an eye on the portrayal of animalistic creatures in fantasy novels. Ever since Ali Hazelwood's Bride impressed me, I've been on the lookout for similar wolf shifter stories. This story had the potential to be one.
The reason the book still only gets three stars is because while the story was an enjoyable, quick read, it was missing something. The rejection didn't feel like a rejection because he seemed to immediately change his mind about it. Sure, it was his wolf that drove him to it, but he didn't really fight back and with the "rejected mate" theme, I was prepared for more hostile behavior before he turned around. I'm also not quite sure why he rejected her in the first place. Sure, he thought she but they never really talked about it. He just turned around and accepted that After seven years of denial, this seemed unrealistic. Not to mention he only admitted it after she was officially declared his mate. The other reason was that he would seem like This point was never really clarified either. He just decided that That's not really realistic either. The process of how he earned her forgiveness was pretty shallow too. And it undermined her autonomy. She used the last seven years to build something for her sisters and herself, against all odds. And the fact that she had to do this at all was, again, entirely his fault. Sure, she kept her job as healer and apothecary, but she gave up a lot for him and suddenly seemed like a damsel in distress again.
Regardless, there were no logical flaws or gaps in the story and the book was well written. I had no trouble getting into the story, it felt natural and, as I said, was a quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed after reading a more detailed book. The criticisms of the unrealistic plots and feminism are all mine, and I think a lot of people wouldn't read as much into it as I did and will enjoy this wolf shifter story. If the opportunity arises, I will definitely pick up the next book in this series and I'm really hoping for Liam and Taryn's story.
The reason the book still only gets three stars is because while the story was an enjoyable, quick read, it was missing something. The rejection didn't feel like a rejection because he seemed to immediately change his mind about it. Sure, it was his wolf that drove him to it, but he didn't really fight back and with the "rejected mate" theme, I was prepared for more hostile behavior before he turned around. I'm also not quite sure why he rejected her in the first place. Sure, he thought she but they never really talked about it. He just turned around and accepted that After seven years of denial, this seemed unrealistic. Not to mention he only admitted it after she was officially declared his mate. The other reason was that he would seem like This point was never really clarified either. He just decided that That's not really realistic either. The process of how he earned her forgiveness was pretty shallow too. And it undermined her autonomy. She used the last seven years to build something for her sisters and herself, against all odds. And the fact that she had to do this at all was, again, entirely his fault. Sure, she kept her job as healer and apothecary, but she gave up a lot for him and suddenly seemed like a damsel in distress again.
Regardless, there were no logical flaws or gaps in the story and the book was well written. I had no trouble getting into the story, it felt natural and, as I said, was a quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed after reading a more detailed book. The criticisms of the unrealistic plots and feminism are all mine, and I think a lot of people wouldn't read as much into it as I did and will enjoy this wolf shifter story. If the opportunity arises, I will definitely pick up the next book in this series and I'm really hoping for Liam and Taryn's story.
August 5, 2025
"This is where I belong every day. The reason the moon goddess pulled me from the stars to exist at the same time as you... To kneel before you, the only one the alpha bends his neck for to show you I belong to you. And you to me."
5+ stars!
According to my Goodreads account, I've read over 280 shifter romance novels, and I have to say that this novel by Luna Lark is definitely one of my favorites! My anticipation and expectations for this story have been so high ever since I stumbled upon Luna's IG months ago. I quickly became obsessed with her upcoming release and the potential of her characters' brilliant story, and she did not disappoint as this book was everything I hoped it would be and more.
Even though Caden's rejection of Avery as his True mate is such a pivotal catalyst for their journey together, it's not even the worst example of how he's treated her in my opinion. Caden and Avery have a complicated past that has led to Caden's deep mistrust and banishment of Avery and her family. After he repeatedly rejects her and encourages his pack to mistreat her, he has so much to atone for once he begins to see how strong and resilient his mate has become.
I loved how Avery did not go easy on him and really made him work for his forgiveness. Caden was a real alphahole, but I admired Avery's tenacity and wisdom in the face of so many obstacles sent her way. Once Caden realized his numerous mistakes, his grovel was everything. He was willing to get down on his knees and plead for his mate's forgiveness😉, and seeing him proud of and obsessed with his True mate was so fucking brilliant. This book really had everything I look for in a fantastic shifter story--romance, angst, amazing characters, pack drama, and a top-notch grovel--and it is definitely a strong contender for my top book of 2024!🖤
Tropes: childhood friends-to-enemies-to lovers, fated mates, brooding alpha jp hero, outcast heroine, 'touch her and die' vibes, rejected mates, hate-to-love-you, forbidden love, 'who hurt you' vibes, second chance romance, reluctant hero, badass heroine, grumpy/sunshine, knotting, found family, STEAMY🔥
My Caden, the alpha who kneels only for his mate...
*ARC provided by the author, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
August 20, 2024
Definitely not as good or angsty as I thought it would be. Actually really underwhelming. I saw some similarities to Cate C Wells, but only a few. The rejection was nothing to write home about. I'm hoping this series will get more angsty and have the rejection be more painful. I didn't really see all the emotion that should go into a rejection. She was over it in a chapter and their resolution was very quick.
October 19, 2024
Nope nope nope.
Caden is a literal dick. The biggest of red flags. Avery was so idk naive?
if I ever met a Caden I would be running the fucking other way.
You’re telling me that after years of treating her like shit and isolating not only Avery but her sister too, Avery just swoons after him just cause they’re mates??
ALSO this man publicly rejected her too, like GIRL PLEASE GET UP 😭😭😭😭
Caden is a literal dick. The biggest of red flags. Avery was so idk naive?
if I ever met a Caden I would be running the fucking other way.
You’re telling me that after years of treating her like shit and isolating not only Avery but her sister too, Avery just swoons after him just cause they’re mates??
ALSO this man publicly rejected her too, like GIRL PLEASE GET UP 😭😭😭😭
December 6, 2024
My first proper romantasy and Luna/Veronica has knocked it out of the park!
Caden and Avery were total sworn enemies, but with their bond linking them together, being rejected it was painful, to read. Even all those little moments of his wolf showing his obsession was so heartwarming and melting! Until he realised and started grovelling, and my oh my, Caden knows how to grovel! He has certainly set a new standard!!
I loved how they used their bond to have some spicy times.. it was a nice smexy way to tease and increase the slow burn until they truly exploded with some hot spice! Wolfie smut is truly hot! Gimme gimme!
It was a delight to read Averys ascension from the reject to the alpha female in the pack. She truly fought her way to the top and deserves her crown. She wears her crown well, Caden has a true queen by his side.
Thank you Luna Lark/ Veronica Eden for an advanced copy… and luring me to the dark and wolfie side! ;)
Caden and Avery were total sworn enemies, but with their bond linking them together, being rejected it was painful, to read. Even all those little moments of his wolf showing his obsession was so heartwarming and melting! Until he realised and started grovelling, and my oh my, Caden knows how to grovel! He has certainly set a new standard!!
I loved how they used their bond to have some spicy times.. it was a nice smexy way to tease and increase the slow burn until they truly exploded with some hot spice! Wolfie smut is truly hot! Gimme gimme!
It was a delight to read Averys ascension from the reject to the alpha female in the pack. She truly fought her way to the top and deserves her crown. She wears her crown well, Caden has a true queen by his side.
Thank you Luna Lark/ Veronica Eden for an advanced copy… and luring me to the dark and wolfie side! ;)
August 6, 2024
3⭐️
So as a rejected mates book this really wasn’t up to snuff. There needs to be the rejection, angst and epic grovelling 😈. The female character has to have a backbone and put up some resistance. Make him WORK for it!!
This was basically I reject you followed by wooing, instalove and forgiveness. Caden could have caused the death of Avery and her sisters and was just so easily forgiven 😑.
It had the all the elements to be a good rejected mates book, but … it wasn’t 😞.
So as a rejected mates book this really wasn’t up to snuff. There needs to be the rejection, angst and epic grovelling 😈. The female character has to have a backbone and put up some resistance. Make him WORK for it!!
This was basically I reject you followed by wooing, instalove and forgiveness. Caden could have caused the death of Avery and her sisters and was just so easily forgiven 😑.
It had the all the elements to be a good rejected mates book, but … it wasn’t 😞.
May 9, 2024
This book isn’t even a released yet and somebody wants to give it a one star? It’s Veronica Eden, I don’t think so.
July 16, 2024
A new to me author and I loved this! Such a cute story.
Rejected mate
Outcast vs alpha
Low angst
Knotting and spice
HEA
Second chance
Who hurt you?
"I won't do that again. I'll protect you. I revoke my rejection and I swear to you I won't rest until I'm worthy of your claim. If you'll have me. I'll be the safe space you can rely on. The guardian of your heart as I always should've been."
Avery’s father once challenged the alpha, Caden’s father which led to death and it destroyed Avery and Cadens friendship. For years, her and her sisters were outcasted to a shack at the edge of the packs border.
Until now, they realize they are fated mates. Caden rejects the bond but quickly realizes the error to his ways.
He’ll do anything for her forgiveness.
Super low angst and a sweet romance between two shifters. Low drama. A little suspense.
"Run for me, little wolf. Run so I can always catch you and remind you that you're mine, mate."
I read this in one day. I really enjoyed the authors writing style. HEA but with an opening for more characters stories and we need to figure out what happens with the suspense and mystery part of the storyline!
Rejected mate
Outcast vs alpha
Low angst
Knotting and spice
HEA
Second chance
Who hurt you?
"I won't do that again. I'll protect you. I revoke my rejection and I swear to you I won't rest until I'm worthy of your claim. If you'll have me. I'll be the safe space you can rely on. The guardian of your heart as I always should've been."
Avery’s father once challenged the alpha, Caden’s father which led to death and it destroyed Avery and Cadens friendship. For years, her and her sisters were outcasted to a shack at the edge of the packs border.
Until now, they realize they are fated mates. Caden rejects the bond but quickly realizes the error to his ways.
He’ll do anything for her forgiveness.
Super low angst and a sweet romance between two shifters. Low drama. A little suspense.
"Run for me, little wolf. Run so I can always catch you and remind you that you're mine, mate."
I read this in one day. I really enjoyed the authors writing style. HEA but with an opening for more characters stories and we need to figure out what happens with the suspense and mystery part of the storyline!
October 6, 2024
A easy read and good palette cleanser if you want something easy but still enjoyable. Her fated mate rejects her and now he is trying to win her back. Shifter wolves. A bit spice. Possessive behavior from the mmc.
August 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💚 Friends to Enemies to lovers
🐺 Dual POV
💚 Fated Mates (Rejection)
🐺 Paranormal Romance - Wolf Shifters
💚 Touch her and be ☠️
🐺 No 3rd Act Breakup
💚 Found Family
This was such a great shifter book! This book immediately drew me in from the beginning. Avery and Caden relationship was complicated, they went from childhood friends to enemies, to fated mates only for Caden to Reject the Bond.
From the rejection point of the book I absolutely loved Avery’s character and the sisterhood she had with her sisters. They avoided the pack as they were outcasted because of a mistake her father made years ago. Avery was such a strong FMC and did everything she could to keep her and her sisters safe. Caden on the other hand was the new leader and Alpha of the pack and could not overlook the reasons he hated Avery…that is until his wolf becomes absolutely feral after rejecting the fated mate bond. I was happy when Caden finally put his ego aside and pulled his head out of his wolfy a$$.
This book had groveling, slow burn, magic elements, a few spicy moments 🪢 and redemption. I can’t wait for the next book and hoping it’s about a Beta male 2nd in command! 🤞🤞🤞
Read if you like:
💚 Friends to Enemies to lovers
🐺 Dual POV
💚 Fated Mates (Rejection)
🐺 Paranormal Romance - Wolf Shifters
💚 Touch her and be ☠️
🐺 No 3rd Act Breakup
💚 Found Family
This was such a great shifter book! This book immediately drew me in from the beginning. Avery and Caden relationship was complicated, they went from childhood friends to enemies, to fated mates only for Caden to Reject the Bond.
From the rejection point of the book I absolutely loved Avery’s character and the sisterhood she had with her sisters. They avoided the pack as they were outcasted because of a mistake her father made years ago. Avery was such a strong FMC and did everything she could to keep her and her sisters safe. Caden on the other hand was the new leader and Alpha of the pack and could not overlook the reasons he hated Avery…that is until his wolf becomes absolutely feral after rejecting the fated mate bond. I was happy when Caden finally put his ego aside and pulled his head out of his wolfy a$$.
This book had groveling, slow burn, magic elements, a few spicy moments 🪢 and redemption. I can’t wait for the next book and hoping it’s about a Beta male 2nd in command! 🤞🤞🤞
July 31, 2024
I love Caden and Avery!
Avery is such a strong, independent woman, and no matter how many people looked down on her, made remarks, or treated her so badly, she fought to survive and provide for her sisters.
Caden rejects Avery, his fated mate, believing she betrayed him when her father challenged his father. Caden tried to ignore the pull between him and Avery, quickly learning that he was in love with her years ago before fate classed them as mates!
Caden treated Avery so badly, but he grovels and opens his eyes to what Avery has done to survive. I liked that he tried to gain her trust again and proved that he had changed. Caden protects what's his, and no one is to go near his mate!
This shifters romance is different from what I've read before. This is definitely my first knotting book 🙈
Avery is such a strong, independent woman, and no matter how many people looked down on her, made remarks, or treated her so badly, she fought to survive and provide for her sisters.
Caden rejects Avery, his fated mate, believing she betrayed him when her father challenged his father. Caden tried to ignore the pull between him and Avery, quickly learning that he was in love with her years ago before fate classed them as mates!
Caden treated Avery so badly, but he grovels and opens his eyes to what Avery has done to survive. I liked that he tried to gain her trust again and proved that he had changed. Caden protects what's his, and no one is to go near his mate!
This shifters romance is different from what I've read before. This is definitely my first knotting book 🙈
August 2, 2024
i have been converted
i am officially a slut for fated mates and knotting.
tropes;
shifter romance
fated mates
rejected mates
enemies to lovers
second chance
groveling
his wolf is obsessed with her
touch her & he'll go feral
avery and caden had me hooked from the start, childhood best friends turned enemies.
i devoured this book and didn't want it to end. it was so well written and i could read about these two forever. watching avery grown into herself and finally find her wolf was beautiful. watching caden struggle so much with his personal feelings vs his wolfs feelings was fun. there's only so much push and pull someone can take.
"I found my way back to you and I'll never let you go. I'll always take care of you, Avery. You're mine to protect. Mine to love."
i highly recommend this to everyone who loves a goof shifter romance and if you've been thinking of jumping into the genre.. this is the one for you.
come join the knotting side of the book community hehe.
i am officially a slut for fated mates and knotting.
tropes;
shifter romance
fated mates
rejected mates
enemies to lovers
second chance
groveling
his wolf is obsessed with her
touch her & he'll go feral
avery and caden had me hooked from the start, childhood best friends turned enemies.
i devoured this book and didn't want it to end. it was so well written and i could read about these two forever. watching avery grown into herself and finally find her wolf was beautiful. watching caden struggle so much with his personal feelings vs his wolfs feelings was fun. there's only so much push and pull someone can take.
"I found my way back to you and I'll never let you go. I'll always take care of you, Avery. You're mine to protect. Mine to love."
i highly recommend this to everyone who loves a goof shifter romance and if you've been thinking of jumping into the genre.. this is the one for you.
come join the knotting side of the book community hehe.
August 1, 2024
Infinity stars!! All around. I have absolutely no qualms, no complaints about this book. This book GAVE in every way 😌 such a great shifter romance. Fated mates is my JAM😛 i was eating it up!!! Read this if you like fantasy/shifter romances and just want a cute and quick palate cleanser! Great romance and great action (including spice 😉)
and yes, there’s knotting!
and yes, there’s knotting!
August 5, 2024
3.75! definitely made me want to read more books in this genre!!
August 12, 2024
4.75 ⭐️ I love the way Veronica Eden aka Luna Lark pictures stories in your mind. Her detail is amazing in a natural flowing way I could see every detail and feel the feelings her charters felt. I loved this book and I can’t wait to see how book 2 will be!
Read
August 25, 2025dnf boring
August 29, 2025
caden deserves a stake through his heart, avery needs to grow a damn backbone and have some fucking pride, and i need to learn how to DNF a badly written, complete waste of time book.
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