The Alpha's Mate

Everton Falls Mated Love #1

by Ava Gray

I knew that Ava Bradley was mine from the moment I saw her. Fate gave me a smart and kind soul mate with a body that left me panting. But she was human. I had to play this carefully. Humans didn’t know that wolf shifters existed, or what it meant to be mated to one. The last thing I wanted was to scare off my timid little mate.

But my pack was in trouble. We had a history of losing good people to the Hunters that were determined to exterminate my kind. As Alpha, I had to keep my pack safe. As a shifter in love, I had to make sure that Ava didn’t get caught in the crossfire.

She had a dark past of her own, one that she couldn’t quite escape. Would we be able to face our enemies together and come out stronger on the other side? Or would I lose my mate before I got the chance to claim her as mine?

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2021

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated mates with no easy path to happiness... 4.5 stars!

I really enjoyed Cooper and Ava's story! Even though this novel is centered around the paranormal, I felt that their story was very realistic in how Cooper and Ava's relationship progressed. Even though they both cared for each other, their journey to love wasn't smooth, and I enjoyed every moment between them. I definitely look forward to reading more by this author! ♡

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up for the fact that the book did have a plot beyond sex and that they got to know each other before sex and mating and declarations of love. Edit 42% 0.5 stars round up because there is still a plot but the getting to know you dropped off after the first few chapters and instead Cooper had spies get what he wanted to know but wasn't entitled to about Ava without asking himself. Also, victim-blaming. It pissed me off royally when Ava made her feelings/thoughts clear and instead of accepting them Cooper got mad, threw a tantrum at not getting what he wanted/felt entitled to, and blamed Ava for having feelings he didn't agree with. He treated her like a possession as soon sex happened and he didn't like that she wouldn't go along with it.

There were a few small editing mistakes but overall, it was well done. Edit 40% The first few chapters must have had a few read-throughs but the latter half must have had less and less editing as it was written and wasn't fixed before publication. More mistakes as the story gets further and further along.

Too much unbelievability took away from what could have been a really good story. I know this is a paranormal story but it's set in the real world around the present time and I just can't buy that even though they are small towns the fact that mass murder of 32 people or more, (men, women, and children) overnight would not be investigated or national news, especially with the murders happening to in multiple cities over a very short period of time. Also if 1 in 20 people are shifters and some of the human mates families were in on the secret I find it very hard to believe that the world would not know about shifters, given how territorial they are, how aggressive alphas are with each other, and how possessive and jealous they are over their women. The all-out war the shifters have with the human hunters right outside town that doesn't attract any attention is weird. How do you explain the blood, gunfire, and missing people who have died? Also when Ava gets attacked in her apartment and no one calls the police? When Cooper comes for her the neighbors tell him about the fighting and which way the assailants went 15 minutes after they are gone and again no one bothers to notify the police? There are dead people in her house and the neighbors must know...WTF!? Last but not least if you are abused physically and verbally for two years you are not going to get over the trauma in two weeks. You will have issues besides the fact that you decide to not date for a while. Again I know this book is short and magical mating bonds abound but you are not going to get over the trama just because someone is hot and you feel sexually attracted to them. Point in point at 40% mark Ava is freaking from past trauma, Cooper basically barges into her apartment, freaks her out even more then as she is protesting she doesn't want to date after flinching back from him he picks her up and starts making out with her and because of magical bond, she gets immediately hot and bothered and it's as if she was not cowering from his anger and telling him to back off a second ago. It's sexy time! Ugh no, no, no! And a repeat of above, I hate victim-blaming, and that happens immediately after sex. Also at the end, I don't care how much pain killer you are on, after just waking up from being concussed to the point you have stitches in your head from being hit, has been in a car accident and half-strangled you are not going to want to have never mind actually have mind-blowing, extasy like sex. Nope, not happening. Even the horniest of people would most likely wait a day or two.

Cooper was not an asshole like most alpha characters in paranormal romance novels which was nice. He was aggressive and possessive but not in an overbearing way, he gave his mate space when needed and didn't force her into anything even if he did think about it and her as his from the moment he saw her. He could reflect on his feelings and not act like a child and think before acting which was wonderful. Edit at 38% I take it back, Cooper is an asshole who pushes to get what he wants even if Ava doesn't want it. He uses his magic bond to roll right over Ava's feelings. He has people befriend her to keep tabs on her and find out her secrets and report back to him...and because they are mates she will instantly forgive him of course. Yuck, run away girl. As soon as he gets sex Ava is basically his possession, she kinds of was before but he expects her to do whatever he wants and just follow him blindly after sex. He gets mad when she won't and doesn't understand their bond even though she has no idea what he is. He blames her for her feeling bad because she was abused! He then proceeds to steamroll over her to get what he wants, ignoring her feelings and wishes. To him it's all about me, me, me, and what I want should be fine for you because you belong to me and have no choice to want/do what I want because I own you. (Can we please, please, please stop with this abusive trope! It's not sexy and romantic, it's creepy and abusive). The way he talks down to her like she is a child after and not the strong woman she was when they met and that he keeps telling her she should be because she is the alpha female, but then turns and does everything to prove that he doesn't believe she is strong is maddening and annoying. He tells himself it's okay because he's a wolf and it's aloud because that is what they do and she will have to live with it because she is his mate. (In the beginning of the book he knows he can't woo her the shifter way because she is human and he has grown up around humans his whole life so he knows what to do/not do but as soon as he decides she hasn't bowed down to him fast enough all of his understanding of humans and courtship go out the window).

Ava started out with a strong personality that just evaporated as soon as she had sex with Cooper. Actually, I am uncertain why she had sex with him in the first place. He made her feel bad and guilty about her own feelings and thoughts and wants. She soon becomes a doormat and folds to Cooper. After dinner and a good sleep she immediately loves him and can put aside her past. Doing a complete 180 from one day to the next she is okay with everything, because Cooper must know best and the sex is great and he is a good guy, even though just the day before he was trying to force a relationship and made her feel bad because she didn't want it. Trauma is a thing of the past because Cooper is just such a good guy, no worries anymore, no reason the past should matter. Oh and when she finds out what he is she doesn't freak just accepts that her life is now this other thing and it's all cool. In fact at the end after literally just waking up from a concussion after being hit so hard in the head she needed stitches, was in a car accident, was half-strangled, and was just told her ex was hit by a car and died while she was fainting from all the trama she decides to declare her love to Cooper, have sex with him and have him bite her to turn her into a shifter so they can be together forever. Ugh.

I disliked Liam, the brother for gaslighting Ava about her feelings. He knew what was going on and decided to side with his brother and not care that Ava was entitled to her feelings and opinions and to actually be a person and not an object for his brother to own. In the beginning of the book he started out likeable but it all changed when Cooper and Ava had sex. Which is a 180 from his attitude in the beginning as he warns Cooper to let Ava make her own decisions, for him to understand she's human and doesn't know their ways so Cooper should woo her slowly.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. Pretty average for a shifter romance. I wish things had been expanded upon more, given more time to develop. The plot seemed too rushed. There was also a couple of grammar errors, but they didn’t take away from the story.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels disconnected

I've read a couple of other books by Ava and really enjoyed so, I thought I'd try this series, but it don't flow and feels very disconnect. Thankfully I did t spend money just borrowed from kindle unlimited.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick werewolve read, definitely am easy read good and short

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I was really enjoying this book right up until the MFC finds out the MMC is a wolf shifter and alpha of his pack, but overall a solid read. Biggest complaint is some parts felt rushed. Spoilers below



So the MFC Ava is upset that Cooper didn’t tell her he was a wolf shifter earlier, and that she is his mate so that’s why she feels the pull to him so strongly. Also - her only girl friend in town Dana is actually part of his pack and he asked her to become friends with Ava. She is upset about all of this - and I would say rightly so! The issue I had was how quickly she got over it lol. I was really hoping for a bit more angst and cold-shoulder from Ava and some groveling from Cooper. I mean nothing crazy because he didn’t really do anything super wrong but I was just not happy with how quick Ava just gets over it all - like within a few hours - and they kiss and make up. She forgives Dana within like 2 minutes. I guess I am just a grudge-holding b***h and I want my heroine to have a little backbone at times. I think a little more angst at that point would have really helped the book feel less cavity inducing sweet. Also one other part I didn’t love was how quick she also gave in to Cooper and being in a relationship - not that I wanted it super drawn out, but she was saying the day before she wasn’t ready because her last boyfriend was a psycho abuser and she was having trouble trusting someone new etc and then they go see a waterfall together and she is like ok I’m down for a relationship now lol. Just felt a little rushed. Overall I did enjoy it - it was a quick read with an interesting story line about the hunters.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me captivated right till the very end, I loved the lead characters Ava and Cooper they are perfect together. Ava Bradley has just left an abusive relationship with Kevin and just wants a normal life and so starting a new job at Dixon Construction she is hoping it will work. Cooper is the alpha of the pack and hunters are trying to kill them off and it’s time to fight back and them comes along Ava and straight away he knows she is his mate but she is human and knows nothing about shifters at all. With the Hunters watching the pack they inform Ava’s ex Kevin of where she is and he comes to take her back with force if necessary he doesn’t care. Ava has strong feelings for Cooper but is worried her ex will find her and he does and kidnappers her but she causes the car to crash and she runs but doesn’t get far and all he wants is to kill her by strangling her to death. What happens next between them all, can Cooper save the day and have a future with his mate or is he to late.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally building up the courage to leave the abusive relationship she has been trapped in, Ava Bradley takes a new job at Dixon Construction in Wyoming. She is not aware of shifters, nor that her new boss is the Alpha of the pack. Cooper immediately recognizes that Ava is his mate but she is human and that can make things more complicated. They have been dealing with Hunters whose sole aim in life is to completely annihilate shifters. They have already attacked two members of his pack. This is a dangerous time for them.

But the Hunters have been watching the pack. When the Hunters tell Kevin, Ava’s abusive ex, where she is so he can take her away from the shifters, he knocks her unconscious and throws her in his car. When she causes an accident in her desperate effort to escape, he chases her, knocks her to the ground, and begins to strangle her in his furious rage! Will Cooper get to her in time to save her? Or will he lose his mate?

[Ashkenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but Sweet!

H- Cooper- shifter alpha
h-Eva-human with an abuser ex-boyfriend
We meet Eva running away from her abusive boyfriend of many years. She moved to another state to work for a construction company. This is where she meets Cooper who instantly knew she was his mate. But Eva being human she only felt a strong sexual tension towards him where she couldn’t even described. Slowly cooper won her trust & made her realized that he really likes her & would never trust her. We also learn that there is killers called hunters who are humans but they are many of them & are slowly killing each pack one at a time. I love the story! Love how the author described each characters. I think the only reason I gave his book a 4 out of 5 is because once cooper saves Eva the nxt day (even with her bruised body) she wanted cooper to marked her. I think the pace of the story was perfect except when you get to this point. This was a little rushed to think.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upfront: this wasn't bad, but it wasn't really good either.
For a book published 4 years ago this should have seen some editing by then. I don't think other readers didn't notice the typos and mixed up names. Is her name Ava or Heather? Is the other Alpha Chris or Chirs? 🤪
As this is a part of this genre I'm not going into the outdated gender role models here. It annoyed me, but it's basically the same throughout this genre.
What had my hackles rising was the not treated trauma of Ava. Seriously, an abuse victim will not fall in love and bed with a new guy after 3 weeks of running away from her abuser. She will not have worked through her issues after 5 weeks either. No matter if this is shifter soul mate business. And his reaction after their first night together!? WTF!!!!????
I really loath when trauma is used for an interesting past of a character and then not treated correctly. S*x will not heal trauma! And a soul mate shod help to work through the trauma without bed sport!

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava moved for a new job and a fresh start. She left an abusive relationship and all she wanted was a safe place to be herself. When Cooper meets Ava he knows that she is his mate. Cooper is her new boss and she is worried by her instant attraction to him. Cooper is a wolf shifter and is dealing with hunters that are killing other wolves. As he starts courting Ava he worries that they'll find out about who she is to him and try to harm her. Will Ava end things between them when she learns his secret? Will her ex be a problem?

This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter and leave you wanting more with the last one. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escaping an abusive relationship, Ava finds a new job in Wyoming and a new start. Her new boss, Cooper recognizes her as his mate but she is human which presents a problem. As Cooper tries to get close to Ava, dangers comes looking for them. Hunters, who are trying to eradicate all shifters, have attacked two of his pack and now he decides they need to go on the defensive in order to save his pack. This book was a great read from the beginning to the very end. It is well written and entertaining and I enjoyed it very much. Both the H/h characters have intense personalities which make them a great match but can create issues. This is a great book that I would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava has an abusive ex (Kevin) and has moved to Wyoming to work as an architect at a construction company owned by Cooper, the alpha wolf shifter. They are mates and feel the pull, but there is also trouble in the form of Hunters, a bunch of humans trying to eradicate any wolf shifters in the area. Suspense from attacks and their outcomes, along with the kidnapping of Ava by Kevin, send Cooper on a chase to rescue her. Ava shows amazing strength in her fight and waking up later, she is totally in control of her future path with Cooper. Time for a plan against the Hunters base. Loved the ending and the future. Can not wait for the next storyline.

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

[Danielle Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story but it needs more

Mostly this is a cute shifter story with the normal "wolf meets human mate". Of course she needs saving. I don't mind that its kind of predictable. It does rush the ending a lot like they just didnt want to write anymore. All of the problems are just, poof, over!
What really bothers me is that there are so many errors! In the beginning, Ava is called Heather (I guess the author changed her name later). Throughout the book, there are words added that make no sense, and spelling errors. Don't authors read their books before loading them online? Get an editor please!

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun albeit predictable paranormal romance...Alpha male (Cooper) discovers human (Ava) is his true soulmate. And...his employee. She doesn’t know that he’s a shifter, nor that they exist. Both have pasts that eventually catch up with them.

While this was entertaining, there just wasn’t anything new here. Same storyline that many have done. Again, not a bad thing, just nothing new.

Having said that, these days having some predictability isn’t a bad thing!

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

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Ava. She does what she needs to in order to get out of a bad situation. She did waffle with some of her personal decisions that could maybe have been resolved earlier in the story but overall the pacing of her growth was good. I love Cooper. He is strong and kind and caring and protective and he never waivers. I love the family and can't wait for Liam to have his book and Dana and Rodney 4.5 stars...love it. Maybe Liam will connect with that other packs third.

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

[Andrea Barth-Leidinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava and Cooper. This is a rather unconventional shifter story. At least for me. The chemistry between the two main characters is very strong from the beginning, and does not cease until the end of the book. The danger they’re in is suffocating and the tension palpable. Does Liam find his HEA in the next installment? Can they avert more fights and deaths?There are so many questions still open...
I guess I have to wait...meanwhile enjoy your read!

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

[Angelia Gilbert Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava is my kind of strong and courageous heroine she gets the courage to take back her life and goes for it. I was so thrilled with the way she handles everything that is thrown her way with the right amount of skepticism to know that she is taking everything seriously. Connor is the best with how he handles Ava reactions to the whole situation and gives her the time to process and accept. Truly amazing story

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

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 45%

It started out okay but then became stupid. The guy said he would take it slow and find out what happened to her. He didn't gain her trust, he just showed up and asked her to confess her story. She told him about being abused by someone she trusted then they had sex. What? Then the guy was a jerk because she said she wasn't ready for a relationship. Then the brother, who I originally thought could be a real friend to her, tried to manipulate her into changing her mind. I'm not happy with these characters.

[Linda Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper is my new book boyfriend no one else will do for me but he has got his eyes on his mate, Ava. If you love romance with special characters, lots of emotions, friendship, love and a bad bad guy then you’re in for a treat. An amazing and intense mate story That hold your attention. Their journey to be together has its bumps but It will make you smile and believe in magic & love.
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good shifter novella

Enjoyable shifter story of an abused woman escaping an abusive ex and the alpha that fate brings her to. There is a bit of danger and suspense with the presence of shifter Hunters as a subplot. She’s resistant but he’s patient and loving. There’s a few spelling/grammar errors that I wish had been edited out, but overall okay. Likable characters and good story.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated Mates

This was a cute little story. It was classic wolf shifter/fated mate/lonely girl/alpha male. I love these books! They make me so happy and my heart so full!!! I loved these characters and can not wait to read the next one in this series. I also ADORE that they are quick reads and I can read them/listen to them pretty quickly. Alexa always reads these to me and the story is easy to follow with audio. If you like fated mates you will LOVE this book!

[Nicole Lynn (Seduced in the Stacks Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Initial thoughts: quick read; pretty generic shifter book - nothing too unique. Seemed like a very fast book plot wise and I didn’t feel like we had enough time to get to see the characters fall in love or interact before it was all “mate time.” Idk it just felt like I couldn’t connect to the characters as much as I wanted to. It was overall an enjoyable read, but a series I don’t know if I’ll be reaching for again.

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing start to this new series Everton Falls Mated Love series. This is the story of Cooper an alpha wolf shifter and his fated human mate Ava. This is their journey to their happily ever after. The story will pull you in and keep you there to see what will happen next. The characters fit well together. Looking forward to read the next book.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CharWomanski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooper & Ava's story

This is Ava the human and Cooper the alpha wolf shifter's story. Well written, detailed, exciting and steamy characters. Lots of twists, but love that Ava strength & acceptance of certain things. Most definitely recommend this book.

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

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An abundance of endless intrigue that will have you frantically turning the pages! An exciting storyline that makes you feel as if you are there watching the story as it unfolds! Fun, enjoyable, intense, and emotionally moving! Amazing hot chemistry you just want to sink your teeth into! One heck of an amazing must read!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Everton Falls Mated Love series a well written story that held my interest until the end. Ava Bradley and Alpha Cooper's story of suspense, drama, danger, fated mates, hunters, a nasty ex, and a new era for the wolf shifters. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alpha's Mate by Ava Gray is a wonderful story that I have loved reading. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series and I can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about wolf shifters, women's fiction and paranormal romance.

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

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun!

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of excitement and danger, plus a wonderful love story. The author concentrates on the interaction between the characters rather than making all about the physical. The characters were well rounded and very interesting. Looking forward to reading the next in this series.

[Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Paranormal Reading

This story was well-written, interesting, and quickly grabbed my attention. The narrative of the story was delightful, and kept me returning to read more throughout the day while still keeping up with life's responsibilities. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy!