Room 709

The Scarlet Hotel #3

by Trisha Linde

Behind closed doors at The Scarlet Hotel, anything can happen... even taking the greatest risk.

Omega Levi has graduated from high school at the top of his class, and he’s eager to explore all the world has to offer. Too bad that future will be dictated by his father. He was hoping to live a little—stretch his wings, maybe get wild and crazy for a night or two—but his father won’t hear of it. Levi has two months until his university classes start, to cram in as much fun as he can, and if that fun just happens to be with his father’s friend and business partner, then all the better. What his father doesn’t know won’t hurt him…

Alpha Grayson has it all—looks, money, charm. What he doesn’t have is a husband, but that suits him just fine. He’s not ready to settle down just yet, not when he’s still having so much fun. He could have his pick of bed partners, but there’s only one man he wants… his business partner’s son. He knows he shouldn’t lust after the younger omega, he’s off limits in so many ways, but he can’t help how right it feels to do something so wrong. Grayson is foolish enough to believe their affair can remain a secret, but that’s the problem with deeds done in the dark… they will always come to light.

Room 709 is the third standalone book in the m/m mpreg romance series, The Scarlet Hotel, from bestselling author Trisha Linde. Each book features a new couple and begins and ends in a different room at The Scarlet Hotel. Room 709 revolves around an omega still young enough to dream, an alpha who’s old enough to know better, a whirlwind romance that closes the gap between their ages, and a surprise pregnancy that makes them reassess everything they thought they wanted.

Genres: Omegaverse, M M Romance

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2022

About the author

Trisha Linde spends all her time immersed in books, both reading and writing, mainly because she lives where it’s too cold to do anything else, and what better way to keep warm than with a hot book. The first time she read mpreg, it was love at first sight, and there’s no turning back now.

When she gets older, she will likely invite strangers over for dinner, and you can bet your ass there will be sequins.

Check me out on Ream for FREE short stories for followers. https://reamstories.com/trishalinde

Reviews

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

Second read through on audio: I’m loving that this author is releasing the audio for the books in season 1 at the same time the related book is released for season 2! It was so fun to go back and read Levi and Gray’s story again after reading Ziggy and Elijah’s. I absolutely recommend this one and it was just as great on audio!

Holy cow! The chemistry between the two MCs in this story was absolutely off the charts from the very first meeting until the end! This one hurt so good and is now my favourite book by this author! This is such an awesome series and I love that all the stories are so different!

Loved Levi so much. I loved that he knew exactly what he wanted and eventually he got it! I hate the journey he had to take. It was a tough one on so many levels but he was strong!

Gray was an interesting character. One of those ones that you want to yell at through the book and make them choose differently. Even though he caused a lot of hurt to both of them I totally understand where he was coming from. He needed to figure out in his own time what he needed and wanted.

Overall I loved this book. This whole series is standalone so you can read them no problem. I’m excited for the next one in the series!

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing all round (apart from Levi)

This is a weird entry in the series. Room 709 is not mentioned and only Levi uses an unspecified room to change in at the beginning of the book. The first two in the series featured the MCs in the specified room together so this just struck me as odd, and the story was just shoehorned into the series without actually fitting the criteria.
Levi was so young (eighteen) but actually had more maturity than his parents and Grayson. I loved him as a character and wanted him to be happy, but not with Grayson who was a pain in the arse.
Ziggy, Levi's best friend, turned out to be a real diamond and I would like his story at some point, and his mum, Judy, was a lovely addition to an otherwise lacklustre story.
Grayson (thirty-four) was not a sympathetic character. He acted like a spoilt brat, couldn't and wouldn't treat Levi as anything more than an extended hookup, hurt him with his indifference then text-bombed him without actually telling him that he had real feelings for the young man. His behaviour throughout the book was reprehensible, and all he thought about was himself and what he was going through. I wanted him to take a long walk off a short pier and let Levi find someone else.
The ending was strange too, because the epilogue, when we saw Levi And Grayson a year down the line was not from their POV but observed by an outsider, Benny, a member of staff who also narrated the prologue. Therefore there was no insight into Levi and Grayson's thoughts and feelings, and as such, the story felt incomplete. One more thing that struck me as very odd was Levi's parents meeting their grandson (who Benny thought was about nine months old then) for the first time in that epilogue, when Levi's Pops had reached out to him while Levi was in the hospital after giving birth.

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars


***spoiler review***

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I knew very little about it. I chose this book from a giftaway that I entered on FB.

The only things I knew about it were that it was an age gap and that it was mpreg. I happen to be a fan of both so I was eager to dive in.

I enjoyed the premise of the story and the MCs were enjoyable for the most part. Alpha Greyson/Grey is being groomed to become the successor to his boss who owns an advertising company. Invited over to dinner, Grayson sees Omega Levi for the first time in nearly a decade and is intrigued. They begin a clandestine relationship because Levi’s father has mapped his life out for him and being in a relationship is not part of it.

I’m surprised the couple don’t get caught with as often as they tempt fate. It’s only supposed to be a bit of fun until Levi leaves for Harvard. Neither thinks a relationship is possible between them. Then, after arriving at Harvard, Levi discovers he’s pregnant and he takes MONTHS before he tells Grayson or his fathers. Gray runs.

When Greyson finally realizes what he wants, he finds himself at Harvard in search of the Omega he can’t stop thinking about only to find him in the company of another Alpha (This part is not explained or even referenced again so we don’t know who the Alpha was). So Greyson tucks his tail between his legs and leaves. It takes a while (timeline wise) for their hard earned HEA and most of it we find out in the epilogue.

The prologue and the epilogue are told in third person as observed through Benny who works at the hotel that the celebrations are held in.


***
POV… multi first person

Standalone or series… book 3 in series but CAN be read as standalone

Hangover… yes

Recommend… yes

Reread… yes

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't want to rate it because... I kinda got what I had expected. But then I remembered how much I hated Grayson. This is a really quick read, so, naturally, a lot of things happen way too quickly, characters don't have much depth and character development (no, wait, actually! Levi and his friend were pretty great for such a short story). Everything is too melodramatic. The main characters don't talk that much (and, again, don't have enough personality in them) so you don't really believe in their "love" if you start to think about it way too much. I liked the part about Levi not wanting to live his life the way his parents were making him to, but then again it was too immature of him to just crush onto his friend's couch and do nothing at all. YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A BABY DAMMIT. ALL ALONE. and then it hit him when his water broke so he suddenly reached out to Grayson. And Grayson, he... He's the worst. He doesn't want a family, I get it, there's nothing wrong with it. But you would think a grown-up ass man, who doesn't want to have children at all, would worry about condoms at all times. Nope, he ASSUMED his new lover was on suppressants. And then he kept changing his mind every five seconds. Levi's character at least has some consistency in it, and Grayson is just insufferable. He doesn't want a family, he wants a family, he doesn't do love and then he's in love with Levi. All of this could be great if only the story was longer and slower paced. I understand why Grayson freaked out after finding out about the baby, but the fact that he disappeared for MONTHS, knowing Levi was pregnant, makes me so mad. He could at least support him financially if he was actually in love with him. He had been moping for months instead of doing something. He saw the way Levi's father was acting, so Grayson could dig some information. He kept talking like he cared but in reality it was all talking, no action UNTIL he realized he was gonna die alone. It felt like he only cared about himself and himself only. UGH, HOW MUCH I HATE THIS MAN. oh, and by the way there's no on page interaction with baby Asher on Grayson's part, what a shame!
Believe it or not, but I still had some fun. It's an easy read. Like, extremely easy. If you want to read something but don't want think too much, this story is a go to. Will I ever reread it? No. But it's fine for one time.

upd: no, the last chapters will make you mad because GRAYSON IS THE WORST, THE WOOOORST

[Laora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, because I always like a nice Mpreg MM romance contemporary read. However this was not a story I liked. I found Grayson reprehensible: he was more like brat than a succesfull executive and the way he reacted to the babynews. Please 😡 Almost all Levi his heartache was due to him and I found him downright ignorant for a 34 year old 'player'. Taking, yes a willing, 18 year old Levi to bed without checking if precautions are in place or taking any and afterwards taking no action when he finds out there are non. I did not like his presumption that Levi would have been 'claimed', come on the guy is 18! and very protected as described. I know this is fantasy but using 'pulling out' as a preventative measure, we know that it is proven to be not effective.

What I did like was Levi his character he was fresh and mature, however in my opinion to easy on Grayson, but I guess his heart wants what it wants. On the other hand he seemed to reach out to his Pops (parents) after the birth, but in the epilogue it seems they have not seen eachother at all. Just inconsistent. I also liked Ziggy he and his mom where stars for Levi and the story, unconditional love. I hope Ziggy gets a book someday.

I have come to the conclusion that this series of standalones might not be for me. I don't think the hotel concept works. No where is the room mentioned, in this volume. The 'prequel' is okay, however the epilogue is way further in time and does not seem to fit the storyline. The story between Levi and Grayson is told from their POV, however the 'hotel' parts are from Benny his POV, so there are assumprtions and in the epilogue no real follow up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omega Levi is a young man, ready to go off to college in the fall, but wanting some fun before he does. Alpha Grayson is mid-thirties, footloose and unattached, popular with the Omegas, and oh, Levi’s father’s business partner. Even though Grayson knows it is unwise to get involved with Levi, the attraction is VERY strong and Levi is very persistent. Both go into a secret relationship expecting it to only last the summer. Best laid plans go awry when Levi gets pregnant, and the relationship falters. Over the next few months misunderstandings and miscommunications occur, but all works out in the end.
Levi is a lovable character, eager to explore and quick to follow his heart while Grayson tries to be more practical even while missing Levi. Many of the typical feelings between the two main characters as well as parents with an unexpected (and unwelcome to some) pregnancy, so very realistic.
I still haven’t wrapped my head around this mm/mpreg universe, but thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Levi and Grayson.
The one thing I couldn’t figure out was where room 709 came in — I guess that was the room in the hotel where the parties at the beginning and end of the story were held. Odd, but I guess it made sense, although I had expected it to be a hotel room where Levi and Grayson would meet up but not.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Levi and Grayson may have a sixteen year age gap between them but their attraction was instant and their passion combustible. Their relationship was a huge secret and all the sneaking around probably added to the amount of fun they had as well as the intensity. Although not much of their time together was spent just talking and getting to know each other, they did get along well and began developing a connection that even Grayson couldn't deny for long.
I liked both MC's and felt they had a solid connection sexually but less of a romantic one.
Parts of their story felt rushed or skipped over and for me, the epilogue was a bit disappointing. For example, at one point someone was trying to call Levi and he said he would call them back later as he didn't know what to say to them - there was no return call and I feel this could have been an important part of the story, especially since Levi had a good connection with this person.
And despite the title, room 709 does not play a role in this book like the rooms of the first two books did and that seemed like a missed opportunity as it could have at least been used for some clandestined encounters - but that's just my opinion.
I received an ARC through Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

[Janice Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi is an Omega hoping to sow his wild oats before university, but his Alpha father keeps a tight leash on him. But in actuality, Levi really wants his father's business partner Grayson, an older Alpha he is secretly in lust with. When fate allows them the chance to arrange a secret no-strings relationship, all is light and fun, until Levi gets pregnant and roadblocks are thrown up. In the end, everything works out for them and they get their HEA.

I am a big fan of mpreg, but one thing I hate is when the Alpha/Omega couple get together for the first time and the Omega gets pregnant; that is a real turn off. But in this book, the MC's have multiple encounters which lasts over the course of the summer before Levi gets knocked up. Personally, I like this scenario much better. I am also a big fan of age gap, and it was pretty sexy to see an older, more experienced Alpha guiding the younger, sweet Omega. This was a pretty good book. I like this author a lot, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Room 709 by Trisha Linde. It's the third book in The Scarlet Hotel series. I loved Levi and Grayson's story. I loved how hot it was as they snuck around and then how it all fell apart and was brought back together for their HEA. The only missed opportunity was on their first secret night of passion when Grayson took Levi back to his place. The author should have had him book room 709 at the Scarlet Hotel so that it would have tied into the series, which is based on couples that have stayed at a particular room in the Scarlet Hotel like the first two books. This could have just been some random standalone book since it had no ties to one of the rooms. And it seemed weird having the first chapter and epilogue told through Benny's pov, who happens to be a low-level employee of the Scarlet Hotel that was working the events when we were introduced to Grayson and later Levi. I think the author tried to tie the book to the series, but it missed the mark as it still didn't connect it to room 709.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is book 3 of The Scarlet Hotel series but you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. This book is different from the other books in this series I could find no direct connect to the hotel as there was with the previous books. This kind of threw me for a bit. This is the story of Levi and Grayson. Levi is an omega and strictly under the control of his father. He just graduated high school and two months to enjoy life before university starts. He plans to make the best of those two months. Grayson is an alpha and Levi's dad business partner. The chemistry between these two is off the charts when they meet. They have to sneak around and keep their relationship secret. Until they can't keep it a secret anymore. Miscommunication and hurt feelings cause more angst between the two. But happily they manage to sort things out and get their own HEA. This is their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets that should not be, usually stop being secrets. Alpha Grayson, is living his best life. He has everything he could ever want, except for a husband, a family. He quietly lusts after his business partner's young omega son, Levi. Levi, is in his last semester of school, plans on going to Harvard. He obeys his Dad, Alan who promises to pay for his school. Ziggy, his best friend since kindergarten, is his partner in crime and has his back. Grayson and Levi, get to know each other under the radar, until they aren't. A few surprises, decisions and failures. How does Alan and his partner, Pops take the news? Is Grayson ready to man up? Levi, is amazing and Grayson is a good guy. Ziggy, is a peach and I hope he gets his own story. Good story, well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roger R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet, another wonderful story in “The Scarlet Hotel” series. I’ve loved reading the first two stories and this one is the third one. The nice thing is these stories are stand-alone stories that kind of takes place in different rooms. I totally would give it 5 stars!

The story focuses on Grayson, an Alpha who works in a law firm along with his business partner. That night, he had to show up to his work Christmas party at the Scarlet Hotel. While at the party, he spied a hot omega standing. He found out it was his business partner’s son, Levi, who had grown up. As an alpha, he totally wanted Levi but knew it was forbidden since he was his business partner’s son. They had a rendezvous night after the party. That’s where I’m going to stop and have you pick up the book and read to find out what happens when Levi’s dads find out. A wonderful reading!!!!

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 gave me all kinds of emotions. I enjoyed the story as a whole but there were some scenes that had me frustrated and surprised. The age thing between Levi and Grayson wasn't a big issue to me but I can see how they hit it off from the first time they met. One would act more mature than the other at different times throughout the story. I will tell you, Grayson disappointed me a few times and at times I wasn't sure if I wanted to cheer this couple on or not. But I'm a sucker for a happy ending so I stuck it out and finished this and I will say, I was pleasantly happy with the ending. The author is charming me with the prologues and epilogues...very intriguing...NICE!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a lot better than the 2nd book! The angst and the highs and lows, this story got me hooked.

Levi was a strong young man, more mature than Gray that for fucking sure! I hate Gray, he was an ass and immature person. Poor Levi spent his pregnancy days with only Ziggy and his mom. Even though Levi blocked his number, it didn't justified how poorly he treated Levi. He could do anything like asking Levi's parents where is he but he did nothing! Until Levi the one who asking for him while in labor.

One more thing, who was the alpha Levi seen with when Gray visited him? Too bad the author didn't give any details about him.

[Romantic888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second story that I’ve read in this series, and while the relationship between Levi and Grayson is absolutely great, the connection to Room 709 is a bit of a head-scratcher. The only hotel room that is relevant seems to be the one that Levi’s dad books for him at the beginning of the story. That said, the chemistry between Levi and Grayson is off the charts, and the story of how they get to their HEA is wonderful. I really enjoyed it, even with trying to puzzle out the connection to the title.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked the previous two books in this series and was happy to pick this one up. I really liked Levi, though Grayson got on my bad side a bit. Levi is an omega who wants a little freedom and fun despite his strict father controlling his life. Grayson is is father's business partner and knows better- but can't resist the temptation. There was such an air of suspense for me as I read this because you just know at some point they'll be caught.. or an unexpected pregnancy, which can only be hidden for so long. Grayson may have been older, but he needed to mature a bit! 4 stars.

[Mags Dares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has been my favorite in the series so far! It was so cute! Levi was adorable and I loved him and Grayson together. There is a pretty significant age gap between the two MCs, so if that's not something you like, you may want to skip this book. I like a good age-gap and although 18 and 34 is on the edge of what I'd consider an appropriate gap, the two were just too cute you kind of forgot about the age gap anyway. A quick and easy read that I loved!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine Gray]

Room 709 is a May/December romance between Grayson and Levi. Levi is the son of Grayson's mentor and he just wants to live a normal life. Grayson is being groomed to take over the company but the moment he sees Levi he is willing to take the chance and be with him. They both know it's wrong but they are two consenting adults until Levi gets pregnant. Grayson doesn't want the baby and Levi does even if he has to raise the baby alone. The book is romantic, some angst, funny, and their sexy times are hot. This seires keeps getting better and better.

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levi was such a sweet MC and I loved him a lot. The other MC, though, was frustrating and he made me want to slap some sense into him multiple times for all the questionable decisions he made. He waited to long to do things I thought he could've worked harder to do faster and earlier. I just thought he needed to do way more groveling for what he made Levi go through. Levi was too forgiving, he deserved better!
I wish there was another chapter before the epilogue, it felt a too rushed ending for me.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Levi and Grayson meet at the Scarlet Hotel for a banquet and despite knowing they shouldn't, they start a secret affair. Levi falls pregnant and when Grayson finds out, he is shocked and runs away. However, everything is resolved with the last issue being cleared up at another banquet at the Scarlet Hotel. I liked how Levi got the alpha he wanted in the end.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The story of Levi and Grayson is one of finding love in the most unlikely of places. Grayson is the business partner of Levi’s dad but the chemistry between the two is amazing! Their journey to forever is a bit bumpy and there are stops along the way but with great friends and lots of love, they definitely get there, making this book a definite must read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Carter-Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi has been itching to spread his wings and get out from under his father’s control. When the opportunity presents itself in the form of his father’s business partner, Grayson, Levi can’t resist going after something he has wanted for himself. But things done in the dark have a habit of being brought to light. What happens when their affair is discovered?

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grayson is looking for a hook-up at his bosses party when he meets his future partner. Levi is being pressured to start a career by his father that he doesn't want. The two men meet and start a secret relationship that turns into true love and a family. Wonderful story and I highly recommend it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silindile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book it was a captivating story the roller coaster of emotions i would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a good series to read so far. I have enjoyed each new story but this one may edge out the first one for my favorite.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Room 709 Is the third book in The Scarlet Hotel Series. This was a May/December
romance with all the cuteness and sexy times. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi is a virgin but wants to have a summer fling before he goes to college. Grayson doesn't want to settle down, he enjoys his life the way it is. Grayson meets Levi and realizes he wants Levi to be his summer fling. So far, this is a great series. I really enjoyed this book.

[ENE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

Eternal bachelor Grayson has set his sights on Levi, who he happens to be his business partner's son. But he can't seem to stay away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. I love how each book can be read as a stand-alone but they are all centered around the hotel. I can’t wait to read more in this series.