Twisted Mates

by Crystal J. Johnson, Felicity Vaughn

When you’re the only daughter in one of the most powerful shifter families in the pack, everyone has a single expectation of you: find your mate.

But Alexia Rush has always exceeded expectations. While she’s always wanted the kind of love that’s fated by the goddess, she’s also interested in living her own life. But after earning her degree and landing her dream job, she still hasn’t found the one. As much as she hates to admit it, she’s starting to think she never will.

As a last resort, she completes the sacred cleansing ceremony before stepping into a room of eligible shifters, hoping to feel that pull. She never expected that she’d be led to her best friend’s brother and now, future king of the pack, Kai.

Xander Slade planned to never return to his family home after the death of his mother. He has no desire to live under the same roof as the man who made his life miserable. But when his little brother rejects his newfound mate, he can’t find it in him to leave. And thank the goddess because there’s a dangerous stalker on the loose.

The difference in age between Xander and Alexia meant they were never close. Yet time and life-threatening circumstances have a way of closing the gap. And their growing attraction for each other has them crossing a forbidden line, leaving Alexia to wonder if the goddess really knows best or did fate get it all twisted.

Genres: Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Romantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2024

About the author

Crystal J. Johnson lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, son, and a multitude of rescued animals. She is the author of the Affliction Trilogy, a winner of the 2019 Fiction Awards on Wattpad. Currently, she is working on a new adult fantasy, The Crown Trilogy.

Crystal is a Wattpad Creator and Editor's Choice Author, with over a million reads on the publishing platform.

Along with Felicity Vaughn, she is one half of the writing duo and YouTube personalities, Crystal and Felicity. Their newest novel SPELLBOUND is available wherever books are sold.

You can read all of Crystal's solo books on WATTPAD.

Reviews

[Kaila Meeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But somehow, in that span of time, he has become my sun, and I’m blissfully trapped in his gravitational pull. We’ve violently collided over and over again, and I still don’t understand his orbit,”

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! I fell in love with Xander and Alexia’s story, and I was truly so sad when I finished it and had to leave their universe.

Also, Xanders mouth?? Yeah, that man could get it.

5/5 ✨ 3.5/5 🌶️

[Amy Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - fundamentally disagree with some of the tropes, so partially on me for not doing my research, but also if the writing was better I would’ve pushed through to see how everything was resolved so I’d say egg on both of us

[Felicity Vaughn]

Hi, I’m one of the authors. I’ve read this no less than three times. I’d say it counts for my goal. But I don’t rate my own books.

HOWEVER…that being said…would we love for you to read it? Absolutely.

How? By signing up for our newsletter! IT’S FREE!!! Yes, 🆓.

https://tinyurl.com/y23znz9t

LIVE on 5/24 at 8 am EST! 💜🐺

[ChasxSabri🫧]

DNF@ 35%
What even is this? I come in expecting a rejected mates story and it’s just a mess.
She is not even sad about being rejected and moved on to someone else (the MMC) literally a day or two later? What is actually going on? It’s very rushed and I don’t see why when it’s 300 pages long
The blurb was giving forbidden love but they don’t seem to care that it’s “forbidden”
Waste of my time

[Anne in VA · Rating 2 out of 5]

First time reading anything by this author, and to be quite honest, it's probably the last. The plot was a mess and barely made logical sense. The FMC made some very bad choices in the beginning that quite honestly left me flabbergasted and made me dislike her. The dialogue was lame---the best way I can explain why I didn't like it is that everyone spoke to each other as if they were told by a therapist how to talk . Lots of over explaining about emotions, etc, but not in a natural way, and i found it annoying. Even the way they talked about tattoos had me rolling my eyes---and I have tattoos. Both MCs talked like teens, not grown adults---I give the FMC some grace only because she's 25, but the MC was 37. AND THEN, there's the dirty talk from both MCs, which came out of nowhere, LOL. Just did not match up with the regular dialogue, so even though it was hot, it was giving me personality whiplash.

I also like my shifter romances a little more wolfy. Aside from fast healing and shifting, they didn't have any common werewolf traits. They didn't have a super strength sense of smell and/or hearing. Seemed like regular run of the mill humans aside from the mate thing.

This just didn't not work for me all-around. The only reason I read the whole way through was because I needed to find out if the bad guy was gonna surprise me, or be as predictable as I thought it would be. Predictable won.

[Reading4_Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: this book was rewritten & let me just tell you… it’s literally everything and more! So please run don’t walk & download it….

I just love Xander. He’s this hot, tatted, protective, man who worships Alexia. Even though she’s suppose to be off limits he wants to do anything he can to make her feel safe and love her regardless if it’s “wrong”.
Alexia who struggles with her mental health. ADHD/RSD specifically. She really is a lot stronger and more loved than she feels. And I believe she learns that more as the story progresses. But the journey she takes in this story is heartbroken yet healing for her. And I feel like her character is very relatable to many.

Overall their chemistry, banter, tension & more was so good. Definitely recommend. Literally one of my favs.


Old review:
Crystal & Felicity once again delivered such a beautiful yet dark, unhinged, s3xy story between Xander & Alexia. The chemistry, tension, and overall your mine vibes was everything. I am literally obsessed. I don’t typically read shifter or paranormal romances but the way they write it it sucks me in. I devoured this. Definitely recommend!!

[Emily B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omegaverse is my guilty pleasure and I enjoyed reading this book. I finished it in a day as it was a simple easy read. I will say this book was very predictable, I could kind of sense where it was going right after the cleansing. I was a little disheartened that as wolf shifters, Alexia couldn’t sense or smell their own mate. This book doesn’t have the typical mating signs but others knew fairly easily. For some shifters, they knew spontaneously and others had to feel their mating bond grow and click into place. I’m not sure why because it should just be an instant connection but I guess it’s a different way to change things up. Even Xander and Kai knew who their mates were but Alexia didn’t. I wish there was a story behind it or maybe that she was spelled by magic to not know due to hidden schemes. We do find out in the end why Alexia was played in the end (mate wise) but not why she had so much trouble sensing her mate. Overall, easy read if you want to devour a book quickly. I’ll probably give more of the authors books a try.

[_kenzie_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/5🌶️
•shifter romance
•PNR
•age gap
•rejected mates
•ADHD rep
•RSD rep

“But somehow, in that span of time, he has become my sun, and I’m blissfully trapped in his gravitational pull. We’ve violently collided over and over again, and I still don’t understand his orbit”

Xander and Alexia had incredible chemistry—full of sharp banter and undeniable tension. i was completely invested in them.

Xander is ridiculously attractive—tattooed, protective, and utterly devoted. even though Alexia is supposed to be off-limits, he does everything in his power to keep her not just safe, but truly feeling safe. the way he loves her is intense and unwavering.

Alexia’s journey is deeply emotional. she struggles with her mental health, yet she’s far stronger and more loved than she realizes. as the story unfolds, you can see her slowly begin to believe that herself. her arc is both heartbreaking and healing, and it feels like one so many readers will connect with on a personal level

[MarissaIsBooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Finalllly finished a book after DNF’ing 4 straight books 😅 this was a quick, easy shifter romance aka just what I needed. Rejected mates is always an interesting twist and I thought the ceremony performed to find a mate was unique. The characters felt a little bit juvenile for their intended ages/story but I overall enjoyed.

Highlights:
- Romance: MF
- Shifter romance
- Paranormal romance
- Age gap
- Rejected mates
- ADHD rep
- Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) rep

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm thinking "meh" right now.. there was a little too much, and too many types, of kinks that's not really to my taste. But the book was still fine until (spoiler warning btw) I got to the whole scene with them having sex next to their dead enemy while sexually playing with said enemy's blood, it really ruined it for me.. I mean damnnn

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you imagine going thru this huge ordeal, and ceremony to find your mate? What happens if that connection doesn’t feel right? But when you catch eyes on your mates brother maybe just maybe the magic was wrong?

[Ashley Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Becca Lahr · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, it did what it needed to do. not as well i wanted, but it did!

[Ashley M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Hold the freaking phone.
I was selected to receive and ARC of this book and I’ll admit. I was incredibly nervous because this is not my type of book at all. I’ve never read a shifter romance before and I’ve been reading quite a bit of thrillers recently but OH MY GOD.
This book was suspenseful, it was romantic, it was spicy, it was HOT. I’m sold. This was such a good read. My only complaint is daddy during sex is NOT for me😂

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Love the fated mates trope so this was definitely in my wheelhouse. FMC was oblivious and that kinda annoyed me. MMC was sweet and caring. Just wanted to push them closer sooner. Also the dramaaaa.

[bookishlyfe.of.mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted Mates🐺🦋
By @crystalandfelicity
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

As I’ve said previously…I DEVOURED IT. I don’t know why I waited so long to read it. I was initially anxious about the wolf shifter aspect, but honestly, I had nothing to worry about! This book was incredibly TASTEFUL (for those that have heard me talk about my hesitation on 🪢, this was absolute perfection😮‍💨) oh and it left me in a major reading slump because I simply didn’t want it to end!🥹

Alexia Rush, the phenomenal FMC, just went through months of a ritualistic cleansing in hopes to find her mate, but her best friend’s brother was never the plan. Though something is off and they both can tell. Though when he “rejects” her she is torn and is left feeling unwanted….and she’s being stalked?!🫣

In comes MMC Xander Slade.🤤 The bestfriend’s stepbrother- a.k.a her supposed MATE’S stepbrother….he’s older than Alexia, but he’s instantly protective of her. And did I mention he’s tatted and does tattoos?(including on her🤭) AND HE RIDES A MOTORCYCLE?😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

“I would rip apart this world to save her from a single tear.“ -Xander Slade

The twists, the TENSION, the SPICE (that truck scene and 🩸scene)👀🥵 and make it fated mates/forbidden love/ bestfriend’s stepbrother?! I ATE IT UP!👏🏼👏🏼

Alexia has also officially claimed one of the top spots on fav FMCs for me. Being able to relate to her emotionally with RSD was incredibly empowering for me. It validated so many things and having that representation was amazing!🥹🥹

What to expect:
🐺 wolf shifter romance
☀️ grumpy/sunshine
❤️‍🔥 forbidden love
💕 age gap (25 & 37)
🪢 a touch of br33ding
👑 confident midsize FMC
🩸 play
🧠 ADHD & RSD rep
🔪touch her and 💀
😮‍💨 dirty talk for days

[Arianna Michele Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexia Rush has literally just undergone 3 months of “cleansing” for a mate matching ceremony. Only to find her mate, who happens to be her best friend’s twin brother, and is told “I’m not feeling it.”

EXCUSE ME. This leads Alexia on a journey to remind herself of her worth and who better to help her than her best friend-….errrhm best friend’s… step brother? Sexy, tattooed, older… step brother. Xander Slade.

Xander feels an undeniable draw to Alexia ever since they got in the car together after the mate matching ceremony. But he can’t move in on his little brother’s mate. How sick is he to feel this? But how sick is his brother to deny such a beautiful woman? With Xander’s stepfather trying to force the bond, he has to protect Alexia at all costs.

But protecting her puts them in close proximity. Will he be able to resist her? Especially when his brother disappears and Alexia has absolutely no thoughts about her mate… only Xander?

This book has it ALL. The spice?!? (chapter 9, the truck scene, IYKYK). 🥵 I gave this 4🌶️ out of 5. I absolutely loved the plot of this story. The development of the relationship between Xander and Alexia didn’t feel rushed, it felt forbidden. Both were conflicted but just Could. Not. Resist. And the TWIST!! the twist this plot has!! My flabbers were gasted! This was a 5⭐️ read for me. 🫶🏼

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that after reading the blurb I couldn’t wait to read more but then didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I mean I liked it but had wanted to love it. The premise of the story was good and more than lived up to my expectations but where Twisted Mates lost points for me was that I felt the characters gave the impression they were young adult and I couldn’t help but picture them as teenagers, not people in their mid twenties. Even the hero Xander who was in his thirties came across as being in his early twenties at the most, although I did appreciate his dirty talking as did the heroine Alexia who wasn’t as fiery as I expected and came across as being a bit weak or even submissive, and not willing to fight, not even for her supposed mate. The overall plot was good even if I would’ve liked it a bit more darker and the identity of the stalker was a predictable although there was a twist that came as a surprise. This was my first read from these authors, but will I read more? I’m honestly not really sure.

[Andrea Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felicity told me that I would love Xander and she was 100 percent spot on. I love a good shifter romance! Throw that in with forbidden lovers, falling in love with your mates step brother, and some 🔥 🥵 scenes and you have the perfect book for me. I loved this book and Xander is my new favorite book boyfriend.

Tropes/Rep
Wolf shifter romance
Fated/rejected mates
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
Age gap
Best friend’s brother
Grumpy/sunshine
ADHD rep (FMC)
Curvy and confident FMC

Microtropes
“Yes, Daddy”
He comes in his pants
He’s a whimperer
He’s a dirty talker but so is she
One bed
Light blood play
Knotting
Tattooed MMC who rides a motorcycle
Future royalty
Touch her and die, literally
“Isn’t it hotter if we get caught?”
Overprotective MMC
She’s a bit of a brat
A touch of breeding (they’re wolves, come on)

[Leilaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 23%. Characters seemed very juvenile for their ages. The blurb was so enticing. But the start of the book fell flat for me and I could not get into the writing, characters or story line.

[Joanna- LifeWithPrinceMan · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ JOJO'S REVIEW ✨

📝 Alexia Rush never felt she needed a mate, until all three of her brothers mated and she saw how incredible having your person (or wolf) can be. To help her, she enters into three months of isolation at the temple to then be presented to all the unmated males in the pack. The hope is that she will smell her mate. Things all go according to plan. That is, until she's mated to her best friend's twin brother. It should be fated in the stars, but something just doesn't seem quite right. Do they just need time to adjust, or is she actually mated to someone else?

What To Expect:
2️⃣ Duel POV
🐺 Shifter Romance
🌟 Fated Mates
🌲 Close Proximity
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🚻 Age Gap
🖤 Best Friend's Brother
🔥SPICY!
🪢 Knotting
🌀 ADHD Rep & Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) Rep

Right away, I was sucked into this story. We meet Alexia who is preparing for her mating ceremony. I really appreciated how DIFFERENT finding a mate was for these wolves compared to other shifter romances. Unfortunately, she mates to her best friend's brother, which is only the beginning of her problems. This triggers her anxiety and RSD, which was very relatable. Alexia has this intense fear of rejection, and the situation she's in only exasperates it. Thankfully, Xander is there to process through all of this with Alexia. She really starts to crave his company. I was ADDICTED to this book, and it was impossible to put down. The way it's written makes it Alexia's disability easy to understand. While I didn't always agree with her choices, and her friendship with her bestie struggled, I really did love her as a person. Xander is the type of man all of us should strive for. He's the epitome of a bad boy (tattoos, motorcycle, independent) but he's also reliable and easy for her to communicate with. 👏 It was actually super refreshing having a couple who expresses their feelings and emotions.

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
📍 Woodsy Area
Read if ➡️: You are team Jacob and wish Bella had chosen him instead.
Read 📅: Anytime
CW ⚠️: Death, Kidnapping, Threatening, Stalking Betrayal, Death of Parent (Off Page), Explicit Scenes, Violence
Best Quote💬: “Understand when I tell you that I would rather have this minuscule moment in time with you and meet my end, than live a lifetime without knowing what it's like to make you mine." (Chapter 19)
Bonus Quote💬: “You radiate the kind of light I just want to bask in." (Chapter 10)

I had this book on my radar because I met Crystal J. Johnson & Felicity Vaughn at the first Villains & Vixens signing event. I needed some escapism, and this book DELIVERED! Don't expect crazy world building. Instead, go into this knowing you love shifter romances, fated mates and knotting. If that's what you're in the mood for, this is for you! I will say, while I did partially see the ending coming, I was really surprised by the other part. I loved how the authors set us up for that shocking ending. Overall I loved this book, and I would definitely reread it in the future.

Anyone who was Team Jacob in Twilight should definitely pick up this book.

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddess help me--this book was hot as sin and I ate it up like chocolate cake !!

So picture this: you endure this ritual as a last-ditch effort to find your mate and HOORAY you do! And he happens to be your best friend's brother! So you move into his family home for this transitional period bc hellooooo because you mated to him he's now going to be crowned the next shifter king but oh no oh no something doesn't feel right... that bond you were told is unlike any other? that ties your soul to your mate? well you don't exactly feel it and it sure is worrisome. especially when your future father-in-law tries to force you to solidify the bond (aka seggsy wolfy time), and results in basically pretty much your mate running away. While you're dealing with that awful rejection and the political ramifications of it, there's also this nasty stalker trying to assault you BUT your mate's older brother steps in and extends his protection to you. He takes care of you and threatens to take out any threat to your safety, and not to mention he's super hot. It's truly the most delicious conundrum!

There's so many quotes that truly made me feel things, so I'm sharing a few of my faves!

"I'd do any manner of illegal, immoral, or downright reckless things for you, little wolf."

"'Alexia.' Her name is a breathless plea to stop. For mercy. For More."

"Beg. Drop to my knees. Crawl to you. Anything you want, I'd do it."

If you haven't been convinced to read this yet, give it a try if you like:

✨wolf shifters
✨forced proximity
✨forbidden love
✨fated/rejected mates
✨age gap
✨knotting
✨touch her and unalive

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 golden stars!!!

[Reanna (readingwithre) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Crystal and Felicity have beautifully crafted a compelling and immersive shifter romance that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. With well-built characters and a storyline full of tension, intrigue, and forbidden attraction, Twisted Mates takes readers on a thrilling journey that blends fate, duty, and unexpected love in the best way possible.

Alexia Rush is a strong and independent heroine, determined to carve her own path despite the pressures of her powerful shifter family. Her struggle between fulfilling expectations and following her heart is incredibly relatable. Then there’s Xander Slade—a brooding, complex character who never intended to get tangled up in pack politics again, let alone with Alexia. But fate (or maybe something more unpredictable) has other plans. Their chemistry is undeniable, and as danger closes in, their connection is tested in ways neither saw coming.

Just when I thought I knew where this story was going, boom—the twist hit, and I was not prepared! It was 100% unexpected, and I couldn’t put the book down until I unraveled every detail. Crystal and Felicity masterfully weave romance, suspense, and a bit of fate vs. free will into a story that lingers long after the last page. If you love shifter romances with depth, danger, and an unforgettable romance, this is a must-read!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read Twisted Mates early and if you are a fan of Paranormal Romance with Wolf Shifters, Forbidden Romance, Fated Mates, Age Gap, One Bed and so much more, this book is for you!

In this story we meet Alexia, the last of her siblings to be mated, who has been preparing to find her mate. The night of the ceremony she picks her best friend’s twin brother Malakai, the next in line to be king making her the future queen. Something just doesn’t feel right with them but who can argue with fate? The twins father Clayton is trying to force them to complete the bond when Kai disappears leaving Alexia rejected.

Xander, our outcast step brother, has been out of the family light for years but comes back to town for the mating ceremony. He immediately is protective of Alexia and Kai’s relationship and doesn’t like what Clayton is trying to do but he can’t help the pull he feels towards Alexia as well, even though it is wrong.

After Kai vanishes, someone starts following Alexia and Xander goes in full protective mode. He will not let any harm come to her and keeps her in his sights at all times, including in his bedroom at night 😏

Alexia knows it is wrong to want Xander but being rejected by her mate, how can she deny the way he makes he feel.

I devoured this book on my recent 3 hour flight and I couldn’t stop reading it. I had an inkling like Alexia something wasn’t right but with a plot twist I didn’t see coming Twisted Mates kept me on my toes!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Only.ever.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:
🖤Twisted Mates🖤

By Crystal J. Johnson & Felicity Vaughn

🖤 Shifter Romance
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Paranormal Romance

⭐ 4/5

Alexia and Xander

We follow the love story of Alexia and Xander here. Settled in the world of shifters and fated mates. Alexia is at a point in life where she desperately wants to find the one for her.
With a cleansing ritual and a little help from the goddess she has high hopes.
And she gets a mate, only that is the brother of her best friend and a friend of hers too. But nothing feels as it should, for both. Could fate have been wrong?
When suddenly the older brother of her friends appears back in the pack, things change. And a little unnoticed detail makes the difference. Alexia’s fated mate leaves and his brother sparks something in her that should not be? Or should it?
Alexia and Xander discover their true path for them and now have to find a way to entangle the mess that has been made. But not everyone is happy with the way things have been played out. And what follows is a showdown of suspense, traitors, angst and love.

[jessanotherlovestory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Literally Yours PR for the ARC! I read and finished Twisted Mates in one sitting! Alexia has the dream job but hasn't found her mate yet. After completing the sacred cleansing ceremony, she finds her mate in her best friend's brother and future king of the pack, Kai. After losing his mom a decade ago, Xander has stayed away from his estranged family. When Kai rejects his newfound mate and leaves without a word, Xander stays to protect Alexia from his stepfather. Xander doesn't realize why he's so protective of Alexia, his little brother's mate.

I love the slow burn between Xander and Alexia. They tread the line of forbidden. Xander is so sweet and caring. He is there for Alexia when she has no one. When they go on a run in their wolf form for the first time and cuddle, it melted my heart. They can't resist the pull between them. She's never felt safe except when she's with Xander. I love when Xander tattoos Alexia and later, she requests couple tattoos. Also a fan of the trope moon-bonded mates in this story. The happily ever after was perfect.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜: ARC E-Book
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖: High
ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪: High
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕪𝕡𝕖: Happily Ever After
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: That was perfectly paced and perfectly spicy! Such an easy to read, and super engaging! A perfect paranormal romance!
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤: “Understand when I tell you that I would rather have this minuscule moment in time with you and meet my end, than live a lifetime without knowing what it’s like to make you mine.”
& You’re the balm for my broken soul, Alexia.”
& “She is the most spectacular thing I’ve ever seen. She rivals the full moon and all the stars that twinkle around it.”
& “I can’t help flirting with that forbidden line. Every time I do, it’s like a shot of adrenaline through my system.”
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 14 & 21 & 23
𝔽𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣: Xander: he was perfectly broody and perfectly obsessed with Lexie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: That’s was such a gripping paranormal romance! I was so invested in Xander and Lexi’s story I just kept wanting to jump back in for more! I found the story to be very unique and action packed! Xander was the perfect morally gray MMC and I was so obsessed with him! He was so dreamy and the spice in this was so perfect! Such a great story with a satisfying ending!

[Hails · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always looking for a wolf shifter romance to sweep me off my feet into the world of fated mates and spicy romance. Twisted mates was such a fun read that I devoured in one sitting. While I may have guessed some of the twists, my heart basically lived in my throat while the suspense was in full force. The spice hit just right and the romance gave me butterflies. I loved that the obsession and romance progressively became more intense throughout the story. I had the best time while reading!

I RECOMMEND IF:
If you thought the tattoo scene in den of vipers was hot and thought to yourself “but what if it was wolf shifters” this is for you!

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• best friend’s brother
• forbidden
• protective MMC
• fated mates
• only one bed
• wolf shifter paranormal romance
• you fill my every waking thought
• I feel safe with you
• how can this be wrong when it feels so right
• sëxy tattoos & motorcycles
• peeping tom
• spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (several moderately graphic on page scenes, knots 🪢)

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read where you will get the story behind Alexia and her troubles on getting that one connection that will lead her to her mate. It so happens that he was there in a ceremony and not because he wanted to but for his brother who has rejected his mate. What a coincidence! I was rooting for Xander and Alexia from the start.

Alexia, oh she was so sweat. She does have some troubles she takes care of throughout the book and I saw her as a powerful women and her mental strength grows as you read on.

Xander, oh this man. He was so perfect. I know i may say this all the time, but each character always hits so different and Xander hits all the marks. I loved how protective he was of Alexia and how bad he wanted her and when he had that taste of her, gooodness! Get it boy!

It was a wonderful book and I’m so happy i got a chance to ARC read for Crystal Johnson and Felicity Vaughn. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me alongside Literally Yours PR.

[Pat Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam/Spice – 🌶🌶🌶🌶

❣Wolf shifter romance
❣Fated/rejected mates
❣Forbidden love
❣Curvy and confident FMC
❣ADHD rep (FMC)
❣Forced proximity
❣Age gap
❣Best friend’s brother
❣Grumpy/sunshine

Twisted Mates is a standalone book by Crystal J. Johnson and Felicity Vaughn.

It is the story of Alexia Rush (MFC) who is being prepared for male matching ceremony who happens to be the best friend of her twin brother Xander Slade (MMC). Xander is a very HOT🔥🔥🔥tattooed, sexy, older guy. He is really protective of Alexia. Throughout the book we journey with Alexia and her mental health (ADHD/RSD). Alexia journey includes realizing that she is stronger than what she thinks about herself and other see her for who she is.

The chemistry and steam between Alexia and Xander is burning HOT🔥🔥. Lots of spice. This is a good story and different from other shifters stories that I have read.