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MateMatch Outcasts #2
Protector Mate
A brand new mail-order bride series from the author of Shiftr: Swipe Left For Love.
Jagger needs a mate. Fast. He’s running from a dark past and his life as the self-appointed sheriff of the outcast community of Ragtown was supposed to keep him on track. But his duties are pushing his bear to the dark side—not least when a new threat appears in town, with the ability to destroy everyone in it. He needs a woman to stabilize the beast in him, before the animal has turned into one of the criminals he’s trying to pursue. But smart, feisty Rowan is not what Jagger expected.
Rowan is between a rock and a hard place. Her father’s business empire is collapsing and he’s pledged her to a mean coyote in an effort to save himself. The only way out? Finding a mate who’s bigger, burlier and growlier than Vex. Jagger Briggs seems to be all that, and more. One look into his eyes and Rowan’s heart is screaming all sorts of trouble. The man is sexy as sin, wild and a fierce protector. But he’s hiding big secrets and when his mysterious past and Rowan’s present collide, they may be both going down hard unless they find a way to set each other free.
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
Jagger needs a mate. Fast. He’s running from a dark past and his life as the self-appointed sheriff of the outcast community of Ragtown was supposed to keep him on track. But his duties are pushing his bear to the dark side—not least when a new threat appears in town, with the ability to destroy everyone in it. He needs a woman to stabilize the beast in him, before the animal has turned into one of the criminals he’s trying to pursue. But smart, feisty Rowan is not what Jagger expected.
Rowan is between a rock and a hard place. Her father’s business empire is collapsing and he’s pledged her to a mean coyote in an effort to save himself. The only way out? Finding a mate who’s bigger, burlier and growlier than Vex. Jagger Briggs seems to be all that, and more. One look into his eyes and Rowan’s heart is screaming all sorts of trouble. The man is sexy as sin, wild and a fierce protector. But he’s hiding big secrets and when his mysterious past and Rowan’s present collide, they may be both going down hard unless they find a way to set each other free.
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2019
1097 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Ariana Hawkes
104 books502 followersUSA Today bestselling author Ariana Hawkes writes spicy romantic stories with lovable characters, plenty of suspense, and a whole lot of laughs. She told her first story at the age of four, and has been writing ever since, for both work and pleasure. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two huskies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
September 12, 2021
An unwanted mates and an undeniable attraction... 4.5 stars!
This was another cute and sexy story in this series! Like all the other Shifters in Ragtown, Jagger is haunted from his past. He believes that he is undeserving of a mate...until Rowan arrives claiming she's his mate and begs for his claiming mark. I loved watching Jagger slowly become enthralled with Rowan's easy nature as he rescues her from her past ♡
This was another cute and sexy story in this series! Like all the other Shifters in Ragtown, Jagger is haunted from his past. He believes that he is undeserving of a mate...until Rowan arrives claiming she's his mate and begs for his claiming mark. I loved watching Jagger slowly become enthralled with Rowan's easy nature as he rescues her from her past ♡
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July 14, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/14/2020)! 🎁
August 5, 2020
This is an OK shifter romance, with a mostly likable couple, but it was too short to have as much character development as I like. I wanted more backstory on both Rowan and Jagger, but especially on Jagger. This one gets 3 stars from me.
I liked Jagger, but thought he should have told Rowan why he was afraid to mate her sooner. She deserved to know his reasons, so that she could decide if she wanted to be his mate. Instead, he just kept telling her that he couldn't be her mate, but didn't give her his reasons for quite a while. That made her think that he wasn't attracted to her, which hurt her badly.
I liked Rowan, too, but thought she should have just let her father suffer the consequences of his actions. He deserved whatever happened to him after he gambled her away to an awful man. I understood why she wanted to help her friend, but her father didn't deserve her help.
I won't give spoilers, but I did like the part of the story about the giant Kodiak bear shifter. That, along with it's resolution, was great.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I liked Jagger, but thought he should have told Rowan why he was afraid to mate her sooner. She deserved to know his reasons, so that she could decide if she wanted to be his mate. Instead, he just kept telling her that he couldn't be her mate, but didn't give her his reasons for quite a while. That made her think that he wasn't attracted to her, which hurt her badly.
I liked Rowan, too, but thought she should have just let her father suffer the consequences of his actions. He deserved whatever happened to him after he gambled her away to an awful man. I understood why she wanted to help her friend, but her father didn't deserve her help.
I won't give spoilers, but I did like the part of the story about the giant Kodiak bear shifter. That, along with it's resolution, was great.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
October 27, 2020
Brilliant
Brilliant second book of the series. Jagger doesn’t want a mate especially a human mate then Rowan comes crashing into his life and agrees that she can move in to his place but that is it. Rowan needs to be mated especially who can protect her from Vex who her father gave her to and Jagger is that shifter. They get to know each other better but Rowan returns to her home as Vex is hurting her dad but Rowan catches up to her and they go together and deal with Vex and her father but Vex marks Rowan Jagger puts his mark over it but while he is doing it Rowan shifts to a fox. After Vex and his pack are dealt with Rowan’s father has questions to answer but now to deal with the wolves and Kodiac bear at Ragtown and the startling news that Rowan’s mum was a fox shifter.
When they get back to Ragtown the Kodiac bear is on the lose but stops in front of Rowan she can feel it’s pain and removes the barbed wire around its muzzle. The Kodiac bear turns and chases and kills the wolves that have kept it sedated and in pain for a long time. When all the chains and barbed wire and rings are removed the bear shrinks to a young woman who thanks Rowan at first then the rest of the town for saving her. Rowan and Jagger can now catch up with the mating mark and if Jagger is ok with her being a shifter.
Brilliant second book of the series. Jagger doesn’t want a mate especially a human mate then Rowan comes crashing into his life and agrees that she can move in to his place but that is it. Rowan needs to be mated especially who can protect her from Vex who her father gave her to and Jagger is that shifter. They get to know each other better but Rowan returns to her home as Vex is hurting her dad but Rowan catches up to her and they go together and deal with Vex and her father but Vex marks Rowan Jagger puts his mark over it but while he is doing it Rowan shifts to a fox. After Vex and his pack are dealt with Rowan’s father has questions to answer but now to deal with the wolves and Kodiac bear at Ragtown and the startling news that Rowan’s mum was a fox shifter.
When they get back to Ragtown the Kodiac bear is on the lose but stops in front of Rowan she can feel it’s pain and removes the barbed wire around its muzzle. The Kodiac bear turns and chases and kills the wolves that have kept it sedated and in pain for a long time. When all the chains and barbed wire and rings are removed the bear shrinks to a young woman who thanks Rowan at first then the rest of the town for saving her. Rowan and Jagger can now catch up with the mating mark and if Jagger is ok with her being a shifter.
December 30, 2019
This is the second book in the series about Ragtown
Rowan is a human that needs safety in the form of a mating. Florence has her paired up with Jagger. But Jagger doesn't want a human mate.
A coyote shifter named Vex want her to be his mate. She doesn't certainly one to be I mate to a coyote shifter. Will Rowan and Jagger become mates?
The characters are unique, sassy, and relatable. The plot is very unusual and has many twists and turns in this fast paced drama.
I think I enjoyed this book the most about Ragtown because of its unique and plot line. I would I lie recommend this book for anybody who wants an unusual story.
bookwormsuzy
Rowan is a human that needs safety in the form of a mating. Florence has her paired up with Jagger. But Jagger doesn't want a human mate.
A coyote shifter named Vex want her to be his mate. She doesn't certainly one to be I mate to a coyote shifter. Will Rowan and Jagger become mates?
The characters are unique, sassy, and relatable. The plot is very unusual and has many twists and turns in this fast paced drama.
I think I enjoyed this book the most about Ragtown because of its unique and plot line. I would I lie recommend this book for anybody who wants an unusual story.
bookwormsuzy
March 11, 2020
Rowan wins Jaggers heart
Rowan needed a miracle but to get that she had to win over Jagger who felt he could only have a shifter mate and really didn't even deserve a mate. That's the start of an intense story full of wolves who want to take over Ragtown with the help of a giant Kodiak bear. Rowan who is hiding from a shifter who her father lost a bet to. Jagger's bear has decided Rowan is his and he will protect her always. Rowan finds out the truth about her mother that her father never shared and what a secret it is. A good story with some really good parts like Ariel is born and Ragtown gets a new store. Read and enjoy!
Rowan needed a miracle but to get that she had to win over Jagger who felt he could only have a shifter mate and really didn't even deserve a mate. That's the start of an intense story full of wolves who want to take over Ragtown with the help of a giant Kodiak bear. Rowan who is hiding from a shifter who her father lost a bet to. Jagger's bear has decided Rowan is his and he will protect her always. Rowan finds out the truth about her mother that her father never shared and what a secret it is. A good story with some really good parts like Ariel is born and Ragtown gets a new store. Read and enjoy!
March 27, 2021
Protector Mate – Ariana Hawkes – Jagger is a bear shifter who gets himself elected town sheriff because there isn’t anyone else up for the job keeping order in a last chance shifter town. His past made him a killer, but his protective streak makes it impossible to turn his back on Rowan when she blows into town. Miss Florence and her matchmaking plans to bring ladies (and civilization) to Ragstown have brought in a gardener. If Rowan’s POS dad and the creep who won her in a poker game don’t cause enough problems, the wolves are back with a Kodiak bear straight out of legend. A sheriff’s job is never done! Love this couple! Happy Reading!
May 4, 2023
When I first starting reading this story, I thought it couldn't be better than the first book in the series but I was wrong - it's just as good. Rowan runs to Ragtown to escape her life. Her father saved himself by giving her to a coyote shifter. She's looking for a big shifter mate which she found in Jagger so she doesn't have to mate the coyote. Jagger's bear tells him Rowan is his mate but he fights his bear. Rowan and Jagger go through a lot fighting off these wolves who use a Kodiak bear to empty the town for themselves. The coyotes fail. Rowan and Jagger find their love and happily ever after.
June 30, 2023
I really liked Rowan from the start, she sort of knew what she was getting into by coming to town and when she learned things were a bit more wild than she initially thought, didn't matter, she needed the protection. Things were very bumpy with Jagger at the start, but worked their way to friends and then more. I liked that when Rowan spilled why she came to town, Jagger stepped up to help her and did more that that when she went back to her town. Rowan more than made up for the help she provided when they were back in town and dealing with the werewolves. Loved seeing Rowan use her superpowers for good and help someone who sorely needed it.
March 23, 2025
Just like book one it is a cute story, but has some plot issues
I read book one and now I have read book 2. They are very cute stories, but there are definitely some editing issues. I don’t know if the author has English as a second language or what is going on, but there was a couple issues they describe a stew and call it a casserole, which, for me as I visualize the book made for some weird confusion. Also, there was some plot confusion as in asking questions that the character already knew the answer to it seems like the author had forgotten what the character knew.
I read book one and now I have read book 2. They are very cute stories, but there are definitely some editing issues. I don’t know if the author has English as a second language or what is going on, but there was a couple issues they describe a stew and call it a casserole, which, for me as I visualize the book made for some weird confusion. Also, there was some plot confusion as in asking questions that the character already knew the answer to it seems like the author had forgotten what the character knew.
November 28, 2020
JagRo
If you’ve ever read any of the Swipe Right shifter romances you already know that Ariana Hawkes can spin a good story. With lovable characters, great world building and action to keep you engrossed, the MateMatch Outcasts series delivers another good series. Jagger is the town sheriff, a reformed assassin that doesn’t believe he deserves a mate until Rowan runs onto his life. He might not want to admit she is his mate but the magic of Ragtown has other ideas. Loved it
If you’ve ever read any of the Swipe Right shifter romances you already know that Ariana Hawkes can spin a good story. With lovable characters, great world building and action to keep you engrossed, the MateMatch Outcasts series delivers another good series. Jagger is the town sheriff, a reformed assassin that doesn’t believe he deserves a mate until Rowan runs onto his life. He might not want to admit she is his mate but the magic of Ragtown has other ideas. Loved it
April 13, 2022
The way I read through this book so fast! I love seeing Jagger finally experience love after the last book. Rowan however took over the show lol, I love how if she wants something. She’ll do whatever it takes, regardless of being rejected by Jagger. I do prefer the last book compared to this one due to the angst but overall I enjoyed the read between them. Plus it was awesome that Rowan was a fox after all and not just human.
June 9, 2024
cute quick read
Overall - 4
🌶️ - 🌶️🌶️
TW - kidnapping, animal abuse
What I love - their story is so cute. I loved Jagger from the first book. I liked that since it was a short book it had a good plot and some spice but wasn’t just every other page. So it still had a story line. The characters had depth and were interesting, gave you just enough to care about the MCs.
Didn’t enjoy - some parts felt rushed/random, but I’m pretty sure that was to keep it relatively short.
Overall - 4
🌶️ - 🌶️🌶️
TW - kidnapping, animal abuse
What I love - their story is so cute. I loved Jagger from the first book. I liked that since it was a short book it had a good plot and some spice but wasn’t just every other page. So it still had a story line. The characters had depth and were interesting, gave you just enough to care about the MCs.
Didn’t enjoy - some parts felt rushed/random, but I’m pretty sure that was to keep it relatively short.
March 3, 2020
Loved it!!!😍😍.
It was so good that I read it in one day from beginning to end in 1 day!!!! Never done that before,so I'm very excited to go for the other one. Loved the adventures they go through. Loved that she was a shifter all along and never knew!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍💗💗💗💗😻😻😻💘💘💘💖💖💞💞💞💕💕💕💋💋 Excellent book
It was so good that I read it in one day from beginning to end in 1 day!!!! Never done that before,so I'm very excited to go for the other one. Loved the adventures they go through. Loved that she was a shifter all along and never knew!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍💗💗💗💗😻😻😻💘💘💘💖💖💞💞💞💕💕💕💋💋 Excellent book
June 7, 2020
Very Intense With Action
This story is about Jagger & Rowan. It's very intense with some action. Still trying to get rid of the wolves, they end up finding a friend. This is a great book to read and I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Definitely recommend & absolutely worth more than 5 stars.
This story is about Jagger & Rowan. It's very intense with some action. Still trying to get rid of the wolves, they end up finding a friend. This is a great book to read and I can't wait to read the next one in this series. Definitely recommend & absolutely worth more than 5 stars.
July 16, 2020
Lots of editing errors but I still like the overall story. It's a short read so not a huge amount of character development. The one thing that bugged me is the healing ability towards the end. It happens and then nothing... Like I'm sorry I'm sure she should have brought it up at least to be like, that's freaking awesome. But no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2020
No human mate!!!
Full of wonderful surprises, wounded ex military shifters, a crafty matchmaker, a desperate human, evil wolf shifters, and a ragtag community determined to survive. The plot is awesome, chaotic, entertaining, and suspenseful, it grabs you and holds you til the end. The characters are fantastic there is plenty of action and adventures with a lot of loving, too!
Full of wonderful surprises, wounded ex military shifters, a crafty matchmaker, a desperate human, evil wolf shifters, and a ragtag community determined to survive. The plot is awesome, chaotic, entertaining, and suspenseful, it grabs you and holds you til the end. The characters are fantastic there is plenty of action and adventures with a lot of loving, too!
March 24, 2024
Protector Mate: Bear Shifter Romance
Book 2 of this series was as good as the first. Can't wait to read more. Once she met her mate match, I enjoyed the way their feelings towards each other grew and how they became true mates after an adventure. And who would have believed she was a healer also! Once they got rid of some hometown danger, they all got their HE A.
Book 2 of this series was as good as the first. Can't wait to read more. Once she met her mate match, I enjoyed the way their feelings towards each other grew and how they became true mates after an adventure. And who would have believed she was a healer also! Once they got rid of some hometown danger, they all got their HE A.
March 23, 2025
Very Good
This is a new feel good shifter series. I am enjoying it. FYI Ms. Hawkes: Pizza, bread, and pastries are made from dough. Cakes, muffins and scones are made with batter, and casseroles are baked in ovens not made on top of a stove. It's not your fault they took home ed out of the schools, but it shows.
This is a new feel good shifter series. I am enjoying it. FYI Ms. Hawkes: Pizza, bread, and pastries are made from dough. Cakes, muffins and scones are made with batter, and casseroles are baked in ovens not made on top of a stove. It's not your fault they took home ed out of the schools, but it shows.
December 22, 2019
Good Read
This was a beautiful story with a beautiful story line. I like the development of the characters and I like the creation that went into the story. So far this Series has been really sweet and it's characters have shine a nice light bear shifters.
This was a beautiful story with a beautiful story line. I like the development of the characters and I like the creation that went into the story. So far this Series has been really sweet and it's characters have shine a nice light bear shifters.
March 2, 2020
Loved it
These misfits are hard bit to love! Ragtown gets another match with Jagger and Rowan. This story was fun and dramatic and full of craziness. Loved it from beginning to end
These misfits are hard bit to love! Ragtown gets another match with Jagger and Rowan. This story was fun and dramatic and full of craziness. Loved it from beginning to end
March 9, 2020
So much happening
So many things happened but I was delighted that Amka had a happy ending. Sorry to see her go. Ariel was born yay! Jagger and Rowan's story was great. Ragtown is starting to be a place I would love to go and stake a claim
So many things happened but I was delighted that Amka had a happy ending. Sorry to see her go. Ariel was born yay! Jagger and Rowan's story was great. Ragtown is starting to be a place I would love to go and stake a claim
March 26, 2020
Protector Mate: Bear Shifter Romance MateMatch
I really enjoyed Rowan and Jagger I loved the story I would not change a thing . It has plenty of action and romance it's a great book . I recommend 18 and up .
I really enjoyed Rowan and Jagger I loved the story I would not change a thing . It has plenty of action and romance it's a great book . I recommend 18 and up .
May 14, 2020
Jagger comes from a very complicated background. Reading about it would make you look at him so much differently. Good thing Rowen doesn’t give up easily. She also has a complex background. They make a great match.
June 2, 2020
Romance
2.5 rating. It was okay. I liked most of the plot and thought it was a okay romance but overall was kind of cliche. I enjoyed it enough to read the next installment in the series.
2.5 rating. It was okay. I liked most of the plot and thought it was a okay romance but overall was kind of cliche. I enjoyed it enough to read the next installment in the series.
July 15, 2020
Fun and scary
An invasion of wild wolf shifters comes back into town after being banished a while ago. They bring a giant Kodiak bear shifter. It is rotten how they treat it. Save or kill how to help the bear and save the town at the same time. This story hard to out down.
An invasion of wild wolf shifters comes back into town after being banished a while ago. They bring a giant Kodiak bear shifter. It is rotten how they treat it. Save or kill how to help the bear and save the town at the same time. This story hard to out down.
July 19, 2020
Always great!
Ariana Hawkes writes a wonderful, twisting story! I was excited to read book 2 after reading the first book, because it was so entertaining. This story is just as great, maybe more. I loved it.
Ariana Hawkes writes a wonderful, twisting story! I was excited to read book 2 after reading the first book, because it was so entertaining. This story is just as great, maybe more. I loved it.
January 23, 2022
Wasn't ready
One grumpy bear wasn't really wanting a mate. He has a past he isn't exactly proud of. But his mate has a surprise she didn't even know about. They find they are great for each other.
One grumpy bear wasn't really wanting a mate. He has a past he isn't exactly proud of. But his mate has a surprise she didn't even know about. They find they are great for each other.
September 8, 2022
No cliffhangers
I love this series! There are no cliffhangers and the stories are about each resident of Raytown that you get to know in the first book. Highly recommend this cute an uplifting series.
I love this series! There are no cliffhangers and the stories are about each resident of Raytown that you get to know in the first book. Highly recommend this cute an uplifting series.
November 9, 2022
Protector Mate (MateMatch Outcasts Bk.2)
Things do not slow down in Ragtown, but the odd-ball residents are slowly learning that they can, and will, defend their mish-mash town. Romance springs up in the oddest places, aided and abetted by Florence, the Librarian.
Things do not slow down in Ragtown, but the odd-ball residents are slowly learning that they can, and will, defend their mish-mash town. Romance springs up in the oddest places, aided and abetted by Florence, the Librarian.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews