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OK, I loved this story! All of it! Even the bittersweet ending. Because anything else would have been detrimental to Alistair. And ultimately a detriment to Mal and Charlie.

I can't wait for Mal and Charlie's book to come to fruition so a few of my questions about them can be answered! ( )

This free novella is one of the most complicated and psychologically interesting threesomes I have ever read. It starts out nice enough, almost harmless, has three fascinating men as main characters, and just when I thought I could see where it was going it took a somewhat unexpected turn. After my initial shock and outrage, I managed to lean back and think about it, and I have to say that I am left more than a little curious about these guys' futures. Yes, they resolve the situation they are in when the story starts, but I think there is a lot more to be discovered. I love it when that happens, since it means the characters are real to me.

Charlie and Malcolm are an established couple who clearly love each other a lot. While the essential parts of their past are revealed, a lot remains unsaid and I have a feeling there is more to them than I saw here. Malcolm has a very dark past, resulting in him needing to be in control at all times. Charlie is happy to give him that control, at least in the bedroom, but he misses topping. The solution they have both discussed might be to get a third man, either on a temporary or a permanent basis, but they are not sure it will work, or that they can find he right man. The focus of this story is their giving it a try with Alistair.

Alistair is a great guy, not in a relationship at the moment, and very curious about BDSM. He thinks he may be submissive, but has never found anyone he trusts enough to try. Now he has two men, and he decides to go ahead and give it a go. What he learns totally overwhelms him, and I think he needs some time to digest his experience and think about what he really wants. In that sense, it is a good thing that he is about to go away to college at the end of the summer. He wants that more than to stay, and that is a sign in itself.

Let me warn you, Alistair, Charlie, and Malcolm's story ends on a bittersweet note. As much as I am about the happy ending, I have to admit it is probably better this way. It is certainly more realistic, but is also gives all three men a better chance to heal, develop, and grow the way they need to if they want to become complete. The ending made me cry and wish it were different, but it was the only way it could have gone down for these characters. That doesn't mean I'm not eagerly hoping for a sequel for all of them, not even necessarily as a threesome, but I want to know what happens to Charlie and Malcolm, as much as I need to know what becomes of Alistair! They've become very real to me in the space of these comparatively few pages.

If you like complicated relationships between wounded men who discover they can help each other heal, if you enjoy reading about three-way relationships that are about far more than the physical, and if you're looking for a read that will make you think, and possibly cry a little, the you should give this free read a go. Just – be ready for it not to be like most other m/m/m stories out there.
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