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One and Only: MMM Gay Second Chance Romance
Jacob did a stupid thing back in university. He fell in love. Now, sixteen years later, he runs into the man that has plagued his dreams. Jacob's love is still strong for him.
Can he walk away? His life is so different now. He's not the naïve guy he was in university. He's spent the past sixteen years sleeping with every man that crosses his path.
Ethan ran away when things got too serious in university. A straight guy wasn't supposed to have those feelings for another guy. Sixteen years later, he might be proven wrong.
A failed marriage amongst his baggage. Ethan isn't sure if he wants to add more instability to his children's lives. Is getting back what he's lost worth putting his heart on the line?
If love grows between them, how much love will they have to spare?
Their relationship is tested when Leo is brought into the mix.
Can he walk away? His life is so different now. He's not the naïve guy he was in university. He's spent the past sixteen years sleeping with every man that crosses his path.
Ethan ran away when things got too serious in university. A straight guy wasn't supposed to have those feelings for another guy. Sixteen years later, he might be proven wrong.
A failed marriage amongst his baggage. Ethan isn't sure if he wants to add more instability to his children's lives. Is getting back what he's lost worth putting his heart on the line?
If love grows between them, how much love will they have to spare?
Their relationship is tested when Leo is brought into the mix.
- GenresLGBT
129 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Jarrett
29 books67 followersLeigh 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2023
Ethan and Jacob live in the same house during their university years. They had sex, a lot, secretly, Ethan is straight and Jacob fell in love with him. When the university was over, out of nowhere Ethan left Jacob behind. That was sixteen years ago.
Jacob was devastated and never found in a guy what he felt with Ethan. So he had sex with men, a lot, with a lot of men. Never invested anything with them, it was only bodily pleasure. His heart couldn’t forget Ethan.
Now, suddenly after sixteen years, Ethan is back, divorced with two kids.
When they meet again it was electrifying, in no time they ended up in the bedroom.
There’s even hope for a future together, well, not completely together, because Jacob is not a monogamous man. He needs more, and Ethan doesn’t know how to deal with it. He wants to try.
Jacob promised Ethan a dry spell for a few weeks with other men, so they can settle and Ethan can decide if he can handle Jacob with others. So, in an open relationship, Ethan spread his wings too.
I always say a polyamorous story is tricky to write, I love poly stories, but I as a reader want to feel it, it has to be convincing, honest, and with some logical flow.
My thoughts about this story… Hmm, so after sixteen years apart Jacob claims he still loves Ethan, and in a nanosecond, they hop into bed, I had trouble with that. It was way too fast and not convincing. I didn’t feel it.
Above that, Jacob wanted Ethan but also not completely, he wanted an open relationship, he just needed a lot of sex and can’t commit to one person. He wanted to fly, without Ethan. And Ethan went from straight to bi to sharing without a blink. All next to his family life.
When Ethan told Jacob he wanted to date other men, it seems as if Jacob changed his opinion. So yeah, that didn’t work for me. There was talk about love, I just couldn’t feel it.
The story was way too focused on sexual acts, I hoped for more character development, it was rushed without layers. Maybe I expected too much from this short read.
What I did like were the sexual encounters, they were hot AF. Also, the laid-back attitudes were appreciated, and there was no excessive drama or problems made up.
Altogether, the intention of the story was nice but it was more an erotic read than a romance.
Two and a half up to three very small hearts for this story.
Jacob was devastated and never found in a guy what he felt with Ethan. So he had sex with men, a lot, with a lot of men. Never invested anything with them, it was only bodily pleasure. His heart couldn’t forget Ethan.
Now, suddenly after sixteen years, Ethan is back, divorced with two kids.
When they meet again it was electrifying, in no time they ended up in the bedroom.
There’s even hope for a future together, well, not completely together, because Jacob is not a monogamous man. He needs more, and Ethan doesn’t know how to deal with it. He wants to try.
Jacob promised Ethan a dry spell for a few weeks with other men, so they can settle and Ethan can decide if he can handle Jacob with others. So, in an open relationship, Ethan spread his wings too.
I always say a polyamorous story is tricky to write, I love poly stories, but I as a reader want to feel it, it has to be convincing, honest, and with some logical flow.
My thoughts about this story… Hmm, so after sixteen years apart Jacob claims he still loves Ethan, and in a nanosecond, they hop into bed, I had trouble with that. It was way too fast and not convincing. I didn’t feel it.
Above that, Jacob wanted Ethan but also not completely, he wanted an open relationship, he just needed a lot of sex and can’t commit to one person. He wanted to fly, without Ethan. And Ethan went from straight to bi to sharing without a blink. All next to his family life.
When Ethan told Jacob he wanted to date other men, it seems as if Jacob changed his opinion. So yeah, that didn’t work for me. There was talk about love, I just couldn’t feel it.
The story was way too focused on sexual acts, I hoped for more character development, it was rushed without layers. Maybe I expected too much from this short read.
What I did like were the sexual encounters, they were hot AF. Also, the laid-back attitudes were appreciated, and there was no excessive drama or problems made up.
Altogether, the intention of the story was nice but it was more an erotic read than a romance.
Two and a half up to three very small hearts for this story.
April 29, 2023
I was curious about how this story would be, and unfortunately I was let down. Here's why; The pacing felt rushed, it's liked the whole story was on fast forward the whole time. Yes, this is a shorter length book, but that doesn't mean it can't have depth and detail. This story is about Ethan, who is supposedly straight, (he's in denial) and Jacob, these two were roommates and had a arrangement that they could hook up with each other. Jacob fell in love with Ethan... And Ethan left. From that point the book flashes forward a few years and these two are in each other's orbit again... And right back into bed with each other. There wasn't any build up, or.. romance, they just jumped right back into bed with each other. Then, all of a sudden Ethan is saying how much he loves Ethan! Even though he was still quite harsh to Jacob even after he 'grew up'..
I did like the idea of this story, but unfortunately it just felt like the author was too focused on the spicy scenes, rather than writing about the characters forming a relationship outside of the bedroom.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
I did like the idea of this story, but unfortunately it just felt like the author was too focused on the spicy scenes, rather than writing about the characters forming a relationship outside of the bedroom.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
April 23, 2023
Thank you for the arc read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review.
The unexpected reunion between Ethan and Jacob. I was already on Jacobs side after the cluster that a scared young Ethan left in his wake. Jacob pushes for an open love relationship, only coming back to Ethan. Ethan wins you over as he overcomes fears to embrace his wilder truth. Jacob is so confusing sometimes, but then again his hookup was met with out connection until bringing Jacob's idea about Leo who makes a connection with Ethan. Makes you wonder was they strong enough or was new fears going to ruin their blooming love.
The unexpected reunion between Ethan and Jacob. I was already on Jacobs side after the cluster that a scared young Ethan left in his wake. Jacob pushes for an open love relationship, only coming back to Ethan. Ethan wins you over as he overcomes fears to embrace his wilder truth. Jacob is so confusing sometimes, but then again his hookup was met with out connection until bringing Jacob's idea about Leo who makes a connection with Ethan. Makes you wonder was they strong enough or was new fears going to ruin their blooming love.
August 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. I love that there was an HEA for them all. I did worry in different parts of this story that there would be hurt feelings but Jacob and Ethan were able to work things out so that this didn't seem to happen. Each made sure they didn't do more (outside their relationship) than the other was comfortable with, they set rules in place and kept to them, and they allowed each other enough time to be okay with the new suggestions they put forward. Plenty of chemistry and negotiation. I wasn't totally convinced that the third person would have been entirely happy with the situation at the end, but in the story they are.
September 11, 2023
Can young love in university be all life consuming? What happens twenty years later when one fronts a love from so long ago? Jacob and Ethan faced this dilemma. Can they rekindle feelings that have been simmering below the surface? They are both very different from way back then.
This story kept me up and I read it in one go. It was addictive and literally mind blowing. I loved the dynamics of these two men and the quirk towards the end was beautiful.
Recommended read.
This story kept me up and I read it in one go. It was addictive and literally mind blowing. I loved the dynamics of these two men and the quirk towards the end was beautiful.
Recommended read.
April 29, 2023
I'm a bit confused as to how I feel about this tale, I usually love a good throuple story but this one confused me, threw me off somewhat, I really can't figure out how much I like or dislike it. I really enjoyed Ethan and Jacob but the sharing got a little out of whack for my comfort zone, although the basic storyline was good. There, now you're confused too huh?
September 5, 2023
I wanted more!
I was guided by the fact that this book was a little longer and developed more about Ethan and Jacob's relationship with Leo.
I was guided by the fact that this book was a little longer and developed more about Ethan and Jacob's relationship with Leo.
February 24, 2024
4-1/2. Two becomes three. Tons of steamy sex. This author has a very interesting mind. Which I truly enjoy.
September 23, 2024
2.5 stars
I liked the characters, Ethan, Jacob and Leo but their dynamic was a bit off. It didn't help that the time was too rushed: Ethan went to have reservations about dating a guy and about introducing him to his kids, to be turned on by Jacob's hookups and then to want to date another guy himself.
Their triad needed more time to build solid foundations, honestly it happened all too fast (the poor ex wife couldn't keep up).
I didn't like the proposal either: two husbands and one boyfriend didn't sit well with me.
I liked the characters, Ethan, Jacob and Leo but their dynamic was a bit off. It didn't help that the time was too rushed: Ethan went to have reservations about dating a guy and about introducing him to his kids, to be turned on by Jacob's hookups and then to want to date another guy himself.
Their triad needed more time to build solid foundations, honestly it happened all too fast (the poor ex wife couldn't keep up).
I didn't like the proposal either: two husbands and one boyfriend didn't sit well with me.
May 16, 2023
Ethan and Jacob love each other the moment they see each other after 16 years, which was a little unbelievable. Then despite Ethan and Jacob loving each other so much they engage in relationships with other people.
Writing was fine although more description would’ve been welcome.
This ARC was supplied to me in exchange for an honest review.
Writing was fine although more description would’ve been welcome.
This ARC was supplied to me in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews