Arranged Salvation by Jacey Davis (Arranging Love Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Arranged Salvation

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jacey Davis

SERIES: ⟫ Arranging Love Book #3

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Bastion: Making that phone call was the hardest thing I’d ever done. But also the best. I was terrified of what would happen once I asked my half-brother for help, but I had no other choice. I’d do anything to protect the baby growing inside of me. Even if that meant escaping my husband’s home and possibly putting everyone’s life in danger in the process. It was the most selfish thing I’d ever done but for the most selfless reason.

I knew there would be consequences for my actions, but I never expected I’d have to pretend I had a fated mate. But being tied to an alpha like Arden wasn’t a hardship. He was kind, sweet, caring, and protective. He was everything I never thought an alpha could be. He was showing me that the world wasn’t as terrible as I believed, and that maybe not all alphas were cruel. I just wished fate was kind to me for once and he was truly my fated. But I knew better than to hope for too much and was grateful for what I did have with Arden.

Arden: I always knew I was a smidge overprotective. Caring for my pack was my love language. But nothing compared to how intense those feelings were toward Bastion. I had sensed…something…between us when I met him all those months ago but hadn’t thought much of it. Now that he was mine, though, even if it was just on paper, that caretaker side that was always just under the surface had its moment to shine. I’d do anything to protect Bastion.

Anything.

With the government breathing down our throats and the political climate getting more heated every day, I might be putting that to the test.

Arranged Salvation is book three in the Arranging Love series. Each book is an interconnected standalone with new MCs and at least an HFN for the couple. It is strongly recommended that you read the previous books, as there is an overarching storyline that continues throughout the series. However, it would be possible to read this one without those. Arranged Salvation is a slow-burn, plot-heavy MPreg omegaverse featuring a traumatized omega trying to protect his baby, an overprotective alpha with a soft side, a fake fated mating, and a lot of people doing anything they can to undermine them.

It is an alternate reality omegaverse with adult themes and explicit content. It is not meant for those under 18. This book contains on page MPreg. This is a world where omegas have very few rights and are essentially owned by their alpha guardian or mate. There is also a biological kink element where alphas are biologically inclined towards dominance while omegas are inclined towards submission.

Content warning: societal repression of a group of people, on-page violence, detailed mentions of abuse, undiagnosed PTSD, panic attacks, on-page MPreg, and off-page SA, and ongoing abuse (not by MCs) that is described. There is also a consensual Daddy kink dynamic between the MCs and very light age regression. Please see the book for a more detailed warning.

REVIEW: ⟫ There felt like simultaneously a lot to take in and yet not a lot happening on-page with regard to the central romance. I had read a previous book in this series, Arranged by Fate so the characters and premise were familiar to me. At the front of this book is a very helpful list of characters, how they fit into the story and who they are currently partnered with, as well as a list of triggers.

We are thrown straight into the action with Bastion locked away in a cupboard, finally calling for help from Lyric. It definitely felt like I needed to have read the previous books as it immediately referred to things that had happened previously, but I was able to guestimate what I had missed. Bastion’s plight – being at the mercy of his evil alpha – was described very well, as was his emotional state, so I was settled in for some hurt/comfort.

However, I would say that there were so many politics going on, the main couple didn’t get as much focus as I would have liked. This was definitely slow-burn, with things being very plot-heavy for a large amount of the story, often to the detriment of the romantic side of things. I wanted to see more of the interactions between Arden and Bastion, and however much I enjoyed the world building, I feel that the romance should have featured more heavily.

As mentioned, there is light age regression, which was handled smoothly and sweetly; however, the Daddy kink wasn’t explored as much as I was hoping. I was impressed with the fact that Daddy/boy was recognised as a ‘normal’ dynamic between mates and therefore no-one seemed to bat an eyelid at Bastion calling Arden ‘Daddy’ a few times.

After a while, the cast of characters felt like they became a little unwieldy – when they were trying to escape from government retaliation I knew there were a large number of people I should care about, but after a while they just became names on a page, and this was a shame.

I think the main issue I had with this story was that I wasn’t expecting it to be so politics heavy, and although it was interesting I feel that it got in the way of the building of the relationship between the two main characters. I also think it can be difficult to handle so many previously established relationships deftly enough to satisfy people’s desire for an update on previous favourites whilst dedicating enough time to the ‘featured’ couple.

It was a good addition to the series, and the writing is easy to read and understand. I didn’t “feel” as much as I wanted to but I think that might just be a me thing and YMMV. Well written, a solid entry in the series but I would definitely suggest reading the previous books to be able to know who everyone is and where they belong.

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Surrogate Omega by Jacey Davis (Part #1 and #2)

TITLE: ⟫ The Surrogate Omega

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jacey Davis

SERIES: ⟫ Unexpected Omegas Book #2

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ This special edition of Surrogate Omega contains both part one and part two of the original story. It features a new cover and has been lightly revised and re-edited.

Part One:

With all of the changes happening in Lake Simmon’s life in the past year, he’s had to learn how to adapt and adjust, or he’d be lost. Since most of the changes are good ones, like his baby niece, he is learning to come to terms with the lack of stability that he has always relied on. While some of the changes make him uneasy, he finds he is comfortable with the knowledge that he also has the Omega gene, like his twin brother River. After friends receive some devastating news, Lake knows that he wants to help and offers to be the surrogate for them.

There is one change Lake never saw coming: falling in love.

But when events from his past lead to Lake meeting Evander, he feels an instant connection to the man that awakens feelings Lake has never felt before. Then Ev introduces him to his best friend, Logan, and sparks fly between the three men.

Part Two:

If someone asked Lake Simmons a year ago what he imagined his life to be like in a year, he’d never in a million years imagine this. He somehow went from never having a relationship to having not only one but two mates. And if that isn’t wild enough, he’s now helping his friends fulfil their dreams of a family by being their surrogate. He never dreamt he’d want a life like this, but now he can’t imagine anything else.

Not everything is smooth sailing, of course. Between the holidays, busy schedules, long work hours, and undercover work trips, Lake and his mates, Evander and Logan, find themselves fumbling to solidify their new relationship and find their rhythm. When one of his mates has a case at work he just can’t let go of, Lake finds himself getting involved against his better judgment.

When everything comes to a head, and the secrets Lake has been keeping come to light, the three men must come together to fight their battles as one. Because at the end of the day, no matter what struggles they face, Lake, Logan, and Evander know it’s better to face them together.

The Surrogate Omega is an MMM contemporary omegaverse romance with MPreg. It's the second instalment to the Unexpected Omegas but can be read on its own.

Content Warning: references to past child abuse, food insecurity, drugs, attempted trafficking (all off-page), infertility of a secondary character, surrogacy, a miscarriage scare (does not happen), kidnapping of a minor character, adoption, and found family. A more detailed content warning can be found in the front of the book.

REVIEW: ⟫ I was very interested in the premise of twin omegas and how they handled the revelation that Omega genes were reappearing and Mpreg was now possible. The interesting juxtaposition between River and Lake – with Lake showing signs of being on the spectrum which was handled smoothly, with people accepting his characteristics and quirks with little to no comment. River was full of emotion whereas Lake was far more comfortable leaving emotions out of things.

The characters of Logan and Evander were interesting in different ways. Logan identified as straight for his whole life, to the extent that he didn’t register just how entangled he was with Evander until Lake came into both of their lives. Deeply submerged feelings for Evander as well as the almost instant desire to make Lake belong to him means that Logan had to go on a voyage of discovery about himself. He went through the most changes – physical changes that he little to no preparation for and no point of reference to guide him – meant that I felt his character had the most ‘progression’. Evander to a certain extent seemed to represent the beta in the relationship, albeit taking on the role of carer in the throuple as they developed their relationship.

I wasn’t too enamoured of the subplot regarding the case that Logan was working on and Lake’s involvement – it felt a little superfluous to be honest and I couldn’t quite get behind it. I liked the idea – I just didn’t particularly enjoy the implementation. I enjoyed the fact that this was both parts of the story so not only did you see the beginning of the relationship between Logan, Evander and Lake but also how they managed to entangle their lives together. The Mpreg aspect wasn’t really explored, although signs of how the general population felt about male pregnancy were prevalent in the story and I would imagine played a heavier role in the first story in the series which I have no read. I would say for anyone slightly leery of the mpreg aspect of things that it is very lightly touched on and there are no graphic scenes.

I liked reading these stories but they didn’t grip me – I can’t even explain why as the idea of a hot threesome, with an emerging alpha, a switch and a submissive omega is right up my street. Well written with engaging characters and an interesting storyline, I think this just wasn’t the book for me – YMMV.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Arranged by Fate by Jacey Davis

TITLE: ⟫ Arranged by Fate

AUTHOR: ⟫ Jacey Davis

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Alpha Orion Strongfire: The last thing I wanted was to marry one of the Inwood omegas. Or anyone really. But the choice had been taken from me. This arranged marriage was the only thing that stood between my family and complete ruin after my father’s scandals nearly caused irreparable damage to my family’s reputation and our business empire. I could care less about the business, but I refused to allow my mother and siblings to be vulnerable and without protection, so I guess I was getting married.

I may not have wanted an omega to care for, but one brush of my lips against Lyric’s and all of that changed. He was mine and I would burn down the world before letting him go.

Omega Lyric Inwood: I was not looking forward to being under the control of Orion Strongfire. The Strongfire alphas had a reputation, and it wasn’t a good one. But omegas had no power and this union was the only way I could protect my family.

I never believed in fated mates, but just moments after meeting Orion, it was impossible to deny the connection. For better or worse, it seemed fate destined me to belong to Orion.

This was originally featured in the anthology, Tying the Knot. It has been expanded into a full-length novel with over 30k additional content added. Arranged By Fate is book one in an alternate reality non-shifter MM omegaverse series all based around arranged marriages and marriages of convenience.

Arranged by Fate is a high-heat, insta-lust omegaverse romance. While each book in this series ends in an HEA for the main characters, with no cliffhanger, there is an overarching plot that will continue throughout. It is an alternate reality omegaverse with adult themes and explicit content. It is not meant for those under 18. While MPreg is possible it does not occur in this book. This is a world where omegas have very little rights and are essentially owned by their alpha guardian or mate. There is also a biological kink element where alphas are biologically inclined towards dominance while omegas are inclined to submission.

CW: domestic discipline, power exchange, kink elements such as spanking, mentions of child abuse and spousal abuse (not between main characters), some on page violence, SA (not between main characters). Please read the content warning at the beginning of the book for a full list of triggers and kinks.

REVIEW: ⟫ There were many elements of this story that worked for me – the premise of an arranged marriage where neither party was completely willing, the fated mate idea, an omega being able to calm their alpha down – lots of things for me to sink my teeth into.

The characters of Orion and Lyric were interesting together – they were both intelligent, caring men who were more than willing to accept what fate had thrown at them. They cared deeply about each other, were determined to make the best of things for themselves and their family members, and worked together extremely well.

The sex was – hmm, it’s hard to describe my reaction to the sex. I liked the scenes but there was something missing. They should have been burn the page up hot, but for some reason they just didn’t resonate with me. I enjoyed the different kinks including spanking and dominance, but somehow the scenes still came across as perfunctory. I don’t even know why and kinda assumed it was me rather than the story.

The sub-plot involving Orion’s father was interesting enough but some of it didn’t make sense. His father was the one pushing for the arranged marriage, so his actions afterwards didn’t make sense to me and I wasn’t quite satisfied with the explanation given. Overall, I’m not sure how I felt about this book – the ideas ticked a lot of boxes but the execution didn’t quite do it for me but YMMV.

I received an ARC from GRR.