Chev's Mate

The Female #4

by Invi Wright

A spinoff of The Female series.

Chev's been dreaming of his mate since the moment he learned he'd have one. Most shifters find their mates in early adulthood, but Chev wasn't one of the lucky ones. He's thrown himself into work while he searches, becoming alpha of the bear shifters and the leader of the Seekers' organization, but he hasn't given up hope.

Vanessa doesn't want a mate. After spending years at the mercy of violent ogres, she's determined to live the remainder of her life free of men.

When she accepts a job offer to work at the Seekers' organization, she's ecstatic to have something that gives her life purpose. Everything is panning out exactly as she dreamed, but it all crumbles when Chev learns who she is.

Vanessa must make a decision—run away and deny her bond to Chev, or face her fears and accept fate's calling.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Dark Romance, Audiobook, Paranormal Romance, Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2024

About the author

Invi Wright is the author of several romance novels, including The Female series, Aine, and The Professor. She had just begun her career in marketing when she decided to start a new hobby— writing. After many tears and more anger walks than is probably healthy, she decided to pursue writing full-time and began the journey of becoming a self-published author.

Reviews

[Sseulegi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to hear how Chev's story continues after growing attached to him through his relationships between Charlie and her males. But I don't think he needed his own book. The pacing was off and it felt tedious for such a short book.

In the first three books, Chev's character was clumsy and endearing, and he offered some much needed comedic relief. I'm surprised that in his own book, he was stripped down to a man who is so whipped by his own mate who doesn't want him that he loses his personality.

Vanessa has been abused in her past, so she wants nothing to do with males, including Chev. Understandable. But Chev bent over backwards to make her comfortable and she still treated him like shit. I would have liked to see more balance in their relationship after everything he went through for her. She knows how terrified he is of birds and she still insists on keeping those figurines in the house. Not cute.

Also, it's only been about 6 years since the events of Their War, but in that time everybody's become celebrities? All of a sudden, technology is a big thing when Silas and Gray would barely use cell phones to make calls. I don't know if this has to do with the elves and their affinity for technology, but it feels like it came about out of nowhere to add to the story.

It seems like Invi Wright's earlier books had much more depth and world-building. Her more recent books leave a lot to be desired. I'm starting to think The Female and Her Males were one-offs.

The star of the show is still Kato for me.

[Merry Jayned · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this one up until the end. seemed a bit sudden and rushed after all that buildup. a cute romance with a nymph and a bear shifter.

[Helin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet read, Chev is such a cinnamonrolllll, I could just eat him up.🤭

[Krissreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️

——• 🐻🧝🏽‍♀️

Okay I’m obsessed with Chev and I honestly loved everything about his character and book! 😭😍

Chev became family throughout “The Female” series when his friendship with Charlie grew and again with Aziel. I fell in love with his character because he was so loyal and genuinely kind to everyone despite being heartbroken because all he ever wanted was to find his mate.

Watching the story unfold between Chev and Vanessa was beautiful as this whole book was about, just the two of them. No big plot of any kind, just the story of them and how Vanessa overcame her trauma being a rescued female with the love and patience from Chev and making a life together.

But to top it off we got to see more of the wrath trio and their babies, causing mayhem but also being a big part in their lives. There was so much laughter throughout this book that it was just the cherry on top!

While there was no Rock, I am excited for his book to come whenever that might be… 👏🏼

——• 🧝🏽‍♀️🐻

This is a spinoff standalone from “The Female” series;
Book 1: The Female } 4⭐️ - 4🌶️
Book 2: Her Males } 4.5⭐️ - 4🌶️
Book 3: Their War } 4.75⭐️ - 5🌶️

Second standalone spinoff is Rock’s story;
- Rocks Bully 👉🏼 No release date set as yet🙃

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I just like fluff. This was a cute romance with a nymph and a bear shifter. Vanessa has a lot of relationship hang ups. All because of evil ogres who abused and SA’ed her… so justifiable so. Chev is a happy go lucky bear shifter. Of course they’re mates and of course he worships her. It was just fluff, with sex. It didn’t move the story along any. It does reintroduce David, Valeria, and Cassia as grown up kids. Well 6 year olds and the 3-5 year old. So older. And that was so much fun to see. Chev is the best uncle!!! But again, what war?!?! It’s so weird that there’s this invisible war going on. Is it? I have no idea. It disappeared completely. Anyways, it’s just sexy fluff.

[Christine Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good!!! I enjoyed this so much more than the past 3 books. Chev’s inner thoughts are so funny 😂 i laughed out loud so many times. The spice scenes are also so very sweet 😭 just a very good vibey book! It talks about hard topics like SA in a very light and digestible manner, and Vanessa’s journey to her sexuality and femininity is so beautiful.

I also love how the main characters from the previous trilogy is still suge huge characters here, bc of course they are besties, but also bc Chev is such a sweet uncle?? He is so precious.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved everything about this book. Chev stole my heart when he was first introduced and he melted it in this book.

[Eliza Thulson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this book needed MORE- just like the other ones, honestly. The whole thing was rushed, especially the ending.

[Madison Druge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little character side step in the series. Great little love story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh, my favorite book in the series so far because Charlie and her constant whining is non-existent, but you get a good amount of the demon trio in it.

Chev is still one of my favorite characters as he's a huge golden retriever type and Vanessa was a decent FMC. She was able to quickly work through her trauma and give into the bond.
There were plenty of moments where I was giggling and laughing out loud and other moments where I was gushing because of the sweet words.

I also really loved the relationship Chev had with the kids as he treated them like they were his own.

I can't wait for book 5

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could read 10 more books about CHEV and Vanessa just living life

[becci · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bro wtf did I just read.

[Cali Gal’s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantacy finest…

Romantacy finest. This has a new FMC and MMC in the Female Series. I love how the female lead finds her HEA especially after years of abuse. Hubba Hubba our hot bear shifter is amazing. He is kind and dedicated when his mate is revealed to him. He is a bit naive at times but he always comes from a good place, wanting to only do good things for his woman. He honors her past by working hard not to trigger her. Ugh sooo good.

Happy Reading Everyone.

[Geena Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Chev got his own book. It was a sweet conclusion to this minor “major in my eyes” character. He was apart of the female series and I am happy he got his happy ending. The ending was hilarious and I love that the author kept the friendship and gave us a little more. Vanessa and Chev are an amazing couple and Chev is an amazing man which we all we from the series. 😭🥲🥹

[Alanna Dukas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Less less less spicy than the other 3 books, but a cute / fun way to wrap up the series

[Alva Schwung · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh it was okay. i guess im determined to finish this series tho

[Tusdae Halladay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cute, feel good romance about fated lovers. I really enjoyed watching Chev and Vanessa fall in love. This book wasn’t as spicy as the other books in the series but it was a nice, easy read.

[Ally Zomer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guy sucks for real

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chev is absolutely hilarious, this was cute!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, honestly felt a little rushed I wish it lead more to her warming up to him but overall it was good short story, honestly when chew finally warmed up to Gray at the end I’m like about time I always felt he was to standoffish with him I especially loved the presents he gave him 😂😂

[Bert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish chev had at least something going on in his head, I feel like he had so much development last book and then in this one he’s just dumb

[Monse Maespin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omg i remember reading this book on wattpad like 2-3 years ago? I LOVED Chev ♥️💌

[Eda · Rating 1 out of 5]

mein gott

[Bailey Parsons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just brutal on all counts. Cringe city. Didn’t like the ending or the epilogue. This series was overhyped ! There! I said it!

[Read.Recap.Repeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ Mates Healing Hearts

Chev’s Mate is a short but emotionally layered novella that balances tenderness, trauma, and instinctive devotion in a way that feels both comforting and earned.

Vanessa’s story begins in darkness. A nymph who was bought and brutally abused by ogres, she is one of millions of rescued females reclaimed from captivity. After six years in rehabilitation—years spent healing, studying, and rebuilding herself—Vanessa emerges not as a victim, but as a capable, compassionate professional. When she accepts a position as manager of a small rehabilitation facility in Wrath, it feels symbolic: quiet, safe, and a place where she can learn while helping others do the same.

Her fresh start is jolted almost immediately when Chev appears. The moment they see one another, they both recognise the bond—mates. Vanessa rejects it outright, terrified of losing control over her hard-won autonomy. Chev, overwhelmed and excited, accidentally frightens her further by revealing their mating bond and flashing her. The situation escalates quickly, forcing Aziel to intervene, teleporting Vanessa to Wrath and barring Chev from entering to ensure she feels safe.

What follows is a deliciously tense slow burn. Chev, unraveling at the forced distance, negotiates permission to stay nearby under strict rules—out of sight, hands off, and absolutely no pressure. Meanwhile, Vanessa finds herself equally obsessed, secretly researching him and struggling with the pull she insists she doesn’t want. Their connection manifests in both tender and chaotic ways, including a feral shift from Chev when Vanessa is injured during a self-defense class—a powerful moment that highlights how deeply their bond runs and how dangerous it can be if left unchecked.

When Chev is finally allowed near her, their interactions are cautious but electric. A kiss is permitted. Then distance again. The push and pull feels emotionally authentic, especially given Vanessa’s trauma. Their relationship progresses in small, consent-driven steps: shared conversations, quiet moments, a golf-cart commute, and a date to the lava fields where Vanessa bravely admits she may never be able to have sex due to her past. Chev’s response is the emotional heart —unconditional acceptance, patience, and a willingness to meet her wherever she is.

One of the most touching moments comes when Chev publicly defends and honours Vanessa, holding a press conference not to claim her, but to praise her strength, intelligence, and achievements. It’s this act—placing her dignity before his desire—that finally allows Vanessa to open herself to him fully.

Their intimacy builds slowly and respectfully, culminating in a deeply affirming choice Vanessa makes on her own terms when Chev brings her to his home in the Shifter Lands. It’s there she knows she belongs—not because of the bond, but because she feels safe, wanted, and heard. Their happiness, and their hope of one day starting a family, feels earned rather than rushed.

As a novella, Chev’s Mate excels at expanding the female series universe. Seeing familiar characters, watching children grow up, and observing the brutally practical yet oddly wholesome culture of the Shifters—where kids are taught survival early and independence is nurtured—adds warmth and depth without overwhelming the core romance.

Short, sweet, and emotionally satisfying, this is a comforting read grounded in healing, consent, and unwavering devotion. A lovely addition for fans of the series and a gentle reminder that the strongest bonds are built with patience, respect, and choice.

[Abigail Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

📕 Chev's Mate by Invi Wright
⭐ Rating: 4/5 — fierce, emotional, messy in the best way

📖 Summary:
Vanessa, after years of suffering under violent ogres, refuses to accept having a mate. She wants to live free. Enter Chev — alpha bear shifter, leader of Seekers, who’s hunted for his mate for years. When Vanessa takes a role at the Seekers’ organization, fate crashes into her walls: she’s the one he’s been searching for all along. She must choose: run from Chev’s claim, or face her fears and accept her bond.

This book is:
✨ Reverse-harem / paranormal romance with a shifter twist
✨ Enemies / resistance + forced proximity + destined bond
✨ Power dynamics, trauma, inner wars
✨ The fight between freedom and fate

💖 Character Reactions:
🐻 Chev —
Powerful, relentless, driven. He’s alpha, but his strength is tempered by longing. The way he fights for her—even when she wants none of it—cuts deep.

🛡️ Vanessa —
Scared, scarred, but not broken. She’s terrified of mates, terrified of being claimed. She doesn’t want someone controlling her, but falling might be inevitable whether she wants it or not.

🫠 Notable Moments You Probably Loved / Felt Tension In:
The reveal when Chev finds out Vanessa is his mate and all the panic that hits both sides
Vanessa’s internal battle against bonding, especially given her past trauma under the ogres
Moments where Chev softens under pressure—when he sees her pain, not just the bond
The build toward surrender: her fight, his attempt to respect her boundaries, the emotional push

🔥 Smut / Intimacy Level:
Pretty high. The romance doesn’t shy away. It’s explicit, loaded with power, desire, and conflict.
#SmutTags: #BearAlphaBond #TraumaAndTrust #ClaimedByHeat

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Violence, trauma, forced proximity, dominance, emotional upheaval, power struggles

🏷️ Tags:
#ChevsMate #TheFemaleSeries #InviWright #VanessaAndChev #AlphaBonded #TraumaRomance #ShifterFantasy #ReverseHaremHeat

[Lauren Glaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Literally what was this book.

If you’re ever curious about what reading the inner monologue of a caveman is like, this books for you!

Vanessa is a nymph, a basically extinct species now, that was sold to ogres before being rescued and rehabilitated. Needless to say, girl’s got hella trauma.

She gets a job at the rehabilitation centers, which Chev’s the leader of for some reason. Also, considering he and his sister Echo are in charge of every center in their world, I find it astounding they were so involved in Vanessa’s hiring process considering she’s just a facility manger or whatever. Ever heard of delegation?

Anyways, for some reason Chev really wants to meet her. When they see each other for the first time, they realize they’re mates. Vanessa is rightfully horrified, considering her man-related trauma, so Chev decides to flash himself!

Now we spend half the book with Vanessa hiding from him and Chev disregarding both his work and her wishes by stalking her. Then, when he exposes what he’s been doing, he goes to apologize and she kisses him.

There was absolutely no healing done on Vanessa’s end. All of the emotions she feels towards him she blames on their mate bond, which actually dismisses any type of growth she may be experiencing. Then she just slowly makes her way up to having sex. Arguably, they just have a normal relationship. The trauma isn’t stopping anything but the author from filling this book with them fucking, like the last three books were.

Anyways, Chev was kind of cute, so I’ll let it slide.

[Randa Audiobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite book so far in this series. I like Chev.

Audiobook version was recorded in dual narration (more than one narrator but each chapter is done by one narrator as the male narrator - narrated all parts in their chapter both male and female. Same for the female narrator - she did all parts in her chapters both female and male) Single and Dual narration is not my favorite and I have skipped many books because of this. I would almost prefer single vs dual in many cases. I will say that this series after a short time I didn't mind too much. A lot of the time a male narrator is just BAD at female voices. Both Narrators were new to me and I have not and will not put them on my avoid list. They did a good job for what it was.


Spoilers Below 👇


Anyways the book! This book follows a different couple from books 1-3. We did meet Chev in the earlier books. I did enjoy this couple more than the previous group. We did get a lot more backstory to the characters in the couple. Plus IMO it made more sense. They are mates but because of her past trauma she didn't just jump him like the previous group.

One thing about this series is that I feel it had so much potential. The plot of women birth rates being next to zero, women being auctioned, one group finding the cue to birth rates, etc. There was so much skipped over. There was a plan made and it was executed with really no details. I had this series on my TBR/TBL for a long time and finally went for it. Even though I gave the series 4 stars it was a let down. The idea was totally there just not executed the plot that pulled me in was just not there. I will not be moving on to the next books.

[Jennelle Glassburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Chev’s Mate was such a treat! I enjoyed this one even more than the first three books in The Female series. Chev’s inner thoughts are hilarious, and I laughed out loud so many times. The spice scenes are sweet and tender, giving the story a really good vibe. The book also handles tough topics like SA digestible way.

I loved that the main characters from the original trilogy are still present. Chev’s interactions with Charlie, Aziel, Gray, and Silas make him feel like part of the extended family. He is such a sweet, loyal, and genuinely kind character, and seeing him finally find his mate in Vanessa was heartwarming. Watching their relationship unfold, with Chev’s patience and love helping Vanessa overcome her trauma, made this story so satisfying.

This book focuses mainly on Chev and Vanessa, without a huge external plot, which works perfectly for a spin-off. The story shows the growth of their bond and gives plenty of heartwarming moments. I also loved seeing more of the Wrath trio and their babies causing chaos, which added laughter and continuity from the original series.

Chev is an incredibly endearing character. His devotion to Vanessa is just the cutest thing. The story is shorter than the original trilogy, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was fun, emotional, and filled with sweet and humorous moments. While there are darker topics, the way Chev and the other characters handle Vanessa’s trauma keeps it approachable and heartfelt.

Overall, Chev’s Mate is a perfect spin-off for fans of The Female series. It’s heartwarming, funny, and full of love, and it gave me everything I hoped for and more. Fingers crossed that Rock gets his own story. I'll dive head first into that if/whenever it comes out. Until then, I am very impatiently waiting, for book five, Queens, to be released in November. This series has completely stolen my heart and I am ready for every new adventure in this world.