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Stolen Mates #1
The Feral's Captive
There's no escaping him...
Fate sucks.
As a shifter, I’ve always known that Fate—in the form of our goddess, the revered Luna—would have the final say when it came to my life. That includes everything: my pack, my rank, even my forever mate.
And I hate it.
I want to choose. I want my life to be mine, and if that makes me the odd one out in our pack? Oh, well. As a delta, it’s not like the higher ranks—our Alpha, his Beta, and the pack council—have much use for me anyway.
Still, even I’ll admit I’ve always been drawn to the Beta of the Sylvan Pack. When I discover that he’s my fated mate, it seems like giving in to the Luna’s demands might not be such a bad thing after all—until he rejects me for a female he can’t even have.
Because, yeah. Not only does Fate suck, it has a twisted sense of humor when it comes to me.
So that’s that. I have to pretend like my broken bond isn’t a constant ache while watching as my fated mate begs for table scraps from another wolf.
Is it any wonder that I start spending my free time in the woods surrounding our territory?
I wasn’t afraid. Even at my low rank, I know I’m scarier than anything else that lurks in the darkness of the trees. But I was wrong—and when I see those insane golden eyes staring at me, I know I’m in deep, deep trouble.
My name is Quinn Malone, and I’ve just been captured by a feral…
***
*The Feral's Captive is the first full-length book (~60,000 words) in the Stolen Mates duet of two interlinked standalones. Set in the same world as Never His Mate, shifters are an open secret, most humans are off-limits, and a feral wolf shifter male is wiling to sacrifice everything to steal the female he believes will make him sane again. And though it may not be fated, Quinn and Chase’s bond is just as undeniable…
This book is a rejected mates romance -- with Quinn first being rejected, then doing the rejecting -- but it's also a captive romance. It isn't dark, though shifters and vampires can be violent, and the smirk on Quinn's face depicted on the cover is pretty accurate. A shifter takes being chained up a little differently than a human would, and it doesn't take much for her to realize that her feral is actually trying to court her -- and she wants him to.
Fate sucks.
As a shifter, I’ve always known that Fate—in the form of our goddess, the revered Luna—would have the final say when it came to my life. That includes everything: my pack, my rank, even my forever mate.
And I hate it.
I want to choose. I want my life to be mine, and if that makes me the odd one out in our pack? Oh, well. As a delta, it’s not like the higher ranks—our Alpha, his Beta, and the pack council—have much use for me anyway.
Still, even I’ll admit I’ve always been drawn to the Beta of the Sylvan Pack. When I discover that he’s my fated mate, it seems like giving in to the Luna’s demands might not be such a bad thing after all—until he rejects me for a female he can’t even have.
Because, yeah. Not only does Fate suck, it has a twisted sense of humor when it comes to me.
So that’s that. I have to pretend like my broken bond isn’t a constant ache while watching as my fated mate begs for table scraps from another wolf.
Is it any wonder that I start spending my free time in the woods surrounding our territory?
I wasn’t afraid. Even at my low rank, I know I’m scarier than anything else that lurks in the darkness of the trees. But I was wrong—and when I see those insane golden eyes staring at me, I know I’m in deep, deep trouble.
My name is Quinn Malone, and I’ve just been captured by a feral…
***
*The Feral's Captive is the first full-length book (~60,000 words) in the Stolen Mates duet of two interlinked standalones. Set in the same world as Never His Mate, shifters are an open secret, most humans are off-limits, and a feral wolf shifter male is wiling to sacrifice everything to steal the female he believes will make him sane again. And though it may not be fated, Quinn and Chase’s bond is just as undeniable…
This book is a rejected mates romance -- with Quinn first being rejected, then doing the rejecting -- but it's also a captive romance. It isn't dark, though shifters and vampires can be violent, and the smirk on Quinn's face depicted on the cover is pretty accurate. A shifter takes being chained up a little differently than a human would, and it doesn't take much for her to realize that her feral is actually trying to court her -- and she wants him to.
310 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 14, 2022
First, I did not like the how the book consisted of 85% or more simply being Quinns inner dialogue. We stay inside her head and thoughts far too long. It is as if no other character mattered or existed. She drones on and on and on. She speaks of herself as if she is a badass she-wolf, but there was no evidence of this badassery.
Second, Chase was the MC, right??? Yeah, I left feeling like he was an afterthought. If you took all of his lines and put them all together, you might have half a page. There was no character build here.
Third, secondary characters were filler with no direct impact to the read. Secondary characters are crucial to a read in my opinion.
Not for me.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
Second, Chase was the MC, right??? Yeah, I left feeling like he was an afterthought. If you took all of his lines and put them all together, you might have half a page. There was no character build here.
Third, secondary characters were filler with no direct impact to the read. Secondary characters are crucial to a read in my opinion.
Not for me.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
dnf
July 13, 2022* This is a ranty "review". There are a few spoilers.
DNF At 61%
I went into this book with an open mind. What I ended up getting did not work for me. I've read a few Stockholm Syndrome-ish type books and some have. My main issue with this one was how wishy-washy the heroine was. One moment she's enraged that she's been kidnapped but the feral gives her a plate of food and suddenly he isn't so bad. He refuses to let her go because *MATE* and she storms off then he shows her a garden especially made for her and all is forgiven. Those types of situations gave me whiplash and I would very much like to get off this hellish ride thank you. I also disliked how long-winded and repetitive her inner monologue was. There were situations that were present in the book in real-time that were recapped 2 other times later on for no apparent reason. It was annoying, to say the least.
One interesting thing that I wanted more of was overall worldbuilding. The pack hierarchy was very cool to read about. The fate/Luna thing was also interesting. The world just felt unreasonably small and very separate (in terms of where she was kidnapped from and where the feral lived).
Throughout my read, I had a conspiracy theory that all this was part of a bigger *thing* but I will not be putting myself through any more of this book. I'm done. I will not be figuring out how this ends because I'm at the end of my rope.
P.S. I think I fixated on this because I found it so appalling but at one point in the story the feral gives her a bag of clothes without any undergarments and she puts on jeans. I'm sorry but do you enjoy being tortured?! There's a reason for the modern undergarments we wear. Pants/jeans are one of the reasons. 😂
DNF At 61%
I went into this book with an open mind. What I ended up getting did not work for me. I've read a few Stockholm Syndrome-ish type books and some have. My main issue with this one was how wishy-washy the heroine was. One moment she's enraged that she's been kidnapped but the feral gives her a plate of food and suddenly he isn't so bad. He refuses to let her go because *MATE* and she storms off then he shows her a garden especially made for her and all is forgiven. Those types of situations gave me whiplash and I would very much like to get off this hellish ride thank you. I also disliked how long-winded and repetitive her inner monologue was. There were situations that were present in the book in real-time that were recapped 2 other times later on for no apparent reason. It was annoying, to say the least.
One interesting thing that I wanted more of was overall worldbuilding. The pack hierarchy was very cool to read about. The fate/Luna thing was also interesting. The world just felt unreasonably small and very separate (in terms of where she was kidnapped from and where the feral lived).
Throughout my read, I had a conspiracy theory that all this was part of a bigger *thing* but I will not be putting myself through any more of this book. I'm done. I will not be figuring out how this ends because I'm at the end of my rope.
P.S. I think I fixated on this because I found it so appalling but at one point in the story the feral gives her a bag of clothes without any undergarments and she puts on jeans. I'm sorry but do you enjoy being tortured?! There's a reason for the modern undergarments we wear. Pants/jeans are one of the reasons. 😂
March 24, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Our rejected FMC, Quinn, is abducted by a feral shifter who has decided she is his mate. This first person single POV book was occasionally a bit over the top, but fit well in omegaverse. It was focused on how much the MMC, Chase, was able to regain sanity and how willing Quinn was to let go of her past.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: abduction, violence
Our rejected FMC, Quinn, is abducted by a feral shifter who has decided she is his mate. This first person single POV book was occasionally a bit over the top, but fit well in omegaverse. It was focused on how much the MMC, Chase, was able to regain sanity and how willing Quinn was to let go of her past.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: abduction, violence
January 6, 2025
No tengo mucho que decir, solo quería algo de hombres lobo y me deje llevar.
No pienso leer el segundo ya que me enoja mucho los protagonistas así que solo les diré que no es bueno pero me entretuvo.
No pienso leer el segundo ya que me enoja mucho los protagonistas así que solo les diré que no es bueno pero me entretuvo.
July 5, 2022
3.5/5.0
LOVED Chase! He’s an alpha that is completely broken and feral, but he finds the one woman who calms him and gives him his life back. So he steals her, then sets about wooing her in the sweetest but screwed up ways. One can’t help but fall in love with him.
Quinn? Meh. She spent so long pathetically yearning for a guy who spurns her at every turn and watches him throw himself EVERY. DAY at another woman. Yet, she steadfastly refuses to even acknowledge Chase, who is doing everything in his power to win her? Pffft. Yes, she does finally come around but too little too late for me to really love her as a character.
And West? Oh good grief! He is such a pathetic loser the way he trails behind Helene and begs for her scraps. Why would I ever want to read their story (which is next up, I see)? UGH! The ONLY way that one would work IMHO, is if he MOVED ON and found someone who rocked his world.
Still, the world is awesome, the overall stories are engaging and I do really like Ms. Spades writing style. So….
LOVED Chase! He’s an alpha that is completely broken and feral, but he finds the one woman who calms him and gives him his life back. So he steals her, then sets about wooing her in the sweetest but screwed up ways. One can’t help but fall in love with him.
Quinn? Meh. She spent so long pathetically yearning for a guy who spurns her at every turn and watches him throw himself EVERY. DAY at another woman. Yet, she steadfastly refuses to even acknowledge Chase, who is doing everything in his power to win her? Pffft. Yes, she does finally come around but too little too late for me to really love her as a character.
And West? Oh good grief! He is such a pathetic loser the way he trails behind Helene and begs for her scraps. Why would I ever want to read their story (which is next up, I see)? UGH! The ONLY way that one would work IMHO, is if he MOVED ON and found someone who rocked his world.
Still, the world is awesome, the overall stories are engaging and I do really like Ms. Spades writing style. So….
July 15, 2022
Whelp, this was a disaster. I’m still flabbergasted at the sheer ridiculousness of it. I wish I would have DNFed.
She spent all of the beginning upset that her mate spends all his time with another wolf, one who has been his girlfriend for years, only to reject him in the end and for him to thank her!! 🤣🤣🤦🏻♀️ then she winks at him like this whole thing has been a joke?!? She has this brilliant epiphany that she should have just done that sooner! What a freaking genius this one is! I just can not. So so dumb. The writing is awful too. The word she-wolf is used so many times that it made me want to cry lol. “I’m awesome because I’m a she wolf”, “no one messes with me, I’m she wolf” “look at me I’m a she wolf”. 😩 The writing is so so so rough and the editing nonexistent. The only reason I pushed through was to see West get his and instead he gets a smile, a joke, and pat on the back. Ah, what a pal that mate was who rejected you! 🙄🙄 FML but no worries because she gets alpha feral dick now instead 🤦🏻♀️
She spent all of the beginning upset that her mate spends all his time with another wolf, one who has been his girlfriend for years, only to reject him in the end and for him to thank her!! 🤣🤣🤦🏻♀️ then she winks at him like this whole thing has been a joke?!? She has this brilliant epiphany that she should have just done that sooner! What a freaking genius this one is! I just can not. So so dumb. The writing is awful too. The word she-wolf is used so many times that it made me want to cry lol. “I’m awesome because I’m a she wolf”, “no one messes with me, I’m she wolf” “look at me I’m a she wolf”. 😩 The writing is so so so rough and the editing nonexistent. The only reason I pushed through was to see West get his and instead he gets a smile, a joke, and pat on the back. Ah, what a pal that mate was who rejected you! 🙄🙄 FML but no worries because she gets alpha feral dick now instead 🤦🏻♀️
June 27, 2023
3.5
This was solid, but I think I enjoyed the first half a little more than the second half. Overall, it was good!
This was solid, but I think I enjoyed the first half a little more than the second half. Overall, it was good!
July 2, 2022
Rushed
Needs a proofreader asap. The first half of the book was flowing even with so many errors. But the other 54% somehow it seemed to become very rushed. Our H seemed upset by the actions of our feral, yet one incident just automatically changes that. The ending was just as rushed to give us that happily ever after we needed. And I can 100% say I won't be bothering with the second book, because lets face it. West can suck a D! I will not read that man geting his HEA!
Needs a proofreader asap. The first half of the book was flowing even with so many errors. But the other 54% somehow it seemed to become very rushed. Our H seemed upset by the actions of our feral, yet one incident just automatically changes that. The ending was just as rushed to give us that happily ever after we needed. And I can 100% say I won't be bothering with the second book, because lets face it. West can suck a D! I will not read that man geting his HEA!
October 18, 2022
The 2 stars are for the heroine. I love a shifter story where the heroine is a welcome and normal member of her pack, she's a little girly, and she's in touch with her inner wolf. I enjoyed the community and backstory of her rejection.
But the actual story was flat and poorly written after the romance started. A LOT of tell and not show, as if we were reading an outline of the events instead of actually being in the story.
But the actual story was flat and poorly written after the romance started. A LOT of tell and not show, as if we were reading an outline of the events instead of actually being in the story.
July 4, 2022
Rushed.
I really liked the idea of this book but somehow after reading it, I was left unsatisfied. The concept that mates can reject the pull isn't fully explained. The epilogue wasn't much help either, even though it was in West's pov. It seems in poor taste for a second book that already feels like a copy of this. The entire wolf universe seems to be offset because if a mate rejects their fated, wouldn't that mean there is always going to be a heartbroken reject? Seems like the author is just created chaos for the sake of a story, which normally is great, except in this case the story didn't live up because of how rushed it came off as.
I really liked the idea of this book but somehow after reading it, I was left unsatisfied. The concept that mates can reject the pull isn't fully explained. The epilogue wasn't much help either, even though it was in West's pov. It seems in poor taste for a second book that already feels like a copy of this. The entire wolf universe seems to be offset because if a mate rejects their fated, wouldn't that mean there is always going to be a heartbroken reject? Seems like the author is just created chaos for the sake of a story, which normally is great, except in this case the story didn't live up because of how rushed it came off as.
August 16, 2025
Due to the author's note, I was expecting a fun female lead who turns the tables on a vicious male lead, confusing him, interesting him, seducing him with her wit and, finally, making him want to get his shit together for her.
That was not what I got.
Writing was poor, storytelling was repetitive (yes, I know you're a she-wolf, either act like it or shut up already!) and filled with holes (female could have been rescued at any time but choose to keep her mating bond closed), female lead was a useless idiot (you know silver burns so use the frickin' blanket to protect your hands, moron), male lead was dull as dishwater and relationship-building was the male lead having all the power and using it to bulldoze and emotionally manipulate the vulnerable, desperate female lead into being with him. And the whole 'I want her so I am entitled to her' vibe was very incel.
Do not recommend.
That was not what I got.
Writing was poor, storytelling was repetitive (yes, I know you're a she-wolf, either act like it or shut up already!) and filled with holes (female could have been rescued at any time but choose to keep her mating bond closed), female lead was a useless idiot (you know silver burns so use the frickin' blanket to protect your hands, moron), male lead was dull as dishwater and relationship-building was the male lead having all the power and using it to bulldoze and emotionally manipulate the vulnerable, desperate female lead into being with him. And the whole 'I want her so I am entitled to her' vibe was very incel.
Do not recommend.
August 11, 2022
I thought the story started so good but I just couldn't get into the storyline. Quinn, a plain packmate, is fated to Weston, pack's Beta. Weston is in love with someone else and completely ignores Quinn for months. Quinn gets kidnapped by a feral Alpha wolf and they end up being chosen mates. Quinn is literally chained inside Chance 's house and he tries to convince her that he will be a good mate to her. She rejects Weston and he thanks her.
It just felt like the drama was building for nothing. Weston has no regrets and if anything he is shown as someone who did Quinn a favor. His love interest, Helen, was weird. It seems she always softly rejected Weston and hence she can't be the bad guy either. Quinn noted how she can not leave this pack because she belongs there but then she literally left to live alone with Chase. The story has too many contradictions, and the storyline felt forced to make everyone look good.
It just felt like the drama was building for nothing. Weston has no regrets and if anything he is shown as someone who did Quinn a favor. His love interest, Helen, was weird. It seems she always softly rejected Weston and hence she can't be the bad guy either. Quinn noted how she can not leave this pack because she belongs there but then she literally left to live alone with Chase. The story has too many contradictions, and the storyline felt forced to make everyone look good.
April 9, 2024
Plot reminds me of similar shifterverse fanfics that were popular back in the day... for the sake of nostalgia I won't be a total hater to this book 🫢
I will, however, point out the lack of editing and huge amount of mistakes found throughout the book were a big turn-off, same with the storyline being so.. bland..
Mmc imprisoned Fmc and after her initial shock and resistance miss girl changes her mind 3 days in on not hating him at all and maybe renouncing her unavailable mate is the right call; don't get me wrong that was the right choice but damn your mind got changed with a few sweet words and a backyard full of wildflowers?
Bo-ringg 😴
I will, however, point out the lack of editing and huge amount of mistakes found throughout the book were a big turn-off, same with the storyline being so.. bland..
Mmc imprisoned Fmc and after her initial shock and resistance miss girl changes her mind 3 days in on not hating him at all and maybe renouncing her unavailable mate is the right call; don't get me wrong that was the right choice but damn your mind got changed with a few sweet words and a backyard full of wildflowers?
Bo-ringg 😴
June 6, 2025
DNF @27%
I'm bored of reading about Quinn and her unfulfilled mate bond with West and yada, yada, yada.....
The progression of the story just isn't jiving with me so I'm moving on.
I'm bored of reading about Quinn and her unfulfilled mate bond with West and yada, yada, yada.....
The progression of the story just isn't jiving with me so I'm moving on.
September 15, 2025
This was not for me at all.
Spoilers?
Alright I should have just given up at the 50 percent mark but I'm in such a reading slump I forced myself to keep going and it did not get better. We spend over half the book with her pining after West, and being in the early stages of her captivity. That is around 30 percent too much for a book like this.
The characters are flat and don't draw you in. Her only personality trait that comes through is being stuck on West and not being able to let the situation go. She then bases all decisions and her entire life around that fact.
Chase is feral. The end. we get some declarations that are meant to make us like him but without any build up or background I could not bring myself to care.
Honestly I picked this up thinking it would be a quick read and get me out of my slump but I fear it made it significantly worse
Spoilers?
Alright I should have just given up at the 50 percent mark but I'm in such a reading slump I forced myself to keep going and it did not get better. We spend over half the book with her pining after West, and being in the early stages of her captivity. That is around 30 percent too much for a book like this.
The characters are flat and don't draw you in. Her only personality trait that comes through is being stuck on West and not being able to let the situation go. She then bases all decisions and her entire life around that fact.
Chase is feral. The end. we get some declarations that are meant to make us like him but without any build up or background I could not bring myself to care.
Honestly I picked this up thinking it would be a quick read and get me out of my slump but I fear it made it significantly worse
February 28, 2024
An entertaining read of a rejected wolf getting her second chance, albeit with her stalker and kidnapper, but a second chance nonetheless. It was interesting that the alpha had to work to get his chosen female wolf to fall for him rather than the typical shifter story where there is an insta-bond so I found the story refreshingly different and entertaining enough that I'll follow through and read the next book in the series as it also seems to be an unorthodox pairing between wolf shifters. Not overly steamy as the body aerobics don't start until much later in the book than typical. Overall, I'd say an entertaining read that doesn't follow the normal formula for wolf pairings so I'm off to see what happens in the next book in the series!
January 7, 2025
2,5⭐️
December 20, 2024
1 Star - DNF @ 22%
I was really intrigued by this series. Especially looking forward to checking out this authors Sombra Demons series as well. And after reading the small amount I did I'm reconsidering even trying their other series as much as that disappoints me.
This book while intriguing in theory was just boring af. I made it 5 whole ass chapters but I couldn't make myself read anymore. The sad thing is there wasn't anything outright bad about the story or the writing. Not really. Yes, I now know this authors writing style is likely not for me. Why? Well, if you want to read endless pages of the FMC giving you a complete teaching and history lesson on wolves, their pack dynamics, mating rules, a complete break down of her thought process and everything else that pops in her head then maybe unlike me you'll find this enjoyable. Me, well I did not. I got real bored real fast and even skimming the endless inner monologuing and information dumping didn't help or move things along. And truly how many times did the FMC need to remind us how her mate was in love with the pack Omega? Twice was plenty. And also with the repeating that she was scarier than anything that might be lurking in the woods...well I guess she was wrong considering she got kidnapped by a feral alpha wolf 😂
I tried. I knew by chapter 3 this wasn't gonna work for me but I gave it two more chapters and my opinion didn't change. I really wanted to enjoy this but...🤷🏻♀️
I was really intrigued by this series. Especially looking forward to checking out this authors Sombra Demons series as well. And after reading the small amount I did I'm reconsidering even trying their other series as much as that disappoints me.
This book while intriguing in theory was just boring af. I made it 5 whole ass chapters but I couldn't make myself read anymore. The sad thing is there wasn't anything outright bad about the story or the writing. Not really. Yes, I now know this authors writing style is likely not for me. Why? Well, if you want to read endless pages of the FMC giving you a complete teaching and history lesson on wolves, their pack dynamics, mating rules, a complete break down of her thought process and everything else that pops in her head then maybe unlike me you'll find this enjoyable. Me, well I did not. I got real bored real fast and even skimming the endless inner monologuing and information dumping didn't help or move things along. And truly how many times did the FMC need to remind us how her mate was in love with the pack Omega? Twice was plenty. And also with the repeating that she was scarier than anything that might be lurking in the woods...well I guess she was wrong considering she got kidnapped by a feral alpha wolf 😂
I tried. I knew by chapter 3 this wasn't gonna work for me but I gave it two more chapters and my opinion didn't change. I really wanted to enjoy this but...🤷🏻♀️
January 19, 2025
Paranormal/Werewolf Standalone. (1 of 2 books that connect through members of the same pack) / 322 pages / Indie Published on Amazon. June, 28, 2022
POV: First person – Heroine (Quinn)
HEROINE: Quinn Malone: 26 Delta, fated to the pack beta (named West) that loves another wolf
HERO: Chase: Late 20’s early 30’s. Feral Alpha, living alone on the edge of vampire territory
WRITING: Not very succinct. There were quite a few times I had to stop and reread something to understand what the author was trying to say. Some parts were over explained leading to unnecessary fluff and there were times she just added in useless information that again just made it seem like she was adding to the word count instead of information vital to the storyline.
EDITING: 2/5 There were plenty of instances where the wrong word was used and there were several incomplete sentences.
PLOT: After being fated to the beta of her pack, Quinn spends several months alone waiting and hoping for her fated mate to claim her even though he is obviously in love with another wolf. One day she is kidnapped by a feral alpha wolf who randomly came upon her scent and was drawn to her. This alpha decides that he wants her and after basically watching & stalking her for 9 months, he finally kidnaps her when he sees the beta she is fated to, talking to her. He drugs Quinn and chains her up in his basement, threatening to force feed her if she doesn’t eat. She agrees to stay with him for a few weeks until the next full moon, and somehow, she is wooed by him. (Can you say Florence Nightingale Syndrome?!) Eventually, just as she decides she wants to stay with the feral alpha, her fated beta and 3 packmates arrive to ‘save’ her and bring her home. She finally rejects her beta (why couldn’t either of them do it before?!) the next morning just when Chase arrives to take her back. She runs off with him and they live HEA
MY THOUGHTS: This was a different take on the whole ‘fated mates’ concept. The beta and delta fated together both reject the bond. One because he is in love with another wolf, and the other eventually does because she falls for someone else. She also says she ‘wants to choose’ her own fate and wants someone who wants her, as opposed to who the Luna fated to her. The alpha in the story never mentions who his fated mate is or if he has/had one, but chooses the FMC, denying any chance of possibly finding a fated mate. I found the story lacking depth. It all seemed rushed, and ingenuine. There were so many editing errors, it was difficult to really immerse myself in the story. I found myself skimming quite often to get past the repetition, over explaining and unnecessary fluff.
STEAM: 2 / 5 There is one spicy scene and it’s very basic.
ENDING: HEA, Epilogue – Sets up the next book (West's Story, which I will be skipping)
POV: First person – Heroine (Quinn)
HEROINE: Quinn Malone: 26 Delta, fated to the pack beta (named West) that loves another wolf
HERO: Chase: Late 20’s early 30’s. Feral Alpha, living alone on the edge of vampire territory
WRITING: Not very succinct. There were quite a few times I had to stop and reread something to understand what the author was trying to say. Some parts were over explained leading to unnecessary fluff and there were times she just added in useless information that again just made it seem like she was adding to the word count instead of information vital to the storyline.
EDITING: 2/5 There were plenty of instances where the wrong word was used and there were several incomplete sentences.
PLOT: After being fated to the beta of her pack, Quinn spends several months alone waiting and hoping for her fated mate to claim her even though he is obviously in love with another wolf. One day she is kidnapped by a feral alpha wolf who randomly came upon her scent and was drawn to her. This alpha decides that he wants her and after basically watching & stalking her for 9 months, he finally kidnaps her when he sees the beta she is fated to, talking to her. He drugs Quinn and chains her up in his basement, threatening to force feed her if she doesn’t eat. She agrees to stay with him for a few weeks until the next full moon, and somehow, she is wooed by him. (Can you say Florence Nightingale Syndrome?!) Eventually, just as she decides she wants to stay with the feral alpha, her fated beta and 3 packmates arrive to ‘save’ her and bring her home. She finally rejects her beta (why couldn’t either of them do it before?!) the next morning just when Chase arrives to take her back. She runs off with him and they live HEA
MY THOUGHTS: This was a different take on the whole ‘fated mates’ concept. The beta and delta fated together both reject the bond. One because he is in love with another wolf, and the other eventually does because she falls for someone else. She also says she ‘wants to choose’ her own fate and wants someone who wants her, as opposed to who the Luna fated to her. The alpha in the story never mentions who his fated mate is or if he has/had one, but chooses the FMC, denying any chance of possibly finding a fated mate. I found the story lacking depth. It all seemed rushed, and ingenuine. There were so many editing errors, it was difficult to really immerse myself in the story. I found myself skimming quite often to get past the repetition, over explaining and unnecessary fluff.
STEAM: 2 / 5 There is one spicy scene and it’s very basic.
ENDING: HEA, Epilogue – Sets up the next book (West's Story, which I will be skipping)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
Soo.... This book is - meh. I saw it listed as "to read" on someone else's page, the description sounded interesting. However, this story was not that great. I like shifter, specially wolf, romances. This one is interesting because the author does set up a pack dynamic. Our main character, Quinn Malone is a delta in the Hickory wolf pack.
Roughly six months before the book starts, Quinn realizes that her true mate is West who is the beta of their pack. The problem is that West is in love with Helene, the alpha's younger sister + the omega of the pack. West refuses to acknowledge the true mate bond with Quinn. Which sends Quinn into depression. She was removed from her duties & isolated from the members of the pack. Quinn spends her time sitting in a field of flowers underneath the Hickory trees, away from the pack settlement and hiding in her cabin.
West approaches Quinn one day and informs her that she can no longer go out into the woods as the pack patrols have found prints in the dirt belonging to an unknown wolf. West makes it clear that he is only informing her as the beta of the pack, not her mate. He actually refuses to even speak of the mate bond to Quinn or anyone else.
Out of hurt, anger and to give a big FU to West, Quinn goes to her field of flowers and is promptly abducted by a massive alpha shifter.
Turns out the Alpha shifter is feral, lives alone at the edge of a vampire settlement (the mortal enemy of all wolf shifters) and believes that Quinn is his mate. Quinn has to overcome her fate and reject the bond with West.
But the feral shifter has to prove that he is the wolf for Quinn.
My issues with this story:
The wolves characters are not fully fleshed out. A background on the world, etc wouldn't be bad. Quinn keeps saying she is tough, but doesn't show it. Chase had an interesting back story, but the way his behavior is written does not read tough, alpha shifter - it reads "clingy, creepy stalking mama's boy."
A mate bond: the most powerful, sacred thing in shifter communities - can be ignored? Rejected and replaced without much trouble. Uh.. if it is soo easy, why was it even part of the story plot?
Either way, this was a spontaneous read, I did start & finish it last night. But I will not be reading the rest of this series
Roughly six months before the book starts, Quinn realizes that her true mate is West who is the beta of their pack. The problem is that West is in love with Helene, the alpha's younger sister + the omega of the pack. West refuses to acknowledge the true mate bond with Quinn. Which sends Quinn into depression. She was removed from her duties & isolated from the members of the pack. Quinn spends her time sitting in a field of flowers underneath the Hickory trees, away from the pack settlement and hiding in her cabin.
West approaches Quinn one day and informs her that she can no longer go out into the woods as the pack patrols have found prints in the dirt belonging to an unknown wolf. West makes it clear that he is only informing her as the beta of the pack, not her mate. He actually refuses to even speak of the mate bond to Quinn or anyone else.
Out of hurt, anger and to give a big FU to West, Quinn goes to her field of flowers and is promptly abducted by a massive alpha shifter.
Turns out the Alpha shifter is feral, lives alone at the edge of a vampire settlement (the mortal enemy of all wolf shifters) and believes that Quinn is his mate. Quinn has to overcome her fate and reject the bond with West.
But the feral shifter has to prove that he is the wolf for Quinn.
My issues with this story:
The wolves characters are not fully fleshed out. A background on the world, etc wouldn't be bad. Quinn keeps saying she is tough, but doesn't show it. Chase had an interesting back story, but the way his behavior is written does not read tough, alpha shifter - it reads "clingy, creepy stalking mama's boy."
A mate bond: the most powerful, sacred thing in shifter communities - can be ignored? Rejected and replaced without much trouble. Uh.. if it is soo easy, why was it even part of the story plot?
Either way, this was a spontaneous read, I did start & finish it last night. But I will not be reading the rest of this series
February 26, 2024
The prose and dialogue were not bad, but I couldn’t really connect with the characters. I liked the premise: The FMC has a fated mate, her pack’s beta, who has all-but-rejected her without actually saying the words, leaving her in an awkward in-between place where she isn’t his mate, but she can’t move on. She is then kidnapped by the MMC, a feral shifter who wants to claim her as his own, but still has enough humanity left in him to want her to love him back.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. The FMC’s heartbreak wasn’t raw enough, maybe; I never really felt like the choice, such as it is, between her fated mate and her captor was all that tough of a decision. She fought so hard to get the MMC to treat her like a person, to trust her to stick around, and to make her own choices, but she never fought half as hard to get herself alone in a room with her fated mate and really confront him about what he had done to her. Perhaps if she had tried to get under his skin, and she saw how painfully conflicted he was, her decision not to pressure him would’ve been more understandable.
In the end, however, she concludes that she never really believed in fate, and wanted to make her own choice anyway, which is why she never tried that hard with him, but… I’m not sure what she and the MMC have in common, or why they chose each other either. There’s a missing piece there, I think. He lacks a draw outside of being sexy and alpha. It’s mentioned that wolves need others like them to feel healthy, balanced, normal, and the FMC misses her pack greatly, but the MMC hasn’t got his own pack.
Maybe some “found family” elements could have made the FMC’s choice to leave her pack more relatable, since it was pretty obvious that nobody really cared for the FMC after she was missing for weeks. She has no friends. Giving them a chance to spend time with other people would’ve humanized the MMC as well. But it’s a short book, and this would’ve pulled the focus away from the MCs, so I get it.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing. The FMC’s heartbreak wasn’t raw enough, maybe; I never really felt like the choice, such as it is, between her fated mate and her captor was all that tough of a decision. She fought so hard to get the MMC to treat her like a person, to trust her to stick around, and to make her own choices, but she never fought half as hard to get herself alone in a room with her fated mate and really confront him about what he had done to her. Perhaps if she had tried to get under his skin, and she saw how painfully conflicted he was, her decision not to pressure him would’ve been more understandable.
In the end, however, she concludes that she never really believed in fate, and wanted to make her own choice anyway, which is why she never tried that hard with him, but… I’m not sure what she and the MMC have in common, or why they chose each other either. There’s a missing piece there, I think. He lacks a draw outside of being sexy and alpha. It’s mentioned that wolves need others like them to feel healthy, balanced, normal, and the FMC misses her pack greatly, but the MMC hasn’t got his own pack.
Maybe some “found family” elements could have made the FMC’s choice to leave her pack more relatable, since it was pretty obvious that nobody really cared for the FMC after she was missing for weeks. She has no friends. Giving them a chance to spend time with other people would’ve humanized the MMC as well. But it’s a short book, and this would’ve pulled the focus away from the MCs, so I get it.
September 6, 2025
The book had a lot of promise — the title itself clearly tells you what the story is about — but I was ultimately left disappointed. The kidnapping plotline felt completely unnecessary. The whole Stockholm Syndrome setup and trauma bonding didn’t work for me, because it wasn’t needed. If the hero had just pursued her openly, she likely would have been with him anyway.
Oddly enough, the stalking didn’t put me off as much as the heroine’s reaction to it. She wasn’t resistant enough, and she kept normalizing the situation as if it was okay. The Omegaverse context seemed to be used as a justification for his actions, when we, as readers, know those actions were wrong. This made the chemistry between them feel off — it existed, but in a way that felt uncomfortable rather than romantic.
I’ve read captive romances before and enjoyed them, but those stories typically had more grit, stronger stakes, and a real enemies-to-lovers tension that kept me engaged. For example, in other books, the hero’s reasons for kidnapping were urgent and believable — protecting a child, survival, revenge — and the heroine’s resistance made the emotional payoff satisfying. Here, he kidnapped her on a random day for no compelling reason, and the explanation felt weak.
The ending also didn’t work for me. It felt rushed and didn’t resolve the issues in a satisfying way. The book definitely had potential, but for me, that potential wasn’t met.
Oddly enough, the stalking didn’t put me off as much as the heroine’s reaction to it. She wasn’t resistant enough, and she kept normalizing the situation as if it was okay. The Omegaverse context seemed to be used as a justification for his actions, when we, as readers, know those actions were wrong. This made the chemistry between them feel off — it existed, but in a way that felt uncomfortable rather than romantic.
I’ve read captive romances before and enjoyed them, but those stories typically had more grit, stronger stakes, and a real enemies-to-lovers tension that kept me engaged. For example, in other books, the hero’s reasons for kidnapping were urgent and believable — protecting a child, survival, revenge — and the heroine’s resistance made the emotional payoff satisfying. Here, he kidnapped her on a random day for no compelling reason, and the explanation felt weak.
The ending also didn’t work for me. It felt rushed and didn’t resolve the issues in a satisfying way. The book definitely had potential, but for me, that potential wasn’t met.
August 17, 2022
The idea of rejected fated mate bring so many question for me. If you read PNR/shifter romance, you'll know that mate bond is for life. Its imposibble to break the bond except in death.
And i have to say, the bond between Quinn and West? I wouldn't call in bond mate for its so weak and neither of them binded to it.
So i'm just gonna call it best friend crush until she find her true soul mate
I actually like Quinn and Chase characters. She's tough and he is that i want u from the start and now i will have you kinda guy but he's doing it all sweet.
Yes, there's chaining her to the wall, but when i expect he's gonna gp all alpha and mount her or whatever, Chase is actually sweet and devoted mate to her.
If you need your romance to have dirty smegsi like me, sorry to say its long waiting as in almost to the end of the book. And not that dirty as a feral in my imagination would go.
For the writing, too many repetitive. Like, the things talk about in chapt 1 were back in half of chapt 2. Then the author could keep going on the monologue, i can't remember what was the main thing she talk about.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
And i have to say, the bond between Quinn and West? I wouldn't call in bond mate for its so weak and neither of them binded to it.
So i'm just gonna call it best friend crush until she find her true soul mate
I actually like Quinn and Chase characters. She's tough and he is that i want u from the start and now i will have you kinda guy but he's doing it all sweet.
Yes, there's chaining her to the wall, but when i expect he's gonna gp all alpha and mount her or whatever, Chase is actually sweet and devoted mate to her.
If you need your romance to have dirty smegsi like me, sorry to say its long waiting as in almost to the end of the book. And not that dirty as a feral in my imagination would go.
For the writing, too many repetitive. Like, the things talk about in chapt 1 were back in half of chapt 2. Then the author could keep going on the monologue, i can't remember what was the main thing she talk about.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2022
Quinn and case
A little different in storyline Quinn finds out her fated mate is West the beta and friend of hers but he has been in a relationship with Helena for years only they found out a few months ago her mate is a alpha in another pack.messy.West rejected Quinn (only he doesn't say it, it clear as he is still chasing after his ex with flowers) six months has past and he keeps away from her staying loyal to his heart and chosen.with the bond Quinn struggles with mix feeling she hates choices taken away from her parentless since 12 pack keeps making her choices for her.then one day a feral alpha wolf kidnaps her (chase) interesting storyline.
I felt so sorry for Quinn, West and chase hearts broken.as we learned about chase (Quinn's pov) I was worried West would get her but chase truly loves her he watches her for 9 months stalker yes but in his state he didn't have much choice it's heart breaking really I would like to see him get better and get a pack maybe move away from the bad smell have pups would be funny to see him adjust after all he is intelligent and a alpha he would be a good one.
West gets his story next but not out yet in February.(not sure I like Helena but you know it will be her)
A little different in storyline Quinn finds out her fated mate is West the beta and friend of hers but he has been in a relationship with Helena for years only they found out a few months ago her mate is a alpha in another pack.messy.West rejected Quinn (only he doesn't say it, it clear as he is still chasing after his ex with flowers) six months has past and he keeps away from her staying loyal to his heart and chosen.with the bond Quinn struggles with mix feeling she hates choices taken away from her parentless since 12 pack keeps making her choices for her.then one day a feral alpha wolf kidnaps her (chase) interesting storyline.
I felt so sorry for Quinn, West and chase hearts broken.as we learned about chase (Quinn's pov) I was worried West would get her but chase truly loves her he watches her for 9 months stalker yes but in his state he didn't have much choice it's heart breaking really I would like to see him get better and get a pack maybe move away from the bad smell have pups would be funny to see him adjust after all he is intelligent and a alpha he would be a good one.
West gets his story next but not out yet in February.(not sure I like Helena but you know it will be her)
July 29, 2023
'The Feral's Captive' races through its storyline at a brisk pace, propelling the reader through the narrative but leaving little time for character development. The plot is rather predictable, adhering to familiar tropes and patterns that make the story easy to follow but not particularly surprising or innovative.
The romance within the book is nicely executed, offering a respite from the fast-paced nature of the story and providing some heartfelt moments. However, the lack of character depth diminishes the potential intensity and believability of these romantic encounters.
Another shortcoming is the appearance of plot elements that seem forced or haphazardly inserted. These aspects of the story interrupt the flow and can feel disorienting, as though they've been shoehorned in to guide the plot along a predestined curve.
Overall, 'The Feral's Captive' offers a quick and somewhat enjoyable read. However, its predictability and lack of character development, along with its occasional awkward plot manipulations, hold it back from reaching its full potential. This book might appeal to those seeking a speedy read, but those looking for depth and unpredictability may be left wanting more.
The romance within the book is nicely executed, offering a respite from the fast-paced nature of the story and providing some heartfelt moments. However, the lack of character depth diminishes the potential intensity and believability of these romantic encounters.
Another shortcoming is the appearance of plot elements that seem forced or haphazardly inserted. These aspects of the story interrupt the flow and can feel disorienting, as though they've been shoehorned in to guide the plot along a predestined curve.
Overall, 'The Feral's Captive' offers a quick and somewhat enjoyable read. However, its predictability and lack of character development, along with its occasional awkward plot manipulations, hold it back from reaching its full potential. This book might appeal to those seeking a speedy read, but those looking for depth and unpredictability may be left wanting more.
August 30, 2022
Quinn is a delta she-wolf with no special abilities. However the goddess Luna has made her the beta's fated mate. Quinn would have been happy mating West the beta but he is in love with the pack's omega. He feels the connection but he wants nothing to do with Quinn. He could formally reject her but he just keeps her hanging. Quinn is tired of the rejection from the mate who should treat her like a queen and the pity from the rest of her pack. She is spending more and more time alone in her favorite spot in the woods. One day, she is there, a strange alpha wolf overpowers her and drugs her. He takes her back to his lair. When Quinn wakes up, she knows is now a captive for the alpha. At first she thinks Chase is an alpha lone wolf who stole her to become his mate but she quickly learns that Chase is an intelligent feral wolf. He won't give up until she agrees to mate him. Quinn is torn. She has finally found a wolf who will do anything to mate her but he is feral and maybe dangerous.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2024
Absolutely hated West, and it was like half way through the author realized she was going to make a book about West and Helene and she didn’t want her readers to hate them anymore.
I mean it’s a little too late now?! Helene never put an end to Wests courting and West kept publicly courting and ignoring his fated mate in favor of Helene even though it was devastating to Quinn. There was zero groveling and barely even an apology from West (if you can even call it that). Helene for her part NEVER even tried to ease the pain Quinn was suffering or even apologize for her continued part.
The Alpha was a huge jerk like - yeah I totally knew a random alpha wolf was STALKING you and yeah I knew you were fated to my beta and he was slowly killing you and driving you mad with his behavior, but I thought the stalker could make you happy….WHAT?! I mean just what the fuck. Isn’t he supposed to want to protect his people not hope some fucking random takes care of the “problem” so his beta and sister can continue to pine for each other in peace?????
Hated the whole pack, they all sat and watched this poor girls suffering and did nothing, said nothing.
I mean it’s a little too late now?! Helene never put an end to Wests courting and West kept publicly courting and ignoring his fated mate in favor of Helene even though it was devastating to Quinn. There was zero groveling and barely even an apology from West (if you can even call it that). Helene for her part NEVER even tried to ease the pain Quinn was suffering or even apologize for her continued part.
The Alpha was a huge jerk like - yeah I totally knew a random alpha wolf was STALKING you and yeah I knew you were fated to my beta and he was slowly killing you and driving you mad with his behavior, but I thought the stalker could make you happy….WHAT?! I mean just what the fuck. Isn’t he supposed to want to protect his people not hope some fucking random takes care of the “problem” so his beta and sister can continue to pine for each other in peace?????
Hated the whole pack, they all sat and watched this poor girls suffering and did nothing, said nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
Great idea, failed to deliver.
Nope!!!
Firstly, just cause the author says it’s not Stockholm Syndrome, that’s it’s a wolf thing, doesn’t make it plausible.
(Don’t b fooled, it’s not a DR, despite the setup. It’s very weak & harmless, polite even.)
She was literally chained to the wall & isolated for several days, in a cabin that was in a dangerous location (think a prison on an island surrounded by sharks), before being allowed to wander around inside only, unable to escape..
Plus, like everyone else has noted, waaaay too much repetition & internal thoughts (70%).
Waaaay too much justification for actions or treatments that are blatantly wrong.
No truly likeable characters (though in fairness, I only made it to aprox 45%, b4 skipping to the end. Wanted to read her rejecting West. Major disappointment!!).
I’m pissed because I liked the idea, & the writing had a lot of potential. It’s what kept me reading for so long.
Doubt I’ll check out any of her other books.
Most definitely not West’s! Gross! (Total d*ck)
Nope!!!
Firstly, just cause the author says it’s not Stockholm Syndrome, that’s it’s a wolf thing, doesn’t make it plausible.
(Don’t b fooled, it’s not a DR, despite the setup. It’s very weak & harmless, polite even.)
She was literally chained to the wall & isolated for several days, in a cabin that was in a dangerous location (think a prison on an island surrounded by sharks), before being allowed to wander around inside only, unable to escape..
Plus, like everyone else has noted, waaaay too much repetition & internal thoughts (70%).
Waaaay too much justification for actions or treatments that are blatantly wrong.
No truly likeable characters (though in fairness, I only made it to aprox 45%, b4 skipping to the end. Wanted to read her rejecting West. Major disappointment!!).
I’m pissed because I liked the idea, & the writing had a lot of potential. It’s what kept me reading for so long.
Doubt I’ll check out any of her other books.
Most definitely not West’s! Gross! (Total d*ck)
November 19, 2023
❌ FMC is a whore. She said it herself, she fucked HALF of her pack, she wanted just use MMC because of good dick and no one believe that she wasn't fucked because... well, she was fucking everyone...
❌ In her 26 years can't make a wise decision and take responsibility of her bond.
❌ NOT DUAL POV
❌ ONE smutty very light scene. A couple of kisses.
✅ MMC is a green flag. Like green green: handsome, handy, good cooking, even romantic, gentleman... I can even think that he was a virgin, seriously.
Never saw world building when you can just SAY THREE WORDS and mates? what is it? never heard about it, nope. Partly I like it, because you can really like some person and than boom! But partly it was... silly. Like what if FMC is angry and just can't shut her mouth and said it? Like that's all?
It wasn't DNF and I liked it because of MMC and waited for a... sensual love making.
If wasn't like that.
❌ In her 26 years can't make a wise decision and take responsibility of her bond.
❌ NOT DUAL POV
❌ ONE smutty very light scene. A couple of kisses.
✅ MMC is a green flag. Like green green: handsome, handy, good cooking, even romantic, gentleman... I can even think that he was a virgin, seriously.
Never saw world building when you can just SAY THREE WORDS and mates? what is it? never heard about it, nope. Partly I like it, because you can really like some person and than boom! But partly it was... silly. Like what if FMC is angry and just can't shut her mouth and said it? Like that's all?
It wasn't DNF and I liked it because of MMC and waited for a... sensual love making.
If wasn't like that.
February 20, 2024
Beautiful!
I didn’t expect to like this story so much, if I’m being honest. But I’m so glad that I gave it a go, because I didn’t just like it, I fricken loved it! Quinn is such a darling bad ass! She’s strong, caring, courageous and compassionate everything a good she wolf is. Why she considers herself less than is not only a mystery to me, but it’s totally relatable. We often see ourselves has having some sort of deficit compared the reality of what or who we actually are. It was nice for an author to write that lack of self in. Also Chase! Same thing with him! His story is so heartbreaking, I literally cried while it was unfolding, and that was literally the moment that I said out loud, “Bitch! You better choose that man!” While sitting in a full waiting room, waiting to see my G.P.
Oh one more thing, I hope West gets his own hea, although I still think he’s an idiot, everyone deserves happiness
I didn’t expect to like this story so much, if I’m being honest. But I’m so glad that I gave it a go, because I didn’t just like it, I fricken loved it! Quinn is such a darling bad ass! She’s strong, caring, courageous and compassionate everything a good she wolf is. Why she considers herself less than is not only a mystery to me, but it’s totally relatable. We often see ourselves has having some sort of deficit compared the reality of what or who we actually are. It was nice for an author to write that lack of self in. Also Chase! Same thing with him! His story is so heartbreaking, I literally cried while it was unfolding, and that was literally the moment that I said out loud, “Bitch! You better choose that man!” While sitting in a full waiting room, waiting to see my G.P.
Oh one more thing, I hope West gets his own hea, although I still think he’s an idiot, everyone deserves happiness
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