3.5 stars

There are a lot of things that I really like about this book. I may be mistaken, but this seems to be my first polyamorous read. Well, I’ve read polyamory love stories where the triad gets together kind of all at the same time. In this story, Diego and Claris are already firmly established as a married couple before Claris even meets Mason. Long before she introduces Mason to her Diego with the thought that he is exactly what her husband wants/needs in another partner.

One of the things I appreciated about this story is Mason’s reactions to everything. He is pansexual and he finds himself questioning the poly lifestyle. Which he very much realized was problematic. He didn’t want to think that way and it frustrated him that those thoughts sometimes popped into his head. But Mason, although pansexual, had always dreamt of a more traditional life than you would think. Although he had no set image as to his partner, he did think one partner with kids, some pets, a house in the suburbs. The poly lifestyle didn’t fit into that neat box he had set aside for his love life in his brain. Mason working through these things helps a reader who is not super informed about polyamory get their questions and concerns answered in an organic way.

That, of course, is the story. There is love and friendship and other happenings, but the story is really Mason ultimately having to decide what makes him happy. Can he be happy outside of that neat little box? The chemistry Mason has with Diego is wonderful. I was rooting for him to relax into the relationship and let love take over. Claris helps with this as she wants both men to be happy, but she also sometimes hurts the cause. She’s over the top and always good intentioned…that’s her personality. But sometimes Mason needs his space. Claris is not so good at giving space.

As much as I enjoyed this story and was all in on the connection Diego and Mason had, it was a slow moving read for me. I wanted to read their story. I wanted to know the outcome. I liked the premise and the writing; it just was not a page turner. There was something I cannot put my finger on that was missing that kept me fully engaged. Possibly the pacing? I absolutely loved the last bit and am so glad I kept reading during the slow spots.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Carina Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find an excerpt from this story on my blog, All In Good Times.

Merged review:

3.5 stars

There are a lot of things that I really like about this book. I may be mistaken, but this seems to be my first polyamorous read. Well, I’ve read polyamory love stories where the triad gets together kind of all at the same time. In this story, Diego and Claris are already firmly established as a married couple before Claris even meets Mason. Long before she introduces Mason to her Diego with the thought that he is exactly what her husband wants/needs in another partner.

One of the things I appreciated about this story is Mason’s reactions to everything. He is pansexual and he finds himself questioning the poly lifestyle. Which he very much realized was problematic. He didn’t want to think that way and it frustrated him that those thoughts sometimes popped into his head. But Mason, although pansexual, had always dreamt of a more traditional life than you would think. Although he had no set image as to his partner, he did think one partner with kids, some pets, a house in the suburbs. The poly lifestyle didn’t fit into that neat box he had set aside for his love life in his brain. Mason working through these things helps a reader who is not super informed about polyamory get their questions and concerns answered in an organic way.

That, of course, is the story. There is love and friendship and other happenings, but the story is really Mason ultimately having to decide what makes him happy. Can he be happy outside of that neat little box? The chemistry Mason has with Diego is wonderful. I was rooting for him to relax into the relationship and let love take over. Claris helps with this as she wants both men to be happy, but she also sometimes hurts the cause. She’s over the top and always good intentioned…that’s her personality. But sometimes Mason needs his space. Claris is not so good at giving space.

As much as I enjoyed this story and was all in on the connection Diego and Mason had, it was a slow moving read for me. I wanted to read their story. I wanted to know the outcome. I liked the premise and the writing; it just was not a page turner. There was something I cannot put my finger on that was missing that kept me fully engaged. Possibly the pacing? I absolutely loved the last bit and am so glad I kept reading during the slow spots.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Carina Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can find an excerpt from this story on my blog, All In Good Times.

This may be the first romance I’ve read that looks at polyamory.
I really loved the discussion about navigating different kinds of love. Also how jarring it can be to let go of those dreams you cement when you are young. Dreams about marriage or your job.