Rain's Fox Mate

The Mates Motel #1

by Lorelei M. Hart

I checked in with nothing but the clothes on my back. I checked out with the greatest treasure of all.

I have a tendency to get a notion and go for it. That’s how I end up in a small town, buying a house before setting foot in it, and giving up my six-figure job to start a consulting business. Everything is going great, until lightning decides my house is the perfect place to strike, ultimately burning it to ash.

Insurance will cover the costs of replacement. That’s not the issue. Having someplace to stay until it’s done is. Within an hour’s radius, there are one chain hotel, four inns, and the Mates Motel. The inns are all booked, and the chain hotel isn’t available the next three weekends.

The Mates Motel it is. It may look sketchy, but the old man at the front desk seems nice and the rooms are clean. It could be worse. So much worse.

Rain’s Fox Mate is the first book in the popular Mates Motel MM shifter mpreg romance series. It features a human omega who loses his home in a fire, the fox shifter delivery person who scents him as his, the front desk manager who may or may not have set the whole meeting up, true love, fated mates, an adorable baby, and a guaranteed happy every after. If you love your omegas strong, your alphas hawt, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy today.

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2025

About the author

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg.

Reviews

[Xiomara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a simple read to disassociate and relax doesn’t really make much sense in some places, but it still a good story. It’s a pallet cleanser I guess you will say. Anyways it just was a simple little story,that helped me relax and cleared my mind.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushed but cute

Its a cute little story but it also felt very rushed. There were so many aspects that this story was missing. It does not however make me want to read the next book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I am addicted to the variety of quick, sweet romances that come from the author team that makes up Lorelei M Hart, stories that feature shifters finding their fated mates. The settings vary from a club in the Animals series, cabins in the woods double booked for the holidays, a quirky owner of the Bearclaw Inn, mail order mates, and this newest series, the Mates Motel. The basic formula is the same for all of them, but the fated mate characters are each unique, the situations are all different in the way the characters are brought together and the low angst challenges are faced, a baby is on the way, and there is a HEA for the couple by the end. Each is entertaining, drawing me in and keeping me engaged with the couple and their connection, leaving me smiling with a satisfied sigh at the end.

In this new series, the Mates Motel is the common denominator, a slightly run down motel in a very small town, very clean (they go through a LOT of bleach), with a quirky owner/desk manager and nearby a diner with a cook with a very sensitive nose. Human Rain has just moved into his new-to-him home in the small town when it is struck by lightning and burned to the ground, causing Rain to find a place to live for an extended period of time while his home is being rebuilt. The Mates Motel is the only one with any open rooms for the time Rain will need lodging, so he takes a room there. Fox shifter Lux is frequently at the motel with deliveries for his employer, and he immediately senses his mate the day after Rain moved it. Finding him at the local diner, Lux initially flees, but can’t resist his mate. As the two get to know each other, they quickly move beyond the platonic and a baby is on the way. Before the actual mating, Lux makes sure he gets consent from Rain since they are two different species and Rain had never known about shifters before meeting Lux. The story progresses in a predictable way, but still feels unique as Rain and Lux choose to mate and spend a life together.

If you need a short, light-hearted, low angst read, I could definitely recommend anything from Lorelei Hart. It will draw you in, make you smile, maybe even giggle a little, and leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rain’s Fox Mate by Lorelei M. Hart

This was a cozy, fated-mates comfort read with just the right blend of sweetness, low-stress drama, and heartfelt mpreg goodness.

Rain is immediately likable—impulsive, resilient, and quietly strong. Losing his home in a fire could’ve turned this into a heavy story, but instead it becomes the catalyst for change, growth, and found family. His voice feels authentic, and his optimism in the face of disaster makes it easy to root for him from page one.

Lux is peak Lorelei M. Hart alpha energy: gentle, attentive, and completely gone the second he scents his mate. There’s no cruelty or dominance-for-the-sake-of-it here—just instinctive devotion and a fox shifter who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to claim it. Their connection is fast, but it works because the emotional bond is front-loaded with tenderness and care rather than angst.

The Mates Motel itself is a standout. The slightly mysterious front desk manager, the sense that fate is quietly being nudged along, and the warm, small-town atmosphere give the book a found-family vibe that carries the romance beautifully. It feels intentional, comforting, and just a little magical.

The mpreg element is handled with heart rather than shock value. It’s soft, affirming, and woven naturally into the story, making the baby feel like a promise fulfilled rather than a plot twist. Fans of mpreg who prefer emotional payoff over high drama will especially enjoy this.

Overall, Rain’s Fox Mate is a perfect entry point into the Mates Motel series: low angst, high affection, fated mates who actually communicate, and a guaranteed HEA that leaves you smiling. If you love sweet omegas, devoted shifter mates, and cozy paranormal romance with heart, this one absolutely delivers. 🦊❤️👶.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new home in a new location seems to be just the ticket. Unfortunately nature has other ideas and a lightning strike destroys the house. Luckily Rain had stepped outside to take photos. Equally luckily his insurance will cover a complete rebuild. Sadly however he now needs a place to stay and the only viable option is the oddly named Mates Motel. He'll take it.

Lux was going to leave town, find his fortune, success and so much more. He stayed to help out for the summer and is still there. He's discovered he loves making deliveries. Sometimes however those deliveries turn out to be very strange indeed and there is most definitely something up when he finds himself making the most unusual one to the Mates Motel. There's a scent that his fox latches onto and soon he'll find the man it belongs to.

The Mates Motel and Rain's Fox Mate start off a brand new shifter romance series. As you may have come to expect there is a shifter and a human involved and fate is determined to play a very big part in bringing them together! This story is well written, has some great concepts in it and comes together perfectly. Lose yourself for a couple of hours in the wonderful possibilities love can offer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short but very sweet. Rain, on a whim after seeing a picture of a house, decided to quit his corporate job and move to the country. Not long after his move, his house caught fire after being struck by lightning. Lux worked for one of the only delivery companies in this small countryside town, and while delivering a package to the mates' motel, he was able to smell his mate. After an embarrassing first meeting, things started to fall into place. Although I really enjoyed the story, there was one error. When he showed back up to the room, Rain told him that he didn't have his phone number, and he immediately texted him so he would. But when he was getting ready to leave the room, Rain once again said that he didn't have his phone number, and he took his phone and gave it to him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The thunder cracked, and a forked branch of lightning appeared from the sky and took out part of my dream with one strike of electricity."

What a quick fun read and a great start to a new series called Mates Motel by the writing duo of Lorelei M Hart. No way was I going to pass this up when I saw it show up on Booksprout. I love these 2 writers and I'm always down for a new series.

I love when shifters find a mate in a human, it's always fun to see how it plays out, the shifter is always shocked and surprised that Fate didn't give them a shifter mate.

Fated mates, shifter/human, the picture on the laptop's wallpaper changed his life, a gutsy omega quits his high paying job in the city for the small town life, lots of gossip, matchmaking busy bodies, mpreg

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this new series, particularly Lux and Rain. Rain was all spontaneity - jump first ask questions later. Lux was like when younger but had grown more contemplative as he grew. The banter between these two, and the chemistry, was amazing. I chuckled repeatedly at things they said and did as I was reading. The story was straightforward and, while a few tissues were utilized, it was overall a feel-good story (once you get past Rain's unfortunate lightning strike😔).

As a premier book in the series, this one set the Mates Motel up to be allot of fun and I look forward to reading about the interesting couple that find eachother there.

I was gifted a copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet story about Rain who is a human and decided to leave the corporate world and move to the middle of nowhere purchasing a house site unseen other than a walk-through with the Real Estate agent on the phone. he’d only been there for a very short time when a lightning strike hit his house and left him homeless. He moved to the Mates Motel, where he met his fated mate Lux who was a Fox shifter. There was super quick, and if you didn’t know that Rain was a human. You would expect him to be a shifter as to how fast their romance progressed. I enjoyed the story and I loved the interaction between the two main characters and eventually their family that they were creating.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Rain’s dream home burns to the ground after being struck by lightning and it will change everything for him. He will find himself living in the Mates Motel while his home is rebuilt and it is there that he will meet Lux, a local delivery driver and fox shifter. Lux knows Rain is his mate right away but the first time they meet, he will be nervous and run away. But he will go back to try again and it will lead to a happily ever after for them both. There will be a small bump in the road when Rain finds out Lux is a shifter but soon, the mate bond will pull them back together and from there things only get better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of The Mates Motel series. A FANtastic start to the series.
'Features a human omega who loses his home in a fire, the fox shifter delivery person who scents him as his, the front desk manager who may or may not have set the whole meeting up, true love, fated mates and an adorable baby.'

The plot was well written and paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. All in all a great start to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PugLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rain wasn't in his new house for a week before it burned to the ground. Lux was an alpha fox shifter who scented his mate at the Mates Motel but balked because he was human. Lux eventually approached Rain at the Good Times Diner and they had dinner together. Rain was shocked when Lux revealed he was a fox shifter and that Rain was pregnant all within the span of a few minutes. After Rain took some time to come to terms with the two surprises he and Lux were inseparable. Rain thought there were no new surprises until the celebration for their house warming and daughter Olivia's first birthday has another shifter announcing his second pregnancy before even Lux was aware.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Mates Motel series and it is off to a great start. This is the story of Rain and Lux. Rain has left the big city behind and bought a house in the small town. A house that burns down in front of him from a Lightening strike. It is off to The Mates Motel for Rain. Lux is an alpha fox shifter. In fact most of the town are shifters. Lux scents his mate while doing a delivery. A human mate. This is their story. The book is written well and is easy to read. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Metz874 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
First book in the Mates Motell series of MM shifter mpreg. This book is a good start to the series. It's sweet and fun. Here is a small town with a tight-knit community helping each other and contributing when necessary.
A quick read that will entertain you , but also make you smile. A fox shifter alpha and a human omega who is clueless about shifters. Things progress fast with a little one on the way. A lovely romance story worth a few hours of your time.
I received an advanced copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and fulfilling! Amazing small town. Rain, upends his life and buys a house sight unseen in the back of beyond. In less than a week and the house is struck by lightening and burns down. He moves into Mates Motel while his house is being rebuilt. Lux, is a delivery man and scents Rain, his mate when he delivers to the motel. Their first meeting is adorable and their courtship is fun. Rain and Lux are very nice men and you happily experience their courtship with them. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this is book 1 to a new series...well its a great start. We meeting the towns ppl and we got our first mated couple. Rain and Lux was a cute couple. I love their first meet up. Cute and quirky. A few bumps until the truth was brought to light...not real angsty. Their journey to HEA was sweet. I enjoyed this novella and can't wait to read more in this series.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. Rain Everest thought he was on the right path until his house burned down. Thankfully, he was not in it at the time. Now Rain is living at the Mates Motel for the foreseeable future. Lux works for the courier service in town. He delivers to all of the businesses. Lux is a fox shifter. This town is full of shifters and most of the humans who live there know about them. Lux’s fox scents his mate right away. The problem comes when Lux finds out that his mate is human. Lux’s family has a history with human mates. Lux is ready to start avoiding him until he sees him. There is no way Lux could resist once he laid eyes on Rain. There is still something in the back of his head telling him that the past would repeat itself if he started down this road. Though Rain is a human, he feels the pull towards Lux? Will Rain accept Lux? This series is going to be so good. The secondary characters are up to something. I can't wait to read more about them throughout the series.

[lori forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series start by one of my favorite author

Great story & great start to a new series!!!!! At first you wonder what the characters have gotten themselves into but then you understand the magic!!!! The people of the town are fantastic it's one great family and the babies are a bonus
Thank you - Lori

[Jenn Godbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute start to the series. You fall in love with the characters quickly. I will say this was a quick read and wish the book was a little longer as some of the story seemed rush. However, I look forward to reading the next book in the series and hearing more about the motel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Sorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fate plays so many roles into Rain and Lux's life. Rain left his job, bought a house and watched it get struck by lightening and burn down. Now he is living in Mates Motel for a few months. Lux is a delivery man and meets Rain at a diner. Sparks fly. Such a sweet romance. Love these books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked this sweet romance where fate brings together Lux and Rain together. I liked that it was Rain who started the mating even if he needed a bit of time to come to terms with Lux being a fox. It is a very good start for a new series.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good start to a new series. This author never disappoints with her fated mates stories. Lux is such a good character. Rain is his mate but he has to get over the hurdle that rain is human and is oblivious to the fact that there are shifters. It's sweet and romantic. I enjoyed reading it so much! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Akasha721 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a low angst love story here it is. Rain leaves the big city for a simple life and meets his mate that turns out to be a fox shifter. When he finds that his dreams have come true he is stunned!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kennylee Beeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just got to the point where there's too many vanilla boy-meets-mate-has-baby-HEA, with no real story in the middle, and no real difference between shifters and humans except for fur-and-knots. Nothing really wrong with this type story other than I've been reading too many lately, so it was disappointing after Dragon Flight Academy.

[Hira Chaudhary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rain and Lux were a cute time if you’re looking for a quick fated mates shifter story. I liked how Rain became friends with the people in town and how awkward Lux was and how he wanted to take things at a human pace for Rain. I enjoyed these two and their journey to being together and starting a family in the aftermath of Rain’s dream house burning to the ground.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rain's Fox Mate is the first book in the Mates Motel series, and I really enjoyed it. This is a shifter/human, fated mates, small town read about Lux and Rain. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next in the series.

[Shelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

This is a cute story to start a new series. I enjoyed how open Rain was to trying the small-town life. Lux is a big softie that wants a mate but is floored that he is human. Grab a quick and sweet read to enjoy during some downtime.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, cute, fated mates

Rain and bad luck/good luck, depending on how you looked at the situation.
It cost him his house but he gained a mate, a better house and business.
Lux is a great guy, I loved their snarky banter and the other characters were pretty great as well.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is the first book in a new series that looks pretty good. These two were so sweet together and I loved the way that they bonded. I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait for the next one.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and cute start to this new series. I like the idea of the motel bringing mates together. Rain and Lux were very entertaining to read about.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion