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Rejected by My Brother's Best Friend Alpha: A Fated Mate Secret Baby Second Chance Forced Proximity Taboo Hockey Shifter Romance
The hockey god Alpha I’d loved my whole life took my innocence.
Too bad I'm his best friend's sister. And completely off-limits.
And even worse? I'm forced to paint his naked body for a massive campaign, desperately hiding the six-year-old son he doesn't know exists.
Lila
Colt Mercer. Alpha of the Frost Wolves. Star hockey captain.
Me? The scentless, wolfless defect of my family.
One night, our hidden mate bond flared. I gave him everything.
The next morning, he looked at me like a mistake, wrapped in his dead wife’s memory, and shattered our bond without a second glance.
I fled with a broken heart, bruises on my soul... and a secret.
Seven years later, I’m back as his team's lead body painter.
My rule? Keep it professional.
But he’s in my chair, muscles tense, eyes dark with regret and a hunger he can't mask.
If he ever sees the little boy in my studio—he'll tear my carefully built world apart.
Colt
I thought my soul died the day I buried my wife.
Until Lila touched me.
I broke the bond to punish myself, tangled in too many fears—my pack, my best friend, and the doubts I couldn’t silence about whether I was even capable of protecting my beloved one.
Now she’s back, commanding me with a paintbrush, fierce and untouchable.
She thinks she can keep me at a distance.
She thinks my wolf hasn't recognized the tiny, feral pup hiding behind her.
My mate. My woman. My son.
I let her run once.
But this time? I’ll bleed for her forgiveness and destroy anyone who threatens them.
Tropes List & Disclaimers
✦Fated Mates / Rejected Mate
✦Secret Baby
✦Brother's Best Friend
✦Hockey / Sports Romance
✦Forced Proximity
✦Grovel & Redemption
✦Protective Alpha & Girl Boss
No Cheating / Complete Standalone
Trigger Contains themes of past loss/grief, brief physical altercations, and off-page child endangerment threats.
Too bad I'm his best friend's sister. And completely off-limits.
And even worse? I'm forced to paint his naked body for a massive campaign, desperately hiding the six-year-old son he doesn't know exists.
Lila
Colt Mercer. Alpha of the Frost Wolves. Star hockey captain.
Me? The scentless, wolfless defect of my family.
One night, our hidden mate bond flared. I gave him everything.
The next morning, he looked at me like a mistake, wrapped in his dead wife’s memory, and shattered our bond without a second glance.
I fled with a broken heart, bruises on my soul... and a secret.
Seven years later, I’m back as his team's lead body painter.
My rule? Keep it professional.
But he’s in my chair, muscles tense, eyes dark with regret and a hunger he can't mask.
If he ever sees the little boy in my studio—he'll tear my carefully built world apart.
Colt
I thought my soul died the day I buried my wife.
Until Lila touched me.
I broke the bond to punish myself, tangled in too many fears—my pack, my best friend, and the doubts I couldn’t silence about whether I was even capable of protecting my beloved one.
Now she’s back, commanding me with a paintbrush, fierce and untouchable.
She thinks she can keep me at a distance.
She thinks my wolf hasn't recognized the tiny, feral pup hiding behind her.
My mate. My woman. My son.
I let her run once.
But this time? I’ll bleed for her forgiveness and destroy anyone who threatens them.
Tropes List & Disclaimers
✦Fated Mates / Rejected Mate
✦Secret Baby
✦Brother's Best Friend
✦Hockey / Sports Romance
✦Forced Proximity
✦Grovel & Redemption
✦Protective Alpha & Girl Boss
No Cheating / Complete Standalone
Trigger Contains themes of past loss/grief, brief physical altercations, and off-page child endangerment threats.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 18, 2026
OMG, the repetition!
This book had potential and went well off the rails. It needs editing, badly.
In something like 286 pages, the word "specific" is used 279 times. If I never read specific, precise or quality again, it will still be too soon after this book.
Whole phrases are repeated multiple times.
They talk about "rejection" but never happened. Neither even acknowledged they were mates? Also, when you find out you have a kid, one would think building that relationship would be priority...but no.
I skimmed a huge chunk because there's too many words without a purpose of moving the story forward.
This book had potential and went well off the rails. It needs editing, badly.
In something like 286 pages, the word "specific" is used 279 times. If I never read specific, precise or quality again, it will still be too soon after this book.
Whole phrases are repeated multiple times.
They talk about "rejection" but never happened. Neither even acknowledged they were mates? Also, when you find out you have a kid, one would think building that relationship would be priority...but no.
I skimmed a huge chunk because there's too many words without a purpose of moving the story forward.
August 7, 2026
Starts with a strong hook and a compelling setup, but the pacing shifts halfway through, slowing down with extra wording that pulled me out of the story at times. I even found myself skipping ahead during sections that felt more like filler than forward movement. And truly — why do hockey players need full body paint when they’re covered head‑to‑toe in gear? It’s a fun detail, but one I kept questioning because no one can see the painted skin anyway.
Lila Voss, older brother Alpha Damien Voss of the Silverfang Pack. She might be of werewolf blood but she can't shift nor does she have a wolf, which lead her being no including in much of her father and brother's pack life and traditions and probably even her mothers as well, since she was never a wolf. She know her pack only tolerated her since she was an alpha's daughter but human and they pushed her away and declined to a see her as her. She was loved by her family and well protected by her older brother who included her in much of his life as she wanted. Damien is a on the towns hockey team the Frost Wolves.
She was 18/19 when Damien invited her to a party for the team only he wasnt there when she arrived but Colt, her brother's best friend was. Talking lead from the party to her apartment and into the next day in which Colt not saying the reject word but bring up his dead wife and why he cant get involved with Lila but wants to know if anything came about of their night together to let him know... He never reached out but one time the day he left her place in the whole 2 weeks. Lila found out she was pregnant the day she left her home and her brother, to head to their grandmother's place taking 2 secretes with her... For 7 years later she's coming home with her son name Kai, with Colt's face and her amber eyes...
Colt Mercer, Captain of the Frost Wolves, Alpha of the Moonfang Pack, was 26/27, 4 months into being a widower, after the death of his wife and arranged contracted mate, Sandra Dravers Mercer passed away giving birth to his son, who also passed away, leaving Colt in mourning. He was 25 when he learned that his father already signed the contract making Colt marry to Sandra for a political union. No love between the two but respect but the loss caused Colt to close himself off. Cursed as he tells people so no one can get close and vice versa. But the party that Lila attended that his buddy Damien ditch, he wolf came alive for his fated mate, Lila Voss. Unfortunately for him she up and disappeared a few weeks after the last he saw and spoken with her, only knowing what Damien and her social media posts say these past 7 years. Until the announcement that a body painting artist will be brought in for 6 months to 'paint' the players a one Lila Voss...
Lila Voss, older brother Alpha Damien Voss of the Silverfang Pack. She might be of werewolf blood but she can't shift nor does she have a wolf, which lead her being no including in much of her father and brother's pack life and traditions and probably even her mothers as well, since she was never a wolf. She know her pack only tolerated her since she was an alpha's daughter but human and they pushed her away and declined to a see her as her. She was loved by her family and well protected by her older brother who included her in much of his life as she wanted. Damien is a on the towns hockey team the Frost Wolves.
She was 18/19 when Damien invited her to a party for the team only he wasnt there when she arrived but Colt, her brother's best friend was. Talking lead from the party to her apartment and into the next day in which Colt not saying the reject word but bring up his dead wife and why he cant get involved with Lila but wants to know if anything came about of their night together to let him know... He never reached out but one time the day he left her place in the whole 2 weeks. Lila found out she was pregnant the day she left her home and her brother, to head to their grandmother's place taking 2 secretes with her... For 7 years later she's coming home with her son name Kai, with Colt's face and her amber eyes...
Colt Mercer, Captain of the Frost Wolves, Alpha of the Moonfang Pack, was 26/27, 4 months into being a widower, after the death of his wife and arranged contracted mate, Sandra Dravers Mercer passed away giving birth to his son, who also passed away, leaving Colt in mourning. He was 25 when he learned that his father already signed the contract making Colt marry to Sandra for a political union. No love between the two but respect but the loss caused Colt to close himself off. Cursed as he tells people so no one can get close and vice versa. But the party that Lila attended that his buddy Damien ditch, he wolf came alive for his fated mate, Lila Voss. Unfortunately for him she up and disappeared a few weeks after the last he saw and spoken with her, only knowing what Damien and her social media posts say these past 7 years. Until the announcement that a body painting artist will be brought in for 6 months to 'paint' the players a one Lila Voss...
August 21, 2026
cute story, but needed better proofreading
I thought this was a cute story. The female lead’s occupation was interesting, and sometimes I kind of felt like it didn’t work. (Body paint before a hockey game? Not even sure how that works with all the gear and sweat and everything.)
There were lots of typos. But it was a cute story.
There were a lot of continuity errors, too. At one point, it’s a couch, then later a bed, then a couch again. In Chapter 19 “Kai sat between us” but just a few paragraphs later “Colt was warm on my left side and Kai was warm on my right.” They are playing hockey, but all of a sudden in chapter 24 they are talking about balls. Lila says in chapter 25 a character looks “at him with the same expression” they “had worn in the council chamber” which is something that sounds like Lila isn’t there for, and specifically in Chapter 29 Lila says “I had never sat in a council chamber for an official proceeding” so how would she know what a person looked like / what expression they had when she was never there? First she was gone for 7 years, then in the back of the book, around Chapter 28-30, it keeps referencing 11 years ago. Chapter 27 Lila says she is looking at the ceiling at a water stain that she had been looking at for two years, but they just moved there a few months ago, so that made no sense.
So if you can look past all those little errors, people in their own pov saying their own name when listing who is with them, sentences without spaces after them, subject verb agreement issues, it really is a cute story.
I thought this was a cute story. The female lead’s occupation was interesting, and sometimes I kind of felt like it didn’t work. (Body paint before a hockey game? Not even sure how that works with all the gear and sweat and everything.)
There were lots of typos. But it was a cute story.
There were a lot of continuity errors, too. At one point, it’s a couch, then later a bed, then a couch again. In Chapter 19 “Kai sat between us” but just a few paragraphs later “Colt was warm on my left side and Kai was warm on my right.” They are playing hockey, but all of a sudden in chapter 24 they are talking about balls. Lila says in chapter 25 a character looks “at him with the same expression” they “had worn in the council chamber” which is something that sounds like Lila isn’t there for, and specifically in Chapter 29 Lila says “I had never sat in a council chamber for an official proceeding” so how would she know what a person looked like / what expression they had when she was never there? First she was gone for 7 years, then in the back of the book, around Chapter 28-30, it keeps referencing 11 years ago. Chapter 27 Lila says she is looking at the ceiling at a water stain that she had been looking at for two years, but they just moved there a few months ago, so that made no sense.
So if you can look past all those little errors, people in their own pov saying their own name when listing who is with them, sentences without spaces after them, subject verb agreement issues, it really is a cute story.
October 22, 2026
Forgettable!!
Had some potential, but fell so short... i really struggled to finish this book, so much so that i started to skim... one of the main issues was that this book needs some series editing, words are missing, there are gramatical errors... this is not a new author, so i struggle to understand the lack of finish, imo this is a big problem with this book!
Wtf is with the word "specific" the repetition is crazy... Like 279 times crazy!!
Storyline wise, we get told about the so called "rejection", but the mmcs never actually officially rejected each other and that was the main premise of the story... this book just felt run of the mill and mediocre imo, i just wanted more!
Had some potential, but fell so short... i really struggled to finish this book, so much so that i started to skim... one of the main issues was that this book needs some series editing, words are missing, there are gramatical errors... this is not a new author, so i struggle to understand the lack of finish, imo this is a big problem with this book!
Wtf is with the word "specific" the repetition is crazy... Like 279 times crazy!!
Storyline wise, we get told about the so called "rejection", but the mmcs never actually officially rejected each other and that was the main premise of the story... this book just felt run of the mill and mediocre imo, i just wanted more!
July 26, 2026
Interesting Read
First of all this was an enjoyable book to read for the most part. I'd say closer to three stars than four but it is a decent book so I rounded up. (anything less than 4 stars is considered negative)
There is a lot of reputation in the book. For example the word specific is used 297 times.
There's also a lot of passive and past tense which slow the narrative down a lot and make the story read as third person rather than first.
The idea for the book is excellent. I felt like in writing it should have been just about shifters or just sports. The two fight for space and neither wins. A better editor and some pass through would've helped
First of all this was an enjoyable book to read for the most part. I'd say closer to three stars than four but it is a decent book so I rounded up. (anything less than 4 stars is considered negative)
There is a lot of reputation in the book. For example the word specific is used 297 times.
There's also a lot of passive and past tense which slow the narrative down a lot and make the story read as third person rather than first.
The idea for the book is excellent. I felt like in writing it should have been just about shifters or just sports. The two fight for space and neither wins. A better editor and some pass through would've helped
September 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just finished Rejected by My Brother’s Best Friend Alpha by Jennifer Eve, and I absolutely loved it!
This book had hockey, fated mates and alpha wolves — basically a combination I didn’t know I needed! 🏒🐺❤️
There were some seriously intense moments throughout the story, especially when her brother finds out about the father of her son. That definitely made things interesting! But also what was happening in the background.
One of my favourite parts, though, was the father-and-son interactions. I really loved those moments and thought they added something special to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and couldn’t put it down.
Just finished Rejected by My Brother’s Best Friend Alpha by Jennifer Eve, and I absolutely loved it!
This book had hockey, fated mates and alpha wolves — basically a combination I didn’t know I needed! 🏒🐺❤️
There were some seriously intense moments throughout the story, especially when her brother finds out about the father of her son. That definitely made things interesting! But also what was happening in the background.
One of my favourite parts, though, was the father-and-son interactions. I really loved those moments and thought they added something special to the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and couldn’t put it down.
August 3, 2026
Lila and Colt are fated mates and you would think that meant a done deal. But no, because Colt chooses a political marriage over his mate to his detriment.
Lila leaves with a secret, finds her inner strength and moves on.
But this is a second chance story, and they find their way back to each other. But Colt - he has to earn her trust and make it right for the way he tossed her aside.
I like how this played out with the drama, OW interference, grovel, angst, chemistry, and their son.
Lila leaves with a secret, finds her inner strength and moves on.
But this is a second chance story, and they find their way back to each other. But Colt - he has to earn her trust and make it right for the way he tossed her aside.
I like how this played out with the drama, OW interference, grovel, angst, chemistry, and their son.
August 5, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author.
This is the story of Colt and Lila. They are fated mates and have a steamy one-night stand, and you think they are starting their future together, but to Lila's sorrow, he does not choose her, even though his wolf has recognized her. Broken, she flees, but not alone. Yes, a few years later she returns, and Colt regrets not choosing her years ago. Will they get a second chance to be happy together and start a family?
I received an Advance Reader copy of this series and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the story of Colt and Lila. They are fated mates and have a steamy one-night stand, and you think they are starting their future together, but to Lila's sorrow, he does not choose her, even though his wolf has recognized her. Broken, she flees, but not alone. Yes, a few years later she returns, and Colt regrets not choosing her years ago. Will they get a second chance to be happy together and start a family?
I received an Advance Reader copy of this series and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2026
Hope for Redemption
Lila and Colt spend a night together that was both exceptional and heartbreaking. His rejection prompts a time skip of 7 years that has changed them both. It was an emotionally charged read where redemption takes precedence and friendships waver. This was an intriguing read that I just did not want to put down.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lila and Colt spend a night together that was both exceptional and heartbreaking. His rejection prompts a time skip of 7 years that has changed them both. It was an emotionally charged read where redemption takes precedence and friendships waver. This was an intriguing read that I just did not want to put down.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2026
Story was good. Editing was awful
I do not doubt that writing a book is difficult.
But if you are putting your name to a story make sure that your editing and consistency is sorted.
There were missing words throughout the whole book.
We went from a death that was 7 years ago, to 11 years, to 7 years again.
I very nearly didn’t finish this book and if it wasn’t for the fact that the premise was good, I wouldn’t have been finished.
I do not doubt that writing a book is difficult.
But if you are putting your name to a story make sure that your editing and consistency is sorted.
There were missing words throughout the whole book.
We went from a death that was 7 years ago, to 11 years, to 7 years again.
I very nearly didn’t finish this book and if it wasn’t for the fact that the premise was good, I wouldn’t have been finished.
July 31, 2026
Second-chance Alpha romance
An ice hockey second-chance shifter romance, with drama, a widower ice hockey star Alpha, a wolfless fated mate, brother's best friend, age-gap , intense chemistry, arranged marriage and pack politics, rejection, secret baby, second chances, forced proximity, love, banter, steam, twists and a HEA. A good read.
Lila had always felt like an outsider as she'd never been able to shift herself so when her brother invited her to a celebration she went just to show her face and go again. But when her brother's best friend (her child hood crush) had offered her a lift home she takes courage to invite him. But the following morning he leaves and when she doesn't hear from him again she leaves to start a new life.
Colt had lost his arranged wife 4 months previously and when he senses the pull of a fated mate he can't deny his feelings but afterwards worries about his teammate/best friend and that he's not good to be around for those he loves. But he finds ways to keep track of Lila as she moves on with her life.
They're brought back together when she's hired to do the body painting for his team for a season, for promotion; and when he finally meets her son that she's kept hidden he can't help but wonder if he might be his. But he'd withdrawn from her before, this time he needs to build the trust between them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An ice hockey second-chance shifter romance, with drama, a widower ice hockey star Alpha, a wolfless fated mate, brother's best friend, age-gap , intense chemistry, arranged marriage and pack politics, rejection, secret baby, second chances, forced proximity, love, banter, steam, twists and a HEA. A good read.
Lila had always felt like an outsider as she'd never been able to shift herself so when her brother invited her to a celebration she went just to show her face and go again. But when her brother's best friend (her child hood crush) had offered her a lift home she takes courage to invite him. But the following morning he leaves and when she doesn't hear from him again she leaves to start a new life.
Colt had lost his arranged wife 4 months previously and when he senses the pull of a fated mate he can't deny his feelings but afterwards worries about his teammate/best friend and that he's not good to be around for those he loves. But he finds ways to keep track of Lila as she moves on with her life.
They're brought back together when she's hired to do the body painting for his team for a season, for promotion; and when he finally meets her son that she's kept hidden he can't help but wonder if he might be his. But he'd withdrawn from her before, this time he needs to build the trust between them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2026
Good storyline
The storyline is genuinely good, something thats easy to follow. The writing was good, but there are plot holes, time lines un-established, editing errors, missing words and the ending did not give a finished feel.
This is a slow burn, expect it to have a slow pacing with low spice. Open door romance.
The storyline is genuinely good, something thats easy to follow. The writing was good, but there are plot holes, time lines un-established, editing errors, missing words and the ending did not give a finished feel.
This is a slow burn, expect it to have a slow pacing with low spice. Open door romance.
September 3, 2026
YES
This was wonderful. Not the usual rejected mate trope but still rejected but different. You'll come to understand the choices that were made as you read about Lila and Colt and the rest. It is wholesome, sad at points with enough strength to make it a worthwhile read and enjoy it. I enjoy reading this.
This was wonderful. Not the usual rejected mate trope but still rejected but different. You'll come to understand the choices that were made as you read about Lila and Colt and the rest. It is wholesome, sad at points with enough strength to make it a worthwhile read and enjoy it. I enjoy reading this.
September 3, 2026
Would have given 5 stars, but…
I liked the story and characters. However, there were a lot of typos throughout the book. Plus, the overuse of the word “specific” throughout the book made it a little difficult/distracting to read. I found myself waiting for the next “specific” in the book.
I liked the story and characters. However, there were a lot of typos throughout the book. Plus, the overuse of the word “specific” throughout the book made it a little difficult/distracting to read. I found myself waiting for the next “specific” in the book.
October 7, 2026
Villain vs. Hero
18+, XXX. Adult content, reader discretion advised. The is Colt and Lila's story. There are two villains in this book. One is looking for redemption for his evil and the other digs in and doubles down. Lila needed more that Colt could offer seven years ago. Now she is back, Colt wants to give her everything. Sera has objections.
18+, XXX. Adult content, reader discretion advised. The is Colt and Lila's story. There are two villains in this book. One is looking for redemption for his evil and the other digs in and doubles down. Lila needed more that Colt could offer seven years ago. Now she is back, Colt wants to give her everything. Sera has objections.
August 26, 2026
Good storyline
Really liked the story and characters in this book but the repetitive over descriptions and a couple of mistakes made it hard to keep going. Jennifer Eve’s books are t normally like that so was surprised but won’t stop me reading others by her.
Really liked the story and characters in this book but the repetitive over descriptions and a couple of mistakes made it hard to keep going. Jennifer Eve’s books are t normally like that so was surprised but won’t stop me reading others by her.
Did Not Finish
September 24, 2026Please explain how this books was so short but felt SO LONG. His reasoning for rejection was sound. It happened at the very beginning and then the entire book was grovel. I love a good grovel but this was just too long for me.
October 9, 2026
DNF’d at 30%, and I forced myself that far. Terrible quality. Out of control with the spelling, formatting, and grammar errors (including character names!), and don’t get me started on the amount of run-on sentences and comma errors. Not worth whatever might come of the plot line. I’m out!
October 16, 2026
How many times can a book include the word specific???
Seriously. How many times can a book include the word specific??? By end I was starting to twitch. Loved the book overall but good lord.
Seriously. How many times can a book include the word specific??? By end I was starting to twitch. Loved the book overall but good lord.
November 10, 2026
Very good read
The focus on emotions and feelings and the "why" of things was pivotal... the relationship Colt develops with his son and how far he goes to respect boundaries and take accountability and show honor was definitely a different and welcome addition.
The focus on emotions and feelings and the "why" of things was pivotal... the relationship Colt develops with his son and how far he goes to respect boundaries and take accountability and show honor was definitely a different and welcome addition.
September 14, 2026
1.5⭐️
I got 35% in and was struggling with the story, even though it wasn’t badly written.
I decided I had too many unread books to push my way through this one.
I got 35% in and was struggling with the story, even though it wasn’t badly written.
I decided I had too many unread books to push my way through this one.
Read
October 20, 2026Typos, typos & more typos. Not a bad storyline. Kinda what I expected.
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