Wild Mark:

by Sadie Drake

It's a game of cat and mate--and I play to win.
Gemma is curvy, cunning, and challenging. She's also a runner. After the hottest night of my life, I'm not letting her escape.

Cody isn't who I thought he was. I tried to forget him, but no matter where I go, the connection we made is all I can think about. I feel like prey, chased by memories and a connection that feels like magic.

This fated-mates, InstaLove curvy girl romance features a possessive mountain lion shifter and the smart-mouthed woman he marks as his own. No cheating, and HEA guaranteed.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Paranormal

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2023

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was really confusing to read, it cuts like you would in a movie so one second they're in the bar and all of a sudden they're outside, and then all of a sudden we're several weeks in the future with no mention of that until we're halfway through the chapter, but the whole book is like this and its so frustrating, plus it cycles through who is who way too fast which makes it even more confusing.

Also, everyone's actions made no sense: 'I have to avoid you for no reason' to 'I love you and want to have your children' with like a page in between was just terrible.

[Sophie Sosweetysocrazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy fated mate romance.. Entertaining and fun-to-read..

[Maaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright

The story is alright, though a little choppy and we jump from one place to the next quickly. There was attraction between the couple but for me, I think more time would’ve been needed to really form that connection.

[Lia ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced smutty shifter novella 🙌

" Logical me wanted to run - but the glimpse of his eyes in the moonlight said he'd love the chase."

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Story rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Romance rating: 3.0⭐️
Spice level: 3.0 🌶️ 
Smut frequency: 2.5 ⏳


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Tropes:
💫 Fated Mates
💃🏼 Curvy FMC
💼 Boss MMC
⛓️ Possive MMC & Jealous FMC
🎙️ Dirty talk
🙏 Praise
🏃🏽‍♀️ Primal play

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I got this book on Stuff Your Kindle Day and I'm happy with it! 😋

➡️ The story is very short (93 pages) and there is a plot outside the romance but I have a feeling it's something that happens in the background and I'd need to read the 2 other books of the Wild Mountain Mates Series to have the complete picture.

➡️ The romance is cute but you know with fated mates (and so few pages) it's hard to get better. The insta-love doesn't really get me going THAT much.

I was also a little disappointed that the heroine is curvy but it's barely mentioned. As a matter of fact, the MCs are described so little that you have to imagine them almost entirely.

➡️ The spice is good, it begins quickly and if you're into a man who isn't shy with his words and actions then it's for you. Globally the smut is hot but standard, with no particular kinks.

The primal play didn't feel that primal for me tho hahaha it was very gentle that's why I don't really count it as "kink-worthy" 😂🤷🏽‍♀️.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody, the male panther shifter lead, has been avoiding his matchmaking grandmother because he’s looking for his fated mate, not just a suitable partner. When he meets Gemma, the female human lead and research biologist, in one of his family’s bars, he is stunned but ready to pounce. Gemma, however, is there to meet with her research partners, not get entangled with a male she doesn’t expect to be interested in more than a good time. Cody’s panther is happy to chase his mate but Gemma doesn’t trust what Cody is offering and Cody isn’t sure how she’ll take his shifter nature…

This novella is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and spicy contemporary shifter romance. I enjoyed the dynamic between the lead characters and the relationship development. I empathised with Gemma’s concerns around Cody’s expectations of her behaviour and career, and enjoyed that she was willing to push him away, if necessary. I enjoyed Cody’s pursuit and his determination to convince Gemma that he was trustworthy and planning for the longterm. I enjoyed their intimate interactions. I appreciated the connections to the first story in the series but this one definitely stood alone.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Positively Book Mad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The full review is available on my blog: Positively Book Mad

I have struggled massively to rate this novella; in all honesty, I struggled to even write the summary for Wild Mark. Outside of the fated mates, love, and smut, I really couldn’t explain what happened. I felt like Wild Mark was a book of two halves. I really liked the first 31%, and all of my likes have been mentioned in one paragraph of this review. But after that, the love was a bit too much, the smut seemed to fall flat, and the nickname was a hard pass every time it was spoken. And I just didn’t understand, outside of love, what the plot was. I’m sure that Sadie Drake had one because Gemma was there to do a job, and obviously Cody had a big-picture plan, but I don’t feel like any progress was made, but maybe I’ve just missed it in my confusion. Therefore, I am rating Wild Mark, Two out of Five Stars.

I would recommend Wild Mark to anyone over the age of 18 who enjoys shifter romances with filthy-mouthed MMC, smart and curvy FMC, a healthy amount of spice, and of course the ever-needed HEA. Despite my rating, I’m sure I will give Wild Shift, the next novella in the Wild Mountain Mates series, a go in the next couple of months.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma is a biologist working around a wolf pack for study. Cody is a panther shifter and she is his human mate, but he will have to be careful in approaching her and telling her about him. Cats love to chase and that becomes their favorite game, but she needs to remember that cats climb trees. Loved the characters, their passion for nature, animals and friends and family. The way the details and information came out was well done and entertaining. Lots of steamy moments, understanding, acceptance, chemistry and more. Those two are now fully inline with the rest of the series. Looking forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Cody and Gemma’s story. Cody is a panther shifter. Gemma is a biologist who is studying the wolf pack with her friends and is the fundraiser for their cause. Their chemistry is off the charts from their first meeting where Cody realizes they are fated mates. The meet again at a fundraiser for the wolves where Cody reveals himself to Gemma. Great read that I finished in one day! Loved the characters and story behind the book. This is part of a series but each book is it’s own so you don’t have to worry about reading them in order. If you love PNR and shifters, this book is the one for you

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma and her two friends were research partners in the western ridge wolf rehabilitation project but they needed money to continue. They went to a bar where she met Cody, she felt the pull to him but didn’t understand. After they had a thing against the outside wall of the bar she ran, then the next day she was supposed to address to town council saw him and ran again. Then she went to Louisiana for a donor thing, met his grandmother and realized that he had been hunting her and they had shared dreams. Good book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Akshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story 'Wild Mark' by Sadie Drake very much. It came across very sexy with a panther shifter totally into his newly found mate and very happy to chase her down. The cat in him was very happy with the thrill of the chase. The lady was in need of convincing that this beautiful man was immediately interested in forever with her. He soon left very little doubt in her mind.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Corinne Akers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild Mark

This story is about Cody who is a panther shifter, and while the storyline of this book started out good, there was no real depth to the story at all. Every time it started to develop a plot outside of the main lead characters, it would fizzle out to the tracking, marking, and finally mating of Cody and Gemma. There could have been so much more to this book. Sadly disappointing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another well written shifter romance and it's told in dual POV to give me maximum enjoyment of their personalities. Gemma and Cody had fab chemistry and a steamy romance. I loved the dynamic between them, though, when she was willing to walk when she fretted over his intentions. He set out to prove he was in it for long term and they got their fab HEA. Good fun!

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody is a panther shifter and a workaholic, continues to put his grandmother off as he is waiting until he finds his mate. Gemma, a biologist, and Cody meet when she and her friends are studying a wolf pack. Cody knows she is his mate but after the heated encounter he lets her go, this cat loves the chase.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Fated Mate . . .

Cody, a panther shifter, has finally found his mate! Gemma decides to run, which is the wrong thing to do with a cat – they love the chase and have the perseverance to never give up. Will Cody catch his lady? Will he prove to her that he is after forever with her? Or will he have to prove that to her?

[Angel Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, very fun amd flirty book.

I loved the connection between Gemma and Cody! Fated mates between a panther shifter and his human mate.

Lots of fun, with a sweet and steamy relationship. Really enjoyed it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emzy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic story. I really enjoyed it. The characters are comfortable with a welcoming depth that makes you want to get to know them. The world building is phenomenal you get sense of it and some of the rules but you just know there is more. The spice scenes are very nice and the pacing before and during the scenes. I really enjoyed this book.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not good….like at all. Thank god it was only 93 pages - it’s positioned as a full story but it’s barely a novella at best. It’s fated mates in the cheesiest most unbelievable (yes I know it’s a shifter story; so you know it’s bad) way. The smut was terrible and dialogue throughout was cringe.
Also the nicknames 🤮

It’s a no for me dawg

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read. This is book two in this series Wild Mountain Mates and my first. This is a new author for me and I am looking forward to reading more from them. The characters are likeable and fit well together. Their chemistry is sizzling. A fun read.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!! Gemma and Cody were so great for each other, and I loved the steamy chases in this book!! If you want to know what I’m talking about take a read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book in the Wild Mountain Mates series that I came across but not the first book by Ms. Drake that I've read. This was a great shifter story and I'll have to catch up on the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody and Gemma are fated mates in this second book of a series of three. I love this plot and the characters carry the book. Waiting for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maki Karnivorous · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet

The writing got. Little confusing to me a few times. But the mc’s were so cute. I love that she freaked out a little then was like I got this. And he was so enamored with her. So lovely.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such A Good Try...

This book started out awesome! Such a strong start! But then it fizzled halfway through and got super cheesy. Such a bummer, because this book could’ve been great.

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me. I would like to have seen more to the story. What was here was well written and the characters had good chemistry. I would encourage everyone to give this one a chance I think you will enjoy it I know I did.

[Kristina Schmidlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cody has a mouth on him 🥵. Nothing wrong with the story just would have enjoyed a longer version so their connection didn't have to be rushed. Definitely would have loved details of them creating a family.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even know what the plot of this book was.

It was a difficult read because it was so fast paced that it felt like information was being left out. It was also hard to determine which characters were having dialog.

I wanted to DNF but it was already such a short read that I stuck it out.

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️📚👍

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible lol I don’t know why I bother with stuff ur kindle day 🤦🏼‍♀️