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The Art of Three
Jamie Conway has a charmed life. At 24, he's relocated from Dublin to London to star in his first feature film. Unfortunately, he also has one very big problem: He has a huge crush on his happily married costar.
British heartthrob to middle-aged women everywhere, Callum Griffith-Davies should have better sense than to flirt with his new-to-the-business colleague, but good judgement isn't one of the qualities for which he's known.
Nerea Espinosa de Los Monteros Nessim has better things to do than fret about her husband's newest conquest. She’s busy planning her daughter's wedding at the family's farmhouse in rural Spain. Besides, she and Callum have been married and polyamorous for almost 30 years; she's content to let him make his own bad choices.
But when Nerea flies to London after her artwork is selected for a high-profile museum show, she falls for Jamie too. Soon Callum, Jamie, and Nerea have bigger problems, and surprises, than international logistics. From ex-lovers and nosy neighbors to adult children with dramas of their own, The Art of Three is a contemporary romance that celebrates families, and farce, in all shapes and sizes.
British heartthrob to middle-aged women everywhere, Callum Griffith-Davies should have better sense than to flirt with his new-to-the-business colleague, but good judgement isn't one of the qualities for which he's known.
Nerea Espinosa de Los Monteros Nessim has better things to do than fret about her husband's newest conquest. She’s busy planning her daughter's wedding at the family's farmhouse in rural Spain. Besides, she and Callum have been married and polyamorous for almost 30 years; she's content to let him make his own bad choices.
But when Nerea flies to London after her artwork is selected for a high-profile museum show, she falls for Jamie too. Soon Callum, Jamie, and Nerea have bigger problems, and surprises, than international logistics. From ex-lovers and nosy neighbors to adult children with dramas of their own, The Art of Three is a contemporary romance that celebrates families, and farce, in all shapes and sizes.
398 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2017
37 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Erin McRae
40 books169 followersErin McRae is a queer writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. She owns several pieces of paper from distinguished universities, including a Master’s degree in International Affairs from American University, which qualify her to have lengthy and passionate discussions about the microeconomics of Tunisia. She also engages in lengthy and passionate discussions about military history. She likes trenches.
Erin is a cofounder of Avian 30, a literary collective dedicated to narratives with magical and sexual realism. She delights in applying her knowledge of international relations theory to her fiction and screen-based projects, because conflict drives narrative.
She lives in Washington, D.C. with her partner and their two cats.
Erin is a cofounder of Avian 30, a literary collective dedicated to narratives with magical and sexual realism. She delights in applying her knowledge of international relations theory to her fiction and screen-based projects, because conflict drives narrative.
She lives in Washington, D.C. with her partner and their two cats.
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August 21, 2018One of the best things I did for myself today was read this book. It's a beautiful polyamorous romance, & such a lovely story; so full of heart. It's a beautiful story in so so many ways. I am incredibly glad that it exists in the world, and not only because it felt like a quiet cup of tea while cuddling on the couch with a loved one on a day I deeply needed that. Also because I really need rep like this to exist.
I cannot measure how much I appreciate getting to read polyamorous romance that's not erotic romance. (I love erotic romance, but the fact that almost all polyamorous romance is erotic romance is an issue.)
I will try to be more coherent about the awesomeness of this book later on.
I cannot measure how much I appreciate getting to read polyamorous romance that's not erotic romance. (I love erotic romance, but the fact that almost all polyamorous romance is erotic romance is an issue.)
I will try to be more coherent about the awesomeness of this book later on.
Read
March 9, 2017ETA:
This book sticks with me, even months later. It's real and emotional and funny and on-point and extremely well-written. Best of all, it shows that poly relationships can be real and romantic and loving have all the family drama and high-jinks as monogamous relationships.
I especially enjoyed that the focus was on the relationship--and not the sex. Now, I like a good hot menage romance with open-door sex, don't get me wrong. But poly romance is more than partners getting it on. It's about the emotional connections and the balance between partners.
The Art of Three is aptly named. There's an art to all relationships--but it takes a special set of folks to form a loving triad--and Jamie, Callum and Nerea manage it beautifully, with all the hopes and fears and wonder of true love.
I highly recommend this book.
Jan 2017: I was asked to read this for a quote, and I need to come up with something more eloquent than sticking two thumbs up and nodding vigorously that you should read it, yes.
And I'll do that, but for now: *sticks two thumbs up and nods vigorously* You should read this.
This book sticks with me, even months later. It's real and emotional and funny and on-point and extremely well-written. Best of all, it shows that poly relationships can be real and romantic and loving have all the family drama and high-jinks as monogamous relationships.
I especially enjoyed that the focus was on the relationship--and not the sex. Now, I like a good hot menage romance with open-door sex, don't get me wrong. But poly romance is more than partners getting it on. It's about the emotional connections and the balance between partners.
The Art of Three is aptly named. There's an art to all relationships--but it takes a special set of folks to form a loving triad--and Jamie, Callum and Nerea manage it beautifully, with all the hopes and fears and wonder of true love.
I highly recommend this book.
Jan 2017: I was asked to read this for a quote, and I need to come up with something more eloquent than sticking two thumbs up and nodding vigorously that you should read it, yes.
And I'll do that, but for now: *sticks two thumbs up and nods vigorously* You should read this.
September 14, 2019
I'm glad to see a book with an older heroine - she's 48 - and a book about a throuple. Both are rare enough, especially the older heroine, that this is to be celebrated.
It's also frankly nice that the book isn't erotica or erotic romance. There's no explicit sex. The focus is on the relationships and not on ménage scenes or m/m scenes and as such it's clearly not made for fetishizing. The same is true of the wealth and fame - although two of the throuple are wealthy and famous, it's seen as more of a bother and a barrier (conflicting schedules, privacy concerns) than a delight.
Neither of the men in the relationship are particularly engaging for me though. Jamie is just too young. He's a 24 year old who has had zero prior serious relationships. Plus, he can't be bothered to return multiple texts and calls from his sister, who we are told is by far the most important person in his life. And we are supposed to root for him to have an HEA with a couple who are 48 and 56? I can't.
(Plus, the politics of joining a couple who have been together for 29 years with all that complexity and routine that 29 years must make...that does my head in. That seems like a too heavily weighted two vs one thing.)
Callum, the older man, is too much of a baby at heart to be appealing to me. Throughout the text he is referred to as being immature, slightly sexist (toward his daughters and by continually referring to Nerea as 'my wife'), infuriating, inconstant, thoughtless.... Nerea frequently thinks how annoying he would be if it were not for his charm. I am not interested in a baby of a man who gets by based on his charm and looks. Or who surprises everyone when he acts maturely.
Then there's Nerea. Now, I crave romance novels - any sort of romance or even any sort of joyful novels at all - with older female characters so very fucking badly. But while I believe women can be thin, gorgeous and charismatic in their 50s, Nerea wasn’t interesting as such. I like to see more quirkiness, beauty from the inside, a more realistic body weight. If only stunningly (conventionally) beautiful women can have love in their 50s, well that’s not much fun is it?
Part of the problem, perhaps the crux of the problem with all of these three is if I really saw them fall in love with each other, if it were an initial romance I could believe in, then the rest might flow. But that's this book's biggest weakness in the end. It's mainly focused on how do you make a throuple work. And less focused on why the throuple came to be.
If you are not going to have any explicit sex, or sensuality, then you have to work even harder at showing how emotional ties are being built. I feel like I was shown three extremely attractive, charming people and told to assume that of course love would come. I didn't really feel it though. I was told not shown. I didn't feel Nerea's love grow for Jamie. Nor his for her beyond an initial attraction. Etc.
And that's the weakness of this book overall. I don't give a damn about the secondary stories about Thom or Antonio (Thom's in particular was fairly pointless.) I wish the authors had used that space instead to make me feel the prickle of palms, the blood race, the heart pound. To fall deeply in love with someone for the first time - or the first time in 20 years - that's a huge thing. I didn't get to feel that. I wish I had.
It's also frankly nice that the book isn't erotica or erotic romance. There's no explicit sex. The focus is on the relationships and not on ménage scenes or m/m scenes and as such it's clearly not made for fetishizing. The same is true of the wealth and fame - although two of the throuple are wealthy and famous, it's seen as more of a bother and a barrier (conflicting schedules, privacy concerns) than a delight.
Neither of the men in the relationship are particularly engaging for me though. Jamie is just too young. He's a 24 year old who has had zero prior serious relationships. Plus, he can't be bothered to return multiple texts and calls from his sister, who we are told is by far the most important person in his life. And we are supposed to root for him to have an HEA with a couple who are 48 and 56? I can't.
(Plus, the politics of joining a couple who have been together for 29 years with all that complexity and routine that 29 years must make...that does my head in. That seems like a too heavily weighted two vs one thing.)
Callum, the older man, is too much of a baby at heart to be appealing to me. Throughout the text he is referred to as being immature, slightly sexist (toward his daughters and by continually referring to Nerea as 'my wife'), infuriating, inconstant, thoughtless.... Nerea frequently thinks how annoying he would be if it were not for his charm. I am not interested in a baby of a man who gets by based on his charm and looks. Or who surprises everyone when he acts maturely.
Then there's Nerea. Now, I crave romance novels - any sort of romance or even any sort of joyful novels at all - with older female characters so very fucking badly. But while I believe women can be thin, gorgeous and charismatic in their 50s, Nerea wasn’t interesting as such. I like to see more quirkiness, beauty from the inside, a more realistic body weight. If only stunningly (conventionally) beautiful women can have love in their 50s, well that’s not much fun is it?
Part of the problem, perhaps the crux of the problem with all of these three is if I really saw them fall in love with each other, if it were an initial romance I could believe in, then the rest might flow. But that's this book's biggest weakness in the end. It's mainly focused on how do you make a throuple work. And less focused on why the throuple came to be.
If you are not going to have any explicit sex, or sensuality, then you have to work even harder at showing how emotional ties are being built. I feel like I was shown three extremely attractive, charming people and told to assume that of course love would come. I didn't really feel it though. I was told not shown. I didn't feel Nerea's love grow for Jamie. Nor his for her beyond an initial attraction. Etc.
And that's the weakness of this book overall. I don't give a damn about the secondary stories about Thom or Antonio (Thom's in particular was fairly pointless.) I wish the authors had used that space instead to make me feel the prickle of palms, the blood race, the heart pound. To fall deeply in love with someone for the first time - or the first time in 20 years - that's a huge thing. I didn't get to feel that. I wish I had.
May 9, 2023
A wonderful age gap polyamorous celebrity romance between two bisexual men and a woman. If you've never read a polyam romance, this is a great one to start with. Their tagline for it is perfect: "Two men. One woman. No love triangles. Who says you only get one happily ever after?"
Famous British actor Callum Griffith-Davies and Spanish artist Nerea Espinosa de Los Monteros Nessim have had an open marriage for almost thirty years and raised three daughters to adulthood. When Callum meets 24 year old Irish actor Jamie Conway on a movie set, there's an attraction, but both Callum and Jamie assume they'll just have a fling. They quickly realize it's not just a fling. Then Nerea comes to London and falls into a mutual crush with Jamie as well.
Maltese and McRae are experienced at writing multiple characters grappling with attractions and New Relationship Energy (with both other people and with jobs), and they bring their A game to this book. Conversations around consent and logistics reflect the specific personalities of whichever characters are having them, rather than sounding like passages from Polyamory 101. (Though Jamie does buy a book on the subject, to much merriment from Callum and Nerea.) The emotional process of the characters, the discussions, negotiations, and genuine emotional moments between the characters are so rich and in-depth. The connection between these three isn't without bumps and snags, but the arc of the book is towards more caring, more understanding, and more compassion.
Famous British actor Callum Griffith-Davies and Spanish artist Nerea Espinosa de Los Monteros Nessim have had an open marriage for almost thirty years and raised three daughters to adulthood. When Callum meets 24 year old Irish actor Jamie Conway on a movie set, there's an attraction, but both Callum and Jamie assume they'll just have a fling. They quickly realize it's not just a fling. Then Nerea comes to London and falls into a mutual crush with Jamie as well.
Maltese and McRae are experienced at writing multiple characters grappling with attractions and New Relationship Energy (with both other people and with jobs), and they bring their A game to this book. Conversations around consent and logistics reflect the specific personalities of whichever characters are having them, rather than sounding like passages from Polyamory 101. (Though Jamie does buy a book on the subject, to much merriment from Callum and Nerea.) The emotional process of the characters, the discussions, negotiations, and genuine emotional moments between the characters are so rich and in-depth. The connection between these three isn't without bumps and snags, but the arc of the book is towards more caring, more understanding, and more compassion.
April 4, 2017
It's taken me all day to figure out what I want to say about this book. Normally, I'm not drawn to stories about polyamory. I have nothing against it, it's simply not my go-to storyline in my romance novels. I suspected this would be well-written, however, and was blown away by the first few chapters.
This is a stunning novel because it's about a married couple and their lover -- but it's also about love, and how love changes over time, and how love needs to be nurtured, scheduled, tended to and cultivated. It's about the complex side of love, and for that, the book was all the more romantic.
The characters were among the most well fleshed out of any I've read. They were complex and maddening and funny. I truly felt like I got to know them over the course of the book, and was genuinely bereft when it ended.
If you're interested in a smart, well-written and poignant read, this is it. The Art of Three is not a raunchy sex-fest that fetishizes threesomes. This is a heartfelt and mature book about love and its complexities -- and also about its mysteries and wonder. I can't wait to read more from this writing duo.
This is a stunning novel because it's about a married couple and their lover -- but it's also about love, and how love changes over time, and how love needs to be nurtured, scheduled, tended to and cultivated. It's about the complex side of love, and for that, the book was all the more romantic.
The characters were among the most well fleshed out of any I've read. They were complex and maddening and funny. I truly felt like I got to know them over the course of the book, and was genuinely bereft when it ended.
If you're interested in a smart, well-written and poignant read, this is it. The Art of Three is not a raunchy sex-fest that fetishizes threesomes. This is a heartfelt and mature book about love and its complexities -- and also about its mysteries and wonder. I can't wait to read more from this writing duo.
December 31, 2020
The entire last 20% of this book is so fucking UNNCESSARY. The entire baby plot line is so stupid and unneeded it makes me want to scream. Younger hero is a gaslighting asshole who threatens to leave the much older heroine if she decides she doesnt want the magical surprise baby because of the chance it could have downs. Because his sister has downs and he is just in general awful about it. This book is fine up until literally the surprise pregnancy which is not resolved at all and pretty much ruined the entire book which was fine until this point.
May 2, 2021
The Art of Three is a sweet and emotional polyamorous romance starring Jamie, Callum and Nerea. I loved all the characters and their imperfections, and the book emphasizes how important communication is, especially in polyamorous relationships.
I did wish we got to see a bit more about how the relationship between Jamie and Callum and Nerea developed; there were several time jumps and it all went by rather quickly.
All in all, this book was wonderful and we definitely need more polyamorous romances that aren't purely erotica.
3.75 stars
I did wish we got to see a bit more about how the relationship between Jamie and Callum and Nerea developed; there were several time jumps and it all went by rather quickly.
All in all, this book was wonderful and we definitely need more polyamorous romances that aren't purely erotica.
3.75 stars
March 24, 2017
Reviewed for From Top to Bottom Reviews.
When I first heard of this I knew I had to read this sooner than later so when it was up on Amazon I pre-ordered immediately.
Then I found it browsing through Netgalley but didn’t request because I had preordered after all and what were two more weeks anyway? Apparently too much because I did end up requesting. And I’m SO happy I did because this book is truly fantastic!
My absolute favourite part of The Art of Three was the development of each relationship. Not just the one between Jamie and Callum, but also the one between Nerea and Jamie and the triad-relationship. I loved how organic and natural it felt for them to end up together. Each relationship is a bit different, just like the characters involved, but I really enjoyed each pairing equally. I loved the glimpses we got into the already existing and still going strong relationship of Nerea and Callum. I loved the parts when Jamie and Nerea “ganged up” on Callum and teased him about his quirks. Overall the banter and humor was lovely but I also loved the more sedate scenes.
In particular I loved is that this story showed how important communication and time-management in a relationship are, maybe more so in a relationship involving more than two people because each of them needs time as a couple too, not just as a triad. Mind-readers only exist in fiction after all, so things can’t improve if you don’t voice your opinion and talk about expectations and hopes. Racheline Maltese and Erin McRae managed to portray this with such ease and simplicity.
Callum and Nerea are more “experienced” when it comes to being in a poly-relationship and have been living like this for the last 30 years. But it’s an all new situation for Jamie and I loved how – even though he’s sometimes unsure – he still stands up for what he wants. He’s such an endearing and sweet character but also so determined. I really, really loved that.
And Nerea! Boy! She knows how to handle those two and it was so delightful! She’s the embodiment of a strong, independent woman. Easily standing her ground against them; I wish I was just a little bit like her.
Callum… he’s so charismatic and such a charmer. Each of them separately is already a handful but the three of them together are not to be messed with.
The Art of Three focuses more on the emotional bond between each of the characters and while the reader knows they’re intimate, there are no explicit scenes in this book. And I don’t feel like they’re needed at all. Sex can be a good way to show intimacy of a growing relationship but this story works perfectly without.
Not only has The Art of Three a strong cast of main characters, the side characters are also equally interesting. There’s really not one character that I didn’t like. Each of them brought something to the story and I feel like some of them have a story of their own to tell. I’d love to read about them.
The ending of the story definitely leaves the possibility for a sequel so I hope that we eventually get more of these characters. I’m decidedly *not* ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.
So to conclude: The Art of Three is a fantastic story with amazing characters, great bi- and poly-representation, you absolutely should not miss.
An ARC of this was provided via Netgalley
When I first heard of this I knew I had to read this sooner than later so when it was up on Amazon I pre-ordered immediately.
Then I found it browsing through Netgalley but didn’t request because I had preordered after all and what were two more weeks anyway? Apparently too much because I did end up requesting. And I’m SO happy I did because this book is truly fantastic!
My absolute favourite part of The Art of Three was the development of each relationship. Not just the one between Jamie and Callum, but also the one between Nerea and Jamie and the triad-relationship. I loved how organic and natural it felt for them to end up together. Each relationship is a bit different, just like the characters involved, but I really enjoyed each pairing equally. I loved the glimpses we got into the already existing and still going strong relationship of Nerea and Callum. I loved the parts when Jamie and Nerea “ganged up” on Callum and teased him about his quirks. Overall the banter and humor was lovely but I also loved the more sedate scenes.
In particular I loved is that this story showed how important communication and time-management in a relationship are, maybe more so in a relationship involving more than two people because each of them needs time as a couple too, not just as a triad. Mind-readers only exist in fiction after all, so things can’t improve if you don’t voice your opinion and talk about expectations and hopes. Racheline Maltese and Erin McRae managed to portray this with such ease and simplicity.
Callum and Nerea are more “experienced” when it comes to being in a poly-relationship and have been living like this for the last 30 years. But it’s an all new situation for Jamie and I loved how – even though he’s sometimes unsure – he still stands up for what he wants. He’s such an endearing and sweet character but also so determined. I really, really loved that.
And Nerea! Boy! She knows how to handle those two and it was so delightful! She’s the embodiment of a strong, independent woman. Easily standing her ground against them; I wish I was just a little bit like her.
Callum… he’s so charismatic and such a charmer. Each of them separately is already a handful but the three of them together are not to be messed with.
The Art of Three focuses more on the emotional bond between each of the characters and while the reader knows they’re intimate, there are no explicit scenes in this book. And I don’t feel like they’re needed at all. Sex can be a good way to show intimacy of a growing relationship but this story works perfectly without.
Not only has The Art of Three a strong cast of main characters, the side characters are also equally interesting. There’s really not one character that I didn’t like. Each of them brought something to the story and I feel like some of them have a story of their own to tell. I’d love to read about them.
The ending of the story definitely leaves the possibility for a sequel so I hope that we eventually get more of these characters. I’m decidedly *not* ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.
So to conclude: The Art of Three is a fantastic story with amazing characters, great bi- and poly-representation, you absolutely should not miss.
An ARC of this was provided via Netgalley
January 29, 2020
Lovely romance about how a polyam married couple and their new boyfriend fall in love and manage their relationship and families.
Content warnings include: various age differences (from 7 years to 32 years) though all relationships feature consenting adults, polyamory, unplanned and planned pregnancies, big families featuring a lot of drama, casual ableism and sexism that are challenged immediately, a bit of toxic masculinity; mentions of unprotected sex, references to off-page sex.
I quite liked this story. The plot was mostly around the real problems and issues arrising as 24-year old Jamie starts a relationship with married couple Callum and Nerea. It was all quite domestic, but I loved how realistic the drama (and I use the term loosely) seemed. It was all small scale and centered around the protagonists' families, which amounted to quite a big cast, but it never got overwhelming or too big or overly dramatic.
My few complaints were that it was fun to read but not super enaging, by which I mean I enjoyed myself but it wasn't a life-changing read; the bigger complaint would be that Callum occasionally came across as the horrible adult manchild stereotype that's omnipresent in heterosexual marriage media, and that we are supposed to find charming. Ultimately Callum was a great guy, who's aware of his priviledge and uses it to empower his wife and others, but every now and then my hackles rose. It wasn't too bad, but noticeable.
What I really liked was that these characters do make mistakes, which are ackowledged and treated accordingly. When Jamie makes a sexist assumption, Nerea calls him out and makes him reevaluate his thinking; when Nerea unthinkingly makes an ableist comment, Jamie, who has a sister with Down Syndrome, sets her an ultimatum; when Nerea outs Jamie without asking him previously she is called out, and Jamie speaks up when Callum sets unrealistic expectations on him. The communication between the three was wonderful, though also not flawless, and they always worked on themselves, which I adored.
Content warnings include: various age differences (from 7 years to 32 years) though all relationships feature consenting adults, polyamory, unplanned and planned pregnancies, big families featuring a lot of drama, casual ableism and sexism that are challenged immediately, a bit of toxic masculinity; mentions of unprotected sex, references to off-page sex.
I quite liked this story. The plot was mostly around the real problems and issues arrising as 24-year old Jamie starts a relationship with married couple Callum and Nerea. It was all quite domestic, but I loved how realistic the drama (and I use the term loosely) seemed. It was all small scale and centered around the protagonists' families, which amounted to quite a big cast, but it never got overwhelming or too big or overly dramatic.
My few complaints were that it was fun to read but not super enaging, by which I mean I enjoyed myself but it wasn't a life-changing read; the bigger complaint would be that Callum occasionally came across as the horrible adult manchild stereotype that's omnipresent in heterosexual marriage media, and that we are supposed to find charming. Ultimately Callum was a great guy, who's aware of his priviledge and uses it to empower his wife and others, but every now and then my hackles rose. It wasn't too bad, but noticeable.
What I really liked was that these characters do make mistakes, which are ackowledged and treated accordingly. When Jamie makes a sexist assumption, Nerea calls him out and makes him reevaluate his thinking; when Nerea unthinkingly makes an ableist comment, Jamie, who has a sister with Down Syndrome, sets her an ultimatum; when Nerea outs Jamie without asking him previously she is called out, and Jamie speaks up when Callum sets unrealistic expectations on him. The communication between the three was wonderful, though also not flawless, and they always worked on themselves, which I adored.
November 8, 2021
I would term this a noble failure. I think it's trying very hard to introduce something that can appear very complicated - polyamory - especially between an established older couple and a young man. I liked all the discussions and I felt Callum and Nerea's relationship strongly, but I never really felt how Jaimie was included. They told us he was, but we never really saw it. I felt Jaime's connection to his sister, more than I felt it to his lovers. So this didn't come alive for me.
But it was treading new ground and it certainly normalized poly, which is a good thing. Everyone was experimenting before they met each other, so no one was too shocked at the outcome. I'm glad that there were adult children (who were once small children) and some of the relationships impacted on them too.
All in all there was a lot to unpack here, and it did a good job at that, but a less good job of brining the romance to life.
But it was treading new ground and it certainly normalized poly, which is a good thing. Everyone was experimenting before they met each other, so no one was too shocked at the outcome. I'm glad that there were adult children (who were once small children) and some of the relationships impacted on them too.
All in all there was a lot to unpack here, and it did a good job at that, but a less good job of brining the romance to life.
June 30, 2017
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. (This isn't going to be a very flattering review, so don't read if you don't want to hear it.)
Oh, boy. Where to start. The blurb sounded so good! And it has good ratings. Is it me? It must be me because I couldn't finish this one. The book started off okay, slow and kind of hard to get into but still okay. And then - *sigh* - then Callum and Jamie "talk" about Callum being bisexual and how he has been flirting with Jamie. When Jamie points out that Callum is married to a woman, Callum admits they have an open relationship. Jamie wants to confirm this with the woman herself and Callum calls her and Jamie talks to her and she says they have her blessing. Talk about awkward. I didn't like this whole set up, it was just so weird and not realistic.
Oh, and all the sex is off page, btw, which sometimes I don't mind because the story itself is so good you don't miss it. Well, I don't know if it's a good or bad thing here, but I personally am sort of grateful the sex wasn't on page because yowser, the writing for this book isn't great, and I can only imagine how poor the sex would be written.
There isn't enough relationship development between Jamie and Callum for them to feel anything but lust at this point. They spend very little time together and are suddenly jumping into bed, spending time together on "dates." It's weird. Also, the writing felt like I was being talked to, as if I was just being spoken at and not taken on a journey with these characters. I was being "told" more than "shown" what was going on. I mean, for crying out loud, when the wife in finally introduced into this mix, her and Jamie have this "spark" between them as well, and her and Callum are having conversations just between them without Jamie about how to have a threesome relationship. It's been 2 weeks and all of a sudden Nerea is in love with Jamie. Really? How? Why? They have nothing in common. Like, literally nothing. They are not the same age, maturity level, they don't have the same interests. How in the hell did she fall for this kid? Can he really be that good in bed?
After that, I couldn't handle any more and just gave up. I don't have time for this. Clearly people enjoyed this story - I think my copy was defective or something.
Oh, boy. Where to start. The blurb sounded so good! And it has good ratings. Is it me? It must be me because I couldn't finish this one. The book started off okay, slow and kind of hard to get into but still okay. And then - *sigh* - then Callum and Jamie "talk" about Callum being bisexual and how he has been flirting with Jamie. When Jamie points out that Callum is married to a woman, Callum admits they have an open relationship. Jamie wants to confirm this with the woman herself and Callum calls her and Jamie talks to her and she says they have her blessing. Talk about awkward. I didn't like this whole set up, it was just so weird and not realistic.
Oh, and all the sex is off page, btw, which sometimes I don't mind because the story itself is so good you don't miss it. Well, I don't know if it's a good or bad thing here, but I personally am sort of grateful the sex wasn't on page because yowser, the writing for this book isn't great, and I can only imagine how poor the sex would be written.
There isn't enough relationship development between Jamie and Callum for them to feel anything but lust at this point. They spend very little time together and are suddenly jumping into bed, spending time together on "dates." It's weird. Also, the writing felt like I was being talked to, as if I was just being spoken at and not taken on a journey with these characters. I was being "told" more than "shown" what was going on. I mean, for crying out loud, when the wife in finally introduced into this mix, her and Jamie have this "spark" between them as well, and her and Callum are having conversations just between them without Jamie about how to have a threesome relationship. It's been 2 weeks and all of a sudden Nerea is in love with Jamie. Really? How? Why? They have nothing in common. Like, literally nothing. They are not the same age, maturity level, they don't have the same interests. How in the hell did she fall for this kid? Can he really be that good in bed?
After that, I couldn't handle any more and just gave up. I don't have time for this. Clearly people enjoyed this story - I think my copy was defective or something.
April 11, 2017
Since I'm familiar with the work of one of the authors (Racheline Maltese) I thought it was a good place to begin to see how a polyamorous romance might work. (I read plenty of monogamous romance of various sexualities & gender identities and levels of descriptive sexytimes, as a point of reference).
This was quite sweet. (I mean that as mostly a categorization. All of the sex in this romance happens offscreen, so if you are expecting hot MFM action, this is not the book for that.)
The emphasis in this story is on Nerea, Callum, and Jamie trying to figure out how their collective relationship works (and doesn't, always). How do you meet each other's needs and wants when you're all super busy, have your own (reasonable) hangups, aspirations, and goals, and unreasonable travel schedules? How do you handle the public, social aspects of being part of a triad, especially a new one? Or the private, family-and-friends community based reactions that may vary widely? How do you handle logistics?
The answer in this case is through ridiculously good communication skills, it turns out. And they are very much in evidence here, depicted across different communication styles, varying levels of sarcasm and snark, needs, wants, and levels of intimacy or self-knowledge.
I'd recommend this simply because it models great communication skills in all kinds of relationships, across multiple stages of life. I recommend it more because these characters are likeable. I want to hang out with ALL of them. Not an annoying person in the bunch, even among the extended cast. This novel builds the kind of close knit community where you hope you get invited to the holidays because it will be epic, with just enough drama to be interesting without utterly imploding.
This was quite sweet. (I mean that as mostly a categorization. All of the sex in this romance happens offscreen, so if you are expecting hot MFM action, this is not the book for that.)
The emphasis in this story is on Nerea, Callum, and Jamie trying to figure out how their collective relationship works (and doesn't, always). How do you meet each other's needs and wants when you're all super busy, have your own (reasonable) hangups, aspirations, and goals, and unreasonable travel schedules? How do you handle the public, social aspects of being part of a triad, especially a new one? Or the private, family-and-friends community based reactions that may vary widely? How do you handle logistics?
The answer in this case is through ridiculously good communication skills, it turns out. And they are very much in evidence here, depicted across different communication styles, varying levels of sarcasm and snark, needs, wants, and levels of intimacy or self-knowledge.
I'd recommend this simply because it models great communication skills in all kinds of relationships, across multiple stages of life. I recommend it more because these characters are likeable. I want to hang out with ALL of them. Not an annoying person in the bunch, even among the extended cast. This novel builds the kind of close knit community where you hope you get invited to the holidays because it will be epic, with just enough drama to be interesting without utterly imploding.
August 10, 2019
*3.5 stars.
Loved a lot about this, and as an aro/ace/poly person I especially enjoyed the rep in this without the focus on smut. But I did feel a lot of this was rushed and jumped over important milestones. A lot of it felt like being lectured to or very direct in its commentary, which I don't mind, but when it kept happening as a form of plot I started to disconnect a bit.
I did really enjoy this and it's a great read for healthy and dynamic relationships.
Loved a lot about this, and as an aro/ace/poly person I especially enjoyed the rep in this without the focus on smut. But I did feel a lot of this was rushed and jumped over important milestones. A lot of it felt like being lectured to or very direct in its commentary, which I don't mind, but when it kept happening as a form of plot I started to disconnect a bit.
I did really enjoy this and it's a great read for healthy and dynamic relationships.
March 28, 2017
*4.5 stars rounded up*
There are some books that when you read them, you know when you've finished they will stick with you for a long time. Whether it's the characters, the writing, the story itself--or a combination of all or some of those things--something will resonate deep in your soul and make its mark. Such is the case with the gorgeous and emotional, The Art of Three written by the duo of Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese. I finished this book over a week ago and still find myself thinking about this book. I've never read anything by either of these extremely talented writers, but I can guarantee you that I'll be changing that immediately. After this book I want all their words.
If you've ever wondered about and been fascinated by poly relationships then The Art of Three is for you. If you're a fan of romance novels, then this is definitely the book for you. What interested me more than anything is the fact that Callum and Nerea are a happily married couple of more than twenty years. They obviously have an open marriage as both have had numerous relationships with other people while maintaining and sustaining their own marriage. I wanted to see how this was accomplished.
This is a story of love and family and all the ups and downs that come with both. I wasn't at all sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but from the very first page I was hooked. Callum and Jamie and Nerea are wonderfully complex, layered, and flawed characters. The way these authors have developed each individual relationship as well as the one between the three of them was so well done. Each one is unique, giving each person what they need from the other outside of the poly relationship between the three people. It's hard enough to balance time and attention and everyday demands with just two people, with three it's that much more difficult and McRae and Maletese brought this to life so realistically. Callum's fame, Jamie's burgeoning career, Narea's art and being a wife and mother, all of this must be taken into account and feelings and thoughts must be shared openly and honestly. There was SO much communication between them all and gosh, how nice that was to see!
If you've heard anything about this book, don't let the age difference between Jamie and Callum and Nerea scare you. It's a big gap, there's no getting around that, but the more you read about these characters, the less you'll notice it. As for sex, you might expect lots of it based on other books like this, but there's none on page. Oh, there's plenty of it, and the authors let the readers know this, but the intimacy between Callum, Jamie, and Nerea is done through words and actions, not focused on the sex and I found this so refreshing. The writing flowed effortlessly, the setting, especially the parts in Spain were so vivid and evocative, and then all the characters were so likable and engaging, not to mention really great bi and poly representation.The Art of Three is a lush, gorgeous book that I highly recommend. Make sure to check this one out!
*this review will also be posted on www.diversereader.blogspot.com*
There are some books that when you read them, you know when you've finished they will stick with you for a long time. Whether it's the characters, the writing, the story itself--or a combination of all or some of those things--something will resonate deep in your soul and make its mark. Such is the case with the gorgeous and emotional, The Art of Three written by the duo of Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese. I finished this book over a week ago and still find myself thinking about this book. I've never read anything by either of these extremely talented writers, but I can guarantee you that I'll be changing that immediately. After this book I want all their words.
If you've ever wondered about and been fascinated by poly relationships then The Art of Three is for you. If you're a fan of romance novels, then this is definitely the book for you. What interested me more than anything is the fact that Callum and Nerea are a happily married couple of more than twenty years. They obviously have an open marriage as both have had numerous relationships with other people while maintaining and sustaining their own marriage. I wanted to see how this was accomplished.
This is a story of love and family and all the ups and downs that come with both. I wasn't at all sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but from the very first page I was hooked. Callum and Jamie and Nerea are wonderfully complex, layered, and flawed characters. The way these authors have developed each individual relationship as well as the one between the three of them was so well done. Each one is unique, giving each person what they need from the other outside of the poly relationship between the three people. It's hard enough to balance time and attention and everyday demands with just two people, with three it's that much more difficult and McRae and Maletese brought this to life so realistically. Callum's fame, Jamie's burgeoning career, Narea's art and being a wife and mother, all of this must be taken into account and feelings and thoughts must be shared openly and honestly. There was SO much communication between them all and gosh, how nice that was to see!
If you've heard anything about this book, don't let the age difference between Jamie and Callum and Nerea scare you. It's a big gap, there's no getting around that, but the more you read about these characters, the less you'll notice it. As for sex, you might expect lots of it based on other books like this, but there's none on page. Oh, there's plenty of it, and the authors let the readers know this, but the intimacy between Callum, Jamie, and Nerea is done through words and actions, not focused on the sex and I found this so refreshing. The writing flowed effortlessly, the setting, especially the parts in Spain were so vivid and evocative, and then all the characters were so likable and engaging, not to mention really great bi and poly representation.The Art of Three is a lush, gorgeous book that I highly recommend. Make sure to check this one out!
*this review will also be posted on www.diversereader.blogspot.com*
November 25, 2019
This was a very light and fun, angst-free mmf story telling of an established mf couple and how they add a third, younger man, to the mix. It helps that everybody is very successful in their careers and that they are all pretty cosmopolitan. I especially liked that Jamie was very careful with consent issues . The dialogue is snappy and smart, the tone is for the most part upbeat with the allure of new possibility, and the story was very feel-good. I was in the mood for something lighter, and this really hit the spot for me.
June 13, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This was a great book about a love and family. Definitely worth a read.
June 10, 2023
1.5-2 stars. This was a rough one for me. I liked the premise but I hated how it was written. The story was somehow in between. Overall, just a disappointing read.
May 4, 2020
3.5 - This was a fun book! I picked it up after seeing a tweet about the ebook being on sale. There really aren't enough books about positive polyamorous relationships that aren't focused on sex. This was a fairly quick read for me and it was a very interesting and enjoyable story. It may not be super captivating "must read" material, but the characters were interesting and it made me feel happy. Glad I picked it up.
March 13, 2017
First, this was not at all what I was originally expecting and I am glad I picked this up to read. I thought this was going to be another steamy triad relationship, but this was completely different. If you're looking for more steam, this is not the book for you. The book focuses more on the relationships between Callum, Jamie and Nerea. How to fit three together with their own family dramas and busy lives. Balance and commitment. Well worth the time and very well written.
February 10, 2017
I was excited to read THE ART OF THREE based on the premise and the authors alone, and it did not disappoint. This book is achingly lovely, with heartfelt characters and an earnest depiction of a polyamorous relationship. At times it felt too real, in that the authors portrayed elements of poly that are rarely depicted in art, and it was a shock to see my lived experience echoed back at me. Though Maltese & McRae's Love in Los Angeles series contains several poly relationships, it's not the main plot point as in the ART OF THREE, and I loved being able to read a story that really dug down into the work of poly, while never ignoring the romance.
The only thing I found disappointing was the sex scenes are all fade to black... Since I'm a horn dog who wants to see them bang every time, I was choked to be deprived of what I imagined to be some truly glorious threesomes (and twosomes).
A highlight was absolutely how much time the characters spend negotiating their relationships. For some folks this might come off as too much talking, but - broadly speaking - those of us who take poly seriously tend to be communication junkies, and I adored every conversation about emotions or logistics. It was cathartic to watch these characters figure out how they fit best together, and to see how earnest they were in their efforts to make it work for everyone.
Jamie is young and uncertain, and it was so fun to experience Callum and Nerea through his wide, love-struck eyes. He happily follows his lovers' lead, but is still able to stand up for himself. Callum is irresistibly charming and I fell for him immediately. His reckless, act-first behaviour carries a lot of the plot, and I appreciated that this was treated less as a flaw and more as something he needed to learn to accommodate for. We see him take ownership of his past mistakes, and it assures us that he won't make (those specific ones) again. Nerea... oh man. Nerea is who I want to be when I grow up. She's smart and stubborn and holds her own against the two men, and every time she drew a firm boundary I cheered. She respects herself and her relationships, and is able to clearly articulate what she needs and expects from the men in her life. As individuals they're supremely crush-worthy, and as a trio they're blindingly attractive.
Outside of the three main characters there's a large cast, and all of the secondary characters felt fleshed out and real. I was particularly charmed by one character's choice to go by a different name and the way the other characters, especially her mother, did their best to respect that change. Though there's plenty going on that is undeniably queer (s/o to Sam), the name change was particularly poignant.
THE ART OF THREE is likely one of the best books I'll read all year, and I'm already looking forward to a re-read. If you are looking for more poly rep, more bi rep, and more women-who-demand-more rep, pick up a copy of this book and I am certain you won't be disappointed.
Five stars, and a secret hope for a sequel!
The only thing I found disappointing was the sex scenes are all fade to black... Since I'm a horn dog who wants to see them bang every time, I was choked to be deprived of what I imagined to be some truly glorious threesomes (and twosomes).
A highlight was absolutely how much time the characters spend negotiating their relationships. For some folks this might come off as too much talking, but - broadly speaking - those of us who take poly seriously tend to be communication junkies, and I adored every conversation about emotions or logistics. It was cathartic to watch these characters figure out how they fit best together, and to see how earnest they were in their efforts to make it work for everyone.
Jamie is young and uncertain, and it was so fun to experience Callum and Nerea through his wide, love-struck eyes. He happily follows his lovers' lead, but is still able to stand up for himself. Callum is irresistibly charming and I fell for him immediately. His reckless, act-first behaviour carries a lot of the plot, and I appreciated that this was treated less as a flaw and more as something he needed to learn to accommodate for. We see him take ownership of his past mistakes, and it assures us that he won't make (those specific ones) again. Nerea... oh man. Nerea is who I want to be when I grow up. She's smart and stubborn and holds her own against the two men, and every time she drew a firm boundary I cheered. She respects herself and her relationships, and is able to clearly articulate what she needs and expects from the men in her life. As individuals they're supremely crush-worthy, and as a trio they're blindingly attractive.
Outside of the three main characters there's a large cast, and all of the secondary characters felt fleshed out and real. I was particularly charmed by one character's choice to go by a different name and the way the other characters, especially her mother, did their best to respect that change. Though there's plenty going on that is undeniably queer (s/o to Sam), the name change was particularly poignant.
THE ART OF THREE is likely one of the best books I'll read all year, and I'm already looking forward to a re-read. If you are looking for more poly rep, more bi rep, and more women-who-demand-more rep, pick up a copy of this book and I am certain you won't be disappointed.
Five stars, and a secret hope for a sequel!
March 28, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
This book really only focuses on the logistical and emotional aspects of long-term, open relationships and the development of a ménage. If you are looking for steam, you will be seriously disappointed.
Despite Jaime, Callum, and Nerea sharing homes, flats, beds, and a life for nearly twelve months of the book, all we get are a few scattered kisses on the page. For me, that was a let down. I did like the way the partners all talked, and how Callum and Nerea really encouraged Jamie to ask for what he wanted, but the lack of intimacy left me feeling disconnected. I honestly don’t need a whole lot of details, but fading to black every single time left me cold.
The family dynamics were really interesting, what with Callum and Nerea having three grown daughters that are all older than Jamie, and Jamie’s parents who don’t frown on his bisexuality, but are taken aback by the ménage relationship. There is a little unexpected drama late in the book, that I thought was handled very well, even if I had a bit of struggle accepting how we got there. That said, it’s an interesting look at building a ménage, and having the kind of communication that would allow such a relationship to thrive. The writing itself was engaging, I just didn’t connect well with the characters or the story.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
This book really only focuses on the logistical and emotional aspects of long-term, open relationships and the development of a ménage. If you are looking for steam, you will be seriously disappointed.
Despite Jaime, Callum, and Nerea sharing homes, flats, beds, and a life for nearly twelve months of the book, all we get are a few scattered kisses on the page. For me, that was a let down. I did like the way the partners all talked, and how Callum and Nerea really encouraged Jamie to ask for what he wanted, but the lack of intimacy left me feeling disconnected. I honestly don’t need a whole lot of details, but fading to black every single time left me cold.
The family dynamics were really interesting, what with Callum and Nerea having three grown daughters that are all older than Jamie, and Jamie’s parents who don’t frown on his bisexuality, but are taken aback by the ménage relationship. There is a little unexpected drama late in the book, that I thought was handled very well, even if I had a bit of struggle accepting how we got there. That said, it’s an interesting look at building a ménage, and having the kind of communication that would allow such a relationship to thrive. The writing itself was engaging, I just didn’t connect well with the characters or the story.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
December 13, 2017
I LOVED how this ended.
I say that first because, although this is a well-written story, the first two-thirds were too slow for me, a 36-year veteran of polyamorous living and a member of the PolyTampa discussion group. But if polyamory's a new concept to you, that's perfect! Not only is everything carefully spelled out, (not tediously at all, just carefully), but also, the authors don't shy away from complications, upsets, mistakes, and the critical need for self-honesty. Plus, the three people involved are really good characters, flaws and all. There are a lot of complications, just like in real life - families, neighbors, logistics, beyond the basic questions of who to tell, and when. And how.
I just finished "Turkey in the Snow," a rather subversive novella about "drama," and this book could be a lengthier companion to that theme, particularly when everything comes to a head in that last third of the story. Sometimes polyam people declare they "hate drama," but it isn't true. We hate pointless drama, but you can't reinvent your life without some deconstruction of your assumptions, and the assumptions of other people who love you. There's gonna be some drama, but if you remember you're all on the same side, it'll be okay.
Anyway, I highly recommend this one. There is no on-page sex, by the way. I would've liked to have seen some of that sweetness, but it's clear in other ways as their relationships progress.
I say that first because, although this is a well-written story, the first two-thirds were too slow for me, a 36-year veteran of polyamorous living and a member of the PolyTampa discussion group. But if polyamory's a new concept to you, that's perfect! Not only is everything carefully spelled out, (not tediously at all, just carefully), but also, the authors don't shy away from complications, upsets, mistakes, and the critical need for self-honesty. Plus, the three people involved are really good characters, flaws and all. There are a lot of complications, just like in real life - families, neighbors, logistics, beyond the basic questions of who to tell, and when. And how.
I just finished "Turkey in the Snow," a rather subversive novella about "drama," and this book could be a lengthier companion to that theme, particularly when everything comes to a head in that last third of the story. Sometimes polyam people declare they "hate drama," but it isn't true. We hate pointless drama, but you can't reinvent your life without some deconstruction of your assumptions, and the assumptions of other people who love you. There's gonna be some drama, but if you remember you're all on the same side, it'll be okay.
Anyway, I highly recommend this one. There is no on-page sex, by the way. I would've liked to have seen some of that sweetness, but it's clear in other ways as their relationships progress.
July 9, 2017
I was so rooting for this book. sadly the unaddressed power differential was WAY outside my comfort zone, I felt that the married couple treated the bf like a child (fair, I guess, since he's younger than their kids, except then maybe DFTG?) and the husband was unappealing in the extreme.
I failed out when the woman's given reasons for not wanting to have a (4th) child were fear of down syndrome (which the bf's sister has, a generally positive portrayal) & not wanting to get fat.
At this point I realised I only wanted to read more about these people if they were going to get eaten by bears, so I did myself a favor & quit.
I failed out when the woman's given reasons for not wanting to have a (4th) child were fear of down syndrome (which the bf's sister has, a generally positive portrayal) & not wanting to get fat.
At this point I realised I only wanted to read more about these people if they were going to get eaten by bears, so I did myself a favor & quit.
July 28, 2017
I didn't love this book to begin with but I was going to make some comment about how it's good to push myself to read outside of my preferred very small niches. And then the woman was surprise knocked up which automatically knocks a couple more stars off of any book for me. The characters kept saying they were happy, but no one in this book ever acted like they were happy and no one had any fun. I thought it was marketed as romance, but it read a lot more like literary fiction with it's slog through everyday life.
June 12, 2017
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Jamie, darling,” Callum said, pressing a kiss to Jamie’s temple. “I’m afraid complicated is what life and love is.”
The Art of Three brilliantly covers a lot of topics that are still considered taboo in today’s world: bisexuality, open relationships, open marriages, polyamory, bigger age differences in relationships. The authors do a great job incorporating the emotional and logic that goes into poly-amorous, open relationships, without making it all about the physical. In short, if you’re looking for hot, threesomes between an older (40s/50s) married couple and their new, 24-year-old lover, this isn’t the book for you. If you are looking for meaningful, thoughtful discussion about polyamory and how that affects those in the relationship as well as their friends and family, then McRae and Maltese have the perfect romance for you.
Callum and Nerea have been married for twenty-nine years, have three grown daughters, and have been in an open relationship since the very beginning. They split their time between a flat in London, and Nerea’s family home in Spain. Callum is a huge Hollywood movie star, and it’s on his latest movie set where he meets Jamie, his 24-year-old co-star. Callum, who considers himself bisexual, is no stranger to hooking up with both sexes while away filming. Jamie, also bisexual, is different than Callum’s usual hookups, though. It isn’t long before Callum is introducing Jamie to his wife, and soon Nerea is just as taken with Jamie as Callum is. The Art of Three tells the story of how these three individuals deal with Callum and Nerea’s open marriage, polyamory between the three of them, neighbors and friends whispering about Jamie’s age difference, and how Jamie’s parents, as well as Callum and Nerea’s daughters, all positively and negatively affect their relationship balance.
Any marriage takes work, but the authors show just how fragile open relationships and polyamory can be unless everyone is working toward the same goals. I applaud the authors for creating such a mature discussion in book form; while alluded to quite a bit, there is no actual sex scene in this book. The authors managed to have a book-long dialogue about sexual relationships without having to be explicit. And that changed the focus of the book from the sexual relationships themselves to the emotional and mental health of their poly-amorous individuals. A very classy and well-done story.
[Original review posted at http://rockeyreads.tumblr.com/post/16...]
“Jamie, darling,” Callum said, pressing a kiss to Jamie’s temple. “I’m afraid complicated is what life and love is.”
The Art of Three brilliantly covers a lot of topics that are still considered taboo in today’s world: bisexuality, open relationships, open marriages, polyamory, bigger age differences in relationships. The authors do a great job incorporating the emotional and logic that goes into poly-amorous, open relationships, without making it all about the physical. In short, if you’re looking for hot, threesomes between an older (40s/50s) married couple and their new, 24-year-old lover, this isn’t the book for you. If you are looking for meaningful, thoughtful discussion about polyamory and how that affects those in the relationship as well as their friends and family, then McRae and Maltese have the perfect romance for you.
Callum and Nerea have been married for twenty-nine years, have three grown daughters, and have been in an open relationship since the very beginning. They split their time between a flat in London, and Nerea’s family home in Spain. Callum is a huge Hollywood movie star, and it’s on his latest movie set where he meets Jamie, his 24-year-old co-star. Callum, who considers himself bisexual, is no stranger to hooking up with both sexes while away filming. Jamie, also bisexual, is different than Callum’s usual hookups, though. It isn’t long before Callum is introducing Jamie to his wife, and soon Nerea is just as taken with Jamie as Callum is. The Art of Three tells the story of how these three individuals deal with Callum and Nerea’s open marriage, polyamory between the three of them, neighbors and friends whispering about Jamie’s age difference, and how Jamie’s parents, as well as Callum and Nerea’s daughters, all positively and negatively affect their relationship balance.
Any marriage takes work, but the authors show just how fragile open relationships and polyamory can be unless everyone is working toward the same goals. I applaud the authors for creating such a mature discussion in book form; while alluded to quite a bit, there is no actual sex scene in this book. The authors managed to have a book-long dialogue about sexual relationships without having to be explicit. And that changed the focus of the book from the sexual relationships themselves to the emotional and mental health of their poly-amorous individuals. A very classy and well-done story.
[Original review posted at http://rockeyreads.tumblr.com/post/16...]
November 5, 2019
I was really looking forward to reading a book with a poly relationship, but this was pretty much hit and miss for me.
It felt like the author(s) said let's throw all this sh&t at it and see what sticks.
So let's see what we can do to make a poly triad more dramatic.
I know, throw in the age-gap. The kids will have a fit.
Hey, but if the youngest daughter becomes involved with a much older man, a best friend no less.
Let's introduce a pregnancy...now we have the issue of 'I'm too old, what if the baby has Down Syndrome?
Hey, I know lets give our 'boy' a sister was Downs.
Oh, and better yet, how about one of our daughter's gets preggies, (then our child can grow up with our granddaughter)
Not actually quotes, but how this story made me feel.
To be honest, what I struggled with most was the age-gap, more so the way it was handle.
The 'boy' is 24 and calling him 'the boy' made him feel even younger. The way Callum and Neara spoke to him bordered on condescending.
There is NO on-page sex and while I can live with that, I wouldn't like to see some intimacy between these character, because I wasn't feeling it. I feel it would've gone to show polygamy can work and be rewarding. As it stands, this book is just one issue after the other with a lot of loose ends.
It felt like the author(s) said let's throw all this sh&t at it and see what sticks.
So let's see what we can do to make a poly triad more dramatic.
I know, throw in the age-gap. The kids will have a fit.
Hey, but if the youngest daughter becomes involved with a much older man, a best friend no less.
Let's introduce a pregnancy...now we have the issue of 'I'm too old, what if the baby has Down Syndrome?
Hey, I know lets give our 'boy' a sister was Downs.
Oh, and better yet, how about one of our daughter's gets preggies, (then our child can grow up with our granddaughter)
Not actually quotes, but how this story made me feel.
To be honest, what I struggled with most was the age-gap, more so the way it was handle.
The 'boy' is 24 and calling him 'the boy' made him feel even younger. The way Callum and Neara spoke to him bordered on condescending.
There is NO on-page sex and while I can live with that, I wouldn't like to see some intimacy between these character, because I wasn't feeling it. I feel it would've gone to show polygamy can work and be rewarding. As it stands, this book is just one issue after the other with a lot of loose ends.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Art of Three Erin McRae & Racheline Maltese
1) I was smitten by this book and couldn’t put it down. The authors are fantastic storytellers, navigating the reader through complex emotions, varied landscapes, jet-setting life-styles and the social minefield of colleagues, family, neighbors, and the Church. The plot races on, slowing down for the tender parts where love and affection blooms unfettered by extra words, and by extra physical descriptions of sex. I noticed the lack of on-screen intimacy, but didn’t miss it. In fact, the already complex plot would’ve been all-too busy with extra thrown in. I recommend this book without reservations.
2) Utterly fascinating story of three romances and one marriage, each brought to life with deftly written characters, who populate a tale of romance, lust, and humor. As the trio of unplanned lovers find their lives coming together in more ways than one, the reader will not be able to close the book until the last word is read.
3) This book had wonderfully complex characters, rich, colorful descriptions, a complex and interesting storyline, and good dialog. I really didn't want to put it down!
1) I was smitten by this book and couldn’t put it down. The authors are fantastic storytellers, navigating the reader through complex emotions, varied landscapes, jet-setting life-styles and the social minefield of colleagues, family, neighbors, and the Church. The plot races on, slowing down for the tender parts where love and affection blooms unfettered by extra words, and by extra physical descriptions of sex. I noticed the lack of on-screen intimacy, but didn’t miss it. In fact, the already complex plot would’ve been all-too busy with extra thrown in. I recommend this book without reservations.
2) Utterly fascinating story of three romances and one marriage, each brought to life with deftly written characters, who populate a tale of romance, lust, and humor. As the trio of unplanned lovers find their lives coming together in more ways than one, the reader will not be able to close the book until the last word is read.
3) This book had wonderfully complex characters, rich, colorful descriptions, a complex and interesting storyline, and good dialog. I really didn't want to put it down!
November 8, 2025
A very fun read, with interesting perspectives and a couple of plot twists (and a few that were entirely predictable)
What I didn't like was the handling of Nerea's worry about the health of
What I didn't like was the handling of Nerea's worry about the health of
March 3, 2018
Fantastic poly romance with good relationship development
This is my first poly romance read and it was so good. The authors explained the poly lifestyle pretty well without it ever feeling like exposition, and I always felt grounded in the reality of the evolving relationships. I like the way Callum and Nerea’s history is given weight without making Jamie feel excluded and unequal. I love how much family and commitment is emphasized in this story, and how our characters seem to get the HEA they are looking for even though it’s not the HEA people are used to. Lovely lovely, and I found myself wanting to spent more and more time with these characters, and was sad to see the story end. Well done, authors! An instant feel-good favorite.
This is my first poly romance read and it was so good. The authors explained the poly lifestyle pretty well without it ever feeling like exposition, and I always felt grounded in the reality of the evolving relationships. I like the way Callum and Nerea’s history is given weight without making Jamie feel excluded and unequal. I love how much family and commitment is emphasized in this story, and how our characters seem to get the HEA they are looking for even though it’s not the HEA people are used to. Lovely lovely, and I found myself wanting to spent more and more time with these characters, and was sad to see the story end. Well done, authors! An instant feel-good favorite.
August 3, 2017
A sweet, relatively low-drama poly romance.
I liked the characters and their relationships, but everything felt a little too easy; the conflicts resolved too simply and the victories not really earned.
I did appreciate that this book pays a lot of attention to the nitty-gritty of poly relationships. There's a lot of coordinating schedules, planning time together in different configurations and telling the families. All of which is very real, but doesn't necessarily make for the most scintillating reading.
I also really appreciated the lack of judgment or drama around the age-differences in the relationships, which might not be entirely realistic, but was quite refreshing nonetheless.
I liked the characters and their relationships, but everything felt a little too easy; the conflicts resolved too simply and the victories not really earned.
I did appreciate that this book pays a lot of attention to the nitty-gritty of poly relationships. There's a lot of coordinating schedules, planning time together in different configurations and telling the families. All of which is very real, but doesn't necessarily make for the most scintillating reading.
I also really appreciated the lack of judgment or drama around the age-differences in the relationships, which might not be entirely realistic, but was quite refreshing nonetheless.
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