All That They Desire

Wardham #9

by Zoe York

Shown as coming soon as of October 2017

Still shown as coming soon 3-2018

The story of Evan West, Jessica Doran and Brent Doran.

Detailed blurb to come

Genres: Romance, M M F, Polyamory, Contemporary Romance, Why Choose, Second Chance Romance, LGBT

ebook

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances.

She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.

Reviews

[b.andherbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

i picked this up based on a rec from author Felicia Davin (and also had it on my waaaaay back list) and I'm so glad I finally read this marriage in trouble turns into a happily-poly-ever-after.

Jessica and Brent Doran are divorcing; they were high school sweethearts and married quick and young. Their marriage was not working. Now Jessica wants to make Brent jealous so enlists the help of new to town wine connoisseur and vineyard owner Evan West. Evan is older, sophisticated, and Jessica assumes he's gay. Evan in fact is bi, and also gets hit on by Jessica's ex-husband at the gala bar. Uh oh.

While this sounds SO SO SO messy, instead the author crafts a completely sexy and delightful warm hug of a romance that shows how Jessica and Brent needed to find out what went wrong the first time, heal, and realize they both have fallen in love with Evan, as both a couple and as themselves. As for Evan, who doesn't believe in HEAs, seeing him find his future with these two was also just so tender and satisfying.

York doesn't shy away from some of the tough conversations about how their relationship will be seen in the town and I'm delighted to report all is well for our lovers.

Super hot, super fun. loved it.

[Felicia Davin]

Small towns in romance are just the best. They’re full of people taking care of each other, you get to root for everybody to find happiness, and your favorite main characters from previous books always show up again to give you a little glimpse of how well life is going. Everybody gossips, but never maliciously. And there’s always a bakery! This small town has a winery, too, and its owner is a queer man who’s a charming flirt who never wants to settle down—until he falls in love, separately and together, with a man and a woman whose marriage fell apart and might be under repair. I don’t think of myself as a reader who loves “marriage in trouble” as a trope, but maybe Zoe York just changed my mind. Watching two people who love each other figure out why they couldn’t make it work the first time around was so gratifying. This is make-you-swoon romantic, but in a grounded, real-life way where characters who need therapy get therapy. Also: it’s sexy as hell.

[Eve Pendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of contemporary recently, and this book epitomises why. The characters have a bit of angst without turning it into unnecessary drama. They talk about things, they have insecurities. It's beautifully real, and also sexy af. I liked that there wasn't any moralistic hand wringing over being bi or poly. Like - who needs that these days? It was three people easing into a relationship (two remaking their relationship). Read for the sexy times, stay for the community and found family.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit that the storyline for All That They Desire is a bit out of my norm. I’m generally a straight-laced, traditional romance reader (read: one man with one woman). BUT...Zoe York rarely does me wrong, AND one of the heroes in this book piqued my interest from his appearance in other books in the Wardham series. SO, I dove in despite this book not normally being one that would interest me. Wouldn’t you know, this book surprised me in all kinds of ways.

Jessica Doran is trying to move on after being deeply hurt when her husband of four months announced their marriage wasn’t working for him and then moved out of their house. With her ex doing his best to avoid communicating with her for the past year, she’s decided to move to another town and start dating. I really liked Jessica. She did her best to pick herself up and move on, and even though she still didn’t understand what went wrong with her marriage she was open to having new relationships.

Evan West is the sexy, bixexual winery owner who spent an evening chatting up Jessica at a wedding the weekend she found out her husband was leaving her, and they’ve been friends ever since. But now that Jessica will be consulting for his winery and moving to town, Evan’s determined to convince Jessica to explore the chemistry that’s so obviously between them. But he’s not one for long-term, serious relationships so he hopes Jessica will be satisfied with just a fling.

Brent Doran was the surprise character in this book. I thought I would despise a man who walks away from a woman he supposedly still loves and refuses to have an honest conversation with her about what went wrong. But Zoe York...she managed to make Brent a completely sympathetic character and my heart broke for him and his confusion about what to do when he loves his wife but is also attracted to men.

Between a therapist who walks Brent through a more productive way to deal with his issues (hooray for a book that shows therapy and seeking mental health in a positive way!!!) and Evan, who is able bring Jessica and Brent back together as well as “complete the circle” by encouraging the three of them to be in a relationship, this story ended up being more heartfelt and heartwarming than hot and steamy (which you might be expecting for a polyamorous storyline).

There isn’t much I don’t love about Zoe York’s books. I love her writing, I love the stories. I love her realistic characters who deal with realistic issues in a realistic way. I know if I’m in a reading slump I can reach for one of her books to get me out of it. There aren’t too many authors I can say that about. Even when she writes a trope or a storyline I’m not particularly interested in I know I can count on her to deliver a thoroughly compelling and heartwarming read.

At some point in the not-too-distant future I’m going to run out of Zoe York books to read. And that will be a sad, sad day.

[Vfc · Rating 2 out of 5]

An injustice was done to Jessica...her commitment of time, effort and emotion in a marriage to witness it disintegrate. Brent demonstrated utter cowardice in failing to admit and recognise his sexual orientation, rather than confront his best friend/wife, he ghosted her after a mere four months of marriage.

Brent left Jessica a year ago, ignored all attempts at communication because he’s confused by his feelings. Galling to realise that you shared a life with someone and they’re not the person you imagined.

I wanted to see her find someone that ‘saw’ her and only her...she should have severed ties rather than indulging in the rollercoaster of emotions. Instead they begin a threesome, friends that love each other. What makes these emotions different, why wasn’t Brent attracted to her during their time together?

Evan and Brent sent mixed signals. Were they jealous of each other because they wanted each other or her, or both?

Societal definition of pansexual (or omnisexuality) or gender blind, polyamorous, monogamous - Exorcist head spinning moment.

Jessica comes to the realisation of wanting them both and encourages them to explore their time together.

This author is usually an enjoyable read but I prefer her second chance titles.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't actually know where to start with this story.

I love the Wardham series and to finally get my hands on the last story in this series..... Well I was emotional. But nowhere near as emotional as the story made me.

Ms York states at the beginning that this story took awhile to write but I don't mind one bit, these characters needed time and I can visually see that as I read each line of this story. The characters come to life like nothing else and you can tell that as much as their story needed to be told they where reluctant to tell it as well. And it's that sense of vulnerability that Ms York brings to the characters that makes this story something else entirely.

A story that came to life in front of my eyes, with characters that made me want to leap through the page and hug them, really what more can a girl ask for from a story?

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess, Evan, and Brent are awesome together

Brent ghosted his wife for a year but it wasn't because he didn't love her. Jess was hurt when Brent ghosted her. Now she is trying to move on but she is attracted to Evan who is gay until she finds out he is bi . Can the three of them make this new relationship work without the jealousy?

This book is well written and shows the conflict one goes through before and when the come out. Zoe portrayed each of the three and their individual struggles with this whole situation perfectly.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes feelings aren’t quite enough, no matter how strong they are. Jess learns this over time, and in a variety of ways in this book. Brent learns what he thinks has been overriding his feelings, so he has to change his thoughts. Evan learns his laissez faire attitude is what he uses to mask his true feelings and desires. No two combination is working for this trio, but when they finally accept that all three of them are perfection, then they can move and have the lives they all need!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual but read worthy

I enjoyed this book. I do not usually read books like this one but I feel in love with Evan from the other books so I gave it a try. Watching the characters grow and come closer to one another through trust and affection makes it a sweet story. Enjoy Zoe York's knowledge and writing. I can feel the feeling of all the characters. Looking forward to the new books to come!

[Stephie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe York has become my new favourite author. I loved how to eases you into a taboo subject and makes you see / understand different view points. You don't have to always agree, but a better understanding about something you firstly didn't know about, makes for a much better reading and appreciation.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand-alone novel that explores how a husband’s denial of his bisexuality nearly destroyed his marriage until he and his wife found shared attraction and then love with another man. Sweet, insightful, and sexy in turns. The author made a compelling case for the love story of these three individuals each searching for something that the others could provide.

[Deonne Lyness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, surprisingly complex novella. How the author managed to convey so much emotion and and so many character challenges and growth in limited pages is incredible, especially as it is an MFM romance. I really enjoyed it.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the way they each took turns looking out for each other and growing together, and that she wasn’t the emotional handler for everyone. Brent’s bi-awakening was handled sensitively, and Evan’s own history seemed to fit the queer culture he represented.

[robert tabora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeless Romantic 🥰

I don’t normally read these kind of books with three people involved, but this one was very tastefully done. It was really good. Can’t wait to read more books 📕 by Zoe York.

[Nelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s nice getting back to Wardham and it’s nice that Evan got his HEA.

This book is steamy and sensitive. Brent and Jess might try to work things out but do they work without Evan?

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 🌟🌟🌟

[Chrissy Shaffer-McNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series, can't wait to read whisper beach!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of romance, healing and steam heat in this excellent, thoughtful, compassionate and hopeful polyamorous romance.

[Helena Seryma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in on sitting. The story was strangely captivating.

[The Doctor's Companion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good MMF romance. Emphasis on good.
This was so good!!
Zoe/Ainsley/Chloe continues to use her witchcraft on me, with her writing. And I’ll succumb every time.

[Jill Dion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have been waiting for this book forever. However with that said my reading was not as advanced back when book 9 was released as it is now. I do not think I would have appreciated this romance between Evan, Brent and Jess.

Evan has been around this series forever and has always been mentioned, mostly about his relationships with men and women. No one seemed to be mind, and his ex always thought he wouldend up in a polyamorous relationship. Evan met Jessica first at his ex Evie and Liam's wedding and remembers being attracted to her. Fast forward Jessica is in town visiting Evie and Liam when she mentions she will have to see her ex husband at an event. They had not spoken since he left her. Evie, has a great idea that she needs a date to this event and has just the guy in mind... Evan!

Evan and Jessica talk about some local things and finally get around to her needing a date. They decide to go together and while there Evan sees a guy at the bar who is checking him out. He finds the guy interesting. However later in the night he is introduced to Jess's ex husband..... the same guy who was checking him out at the bar. Evan now sees what happened in the marriage and decides to help put the couple back together.

What follows is the story of finding love, keeping love, repairing love and finding peace. I hope we get more of this lovely group in future books.

This is book 10 and said to be the last of this series, helps to have read the others but not 100% necessary. It has been mentioned we will get more in a new series so I hope we see more from these three.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally riveting, this book takes you on a journey of discovery as three people work through the struggles they fall into when they don't fully know themselves and the rift it can cause in the delicate relationships that involve the ones they love the most.

Jessica Doran may never forgive her husband for leaving her without an explanation but she still loves him and wants him to be happy. It doesn't change her desire for a date to a gala that will make her ex-husband incredibly jealous. And she knows the perfect, model-worthy man for the job.

Evan doesn't do relationships and, male or female, he isn't picky about who he sleeps with as long as there is a connection. There was just one flaw with his plan. He wants Jess and Brent to get their relationship figured out so they can all have some fun together before he moves on. Yet, when Jess needs a favor he can't turn her down.

Brent Doran knows he made a tragic mistake when he left his wife but the confusion he's been living with is almost destroying him. He thought he needed some space to figure things out until he sees her with a date.

Neither Brent nor Jess expected their happiness to be wrapped up in the arms of another man until Evan makes it clear he wants them both.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three's the charm

Three stars and three lovers. The story was good and Evan is very interesting. Sadly, the book focuses on Jess so this isn't really Evan's story, it's Jess dealing with the fact her husband, Brent, of four months divorced her the previous year. There are moments where I really want to know about Evan and what he's thinking, how he is evolving as a character. Brent is more of a side character and this is a mistake. I feel All They Desire should have focused on Brent and Evan falling in love, and Brent coming to terms with being bisexual while Evan accepts that he does want love.

[Charliegirl1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big build up

Like most fans of the Wardham series, I waited a long time for this book. I like the basic premise, I just find it unrealistic The way it played out. The heroine, Jessica is on the verge of divorce and hasn't so much as spoken of texted with her husband in a year. She's finally ready to move on, and he finally admits that he's attracted to men, and suddenly she wants to help him find himself sexually, they're dating the same person, in love, and everything is great. The guys struggle, but not Jess, she's all good with all of it. I just don't think it would have happened that easily, and I felt like the whole thing was a set up for the Whisper Beach series.

[Miss G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, understanding and co-operation

I have read lots of Zoe's stories, mainly her Pine Harbour series, I thought they were brilliantly real (most relationships are not plain sailing)!!!
I was excited to hear of her latest novel, although I was a wee bit concerned about the menage trope - there does seem to be a fair few stories of this ilk - however Zoe captivated me with her honest anguish and soul searching reality ❤️
Looking forward to Whisper Beach 😊

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ménage with so much heart...

Yes, I’ve read all of the Wardham books but you don’t have to to appreciate this story. All of the “feels”are here. I love that all of the characters have a self discovery. The biggest thing I like about Zoe’s books is that they are so realistic I could swear it’s a true story. There’s nothing like falling in love, and we get to experience it with Jess and Brent and Evan, sigh.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I should say I am a fan of Zoe York and have read most of her books. I enjoyed this book and its characters. I am glad Evan finally had his story. That said if I pay 4.99 for a book I expect it to at least be proofread. I stopped counting typos and errors when I got to 10. I would have given a higher rating if not for the mistakes.

[DKW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three for love

Wonderful characters and story. Jess, Brent and Evan and their family and friends make a great story. No cliffhanger and Hea. Standalone but a great series. Can't wait for Ty's story.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've waited a longtime for this one. I do, on occasion, enjoy something a little different. This book was a quick, sexy read with some super hot scenes. I kinda wish there was more about their relationship, it seemed to end too quickly.

[K Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good second chance story

Add MMF to it and I'm sold. I hadn't read the rest of the series but didn't feel like I missed too much. Enjoyed seeing the couple group and expand. And the super hot scenes helped too