Her past has taught her to be wary… they’re far too different to work.
This alpha is about to stake his claim…
She has no idea Malcolm wants her just as fiercely. That he’s been subtly courting her for a year. But subtlety has gotten him nowhere—even if he thought it was the best choice after what she’d been through. He wanted to make sure Leslie didn’t feel obligated to him, that she was truly ready to move on. Now that he knows she is, he’s determined to make sure it’s with him. And when a threat from her past surfaces, he’ll eliminate anyone who would dare to hurt his mate.
Length: NOVELLA
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Leslie is quietly raising her son in the Kendrick pack after escaping an abusive relationship and if she’s occasionally lonely, it’s a small price to pay for her son’s safety, although she’s secretly longing for Malcolm, the pack alpha. Malcolm has been subtly courting her for a year and it’s gotten him nowhere but now that he knows she is ready to move on, he’s determined to make sure it’s with him.
This ‘Crescent Moon’ story is a sweet romance that brings smiles to the readers’ face. Leslie has worked to overcome her past and she’s ready for Malcolm to step up but vulnerabilities and doubt make her bit hesitant in believing that they are right for each other. Malcolm has been moving forward slowly giving her time to adjust to being safe and to heal from her past. This keeps emotions flowing from the pages and these strong, compelling characters easily capture readers’ hearts with their story.
The plot is fast paced and while it is on the short side, it has its share of romance, passion, suspense and excitement as a feral rogue comes sniffing around and instigating trouble and with a twist, the pack soon discovers that not everything is as it seems. Readers can’t help but keep their eyes glued to the pages of this delightful romance.
Rated
Terrific little shifter romance
This story was really good for a novella. One thing I enjoyed about it was that despite being a shifter romance, it was very contemporary and true to life. Malcom is the Alpha of his pack and has feelings for Leslie, but doesn’t want to push her too much because she is getting over being mated to a possessive, jealous and abusive man. Instead of going into detail about the physical abuse, a window was opened to how men like this act and it was so eerily familiar. When Leslie thought back on or described some of his actions, it was like she was mated to my ex husband.
”Before they’d mated, he’d been wonderful and sweet and nothing at all like the man who’d started hitting her, telling her that she didn’t need to work outside the home because she needed to take care of him. The man who’d been demanding of all her time and energy to the point where it had been easier to just quit her job than argue with him all the time.”
I’m not saying this for sympathy or anything, because my marriage was over quite a while ago, but just to say this is exactly how men like this act and think. It goes on later to describe other examples including the following.
“Her ex had been so critical of her anytime she’d gone to the salon, demanding to know who she was getting “all prettied up for”.”
My ex was the same way, if I was dieting he would ask who I’m trying to get thin for. It was like he wanted me to be fat or ugly so nobody else would be attracted to me and I couldn’t cheat on him. No matter the fact that I kept telling him if I wanted someone else I would leave him, not cheat on him. Leslie was mated to the exact same kind of man. It starts off as jealousy, moves to possessiveness, then on to controlling. When that isn’t enough they start in with violence.
I liked how it was so real and you could feel how trapped she was. Especially after going to her pack Alpha and having nothing done about it. So Malcolm and his pack rescued her and now he has been waiting for her to recover and until she is ready for a new relationship and is able to start trusting someone again. Once that happens he has to show her that not every man is the same.
There is also another plot twist, and no it isn’t her ex coming back after her. Him and his entire pack, including his family were brought to justice by other packs, including Malcom. Too bad that doesn’t happen more in real life! But apparently shifters can get away with murder a lot more easily than humans.
The romance was both sweet and steamy. I give it a heat index of 3 out of 5 flames . Quite a bit happened for a novella. Though it was a fast and easy read. I give it 4 stars overall..
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Chosen Mate by Katie Reus is the 9th book in the Crescent Moon series. This is Malcolm and Leslie’s story.
What a sweet, short sexy novella that’s a quick and satisfying read. When you have an Alpha werewolf Malcolm and a beautiful beta single mother Leslie, this insta love novella will instantly capture your heart and attention. Leslie had it rough in her previous mating and all I can say is that Malcolm is out to show her why Alphas are the perfect mates…this is a deliciously tempting, heartwarming, semi dramatic, touch angsty, total feels, with paranormal elements, has the suspenseful and intrigue tone…steamy and dreamy…
Great read with wonderful ending. Can’t wait for more in this series.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
Wonderful addition to the series.
Chosen mate was a wonderful addition to the series. It had endearing characters and a seamless storyline. I can’t wait to read what this talented author writes next.
Chosen Mate centres around Leslie, a single mother we first met in Jaguar’s Mate when she was rescued from her abusive husband. Now settled in a new pack with her toddler son she’s slowly managing to put the pieces of her life back together again and is beginning to notice Malcolm, the pack Alpha. Malcolm has been attracted to her since he first laid eyes on her but wary of scaring her after all she’d been through he was happy to take things slowly, so slowly she thinks his attentiveness is just due to him taking his duties as an Alpha seriously. What’s a girl got to do to get him to make a move?
What I love about this author is how even though her heroes are all alpha males they are always willing to hold back and let their women guide the pace they move at no matter what it costs them and Chosen Mate is no different. Malcolm was patient with Leslie and let her come to him but even when all his protective instincts were aroused and he wanted her to stay on pack lands where she’d be safe he was still willing to listen and see things from her point of view realising that after her experience with her ex-husband any demands he made might be misconstrued. Even though this book is novella length nothing about the story felt rushed. It flowed at a steady pace and was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Leslie is a single mom, a wolf shifter, who was abused by her ex in some pretty sordid ways when she came into Malcolm’s pack at least a year before the story takes place.
Malcolm is the alpha of the pack and knows what she’s been through and takes it easy on the courting. As a matter of fact, he took it so easy on her that she didn’t even know he was doing it. He treated her with kindness and respect, all while he was holding back his feelings. He didn’t want to scare her or come across as being anything like her ex.
Unbeknownst to him, she shared his feelings, but didn’t think he was interested in her like that. She’s ready to get back into the dating game and be touched again. When they finally get it together, it is red hot! Despite the mystery of a feral wolf in the story, Leslie and Malcolm were the focal point of it all. Not that it was bad because it wasn’t.
This is a story about a woman finding herself again after being with a brutal mate and finding love with someone who is into the relationship for her more than himself. It’s beautifully written with a lot of feels and some very steamy scenes. I loved Leslie and Malcolm and the other characters. It all played out well and made for a very enjoyable read. I loved it.
I also loved Malcolm’s view on fatherhood and the way he interacted with Elijah, Leslie’s son. It was one of the highlights of the story for me. I wish there were more men like him in this world.
Great characters, great story. Easy five stars.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
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I love this series! Malcolm has a ton of responsibility as Alpha. Leslie has much to overcome. They are so good when they come together! Malcolm is possessive and sweet. Leslie has had some huge obstacles to overcome. The story to their HEA is filled with a little suspense and drama.
This is another great story from the very talented Katie Reus I love both her paranormal and her romantic suspense books As always her books flow well and draw you in almost from the first page
Leslie suffered at the hands of a abusive mate and she has come to a new pack Malcolm is the alpha of this pack he is sheer dominant wolf and he knows that she is his mate but he will hold back and let her choose him as he would never want to force her. While this is only a shortish story it gives you everything you could want in a fated slow burn love story
Chosen Mate (Crescent Moon Series Book 9) by Katie Reus……Another great addition to the Crescent Moon Series. Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Leslie (abused by her mate ..now a single mother) Malcolm Kendrick(Pack Alpha ..wants Leslie for his mate) There is laughter, tears, angst, maybe even a little PTSD, danger and lots of love and family(pack) relationships and some great steam all to get us to a very HEA. I love this series and can’t wait for more.
Leslie was abused by her wolf shifter husband. She escaped and is raising her son as a member of the Kendrick pack. With her former mate dead, she can rebuild her life. I wanted her to be able to trust again and embrace love. Malcolm Kendrick, the alpha, cares for her. I liked that he is taking it slow so that she won’t be afraid. These two are perfect for each other. I wanted them to break down the barriers and become mates. I enjoyed seeing the Kendrick pack. Their interaction is filled with caring and trust. I was worried about the rogue wolf who was skulking around. What was his objective? Katie Reus has written great characters, a passionate romance and a suspenseful story. I couldn’t ask for more.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Leslie is more concerned in raising her son than romance.
Not matter how yummy the pack Alpha looks with his shirt off.
Malcom has be courting Leslie, but it looks like it is going nowhere.
Does she even know that he is attracted to her ?
It looks like it is time to dial up his seduction techniques.
After all, what more can he do ?
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
WOW!! This was a alluring read by Katie Reus. Chosen Mate is an amazing addition in this series and is so much fun to read. Packed full of shifters, action, friendship and love this book has a little something for everyone. Grab this book and join us on this amazing adventure.
Just when she feels ready to live again Leslie’s past comes to haunt her. Her new alpha has been waiting for Leslie to come out of her shell so he can claim her. The whole pack knows he wants her but Leslie seems oblivious. When they finally get together it is worth all the waiting. But now Malcolm needs to keep Leslie alive and keep her cub safe. This is a fast paced adventure that will keep you happily flipping pages.
This is book 9 in the Crescent Moon series and I would read the previous book or 2 at the very least as it introduces this character and the situation she used to be in. That being said, in this one we get Leslie and Malcolm’s story. Leslie went through an abusive relationship and is just trying to raise her son the best she can while learning how to move on and become the person she used to be. Or as close as she can come. All the while she is secretly crushing on the pack alpha Malcolm, even knowing that she isn’t good enough for him. What she doesn’t know is that Malcolm wants her just as much as she want’s him. Or that he has been courting her for over a year in the hopes that she would see him as more and not just feel obligated to him for letting her into his pack. What neither expects is for a threat from her past to come back to haunt her.
I really liked this one!! Leslie went through literal hell and she still manages to move on and try to find her happiness again. Malcolm is this strong, protective, and definitely alpha man who knows that he has found his mate but he also wants her to just be happy and healthy. He is what a real man should be! And the way he always treats her son just like he is his own-I loved that!! The only drawback I had was that it felt too short to me. I always wish the books in this series were longer just because they draw you in and keep you wanting to read more!
This may be a quickie but somehow it still seems to pack all the sexy and story of a full length novel. The chemistry between Malcolm and Leslie is fantastic and takes on a life of its own. And Elijah, oh my how adorable! I love Katie’s shifter books so much! I always know I will be fully entertained and satisfied! This is such an awesome series!
I was lucky to receive an ARC of this novella from Netgalley and the publisher.
CHOSEN MATE (Crescent Moon #9) by Katie Reus
This is a novella that picks up at the end of #8. This is the story of Malcolm, alpha of the Kendrick pack and Leslie a young mother who was in a very abusive relationship and was able to get out and get rescued a couple of years ago. Malcolm is crazy about Leslie and has been courting her or about 6 months, but poor Leslie has no clue that he was interested. She has been crushing on him for awhile as well. Once again, Katie has done a great job with this book. There is hot chemistry, great banter, a solid story line, mystery, danger, and intrigue. Definitely a 5 star read.
This is Malcolm, the alpha of the Kendrick pack’s mating story. We met Leslie when she and her mother Luna were rescued from her abusive mate and pack in book 8. It’s been a year and a half since then and she had her baby, Elijah who’s now 13 months. Malcolm’s been waiting for Leslie to heal as he has known since the beginning that she’s his mate. Finally Leslie is ready to move on and he’s determined to be there for her.
I love these pack stories. They’re kinda small town with a paranormal twist and Katie writes the stories I really love. This is a quick read that’s packed full of hot steamy sex and action. We have one last individual in Leslie’s life that has to be dealt with and then they will be safe. We also see why Malcolm is the alpha of the Kendrick pack. He’s determined to let Leslie make the limits when they’re together so he doesn’t feel dominated like her abusive mate. It’s contrary to his nature as alpha but he can adapt to be what she needs. I just love that. Leslie is sensitive to the fact that she’s got to be strong to be his mate so the pack looks up to her as they’ll be partners in the pack. What’s not to love about this story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another amazing alpha read! This was short and sweet with just a tad bit of drama but a ton of emotion. I loved how Malcolm was so patient and kind as he subtly courted Leslie. For an alpha, he had considerable restraint. Leslie was ready to move on but insecure about making any kind of move on her pack’s alpha. When she finally gets herself pulled together enough to confront him, I was cheering her on all the way.
No one does heroes or romance like this author and this novella is proof that Katie Reus reigns supreme.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a shifter novel, and this was enjoyable, if not a little predictable. It was light and easy, with loveable main characters, Malcolm and Leslie (they sound like something from a British sitcom) and little pup Elijah. A little bit of moonlight and roses followed by a little action in the form of a possible rogue wolf threatening the packs in the area. A quick well written story that maybe lacked a little oomph in my eyes. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Loved it. I am so glad we got a “follow up” on Leslie from Jaguar’s Mate. I so enjoyed this story. I am glad it was so short because once I started I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the adorable way Malcom was courting Leslie. This is a great novella with a great twist at the end.