A review by ggbookrecclub
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When his workplace rival threatens to out his designation status, Noah Taylor is forced to save his job by telling the board that he’s a mated alpha. The bad news? He’s not mated. Not even close. With a reputation around the hospital as the notorious grumpy doctor he doesn’t have a lot(read any) friends to help him out. Then there’s Mckenzie Carter, the overly chatty ER doctor. Mckenzie has some troubles of her own. Her grandmother is concerned that she’s not settling down. To get her off her back, Mckenzie says she’s seeing someone. When pressed, she blurts out Noah’s name. The two decided to fake “mate” for the sake of the board, and fake date for the sake of her grandmother. Wouldn’t you know it, feelings make it messy. 

The Fake Mate is a cute fake dating/workplace romance romance book. While I’m more familiar with the omegaverse, this seemed to take more of a shifter approach-a subgenre I’ve not had any prior experience with. The Alpha and Omega connection was strong. Their connection was animalistic. While they’re putting on a front for their coworkers, Noah and Mckenzie start to grow on eachother. Overall I really enjoyed The Fake Mate. What I struggled with was the quirks the FMC had, like really liking soup. She doesn’t care what kind of soup, just give her the soup of the day. Like, what? I love a good soup, but there are for sure some I’d pass on. I also struggled a bit with the shifter portion during her heat. Considering this is the first book I’ve read where they shift I figure I don’t have much of a framework to judge it against. That being said, I’m not certain I’m interested in seeking out more of this subgenre.