Vampires can't be trusted, Rhyme has known this all his life. However, Iskander doesn't take or ask for Rhyme's blood, so what is the handsome vampire doing taking care of Rhyme if he doesn't want blood? Iskander wants Rhyme to heal and maybe experience freedom even if it means his mate will eventually leave him.
From the Mate Me, Save Me blurb:
Born and raised in a vampire coven, Rhyme knows vampires are all sadistic, manipulative monsters who'll never see mortals like him as anything more than blood-slaves. So when he finds himself 'rescued' by another coven, he knows it's a lie. These new vampires are not his saviors.
The moment Iskander sets eyes on the scarred mortal in the infirmary bed, he knows that Rhyme is his. His to protect. His to cherish. His mate. But before he can even think about claiming Rhyme, he's going to have to fight his way past Rhyme's scars. And some of those run deep.
Rhyme doesn't understand Iskander, this vampire who promises to guard him, who holds him through his nightmares and never asks for a thing in return. Not even for Rhyme's blood. It would be so easy, to let himself believe. But still, Rhyme's waiting for that rush of violence and fangs that will prove him right.
Except it doesn't come and, slowly, Iskander's arms begin to feel like home, like the safety he never knew. Like love.
But can Rhyme really let himself fall for a vampire?
Please refer to the look-inside regarding sensitive subjects present in this book.
SNik's review:
Second in series (Rubyville Vampires), best if read in order. Paranormal. Hurt/comfort. Forced proximity. Fated mates. Dual POV.
Rhyme was born a blood slave, and doesn’t trust any vampire, not even the vampire that promises to protect Rhyme from everyone including himself. The instant Iskander sees Rhyme he knows that the man’s happiness is more important to him than anything else, he doesn’t care how long it takes to gain Rhyme’s trust, he wants to help the mortal heal.
Iskander is dreamy as a cinnamon roll vampire that has patience, understanding, depth, and is entirely unselfish when it comes to Rhyme. Rhyme is an especially compelling character to read as he is courageous having suffered after protecting his family, but willing to open himself to trust and learning that not everyone is out to hurt him. It’s relatable that Rhyme tries to push himself while still healing, and he is so lucky to have found his special person in Iskander. I appreciated Iskander’s willingness to sacrifice, and Rhyme’s personal strength, this was a good addition to this series.
Angel's review:
Please make sure you read the content warnings before you start this book. This book features a lot of different serious topics, so please make sure you proceed with caution!
While this story does feature heavy topics, they are handled very well, and with care. I felt so bad and horrified reading about all the horrific things that Rhyme went through, and all the things he was forced to do. It was so terrible, and I don't blame him at all for not trusting Isk right away.
This book is more of a slow burn, with good reason. It wouldn't make sense to the characters if their relationship was rushed, it had to be slow because that's what made the most sense. Rhyme had to heal, and learn gradually that he could trust Isk, and that Isk wasn't going to treat him like how every other vampire did. I loved how Isk supported Rhyme, and how he kept showing up. He kept proving with his actions that he wasn't going to treat Rhyme as others did, he showed him that he respects him and cares about him.
The pacing of this story was great, as were the characters. I enjoyed getting the full backstory about what Rhyme went through, and slowly uncovering more information as the story progresses. I do wish we got to learn more about Isk but that's a minor thing.
The end of this book I think was the best part! Seeing Rhyme realize his worth, and coming to terms with the fact that he can put himself first, that he can want things and want to prioritize them. Rather than just doing anything everyone else wanted. That was a lot of growth, and there was a bunch of character development that occured in this story, which I enjoyed reading! This book was tragic, upsetting, but also was so very beautiful, and poignant. I highly recommend this book, just please make sure you read the trigger warnings first.
Mate Me, Save Me is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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