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Lycan King’s Rejected Bookish Mate: A Rejected Mate Secret Baby Shifter Romance

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I accidentally summoned a naked 6 foot 7 werewolf king into my bookstore.
Now he’s saying I'm his fated mate.


I'm just a romance-obsessed bookworm trying to keep my grandparents' shop alive.

I did not sign up for a growly, possessive Lycan King who refuses to leave my side because some magical bond says I belong to him.

Malachar Ashborne is dangerous. Dominant. And completely unhinged about me.

He stalks around my store like he owns it. Snarls at any man who breathes in my direction.

And when he finds my spicy book collection?
He reads every single one- taking detailed notes on how to make me fall apart.

"I think of you constantly. How you would taste. How you would sound when I make you mine."

Then he stops taking notes and starts demonstrating.

He marks my neck so everyone knows I'm claimed. Wrecks me against the bookstore shelves until I'm begging for more. Makes me believe I'm his forever.

Until his kingdom drags him back - and he rejects me in front of his entire court.

But there's something growing inside me that changes everything.

And when the Lycan King finds out? He'll be crawling back on his knees.

Too bad I haven't decided if I'll let him grovel... or watch him burn.


Lycan King’s Rejected Bookish Mate is a fun, rom-com-ish rejected mate romance featuring a growly, possessive Alpha and the human bookstore owner who accidentally summoned him through a portal. Intended for 18+ readers due to mature content and themes. Contains full length duet!

793 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2025

483 people are currently reading
163 people want to read

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Elara Haze

37 books11 followers

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5 stars
186 (38%)
4 stars
135 (27%)
3 stars
128 (26%)
2 stars
32 (6%)
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8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Marya.
81 reviews
December 7, 2025
refreshing tale of rejected mates

This is a sweet and well crafted rejected mate story. So many are rewrites of rewrites but this one had original plot lines, well developed characters, nice world building and was edited for grammar errors. Worth the read if you love rejected mates.
Profile Image for Michelle.
58 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
Rushed ending?

The ending felt rushed. So many unanswered questions. Is there a part 2? I need answers...the epilogue didn't feel like one, it fell short.
246 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2026
Okay. Description places MMC at 6’7”, the story has him at 6’9. Very beginning it is described that the man FACE-planted. That’s falling forward onto your chest, so how is one pointing at his chest and HOW are they watching his CHEST rise and fall? They had not turned him over. They should be looking at his back and bum. Another example, FMC gave him a long sleeve compression shirt to wear, which he is, and she is taking photos of him in it, so why is it written that he was “reaching for a book high on a shelf, inked arms stretched overhead”? He’s in long sleeves, would not see his inked arms.
Anyway, Team Edward! Not a fan of the sparkling vampire aspect, but reading the books, def Team Edward, though I am partial to shifters because, not undead or blood dependent, other negative aspects usually associated with being a vampire.
The king is snatched mid battle, why is he not at all concerned about what’s happening in his kingdom? I get he’s found his mate, but no concern for the state of things he left behind? At all? Not even a mention for multiple days. He’s just contentedly hanging around, conveniently understands, speaks and reads English and acclimated extremely well.
The girls and their interactions with one another is hilarious. They exude best friends/sisterhood/will help bury the body, ride or die friendship. They are all very accepting of what occurred despite not believing in such things actually existed. Chalk it up to the type of books they read, them being of the supernatural in content. Likely would be on the same page with them. Don’t have to suspend disbelief. However, Wen doesn’t have any wonder as to why she was able to do magic and no questioning where a grimoire came from, why would grandparents have it. None. Not even from the friends.
Time is going by, Mal, as Wen has shortened his name to, is besotted, trying to convince Mel to complete their mating. Wen comes up with way to use him to increase traffic to her failing bookstore and succeeds with it, then gets super jealous when it works, ‘cause women fawning ha!
Bit more time goes by, the cliche occurs, bond completion interrupted. Here is where Mal finally has info he needs to return due to unexpected visitor. I had an issue with the reason, all saw Mal sucked into a light in middle of the challenge he was fighting. Why is it that people are listening to the challenger about Mal abandoning the throne rather than face him in the challenge? Sorry, but people more likely to think the challenger did something in cheating in the challenge. It’s stupid for people to think otherwise. The challenger should have been having to prove otherwise, to find Mal to get him back for the challenge. And why is Mal just having thoughts of the situation being in peril for his kingdom when he was taken in the middle of a challenge? Zero sense. Mal pulls a boneheaded move, Wen has every right to be mad, and viola, they’re back in his world. Couldn’t help a bit of thought, well, Wen, you did the same to him, though wasn’t intended (product of casting that spell you played around with). She was annoying with the repeated expression of her being kidnapped. Could she not have gone with abducted? At least it changed to dragged to against her will for a moment before she returned to the ridiculous kidnapped use. Anyway….
Guards were missing outside Mal’s mother’s rooms, why? That was never addressed after a big deal was made of it.

Other dumb cliches, other woman coming in with declaration of how she feared she’d have to cancel their wedding, Mal never mentioning a pending marriage, Wen running out instead of demanding answers. Then when TOLD there’s no fiancée, no pending wedding, the woman is someone kept being pushed on him, but that he has never agreed, she’s still insistent on how he might have a fiancée waiting in the wings?! So tired of women being portrayed in this manner. Adding Wen was asked by Mal to stay in his chambers while he meets with the council, she promises she would and soon as he leaves she whines about staying and immediately wants to leave to find the library. Because she was going stir crazy from having to stay in his chambers so much. What?! It’s written how she was in and out as she acted the servant, was often in the dining hall, learned her way around the castle halls, she was in the training gym as well. Ridiculous. At this point I don’t care something bad happening to her, she’s placed on the TSTL list. Two guards who are apparently wholly incompetent die because she just had to leave from where she promised she’d stay. Again, why is it such a thing to write such unimaginative drivel. She is also written to have no proper regard for her unborn child, does the TSTL again.

Mal has his mate, he should have put the delusions of grandeur woman in her place. Period. Not be complacent for any reason. If he didn’t want her and was not entertaining being with her before he got portal taken, he should be not entertaining anything involving this woman. It makes zero sense he cannot because of Andreas. That was just ridiculous. Andreas, the challenger, LOST. He WOULD NOT STILL BE AROUND TO STIR DISSENT. He. Lost. His. Challenge. Lost challenge would be immediate removal from the castle and escort out the kingdom. And the role Wen was placed in? Yep, it’d be done, relationship over. Why was she being treated in such manner? There was nothing indicated that humans were treated in such manner. Mal is the king, REMOVE TRAITOROUS COUNCIL MEMBERS. Clean house. And the council portrayed having more power than the king? Demanding meeting immediately over said woman whining? Council is just that, they DO NOT RULE. THE KING RULES! And council members support a usurper THAT LOST is treasonous. Andreas would no longer have any standing. Period. It looks stupid that Wen was portrayed a servant instead of her coming through the portal by accident, that she saw to his care when he was dragged through the portal so was a guest of honor until they were ready to reveal true relationship. And from earlier written story, this whole storyline does not match things that Mal previously said, nor his brother’s or his mother’s reaction to her being human and his mate. Having her play the servant shows him to be weak, that he’d do his fated mate that way.

And she is not unmated as was referred to her, she is not fully mated, Mal mated her, she had to complete the mating bite.

Rejecting out of safety for her foolishness. No, HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS! Eliminate the threat, COMMUNICATE THE CONCERN AND MAKE PLANS FOR SAFETY WITH YOUR MATE/LOVE and then handle the threaten. The same trope over and over, book after book. She had to pretend to be a servant but can’t be part of fake temporary rejection and return to her realm while he handles business? Sigh. Yes I read the book description, still a tired plot. And the things written for him to say was ridiculous and overdone. And he did not need to bring that other woman into it. That is something that cannot be forgiven. A simple his marrying will be when he finds a suitable woman, NOT being Amaia back and parade her in front of Wen.

While the things Mal said were vile, his brother did immediately after tell Wen Mal was lying. Wen should have had that thought in her head, going back and forth on whether or not she believed it. Months pass and it doesn’t. Not realistic.

Little research regarding pregnancy would help with proper details. Wen is not “heavily” pregnant at five months where she only has a small baby bump. Second trimester is the reprieve, so exhaustion all the time at five months isn’t norm, that’s a last trimester situation. Is the baby being half werewolf causing bigger growth, because again, at five months it isn’t a very obvious belly like what’s written.

Epilogue is 4 months later, they’re getting married! Her wedding vows she says she’s still mad at him?! Like they’re marrying a few days after she returns to his realm when he’s in middle of cleaning castle, when she’s was 5 months pregnant, instead of FOUR months later when she’s now 9 months pregnant. Makes zero sense. Of course more cliche right at the end of the wedding ceremony. Then The End.

This was an okay read, definitely could use editing though.

Profile Image for Ta.
28 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2026
SPOILERS:
The book was enjoyable for the first half. The last 30% was like a whole 180 and seemed to rush. She came off as a ***** from the beginning. You can be a strong woman w/o being that (sorry that’s a pet peeve of mine in books). Before he took her through the portal, she had already made up her mind to accept him, and was about to mark him. They even talked about their being a possibility that he may have to go back and sort things out with the issues back home and that he was willing to give up his kingdom for her. He wasn’t sure if he was gonna stay there or be on earth but he made it clear he wanted her & would give eveything up for her.
I dislike that she made such a big deal out of being taken (kidnapped). He explained why he did it and I actually understand some of her anger. But all that fury towards and the way she treated him wasn’t right. TO ME. After everything happened and she was sent back home to protect her, his brother basically told her don’t believe it, and that there was a reason. That could’ve been cleared up because he did explain why he did it. Her being wishy-washy was a red flag on her. She didn’t come off as strong. She came off as a. *****. Then she treated him really bad when he ran after her again at the end it was unnecessarily mean. Does no one ask questions anymore in books, lol! I guess she was trying to create angst between them to have that storyline and she was trying to give the FC some depth maybe??
Overall, I would say still read this book for the MC, lol. If you ignore her snark, then it’s a cute and funny read for the first 70 percent. Her friends are hilarious & loyal & the MC is awesome! Other people will see it differently than I do, but I can’t sit up here and praise the female in the book like she’s the best thing since sliced bread and she was a red flag w/ her attitude and treatment, LOL. I mean, even if you didn’t believe him at first at first, did she learn nothing from the books she read!? I mean, she ran a book club and was team Edward?? I think they even mentioned in the book that they understood or remembered how wolves were with their mates, smh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
427 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2025
Wen & Malachar’s story of magic, love, hurt and redemption!

What happens when a human girl uses a very real grimoire on Halloween, not believing in magic? All hell breaks loose and her fated mate from another dimension makes an appearance! That’s right! Wen and Mal’s story starts with a bang. Literally. He lands in her bookstore during a storm, while she and her besties play with a spell book they find by chance, as a joke. Mal is not in a good shape. Bleeding, unconscious – the girls have no idea what to do. When he wakes up he decides to stay with her in an attempt to win her over. Swoon! - he lets her boss him around and respects her even more for it! It was a blast watching him try to adapt to the human world. But then, when his brother seeks him informing him of the turmoil back home, Wen’s fate is sealed when he literally kidnaps her and takes her to Lytopia and Ravenor - his kingdom there. Things get really complicated as there are many who don’t look pleased with a human mate for their King on the top of the attempt to question his power and rights to the throne. Plots, betrayals, political games – Mal has his plate full. He has to find a way to balance everything; protect his kingdom and his mate. But what if choosing one means hurting the other? Can their love survive the plots and schemes of their enemies? Friendships are formed or/and solidify further, family bonds are created, villains are exposed, secrets are revealed and a rollercoaster of events create an up-put-downable story that I enjoyed immensely. Despite their mistakes and wrong judgment at times, I liked both Wen and Mal. Their story is not perfect. But this only made it more real in my eyes. Plus, this story has many secondary characters that I absolutely adore! So, 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
232 reviews
January 6, 2026
2.8 stars. An okay read but I think I am not the target reader for this genre. i prefer my romances angstier than this which was very cosy in feeling, and the story felt functional rather than full of chemistry to me. Even the steam scenes felt a bit mechanical without sufficient emotional connection between the characters. Just a personal preference, and I was also a bit bored so I skim read it which may have made matters worse. The main point for me is that even for cozy romance, i still prefer a side of angst. I know other readers will absolutely love this gentle read with an alpha sweetie protective hero who always does what his lady says. Always. That was cute.
1,026 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2026
funny ,sarcastic, irreverent humor

At times the author uses reading culture to make fun of the very genre she was writing. The first half of the book is mildly hysterical but around 70% it takes a turn and gets sad. The writing is good. Wen is very controlling, sarcastic, and eventually emotional. Mal studies to be the best book boyfriend, however he is forced into making decisions that change that. It’s a fun fast read with quite a bit of heat.
191 reviews
January 16, 2026
Portals and wolves and best friends!

Wen runs a dying bookstore. Mal is a wolf king from another dimension accidentally summoned, but finds his mate. As with any cross-dimensional love story, problems arise. He still has a kingdom to run, she is still human. But he is devoted and never failing in his love toward her. Even when he has to hurt her to save her.

Quick and fun read. But one question: how did her grandpa’s khaki pants fit this 7’ wolf giant of a man???
175 reviews
January 11, 2026
a good read

The steamy scenes were excellent. I liked the story although it did feel familiar because it pulled from other stories I’ve read before. The summoning a sexy man from another dimension, fated mates, rejecting said mate, a king, pregnancy, fighting for each other, etc. I liked the ending and how it all tied together though.
Profile Image for Gen.
77 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2025
Good read

Just now realized this was book 6. Now I gotta read the others. It was very good and fun to read. I loved the way it isn't like every other shifter book. How the shifters are from another realm
4 reviews
January 1, 2026
Part Two?

Definitely need a part two. Is the baby a boy or girl? Do they have more children? Does Mal retire and his heir take over? Is there anyone in Andrea’s’ life that would want revenge for his death?

Inquiring minds what to know.
Profile Image for Heather Socie.
423 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
So, I really liked this book up until the last 75 pages or so. It was funny and cute! And then it just ended. That was probably the most abrupt ending to a book I've ever read. The author could have done so much more with that, so I was really disappointed.
Profile Image for Shelley.
548 reviews5 followers
January 11, 2026
Book clubs will love this

Wen is running her grandparents bookstore which is barely hanging on. Her friends meet for book club and find an old grimore which summons a portal.Mal appears, badly wounded. The twists and turns are perfectly executed.
6 reviews
January 1, 2026
I truly enjoyed the world building

I enjoyed this book will probably purchase the entire series I loved the characters and strong world building the portal the story. Loved it all
39 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2026
This was really good but I wish the ending was better. Wish they had sorted their issues out fully.
Profile Image for Arksongbird.
306 reviews
January 13, 2026
3.5 stars. This was a cute story and I enjoyed the characters a lot. It moved very slow until everything seemed to happen at once. Also - I expected the friends to participate more at the end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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