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rowenapotter2731's review
3.0
I am giving this book 3.5 stars. Vincent and Mal are ok. I love Vincent's daughter and I think it interesting how the author does a trans storyline in Omegaverse. I have never seen that before and I think the way the author did it was well done. I just didn't like the love interests in this book very much, I didn't connect with them and just thought they were ok.
iam's review
4.0
Definitely my favourite of the series. Vincent and Mal were absolutely lovely both apart and together, and I loved that there was no unecessary drama around, be in between them or from outside sources. The story had enough tension on it's own and worked out perfectly.
Content warnings include: a/b/o setting featuring mpreg, pregnancy, PTSD from childhood trauma (heavy sexual and emotional abuse), in detail talk about in-vitro fertilization, sex on-page, fluid D/s relationship where the dominance switches, mild Daddy kink; mentions of transphobia, emotional abuse within a past relationship, forced sex work.
I want to talk about the big "secretive past" that "threatens" Vincent's future according to the blurb, both because I dislike how the blurb makes it out to be and because it's one of the most interesting facetts of the book.
In my review of book 1, [b:The Problem|39786210|The Problem (Single Dad Support Group, #1)|Piper Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523241009l/39786210._SY75_.jpg|61503675], I mentioned how this a/b/o setting, like most others, completely ignores the existence of trans people and the potential of a sort of secondary gender like a/b/o might bring. Well, I'm pleased to say The Solution proved me wrong! Because Vincent is a trans alpha. He was assigned omega at birth and is using hormones to transition, and now passes as alpha. Sadly, like for the rest of the setting, there is absolutely no worldbuilding around how common cases like him are or what sort of transitions are available (he takes hormones but something like bottom surgery or hysterectomy doesn't seem to exist? It's not mentioned at least, though it might be that it is and Vincent simply doesn't want it.)
I'm aware that being trans in the a/b/o sense isn't the same as... well, being "normal" trans, but I felt like in the book it was treated as pretty much the same which is why I'm mostly gonna treat it that way too. It was handled well for the most part - the reveal happened on Vincent's own terms, there were no forced hands or weird/uncomfortable "hints", though at one point Vincent is referred to as having a "genetic defect" because he's trans which... um. Yeah. Not ok.
Overall, him being trans was completely removed from the plot and not a big topic at all, aside from him mentioning the transphobia (for lack of better word) he used to experience in a personal and professional environment.
I was thrilled to finally find a book that explores this possibility, even though I missed the surrounding structures and the world-building. The Solution was a lovely story and I adored its characters.
I also liked the fluid dominance relationships Vincent and Mal had in their sexual relationship. There's a mild Daddy kink, that again is more or less entirely based around the age difference (Vincent is 35, Mal is 49 or late fourties.) The truly intriguing thing that I haven't encountered much is that their mild D/s dynamic switches fluidly between the two, and often multiple times within one sex scene. It felt organic and natural and perfect for the two, and was a delight to read.
Equally organic felt the natural extension of their professional relationship (Vincent is the IVF specialist admistering the treatment to Mal, who desperately wants children) into their personal and sexual life.
The two just mesh together on every single level, I adore them so much!
Content warnings include: a/b/o setting featuring mpreg, pregnancy, PTSD from childhood trauma (heavy sexual and emotional abuse), in detail talk about in-vitro fertilization, sex on-page, fluid D/s relationship where the dominance switches, mild Daddy kink; mentions of transphobia, emotional abuse within a past relationship, forced sex work.
I want to talk about the big "secretive past" that "threatens" Vincent's future according to the blurb, both because I dislike how the blurb makes it out to be and because it's one of the most interesting facetts of the book.
In my review of book 1, [b:The Problem|39786210|The Problem (Single Dad Support Group, #1)|Piper Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523241009l/39786210._SY75_.jpg|61503675], I mentioned how this a/b/o setting, like most others, completely ignores the existence of trans people and the potential of a sort of secondary gender like a/b/o might bring. Well, I'm pleased to say The Solution proved me wrong! Because Vincent is a trans alpha. He was assigned omega at birth and is using hormones to transition, and now passes as alpha. Sadly, like for the rest of the setting, there is absolutely no worldbuilding around how common cases like him are or what sort of transitions are available (he takes hormones but something like bottom surgery or hysterectomy doesn't seem to exist? It's not mentioned at least, though it might be that it is and Vincent simply doesn't want it.)
I'm aware that being trans in the a/b/o sense isn't the same as... well, being "normal" trans, but I felt like in the book it was treated as pretty much the same which is why I'm mostly gonna treat it that way too. It was handled well for the most part - the reveal happened on Vincent's own terms, there were no forced hands or weird/uncomfortable "hints", though at one point Vincent is referred to as having a "genetic defect" because he's trans which... um. Yeah. Not ok.
Overall, him being trans was completely removed from the plot and not a big topic at all, aside from him mentioning the transphobia (for lack of better word) he used to experience in a personal and professional environment.
I was thrilled to finally find a book that explores this possibility, even though I missed the surrounding structures and the world-building. The Solution was a lovely story and I adored its characters.
I also liked the fluid dominance relationships Vincent and Mal had in their sexual relationship. There's a mild Daddy kink, that again is more or less entirely based around the age difference (Vincent is 35, Mal is 49 or late fourties.) The truly intriguing thing that I haven't encountered much is that their mild D/s dynamic switches fluidly between the two, and often multiple times within one sex scene. It felt organic and natural and perfect for the two, and was a delight to read.
Equally organic felt the natural extension of their professional relationship (Vincent is the IVF specialist admistering the treatment to Mal, who desperately wants children) into their personal and sexual life.
The two just mesh together on every single level, I adore them so much!
stillsarahjane's review
3.0
This was interesting, I've never read a omegaverse that involved IVF or a trans(-designation) character.
The age-gap was a nice change of pace with both charaters being older (30s/50).
The age-gap was a nice change of pace with both charaters being older (30s/50).
kumabear's review
4.0
i am SO happy Mal got his HEA. he deserved it so much. The Alpha/Omega situation vincent found himself in was extremely unique which i loved but i kind of wished we got to see a little more into his feelings over that whole situation. I found myself wondering more about nikki was her mom her "mom" and also how she came to be. SO MANY QUESTIONS! I also fell in love with knot and Harley. i don't even care which dad gets the next book. i cannot wait !!!!
haletostilinski1's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
This was a solid third installment to this series that I've been enjoying. Again, it's mpreg so if that's not your thing, then this one isn't for you.
Mal, who was probably in the series that this series is a spin-off of when he was young, is now 5o years old, and he is rapidly losing his chance to conceive a child and have his own, when for many years he's been a babysitter, never a parent himself.
Mal has been through past abuse that was over 20 years prior, but it still effects him to that day, even with extensive therapy. It just shows that even with help, trauma someone has been through never goes away, they just learn how to handle it.
And Mal has never found the one man to spend the rest of his life with - past boyfriends have run after they learn of Mal's problems. But after half a century of living, he finally finds someone in Vincent, a.k.a xVariety in the Single Dad Support Group.
The single dads (which are dwindling now) come to Laurence and Alex's wedding and finally meet in person.
This was a tad insta-lovey, although it was more insta-lust in a way, it still had touches of insta-love. Mal and Vincent have a one night stand, but when they meet again they realize their love fairly quickly. Although not too quickly as to be quite insta-love.
Mal has been trying have a baby through IVF, but it isn't working, and when his doctor refers him to a clinical trial in it's first round, Mal jumps at the chance because it's his last chance to conceive. Mal is determined to it on his own and have his own child after seeing all his friends have kids and the kids he babysat getting married and having kids (Alex and Gage are among those kids).
I don't how realistic it is that a 50-year-old can still get pregnant, carry the baby to term and nothing happens, it all goes smoothly, but it must be through this trial Mal goes through that it goes so well.
I thought this book did some interesting things, like how and Mal and Vincent's dynamic was new and interesting, i thought - how they both weren't all dominant over the other or submissive to the other, they both had moments of both, and there was a bit of a daddy-kink with Mal, who was the omega.
Although, for me, I don't think the daddy kink worked that well in this one? Aside from Vincent calling Mal Daddy and Mal calling Vincent baby, and a few times "baby boy," it wasn't that present in the story and not delved into deeply, so I personally don't think it was necessary to the story. But it also doesn't take anything away from the story as well, so it isn't too big a deal.
Although.
And Mal is the sweetest, and Vincent was a sweetheart too. They were both so kind and respectful to each other and they were just wonderful to each other, I thought they were adorable together. The steam could have been steamier, but it still fun to read ;)
Overall, this was a fun read and mostly kept up with the past two books in this series, it just wasn't quite as good as the others in this series. (Although there wasn't the unnecessary drama of the last one, so...point for this book :D)
This was a solid third installment to this series that I've been enjoying. Again, it's mpreg so if that's not your thing, then this one isn't for you.
Mal, who was probably in the series that this series is a spin-off of when he was young, is now 5o years old, and he is rapidly losing his chance to conceive a child and have his own, when for many years he's been a babysitter, never a parent himself.
Mal has been through past abuse that was over 20 years prior, but it still effects him to that day, even with extensive therapy. It just shows that even with help, trauma someone has been through never goes away, they just learn how to handle it.
And Mal has never found the one man to spend the rest of his life with - past boyfriends have run after they learn of Mal's problems. But after half a century of living, he finally finds someone in Vincent, a.k.a xVariety in the Single Dad Support Group.
The single dads (which are dwindling now) come to Laurence and Alex's wedding and finally meet in person.
This was a tad insta-lovey, although it was more insta-lust in a way, it still had touches of insta-love. Mal and Vincent have a one night stand, but when they meet again they realize their love fairly quickly. Although not too quickly as to be quite insta-love.
Mal has been trying have a baby through IVF, but it isn't working, and when his doctor refers him to a clinical trial in it's first round, Mal jumps at the chance because it's his last chance to conceive. Mal is determined to it on his own and have his own child after seeing all his friends have kids and the kids he babysat getting married and having kids (Alex and Gage are among those kids).
I don't how realistic it is that a 50-year-old can still get pregnant, carry the baby to term and nothing happens, it all goes smoothly, but it must be through this trial Mal goes through that it goes so well.
I thought this book did some interesting things, like how
Spoiler
Vincent was born an omega but he "transitioned" to an alpha, although he still can't get anyone pregnant. It was an obvious metaphor for transgendered people, except Vincent didn't change his gender, he changed his...secondary gender? Is that what A/B/O is? I'm still not sure, but in most A/B/O stories they're treated as a secondary gender. Anyway, Vincent faced phobia from his ex-wife and others, and he was scared to tell Mal but determined to. Pretty close to real life with transgender people, I think.Although, for me, I don't think the daddy kink worked that well in this one? Aside from Vincent calling Mal Daddy and Mal calling Vincent baby, and a few times "baby boy," it wasn't that present in the story and not delved into deeply, so I personally don't think it was necessary to the story. But it also doesn't take anything away from the story as well, so it isn't too big a deal.
Although
Spoiler
Vincent ends up being Mal's doctor in the clinical trial for the first three months or so, and they have to hide their relationship and act as if they don't know each other or Vincent could lose his job and Mal would be kicked out of the trial. At least the story didn't make it okay, Vincent warns how he could lose his job. But like...yeah, totally agains the rules haha. They never even told their friends how they met up again, and I doubt they ever didAnd Mal is the sweetest, and Vincent was a sweetheart too. They were both so kind and respectful to each other and they were just wonderful to each other, I thought they were adorable together. The steam could have been steamier, but it still fun to read ;)
Overall, this was a fun read and mostly kept up with the past two books in this series, it just wasn't quite as good as the others in this series. (Although there wasn't the unnecessary drama of the last one, so...point for this book :D)
ld2's review against another edition
5.0
The Solution is the third book in the Single Dads Support Group, and although it can be read as a standalone, it is much better to have read the first two books in the series. I also recommend reading Love Me, the first book in the Rutledge Brothers series, since Mal is first introduced in that book. It helps give context to Mal’s past and the horrors he experienced.
Vincent, also known as xVerity in his Single Dads Support Group chat, is used to being alone after his marriage ended in a disaster. Life is tough as a single father, but Vincent has found support and friendship with his online chat group. When Lawrence, one of the other chat group members, invites Vincent to his wedding, Vincent is looking forward to celebrating the happy moment with his friends as well as scoping out the city where he’ll be moving to for a new job. The last thing Vincent expects to find in Aurora is love, but that’s exactly what happens when he meets Mal. Mal is an older omega who’s experienced the ugly side of life. Moving forward has been hard for Mal, but he’s finally ready to be father and has taken the next steps to meet that goal. However, becoming pregnant is harder than Mal expected, and he’s quickly loosing hope. Together Vincent and Mal will have to work together to make their dreams come true and start the family they both desire.
I loved this book. Both Vincent and Mal were wonderfully complex characters that captured my heart. Each man had to overcome their own insecurities and fears while also learning how to trust the other. There relationship was sweet and beautiful with some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read this month. The plot was intricate and interesting with enough drama to keep me on the edge of my seat.
Michael Ferraiuolo narrates the audiobook and does a spectacular job. Michael’s voice has so much range and flexibility. I love how he voice each character and makes them distinct and easy to tell apart. He brings the book to life with his performance. The energy he puts into the narration helps keep the book dynamic and not once was I bored with the narration. The audiobook production was well done and there were no glitches or errors.
Vincent, also known as xVerity in his Single Dads Support Group chat, is used to being alone after his marriage ended in a disaster. Life is tough as a single father, but Vincent has found support and friendship with his online chat group. When Lawrence, one of the other chat group members, invites Vincent to his wedding, Vincent is looking forward to celebrating the happy moment with his friends as well as scoping out the city where he’ll be moving to for a new job. The last thing Vincent expects to find in Aurora is love, but that’s exactly what happens when he meets Mal. Mal is an older omega who’s experienced the ugly side of life. Moving forward has been hard for Mal, but he’s finally ready to be father and has taken the next steps to meet that goal. However, becoming pregnant is harder than Mal expected, and he’s quickly loosing hope. Together Vincent and Mal will have to work together to make their dreams come true and start the family they both desire.
I loved this book. Both Vincent and Mal were wonderfully complex characters that captured my heart. Each man had to overcome their own insecurities and fears while also learning how to trust the other. There relationship was sweet and beautiful with some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read this month. The plot was intricate and interesting with enough drama to keep me on the edge of my seat.
Michael Ferraiuolo narrates the audiobook and does a spectacular job. Michael’s voice has so much range and flexibility. I love how he voice each character and makes them distinct and easy to tell apart. He brings the book to life with his performance. The energy he puts into the narration helps keep the book dynamic and not once was I bored with the narration. The audiobook production was well done and there were no glitches or errors.
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