Second Match by Wendy Rathbone (Perfect Match Agency #5)

TITLE: ⟫ Second Match

AUTHOR: ⟫ Wendy Rathbone

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ One failed attempt with the Perfect Match Agency leads to a second—will this omega be The One?

Morgan Dor is a handsome wealthy businessman who attracts young omegas easily, but most are looking for a sugar daddy and never stick around.

Signing up with the Perfect Match Agency sounded like the best bet for finding his perfect mate, someone with whom he might form a real relationship, but his first match ended almost before it could get started when the omega matched to him fell for his office assistant instead.

Now the agency has found a second match for Morgan. He’s been skunked before. His heart is yearning but his mind tells him not to get his hopes up. Will it happen again? Will his second match find someone else, just like all the other omegas he’s ever dated or hooked up with? Or will this omega, finally and forever, be his perfect match?

Perfect Match Agency is a multi-author gay romance series. The stories are non-shifter omegaverse, with high heat and low angst. Male pregnancy is possible in the world. Each book can be read as a standalone, features a new couple, and a satisfying happily ever after.

REVIEW: ⟫ Morgan would have been well within his rights to be sceptical of the Perfect Match Agency having a suitable omega for him – the last time they sent someone, they fell in love with his assistant. But Morgan is prepared to give them a second chance and allow for some idiosyncrasies in how he was to meet his omega – at his parents’ property in the evening. There was also the fact that they were insisting on marriage before any mating took place, which was a little out there but he was prepared to risk it for the chance to meet the right man for him.

Riley is allergic to sunlight, which in his parents’ religion means that he’s a demon. As such, they have done the right thing for him all of these years, but now that he is old enough to go into heat, they need to marry him off. He’s managed to avoid the less than attractive offers he’s received from the alphas in the community but time is running out and something has to be done. But what kind of alpha will want an omega with Riley’s condition?

This was actually a sweet, gentle romance with an omega who has more than made the best of what life has given him but who yearns for freedom, and a mature, sensible Alpha who longs for his perfect match. Riley and Morgan were supportive and kind to each other and the Perfect Match agency have managed to do it again.

There were some parts of the story that I felt were unnecessary – the ‘villain’ was a bit of a caricature who wanted Riley for himself which didn’t make sense to me because according to their religion, he was a demon so surely none of the members should have wanted anything to do with him? I thought Riley’s parents were a little bit one-dimensional but to be fair, they weren’t the main thrust of the story. It was nice to see characters from other books in the series and I would recommend this if you are looking for something quietly sweet to read.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Omega for Sale by Beau Brown

Title: ⟫ Omega for Sale

Author: ⟫ Beau Brown

Rating: ⟫ 4/5

Blurb: ⟫ Omega Atlas Payne never imagined he’d be at The Auction being ogled by rich alphas. He had bigger plans for his life that didn’t include being an incubator to some alpha’s offspring. But when his father disgraces his family name, it’s either sell himself to the highest bidder or starvation.

Alpha Dante Stone is still grieving the loss of his omega a decade later. He has zero interest in taking a new omega. Still, he’s inexplicably drawn to the young omega who seems completely out of place at The Auction.

When it looks as if the nastiest alpha at The Auction is about to win Atlas, something inside Dante snaps, and he buys Atlas himself.

But once he has Atlas in his home, he has no idea what to do with him. He craves Atlas but is too guilt-ridden to give either of them what they instinctively want.

Then fate steps in and things get crazier.

Review: ⟫ Obligatory I haven’t read this author before, which I’m surprised at because I do enjoy reading omegaverse and Mpreg on occasion.

Atlas has found himself in a dire position through no fault of his own and is now selling himself at The Auction – and he’s caught the attention of a pretty unsavoury Alpha.

Dante Stone is at The Auction through obligation rather than desire – he has no need for an omega as having lost is fated mate he has absolutely no interest in acquiring a new omega. However, something about Atlas catches his eye and he finds it impossible to allow the beautiful omega to fall into the hands of an alpha who has proven to be abusive in the past. Unfortunately, he then has to figure out what to do about said omega – whilst fighting feelings he hasn’t felt in a very long time.

To be perfectly honest, Dante was a bit of an AH at the beginning (and quite a long way into the story), and to the author’s credit, he didn’t try to even pretend that it was okay. His behaviour towards Atlas was rude, confusing and despicable and his grief was no excuse. On the other hand, Atlas was ungrateful, stubborn and on occasion really rude so they made quite the pair.

The chemistry between them was palpable and there was more than one occasion when I wanted to slap both of them upside the head and tell them to get out of their own way. Fortunately for me, we had Ronin for that (I really liked Ronin) and Finlay proved himself to be a good friend to both of them.

I would call this relatively low on angst, but there were definitely ups and downs for the couple before they found their HEA. I absolutely hated Mrs. Gentry and wouldn’t have been anywhere near as forgiving as Atlas with regards to the things she said and did. The sex scenes were steamy and I enjoyed reading this and am happy to see that the author has quite a substantial back catalogue for me to explore.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Cold Blood by L.C. Davis (The Godbearer #2)

Title: ⟫ Cold Blood (The Godbearer Book 2)

Author: ⟫ L.C. Davis
Blurb: ⟫ I'm pregnant.

Just when I was starting to get used to being alone in my own head, now I’m possessed in a whole new way. And apparently, I’m an omega, which seems to be code for “magical thot who gets harassed by every alpha within a hundred miles.”

The worst part is, I don’t even know which one of these bloodthirsty douchebags knocked me up. With my luck, it’s probably Cameron, who sees me and the baby as a threat to his precious goddess, especially now that she’s gone MIA.

Weirdly enough, the news has caused a split within the cult, pitting brother against brother. Even though I thought they’d all be on the same side, now Sam, Cyrus, and (ugh) Alex claim they’ll do whatever it takes to protect me and the baby. Even if it means going up against Ichor and the rest of her cult.

Obviously, I don’t trust them. I might be a “dumb blond,” but I don’t need to get sacrificed twice to learn that lesson.

If only my traitorous heart would get the memo.

Blurb: ⟫ I knew 50% of the way through this book that I was going to be frustrated and I was right – I was so frustrated by the ending. I get it – I completely do – but there was a part of me that felt if they had just got a move on in the main part of the book, they wouldn’t have had to leave things on a cliffhanger.

To be fair, the story did move along at a fair clip – and it made sense in terms of Chase’s growing feelings for his harem. It also presented a surprise (probably not if you read between the lines at all) that made things more complicated. I enjoyed the interactions outside of the group, especially Sam’s grandmother and Chase’s mother, but the main focus of the book was on building the relationships within the group and seeing how feelings were changing. It was no longer simply about the Ichor and so much more about the men and how they felt now.

Even Cameron – it feels like we’re being steered in one direction but that it’s a misdirect. I can’t help but think that he’s going to surprise everyone.

It was an engrossing, hot read and I’m really pleased I read it, but now there’s the wait until the third book and that’s going to be so frustrating. If you enjoyed the first story, you’ll enjoy this but be prepared for a wait for book 3.

Bully for Sale by Leta Blake (Heat for Sale)

Title: ⟫ Bully for Sale 

Author: ⟫ Leta Blake 

Rating: ⟫ 4/5 

Blurb: ⟫ Bullied and outcast, Ezer has seen firsthand the cruelties of the world. He knows what’s expected from his kind—timid compliance and submission to his “betters.” But Ezer isn’t one to roll over and conform to the role society has forced upon him. 

Despite his defiant nature, Ezer is coerced into partnering with a man of his father’s choosing. One his father promises will love and care for him for the rest of his life. 

A night of nameless and faceless passion later, Ezer is horrified to find himself bound to Ned, a bully who has done so much to make his life hell. Ezer’s determined to hate Ned but he can’t help the way his body craves his touch. 

Ned is young, privileged, and hopelessly in love with Ezer. Too bad his pack of so-called “friends” have targeted Ezer for torment. Ned has a lot of regrets, but none greater than his role in Ezer’s misery. When Ned’s offered the contract of a lifetime, he sees it as the only way forward with the man he loves. 

The dual biological drives of heat and its aftermath might be all that’s keeping them close now, but Ned is determined to prove he’s worthy of Ezer’s love. While Ezer is just as determined not to fall for his bully. 

Bully for Sale is a standalone m/m romance set in the Heat for Sale universe featuring forced proximity, first times, bully romance, opposites attract, and enemies to lovers. Content warnings will be available at start of book, visible via the Look Inside and sample. 

Review: ⟫ When it comes to being a flawed hero, Ned Clearwater is miles ahead of anyone I’ve read in the past! This guy – I mean, how he was surprised about how Ezer felt about him was completely and utterly beyond me, and he was more than deserving of Ezer’s hate. However, Ned actually impressed me because he kept trying. He listened to Ezer, listened to his uncle and Earl, his servant, and he really did try. Which is more than could be said for some of the alphas in this story. I could quite happily strangle both Ned and Ezer’s father for their attitudes and behaviours. And don’t get me started on how I felt about Amos, Ezer’s Da. In fact, pretty much his entire family should be thrown away and he start again because none of them were really worth a thing! 

I have read all of the other books in the Heat for Sale series, but this one hit very differently. Both Ezer and Ned were so young – far too young to be dealing with the complexities and dangers of their new relationship. I was immersed and invested far more than I had expected, and I really liked the fact that the bullying and old-fashioned attitudes were handled realistically – there was no complete and utter happy ever after, and everyone had to work for their happiness. 

There were appearances from characters within the series but you don’t need to have read their books to go with this story. If you enjoy mpreg as well as alpha/beta/omega dynamics, I think you would find this book would be enjoyable. 

I received an ARC from GRR.

Lust by Kiki Burrelli (Wolves of Resurrection Road #2)

Title: ⟫ Lust : Wolves of Resurrection Road 

Author: ⟫ Kiki Burrelli 

Blurb: ⟫ As alpha of a nomadic pack of wolf shifters, Abel’s home is on the road, stopping in one place long enough to help and then move on. His pack lives on the fringes—and like it that way. 

So when an ally pack tells him he and his men are ancient warriors reincarnated, they must join forces to save the world, and that they have soulmates—he calls bullsh*t. 

Abel has no need for a soulmate but he can’t ignore the demon kings threatening to destroy the world and every human on it. His men will fight, but on their terms. He doesn’t need the responsibility of a new pack, and Abel’s life is too brutal for something so fragile as love. 

Micah has spent his life living in fear since witnessing his parents’ murder as a child. People are dangerous, so was the dark, and just about everything else located outside of his tiny room. 

His world is small on purpose. He’s content living that way, until his best friend needs his help and to give it, Micah must stop hiding under the covers and face the unknown. 

 Abel spots Micah right away, terrified and in a place he has no reason being. He’s so human it hurts and Abel can’t allow someone so soft and breakable to roam unprotected. Choosing to guard him has nothing to do with the way Micah makes Abel feel—like his body is a pile of dry kindling and Micah is the match. 

Abel doesn’t deserve the gentle young man, but when a demon king sets his sights on Micah, Abel has no choice but to turn to his allies while bringing Micah into his world. 

Micah has no idea why he’s suddenly the target of a demon king. He'd been oblivious to the existence of demons, angels, and shifters, but he’ll have to trust one if he wants to live. Abel is dangerous. The alpha also awakens a part of Micah he never knew existed, and more importantly, he’s Micah’s only hope of surviving. 

Lust is the second book in the Wolves of Resurrection Road series. It is an action-packed, swelteringly hot, mpreg romance that continues in a world of mystery, mayhem, and magic. 

Wolves of Resurrection Road 

* Pride 

* Lust 

* Wrath 

*Envy 

Review: ⟫ Well, it’s definitely my fault that I didn’t read the previous books – it would have been incredibly helpful in identifying everyone! 

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book. It’s got demons, werewolves, cherubs and that’s just for starters! 

I was a little concerned that I would find Micah a little bit wimpy, but this guy had a spine of steel and was there for his new family with bells on. I loved the Alpha Abel and the fact that he respected Micah despite wanting to wrap him up in cotton wool. It’s not often you find that it’s not the alphas saving the day. 

There weren’t many sex scenes and the mpreg kinda passed in a flash (I shall say no more because spoilers). This story kept me interested and turning the pages, enjoying each new revelation. I’m going to try to read the rest of the books in the series – I believe there are at least eight of them? 

Anyway, start at the beginning so you can enjoy the characters that pop up and follow the storyline. You won’t regret it! 4/5 but only because even though it said it was book two, there appears to be a lot of crossover which would have been handy to know before reading! 

I received an ARC from GayRomanceReviews in exchange for an honest review.