I read this book, because I actually was reading an anthology. And as it seems, the Christmas story there is a follow-up/bonus story to this book. I don't like to read outside the timeline. So, I had to read the main story first.
The premise really sounded promising too. It's not mainstream, either. The story itself is a dystopian setting with a corrupt government and omegas being the lowest of the low, betas are there to serve the alphas, and as usual the alphas are there to reign. There are rules for omegas. The most important one is, that they have to mate two Alphas. Otherwise, there are consequences. But, they are not paired through the government. They are sent to a so-called Alpha Island, where they can choose from the eligible pool of alphas. That was surprising, since that it's rarely done in a dystopian setting.
But grouping goes along to the general setting that I already know from RH books, where monogamous relationships between omegas and alphas are rare. Same explanation, there are fewer omegas than alphas, so the dynamic changed in that way, that the alphas have to share an omega.
Though, in this world it has a second purpose, because the world around them is dangerous, and the omegas need protection all the time. So, the theme is either, that you are stronger in a group.
So, Adelyn, our FMC, starts out as revealing as an omega and is sent to the Alpha Island without knowing what will happen and anxious about her future. She already meets Rhylon on the transport. He is a new transition alpha. They form an instant connection.
And then there is Bash, the other alpha, who is on that Island for many years. He was chosen several times, but the omegas, before Adelyn, always pulled back when they were close to him and rejected him, because of his appearance. So, over the years, he became jaded and didn't believe that any omega will ever pick him.
So, think of his surprise, when he is truly selected by Adelyn. But the start of the relationship is difficult, because he is used to being alone. But with Rhylon as the second alpha in the mix, he has to find a way to deal with it. And they have to claim Adelyn.
And I loved how it did go after that. It's really a unique setting. I have always seen some parts of that world in other books, but the way it was matched here was beautifully done. I could relate to every one of them.
But I can't give 5 stars, because there were still some issues. Like I still don't really know how the world around them works. We get a bit of information here and there, but not enough to get the full picture. And the appearances of the characters changed throughout the book, that I got really confused about what they look like. I think most people wouldn't really notice it, but I always make overviews to the books I'm reading. So, I write down how people look like, background details and so on and I constantly check it over.
For example, it was indicated that Bash had brown or at least golden-brown hair, because there was a comment to his chest hair/happy trail, and it was said it was golden. I don't think he dyed his hair on the Island, since he isn't the vain type of guy. But later, it was written, that he had black hair. And I have some more situations. That makes it really confusing, when you try to figure out which look is the true one.
Otherwise, the epilogue was pretty short. I would have like to see what they are working now and how they arranged their lives. Some everyday stuff. But it wasn't only mentioned the smutty stuff. I wasn't happy about that.
But overall, it was a good read.