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-thirties, 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 … 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 happy 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.
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That’s it! That’s it! I didn’t know I NEEDED that! Leta Blake gives readers a plausible reason why Alpha, Beta, and Omega males exist in her universe! The world as it was experiences something called ‘The Big Death’ that results in the destruction of many of earth’s lifeforms–including human women. But a sequence of wolf genes makes it possible for the world to carry on with Alphas being the strongest males, and Omegas being the weakest males with the ability to bear young. And let’s not forget the Betas that are not the strongest nor weakest and are infertile. Just imagine the kind of community that can result from such dynamics? From there, Ms. Blake crafts a series where the society, the events, and the interactions between characters are credible, though at times weirdly fascinating and disturbing. In ‘Slow Heat’ we find two alphas from wonderful families that are at university. These young men have formed a forbidden kind of relationship with each other that is derailed as one of the young men finds his destined mate–an omega who is a 35-year-old university professor. Oh, the absolute drama of it all! I found myself having a truly visceral reaction to the (audio)book. There was pacing, a bit of yelling, and some pillow-pounding–I sincerely LOVED it. And read by one of the best narrators out there, I’m looking forward to diving into the second book of the truly incredible series.
I’m generally not really an mpreg fan, but I’m SO glad I tried this book! If you have any hesitations about the genre, THIS is the mpreg alpha/omega book you need to read. Compelling world-building and sympathetic characters that will tug at your heartstrings. I love age-gap romances, and here it’s the younger man who is the alpha. Jason and Vale are so sexy and romantic together. Highly rec!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Angela –
I am still an mpreg newbie, but after listening to a really well-done shifter mpreg audiobook this past weekend, the opportunity to review Slow Heat arrived in my inbox and I decided to check it out. As this is an audiobook, the first thing I checked out after reading the blurb was the narrator’s voice on the sample to make sure I could listen to it. Shockingly, this is the first Michael Ferraiuolo narrated audiobook I’ve listened to, and it’s shocking because he’s narrated for several authors whose writing I enjoy so I’m not sure how I’ve missed him before now. Because of this, I cannot compare Ferraiuolo’s performance in Slow Heat to his other narrative performances, but I can say that I will be checking out more of the audiobooks he’s narrated. Ferraiuolo creates such unassuming voices for Jason and Vale, that when they get upset, hurt, or otherwise emotional, their strong emotions are a punch to the gut… or maybe I should say heart, and I think that’s why I spent a good portion of the end of the book choking back tears.
While this might be my first experience with Ferraiuolo, it’s not my first Leta Blake book. As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing. Blake has the ability to combine the scientific aspects of the alpha-omega bond and male pregnancy in the world she’s created with the romantic musings of a young alpha and the jaded experience of his older omega to pen a romance novel that kept me cueing up the audiobook every chance I could because I had to know if Jason was going to be allowed to claim his omega, over the self-punishing protests of Vale and the “an heir is a must” mandate of his father. Not only did Jason and Vale’s story have me hooked, but the secondary storyline regarding Jason’s parents had me fascinated. The dangers that Jason’s pater faced were heartbreaking (yep, more tears), but the parallels between Miner and Vale had me wanting to wring Yule’s neck. There is so much going on in Slow Heat because it’s a multifaceted storyline where the many threads must be woven together, and each is vital to the overall success of the story, even if we don’t recognize it until the end.
I think one of the things that struck me most about Slow Heat is that while its mpreg is complete and total science fiction, the author deals with it in such a way that the issues the characters face feel so real. Jason being rebuffed by his omega for being too young. Yule continuing the “we did it, so you too must suffer” mentality when demanding Vale contract for a live birth – even though Vale’s medical records showed he couldn’t and would likely die trying. The feelings that Jason’s bestie, Xan, developed for him and Xan’s subsequent gender confusion (for my lack of a better term) when it came to his sexual needs. The prejudices the omegas face are horrific, yet mirror how women were treated as chattel just two hundred years ago – and are probably still treated as no more than walking wombs in some underdeveloped nations. And Miner, poor Miner. I know that his experience was pivotal for opening the eyes of so many of the characters involved and they were lessons that none will forget anytime soon, but did the poor, sweet man have to suffer so much? As crushing as Vale’s rejection of Jason was, it was Miner’s ordeals that had me sobbing so bad my dog got on the bed to check on me. I had to keep pausing the book because I couldn’t hear Ferraiuolo’s performance.
I definitely recommend Slow Heat for someone looking to check out mpreg as it’s an emotional romance that will not only have you hoping for the couple’s future, but leave you thinking about the possibilities. But be prepared because Leta Blake is going to rip your heart out and rub her hands in malicious glee while Michael Ferraiuolo tap dances all over it. And never fear, it is a romance after all, so the happy ending the characters deserve is there, Blake and Ferraiuolo just make you earn it with your tears. As for me, I really, really hope that book two, Alpha Heat, is slated to be produced on audio because I need for Xan to find his place in the world and find his own happiness.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free audiobook copy of Slow Heat (Heat of Love #1) by Leta Blake, narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo to listen to and review.
The one thing that stands out the most is the amazing world Leta Blake has created. It’s a dystopian-like society with very strict rules. What really impressed me was that the author took the time to think of the effects of male pregnancy. In fact, a lot of the storyline is in regards to the biology of humans with a wolf-like mentality. The reader is not left taking things as a fact but given the reasons.
Another interesting fact is that, at it’s core, Slow Heat is a May/December romance. Vale is an omega in his mid-thirties while Jason is a 19 year-old alpha. I love when authors go against the stereotypes. In fact, there are quite a few examples of it in the book. Not only is Vale older but he is also a professor while Jason is just a student. This to me is a prime example of how and where roles come to play in their relationship. Another pair who do not fit the typical mold is Jason’s parents. There is something special about an alpha male that cooks.
The book is appropriately named because the courtship of Vale and Jason is slow. They have to follow the rules of being bonded. I was starting to struggle with reading it because I feared the author had limited the possible outcomes. This was not the case. The omega rights and restrictions reminded me of battles we humans have had and are continuing to fight.
With all the groundwork and research Leta Blake did, I really think this should be a series. For one, I must find out what happens with Xan. He’s one of those characters that you love even when he makes you mad. I would like to see a change in omega rights. There is so much potential here for a beautiful series. Did I mention that I would really love a Happily Ever After for Xan?
I want to thank the author for the privilege and opportunity to read and review this book. My review is an honest opinion of the book.
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I’m not for Omegaverses at all; MPreg is not a trope I read, This book, however? I took a chance because, well, Leta Blake, hello–and I was hooked. Everything’s explained without being preachy. Best of all, the sequel is coming out soon 🙂
This is Omegaverse, if you don’t know what it is, please take the time to look it up before you judge this book. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s DEFINITELY Mine.
*Grins*
I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.
HEA(?): Yes
Relationship Type: MM
Knotting(?): Yes
Nesting(?): No
MPREG(?): No Within this one, no.
Romance: 4.5/5
Heat: 5/5
Drama: 4-4.5/5
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
Pacing: Well Paced
Dark(?): No
It’s hard to find a good representation of the Omegaverse World, this is definitely one of my favorite versions of it 🙂
Update: They do have a 2nd Book, it’s Slow Birth 2.5. It’s a wonderful book
Lovely Alpha and Omega fated mates story with great characters and some of the most romantic, sweetest moments I’ve read in a long time. Grabbed my heart and did not let go.
A jaded older omega imprinted with a much younger Alpha… Ooh yeah!
I loved this book. Leta has created a wonderfully unique omegaverse filled with intriguing characters. A world where women don’t exist, and alpha/ omega interaction is strictly regulated. It will pull you in and not let you out.
This is Jason and Vale’s story. Jason is a 19 year old ollege student. He doesn’t expect to find his Érosģape, fated mate til after he graduates. Surprise! He finds Vale. Vale is a professor and poet. At 35 he has given up on ever finding his mate. He especially wasn’t expecting a baby alpha to steal his heart.
You will fall in love along with Jason and Vale. Rosen, Yosef, Xan, Urho, Zephyr, Yule & Miner will work their way into your heart as well. There are protocols & secrets, loyal friends & many awkward moments. There is angst, soul- searching, past drama, trauma, mpreg, heats, passion, and compassion. There is humor, joy, tears, and HEA. Oh, did I mention the really hot sex?
I cannot wait to read book 2.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex, and is intended for mature readers only.
Loved this book!