Return to the Pack

Rejected Mate #3

by Alexa B. James, Calinda B

Luna and her men face their final challenges in the third book in the Rejected Mate trilogy! Official blurb coming soon.

Genres: Paranormal, Werewolves

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2021

About the author

Alexa B. James is the contemporary romance pen name for a 2-time USA Today Bestselling author of YA paranormal romance.

Alexa is a mom, wife, librarian, and country girl at heart. When she's not pounding away on her keyboard, you can find her in her garden, chasing chickens around the yard, or holed up under a blanket with a cup of coffee and a book with lots of kissing. She loves romance novels of every variety (why choose?) and plans to publish more this year.

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it was a cute series but the only complaint that I have is how absolutely idiotically vapid the main character is. She has her head in the clouds and no one is that innocent unless they're mentally inept. And I know that sounds harsh but seriously.

Several times I found myself wondering what was seriously wrong with this chick. I mean blaming Axel for things that were completely out of his control when he was a child, and holding him responsible for them as an adult is just not fair.

In the beginning Axel was not my favorite character. By the end I was team axle, and team triplets and very much in dislike of Luna.

So the fact that I like everyone but the female character made the book worth reading. But honestly I did not like the female character. She was too innocent and too naive. And too vapid.

But good job on the author for bringing us four kinky studs to read about.

[Rhawna]

This review is for the first two and a half books, not just for the first book! It's not the complete series, because I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. Also, it is full of ALL THE SPOILERS! How many spoilers? ALL OF THEM.


You were warned.



Aight. Book one rocked my socks off. The FMC was naive as hell, but it was all reasonable and justified. The true mate was... incredibly short on patience. It seemed weird to me that zero questions were asked. Like, none. There were no getting to know you questions. Hey how are ya, where you from, what's your background. Cause.... just a simple introduction would have clued him into what he was dealing with so far as her social background and prevented most of what occurred.

So book one ends with the true mate bond burned out, and FMC camped out with the triplets. I'm diggin' it. I do love me some RH! #fistpump

Aight, book two! I'm stoked!

And.... this is where it hit the skids... and HARD. Like... whew boy!

Not having social skills and manners is one thing. Being a royal b*tch is just another. But I'll come back to that.

So the true mate bond was burned out. Buuut... they both still feel the bond? Huh? Sooo.... What exactly was the drama in book one? Seems like nothing irreversible actually occurred here. He's even still knotting, which apparently he can only do with his true mate. There are literally zero repercussions of burning out the true mate bond. None. So, that was pointless. Cool.

Ethan got head off some random skank in an alley after FMC got kidnapped by vampires then "rescued" by Axel (true mate). Whut? I don't care that he didn't get off. I care that A) he tried. B) that it was fairly detailed. Really feeling the love and commitment for the FMC here. Oh, wait, it was supposed to illustrate how ready he was to commit to the FMC BECAUSE he was unable to get off with anyone else anymore? Ohhhhh. #unimpressed

The triplets didn't try to save her from the vampires. WTF? They were in battle with the vampires with her. They knew who the vampires were. They knew they took her. They knew where the vampires stayed. They were literally just waiting and hoping the vampires let her go. THE BOOK ACTUALLY SAID THAT. What the actual what is this. She's already banged their alpha at this point. She's had smexy times with the other two as well. They are a THING for all intents and purposes. They don't KNOW that the vampires are going to contact Axel for ransom.

Axel gives the vampires 60 acres of land for her just in a blink. He lets exiled outlaws move onto pack lands. He lets his banished traitor mate move onto pack land, shacked up with said outlaws. AND NEVER DOES ANYONE IN HIS PACK CHALLENGE FOR ALPHA. Whut? This is just ludicrous and highly unbelievable. He gave up half of their lands for this unknown chick who isn't even in their pack, without consulting anyone. And no one said boo?

He offers her prestige and position within the pack. He offers to let her join the pack. She says she won't join unless he allows the triplets to join, further alienating the alpha from his pack. Further jeopardizing the alpha's position within his pack. Further endangering the alpha.

Axel gives the triplets and Luna a house. Furnishes it. Gives her any and everything she asks for. Goes by daily to bring her things and check on her. The triplets rub it in his face daily that they are banging her. Her utter callousness in the comments she makes, the disregard of him and his feelings, is constant. This drags on for weeks. In exchange for this, she tells him that maybe one day she will consider the idea of mating him. Some day.

It escalates further. The triplets force him into a room, and hold him down to force him into watching her squeal her way happily thru a gangbang that she absolutely loved. She is shocked when he doesn't come by to bring her things the next day. Whut?

He kills his second and best friend for her. Then she asks him to screw her on top of the corpse, and she apparently is licking and slurping the blood of the corpse while he does so, as her face is described as being covered in gore. WHAT THE ACTUAL WHAT NOW.

I'll just stop there on book two.

Going into book three, Axel is just fully broken down and gutless. There is no alpha left in his body, man. The man who was utterly broken by witnessing that gangbang in book two? Is now completely turned on by watching those same triplets gangbang his woman now. The idea of one of the other men planting a baby in her is no problemo during her heat. Share and share alike! Right out the gate in book three he is referring to her as "our mate", and is A-ok with the new setup.

And once again Luna is attacked by a giganto rogue wolf. One that makes Callan look "diminutive". He literally has her neck in his fangs when Callan "manages to rip the wolf's head off".

....

I'mma need you to work on your action scenes, cause you just had Callan rip her throat out in that little scenario.

Axel "proposes" while washing dishes with Luna. It's of course ruined when the triplets come in, and then Luna says she's marrying everyone equally (of course she isn't, because that's not possible, but sure, we're going with it). And Axel apologizes to Warwick, the not-alpha, for not asking permission to propose.

And Warwick and the triplets comparing Luna to clubwhores and sluts and getting away with it because SHE doesn't know any better sucks. Now, Axel knows better, and you see in his inner monologue that he thinks that it is crap and doesn't like the comparisons, but he doesn't say anthing either. Whut, again.

And I'll agree with Axel on this. In book one, the triplets treated Luna like you want to see MC's treat a FMC in a romance novel. In books 2 and 3? They began devolving, and at 55%, where I DNF'd... currently, Luna is just club pussy. Happy club pussy. But, yeah.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything gets thrown into this last book in this series. Action packed with plenty of steamy scenarios. Luna's character has grown from the beginning of this series but at times in this book she swung from naivety to strong-willed and finally to getting into the action herself when she ended up right in the middle of a war. Still it was a great ending and i enjoyed reading it

[Kimberli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

The whole series is just awful! It's lame. The plot is barely existent. It's all over place. Who's the threat? Vampires? Beta girl? Wolves? There is a quick resolution to all those situations. Meanwhile, Luna stays oblivious and se* crazed. Every other paragraph is her sleeping with one guy or another. She's basically a warm body for the guys to use. I never figured out why she wanted Axel. But, it doesn't matter because any guy would have been good enough for Luna as long as they knew what they were doing in bed. They could lie to her, keep her constantly boxed in to keep her safe, and force her to be with one of them at all times. But none of that matters to our supposed "heroine". She stays perfectly content just yelling for 5 seconds and then they just f* her into compliance. Because, you know, they love her and she loves them.
Don't even get me started on the fact that a girl who is 18 years old wants to have babies when she's as clueless as a baby about everything in life.
I HATED this series! I've only felt that about one other series and I read a lot! The characters were mostly unlikable. Our main character, Luna, was a complete idiot, weak, and unlikable. I had to skim through the last 2 books and probably shouldn't have even finished because the whole story was about nothing... Just a stupid girl who had guys chasing her to use her body. There was nothing to make it be more than s*x between them.
I don't recommend this series at all!

[Jami Kehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this authors work!! She never fails to provide tons of entertainment and pull me away from all the craziness that's life. I am however... not a huge fan of Luna. She comes across as weak, whiny and a horn dog. Her character is hard to follow or make sense of her actions throughout this series but really in this installment. Her men are okay, I feel like everything is a bit rushed for my liking but..it def captured my attention soooo it's all good. I will still immediately read anything this author puts out.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series was a short easy read but it gave me so much whiplash with the back and forth between hating and loving everyone.
At times luna was so naive that it was bordering on taking advantage and it felt like they were trying to throw as many kinks in as possible it made all the smex scenes feel jumbled.
Then you'd have a steady story build until the last maybe 3 chapters of each book where they shove all the action. Not at any point did I feel like any of the guys actually deserved her or that I was enjoying them together but the story as whole had potential

[Aimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I’m really torn on how to review this one. There were some scenes that I feel were just put in to add something that wasn’t needed. Like a certain intimate play scene between Callen, Ethan and Luna. It just seemed so out of character when none of them had that kink or mentioned it before that scene. Also the dress shopping scene with Warrick had me skipping paragraphs because again it just felt so out of character. I didn’t get it. But I loved the overall story and where the characters ended up. It was a lovely epilogue.

[Mary Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad that Luna gets her HEA, but this third and final book lacked the tension that the first two held. I still wanted to finish it to see how it all came out to wash, but the story became repetitive: Axel and Luna fight then make up; Axel and Warrick have tension then Luna settles them both down. Ethan and Callan seemed more like supporting characters than main characters. I still give this one 4 stars because the first two got me invested enough to want to see it through to the end, and overall, I did enjoy Luna's journey to becoming at home and happy with her pack.

[Lauren DePinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

just ok

I tired so hard to get into this series. I could not connect with any of the characters. I get Luna was supposed to have been sheltered but it became annoying. I am also all for spicy books, but this was too much. I found myself skipping through as it became annoying. Like she just has her throat ripped open and was only wanting seggs… please.. I had high hopes for this but was left disappointed. This series also took me entirely too long as I had to keep stepping away due to being bored.

[Gina_M_N · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plots good BUT

It's a little better then the last book but still off, I actually gagged once (that never happens), she sounds so child like and having these older men doing all kinds of grown folk things it made me Cringe, the author makes her sound like I guess they were going for ignorant but comes off as a dumb spoiled horny child, its hard to form a image of an adult woman in my mind.😖

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luan and the guys are back in book three and the conclusion to the Rejected Mate series. From the ott steam to the action packed story this is a wonderful end to the series. Luna's character has grown since book one but at times she was still a bit childlike. Overall I loved this reverse harem's journey packed with steam, secrets, danger, suspense, unexpected twists, and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jamie Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Series

I enjoyed the storyline and the fact that they all got their HEA. Writing from the perspective of the FMC not having any knowledge of basically anything was an interesting twist and made for some humorous interactions. I feel like the way she navigated her relationships with each Alpha was a bit overly simplified in some areas but all in all I would recommend the series.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is mostly sex. I usually love Alexa and Calinda's books. Luna still acts like a spoiled brat with no brains. All she can think about is sex. It just felt so wrong with her and the men. Just not proper relationships. The men still treat her like some kind of sex machine. I will say the story line could be really great if you take out the sex scenes and Luna acting like a kid with everything. There is mystery, suspense, and some action. With the giant wolfs and vampires and storms it could be really good. I will say I wish it was written like their other books that were worth 5 stars.

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

[Danni Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying end to the series.
Luna and the triplets finally return to the pack but it’s not without complications. Axel has to prove himself more than ever and complications make the dynamics of their relationship wear thin. Add in a new big bad that only working together can defeat and a whole lot of spice 🌶

[Elisa Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

and then there’s a home

Return to the Pack is book three in the series Rejected Mate by authors Alexa B. James & Calinda B. This one intriguing and a tad intense. The secrets and the betrayal may keep these characters from finding their home. Enemies are everywhere- vampires & monster man eating wolves- ok yuck. Anywho, lots of action and lots of delicious treats.
Enjoy!!

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

This book will take you on the ending journey for Luna and her mates. We will learn more about the wolves that keep attcking Luna and why her mom ran when she was pregnant. This book ends with a HEA

[Mellissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!!!

To put it simply... This was Amazing, Fantastic, Perfect!!!
I loved this series and it was one beautiful and steamy conclusion!!!
Alexa B James is absolutely one of my favorite authors!!!❤❤❤

[Mikie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love these characters! They are so. Well written, that you can actually feel what they feel. I just love how much she has grown since she was taken from the swamp. And the triplets just adore her. I really enjoyed this whole series and storyline

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luna is a bit immature at times. Action, suspense, danger and lots of heat (too much??). Fast, easy-to-read.

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

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending to the series. The action continues until the very end and the story wraps up nicely without leaving a bunch of loose ends.

[Skay Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww dang, it’s over. That was a great ending to the series! It has been so much fun watching Luna and the pack grow into a unit. There was some secrets that come out in this book and I was loving the drama. I can’t wait to see what these authors put out next!

[Sherri Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable great reading

I really enjoyed this book and loved the characters. I'm glad that everything worked out for Luna and her men and they got rid of the mutant wolves.

[Well Read Nurse · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just got worse every book sadly

From treating her like club pussy.
The personality switches
The poor flow. Sex scenes.

I wanted to like this

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wooooooyeeeee


Short but sweet!

The mystery of the mutant mutts is finally unveiled and the heartbreaking truth for Luna.

Lots of action, smut and heroism!

4⭐️

[shazza · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

This series was a nice escapism but the 3rd book just became uncomfortable in places for me personally.

Nice conclusion to the books though and I like the way their story ended.

[Sierra Platts-Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent end to a decent series.

[Leaanne Wright · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did Not Finish