SCORE

Honeybee Hollow #4

by Ariella Talix

Welcome back to Honeybee Hollow—the greatest small town in America.

Lola Gamble breezes elegantly into Honeybee Hollow to attend a weekend party for former Governor Lassiter’s family, but she finds way more than she bargained for. She meets two totally swoon-worthy men, falls for them both and discovers something very interesting about their history.

Banger is a musical genius with fans and groupies following his every move. He plays drums (often shirtless) for the popular band Wildflower Whiskey and composes songs and musical scores for entertainers all over the country. Banger has plenty of hidden talents and could easily be in the running for “sexiest man alive.” No one is exempt, it seems, from his allure. His immediate chemistry with Lola has tongues wagging all over town.

Silver fox Buford Wallace owns The Hive—the hottest spot in town—and manages musicians. When he hears Lola sing, he wants her. He wants to manage her career and make her his.

Banger has an idea. He isn’t a selfish man. He’s willing to share.

And so is Lola.

A fateful trip to Los Angeles could change everything for them.

This MMF romance will keep you on your toes, navigating the highs and lows of their sizzling relationship.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2026

About the author

Ariella Talix is a best-selling author from Indiana who writes spicy romance because she loves a great happy ending. Her books are all either MF or MMF (“swords” cross) stories for readers who share her belief that all love is beautiful.

Ariella’s novels are full of humor and suspense. She has written both historical and contemporary tales. Her “Hearts of Gold” series is a thrilling saga based on the 1849 California Gold Rush. This was inspired in part by family history and would make a fantastic miniseries (an author can dream). Her contemporary books are filled with adventure and people who can’t live without their dogs, cats, and horses. Her women are strong, and her men are swoon-worthy.

If you get a chance to attend a book signing event, she would love to meet you!

And, in case you were wondering, "Ariella Talix" is a Pun Name.

If you slip her a shot of tequila, she may act out a scene from one of her books. ;) For more information on her books, please visit www.AriellaTalix.com.

Reviews

[Casie · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Stars ✨

I didn’t like this book at all, should have DNF it. There is no character building. The two MMCs meet the MFC one time and decided they love her and want to bring her into their relationship, which is also non existent. As far as I knew they were roommates who hooked up one time in the past, and boom they’re “together”. It’s insta-love which I despise. The whole book feels rushed, even the spice. The plot was lacking and didn’t make sense to me. Happy to be done with this book. Will not be reading this author’s work in the future.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotion and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5🌟 | 3🌶️

Falling for two men wasn't part of the plan, but it certainly made for an eventful weekend.

Lola, Buford, and Banger had a fun dynamic, and the chemistry between all three brought plenty of heat. The why-choose setup was a nice change from the usual romantic tug-of-war, and I enjoyed seeing how their connection took shape.

Beyond the spice, the small-town setting, friendships, and unexpected twists gave the story more to explore. I liked seeing the characters work through their pasts and think about the future they could build together. That said, the relationship moved pretty quickly, and I would have liked a little more time to connect with them emotionally as things developed.

Overall, this was an entertaining, easy-to-read romance with a fun premise and some surprising drama. The steamy moments kept things lively, even if I wanted a bit more depth in the relationship itself.

All in all, this was a fun, steamy escape with enough drama to keep things moving.

~~~~

A sincere thank you to Ariella Talix and Greys Promotions for the ARC! 🥰📚

I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reverse Harem

Honeybee Hollow is one of those places that magic can happen as it did for Lola when she thought she was just visiting, until she has reason to stay. Those reasons were named Buford and Banger. The guys were already “friends” and Lola was one lucky girl who wouldn’t have to pick between the two. The chemistry between the three of them was sizzling. This book did have some twists and turns which piqued my interest even more. I loved watching the three of them work through their pasts and plan for their future.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Honeybee Hollow series. Honeybee Hollow is a town which is filled with poly families. So we meet up with Buford who is the owner of the Hive. He’s doing well and life is great. Banger is a singer, writer and member of a group called the Wildflower Whiskey. He’s happy and content but just lost his home so he was fortunate that Buford let him move in with him and occupy the spare bedroom. Not these two were intimate many moons ago but neither has expressed an interest in a repeat performance although both definitely want one. Well along comes Lola only in town for the weekend waiting to sing a duet at the hive when her partner gets a sore throat when she gets paired up with Banger. So of course they have chemistry that extends past the singing. Which they agree to explore and this duet becomes a trio. I loved the men in this book both guys are confident men, comfortable with who they are. Each man was looking around and seeing these happy trios and I think they were unconsciously looking for their third and when Lola stumbled into their world their trio was complete. It was a spicy story with some twists and a great ending to a good series.

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book; for me, a reverse harem romance is almost guaranteed to be a hit. But in this case, the story unfolding between these three people all of whom have been wounded by life completely won me over.
Lola came to Honeybee Hollow for just a few days; she never expected to stay after meeting two wonderful men and the best part is, she doesn’t have to choose...

[Osmanb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got advance copy via Netgalley.

Loved this steamy throuple - Banger, Lola and Bruford make a powerful love triangle, but what I loved especially is the positive depiction of diversity around sexuality. It sizzles and unfolds with a deep intensity of passion, music and liberation. Truly a Score in more ways than one!

Really enjoyable read and will be reading more of Ariella's work for sure.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this impressive series.
Lola is in town just for the weekend for a party, but she does not expect to meet two men and fall for them. Banger is a drummer in a popular band, and he composes songs and musical scores for entertainers, while Buford is the owner for “The Hive” and manages musicians.
This is a well written easy to read story, with challenges, why choose, roommates / lovers, reverse harem, twists and turns, sizzling chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, small town rockstar romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Joan Somers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see the last book in the Honeybee Hollow series. It’s the ideal small town where they all have your back and the ideal dive bar calls your name. (Such a cool town to be open to triad families.) Buford owns the Hive where he spotlights local talent and also karaoke. Banger meets Lola and they hit it off quickly after singing a duet. As a songwriter and talented musician, Banger achieves some success which leads to some disturbing events. Had me on the edge of my seat! It’s solidly written with great character development.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Elyn Sulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Score is the first book I've read by author Ariella Talix. The setting is a small quaint town named Honeybee Hallow, Kentucky. The main characters Banger, Buford and Lola are believable and endearing. Their story and relationship with each other jumps off the pages and draws the reader in. Their chemistry is undeniable as their journey together unfolds through different challenges, successes and surprises.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

I received an advanced copy and am leaving an honest review.

[Maja · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book through Grey's Promotions in exchange for an honest voluntary review. This was one sexy MMF story with a rockstar touch, I really enjoyed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific MMF book by Ariella. This one took some unexpected turns, but the romance remained intact throughout the story, and the interaction between the characters was great. Buford and Banger are lovable and different. It's hard to decide who was my favorite... the musical genius or the man who'd give everything for love? Lola is one lucky lady! I recommend this book to lovers of hot romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

[MW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Honeybee Hollow installment. It made the town feel like home, and the characters were relatable and fun to read about. The plot takes some unexpected turns, and that will keep you on your toes. The steamy parts are great, but Banger makes them unique from his point of view. Very clever, I think! I highly recommend it. You will understand the other characters better if you read the rest of the series, but if you don't read them, this book will still be enjoyable.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back to the quirky little town of Honeybee Hollow, Kentucky, where polyamorous relationships seem to be the norm! This time, we have bar owner Buford Wallace, drummer Jon Bangerman aka Banger, and Lola Gamble, the woman who might just complete their triad, in a quick and easy instalove, rockstar why-choose romance. The premise definitely had potential, and Score ticked quite a few of my usual boxes. Two heroes? Check. A silver fox and a budding rockstar? Even better! Add in plenty of spice and a little drama involving kidnapping and violent gangs, and I was expecting to have a pretty good time with this one.

Unfortunately, while I liked the idea of the story, I struggled to connect with the characters. I’m all for instalove, but I need to feel at least a little chemistry between the characters to buy into it, and that was missing for me here. The spicy scenes were plentiful, but they felt more like going through the motions than three people genuinely losing themselves in each other. Buford and Banger’s relationship had started out as occasional hookups before graduating into housemates with benefits, and they seemed pretty quick to decide that Lola was the missing piece without really establishing whether she was even interested in joining them. To be fair, she had friends who were in thruples, so the concept wasn’t entirely new to her, but I would have liked to see a little more hesitation or soul searching before everyone jumped in. Lola’s willingness to leave her entire life behind was another thing I struggled with. Given that she’d been working for the governor, you’d think she had a fairly established career, yet she seemed perfectly happy to drop everything and move to a new town to become a part-time singer. I know it’s fiction, but again that felt like a big decision to make on the spur of the moment without giving it much thought! The pacing also felt a little uneven in places, and some of the dialogue was on the cheesy side.

Overall, I liked the setup for Score, and there were enough familiar tropes and spicy moments to keep things moving, but I needed more believable chemistry and a stronger emotional connection between the characters to really get invested in a book. An enjoyable enough premise, just one that didn’t quite deliver for me.

[Ashley Millis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Score was an okay read for me, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark I was hoping for.

There were definitely things I enjoyed, and I can appreciate what the story was going for, but I found myself wanting a little more from the overall reading experience. I wanted to feel more connected to the characters and more invested in their relationship, and I never quite reached the point where I was completely consumed by the story.

The pacing and character development could have used a little more attention for me. There were moments that held my interest, but I also found myself wishing certain aspects had been explored more deeply. I love when a romance makes me feel everything alongside the characters, whether that’s the tension, the butterflies, the frustration, or the emotional payoff. Unfortunately, this one didn’t consistently give me that feeling.

That doesn’t mean it was a bad book! Sometimes a story can have an interesting premise and still not be the right fit for me personally. I can see elements that other readers might enjoy, even if the execution didn’t completely work for me.

Overall, this was a middle-of-the-road read. I didn’t dislike it, but I also didn’t find myself completely invested or eager to immediately reread it.

[Rachelclune88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Lola Gamble certainly knows how to make an entrance. What starts as a weekend party in Honeybee Hollow quickly turns into something far more exciting when she finds herself caught between two irresistible men who each bring something completely different to the table.

First there's Banger, he's a musical genius a talented drummer who isn't afraid to show a little skin and a rock star with enough charisma to make practically everyone swoon. He's used to having fans falling at his feet but there's something about Lola that seems to capture his attention in a whole different way.

Then there's Buford Wallace the silver fox who owns The Hive and knows his way around the music industry. He's confident and experienced and knows exactly what he wants. When he hears Lola sing, he sees her potential and wants to help her shine both professionally and personally. Just when you think this might turn into a classic battle for Lola's heart, Banger throws an unexpected twist into the mix. He's willing to share, and Lola isn't opposed to the idea either.

Lola she's not simply caught up in the attention of two gorgeous men, she also has her own voice and potential to explore. With a possible music career on the horizon and a trip to Los Angeles that could change everything.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music and romance.

Lola Gamble is in Honeybee Hollow to attend a party for the former governor. She never expected to meet two devastatingly attractive men who both make it clear that they are attracted to her. Banger is a song writer and drummer for the popular local band Wildflower Whiskey, while Buford Wallace is the owner of The Hive, Honeybee Hollow's hot spot. They are both looking for that one woman to make their lives complete, they just need to convince Lola that the three of them can have a perfect life together.
These are such wonderful characters. They are beautifully written, and in my opinion, very realistic. I loved this steamy, small-town menage' romance with some surprising twists in the plot as well as some suspense. I think this is a must-read that I recommend to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Grey's Promotions.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I really like with Ariellas books is how much there is going on.
There are plenty of well written, spicy scenes but there is far more to this book. There are great characters which you soon grow to love and care for greatly. There are also some hard hitting stories when our favourites inadvertently come up again a gang and also a robbery!!
I love the growing relationships, the friendships, the community. The love and support across all the characters is wonderful.

There great banter between characters and you will end up wanting to visit this cosy little town for yourself. I like how the story feels whole, from our characters meeting to where their lives are heading in the future.

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

CORE had a lot of elements I usually enjoy—small-town charm, spicy romance, banter, strong community ties, and plenty happening around the characters. Unfortunately, the romance felt far too rushed for me. Lola meets Banger and Buford, and suddenly they’re all in love, while the relationship between the two men itself seemed barely established. The insta-love made it difficult for me to connect with the characters, and even the spice and plot felt rushed. I wanted more character development and a stronger foundation for the relationship. There were some enjoyable moments, but ultimately this one just didn’t work for me.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Score is Lola, Buford and Banger’s reverse harem story. It’s the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.
Lola is visiting Honeybee Hollow and she wasn’t planning on staying until she meets two friends who will not make her choose. From the moment she meets Banger and Buford sparks fly but these three have baggage from their pasts and that will need to be resolved before they can look to the future…..
Honeybee Hollow is a magical place that conjured up a wonderful relationship for Lola, Banger and Burford,the chemistry is sizzling, the characters easy to like but it was the twists and turns I didn’t see coming that added another layer to this story.

[Angela Durand · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Lola comes to Honeybee Hollow for a family gathering and ends up catching the attention of not one but two men! Banger brings the musician energy, while Buford is the silver fox who runs The Hive, and neither is shy about wanting Lola. There's music, small-town charm, an unexpected MMF connection, and more at stake when their lives start intertwining. If you enjoy a romance where three people have to figure out what love could look like together, this one has an intriguing setup.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC. Thank you to Ariella Talix and Grey's Promotions for the opportunity!

[A.A. Gray · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The writing style just wasn’t for me. The character voices just weren’t distinct enough—they sounded like the same person. A lot of the phrases used—especially by Lola—were so cringe. When it came to the spicy scenes, the exclamations used were so awkward it took me out of the moment.

[Rhonda Boone · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

A Reverse Harem with twists and turns and a touch of rock band influenced. Lola attends a party and meets up with Buford and Banger they seem to have some chemistry and what started out as a visit turns into more. The plot was good, characters had some chemistry and banter easy to follow.

Honest Review of Advance Copy received complimentary of Booksirens.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! ❤️

I was completely drawn into this story from the very beginning. There’s something about Ariella Talix’s storytelling that makes it so easy to lose yourself in the world she creates—the way the story is told pulled me in right away, and I felt connected to the characters almost instantly.

I absolutely loved Lola, Banger, and Buford together. Their chemistry, their emotions, and the way their relationship develops made this such an enjoyable read. There were plenty of moments that made me smile, swoon, and simply want to keep reading.

SCORE was a fun, emotional, and steamy read that I truly enjoyed. I loved every minute of it and would happily pick up another book by Ariella Talix!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anita Salonger · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This is a very cute spicy read with very little depth. It was an enjoyable way to pass some time in my favorite genre, rockstar. Thank you BookSirens for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[H S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola, Banger, and Buford share the love and Honeybee Hollow is making that magic happen. When Lola comes to town she encounters both the men and finds her reason to stay. They have plenty of chemistry and a common interest of music. Steamy, engaging, and keeps you reading.

[Shirin Rasheed · Rating 5 out of 5]

SCORE is story of Lola, Banger and Silver and It is super cute and adorable love story. I Really Loved them together and their story is really fun to read.

I would rate it five star and recommend it to all readers.

[Heather McHugh]

DNF enough said

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a lot of spice with little to no plot.

[Amz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rockstar, a silver fox, and one very lucky FMC! The chemistry was hot, and the drama kept things interesting! I definitely recommend reading the entire series!!

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute hot read. These three definitely belong together. Buford and Banger were friends with maybe a little benefits….then they became roommates. In came Lola and things definitely changed for the better…because it was instant chemistry between the three of them. But things are definitely not easy for them. Because this book definitely took them on a few unexpected adventures. Adventures that definitely brought the drama. This was a well layered story with layers and layers of entertainment. Throughout everything these three were there for each other.