With Hearts of Flame (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Dark Academia Romantasy Novel of Vampires and Dragons Featuring Stenciled Edges and Illustrated Endpapers (Bloodwing Academy, 4)
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Lock Step: Book 3 of The Omegaverse Case Files
by C.T. Whistle
About this book
Times are changing in West Newton, and the game is finally up for Firearms Officers Taylor Campbell and John-Paul Ateba. After pissing off HR one too many times, they find themselves re-assigned to the sleepy retirement town of Dingly Heath, where the only lineup is outside the supermarket when incontinence pads are on special offer.
Except, there’s something not quite right about the locals, or their soon to be colleagues, or the place that was once crowned ‘Britain’s Most Motivated Town’. Soon, Johnny and Taylor discover that something much darker is lurking beneath the pristine lawns and show-stopping hanging baskets, and that they may have accidentally planted themselves in the heart of the growing alpha/omega unrest.
Best friends since childhood, the new assignment will push their friendship beyond its limits, especially when one of them has been secretly in love with the other for over a decade.
This is a childhood best friends-to-lovers, M/M, alpha/alpha omegaverse novel.
CW: descriptions of past child abuse (neglect, non-sexual), violence, explicit sexual scenes, explicit language, dark Brit-cop humour, an implied eating disorder (binge eating), unhealthy codependency between MCs, taking the piss out of Christianity. Note: One of the MCs is heavily ADHD-coded and experiences all the difficulties that come with that neurodevelopmental disorder.
Mpreg is a part of this world but does not feature heavily in this book. Mature audiences only (18+), please check the content warnings.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B0GHSXYBWQ
Reader Reviews
April 28, 2026
I can not wait for more! Adored Taylor and JP. Such an interesting pair. Can not recommend this series any more. )
May 2, 2026
I really liked this one, even though I thought I wouldn't. 2 alphas fighting for dominance was not something I am interested in. But this was so much more than that. And CT is really great at writing hurt/comfort. Great mystery and I loved the characters. )
April 16, 2026
I mean, don't get me wrong, Johnny and Taylor have all the angst, just enough longing, and all the endearing codependency that I was hoping for, but this third installment in the Omegaverse Case Files also brought plenty of moments that made me \"awwwwwwwww\" and laugh out loud. Describing Lock Step without context: - There was cake?! - Who can resist hedgehogs? - My god, I want to hug Amil. - My nails are in need of rescuing, too. - The inclusion of Sylvester the Mol3ster is both 5-star comedy...
April 16, 2026
Lock Step was such a fun book! Johnny and Taylor are absolutely hilarious characters. That being said, you’ll definitely feel all the emotions! The pining and yearning from Johnny was top tier, my heart ached for him. Even the fact that his mom knew and interfered to protect her baby, oh I definitely cried. Johnny is absolutely devoted to Taylor and is very on top of things while trying to keep Taylor out of trouble. Taylor’s picture should be next to the word chaos on the dictionary😂 He’s...
April 21, 2026
I’m a sucker for friends to lovers plot lines and really really enjoyed this one. Johnny and Taylor have so much chemistry and history. They’re so sweet and caring towards each other and I like how Taylor came to realize his feelings before Johnny admitted his. Also Johnny’s family is incredible and such a warm, cozy blanket for Taylor, who didn’t have it growing up. C.T. whistle always does such a great job exploring traumas in a way that feels incredibly sad, authentic, and healing. Can’t...
