What do you think?
Rate this book
Us #1
Here for Us
Cris Sable doesn’t walk into popular gay bar Big Dick’s expecting to find more than a casual hookup, so he’s surprised by his instant attraction and intense chemistry with go-go dancer Jake. Jake’s sexy as hell and a firecracker in bed. The sparks between them are undeniable, and what starts as a hookup evolves into something deeper, possibly permanent—until Jake dumps Cris flat on his ass for no good reason.
Angry and confused, Cris finds comfort with his longtime friend and employer Charles “Chet” Greenwood. Cris’s emotional state stirs up Charles’s long-buried feelings for Cris. Feelings he’s denied for eight years, because Cris is his employee and therefore off limits—not to mention two decades younger than Charles. Cris admits he has feelings for Charles, too, but he’s still getting over Jake and both men agree nothing can happen between them while Charles is still Cris’s boss.
Jake Bowden knows he doesn’t have anything to offer a guy. He’s a go-go dancer with no degree and no real career aspirations. He’s also used to everyone who loves him leaving, so it makes sense to cut Cris loose before things get too serious. Cris is kind, passionate and totally deserves a guy like Charles—wealthy, owns a home, successful businessman. Jake can’t compete so why bother? They’re better off together. But when Jake has a serious personal crisis, Cris and Charles unite to pull him back together, and the three men discover it’s possible—maybe even inevitable—to fall in love with more than one person at a time.
Angry and confused, Cris finds comfort with his longtime friend and employer Charles “Chet” Greenwood. Cris’s emotional state stirs up Charles’s long-buried feelings for Cris. Feelings he’s denied for eight years, because Cris is his employee and therefore off limits—not to mention two decades younger than Charles. Cris admits he has feelings for Charles, too, but he’s still getting over Jake and both men agree nothing can happen between them while Charles is still Cris’s boss.
Jake Bowden knows he doesn’t have anything to offer a guy. He’s a go-go dancer with no degree and no real career aspirations. He’s also used to everyone who loves him leaving, so it makes sense to cut Cris loose before things get too serious. Cris is kind, passionate and totally deserves a guy like Charles—wealthy, owns a home, successful businessman. Jake can’t compete so why bother? They’re better off together. But when Jake has a serious personal crisis, Cris and Charles unite to pull him back together, and the three men discover it’s possible—maybe even inevitable—to fall in love with more than one person at a time.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2017
170 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Arthur
87 books1,233 followersNo stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 4, 2017
Welp. This could've gone better so I'll be quick about it.
I've seen this author's works in my feed since forever so when this landed in the clubhouse it seemed like kismet-ménage, age difference, a little hurt/comfort... what could go wrong? Famous last words.
It's not that the book is bad. The premise is great and I was hella excited to get my mitts on it. What had happened was we didn't click. I knew early on this writing style wasn't going to be my cuppa. I persevered thinking I was either being too harsh, that things would improve or wasn't giving it a fair shake. But the truth of the matter is I need bells and whistles! A little angst, some zhooshing, frills are the things I like. Hell, I'll even read purple! This style is very dry, straightforward, no muss, no fuss and I was bored.
I had trouble connecting with the characters. I found their journey a little too convenient and I'm still on the fence as to whether or not the dialogue is exceedingly authentic or tipped over into a stilted permutation of authenticity. All the components are there from backstories to character and relationship development but it lacked emotionality, thus I never invested in this narrative or these characters.
The sex is decently hot. I do appreciate a dude who's good with his hands and Cris is. And he likes to wreck his lovers. Not mad. Not mad at all.
This is the beginning of a new series but there are A LOT of characters introduced that I felt like I should know somehow. Later I learned this is a spinoff of the Perspectives series. I don't think it's necessary to have read that but you'll probably get more out of this if you have. Also, almost all of these characters are involved in the porn industry and have a porn name and a real name. I thought my head was going to explode trying to keep up with all of them. Did I mention that they're used interchangeably?
Lastly, there is a mental health issue with one of the characters. I'm not going to belabor the point since this isn't a textbook or a peer reviewed article, but I will say I would've preferred for this particular plot device to be well researched OR a more generic 'there's something up' rather than the label being used willy-nilly.
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes... it just doesn't work out and Here for Us is one of those times. Still, it's got a fairly high rating on GR so I'd encourage all to check out the other reviews before deciding.
A review copy was provided.
I've seen this author's works in my feed since forever so when this landed in the clubhouse it seemed like kismet-ménage, age difference, a little hurt/comfort... what could go wrong? Famous last words.
It's not that the book is bad. The premise is great and I was hella excited to get my mitts on it. What had happened was we didn't click. I knew early on this writing style wasn't going to be my cuppa. I persevered thinking I was either being too harsh, that things would improve or wasn't giving it a fair shake. But the truth of the matter is I need bells and whistles! A little angst, some zhooshing, frills are the things I like. Hell, I'll even read purple! This style is very dry, straightforward, no muss, no fuss and I was bored.
I had trouble connecting with the characters. I found their journey a little too convenient and I'm still on the fence as to whether or not the dialogue is exceedingly authentic or tipped over into a stilted permutation of authenticity. All the components are there from backstories to character and relationship development but it lacked emotionality, thus I never invested in this narrative or these characters.
The sex is decently hot. I do appreciate a dude who's good with his hands and Cris is. And he likes to wreck his lovers. Not mad. Not mad at all.
This is the beginning of a new series but there are A LOT of characters introduced that I felt like I should know somehow. Later I learned this is a spinoff of the Perspectives series. I don't think it's necessary to have read that but you'll probably get more out of this if you have. Also, almost all of these characters are involved in the porn industry and have a porn name and a real name. I thought my head was going to explode trying to keep up with all of them. Did I mention that they're used interchangeably?
Lastly, there is a mental health issue with one of the characters. I'm not going to belabor the point since this isn't a textbook or a peer reviewed article, but I will say I would've preferred for this particular plot device to be well researched OR a more generic 'there's something up' rather than the label being used willy-nilly.
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes... it just doesn't work out and Here for Us is one of those times. Still, it's got a fairly high rating on GR so I'd encourage all to check out the other reviews before deciding.
A review copy was provided.
March 19, 2017
4.5 stars
* I'm docking it half of a star for having extraneous/unnecessary characters.
Man, I loved this one. It had all the things I love in a love story except little kids. It had damaged characters, a love story not overshadowed by sex, and growth by the main characters. This was a story of some guys that found refuge in each other as their various life journey converged into one lane. It felt like going through a storm and coming out on the other side to basking in sunshine.
I really liked Cristian “Cris” Sable. I wasn’t sure what he found so intriguing about Jake Bowden, but I suppose a sexy and unpredictable guy is just too much sauce to for a stable guy like Cris to pass up. Cris and Charles “Chet” Greenwood is one of those relationships where the time was never right, until it was. Cris and Chet felt like the joy I get while unwrapping a Christmas present. The author laid a proper foundation and that relationship felt like it was rooted in much more than physical attraction and curiosity. Cris and Chet had an enduring respect, affection and trust created from years of working together. These two really made the book for me because they were both caretakers and selfless men. That’s probably what drew them to Jake because he definitely need taking care of.
I’ll admit that I didn’t care for Jake. He alternated between abrasive and sharp-tongued to overly emotional and dramatic. I am glad he got counseling for all he had been through but at times I kept thinking he wasn’t worth the effort Cris and Chet were putting forth. In caring for Jake, Chet and Cris showed the depth of their loyalty and their capacity for patience and love. It made me love them that much more.
The chemistry between the three was palpable though I liked Cris as the connection, not Jake. I didn’t feel the attraction between Chet and Jake as strong because it felt more like compassion than passion.
My only complaint in this book was that the author introduced so many characters. Some of the secondary characters were necessary as it was clear they would be getting their own books in the future. But it was too many new people and I got annoyed trying to remember them as I didn’t know what role they would play in the threesome’s relationship down the road.
Despite that, I really enjoyed this book. I was so impressed with the way the author layered this romance. It wasn’t quick and insta-love, but it wasn’t so slow that I felt bored. It was just a steady pace of attraction, friendship and love. I can’t wait for the next book which I really hope is Taro and Dell.
* I'm docking it half of a star for having extraneous/unnecessary characters.
Man, I loved this one. It had all the things I love in a love story except little kids. It had damaged characters, a love story not overshadowed by sex, and growth by the main characters. This was a story of some guys that found refuge in each other as their various life journey converged into one lane. It felt like going through a storm and coming out on the other side to basking in sunshine.
I really liked Cristian “Cris” Sable. I wasn’t sure what he found so intriguing about Jake Bowden, but I suppose a sexy and unpredictable guy is just too much sauce to for a stable guy like Cris to pass up. Cris and Charles “Chet” Greenwood is one of those relationships where the time was never right, until it was. Cris and Chet felt like the joy I get while unwrapping a Christmas present. The author laid a proper foundation and that relationship felt like it was rooted in much more than physical attraction and curiosity. Cris and Chet had an enduring respect, affection and trust created from years of working together. These two really made the book for me because they were both caretakers and selfless men. That’s probably what drew them to Jake because he definitely need taking care of.
I’ll admit that I didn’t care for Jake. He alternated between abrasive and sharp-tongued to overly emotional and dramatic. I am glad he got counseling for all he had been through but at times I kept thinking he wasn’t worth the effort Cris and Chet were putting forth. In caring for Jake, Chet and Cris showed the depth of their loyalty and their capacity for patience and love. It made me love them that much more.
The chemistry between the three was palpable though I liked Cris as the connection, not Jake. I didn’t feel the attraction between Chet and Jake as strong because it felt more like compassion than passion.
My only complaint in this book was that the author introduced so many characters. Some of the secondary characters were necessary as it was clear they would be getting their own books in the future. But it was too many new people and I got annoyed trying to remember them as I didn’t know what role they would play in the threesome’s relationship down the road.
Despite that, I really enjoyed this book. I was so impressed with the way the author layered this romance. It wasn’t quick and insta-love, but it wasn’t so slow that I felt bored. It was just a steady pace of attraction, friendship and love. I can’t wait for the next book which I really hope is Taro and Dell.
March 18, 2017
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
Cris is 28 and hasn’t really had a long-term relationship. They all seem to end either when his partner finds out he’s bisexual or that he does gay porn, a job he’s reconsidering after being on hiatus. Chet is Cris’ boss and the owner of Mean Green Studios. Cris and Chet have known each other and been attracted to each other for eight years, never acting on it though in deference to their employee/employer relationship. Chet’s been having a tough time as of late, dealing with his nephew Dell’s health crisis and realizing at 48 years old just how lonely he is. His last serious relationship ended badly and made it difficult for him to build trust so instead, he has focused on his business. Enter go-go dancer Jake, the youngest of the three men. Jake is at times impulsive, always ready to push someone away before they can leave him. He’s had it tough the last few years, but managed to land on his feet and is doing okay now, but there is an underlying sadness that never really lets go.
Cris and Jake hook up when they meet at Big Dick’s, where Jake dances (if you’ve read the Perspectives series you’ll recognize the place). The two have sizzling chemistry and they both feel a connection. The next morning Jake acts on impulse to push Cris away, but Cris isn’t going to give up on him that easily. Things only get more complicated when Jake sees Cris and Chet out together and notices that the two men are quite obviously very attracted to each other. From there on it’s a push-and-pull as Cris tries to keep Jake with him and keep his attraction to Chet tamped down as he has for the past 8 years, but again all of it is made even more difficult by Jake’s impulsive actions.
When I started this book, I was almost worried it was going to be more hot sex than plot. It definitely starts off hot and heavy when Cris and Jake meet and hook up, but my fears were quickly revealed to be unfounded as the story soon became more focused the men sorting out their individual relationships with each other and slowly beginning to wonder if maybe the best fix for all of them was not choosing, but building something untraditional, but that felt right to all three of them.
There are two very distinct relationships at play before any talk of the three of them getting together, and Cris is in the middle of it all. He acknowledges that he has feelings for both Jake and Chet and he is honest with Jake about these feelings. Jake doesn’t feel he can compete, especially after meeting Chet and he does what he needs in order to protect himself. Unfortunately, it is also the thing that throws them straight into crisis mode.
There are a lot of ups and downs before these three even think about making things work all together. While there is plenty of drama, it’s not as angsty as some of the author’s other stories. The three men are all different in many ways, but also fit together very well. Cris is loyal and caring as is Chet. They both have the caretaker gene and Jake definitely can benefit from that. Chet also understands Jake’s issues very well.
I liked how things were handled between them. There is a bit of an imbalance at first since Cris and Chet have so much history, even though they were not a couple. Jake barely knows Chet, but acknowledges an attraction and some feelings towards him, but Jake also questions whether the feelings are more than just an emotional bond brought on by the care Chet gave him. As they all spend more time together they really start to open up and find their footing both individually and within this new thing they are trying to build.
Aside from the three MCs there are some secondary characters that seem ready for their story to be told including Chet’s nephew Dell and Cris’ best friend Taro. There are also some guest appearances by main characters from the Perspectives series though you don’t have to have read those books before you start this series.
A.M. Arthur did a wonderful job of keeping all the men’s voices distinct and pacing the relationship differently for all them while still maintaining the chemistry between them. It would have felt unrealistic had they all just dove in on equal footing without voicing their issues and concerns. With the story ending basically as a HFN at the start of their threesome and with some issues raised that weren’t really dealt with, I’m so glad to see the next book will also focus on these three.
Cris is 28 and hasn’t really had a long-term relationship. They all seem to end either when his partner finds out he’s bisexual or that he does gay porn, a job he’s reconsidering after being on hiatus. Chet is Cris’ boss and the owner of Mean Green Studios. Cris and Chet have known each other and been attracted to each other for eight years, never acting on it though in deference to their employee/employer relationship. Chet’s been having a tough time as of late, dealing with his nephew Dell’s health crisis and realizing at 48 years old just how lonely he is. His last serious relationship ended badly and made it difficult for him to build trust so instead, he has focused on his business. Enter go-go dancer Jake, the youngest of the three men. Jake is at times impulsive, always ready to push someone away before they can leave him. He’s had it tough the last few years, but managed to land on his feet and is doing okay now, but there is an underlying sadness that never really lets go.
Cris and Jake hook up when they meet at Big Dick’s, where Jake dances (if you’ve read the Perspectives series you’ll recognize the place). The two have sizzling chemistry and they both feel a connection. The next morning Jake acts on impulse to push Cris away, but Cris isn’t going to give up on him that easily. Things only get more complicated when Jake sees Cris and Chet out together and notices that the two men are quite obviously very attracted to each other. From there on it’s a push-and-pull as Cris tries to keep Jake with him and keep his attraction to Chet tamped down as he has for the past 8 years, but again all of it is made even more difficult by Jake’s impulsive actions.
When I started this book, I was almost worried it was going to be more hot sex than plot. It definitely starts off hot and heavy when Cris and Jake meet and hook up, but my fears were quickly revealed to be unfounded as the story soon became more focused the men sorting out their individual relationships with each other and slowly beginning to wonder if maybe the best fix for all of them was not choosing, but building something untraditional, but that felt right to all three of them.
There are two very distinct relationships at play before any talk of the three of them getting together, and Cris is in the middle of it all. He acknowledges that he has feelings for both Jake and Chet and he is honest with Jake about these feelings. Jake doesn’t feel he can compete, especially after meeting Chet and he does what he needs in order to protect himself. Unfortunately, it is also the thing that throws them straight into crisis mode.
There are a lot of ups and downs before these three even think about making things work all together. While there is plenty of drama, it’s not as angsty as some of the author’s other stories. The three men are all different in many ways, but also fit together very well. Cris is loyal and caring as is Chet. They both have the caretaker gene and Jake definitely can benefit from that. Chet also understands Jake’s issues very well.
I liked how things were handled between them. There is a bit of an imbalance at first since Cris and Chet have so much history, even though they were not a couple. Jake barely knows Chet, but acknowledges an attraction and some feelings towards him, but Jake also questions whether the feelings are more than just an emotional bond brought on by the care Chet gave him. As they all spend more time together they really start to open up and find their footing both individually and within this new thing they are trying to build.
Aside from the three MCs there are some secondary characters that seem ready for their story to be told including Chet’s nephew Dell and Cris’ best friend Taro. There are also some guest appearances by main characters from the Perspectives series though you don’t have to have read those books before you start this series.
A.M. Arthur did a wonderful job of keeping all the men’s voices distinct and pacing the relationship differently for all them while still maintaining the chemistry between them. It would have felt unrealistic had they all just dove in on equal footing without voicing their issues and concerns. With the story ending basically as a HFN at the start of their threesome and with some issues raised that weren’t really dealt with, I’m so glad to see the next book will also focus on these three.
March 20, 2017
I had to suspend way too much reality for this insta-love sap fest.
I couldn't understand one decision Cris made. None of it made any sense to me. His insta-love with Jake & his failure to act on his 8 year love of Chet baffled me.
And Jake......yeah, nothing about his character worked for me. He spent the entire book saying he didn't understand what anyone else saw in him. On that he & I agreed.
I felt ragey all 700x (ok, slight exaggeration) someone called Chet "grandpa" or "old man". FFS he was 48 not 84!!
Way too many appearances of characters from the author's other series. It was overwhelming. Especially since they each had two names due to their porn careers. It felt like there were 100 side characters.
Too much going on in these characters lives for one book. We had bisexuality, demisexualiry, poly relationship, mental illness, stalkers, organ donation, drug addiction, family abandonment, guilt over someone else's death, memory loss, homophobia from the past, dementia (different than another MC's memory loss). It just went on & on & on. I would be scared to death to hang out with this group of friends for fear I would get stabbed while being abducted by aliens or something.
According to the note at the end of the book the next book will be a continuation of these three's story. (I will not be reading it)
I couldn't understand one decision Cris made. None of it made any sense to me. His insta-love with Jake & his failure to act on his 8 year love of Chet baffled me.
And Jake......yeah, nothing about his character worked for me. He spent the entire book saying he didn't understand what anyone else saw in him. On that he & I agreed.
I felt ragey all 700x (ok, slight exaggeration) someone called Chet "grandpa" or "old man". FFS he was 48 not 84!!
Way too many appearances of characters from the author's other series. It was overwhelming. Especially since they each had two names due to their porn careers. It felt like there were 100 side characters.
Too much going on in these characters lives for one book. We had bisexuality, demisexualiry, poly relationship, mental illness, stalkers, organ donation, drug addiction, family abandonment, guilt over someone else's death, memory loss, homophobia from the past, dementia (different than another MC's memory loss). It just went on & on & on. I would be scared to death to hang out with this group of friends for fear I would get stabbed while being abducted by aliens or something.
According to the note at the end of the book the next book will be a continuation of these three's story. (I will not be reading it)
March 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this - didn't realize it was the beginning of a new series so it all makes sense that the build was so detailed and so slow !!! I wanted action but this book was all about the chemistry, the history and the connections. I love these characters and each person has their own issues, vulnerabilities and needs. I can't wait for the next part which should be one hot raunchy read !
May 28, 2017
*** A beautiful Male ménage story of tortured souls finding peace. We see previous characters from the PERSPECTIVES series.
Cris/Cristian, 28, is at Big Dick's for the first time in a year.
He's been off the grid after anonymously donating a kidney, and now watches his health, and alcohol consumption more carefully.
He takes go-go dancer, Jake, 23, home
for a night of sexy times, and we do get awesome sex scenes here. Cris used to work for Chet/Charlie in the porn industry with the Mean Green boys. He'd earned a tidy sum.
Now, Chet, 48, appears to need help,
so Cris goes to him. They've been friends for 8 yrs., but have never acted on their attraction to each other because of the boss/employee issue. Cris helps Chet out of his depression, they see their feelings bubble up to the surface.
Much is happening as we flow along and all three men are having conflicting feelings. Cris wants Jake AND Chet. The other men realize it's what they want, too, especially after Jake's emotional episode. The men's feelings for one another are so intense.
Cris and Chet help him, and I was glad to see therapy used, explained and the safe use of medicating Jake for his bipolar issue.
We are lucky as we get to watch the men react, fumble and sort out the new desires.
The sex is fabulous, and their ménage is exciting, meaningful, and is accompanied with deep emotions.
Beautifully written by A.M. Arthur, this is a real gem.
The next tale gives us more of these men, and Cris needs their help. Looking forward to more. Marvelous !
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
=====================
Free on KU
Cris/Cristian, 28, is at Big Dick's for the first time in a year.
He's been off the grid after anonymously donating a kidney, and now watches his health, and alcohol consumption more carefully.
He takes go-go dancer, Jake, 23, home
for a night of sexy times, and we do get awesome sex scenes here. Cris used to work for Chet/Charlie in the porn industry with the Mean Green boys. He'd earned a tidy sum.
Now, Chet, 48, appears to need help,
so Cris goes to him. They've been friends for 8 yrs., but have never acted on their attraction to each other because of the boss/employee issue. Cris helps Chet out of his depression, they see their feelings bubble up to the surface.
Much is happening as we flow along and all three men are having conflicting feelings. Cris wants Jake AND Chet. The other men realize it's what they want, too, especially after Jake's emotional episode. The men's feelings for one another are so intense.
Cris and Chet help him, and I was glad to see therapy used, explained and the safe use of medicating Jake for his bipolar issue.
We are lucky as we get to watch the men react, fumble and sort out the new desires.
The sex is fabulous, and their ménage is exciting, meaningful, and is accompanied with deep emotions.
Beautifully written by A.M. Arthur, this is a real gem.
The next tale gives us more of these men, and Cris needs their help. Looking forward to more. Marvelous !
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
=====================
Free on KU
October 25, 2017
Ugh! I found the repeated references to the multiple other couples friends to the MCs thoroughly annoying. I think about 20% of the book is going over side stories that had really not a whole lot to do with the MCs stories. Like who gives a fuck about Jon, Gabriel, Tristan or whoever. I wanted to know about Jake, Cris and Charles. So much is wasted on other people's backstories that the guys’ story feels rushed. There's a bit of insta-love between Jake and Cris and Jake and Chet.
Finally, please spend more time proofreading the sequel. This book has numerous small errors like misspellings, words in the wrong order in a sentence, extra words in a sentence. Just little things take ultimately take away a lot of enjoyment from the story.
Finally, please spend more time proofreading the sequel. This book has numerous small errors like misspellings, words in the wrong order in a sentence, extra words in a sentence. Just little things take ultimately take away a lot of enjoyment from the story.
November 19, 2017
Came back to it. Yeahhh, no. Respectfully, I think this author's writing style just isn't for me. The characters all seem to give these mini speeches disguised as conversation. I had to skim so much dialogue, and hemming and hawwing, just to keep my sanity. Pretty much all the characters slightly irritated me, except Jake who REALLY irritated me. My favorite was Charles, but even he sounded like some kind of wizened, old sage. He was 48! It was all so slloooow. By the time they actually got together in the end, I had enough of them and skimmed the sex! I'm glad it's over. I will not be reading more about them in book 2 as they chase their HEA. This was more than enough.
1.5 stars, and the .5 is for the kidney reveal.
----------------------------
DNF @ 62%. I was really trying to hold out until these three actually got together, but I really can't deal with mental issues with Jake right now. It's too much. Depression on top of everything else we've had to endure with him, and the other characters?? No, sorry Jake; you're not even my favorite of the three.
This book is overly long for, in my opinion, no doggone reason. There are entirely too many extraneous characters that are referenced like I should know them (I just read in a review this series is a spinoff of another one); still, is there any need to introduce every character ever written about?! Don't even get me started on the fact that each character has a porn name and a real name, and they're used interchangeably. I don't care! I'm already trying to deal with the actions of the characters in THIS book that, at times, make no sense! It's like everyone wants to be a martyr. The conversations are strangely 'perfect' and overly explanatory. Who talks like that?
I just don't have the patience right now, especially since it's an HFN ending, not an HEA and I need to read Book 2 to get my HEA. No ma'am. No can do.
Started off great, sex is hot, but this is just doing too much right now, and not keeping my interest.
1.5 stars, and the .5 is for the kidney reveal.
----------------------------
DNF @ 62%. I was really trying to hold out until these three actually got together, but I really can't deal with mental issues with Jake right now. It's too much. Depression on top of everything else we've had to endure with him, and the other characters?? No, sorry Jake; you're not even my favorite of the three.
This book is overly long for, in my opinion, no doggone reason. There are entirely too many extraneous characters that are referenced like I should know them (I just read in a review this series is a spinoff of another one); still, is there any need to introduce every character ever written about?! Don't even get me started on the fact that each character has a porn name and a real name, and they're used interchangeably. I don't care! I'm already trying to deal with the actions of the characters in THIS book that, at times, make no sense! It's like everyone wants to be a martyr. The conversations are strangely 'perfect' and overly explanatory. Who talks like that?
I just don't have the patience right now, especially since it's an HFN ending, not an HEA and I need to read Book 2 to get my HEA. No ma'am. No can do.
Started off great, sex is hot, but this is just doing too much right now, and not keeping my interest.
March 17, 2017
MMM is a favorite of mine and this is my very favorite type of ménage story! I've read a lot of A.M. Arthur's stories and there are usually varying levels of angst. This was surprisingly low-angst, although there were several issues to explore with all three characters. It's still a good hurt/comfort story and we get an April, May and November age gap as well.
Cris/Cristian is one of the first porn stars to work for Chet Green, whose studio was central to the Perspectives trilogy. Big Dick's, the bar that Gabriel's dads owned in The World As He Sees It, is where Cris meets Jake, who dances there. After a short time spent together, Jake ends up pushing Cris away and he turns to Chet for advice. They've been attracted to each other for years but never pursued it because they worked together. They take some tentative steps towards deepening their relationship, when a crisis for Jake brings them all into contact.
I liked the chemistry between Cris and Jake, although Jake was kind of a jerk for a while. Cris and Chet have just started to connect but everything goes on hold as helping Jake becomes a focus for both. Jake has more problems than he realized and Chet takes him in and helps him find solutions, providing stability but not taking over. A.M. does a good job of not making Chet too paternal for the story, because that would be creepy! Cris is determined to stand by Jake as well, since he realizes some of what happened was beyond his control. This is when the dynamic begins to develop. I always prefer when a ménage comes together at pretty much the same time, not as a third being added to an established couple. The book is paced well, as there were a couple of hot sex scenes with Jake and Cris, but it slows way down in the second half. There's time for the threesome to interact more and get to know each other, as Jake starts working to help himself get better. Nothing is rushed.
Along with the threesome, there are other characters being developed. Taro is Cris's best friend and he is demi-sexual. Dell, Chet's nephew is recovered from his illness and is a recovering alcoholic. His sexuality is somewhat of a mystery. I'm guessing we will see more sexual diversity in coming books. We also see a bit of Gabe and Tristan, Jon and Isaac and a few more of Chet's boys. The book does end just as the threesome has embarked on their commitment. A continuation of their story is promised but they do reach a HFN by the close of this story. I'm really looking forward to the next one and seeing how their relationship progresses. Also hoping for hot three-way sex because they hadn't really progressed that far yet. So, lots to look forward to.
Cris/Cristian is one of the first porn stars to work for Chet Green, whose studio was central to the Perspectives trilogy. Big Dick's, the bar that Gabriel's dads owned in The World As He Sees It, is where Cris meets Jake, who dances there. After a short time spent together, Jake ends up pushing Cris away and he turns to Chet for advice. They've been attracted to each other for years but never pursued it because they worked together. They take some tentative steps towards deepening their relationship, when a crisis for Jake brings them all into contact.
I liked the chemistry between Cris and Jake, although Jake was kind of a jerk for a while. Cris and Chet have just started to connect but everything goes on hold as helping Jake becomes a focus for both. Jake has more problems than he realized and Chet takes him in and helps him find solutions, providing stability but not taking over. A.M. does a good job of not making Chet too paternal for the story, because that would be creepy! Cris is determined to stand by Jake as well, since he realizes some of what happened was beyond his control. This is when the dynamic begins to develop. I always prefer when a ménage comes together at pretty much the same time, not as a third being added to an established couple. The book is paced well, as there were a couple of hot sex scenes with Jake and Cris, but it slows way down in the second half. There's time for the threesome to interact more and get to know each other, as Jake starts working to help himself get better. Nothing is rushed.
Along with the threesome, there are other characters being developed. Taro is Cris's best friend and he is demi-sexual. Dell, Chet's nephew is recovered from his illness and is a recovering alcoholic. His sexuality is somewhat of a mystery. I'm guessing we will see more sexual diversity in coming books. We also see a bit of Gabe and Tristan, Jon and Isaac and a few more of Chet's boys. The book does end just as the threesome has embarked on their commitment. A continuation of their story is promised but they do reach a HFN by the close of this story. I'm really looking forward to the next one and seeing how their relationship progresses. Also hoping for hot three-way sex because they hadn't really progressed that far yet. So, lots to look forward to.
March 17, 2017
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. This is a complicated story that brings together the old and the new. If you are a fan of this author you will recognise a lot of the characters that pop up and that have formed this odd kind of family.
Whilst Cris Sable holds together this story he is only one of three men that we are introduced to. Chet aka Charles has been Cris’s on again off again employer in the porn industry for many years – he has also had strong feelings for Cris for just as long but as a responsible employer has never acted on how he felt. Jake is a go go boy at a local gay bar called Big Dick’s. Jake’s story is a sad one that has left him unable to trust anyone and he often deliberately messes up promising friendships to prevent him from getting hurt further down the line.
In the space of a couple of days Cris goes from being single to having two men wanting, maybe even needing him, and life gets more complicated than ever. I liked that the author didn’t immediately throw these three men into bed together as that would have been far too easy. There is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of treading on egg shells and a few noble gestures that just confuse and make their situation feel quite realistic. Their relationship both with each other separately and as a threesome is constantly evolving and often difficult. Jake in crisis is the thing that finally brings them together but even that is awkward. I think it was at this point in the book that I began to wonder how this would wrap up – they didn’t feel anywhere near solid enough to have their story end so I am more than delighted that it will continue in the next book. It’s not all doom and gloom for these boys though! There are some very hot moments between each and all of them and Jake is a little spitfire when he gets revved up and when Charles and Cris were dancing with each other in the club…HOT!
There are a solid set of secondary characters – some you know and some you don’t. I am looking forward to Taro’s story and of course Dell’s. I wonder whether that will be in the same book? But first I look forward to seeing Cris, Jake and Charles get their well-deserved resolution.
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. This is a complicated story that brings together the old and the new. If you are a fan of this author you will recognise a lot of the characters that pop up and that have formed this odd kind of family.
Whilst Cris Sable holds together this story he is only one of three men that we are introduced to. Chet aka Charles has been Cris’s on again off again employer in the porn industry for many years – he has also had strong feelings for Cris for just as long but as a responsible employer has never acted on how he felt. Jake is a go go boy at a local gay bar called Big Dick’s. Jake’s story is a sad one that has left him unable to trust anyone and he often deliberately messes up promising friendships to prevent him from getting hurt further down the line.
In the space of a couple of days Cris goes from being single to having two men wanting, maybe even needing him, and life gets more complicated than ever. I liked that the author didn’t immediately throw these three men into bed together as that would have been far too easy. There is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of treading on egg shells and a few noble gestures that just confuse and make their situation feel quite realistic. Their relationship both with each other separately and as a threesome is constantly evolving and often difficult. Jake in crisis is the thing that finally brings them together but even that is awkward. I think it was at this point in the book that I began to wonder how this would wrap up – they didn’t feel anywhere near solid enough to have their story end so I am more than delighted that it will continue in the next book. It’s not all doom and gloom for these boys though! There are some very hot moments between each and all of them and Jake is a little spitfire when he gets revved up and when Charles and Cris were dancing with each other in the club…HOT!
There are a solid set of secondary characters – some you know and some you don’t. I am looking forward to Taro’s story and of course Dell’s. I wonder whether that will be in the same book? But first I look forward to seeing Cris, Jake and Charles get their well-deserved resolution.
March 18, 2017
DNF 50%.
This is the tellingest tellingest book ever. No showing in this one. It's all sort of a meta narrative with a bit of mutual psychoanalysis-as-conversation going on.
There are lots of people from previous stories who are all explained, and it's all sort of told from a distance. I was labouring at about 15%, so moved it to 30% where it was a bit better...
I simply did not connect with any of the characters. There was too much distance. I didn't care about anybody, and I was not enjoying the narrative.
AM Arthur has written some good stuff. This is not a good start to a series as it spends all its time explaining everybody from every other series and there is no connection with the characters or between them. Not that you feel anyway, notwithstanding being told about it repeatedly.
This is the tellingest tellingest book ever. No showing in this one. It's all sort of a meta narrative with a bit of mutual psychoanalysis-as-conversation going on.
There are lots of people from previous stories who are all explained, and it's all sort of told from a distance. I was labouring at about 15%, so moved it to 30% where it was a bit better...
I simply did not connect with any of the characters. There was too much distance. I didn't care about anybody, and I was not enjoying the narrative.
AM Arthur has written some good stuff. This is not a good start to a series as it spends all its time explaining everybody from every other series and there is no connection with the characters or between them. Not that you feel anyway, notwithstanding being told about it repeatedly.
March 23, 2017
Slick's review:
**This book is the beginning of a series about three men finding and needing one another. This book leaves them in a good place, but it is the beginning of this triad’s story. It is not a cliffhanger, if has a happy for now ending.
I’ve always been fascinated by triad relationships because making a relationship work with one person is hard enough and in A.M. Arthur’s Here For Us she adds in the fact that all three of these men are at very different places in their lives with quite a few years between them. She calls this a March/May/December romance and that is very true, but one thing that was overwhelming obvious was each of these men brought something special into the relationship and in each other they found everything they needed to make their lives complete.
A go-go dancer, a porn star, and a porn director walk into a bar…no that’s not the start of a joke that’s the characters that make of Here For Us. Although to be fair the porn star is also a graphic designer, but still.
Jake and Cris meet at Big Dick’s the bar where Jake is a dancer and they share an incredible night followed by an incident in which Jake sends Cris packing. Cris doesn’t have time to dwell on his own problems because his good friend and the owner of the porn studio is not well and Cris rushed to help Charles (Chet) and in doing so stirs up the feelings they’ve both had for one another for years.
I’ll be upfront and say that this book had a lot more angst than I normally like, but it was tempered with intelligent conversation and those involved trying their hardest to do what they thought was the right thing. Each of these men had a very selfless side and that put them in a very unique situation of trying to make it right for the person they had strong feelings for and often succeeding in hurting them more; it was a vicious cycle that stopped when one man needed them both even though he didn’t know it at the time.
Here For Us was not an easy romance and to be honest in this type of a relationship it shouldn't have been and while this book was only the beginning, I have a feeling there will be more tough times ahead for these three as they navigate the relationship roller coaster. However, this book had strong writing, characters I adore, an intense and engaging plot, and some incredibly hot, but also sweet love scenes. I loved this story and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review
**This book is the beginning of a series about three men finding and needing one another. This book leaves them in a good place, but it is the beginning of this triad’s story. It is not a cliffhanger, if has a happy for now ending.
I’ve always been fascinated by triad relationships because making a relationship work with one person is hard enough and in A.M. Arthur’s Here For Us she adds in the fact that all three of these men are at very different places in their lives with quite a few years between them. She calls this a March/May/December romance and that is very true, but one thing that was overwhelming obvious was each of these men brought something special into the relationship and in each other they found everything they needed to make their lives complete.
A go-go dancer, a porn star, and a porn director walk into a bar…no that’s not the start of a joke that’s the characters that make of Here For Us. Although to be fair the porn star is also a graphic designer, but still.
Jake and Cris meet at Big Dick’s the bar where Jake is a dancer and they share an incredible night followed by an incident in which Jake sends Cris packing. Cris doesn’t have time to dwell on his own problems because his good friend and the owner of the porn studio is not well and Cris rushed to help Charles (Chet) and in doing so stirs up the feelings they’ve both had for one another for years.
I’ll be upfront and say that this book had a lot more angst than I normally like, but it was tempered with intelligent conversation and those involved trying their hardest to do what they thought was the right thing. Each of these men had a very selfless side and that put them in a very unique situation of trying to make it right for the person they had strong feelings for and often succeeding in hurting them more; it was a vicious cycle that stopped when one man needed them both even though he didn’t know it at the time.
Here For Us was not an easy romance and to be honest in this type of a relationship it shouldn't have been and while this book was only the beginning, I have a feeling there will be more tough times ahead for these three as they navigate the relationship roller coaster. However, this book had strong writing, characters I adore, an intense and engaging plot, and some incredibly hot, but also sweet love scenes. I loved this story and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review
March 20, 2017
4.5 Stars
Really enjoyed this, but there were too many editing issues that distracted me.
Really enjoyed this, but there were too many editing issues that distracted me.
February 6, 2018
4.0 Stars
As I mentioned in an update, this may be listed as the first book of a new series but it is heavily dependent on the characters portrayed & story-arcs covered in the Perspective series and as such (IMHO) I think it would behoove the reader to read those books first. In fact, I did NOT read the 4th book of that series and I wish I had before tackling this one because that couple also show up in this book as Jake's employers (and later, temporary landlords).
While we get a solid HFN ending, I really appreciated the time spent to build this relationship between all three of the characters. There's just something that appeals to me more about a Poly-themed book where there is little to no romance between the characters prior to the story than one where there is already an established couple who adds a third. Yes, Chet & Cris know each other, and have had repressed feelings for & an attraction to each other for almost a decade, but no sexual contact happens until this book. Cris & Jake meet in this book as well as Jake & Chet...and they each embark on separate, not-so-successful, relationships with each other...which they never really find a balance for until all three are added to the equation.
I LOVED that there was some jealousy at first, but that it was worked through and each couple is allowed time to let their own connection flourish without some demand that all three be present for any intimacy. Also, once again, I adore that porn is treated as just a job and not painted with a derisive tint found in so many books where one of the MCs is (or was) a participant. (Side rant: When the hell did porn stars become "models"? I mean, if all they did was take still photos I could see the label...but they're ACTORS, playing a part, in a film. They aren't there to sell a product like runway models sell clothes and beauty models sell makeup; they don't sell anything other than themselves and the fantasy portrayed in the movie. /rant)
The revelation of Jake's mood disorder so close to the end of the book was a bit of a surprise but as someone who deals with depression it was nice to see it addressed. (Even if Chet sometimes got surmon-y about it and sounded all After School Special/Voice of Experience, which was a little annoying, and the resolution felt a bit softly handled and as such made it seem like a cheap plot device on occasion.)
Still, I'm definitely interested in the continuation of this triad's story in Sound of Us; the growing pains of an established couple (thruple?) working through the ups and downs of a new relationship are always fascinating to me.
As I mentioned in an update, this may be listed as the first book of a new series but it is heavily dependent on the characters portrayed & story-arcs covered in the Perspective series and as such (IMHO) I think it would behoove the reader to read those books first. In fact, I did NOT read the 4th book of that series and I wish I had before tackling this one because that couple also show up in this book as Jake's employers (and later, temporary landlords).
While we get a solid HFN ending, I really appreciated the time spent to build this relationship between all three of the characters. There's just something that appeals to me more about a Poly-themed book where there is little to no romance between the characters prior to the story than one where there is already an established couple who adds a third. Yes, Chet & Cris know each other, and have had repressed feelings for & an attraction to each other for almost a decade, but no sexual contact happens until this book. Cris & Jake meet in this book as well as Jake & Chet...and they each embark on separate, not-so-successful, relationships with each other...which they never really find a balance for until all three are added to the equation.
I LOVED that there was some jealousy at first, but that it was worked through and each couple is allowed time to let their own connection flourish without some demand that all three be present for any intimacy. Also, once again, I adore that porn is treated as just a job and not painted with a derisive tint found in so many books where one of the MCs is (or was) a participant. (Side rant: When the hell did porn stars become "models"? I mean, if all they did was take still photos I could see the label...but they're ACTORS, playing a part, in a film. They aren't there to sell a product like runway models sell clothes and beauty models sell makeup; they don't sell anything other than themselves and the fantasy portrayed in the movie. /rant)
The revelation of Jake's mood disorder so close to the end of the book was a bit of a surprise but as someone who deals with depression it was nice to see it addressed. (Even if Chet sometimes got surmon-y about it and sounded all After School Special/Voice of Experience, which was a little annoying, and the resolution felt a bit softly handled and as such made it seem like a cheap plot device on occasion.)
Still, I'm definitely interested in the continuation of this triad's story in Sound of Us; the growing pains of an established couple (thruple?) working through the ups and downs of a new relationship are always fascinating to me.
June 19, 2017
My main problem was just how long and drawn out the threesome part of this novel was - as a matter of fact, it is a love triangle for 60% of the book rather than a menage. I was ready to throw in the towel at 40%, but figure it would be worth at least getting some MMM action at some point, so I continued. Only to find out that the long, drawn out story was actually being drawn out into another book. Bahhhh.
Someone with more patience might enjoy this more than me.
Someone with more patience might enjoy this more than me.
May 2, 2017
So many characters from previous books (I'm guessing as I've not read the others) made this really difficult to follow. The telling and not showing style of writing also stopped any connection I felt towards the three main protagonists.
November 20, 2017
Lots of boring telling. Weird MCs. Not enough relationship development. Soap opera parade of side characters. DNF.
March 18, 2017
This turned out to be a bit of a pleasant surprise for me. I was expecting a hot and heavy threesome, but this was enjoyably much more than that. It starts out as looking like a drama-filled love triangle, but the characters’ actions are what really give this more depth and enable it to become a threesome relationship. However, it isn’t until near the end that the guys see that possibility and decide to make a go of it.
Cris meets Jake, and they hit it off, but Jake has some issues and ends up putting Cris off and pushing him away. Cris has worked and been friends with Chet for years. They both have feelings for each other, but the employee/employer relationship has kept them from pursuing anything. It isn’t until Cris takes a hiatus (to recover from a kidney donation he anonymously gave to save Chet’s nephew) that their feelings are brought out into the open.
Cris is sort of the middle man here. He has feelings for and amazing chemistry with Chet, but he also has them for/with Jake. To confuse things, Jake steps away so that Cris can be with Chet, thinking he is better for Cris. But, Chet has done the same thing to allow Cris to pursue a relationship with Jake. See? Bit of a love triangle here. LOL
This was a rather slow moving story which felt a little drawn out at times, but as it appears their story will continue in the next installment (as opposed to being about different characters), it made more sense. And, given the issues Jake was facing, the timing and pacing felt proper. To rush into a relationship when dealing with his illness would have struck a bad note, at least to me. And, even after they decide to give a threesome a go, Jake doesn’t jump right into bed with Chet. He has feelings for him, but is not quite comfortable yet with being physical, which also felt believable.
All in all, I really enjoyed how this all played out. The characters were interesting, and while I longed to see the three of them in all their sexual glory, I loved how the emotional aspects of their new relationship took precedence. And, while I am definitely curious to see more of some of the side characters, I was thrilled to see that this story will continue in the next book and can’t wait to read it!
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
April 2, 2017
I was so glad to hear there's going to be a second book with Jake, Cris and Charles because I just felt we just started getting to them as a trio. More steamy scenes with ALL three would have been nice but hopefully that will be coming soon. The Mean Green Boys and boyfriends were all so supportive of Jake, it was sweet how they all came together. Jake wasn't my favorite character by a long shot but I believe he thought his heart was in the right place. I would also like to read more of nephew Nell and Cris' s best friend Taro. All in all this was a good read but I wish a felt a stronger connection with the three together
March 24, 2017
I think that this is the first time I have read about threesome, different from other books. Because I don't think is easy act when you discover to love two persons at same time, in different way ; I think it is right for Cris to be confused as for Jake and Chet to doubt and withdraw from a bizzarre, for them, situation. It's more realist in this way than when all is easy and the trio immediatly makes sex at first date. Till to the end all is a bit odd , Cris and Jake click together in the start less for Chet , so this story will be about their beginning as " one thing", we will see more in the next book, I hope. There were things that I not liked in the story but more those that I liked.
March 5, 2020
Cris hat einen One Night Stand mit dem heißen Go Go Tänzer Jake. Danach fehlt seine Brieftasche und als er Jake zur Rede stellt, bekommt er ein paar schnippische Sprüche vor den Latz geknallt. Ist damit schon zu Ende, was mehr hätte werden können? Gleichzeitig gibt es da noch den Pornoproduzenten Chet in Cris Leben, bis zu Cris Auszeit sein Chef und ein guter Freund. Dem Prickeln zwischen ihnen haben sie nie nachgegeben, aber nun wird es immer schwerer, der Versuchung zu widerstehen. Jake oder Chet - für wen wird sich Cris entscheiden?
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
March 18, 2023
This was so good. Every time I read AM's books I'm reminded what a good author they are and get really upset at myself for procrastinating them. I cannot remember how long ago I read perspectives, but I feel bad for myself for having waited this long to get to us. It started with a bang for sure!
March 17, 2017
What a love story!
While Here for Us is technically the beginning of a new series (Us) it is also a continuation of A. M. Arthur’s Perspective series that has been reissued as self-published books due to the closing of Samhain.
I absolutely loved the prior series and couldn’t wait to read this book. A.M. Arthur knows how to put her characters through just the right amount of angst without overdoing it. This story revolves around: 1. Chet, aka Charles Greenwood, the owner of Mean Green Boys, a gay porn studio that was featured prominently in her earlier series; 2. Cris Sable friend and employee of Chet and 3. Jake Bowden a go-go dancer at Big Dick’s gay bar.
Here for Us is a story that has a lot of depth to it. The characters are complicated (in the best way for a book) and interesting. Jake is in his early twenties and trying to keep things together after losing everything dear to him. Cris has done two stints as a “model” for Mean Green Boys while building up his software design business. He took a leave of absence for personal reasons and hasn’t yet decided if he’ll return to filming. Chet is a successful, but lonely, wealthy man who is using his money and Mean Green Boys to help young gay men earn a living. He takes no profit from his pornography business and compensates his models well.
When Cris notices Jake dancing at Big Dick’s they make eye contact and a connection sizzles between them. Cris is bisexual and wants someone he can settle down with. His last relationship, with a woman, failed because, after she found out about it, she couldn’t handle his job making porn films. He wants to see if he what he feels for Jake can turn into something more than just fantastic sex.
Cris and Jake both have a lot of trust issues. Jake is afraid of being left alone again so instead of letting people get close to him only to leave he pushes them away instead. Cris needs to know that his porn work isn't a deal breaker for any new relationship he forms.
Cris and Chet were attracted to each other when Cris modeled for Mean Green Boys but Chet wouldn't cross that employer/employee line so nothing ever came of it until one night they took comfort with each other and now they can't seem to go back to the way they were before.
I love how Ms. Arthur works things out so that the triad of Cris, Jake and Chet just works. While Chet wants Cris he can't seem to help also being attracted to Jake. The three men form a relationship that strengthens each of them.
Here for Us has a non-cliffhanger, HFN (happy for now) ending but a second book, Sound of Us, will continue their journey and it's coming out soon.
I borrowed this book through KU.
While Here for Us is technically the beginning of a new series (Us) it is also a continuation of A. M. Arthur’s Perspective series that has been reissued as self-published books due to the closing of Samhain.
I absolutely loved the prior series and couldn’t wait to read this book. A.M. Arthur knows how to put her characters through just the right amount of angst without overdoing it. This story revolves around: 1. Chet, aka Charles Greenwood, the owner of Mean Green Boys, a gay porn studio that was featured prominently in her earlier series; 2. Cris Sable friend and employee of Chet and 3. Jake Bowden a go-go dancer at Big Dick’s gay bar.
Here for Us is a story that has a lot of depth to it. The characters are complicated (in the best way for a book) and interesting. Jake is in his early twenties and trying to keep things together after losing everything dear to him. Cris has done two stints as a “model” for Mean Green Boys while building up his software design business. He took a leave of absence for personal reasons and hasn’t yet decided if he’ll return to filming. Chet is a successful, but lonely, wealthy man who is using his money and Mean Green Boys to help young gay men earn a living. He takes no profit from his pornography business and compensates his models well.
When Cris notices Jake dancing at Big Dick’s they make eye contact and a connection sizzles between them. Cris is bisexual and wants someone he can settle down with. His last relationship, with a woman, failed because, after she found out about it, she couldn’t handle his job making porn films. He wants to see if he what he feels for Jake can turn into something more than just fantastic sex.
Cris and Jake both have a lot of trust issues. Jake is afraid of being left alone again so instead of letting people get close to him only to leave he pushes them away instead. Cris needs to know that his porn work isn't a deal breaker for any new relationship he forms.
Cris and Chet were attracted to each other when Cris modeled for Mean Green Boys but Chet wouldn't cross that employer/employee line so nothing ever came of it until one night they took comfort with each other and now they can't seem to go back to the way they were before.
I love how Ms. Arthur works things out so that the triad of Cris, Jake and Chet just works. While Chet wants Cris he can't seem to help also being attracted to Jake. The three men form a relationship that strengthens each of them.
Here for Us has a non-cliffhanger, HFN (happy for now) ending but a second book, Sound of Us, will continue their journey and it's coming out soon.
I borrowed this book through KU.
March 19, 2017
2.5-3 stars
Three men in varying degrees of the sex industry coming together and being what each other needs? Sign me up!!!
This is my first book by this author and I wanted to love it because MMM is delicious. But there were just a few things here that didn't work for me and they're mostly personal preference.
Firstly, there are way too many references to other books and way too many characters introduced here from other book series'. I'm a huge fan of crossovers, but as someone who hasn't read the Perspectives series, I felt like there was too much emphasis on these people. Every time one of them was on page there was an info-dump to bring the reader up to speed. There were gun shot victims, someone with severe amnesia, I think there was stalking somewhere, plus all the porn stars had both a real and a stage name- so that had to all be explained too. It was jarring and took me out of the story, not to mention having all the previous plot lines laid out sounded absolutely ridiculous together. Maybe fans will enjoy it, but to me, it wasn't organic or subtle.
Secondly, Chet felt like a father figure instead of a potential lover. I didn't notice it so much with Cris because they do have a history that we're told about, but with Jake acting 15 instead of 23 a lot of the time , and Chet being a very mature and stable 48 year old man, it felt odd and forced over the short amount of time they know each other.
Honestly, I think it comes down to more than just chemistry between the characters. Being physically attracted to someone and then having sex is fine, but what can you actually bring to the table to be an equal in a relationship? As a reader of MMM, that's something I look for and the dynamic between Chet and Jake, as it stands here in book 1, didn't feel like a romantic one to me.
Thirdly, This wasn't a romantic book. This threesome is quite complicated and takes a while, almost the whole book, to get even close to being considered one.
But it wasn't all bad. What may not have worked for me yet is the relationship dynamic between all three, but putting that aside this did have a good emotional story and hopefully it will be further developed in the coming books. Separately, I liked Jakes journey from flighty loose-cannon to being more settled and trusting. Cris was a sweetheart with so much love to give who asked for nothing in return. And Chet, well I hope he learns to loosen up a bit and I get to see him and Jake evolve.
Three men in varying degrees of the sex industry coming together and being what each other needs? Sign me up!!!
This is my first book by this author and I wanted to love it because MMM is delicious. But there were just a few things here that didn't work for me and they're mostly personal preference.
Firstly, there are way too many references to other books and way too many characters introduced here from other book series'. I'm a huge fan of crossovers, but as someone who hasn't read the Perspectives series, I felt like there was too much emphasis on these people. Every time one of them was on page there was an info-dump to bring the reader up to speed. There were gun shot victims, someone with severe amnesia, I think there was stalking somewhere, plus all the porn stars had both a real and a stage name- so that had to all be explained too. It was jarring and took me out of the story, not to mention having all the previous plot lines laid out sounded absolutely ridiculous together. Maybe fans will enjoy it, but to me, it wasn't organic or subtle.
Secondly, Chet felt like a father figure instead of a potential lover. I didn't notice it so much with Cris because they do have a history that we're told about, but with Jake acting 15 instead of 23 a lot of the time , and Chet being a very mature and stable 48 year old man, it felt odd and forced over the short amount of time they know each other.
Honestly, I think it comes down to more than just chemistry between the characters. Being physically attracted to someone and then having sex is fine, but what can you actually bring to the table to be an equal in a relationship? As a reader of MMM, that's something I look for and the dynamic between Chet and Jake, as it stands here in book 1, didn't feel like a romantic one to me.
Thirdly, This wasn't a romantic book. This threesome is quite complicated and takes a while, almost the whole book, to get even close to being considered one.
But it wasn't all bad. What may not have worked for me yet is the relationship dynamic between all three, but putting that aside this did have a good emotional story and hopefully it will be further developed in the coming books. Separately, I liked Jakes journey from flighty loose-cannon to being more settled and trusting. Cris was a sweetheart with so much love to give who asked for nothing in return. And Chet, well I hope he learns to loosen up a bit and I get to see him and Jake evolve.
September 26, 2017
Hmmm. Really wanted to love this but alas, did not. This is the first in a series but there are several, and I do mean SEVERAL characters who appear in what I believe, after digging around in other Goodreaders' reviews, the author's Perspectives series. That's fine. But I'd like to be told in the blurb. As it was, it was rather disconcerting to have all these guys with two names (real name/porn name) wandering into and out of the MCs' lives with varied backstories as if I should know them. There's a significant medical issue with Cris that I guess was started in that earlier series. Hard to know since, for me, it came out of the blue. Anyway, additionally, my main issue is with the triad. So I get that Jake is young, has lost everyone and everything, doesn't trust anyone and is impulsive to point that he sabotages his well-being. But I just didn't like him. Yes, he had issues but I've come across other characters with similar issues and didn't dislike them the way I disliked Jake. Now Cris I was totally into. That first time with Jake after Cris takes Jake home... dayuuum! But after that - given my opinion of Jake, I didn't understand why he wanted to be with him. Now Chet or Charles, a Yoda-like older man with wisdom coming out of his pores - I liked him and his wisdom and surprisingly I did understand why he and Cris never got together. Having a relationship with someone who is your boss in the porn field might be problematic. But when they got together.... no sparks for me. Didn't quite buy the attraction. And now we add Jake to the mix. I enjoyed the subtle realization among all three that a threesome was possible. But sadly, since I didn't connect with Jake, wasn't too sure about Chet and Cris and his waffling over Chet and Jake, I didn't care enough. Should have been a stellar book but way too many issues for me to overcome to enjoy it thoroughly. I may read the next in the series just to get some sort of closure for these guys but have to back away first since at points, I got quite ranty as I was reading.
March 26, 2017
2.75 stars for the interaction between characters Cris, Jake and Chet. The other 2.25 stars
are missing because I felt as though I was dropped into the middle of a series, although this is listed as Book #1. Chet, Cris and most of the secondary characters (there are MANY) have pasts together that this book assumes that you, the reader are familiar with. I suggest that before you start this book, make sure you have read whatever series feeds into this one so that you aren't lost!
Cris is a programmer and part time porn star who works for Chet, the older porn company owner. Cris has a past apparently ties to the mafia which must have been revealed in the other series. Chet and Cris have always been attracted to each other, but their professional relationship has kept them apart. Cris meets Jake, a go go dancer at the club where he works. They have a connection, then Jake sabotages their relationship. Jake is the only fully formed character in the book- the others are apparently introduced in previous books. He is a twenty three, a survivor who is broken, with a history of loss. He sabotages relationships to prevent getting attached for fear of losing another person in his life. The three guys are brought together when Jake has a crisis.
As you might be able to tell, this book was not a win for me.
Reasons:
1. First book of a series should not assume you have read another series unless their is a disclaimer!
2. M/M/M books should have sex between all three characters. Cris/Jake- yes in this case. Cris/Chet and Jake/Chet no.
3. Authors who write medical lines into their stories should research the practice limits of the professionals. In this case, a Phd Psychologist writes a prescription for medications. Sorry, you have to be a Psychiatrist to do that! This is a pet peeve of mine! The author did do a good job with Bipolar description.
are missing because I felt as though I was dropped into the middle of a series, although this is listed as Book #1. Chet, Cris and most of the secondary characters (there are MANY) have pasts together that this book assumes that you, the reader are familiar with. I suggest that before you start this book, make sure you have read whatever series feeds into this one so that you aren't lost!
Cris is a programmer and part time porn star who works for Chet, the older porn company owner. Cris has a past apparently ties to the mafia which must have been revealed in the other series. Chet and Cris have always been attracted to each other, but their professional relationship has kept them apart. Cris meets Jake, a go go dancer at the club where he works. They have a connection, then Jake sabotages their relationship. Jake is the only fully formed character in the book- the others are apparently introduced in previous books. He is a twenty three, a survivor who is broken, with a history of loss. He sabotages relationships to prevent getting attached for fear of losing another person in his life. The three guys are brought together when Jake has a crisis.
As you might be able to tell, this book was not a win for me.
Reasons:
1. First book of a series should not assume you have read another series unless their is a disclaimer!
2. M/M/M books should have sex between all three characters. Cris/Jake- yes in this case. Cris/Chet and Jake/Chet no.
3. Authors who write medical lines into their stories should research the practice limits of the professionals. In this case, a Phd Psychologist writes a prescription for medications. Sorry, you have to be a Psychiatrist to do that! This is a pet peeve of mine! The author did do a good job with Bipolar description.
March 30, 2017
The description for this one is a little misleading. This is a slightly lengthy book, but it is the foundation for a series. It sets up the the relationship between the three men and ends on a HFN. For book of this length, I expected it to cover more of the emotional bonding between the men instead of just the beginning stages of the relationship.
Arthur makes the combination of of a 23 year go-go dancer, 28 year old programmer/porn star and a 48 year old pornographer work. Each man brings strengths to the relationship that balances out the insecurities of the other two. Chet is the oldest, and he is gentle and patient. Cris is in the middle, and he is all heart and caring protectiveness. Jake is the youngest, and he has a bold zest for life.
I am looking forward to the next installment and hope it covers more of the relationship between the three.
Arthur makes the combination of of a 23 year go-go dancer, 28 year old programmer/porn star and a 48 year old pornographer work. Each man brings strengths to the relationship that balances out the insecurities of the other two. Chet is the oldest, and he is gentle and patient. Cris is in the middle, and he is all heart and caring protectiveness. Jake is the youngest, and he has a bold zest for life.
I am looking forward to the next installment and hope it covers more of the relationship between the three.
March 28, 2017
This is Cris, Charles & Jake's story. Each and together have issues that run deep but can they overcome them to see the beauty, love and understanding that not one but two other men can give to each of them. Trust is hard to earn back once broken many times, but can loving two men be wrong when they complete you in a way that is so right. These three go thru some major up & downs. Does age really have to a number & a mind set, can they get past these obstacles and learn that what the heart wants should be what the heart gets.
Amazing and well developed characters. The writing puts you as the reader right besdie each character as they travel thru this beautiful story. Locations are spot on, for I live in Mechanicsburg PA and I know where every spot mentioned in this book is and have visited (City Island).
Sometimes 3 is better than 2.
Amazing and well developed characters. The writing puts you as the reader right besdie each character as they travel thru this beautiful story. Locations are spot on, for I live in Mechanicsburg PA and I know where every spot mentioned in this book is and have visited (City Island).
Sometimes 3 is better than 2.
March 21, 2017
This was a long book and not much happend. A lot of time is spend with couples from previews books (which I haven't read). And it's just a first part of a series about the three men; only one short threesome at the end. Not at all what I exspected.
August 27, 2017
I really liked how this menage story worked the beginning relationship with all 3 guys. They are all very different with their own quirks and insecurities but they begin to work them out. Can't wait to be able to start book 2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews