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Knot Playing Fair: Book One
My husband demanded an open marriage.
Now he's angry that I'm dating a pack of hot guys, like somehow the rules are supposed to be different for me?
I can't divorce him. We're business partners in St. Louis' hottest new Michelin star restaurant, and the place is mortgaged to the hilt. Still, the unfairness of it all is grinding me down day by day.
The only bright spot is the new men I've met. Together, Zalen, Emiel, Byron, and Luca run the Hope Project, a center for at-risk youth in that middle of East St. Louis' gangland. I feel more at home with them than I ever did in my beta-style marriage… at least until their dangerous pasts start to creep into my present-day life, threatening the one thing I've worked so hard to achieve—my success as the chef-owner of the Elderflower Inn.
With everything falling apart, can a misfit pack of broken former gang members somehow help me stitch my life back together?
* * *
Knot Playing Book One is the first half of an alphomic non-shifter duology, originally published on Kindle Vella. It contains M/F and M/M.
Now he's angry that I'm dating a pack of hot guys, like somehow the rules are supposed to be different for me?
I can't divorce him. We're business partners in St. Louis' hottest new Michelin star restaurant, and the place is mortgaged to the hilt. Still, the unfairness of it all is grinding me down day by day.
The only bright spot is the new men I've met. Together, Zalen, Emiel, Byron, and Luca run the Hope Project, a center for at-risk youth in that middle of East St. Louis' gangland. I feel more at home with them than I ever did in my beta-style marriage… at least until their dangerous pasts start to creep into my present-day life, threatening the one thing I've worked so hard to achieve—my success as the chef-owner of the Elderflower Inn.
With everything falling apart, can a misfit pack of broken former gang members somehow help me stitch my life back together?
* * *
Knot Playing Book One is the first half of an alphomic non-shifter duology, originally published on Kindle Vella. It contains M/F and M/M.
Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
496 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Ember Blaze
60 books82 followersEmber Blaze is either three toddlers in a trench coat, or the new reverse harem omegaverse pen name of USA Today Bestseller R. A. Steffan. If you figure out which, let her know. In the meantime, enjoy growly alphas, sweet omegas, and hawt pansexual lovin’—all with a heaping side order of consent, because that shit’s important.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 23, 2025
extremely problematic
This book desperately needs a trigger warning list for the sheer amount of content it flings around for shock value. None of the heavy topics that required nuance or care were treated with either—instead, some were exaggerated to the point of feeling gross.
Honestly? I’m shocked no one’s talked about this before. I wanted to like this book. I was looking forward to it. I read and write dark romance, pitch black content, and horror romance. I’m not squeamish about taboo or intensity. This isn’t about that. This is about execution—and how badly this one fumbled.
So here’s your content warning list, because the author didn’t provide one:
- There’s a line comparing someone to a “palsy victim”—which is blatantly ableist and unnecessary.
- One male omega (Luca) is an ex-white supremacist. But it’s never addressed. There’s no arc, no remorse, no unpacking. The FMC only cares that he used to be in a gang, not that he literally aligned himself with white supremacy.
- Misogyny is constant—and frequently twisted up with victim-blaming. Example: an alpha tells the FMC that the real problem isn’t the government taking away body autonomy and heat blockers—it’s that she isn’t being grateful enough to have “good” alphas to help her through it. What??
- CSA (child sexual abuse) is heavily implied for two male characters. No content warning. No thoughtful handling.
- The FMC is said to be “lucid enough” to have an important conversation during her heat—but when she bites and mates an alpha without his consent, it’s hand-waved away as biology. He was explicitly against any sexual contact beforehand and then gets trapped in the act. And somehow he’s the one comforting her after.
- Homophobia is dropped in raw. Her beta ex’s internal monologue uses the f-word with no warning. And it’s not condemned—it’s used to build his character conflict while continuing to center his pain after he forced her to open their marriage due to her “lack of arousal” (which in this world is omega-dependent on alpha pheromones—a fascinating mechanic ruined by all this).
So… yeah. That’s my rant. I’m disappointed. I wanted to root for this. Instead, I walked away deeply uncomfortable. First book I’ve read from this author—and it’ll be the last.
This book desperately needs a trigger warning list for the sheer amount of content it flings around for shock value. None of the heavy topics that required nuance or care were treated with either—instead, some were exaggerated to the point of feeling gross.
Honestly? I’m shocked no one’s talked about this before. I wanted to like this book. I was looking forward to it. I read and write dark romance, pitch black content, and horror romance. I’m not squeamish about taboo or intensity. This isn’t about that. This is about execution—and how badly this one fumbled.
So here’s your content warning list, because the author didn’t provide one:
- There’s a line comparing someone to a “palsy victim”—which is blatantly ableist and unnecessary.
- One male omega (Luca) is an ex-white supremacist. But it’s never addressed. There’s no arc, no remorse, no unpacking. The FMC only cares that he used to be in a gang, not that he literally aligned himself with white supremacy.
- Misogyny is constant—and frequently twisted up with victim-blaming. Example: an alpha tells the FMC that the real problem isn’t the government taking away body autonomy and heat blockers—it’s that she isn’t being grateful enough to have “good” alphas to help her through it. What??
- CSA (child sexual abuse) is heavily implied for two male characters. No content warning. No thoughtful handling.
- The FMC is said to be “lucid enough” to have an important conversation during her heat—but when she bites and mates an alpha without his consent, it’s hand-waved away as biology. He was explicitly against any sexual contact beforehand and then gets trapped in the act. And somehow he’s the one comforting her after.
- Homophobia is dropped in raw. Her beta ex’s internal monologue uses the f-word with no warning. And it’s not condemned—it’s used to build his character conflict while continuing to center his pain after he forced her to open their marriage due to her “lack of arousal” (which in this world is omega-dependent on alpha pheromones—a fascinating mechanic ruined by all this).
So… yeah. That’s my rant. I’m disappointed. I wanted to root for this. Instead, I walked away deeply uncomfortable. First book I’ve read from this author—and it’ll be the last.
June 18, 2025
I really like Ember Blaze's omegaverse books and I was so exicted to read this book. I waited till book 2 released as well so I could read them close together if I wanted. I really enjoyed this book, I liked reading about Mia and getting to know the men she's falling for. The ending is a bit abrupt, but I expected that based on the other omegaverse series by this author and I already have book 2 and might just start that right away so I can continue the story.
Mia is an omega married to Nat who is a beta, their marriage is having troubles and when Nat proposes an open marriage Mia is hurt. She meets another omega and grows closer to him and the alphas he shares a house with. While there is some steam early on, but I felt the focus really was on establishing the different characters and their deepening bonds.
This book kept me reading and engaged during a time where I felt very stressed and I appreciated that. There is plenty going on plot wise and the characters are interesting. There are some good steamy scenes which are nicely spread throughout the book and there's plenty of relationship building as well.
I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what to think of the whole plot line surrounding Nat and how that would play out. Usually when there is an ex or troubled marriage in books I don't even get why they even cared for each other and while I had some of that here at first as Nat could be quite rude early on, I also thought Nat actually was a decent guy especially later in this book that becomes clear. And I just kept being confused where this was going and I thought things would get resolved and this would just be the starting point of Mia finding her pack, but then it just kept dragging on. It did feel realistic, but also not what I am used to seeing in books. By the end I think I know why the author did this and where it's going and it will be interesting to see how things play out in book 2.
The characters were interesting to read about and I liked the sweeter scenes were they grow closer or open up to each other. And the scenes involving Princess were so sweet too. All of the characters in this one are pretty broken, the omega Luca and two of the alphas have a hard background and came from gangs. Not all the details are revealed yet, but I felt so bad for them and what they struggled with. I wasn't a big fan of the attempt of suspense that got added sometimes with the gang related plot line as I rather read more about the characters and romance. And I just want to see all of them happy and seeing they deserve good things. Looking forward to book 2!
To summarize: This was a great start to a new omegaverse series. I liked reading about these characters. I liked the relationship building and seeing the characters get to know each other, but there also were some steamy scenes spread throughout this book already, which I thought worked well here. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the marriage plot line with Mia and her almost ex-husband Nat, as it felt that kept dragging on, but by the end of the book I think I understand why and am curious to see how that plays out in book 2. I wasn't a big fan of the slight suspense gang related bits, but the rest of the book was great and I enjoyed reading about the characters and the romance.
Mia is an omega married to Nat who is a beta, their marriage is having troubles and when Nat proposes an open marriage Mia is hurt. She meets another omega and grows closer to him and the alphas he shares a house with. While there is some steam early on, but I felt the focus really was on establishing the different characters and their deepening bonds.
This book kept me reading and engaged during a time where I felt very stressed and I appreciated that. There is plenty going on plot wise and the characters are interesting. There are some good steamy scenes which are nicely spread throughout the book and there's plenty of relationship building as well.
I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what to think of the whole plot line surrounding Nat and how that would play out. Usually when there is an ex or troubled marriage in books I don't even get why they even cared for each other and while I had some of that here at first as Nat could be quite rude early on, I also thought Nat actually was a decent guy especially later in this book that becomes clear. And I just kept being confused where this was going and I thought things would get resolved and this would just be the starting point of Mia finding her pack, but then it just kept dragging on. It did feel realistic, but also not what I am used to seeing in books. By the end I think I know why the author did this and where it's going and it will be interesting to see how things play out in book 2.
The characters were interesting to read about and I liked the sweeter scenes were they grow closer or open up to each other. And the scenes involving Princess were so sweet too. All of the characters in this one are pretty broken, the omega Luca and two of the alphas have a hard background and came from gangs. Not all the details are revealed yet, but I felt so bad for them and what they struggled with. I wasn't a big fan of the attempt of suspense that got added sometimes with the gang related plot line as I rather read more about the characters and romance. And I just want to see all of them happy and seeing they deserve good things. Looking forward to book 2!
To summarize: This was a great start to a new omegaverse series. I liked reading about these characters. I liked the relationship building and seeing the characters get to know each other, but there also were some steamy scenes spread throughout this book already, which I thought worked well here. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the marriage plot line with Mia and her almost ex-husband Nat, as it felt that kept dragging on, but by the end of the book I think I understand why and am curious to see how that plays out in book 2. I wasn't a big fan of the slight suspense gang related bits, but the rest of the book was great and I enjoyed reading about the characters and the romance.
April 4, 2025
I cannot express how worried I was for Princess when she went missing. Or the bone-deep relief when they found her. With all of the dark themes that had started escalating I was WORRIED. Phew.
Also about midpoint I was so happy that her husband started acting like a decent human being instead of a stereotypical toxic cheating husband (I was happy because it’s a breath of fresh air for the former couple to be good people but just bad for each other) but that cliffhanger? Am… am I rooting for a couple to join a pack together? Because she’s been writing him off, but they’re both fucking the same man…. And how in the world is he going to come back from that beginning? Because I had been writing him off too.
Also about midpoint I was so happy that her husband started acting like a decent human being instead of a stereotypical toxic cheating husband (I was happy because it’s a breath of fresh air for the former couple to be good people but just bad for each other) but that cliffhanger? Am… am I rooting for a couple to join a pack together? Because she’s been writing him off, but they’re both fucking the same man…. And how in the world is he going to come back from that beginning? Because I had been writing him off too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
I really wanted to like this book since I love omegaverses but this one was not for me.
My opinion is as follows:
I do not feel as though this was a reverse harem building. I feel as though it was a bunch of in all honesty, broken people kind of just thrown in together with two of them having a likeness for each other, but that’s about it.
You have our FMC who’s in a relationship who’s married to a beta and she’s an Omega. This works differently than any of the omega books. I’ve read simply due to the fact that they can’t have a normal intimacy in their relationship due to the fact that she’s an omega, and her husband is Beta.
So he decides he wants to open up their marriage and out of petty revenge for the fact that he literally broke her heart by asking that two weeks prior she decided to go to a bar. Specifically a single bar. Where she meets two of our new MMC’s. Luca is one and they kind of like each other at first, but it’s extremely awkward. He’s also an omega. When we learn about what he’s been through, you think he would be most comfortable with her because of again things that he’s gone through in his past, but again it’s extremely awkward between the two of them even though they tell each other eventually That they each like each other
Anyways, going back to the bar. Her ex-husband shows up I guess trying to find a hook up for the Knight because again he asked for an open marriage. So when he sees Mia there, he flips out on her. Basically like why are you here and she’s like what did you expect you wanted to open our marriage? Did you think that it would be like a one-sided thing where you go hook up and I stay home brokenhearted?
So suffice it to say that they also own a business together, and that business ends up suffering because of their marital problems. So she hangs out with Luca one night and meet Byron. Byron, who ends up having a one night stand with eventually. Who doesn’t do sleepovers and feelings from what we get from him.
We really don’t get much out of the other characters, except one of the other alpha has got a savior complex and the other ones really emotionally damaged but even the people he lives with don’t know why. The savior complex alpha saved all three of the others and now he he’s doing the same again with Mia.
Some of their past comes back to haunt them in the results of Luca seeing people he was tied to in the past. Who bring up all his childhood trauma. Not to mention these people also bought a restaurant a few blocks from Mia and her husband’s business, which is also a restaurant since their Michelin star. They co-own it and she’s the head chef. So anyway, the gang that Luca was a part of bought this restaurant and from what we can tell, they’re trying to sabotage Mia’s restaurant
But seriously by the end of book one because I will not be reading the next, two of the alpha’s helped Luca and Mia through their heats. And the one who has trauma surrounding omega, also helped her through hers, but didn’t have a good reaction when he came out of his rut.
We also have the kind of ex-husband at this point who honestly I believe is not straight at all or bisexual and is hurt that his wife is sleeping with other men meanwhile, he’s asked for this
Not to mention based off his chapter and how the book ended it sounds like he’s with one of the guys specifically Byron. How do I know that deduction and reading someone else’s review for a book 2
Honestly, reading someone else’s review is the reason why I’m not reading book to also based off what I’ve stated above
It’s not a bad book. Other people have really enjoyed it. It’s just not my favorite and I will not be reading that again or continuing but if you wanna give this a chance by all means.
My opinion is as follows:
I do not feel as though this was a reverse harem building. I feel as though it was a bunch of in all honesty, broken people kind of just thrown in together with two of them having a likeness for each other, but that’s about it.
You have our FMC who’s in a relationship who’s married to a beta and she’s an Omega. This works differently than any of the omega books. I’ve read simply due to the fact that they can’t have a normal intimacy in their relationship due to the fact that she’s an omega, and her husband is Beta.
So he decides he wants to open up their marriage and out of petty revenge for the fact that he literally broke her heart by asking that two weeks prior she decided to go to a bar. Specifically a single bar. Where she meets two of our new MMC’s. Luca is one and they kind of like each other at first, but it’s extremely awkward. He’s also an omega. When we learn about what he’s been through, you think he would be most comfortable with her because of again things that he’s gone through in his past, but again it’s extremely awkward between the two of them even though they tell each other eventually That they each like each other
Anyways, going back to the bar. Her ex-husband shows up I guess trying to find a hook up for the Knight because again he asked for an open marriage. So when he sees Mia there, he flips out on her. Basically like why are you here and she’s like what did you expect you wanted to open our marriage? Did you think that it would be like a one-sided thing where you go hook up and I stay home brokenhearted?
So suffice it to say that they also own a business together, and that business ends up suffering because of their marital problems. So she hangs out with Luca one night and meet Byron. Byron, who ends up having a one night stand with eventually. Who doesn’t do sleepovers and feelings from what we get from him.
We really don’t get much out of the other characters, except one of the other alpha has got a savior complex and the other ones really emotionally damaged but even the people he lives with don’t know why. The savior complex alpha saved all three of the others and now he he’s doing the same again with Mia.
Some of their past comes back to haunt them in the results of Luca seeing people he was tied to in the past. Who bring up all his childhood trauma. Not to mention these people also bought a restaurant a few blocks from Mia and her husband’s business, which is also a restaurant since their Michelin star. They co-own it and she’s the head chef. So anyway, the gang that Luca was a part of bought this restaurant and from what we can tell, they’re trying to sabotage Mia’s restaurant
But seriously by the end of book one because I will not be reading the next, two of the alpha’s helped Luca and Mia through their heats. And the one who has trauma surrounding omega, also helped her through hers, but didn’t have a good reaction when he came out of his rut.
We also have the kind of ex-husband at this point who honestly I believe is not straight at all or bisexual and is hurt that his wife is sleeping with other men meanwhile, he’s asked for this
Not to mention based off his chapter and how the book ended it sounds like he’s with one of the guys specifically Byron. How do I know that deduction and reading someone else’s review for a book 2
Honestly, reading someone else’s review is the reason why I’m not reading book to also based off what I’ve stated above
It’s not a bad book. Other people have really enjoyed it. It’s just not my favorite and I will not be reading that again or continuing but if you wanna give this a chance by all means.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
Somehow I missed that Ember Blaze is another nom de plume for R. A. Steffan. I've read at least 20 of her books so I'm not surprised that I like this.
Blurb: My husband demanded an open marriage.
Now he's angry that I'm dating a pack of hot guys, like somehow the rules are supposed to be different for me?
Chapter One, Page 1: Nat: My needs aren’t being met, and they haven’t been met since business at the restaurant started to take off last year.
Speaking of the restaurant, what in the heck is going on there?
Isn’t it a bit incongruous that Mia supposedly can’t satisfy her husband (one man) yet goes on to hook up with four others? What, does the husband have some kind of kink that she won’t fulfill?* Or, more likely, is he just using that as an excuse to justify messing around?
I do find it honestly confusing that Mia needs to use stimulants to have sex with her husband and yet is almost constantly in a state of horniness with Luca and the three alphas. I can delude myself into believing that the alphas somehow trigger her whereas Nat is a beta but that reasoning goes out the window considering that Luca is an omega and she lusts after him. Obviously she can desire and enjoy sex when she’s not in heat, just apparently not with Nat.
I’m enjoying the different points of view, which I sometimes find an irritant in books. I’m more than curious about the three alpha’s backgrounds. Luca’s story has been pretty much revealed but Byron and Emiel are mysteries. Zalen’s wife died due to unknown circumstances and has obviously left a huge hole in his psyche.
I won’t say the book ends on a cliffhanger but there is an element of “wait and see” that makes me anxious for book two to be released.
*Nope. He just wants to have sex every day. Mia is definitely not on board with this (at least with him) I feel sorry for Nat as it doesn’t feel like he’s done anything wrong and yet seemingly gets kicked around by others. I think his upbringing has given him a victim mentality.
Blurb: My husband demanded an open marriage.
Now he's angry that I'm dating a pack of hot guys, like somehow the rules are supposed to be different for me?
Chapter One, Page 1: Nat: My needs aren’t being met, and they haven’t been met since business at the restaurant started to take off last year.
Speaking of the restaurant, what in the heck is going on there?
Isn’t it a bit incongruous that Mia supposedly can’t satisfy her husband (one man) yet goes on to hook up with four others? What, does the husband have some kind of kink that she won’t fulfill?* Or, more likely, is he just using that as an excuse to justify messing around?
I do find it honestly confusing that Mia needs to use stimulants to have sex with her husband and yet is almost constantly in a state of horniness with Luca and the three alphas. I can delude myself into believing that the alphas somehow trigger her whereas Nat is a beta but that reasoning goes out the window considering that Luca is an omega and she lusts after him. Obviously she can desire and enjoy sex when she’s not in heat, just apparently not with Nat.
I’m enjoying the different points of view, which I sometimes find an irritant in books. I’m more than curious about the three alpha’s backgrounds. Luca’s story has been pretty much revealed but Byron and Emiel are mysteries. Zalen’s wife died due to unknown circumstances and has obviously left a huge hole in his psyche.
I won’t say the book ends on a cliffhanger but there is an element of “wait and see” that makes me anxious for book two to be released.
*Nope. He just wants to have sex every day. Mia is definitely not on board with this (at least with him) I feel sorry for Nat as it doesn’t feel like he’s done anything wrong and yet seemingly gets kicked around by others. I think his upbringing has given him a victim mentality.
June 8, 2025
DNF - 63%
Based on the blurb I REALLY expected to be on the fmc's side... but her husband deserved better.
She is too busy with work, she doesn't bring up being intimate, and yeah he is uncomfortable bringing alpha pheromones into the mix... but this is the first omegaverse I've read where the omega can't be intimate with a beta without alphas? So who can blame him? So he wants to get his needs met somewhere else. Is that great? No. But she decides, I'll do it too AS PAYBACK?
And then when he realizes his mistake and asks to go to counseling and work on things? She's like. Nope. So... she was the original problem and then refuses to even try to fix the marriage?
She also insists on calling their separation a "trial separation" but instead of taking some time to herself she moves in with a bunch of guys she wants to sleep with but doesn't want anything serious? How are we supposed to believe her husband was the problem?
"First Nat had offered to stop seeing other people, and I'd thrown it back in his face by moving out. Now he was asking for couple's counseling, and I'd shut that down as well." Yup. Mia... you suck. Nat sucked first but he was just trying to fix what you broke.
It just made it so hard to connect with her. I found her extremely selfish.
Also.. this book is a great example of why I get sick of MM or in this case there being a male omega. Because he is jealous about having Mia around his alphas... who are also NOT his alphas? But also encouraging it? But then being pouty. I don't know. It just comes off super annoying.
There was also when Luca's past got Mia beat up but he was dealing with his own trauma so Mia ended up taking care of him along with the alphas and Mia was just left to deal with it on her own (other than an ice pack for her black eye?)
I gave up when Luca wasn't able to get his suppressants. Because it was about to become more and more about Luca. Especially since it made a big deal of him saying no to birth control. And I can't handle a male pregnancy with how this is going.
Based on the blurb I REALLY expected to be on the fmc's side... but her husband deserved better.
She is too busy with work, she doesn't bring up being intimate, and yeah he is uncomfortable bringing alpha pheromones into the mix... but this is the first omegaverse I've read where the omega can't be intimate with a beta without alphas? So who can blame him? So he wants to get his needs met somewhere else. Is that great? No. But she decides, I'll do it too AS PAYBACK?
And then when he realizes his mistake and asks to go to counseling and work on things? She's like. Nope. So... she was the original problem and then refuses to even try to fix the marriage?
She also insists on calling their separation a "trial separation" but instead of taking some time to herself she moves in with a bunch of guys she wants to sleep with but doesn't want anything serious? How are we supposed to believe her husband was the problem?
"First Nat had offered to stop seeing other people, and I'd thrown it back in his face by moving out. Now he was asking for couple's counseling, and I'd shut that down as well." Yup. Mia... you suck. Nat sucked first but he was just trying to fix what you broke.
It just made it so hard to connect with her. I found her extremely selfish.
Also.. this book is a great example of why I get sick of MM or in this case there being a male omega. Because he is jealous about having Mia around his alphas... who are also NOT his alphas? But also encouraging it? But then being pouty. I don't know. It just comes off super annoying.
There was also when Luca's past got Mia beat up but he was dealing with his own trauma so Mia ended up taking care of him along with the alphas and Mia was just left to deal with it on her own (other than an ice pack for her black eye?)
I gave up when Luca wasn't able to get his suppressants. Because it was about to become more and more about Luca. Especially since it made a big deal of him saying no to birth control. And I can't handle a male pregnancy with how this is going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Forewarning: trigger warnings this book and the second talks about more sensitive and triggering topics, so be prepared before starting this series. There's probably a trigger page, read that before starting.
Loved this book and the story of this book so far. Its more of a book with real life problems than I usually read so it was different reading it but I loved it either way. I usually read books where the FL is the one having trouble that needs fixed and the ML(s) being the strong ones without much problems in there lives other than finding their soulmate or helping said soulmate, so reading this series where all MC have some sort of trouble in their past is very different but very nice to read about. Moreover, I kinda wished that by the end of this book we'd get more background information about each main character. I'm writing this review as I just started the second book and I'm wishing we had more than little bits of information to go off of each of the characters past, since Im pretty sure this is a duet I thought we would've gotten some more information already or at the start of the second book. I'm probably the only one that thinks this but just giving my thoughts and opinion. Also I'm soooo curious about the ex husband, Nat and his side of the story. we got a small part of him in this book but I need more of his POV or at least more information about him. I hope as I read the second book I'll get more background info on each character.
update: im 10% into the second book and you definitely get more answers about some of the Characters pasts and shows why its affected then in the present time.
Loved this book and the story of this book so far. Its more of a book with real life problems than I usually read so it was different reading it but I loved it either way. I usually read books where the FL is the one having trouble that needs fixed and the ML(s) being the strong ones without much problems in there lives other than finding their soulmate or helping said soulmate, so reading this series where all MC have some sort of trouble in their past is very different but very nice to read about. Moreover, I kinda wished that by the end of this book we'd get more background information about each main character. I'm writing this review as I just started the second book and I'm wishing we had more than little bits of information to go off of each of the characters past, since Im pretty sure this is a duet I thought we would've gotten some more information already or at the start of the second book. I'm probably the only one that thinks this but just giving my thoughts and opinion. Also I'm soooo curious about the ex husband, Nat and his side of the story. we got a small part of him in this book but I need more of his POV or at least more information about him. I hope as I read the second book I'll get more background info on each character.
update: im 10% into the second book and you definitely get more answers about some of the Characters pasts and shows why its affected then in the present time.
June 4, 2025
Rating- 3 good but with a few issues
Heat- 4.5
Entire duet rating- 3
Tropes- sweet omegaverse, polyamory, MMMMMF, bi awakening
Knot Playing Fair throws some interesting elements into the now standard story of omega girl meets pack. For one, Mia is in a beta like marriage with a man she loves, but the marriage is crumbling because she is physically hardwired to need alphas. What begins as a story with a terrible ex, quickly morphs into 2 people struggling to do they best they can. The pack’s dynamic is also unique in that they are a pack without being a pack. All four men are so emotionally damaged that they tend to view each other more as roommates and business partners who occasionally have sex. They needed Mia to bring them all together.
I enjoyed this different take. Unfortunately the relationships never progressed beyond shallow. We didn’t hear enough from their POVs to feel them falling for Mia, and their actions never really showed it. Some she fell into bed with quickly. Others took time. But every new sexual partner came across more as them just deciding to have sex. There was no build up of tension.
Heat- 4.5
Entire duet rating- 3
Tropes- sweet omegaverse, polyamory, MMMMMF, bi awakening
Knot Playing Fair throws some interesting elements into the now standard story of omega girl meets pack. For one, Mia is in a beta like marriage with a man she loves, but the marriage is crumbling because she is physically hardwired to need alphas. What begins as a story with a terrible ex, quickly morphs into 2 people struggling to do they best they can. The pack’s dynamic is also unique in that they are a pack without being a pack. All four men are so emotionally damaged that they tend to view each other more as roommates and business partners who occasionally have sex. They needed Mia to bring them all together.
I enjoyed this different take. Unfortunately the relationships never progressed beyond shallow. We didn’t hear enough from their POVs to feel them falling for Mia, and their actions never really showed it. Some she fell into bed with quickly. Others took time. But every new sexual partner came across more as them just deciding to have sex. There was no build up of tension.
February 15, 2026
Knot playing fair
This part one of a duet is drama heavy. It's a contemporary omegaverse, with unusual social structures. Omegas live independently, but their physical health remains restricted, making it difficult to get heat suppression drugs. Mia, an Omega, is a first class chef who's been married to her beta business partner while they run their Michelin star restaurant. He suggests an open marriage because their intimate life is hampered by their differing biology. Their marriage stress effects the restaurant and they're losing their star. Mia meets an oddball group of alphas with troubled pasts and therefore psychological issues. Most of this book describes their on going life issues. There's a lot going on here, maybe too much. Missing teenage runaways, gangs, sabotage at the restaurant, Mia and her husband's drama, characters trying not to fall for each other while having sex, drama from damaged pasts It became hard to read around 50%, almost boring. So, not a feel good easy read. I don't think I'll continue with book two.
This part one of a duet is drama heavy. It's a contemporary omegaverse, with unusual social structures. Omegas live independently, but their physical health remains restricted, making it difficult to get heat suppression drugs. Mia, an Omega, is a first class chef who's been married to her beta business partner while they run their Michelin star restaurant. He suggests an open marriage because their intimate life is hampered by their differing biology. Their marriage stress effects the restaurant and they're losing their star. Mia meets an oddball group of alphas with troubled pasts and therefore psychological issues. Most of this book describes their on going life issues. There's a lot going on here, maybe too much. Missing teenage runaways, gangs, sabotage at the restaurant, Mia and her husband's drama, characters trying not to fall for each other while having sex, drama from damaged pasts It became hard to read around 50%, almost boring. So, not a feel good easy read. I don't think I'll continue with book two.
February 22, 2026
Dnf at 50% - what a bunch of drama llamas
I am bored as hell and dislike literally every character, especially the FMC, at this point. Well, maybe not Zalen but we hardly see him so I can't really decide. They are all making their own problems by perpetual stupid decisions. My husband wants to step out on me? Oh better stay with him miserable and bring that strife into my place of business because that's the best option! Worried about my friend/coworker/house mate doing something dangerous? Well duh. Follow him to said dangerous place and drag the wuss of a new tiny female friend with me of course, what could go wrong?!
There are too many good books in the world to waste time with this Idiocracy.
I am bored as hell and dislike literally every character, especially the FMC, at this point. Well, maybe not Zalen but we hardly see him so I can't really decide. They are all making their own problems by perpetual stupid decisions. My husband wants to step out on me? Oh better stay with him miserable and bring that strife into my place of business because that's the best option! Worried about my friend/coworker/house mate doing something dangerous? Well duh. Follow him to said dangerous place and drag the wuss of a new tiny female friend with me of course, what could go wrong?!
There are too many good books in the world to waste time with this Idiocracy.
May 20, 2025
seriously good
I don’t know why I keep starting AMAZING unfinished duets, but this is the third this month. Perhaps I just like torturing myself. Anyway the next book is on the horizon and thank f*** because I need more of this pack.
The dynamics are just great in this found family. Some of my favorite types. Sweet male omega, serious dad-like alpha, quiet, tortured alpha, sympathetic FMC and sexy bad boy alpha. All the alphas are DRIPPING in past trauma, struggling to do good while escaping the ghosts of their past.
The writing is excellent, and Blaze spins this story masterfully.
Also, the cat ❤️
I don’t know why I keep starting AMAZING unfinished duets, but this is the third this month. Perhaps I just like torturing myself. Anyway the next book is on the horizon and thank f*** because I need more of this pack.
The dynamics are just great in this found family. Some of my favorite types. Sweet male omega, serious dad-like alpha, quiet, tortured alpha, sympathetic FMC and sexy bad boy alpha. All the alphas are DRIPPING in past trauma, struggling to do good while escaping the ghosts of their past.
The writing is excellent, and Blaze spins this story masterfully.
Also, the cat ❤️
March 27, 2025
Hot Pack Action
Who knew…your spouse, that you work full time with in a business you own, asking for an open marriage should not be the start to a hot omegaverse RH romantasy. Yet here we are! Mia is the broken-hearted spouse that finds her place with men who can appreciate her for who she is while her husband is just trying to play the field, have his cake and eat it too…all of those things. I can’t wait for the next installment to see how this cliffhanger resolves! So much love for Mia and her boys…especially Luca ❤️
Who knew…your spouse, that you work full time with in a business you own, asking for an open marriage should not be the start to a hot omegaverse RH romantasy. Yet here we are! Mia is the broken-hearted spouse that finds her place with men who can appreciate her for who she is while her husband is just trying to play the field, have his cake and eat it too…all of those things. I can’t wait for the next installment to see how this cliffhanger resolves! So much love for Mia and her boys…especially Luca ❤️
March 29, 2025
So…I started reading this in KU and was thrown off that the story seemed so specifically familiar yet GoodReads did not show I’d read this before. Finally realized it was in Kindle Vella when I’d originally started it but the book was incomplete so I moved on with life. Then it popped up in a FB ad and here I am. Unfortunately book 2 is only available on patreon right now so I was only able to read 11 chapters into the next book and I’m frustrated because I’m definitely invested. The author treats SA in such a caring and empathetic manner without going for any shock value in the story.
May 3, 2025
3.75 stars
Mia meets Luca in a bar, after her beta husband asks for an open marriage. Luca lives with his work family, who manage a place of hope for struggling children. You spend a lot of time getting to know the alphas and Liam's background, in book 1. Mia has some struggles with her restaurant along with straining conflicts with her husband. This book ends on a cliff hanger only if you have gotten interested in finding out what is going on. Which I have, so on to book 2.
Mia meets Luca in a bar, after her beta husband asks for an open marriage. Luca lives with his work family, who manage a place of hope for struggling children. You spend a lot of time getting to know the alphas and Liam's background, in book 1. Mia has some struggles with her restaurant along with straining conflicts with her husband. This book ends on a cliff hanger only if you have gotten interested in finding out what is going on. Which I have, so on to book 2.
October 10, 2025
Sooo much is going on, kinda makes you feel like you’re having an anxiety spike with the characters. Yet, we’ve only circled around their day to day lives, very little on actual characters / interactions that build rapport. All of this feels like the first 1-3 episodes in a show.
May 2, 2025
Amazing
Blazing hot and fun to see the different dynamics in play. With life not playing fair it only seems right to roll with the punches. Very fun read and heck of a cliffhanger.
Blazing hot and fun to see the different dynamics in play. With life not playing fair it only seems right to roll with the punches. Very fun read and heck of a cliffhanger.
June 5, 2025
~4.5 to 5 stars not quite sure yet on the rating.
June 5, 2025
amazing!!
I Loved this book! I enjoying seeing g all the character development! Just started book 2 and am excited to see where this goes.
I Loved this book! I enjoying seeing g all the character development! Just started book 2 and am excited to see where this goes.
June 8, 2025
She’s a good writer. I read this when it was on Amazon Vela and got hooked.
July 11, 2025
Cute
This is a cute little story. It would've been better if it had been more action-packed, but it was still decent.
This is a cute little story. It would've been better if it had been more action-packed, but it was still decent.
July 31, 2025
enjoyed
This was a pretty good read. Interesting. I’m liking the characters. I’m looking forward to the second book for everybody to be happy.
This was a pretty good read. Interesting. I’m liking the characters. I’m looking forward to the second book for everybody to be happy.
December 19, 2025
DNF at 76% I was just soooo bored
April 20, 2025
This is a great story, totally unique plot line, and a fast read
Im between a 3 and a 4 ⭐️ so erred up so as not to penalize an author likely trying to navigate losing a platform to share stories. It seems this was a kindle vella story. It is bit of a cliffy and the second one is only available on patreon at this time. Which is not something I use. I cannot find details about a KU release so that leaves the story very unfinished for me. I’ll put it in my unfinished series pile, but that can become a waste land that I don’t always revisit. Not intentionally but hard to remember so many of them and no way to notate when to look for next installment.
Im between a 3 and a 4 ⭐️ so erred up so as not to penalize an author likely trying to navigate losing a platform to share stories. It seems this was a kindle vella story. It is bit of a cliffy and the second one is only available on patreon at this time. Which is not something I use. I cannot find details about a KU release so that leaves the story very unfinished for me. I’ll put it in my unfinished series pile, but that can become a waste land that I don’t always revisit. Not intentionally but hard to remember so many of them and no way to notate when to look for next installment.
December 29, 2025
I loved this book! The story was fun, spicy, and full of heart. I especially loved that it’s set in St. Louis, where I live! It made the whole thing feel even more real and special. The characters were so easy to root for, and the chemistry between them was amazing. Such a great mix of heat, humor, and hometown charm. 💕🔥
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