Sixty‑two books in and I’m still completely in love with the In Death series. Eve, Roarke, and the rest of the crew feel like old friends at this point, and Stolen in Death reminded me exactly why I keep coming back.

I love the emotionally charged moments between Eve and Roarke, and I’m resisting the urge to reread that earlier book with that girl because this one already has me in my feelings.

I’ve met plenty of book couples over the years, but Eve and Roarke will always be my number one ship.

A lot happened in the last few chapters that I feel like I need a cheat sheet to remember them all. But that ending? I did not see that one coming.

I read Bride a few months ago and loved it, so I was excited to dive into Mate. I’m happy to say it delivered, and I’m also giving it 4.5 stars. It’s such a fun read that I stayed up way past my bedtime and got through about 75% in one sitting. Now, as someone in their mid-thirties feeling the effects of being up past 3 a.m., I can honestly say: no regrets. Totally worth it.

Is Serena Paris a Badass Heroine? Absolutely. Serena Paris is a half-human, half-werewolf hybrid, which already makes her pretty badass in my opinion. She’s had a tough life, growing up as an orphan, finding out she’s not fully human, and getting kidnapped.

Things don’t exactly get easier for her in Mate. Serena faces some intense challenges, but she never comes across as a damsel in distress. Even when she needs help or protection, she still feels strong and capable.

What I love most is how Serena stands her ground with Koen. Her strength shows in how she handles everything thrown her way, and that’s what makes her such a compelling heroine and easy to root for.

Is Koen Alexander Book Boyfriend Material? Koen Alexander is definitely your classic werewolf alpha male book boyfriend. He’s big, broody, and domineering, and yes, kind of an asshole. But let’s be honest, that’s usually how we like our wereshifters, right? His deadpan humor really works for me too.

Visually, Koen is the kind of character who would inspire tons of fan art and AI-generated animations. With his hair tied back, scruffy and unkempt, those intense stares, and a full-on lumberjack vibe, he practically leaps off the page and into your, ahem, imagination.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen has some interesting obligations that complicate the whole mate situation. But they also show how loyal and committed he is to his people.

If you’re into book boyfriends who are intense, complicated, and a little rough around the edges, Koen certainly fits the bill.

How Is the Romance in Mate? I’ve always loved the rejected and reluctant mate trope, as it brings just the right amount of angst. One of my favorite moments of the book was when Koen found out about the “illness.” Serena’s acceptance of the situation and Koen’s determination added the perfect touch of drama.

What really stood out to me was how Koen and Serena interact. Their dry wit and constant bickering are so entertaining, and the sexual tension between them is intense. Sharing a bed while their mate instincts are flaring, combined with Koen’s “commitment” to his pack and the underlying power struggle, only adds to the heat.

Koen and Serena’s chemistry is undeniable, and what makes the romance work so well is that it actually feels believable. Not every book about mates pulls that off, but this one absolutely does.

Overall Enjoyment of Mate I devoured this book in under a day, probably in less than twelve hours, to be honest. That’s how much I enjoyed it. Sure, Mate leans heavily into familiar tropes, but when they’re done well, who cares? It was fun, addictive, and exactly what I was in the mood for.

The whole time I was powering through The Primal of Blood and Bone, I couldn't wait to start this book. It only took me three days to finish this one. But now I have to wait seven months?!

It took me a whole month to finish this book, and honestly, it was a slog. I struggled through about 60 to 70 percent of it because it felt like way too much information was packed in. I couldn't bring myself to care enough to absorb or remember most of it. Still, I stuck with it and made it to the end, so there's that. Even though this one was pretty disappointing, I’m still looking forward to the seventh and final book. Hopefully, it makes up for the grind this one put me through.

Every time I finish one of the In Death books, I get the itch to go back and reread the early ones. Eve and Roarke will always be one of my all-time fave book couples!