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Our Man Friday
Cassidy fights the lingering feelings for her ex, Ian. Still secretly, desperately in love with him, she settles for sharing a house and a business. Their lives are intertwined in every way--except the way she wants most.
Fear of commitment drove Ian to push their romance into the friendship zone. But things become decidedly uncomfortable when sexy Scotsman Kye McClellan enters the picture. Ian is faced with the sudden prospect of losing the thing most precious to him.
As both Cassidy and Ian succumb to Kyes charms, Cassidy begins to wonder if she can have all she's ever wanted...plus one. Then, just as things get white-hot, Kyes takes to his feet to avoid the burn. Ian and Cassidy are left with each other...and an even bigger missing piece than before. All they can do is trust that love will somehow bring their gypsy-hearted lover home again.
Fear of commitment drove Ian to push their romance into the friendship zone. But things become decidedly uncomfortable when sexy Scotsman Kye McClellan enters the picture. Ian is faced with the sudden prospect of losing the thing most precious to him.
As both Cassidy and Ian succumb to Kyes charms, Cassidy begins to wonder if she can have all she's ever wanted...plus one. Then, just as things get white-hot, Kyes takes to his feet to avoid the burn. Ian and Cassidy are left with each other...and an even bigger missing piece than before. All they can do is trust that love will somehow bring their gypsy-hearted lover home again.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2008
18 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Claire Thompson
196 books1,162 followersClaire has been writing for nearly two decades, and has published over 85 novels. She writes BDSM romance and abduction tales, spanning both m/f and m/m genres. She has received numerous awards for her bestselling work, including the NLA-Int’l Pauline Réage Award and the Golden Flogger Award for best BDSM fiction.. Her darker works press the envelope of what is erotic and what can be a sometimes dangerous slide into the world of sadomasochism. Ultimately her work deals with the human condition, and our constant search for love and intensity of experience.
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https://clairethompson.net
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https://clairethompson.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 10, 2016
What’s love got to do with a little ménage? What’s love got to do with some backup dick? It seems it does. You’re too much the gypsy when it comes to love! Always seeking something new. Threesome, much? Sex ruins everything. Seriously 'der ! Mr. McClellan ,he is seriously packing! Fabulous sex, bitchahellacockin'! After a dry spell on the erotica front, I mean books...duh! , an instant urge for a pleasantly satisfying ménage à trios in need of an immediate fix. Yes! “pleasantly satisfying” , is what I was looking for. I’m not a sucker for romance. Give me a St. Andrew’s Cross over a lingering sweet kiss, anytime. But hey! A girl’s gotta have her R&R! Just some overly spent ménage sessions.
Six bottles of beer down, two to go. Is this some kind of song I’m hearing? So, what have we here, gypsies of love, Ian and Cassidy entangled in the “friends better than lovers” mess. Enter Kye McClellan. Woo, make some place, hotness coming through!!! And, then the master bedroom was a never a dull place. Claire Thompson does a plausible work convincing the vulnerabilities of the three protagonists with their fear and exploration of love and sex. Ha! Look I'm fucking Freud now. Coke much? Diet Coke for my J Walker, bitches! The sexual encounters are hotness overlapping. Thompson never disappoints on the orgasmic front. The m/m, f/m sessions are quite mellow when compared but, then this is not a hardcore BDSM. The book plays out smoothly and rather enjoyable with an ending that is ‘pleasantly satisfying’ and with all my booze gone and with the three gypsies finally finding “home”, maybe a little S&M could have made it a little trashy. I vouch for Kye as the credible Master Dom.
Six bottles of beer down, two to go. Is this some kind of song I’m hearing? So, what have we here, gypsies of love, Ian and Cassidy entangled in the “friends better than lovers” mess. Enter Kye McClellan. Woo, make some place, hotness coming through!!! And, then the master bedroom was a never a dull place. Claire Thompson does a plausible work convincing the vulnerabilities of the three protagonists with their fear and exploration of love and sex. Ha! Look I'm fucking Freud now. Coke much? Diet Coke for my J Walker, bitches! The sexual encounters are hotness overlapping. Thompson never disappoints on the orgasmic front. The m/m, f/m sessions are quite mellow when compared but, then this is not a hardcore BDSM. The book plays out smoothly and rather enjoyable with an ending that is ‘pleasantly satisfying’ and with all my booze gone and with the three gypsies finally finding “home”, maybe a little S&M could have made it a little trashy. I vouch for Kye as the credible Master Dom.
October 19, 2018
😍
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. It had an interesting storyline and kept me entertained. It was sweet and swoony at times and hot hot hot. My only thing I wanted an epilogue and see what the future held for these three amazing characters.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. It had an interesting storyline and kept me entertained. It was sweet and swoony at times and hot hot hot. My only thing I wanted an epilogue and see what the future held for these three amazing characters.
August 31, 2021
For an erotica novel this wasn't bad, but I struggled a little with feeling like the menage was a bit unbalanced. I liked all three characters, Ian and Cassidy were clearly in love with each other and unable to admit it. Kye's arrival on the scene was the perfect thing to unbalance the friendship/work relationship the two clung to as a safety net to not address their feelings. But that's also why things felt unbalanced. There just didn't feel like enough time for both Cassidy and Ian's feelings to really deepen to the same level to give Kye an equal playing field. He's a solid fit with them, and I did enjoy the way they all would presumably balance each other. It just felt like there was so much history with Ian and Cassidy and a deep love built on time and really knowing each other. Bringing Kye in, and believing his connection was as strong with each of the other two as their connection was with each other was hard.
In the end though I do like the idea of them all living and working together. There was enough sexy to keep things interesting and it didn't feel too overboard. Just a bit fast.
In the end though I do like the idea of them all living and working together. There was enough sexy to keep things interesting and it didn't feel too overboard. Just a bit fast.
January 27, 2019
Nice love story
I enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was nice, seeing the relationship develop among the three of them was sweet. The feelings of insecurity and jealousy made the story feel more real. I'm happy that all three of them were in the relationship and not just to guys sharing a girl. The emotional aspect was well written and the smut was great. Overall I really liked it.
I enjoyed reading this book. The pacing was nice, seeing the relationship develop among the three of them was sweet. The feelings of insecurity and jealousy made the story feel more real. I'm happy that all three of them were in the relationship and not just to guys sharing a girl. The emotional aspect was well written and the smut was great. Overall I really liked it.
dnf
May 15, 2018I DNFed this book. BUT! Only because I was experimenting to see if I was okay with MM romance. Which I have found out that I am not.
The first sex scene between the three of them was totally hot. And I was alright with it. But I can't do just MM.
So that is the ONLY reason I DNFed this book. You must definitely be into MM romance to read this book. Not just MMF.
The first sex scene between the three of them was totally hot. And I was alright with it. But I can't do just MM.
So that is the ONLY reason I DNFed this book. You must definitely be into MM romance to read this book. Not just MMF.
October 15, 2012
I find this book a bit difficult to review.
This book is a m/m/f menage relationship where all three parties have a relationship with each of the other members. In most of the books I've read with this dynamic, the relationship hinges on the men's relationships with the female. In some there was m/m contact and in others there wasn't. In this book, there is m/m contact, and the linchpin of the relationship is Kye, even though he is also the third wheel at times. I found the relationship dynamic confusing and never fully resolved, and although I believe that is part of the point of the story, I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the end. It was well-done but not the best m/m/f relationship I've read. And since the relationship between the three is the only real story line, it wasn't as complex a story as I would have liked.
Kye is the tortured soul, a smart but unsettled man looking for love. I never really got the sense that he moved on from his unrequited love to fully engage the threesome with Ian and Cassidy.
Ian is the aloof, self-absorbed, confused, almost silly character. He's in love with Cassidy but unwilling to pursue it for fear of commitment and messing up their friendship. In some ways he takes advantage of her love for him to have her take care of him. When Kye shows up, Ian realizes his love for Cassidy and struggles with his feelings for Kye. Ultimately, it's clear that he likes him and is sexually attracted to him, but the author never developed their relationship satisfactorily to me.
Cassidy is the friend who wants more and by creating a relationship with Kye she sparks Ian's interest again. Despite Kye's depiction of her as a confident, capable woman, she comes across as slightly pathetic, whose major role is to bring Ian and Kye together.
No one in the threesome seemed to be the linchpin. I think it was supposed to be Kye but he continues to distance himself from the others and his relationship with Ian isn't solid. I didn't need anyone to be the linchpin, but without one, I expected the relationships between Ian/Kye, Kye/Cass, Cass/Ian all to be solid and meaningful; they just never felt that way to me.
Overall, I felt myself struggling to identify with the characters. The sex scenes were hot, but it just wasn't enough to make it great. I felt like I was just not getting it, which may be based on my lack of experience with polyamory; although, I've enjoyed other books with similar dynamics in the past much more than I did this one, so I have a feeling that it is a flaw in character development rather than just my own limitations as a reader.
This book is a m/m/f menage relationship where all three parties have a relationship with each of the other members. In most of the books I've read with this dynamic, the relationship hinges on the men's relationships with the female. In some there was m/m contact and in others there wasn't. In this book, there is m/m contact, and the linchpin of the relationship is Kye, even though he is also the third wheel at times. I found the relationship dynamic confusing and never fully resolved, and although I believe that is part of the point of the story, I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the end. It was well-done but not the best m/m/f relationship I've read. And since the relationship between the three is the only real story line, it wasn't as complex a story as I would have liked.
Kye is the tortured soul, a smart but unsettled man looking for love. I never really got the sense that he moved on from his unrequited love to fully engage the threesome with Ian and Cassidy.
Ian is the aloof, self-absorbed, confused, almost silly character. He's in love with Cassidy but unwilling to pursue it for fear of commitment and messing up their friendship. In some ways he takes advantage of her love for him to have her take care of him. When Kye shows up, Ian realizes his love for Cassidy and struggles with his feelings for Kye. Ultimately, it's clear that he likes him and is sexually attracted to him, but the author never developed their relationship satisfactorily to me.
Cassidy is the friend who wants more and by creating a relationship with Kye she sparks Ian's interest again. Despite Kye's depiction of her as a confident, capable woman, she comes across as slightly pathetic, whose major role is to bring Ian and Kye together.
No one in the threesome seemed to be the linchpin. I think it was supposed to be Kye but he continues to distance himself from the others and his relationship with Ian isn't solid. I didn't need anyone to be the linchpin, but without one, I expected the relationships between Ian/Kye, Kye/Cass, Cass/Ian all to be solid and meaningful; they just never felt that way to me.
Overall, I felt myself struggling to identify with the characters. The sex scenes were hot, but it just wasn't enough to make it great. I felt like I was just not getting it, which may be based on my lack of experience with polyamory; although, I've enjoyed other books with similar dynamics in the past much more than I did this one, so I have a feeling that it is a flaw in character development rather than just my own limitations as a reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
What do you do when the man you want just wants to be friends?
Cassidy has been friends with Ian for years and for one bright and shinny minute they were lovers. But things got weird and they decided that being friends was better than being lovers.
Now Cassidy and Ian are living in the same house and building a business together. Cassidy would love to turn their friendship back into lovers, but thought of losing Ian is too great of a risk.
Ian thinks about Cassidy and the times she used to be in his bed, but he can't lose her in his life. So staying the course is what he'll do.
But all that is going to change when a stranger walks into their life. Kye is like a breath of fresh air and having him around is bring long hidden feelings to the surface.
So can these three learn to live together and love together in a most unconventional manner?
This was a very steamy and intense book. Ian and Cassidy have longed to be together again, and they vow not to take their second chance for granted. Kye wants to be with them both, but between his past and overheard conversations lead him to second guess his relationship with Ian and Cassidy. Kye is a man that knows what he wants, but doesn't exactly know how to get it. I love that each character learns that communication is the key. Once they face their fears and work through their issues, they will learn that they can any situation and be made stronger for it.
I enjoyed this book for it's second chance love story along with finding a love through adversity and insecurities.
Cassidy has been friends with Ian for years and for one bright and shinny minute they were lovers. But things got weird and they decided that being friends was better than being lovers.
Now Cassidy and Ian are living in the same house and building a business together. Cassidy would love to turn their friendship back into lovers, but thought of losing Ian is too great of a risk.
Ian thinks about Cassidy and the times she used to be in his bed, but he can't lose her in his life. So staying the course is what he'll do.
But all that is going to change when a stranger walks into their life. Kye is like a breath of fresh air and having him around is bring long hidden feelings to the surface.
So can these three learn to live together and love together in a most unconventional manner?
This was a very steamy and intense book. Ian and Cassidy have longed to be together again, and they vow not to take their second chance for granted. Kye wants to be with them both, but between his past and overheard conversations lead him to second guess his relationship with Ian and Cassidy. Kye is a man that knows what he wants, but doesn't exactly know how to get it. I love that each character learns that communication is the key. Once they face their fears and work through their issues, they will learn that they can any situation and be made stronger for it.
I enjoyed this book for it's second chance love story along with finding a love through adversity and insecurities.
February 19, 2015
This was an awesome read, filled with great scenes and wonderful connections between the three characters.
The conflicts and resolutions were well thought and beautifully put together. Miss. Thompson's menage scenes were wonderfully steamy and very well put together, followed closely by very steamy m/f and m/m scenes sprinkled throughout the book!
***
Summary/tiny spoiler
Cassidy Luke and Ian Tanner, two hearts quickly connected by love, suddenly torn apart by Ian's fear of commitment as well as the continuous visions he has of a "more then friendship." relationship turning into the loveless relationship his parents shared.
Enter Kye McClellan a warmhearted Scotsman with the soul of a gypsy. Kye brings out something fierce and passionate in Ian and Cassidy that makes them wonder if two hearts can beat just as intensely with the addition of another?
The way Miss. Thompson brings these three souls together with warm dialogue, awesome imagery, and steamy love scenes, along with a few heartbreaking moments constantly has you hoping for a happily ever after!
I can't wait to own this book and add to my rapidly growing m/m/f reads shelf!
Claire Thompson is a truly gifted writer in regards to the m/m/f genre, I'm looking forward to reading more of her books in this genre as well as some of her m/m reads!
The conflicts and resolutions were well thought and beautifully put together. Miss. Thompson's menage scenes were wonderfully steamy and very well put together, followed closely by very steamy m/f and m/m scenes sprinkled throughout the book!
***
Summary/tiny spoiler
Cassidy Luke and Ian Tanner, two hearts quickly connected by love, suddenly torn apart by Ian's fear of commitment as well as the continuous visions he has of a "more then friendship." relationship turning into the loveless relationship his parents shared.
Enter Kye McClellan a warmhearted Scotsman with the soul of a gypsy. Kye brings out something fierce and passionate in Ian and Cassidy that makes them wonder if two hearts can beat just as intensely with the addition of another?
The way Miss. Thompson brings these three souls together with warm dialogue, awesome imagery, and steamy love scenes, along with a few heartbreaking moments constantly has you hoping for a happily ever after!
I can't wait to own this book and add to my rapidly growing m/m/f reads shelf!
Claire Thompson is a truly gifted writer in regards to the m/m/f genre, I'm looking forward to reading more of her books in this genre as well as some of her m/m reads!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2010
I was surprised that I liked this. Ultimately, a very human story about three people and the somewhat flexible nature of love.
Definitely a cut above category romance. The author has a character who plays the guitar-- and has actually heard of a famous guitar player. The author sets the story in Houston and, ahhh, I used to frequent the exact, specific neighborhoods she writes about. I know those trees, those bugs, those hot days and buildings frigid with air conditioning. And those tight-knit NARROW minded people who look askance at all things not approved by John Hagee. Too often, romance writers pick a setting (Australia, Spain, Forks) and do only the barest amount of research. Thompson has clearly been to Houston and understands not only its geography, but the mentality of the city. Or at very least, she knows someone who does.
Despite the statistical improbability of three people simultaneously falling in love with the other two, and despite the fact that my reading on neurobiology indicates that this is a physiological impossibility for human beings, I liked this book. Despite the fact that menage freaks my shit out, I left thinking I understood why other people might like it.
Definitely a cut above category romance. The author has a character who plays the guitar-- and has actually heard of a famous guitar player. The author sets the story in Houston and, ahhh, I used to frequent the exact, specific neighborhoods she writes about. I know those trees, those bugs, those hot days and buildings frigid with air conditioning. And those tight-knit NARROW minded people who look askance at all things not approved by John Hagee. Too often, romance writers pick a setting (Australia, Spain, Forks) and do only the barest amount of research. Thompson has clearly been to Houston and understands not only its geography, but the mentality of the city. Or at very least, she knows someone who does.
Despite the statistical improbability of three people simultaneously falling in love with the other two, and despite the fact that my reading on neurobiology indicates that this is a physiological impossibility for human beings, I liked this book. Despite the fact that menage freaks my shit out, I left thinking I understood why other people might like it.
February 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this Our Man Friday! I got my HEA. For anyone who knows me and my reviews I love HEA’s. This is Claire’s, Ian and Kye’s story.
Ian is Claire’s ex (kind of) they own a house together and work a business together. And, yes they had sex together too. But, due to Ian’s commitment problems they are now just friends (or are they?). And, Claire would rather to be at least friends with Ian than to give him up altogether (really?) Claire meets Kye at a bar and brings him home. Kye is going to help Ian and Claire get a handle on their business. And, Kye helps with so much more! I loved Our Man Friday. And, it does get HOT in the telling of their story. Do read the WARNING because if you do not like what is being warned about MMF passion then this is not the read for you. But, if you enjoy reading about superhot ménage’s then please read.
I received a copy of Our Man Friday for an honest review and I give this book 4.5 STARS.
Product Warnings: Explicit, erotic m/m/f passion. Double penetration takes on a whole new meaning—the hot and sensual combinations will leave you needing a cold shower!
Ian is Claire’s ex (kind of) they own a house together and work a business together. And, yes they had sex together too. But, due to Ian’s commitment problems they are now just friends (or are they?). And, Claire would rather to be at least friends with Ian than to give him up altogether (really?) Claire meets Kye at a bar and brings him home. Kye is going to help Ian and Claire get a handle on their business. And, Kye helps with so much more! I loved Our Man Friday. And, it does get HOT in the telling of their story. Do read the WARNING because if you do not like what is being warned about MMF passion then this is not the read for you. But, if you enjoy reading about superhot ménage’s then please read.
I received a copy of Our Man Friday for an honest review and I give this book 4.5 STARS.
Product Warnings: Explicit, erotic m/m/f passion. Double penetration takes on a whole new meaning—the hot and sensual combinations will leave you needing a cold shower!
February 16, 2016
Title: Our Man Friday
Series: Stand-alone Novel
Author: Claire Thompson
Genre: Menage Romance
Stars: 4/4 Stars
Published: January 3, 2016
Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing
Pages: 171
Four Great Stars! Claire meets Kye at a bar and he offers to help her business if she can give him a place to stay. Ian is Claire's roommate, best friend, and former boyfriend. Kye moves in and ends up helping Claire and Ian in more ways than just the business. This is a hot and steamy romance novel and please read the warning before you read this book. If you enjoy M/M, F/M, and M/F/M stories then this is the one for you. I enjoyed the story and the characters in this book.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
Plot: 4
Chemistry: 4
Pacing: 4
Ending: 4
Character Development: 4
Series: Stand-alone Novel
Author: Claire Thompson
Genre: Menage Romance
Stars: 4/4 Stars
Published: January 3, 2016
Publisher: Romance Unbound Publishing
Pages: 171
Four Great Stars! Claire meets Kye at a bar and he offers to help her business if she can give him a place to stay. Ian is Claire's roommate, best friend, and former boyfriend. Kye moves in and ends up helping Claire and Ian in more ways than just the business. This is a hot and steamy romance novel and please read the warning before you read this book. If you enjoy M/M, F/M, and M/F/M stories then this is the one for you. I enjoyed the story and the characters in this book.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
Plot: 4
Chemistry: 4
Pacing: 4
Ending: 4
Character Development: 4
February 9, 2016
Claire and Kye met at a bar. There was a mutual attraction. Cassidy explained the problems she was having with the company she and her friend's jewelry business. Kye offers to help get the books balanced in exchange for a place to stay for a few days. When she introduced him to Ian there was attraction and jealousy. As their combined relationship developed they had to overcome insecurities. I like that they worked together to get the business going. The sex is explicit, but as explained it is always consensual. The growing love they find is the important point of the story. A not to be missed book.
Review by Laura
Review by Laura
February 13, 2016
This book was a lot of fun to read. The coming together of all three characters was fun to read, the evolution of each person as and individual and as a couple was really nice. The book shows different sides of a relationship with each person having their own doubts, insecurities and dreams. The ending was beautiful and had me tearing up. I could easily see this book become a series I feel like there is so much more to know about Ian, Kye and Cassidy. Love this book.
September 4, 2012
Decent MMF read. Likeable characters, hot sex. Not too deep or heavy. Just good ole trashy smut!
February 17, 2016
I received Our Man Friday ARC to read, and I loved it.
It was full of surprises but the story of love and passion held true as to all of Claire's books.
I would be reading this again and again...
It was full of surprises but the story of love and passion held true as to all of Claire's books.
I would be reading this again and again...
August 9, 2018
Pretty interesting menage story in which best friends fall for the same guy. That guys ends up bringing them closer as a couple and makes him feel like an unwanted third.
This book was hot, had great build up for all three characters, and each character had a relationship with each other. I find that in a lot of these books the relationship between the two men is lacking, but this author took great strides to give their dynamics some complexity.
Overall 4 stars.
This book was hot, had great build up for all three characters, and each character had a relationship with each other. I find that in a lot of these books the relationship between the two men is lacking, but this author took great strides to give their dynamics some complexity.
Overall 4 stars.
August 25, 2018
I enjoyed it
February 25, 2019
Sizzling
Good story line and interesting believable characters make this book worth reading. The story never gets boring. I recommend it.
Good story line and interesting believable characters make this book worth reading. The story never gets boring. I recommend it.
April 5, 2022
While the story itself just wasn't for me, I thought the erotic scenes were well written!
February 18, 2016
This is the first book by Claire I have read and I really liked it. Cassidy and Ian were once lovers but then decided to be just friends after sleeping together changed the friendship they had before. Cassidy has secretly been longing for Ian since then. While at a local bar blowing off stem Cassidy meets Kye. Kye has an aura about him and Cassidy winds up talking to him about the business she and Ian have recently started and some the issues with it. Kye offers to help in exchange for a place to stay. Kye comes home with her and helps just like he said he would. Ian is forced to deal with how he really feels about Cassidy and the fact that he pushed her back into the friend zone because he was scared of how he felt for her. Now that Kye has begun sleeping with Cassidy, Ian fears he has lost her. Cassidy still loves Ian but she is falling for Kye as well. Instead of finally ending them Kye could be the one to bring them back together. Ian has been with guys in the past and Kye likes both women and men. Cassidy has always fantasized about being with two men. Will they be able to find a way to all be together in a relationship? Cassidy and Kye are both attracted to the other two in the group. Ian is as well however he tends to mess things up when feelings get involved. They decided to give it a try and just when things as going good Kye decides he needs to go wandering again. Will they be able to work things out as a group or will they lose Kye and just be a couple again? I really liked this book. It was hot and steamy but had a good story line as well. It was surprisingly deep and emotional for being about a ménage group relationship. The characters have a depth that pulls you into your story and makes you cheer for them. I look forward to reading more books by Claire in the future. This book was just right it could have easily gone wrong with too much sex and not enough story line but Claire did it just right. Congrats Clair on a great book.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2012
Good, but I’m not crazy in love with it
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- Ian and Cassidy’s connection, the depth of which neither of them is fully aware, is depicted well: they anticipate each other’s needs, understand each other’s expressions, finish each other’s sentences, etc.
- There’s some hot sex, two or three scenes in particular.
- The feelings of jealousy that I feel must be inevitable in most threeway relationships are explored in a fair amount of detail. Those parts aren’t necessarily pleasant to read, but I admired Thompson’s willingness to look at the negative side to threesomes as well as the positive.
CONS:
- The way that Ian and Cassidy invite Kye into their lives so quickly weirded me out a little. Cassidy meets Kye in a bar and asks him to go home with her after maybe an hour: okay, I get that. That’s typical bar behavior for some people. But I raised my eyebrows when the next morning (after no sex, mind you, so the “we slept together so we’re connected” thing’s not there), she and Ian allow Kye access to all of their business records.
- Kye’s wanderlust tendencies seem to go away or be quenched or whatever very quickly. I didn’t quite buy the speed with which he realizes he’s ready to settle down to hearth and home. In fact, I didn’t believe at the end that he was there to stay forever.
- More flowery language in the sex scenes in this book than I remember encountering in the other Thompson novels I’ve read: “petals of her sex,” “sweet nectar,” “hooded pearl,” etc. Ich. I much prefer the simple names of body parts and such.
Overall comments: This is a decent book; there’s a bit of angst thrown in, but nothing that lasts too long or is too painful, and the writing is solid. With others of Thompson’s books, though (Handyman and Switch, to be precise), I was left with a warm, delicious feeling after finishing them, and that’s just not present after reading this one.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- Ian and Cassidy’s connection, the depth of which neither of them is fully aware, is depicted well: they anticipate each other’s needs, understand each other’s expressions, finish each other’s sentences, etc.
- There’s some hot sex, two or three scenes in particular.
- The feelings of jealousy that I feel must be inevitable in most threeway relationships are explored in a fair amount of detail. Those parts aren’t necessarily pleasant to read, but I admired Thompson’s willingness to look at the negative side to threesomes as well as the positive.
CONS:
- The way that Ian and Cassidy invite Kye into their lives so quickly weirded me out a little. Cassidy meets Kye in a bar and asks him to go home with her after maybe an hour: okay, I get that. That’s typical bar behavior for some people. But I raised my eyebrows when the next morning (after no sex, mind you, so the “we slept together so we’re connected” thing’s not there), she and Ian allow Kye access to all of their business records.
- Kye’s wanderlust tendencies seem to go away or be quenched or whatever very quickly. I didn’t quite buy the speed with which he realizes he’s ready to settle down to hearth and home. In fact, I didn’t believe at the end that he was there to stay forever.
- More flowery language in the sex scenes in this book than I remember encountering in the other Thompson novels I’ve read: “petals of her sex,” “sweet nectar,” “hooded pearl,” etc. Ich. I much prefer the simple names of body parts and such.
Overall comments: This is a decent book; there’s a bit of angst thrown in, but nothing that lasts too long or is too painful, and the writing is solid. With others of Thompson’s books, though (Handyman and Switch, to be precise), I was left with a warm, delicious feeling after finishing them, and that’s just not present after reading this one.
February 19, 2016
When it comes to steamy storytelling I can always count on Ms. Thompson to leave the pages smoldering with her erotically-charged encounters and relationships teeming with sexual tension. With this latest, the storyline may be straightforward but the path to finding HEA is a difficult one based on people's fears of being hurt. From the first page to the last misunderstandings abound as do self-doubts about sexuality and societal judgments that kept this compelling triad apart far longer than necessary.
It's a likable pair that are in limbo when the story starts as Ian and Cassidy let fears over the future mar their burgeoning romance. Neither can admit the love they feel for one another, stuck in the friend zone, until a Scottish stranger comes to stay with them. Kye is a carefree spirit, nursing his own broken heart, who helps Ian and Cassidy again find the happiness they once had. He's a commanding presence and gives them the strength to take one day at a time. Before they obsessed over "what-ifs" and now they live each day to the fullest in each other's arms. Kye though has his own doubts and thinks of himself as only a plaything in their life but time apart shows them a future that's incomplete until the couple becomes a triad permanently.
This story had a nice flow beautifully balancing steamy encounters and playful interludes. Ian and Cassidy are sweet yet a bit shy at the start of the story but quickly gain confidence in Kye's presence. Kye's larger than life and exudes confidence, except in matters of the heart, where he's finally found something worth settling down for when in their arms. Though all the uncertainties and doubts were frustrating, as was the issues surrounding Derek, I was still fully immersed in this well-told tale from the first page to the last. This tale of decadent delights is yet another recommendation of the works of Ms. Thompson when readers want a story full of steaminess and substance.
It's a likable pair that are in limbo when the story starts as Ian and Cassidy let fears over the future mar their burgeoning romance. Neither can admit the love they feel for one another, stuck in the friend zone, until a Scottish stranger comes to stay with them. Kye is a carefree spirit, nursing his own broken heart, who helps Ian and Cassidy again find the happiness they once had. He's a commanding presence and gives them the strength to take one day at a time. Before they obsessed over "what-ifs" and now they live each day to the fullest in each other's arms. Kye though has his own doubts and thinks of himself as only a plaything in their life but time apart shows them a future that's incomplete until the couple becomes a triad permanently.
This story had a nice flow beautifully balancing steamy encounters and playful interludes. Ian and Cassidy are sweet yet a bit shy at the start of the story but quickly gain confidence in Kye's presence. Kye's larger than life and exudes confidence, except in matters of the heart, where he's finally found something worth settling down for when in their arms. Though all the uncertainties and doubts were frustrating, as was the issues surrounding Derek, I was still fully immersed in this well-told tale from the first page to the last. This tale of decadent delights is yet another recommendation of the works of Ms. Thompson when readers want a story full of steaminess and substance.
February 21, 2016
Our Man Friday by Claire Thompson is a four star read. Cassidy still has some feelings for her ex boyfriend, Ian. But things got weird between them when they tried to become lovers, and they resorted to being friends. They even are in business together and bought a house together. They’re still good friends, even best friends, but it’s noticeable some feelings are still there. Ian still thinks she’s absolutely stunning, but is afraid of commitment. He doesn’t like feeling uncomfortable and insecure, which happens when he’s around Cassidy. One night Cassidy is out at a bar and meets a sexy, Scottish man Kye. Kye is a music loving, guitar playing gypsy. He’s travelled before and doesn’t like to be tied down to any one place. He feels like it’s in his heart to be a wanderer. It’s obvious there’s a physical attraction between the two, but he’s also a compassionate listener. He listens to Cassidy talk about her business and how she’s worrying it’s going to fail. He offers help to her, and she gladly takes it. Turns out that Kye is going to spend a few days with Cassidy and Ian, to get the feel of the business and try to help as much as he can. Cassidy and Ian both love having him around. He’s such a caring person and business savvy. Sexual tensions and desires start to build within the house, and it leaves everyone unsure of what they truly want. But when things get very heated, Kye takes a break and steps away, leaving Cassidy and Ian hopeless. Will they all end up becoming one? Will they realize what they truly want, to all be lovers? Can each person put away their insecurities and love wholeheartedly?
This was a very interesting book. I really liked it! Very well written with a complex, yet intriguing relationship between the characters. You’re constantly wondering how it will all play out. Cassidy being caught between two guys, wanting them both to be her lovers, is a love triangle truly special. I highly recommend this book!
This was a very interesting book. I really liked it! Very well written with a complex, yet intriguing relationship between the characters. You’re constantly wondering how it will all play out. Cassidy being caught between two guys, wanting them both to be her lovers, is a love triangle truly special. I highly recommend this book!
August 17, 2015
Honestly if I was the type to regularly not finish books, I probably wouldn't have finished this one. For me, a book has to be really bad for me to just put it aside. I could not connect with any of the characters in this book. Maybe it's because I don't get the "gypsy" type but they were just really annoying and at one point or another I wanted to smack all of them. Also, I felt they basically all had the same personality with one or two things changed to distinguish them from each other. I like books where the characters create some sort of dichotomy(or trichotomy in the cases of a threesome). Ultimately the only conflict here was no one was willing to communicate. And while yes that's realistic, for me realism is fairly far down on my list when I think of the qualities that make a good book. Yes some romance novels take it a little too far into fantasy world, but I much prefer them over this. I read books to escape real life not to be reminded of issues that are sometimes present in my own everyday life.
April 3, 2016
A 3.5 for me. Very thoughtful build of each of the three characters and their separate challenges makes this ménage feel closer to reality than fantasy than some in this genre. Each character has a past (two of them with each other) and it influences how the story develops. The path to love between the three of them is not smooth, and the conflicts feel natural. I think having more scenes between individual pairings would have deepened the story and made it more complete, but I was happy to read on without them.
To be honest, with the exception of the first scene where they all get into bed together I didn't find this one so hot, but on an emotional level it's very fulfilling. Certainly an interesting matchup between two jewelry makers and a Scotsman.
To be honest, with the exception of the first scene where they all get into bed together I didn't find this one so hot, but on an emotional level it's very fulfilling. Certainly an interesting matchup between two jewelry makers and a Scotsman.
February 9, 2016
Claire and Kye met at a bar. There was a mutual attraction. Cassidy explained the problems she was having with the company she and her friend's jewelry business. Kye offers to help get the books balanced in exchange for a place to stay for a few days. When she introduced him to Ian there was attraction and jealousy. As their combined relationship developed they had to overcome insecurities. I like that they worked together to get the business going. The sex is explicit, but as explained it is always consensual. The growing love they find is the important point of the story. A not to be missed book
March 13, 2011
I really enjoyed this story. It's a sweet tale that twists a few plot cliches, boy meets girl, boy dates girl for a while, boy leaves girl, they stay friends. It takes boy #2 to bring them together again and it takes all 3 of them to find a lasting love that works for all of them. This is erotica with descriptions of m/f, m/f/m, and m/m action.
December 18, 2010
******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group
December 21, 2010
Very cute - and HOT!
March 13, 2016
Liked this story. Got a little angsty for me but not over the top. A reread.
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