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A review by geniesurreal
The Mating by Nicky Charles
2.0
Although I enjoyed the nail biting - hair pulling drama I can't say I loved this book. I can't even say I like it enough to spend money to read the next book in the series. I'm honestly ok with stopping at the first and moving on. It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't recommend it either. It fits nicely on the thin gray line of casual enjoyment of not expecting much.
Elise isn't as solid of a character as I hoped. Given her situation I hoped she would act more assertive than she was. As the daughter of the alpha I hoped she would have been more prepared to marry an alpha and take on her role as his mate and wife. However she was very oblivious, easily shrugged off obviously suspicious red flags, and spent most of her time sleeping or reading rather than learning her new role as their leader's mate. It was honestly ridiculous. She could have been a beta sent in as a house maid and there wouldn't have been a difference. Her character is as empty as a ghost with vague memories of her past.
Not to mention the many times she is clearly harassed by Marla and others within their clan she yet doesn't tell Kane, reasoning he is dealing with so much already that he doesn't need to be bothered by his own people bullying her. As if that isn't a problem that should be addressed immediately should she be treated with respect as the alpha's mate. I swear - she makes the worst choices and thinks nothing of it.
Kane, the alpha, was a more solid character, heavily influenced by his harsh past. What he lived through as a child nicely ties into the kind of man he is and his principles. It makes sense, it explains his character and his motives, and it makes him more likeable and easier to root for - even with his many short comings. He is very kind and considerate, proving this through how he treats Elise with patience and understanding. He wants her to be comfortable in her new home and does all that he can within reason to make her happy. I love his character and honestly he's the only reason I'm not giving this book 1/5 stars.
Marla had me punching my couch's pillows. She was a conniving bitch and was allowed to get away with nearly everything she did simply because Elise was too ignorant to notice and Kane was too guilt ridden over the past to fault her of anything, constantly making excuses for the blonde bitch. Kane and Elise allowed Marla to sink her twisted fingers deep into their relationship until there might not have been a point of return purely because they were too stupid to connect the dots. One thing is for sure, they do deserve each other.
Not to mention the way this book is written isn't exactly my favorite. The writing style tells more than it shows. I'm told how they're feeling rather than seeing how they're feeling. I'm a big girl, I can pull the image together in my mind as I read. I wish there was more description in their emotions, in their worries and fears, in how they adapted to their lives. Everything was so surfaced, as if the author kept edging me at the tip of the iceberg and wouldn't let me dive underneath.
However, the story behind the main couple was very nice. The environmental issues on their land being pressed by outside oil industry was well executed and a very real problem throughout the story that added much needed suspense. If it weren't for their land being threatened to be taken away then this story would have tanked immediately.
Elise isn't as solid of a character as I hoped. Given her situation I hoped she would act more assertive than she was. As the daughter of the alpha I hoped she would have been more prepared to marry an alpha and take on her role as his mate and wife. However she was very oblivious, easily shrugged off obviously suspicious red flags, and spent most of her time sleeping or reading rather than learning her new role as their leader's mate. It was honestly ridiculous. She could have been a beta sent in as a house maid and there wouldn't have been a difference. Her character is as empty as a ghost with vague memories of her past.
Not to mention the many times she is clearly harassed by Marla and others within their clan she yet doesn't tell Kane, reasoning he is dealing with so much already that he doesn't need to be bothered by his own people bullying her. As if that isn't a problem that should be addressed immediately should she be treated with respect as the alpha's mate. I swear - she makes the worst choices and thinks nothing of it.
Kane, the alpha, was a more solid character, heavily influenced by his harsh past. What he lived through as a child nicely ties into the kind of man he is and his principles. It makes sense, it explains his character and his motives, and it makes him more likeable and easier to root for - even with his many short comings. He is very kind and considerate, proving this through how he treats Elise with patience and understanding. He wants her to be comfortable in her new home and does all that he can within reason to make her happy. I love his character and honestly he's the only reason I'm not giving this book 1/5 stars.
Marla had me punching my couch's pillows. She was a conniving bitch and was allowed to get away with nearly everything she did simply because Elise was too ignorant to notice and Kane was too guilt ridden over the past to fault her of anything, constantly making excuses for the blonde bitch. Kane and Elise allowed Marla to sink her twisted fingers deep into their relationship until there might not have been a point of return purely because they were too stupid to connect the dots. One thing is for sure, they do deserve each other.
Not to mention the way this book is written isn't exactly my favorite. The writing style tells more than it shows. I'm told how they're feeling rather than seeing how they're feeling. I'm a big girl, I can pull the image together in my mind as I read. I wish there was more description in their emotions, in their worries and fears, in how they adapted to their lives. Everything was so surfaced, as if the author kept edging me at the tip of the iceberg and wouldn't let me dive underneath.
However, the story behind the main couple was very nice. The environmental issues on their land being pressed by outside oil industry was well executed and a very real problem throughout the story that added much needed suspense. If it weren't for their land being threatened to be taken away then this story would have tanked immediately.