University student Demir Higgs is on the fast-track to
graduate with honors and dive straight into medical school. His career plan
leaves little time for dating, so after he catches his casual boyfriend cheating,
Demir attends an anonymous sex party, determined to finally lose his virginity.
He chooses an older alpha in a red mask and the man takes Demir apart piece by
glorious piece, worshiping his body in ways Demir never imagined. Too bad he’ll
never see the man again.
After his bondmate disappeared eleven years ago, Senior Constable Brandt Lars fell into his work and avoided dating, disinterested in relationships. Not until the boy in the blue mask. Introducing the young beta to the wonders of sex was Brandt’s absolute pleasure, and he can’t stop thinking about him—until Brandt comes face to face with Blue in the form of Demir Higgs, the middle son of a work colleague. Demir is equally drawn to Brandt and their chemistry is through the roof. The age difference is an issue, but their attraction is real, and stolen moments turn into a secret relationship they both enjoy…but something is still missing.
Years ago, Oliver Strand lost all his memories in a horrible car wreck that left his face scarred and his sense of smell obliterated. But he built a new life for himself and his son, and now he’s visiting Sansbury Province as a guest speaker at a territory-wide anti-sex-trafficking conference. What he does not expect to find at the conference is an alpha he doesn’t know, but who insists Oliver is his missing mate Ollie Lars, who disappeared the same week as Oliver’s accident.
Brandt is overjoyed to discover his bondmate is alive, despite Oliver having no memory of his old life in Sansbury, and he’s determined to keep both mate and son in his life. But he’s also in love with Demir and doesn’t want to lose him. Demir is ready to be the bigger person and step aside so the Lars family can be together again—until Demir realizes he and Oliver have unique chemistry of their own. And they’ve also both been claimed by the same alpha.
Can a grumpy alpha in love with two men, an omega with no memory of his mate, and a beta determined to chart his own course find a way to navigate the complicated waters of a poly relationship? Or will all three men end up stranded alone with broken hearts?
NOTE: This is a non-shifter, M/M/M Omegaverse story with alpha/omega/beta dynamics, heats, knotting, and mpreg. In this world, omegas are second-class citizens, but they are working toward gaining more civil rights and protections under the law. Series warnings for mentions of past physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Additional warnings for extremely kinky sex, including dirty talk, light spanking, biting, edging, roughhousing, come-swapping, and threesomes. This series is best read in numerical order.
Book 7
Buy Links
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
After his bondmate disappeared eleven years ago, Senior Constable Brandt Lars fell into his work and avoided dating, disinterested in relationships. Not until the boy in the blue mask. Introducing the young beta to the wonders of sex was Brandt’s absolute pleasure, and he can’t stop thinking about him—until Brandt comes face to face with Blue in the form of Demir Higgs, the middle son of a work colleague. Demir is equally drawn to Brandt and their chemistry is through the roof. The age difference is an issue, but their attraction is real, and stolen moments turn into a secret relationship they both enjoy…but something is still missing.
Years ago, Oliver Strand lost all his memories in a horrible car wreck that left his face scarred and his sense of smell obliterated. But he built a new life for himself and his son, and now he’s visiting Sansbury Province as a guest speaker at a territory-wide anti-sex-trafficking conference. What he does not expect to find at the conference is an alpha he doesn’t know, but who insists Oliver is his missing mate Ollie Lars, who disappeared the same week as Oliver’s accident.
Brandt is overjoyed to discover his bondmate is alive, despite Oliver having no memory of his old life in Sansbury, and he’s determined to keep both mate and son in his life. But he’s also in love with Demir and doesn’t want to lose him. Demir is ready to be the bigger person and step aside so the Lars family can be together again—until Demir realizes he and Oliver have unique chemistry of their own. And they’ve also both been claimed by the same alpha.
Can a grumpy alpha in love with two men, an omega with no memory of his mate, and a beta determined to chart his own course find a way to navigate the complicated waters of a poly relationship? Or will all three men end up stranded alone with broken hearts?
NOTE: This is a non-shifter, M/M/M Omegaverse story with alpha/omega/beta dynamics, heats, knotting, and mpreg. In this world, omegas are second-class citizens, but they are working toward gaining more civil rights and protections under the law. Series warnings for mentions of past physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Additional warnings for extremely kinky sex, including dirty talk, light spanking, biting, edging, roughhousing, come-swapping, and threesomes. This series is best read in numerical order.
Book 7
Buy Links
Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Au ~ Amazon Ca
~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have read all the previous books in this series and this is by far my favorite one!! After reading the prologue I felt like, "Oh no, I am going to need lots of tissues." Boy, did I. I feel like I cried or teared up at least a dozen times reading this book. First for Brandt and Ollie, then for Brandt and Demir, then for Brandt, Oliver, and Demir. This book was long and I really wanted it to be longer. I needed more. These guys worked so well together and I just loved their story. My only regret was that we didn't get to see Demir and Eriq interact, I think that was a big missing piece and we, the reader, needed that. I hated to see this book end but I hope there is another book and we see these characters again.
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Claimed is book seven in the Breaking Free series. It can be read as a standalone but to gain the full impact of the characters, the series should be read in the order the author intended.
Brandt Lars has been living in his own personal hell since his mate disappeared without a trace eleven years ago. Brandt is finally ready to not just exist but to finally live in the time he has left in his life. When he meets Little Blue, a masked stranger at a sex party, something clicks inside of him. When he finds out Little Blue is the son of his boss, he knows he shouldn’t be attracted to him but he can't stop, especially after the night they shared together. Brandt is finally able to find love and passion again.
Demir is Isa Higgs’ middle son. Fast tracking his schooling to get to medical school to be a researcher to find a cure for Donal Syndrome. He's never been attracted to a type of man. Being a beta, he's never had to rely on being scented and the mating bond. After finding out he's been cheated on, he makes a quick decision to attend a sex party to lose his virginity. Big Red is completely unexpected for an alpha, sweet and caring about his comfort level and pain. Demir never expected to know Big Red but when he figures it out, he needs Brandt in his life.
Just when Brandt and Demir are getting to know each other and fall in love, the mate that Brandt thought he'd never see again comes back into town, not remembering his mate or his life before the car accident. Can Brandt walk away from Demir? Is an alpha capable of loving more than his omega? Is Oliver willing to come back to Brandt, a man he doesn't know? Can Demir walk away from the only man he's ever loved, or can he even imagine loving someone else as much as he loved Brandt?
I loved Brandt, Demir, and Oliver. The chemistry is high between the three. Even though Brandt is an alpha, he's willing to do whatever he needs to to make the men in his life happy. I read this one in one sitting. I had to know what was going to happen. There were moments my heart broke for Demir not knowing where his place was in the poly relationship. At one point I was brought to tears.
I can't wait to see what's next, as this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series!
Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.
Demir is working hard to get in to the medical program because he has made it his mission to cure his good friend's disease. Being a beta isn't all that tricky. Being a big brother is the highlight of his life. Finding love is another story completely. Demir finds himself as the other man when he tries to surprise his boyfriend. While he's more angry than heartbroken, Demir finds himself still a virgin. He takes it upon himself to attend a party he heard about where the attendees are masked. He feels that this is the prefect venue to lose his virginity.
Brandt Lars has been existing for the last decade. When his pregnant bondmate went missing, Lars was unable to continue really living. He did his job well, but at the end of the day, he retreated back home and drank himself into oblivion. Lars did this until one day he realized his bondmate, Ollie, would have been angry with him for not getting on with his life. Lars loves his job and is starting to venture out to social engagements again. It's how he finds himself at a masked ball.
Demir and Lars have a hot and heavy hookup and at the end, because they didn't exchange names, thought that the hot encounter would never be repeated. But as luck would have it, Demir recognizes Lars' blue eyes and Lars recognizes Demir too. They start their relationship in secret, mainly because Demir's dad is Lars' boss. With emotions flying high, Demir knows that he's falling in love with Lars. Demir is also aware that there are still feelings that Lars will always carry for his former bondmate.
When Lars' past collides with his present, it's shocking for everyone involved. Lars is so happy to find his bondmate, Ollie, again and to learn that his son was born. But Lars also has feelings for Demir and doesn't want to just abandon that relationship because his bondmate has been found. Ollie is hesitant to start his relationship back up because while things feel familiar, he can't remember his bondmate, Lars. The chemistry between all three of these men is off the charts. None of them can deny that they could have amazing chemistry and a fantastic relationship, but they are also worried about their community's prejudices.
This is a sweet story about finding love after loss, accepting a new reality, and not letting go of love. I have loved each of these stories in this series and hope more will come.
Erica – ☆☆☆
The first 50% was a five-star read for me. However, it went downhill from there for me. Three stars overall.
Claimed is the seventh installment of the Breaking Free series, and I suggest against reading it as a standalone. While the core of the book wouldn't cause any confusion, many threads and characters are connected to past books.
The last installment was a bust for me, so I was apprehensive about reading Claimed. As a believer in polyamory and a fan of reading it, this had me clicking the book open, even though I had others I needed to review first.
Claimed is more focused on Demir and Brandt, which I appreciated and had me tapping the pages at a voracious rate. The relationship building was more slow-burn, which was ignited by a healthy dose of passion and lust. Angst. Angst. And more Angst. Brandt is the subordinate of Demir's father, not to mention the large age-gap.
Brandt lost his mate 11 years ago, while Ollie was on his way to a checkup for his pregnancy. Poof. Oliver disappears and Brandt goes off the rails. A chance meeting between Brandt and a young university student sparks life back into him.
50% of the book was filled with slow-burn relationship building and a whole lot of angsty lust. Fears. Anxiety. Insecurity. Budding love.
Then Oliver is found, and it all goes off the rails again. For me. *see the fact that I said I adore polyamory*
What I don't adore is how Oliver was alone in a strange city, surrounded by strangers, emotionally distraught, terrified, and just learned he is Brandt's lost mate, after losing the mate he had for over a decade. He had amnesia and now knows who he used to be, but he is not Ollie anymore.
Sex doesn't erase trauma. Sex doesn't erase emotional distress. A page earlier, Oliver is terrified, setting up firm boundaries, because even though Brandt knows who he USED to be, Oliver doesn't know Brandt. Oliver doesn't know Demir, either. Demir knows nothing of Oliver. Brandt doesn't know anything of this version of Oliver, only knowing a young Ollie. Life experiences, time, and more than decade of amnesia changed Ollie into a grown Oliver.
Three strangers seated down after breakfast to get to know who they are TODAY. I adored this. It made sense. It made sense in how the characters would behave dictated by human nature. I couldn't wait to read more... with the click of the page, I had to stop reading out of pure rage.
Cue sex.
In the middle of a discussion. Cue sex out of nowhere. Abrupt, for no good reason but to titillate and add shock-value. While we're at it, have Brandt tell Oliver all about how Demir likes sex, in great detail. When he has only ever touched Brandt. Oversharing with a stranger for someone who is one step from a virgin. Automatic poly relationship and sex.
It cheapened the story. It lessened their connection. It made it look as if those in a polyamorous relationship were only in it for sex.
Sex heals all wounds. Immediately.
Oliver was reserved, terrified, and ready to run to whence he came... a page later, sex with TWO strangers he was scared of. A page after the sex, he said he would sleep on the sofa, because... you know, boundaries.
While gone for two weeks, Brandt would call him and he would listen to Brandt and Demir have sex. We (the reader) see no connection, slow rebuilding of their previous relationship, as neither of them are the Brandt and Ollie they used to be. No building of a friendship and relationship between Oliver and Demir.
Just sex.
Sorry if I'm taking it too seriously, but after 50% relationship building between Brandt and Demir, as the reader, I don't know Oliver. Brandt and Demir don't know Oliver. This is an escalated quickly situation after the previous pacing, which erased the possibility for me to buy into their poly relationship outside of gratuitous, meaningless sex, with BDSM tossed in to titillate.
FYI: polyamory and BDSM are my thing – not a prude in any way, but it better make sense.
As I said, I adored Brandt. I adored Demir and his entire family. I adored the story. I even adored the possibility of Oliver. The first 50% of the book was amazing.
One scene ruined it for me, and every time they had sex but didn't forge a bond, I lost faith in the author. Demir, Brandt, and Oliver deserved more, because we readers didn't get to experience Brandt and Ollie's relationship, so they are new to us, and Ollie is NOT the Oliver of today.
This author is a hit or miss for me. Either I am absolutely fanatical about the novel, or it's a major miss. This is the first time I've experienced both in the same novel by this author.
Also Available in the Breaking Free Series
Book 1
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Saved post.
Book 2
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Seen post.
Book 3
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Heard post.
Book 3.5
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Stronger post.
Book 4
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Found post.
Book 5
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Whole post.
Book 6
Buy Links
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~ Available with KindleUnlimited ~
For reviews & more info, check out our Feel post.
A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone's throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She's been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn't been coined yet back then) with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories. A.M. Arthur's work is available from Carina Press, Dreamspinner Press, SMP Swerve, and Briggs-King Books.
When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.
Contact her at am_arthur@yahoo.com with your cooking tips (or book comments).
Connect with A.M.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog ~ Goodreads
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Claimed: An Omegaverse Story (Breaking Free #7) by A.M. Arthur to read and review.
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