Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2) By Leta Blake

Heather K (dentist in my spare time)

OMFG, I can't believe I ended up going from confused as F to in love with this story.

I decided to jump into the story blind without reading the first story in the series, which was a little bit of a mistake. For one, I've never read a non-shifter story with alpha/beta/omega dynamics before, much less one with knotting and m-preg! Talk about out of my comfort zone... but little kinky me was up for the challenge. *wink, wink*

I'll admit, I had no idea what was happening for the first 50 pages or so. I had to get to know the world, the characters, and the feel for the power dynamics. I bet if I had read the first story before it would have been much easier to figure out what was happening, but I caught on after awhile.

After a somewhat rocky and slow beginning, I started to get into the groove. And it was groovy. I found it to be super hot, super intense, and just really amplified in all ways. I knew Leta Blake wouldn't let me down.

The book is also not quite M/M/M, but it's also not quite *not* M/M/M. There is an unusal relationship there that Leta Blake manages very well. I also loved the inclusion of an asexual, aromantic character. I really enjoyed what that brought to the story.

I think the story interwove some compelling concepts, with the ideas of not quite fitting into your body, your role, and your lot in life. The characters were really complex, and I liked the dimensionality of them.

I had a few small issues, the length of the story being one of them (it's a loooong book) and I wish the main couple spent a little more time together before going to the "love" place, but overall I was extremely happy with this one. Another winner from Leta.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Leta Blake

Now Available:
https://amzn.to/2IiDwoL

As I typed the words THE END on Slow Heat, I knew I had to write a follow up book about Jason's best friend Xan. Almost immediately the general set up appeared to me and I knew exactly how the book would end. When it came time to write his story, he didn't fight me, and, in general, the book just rolled out like ocean waves. In the end, it might be one of my personal favorite writing experiences, though, goodness it did take some time! Thanks for being curious about Xan and wanting a happy ending for him! Readers' enthusiasm for him played no small part in the need to give him a book all his own. Thank you for being a reader! You make the blood, sweat, and tears worthwhile!

PS Slow Heat is now available in audiobook narrated by the amazing Michael Ferraiuolo.

Darien

Audio: October 2018

The Story: The Story is about the same in rating even though I did get great enjoyment from it. I think its about a 4.5 now.

The Narration: 5++++++ Pants Off

Michael Ferraiuolo is NO JOKE!! I could listen him all day and forever. He makes every character unique and they come alive and I just can never get enough.

I do wish there was more inflection in certain scenes where it called for a harsher edge and louder in tone. I wanna hear some sexy yelling from Mr F, but apart from that (chefs kiss).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALPHA SIZED OMEGA

All the ways I was excited to read this after falling truly, madly, deeply in love with the first book Slow Heat. Alpha Heat was very much on my radar featuring two characters that really pissed me off but who I eventually grew to like. Alpha Heat brought the sexy but it also brought heart.

Xan Heelies is a young Alpha who doesn’t feel like an alpha. For his entire life Xan has known that he doesn’t fit the make and model of what an alpha should be. His desires are forbidden and will never be looked at favourably because you see Xan knows with every fibre of his being that he’s an Omega and though the world sees Alpha it’s the one thing he can never be truly. Xan slates his desire in the worst way possible and it often leaves him bloody and bruised. He once felt loved when he was with his best-friend but his friend found his own omega, his one true mate. Yet, Xan has to live an Alpha life and that means having his own omega and producing children regardless of what he feels inside. Then there is Urho, all that is Alpha and a man Xan yearns for but what Alpha would want a man that’s broken and is only an Omega in feeling.

“I don’t think what’s wrong with me is something that can ever heal.”

Urho lost his true mate (erosgape) a long time ago and his long time lover not too long ago. His life is pretty much picturesque and he’s fulfilled by his job and friends. He’s old fashioned and set in his ways and that does cause some strife between him and his friends but no one gets to him like Xan, Xan the mouthy Alpha who invokes feelings in him that he has no business feeling. And mostly it makes him angry because the things he wants is not allowed.

A chance meeting between the men lead to some awful truths and also some inevitable ones. If Urho can give can Xan what he needs then he can also keep him safe and besides he’s realizing that it’s also something he craves an done things for sure his alpha sized omega will be his undoing.

Together they navigate a forbidden attraction and pair that with Xans contracted but asexual omega and you have a unique story filled with many delights. For me the first 50% was hot as hell and so incredibly sexy. The push pull dance between Urho and Xan was done so well I think I almost passed out from holding my breath for a few minutes. That part was done amazingly and yet it really started to fizzle out for me, not so much where it wasn’t enjoyable but enough for it to lose what made it exciting.

As I mentioned I didn’t much like Xan when first introduced but he turned out to be a multilayered character, and Urho was just Urho (which is surprising because I couldn’t stand him in book 1. He was a obnoxious, condescending prick) a great fit for Xan and an even better alpha for him. Throw in characters that I’ve come to love and new ones that I’m starting to appreciate and you have a solid second story in the ABO verse.

I did have a few things I didn’t like. First, I caught Xan in many lies and then he sorta just brushed it over. Second, how you gon feel it’s ok to be beaten to an inch of your life and think that’s ok because you “need” sex, I’m sure there’s many avenues he could have gone and I’m trying to understand why it had to be him 🤔. Third, how Mr abuser was conveniently handled but also how it felt like what he did was no big deal (The he was a problem, we made him more of a problem and then snipered him out). Fourth, and this really bothered me. The description of Urho being dark skinned but I’ve been trying to figure exactly what that means. Dark skinned as in black man, dark skinned as being south Asian or just dark skinned as being tanner than the other characters? Representation is an important thing and I found that with not saying exactly what he was just felt like avoidance, but that’s just my opinion. Last but not least the crazy ending there. It followed the same pattern of the first book where all the crazy just happen at once and I wasn’t checking for that..

Overall, I still very much liked this story and while I didn’t fall in love like I did the first book, I still really liked it. It missed it mark by trying to follow the same steps or setup and what worked for a Slow Heat didn’t work for this one but it’s still an enjoyable story. If you’re like me and love Mpreg and Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics then this series is definitely something to check out.

SideNote: I need this on Audio asap. Michael F. I’m looking at you baby 😁

Ariana (mostly offline)

Absolutely awesome.
So so good. Trust me. 😊
I have been looking forward to this one since I’ve read Slow Heat. A book that wasn’t only one of my most favourite reads last year, but also one that challenged me and pushed my boundaries (mpreg!) in the best possible ways.

Xan and Urho, two “supporting characters in other men’s (Jason and Vale’s) love stories” (as they themselves acknowledge, LOL, loved the tongue in cheek!) Sparks were flying between them in book 1, but how could something ever happen between them? In this world where “two alphas together are an abomination.” An act against religion and society that can ruin each of them.

This book starts with a bang that tied me into knots within a couple of pages. And then it never let go again, captivating me all the way, and yes, there were tears, too.

To say it simply - things are pretty complex here, …

First there is …

Xan! Oh Xan.
He is so lost, so utterly anguished for who is. An alpha who would rather be an omega, in every way.
Four years on from book 1, his situation has escalated. Unable to fit into this all male world where stringent social and religious rules determine the worth of alphas, betas and omegas, he has come to depend on finding sexual relief in the ‘darkness’.
And let me tell you that part is dark, indeed, and utterly painful and tough to read.

But what’s almost worse is Xan’s belief that he deserves all the hurt he is getting. He is “unmanned, unlovable and utterly unworthy.” and despises himself for his desires, virtually drowning in bitterness and self-hatred. That man was ” so hurt in his short life – physically, emotionally and spiritually” he is close to shutting down. Darn, my heart was breaking for him big time, and I hated his father for putting even more pressure on him and freezing him out of the family.

Xan’s had an eye on Urho for over four years, but of course there’s no chance on earth this ever coming to anything, right? Because …

Urho, the law-abiding, old fashioned and staid doctor, just oozes ‘respectability. A man who is loyal to his friends, open and warm-hearted, always ready to help those in dire straits and break the rules if someone’s life is in danger. He is also older (I do love the age gap trope!) and so attractive in every way (“tall, muscled and full of that strong alpha energy”) Why would he even think of getting associated with an ‘unmanned’?

And as if this wasn’t complicated enough ...
Xan is contracted to Caleb, “the epitome of a beautiful omega-delicate and sweet, handsome and fit, with sensual quirks, like sleepy eyes and a pouty mouth.” Adding an asexual, aromantic character is an inspired choice (and of course it works beautifully for the plot)

Leta Blake plays out the intricate bond between these so different men in depth and with so much finesse, with a whole scale of feels all there: despair, longing, confusion, passion, tenderness, kindness and so much unconditional love. Sigh - my heart was full to the brim, to say the least.

I loved the duality of Xan’s nature – an alpha to Caleb, but Urho’s “alpha-shaped omega”. The scene where Urho shows him what real love means is beautiful and utterly touching. And it is heart-warming to see how both of these men care about and protect Caleb.

And before you ask me - so is this m/m/m?
These three men share so much, no doubt (and Caleb’s ‘heat scene’ is one of the most erotic I’ve read) but effectively when it comes to romantic love, this is between Xan and Urho. And it is simply beautiful and completely swoon-worthy.

Mix all this up with a plot rife with tension, heat (so much heat!) and angst, a very welcome presence of Jason and Vale from book 1, and you get one hell of a story! One that also suggests we might find out more about Janus, the 'nasty' cousin of Xan? Or Ray, Xan’s brother?
All I can say is yes, please!

This could be read as a stand alone, but I would seriously recommend to start with Slow Heat, where a lot of the world building happens. And it’s a fab story, too!

Highly recommended.

ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review.

* A Reader Obsessed *

4.5 Wonderful Hearts

Thankfully, this still remains one of the best ABO series/stories I’ve ever read, as it continues to not slack in the world building nor the complex cultural constructs on what it means to be an alpha, a beta, and an omega. This further expands on the nuanced dynamic of how each type is forced into roles, rules, laws and regulations - all dictating how one should be and who they should be with.

Fear not that this is some extensive boring societal commentary. It uniquely sets things up while still being an impactfully poignant, angsty sexy romance.

I’m not going to give a detailed review because there are many great ones out there already explaining such. Just know that this is a multilayered tale of one alpha who wishes he was different, who wishes his desires weren’t “wrong�� and illegal, and how he’s saved from his destructive ways by the devoted love of another who also defies the laws and social norms to be with him.

Perhaps as a warning, this contains an age gap, a second chance at love, and an unique sexual dynamic that monogamist purists might not appreciate. Believe you me, I’m typically one of those but the situation here just works, and all involved are happy and content. I absolutely reveled in the interactions between the two MC’s Xan and Urho, which were sweetly full of hurt comfort, simmered with some seriously hot sexual tension, and overflowed with plenty of delicious dirty with that oh so coveted KNOTTING. Unf.

To sweeten the pot, this was again narrated by the fantabulous Michael Ferraiuolo. He’s definitely a dream come true to my ears, and he only served to further elevate an already great story!

This series by far is my favorite creation from Blake, and I hope she doesn't disappoint and continues to give us more food for thought, more twisty hurt-so-good love stories in this really, truly impressive original ABO universe!

Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review

Lyn❤Loves❤Listening #AUDIOBOOKADDICT

Audio - 5++++ what can I say... Michael Ferraiuolo gives amazing narration ;-P
Story - 4.25 Alpha-shaped omega stars!

Book 1 didn't work for me. I didn't like the story, and I really didn't like the characters. It was the writing alone that had me pushing through and finishing.

Book 2, OMG, book 2!!! I loved it!! It was angsty but emotionally satisfying. The same characters I disliked in book 1, I ended up adoring, loving and admiring. I'm hoping for a book 3.

I had no idea an audio was going to be available so soon for this book. I'm glad I saw DM's updates. Yes, girlfriend, where I'm concerned, your work is done. I'm a satisfied customer. :-)

Xia Lake

When I first picked up Slow Heath, I had to give explanations that I had not in fact been hijacked by a changeling, and that I have voluntarily picked up an Mpreg book.

During Slow Heat I've met two secondary characters called Urho and Xan, whom I didn't really care much about, not because they were superficial characters, but because I became obsessed with Jason and Vale.

Since I knew J&V would make an appearance in Alpha Heat, I decided to pick up the book. And boy-oh-boy, did Xan make an impression in the first two chapters. This is a wonderful sequel to Slow Heat, filled with emotional moments experienced by three superb characters.

I have only two qualms with the book and they are connected:
1. This book is too bloody long.
2. It has a great beginning and a great ending, but I felt it sagged a bit in the middle (because it was too bloody long). I found myself skimming a bit searching for the more interesting parts.

If you've never read Mpreg before and you are interested, I recommend you read Slow Heat and then, if you like it, try Alpha Heat.

One warning on babies for Alpha Heat:

Keira Andrews

Another amazing book in Leta Blake's MPREG alpha-omega universe! I edited this one and am thus biased, but I truly loved it. I don't normally read this genre, but I am HOOKED on the world Leta has created. After reading
Slow Heat, I immediately wanted to know more about poor angst-ridden Xan. And I wanted to know more about the sparks between him and older alpha Urho.

As two alphas, their love is forbidden, and that is just one of my fave tropes ever. There is dynamite UST between them, and holy smokes, the sex is hot. HOT. I adored the Xan/Urho romance and seeing Xan come into his own. Can't wait for more in this universe!

oshiiy

3.5 stars ⭐️ I loved Xan in the first book. My heart wept for him since he couldn't mate like other alphas and he beat himself up for his abnormality. So, I was looking forward to reading his HEA, but at that time, I hesitated for no reason to read this book. 🥴

I liked Urho too. He was great with both Caleb and our baby Xan. The love and affection between Xan and Urho made my heart warm, and it was sweet to see how the platonic relationship with Caleb worked out. Because I really liked Caleb, and I wonder if a man can be such generous. I'm glad he found his love in Xan.

“Xan kissed Urho’s chest and whispered, “Please don’t leave me.”
Urho cradled him closer. “I can’t promise that. Life has taught me there’s no way to be sure on that count. But I promise I’ll never go away on purpose, and if I do, I’ll always come home to you.”
Xan’s eyes pricked with tears. He’d never imagined a declaration like that from an alpha like Urho. He didn’t know what he’d done to earn or deserve it, but he vowed to be the kind of man who did.”

Spoilers
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.
.
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I'm really opposed to the idea of sharing but we cannot say that this was an m/m/m romance since Caleb was asexual, and the sexual relationship only happened between Xan and Urho (except Caleb’s heat)

The only thing that bothered me most was Jason and Vale’s parts in the book. This was Xan and Urho’s story. But Jason and Vale took most of the space in there, and the book was too lengthy.

I think you couldn't read this as a standalone because the characters that were in the last book appeared again in this book as well.

Cadiva

Superb second instalment in the Heat of Love series

Leta Blake's Slow Heat was one of my favourite reads last year and this follow-up is going on the favourites shelf too.

It's a passionate, complex tale which delves further into the fascinating non shifter Omegaverse world she's created in this series and I couldn't put it down.

Since finding about Xan's "unnatural" desires in book one, and seeing the spark with him and Urho, I've been dying for Leta to finish this story.

It's every thing I hoped it would be, powerfully emotionally, brilliantly complex, thrilling and full of the incredibly hot and sexy scenes Leta has such a talent for.

The heat level is off the chart, there's some fabulous dirty talk, a bit of lustfully executed light BDSM, lots of talk of heat and alpha knotting and a fantastic love story between three very different men.

It's not a typical MMM, this isn't a menage as such, but each of the men needs something unique they can only get from being part of a three.

There's a couple of potential new story threads left open in this one and I'm seriously hoping we're getting Ray and Vince's unconventional relationship next and am intrigued as to whether Janus can be redeemed and given his HEA.

I love this series and I want more please :)

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

annob

I adore the first book in this series so much, and have re-read it several times. I recommend anyone to begin with book 1, especially since it contains the full back story of both Xan and Urho. Also to get the full story about so many of the side characters of book 2, to fully catch all the nuances and quips in the dialogue.

I have to confess Urho was not a favourite of mine in book 1. Perhaps I felt possessive of Vale on Jason's behalf back then, but I quickly came to like Urho much better in this book. But Xan is the star of the show for me. Again, important back story in the previous book, and continued here I was captivated by Xan's inner struggle and self-loathing as 'Alpha Heat' picks up a few years after 'Slow Heat' ended. He has hidden, denied and suppressed so much of himself for several years; what he wants, what he needs; ultimately what he is. The amount of agony he carries due to this was a bit painful to watch. Especially so in a poignant violent scene in the beginning, an event of key importance to the story.

As the plot continued, the main couple entered into a relationship a tad quicker that I might have wished for. Not insta-love, but the transition from reluctant acquaintances who sneered at each other to intimate lovers felt a bit rushed. The speed somewhat forgiven because the pairing enabled the plot to get to other important details of the story.

Urho shows many lovely and insightful sides to his character in his interactions with Xan. He uses a term of endearment (which I for spoilery reasons won't repeat here) but it makes it absolutely clear Urho sees and falls in love with the person Xan is on the inside, beneath that carefully constructed facade of his.

The story involves a third party in the relationship with Xan and Urho, and again I don't want to spoil with details. Normally I don't like POV from more than two characters, but in this book I wish there had been a third. As the book stands this third person was an important and vibrant character on page whom I was never able to feel as close to.

I enjoyed this story a lot, and couldn't put the book down during the frantic and entertaining conclusion of events near the end. I was so happy to see the unspoken question of "can I be loved for who I am when I'm so different to everybody else" with a affirmative yes, you can and in so many ways. Minor criticism; compared to book 1 where I enjoyed being unable to predict the twist and turns of the plot, the storyline in book 2 was easier to guess ahead. 'Alpha Heat' is still a very good story and an important one about how being different does not necessarily show on the outside, but have major impact on the person on the inside.

The two main strengths of the this Leta Blake series are the philosophical questions raised by the plot in each book, and the intricate, vibrant, come-to-life individuals on page. I wish several of them where my friends in real life. And yes, the steamy hot on-page sex should not go unmentioned. If there will be a third instalment of this series, I will be there to pick it up on the release day, without a doubt.

Elena

This isn’t going to be a review, I just need to mark these books as read and I want to make sure ~~Teal and Mymymble~~ nobody thinks my account has been hacked or I’ve been replaced by an alien, both scenarios usually more likely than me reading a book, let alone two, set in a universe with mpreg.

Apparently, weird things happen when you put me, my curiosity, a Kindle Unlimited membership and a list of rave reviews from my friends, in a room on a Saturday afternoon.
Weird things like me starting a book completely sure I’d put it aside a few minutes later, reassured that I’d done the right thing putting it on my ‘no’ shelf, only to find myself the following evening with the weekend gone and 20% into the second book, with no intention to stop.
I might have heard an evil cackle in the distance at some point, but I was too busy reading to pay attention to what karma was doing.

The problem with compulsively reading something that shouldn’t have worked for me, and in part didn’t, is that I don’t really know how to review it.
I could give a list of all the issues I had with this series, and it would be a lot longer than what I found worthy of praise, but that would be absurd because, issues or no issues, I practically inhaled these books and I’m going to rate them based only on how much I liked reading them.
If you’re looking for a ‘real’ review, there are many of great ones out there, both negative and positive, the following are just some of my random and incomplete thoughts about both books.

I liked Xan and Urho a lot better than Jason and Vale as a couple and as characters and that’s weird because Xan and Urho were mostly selfish jerks in the first book. As current lovers of the two fated mates at the time Jason and Vale met and Jason imprinted on Vale, they didn’t handle the news with grace, at all.
It would have usually bothered me on Jason’s and Vale’s behalf, but I didn’t care about them enough to get worked up about it. While Jason was kind of adorable, Vale had a condescending attitude toward Jason that did nothing to ingratiate him to me.
Add the fact that they both kept comparing what they felt for and did with their Erosagape (basically, fated mate) to what they’d experienced with their previous lovers, in ’s case even going as far as , while , and I was surprised I didn’t stop reading then and there. But I already knew about that from reviews and it’s already been established that my normal rules don’t apply to this series.

Anyway.

The first book was okay. And then I started the second and I kind of fell in love with it.

That wasn’t a complete surprise, though. I immediately noticed some similarities between Xan and one of my all-time favorite characters. Both “bad” guys in the first book of their series, acting like selfish jerks in other characters’ stories, they were later revealed to be a lot different in their own book.
I adored Xan above all, but I also adored Caleb and their relationship. Urho was also a great character, although I liked him mostly for how he was with Xan and how he handled everything, especially the situation with Caleb. Another huge surprise for me, I really liked how things ended up with Urho, Xan and Caleb.
It shouldn’t have worked, but it did. I could say the same for everything in this series, including , which, to be precise, I didn’t care all that much about and I read skimming as much as I could, especially when .
I liked Vale and Jason a lot better as supporting characters in the second book and but not even this unusual experience, positive as it may have been, is going to convert me to books anytime soon.

Debra

4.5 stars

I would not recommend jumping into this book without having read
Slow Heat as you will likely not have a good grasp on the world-building and background of the characters. This story picks up four years later and the focus shifts to Xan and Urho, secondary characters in the first book, but Vale and Jason play a big part as well.

Once again I was pulled right into the book. I had a major soft spot for Xan by the end of book one and I loved the way his story played out here. Since we last saw Xan, born alpha but identifying as an omega, he has contracted with an omega named Caleb who has a secret of his own. Their relationship is not a typical alpha/omega pairing but they are perfect for each other and hope to soon have a family of their own. Unfortunately, Xan has been engaging in some dangerous behavior to meet his needs. It’s both physically damaging and dangerous for his standing with his father and to his position as heir to the family business, not to mention could land him in jail or worse. This all changes when widowed alpha Urho (Vale’s best friend) comes upon him one night, beaten and in bad shape. Urho, the staid doctor, wasn’t my favorite in book one, but that quickly changed here as he learns to care not just for Xan, but for Caleb as well.

The story was a great combination of outside drama and danger, as well as the building of the relationship between Urho, Xan and Caleb. It’s a poly relationship built to meet the needs of everyone involved and fraught with dangers as they are going against everything society has ruled. Xan is so beaten down, believing he is unworthy of love since he is considered “wrong”. Xan is devoted to the happiness of his omega Caleb and their arrangement works for both of them. Caleb is a delightful character, accepting and loving Xan for who he is and recognizing what it is he needs and finds in Urho, who really comes a long way in this story. The societal pressures placed on alphas and omegas to conform to their gender roles and produce worthy heirs is backed by the religious majority and the laws of the land and what the men are doing could lead to serious consequences.

I liked the exploration of different forms of love between the men, and what family really is and means. There was also tension, moments of raw sex and beautiful romance, danger and heartache. All the men have their own reasons for doing what they do. There are a few twists and some very tense scenes. There are also some very sweet moments between Urho and Xan (Urho referring to Xan as his alpha-shaped omega completely slayed me), Xan and Caleb and the three men as a unit. It’s told from both Xan and Urho’s points of view, but I wouldn’t have minded getting a bit of Caleb’s as well. Jason and Vale are entering a new stage of their lives and it was great to see how their relationship has progressed.

There is also plenty of drama between Xan and his extended family. There is so much bad blood. Xan’s father is disgusted with him and on the verge of disowning him for his cousin Janus who is particularly scary and mean as he can really bring down Xan’s world. But again, Leta Blake adds a twist to the story and I admit to feeling for him for a moment or two as well. It’s a long story, but I found myself engaged throughout. One of the last sections especially had me on the edge of my seat as events were unfolding at a breakneck pace and I found myself holding my breath once or twice. This was just as good as the first for me and I’m really hoping for a third book in the series.

BWT

Michael Ferraiuolo does a fantastic job with the narration. He brings out each character's stubbornness, desire, strength, and comfort so well and really brings each character to life. His character voices are pretty easy to follow (though I personally wish Xan and Caleb had less of a similar tone), and ultimately made my listening experience a real joy.

Alpha Heat is a non-shifter A/B/O romance told in a dual third-person POV featuring a lot of hurt/comfort, plenty of sexy scenes (no cheating), some knotting, and male pregnancy, with a hard-won happy ending all wonderfully narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo.

It's, at times, a hard read with what Xan, Urho, and Caleb go through, but the ending makes it all totally worth it.

I'm going to be honest. I thought I'd read/listened to
Slow Heat but it turned out I haven't. And while I would caution against doing the same, I did manage to work through most of my questions about what was going on except for one. Seriously, though, I need to get to the first book so I can find out why everything is "Wolf" this and that but no one shifts. Regardless, my ignorance of the initial world-building did not diminish my enjoyment.

But, maybe don't make my mistake, and start with book one.

Audio copy of
Alpha Heat provided by the
author in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at
Gay Book Reviews.

Fabi

It takes more than a talented writer to make a good book. It takes editing and it takes proofreading.

This book is not ready for publication. The enormous amount of typos, wrong words, missing words, and misspellings is shameful.

Is it a good story? Yeah, it is.

Would I recommend it? No. Not until it is proofread and corrected.

Eugenia

Sizzling Hot! It made me feel things! Everywhere!

*****4.5 Stars****This book was scorching hot! I loved every word of it, every scene!

This is the follow up to Slow Heat, which should be read first. Here we get to see Xan’s story...one much more complex than Jason and Vale’s from book one.

In this alternate universe, no women exist. Men have been genetically altered to be able to give birth to male children. These are the omegas or the society. They contract with alphas who are the only ones capable of impregnating omegas. Omegas and alphas are very different creatures, both biologically and in personality. In this world, it is illegal for an alpha to lie with an alpha. An alpha who desires to be used as an omega is considered “unmanned.”

Enter Xan, alpha an heir to an empire. Yet, what Xan desires most is to be an omega. To be taken by an alpha. He believes himself broken and deserving of punishment for his heretical desires. He has contracted to an omega, Caleb, who also veers from the typical standard for his type. They hide no secrets from each other.

Enter Urho, an older alpha who was prominent in book one. Urho feels an attraction to the young alpha, but denies his feelings as they go against the scriptures of the wolf-god. Xan, longs for Urho to take him and claim him as an omega.

Events lead to Urho discovering Xan’s true nature.

Now this is where it gets good! I think Leta Blake wrote the best bj scene I have ever read. Truly. It made me tingle. It made me read it again, and again because holy f........it was HOT! And then the rest of it, it didn’t let up. These characters were real and so flawed and so achingly right for each other.

In this I must include Caleb, Xan’s asexual omega who only has sex in heat....it’s painful not to do so. Well. Let me tell you that Leta Blake had a wild time writing up Caleb’s heat. It was madness and incredibly hot. And it wasn’t just Xan who took care of his omega during his heat. Holy hotness of a threesome!

Tingly. I say. All over. Mmmmmmm.

So, there’s more. But just, read the book. It has a plot. It has characters with depth and flaws. It has hot as hell sex scenes. And it has an HEA.

I want another book. Maybe with Ray? Xan’s beta brother. Or maybe with cousin alpha Justin who seriously needs to redeem himself for the asshatery way he acted in this book.

Read it. And tingle!

Denise

3.5 Stars

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars but I think my issues with this book are more of a "me" problem. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing story but the middle dragged for me and I lost interest. There is also a very unique, interesting relationship dynamic here that I wasn't expecting but ended up surprisingly liking. I think it's best if you let it play out as you read but just know there is no cheating and everything is consensual. I absolutely adored seeing Vale and Jason again from Slow Heat and seeing how their relationship has progressed. Alpha Heat takes place four years after when Xan is 24 and Urho is 45. I would suggest reading the series in order as storylines carry over from the first book and the world building isn't as developed in this one. My disinterest could have stemmed from things going on in my real life so I'm not entirely blaming the story. It seems like there might be a story for Xan's brother, Ray, and if so, I can't wait!

Trigger warning:

Standalone - Read series in order:
Book 1:
Slow Heat → 4.5 Stars
Book 2:
Alpha Heat → 3.5 Stars
Book 2.5:
Slow Birth → 4 Stars
Book 3:
Bitter Heat → 3.5 Stars

rowenalovelace

2.5 points.

Summary of the 75% book:
Mentions of Jason and Vale.. skip
Pointless conversations.. skip
Too steamy smex.. skip (sometimes it's really too steamy, what can I say!)

After that, everything was chaos, but I liked it I guess.. That was mostly because of Caleb and how amazing character he was. I don't even want to start with the world-building, like treating Betas like they are accessories etc.. I didn't want to imagine that kind of world at all, but somehow toward the end, the author at least grabbed me with interest.. Again thanks to Caleb..

Melissa

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I have wanted to read Xan's story since I first met him in Slow Heat. He captured my heart right from the start and I hoped I would get to read his story and here it is!!!! It didn't go the way I thought, but that's ok because in many ways, this was so much better than my imagination. Not only so Xan and Uhro get to be together, but they also have Caleb, an asexual omega who gives them both everything they need.

After reading Slow Heat, I don't recalling Xan thinking about finding an Omega. He probably did, I just didn't believe he would because of how he felt. Regardless, he did find and match to an Omega, Caleb, who only wans sexual contact during heat, and he wants those to be as perfunctory and...clinical...as possible. What was so super exciting, and WHAT I WAS WAITING THE WHOLE BOOK TO EXPERIENCE! was the three of them being together during Caleb's heat. I knew it was coming, and I was eagerly flipping my kindle pages, wanting that moment to come. And it was awesome!!!! Hmm, is a spoiler to tell you Uhro was able to knot Xan, while Xan was knotting Caleb? If it is, sorry! But I have to share that because I was hoping and hoping that would happen. It would have been icing on the proverbial cake, and it was scrumptious!

There is a serious tone to this story - it's not all sex and knotting. There is a flu epidemic going around and it is BIG and it is scary, and it is killing people. Xan's pater and brother Ray are suffering greatly, and Xan's jerk cousin Janus caught it to. Fear and tension is everywhere, especially around Xan and his father, who won't let him see his Pater because of a personal bias and grudge.

My heart ached for all that Xan was suffering but he didn't let his fear stop him and he pushed his way forward. I can't say I enjoyed everything Xan did (especially with that Alpha who treated him bad), but in the end I was happy for him and with him. :)

Overall I rate this as 4 stars. Mostly because the length of the story (and Slow Heat too), were soooooo long, and I skipped several parts that truly had no bearing on the story. Well, at least they had no bearing on the story for me. There was a lot of running around and talking things over to death, and scenes between characters I didn't care about. But still, all in all, a very good Alpha, Omega, Beta story. I might know who the next book will be about (if there is one).

I was provided an uncorrected ARC, which explains why I found several editing goofs. I just hope they were all caught before publication. Sometimes the errors were minor, while others pulled me out of the story.

SheReadsALot

4.5 stars --I really read this for more of Jason and Vale

Because I was invested in the omega professor and his "baby alpha". I know there's a baby coming and I know Vale's fertility issues so, I needed to know.

But what I wasn't expected was to start to care for Xan (who I sympathize for the body dysmorphia-- ABO version) but really wasn't feeling his pining of his taken best friend. Nor Orho who I didn't think really loved Vale as much as he thought he did but his uptightness irked me a bit.

And now I've finished this long novel and I'm all in for Xan and Urho and Caleb. WTF. This series has released me from the tight hold of fan fic and I'm not even tired yet. I see there's 2 more books and I already have them locked and loaded in my Kindle.

I am happy Xan finally grew up left his insecurities behind because Urho really loved him. Wow did he love his "alpha shaped omega". My one complaint is the story is too long and Xan/ Urho didn't seem to have enough them time. (It's an ensemble cast story which on one hand made me happy because: VALE and JASON and their miracle baby) But I don't care about the room's description etc, gimme more Xan and Urho falling in lurve.

Greedy reader is greedy.

I loved how Caleb, (Xan's omega) fit in the equation. I hope Caleb births a football league of babies now that they found the key to success that works for them. And I hope one of them is Urho's.

I think this might be my fave of the series. We'll see. I'm not really feeling Janus at all. I don't hate him but I wouldn't mind if he just shut up permanently. And I can't believe his love interest (OMG)

And I bought the audio to read along because this narrator is the bomb. He's definitely one of the best to me.

*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time

I don't read a lot of paranormal but I've been quite enjoying this series.

I know authors don't like for their books to be called "guilty pleasures" but that's what these are for me. They're outside of my typical read. They're kinky. They're dirty.

My only complaint would be the length, Leta Blake typically writes longer books. But I was never bored.

Wonder if Caleb and Janus will be next??

Al *the semi serial series skipper*

I definitely enjoyed this book more than the previous one. I enjoyed seeing Xan with someone that could give him what he wanted. The other characters too made the book better. I was holding on to the hope that Caleb would have met someone that he was attracted to but it was not to be.

Great book!

Shelba

I have more notes than I want to deal with in regards to this book, so I’m just going to try and keep it brief(ish).

While I liked Xan going into this, I was indifferent by the end. Urho continued his main trait from Slow Heat and remained an asshole the entire book, thus I dub him Urhole. Caleb (love the aroace rep!) and Janus were my two favourites, but I was even grateful for Jason & Vale’s appearances, and I’m pretty indifferent to them, too.

The romance was weak and come out of nowhere. We are told in about one paragraph about all the personal conversations they have outside of the bedroom, instead of being shown. So any chance of making me care about these two as a couple, and you buy into it, was squandered. Maybe cut back on the 3748236 sex scenes?! So. Many. Blowjobs.

I was not a fan of Urho referring to Xan as his “alpha-shaped omega”. Someone told me they had interpreted as Urho being gender affirming, and I’m sure that was Leta’s intent. But for me, it felt not dissimilar to calling a trans woman a “man-shaped woman”, for example.

I do also wish that the heat negotiations had happened before Caleb’s heat, not during. Though that was partly on him for not letting anyone know his heat was days away, when you had Xan needing to return to the city and another pregnant omega ready to pop any day.

This book, while similar in length to Slow Heat, felt very, very long. I took breaks from the book before starting Part 2 and Part 3. I skimmed pretty much every sex scene, and a lot of other parts that were just Urho and Xan having the same convos over and over.

Aeren

En realidad sería más bien 3.5 pero subo a 4 por el factor 'enganche' de la novela.
Podría escribir una review bien larga porque es un libro que me ha causado bastante conflicto mientras lo leía pero soy bastante vaga así que ahí dejo mis impresiones a grandes rasgos: por un lado, me parece muy interesante la idea que la autora aporta al omegaverse (un trope que en sus inicios me producía el mismo interés que rechazo porque hay veces que parece una forma de convertir en fetiche la violencia más gratuita, pero también he encontrado omegaverses maravillosos), pero al mismo tiempo, esta parte de la serie me ha resultado menos 'orgánica' que el primer libro, he sentido que la autora tenía una idea muy clara de a donde quería llegar y qué contar y a veces el camino para llegar ahí me ha resultado muy forzado.
Sin embargo, para mi, que soy una amante de los personajes y que como lectora necesito empatizar con ellos para disfrutar de lo que tengo entre manos, debo decir que Xan ha sido un festín de claroscuros, desde un angustioso inicio, hasta un final dulce y lleno de esperanza. En contra, no me ha convencido para nada su partenaire, no me acaba de cuadrar para nada la reacción de Urho ante todo lo que se desata entre ellos. Caleb es casi demasiado perfecto para ser real y por desgracia, la intervención de los chicos del primer libro me ha dejado un poco a medias, porque no les he reconocido, igual por el cambio de perspectiva, es una de las cosas que me ha chirriado bastante.

Me quedo a la espera del próximo, porque estoy segura de que los habrá (tengo al menos 3 candidatos de los que querría saber más) porque para mi, el punto fuerte es saber más acerca de esa sociedad bastante victoriana y claustrofóbica que la autora ha recreado en esta versión del omegaverse.

Lisazj1

I think I might have loved this even more than the first! Absolutely stunning.

Argona

*2.5 stars*
Way to repetitive and unnecessarily long.

Bibliophile

I was a fan of the 1st book so I knew I had to read this book as soon as it came out. Some things I loved: Seeing Vale and Jason again (this was very much a continuation of their story at times). I also loved to sex between Xan and Urho (not only because it's forbidden and super hot and emotional --but because KNOTTING! Woo! ::fans herself:::). I also liked the secondary characters introduced such as Ray and Caleb. Beyond that, I loved how this story didn't shy away from the messiness of life and found ways to combine panic and love, heat and anxiety, etc.--often on the same page. Finally, I love how this series, as a whole, is not just featuring stories about love, but also acceptance. In each book, characters struggle for being different, especially as it relates to their gender and sexuality. I love how these books promote acceptance of that...which is all the more refreshing given the lack of acceptance present in the real world beyond these sacred pages.

My only quibble is that I felt that Xan and Urho's emotions for each other escalated a little too quickly for my tastes. I am a known hater for instalove--and while this book doesn't fall into that category--I would have liked to have seen a slightly slower build-up of strong emotion between Xan and Urho. I suspect for most, this will be a non-issue.

If you liked the first book (and how could you not?!) which should be an auto-read for you. It's currently free if you have a Kindle Unlimited account. Highly recommended!

Elisa Glendenning

4.5 Stars

Went in blind and surprised and shocked as to how much had changed four years on. It wasn’t what I’d anticipated but very satisfying all the same. I loved that we were reunited with Jason & Vale but Caleb proved a much welcome addition to Xan’s inner circle! If two characters ever needed a HEA, it was Xan and Urho and what a journey it was. I loved both of these MC’s but it was Xan’s gender identity issues and crappy family that hurt the most. His despair and the lengths he went to resulted in a darker read than I’d expected. Some of the earlier chapters were hard going. The middle dragged slightly for me but the last 30% was full on. A beautiful HEA but my thirst for vengeance wasn’t fully satiated; Doxan Heelie wins the award for shittiest father 😡!!!

thosemedalingkids

I really enjoyed parts of this one, while it did feel long at times. I thought the daisy chain was excellent. Loved the emotional bathing scene, there was the omegaverse detail I've come to love about Blake's world building. I also really enjoyed the ending pairing and how it kind of worked out excellently as an open relationship/throuple.

I would have loved to see more world building (tell me about the betas!)

I also really liked Caleb. He was so caring and direct with his needs, welcomed in a lover for his alpha. Wanted happiness for their family. Seeing that relationship without jealousy or resentment for their different needs was very awesome to see.

Trio

Alpha Heat is the second book in Leta Blake’s Heat of Love series. While this story can stand on its own, to truly understand the nuances of this society I recommend reading Slow Heat first. Also, there are a few scenes which are definite triggers for some, so make sure you check the tags before starting this book if you are sensitive.

The Heat of Love series takes place in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world where no females survived the Great Death. Through evolution, genetic manipulation, and the mystical power of Wolf God, there are three different sexes: alpha, beta, and omega. The only pairing which can result in childbirth is alpha/omega, and the foundation of this society is procreation.

The couple from Slow Heat are “erosgape”, and share a deep and passionate bond. But what about the alphas and omegas who never find their “one true mate”? What of those who don’t fit neatly into the stereotype of their gender? In Alpha Heat, Leta Blake delves into the lives of those men whose sexuality falls outside the culturally (and legally) accepted norms. Very different from the bonded couple in Slow Heat, what works for this triad could land them in jail, or worse.

Xan is “unmanned”, an alpha who wants to submit to other alphas. His urges are so strong they’ve become self-destructive and when Urho discovers what’s going on he steps up to help his friend. The intense relationship which blossoms between the two men is truly beautiful, providing some much needed healing for both of them and affecting Caleb, Xan’s best friend, positively as well.

Accepting that he is asexual, Caleb doesn’t experience sexual arousal except during his heat. He wants children and a family and he’s resigned to the reality of being bred. The relationship with Xan and Urho allows Caleb to establish some boundaries, and regain some control over his life.

I definitely recommend enjoying this story as an audiobook because Michael Ferraiuolo is at his all-time best in this one! He makes the most out of the juxtaposition of Xan’s dominant and submissive sides, emphasizes the longing of Urho’s desire to be needed, and brings out Caleb’s frustration (but also his joy) of being an omega. The emotions Ferraiuolo exposes in these characters is spectacular and I’ve truly never heard him better.

This is another marvelous episode in the Heat of Love series and thankfully there are still a host of intriguing plotlines still to explore in this world. Ms. Blake has only begun to touch on the disparity in wealth and class, the restrictive laws and rules that govern each of the sexes, and a host of other relationship pairings…. I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!

Title	:	Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2)
Author	:	Leta Blake
Rating	:
ISBN	:	-
ISBN-10	:	9781626227750
Language	:	English
Format Type	:	ebook
Number of Pages	:	424
Publication	:	First published May 11, 2018

Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2) by Leta Blake

Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2) Reviews

Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2) Reviews

Releated on Alpha Heat (Heat of Love, #2)