Choosing the Rejected Mate

by Jade Marshall

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2026

About the author

South African author of romance with a dark side
Mother, wife, animal lover, alcohol consumer...
English, Afrikaans, and sarcasm are the only languages I understand.

Evernight Publishing Author & Acquiring Editor.
It's official!

Check out the submission requirements here - https://www.evernightpublishing.com/g...
or for Evernight Teen - https://www.evernightteen.com/submiss...

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover Blurb:
Holly Black knows better than to trust fate.
After being publicly rejected by the mate destined for her, she spent years rebuilding her life, one cupcake, one customer, and one hard-earned dream at a time. Sweetique Bakery is hers, and she’s determined to never let anyone break her heart again.
Then a broken mixer brings Daniel Reed to her door.
The town’s handsome handyman is everything Holly doesn’t need… patient, protective, and impossible to ignore. Worse, he’s her second-chance mate.
Daniel knows the bond between them is real, but he refuses to claim what Holly isn’t ready to give. Instead, he offers friendship, laughter, and the freedom to choose for herself.
As old wounds begin to heal and an undeniable attraction grows into something deeper, Holly must decide if she’s brave enough to trust again.
Because fate may have chosen her mate…
But this time, Holly gets to do the choosing.

[Nikenya Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly was rejected by her mate and she left her pack and started her bakery. She lives a content life but fate has plans for her. Daniel is a local handyman and also Holly’s new mate. She feels it but she fears it due to her past. Daniel recognizes her trauma and assures her that he will not try to dominate her. He approaches Holly respectfully and cautiously letting her know that he will move at her pace. Holly is drawn to Daniel because he is not what she’s used to. He lets their bond grow and as the bond strengthens so does their love. I loved this book. Holly picked herself up from the trenches and fate sent her a mate who accepted her as she is and who encouraged her to believe in herself. Daniel was just perfect for Holly.

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

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to the series. Holly was rejected as a mate and left to rebuild her life. She opens a bakery and never knew a broken mixer would change her life. Daniel is a handyman and fixes things throughout the town. When he stops by to offer his service, she realizes he's her Mate. What ensues is such a joy to watch the banter among them and her employees and customers. It makes the book so enjoyable you feel like your right there. I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly has been rejected by her mate so she left her pack and opened a bakery. Those feelings of rejection and the trauma from the past never left her. When she meet her new mate Daniel all those feelings rushed back. The fates had sent her Daniel and he accepted all of her. I love how Daniel is patient he doesn’t push and their love and bond grow. Holly is a strong FMC. I love how she didn’t allow the rejection to define her. I loved this read.

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

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly and Danie’s story is a second fated mate for her, she was rejected as a mate and left to rebuild her life. She opens a bakery and a broken mixer changes her life. Daniel is a handyman and fixes things around their town. He stops by to offer his service, she realizes he's her Mate. He approaches Holly respectfully and cautiously letting her know that he will move at her pace.

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

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a heavy, regretful and sorrowful story about rejection and the misery caused but what i found was a sweet and romantic story about recovery, determination to succeed and the willingness to find love in spite of a tragic past. Daniel and Holly's relationship, from the broken mixer to the final kiss, is filled with warm and funny moments.

[ObsessiveReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly and Daniel's relationship is sweet. Holly builds a life away from her pack after being rejected and makes a good life for herself. She isn't looking for any one and one day Daniel shows up in her life.

Story is enjoyable and provides plenty of laughs.

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

[Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

That feel like a quick short sweet read ✨ i love the banter between them 😍

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Choosing the Rejected Mate, the second book in Jade Marshall’s Moon Bound Mates series. From beginning to end, this book had me laughing, smiling, sighing, and occasionally delivering a very dramatic eye roll. Holly and Daniel may be fictional, but by the end of the story, they felt like my new BFFs.

The title almost does the book a disservice because I went in expecting something much heavier, a rejected-mate story filled with heartbreak, angst, and doom and gloom before finally arriving at a happily ever after. Instead, I found a funny, warm, wonderfully entertaining romance filled with wit, sarcasm, love, steam, small-town charm, and characters I could not help but root for.

Holly and Daniel are the kind of couple you want to stand on top of a mountain and cheer for. Their romance is sweet, sexy, and genuinely endearing, but the supporting characters deserve plenty of credit too. They add another layer of humor, banter, and personality that makes the entire town feel alive. The combination of romance, supernatural elements, small-town drama, and laugh-out-loud moments made this one of the most enjoyable rom-coms I have read in quite a while.

Jade Marshall also creates a world that feels imaginative, hopeful, and incredibly inviting. Honestly, if this town were real, I would happily book my next vacation there. I suspect it would be an absolute hoot.

There is drama, of course, and that is where most of my eye rolling came in, once or twice...okay, maybe four or five times. But underneath all of the humor and romance is a message I really appreciated: sometimes fate may have a plan for us, but that does not mean the first path placed in front of us is the one we are meant to follow. Sometimes there is another plan, not a backup plan, but one that fits us far better.

My only tiny disappointment was that I would have enjoyed seeing Rowan and Cole receive their comeuppance. Then again, this is Holly and Daniel’s story, and perhaps their happily ever after is sweeter because it does not waste any more time or energy on people who do not deserve a place in it.

Funny, romantic, steamy, heartfelt, and packed with characters I adored, Choosing the Rejected Mate completely won me over. This was such a fun read, and I am more than ready to spend more time in the Moon Bound Mates world.

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

[Mary Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing The Rejected Mate is such a wonderful shifter romance. Our heroine Holly is the one who was rejected by her fated mate, so she’s had to build a life for herself as a baker away from her pack, and she’s been quite successful at it. But is it possible for lightning to strike twice and for her to have another fated mate?

What makes this book sing is the relationship between Holly and Daniel. These two are just so darned snarky towards one another that reading their interactions was a blast. Daniel knows he has to tread lightly with the gun-shy Holly, so his deflection of her assertions was a delight to read, and his steadfast support of her was awesome. Their scenes together are absolute fun, which is something I don’t see that often in shifter romances.

This is one of Marshall’s most assured romances. I devoured this book like it was one of Holly’s delicious pastries. It’s light and airy and sweet and delicious, and it leaves you satisfied at the end.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an entertaining read that had me smiling and giggling throughout. Holly has survived being publicly rejected by her fated mate and has made a new life for herself as a bakery owner in a new town. When her mixer needs a fix, transient handyman, Daniel, shows up to help. Immediately, they both know they're mates but she is so not going there, again. Daniel was beyond fab at consent, checking in with her and fully respecting her emotions and boundaries. Holly had so many witty zingers that you just couldn't help but laugh. Thankfully, the care Daniel gave her let her take the leap...only for her old pack to show up. Yeah, that was gripping... Expect to get caught up in the humour, drama, healing, small town community support and a hot and steamy romance you can't help but root for. I loved it and can't wait for the next book. Good fun!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Holly and Daniel! I have read the first novel in this series and really enjoyed it. This novel did not disappoint. I love paranormal novels with a second chance rejected mate theme. I was excited to jump back into this series and it did not let me down. From the first chapter this novel pulled me right back into this series. My heart hurt for Holly and all she had been thru being rejected by her mate. But I loved how strong and resilient she was rebuilding her life and finding her peace. I loved Daniel and how patient he was in showing Holly that he was there for her and it was her choice to choose her next step. Their chemistry was so good! Once I started reading I didn't want to put this novel down. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. So good!

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing The Rejected Mate is book two of the Moon Bound Mates Series. 

This was a super sweet read between Holly and Daniel. Holly was hurt in the past and didn't want to experience anymore pain. Daniel acknowledged this and made sure he did everything he could to make her feel safe and secure. He was ultra sweet and caring with Holly. I loved everything he did and every interaction they had together. They had some fun banter between them, which just added to the storyline. They both needed to be accepted for who they were and I loved that they found each other and we able to embrace their bond and make something great between them. 

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well-written and you have to wait for Holly to make a decision if she will accept Daniel as her mate. She has been hurt in the past and she won't let anyone close enough to hurt her again. Holly has been guarded for a long time and now she has her wolf slamming at her wanting to get closer to her mate. This was so well-written and I loved every moment of this story. The way these two came together was so cute and Daniel had to be so patient and show Holly that he would not hurt her. I enjoyed how he was so patient and pushed when Holly needed to be pushed. I cannot wait to see what Jade will bring us next with this series. This is a must read!!

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this romance as it felt grown up, where the people had real issues and problem, but still managed to have excellent banter and conversation. I think Holly is great. I don’t know how she manages to be super serious and full of life at the same time. Both Holly and Daniel have been hurt, hence the serious nature, but whilst Holly has found her forever home and put down roots, Daniel has been a permanent wanderer. When both meet, I love the sparks and the naughty nature, however I appreciate the waiting. Part of the reason I love this book is the ride-or-die friendship between Holly and Maisie and I would love to read Maisie’s story! 🤞

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to start this review with a piece of advice: Don't drink fluids while reading this book. Holly had me laughing so hard when she talked to the appliances or her baked goods that I had water coming out of my nose. She was hilarious. But my heart also broke for her past pain and for Daniel's loneliness. I love that he gave her time and showed her with actions that he was there to stay.

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

[Teddi Edge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FMC was so strong in this book. She gets rejected by her mate but picks herself up and opens a bakery. She then runs into our MMC and her second chance mate. Who respects the trauma behind the mate bond for her and lets her go at her own pace. Just loved the time spent with these two. This was not as heavy and sad as you might think. Just a sweet story about the couple

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so much during the read - the female lead AKA Holly is snarky at it's finest and Daniel takes it in stride. Lots of emotions, smolder, heat and drama. This is one wonderful read!!!!!.

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

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hot 🔥 sexy paranormal romance read.

What will happen to now she's been rejected?

Its another gorgeous Paranormal romance read 📚
Loved it.

[Veronica Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good banter, very fun!