This book is so dang good. I've tried a few times to get into the rejected mates trope, because it seems like something I would enjoy, but until now, it always just seemed kind of meh. This book delivered on everything I've been missing!

Una is an unprotected female, who can't shift into her wolf, and has a disabled leg from an attack when she was young. As such, she is seen as bottom of the ladder in her wolf shifter pack. When she finally shifts for the first time, she claims the Alpha, Killian, as her mate, and of course, he rejects and humiliates her in front of the whole pack.

The protagonists are a little older than others I've read in this genre (late 20s), which I found refreshing. But most importantly, the grovel. Whoo boy, the grovel. After realizing he has messed up, Killian spends half the book trying to earn her forgiveness. Although he is the Alpha, Una really holds her own against him and has major strengths herself. She doesn't just roll over for him because he's hot and he doesn't make excuses for himself. Really, the thing that makes Killian so sexy is his accountability for his actions. He never puts what happened on Una or brushes off her feelings and is (nearly) endlessly patient in convincing her that he won't hurt her again.

Really, my only complaint is that I wish there was an additional full-fledged sex scene. There is so much agonizing build up, I would have liked to see more on page steam in the end. But that's personal preference. Even with that lack, the holding back from sex still manages to be incredibly hot.

I know there are going to be books about other couples in this world, and I am so excited for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.