The Fake Mate
Mackenzie Carter is a newly qualified ER doctor in Denver whose grandmother won't stop trying to set her up, so she invents a boyfriend: Noah Taylor, the hospital's famously grumpy cardiologist. Noah has his own problem. He has hidden that he is an unmated alpha shifter, and an anonymous tip threatens his job at a hospital with discriminatory policies. Their fake relationship helps them both, until real feelings get in the way. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books enjoyed the shifter world and the fake-relationship setup but felt the final stretch lost momentum.
About This Book
The Fake Mate is a contemporary romance novel by Lana Ferguson, first published in 2023 by Berkley. It runs 400 pages. Readers can expect fake dating.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Fake Dating
- Length
- 400 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- To satisfy her matchmaking grandmother and save her own career, an ER doctor and a grumpy cardiologist enter a fake-dating arrangement that unexpectedly turns real.
- Fans of paranormal shifter tropes
- Readers who enjoy workplace romances
- Features Fake Dating
- Engaging premise that blends professional drama with paranormal world-building
This may not be ideal if…
- Potential pacing issues in the latter half of the book
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Paranormal Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Relatively balanced as professional peers in a hospital setting.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Mackenzie Carter is tired of her grandmother's constant attempts to set her up, so she invents a boyfriend: the hospital's notoriously grumpy cardiologist, Noah Taylor. Noah, meanwhile, is grappling with his own secret: he is an unmated alpha shifter working in a hospital with discriminatory policies regarding his kind. They agree to a fake relationship to solve both of their problems, but as they spend time together, professional boundaries blur into personal ones.
Central Conflict
The tension between the couple's fake-dating charade and their growing real feelings, compounded by the external threat of Noah's potential job loss due to discriminatory hospital policies regarding his shifter identity.
Setting
Denver, a hospital environment, and a world where shifter identities are known.
Strengths
- Engaging premise that blends professional drama with paranormal world-building
- Strong trope utilization
Consider before reading
- Potential pacing issues in the latter half of the book
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Lana Ferguson
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
Be the first to share what you thought of this book.
Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 400 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780593549377
The Fake Mate: quick answers
- Who wrote The Fake Mate?
- The Fake Mate was written by Lana Ferguson.
- When was The Fake Mate published?
- The Fake Mate was first published in 2023 by Berkley.
- What genre is The Fake Mate?
- The Fake Mate is a contemporary romance novel, with fake dating.
- How many pages is The Fake Mate?
- The Fake Mate is 400 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Want more books like this?
Let Lyra help you discover lesbian romance books that match your exact mood, favorite tropes, and reading style.