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Heat of Love #0.5
White Heat
Forbidden love conquers all.
Sian Maxima, the heir to a great lineage, yearns to marry his childhood sweetheart, Avila Rossi. But their love is outlawed. After a secret, desperate tryst is discovered, Avila alone will be punished for their transgressions.
Only Sian can save him.
White Heat is a standalone prequel to Leta Blake’s Heat of Love universe. It’s set against a faux-historical backdrop and contains tropes such as mpreg, knotting, and heats.
Sian Maxima, the heir to a great lineage, yearns to marry his childhood sweetheart, Avila Rossi. But their love is outlawed. After a secret, desperate tryst is discovered, Avila alone will be punished for their transgressions.
Only Sian can save him.
White Heat is a standalone prequel to Leta Blake’s Heat of Love universe. It’s set against a faux-historical backdrop and contains tropes such as mpreg, knotting, and heats.
142 pages, ebook
Published January 18, 2023
96 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
Leta Blake
65 books1,788 followersAuthor of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and fan favorites Training Season, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married, and Slow Heat, Leta Blake has been captivating M/M Romance readers for over a decade. Whether writing contemporary romance or fantasy, she puts her psychology background to use creating complex characters and love stories that feel real. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her writing and her family life.
If you'd like to be among the first to know about new releases, you can sign up for Leta's newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bdn32H
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 5, 2022
4 Stars
A perfect introduction to this unique ABO world, serving as an intro to beloved character Vale before he became jaded and way before he met his fated mate Jason in Slow Heat.
Through Vale’s studies at university, the reader is introduced alongside him of the history behind their current ABO biologic dynamic and how far (and not so far) society has come in reproductive rights. Vale is directed towards a diary of an infamous alpha who defied a lot of laws and rules to have his true love and how his actions shaped future generations to come.
I stand by my original assertion. This is still one of the best ABO universes out there that doesn’t skirt around the tough topics but is meaty and plenty angsty enough in all the ways, delivering on the drama and smexy goodness for you to really really really sink your teeth into. Go forth and enjoy this prelude! I sure did!
A perfect introduction to this unique ABO world, serving as an intro to beloved character Vale before he became jaded and way before he met his fated mate Jason in Slow Heat.
Through Vale’s studies at university, the reader is introduced alongside him of the history behind their current ABO biologic dynamic and how far (and not so far) society has come in reproductive rights. Vale is directed towards a diary of an infamous alpha who defied a lot of laws and rules to have his true love and how his actions shaped future generations to come.
I stand by my original assertion. This is still one of the best ABO universes out there that doesn’t skirt around the tough topics but is meaty and plenty angsty enough in all the ways, delivering on the drama and smexy goodness for you to really really really sink your teeth into. Go forth and enjoy this prelude! I sure did!
March 21, 2023
Aqui vemos una historia corta, introductoria a este universo. Un universo donde no existen mujeres humanas, y los hombres son diferenciados como Alfa, Beta y Omega, donde los Omega (por su puesto) son los que pueden tener hijos y buscan el amor "predestinado" que es lo que los hara felices "por siempre".
En fin, tambien conocemos un poco el pasado del personaje principal del primer libro de esta serie "Slow Heat", y nos adentramos en las costumbres de esta sociedad y en las luchas internas que tienen cada grupo.
En fin, tambien conocemos un poco el pasado del personaje principal del primer libro de esta serie "Slow Heat", y nos adentramos en las costumbres de esta sociedad y en las luchas internas que tienen cada grupo.
January 9, 2022
The premise of using two timelines in the narration, where the MCs of one timeline uncover lost letters/journals from the past feels too used. But, the angst of forbidden love in the faux-historical setting was too good to rate it lower than 3 🌟.
March 14, 2024
Re-read March 14, 2024
Re-read February 6, 2023
Still loved it.
Beautiful story. I loved the romance, as well as, getting a nice glimpse of a young Vale, and his trials and tribulations before his great love with Jason. This universe Leta created is definitely a favorite of mine.
Re-read February 6, 2023
Still loved it.
Beautiful story. I loved the romance, as well as, getting a nice glimpse of a young Vale, and his trials and tribulations before his great love with Jason. This universe Leta created is definitely a favorite of mine.
January 17, 2022
Nothing beats the first book of this series for me, but this was cute. 😍😍
I could have lived without Vale's life interrupting the tale, because I got really curious and then wam! Vale's appears again (even though I will always feel for him and I read his book again after this, can't help it!).
But this was almost another world, like the history of the beginning of this take on omegaverse that Leta did and I'm intrigued by it!
Me approves this content. 🥰🥰🥰
I could have lived without Vale's life interrupting the tale, because I got really curious and then wam! Vale's appears again (even though I will always feel for him and I read his book again after this, can't help it!).
But this was almost another world, like the history of the beginning of this take on omegaverse that Leta did and I'm intrigued by it!
Me approves this content. 🥰🥰🥰
January 9, 2022
I love this world that Leta Blake has created, I love how satisfying her plots are, and I love how real her characters feel.
There are a few things I don’t love. Some of her stories get real mpreg heavy. I don’t always mind it, but the breastfeeding descriptions…I could definitely leave them. This story was also incredibly dark and I spent a solid third of it feeling despair. I wasn’t completely elevated back to any happy feelings by the ending either. I’m just left feeling kind of numb. This story was also lacking in heat, especially when compared to the other books in this series.
That said, I’d read further books in this series and now want to reread Vale’s story.
There are a few things I don’t love. Some of her stories get real mpreg heavy. I don’t always mind it, but the breastfeeding descriptions…I could definitely leave them. This story was also incredibly dark and I spent a solid third of it feeling despair. I wasn’t completely elevated back to any happy feelings by the ending either. I’m just left feeling kind of numb. This story was also lacking in heat, especially when compared to the other books in this series.
That said, I’d read further books in this series and now want to reread Vale’s story.
January 12, 2022
A book inside a book. How very meta.
A young Vale read the troubled love story of Siam and Avila. It ends in an HEA but Vale’s is still to come.
We learned a bit more about a young Vale and even got a bit more insight to how truly lonely he was. Urho is even in here along with Vale’s two beta friends. Now I feel I need to re-read Slow Heat so I can experience Vale’s HEA all over again.
I’m glad we got this novella.
A young Vale read the troubled love story of Siam and Avila. It ends in an HEA but Vale’s is still to come.
We learned a bit more about a young Vale and even got a bit more insight to how truly lonely he was. Urho is even in here along with Vale’s two beta friends. Now I feel I need to re-read Slow Heat so I can experience Vale’s HEA all over again.
I’m glad we got this novella.
August 7, 2022
I absolutely adored this novella. It was primarily told through journal entries and letters which gave it a more intimate feel. I enjoyed Sian's growth from a young naive alpha to a leader and his forever devotion to Avila. It wasn't without sacrifice and pain though. The way Vale's story was weaved into it was also really well done.
January 6, 2022
4.5 stars!
I am addicted to Leta Blake's writing and equally addicted to her Heat Of Love series.
Thisnis a prequel to Slow Heat, which is Vale's book and takes us back to the first centuries after The Great Death.
It follows journal entries of an alpha, Sian, and an omega, Avila, who love each other but kept away from each other for years and because of different sitautions.
This book, like all of Leta's books, is everything but cookie cutter and formulaic. It's nuanced and researched and deep and thoughtful. It's reflecting of our own social dilemmas and concerns.
It is also a sad book. It's angsty for sure. We see Vale's origin story and his struggles and we see Avila and Sian's relationship from start to finish. Their love and their loss and their devotion, even throigh years of heartbreak and distance.
Leta can write this series forever and I would read it.
I only had 1 niggle, which is that the steam was a bit glossed over. I understand that it's a novella, but I widh we had 1 drawn out scene for Avila and Sian.
I am addicted to Leta Blake's writing and equally addicted to her Heat Of Love series.
Thisnis a prequel to Slow Heat, which is Vale's book and takes us back to the first centuries after The Great Death.
It follows journal entries of an alpha, Sian, and an omega, Avila, who love each other but kept away from each other for years and because of different sitautions.
This book, like all of Leta's books, is everything but cookie cutter and formulaic. It's nuanced and researched and deep and thoughtful. It's reflecting of our own social dilemmas and concerns.
It is also a sad book. It's angsty for sure. We see Vale's origin story and his struggles and we see Avila and Sian's relationship from start to finish. Their love and their loss and their devotion, even throigh years of heartbreak and distance.
Leta can write this series forever and I would read it.
I only had 1 niggle, which is that the steam was a bit glossed over. I understand that it's a novella, but I widh we had 1 drawn out scene for Avila and Sian.
March 5, 2022
The angst!! I am dead now.
This is a perfect prequel to the Heat of Love series. Heartbreaking angst, forbidden love, the dystopian existence…
I loved getting to see both more of young Vale and his background before his book, and to see the history of this world through the journal. I wasn’t sure about the dual timeline thing, but it was very well done.
Sian and Avila were so perfect together, and all their suffering….so much to get their happy ending.
A+ novella, which is incredibly hard to pull off. Not sure what to do with myself now…
This is a perfect prequel to the Heat of Love series. Heartbreaking angst, forbidden love, the dystopian existence…
I loved getting to see both more of young Vale and his background before his book, and to see the history of this world through the journal. I wasn’t sure about the dual timeline thing, but it was very well done.
Sian and Avila were so perfect together, and all their suffering….so much to get their happy ending.
A+ novella, which is incredibly hard to pull off. Not sure what to do with myself now…
January 9, 2022
Oh, this was Good! I love the mix of "historical" and present time in this prequel, and the snippets of Vale's life before the events of slow heat. As he once told Jason, he had a life before him, and I like that we get a view of it. Plus the story of Sian and Avila is delightful!
It kind of made me want to reread slow heat.
It kind of made me want to reread slow heat.
March 16, 2023
Used the "gay letters from the past" trope, which I loathe due to overuse, but it worked decently here. A little overwrought and I continue to have complicated feelings about the entire concept of this universe, but a decent enough read.
January 4, 2022
I love every single book set in this universe. In fact, the first mpreg I read was Slow Heat (and it’s my favorite). So it’s always a happy day when I have more of this universe to read.
Read
October 20, 2023Every once in a while I get curious despite myself about this series, because even though I don’t like most shifter stuff or a/b/o verse or mpreg (i.e. everything this series revolves around, lol), I do like Leta Blake’s writing, so sometimes I wonder if that might be enough. So when I came across this as a freebie, I grabbed it.
And… nope. It’s basically just confirming what I knew already – that the biological aspects of this world (heats, bonded mates, biological imperative to mate, etc.) squick me out and the details of the world, especially the massive focus on enforced reproduction, are the opposite of appealing to me.
Not rating because it was free and I knew it likely wasn’t going to be for me, but good to know for sure.
And… nope. It’s basically just confirming what I knew already – that the biological aspects of this world (heats, bonded mates, biological imperative to mate, etc.) squick me out and the details of the world, especially the massive focus on enforced reproduction, are the opposite of appealing to me.
Not rating because it was free and I knew it likely wasn’t going to be for me, but good to know for sure.
May 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️
This was a pretty heart wrenching prequel to a story I’ve already loved.
It goes back to when Vale was in school, crushing on his alpha librarian who led him to do a book report on the journal of a past leader and his mate who wasn’t fated.
It was a double edged sword because you know how long Vale went before he discovered his eroscape.
Sian was an amazing character that never gave up on his love for omega Avila even if every obstacle was placed between them. It gave merit to everything that Vale would endure as well.
It was a layered story that sent me right back to Vale and Jason’s beautiful story.
🌶️🌶️
This was a pretty heart wrenching prequel to a story I’ve already loved.
It goes back to when Vale was in school, crushing on his alpha librarian who led him to do a book report on the journal of a past leader and his mate who wasn’t fated.
It was a double edged sword because you know how long Vale went before he discovered his eroscape.
Sian was an amazing character that never gave up on his love for omega Avila even if every obstacle was placed between them. It gave merit to everything that Vale would endure as well.
It was a layered story that sent me right back to Vale and Jason’s beautiful story.
October 16, 2023
This was my first dip into the Omegaverse and I’m so glad I started off with this novella. The world building was great and the forbidden romance between Sian and Avila was angsty and sweet and I love how the romance was depicted using journal entries. I definitely plan on reading the rest of the series.
January 7, 2023
This was my very first Omegaverse read and I'm not sure how I feel about the Omegaverse trope as a whole. I found I was lost with some of the terms and how things worked and had to message a friend so I could understand what everything meant! Even with not fully understanding I did enjoy the story in this novella quite a lot.
This novella includes the love story of Sian and Avila told through entries in a journal that an omega named Vale is reading. I haven't read many books like this and I found it was a really interesting concept. It did throw me off a few times though when I wanted to either continue with Sian and Avila or continue with Vale's story.
Sian and Avila had a really tough go of things. There were times I didn't know how they were going to get their HEA, if that was even going to happen or maybe this book was just set up for the universe. Thankfully after much hardship they do get their HEA and I'm really happy that they did!
I did not realize that Vale's love story was not actually part of this novella so I had hopes he would have his HEA as well but we do get his story in the next book in this series (Slow Heat). I loved the poem that Vale wrote at the end, it really sets the stage for an epic love story in the next book for him!
This novella includes the love story of Sian and Avila told through entries in a journal that an omega named Vale is reading. I haven't read many books like this and I found it was a really interesting concept. It did throw me off a few times though when I wanted to either continue with Sian and Avila or continue with Vale's story.
Sian and Avila had a really tough go of things. There were times I didn't know how they were going to get their HEA, if that was even going to happen or maybe this book was just set up for the universe. Thankfully after much hardship they do get their HEA and I'm really happy that they did!
I did not realize that Vale's love story was not actually part of this novella so I had hopes he would have his HEA as well but we do get his story in the next book in this series (Slow Heat). I loved the poem that Vale wrote at the end, it really sets the stage for an epic love story in the next book for him!
January 5, 2022
Not a big fan of paranormal stuff...but this was truly a love story for the ages. Sian and Avila's connection; and travails both separate and together; and the things Sian did for Avila was remarkable. Good plot, Leta Blake's writing is at her best here.
This made me want to read Vale's story, which I had dnf earlier.
Upping this to 5 stars as I am still thinking of this story a day later.
This made me want to read Vale's story, which I had dnf earlier.
Upping this to 5 stars as I am still thinking of this story a day later.
January 28, 2023
Great intro to Leta Blake’s omegaverse world!
The romance happens in the pages of a journal from long ago, read in the “present” time by Vale, an omega. Vale’s own story appears in Slow Heat—a fabulous read and listen!
This was lovely, harsh, heartbreaking, and redeeming.
Omega and Alpha fall in love.
Circumstances won’t let them be together.
Finally they are, but at a great cost.
HEA
The romance happens in the pages of a journal from long ago, read in the “present” time by Vale, an omega. Vale’s own story appears in Slow Heat—a fabulous read and listen!
This was lovely, harsh, heartbreaking, and redeeming.
Omega and Alpha fall in love.
Circumstances won’t let them be together.
Finally they are, but at a great cost.
HEA
October 14, 2025
This came as a surprise read since I found this 4 free at prolific works and the cover caught my attention. As for the story, I'm not a fan of the double timeline-narrative so I skipped the 'current times' and focused solely on the past-timeline. The story has everything I look on a MM narrative: a nice world-building, protagonists who get to know each other throught time (not insta-love), the love feeling (like i could really feel it, not like many books were the L-word is thrown out of nowhere), the ANGST! (my heart cried for Avila and the injustice he faced) and strict top/bottom roles. My only complain would be I wished the story was focused solely on them, with no glances of the 'present'. Hopefully, I can find a book similar to this one (minus the split timeline, that is.)
May 22, 2022
So, so good. We read about Sian and Avila's story through Vale's reading of the journal about them. It was good, painful too, to read their story and Vale's story simultaneously.
I would have liked to read more about Avila and his family, but we are left with a mystery as Vale is - I must say, it's kind of helpful, as it makes you feel like you aren't the only one left with the need to know more.
And Vale. That poor man had a life in his mind - due to the teachings that omegas receive - but he ends up alone and hurt.
I can't wait to read about his story and the man who deserves his love.
I would have liked to read more about Avila and his family, but we are left with a mystery as Vale is - I must say, it's kind of helpful, as it makes you feel like you aren't the only one left with the need to know more.
And Vale. That poor man had a life in his mind - due to the teachings that omegas receive - but he ends up alone and hurt.
I can't wait to read about his story and the man who deserves his love.
July 24, 2023
4.5 stars
I love the way Sian and Avila’s story was told as well as getting an insight as to Vale’s past. Poor, poor Avila suffered so much. Omega rights 500 years before Vale were even worse and I ached for his awful treatment. This made me cry.
I love the way Sian and Avila’s story was told as well as getting an insight as to Vale’s past. Poor, poor Avila suffered so much. Omega rights 500 years before Vale were even worse and I ached for his awful treatment. This made me cry.
January 8, 2022
So gorgeous! I love seeing young Vale, and the insights into this universe closer to the Great Death are fascinating!
January 27, 2023
4.5 stars
June 10, 2025
En un mundo post-apocalíptico en dónde las mujeres dejaron de existir después de una Gran Muerte, y gracias a la ayuda del Gran Lobo(?), se crearon los omegas, aquellos hombres que serían capaces de poder dar vida a las nuevas generaciones junto a hombres que serian clasificados como Alfas y Betas.
En esta historia corta seguiremos a Vale un chico Omega que para realizar un trabajo para una clase, decide leer un diario que estaba guardado en la biblioteca. En este diario personal conoceremos a Sion, un alfa heredero de un gran linaje, y nos va relatando como con el apso de los años conoce a Avila, quien se convertiría en su pareja, y como a partir de ahí Sion empeza a cambiar muchas cosas de su vida y de todo lo que conocía.
Esta historia tan cortita estuvo genial, fue directa al grano pero te sumerges tan profundamente una vez que empiezas a leer y te pasa como a Vale, que no puedes parar de leer.
Se que Vale tendrá su historia en el primer libro oficial de la serie, pero lo poco que se deja entrever entre las pocas páginas que contaba su realidad, era muy triste. Muero por leer su historia completa y ver como obtiene su final feliz también.
En esta historia corta seguiremos a Vale un chico Omega que para realizar un trabajo para una clase, decide leer un diario que estaba guardado en la biblioteca. En este diario personal conoceremos a Sion, un alfa heredero de un gran linaje, y nos va relatando como con el apso de los años conoce a Avila, quien se convertiría en su pareja, y como a partir de ahí Sion empeza a cambiar muchas cosas de su vida y de todo lo que conocía.
Esta historia tan cortita estuvo genial, fue directa al grano pero te sumerges tan profundamente una vez que empiezas a leer y te pasa como a Vale, que no puedes parar de leer.
Se que Vale tendrá su historia en el primer libro oficial de la serie, pero lo poco que se deja entrever entre las pocas páginas que contaba su realidad, era muy triste. Muero por leer su historia completa y ver como obtiene su final feliz también.
December 11, 2025
I love Leta Blakes writing and her Heat Of Love series so I knew I needed to read this prequel novella. It's quite different from the other books in the series as this one is told primarily through journal entries. We follow Vale from Book 1 as he finishes his studies and begins reading a historical journal. Knowing Vale from his book, I knew that the things he went through in this book were going to hurt but Leta Blake weaved it in so well that what was going on in the rest of the story kind of took away the sting of it. The story of Sian and Avila was both heartbreaking and incredibly tender - the heartbreaking coming from the world around them and the tender coming from the moments that they got to be together. I loved how much work Sian put into getting to be with Avila - even though it changed him as a person.
By the end, I really just wanted to pick up Slow Heat and read that for a third time - I need some Vale getting loved on after getting his past from his perspective.
By the end, I really just wanted to pick up Slow Heat and read that for a third time - I need some Vale getting loved on after getting his past from his perspective.
January 16, 2022
An interesting (but depressing) story of a young couple who fought to be together about 500 years before the events in Slow Heat take place. Sian Maxima knew Avila Rossi would be his mate years before he came of age to legally marry. But Avila's family is very strictly religious and values piety and adherence to the principles of the wolf god above all else. When they succumb to the sex drive of Avila's heat, Sian is sent back to his territory and Avila is shunned and forced to stay in a "heat hut" which is no more than a shack in the words, dirt floor and all.
Yes, he gets pregnant and yes Sian fights to see him and eventually after quite some time and lots of suffering they do get together. But their story unfolds through Avila's journal and letters from Sian sewn into the journal. Who reads it? Vale, of course. Always the romantic, Vale wishes for his own sweet man to come along and sweep him away in true love. But as we know from Slow Heat, he's much older when that finally happens.
I liked the author's technique in delivering the story: Vale reading and then back to real time experiences with his classmates and then, after graduation, with his friends. The back story explained a lot about omegas and alphas and showed that one could love another man without having to be "erosgape" (a term from this world). But the journal depicted mega heartache and at times I had to put the book down and walk away for a while to regain my balance. I live with someone who is in severe depression so it affects my reading enjoyment. I'm sure my experience with the story won't be the same as others. And if you are a fan of Leta Blake and the Slow Heat series, by all means, give this a try. Best of all: it's free!
Yes, he gets pregnant and yes Sian fights to see him and eventually after quite some time and lots of suffering they do get together. But their story unfolds through Avila's journal and letters from Sian sewn into the journal. Who reads it? Vale, of course. Always the romantic, Vale wishes for his own sweet man to come along and sweep him away in true love. But as we know from Slow Heat, he's much older when that finally happens.
I liked the author's technique in delivering the story: Vale reading and then back to real time experiences with his classmates and then, after graduation, with his friends. The back story explained a lot about omegas and alphas and showed that one could love another man without having to be "erosgape" (a term from this world). But the journal depicted mega heartache and at times I had to put the book down and walk away for a while to regain my balance. I live with someone who is in severe depression so it affects my reading enjoyment. I'm sure my experience with the story won't be the same as others. And if you are a fan of Leta Blake and the Slow Heat series, by all means, give this a try. Best of all: it's free!
September 15, 2024
I've read White Heat because it's the only instalment of one of my favourite series that I haven't read yet.
But I didn't like it much. Sian was, for me, a very immature and childish MC. And I didn't know all that much about Avila.
I only liked the glimpses into Vale's life, and especially into his youth.
And that's that.
But I didn't like it much. Sian was, for me, a very immature and childish MC. And I didn't know all that much about Avila.
I only liked the glimpses into Vale's life, and especially into his youth.
And that's that.
March 24, 2022
This prequel sets up the a/b/o world that Blake has created perfectly with the evolving omega rights and difficulties that they face.
I particularly enjoyed how this was a story within a story. Vale aging and becoming more and more jaded with each passing year even as he found solace in Sian and Avila's story.
As for the second story, it was difficult reading in places. Avila suffered so much and for me there wasn't enough of a glimpse of their happiness to balance that out properly. However, I did feel how much Sian loved him through the letters and journal entries.
This works as a standalone.
I particularly enjoyed how this was a story within a story. Vale aging and becoming more and more jaded with each passing year even as he found solace in Sian and Avila's story.
As for the second story, it was difficult reading in places. Avila suffered so much and for me there wasn't enough of a glimpse of their happiness to balance that out properly. However, I did feel how much Sian loved him through the letters and journal entries.
This works as a standalone.
January 8, 2022
A Heat of Love prologue novella, of sorts. Student-age Vale (from Slow Heat) reads a journal about the love affair between an alpha and omega in the early days after the Great Death. Blake’s worldbuilding was top notch, as usual, and I liked the additional insight into how we got to the “present day” of the Heat of Love universe (and present day Vale, too!). The historical romance was compelling and felt complete despite the relatively short length of the book. Please write more Heat of Love stories, Leta Blake!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews