On the reading blog today, I have two stories that contrast in subgenre (Young Adult and Omegaverse) but they both explore how self-realisation and acceptance lead to love.
Suki Fleet writes a coming-of-age story like no one else! L.O.V.E and The Truth About Everything is a beautiful tale set in the Welsh valleys, about childhood friends Oscar and Jamie, now in their late teens, whose unspoken feelings for each other cause intense soul-searching.
Suki Fleet captures the inarticulacy of youth and the fear of losing something precious by speaking out of turn. This is intensified for Oscar by his homophobic bully of a father and the claustrophobic atmosphere of his small village that makes him want to flee into the unknown. However, both Oscar and Jamie have creative outlets that allow them to express themselves to a certain degree.
I first came across The Bound Omega, a fantastic novelette by K.C. Carmine as part of the Sold Darkverse anthology and I’m delighted that it’s now published as a well-deserved standalone!
This is an intense Omegaverse story, where Alpha and vigilante Elgin inveigles his way into an underground club that deals in Omegas to reach Snake, the trafficker who killed his sister. Then Elgin’s sidetracked by an uncontrolled Omega who needs his immediate help during heat. Consequently, the two men are locked together in a room overnight, after which Elgin can entrap Snake.
As you might guess with an Omegaverse story, this is super steamy, but the level of characterisation makes this such a wonderful read. Although driven and single-minded, Elgin is an atypical Alpha in many ways, considerate, disciplined and compassionate. Oleander, a spectacularly feisty Omega, is his perfect match, both sexually and emotionally.
I loved the way these two banded together after initial mistrust during this wonderfully written and tightly plotted story. And the newly added epilogue to The Bound Omega gives these two their perfect HEA and finishes the story beautifully. A spicy little gem of a story from K.C. Carmine.
This week on Recent Reads, there’s two gorgeously warm-hearted romances, one Omegaverse from Roe Horvat and one contemporary by Mere Rain. Both scenarios take the MCs by surprise but work out for the best in the most romantic way!
I’m thoroughly enjoying the Omegaverse multi-author Perfect Match series, especially Roe Horvat’s stories, so it was lovely to catch up with Gigi, Bentley’s feisty and fun-loving best friend from Faraway Match.
In Double Match, party boy Gigi has grown up a bit, mainly because he finds himself unexpectedly pregnant and wants stability for his unborn son. So when the Perfect Match agency pairs him with an Alpha couple in a stable relationship who want to start a family, Gigi is initially wary and sceptical.
I loved the dynamic between Frederick, Adrien and Gigi, with off-the-charts attraction and ensuing emotional complications. I never doubted the close bond between warm and sensitive Adrien and blunt but loving Frederick and how they slowly managed to break through Gigi’s self-protective shell with their care and consideration. This was super spicy, deeply romantic and beautifully told. Double Match proves to be a satisfying read on all levels.
I don’t normally quote from books on this blog, but this exception proves the rule!
“Javier and Brandy met in economics class, which was ironic because Brandy didn’t understand anything about money, and Javier didn’t have any.”
This fabulous opening line from present-day NYC-set Didn’t Know We Needed is the perfect start to this warm and witty tale by Mere Rain. For a relatively short story, there’s a rich depth of characterisation.
Ex-con and student Javier may come across as a mean streets tough guy, but his kind heart shines through from the start when preppy rich boy Brandy, totally out of his depth and slumming it at CUNY for a year in disgrace, trails after him like a lost puppy.
There’s lots of fun to be had with the themes of class differences, opposites attract, and fake dating. But despite their superficial differences, these two are a great combo. Javier sees the desperate insecurity and lack of self-esteem behind Brandy’s brittle facade, and by giving Javier someone to care for and protect, Brandy soothes Javier’s impulsive outbursts of anger.
A vivid supporting cast of Javier’s terrific friends and Brandy’s appalling family is the perfect complement to a touching central romance that promises to last the course. A really gorgeous read.
This week on my reading blog, I have two very different fantasy reads, an MMM Omegaverse story from Roe Horvat and an MM Regency fantasy story by K.L. Noone.
I love all of Roe Horvat‘s books, but I was thrilled when he announced this new story set in the Hedonist world which is a favourite of mine.
Alpha Kings has a completely new cast, with King Sebastian’s court from the first series only mentioned in passing. But it has the same dreamy, highly charged erotic atmosphere that made the original Hedonist stories so special.
I really liked how Omega Prince Aiken came out of his shell once he was taken from the grim regime of his homeland by the fearsome Alfas and Cairestine lords Wolf and Bear. That sense of freedom and fairness for Omegas made his awakening all the more to be relished.
Alpha Kings comprised great character-building and world-building with a nice touch of myth and legend, and there’s no one like Roe Horvat for blending erotic scenes with lashings of sensuality and romance.
I’ve adored K.L. Noone‘s Midwinter Regency Fantasy series and my only complaint about Midwinter Marriage is that it’s likely to be the final story!
In previous stories, we’ve only had Sam’s viewpoint of Edmund, as a cold, haughty, stick-in-the-mud elder brother. So it was disarming to see Edmund’s side of the story. A middle-aged man whose narrow limits have been dictated by his brutal and unreasonable father, too afraid to show the slightest emotion.
The way that his friend Sebastian supports Edmund in Midwinter Marriage during his hour of need, leading to so much more, is absolutely beautiful. This is a moving and deeply emotional story of hope and new beginnings delivered in Kristin‘s trademark exquisite prose.
They took our free will. Now, we will take what they treasure most.
For too long, we have allowed ourselves to be chained. To be denied our birthright.
No longer.
Tonight, we hunt, the way our Alpha forefathers did. Driven by pure instinct, no Omega will be spared our feral desires.
But for some of us, not just any Omega will do. There are those whose scents drive us to distraction, whose very existence calls to something deep and primal within us.
And there is no price we will not pay to finally claim them.
Sold is a dark omegaverse romance anthology that may not be suitable for all readers. Please read the author’s note to determine if this anthology is too much for you.
Jake is a stripper on the run, in need of a new job. He happens to find one in New York City, at a club called The Apollo Lounge. That’s where he meets another stripper named Tristan who’s tall and gorgeous, and also a really nice guy.
They hit it off almost immediately, but Jake is unsure about starting something new. He’s had it rough and is wary about opening up, but maybe with Tristan his luck has finally changed.
Excerpt
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.
“This place looks great,” he said, and he meant that. “I hope it works out for me. I’d love to dance here.”
“Great!” Tristan looked thrilled. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Shall we get you started? I just need to go through the dancing rules with you, and the extras, and then you’re all set. You want a table dance demo, or are you good?”
Jake made a little noise of surprise, unable to hold it back. A demo? Really? He was about to get a dance from this hunk?
“Sure,” he said, adding, “A demo would be great.”
“Okay.” Tristan got his phone out and started some music, something slow and sexy, setting it on the table. “So, pretend you’re a customer,” Tristan said, getting to his feet. “I’m your dancer, and you’ll have to use your imagination that I’m in my underwear.”
Jake suppressed a smile. “Right.” He opened his legs to give Tristan room to stand close, one leg either side of his knee. Tristan started by holding onto the back of his chair and caging Jake in with his thick, muscled arms. He leaned in just enough that Jake caught a hint of his alpha scent.
“So a table dance for downstairs is one full song,” Tristan said, all casual as he began dancing, slowly undulating his body to the beat. “Depends on the length, of course.”
“Mm-hmm,” Jake replied, eyes glued to Tristan’s slim hips. He was watching for technique and style, yes, but he couldn’t help notice how great Tristan was at dancing, too. Clearly he knew what he was doing, and he had a fantastic body.
“No touching in the downstairs lounge,” Tristan went on, dipping his crotch low and almost rubbing it over Jake’s thigh, just shy of touching. “Tease as much as you want, but it’s a no contact dance.”
Jake nodded. “And in this room?”
Tristan caught his eye with a grin. “Well, up here it’s kinda do whatever you want, short of full sex. It’s up to the dancer how far you wanna go. In the private booths, that is.”
“Not out here on the floor?” Jake joked.
Tristan laughed lightly. “No, just mild touching out here. There’s one camera on the main floor here for the stage area, but none in the booths. If the customers want any scenting or necking, it has to be in the booths because it can get messy real quick.”
“Sure,” Jake agreed. “Sounds reasonable.”
Tristan smiled at him as he leaned in closer, tilting his head so his nose was between Jake’s neck and shoulder, and Jake had the same access to Tristan’s neck. He couldn’t help inhaling, just a little. Tristan smelled good: a strong and clean alpha scent. Just the sort of enticing smell Jake would expect from a young, fit alpha who looked after his body.
“Your hair smells good,” Tristan said, then pulled back to grin in amusement. “That wasn’t part of the dance, sorry.”
Jake smiled. “It’s the conditioner. But thanks.”
“So, where was I,” Tristan joked with a laugh. “Alright, so, obviously do a lot of scenting in the dance, the omegas really like that.”
Jake liked it too, but he kept quiet and nodded along.
“They wanna feel like you’re super into them,” Tristan went on, “like you wanna claim them and mate. That’s the impression you need to give off. Sometimes I grab the back of their chairs like this…” He demonstrated by gripping the chair’s back and shaking it a little, tensing his arms so the muscles bunched as he leaned in and looked Jake in the eye.
Jake was starting to feel aroused himself at the display of alpha manliness. Like he wouldn’t mind so much if Tristan threw him down for real and played a bit rough. Jake would be into it for sure.
He couldn’t afford to get a crush, though. Not with a colleague. Jake made himself nod politely, treating this as business, nothing more.
“Thanks,” he said, when Tristan got off his lap. “That seems straightforward enough.”
“If you got any questions tonight,” Tristan said, giving Jake a friendly smile, “just ask me. I’ll be on the floor and I’ll help out with whatever you need.”
He was just too sweet, Jake thought.
About the Author
J.B. Buell is a non-binary writer (they/them) of m/m romance and gay rom com stories. They are a cat person, and can’t decide if they’re more of a coffee or tea person but is quite happy to drink both.
Ellie Thomas Romance 