What’s a guy to do when his straight best friend proposes a fake marriage? Just say — Yes!Laurie Adams looked like he had it all, but his marriage was a sham, a Mr. Wrong chosen for all the wrong reasons. When his husband dies, Laurie has no time to mourn the cheating bastard—his in-laws have decided that Laurie isn’t fit to raise his children and they’ll do anything to take them from him. He’s … them from him. He’s lost his husband and lost his faith in people, but he won’t lose his children too. So he runs back home to the small farm town he’d left behind a decade ago.
Dean MacIntosh should be the perfect alpha for anyone, but all around town he’s known as Mr. Not-Quite-Right, the last man a woman dates before she finds her real Prince Charming. It should bother him, but it doesn’t. So when his childhood best friend comes running home for protection, Dean has no problem stepping in.
Except when Dean offered to fake-marry Laurie, he never expected the wedding kiss to feel so sweet, and he begins to question the sexuality he once took for granted. From an awkward wedding night to an even more awkward honeymoon, Dean and Laurie find their affection runs deeper than either of them ever guessed. And maybe now is Dean’s chance to be somebody’s Mr. Right.
This book is over 64k and contains mpreg, adults adulting in fun & sexy ways, and probably more pottymouth language than should be used in a book with kids underfoot. 18+ readers only please.
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Loved it
I actually listened to the box set on Audible, but only the individual books are available for review. Entire review is below:
Audible. Box set is also available via KU and can be whispersynced at a discount.
Overall thoughts on the set:
This is a non-shifter mpreg series about 3 brothers and their HEAs. These stories are fairly low-angst, a little silly at times, sometimes downright syrupy sweet (even with the cursing) and are best appreciated as such. As soon as I started listening, I realized that despite not having marked them in GR I have read these before (must have been on one of my Susi Hawke binges). Totaling just under 17 hours for all 3, they’re over novella length but still fairly short books. It’s still a good deal for a single credit. I’ve included thoughts on the individual books below and any spoilers are at the very bottom of the review. The storylines are enjoyable but this isn’t something I’d listen to more than once so I’m giving this not-quite-but-rounded-up 4 stars.
Narration: This was my first experience with Drew Bacca. He has a good voice for this light and fun genre. He does a nice job of giving each character their own specific voice and it carries throughout the whole series which makes it even more enjoyable. I might also really love the voice he uses for Zeke. I’d be happy to listen to him in the future.
Book 1: The Alpha’s Widower
Recently widowed, Laurie Adams returns with his 3 children to his hometown to hide out from his in-laws who are trying to gain custody. He reconnects with his bestie from childhood, Dean MacIntosh. The “evil mother-in-law” bordered on campy at times and I’m not a huge fan of GFY books, but overall this one was OK. I did enjoy how much Dean and the entire MacIntosh clan embraced Laurie and the kids. Unfortunately, I did have one big issue with the story ~ for why it’s only 3 stars, see spoilers.
Book 2: The Omega’s Dance
We met dance studio owner Kade MacIntosh and attorney Alec Santiago in the first book. However, these two didn’t actually meet until an anonymous hook-up in this one. A condom failure lands Kade thinking he’ll be parenting all alone until Alec walks into the dance studio to pick up his daughter. This one had more angst than the first, especially when it comes to Alec’s inability to move on from the death of his first husband. I wasn’t wow-ed, but 3.5 stars for being an enjoyable story.
Book 3: The Alpha’s Manny
This was definitely my favorite. Perhaps I’m a little biased by the manny-trope, or it could be Bacca’s voice for Zeke, or possibly having a stronger connection to the larger cast of characters… did I mention Zeke? So, poor omega Dusty has just had his sister die, miscarried his child, and received divorce papers within a few days. Turns out Zeke is surprised to learn he’s the father of a 5-month-old who happens to be Dusty’s nephew. Dusty is in need of a job and Zeke is in need of childcare ~ so they strike up a manny arrangement. Zeke starts as kind of jerk but gets his act together quickly. Despite being the shortest book, it was cute and a nice wrap-up for the series. 4 stars.
*** SPOILERS ***
The Alpha’s Widower spoiler:
So, I really liked this story. However, Laurie & Dean’s first sexual encounter didn’t sit well with me at all ~ and for such a short story it really sticks. Basically, Dean is so drunk he’s slurring his words and Laurie says, “Here in the dark, one mouth is as good as another.” When Dean questions what he’s suggesting, Laurie replies, “I’m saying I can take care of this for you, while you close your eyes and pretend that I’m someone else – if you want to, that is.” Dean goes on to remove his own clothes, but it still borders on lack of consent and the whole exchange is noxious.
*** END SPOILERS ***
I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.