Primordiale

Wrong Side of the Tracks #2

by K.A. Merikan, Daniela Barisone (Translator)

“What I find in my territory is mine to keep. Even if it’s a man.”

Jag. Uninhibited. Possessive. Walks on the wild side.
Dane. Gentle giant. Monster lover. Plays it safe.

Dane always knew his illicit fantasies of rough sex and dangerous men would one day lead him down a path of no return, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stay away.

After being beaten half to death by his ex, he wakes up in a collar, chained to a wall by a wild man who claims Dane as his property.

From the moment Jag lays his eyes on Dane, he knows he wants to keep him. Big, strong, with colorful ink all over, he is the most unique man Jag had ever seen. But Dane has to be tamed if he is to become Jag’s mate for life.

All Jag needs to do is assure Dane that he will be protected and provided for, because the sparks are already flying. But Dane keeps nagging about irrelevant things like his family, responsibilities, and the Internet. No wonder Jag needs to keep him chained for longer than he expected.

The only way out for Dane is to play the role of Jag’s obedient, loving ‘mate’, and bide his time until he can escape. But while Jag is absolutely batshit, and his junkyard den lifestyle is insanity, he also showers Dane with treats, worships the ground he walks on, and f*cks him like a monster, the way Dane always dreamed of in his most secret fantasies.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: primal play, modern day Tarzan, abduction, masculinity, fish out of water, opposites attract, deception, plus size hero

Genre: Scorching hot M/M dark romance
Length: ~85,000 words (Standalone)

WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, abduction, offensive language and morally ambiguous characters.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook

377 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2022

About the author

(Goodreads profile run by Kat)

K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.

K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.

e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com

More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan

Reviews

[len ❀ [ia bc of school] · Rating 1 out of 5]

this wasn’t any better than book 1

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 2 out of 5]

|| 2.0 stars ||

➛First read: May 2022 | ★4.5 stars
➛Second read: October 2024 | ★2.0 stars

EDIT after my re-read:
I don’t know whether I had gotten hit in the head when I first read this or if I maybe just had the worst tastes in the world, but I cannot, for the life of me, understand now why I used to love it so much. This whole story was ridiculous and was about nothing but kinky sex and lust; there was no depth or development here whatsoever.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Oh my. This was pretty weird. Pretty crazy. Pretty wild.
But hell if I didn't eat that shit up!

Going into this, you simply have to accept that these characters are not exactly normal.
Jag especially is pretty much insane; he is completely estranged from modern society and customs, and it definitely shows in his way of thinking but also in how he behaves. He basically acts and lives like an animal or a very primitive caveman; he is completely clueless.
But, trust me, Jag is the sweetest damn 'animal' you will ever meet. Seriously, he pretends to be all alpha or whatever, but this dude is more of a puppy than actual puppies are. He's adorably insane.
The way he craved affection, love, and how he just wanted to make Dane happy. It was so cute.

This man had abducted him, and kept him on a chain. In no world should Dane consider him sweet, but how else was Dane to call this guy, who did everything to make Dane like him? Jag was a puppy who didn't understand its methods were wrong.

I am convinced Jag would have given Dane the world if he had asked for it. Hell, he would have already given Dane the world if he even remotely suspected Dane wanted it. He would pretty much do anything for him.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a character be more in love and obsessed with someone than Jag was with Dane.

Jag's heart leapt every time Dane smiled at him, so he did everything in his power to get as many smiles, as often as humanly possible.

But, Jag was not only sweet and caring, he was also possessive as all hell. He was determined to convince Dane to give him a shot, to love him back. Jag had 'caught' Dane, whether Dane realised that or not, and he sure as hell wasn't letting him go.

"There will be others."
"I don't want another! I want him. He's mine, and I'm not letting him go. We built a house. He... he likes me."
"He did run. Are you sure you want to look for him?"
"You don't understand anything. I'll hunt him down to the ends of the world. I'll sooner die than give up, and anyone who stands in my way should be very afraid."

So, yea, all things considered, Jag might be batshit crazy, but I adored him so much, and his love for Dane was simply so swoon-worthy, so hot, so utterly perfect!

Dane, on the other hand, I think could have been a lot better as a character. He was unfortunately rather under-developed.
But he also had his pros; for example, I liked that he wasn't conventionally attractive, but instead was described as having a lot of 'fat' on his bones, and I also liked that he wasn't necessarily judgemental of Jag's way of thinking or how he grew up.

On the flip side, Dane’s non-judgemental attitude also made it so that I think he accepted his abnormal and quite frankly terrifying situation with Jag a bit too easily and a bit too happily. He should have resisted a bit more in my opinion.
Although I do think it helped that it was established that Dane already had some strange desires and had loved/craved the feeling of danger even before he met Jag. It made his acceptance more believable.

Luckily there were definitely still moments when Dane pushed back, though, and it was just adorable how devastated Jag was each time he managed to fuck up with Dane.

"You claim you're not a dog, and yet you bark at me. I can't let you out of my sight until you're tamed."
He knew this wasn't what Dane had wanted to hear the moment hot rage bloomed on that handsome face in dark blots.
"Oh, so you think it's your job to tame me? In that case, consider me fully untamed. I won't sleep next to you any longer!"
Jag raised his hands in panic as sweat beaded on his forehead. "Dane, Dane... my sweet big bear. You know you don't want that. We have something so good here."

I am sure that this book will definitely not be for everyone, but people who love this sort of thing will adore it!

It has a possessive, completely obsessed alpha male with the sweetest heart and deepest craving for love.

It obviously also has the captive/captor trope, which I'm a huge fan of when done right! I only wished it was a bit more of a slow-burn.

The story takes place in a junkyard and a self-made ‘den’, which I found surprisingly fun to read about.

Jag as a character was just so lovable and very interesting.
His love for Dane was adorable and pure perfection!

I simply enjoyed this so much, and I don’t care about anything besides that!


'Wrong Side of the Tracks' series:
1. Scum - 3.0 stars
2. Primal - 2.0 stars
3. D!ckhead - dnf
4. Grind - 4.0 stars
5. Wanted - 3.0 stars

Other K.A. Merikan books:
‘Sex & Mayhem’ series - var. ratings
Mr. Jaguar - 3.0 stars
Not Like Other Boys - 4.5 stars
‘Guns n’ Boys’ series - var. ratings
The Cattery - 3.5 stars
Break My Shell - 3.5 stars
The Black Sheep and The Rotten Apple - 3.5 stars
‘Kings of Hell MC’ series - var. ratings
Wrong Way Home - 4.0 star

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!

Jag was a puppy that didn’t understand its methods were wrong.

✔️Character driven
✔️Found family
✔️Feral but sweet alpha
✔️ ‘You’re mine’ kind of possession
✔️Virgin hero
✔️Shared kink

Neither one of these leading men felt overly bright, yet they had so much depth of character and heart. Dane was ok, but Jag. He ran off with my heart from the start.

How could Dane judge him by the standards of his own world when Jag was a creature like no other, brought up in a culture different to Dane’s?

Raised in a cult/commune/prepper home Jag doesn’t understand societal cues, or cultural norms. He has very strong feelings about who he should be as a man, and who his perfect mate should be.

I enjoyed this character so much that I would happily read another story with him simply going to a public pool, or shopping at a large grocery store. His lack of formal education, views on the world and the absurdities that we hold in such a high value were completely entertaining and relatable.

[Nark · Rating 2 out of 5]

✦ for some reason i just can't really get into this series. i've given both books 2 stars so far, so idk if i'll even try book 3 when it comes out tbh.
✦ i think the lack of actual good relationship development really killed these books for me. the hot smut is just not enough.

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School] · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...He might be meeting his future mate tonight—a lifelong partner to share his den with, to protect, to dote on, and… well, fuck."

I immediately adored Jag in Scum as I love crazy possessive wild characters like him, but I was not prepared for the crazy ride that Primal was.

We have Jag, who was raised by some cult-like polygamist commune in the wild. He has survival skills to live in the wild but, honestly, zero socialization skills, but he is now on the hunt for his mate. Dane, who was supposed to be dead, ends up being his target.

I loved Jag; he was insane but so likeable as well. He was over-the-top possessive, wild, and honestly controlled chaos. He was actually so earnest in his desire to have someone to provide, care for and love that, despite his antics, you can not help but think it was charming. Yes, he was collaring a man and keeping him away from his family, but he is also so sweet and gentle.

"I’ve been a lone wolf, but you made me realize that I once again have a pack.”

Literally a modern-day Tarzan re-telling but the grittier, more violent and unhinged version. Dane is not a willing participant in Jag's dreams to settle down (initially), but soon he learns a lot of his darker sexual desires and preferences match up with Jag's.

"This man had abducted Dane, kept him on a chain, and had just fucked him twice with no condoms. In no world should Dane consider him sweet, but how else was Dane to call this guy, who did everything to make Dane like him? Jag was a puppy that didn't understand its methods were wrong"

"The caveman mentality had been a constant source of annoyance for Dane, but when pushed down into the blankets, all he wanted was for his personal Tarzan to take charge in the most primal ways."

While Jag is gay, he has a wrapped understanding of gender roles, and that is due to his childhood. He sees himself as the provider and alpha but does not realize that not all relationships function like that. There are no clear-cut roles, and it is okay to rely on your partner. In his mind, his mate, even if they are a man, must take on the submissive 'female' role in the 'home'. However, Dane gets into his head that that is not how it will be between them.

"Dane was not about to discuss feminism with a guy who chose to live in a scrap yard. Especially that there were no women around to defend from Jag's backward thinking."

While Jag appears in control and self-assured, I liked how we got to see a vulnerable side. Because he grew up in a commune and was cut off from society, he is not able to read or write, let alone use technology or understand basic social cues and etiquette. Being with Dane, who is from the outside world, who may leave him to go back, causes some insecurities.

"I feel dumb when they show me something I've been doing all my life can be done easier and faster with tools I didn't have. I know I'm not stupid, I know I have so much to give, but no one sees it."

There were also many moments I ended up laughing out loud. This book was so hilarious at times.

Overall I enjoyed it! Primal as messed up and wild it was it was also so sweet! I also loved seeing Shane/Rosen, Frank and Dex. I am excited to read Dex's story next and hoping for Frank's one as well.

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Dark MM Romance
Type: Book 2 of Wrong Side of the Tracks series
POV: Third Person - Male
Rating:
4.25 Stars



Surviving the elements was a walk in the park for Jag, but when it came to the matter of the heart, he was a fish out of the water. Fortunately, his longing for a mate was answered in the form of Dane Whitaker. Except, the situation was more complicated than neither of them expected.



I loved Jag from the previous book and looked forward to his story. I’m happy to say I found it to be entertaining.

It sounded wrong. So, so wrong. And yet Dane’s ears throbbed with heat when he imagined being kept by this wild man and serving him in any way he craved.

Jag was very endearing and amusing with his innocence in special situations. He might not do things the right way, but it’s simply because it’s the only way he knew. I did wish to learn more about his past though. Considering the situation Dane was thrown into, he handled it pretty well.

Primal is a story of adapting and compromising. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a slightly dark MM read with humor and heart.



Books in the series:





⚙️⚔️⚙️. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ⚙️⚔️⚙️






For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio - 3 stars
Story - 4 Stars

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been so excited to read Jag's book since I read Scum, and this was everything I could have hoped for! That opening chapter...poor Jag, lost in Vegetaria.

I loved the thread of nature/animal analogies throughout the book, even in Dane's POV, it kept the jungle feeling strong.

Seeing more of Jags paths and secret hideouts brought the junkyard to life even more. It truly felt like Jags territory with how well he navigated and protected it. His unique trading and bartering, and stealing of Shane's things...

Dane has some remarkably colorful fantasies, especially in the beginning. His head is definitely full of horny juice. And the primal play scenes? Hot. Unbelievably hot. There was more shifter evidence in here than in some shifter books. Mating bites. !!!

Having Dane help point out all the baggage Jag was carrying as a viewpoint from his cult-leader father was unexpected, but I liked it a lot. Especially seeing Jag learn to reevaluate and become better and more compromising for Dane. I would have liked to see more from working on Dane's own history as well - he seemed to have his own little pile, but we focused more on Jag.

Overall, I loved this book. I felt it was a smoother journey for the characters coming together than in Scum, but I enjoyed both!

(Seeing Dex's cover...!!! I have already decided, with absolutely no reasoning whatsoever, that he will be with sledgehammer guy. Who was in the book for such a short period of time I only know he's very big and good with sledgehammer. It's proof okay)

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought about dinging it a bit bc Dane could have been more developed as a character, but Jag is everything, and they were super sweet together. Am I going to have to buy these books in physical form, too??? Anyway, I don’t understand how Merikan can make these supremely fucked up situations seem reasonable and even cute, but somehow they manage it. It was this book that also made me realize how much more they make me visualize their writing than a lot of other authors . . . super vivid! Can’t wait for the next one.

[vrstal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. My highlights have spoilers. Read those at your own risk.

"Jag managed to smile as happiness bloomed in his chest. He’d never felt so accepted in his life, not even by Frank. Dane knew all his weaknesses yet still recognized his value. This was the kind of man who’d put his hand into muddy water and fish out the sole gold nugget. In the sunshine of his attention, Jag felt like the most precious stone, ready to be shown off to the world by the only man whose opinion mattered."

Primal by K.A. Merikan is the second in their Wrong Side of the Tracks series, about the found family of the local junkyard and the people they come to love. Of course, this is a dark romance, so it's not that simple.

Jag and Dane's story is a loose Tarzan retelling (minus the colonialism and racism), that starts with a subversion right out the go with Dane being kidnapped and captured by Jag. As I don't want to spoil too much, I will say this: this story is about Jag, who learns to get over his fear of finding his place in the world of the junkyard and the modern world, and finding what love can really look like for him when he has had little role models of it in his life. Dane, a man who repeats patterns of abusive relationships yet struggles in the closet, is captured by him - and somehow, they find their way to be what they both need. I liked that yes, compromises were had for them both, but whether it was sex or the care they needed for each other, it just worked.

Jag was so, so sweet. Sweeter than you'd expect, and he had some vulnerabilities too. I loved him in Scum and I loved reading his book. I didn't know where Merikan was gonna take him, but it worked out. His POV was well done, and despite this being a captor-captive romance, it didn't feel hopeless and bleak because Jag was never purposefully cruel. Dane was someone who actually really flourished under the love and care of Jag, and had his own insecurities because of the patterns he felt himself falling into. I do think that there is just less to say about Dane because he was not as focused on as much Jag was throughout the book. I wish he was given more exploration into his personality, which is why this was not a five star for me.

I like the glimpses we got of Ros and Shane together, Dex, and Frank. Dex does some more stupid shit in this book, but with his book coming next, I'm sure we will see someone put him in his place. I just wonder who it will end up being!

I definitely recommend this to those who like dark-lite romances. While there is death and some angst, this is not harrowing.

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio: 4-4.5 stars

Book: 4 stars

I love any misunderstood character and that is Jag to a T! There is something about his primal life/ how he acts that just worked for me hah. I loved how he was so protective of Dane. There were a few times that I didn’t like how Dane was acting toward Jag.. but that could have been because I just wanted to hug Jag haha.

Now it’s time to read “Scum” cause just seeing Shane and Jag’s interactions made me laugh! Haha

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

Full of ridiculousness and probably the most OTT of the series.
Jag and Dane’s relationship was oddly sweet despite how it started, but the plot does lack a bit of action in my opinion.

Super fun and entertaining read, nevertheless.

CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Kidnapping
- Dub-con (?)
- Tarzan inspired MC
- MC with heterochromia
- Virgin MC
- Strict top/bottom
- Primal and CNC play

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

If this man had already been ripped out of the civilized world and tossed away, would it not be a kindness to keep him?

Did the relationship between Jag and Dane start off a bit, let's say, untraditional? Yeah, but it oddly all makes sense for these two. This book definitely has some dark moments, but it was also surprisingly sweet.

Jag was… a strange creature, and while most people would have called him absolutely-fucking-insane, at least he was taking care of Dane when someone else had left him to die.

Jag is such a silly little puppy dog. He acts purely on instinct. Dane is so reasonable, understanding and sympathetic to Jag's upbringing and current situation. He really understands him in a way that I don't think many others could or would.

Luckily for both MCs, Dane is down with Jag's wild ways. His primal kink lined up perfectly with Jag's instinctual behavior to hunt down his mate and claim him. Jag loves Dane's unique look and Dane loves how ripped Jag is, which leads to some HOT sex scenes.

“I’m gonna breed you every day, rut on top of you so you never forget you’re mine. I’ll make sure you drip with my cum,” he rasped, riding Dane’s crack as if he were inside him already.

Jag was a beast, even if a kind one, and the submissive, dirty part of Dane wanted to satisfy its every craving. Make Jag so addicted to him that he’d never let Dane go, keeping him under lock and key, and using him whenever he needed release.

The family vibe is still strong in this second book and I loved seeing all the guys interact. There's no shortage of hilarious exchanges.

Jag cocked his head. “Are you saying I should pee on him to mark him if I like him? Will that be enough—?” “No! Don’t pee on him! Jesus Christ!” Shane yelled, and Dex started laughing like a maniac.

Ultimately, Jag just wants to be needed by his mate. Dane and Jag are very accepting of each others good and bad qualities. Even when Jag and Dane are hurting from something the other did, they will still defend and stick up for one another. It is so sweet.

He’d never felt so accepted in his life, not even by Frank. Dane knew all his weaknesses yet still recognized his value. This was the kind of man who’d put his hand into muddy water and fish out the sole gold nugget. In the sunshine of his attention, Jag felt like the most precious stone, ready to be shown off to the world by the only man whose opinion mattered.

[Lars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 43%

No thanks❤️

[K.A. Merikan]

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really fun so far! A group of men live in a junkyard: Shane, Dex Jag and Frank. Shane met his love, Rosen, in the first book of the series, Scum. Dex is Frank’s over sexed nephew and Frank is the owner of the junkyard. Jag is the a character that when I first read about him in Scum I thought “this guy can never have his own book. As I read more I fell in love with the wild man who had a vulnerable side. In this book we get Jag’s story and it doesn’t disappoint.

Jag was raised off the grid and thinks and acts in many ways like a cave man. He protects the junkyard and he lives in a den that he built out of the surrounding junk. He wants a mate and his first shot at dating goes epically wrong. When he “finds” Dane he can’t believe his luck. He decides Dane is his mate and will stay with him and he will take care of him. Dane isn’t on board with all of that though and despite his attraction to Jag he must get back to his family. Dane is a perfect match for Jag, he’s very into the being taken with no choice fantasy but he also learns that Jag is a wonderful person. I loved how they learned to work together.

Jag is really so sweet, I don’t know how these ladies make me fall in love with these characters. Kat and Agnes Merikan, if you’re familiar with their writing, take chances that pay off. They write such different stories than your average romance and it’s a change that I find is needed. They are probably one of a few authors that can go so far out on a limb but still keep everything believable in the crazy worlds they create. I love reading their stories!

I really love Frank and I know we don’t get his story until after Dex’s but I cannot wait! Dex is such a hilarious character and his book should be really entertaining! I love always knowing you will be going on a wild ride with this writing duo!

**ARC received from the authors for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

[25 Readings Or More · Rating 4 out of 5]

So...
It wasn't love at first chapter with Primal. It took me a bit to connect with Jag and Dane, but the moment it happened IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING 🤩🤩
Primal is nothing like the books i've read so far.
It's unique.
And it reminded me once again why I love so much these two wonderful women and the men they create together. Their style is knowable and kinda quirky, but in the best addictive way.

Jag is a savage: he doesn't fit in the normal society and he can't stand being surrounded by people.
But he feels lonely and he wants a mate...and life gives him one in a shape of a big "bear" with a body full of colourful inks.

Dane is a good guy; he works with computers, and he takes care of his family. He has only a flaw: he loves "monsters". The last one he fell for almost killed him and he is the reason why Dane find himself in the hands of his new kidnapper, Jag.

The begin between Jag and Dane is rough but not less spicy. As they get to spend time side by side feelings start to grow but Dane has a family he can just forget about....and a dangerous man who could come back to finish him any time soon.

Well, this story is good, really good!!
It's intriguing, raw, and dark in some elements, but not as dark as I expected it to be.
It's emotional because of Jag and his struggles. Behind the big bad savage façade, there's a sweet guy who wants to be loved badly for who he is 🖤🖤🖤
There is also humor that lightens things up a bit, and some fantastic side characters 😍
And I need to read Scum now!!

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoooooooooah! Yes :)
K.A. Merikan's Primal is smoking hot!

Filled with creative and clever twists, on so many different aspects of the story, I just kept on dropping my jaw in awe. Doesn't matter how many books I read (or listen to) by the Merikans, they never stop impressing me with their unique insights into the human experience.

Two of the most intriguing characters ever, Jag and Dane's unique approaches to everything in life and love made them such an interesting couple. Plus there’s an exciting fast-paced storyline. Never ending fun.

A beautiful job on the audio by Wyatt Baker! I love Mr. Baker’s enthusiastic performance, and his voices fit these characters perfectly. Wonderful job!

an audiobook copy of Primal was provided for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for gay alpha male you came to the right place! Who doesn’t enjoy a little peeing on what’s mine kinda read?? I was laughing out loud in the first chapter, and the smile was still on my face at the end.

Jag is our favorite junk yard recluse, that finds and keeps what he has been hunting for.

Dane finds himself in a situation that couldn’t get much worse.

When the two come together, for one, it’s insta love. For the other, it might take a while. But the story getting there is a good one! It has all the feels and a HEA that’s so sweet.

It was so good people! It’s up their as one of my favorites. I seriously don’t know how their minds work to come up with so many unique stories! ❤️

[꧁•Zakiyya•꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read primal play once before and really enjoyed it – this book just cemented my love for it.

It’s raw, animalistic, wild and I absolutely love it.

I loved Jag, he was – “rough and stubborn, he was also generous, and sometimes- surprisingly gentle.”

The world through Jag’s eyes was a fascinating one – he basically grew up like Tarzan – where basic concepts like dressing up and even the movies was strange to him.

He saw nothing wrong with chaining up a man (Dane) and deciding to keep Dane as his mate whether Dane liked it or not…🙊

But I liked how Dane found something in Jag that he could never find with anyone else – what he thought was a shameful kink was something that came so naturally to Jag.

I liked how they worked through Jag’s eccentricities and they both grew to adapt to each other’s worlds.

We got to see a lot of much needed compromise between Jag and Dane and that was what made the journey to their HEA all the more endearing.

I definitely want more primal play now…💙😍💙

 

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I'm thinking this one was going to be weird. It certainly was. A modern-day Tarzan charged with disposing of a body that turns out not to be dead.

Jag decides to keep Dane for his very own.

What ensues kept me on edge and reading straight through to the end.

Only K&A could make it happen. I fell in love with Jag, his innocence and fearlessness. Weird becomes lovely. In a junkyard people! Such superb writing.

When things go south, they go wayyyy south. So freaking cool. Jag and Dane's love story blew me away. Their story is that good. Stars and more stars.

So next up is some biker dude with a sledgehammer used for nefarious purposes. The squelching. Like cracking open a watermelon. That's our next love interest. Bah, hah, hah. I cannot wait for Dex the nympho's story.

Hammer time. 🔨

[Ninni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet survivalist finds a hot man wounded in his territory. And wants to keep him. What's not to love with a story like this 🖤

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Primal is the second book in K.A. Merikan’s Wrong Side of the Track series. This story focuses on the wild Jag, who was raised by survivalists in a very off-the-grid “prepper” colony, and Dane, who seems pretty milque toast except for his sexual appetites. I feel like these characters really explore the idea of opposites attract, in terms of appearance and socialization. Not only that, but as the chapters alternate between Jag and Dane being narrators, I felt like I really understood what drove Jag and Dane to act as they do. This was imperative for making Jag a sympathetic character. I thought the authors did a fantastic job fleshing out Jag’s history and both Jag’s and Dane’s personalities to make them more than the veneer of an urban wild man and a primal play simp.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC but damn did I enjoy this one. I was such a fan of almost everytbing about this book and I had the best time reading it. Plus it was hot as fuck. And I just adore Jag.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 2 out of 5]

WEIRD BOOK. DNF 53%. Just can’t. Sooooo weird and unfortunately boring.

[martina (the life of a chaotic reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can’t believe i enjoyed two (2) ka merikan books

[Monikat]

d.n.f 16%
Nope, Just, no.

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third star is for Jag.

[taylor :)]

DNF

I think I lost interest around the 30% mark. I started skimming after that, so I could read some sex, but it didn’t keep my interest either. I was just bored with this.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars story!!