Owen

Salish Sea Society #4

by Leigh Jarrett

My quest for a husband leads me in a direction I never could have imagined.

Owen

I sit at my desk, staring at the latest real estate listings, and wonder if this is all there is to life. My dreams of the perfect family with a devoted husband, children, and the white picket fence seem like a distant fantasy.

But then the husband of my work enemy texts himself into my life. He unexpectedly becomes my confidant and supporter. With his commanding presence and attentive nature, he makes me feel heard and understood.

As our relationship deepens, I question how I fit into his and his husband's open marriage. Do I want to be just a casual fling, or do I want something more serious? And can his husband, my rival at work, and me put aside our differences?

When I see a side to my adversary that surprises me, my heart begins to beat for them both. Can I truly love two men? Am I on a journey to finding true love or am I throwing myself into a complicated love triangle?

Owen is an MMM romance about a member of the Salish Sea Society, a group of four best friends. This novel takes place on the rugged coast of Pacific Canada and is a story about how a quest to find a husband might end up different than you expect. And how opening your heart might lead to a relationship filled with more love than you thought possible.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2024

About the author

Leigh Jarrett (she/he) is a queer, bigender author based in Victoria, British Columbia. They write MM+ contemporary romance, blending heartwarming happily-ever-afters with emotionally intense stories that explore trauma, identity, and healing.

Leigh's work often features underrepresented characters, including autistic and older protagonists, and focuses on themes of found family, resilience, and authentic queer love.

Their popular Salish Sea Society series is set on Canada's rugged west coast and showcases inclusive, deeply human connections.

With over a decade of indie publishing experience and more than two dozen titles to their name, Leigh is committed to telling meaningful, diverse stories that reflect the richness of the LGBTQ2IA+ experience.

Outside of writing, Leigh enjoys exploring Vancouver Island with their wife and building direct connections with readers through Bluesky.

Reviews

[fortheloveofmmromancebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

Owen Bradley is one quarter of the Salish Sea Society, and within his group of friends is starting to worry he is the only one who will never find love. Ethan, Noah and Liam have all found their forevers, and now he wants one (or two) too.

Skylar Mullen and Chad Prentice have been together for five years and happily married for two of those. They are crazy in love. They also have an open relationship, but always have full communication when inviting in a third, or finding another person alone.

Skylar starts to text Owen, more and more their messages become flirty. Skylar has sought permission from Chad to take things further. Chad had animosity towards his co-worker Owen, but the more they spend time together, they also become flirty. All three men have times together as a couple.
Can all three men work in a poly relationship and have a happy ever after?

I have loved the Salish Sea Society series from Leigh Jarrett, and have looked forward to each one.
They have all had their stories and shown progression of all of the characters, and have followed on from book to book.
The only thing i felt was even though it was all consensual and permission granted, i still felt like they were cheating, when each couple was alone. I still enjoyed the book though.
Liam has been my favourite read from the series.

[Yvonne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I have read and loved all four of these wonderful stories and they keep getting better. I am very happy that Owen was able to find his happily ever after, especially with two wonderful men. The fact that he was able to let himself fall in love with one man was great but the fact that he got two men who loved him so deeply too is something I could only dream of. Chad and Skylar are a married couple who are in an open relationship and Skylar fell in love with Owen first and then brought Owen and Chad together and they fell madly in love with each other. I was really happy with the fact they both, Owen and Chad decided to start their own business together and not have to deal with the world’s problems with LGBTQ relationships. Also the fact that Skylar decided he wanted to stay with his men and not work with his father and that company in Toronto was a huge move on his part. He doesn’t need to work but needs to keep his mind working so he is planning on opening a pharmaceutical business where animals aren’t used for testing and they have other natural resources to use too. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves Leigh Jarrett’s stories and this four book series is one of her best. The love that is shown on each page between these men is wonderful and I am glad that I got to read this as an alpha reader and can’t wait to see what is coming next.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I tried. I enjoyed the other books in this series, and I have enjoyed other books about poly relationships, but this one didn’t work for me at all. Hated it, honestly, and couldn’t finish it (got about halfway in). The initial relationship between Skylar and Owen felt predatory and creepy- Skylar was basically acting as a therapist, and it was entirely one-sided, just him asking Owen to be vulnerable without returning that in any way. The premise of Chad teasing and pranking Owen because he liked him deep down was reminiscent of boys pulling a girl’s hair in elementary school and girls being told it’s because they liked them. It’s so demeaning and unhealthy to equate bullying behavior to attraction. Especially in a workplace, it’s immature and unprofessional, and not the foundation of a positive relationship. It infuriated me that Owen didn’t stand up for himself and gave in to that behavior and let it lead to romance- someone who treats you so terribly isn’t someone who cares about your feelings!

Skylar’s role as Owen’s pseudo therapist rubbed me the wrong way from the first chapter, and I just couldn’t recover. In the beginning he kept saying that Chad would always come first, but he supposedly cared about Owen- why would he be okay with Owen settling for second place when he supposedly knew Owen so well? If he cares so much about Owen wouldn’t he want him to come first for someone? I get that eventually they get there, but if you really care so much for someone why would you let them settle like that?

I just really hated it. It didn’t feel like these relationships were as supportive and healthy as the author tried to make them feel. I’ve read books about triads that worked, and this wasn’t one of them.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series and this was a nice addition with the slightly different take on finding love, and relationships that don’t follow the usual path.

Owen starts out feeling a bit stuck, chasing this very specific idea of what his future should look like, and I liked seeing that slowly shift as his world opens up. His connection with Skylar comes first and feels natural, but what really makes the story interesting is how that expands to include Chad. It could have felt messy, but instead it’s handled in a way that focuses on communication and emotional honesty.

The dynamic between the three of them is the heart of the book. There’s a lot of warmth there, and it’s clear that each relationship matters, not just as a group, but individually as well. Watching them figure out what they want and how they fit together made the romance feel more grounded.

I also enjoyed the broader life choices happening alongside the romance, especially the decisions around work and building something new for themselves. It adds to that sense of creating a life that actually fits, rather than one that’s expected.

Overall, a feel-good, heartfelt MMM romance about letting go of expectations and finding happiness in a way you might not have planned.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Loves · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30%. Maybe I should be more generous. After all, I've barged into the series for the poly erotica and this was the first book of the author I've ever sampled. Nevertheless, these obligatory 30% were hard. I've found the writing style clinical, cold and dry, and this was supposed to be sweet romance or super hot erotica, yeah? It wasn't either. Imagine someone having sex and describing it with the same amount of passion and involvement you'd use for laundry instructions and you'd get it. The plot was drowning in irrelevant details and inner monologue, maybe in a (failed) effort to lend depth to the characters. Everybody were constantly telling instead of showing and analyzed every bit of inane conversation or text chat they had like it held the answers to life's mystery. Every minuscule advance in the relationship was reported to side characters because nobody was interested in privacy. ..And I could probably go on and on about all the ways in which the plot was neither realistic, nor told efficiently or evoking anything (besides exasperation, obviously) but what's the point? It's not for me. Maybe it's for you.

[PalenMisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this. It's nice to read about a poly relationship that is taken slowly to make sure all parties involved are on board. Learning about each character and their pasts made everything feel that much more realistic (and also made their happy ending more satisfying to read about). I also loved that Skylar did what he wanted and if he wanted to wear a skirt, screw anyone that had a problem with it. I wasn't 100% sure I'd like Chad at first, but he turned out to be a total sweetheart and the way he and Skylar talked through everything every step of the way was wonderful. I know this is the 4th book in a series, but I haven't read the first 3 and didn't have any issues so I think it can safely be read as a stand alone. It's clear that Owen's friends each got a story in one of the prior books, but I never felt like I was missing a piece of the plot. This book is definitely worth checking out if you like poly stories that also have character development to go with the spice.

***I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***

[Rhonda Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really surprised me!! Owen has always had my heart throughout the series...he was looking to settle down, find that ONE, to share his life with. I will admit, I am sceptical about "open" marriages, BUT I am an empath..and sensitive to a person feelings, emotions...but always love when an amazing author writes a story that I feel is believable. I was held captive by Owen, Skylar and Chad's story. Love how they built the relationship, Chad and Owen still had alot of tense moments...how communication between Skylar and Chad was always important, my heart still hurt some for Owen as he was validating his feelings...as their life continued on in this storyline I anticipated how their story would play out. Loved it and definitely wished I could rate more than 5 stars!!!

I received this book for free and leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.

[CreativeFreake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this whole series and waited very patiently for Owens Story.

At first, I was unsure of the story line, it seemed like the storyline of each relationship was really split, I couldn't envision the endgame. I was pleasantly surprised by the development of each relationship, there were 3 to work through. 1st Owen with Skylar, then Owen with Chad and lastly, Owen with both Skylar and Chad. I can only image writing one relationship well is complex enough... but 3! The men slowly entered into each phase of their relationship and eventually ended up in a HEA poly family. I liked that each relationship was not an automatic jump into love and I enjoyed each separate journey. Leigh Jarrett absolutely delivered. I loved loved loved this book!

I’ve read each of the 4 books in the Salish Sea Society and absolutely loved them all, I really can’t pick a favourite.

[Tammy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owen knew what he wanted since he was young but sometimes, what you need comes first!! I liked that it was a slower burn for Owen and Chad, it gave more time for the love match between Owen and Skylar. And once that fire got ignited? The flames burned high!!! And love surprised them both!

Skylar seemed more in control than the others but it was nice seeing his tender side, one that worried things wouldn't work out. The sex was hot but the intimacy and tenderness, grabbed my heart and kept ahold of it. If things failed, would it affect his marriage, too? They all had lots to lose especially their hearts!!

I highly recommend this book, well, all of them really! What an amazing series!!! Kudos to the author!!!!!

[Lyn Solomon-Linville · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Leigh Jarrett. I have loved all the other books in the Sailsh Sea Society series. I almost DNF'd this book. I will admit MMM is not my thing and this book reinforced why. I feel the polygamous relationship in this book took away from learning the hearts and minds of the MCs. I loved the beginning, how invested Skylar was in giving Owen what he needed, in learning about him. It just went downhill for me from there. I felt no heat or reason for Chad and Owen's relationship other than preventing cheating. I am glad Owen got the love and relationship he was longing to have, it jusn't one I enjoyed.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

This book had a very interesting dynamic where Owen begins as part of a V relationship - featuring a rival realtor's husband (in an open relationship) that morphs into a chance for a MMM HEA. This book was an interesting take on poly relationships and I really like the focus that was made on carving out time and what that looks like in a building relationship. I also like the organic way things progressed in each arm of the relationship, making the culmination make sense for all three men and their needs within the relationship.

I look forward to going back and reading the stories of the three other friends and how they found their partners and their HEAs.

[Arllau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salish See Society #4 is a sweet loving story of Owen finding Love. It was fun with a small amount of angst with Owen wanting to find love just like all his friends had. I loved the regular cameos of all the other characters from the previous 3 books. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and could have been longer exploring more of the building relationship between Owen, Skyler and Chad.

[Ch Likhs]

DNF.

I really don't know why I couldn't go through this book. Must be a me problem

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the Salish Sea Society series, which focuses on four long-time friends who meet monthly and support each other as they go through life. Owen is the last of the group to find his forever, and I was so looking forward to his book. Each book is a standalone, but we get to revisit the other couples – Noah and Brody (my absolute favorites), Ethan and Daniel, Liam and Jamal. It’s a great group of friends.
In the last book we got a little teaser of who Owen was going to be connecting with. He is a real estate agent whose nemesis at work is Chad. They constantly bash each other. Chad’s husband, Skylar, has been texting Owen. He shares a bit of this with the Society, but not how much he looks forward to and depends on those texts. I thought for sure Owen and Skylar were going to be the focus of the story, and in a way I was right.
There are things I liked about Skylar - he’s vegan, he’s a twink who is dominant, he has a caring personality. Some things didn’t click, such as him being more of a therapist for Owen than a friend, must less a potential partner. I noted that early and then later, Liam asks Owen, “Any movement away from his role as a therapist?” So it really is obvious. And Owen knows it. “What Skylar and I were doing bordered on weird. Liam was right. Skylar had been counseling me.” It just seemed a strange way to their beginning.
There are sex scenes with Owen and Skylar, Chad and Skylar, Owen and Chad, and finally all three. This wasn’t really for me. To be completely transparent, I am not a fan of polyamory books; it's just a personal preference. I really wanted to see what happened with Owen, so I decided to go ahead. My rating is a little lower than the previous books in the series, but it wasn’t due to the MMM factor, although it still really wasn’t my cup of tea. What actually took the rating down a bit was the disconnect that was portrayed with the Society. In the original book, they are a tight-knit, solid, loyal friend group. In Liam and Jamal’s book, there was a little bit of bitchiness that I didn’t like. In this one, there’s even a little more. Owen is talking about Liam, who was deep insecurities and Owen can’t believe Liam found love. That wasn’t too bad but… “I was especially surpsied that the man he had fallen in love with was in a wheelchair. I assumed Liam was shallower than that.”. Okay, not the thoughts of a good friend. Then, “Liam and I had never been particularly amiable in all the years I’d known him.” I guess for me that destroyed the vision of this great found family group.
As a final in the series, it’s good and for those who like MMM, it’s well done.

Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews