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Venusverse #3
Thorns That Bloom
Sam is doing everything he can to climb back from rock bottom and get his life on track. After enduring months of legal battles in the aftermath of an assault by several alphas at his workplace, he decides that the best thing for himself and his future child is to move forward, which means taking up a job at the company’s sister branch. Sam uproots his life, hoping that keeping his distance from the past and throwing himself into work will be enough to give him a chance to heal.
No matter how jaded Sam has become, especially when it comes to love, there might still be good people in the world, including a sweet, young alpha, Theo, who believes that he’s his fated mate, and seems willing to do anything he can to subvert Sam’s expectations…
Thorns That Bloom is a non-shifter, slow-burn M/M omegaverse standalone romance novel set in Kat Sinclair’s VENUSVERSE. It contains a HEA, mpreg essential to the story, and explicit themes that may be triggering for certain readers. A complete list of CWs can be found at the beginning of the book or on the author’s website.
No matter how jaded Sam has become, especially when it comes to love, there might still be good people in the world, including a sweet, young alpha, Theo, who believes that he’s his fated mate, and seems willing to do anything he can to subvert Sam’s expectations…
Thorns That Bloom is a non-shifter, slow-burn M/M omegaverse standalone romance novel set in Kat Sinclair’s VENUSVERSE. It contains a HEA, mpreg essential to the story, and explicit themes that may be triggering for certain readers. A complete list of CWs can be found at the beginning of the book or on the author’s website.
- GenresM M Romance
409 pages, ebook
Published October 10, 2025
About the author
Kat Sinclair
6 books20 followersBorn and raised in Czech Republic, Kat is a chronic overthinker who writes character-driven gay (M/M) stories with just enough spice and angst. Besides falling in love with fictional people, Kat enjoys spending time with animals, gaming, doing DIY projects, and getting stronger in the gym.
More stories can be found under the pen names of RIPLEY SINCLAIR for fantasy, urban fantasy, and straight romance & QUINN SINCLAIR for sapphic W/W romance (coming soon).
To be kept up to date on the latest and future releases, gain access to various sneak peeks, and to read the exclusive bonus chapters, join Kat Sinclair's free Substack Newsletter at: katsinclair.substack.com
More stories can be found under the pen names of RIPLEY SINCLAIR for fantasy, urban fantasy, and straight romance & QUINN SINCLAIR for sapphic W/W romance (coming soon).
To be kept up to date on the latest and future releases, gain access to various sneak peeks, and to read the exclusive bonus chapters, join Kat Sinclair's free Substack Newsletter at: katsinclair.substack.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 14, 2025
I don’t know what it is about Kat Sinclair’s books, but I’ve become completely addicted to them. From the very first one in the Venuverse series to this third, I’ve been here for all of them. What I love the most is that each book feels very different, and still Kat’s writing always manages to pull me in and keep me hooked.
Thorns That Bloom was such a surprise for me. The beginning is already powerful, meeting Sam and slowly understanding what happened to him and how he ended up in that situation. His pain, his trauma, his fears… you can’t help but empathize with him as he tries to heal, with all his doubts and shadows that make the story feel raw and real.
The moment his path crosses with Blair’s, that inevitable chemistry and tension starts to bloom, and it’s paced perfectly. It’s not an easy relationship. Sam doesn’t let Blair in easily, but Blair never gives up on him.
This book has raw moments, unexpected twists, and deep wounds that take time to heal. But above all, it’s about understanding, love, redemption, and characters fighting their own battles. At the heart of it all, there’s a healthy, inevitable love story that feels like hope.
PS: To any deity out there, make thousands of Blairs. Please and thank you!
Thorns That Bloom was such a surprise for me. The beginning is already powerful, meeting Sam and slowly understanding what happened to him and how he ended up in that situation. His pain, his trauma, his fears… you can’t help but empathize with him as he tries to heal, with all his doubts and shadows that make the story feel raw and real.
The moment his path crosses with Blair’s, that inevitable chemistry and tension starts to bloom, and it’s paced perfectly. It’s not an easy relationship. Sam doesn’t let Blair in easily, but Blair never gives up on him.
This book has raw moments, unexpected twists, and deep wounds that take time to heal. But above all, it’s about understanding, love, redemption, and characters fighting their own battles. At the heart of it all, there’s a healthy, inevitable love story that feels like hope.
PS: To any deity out there, make thousands of Blairs. Please and thank you!
September 9, 2025
When pregnant Sam is starts a new job in a branch of the previous company he worked at. Sam meets Theo a young alpha who believes they are soulmates. Due to his past trauma Sam doesn’t really want to be near Alphas.
Theo is willing to take things slow and gain Sam trust.
Thorns That Bloom does have a dark elements to the story that is beautifully written that does have a happy ending but it is a slow burn kind of story.
I would have loved to see more of Sam and Theo’s relationship after the baby was born. I also would have loved to read about Sam meeting Theo’s parents.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Theo is willing to take things slow and gain Sam trust.
Thorns That Bloom does have a dark elements to the story that is beautifully written that does have a happy ending but it is a slow burn kind of story.
I would have loved to see more of Sam and Theo’s relationship after the baby was born. I also would have loved to read about Sam meeting Theo’s parents.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
“So, even if he never wants me, I can be content with that. I can wait as long as he needs me to. And if he doesn’t feel anything for me, I will die at least knowing I was able to meet him and be in his presence.”
Also, just taking a moment to appreciate how PERFECT this title is for this book. 🥺🥰
Oh. My gosh. Fated mates, done right for me. The traumatized omega tells the simp-over-him alpha to forget about him, go date other people, he’s not in a place to entertain any kind of relationship...the alpha tries to accommodate...and CAN’T. He just can’t.
I freakin’ loved this. This is why I read fated mates.
Kat Sinclair’s omegaverse world, known as a venusverse, hits strong ABO notes and adds its own unique specifics of how pheromones, glands, heat/rut, and more works in her world, and I love what she’s created. Much as Eden West’s omegaverse delivers the ABO goods while also making the genre its own, so does Kat Sinclair’s.
This story includes surviving the aftermath of SA and going through the resulting pregnancy, for any who might not be up for that (or who do want a gut-wrenching hurt-comfort read!). Before the story begins, we learn Sam was in heat, vulnerable, gang-raped, became pregnant, and decided to keep the baby. He is surviving, seeing a (good!) therapist (THANK you author!), was forced to accept his corporate BS company moving him to another location to get away from the group of alphas who attacked him and suffered zero consequences, and is trying to do his best for himself and his baby. (Note: he did try to go after them legally and was stymied all around by typical alpha-centric BS, alas. 🤬. But don't worry! There is movement toward justice in the end.)
Theo is the happy golden-retriever alpha who bumps into new-guy Sam in the cafeteria...and is Changed capital C by the exposure. Sam’s scent overwhelms him, fogs his brain, and...he just wants to be near this quiet, prickly, pregnant omega and get to know him. Theo starts to believe that all that fated-mates crap spouted by a religious cult might...actually...be...real. Because every atom in him body has a new true north, and it’s Sam.
Who wants nothing to do with him, or any alpha, ever...!
This book is poignant, heartbreaking, frustrating, and real. It’s a journey. It was hard to understand at first why Theo would be SO physically overpowered by feelings for Sam while Sam was not (I’m not talking about emotions—Sam being wary and unreceptive makes absolute sense. But. Why wasn’t he also physically impacted like Theo was? Was it pregnancy hormones? Trauma shutdown? Something else? Unclear.). But seeing Theo’s softness toward Sam, his every caring instinct pulled out and put into effect, his entire world shifting to circle Sam, provide Sam whatever he needed, even if it was space from Theo...he was my idea of the ultimate alpha mate. And Theo’s immediate interest in and support of the pregnancy, no question, no concern about it not being his biological child, was one of the most attractive things about the entire situation.
Theo was THERE for his man, even when he really couldn’t physically be there because Sam said No. Theo couldn’t date anyone else as requested. It was no longer in his makeup. He couldn’t ignore Sam’s distress. He took lessons in patience and just...waited it out.
Sam’s journey is heartbreaking and triumphant. His reflex to focus on the baby and everything it needed had only one flaw, and that was that he didn’t always take good enough care of himself, especially emotionally. His therapist had to remind him to put on his own oxygen mask first, so to speak (anyone who flies knows this instruction!). His reactions to Theo were muted, but he understood that having contact with good alphas, trustworthy ones, could help his recovery, and the one who came to mind as not making him fearful was, of course, Theo.
The story focuses a little more on Sam’s emotional needs than a romance, but that made sense. I felt for Sam so much, and wanted to see how the story would play out, how these two could possibly come together in this dire situation. It held my attention all the way through. Plus Theo is an utter delight, in his confusion and determination to figure out how to do things right. It’s a slow, slow burn, complicated by recovery and pregnancy and not understanding fated mates and just...two MCs being realistic people.
Note for anyone with pro-choice/pro-life concerns:
Sinclair’s writing is highly enjoyable—complex and layered, thoughtful, authentic.
Spoiler alert: I loved this story. I ate up Theo’s pining and Sam’s growing awareness and immersed myself in their love story. It wasn’t perfect, in fact I think the author has more to explore on the alpha and omega dynamics and power balance. But it’s a read I will long remember and felt worth 5 stars.
And yes, as noted above, there are signs that eventually, justice will be served, thanks to the subplot with Theo’s twin sister. I’d love to read more stories in this character-verse and see what happens with that.
HEA (yes, really!). Survival of SA. Fated mates! Hurt-comfort. Grumpy (for good reason, obvs)-sunshine. ABO/Mpreg/omegaverse (venusverse). OM drama—CW for one of the rapists. Safe for me on the OM/OW action front: Theo breaks up with his longtime girlfriend when we first meet him. He tries to keeping it still quite safe for me. He also Yesss! I enjoyed the way the author handled it all. Highly recommended.
My thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
Also, just taking a moment to appreciate how PERFECT this title is for this book. 🥺🥰
Oh. My gosh. Fated mates, done right for me. The traumatized omega tells the simp-over-him alpha to forget about him, go date other people, he’s not in a place to entertain any kind of relationship...the alpha tries to accommodate...and CAN’T. He just can’t.
I freakin’ loved this. This is why I read fated mates.
Kat Sinclair’s omegaverse world, known as a venusverse, hits strong ABO notes and adds its own unique specifics of how pheromones, glands, heat/rut, and more works in her world, and I love what she’s created. Much as Eden West’s omegaverse delivers the ABO goods while also making the genre its own, so does Kat Sinclair’s.
This story includes surviving the aftermath of SA and going through the resulting pregnancy, for any who might not be up for that (or who do want a gut-wrenching hurt-comfort read!). Before the story begins, we learn Sam was in heat, vulnerable, gang-raped, became pregnant, and decided to keep the baby. He is surviving, seeing a (good!) therapist (THANK you author!), was forced to accept his corporate BS company moving him to another location to get away from the group of alphas who attacked him and suffered zero consequences, and is trying to do his best for himself and his baby. (Note: he did try to go after them legally and was stymied all around by typical alpha-centric BS, alas. 🤬. But don't worry! There is movement toward justice in the end.)
Theo is the happy golden-retriever alpha who bumps into new-guy Sam in the cafeteria...and is Changed capital C by the exposure. Sam’s scent overwhelms him, fogs his brain, and...he just wants to be near this quiet, prickly, pregnant omega and get to know him. Theo starts to believe that all that fated-mates crap spouted by a religious cult might...actually...be...real. Because every atom in him body has a new true north, and it’s Sam.
Who wants nothing to do with him, or any alpha, ever...!
This book is poignant, heartbreaking, frustrating, and real. It’s a journey. It was hard to understand at first why Theo would be SO physically overpowered by feelings for Sam while Sam was not (I’m not talking about emotions—Sam being wary and unreceptive makes absolute sense. But. Why wasn’t he also physically impacted like Theo was? Was it pregnancy hormones? Trauma shutdown? Something else? Unclear.). But seeing Theo’s softness toward Sam, his every caring instinct pulled out and put into effect, his entire world shifting to circle Sam, provide Sam whatever he needed, even if it was space from Theo...he was my idea of the ultimate alpha mate. And Theo’s immediate interest in and support of the pregnancy, no question, no concern about it not being his biological child, was one of the most attractive things about the entire situation.
Theo was THERE for his man, even when he really couldn’t physically be there because Sam said No. Theo couldn’t date anyone else as requested. It was no longer in his makeup. He couldn’t ignore Sam’s distress. He took lessons in patience and just...waited it out.
Sam’s journey is heartbreaking and triumphant. His reflex to focus on the baby and everything it needed had only one flaw, and that was that he didn’t always take good enough care of himself, especially emotionally. His therapist had to remind him to put on his own oxygen mask first, so to speak (anyone who flies knows this instruction!). His reactions to Theo were muted, but he understood that having contact with good alphas, trustworthy ones, could help his recovery, and the one who came to mind as not making him fearful was, of course, Theo.
The story focuses a little more on Sam’s emotional needs than a romance, but that made sense. I felt for Sam so much, and wanted to see how the story would play out, how these two could possibly come together in this dire situation. It held my attention all the way through. Plus Theo is an utter delight, in his confusion and determination to figure out how to do things right. It’s a slow, slow burn, complicated by recovery and pregnancy and not understanding fated mates and just...two MCs being realistic people.
Note for anyone with pro-choice/pro-life concerns:
Sinclair’s writing is highly enjoyable—complex and layered, thoughtful, authentic.
Spoiler alert: I loved this story. I ate up Theo’s pining and Sam’s growing awareness and immersed myself in their love story. It wasn’t perfect, in fact I think the author has more to explore on the alpha and omega dynamics and power balance. But it’s a read I will long remember and felt worth 5 stars.
And yes, as noted above, there are signs that eventually, justice will be served, thanks to the subplot with Theo’s twin sister. I’d love to read more stories in this character-verse and see what happens with that.
HEA (yes, really!). Survival of SA. Fated mates! Hurt-comfort. Grumpy (for good reason, obvs)-sunshine. ABO/Mpreg/omegaverse (venusverse). OM drama—CW for one of the rapists. Safe for me on the OM/OW action front: Theo breaks up with his longtime girlfriend when we first meet him. He tries to keeping it still quite safe for me. He also Yesss! I enjoyed the way the author handled it all. Highly recommended.
My thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
October 7, 2025
Thorns That Bloom by Kat Sinclair is a Venusverse novel. I suggest that you read about her Venusverse before you start this book to understand the world and laws the characters live in and how they affect them. Omega Sam Snyder worked for Torken in the city and was attacked and assaulted by 5 Alphas in the restroom as his heat started. He tried to get justice for himself but didn’t have enough money for a good lawyer and the laws concerning his pheromones in heat and those of the Alphas who scented them allowed them to get away with what they did to him. He also got pregnant and wanted to keep the baby because it was something good that came from what happened. He finally saw that his only recourse was to take the settlement they offered him which included moving to another town far away and working at a sister branch of the company for a higher salary along with enough money for a nice apartment. He was hoping for a fresh start but the thought of being near Alphas and scenting them threw him into a panic and he couldn’t stand the thought of being close to any of them. He did seek counseling which was starting to help but it was going to take a long time, if ever, to get back to being the person he was before the attack. Luckily the Design Engineering Department where he was going to work was filled with mostly Betas and Omegas and he was given a small enclosed office in which to work. Alpha Theo Reid works in the manufacturing section of the company on another floor. He enjoys his work and his friends and also sings and plays guitar on the side at a bar on Thursday nights. He has been dating a girl, Emily, and has realized that it isn’t going to work out because all she sees is him becoming famous but he is having a hard time breaking it off with her. He is in the cafeteria with his friends for lunch when he smells the delicious scents of bittersweet black currant with a faint undertone of sage. He sees who it is and asks his friends about him and finds out it’s Theo and that he is pregnant and works in engineering but they don’t know much else about him except it is weird that he transferred there. When there is a problem that requires some changes in plans Theo volunteers to go to engineering to get them solved and goes to see Sam who doesn’t deal with them and tries to hide but he at least learns his name and he knows he has to break things off for good with Emily. Then Sam has a panic attack when going to the restroom and decides it’s time to see a therapist again. Meanwhile Theo feels so protective of Sam and has never felt the things he feels for him before. He talks to his parents, and knows his Dad was assaulted like Sam was and got through it, and the more he thinks about it the more he believes they may be fated mates, which is something that very few couples are. Theo starts taking very small steps towards Sam wanting to make him feel comfortable and talk to him, but it seems like every step that goes forward, 3 steps are taken backwards. It takes a long time but progress is made and they become friends, eating together, talking, and getting to know each other which leads to a kiss. But again, Sam is so freaked out he says it can’t continue because he is broken and Theo deserves more. But he has being fated mates in his mind, even though Sam doesn’t believe it, and he keeps moving forward, sometimes making big mistakes that he thinks will end their relationship, but Sam is seeing and learning that Theo is a good Alpha, will only do what Sam says he can, and that he feels safe with him. Things are going along well when one of the Alphas that attacked Sam shows up wanting him and the baby, which again sends Sam into a total panicked spin. But Theo’s estranged sister, Gail, runs a non-profit Omega Rights organization and may be able to help him, which she does. In the end, Sam’s trust of Theo leads them to find love and Sam allows him to go to his prenatal classes with him and be there for the birth of their baby. Sam moves forward with wanting Theo intimately, but memories stop him several times until they are able to have some hot love scenes. They finally choose to live together and Sam starts to believe that maybe they are fated mates. I really enjoyed this angsty story. Sam is so defeated and frightened after being attacked and realizes there isn’t much he can do except accept the company’s settlement. He is so scared every time he is near an Alpha or smells their pheromones that he has a panic attack. Luckily his counselor and is there and helps him immensely. Theo is a wonderful and kind Alpha. He slowly learns what happened to Sam and only wants to be there for him and protect him. His sense that they are fated mates never leaves him and he continues to move slowly toward getting Sam to trust him and see the person he is and that he wants to be there for him. In the end Sam does see those things and knows Theo loves him and the baby and that he loves them too. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like hurt/comfort Alpha/Omega stories about an Omega who has been attacked and the Alpha that slowly helps him toward becoming himself again through being kind, compassionate, caring, and protective as he sees them as fated mates and how he goes about convincing him they belong together, along with the baby he sees as his.
October 19, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I homestly wasn't expecting to love this so much. I had started another book from this same series and I liked it, so I wanted to give this a try as well. This one surprised me in many ways.
First of all, I really enjoyed the pacing and lenght of the book. I think it tackled pretty much everything I wanted in the best way possible. While I enjoy omegaverse books that take another route and don't dip too seriously in aspects of said world (nothing wrong with that), it is refreshing to read something like this that brings up important themes. I think that's the magic of omegaverse.
I loved how the story gave time and space for the MCs to form a real connection. I'm usually not a big fan first person and dual POV, but I think the author really nailed it here and it added a lot to the story to be able to go through several moments along the MCs' individual perspectives.
Speaking about the MCs, Sam and Theo were awesome. The contrast between them makes them match really well and I love a relationship that builds itself slowly. The connection both create was lovely and it felt organic. I thought the author's take on the fated mates trope was very interesting too. I appreciated a lot that both had their ups and lows, and that the book showed that such thing is okay. The addition of the topic of therapy was brilliant as well.
Sam was a character very easy to connect from the beginning and it was great to follow his -sometimes painful, but ultimately brave- journey through his eyes. I loved how he slowly realized the importance of accepting help and the effect it has in feeling less lonely especially in such difficult situation. It also helped that Theo was really patient and wanted to become the best support possible for the person he cherished. I liked how it came down to unconditional love and that he ultimately didn't want to put pressure on Sam for his own feelings. It was what Sam needed and it made clear the great couple they make.
Onto the tropes, I absolutely loved the hurt/comfort aspect and having the love interest resemble a big puppy that wants their loved one's attention while being protective at the same time. The topics about trauma recovery and justice in front of sexual assault had a satisfying result and the book surprised me at how grounded to reality it was, reminding the reader of how the process of healing isn't linear and the exploration of getting comfortable with affection again. It also pointed out important facts surrounding pregnancy. In a few words, I loved that the mpreg was central, it's an element that I'll always love no matter what.
The only thing I would've wanted for this to be an actual 5 stars was that it had a couple of chapters more before the finale to have a better transition from the last conflict. I would've loved to experience the birthing scene (descriptive or not) and reading about the pairing settling down during the first days after.
Overall, this was amazing. It's a comforting story of strength and resilience, and as I always say - hard earned HEAs are the best.
-I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person dual pov
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
First of all, I really enjoyed the pacing and lenght of the book. I think it tackled pretty much everything I wanted in the best way possible. While I enjoy omegaverse books that take another route and don't dip too seriously in aspects of said world (nothing wrong with that), it is refreshing to read something like this that brings up important themes. I think that's the magic of omegaverse.
I loved how the story gave time and space for the MCs to form a real connection. I'm usually not a big fan first person and dual POV, but I think the author really nailed it here and it added a lot to the story to be able to go through several moments along the MCs' individual perspectives.
Speaking about the MCs, Sam and Theo were awesome. The contrast between them makes them match really well and I love a relationship that builds itself slowly. The connection both create was lovely and it felt organic. I thought the author's take on the fated mates trope was very interesting too. I appreciated a lot that both had their ups and lows, and that the book showed that such thing is okay. The addition of the topic of therapy was brilliant as well.
Sam was a character very easy to connect from the beginning and it was great to follow his -sometimes painful, but ultimately brave- journey through his eyes. I loved how he slowly realized the importance of accepting help and the effect it has in feeling less lonely especially in such difficult situation. It also helped that Theo was really patient and wanted to become the best support possible for the person he cherished. I liked how it came down to unconditional love and that he ultimately didn't want to put pressure on Sam for his own feelings. It was what Sam needed and it made clear the great couple they make.
Onto the tropes, I absolutely loved the hurt/comfort aspect and having the love interest resemble a big puppy that wants their loved one's attention while being protective at the same time. The topics about trauma recovery and justice in front of sexual assault had a satisfying result and the book surprised me at how grounded to reality it was, reminding the reader of how the process of healing isn't linear and the exploration of getting comfortable with affection again. It also pointed out important facts surrounding pregnancy. In a few words, I loved that the mpreg was central, it's an element that I'll always love no matter what.
The only thing I would've wanted for this to be an actual 5 stars was that it had a couple of chapters more before the finale to have a better transition from the last conflict. I would've loved to experience the birthing scene (descriptive or not) and reading about the pairing settling down during the first days after.
Overall, this was amazing. It's a comforting story of strength and resilience, and as I always say - hard earned HEAs are the best.
-I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tags: (might miss some of them)
-POV: first person dual pov
-Content warnings:
-Elements:
-Sexual act(s):
-Dynamic:
September 15, 2025
Straightaway I knew that this was not going to be a fuzzy warm MM romance. Sam Snyder is dealing with two huge traumatic events related to each other. He is an Omega and a few months ago when he started to go into Heat at his place of work, he rushed to the restroom for some privacy and there he was sexually assaulted by a group of his Alpha colleagues. It wasn’t long after that he discovered he was pregnant. Enraged he takes the matter to Court and feels completely defeated when those Alphas walk free and his case is dismissed. After appealing against that decision he can’t afford to continue fighting it or working in that same place, having to face his attackers each day, so his employers offer him a transfer to the other side of the country.
When Theo Reid meets the new guy at work, Sam, he immediately senses a connection, he firmly believes Sam is his fated mate. Sam thinks that idea is ridiculous and tries to avoid being around Theo. Theo is such a super character, kind, caring and considerate to Sam’s every need, even bringing him a home cooked healthy lunch everyday.
You can sense Sam’s fear on every page, until slowly he begins to trust Theo. It was painful at times seeing Sam push Theo’s kindness away so abruptly and at the same time, I wished that Theo didn’t apologise and sort of grovel to even be allowed in Sam’s presence.
This is a slow burn but there is a lot going on for both guys as the pregnancy continues. Sam starts to let Theo in a bit more. An opportunity to get the Court decision reversed with the help of a new legal team surfaces and Sam is overjoyed at the prospect of getting closure. Theo has a family issue of his own festering in the background too which causes unhappiness for him and his Papa and Dad. The various elements of the story knit together, with some surprises cropping up. It kept me turning the pages until the very end hoping to see Sam get his day in Court and see his attackers get what they deserved. It definitely showed that relationships in Omegaverse genre has more difficulties to contend with in comparison. The very idea that Alphas can get away with SA if they are ‘in rut’ and near an Omega that is ‘in heat’ was mind boggling.
I received a free ARC copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my unbiased review of ‘Thorns that Bloom’. She has also self edited and done an excellent job of it too, I did not come across a single typo or grammatical error in this ARC.
Author Kat Sinclair has created an excellent and gripping storyline filled with tension and developed two very different characters, the title fits perfectly.
When Theo Reid meets the new guy at work, Sam, he immediately senses a connection, he firmly believes Sam is his fated mate. Sam thinks that idea is ridiculous and tries to avoid being around Theo. Theo is such a super character, kind, caring and considerate to Sam’s every need, even bringing him a home cooked healthy lunch everyday.
You can sense Sam’s fear on every page, until slowly he begins to trust Theo. It was painful at times seeing Sam push Theo’s kindness away so abruptly and at the same time, I wished that Theo didn’t apologise and sort of grovel to even be allowed in Sam’s presence.
This is a slow burn but there is a lot going on for both guys as the pregnancy continues. Sam starts to let Theo in a bit more. An opportunity to get the Court decision reversed with the help of a new legal team surfaces and Sam is overjoyed at the prospect of getting closure. Theo has a family issue of his own festering in the background too which causes unhappiness for him and his Papa and Dad. The various elements of the story knit together, with some surprises cropping up. It kept me turning the pages until the very end hoping to see Sam get his day in Court and see his attackers get what they deserved. It definitely showed that relationships in Omegaverse genre has more difficulties to contend with in comparison. The very idea that Alphas can get away with SA if they are ‘in rut’ and near an Omega that is ‘in heat’ was mind boggling.
I received a free ARC copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my unbiased review of ‘Thorns that Bloom’. She has also self edited and done an excellent job of it too, I did not come across a single typo or grammatical error in this ARC.
Author Kat Sinclair has created an excellent and gripping storyline filled with tension and developed two very different characters, the title fits perfectly.
October 9, 2025
Thorns that Bloom by Kat Sinclair [ARC - Releasing 10 October 2025]
3.5 Stars
Spice - Explicit, Open Door
Tropes - Omegaverse, Hurt/Comfort, Black Cat x Golden Retreiver, Fated Mates
Format - Dual POV
Thanks so much to Kat Sinclair and BookSirens for the ARC!
Thorns that Bloom is a slow-paced, character-driven Omegaverse romance following on Sam, an omega recovering from sexual assault, and Theo, a gentle, protective alpha who falls head over heels for Sam from the moment they bump into each other in their workplace cafeteria. The story focuses deeply on the emotional aftermath of the trauma, and the slow, sometimes messy process of healing.
One thing I really appreciated was the care Sinclair put into the worldbuilding, creating an A/B/O society that feels unusually grounded for the genre, with the biological, social, and political impacts woven naturally into the story, shaping everything from the legal system to the dynamics between the characters from different designations.
Thorns that Bloom is very much a character-driven story, centering on Sam’s recovery, his anxieties and the one-step-forward, three-steps-back rhythm of healing, and his journey towards finding himself and choosing to let Theo in. While this realism will likely resonate with readers who appreciate introspective stories with characters stuck inside their own heads, I found it to be repetitive at times, with limited momentum to the story outside their inner struggles and developing relationship. Theo, is sweet, patient, and largely lacking in inner life and personality outside of his devotion to Sam and the baby.
The pacing felt uneven to me, spending most of the book slowly building trust before rushing to wrap up a lot of details, leaving a lot of things either resolved quickly off-screen or left open ended, which was a little disappointing. Still, there were a lot of genuinely sweet moments, and I really appreciated the compassion with which Sinclair handled such sensitive topics.
I think Thorns that Bloom will really shine for readers who love intimate, emotionally heavy romances that explore trauma recovery and healing, especially those who like their Omegaverse worlds rich with thoughtful, grounded detail.
3.5 Stars
Spice - Explicit, Open Door
Tropes - Omegaverse, Hurt/Comfort, Black Cat x Golden Retreiver, Fated Mates
Format - Dual POV
Thanks so much to Kat Sinclair and BookSirens for the ARC!
Thorns that Bloom is a slow-paced, character-driven Omegaverse romance following on Sam, an omega recovering from sexual assault, and Theo, a gentle, protective alpha who falls head over heels for Sam from the moment they bump into each other in their workplace cafeteria. The story focuses deeply on the emotional aftermath of the trauma, and the slow, sometimes messy process of healing.
One thing I really appreciated was the care Sinclair put into the worldbuilding, creating an A/B/O society that feels unusually grounded for the genre, with the biological, social, and political impacts woven naturally into the story, shaping everything from the legal system to the dynamics between the characters from different designations.
Thorns that Bloom is very much a character-driven story, centering on Sam’s recovery, his anxieties and the one-step-forward, three-steps-back rhythm of healing, and his journey towards finding himself and choosing to let Theo in. While this realism will likely resonate with readers who appreciate introspective stories with characters stuck inside their own heads, I found it to be repetitive at times, with limited momentum to the story outside their inner struggles and developing relationship. Theo, is sweet, patient, and largely lacking in inner life and personality outside of his devotion to Sam and the baby.
The pacing felt uneven to me, spending most of the book slowly building trust before rushing to wrap up a lot of details, leaving a lot of things either resolved quickly off-screen or left open ended, which was a little disappointing. Still, there were a lot of genuinely sweet moments, and I really appreciated the compassion with which Sinclair handled such sensitive topics.
I think Thorns that Bloom will really shine for readers who love intimate, emotionally heavy romances that explore trauma recovery and healing, especially those who like their Omegaverse worlds rich with thoughtful, grounded detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thorns That Bloom by Kat Sinclair
This book wrecked me in the best way possible. 🌹💔
Thorns That Bloom is a slow-burn, non-shifter omegaverse story that dives deep into trauma, recovery, and what it means to let someone love you when you don’t believe you deserve it. Sam’s been through absolute hell—assaulted by multiple alphas at his job, carrying the aftermath of that violence both physically and emotionally—and he’s just trying to survive. He’s moved, he’s starting over, and he’s focusing on his baby and his healing. Then Theo walks in.
Theo is the definition of a golden-retriever alpha. Sweet, patient, and so clearly fated to Sam that every page hurts in the best way. The minute he meets Sam, he just knows. But instead of pushing, he waits. He supports. He learns how to be gentle. He never expects anything back, and it’s that quiet, unwavering devotion that made me absolutely melt. Theo’s love language is patience, and I swear, he set the standard for “if he wanted to, he would.”
This book isn’t just a romance—it’s a healing journey. Kat Sinclair handled the trauma, therapy, and pregnancy elements with such care and realism. Sam’s boundaries are respected, his agency matters, and his strength is never diminished by what he’s endured. Watching him slowly open up to Theo felt raw, honest, and so well-earned.
It’s emotional, it’s powerful, and it’s full of those grumpy-for-good-reason / sunshine-who-waits vibes that I live for. The mpreg element fits naturally into the story, and the Venusverse worldbuilding adds this incredible layer to the omegaverse genre—distinct, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded.
Theo’s line —
“Even if he never wants me, I can be content with that. I can wait as long as he needs me to.”
absolutely shattered me. 🥺
If you love hurt/comfort, fated mates done right, grumpy-sunshine, and true healing arcs, Thorns That Bloom deserves your full attention (and your tissues). Kat Sinclair’s writing is beautifully layered and respectful, and I’ll be thinking about Sam and Theo for a long time. ❤️🩹
Thorns That Bloom by Kat Sinclair
This book wrecked me in the best way possible. 🌹💔
Thorns That Bloom is a slow-burn, non-shifter omegaverse story that dives deep into trauma, recovery, and what it means to let someone love you when you don’t believe you deserve it. Sam’s been through absolute hell—assaulted by multiple alphas at his job, carrying the aftermath of that violence both physically and emotionally—and he’s just trying to survive. He’s moved, he’s starting over, and he’s focusing on his baby and his healing. Then Theo walks in.
Theo is the definition of a golden-retriever alpha. Sweet, patient, and so clearly fated to Sam that every page hurts in the best way. The minute he meets Sam, he just knows. But instead of pushing, he waits. He supports. He learns how to be gentle. He never expects anything back, and it’s that quiet, unwavering devotion that made me absolutely melt. Theo’s love language is patience, and I swear, he set the standard for “if he wanted to, he would.”
This book isn’t just a romance—it’s a healing journey. Kat Sinclair handled the trauma, therapy, and pregnancy elements with such care and realism. Sam’s boundaries are respected, his agency matters, and his strength is never diminished by what he’s endured. Watching him slowly open up to Theo felt raw, honest, and so well-earned.
It’s emotional, it’s powerful, and it’s full of those grumpy-for-good-reason / sunshine-who-waits vibes that I live for. The mpreg element fits naturally into the story, and the Venusverse worldbuilding adds this incredible layer to the omegaverse genre—distinct, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded.
Theo’s line —
“Even if he never wants me, I can be content with that. I can wait as long as he needs me to.”
absolutely shattered me. 🥺
If you love hurt/comfort, fated mates done right, grumpy-sunshine, and true healing arcs, Thorns That Bloom deserves your full attention (and your tissues). Kat Sinclair’s writing is beautifully layered and respectful, and I’ll be thinking about Sam and Theo for a long time. ❤️🩹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2025
Thorns That Bloom is part of the Venusverse series, a universe where an off-shoot of the human race exists alongside standard humans. The standard humans are known as betas and the venus humans come in alphas and omegas. Both can be male and female and it is normal for alphas to impregnate omegas whatever gender but it is not as simple as that. There are ruts and heats to consider and the need for consent which apparently can be overruled.
The story told here concerns Sam Snyder, an omega, who came into heat while working late and is raped by five alpha males in a rest room. He reports it but gets little support as there are laws protecting alphas going into rut and supposedly losing control. He gets a transfer to another city and post where he tries to remake his life and prepare for the birth of the child he is expecting. He does this while hopefully recovering from and coping with the effects of trauma he has been through on a daily basis. Sam meets Theo Reid, an alpha working in the manufacturing section of the company he works for. Sam struggles to accept his help and his friendship but slowly he does with the help of his counsellor.
Theo is a song writer and performer in his own time and he may or may not have romantic feelings as a result of meeting his fated mate in Sam who is feeling far from romantic. The story slowly becomes a love story as well as one about getting justice for Sam. It also addresses Theo’s family issues relating to his estranged sister. The story has a lot to do about people's expectations and their effect on others. It is a serious study in facing the consequences of decisions and actions. It is not a fluffy tale about pregnancy and babies but a tense story about facing trauma and being open to love once again.
A great read with real characters who find they are stronger than they realised.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story told here concerns Sam Snyder, an omega, who came into heat while working late and is raped by five alpha males in a rest room. He reports it but gets little support as there are laws protecting alphas going into rut and supposedly losing control. He gets a transfer to another city and post where he tries to remake his life and prepare for the birth of the child he is expecting. He does this while hopefully recovering from and coping with the effects of trauma he has been through on a daily basis. Sam meets Theo Reid, an alpha working in the manufacturing section of the company he works for. Sam struggles to accept his help and his friendship but slowly he does with the help of his counsellor.
Theo is a song writer and performer in his own time and he may or may not have romantic feelings as a result of meeting his fated mate in Sam who is feeling far from romantic. The story slowly becomes a love story as well as one about getting justice for Sam. It also addresses Theo’s family issues relating to his estranged sister. The story has a lot to do about people's expectations and their effect on others. It is a serious study in facing the consequences of decisions and actions. It is not a fluffy tale about pregnancy and babies but a tense story about facing trauma and being open to love once again.
A great read with real characters who find they are stronger than they realised.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2025
I read this book in a day. That's how deep I was into the book and how much Sam and Theo captivated me. The story begins with Sam, an omega, battling 5 alphas in legal proceedings who SA'd him in the restroom at work while he was in heat and they claim to be overcome and that it wasn't their fault and in the end they don't even get a slap on the wrist. Sam, feeling devastated but wanting to move on especially after the assault left him pregnant, just wants to heal and get ready for his baby, who he already loves very much, to come so he takes the corporation's settlement and offer to move out of state to work at their sister branch and leaves and never looks back. He's rightfully jaded and afraid especially of alphas and has a hard time on his healing journey but continues to go on for his baby. Along the way he meets Theo, the sweet calming alpha that works in the same building but on a different floor who believes they are fated mates. He doesn't believe in that even though something about Theo settles him and makes him think he can be safe around him. Although he was very wary and cautious in the beginning with the help of his therapist and Theo's never ending patience he slowly starts to let Theo in and trust him not just with himself and his mind, body and heart but also with his child. Their journey is rocky, heartbreaking and not easy to read but the outcome and the way the story was written as well as Sam's experience with his pain and healing and trauma was beautifully done and realistic. But there is also second chances, trust, love and intimacy both men find after such a terrible situation. A slow burn that left me flipping pages and rooting for these two beautiful men. This is my first book by this author but it's won't be my last.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 10, 2025
Kat Sinclair has written a raw, emotional and heartfelt story about healing and self discovery following a traumatic SA. While the focus of the story is on the recovery itself and spends a lot of time in therapy, I was never bored or felt the need to skim. Sinclair’s handling of the SA aspect was masterful, and she deserves full praise for her delicate yet realistic portrayal.
Following an assault in the workplace perpetrated by alphas, omega Sam Snyder is left emotionally broken—and pregnant. After his transfer to a new branch of the company, he meets Theo, another alpha. Theo is nothing like the alphas Sam has learned to fear; he’s gentle, romantic, and doesn’t push. Theo believes Sam is his fated mate, and his desire to be whatever Sam wants—safe alpha, friend, emotional support—shows Sam that he doesn’t need to deal with it alone.
Both characters were well-developed, with unique voices. Sam begins the story jaded by his experience; unsocial and cynical, reading malicious intent in ambiguous situations and mourning the person he once was. I felt this was a realistic portrayal, accurately reflecting how SA can reframe a survivor’s entire perspective; attention and flirtation that might have been previously welcomed can feel menacing, a potential threat. The care Sinclair took with Sam’s experience was extremely well done. His healing never felt rushed or pushed aside in favour of the romance; no short-cuts, just a slow, steady unravelling of his trauma and the uphill journey to healing.
Theo is wonderful, a golden retriever of an alpha—caring, attentive, earnest. And despite his intense feelings, Theo’s happy to be in Sam’s orbit and provide him with comfort, never once pressuring him for more than he’s willing to give.
I found their dynamic refreshing. Theo’s feelings weren’t immediately reciprocated, and Sam wasn’t blind to those feelings either. I appreciate when a story doesn’t try to convince me that a MC is ignorant to the point they have no idea when another character has overt feelings towards them.
I liked that the story asked questions around the agency of fated mates, and I also found Sinclair’s own spin on Omegaverse, the Venusverse, creative and unique. That aspect of the world building was well done. However, there’s a distinct lack of environment detail and physicality to ground the characters in the scenes. And as the environment outside the character bubble is rarely explored, I was left with the sense of the story unfolding in a void, and often had to flip back several pages to figure out where the characters were.
I also thought Sam and Theo’s work was vague and needed fleshing out. I have no idea what their jobs were, or what the company they worked for manufactured. Sam worked in the Engineering department and Theo in Manufacturing, but what were they making? Considering their workplace formed such a large part of the plot, I found the detail here lacking. When the rest of the story is written so well, the absence of immersive details like this stands out.
But other than that, Thorns that Bloom is a well-written, beautiful story, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Note: I have edited my review to reflect some changes made to the published version.
Following an assault in the workplace perpetrated by alphas, omega Sam Snyder is left emotionally broken—and pregnant. After his transfer to a new branch of the company, he meets Theo, another alpha. Theo is nothing like the alphas Sam has learned to fear; he’s gentle, romantic, and doesn’t push. Theo believes Sam is his fated mate, and his desire to be whatever Sam wants—safe alpha, friend, emotional support—shows Sam that he doesn’t need to deal with it alone.
Both characters were well-developed, with unique voices. Sam begins the story jaded by his experience; unsocial and cynical, reading malicious intent in ambiguous situations and mourning the person he once was. I felt this was a realistic portrayal, accurately reflecting how SA can reframe a survivor’s entire perspective; attention and flirtation that might have been previously welcomed can feel menacing, a potential threat. The care Sinclair took with Sam’s experience was extremely well done. His healing never felt rushed or pushed aside in favour of the romance; no short-cuts, just a slow, steady unravelling of his trauma and the uphill journey to healing.
Theo is wonderful, a golden retriever of an alpha—caring, attentive, earnest. And despite his intense feelings, Theo’s happy to be in Sam’s orbit and provide him with comfort, never once pressuring him for more than he’s willing to give.
I found their dynamic refreshing. Theo’s feelings weren’t immediately reciprocated, and Sam wasn’t blind to those feelings either. I appreciate when a story doesn’t try to convince me that a MC is ignorant to the point they have no idea when another character has overt feelings towards them.
I liked that the story asked questions around the agency of fated mates, and I also found Sinclair’s own spin on Omegaverse, the Venusverse, creative and unique. That aspect of the world building was well done. However, there’s a distinct lack of environment detail and physicality to ground the characters in the scenes. And as the environment outside the character bubble is rarely explored, I was left with the sense of the story unfolding in a void, and often had to flip back several pages to figure out where the characters were.
I also thought Sam and Theo’s work was vague and needed fleshing out. I have no idea what their jobs were, or what the company they worked for manufactured. Sam worked in the Engineering department and Theo in Manufacturing, but what were they making? Considering their workplace formed such a large part of the plot, I found the detail here lacking. When the rest of the story is written so well, the absence of immersive details like this stands out.
But other than that, Thorns that Bloom is a well-written, beautiful story, and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Note: I have edited my review to reflect some changes made to the published version.
September 30, 2025
Outstanding…This book is not for the faint of heart. It's raw, it's gritty and touches on traumatic events. But it's also about finding the light at the end of the tunnel and new beginnings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...The world building was phenomenal! In an alpha driven world, Sam the omega experiences the most traumatic event. In searching for a new start he runs into cinnamon roll alpha Theo. With love, patience and kindness, Theo makes Sam believe in love again and in fated mates. "I felt something I’ve never experienced before. Like you…like my-my heart was beating out of rhythm my entire life, without me even realizing it, and the moment we came together, everything fell into place.” #Swoon 😍 This book was very high angst but I didn't mind it because it suited the story perfectly. Sam is still coping with trauma and trying to regain his comfortability around alphas. Enter Theo, the sweetest alpha or man for that matter, that I've ever read. Theo helps Sam learn to live again. There were so many side stories and characters to appreciate. I especially loved the addition of Theo's talent. Ending the story with him getting a call from a record label would've been amazing. He seemed to really cherish his music. I loved Sam's fighting endurance for him and his child. As a domestic violence survivor, I almost lost my life when my daughter was one years old. Though it's a different kind of trauma, I know how hard it is to trust anyone again while also trying to raise a baby alone. It was moving, some reads are just good for the soul. This book is one of them. We should all be so lucky to find someone who loves as truly as Theo. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and I'm better for it. 💜
October 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ , 4.5 Stars
I’m a bit late writing this review, but this book took me longer to read than I expected, in the best way. First of all, huge thanks to BookSirens for giving me the chance to read Thorns That Bloom before publication. It was an amazing experience.
This story follows Sam, who’s trying to rebuild his life after a brutal assault by several alphas at his workplace. After months of legal battles, he decides the best thing for himself and his unborn child is a fresh start, a new job, a new city, and hopefully a chance to heal. But starting over isn’t easy, especially when love is the last thing on his mind… until he meets Theo, a kind, patient alpha who believes Sam is his fated mate and is willing to prove that not all alphas are the same.
I don’t know what exactly pulled me in, maybe the omegaverse setting, or maybe just how well Kat Sinclair writes but I was hooked. I loved that she included an omegaverse explanation at the start, which really helps newcomers understand her unique vision of the VENUSVERSE. The male pregnancy element fits naturally into the story and actually deepens Sam’s emotional journey.
Theo is such a green flag, caring, respectful, and exactly what Sam needs to start believing in love again. This slow-burn romance was tender, emotional, and beautifully written. I’d definitely read it again, and anything else Kat Sinclair writes next.
I’m a bit late writing this review, but this book took me longer to read than I expected, in the best way. First of all, huge thanks to BookSirens for giving me the chance to read Thorns That Bloom before publication. It was an amazing experience.
This story follows Sam, who’s trying to rebuild his life after a brutal assault by several alphas at his workplace. After months of legal battles, he decides the best thing for himself and his unborn child is a fresh start, a new job, a new city, and hopefully a chance to heal. But starting over isn’t easy, especially when love is the last thing on his mind… until he meets Theo, a kind, patient alpha who believes Sam is his fated mate and is willing to prove that not all alphas are the same.
I don’t know what exactly pulled me in, maybe the omegaverse setting, or maybe just how well Kat Sinclair writes but I was hooked. I loved that she included an omegaverse explanation at the start, which really helps newcomers understand her unique vision of the VENUSVERSE. The male pregnancy element fits naturally into the story and actually deepens Sam’s emotional journey.
Theo is such a green flag, caring, respectful, and exactly what Sam needs to start believing in love again. This slow-burn romance was tender, emotional, and beautifully written. I’d definitely read it again, and anything else Kat Sinclair writes next.
February 18, 2026
I loved this book! It was so well done. The characters are easy to connect with and the storyline really pulls you in, gets you invested almost from page one, and you find yourself locked in and unable to put the book down until it's done. Well, that's what happened to me. I started reading and I couldn't stop until I reached the end.
This is the first series I've read in a mismatched order. I started with book four, which I loved, and so I decided to go back and read the series beginning with book one. I liked book one, so I was about to choose book two when I saw this one and couldn't wait to read it, so I didn't. These are standalone books inside a series, so it really doesn't matter what order you read them in. I'll be going back and reading book two next. I'm definitely adding this author to my favourite's list.
Do read the TRIGGER warnings prior to reading because if you've experienced a similar trauma, you could be (almost definitely) triggered. If I'd read this ten+ years ago, I would have been triggered, but because of my decades of therapy, I found this book confirming. I was blown away by the author's detailed accuracy of this particular trauma's aftermath. I haven't read or heard anyone describe it the way I experienced it before now, so I'm grateful for that. Now, if we could all just get similar endings, both in and out of court, that would be super awesome.
This is the first series I've read in a mismatched order. I started with book four, which I loved, and so I decided to go back and read the series beginning with book one. I liked book one, so I was about to choose book two when I saw this one and couldn't wait to read it, so I didn't. These are standalone books inside a series, so it really doesn't matter what order you read them in. I'll be going back and reading book two next. I'm definitely adding this author to my favourite's list.
Do read the TRIGGER warnings prior to reading because if you've experienced a similar trauma, you could be (almost definitely) triggered. If I'd read this ten+ years ago, I would have been triggered, but because of my decades of therapy, I found this book confirming. I was blown away by the author's detailed accuracy of this particular trauma's aftermath. I haven't read or heard anyone describe it the way I experienced it before now, so I'm grateful for that. Now, if we could all just get similar endings, both in and out of court, that would be super awesome.
September 15, 2025
I loved this. This is the first book I've read by this author but it will not be the last!
The characters felt incredibly real. The way real world issues were portrayed in this fictional one was so well done, and ther trauma and emotional aspects were handled well.
There was so much patience and tenderness between the characters and with themselves. The moments where Theo was able to comfort Sam were so so so so good for my hurt/comfort trope loving heart.
I mean: "A part of me wants to run in and fall on my knees in front of him, crying about how much i've missed him. Obviously that would be weird." RELATABLE. lol
As someone who has been pregnant, the pregnancy part of the storyline was realstic enough that it didn't feel cheapened (I think that happens a lot in books from my pov), but didn't feel like it was "too much" either. His progression had a lot of little details that made it authentic and I enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the real vibe of the entire workplace setting, with the office gossip making its rounds in a believable and also not over the top way.
There was also enough humor here to make the book well rounded when it could have just been very heavy. I did not like Gail and I do hope she reforms her opinions especially after seeing all Theo did for Sam.
I truly enjoyed this entire story start to finish with no real complaints. Read it if you want something with some plot, a lot of emotions, and a grumpy/sunshine duo who were meant to be.
*I recieved a review copy of this book for free and this is my honest opinion.
The characters felt incredibly real. The way real world issues were portrayed in this fictional one was so well done, and ther trauma and emotional aspects were handled well.
There was so much patience and tenderness between the characters and with themselves. The moments where Theo was able to comfort Sam were so so so so good for my hurt/comfort trope loving heart.
I mean: "A part of me wants to run in and fall on my knees in front of him, crying about how much i've missed him. Obviously that would be weird." RELATABLE. lol
As someone who has been pregnant, the pregnancy part of the storyline was realstic enough that it didn't feel cheapened (I think that happens a lot in books from my pov), but didn't feel like it was "too much" either. His progression had a lot of little details that made it authentic and I enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the real vibe of the entire workplace setting, with the office gossip making its rounds in a believable and also not over the top way.
There was also enough humor here to make the book well rounded when it could have just been very heavy. I did not like Gail and I do hope she reforms her opinions especially after seeing all Theo did for Sam.
I truly enjoyed this entire story start to finish with no real complaints. Read it if you want something with some plot, a lot of emotions, and a grumpy/sunshine duo who were meant to be.
*I recieved a review copy of this book for free and this is my honest opinion.
October 8, 2025
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Venusverse series. I have not read book 2, but these can be read as stand alone books. There is a bit at the beginning that explains this world better.
Sam, an omega, moves clear across the country to get away after an attack by 5 alphas leaves him pregnant and alone. He doesn't want anything to do with alphas, ever again. But meeting Theo throws him off.
What I especially loved about this book, was the slow burn between Sam and Theo. Once Theo knows what happened to Sam, he really does just set out to be his friend, but his alpha-ness draws him closer to Sam every day. But Theo lets Sam set the pace of their friendship, and that endears him to Sam all the more.
I loved that Theo goes all out to be Sam's friend. Bringing him lunch, reading up on his condition. And when Sam's new life is threatened, Theo puts all his past behind him and approaches the one person he never thought he would speak to again.
Sam's attack isn't on page, but the aftermath is. How Sam reacts in certain situations and the trauma that comes from that. It really is needed to make Sam's point, I think.
First person, present tense and multi point of view but I didn't notice it again til I was filing the book! These book grab me and do not let go.
This is far darker than book 1 but still a. . .
5 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Venusverse series. I have not read book 2, but these can be read as stand alone books. There is a bit at the beginning that explains this world better.
Sam, an omega, moves clear across the country to get away after an attack by 5 alphas leaves him pregnant and alone. He doesn't want anything to do with alphas, ever again. But meeting Theo throws him off.
What I especially loved about this book, was the slow burn between Sam and Theo. Once Theo knows what happened to Sam, he really does just set out to be his friend, but his alpha-ness draws him closer to Sam every day. But Theo lets Sam set the pace of their friendship, and that endears him to Sam all the more.
I loved that Theo goes all out to be Sam's friend. Bringing him lunch, reading up on his condition. And when Sam's new life is threatened, Theo puts all his past behind him and approaches the one person he never thought he would speak to again.
Sam's attack isn't on page, but the aftermath is. How Sam reacts in certain situations and the trauma that comes from that. It really is needed to make Sam's point, I think.
First person, present tense and multi point of view but I didn't notice it again til I was filing the book! These book grab me and do not let go.
This is far darker than book 1 but still a. . .
5 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
September 26, 2025
I already knew before starting this book that it was going to be a difficult read just based off of the blurb. I want to state that I deeply appreciate that the author did not gloss over the sexual assault or the trauma cause from it. The author also did a really good job of not focusing on The actual details of the assault but focusing more on the recovery. There was no rush to intimacy. I really like Sam and felt like I could relate to him in more ways than one. I thought Theo was amazing but my heart did break for him and his relationship with his sister. I love how supportive he was and the fact that he did not push the Sam to go further in the relationship then he was mentally capable of. Honestly I would have gave the book five stars for those aspects alone but the Final Chapter at the very end of the book left me with a bit of ick. Them being intimate with the baby right next to them in the not properly cleaning up before holding the baby didn't feel right to me based off of everything else that had gone on in the book. But that's just simply my opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2025
Is a standalone omegaverse about an omega finding his way back to himself and back to being able to love after being assaulted at his workplace.
This book was my first by Kat Sinclair and I was impressed by her writing. Appropriate to the topic, this book had a slower pacing, but there was not one moment where the author lost my interest. The mention of the assault and Theo‘s slow path to recovery through therapy and the steady, but never pushing help from Sam was written with all the respect it deserved.
Theo‘s and Sam‘s characters were written with so much love. You could feel with both of them and their decisions and actions never felt inconsistent.
The reason this was not a 5-star read for me was that the world and characters around the MCs felt kind of bland, which kept me from fully losing myself in this story.
If you like your omegaverse on the softer side and want to read a heartwarming story about healing and taking back your power after assault, this book is for you!
Thank you to Kat Sinclair and Book Sirens for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was my first by Kat Sinclair and I was impressed by her writing. Appropriate to the topic, this book had a slower pacing, but there was not one moment where the author lost my interest. The mention of the assault and Theo‘s slow path to recovery through therapy and the steady, but never pushing help from Sam was written with all the respect it deserved.
Theo‘s and Sam‘s characters were written with so much love. You could feel with both of them and their decisions and actions never felt inconsistent.
The reason this was not a 5-star read for me was that the world and characters around the MCs felt kind of bland, which kept me from fully losing myself in this story.
If you like your omegaverse on the softer side and want to read a heartwarming story about healing and taking back your power after assault, this book is for you!
Thank you to Kat Sinclair and Book Sirens for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2025
How unfair it was that Sam, an omega, who was just trying to go about his business was assaulted by 5 alphas from his workplace when he was trying to leave to go home. And then, he has to relocate to a sister branch of the company he worked for in an effort to start over and they take care of himself and his baby as he tries to heal from this trauma. Sam is not inclined to trust anymore but he meets a gentle alpha, Theo, who believes that they are soulmates. Theo is inclined to be patient and give Sam time to get there. Theo has struggles of his own and the author does a good job of helping us to understand the distance that both travel to get to their ever after.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2025
I have started this review a few times, trying to get my thoughts in order. From the moment I started this book I knew I was in for an emotional read. Anger on behalf of Sam with what he went through and how badly Omegas were treated, happy when I was introduced to Theo and I knew he was going to be a gentle, sweet Alpha, perfect for Sam.
I was with Sam every step of the way on his road to recovery, with tears in my eyes as he relived the attack, smiling when he was bonding with his baby whilst pregnant. Silently cheering Theo as he showed that Sam was not alone and even though Theo knew Sam was his fated mate, he knew Sam needed a friend more. Then when Sam realised that whilst Theo was an Alpha, he was safe.
A hurt/comfort story that I will be rereading
I was with Sam every step of the way on his road to recovery, with tears in my eyes as he relived the attack, smiling when he was bonding with his baby whilst pregnant. Silently cheering Theo as he showed that Sam was not alone and even though Theo knew Sam was his fated mate, he knew Sam needed a friend more. Then when Sam realised that whilst Theo was an Alpha, he was safe.
A hurt/comfort story that I will be rereading
November 26, 2025
This book is beautifully written. The subject is not that easy, because it revolves around a lot of emotions. Sam who has a traumatic experience read Omega and has to fight for justice. Theo, an Alpha, who has a broken family, because as an Alpha he is seen as uncontrollable. The emotions are sometimes palpable when reading your story, but it also gives you hope. Hope that there is still happiness and hope where you don't expect it. I found the story easy to read, full of emotions, full of hope. And there is humor in it too. So I would say just read and enjoy this new world that I didn't really expect to find.
September 26, 2025
This story follows a very touchy subject. Please be aware of the trigger warnings.
Sometimes finding love is more difficult after trauma. But when the right one comes along and is there to help you heal, the world becomes a little safer.
The characters are done very well. The plot flow is a bit slow but necessary. I enjoyed the way the story came together, although I would have liked to have an epilogue at the end to complete the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sometimes finding love is more difficult after trauma. But when the right one comes along and is there to help you heal, the world becomes a little safer.
The characters are done very well. The plot flow is a bit slow but necessary. I enjoyed the way the story came together, although I would have liked to have an epilogue at the end to complete the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 20, 2025
After a terrible incident that leads to his pregnancy, omega Sam is transferred to a new city, where he meets alpha Theo. Theo is convinced Sam is his fated mate because he feels so twitterpated around him. But Sam is, in his own estimation, broken. He is trying to keep on an even keel for the baby and he doesn't want to hurt Theo. So it takes them a long time to figure things out together but they do, eventually.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2025
This is a slow story where Sam one of the main characters is handling PTSD. I think it was beautifully written and with a care and great insight of the topic. Theo is such a sweet character and I don’t think his struggles get enough attention. I loved the story but it moved too fast in the end and I would have wanted more feelings in the last part.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 8, 2025
I really loved this book, the plot was really deep and well-written. One thing I will say is that the end felt a little rushed. It was almost like a chapter or two was missing, and I would've really liked an epilogue or a short sequel, even. It just felt like there was a lot that wasn't fully wrapped up. Other than that, great book, absolutely would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 3, 2025
I had some difficulty at first getting into the story, but by the middle I was intently reading it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The story was both sad and happy--sad at what Sam had to go through and happy with meeting Theo and learning to love him. The ending was perfect, and I very much enjoyed it. Strongly recommend reading this book.
October 13, 2025
This is a lovely book, but it has nothing original. Almost like a basic omegaverse you could read on Wattpad. It is well written, easy to read and has all the trauma you need. Sam and Theo are both lovely and kind people, but the book focuses so much on them that the side characters feel unnecessary. Overall this is a great book if you're looking for an easy read.
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October 14, 2025
I loved Sam and Theo’s story. I loved how Theo didn’t push Sam to share his past assault and how he was just a firm comfort when Sam needed it. This omegaverse was unlike any I’ve read recently and it was a joy to dive deep into their story.
Thank you to Book Siren’s and the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Book Siren’s and the author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2025
This book…. Amazing, even if there is low spice it keeps you so hooked that you want to know what happends next, and Theo he was sooo sweet that he almost gave me diabetes lol, is a slow burn but when Sam gives in, is everything, hightly recommend.
September 16, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily….
I really enjoyed this book, while it was a little slow for me to get into I am glad I stuck with it.
Emotionally beautiful is the best way for me to describe it.
I really enjoyed this book, while it was a little slow for me to get into I am glad I stuck with it.
Emotionally beautiful is the best way for me to describe it.
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