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Trapped On The Tightrope Duet #2

Two For the Show: A Cirque de Mordu Omegaverse

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Dr. Alex Shields is an Omega on the run.

She thought she was safe at Cirque de Mordu, the traveling danger circus where she found her scent matches, but her past caught up to her.

Jude, Matteo, Quinton, Dexter, and Dario must find a way to make the circus a safe place for Alex to return to, but that's hard to do when they don't know who it was that ran her off in the first place.

An Omega is Foresaken, an Alpha is Rotting, and a pack is in disarray as Alex hides out in a coffee cart and hopes for the best. When her past comes back to haunt her, she's faced with the decision to run and hide or return to the circus and everything that comes with it.


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Two for the Show is a MMMMFM Omegaverse and the second book in the Trapped on the Tightrope Duet. It is NOT a standalone, and One for the Money needs to be read to enjoy Alex's happy ending.

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

157 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

About the author

Holly Monroe

12 books222 followers
Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida with her husband, two kids, and two rescue pups. She's never met a character she couldn't traumatize, but she always gives them their happily ever afters.

They just have to work for it.

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5 stars
419 (49%)
4 stars
295 (34%)
3 stars
123 (14%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Cat H.
1,970 reviews219 followers
September 9, 2025
4.3 stars.
I always love a satisfying ending, where all the pieces fall into place.
This wasn’t my favorite duet ever, I’m really partial to psychos, but it was pretty entertaining.
I liked all the different relationships developing at different paces, and the personalities that bloomed once things started to settle.
It was a good time.🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for Britney ☆.
428 reviews42 followers
August 14, 2025
I loved the first one but I'm absolutely obsessed with this one. The amount of times it made me cry is actually criminal.

Alex deserves absolutely every good thing in the entire world. She's so freaking strong facing down her abusers like that. Yeah she had th pack behind her but she did the dang thing 😭. Her trusting the guys made my heart so so happy.

The guys 😌😌😌. Sweet Dexter is definitely my favorite. I know it switched from books but how could he not be my favorite he's just so precious. Each of them being there for not only her but each other?? 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻.

The spice?? The SPICE?? This book be SPICING. There's a lot of spice lol. It all felt intentional though. It wasn't in there just to be in there it was a healing and bonding experience between them, and of course that heat scene 👀👀👀, and it was all so so good.

thank you to the author for the gifted arc
Profile Image for Shelby | Spicy.booknook.
446 reviews70 followers
August 22, 2025
Great conclusion to this duet. There is some next level hurt/comfort here and I loved every page of it. These characters were written so well. I honestly liked every one of them and each of their very distinct personalities.

There are multiple storylines of past trauma that I felt were dealt with really well. There are no trauma healing genitalia in this story 😅 Things are talked about and worked out. The HEA felt very satisfying. Great duet 💕
Profile Image for Read.and.Blossom.
463 reviews6 followers
September 19, 2025
Loved the way this concluded! Our FMC finally embraced the guys and was opening up and healing!! The way this book ended was great! I loved that things were resolved and the bad guys got what they deserved.

Their dynamics were amazing and i enjoyed that all the relationships took different amount of times. They got to know each other more and secrets were discovered.

This series was sooo good and im so glad that i found this author! Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Sarah D.
1,147 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2025
A lot of my criticisms of book 1 get resolved in book 2. We get a lot more detail about Alex’ frame of mind as an abuse victim, as well as more world building. After a short separation, Alex reunites with her carnival pack and is pretty much over any of her previous reticence. She’s all in now and doesn’t flinch away from people anymore or have any hang ups about being in a pack.

It felt a bit like the author wasn’t sure how to write herself out of the hole she’d put Alex in emotionally, so Alex just got over her issues.

Anyway, good book. Decent series.
Profile Image for Miss S.
140 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2025
What a thrilling ride. After the gripping end of One for the Money, I couldn't wait to continue the story in Two for the Show, and it didn't disappoint. The way the pack comes together and how all the characters are so defined and described its like you are really getting to know them. That combined with plenty of spice and thrills made it an emotional and joyous read.
199 reviews2 followers
August 13, 2025
“Welcome to Cirque de Mordu. The circus with a bite.”

First things first, I literally spat my drink out while I read the dedication- no joke!
And then I was so excited to find the part in the book where it came to fruitition- and what a fucking handful of a way to get the spice and smut underway with the Alpha's and their Omega! But don't worry- this book is probably one of the spiciest omegaverse books I have ever read from Holly and I want to say- take a bow and well done 👏

Now, this is the second book of the duet- and the first book (one for the money) ended on a cliff hanger that I knew was coming but still not prepared for, lots of feelings were felt. And then, this book picks up from then- where the omega is on the run, again- running for her life, but away from her scent matched Alpha's.
This book was Alex and her Alpha's fighting back, putting themselves first and it was full of emotions. These characters- were so well established and written and I felt attached to each of them, Alex's growth and development is remarkable and such a beautiful thing to read about and be apart of her story.
Dexter- the twin with a dark and haunted past especially with omega's is a beautiful soul, he's unsure of his emotions, he's confused and overwhelmed but his growth is nutured by his brother, by the other Alpha's and most of all- by Alex. There's more details into his past that are explored in this story.
Dario- grows more bold (yes- more than he already is), he is such a loveable golden retriever like alpha.
Quinton- I would say he's the most golden retriever mmc ever! And he always makes me smile when he's around. He's the romantic of the group, always knows what to say.
Jude- lead Alpha of this pack and he's one big handsome teddy bear. There's no way you can't love him, and his new formed relationships are all consuming and swoonworthy!
Matteo- cannot forget the beautiful Beta! He's an important part of this family. And who knew he could be rather dominant and punishments could be easily welcomed!

This book made me want to rally for omegas rights. There's so much detail written particularly around omega storm and this development was heart breaking. This book was such a thrilling, sensual yet emotional read I happily devoured and was slightly addicted to.

Now, make sure you read your triggers. This is always very important ❤️
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
216 reviews4 followers
August 19, 2025
This book was the perfect conclusion to this duet!

Dr. Alex Shields ran from her life in order to escape her abusive pack. She thought she was safe at Cirque de Mordu until it became perfectly clear that she wasn't. Now her scent matched pack, Jude, Quinton, Matteo, Dario, and Dexter, have to find a way to make sure that the circus is safe for her and they have to find a way to tell her. As her old pack continues their search for her, Alex hides out working at a coffee cart. When someone calls in a tip that they've seen her though, she has to decide if she's going to run again or if she'll return to her scent matches.

I absolutely loved how Alex and her pack fought back against her old pack and refused to stay silent. Alex was so strong standing up to her abusers and speaking out against them. I also loved the way that Jude took charge and knew that they needed to take the fight back to Florida. I was so attached to all of the characters in this book. I wanted to go and rally on Alex's behalf. The character development was so good in this book! I felt like each of the characters really grew and the pack bonded together emotionally. Dexter's character really resonated with me especially when he had texted everything to Alex's old phone and had her read it. I completely understand and empathize with how difficult it can be to talk about things especially when trauma is involved and I feel like I always communicate better in writing in those situations. I felt like Dexter really took a leap of faith to trust Alex and he was able to come out of his shell a bit because of it. Also, the exploration of the dynamic between Jude and Dario was so well done. Dario knowing that he had to push a bit to get Jude to step out of his comfort zone was so good. I also really enjoyed Alex's exploration of punishment and limits with Quinton and Matteo. I feel like it really highlighted how submission can be used to help someone work through their emotions.

Overall, I loved this entire story. I am definitely looking forward to more stories from the circus. I definitely want to know more about Trevor and Guy, but I will take all of the stories! I would absolutely recommend reading this duet if you enjoy omegaverse. There are some darker themes explored though (especially regarding past trauma/abuse) so you may want to check the triggers if that may be a concern.
82 reviews
August 29, 2025
I jumped into this so fast from book one. Alex is on the run, someone in the circus was/is targeting her, Q is getting worse and now Mateo is sick...The guys need her back and she needs them just as much and misses them even more.
Dex did the most growing up while they were apart. And honestly, I love that he found a way to communicate his feelings, background, and past with her. And the time stamps show her he thought about her constantly. This pack is so diverse and no one is left out. Jude reps his Maori heritage and isn't the "Cosmopolitan Alpha" type, instead a hard working, large man who deserves someone to finally take care of him mentally, emotionally, and physically. Alex shows him it's okay for him to share intimacy with her but also with Dario. There's more than enough love to go around. Q and Mateo both progress so far when Alex comes back, and she heals as well. Just took and older, stubborn Grandma Beta to set her straight.
This group doesn't heal one another immediately. It's a slow progress that even continues the time they are apart. While the time they were apart hurt my soul, it didn't feel that long because of how it was written. The way the Alphas and Beta worked to make Alex feel loved and seen without her needing to ask was so heartfelt. They took on a dang Governor for her. They went to change a system as a Pack because they want to make life better for all Omegas, not just their own. The empathy in these men and how they and Alex heal from their physical and emotional traumas and change what they want in life. And they learn so much from each other, even things like cooking. And Alex, Q, and Dex's questionable choice in tv shows.
Profile Image for Callan Shive.
50 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2025
From start to finish, I couldn’t put it down. I quite literally fell asleep reading it only to wake up and continue on. To kick off this little review, I would like to have it on record that: 1.) I would like to personally own every shirt of Quinton’s that had an omega phrase on it and 2.) The circus NEEDS an HR department immediately. Now onto the regularly scheduled programming.

I absolutely adore each of the main characters. They all hold a special place in my heart for their own reasons. I even adore Sylvia! She very much gave me the elder wisdom vibes that Alex really needed to hear in her lowest moments (love ‘Lexi Black’. Was that a little hint to Q). I think it’s just amazing how Holly is able to get you to even fall for some of the side characters, not just the main ones. Hell, I wanted to jump through the screen and strangle each person that tried to get in the way of Pack Shields.

The spicy scenes were just perfect!! I audibly squealed every time there was even a little brush of a kiss or the touch of a hand on skin. The love between each couple and as a group was just heartwarming and I can’t get enough of it honestly. Everything played out beautifully and it really played out like an amazing movie or TV show in my head.

On repeat, the circus NEEDS to have an HR department. I would love to see how they interact with all the blatant misconduct that had been going on and lift some of the stress off of Jude’s shoulders. I kinda want to know more about Guy because Sylvia is on to something
157 reviews15 followers
August 12, 2025
“Piece by piece, thread by thread, they are weaving themselves together, and both will come out stronger for it.”

🎪ARC Review- release date August 14th. Read Part One (One for the Money) now to prepare!
Overall 4.5/5 stars ⭐️

♥️This is a stunning conclusion to the Trapped on the Tightrope Duet. This book really digs into developing relationships, and building trust. Book one set us up to really soar into a delicious courtship and bonding. I really enjoyed this book- it definitely satisfied me! Fantastic conclusion and I cannot wait to read possible future books about other troupe members!!?!?♥️

What’s Inside?
🎪Omegaverse
🎪MMMMFM
🎪Omega on the run
🎪Scent Matches
🎪Courting
🎪 Found Family
🎪 Designation-specific illness
🎪 Finding where you belong where you least expect it

Holly Monroe’s writing style really pulls you into the story. I love how she crafts her characters. They are flawed and trying to do their best. They are so relatable and you cannot help but root for them.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. My opinions are my own. Thank you!
Profile Image for Crystal LoCicero.
1,006 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2025
4.5 stars

“I can’t rewrite the first act of your story, but the second will be an actual sweeping romance. With no question about the happily ever after.”

This was the part two I was hoping for. We got all kinds of spice, we got fun circus stuff, we got the guys opening up, we got concerts and communication... so refreshing. We had comedic relief. Alex and the guys get to know each other as a pack and work together to rid Alex of her past. I actually teared up when Quinton told Alex that he didn't want to wait for their bond anymore because his time is limited. I don't have favorites because why-choose, but Quinton was the sweetest golden retriever. I found the dates so perfect for each person. We got to know a little more about some other circus performers, and I am intrigued.

This duet was a fun ride. I really liked all the characters, and their circus talents were fun to read about. I am hoping for a story about a couple of the other performers. I would definitely read more in this world.
Profile Image for Whitney Moore.
132 reviews5 followers
August 15, 2025
If book one was a masterpiece, book two is the kind of art you want tattooed on your soul. I devoured every single word, equal parts breathless and feral, because this was the high-stakes, heart-twisting, pack-shattering continuation I was craving. Alex’s journey from hiding in plain sight to standing in the fire of her past had me on edge, clutching my Kindle like it was a lifeline.

The circus is no longer just a backdrop it’s a living, breathing beast, and the way Jude, Matteo, Quinton, Dexter, and Dario tear themselves apart and stitch each other back together for her is pure, gut-deep devotion. The tension? Immaculate. The emotional payoff? Like a knife that cuts and heals in the same motion.

This duet owns me. The kind of own-me where I will recommend it to strangers in grocery store lines, mourn that it’s over, and reread until the pages (or pixels) burn.

Five stars, but only because I can’t give it the moon.
36 reviews
August 15, 2025
Another fantastic omegaverse world to visit!

Oh I wish I could run away to join this circus! I love the depth and complexities of all of the characters but also the softer parts of omegaverse like the protectiveness and emotional connections. If you love your characters to need to work through their emotional damage, while coming together as a protective pack this is the story for you. These men were swoon worthy, the FMC kick ass, and the spice 🥵. The plot is so well done and as someone who has worked with both people who have experienced trauma and people who have experienced DV this is so well written, respecting all of the often stigmatised emotions so well!

Nobody does this kind of omegaverse as well as Holly.
This quote from the book sums it up perfectly on who would love reading this duet

‘…. a haven for misfits. A safe spot for people who need a little extra help. A home for the weird and the extraordinary.’

Profile Image for Kristin.
139 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2025
Satisfying sequel to this omega verse duet.

We start the book with Alex having fled the circus, as it isn’t a safe place for her. Her men have to figure out how to make the circus safe again, let her know that, win her trust back, then protect her from her old pack (it’s a romance, so they get this all done as part of the happily ever after).

As in part one of the duet, there is a lot of trauma processing. But we get to move into actual healing in this book, both emotional healing and physical healing from Alex’s FOS and Quinton’s rot. These are two medical scenarios that appear unique to this universe and are used heavily in the plot (I’m kind of meh on this medical stuff; on one hand it’s interesting to speculate, on the other it’s just more trauma to dump on these characters).

It’s not a bad book overall but be warned about the trauma of it all. While we do get into healing finally, it’s a rough road to get there.
Profile Image for Jordan Fiest.
2,042 reviews30 followers
August 12, 2025
Two For The Show is book two of the Trapped On The Tightrope Duet.

Wow! We are now at the end of this amazing duet. I loved how all of the guys bonded together to make sure Alex felt safe and secure in her life. They did everything they could for her, but there were some things she needed to do for herself. I loved the strength she took from everyone to do what needed to be done.

Each of the guys were amazing in their own way. I really liked how Dexter came out of his shell and was able to work through his fears to accept everyone into his life. Jude really was the leader of the group, but he listened to the others and they worked together to solve their problems.

I enjoyed the circus vibe with this story. I don't think I had ever read a story that took place at a circus, so this was a new experience, but very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Kitty.
168 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2025
Who knew a book about the circus could make me cry so much (I knew)?
I seriously adore this pack. These sweet men are everything Alex deserves, and everything they deserve in each other. They’re clearly perfect together, and their actions really show that. Every time one of them opened up, I went “yep, he’s my favorite,” until guess what, they’re all my favorite.
It’s okay, I think Alex is my actual favorite. I’m so proud of her.
There’s so much about this book that I want to compliment here, but it would really spoil the plot for you. Just know the drama is drama-ing and the spice is burning and the loose ends are…knotting.
This second half of the duet has such an incredibly satisfying ending, making the cliffhanger in book one so worth every moment of torment. The drama of it all is truly just…*chefs kiss.* Holly really shined here.
Profile Image for Isabelle.
446 reviews35 followers
August 21, 2025
I sometimes struggle with RH that focus more on the relationships than plot, because it often feels things are repeated a bit and a lot of internal monologuing, and whilst that did happen in this...I did keep going and enjoy because I liked the characters. They just feel so relatable that you end up feeling attached and routing for their HEA.
That being said, I still did want more plot to this. For a DV theme revolving around the FMC and her previous pack, I wanted there to be more focus on that...more angst, more conflict just a bit to keep my emotions heightened. But there wasn't really much in this, the beginning started off well and then it just focused more on the pack all being together and getting closer. So I think it ended up being a little too fluffy and romantic for me.
But again, I do really like the characters the author has created.
Profile Image for Renee Nelson.
28 reviews6 followers
September 16, 2025
Really well written. Content warnings, yes, but handled well.

This Review encompasses bothe One for the Money and Two for the Show by Holly Monroe.

There are a lot of tough emotions traversed, and escaping from and healing from abusive relationships are hard. Holly has captured that and made it part of the character arc without it overshadowing the love, passion, and romance(s) of the story. MM and MF and the familial relationships built between imperfect people each dealing with their own trauma.

I really loved this story and every character Holly shared with us, and the Cirque de Mordu was a fantastic setting!

I don't usually love duets, but this story needed the time to fully unfold.

Thank you to Holly Monroe for two more awesome reads. You have never disappointed me yet.
89 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2025
This duet was honestly a 6 star read. From start to finish, I was excited to continue the story and didn’t want to put it down.

We get a strong FMC who, while being a strong independent women, doesn’t shy away from realizing when she needs her men. We get a group of caring, loving MMCs. And while one of them struggles to accept the FMC (always have to have the one who resists), it was done SO well in this book. He didn’t want her but he didn’t bully her, which seems to be the go to for authors.

We hear a lot about the “villains” of this story, but don’t get much interaction with them - which I surprisingly didn’t hate. The focus here really is on the pack. Despite this, we do get closure on the villains at the end.

There is plot. There is smut. There is a HEA.
Profile Image for Mandy Kessler.
82 reviews7 followers
August 17, 2025
As with anything I review, please check the TWs/CWs as your mental health matters.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that running away to join the circus is a bad idea. You might end up like our girl, Alex. Running away from a really terrible situation but end up finding your scent matched Alphas and beta. You might just find a home among the lost and outcasted. You might start to feel the FOS (Forsaken Omega Syndrome) and you just might match with an Alpha who has the rot (Alpha Rot). But honestly, it’s all just fate and where the wheel stops before the knife hits it is anyone’s guess.

So STEP RIGHT AND JOIN US FOR CIRQUE DE MORDU’S NIGHT OF THRILLS.

This duet really put me through the paces that’s for sure. Holly really can write a world that’s pretty immersive without being overwhelming. I truly enjoyed this omegaverse.
Profile Image for Neva Crook.
17 reviews
August 21, 2025
Fantastic story!

As someone who hates to wait for a second book to come out, I’m so glad I waited until both released before starting on the first book, ‘One for the Money’. I got both books at the same time, and absolutely tore through them! Holly Monroe has become one of my top 5 favorite authors. These books are absolute perfection. Each and every character was unique and so well written they came alive on the page. There was drama, but not so much angst that I wanted to throw something, there were literal,laugh out loud moments, and a few cry out loud moments. And yes, I too threatened to run away and join a circus. These books were the next best thing, so thank you Holly!
Profile Image for Deloria Loketi.
85 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2025
This was an amazing ending 🖤

Holly did such a beautiful job depicting DV and trauma in this duet. It was done so respectfully and even gave readers the resources to reach out for help if needed.
Alex was a strong FMC who was made to feel and act weak by the people who were supposed to love and cherish her.
She knew the signs and yet she still discovered how easily it could be to fall victim to it.
In the end she gets her HEA with the pack she was truly meant for but she had to work for it.
Ugh, and poor Dexter, that poor sweet child he was. I'm glad he was able to work through some of his own trauma in the end. He and Alex definitely needed each other to heal only the pieces that they could understand were broken.
4 reviews
August 16, 2025
Incredible story with trauma handled well

This book is incredible, the characters are all really well fleshed out and it's easy to love them. It's the perfect package, these two books, I devoured them both in 2 days.

What I want to highlight is the incredible happiness a proper and realistically portrayed bdsm dynamic portrayal brought me. I've never read a book do it so well, so casually, without it being the whole premise of the story (and even then the boundary and expectations talk often falls short).

With that aspect executed so well I wish I could rate this book a 5+/5 ❤️
Profile Image for spirits.affection.
157 reviews
August 22, 2025
Cutest Epilogue

I love sweet revenge justice it’s honestly the best kind of justice when reading books, being able to get revenge in the form of finding love and being loved. Alex finds love and compassion in her pack learning to grow and heal from her abuse and trauma which is one of the biggest fuck you’s to one’s abusers. The epilogue was so adorable with the sweet 3 year anniversary girls and a certain bow tie 😉. I love that we will be coming back to this circus family in future books as I would very much love to see more of this wonderful world and maybe see little hints of Alex and her guys now and again as the years go on. Throughly satisfying story to read.
Profile Image for Kayleigh.
39 reviews
August 18, 2025
Cumulative duet review

Wow... Just wow. I was a little unsure, but hopefully optimistic for this duet. And buddy did Holly deliver and then some! I have a LOT of positive things to say about not just the characters, but also the world as a whole. I worry though, that if I start I won't stop... So just yes to all the points (including 🔥). I live in the unfortunate state the series starts in, and this book hit me on so many different levels. I cannot recommend this duet enough! (Do read the trigger warnings though!)
Profile Image for SaucceyySarah.
222 reviews7 followers
August 19, 2025
Yeah that made my omegaverse heart beat!

Themes:

• found family
• abuse awareness
• MMMMFM reverse harem
• Duet series
• HEA

Loved it! Love these characters! Love the awareness of what this duet brought to the table! Such diverse characters and relationships between characters, loved it! Thank god this was HEA cause my heart could not take the ending of the first book but had to read this to find out could not resist! Plz read this duet and so excited for what the author has next for some of the other characters


Profile Image for Lil Red Reviews.
189 reviews17 followers
August 20, 2025
listen

I really really loved 95% of the story line, I loved the characters, I thought the pacing was great and emotional depth was exquisite. I love this authors works. That being said, I personally do not love this new trend of scent matches in Omegaverse being POSs. The point IS the magic, the idea that there is a further luck of the draw, or that nice people get matched to abusers. I really don't like that, cause if you can't trust the person made for you.. What is the point? :(
Profile Image for Kerri Vogel.
578 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2025
Loved this duet

I loved the first part of this story so much, I jumped straight into book 2 which picked up right where the first book ended. This was a fantastic second book and a wonderful way to wrap up the story. The growth in the characters and their relationships with each other was phenomenal. I loved the side characters, Silvia in particular. I also loved the way the author dealt with the abuse that Alex suffered and the emotional trauma that she dealt with because of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

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