Cactus Heart

Whynot #1

by Clio Evans

In the small West Texas town of Whynot, why not fall for your brother’s two best friends—even if it means risking a broken heart?
Two years ago, I moved back to the dusty small town I used to call home. Every day that goes by is the same until two men I have no business wanting turn my life upside down.
Levi Rayburn. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the ex-hockey player, but now he’s back in Texas—hotter and more rugged than ever.
Mateo Jimenez. The mustached firefighter is sexy, sweet, and has been there for me more times than I can count.
The only problem?
As my overprotective brother’s best friends—Levi and Mateo are completely off limits.
At least, they should be…

In this MMF small town romance, you'll find:

Brother’s Best Friends
Mustache Riding
MMC with glasses
Hurt/Comfort
BDSM
Found Family

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, M M F, BDSM, Friends To Lovers, M M Romance, Contemporary

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should’ve known the hockey x firefighter x texas was too good to be….good??

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why not fall in love with three amazing characters and read the best kinky small town romance?⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Avery lives in the small town of Whynot, running her own art gallery and giving painting lessons. Haunted by her father's death and an abusive ex, she relies on her close-knit circle: her best friends, overprotective brothers, and her best friend Mateo, who she's been secretly in love with for years. Things get complicated when Levi — her brother's best friend and her old teenage crush — rolls into town, fleeing his failed hockey career.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I won't spoil the plot, but it's Clio THE KINKY QUEEN Evans, so you know it's packed with incredibly hot scenes between Avery, Mateo, and Levi, and this is incredibly romantic and cute story💅 I adored the characters, the plot, the trauma, and all the clever "why not" jokes, so it's a must-read!⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions and Clio Evans for the opportunity to read this ARC ❤️❤️❤️

[ellora · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

stop this book was so good!!! i liked this so much more than I was expecting, i couldn't put it down!! these three together are everything. it was so heartfelt and funny and safe and just really fucking good

[Lysten_and_read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why not fall for your brother’s best friend in Whynot? After all, it’s literally in the name!

This fantastic book has three points of views: Avery, Levi, and Mateo. An artist, a firefighter, and a former hockey player. After an explosive breakup, Avery returns home and now her brothers are more protective than ever, making it where anyone in town is afraid to date her in fear of angering her brothers. That all changes when Levi flies into town (and into a cactus). Catching the attention of Mateo, he tells Levi that Avery will forgive Levi are their disastrous meeting. Soon the friendship between Mateo, Avery, and Levi turns into something more, and they figure, why not have a secret small-town romance?

This story brings the heat (aka spice). It has tropes and themes that we all love: MMF, why choose, BDSM, small-town romance, brother’s best friend, found family, and more!

Thank you to Grey's Promotions and the author Clio Evans for the opportunity to read and review this arc!!!

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

"Cactus Heart" by Clio Evans is so good. It is a small-town, brother's best friend, why choose MMF romance that really did it for me. I loved the characters, the setting of Whynot, TX, the situations, the SPICE, and the consent!!! So much communication, so much checking in, so much coordination!! I love love love that about this story. I adored Avery, Mateo, and Levi. I loved the dynamic between all three of them, as well as the individual relationships between Mateo and Avery, Avery and Levi, and Levi and Mateo. Each of them brings something unique to their relationship. Each of them has some sort of trauma to overcome, and the three of them help each other overcome their feelings so they can learn to trust and love again. Ugh, I just loved this. The drama in this book feels realistic, the love feels authentic and earned, and the humor and banter feel natural. The book isn't too terribly long, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. All the characters and situations feel necessary within the story's context. The spice...... wow wow wow. Let's just say, I learned a thing or two! LOL. This book is well thought-out, respectful, and engaging. Please check it out!

Thank you to Clio Evans and Grey's Promotions for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 I liked it. I felt like the ending was a little rushed though. The artwork was also nice!

I enjoyed her connection with both of the guys. The guys had a good connection too.

Looking forward to more from this series cuz whynot? hehe

- MMF
- small town
- bdsm
- found family
- brother's best friend

[Hare Llow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy 😝

[veerali · Rating 2 out of 5]

whynot do i throw this into trash?

[honeylu ୨₊˚🌱 · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ potential empty plot points or questions unanswered but still enjoyed most ۶ৎ

Ah where do I begin? This book is not bad, it's just not for me! This was my first why-choose book, I heard some hype about it on Instagram and who doesn't look a good brothers best-friend trope? Since it was my first I had somewhat of high expectations, sadly I was partially disappointed.
It could be the fact I'm so used to taboo topics and this was a lovey romance but I don't think that was the case. It might also be that I'm strictly monogamous IRL and I could not imagine myself sharing.
I feel like this book was OTT smutty, maybe I missed a memo where this topic specified this. But I honestly couldn't really even get into their family dynamic because it only lasts 3 pages then smut for 10+ straight pages. But yes the smexy scenes are amazingly detailed and great! But that's not what I only want to read. For me smex is just a addition to passion and tension in a book. This felt super insta-lovey and just strange for me. At the 50% mark I really just wanted to get the book over with.
Some questions I had were left unanswered, like why Avery's mom treated her poorly after her dad's passing or even just scenes of her going to therapy. This definitely was a quick read for me (one day) but I just wish it had more life and depth.
I wasn't enjoying it as much as I wish I would. If you are very passionate about BDSM this book is for you, they include so many toys and positions! But sadly this book did disappoint me. If I pick up another why-choose I fear it will have to be a dark romance with a lot of tension and slow burn.

---------
╭ ━☆・*。 Pre-read

taking a small break from the gruesome dark romance books for a minute! I can’t remember the last time I read a happy romance novel! Saw this recommended on instagram and it made me so excited! Hope it doesn’t disappoint! <3

💫

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good MMF story. It felt a little rushed at the end but overall a good story. I liked it enough that I want to read the next story in the series.

Also the spice was spicy. 🌶️ 🥵

[Courtney|the.bookcourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Greys Promotions and Clio Evans for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions that follow are my own!

Why choose MMF with kinks in a small town? Sign me up!

Avery has been back in her small town for 2 years now, ever since her dad passed. Since then she’s built up her art studio where she paints her own NSFW pieces and hosts art classes for the townsfolk. But she’s lonely, no thanks to her two brothers who are slightly (okay very) overprotective. So when her best friend (aka the sexy firefighter with slutty glasses) admits to liking her way more than a friend, they strike up a little secret relationship. Thing is, they both also really like Levi, ex hockey player and old friend of Avery’s brother. What follows is a spicy secret why choose romance…what could go wrong?

There are many things that Clio Evans is great at. Writing kinks with excellent communication, well thought out characters who don’t bore you to death, and knowing the perfect length for a story where plot sometimes takes the back burner. I absolutely adored the relationship between these characters. The communication, the checking in, the just overall acceptance of each other. Truly beautiful.
The spice was also fantastic. Loved the different power dynamics, each person having a different desire and it all worked out so well. I think the illustrations throughout were my favourite though. I love seeing what’s in my head come to life on the page. And it made me feel like we got to see Avery’s paintings too since they were similar to what she did.
Overall, another masterpiece by Clio Evans, can’t wait to continue in Whynot!

[Kate Dash · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: Cactus Heart
by Clio Evans

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why not fall for your brother’s best friends in Whynot, Texas? After all—it’s literally in the name!

Cactus Heart is a small-town MMF romance that’s equal parts heart, humor, and heat. Avery, an artist fresh off a breakup, returns home to rebuild her life—and immediately finds herself caught between two men she shouldn’t want: Levi, the grumpy ex-hockey player, and Mateo, the mustached firefighter with a heart of gold. Together, they form an irresistible connection built on friendship, trust, and plenty of steamy tension.

I loved how this story blended found family, hurt/comfort, and BDSM elements with small-town charm and laugh-out-loud moments. Clio Evans gives each POV real emotional depth, and the chemistry between all three leads is off the charts. It’s tender, dirty, and deeply satisfying—the perfect mix of love, healing, and chaos in one fiery cactus of a book.

🌵 Tropes:
MMF romance · Brother’s best friends · Hurt/comfort · Found family · BDSM · Small-town Texas

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions and Clio Evans for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[kevork_1989 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

That was so enjoyable. I went in with very little expectations having never read this authors work before. The cover was cute, the content was anything but cute, but in a good way. 😂😂😂

This is MMF story where all 3 characters are with each other. The MCs were all such lovable characters. Mateo, Levi and Avery. They each were given time and space to develop which I loved. Mateo probably slightly less than Levi and Avery, but his character was the glue in the trio. He was such a fun and sweet character with a VERY dominant side in the bedroom.

The kink exploration in this book was insaaaaane!! That’s why looking at the cutesy romantic cover and knowing how kinky it truly is, it’s hilarious. Read the triggers if you struggle with kink exploration. I thought it was done so well. Levi and his kink spreadsheets had me cracking up. The story was very simple and cute. Nothing major to it. But the cute little town of Whynot, Texas is appealing. The group of characters are great and definitely excited to get into the rest of the series.

I believe book #2 is an FFM story and I’m so excited to read that.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spicy polyamorous small-town romance and the first book in the Whynot series.

MMC Levi returns to his hometown to recover from a difficult hockey season and quickly runs into his best friend’s little sister, FMC Avery, who is all grown up now. Avery is notoriously single thanks to her overly protective brothers, despite the obvious unrequited feelings between her and MMC Mateo, another one of her brother’s best friends. Levi’s arrival brings all of those buried feelings to the surface.

This was a fun MMF romance. All of the characters work great together, and when they finally come together, things get extra kinky. Beyond the spice, though, there’s a lot of heart and some solid worldbuilding around the town and its other residents. Two of the MCs carry a lot of emotional baggage, and the trio works well together to unpack and heal from it.

Overall, this was a very fun start to the series. I can’t wait to see what happens next in book two, Thorn Kiss, scheduled for release in February 2026.

Spice 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5

[emerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was good. i definitely over hyped it in my head though. it was SUPER spicy but the spice was the plot which was kinda eh because i prefer a good plot with my smutty books(as does most). i recommend this book if youre looking for a super spicy quick read

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and was so excited for the why choose! The overall writing is done well and I enjoyed the 3 POV, but the story was just cheesy and almost too happy. The final chapter was confusing with the lack of timelines.
Overall I didn’t hate the book and I will read the next book in the series, because why not 😆😆

[Anabooknerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three Stars

Cactus Heart was a solid three star read for me. Brother’s best friend is not usually my favorite trope, but you all know I love a good why choose story and I generally like Clio Evans, so of course I wanted to give this one a try. The trope itself still is not my favorite. We are all grown adults and sometimes I want to tell the characters to ignore the brother completely and move on. Even so, I kept reading and I enjoyed myself overall.

The spice was good and the tension worked really well. There were not too many spicy scenes, which I sometimes feel happens in this kind of romance, but this one had a nice balance. Everything that was included felt purposeful and fun.

The pacing is fast and the feelings hit almost immediately. That is not always my favorite, but it matched the vibe of the story. Once the emotions settle in, you do get some development between the characters and it kept me interested.

Overall it was enjoyable enough. Definitely a quick, fun, and spicy read that felt very much Clio Evans.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really really should have worked for me but it just didn't.

- instalust
- no sexual tension
- BDSM was too formal/clinical
- her brother's were bozos
- she was a bratty sub which is the worst

I'm finding lately that I need my books to have off the chart sexual tension instead of lots and lots of sex. For me this book started in the middle of a relationship between Avery and Mateo and we never got to see any of the tension in their friendship. Throw in Levi and all of them just fell into bed with each other super fast with no teasing or flirting.

[Miranda Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not bad but I think moments I just disconnected?

[Emma⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐️
also ich checke ihr findet euch geil aber wieso seid ihr so schnell in love und sagt das auch so?! ja ich hab‘s halt einfach nicht gefühlt leider

[Adara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 63%
It had potential through the beginning, but then she showed up in a full latex body suit at their first date

[Candace P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Clio's small town books!

Levi, Mateo, and Avery were all so different, but the way the author developed the characters and built the town around them made it feel like a no trainer for them to all find their way! I really enjoyed the way so much care was taken with the characters emotions and boundaries. It definitely balanced out some of the heat that was in the story!

After finishing this one I immediately wanted book 2 (and beyond)! I loved the way this book helped set up the next in the series and I can't wait to see what comes next!

[Monica (switching platforms) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Cactus Heart took me by surprise in the best way. What initially drew me in was the building tension that the author masterfully weaves between Avery, Mateo, and Levi: a constant dance of desire, boundaries, and the forbidden allure of what they shouldn’t have. The first half of the book held me captive: the stolen glances, the unspoken longing, and that sizzling, unresolved chemistry bubbling just beneath the surface. When everything finally burst into full-blown passion, though, my interest wavered a bit—not because the steamy scenes weren’t top-notch (trust me, they were), but because the emotional high point arrived early and left the middle section feeling a little flat. However, my interest climbed back up once the three characters reunited and dove headfirst into their wildest, most unrestrained desires.

Even so, the dynamics between these three remained magnetic from start to finish. I don’t usually dip into BDSM romances, but the way the author handled it—with emphasis, communication, boundaries, and genuine care—made it feel as safe as it was impactful. Mateo easily stole my heart—sweet, steady, utterly endearing, and a Dom whose authority felt genuine. Levi’s switch tendencies and quirky habit of creating spreadsheets added unexpected depth to his character. Though I appreciated him most alongside Mateo, it was the lack of spark between Avery and Levi that left me wanting more moments specifically focused on their connection. Strangely enough, the sparks between Levi and Mateo outshone those between Levi and Avery.

The spice was absolute perfection, but I’ll say it again: the part that really made me melt was the beginning, where the protagonists practically burn with that first wave of passion. It’s raw, messy, overwhelming—in the best way. In the second half, their relationship becomes more measured; they know each other better, they know how to let go, and the chaos of the beginning settles into something intentional. That’s also when they start exploring their wildest desires and fully step into the kinky side of their dynamic. Mateo was wonderful to read as a Dom, and Levi—in his softer, submissive moments—was downright endearing. Avery, meanwhile, is the one pushing boundaries and urging the others to go further, really testing the limits of their shared lust. Even amid all the heat, there are still moments of tenderness scattered throughout, especially in Avery’s friendships. June and Evie were standout characters—loyal, hilarious, and exactly the ride-or-die friends everyone deserves. The small-town charm combined with the found family vibes brings a perfect balance to an otherwise intensely sensual story.

Of course, there’s a caveat: the book moves fast. Really fast. While Evans’ writing has an easy flow that’s instantly engaging, the short timeline sometimes makes key emotional moments feel rushed or outpaced by the ever-present steam. By the time I turned the final page, I couldn’t shake a feeling of bittersweetness, like the story had everything it needed but didn’t linger long enough to fully let it all come together.

This was my first taste of Clio Evans’ work, and even with minor pacing issues, her writing left a good impression: sharp and emotionally attuned. I’m genuinely curious to see what she brings to the table next—especially with the couple hinted at for her follow-up story. even so I'm really curios about Austin adn Evie...

If you’re looking for a smut-forward small-town MMF romance with country charm, found-family warmth, well-handled BDSM elements, and a trio whose chemistry could set a honky-tonk on fire, then you’re in for a treat.

All in all, Cactus Heart delivers exactly what it promises: a fast-paced, fun, emotionally soft yet unapologetically steamy MMF romance. It celebrates love in all its forms—messy and fiery, chaotic and tender, bold and deeply caring. Even with a few pacing hiccups, the heart (and the heat) kept me turning the pages with ease.

Thanks to Grey’s Promotions for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle Strona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why not fall in love with three kinky main characters who aren’t afraid to get a little freaky? I mean…. it is the name of the town, after all ;)

The story follows Avery, who moved to the quirky town of Whynot two years ago. Her days have fallen into a predictable rhythm until she finds herself unexpectedly reunited with her brother’s best friends. From the moment she runs into Matro and Levi, it’s obvious there’s something electric simmering between all three. The only catch? They’re her brother’s best friends, and he’s made one thing very clear: Avery is off-limits. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the spark that’s pulling them closer.

I absolutely loved the connection between Avery, Levi, and Mateo. Their dynamic just works! The communication between them is fantastic, an essential part of any relationship, but especially one with multiple partners. No one is left out, no one feels like an afterthought, and each of them brings something uniquely beautiful to their relationship. I also loved how they helped one another heal from their individual trauma. Opening up like that isn’t easy, and it shows just how deeply they care for one another. And yes.. There is plenty of spice, which I loved! The tension between them is so intense you can practically feel it coming off the page.

Overall, this was an incredibly sweet, fun, and deliciously steamy story, and I can’t recommend it enough!

[Ashleigh (ash_and_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: dom/sub dynamics, mentions of domestic abuse, mentions of death of parent(past), grief/loss, strained family relationships, alcohol consumption, depression, blood,

Tropes: brother's best friend, mmf polyam, small town romance, found family, hurt/comfort, age gap (10 years), i see the way they look at you, good boy, good girl,

Rep: queer mid-plus size MC, bi MC, Mexican bi MC (Mateo), mmf polyam, bi SCs (Austin, Dallas), sapphic SC (Robin),

Nicknames: Blue, mi cielo, Minnesota,

Give me all the queer polyam small town romances now.

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has only just been announced and I’m already obsessed 💁🏼‍♀️

[Neat Sparkles · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best part of this was the character art at the very end. Very cute.

Other than that I almost DNF’d but I pushed through and had to skim to the end. It was just not it.

[Maria P · Rating 4 out of 5]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A comforting why-choose romance perfect for readers looking for men who yearn, smut that just keeps giving, and a small-town community that inspires escapism!

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.5 ⭐
4 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"I could never tell you I don't want you, Avery."

"Mateo," she whispered. "Is this how you've been looking at me?"
I nodded. "Every time you're lookin' the other way."

"Give me two more minutes."
"I'll give you the rest of my life."

"Baby, if you say one more thing about being an idiot, I'm gonna have to give your mouth something to do so you don't talk negatively about yourself."

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
A woman returns to her small Texas hometown and finds her quiet life upended when her brother’s two best friends - rugged Levi and sweet Mateo - reenter her world, tempting her with off‑limits desire she shouldn’t want.

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
3️⃣ Why Choose?
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Brother's Best Friends
💞 Friends to Lovers
❌ Forbidden Love
🫶 Found Family
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/Comfort
🏘️ Small Town
💜 Bi Rep

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🌶️ Sexually Explicit Content (including kink)
🪦 Parental Grief
💥 Family Conflict
🥊 Mention of Domestic Abuse

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Comfort Read
+ Creative Escapism
+ Wholesome Yearning
+ Thoughtful Poly Relationship
+ All the Smut
+ Strong Chemistry

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- "Milking" overused in Spicy Scenes
- Uneven Pacing
- Insta-Love
- Resolutions felt rushed

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I stepped into this world as a means of moving away from a darker read, and this was exactly what I needed! It was easy to pick up and the romance was quick to pull me in.

I loved reading about more creatively-minded main characters - Avery is a painter and Levi loves photography. It really added to the escapism draw for this book. Then add to it Levi taking 6 weeks off work, Avery's job in an art studio, and Mateo getting to rescue cats from trees and I wanted to be each of them.

The obliviousness between Mateo and Avery's long-term friendship was really sweet, and extremely funny how everyone else saw it, even Levi who'd only just returned to town. As a result, I enjoyed how their poly dynamic fit together with Levi feeling like the extra in their relationship and working past that insecurity.

Now the spice... this was the spiciest book I'd read in a while! There were lots of smutty scenes sprinkled throughout the book that continued to grow in intensity too. I liked that we got to see each of the 3 with each other as pairs as well as the eventual group of them together. Most of it ticked all my boxes, but the author used the term "milking" in almost every scene and the word's a bit of an ick for me.

Also, while there is a story, it's not very evenly paced. The romance is a bit too close to insta-love for my taste (likely a product of the friends to lovers trope), and as a result a lot of the romance happens at the first half of the book while any story comes right in during the last third. Also, I wasn't a fan of the small future snippets as the epilogue which make the time jump even quicker.

Despite this, I still really enjoyed the book. I flew through the pages and the spice really kept my attention. Avery, Levi, and Mateo have a really sensual and sweet dynamic that's hard to put down!

[Jayce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️/5
3.5🌶️/5


**ARC Review**

Clio Evans has me in a chokehold. I flew through this book so quickly. If you liked the Citrus Cove series, but wanted more rom-com than romantic suspense, this is the series for you.

Levi is the first character we meet. He's been a professional hockey player, and in a fit announced he's not playing next year. In order to escape the media storm, and his responsibilities, he sneaks down to the small Texas town he spent his summers in as a child. His best friend still lives there, and he's hoping the time away will help his body heal and his mind on straight.

Avery is the little sister of Levi's best friend. She had a huge crush on Levi when she was a teen, but her pining lately has been for her best friend Mateo, another close friend of her brother's. She and Mateo have been strictly friends for years now. She's convinced that nothing will change. But when Levi shows up and those old sparks are there, it forces Avery and Mateo to acknowledge their feelings for each other.

Mateo is the fire chief in this small town. He moved to Whynot, the name of the town, a few years ago to be near his grandmother and cousin. His best friend has made it very clear that his little sister is off limits, and he's respected that rule. Even though he's pining. When Levi shows up, Mateo's drawn to him. The chemistry he feels for Levi mirrors what he feels for Avery. What does he want? Both of them.

This is not a coming out story in any way. Both Mateo and Levi know they are queer. They've had relations or relationships with men as well as women. All three of them know they are kinky. Avery has the least experience, but does not lack for knowledge. The kink we get is well communicated. Is hot as hell. I wish we saw more negotiations of scenes, but the limit talk we get is A+.

This is a secret dating/hookup story. Levi needs to figure out what he's doing with his life. Avery is still struggling with her grief from her father's death, and her terrible relationship with her mother. Mateo seems to be the most solid of the group. Which works well for him as the Dom.

There's more coming from this series. So don't worry if this leaves you wanting more.

[Kass]

Cactus Heart is book one in the Whynot series and is the story of Levi, Mateo and Avery. This is a why choose, brother's best friend, small town, MMF romance.

After returning to her hometown of Whynot following her explosive breakup, Avery is met with over protective brothers who refuse to see her as an adult and chase off any man looking to date her. That has not stopped Avery from having a crush on her brother's best friend Matteo, but he has always said they were just friends.

For two years Mateo has been in love with Avery but as his best friend's little sister, she is off limits, or is she? When Levi, his friend's other best friend comes back to town and shows interest in Avery, maybe this is the time to tell her how he feels about her. But as Mateo and Avery spend time with Levi, both realize they want him too but have to keep seeing one another a secret from Avery's overprotective brothers.

There is so much connection and chemistry in this book between Mateo, Avery and Levi. What starts out as attraction quickly evolves into deep feelings and longing. The BDSM dynamics are well written and each role is handled clearly and with respect. The angst of Levi's decision is palpable and you feel for all of the characters and how they handled their secret being spilled. I enjoyed how Avery's brothers both apologized for their part in the fall out of the relationship exposure and how Avery's mom was able to get herself help and be there for Avery when she needed her. There were a lot of emotional moments that made for a well rounded story. The spice was spicing and was hot!

If you are looking for a small town romance full of emotions, longing, pining and finding the people you are meant to be with in life with spice and hilarious banter, this is the book for you. I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving an honest review as a show of my appreciation.