First Heat (First Heat, #1) By Sierra Cassidy
2.5-3 stars.
This was ok. It’s short and steamy AF, without much of a plot.
Sydney is basically a stud for hire. He gets paid to “help” omegas through their heat. Allie is fast approaching her first heat, so she hires him to lend a helping hand (and other body parts). I found some parts of this book weird, awkward, and clinical. Allie has to see a doctor and sign a contract in order to hire Sydney. Then she tells her mom about it, who then proceeds to send her off on a one week f**k fest with a virtual stranger. Allie’s mom thinks it’s a good idea for Allie to take Mr. Bear, a.k.a. Allie’s teddy bear, on her sexcapades. Did I mention Allie is 19 years old?! Awkward!
After that weird exchange, there’s really not much more to this than Allie and Sydney boning nonstop. Then, it’s wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and Sydney off to help his next omega in need. I would have enjoyed this a hell of a lot more if there was more of a connection between h and H and at least a HFN, if not a HEA. First Heat (First Heat, #1) While the overall concept was cute, I found the dialogue and writing to be very dry and clinical, and I didn't really feel the alpha energy from 24-year-old heat helper Sidney at all. I also thought the reactions of a 19-year-old omega virgin with her first heat weren't very believable.
As other reviews noted, this wasn't really a true romance, as the two of them separated to their own ways after the heat ended, and it was purely a professional transaction. First Heat (First Heat, #1) A fun, quick Omegaverse read about Allie going through her first heat. It was steamy and sweet and I’m onto the next one! First Heat (First Heat, #1) Wow, HOT. Like, I was fairly certain I was having a hot flash, but no, it was this book. I was not super happy with the ending... until I realized it had a sequel, already out, and I could one click the heck on that, too. DO THAT. I'm into the next book and it's so lovely, gives the POV of Sidney. <3 First Heat (First Heat, #1) 3.5 Sweet Citrus and Clove Stars ⭐
My new obsession with Sweet Omegaverse romances continues. With a case of cover lust, I was impressed that this tasty little morsel of a story delivered. Featuring an innocent and snarky omega none to pleased with having to use a service for her first mating heat and a more then capable Alpha to make the experience exceedingly pleasurable…
“Quit taking advantage of the fact that you’re super hot and a deliverer of orgasms. I have no defenses.”
Nineteen-year-old Allie is a college student too busy with her studies to have time for boys or mating heats. So she finds herself in a pickle with her heat due and no potential mates in site. Thus, the reason Allie finds herself paired with a gorgeous stud for hire Alpha she doesn’t know.
“Did you know you’re incredibly fucking cute right now?”
“Mmm, no, but you should tell me again. No one ever thinks I’m cute.”
“Well, everyone else is stupid then because you are completely perfect. Cute as hell, absolutely sexy, and you felt like heaven when you came on my cock like that.”
Phew things got hot very quickly but besides that, this authors style of writing was witty and relatable. As this is a book 1 with a HEA for now, I’ll be grabbing the next book and everything else she has written for my smut fix!! First Heat (First Heat, #1)
I was totally ignorant of the Omegaverse subgenre, but still enjoyed this a lot. So that says a lot about the writer's ability to create a world that stands on its own. The two main characters are sweet and caring but they do have an amazing week of sexual discovery together. Cassidy's style flows nicely and creates an easy read.
So, if you're looking for a great introduction to Omegaverse, I guess this is it.
And if you're wondering, why 4 and not 5 stars... I'm hard to get. First Heat (First Heat, #1) Read it this morning, not sure whether to give four or five stars. I liked it a lot, but it was short, and therefore not as satisfying as a full story. I guess I'm settling for four stars.
I liked how Sidney is big on consent and he tries to get Allie to use words and ask for what she wants, because although he may be able to read her body language, consent shouldn't be implied and she may also have other sexual partners in future who can't read her well, so she needs to learn to articulate what she would like from her partner. He's so careful with her and invites her to explore without judgement, since it's not just her first heat but also the first time she's having sex. The way he takes care of her is any woman's dream, not just an omega's!
Why I said it's not a full story: It's literally just about them getting together to assuage her heat, so it spans a week and that's it. She signs a contract with him for this purpose, so theirs is a business relationship, and although it feels like they really connected during that week, he is a Heat Helper so he sleeps with lots of others too, whenever his services are required by other omegas in heat. So it's sort of like... he's a male escort, in a sense? He talks about his work in an altruistic way (because heat can be very debilitating for omegas and they need someone who understands what they'll need during that time, as it's the period when they're most vulnerable) but still, basically he's paid to have sex with women, although this is not his main job (he's a male nurse at the omega clinic).
I loved it enough to get the series because I wanted to see more of Allie and Sidney together. First Heat (First Heat, #1) Swoon worthy but also kind of heartbreaking... I mean, it's the start of a few novellas but spoiler . First Heat (First Heat, #1) This was a hot novella and I have to give the author props for writing the first omega verse story I truly enjoyed. Sidney was respectable and genuine while Allie was convincing as a college student on the cusp of growing up. Lovely storytelling.
The only reason for four stars instead of five is because of how many times it was repeated that Sidney smelled like cloves and citrus. Once or twice was perfect. Every time she smelled him it was repeated and made me start skimming. First Heat (First Heat, #1) Oh my god.
I love this book more than I expected.
It had quite a bittersweet ending that I can't wait to read the next book.
Also only cried a lil 😎 First Heat (First Heat, #1)
review First Heat (First Heat, #1)
Allie is a young omega, and her first heat is coming up fast.
The problem is that she’s never been kissed, let alone had sex, and the prospect of getting busy with a stranger to satisfy that primal need doesn’t interest her at all.
When Allie reluctantly chooses Sidney, an alpha who works as a heat helper at the local clinic, her expectations start to shift.
Between the heat hormones and his charming smile, Allie stands no chance and she’s about to discover a whole world of sexual possibilities under Sidney’s guiding hand. First Heat (First Heat, #1)