Wild Mate - Misti Wilds

This book had so much happening that the story never stood still for long. Every chapter seemed to move something forward, whether it was the relationships, the trials, the politics surrounding the mating orders, or the larger mysteries unfolding in the background. The progression felt natural, and it kept me completely invested from beginning to end.

I felt bad for Sienna throughout so much of this book. Not only is she trying to navigate complicated feelings and impossible circumstances, but she's constantly dealing with judgment, criticism, and pressure from people around her. The trials were brutal enough on their own, and then adding the mating order situation on top of everything else made her life feel almost impossible to navigate.

The relationships were what really carried this story for me because they were built on far more than attraction. Yes, there is spice, but the emotional foundations were given time to develop, which made everything feel more meaningful. The bonds, loyalties, friendships, and heartbreaks all mattered, and that made the romantic elements hit harder.

Allistair was one of the characters I found myself understanding even when I was frustrated with him. I completely got his perspective and why he struggled with the situation he found himself in. At the same time, the harder he pushed against it, the more damage he seemed to cause.

Callum absolutely stole scenes whenever his abilities came into play. His illusions were incredible, but that was nothing compared to his unwavering devotion to Sienna. There was never any question about where his loyalties lay, and I loved seeing that consistency from him.

Then there's Revyn. That man is completely and utterly in love with Sienna, but someone really needed to tell him that loving someone doesn't mean refusing to let go when it's necessary. There were several points where I wanted to scream at both of them. While I understood the emotional pull, there were definitely moments where I wished she would choose herself sooner.

I was so relieved when Sienna found someone outside of the boys to lean on. She desperately needed a friend and ally who wasn't emotionally tangled up in all the relationship drama. Having that support system added an important layer to the story and helped balance everything else happening around her.

And that ending...Absolutely not. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, everything was turned upside down. The cliffhanger was downright cruel, and now I desperately need the next book because there is no way I can be left sitting with that ending for long.

My senses narrow to the point where my soul ends and hers begins.