A Worthy Mate

Alien Alliances #2

by Ava M Taylor

He must protect his mate.
P’lar failed to keep Janine safe and the humans tortured them. He allowed his distrust of the humans to blind him to her. His suspicion caused the rift he now had with his mate. He must rebuild the trust with her.
The humans want her back. They stole her once. He won’t allow it to happen a second time. She protected his people now he must protect her.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2025

Reviews

[JackaayReadsallday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah I loved the first book so I was super happy to be able to dive into book 2 almost seamlessly. Loved seeing the whole cast and crew back together not only our Mcs but our other important side characters too. Seeing the Janine & P’lar grow with and into their relationship was great to see him try to make up for past mistakes. This girl loves a good grovel. I’m excited to see where book 3 goes. Oh and you can’t forget the spice, Ava knows how to give just the right kind of spice.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worthy Mate is a solid continuation in its series, picking up seamlessly where the first book left off. Fans of the original will feel right at home as the story dives straight back into the alien world and the complex dynamics between the characters.

One of the strongest elements of this sequel is its characters. The interactions feel natural, and the flow between the human and alien perspectives is smooth and engaging. There’s a growing sense of depth, especially with the female lead, who is clearly being developed into a stronger, more empowered character. It’s great to see her evolution taking shape as she navigates both emotional and physical challenges.

As with the first book, The Worthy Mate doesn’t shy away from spice — and there’s still plenty of it. But the heat never overshadows the story; instead, it adds to the emotional stakes and chemistry between the leads.

Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, this one is definitely worth the read. The plot keeps moving, the characters continue to grow, and the world-building remains compelling. Here’s hoping the next installment keeps raising the bar.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Worthy Mate by Ava M Taylor is book two in the Alien Alliances Series. I will start this off by saying you must read the first book in the series before this one. As this book picks up after the events that happened. I was curious to see where Janine and P’lar’s story would go, especially how he treated her. It was good to read that he was trying to make up for everything he had put her through. I really enjoyed reading them growing together not only in their relationship but personally as well. My favorite part is how they’re communicating with each other! I found myself liking this book more than the first; the story flowed more for me and I found I could connect with the characters more. The other did a good job keeping me invested and on the edge of my seat at times. The story is written well and I’m eager to see what’s in store for the next book. With that being said; fair warning this does end in a cliffhanger. But overall I had a very enjoyable reading experience. If you’re a fan of sci-fi romances I would definitely recommend checking this series out.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is book 2 in the series, and I would recommend reading book 1 first so you know what's going on.

I enjoyed this one more than the first. P'lar and Janine are now together and getting on well. They fall into a diplomatic role, visiting neighbouring planets to gain intel on the humans and who might be assisting them. These two form a strong bond and work very well together.

As with the first book, neither can keep their hands off the other and every single chance they get, they are removing clothes and getting steamy.

P'lar was awful in book 1, and he mostly redeemed himself in this book. Janine stands up for herself, and they have much more equal relationship.

The world building was interesting, lots of new worlds and people to get to know and learn. It's fairly slow paced for most of the book, but it gets really action-packed towards the end.

The story continues in book 3.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 *

Where the first book in this series left me with some mixed feelings, I really enjoyed this second one. The flow of the storyline works a lot better for me, with a great mix of relationship building, world building, action and spice. I loved discovering so many different alien populations and the worlds they’re living in.

Even though P’lar didn’t leave the best first impression, he’s slowly growing on me. It helps to see him really trying to make up for what he did to Janine. Also, this is one of the rare books and series that really shows the power of communication. The way these characters talk about their past, their emotions, their differences, … is admirable and the main reason why I believe in this intergalactic relationship working longterm.

So yeah, this second book got me really hooked on this series, and I’m excited to find out what book three will bring!

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

P'lar has some groveling to do to his mate in book 2 of the Alien Alliances series! Janine decides to stay with her mate P'lar even though her and the other human women were given the choice on how the men should be punished. Now sent on a diplomatic mission, P'lar has plenty of time to show how sorry he is to Janine during this mission. Luckily, he does a pretty good job at it. We get a lot of great and heated moments between these two characters, and some every expanding world building during their travels. Can't wait for book 3 to learn more!

[Joy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava gives us another awesome installment in the Alien Alliances series! As we pick up the story of Janine and P'lar, they are rescued from the humans torturing them for information. From there they get into a diplomatic situation as they connect with other races to warn them and to try to figure out who the mysterious race commanding the humans. To find out everything else that happens, dive into this wonderfully written book with complex characters and plot twists that keep you turning pages throughout. I loved reading this story and highly recommend the series! Don't miss out on this book!!

[Katie Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our fierce FMC comes into her own in this installment of the Alien Alliance series. I loved that we got more of Janine and P'lar and it's super steamy, but we got a deeper emotional connection between them as well. The middle of the book was a little slow for me, but I loved that we got to meet all kinds of new races in this book. I couldn't read the last portion of this book fast enough and it doesn't leave off on a cliffhanger, but it definitely sets the stage for the next book.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read with plenty of action, spice and relationship development for Janine and P'lar. They grow stronger as they visit neighbouring planets to gain information and we meet other races. A really entertaining and exciting story with characters that were so likeable and intriguing.

[Cristal Juarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

P’lar and J’nine are continuing to grow in their relationship. They finally got payback on their fires from the previous book. They go and do meet and greets with various worlds around them and most of them love Janine. K’min finally gets a mate and wasted no time in getting Isabell pregnant. They are still trying to fight the enemy. At the end of this book they find out who the face is behind the humans. I can’t wait for the continuation of this story.

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the story. P’lar and Janine are facing even more challenges in this book.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, it is heart-warming to watch Janine and P'lar fall in love and for Janine to discover her inner strength after the horrible treatment she had from her stepmother.
I am loving how she is thriving in her new role as an ambassador for the aliens as they try to find out what the motivation is behind the human's behaviour and aggressions.
As we discover who is behind it all I can't wait to read the next book to find out what this race will do, and how they will be defeated!

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself eager to jump back into Janine and P'lar's journey in A Worthy Mate. Despite the very real culture barrier, these characters found themselves growing stronger together in this installment, both individually and as a couple. The spice was on point and the storyline kept me on my toes from beginning to end. I'm excited to see more out of this series in the future!

[Jodi Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janine is a rockstar! Learning languages and negotiating with people from other cultures and planets. On the run from the humans that sold her and now want her back, P’lar has vowed to keep her safe. Well written and exciting read, a real page turner!

[Courtney Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much! I love seeing the relationship between Janine and P'Lar grow even more. I was hooked from the beginning! Aliens romances are one of my favorites now!

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need August to get here ASAP! That cliffhanger had me completely captivated. P'lar and Janine's story is so heartwarming, especially seeing him find love again. Plus, K'min's own romance was a wonderful bonus! The teaser at the end has me dying to read the next installment!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy mate is Book 2 in the Aliens Alliences Series.
This book picks uo from where book one left us. I loved Janine as the FMC and I loved watching her grow into a strong character through the book and the bond grow between her and P'lar and how she is coming to trust him more and more. I am enjoying reading this series and look forward to book 3.

[samantha mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book! I love it! Cant wait to see what comes next! Definitely a must read!

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the series and it picks right up where we left off. This one is a little slower paced than the first one but we see the connection between Janine and P’lar deepen. We learn a lot more about P’lar’s world and how things work there between males and females.

[Heather E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative Sci-Fi romance continuing Janine and P’lar’s story! It was so detailed and thoughtful with each race and culture, and the actions and spice kept on coming!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow – So Much Action in this Sci-Fi Romance!

First, let me say that based on the human’s actions in this book, i wholeheartedly agree with the author that if something like this were really to happen, this is exactly how I believe our military would act – unfortunately.

This book was fantastic. I loved the relationship between P’lar and Janine (or J’nine as he uses). When all the tributes agree to stay with their new mates, P’lar knows he has a lot to do to make up his previous behavior to Janine, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her with him. Janine starts to help them understand what the humans might be trying to do, and they tell the humans that Janine had died from the torture they inflicted on her, so they think she is dead. They are going to play the long game with the humans to figure out what they are really trying to do or get from them and which species is behind helping them. P’lar takes her to his cabin that his previous mate hated, and he is happy that Janine loves it. But both are terrified that they will be captured again.

Janine and P’lar are asked to act as ambassadors and go to different locations to try to determine the questions they have about who is behind everything and what they are looking for. And what they find out at certain locations is alarming. When they are nearly captured again at their final stop and barely get away, they discover that the issue is much larger than they anticipated.

OMG I can’t wait to find out what happens next with the Angelites!

[Samantha Silensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first, though I did love the first. With P’lar and Janine working together to bond with each other, and actually communicate and get to know each other better, we see how well they can work together, and watch the trust build between them. After what they went through at the hands of the humans, it’s a little tentative at first. But they both prove to each other that they are all in, and want this.
I enjoyed the mystery that’s riddled throughout the book, hinting the humans may have had help from another race of aliens, and the small jabs at how the primitive human men treat women, and even humans treat each other. Also the distrust for the military, even from people that came from their ranks.
I also liked how we got to see more areas and races throughout the system, and learn some of the history of said races, as well as history of the war. Also seeing Janine make her way through the small town and love all the small shops and people, as well as seeing how much she loves this world and planet made me both sad and happy for her. Because I completely understand why she would fall in love with this place and people, and love that for her. But am sad that what she went through made her so happy about even these small things she sees.
I’m excited for the next book, and can’t wait to see what happens with the characters in every aspect we see them living.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine is a force not to be trifled with....

Must read book 1 first - spoiler alert in my review for book 1.
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I'm still upset at P'lar for how he treated Janine and broke their laws with the women. We start off book 2 by the women deciding how the men should be punished. Even though the men put on an act, they treated the women well with the exception of Janine, who was treated worse than the others because of P'lar's position. That being said, I was hoping for a bit more grovel in Chapter 1. I can confirm though, P'lar does a great job of making it up to her in this book, especially after what they went through together on the human ship.

Now, they must go on a diplomatic journey trying to get information from other planets. They need to share the information they have learned, and figure out who the humans have been working with. Be prepared for a lot of steamy moments, and some awesome FMC energy from Janine.

Another bit of a cliffie as we wait for book 3!

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up from the first book, Janine and the women from Earth who had been tribute to help set up alliances with the new race of aliens. The matriarchs of the seven great families were judging the men, P’lar and K’min for the treatment of the Earth women as they had broken the laws in their treatment of them. After much decisions, the matriarchs said that the earth women could decided if they want to stay with their mates or break off the mating and leave them to punishment from the matriarchs. Janine made the decision to stay with P’lar and continue as mates. As she studied the languages of the different cultures of aliens, the matriarchs decided she and P’lar should approach each planet to see if they had any knowledge of the alien race that had give Earth advanced technical knowledge. Why did the unknown alien what the mineral from P’lar’s planet? What was happening with the men from the earth ship trying to do? Do read this well written story with its unique story. I am waiting for the next book to see what the answers?

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the series, continuing to follow the main characters J'nice and P'lar.

It continues the story line somewhat nicely - it loses a star because the big bad is mentioned early on, and no one does anything about it, ie. go check on them, speak to other leaders about their description. I just kept shaking my head in frustration, then the big 'reveal' at the end wasn't so big a reveal or deal, it was like yeah knew that was gonna happen. Admittedly, it would have been a MUCH shorter book, but just felt meh.

Other than that, spice about a 3 out of 5 chillis. Much improved on book 1, in quality, variety of actions, and scenes NOT in the shower (tho there were lots of water smexy scenes).

We also got to see more of K'mir, the other female tributes, new tributes, and new races with differing views on sexuality.

This was a much more fun read, and I couldn't put it down. Stayed up all night until the early dawn to finish it. Cannot wait for book 3.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being kidnapped and tortured, Janine goes into hiding with her mate, pretending to be dead, while building a strategy in the background. The human military has an obvious interest in the mineral and is determined to get it regardless of casualties, their approach without any scruples - but it seems they are not on the top of the food chain. While trying to navigate the difficult diplomatic situation, Janine and P'lar are also getting closer each day, and Janine is even introduced to his parents, which is a challenge on its own. But maybe not the worst one on their journey..
As more and more comes to the surface, the plot gets more suspenseful and faster. There are plenty of steamy scenes, more romantic relationships being developed, and mate bonds deepening. I quite enjoy the political environment and Janine's strategic mind, and she is also my favorite character for her love of reading and learning.

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stylized as A Wørthy Mate, is the follow up to Broken Tribute which should be read before you pick this one up, gets a 3.5 stars from me.

Janine and P'lar’s story continues as their bond deepens, even while they face ongoing threats from the humans, who seek to exploit P'lar’s people and seize control of a valuable resource on their planet. To stop them, Janine and P'lar must learn more about the mineral, uncover the full extent of the humans’ plans, and discover who else in the galaxy might be involved.

I’m a fan of sci-fi and space operas, and there are definitely some enjoyable elements in this book, the setting and world-building have a lot of potential. However, it felt a bit one-note to me, and I needed more depth to truly connect with some elements of the story and its events. That said, I can see how others might enjoy it, especially if you liked Book 1, then this installment could be just as enjoyable for you.

[Paula Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Worthy Mate by Ava M. Taylor is the second book in the Alien Alliances series. You need to read the first book before this one, as the story continues right after.

This book follows P’lar and Janine after they were hurt by humans. P’lar feels guilty for not protecting Janine and wants to earn back her trust. I really liked seeing them grow closer again, not just in their relationship, but also as people.

Their communication was my favorite part—they really try to understand each other. The story was easier to follow than the first book, and I felt more connected to the characters.

There’s a good mix of romance, danger, and sci-fi action. The author kept things exciting, and I couldn’t stop reading at times. It does end on a cliffhanger, but I still really enjoyed it.

If you like sci-fi romance, I recommend giving this series a try!

[Missy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so many things in this book. First off A Worthy Mate picks off where book one leaves off. So yes, read in order. Janine and the women from Earth are tributes to help set up alliances with the new race of aliens. There is much that has went on but to sum up without giving alot away, The Matriarch of the seven families had decided to let the women either stay with their mates or leave them. Of course Janine stayed with P'lar. Together they are trying to help and solve problems. There is a lot to delve into, and I do not want to give anything away. But I will say that this is such an interesting storyline and it is left of a cliffhanger, but that makes me want book three that much sooner.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine and P'lar’s story continues on from Broken Tribute their bond deepens, even while they face ongoing threats from the humans “the scary part is I think what they face is exactly what would happen with the government today”, who seek to exploit P'lar’s people and seize control of a valuable resource on their planet. To stop them, that’s going to be a challenge as Janine and P'lar must learn more about the mineral, uncover the full extent of the humans’ plans, and discover who else in the galaxy might be involved. There’s plenty of heat between the couple, and whilst sometimes this can take away from the storyline, in this case, the story flows and isn’t dominated by these scenes. It’s a great second book for the series and I’m looking forward to the next book.