Mate by Ali Hazelwood: My Review

I just finished reading Mate by Ali Hazelwood, and I have SO MANY FEELINGS! Check out my book review of this paranormal romance that follows up her hit, Bride, below.

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mate Summary:

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation.

Mate: My Review

Mate is the October 2025 Book of the Month for the She Reads Romance Books Book Club!

As a huge fan of Ali Hazelwood’s writing, I will forever read whatever she writes, but I knew that I was going to read Mate as soon as I finished reading Bride and it is everything I hoped it would be and more.

From the moment I started the prologue, I was locked in and felt myself wanting to rush through it because I couldn’t get enough and yet wanting to slow down and savor every single page so that it wouldn’t end too quickly.

I would vacillate from smirking at Serena and Koen’s fantastic banter, and yet I would have tears running down my face just as easily while reading this masterpiece.

At the core of this werewolf romance is the connection between Serena and Koen. I’m not even sure how Ali wrote their chemistry so perfectly when Koen would just speak in simple sentences or simple nods and grunts but it was so palpable which made it all the more heart-wrenching that they were going against their very nature and keeping themselves apart.

Koen is THE Alpha. I loved his leadership and his dedication to his pack and how he never acted (or withheld action) without purpose. I kept picturing Alexander Skarsgard in my mind for him despite his black hair.

Serena is the kind of heroine I adore and another favorite among all of Ali’s heroines to be honest. My heart broke for this woman whom the universe seemed to want to keep heaping things on over and over again to see if she’d break. I felt for her past, her isolation as a hybrid, the fear of her current health condition, not to mention the target on her back. I felt her loneliness so deeply despite having the best sister in Misery.

The tension between Koen and Serena, the mystery behind her health and family, and the suspense around her safety kept this book at a perfect pace that had me loving every second.

Ali’s books are always masterpieces, but her paranormal romances are like nothing else. With dystopian romance being next, I’m sure she will slay with that as well and with whatever comes after.

Mate is truly a fantastic read that I highly recommend. One not to be missed, whether you are a lover of werewolf romances or not. It’s one of the best romance books of 2025!

More by Ali Hazelwood:

• Bride by Ali Hazelwood
• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
• Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
• Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
• Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Related Book Lists:

• Best Werewolf Romance Books
• Best Paranormal Romance Books
• Best Romance Books of 2025
• 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romantasy
• Top 10 New Romance Book Releases for October 2025

Pin This: