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Nexus #1
Starlight Mates
They shouldn’t want me.
I rejected them and ran…and I’ll find a way to escape again.I grew up knowing three important facts.
One, my parents hated Nexus shifters.
Two, I was taught everyone should be scared of me, and they should be.
Three, I’m a monster.
I’m a Nexus, a powerful shifter bonded to five other souls…only I rejected them all at the mating ceremony and ran away with my parents when I was fifteen.
After five years on the run, I’ve finally been found. My Nexus mates dragged me back to the biggest pack community in the mountains of Scotland, making sure I follow each of their rules and never letting me out of their sight while they torment me for breaking the bond.
Onyx, with his charming smiles and pretty suits, hides the true alpha lurking within.
Aleksander, with his unforgettable hazel eyes and deadly secrets, wants to ruin me.
The twins, Hollis and Rhodes, who capture ladies’ hearts like it’s an art form. One wants to break mine in the name of revenge.
And finally, Finnegan. He is the biggest threat to the Nexus shifter race, and he hates me the most.
They are dangerous alpha shifters who have powers from the Wolf Gods, and I’m the reject who broke their hearts, tore out the bond between us, and left them alone.
Every moment I spend with them is dangerous…
They don’t know the monster lurking under my skin, begging to come out to play.
If they keep pushing…it won’t be stopped.
Then there will be nothing left.
Starlight Mates is a dark romantasy with men who growl more than speak. You can expect tropes like— Who did this to you?, touch her and die, rejected mates, forced proximity and whychoose?
I rejected them and ran…and I’ll find a way to escape again.I grew up knowing three important facts.
One, my parents hated Nexus shifters.
Two, I was taught everyone should be scared of me, and they should be.
Three, I’m a monster.
I’m a Nexus, a powerful shifter bonded to five other souls…only I rejected them all at the mating ceremony and ran away with my parents when I was fifteen.
After five years on the run, I’ve finally been found. My Nexus mates dragged me back to the biggest pack community in the mountains of Scotland, making sure I follow each of their rules and never letting me out of their sight while they torment me for breaking the bond.
Onyx, with his charming smiles and pretty suits, hides the true alpha lurking within.
Aleksander, with his unforgettable hazel eyes and deadly secrets, wants to ruin me.
The twins, Hollis and Rhodes, who capture ladies’ hearts like it’s an art form. One wants to break mine in the name of revenge.
And finally, Finnegan. He is the biggest threat to the Nexus shifter race, and he hates me the most.
They are dangerous alpha shifters who have powers from the Wolf Gods, and I’m the reject who broke their hearts, tore out the bond between us, and left them alone.
Every moment I spend with them is dangerous…
They don’t know the monster lurking under my skin, begging to come out to play.
If they keep pushing…it won’t be stopped.
Then there will be nothing left.
Starlight Mates is a dark romantasy with men who growl more than speak. You can expect tropes like— Who did this to you?, touch her and die, rejected mates, forced proximity and whychoose?
378 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2024
4386 people are currently reading
12020 people want to read
About the author
G. Bailey
175 books4,050 followersG. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget.
G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs.
G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 702 reviews
October 23, 2024
This was not very good, unfortunately. The characters' personalities kept changing every chapter and behaving completely inconsistently for the most part. The entire storyline and most of the characters are basically fan fic of The Bonds That Tie series but with worse writing. If you just replace "bond/bonded" with "nexus," that's this book. The villains of this book, the "vian" are never properly explained - are they human-looking? Also, all of the dialogue was so rushed, and the FMC seemed to flip-flop in her thoughts way too quickly about things. The action sequences were also rushed. This really felt like wattpad/fan fic.
There's a decent plot twist at the end with Silveri but that was about the only surprising thing in this book.
There's a decent plot twist at the end with Silveri but that was about the only surprising thing in this book.
September 26, 2024
Book was good. Too similar to the bonds that tie series, it felt almost copied.
December 18, 2024
one thing about me is that if there's a book with the rejected mate trope, best believe I will be parking my ass right there 🧘🏼♀️
I really didn't expect it to be this entertaining LMAOO I went in with near zero expectations but it was actually not bad??? very angsty and REALLY scratched the rejected mate itch.
if u read this and think that I'm stupid for being too easily entertained....LISTEN one of the mmcs literally straight up said fuck you to the fmc and the other one said he didn't care if she died and I LOVED it LMAOOO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
I know that was mean behavior from the MMCS but you don't see the ✨vision✨ like I do 😞 because imagine the GROVEL opportunities (✿◡‿◡)
also I REALLY loved the fmc, she was such a little shit
the only few complaints I have are that this book is too short and jesus christ it was SO fast paced lmaoooo I mean it worked for my short attention span but I would also like a little more details
anyway this was like bonds that tie on crack and I ate it up. I expect to see Hollis on his knees with tears in his eyes in the next book or else
I really didn't expect it to be this entertaining LMAOO I went in with near zero expectations but it was actually not bad??? very angsty and REALLY scratched the rejected mate itch.
if u read this and think that I'm stupid for being too easily entertained....LISTEN one of the mmcs literally straight up said fuck you to the fmc and the other one said he didn't care if she died and I LOVED it LMAOOO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
I know that was mean behavior from the MMCS but you don't see the ✨vision✨ like I do 😞 because imagine the GROVEL opportunities (✿◡‿◡)
also I REALLY loved the fmc, she was such a little shit
the only few complaints I have are that this book is too short and jesus christ it was SO fast paced lmaoooo I mean it worked for my short attention span but I would also like a little more details
anyway this was like bonds that tie on crack and I ate it up. I expect to see Hollis on his knees with tears in his eyes in the next book or else
June 5, 2025
honestly this felt like a knock off of The Bonds That Tie series.
Did I finish it super quick? Yea. I couldn’t stop reading.
But I read the word “Nexus” and “I cant let my monster out” so many times, I should have kept count. Also, the personalities of the MMCs kept changing, which confused me. Idk, it was kind of enjoyable, ish, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Plus like girl BFFR.
Did I finish it super quick? Yea. I couldn’t stop reading.
But I read the word “Nexus” and “I cant let my monster out” so many times, I should have kept count. Also, the personalities of the MMCs kept changing, which confused me. Idk, it was kind of enjoyable, ish, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Plus like girl BFFR.
November 13, 2024
this was ass…
but unfortunately, I am an ass man 🤷🏻♀️
this was so bad that I have to read the 2nd one. forgive me.
but unfortunately, I am an ass man 🤷🏻♀️
this was so bad that I have to read the 2nd one. forgive me.
November 22, 2024
Jfc that was awful.
Calling this the Temu Bonds That Tie is being generous. Just rushed, lazy plagiarism.
Calling this the Temu Bonds That Tie is being generous. Just rushed, lazy plagiarism.
October 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ / 1 🌶️ — Sort of reads like The Bonds That Tie.
July 13, 2025
Ask me to describe this book in one word? Meh.
Everything felt surface deep. The men were introduced one on top of the other with specific characteristics that were then never mentioned again to help me differenciate between them throughout the story. Maybe I just have a bad memory but come on! You can't expect me to remember their names and specific details of each of these men based on one interaction when everyone was introduced AT THE SAME TIME. At least help me out in the first few interactions between them and the heroine (at least in the beginning, I beg!)
Plot wise, this was also meh. There were big bads after the heroine. The 'why' takes SO LONG to be presented that by the time the book finally reveals its hand, I simply couldn't care less. The chemistry between the heroine and her alphas was weird. Sure, she rejected them "for their own safety"? But won't give them the courtesy of at least telling them the reason. She's already caught at this point, what more does she have to lose? They were rightfully angry, but maybe if presented with an actual reason the hurt would lessen? Maybe they could find it in their hearts to understand where she and her family were coming from?
I'll never know what happens next because I don't intend to continue with this series. Feel free to drop a few spoilers in the comments if they're juicy ♡
Everything felt surface deep. The men were introduced one on top of the other with specific characteristics that were then never mentioned again to help me differenciate between them throughout the story. Maybe I just have a bad memory but come on! You can't expect me to remember their names and specific details of each of these men based on one interaction when everyone was introduced AT THE SAME TIME. At least help me out in the first few interactions between them and the heroine (at least in the beginning, I beg!)
Plot wise, this was also meh. There were big bads after the heroine. The 'why' takes SO LONG to be presented that by the time the book finally reveals its hand, I simply couldn't care less. The chemistry between the heroine and her alphas was weird. Sure, she rejected them "for their own safety"? But won't give them the courtesy of at least telling them the reason. She's already caught at this point, what more does she have to lose? They were rightfully angry, but maybe if presented with an actual reason the hurt would lessen? Maybe they could find it in their hearts to understand where she and her family were coming from?
I'll never know what happens next because I don't intend to continue with this series. Feel free to drop a few spoilers in the comments if they're juicy ♡
Read
August 3, 2025i am so sorry but this book reads like a high schooler wrote it
October 23, 2024
Whyyyyyyyy is the writing so bad?!!? Was more than ready to get back into the same type of world as Bonds that Tie and while the world building was similar, the writing was IMMEASURABLY worse. Only made it through without DNF-ing because I had DNF-ed a few before this and just guilted myself into finishing something. Otherwise would have set this down so fast.
Read
October 22, 2024I don’t even know how to rate this…
September 20, 2024
What did I just read? Gem's Nexus series is a dark rejected mate why-choose with shifters, magic, and some great mythology. I have a love/hate relationship with rejected mate stories. I'm all in for the fated mate troupe but sometimes you just need a little angst or the mates just don't fit (for various reasons.) When Gem released teasers for the first book, Starlight Mates, I was hooked.
Gwen is a mess, not that I blame her, she has a lot going on. She thinks she's a monster and she just might be, her parents were complicated, and she's been hiding most of her life. Now the fated mates, who she rejected, are back in her life and things are not coposetic. I can understand where the guys (except for Hollis, he's a trutledwarf) are coming from, ugh it's a bad situation and the guys are all ugly about it except for Rhodes. Rhodes is my favorite and I just want to wrap him in bubble wrap and protect him forever.
Gem didn't give us everything at once, she gave us little bits of information just to keep us on our toes, trying to figure out the full scope of everything. I was hooked. For a shorter book, this story had exceptional world building and some great mythology. I loved the origin story of the Nexus, it was unique and interesting. The Nexus are shifters with magic and are made of Starlight, it's
Wow! What an ending! All my wishes and nightmares came true, including one unbelievable plot twist. Like, what was that Gem? What was that!?! I am desperate for the next book and am willing to make a deal for it to be released sooner rather than later.
Gwen is a mess, not that I blame her, she has a lot going on. She thinks she's a monster and she just might be, her parents were complicated, and she's been hiding most of her life. Now the fated mates, who she rejected, are back in her life and things are not coposetic. I can understand where the guys (except for Hollis, he's a trutledwarf) are coming from, ugh it's a bad situation and the guys are all ugly about it except for Rhodes. Rhodes is my favorite and I just want to wrap him in bubble wrap and protect him forever.
Gem didn't give us everything at once, she gave us little bits of information just to keep us on our toes, trying to figure out the full scope of everything. I was hooked. For a shorter book, this story had exceptional world building and some great mythology. I loved the origin story of the Nexus, it was unique and interesting. The Nexus are shifters with magic and are made of Starlight, it's
Wow! What an ending! All my wishes and nightmares came true, including one unbelievable plot twist. Like, what was that Gem? What was that!?! I am desperate for the next book and am willing to make a deal for it to be released sooner rather than later.
September 28, 2025
UPDATE ‼️‼️‼️
Sept 29
I rescind this review and regret dnfing this book I’m now on book. 3 I’ll give complete review soon 🥺
————————
DNF 15%
If I hadn’t read the bonds that tie i think wouldve enjoyed this book, but throughout reading this book I kept comparing the scenes and the descriptions of the men and the fmc with the bonds that tie just different names and characters I guess and mash of their personalities.
So I decided to stop here. i bet this wouldve been a great book if I didnt read the bonds that tie first. I am just dnfing it not rating it cause I didnt want to spend the whole time reading the book comparing scenes and characters.
Rejected Mates
Why choose
Forced proximity
Shifters -wolves
Sept 29
I rescind this review and regret dnfing this book I’m now on book. 3 I’ll give complete review soon
June 21, 2025
Loved! Definitely wish it was longer. I read in three hours. I’ve said it a dozen times and I never learn… Jessica you’ve got to stop reading unfinished series!!! Ugh next one isn’t out until December 😭
The book was very Bonds That Tie meets Psycho Shifters and I’m here for it. Even though there was no smut and only a few small kisses the build up is 🤌🏼🖤🤌🏼🖤
Powerful FMC, fated mates, feminine rage, reverse harem, a little bully romance, I’m here for it all. And I’m SO ready for some groveling in the next one!
—————————————————
Read it again and oof this is such a good one! I read it as a little refresher because I saw book 2&3 are released! I know what I’m doing the rest of the weekend.
The book was very Bonds That Tie meets Psycho Shifters and I’m here for it. Even though there was no smut and only a few small kisses the build up is 🤌🏼🖤🤌🏼🖤
Powerful FMC, fated mates, feminine rage, reverse harem, a little bully romance, I’m here for it all. And I’m SO ready for some groveling in the next one!
—————————————————
Read it again and oof this is such a good one! I read it as a little refresher because I saw book 2&3 are released! I know what I’m doing the rest of the weekend.
December 9, 2024
The writing doesn’t flow naturally at all. It reads very amateur
DNF
DNF
October 2, 2024
I have to wait until DECEMBER for the next one!?
February 11, 2025
i would give this 0 stars if i could
February 19, 2025
La historia es un toque parecida a otra... bastante de hecho. Igual esta buena
January 27, 2025
Omg I love a good rejected mate, why choose story and this book was absolutely amazing. Gwen has rejected her mates and now is on the run. Gwen is never safe and has been put thru hell. Gwen’s whole world changes again when she comes face to face with her mates again. Onyx, Hollis, Finnegan, Alex and Rhodes hates Gwen with a passion well maybe not all hate her but some of her mates want her to feel the pain they did when she rejected them. But with Vian, when there enemy targets Gwen will that hate turn into something else? I really enjoyed this story and how it ended I need, no want the next book asap. Another amazing read with characters I definitely want more of.
November 25, 2024
I usually don't like slow-burns but this oddly was really good. I really love a dark FMC and this delivered. I wish it was longer than 200 pages, more scenes with Hollis and the others, but I thought it was a decent balance of the story. I'm hoping the next one is more gory and actually has some smut in it.
October 6, 2024
Watered down version of the bonds that tie, but still enjoyable
March 4, 2025
It’s giving rip off of The Bonds That Tie series by J. Bree and elements of Fourth Wing. And not in a good way.
June 29, 2025
i think the author is a fan of the bonds that tie series.. This is almost a copy of that series. Not cool
January 16, 2025
I really like the plot, but the writing style and dialogue sometimes comes across as juvenile; maybe over-explaining? Still going to keep reading cuz I wanna know: now that her mates know why she rejected them, how will they react? I definitely want to see Hollis eat his words. Out of all the women he could have picked to spend his time with, it had to be SABRINA?
March 2, 2025
3.75⭐️
June 5, 2025
Wasn't sure I would get into the whole wolf alpha mates thing but really enjoyed it!
July 17, 2025
Var så bæsj
October 2, 2024
Frustrating
I almost gave up on finishing this book so many times, I kept thinking it's Bailey give it time. Argh this isn't the first or second book to disappoint me lately, it's either Bailey nails it or we get this.
I will not sugar coat this, 87% and the plot did not move!! The heroine doesn't really connect with her mates, there are a lot of disjointed scenes that make you think ok here we go.... No we didn't pass go and collect our £200. There is a serious lack of connection with the MC, the MMCs and the reader.
I was following this new take on shifters and "vampires" ( sort of what they are ) thinking run with it, never mind the lack of a decent world build but I'm disappointed. I'd expect this from a "green" writer (I'm not using the word author for this)
3* because like a sucker, not the vamp type..., I still read to the end.
I almost gave up on finishing this book so many times, I kept thinking it's Bailey give it time. Argh this isn't the first or second book to disappoint me lately, it's either Bailey nails it or we get this.
I will not sugar coat this, 87% and the plot did not move!! The heroine doesn't really connect with her mates, there are a lot of disjointed scenes that make you think ok here we go.... No we didn't pass go and collect our £200. There is a serious lack of connection with the MC, the MMCs and the reader.
I was following this new take on shifters and "vampires" ( sort of what they are ) thinking run with it, never mind the lack of a decent world build but I'm disappointed. I'd expect this from a "green" writer (I'm not using the word author for this)
3* because like a sucker, not the vamp type..., I still read to the end.
April 16, 2025
Nice twist
It's blood thirsty shifters but sent from the stars . From the beginning this book grabbed me & didn't let me go until the last page , secrets Gwen was forced by her parents to keep weigh her down & stop her taking what she wants to make her happy .
It's so annoying that when the penny drops with a couple of her mates she gets taken from them AGAIN so now I'll have to read the second book which will again make me ignore the world for a few hours , tough luck world
It's blood thirsty shifters but sent from the stars . From the beginning this book grabbed me & didn't let me go until the last page , secrets Gwen was forced by her parents to keep weigh her down & stop her taking what she wants to make her happy .
It's so annoying that when the penny drops with a couple of her mates she gets taken from them AGAIN so now I'll have to read the second book which will again make me ignore the world for a few hours , tough luck world
Displaying 1 - 30 of 702 reviews