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Fated Mates #3
Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them
After Ian Moore steps in to save resident playboy and vampire André Castor from a spiked drink, he expects life to go back to normal. Why, he doesn’t know, but that assumption seems reasonable, right?
Only André doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?
Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is André proving him wrong?
Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, André is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love
Only André doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?
Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is André proving him wrong?
Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, André is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2025
161 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Sherwood
80 books1,991 followersAJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 27, 2025
2.5 stars
I hate to even write this review because it feels blasphemous as a loyal AJ Sherwood fan but this book was a bit of a disappointment.
I’ve read everything AJ has published under this pen name (except most of her dragons series) and this book just did not have the level of emotional intimacy and romance that I’ve come to expect from their books. I couldn’t quite believe this couple or feel their connection until about 85% in. They felt forced and mismatched in a way that left me sad.
There were also moments that did not add up for me. It was mentioned times that Andre fell in love at first sight but he knew Ian by name and that they had class together before he even started looking at him romantically so that feels inaccurate.
I also think Andre’s vampire generation took way too long to explain. Early on they mention that he was gen zero and I spent over 3/4 of the book not comprehending how this man was hundreds of years based on everything else we learned about him. Then at 77% his mom explains how she’s the real gen zero not him. As this was never mentioned as possible in previous books, I think it caused confusion and contradicted previous world building. This should have been explained at max 50%.
Finally, I had to keep searching the past books in the series and even finally checking the Facebook group to make sure I wasn’t missing something with Benedict and Felix. I feel like there was a misstep in certain mentions of them that left a gap between the reader and the characters. It felt like joining an existing friend group when they keep bringing up lore you haven’t heard before but they don’t elaborate. For context, I’ve read this series multiple times and none of the other books had this issue despite being read out of chronological order.
It was an okay book that I would recommend if you enjoyed the other books in the series but personally, this didn’t stand up to AJ’s usual quality of writing. I will still be reading every book they produce but this might be the singular book I don’t reread.
I hate to even write this review because it feels blasphemous as a loyal AJ Sherwood fan but this book was a bit of a disappointment.
I’ve read everything AJ has published under this pen name (except most of her dragons series) and this book just did not have the level of emotional intimacy and romance that I’ve come to expect from their books. I couldn’t quite believe this couple or feel their connection until about 85% in. They felt forced and mismatched in a way that left me sad.
There were also moments that did not add up for me. It was mentioned times that Andre fell in love at first sight but he knew Ian by name and that they had class together before he even started looking at him romantically so that feels inaccurate.
I also think Andre’s vampire generation took way too long to explain. Early on they mention that he was gen zero and I spent over 3/4 of the book not comprehending how this man was hundreds of years based on everything else we learned about him. Then at 77% his mom explains how she’s the real gen zero not him. As this was never mentioned as possible in previous books, I think it caused confusion and contradicted previous world building. This should have been explained at max 50%.
Finally, I had to keep searching the past books in the series and even finally checking the Facebook group to make sure I wasn’t missing something with Benedict and Felix. I feel like there was a misstep in certain mentions of them that left a gap between the reader and the characters. It felt like joining an existing friend group when they keep bringing up lore you haven’t heard before but they don’t elaborate. For context, I’ve read this series multiple times and none of the other books had this issue despite being read out of chronological order.
It was an okay book that I would recommend if you enjoyed the other books in the series but personally, this didn’t stand up to AJ’s usual quality of writing. I will still be reading every book they produce but this might be the singular book I don’t reread.
July 23, 2025
First let me say that I really like AJ Sherwood. Her Ross and Jon series are fantastic. This series is…not. My main beef with this series is that it feels like it was written by an entirely different person with plot holes so big you can drive a Mack truck through them. I have read from reviews of the earlier books in the series that there is an also some evidence of plagiarism. I have never seen the BL series those reviews talk about so I can’t say if it’s true or not. But given how poorly written this entire series is, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was or that she has a ghost writer.
What I can say is that as someone from the Minneapolis area, every detail in this book is just wrong. Like a clanging bell of wrongness. Every wrong detail just knocked me out of the story. Also, the use of the word “eh” was annoying. While we do think of ourselves as being Canada-lite, the use of the word “eh” after everything was again, wrong. Maybe it’s because Andre is from France? Someone from France let me know 😂
Not a single thing about the location was correct (specifically, buses that run to the suburbs on weekends is killing me lol). Also a taxi from Minneapolis to Becker would be insanely expensive (that’s approximately 50 miles) Like I can’t afford that and I have a job, so a struggling college student doing that is hilarious.
The worst part is, she never needed to even use city names. This could have been set anywhere in the United States so why even bother with names of towns? Make it make sense.
I know that’s being nit picky and I maybe would have overlooked all the location issues but this felt like a 50 year old writing 25 year olds and the amount of plot holes was egregious. It was just bad. Like I’m not sure I can put my finger on why other than it felt sloppy, rushed, and not written by the same person who wrote Ross and Jon so well.
What I can say is that as someone from the Minneapolis area, every detail in this book is just wrong. Like a clanging bell of wrongness. Every wrong detail just knocked me out of the story. Also, the use of the word “eh” was annoying. While we do think of ourselves as being Canada-lite, the use of the word “eh” after everything was again, wrong. Maybe it’s because Andre is from France? Someone from France let me know 😂
Not a single thing about the location was correct (specifically, buses that run to the suburbs on weekends is killing me lol). Also a taxi from Minneapolis to Becker would be insanely expensive (that’s approximately 50 miles) Like I can’t afford that and I have a job, so a struggling college student doing that is hilarious.
The worst part is, she never needed to even use city names. This could have been set anywhere in the United States so why even bother with names of towns? Make it make sense.
I know that’s being nit picky and I maybe would have overlooked all the location issues but this felt like a 50 year old writing 25 year olds and the amount of plot holes was egregious. It was just bad. Like I’m not sure I can put my finger on why other than it felt sloppy, rushed, and not written by the same person who wrote Ross and Jon so well.
July 26, 2025
(2.5/5) I don't know why I'm surprised that, once again, this was more fairy tale than anything else. Don't get me wrong, I honestly have nothing against these kinds of books—you know, the kind where everything is just so easy—but I can't say I loved it either. It was... nice, I guess, but it really wasn't anything special.
September 3, 2025
No, but really, am I supposed to know who Benedict and Felix are?? I was so lost. I went back and searched their names in the previous books to see if I had missed something. Nope!
The couple was cute and I enjoyed André’s lovely/supportive family, but was ultimately left feeling confused… and kinda bored. It felt beyond silly that these allegedly super powerful vampires were being harassed by a bunch of Regina Georges who couldn’t take no for an answer and did absolutely nothing to stand up to them, then that story line never even went anywhere. Lots of potential here, but didn’t quite deliver. This book just felt disconnected from the rest of the series.
The couple was cute and I enjoyed André’s lovely/supportive family, but was ultimately left feeling confused… and kinda bored. It felt beyond silly that these allegedly super powerful vampires were being harassed by a bunch of Regina Georges who couldn’t take no for an answer and did absolutely nothing to stand up to them, then that story line never even went anywhere. Lots of potential here, but didn’t quite deliver. This book just felt disconnected from the rest of the series.
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August 2, 2025Remarkably boring
October 19, 2025
This is different from the previous books in the series. More sweet, less action/tension. Ian is a bartender working to pay his way through college. Helping the young vampire André avoid a overly aggressive female with nefarious intentions is just part of his job. He certainly doesn't expect to hear from the guy again outside of maybe seeing him in class. For André, while Ian's actions may have made André notice him, he quickly finds himself entranced by the guy.
I loved watching André patiently work his way into Ian trust. He was going to do anything he needed to to convince Ian that he was serious. He was adorable helping with the kids at the group home even as he's totally over the top with it all.
This story really doesn't have any of the tension of the previous editions with the VSB breathing down their necks. They avoid all that drama and this is just a sweet college story of two young guys falling for each other.
I loved watching André patiently work his way into Ian trust. He was going to do anything he needed to to convince Ian that he was serious. He was adorable helping with the kids at the group home even as he's totally over the top with it all.
This story really doesn't have any of the tension of the previous editions with the VSB breathing down their necks. They avoid all that drama and this is just a sweet college story of two young guys falling for each other.
July 17, 2025
Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them is the 4th book in the Fated Mates series, yes I know it says 3 on the cover but there is a book 0. This book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the story of Ian a human and André a vampire. I loved this book so much. André and Ian are just perfectly imperfect. I loved watching these two figure out their relationship and that it took time for André to convince Ian he was serious. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads.
August 1, 2025
4-4.25 stars
André is rescued by Ian after having g his drink spiked at a bar. While recovering, André makes it his mission to find Ian and thank him. When he finally find Ian, he discovers that he’s besotted by him. André tries to get Ian to go out with him. Ian, thinking André is just chasing his ‘flavor of the month’, declines. It takes months for André to eventually win Ian over.
It’s truly a delightful story, I gave it a slightly lower rating because although it’s part of the same series, this book had next to no connection to the previous books which was a little disappointing. The story is still good, don’t get me wrong, I’m just sad that the previous characters don’t cameo in this story.
*****
POV… third person
Standalone or series… book 4 in series but CAN be read a standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… yea
Reread… sure
André is rescued by Ian after having g his drink spiked at a bar. While recovering, André makes it his mission to find Ian and thank him. When he finally find Ian, he discovers that he’s besotted by him. André tries to get Ian to go out with him. Ian, thinking André is just chasing his ‘flavor of the month’, declines. It takes months for André to eventually win Ian over.
It’s truly a delightful story, I gave it a slightly lower rating because although it’s part of the same series, this book had next to no connection to the previous books which was a little disappointing. The story is still good, don’t get me wrong, I’m just sad that the previous characters don’t cameo in this story.
*****
POV… third person
Standalone or series… book 4 in series but CAN be read a standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… yea
Reread… sure
July 30, 2025
2 stars. This story took a left turn out of the previous stories’ world building without context or clues that left me confused for the initial part of the book. While the beginning was interesting and showed promise, as well as the MCs involvement in community service, I felt AJ spent an inordinate amount of the story focused on Ian’s looks - we get it, he’s not model perfect (whatever that means) but it shouldn’t be the main plot point of the story. “You’re plain and poor but we love you anyway!” The redundancy of this theme hurt the story, characters, the believability of romance, and made me lose interest in the book, and frankly AJ’s writing. It did not live up to her previous works in this series and definitely not the sheer joy of How to Shield an Assassin.
August 5, 2025
really liked it
I really liked this book. 4 stars for rating, 2.5 for spice. Andre’s determination is wooing Ian was commendable. And him throwing himself into all the things full steam was entertaining. The way Ian figured out how to fix what Andre was arguing with his mom about was well done. This was a sweet story.
I really liked this book. 4 stars for rating, 2.5 for spice. Andre’s determination is wooing Ian was commendable. And him throwing himself into all the things full steam was entertaining. The way Ian figured out how to fix what Andre was arguing with his mom about was well done. This was a sweet story.
August 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this series before and I'm really happy that we get more books! Given that in this book we're not dealing with the vampire mafia, it wasn't as action packed, but it was still very interesting. I seriously hope we get a couple of more books
July 18, 2025
I was able to read this early via the author's Patreon.
July 26, 2025
Fun concept and applaud the attempt to enlarge the story world, but the execution didn’t quite land for me.
November 14, 2025
I love the whole series, but I think this one is my favorite ... hm maybe together with the first .... choices ...
July 20, 2025
This series is such lighthearted fun. I love André he is hopeless and definitely needed Ian in his life and to love and put all his attention into. I liked the secondary characters and can’t wait to see where AJ goes next with this world.
July 27, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It was the best of this series so far.
I loved Andre and his pursuit of Ian.
I loved how he reacted to the kids at the orphanage and also loved Felix and Mama Castor.
I read this with a smile on my face.
I loved Andre and his pursuit of Ian.
I loved how he reacted to the kids at the orphanage and also loved Felix and Mama Castor.
I read this with a smile on my face.
July 30, 2025
Mostly really fun, another entertaining entry in the series. It's just got some sour points I have reached my limit for tolerating in romance. But otherwise, it was engaging, and I whipped right through it in a morning.
This is another vampire's mate story (LOVE the mates element in this series!), set in college, in which hot popular super-rich hookup-player vampire Andre becomes wildly obsessed with quiet regular-guy bartender Ian after Ian rescues Andre from being roofied at the bar. (They're both students; bartending is a part-time job for Ian.) But Ian knows Andre's reputation and has zero interest in being one of his hookups, and says no thanks when Andre asks him out.
Andre is obsessed. Who is this magical human who stepped in to help him without asking for a favor or payment or anything at all in return? Everyone wants something from Andre! (which, okay geez there ARE a lot of decent humans IRL who'd have done the same! but okay for the story's sake, let's say they're rare?!). Andre proceeds to woo Ian in the most OTT but wonderful ways, and that was so much fun to read. Andre's actions are idealized to the nth degree, and wouldn't it be nice if there really were mega-rich immortals who'd shower their money on worthy causes all over the place? It's a terrific fantasy and I ate it up. Andre wooed the F out of his man! And Ian's bafflement about it all made it all the sweeter.
Their connection worked for me and I enjoyed the pace as they truly got to know each other as people and became friends before Ian realized wow this is really happening and jumped in with both feet. Ian's adopted cat also was a bright spot. Andre's family is awesome and fun to read about too (I'm guessing I missed the book featuring his brother's romance, sounded fun).
I would have liked more of the vampire culture and issues with mates as in previous books being more of a focus; the ever-awful VSB is mentioned but not a Thing in this story. But the lower angst and focus on the relationship still delivered a delightful romance.
However, I'm just done with this treatment of college women as idiots who are so desperate for a man--any rich man!--they pout and can't take No for an answer. I'm not talking about the initial situation/woman, I'm talking about the depiction of all the other girls on campus who have zero self-respect and just chase Andre and his bro and just can't BELIEVE he doesn't want to be around them blah blah blah...it's gotten so tired. Just. College-age women aren't a bunch of sex and rich guy obsessed idiots. Stopit. You can show disappointment and have legit OW drama/conflict without making a laughingstock cliche of an entire gender and age-group.
I also wasn't fond of Andre's backstory as yet another sleeps around ad nauseam persona, I'm really tired of that too. Where are the guys who enjoy sex but don't treat lovers as disposable? Not that he was mean about it, but, the entire "I'm so hot and sexy I sleep with a different person every night" attitude as a character trait has gotten so trite. Go deeper.
Overall though, I really enjoyed reading about these two connecting, and the mate element.
HEA, vampire mate (not fated; mates are very rare humans who are super-compatible with vampires, and finding one is like finding a gleaming diamond ready cut and polished in a coal mine), college students, OW drama/not invited by the heroes, drugging of a hero. No others at all in the present timeline; once Andre has Ian on his radar, he is hooked, and Ian isn't into casual. Safe for me. Recommended, as is the rest of the series.
This is another vampire's mate story (LOVE the mates element in this series!), set in college, in which hot popular super-rich hookup-player vampire Andre becomes wildly obsessed with quiet regular-guy bartender Ian after Ian rescues Andre from being roofied at the bar. (They're both students; bartending is a part-time job for Ian.) But Ian knows Andre's reputation and has zero interest in being one of his hookups, and says no thanks when Andre asks him out.
Andre is obsessed. Who is this magical human who stepped in to help him without asking for a favor or payment or anything at all in return? Everyone wants something from Andre! (which, okay geez there ARE a lot of decent humans IRL who'd have done the same! but okay for the story's sake, let's say they're rare?!). Andre proceeds to woo Ian in the most OTT but wonderful ways, and that was so much fun to read. Andre's actions are idealized to the nth degree, and wouldn't it be nice if there really were mega-rich immortals who'd shower their money on worthy causes all over the place? It's a terrific fantasy and I ate it up. Andre wooed the F out of his man! And Ian's bafflement about it all made it all the sweeter.
Their connection worked for me and I enjoyed the pace as they truly got to know each other as people and became friends before Ian realized wow this is really happening and jumped in with both feet. Ian's adopted cat also was a bright spot. Andre's family is awesome and fun to read about too (I'm guessing I missed the book featuring his brother's romance, sounded fun).
I would have liked more of the vampire culture and issues with mates as in previous books being more of a focus; the ever-awful VSB is mentioned but not a Thing in this story. But the lower angst and focus on the relationship still delivered a delightful romance.
However, I'm just done with this treatment of college women as idiots who are so desperate for a man--any rich man!--they pout and can't take No for an answer. I'm not talking about the initial situation/woman, I'm talking about the depiction of all the other girls on campus who have zero self-respect and just chase Andre and his bro and just can't BELIEVE he doesn't want to be around them blah blah blah...it's gotten so tired. Just. College-age women aren't a bunch of sex and rich guy obsessed idiots. Stopit. You can show disappointment and have legit OW drama/conflict without making a laughingstock cliche of an entire gender and age-group.
I also wasn't fond of Andre's backstory as yet another sleeps around ad nauseam persona, I'm really tired of that too. Where are the guys who enjoy sex but don't treat lovers as disposable? Not that he was mean about it, but, the entire "I'm so hot and sexy I sleep with a different person every night" attitude as a character trait has gotten so trite. Go deeper.
Overall though, I really enjoyed reading about these two connecting, and the mate element.
HEA, vampire mate (not fated; mates are very rare humans who are super-compatible with vampires, and finding one is like finding a gleaming diamond ready cut and polished in a coal mine), college students, OW drama/not invited by the heroes, drugging of a hero. No others at all in the present timeline; once Andre has Ian on his radar, he is hooked, and Ian isn't into casual. Safe for me. Recommended, as is the rest of the series.
July 26, 2025
Here's AJ Sherwoods "Fated Mates and How To Seduce Them." It's the third book in her Fated Mates series.
["After Ian Moore steps in to save resident playboy and vampire André Castor from a spiked drink, he expects life to go back to normal. Why, he doesn’t know, but that assumption seems reasonable, right?
Only André doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?
Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is André proving him wrong?"]
And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, André is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love."
Crack. Every freaking time I read one of AJ’s books, I forget wonderful and off-the-walls they are. Fluffy, flirty crack. The sheer amount of highlights I did in this book is insane.
All of the fluff and love and sweetness and devotion. Yes I realize those are all kinda synonyms, but if you don't understand why that's perfect for André (and Ian), then you need to reread this book. These two were so soft and flirty with each other, all the time, even when Ian was being stubborn. It was adorable as hell.
Not to mention all of the found family-ness of it all. Ian's family bing André's family now, and André's family being Ian's family now. It was just...wholesome and perfect.
Trigger Warnings: attempted-drink-spiking, classism, slight-bullying, lack of self-esteem, all that is the American foster care system, and more.
#fatedmatesandwhentokeepthem #fatedmatesandwheretofindthem #fatedmatesandhowtowoothem #fatedmatesandhowtoseducethem #fatedmates #fatedmatesseries #ajsherwood #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["After Ian Moore steps in to save resident playboy and vampire André Castor from a spiked drink, he expects life to go back to normal. Why, he doesn’t know, but that assumption seems reasonable, right?
Only André doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?
Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is André proving him wrong?"]
And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, André is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love."
Crack. Every freaking time I read one of AJ’s books, I forget wonderful and off-the-walls they are. Fluffy, flirty crack. The sheer amount of highlights I did in this book is insane.
All of the fluff and love and sweetness and devotion. Yes I realize those are all kinda synonyms, but if you don't understand why that's perfect for André (and Ian), then you need to reread this book. These two were so soft and flirty with each other, all the time, even when Ian was being stubborn. It was adorable as hell.
Not to mention all of the found family-ness of it all. Ian's family bing André's family now, and André's family being Ian's family now. It was just...wholesome and perfect.
Trigger Warnings: attempted-drink-spiking, classism, slight-bullying, lack of self-esteem, all that is the American foster care system, and more.
#fatedmatesandwhentokeepthem #fatedmatesandwheretofindthem #fatedmatesandhowtowoothem #fatedmatesandhowtoseducethem #fatedmates #fatedmatesseries #ajsherwood #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
July 27, 2025
Another winner and one I’m recommending.
Rating: 4.5🌈
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this might be my favorite one of them all. Watching Ian and vampire Andre navigate through their lives and journey to mates and HEA was funny, sweet and often moving.
I honestly could have used more scenes of them together shopping for the kids of the home, or Andre using his favorite animated tv shows to teach French. Or just the family dynamics when Ian got added, it was heartwarming and wonderful.
Unlike some of the other books, this is angst free, even while it does mention some of the worst events with the VSB that happened prior.
Sherwood’s characters and abilities to craft a story and romance the reader can relate to are excellent and represented by the couple here.
Another winner and one I’m recommending.
Fated Mates:
Fated Mates and When to Keep Them #1
Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #2
Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #3
Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them #4
Cover by Katie Griffin
Rating: 4.5🌈
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this might be my favorite one of them all. Watching Ian and vampire Andre navigate through their lives and journey to mates and HEA was funny, sweet and often moving.
I honestly could have used more scenes of them together shopping for the kids of the home, or Andre using his favorite animated tv shows to teach French. Or just the family dynamics when Ian got added, it was heartwarming and wonderful.
Unlike some of the other books, this is angst free, even while it does mention some of the worst events with the VSB that happened prior.
Sherwood’s characters and abilities to craft a story and romance the reader can relate to are excellent and represented by the couple here.
Another winner and one I’m recommending.
Fated Mates:
Fated Mates and When to Keep Them #1
Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #2
Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #3
Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them #4
Cover by Katie Griffin
August 2, 2025
It was sweet and cute, but it felt....lacking. I understand the whole fated mates thing, but, this didn't really feel like that. I mean, Andre said he fell in love at first sight. Not true. He had heard of Ian, he knew him from one of his classes, had clearly seen him before. It seems to me that he didn't pay the guy any attention until he saved him. Now, don't get me wrong, that's nothing to sneeze at. Ian saving him was a good way to show that he was trust worthy. But, I don't know. This one wasn't a home run for me. Also, this book needed to be looked over again. There were enough editing mistakes that took me out of the story and, as the story wasn't compelling enough to make up for it, I was frustrated.
Like I said, it was cute and all, and if you've liked the previous stories in this book you'll enjoy this. I just think it's not as good as the author's previous work.
Like I said, it was cute and all, and if you've liked the previous stories in this book you'll enjoy this. I just think it's not as good as the author's previous work.
August 17, 2025
Super sweet and easy read!
The thing I love most about most of AJ Sherwood's books, this included, is how fluffy and sweet they are, even the darker ones. It's such a nice palate cleanser for me as I usually read wayyyy darker stuff so whenever I get a new book by this author? I jump at the chance and I'm never disappointed 🫶.
Ian & André were amazing together and I loved the slow burn of it all 🥰. It just made their relationship that much better, especially considering Ian's past and André's playboy lifestyle 😂.
If you've loved the other books in the fated mates series this one will be just as good! It's not as action packed BUT it hits hard with the emotion and found family aspects that have you swooning and wishing you could be a part of their lives for real for real 😍.
The thing I love most about most of AJ Sherwood's books, this included, is how fluffy and sweet they are, even the darker ones. It's such a nice palate cleanser for me as I usually read wayyyy darker stuff so whenever I get a new book by this author? I jump at the chance and I'm never disappointed 🫶.
Ian & André were amazing together and I loved the slow burn of it all 🥰. It just made their relationship that much better, especially considering Ian's past and André's playboy lifestyle 😂.
If you've loved the other books in the fated mates series this one will be just as good! It's not as action packed BUT it hits hard with the emotion and found family aspects that have you swooning and wishing you could be a part of their lives for real for real 😍.
August 31, 2025
Written by A.J. Sherwood, Fated Mates and Where to Find Them is a lighthearted paranormal romance featuring a quirky vampire and his human "blood slave". When vampire Zander attends an auction to acquire a contract, he's instantly enamored with Max, who is desperately trying to pay for his father's medical bills. Max expects a year of cruelty, but Zander has no interest in using him and spoils him rotten instead, much to Max's bewilderment.
The story is a low-angst, fun-filled romp of fluffy romance and humor, with Zander proving himself to be a definite "green flag". Critics and readers praise the sweet, engaging dynamic between the two male protagonists, though some note a lack of deep world-building. Fans of fast-paced, entertaining stories and witty banter will appreciate this delightful and wholesome vampire tale.
The story is a low-angst, fun-filled romp of fluffy romance and humor, with Zander proving himself to be a definite "green flag". Critics and readers praise the sweet, engaging dynamic between the two male protagonists, though some note a lack of deep world-building. Fans of fast-paced, entertaining stories and witty banter will appreciate this delightful and wholesome vampire tale.
August 2, 2025
Sweet and funny.
I liked the story. It was very lighthearted and funny with very low angst. That said, it really needs a good edit. The dialogue kept switching tenses, and the grammar and spelling issues made it difficult to read at times. Also, in places, it seemed like the author tried a bit too hard to inject humor into the story which made the prose somewhat juvenile. This took away some of the enjoyment from reading the book - hence, the three- star rating.
The story contains a lot of the same tropes as most of the other books in this genre (rich boy meets poor boy and, for some unexplainable reason, “must have him”). You know - the “Pretty Woman” trope (except, spoiler, no one’s a sex worker in this story).
It’s still a good, fun read.
I liked the story. It was very lighthearted and funny with very low angst. That said, it really needs a good edit. The dialogue kept switching tenses, and the grammar and spelling issues made it difficult to read at times. Also, in places, it seemed like the author tried a bit too hard to inject humor into the story which made the prose somewhat juvenile. This took away some of the enjoyment from reading the book - hence, the three- star rating.
The story contains a lot of the same tropes as most of the other books in this genre (rich boy meets poor boy and, for some unexplainable reason, “must have him”). You know - the “Pretty Woman” trope (except, spoiler, no one’s a sex worker in this story).
It’s still a good, fun read.
August 23, 2025
I can't tell you how much i enjoyed this series like every book was it's own joy to read.
like i can't tell you how it is rare to love every book in a series it usually never happen. Normally there's always a book i just have to forcefully skim through just because i have to for the purpose of the story. reading was never torture until i met those kind of series. but this.....this was a pleasure i only very rarely find and i wish there will be more books in this series.
like i can't tell you how it is rare to love every book in a series it usually never happen. Normally there's always a book i just have to forcefully skim through just because i have to for the purpose of the story. reading was never torture until i met those kind of series. but this.....this was a pleasure i only very rarely find and i wish there will be more books in this series.
August 1, 2025
Boring and over the top.
Now, we all read because we want or like the escape from reality, but this book was far over the top. Firstly, Ian played hard to get way too long. It became extremely boring and took away from the reader "rooting" for the main characters to get together. In fact, I was hoping Andre would move on and find someone else who deserved his kindness. And because it's a super fluffy book, it had extremely anticlimactic parts that had problems resolved way too quickly. Everything was very superficial, and each serious scene was dragged out so much it became exhausting to read.
Now, we all read because we want or like the escape from reality, but this book was far over the top. Firstly, Ian played hard to get way too long. It became extremely boring and took away from the reader "rooting" for the main characters to get together. In fact, I was hoping Andre would move on and find someone else who deserved his kindness. And because it's a super fluffy book, it had extremely anticlimactic parts that had problems resolved way too quickly. Everything was very superficial, and each serious scene was dragged out so much it became exhausting to read.
August 8, 2025
It was ok.
This author is a favorite and Ian and Andre were fine and cute but I don't know. (Maybe I wanted something more, who knows?!)
Also, I kept trying to wrack my brains if I read Benedict and Felix's story. I was all, was it the previous book?! It kept bothering me because it sounded familiar. And this author is usually pretty good with timelines and stuff. It wasn't until I read another review about the same thing. Ok, maybe I'm going nuts.
Not that it felt like I missed something because the author explained who they were and what their point in the story was but I could have sworn there was a story about them. (Shakes my head, I've read too many books!) Lol
This author is a favorite and Ian and Andre were fine and cute but I don't know. (Maybe I wanted something more, who knows?!)
Also, I kept trying to wrack my brains if I read Benedict and Felix's story. I was all, was it the previous book?! It kept bothering me because it sounded familiar. And this author is usually pretty good with timelines and stuff. It wasn't until I read another review about the same thing. Ok, maybe I'm going nuts.
Not that it felt like I missed something because the author explained who they were and what their point in the story was but I could have sworn there was a story about them. (Shakes my head, I've read too many books!) Lol
July 26, 2025
4.5
Did the dialogue seem like it was modern 20-somethings speaking? No. Did it read like dialogue from some sort of fairytale AU? Yes. You will be more likely to enjoy this story if you go in with that sort of expectation.
ETA: It occurs to me that some of the dialogue that had that might have been meant to convey character maturity. Also, while my rating stands because I enjoyed the story, I don't disagree that the portrayal of college age women was lacking. And by lacking I mean they were very predatory. Something to keep in mind.
Did the dialogue seem like it was modern 20-somethings speaking? No. Did it read like dialogue from some sort of fairytale AU? Yes. You will be more likely to enjoy this story if you go in with that sort of expectation.
ETA: It occurs to me that some of the dialogue that had that might have been meant to convey character maturity. Also, while my rating stands because I enjoyed the story, I don't disagree that the portrayal of college age women was lacking. And by lacking I mean they were very predatory. Something to keep in mind.
July 30, 2025
This book is one of those you pick up between some of your darker reads. It's over the top, silly and fluffy. It's a good "Let me turn my brain off" read.
Honestly, I read this series and imagine a dramatic telenovela in my head and it works? The insta-love and professions of admiration and SO silly but it's very telenovela/day time soap to me.
These characters are in the midwest but the speak vaguely European-ish? Maybe transatlantic. Overly formal for their time and place. It makes me giggle.
Honestly, I read this series and imagine a dramatic telenovela in my head and it works? The insta-love and professions of admiration and SO silly but it's very telenovela/day time soap to me.
These characters are in the midwest but the speak vaguely European-ish? Maybe transatlantic. Overly formal for their time and place. It makes me giggle.
August 1, 2025
My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous.
It was ok, the story kept me entertained. However, I don't get the need to share everything with everyone online. This is a me thing. But I do not need to know when people fart, or what caused the farting. I also don't understand the concept of exaggerated family meddling in someone's life. That aside, it was a cute story overall. I'm waiting for my vampire, so send one my way if you find a lonely one!
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
It was ok, the story kept me entertained. However, I don't get the need to share everything with everyone online. This is a me thing. But I do not need to know when people fart, or what caused the farting. I also don't understand the concept of exaggerated family meddling in someone's life. That aside, it was a cute story overall. I'm waiting for my vampire, so send one my way if you find a lonely one!
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
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