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Unbinding Trilogy #1
Unbinding Desire: Unbinding Trilogy Book One
When Alexis finds herself homeless and jobless in a new city, fate introduces her to a group of male roommates. Amidst the upheaval, romantic tensions arise, leading Alexis to face difficult choices while trying to avoid conflict. However, she soon realizes that she might not need to choose at all, as her housemates begin to embrace the idea of unconventional relationships. Alexis embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the evolving dynamics of becoming a throuple and potentially more. The men in her life eagerly indulge her adventurous side, even creating a dedicated pleasure room to fulfill her fantasies. The story concludes with a soft cliffhanger-a resolution with hints of more story to come.
358 pages, ebook
Published July 15, 2024
About the author
Maelana Nightingale
25 books149 followersBestselling author Maelana Nightingale writes romance that bleeds, breathes, and burns—stories where love is messy, healing is hard, and desire is sacred.
Her novels span contemporary found-family romances, dark and taboo stories, and sweeping romantic fantasy, united by raw emotion and unflinching realism. Known for intimate, character-driven storytelling, her work explores connection, power, and trust in ways that feel lived-in rather than performative—and never shies away from the complicated edges of love.
A nurse by trade and storyteller by soul, she brings authenticity to every page—from medical precision to the psychology of trauma, trust, and connection. When she’s not writing, she’s usually wrangling one of her five children or navigating the controlled chaos of her corporate healthcare day job.
Her novels span contemporary found-family romances, dark and taboo stories, and sweeping romantic fantasy, united by raw emotion and unflinching realism. Known for intimate, character-driven storytelling, her work explores connection, power, and trust in ways that feel lived-in rather than performative—and never shies away from the complicated edges of love.
A nurse by trade and storyteller by soul, she brings authenticity to every page—from medical precision to the psychology of trauma, trust, and connection. When she’s not writing, she’s usually wrangling one of her five children or navigating the controlled chaos of her corporate healthcare day job.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 22, 2024
Shortly after Alexis uproots her life to finally live with her fiancé, they attend a party where the fiancé is caught cheating with his coworker. Alexis is devastated but the hosts of the party (5 gorgeous men) quickly offer her place to stay and their help. Next thing she knows she’s putting the pieces of her life back together and feeling more for one of the roommates. But she can’t deny the attraction she felt for all 5 of them when they first met.
A sweet poly relationship blooms between Alexis, Ethan and Carter but it appears we also have Holden, Shawn, and Jeremiah on the wings waiting to establish a relationship with Alexis as well. It isn’t all drama free but Alexis’ magnetism just draws the men in.
No sword crossing but plenty of sharing and solo scenes. I had doubts about keeping all the characters straight but about 30% in I felt connected enough to differentiate no problem. We end on a cliffhanger and I’m hungry for more. The characters are messy but endearing. I’m rooting for them to get a HEA. Relatable, real life issues were handled like being neurodivergent, unexpected health issues, having estranged adult parents, and practicing honest communication in romantic relationships (even when it’s hard). For people that want reverse harem without the toxicity that often accompanies in romance books, this is a solid read.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
A sweet poly relationship blooms between Alexis, Ethan and Carter but it appears we also have Holden, Shawn, and Jeremiah on the wings waiting to establish a relationship with Alexis as well. It isn’t all drama free but Alexis’ magnetism just draws the men in.
No sword crossing but plenty of sharing and solo scenes. I had doubts about keeping all the characters straight but about 30% in I felt connected enough to differentiate no problem. We end on a cliffhanger and I’m hungry for more. The characters are messy but endearing. I’m rooting for them to get a HEA. Relatable, real life issues were handled like being neurodivergent, unexpected health issues, having estranged adult parents, and practicing honest communication in romantic relationships (even when it’s hard). For people that want reverse harem without the toxicity that often accompanies in romance books, this is a solid read.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 1, 2024
This was seriously, no bullshit, phenomenal. The Siren has entered the building and it is just so freaking good!! Lex is a force to be reckoned with in life and love. This is spicy and sexy and the story is so well written! Preorder this ASAP you will not be sorry!!
July 7, 2024
I’m unapologetically obsessed with this book, and I can’t stop raving about it! It has me foaming at the mouth for books two and three.
From the very first page, we’re thrown into Alexis’s whirlwind of emotions as she says goodbye to her old life and takes the plunge to move to a new city to be with her fiancée. What could possibly go wrong, right? Alexis, her belongings, and her baggage of past relationship trauma head off on this adventure, but soon after arriving… plot twist. Suddenly, she’s left without a home, a job, a finances, and is rescued by five incredibly unique strangers.
I always worry that the MMCs (male main characters) might blend together, but each of these characters is so vividly developed that it’s effortless to keep track of who’s who. Book one follows each character but really focuses on the dynamics between Carter and Alexis, Ethan and Alexis, and of course…. Carter, Alexis, and Ethan. Their communication is top tier, showcasing their maturity and deep self-awareness as they navigate their past relationship and family traumas. It’s a breath of fresh air to experience a “why choose” scenario without the usual drama and toxicity. They know what they want, aren’t afraid to discuss it openly, and tackle issues head-on as a team.
I cannot wait to see how all the other relationships will unfold throughout the series!
From the very first page, we’re thrown into Alexis’s whirlwind of emotions as she says goodbye to her old life and takes the plunge to move to a new city to be with her fiancée. What could possibly go wrong, right? Alexis, her belongings, and her baggage of past relationship trauma head off on this adventure, but soon after arriving… plot twist. Suddenly, she’s left without a home, a job, a finances, and is rescued by five incredibly unique strangers.
I always worry that the MMCs (male main characters) might blend together, but each of these characters is so vividly developed that it’s effortless to keep track of who’s who. Book one follows each character but really focuses on the dynamics between Carter and Alexis, Ethan and Alexis, and of course…. Carter, Alexis, and Ethan. Their communication is top tier, showcasing their maturity and deep self-awareness as they navigate their past relationship and family traumas. It’s a breath of fresh air to experience a “why choose” scenario without the usual drama and toxicity. They know what they want, aren’t afraid to discuss it openly, and tackle issues head-on as a team.
I cannot wait to see how all the other relationships will unfold throughout the series!
June 20, 2024
Thank you Maelana for the ARC and for the opportunity!
Everyone is going to want to add this to their TBR immediately! We follow Alexis through a new chapter in her life only to be betrayed by her fiance. She expects the unexpected and get a new job and a new place to live (with some really cute guys). We follow Alexis on a journey of building herself back up while staying true to herself and being herself. Being open to what you like and what you want is one of the best things to do! It also added to all the spice this book brought
I loved her Alexis's story and her character. Being open about her ADHD, opening up a bit about her past (do we get more in book 2 please?!?!) I loved all the modern day references from sports, to music, to movies. Something I related to on a personal level and I loved it, it made me feel connected to the book and the characters. I am very excited to see where we end up in Book 2 and how this Trilogy pans out because I need more!
Everyone is going to want to add this to their TBR immediately! We follow Alexis through a new chapter in her life only to be betrayed by her fiance. She expects the unexpected and get a new job and a new place to live (with some really cute guys). We follow Alexis on a journey of building herself back up while staying true to herself and being herself. Being open to what you like and what you want is one of the best things to do! It also added to all the spice this book brought
I loved her Alexis's story and her character. Being open about her ADHD, opening up a bit about her past (do we get more in book 2 please?!?!) I loved all the modern day references from sports, to music, to movies. Something I related to on a personal level and I loved it, it made me feel connected to the book and the characters. I am very excited to see where we end up in Book 2 and how this Trilogy pans out because I need more!
June 1, 2024
This book sucked me in! The characters were very well written and the chemistry between them was fantastic. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Go pre-order this, you won’t be disappointed!
June 30, 2024
Such a good, honest, why choose. I went into this book knowing the FMC was neurodivergent, and being an Audhd woman myself....girl, same! I mean, Alexis is gorgeous and a magnet to others (so our similarities end there), but she is brave, resilient, intelligent, sassy, and adventurous. The men are the same. Hot, capable, driven, friendly, emotionally intelligent, and good communicators. They are essentially the perfect book boyfriends if you are also looking for very real mental and emotional struggles and a little neurospicy questioning. This is book 1, and you could definitely see the relationship building and connections being made. It did take me about 30% of the book to get all the characters straight, but their individual personalities really set in after that. The spice was really good, especially in the MFM scenes. I'm excited to see how the relationships between Alexis and the other guys take off. The ending is a cliffhanger but a subtle one that doesn't necessarily leave you dying. But I'm still ready for more!
June 23, 2024
This book left me speechless! Absolutely the makings to be my favorite RH of all time, quite possibly my favorite read of the year.
*added note: beta & alpha read the rest of the trilogy & the previous statement is fact!
This book/trilogy is written in such a healthy way but still completely full of the tropes & k!nks & spice that we want as romance readers. It’s utterly refreshing to read deep character development and intentional relationship building in a story, much less in an RH, and not a quick “and now there’s 3, 4, 5 of them” or the angst/sexual tension soupy stemming from a lack of communication. These characters talk to each other!! It’s incredible!
I am so thankful I got to ARC this book! 10/10 recommend! 5⭐️ 3ish🌶️ (more in the rest of the trilogy! 😉)
Check out my full review on TT: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNAWAmbf/
*added note: beta & alpha read the rest of the trilogy & the previous statement is fact!
This book/trilogy is written in such a healthy way but still completely full of the tropes & k!nks & spice that we want as romance readers. It’s utterly refreshing to read deep character development and intentional relationship building in a story, much less in an RH, and not a quick “and now there’s 3, 4, 5 of them” or the angst/sexual tension soupy stemming from a lack of communication. These characters talk to each other!! It’s incredible!
I am so thankful I got to ARC this book! 10/10 recommend! 5⭐️ 3ish🌶️ (more in the rest of the trilogy! 😉)
Check out my full review on TT: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNAWAmbf/
July 19, 2024
I LOVED EVERYTHING about this book!
Just two weeks after moving in with her fiance, Brody, Alexis witnesses something that will pull the rug out from under her.
Five men take Alexis under their wing when she is forced to start all over again in a new city without a job or place to live. What none of them anticipated was falling for their new roommate.
Things get hot and heavy between Carter and Alexis early on and when it's proposed to bring Ethan into the mix, things get very very interesting and scolding hot.
But the five men, made a pact....nothing and no one will break the bond they've shared since childhood. And as they all get closer to and start falling more and more for Alexis, one man finds that he may want to have it all.
When tragedy strikes, everyone has a big decision they have to make. Are they in or are they out?
Just two weeks after moving in with her fiance, Brody, Alexis witnesses something that will pull the rug out from under her.
Five men take Alexis under their wing when she is forced to start all over again in a new city without a job or place to live. What none of them anticipated was falling for their new roommate.
Things get hot and heavy between Carter and Alexis early on and when it's proposed to bring Ethan into the mix, things get very very interesting and scolding hot.
But the five men, made a pact....nothing and no one will break the bond they've shared since childhood. And as they all get closer to and start falling more and more for Alexis, one man finds that he may want to have it all.
When tragedy strikes, everyone has a big decision they have to make. Are they in or are they out?
June 8, 2024
The feelings this book left me with.... too many to count.
When you pack up and leave everything to move across the country to be with your fiance, only to find him cheating is not how you expect your life to turn out.
But what fate gifts you with instead are men who worship you in their own way and leaves some even questioning their sanity.
It was a page turner and one I could not put down. I am excited for the rest of this trilogy!!!!!
Not your traditional HEA
Reverse harem
Check your triggers
When you pack up and leave everything to move across the country to be with your fiance, only to find him cheating is not how you expect your life to turn out.
But what fate gifts you with instead are men who worship you in their own way and leaves some even questioning their sanity.
It was a page turner and one I could not put down. I am excited for the rest of this trilogy!!!!!
Not your traditional HEA
Reverse harem
Check your triggers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
This book was incredibly good!! It is very well written, and the chemistry between the characters is off the charts. It held my attention right from the beginning, and left me begging for more. Lexi is an absolute force of an FMC, and I loved how each of the MMCs brought something different to the table. Would definitely recommend you preorder this ASAP…you won’t regret it!!!!
June 18, 2024
You would never know this was a debut novel! It is well written with character development. And while some things get a little more descriptive than needed it overall flows well and works for the story line. The spice is spicy and the relationships develop kinda naturally. That cliff hanger is killing meeee. Can’t wait to see what comes for these guys next!
July 12, 2024
Seriously one of my favorite books I have read in a while. I love the FMC was a confident, beautiful character who wasn’t ashamed of who she is. The way she commands attention without meaning to is brilliant. The ending… 👌👌👌. I am ready for the next in line.
June 30, 2024
Rating:
July 31, 2024
If you’ve ever wanted to witness a soap opera explode in a mansion filled with rich, brooding men, then *Unbinding Desire* is your ticket to wild drama—and possibly a few laughs!
Meet Alexis, our brave heroine, who moves to a new state only to discover that her fiancé is about as loyal as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs—he’s cheating on her! (Honestly, can we make "cheating fiancé" a national sport? Because we have a contender.)
As if catching her fiancé canoodling with the host’s girlfriend wasn’t enough of a plot twist, Alexis stumbles upon five (yes, five!) wealthy men living in a mansion who suddenly decide she’s the “main character” in their very own reality show. Their idea of a welcome party? Competing for her affection like they’re vying for the last slice of pizza at a party. Spoiler: Everyone loses their dignity, but in the best way possible.
We’ve got the one with a girlfriend—he’s the classic “I swear I’m not a bad guy” trope—but let's be real, sharing is caring, right? Then we've got the one who refuses to share at all; can we get a "not all heroes wear capes" for him? And as for the remaining three, they’re ready to form a harem and give Alexis a life worthy of a rom-com montage.
This book is packed with enough romantic misadventures to keep you laughing, cheering, and occasionally screaming at your book. Whether you’re Team "I refuse to share" or Team "let’s make this a love hexagon," there’s a little something for everyone.
In summary, *Unbinding Desire* is perfect for those days when you want to escape reality and dive into a world of glamorous catastrophes. So grab your favorite snack, prepare for some eye-roll-worthy dilemmas, and enjoy the ride. Just remember: if you ever catch your partner in a compromising position, make sure there's a mansion full of eligible bachelors waiting in the wings!
IG : megs_filthy_fictions
Meet Alexis, our brave heroine, who moves to a new state only to discover that her fiancé is about as loyal as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs—he’s cheating on her! (Honestly, can we make "cheating fiancé" a national sport? Because we have a contender.)
As if catching her fiancé canoodling with the host’s girlfriend wasn’t enough of a plot twist, Alexis stumbles upon five (yes, five!) wealthy men living in a mansion who suddenly decide she’s the “main character” in their very own reality show. Their idea of a welcome party? Competing for her affection like they’re vying for the last slice of pizza at a party. Spoiler: Everyone loses their dignity, but in the best way possible.
We’ve got the one with a girlfriend—he’s the classic “I swear I’m not a bad guy” trope—but let's be real, sharing is caring, right? Then we've got the one who refuses to share at all; can we get a "not all heroes wear capes" for him? And as for the remaining three, they’re ready to form a harem and give Alexis a life worthy of a rom-com montage.
This book is packed with enough romantic misadventures to keep you laughing, cheering, and occasionally screaming at your book. Whether you’re Team "I refuse to share" or Team "let’s make this a love hexagon," there’s a little something for everyone.
In summary, *Unbinding Desire* is perfect for those days when you want to escape reality and dive into a world of glamorous catastrophes. So grab your favorite snack, prepare for some eye-roll-worthy dilemmas, and enjoy the ride. Just remember: if you ever catch your partner in a compromising position, make sure there's a mansion full of eligible bachelors waiting in the wings!
IG : megs_filthy_fictions
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2024
Holy MOLY!!! Was that a world wind!
with this being my first actual why choose book that I started, completed, and didnt DNF it after the first 4 chapters.
I was lucky enough to receive this as a ARC read and when I say that I am addicted I am ADDICTED! definitely did what it needed to bring me out my slump.
Without any major spoilers, I can tell you now, the way I thought this story would go it most def did not go that way. It was funny, spicy, endearing, and my god the praises *chiefs fucking kisses* there were a few parts that had me like "WTF" or cringing but what book doesn't have a few of those.
Shit if I had to choose between these guys... I would be in the same boat because I would want them all, collectively and biblically.
Definitely a good book to dive into while I stressed from finals this week in school. Miss Maelana I'm most def gonna need them other 2 books ASAP I have sooooo many questions!!!!
with this being my first actual why choose book that I started, completed, and didnt DNF it after the first 4 chapters.
I was lucky enough to receive this as a ARC read and when I say that I am addicted I am ADDICTED! definitely did what it needed to bring me out my slump.
Without any major spoilers, I can tell you now, the way I thought this story would go it most def did not go that way. It was funny, spicy, endearing, and my god the praises *chiefs fucking kisses* there were a few parts that had me like "WTF" or cringing but what book doesn't have a few of those.
Shit if I had to choose between these guys... I would be in the same boat because I would want them all, collectively and biblically.
Definitely a good book to dive into while I stressed from finals this week in school. Miss Maelana I'm most def gonna need them other 2 books ASAP I have sooooo many questions!!!!
July 15, 2024
3.75/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️
Unbinding Desire is a why choose with 5 MMCs and honestly the FIRST non toxic RH I’ve ever read and such a breath of fresh air. The amount of solid communication and meaningful connection in the book is so beautiful. Maelana has done such a great job connecting you to all 5 men but also the story line and incredible description that’s pulls you into their world.
This ends in a decent cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this trilogy goes and how the other men get incorporated in !
Unbinding Desire is a why choose with 5 MMCs and honestly the FIRST non toxic RH I’ve ever read and such a breath of fresh air. The amount of solid communication and meaningful connection in the book is so beautiful. Maelana has done such a great job connecting you to all 5 men but also the story line and incredible description that’s pulls you into their world.
This ends in a decent cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this trilogy goes and how the other men get incorporated in !
July 18, 2024
ARC Review
Alexis moves to Colorado from Maryland to be with her long distance fiance. While at a party, he cheated on her with his coworker whose boyfriend party they are at
Upset, the boyfriend and his roommates let her stay there.
They all instantly have an attraction to her and her to them.
She starts a relationship with Carter and eventually with Ethan as well. She's still attracted to the other three but can they all come together to live and love together?
Alexis moves to Colorado from Maryland to be with her long distance fiance. While at a party, he cheated on her with his coworker whose boyfriend party they are at
Upset, the boyfriend and his roommates let her stay there.
They all instantly have an attraction to her and her to them.
She starts a relationship with Carter and eventually with Ethan as well. She's still attracted to the other three but can they all come together to live and love together?
June 16, 2024
ARC review coming later today!
October 15, 2025
So good... I just want everything to work out for Alexis
July 26, 2026
I was super excited for this trilogy, but I was pretty disappointed in this first book and will not be picking up the others. This is going to be a long rant full of spoilers, so apologies!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
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The writing
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The writing didn't start out the greatest with some repetitive wording (literally everyone was described as "attractive" along with full physical descriptions) and mundane things being overly descriptive (like where everyone is sitting at the table each time), but that did seem to improve a bit over the course of the book. The spice wasn't great but wasn't terrible, so I'd give that a solid B- (if you don't like the words "taint" or "folds" then you might want to avoid). That said, it's the first book in the trilogy, so it was more vanilla and standard while the next two books likely amp up the kink factor and more interesting scenes. The dialogue at times felt a bit stilted/weird.
Example:
- "Carter, I know I was flippant about it in the kitchen that day, but that's an insane, maybe fantastical idea."
- "Alexis!" Carrie exclaims excitedly. "I'm thrilled to be partying with you tonight!"
Who talks like that? "Fantastical"? Maybe I'm nitpicking on that one, but it felt weird. This was really only in a couple of places, but it was a minor distraction.
In terms of the relationship building between the characters, I felt like we got a lot of telling and not showing. Throughout the book we get moments where things felt like they happened out of nowhere (BAM! PLAYROOM!) but we're told, "Yeah, we had a conversation about that". Well, ok then. At the same time, we do get to witness some of the more common conversations with a budding poly dynamic like talking to each other before allowing someone else into the dynamic, how they want to prevent jealousy, etc. Those difficult conversations can be mentally and emotionally exhausting in real life, and they feel almost as exhausting to read. Still, I did appreciate that they actually happened in this book instead of just letting the reader feel like these dynamics were smooth sailing into their creation.
The BDSM rep was.... not great so far. It's still the first book and early in their relationships so there wasn't really much of this yet, but we did get a little bit of conversation about limits which was almost laughable. Alexis tells them she only has three hard limits and the guys tell her they really only have one. This is almost a running joke in the lifestyle community (and usually the point when someone says, "Oh, so it would be ok if I cut your arm off?" as a teaching moment). I got the impression that the author may have some knowledge of the kink community, but we really don't get to see the early negotiations or similar interests talked about--just a play room full of every toy they could think of, a safe word, and those few hard limits.
The plot..... What plot? Fiancé cheats, they give her a place to live and a job, and people start developing a relationship with her. Then the cliffhanger. There. That's it so far. I just saved you 350 pages.
The first 40% of this book is heavy with insta-lust and "I'm not like the other girls" vibes to the point where I almost DNF'd. I rage read the rest because I didn't want to give a bad review without completing the whole thing. That said, on to the characters.
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The characters
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- Alexis was very much a "I'm not like the other girls" FMC.🤮 Her fiancé cheats on her, they break up, and she starts things with Carter almost immediately. It felt like that relationship meant nothing, and I have no idea why she was marrying him because clearly neither of them cared. The Never Have I Ever party scene made me feel like these characters were 19--not almost 30. She says she hates the game, but she didn't have to play. She decides to play with a bottle of hard liquor because she knows she'll be drinking so much. She claims the other women will slut-shame her (it said they gave her some dirty looks from afar but we don't actually get to hear any slut-shaming) but says "Just because I'm adventurous doesn't mean I'm promiscuous. My body count is probably lower than everyone else here". So it's ok if she judges and slut-shames others? 🙄 I did like that she was confident in her sexuality throughout the book, although at times it felt like it was used to reinforce the "I'm not like the other girls" crap more. Carrie didn't give off a good first impression, but she did apologize and seemed to be trying to befriend Alexis. Alexis in turn continued to make comments and eye rolls behind her back with the guys, and then seemed fake suggesting they get the same nail design to placate her while internally cringing.
- Jeremiah gave me the ick. He's in a committed relationship with Carrie, but he's immediately attracted to Alexis and states in his internal monologue that his relationship doesn't "[diminish] the attraction toward [Alexis], nor does it dampen [his] desire to explore that attraction". He also tells Alexis he didn't care when Carrie got mad at him for talking to Alexis because he doesn't "want that level of accountability with anyone". His thoughts state that he finds comfort in the relationship with Carrie because she's reliable and predictable and would rather "stick with what is known and comfortable than risk everything by pursuing what [he] really want[s]."🤢 Carrie deserves better. Hell, she even tries to suggest a 3-way with Alexis so Jeremiah can experience things she's not comfortable with and to make their relationship better, but everyone basically treats her like that was a crazy idea. It's totally common for couples to have open and poly relationships so that their different needs can be met outside that couple dynamic, so why was it so frowned upon in this case? He's still with Carrie but encouraging Alexis to call him "Sir" while getting mad at Carrie for suggesting they pursue something? Again, Carrie deserves better. F*ck Jeremiah and his BS.
- Carter was fine. The insta was annoying. We don't get much with him and his daughter except that Alexis and her seem to bond quickly, but we don't really see much of him as a dad. And relationship-wise he came off as a bit dominant which was fine. I dunno. I didn't get much from him. Originally I thought he was going to be a bit of a joker, but that didn't really persist to me. We're told several times through Alexis that he and Ethan talk more about their dynamic than they do with Alexis herself, and that included when they decided they'd be ok in a poly relationship. They didn't include Alexis on the initial discussion of whether it was ok for her to also be with Ethan; Carter just kind of told her to go ahead at a party, which felt confusing.
- Ethan was ok. Again, the insta was annoying, but whatever. He seemed to have more of an emotional relationship with Alexis, which I appreciated among all the spice. We got a sprinkle of his upbringing in what felt like a short conversation. Outside of that, he read flat to me.
- Holden was actually my favorite. We got to see some relationship bonding with Alexis over his job and her/her family's involvement in the medical field. They also had the initial trauma-bonding with catching their significant others cheating on them, although again it felt like after that initial breakdown that neither of them particularly cared about those relationships. He gets increasingly frustrated with the situation because he doesn't like the idea of sharing and always envisioned a nuclear family, so he tries to distance himself and place boundaries for his mental and emotional protection. That said, it felt like Alexis pushed those boundaries and burst into tears at the idea that he couldn't get on board with what she wanted, which felt almost manipulative on her part (but that's another problem with Alexis--not Holden).
- Shawn was a bit of a footnote. We didn't get much from him in this book aside from that he's a nerdy introvert and was about to start getting the ball rolling with Alexis. I can only assume we'd get to know more about him in the next book.
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So yeah, this was not my favorite, and I won't be continuing this series.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
.
.
.
.
.
-----
The writing
-----
The writing didn't start out the greatest with some repetitive wording (literally everyone was described as "attractive" along with full physical descriptions) and mundane things being overly descriptive (like where everyone is sitting at the table each time), but that did seem to improve a bit over the course of the book. The spice wasn't great but wasn't terrible, so I'd give that a solid B- (if you don't like the words "taint" or "folds" then you might want to avoid). That said, it's the first book in the trilogy, so it was more vanilla and standard while the next two books likely amp up the kink factor and more interesting scenes. The dialogue at times felt a bit stilted/weird.
Example:
- "Carter, I know I was flippant about it in the kitchen that day, but that's an insane, maybe fantastical idea."
- "Alexis!" Carrie exclaims excitedly. "I'm thrilled to be partying with you tonight!"
Who talks like that? "Fantastical"? Maybe I'm nitpicking on that one, but it felt weird. This was really only in a couple of places, but it was a minor distraction.
In terms of the relationship building between the characters, I felt like we got a lot of telling and not showing. Throughout the book we get moments where things felt like they happened out of nowhere (BAM! PLAYROOM!) but we're told, "Yeah, we had a conversation about that". Well, ok then. At the same time, we do get to witness some of the more common conversations with a budding poly dynamic like talking to each other before allowing someone else into the dynamic, how they want to prevent jealousy, etc. Those difficult conversations can be mentally and emotionally exhausting in real life, and they feel almost as exhausting to read. Still, I did appreciate that they actually happened in this book instead of just letting the reader feel like these dynamics were smooth sailing into their creation.
The BDSM rep was.... not great so far. It's still the first book and early in their relationships so there wasn't really much of this yet, but we did get a little bit of conversation about limits which was almost laughable. Alexis tells them she only has three hard limits and the guys tell her they really only have one. This is almost a running joke in the lifestyle community (and usually the point when someone says, "Oh, so it would be ok if I cut your arm off?" as a teaching moment). I got the impression that the author may have some knowledge of the kink community, but we really don't get to see the early negotiations or similar interests talked about--just a play room full of every toy they could think of, a safe word, and those few hard limits.
The plot..... What plot? Fiancé cheats, they give her a place to live and a job, and people start developing a relationship with her. Then the cliffhanger. There. That's it so far. I just saved you 350 pages.
The first 40% of this book is heavy with insta-lust and "I'm not like the other girls" vibes to the point where I almost DNF'd. I rage read the rest because I didn't want to give a bad review without completing the whole thing. That said, on to the characters.
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The characters
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- Alexis was very much a "I'm not like the other girls" FMC.🤮 Her fiancé cheats on her, they break up, and she starts things with Carter almost immediately. It felt like that relationship meant nothing, and I have no idea why she was marrying him because clearly neither of them cared. The Never Have I Ever party scene made me feel like these characters were 19--not almost 30. She says she hates the game, but she didn't have to play. She decides to play with a bottle of hard liquor because she knows she'll be drinking so much. She claims the other women will slut-shame her (it said they gave her some dirty looks from afar but we don't actually get to hear any slut-shaming) but says "Just because I'm adventurous doesn't mean I'm promiscuous. My body count is probably lower than everyone else here". So it's ok if she judges and slut-shames others? 🙄 I did like that she was confident in her sexuality throughout the book, although at times it felt like it was used to reinforce the "I'm not like the other girls" crap more. Carrie didn't give off a good first impression, but she did apologize and seemed to be trying to befriend Alexis. Alexis in turn continued to make comments and eye rolls behind her back with the guys, and then seemed fake suggesting they get the same nail design to placate her while internally cringing.
- Jeremiah gave me the ick. He's in a committed relationship with Carrie, but he's immediately attracted to Alexis and states in his internal monologue that his relationship doesn't "[diminish] the attraction toward [Alexis], nor does it dampen [his] desire to explore that attraction". He also tells Alexis he didn't care when Carrie got mad at him for talking to Alexis because he doesn't "want that level of accountability with anyone". His thoughts state that he finds comfort in the relationship with Carrie because she's reliable and predictable and would rather "stick with what is known and comfortable than risk everything by pursuing what [he] really want[s]."🤢 Carrie deserves better. Hell, she even tries to suggest a 3-way with Alexis so Jeremiah can experience things she's not comfortable with and to make their relationship better, but everyone basically treats her like that was a crazy idea. It's totally common for couples to have open and poly relationships so that their different needs can be met outside that couple dynamic, so why was it so frowned upon in this case? He's still with Carrie but encouraging Alexis to call him "Sir" while getting mad at Carrie for suggesting they pursue something? Again, Carrie deserves better. F*ck Jeremiah and his BS.
- Carter was fine. The insta was annoying. We don't get much with him and his daughter except that Alexis and her seem to bond quickly, but we don't really see much of him as a dad. And relationship-wise he came off as a bit dominant which was fine. I dunno. I didn't get much from him. Originally I thought he was going to be a bit of a joker, but that didn't really persist to me. We're told several times through Alexis that he and Ethan talk more about their dynamic than they do with Alexis herself, and that included when they decided they'd be ok in a poly relationship. They didn't include Alexis on the initial discussion of whether it was ok for her to also be with Ethan; Carter just kind of told her to go ahead at a party, which felt confusing.
- Ethan was ok. Again, the insta was annoying, but whatever. He seemed to have more of an emotional relationship with Alexis, which I appreciated among all the spice. We got a sprinkle of his upbringing in what felt like a short conversation. Outside of that, he read flat to me.
- Holden was actually my favorite. We got to see some relationship bonding with Alexis over his job and her/her family's involvement in the medical field. They also had the initial trauma-bonding with catching their significant others cheating on them, although again it felt like after that initial breakdown that neither of them particularly cared about those relationships. He gets increasingly frustrated with the situation because he doesn't like the idea of sharing and always envisioned a nuclear family, so he tries to distance himself and place boundaries for his mental and emotional protection. That said, it felt like Alexis pushed those boundaries and burst into tears at the idea that he couldn't get on board with what she wanted, which felt almost manipulative on her part (but that's another problem with Alexis--not Holden).
- Shawn was a bit of a footnote. We didn't get much from him in this book aside from that he's a nerdy introvert and was about to start getting the ball rolling with Alexis. I can only assume we'd get to know more about him in the next book.
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So yeah, this was not my favorite, and I won't be continuing this series.
May 4, 2026
Honest review (Lex said “plot twist” and meant positions)
I picked this up thinking: heartbreak, healing, maybe some emotional growth. Lex picked it up thinking: how many men can I emotionally connect with… at the same time? And then immediately conducting field research.
To be fair, the cast is great. Everyone has personality, chemistry, and just enough depth to make you go “oh I like you”—right before they’re all collectively booked and busy again.
At some point I stopped wondering where the story was going and started wondering if Lex has discovered a secret 48-hour day the rest of us don’t know about. Because ma’am. MA’AM. Even my Kindle needed a hydration break.
There is a plot. I’m sure of it. I glimpsed it briefly between scenes like a shy animal in the wild before it ran away, never to be seen again.
If you like your books spicy with a capital EVERYTHING, you’re going to have the time of your life. If you were hoping for a little more story with your… extracurriculars, just know this book believes in abundance. Excessive, enthusiastic abundance.
Final thought: I didn’t finish the second book, but Lex definitely finished… everything else. 😌
I picked this up thinking: heartbreak, healing, maybe some emotional growth. Lex picked it up thinking: how many men can I emotionally connect with… at the same time? And then immediately conducting field research.
To be fair, the cast is great. Everyone has personality, chemistry, and just enough depth to make you go “oh I like you”—right before they’re all collectively booked and busy again.
At some point I stopped wondering where the story was going and started wondering if Lex has discovered a secret 48-hour day the rest of us don’t know about. Because ma’am. MA’AM. Even my Kindle needed a hydration break.
There is a plot. I’m sure of it. I glimpsed it briefly between scenes like a shy animal in the wild before it ran away, never to be seen again.
If you like your books spicy with a capital EVERYTHING, you’re going to have the time of your life. If you were hoping for a little more story with your… extracurriculars, just know this book believes in abundance. Excessive, enthusiastic abundance.
Final thought: I didn’t finish the second book, but Lex definitely finished… everything else. 😌
June 24, 2024
ARC Review- Unbinding Desire by Maelana Nightingale
5 stars
4 peppers
TROPES
♥ Romantic Drama ♥ Reverse Harem
♥ Why Choose. ♥ Happily Ever After
♥ Multiple Tropes With Five MMCs ♥ Forced Proximity
♥ Innocent Cohabitation ♥ Friends to Lovers
♥ Colleague Romance ♥ Single Dad
♥ Millionaire ♥ Jock / Nerd
♥ Doctor / Patient ♥ Boss / Employee
♥ Grumpy / Sunshine ♥ Dom / Sub
This book has everything you need when it comes to book boyfriends. If you love reverse harem and don't mind it without the toxic side then go order this book. I can not wait for book 2 because I need to know what happens next to Alexis and her 5 gorgeous men that are in her life.
Alexis
- She has ADHD and once she hyper-fixates she goes all in. She moves her whole life to another state to get humiliated and left to wonder what she will do next because she knows no one and has no job.
Carter
- He is the tattooed hot single dad who knows how to charm a woman to no end. He loves with his whole heart and this woman who has ended up in his life randomly makes his heart melt when she forms a bond with his baby girl Ana. Alexis is his "Princess" and he falls hard for her. He works at the company he and his friends own. He works in sales.
Ethan
- He is the trust fund guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. there is nothing he won't do for the people he loves and has no shame in showing his sweet side. He calls her "Love". He falls hard and fast and isn't afraid to share. He founded and owns the company he and his friends have built together.
Holden
- He is a resident doctor working in the ICU. He is brooding but sweet all in one. He wants to keep her safe and space before claiming her. She is "Angel" and even though he gives space will he handle it when she isn't just his to claim? he also is part of the company with his friends but he has a passion for medicine and they respect that.
Jeremiah
- He is the hot boss. He has a convenience/ girlfriend named Carrie but he can't help but wonder if Alexis is the better option for him. He calls her the "Siren." He says this because she calls to all of them in the house not with a song like the myth but with her personality and empathy she has for others. She is a woman who appeals to his business side and more.
Shawn
- he is the introvert of the group. He is part of the company but he's quiet and sweet. He is the nerd who gets excited when Alexis loves all the nerd things he does including gaming. She is his "cupcake." He isn't around the whole book but his appearances will make you love him all the same.
They all want her but only two give in to her "Siren" call. Will she get all 5 men or bear a small break in her heart from rejection of not having them all?
5 stars
4 peppers
TROPES
♥ Romantic Drama ♥ Reverse Harem
♥ Why Choose. ♥ Happily Ever After
♥ Multiple Tropes With Five MMCs ♥ Forced Proximity
♥ Innocent Cohabitation ♥ Friends to Lovers
♥ Colleague Romance ♥ Single Dad
♥ Millionaire ♥ Jock / Nerd
♥ Doctor / Patient ♥ Boss / Employee
♥ Grumpy / Sunshine ♥ Dom / Sub
This book has everything you need when it comes to book boyfriends. If you love reverse harem and don't mind it without the toxic side then go order this book. I can not wait for book 2 because I need to know what happens next to Alexis and her 5 gorgeous men that are in her life.
Alexis
- She has ADHD and once she hyper-fixates she goes all in. She moves her whole life to another state to get humiliated and left to wonder what she will do next because she knows no one and has no job.
Carter
- He is the tattooed hot single dad who knows how to charm a woman to no end. He loves with his whole heart and this woman who has ended up in his life randomly makes his heart melt when she forms a bond with his baby girl Ana. Alexis is his "Princess" and he falls hard for her. He works at the company he and his friends own. He works in sales.
Ethan
- He is the trust fund guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. there is nothing he won't do for the people he loves and has no shame in showing his sweet side. He calls her "Love". He falls hard and fast and isn't afraid to share. He founded and owns the company he and his friends have built together.
Holden
- He is a resident doctor working in the ICU. He is brooding but sweet all in one. He wants to keep her safe and space before claiming her. She is "Angel" and even though he gives space will he handle it when she isn't just his to claim? he also is part of the company with his friends but he has a passion for medicine and they respect that.
Jeremiah
- He is the hot boss. He has a convenience/ girlfriend named Carrie but he can't help but wonder if Alexis is the better option for him. He calls her the "Siren." He says this because she calls to all of them in the house not with a song like the myth but with her personality and empathy she has for others. She is a woman who appeals to his business side and more.
Shawn
- he is the introvert of the group. He is part of the company but he's quiet and sweet. He is the nerd who gets excited when Alexis loves all the nerd things he does including gaming. She is his "cupcake." He isn't around the whole book but his appearances will make you love him all the same.
They all want her but only two give in to her "Siren" call. Will she get all 5 men or bear a small break in her heart from rejection of not having them all?
July 12, 2024
I’m utterly speechless at how amazing this book is. I was drawn in from the first page and just captivated by the story, the characters and their journey from start to finish.
The characters were so well written, their dynamics with each other and just their own selves were so beautiful to see and I loved the development of each individual character as well as their relationships.
I absolutely love Alexis, she is fun, witty, sassy, brave, strong-willed and knows herself, and she is also open and transparent about her struggles with ADHD and it really makes such an impact to have that discussion and be open about this. She’s not afraid to tell people what she does and doesn’t like, and I love how open and honest she is about herself. She is a siren and she definitely draws people in, not just in the book but readers too.
Each of her 5 male roommates, I’ll just say I need more of them in book 2. They each have their own personalities that shine on the page, and the way they are with Alexis individually and in pairs is everything. There was so much spice in the story, and I absolutely loved that it was more about the exploration of each relationship, especially in the MFM scenes. It wasn’t just about sex, it was the passion and connection between characters, letting go and allowing yourself to feel good and connected.
This story does end on a small cliffhanger that doesn’t leave you wanting to pull your hair out, but it definitely leaves you wanting more.
Thank you so much to Maelana for the opportunity to ARC Read this story.
If you don’t already have this on your TBR, you need to run and add it right now.
The characters were so well written, their dynamics with each other and just their own selves were so beautiful to see and I loved the development of each individual character as well as their relationships.
I absolutely love Alexis, she is fun, witty, sassy, brave, strong-willed and knows herself, and she is also open and transparent about her struggles with ADHD and it really makes such an impact to have that discussion and be open about this. She’s not afraid to tell people what she does and doesn’t like, and I love how open and honest she is about herself. She is a siren and she definitely draws people in, not just in the book but readers too.
Each of her 5 male roommates, I’ll just say I need more of them in book 2. They each have their own personalities that shine on the page, and the way they are with Alexis individually and in pairs is everything. There was so much spice in the story, and I absolutely loved that it was more about the exploration of each relationship, especially in the MFM scenes. It wasn’t just about sex, it was the passion and connection between characters, letting go and allowing yourself to feel good and connected.
This story does end on a small cliffhanger that doesn’t leave you wanting to pull your hair out, but it definitely leaves you wanting more.
Thank you so much to Maelana for the opportunity to ARC Read this story.
If you don’t already have this on your TBR, you need to run and add it right now.
July 15, 2024
"Like I said, she's a siren, and you boys are going to have to figure out how to share...."
Who wants one book boyfriend when you can have 5?
This is the most realistic and healthy reverse harem I have ever read. I feel the author did a wonderful job conveying the emotions and issues that would arise in a real-world reverse harem. That being said, this book did not lack in the spice department, and I know there will be even more in the sequals. For a debut novel, this was very well written. I felt like all of the characters were very well rounded, and each had their own individual traits that made them stand out.
I devoured this book in one sitting, and I can not wait for the sequel!
Thank you, Maelana Nightingale, for the e-ARC and physical review copy!
Who wants one book boyfriend when you can have 5?
This is the most realistic and healthy reverse harem I have ever read. I feel the author did a wonderful job conveying the emotions and issues that would arise in a real-world reverse harem. That being said, this book did not lack in the spice department, and I know there will be even more in the sequals. For a debut novel, this was very well written. I felt like all of the characters were very well rounded, and each had their own individual traits that made them stand out.
I devoured this book in one sitting, and I can not wait for the sequel!
Thank you, Maelana Nightingale, for the e-ARC and physical review copy!
July 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Alexis goes to a superbowl party with her new fiance, only to find him in bed with the girlfriend of one of the guys who threw the party. With no home and no job, the guys offer her their guest room and a job to get back on her feet. She develops a fast friendship with all the men and becomes an asset to the company. Working close to Carter, their chemistry was undeniable. The harem is building over time even though it’s obvious they are all attracted to her. All the guys have their own unique personality, I love the variety. The cliffhanger was great and I am looking forward to seeing how this trilogy continues.
June 17, 2024
I ARC'd for this book and this is a unique RH - there is no paranormal or unbelievable storylines. One of the guys has money, but otherwise its a very normal, relatable storyline that could happen to anyone. Review your trigger warnings, they're on the author's website.
February 1, 2026
Smut scale stars. I feel like the writing was almost clinical when it came to conveying emotions
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