Young Xan Heelies knows he can never have what he truly wants: a passionate romance and happy-ever-after with another alpha. It’s not only forbidden by the prevailing faith of the land, but such acts are illegal.
Urho Chase is a middle-aged alpha with a heartbreaking past. Careful, controlled, and steadfast, his friends dub him old-fashioned and staid. When Urho discovers a dangerous side to Xan’s life that he never imagined, his world is rocked and he’s consumed by desire. The carefully sewn seams that held him together after the loss of his omega and son come apart—and so does he.
But to love each other and make a life together, Xan and Urho risk utter ruin. With the acceptance and support of Caleb, Xan’s asexual and aromantic omega and dear friend, they must find the strength to embrace danger and build the family they deserve.
This gay romance novel by Leta Blake is the second in the Slow Heat universe. It’s 130,000 words, with a strong happy ending and a well-crafted, non-shifter Omegaverse. It features alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting. No cheating. Content warning for brief sexual violence.
Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo
Listening Length: 15 hours and 22 minutes
Thankfully, this still remains one of the best ABO series/stories I’ve ever read, as it continues to not slack in the world building nor the complex cultural constructs on what it means to be an alpha, a beta, and an omega. This further expands on the nuanced dynamic of how each type is forced into roles, rules, laws and regulations - all dictating how one should be and who they should be with.
Fear not that this is some extensive boring societal commentary. It uniquely sets things up while still being an impactfully poignant, angsty sexy romance.
I’m not going to give a detailed review because there are many great ones out there already explaining such. Just know that this is a multilayered story about an alpha who wishes he was different, who wishes his desires weren’t “wrong” and illegal and how he’s saved from his destructive ways by the devoted love of another who also defies the laws and social norms to be with him.
Perhaps as a warning, this contains an age gap, a second chance at love, and an unique sexual dynamic that monogamist purists might not appreciate. Believe you me, I’m typically one of those but the situation here just works, and all involved are happy and content. I absolutely reveled in the interactions between the two MC’s Xan and Urho, which were sweetly full of hurt comfort, simmered with some seriously hot sexual tension, and overflowed with plenty of delicious dirty with that oh so coveted KNOTTING. Unf.
To sweeten the pot, this was again narrated by the fantabulous Michael Ferraiuolo. He’s definitely a dream come true to my ears, and he only served to further elevate an already great story!
This series by far is my favorite creation from Blake, and I hope she doesn't disappoint and continues to give us more food for thought, more twisty hurt-so-good love stories in this really truly impressive, original ABO universe!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review
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