Alphas are strong. Alphas are possessive. Alphas are territorial.
Alphas are completely out of my league. For Betas like me, a normal, average life is the standard. We aren’t taught how to handle Alphas or what to expect of Omegas in heat. We’re sent off on our merry way to lead a completely mundane life. I should have given up the dream of ending up with an Alpha or Omega four years ago when I was ungraciously dumped by my first love. But if there’s something to know about me, it’s that I’m a romantic to the core. So when my sad heart sets its sights on Rylan, the aloof, sexy-as-sin Alpha in the symphony, I know to keep my distance until the interest fades. Except it doesn’t. And now, I’m forced to be his roommate due to an unfortunate water pipe bursting in my own apartment. Even worse? An Alpha has set his sights on me, and I’m powerless to resist. I’m caught between two enigmatic Alphas while knowing that none of this can last. And the worst part? I know they’ll take what’s left of my decimated heart with them when they leave. How could they not? They’re Alphas, destined to match with an Omega. And me? I’m just a Beta.
Jasper, Dominic and Rylan were really cute together! I felt like each guy had their own distinct personalities and I was invested in their lives and them as characters. I want to see more of their dynamic and how Violet may or may not be involved in this little trio and Dominic with his trust fund. There are a lot of ways this could go and I’m excited to see how it will unfold. This was a cute prequel novella and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I was honored to receive an eARC of Beta. This review is honest and freely given. Thank you Jillian Rink and Fated Promos for the opportunity.
Beta is a MMM omegaverse between Jasper, a beta, and two alpha best friends, Rylan and Dominic. This is a prequel novella to Knot Your Business.
2.5/5 🌶️
Tropes and themes: MMM Omegaverse (beta-alpha-alpha), coworkers, mutual pining, mafia involvement, forced proximity, “designation dysphoria,” pierced 🍆, musician MMCs, love triangle that ends in why-choose and more!
Spoiler-free summary: Jasper should have dropped his dream of ending up in a pack of alphas or having an omega after he was dumped by his first love, but he can’t help but chase the high. This time is different though as he finds himself attracted to and desired by two alphas, alphas that happen to be best friends. They see him for who he is, beta and all, but can their relationships really overcome their designations?
Thoughts: This was a really fun prequel novella and I am very eager to read what happens next in Knot Your Business!
I really appreciate that this was a different POV for an omegaverse. It was very interesting to read about a beta main character and see the world from his perspective. I thought his inner dialogue about the distinct difficulties of being a beta in an alpha-omega world was very well done and I liked how it made me think about OV.
I also really enjoyed Dominic, an alpha that doesn’t have all the typical desires you see in alphas. He isn’t interested in finding an omega or having children, and stays on rut suppressants to afford himself the freedom he desires. Again, a very interesting character that made me think about OV in a new light.
I feel we didn’t get enough about Rylan in this novella for me to feel super attached, but I am VERY excited to learn more about him and all of these men in the main book!!
Speaking of the next book, I think it’s going to be WILD and I am here for it!!
Definitely recommend this novella to OV and PNR readers!
"Beta" by Jillian Rink delves deep into the complexities of acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community, weaving a captivating tale of love, desire, and self-discovery. Through the lens of a non-traditional romantic relationship, Rink skillfully navigates themes of identity, societal expectations, and the pursuit of happiness.
The story follows Jasper, a Beta, who finds himself entangled in a passionate relationship with two Alphas, Dominic and Rylan. From the outset, Rink paints a vivid picture of a world where dynamics beyond traditional norms are not only accepted but embraced. By placing a Beta protagonist at the forefront of the narrative, Rink challenges stereotypes and explores the fluidity of sexuality and desire.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. Rink deftly portrays the characters' journey towards self-acceptance and the acceptance of their unconventional relationship dynamics. Through nuanced character development and authentic dialogue, the novel illustrates the importance of love and understanding in overcoming societal barriers and prejudices.
Moreover, "Beta" explores the intricacies of navigating relationships in a world where norms and expectations often dictate the course of love. Rink expertly crafts multidimensional characters who grapple with their desires, fears, and vulnerabilities, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates with readers.
The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing readers into the vibrant world of the characters. The narrative unfolds with a perfect balance of steamy romance, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking themes, keeping readers captivated from start to finish.
Overall, "Beta" by Jillian Rink is a compelling exploration of acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. With its richly developed characters, authentic portrayal of relationships, and poignant themes, this novel is a must-read for anyone seeking an unforgettable journey of love, self-discovery, and acceptance.
Jasper spends his days practicing hard for a top spot in the symphony, and steadfastly ignoring the feelings he has for Rylan- his fellow musician, and an Alpha. He's sure that Rylan doesn't share his interest, so he decides it would be best to let his feelings fade. When another gorgeous Alpha, Dominic, set his sights on Jasper, he believes his attraction to Dominic will override his feelings for Rylan. He ends up temporarily sharing an apartment with Rylan when the pipes burst in his own place, and he realizes that his feelings for Rylan are as strong as ever. He's conflicted on how to proceed when his emotions are pulling him in multiple directions, but there's one thing he does know for sure: this will all end in a broken heart. After all, he's just a Beta, and Alphas are destined to be with Omegas. This is a slow burn omegaverse story with a fair amount of angst. Jasper spends a lot of time in his own head, agonizing over whether he can be enough for someone as a beta when his partner has a different designation. He's been burned before, and he doesn't want a repeat experience. The tension between the three men is palpable, but Jasper has to decide whether he's willing to suffer again if things don't go well. There's a little bit of Alpha posturing, and a best friend that's willing to face down a couple of grumpy alphas to make sure everyone ends up happy. The spice doesn't really come in until close to the end of the book, but it's worth the wait. Once they all figure out what they want, things go from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. I did feel that the end of the book seemed somewhat abrupt and it left some unanswered questions. This does appear to be a prequel, however, so perhaps some of those answers are in the first book of the series. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This book was an ARC, and even though the author was new to me, I'm a sucker for a good omegaverse story.
🎻 Meet our Beta, Jasper, a member of the LA Philharmonic, who unexpectedly finds himself in need of a place to stay and ends up at the house of his fellow orchestra member, our Alpha Rylan has a huge crush on our beta.
📖 "It’s going to be nearly impossible to keep up my feigned indifference, my ruse of complete disinterest in him."
💕 The sexual tension between Jasper and Rylan, along with their secret desires, made for an incredibly enjoyable read.
🌿 "…I sigh, adjusting my stance, ignoring the sudden bergamot bleeding from me as I scent for a goddamn Beta."
🐺 Then there's Alpha Dominic, expected by his family to find a pack, who instantly feels a strong attraction to our Beta on their first date.
💔 The narrative explores Jasper's feelings of inadequacy, being kept as a secret, and the fear of being left behind as others find their mates. But both Alphas show him just how much they want him, and they all sign up for the Council's Omega match. The book ends with them receiving a letter to attend.
🌸 We also briefly meet Violet, an Omega whom Jasper is in love with but believes is back in Seattle. I can't wait to see their paths cross in the next story.
📚 Overall, "Beta" is a must-read for fans of omegaverse stories!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was definitely aiming to be a 5 star read until that epilogue. I was thoroughly enjoying this story. Jasper is unsure he’ll really get his HEA because he’s a Beta attracted to Alphas and Alpha’s have needs he can’t fulfill. Then he meets Dominic, an Alpha who doesn’t want what most Alpha’s do. So they start dating. But then you have Rylan who has been into Jasper for years but doesn’t think Jasper is interested. And Jasper has had a huge crush on Rylan but is pretty sure Rylan hates him. There is lots of yearning and some misunderstandings. Some confusion as things happen between Rylan and Jasper but there is still Dominic. It was full of tension and lots of great chemistry. It’s near the end of the book that they all get together and finally start really communicating and figuring out plans. So I was fully expecting a HEA. But then the epilogue turned it into a HFN (happily for now) and while I really enjoyed these three I’m not certain I enjoyed them enough to read their next story. But I was intrigued by side characters so I may look up other books by the author and see if she gives them HEAs.
Quote:📖 “The need is so strong that I can’t… I can’t fucking look at you without losing some of my sanity.”
Thoughts: 💡 This book had high angst and I enjoyed it so much. The pining in it was real and I’m a sucker for the overlooked beta, at least he thought he was overlooked. Which is two of the MCs just kept rejecting each in loop while pinning away. They just really needed their time third and some help from meddling friends. The book was well written with good plot and sweet characters. Their backstories were fleshed out fairly well given the size of this novella. And there was just enough spice to keep me hooked.
✨Note✨Standalone, but part of a bigger storyverse, and I think this story might develop into a duology.
Full Content Warning:⚠️ Mild and explicit violence
Stats:📊 🌶️🌶️🌶️ MMM Hinge (two of the guys are not together.) Characters: 💙💙💙💙💙 MM Omegaverse: Alpha/Beta, Workplace, Forced Proximity, Mutual Pining, Designation Dysphoria📗 First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV
In just a short amount of time, I have fallen in love with this book. My jaw immediately dropped when I reached the end because I needed so much more. From the very beginning to the end, I couldn’t stop reading. This is my very first book from Jillian Rink but for sure won’t be my last.
Jasper has been designated as a beta but is attracted to two alphas, Rylan and Dominic. Alphas always need an omega… so what will happen with this beta?
Jasper is so adorable and I love his character so much. I could just feel his passion and love just through the pages. Rylan and Dominic had me swooning right along with Jasper. The spice in this book was so good and I needed so much more.
This book was such an easy quick read and I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to see what’s next for this universe!
Rating 4/5 Plot 4/5 Writing 4/5 Spice 3/5 Character Development 4/5
[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]
Beta is the prequel to Jillian Rink’s Serendipity Omegaverse series. This book tells the story of Jasper, Dominic and Rylan in an MMM omegaverse, with Jasper being a beta and Rylan and Dominic being two alpha best friends.
The tension between these characters is really well-written. The story explores Jasper's feelings of being kept a secret, his fear of being unappreciated, and his fear of being left behind. His alpha shows him how much they want him and debunks all of Jasper's insecure feelings. The three sign up for the Council's Omega match to become a pack, and the story ends in a sweet way. This was a cute prequel novella, and I’m interested to know what happens next!
This was my first ever all male omegaverse book and I genuinely wish I had more titles to read! This was fabulous!
This is a sweet MMM (hinge) omegaverse where you can expect a workplace romance, mutual pining, meeting on dating apps, best friends sharing, multiple pov, forced proximity, and a romance that will have you cackling and grinning. Rylan is a moody alpha who you just want to shake; If he simply talked to the people around him about his feelings his life would be so much easier. Dominic is the most delicious alpha with the most ridiculous schemes to get out of the family business and bonding an omega while keeping his trust fund. Jasper is the most beta of betas who has somehow snagged the attention and affections of not one but two alphas; they PURR and scented for him even though he’s not an omega. I cackled at their banter and squealed at the spicy parts. It was such a fun read!
This book was super short and fairly spicy. I have since realized that Beta is part of a greater series of what I assume are interconnected standalones; I was able to follow the story fine without having read the other books but I had the overwhelming feeling that I was “supposed to know” things about the characters already, which was a little frustrating as a reader, but did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. I also thought the inclusion of Dominic’s family business was… odd; Other than being a motivator for some of his choices, it did not play a big part in the story like I thought it would. I fully expected some of his chapters to show the darker side of his life or something, but that was not the case. There was also a bit about Rylan and an omega that left me with more questions than anything, though if my theories are correct, I know who it is. I was left to wonder if there would be MORE to this pack’s story in the future.
I highly recommend this book! I devoured Beta in a few hours and loved every second of it!
I enjoy omegaverse stories that feature a pack that goes against the "norms" of this society, so I was excited to read a story featuring a beta being pursued by two alphas that are obsessed with him!
Loved the chemistry between Jasper and his alphas, and they were also so supportive of him and wanted to know more about him. I enjoyed this story, though I was kind of bummed because it seems like this prequel is very obviously leading up to an omega joining them, and while I like that Jasper knew the omega beforehand, I just would have liked it more if they really were satisfied as a pack of three with no omega.
MMM hinge omegaverse with forced proximity and mutual pining?? Sign me UP. This was a decent omegaverse, although I think I did myself a disservice by not reading the first in the series before diving into this one. While they’re *technically* standalones, I definitely felt like I was missing context at times (my bad). The chemistry was great and there were some intriguing plot points, but I did have a few bugaboos. Some words/scenarios were a little repetitive to me, and scene structure often felt a bit lacking. I also found myself wishing Dom’s profession would play more of a role since it was mentioned often but maybe that’ll be featured in future installments? Nothing major, but just a few things that kept me from rating higher. Big thank you to Fated Promos for this ARC!
Okay this was so good?? It had a little bit of everything- OV, mafia, forced proximity. All of the relationships were so sweet with a bit of angst and I’m hopeful and excited for book two! If I’m right on where this is going, I can’t wait to see it all come together!
I’m giving this a solid 4.5 stars. I had a tiny issue with keeping names straight because there were a lot of characters from the start but it worked itself out. I’m excited this was my first book by this author because now I get to go read the rest of their books!
I received this arc for an honest review, and I’m so glad I did!
Thank you to the Fated Promos team for an eARC for a review!
I absolutely adored our main trio: Ryland, Jasper, and Dominic! Each one of their personalities blended together perfectly to create a beautiful love! Quick note: I did not previously read Ready or Knot but ordered it immediately after finishing Beta because I loved the personalities and relationship building the author built out.
The only complaint I have is I wish I had more! There were some side characters I wanted more stories of and I would also loved to have bridged the gap a tad more between the ending and the epilogue. With that said though, I found this to be a great omegaverse read that is lighthearted with an HEA!
This book follows Jasper, a beta, who moved after a breakup with a long term gf who designated as an Omega. Jasper & Rylan (an alpha) play in an orchastra together and deal with mutual pining and they both think the other doesn’t want them. Jasper starts to date around and ends up meeting Dominic (an alpha). Dominic’s family is a problem for him, his father wants him to stay in the “family business”, form a pack, settle down and have babies. Dom wants none of that. This book is super cute & short. Its about not following what society thinks you should be and being true to your own wants and desires, finding a family that makes you happy and really that youre enough just as you are. Theres definatly more to the story which I’m assuming will be in another book!
After reading book 1 in the Serendipity series and getting a glimpse of this pack I wanted more. This is a prologue, if you will, of how the two alphas and beta form the unusual pack dynamic. Plus Rylan has history with Violet that is briefly seen here.
Very much looking forward to this pack’s story in book 2. These characters definitely have a complicated and complex dynamic I can’t wait to see unfold.
A m/m/m non-shifter omegaverse with hidden feelings, best friends, unusual pack and a really feel good read. No horrible angst or deep drama.
Beta is book 2 in the Serendipity Omegaverse and it’s a novella. I started this right after finishing Ready or Knot and to prep for Knot Your Business.
Beta follows the backstory of Jasper, Dominic and Rylan and how they decided to register to match. Violet makes a quick appearance and I appreciated the quick tie-in before her book.
Beta was a M/M/M romance and my first real intro in that world. I enjoyed the different chemistry between the men and them puzzling through the Alpha feelings for a Beta.
This was a super quick read (one evening!) and it left me prepped and wanting more in Knot Your Business!
read this first before you read her new book knot my business
This is kind of a prequel to that book. And I’m so glad that I read the review for her new book before I started because this is their backstory, Dominic, Jasper and Rylan. Jasper is pining over an omega. (I think his best friend) her name is Violet. And it just so happens that Ryland serviced and Omega named Violet at one of the clinics. So this will be interesting. Going into the next book. I love her characters. I loved her first book and I cannot wait to dive into her next one.
4.5⭐️ I throughly enjoyed this! I am newer to the Omegaverse world but I am a fan. This was a quick read that I didn’t want to put down. This story follows Jasper who is a beta that plays in the philharmonic alongside Rylan who is an Alpha. Jasper is dating around but knows that most Alphas and Omegas won’t want a long term commitment with him. He meets Dominic on a dating app and has a great connection.
From the start I was pulled into the story. There’s several scenes that were just… mm chefs kiss!!
“Of course he’s a fucking morning person” - my favorite quote thus far!
We are getting a mixture of things in this novella!! Mafia, forced proximity, friends to lovers!!!
Love the MMM love!! It’s refreshing to have in omega verses!! I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series plays out! What surprises that are lined up for us!
Sometimes the thoughts of being nothing but a beta, can be overwhelming for Jasper. After being dumped by his first love, he becomes the best friend. And then his apartment floods.
Being on 2 very hot and steamy Alphas. Rylan and Dom. They both want him, they both need him, but can they share him?
Spice: 2.5/5 Story 4/5
My opinion-Cute little short story that lets you know that everyone deserves to be loved. No matter what. I enjoyed this and will gladly recommend.
ARC Review: MMM hinge between 2 best friends. What else could I want?! I only rated it 4 stars instead of 5 because I wanted more. More backstory between the characters and world development. The story behind how the 2 alphas met and how the best friend found her mates. I could have used another 75 pages of backstory and world building. The spice and banter and tension were great.
I am really hoping we get another book with these guys, but and huge but here, I do not want them finding another person, especially if it’s a female. I’m really hoping Jasper is just a very late bloomer omega. There was hints through out that could lead to him being an omega, so that’s what I’m hoping for! These three had wonderful chemistry.
Jasper's life as a beta is not all sunshine and rainbows. And I really appreciate having this perspective into the beloved omegaverse genre. Betas don't always get the respect and love they deserve and this novella made me realize how much more they deserve. I'm excited to read more of the series since this prequel has completely piqued my interest
Such a cute MMM Omegaverse. I am thinking this is a prequel to the next book, if I am wrong it is still a cute af little story. If it is *sqeeeaul* I love a second chance romance. Jasper, Dominic and Rylan’s story starts with some angsty unrequited love feels and ends with ALL warm and fuzzies. I really enjoyed it 💜
I know novellas tend to be short... But I needed more! There was so much and it felt like it deserved more. I loved all the characters and enjoyed the world building. Omegaverses always have something slightly different about them. I also enjoyed the orchestra/music aspect. It took me back to my orchestra days. Great little story.
This book was new to me in so many ways. This was my first Omegaverse read and first LBGTQ read. Not gonna lie, it was confusing for me In the beginning to set characters apart, but then I realized what was going on. The main character is a Cello player, and the story reminded me of an anime I once watched. It was a slow burn but was a nice little read.
Review: Jasper is happy with his life as a beta. He plays cello in the philharmonic and loves music and vintage video games.
When a pipe bursts, flooding his apartment, Jasper has nowhere to go. Rylan, a fellow musician and Jasper’s crush offers his spare room while repairs are being made. Up until this point, Rylan has shown no interest in Jasper. So Jasper does what any of us would do, he goes on an app and finds himself a hot date.
Dominic is the quintessential Italian with golden skin, dark brown eyes, dark hair, and an accent that melts panties. There’s an instant connection between Dominic and Jasper – one Jasper looks forward to exploring.
Everything is looking up for Jasper until Kylan throws a wrench in his plans.
Beta is perfect for readers who enjoy MM in their omegaverse, a man with mafia connections, and chemistry that’s hotter than hell.
Thank you to Jillian Rink and Fated Promos for the ARC.
Such a cute read!! I love all the characters and their personalities. Jasper is absolutely adorable. Rylan is grumpy and possessive and I love it! Dom has that mischievous, something always up his sleeve vibe. Definitely recommend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.