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Learning to Love... Book 1: Shade: A Gripping Galatea Fated Mates Romance

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374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

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M. L. Knight

3 books21 followers

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5 stars
176 (45%)
4 stars
102 (26%)
3 stars
85 (21%)
2 stars
22 (5%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
75 reviews
March 24, 2026
very Enjoyable Read

This story kept me engaged from beginning to end. The character development was great. It kept me at the edge of my seat sometimes and made me want to smack a few characters in others. I recommend reading it.
1 review
June 13, 2026
Well written with just enough twists to set it apart from the many other werewolf stories

I enjoyed this a lot and will likely buy this author’s subsequent books. The characters were well developed, and the world was created with ample description and imagination. I would love to read more stories about some of the other characters in the Harvest Moon Pack.
Profile Image for Liekos.
108 reviews3 followers
May 19, 2026
3.5 *
Typical YA werewolf novel, but this one had no infidelity, and a non-toxic male love interest.
It was fairly typical in writing style, content, and world-building, but it got an extra half a star for the positive relationship with the main characters. The toxic elements were only from the bad guys and served to show how unsuitable they were compared to the more positive relationships of the characters we were meant to like.

The specific details of the curse were new, but the premise wasn't. As of right now, this is the only book in the series, though more are expected. I won't be reading any further but...
...of the books in this genre and category, this one does a lot better than most. No cheating, no toxic exes, no staying in humiliating situations anyone else would have walked away from long ago [other than the situation with the lead's family, especially in the beginning, but a) she was a child, and b) the whole book growth was her going from that and slowly coming out of her shell and growing in confidence and self-love to the person we see at the end. The negatives aren't dragged out for drama. The growth comes quite quickly and is handled quite well (for a YA novel)].

If I were rating just out of this category of books, it would have a much higher rating, but against a standard calibre of adult books... I can't justify rating any higher than this. If you are only looking for a YA light read, this is recommended.
Profile Image for Marybelle.
503 reviews15 followers
June 25, 2026
I actually liked this story. It’s a little bit of a Cinderella tale with a twist. But instead of stepsisters, the reader gets an evil twin. I can’t get over just how evil Sunny is. I know she’s spoiled by her father, but really, every single thing that goes wrong in her life is blamed on her sister Shade. According to Sunny, it’s Shades fault that her mother died, it’s Shade’s fault that the neighboring bad guy tries to kidnap her. It’s Shade’s fault that Calean (our handsome prince, even though as Alpha he’s closer to a king) doesn’t fall in love with her. It’s Shade’s fault the neighboring villain kills their father. And most especially, Shades fault that Sunny’s plan to kidnap and enslave Shade doesn’t work. Really? That much selfishness is almost comical.

I enjoyed how Shade comes slowly out of her shell, and becomes the woman she was meant to be. I enjoyed how Calean was so sure of himself that he makes himself vulnerable to love. I love the comic relief of the supporting characters.

The story does get a little tedious and long at times with details that weren’t needed. There were also times when things were talked about, but not seen, which was annoying. For example when Shade’s and Sunny’s father was killed, the reader is just told that he’s dead. I would have liked to have seen that scene and known whether he ever realized how wrong he was about his daughter.

But the story was fun. I’m glad I read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Larissa.
685 reviews9 followers
June 21, 2026
Shade has been the bodyguard to her twin sister, after being blamed for her mom's death when she was seven years old. Manipulated into obedience, Shade was not expecting to wing-woman her sister to a bound, much less to find out this was her fated mate.

Yes, werewolves.

Throughout the many chapters, you will find Shade has so much light and so much to learn about self-love, self-respect... and in the meantime, learn to love her mate-to-be. Their story ain't chill, but it's super easy to fall in love with everyone and wish for one more chapter.
This isn't much of a review; it's cold, and my fingers hurt.

Pick this book and move on. I liked it, and I am kinda hard to please. Have fun
(will type an actual review someday)


'''''''
Okay. I found this title by playing a game called "Vita Mahjong" for extra help to finish the level. But then, I got hooked. So, I was overall taken by the story, expecting terrible mistakes since it took me time to wrap my head around Galatea stuff. This book is available on Amazon (cheap too), but my credit card was full, so the high seas were my playground. Read it as a PDF, I forced myself to transfer all to WORD, because the damn software was driving me insane.
Profile Image for Morgan Horn.
38 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2026
Decent book. Not amazing but it was good. I laughed. I cried.

Only real “criticisms” are:

1) that in the last chapter the Alina is suddenly called Mother Maty instead of Luna Maty. The old Alpha is just called by his name but she gets a title of mother? Felt weird. It randomly changed with no explanation of why.

2) Shade was said to have died but a body guard with the same name and identical to Sunny appears who is the same age? A little ridiculous that there was this big plan to pretend she died without actually trying to hide her identity.
1 review
June 18, 2026
Learning to Love

This book was pretty good . Could have had more to the plot. There were also a couple of inconsistencies. For example: it made no sense that when they tested her abilities on Taffy, Dillon and Oliver there was no affect on anyone except Caelan. Yet it said that her father had used her for that very reason with his army and that is also what Alpha Huxley wanted to do .
21 reviews
June 23, 2026
almost a Cinderella story for wolves

Thoroughly enjoyed the development of the female main character. Showing how she came to terms with her powers with regard to the pack was a favorite point for me in the story. From shame and invisible to love and co- leading a pack was a great transformation. The topper was how her evil twin ended the story. Keep up the great work we all need inspiration.
17 reviews
June 30, 2026
A fun and exciting read

As I read this book the characters became real to me. I had to remind myself several times that it was a story. Shade’s growth of confidence and strength through the story were wonderful to see. The characters became my friends as I read this story and I will read it again just so I can visit them again. Fun read and I highly recommend it. Now onto book 2.
3 reviews
April 15, 2026
Loved it!

Great story with well written characters.
A must read if you like fantasy, finished in a day.
It’s great to read a book where the characters have a good development to them.
Profile Image for Candra.
109 reviews
June 6, 2026
3.5

This was a surprisingly cute story about self worth, self esteem, and learning how to love yourself before loving someone else. While Shade's self deprecation occasionally frustrated me, I appreciated her growth and loved how patient Caelean was throughout her journey.
13 reviews
June 20, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this and it hooked me right from the start. As far as steamy romance goes, I would say this is a cut far above the rest . . . I would read another book from this author, if it becomes available as a regular book (ie not on Galatea).
Profile Image for Mauro.
159 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2026
this literally is wattpad and should never be a published story because of just... what if is 😭
but I wanted to know the full story. I've read it now and I don't regret it. it was a very average read. kept my attention but the vibe is kind of fan fiction and you have to have that mindset.
1 review
June 30, 2026
good read

This was a good read, not too drawn out with the main characters acting like fools with their emotions. It was great to read a book and not swear at the characters doing dumb shit!!
Profile Image for Beth Cotter.
377 reviews3 followers
April 18, 2026
new author for me

M.L Knight is a new author for me and I loved her writing style and story. I read it through in one sitting.
4 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2026
poor plot, poor development, easy read

If you’re bored it’ll pass a quick time
It feels like it’s a good book for teenagers who aren’t used to reading a lot
11 reviews
May 13, 2026
Excellent!

Excellent book. Risque in some places. But well written. Good plot. A lot happened in a very short time frame.
1 review
June 2, 2026
Interesting Book

If you like werewolf books this is a good book to read. It keeps you wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
1 review
June 10, 2026
Zero to Hero

Wuntilhat a beautiful story of overcoming adversity and finding love that conquers and sustains all. Loved this story from start to finish.
2 reviews
June 21, 2026
great story

Loved this book, fun to read. Very inspiring and lots of feelings. I really enjoy an underdog story and a woman finding her courage.
44 reviews
June 23, 2026
I just loved Shades story!

This was such a great story. Very original, full of all the good stuff a great book needs. Thank you!
7 reviews
June 28, 2026
Learning to Love

I liked this story. However, I can't tell the full meaning of the title. The story was good but I think it could have been better, a lot deeper.
2 reviews
June 26, 2026
love

This was an exciting and intertwined story of a man and woman and how pack life changes there existence! I enjoyed reading it a lot
1 review
June 26, 2026
Good short read

Book was paced well and I finished it in a few hours. Nice short read.
Cannot wait for Book 2. Also looking at other books by same author
1 review
May 8, 2026
very good book

Excelente writing, very entertaining, descripciones were perfect no more than needed and a little addictive. Will read next book for sure.
2 reviews
June 11, 2026
cute story

Very cute story, nice dramatic plot. Very interesting story, I’m interested in book 2 but struggling to find it. I will be reading more from this author.
2 reviews
June 20, 2026
Wonderful Tale!

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and the cast of characters it introduced to me. It was the perfect good over evil tale!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews