It’s been two hundred years since alphas could knot and omegas could get pregnant, since anyone has shifted. Today’s hybrids are more human than wolf, but there’s one tradition they’ve retained from their animal ancestry: the heat race. With omegas in short supply, the annual heat race is every alpha’s chance to catch and claim an omega.
Jack Henry stands at the starting line, undecided. He could conspire to be caught by his best friend and childhood sweetheart, Elias, but would Elias be alpha enough for him? Maybe he’d prefer to be claimed by Saul, the huge and handsome alpha he’s always had a crush on. Then Jasper shows up—a stranger dressed in leather who emits such strong alpha vibes Jack Henry is ready to give himself up before the race even begins. But Jasper’s an unknown entity, whose confidence might be indicative of a desire to control.
Jack Henry can’t decide, and so he runs, turning his fate over to fate itself as he’s pursued by all three of his suitors plus the one alpha he can’t abide—Lon, a violent and regressive man who won’t take no for an answer. Jack Henry is going to need more than one alpha to keep him safe. And to keep him satisfied.
During a long night of danger and triumph, the Treehouse Pack is formed. But beyond the heat race lies an uncertain future. Jack Henry, Elias, Saul, and Jasper might each face their own insecurities, fight their own fights, and find their place in the pack as they navigate uncharted waters together. Because it turns out that legendary abilities like knotting, shifting, and child bearing might be more than just relics of the past.
Heat Race is a full-length M/M/M/M reverse harem omegaverse story, separate from the Omega Reimagined world.
Tanya writes in a variety of romantic and erotic genres, being an avid follower of many of these genres herself. Some of her favorites are M/M romance, MFM threesomes, and BDSM with male submissives.
Tanya lives in New England with her boyfriend and her cat and has participated in many of the activities about which she writes, but not all of them. It's left to the reader to decide which are which.
DNF at 52%. I don’t usually write reviews for books I don’t finish but in this case I felt I had to. I am very disappointed with this book. I loved the first 25%, the story gripped me right away and I was loving the dynamic and couldn’t wait to see how they all were together as a group. Unfortunately I had to DNF due to the fact that this was not an equal all male reverse harem for two reasons. One of the alphas was not bonding well with the rest of the group so he’s kind of been relegated to the side, even the townspeople forget he’s part of their group. Then the other two alphas in the group both thought separately that they prefer having sex with the other alpha instead of the omega that the harem is based around. The biggest thing to me when reading books with more than two MCs involved together is that the relationship is equal and fair. This was so far from that and it made me extremely uncomfortable and I was not able to finish. I hope that the dynamics and fairness changes later on but I won’t find out. If this is something that bothers you as a reader as well please take note. If it doesn’t bother you than I really hope you enjoy it as it did have a great concept in the beginning!
Looks like I'm in the minority here. I enjoyed the first quarter, for which the book is named. After that I felt like a marriage counselor helping these four figure out how to be together. In her defense, Chris is obviously interested in alpha/omega dynamics and exploring every permutation. It's just that I don't find this fun or sexy and maybe that is my limitation, not hers.
Oh-my fuckinggod! This book was everything! EVERYTHING.
The only thing I knew, when I started the book was that it's mpreg and reverse harem. And ohmygod it was perfect!
At first I was afraid of the 4 POVs, I rarely read harem books and I really wanted to love this one, and there wasn't a single problem with this book. The different POVs were well written, I loved how different the characters were.
Jack Henry, the Omega. Jasper, the uber-alpha. Elias, the best friend alpha. Saul, the alpha who loves to bottom. It's such an awesome pack. Loved everyone.
Jack Henry was a great character, he was a cute omega. Jasper was the sweetest and caring alpha and I loved that he wasn't the bossy one and he was really friendly with the guys. He was the one who could really mate with Jack Henry and he deserved it, but his brain told him that Jack Henry's needs are the first and he made a pack instead.
Elias was good too, I loved that he was so in love with his best friend, he wanted the best and everything for his love. It was really cute, but he was still an alpha, and his insecutities with being in a pack and 'under' another alpha was hard for him. I loved the way he came from the beginning, his journey was the best in the book, he changed the most, and it was really good to see it.
Saul was the loveliest and I LOOOVED how he was with Jasper. It was so hot! Jach Henry was THE omega, but Saul was the second best thing in this book and I loved that he was happy in his skin and accepting with his needs to be under someone while he was still an alpha. His part of the story was a bit heartbreaking, his family's scenes were sad, but I was happy that at the end everything was great.
I couldn't wait for the mpreg part of the story, it was interesting that they were living in a world where omegas couldn't get pregnant, but now, that they know that uber-alphas are a thing and after they made a pack it could be possible to be pregnant - oh so good! Loved that they were using condoms and that it wasn't a surprise pregnancy, it was so much better this way.
The mating scenes were the best, I really loved when they got together. It was a bit disappointing that the heat scene was this short - I love heat scenes and was looking forward to this foursome to have an amazing heat for days... *sigh*
I LOVED this book. From the very start. It was perfect. And the ending was so sweet too, ahhh! P-E-R-F-E-C-T!
Tanya Chris takes an interesting approach to the omegaverse trope in Heat Race. I found the world building here to be unique and engaging, with a shifter population that has evolved over time to be very human. There are still some residual wolfish traits and traditions, like the heat race, but most of that side of things is in the past. Yet at the same time, we learn that Jasper has some unique qualities that make him a once in a generation wolf. Not to mention that Jack Henry turns out to be a able to get pregnant, and even Saul and Elias are more than they think. So there is a bit of a clash here between tradition and expectation and the unique side of the four MCs that creates some interesting dynamics for them as a pack and a family. It also leads to some trouble, as some outsiders are not so sure about this new pack that has come into town with power and abilities that feel threatening.
It was fine. I sped read through it so there was enough plot to see it through the end.
I was a bit concerned about having four main characters but it was easy to tell who is who. Each was written distinctly. The ending was a bit too neat but it was a happy ending, with no cliffhangers and no timejumps.
A new take on the omega verse. I liked the poly aspect. There was a lot going on in this plot, and more telling than showing, which made it a bit slow at times. I disliked that the conclusion / happy ending was a baby but that is pretty common with this story trope.
Jack Henry is an omega, running in a race so his alpha can “capture” him. Elias, Saul, and Jasper are alphas. They all want Jack Henry and there isn’t anyone to say that they can’t share him. Three alphas with varying degrees of alphaness and one strong willed omega who rules them all.
Unusual story. I thought managing four men in a relationship was well done and written well too. Each man had his own angst about how they saw themselves and worked through them all being together. Some violence. Different take on alpha/omega lore. I liked it.
The Heat Race is a race to capture and claim an omega. Jack Henry knows he has a mate but he can’t choose between Saul, Elias, and Jasper. He likes all three alphas, each for different reasons. When an unexpected attack occurs during the Heat Race, it opens all four of these men’s eyes. They are not meant to be just an alpha/omega pair but an omega with three strong alphas who all have something special to bring to the relationship. So that is how Treehouse Pack is formed.
Once these four get together and form their pack, they decide that the next step is to have a baby. But with omegas rarely having babies nowadays, they know it may be impossible. When Jack Henry’s next heat comes in, they decide that they are going to let each man would mate with him so that way the baby will truly be all of theirs – if they are able to make a baby.
Immediately all four men can feel that Jack Henry is pregnant. So now the true worry kicks in for all of them. With the babymaking out of the way, reality has settled in and all four of the men realize just how little they truly know about how Jack Henry will actually be able to give birth. Another new development that has occurred that is a rare as well is at their own times each man has started to shift into their wolf form. Around the same time of omegas not having babies any longer, so did the fact that most wolves could no longer shift out of their human forms. When it happens for each of these men, it is a shock for them. The only one who has yet to shift is Elias and even though he acts if it is okay, it really does bother him.
What will happen when Jack Henry goes into labor? Will he survive it? Will the baby? How will these three alphas handle everything when the time comes?
This was a really good read! I enjoyed the start to this series and look forward to more in the future.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
4.5🌟 stars I am a fan of Tanya Chris MM romances, whether contemporary or paranormal, ever since I first read her excellent time travel romance Predestination Unknown set in witch-obsessed Salem. I love her skill at world building and in Heat Race she's created another new norm where shifters have all but disappeared thanks to their male omegas' inability to reproduce.
Enter a throwback alpha named Jasper with the now rare ability to shift and the dream of building his own pack like the founder shifter alphas of past centuries. Jack Henry, the omega he chooses, and fellow alphas Saul and Elias come together for the steamy joys and violent dangers attached to making Jasper's dream come true. They have their supporters but also plenty of enemies who make for some exciting action sequences.
One of the strengths of the story is the character development for the principal players. I particularly liked Saul with his tough family background. Despite his upbringing and his massive physique, he is kind, gentle and merciful to his enemies. And Elias, whose biggest strengths are his intellect and long-term friendship with Jack Henry, is another favorite of mine who has to work hard to find his way into the heart of their pack.
Chris has built in a few twists and surprises for the new pack and plenty of hot 💦 MMMM bonding, for a great read.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I didn't have very high expectations when I picked up Heat Race, but I was pleasantly surprised and it was actually quite enjoyable. Omegaverse stories can be a bit hit and miss for me. I don’t love the idea of mpreg, and some of the Alpha/Omega rules and biology can get a little too far fetched, even for a book that is purely imaginary. This book however did a lot right. I loved the heat race part of the story. I thought the idea of the race and how ultimately it brought our four MCs together was very entertaining. The rest of the plot had its own appeal as well. Each pack member tried to find their place within the group and increase their bond with not only Jack Henry their omega, but the other alphas as well. I liked seeing each pairing develop in its own way, and the interpersonal conflicts were thankfully kept to a minimum. I didn't even mind the pregnancy part so much. The author did a good job of providing seemingly plausible reasoning behind the omega anatomy and didn't just chalk it up to ‘magic.’ The MCs may have been too young to become parents in my opinion, but with all the sex these guys were having it was inevitable. Overall, this book was a creative and original shifter story that may not be all that sophisticated, but was still very much entertaining and fun to read.
HEAT RACE by Tanya Chris Oh my goodness! This is such a good book! 💗💗 Once again, Tanya has outdone herself with this book. Her unique take on mpreg and omegaverse has to be the absolute best shifter story I have ever read This book captured me and enraptured me from the very first line to the last. *I loved that this was a balance between the rural/feral side of the shifter universe, and the more contemporary setting that we (in my opinion) get too much of in shifter tales. I love to see wolves revert back to their true nature. *I loved this author's approach to the mpreg phenomenon. If you ever wondered how it all happens... this book explains it perfectly and scientifically! (😂)
What can I say? I just simply loved this book! Every heartwarming, heartstopping moment. Just superb! Well done to a one hundred percent reliable author who does not seem to falter in any trope, plot line or genre she chooses to tackle. Highly recommend! °standalone °Heat level? Very hot. 5🔥 °multiple pov. Third person. °possible triggers for some feral/violent fighting. °I was honored to have been granted a complementary copy of this wonderful book directly from the author, and my review is voluntary.
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review.I couldn't help but laugh at the way Elias, Jasper and Saul are around Jack Henry in the old tree house bickering. Jasper was meant to be at that race, Call it fate or whatever. You have Jasper the Uber alpha that is a miracle in itself, Elias the book smart alpha that struggles within himself, Saul a loveable alpha that craves a family and Jack Henry the greedy little omage that could decide but want it all. Jack Henry wanted all three alpha's but was he just being greedy? Could this work and how will it work? Elias and Saul had been dreaming of being with Jack Henry, only can the form a solid pack with a uber-alpha? If they was all to be a pack then they all had to connect, only Elias struggles within about Jasper and John Henry. How was they to build a pack if one struggles with the bond? Each blamed themselves for the bomd unfurling, can the fix it before it to late. With a uber wolf more trouble would be along because of either jealousy or hate, others always feel the need to interfere.
The great thing about omegaverse is it's complete and total fantasy but darned if it isn't all kinds of steamy fun. In this case, it's a Heat Race for a mate, and omega Jack Henry finds more than he bargained for in all the best ways. I really like how Tanya Chris explores so many different dynamics between alphas and omegas in her omegaverse books, and this time, we get a bit of this and a bit of that with four terrific characters and a #WhyChoose romance. This quartet does have some growing pains to work through, and of course, they have some opposition as they set up house - opposition that means a touch of danger for this newly formed family. Each character brings something different to the relationship as well as each having their own issues as they adjust to the arrangement. I really hadn't thought about this trope set in omegaverse, but Tanya Chris makes it work, and it's thoroughly entertaining. The characters are lovable, the romance is sexy, and the story is fast-paced and engaging. All in all, another great omegaverse read by this author.
I had every expectation for this book and it delivered on all of them. At one point I worried it would be split in to two couples while they remain mated, but it builds and holds true to what was promised by the blurb.
Every moment between them is scorching, it's got a plot that had me sitting through the book, sweet moments and a strong omega, which is one of the things I love in books like these. Along with strong but caring Alpha's, who grows throughout the book and comes in to their own. A pack that is individuals as well as bonded.
I would have liked the pregnancy to be more on page, to see them fawn over Jack Henry and what challenges that brought but over all I liked the book.
The first part (maybe a quarter of the book?) was dirty and hot and basically what the blurb promised. After that it's more of a typical shifter plot about establishing a pack, finding the right dynamics and navigating threats and prejudices - all with the added bonus of figuring out a foursome relationship. Not what I expected, but a trope I usually enjoy, so I didn't mind at all. The sex part had me less and less interested as the story moved on though, so if you only came for the smut, you may as well stop reading after the actual heat race is over. But since I also enjoyed the rest of it, I would totally be there for a sequel - we do get a happy ending, but there are enough loose ends to build on.
Heat Race is a standalone romance with a unique take on shifter and omegaverse tropes. In this universe, humans have evolved out of shifting and alphas and omegas are only a ghost of what they used to be – until Jasper, an uber alpha, comes into his power. Jasper follows his instincts and creates one of the first packs in 200 years. Jack Henry, an omega, was not expecting to be claimed not by one, but three alphas when he entered his first heat race, but fate had another plan. With Jasper, Elias, and Saul at his side, Jack Henry explores what it means to be an uber omega. I liked this book overall, but there were parts that fell a little flat for me. I started to really enjoy the book once the romance between all four of the characters becomes steady.
Another interesting take on the whole a/b/o thing. Wolf shifters can no longer knot, fully shift, or become pregnant, and the only way to procreate is though mixing with humans. Uber-alphas, as they've come to be known, still exist but are super rare. Uber-omegas have completely died out.
After 200 years of this misery, we meet omega Jack Henry. He participates in a heat race to be matched with an alpha, but can't choose between the three that pursue him - Saul (his longtime crush,) Elias (his best friend,) and uber-alpha Jasper. Thankfully they form a pack instead, so Jack Henry gets to have his cakes and eat them too. Delicious.
They run into trouble along the way, with Saul's horrible father and hateful townspeople, but of course our guys get their HEA.
I was sent a copy of this book by the author and am leaving an honest review. Alphas Jasper, Elias and Saul attend a heat race to "bag" an omega. They all target Jack Henry and after an eventful evening form a new pack with Jasper as the top alpha. This story delves into the forming of the pack, the move to new grounds, the settling in and getting to know each other. The issues they face as a pack and then the possibility that Jack Henry could get pregnant. The story is one of the best mpreg stories I've read and I sincerely hope to able to read more of this author. Highly recommend the story.
The heat race part of stories always heighten my senses and put me on edge for the omegas doing the running. The fear, anticipation, and hopefully enjoyment in the end is palpable. The biggest challenge comes after the mating and learning to live in harmony as a cohesive group. Saul's dad was a miserable excuse for a dad, plus getting the town riled up with false facts. The town was despicable in trying to get rid of the four men and in the way they tried to do so made bile ruse in my throat. Bullies and cowards. The birth scenes were awesome. I liked that they all learned they were just as important to the group as the next one- equals!!!
Jack Henry, Elias, Jasper and Saul make The Four who “win” each other in this race. This is an alphas/omega relationship where it’s a bit unorthodox but it works. The Treehouse Pack, their new pack name meets many obstacles but the way they come together and stay together through it all is great. Enemies who want to claim what is theirs have to be taken care of but in the end the story gives a happy ending and all is well. Interesting characters, lots of spice, some interesting surprises and a HEA makes this a good reading. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
This Tanya Chris mpreg novel stand apart from those I’ve read and is a welcome change of scenery if you will. I was surprised at every turn of events, there was a solid plot and sub-plots to frame the MCs and enhance their characters even more. I love it when a writer takes the time to develop a story in their imagination and pen it down with focus, to deliver a story that will remain as one that stands out in the reader’s memory. Thank you Tanya Chris! ❤️
I loved Tanya's take on found family and the idea of a strong omega straight from the get-go. The fact that the alphas that Jack Henry chose were man enough to respect him and know his choice mattered meant a lot. I was caught up in the dynamics that played through the 4 main characters and their relationship and the building of it all the way to the end and hope there might be more books in this universe even if they aren't particularly with these characters. Tanya Chris knows how to tell a story and if you like mm romance with a bit of angst and some heat, I highly recommend this book!
This story was so well done! That it involved the POV of 4 people was exceptional. Each character was distinct and I could sink into each POV when they came around. I loved each character and what they brought to the pack. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the pack grow and what will happen next.
I will say, I preferred the first name of the pack rather than the Treehouse Pack. That sounds like a joke. Like a bunch of kids giving themselves a name to feel cool lol. But besides that, great story!
I actually really liked this story. I have been enjoying other books from this author and I like this genre so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm really glad I did. I lived the characters they all found a spot in my heart for different reasons and you really forgot how young they were because they got on with life and did what they had to do for their pack. I would recommend this story for others that like this kind of thing.
This book reimagines shifters as having been known by humans but having died out or become too human to form packs and for omegas to have babies. This all changes in this book that is a fun to read harem story. I really enjoyed these characters and the journey they go in forming a pack and forging strong relationships between them all. It’s really nice to read a different take on Alpha/omega tails. Grin.
What a great story! Tayna Chris is a fantastic writer and this book is a perfect example. Three Alphas, all very different but perfect for Jack Henry the omega. Great shifter, A/B/O world. I really hope we get to read more about these four men and the pack they create.