The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson had so much hype around the omega verse. I’ve been intrigued about it since it’s been hyped lately in romance circles. So I was excited to read this for Lawless Book Club.
Mackenzie is a new doctor and also happens to be an omega wolf, which no one knows at her hospital. In this world, werewolves are out to the public. Her grandma keeps fixing her up on terrible dates. To get her grandma off her back, she lies and says she is dating Noah Taylor aka The Big Bad Wolf of Denver General. He is constantly grumpy with no sense of humor, but an excellent surgeon. Much to Mackenzie’s surprise when she begs Noah for a picture to reinforce her fake relationship, he agrees. The hospital board is investigating him because he didn’t disclose his alpha wolf status. Apparently, un-mated alphas are known for crazy outbursts and a malpractice suit waiting to happen. He takes pheromone blockers, has no friends basically, and avoids conflict at all costs to prevent any issues with his alpha nature. To get these people off their backs, naturally, the two decide to become “fake mates”. Noah plans to take a promotion at a hospital in New Mexico so this has an easy time limit. But of course, the more time they spend together, the more the fake dating becomes real.
I was expecting some deep werewolf lore, but it’s a contemporary romance with Grey’s Anatomy vibes set in Denver. It’s merely by coincidence they are werewolves for as much they explore the omega mated to an alpha situation. Them being special wolves really only serves to kick the sex scenes up a notch. Nevertheless, I did like the fake dating premise with the couple eventually falling for each other. Two doctors in love and sneaking sex in empty closets or floors isn’t all bad. The sex scenes are quite steamy even when they don’t necessarily push the plot. However, the werewolf lore was lacking for me. It left me with too many questions. She goes into heat and he can take special werewolf “heat leave” to get it on with his “mate” at a forest resort. But they didn’t explain much beyond that. How did the humans get so used to the werewolves? To the point where there are labor laws protecting leave? What does an omega really mean in this universe?! I also felt we skipped some beats with some of the romance to understand why they should end up together. They have amazing sex and understand each other’s jobs and difficult schedules. Voila! They fall in love without realizing it and worry about telling each other.
The audiobook did make this a decently fun ride. If you want an easy read featuring werewolves or a hospital setting, give this a go.
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