Wet Heat

By: R. D. Hero

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Most omega werewolves want a mate and pups, but Lee Aung prefers an unconventional party-boy lifestyle. Yet at 42, he’s stopped going into heat, which means he’s expired goods - no longer a fertile, young omega that alpha wolves drool over. So Lee uses Wet Heat, a synthetic pheromone, to reel in the alpha hookups.

After losing his job at the bank, Lee can’t afford to keep up his Wet Heat habit. His solution: scam free samples by pretending to be a happily mated test subject at Wet Heat headquarters. There, Lee spends two years being interviewed by the reserved alpha scientist, Cain, who at 32 is unmated and - up until this point - content with that.

Cain never really felt his alpha instincts, nor took part in the usual alpha/beta/omega social dynamics. But after discovering that Lee has been lying about his unmated status for two years, Cain finally admits that for the first time, he wants to court an omega. Unfortunately, he’s picked the one omega who doesn’t want to be courted.

©2016 R. D. Hero (P)2017 Riptide Publishing

Fun story

I've never heard anything like it. Great narration by Nick J. Russo. This one will be on my steady rotation! Highly recommend!

Story ‘light’

As far as gay romances go, this one is on the light side. Meaning that it’s light on plot and character development. I was going to say that it’s light on the paranormal side also, since there’s no shifting just ‘almost.’ But that’s a mistake since the story does focus on the relationship of Alphas & Omegas in a new & different way.
For a short story at half the price, it was an ok way to pass a mindless four hours.

A fresh take on Werewolves

Wet Heat is a fresh take on the werewolf books. I loved the different take on Alpha, Beta, Omegas and there wasn't so much focus on pack hieratics and insta-mate. I also liked that Lee was an omega and not shed as a weak clingy type. He is the opposite very feisty and pushy for not being an Alpha. I loved him.
Then we had Cain. He was different for his type of character. Didn't want pups and wasn't all domineering and bossy but could hold his own.
The storyline is unique, fast-paced and I admit I wanted more. maybe we will get Shane's story? Or more Cain and Lee?
This is a short story but very complete. The characters well rounded and the plot interesting. If you like werewolves want a fresh take, I highly suggest this!

As for the narration. It's Nick J Russo and in my book, you can't go wrong. He always has a mellow voice, great character voices, good pacing and brings the story to life.

it was so good

i did not want it to end the story is so good that it could be a series it really could it is so worth it I loved it

Fun listen.

Snarky, sexy and fun!

This was quick, entertaining, and such a fun listen with great character voices, a steady pace, and good tone. Nick J. Russo doesn't disappoint.

A bit quirky, and I was a bit sad there wasn't some more world building or any omega slick or knotting, but the whole thing was just enjoyable!

3.5 stars- Different story, great narration

I enjoy shifter stories occasionally and with Wet Heat receiving recommendations from some book friends and the audiobook featuring a favorite narrator, I decided to give it a try. The plot of Wet Heat is wonderfully unique and quickly captured my attention. The characters were likable and the protagonist Lee had loads of personality.

While I liked the different plot premise, I did think it was a little complex for a novella. Consequently, the pacing sometimes felt rushed and the plot lines/conflicts underdeveloped. This was especially true of the relationship between Cain and Lee. I wanted to see a tad more from them but only got a hint of what this couple’s life together would look like at the end of the story.

What made Wet Heat truly enjoyable though was the narration. Mr. Russo never disappoints with his performance, keeping a good tempo and injecting just the right amount of emotion into each scene. If Wet Heat has been on your radar, I’d definitely recommend the audiobook to deliver a unique story with great narration.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

Great short story!

Cain and Lee start out looking to be indifferent to each other. This quickly changes as Lee's Mom sets him up on a blind date for a trip!! Listen to Nick Russo narrate this great short story. Nick does an awesome job!

Moderately Enjoyable! Light, Quick, and Fun!

Omegas, Betas, and Alphas... werewolves have their particular natures and roles in life, right? But this past his expiration date Omega rebels against all that and lives life on his own terms. It sounded like a light and fun paranormal novella and I was all ready to enjoy it.

Wet Heat has a bratty Omega werewolf hero who has the sole narration of the story. Lee is snarky, cunning, and unrepentantly goes after what he wants- a freewheeling night life and few responsibilities. He fakes it through real life and lives to party though his age has forced him to look to chemical assistance to draw in the betas and alphas. Meanwhile, his mom and everyone else wants to see him settled with a good mate save his equally wild and loose nephew whose so much like him down to their handsome looks and need to party.

While I found this story and Lee amusing, I will say that I was left somewhat wanting. I blame the author for crafting such an intriguing world and background that was left underdeveloped so I was left with so many questions. I might have resigned myself if that was it, but I also felt that the other characters around Lee were not really filled in. I was confused by the power dynamics in the werewolf relations. Lee is supposedly an omega and Cain an alpha, but much of the time, I felt they were both a blend of those- a brazen omega and a timid alpha, I guess.

Also, this was a shorter piece that was left at a happy for now type of ending. I can guess where it will end up based on where it was going. At first I was dissatisfied, but then I thought about it and felt that the ending was actually true to Lee's character. He's got some issues and he'll never be easy. And, when all's said and done, he's still very much the wild child eternally young omega looking to tease Cain to distraction.

One of the best parts of listening to this book was getting Nick Russo as the narrator. He did a great job making me really see Lee in my mind and I had a good time listening to him share Lee's escapades and the adorable bumbling Cain trying to make sense of Lee and Cain's reactions to sassy male he's attracted to. I think Russo got this story just right.

So, all in all, it was fast and fun. I wanted more when it came to development, but I did find the hero a clever creation. For those who are looking for an engaging shorter piece this m/m light paranormal romance might fit the bill.

Quirky and Sweet

This is a wonderful story that was totally unexpected. Lee is full of snark, attitude, and zest for life. Cain is steady, calm, and droll. Nick J Russo did such a great job with the narration and the characters just pop out into full color.

This story made me chuckle, laugh out loud, sympathize and overall put a smile on my face. Lovely to listen to and enjoy repeatedly.

Really good shifter story!

I loved this story. Unlike most books about alpha/beta/omega wolf shifters, here we get the rebel omega that thrue the whole story dont want to be mated and he really dont want kids. Usually the omegas in these kind of stories end up chainging there minds later of and get pups anyway when they find there mate, so to actually follow an omega in his early fortys was a breath of fresh air! Lee despite that omegas have to be weak and obedient, so he live his life as he chose: go out clubing and fucking anyone interested, and not backing down when talking to alphas. Cain was adorabell as he tried to get Lee to somehow obey him, without much success I might add.
Liked the idee behind Wet Heat, we never really learn anything about omegas heat other than that they get super horny and wants pups, so to learn that it can end and they no longer can get pregnant, and that someone invented a way for omegas to still draw other wolfs to them was a briliant idee.
And to have Nick J. Russo narrate this sexy story only made it better! He was a perfect choise for this story!
Really recommend this book!