There are few times I’ve been livid at my phone for dying while I was reading a book, and even more rare for that to happen at one in the morning. Such was the case for Ali Hazelwood’s first paranormal romance, Bride [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM]. Naturally, I was ecstatic to hear that she was publishing a sequel.

I picked up Mate on audio through the PRH Audio program for booksellers because Teddy Hamilton was one of the narrators and he’s been on my podcast. I’ll always reach for a Teddy-narrated book when given the chance… but also get a physical copy too.

Mate [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM] is centered on Misery’s best friend/adoptive sister, Serena. Serena learned she’s a werewolf-human hybrid, not fully human as she thought her whole life. However, in coming forward about being the first of her kind, she becomes a target for vampires, humans, and werewolves who think she might be something even more than hybrid. Serena takes refuge with the Northwest werewolf pack because she’s the mate of the Alpha, Koen, but doesn’t feel anything toward him… or does she?

Overall, this is an entertaining ride, but there might be a little too much going on. Between the slow burn romance, the efforts to protect her, her medical history needing some answers, and the cult stuff, there is a lot to follow through the story. I found myself mixing up who was who in a couple spots because there was so much.

The spicy scenes are classic Ali, when we get to them. It is a little slower of a burn than I feel like we normally get from Ali, which I don’t have strong feelings about it either way. Just know that once you get into it, you are in it. Lol.

I was (ok, am) mildly obsessed with Bride, and while it’s fun getting to see Misery and Lowe living their bliss, this one was just missing a little something for me. I still enjoyed it, but it wasn’t one I couldn’t bear to put down. It’s an odd feeling, but I’d still recommend picking it up if you enjoyed Bride.