How Not to Hate Your True Mate: M/M Werewolf Romance

by F.N. Manning

Fate has a twisted sense of humor. Why else would it pair a lone wolf with his worst enemy?
Josh Fielding longs for what everyone else in Concordia seems to a pack, a purpose, and maybe a true mate. Instead, he’s stuck making potion deliveries and dodging arrogant alphas like Bane Blackwood. But when the rival wolf causes a routine delivery to spiral into chaos, a shattered potion reveals that Josh’s biggest enemy is his fated mate.

Hating Bane is easy—he’s insanely confident, stubborn, and far too gorgeous for his own good. His wicked grin and maddening golden eyes keep pulling Josh in, but love is Bane’s last priority. Yet as they navigate shifter politics and grow closer, Josh finds himself craving the same wolf he once swore to avoid at all costs.

As their attraction burns hotter than any feud, old grudges and hidden adversaries threaten to tear them apart. Can Josh and Bane stop fighting fate and start fighting for each other?

How Not to Hate Your True Mate is a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance where wolf shifters, magic, fated bonds, and irresistible desire collide. It features an outcast looking for somewhere to belong, a cranky alpha with a hidden soft side, and finding home even in the most unlikely places.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

F.N. Manning writes the One More Thing and Ward Magic series while living in a small town on the North Carolina coast and not going to the beach enough. The author loves complex characters and cancelled TV shows. F.N. makes the world gayer by writing one M/M romance novel at a time.

Reviews

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, satisfying fated-mates romance packed with tension, stubborn wolves, and just the right amount of emotional bite. Josh has always felt like the odd one out in Concordia, so watching him discover—quite explosively—that his long-time rival Bane is actually his fated mate is equal parts chaotic and addictive. Their dynamic is fantastic: snarky, heated, and full of that irresistible push-pull energy only true enemies-to-lovers can deliver.

I loved how the story unravels the truth behind their past, especially the revelations about Bane’s father and the deception that kept them apart. It gives their reunion so much emotional weight, and makes the journey from resentment to deep trust feel incredibly rewarding. As the stakes rise with shifter politics, alpha challenges, and hidden threats, their bond only strengthens, and seeing them fight for each other rather than against one another is wonderfully satisfying.

The ending sets up a future full of promise, and Bane and Josh stepping into that future together feels absolutely right. A steamy, engaging paranormal romance that delivers both heart and heat—I enjoyed every moment.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a enjoyable fated mates story. It is written well and is easy to read. This is the story of Josh Fielding and Bane Blackwood. It seems to Josh that he doesn't fit in at his home town as he seems to be the only one without magic. Or so he thinks. He is constantly avoiding alphas but one in particular, Bane Blackwood. Bane is an alpha wolf shifter and his father is alpha of the pack. He is groomed to one day take over pack leadership. And he enjoys annoying Josh even though Josh doesn't know why he does. When a prank goes wrong, Josh learns to his dismay that Bane is his fated mate. How could his biggest annoyance be his mate. But the fates don't make mistakes. It is only when the two begin to truly talk and slowly learn to trust each other; does the truth come out. Someone is invested in keeping them apart. This is their story. I enjoyed this book. I look forward to seeing more of their adventures together.

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

[Shawn Cha · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s ok

Book was ok the pacing was a little off. Maybe I’m biased but I hate the name Josh it’s just too common. I was not a fan of bane. He seemed redeemable but I think the pain of past and present was too much in reality to overcome. Even if Josh knows bane is his fated mate. What he suggested with bane and how bane responds afterwards was horrible. I think if Josh wasn’t special he would hold no place in banes life. Also if you’re going to write spicy scenes at least let us read their first times. It’s strange when you quote they’ve been together and we don’t read it then next chapter we read a little bit of it and we know Josh’s experience with intimacy is almost to none so you missed that window of opportunity. It’s either you write it or u don’t which I don’t fault authors for as spicy scenes can make some uncomfortable.

[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 how Bane and Josh found their way back together as mates after Bane's father separated them through deception. The alpha was not honest in his dealings and still trying to break them up. In the fight to be the next alpha, Bane and Josh win after Josh is rescued. I like their future plans.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of a new series called Hated and Fated, this is Josh and Bane’s story and I enjoyed their story the push pull dynamics and was happy to see them fighting for each other instead of against. Good read looking forward to reading more from the series.

[marteetaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf at 80% - sadly this didn't do it for me 😭 loved the trope and the setting but i felt everything was too rushed and couldn't get interested in the characters or their story in general.