3.75/5. Releases 9/24/24.

The Vibes: shapeshifters, MMF, folklore we should really see more of in PNR, what if you could cuddle your boyfriend like a cat?

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Marie is a consultant during her day job… and on the side, she’s a witch hunting down dangerous magical objects. This brings her into contact with Joe, a gumiho, and his kitsune partner (in every sense of the word) Kuro. Though the spark she has with both men is immediate, there’s a snag. They’re working for Marie’s enemy. Nonetheless—what’s the harm in a little fun on the job? Until fun becomes a lot more serious… both in terms of physical and emotional risk.

The Review:

Speaking of fun—this was a lot of fun! I’ve actually never read a book featuring a gumiho or a kitsune before. A lot of (let’s be real, white) authors would probably equate the creatures as they’re both shapeshifting fox spirits, but Drake does a great job of introducing what they are, their similarities and differences, and what those forms and roles are to Joe and Kuro separately. Which is kind of a theme throughout the book, to be honest. Marie, Joe, and Kuro can all bonds from certain cultural similarities—but they’re not at all the same. Everything, even down to the way they approach food, is carefully considered in the writing and handled (in my perspective—call me on it if I’m wrong, I’m an American white woman) delicately. But not with any sense of trepidation, either.

This shouldn’t be something that’s surprising, but let’s be real… romance is what it is. And, like most subgenres, PNR has been super white, historically. It was really cool to see a departure.

On to the rest of the story!

I think that what makes this interesting is the way in which the stakes are high in theory, but in reality there’s still a lot of levity. Kuro and Joe both experience Premature Shifting. There are multiple scenes in which they’re like, held by romantic partners like pets. Because you know… foxes aren’t really that big! It’s borderline goofy at points, but it actually ends up being quite cute.

Where I, of course, being the reader I am, struggle is in the fact that the relationship really is pretty healthy. Kuro and Joe are very established and happy together, which I did love. They’re also both pretty good with bringing Marie into their relationship as a new partner. Which… perhaps made sense with their experiences as supernaturals and how that may affect their perspectives… But felt a little too easy for me. Like, y'all are life partners, and it’s totally believable that you’d meet this woman and feel a connection you want to explore (Kuro and Joe have shared flings and slept with other people separately as well) but I don’t know. It seemed a bit quick for them to jump from “let’s bone her” to “let’s make her our girlfriend”.

To be fair, Marie does pump the brakes on that a little. I actually loved that she’d been in polyamorous relationships in the past (and didn’t have a super negative experience) and knew her hard limits. There are aspects of the story beyond the triad that affect her decision, and I felt that was explored really well.

But everyone was just… a bit too respectful and good, I supposed. Which is on trend for romance right now, and a lot of people will love that. I just wanted a bit more mess.

The Sex:

Obviously, this is an MMF romance, so you get scenes that are a bit more creative and dynamic than what you’d find in a monogamous romance. But, I’d say that in terms of a triad romance, these are on the tamer side. Still very hot and explicit! Just not super crazy. You see Kuro and Joe one-on-one in a fairly quick but sexy scene, and you get multiple scenes with all three of them together. Well-written, steamy, but if you’re not super experienced with triad romances, this actually may be a good way to dip your toe in the water.

That’s actually true for the book all-around, now that I think about it. If you’re into to fantasy and paranormal romance and curious about whether or not you’d like a triad romance… This is very much a baby steps book. There isn’t a love triangle. Everyone cares about each other and wants the best for one another. It isn’t at all toxic—the opposite, really. At the same time, you get the reticent Marie, the charismatic and sweet Joe, and the more dominating (but still lovely) Kuro. It’s not an array of samey people, either.

So yes—for me, the drama could’ve been higher. But it’s still a good book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.