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The Mating Games: Dark Match
He said he wanted me, but in the end, he rejected me.
The Mating Games are over and so is my relationship with Ares Raith. He chose my enemy, that despicable liar and fame whore, Laurel. Yet, he claims he did it to protect me, but how could he?
Laurel Grimhowl is the worse type of manipulative, shallow, vindictive. How can Ares stand to be with her, especially when the blatant attacks on weaker shifter families begin and she threatens to strip away my Supreme Alpha title?
I can’t let Laurel and William Raith destroy our traditions and peace. Whatever they’re planning spells disasters for the few remaining packs. Moreover, the illness affecting both vampires and shifters is still a threat. Maybe Ares and I, along with the Dark Match, hold the answer.
But to be able to stop them, I must learn to control my Supreme Alpha powers and doing that may very well be my end.
If that’s the case, so be it. I’m willing to sacrifice for what is right.
The Mating Games are over and so is my relationship with Ares Raith. He chose my enemy, that despicable liar and fame whore, Laurel. Yet, he claims he did it to protect me, but how could he?
Laurel Grimhowl is the worse type of manipulative, shallow, vindictive. How can Ares stand to be with her, especially when the blatant attacks on weaker shifter families begin and she threatens to strip away my Supreme Alpha title?
I can’t let Laurel and William Raith destroy our traditions and peace. Whatever they’re planning spells disasters for the few remaining packs. Moreover, the illness affecting both vampires and shifters is still a threat. Maybe Ares and I, along with the Dark Match, hold the answer.
But to be able to stop them, I must learn to control my Supreme Alpha powers and doing that may very well be my end.
If that’s the case, so be it. I’m willing to sacrifice for what is right.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
About the author
Katie French
62 books411 followersKatie French is an Amazon best-selling author in Young Adult dystopian romance. Her book, The Breeders, has had nearly 50,000 downloads and counting and was a semi-finalist in the 2014 Kindle Book Awards. It's currently free on Amazon. She also has a kids series starting with Portia Parrott and the Great Kitten Rescue for ages 5-9.
She works as a high school English teacher, a job that she loves even when it exhausts her. In her free time she writes manically, reads great books, and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. She aspires to spend as much time in yoga pants as possible. You can join her mailing list at www.katiefrenchbooks.com and receive two free full-length novels. Contact her at katie@katiefrenchbooks.com.
She works as a high school English teacher, a job that she loves even when it exhausts her. In her free time she writes manically, reads great books, and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. She aspires to spend as much time in yoga pants as possible. You can join her mailing list at www.katiefrenchbooks.com and receive two free full-length novels. Contact her at katie@katiefrenchbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 6, 2022
Dark Match picks up not long after the events of the Mating Games in which Wren lost to Laurel, after Ares chose her to be his ‘Mate’ and hopefully solve the problems that have been plaguing both Vampire and Werewolves. Wren is being shammed in the media, with careful editing trying to show up everything that happened inside the Mating Games Mansion in the worst possible light to cast her as the bad guy, and poor little Laurel as the victim.
William is using every resource he has to try and manoeuvre the Vampires into the position of ultimate power of all of the Vampires and Werewolves, with him as the leader, and Ares and Laurel as puppet figureheads.
We follow the story from Wren’s point of view, as she not only struggles to come to terms with everything that happened in the Mating Games, but also that she is in love with Ares, and he is off with Laurel. Further to that, she knows that the two of them are meant to be together, not only because they are in love, but because of this prophecy of the ‘Dark Match’ that will end the curse on both of their kinds and allow them to continue to grow again.
But Wren is having a lot of trouble with her new Supreme Alpha powers, and must learn to control them, before she can take her true position as ‘Supreme Alpha’. And thus begins a journey for Wren in the first part of this story. She travels to meet a past Alpha, who gives her a task, and this leads her to another faction we haven’t met in this series, the Witches.
Wren must not only find the Witches and introduce herself, but pass a set of trials that will prove that she is worthy of the title of Supreme Alpha. These trials will also allow her to unlock her powers and control them, learning about them.
Without giving too much away, this was a fantastic part of the story, the Witch characters (especially Blair), are just hilarious in parts, and the trials are both interesting and brutal. It is fascinating how they test a combination of Wren’s physical and mental abilities, as well as pushing her to her limits with her werewolf abilities as well. I really thought this was a clever part of the story, and was exceptionally well done.
The character work is just outstanding in this book (and series), Wren is brilliant as the young Shifter, struggling with her new found power, thrust upon her by her Grandfather, the former Supreme. She knows what she is meant to do, just not the how, as no one has shown her, taught her, her Grandfather was such a mystery, and he just gave her the necklace that is the mantle of the Alpha, with no instructions before he passed. Her Father never wanted it, and has no idea, so it is up to her, and she has been left with a power struggle now that Willian is trying to take over. Wren’s character is very realistic in her angst at trying to deal with all of these issues. As a werewolf, that anger is always simmering, but as a leader and Alpha, and with the necklace, she controls it well, her character is really well done.
There are so many other great characters, Ares as the Vampire lead, Callan as her unhelpful sidekick, he is brilliant with witty one liners. But Callan is surprising in how much he helps Wren, there are obvious feelings for her as he continuously remains to help and assist her in dangerous situations.
Some of the best characters in this book are the Witches, Blair being the standout, but there are many others (I won’t give names or mention others for spoilers). The witches, the individual characters, are all just outstanding, having been cast out of their homes, and now hunted by the Vampires, they are bitter and angry, and yet, they remain loyal and loving to each other. They are powerful, and although upset by their situation, they are still very friendly within their own circle. It was really interesting getting to see these characters in the book.
As the story unfolds, things just become grim, as there are clashes between Vampire and Werewolf, and even Werewolf on Werewolf as Laurel, working for William, turns on her own. Dark Match is different to book one, in that this is a more about a full-on power struggle between Vampire and Werewolves (including internal power struggles in both Clans and Packs), and just to make things more intense, there are now the Witches thrown in, fighting for their own survival, and fighting everyone. It is a very gritty, brutal and intense series at times, with intermittent patches of these powerful scenes of either bitter hatred as Ares and Laurel are together, and Wren wants to rend them limb from limb, or Ares manages to get away and find Wren. When he can, these moments are filled with passion, love and hot romance that you are left blushing at because you feel like you shouldn’t be intruding on Wren’s very powerful moments with Ares.
This book has something for everyone, the full-on Urban Fantasy with Vamps, Wolves and Witches, battling for supremacy, all whilst challenging a dark curse with the power to end them all. At the centre of this, is a love story that is intensely passionate, hot, and yet, if fulfilled, could kill everyone if the Dark Match is actually true.
What is Wren to do though, when she loves Ares so much? And the two of them are all that stand between William and the end of all of the good Werewolf Packs, the Witches and the decent Vampires?
This is a sequel not to be missed, in a series that is just brilliant!!!
William is using every resource he has to try and manoeuvre the Vampires into the position of ultimate power of all of the Vampires and Werewolves, with him as the leader, and Ares and Laurel as puppet figureheads.
We follow the story from Wren’s point of view, as she not only struggles to come to terms with everything that happened in the Mating Games, but also that she is in love with Ares, and he is off with Laurel. Further to that, she knows that the two of them are meant to be together, not only because they are in love, but because of this prophecy of the ‘Dark Match’ that will end the curse on both of their kinds and allow them to continue to grow again.
But Wren is having a lot of trouble with her new Supreme Alpha powers, and must learn to control them, before she can take her true position as ‘Supreme Alpha’. And thus begins a journey for Wren in the first part of this story. She travels to meet a past Alpha, who gives her a task, and this leads her to another faction we haven’t met in this series, the Witches.
Wren must not only find the Witches and introduce herself, but pass a set of trials that will prove that she is worthy of the title of Supreme Alpha. These trials will also allow her to unlock her powers and control them, learning about them.
Without giving too much away, this was a fantastic part of the story, the Witch characters (especially Blair), are just hilarious in parts, and the trials are both interesting and brutal. It is fascinating how they test a combination of Wren’s physical and mental abilities, as well as pushing her to her limits with her werewolf abilities as well. I really thought this was a clever part of the story, and was exceptionally well done.
The character work is just outstanding in this book (and series), Wren is brilliant as the young Shifter, struggling with her new found power, thrust upon her by her Grandfather, the former Supreme. She knows what she is meant to do, just not the how, as no one has shown her, taught her, her Grandfather was such a mystery, and he just gave her the necklace that is the mantle of the Alpha, with no instructions before he passed. Her Father never wanted it, and has no idea, so it is up to her, and she has been left with a power struggle now that Willian is trying to take over. Wren’s character is very realistic in her angst at trying to deal with all of these issues. As a werewolf, that anger is always simmering, but as a leader and Alpha, and with the necklace, she controls it well, her character is really well done.
There are so many other great characters, Ares as the Vampire lead, Callan as her unhelpful sidekick, he is brilliant with witty one liners. But Callan is surprising in how much he helps Wren, there are obvious feelings for her as he continuously remains to help and assist her in dangerous situations.
Some of the best characters in this book are the Witches, Blair being the standout, but there are many others (I won’t give names or mention others for spoilers). The witches, the individual characters, are all just outstanding, having been cast out of their homes, and now hunted by the Vampires, they are bitter and angry, and yet, they remain loyal and loving to each other. They are powerful, and although upset by their situation, they are still very friendly within their own circle. It was really interesting getting to see these characters in the book.
As the story unfolds, things just become grim, as there are clashes between Vampire and Werewolf, and even Werewolf on Werewolf as Laurel, working for William, turns on her own. Dark Match is different to book one, in that this is a more about a full-on power struggle between Vampire and Werewolves (including internal power struggles in both Clans and Packs), and just to make things more intense, there are now the Witches thrown in, fighting for their own survival, and fighting everyone. It is a very gritty, brutal and intense series at times, with intermittent patches of these powerful scenes of either bitter hatred as Ares and Laurel are together, and Wren wants to rend them limb from limb, or Ares manages to get away and find Wren. When he can, these moments are filled with passion, love and hot romance that you are left blushing at because you feel like you shouldn’t be intruding on Wren’s very powerful moments with Ares.
This book has something for everyone, the full-on Urban Fantasy with Vamps, Wolves and Witches, battling for supremacy, all whilst challenging a dark curse with the power to end them all. At the centre of this, is a love story that is intensely passionate, hot, and yet, if fulfilled, could kill everyone if the Dark Match is actually true.
What is Wren to do though, when she loves Ares so much? And the two of them are all that stand between William and the end of all of the good Werewolf Packs, the Witches and the decent Vampires?
This is a sequel not to be missed, in a series that is just brilliant!!!
November 19, 2022
Better than the first, this book has so many ups and downs, it is a rollercoaster of a ride through all of plotdom. Unlike the first, this one involved the politics between the vampires, witches, and shifters in more in-depth details. In the end involving representatives from all three.
November 3, 2022
What a great read. Dark Match is the second book in the Mating Games series and wraps up Wren's and Ares' story very nicely.
Wren struggled a lot in this one. She is so young but is the Supreme Alpha, the leader of the wolves, and doesn't have any guidance. She's having trouble with the Supreme Alpha powers, the wolves are backing Laural, and William is plotting against her. Wren takes everything in stride, she has her moments where she feels defeated but she doesn't let that keep her down for too long. Wren cares about the wolves and wants to protect them so she refuses to give in.
There was also relationship drama. I swear at times it felt like Wren had two boyfriends, Callan is back as an ally but his edges are smoother and I actually thought he wasn't too bad. There was good banter between Callan and Wren, snarky but flirty with sly insults and at times Callan seemed to genuinely care about Wren. Then there is Ares who is engaged to Laurel as a ploy but it's hard for Wren seeing them together. There were lots of puppy eyes and angst between Wren and Ares, at one point I do feel really bad for Wren but it all works out.
The goods were finally revealed in this one. I love witches and I'm so glad Ingrid and Katie add them to the story. These witches are a little hardened, they've been through a lot, and a little bit of the history between them and the rest of the supernatural community was given along with a (maybe not so) little reveal. And finally, the Dark Prophecy was explained more which in turn added to the tension and the list of problems that Wren and Ares faced.
Dark Match was great, it was exciting and entertaining. New friends were made and family support was very important but not everyone makes it. Wren and Ares overcome their struggles to get their HEA.
Wren struggled a lot in this one. She is so young but is the Supreme Alpha, the leader of the wolves, and doesn't have any guidance. She's having trouble with the Supreme Alpha powers, the wolves are backing Laural, and William is plotting against her. Wren takes everything in stride, she has her moments where she feels defeated but she doesn't let that keep her down for too long. Wren cares about the wolves and wants to protect them so she refuses to give in.
There was also relationship drama. I swear at times it felt like Wren had two boyfriends, Callan is back as an ally but his edges are smoother and I actually thought he wasn't too bad. There was good banter between Callan and Wren, snarky but flirty with sly insults and at times Callan seemed to genuinely care about Wren. Then there is Ares who is engaged to Laurel as a ploy but it's hard for Wren seeing them together. There were lots of puppy eyes and angst between Wren and Ares, at one point I do feel really bad for Wren but it all works out.
The goods were finally revealed in this one. I love witches and I'm so glad Ingrid and Katie add them to the story. These witches are a little hardened, they've been through a lot, and a little bit of the history between them and the rest of the supernatural community was given along with a (maybe not so) little reveal. And finally, the Dark Prophecy was explained more which in turn added to the tension and the list of problems that Wren and Ares faced.
Dark Match was great, it was exciting and entertaining. New friends were made and family support was very important but not everyone makes it. Wren and Ares overcome their struggles to get their HEA.
November 17, 2022
mixed feelings- hated the ending and didn’t like ares
This book was hard to rate. Interesting story and adventure and battle versus evil. I liked three characters in this book and the author killed two of them.
The first one died from meaningless friendly fire I hated how she died. The character was thrown away, I didn’t like the second death either but at least that accomplished something.
Ares was worthless throughout the entire book and actively helps her enemies because he is a complete coward and I felt like Wren was fighting with both hands tied behind her back. Wren deserves better.
I love Wren and how she becomes a true leader and the plot lines were interesting but She should be with Callan.
She spends more time with callan then she does with ares the coward.
This book was hard to rate. Interesting story and adventure and battle versus evil. I liked three characters in this book and the author killed two of them.
The first one died from meaningless friendly fire I hated how she died. The character was thrown away, I didn’t like the second death either but at least that accomplished something.
Ares was worthless throughout the entire book and actively helps her enemies because he is a complete coward and I felt like Wren was fighting with both hands tied behind her back. Wren deserves better.
I love Wren and how she becomes a true leader and the plot lines were interesting but She should be with Callan.
She spends more time with callan then she does with ares the coward.
November 4, 2022
This is a great conclusion to The Mating Games duology (it is crucial to read the first book before reading this one). Wren was put through heck during this book and came out stronger than ever! I was so glad Wren’s Supreme Alpha powers were explained more in-depth. Enduring struggles with controlling her powers, loss, and dealing with William and Laurel, there is plenty of drama surrounding Wren. Adding to Wren’s drama was Callan, a vampire who helps Wren because “the enemy of my enemy is a friend”. I wouldn’t mind if there was a novella following this book specifically focusing on Callan because I thought his dry humor and banter with Wren was great. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who like paranormal romance!
November 16, 2022
OMG what a conclusion! We carry on from book one where the mating games are over and Wren our supreme alpha thinks that she has lost her mate to her enemy and is struggling but taking it as she goes. There’s action, drama, witches, vampires and shifters and a story that you just cannot put down. New characters and old, challenges and deception, suspense and struggles, it’s fast paced, snarky, fun in places and let’s not forget the romance or the twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Questions are answered with everything being bought nicely together to give us an ending that is worthy of this duolgy.
December 9, 2022
I liked the amount of action and random plot twists that this book had, with witches and trials and werewolf politics and battles.
I will say that I was a little meh about the romance, I was not a fan of the male love interest, he had no personality or character growth more an idea of a perfect mate then an action character with depth. I did root for another love interest that never came to be, so I was a little disappointed. Overall this was a solid paranormal romance duology, with equal amounts of action and steam and a super capable main character who can save herself.
I will say that I was a little meh about the romance, I was not a fan of the male love interest, he had no personality or character growth more an idea of a perfect mate then an action character with depth. I did root for another love interest that never came to be, so I was a little disappointed. Overall this was a solid paranormal romance duology, with equal amounts of action and steam and a super capable main character who can save herself.
November 4, 2022
Do vampires and wolf's get a!ong, sometimes. The love life between Ares, a vampire and the Supreme Alpha Wren a wolf will never end but it becomes so powerful. A power loving vampire is trying to take over with all the vampires helping but wants Wren dead. Exciting fighting occurs and all neck breaks loose with some surprises in store. The first book explains more about Wren an Ares. Good reading.
November 6, 2022
This is an excellent conclusion to this duology. Wren and Ares can't seem to get a break, and now the witches have entered the dance too. The plot thickens and becomes even more complex as Wren struggles to find her way and understand who she can trust or not. Fast paced, beautifully written and constructed , I was hooked until the last word.
November 15, 2022
I recommend this book and duology for fans of the Bachelor series on TV. Drama, drama and more drama. Anxiety inducing conclusion to this duology. Good read. Poor Wren and Ares are put through the ringer and so well written, I was a little stressed out just reading it.
November 19, 2022
I enjoyed this more than book one.
I really liked the training to use the supreme alpha powers and how that ended up manifesting was pretty cool.
I enjoy the modern setting with all the tv drama and the final confrontation was really well written.
I really liked the training to use the supreme alpha powers and how that ended up manifesting was pretty cool.
I enjoy the modern setting with all the tv drama and the final confrontation was really well written.
August 18, 2023
Enthralling and captivating
Ingrid Seymour never disappoints and she certainly didn’t with The Dark Match! This was an amazing second book in this series. I highly recommend reading both books.
Ingrid Seymour never disappoints and she certainly didn’t with The Dark Match! This was an amazing second book in this series. I highly recommend reading both books.
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August 23, 2023Could not finish the book. I just hated Ares so much. He seemed like a coward and just stood watching everything unfold and I hated how she just forgave him in a second. Don’t like characters that have no spine.
September 7, 2022
Strong, intriguing characters that will draw you in. Don’t miss out once it’s released. Unbelievable story once again. You won’t want to miss the chance to connect with the characters
November 15, 2022
Wren and Ares continue to fight to be together in the second installment of this duology. Wren wants to protect her family but also defend her love for Ares and do away with the sinister William once and for all. As witches are introduced in "The Mating Games: Dark Match," Wren starts to discover powers within her that she wasn't aware of, leading her back to being Alpha. Emotions run high in this conclusion to the duology as friends are lost and battles waged to the death from all sides. Great conclusion to "The Mating Games!"
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November 17, 2022Dark
I loved the final book in this duology. It's a HEA, so we all know it's going too work out but the journey to get to the end was really great.
I loved the final book in this duology. It's a HEA, so we all know it's going too work out but the journey to get to the end was really great.
November 19, 2022
I wish this series had been longer but it was still great! Still very much worth the read, won't disappoint you at all.
November 30, 2022
Great story! Picking up right after the end of the mating games, Wren’s adventures continue. Great action and an entertaining plot line keep you on your toes. Very enjoyable!
October 26, 2024
Felt very repetitive and everything was convenient even when it went “badly” for them. Bland but not bad.
November 9, 2022
I loved the conclusion to this series. Wren is fighting for all that is right against William Wraith and Laurel. This book has power hungry enimies and love. We get to learn more about her Alpha powers and see epic battles.
November 16, 2022
It takes place right after book one Wren is home with her family again after the mating game.
She lost her love and her pack and other packs as well are now in danger of being wiped out by
her archrival Laurel the winner of the mating game.
Wren must learn to master being Supreme Alpha and fast before its to late.
But to do so she will need help of a witch coven.
And now it all begins.
Shifters Vampires and Witches it wont be much better than that.
The book is fast paced funny and filled with romance as well.
Recommended for anyone wanting to dream away to another place time and world.
One of the most entertaining reads of 2022
She lost her love and her pack and other packs as well are now in danger of being wiped out by
her archrival Laurel the winner of the mating game.
Wren must learn to master being Supreme Alpha and fast before its to late.
But to do so she will need help of a witch coven.
And now it all begins.
Shifters Vampires and Witches it wont be much better than that.
The book is fast paced funny and filled with romance as well.
Recommended for anyone wanting to dream away to another place time and world.
One of the most entertaining reads of 2022
November 11, 2022
A fantastic conclusion to this series. I do think you need to read book 1 in order to get the full story and I promise you will love it. I really like that we get to see Wren learn more and embrace her powers. Wren & Ares relationship gets truly tested in this book. Tons of action and suspense made this a hard to put down book. I enjoyed how the authors wrapped everything up but I do hope Callan gets a spin off. I look forward to seeing what these authors write next
November 15, 2022
This book was a great ending to The Mating Games story. So many things happened in one book and I loved the way Wren went through a bunch of trials and crazy situations before it finally gets to the final battle(s) which were so action packed I couldn’t put the book down. Over all I loved the book and the whole series it was definitely a page turner. If you like werewolves, vampires and witches with romance and a dark twist, this book is for you !
November 16, 2022
I could not put this book down, had to know how everything was going to go. We have suspense, some action, attitude and more. Follow along as Wren tries to figure out her Supreme Alpha powers. If Ares and Laurel get married. If William will rule. Then what does Callan really want? Does he want Wren or is he out for himself like usual. Will Ares ever figure out how to stop this wedding and William? I recieved a free copy for my honest review.
November 14, 2022
Book 1 was amazing and did a great job of setting up the story and this one brought it all to a thrilling conclusion. All my favorites are in it as they all struggle. Wren is amazing and learns more about herself and becomes even more amazing by the end. It was full of action, danger, intrigue and surprises. Entertaining ad so much fun to read and see how it all ends.
November 30, 2022
Great story! Picking up right after the end of the mating games, Wren’s adventures continue. Great action and an entertaining plot line keep you on your toes. Very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews