AWAKENING: A Winston Hills Novel

by C.M. Barnes

Love doesn’t always come in twos. Sometimes, it comes with a choice—or a chance to rewrite the rules.

Ajaih Jeffries is a 42-year-old Air Force veteran with battle scars you can’t always see. After years of unraveling generational pain and rediscovering her voice, she’s found refuge and pleasure in the arms of a loving, affirming polycule. But when a deeply buried trauma resurfaces, Ajaih finds herself in the emergency room, breathless and spiraling… until she locks eyes with the nurse who helps steady her world with nothing more than a quiet touch and a look that lingers.

Maverick “Blue” Carter has everything he thought he a solid career at Winston Hills Memorial, a carefully guarded heart, and a complicated but electric on-and-off love affair with Knox—his oldest friend and sometimes more. But when Ajaih Jeffries is wheeled into his ER, fierce and fragile all at once, everything shifts. Her freckled skin. Her strength. Her story. Blue isn’t sure what it means—only that he can’t stop wanting her.

Now, desire tangles with devotion, and Ajaih and Maverick must confront what love really looks like when it doesn’t fit neatly into monogamous lines. Can Maverick navigate the gravitational pull between two people who hold his heart in different ways? And can Ajaih trust herself to love fully, without losing what she's built?

“AWAKENING” is a sensual, soul-baring erotic romance about healing, queerness, and the courage it takes to love outside the lines.

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Spicy, LGBT, Erotica, M M Romance, Smut

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

Reviews

[Melise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one THANK YOU lmao another freaky book with some heart warming moments with a lot of love and passion sprinkled in. This one was a little deeper than the first but a great time nonetheless don’t come in expecting deep detailed plot heavy story telling but for what it is the story telling and the issues addressed are handled really well

[Taija Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵

Baby i did NOT want this book to end!!! The spice was BEYOND my expectations!! Maverick and Knox were….WHEW!! The whole polycule had me clutching my pearls! The way everyone loved on each other with no judgement, full honesty, and thorough communication, i was in love too! They were all super successful, black, and productive in their lives. They lifted each other up and supported each other through their traumas and the focus on mental health was so strong!! I can’t wait for book 3! And this series will definitely be a reread in the near future.

[Victoria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Beautiful!!

I fully believe the Author is Yanna.. She don turned all us into her subs begging, “Mistress can you please release the 3rd book now.”🥵🥵

🌶️ 🌶️ Spicy level 10 out of 10 will recommend with you and your friends

Seriously I love the way the story is written the way the families heal is beautiful in itself.

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh not bad

[Tonya Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ This book was beautifully written. It shows relationships in a different way. No judgement and self awareness. Exploring and accepting your true self unapologetically.

Ha and Mav through support encouragement and counseling they were able to love and not hide. Their circle was so supportive and was there them no matter what. They let them develop and accept themselves at their own pace.

Very spicy but there is a story and lesson. Can’t wait to read book 3

[Myoshia A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 stars only because I liked it in the beginning But they were a lil too “fucky fucky” after a certain point lmaooo like yeah I know I know… and I love spice as much as the next person.. I read the first one and ate it UP but for some reason with this one I was like……. “It gets to a point” 😭😂


Anyways— read the book, enjoy. Just know. They not really doing that much talking lmao

[BookTalesTink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knox/Maverick/Ajaih

Oh baby they freaky freaky!!! Whole family freaked out! Whole family getting put through the ocean floor. If they did nothing else they was freaking, eating, and traveling lol

[Simmerin · Rating 1 out of 5]

If SMUT is all you’re searching for…

Just like the first book in this series, I was drawn in, mostly to learn more about the FMC introduced in book one. The backstories at the start of the book are intriguing but left with no depth. I know it’s erotica and the spice level is high. But the trauma and resolutions feel thrown in for a little razzle dazzle. The overly descriptive meals and outfits feel like the AI generated books on wattpad. It gets to a point, halfway through even I was over the spice and found myself skimming the scenes because they were redundant. I finished because it’s hard for me to DNF a book but I will not finish the series. As always, read it for yourself!

[Val but you can call me Shug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this tooooo much.

Feed my soul before you feed my body. That what these characters did for each other. I love a good story where a triad finds their grove

[BarbieTheeReader🎀🫦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

"But with you two, I'm soft, I'm home, I'm free, and most importantly, I'm awakened."
"You stood in your truth, claimed your power, and never let it go."

Wow! This series is filled with solid reads! I have enjoyed reading this series, and I absolutely enjoyed this as well. Ajaih peaked my interest in the first book of this series, and I just knew I was going to love her character even more. Her hesitancy and shy demeanor in the beginning of this story to the end where she has blossomed into an outspoken and confident person was so beautiful to read. I really enjoy the way the author expanded on Ajaih's character, and provided her background in a soft way like her character is. It honestly brought the story together, and it made sense that Maverick and Knox were the perfect characters that meshed well with Ajaih. I think the author did a wonderful job making the reader connect and understand the three of them individually and as a throuple as well. This story is very fleshed out, and is extremely a very good spicyyyy time. I think this author truly has mastered the craft of establishing characters that are fleshed out, and overcoming serious experiences that they are experiencing, such as familial tense relationships, grief, therapy, going against the norm, change, taking a chance later in life, and going against the "norm" regarding their relationships. I love the outpour of love and safe spaces the characters in this story have, when it comes to their intimacy in conversations, a look of intense passion, physical touch, emotional awareness, and more it all just meshes so well and I love how anything they do, there is support no matter what. Gosh this was so good!

[TheTBRWhisperer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read this book thinking this is just people in "group projects" humping each other- you have missed the point.

Now, you can say you don't like it because it is spicy AF but the author has made this story so much more deeper than sex.

Maverick and Knox, I loved them...then add Ajaih- absolutely beautiful.

The way the author is very intentional about communication and expressing emotions-top tier.

While this book centers those discussions around sex- this is still a necessity in life that most adults don't have. Not just sexually but in general living.

I absolutely love this series and love how the author incorporates their job experience into the story. Reading her work and then reading her bio- I can see now how the author correlates the two.

She is building a beautiful story from very unusual parts/people and I have been enjoying the journey.

Highly recommend this read but remember it is an erotica BUT there is so much more depth to the story.

[Shena The Homegirl Healer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was spicy af, just like its predecessor! The story was really good and I love the resolutions of the main characters’ family dynamics. My only critique is that I found the emotional banter among the polycule to be too perfect and kinda cringey. For example, and this is probably just me, but I did not want to hear them giving each other positive affirmations while engaging in a three or four way fuck lol. That does not detract from the story, tho. I actually loved the dynamics of the various relationships in the polycule in spite of my feelings about the over the top emotional banter between them. I can’t wait to listen to books 3 and 4 in the series!

[Arii Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

that was alot😭

[BookedandBusy831 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finally found it! The exact kind of story I’ve been craving. I just finished Enigma and Awakening, and I am absolutely in love—with the author, with her writing, with her mind. This is the perfect blend of spice, emotion, and depth. 🔥

The characters? Electric. The chemistry? Off the charts. The storytelling? Addictive. I need more books like this in my life—and please, can we get some audiobooks too? I want to be fully immersed in this kind of expressive, passionate writing.

Story & Engagement: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Chemistry & Heat: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice & Realness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Highly recommend if you’re looking for something bold, beautifully written, and unforgettable. Keep them coming, please!

[Norell Alesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew going into this that it was erotica. I also read the previous book in the series so I knew what I was getting into. BUT, I do wish there was more plot to this. Nothing like twists and turns, just more development of the relationship between the three main leads. The connection between the three was instant, but I could’ve used more scenes of them falling in love with each other, and less of opening of the relationship to others. Not that I had a problem with the exploration of their open polycule, there just needed to be more of just the three of them together, grounding that relationship before we got to them opening it up.

[Rozlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.M Barnes knows how to write a spicy book!! Talk about freaky!!!!

The audiobook definitely made it better 3.5 ⭐️

[Brisace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, the title is exactly what happened to me. Y’all know I love a good MM romance, but adding Ajaih into the mix was the perfect balance. C.M. Barnes did her big one with this, and whew… the way these three move around each other feels grown, tender, and intentional in all the right ways.

This story explores love outside the lines without shame or hesitation. It’s about choice, queerness, and the bravery it takes to hold space for more than one truth at a time. Their connection is slow, intimate, and charged, the kind of pull that feels like recognition before chemistry.

A beautifully layered look at healing, desire, and loving with your whole chest, even when the shape of that love doesn’t fit the norm.

[Nina Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Awakening by C.M. Barnes. The story showed strong growth, especially in how the characters evolved emotionally and in their relationships. Their journeys felt layered and intentional. And whew—the sex scenes definitely brought the heat. They were exciting, charged with chemistry, and added a delicious tension that made it hard to put the book down. The mix of character development and passion made this a fun, engaging, and satisfying read.

[Shawndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I’m talmbout INNNNNNNIIIITTTTTTTT! Baby the spice be SPICING! But what I love the most about CM Barnes’ work is how intentional she writes the love stories. Polyamorous relationships have many different dynamics & I love how all possibilities of love are being written in this series. You did that my girl

[Baylee Bolden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Ms. Barnes come to the front to receive your flowers. You did your big one yet again I loved book one Enigma and I loved Awakening as well the spice was whew 🥵💦🌶️I also appreciated the character development with the FMC Ajaih she’s definitely my new favorite FMC. I also loved how everyone really made an effort to be better and working through their trauma.

[Cardi Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m Ready!

Book 3 needs to drop asap. I’m glad everybody worked thru their trauma. Yanna really is everybody’s mistress. She is not playing. I love the dynamics of Knox, Maverick & JaJa

[Sol Luna The Book Heaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok so the spice level is 10/10 but it was just toooo much for me. I tried lmao i really did. Enigma was already a lot but these folks DO NOT TALK 😩. No conversation about nothing 😩 it felt like there were a lot of plot holes

[Cheonica Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5⭐️ This book this book! It’s not just hot it’s slow burning, soul snatching heat that creeps up on you and then refuses to let go. It's definitely put the book down and fan yourself territory.

From the moment Ajaih and Maverick lock eyes, you can feel it. Not just attraction but recognition. The kind that makes you pause and wonder how someone you’ve never met feels so familiar. That connection wasn’t surface level, it was spiritual. The kind that wraps around you, tight and unexplainable, and suddenly there’s no going back to who you were before that moment.

Ajaih is strength wrapped in softness. She’s done the work, faced her pain and built a life that allows her to be fully seen and fully loved. Even with all that growth, when her past resurfaces, you see just how deep those scars go. The way Maverick steps in on the height of a panic attack is grounding. He's not forceful, not overwhelming just present, steady, intentional. You're here and you're safe. That man didn’t just see her, he felt her.

Now let’s talk about Maverick and Knox because baby, that connection right there already had layers. History, distance, love that never really found a box to sit in but strong in its own way. So when Ajaih enters the picture, it doesn’t break anything it stretches it. Expands it. Challenges everything they thought love was supposed to look like. Questions whether Maverick's heart can hold space for them both. That’s what makes this story hit different.

This isn’t just about desire, even though the chemistry is loud, undeniable and stays simmering on high. This is about freedom. About choosing love that feels right instead of love that looks right. About being brave enough to exist outside of rules that were never designed for everyone.

What they built together 🤎 It felt like home. No judgment. No hesitation. Just acceptance, understanding, and a love big enough to hold all of them without making anyone smaller.

Knox yeah, he snuck up on me. His vulnerability wasn’t loud but it was deep. That quiet fear of losing his place, of being replaced, of loving and still risking heartbreak that was real. Instead of letting it harden him, he opened up. He asked for a picture and had faith in what they built over the years. That right there 🫶🏾 That’s what made the love feel earned. His trust in the love he has for Maverick opened up the opportunity for him to be loved without conditions from some beautiful souls.

By the end, it’s clear this isn’t just passion. It’s alignment. It’s trust. It’s choosing each other fully, without shrinking, without apology. The Carter-Fairfax trio they didn’t just rewrite the rules. They burned the whole book and built something better.

[She Reads What She Wants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, listen… yes, this one is just as spicy, if not a little spicier than Enigma...but if you actually slow down and read, you’ll see that the heat is only part of what makes this story special. At its core, this book is about stepping into your light, choosing yourself, and loving out loud without apology. No shrinking. No hiding. Just being.

Ajaih truly came into her own in this installment. In Book 1, she was given the space to explore who she was and what she wanted. But in Awakening? Baby, she flourished. And she just so happened to do it alongside two beautiful men who already shared a deep, complicated love long before she entered the picture.

Maverick is such an interesting character. He had spent his entire life believing he was gay, deeply in love with Knox, his on-again, off-again (but mostly on) partner. And yet… here comes Ajaih, shaking up everything he thought he knew about himself and what his future could look like. The questions this book wrestles with were so real:

Can he love Knox fully and still have space for Ajaih?
Can all three of them build a life together?
Or will love force them to choose separate paths?

The emotional tension in this story was just as strong as the physical chemistry. Yes, it’s spicy we’ve already covered that, but if you dig beneath the surface, you’ll find a story about identity, freedom, vulnerability, and redefining what love is allowed to look like.

This book is bold, beautiful, and unapologetic in the best way. Don’t just read it for the heat, read it for the heart too.

[Quiana Willett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mannnnnn EVERYONE IS FREAKED OUT 😭😭
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I like the second book of this series more than the first. I feel like it was a better storyline and it intertwined well throughout this book. One thing that I love what the author does is advocate for therapy. Idk I feel like many people in the black community are against it so it was wonderful reading about the characters going to group and family therapy to heal.

Idk what’s up with my genre of reading but poly relationships are interesting to read, while confusing. I understand that there are people who walk that way of life and it interesting to read how that dynamic may work in the real world, I just can’t get over mg SO fucking someone else but hey, to each their own!!

Ajajh, I really liked her story line, a girl who didn’t know how to love or be free in her own skin was shown by others how to do just that. But my girl is overly freaked out. Wanting to peg her husband really did it for me 😂

Knox and Maverick I liked their dynamic and story as well. I was happy to see Maverick heal the trauma he had with his father, because his father accepted his fault and wanted to be in his life.

I think the only thing that was insane to me was eveyone being so accepting of their poly relationships. Not to say they shouldn’t be but ikkkk in the real world it would throw people just a little lol.

[Jenae · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up I decided to DNF but still call a win a win after forcing myself to read 78%. The books isn’t bad, but it isn’t quite sure of its identity and it took me 10 DAYS to get to this point. Erotica is the plot point however imo this is a romance book that thinks it’s erotica. I’m no stranger to insta love/lust but when you throw in this overly flowery and romantic language for characters who don’t know each other and we don’t know aside from their accomplishments it’s hard to create an emotional attachment to their struggles and love. Because baby the way I forgot all about both sets of shitty parents (which I think the book handles strangely but whatever) and it just pops back up. If it was going to be as long as it was it would have benefited better either being straight erotica or a romance. And I know CM Barnes can write fire romance because Concrete and Candence is a great book. But this really got to a point and that was right at the half way point like everyone and they mama (literally) fucking and you want me to care that this man’s daddy is dying or this ladies sister needs bone marrow…I don’t

[AudiobookGirly89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall rating 5⭐
Spice 10🌶️
Narration 5⭐
Narrated by Winston James and Teri Taylor

So let me say I really enjoyed this book a lot now I usually don't do MM romance even though it was a why choose and yes Ajaih is a major part in this book she is the FMC of course but Maverick and Knox I really like their relationship a lot and Ajaih fit with them so perfect. For the people that say this series don't have any plot well this book focuses on our main character's relationship with their parents. With Ajaih her mom left when she was a baby and that effected her a lot and it rolled over into her adult life and then we have Maverick who's dad that didn't accept him because he was gay. Now there is a lot of hunching lots of it but if you read or listen to the first book then you already know it was going to be you wouldn't expect anything less Trei and Winston did a great job with the narration when I tell you Winston James moaning and groaning gave me life I loved it definitely can't wait for book 3.

[Coniqueluv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

This was so well done. The love, the honesty and acceptance was beautiful. I love it when did men are not afraid to be around queer men. When men just see them as who they are.. Men as well. This is so freaking HOT 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶😜😜😜 Definitely, a no hander. Put the kindle on a stand and get your favorite toy cuz you're gonna need it 😂😂😂😂. If you are not a fan of MM. Then just don't read it. You are definitely missing out on some fire reads tho. I love it when couples can be honest about what they enjoy in the bedroom. No fear of judgement. That's the best intimacy. Better connection... Just AMAZING. Women n Men should feel comfortable being who they are and honest about what they enjoy. BEAUTIFUL

[Jite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it as a sequel…

I probably would have been ambivalent about this if I had started with this book but as a sequel to Enigma, it’s great to see Ajaih come into her own and find happiness. Once again this is erotica of the polyamorous ethical non-monogamy variety so it won’t be for everyone but the underlying story of people finding love in unconventional ways and the healing power of love kind of makes this a universal story. This also does a better job than Enigma building a cohesive narrative around the main throuple (Ajaih, Maverick and Knox) even if they’re otherwise really outside getting it in. I think this author writes really interesting stories that are compelling enough that you are interested in the characters and their stories.

[TeetheGem · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Awakening, I resonated with Ajaih’s character so much. It was if parts of her life/personality mirrors my own. This was my first MMF romance/erotica novel and it was so well written. The complexities of both Maverick and Knox. Them being fine af was an added bonus! I had the opportunity to see/hear C.M. Barnes speak at her first book signing (plus got Enigma and Awakening signed) back in August. She mentioned how she’s writing queer focused erotica because they deserve to have their stories told in such a beautiful way, not to be loved in secret but to be loved out loud! I couldn’t agree with her more!