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MateMatch Outcasts #4
Monster Mate
Too destructive to love...
Brock Redgrave loathes the monster he’s become.
He was supposed to be the ultimate weapon, but a failed military experiment has left the lion shifter with a split personality that turns uncontrollably violent under stress. His only sanctuary is in Ragtown where he brews his own beer and stays out of trouble. But when a feisty lioness shows up and brings memories of the past with her, his first instinct is to run her out of town. But his animal knows she’s his and he’s not letting her go without a fight.
Rayleigh’s got her own demons, and she’s looking for answers. When her search brings her to Ragtown she’s not leaving until she finds the truth, no matter the cost. Brock is hiding something, and she’s determined to find out what it is… even if she has to become his mate first.
When the past comes calling and brings danger with it, Rayleigh and Brock will need to trust and open their hearts to each other if they want to survive.
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
Brock Redgrave loathes the monster he’s become.
He was supposed to be the ultimate weapon, but a failed military experiment has left the lion shifter with a split personality that turns uncontrollably violent under stress. His only sanctuary is in Ragtown where he brews his own beer and stays out of trouble. But when a feisty lioness shows up and brings memories of the past with her, his first instinct is to run her out of town. But his animal knows she’s his and he’s not letting her go without a fight.
Rayleigh’s got her own demons, and she’s looking for answers. When her search brings her to Ragtown she’s not leaving until she finds the truth, no matter the cost. Brock is hiding something, and she’s determined to find out what it is… even if she has to become his mate first.
When the past comes calling and brings danger with it, Rayleigh and Brock will need to trust and open their hearts to each other if they want to survive.
Promised: romance, heat and sexy shifters. HEA and no cheating, of course!
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2020
816 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Ariana Hawkes
104 books499 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 82 reviews
November 28, 2021
Brock & Rayleigh.. 4.5 stars!
This was another great shifter story from Ariana Hawkes! Each story is unique and even more heart-wrenching than the last, and I can honestly say I've enjoyed them all so far. Brock and Rayleigh's journey was filled with obstacles and doubt, but the power of fated mates always wins ♡
This was another great shifter story from Ariana Hawkes! Each story is unique and even more heart-wrenching than the last, and I can honestly say I've enjoyed them all so far. Brock and Rayleigh's journey was filled with obstacles and doubt, but the power of fated mates always wins ♡
July 1, 2023
It was interesting to see how Rayleigh came to town and the obstacles that she found in her quest to find answers to her past. I'm glad that she stuck things out and did what she needed to because in the end she found so many answers, along with her mate and the both found peace when they accepted each other.
August 18, 2020
This series started out so well but has gone downhill with the past 2 books. Brock had a HUGE issue with controlling his lion in previous books but didn't seem to have any such issues in his own story. And Rayleigh was just blah; her story could have been better - I mean how did her human mother escape a psycho shifter and then just never look for her.
The other disappointing part of this series is that the books are really just stand alone stories all set in the same town. When I read a series I enjoy having the characters interact with each other & catch up with couples from previous books. You get none of that in this series; yes one or two characters may make a very short appearance but not for anything of any value & not with any updates on what's going on around Ragtown. Very disappointing.
The other disappointing part of this series is that the books are really just stand alone stories all set in the same town. When I read a series I enjoy having the characters interact with each other & catch up with couples from previous books. You get none of that in this series; yes one or two characters may make a very short appearance but not for anything of any value & not with any updates on what's going on around Ragtown. Very disappointing.
August 6, 2020
This is an OK shifter romance, but it was too short to have as much character development as I like. I wanted more backstory on both Brock and Rayleigh. This one gets 2.5 stars from me, rounded up to 3 stars.
Brock and Rayleigh were both a bit hard to like. They were both so damaged, and so sure that their animals were uncontrollable monsters, that they were afraid to really let themselves connect with anyone. That led them both to be very standoffish and rude, since they were afraid of what their "monsters" might do. I did like it when they found their HEA and discovered that they could calm each other's lions.
One thing that really bothered me about this story was the idea that Rayleigh's lion attacked her first boyfriend because he was just an "inferior human". What a terrible, prejudicial concept. I like shifter stories, but I didn't like the idea that it was OK for her lion to hurt someone because he was "inferior" to her.
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.
Brock and Rayleigh were both a bit hard to like. They were both so damaged, and so sure that their animals were uncontrollable monsters, that they were afraid to really let themselves connect with anyone. That led them both to be very standoffish and rude, since they were afraid of what their "monsters" might do. I did like it when they found their HEA and discovered that they could calm each other's lions.
One thing that really bothered me about this story was the idea that Rayleigh's lion attacked her first boyfriend because he was just an "inferior human". What a terrible, prejudicial concept. I like shifter stories, but I didn't like the idea that it was OK for her lion to hurt someone because he was "inferior" to her.
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.
January 21, 2020
Title: Monster Mate
Series: MateMatch Outcasts #4
Release Date: #AlreadyReleased
Author: Ariana Hawkes
Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan
Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger
Genre:#PRN #LionShifter
5Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
••••••••••••••
💢 first off let me tell you this book was absolutely phenomenal. It had me truly from the beginning down to the very end it had me laughing, crying, you name it.It’s definitely an emotional roller coaster absolutely fantastic. Definitely a Must Read!
🔹️Rayliegh is a Monster of a LionShifter. If her lion comes out someone is going to die. For last ten years she has been looking for her parent, she had to know what’s happening to her. One of her leads told her Ragtown, so here she is in this ghost town of shifters
🔹️Brock is a LionShifter who is trying to keep himself on a tight leash. His lion is a Beast, a Monster he’s scared if his Monster comes out it would be a blood bath and he know someone would have to kill him. Then his lion tamer came!
☄️ This review is my own opinion, this author is one that I love to read her books.
Series: MateMatch Outcasts #4
Release Date: #AlreadyReleased
Author: Ariana Hawkes
Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan
Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger
Genre:#PRN #LionShifter
5Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
••••••••••••••
💢 first off let me tell you this book was absolutely phenomenal. It had me truly from the beginning down to the very end it had me laughing, crying, you name it.It’s definitely an emotional roller coaster absolutely fantastic. Definitely a Must Read!
🔹️Rayliegh is a Monster of a LionShifter. If her lion comes out someone is going to die. For last ten years she has been looking for her parent, she had to know what’s happening to her. One of her leads told her Ragtown, so here she is in this ghost town of shifters
🔹️Brock is a LionShifter who is trying to keep himself on a tight leash. His lion is a Beast, a Monster he’s scared if his Monster comes out it would be a blood bath and he know someone would have to kill him. Then his lion tamer came!
☄️ This review is my own opinion, this author is one that I love to read her books.
January 19, 2020
Note: I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.
I wasn’t sure at first where the story would go, like a mystery of how it would all unfold. I was liking the main character right away, she was determined attitude looking for answers and you really felt for her.
I won’t spoil any of the story for you - but I really liked it. I liked the turns the story took and how it all happened and how two people broken in some small way helped each other feel whole. Characters were great and story itself was really good. A slow start but it gets into it quick so you don’t lose interest.
I’d definitely recommend for any fan of the author but just any paranormal romance fan looking for a good read.
I wasn’t sure at first where the story would go, like a mystery of how it would all unfold. I was liking the main character right away, she was determined attitude looking for answers and you really felt for her.
I won’t spoil any of the story for you - but I really liked it. I liked the turns the story took and how it all happened and how two people broken in some small way helped each other feel whole. Characters were great and story itself was really good. A slow start but it gets into it quick so you don’t lose interest.
I’d definitely recommend for any fan of the author but just any paranormal romance fan looking for a good read.
January 20, 2020
Love this series!
This is Brock and Rayleigh's story and oh my gosh what a heart breaking beautiful tale. Rayleigh is searching for her family. The only lead she has is a picture of a woman and a young boy. Brock is hiding running from his last demons when Rayleigh shows up asking questions he doesn't want to go back and remember. He tells her she can't handle the truth until she has a mate mate. The thought of Rayleigh taking a mate makes his lion furious wth is up with that. He wasn't meant for a mate. Rayleigh thinks she wasn't meant for a mate. Can these two broken people make each other whole? When the demons they are running from and searching for find them can they stand strong together and over come them?
This is Brock and Rayleigh's story and oh my gosh what a heart breaking beautiful tale. Rayleigh is searching for her family. The only lead she has is a picture of a woman and a young boy. Brock is hiding running from his last demons when Rayleigh shows up asking questions he doesn't want to go back and remember. He tells her she can't handle the truth until she has a mate mate. The thought of Rayleigh taking a mate makes his lion furious wth is up with that. He wasn't meant for a mate. Rayleigh thinks she wasn't meant for a mate. Can these two broken people make each other whole? When the demons they are running from and searching for find them can they stand strong together and over come them?
January 29, 2020
This was truly a great story. I am so enjoying this series.
I loved how much Rayleigh and Brock had in common and I love how they were connected. It was light fate how throw them together way before they knew they knew it could happen.
Rayleigh lived with so much guilt. My heart truly broke for her but I had to admire how strong of a woman she was and determined to get to the truth of who she really was.
I loved how protective Brock was of Rayleigh. How even though he fought it he could not help himself. Loved the chemistry between these two.
This story has so much but the one message I truly loved is no matter how broken one is there is healing in love.
I loved how much Rayleigh and Brock had in common and I love how they were connected. It was light fate how throw them together way before they knew they knew it could happen.
Rayleigh lived with so much guilt. My heart truly broke for her but I had to admire how strong of a woman she was and determined to get to the truth of who she really was.
I loved how protective Brock was of Rayleigh. How even though he fought it he could not help himself. Loved the chemistry between these two.
This story has so much but the one message I truly loved is no matter how broken one is there is healing in love.
January 24, 2020
Fun entertaining read!
This was such a great read, full of emotions, humour, twists and 2 characters that needed some healing and found love together. Riley needed answers and was determined to get them. Brock, sure he would always be alone, was shocked at his attraction to Riley. So much fun watching them deny their chemistry but in the end, love wins out. Expect danger, twists and steam to fill the pages of this well written story, keeping you glued until the end. Well done, Ms. Hawkes!
This was such a great read, full of emotions, humour, twists and 2 characters that needed some healing and found love together. Riley needed answers and was determined to get them. Brock, sure he would always be alone, was shocked at his attraction to Riley. So much fun watching them deny their chemistry but in the end, love wins out. Expect danger, twists and steam to fill the pages of this well written story, keeping you glued until the end. Well done, Ms. Hawkes!
February 16, 2020
Good and intense!
This is a very intense shifter romance. Rayleigh is looking for her birth family, as she is broken inside. Brock is in Ragtown to escape his past. Neither one thinks they deserve or can handle a mate. Both have had truly horrible things happen to them. This story is fast paced with a very edgy tone and a character oriented storyline with some action and some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and well developed. Read this series in order to get the full effect. Enjoy!
This is a very intense shifter romance. Rayleigh is looking for her birth family, as she is broken inside. Brock is in Ragtown to escape his past. Neither one thinks they deserve or can handle a mate. Both have had truly horrible things happen to them. This story is fast paced with a very edgy tone and a character oriented storyline with some action and some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and well developed. Read this series in order to get the full effect. Enjoy!
April 13, 2022
For some reason it was harder getting into both the hero and heroine. I wish the heroine backstory was more developed due to the book being shorter. I just didn’t feel the connection between them like I did with the other mates in the previous book. Like one minute it’s the constant denial but then the hero knows but like plays games. I swore two books ago the hero said you couldn’t mark your mate only unless you’re having sex. So why was Brock able to do it mid fight unless the previous hero was doing that to push his loved off. I’m happy the couple got a happy ending though.
May 17, 2023
I really enjoyed Brock and Rayleigh's story. Rayleigh traveled to Ragtown when she received information to go there on her journey to find her birth mother and to find out why her lion is uncontrollable. That's where she meets Brock who she is matched with as his mate. Brock doesn't think he deserves a mate but, deep down, from the first time they met, he knew Rayleigh was his. They each find their way together although it was not an easy path. This is a well written story with lots of action and romance.
February 22, 2024
A cool read
This is book four and the first book that I have read. It’s about a lion shifter named Brock that thinks he is damaged. His lion is too out of control so he lives in this last chance town for shifters. One day a beautiful lady named Raleigh shows up at his house looking for help. She is a lion shifter too looking for her birth parents. Brock doesn’t want to be around anyone anymore and asks her to leave. This is their journey to find peace. It’s a good story with good characters. Read On!
This is book four and the first book that I have read. It’s about a lion shifter named Brock that thinks he is damaged. His lion is too out of control so he lives in this last chance town for shifters. One day a beautiful lady named Raleigh shows up at his house looking for help. She is a lion shifter too looking for her birth parents. Brock doesn’t want to be around anyone anymore and asks her to leave. This is their journey to find peace. It’s a good story with good characters. Read On!
January 20, 2020
This is Brock's story and it was very good. I loved how Rayleigh ends up in Ragtown looking for answers and ends up running into Brock. It was a hoot watching them deny their attraction and Brock was a master at hiding the answers Rayleigh needed. I laughed and groaned at many scenes and thought the ending was funny. Just a good story that fits this story and was a fun entertaining read. A nice shifter story that includes two amazing lion shifters.
January 20, 2020
Wow what a great addition to the series. I absolutely loved this book plus I'm a sucker for second chance at love story. It was definitely interesting seeing how Brock and Raleigh deny their attraction, not knowing that even though their broken people in some small way they helped each other feel whole again. Overall a enjoyable and entertaining read. I voluntarily read and review this ARC no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 30, 2020
Good read
I really enjoyed the characters and it had a very sound a storyline. It just seemed a little slow in some areas and some of those key points like where the father suddenly finds her mom and her there could’ve been a little more build up to that since that was a very pivotal episode in the storyline. It seemed kind of rushed together with Brock’s boss catching up to him also. Enjoyable read!
I really enjoyed the characters and it had a very sound a storyline. It just seemed a little slow in some areas and some of those key points like where the father suddenly finds her mom and her there could’ve been a little more build up to that since that was a very pivotal episode in the storyline. It seemed kind of rushed together with Brock’s boss catching up to him also. Enjoyable read!
February 27, 2020
Sigh not the best
I have enjoyed the other books in this series, but this one makes me vomit. I can sum it up thusly "A MAN HAS MADE ME HIS AND NOW AH IS FULFILLED." Really? Powerful shifter lauded all throughout the beginning until she ( needs) a man because without this man she losses her ability to shift or even defend herself. Every moment the big man has to rush and save her. Phooey.
I have enjoyed the other books in this series, but this one makes me vomit. I can sum it up thusly "A MAN HAS MADE ME HIS AND NOW AH IS FULFILLED." Really? Powerful shifter lauded all throughout the beginning until she ( needs) a man because without this man she losses her ability to shift or even defend herself. Every moment the big man has to rush and save her. Phooey.
January 20, 2020
ARC review For honest review. This is a story of Raleigh looking for the people in a picture she had in her crib when she was adopted at birth . When she is directed to go to ragtown to find someone called Easton reed (brock) she didn't know what she stir up for both of them and their pasts . Awesome story
January 21, 2020
Brock and Rayleigh
What an intriguing story. The plot is outstanding. Brock and Rayleigh keep denying their attraction to each other but steadily grow closer. Questions are answered, secrets are revealed and the reader has a very well written and interesting novel to read. Great 👍 Read!
What an intriguing story. The plot is outstanding. Brock and Rayleigh keep denying their attraction to each other but steadily grow closer. Questions are answered, secrets are revealed and the reader has a very well written and interesting novel to read. Great 👍 Read!
January 23, 2020
Double Monsters!
Rayleigh and Brock are in a rush to be the meanest and fiercest lions around! With a monster hunting one and a hateful and angry lion hunting the other their lives are in chaos! How do you find your mate when your always ready to literally tear up anyone who crosses you?
Rayleigh and Brock are in a rush to be the meanest and fiercest lions around! With a monster hunting one and a hateful and angry lion hunting the other their lives are in chaos! How do you find your mate when your always ready to literally tear up anyone who crosses you?
February 13, 2020
Great story about Brock and Rayleigh
I liked this book about Brock and Rayleigh. They complemented each other and helped each other rid their past and move on to a brighter future. I liked how Elaine came back into Rayleigh’s life and did also want to see the parents who took care of her daughter when she could not.
I liked this book about Brock and Rayleigh. They complemented each other and helped each other rid their past and move on to a brighter future. I liked how Elaine came back into Rayleigh’s life and did also want to see the parents who took care of her daughter when she could not.
March 7, 2020
Loved it! Loved it ❤️♥️❤️
Wow! What a journey that was!!! I loved it! ♥️ It was full of surprises, twist and turns but with an excellent ending. Loved how both of them suffered from a pass that had left them cripple but at the end found them remedy to heal their heart and were able to walk straight and with their head tall.🤗🤗🤗😍😍😍😍♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💞💞💕
Wow! What a journey that was!!! I loved it! ♥️ It was full of surprises, twist and turns but with an excellent ending. Loved how both of them suffered from a pass that had left them cripple but at the end found them remedy to heal their heart and were able to walk straight and with their head tall.🤗🤗🤗😍😍😍😍♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💞💞💕
March 20, 2020
Brock finds calm
Brock and Rayleigh's story was good. Finding someone who gets you and calms you is all we need. Once they accepted that it could really happen everything fell into place. The sheriff did a crappy job with wolves that were causing issues around town again among other things that happened.
Brock and Rayleigh's story was good. Finding someone who gets you and calms you is all we need. Once they accepted that it could really happen everything fell into place. The sheriff did a crappy job with wolves that were causing issues around town again among other things that happened.
April 23, 2020
Loved It
So happy that Brock finally met his mate in Rayleigh. Raleigh was a lot of fun she had a lot of spunk, she was the perfect match for grouchy Brock. There was some mystery, and suspense regarding Rayleigh's birth parents, and Brock's past love how the author brought it all together. Wonderful series.
So happy that Brock finally met his mate in Rayleigh. Raleigh was a lot of fun she had a lot of spunk, she was the perfect match for grouchy Brock. There was some mystery, and suspense regarding Rayleigh's birth parents, and Brock's past love how the author brought it all together. Wonderful series.
August 3, 2020
Wonderful
Rayleigh is a scarred lion shifter who's been searching for help from the past for ten years. Brock is also a lion shifter, but he's in hiding from the past. I enjoyed their journey to discovering that neither of them is as irredeemably broken as they fear. This is the most complete HEA!
Rayleigh is a scarred lion shifter who's been searching for help from the past for ten years. Brock is also a lion shifter, but he's in hiding from the past. I enjoyed their journey to discovering that neither of them is as irredeemably broken as they fear. This is the most complete HEA!
November 12, 2020
This book made my heart hurt but in a good way.
Brock has been through so much and firmly believes he is a monster and that he needs to stay away from people. This leads to a very lonely existance.
Rayleigh wants/needs answers and Brock is the only one who can give them but he was stipulations before he will.
This dance was both wonderful and hard to watch.
Brock has been through so much and firmly believes he is a monster and that he needs to stay away from people. This leads to a very lonely existance.
Rayleigh wants/needs answers and Brock is the only one who can give them but he was stipulations before he will.
This dance was both wonderful and hard to watch.
November 28, 2020
When the Past Catches Up
Ryleigh is a lion shifter on a mission to discover her roots. Too bad her mission ends up exposing Brock to a past he’s been running from for years! if you enjoy shifter romances, troubled but likable characters, well you can’t go wrong with this series. The heat is light but it’s still enjoyable.
Ryleigh is a lion shifter on a mission to discover her roots. Too bad her mission ends up exposing Brock to a past he’s been running from for years! if you enjoy shifter romances, troubled but likable characters, well you can’t go wrong with this series. The heat is light but it’s still enjoyable.
March 23, 2023
I loved it!
I was so happy to read Brock's story. I was thrilled with the woman fate decided was his mate. Rayleigh was having the same issues Brock had to deal with. A Lion, that was out of control. The resolution to knocking down the walls blocking them from being Whole, and complete, was worked out in the end. Such a great happy ending.
I was so happy to read Brock's story. I was thrilled with the woman fate decided was his mate. Rayleigh was having the same issues Brock had to deal with. A Lion, that was out of control. The resolution to knocking down the walls blocking them from being Whole, and complete, was worked out in the end. Such a great happy ending.
January 19, 2020
Brock and Rayleigh have the same views on mates. Neither of them can take one. They both think they are broken. A little bit of love, danger and rekindling the past might help them along the way. Awesome writing.
January 20, 2020
Good series
Each story presents another couple matches who do not seem likely until Florence works her magic. This story gives two damaged people a challenged but new beginning. Good read, looking forward to next!
Each story presents another couple matches who do not seem likely until Florence works her magic. This story gives two damaged people a challenged but new beginning. Good read, looking forward to next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews