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The Melrose Coven #2
An Unexpected Mating
Justin Chandler hates shifters. In fact, the one thing he associates with shifter is how fast he can kill them. And fate, the bitch, saw to it that his most hated enemy is his mate, and there’s just no way he can ever accept that.
The one thing Shawn McKay held sacred was the anticipation of his mate. As a werewolf, he’d always dreamed of finding his mate. After meeting Justin at a party, he couldn’t deny the intrigue he felt, knowing full well that he had finally found his mate. What he did not expect was meeting Mike Beckley, another vampire and his other mate.
Mike Beckley is a sweet, caring sometimes-oblivious fashion guru and Justin’s on-again, off-again lover. His job as an interior decorator led him straight to his mates, but, with the animosity between his two mates, what will become of the three
The one thing Shawn McKay held sacred was the anticipation of his mate. As a werewolf, he’d always dreamed of finding his mate. After meeting Justin at a party, he couldn’t deny the intrigue he felt, knowing full well that he had finally found his mate. What he did not expect was meeting Mike Beckley, another vampire and his other mate.
Mike Beckley is a sweet, caring sometimes-oblivious fashion guru and Justin’s on-again, off-again lover. His job as an interior decorator led him straight to his mates, but, with the animosity between his two mates, what will become of the three
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2016
6 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Toby Aden
15 books100 followersToby Aden has always had an overactive imagination. She is an avid reader who spends much of her time immersed in the world of romantic novels. After discovering the world of MM romance, she became irrevocably enthralled by it and decided to try her hand writing it.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 29, 2025
It was so exciting to return to this world that Toby Aden has created. I really enjoyed the first book and learning about the war that's been raging for centuries between werewolves and vampires. Seeing the king of all vampires, Kevyan, find his mate in Dorian, an omega werewolf who didn't even know he was a shifter much less a type that hadn't been seen for centuries, was thrilling. It's no wonder I was super eager to jump into this latest release in the series.
Even though the peace treaty has been in effect for six months, neither the vamps nor the wolves have made any inroads into being anything but silent enemies. Kevyan and Dorian meet with their neighboring alpha and agree to establish a nightclub for both species, run by a member of each. Kevyan assigns Justin and, unfortunately for him, the alpha assigns Shawn, Justin's mate whom he refuses to acknowledge or have any contact with. Justin contacts Mike to come and see the space and discuss the interior design options. Lo and behold, Shawn is his mate, too. Turns out Justin and Mike mated many years before but something always felt off about it and they didn't know why so they haven't spent a ton of time together. It appears their mate bond was waiting for their third.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Even though the peace treaty has been in effect for six months, neither the vamps nor the wolves have made any inroads into being anything but silent enemies. Kevyan and Dorian meet with their neighboring alpha and agree to establish a nightclub for both species, run by a member of each. Kevyan assigns Justin and, unfortunately for him, the alpha assigns Shawn, Justin's mate whom he refuses to acknowledge or have any contact with. Justin contacts Mike to come and see the space and discuss the interior design options. Lo and behold, Shawn is his mate, too. Turns out Justin and Mike mated many years before but something always felt off about it and they didn't know why so they haven't spent a ton of time together. It appears their mate bond was waiting for their third.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
August 26, 2016
I bought this for some m/m/m goodness. but Justin is such a stubborn and annoying asshole it never really worked and there is little menagey goodness. Justin is a vamp who hates werewolves, however discovers his mate is a werewolf and he's forced to work with the guy on a project, which brings in Justin's fuck-buddy vampire interior designer. Lo and behold, the fuck-buddy is their third mate and despite a half-finished mating bond, Justin refuses to complete it with Shawn and we all know that werewolves will eventually die if half-mated.
Again, Justin refused to listen to anyone or anything until Shawn was basically mostly dead. And why would he not know that his FB was a mate as well. He felt this all consuming passion for Shawn but it was kind of just a normal attraction to Mike. So, eh. I thought both Mike and Shawn deserved better to be honest, baggage on Justin's part or not.
Again, Justin refused to listen to anyone or anything until Shawn was basically mostly dead. And why would he not know that his FB was a mate as well. He felt this all consuming passion for Shawn but it was kind of just a normal attraction to Mike. So, eh. I thought both Mike and Shawn deserved better to be honest, baggage on Justin's part or not.
July 10, 2016
In book one the world was set – the vampires and werewolves are at war, but a very tentative treaty is in place with the mating of Kevyan and Dorian. In book two, Justin, a vampire, meets Shawn, a werewolf, and realizes they’re mates but Justin hates werewolves and denies their mating. But it’s more complicated than that. In a moment of madness Justin is claimed by Shawn, but doesn’t complete the bond.
Meanwhile, the two find a third mate in Mike, Justin’s on again off again lover.
While Shawn and Mike could be happy together, Justin isn’t willing to complete the mating. Even though it looks like denying the bond could, in fact, kill Shawn.
**
This is one of those situations that just makes me cringe. I’d read and enjoyed book one in the series, so when asked to review this, book 2, I eagerly accepted.
I’m sorry to say that it just didn’t work for me – at all.
First, the fact that Justin and Mike were just casually mated didn’t make any sense. When Justin senses Shawn he is so drawn to him that even though he HATES werewolves he’s drawn to the man and even has sex with him – yet his other mate – who is a vampire – is just a casual thing.
Second, the fact that the bond failing to be complete makes Shawn ill is sort of thrown in – deus ex machina. If that had been introduced earlier in the story it would have felt more authentic, but as it is, it felt sort of thrown in for effect.
Third, when Kevyan throws the three of them together to force them to mate, Justin suddenly crumbles and admits his love for them. What? Since when? Why would that happen all of the sudden.
Fourth, what is the role of Mike in all this? He doesn’t seem to really be anybody’s mate yet he’s “their glue”. I didn’t understand how he fit in at all and he absolutely felt like a third wheel.
Finally, there were typos and grammatical mistakes that I didn’t notice in book one – this could be because I was given an ARC but book two just didn’t feel as polished to me as book one.
There was a lot of sex and very little relationship building. Justin didn’t act consistently or in a way that made me like him at all. I didn’t want Shawn and Mike to bond with him because he was a jerk the entire time. If I was supposed to ever feel any sympathy for Justin it wasn’t made clear to me.
So, though I always appreciate the fact that writing is difficult and anyone willing to do it has my appreciation – this story just didn’t work for me, and I can’t recommend it.
2.5 of 5 stars
Meanwhile, the two find a third mate in Mike, Justin’s on again off again lover.
While Shawn and Mike could be happy together, Justin isn’t willing to complete the mating. Even though it looks like denying the bond could, in fact, kill Shawn.
**
This is one of those situations that just makes me cringe. I’d read and enjoyed book one in the series, so when asked to review this, book 2, I eagerly accepted.
I’m sorry to say that it just didn’t work for me – at all.
First, the fact that Justin and Mike were just casually mated didn’t make any sense. When Justin senses Shawn he is so drawn to him that even though he HATES werewolves he’s drawn to the man and even has sex with him – yet his other mate – who is a vampire – is just a casual thing.
Second, the fact that the bond failing to be complete makes Shawn ill is sort of thrown in – deus ex machina. If that had been introduced earlier in the story it would have felt more authentic, but as it is, it felt sort of thrown in for effect.
Third, when Kevyan throws the three of them together to force them to mate, Justin suddenly crumbles and admits his love for them. What? Since when? Why would that happen all of the sudden.
Fourth, what is the role of Mike in all this? He doesn’t seem to really be anybody’s mate yet he’s “their glue”. I didn’t understand how he fit in at all and he absolutely felt like a third wheel.
Finally, there were typos and grammatical mistakes that I didn’t notice in book one – this could be because I was given an ARC but book two just didn’t feel as polished to me as book one.
There was a lot of sex and very little relationship building. Justin didn’t act consistently or in a way that made me like him at all. I didn’t want Shawn and Mike to bond with him because he was a jerk the entire time. If I was supposed to ever feel any sympathy for Justin it wasn’t made clear to me.
So, though I always appreciate the fact that writing is difficult and anyone willing to do it has my appreciation – this story just didn’t work for me, and I can’t recommend it.
2.5 of 5 stars
July 15, 2016
Loving This Series!
Book two was great by itself,but I would recommend you to start with book one. This series is absolutely wonderful can't wait to see what happens next in The Melrose Coven!
Book two was great by itself,but I would recommend you to start with book one. This series is absolutely wonderful can't wait to see what happens next in The Melrose Coven!
May 20, 2018
Somewhat more entertaining and attention catching than the first instalment in this series. A well-done, grade-A asshole like Justin always makes for a fun read when the author was opinionated enough to have said protagonist retain his adversity until late into the story, as is the case here. It compensates for the massive amount of trite, shifter lore which clogs down this very predictable and cliche-y book. The two other parts of the threesome were largely forgettable, particularly the other vampire, Mike; he falls utterly flat, has no life or spunk whatsoever, and could as well have been a legless bunny, a dead turtle or a slumbering spider on the wall for what little he brings to both the plot and the mating. A walking, talking, coitus-ready collection of holes does not a hero make. The shifter mate provides food for much more angst, and along with it proves a good foil full of emotional baggage, in that he, for an alpha were supposedly full of über-manliness and at any rate contolled by his instincts, turns out to be surprisingly sweet and tolerant of Justin's wayward antics, to the point of putting his life on the line. Otherwise, there is as little universe building, large-scale intrigue and psychological cogency to this entry as was to be expected from the previous one. However, since the writing seems definitely smoother and more elaborate, I shall not sulk my pleasure in declaring An Unexpected Mating to be a tolerable comfort read.
June 10, 2018
Well, I won't say the proofreading was as bad as the first book, but I will say that Ms. Aden has picked up a "new" bad habit... (did you just see that?) Yeah, repetitive words... *headdesk* :(
The story just abounds with them! I only caught one or two times that there was a missing word, but the whole repetitive word thing was just out of hand! (Yeah, I just did it again! *snort* LOL!!!)
Add to that the fact that the story jumped... I mean they would be doing something and then the next paragraph, totally different place! I can't say that I was overly fond of any of the MCs, but the scene where Justin tells his story about his past? That was an emotional moment... brief, but emotional!
I suppose I will read book 3 if for no other reason than to curb my curiosity! I would love to read a story by this author in a few years... I sense we will see vast improvements! :D
The story just abounds with them! I only caught one or two times that there was a missing word, but the whole repetitive word thing was just out of hand! (Yeah, I just did it again! *snort* LOL!!!)
Add to that the fact that the story jumped... I mean they would be doing something and then the next paragraph, totally different place! I can't say that I was overly fond of any of the MCs, but the scene where Justin tells his story about his past? That was an emotional moment... brief, but emotional!
I suppose I will read book 3 if for no other reason than to curb my curiosity! I would love to read a story by this author in a few years... I sense we will see vast improvements! :D
November 15, 2017
Really digging this series, this book centers on a trio of Justin a werewolf hating vampire who is mates with a werewolf and vampire. What I like most is that just because the previous book wrapped up you still get insight as to event that happen to previous characters so the storyline is ongoing for everyone. Justin was a punk throughout the story but he does have his reasons, if he would have spoken up about it in advance things would have been different for him, but he didn’t and that is why he is a jerk in most of the events that happened.
May 28, 2017
This is what I was hoping for. More drama and more passion. This one is a deeper more involved read. The Justin from the previous book was seemed so fun but when he became a main character I was not happy with who he was shaping into. Shawn and Mike had me from the start. I'm so glad Justin came to his senses. We got a little more information about our mystery villian. I can't wait for that to be resolved. I am loving this series. It has all the components needed for a deeply engaging story.
September 2, 2016
Justin hates werwolves with a passion. He has his reasons. In an effort to keep the peace between the two races, he is forced by the king to work with a shifter, Shawn. They both are taken with opening a club, where species will mingle in the hopes of averting another war. Justin knows they are mates, but his hate for Shawn's kind keeps him from connecting with him.
From the moment he met Justin, Shawn knew what he wanted. He realized that Justin was skittish about having a relationship with him so he decided to go Alpha and go after him. In one night of passion he decided to claim Justin, but is hurt when the feelings are not reciprocated.
Mike, Justin's on again off again lover believed that he an Justin were mates, but something about their bonding was off. As soon as he meets Shawn, he realizes that he was the missing piece. Mike wants every one to be happy and he plans on doing whatever it takes for Justin to get his head out of his butt and accept Shawn into their life.
The secondary part of this story dealt with the fragile truce between the two species. Justin, Mike and Shawn need to balance the turmoil of their relationship and still keep up appearance of camaraderie
Pretty good read. I spent the entire story yelling at the book because Justin was being a jerk. I understood the reasons behind his anger, but Shawn was nothing but nice. At one point, even Mike wanted to strangle him. I was happy to see characters from the first book play an important role in this one. I look forward to the next book.
3.75 Stars
B2B Kirha
From the moment he met Justin, Shawn knew what he wanted. He realized that Justin was skittish about having a relationship with him so he decided to go Alpha and go after him. In one night of passion he decided to claim Justin, but is hurt when the feelings are not reciprocated.
Mike, Justin's on again off again lover believed that he an Justin were mates, but something about their bonding was off. As soon as he meets Shawn, he realizes that he was the missing piece. Mike wants every one to be happy and he plans on doing whatever it takes for Justin to get his head out of his butt and accept Shawn into their life.
The secondary part of this story dealt with the fragile truce between the two species. Justin, Mike and Shawn need to balance the turmoil of their relationship and still keep up appearance of camaraderie
Pretty good read. I spent the entire story yelling at the book because Justin was being a jerk. I understood the reasons behind his anger, but Shawn was nothing but nice. At one point, even Mike wanted to strangle him. I was happy to see characters from the first book play an important role in this one. I look forward to the next book.
3.75 Stars
B2B Kirha
December 16, 2016
Okay I'm officially a HUGE fan of this author. This is a super awesome book I couldn't put down even when I was cooking tea. This story fantastic with a twist the emotions for all three when life bites you. A year since the King of the vampires claimed his werewolf mate as they hold a party to celebrate the occasion.
Justin looking on with interest spots a gorgeous man across the room that makes him catch fire so to speak, a wolf too which is no way he was going to allow. Unfortunately the Shawn has different in mind, as he sways over to claim his first kiss only to be bitten for his cause.
Justin was given the opportunity to co-partner a nightclub between the two zones. But guess who is the other partner..yip..Shawn.. They need a designer to help the club and Justin calls his friend/part-time lover Mike. As soon as Shawn sees him he knows he has another mate to woo, its not going to be easy for all three. What will happen.. you absolutely gotta read this series both books are brilliant stories..cant wait for the next book. woohoo. :)
Justin looking on with interest spots a gorgeous man across the room that makes him catch fire so to speak, a wolf too which is no way he was going to allow. Unfortunately the Shawn has different in mind, as he sways over to claim his first kiss only to be bitten for his cause.
Justin was given the opportunity to co-partner a nightclub between the two zones. But guess who is the other partner..yip..Shawn.. They need a designer to help the club and Justin calls his friend/part-time lover Mike. As soon as Shawn sees him he knows he has another mate to woo, its not going to be easy for all three. What will happen.. you absolutely gotta read this series both books are brilliant stories..cant wait for the next book. woohoo. :)
July 13, 2016
Ramassis de conneries et de merdes. Stop. Sans substance, sans saveur, je me demande une fois encore comment je me suis laissée avoir une fois de plus. Toutefois c'est la dernière au diable le prix attractif. C'est merdique je ne veux plus lire un seul titre de cet éditeur ou de l'un de ces auteurs MM. Pas de respect pour le lecteur, histoire bâclée, intrigues inexistantes, personnalité des personnages insipide etc... Pfff si je continue je vais faire un a.v.c, je ne contribuerai plus à l'enrichissement des gens sans talents. Fuck!! J'ai l'impression que chaque livre de cet éditeur a été écrit par des gamines pre pubères ou un vieux porno kitch. Sérieux! J'ai vraiment la haine... Franchement, si je voulais que du cul y a youporn et c'est gratuit ou plus précisément internet. Pfff pas besoin d'acheter cette merde même en anglais. Pffff I don't recommend it.
June 28, 2016
2.5 stars, review to come through GGR.
May 21, 2017
I am really enjoying this series. I can not wait until the next book comes out. I am sure I will be reading this one again.
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August 29, 2016Check out B2B Kirha's 4 star review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews