Hard Mated

Badlands Territory #4

by Lena Lucas

The plan was only supposed to be temporary—to go to my grandmother’s house in Badlands Territory and help my cousin pack up her items. I hadn’t meant to stay more than a few days, but then I found my mate, a possessive, growly lion shifter who brought a whole new meaning to the term “alpha.”

As a human, I’d never felt the pull to find my fated mate, but when I first saw Axel, it was like something finally clicked. I’d never felt arousal of any kind; that was, until I saw him.

He’s the biggest male I’d ever seen, and as much as I should be frightened, all I felt was this connection to him that resonated deep.

He said I was his and he was mine, that he’d never let me go… that he’d been searching for me his whole life. And I found myself giving in. It was so easy, as easy as breathing.

To my utter shock, Axel was just as inexperienced as me, never having known the touch of another, never wanting anyone else but me.

Our first time was frantic, heated, and consuming. And by the end of it, I knew one thing for certain. I didn't want to leave. Good thing he refused to let me.

Lena’s note: I know you like them fast and right to the point so don’t worry, this one gives you all the goods but with a healthy dose of romance thrown in. A double virgins fated mate shifter story to whet your appetite! Enjoy this good old-fashioned safe smut-fest.

*Welcome to the Badlands Territory … where it’s so bad it’s good. Eight of your favorite romance authors have joined forces to bring you a sexy world full of possessive, growly alpha shifters. All standalone, all addicting, and all filled with those over-the-top heroes we love. Each short and steamy story promises a happily-ever-after, with plenty of bites and growls to satisfy all of your cravings!

Genres: Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Smut, Novella

72 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2020

Reviews

[♡Tonya♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

How a shifter story should be!

I am a firm believer that shifters should only be with their mates! To me, that makes the most sense! This story was shifter perfection. OTT hero who falls instantly. Heroine who doesn’t act childish and gives him a chance! Well done

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama whatsoever
-dual virgins ❤️
-no violence
-instalove
-safe no others at all
-fantastic epilogues that left me wanting more of this family!

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fast pace some steam. Few times I was meh because kept on using mate.. and mate. So it did get annoying

Isabella is headed to badlands to pack up her grandmothers things since she passed away. And shes waiting for her cousin grabbing some things she feels her skin being pricky and she meets Axle a lion shifter who already smitten with Isabella hes showing her shes his.

She doesnt run from him and knows about shifters so thats good.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, no drama, Sexy times, both virgins no manwhore

Recommend- maybe
Cover-⭐⭐⭐

Slowinsta
25h/36H
No condom
Shifter
Hea
Epilogue

[Maria11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy no drama just meet and sex. It isn’t a bad read as long as you know what it is. It’s not a mind bender, a jealous revenge, a mate denial, a I’m not good enough for you, or a triangle. It is I meet my mate, I mate, and I live happily ever after.

You didn’t have to read any of the other books to understand, since each book is written by a different author.. I received a copy through Booksprout for an honest review.

[Amyb1975 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d never known what being complete felt like until Isabella had come into my life.

Wow. I really enjoyed this. Exactly how I prefer my shifter stories. Dual virgins, dual POV, no abuse, no OM/OW drama, full of alpha, obsessed goodness by an H who sees no one but his fated mate, epilogues at 5 and 20 years.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabella has come to the Badlands Territory to close up her deceased grandmother’s house, she hasn’t been back here in 20 years. She remembers when she was here at age 5 she had felt so free and happy. When she gets to the house there is not food so she goes into town to pick up dinner and get groceries. Axel a lion shifter, hates coming into town, he prefers his solitude, but need for groceries forces him to come. Wanting to get dinner he stops at the local diner and gets his usual order, while waiting to pay he smells something wonderful, his mate, he immediately starts looking around the diner, he sees Isabella getting her togo order. He quickly pays and runs out after her. He sees her drive over to the grocery store and follows her inside. In the wine aisle she feels someone looking at her and when she looks up she sees Axel, she immediately knows he’s a shifter based on his size. He walks up to her and Isabella feels such a draw to him she stands still while he touches her hair, the two share a very intense kiss. Feeling overwhelmed she runs out of the store and drives home. She battles with herself about leaving him and decides to go looking for him, when she steps outside she sees him coming out of the woods, turns out he lives next door. They talk and he asks her to come to his house for dinner the next day. He explains that they are mates and he will not rush her but he needs her to come to dinner. At his house they give into their intense attraction. Their sex is hot and frequent. Cute epilogues with children and years later with their daughter finding her fated mate.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, ups, downs, fated mates, intrigue, the good kind that makes you turn the page until there are no more to turn. Axel a lion shifter has looked everywhere for his mate and didn’t find her he was on the verge of just living his life alone because he never felt he would find his fated mate so he went home to the Badlands. Isabella was from the Badlands and only went back to help her cousin move but if only thing stayed of planned but when you throw in the pull of your fated mate well that opens up another door to something hotter than fire and chemistry burning off the pages of this book. But is it all enough for this feral beast and can she tame the beast within Axel?

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first; I really like the cover of this book!
Hard mated is the fourth book in the ‘’badlands territory’’ series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. Hard mated is the first book of Lena Lucas’s that I have read. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. After the passing of her grandmother, Isabella is in the town of badlands to pack up her Grandma’s things. Axel is a lion shifter that is desperate to find his mate but has given up hope. When he scents his mate in town, he is determined to claim his woman.
The chemistry between Axel and Isabella is clear to see and I liked them together. I thought they were perfect for one another.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated Mates. This was truly a really great story. Poor Isabella was going into the Badlands to go through her grandmothers stuff as she had passed away. She goes to the diner for her dinner and as she's there Axel gets ready to pay for his dinner when he smells something different. He starts looking around and spots what is different. She is finally there. His fated mate. The only one ment for him. The story was short and mostly full of steam. I'm not sure that they made it out of the bedroom at all. There was this instant attraction and knowing between the two that at first confused Isabella but then she started to understand. Isabella finally felt like she was home. I received an ARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew, this one was intense. Plenty of heat and intensity between these two. Axel has been waiting for his mate and searching the country. He ends up stumbling a crossed her when going to a local diner. Isabella is in town cleaning out her grandmothers house. She has been drawn to the town from the time she was a little girl. It is instant, the attraction these two feel to each other. Isabella being human, she is not sure what is happening but cannot resist the draw of Axel. He knows exactly what is happening and what comes next.
I loved this one, fast paced but detailed enough to bond with the characters. I love this authors writing style and this was a fantastic add to the Badlands Series.

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

[BookSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really hard to find an author that can write such a concise storyline in so few pages, but it was done. LT was able to make the fated mate/insta-love aspect of the work in such a way that it doesn't seem too contrived by almost natural or a past of life in the Badlands. Remember this is kinda an OTT alpha-dom book and with there is some leeway to be expect. I thought that the characters all seemed to stay true to themselves based on how they were written and nothing seemed forced in order to moved the plot along. The book flowed and I was amazed how much of a story was told in only 40 pages

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

[Samantha]

I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. The Badlands series are full of short insta love books. This story is another great addition with fated mates. She has never expected this to happen to her. She was just helping out a relative. He has waited for her his whole life, knowing that she was out there somewhere. He is a lion that plans on caring for and loving her the rest of their days. They never experienced anything like this and all their firsts will be together. I enjoyed the characters in this book. They were perfect for each other

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabella planned a short stop at her deceased grandmother’s house in the Badlands Territory to help her cousin pack up the contents of the house. It was intended to be a brief stay of no more than a few days. But she met Axel. Isabella and Axel are immediately brought together as fated mates. Nothing could stop them. He had waited all his life for her and, even though human, she felt the pull that made her his.

This story is a good addition to this series. The lion shifter will care for and love his mate forever. Grab your copy and see how their love was meant to be and what the future has in store for them.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book that has fated mates, some very steamy scenes and a happily ever after ending. This story is about Isabella - a human who is in the badlands to go through her late grandmother’s house, and axel - a dominant, possessive and hot as sin alpha lion shifter who lives next door. When they end up having a chance meeting at a grocery store Isabella and axel know they are fated, Isabella runs though not being able to process her feelings. She knows one thing for certain, he’s her mate and he will come for her.

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

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really good book. Isabella and Axel's story was great. I loved how even though Axel was feral he was still gentle with Isabella. Axel was very much the possessive alpha with this shy mate but he never pushed her. Isabella knew what was happening yet was still nervous. I really loved this whole book. I really loved the scene with their daughter! I would recommend this book and Ms. Lena as an author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

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

[Shelley C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axel’s searched everywhere for his mate😢

Axel has been searching for his mate for years and has grown despondent that he will ever find her. One day as he’s about to leave the town diner he likes, he gets this sensation and scents his human mate....in Badlands of all places😱

Isabella has come to Badlands to sort through her grandmother’s belongings now that she’s passed on. She never for one moment thought she’d find more there❣️

This is my first book by Lena and I enjoyed it. It was quick paced and bite sized for your pleasure😁

[Danielle Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena Lucas did a great job on this story, Hard Mated had a strong well written plot. Isabella and Axel were strong characters. Loved how possessive and obsessed Axel was when it came to his mate, he was gentle and sweet and would have done anything for her.
Axel and Isabella were made for each other, their attraction was instant, they were drawn to each other, the bond, their connection was strong, the chemistry between them was off the charts, it was sexy, they were great together. They completed each other.
This was a great story, I enjoyed it.
Thank you, Lena Lucas. Great work :)

[Mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of the series I enjoyed!

Axel and Isabella's story was really sweet, with Isabella running away from Axel after they met (he actually followed her) at the grocery store (my favorite moment!). I love how they tried and get to know each other.

Totally enjoyed the two epilogues, especially the second one taking place twenty years later when Axel and Isabella's daughter tell them she found her mate! Axel was acting all growly and protective towards his daughter, so adorable!

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I haven’t read this author before but now I’m hooked. I picked it up being it was part of the Badlands Territory collaboration and I was not disappointed. Isabella and Axel are immediately connected and I couldn’t have been happier with how the story progresses. There is no drama and I remember Axel from Jenika Snow’s story. The chemistry here is amazing and hot! I loved the ending and I finished reading with a big smile on my face.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad that Lena mentioned that this book was pretty straight to the point point and not drawn out. It doesn’t have a lot of the fillers that I see in other similar books, but it does have 2 people who are instantly attracted to one another and a lot of hot loving in between them. Their chemistry is definitely wild and fierce and bonds them together very rapidly

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

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short and intense romance. Isabella and Axel's attraction is so instantaneous and their chemistry was steamy hot explosive. The knowledge of a fated mate and what that means totally blows my mind at the sureness of it all. The story was sweet in its own way, and I really liked both characters. I especially loved the epilogues!

I rate this book 4.5 stars.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Lauren Stockdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Isabella and Axel! Axel was so possessive and growly it was amazing😊Also, I can't believe there were two epilogues, both were really great. It was lovely how we got a twenty years later one about their daughter❤️

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

[Catie_didthat3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

While bear shifters are my favorite, lions are a very close second. Axel is a lion shifter in the Badlands. Isabella comes to go through her deceased grandmothers home there. They meet, fall and the rest is history. I have to say the last epilogue is adorable.

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

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lion Loves

Axel searched all over for his Fated Mate, and never found her. So giving u, he moved back home to Badlands. Isabella felt right at home every time she been in Badlands. .this time no different, until she meets Axe, her fated mate. Another quick, sexy hot read about Badlands.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoughly enjoyed this quick read about Axel and Isabella. They were drawn to each other and were untouched by others. They had been waiting for each other. Axel is all alpha. I loved the characters and this is a short story so it gets to the point and keeps you there engrossed in the story. This is another fabulous addition to the series.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over-the-top goes hand in hand with this series and the author did a fab job with exactly that. Expect great world building, interesting characters and extreme heat in this one ;) I loved how the author portrayed their connection and the heat between them. I especially loved the epilogues to give us a couple of wee peeks at the future for Axel and Isabella.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the Badlands Territory. Isabella and Axel insta/mate story is full on steam train ahead with a fluff and no filler.

I have read all the stories of this series which is connected but not vital to get all the going on.

Lena did superb with giving the reader that hot, mate-seeking alpha who don't play. Good book. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[LiLu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growl Worthy

This was the first book I’ve read by this author. What a fabulous introduction. It fit in perfectly with the Badlands books, yet, still very much it’s own story. It was well written and the storyline just easily flowed. This story made me smile, but the epilogues, were awesome! What an enjoyable read!

[Nicole Baker grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I enjoyed reading Hard Mated, Axel had searched high and low for his fated mate but never found her. Isabella thought she was going to help her cousin take care of some things at their grandma house. But Axel and Isabella had know clue how their lives would change. I definitely recommend this book.

[Emily Behr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Hard Mated, Axel had searched high and low for his fated mate but never found her. Isabella thought she was going to help her cousin take care of some things at their grandma house. But Axel and Isabella had know clue how their lives would change.

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

[Courtney Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t get enough of this shifter world! I love that they can’t get aroused unless it’s with their fated mates. Makes their love story so much more. This book is intense with lots of sexual tension till you can’t take it anymore. Isabella and Axel are fire.

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