Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 24/12/2025
Published by: Little, Brown Audio
ISBN: B0C8ZM4KFK
While the banter and character dynamics were fun, the disjointed storyline and heavy spice kept me from loving ‘Mate’.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
After loving the first book in this series, Bride, I was disappointed by how underwhelming this sequel felt. Sure, it was a fun and easy read overall, but the storyline felt thin and uneven, with many developments happening off-page. I also craved more depth in the political aspect of the story rather than the heavy focus on spice.
The character dynamics were the highlight for me, thanks to the adorable found-family trope and witty banter. Serena and Koen also had great chemistry, making them easy to root for, even though many of their issues could have been avoided with honest communication. Plus, the dynamic narration by Therese Plummer and Will Damron suited Serena and Koen perfectly.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
Those looking for another spicy romance with witty banter, forced proximity, and the grumpy/sunshine trope should check out Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey, though it lacks Mate’s fantasy elements. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer is another solid romantasy with political intrigue. It’s firmly YA, but delivers rich worldbuilding, less spice and familiar tropes.
Q: Which moment stood out to you as the cutest between Serena and Koen?
I absolutely loved how Koen proudly showed Serena the North West territory. Her awe and excitement clearly brought him so much joy, even though he tried to downplay this.
Q: Do you enjoy cooking?
While I love the prepping stage, I get impatient waiting for things to actually cook. Because of this, I tend to batch-cook large portions and freeze meals. When I’m short on time or energy, cooking becomes hit-or-miss, and I sometimes skip a meal rather than cook.
Q: Based on the prologue, were you surprised by the past connection between Serena and Koen?
Q: What was your first impression of Koen, and did it change?
Q: Do you or someone you know listen to classical music?
Q: Like Serena, have you ever felt uncomfortable with unwanted attention or tried to avoid burdening others?
Q: Were you surprised by how Serena’s terminal illness played out?
Q: Would you have stepped in as bait the way Serena repeatedly does?
Q: What did you think about the banter and character dynamics?
Q: Did you enjoy the found family trope used?
Q: How did you feel about the forced proximity trope in this story?
Q: Did the obstacles keeping Serena and Koen apart feel convincing to you, and were you satisfied with how these were resolved?
Q: Were you satisfied with how the book used the fated-mates trope?
Q: What are your thoughts on the cult and political storylines?
Q: Which supporting character do you think deserves their own story in a sequel?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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