Last updated on January 31st, 2026 at 03:11 pm
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson is a story about Tess Covington, who is packing her bags for a renovation job in a snowy small-town lodge, but then she meets who changed her life.
But is it that spicy..? Let’s check out..
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“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.”
Book Review: The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson
Tess, when suddenly someone taps her shoulder, reacts with the same energy as someone discovering a weird rash. Bold choice, right? Especially when your biology is suddenly doing somersaults.
Enter Hunter Barrett: a man who is basically a walking growl. Grumpy, huge, built like he chops wood. The kind of guy who hates technology and maybe… happiness.
“Only a very, very stupid man wouldn’t want to kiss you, Tess.”
So of course Tess shows up at his family lodge, armed with a toolkit, big dreams, and absolutely zero understanding of what being an Omega means. What could go wrong? (Everything.)
And here’s the thing — we expect some tension. Maybe a little slow burn. A denied attraction or two. A “we can’t do this” moment followed by a maybe scene in a cabin kitchen. But nope. One meeting in and the pheromones are like, “Say less, besties.”
Is it fun? Yes. Is it spicy? Oh absolutely. Is it maybe missing that thrill a bit. But hey, we’re here for sexy chaos, not being emotional.
Meanwhile, Tess is knowing more about her new Omega instincts with the confusion.
The side characters? Cute enough but mostly scenery. The lodge? Cozy. The vibes? Snowed-in, warm, fuzzy, pheromone-infused bliss.
In the end, it’s sweet, steamy, and fun — sometime simply a bit of slowness, that’s all.
Also Read: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
| Genre | Romance |
| Number of Pages | 400 pages |
| My Rating | 3.5⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | December 2, 2025 |
The Mating Game Summary Spoilers
Tess Covington is having a completely normal day until one trip to the Denver ER later and—surprise!—she’s not sick. She’s now a Omega wolf shifter.
Cue Hunter Barrett, a walking storm cloud with muscles. A grumpy Alpha, an innkeeper, a man who hates change, and the unlucky owner of a rundown family lodge Tess is hired to revive. Oh—and he also immediately recognizes she’s an Omega the moment she steps inside. Because of course he does. The universe loves drama.
Their attraction? Confirmed to be instant. Biological pull? Absolutely there. Tension-filled slow burn? …Not so much. These two go from “Hello, nice to meet you” to “why is my body doing that?” pretty fast.
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And yes, Tess goes into her first Omega heat, and Hunter is the only one who can help her through it. The reviews made that VERY clear. So things get intense. Like, multiple heats intense. Knotting, caretaking etc. etc.
Meanwhile, Hunter is still recovering with old wounds from a past Omega relationship.
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson Ending Explained:
Despite all that, their fling turns into something real- they choose each other in the end. No tragic separation. No twist that rips out your soul. Just an emotionally sweet, fate-touched bond.
A lil surprise at the end : Mackenzie and Noah from The Fake Mate appear.
Quotes:
“I think everything about you is something I want to remember.”
Final Verdict?
Overall, a good read. Am I satisfied? Maybe No.
Who should read it:
- Readers who love Omegaverse dynamics (specifically Alpha/Omega, heats, knotting, caretaking).
- If you are craving a snowy, spicy read.
- If you are who liked The Fake Mate and want that similar read.
- Fans who pick up shifter romances for the steam level, not the wolfy -action.
Books like The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson:
- Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
- Carnage Island by Lexi C. Foss
About the Author:
Lana Ferguson is an author famous for her romance and YA novels. Some of her popular works are The Game Changer, The Nanny, Under Loch and Key etc.
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