Book Review: Safe in His Arms by Renae Kaye

Title: Safe in His Arms
Author: Renae Kaye
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: November 28, 2014 by

In the late-night quiet of the caravan park shower room, Lon Taylor washes away the filth of the Western Australian mines. He’s not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn’t turn him down.

Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon’s not sure he’s ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves.

But perhaps Lon can risk opening his heart again and hoping for a brighter future. Casey has some pretty big skeletons in his past to deal with. And Lon wonders what Casey will do when he finds out how badly Lon failed at protecting the ones he loved eight years ago.

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Reviewed by: Crissy

Why I Read This Book: Can I be honest? The first reason I considered this book was for the cover. I know. I know. Don’t judge a book and all that. But did you see the cover? How could I not. Okay, so it’s not the only reason. I also wanted this book for the broken heroes. I’m a big fan. And these characters are shattered.

What I Liked: Okay, so big, burly, protective men with backstories a mile long and damaged men with histories that will break you—that’s kind of a weakness of mine. I’m always a fan of good characters who are more than meets the eye. Casey’s journey from scared little boy to stronger man is refreshing. I like the way these characters interact in the way that they work through each of the obstacles that stand in their way and grow from them. I like the way they go from booty call to friends with benefits to lovers. It’s sweet.

What I Didn’t Like: I am probably in the minority when it comes to this book, because so many times I wondered why I kept reading it. I mean, how many times does “full sex” and “anal sex” have to be mentioned in one book? The first half of the story—maybe a little more—the focus is Casey trying to get Lon to have “full sex” with him—which, by the way, means anal sex. It’s an obsession and repetitive.

I also had a hard time with Casey’s father. Now, this author takes a difficult subject, a very controversial subject, and works well relating it to Casey. Where it falls short is in its completion. I feel like Casey went through a horrendous tragedy, yet he never really finds closure with it. I get what the author was trying to do but I don’t think the resolution was fulfilling.

There are also a few distracting points in the writing. A couple repetitive words that had me backing up more than once—and that’s outside of the whole “full sex” thing. And then an abrupt change from Casey to Paul—who’s not really a POV that is part of this story, save for the one or two random paragraphs.

In My Opinion: I was hoping for so much from this book, but overall it fell flat for me. Though it ended sweetly, I just can’t overlook all the issues I had for it. It’s not a book I’d read again.

Memorable Moments:

He was big all over—from his height to his chest to his cock. Mama made this boy extra-large.

“I come home from work and I head straight to you, like you’re blinking some sort of homing beacon on me.”

Crissy’s Rating: