Review : The 5th Gender by G.L. Carriger

The 5th Gender is a sci fi mystery romance about Tristol, an alien with lavender skin and prehensile noodly hair that has a mind of its own. He has quite a crush on the tall, dark, and handsome detective of the space station who has a crush on him back, but is reluctant to get together with the flirty purple one as Detective Drey can only do monogamy and the Galoi aliens are considered promiscuous. The two may finally be getting somewhere when they are interrupted by an emergency.

A ship from Tristol's home planet has docked at the space station. They are requesting help because there has been a murder on board and they have no idea how to solve the crime as their language doesn't even have a word for murder. Detective Drey is called on to help. Little is known about the Galoi though, so even though he's been exiled and is treated like he doesn't exist by his brethren, Tristol somehow has to help Drey solve the crime. And Tris hopes the detective decides to keep him along the way.

I like an awful lot about this book. The setting is well-thought out and explained well enough that it is easy to picture, but not overly explained where it takes away from the story.

The point-of-view shifts between Tris and Drey's viewpoints. This allows us to see the other one through a different light. They each have unique voices and it is very clear each time the viewpoint shifts. The changing POV really enhances the book. It also backs up the point that how we see someone isn't always how that person is, instead it is colored by our own perceptions.

The 5th Gender uses a higher level of language than most modern novels. This book is not at a 6th grade reading level and someone who reads at that level will quickly become confused and irritated. Of course the opposite is true as well. Those who like the way precise language feels will probably find the way it is written enjoyable. Personally, it was a relief to see words such as "foibles", "sentience", and "I shall be most diligent in his alimentation". Tris tends to use more complicated language when trying to explain things to humans.

We meet just a few alien species, which adds interest to the story without making it too confusing trying to remember which is which. The book is mainly about Galoi and humans, comparing and contrasting the two through interactions.

Tris had learned early on that there was very little humans would not do in pursuit of entertainment. (This also possibly explained all the progeny. ) They were easily entertained, especially, as it turned out, by Tris. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Tris was wildly curious and naturally flirty, and humans were easily flattered by both. Perhaps cats were the same.

The 5th Gender is cute and funny, but also deals with serious subjects. Gender identity, roles in society, even assumptions about who people are that are based on our own experiences and about how those assumptions can be hurtful and not capture who that person really is because we are looking at them through our own lens.

Based on the title of the book I sort of assumed it would feature gender prevalently (which it did), but I was expecting something about how some cultures on Earth consider humans to have five genders. This was not connected to that at all. It is about the Galoi alien race that comes in five genders. They are sexually dimorphic, and have very precise roles for each gender. It made me think a little of honey bees.

Galoi come in five genders. Antigua, which are the inseminators, they take a sort of matriarchal role. Male Isoga and female Isoga are those who nurse and raise the young, and they also are larger and protective. Male and female Loga are those who give birth. Tristol is a male loga, which means if he wanted to he could get pregnant by an antigua, but Tristol was exiled because he didn't want to carry children. Loga are required by Gal law to give birth to three children and choosing to be childfree makes him an outcaste, known as zyga. Tristol is commonly assumed by humans to be a gay male. This could technically be considered an mpreg, but Tristol does not get pregnant and no pregnant characters are shown in the book.

This really is the best kind of story, one that causes you to think about things in a different way. There is still fluffy and cuteness, but tied in are some scenes that make you ponder things and make some good points.

No one knows what someone else is going through or how they feel. We all have our own identities and emotions tied to those identities. Allowing your ego to decide for someone else how they should feel and forcing them into that box can be dangerous. This applies not just to aliens, but people on Earth too. Someone who is not interested in participating in heteronormative behavior or who is transgender have different experiences than people who do and never will the two completely understand each other because their experiences lead them to look at things differently. That is why it important to just accept that not everyone is the same or feels the same way, and how someone feels can be right for them. It may not be something that person even wants to feel, but denying it only makes things worse.

Which leads to a trigger warning. It is a major spoiler though, so all I will put down is that if you are really triggered by gender identity or the associated issues, you may want to be cautious about reading the book. It is worth reading, but you have to judge for yourself if you can handle it.

There is a throwaway comment about how ftm is hot, which comes across as a bit fetish-inclined, and some details can be a little offensive to some people. There is an alien race that comes in three genders but are all similar looking androgynous. They have neutral pronouns. Tris talking to one mentions that he is not attracted to biologically presenting females. Some people may feel a bit offended by that. Gender and sexuality are a bit too complicated to address in a way that makes everyone comfortable or fits everyone just right. It all goes back to seeing things through a different lens. Just be a little wary of reading this if you have gender dysphoria. It is a difficult subject.

But the story isn't all serious and moralistic. It is very lighthearted at turns. It hits just the right balance to make sure it isn't too heavy.

“Mister Montiguous escaped and went to visit ramen and Detective Hastion had to catch him.” 

“Tris, you can just say the cat. You don’t have to call him by name.” 

“But that would be rude!” objected Tris. “It is such a very good name: Mister Montiguous.”

His boss gave him a sly look. “Not Drey Hastion?” 

“That is a good name too. Is Drey Detective Hastion’s preliminary moniker?” Tristol tried it out on his tongue to see if it worked. It did. It suited Detective Hastion and he liked it very much. “Do you think he would let me call him Drey sometime?” 

“I think the good detective would let you call him anything you wanted.

Tris is a little flighty and forgetful. Drey is completely enamored by the little alien and goes all gruff in response. Their romance happens really quickly, definitely instalove, but it makes sense because they have been held back for so long that when they finally get together it happens with a bang. Image pulling a rubber band apart and trying to hold it there. When you finally release it it snaps together super fast. This is sort of like Tris and Drey. Tris wanted Drey immediately, but Drey was held back by his assumptions about the Galoi. When he finds out the truth he is already in love and ready to make a commitment. Though talking about marriage on their first day finally together is a bit much. Then again, who would let either of them get away?

Tris is absolutely adorable. He is bright and cheerful, good-natured and ready for whatever comes. He is also cute with a little small and lithe body, heart-shaped face, pointed teeth, and pointed ears. And he is lavender. One must be precise as appearance matters a lot to Galoi. Purple is far too generic a term. His skin is lavender, his hair is lavender, and his eyes are big, puppy-dog eyes of lavender. He also has hair very unlike humans'. It is made up of thicker tubes, like noodles, and he has a lot of control over it when he is paying attention. But, it also tends to reflect his moods and is prehensile. This means sometimes it is fluffing up in happiness and other times it's trying to sneakily touch his hot crush. A little like Medusa's hair if hers wasn't made up of snakes. Tris' hair is cute and he can be a little kinky with it.

The kinky sex scenes mean this isn't a book appropriate for young adults, although otherwise it would be lovely for that. Maybe mature YAs would be okay, but it would be a case by case basis. The audio story set in the same universe is appropriate for YA. The 5th Gender is part of The Tinkered Stars series, which so far only includes that book and the audio story that is difficult to get ahold of.

Detective Drey is a big, black man who is a little cautious with his size and strength. But his presence and warm, dark brown coloring is comforting. He is quite growly and gruff, especially as he is trying to resist flirty Tris. He has a close beard which Tris loves to rub up against, and a very large penis that tends toward purple when he gets hard. Tris thinks this is great!




And I just have to mention that I really love Tris' quarters. now I kinda want to do something similar with my own home, maybe make a napping spot in a closet. Tris' living room is really his bedroom and it doesn't have furniture. Instead, it is covered in mattresses and pillows to become a nest. The walls are painted to match his skin tone which makes them become a lavender sunset. The paint strokes reflect his emotional state. I like to think that after he adds Drey's personal palette to his walls it will turn out beautiful like the image below. A warm, brown presence adding steadiness to the lavender flow. Tris' nest is a reminder of how good art captures emotions and can convey a mental state.

Review : Falling for the Omega by C.W. Gray

Falling for the Omega is a fluffy mm mpreg romance novel about a single dad and a military veteran falling in love.

Carter Benson has just moved to a small town in rural Maine after leaving the army. Scarred, with a damaged voice and an amputated leg, he is now a plumber living next to an apple orchard. He may be a bit lonely, but with his scars he feels like an oddity that scares children more than an alpha looking for love.

Then a cute little girl shows up with a gap between her teeth, a welcome basket, dog, and her hedgehog, and Carter is stunned to find a kid that isn't afraid of him. He's even more stunned when chasing her down is her very adorable father, Elijah Wilson, who doesn't seem to even notice his scars.

Elijah and Olive live in an old farmhouse in the apple orchard next door, where the single omega makes apple bread and other apple goodies for his family farm, as well as teaches online and manages investments. But because he is a single omega he's a bit looked down upon.

Carter doesn't look down upon Elijah, instead he's captivated by him and soon falls under the spell of almost the entire gap-toothed and kooky Wilson family. Almost the entire family, as while all the cousins and aunt and uncles and grandparents are fun (if a little crazy), Elijah's parents are not so great, and Carter has to save his sweet omega from their machinations.

Falling for the Omega by C.W. Gray is one of my favorite books and the start to one of my favorite series. I appreciate a lot of things about the series. They tend to be chaotic and fun, with lots of pets and people. Each has an interesting story that isn't overwhelmed by sex scenes. And the setting is really well created, as it's easy to picture widely spaced houses in a rural area surrounding a farm store near a small town in interior Maine.

Unlike some mpreg series where the gender issues overwhelm every story, Hobson Hills' world just happens to be a world where omega men can have kids and get accidentally pregnant. In fact, in the series, no subject becomes an overly stern and dramatized subject. Bad things happen, but the optimistic and sunny bunch keep going and making things better. As a pessimist, ordinarily the optimism of thinking the power of love and family and pets can make everything better would be obnoxious, but in this fluffy series it just works -- no matter how drama-filled the lives of the Wilsons seem to be and no matter how nice and needed it is to have lawyers in the family.

Each book has humor, love, lots of pets, and lots and lots of Wilson family. Most of books feature a Wilson as a MC, but some are about honorary Wilsons. They all seem like busy little bees, making things for the farm store, running businesses, or both, but everyone is ready and willing to lend a hand when someone needs help. It's really hard not to like the family.

Most of the characters aren't too complex, but aren't too simplified either. Elijah is really sweet and adorkable (and Star Wars-wedding geeky), but is still deeply hurt from his parent's disregard. Carter is recovering from military-induced injuries and still suffers from PTSD, plus feels unloved by his own family. Olive is precious but not obnoxious about it, just cute. They each find each other amazing and can't believe how lucky they are to find someone so great. Each of the characters actually have appealing personalities, like people you might want to know and wish a happily ever after.

Elijah danced to the music on his phone’s portable stereo as he pulled the pot roast out of the oven. He was running a little behind due to grading, but things were on track. His apple dumplings were in the second oven, ten more minutes to go, and the homemade yeast rolls were ready to bake. He popped them in the oven, shaking his butt. 

“Daddy, Carter’s here now, so stop being weird.” 

Elijah froze, turning around slowly. Sure enough Olive stood in the kitchen door with Carter. His man was wet from the autumn rain, but he looked so damn good. He wore his gorgeous half smile and his eyes were gleaming with laughter, even if he held it in. 

“I’m gonna show him my room, ‘kay?” Olive grabbed Carter’s hand and pulled him up the stairs. “Come on so Daddy can dance some more. He does it all the time, but we gotta still love him. He’s family.”

Good word stories are written into the story throughout, really making it easy to picture scenes. And the phrasing is sometimes so spot-on that I have to repeat the words in a tone like I would expect the person to use. The covers of the books throw me off a little, as they just don't look like what I was expecting the characters to look like. For example I pictured Elijah a little more like a cute hobbit, maybe like a darker pigmented Pippin who is always smiling or with an eager expression on his face.

Carter suddenly couldn’t catch his breath. The man in front of him was simply adorable. He was short and well formed, a little chubby. His black hair fell in curls around his face and his wide hazel eyes contrasted beautifully with his caramel skin. The same freckles that decorated his daughter’s nose, fell across his own. Where it looked cute on the kid, on her father… bad thoughts, Carter! Bad thoughts!

The fall leaves on the cover capture the seasonal aspect of the book, as does the title. Most of the books seem to match up with a season, so it's easy to figure out how much time passes between books which can sometimes be a problem with other book series. This book is for Autumn, the next for Christmas. This book is so filled with apple treats and fall goodness you may want to get some apple cider and maybe make a loaf of apple bread or some apple dumplings to go alongside it.

Even though they are a series, each book feels complete. No loose ends left to be tied up. It is best to read them in order (including the short stories) as there are new characters added all the time and so much happens in each story. Most of the short stories have been compiled in an anthology, so it's easy to grab them all together. Getting all the books and looking at the covers before starting might be helpful too in case your idea of each character varies from the picture. I wish I had done so as my mental images tend to be far from the pictured characters.

Some books in the series lack a bit when it comes to the editing. Things like meet-cute being written meet-cue. It takes away from the story, but it's not as bad as some books I've read and many it's easy to miss if you get caught up in the story. Later books get better about it.

I'm okay with not having a lot of realism in my romance novels as I feel it's a romance novel, written about something that doesn't exist much or at all. This book misses on the timing on a few things such as recovering from amputation and getting used to a prosthetic (but I'd rather it be a little wrong than have them not write about someone having one). And the timing of Elijah and Carter's instalove seems really fast even for instalove. Some of that is that a month passes but isn't really written in detail, but even just the first day has the pair thinking of forever. Sometimes people are like that though, they see that one and that's it, they know. So, I'm willing to give it a little artistic license, though some may not.

There is a lot of little details that are pure gold in the story. While I tend to not reread books often, the Hobson Hills series and the similar but scifi Blue Solace series, also by C.W. Gray are some of my favorites and ones I read over and over again. Things I didn't notice in the first reading I notice later and it really enhances the story. Some details are left out that don't further the story, such as the name of Olive's father. Personally, I'd rather not have to learn another name, especially when he doesn't even appear in the story.

Really, something about the Hobson Hills Omegas series just feels right. Drama and thrills, without angst, fluff without saccharin, good characters and stories while being varied and each dealing with different things. A perfect setting where some people are nice and some are bigoted jerks, but the town is thought out and populated well. In Goldilocks terms, the Hobson Hills Omegas are just right.



So, it can be a little confusing at first keeping track of all the Wilson (plus the pets!). There's Grammy and Gramps, and they have four kids who all got married and had kids. Stephan had two, Elijah and Noah. Barry had three, Zoe, Ernie, and Abel. Anna had four, Evan and Janelle, Milly, and Allison. And Marco had Harper, Shawn, and Hannah. Then Elijah had Olive, the first great-grandchild. It's not too hard to keep track and each one has a very unique voice and character, but making it a point to try and remember names will be helpful. Later books have family trees to help and here is one for this point in the series:

The Wilson Family (as of this book)

Grammy & Gramps - Laurel and Gerard Wilson

      Stephan Wilson m. Rachael
            Elijah
                   Olive
            Noah

      Barry m. Jamie Lawson
            Zoe
            Ernie
            Abel

      Anna m. Matthew Giddens
            Evan (twin)
            Janelle (twin)
            Millicent (Milly)
            Allison

      Marco Wilson m. Bennett
            Harper
            Shawn
            Hannah

Since nearly every Wilson has an adorable grin, one of the later book characters says this about a group of Wilsons at the bakery:

The kids sat at their booth surrounded by people with gap-toothed smiles. Did Lauren Hutton spawn a cult or something, Sawyer wondered.

Hobson Hills Omegas Book 2 - Snow Kisses for my Omega
Harper & Grey
Through their conversations online, demisexual carpenter Harper Wilson falls for secretly very pregnant Greyson, and decides to go down to Florida to get his omega.



Hobson Hills Omega Novella 2.5 - Hobson Hills Shorts 1 - The Beta's Love Song
David & Sawyer
Sassy and stylish beta David Bartley left his straight and married best friend to come to Hobson Hills. Now not-so-straight Sawyer is divorced and bringing his kids and pets along as he tracks down his makeup-loving man.



Hobson Hills Omegas Book 3 - Romancing the Omega
Caden & Yeo
Cue the cutest wooing ever when romance novel writer and alpha Caden Benson awkwardly tries to romance bookstore owner and single dad Yeo.



Hobson Hills Omega Book 3.5 - Hobson Hills Shorts 2 - Bennett's Dream
Marco & Bennett
Marco and Bennett Wilson have been together for years and most of their kids are grown, but when Bennet finds out about a transgender child in need of parents best alpha ever Marco makes sure nothing stands in his omega's way of welcoming more into his family.



Hobson Hills Omega Book 4 - Healing the Omega
Ray & Dean
Dean is older, scarred from his abusive and now dead husband, but looking at him Ray only sees a strong man who survived a harsh life. In love and raising Dean's kids together, the pair still haven't admitted to each other that they want more, one from fear of being old and scarred, the other from feeling like betas shouldn't be with omegas.



Hobson Hills Omegas Novella 4.5 - Hobson Hills Shorts 3 - Justin's Journey
Tanner & Justin
Everything happens at once when Justin finds out he's pregnant with Tanner's baby on the same day his mom dies. But to be together these two can't let grief and fear come between them.



Hobson Hills Omegas Book 5 - A Pint for the Omega
Mateo & Abel
One night together with alpha Mateo during Abel Wilson's vacation isn't enough for this pair, but Mateo never calls and Abel goes back to Maine and his brewery thinking he's going to have to raise their baby on his own. Luckily, the bar is in need of a bartender and the cook calls up his friend Mateo who shows up with his son, his little sister, and their dog to claim his omega.



Hobson Hills Omegas Book 6 - Unraveling the Omega
Reuben & Ernie
Debilitating social anxiety keeps Reuben from staying in the one place for very long or even coming out of the kitchen, but one knit-loving Wilson omega is there to help him through, even if his crazy family may be the scariest thing ever to the shy cook.



Hobson Hills Omegas Novella 6.5 - Hobson Hills Shorts 04 - Grey's Gift
Check in with all the Wilson couples as they dress up in costumes to try and convince Grey to publish his children's books.



Hobson Hills Omegas Book 7 - The Alpha's Christmas Wish
Jackson & Juan
Omega Jackson is scared to give in to his feelings for alpha Juan because of too many years of having to watch his alpha dad abuse his omega dad. Finally the pair get together just in time to find out Juan's father is dying, and they need to go to Juan's parents before his father dies. Hopefully finding out that another alpha is horrible isn't enough to set the pair back.



Hobson Hills Omegas Novella 7.5 - Hobson Hills Shorts 5 - Zoe's Happily Ever After
Zoe & Gib
Gib's mother still hasn't come around to accepting that her son fell for a Wilson, but Zoe Wilson is going to convince her to talk to her son again before the wedding, no matter what it takes. (story is mf, not mm)
Get Zoe's Story on Prolific Works


Hobson Hills Omegas Book 8 - Convincing the Alpha

Noah & Zed

Noah is finally feeling settled in Hobson Hills. Thanks to his injury in the army, he may not be able to hear, but the horses he rescues and trains don't care. Now if only his family would stop trying to get him to find an omega. Zed is finally out of the marines so he can watch over his family, including his newly discovered half-brother, Justin. If only his brothers would stop trying telling him he needs an omega to take care of. Can this pair of former-military alphas make a go of things together, or are alphas supposed to be with omegas only?

Hobson Hills Shorts Vol. 1
Contains The Beta's Love Song, Bennett's Dream, Justin's Journey, and Grey's Gift

Review : Kissing...Cousins? by J.D. Light

Kissing...Cousins? is a mm shorter and fluffy mpreg read about two guys who belong to an enormous, extended family, and are related by marriage.

When Evan and Scout were younger they were the best of friends, but after they hit puberty things changed. One was an alpha, the other an omega. Hormones and crushes got in the way, causing the two best friends to argue and become bitter toward each other. Unrequited feelings are easier to hide beneath an attitude.

They still see each other often as that big family likes to have regular family gatherings and at every reunion the pair snip at each other.

This family reunion starts the same as all the others, but there is a new guest, the boyfriend of their cousin in common. She's both Evan and Scout's best friend as well as cousin, so the pair decide to prank the new boyfriend to make sure the he is worthy of her (plus the rascals get to have a little fun in the meantime).

The new boyfriend thinks Evan and Scout are actual cousins commiting incest, not just related by marriage. The boys think this is hilarious and devise a scheme of pretending to be together to freak him out.

Evan and Scout make out in front of the guy, they pretend to be leaving a room after having just got it on, they even spend a long, hot bout of frottage on the couch while everyone is watching. But somewhere along the line they forget they are faking a relationship and that they don't have to be kissing when no one is looking.

This book was similar to a lot of J.D. Light's novels. She tends to write shorter novellas that are light and fluffy and a bit silly. They are a good escape from reality in a compact little package. These tend to be quick reads and inventive, whether they feature unusual plots, characters, or themes. Kissing...Cousins? falls right alongside her normal writing style.

It had a bit of snark between the two MCs that was underlaid with heat. One of my favorite themes. And who can resist a fake relationship? Another of my favorite tropes. The family dynamics are interesting, as are the characters. The story isn't really long enough to be too in depth on anything, but it's still fun.

It's a bit predictable, which is to be expected in this type of story. If something happened that wasn't to be expected then it would actually kinda suck. It's like if there was a Cinderella story where she didn't go to a dance and meet her happily ever after. That would be disappointing. Luckily that isn't the case here. It goes where you expect the story to go and about how you would expect it to play out.

I liked most of the story. It was funny and cute. The couch scene had a bit of a uncomfortable squick factor to it for me, but some people will find it hot. It wasn't enough to not like the story, just a bit disturbing.

The story flowed well. It was a bit rapid, but it was also pretty short, so it had to be. Even though it was short it was paced well.

I like J.D. Light novels when I just want a quick and easy read that will make me smile.

Kissing Cousins? is book one in the Sprung Like Spring series, which follows along with a vast, extended family made up mostly of omegas. Each of the boys finds a hot alpha mate and gets pregnant. Most of the books are fairly good and I actually like book two, While You Were Sleepwalking even better than this one. All are fairly similar though with a lighthearted and fluffy fun story and each feature a different trope from a tattooed, trucker bodyguard to going away to a convention with a veterinarian boss. The Sprung Like Spring series has eight books, and the series is finished. There will be a spinoff series called Salacious Summer Singe, that will feature a related family and their romances.


Get Kissing...Cousins?
Sprung Like Spring Book 1
Evan & Scout
A Related By Marriage MPreg
 



Don't forget to check out the rest of the series as well. This series is completed, so you're safe to start reading it.


While You Were Sleepwalking
Sprung Like Spring Book 2
Archer & Avery
A Friends to Lovers MPreg



The Sound of You Overreacting
Sprung Like Spring Book 3
Riker & Frost
A Falling For the Nanny MPreg



Guarding Murphy
Sprung Like Spring Book 4
Fisher & Murphy
A Bodyguard MPreg



Pride and White Trashing
Sprung Like Spring Book 5
Neil & Cam
A Frenemies to Lovers MPreg



Wrong Effing Number
Sprung Like Spring Book 6
Riley & Cole
A Falling for the Boss MPreg



Are We Flirting or Nah?
Sprung Like Spring Book 7
Fox & Coley
Crush on BFF's Dad Mpreg

Changing Our Status

Sprung Like Spring Book 8

Easton & Clinton

A Bromate Mpreg

Review: The Problem by Piper Scott

The Problem by Piper Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hot hot hot!

The Problem is a full-length mpreg novel about an older alpha and a younger omega. It features male pregnancy and the typical omegaverse narrative.

It has much better writing and a better story than many mpregs and was surprisingly good.

The omega in the pairing, Alex, is a creative and intelligent young man. He's an artist who has synesthesia--when he feels emotions, he sees colors that reflect them. He can literally see emotions. And each emotion is a different color.

After being heartbreakingly attacked by his lover, Alex no longer takes chances with his heart. Instead he selects hot, older guys to get down and dirty with, then tosses them aside. When he spots mature and sexy alpha Laurence at his painting exhibit he can't help dragging the man to the back for some no-strings fun.



Laurence is starting to feel his age. He's devoted his life to his son, but the boy is now 16, old enough to handle his single father finally starting to date again. If only Laurence felt more comfortable and sure of himself. It's been a long time since he even tried to flirt. When a gorgeous young man, only a few years older than his son, starts a conversation with him at a art exhibit, Laurence isn't quite sure he can keep up. But Alex is hotter than anyone he's ever met before, so if the younger omega is willing to overlook his age, then he'll do his best to please him.

Alex is even sexier when he forces Laurence to his knees so he can use his mouth. Laurence can't resist, especially after Alex's suit is opened to reveal the lace panties he's nearly popping out of. Still not even knowing each others names, the two have a hot little session in the back of the studio, then Alex pulls himself together to go back out to his show. But unlike his normal, this time Alex actually lets Laurence in a little and gives him his business card so they can get together once more.

Both men are nervous about taking things further. No matter that the colors Alex sees when he's with Laurence tell him that he could fall for the older man, Alex is afraid to chance his heart again. He decides that if Laurence calls he'll just get together with him once more and that's it. Laurence has been out of the dating game for years, and is worried about venturing back in with a hot, younger man instead of someone older and settled like himself. Can they even have a relationship?

Both worried, but drawn to each other, Laurence and Alex get together once more, only to find that they can't keep their hands off of each other. Alex's mischievous nature and dirty talk drive Laurence to take him hard and raw. 'Daddy's dirty boy' is loving it until Dad's actual son walks in and hears and sees things no one involved wants. Awkwardness ensues, and the men think they'll never see each other again.

But Laurence and Alex still want each other, and another surprise means they might not be done with one another.

So, I rarely like books that are all about the sex. I read books for a good story, not to get off. But this one was hot enough to be an exception. Boys in lace panties is one of the hottest things ever, and while I typically find them more appealing on hyper-masculine alpha types, it was still definitely hot to read about on Alex. And dominant older men being called Daddy by their boy is a hot button as well. The sex scenes were actually good and not just the same drivel found in many books. There was also some knotty action as well if you're into that.

While more than half of the book was sex and that would normally make me dislike it, the actual writing and storyline was interesting enough to make up for it and the sex scenes actually being good was a bonus.

All the characters were interesting and were well thought out. Complex, with backstories. Not just caricatures. They were also people worth being interested in. While it's nice to have flawed characters, too often the flaws are bad enough that they are unlikeable. This hit that sweet spot. Alex is covering up his soft heart by trying not to get involved and sleeping with random men. He's a bit young and spontaneous. Laurence is older and set in his ways. He thinks he always needs to plan everything out. One leads from the heart, the other from the head, but together they match.



The witty banter at the beginning of the book is interesting, but may turn some people off. Don't worry, it smoothes out and becomes less of a show of intelligence. That part is just establishing who the characters are and letting us get to know them. Though this does tend to be a cerebral story, we reside in the character's heads a lot and see how they are thinking about things. There is doing as well as thinking though, so it's not too far into the mental aspects of falling in love either.

Overall, I think this book just got it. It wasn't 'too' anything or lacking anything. As Goldilocks would say, it was just right.

This book was another one set in the town of Aurora. I find that even in books that don't interact with other series by the same author it is enriching to have them set in the same place. It's like having tons of backstory available even if it's not acknowledged. I think I'll go find Piper Scott's Aurora series to see the town through different eyes.

This was also the first book in a new series by Piper Scott. The Single Dads Support Group is a mpreg series about single dads finding love. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I really hope Gabe gets his HEA.

Review: Playing Doctor by Aiden Bates

Playing Doctor by Aiden Bates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Divorced (read disgraced) omega, Jonah has moved back home with his young son after his ex broke things off with him. He knows that he will probably spend the rest of his life alone because no one would want a "used" omega. While sad about it and lonely, Jonah is content to raise his son and produce his art.

New doctor in town, Dave, is an alpha and once he gets a whiff of omega Jonah Dave is intrigued. He doesn't do anything though since he isn't interested in claiming anyone and Jonah has a kid. Later they meet up again and eventually see a bit of each other, while Dave is also seeing a younger, clean omega that everyone is pressuring him to claim. Jonah's ex comes into town as well, leading to some angst.

This was very much like many of this author's works. The concept is interesting, it's a world where some people are alphas or betas or omegas, and as such tend to have certain personalities and behaviors expected. Much of the common shifter-type behavior without them actually being shifters. This world is the setting for a lot of books from this author and while I like actual shifters I do appreciate an unusual take on the same sort of concepts. Because I've read other books set in the same sort of world I didn't have a problem understanding the uniqueness of the setting, but some new readers might since it wasn't really explained.

Like many other works by the author the omega was well-fleshed out and a great character. He was strong and independent, watching over his son and working hard. Everything one wants in a main character. The supporting characters were generally pretty good too, though the rapid personality change of one didn't make a lot of sense. The storyline was decent and well-written.

All in all, this book should have been pretty good. The issue that makes me like many of these books a lot less than I normally would is the co-main character. The love interest may not be perfect, but please, let him be redeemable at least. Everyone makes mistakes, and as long as they try to be better and apologize, they're not terrible people. But in this book as in many of them, the love interest is such a jerk that I almost wish they didn't end up together.

Why would anyone want to end up with Dave? Is it some sort of punishment? At times he's a nice guy. Towards the beginning he stands up for Jonah and he's friendly to the kid, then he completely blows it. Dave seemed more like a salamander than an alpha.

I wanted to like the book, and overall I guess I sort of did, but it really would be so much better if the love interests were good people.