What do you think?
Rate this book
Fated Fantasies #1
Freddy and Archie
The Fated Fantasies Dating Service makes dreams a reality.
Freddy is an adorable hedgehog shifter who finds himself having one of the worst days of his life, but do the Fates have a different plan in store for him?
Archie is an obnoxious harpy, a driven businessman who thanks to losing a bet finds himself heading off towards his worst nightmare – a date!
There is magic in the air and budding friendships, and there has to be a bad guy, or does there?
This promises to be a sweet read so fall in love with the array today.
Freddy and Archie’s story is an MM Paranormal Romance that hopes to be book one in a series of six books.
You may find a spot of bad language, and intimate situations between two consenting adults are included. Please store your eBooks responsibly.
Freddy is an adorable hedgehog shifter who finds himself having one of the worst days of his life, but do the Fates have a different plan in store for him?
Archie is an obnoxious harpy, a driven businessman who thanks to losing a bet finds himself heading off towards his worst nightmare – a date!
There is magic in the air and budding friendships, and there has to be a bad guy, or does there?
This promises to be a sweet read so fall in love with the array today.
Freddy and Archie’s story is an MM Paranormal Romance that hopes to be book one in a series of six books.
You may find a spot of bad language, and intimate situations between two consenting adults are included. Please store your eBooks responsibly.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2022
53 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 13, 2022
Wanted so bad to like this
The blurb seemed really interesting and i really wanted to like this. I just really didnt. 2 stars is very generous as far as I'm concerned. DNF, glad I got it on KU. 2.5 at most. Poor editing, 1 dimensional characters, and world building that was very incomplete are the the biggest issues.
Freddy's character flaw is that he is TOO nice and selfless which seemed like a cop out even though he takes it to idiot levels. Archie's flaw is that he's cold and business minded or some such nonsense but does a 180 after like 40 minutes with the mate that he steadfastly stated he didn't want. It felt like the author took the two most basic opposing personalities and dialed them to 10 but gave them nothing else to work with. Dialogue was very formal and clunky, even jarring at times. I started skimming right around 35% and just put it down not much farther than that.
The plot barely made sense and was pretty convoluted (at least what I read) and the introduction to other characters like the array were just ugh. Too much was happening too fast with no explanation and I honestly didn't care about any of it.
People like different things and maybe you would like this book, I just reccomend reading the sample or getting it on KU before purchase.
The blurb seemed really interesting and i really wanted to like this. I just really didnt. 2 stars is very generous as far as I'm concerned. DNF, glad I got it on KU. 2.5 at most. Poor editing, 1 dimensional characters, and world building that was very incomplete are the the biggest issues.
Freddy's character flaw is that he is TOO nice and selfless which seemed like a cop out even though he takes it to idiot levels. Archie's flaw is that he's cold and business minded or some such nonsense but does a 180 after like 40 minutes with the mate that he steadfastly stated he didn't want. It felt like the author took the two most basic opposing personalities and dialed them to 10 but gave them nothing else to work with. Dialogue was very formal and clunky, even jarring at times. I started skimming right around 35% and just put it down not much farther than that.
The plot barely made sense and was pretty convoluted (at least what I read) and the introduction to other characters like the array were just ugh. Too much was happening too fast with no explanation and I honestly didn't care about any of it.
People like different things and maybe you would like this book, I just reccomend reading the sample or getting it on KU before purchase.
March 2, 2023
(I read the revised edition of this)
Freddy and Archie was such a cute shifter book. I've read a lot of paranormal shifter books and this is definitely up there.
Archie is a harpy shifter who is used to being alone, after his parents died something happened to make his sister become a shell of herself. After being alone for so long he's jaded and rude, and a bit of a jerk. But his shifter side wants to find their mate. After losing a bet he meets Freddie, and that changed their lives irrevocably.
Freddie is a hedgehog shifter who is sensitive to other people's emotions. He is always giving what he has to others, even when it costs him. After a terrible day he gets a call saying he has found a match. His day, which was horrible to start with, ends up turning itself around by the end of the day. He meets his mate! His grumpy mate...
I enjoyed this book, the writing was nice and I loved the idea of the Array, that was such a unique twist that I have yet to read about before. And the part where their magic only unlocks when they have found their mate? That's so cool!
I did feel at times this book focused to much on the bedtime scenes, (if you know what I mean,) but then the action scenes balanced itself out. I'm really looking forward to reading about the rest of the Array and I'm eager to see who their mates are!
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
Freddy and Archie was such a cute shifter book. I've read a lot of paranormal shifter books and this is definitely up there.
Archie is a harpy shifter who is used to being alone, after his parents died something happened to make his sister become a shell of herself. After being alone for so long he's jaded and rude, and a bit of a jerk. But his shifter side wants to find their mate. After losing a bet he meets Freddie, and that changed their lives irrevocably.
Freddie is a hedgehog shifter who is sensitive to other people's emotions. He is always giving what he has to others, even when it costs him. After a terrible day he gets a call saying he has found a match. His day, which was horrible to start with, ends up turning itself around by the end of the day. He meets his mate! His grumpy mate...
I enjoyed this book, the writing was nice and I loved the idea of the Array, that was such a unique twist that I have yet to read about before. And the part where their magic only unlocks when they have found their mate? That's so cool!
I did feel at times this book focused to much on the bedtime scenes, (if you know what I mean,) but then the action scenes balanced itself out. I'm really looking forward to reading about the rest of the Array and I'm eager to see who their mates are!
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
September 5, 2022
This is my first book by this author and it had the making of a good story but I felt it needed to be fleshed out a bit.
Read
August 21, 2023Freddy and Archie
So I'm rounding this up from 3.5. While I did enjoy the story, there is a lot going one and some things took away from the story for me.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
So I'm rounding this up from 3.5. While I did enjoy the story, there is a lot going one and some things took away from the story for me.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Read
June 19, 2022Great story!
Loved this book! Look forward to the next book in this new series! This new author did an amazing job!
Loved this book! Look forward to the next book in this new series! This new author did an amazing job!
June 13, 2022
I absolutely LOVED this endearing, sweet, fantastic, sexy, fresh, original, grab-you-by-the-heartstrings, amazing, and totally awesome twist on the same old, stale, and ho-hum shifter genre. This is the wonderful debut book by a talented new author, and o can't wait to see what happens next.
June 16, 2023
Pushed through
This was too much too fast. I have no problem with fated
Mates/instalove. And there was some of that. But then the array gets thrown in, couldn’t tell you what that was all about because everything felt like “I’ll tell you when you’re older,” talks. Things were hinted at and implied but there wasn’t a resolution. Then there’s the whole Jeremy situation. Maybe I skimmed too much in the middle, but that whole thing came from nowhere and created conflict for some unknown purpose. Very unsatisfying
This was too much too fast. I have no problem with fated
Mates/instalove. And there was some of that. But then the array gets thrown in, couldn’t tell you what that was all about because everything felt like “I’ll tell you when you’re older,” talks. Things were hinted at and implied but there wasn’t a resolution. Then there’s the whole Jeremy situation. Maybe I skimmed too much in the middle, but that whole thing came from nowhere and created conflict for some unknown purpose. Very unsatisfying
June 19, 2022
Great start
The premise was excellent, I love the idea of "The Array", the bigger background story building up around it and the characters introduced in this book. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
Re this book, I enjoyed Freddy, a guy who keeps losing jobs because he can't bear to see others suffer, but who is always understanding and not resentful of his lot in life. Such a great new character, and also, a hedgehog! Very cute with so much world building potential. Archie is a little one dimensional at the beginning but we find out more about him that fleshes him out.
The writing, is where this book struggles. No, this isn't like those other books in this market which have never met an editor or a spell check. The writing is consistent and clear. It is just.... a bit basic. I enjoyed it, but it has potential to be have so much more depth. However this is a new author with their first book and I really hope they grow in confidence and experience because I would love to see what they can do.
So, let's be honest, I read this new author because of her links to a favourite author of mine, Lisa Oliver. I think this will be a winner because if you like Lisa Oliver, you will love this, it is very much like her earlier work.
Another book written by a relative of Lisa's was amazing, though co-authored with Lisa, however, the second book never materialised and they stopped writing together. Reading the bio, Holly Oliver seems to have a long term plan in place for writing already, so I am optimistic.
The premise was excellent, I love the idea of "The Array", the bigger background story building up around it and the characters introduced in this book. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.
Re this book, I enjoyed Freddy, a guy who keeps losing jobs because he can't bear to see others suffer, but who is always understanding and not resentful of his lot in life. Such a great new character, and also, a hedgehog! Very cute with so much world building potential. Archie is a little one dimensional at the beginning but we find out more about him that fleshes him out.
The writing, is where this book struggles. No, this isn't like those other books in this market which have never met an editor or a spell check. The writing is consistent and clear. It is just.... a bit basic. I enjoyed it, but it has potential to be have so much more depth. However this is a new author with their first book and I really hope they grow in confidence and experience because I would love to see what they can do.
So, let's be honest, I read this new author because of her links to a favourite author of mine, Lisa Oliver. I think this will be a winner because if you like Lisa Oliver, you will love this, it is very much like her earlier work.
Another book written by a relative of Lisa's was amazing, though co-authored with Lisa, however, the second book never materialised and they stopped writing together. Reading the bio, Holly Oliver seems to have a long term plan in place for writing already, so I am optimistic.
June 22, 2022
A very unique take on Fated Mates
I was really excited to read this book because, while the author is new to me (and newly published), I am a huge fan of her mother's work and I had high hopes for this. I was not disappointed. This is a lovely tale about fated mates finding each other, woven through with ancient magic, mad scientists, kidnapping and the formation of a magical group - of hedgehog shifters! That part alone was enough to peak my interest. Hedgehog shifters! Add in harpy eagle shifters and mice and lynx and a mysterious dragon and, yeah, I was all in! The story is rather unique and I was quickly caught up in the adventure and intrigue. I thought that the main character, Archie - harpy eagle, was very unlikable at the start but he quickly changed his tune when face to face with his feisty hedgehog, Freddy. The background characters were interesting, even if we only got a sample of them here, and I have a feeling that they will make appearances in future books. The book ends on a HFN - in that it leaves an opening for future books. I found the language to be a bit formal and stilted at times, which was the only reason for the 4* stars. It might have worked if all the characters were English professors but in the day to day, average world it just came off as trying to hard to be some great classic work. It didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story - it was just a small background annoyance. I'll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series and I would absolutely recommend giving this one a try.
I was really excited to read this book because, while the author is new to me (and newly published), I am a huge fan of her mother's work and I had high hopes for this. I was not disappointed. This is a lovely tale about fated mates finding each other, woven through with ancient magic, mad scientists, kidnapping and the formation of a magical group - of hedgehog shifters! That part alone was enough to peak my interest. Hedgehog shifters! Add in harpy eagle shifters and mice and lynx and a mysterious dragon and, yeah, I was all in! The story is rather unique and I was quickly caught up in the adventure and intrigue. I thought that the main character, Archie - harpy eagle, was very unlikable at the start but he quickly changed his tune when face to face with his feisty hedgehog, Freddy. The background characters were interesting, even if we only got a sample of them here, and I have a feeling that they will make appearances in future books. The book ends on a HFN - in that it leaves an opening for future books. I found the language to be a bit formal and stilted at times, which was the only reason for the 4* stars. It might have worked if all the characters were English professors but in the day to day, average world it just came off as trying to hard to be some great classic work. It didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story - it was just a small background annoyance. I'll definitely be looking out for the next book in the series and I would absolutely recommend giving this one a try.
April 14, 2023
What do you get when you put a hedgehog and harpy shifter in one room? Love at first sight? Not likely. Or is it?
Freddy is the ever optimistic sunshine in human-I mean hedgehog- form. You won’t find a more likable guy than him. I honestly fell in love with Freddy and his personality! I’m on the bandwagon that Freddy is to be protected at all times! Even though he’s capable of taking care of himself.
Archie is every man and woman’s dream. Sexy, arrogant, protective, family-oriented, and wealthy. Woo 😮💨 He’s known to be unapproachable and a bit standoffish but that’s no match for the bumbling hedgehog about to come his way.
We’re taken on a somewhat unexpected yet totally amazing pairing of a harpy and a hedgehog. I loved watching as Freddy melted Archie’s walls and as Archie began to soften with Freddy’s amazing personality. If only the world had more Freddy’s in it would it be a better place.
Through some unfortunate events the pair are tested and with it a new family is found as past trauma is revealed and bonds grow stronger and old ones are repaired.
I’m looking forward to continuing this series as Freddy and Archie is the first book in the Fated Fantasies series!
Freddy is the ever optimistic sunshine in human-I mean hedgehog- form. You won’t find a more likable guy than him. I honestly fell in love with Freddy and his personality! I’m on the bandwagon that Freddy is to be protected at all times! Even though he’s capable of taking care of himself.
Archie is every man and woman’s dream. Sexy, arrogant, protective, family-oriented, and wealthy. Woo 😮💨 He’s known to be unapproachable and a bit standoffish but that’s no match for the bumbling hedgehog about to come his way.
We’re taken on a somewhat unexpected yet totally amazing pairing of a harpy and a hedgehog. I loved watching as Freddy melted Archie’s walls and as Archie began to soften with Freddy’s amazing personality. If only the world had more Freddy’s in it would it be a better place.
Through some unfortunate events the pair are tested and with it a new family is found as past trauma is revealed and bonds grow stronger and old ones are repaired.
I’m looking forward to continuing this series as Freddy and Archie is the first book in the Fated Fantasies series!
August 21, 2023
**First Time Reader**
I expected this was gonna be good since I like shifter, fated mate romances, so I was intrigued...especially with type of shifter animals...hedgehogs...I was all in. Glad I took a chance. This was a really good romance. Freddy was a wonderful character who really brought balance to his fated mate Archie. Archie really needed Freddy...he was lost in hostile emotions. Bringing them together, their souls clicked... I loved their animal side...they were a source of reason and gave me loads of entertainment.. Loved the introduction to the Array...can't wait to read more with them and the mysterious Helena in the other books in the series...I see the author lengthen this version from the original. I can see some areas that might have been expanded to give a little more detail for the past and present...All in all great start to the series...not too angsty, steamy scenes with sweet romantic moments. A really nice HFN/HEA. I truly enjoyed this and ready for the next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I expected this was gonna be good since I like shifter, fated mate romances, so I was intrigued...especially with type of shifter animals...hedgehogs...I was all in. Glad I took a chance. This was a really good romance. Freddy was a wonderful character who really brought balance to his fated mate Archie. Archie really needed Freddy...he was lost in hostile emotions. Bringing them together, their souls clicked... I loved their animal side...they were a source of reason and gave me loads of entertainment.. Loved the introduction to the Array...can't wait to read more with them and the mysterious Helena in the other books in the series...I see the author lengthen this version from the original. I can see some areas that might have been expanded to give a little more detail for the past and present...All in all great start to the series...not too angsty, steamy scenes with sweet romantic moments. A really nice HFN/HEA. I truly enjoyed this and ready for the next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 18, 2022
This is the first book by a new author and there are some rough patches. The story is just a tad too convoluted as she tries to have all the parts align and set the stage for the future book planned for the series.
This is a world where shifters live alongside humans. And of course human scientists (and the government) want to know how they tick. That's one story arc. Fated mates is another. International art thieves get thrown into the mix. And a rising ancient magic.
Most of this is just filler in the love story. The rise in magic is going to be the glue along with a fated dating service.
This book deserves a reread. The worldbuilding will continue. And this author has a talent that needs to be supported and applauded.
This is a world where shifters live alongside humans. And of course human scientists (and the government) want to know how they tick. That's one story arc. Fated mates is another. International art thieves get thrown into the mix. And a rising ancient magic.
Most of this is just filler in the love story. The rise in magic is going to be the glue along with a fated dating service.
This book deserves a reread. The worldbuilding will continue. And this author has a talent that needs to be supported and applauded.
July 13, 2022
WOW!!!!
Please let there be more. With an amazing start the author hooked me right from the beginning. The first book in a series has a lot of things it has to convey while still telling a story. It’s a hard balance and Holly Oliver managed it beautifully. We get to see the world she created while getting to know the characters. I want to dig deeper. I can’t wait to know the others more. There are both little nuggets and bigger moments that give you clues of what’s to come. There is also a go plot to this that has wonderful twists. The best for me though is the overall story arc that I can see will unfold a little more with each book. That’s what I love about a good series and I can’t wait to continue the journey.
Please let there be more. With an amazing start the author hooked me right from the beginning. The first book in a series has a lot of things it has to convey while still telling a story. It’s a hard balance and Holly Oliver managed it beautifully. We get to see the world she created while getting to know the characters. I want to dig deeper. I can’t wait to know the others more. There are both little nuggets and bigger moments that give you clues of what’s to come. There is also a go plot to this that has wonderful twists. The best for me though is the overall story arc that I can see will unfold a little more with each book. That’s what I love about a good series and I can’t wait to continue the journey.
April 16, 2023
Freddy is having the worst day possible, but he always looks for the positive in each situation. Archie is a grumpy CEO that grudgingly agrees to a week with a dating services match. Turns out Freddy and Archie are fated mates and their mating unlocks old dragon magic centuries in the making. From there the story really takes off as Archie's past comes back to haunt him. I'm intrigued by the concept of a group, or array, of hedgehog shifters coming together with old magic waking up inside of each of them. We see a little bit of it on this book as the array come together to help Freddy and Archie. I'm excited for the next book in the series.
July 4, 2022
Esperaba mucho más de este libro, la idea es buena y me gustó la sinopsis pero todo ocurre demasiado rápido, y sin sentido, los personajes no tienen fondo ninguno para entenderlos y algunos de ellos los presenta con dos palabras para describirlos. Podría haber sido una buena historia pero se queda en nada. Por no hablar del español, solo utiliza dos frases y están mal!, Buenos noche!!!???? Es buenas noches! No utilices un idioma que no hablas, y no entiendo porque primero dice que va a Valencia y luego es Madrid...
June 14, 2022
Good first novel
This is a good first book and I am looking forward to more in the series. There are more plot twists and surprises than I think I have seen in a single book. Archie and Freddy are sweet together but I thought Archie went from “I’ll never want a mate,” to falling for Freddy a little to quickly to be believable.
There are lots of characters and sometimes I struggled to keep them all straight. Congrats on your first published book!
This is a good first book and I am looking forward to more in the series. There are more plot twists and surprises than I think I have seen in a single book. Archie and Freddy are sweet together but I thought Archie went from “I’ll never want a mate,” to falling for Freddy a little to quickly to be believable.
There are lots of characters and sometimes I struggled to keep them all straight. Congrats on your first published book!
March 3, 2023
This is Holly Oliver’s first book and I enjoyed reading it. The book starts with finding out that he is out of a job and homeless. When sitting outside, he gets a call from a dating service that he will spend a week with. Archie, who is a businessman, lost a bet and had to call the dating service. They met and after a bit realized they were mates. This is their story of how they got together to their happy ever after. Great chemistry and some action. Cannot wait for more.
August 16, 2023
I liked this story. I will say that I had a hard time fitting this story in with the first story. While Helena is still around apparently no one else from the first story is plus this story felt like I was missing parts of the overall picture. I will say that while I still enjoyed this story, I really did not find that the first story contributed that much towards the start of this series.
Maybe future books will clear up my confusion. Looking forward to reading more.
Maybe future books will clear up my confusion. Looking forward to reading more.
July 16, 2022
Love!
Can't wait to see what happens next and who will be the next pairing. A lovely little instalove story with fated mates who are patently different that the usual wolves, bears, etc. HEDGEHOGS!! Great humor, not too angst but with a bit of mystery dashed throughout... Just can't wait to see what happens next!
Can't wait to see what happens next and who will be the next pairing. A lovely little instalove story with fated mates who are patently different that the usual wolves, bears, etc. HEDGEHOGS!! Great humor, not too angst but with a bit of mystery dashed throughout... Just can't wait to see what happens next!
November 17, 2022
Cute
This book was cute, but if seemed like there were too many ideas going on. Fated mates meeting through a matchmaker, sweet! A kidnapping, ok, drama is good. But that was resolved fast. Bad scientists, sister in asylum, unknown magic, art theft it goes on! I think this would have been better if the author had focused a bit more. It was just over the top with everything.
This book was cute, but if seemed like there were too many ideas going on. Fated mates meeting through a matchmaker, sweet! A kidnapping, ok, drama is good. But that was resolved fast. Bad scientists, sister in asylum, unknown magic, art theft it goes on! I think this would have been better if the author had focused a bit more. It was just over the top with everything.
December 27, 2022
Hoping for more..
I loved the “prequel” to this but I can’t even lie this one was not it. Freddy annoyed the ever loving shit out of me and was just an all around bonafide idiot. Finished the book and didn’t hate the storyline. But between him being a moron and them all letting Theo go it’s really just a whole now from me dog
I loved the “prequel” to this but I can’t even lie this one was not it. Freddy annoyed the ever loving shit out of me and was just an all around bonafide idiot. Finished the book and didn’t hate the storyline. But between him being a moron and them all letting Theo go it’s really just a whole now from me dog
September 25, 2023
Adorable hedgehogs
The truly sweet hedgehog and the antics in Freddie's head were very amusing. I also like fated mates without any mgreg stuff. A little more graphic than I needed but that's what sells to the ladies. I'm a guy and can have the sex whenever but the romance is what isn't so easy to come by. This story totally brought the romance.
The truly sweet hedgehog and the antics in Freddie's head were very amusing. I also like fated mates without any mgreg stuff. A little more graphic than I needed but that's what sells to the ladies. I'm a guy and can have the sex whenever but the romance is what isn't so easy to come by. This story totally brought the romance.
June 13, 2022
Loved this!
I absolutely loved this book. New author did a fantastic job! I thought Freddie and Archie were very interesting characters! Loved the secondary characters too. The world that was built was easy to see as a movie in my head. Great read! Can't wait for the next!
I absolutely loved this book. New author did a fantastic job! I thought Freddie and Archie were very interesting characters! Loved the secondary characters too. The world that was built was easy to see as a movie in my head. Great read! Can't wait for the next!
June 16, 2022
First novel from a promising new author, this was a great read. Had to read in one sitting because I just could not put it down. Can't wait for the next book in this series. If you want a good light read this book is it.
July 4, 2022
3.5
A great first book. Looking forward to the next books.
There was a lot of plot twists/directions to deal with
for the page count. Was a bit distracting from the
story (romance) to be honest.
A great first book. Looking forward to the next books.
There was a lot of plot twists/directions to deal with
for the page count. Was a bit distracting from the
story (romance) to be honest.
September 18, 2022
dnf 29%
Are you, hedgehog shifter, even real right now? Lost your job, lost your apartment, just a shrug and a “oh, well, the gods will provide”.
Granted, they do in your case. But there isn’t much keeping me motivated to find out more about this story. Even with hedgehogs.
Are you, hedgehog shifter, even real right now? Lost your job, lost your apartment, just a shrug and a “oh, well, the gods will provide”.
Granted, they do in your case. But there isn’t much keeping me motivated to find out more about this story. Even with hedgehogs.
October 15, 2022
Cute
This is an interesting little story. Freddy and Archie may not seem like they work, but the Fates don’t make mistakes. There is still a larger picture going on here and it has me fascinated.
This is an interesting little story. Freddy and Archie may not seem like they work, but the Fates don’t make mistakes. There is still a larger picture going on here and it has me fascinated.
September 12, 2024
meh
If this was a a revised version, I’d hate to read the original. This was still plagued with editing issues and basic writing. The concept was cute but I didn’t connect with the characters at all. I have no plans on finishing the series.
If this was a a revised version, I’d hate to read the original. This was still plagued with editing issues and basic writing. The concept was cute but I didn’t connect with the characters at all. I have no plans on finishing the series.
June 13, 2022
Faye fantasies
Loved the people in the book great plot could not put it down. Can't wait for the next book
Caz
Loved the people in the book great plot could not put it down. Can't wait for the next book
Caz
June 13, 2022
A very enjoyable first book and start to the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews