Bethany reviews ‘Slow Heat’ by Leta Blake. Self-published on May 16th, 2017, 408 pages. Released on audible on May 7th, 2018, 14 hours & 17 minutes.
NOTE: I was provided a copy this audio in exchange for an honest review.
Why I listened to this: My fellow reviewers have raved about this book, so when we had the chance to listen for review I knew it was time I listened to them.
A lustful young alpha meets his match in an older omega with a past.
Professor Vale Aman has crafted a good life for himself. An unbonded omega in his mid-30s, he’s long since given up hope that he’ll meet a compatible alpha, let alone his destined mate. He’s fulfilled by his career, his poetry, his cat, and his friends.
When Jason Sabel, a much younger alpha, imprints on Vale in a shocking and public way, longings are ignited that can’t be ignored. Fighting their strong sexual urges, Jason and Vale must agree to contract with each other before they can consummate their passion.
But for Vale, being with Jason means giving up his independence and placing his future in the hands of an untested alpha – as well as facing the scars of his own tumultuous past. He isn’t sure it’s worth it. But Jason isn’t giving up his destined mate without a fight.
This is a stand-alone gay romance novel, 118,000 words, with a strong HFN ending, as well as a well-crafted, non-shifter omegaverse, with alphas, betas, omegas, male pregnancy, heat, and knotting. Content warning for pregnancy loss and aftermath.
I have been wanting to read this for quite some time. My fellow reviewers here have read it and loved it. They always recommend it when I ask for something sorta alternative universe but not the typical shifter book. Yet I always seem to pick up something else. I guess when I read the blurb it kinda put me off. Not because of the alpha, omega trope, but the male preg isn’t really my cup of tea. I don’t mind kids in books but I usually don’t reach for male preg. But I have to say that I am so glad I took a chance on this one.
I was so wrapped up in this story from the very beginning, because the author lead us up to when Jason and Val meet. It wasn’t about them meeting on page one and it being nothing but them in bed. I appreciated how she did a build up and give us some insight into this dystopian world. I understood why there were no women in this book, and what had happened to them. Leta made us aware of how alphas, betas, and omegas came to be and their part in this society. I really enjoyed that cause I could read this without wondering how we got to where we are.
When Jason and Val finally do meet, I could feel the intensity of it, and I couldn’t wait to see were their story would take them. And what a rollercoaster of a ride it was. Val is quite a bit older than Jason, and doesn’t really see how they would possibly work out, I can see where he is coming from. This, for lack of a better word, child is suppose to be his alpha, the person the universe made especially for him? It is almost laughable.
Almost. Till you see how determined Jason is to be the best possible alpha to his omega. When you see the adoration that Jason has for Val, well I couldn’t help then to cheer for these two. But while cheering for them, I also had to go through the tough times with them. And there are plenty of tough times, from Jason’s friendship with his friend who is secretly, ok maybe not so secretly, in love with him. To certain issues that Jason’s parents are going through and the secrets that Val himself is hiding.
I am so glad that I decided to listen to this audio. I fell hard and fast for not just Jason and Val, but also Jason’s parents and all the friends they both call family. I can not wait to read the next one that Leta has written, Alpha Heat. I highly recommend this book if you want something different. Leta did a fantastic job creating this universe and the characters that give it life.
But before I go I need to talk about the narration. One word. AMAZING. This was a new to me narrator and I can honestly say that Michael Ferraiuolo brilliantly gave all of the characters in this book a voice of their own. That is not always and easy thing to do with the amount of people in this book that play a role in many chapters. I was never confused as to who was talking and when an narrator can do that for me then, you can bet Michael will be a go-to narrator for future audios I invest in.
Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.
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Leta’s website.
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