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Wolves of Stone Ridge #24
Trusting His Rat
Jamie Stratton has never had a serious relationship in his life, hopping from bed to bed, waiting patiently for his mate. Having just hit the three hundred year old mark, the wolf shifter is ecstatic to meet Paolo Muccio. He and Paolo spend one glorious night together, but then Jamie learns of his mate’s kink. Swamped by memories he thought buried centuries ago, Jamie panics and runs.
Paolo can’t believe his luck. Not only did wolf shifters rescue him, but when they take him back to their pack territory, he meets his mate. The icing on the cake, though, is the fact that Jamie is submissive. In his excitement, Paolo pushes too hard too fast, causing his mate to remember past hurts. Can Paolo not only track down his wayward mate, but prove to Jamie that he can be trusted in all things?
Paolo can’t believe his luck. Not only did wolf shifters rescue him, but when they take him back to their pack territory, he meets his mate. The icing on the cake, though, is the fact that Jamie is submissive. In his excitement, Paolo pushes too hard too fast, causing his mate to remember past hurts. Can Paolo not only track down his wayward mate, but prove to Jamie that he can be trusted in all things?
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2014
16 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 9, 2015
Much like Stormy Glenn, Charlie Richards infuses her stories with just enough intrigue and endearing romance to make it possible for to me overlook bad writing. Not great, but a pleasant way to pass the time if you're in the mood for some sappy m/m shifter fun. Be warned that Richards sucks at dirty talk. The sex scenes can be a little awkward at times.
November 27, 2014
Apparently, being submissive means that you’re incapable of performing the most basic social interactions without being ordered and/or coddled. Who knew?
Yeah, my first issue might be that I don’t like Paolo’s attitude much – but perhaps the bigger problem lies in the particular kind of D/s depicted here. It simply holds no appeal to me, feels unbalanced and uncomfortable to say the least.
However, what in the end really gets to me is the disappointingly sloppy execution of this little story. Not only is the D/s highly doubtful (punishment in this form introduced when it should be about pleasure only for this traumatized man), but then things are hastily thrown together. There’s hardly any romance I can detect and even the sex feels like an afterthought.
Eh. Can’t win them all.
Yeah, my first issue might be that I don’t like Paolo’s attitude much – but perhaps the bigger problem lies in the particular kind of D/s depicted here. It simply holds no appeal to me, feels unbalanced and uncomfortable to say the least.
However, what in the end really gets to me is the disappointingly sloppy execution of this little story. Not only is the D/s highly doubtful (punishment in this form introduced when it should be about pleasure only for this traumatized man), but then things are hastily thrown together. There’s hardly any romance I can detect and even the sex feels like an afterthought.
Eh. Can’t win them all.
May 1, 2015
2nd reading April 2015
First read 8-24-14
I didn't like Paolo for Jamie. I thought he was too strong for him. Not as in strength, but dominate wise. Jamie has issues and I think Paolo just glossed right over those. I didn't like it.
First read 8-24-14
I didn't like Paolo for Jamie. I thought he was too strong for him. Not as in strength, but dominate wise. Jamie has issues and I think Paolo just glossed right over those. I didn't like it.
December 26, 2015
Most Dom/sub books that are on the outskirts of hardcore I find ok. This is another to add to that collection. While Paolo is dominant there is certainly nothing outlandish.
I found that I actually liked this. Of course I would have liked to know more about Jamie's past besides innuendo and a mention of mother's ex in regards to seven up.
The group together to help out Preall just makes me want to go back and read their books again. Jared/Carson mostly with some Grady/Gordon thrown in.
The ending though... I feel like I've used the word abrupt a lot lately and this kind of fits in there also. These two seem to have a ways to go, just getting started on building trust and with the first instance of true trust it comes to an end.
I found that I actually liked this. Of course I would have liked to know more about Jamie's past besides innuendo and a mention of mother's ex in regards to seven up.
The group together to help out Preall just makes me want to go back and read their books again. Jared/Carson mostly with some Grady/Gordon thrown in.
The ending though... I feel like I've used the word abrupt a lot lately and this kind of fits in there also. These two seem to have a ways to go, just getting started on building trust and with the first instance of true trust it comes to an end.
June 16, 2024
on a re-re-read binge
July 26, 2015
I love BDSM in romance books, but unfortunately Ms. Richards really messed this one up......
1. Jamie finally tells Paolo about his abuse at the beginning of their first scene and PAOLA DOESN'T STOP!!!!!!! This was the time to end the scene and do some serious talking. It was also an opportunity for Paolo to discover Jamie's limits.
2. Jamie chooses a safeword associated with the abuse and Paolo doesn't correct him and encourage him to choose a more positive word - not one associated with abuse.
3. Paolo punishes Jamie retroactively in their first scene. They did not have a defined D/s relationship when the event occurred, so the punishment was extremely unfair. Their first scene should have been a positive experience. The spanking/erotic pain should not have been tied to a negative consequence.
Otherwise, I liked that Paolo was sensitive enough to not tie Jamie to the bed and chose Shibari bondage to add to Jamie's erotic pleasure.
1. Jamie finally tells Paolo about his abuse at the beginning of their first scene and PAOLA DOESN'T STOP!!!!!!! This was the time to end the scene and do some serious talking. It was also an opportunity for Paolo to discover Jamie's limits.
2. Jamie chooses a safeword associated with the abuse and Paolo doesn't correct him and encourage him to choose a more positive word - not one associated with abuse.
3. Paolo punishes Jamie retroactively in their first scene. They did not have a defined D/s relationship when the event occurred, so the punishment was extremely unfair. Their first scene should have been a positive experience. The spanking/erotic pain should not have been tied to a negative consequence.
Otherwise, I liked that Paolo was sensitive enough to not tie Jamie to the bed and chose Shibari bondage to add to Jamie's erotic pleasure.
December 4, 2025
I once picked up a random book from the Stone Ridge universe, and I liked it. Now I’m going through the whole universe and completing the whole list on the author's website.
(trope spoilers below)
There is a lot of insta-love and soulmate/beloved stuff and I love it. In the background there is a continuous bigger plot and the series are all interconnected. It’s a great adventure and I do not regret starting all those books at all.
If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
(trope spoilers below)
There is a lot of insta-love and soulmate/beloved stuff and I love it. In the background there is a continuous bigger plot and the series are all interconnected. It’s a great adventure and I do not regret starting all those books at all.
If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
June 10, 2021
Well, I started this book last week then realized there were 2 other series that overlap this one and ended up going back and catching up on them first.
I’m really disappointed in this book. I was looking forward to both Jamie and Paolo’s books so when I realized they ended up together I was thrilled. But the whole thing (other than a short very interesting part with everyone helping Jason’s sister and Jamie’s friend sneak out of a bar) was about Jamie misunderstanding bondage. That’s it. *sigh*
I’m really disappointed in this book. I was looking forward to both Jamie and Paolo’s books so when I realized they ended up together I was thrilled. But the whole thing (other than a short very interesting part with everyone helping Jason’s sister and Jamie’s friend sneak out of a bar) was about Jamie misunderstanding bondage. That’s it. *sigh*
March 16, 2020
Incomplete. When they were getting somewhere it ended.
Liked Paolo. Hated Jamie. Jamie appeared to be 18 rather than the 300+ wolf he was supposed to be. He didn't defend his mate when one of Jamie's friends attacked him and hit him for no fucking reason. He just wasn't trying hard enough and wasn't being forthcoming with his mate. Poor Paolo was trying hard to make it work.
The conversation that they should've had never even happened. I hated how Michael (Jason's mate) just touched Jamie's neck (where his mating bite was) to soothe him and then order him to tell him about his mating. I hate when people betray their mates with sharing such intimate details. There is an invasion of privacy. None of Jamie's friends treat him like an adult. Jamie doesn't act like an adult. Also, I never felt any mating instincts from Jamie, like feeling bad from being away from his mate.
This was just shitty book. It had a good concept but could've been better executed.
Liked Paolo. Hated Jamie. Jamie appeared to be 18 rather than the 300+ wolf he was supposed to be. He didn't defend his mate when one of Jamie's friends attacked him and hit him for no fucking reason. He just wasn't trying hard enough and wasn't being forthcoming with his mate. Poor Paolo was trying hard to make it work.
The conversation that they should've had never even happened. I hated how Michael (Jason's mate) just touched Jamie's neck (where his mating bite was) to soothe him and then order him to tell him about his mating. I hate when people betray their mates with sharing such intimate details. There is an invasion of privacy. None of Jamie's friends treat him like an adult. Jamie doesn't act like an adult. Also, I never felt any mating instincts from Jamie, like feeling bad from being away from his mate.
This was just shitty book. It had a good concept but could've been better executed.
October 15, 2019
Firefighter Paolo and Financial Analyst Jamie
January 3, 2021
The three first chapter was great but after the misunderstanding in Jamie and Paolo the book become desappointing.
October 1, 2024
No me gustó
March 28, 2016
Trust doesn't come easily
Had been looking forward to the Rat's story every since he was rescued Stone Ridge Wolves. He had been forced to stay in his Rat's form for eight months when he was held at a lab and subjected to very painful injections by long needles that kept him in his shifted form. The person responsible had been taken care of. Paolo Muccio went to stay with Nick Greeley and Miach in Stone Ridge.
He turned out to be a 5'7 short broad olive skinned Italian. He is a cocky, very dominant man. He took up martial arts to make up for his size. He also has piercings. He comes on strong when it's someone he's after. This time he targets Jamie Stratton, a scared submissive who gets lost in his head. He used to say whatever popped into his head, but he learned the hard way that it's better to be quiet, than to face ridicule. Luckily Paolo loves submissive partners. And when he realizes that Jamie is his mate nothing can stop his determination to seduce his mate.
Unfortunately since Paolo doesn't take the time to get to know his mate before claiming him. This leads to a huge misunderstanding and momentous failure to communicate. Jamie feels so overwhelmed and fearful that night despite the comfort of his mate's arms he flee.
It takes some over zealous and super protective friends to make Jamie realize that running away was not the best course of action. It frustrates Paolo to no end that he can't get in contact with his mate to find out what's going on in that head of his. They have some serious communication issues. Clarification and resolutions can't occur until Jamie and Paolo sit down and talk, about themselves. Explaining their concerns, desires, and fears. Learn not to take each other for granted.
I thought I'd really enjoy Paolo's story, but I was nonetheless disappointed
Had been looking forward to the Rat's story every since he was rescued Stone Ridge Wolves. He had been forced to stay in his Rat's form for eight months when he was held at a lab and subjected to very painful injections by long needles that kept him in his shifted form. The person responsible had been taken care of. Paolo Muccio went to stay with Nick Greeley and Miach in Stone Ridge.
He turned out to be a 5'7 short broad olive skinned Italian. He is a cocky, very dominant man. He took up martial arts to make up for his size. He also has piercings. He comes on strong when it's someone he's after. This time he targets Jamie Stratton, a scared submissive who gets lost in his head. He used to say whatever popped into his head, but he learned the hard way that it's better to be quiet, than to face ridicule. Luckily Paolo loves submissive partners. And when he realizes that Jamie is his mate nothing can stop his determination to seduce his mate.
Unfortunately since Paolo doesn't take the time to get to know his mate before claiming him. This leads to a huge misunderstanding and momentous failure to communicate. Jamie feels so overwhelmed and fearful that night despite the comfort of his mate's arms he flee.
It takes some over zealous and super protective friends to make Jamie realize that running away was not the best course of action. It frustrates Paolo to no end that he can't get in contact with his mate to find out what's going on in that head of his. They have some serious communication issues. Clarification and resolutions can't occur until Jamie and Paolo sit down and talk, about themselves. Explaining their concerns, desires, and fears. Learn not to take each other for granted.
I thought I'd really enjoy Paolo's story, but I was nonetheless disappointed
May 5, 2016
This author does have some fun with making her romance pairs unique. There is a rat shifter and a wolf shifter mated in this one. And guess what? The rat shifter is a Dominant and the wolf shifter is a submissive. I found that refreshing and a good reminder that assumptions can't be made when it comes to relationship dynamics.
But this was also a story that had two people who were still healing from tough pasts. Paolo had just spent eight months trap in his rat form and being experimented on by scientists. Jamie was abused when he was very young and it was someone who took advantage of his submissive nature so that Jamie freaks out to discover that Paolo is dominant and wants to dominate him in the bedroom.
The story did a moderately good job within the page count telling Jamie and Paolo's romance. It was a little rushed at the end when Jamie shared the situation that led to his fears. There was some mystery left from Paolo's past that maybe will come out in the next books of the series.
I also enjoyed that many of the older pairs from the Stone Ridge series were present in the scenes: Declan and Lark, Carson and Jared, Grady and Gordon, and so many more. And it was fun to see that side story of everyone helping another shifter get a chance at happiness with a mate.
All in all, it was a good story- hot, but heartwarming, too.
But this was also a story that had two people who were still healing from tough pasts. Paolo had just spent eight months trap in his rat form and being experimented on by scientists. Jamie was abused when he was very young and it was someone who took advantage of his submissive nature so that Jamie freaks out to discover that Paolo is dominant and wants to dominate him in the bedroom.
The story did a moderately good job within the page count telling Jamie and Paolo's romance. It was a little rushed at the end when Jamie shared the situation that led to his fears. There was some mystery left from Paolo's past that maybe will come out in the next books of the series.
I also enjoyed that many of the older pairs from the Stone Ridge series were present in the scenes: Declan and Lark, Carson and Jared, Grady and Gordon, and so many more. And it was fun to see that side story of everyone helping another shifter get a chance at happiness with a mate.
All in all, it was a good story- hot, but heartwarming, too.
April 18, 2019
Trust and communication
This was a good story and really showed the dangers of how BDSM can go wrong if either there isn't communication, or one partner take advantage. As a naturally submissive partner Jamie was taken advantage of by a previous lover which has made him terrified of any related aspects in sex as he associates it with pain and fear. When his mate, Paolo, talks of tying him up Jamie runs in fear. Communication is the most important thing for them to get past this and it also helps Jamie see what their D/s relationship can really be like. Very well done!
This was a good story and really showed the dangers of how BDSM can go wrong if either there isn't communication, or one partner take advantage. As a naturally submissive partner Jamie was taken advantage of by a previous lover which has made him terrified of any related aspects in sex as he associates it with pain and fear. When his mate, Paolo, talks of tying him up Jamie runs in fear. Communication is the most important thing for them to get past this and it also helps Jamie see what their D/s relationship can really be like. Very well done!
January 8, 2020
I'm sure I would've liked this better if I'd read any of the previous books in the series, but I only needed one with a rat on the cover, so I jumped in here instead of at the beginning. I'm giving it three stars instead of two since I haven't read the initial world building. Not a bad story, but I just wasn't completely present in this world. Maybe I'll try the early books someday -- just not right now.
September 15, 2014
The only thing that bothered me (and I got over it after the first 15 pages when it was no longer an issue) was author starts the lead character in jeans specifically mentioning a zipper, but when the two leads (the same night) start to have sex, somehow he's in button fly jeans. Someone should have caught such a contradiction.
October 9, 2014
Trusting His Rat follows on from the incident with Lidia at the end of Rehabilitating his Dingo. A really good read with visits to old characters stories and hints for new.
Jamie might be 300 years old but he still has issues to deal with.
Jamie might be 300 years old but he still has issues to deal with.
November 14, 2017
Love and Respect
When a young Jamie is hiding from his desire only a strong sexy Pablo can bring him to his knee's. Mates are perfect in every way, so when they meet it's like fire. But things are not as Simple as they would want it to be.
Confusion and misunderstanding come between them. Only the live of a good man will fix this.
When a young Jamie is hiding from his desire only a strong sexy Pablo can bring him to his knee's. Mates are perfect in every way, so when they meet it's like fire. But things are not as Simple as they would want it to be.
Confusion and misunderstanding come between them. Only the live of a good man will fix this.
April 22, 2015
Ok. Perhaps I shouldn’t have started with book 24 in a series… Too much plot and world building that I didn’t get, or was frustratingly vague. The main couple were ok, but supporting characters felt like cartoonish.
Bought from kobo.
(Found my original review, replaced it.)
Bought from kobo.
(Found my original review, replaced it.)
February 26, 2022
Intense and well done
Charlie did an amazing job in this one tackling some challenging topics as well as introducing more of the D/s scene that was only hinted at before. I loved Jamie and it was a joy to read this piece.
Charlie did an amazing job in this one tackling some challenging topics as well as introducing more of the D/s scene that was only hinted at before. I loved Jamie and it was a joy to read this piece.
July 21, 2014
Love it!!!
August 27, 2014
Loved this book. Would love to know what happens with Trina's step father Arthur and her mother Brianna?
July 25, 2014
Loved this book the only thing is I wish they were longer.
June 12, 2016
2.5 Stars
March 1, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Paolo is absolutely perfect for Jamie. I loved their relationship. I also had a few giggles during the sneak Trina plan. Loved it!
November 6, 2014
2.5 Stars
February 12, 2015
3.75 stars
October 27, 2021
I am enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews