Thorn Kiss

Whynot #2

by Clio Evans

Book 2 in Whynot! Blurb coming soon

Genres: Why Choose, Romance, Queer, Polyamory

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

Reviews

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm]

My review will follow soon.

[Shannai · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

Totally not bawling my eyes out over their ending, how dare Clio trump cactus heart with this! 😩😭😭

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a fast paced, sweet and spicy, small town, friends-to-lovers plus one, ménage a trois, contemporary romance between Dallas, the male dominant mechanic lead, his little sister’s best friend and the female submissive town florist lead, June, plus Madi, the female switch animator lead who has come to town for an artist-in-residence program. I empathised with the historical trauma carried by all characters, noting that they were all family related and yet still unique. I appreciated the realism of the characters still needing support with their struggles at the end of the story. I enjoyed Madi’s enthusiasm and her joy in engaging differently with June and Dallas. I adored Dallas’ steadfastness, and his self awareness of his devotion. I enjoyed his willingness to reach out for love. I also enjoyed the contrast between his quiet public persona and the confident private dominance. I enjoyed June’s compassion for her family, and her self-sacrifice, though I was glad to see her begin to make choices for herself. I enjoyed the spicy intimate scenes, though there’s a couple that I was hoping/expecting to see that the author hasn’t included. I enjoyed the supportive family/friend/townspeople, and the cameos from characters in the first story.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why not let love bloom in the desert?

This trio was genuinely adorable. A nerdy, romance-loving mechanic, a talented animator, and a florist shouldn’t work on paper—but somehow they blend together beautifully. Their connection feels natural, passionate, and full of heart.

One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be the found family vibes. The struggles feel real, but the love and support surrounding these characters is unwavering. The girl gang (June, Evie, and Avery) is absolutely enviable, and I loved catching glimpses of familiar faces like Levi, Matteo, and Avery along the way.

The side characters shine just as brightly. Mrs. Carlson’s ongoing feud with Dallas over his romance novels had me laughing, and June’s sweet (and incredibly observant) niece Laura was such a charming addition.

This story balances tension, vulnerability, fear of love, and raw desire so well. It’s heartfelt, spicy, and comforting all at once. And those subtle hints toward book three have me very curious about what’s coming next.

[Julia Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clio Evans has done it yet again!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

First off thank you to Grey’s Promotions and Clio Evans for the opportunity to read this ARC early! After reading book one, Cactus Heart, I knew I would want to come back for more WhyNot!

Usually I am not a fan of FFM romance but this one was absolutely delicious!! 😍😍😍

Small town romance
Why choose
FFM romance
CNC
Primal play
The list just goes on!

Madi, June, & Dallas are absolutely adorable together!! Madi is an animator recently fired from her “dream job” and she gets offered a six week job in the small town of WhyNot Texas where she meets June & Dallas!

June is a pink haired, spit fire whose runs the only flower shop in town & Dallas WhyNot is the mechanic for the town!

You meet June & Dallas as side characters in book one but get up close & personal with them in this one!!

Needless to say, ANYTHING written by Clio Evans, I will be reading!! 😍😍😍

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEWER***
I would give this 20 more stars if I could. I love this series so much. I relate to June a ton in the older sister who doesn’t ask for help category. It’s like Clio reached into my brain and grabbed some of my perfect relationship wants. How dare you!

This book is so wonderful showing the strength of all kinds of situations and coming together. Getting out of a bad partner relationship empowerment, open communication and not giving up on someone will always have me sat for a book.

Im so excited to see the next book but I truly think that this one will be my favorite of this trilogy. There is spice and it is good but there are also emotions. There’s always a character in whynot that you will resonate with im fairly sure of it.

Read this and see Madi, June and Dallas’s story. If you like poly relationship book this one is really good in my personal opinion.

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5…Another spicy page turner in this fun series. Madi has just lost both her boyfriend and her job…now what?!? She takes an unexpected artist residency in a small town in Texas…where everything changes for her. June is the local florist who helps take care of her niece. Dallas and his family are a part of the town legacy…they might even share a name. Three people who are attracted to each other. Three people who want to take care of each other…in so many ways. This is a well layered read with a lot going on. With characters that have incredible background stories. These characters are telling a story about family, falling hard when you least expect it and everything in between. I am Really enjoying this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Britt (bookishmombritt) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These three were a smutty good time with a side of emotions. Dallas Whynot is the perfect book boyfriend who reads, communicates properly and has a fun kinky side. He has been down so bad for June, his sister's best friend for years. Poor June has had a rough upbringing with a horrible mom and feels like she is unlovable and even tho she has big feelings for Dallas also she doesn't allow herself to fully give into them. When Madi shows up in town and is immediately drawn to both of them she acts like a medium to help Dallas and June finally gives into their feelings. The spice was 🔥🔥 and the banter was fantastic, I laughed so many times. I love this little town of Whynot and all of it's funny residents. I am so excited to continue with Austin, Evie and some new characters next.

[Sarah Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Another beautiful story set in the town of Whynot 💘 Dallas, June, and Madi’s story was sooo hot and at the same time so tender. Dallas and Madi showing June that she can be loved and not giving up on her until she understood it herself was so lovely. Madi’s experience with loneliness and felling like you hadn’t found your people yet really spoke to me. It was both difficult and a relief to be seen like this through her. I just wanted to give her the strongest hug, because that used to be me at one point until I found my community.

Thank you so much to Grey’s Promotions and Clio Evans for this ARC. All opinions are my own!

[readbyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
4🌶️
Yummm… just yummm.

I love a good throuple, but an FFM throuple always hits different. Add in a new girl in town, your best friend’s brother, and then sprinkle in primal play, a breeding kink, and the phrase “use me”? Yeah… I was done for.

This story was the perfect mix of sassy, vulnerable, and absolutely scorching hot. Emotional tension, delicious taboo energy, and chemistry that practically jumps off the page. Thorn Kiss did not come to play — it came to ruin me in the best way possible. 🖤🔥

[Nayja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I loved the “But Justin and Veronica can suck the tip of my imaginary d!ck” LIKE YESSSS GIRLIEEEEEEE!! i loved how each character fit each other but still had their own individuality. It was like each character was the same person, but severely different. So their character development overtime was impeccable. TOP TIER SPICY SCENES!! As a fruity little bisexual I love when a FF spicy scene gives EVERYTHING you need and more but even the FFM scene and the FM scene was giving!!! overall a great book!!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im not sure if it would be far for me to rate this… let me start by saying the characters and story were well written and you do feel like they should be together. To be fair, it’s a me problem. It’s my first time reading bdsm and it wasn’t for me. I also skimmed through June’s dialogue and chapter because she’s bratty and the way she views relationships is very similar to how I am.. it’s real. it’s something ive been avoiding and not working on so it wasn’t something i wanted to read about.

I was also low key disappointed that they ignored Madi and didn’t ask her to homecoming…

[Bookishbecs.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes another great book by Clio Evans.

The town of Whynot is full of new adventures and blooming love for this tight knit group of friends.

I love that this series continues to be about the Whynot siblings finding their special someone’s. This book had great depth as each person not only discovers themselves but each other.

He chases them down…yes please! Dallas is the perfect match for Madi and June (in every sense 🔥🥵)

I’m excited to see what’s in store for book 3 - my hope, Austin, Evie and Dr. Jacobs 🥰

[Cope Durfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Clio Evans and team for the ARC. I connected so much with June, we have alot of the same trauma having narcissistic mothers. Every single character was relatable and felt like a life long friend. I loved Dallas and his alpha personality. Madi and June were great. I usually dont reach for FFM why choose romances but this one was hot. The spice was 🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶 but it didnt drown out the plot. Over all great story and can wait for the next one.

[Bookgeekinscrubs · Rating 4 out of 5]

i hardly read FFM romance, cos i’m weird but i was so intrigued by the story, so i request the ARC. And yes, I’m glad I did cos this story by Clio Evans was so addicting & sweet! Finished on a friday night coz who needs a night out~ I rather hang out with June, Madi & Dallas, they just fits, and combustible together🌶️🌶️. THAT EPILOGUE, 🧡 it so much! Thanks for the arc Greys’s promotion, for introducing me Clio Evans & giving me to delve on FFM romance!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there ever was a town to visit, I’d love to see Whynot. The residents are a hoot and band together to help each other out. Lil ole Junebug has been mistreated and taken advantage of by her careless family for too long. If anyone deserved a happy ever after, it was her.

I read and reviewed a copy of this book.

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️Small Town Romance
❤️Found Family
❤️FFM Romance

Dallas, June and Madi 😍 Their Romance was incredible, the flirty banter is always a win. The way each of them are so different yet so well suited was such a fun read.

Clio Evans has never failed to make me fall in love with the characters and stories, I cannot wait to go back to whynot and read more about the town.

[Ahren McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clio does it again! This story is heavy but hopeful. Spicy and funny, of course. Excellent follow up to Cactus Heart. Excited to read book three!