What do you think?
Rate this book
Mismatched Mates #2
Captive Mate
Captured, imprisoned, and...falling in love?
Arik is many things. Shaman, necromancer, a little on the snarky side...no one could ever accuse him of being boring. But one thing he never intended to be was imprisoned by angry werewolves. Maybe casting that love spell on the sexy alpha pack leader wasn't such a great idea after all.
Matthew Armitage has a problem. Several of them, actually. And the biggest one is Arik. The shaman can't be trusted. He's dangerous enough to get the entire pack killed. Matthew knows that. But knowing doesn't make it any easier to keep his mind (and hands) off Arik. Surely everything he's feeling is a side effect of the spell...right?
It's not long before enemies of the pack start circling - including one intent on claiming Arik as his unwilling mate. If they have any hope of surviving, Arik and Matthew will need to work together. And if they want a shot at happily ever after...well, they'll just have to cross that bridge when they get to it.
If they get to it....
Contains mature themes.
©2020 Eliot Grayson (P)2021 Tantor
Arik is many things. Shaman, necromancer, a little on the snarky side...no one could ever accuse him of being boring. But one thing he never intended to be was imprisoned by angry werewolves. Maybe casting that love spell on the sexy alpha pack leader wasn't such a great idea after all.
Matthew Armitage has a problem. Several of them, actually. And the biggest one is Arik. The shaman can't be trusted. He's dangerous enough to get the entire pack killed. Matthew knows that. But knowing doesn't make it any easier to keep his mind (and hands) off Arik. Surely everything he's feeling is a side effect of the spell...right?
It's not long before enemies of the pack start circling - including one intent on claiming Arik as his unwilling mate. If they have any hope of surviving, Arik and Matthew will need to work together. And if they want a shot at happily ever after...well, they'll just have to cross that bridge when they get to it.
If they get to it....
Contains mature themes.
©2020 Eliot Grayson (P)2021 Tantor
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 25, 2020
469 people are currently reading
1269 people want to read
About the author
Eliot Grayson
38 books1,388 followersEliot's a lifelong Southern California girl, right down to the flip-flops and backyard garden. When she's not writing her next book, you can find her reading, drinking tea, or (more likely) catering to the demands of her kids and ancient, cranky cat.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
July 21, 2021
⭐ 3.7 "Any [Captive Mate] slanderers will be blocked and dealt with" stars ⭐
After appreciating but not really loving the first installment, I went into this sequel with healthy amounts of trepidation.
Yet according to my findings, this proved to be a case of...
At least when it comes to the protagonist, because I could honestly beatbox poetics about this Draco Malfoy shifter wannabe.
**********************
First of all, I will state that this was the kind of book you read for a dose of melodrama, some low angst that isn't low at all —not if you're a wimp like me at least, and the swooniest of werewolf romances.
Before I start getting ahead of myself and turning this into a mile-long review, however, I will delve into the various Positives and the One Small Niggle that this book amounted to.
Now let's commence.
THE POSITIVES
— The MC Arik.
Summed up in a single gif:
Arik’s peculiar friend-making skills.
He was truly the CEO of pettiness, the King of throwing shade, and the President of being a conniving little shit. Started as an asshole and stayed a bit of a jerk all throughout the book —which I loved, because our protagonist was nothing if not consistent. Plus, despite his morally questionable plans, or due to them rather, I found myself standing alongside him and chuckling along the way.
High brow literature this is not, but as I usually say… sometimes you need a good dose of delectable cheese to make your day, and this literary equivalent of pizza delivered on all the juicy nutrients and carbs.
To round things up, below you'll encounter examples of Arik's shenanigans, since seventy percent of my notes were just me calling him a legend so might as well:
🤩 How he tries to manipulate his jailers after being held captive for almost a week 🤩
He was chained, starved, hadn’t showered for days, and was two minutes away from a mental breakdown, yet this bitch still managed to pull himself together and scheme faster than me muting a zoom meeting after my assignment has been graded.
Arik’spetty af life philosophy, which I very much approved of.
For more legendaric activity...
😝 His reaction to being starved for days as a torture tactic 😝
This man, truly. To be completely fair, however, he was right. The Armitage pack is honestly unemployed.
So him dissing his captors while almost passing out from starvation was definitely a highlight. Roasting people was an unlockable item and Arik was a master crafter.
Going back to the gift of saltiness that kept on giving...
🤭 When Matthew, the love interest, tried to apologize for wronging him 🤭
Arik said "fuck forgiveness" and I felt that. Being a bigger person? Not included in the trial run that is his life.
And then, in case y’all had any doubts of his intellect, wit, gumption, and resourcefulness...
Today, in things I did not expect: THAT.
You've heard of self-lubricated assholes from ABO books? (if you haven’t, don’t google it and count yourself as one of the lucky few) Now get ready for magically lubed ones!!
From here on out, whenever sex scenes lack any kind of prep, I’ll just assume there’s a shaman slash warlock off-screen aiding the proceedings. 10/10 my suspension of disbelief will be forever grateful.
But keeping thehairball rolling...
— The Love Interest Matthew.
In a single image…
An Alpha werewolf with a side of gentleness? Sign me up and subscribe me to the newsletter.
He was very similar to Ian from book one in some regards (truly a case of Alpha Male #2), yet for all intents and purposes, this werewolf actually understood the assignment. He got a hundred percent mark and could have easily become a tutor. God knows some of those other shifter struggle cases could surely use a few pointers.
All in all, this hunky werewolf was incredibly easy to like, and not even the whole "compelled by a love spell" setup of the story managed to make me ever question his good intentions. While his love for Arik started forming from a magical binding, it was clear when it morphed into true adoration. And boy oh boy, when that happened? The simping was absolutely next level.
To exemplify it, allow me to expose hisembarrassingly doting ways…
Arik: *leaves for barely a day to conduct his magic business elsewhere*
Matthew, inevitably:
If Arik had a fanclub, this man would be the president and go door to door handing out applications. Truecodependent love, everyone.
And now, swerving into the part most people will care about, as they rightfully should...
— The Romance (aka I actually shipped this couple!)
Once again, boiled down to…
They were still hella cute in their own toxic way though.
Granted, these two started out in such a strange place, with Arik imprisoned after the clusterfuck that was the werewolf battle from the previous book, and with Matthew trapped between loathing Arik and wanting to bend over backward to make him happy and keep him safe.
They continuously switched between being completely antagonistic towards the other one moment to falling into the trap of domesticity and couple behavior the next. Yet in spite of the aid from the magical equivalent of emotional viagra, witnessing their dynamic transforming into full-on caring and later loving was still a deeply satisfying sight. Love spell or not, these two were a perfect fit in my humble opinion.
Although to thoroughly summarize their wondrous dynamic, I’ll just drop here this quote uttered by Matthew himself:
😌 How’s that for swoon-worthy declarations? 😌
How these two had me for ninety-nine percent of the book. I was flushing, I was swooning, I was aw-ing.
So all in all, name a more romantic shifter duo, I triple dog dare you.
Skipping ahead...
— The Plot.
I actually gave a shit about it! Unlike the first installment (I promise this is not just The Alpha's Warlock slander… it's a review for the sequel too), the machinations here didn’t detract from my delight. Even the cameos and brief separation —which only lasted one chapter this time around, thank Gawd— didn't phase me. Because, I must emphasize, they were actually purposeful.
On top of that, did I fail to mention that this features a revenge story where a rapist gets his very deserving comeuppance?
Well, that too.
Ideal side-plots DO exist.
Lastly, since all good things must come to an end…
THE ONE SMALL NIGGLE
(Which didn't exactly detract from my enjoyment but still)
— The Violence.
And by that, I mean I needed…
When it came to the bad guys and their fates, I required guts, disembowelment, eyes being taken out of eye sockets, Glasgow smiles, etc. If not shown, at least implied in more than a single paragraph.
Considering that if a villain is particularly despicable, then I want them to suffer a fitting death, and preferably by the hands of the person they victimized. This might just be a me thing and not bother other readers as much, but I still thought it was worth a mention.
Despite understanding Arik's emotional struggles and shortcomings, I still desired for him to have a more active hand in accomplishing his own vengeance. He was a badass shifter shaman, after all, gifted with enhanced strength, healing, animal senses, AND some sweet sweet magical abilities. The idea that he had such an incredible array of powers and yet we never read about him dropping anyone flat on their asses —at least none of the actual people who harmed him— just felt like a wasted opportunity.
But oh well, regardless of my complaining, this book was (mostly)…
And for that I am grateful.
**********************
Now, to close things off, my Final Thoughts section:
This was frankly a great way to de-stress. Arik was amazing, the love interest lovable, the revenge interesting, the chemistry thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, and so on. All the good marks of an engaging enough story. Besides, this makes me considerably more excited for the sequels and was an overall vast improvement from the first book.
In the meantime, to anyone in the mood for a light but not too light experience, featuring dark humor as a coping mechanism (to which I say bitch, same), and starring a compelling couple with a bit of a quirky premise…
Do give this one a chance, and you (hopefully) won’t regret it.
**********************
Mismatched Mates series by Eliot Grayson
The Alpha’s Warlock — 3.3 ⭐
Captive Mate — 3.7 ⭐
The Alpha Experiment — TBR.
Lost and Bound — TBR.
After appreciating but not really loving the first installment, I went into this sequel with healthy amounts of trepidation.
Yet according to my findings, this proved to be a case of...
At least when it comes to the protagonist, because I could honestly beatbox poetics about this Draco Malfoy shifter wannabe.
**********************
First of all, I will state that this was the kind of book you read for a dose of melodrama, some low angst that isn't low at all —not if you're a wimp like me at least, and the swooniest of werewolf romances.
Before I start getting ahead of myself and turning this into a mile-long review, however, I will delve into the various Positives and the One Small Niggle that this book amounted to.
Now let's commence.
THE POSITIVES
— The MC Arik.
Summed up in a single gif:
Arik’s peculiar friend-making skills.
He was truly the CEO of pettiness, the King of throwing shade, and the President of being a conniving little shit. Started as an asshole and stayed a bit of a jerk all throughout the book —which I loved, because our protagonist was nothing if not consistent. Plus, despite his morally questionable plans, or due to them rather, I found myself standing alongside him and chuckling along the way.
High brow literature this is not, but as I usually say… sometimes you need a good dose of delectable cheese to make your day, and this literary equivalent of pizza delivered on all the juicy nutrients and carbs.
To round things up, below you'll encounter examples of Arik's shenanigans, since seventy percent of my notes were just me calling him a legend so might as well:
“I stopped short of laying the back of my hand against my forehead like a Victorian lady with the vapors, mainly because my arms wouldn’t stretch like that with the length of my chains.”
🤩 How he tries to manipulate his jailers after being held captive for almost a week 🤩
He was chained, starved, hadn’t showered for days, and was two minutes away from a mental breakdown, yet this bitch still managed to pull himself together and scheme faster than me muting a zoom meeting after my assignment has been graded.
Arik’s
For more legendaric activity...
“Where’s my bread and water? Run out of budget for grocery shopping?” The Armitages were notorious for being one of the brokest-ass werewolf packs in the west.
Their house was like the roach motel of places to be held prisoner.”
😝 His reaction to being starved for days as a torture tactic 😝
This man, truly. To be completely fair, however, he was right. The Armitage pack is honestly unemployed.
So him dissing his captors while almost passing out from starvation was definitely a highlight. Roasting people was an unlockable item and Arik was a master crafter.
Going back to the gift of saltiness that kept on giving...
“I’m trying to apologize to you! Fuck, I —” He broke off, and his gaze skittered away for a second before he looked back at me. My mouth opened to retort, but he beat me to it. “And maybe I’m doing a shitty job, okay? But I’m trying.”
Trying? He was trying? Fucking awesome. That and five bucks would get me a latte.
🤭 When Matthew, the love interest, tried to apologize for wronging him 🤭
Arik said "fuck forgiveness" and I felt that. Being a bigger person? Not included in the trial run that is his life.
And then, in case y’all had any doubts of his intellect, wit, gumption, and resourcefulness...
“Matthew teased me with a finger.
A dry finger. Fuck, I could fix that. I summoned more magic, complicated magic this time, drawing on the formulas inked into my arms. My power snaked down into the center of my body, leaving my ass perfectly clean and as slick as if I’d used a bottle of lube.”
Today, in things I did not expect: THAT.
You've heard of self-lubricated assholes from ABO books? (if you haven’t, don’t google it and count yourself as one of the lucky few) Now get ready for magically lubed ones!!
From here on out, whenever sex scenes lack any kind of prep, I’ll just assume there’s a shaman slash warlock off-screen aiding the proceedings. 10/10 my suspension of disbelief will be forever grateful.
But keeping the
— The Love Interest Matthew.
In a single image…
An Alpha werewolf with a side of gentleness? Sign me up and subscribe me to the newsletter.
He was very similar to Ian from book one in some regards (truly a case of Alpha Male #2), yet for all intents and purposes, this werewolf actually understood the assignment. He got a hundred percent mark and could have easily become a tutor. God knows some of those other shifter struggle cases could surely use a few pointers.
All in all, this hunky werewolf was incredibly easy to like, and not even the whole "compelled by a love spell" setup of the story managed to make me ever question his good intentions. While his love for Arik started forming from a magical binding, it was clear when it morphed into true adoration. And boy oh boy, when that happened? The simping was absolutely next level.
To exemplify it, allow me to expose his
Arik: *leaves for barely a day to conduct his magic business elsewhere*
Matthew, inevitably:
If Arik had a fanclub, this man would be the president and go door to door handing out applications. True
And now, swerving into the part most people will care about, as they rightfully should...
— The Romance (aka I actually shipped this couple!)
Once again, boiled down to…
They were still hella cute in their own toxic way though.
Granted, these two started out in such a strange place, with Arik imprisoned after the clusterfuck that was the werewolf battle from the previous book, and with Matthew trapped between loathing Arik and wanting to bend over backward to make him happy and keep him safe.
They continuously switched between being completely antagonistic towards the other one moment to falling into the trap of domesticity and couple behavior the next. Yet in spite of the aid from the magical equivalent of emotional viagra, witnessing their dynamic transforming into full-on caring and later loving was still a deeply satisfying sight. Love spell or not, these two were a perfect fit in my humble opinion.
Although to thoroughly summarize their wondrous dynamic, I’ll just drop here this quote uttered by Matthew himself:
“Look. I hate you. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”
😌 How’s that for swoon-worthy declarations? 😌
How these two had me for ninety-nine percent of the book. I was flushing, I was swooning, I was aw-ing.
So all in all, name a more romantic shifter duo, I triple dog dare you.
Skipping ahead...
— The Plot.
I actually gave a shit about it! Unlike the first installment (I promise this is not just The Alpha's Warlock slander… it's a review for the sequel too), the machinations here didn’t detract from my delight. Even the cameos and brief separation —which only lasted one chapter this time around, thank Gawd— didn't phase me. Because, I must emphasize, they were actually purposeful.
On top of that, did I fail to mention that this features a revenge story where a rapist gets his very deserving comeuppance?
Well, that too.
Ideal side-plots DO exist.
Lastly, since all good things must come to an end…
THE ONE SMALL NIGGLE
(Which didn't exactly detract from my enjoyment but still)
— The Violence.
And by that, I mean I needed…
When it came to the bad guys and their fates, I required guts, disembowelment, eyes being taken out of eye sockets, Glasgow smiles, etc. If not shown, at least implied in more than a single paragraph.
Considering that if a villain is particularly despicable, then I want them to suffer a fitting death, and preferably by the hands of the person they victimized. This might just be a me thing and not bother other readers as much, but I still thought it was worth a mention.
Despite understanding Arik's emotional struggles and shortcomings, I still desired for him to have a more active hand in accomplishing his own vengeance. He was a badass shifter shaman, after all, gifted with enhanced strength, healing, animal senses, AND some sweet sweet magical abilities. The idea that he had such an incredible array of powers and yet we never read about him dropping anyone flat on their asses —at least none of the actual people who harmed him— just felt like a wasted opportunity.
But oh well, regardless of my complaining, this book was (mostly)…
And for that I am grateful.
**********************
Now, to close things off, my Final Thoughts section:
This was frankly a great way to de-stress. Arik was amazing, the love interest lovable, the revenge interesting, the chemistry thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, and so on. All the good marks of an engaging enough story. Besides, this makes me considerably more excited for the sequels and was an overall vast improvement from the first book.
In the meantime, to anyone in the mood for a light but not too light experience, featuring dark humor as a coping mechanism (to which I say bitch, same), and starring a compelling couple with a bit of a quirky premise…
Do give this one a chance, and you (hopefully) won’t regret it.
**********************
Mismatched Mates series by Eliot Grayson
The Alpha’s Warlock — 3.3 ⭐
Captive Mate — 3.7 ⭐
The Alpha Experiment — TBR.
Lost and Bound — TBR.
March 3, 2024
There are so many things that need to be built up and so many things that need to be added. Like Charlie and Dor!! They’re such a mystery they only appeared once in this book but I still want to know more about them. And the council and Colin and also the Kimball pack in general… Yet this series has me in its grasp. Despite everything it’s just amazing. I can’t understand it! 😂 I do have to say I liked the first book better, I think that one flowed more easily. But the plot in this one still moved at a good pace. I am completely captivated now. I have to go find the third book.
February 26, 2021
This book was better than the first because it has a "bad guy" who is trying very hard not to be a reformed bad boy. I love that he has no desire to become a kinder, gentler person that skips through the meadow singing with this animal friends and doing good deeds. He's into manipulation, murder, and mayhem. So sexy!
Tall guys are hot.
But, I can't really get into a review on the story because I'm too focused on the fact that this "knotting" is a thing. Like, why? I don't want to kink-shame, but if there is a kink that needs to be shamed it is this one. What the fuck? You know that all I can think about with this inflating penis thing is one of those blood pressure cuffs that inflates until you feel like you are going to pop like a balloon and shoot across the doctor's office probably hitting some creepy display of a pelvis with some skeleton baby inside of it - knocking the dead baby bones all over the floor. You know what I mean? I'm sure we've all thought that.
Come on. Like we all haven't wondered about this.
Anyway.
This knotting thing is so freaking bizarre. I don't even know where the idea comes from. I almost feel like I'm out of touch for having no idea it existed. And, then I realize that maybe being out of touch isn't always a bad thing. There are limits to how in touch a person wants to be.
Stop that.
Still, I like the series and the characters, so... bring on the next inflatable penis!
Tall guys are hot.
But, I can't really get into a review on the story because I'm too focused on the fact that this "knotting" is a thing. Like, why? I don't want to kink-shame, but if there is a kink that needs to be shamed it is this one. What the fuck? You know that all I can think about with this inflating penis thing is one of those blood pressure cuffs that inflates until you feel like you are going to pop like a balloon and shoot across the doctor's office probably hitting some creepy display of a pelvis with some skeleton baby inside of it - knocking the dead baby bones all over the floor. You know what I mean? I'm sure we've all thought that.
Come on. Like we all haven't wondered about this.
Anyway.
This knotting thing is so freaking bizarre. I don't even know where the idea comes from. I almost feel like I'm out of touch for having no idea it existed. And, then I realize that maybe being out of touch isn't always a bad thing. There are limits to how in touch a person wants to be.
Stop that.
Still, I like the series and the characters, so... bring on the next inflatable penis!
July 16, 2021
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Better Than The First One*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
I was recommend this book by my friend, Candy, who said this one was better than book one. And she was right. There was much more chemistry, the sex was hotter, and I felt a little more of that pack bond. However, - yes there is a however - it's wasn't great. It felt longer than it was and it annoyed me a bit at how easily they forgave the actions of Arik, the shaman. And frankly I wished alpha Matthew Armitage was more alpha in bed and with Arik. While I understand why he wasn't, I still wanted it. I did however like that Matthew showed some strength and leadership in a commanding way. That I did like. But I just wanted more of it. I also wanted more of the pack bonding.
Overall, while my heart hurt for everything Arik has gone through, I struggled to like him and to take his side. I had expected him to be more... evil? But he kinds just felt like he hurt so he wants other to hurt as well? Maybe I'm in a reading slump again? I barely feel a difference these days... maybe I never got out of the reading slump.... Hmmmmmmm. That said, it was still a nice read that made the time pass, which was what I needed. I don't regret reading; it has lots of potential after all. But I'm too much in the mood for feral and animalistic behavior these days... I know, I'm fucked up.
How long were they going to leave me down here? They were supposed to be the good guys, right? The heroes. Where the fuck did they get off using tactics I might have used against someone else? The fucking nerve.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M).
Series: - Series, Book Two.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Matthew Armitage, I think.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Umm, good question.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 3/2.5 stars.
March 28, 2023
4.25**** stars
audio: 5 stars
Again Chris Chambers did a fantastic job with the audio narration. The story was entertaining and exciting, the characters totally lovable and the banter exquisit. The romance is pretty slow-burn but with the love-spell Arik put on Matthew is was intense from the beginning. *lmao
Although I prefer a dual POV to a single one on any day, it mostly enhances the reading experience when one POV, thoughts and feelings stay hidden from the reader. But man what I wouldn’t have given for Matthew’s side of things at one point or another *lol
And omg the epilogue. Matthew (the big, proud alpha werewolf) is freaking adorable.
*this audio was free with my audible subscription
*************
Mismatched Mates Series:
Book 1 - The Alpha’s Warlock - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Captive Mate - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - The Alpha Experiment - 4.25 stars
Book 4 - Lost and Bound - audio tbr
Book 5 - Lost Touch
Book 6 - The Alpha Contract
Book 7 - The Alpha’s Gamble
It’s best to read this series in order.
audio: 5 stars
Again Chris Chambers did a fantastic job with the audio narration. The story was entertaining and exciting, the characters totally lovable and the banter exquisit. The romance is pretty slow-burn but with the love-spell Arik put on Matthew is was intense from the beginning. *lmao
Although I prefer a dual POV to a single one on any day, it mostly enhances the reading experience when one POV, thoughts and feelings stay hidden from the reader. But man what I wouldn’t have given for Matthew’s side of things at one point or another *lol
And omg the epilogue. Matthew (the big, proud alpha werewolf) is freaking adorable.
*this audio was free with my audible subscription
*************
Mismatched Mates Series:
Book 1 - The Alpha’s Warlock - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Captive Mate - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - The Alpha Experiment - 4.25 stars
Book 4 - Lost and Bound - audio tbr
Book 5 - Lost Touch
Book 6 - The Alpha Contract
Book 7 - The Alpha’s Gamble
It’s best to read this series in order.
September 4, 2020
I enjoyed this even more than book one
I love a feisty shifter who isn't just going to put up with the whole 'alpha wolf' thing.
Arik was hilariously snarky and snappy and totally not willing to give in to the predicament he finds himself in with the Armitage pack.
This is your fairly classic enemies to lovers romance but with a bit of a twist including magic gone wrong, a stubborn shaman lynx shifter and an alpha who refuses to fall out of love even when he's unspelled.
Loads of fun, this series from Eliot has been really enjoyable and I hope there's more to come.
I love a feisty shifter who isn't just going to put up with the whole 'alpha wolf' thing.
Arik was hilariously snarky and snappy and totally not willing to give in to the predicament he finds himself in with the Armitage pack.
This is your fairly classic enemies to lovers romance but with a bit of a twist including magic gone wrong, a stubborn shaman lynx shifter and an alpha who refuses to fall out of love even when he's unspelled.
Loads of fun, this series from Eliot has been really enjoyable and I hope there's more to come.
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 2, 2023
the first half was okay to me and i was leaning towards 3.5 stars but, honestly, the second half made me realize it deserved a solid four stars. i thought the concept of the mc putting a love spell on their love interest was interesting, but the angst ?? UNMATCHED. i loved the book from that point 'til the end. the angst was everything i wanted in a story like this, from the uncertainty to the confessions. it was executed so well, imo. i just wanted to give Arik a hug throughout the book, all he wanted was to be loved and i just- 😭😭
Matthew pulled back, and I whined in protest. "I have to show you something," he said breathlessly, and then dived right back in. "Fuck, fuck, I missed you," he said against my neck. "Fuck."
~ it's actually quite unhealthy how much i love the co-dependency trope but idc 🤪
Matthew pulled back, and I whined in protest. "I have to show you something," he said breathlessly, and then dived right back in. "Fuck, fuck, I missed you," he said against my neck. "Fuck."
~ it's actually quite unhealthy how much i love the co-dependency trope but idc 🤪
December 2, 2023
❝I’m a lynx. A bobcat, specifically.❞
Matthew stared for a second and his eyes lit up. ❝Do you have the…❞ He took his hand off my face to gesture vaguely at his ear, looking like he was about to burst with the force of suppressed laughter.
❝Yes, asshole, I have the cute little tufty ears, fuck.❞ My cheeks burned, and I scowled at him — until he swooped down and kissed the scowl right off my face.
❝I love tufty ears,❞ he muttered between kisses, ❝and I love you.❞
I'm gonna be honest, when I first read Captive Mate I was very… meh, on it. I didn't think it was as good as The Alpha's Warlock, and I never saw myself rereading it…
Ha. 🤣👏 Ha. 🤣👏 Ha. 🤣👏 i'm a self-identified dumbass✨
Upon reread, I have discovered that CM is in fact, fanfuckingtastic. Like, I think Captive Mate might be my favorite book in the entire Mismatched Mates series. MatthewArick are the best couple in the Armitage Pack, hands down. Suck it, IanNate.
𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦
🐺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮'𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 ~ 𝟯.𝟱
🐱 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲 ~ 𝟰.𝟳𝟱
🎄 𝗔 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 ~ 𝟰
🦇 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 ~ 𝟯.𝟱
🧬 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ~ 𝟯
🧭 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 ~ 𝟰.𝟱
August 23, 2022
Better than the first. Hopefully they keep improving.
Read
August 7, 2021This one was just ok for me. I liked the first one better. But I’ll still keep reading the series. Because the reviews of book four are 🤤🔥🤣.
I feel extra cranky today. Like there are a bunch of bees in my bonnet. If I wore a bonnet. The air here is so bad. It looks apocalyptic outside. And there’s a fire way too close to my parent’s house. Also I feel just blah in general. Sorry to ramble.
So I’m not even going to pretend I’m going to come back and review it more. But I might. Who knows? 🤷🏻♀️
I think I need to re-read a favorite.
“Hello,” I whispered. My voice was so hoarse and scratchy I sounded like a three-pack-a-day hooker trying to attract a john. Hopefully they didn’t make that comparison.
Still, this one did make me laugh.
I feel extra cranky today. Like there are a bunch of bees in my bonnet. If I wore a bonnet. The air here is so bad. It looks apocalyptic outside. And there’s a fire way too close to my parent’s house. Also I feel just blah in general. Sorry to ramble.
So I’m not even going to pretend I’m going to come back and review it more. But I might. Who knows? 🤷🏻♀️
I think I need to re-read a favorite.
“Hello,” I whispered. My voice was so hoarse and scratchy I sounded like a three-pack-a-day hooker trying to attract a john. Hopefully they didn’t make that comparison.
Still, this one did make me laugh.
September 4, 2023
Don’t we all love a character that - from a pure logical point or view- is a real bitch?
Well if you don’t, you’re obviously wrong or haven’t read this book yet 😂
First of all: to fully love this book, you should have read the previous one, because this one here picks up right where book 1 ended: after the fight between the Armitage pack, who’s alpha has been put under a love spell by a shaman shifter who fought along with the Kimbles. The Kimble alpha is dead, and Nate (the warlock) and Ian (who’s the brother of Matt, the aforementioned Armitage alpha) are mated and happy.
All would be peachy, if not for Jonah/Arik, the shaman who put that love spell on Matt and who refuses to remove it, despite the fact that he’s imprisoned.
The entire book is from Arik’s pov, and what can I say? I loved it, and him. Despite the fact that he’s selfish and conniving.
Arik is a lynx shifter, and I thought that his character traits and his decisions and thoughts were so very feline, with a lot of details that added to the image - like the fact that he loved to shower and hated being dirty (I couldn’t help but grin at the almost orgasmic joy he felt when he finally was able to clean his ears 😬), or how he hated feeling forced or subdued, or how he was a loner and not a pack animal, always trying to land on his feet (both literally and figuratively), trying to manipulate everyone for his gain.
I know it doesn’t sound very lovable, but to me (a cat person, as you might have guessed from my alias here) it was so… not relatable, but very in character.
Yes, it takes them a while to finally get together for real, but I loved the way Arik fought his feelings with tooth and claws, and I loved how vulnerable and lonely he was under all that hissing and clawing and posturing.
I’ll give this book 4.5 stars and round it up, not because of the story itself, which had some flaws if you’re looking at it too closely, but because of the character and relationship development which I loved.
Oh and Chris Chambers, whom it took me a bit to warm up to in the previous book, did an excellent job here, perfectly enhancing Arik’s moody and shifty thoughts.
Well if you don’t, you’re obviously wrong or haven’t read this book yet 😂
First of all: to fully love this book, you should have read the previous one, because this one here picks up right where book 1 ended: after the fight between the Armitage pack, who’s alpha has been put under a love spell by a shaman shifter who fought along with the Kimbles. The Kimble alpha is dead, and Nate (the warlock) and Ian (who’s the brother of Matt, the aforementioned Armitage alpha) are mated and happy.
All would be peachy, if not for Jonah/Arik, the shaman who put that love spell on Matt and who refuses to remove it, despite the fact that he’s imprisoned.
The entire book is from Arik’s pov, and what can I say? I loved it, and him. Despite the fact that he’s selfish and conniving.
Arik is a lynx shifter, and I thought that his character traits and his decisions and thoughts were so very feline, with a lot of details that added to the image - like the fact that he loved to shower and hated being dirty (I couldn’t help but grin at the almost orgasmic joy he felt when he finally was able to clean his ears 😬), or how he hated feeling forced or subdued, or how he was a loner and not a pack animal, always trying to land on his feet (both literally and figuratively), trying to manipulate everyone for his gain.
I know it doesn’t sound very lovable, but to me (a cat person, as you might have guessed from my alias here) it was so… not relatable, but very in character.
Yes, it takes them a while to finally get together for real, but I loved the way Arik fought his feelings with tooth and claws, and I loved how vulnerable and lonely he was under all that hissing and clawing and posturing.
I’ll give this book 4.5 stars and round it up, not because of the story itself, which had some flaws if you’re looking at it too closely, but because of the character and relationship development which I loved.
Oh and Chris Chambers, whom it took me a bit to warm up to in the previous book, did an excellent job here, perfectly enhancing Arik’s moody and shifty thoughts.
September 7, 2020
3,75 stars
Book 2 in this series was quite a bit more intense, more emotionally mixed-up and more heart-rending than book 1.
So of course, I enjoyed it more! (But I would definitely recommend reading book 1, otherwise it might be hard to understand what's going on. This starts off exactly where book 1 stopped!)
While on the one side I couldn’t help noticing that we are basically dealing with a very similar scenario to book 1, I liked the execution better this time.
Strange to say that, considering I didn’t even like Arik until about half-way into the book. He is a totally self-centred, egoistic, alpha-hating prick, intent on throwing around as much vile and hurt as possible. He only looks after Number 1, and that’s it.
I loved seeing him crumble (VERY) slowly under Matthew’s decency and loyalty and find somewhere he can belong to.
Their love/hate relationship is fabulously done, something I can’t say 100% about the plot. Tbh, I enjoyed Arik and Matthew enough not to care too much, but missed Matthew's POV, particularly as I’m not quite sure why on earth he falls in love with Arik to start with.
The story itself is fast paced, and the love spell gone wrong adds quite a bit of spice and interest.
It was also nice seeing tentative beginnings of friendship between Nate and Arik, and I do anticipate this to deepen in further books.
If you fancy a fun read, with growly shifters and magic, with humour and feels, this is certainly for you!
Book 2 in this series was quite a bit more intense, more emotionally mixed-up and more heart-rending than book 1.
So of course, I enjoyed it more! (But I would definitely recommend reading book 1, otherwise it might be hard to understand what's going on. This starts off exactly where book 1 stopped!)
While on the one side I couldn’t help noticing that we are basically dealing with a very similar scenario to book 1, I liked the execution better this time.
Strange to say that, considering I didn’t even like Arik until about half-way into the book. He is a totally self-centred, egoistic, alpha-hating prick, intent on throwing around as much vile and hurt as possible. He only looks after Number 1, and that’s it.
I loved seeing him crumble (VERY) slowly under Matthew’s decency and loyalty and find somewhere he can belong to.
Their love/hate relationship is fabulously done, something I can’t say 100% about the plot. Tbh, I enjoyed Arik and Matthew enough not to care too much, but missed Matthew's POV, particularly as I’m not quite sure why on earth he falls in love with Arik to start with.
The story itself is fast paced, and the love spell gone wrong adds quite a bit of spice and interest.
It was also nice seeing tentative beginnings of friendship between Nate and Arik, and I do anticipate this to deepen in further books.
If you fancy a fun read, with growly shifters and magic, with humour and feels, this is certainly for you!
January 30, 2022
3.5 stars
“Look, I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”
— m/m paranormal
— enemies-to-lovers
— forced proximity
— kidnapping
— opposites attract
I liked Captive Mate, but not as much as book 1. The series continues with it unique quirky style and Arik, a shaman, and Matthew, an alpha pack leader, have lots of cute moments. Expect warring wolf packs, magic potions, shamans, warlocks, gnomes, and vampires. The magic and fantasy is entertaining and the humor continues with its zany offbeat vibe.
Although Arik and Matthew have an enemies-to-lovers relationship, they didn’t set my pulse racing. I liked Matthew’s protectiveness, alpha moments, and strong, capable leader personality. But I would have loved to see his possessive streak amped up several notches. Meanwhile Arik’s character in many ways echoes Nate’s (previous book)—a loner, cutoff from family, no friends, and abused by others for his magical powers. But Arik’s and Matthew’s dynamic isn’t as explosive as Nate’s and Ian’s so their relationship seems somewhat lacking in comparison. The UST is great, however, and the sex is hot.
“Even if you left out the claws and the teeth and the magic, my tattoos and long hair alone made me don’t–take-home-to-mother material.
Of course, Matthew was taking me home to his brother, who decapitated monsters for fun, and his brother-in-law, who’d knocked me out with a magical water bottle.
So maybe I was the right material for them.”
“He’d bent down so close to me that our faces were almost touching. And he was just—looking at me, his gaze steady. Like he had nothing better to do then see me. Like I was worth looking at, and not just the parts of me that he might want to fuck.”
“Look, I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”
— m/m paranormal
— enemies-to-lovers
— forced proximity
— kidnapping
— opposites attract
I liked Captive Mate, but not as much as book 1. The series continues with it unique quirky style and Arik, a shaman, and Matthew, an alpha pack leader, have lots of cute moments. Expect warring wolf packs, magic potions, shamans, warlocks, gnomes, and vampires. The magic and fantasy is entertaining and the humor continues with its zany offbeat vibe.
Although Arik and Matthew have an enemies-to-lovers relationship, they didn’t set my pulse racing. I liked Matthew’s protectiveness, alpha moments, and strong, capable leader personality. But I would have loved to see his possessive streak amped up several notches. Meanwhile Arik’s character in many ways echoes Nate’s (previous book)—a loner, cutoff from family, no friends, and abused by others for his magical powers. But Arik’s and Matthew’s dynamic isn’t as explosive as Nate’s and Ian’s so their relationship seems somewhat lacking in comparison. The UST is great, however, and the sex is hot.
“Even if you left out the claws and the teeth and the magic, my tattoos and long hair alone made me don’t–take-home-to-mother material.
Of course, Matthew was taking me home to his brother, who decapitated monsters for fun, and his brother-in-law, who’d knocked me out with a magical water bottle.
So maybe I was the right material for them.”
“He’d bent down so close to me that our faces were almost touching. And he was just—looking at me, his gaze steady. Like he had nothing better to do then see me. Like I was worth looking at, and not just the parts of me that he might want to fuck.”
August 19, 2021
3.5 The Only Mate I Need Is Coffee Mate
"Look. I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”
The second book is the continuation and yes, we again get the Hate to love trope. But, this time not much of hate sex.😂😂
The MC of this story is Arik the shaman (kind of sorcerer???). He was on the wrong side in the previous book since he cast a love spell on Matthew Armitage, and now he is a prisoner to the Armitage pack. Arik is sassy but manipulative on the surface but in reality, he is a fighter who doesn't believe in loyalties to any side, just his own survival.
The feelings between both of them are twisted. Matthew hates Arik for the love spell and the pack war but is not able to control the pull. And, Arik distrusts every alpha. The relationship and the MCs gave me AH vibes and I was not surprised to see(in the ebook version), that the author has acknowledged AH as her 'alpha reader'.🤭🤭
Overall, I thought I liked book 1 more than this book. But, still, it was a quick and fun read.
"Look. I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”
The second book is the continuation and yes, we again get the Hate to love trope. But, this time not much of hate sex.😂😂
The MC of this story is Arik the shaman (kind of sorcerer???). He was on the wrong side in the previous book since he cast a love spell on Matthew Armitage, and now he is a prisoner to the Armitage pack. Arik is sassy but manipulative on the surface but in reality, he is a fighter who doesn't believe in loyalties to any side, just his own survival.
The feelings between both of them are twisted. Matthew hates Arik for the love spell and the pack war but is not able to control the pull. And, Arik distrusts every alpha. The relationship and the MCs gave me AH vibes and I was not surprised to see(in the ebook version), that the author has acknowledged AH as her 'alpha reader'.🤭🤭
Overall, I thought I liked book 1 more than this book. But, still, it was a quick and fun read.
August 22, 2025
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
When a love spell turns into the real deal.
This series is so fun. Lots of angst and action in this installment. Enemies to lovers, pack wars, possessive alphas, ‘we have to touch or we die’ .
Eliot Grayson really loves characters who are absolute shit at communicating. Arik and Matthew’s relationship is a bit confusing at times, and not knowing what’s going on in Matthew’s head bothered me a bit, but I still enjoyed their love story the second time around.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Wolf shifter vs bobcat shaman
- Mild violence
- References to past sexual abuse/forced mating (not between MCs)
- Top/bottom
- Rimming
- Frotting
- Knotting
Time to face Matthew, and hope I could be manipulative enough to fend off a love-spelled alpha wolf who had every reason to be pissed at me. I gave myself fifty-fifty.
When a love spell turns into the real deal.
This series is so fun. Lots of angst and action in this installment. Enemies to lovers, pack wars, possessive alphas, ‘we have to touch or we die’ .
“I’ll take whatever you give me. Whatever you want to give.”
Eliot Grayson really loves characters who are absolute shit at communicating. Arik and Matthew’s relationship is a bit confusing at times, and not knowing what’s going on in Matthew’s head bothered me a bit, but I still enjoyed their love story the second time around.
“You’re mine, Arik. Fucking mine.”
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Wolf shifter vs bobcat shaman
- Mild violence
- References to past sexual abuse/forced mating (not between MCs)
- Top/bottom
- Rimming
- Frotting
- Knotting
Read
August 17, 2020I'm not going to rate this just yet.
Hmmm, I don't know what happened?
I LOVE Eliot Grayson and I've been looking forward to this story.
Captive Mate is well written.
The enemy-to-lover is done well.
Its classic paranormal story. Shamans, Warlocks, Vampires and Shifters.
So what is lacking? >_<
I think it's the world building?
Or perhaps the length?
Or the characters, I didn't quite connected with either MC?
I was trying to think what really happened? And it's not much.
Same with the romance, not quite enough.
Everything barely breeches the surface.
Read this on Wattpad, so Idk, I think I'll check it out again when it's released on Amazon.
Perhaps it's just a wrong mood thing because I really should have loved this. 😭
Hmmm, I don't know what happened?
I LOVE Eliot Grayson and I've been looking forward to this story.
Captive Mate is well written.
The enemy-to-lover is done well.
Its classic paranormal story. Shamans, Warlocks, Vampires and Shifters.
So what is lacking? >_<
I think it's the world building?
Or perhaps the length?
Or the characters, I didn't quite connected with either MC?
I was trying to think what really happened? And it's not much.
Same with the romance, not quite enough.
Everything barely breeches the surface.
Read this on Wattpad, so Idk, I think I'll check it out again when it's released on Amazon.
Perhaps it's just a wrong mood thing because I really should have loved this. 😭
January 17, 2023
second read: i have no self-control when it comes to this series
2.5 sigh, I had really high hopes for these 🥺
2.5 sigh, I had really high hopes for these 🥺
January 10, 2024
Bitchy shaman✔ Another hot warewolf✔ Lovespell✔ Good narration✔
3 ⭐⭐⭐
3 ⭐⭐⭐
July 5, 2024
Tropes: captor/captive, paranormal, forced proximity
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: knotting
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: past rape, violence, murder, slightly blurry consent because of magic
Arik is 27, he is a shaman and a felid shifter. He has been on his own since his early teens. He's been used and abused his whole life. People have wanted to control his magic. Alphas have raped him and forced mating bonds on him to control him. He's managed to escape them and break bonds. But no matter where he runs, someone always comes across him and tries to use him. His latest round of bad luck is that he's being used by Jonathan Hawthorne and the Kimball pack of werewolf shifters. He's had to use his magic for their purposes. And as part of their plan against the Armitage pack, Arik put a love spell on Matthew Armitage the alpha of his pack. So that Matthew will do what he wants and be able to be influenced for the Kimball's purposes, but Arik was also smart in choosing to use the love spell because it means Matthew is bound to protect Arik and be more loyal to him than to the bad guys.
Matthew's family have realized what's happening though and in a clash against the Kimball pack, they captured Arik. They don't know that Arik is a bit of an unwilling weapon, they think he's more part of the plan and they don't trust him as they shouldn't. They keep him prisoner for a while while they figure out what to do about the love spell and what to do with Arik going forward. During this time Matthew and Arik spend a lot of time together and attraction simmers and confusing feelings start to happen, what's the bond and what's real.
I enjoyed this book. This author's writing appeals to me because they infuse a lot of humor into it and a good possessive obsessive love dynamic. I've decided to dive right into this series. Be prepared for my reviews to be temporarily taken over by books by this author as I tear through her back list! LOL. Arik had been through a lot in his life, and I loved that he was still so strong independent and resilient. He wasn't weak or meek or in need of being rescued. He was the one doing a lot of the rescuing. And he wasn't a pushover, he was fully prepared to leave and look out for himself. Matthew had his good moments too, though he wasn't perfect. I liked that he had a hard time realizing when the spell started or when the spell ended because he was still feeling consistently a lot for Arik. I kind of wish we had seen the moment when they met and when Arik put the spell on him. FYI this was a single POV story told in Arik's POV.
A scene that bothered me and one of the reasons why this wasn't a five-star read for me was the below. I didn't like that Matthew was judging Arik for things he'd done in his life, you don't get to judge a victim who has been abused as much as Arik, for what he does to get by! Matthew knew what he had been through, no excuses.
"“Don’t push me,” he growled, leaning in until his lips were a breath away from mine. “I’m sorry you didn’t have anywhere to go but the Kimballs. I’m sorry you — none of what Taft did to you was your fault, even remotely. But Nate never did half the shit you did, even when he didn’t have any good choices to make. The only person he hurt was himself.”"
Some notable moments:
The desperation here in this scene, the love and hate. "“Matthew?” “Yeah?” His voice was thick, like his fangs were showing. “Are you going to break the door down?” A long pause. “Jury’s still out on that,” he said ruefully, and I laughed a little despite myself. “Look. I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”"
"“When you had that spell on me, I couldn’t think about anything but you. I craved you. I would’ve done anything to protect you, and to win you. And I’ve felt that way ever since. If I’m being honest…I think I started to feel that way before the spell, too. I’m not quite sure when you put it on me, for one thing. Seems like a change I should’ve noticed.”"
"“I left the ball in your court. Did you really want me following you around like an idiot all day every day, begging you to let me knot you and bite you and keep you forever?” Well…yes? Fuck. I couldn’t admit that."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.75/5
Kinks: knotting
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: past rape, violence, murder, slightly blurry consent because of magic
Arik is 27, he is a shaman and a felid shifter. He has been on his own since his early teens. He's been used and abused his whole life. People have wanted to control his magic. Alphas have raped him and forced mating bonds on him to control him. He's managed to escape them and break bonds. But no matter where he runs, someone always comes across him and tries to use him. His latest round of bad luck is that he's being used by Jonathan Hawthorne and the Kimball pack of werewolf shifters. He's had to use his magic for their purposes. And as part of their plan against the Armitage pack, Arik put a love spell on Matthew Armitage the alpha of his pack. So that Matthew will do what he wants and be able to be influenced for the Kimball's purposes, but Arik was also smart in choosing to use the love spell because it means Matthew is bound to protect Arik and be more loyal to him than to the bad guys.
Matthew's family have realized what's happening though and in a clash against the Kimball pack, they captured Arik. They don't know that Arik is a bit of an unwilling weapon, they think he's more part of the plan and they don't trust him as they shouldn't. They keep him prisoner for a while while they figure out what to do about the love spell and what to do with Arik going forward. During this time Matthew and Arik spend a lot of time together and attraction simmers and confusing feelings start to happen, what's the bond and what's real.
I enjoyed this book. This author's writing appeals to me because they infuse a lot of humor into it and a good possessive obsessive love dynamic. I've decided to dive right into this series. Be prepared for my reviews to be temporarily taken over by books by this author as I tear through her back list! LOL. Arik had been through a lot in his life, and I loved that he was still so strong independent and resilient. He wasn't weak or meek or in need of being rescued. He was the one doing a lot of the rescuing. And he wasn't a pushover, he was fully prepared to leave and look out for himself. Matthew had his good moments too, though he wasn't perfect. I liked that he had a hard time realizing when the spell started or when the spell ended because he was still feeling consistently a lot for Arik. I kind of wish we had seen the moment when they met and when Arik put the spell on him. FYI this was a single POV story told in Arik's POV.
A scene that bothered me and one of the reasons why this wasn't a five-star read for me was the below. I didn't like that Matthew was judging Arik for things he'd done in his life, you don't get to judge a victim who has been abused as much as Arik, for what he does to get by! Matthew knew what he had been through, no excuses.
"“Don’t push me,” he growled, leaning in until his lips were a breath away from mine. “I’m sorry you didn’t have anywhere to go but the Kimballs. I’m sorry you — none of what Taft did to you was your fault, even remotely. But Nate never did half the shit you did, even when he didn’t have any good choices to make. The only person he hurt was himself.”"
Some notable moments:
The desperation here in this scene, the love and hate. "“Matthew?” “Yeah?” His voice was thick, like his fangs were showing. “Are you going to break the door down?” A long pause. “Jury’s still out on that,” he said ruefully, and I laughed a little despite myself. “Look. I hate you. You got my pack members killed. And I’m fucking crazy in love with you. I hate myself. I want to tear the door off its hinges and fuck you through the wall, rip you to pieces and then tuck you in bed and hold you all night while I tell you how beautiful you are.”"
"“When you had that spell on me, I couldn’t think about anything but you. I craved you. I would’ve done anything to protect you, and to win you. And I’ve felt that way ever since. If I’m being honest…I think I started to feel that way before the spell, too. I’m not quite sure when you put it on me, for one thing. Seems like a change I should’ve noticed.”"
"“I left the ball in your court. Did you really want me following you around like an idiot all day every day, begging you to let me knot you and bite you and keep you forever?” Well…yes? Fuck. I couldn’t admit that."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
AVISO: Las reseñas de esta saga serán demasiado breves porque no hay mucho que decir de ellas salvo que sirven para evadirte y basta, bueno y que le coges un poco de cariño a los personajes. (No estoy segura de recomendarlas, la verdad).
“He’d felt like he was in love with me, because I’d put him under a spell”.
En general, ha estado mejor que su predecesor. Su historia de amor ha sido un poco más creíble y le he cogido cariño a los personajes, sobre todo por las apariciones de los personajes del primer libro han sido demasiado divertidas. Sin embargo, no es de lo mejor que he leído este año.
A por el siguiente.
“He’d felt like he was in love with me, because I’d put him under a spell”.
En general, ha estado mejor que su predecesor. Su historia de amor ha sido un poco más creíble y le he cogido cariño a los personajes, sobre todo por las apariciones de los personajes del primer libro han sido demasiado divertidas. Sin embargo, no es de lo mejor que he leído este año.
A por el siguiente.
October 1, 2021
Hot damnnnnn, this was soooooo good!
I just fancied me some alpha-ness and boo yah did I get it.
I am an absolute sucker for a captive/mate bond/ angsty situation. And don’t even get me started on M/M strong characters, a great back story and then knotting!!! 😆
I literally gobbled this book up and haven’t had a lot of sleep but will definitely look up the rest of the books in this series as I haven’t got a clue about any of the characters or what’s happened previously.
But this was fab.
4.5 stars from me.
I just fancied me some alpha-ness and boo yah did I get it.
I am an absolute sucker for a captive/mate bond/ angsty situation. And don’t even get me started on M/M strong characters, a great back story and then knotting!!! 😆
I literally gobbled this book up and haven’t had a lot of sleep but will definitely look up the rest of the books in this series as I haven’t got a clue about any of the characters or what’s happened previously.
But this was fab.
4.5 stars from me.
April 15, 2023
This was just okay. I disliked Arik and Matthew for the first third, got bored about their relationship (or lack thereof) in the second third, and really enjoyed the last third. 🤷♀️
September 27, 2020
I picked up Captive Mate as soon as I was done with The Alpha's Warlock. Remember how I said I wanted more of whatever The Alpha's Warlock was doing? Yeah, well Captive Mate was a whole other ball game.
The difference lay primarily in the main characters. Both Nate and Arik have been through a lot, but they've reacted to it in different ways. Arik isn't above manipulating or hurting others (physically and emotionally) to keep himself safe. Moreover, when Nate entered the Armitage pack, he was Ian's mate - even if he wasn't completely trusted, he had a place in the pack. Arik isn't that privileged - he's a prisoner who cast a love spell on the pack leader. His life is valued only in conjunction with Matthew's, which leads to a lot of hostile interactions with Matthew, Nate, and Ian on one side, and Arik alone on the other. For most of this book, we're inside the head of a villain, and it takes time for him to stop being a villain.
Throughout this entire book, I understood where Arik was coming from, but I couldn't empathize with him. His past, everything that he's been through, justifies his distrust and even, to a certain extent, some of his manipulations. That being said, because he saw all the characters I cared about in the previous book as his enemy in this one, that made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The romance was okay. I didn't really care much for either character. I liked the sweet turn their romance took once most of the conflict was resolved, but I expected more emotional development beforehand. I expected Matthew to break down Arik's walls and he did, but not the way I expected.
All that being said, I did think Grayson did a good job of creating a layered character like Arik. I didn't like Arik, but he felt better developed than Nate and Ian had in the first book. The plot was not as exciting as in the first book, but it wasn't slow or draggy either.
To sum up, this book was not as fun as the first: too much angst, problematic (read spoilers), and left me feeling unsatisfied.
The difference lay primarily in the main characters. Both Nate and Arik have been through a lot, but they've reacted to it in different ways. Arik isn't above manipulating or hurting others (physically and emotionally) to keep himself safe. Moreover, when Nate entered the Armitage pack, he was Ian's mate - even if he wasn't completely trusted, he had a place in the pack. Arik isn't that privileged - he's a prisoner who cast a love spell on the pack leader. His life is valued only in conjunction with Matthew's, which leads to a lot of hostile interactions with Matthew, Nate, and Ian on one side, and Arik alone on the other. For most of this book, we're inside the head of a villain, and it takes time for him to stop being a villain.
Throughout this entire book, I understood where Arik was coming from, but I couldn't empathize with him. His past, everything that he's been through, justifies his distrust and even, to a certain extent, some of his manipulations. That being said, because he saw all the characters I cared about in the previous book as his enemy in this one, that made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The romance was okay. I didn't really care much for either character. I liked the sweet turn their romance took once most of the conflict was resolved, but I expected more emotional development beforehand. I expected Matthew to break down Arik's walls and he did, but not the way I expected.
All that being said, I did think Grayson did a good job of creating a layered character like Arik. I didn't like Arik, but he felt better developed than Nate and Ian had in the first book. The plot was not as exciting as in the first book, but it wasn't slow or draggy either.
To sum up, this book was not as fun as the first: too much angst, problematic (read spoilers), and left me feeling unsatisfied.
August 29, 2020
That cover is
so
beautiful.
Audio-visual blog review at-
While reading. Only 14% in. Not as keen on the 2 MCs as I was on Ian and Nate. I don't mind Matthew (I do know him pretty well from book #1) but I'd like to slap Arik, him I only briefly know. Having read pretty much all of this author's books I'm prepared for the fact that it can take a little while for one of the MCs to grow on me.
It's nice to see Nate and Ian again. Nice throw of the water bottle at Matthew, Nate. Way to knock out your brother-in-law. Ahhhh... Nate remains an excellently snarky bastard, he and Ian are so well suited.
Post completion:
Rating of 4.5 Stars rounded up.
Exceptionally snarky story, not only do we have Nate, but Arik now joins the fray. It seems Arik out-snarks Nate, and that's not easy, but then they do have their individual strengths too. They're the mates of alpha werewolf brothers of a 'basic' alpha pack. Nate and Ian started this world off in The Alpha's Warlock. Matthew and Arik continue it here. It felt like home to be back and I completely got swept up in these (mismatched) mates, Arik and Matthew.
Oh. And all the points for the use of mugs to convey extra snarky feelings. Yes, I use the word snark/y a lot, but when the shoe fits....
Audio-visual blog review at-
While reading. Only 14% in. Not as keen on the 2 MCs as I was on Ian and Nate. I don't mind Matthew (I do know him pretty well from book #1) but I'd like to slap Arik, him I only briefly know. Having read pretty much all of this author's books I'm prepared for the fact that it can take a little while for one of the MCs to grow on me.
It's nice to see Nate and Ian again. Nice throw of the water bottle at Matthew, Nate. Way to knock out your brother-in-law. Ahhhh... Nate remains an excellently snarky bastard, he and Ian are so well suited.
Post completion:
Rating of 4.5 Stars rounded up.
Exceptionally snarky story, not only do we have Nate, but Arik now joins the fray. It seems Arik out-snarks Nate, and that's not easy, but then they do have their individual strengths too. They're the mates of alpha werewolf brothers of a 'basic' alpha pack. Nate and Ian started this world off in The Alpha's Warlock. Matthew and Arik continue it here. It felt like home to be back and I completely got swept up in these (mismatched) mates, Arik and Matthew.
Oh. And all the points for the use of mugs to convey extra snarky feelings. Yes, I use the word snark/y a lot, but when the shoe fits....
Read
January 21, 2025me, sprouting yet another strand of white hair every time the mc was annoying :-/
October 2, 2020
OOoh, I liked this one even more than I did the first one.
Morally ambiguous MCs are just so much more interesting (to me) than the ever-good ones. We're told what made Arik into the defensive, self-centered, selfish loner he was - and we also get to see one of those reasons up close and ugly with Taft. I don't blame if that's what he's been running from his whole life.
But despite his natural inclination to scratch and claw and run and use people for his own ends, we also got to see him struggle with that side of his nature. (Typing that sentence just emphasized how perfectly he was characterized, what with him being a cat.) He's not tamed, not by far, and Matthew doesn't want him to be. Loved that.
Can't wait for the next (2?) books! I hope Colin is the LI in one of them. Maybe for that elusive adopted brother Arik kept referencing? Also, what the hell is that supernatural cabal up to? Nothing good, for certain, if Hawthorne and his ilk (like the Shaman that force-mated Arik to Taft) are involved.
Morally ambiguous MCs are just so much more interesting (to me) than the ever-good ones. We're told what made Arik into the defensive, self-centered, selfish loner he was - and we also get to see one of those reasons up close and ugly with Taft. I don't blame if that's what he's been running from his whole life.
But despite his natural inclination to scratch and claw and run and use people for his own ends, we also got to see him struggle with that side of his nature. (Typing that sentence just emphasized how perfectly he was characterized, what with him being a cat.) He's not tamed, not by far, and Matthew doesn't want him to be. Loved that.
Can't wait for the next (2?) books! I hope Colin is the LI in one of them. Maybe for that elusive adopted brother Arik kept referencing? Also, what the hell is that supernatural cabal up to? Nothing good, for certain, if Hawthorne and his ilk (like the Shaman that force-mated Arik to Taft) are involved.
September 23, 2020
Good but not as Book 1
I had been anxiously waiting for Captive Mate as I loved Book 1 , The Alpha's Warlock . Unfortunately, it didn't grabbed my full attention until 60% or so . Needless to say, it was a struggle to keep at it .
With that said, is more than likely I will read book 3 . Only this time, I will re-read book 1 and 2 before reading 3 as I find the world building around the series interesting.
Sometimes, if too much time pass between interconnected book releases , one forget ; that's when the stories loses the enchantment once the held.
I had been anxiously waiting for Captive Mate as I loved Book 1 , The Alpha's Warlock . Unfortunately, it didn't grabbed my full attention until 60% or so . Needless to say, it was a struggle to keep at it .
With that said, is more than likely I will read book 3 . Only this time, I will re-read book 1 and 2 before reading 3 as I find the world building around the series interesting.
Sometimes, if too much time pass between interconnected book releases , one forget ; that's when the stories loses the enchantment once the held.
October 1, 2020
Not quite as good as the previous book but I enjoyed reading it. The thing is that I didn't connect enough with the MCs. Arik was due to his past a very distant and defensive character and unfortunately we don't get Matthew's PoV at all.
Anyway, I'm definitely going to continue to read this series and looking forward to the next book. :)
Anyway, I'm definitely going to continue to read this series and looking forward to the next book. :)
July 11, 2021
What an annoying, stupid ass bitch main character, oh my god. 🤦♀️
But the story itself was good.
But the story itself was good.
March 7, 2023
Okayish book. Okayish series, review to come (if I don't forget)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews