What do you think?
Rate this book
Newcomers
“When one of them breaks, they all do.”
Alex was never meant to stay. He was created to protect Jaime—nothing more. Now that Luke is here, devoted and strong and real, what is Alex for?
So he disappears.
And Jaime shatters.
When Luke shuts down from guilt, a new voice rises in the dark. Hunter—born of Luke’s need, desperate to protect them all. As the system tilts toward collapse, it’s someone else’s turn to be the anchor, and Alex must decide what kind of love is worth surviving for.
A gutting, healing, polyamorous conclusion about broken minds, impossible devotion, and the terrifying beauty of being needed.
Alex was never meant to stay. He was created to protect Jaime—nothing more. Now that Luke is here, devoted and strong and real, what is Alex for?
So he disappears.
And Jaime shatters.
When Luke shuts down from guilt, a new voice rises in the dark. Hunter—born of Luke’s need, desperate to protect them all. As the system tilts toward collapse, it’s someone else’s turn to be the anchor, and Alex must decide what kind of love is worth surviving for.
A gutting, healing, polyamorous conclusion about broken minds, impossible devotion, and the terrifying beauty of being needed.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
About the author
October Arden
9 books21 followersOctober Arden writes emotionally raw queer stories that live somewhere between literary fiction and romance. Their work explores fluid identities, found families, co-dependent devotion, and complicated love—often through the lens of characters who are chronically ill, neurodivergent, or quietly self-destructive. These are stories for anyone who's ever felt unwanted or unseen, where even the most damaged hearts can find a home.
October loves hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out, ask questions, or suggest what you'd like to see next. You can also join the newsletter to stay in touch—and as a thank you, you'll receive a free copy of Starting with Cake, a quietly unhinged neurodivergent love story full of snack cakes, janitor uniforms, and the kind of care that sneaks up on you. Find out about new books and other extras at octoberarden.com
October loves hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out, ask questions, or suggest what you'd like to see next. You can also join the newsletter to stay in touch—and as a thank you, you'll receive a free copy of Starting with Cake, a quietly unhinged neurodivergent love story full of snack cakes, janitor uniforms, and the kind of care that sneaks up on you. Find out about new books and other extras at octoberarden.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 15, 2026
This was so intense and had so many unexpected and good surprises in it.
Third book in a trilogy, so minor spoilers for events that have gone before. Luke met Jaime and fell in love with him, and didn't know Jaime had a headmate who was also his husband, Alex. Initially Alex did not like Luke, who was sort of the physical embodiment of Alex. But over two books, they worked things out and wound up in a poly relationship. So far so good, if a little odd. Gloria, Luke's mother is also wonderful and there are some not so wonderful work colleagues as well as the absolutely lovely Sarah.
So in this book, after the happy ending of book two, Alex decides it's time for him to leave. Jaime doesn't need him, he has Luke. But that's not actually what anyone needs and it's Luke who disappears, leaving his 'backup', Hunter, who is his headmate who he didn't think he had. There were a few sort of hints of Hunter, mostly in Book One, and it feels kind of right that Luke's understanding of Jaime and Alex is that he was in a similar position even if he didn't know it. But Luke goes completely offline and Hunter? He's almost brand new and isn't quite sure how to handle a lot, he's only the 'backup' after all. So during this book we deal with Jaime's depression, Alex's guilt, Hunter's newness and Luke's absence for most of it. With Jaime also a bit offline - the depression - Alex and Hunter are the ones most in focus. So Alex helps Hunter become more himself, while Hunter keeps trying to bring Luke back. It takes a long time, and we find out that Alex has his own reasons for thinking he should have left. He was a bit of an idiot but that's all to do with jealousy and figuring out how poly really works, whether under these unique circumstances or something more traditional.
Eventually things work out, and I do love the way Hunter finally figures out how to get Luke to wake up.
Really interesting, readable book and so good. The only sad part is it is the last of the trilogy - it would be nice to see a bit more of the sweetness and how things work with the four of them. But an excellent ending nevertheless.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
Third book in a trilogy, so minor spoilers for events that have gone before. Luke met Jaime and fell in love with him, and didn't know Jaime had a headmate who was also his husband, Alex. Initially Alex did not like Luke, who was sort of the physical embodiment of Alex. But over two books, they worked things out and wound up in a poly relationship. So far so good, if a little odd. Gloria, Luke's mother is also wonderful and there are some not so wonderful work colleagues as well as the absolutely lovely Sarah.
So in this book, after the happy ending of book two, Alex decides it's time for him to leave. Jaime doesn't need him, he has Luke. But that's not actually what anyone needs and it's Luke who disappears, leaving his 'backup', Hunter, who is his headmate who he didn't think he had. There were a few sort of hints of Hunter, mostly in Book One, and it feels kind of right that Luke's understanding of Jaime and Alex is that he was in a similar position even if he didn't know it. But Luke goes completely offline and Hunter? He's almost brand new and isn't quite sure how to handle a lot, he's only the 'backup' after all. So during this book we deal with Jaime's depression, Alex's guilt, Hunter's newness and Luke's absence for most of it. With Jaime also a bit offline - the depression - Alex and Hunter are the ones most in focus. So Alex helps Hunter become more himself, while Hunter keeps trying to bring Luke back. It takes a long time, and we find out that Alex has his own reasons for thinking he should have left. He was a bit of an idiot but that's all to do with jealousy and figuring out how poly really works, whether under these unique circumstances or something more traditional.
Eventually things work out, and I do love the way Hunter finally figures out how to get Luke to wake up.
Really interesting, readable book and so good. The only sad part is it is the last of the trilogy - it would be nice to see a bit more of the sweetness and how things work with the four of them. But an excellent ending nevertheless.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
January 14, 2026
This final book in the series is emotionally heavy and really digs deep into identity, purpose and what it means to protect the people you love. Alex’s absence is felt keenly, and Jaime’s unraveling is handled with a raw honesty that makes it impossible not to care. The introduction of Hunter adds another layer of complexity, showing how survival and devotion can shape a mind in unexpected ways.
What stood out to me most was how thoughtfully the book explores the jealousy and unspoken fears within a polyamorous relationship. The emotional highs and lows feel earned, and the tenderness between the characters balances the pain beautifully. It’s a challenging but rewarding read, and a fitting, compassionate conclusion to a series about brokenness, love and being needed. Highly recommend this series especially as a back to back read, which i will be doing in a couple of months for a re-read!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
What stood out to me most was how thoughtfully the book explores the jealousy and unspoken fears within a polyamorous relationship. The emotional highs and lows feel earned, and the tenderness between the characters balances the pain beautifully. It’s a challenging but rewarding read, and a fitting, compassionate conclusion to a series about brokenness, love and being needed. Highly recommend this series especially as a back to back read, which i will be doing in a couple of months for a re-read!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve sat on this for quite a while, allowing my brain to figure out what it wants to say but I’m gonna be honest, my brain has nothing! This book was just such a trip – it simply didn’t occur to me that Luke might have a headmate and it completely threw me. I read this book not quite sure what I wanted to happen, but I was pleased with how it ended. I have learned quite a bit about plurality and am definitely interested in learning more. Overall, I would say that this was a satisfactory end to the series and that Luke, Jamie, Alex and Hunter got the happily ever after that they fought so hard for and well deserved. I received an ARC from the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The third book in the inside series does not dissapoint, its an emotional ride full of ups and downs as Luke, Alex, Jaime, Gloria and newcomer Hunter navigate their life and relationship in California. I love how this book shows how easily judgement and jealousy can shape a person and relationship. It also shows the different ways in which plurality can come about. I could read a million books about these characters.
January 13, 2026
This is the third book of a series that includes Headmates and Outsiders. I have not read the previous two books, but am going to in the future. I was confused and kind of lost in parts, but could follow the storyline. There is a lot going on in this story from trauma, to devotion. This is a polyamorous tale of Alex, Jamie and Luke. Definitely recommend reading the books in order.
February 28, 2026
A heart-wrenching conclusion to the trilogy. 4 solid stars for Mamá’s Boys ❤️
ARC provided by Author for an honest review
ARC provided by Author for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews