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THE MATING GAME

The Mating Game, December 2025
by Lana Ferguson

Berkley
416 pages
ISBN: 059395369X
EAN: 9780593953693
Kindle: B0DYYZCYCH
Trade Paperback / e-Book
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"Cozy, steamy paranormal romcom"

Fresh Fiction Review

THE MATING GAME
Lana Ferguson

Reviewed by Mamatha Madhavan
Posted December 15, 2025

Romance Paranormal

Tess Covington has always believed she was an ordinary human with no connection to the shifter world. That belief shatters after a trip to a Denver emergency room reveals her “illness” isn’t an illness at all—it’s the late awakening of her omega wolf nature. Already juggling a family construction business and the pressure of securing her own home renovation TV show, Tess can’t walk away from the job that brought her to town. Even as her wolf threatens to trigger a dangerous heat, she resolves to follow medical advice and steer clear of alpha shifters at all costs.

 

Hunter Barrett, a seasoned alpha wolf, has built his life around his lodge in a small town in Colorado. He avoids omegas after a past heartbreak left deep scars. When a small, determined contractor arrives at his failing lodge carrying the unmistakable scent he’s sworn to stay away from, Hunter is certain fate is mocking him. But with his business hanging by a thread and Tess representing his last chance at saving it, he has no choice but to tolerate her presence.

 

Though both are committed to keeping their distance, sparks begin to fly in ways neither expects, slowly melting defenses they’ve spent years building. Yet they both know their time together is limited, and what starts as a temporary arrangement grows increasingly risky. As feelings deepen, they must decide whether protecting their hearts is worth losing the one connection neither of them saw coming.

 

MATING GAME is a paranormal romantic comedy set in the same world as Lana Ferguson’s The Fake Mate, complete with fun cameo appearances from familiar characters. With its snowy mountain setting, the story captures a cozy winter atmosphere, making it an ideal holiday read.

 

The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, sparking both emotionally and physically. Ferguson strikes a perfect balance between steamy scenes and tender, heartfelt moments, creating a romance that feels both exciting and deeply satisfying.

Learn more about THE MATING GAME

SUMMARY

Two wolf shifters reluctant to love discover there’s no fighting the call of the wild in this steamy romance by USA Today bestselling author Lana Ferguson.

Contractor Tess Covington has spent her entire life as a regular non-shifter human, so after she lands in the Denver ER with flu-like symptoms, it comes as a complete shock to be told that, no, she’s not sick—she’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. With her family in dire financial straits and a contract for her own television show on the line, she can’t afford not to complete the renovation job she came for. And given that her newly emerged wolf is in danger of going into heat, she’ll just have to do her best to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from alpha shifters.

Alpha wolf Hunter Barrett has spent most of his adult life living by a routine, and a big part of that involves staying clear of omegas after having one stomp on his heart. So when the tiny contractor shows up at his place smelling like the one thing he’s determined to avoid, he thinks it must be some sort of cosmic joke. But with his lodge on the verge of failing and this sweet-smelling omega his only hope to turn things around . . . he’s left with few other options than to grin and bear it.

Set on avoiding each other as much as possible, they find things unexpectedly starting to heat up between them enough to thaw even the frostiest of hearts. Though even with the pair going head over paws for each other, there’s no changing that their fling has an expiration date. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re playing a dangerous game—one where the only thing on the line is their hearts.

EXCERPT

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