What do you think?
Rate this book
Welcome to Morningwood #2
Ball Drop
Young, cocky, and all alpha, he wants the one man he can't have.
Rough around the edges and just a tad aggressive, twenty-year-old Maddox has more testosterone than he knows what to do with. He’s an alpha tiger shifter and the town’s rich, pretty boy with a chip on his shoulder to match. The circle of people he cares for is more of a dot, occupied by a single man, his college track and field coach, Wesley.
Closer to forty than he’d like to admit, Wesley is the gorilla omega who never quite found the one to settle down with. Not for lack of trying on his parent’s part. They can’t stop setting him up. Sometimes, they even try to trap him. Like when they stole his heat suppressors right before a date, hoping it would drive him into the man of their dreams.
But Wesley retreats to the one spot he knows he can be alone over the weekend while he rides out his heat. He sets up camp in his office on campus, ready to endure another torturous heat without relief.
Except, his plan to ride it out alone is ruined when Maddox breaks into the school on his own agenda. That agenda is quickly derailed when he stumbles upon his coach in need. Coach makes Maddox feel like maybe he isn’t just the town’s asshole. He’s an alpha. Wesley’s alpha.
While Maddox strives to be the type of man Wesley would want to obey, his conniving, abusive father has hatched a plan that threatens to ruin everything. With the holidays swirling around them, and the new year looming, finding their kiss at midnight seems impossible but Maddox didn’t work this hard discovering his home in Wesley to give up now.
Ball Drop is the second installment in the Welcome to Morningwood Omegaverse Romance series. It can be read as a standalone, though would be better enjoyed in order. It features themes of a school-based, age gap romance centered in a small town occupied entirely by shifters.
Rough around the edges and just a tad aggressive, twenty-year-old Maddox has more testosterone than he knows what to do with. He’s an alpha tiger shifter and the town’s rich, pretty boy with a chip on his shoulder to match. The circle of people he cares for is more of a dot, occupied by a single man, his college track and field coach, Wesley.
Closer to forty than he’d like to admit, Wesley is the gorilla omega who never quite found the one to settle down with. Not for lack of trying on his parent’s part. They can’t stop setting him up. Sometimes, they even try to trap him. Like when they stole his heat suppressors right before a date, hoping it would drive him into the man of their dreams.
But Wesley retreats to the one spot he knows he can be alone over the weekend while he rides out his heat. He sets up camp in his office on campus, ready to endure another torturous heat without relief.
Except, his plan to ride it out alone is ruined when Maddox breaks into the school on his own agenda. That agenda is quickly derailed when he stumbles upon his coach in need. Coach makes Maddox feel like maybe he isn’t just the town’s asshole. He’s an alpha. Wesley’s alpha.
While Maddox strives to be the type of man Wesley would want to obey, his conniving, abusive father has hatched a plan that threatens to ruin everything. With the holidays swirling around them, and the new year looming, finding their kiss at midnight seems impossible but Maddox didn’t work this hard discovering his home in Wesley to give up now.
Ball Drop is the second installment in the Welcome to Morningwood Omegaverse Romance series. It can be read as a standalone, though would be better enjoyed in order. It features themes of a school-based, age gap romance centered in a small town occupied entirely by shifters.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2018
229 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 12, 2019
Oh My God! 😱 I love this book so much! 😍 And before you ask, yes, this can totally standalone because I didn’t read the first book and I wasn’t lost at all. (I’m going to read the first one but this book just intrigued me much more and I’m skipping to 5th book after this and will fill in the rest of the books later. 😁) I love ABO books which challenge the typical ABO roles so I was thrilled when I found out this is an older omega younger alpha trope. Plus, they are teacher and student. 😏 Extra yummy! 😋
Wesley is an omega in his late thirties who still haven’t found his Alpha. Not for the lack of trying though, at least on his parents part, 😁 since they hid his heat suppressors just before he went to meet the date they set up for him. Now in heat and desperate, Wesley escaped to his office at the university to ride out his unexpected heat. Then Maddox came rushing into his office. Maddox is a troubled young man whom everyone regards him as a rich, entitled spoilt asshole. In fact, he had to grow up with an abusive and manipulative father after his loving mother passed away when he was a small child. And his older brother left him alone as soon as he was able to escape their father’s controlling grasp. Misunderstood, unloved and used to playing the part of a spoilt brat, there are only two people in the world who Maddox regards as true friends, Suze, his housekeeper at his father’s mansion who has always kept him safe from the worst of his father’s abuses and Coach Wesley, the first adult who really listens to him and who saw him for more than his facade of testosterone-laden Alpha asshole. And he has always been unconsciously attracted to his Coach. For his bleak and meaningless life, Coach Wesley is the only ray of sunshine who understands him and tries to steer him into the right path. Now, he found his Coach at his office in the middle of the night, alone, desperate, in-heat and oh-so-enticing. 😉 That moment, Maddox knew Wesley is the one and his omega. Now Maddox only needs to convince Wesley to accept him as his alpha despite their Mentor-Mentee status and a near twenty years age difference. How hard that could be for an obstinate Tiger Alpha like him? Right? 😁
This is much more than a typical ABO story. I really loved the backgrounds of both MCs and the journey they had to go through for their love. 💜 I really feel bad for Maddox who was just a misunderstood, unloved, young man. 😭 And the Wesley’s dilemma of wanting to submit his Alpha and his conscience nagging him of their differences. This is not a sex-filled, taboo-ish kinky ABO story. It was an endearing, heartwarming and onehelluva romantic story between two men who just want to belong to each other. It’s very rare that I give 5 stars to ABO stories but this book deserved it and more. And the love scenes were tastefully done and very erotic while not overly done. 🔥 I also loved the side characters, Maddox’s friends, Wesley’s very supportive but also equally nosy family, interesting characters all over the town, it was a joy to read this story. 😍 And that epilogue was everything. I wish I get a bit more of these two because I still can’t get over how cute Maddox and Wesley together is. 🥰 Loved it and highly recommended for anyone who wants a feel-good, romantic story with a headstrong, caveman Alpha who would do anything to possess his omega. 😉
5 You make me better stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wesley is an omega in his late thirties who still haven’t found his Alpha. Not for the lack of trying though, at least on his parents part, 😁 since they hid his heat suppressors just before he went to meet the date they set up for him. Now in heat and desperate, Wesley escaped to his office at the university to ride out his unexpected heat. Then Maddox came rushing into his office. Maddox is a troubled young man whom everyone regards him as a rich, entitled spoilt asshole. In fact, he had to grow up with an abusive and manipulative father after his loving mother passed away when he was a small child. And his older brother left him alone as soon as he was able to escape their father’s controlling grasp. Misunderstood, unloved and used to playing the part of a spoilt brat, there are only two people in the world who Maddox regards as true friends, Suze, his housekeeper at his father’s mansion who has always kept him safe from the worst of his father’s abuses and Coach Wesley, the first adult who really listens to him and who saw him for more than his facade of testosterone-laden Alpha asshole. And he has always been unconsciously attracted to his Coach. For his bleak and meaningless life, Coach Wesley is the only ray of sunshine who understands him and tries to steer him into the right path. Now, he found his Coach at his office in the middle of the night, alone, desperate, in-heat and oh-so-enticing. 😉 That moment, Maddox knew Wesley is the one and his omega. Now Maddox only needs to convince Wesley to accept him as his alpha despite their Mentor-Mentee status and a near twenty years age difference. How hard that could be for an obstinate Tiger Alpha like him? Right? 😁
This is much more than a typical ABO story. I really loved the backgrounds of both MCs and the journey they had to go through for their love. 💜 I really feel bad for Maddox who was just a misunderstood, unloved, young man. 😭 And the Wesley’s dilemma of wanting to submit his Alpha and his conscience nagging him of their differences. This is not a sex-filled, taboo-ish kinky ABO story. It was an endearing, heartwarming and onehelluva romantic story between two men who just want to belong to each other. It’s very rare that I give 5 stars to ABO stories but this book deserved it and more. And the love scenes were tastefully done and very erotic while not overly done. 🔥 I also loved the side characters, Maddox’s friends, Wesley’s very supportive but also equally nosy family, interesting characters all over the town, it was a joy to read this story. 😍 And that epilogue was everything. I wish I get a bit more of these two because I still can’t get over how cute Maddox and Wesley together is. 🥰 Loved it and highly recommended for anyone who wants a feel-good, romantic story with a headstrong, caveman Alpha who would do anything to possess his omega. 😉
5 You make me better stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 19, 2019
For the most part, it was a sweet mate story. However, Maddox is an asshole to everyone. I understand given how abusive his father was that this caused a lot of his reactions. But, he was even an asshole to Wes a couple of times and I didn’t care for it. The stuff with his father was OTT as well as Wes’s family’s interference. I don’t think they should have been forgiven for that. It was almost date rapey to me. Other than those issues, I enjoyed it for what it was.
January 29, 2020
3.75
I didn’t like how the parents meddled and how the sister was also a meddling bitch. There is being active in your kids life and there is messing with their health for your own gain. Assholes!!
January 4, 2019
I am doing this kinda backwards since I forgot and read this rather than Ginderbread Lessons first. Will make up for it and read that next. Ms. Burrelli for me is like the queen of Mpreg and believe me she once again put together a complex, suspenseful and sexy love story. Maddox and Wes are just truly incredible considering everything they had to go through to be together and Maddox especially because of all the horrible stuff his father did to him. I literally could not put this book down, even though there were a few times when things got a bit hairy and I tried too. Didn't work, most that happened was me getting something to drink and then picking it back up immediately and reading again. This book was an enjoyable, satisfying read and one I am sure I will be coming back to again in the future.
December 24, 2018
I LOVE this new series from Kiki, it’s just fun! With a town called Morningwood and titles like Gingerbred Lessons and Ball Drop, it can’t not be good!
I loved Maddox and Wes, and was so glad their story was next. I liked that this overlapped some of the events from book 1 and we got to see Maddox as more than an alpha bully. I really enjoyed Wes and his strength, how he wasn’t a typical, meek omega, and I thought he and Maddox had great chemistry together.
I did feel like their story ended not completely finished but I’m sure we will see more of them in future books. I’m that type of person who wants the ending of the pregnancy to be in the story too. Can’t wait for more, I hope Dusty has his story soon!
I loved Maddox and Wes, and was so glad their story was next. I liked that this overlapped some of the events from book 1 and we got to see Maddox as more than an alpha bully. I really enjoyed Wes and his strength, how he wasn’t a typical, meek omega, and I thought he and Maddox had great chemistry together.
I did feel like their story ended not completely finished but I’m sure we will see more of them in future books. I’m that type of person who wants the ending of the pregnancy to be in the story too. Can’t wait for more, I hope Dusty has his story soon!
July 10, 2020
~ 4.25 Stars ~
This was pretty damn good.
Excellent on a lot of front's:
Writing
Complex Characters
Villain
Tension/Conflict
Chemistry
World Building
Maddox was a mess. A wounded tiger, lashing out constantly. Serious alpha-aggression except of course when he was with Wes. There he melts like any self-respecting Alpha who's found his mate.
Wes, older omega. Loved the age gap and reverse age between omega and alpha. Solid plot to back up the romance. Evil, conniving, manipulative father plotting in the background.
"You were already the most testosterone laden alpha I'd ever met, now you're just going to get more macho. If that's even a possibility."
"I didn't care how many times I had to convince him that we belonged together. I'd do it a billion times if it meant eventually getting to this point."
I usually prefer my shifter stories traditional, wolves that is. But this was cool with a tiger and gorilla shifter. Kiki Burrelli is definitely one to keep at the top of the list when you're in the mood for a well written shifter, omegaverse story with male pregnancy.
This was pretty damn good.
Excellent on a lot of front's:
Writing
Complex Characters
Villain
Tension/Conflict
Chemistry
World Building
Maddox was a mess. A wounded tiger, lashing out constantly. Serious alpha-aggression except of course when he was with Wes. There he melts like any self-respecting Alpha who's found his mate.
Wes, older omega. Loved the age gap and reverse age between omega and alpha. Solid plot to back up the romance. Evil, conniving, manipulative father plotting in the background.
"You were already the most testosterone laden alpha I'd ever met, now you're just going to get more macho. If that's even a possibility."
"I didn't care how many times I had to convince him that we belonged together. I'd do it a billion times if it meant eventually getting to this point."
I usually prefer my shifter stories traditional, wolves that is. But this was cool with a tiger and gorilla shifter. Kiki Burrelli is definitely one to keep at the top of the list when you're in the mood for a well written shifter, omegaverse story with male pregnancy.
February 1, 2019
I was not so keep to read about teacher - student relationship (so the 3 star)) but its shifter world where its on animal instinct so wanted to give it a try. The story went well. An abusive rich and greedy father makes Maddox find closeness with Wes. (but why cant he think him as father figure then?... still my bias talking). Love Wes parents!
December 26, 2021
I liked how Maddox took care of Wesley during his heat. But the secrecy got to me after a while.
This story happens in parallel to book 1 so we get to relive some events from another POV. Maddox's dad is a real jerk.
This story happens in parallel to book 1 so we get to relive some events from another POV. Maddox's dad is a real jerk.
November 28, 2023
Communication communication communication. Sweet Jesus this couple was so strong on some fronts but their biggest failure was in the communication department. It made me want to pull my hair out.
There really was no issue for this couple except themselves. Neither of them were particularly likable and their issues seemed petty. I didn’t feel the drama of their relationship being found out like in the previous book. Maddox was also a huge jerk and I know his home life wasn’t the best, but still how he took it out on Harris was annoying and I found Wes whiny and wimpy. I felt like I was waiting for the plot to begin for the entire book.
Thankfully the strong writing help moved the plot along. I loved Wes's parents and Winnie was so funny.
There really was no issue for this couple except themselves. Neither of them were particularly likable and their issues seemed petty. I didn’t feel the drama of their relationship being found out like in the previous book. Maddox was also a huge jerk and I know his home life wasn’t the best, but still how he took it out on Harris was annoying and I found Wes whiny and wimpy. I felt like I was waiting for the plot to begin for the entire book.
Thankfully the strong writing help moved the plot along. I loved Wes's parents and Winnie was so funny.
December 27, 2018
Loved it!
Maddox was definitely my favorite secondary character in the previous book, and I was so happy to get his book here. Wes and Maddox were so much fun to read about, though I have to wonder why no one seemed to ask Malcolm if he actually had their mother's will, which seemed odd. Maybe we'll find out more about it in the next books...
Maddox was definitely my favorite secondary character in the previous book, and I was so happy to get his book here. Wes and Maddox were so much fun to read about, though I have to wonder why no one seemed to ask Malcolm if he actually had their mother's will, which seemed odd. Maybe we'll find out more about it in the next books...
May 25, 2025
kind of cute.
but what the FUCK is wrong with maddox's dad?🤠
also i still don't like wesley's family. i don't care that they were 'looking out' for him, they had a sick way of doing that.
ps suze was a fucking sweetheart.
but what the FUCK is wrong with maddox's dad?🤠
also i still don't like wesley's family. i don't care that they were 'looking out' for him, they had a sick way of doing that.
ps suze was a fucking sweetheart.
Want to read
December 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/14/2022)! 🎁
Read
May 5, 2019I got to 85% but it’s just not for me!
February 5, 2019
Wow. This story was a surprise. It gave a twist I was not expecting. But a good one.
When I read book 1, I really hated Maddox. He was growing on me a little by the end when he mellowed toward Harris, but for most of the book I didn't like him at all. Of course, nothing like eating your words. This story brings out a whole new side to Maddox. And what really makes him act the way he does. Why he is the way he is.
Even though Wesley and Maddox both tried to hide it, it was obvious to some what was going on between them. Or at least that there was chemistry. Wesley had been trying to fight it, considering he is the Coach for the university and Maddox is a student. Maddox could've cared less. He just wanted Wesley with a force he's never known. But they fought against it. Until one night when Maddox was trying to find a place to get away from the hell that was home. When Maddox gets to the locker room at school to get his liquor, he hears someone. It's Wesley. Trying to ride out a heat in privacy away from everyone and everything. Maddox can't help but take care of him. And everything they've been fighting come forward with an explosion.
Maddox surprised me. There was a whole different side to him that came out in this book. He was softer, compassionate, caring. But being a tiger shifter with testosterone galore did not help everything that was going on with him. It made everything worse more often than not. But Wesley brought out so much gentleness to him. And after that night, Maddox seemed to mellow more. He wasn't prone to violence as much with Wesley calming him. I felt for him too. Seeing all that he was going through. It would have made me act out, too, in ways.
Wesley tried to hold back because of the age difference and that Maddox was his student. But no matter how much he tried to deny it, Maddox was his alpha. And he felt better for it. He felt more like himself with Maddox. He felt whole with Maddox. And I loved their connection. Yeah, Maddox could still be a cocky little shit, but they were happy together. They could be themselves. Who they were meant to be.
This has been a good series. Good book. I'm waiting to see who Dusty gets paired with.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
When I read book 1, I really hated Maddox. He was growing on me a little by the end when he mellowed toward Harris, but for most of the book I didn't like him at all. Of course, nothing like eating your words. This story brings out a whole new side to Maddox. And what really makes him act the way he does. Why he is the way he is.
Even though Wesley and Maddox both tried to hide it, it was obvious to some what was going on between them. Or at least that there was chemistry. Wesley had been trying to fight it, considering he is the Coach for the university and Maddox is a student. Maddox could've cared less. He just wanted Wesley with a force he's never known. But they fought against it. Until one night when Maddox was trying to find a place to get away from the hell that was home. When Maddox gets to the locker room at school to get his liquor, he hears someone. It's Wesley. Trying to ride out a heat in privacy away from everyone and everything. Maddox can't help but take care of him. And everything they've been fighting come forward with an explosion.
Maddox surprised me. There was a whole different side to him that came out in this book. He was softer, compassionate, caring. But being a tiger shifter with testosterone galore did not help everything that was going on with him. It made everything worse more often than not. But Wesley brought out so much gentleness to him. And after that night, Maddox seemed to mellow more. He wasn't prone to violence as much with Wesley calming him. I felt for him too. Seeing all that he was going through. It would have made me act out, too, in ways.
Wesley tried to hold back because of the age difference and that Maddox was his student. But no matter how much he tried to deny it, Maddox was his alpha. And he felt better for it. He felt more like himself with Maddox. He felt whole with Maddox. And I loved their connection. Yeah, Maddox could still be a cocky little shit, but they were happy together. They could be themselves. Who they were meant to be.
This has been a good series. Good book. I'm waiting to see who Dusty gets paired with.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
May 13, 2019
So… this is a fine book to read for the horny factor. The MCs are fun and their relationship starts quickly & in a unique way. The rest of this book was pretty standard, there weren’t really any surprises — which is fine for a Horny Book (tm). I stopped reading at 86% because I felt like we had spent enough time together & I have a good idea about the ending without needing to read it.
Just a fyi for all of you that (like me) are oblivious: there’s mpreg (idk how I always get surprised by this). Also a few typos.
Just a fyi for all of you that (like me) are oblivious: there’s mpreg (idk how I always get surprised by this). Also a few typos.
May 2, 2021
As much as I did enjoy Gingerbred Lessons, I found Ball Drop to be quite irritating for a few reasons.
I will say that I found Maddox in Gingerbred Lessons to be a bully-come-friend in a reasonable way, and as a bully, he was definitely a bully but one that was redeemable. No problem there. However, in this book, he was way to über-alpha to be believable, even considering issues with grieving for his mother, abuse by his father, and alcoholism. Ms. Burelli established that the shifters in her universe can become alcoholics. (Other writers have established that shifters have difficulty in getting drunk or addicted to alcohol.) Neither did she establish any rules that tiger shifters don't have issues with alcohol, too. Considering how much Maddox had been drinking and how often, he would have flunked the CAGE questionnaire. Do shifters get the DTs? Do they go into alcoholic withdrawal? If they do, Maddox should had been unable to function with/without the ethanol period. His character just wasn't believable. Sorry, but that's how I saw it.
Speaking of unbelievable characters, Coach Wesley was terrible. I couldn't equate the coach in Book #1 with what I saw in Book #2. Every time I read anything that was from his POV, I realized that he was written as a girl, not an omega. I've read enough books to know the difference, and it made me bristle each and every part of the coach POV. I don't know why Burelli couldn't have kept him the same way as he was in Book #1.
The world-building is still very interesting. I've never read about carpenter ant or elephant shifters. Hmm... that's making the more creative part of my brain to prickle...
So when I got to the end of the book, I realized that I'm borderline about continuing this series. I just might see how Book #3 is before I make a final determination.
*shaking head* I think Burelli could had done better. She's talented. She just needs a little more help and work on it as there were too many parts where critical words or phrases were missing, or there were sentences that made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Perhaps a few more out-loud read-throughs could had been very helpful.
I'm reading this series via KU. I'm still on the fence on buying this series.
I will say that I found Maddox in Gingerbred Lessons to be a bully-come-friend in a reasonable way, and as a bully, he was definitely a bully but one that was redeemable. No problem there. However, in this book, he was way to über-alpha to be believable, even considering issues with grieving for his mother, abuse by his father, and alcoholism. Ms. Burelli established that the shifters in her universe can become alcoholics. (Other writers have established that shifters have difficulty in getting drunk or addicted to alcohol.) Neither did she establish any rules that tiger shifters don't have issues with alcohol, too. Considering how much Maddox had been drinking and how often, he would have flunked the CAGE questionnaire. Do shifters get the DTs? Do they go into alcoholic withdrawal? If they do, Maddox should had been unable to function with/without the ethanol period. His character just wasn't believable. Sorry, but that's how I saw it.
Speaking of unbelievable characters, Coach Wesley was terrible. I couldn't equate the coach in Book #1 with what I saw in Book #2. Every time I read anything that was from his POV, I realized that he was written as a girl, not an omega. I've read enough books to know the difference, and it made me bristle each and every part of the coach POV. I don't know why Burelli couldn't have kept him the same way as he was in Book #1.
The world-building is still very interesting. I've never read about carpenter ant or elephant shifters. Hmm... that's making the more creative part of my brain to prickle...
So when I got to the end of the book, I realized that I'm borderline about continuing this series. I just might see how Book #3 is before I make a final determination.
*shaking head* I think Burelli could had done better. She's talented. She just needs a little more help and work on it as there were too many parts where critical words or phrases were missing, or there were sentences that made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Perhaps a few more out-loud read-throughs could had been very helpful.
I'm reading this series via KU. I'm still on the fence on buying this series.
April 29, 2019
A big Siberian Tiger shifter is a rich arrogant Alpha bully with a very nasty attitude. Readers met him in the First book of the Morningwood series. I believe reading the books in order would make the story arc more understandable. Maddox was not a likeable character. Hated would be a more apt description. He was angry, barely in control of his beast. A younger smaller Prey shifter was just as vulnerable to his wrath as another Predator shifter. So out of control and mean he seems irredeemable.
But where does all this seething anger come from? As is said the apple does not fall far from the tree. His father is a tyrant. He rules his son, and anyone he comes in contact with an iron fist, while saving the velvet glove to only be displayed in front of those he hoped to impress - usually business associates. But the Amari house is one full of hatred. The eldest son, Malcolm left, allowing hatred to run rampant between Maddox and his father. This toxic relationship was something he kept a secret, but it caused the malicious agitation he displayed towards many who he encountered.
It didn't seem possible that anything or anyone could soothe the savage beast until Maddox met his mate. Initially I was disappointed that the author had written the same May-December storyline just using different characters. Boy was I wrong - there was so much more going on with these characters. Maddox's backstory, his current story with the Coach, the Coach's Gorilla family, and the introduction of Malcolm, Maddox's elder brother.
This was at times a violent story, involving a taboo relationship between a Coach and an athlete, a furious ferocious father, fear, jealousy, family drama, lawyers, and the law. Gradually Maddox didn't seem like the horrible person he was initially portrayed as.
It takes a talented author to turn the town villain to a sympathetic, even likable guy (sometimes). We're introduced to quite a few characters inside the first two Morningwood books, but who will be our next couple in the series' Third book?
But where does all this seething anger come from? As is said the apple does not fall far from the tree. His father is a tyrant. He rules his son, and anyone he comes in contact with an iron fist, while saving the velvet glove to only be displayed in front of those he hoped to impress - usually business associates. But the Amari house is one full of hatred. The eldest son, Malcolm left, allowing hatred to run rampant between Maddox and his father. This toxic relationship was something he kept a secret, but it caused the malicious agitation he displayed towards many who he encountered.
It didn't seem possible that anything or anyone could soothe the savage beast until Maddox met his mate. Initially I was disappointed that the author had written the same May-December storyline just using different characters. Boy was I wrong - there was so much more going on with these characters. Maddox's backstory, his current story with the Coach, the Coach's Gorilla family, and the introduction of Malcolm, Maddox's elder brother.
This was at times a violent story, involving a taboo relationship between a Coach and an athlete, a furious ferocious father, fear, jealousy, family drama, lawyers, and the law. Gradually Maddox didn't seem like the horrible person he was initially portrayed as.
It takes a talented author to turn the town villain to a sympathetic, even likable guy (sometimes). We're introduced to quite a few characters inside the first two Morningwood books, but who will be our next couple in the series' Third book?
January 10, 2019
M/M
Shifters, male-Mpreg, Age Difference, Coach/Student (with the student being dominant), abusive family, on page sex, gender binary, alpha/omega
This is book two in the Morningwood Omegaverse and much of the story happens concurrently so I would recommend reading both, but I believe they could either be read as a stand-alone.
Morningwood is a shifter only town where everyone can be themselves. Burrelli's world as insect, arachnid, barnyard, and predator shifters. Basically, if it's not a plant there seems to be a shifter version. This town is completely off the human government grid. They have their own college with a Track and Field Team. The coach is a Gorilla Shifter Omega. That apparently means that he's more submissive than an Alpha shifter and capable of being impregnated by his mate regardless of sex (ie a male Aplpha can impregnate a male Omega).
Maddox is a young 20 yr old Alpha who is actually a good guy wrapped in a self-protective coat of assholery. Wesley is his Coach who manages to convince himself they are just friends because anything else would be inappropriate. Then everything changes. They have to learn how to make things work. Wesley fights a feeling like he's taking advantage but finds it difficult to resist Maddox advances. For Maddox, Wesley is the only good thing in his life. Plus Maddox's abusive asshole father is definitely up to something.
In the first book, Maddox comes off as a nasty bully. Here, well, his actions still aren't always right but perspective and frame of reference make a HUGE difference. While sex and heat are definitely central to the story, there is plenty of storyline to enjoy too. Overall it's a fun read and despite the heavy themes it never gets too angsty for me. I enjoyed the characters figuring out how to make things work and having real-world concerns.
Shifters, male-Mpreg, Age Difference, Coach/Student (with the student being dominant), abusive family, on page sex, gender binary, alpha/omega
This is book two in the Morningwood Omegaverse and much of the story happens concurrently so I would recommend reading both, but I believe they could either be read as a stand-alone.
Morningwood is a shifter only town where everyone can be themselves. Burrelli's world as insect, arachnid, barnyard, and predator shifters. Basically, if it's not a plant there seems to be a shifter version. This town is completely off the human government grid. They have their own college with a Track and Field Team. The coach is a Gorilla Shifter Omega. That apparently means that he's more submissive than an Alpha shifter and capable of being impregnated by his mate regardless of sex (ie a male Aplpha can impregnate a male Omega).
Maddox is a young 20 yr old Alpha who is actually a good guy wrapped in a self-protective coat of assholery. Wesley is his Coach who manages to convince himself they are just friends because anything else would be inappropriate. Then everything changes. They have to learn how to make things work. Wesley fights a feeling like he's taking advantage but finds it difficult to resist Maddox advances. For Maddox, Wesley is the only good thing in his life. Plus Maddox's abusive asshole father is definitely up to something.
In the first book, Maddox comes off as a nasty bully. Here, well, his actions still aren't always right but perspective and frame of reference make a HUGE difference. While sex and heat are definitely central to the story, there is plenty of storyline to enjoy too. Overall it's a fun read and despite the heavy themes it never gets too angsty for me. I enjoyed the characters figuring out how to make things work and having real-world concerns.
December 31, 2022
This book had everything I like in an omega verse MPreg story. a cocky Alpha and strong omega. the age difference between maddox and Wesley is considerable and the young rich (!) alpha is working though living with his father in a very abusive relationship. Wex the older Omega is Maddox's coach at university which throw's a few extra spanners into the works. the book brings you through how their relationship changes from coach to relationship. how they traverse the two men's family relationships. the chemistry is hot between them and as to be expected Wes gets pregnant. Read the book to see how it all unfolds and how the older considerate Wes tames the hot headed Alpha Maddox. it is an enjoyable read though at times you cant but want to shout at both main characters for how they treat each other and at the meddling family of Wes's. looking forward to reading more Monringwood Omegaverse stories.
November 19, 2019
Young Alpha Shifter’s Love
This was a great read about an adorable, foulmouthed young Alpha, who has had his eye for some time on his coach, an older Omega. When Maddox breaks in to the school he attends, he finds his Omega Wesley in heat and you know: they knot and the rest is history, so to speak. They still have to battle forces who’d rather not see the two of them happy in love and mated, to reach that HEA state. But they make it! I love Omegaverse stories and there is a nice story to read, amidst the other characters who appear as a promise of the next great read. I give Ball Drop, the first in the series, four stars!
This was a great read about an adorable, foulmouthed young Alpha, who has had his eye for some time on his coach, an older Omega. When Maddox breaks in to the school he attends, he finds his Omega Wesley in heat and you know: they knot and the rest is history, so to speak. They still have to battle forces who’d rather not see the two of them happy in love and mated, to reach that HEA state. But they make it! I love Omegaverse stories and there is a nice story to read, amidst the other characters who appear as a promise of the next great read. I give Ball Drop, the first in the series, four stars!
May 18, 2019
Maddox gets his happy ending
So this book takes place before, during, and after the events of Gingerbread Lesson. I really liked that because it gave insight into Maddox and why he acted the way he did during the events of that first book. Everything made so much sense. The author did a great job of keeping the narratives separate enough to be unique but weaving them together to tie them into a series.
I loved Maddox and Wesley. The story starts off with a bang and gets even more intense. I still love Sophie and I hope Dusty finds his love soon.
So this book takes place before, during, and after the events of Gingerbread Lesson. I really liked that because it gave insight into Maddox and why he acted the way he did during the events of that first book. Everything made so much sense. The author did a great job of keeping the narratives separate enough to be unique but weaving them together to tie them into a series.
I loved Maddox and Wesley. The story starts off with a bang and gets even more intense. I still love Sophie and I hope Dusty finds his love soon.
May 29, 2020
Not for me
Well written and somewhat enjoyable. This felt too weighed down for me with all the drama. Wes and Maddox would figure things out and then some new drama would come their way. I didn't enjoy it. I enjoy stories more when they are zero to low angst. Like we have two main characters and then something happens and then we get to see them work it out and then they have their HEA. It gets frustrating when the drama is never ending but maybe some people like that and this would be for them.
Well written and somewhat enjoyable. This felt too weighed down for me with all the drama. Wes and Maddox would figure things out and then some new drama would come their way. I didn't enjoy it. I enjoy stories more when they are zero to low angst. Like we have two main characters and then something happens and then we get to see them work it out and then they have their HEA. It gets frustrating when the drama is never ending but maybe some people like that and this would be for them.
December 23, 2018
I love Morningwood!
Ball Drop by Kiki Burrelli is the second book in the Welcome to Morningwood series. Maddow is a young and cocky Alpha. Wesley is his older, track and field coach... and the omega that he will finally grow up for. It is funny, sweet and sexy. I love Wesley and Maddox... I love the age gap trope and these characters definitely have the spice for it. I recommend this story.
Ball Drop by Kiki Burrelli is the second book in the Welcome to Morningwood series. Maddow is a young and cocky Alpha. Wesley is his older, track and field coach... and the omega that he will finally grow up for. It is funny, sweet and sexy. I love Wesley and Maddox... I love the age gap trope and these characters definitely have the spice for it. I recommend this story.
March 3, 2019
Wesley and Maddox
This is an mpeg. Don't like those, please skip. Haven't read them, give it a try. Wesley is the coach and what Maddox considers his best friend. Maddox is a track student and very hot tempered. But considering his home life, who could blame him . Maddox is very immature and quick to anger until Wesley's influence. I liked how mature Maddox gets after him and Wesley get together.
This is an mpeg. Don't like those, please skip. Haven't read them, give it a try. Wesley is the coach and what Maddox considers his best friend. Maddox is a track student and very hot tempered. But considering his home life, who could blame him . Maddox is very immature and quick to anger until Wesley's influence. I liked how mature Maddox gets after him and Wesley get together.
September 2, 2019
Surprised
Surprised by how I liked this. I want expecting this to be s good as it was. The cover wasn’t appealing and I’m not a fan of huge age gaps I my romance, but I was intrigued by the premise. I might actually check out other books in the series. Though I hope the rest of the series is more diverse and isn’t just a bunch of muscular white dudes finding love and getting knocked up. Also, was ‘morningwood’ intentional? 😅
Surprised by how I liked this. I want expecting this to be s good as it was. The cover wasn’t appealing and I’m not a fan of huge age gaps I my romance, but I was intrigued by the premise. I might actually check out other books in the series. Though I hope the rest of the series is more diverse and isn’t just a bunch of muscular white dudes finding love and getting knocked up. Also, was ‘morningwood’ intentional? 😅
January 14, 2022
I'd say it's a 3.5 since I actually finished it without skipping anything. However, there are some things that were unnecessary that it made me almost quit, and some just bored me. Since I've read Maddox's parts in book 1 as well, there were things he did there that weren't mentioned here, but maybe the author decided putting it in this book since she already put it in the first book??? Eh, but that's the reason why I deducted 1.5 stars.
December 28, 2018
Excellent 2nd book in Morningwood series!
The story of Maddox and Wesley is filled with trials and tribulations. I got very frustrated with Maddoxs actions at times, but Wesley usual straightened him out! Maddox is so sweet and for him to finally have the love of his Omega , it's about time! Kiki Burrelli knows how to grab you into a story! 2 thumbs up!
The story of Maddox and Wesley is filled with trials and tribulations. I got very frustrated with Maddoxs actions at times, but Wesley usual straightened him out! Maddox is so sweet and for him to finally have the love of his Omega , it's about time! Kiki Burrelli knows how to grab you into a story! 2 thumbs up!
January 18, 2019
Just as sweet
This series just gets better, this second book in the series is just as sweet as the first and although can be read as a standalone I recommend that you read them in order.
It is sweet but does have a slightly darker edge to it, but the characters are just as complex and are well written. Looking forward to the next book.
This series just gets better, this second book in the series is just as sweet as the first and although can be read as a standalone I recommend that you read them in order.
It is sweet but does have a slightly darker edge to it, but the characters are just as complex and are well written. Looking forward to the next book.
March 5, 2019
I am loving this series!
It's fun and exciting with some danger and suspense. Plus so many different kinds of shifters. Even though both this and book one have the taboo aspect, this one had a darker feel due to what Maddox was dealing with. Talk about not really knowing a character. I wasn't expecting to like him so much.
It's fun and exciting with some danger and suspense. Plus so many different kinds of shifters. Even though both this and book one have the taboo aspect, this one had a darker feel due to what Maddox was dealing with. Talk about not really knowing a character. I wasn't expecting to like him so much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews