Velvet Chains

Lockswell Boarding House #1

by River Winters

Velvet Chains is a dark omegaverse romance steeped in trauma, obedience, and the brutal unraveling of conditioned submission.

Charlie was raised inside the Lockswell boarding house—trained to be desirable, compliant, and silent. An omega shaped for service. For sale. For survival.

When Vincent, a calculating and emotionally restrained alpha, agrees to his friend’s rental request, he isn’t sure what to expect. But Charlie’s fractured dignity and quiet defiance begin to stir something deeper—something Vincent isn’t prepared to feel.
What begins as a transaction turns into something far more dangerous.

Master/slave dynamics thread through this story of ownership and undoing, where power is never taken—it’s offered. And healing doesn’t come softly. It comes with rules, restraint, and the kind of care that hurts before it heals.
This is a mm dark omgaverse romance novel. No mpreg is involved. It centers around a alpha/beta/omega world where blood type defines the label for where someone lives and how they get to live.

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance, Dark, BDSM, Abuse, Queer

383 pages, ebook

Published November 13, 2025

Reviews

[M. B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooo… I enjoyed the plot for about the first half of the book. Broken Charlie getting cared for. How he slowly learned to trust Vincent. I was really looking forward to how it played out and how it would morph into a healthy BDSM relationship.

But then Charlie got broken even more and that took me out so much of the dynamic that I couldn’t enjoy it anymore.
I like BDSM stories. And I like MCs that are broken and fucked up and need a lit of healing. But I guess I found a point where I have to draw a line. It felt a bit more like pushing an abuse survivor into liking abuse than healing abuse with consensual kink.

Also there were inconsistencies with so many things. Like Vincent is kind, and caring, and needs a connection to have sex, but he is also known as a dom who leaves marks, goes to sex clubs, and rents an Omega. It is kind of implied that he usually didn’t care about his Omegas’ feelings or overall wellbeing.
He’s against the whole system, but uses it anyway. He hates how Omegas are treated, but treats them the same.
It doesn’t really make sense.

It also felt a bit like the second book in the series, because one Omega from the boarding house is a secondary character here and he already found his HEA with an Alpha.

I also have to say that I read an ARC provided by GRR and my copy was full of grammatical and spelling errors. And the use of wrong words. (He once organized instead of orgasmed.)
I assume (and hope!) it will be fixed in the final version.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is an omega, in this omegaverse world, he’s nothing. He’s trained to serve the alphas at the Lockswell boarding house.
Trained to obey, be silent, without an opinion, and be used (read: abused) by alphas. And oh my goodness the alpha’s did that job, abused him till he almost died. He wanted to die, to be finally free.

Alphas can hire the omegas. So did Alpha Vincent, he rented Charlie.
Vincent is nothing like the other alphas. He is kind, soft, and attentive. Charlie is as obedient as possible. Waiting for the next slap, punch, or worse.

They have more in common than you could imagine. What follows made me read on and on (way too long into the night)
It was devastating how Charlie was treated before Vincent. They have a long, looooong way to go.

This author knows how to write hurt comfort stories, with utterly vulnerable and broken characters.
The healing process was painful, the d/s dynamic was, in this situation, unique because of the trauma. It was immensely captivating.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel, thank goodness!

[morgan]

⭐️ 2.75/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Admittedly, I was drawn in by the non-mpreg omegaverse and potential for kink exploration as a form of healing from trauma. I got the non-mpreg omegaverse, but the rest of it fell short.

**Mild spoilers below here**

The premise definitely had the potential to be great, but the execution was subpar, unfortunately.

Character-driven books are fine, but the characters actually need to have backstories and motivations for things. Neither of the MMCs in this book had solidified motivations for their actions other than instalove. Maybe instalove is normal in this world? Idk, there was very little world building other than how omegas were sold by their parents to be used for profit at boarding houses. The kids are immediately physically, emotionally, and sexually abused under the guise of “training” and once they’re of legal age, they’re basically pimped out and then physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by the alphas who rent them.

It’s a time.

There were also so. Many. Spelling. And. Grammatical. Errors. I didn’t include this to determine my rating, but both MMCs have their names spelled incorrectly multiple times, anus was spelled ‘anis’, and au jus was written ‘au juice’. I could go on. I’m not sure if the author had another person go over their work before submitting the ARC to GRR, but it was rough. The tense changed from past to present constantly and it was overall just very frustrating to read.

I received a copy of this eARC from GRR and this is my honest review.

[❄ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. This was a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting another book this year from the same pen name, and it turned out one I enjoyed. Besides the typos and some punctuation mistakes (that I'm hoping were solved for the release), I think that overall its themes worked out well for me, with a couple of things that didn't.

Starting out with the positive, I really liked following the Charlie's journey through everything that happened even if the process wasn't a light reading. I think this author does well in presenting vulnerable MCs and LIs that become sort of their saviours/anchors. It's an interesting dynamic that combined with omegaverse it is a guarantee that I'd be interested in trying.

The recovery process in itself was another good thing imo. The build up was good, having the MC go to a different enviroment and discovering new experiences, and even after all the attrocities that came after, his healing journey was slow and overall it didn't feel rushed in terms of pacing. Plus I liked the emphasis in Charlie's recovery not being over, even after his progress.

I liked that Vincent wasn't perfect as a person and that it was stated in the start. He himself thought that certain things weren't exactly the best action to take in specific moments, and I like that he accepted those faults and later was more of an active participant in regards of Charlie's protection after one big event in the story. I feel like he needed something to wake him up and while it was sad to read, it was satisfying to me that his character focused more on Charlie's needs after that. The incorporation of their dom/sub dynamic felt natural as well.

I also think it's important to take in that in this world, Vincent's actions in the second half were the best ones for Charlie within the circumstances. I can't really judge him through moral lenses of the real world because it's a very different context and honestly I don't see a better way to approach it. I can definitely notice what in reality is healthy and what isn't but my point stands as this is fiction. I think they work well together for me, the author did great in building up their relationship little by little, even if it had its bumps. I don't consider theirs a 100% healthy dynamic because it'd be difficult in such world, but I do feel like it became the healthiest it can be. Plus, I'm good with non healthy dynamics in my books anyway lol.

Now onto some of the things I wish were done differently: the beginning and the ending. I would've wanted that the duration of their initial interactions inside the house would've been a bit longer in terms of time, so that what both felt at some point was more believable to me. Thinking about how a lot of the chapters happened in the span of three days felt surreal. The pacing was good, but I needed the time to be described accordingly too. Then there's the abrupt ending, because I really felt an epilogue was missing, perhaps with a time skip. I feel like 50 pages more would've done a lot for the book.

Ultimately, I think this is a book with a dark setting that might not be for everyone due to its themes and the main dynamic. I came to love the cast though, I liked the construction between the main couple and even made me crave more from the side pairing. Since this is the start of a series, I'm hoping next book is about Adrian. I ended up enjoying his character a lot, and of course I want more of Micha. I'm looking forward to the next ones.

-This was an ARC review.

Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person
-Content warnings: abuse, sexual assault, conditioning, slavery themes, omegas without rights, anxiety, suicidal thoughts
-Elements: omegaverse, size difference, cohabitation, trauma and recovering process
-Kinks: dom/sub dynamic, subspace
-Sexual act(s): barebacking, creampie, blowjobs, riding
-Dynamic: MM, saviour x survivor, alpha x omega, top and bottom, unbalanced power dynamics due to the universe

[Laurie Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Velvet Chains, by River Winters, is an omega-verse, somewhat sweet romance detailing the horrors that an omega goes through to survive the cruelties of the Alphas around him.

Charlie is an omega belonging to the Lockswell Boarding House. He has undergone torturous training to be conditioned to be the perfect omega, allowing himself to be mutilated and beaten by other Alphas to prove his worth. Though he loves learning, he has little need for it beyond what Alphas require of him. One day, Alpha Vincent Harris requests that he serve him for five days. Charlie goes to the Alpha, unaware of the kind soul that may help him find the courage to heal from the trauma he’s already experienced.

I felt like there was a lot of potential in this book that didn’t get fleshed out. While I do find Charlie intriguing, with the rage simmering beneath his skin more than engaging, unfortunately, this isn’t that kind of story. Charlie doesn’t get to find his own power to get the strength to murder the world that pinned him into this corner. He doesn’t get to make mistakes because he’s an omega. Even down to his trauma, Winters paints him as the perfect victim. He’s never supposed to be human, and only operates as a damsel in distress to prove to readers that Vincent is some kind of Prince Charming. To be honest, it’s infuriating.

The same frustrations I have with Charlie, Vincent commits those sins tenfold. At best, he’s stuck in a horrible system that has ensnared the ones he’s loved and chained him to a role he never wanted to play. At worst, he’s a coward. He allowed Charlie to be taken back and participate in the same system that has abused omegas. Although Winters wants us to believe that he’s different from the other Alphas, and in some ways he is, it doesn’t change the fact that he still used Charlie for sexual favors the first time around. He’s cut from the same cloth as every other Alpha; he’s just dressed in different packaging. It’s an eerie calling to a lesson that feminism teaches: benevolent patriarchy is patriarchy, and although a man will be apologetic about putting his heel on a woman’s throat, he’s still got his boot on her throat.

Sexual trauma and human trafficking are very much a part of the novel, and unfortunately, although Winters makes some effort to address these elements, similar to the characters, there isn’t much payoff. Nothing’s changed. Everything’s business as usual, and neither Charlie nor Vincent will be making any waves anytime soon. There is a little bit of a shift in regards to the treatment of omegas, but that’s about it.

There were some grammatical errors in the book that did detract from the plot. I’m also going to point out that, in my opinion, this was not a dark romance story. True, Vincent is morally dubious, but he’s too much of a weakling and too inundated in the society he’s grown up in to be a proper love interest; he reads more like a father figure than a love interest anyway. And while the world is dark, the relationship that Vincent and Charlie have is sickeningly sweet. So sickeningly sweet, I’m completely convinced that Charlie is going to snap and rip out this Alpha’s throat should he be reminded of the rage he rightfully has.

This story is too neat. It promises messiness that doesn’t pan out or get resolved. There have been a lot of Omega Verse stories that delve into themes of abuse, domestic violence, and sexual trauma, and unfortunately, this story falls painfully short. For right now, I’d give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

[Jordy - Hard Earned and Slow Burn HEAs · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this was somewhere in the ballpark of 3 - 3.5 stars.

Charlie is an omega and lives in hell. Even if he doesn't really realise it. It was kind of giving handmaids tale where omegas have no rights, get loaned out to whatever alphas, get punished for nothing etc.

Vincent is an alpha. He's not in the market for an omega but agrees to hire one for a few days at the behest of one of his besties who has found his HEA with an omega.

Charlie is very passive. He enjoys serving. It's ingrained. He experiences kindness for the first time at Vincent hand but wont allow himself to hope since he's only on a temporary contract.

Vincent doesn't realise the can on worms he's opened when he brings Charlie home. As much as Charlie enjoys serving Vincent, Vincent himself enjoys taking care of Charlie and making sure that he is happy. They're actually perfect for each other with strong M/S dynamics.

Thing's go down in the middle of the book. It's not great for Charlie. I had my mouth hanging open and my heart was feeling all kinds of sadness and then an all consuming rage. ** I would highly recommend checking triggers before proceeding with this book. **

Moving into the second half, Charlie and Vincent find their way together and manage to overcome circumstance to start dropping their walls. It was bittersweet, hard earned and satisfying.

Note: The spice in this book is actually quite minimal and only happens right at the end of the book.

Now, I personally would have loved to see more of the omegaverse elements woven into the story, especially since it is classified as a 'dark omegaverse' book. Aside from being told that Charlie is an Omega and Vincent in an alpha there aren't really any other omegaverse elements that would be typically expected. No scent matching. No knots. No heats. No slick. No nesting. No bites/claiming marks. No real pheromones.

From what I was able to piece together, people in this world get a blood test which tells them their designation. Omega's are trash and are often shipped off to boarding houses by their families. They don't have any rights whatsoever unless they are attached to an alpha. Alpha's, and betas, can pretty much do what they want but if your an omega you're shit out of luck. There wasn't really any explanation as to WHY this was the way in this world. It was just was. (For example, in other omegaverse I've read where omega's are suppressed its usually 'for their own good' because they can't control themselves in heat... or they're really rare, so they're sold off to the highest bidder etc)

I think if I had never read another omegaverse book and this was my first one then the lack of typical omegaverse things wouldn't have even registered. But I have read quite a few now, both MM and MF and pack type ones and I just felt like all of the 'omegaverse' of it was missing. But again, this just could be my own personal preferences with omegaverse.

Give it a try and see for yourself, but again - Check triggers, and don't expect a whole lot of omegaverse because I don't feel like it was really there.

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very much drawn into the premise of this book and it did have all the emotion I'd expect from a story with these themes. Charlie seemed to be the most well-developed character; you really felt his struggle to use his voice again and find that safety and comfort he needed. Despite it being a duel POV, I don't think we learned as much about Vincent, perhaps just not to the same depth as Charlie. The lack of physical intimacy wasn't the issue, it was more that even in the latter sections of the book he still felt quite cold even when the writing suggested that level of care he felt towards Charlie. Aidan and Moore were good secondary characters but I did wonder if perhaps I've missed another book somewhere as I got the sense their story might already have been told.

It is a HEA however it's definitely one that leaves things still early into their relationship; perhaps it could have been squashed in places to allow for the ending to be extended to further down the line. Some of the aspects of the wider plot (like Vincent's brother and even Silas as a secondary character) have me intrigued to read more in this world. I'll briefly say that I think it needs further editing for spellings to ensure the flow isn't broken but, as I'm reading an ARC copy, this hasn't impacted on my star rating because I'm sure that the published copy has been tidied up further. Overall, it's a good mm slow-burn relationship with emotional ups and downs and I'd be interested to see what comes next in the series.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Velvet Chains is definitely not a light read. It dives straight into the darker side of the omegaverse, and some parts were genuinely hard to get through because of how much trauma Charlie has endured. His past at the Lockswell boarding house is brutal, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing how deeply that damage runs.

Vincent was the part of the story I connected with most. He’s an alpha, but he doesn’t behave like the others Charlie has known, and the contrast between them is what gives the book its strongest moments. Their dynamic is complicated, uncomfortable at times, and not always easy to read, but there is something compelling in the slow shift from fear to trust.

The healing process is rough and not quick, and I appreciated that the author didn’t try to tidy everything up too neatly. The D/s element is handled in a way that reflects Charlie’s trauma rather than ignoring it, which gives the relationship a heavier but more thoughtful tone.

I didn’t love every aspect of the world-building, and there were moments where I wished the pacing had slowed down or given more space to certain emotional beats. Still, the story kept my attention, especially as Charlie starts to find even the smallest sense of safety with Vincent. There is hope at the end, even if the journey towards it is messy and uneven.

A dark but engaging omegaverse romance with a strong hurt/comfort thread. Definitely one for readers who like their stories intense and emotionally heavy.

I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[Tashyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should not expect a breezy read from Velvet Chains. Because of the trauma Charlie has experienced, it delves directly into the omegaverse's darker side, and there were portions that were really difficult to read. The author spares no detail in revealing the extent to which his traumatic experiences at the Lockswell boarding home have affected him. I felt the strongest connection to the story's protagonist, Vincent. The book really shines when Charlie encounters him because, despite being an alpha, he acts differently from the others Charlie has encountered. The gradual transition from dread to trust is intriguing, despite the fact that their dynamic is complex, unpleasant, and difficult to understand at times. I liked that the author didn't attempt to make things perfect because mending is a difficult and slow process. The connection takes on a heavier, more reflective tone because to the D/s element, which mirrors Charlie's suffering instead of disregarding it. Some parts of the world-building were too fast for my liking, and there were times when I wanted the story to develop on specific emotional beats. The story held my interest, though, particularly when Charlie begins to feel some measure of security with Vincent. No matter how rocky the road may be, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Featuring a powerful hurt/comfort thread, this omegaverse romance is dark but captivating. Those who enjoy stories with a lot of emotion and intensity will definitely enjoy this one.I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[East of Reality · Rating 2 out of 5]

A grim, grey, unhappy book about Charlie raised to be a perfect omega since childhood. He's been trained to kneel, to beg, to serve Alphas with graceful obedience, and it's killing him. Enter Vincent, the alpha who rents him for a week because his best friend's omega thought Charlie would be a good match for him. Vincent is demisexual and doesn't want to fuck Charlie unless Charlie can prove he's a person long enough for Vincent to catch feelings.

Vincent feels sorry for Charlie, but it isn't until another Alpha -- for ... unknown reasons? -- takes Charlie away that Vincent decides he wants to keep the kid he's known for ... a day, two? Plot reasons, anyway. And then he rescues Charlie by buying him, because omegas are property, and now Vincent gets to play savior.

This is a very long pro-Master/slave relationship book with a submissive partner who never gets the chance to heal from his past trauma. He simply goes from one faceless, unkind owner to an owner who can't go a day without reminding Charlie that "I'm kind." Very much "I'm a nice guy" vibes.

It's slow, it's boring, it's filled with errors. But the idea ... almost works? The execution and the pacing -- and Vincent, the all-too perfect and manipulative master -- ruin it for me.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew… this one is DARK. Like, really dark. If you’re diving into Velvet Chains, be prepared — Charlie has been through absolute hell, and the book doesn’t gloss over any of that trauma.

Charlie is an omega who’s been trained to obey, serve, and never have a voice. The alphas at the boarding house treated him so horribly that he genuinely wished for an escape, even if that meant death. 💔

Then comes Vincent — an alpha, but nothing like the monsters Charlie has known. He’s gentle, patient, and actually sees Charlie as a person. Watching Charlie flinch at every tiny movement broke me… but watching him slowly learn he’s safe? That’s where the hope comes in. Their healing is slow, messy, and definitely not easy, but it feels real.

The D/s dynamic is handled carefully, shaped by Charlie’s trauma rather than ignoring it and that made the emotional side of their relationship hit even harder.

This isn’t a fluffy omegaverse romance. It’s heavy, hurt/comfort at its core, and sometimes really tough to read but it’s also heartfelt and gripping. And yes… there is light at the end of the tunnel. ✨

If you like intense, emotional stories about broken characters learning they deserve softness and love, this one is definitely worth the read.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atypical alpha story

There were a fair number of obvious mistakes in the copy of this book that I read, but I understand from the author that the wrong edition had been downloaded and a certain company was being slow in correcting that. Because of that I didn’t take any stars away because of this issue.
The story was a great read even if it follows a fairly common pattern for this type of book. The best thing in this book for me was the Alpha character, Vincent who went through quite a lot of changes throughout the story and is a very different sort of Alpha right from the beginning as well.
The use of BDSM also contributes quite a bit to the overall story and it part of why Vincent is the way he is. Properly done kink is used to point out that the way that omegas like Charlie are treated and trained in this alternate world is wrong and leads to horrible outcomes. The alphas are victims of the system as well, although the omegas suffer more and the life that River Winters has Vincent in particular leading is hollow.
There is supposed to be more of this tale coming out and I am interested to see where things are going to go.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars

This book is …. an odd one. It’s a very slow burn, with Charlie and Vincent — while having two previous intimate, but not romantic moments — not having their first kiss until the final chapter. This isn’t exactly a love story or a romance as much as it is Charlie finding security with an Alpha who doesn’t abuse him, and an Alpha moved by compassion. It isn’t a very plot-driven story, with the focus mostly being a slice-of-life journey of Charlie getting used to his new owner. This will also not be a book for everyone, with its grim, fatalistic overtones of acceptance of the status quo rather than resistance, but it is still an interesting read, and this review will have some slight spoilers.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Velvet Chains by River Winters

This was a pretty good book. I was able to escape into the story even with what life has been throwing lately lol. I love omegaverse, but add in Dark, and I'm so there. The life Charlie lived while living at the Lockswell boarding house. The things he is put through are horrible. Who wants to be trained that what you want or feel isn't important? Not me. To be trained to be for sale. That made me so sad and mad at other times. I felt River Winters wrote this story quite well. All I wanted to do was give him a great big hug. Things change and fracture. Then there is Vincent; he didn't go into this wanting more, but he learns to want more than what he felt was wanted or needed. I also love the Master/slave story if it is done right. I have lived this life, so I know certain things that I would want even if it is a fictional story. I look forward to reading more by River Winters in the future.

Nicole Harvey

[Gabrielle Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie lives in a world where what you are born as decides your fate. As an omega he has no rights and his only focus in life is to serve Alpha’s. He has been trained all his life to serve never to think. One day Vincent comes into his life and challenges everything that he has been taught. Making Charlie begin to feel but can an Alpha be trusted in Charlie’s world?
I enjoyed this story. It pulls you in right from the start and is full of emotions. Charlie and Vincent are good together. Their story has its ups and downs and their tentative connection could be broken before it even starts. Not only do the main characters shine but many of the supporting characters have a lot to say. I do wish that we got to see those that mistreated the omega’s in this world get what was coming to them. The author has created an engaging world with strong characters that I hope to get to return to.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to note first make sure to read trigger warnings because this book deals with a lot of issues that might be triggering. At first, I was hesitant about reading this book because I love mpreg, but I am glad I did. Charlie and Vincent are amazingly written characters. Charlie is an Omega that’s been raised in a boarding house that trains omegas to be in servitude to alphas and is treated horribly, but things start to change when Alpha Vincent comes into his life. This book follows charlie as he tries to put his broken pieces together and learn to trust anyone especially alpha Vincent. I love how this book shows charlie’s journey, as him and Vincent find a way to coexist, and how love seeps into their relationship through the trust they build. I can not wait for the next book in the series.

[Dorian Moutry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes & Sub-genres:
Omegaverse
Hurt/Comfort
Slave/Master
Trauma
BDSM

⚠️This is a dark romance please prioritize your mental well-being and read the content warning ⚠️

My ARC Review:
This is a deeply emotional story about Charlie, an omega who is reclaiming his identity after enduring years of abuse and lacking bodily autonomy. Having felt isolated and unprotected for so long, Charlie encounters Vincent, an Alpha who finds Charlie's circumstances appalling and inhumane. As they spend more time together, Vincent decides to provide Charlie with the support and care he needs to live a better life, where he can express himself freely and without fear of punishment, and ultimately learn to trust not only Vincent but also himself
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hurt/comfort, A/B/O

Charlie, an omega, has been trained to be used by Alphas.
He quite literally is broken by years of abuse and torture.
He's hired by Vincent, an Alpha for some time.
Charlie is literally waiting for the continuation of life as he knows it.
When Vincent doesn't act like other Alphas, Charlie doesn't know how to react.
He's unsure how to proceed with an Alpha who is commanding, yet kind, and gentle at the same time.
As they slowly get to know one another, they both begin to realize they want much more than a few moments together.
Vincent recognizes that he has a lot of work to do in order for Charlie to believe that he's actually different from other Alphas and that he truly deserves love and happiness.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Velvet Chains follows Survivor Omega Charlie and Alpha Vincent Harris as they go through a journey of healing and tentative trust. Fr I liked this book just for the alternate Alpha portrayal, Vincent is not sex focused (he's demi), and his dominance is not violent or aggressive. Whilst I love a big, growly Alpha, Vincent was the perfect fit for Charlie; he was gentle but still gave the structure Charlie needed. The only thing that I wasn't a big fan of was the editing; it could have been improved, as multiple grammatical and spelling mistakes interrupted the flow of the story.

[brownsoda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author for me. Power dynamic premise is something I usually enjoy. The author allowed to jump into the universe without too much backstory. I actually liked that. When we meet Charlie and Vincent, and we are right in it. Is Charlie the perfect submissive Omega or Vincent the perfect Alpha? After finishing this book, I am not sure I can really give an answer. While placing the victim/ savior dynamic and hurt/comfort works. I just wish everything else did. This is not a light read, but it has enough elements that I would read other books by this author.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hurt my heart because the author did such a thorough job of taking me inside both Charlie and Vincent and showing how such an awful system in which they function messes up those abused and those like Vincent who do the abusing but who look like the "good guys" next to the awful specimens of alphas around them. This was not at all an easy read and it left me thinking about these characters and power and abuse long after I finished the book. That inability to shake the story is why there are five stars here.

[Wendy Trankle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quiet enjoyed this book and give it a solid 4.5 rating. I did get an advanced copy from Gay Romance Reviewed but my opinion are honest and completley mine. It'a a non-shifting and non pregnacy take on the A/B/O world and it would seem to be a harsh world indeed for most Omegas- often sent off -essentaily sold to boarding schools where they are for rent and abuse by Alphas. It's not a book for the tender hearted in parts because of that as your heart will break for Charlie. I don't like to give spoilers but will just say it's a great read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Ashley Pellegrino · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok..

This book had a lot of potential! Story line was on point..but I just didn't feel the emotional connection with either MMCS.
I also felt like this wasn't the best take on A/B/O. But I'm a dark reader so maybe it just wasn't enough for me personally and that's a me problem I guess.
Try it out for yourself and see if your opinion is different than mine. Curious about book 2 if it's the same MMCs or a new couple it kind of ends abruptly.

[Kelsie Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this ebook from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
This was a very emotional book. It uses kink as an instrument for healing someone very damaged. I don't think this will be for everyone. The plot is very depressing, but also somehow soothing? Having someone love you for all your flaws, and have the patience to sit with you in your trauma.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee's Grade: B

This book is hard to review. Something happens at the middle that felt unnecessary and pulled me out of the story. Then the second half made me like the characters development of their relationship. One character is rightfully traumatized and the other pissed me off by being stupid but I forgave him mostly

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the story and characters. This is a no-mpreg Omegaverse story that is low spice, which is unusual, though not unwelcome, for Omegaverse stories. Unfortunately, the serious lack of editing was a distraction throughout the entire book. Enough that I may skip the next book when it comes out.

Note: I was provided an advance copy in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie and Vincent

3 Stars ⭐️

This book was very different from what I had originally expected and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Charlie's story made me sad, he was such a tortured soul and although I thought Vincent was perfect for him I still felt like something was missing 🤷🏻‍♀️ honestly I'm 50/50.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has been trained to be silent as well as following orders which he does without questions. Things will change when they appear and it will not go as they both expect it to. See where it will all go next

[Adoraboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautifully dark and I loved every minute of it!!!

[emil]

ai generated mess, do not recommend