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That Tender Moment: An MM Omegaverse Age Gap and Grumpy/Sunshine Romance
Colin Huxley has never had the luxury of wanting things for himself. A male omega who became a father at fourteen, he raised twin boys in a two-bed council flat in Barking on a odd-jobs man’s wage, and through sheer bloody-mindedness. Now his sons are grown. His body is falling apart. And the sum total of his romantic history is a therapeutic sex-toy prescribed by his therapist that he's used twice in two years.
Then a tech billionaire texts him about a 'broken' light bulb.
Diwa de la Vega is twenty-eight, Filipino-American, and the founder-in-crisis of an AI company whose content moderation practices made international headlines. He's relocated to London to regroup, and he's laying low in a Notting Hill house he can't maintain.
What starts as a professional arrangement doesn't stay one. Colin has spent twenty-six years with his guard up against alphas. Diwa dismantles his defences without trying. He's the first person who's looked at Colin, the worn jacket, the life built from nothing, and wanted what he saw.
The problem isn't that Diwa wants him. The problem is that Colin is starting to want him back.
forty-year-old male omega whose idea of flirting is teaching you not to electrocute yourselfa billionaire alpha whose love language is spirulina and unsolicited wellness advicereverse age gap (older omega) with a twelve-year spreadfirst heat with a partner after twenty-six years of managing aloneand one catastrophic karaoke performance that proves even a Midlands omega can be undone by Madonna.
Then a tech billionaire texts him about a 'broken' light bulb.
Diwa de la Vega is twenty-eight, Filipino-American, and the founder-in-crisis of an AI company whose content moderation practices made international headlines. He's relocated to London to regroup, and he's laying low in a Notting Hill house he can't maintain.
What starts as a professional arrangement doesn't stay one. Colin has spent twenty-six years with his guard up against alphas. Diwa dismantles his defences without trying. He's the first person who's looked at Colin, the worn jacket, the life built from nothing, and wanted what he saw.
The problem isn't that Diwa wants him. The problem is that Colin is starting to want him back.
forty-year-old male omega whose idea of flirting is teaching you not to electrocute yourselfa billionaire alpha whose love language is spirulina and unsolicited wellness advicereverse age gap (older omega) with a twelve-year spreadfirst heat with a partner after twenty-six years of managing aloneand one catastrophic karaoke performance that proves even a Midlands omega can be undone by Madonna.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2026
About the author
Marlowe Kent
12 books20 followersOriginally from the UK, Marlowe Kent writes M/M romance from Melbourne, Australia, a city she's deeply in love with.
By day she works as a corporate IT product manager, which is as unglamorous as people imagine and then some. At least she can work from home most days, and the office snacks are top notch when she can't.
Writing is how she escapes it. Reading is how she escapes the writing when it's not going well. Reorganising her Obsidian vault for the fourteenth time and coding up a new dashboard is how she escapes both, while convincing herself it still counts as working on her books.
She lives with two gorgeous dogs who get more compliments than she does, and has strong feelings about Melbourne's cafés and the correct ratio of plot to filth.
Her favourite character so far is Barnaby from Below the Belt. Because he's such a horseboy.
By day she works as a corporate IT product manager, which is as unglamorous as people imagine and then some. At least she can work from home most days, and the office snacks are top notch when she can't.
Writing is how she escapes it. Reading is how she escapes the writing when it's not going well. Reorganising her Obsidian vault for the fourteenth time and coding up a new dashboard is how she escapes both, while convincing herself it still counts as working on her books.
She lives with two gorgeous dogs who get more compliments than she does, and has strong feelings about Melbourne's cafés and the correct ratio of plot to filth.
Her favourite character so far is Barnaby from Below the Belt. Because he's such a horseboy.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
ai-usage-dnr
September 9, 2026look I don’t want to start rumors or unfounded accusations but I just feel like this is…ai, or at least aided by ai. Kents website does state that cover and character art is ai generated; and there’s just too little time between publications; and they all sort of read the same? I don’t know. Think and feel what you will; but I’ll just step away from this author as a whole. No rating because I just don’t know.
July 14, 2026
This was such a sweet story! I smiled and laughed so much. I wanted to read about Colin since I met him in book one, and his story did not disappoint. Colin has been through so much, and he finds the sweetest alpha in Diwa. I love their relationship. It’s sweet and slow and steady. This is really just a wholesome love story with a little background drama revolving around Diwa’s company and Stephen (Colin’s son) being an overprotective turd. I love the introduction of Diwa’s family, and all the delicious sounding FOOD!!
Younger Alpha X Older Omega
Grumpy X Sunshine
Heat 🔥
This one isn’t as heavily spicy as you’d expected for an omegaverse story, but it didn’t need to be. Any more spice wouldn’t have fit the tone of the book and the slow burn relationship between Colin and Diwa, especially considering Colin’s past and current health struggles. It was perfect!
Younger Alpha X Older Omega
Grumpy X Sunshine
Heat 🔥
This one isn’t as heavily spicy as you’d expected for an omegaverse story, but it didn’t need to be. Any more spice wouldn’t have fit the tone of the book and the slow burn relationship between Colin and Diwa, especially considering Colin’s past and current health struggles. It was perfect!
August 25, 2026
2.5⭐️Nothing fundamentally wrong here. It's just painfully boring. I genuinely can't wrap my head around what on earth a 28-year-old high-tech CEO who graduated from Stanford and a 40-year-old tradie who used to be a teen parent could possibly find to talk about in depth. And the result? Exactly as expected: barely any.
DNF @ 50%.
DNF @ 50%.
September 6, 2026
The reverse age gap was a plus. When the richest one started to buy things for him and he whined about it, I dfn. I was also disturbed by the grown up kids calling their father "daddy".
June 29, 2026
3,65⭐️
Having loved the first book, quite disappointed by this one…
Just a regular romance, no more of the intense themes of the previous book, and I didn’t like the way Colin reacted : after 26 years of isolation from any romantic or physical, the relationship with Diwa seems too easy, and the amounts of sex too fast…
So the story was sweet but the traumas fast forgotten, after the heavy story of Stephen and Ryland I expected the SA traumas of Colin would be treated otherwise
Having loved the first book, quite disappointed by this one…
Just a regular romance, no more of the intense themes of the previous book, and I didn’t like the way Colin reacted : after 26 years of isolation from any romantic or physical, the relationship with Diwa seems too easy, and the amounts of sex too fast…
So the story was sweet but the traumas fast forgotten, after the heavy story of Stephen and Ryland I expected the SA traumas of Colin would be treated otherwise
July 3, 2026
Finally the Marlowe Kent story I was hoping for. I enjoy this author’s style and voice, and this book worked well for me!
Age gap, done right. The younger alpha, Diwa, is also a tech billionaire from a wealthy family who’s a computer genius but incompetent in day to day repairs. The older omega, Colin, is a single father who had omega twins as a result of an SA when he was 14, and he refused to let them go and scrimped and saved to raise his boys (now 26, 2 years younger than Diwa), and who makes competence look second-nature. The 12 year age gap is so nicely balanced with Diwa’s confidence in business but obliviousness to privilege and how to change light bulbs, and Colin’s common life sense and confidence in his abilities but complete inexperience and vulnerability with any kind of romantic relationship. They balanced each other well and I believed from meeting 1 that they could make it.
And this is a lovely, straightforward romance, a grumpy (Colin) sunshine (Diwa), class difference story that doesn’t grandstand but celebrates ordinary life and extraordinary compatibility in a nice way without mucking it up with miscommunication or unneeded drama.
There’s tension from Colin’s sons (Stephen grilling Diwa, and Ryland, his partner being…Ryland…hilarious! They were the book 1 heroes and I like them together very much still. And other twin Lysander is in touch from abroad), and from a difference in lifestyles and expectations, as well as Colin going into the omegaverse version of menopause and moving into experiencing unusual and unpredictable heats, but it’s all handled with sense and sensitivity, in a way that kept me flipping pages and never had me rolling my eyes. Refreshing!
I just…really enjoyed reading about these two getting to know each other. It was romantic but not OTT, intense but not melodramatic. Entertaining and poignant and lovely! Intimacy moves from uncertainty to steamy through communication and slow steps, then to super hot heat sex, and the progression felt respectful as well as sensual.
The external plot with Diwa’s company, his mis-steps, and what he learns, plus Colin’s simple common-sense solution toward the end added a compelling layer, and I greatly enjoyed seeing Colin dare to go far, FAR out of his element and let himself be surrounded and embraced by Diwa’s huge, quirky, wonderful family.
Different ways of expressing love are shown. I think only Colin outright says Love you though Diwa is thinking it. Nicely subtle and authentic.
A few things pestered me. The tension drops out a bit as it goes, and there are a number of sex scenes toward the end that got a bit filler-y? Though still, nice intimacy. I was miffed with Colin about the bed thing! C’mon man. I wish there was more info on the alpha-omega connection; it felt like they had unusual compatibility, but, it isn’t clear if that’s a thing in this world. At one point Diwa has the urge to do something omegaverse-y that I would have enjoyed, but I’m not sure if it’s actually a Thing or not in this world. More clarity on alpha-omega dynamics would not have gone amiss. And…why do we need lube with all the slick? 🤷
But overall, I had a great time and loved these two together!
HEA. Omegaverse. Older blue-collar omega, younger billionaire alpha. Grumpy-sunshine. Single dad. No OM action or drama, totally safe for me! Highly recommended.
Age gap, done right. The younger alpha, Diwa, is also a tech billionaire from a wealthy family who’s a computer genius but incompetent in day to day repairs. The older omega, Colin, is a single father who had omega twins as a result of an SA when he was 14, and he refused to let them go and scrimped and saved to raise his boys (now 26, 2 years younger than Diwa), and who makes competence look second-nature. The 12 year age gap is so nicely balanced with Diwa’s confidence in business but obliviousness to privilege and how to change light bulbs, and Colin’s common life sense and confidence in his abilities but complete inexperience and vulnerability with any kind of romantic relationship. They balanced each other well and I believed from meeting 1 that they could make it.
And this is a lovely, straightforward romance, a grumpy (Colin) sunshine (Diwa), class difference story that doesn’t grandstand but celebrates ordinary life and extraordinary compatibility in a nice way without mucking it up with miscommunication or unneeded drama.
There’s tension from Colin’s sons (Stephen grilling Diwa, and Ryland, his partner being…Ryland…hilarious! They were the book 1 heroes and I like them together very much still. And other twin Lysander is in touch from abroad), and from a difference in lifestyles and expectations, as well as Colin going into the omegaverse version of menopause and moving into experiencing unusual and unpredictable heats, but it’s all handled with sense and sensitivity, in a way that kept me flipping pages and never had me rolling my eyes. Refreshing!
I just…really enjoyed reading about these two getting to know each other. It was romantic but not OTT, intense but not melodramatic. Entertaining and poignant and lovely! Intimacy moves from uncertainty to steamy through communication and slow steps, then to super hot heat sex, and the progression felt respectful as well as sensual.
The external plot with Diwa’s company, his mis-steps, and what he learns, plus Colin’s simple common-sense solution toward the end added a compelling layer, and I greatly enjoyed seeing Colin dare to go far, FAR out of his element and let himself be surrounded and embraced by Diwa’s huge, quirky, wonderful family.
Different ways of expressing love are shown. I think only Colin outright says Love you though Diwa is thinking it. Nicely subtle and authentic.
A few things pestered me. The tension drops out a bit as it goes, and there are a number of sex scenes toward the end that got a bit filler-y? Though still, nice intimacy. I was miffed with Colin about the bed thing! C’mon man. I wish there was more info on the alpha-omega connection; it felt like they had unusual compatibility, but, it isn’t clear if that’s a thing in this world. At one point Diwa has the urge to do something omegaverse-y that I would have enjoyed, but I’m not sure if it’s actually a Thing or not in this world. More clarity on alpha-omega dynamics would not have gone amiss. And…why do we need lube with all the slick? 🤷
But overall, I had a great time and loved these two together!
HEA. Omegaverse. Older blue-collar omega, younger billionaire alpha. Grumpy-sunshine. Single dad. No OM action or drama, totally safe for me! Highly recommended.
July 15, 2026
Until I read this book, I didn't realize my favorite omegaverse plotline is one with an older omega mentoring and steadying a messy younger alpha, but That Tender Moment showed me exactly the type of omegaverse I wanted and now that's all I want.
Seriously, I was this close to taking a break from omegaverse b/c I was getting tired of the barefoot and pregnant trad-wife exploitation feel so many of the stories about omegas have, and Marlowe turned it all around for me!
Colin is an older handyman who is justifiably and heartbreakingly wary of alphas, but he has to earn a living, so he keeps going to rich people's houses to fix things. But he's careful. Then he meets Diwa, a billionaire tech guy who has called him to help install a very high lightbulb.
Seriously. A lightbulb.
Colin won't do it - he teaches Diwa how to turn off the breaker and do it himself, but he's so kind and simultaneously a little tiny bit gruff that I just melted. He's not a "Daddy" b/c he's an omega - but he's a real father to two adult sons and so knows how to teach, and Diwa is very rich but currently professionally adrift and needs a steady hand. So Diwa just keeps calling him back to fix more things. Colin is not particularly fooled.
This is the other thing about Marlowe's writing - this is the first billionaire romance I've ever read where I liked the billionaire. Even my favorite unnamed very successful author has a billionaire romance I did not like b/c the billionaire was a jerk who mistook giving big presents for growth/fixing things. But Diwa actually realizes that the system that made him so rich is a broken system that harms a lot of people, and I've never seen that in a book before. Sure, I've read stories w/billionaires who set up some charity b/c they're wealthy- but they never realize that the actual system that made them rich sucks. Diwa does, because he's still a fundamentally decent guy, and yet it's not preachy.
That's a long way of saying don't let the presence of a billionaire keep you from reading this book.
Even though there's not a lot of plot surprises in this book, I loved it. It's the third Marlowe Kent book I've read and I'm hooked on her writing. It's not filled with unexpected twists; instead it's slow burns and deep, emotional dives into characters and how they tick. I can always see the why behind her characters falling in love. Top notch dialog, great descriptions and deep internal point of view (third person but very, very deep POV).
I received a free ARC in return for an honest review. Also, even though I'm a romance writer, I don't actually know Marlowe Kent in real life, so there's no reason for me to say I love her books other than the truth, that I love her books.
Seriously, I was this close to taking a break from omegaverse b/c I was getting tired of the barefoot and pregnant trad-wife exploitation feel so many of the stories about omegas have, and Marlowe turned it all around for me!
Colin is an older handyman who is justifiably and heartbreakingly wary of alphas, but he has to earn a living, so he keeps going to rich people's houses to fix things. But he's careful. Then he meets Diwa, a billionaire tech guy who has called him to help install a very high lightbulb.
Seriously. A lightbulb.
Colin won't do it - he teaches Diwa how to turn off the breaker and do it himself, but he's so kind and simultaneously a little tiny bit gruff that I just melted. He's not a "Daddy" b/c he's an omega - but he's a real father to two adult sons and so knows how to teach, and Diwa is very rich but currently professionally adrift and needs a steady hand. So Diwa just keeps calling him back to fix more things. Colin is not particularly fooled.
This is the other thing about Marlowe's writing - this is the first billionaire romance I've ever read where I liked the billionaire. Even my favorite unnamed very successful author has a billionaire romance I did not like b/c the billionaire was a jerk who mistook giving big presents for growth/fixing things. But Diwa actually realizes that the system that made him so rich is a broken system that harms a lot of people, and I've never seen that in a book before. Sure, I've read stories w/billionaires who set up some charity b/c they're wealthy- but they never realize that the actual system that made them rich sucks. Diwa does, because he's still a fundamentally decent guy, and yet it's not preachy.
That's a long way of saying don't let the presence of a billionaire keep you from reading this book.
Even though there's not a lot of plot surprises in this book, I loved it. It's the third Marlowe Kent book I've read and I'm hooked on her writing. It's not filled with unexpected twists; instead it's slow burns and deep, emotional dives into characters and how they tick. I can always see the why behind her characters falling in love. Top notch dialog, great descriptions and deep internal point of view (third person but very, very deep POV).
I received a free ARC in return for an honest review. Also, even though I'm a romance writer, I don't actually know Marlowe Kent in real life, so there's no reason for me to say I love her books other than the truth, that I love her books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
That Tender Moment is the second book in the Huxley Omegas series and follows Colin and Diwa on a beautifully tender journey toward love, healing, and second chances.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was how it played with the traditional Alpha/Omega dynamic. While those designations are certainly present, with his past, Colin often takes on the more dominant role within the relationship. Having raised twins on his own from a very young age, he learned to be both protector and provider, carrying the responsibilities of two parents while building a life centered around his children. That strength, resilience (and a little resistance) shine throughout the entire novel.
This is very much a slow-burn romance, but it's the kind of slow burn that feels intentional and rewarding. Watching Colin and Diwa gradually build trust, friendship, and eventually love was incredibly satisfying. Their small adventures, quiet conversations, and everyday little domestic moments together created a cozy atmosphere that made me feel like I should have been reading this book curled up beside a fire with a warm cup of tea.
The relationship develops naturally, allowing both men the space to work through their individual struggles while learning how to lean on one another. Diwa's patience and support never felt forced, and Colin's guarded nature was completely understandable given everything he had endured. Together, they created a relationship that felt mature, comforting, and deeply emotional.
Overall, That Tender Moment is a heartwarming story about finding love later in life, healing from old wounds, and discovering that it's never too late to open your heart again. Filled with beautifully written moments, lovable characters new and old, and a romance that unfolds at exactly the right pace, this was a wonderful continuation of the Huxley Omegas series and a perfect example of why I enjoy stories that focus just as much on emotional connection as they do romance. I will be waiting for the continuation of this series with Lysander on the main stage
One of my favorite aspects of this story was how it played with the traditional Alpha/Omega dynamic. While those designations are certainly present, with his past, Colin often takes on the more dominant role within the relationship. Having raised twins on his own from a very young age, he learned to be both protector and provider, carrying the responsibilities of two parents while building a life centered around his children. That strength, resilience (and a little resistance) shine throughout the entire novel.
This is very much a slow-burn romance, but it's the kind of slow burn that feels intentional and rewarding. Watching Colin and Diwa gradually build trust, friendship, and eventually love was incredibly satisfying. Their small adventures, quiet conversations, and everyday little domestic moments together created a cozy atmosphere that made me feel like I should have been reading this book curled up beside a fire with a warm cup of tea.
The relationship develops naturally, allowing both men the space to work through their individual struggles while learning how to lean on one another. Diwa's patience and support never felt forced, and Colin's guarded nature was completely understandable given everything he had endured. Together, they created a relationship that felt mature, comforting, and deeply emotional.
Overall, That Tender Moment is a heartwarming story about finding love later in life, healing from old wounds, and discovering that it's never too late to open your heart again. Filled with beautifully written moments, lovable characters new and old, and a romance that unfolds at exactly the right pace, this was a wonderful continuation of the Huxley Omegas series and a perfect example of why I enjoy stories that focus just as much on emotional connection as they do romance. I will be waiting for the continuation of this series with Lysander on the main stage
Review of advance copy received from Author
In exchange for an honest review i got to read the ARC of That Tender Moment by Marlowe Kent by the author.
Colin Huxley is a Omega in his 40s that just tries to live his tiny life he have built for himself and his two twins Stephen and Lysander that both have now moved out and living their best lifes on their own. Colling does work fixing things like leaking tabs, fixing fences that need replacement.
What he does not like tho is getting too close to Alphas since when he were fourteen he was taken against his will witch lead to him becoming pregnant with the twins and even tho hes been fighting for them and gone to therapy it just helps so far.
So when Diwa an american Alpha that just have moves to the town calls for his expertise Colin is guarded and careful, but that one meeting is also all it takes for a slow burning bond to grow and fester as Diwa is also dealing with his company that he buildt in his early 20s now crashing around him and he is there to get away from it all but also does not know many people that so he seeks out Colin for that support he craves as his feelings for the omega grows.
That Tender Moment is the second book in the Huxley series about the omega family and their path to finding love and their forever home. With beautiful depicted moments that shows the slow progression when the Omega finds the right Alpha for them trough their struggles and path in life.
Lastly i want to Thank the Author for letting me read this beautiful story and I cant wait to read the next one once it comes out!
Colin Huxley is a Omega in his 40s that just tries to live his tiny life he have built for himself and his two twins Stephen and Lysander that both have now moved out and living their best lifes on their own. Colling does work fixing things like leaking tabs, fixing fences that need replacement.
What he does not like tho is getting too close to Alphas since when he were fourteen he was taken against his will witch lead to him becoming pregnant with the twins and even tho hes been fighting for them and gone to therapy it just helps so far.
So when Diwa an american Alpha that just have moves to the town calls for his expertise Colin is guarded and careful, but that one meeting is also all it takes for a slow burning bond to grow and fester as Diwa is also dealing with his company that he buildt in his early 20s now crashing around him and he is there to get away from it all but also does not know many people that so he seeks out Colin for that support he craves as his feelings for the omega grows.
That Tender Moment is the second book in the Huxley series about the omega family and their path to finding love and their forever home. With beautiful depicted moments that shows the slow progression when the Omega finds the right Alpha for them trough their struggles and path in life.
Lastly i want to Thank the Author for letting me read this beautiful story and I cant wait to read the next one once it comes out!
October 23, 2026
This was a beautiful story. I'm glad Colin found his HEA. I adore Diwa. He's wonderful.
I loved book one, and while I enjoyed book two, it lacked a bit of something. I can't put my finger on what exactly, but I think it's more emotional depth. I was a bit confused by Stephen's reaction to Colin's relationship because in book one he said all he wanted was for his father to find the same kind of love that he'd found, but when he did, Stephen became more like a middle-schooler who didn't want to share his parent.
As for the characters, they were great. The American characters in book two - this book - sound more British than American, but that's easily overlooked. The story itself is great. I think it could be even better with a bit more depth, more interaction and more conversations between Diwa and Colin. With that said, I genuinely like this series and the characters. I'm looking forward to reading book three.
Note: I read a review that said they thought this might be AI. I'm no expert, but I I've read almost 200 books so far this year, so I read a lot. This does NOT seem like AI to me. Also, if the author said they used AI for the character and cover art, that does NOT mean they used it for anything else. I'd like to also say that suggesting something you have no proof about is harmful and unnecessary.
What I'm saying is that this story is well-written. The characters are strong. The ideas behind the main story and sub-stories are unique and interesting. Book one was fabulous. Book two is really good. I'd recommend this author and this series.
I loved book one, and while I enjoyed book two, it lacked a bit of something. I can't put my finger on what exactly, but I think it's more emotional depth. I was a bit confused by Stephen's reaction to Colin's relationship because in book one he said all he wanted was for his father to find the same kind of love that he'd found, but when he did, Stephen became more like a middle-schooler who didn't want to share his parent.
As for the characters, they were great. The American characters in book two - this book - sound more British than American, but that's easily overlooked. The story itself is great. I think it could be even better with a bit more depth, more interaction and more conversations between Diwa and Colin. With that said, I genuinely like this series and the characters. I'm looking forward to reading book three.
Note: I read a review that said they thought this might be AI. I'm no expert, but I I've read almost 200 books so far this year, so I read a lot. This does NOT seem like AI to me. Also, if the author said they used AI for the character and cover art, that does NOT mean they used it for anything else. I'd like to also say that suggesting something you have no proof about is harmful and unnecessary.
What I'm saying is that this story is well-written. The characters are strong. The ideas behind the main story and sub-stories are unique and interesting. Book one was fabulous. Book two is really good. I'd recommend this author and this series.
October 22, 2026
You can’t just give me a one sided love you exchange Marlowe. I won’t survive it. I know it’s technically not one sided but that’s not the point 😭 this was super fucking cute. I’m so GLAD Colin got his HEA. I smiled the entire way through this.
July 12, 2026
I'm happy Diwa and Colin got their HEA. Their romance was a differently developed. Still with an amazing pace and emotions to the end.
July 12, 2026
It was a good story.
July 16, 2026
Enjoyable, but really needed a sub from someone in the UK.
July 26, 2026
I cried
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