Learning to Love. Book 1: Shade

by M.L. Knight

Shade Mallory has spent her life cast aside, cursed, and treated as nothing more than a servant in her own pack. Hope feels like a cruel joke—until Alpha Caelan Kendrick opens his Choosing Ceremony to outsiders.

Pressured to find a mate, he's resigned to duty over destiny. But when Shade steps into his world, fate refuses to be ignored. Sparks fly, secrets stir, and a bond neither expected begins to form. Yet, with shadows of the past looming and enemies watching, one question remains-will their connection be their salvation or their downfall?

(Assault, Domestic Violence, Extreme Violence/Gore, Sexual Assault/ Abuse, Child Abuse)

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Shapeshifters

ebook

Reviews

[Luta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

this is me being vulnerable and announcing that I got scammed into reading one of those interstitial ads but it's not a scam because it was fun and I fear it may have cured my reading slump 🤥

[Lya :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is exactly like when you get roped into watching a 60 part TikTok short drama that you've seen before ten thousand times just with different actors and then you realize it's been like three hours and you haven't moved from bed. I truly don't even know why I read this so don't ask me. It didn't disgust me I guess so that's why it's getting two stars because I could stand the mml even though he had like cero personality traits just like...well, everyone else

[Lolovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended up being a genuinely pleasant surprise—especially considering where I found it.

Let’s be honest: anything that comes through a social media/book app pipeline comes with… expectations. And not always good ones. But this? This was actually great. It was entertaining, easy to get into, and before I knew it, I was fully invested in both the story and the characters. There’s a sincerity to it that makes it easy to keep reading, even when it’s not doing anything wildly groundbreaking.

The romance works, the pacing keeps things moving, and overall it delivers a really solid reading experience. I cared about what was happening, which is ultimately what matters most.

The spice was decent—definitely enjoyable—but if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t have complained about a little more. It hits, but it doesn’t linger the way I might have wanted.

I’m aware there’s a second book, but this feels like a good stopping point for me. I enjoyed my time here without feeling the need to keep going, which honestly feels like a win.

And I do need to say this: I read this as a normal Kindle purchase—not through one of those predatory novel apps that somehow try to turn a single book into a $1,000 commitment. Absolutely not. This is a fun, worthwhile read—but let’s keep expectations (and spending) grounded in reality.

Overall, Learning to Love is an engaging, unexpectedly enjoyable read that exceeded its origins. A solid, entertaining romance that I’m glad I gave a chance.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't normally make it a point to leave reviews, but for a book that's being pushed via mobile phone ads, which would at least imply that it's popular, I need to voice concerns. I read this in one sitting, pushing on because I hoped that the redeeming factor would come in, but it never did.

The biggest is this story is so lacking in plot, that I've seen graveyards with more plot. The characters are flat, have minimal personality, and the situations these characters find themselves in are beyond the point of "close your eyes and make believe".

Even the names, Sunshine (Sunny) and Shade. It's clear Sunny is the princess (deservedly or not), Shade the problem child. Then Shade just suddenly becoming BFFs with Harvest Moon's female beta, Taffy? There's no leadup to that, nothing that would imply that it's likely, and then BAM, besties. Conflicts, what little there are, are resolved quickly.

Not worth your time, nor paying to sign up for Galatea.

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

*rounded up from 3.5 stars*
🌶️

Ok. I picked this one up from an ad on Facebook, and honestly? I’m not mad about it. I got the app and enjoyed reading it. It did get a little repetitive towards the end, but I flew through the first 3/4 of the book. The two main characters were great together, drawn towards each other right away but not an instalove trope where they see each other and automatically love each other. It was a believable development of the relationship. The plot was honestly really good too. For being a part one, it wrapped up well. Overall, a good read.

❤️ Tropes ❤️

💋 werewolf romance
💋 fated mates
💋 cursed FMC
💋 touch her and ☠️

Shade is only traveling away from her pack to protect the Alpha’s daughter. She is the security for her, even though there will be plenty of protection at the Luna choosing she is participating in. Her goals are to protect Sunny and ensure she gets chosen. But from the minute they arrived, things haven’t been going to plan. First, they insist Shade join the Luna choosing as a potential candidate. Second, they insist she has her own room. But the worst thing of all? The draw she feels when she is near the alpha. The one she is supposed to be helping Sunny secure a relationship with.

[Rachel Abercrombie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those books you get snippets of in ads? Yeah, it caught me up. Writing was alright, formatting could use work. The overall story was a fun one. Pretty basic, but over all an easy read.

[A.V.]

It took me less than a minute to find this online so don't bother with actually downloading whatever reading app they're trying to sell you.> 🏴‍☠️

This popped up as sample within an ad for a reading app and today was the day to read a bad shifter romance, so here we are: in a place where years of familial abuse and non-existent self-worth can be overcome by spending two days with a nice girl and a hot guy.

[Larckla]

Fun to read but still very cringey and tropey. There was some moments with depths but a lot of the time everything was surface level. Very black and white. Makes everything easy to read since it requires no critical thinking.
Felt a bit like half bad fanfiction. I still felt invested enough to read the whole thing so it’s good enough.

[jake liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

it could’ve been worse. it wasn’t good by any means but it could’ve been worse.

[Raghna Mnemosyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ads let me find this.

IT was a cute shifter Story with a little Bit of Spice. easy to folloq ans Not to mutch thinking.

For me the Story has good Potential.
Some parts where to "rushed throught in my opionen and I thought for myself "okay That fight was easy and fast" . I wished for more Story and Evolution of the Charakters on the Bad Side. Not That they become good or so, but Just read more about them and Not Just "He ist the Bad, some short Fights, End."
The Main Charakters are kinda cute , very pure hearted, very fated mates :)

[Emilyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the free except and I couldn't put it down until I'd finished the lot! Shade and Caelan were a great pair, had good chemistry and the relationship development was believable, not rushed or dragged out. I was so pleased there wasn't unnecessary angst between the pair and that they were united in fighting for their HEA. I also really liked the secondary characters that were introduced too. I hope there's more in this world by this author!

[Raïsah · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'histoire est vraiment bien ce qui est très rare des fictions écrites sur l'application Galatea en mode pub mais je me suis laisser séduire par les premiers chapitres.

C'est une histoire prévisible et bourré de clichés que j'ai bien appréciée. Le début je l'ai lu sur l'application et au bout du cinquième j'ai trouver l'histoire sur un site anglophone en entier donc je les lu en entier sur ce site !

[Vivien Tsang · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Caelan's point of view was the best.
Sunny is such a bitch & deserves what she got. Her & Shade's father, Butch, is a bastard, to over indulge Sunny & then treat his other daughter so cruelly because of their Goddess gift, which he deliberately misinterpret it as a curse. He deserves Hell.
I love Shade got her happily ever after.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels like a first draft that has been published. The story isn’t too bad, but the real weakness is how information is conveyed to the reader. It feels like plot points are thrown in at random instead of making sense within the context of the story. The author does too much telling and not enough showing.

[Sie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too got sucked into this via an ad on my phone and while it’s not terrible! It was definitely super cheesy and predictable. It’s only around 120 pages so I didn’t expect there to be a big grand plot, just a simple story. As cheesy as it was though, I hate to admit that it was a nice break in between my reread of my fav series 😅

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s rough around the edges and pretty predictable, but overall enjoyable. For example, there were a few typos, and I’m sure it wasn’t meant to be funny that they said Shade died but when they brought her back to be a servant she had the same name. And no one questioned that or figured it out? Hilarious. It definitely felt like the author improved as the book went on though; I’d read the next one.

[Joana Puhakka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Shade is so sad, to have hole family betray her and blame her for things she did not do. Like her mother's death or who her fated mate is. But i love how caelan and his family accepted her. The love of Shade and Caelan is do cuteeee and steame lovee (If you get what i mean).

[proofreader Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has been one I have been excited for on my TBR for a while now and I devoured it from start to finish. This novel did not disappoint. We have fated mates, moon Goddess gifts and curses, wolves and much more. I am excited to begin book two.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5 🌶️
I got sucked in on an add and paid for another reading app. Objectively not the greatest literary masterpiece, but it sucked me in and I binged the whole story. Hot wolves, thank you.

[Kris McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely think this book could use some editing and more drafting. However, I enjoyed it. The ads sucked me in but weren't really well presented in the actual text.

Despite the faults of the book, it was a great time. I'd love to reread a better drafted future edition of it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Is there a book 2, and if so, what is it called?

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As all the story I read on Galatea or other reading app, this one was rather underdevelopped and predictable.
BUT, once again, I really got oddly invested, hence the 4⭐️.

[Megan Crosier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galatea - Read
Sm to n #6
#516
Shade Mallory & Alpha Caelan

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this book to be physical and want more!! I loved how both Caelan and Shade showed character development! This could be a great movie too! I just want more amazing job!

[Kiersten VanderWest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waaaaaaaaaaay too spicy! LOL But if you skip all that, good story.

[nour.hudz]

Don't ask me questions. Don't ask me why I read it, in less than 24 hours at that. Don't ask me how I would rate it. Don't ask me how I even found the book. I have no answers for you.

[Megan W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an amazing book but an easy and entertaining read. Nice for when you don't want to think.

[Cheryl Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read. Typos are a thing. Not the typical fantasy romance that I am used to reading. Predictable story line, not much of a plot twist.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Much better than the other Galatea stories I’ve read

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!