The Unexpected Omega

Unexpected Omegas #1

by Jacey Davis

Alternative cover edition of ASIN B09QCS5S9M

It had been nearly 150 years since the last Omega. Nearly 150 since the last male pregnancy, since the last time anyone experienced any of the genetic traits that made a person an Alpha, Beta, or Omega. Now, everyone was just human, and any knowledge of the past came from stories passed down from generation to generation or history books.

The last thing on River Simmon’s mind when he entered the bar that evening was old history about Alpha and Omegas. All he wanted to do was put his bad day behind him and have some fun.

Cooper Covington had similar ideas. After his best friend convinced him to go out to the bar after a breakup, all he wanted to do was enjoy himself and forget his troubles.

From the moment the two men laid eyes on each other they felt a connection. Neither man entered the bar planning on a hookup, but the spark between them was just too hard to resist. What they hadn’t understood at the time was something that was just supposed to be a one-night stand would end up connecting the two men forever, in more ways than one.

The Unexpected Omega is the first book in a new contemporary series featuring non-shifter mpreg. While this is a series, each book will feature a new couple, and there will be no cliffhangers. You can expect a guaranteed HEA in each novel.

Content warning for discussions about past child abuse, long-term illness of a parent, and dealing with grief and the effects of a parent dying.

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Paranormal, Queer, Fantasy

220 pages, ebook

Published April 28, 2022

About the author

Jacey is an M/M and Fantasy/Paranormal fiction writer. She's a Jersey girl through and through, and after a brief time in North Carolina, is back in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and her black lab mix. When she's not writing, Jacey is catching up on Netflix shows, reading, and most of all, playing with (aka chasing after) her kids.

Reviews

[haletostilinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright.

I enjoyed a good portion of this. I liked the beginning. I enjoyed River and Cooper as characters.

But honestly them transitioning into love felt rushed to me. Like, they have a one night stand, weeks go by, River finds out he's pregnant, these two reconnect, have sex again, and then a time skip goes by of 3 months and both are already feeling the love.

Which would be fine, if we got to see part of those three months of them really getting to know each other.

Instead all the sudden they just kinda were in love and I didn't exactly feel that. I felt some connection, but not enough yet for it to be love.

And then near the end I was getting kinda bored? Things happened, but I was kinda ready for the baby to be born but then this was happening and that was happening and then they were having their friends over for a house warming party, then they were having sex and then the baby is born, but Cooper isn't allowed back with River, so we don't even get to see the baby being born and then River wakes up and she's just there, already born, and it just didn't end the way I wished it would.

The baby was cute and all and they were happy and that was nice, but it wasn't a very exciting ending. Which is saying something, as River starts bleeding and needs emergency surgery. But we don't get to see any of it, just Cooper and their friends and family out in the waiting room, so *shrug*

I was left feeling a little "meh" at the end of this. This had so much potential, and I really liked how it spend the whole book on River being pregnant (a lot of mpreg kinda do it near the middle or end and just rush the baby being born), but it just didn't follow through on the romance or ending all that well, imo. I wanted more.

But, it still had it's enjoyable moments and enjoyable characters, and I liked the start of their relationship. And if I get over how rushed them getting to love was, I liked their relationship well into River's pregnancy as well. It just lacked...that certain something, ya know? Not a lot of heat coming from them, I felt.

Oh well. Mpreg stories, I find, seem hard to pull off for some reason, so even getting 3 stars if pretty okay in my book. This was definitely better, at the end of the day, then quite a lot of mpreg stories I've read.

Still, definitely could have been better. Also, would have liked more answers on why the "secondary genders" died out 150 years ago and why they came back but not in the same away as they'd been before. Not getting those answers was frustrating.

Oh well. Can't win them all 🤷‍♀️

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 10%.

Too many little things annoying me. River and his twin Lake… and their adopted dad Luke. All the names and you give the father and brother names that are one letter apart?

And then the BFF Cam and his roommate Sammy, who have a thing… Cam and Sam.

We have rogue punctuation.

Then I’m told about Coop’s BFF’s girlfriend of TBR last 4 years and fiancé of the last 1 (was she a dual GF and fiancé the last year?)… who, like many New Yorkers, is dancer and happens to be bisexual works as a bartender at a gay bar to pay the bills…. Only to be told the next chapter that River knows “her name was Zoe. She was a professional dancer who bartended to pay the bills, like many New Yorkers.”

IDGAF about Zoe and her struggling NY dancing ways.

[Rellim · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 55%

Hmmm… I really like the premise and opening of this one, but the execution left a bit to be desired and ultimately I lost interest.

The idea of an omegaverse where ABO classifications don’t exist anymore is kind of neat. So it’s a total surprise when River becomes pregnant from a wild one night stand with Cooper.

Unfortunately I struggled with the writing: repetitive sentences, similar names (this is fiction - purposefully naming characters starting with the same letter for no discernible plot reason is just confusing), quotes at the beginning of a paragraph from one character while it’s actually the other character talking, and skipping chunks of time that would allow me to feel a real connection between the MCs besides just pregnancy or sexual attraction.

[Audi♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept of them not knowing about alpha/omegas . Then, wow! oopsies... dude getting pregnant 🤭 It sounded really good, but I got bored and started skimming after 50ish%.
Nothing was happening, and they felt ridiculously awkward together.
Plus, I was super grossed out they didn't use a condom their first time (hookup) Coopers' bf was cheating on him 2 pages before....
Yuckie.
I guess there wouldn't have been a story if they did use one.. idk
Not for me...

Oh, ps....what's the point of writing about dudes dick piercing if you're not going to write kinky shit being done with it? 🙄

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I am not a big reader of omegaverse. I’ve read a couple and I’ve enjoyed them but they aren’t my favourite. I was kind of stumped on what to read and I had this book on my kindle and thought I’d give this one a try for something different. I actually really enjoyed this one. Think omegaverse will be something I start reading a bit more of now!

This story was an interesting concept. Like the title says the omega was unexpected so there were some extra issues with homophobia and people being upset with the baby which I felt was different for this genre.

I really loved both of the MCs. River and Cooper were such great characters and I loved how they were brought together and were made for each other! Also how supportive their friends and family were of them! I was so happy with their HEA! I absolutely recommend this story whether you are a big reader of omegaverse or not.

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away! That Unexpected Omega by Jacey Davis, who happens to be a new author to me, was so unique in the omegaverse and so original. It wasn't that same formulaic story when it comes to omegaverse. The narrative arc and the plot is so engrossing. I didn't want to stop reading despite how tired I was.

And the characters were so good; they were all so well-developed. I found River, Cooper, Lake, Essie, Cassie and all so likeable and enjoyable to root for!

I can't wait for Lake's story!

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This impressive non-shifter Mpreg romance definitely captured my attention and kept it until the last page was turned and it covers two very unique characters (a male physical therapist, River) & (a male electrician, Cooper), who spend just one night together and the very unusual consequences that result from it. I found the plot very interesting & it has good world building with splendid scene descriptions of some very intriguing situations. The secondary characters offer good support throughout the storyline.
There is: a despicable father (Seth McIntyre), River’s extremely intelligent identical twin (Lake), mild twists, drama, intrigue, suspense, a supportive family, protesters, prejudices, homophobia, caring friends, an unexpected surprise, confusion, emotional turmoil, vulnerability, confrontations, complications, contentment, love, happiness, some steamy scenes & a well-deserved satisfying conclusion. I look forward to future books from this talented author & would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading this genre.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice twist

I love this take. It’s different, but not too different. I could see this happening if this was real. I loved the journey they took. Loved both characters and their friends/ family. I do wish there was more. Like more of their lives, instead of the time skip. The writing was good, the smexy was yum, and I can’t wait to see who the next omega will be.

[Amanda Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unexpected Omega

River and Cooper

This was different. I really liked it. Good characters and plot. I love reading omegaverse and I'm glad I decided to read this.

[A4 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasted my time, very badly written, interesting idea but just that an idea, nothing else. If you read this you have no standards. I honestly feel betrayed by reviews i know not to always count on them but there’s almost no bad review. I like this kind of books they’re my guilty pleasure, I usually don’t except them to be the most astonishing thing I would ever read but I can’t deny I’ve come across some good ones and a lot of bad or not worth my time ones. Unfortunately this book is one of the latter.

When you see a book with a lot of good reviews you usually think at the very least it’ll be decent with an interesting story, in this category of books, good reviews mean no super cringey stuff and decent writing. I was suspicious that I won’t like it from the first two chapters, Cooper and River were a bit too similar, I couldn’t point it out right away but both weren’t that likable. And the writing wasn’t promising but I thought I would give it a chance.

Now what made me stop reading and surprised me, how could anyone look past a book with a literal contradiction and even give it a good review, in the book Cooper said ‘this is why I’d always préférer hookups’ then he then afterwards he says ‘I never did hookups’. So between this, super unrealistic and ridiculous situations that really annoyed me the whole time, who the hell has a whole apparentement used as a break room for staff which is fine but why the hell would Avery and Cooper have access to it why would a client need to get out from a club for a bit to go to a break room, who does that, and I could go on and on about scènes like this that made absolutely no sense.

I’ve read crappy books before especially in this category but you usually get what kind of book it is just by reviews or the first chapters, it depends on your taste some like really cliche stuff or don’t mind unrealistic annoying dialogues or a certain tone the writing takes, some books just have that style and some ppl like to read them,

here’s the problem it’s not about the writing styles or test this is just bad writing it doesn’t matter how much the plot is interesting, the writing how every background character has literally no personality than to fill what the author thinks are going to be plot holes. Surprise, it didn’t work, I don’t know how to say it, but it felt forced everything about this book felt forced, every single thing that simply doesn’t need a reason to be has one doesn’t make sense and everything that needs to be explained is simply brushed off.

Nothing makes sense, it’s coming of as trying so hard to write a plot and characters right by marking everything fit in even when it doesn’t. It’s just so annoying that actual ppl think this wasn’t a waste of time it’s not a matter of taste and preferences it’s the matter of decent writing, avoiding such obvious mistakes and trying to justify everything for it to be more believable but justifying with super unrealistic ways.

Bad writing, unrealistic justifications, stretching an idea without an intact storyline, before you put something out there you check for mistakes, this felt like reading a rushed draft from a bad Wattpad story.whoever wrote this needs to work really hard and practice to get better and write things that smoothly fit together and make sense.

[Becky A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Unexpected Omega" received TWO AND A HALF stars.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Cooper and River’s story. The concept was pretty interesting and refreshing. The execution was ok and I did find myself skimming through just to find out how it ends and not necessarily captivated by every page. It also didn’t help that there were obvious grammar mistakes and even one sec scene where there was a name typo, calling Cooper Cameron (talk about awkward).

Not sure if I’m intrigued enough to read Lake’s story.

[Stina Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! It's not my first book by the author, but it is her first foray into this particular subgenre, and she did an excellent job. The main characters are fully developed from page one, and Davis avoids a lot of the overly obvious tropes and stereotypes that I've seen frequently in omegaverse romances while still playing around with others. I'm not sure how she pulled it off, but she did and its brilliant. River and Cooper had me rooting from them from the get-go, they're just a fabulous couple. Their friends and family are wonderful as well, and I can't wait to see which secondary characters become the stars of their own books as Davis expands this world with additional books in the future. I have plenty of theories and suspicions and I'm curious to see if they're correct

Speaking of the world/universe, how fascinating! I am a pretty big omegaverse fan, I've read tons of different takes on it, but even with that, this one was really unique to me. It's also really well done. Davis gives us good world building without falling into the trap of doing so at the expense of the plot of the main story. We get the background we need to understand the world without feeling like we are getting sat down for a dry fictional history lecture, and there's plenty left to be explored in future books where it's appropriate or needed. All in all, I quite enjoyed this one, highly recommend it, and can't wait for more!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had been nearly 150 years since the last Omega. Nearly 150 since the last male pregnancy, since the last time anyone experienced any of the genetic traits that made a person an Alpha, Beta, or Omega. Now, everyone was just human, and any knowledge of the past came from stories passed down from generation to generation or history books. All River Simmon wanted to do was put his bad day behind him and have some fun. Cooper Covington had similar ideas. After his best friend convinced him to go out to the bar after a breakup, all he wanted to do was enjoy himself and forget his troubles. From the moment the two men laid eyes on each other they felt a connection. Neither man entered the bar planning on a hookup, but the spark between them was just too hard to resist. What they hadn’t understood at the time was something that was just supposed to be a one-night stand would end up connecting the two men forever, in more ways than one.

This was a good introduction to the series and River/Cooper's relationship. I loved that the prejudices and biggotry were well described as they experienced if from the public as well as medical professionals. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story set in the omegaverse including mpreg.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very different take on the Omegaverse read. A late night hookup has far reaching consequences no one could have expected. It was a hookup plain and simple - except nothing was that simple about this hookup. A strange, inexplicable connection between the two was felt but neither could understand it nor wanted to act on it. Til the unexpected happened. Now in an unenviable position, River is in a state of shock - the secondary characters are colourful and lively and wonderfully supportive. You also have your share of the bigots and haters and blood sucking vampires. Cooper and River embark on an unexpected and surprising journey together which builds on their initial connection and like a spark it grows and flares and becomes something special. I'm looking forward to reading Lake's story....

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4 stars

While I liked the premise of this book, the execution was just kind of … eh. I liked the characters but the story telling was more telling than showing? I love reading both first and third person but it seemed more like the MC was telling us what was happening instead of showing us what happened. Like descriptive captions. I don’t know, it was just a little… off.

River has a one night stand with Cooper and weeks later discovers he is the first Omega in 150 years and he’s pregnant. Their lives are a media circus. The story spans the pregnancy as well as the birth and River and Cooper’s budding relationship.

*****
POV… multi first person

Standalone or series… book one in series CAN be read as a standalone

Hangover… no

Recommend… sure

Reread… unlikely

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Unexpected Omega kicks off this non-shifter omegaverse series with a sweet, emotional, and refreshingly contemporary take on MPreg. River and Cooper's connection is electric from the moment they meet, and their surprise bond delivers both tension and tenderness. The worldbuilding cleverly revives long-forgotten dynamics like Alpha, Beta, and Omega designations in a society that thought it had moved past them. River’s vulnerability and Cooper’s strength balance beautifully, creating a romance that’s grounded in emotion, biology, and personal healing. There are heavy themes (grief, parental illness, and past abuse) but they’re handled with care, and the HEA feels genuinely earned. It’s a solid and heartfelt series starter.

[Tina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My First by Jacey Davis

And it won’t be my last. River and Cooper. Each go out for drinks to relax from their personal bad day. Sparks fly between them from the start. A heat and want that neither of them want to deny. Little do they know, their lives are about to change and become interconnected forever. This book will run you thru the ringer of emotions but it’s so beautifully written, you will welcome each emotion. River and Cooper will have you believing in fated mates and happy endings. I just loved their story, and River and Cooper, along with their families, friends, sweet miracle and their HEA.

[Miss.Pino · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I liked it and it really drew me in, because I saw that there could be a lot of possibilities for a fabulous story, don't get me wrong I'm not saying it's bad, but after the pregnancy (so like all stories that have a pregnancy and don't have a subplot) it was super boring, and lasted too long, I would have preferred that they lengthened the beginning better or lengthened already when they had the baby, not the pregnancy, not when it was so boring. Ahh but the damn journalists yeah I hated them, deep down inside I wished it was a darker book, and they really made them pay, but I knew it wasn't haha.

[Bernadette Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from Jacey Davis, but it will not be my last. I read this book in two days. Cooper and River have become one of my favourite couples ever!!! Their love story is very heartwarming, but also somewhat unusual as neither of them expected to not only hook up, but for one of them to become pregnant. It has some twists that you are not expecting, but you understand some of the characters better. This was such a great read. I highly recommend this book and this author!!!

I received an Advanced Readers Copy for an honest review in return

[Amanda Nan Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first book I’ve read that mpreg was the main plot point. It’s always been secondary in the other books I’ve read. First appearance of secondary genders (ABO) in 150 years, poor River. Abusive childhood and maternal death for River, sudden death of Cooper’s parents and becoming primary caregiver to his younger sister, not to mention crazy bigots and loads of homophobia fills this book with lots of trauma. And that’s not even going into the traumatic birth. Just a lot of capital T trauma with romantic and steamy bits mixed throughout.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, mostly low-angst story of River, who finds out that he has omega genes which have allowed him to be the first pregnant male in 150 years. His one-night hook-up, Cooper, is also shocked to learn he will be a father. The two men were attracted to each other from the beginning, but never expected the relationship to go further. Now, they will have to decide what comes next.

This book has a few difficult threads - a difficult pregnancy and homophobic people - but, it is also a happy mix of supportive friends and family, high passion, fun times, and a beautiful love.

[Maryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

This was a good story, with a totally refreshing angle on male Omegas. The characters played well together and brought believable cohesiveness to the tale.
But - the book seriously needed a strong editor or proofreader. The grammar, past/present word tenses, abrupt sentence endings, and commas flying all over were a bit irritating.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.

[Christie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read this author, wasn't sure what to expect with the name. It was definitely interesting, makes you wonder how would this story play out in real life. It captured my attention from start to finish. Fell in love with River and Cooper, I could tell the minute they talked there was something there. There were many twists and things I didn't see coming. Can't wait for what's next.

[GB DiGregorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story

I loved reading this book. First of all, I appreciated the creativity it took to come up with unique approach to omegas. Secondly, the love story of Cooper and River is just very sweet and romantic.

This is a great read I’ll revisit every-so-often! I highly recommend it!

[allemuor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The waiting game can't stop fate

Even if they chose not to contact each other, fate forces them to confront what their instinct have been whispering to them both. Their first encounter was not a fluke, and they could be more than just a one night stand. I read the second book first, so I was better prepared for the twists on this one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this book. There were no omegas for 150 years, and then, BAM, River is THE one. The pain his biological father puts him and his twin through is evil. I wanted to cry at the scene of the protesters at his baby shower.
I am looking forward to Lake's story.

I read and reviewed a copy of this book.

[Damian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little differ omega story.

This story has a twist for omega stories. Cooper is more or less the alpha but the twist comes when River finds out that he is an omega. Not only that but is twin brother Lake is one as well. Yeah, we have all the sex and other BS that's in these stories but we find out about some science in this one.

[Lbeesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Personally I felt this is 1 of the best books I've read in a very long time. A highly recommend reading it. This is definitely a twist on the omega...It was no interesting , A must read.

[Katie Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍😍

I love more alpha and omega and beta books! I loved this one because this one didn't start out that way but it turned out that way. I like that it was a story about learning of mpreg. I can't wait for lakes book.