Dad's Omega Best Friend

Meadowfall Professors #2

by Anna Wineheart

What if your best friend's son crashes into your life on a banana boat?

With a too-short arm and goggle-thick glasses, the last person Nico should get involved with is his best friend's alpha son.

It shouldn't happen. He's just providing River with a place to stay during his exchange program. But when a flood sweeps through Meadowfall and ruins Nico's house, Nico and his guest are left in a predicament: There is only one bed.

Nico should be wary—he's been brutalized by too many alphas. But each time River offers him hugs and safety, each time River teases smiles and blushes out of him... Nico slips deeper into trouble. Especially when River promises to see him for who he is.

River is absolutely off-limits. Why can't his heart understand that?

*This book comes with an angst warning, but there definitely is a HEA! Dad's Omega Best Friend is a 70k MPreg romance novel, containing professor/student and dad's best friend themes. Like all books in Meadowfall, it can be read out of order, and it definitely contains a very happy HEA! No cliffhangers, no cheating, but there absolutely is a banana boat in there, along with snake-loving kids and some corny jokes. Beware!

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance, Romance, Gay, LGBT, Paranormal, Ebooks

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2022

About the author

Amazon-safe books: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Wineheart...

Taboo books (banned from Smashwords and Amazon, but available on my website and Payhip):
Website: https://annawineheart.com/shop/
Payhip: https://payhip.com/AnnaWineheartBooks

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️

Whatever happened between them—it felt like something inevitable. Nico only hoped that it wouldn’t destroy him in the process.

Sometimes love comes barging in on a banana dick boat. 🍌

A super sweet, very sexy omegaverse romance. Professor/student plus best friend’s son? Yes. Only one bed? Oh, yes. Younger alpha older omega? Yeeesss. Lots of hurt/comfort? YES.

“You’re staring.”
“You’re pretty.”

An adorable romance with a touch of angst, fun awkward moments with phallic-shaped boats and using dildos as sticks…but also using them for what they were intended.
Equal parts sexy tension and romantic, fun lighthearted moments and tender heartfelt ones, I adored these two and I’m curious to see other sweet professors finding love.

“It shouldn’t feel this good,” he said against River’s shoulder. “It feels like it should,” River whispered in his ear.
“It feels like you’re mine.”

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Age gap (43 vs 22)
- Younger top
- Mpreg
- Discussions of past domestic abuse & assault
- Physical assault (on page)
- Mentions of past miscarriages
- MC w/ partial amputation & scars
- Body insecurity
- Mentions of past illness (off page)
- Scent-marking
- Knotting
- Coming hands-free
- Rimming
- Rut/heat sex
- Office sex
- Toys
- Voyeurism
- Somnophilia

[vrstal · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5.

Dad's Omega Best Friend is a sweet story about Nico, an older omega who is a professor at the local university, and River, his best friend's son and an alpha. Together, sparks immediately begin to fly, and its soon that they start to fall in love and fumble together, despite trying to keep their relationship a secret. I honestly feel this is Anna Wineheart at her best!

Nico and River were quite adorable together. Nico's past relationships had been shit, dealing with ranges of different types of abuse, but especially his ex Jed. He is best friend's with River's dad, Brodie, and helped River during a very difficult time in his life when he was younger. For River, he respected his "Uncle Nico" and saw him as someone who instilled courage into him. Meeting the man in the future though, he sees him as an omega, one who is scared of other alphas and yet clearly has dreams to want a family. River and Nico very quickly got into bed with each other, although Nico would insist it was only temporary. There became a theme of River and Nico getting to know each other while insisting this was only a fling. Yet they're both falling in love, but there is the tension of there relationship having to be secret for various reasons (student/teacher, age gap, and their relationship established before), coupled with more insecurities. There was inevitably an 80% break up which was rather sad, and a bloody twist I didn't expect.

The sex was hot! So much steam and also a lot of love, sweetness, and comfort between them. While there was some time spent where Nico was alone while carrying their baby, it all came together where they knew they'd never be without each other. I found the epilogue very sweet and cute too, and definitely recommend this read if you enjoy some omegaverse and hurt/comfort.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story that kept me turning the pages. The author delivered a story with realistic characters, an intriguing storyline, and plenty of emotion. I laughed, cried, and everything in between. I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5


Cute as hell, angsty and really sweet, but I could have done with so much less dirty banter and inappropriate jokes. I love dirty talking in my romances, but this book had too much of it, and most of it was quite awkward.

Anyway, that aside, I really enjoyed this book. Omegaverse with traumatized, broken omegas and uber protective alphas is my jam, so of course I enjoyed Nico's story.

I really felt for Nico: he's gone through so damn much, and he deserves the absolute world, all the happiness and safety he can get. I loved him so damn much, and I adored how everybody was so protective of him, even his omega friends.

River though? I wasn't keen on him. I've read another of Anna Wineheart's omegaverse teacher/student, age-gap, stories, so I know she can write really mature-for-their-age, really thoughtful alpha students. River wasn't: I wasn't keen on him, his constant innuendos were tiresome, and I didn't like how every single conversation and scene with Nico either evolved into a dirty joke or a sex scene. Nico does deserve lightness and happinesses and a healthy sex life, but still, I would have appreciated River more if he had been more careful, more thoughtful, more open to having actual conversations instead of jumping into sex straight away.
Oh well.

The rest of the story was truly fab though, and I loved the side characters to bits. Brodie was such a good friend to Nico.

I'm still not sure what my next Anna Wineheart novel will be, but I'll, for sure, be reading more of her stuff.

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a 3.5 rounded down pretty much solely because there were so many conversations with sexual innuendo around children. Like the 9 year old talking about how one dad was going to give the other a cream pie and he was jealous because he wanted pie wasn’t funny it was literally sickening. If those 3-4 scenes had been removed or severely toned down this probably would’ve been a 4.5. I looooooved River and how determined he was to show Nico that he wasn’t going to be a repeat of all the abusive alpha’s that came before. Them both questioning whether they were good enough for each other was so heartbreaking. I love all the scent-marking and comforting touches. Keeping the secret from Brodie after he already knew was silly but I just ignored that.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 3 out of 5]

eeh ok

It was nice. Think very cheesy rom-com. It was good for what it was, not the best I’ve read from this author but not the worst.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

River and Nico

Oh, River, you adorable alpha, you. He absolutely won this book for me. I really liked Nico as well, but River just shined.

Nico is an omega troubled. His past so fraught with terrible alpha behavior that he can’t even fathom an alpha he can trust. I feel like River was just perfect for him, because they had this shared history and River was already a trusted person in Nico’s life. Because of Nico’s pretty serious past, I loved the lightness that River had throughout the book. It balanced the whole book nicely.

The sizzle between this alpha and omega was scorching hot. They couldn’t keep their hands off of one another and I was there for it! Sexiness woven throughout the story really sealed their bond.

I’m really enjoying the Meadowfall Professors series and can’t wait to read Quinten’s story next.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico helped River when he was a kid, and now that he's an adult, he's going to help him again, this time by letting River stay at his house while he is going to college. The problem is that there is a major flood right before River comes to stay.

I think that River was really patient with Nico as it took Nico time to adjust to having an alpha around that didn't want to hurt him. He had been through so much abuse, there were so many triggers and it was easy to find one, but River was really careful to make sure that he didn't accidentally trip one.

These two guys were really sweet, and maybe a little stalkery.

[Rin (indefinite hiatus)]

DNF@ 20%… there is some serious dub-con going on, with a physically traumatized omega no less. River is a predator and not in a sexy way. Ugh.

[Relly]

DNF No Rating

I gave it 30% and just wasn't getting into it.
I didn't particularly like either of the characters, so I gave up

[Angela Kohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how fresh the book was, I loved the creation of the characters, the professor was a sweetie.
The whole story is a steamy romance between a young man and his father's best friend, who is a man with a troubled past, often a victim of abuse. It begins during a flood.
The chemistry between the characters was up the rook and I liked how it ended. A HEA, but bittersweet. The professor should not lose his job.

[SuzReadsALot · Rating 1 out of 5]

What I thought I was getting:
Angst, Disability Rep, humor

What I got:
Trauma for traumas sake, ambiguous consent, child abuse

The premise of this book is good but the execution is 300 pages of trauma, negative self talk, and smut. There is no character growth, no relationship growth, and no plot.

TWs provided in the book
past multiple miscarriages, past domestic violence, some violence, stalking for protection, consensual somnophilia, past childhood cancer (River does NOT relapse), self-esteem issues, self-harm ideation

TWs I added
Unnamed mental health issues (possibly ptsd, depression), Internalized Ableism/ Ableist themes, ambiguously consensual exhibitionism, murder (self defense, graphic), lewd acts in the presence of children, extreme self esteem issues

Anything relating to a TW will be hidden by a spoiler

Nico is disabled. He has severe vision impairment and a limb difference. We learn that his limb difference is a result of his abuse ex pushing him into traffic in an attempt to kill him so this is not something he was born with. As expected he has severe self esteem issues and trauma surrounding his new disability.
This is where things could have been good. We could have seen Nico growing to accept and thrive in his new reality. We could have seen his struggle with coming to accept that he is no longer able bodied and that he can’t do things the way he once did. It’s a hard journey and it could have given us amazing character development if it had been done.
Unfortunately, Nico isn’t a real flushed out character, he is just a mosaic of trauma. Along with the trauma surrounding his disability, Nico has also been abused mentally and physically by every Alpha partner he’s ever had as well as the trauma that surrounds his 10 miscarriages. As a result of this Nico doesn’t trust Alphas (I wouldn’t either)

River had cancer as a child/teen. He has been in remission for approximately 7 years but this has left him with the fear of it coming back.

What is sooo frustrating is that these characters are not people outside of their illness, disabilities, and trauma. And these things are never addressed in any way.
The only reason these characters have trauma is to give them a reason to be overly critical of other and having low self worth which gives them a reason to not communicate with each other about ANYTHING.

And one would logically think that with so much trauma in one book there would be therapy mentioned. But it is not brought up once. This is so unrealistic. But apparently Nico doesn’t need therapy because all he needs to heal his trauma and accept himself is a man to want him romantically and sexually.


Onto my biggest problem with this book. The one that made me hate it. This is going to be hidden by spoiler.
TW: child abuse (imo)
There are multiple instances in this book where children are exposed to sexual conversations. But the biggest one is when Nico and River are helping Nico’s friends kids build a catapult. I’m just gonna put the quotes in right here

Caleb looked over his shoulder as though he was searching for eavesdroppers; Izzy beat him to answering. “Our alpha dads sometimes get snakes in their pants,” Izzy explained. “We can’t figure out how they got there. But they always get rid of the snakes before we can point it out.” Nico covered his face, his ears pink. “Oh, gods.” “Shh,” Caleb told Izzy. “Daddy says those are not snakes.” “I don’t believe him,” Izzy said. “Me, neither.” Caleb shrugged. “Adults are weird.” “That’s because they’re embarrassed that a snake managed to get into their pants,” Izzy explained. “And they don’t want to admit that they’re scared.”

“I should make lunch,” Nico mumbled, turning away. “What’s for lunch?” Caleb blurted. “Will there be a pie?” Nico blinked. “I’m afraid not. I’m missing the ingredients to make one.” “Aww.” Caleb’s little shoulders sagged. “I wanna eat a pie in bed.” “Why?” River asked. “‘Cuz Papa said he was gonna give Daddy a cream pie in bed, but he said I couldn’t have any! It’s not fair.” Nico had frozen solid, his eyes the only thing about him that moved. “Is this what having kids is like?” River asked Nico, trying not to laugh. “I don’t know,” Nico choked. “I’d give you a cream pie,” River drawled. Nico flushed harder. “See, that’s how it should be,” Caleb said. “I think you should marry him.”

WHY was this necessary. It wasn’t. It’s just f-ing gross.
But the gross doesn’t stop there.

Later on in the book we get a scene where Nico and River and engaging in sexy time outside on the back porch. And it leads to this

Children’s voices sounded nearby. The neighborhood kids? Nico wasn’t sure. Before he had time to place those voices, a large dog came racing around the corner of the house. A trio of kids followed, tiny feet pattering across the grass. “Sparky, come back!” “Shit!” River reacted faster than Nico could—he covered Nico with his own body. Where it had only been his tip left inside, it was suddenly his full length wedged up Nico’s ass—the fastest way River could get them both decent. Nico gasped. At least the front of his body was pressed against the house. The children slowed down—two boys and a girl, all between five and eight. They frowned at River and Nico; Nico wanted to curl up and burrow under the house. “River,” he said helplessly. This was bad—also because River’s knot was starting to grow within Nico’s body, locking them together.”

Unfortunately this is not where it ends. They then have a CONVERSATION WITH THE CHILDREN.

I honestly would like to have a conversation with the author.
Why would you add this?
What purpose did this serve?
This isn’t an “we almost got caught that’s so hot”.
This is CHILDREN showing up while ADULTS are having sex and the adults don’t fucking go inside.
This is disgusting.

I’m so disappointed and disgusted by how the author handled this entire book and these characters.




Placeholder Review
What the actual f*ck was this. I know “hate is a strong word” but i HATE this. I wasn’t even gonna leave a review and then saw that this has such high ratings on GR, Zon, and Storygraph (the lowest is 3.73) and no one mentions the absolute atrocities that happened in this book.


Full review to come once I get on the desktop site so I can mark “spoilers” appropriately

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad's Omega Best Friend is an achingly sweet romance with a lot of heat between the two MC's, Nico and River. We met Nick in book one, Measuring Up, and he came across very much in need of a loving alpha who would steamboat his scars and disability. River is just that man though, not necessarily the one Nico was hoping for as he's his best friend's son and around twenty years younger. However, there is no denying their chemistry or how attracted to each other they are, scents and heated gazes don't lie. I was surprised with how quickly things developed between them considering Nico's history but it still fit in well with the story. River has his own issues with his good he can be for his omega with last health issues continuing to worry him. Individually, they worry about their worth to the other, especially Nico with how he's been treated by others in the past.
Together they make a wonderful couple, River boosting Nico's confidence and self worth. There's not a lot of interaction with the other omega processors from the series but what we do have is supportive and funny. I'm interested to see who will be the next of the group to meet their alpha.
Another recommended read from Anna Wineheart. She brings fun, heat and heart to the alpha/omega trope and the characters are so easy to enjoy. There's a dose of drama and angst to keep you in your toes but a guaranteed HEA.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true love story

Awww! This book is going to go on my list of the sweetest love stories ever! I love Anna Wineheart's books! They are always feel-good stories that reaffirm your belief in happily ever after. River and Nico made the perfect Alpha/Omega pair. This book hits the ground running and I loved that we got to spend so much time watching their relationship blossom. Although both of them have suffered hardships in life, underneath it all they both long for the same love and acceptance. I love how Anna's Omegas can be strong while still retaining their "omega-ness" and her Alphas can be vulnerable but not weak. This book just wrapped around me like a warm blanket - aside from the parts that would cause that blanket to go up in flames! 🔥🔥 So good and definitely recommendable!

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet omegaverse book
Nico has been hurt a lot in the past and River has been ill in the past: they’re both what they need for each other :)
all in all it was nicely balanced :)

NSFW infos:
Alpha/Omega dynamic
Scentmarking
Knotting
Heat
Consensual Somnophilia

[Smut Report]

We read all books in the series and reviewed them together. Find more at Measuring Up, Stepbrother Next Door, and The Secret Omega and our full review can be read at The Smut Report.

Heat Factor: bow chicka bow wow

Character Chemistry: They’re all very clearly written for each other, so the sweetness is inescapable

Plot: Older omega professor (/coach), pining for love and happiness, has irresponsible pants feels for a hot alpha student (who naturally goes to claim what’s his with no holds barred)

Overall: I could probably talk about concerning elements of these books all day, but gosh did they ever stroke my id

This is where I began this reading journey. Thanks, Reddit.

Nico is disabled, has a history of abusive partners (which, excepting his vision/glasses, is the reason he’s disabled), and has never been able to carry a pregnancy to term. By the time River sails into his life on a banana boat (not joking…there’s a flood and River uses the boat to get to Nico’s house, which is flooded (What?)), Nico is a shy mouse of a man who has lost faith in anybody loving him for himself. He’s best friends with River’s dad, he’s comfortable with his professorship, and he has some great friends at the college, but his self image and self worth with respect to alphas and dating is…what’s lower than the gutter? In the sewer?

Anyway, perhaps you can sense that where I’m going with this is that River thinks Nico is the beautifulest, wonderfulest omega in the whole world, and he sets out to be the alpha that Nico can count on. (Regardless of what Nico thinks about this plan.) The day he arrives. There is no buildup to this romance at all. So, another note, this book is super not going to work for readers who are not prepared to simply buy into the notion that Nico and River are, like, soulmates, and everything River does is not extremely concerning. It’s sweet, mkay? Leave those real world concerns at the door. (For real, though, I think the reason this works at all is that 1. We can see that Nico might be conflicted but he does sincerely want and like River and 2. River is an alpha Nico can rely on, unlike the ex who is legit trying to murder him.)

There is much angst in this book. Nico really feels terrible about himself, and that is well baked into the entirety of the narrative. He also has a history of pregnancy loss, so when River impregnates him, he’s actually devastated while River is excited. Nico is super worried not so much about River being a student, but about River’s dad finding out they’re sleeping together, so when the third act breakup appears it is…a lot. Like, if you think for even a fraction of a second about how River deals with Nico ending things, it is just…wow. Stalker central. And that’s before the attempted murder, so just… really a lot of heavy stuff going on in this one.

Aren’t you inspired to keep reading now?

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[Eden West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently came across some recommendations that grabbed my attention, and on impulse, I decided to check them out. The book that somehow refused to leave my memory is the story of an older professor, omega (Nico), and a young alpha student (River) who comes to a college (a course lasting for a few months) where the omega teaches. To complicate matters further, River's father is a close friend of Nico.

The book was an absolute delight to read; I couldn't put it down. I couldn't even go to sleep; I had to finish it. It has everything I love in books, especially the 'hurt to comfort' trope (which I also enjoy writing myself). Additionally, the theme of a caring alpha toward an adorable and shy omega really resonated with me. It was done well, I came to love those characters.
Nico's past was really tragic, and River also had his share of difficulties in the past. They were a good match.
Personally, I love fragile and 'needing protection' type of characters who are sweet and shy with a difficult past, gaining wonderful partners and healing their trauma through love and tenderness. Very satisfying. I totally vibed with the book! I swam through it 😉

I really felt the story, almost organically, I was happy reading it, it felt 'close to home' as I also love writing with the theme of a sensitive, gentle omega and a very in-love alpha, who focuses on his omega and would do everything for him.
In this book, I found everything perfectly aligning with my taste.

And the steamy scenes are very hot! I really like how they're written, and there are quite a few of them, which pleased me a lot because they were very well done.
The entire plotline appealed to me; there were moments when I felt stressed because poor Nico's difficult past came to light, but fortunately, the problems didn't last long, and everything ended in a charming HEA!

Thank you, dear author, for such an enjoyable read. I had a great time, and the book easily secures a spot in my top 5 books of the last twelve months. Highly recommend if you appreciate characters like a caring alpha and a sensitive, shy omega.
It's a perfect hit!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Meadowfalls Professors continue with omega Professor Nico Anderson and I loved the story about Nico and River.

Nico has been best friend with Brodie for years and Nico had been there for Brodie when his son, River became very sick with cancer. Nico helped River as a child to build a pumpkin-throwing catapult machine for a contest. Years have passed since and River is an Alpha now in college and Nico agreed to have River stay with him as an exchange student for the college Nico teaches.

The only problem Brodie worried about for his friend was his son being an Alpha which may be hard for Nico to have River around, as he has been deathly afraid of Alpha’s since he had been horribly abused by the Alpha’s he had dated in the past.

When River arrives at Nico’s house it was flooded from the local dam that broke. Nico’s main floor was ruined by water that also included his bedroom. The only dry bedroom and bed was the guest bedroom and mattress upstairs which the two ended up having to share. And there’s some pretty hot sex they have on that mattress.

As times wore on, instead of Nico being afraid of River, he’s drawn to him and felt safe with the alpha and their feelings grew for each other as these two go through some hilarious times along with serious dangerous times.

Throughout the book, River protects Nico with his life; the two were made for each other and fall in love, and dreams come true for Nico as well as River. The book contains lots of emotions, action scenes, and love.

It has a sweet, happy ending and is worth reading. Anna Wineheart writes great books. The second book in the Professor’s series is another great book. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced read copy of this book.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

**I regret my decision to pick this up. Not because I think it's bad! But because I'm trying to only pick up romances I think I'll truly LOVE. I was in a total romance mood in January and read through Jax Calder's romance catalog (The Other Brother (4 stars), Playing Offside (4 stars), Playing at Home (4 stars), The Inappropriate Date (3.5 stars))... but then I ran out and was looking for something else... and this was not really it.**

Pros
+ alpha/omega romance
+ liked romance tropes: alpha/omega, age gap, student/professor, only one bed, close proximity
+ Nico: an omega professor "with a too-short arm and goggle-thick glasses" with a history of abusive alphas exes
+ River: his best friend's alpha son, who he hasn't seen since childhood
+ plot: Nico offers River a place to stay for an exchange program. There's a flood and they're forced into close proximity.
+ I really loved River's patience and guarding of Nico
+ I loved the scenting while asleep thing (but could see how other people wouldn't like it)

Neutral
/ The best friend's reaction was pretty chill, considering your best friend is with your son. But there was enough drama with Nico's ex for this reaction to not really matter.

Cons
- disliked romance tropes: mega insta-lust/insta-love, pregnancy
- a truly over the top banana boat (aka floating c*ck)
- the way the author described Nico's disabilities and trauma just rubbed me the wrong way

TW: stalking, abusive ex, physical assault, violence resulting in physical disability, trauma

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been bingeing these Meadowfall books. I'm pretty sure I'm reading them entirely out of order, but they are written to be read in any order you want - brilliant. I just love how Anna Wineheart's books often involve characters with physical imperfections and psychological damage. It just feels more real this way. Honestly this book didn't even need the best friend's dad drama, but the title is the click bait :)

River is a college student afraid of not being strong enough as an Alpha, because he is a cancer survivor - he fears getting sick again. Nico is a college professor with paralyzing insecurities, because he has a history of abuse, multiple miscarriages, and is self-conscious about his appearance (scars and damaged arm). Watching these two grow stronger from knowing each other is amazing.

The friends and villains were great. Brodie is River's single Omega dad and Nico's best friend. He is a doll. You can get to know more about Brodie in Santa's Omega Stepbrother... which I read right before this book! The Omega Circle of friends/professors are super supportive and cute. I'm sure they all have their own books. As for the enemies, I do wonder who is hiring these horrible Alpha professors at Meadowfall College. Ugh and the EX! What a piece of human garbage!!!

I read these as possible selections for Smutty Book Club. The sex was very very hot.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this.
Poor Nico has had a horrific past and he's been betrayed by those who should have protected him.
So of course when River comes back into his life he is absolutely leery of anything happening between them, not to mention he's his best friend's son.
He doesn't believe he's worthy of love and views himself as weak.
River truly sees him and is constantly in awe of how strong and brave he's been.
I loved how River gave Nico the attention he deserves and kept him on his toes.
River has his own issues he's dealing with.
Childhood medical problems leave him questioning his ability to protect Nico.
These insecurities and outside forces tear them apart but thankfully they work through them for their HEA.

Merged review:

Sweet, steamy and hilarious

Loved this.
Poor Nico has had a horrific past and he's been betrayed by those who should have protected him.
So of course when River comes back into his life he is absolutely leery of anything happening between them, not to mention he's his best friend's son.
He doesn't believe he's worthy of love and views himself as weak.
River truly sees him and is constantly in awe of how strong and brave he's been.
I loved how River gave Nico the attention he deserves and kept him on his toes.
I loved the sexy banter between them.
River has his own issues he's dealing with.
Childhood medical problems leave him questioning his ability to protect Nico.
These insecurities and outside forces tear them apart but thankfully they work through them for their HEA.

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Nico...

I loved this couple very much, even with the 80% breakup.

Nick and River did get along well. Nick was abused so badly that he was literally maimed and River was very sick growing up so it made sense that they each could help the other.

I will admit to being shocked that they literally fell for each other on the first day they had seen the other since River was a child.

Which goes back to my niggle about the first professor book, why did they have to know them prior to becoming an adult? At least in this one there was not a hint of grooming but it still is something I think could be done away with or at least let them get to know each other outside of just meeting in childhood.

Merged review:

I loved this couple very much, even with the 80% breakup.

Nick and River did get along well. Nick was abused so badly that he was literally maimed and River was very sick growing up so it made sense that they each could help the other.

I will admit to being shocked that they literally fell for each other on the first day they had seen the other since River was a child.

Which goes back to my niggle about the first professor book, why did they have to know them prior to becoming an adult? At least in this one there was not a hint of grooming but it still is something I think could be done away with or at least let them get to know each other outside of just meeting in childhood.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book wasn't high literature, but I wasn't expecting high literature. I just wanted some entertainment and escapism. As the blurb says, Nico has been brutalized in the past. Young alpha River is gentle towards Nico, though. Nico had visited River in the hospital and helped him with his wish list when River was a sick young teen. Prior to the now adult River coming to stay with Nico for a while, the first time they'd interacted in person in several years, River had called Nico "Uncle Nico." There's no actual familial relationship between Nico and River, though.

The alphas that Nico interacts with at the college where he teaches are rather nasty characters, though not as horrible as the abusive alphas that Nico had had bad relationships with. Nico's fellow omegas are supportive of him, but Nico's world is pretty much dystopian. Or more dystopian than I prefer, anyway. My preference is for fluffy escapism, so that's where I'm coming from on that.

I liked Nico and River as individuals and as a couple. I'd recommend the book to those readers who are okay with alpha/omega dynamics. It shouldn't be difficult to keep in mind that realism is not something to expect when one is reading books set in the Meadowfall world.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banana Dick Boats (really!)

I will never understand how Anna's mind works, nor do I want to. lol

As always, Anna brings us two main characters with flaws/disabilities, or so they think. One is a quirky professor with a short arm and multiple scars and a past of Alphas who had mistreated him (understatement).

The next is a student who has a sickly past and is also the son of the omegas best friend. So basically, Nico is the God Uncle of River.
It was good to catch up with some of the other characters in the Meadow Fall books, especially Caleb and Izzy, I love these two.

Great story, Professor/Student, age gap, omega/alpha, male pregnancy, and of course, our HEA. There are a few triggers in this book so read the warnings first.

Dad's Omega Best Friend
(Meadowfall Professors #2)
by
Anna Wineheart

❤❤❤❤ Story

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handle your business! Nico, is an omega professor who was brutalized by his ex, Jed and lost part of his arm. He is suffering from PTSD and is targeted by alphas at his college. His best friend, Brodie's son, River is coming to campus as an exchange student and he offered to help where he could. River, returned during a bad story and after the dam broke and flooded the town. Brodie, was there when River was suffering through cancer and recovery, so he watched River grow up. He was surprised by the attractive alpha he grew into. As they started their reacquaintance, they also started noticing each other as men. This opens the door to all sorts of complications in pursuing anything deeper. Will River and Nico take the step? Does the age gap matter? Does River being Brodie's son matter? Does Nico's aversion to alphas matter? Is Nico over what his ex, Jed did? Great story. Nicely done.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dad’s Omega Best friend is the second book in the Meadow Falls Professors series by author Anna Wineheart. I loved the names of the chapters they were soo cute. I loved the Daddy, best friend, and teacher/student themes. This is a story I love to read light happy and fun.

Nico is a college professor. He has thick glasses. Been brutalized by many alphas before. He is wary of love and would rather not have an Alpha in his life.

River is Nico’s best friend’s son. He is flooded out of his house. But he is a responsible Alpha. Much more mature than some of his peers. I liked River he is young, sweet, and protective.

Overall I loved these two together. They clicked and really drew me in. I cannot wait to see where this series goes in the future and who falls in love next.



Five Shooting Stars

[Lazysecrets · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because the author wrote exactly what she promised to write. A fluffy steamy romance. The kinks in this one made me pause....in a good way. Sex scenes are where this author excels. The angst was sweet too.
The one star off was for the grammar. She kept referring to glasses(spectacles) as "it". No idea why the editor did not correct that. It really pissed me off.
The ending was a drag. I skimmed through the last three chapters. Also, books do not necessarily need a villain to be succesful. That was just so boring. Good thing it was only a chapter.
Someone said that River came off as a predator. I did not see that. It was Nico that came off a little cringey for having known River since the alpha was fourteen. So I think the whole power imbalances balanced themselves out. It wasn't an issue.
Otherwise, it was a fluffy and steamy read. Really enjoyed it.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even begin to describe how much I enjoyed this book. What an absolutely perfect little gem I have found. The judge a book by its cover really bit me in the ass on this one and I am glad I took a chance on it! (because god is this series’ covers horrendous to look at)

Nevertheless, I loved our sweet, young, down bad alpha and the mateless, broken, older omega who deemed he’d never find love. I think this is the first time I have truly enjoyed an omega verse story all the way through, including the pregnancy. I really enjoyed this stories take on the dynamics, and it was really cute knowing how badly Nico had wanted a family that kept that part so heartwarming.

I loved the disabled representation (albeit sometimes I feel it did the opposite) and I really enjoyed this authors take on omega verse. Will definitely be reading more!

[Becky A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dad’s Omega Best Friend" received THREE stars.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

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

* 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."

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nico gets his HEA

Nico and River are reminiscent of York with his frog prince and Micah overcoming his scars. Here Nico is River's Swan Prince and River must help him see the beauty and strength of the parts of him he's always thought ugly & weak. And in true good-feels style, Wineheart brings the funnies and sex puns with drop in by found Calen & Izzy (whose story we are all dying to see). Ultimately, this is another moving and funny romance; the kind we have fallen in love with the author for.

Thanks Anna, may you enjoy lots of fudging. ;-)