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What We May Be: A Romantic Mystery
What we were...
Sean found love once, with his college roommate, Trevor, and Trevor’s best friend, Charlotte. The missing piece, Sean made it possible for Trevor and Charlotte to find love too. But then Sean left and took the love with him.
What we are...
Now an FBI agent, Sean is back in town, 10 years later, to investigate a murder. A case that pits him against his ex-lovers - Charlotte, a local detective, and Trevor, a literature professor sucked into the Shakespearean mystery. Everyone guards their hearts, but before long, desire sparks anew the feelings that burned hot a decade ago. That still burn true.
What we may be...
Love is within their grasp again, but as the killer escalates, it’s more than just their hearts and futures on the line. Sean, Charlotte, and Trevor will need to work together to solve the case. If they can’t, lives will be lost and pieces of their love gone for good.
What We May Be is a gripping stand-alone romantic mystery, featuring a literary whodunit and three former flames finding their way back to friendship, love, and happily ever after together.
Sean found love once, with his college roommate, Trevor, and Trevor’s best friend, Charlotte. The missing piece, Sean made it possible for Trevor and Charlotte to find love too. But then Sean left and took the love with him.
What we are...
Now an FBI agent, Sean is back in town, 10 years later, to investigate a murder. A case that pits him against his ex-lovers - Charlotte, a local detective, and Trevor, a literature professor sucked into the Shakespearean mystery. Everyone guards their hearts, but before long, desire sparks anew the feelings that burned hot a decade ago. That still burn true.
What we may be...
Love is within their grasp again, but as the killer escalates, it’s more than just their hearts and futures on the line. Sean, Charlotte, and Trevor will need to work together to solve the case. If they can’t, lives will be lost and pieces of their love gone for good.
What We May Be is a gripping stand-alone romantic mystery, featuring a literary whodunit and three former flames finding their way back to friendship, love, and happily ever after together.
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First published August 16, 2021
106 people are currently reading
1066 people want to read
About the author
Layla Reyne
56 books1,031 followersLayla Reyne is the author of What We May Be and the Agents Irish and Whiskey, Fog City, and Perfect Play series. She writes sexy, intense LGBTQIA+ romance featuring competent adults in kitchens, sports arenas, car chases, and other high-stakes situations. Whether it’s adrenaline-fueled suspense, rival athletes, vampires and shifters in alt-realms, or love mixed with mouth-watering foodie goodness, queer folks finding happily-ever-afters is guaranteed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
December 9, 2022
4 stars
First thing first, how pretty is this cover? This is one of the best cover I have ever seen. I might have only read this book because of the cover and I have no regrets.
I keep surprising myself with my choice of books lately. I haven’t read a MF book in over 4 years and the last time I have read a MMF book was never. So reading a MMF book is not something I thought I would be doing in 2021 but I did and I actually really enjoyed the experience. We got here because I’m in a reading slump and when i’m slumping, I always want to read books I would never read normally. I must thank the slump because it did me well this time.
Brief summary
Sean, Trevor and Charlotte were in love. Sean left town and broke all of their hearts. 10 years later, Sean is back and they start hanging out together again and start a relationship.
This is a romantic suspense. I really enjoyed the romance part. I liked the three main characters and they were a really good fit together, they completed each other lovingly. I loved how the three of them felt important to the important, their relationship wouldn’t have worked if one of them wasn’t that and thats the only way I enjoy poly books so I really loved that part. Also the sex scenes were sizzling hot and I loved them.
My problem with the book was the suspense part. It was a little farfetched and it didn’t make the most sense to me.
But hey, I really enjoyed most of the book so I very much count this as a win. This was almost everything I wanted at this moment in my life and I really enjoyed the experience.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
First thing first, how pretty is this cover? This is one of the best cover I have ever seen. I might have only read this book because of the cover and I have no regrets.
I keep surprising myself with my choice of books lately. I haven’t read a MF book in over 4 years and the last time I have read a MMF book was never. So reading a MMF book is not something I thought I would be doing in 2021 but I did and I actually really enjoyed the experience. We got here because I’m in a reading slump and when i’m slumping, I always want to read books I would never read normally. I must thank the slump because it did me well this time.
Brief summary
Sean, Trevor and Charlotte were in love. Sean left town and broke all of their hearts. 10 years later, Sean is back and they start hanging out together again and start a relationship.
This is a romantic suspense. I really enjoyed the romance part. I liked the three main characters and they were a really good fit together, they completed each other lovingly. I loved how the three of them felt important to the important, their relationship wouldn’t have worked if one of them wasn’t that and thats the only way I enjoy poly books so I really loved that part. Also the sex scenes were sizzling hot and I loved them.
My problem with the book was the suspense part. It was a little farfetched and it didn’t make the most sense to me.
But hey, I really enjoyed most of the book so I very much count this as a win. This was almost everything I wanted at this moment in my life and I really enjoyed the experience.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
August 16, 2021
“What We May Be” was a great romantic suspense set in a small beach town. I loved how the three main characters navigated their romantic relationship and their love for each other all while trying to solve the murders taking place in their town. This is a polyamory second chance mixed with a murder mystery. The author did a great job unveiling layer after layer of the mystery, giving us clues, but not giving away all the answers to the mystery, and not letting the romance plot suffer too far in the background.
I will say that I was more invested in the mystery, because the chapters the author writes that are intense and thrilling really grabbed my attention. This author definitely has a knack for the suspense and murder-y scenes.
All in all this was a great read. It’s sweet, angsty, suspenseful, mysterious, and of course hot. “What We May Be,” came to serve suspense romance, and it did what it needed to do.
**I want to note this book is written in third person point of view.
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC
I will say that I was more invested in the mystery, because the chapters the author writes that are intense and thrilling really grabbed my attention. This author definitely has a knack for the suspense and murder-y scenes.
All in all this was a great read. It’s sweet, angsty, suspenseful, mysterious, and of course hot. “What We May Be,” came to serve suspense romance, and it did what it needed to do.
**I want to note this book is written in third person point of view.
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC
August 19, 2021
I have realized that I'm not a very poly person myself, meaning that I don't think I will encounter myself in that situation, but never say never u know 😏😏 anyways, because ot that I have a hard time connecting with books with more than two people involved, specially when the author doesn't balance the story right and makes it like only two people are in the relationship. 🤭🤭
Well, this wasn't the case! This was a very well balanced and very thoughtful on that aspect kind of book, we had all three povs (they were well balanced too), and we had really likeable characters.
Sean is an FBI agent who is the glue to the relationship, said glue left the other two and made their world crumble. Trevor is the romantic in the group and the only one that isn't in law enforcement, he's fierce with his love and a protective mama bear. Charlie was a really good representation on women, THANK GOD! She was the one who told them what to do in certain situations (bossy) 😏😏 and she was strong, smart, raw, real, fierce, very centered and a detective.
Thanks to a killing they meet again and realize the truth about their story and decide to give it a second try.
Why 4 stars?
The crime, the killer at the end had some stupid reasons that didn't add up to me to do the killing, the author build this up with two other people in sight and they would have made more sense! So when we got to who it was it was a little bit wtf.
But the couple and the side characters were lovely and I enjoyed the crime aspect until the end. So yeah, lovely book. 🥰🥰
Well, this wasn't the case! This was a very well balanced and very thoughtful on that aspect kind of book, we had all three povs (they were well balanced too), and we had really likeable characters.
Sean is an FBI agent who is the glue to the relationship, said glue left the other two and made their world crumble. Trevor is the romantic in the group and the only one that isn't in law enforcement, he's fierce with his love and a protective mama bear. Charlie was a really good representation on women, THANK GOD! She was the one who told them what to do in certain situations (bossy) 😏😏 and she was strong, smart, raw, real, fierce, very centered and a detective.
Thanks to a killing they meet again and realize the truth about their story and decide to give it a second try.
Why 4 stars?
The crime, the killer at the end had some stupid reasons that didn't add up to me to do the killing, the author build this up with two other people in sight and they would have made more sense! So when we got to who it was it was a little bit wtf.
But the couple and the side characters were lovely and I enjoyed the crime aspect until the end. So yeah, lovely book. 🥰🥰
August 6, 2021
Oh that was clever. And insanely hot 😁
Second chance romances are so hard to write, there must be a genuine reason why people split up, but one that doesn't make it impossible to come back from years later.
In this case, it's 10 years later and the death of two people Sean considered family bring him back to the small town he considered home - and into the orbit of his former lovers, both intimately connected to the cops being buried - and on a collision course which only looks likely to bring more pain.
Throw in a serial killer inspired by the fate of the female characters at the heart of Shakespeare's Four Tragedies, a pending sorrow at the life's end of a beloved surrogate parent due to illness, complications with ex-wives, and the everyday minutiae of a small town, and you get the complexity of this book's narrative.
I absolutely adored all three of the people at the heart of this polycule. Charlie is no weak woman, she's tough and has got to where she is on her own merits. She's also grieving the loss of her twin brother and her father, killed when a drugs sting she arranged went wrong.
Trevor, the third of this glorious MMF relationship, is a romantic soul, a professor and a man wiling to bury his hurt to make sure his best friend lives her best life, even if it's killing them both.
The UST and emotional tension between the three of them flies off the pages. They're all hunting for a reason why their lives were so fractured a decade ago.
And I was NOT expecting anything even close to the plotline which follows.
OMG so many times I thought I'd hit on who the killer was, only for a side swipe revelation to send my theory crashing.
At no point ever in the story did I guess the actual perpetrator. Not even right up to the page before the reveal!
Did I mention how clever this book was?!
Oh, I mentioned the heat didn't I, because this is pants melting, equal opportunities loving between three people who know each other inside and out.
They are on fire! The final scene at the end causes a flush hot enough to power a nuclear reactor
🤙👌👈 💥🔥💦🤪💯
I've been in love with the interconnected Whiskeyverse Layla has created since the first time FBI Agent Aiden 'Irish' Talley walked across the pages of Single Malt and promptly fell for Jameson 'Whiskey' Walker.
This book is loosely connected to the 'Verse through the Fog City series and we get to see Brax's best mate Army buddy Emmitt Marshall now working for the FBI alongside Sean.
There are a couple of other Easter Egg references that I'm going to leave other people to discover but Marsh is getting his own book and I am so here for that ❤
Layla delivers a poly romance alongside a suspense plot and never has one feel more important than the other.
It's skillfully written, with wonderful pace and characters that come to life in brilliant detail.
Oh and epic cover from Wander and Cate 🥰
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Second chance romances are so hard to write, there must be a genuine reason why people split up, but one that doesn't make it impossible to come back from years later.
In this case, it's 10 years later and the death of two people Sean considered family bring him back to the small town he considered home - and into the orbit of his former lovers, both intimately connected to the cops being buried - and on a collision course which only looks likely to bring more pain.
Throw in a serial killer inspired by the fate of the female characters at the heart of Shakespeare's Four Tragedies, a pending sorrow at the life's end of a beloved surrogate parent due to illness, complications with ex-wives, and the everyday minutiae of a small town, and you get the complexity of this book's narrative.
I absolutely adored all three of the people at the heart of this polycule. Charlie is no weak woman, she's tough and has got to where she is on her own merits. She's also grieving the loss of her twin brother and her father, killed when a drugs sting she arranged went wrong.
Trevor, the third of this glorious MMF relationship, is a romantic soul, a professor and a man wiling to bury his hurt to make sure his best friend lives her best life, even if it's killing them both.
The UST and emotional tension between the three of them flies off the pages. They're all hunting for a reason why their lives were so fractured a decade ago.
And I was NOT expecting anything even close to the plotline which follows.
OMG so many times I thought I'd hit on who the killer was, only for a side swipe revelation to send my theory crashing.
At no point ever in the story did I guess the actual perpetrator. Not even right up to the page before the reveal!
Did I mention how clever this book was?!
Oh, I mentioned the heat didn't I, because this is pants melting, equal opportunities loving between three people who know each other inside and out.
They are on fire! The final scene at the end causes a flush hot enough to power a nuclear reactor
🤙👌👈 💥🔥💦🤪💯
I've been in love with the interconnected Whiskeyverse Layla has created since the first time FBI Agent Aiden 'Irish' Talley walked across the pages of Single Malt and promptly fell for Jameson 'Whiskey' Walker.
This book is loosely connected to the 'Verse through the Fog City series and we get to see Brax's best mate Army buddy Emmitt Marshall now working for the FBI alongside Sean.
There are a couple of other Easter Egg references that I'm going to leave other people to discover but Marsh is getting his own book and I am so here for that ❤
Layla delivers a poly romance alongside a suspense plot and never has one feel more important than the other.
It's skillfully written, with wonderful pace and characters that come to life in brilliant detail.
Oh and epic cover from Wander and Cate 🥰
#ARC kindly received from the author via Valentine PR in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 23, 2021
3.5
Layla Reyne dangled MMF in front of me and I couldn't resist. Truthfully, I didn't want to. Have you seen that cover?
Let's take a moment to appreciate the pretty.
Anyhoo, hot cover that is surprisingly representative of Charlie, Sean and Trevor aside, this was a good second chance romantic suspense thriller. I think the second chance was a smart choice on the author's part because it automatically builds a backstory which allowed more of the focus to be on the mystery/thriller aspects of this story.
So, that's warning one for the hardcore romancers out there: it's a romantic suspense and the romance is definitely in the sidecar not the driver's seat.
Charlie and Trevor have been licking their wounds since Sean basically vanished a decade ago shortly after asking them to marry him. Of course there was a reason but nonetheless lives were altered, feelings were hurt, there's amends to be made and when circumstances dictate he return to their small town in North Carolina he does so with hat and heart in hand thus the stage is set for a reunion.
Except for the pesky serial killer that's lurking around and seems to have an axe to grind. Even though I was fairly certain I knew who the killer was I continued to be engrossed in the storyline until the end.
What I liked most about this story were the characters and the fact that even though Charlie, Trevor and Sean's relationship is/was an unconventional one, everyone in town seems to be genuinely rooting for them to reunite and make it work. That was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
I'm not 100% certain but I believe some of these characters may appear in other books however, I had no trouble following this story. So if you're looking for an engrossing romantic suspense featuring a second chance triad give What We May Be a try.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Layla Reyne dangled MMF in front of me and I couldn't resist. Truthfully, I didn't want to. Have you seen that cover?
Let's take a moment to appreciate the pretty.
Anyhoo, hot cover that is surprisingly representative of Charlie, Sean and Trevor aside, this was a good second chance romantic suspense thriller. I think the second chance was a smart choice on the author's part because it automatically builds a backstory which allowed more of the focus to be on the mystery/thriller aspects of this story.
So, that's warning one for the hardcore romancers out there: it's a romantic suspense and the romance is definitely in the sidecar not the driver's seat.
Charlie and Trevor have been licking their wounds since Sean basically vanished a decade ago shortly after asking them to marry him. Of course there was a reason but nonetheless lives were altered, feelings were hurt, there's amends to be made and when circumstances dictate he return to their small town in North Carolina he does so with hat and heart in hand thus the stage is set for a reunion.
Except for the pesky serial killer that's lurking around and seems to have an axe to grind. Even though I was fairly certain I knew who the killer was I continued to be engrossed in the storyline until the end.
What I liked most about this story were the characters and the fact that even though Charlie, Trevor and Sean's relationship is/was an unconventional one, everyone in town seems to be genuinely rooting for them to reunite and make it work. That was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
I'm not 100% certain but I believe some of these characters may appear in other books however, I had no trouble following this story. So if you're looking for an engrossing romantic suspense featuring a second chance triad give What We May Be a try.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2021
I enjoyed this one. It was sexy and hot and all second chancesy, which I love. The 'whodunnit' part was a little convoluted, though and I'm not entirely sure I buy whodidit and why, but I'm pretty used to suspending my disbelief when reading stories like this one.
I am definitely looking forward to Marsh's series. Tall, hot, hunk of Texan ....
I am definitely looking forward to Marsh's series. Tall, hot, hunk of Texan ....
August 25, 2021
It was okay.
The suspense left me a bit....
...seemed a bit far fetched and unrealistic to me.
The romance, I mean it was so-so. Nothing swoony.
Overall, I'm just feeling
It was fine.
The suspense left me a bit....
...seemed a bit far fetched and unrealistic to me.
The romance, I mean it was so-so. Nothing swoony.
Overall, I'm just feeling
It was fine.
August 26, 2021
A Thrilling, Sexy & Angsty, Second-Chance MMF Romantic Suspense with Investigation, Shakespeare, Sexual Tension, Friends & Foes, Secrets, Truths, Chances, Killer, Action, Love, Surprises, Twists & lovely HEA.
#My 1st book by Layla, I liked it & the characters! The emotions high. I love Sean, Trevor, Charlie! The cover depicts them wonderfully😍.
Trevor & Charlie are besties who met Sean in college, Romance ensued! T+C fell for S, & S helped realise how much T+C love eachother. 3 Unbreakable. But then a call changed it all (I'm glad Sean leaving had a good reason!)..."Things & Secrets" kept them apart, Tried but never moved on. Now 10yrs later (All 3 are 33yr old), a tragedy brought Sean to T+C's town again. So much has happened, Could they get their 2nd Chance? YES.
🔥Sean; Confident & Fun; is a FBI agent, who'll be retiring soon. He feels so much guilt for leaving T+C, but feels staying away is the best...Even knowing that they're his home. His adoptive parents are good!
🔥Trevor; Romantic & Protective; is an English Professor & Divorced. His parents are drunken shitheads. Charlie's family is also his (& Sean's too) family❤.
🔥Charlie; Contemplative & Sweet; is Deputy chief, Detective & can be in FBI. She'd the most normal life among the 3, A loving Police family. But then raiding a drug dealer, Her dad & brother died 😭. Now, it's only her & her sis. I'm so glad she has Trev, even if just as a friend!
Book starts with the funeral where Sean sees T+C again. So much heartache, Apart...Cue Apologies, So Emotional, A MMF fuck...felt like a forever goodbye. But it wasn't, As only a month later, A Murder & it's Investigation brought Sean here again! Its so hard, How can Sean leave again? Will T+C trust him not too?
~Funeral, Confrontation, Talks & Emotions, Fuck & Love, Goodbye, Try move on, Game, Prof Murder, Guilt & Miss, S back, T+S Punch, Quote know, Casing...
I loved seeing The 3 work together on this case! Why Trevor too? As Shakespeare quotes are hints! A serial killer case, Stakes high. The 3's Close proximity brings the Anger, Never-Dead Love, Secrets *Holy shit!*, Hope & Future out! With truths, The 3 decide to give their relationship a chance again & I'm so happy! They deserve it❤.
~Past, Anger, Drunk, Sober wake, Cheat's Murder, Serial, T miss & back, Connection, Banter & Protect, Baseball, Confessions, Job & Hope, Friend arrival & fun, Investigation, Interview, Worth it, Together, Case Over (or not!), All Truths, Swoons, MMF sexy times, I love yous...
The 3 are so hot! I love their connection, PDA & how trust builds again. Plus, This case took us on quite the ride, Just wow! That finale was edgy...But that HEA is so sweet!
~Mayor murder, Strength, PDA 😍, Lists, Set up, Hella Twists, Surprises, Kidnapped, Race against time, Boating, True Killer, Cuffed & Safe, Proposal, Family, Happy...!
I loved the ending & epilogue, Especially as the 3 ended up together in Washington (As we've known!) on a new start. C's pegging at last sex scene was epic hot🔥.
I'm so happy for these 3!! (& For C's sis 😉, She got her HEA too!).
P.S. I hope we get Marshall's story soon, I want him to, He was a great friend to Sean!
**ARC Gotten for a Honest Review.**
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#My 1st book by Layla, I liked it & the characters! The emotions high. I love Sean, Trevor, Charlie! The cover depicts them wonderfully😍.
Trevor & Charlie are besties who met Sean in college, Romance ensued! T+C fell for S, & S helped realise how much T+C love eachother. 3 Unbreakable. But then a call changed it all (I'm glad Sean leaving had a good reason!)..."Things & Secrets" kept them apart, Tried but never moved on. Now 10yrs later (All 3 are 33yr old), a tragedy brought Sean to T+C's town again. So much has happened, Could they get their 2nd Chance? YES.
🔥Sean; Confident & Fun; is a FBI agent, who'll be retiring soon. He feels so much guilt for leaving T+C, but feels staying away is the best...Even knowing that they're his home. His adoptive parents are good!
🔥Trevor; Romantic & Protective; is an English Professor & Divorced. His parents are drunken shitheads. Charlie's family is also his (& Sean's too) family❤.
🔥Charlie; Contemplative & Sweet; is Deputy chief, Detective & can be in FBI. She'd the most normal life among the 3, A loving Police family. But then raiding a drug dealer, Her dad & brother died 😭. Now, it's only her & her sis. I'm so glad she has Trev, even if just as a friend!
Book starts with the funeral where Sean sees T+C again. So much heartache, Apart...Cue Apologies, So Emotional, A MMF fuck...felt like a forever goodbye. But it wasn't, As only a month later, A Murder & it's Investigation brought Sean here again! Its so hard, How can Sean leave again? Will T+C trust him not too?
~Funeral, Confrontation, Talks & Emotions, Fuck & Love, Goodbye, Try move on, Game, Prof Murder, Guilt & Miss, S back, T+S Punch, Quote know, Casing...
I loved seeing The 3 work together on this case! Why Trevor too? As Shakespeare quotes are hints! A serial killer case, Stakes high. The 3's Close proximity brings the Anger, Never-Dead Love, Secrets *Holy shit!*, Hope & Future out! With truths, The 3 decide to give their relationship a chance again & I'm so happy! They deserve it❤.
~Past, Anger, Drunk, Sober wake, Cheat's Murder, Serial, T miss & back, Connection, Banter & Protect, Baseball, Confessions, Job & Hope, Friend arrival & fun, Investigation, Interview, Worth it, Together, Case Over (or not!), All Truths, Swoons, MMF sexy times, I love yous...
The 3 are so hot! I love their connection, PDA & how trust builds again. Plus, This case took us on quite the ride, Just wow! That finale was edgy...But that HEA is so sweet!
~Mayor murder, Strength, PDA 😍, Lists, Set up, Hella Twists, Surprises, Kidnapped, Race against time, Boating, True Killer, Cuffed & Safe, Proposal, Family, Happy...!
I loved the ending & epilogue, Especially as the 3 ended up together in Washington (As we've known!) on a new start. C's pegging at last sex scene was epic hot🔥.
I'm so happy for these 3!! (& For C's sis 😉, She got her HEA too!).
P.S. I hope we get Marshall's story soon, I want him to, He was a great friend to Sean!
**ARC Gotten for a Honest Review.**
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
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July 25, 2021I'm going to freely admit that I'm biased here. I'm a big fan of Layla's, and also a friend. I read the first manuscript that eventually became this book, and then beta read a draft, and now have read the final version.
This book got better at every iteration. I love love love Charlie, Sean, and Trevor and how they reconnect and finally get their HEA after years apart. Such a strong bond, and communication like adults to finally all have the pieces of why they were apart.
I love the whodunit--that kept me guessing (since it changed from the very first version I read).
The sex scenes are hot. *fans self*
I also love the town of Hanover, the people who live there, and the community they have.
And then there's Marsh. I can't wait for more Marsh!
Also, that cover. Love that cover.
This book got better at every iteration. I love love love Charlie, Sean, and Trevor and how they reconnect and finally get their HEA after years apart. Such a strong bond, and communication like adults to finally all have the pieces of why they were apart.
I love the whodunit--that kept me guessing (since it changed from the very first version I read).
The sex scenes are hot. *fans self*
I also love the town of Hanover, the people who live there, and the community they have.
And then there's Marsh. I can't wait for more Marsh!
Also, that cover. Love that cover.
August 16, 2021
What We May Be is a winning romance trope trifecta!
✔️ MMF
✔️ Romantic Suspense
✔️Second-chance Romance
From the very start, I was wholly invested in Sean, Trevor, and Charlie. From their budding romance, through their heartbreaking separation and then their hot AF reunion. I loved how their lives and love wove them together even after being separated by time and distance.
Adding in the romantic suspense elements was just the cherry on top of an already fabulous hot fudge sundae. ~ Missy, 5 stars
✔️ MMF
✔️ Romantic Suspense
✔️Second-chance Romance
From the very start, I was wholly invested in Sean, Trevor, and Charlie. From their budding romance, through their heartbreaking separation and then their hot AF reunion. I loved how their lives and love wove them together even after being separated by time and distance.
Adding in the romantic suspense elements was just the cherry on top of an already fabulous hot fudge sundae. ~ Missy, 5 stars
September 14, 2021
There were so many things that were off about this book. Forced/childish/awkward humor, Charlie ignoring her phone, police sirens going off, unbelievable circumstances for a police station (small town or not), like letting certain people into the investigation that wouldn't be and in the station that was apparently usually empty...? Either way, except for the humor, the rest was easy to brush aside. Well, I guess that isn't true. Certain people definitely shouldn't have had such a big role in the investigation, but whatever...?
Also, the whole one person being monogamous while the other is polyamorous... A lot easier said than done. It is possible but very rare and kuddos to those who succeed! (That's brought up a couple times here.)
I really loved how Charlie and Trevor were willing to let Sean bring another in if needed/wanted. Even though he doesn't, it speaks volumes. There were quite a few really sweet things here and it could easily be seen that the flame was ever embers for their triad. A lot of convoluted things going around here but a quick, easy; overall enjoyable read. Despite most of the... humor, there were quite a few amusing scenes. I'm also glad that once they finally decided to talk about things they actually really talked about things.
"She always thought it was Charlie I wanted instead of her. She couldn't wrap her brain around the notion I could love and want them both."
His dick strained behind the fly of his pants, and when Sean reached a hand around, palming his erection, he damn near dropped Charlie in his rush to thrust into the touch. "Dammit, Sean," he cursed. "Let me get her to the bed first."
I'd check out another by this author.
Also, the whole one person being monogamous while the other is polyamorous... A lot easier said than done. It is possible but very rare and kuddos to those who succeed! (That's brought up a couple times here.)
I really loved how Charlie and Trevor were willing to let Sean bring another in if needed/wanted. Even though he doesn't, it speaks volumes. There were quite a few really sweet things here and it could easily be seen that the flame was ever embers for their triad. A lot of convoluted things going around here but a quick, easy; overall enjoyable read. Despite most of the... humor, there were quite a few amusing scenes. I'm also glad that once they finally decided to talk about things they actually really talked about things.
"She always thought it was Charlie I wanted instead of her. She couldn't wrap her brain around the notion I could love and want them both."
His dick strained behind the fly of his pants, and when Sean reached a hand around, palming his erection, he damn near dropped Charlie in his rush to thrust into the touch. "Dammit, Sean," he cursed. "Let me get her to the bed first."
I'd check out another by this author.
September 27, 2023
I dislike leaving negative reviews. I typically prefer to just DNF it, but this was $6 bucks, so I stubbornly powered through. The blurb sets it up, Sean, Trevor, and Charlie (female) were in a relationship when Sean ghosted them the same night he proposed. The book picks up TEN years later with him returning for Charlie’s brother and father’s funerals. Stuff happens – Sean leaves… a murderer is on the loose, so Sean returns again to help another friend (Marsh) and the three are thrown together a second time.
I’m an open reader, but typically avoid poly, MFM, RH romance reads because (in my experience) authors tend to focus more on the shock/smut value instead of developing believable romances. And IMHO, that is the case here. I’m spoiler-ing the rest, so please stop if you want zero deets.
August 29, 2022
I have such mixed feelings about WHAT WE MAY BE and ultimately it felt too uneven and too many things didn't make sense. On a positive note, the writing was very easy to read and I liked Sean, Trevor, and Charlie as individual characters. They each bring a little something different to the relationship and they were each fairly distinctive characters. However, their romance was definitely second tier to the murder mystery and left the overall pacing of the book feeling off. Things start off with a steamy reconnection between all three and then nothing else happens between them until almost 40%, not even a kiss. And most of their respective POV chapters aren't really even focused on their attraction or their longing for each other. After 40% the relationship has a few token moments but again, those moments get pretty overwhelmed by new clues or developments in the case.
A large factor in my lower rating is that there were too many things that didn't make any sense, especially in regards to how their initial breakup happened 10 years prior. Why would Sean give his new police badge, the necklace Charlie gifted him, and his engagement ring to a third party (trying not to spoil things) just because he had to rush out of town? And I'm supposed to believe that these three deeply passionate and in love people never tried to fight for each other? That hotheaded Trevor never decided to call and confront Sean about his supposed abandonment. Yeah no, Trevor would definitely not pass up a moment to yell at Sean for being stupid, if not for himself, then certainly for Charlie's sake.
Additionally, everyone talks about how Charlie is this great detective but she hardly does any police work, Sean (who's not even there in an official capacity) takes over most of her suspect interviews and Trevor (who isn't even a cop) is the one who figures out most of the clues and connections left by the killer. And the thing that really blew my mind, Sean's FBI friend Marsh illegally hacks into a suspect's phone records while in the police station, with the full knowledge of several cops including Charlie who is the Deputy Chef and no one seems to think for a second this is a bad idea?? The only reason they have to arrest this suspect is a single piece of evidence they found after being granted a search warrant that is based on illegally obtained information. I don't usually nitpick police procedure in romance books but this was so blatantly illegal and incorrect that I just couldn't get past it.
Throw in some unnecessary angst with Trevor's ex-wife who hates Charlie, an unusually large secondary cast that are too interconnected, a secret about Charlie's mother that a surprising number of people seem to know about, and the last 10% that rushes through like four different possible suspects and WHAT WE MAY BE just didn't work for me. I probably should have DNFed earlier on but I wanted to know who the killer was so here we are.
Content Warning: book starts with a funeral for Charlie's father and brother; Sean's adoptive father is dying of cancer; reference to a side character's overdose and possible attempted suicide; frequent references to Charlie's mother's death years prior
A large factor in my lower rating is that there were too many things that didn't make any sense, especially in regards to how their initial breakup happened 10 years prior. Why would Sean give his new police badge, the necklace Charlie gifted him, and his engagement ring to a third party (trying not to spoil things) just because he had to rush out of town? And I'm supposed to believe that these three deeply passionate and in love people never tried to fight for each other? That hotheaded Trevor never decided to call and confront Sean about his supposed abandonment. Yeah no, Trevor would definitely not pass up a moment to yell at Sean for being stupid, if not for himself, then certainly for Charlie's sake.
Additionally, everyone talks about how Charlie is this great detective but she hardly does any police work, Sean (who's not even there in an official capacity) takes over most of her suspect interviews and Trevor (who isn't even a cop) is the one who figures out most of the clues and connections left by the killer. And the thing that really blew my mind, Sean's FBI friend Marsh illegally hacks into a suspect's phone records while in the police station, with the full knowledge of several cops including Charlie who is the Deputy Chef and no one seems to think for a second this is a bad idea?? The only reason they have to arrest this suspect is a single piece of evidence they found after being granted a search warrant that is based on illegally obtained information. I don't usually nitpick police procedure in romance books but this was so blatantly illegal and incorrect that I just couldn't get past it.
Throw in some unnecessary angst with Trevor's ex-wife who hates Charlie, an unusually large secondary cast that are too interconnected, a secret about Charlie's mother that a surprising number of people seem to know about, and the last 10% that rushes through like four different possible suspects and WHAT WE MAY BE just didn't work for me. I probably should have DNFed earlier on but I wanted to know who the killer was so here we are.
Content Warning: book starts with a funeral for Charlie's father and brother; Sean's adoptive father is dying of cancer; reference to a side character's overdose and possible attempted suicide; frequent references to Charlie's mother's death years prior
August 16, 2021
3.5 Stars!
From the second I saw this book, I was intrigued.
- A second-chance MMF consisting of three former best friends/college roommates
- A literary arts professor with a weakness for Shakespeare
- A college campus serial killer on the loose with the bodies piling up
- Hella hotness and MMF steaminess!
When the story starts, there's a funeral that has brought Sean back to town after 10 years. It's the first time he's seeing Charlotte and Trevor since he left. I was instantly hooked and feeling all of the pull and heartache of this former trio. There is a lot going on in this book with the victims of the serial killer also getting their own sole POV' throughout the book, which I liked but it made for a lot of characters to keep up with.
My heart broke for Sean and the choices he had to make. I wish there was more of the beginning of their relationship. With A MMF, I love the whole forbidden part of it and more of the unconventionality of it. I didn't feel like we got as much of that as I needed. This is a trio that was until they weren't, none of that personal struggle about the pull towards two other people was happening on the page.
The steam was hot as hell though, and did not disappoint in the slightest bit. And I so loved the ending. I found the book to be overly wordy in some areas, but in general, I enjoyed the storyline and would definitely check this author out again! This is a sweet and angsty read, suspenseful, mysterious, and of course hot.
I was provided with an advanced e-copy of this book by Valentine PR, in exchange for an honest review.
"I've been picking up the pieces after you for ten years, Sean, and I'm fucking tired. We all are."
From the second I saw this book, I was intrigued.
- A second-chance MMF consisting of three former best friends/college roommates
- A literary arts professor with a weakness for Shakespeare
- A college campus serial killer on the loose with the bodies piling up
- Hella hotness and MMF steaminess!
When the story starts, there's a funeral that has brought Sean back to town after 10 years. It's the first time he's seeing Charlotte and Trevor since he left. I was instantly hooked and feeling all of the pull and heartache of this former trio. There is a lot going on in this book with the victims of the serial killer also getting their own sole POV' throughout the book, which I liked but it made for a lot of characters to keep up with.
My heart broke for Sean and the choices he had to make. I wish there was more of the beginning of their relationship. With A MMF, I love the whole forbidden part of it and more of the unconventionality of it. I didn't feel like we got as much of that as I needed. This is a trio that was until they weren't, none of that personal struggle about the pull towards two other people was happening on the page.
The steam was hot as hell though, and did not disappoint in the slightest bit. And I so loved the ending. I found the book to be overly wordy in some areas, but in general, I enjoyed the storyline and would definitely check this author out again! This is a sweet and angsty read, suspenseful, mysterious, and of course hot.
I was provided with an advanced e-copy of this book by Valentine PR, in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2021
My first read by Layla Reyne, and my first ever read featuring a polyamorous relationship!
What We May Be is a steamy romantic mystery, featuring a MMF poly relationship between an FBI agent, detective, and literary professor thrust into a series of murders at the hands of a serial killer obsessed with Shakespeare! When I read the blurb for WWMB and saw the cover, I was immediately obsessed and had to have it ASAP.
I don’t want to give anything away, but Layla Reyne captivated me from beginning to end. I normally don’t connect with 3rd person pov writing, but I couldn’t get enough of WWMB. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out what was happening and who was behind it all! Then we have Charlie, Trevor, and Sean… oh, my heart loved them from the very start. Not only did they add some much needed sweetness to the story, but they also brought the heat!
Also shoutout to Layla, my fellow Carolina girl for mentioning all the staples: Bojangles, Cheerwine, and Smithfield’s. Literally messaged her on IG to fangirl about all of that.
All in all, WWMB was so freaking good, and left my jaw dropped! When I thought I had the killer figured out, Layla threw me a curveball and I was so wrong! This was such a wonderfully executed romantic mystery and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book early! My only negative (mostly a me issue) is that I had a difficult time keeping up with all of the characters. There were so many that it was confusing at times, but other than that, What We May Be was a wonderful, 4-star read for me!
ARC generously provided by Valentine PR in exchange for honest review!
What We May Be is a steamy romantic mystery, featuring a MMF poly relationship between an FBI agent, detective, and literary professor thrust into a series of murders at the hands of a serial killer obsessed with Shakespeare! When I read the blurb for WWMB and saw the cover, I was immediately obsessed and had to have it ASAP.
I don’t want to give anything away, but Layla Reyne captivated me from beginning to end. I normally don’t connect with 3rd person pov writing, but I couldn’t get enough of WWMB. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out what was happening and who was behind it all! Then we have Charlie, Trevor, and Sean… oh, my heart loved them from the very start. Not only did they add some much needed sweetness to the story, but they also brought the heat!
Also shoutout to Layla, my fellow Carolina girl for mentioning all the staples: Bojangles, Cheerwine, and Smithfield’s. Literally messaged her on IG to fangirl about all of that.
All in all, WWMB was so freaking good, and left my jaw dropped! When I thought I had the killer figured out, Layla threw me a curveball and I was so wrong! This was such a wonderfully executed romantic mystery and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book early! My only negative (mostly a me issue) is that I had a difficult time keeping up with all of the characters. There were so many that it was confusing at times, but other than that, What We May Be was a wonderful, 4-star read for me!
ARC generously provided by Valentine PR in exchange for honest review!
August 21, 2021
There are so many things to love about this book. I’ll start with the romance. Confession: It’s been at least 5 years since I read a poly romance. I usually feel like there’s an imbalance in the dynamic and It bothers me. Not this book. Not this trio. They just make sense and are perfectly balanced, even though two of them have a longer and deeper connection. Charlie, Sean, and Trevor are so beautiful together. And now the mystery… I always enjoy the twisty mysteries Layla writes, and she got me on this one. Highly recommend this book!
August 21, 2021
3.5 stars
August 23, 2021
*Thank you to Valentine PR for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Blurb:
Sean found love once, with his college roommate, Trevor, and Trevor’s best friend, Charlotte.
The missing piece, Sean made it possible for Trevor and Charlotte to find love too.
But then Sean left and took the love with him.
Now an FBI agent, Sean is back in town, ten years later, to investigate a murder.
A case that pits him against his ex-lovers—Charlotte, a local detective, and Trevor, a literature professor sucked into the Shakespearean mystery.
Everyone guards their hearts, but before long, desire sparks anew the feelings that burned hot a decade ago. That still burn true.
Love is within their grasp again, but as the killer escalates, it’s more than just their hearts and futures on the line.
Sean, Charlotte, and Trevor will need to work together to solve the case.
If they can’t, lives will be lost and pieces of their love gone for good.
This was a story of redemption and forgiveness, a story of loss and reconnection. There is a mystery that brings them back together after years apart. Their dynamic needs to be healed and they need to see if trust is possible to reestablish.
I enjoyed the romance aspects but there were parts of the mystery that didn't hold my attention. I really wanted to feel their connection coming back and I feel like I missed out on some of that because of the mystery plot.
However, when we got to see them together... it was fire.
4/5 stars
Blurb:
Sean found love once, with his college roommate, Trevor, and Trevor’s best friend, Charlotte.
The missing piece, Sean made it possible for Trevor and Charlotte to find love too.
But then Sean left and took the love with him.
Now an FBI agent, Sean is back in town, ten years later, to investigate a murder.
A case that pits him against his ex-lovers—Charlotte, a local detective, and Trevor, a literature professor sucked into the Shakespearean mystery.
Everyone guards their hearts, but before long, desire sparks anew the feelings that burned hot a decade ago. That still burn true.
Love is within their grasp again, but as the killer escalates, it’s more than just their hearts and futures on the line.
Sean, Charlotte, and Trevor will need to work together to solve the case.
If they can’t, lives will be lost and pieces of their love gone for good.
This was a story of redemption and forgiveness, a story of loss and reconnection. There is a mystery that brings them back together after years apart. Their dynamic needs to be healed and they need to see if trust is possible to reestablish.
I enjoyed the romance aspects but there were parts of the mystery that didn't hold my attention. I really wanted to feel their connection coming back and I feel like I missed out on some of that because of the mystery plot.
However, when we got to see them together... it was fire.
4/5 stars
October 7, 2021
Layla Reyne does a lovely job with this romance. A second chance lovers story (x3) with cleverly constructed extenuating circumstances, and fascinating dynamics between the main characters.
I know to count on Ms. Reyne for a unique and creative mystery, and she's crafted a fine one in What We May Be. I'm glad I listened to it as an audiobook, the tension in those final chapters would have kept me up all night if I'd been reading it!
The audio is narrated by Christian Leatherman who does a stunning job! There's a massive array of supporting characters, with a variety of accents, and Mr. Leatherman has set the bar pretty high for my expectations of his future performances. And let's hope there are many more to come!
an audiobook copy of What We May Be was provided for the purpose of my honest review
I know to count on Ms. Reyne for a unique and creative mystery, and she's crafted a fine one in What We May Be. I'm glad I listened to it as an audiobook, the tension in those final chapters would have kept me up all night if I'd been reading it!
The audio is narrated by Christian Leatherman who does a stunning job! There's a massive array of supporting characters, with a variety of accents, and Mr. Leatherman has set the bar pretty high for my expectations of his future performances. And let's hope there are many more to come!
an audiobook copy of What We May Be was provided for the purpose of my honest review
August 17, 2025
What We May Be by Layla Reyne
Contemporary second chance M-F-M romantic suspense with erotica elements.
As roommates in college, Sean, Trevor, and Charlotte found love and fulfillment. After college, jobs and life separated them.
FBI agent Sean is back in town to investigate a murder and they find connection and happiness being together again. But a killer threatens and the outcome could be disastrous.
🎧 I alternated between a paperback copy and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Christian Leatherman who does a great job with voices changes for the characters and emotions that are clearly heard.
Suspense, lust and secrets. Plenty of twists and steamy togetherness. Angst. Plus several Easter eggs for fans of the author’s books.
3.5
Contemporary second chance M-F-M romantic suspense with erotica elements.
As roommates in college, Sean, Trevor, and Charlotte found love and fulfillment. After college, jobs and life separated them.
FBI agent Sean is back in town to investigate a murder and they find connection and happiness being together again. But a killer threatens and the outcome could be disastrous.
🎧 I alternated between a paperback copy and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Christian Leatherman who does a great job with voices changes for the characters and emotions that are clearly heard.
Suspense, lust and secrets. Plenty of twists and steamy togetherness. Angst. Plus several Easter eggs for fans of the author’s books.
3.5
July 28, 2021
I love a good second chance romance! Add in simmering chemistry between these three MCs plus a gripping serial murder mystery, and this is a book I couldn't put down. I was supposed to be working on writing my next book, but instead I devoured this entire book by Layla Reyne in one sitting. Satisfying plot and satisfying romance.
Was gifted this ARC by the author, and this is my honest review.
Was gifted this ARC by the author, and this is my honest review.
August 24, 2021
Rep: bi mcs, polyamory, gay side character
October 4, 2021
Another romantic suspense! I tried my first (romsus? Is there a cute name for it?) a few weeks ago and jumped into this one because I was intrigued by the premise: a second chance romance for a past throuple.
The first chapter drops you into the story, Sean returning to his college town for a funeral for his friend, who happens to be the twin of his ex Charlie and best friend of his other ex Trevor. Sean, Charlie, and Trevor were a couple 10 years ago, until he abandoned him the same day he proposed.
There’s a lot of ominous foreshadowing in this book. i.e.: “Sean was told by someone close to him, someone he thought of as family, that he had to go.” I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the kind of “dun dun dun” mystery it is.
Charlie is a cop who wants to make FBI. Sean… is some kind of FBI but not really an investigator, but he’s going to inherit his adopted family’s business. Trevor is a professor. The three of them work together to solve killings around their town, even if Sean isn’t there in formal FBI capacity and Trevor isn’t in law enforcement (is that legal? Idk).
The romance to me was a little underwhelming, because if I read a second chance romance where the guy comes back after 10 years, I want groveling. And there was really none. When all the reasons for their separation come out, they’re kind of like “c'est la vie, we’re together now” and like… C’MON, be ANGRY!!
I can’t really comment on the mystery because I haven’t read a strict mystery novel in a long time. So how it compares to a “mystery genre mystery” - I’m not sure. To me I was a little underwhelmed again because there was some whiplash finger pointing at the end and the perp wound up being… well, not what I expected.
The first chapter drops you into the story, Sean returning to his college town for a funeral for his friend, who happens to be the twin of his ex Charlie and best friend of his other ex Trevor. Sean, Charlie, and Trevor were a couple 10 years ago, until he abandoned him the same day he proposed.
There’s a lot of ominous foreshadowing in this book. i.e.: “Sean was told by someone close to him, someone he thought of as family, that he had to go.” I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the kind of “dun dun dun” mystery it is.
Charlie is a cop who wants to make FBI. Sean… is some kind of FBI but not really an investigator, but he’s going to inherit his adopted family’s business. Trevor is a professor. The three of them work together to solve killings around their town, even if Sean isn’t there in formal FBI capacity and Trevor isn’t in law enforcement (is that legal? Idk).
The romance to me was a little underwhelming, because if I read a second chance romance where the guy comes back after 10 years, I want groveling. And there was really none. When all the reasons for their separation come out, they’re kind of like “c'est la vie, we’re together now” and like… C’MON, be ANGRY!!
I can’t really comment on the mystery because I haven’t read a strict mystery novel in a long time. So how it compares to a “mystery genre mystery” - I’m not sure. To me I was a little underwhelmed again because there was some whiplash finger pointing at the end and the perp wound up being… well, not what I expected.
November 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this first-in-a-new-series by Layla Reyne. It's a contemporary second chance romance, written from the POV of Sean, a FBI agent who's come back to his small town after ten years to investigate a series of murders based around Shakespearean tragedies--little quotes are left with the bodies. His exes are a detective (Charlotte) and a literature professor (Trevor). When he left them, their romantic relationship couldn't sustain itself and they're now best friends. I found that bit a bit hicky...to me, poly relationships shouldn't depend on each other to sustain themselves. However, YMMV. And the murder plot, the suspense and the characterisation let me put that aside, regardless.
There are no bad guys here, just three hurt people who still have feelings for each other being given a second chance amid a terrible killing spree. The murder investigation is definitely weighted as heavily as the romance and it was all seamlessly interwoven. Between the emotional suspense and the murder-mystery suspense I was on edge all the time I was reading. And I had real trouble working out who the killer was!
There are no bad guys here, just three hurt people who still have feelings for each other being given a second chance amid a terrible killing spree. The murder investigation is definitely weighted as heavily as the romance and it was all seamlessly interwoven. Between the emotional suspense and the murder-mystery suspense I was on edge all the time I was reading. And I had real trouble working out who the killer was!
August 16, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
What We May Be is an incredibly engaging, lovers reunited, mystery/suspense. I found myself totally caught up in this one, both on the romantic end, as well as with the murder mystery. On the mystery side, this is a really great thriller. The story is exciting and twisty and kept me guessing. This is a small town mystery, so there are a lot of characters who all seem to be related to one another or connected in some way, which makes it especially interesting to untangle, as there are many potential suspects, victims, and motives.
On the relationship end, I really adored Sean, Trevor, and Charlie. We meet them ten years after their split and Reyne does an amazing job of really letting us feel their connection, even though we don’t really see them together in the past. There are no flashbacks, just some memories scattered throughout the book. Yet the spark between them in present day is so tangible and the emotions so clear, I could easily feel how much they still care for each other and how painful that loss was so many years ago.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
What We May Be is an incredibly engaging, lovers reunited, mystery/suspense. I found myself totally caught up in this one, both on the romantic end, as well as with the murder mystery. On the mystery side, this is a really great thriller. The story is exciting and twisty and kept me guessing. This is a small town mystery, so there are a lot of characters who all seem to be related to one another or connected in some way, which makes it especially interesting to untangle, as there are many potential suspects, victims, and motives.
On the relationship end, I really adored Sean, Trevor, and Charlie. We meet them ten years after their split and Reyne does an amazing job of really letting us feel their connection, even though we don’t really see them together in the past. There are no flashbacks, just some memories scattered throughout the book. Yet the spark between them in present day is so tangible and the emotions so clear, I could easily feel how much they still care for each other and how painful that loss was so many years ago.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
August 18, 2021
3.75+ stars
A solid second chance read with a murder mystery thrown in.
A solid second chance read with a murder mystery thrown in.
Want to read
August 26, 2023🤌What a beaut of a cover🙇♀️
August 23, 2021
What We May Be by Layla Reyne is a second chance m/m/f romance revolving around a murder mystery. This is also the first book I have read from this author. Because this is a murder mystery I’ve decided not to dive too deep into what this novel is about. All you really need to know is it involves a poly relationship, there’s a second chance, and a serial killer is on the loose with a hidden agenda…
I had mixed feelings about this one. I loved the mysterious aspect to it and the *who is it* guessing games which ran through my head all throughout this novel. I loved the fact that this author actually made me have to work for it to figure out who the serial killer was. And believe me when I say, I was wrong numerous times…. Usually I have the nose of a bloodhound and I can sniff out the truth in three chapters. Again, that wasn’t the case with this novel and holy hell was I shocked.
I loved the premise of this novel. However, throughout the first fifty percent of this novel I felt like I was missing out on something, almost like this was a second part of a duet and I stumbled down the long dark rabbit hole. Half of my brain was trying to wrap around the mysterious serial killer aspect, while the other half was trying to grasp this second chance between Charlie, Sean, and Travis. In my opinion, this novel would have been best told as a duet. The first part being about Charlie, Travis, and Sean and how they got together and the moments that caused them to fall in love with one another. I wanted to feel the passion and the love that is talked about but not experienced, but instead, I only felt a raw sense of confusion. And that is the main reasoning behind why I gave What We May Be a three star rating. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and also had a hard time finding the chemistry I wanted and needed for me to be able to rate this one higher.
Overall, What We May Be had its moments of pure excellence, but where romance is concerned I needed A LOT more. I needed more passion and more backstory moments and less of the *yearning for one another* moments. I wanted to see these three in their prime when love was young and new between them. And I still crave those moments… But what can I say, I’m a lover of all things romance. However, if you are just in it for the mystery aspect, this book will probably be right up your alley.
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The Staircase Reader
dnf
August 15, 2021I was so looking forward to this one. A polyam romance from Layla Reyne? I was excited for this one since the announcement and especially so with that FIRE cover. But there’s 2 things I wish I knew going into this book and why I am choosing to DNF it. There are things that I think books absolutely need warnings for, and this book just didn’t provide that. I had an ARC so I went to the author’s website in case there was something listed there, and I saw nothing. I get that murder mystery implies that there is murder or death, which is why you get a mystery to solve, but this is one step too far I think.
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The characters are interesting but the story felt…fine. Kind of tepid to be honest. The “secret” as to what caused the characters to break up (when they were engaged!) seems a bit trivial to me. But I could’ve stuck it out if it wasn’t for my two points above. Which is why I’m a DNF @ 25%.
***Thanks for Valentine PR for providing an ARC for review***
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The characters are interesting but the story felt…fine. Kind of tepid to be honest. The “secret” as to what caused the characters to break up (when they were engaged!) seems a bit trivial to me. But I could’ve stuck it out if it wasn’t for my two points above. Which is why I’m a DNF @ 25%.
***Thanks for Valentine PR for providing an ARC for review***
August 13, 2021
What We May Be was something really unique and fascinating from Layla Reyne. This is my first book by her and wow, her writing really impressed me! This story is a thriller or suspense with equally strong and steamy romance component! The plot was too good with twists, turns and emotions.
FBI agent Sean Hale has to come back to Hanover..first to the funeral of his friends and second to assist in a murder case on request of another FBI agent. He has left his lovers and soulmates here. Now ten years down the line, he has to go through the heartbreak and pain as local police deputy chief Charlie won't easily open her heart and her team open. And English professor Trevor Caldwell gets tangled into this serial murder case with a Shakespearean twist. But nothing is more dangerous than hoping for a new beginning with Sean.
This story has a fast paced and complicated story line. I was getting excited with each new clue and my mind was trying to guess who is this murderer. No shame to admit that the author sent me to various wrong directions very cleverly and that murderer was really shocking. Sean, Charlie and Trevor are all very strong and complicated characters. Their passion and chemistry was undeniable and their emotional bonding was intense. They are bound by tragedies and love. Some lies and secrets kept them apart but this crime has brought them closer again. They are all involved somehow and it's scarily dangerous. It was also super hot! The writing was very nice and I loved it!
What We May Be by Layla Reyne is a must read for every romantic suspense lover.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
FBI agent Sean Hale has to come back to Hanover..first to the funeral of his friends and second to assist in a murder case on request of another FBI agent. He has left his lovers and soulmates here. Now ten years down the line, he has to go through the heartbreak and pain as local police deputy chief Charlie won't easily open her heart and her team open. And English professor Trevor Caldwell gets tangled into this serial murder case with a Shakespearean twist. But nothing is more dangerous than hoping for a new beginning with Sean.
This story has a fast paced and complicated story line. I was getting excited with each new clue and my mind was trying to guess who is this murderer. No shame to admit that the author sent me to various wrong directions very cleverly and that murderer was really shocking. Sean, Charlie and Trevor are all very strong and complicated characters. Their passion and chemistry was undeniable and their emotional bonding was intense. They are bound by tragedies and love. Some lies and secrets kept them apart but this crime has brought them closer again. They are all involved somehow and it's scarily dangerous. It was also super hot! The writing was very nice and I loved it!
What We May Be by Layla Reyne is a must read for every romantic suspense lover.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
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