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The Single Life: a MM+ Why Choose Romance
Where do you turn when the place you called home isn’t safe anymore?
My first gay relationship is now my first heartbreak. I didn’t think I was the sort of person who hides from his problems, but when I stumble into a chance to disappear—to escape my past and my ex and live the crazy single life I’ve only fantasized about—I take it.
Even if it means keeping a secret from everyone that matters to me. A great big secret that could mess up everything between me and my best friend, and all these men I’m starting to care about too much, who welcomed me into their home and into their lives.
A secret that could ruin me.
Too many hearts, too many ways to break them. Too many people who deserve the truth, and not enough of me to go around. Too much to hope that I can have it all, this love I don’t deserve, when every day I live here is a lie.
A MM+ Why Choose for lovers of savage queens, short kings, showing off, and sacrifice
My first gay relationship is now my first heartbreak. I didn’t think I was the sort of person who hides from his problems, but when I stumble into a chance to disappear—to escape my past and my ex and live the crazy single life I’ve only fantasized about—I take it.
Even if it means keeping a secret from everyone that matters to me. A great big secret that could mess up everything between me and my best friend, and all these men I’m starting to care about too much, who welcomed me into their home and into their lives.
A secret that could ruin me.
Too many hearts, too many ways to break them. Too many people who deserve the truth, and not enough of me to go around. Too much to hope that I can have it all, this love I don’t deserve, when every day I live here is a lie.
A MM+ Why Choose for lovers of savage queens, short kings, showing off, and sacrifice
314 pages, ebook
Published December 1, 2025
About the author
Will Forrest
25 books22 followersAuthor, blogger, and general nuisance Will Forrest writes unusual (and usually queer) Historical and Paranormal Romances with a dash of mischief and mayhem, and grew up on a steady diet of Douglas Adams and classic 90s bodice rippers.
Will has a diploma of fashion design, a degree in social theory, and a bad habit of changing careers, life goals, and continents. Currently they live in a very warm part of Canada with three lovely humans and a succession of martyred houseplants.
Will has a diploma of fashion design, a degree in social theory, and a bad habit of changing careers, life goals, and continents. Currently they live in a very warm part of Canada with three lovely humans and a succession of martyred houseplants.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 1, 2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So many fascinating characters leap from the pages of ‘The Single Life’, it was difficult at times for me to keep track of who was who, and what were they to each other, who lived with who. The whole vibe/story actually covers the lives of perhaps ten people at various points on the LGBTIQA+ spectrum. Most of them live in the same building owned by the wonderful Hiro who rents out Apartments to Marc and Caleb, Asha and Austin. Also lets rooms to guys who are in dire need of help. There are two other characters Soren and Ethan, who are very important parts of this story. Like two magnets that draw all the others into their individual lives following an extremely raunchy party in the basement of Hiro’s building.
Ethan has finally run away from the obnoxious older man David and has nowhere to go. His best friend Soren is going to Hiro’s party and Ethan eventually agrees to go along, though not very enthusiastically. This party opens up a completely different world to Ethan, one that he takes to very easily and inadvertently gets him in legal trouble the way he went about it. Unfortunately his horrible Ex, isn’t happy that Ethan left him and has people on his trail too.
I received an ARC of ‘The Single Life’ via the author who I’ve wanted to read for some time. I’ve never read anything involving so many characters who are all so open about their sexual identity, and sharing among so many others, all consenting adults. Soren is the one I still haven’t figured out where he places himself on the LGBTIQA spectrum.
The most important part of all was how hurt and uncertain each of the individuals were following their early lives and how it impacted how they are as adults. Many of them are struggling to be accepted by the people that have taken a place in their hearts but are afraid to say anything, others are just waking up and realising who and what they really, really want.
I really liked all of the several MC’s here and the storyline surrounding them. As I’ve mostly read MM books based around two MC’s in a relationship, I think I need to read more about the 'why choose’ trope and also to get a better handle on all those other letters ++ on the spectrum.
So many fascinating characters leap from the pages of ‘The Single Life’, it was difficult at times for me to keep track of who was who, and what were they to each other, who lived with who. The whole vibe/story actually covers the lives of perhaps ten people at various points on the LGBTIQA+ spectrum. Most of them live in the same building owned by the wonderful Hiro who rents out Apartments to Marc and Caleb, Asha and Austin. Also lets rooms to guys who are in dire need of help. There are two other characters Soren and Ethan, who are very important parts of this story. Like two magnets that draw all the others into their individual lives following an extremely raunchy party in the basement of Hiro’s building.
Ethan has finally run away from the obnoxious older man David and has nowhere to go. His best friend Soren is going to Hiro’s party and Ethan eventually agrees to go along, though not very enthusiastically. This party opens up a completely different world to Ethan, one that he takes to very easily and inadvertently gets him in legal trouble the way he went about it. Unfortunately his horrible Ex, isn’t happy that Ethan left him and has people on his trail too.
I received an ARC of ‘The Single Life’ via the author who I’ve wanted to read for some time. I’ve never read anything involving so many characters who are all so open about their sexual identity, and sharing among so many others, all consenting adults. Soren is the one I still haven’t figured out where he places himself on the LGBTIQA spectrum.
The most important part of all was how hurt and uncertain each of the individuals were following their early lives and how it impacted how they are as adults. Many of them are struggling to be accepted by the people that have taken a place in their hearts but are afraid to say anything, others are just waking up and realising who and what they really, really want.
I really liked all of the several MC’s here and the storyline surrounding them. As I’ve mostly read MM books based around two MC’s in a relationship, I think I need to read more about the 'why choose’ trope and also to get a better handle on all those other letters ++ on the spectrum.
November 9, 2025
review to come soon!
December 9, 2025
I found this book to be quite different what I expected. I spent a lot of my time trying to keep the characters, relationships and what was going on straight in my mind. I found myself shaking my head a few times, but powered my way through. I’m not quite sure what the problem was for me. I liked the characters and the evolution of the couples and throuples that made up this polycule and the dynamic between the various couplings, I could identify with Ethan and his fear and uncertainty about where to go or who to trust when hiding from his ex, his choice to remain in Hiro’s house and the way he just fit in the background as if he belonged from the beginning. Each connection Ethan made with those in the house fulfilled a need for those involved, a need which wasn’t apparent until Ethan became the catalyst for the developing emotional and physical connections that ensued. If you want hot, spicy times, they are plentiful, in all sorts of configurations and situations. Ethan really comes into his own in terms of his sexuality, but also in building his confidence, in learning to love himself and know he deserve love in return, and in finding a place he really feels he belongs, a sense of home and family.
This was an unusual read, but interesting with engaging characters, and a couple of unexpected twists I didn’t see coming, from an author new to me. I will probably look for other work from this author in the future.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my voluntary review.
This was an unusual read, but interesting with engaging characters, and a couple of unexpected twists I didn’t see coming, from an author new to me. I will probably look for other work from this author in the future.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my voluntary review.
December 1, 2025
I am, quite frankly, obsessed with this.
I'm generally a person who can take or leave spice in my book, but I think Forrest may have completely changed my opinion on this. This book is spiiicy. Most scenes have some heat to them. But it is a masterclass in spice, in my opinion. Each scene is there for a purpose and is so intentionally and cleverly done in a way that advances the plot and reveals more of who the characters are, what they need, and how they all interact with each other. Through each kinky little snippet I slowly fell for each person in this evolving polycule and came to root for them immensely. From Ethan, who hopes nobody notices he has sneakily moved in, to Soren who is so hopelessly in love with their best friend, Hiro, the flamboyant instigator with sky high shields, and Caleb and Marc, the ones who are so in denial it's ridiculous (but please note, it does read that at least one if not both of them are somewhere on the aro spectrum, they are not in denial about that, just that love comes in many forms).
There's so much weaving in and out of each other's lives and it does eventually become a tangled web, but by the end they're a solid polycule and I loved this HEA so very much.
(As always, I'm sorry that when I love a book I become so much less coherent)
I'm generally a person who can take or leave spice in my book, but I think Forrest may have completely changed my opinion on this. This book is spiiicy. Most scenes have some heat to them. But it is a masterclass in spice, in my opinion. Each scene is there for a purpose and is so intentionally and cleverly done in a way that advances the plot and reveals more of who the characters are, what they need, and how they all interact with each other. Through each kinky little snippet I slowly fell for each person in this evolving polycule and came to root for them immensely. From Ethan, who hopes nobody notices he has sneakily moved in, to Soren who is so hopelessly in love with their best friend, Hiro, the flamboyant instigator with sky high shields, and Caleb and Marc, the ones who are so in denial it's ridiculous (but please note, it does read that at least one if not both of them are somewhere on the aro spectrum, they are not in denial about that, just that love comes in many forms).
There's so much weaving in and out of each other's lives and it does eventually become a tangled web, but by the end they're a solid polycule and I loved this HEA so very much.
(As always, I'm sorry that when I love a book I become so much less coherent)
December 2, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book and have been invested in it since I first stumbled across an author half-jokingly suggesting that they should write a book based on a tumblr meme I'd seen a number of time in the last few years. And here it is!
This is both a meme-inspired erotic romp and a nuanced exploration of found family, familial estrangement, coming out, intersecting identities, rebuilding after crisis, finding home, and falling in lust and in love and everything in between. The multiple sexual relationships between the 5 main characters, and their relationships as metamours offers an engaging and thoughtful exploration of consent and negotiating emotional and sexual boundaries.
There are 5 POV characters and each is characterized distinct from one another and with a fully realized narrative voice. All five are embedded in a larger web of community and we meet several circles of aquaintance with varying levels of intimacy. We meet both POV and non-POV characters in each character's initial chapter. It took a few chapters to sort out which characters would be central to the narrative.
The trigger warning list is thoughtful and comprehensive; sensitive topics are addressed with nuance and grace in the narrative.
The spice is sizzling and explores exhibitionism, voyeurism, bondage, pet play, masks, and consensual risk.
This is both a meme-inspired erotic romp and a nuanced exploration of found family, familial estrangement, coming out, intersecting identities, rebuilding after crisis, finding home, and falling in lust and in love and everything in between. The multiple sexual relationships between the 5 main characters, and their relationships as metamours offers an engaging and thoughtful exploration of consent and negotiating emotional and sexual boundaries.
There are 5 POV characters and each is characterized distinct from one another and with a fully realized narrative voice. All five are embedded in a larger web of community and we meet several circles of aquaintance with varying levels of intimacy. We meet both POV and non-POV characters in each character's initial chapter. It took a few chapters to sort out which characters would be central to the narrative.
The trigger warning list is thoughtful and comprehensive; sensitive topics are addressed with nuance and grace in the narrative.
The spice is sizzling and explores exhibitionism, voyeurism, bondage, pet play, masks, and consensual risk.
December 1, 2025
This story is an emotional, high-heat, high-stakes whirlwind in the very best way. Ethan’s journey, from heartbreak to reinvention, from running away to finally learning what it means to belong and grips you from the first page. His voice is tender, messy, vulnerable, and so deeply human that it’s impossible not to root for him, even as the secret he carries grows heavier and more complicated.
The found-family element is absolutely gorgeous. Hiro, Caleb, Marc, and Soren each bring something different—comfort, fire, chaos, devotion, and the way they fold Ethan into their home and their hearts makes the entire story feel rich and layered. The chemistry is explosive, the intimacy beautifully varied, and the emotional connections run just as deep as the spice.
What really stands out, though, is how the book balances desire with care. This isn’t just a steamy MM+ why-choose romance; it’s also about safety, trust, chosen family, and the terrifying hope that comes with letting yourself be loved after being broken. The tension of Ethan’s secret keeps the stakes high, making his growth—and the affection he finds—all the more satisfying.
Wild, spicy, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.
The found-family element is absolutely gorgeous. Hiro, Caleb, Marc, and Soren each bring something different—comfort, fire, chaos, devotion, and the way they fold Ethan into their home and their hearts makes the entire story feel rich and layered. The chemistry is explosive, the intimacy beautifully varied, and the emotional connections run just as deep as the spice.
What really stands out, though, is how the book balances desire with care. This isn’t just a steamy MM+ why-choose romance; it’s also about safety, trust, chosen family, and the terrifying hope that comes with letting yourself be loved after being broken. The tension of Ethan’s secret keeps the stakes high, making his growth—and the affection he finds—all the more satisfying.
Wild, spicy, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.
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December 5, 2025Y'all... I don't get a chance to read that many MM+ Why Choose books, and honestly most have been by Will Forrest, because they just know how to combine multiple characters and bring out their kinks, fantasies and stories so that they pull you in and make you binge the book... from Ethan to Hiro, Soren to Marc, Caleb, Austin & Asha...and then the other side characters.... their histories are interwoven into the present so you can see where each character comes from and how they fit in the Why Choose life that is built around a shared house.
I loved watching Ethan come into his own and embrace the life he wants, and then seeing how Soren, Hiro, Marc & Caleb grow into his orbit as strong partners, moving beyond just smexy times. As a Torontonian who lives very close to where Ethan's original apartment was, I was also able to know exactly where each location was and that's always fun too! As with my previous reads from this author, my only want is MORE!!!
And just because they shouted me out in the acknowledgements (total surprise) doesn't mean that they offered me a review copy... and they didn't put it in KU - so I actually scraped together the pennies to purchase this book and offer my review - go buy the book...
I loved watching Ethan come into his own and embrace the life he wants, and then seeing how Soren, Hiro, Marc & Caleb grow into his orbit as strong partners, moving beyond just smexy times. As a Torontonian who lives very close to where Ethan's original apartment was, I was also able to know exactly where each location was and that's always fun too! As with my previous reads from this author, my only want is MORE!!!
And just because they shouted me out in the acknowledgements (total surprise) doesn't mean that they offered me a review copy... and they didn't put it in KU - so I actually scraped together the pennies to purchase this book and offer my review - go buy the book...
December 2, 2025
Oh my goodness. Not only spicy and fun - always important - this one really got me in the feels. Ethan has a boyfriend named David who turns out to be cheating on him, but Ethan only finds out when he is at the same restaurant that David is having his wedding reception at. Then Ethan's best, lovely friend Soren asks him to a party. It's at the home of Hiro, although Soren has some friends living there, Asha and Austin. Through circumstances, Ethan ends up moving into the house but not being completely honest about how he ended up there. All of the characters here are drawn so well, they all feel real and have wonderful interiority. Though I will say David deserves all he gets. Marc and Caleb are wonderful, if oblivious to how they really feel about each other for a long time. Hiro is amazing, and Soren is lovely.
The story is emotional, wonderful, spicy and all characters have so much baggage that each helps them with in some way.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
The story is emotional, wonderful, spicy and all characters have so much baggage that each helps them with in some way.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
January 19, 2026
‘“You seriously want me to move back in? But I scammed you.”
“And I forgive you.”
“But why?”
“Because I want to. I liked having you around. I want you to be happy, and I want me to be happy too.”
this book nearly gave me an ulcer waiting for the shoe to drop and for the housemates to realise the MC was a squatter, but even though i was near death with the tension, i couldn’t even take one break from this book. it’s chaotic, it’s tender, it’s mindblowingly sexy (even if it’s not MY thing, i still felt the heat), and its ability to balance so many characters POV and keep it deep and fascinating was extremely impressive.
sometimes the ‘why choose’ genre makes me anxious because i am a bit sensitive to people getting non-monog relationships ‘wrong’ in their depictions, but Will does a fantastic job of representing it brutally honestly AND sensitively.
i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
“And I forgive you.”
“But why?”
“Because I want to. I liked having you around. I want you to be happy, and I want me to be happy too.”
this book nearly gave me an ulcer waiting for the shoe to drop and for the housemates to realise the MC was a squatter, but even though i was near death with the tension, i couldn’t even take one break from this book. it’s chaotic, it’s tender, it’s mindblowingly sexy (even if it’s not MY thing, i still felt the heat), and its ability to balance so many characters POV and keep it deep and fascinating was extremely impressive.
sometimes the ‘why choose’ genre makes me anxious because i am a bit sensitive to people getting non-monog relationships ‘wrong’ in their depictions, but Will does a fantastic job of representing it brutally honestly AND sensitively.
i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
December 2, 2025
This book is about Ethan, a new bi boy, who makes a bad decision and do not know how to reverse it. It is about Hiro, femme masc, who might seem over the top and all surface, but there is more to him. It is about Soren, new non binary person who is best friends with Ethan but might want something else. It is about Marc and Caleb who are best friends, who sometimes share guys and who lives together.
Most why choose have one center person and then each other person has more or less the same relationship with this person. Will really shows how each relationship is unique and each person has different needs from a relationship. Ethan is the center person in this story, but each of the other has their own life and feelings and needs, and do not seem like a side character.
Love this!
Most why choose have one center person and then each other person has more or less the same relationship with this person. Will really shows how each relationship is unique and each person has different needs from a relationship. Ethan is the center person in this story, but each of the other has their own life and feelings and needs, and do not seem like a side character.
Love this!
November 20, 2025
I received an ARC of this book. Overall, this was a lovely spicy read! A little angst, a LOT of heat. The characters were nicely different with neurospicy traits sprinkled in. Sometimes I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between Ethan (our main character) and some of his relationships but overall each one was defined individually. This book showcases many types of queer pairings which I appreciated.
December 16, 2025
Sadly this was a DNF for me - purely because I don't think I was the intended audience. I do enjoy this sort of book, but I just couldn't get on with the characters here. I'm certain young queer readers will love it though!
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book but the above opinions are entirely my own.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book but the above opinions are entirely my own.
October 23, 2025
Rating 3.5/5
This is a wild and spicy LGBTQ+ MM+ Why choose adventure. Filled with found family, a house to call a home, steamy spice scenes, and s3x work- you will fall in love with Ethan as quickly as Hiro, Caleb, Marc, and Soren do.
This is a wild and spicy LGBTQ+ MM+ Why choose adventure. Filled with found family, a house to call a home, steamy spice scenes, and s3x work- you will fall in love with Ethan as quickly as Hiro, Caleb, Marc, and Soren do.
December 16, 2025
I loved this book and its portrayal of a young man who was so used to being disappointed and afraid of disappointing everyone around him, that he couldn't fathom that help was within reach the whole time. It's a beautiful story, even if the cover doesn't quite do it justice.
February 28, 2026
Ethan really had it rough🥺
Ethan’s journey was definitely a difficult one. From heartbreak to finding himself to learning where he belongs, he goes through the most challenging times.
It’s impossible not to want him to succeed after all that. He finds people who comfort him and want him to be happy. It’s definitely something he didn’t expect but something he needed.
After all, why choose when you can have more than one person loving you? Hiro, Caleb, Soren and Marc showed him he was worthy of love and that he was more than enough.
Ethan’s journey was definitely a difficult one. From heartbreak to finding himself to learning where he belongs, he goes through the most challenging times.
It’s impossible not to want him to succeed after all that. He finds people who comfort him and want him to be happy. It’s definitely something he didn’t expect but something he needed.
After all, why choose when you can have more than one person loving you? Hiro, Caleb, Soren and Marc showed him he was worthy of love and that he was more than enough.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews