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We Are Not Strangers: Boston 1775
His head rests against his breast, over his heart, but they aren’t lovers, they aren’t mates, and he’s a sinner.
Matthew Wilcox is an embittered redcoat with years of service under his belt and more than his fair share of secrets. Cold and detached, Matthew would be a perfect soldier if not for the fact that he’s an omega and therefore shouldn’t be in the army at all.
When tensions erupt into war at Lexington and Concord, alpha Josiah Cairn hopes that maybe, just maybe, he may yet prove himself to the pious father who hates him. When he stumbles across Matthew’s wounded body, he takes Matthew prisoner.
But then Matthew goes into heat and Josiah’s father decides to hand him over to the magistrate to face abuse. With few options, Josiah and Matthew run away together: Josiah to the militia and Matthew back to his regiment.
Or that’s the plan. When every other house could be an enemy, when both are deeply committed to opposing worldviews and sides, and with one in heat, they will find their loyalties tested – to friends and family, to the armies they’re sworn to, and to each other.
Matthew Wilcox is an embittered redcoat with years of service under his belt and more than his fair share of secrets. Cold and detached, Matthew would be a perfect soldier if not for the fact that he’s an omega and therefore shouldn’t be in the army at all.
When tensions erupt into war at Lexington and Concord, alpha Josiah Cairn hopes that maybe, just maybe, he may yet prove himself to the pious father who hates him. When he stumbles across Matthew’s wounded body, he takes Matthew prisoner.
But then Matthew goes into heat and Josiah’s father decides to hand him over to the magistrate to face abuse. With few options, Josiah and Matthew run away together: Josiah to the militia and Matthew back to his regiment.
Or that’s the plan. When every other house could be an enemy, when both are deeply committed to opposing worldviews and sides, and with one in heat, they will find their loyalties tested – to friends and family, to the armies they’re sworn to, and to each other.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
18 people want to read
About the author
Mercy Leroux
1 book1 followerMercy Leroux uses her PhD research skills not for scholarly articles, but for writing historically accurate omegaverse about the niche part of history that’s captured her heart.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 15, 2026
5.0/5.0 ⭐
Brutal yet heart-achingly tender in equal measure.
The historical accuracy is astonishing and is so deftly woven into the story.
Brutal yet heart-achingly tender in equal measure.
The historical accuracy is astonishing and is so deftly woven into the story.
February 14, 2026
Disclaimer: advanced copy reader. My views, however, are my own.
Where to begin? I quite enjoyed this book. The story takes its zany premise with care and compassion, dumps a ton of angst onto us, and handles themes like grief, identity, and independence as a human being (what Jung would call self-actualization; fitting and almost meta for the time period it's covering), with care. Yet it's also enjoyable and even humorous at times--you get the impression that the characters are fully rounded as people, not just vehicles to serve the story's tropes or plot.
But speaking of those tropes... the angst, hurt-comfort, and enemies to lovers was so good!
Josiah and Matthew are particularly well-done as characters, and their internal worlds were solidly developed. The supporting characters, from Josiah's siblings to Matthew's brothers-in-arms, were also a joy to read. Fanthorp was a standout!
Also, as a history buff, I appreciated the dedication to accuracy down to the numerous minute details. The uniforms, the precise movements of different battles despite the chaos, the childbirth and terms used to discuss pregnancy were all historically based. Yet none of them felt like the author was showing off; instead, they felt naturally incorporated. The integration of omegaverse into a highly religious time period was also deftly done and thoughtfully constructed to still be true to the 18th century's flaws and assumptions, while making progress in other ways.
I also appreciated the humanity given the individuals on both sides, rather than indulging in a tacky nationalism or in whitewashing what the colonists were fighting for... and the hypocrisies of and cruelties by both sides as well. I also appreciated that neither Josiah nor Matthew changed their viewpoints per se, but came to understand the other as human and met in the middle.
Where to begin? I quite enjoyed this book. The story takes its zany premise with care and compassion, dumps a ton of angst onto us, and handles themes like grief, identity, and independence as a human being (what Jung would call self-actualization; fitting and almost meta for the time period it's covering), with care. Yet it's also enjoyable and even humorous at times--you get the impression that the characters are fully rounded as people, not just vehicles to serve the story's tropes or plot.
But speaking of those tropes... the angst, hurt-comfort, and enemies to lovers was so good!
Josiah and Matthew are particularly well-done as characters, and their internal worlds were solidly developed. The supporting characters, from Josiah's siblings to Matthew's brothers-in-arms, were also a joy to read. Fanthorp was a standout!
Also, as a history buff, I appreciated the dedication to accuracy down to the numerous minute details. The uniforms, the precise movements of different battles despite the chaos, the childbirth and terms used to discuss pregnancy were all historically based. Yet none of them felt like the author was showing off; instead, they felt naturally incorporated. The integration of omegaverse into a highly religious time period was also deftly done and thoughtfully constructed to still be true to the 18th century's flaws and assumptions, while making progress in other ways.
I also appreciated the humanity given the individuals on both sides, rather than indulging in a tacky nationalism or in whitewashing what the colonists were fighting for... and the hypocrisies of and cruelties by both sides as well. I also appreciated that neither Josiah nor Matthew changed their viewpoints per se, but came to understand the other as human and met in the middle.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews