CRUEL MATE (Alpha Shifter 18) by Sam Crescent-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 24, 2023

Ashley is riding high after finally becoming a member of the pack. On that fateful night, the best and worst things happen to her. Not only does she turn into a wolf, but she finds her mate. None other than the pack’s nomad alpha, Phoenix. He doesn’t want her as his mate. 

All he’s ever needed was his bike and the freedom of the open road—until Ashley. Phoenix knows he’s made a mistake by rejecting Ashley. Nothing else matters to him. Each time he visits the pack he hopes to see her, but she’s perfected the art of avoiding him—until he decides to stay. 

Ashley wants to stay mad at Phoenix to protect herself, but with every passing day she learns more about their aloof alpha. She wants to give herself to him completely, but will she be risking more than her body? 

He left once. He rejected her once. He’d been cruel. Is there any chance that he’s really changed?

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REVIEW: CRUEL MATE is the eighteenth instalment in Sam Crescent’s contemporary, adult ALPHA SHIFTER erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is wolf shifters Ashley Simpkin, and nomad Phoenix Marshall’s story line. CRUEL MATE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Ashley and Phoenix) CRUEL MATE follows in the wake of Ashley’s rejection by her fated mate. Five years earlier, eighteen years old, high school graduate and having completed her first shift, Ashley was on top of the world until forty-year old, Phoenix Marshall, nomad and temporary pack alpha rejects his teenaged mate destroying her self esteem and heart in the process. Fast forward to present day, Phoenix realizes he has made a mistake, and is determined to claim Ashley Simpkin as his mate but all does not go according to plan when Ashley refuses to accept Phoenix has changed his mind. What ensues is the building relationship between Ashley and Phoenix, and the potential fall-out as Ashley wants to keep secret the truth going forward.

Phoenix Marshall grew up in the foster care system, rejected by one family after another. Never having been part of a pack, Phoenix knew nothing about fated mates, and refused to accept Ashley as his future wife.Ashley Simpkin never knew heart break like the rejection by her mate. Broken and destroyed, Ashley prepared to move on, move away, and change her appearance to make herself more attractive to a future mate. Falling for Phoenix means submitting to the man who destroyed her self esteem but living a life alone means loneliness for the rest of her life.The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic.

We are introduced to Ashley’s parents Ben and Lean Simpkin, as well as Ashley’s best friend Daniel who is desperate to find a mate of his own.

CRUEL MATE is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies, rejection and forgiveness, family and friendships. The fast paced premise is entertaining; the romance is steamy and fated; the characters are broken, energetic and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy