Forbidden Mate

Holland Brothers, Book 4

By: Toni Griffin

Narrated by: Dominic M. McCartney

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Finding his mate should have been Patrick Holland's greatest day. Instead, it turned into a nightmare with one phone call. His mate didn't want him. His heart broke. But at 16 he was too young to do anything. The next 10 years - 10 long years - of Patrick's life are spent at odds with his mate. Split by forces he can't comprehend and a long line of misunderstandings, Patrick doubts he'll ever get the man he's both loved and hated.

Jake Richmond never expected to come home from uni to find the youngest Holland brother was his mate. Knowing the news might uplift his still grieving father, Jake shares the news only to have his young mate threatened. Jake does the only thing he can think of: protect Patrick. The next 10 years are nothing but torture for Jake as he watches his mate grow into a remarkable young man.

They say time heals all wounds, but how much time?

©2014 Toni Griffin (P)2016 Toni Griffin

Good listen...

I enjoyed this book. Granted I have not read the first 3 in the series, but I liked this story...for the most part. Rick and Jake's story was a rough one but I sort-of understood the direction of the story. If I had a complaint, it would be that the struggle, whether self-induced or not, seemed to take forever (which may have been the point) but once Jake got it together and decided to 'man' up, it was as if nothing in the past had happened and then wham, bam thank you 'mam. In reality, the coming together would and should have been just as difficult. That said, the ending was a bit confusing with the focus shifting from Rick and Jake to the other brothers (which I had no backstory) and having pups. But again, I enjoyed the book and I think that the narration by McCartney added to the story.

More love for this series! and that Tattoo!

Well, we’ve been waiting for Patrick/Rick’s story for awhile now. He’s been looking sad and mysterious and now we get to understand why.

Here’s where this book will either work for you or it won’t. It’s a common plot angle: keep the lovers apart by threatening to kill the boyfriend/girlfriend/their families etc. For me, this totally worked for the first part of the book. I think Jake was truly scared (his father is a PSYCHO!) and he was young and so was Patrick. But… after he grows a bit this wore really thin. At some point he needed to reach out to Patrick and/or the Pack to at least help or explain things. His being a jerk should not have been a “thing” because he should have just explained himself.
However, once that part was settled I really appreciated that both Jake (and the author) admit HOW STUPID that was and how ridiculous it was not to just come clean and that had he been more mature he would have handled things differently. That felt very real and like something that could have happened. (We’ve all been young and dumb!)
On the plus side, I loved the entrée into the Atherton Pack stories that we get here – learning about the babies and meeting the pack members BEFORE they’re mated – FUN!
This is definitely best read/listened to in order and I highly recommend this and the series to fans of shifter romances!

4.5 of 5 stars

Audio

Dominic McCartney has been narrating this entire series and that is wonderful for at least two reasons. One, we get a consistent set of voices for all the brothers as they come and go throughout all the stories and it’s nice to hear the same voices. Two, he’s really good. He’s got great timing, nice voice quality, knows how to modulate for emotional scenes and has a great Australian accent. Highly Recommeneded.

5 of 5 stars

it was great

i love this series it is so worth it that you will not be disappointed i wish that it didn't end

Great read

Enjoy this book was not slow but was a truly heartbreak book a lot of down heart moments but roundup good in the end.

Beautifully Tear Jerking

I have the 6 Holland Brothers books in text format on my kindle as well. A small warning...? This isn't a book you'd wanna listen to if you're hurting emotionally. I can relate to Rick 100%... My true mate is still denying his feelings after a year. How Jake & Rick managed 10 years before claiming each other properly...? One only knows...! Still 5 stars all the way. ;-)

I loved it

This has been the best audiobook I have ever listened to except fot the others in this series.

Long and drawn out.

This story drug on and on for no real reason. Also Jake was not likable at all. He lies at his best friend at every turn and allows everyone to take everything out on Patrick rather than fessing up. Also his reasons are really dumb. The idea that his dad would be able to do anything if Jake had just told the truth is laughable. Then Patrick just takes him back like it’s nothing.