Sometimes a risk feels too big to take. Tanner is smart, wealthy, and head over heels for his administrative assistant. That doesn’t mean he’s going to do anything about it, though. Some gambles are just too big for an omega to take, even one who seems to have it all. Omegas are supposed to be family-oriented, go-getters at work, and equal in every way. The one thing they’re not supposed to be is … supposed to be is submissive.
Shane is organized, built like a tank, and passionate about making his boss’s life easier. He also might be in love with Tanner, but he’s always been careful to keep that safely tucked away. Tanner could be the perfect man, but he’s never even looked twice at Shane until secrets start coming to the surface.
When everything is riding on one confession, is the risk just too much?
62k words
Story Contains: M/m sexual content, BDSM elements, non-shifter alpha/omega dynamics, edging, and spanking.
Author’s note: While future stories in this universe might contain mpreg, most books will not. Also, there is a free prequel to the series. You can find the link on the author’s site.
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What I Think: From the generous coffers of the GGRC, comes this sweet tale and it reminded me again why I love being a reviewer. Imagine my teenage girl squeal when I began this tale and it was set in the Omegaverse! It’s a surprise that will never lose its lustre. In a classic case of who wan die don jam who wan kill (the person that seeks death has found the person that wants to kill), Shane’s life is about to turn upside down and in the best of ways. Tanner is planning something and in the next minute I can tell he’s going to be in trouble because what he’s looking for in Sokoto, is already in his shokoto ((pants) basically, what he thinks he can’t find is waaaay closer than he thinks). The come to the goddess moment is going to be spine-tingling, my spidey senses announce so I dive in head-long, and get confused immediately. Are Omega’s the bee’s knee’s in this fairytale? (also bee’s knees – who thinks up these things?) Are they running Alphas instead of the other way around? Nope. It’s worse. They’re being forced into a stupid box that is supposed to protect them from themselves and others. Hnm, imagine a POC family that’s politically correct and woke (I have confirmed this with Indian and Mexican acquaintances too), then take it to a level 100 and spread it nationwide and you get my drift. Tanner is such a naughty boy and methinks he doth protest too much as he shuts down every dirty talk involving Shane. Ah, some have eyes but cannot see. I hope this series is going to go through all the friends in this clique because I’m so bloody curious to know who they really are and to see them through the eyes of their lovers, but first, let’s get sweet, absolutely delicious Tanner his happy ending. Oy vay, that sounded much better in my head. Aaand rant begins. Why won’t people just focus on the important things? Tanner’s inability to be his true self due to the box society keeps putting him in is plain crazy, especially as society isn’t keeping him warm at night. It’s like the war on sexuality. It’s not anyone’s business what happens between consenting adults behind closed doors but the dirty-minded people are too busy thinking about it and insist on taking Panadol for another person’s headache. Get. A. Life! The omegas’ reality is just as bad as my reality with society eyeballing my bedroom and neither extreme is attractive. I tell people that not only are they allowed their opinions, they’re also allowed to keep or share them but then, they’d better be ready to know that I have mine too. A perfect world would be great in theory but one can die of acute politeness. Aarrgghh! Phew, rant over. And the cookie begins to crumble because Shane is getting very warm, starting from research (see why he’s my guy?) and knowing that consent is everything. When did asking and giving consent become so sexy? He does need to help Tanner be more confident about himself. You know, take his job a little further. After all, isn’t that what all bosses want? That was the rule when I worked in Dubai, having a can-do personality making up for a lot. Sure, Dubai was mostly racist, and sure I might have committed violence, here, there and everywhere if I had remained any longer, but you get what I mean. Shane, get moving before Tanner and I give up! And then I met the tagline that will be above my bedroom door – Confront to submit! Can I steal it, Mme. Shaw, pretty please with a juicy yet crunchy Senegalese cantaloupe on top? (Cherry? Pfft, lightweight! I can do better!) Then Shane hits on why I love the Lifestyle as we are both attracted to it for the same reasons. For someone as territorial as I am who wants to be allowed to pet, pamper and adore my lover without being taken for a fool nor for granted (found out there are actually Lady, Royal, and Caring Dommes. This research thing is good, ah tell you), the BDSM life more or less smacked me with truths. All that trust and power is just so heady and complete. I hope the sequels of this series will show us more of the club as it’s built-up because my curiosity runneth over as Shane has me hollering in support. My boy knows how to get things done. Tanner’s come to the goddess moment is so close I can, (kiss the tips of my fingers) taste it. I’m in love and in lust with Tanner and spellbound as my boy Shane begins to delve underneath those perfect layers. Tanner is killing me even as I’m taking notes because Shane’s moves got moves. Then Tanner’s father began trying to kill me with a mix of annoyance and laughter. He’s so into his own world that I’m reminded that some parents are truly insane. Subs are strong. I’ve always thought they are the bravest part of the BDSM world. Being self-aware to know what you are, then the courage to ask, receive and return it with compliance and submission is the sexiest thing ever and so courageous it blows me away. Shane is doing all kinds of investigation and research as he grows more fully into his role, one that he realizes is so much more synonymous with his nature. Then he discovers a shop owner that needs to be employed at the club and is so sassy he should have been a drag queen. And when Tanner gives in all the way, I want to wrap him up in cotton wool and tuck him into bed. It’s a good thing I trust that Shane’s got this because all my Mama Bear instincts got me hovering over Tanner. Only for me to find out that Shane has so many Alpha brothers and cousins. Goddess. Save. ME. Is it too much to ask that I want to see them shared up between Tanner’s group? You know, keeping it in the family in a totally unincestuous way? Hell, I’d even settle for just one match. Then, Austin’s fashion choices tried to strangle me even as I find myself blinking rapidly to stave off some treacherous drops when listening to the Omegas discuss their fears and worries. I don’t know how they still have hope of finding happiness in a society that tells them all that they crave is wrong because I’m not even in such a shackled situation and I’ve come close to losing hope of ever finding the one so many times. In Naija speak, I shame for masef. The erotica is so intimate that I’m feeling a little shy and reading them peeking through my fingers, even as I push Shane to give our beautiful sub what he deserves. The end so smooth and real that I found myself sighing even as I went back to all my fav parts erm…quite a few times. It’s for research, honest!
Verdict: A comfort keeper of a tale that will remind you that finding love requires more than just wishing. It requires the will to know what you deserve and the guts to snap it up when you find it!
When I first started this story I was a bit bogged down in almost too many details. I think because I had read the prequel I knew what the set up was with the club and I was ready to move on to the story of the relationship between Shane and Tanner. Once that got going the paced picked up and really enjoy the story of them explore their wants and needs together. I also like the hint to the idea that sometimes helping out a group might not be the help they really want or need.
Highly enjoyable with a high heat factor – this story pulls you in and keeps you fascinated in this different universe where Omegas are powerful and to be respected. But when you’re an Omega with a submissive streak a mile wide – it’s hard to get your needs met when others see this as highly inappropriate. But when Shane – an Alpha with an open mind discovers the Omega he’s been admiring at work (the boss) has needs, he is only too happy to explore and ensure Tanner’s safety and fulfilment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it takes us along with Tanner and Shane. I loved how it was acknowledged that things had moved along too far in one direction, which wasn’t benefitting anyone.
Tanner and Shane are such a cute couple. I loved how open-minded Shane was and even able to put his own little twist to things. Plus, his relationships with the other omegas was just a joy to read.
A brilliant introduction to this world and I really want to read more! Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!