A review by jackiehorne
Heartmate by Robin D. Owens

2.0

One of the earlier "fated mates" fantasy romance series (2001). Appealing writing, and some intriguing world-building, and characters with interesting backstories. But both Rand T'Ash and Danith Mallow are pretty annoying from a feminist standpoint. T'Ash, lonely and longing for companionship but having no idea how to foster relationships (having grown up on the streets since the age of 6), does nothing but dictate to and boss around his fated partner. I was hoping that over the course of the book he'd learn that there are better ways to get someone to like you, and change his behavior, but no, he pretty much stays the same. Danith continually rejects T'Ash, initially because she mistakes his intentions, and later because we need the rejecting woman to keep the plot going, not because she really seems to have many objections to being bossed around. The two finally come together only after T'Ash goes away on a trip and his absence makes Danith realize how much she wants to be with the big lug. Ugh.