An omega on the run, just trying to survive..A reluctant alpha…Roman is fine with his life.While his brothers and cousins are hoping and searching for their fated mates, Ro isn’t in any hurry. But fate has other plans, an intoxicating scent, an omega in distress leads him to a mate he wasn’t sure he even wanted.Devon is on the run from an abusive Alpha. He’s just trying to survive, keep his … from an abusive Alpha. He’s just trying to survive, keep his head down and go unnoticed. The plan is to make as much as he can and then be on his way… but this time his wolf refuses to cooperate.
When he gets attacked, Devon is ready to suffer through, just as he’s done many times in the past, but an alpha steps in, and now he says their fated… but what if he’s just another man in a long line trying to take from Devon, what he’s not willing to give?
Or maybe he’s a future Devon never imagined.
***Re-edited & Updated***
As of October 1st 2019.
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This was a safe read. Very low angst, easy to get into. No real problems. It losses a star though for one big technical issue from me. Rome vs Roman. The book starts off in the first paragraph saying “Roman was”. The very next paragraph says “Rome looked”. I thought there were two different people. It didn’t end there. It goes on to introduce the pack members, cousins brothers and even his twin with whom he is only ten minutes older. With all these names and the consistent changing from Rome to Roman, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t lost, confused, and a bit annoyed.
In all fairness, I’ve seen this done before. Hell, I’ve done it. So it isn’t the fact that both names are interchanged in the narrative it’s the placement. Something about it jarred me. It was probably the lack of set up for it that made it problematic. It happened so fast. First word first paragraph, which was really short, had one name. The second had another name as the first word but I wasn’t told ‘his name was Roman but his friends call him Rome’. There wasn’t a dialogue section where they called him Rome after setting the reader up with the name Roman in the Narrative to clearly Identify it’s the same person. So for a while it simply read like two different people and required a few rereads of some sections.
The next issue was the chapter after he and Devon bond it begins four days later. Devon wakes up after a night of awesome lovemaking and other activities, at least according to the first sentence but he didn’t just wake up. Four days have passed, and I’m reading this chapter like they just woke up the day after and then somewhere in the middle or close to the end I find out nope. Four days, not one. By this point, the reader is probably already committed to the idea that Devon woke up immediately the following day still enjoying the glow of the previous night. Having the time so late in the chapter bumped me out of the story for a while and slowed down the pace because I had to go reread it to be sure I wasn’t losing my mind and this was the first mention of passing time.
The sharing thoughts plot line is common for shifter romance. I don’t understand why were-fiction does this but it’s odd. Why would anyone be okay with someone spying on their thoughts. It just reeks of personal space violation. Since there’s only a teeny nip of it in this book I could’ve ignored it but Rome/Roman pries into Devon’s past without allowing Devon the chance to open up more and reveal in his own time and that rubbed me wrong. It’s almost like taking away Devon’s power as a separate entity. People should be allowed their secrets and grief and be able to heal as best fits them. Devon was right to be annoyed his thoughts were taken without his permission.
Won’t say much about this one but every Mpreg I read has the omega getting pregnant after the first encounter. Everytime. It’s like their only use is to be helpless enough to be protected and push out babies. Can’t they have more value than that?
Beyond the pregnant immediately trope, the confusing name usage and the one timeline issue, this book is well written. It’s a sweet story about a wolf who finds his mate and helps him heal. A feel-good kind of novel. I enjoyed it but not enough to delve into the second part. This book felt like ‘the dealing with Devon’s past’ drama should have been included and maybe added about two or three chapters. These chapters could also have shared more time with the two leads for a nice wrap-up. I just wasn’t interested enough to read another story to see how all that sorts out.
I’d recommend this story if you like your romance to go just a bit deeper and are a big fan of the Alpha Omega formula of romance. This story hits it well enough to be enjoyable and is a quick read. A nice way to pass the time. But if you really want to dig into a progressing relationship the leads don’t seem to spend enough time together for that to pay off, especially with it not, as I said above, taking the time to really dig into the issues with Devon’s past.
I loved the pull Roman felt to stay in that bar and then what happened next, Devon was sweet and needed someone to care for him after everything he had been through. No angst just pure lighthearted and a side of fluffliness. A short story and more of an introduction into the Wildwood world but you can tell it is going to be jam packed with protective mates, adorable babies and the love of family.
A very sweet start to a series! While I know this book is technically a HFN, and we will be seeing more of these two in future books, I honestly didn’t feel like this was lacking anything and really told a complete story. It’s fated mates Insta love, so if that isn’t your jam then this isn’t the book for you. I, however, have come to realize I really enjoy Richmond’s writing and find her stories to be quick, lovely,enjoyable reads.
Devon is on the run, hiding and working to get as far away as possible when he is attacked by an Alpha. Roman comes to his rescue and realizes that Devon is his mate. I really enjoyed this short novella. I cannot wait to read more from the series. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
Safe in His Arms by author Skye R. Richmond is the first book in the Wildwood Mates series. This book is written in dual POV and it’s a cliff hanger ending. I really loved this book, that is until I reached the end where it made me feel that it’s unfinished. I prefer having the romance wrapped up or at least be in a good place before the book ends. This book leaves you in an iffy feeling about how things are going to work out eventually.
Roman, or Rome, he is referred to as both in this book. As an alpha he’s protective, kind, and understanding. He has the nature to take care of his mate and he’s willing to let them learn about just being a mate before trying to jump their bones. That’s what I liked most about him.
The most developed character in this story is Devon. He is mysterious, vulnerable, and strong all at the same time and I feel like he has many more layers to show us still.
Overall a very good book that makes me want to read more. I’m just not overly fond of happy-for-nows and cliff hangers. Other than that, this is a must read for wolf shifter lovers like myself.
Four Twinkling Stars
I received this book in a giveaway and supposedly it will be a short story, that you enjoy and forget afterwards. But no, after reading the book, I find a story, not only highly enjoyable but also unforgettable. It was the start of an amazing series. Even with the HEA for Roman and Devon, I cannot wait to read the next book and discover what happens next.
Great introduction into the series. A short, but wholesome story with good worldbuilding. Looking forward to how the series will develop!