Christmas Heat

By: Liam Kingsley

Narrated by: Max Tone

TYLER

I knew being an omega would get me fired one day, I just never thought hiding it would be the excuse they needed. Irony, you suck.

For years I was their best employee, right up until their new alpha hire smelled me in heat. I could’ve kept my job by playing his game, but I’ve spent my whole life running from my biology. I have principles.

I also have bills. Which is the only reason my desperate search for a roommate ended with a grizzled alpha veteran, Stefan. Brooding and damaged from years of battle.

My biology and I are not on speaking terms now.

But who needs words when you live inches from an alpha who looks like that? I was just kidding myself, pretending it wasn’t inevitable, our wild night of passion that ended with me pregnant and freaking out. And kicking him out. Look, mistakes were made.

Now I’ve got a new job with tons of stress, a baby on the way and a wannabe mate who doesn’t know he’s gonna be a dad. All because I’m paranoid he’s gonna take the baby and leave me. The way everyone else has.

Maybe its why I don’t listen when he tells me my new job is shady. Why I’m so eager to prove him wrong. To prove myself right.

Except I hardly ever am…

STEFAN

I was the best of the best, and now I’m nothing at all. A broken alpha who can’t even get his omega roommate to look at him with need. Desire. Hunger.

I don’t know why I thought things would be different with Tyler, but I did. There was an undercurrent to the way he avoided me in the mornings. A tension when he said he didn’t need or want an alpha. Want me.

Or so I thought, but one frantic, amazing night together and it’s like he can’t even stand to look at me now. I try and keep my distance. Give him what he wants, even if that’s not me.

But something about his new job pings all my alarms. Instincts that’ve kept me alive all these years. I wish his work was everything he wants it to be, but deep down I know better.

I just don’t know how to convince him before it’s too late…

©2018 Shehan Peiris (P)2018 Shehan Peiris

Unrealized potential

This story was good because it included believable characters and in the world it created equally believable external conflicts apart from the ones between the MCs, Tyler and Stefan, which helped us to see and engage with them and their situations. I struggle with the major non-personal conflict as well. It is never even hinted at until Stefan suggests it and Tyler dismisses it. Also troublesome for me is that at the end of the novel, a rather large issue remains unresolved...what happens to Tyler? After all, the quite dramatic events that unfold just before the epilogue are in large part due to his stubborn refusal to believe Stefan’s assessment of the case. Additionally, there’s the suggestion that something is brewing between Ben and Julia, who are important secondary characters. Why do that? Unless the author plans a sequel to give them their story, it seems unnecessary to include that suggestion. Why end on two cliffhangers? And as this is an audio version, it must be said that the performance was mediocre at best. It added nothing to my appreciation of the story. The narrator too often paused in places where none was indicated or was natural, and mispronounced words he should have known how to pronounce. I was underwhelmed by that.

Interesting Plot

An interesting book the writing was good. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. The characters were developed and thought out. Stefan is an Alpha and Tyler is an Omega are the MC’s of this book. The narrator didn’t work for me and because of that I did struggle with the story. He wasn’t monotone but I would’ve liked stronger highs and lows and more distinctly different voices. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

Ok

Enjoyed the story...Liam Kingsley is a talented author...but I did not enjoy the narration of this one, unfortunately. The narrator spoke in an odd, maybe "over acted" voice.

I'm a bit torn...

So here it is, I liked the premise of the story. Omega wants to be independent of his alpha; got it. Alpha doesn't actually want to control his mate; got it. Lots of misunderstandings commence; cant have insta-love all the time. A little danger is good for everyone; got it. I think I stumble a little with the narrator. There were some mispronouncing of words which happens, not a negative there. I just feel that maybe a different person would have been a better choice....I could be alone in this and it is only my opinion. He did a good job just I believe he may be better suited for a different genre, maybe???

good story

This was a good story,though at times I wanted to smack them. It was a slow burn but at times a little frustrating cause the characters was a little stubborn.