5* all alround

This is an excellent third book in this more than excellent series.The worldbuilding and character development is outstanding. I love that Janice make such great steps in reforming/ re-inventing himself.
Kerry is a strong character despite the unfair treatment and downright abusive things that where done to him. The side characters are also well developed, new ones and old ones. I highly recommend this (audio)book. The narration was amazingly done Michael.
Triggers might apply: abuse within a relationship sexual and non-sexual.

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Érosgápe brought to life

Érosgápe – some alphas and omegas are not just contracted mates, but are Érosagápe, bound deeply by spirit and flesh.

This was a term I’d never heard of before listening to Leta Blake’s Bitter Heat. In fact I had to ask a friend who owned the book to spell it for me. Helpfully, Ms. Blake added her definition. This word is critical to understanding the motivations of various characters within her world. It’s also something I wish there were more of – a love bound by something beyond human understanding.

But I digress, as I so often do. This is the third book in the Heat of Love series and although I own the first two, I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t yet listened to them. I had hoped to before digging into this one but I didn’t get the chance. I plan to go back to listen to those, especially book 2 that sounds like there’s a very interesting triad. I’m so glad I didn’t let my deficiency in listening to the other books hamper me from listening – and enjoying – this one. This is my way of saying, don’t worry if you’re jumping in at this point.

I really enjoyed Training Season and Vespertine, so was anxious to dig into this book. I’ll be honest and say I’m not always a fan of mpreg, having read several bad ones early on. Friends encouraged me to try again, and I’m glad I did. I especially enjoyed Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly’s dragon series and, now, this Heat of Love book. Ms. Blake’s take on the world of omega pregnancy isn’t a light one. This is a dark almost dystopic world – especially for the omegas. They have few rights and once contracted they are now subjected to the whims of their alpha. In some cases that works out, in others – like Kerry’s – it’s a disaster. So, to be clear, this is a dark book. I yearned for Kerry to be able to break free of the hold his alpha and the man’s family held over him. I wanted to rip up the contract myself. But I understood Kerry had to deal with this in his own time and in his own way. Some of those ways were extremely self-destructive, and my heart nearly broke several times.

This book is a challenge. There are no easy answers. There are unpleasant characters. There are untenable situations. There were moments I felt perilously close to giving up hope.

Then there was Janus. Apparently he played a significant role in book 2 but having not read it, I was in ignorance and therefore had no opinion of him. He came across as someone who wanted to help by becoming a nurse, but was ambitious enough to want to get ahead in his education so headed up the mountain to train with a doctor up there. He’s appalled by both the conditions as well as the fact the ‘doctor’ isn’t a real doctor. His city sensibilities were offended, to be sure. But, as time progresses, he adjusts to the simpler way of life. He’s living at a boarding house operated by Kerry’s pater. Little does he know the man has a hidden agenda.

Kerry doesn’t want to get to know the alpha living in their home. Doesn’t want to form attachments of any kind, except with his pater and his bird Kiwi. Watching Kerry and Janus do their dance of sorts, I knew there was something special between the two of them. They bonded over Kerry’s pregnancy, even if Janus wasn’t the father. When he learns of the extent of Kerry’s plight, he even seeks outside help. His caring his clear. And apparently omegas need regular sex to prepare for the birth of their baby. Janus is willing to help Kerry out in this way as well.

This book is a romance, so I knew I was going to get a happy ending. I didn’t expect to endure so much pain and heartache to get there. I recommend you have tissues close by – if you’re a sentimental sap like me.

On to narration – I really like Michael Ferraiuolo. He has a soothing voice that worked well with this book. His Kerry and Janus were spot-on to what I’d expect and his voices for Kerry’s cultured in-laws contrasted beautifully with Kerry’s pater and the other mountain folk. This book took me through many highs and lows and I’m so glad I made the journey. Obviously I recommend the book and I definitely plan to go back and read the previous two.

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🎧 LesCourt Reviewer 🎧

Bitter Heat(Heat Of Love Book 3)by Leta Blake.This story develops nicely. A good combination of world building and character development. I really enjoyed this story. If you like M/Preg this was a good listen.
The Narrator Michael Ferraiuolo did a fantastic job bringing these characters and story to life.

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Great

This was a very entertaining audiobook.
I really enjoyed it.
I can’t wait to listen to more from Leta and Michael.

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Loved it!

Bitter Heat is book 3 in the Heat of Love series by Leta Blake and I guess it could be read technically as a standalone, I suggest reading book 2 at the very least, though. If you haven't read the previous books, you're really missing out in this fascinating 'verse. 

We met Janus and heard of Kerry in book 2 and frankly, I didn't like Janus at all and I felt sorry for Kerry. While reading Bitter Heat, I still felt sorry for Kerry, for all he had to suffer and continued suffering at his contracted Alpha and his in-laws's hands. He was depressed and borderline suicidal and some of the scenes at the start of the book aren't easy to read because of what he feels cornered to do. And Janus, well, he definitely grew up and matured, becoming the kind of Alpha his friend Caleb knew he could be. He was so sweet and supportive with Kerry and while there's a twist that is revealed in the end and that was hinted throughout the story, I loved that neither of them was aware of it, forcing them to get closer and fall for each other through their interactions. T

Overall, Bitter Heat is a fantastic addition to the series and that extended epilogue more than made up for some of the angst Leta Blake dished out. ;)  

Michael Ferraiuolo's performance is flawless, as always. He's just so versatile and has such a pleasant tone and wide variety of voices, that I can't not recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves this type of story.

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A Story of Healing and Redemption

Bitter Heat is the third in the Omegaverse trilogy Heat of Love by Leta Blake and I would advise reading/listening to at least book 2, Alpha Heat, to get a better understanding of both of the main characters backgrounds before starting this book.
The whole Omegaverse world building is very intelligently designed and original when compared to other Alpha/Omega books available and addresses some dark and sometimes disturbing situations such as domestic abuse and suicidal ideation.
The developing story and relationship between Janus and Kerry is beautiful despite Kerry’s fears and reluctance but janus’ patience and nurturing gives Kerry what he needs most, trust.
I do hope this is not the end of Leta’s journey into writing Omegaverse, she is the best! Please continue 🙏

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1 person found this helpful

Love truly does conquer all

I absolutely love this addition to the series.
Poor Kerry has lived a life no one should ever be subjected to.
Janus has not been a very likeable character for me previous to his story.
Leta Blake absolutely redeemed him in the most emotionally compelling manner.
This book was full of angst and nail biting suspense for me.
Michael Ferraioulo has done a stupendous job of making these characters come to life so vividly and poignantly.

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all the yes!

this was holy smokes amazing.. sexy.. hott.. interesting. fast paced.. narrator hit the personalities and emotions perfectly. i loved it

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1 person found this helpful

SO GOOD

This is such a unique world that Leta Blake has created in this series and I love all of the books. They're so well intertwined that you should really read them all in order but you won't regret it. She has such a deep world and does so good with the world building. Her characters are so well developed and the supporting characters are fantastic. The journey physically, and emotionally that these tow go on is a little intense as a reader kind of keeps you on edge through the whole book and you don't want to stop until you get to that HEA but its great!

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