I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this book. At first, I was nervous when I discovered this book was about fated mates that feel an instant connection and attraction (aka instalove, an element I am not a big fan of in general). To my surprise, it gave the characters time and space to grow closer and get to know each other before actually deciding to get together.

The plot starts with Danny, bear omega shifter, who is saved by his brother in the middle of his boyfriend (at that time) abusive behaviour. In present time, he's trying to recover and heal. One day, an outsider wolf alpha shifter arrives to the pack, Knox, and both discover they're each other's mate. Their journey won't be so easy though, since both have their own difficult pasts, but they will try to make it work betwen them while protecting each other from the possibility of Danny's abusive ex alpha coming back and a new danger for the pack's omegas.

I really enjoyed how this had a different take on the fated mates dynamic. Usually, books use this element to make the characters get together fast, which isn't bad in itself, just not my thing. While this book isn't exactly a slow burn, the progression between the MCs felt organic because both sides were very patient. Danny and Knox had clear personalities, with dreams and insecurities outside of each other, but coming together makes both stronger.

Besides the development of the relationship, the most engaging thing about this book for me was the case about the

Spoiler

omegas being kidnapped

. Even if it can get repetitive, I will always love any story that has this topic when it's well done. While it's a horrible situation, this isn't a tool to revictimize Danny, the total opposite actually. It felt great to see him gain his confidence back bit by bit, meanwhile Knox never pushed him and opened up to Danny as well.

The only couple of things that could've made this better is that I wish the chapters were longer, because some dialogues and scenes felt like they were cut abruptly. Besides that, I also felt that the moments where

Spoiler

Danny escapes from his ex and then asks Knox to become mates

right after that traumatic experience felt rushed for me. But this still didn't affect my overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, this was a very enjoyable book with an adorable hurt/comfort story. I haven't read the first book prior to this review but now I definitely will. I absolutely loved Milo, and I hope Jamie and the warlock each can have their own books.

-This was an ARC review.

Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person
-Content warnings:

Spoiler

past abusive relationship, domestic violence, kidnapping, stalking (all of these not between MCs), abusive ex

-Elements:

Spoiler

a/b/o, omegaverse, younger omega x older alpha, hurt/comfort, size difference, mpreg (on the epilogue)

-Kinks:

Spoiler

knotting

-Sexual act(s):

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handjob, barebacking, creampie, blowjobs, riding, rimming

-Dynamic:

Spoiler

strict top and bottom