Betrayed Mate

Rejected Fate Trilogy #1

by Jen L. Grey

My fated mate betrayed me, leaving me broken and alone.

As the future beta of my pack, my destiny is set—until the neighboring alpha rejects our bond, shattering my heart and world.

Humiliation and heartbreak weren’t enough for the alpha. He attacks my pack, slaughtering everyone. I barely escape, searching for a new beginning.

Then things get even worse. Ambushed by rogue shifters, I face certain death.

Just as I prepare to fight to the end, a group of wolves emerge from the shadows, their raw power unlike anything I’d ever felt.

Kane, a dangerously alluring shifter, and his friends save me, turning my world upside down.

As secrets unravel, I realize nothing is as it seems. There’s more to my past than I knew, and Kane and I are bound by the same fate we both fear.

To survive, Kane and I must confront the shadows of our pasts we desperately want to escape.

Betrayed Mate is a fated mates wolf shifter romance that includes betrayal, morally gray characters, who did this to you, touch her and unalive, secret heritage, and found family tropes. One-click this story today.

Genres: Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Paranormal Romance

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author

Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies, even as a little girl. When I was a toddler, my parents would read stories to me over and over. I would hear them so often that I had the books memorized and could recite the story word by word.

My favorite genres are fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary romance. So of course that's what I'm inclined to write.

​I have a husband, two young daughters, and a mini Australian Shepherd. I've lived in Tennessee the majority of my life and love the state.

I'm extremely addicted to caffeine and enjoy drinking coffee and lattes.
​
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Reviews

[a 🔮 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s 229 pages and it took me 12 days to read, do with that information what you will.

Perhaps having it dual/multiple POV would have been beneficial to this because Ember had many moments that she not only repeated herself constantly, but was mind numbingly irritating.

Trust me, I don’t even know why I didn’t DNF it. Maybe because it was so short and I had days of effort already put in that I figured maybe it would be easier to just keep going?

Plus, the fact that this is an unfinished trilogy with a cliffhanger did make me a bit frustrated because it had only JUST started getting better right when it ended.

For a girl who didn’t even want to marry the dude (the mate who did the betraying hence the title), she is real broken up about it, which is just confusing to me. Like “oh I can’t let anyone else in my heart.”, “I can’t trust anyone other than my sister”, “look what happened the last time I let a man in” etc. Like girl, if I didn’t want to be with this dude and he called it off I would be jumping for joy.

Jury is still out if I care enough to come back in March and May of this year when books 2 and 3 come out to finish the series.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fmc annoyed me and her inner dialogue was difficult to read. I seem to be an outlier but this book wasn’t for me.

[iremucka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ne umutlarım vardı. Çöp.. Tek POV. Ember çok sıkıcısın. Ryker ne ayaksın ne istediğin belli ne motivasyonların..
Yazarı banlandı pehh..

[2TNWalkers · Rating 1 out of 5]

See my highlights with notes…,how many different descriptions for Rykers eye.. the luster, vividness…fuck describing his eyes every 2 seconds…by 50% I was hoping his eyes fell out so they would not be described…also thing MMC was schizophrenic too many personalities in one character….also the description of the blurb…aka the MMC name is different than what is in book

[mbravada · Rating 2 out of 5]

mind-numbingly repetitive and irritating inner monologue. I started skimming aggressively at around 40% because I just couldn’t take it anymore.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ember is resolved to help her pack by marrying the future alpha of a rival pack. They are fated mates after all. Or are they? The pull she feels for him is there but something about it doesn’t feel quite right. But maybe she just doesn’t know any better. However, everything becomes moot when the alpha rejects her in front of everyone. And not long after her pack is attacked. Everyone except her and her sister escape. But in the chaos, she loses her sister in the river they are both pulled in and unconscious shortly after. Ember wakes up to Ryker. Ryker who is an alpha of three others after their own pack was killed and the royal family they were guarding were killed as well. Ryker and his pack have been searching for those responsible and with Ember’s help, they just might finally figure it out. But Ember has to find her sister too. They’ll have to grudgingly work together to do so and survive those who wish to stop them. The beginning of what I expect to be another interesting shifter series! And seems we have a bit of a slow burn between Ryker and Ember. There is definitely a pull between them and I’m eager to see where it goes! And with that cliffhanger? I’ll definitely need the next book asap!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I've been reading Jen for a while, and I think this is the first time I'm not feeling any of the characters. Ember is the MFC, and while I like that she does have some backbone, she's also a wolf shifter who doesn't follow her instincts and lets doubt take over more than it should, it's a little frustrating. She's not bad, but she's not my favorite of Jen's MFCs. Plus she was awful judgy about Ryker, the MMC, from the start, going off of nothing but rumors. Unfortunately, he proves her at least partially right. The guy is a jerk, and his packmates haven't found a warm place in my heart either.


However, I will say the plot is bomb. Things pop off from chapter one! It's chaos, and I don't know exactly what's happening, but it is very obvious that someone is up to something. I'm just not entirely sure the focus is on the right people. The mystery of it all was just too good to look away from. I have questions about the events, about the main characters, and more importantly, about where all this is going. And this is just the first book! Things are hinky and not adding up, and then Jen decides to throw a curveball at the end. Ugh! I have my theories but I have to wait until the next book.

[Jenn (loves_a_good_book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always this was a fantastic read with excellent world building. It was action packed and had the best tension between the MC’s. There are secrets and unknowns that hooked me and I need to find out what happens next.

Ember is dealing with so much, from rejection, losing her entire pack and searching for her missing sister but she stays strong and determined which I loved.

Ryker is hot and cold, one minute I’m screaming at him and just as I’m swooning for him he goes back to his prickly self. I have a feeling in the next book though he’ll end up on my book BF list.

This set up the story perfectly and of course ends with one of her cliffhangers that makes me want the next book right now.

[Regina Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much gaslighting. It hurts.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing start to a new series from Jen L. Grey. She never ceases to amaze me with her characters and world building. I absolutely love Betrayed Mate, Ryker will have you on your toes wondering if we should hate or love him lol and Ember has so much going on with her pack and finding her sister, however, since meeting Ryker so much is going on and now they are trying to find out who is behind it all. Definitely recommend for your 2025 top reads!

[Grace McKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is decent but I feel it’s not enough for the story to be embedded in my soul like other books I’ve read. The slowest burn alive and Ember’s stubbornness and decisions make me absolutely nuts. Wanting to see what happens between her and Ryker is what’s keeping me going to book two.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this the best writing, no. Was this kinda cheesy, yes. Will I read the second book to find out what happens, yes.

[Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️]

DNF @ 20% when I read this line:

“Bruh, no,” a fourth voice interjected.

[Kay H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the full series, spoilers for all three books (especially third paragraph).

It started off strong, I DEVOURED this first book. Okay well, I read/listened to all three in a single weekend while camping... But I had the most enjoyment of this first book.
Second book had a case of second book syndrome, and third book felt a bit like the full plot hadn't been planned from the start and the author was scrambling to wrap it up and make it make sense. It wrapped up, but didn't make a whole lot of sense. Only Jen L Grey can write a book (series) I don't love but can't put down.

MMC got progressively more annoying to me. We get it, you're protective. But can you maybe show an ounce of maturity and allow your mate to maaaaaybe make a decision on their own?

Spoilers for final book - Also hated that FMC gave up her alpha-ness and packed. Would have loved the character development of the MMC to include handing over alpha to her.

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book on a whim not knowing too much what it was about. This will be a review of the whole series, I read them all in one sitting. Overall I felt like this series should have been one book edited down a bit so it wouldn't be too long. It felt like it was broken into 3 as a money grab and not because the story required it


I didn't love it. I feel the author failed to make me connect with any of the characters. They all felt kind of flat to me overall. I wasn't invested in them. It felt like the author killed off a bunch of people just for the shock value.

[Grace Vakatini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll be honest—I didn’t like this at first. I found it hard to get into, and the perspective felt off. Were we in past tense or present? The phrasing seemed to jump back and forth, which made it a little difficult for me to settle into the writing style.

That said, the general storyline and plot were interesting, and I’m intrigued enough to read more. But that ending?! Leaving us on such a cliffhanger is rude. I get it, but now I’m just hanging here.

Characters

Ember (FMC) – I liked her more toward the end, but at first, she felt childish and sheltered. Which, fair, considering her pack dynamics, but at times she was just annoying. She kept repeating that she didn’t want to appear weak—but for most of the book, she was. I get that she’s been through a lot, but it started to feel repetitive. I think her struggles could have been portrayed differently. Just my opinion!

Ryker (MMC) – Loved him the moment we met him. At the mating ceremony, I fully expected him to break it up. And instantly hated Reid. I love a grumpy MMC who only softens for his girl, and we know Ember is his girl. He’s one of the biggest reasons I kept reading—I’m so curious about him, especially after what Raven confessed to Ember.

Side Characters – Not going to lie, for a while, they all felt like the same person. As the book went on, they started to feel more distinct, but I think they need more depth and presence to really stand out. I like them, but I don’t feel like I know them.

Overall Thoughts

It’s a quick read, and while I wasn’t sold at first, the plot and characters grew on me. I’m not sure if Book 2 is out yet, but I’ll be reading it to see if our boy Ryker survives… and, ya know, for the plot!

[Ashley Burdsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book—no surprise, since Jen L. Grey never misses! Every time I pick up one of her stories, I'm hooked within the first few pages, and Betrayed Mate was no different. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I couldn’t put it down.

From the very beginning, the emotional gut punch hits you: Ember, betrayed by the one person who was supposed to be her fated mate during their mating ceremony. The heartbreak is raw and real—and just when you think things can't get worse, tragedy strikes again. A day later, her entire pack is slaughtered, except for Ember and her sister, thanks to their father’s desperate plea for them to run for help.

The story twists even further when Ember’s sister is injured by a river, and Ember's act of saving her ends with her getting swept away by raging waters. That's when Ryker enters the picture—a dangerous, broody, and incredibly guarded man who saves Ember but carries a heavy, tragic past of his own. He's been blamed for horrific acts he didn’t commit, and his anger and isolation practically leap off the page.

The chemistry and tension between Ember and Ryker is everything. It’s the perfect slow build that keeps you turning page after page, desperate for more. Both characters are broken, layered, and so well-developed that you can’t help but root for them.

Jen L. Grey nails the emotional depth, the world-building, and the simmering romance. If you love fated mates, emotional angst, and broody heroes with a soft spot they swear doesn’t exist, you will absolutely fall for this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(And honestly, I'd give it more stars if I could.)

[Shyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I have ever read a book in a day!

I’ve been reading Jen’s books for so long now and she always blows me away! This one starts off full steam ahead! I’m pretty sure I forgot to breathe and blink multiple times during this book.

Ember is forced to deal with so much right from the beginning. We know from the start she’s hard headed alpha female. She was raised very differently than most packs. Never venturing out to visit other packs as often as most alpha heirs do. She is also raised knowing she will never be alpha of her pack she will have to mate, bc females cannot be alpha.

Ryker is so different than most of Jen’s MMCs but not in a bad way! Once you really dive in and if you pay attention things become clear. He is definitely all alpha!

I loved the build up between Ember and Ryker! The 2nd hand embarrassment in some parts 😂😂 I would definitely say this is an enemies to lovers but fated mates. It’s been interesting and was seriously entertaining to read!

But don’t forget we always get amazing side characters from Jen! This one 3 other yummy shifter males Gage is definitely in the lead for my favorite! Flirt, funny, but also very insightful.

So with that being said I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! I will also tell you there is loss of loved ones, fighting, and language. It also ends on a cliffhanger. Good news the next book comes out soon! But with most trilogy’s book one and two will end on a cliffhanger. So no surprises 🩷🩷

[Ghouliana Darkana · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spice (yet) all plot & tension!!

Holy crap! First of all.. RUDE, I have to wait until March for the next book!? Thank crap I stumbled across this in February and don't have to wait that long. I am dying to know what ends up happening. I will say I did often get annoyed at how Ember is so smart yet so freaking dumb at the same time. She was so frustrating at times. While I understand she is supposed to be traumatized from the attack and the betrayal she was so freaking close minded and quick to judge everyone around her who was trying to help her. Yes be wary of course but to be so nasty while having absolutely no information other than rumors. I couldn't stand how she had overheard several comversations that indicate their innocence and yet still it didn't even occur to her that maybe she was wrong about them she didn't even question her opinions on them yet questioned every time she became paranoid of something watching her. She couldn't trust her instincts telling her something was wrong but fully trusted rumors she had heard with no other information to back them up. So annoying. I imagine the spice is going to go up next book and I cannot wait for it to happen. There is no steam in this book either, but definitely vibes are in the air.

Betrayal, fated mates, trauma, crazy trust issues, violence, gore, supernatural creatures, morally gray,

[Zoey’s Review Corners❤️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

First things first, who tf is Kane. Like I’ve been reading this book from beginning to end waiting for this Kane to show up. I love Ryker and I couldn’t really fully love him because I was already anticipating this keen coming into the book. Ember, Ember, my dearest Ember why. Like her in a monologues were one of the most boring and repetitive and boring and means spirited and repetitive monologues I’ve ever read. Yoh and the number of times she tried not to vomit or cry like girl just either vomit or cry and let’s be done with that like we can’t be discussing this every other paragraph like hello. The only interesting characters for me were definitely Ryker and his pack anything after that ahhhii. Like you I get your grieving but girl find your sister like you got distracted way too many times for it to be funny. Oh yeah and on top of that she’s so hung up on her mate that rejected her like hello. You wouldn’t even believe that she didn’t wanna marry him in the first place because of how heartbroken and hung up on him she was. Like she’d be like oh my faded mate who rejected me this, my faded mate who rejected me that, my faded mate who rejected me, my faded mate who rejected me like girl we get it he rejected you move on. I will definitely say the last 5 chapters were a blast best part of the book no cap. I was eating it up but I had been miserable before I got there

[Jedina Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is interesting but unfortunately, the writing is often all over the place. The writer seems to have a good idea of her characters and where she wants the story to go, but she lacks the ability to articulate it clearly. It could be that she just lacked a good editor.

The main character, Ember, is likeable as a heroine. She appears strong and capable, compassionate as well. It does become frustrating that she can't seem to decide whether to stay or go. There's a lot of wavering in her thoughts about how to move forward and she accepts the death of her family and her pack pretty quickly.

One thing that is particularly frustrating in this book is the eluding to other previous actions, such as the death of the royal pack and the male lead's (Ryker's) role in his pack and within the royal pack as protector. It seems the writer has a storyline in her mind that she just doesn't successfully flesh out to her readers.

Compassion between characters is created well and as a reader, you are drawn to care for them and hope for their successes. It is nice to read a shifter novel that incorporates other magical figures.

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to be just like all of the other shifter books I’ve read, but it was honestly one of the best. I actually like Ryker at times. Most of the time he was mean though. I loved the rest of the guys; they were all very nice. The plot of this book was amazing. I didn’t not want to put this book down. I love the main character Ember. She’s very strong. I know I probably wouldn’t even be able to get out of the bed if my whole pack was murdered literally like a day after I was rejected by my freaking mate. I really don’t know how she kept going. Her sister, I guess, but I still probably wouldn’t be able to do anything. I feel like it’s worse for her too because she could feel all of her pack members dying. I feel bad for Ryker too. Almost all of his pack died and then the wolves wouldn’t even take them in. The VAMPIRES took them in instead of their own kind. I really want to know more about his backstory too. Like, who is this “she” that they have been talking about? That ending was crazy!!! I’m glad she found her sister, but now Ryker sacrificed himself for her????!!! She’s about to go off and I’m here for it.

[Meow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was solid and enjoyable, with enough mystery to keep me intrigued. However, it felt a bit flat overall, as if it was constantly on the verge of something big that never quite happened, leaving me feeling slightly incomplete. That said, the storyline and world-building were creative and accessible without being overly complex; and the writing was simple, but not so much that it stagnated the story. I just wish the characters had been more fleshed out—I didn’t get a strong sense of who they were, which made it harder to connect with them. While the mystery was engaging, at times it felt almost too mysterious, which made it a bit overwhelming.

Overall, I would recommend this book, but only to those who are fans of the genre. I do plan to continue the series, and maybe read some of the other authors work, at some point as well.

[ThatBook Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading Betrayed Mate by Jen L. Grey and WOW, what a ride!

I've been a fan of Jen's books for ages, so diving into this one right at the release of Cursed Magic (book 2) was amazing. I absolutely loved this!

This book is an adrenaline rush from start to finish! I was glued to my Kindle, flipping pages like a maniac until the wee hours. The pacing? Perfect. The world-building and characters? Absolutely fantastic.

If you love quick reads, this one's for you. I couldn't put it down! Ember, the FMC, is such a relatable and strong character, and Ryker, the MMC, is pure FIRE. Their chemistry is off the charts!

Plus, there's a sprinkle of mystery and magic that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat.

Definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me! Can't wait to dive into book 2!

[Kay Lack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insecure fmc but side characters made up for it

The color of everything is maroon in this book. Maroon shorts, shirt, sheets, bag, you name it its maroon. Instead of describing the material, which would have made more sense like "canvas bag," its "maroon bag" or "jean shorts," it's "maroon shorts" like why? It wasn't a bad thing it's just weird that it kept happening.
Also, the fmc is weak and pathetic the entire book until she magically isn't. Makes me not want to continue the story.
I liked all the side characters and they're what kept me reading but they all sounded so young. The slang they used was very 2010s teenager. It was weird considering they're all in their mid 20s. It just gave off the impression that the author hasn't been around a group of men who are close friends since high school. Again, not bad, just an odd choice.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayed Mate is a wolf shifter romance. Ember get rejected at her mating ceremony. Feeling left and betrayed in front of all the wolf packs. While Amber is still in heartbreak, the alpha also attacks her entire pack and barely escaping.

Kane, and his wolf pack, save her and help her to find her sister. Protector through and through.

Ember is left confused and not knowing who to trust. What will come of the wolf packs?

Ember is in palpable heartbreak that you can’t help but feel for. Kane, is a forced to be reckoned with and a blunt bad guy. With secrets unfolding Ember doesn’t know where to go.

Plot, great plot, and instant intrigue with great pace. The world building is slow and hint of legend surrounding it.

[--Keres-- · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling story with strong plot twists and a fresh take on the rejected mate trope, though repetitive writing and character dynamics occasionally slow the pace.

✅️ PNR fantasy romance
✅️ Wolves, Vampires & Witches
✅️ Rejection
✅️ Betrayal
✅️ Fated mates
✅️ Political drama
🔥 Slow

Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book follows Ember, who is publicly rejected by her mate. Determined not to let his cruel words define her, she gathers her strength—only for tragedy to strike when her pack is attacked, leaving her and her sister as the only survivors. Separated during their escape, Ember is rescued by Ryker, an Alpha believed by many to be a traitor. She eventually teams up with him and his three remaining pack members to uncover who is behind the coordinated attacks.

The storyline offers a solid mix of mystery and plot twists, and it breaks away from the typical rejected omega trope. The plot keeps the reader engaged and brings something a bit different to the genre.

Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️
However, the writing style presents some challenges. Certain descriptions are repeated frequently, which can make the reading experience feel a bit repetitive. For example, recurring phrases and the repeated description of characters' hair color within a short span could have been edited down.

Pacing ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Additionally, the dynamic between the main characters tends to drag at times, and some character reactions, especially from a wolf perspective, might feel inconsistent with the world-building.

Overall,⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
while the writing had room for improvement, the story itself was enjoyable and should appeal to fans of the genre.

[Toya Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I’m a fan of Jen L. Grey’s works. As this is not my first book of hers that I’ve read, she did not disappoint. No this is not her best work. I feel like the first book could’ve been stretched out a little more, maybe various points of view or a little more elaboration on some things that were fully clear or would have been beneficial to explain more. However, I thoroughly enjoyed book one. I will be completing the entire series.

It was action packed, which made us a page Turner unfortunately since this is the holiday season, I’ve been very very busy we’ve got a ton of birthdays in between Christmas. I downloaded the Audible version and utilized it more than the kindle version.

[Carmen Alicea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're craving a shifter romance dripping with tension, heartbreak, and just the right amount of bad-boy allure, Betrayed Mate delivers in spades!

Jen L. Grey introduces us to a heroine whose world is obliterated by betrayal, not just any betrayal, but from her fated mate himself. After surviving devastation and barely escaping with her life, she's thrown into the orbit of Ryker, a brooding, dangerously sexy shifter who's as infuriating as he is irresistible. Cue the sparks, angst, and sizzling chemistry!

With twists that will leave your jaw on the floor and a bond that could save or destroy them, this book is packed with emotional depth and nonstop action. Betrayed Mate is a wild ride you won't want to end, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers and fated mates tropes.

[Cynthia Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember and Briar the only two left of their pack after being separated, she is found by Ryker and his pack. They agree to help herind her sister. With each page a new twist you won't expect or see coming. Right from the start this book pulled me in and had me wanting to know all. Once you start you won't be able to put it down. I don't want to give to much away but I will say this book has it all. Acion, highly emotional, heartbreaking and suspense that will keep you coming back for more. An amazing read that will keep you on the edge. This author knows how to keep you wanting more and at the end keeps you coming back for the next.