"Sometimes who you fall in love with can go against your sexual inclinations. Love is bigger than the act."
If you read Sweet Honesty, then you know that we left off with Lamont making his way to Michael in hopes of rekindling their relationship. To Lamont’s surprise, he learns that Michael has happily moved on and doesn’t plan on rekindling things with him anytime soon. After getting the door slammed shut in his face, Lamont is asked to stay with Jack, Alexander’s old fling, where the unexpected begins to blossom between Lamont, Jack, and … Vicki.
Lamont: To be completely honest, I couldn’t stand Lamont in Sweet Honesty because of the way he left Michael and their relationship. But since finishing Bittersweet, I have come to understand him and the reasoning behind many of his reactions. What do you do when you're in love with the man you've known since childhood, but know you can't be the man he needs in all aspects because you're also in love with a woman? Whew! When it came to Lamont's sexuality, his love for Lamont and Vicki, his childhood, and his newfound relationship with Jack, there was so much to unpack that I couldn't help but come to adore Lamont after finishing Bittersweet simply because of the growth that Lamont went through.
Jack: I love Daddy Jack! One of the things that stood out to me about Jack was although he was closed off to love in the beginning due to losing his mother, he ended up opening himself up to not one, but two people who could meet his emotional needs and love him in the way that he thought was not possible. The way that Jack was open to loving and nurturing Vicki and her needs although he had never been intimate with a woman before was telling! He was attentive to her. Although Lamont and Vicki were legally married, they went out of their way to include Jack in every aspect of their relationship and newfound lives. I was so happy when Jack finally found his home within Lamont and Vicki because he truly deserved them.
Vicki: I felt for Vicki because she had a tough time trying to grasp the fact that although her husband was homosexual, he loved her with all of his well-being. This was truly something that Vicki couldn't compute until .. enter Jack. Watching Vicki and Jack become in tune with one another was a sight to see. Vicki thought Jack was trying to replace her with her, but the whole time, Jack was hurting because he was genuinely starting to fall for Vicki although he had never loved or been intimate with a woman before. Vicki was such an important part to this dynamic, and I am so happy that she was able to come to understand that it is possible to love two people and be in a partnership with them.
One of my favorite highlights was for sure Baby Boy! How we got Baby Boy was crazy because I did not see that coming when it came to Lamont's mother and father. I also enjoyed the family dynamics on each side. The support they gave to Lamont, Jack, and Vicki was unbelievable. 🥹💙
I think Joan did a great job capturing the essence of true polyamorous relationships throughout the depiction of Lamont, Jack, and Vicki's relationship in Bittersweet. With each chapter, we were able to see the importance of self-discovery, communication, trust, how to work through jealousy, emotional labor, and so much more. All things need to make any relationship work, especially a polyamorous relationship. Joan for sure made me think twice about my perception of polyamory relationships and why I have a hard time allowing myself to be a part of one. *Cue the anxious attachment.*
Joan Vassar is for sure becoming one of my favorite authors! She did a great job of telling the story of Lamont, Jack, and Vicki while making you think about your own beliefs regarding love, sex, intimacy, and relationships. I cannot wait for Sweetest Taboo's release because .. BRUCE, what's going on, Sir?