Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
ER doctor Mackenzie Carter’s fake relationship with grumpy cardiologist Noah Taylor was supposed to solve both their problems—hers with her meddling grandma, his with the hospital board. But when their pretend romance turns real, they discover love is the wildest complication of all.
Bookish Thoughts
This book has been sitting on my TBR shelf for a while, and I finally picked it up after craving a good paranormal romance. I’m so glad I did—there’s just something about a story that mixes supernatural elements with the fast-paced world of medicine that instantly pulls me in.
Book Review
The Fake Mate is a paranormal romance that follows two wolf shifter doctors who decide to fake date to get both their families—and their coworkers at the hospital—off their backs. This was my first book by this author, and I absolutely loved her writing style and the fun, engaging plot. The story features the perfect black cat and golden retriever dynamic between the leads—Mack and Noah—and their chemistry absolutely shines.
Mack was such a fun, outgoing character with a bright personality that stood out despite her own tragic past. Noah’s sweet, open-hearted nature paired beautifully with hers, and watching their connection grow felt natural and heartwarming. The paranormal aspect was woven through the story seamlessly—it added depth and intrigue without ever overpowering the romance. The balance between the wolf-shifter world and the love story was just right.
The author also integrates the spicier moments effortlessly, making them feel genuine and emotionally grounded. I loved the side characters too—they added humor, warmth, and texture to the story. Overall, The Fake Mate is a charming, feel-good read with the perfect blend of romance and paranormal elements. It’s a great, quick read to help you out of a slump, and I’ll definitely be picking up more books by this author in the future.
“Because when I’m with you . . . I don’t feel like I’m just going through the motions in life. When I’m with you . . . I feel like I’m actually living.”
Lana Ferguson
If You Loved This, Try
A literary pairing similar to this novel is Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross, which follows a werewolf who’s lost his ability to shift and turns to a witch who despises his kind for help. Filled with magic, shifters, and forbidden attraction, this paranormal romance delivers humor, heart, and plenty of spice. While it doesn’t feature a fake-mate storyline, it captures a similar playful, slow-burning chemistry and supernatural charm that fans of The Fake Mate will love.
Lana Ferguson is a contemporary and paranormal romance author known for writing steamy, character-driven novels that blend spice with sass. She often describes herself as a sex-positive nerd whose stories don’t shy away from heat or humor, influenced early on by her teenage discovery of a faded Fabio romance cover. Her published works include The Nanny, Under Loch and Key, The Game Changer, Overruled, and The Mating Game — many of which have appeared on bestseller lists and showcase her range from contemporary to paranormal romance.
Shelf To Table
Potato Soup: A creamy, comforting, and hearty potato soup is the ultimate cozy dish. Made with tender potatoes simmered in a rich, savory broth, it’s thickened to perfection with cream or milk and often topped with crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and fresh chives.
If you loved the hospital setting and workplace-romance tension in this book, Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez is a perfect next read. The story follows Dr. Briana Ortiz, whose life feels like it’s unraveling just as a new doctor arrives at her hospital—one she’s fully prepared to dislike. But a heartfelt letter sparks an unexpected connection, leading to a slow-burn romance built on humor, vulnerability, and emotional depth. Set against the highs and lows of hospital life, this tender love story blends banter with big-hearted moments and proves that sometimes the most meaningful relationships start in the most unexpected ways.
