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Forbidden #7

Forbidden Mate

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Will he risk his whole world to save the man he loves?

Quentin Rawling is a wolf-shifter, a sentinel …and openly gay. But he has never let the fact that he likes other men stop him from getting what he wants.

Except when it comes to Hunter.

Hunter Esmund is a vampire, a Guardian…and deep in the closet. When he met Quentin, he discovered things about himself he’d thought were missing.

Except vampires are not as progressive as shifters and Hunter can’t risk losing everything he knows to be in an open relationship with Quentin.

And Quentin refuses to hide and sneak around.

When Hunter gets mixed up with an illegal fighting ring, Quentin will stop at nothing to save Hunter.

But when Quentin gets in trouble, will Hunter save Quentin…even if it means outing himself?

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2020

68 people are currently reading
147 people want to read

About the author

R.L. Kenderson

65 books1,177 followers
R.L. Kenderson is two best friends writing under one name.
They met in college and bonded over their love of reading and the TV show Charmed.
They write spicy romance that often makes you laugh.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Danielle's.
Author 1 book169 followers
May 24, 2020
Forbidden mate is Quentin and Hunters story. It’s book seven in the Forbidden series and these need to be read in order. What I like about this series is that each book is more than one couples story. So by book seven we have a lot of people to love. This is an M/M romance and there is also a separate F/M/M relationship too.

Quentin is returning to Minneapolis. After his break up with Hunter he’s hoping to move forward. He’s now in a new non-committed relationship. When Quentin and Hunter reunion it’s clear they’re not done, but how can they move forward when one is in the closet, and the others seeing someone else.

With two new mysteries, two/three new possible relationships and a pregnancy to enjoy Forbidden mate is action packed. It’s aimed at an adult audience.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m a groupie of this author/series.
89 reviews
May 20, 2020
If you haven't read any of the Forbidden series books, then I highly suggest you start at the beginning at Forbidden Blood. The world building in this series is unique and one of a kind. In each book, you have a main couple but you get side relationships, friendships and more so you have lots of action in and out of the bedrooms! The results are a lot characters in the expanse of (now) seven books. Each book adds another layer to this world of shifters, vampires and humans. Again, if you haven't read the previous books, you may be a little lost in some of the story line. You could read Forbidden Mate without the other books but the world building would be missing a couple layers. So, onward with my review.

I have been waiting for Hunter and Quentin's story and this one does not disappoint. The emotions between these two are rolling. Quentin returns back home from Switzerland with a new love interest Jeremiah, and he is ready to continue moving on from his feelings for Hunter. But with a return home, comes those returning feelings that just won't leave Quentin or Hunter. These two have a hard journey but eventually, Quentin was willing to keep his relationship a secret to keep Hunter. But Jeremiah does not take his ending with Quentin so easily and the result forces Hunter to speak up and come out to his friends.

We have other returning couples too. Kendall finally comes face to face with Eldon again. We get to find out more about Eldon and he is pretty surprised to find out the secret Kendall has been keeping from him! And I can't wait for the next book. Forbidden Mate ends with a happy note for Quentin and Hunter but Raven, Ranulf and Chase are hot. I look forward to more of these 3 POV. Plus, the side story with the after-school program is still unresolved. Lastly, I hope we get more about Damien and Payton...ahem, maybe they will have their own shifter baby finally.

I am lucky to have received an Advanced Reader Copy of Forbidden Mate in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jaleel Webster-Abrahams.
66 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2021
I just absolutely LOVE being part of RL Kenderson's ARC team.

This has been my favourite read by far. But then again so have the other books. I am beyond in love with this series.

Forbidden Mate is about crossing the imaginary lines that both Hunter and Raven are afraid to cross. However, the books main focus is on Hunter and Quentin. Let's get into it...

The book begins with Quentin getting home after being in Switzerland for almost a year, but he doesn't come home alone. And that really breaks Hunters heart, thus winding the two of them in a bit of a rut a very dangerous rut. The two play a game of tug of war where feelings get hurt but love sure does win in the end. Coming out of the closet isn't easy for Hunter to do. The shame and fear he feels is nothing compared to the relief and absolute joy he feels when he finds acceptance and comfort with his sexuality once he is out of the closet, as well as with his mate.

Then we have Raven who is discovering her sexuality after a year long dry patch. I think I smell a beautiful polyamorous relationship blooming between Raven, Chase & Ranulf.

Oh, not to forget Kendall has a biiiig surprise for everyone... Eldon included.

Happy reading everyone😉
Profile Image for Raluca Andra.
15 reviews
June 3, 2020
It was an amazing experience!
I had to reread some of the previous books to get reacquainted with the story, especially with the characters and that is due mostly to my bad memory when it comes to names. I think you can't fully enjoy this story if you can't put it into context. And to do that, reading the previous books in the series is a must! And they are delicious!
Forbidden Mate brings to the fore the love story between sentinel Quentin Rawling( wolf shifter) and guardian Hunter Esmund(vampire). Their coming together was long due as their story began in Forbidden Addiction and seemed to end in heartbreak at the end of Forbidden Claim. But destiny worked in their favour.
After almost an year abroad to help his sister finish her rehabilitation program, Quentin comes home with a new boyfriend, Jeremiah, barely waiting to start work and continue his life. All is good until he sees his old flame Hunter and he can't seem to take him of his mind.
Hunter can barely wait to see Quentin again, but when Quentin comes home hand in hand with another male, the green monster of jealousy shows its head. He turns to liquor and street fighting to numb the pain of loosing Quentin.
Their love continued to burn on the low during their hiatus. Now the proximity of one to another makes it blaze and they can't seem to stay apart. And the sex scenes are spectacular!
Other stories that are mingled in this book are that of sentinel wolf-shifter Kendall and cat-shifter detective Eldon; and that of sentinels wolf-shifter Raven, Ranulf and Chase. They are all hotter that hell, especially the last pairing, which I'd love to see more in the future!
I read an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a honest review, and i loved every piece of it!
Profile Image for Nikki.
734 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2020
Forbidden Mate ( Forbidden book 7) by R.L. Kenderson is a 5 star read.
It feels like I’ve been waiting all my life (It hasn’t really been that long) for Hunter and Quentin’s book and these ladies did not disappoint.
With Quentin still firmly in the closet Hunter knows he can’t live his life sneaking around so he tries to move on and his heart won’t make it easy for him. I can honestly say I’ve never read a m/m book before, it’s just not my thing but I knew I needed to read this book and I knew these ladies would make it great!!
I would highly recommend this whole series to everyone.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for P Leslie.
3,210 reviews17 followers
June 2, 2020
If your new to the Forbidden Series that I would strongly recommend reading the books in order. This is a brilliant series that shouldn’t be missed.

It feels like I’ve been waiting forever to read Hunter and Quentin’s story but was it worth the wait? Hell yeah! These two had great chemistry and their attraction sizzled, sparked and burned through the pages. Hunter needed time to figure things out and he eventually got there in the end.

The book also focuses on Raven, Chase and Ranulf. Chase and Ranulf were so sexy and I couldn’t blame Raven for ogling and drooling all over them especially, after seeing them half naked, I know I definitely was lol. I kind of got the feeling that there was more going on between these three; something the two guys were aware of but Raven was oblivious too. I’m definitely looking forward to reading their story though.

Fantastic addition to the series!

*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
Profile Image for Carmen Richter.
Author 29 books288 followers
June 2, 2020
Loved it!

I have been chomping at the bit for Quentin and Hunter's story since Forbidden Addiction, and these ladies did NOT disappoint! This story was so good, and had everything I've come to love and expect from this world. Suspense, tension, and plenty of steamy scenes. I also loved the separate M/M/F storyline, and I hope to see that develop a bit more in the continuation of this series.
7 reviews
May 31, 2020
OMW We have waited for this book for so long.... and it does not dissapoint...

Forbidden Mate is the 7th book in R.L. Kendersons Forbidden series and it is yet again brilliant

This book has so much emotion in it on how society wil receive MM love but in the end love wins

The Forbidden series is what got me hooked on R.L Kendersons books and I love each and every one of them.

Do yourself a favour... get it NOW dont wait any longer!!! You will forever be changed after these
84 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2020
I've never read an MM book before meeting Hunter and Quentin earlier in the forbidden series. Their story made me a fan of MM romance and the conclusion to their story is amazing!!!! I absolutely LOVE this book, it was brilliantly written by two awesome authors, cannot wait for more from the amazing world they have created ❤❤❤❤❤
Profile Image for Simone Dyers.
153 reviews
June 2, 2020
Oh. My. Goodness!

Like where do I begin!

This book had me swooning like crazy, but also wanting to scream at some of the new characters we meet.

Absolutely brilliant!
Profile Image for Kalli Kounavong.
437 reviews19 followers
July 2, 2020
Better turn a fan on because this book is on FIRE!!! I love it!! If you haven't read this series, woo you are missing out!! 5 stars and 2 thumbs waaaay up!!
Profile Image for Tara Dorough.
1,294 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2020
Forbidden Mate is book 7 from R.L. Henderson's Forbidden series. This book brings in all of our favorite characters from the series. Finally, Quentin and Hunter have their own story told. While Quentin comes from an open-minded shifter pack, Hunter comes from a traditional vampire clan. Hunter is afraid of anyone finding out he's guy. He believes that it will cost him everything...family, friends and his job. The amount of passion between them is of the charts.
As an added bonus, Raven, Ranulf and Chase seem to find themselves attracted to each other. This is one three some that brings the heat and friendship to a whole new level. The question is are they having a fling or will it become so much more? Can't wait to see what happens next. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
575 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2020
This book needs a freaking million stars. I have been waiting for Quentin and Hunter and R.L. Kenderson DID NOT DISAPPOINT. This book left me crying (happy tears) at the end. I got a little of my favorite couple....Phoenix and Dante and every yummy thing about shifters/paranormal. I loved Kendall and Eldon, Raven, Chase and Ranulf and that story and of course Damien and Payton.

Quentin and Hunter have had such a journey. Hunter was so very afraid of coming out to his vampire friends/coworkers. There was such a push and pull and they could not stop the attraction/chemistry between these 2. When Hunter is hurt at the illegal fighting and is recovering in the hospital...whew...that was the best. I loved when Quentin got all possessive when it came to to feeding Hunter.

This book gives you hot hot hot sex OMG I re-read several scenes a few times, you get drama, emotions, love!!!!

I love this book so much. I can’t wait for #8 in this series. I hope it never ever stops. I was lucky to read an ARC but this book is in PREORDER on Amazon.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,554 reviews16 followers
May 29, 2020
Hearts break when Quenten and Hunter struggle to wrap their relationship in secrecy. But how well do they really hide their attraction to one another? Is it possible to keep such as secret when everyone they know has an amazing sense of smell?
2,612 reviews10 followers
May 30, 2020
What’s there to say but, you have to read this series. This is book 7 in the series and they just keep getting better and better as they go. Finally Quentin and Hunter will get their feelings out but will everyone else in the Shifter and Vampire community be there to support them? This is another fast paced read that will suck you in from the first page. Enjoy.
Profile Image for Karry.
1,420 reviews21 followers
June 2, 2020
If you’ve been following along in this series you should completely understand when I say, YES!!! Finally!! It’s about time Hunter and Quentin got their heads out of their butts (No pun intended.), and what a way to go about it, too! Man, are they on fire when they’re together?! So happy with all their portions of the book! The progressions for a few of the other relationships were crazy fantastic, and of course they were smoking hot. Plus, holy surprise revelation for catman!! (Yes, I meant to say catman. Read it to find out the Who and the Why.)

I had only one real issue. It was a little frustrating when shifter characters kept forgetting other shifters can smell lies and feelings, and still try to lie about their feelings to other shifters. Other than that I was hooked in deep.

I tell you, this storyline was a doozy. I can’t wait to see what’s going to be happening next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristy.
804 reviews41 followers
May 24, 2020
Loved it, loved it, LOVED it! I should have known when I started the book that I would finish it in a day, but it still surprises me when I get so invested in a book that I can't stop reading it. Those are the best kind of books, right? If you haven't read this series, you really should; especially if you enjoy supernatural romance books.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
822 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2020
Forbidden mate is everything we have been waiting for in this series! You must start with book 1 to fully understand all the intricacies of this fantastic world. Quentin has returned to Minnesota and brings a new friend to introduce to the pack. Hunter of course is devastated. Their story is finally going to get the hea we all have been hoping for!!
Profile Image for Ruth.
29 reviews
May 21, 2020
When Quentin returns home, he bring a new friend with him, yet he see Hunter. Quentin then slowly realizes that he truly love Hunter and would do anything for him, even go to jail to keep his secret. Yet, everything works out in the end and they come together as a couple and share the secret. You can also get a sense of where the next book will be focus on and who the couple will be that get together next. Very great addition to the wonderful series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
351 reviews3 followers
June 9, 2020
I may have a new favorite book! I have been waiting on tender hooks for over a year for this story! It did NOT disappoint!!!

I love the push and pull that Hunter and Quentin have. I appreciate the reality that is brought in by the fear and anxiety that Hunter feels as well as the frustration and disappointment that Quentin feels.

The sex in this book is hot and intense. It is caring and sweet. And oh so steamy!!!! This book has everything you are looking for, action, sex, love, suspense, and so much more! R.L. really did an amazing job and knocked it out of the park! LOVED!
655 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2020
First if you haven't read any of the other books in the forbidden series I highly recommend that. Second I am so happy to finally read this book. I have been cheering for Damien and Hunter for a few books now. I can't imagine having to hide who you are and who you love. I teared up at the end because I was so happy for them!!! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for MJ.
149 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2021
Such an underrated series!
I love the series, I only wish I had more of it. It’d be amazing if the books were longer by at least 100 pages. There are chapters dedicated to the side characters which are fantastic but it makes me wish the main characters had a longer story. I always preorder the books in this series with ZERO regrets!
Profile Image for Amber.
1,713 reviews8 followers
February 5, 2021
I loved Forbidden Mate by R.L. Kenderson. It's the seventh book in the Forbidden series. I loved Hunter and Quentin. I was a little bit worried when I agreed to review this book because it was the seventh book in the series, but I love reading gay paranormal romances and the blurb of the book sounded really good. I'm so glad I took the chance on it. I also don't mind reading M/F and M/F/M parings, which if you do mind reading those pairings, then I would skip this book and this series since there are detailed, intimate scenes between these pairings and not just between the two gay main characters. It looks like this is the first book where the gay characters are the main characters, and I loved that they finally got their story. I've read other series and fallen in love with the supporting characters in a series that never got their stories because they were gay, and the author only wrote straight romances. I'm so glad that this author doesn't seem to be hampered by that. I also loved that there seems to be an over-arc plot to the story that hasn't been tied up completely, and it makes me so want to read the next book in the series regardless of what the sexual pairing is of the book's main characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series to see how the supporting characters in this book came to be together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
February 1, 2021
Forbidden Mate (Forbidden #7) [BOOKSPROUT] 2/1
By R.L. Kenderson POST 2/2

Vampires are not very flexible in their rigid views of how things must be, which makes Hunter justifiably afraid to be “out”. Making his decision even more painful, that decision is out of the question for Quentin who will not hide. The reader will feel the battle between what they want and the pain of not seeing how to make it happen.

Quentin Rawling is a wolf-shifter sentinel. Hunter Esmund is a vampire Guardian, well hidden in the closet and not willing to venture out. Hunter knows he would risk losing everything if he accepts an open relationship with Quentin. When Hunter gets mixed up with an illegal fighting ring, Quentin will save Hunter no matter what it takes. But will Hunter reciprocate to save Quentin if he has to reveal his “secret” openly?

I again smile at the fact that these books give us a bit more than “the usual” paranormal stories as we see another side of vampire attitudes. Are Quentin and Hunter at an impasse? Or is it time to risk it all for someone who means something to you and is in need? Grab your copy and see what decision Hunter comes to when he is forced to decide his priorities in this situation.


521 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2020
Hunter thought he was asexual but when he met Quinten he knew that was not the case. He was attracted to the sexy shifter but could not acknowledge it to himself, and as a vampire he knew that he could not take the chance to come out - they were still very conservative about things like that. Even though he wanted to be with Hunter, Quinten was not up to keeping their relationship a secret. So he broke it off the same time he had to go with his sister to Switzerland to get her setup in rehab. Determined to get on with his life he met Jeremiah and got close to him. On returning home he found that the attraction for Dante was still there and they could not stay away from each other. But Hunter was still not ready to come out to his vampire family and Quinten had Jeremiah to think about. Will they be able to figure things out? I've been wanting to read their story and am not disappointed. You also meet up with a lot of old friends, characters from other books which makes this such an enjoyable read. Well done to the authors, I cannot wait for the next one. I've received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review.
1,491 reviews7 followers
January 29, 2021
Shifter Romance and a wolf gone Bad

Turns out when you bring the new guy over to meet everyone and don't tell your previous guy what's going on it doesn't go so well Quentin what did you do. Well Hunter is beyond upset so what dose he do well he mite have gotten envolved in something shady something illegal. And Jeremiah well things may not turn out so well for him cause that thing love can do you so wrong. We finally get a happy ending for Kendall and her baby daddy. And Raven has been a bad girl not only is she in the middle of some seriously evil criminal activity but she has just found out what makes Ranulf and Chase so irisistable. But back to my favorite couple Quentin and Hunter there relationship has had its ups and downs his people don't agree with same sex couples and Quentin walked away when Hunter wouldn't come out but this time around they prove that if you love someone you will risk it all. Absolutely loved this book my biggest issue it ended to soon. This series never disappoints.

I purchased a copy of this book and also received and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,401 reviews24 followers
February 1, 2021
I liked the idea of this novel very much: a vampire and a wolf-shifter who love each other but face a lot of obstacles: the backlash from conservative vampire society, the various types of peril each manage to get in to, etc. I thought the idea of sentinels was an interesting one as well, and even though I hadn't read the previous installments in the series, I had no trouble understanding the basic concept or the sense of community it implied. My only issue with this book was that the writing doesn't always do justice to the premise: there's a lot of showing rather than telling, which can be awkward and tends to make the characters seem two-dimensional, or at least hard to know. I found myself losing interest in Quentin and Hunter, even as the events of the plot remained compelling. Writing style is a matter of personal preference, of course, so if the premise sounds interesting to you, definitely give it a shot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,600 reviews8 followers
April 25, 2021
This is a great book. I loved Quentin and Hunter. They have smoking hot chemistry and they are so good together, but Quentin is out and Hunter is not, and this becomes an issue. Hunter is a vampire and vampire society is very rigid and disapproves of MM relationships, so he fears revealing himself. Quentin, on the other hand refuses to hide who he is, and he breaks things off. Quentin goes away and tries to start anew. He even gets a new boyfriend, Jeremiah, but when they return, the passion is still there. Will Quentin and Hunter reconcile? Will hunter come out for him? What is love worth to Hunter? And what about Jeremiah? There is some conflict, and a decision is made. So good! The book also includes some other side relationships that are not MM, and they were all delicious and involved either couples from previous books or new ones I hope we will read more about in the future. I look forward to that.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author 8 books1 follower
June 5, 2020
If you are a fan of this series then you know this is a book that we've been waiting for since the last two books and it was wait was worth it. Quentin and Hunter's story did not disappoint. This is a paranormal romance that occurs between a vampire and shifter in a world where this type of relationship is being newly accepted. This is a baby barrier is this relationship though because even though Hunter desires Quentin he is not willing to come out of the closet and Quentin refuses to be in one. Quentin and Hunter discover that when they are threatened with losing each other there isn't any barrier they won't climb over for each other. If you love hot love scenes, drama, shifters, and vampires get this book.

This book can be read as a standalone but you will definitely want to read about the other characters that you will meet in this book.
117 reviews
February 2, 2021
A great M/M vampire/werewolf love story with HEA guaranteed


NOTE: I READ THIS BOOK AS A STANDALONE. THERE IS NO NEED TO READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ENJOY THIS STORY.

The story is told from 2 point of views in 3rd person style. The story flow was just right - not to fast, not to slow. The supporting characters also had real character depth and roles instead of just being there to support the main characters. It was an enjoyable book for me and I can't wait to read the other books in the series.


A vampire and werewolf that falls in love with each other but had to separate as the vampire could not come out of the closet. They meet again a year later and the love & attraction they had for each other returns. HEA is guaranteed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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