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The most damaging secrets are the ones you don’t even realize you’re keeping.
Truman has been married for almost five years. He loves his husband, their boyfriend, his job, and his life. So how is it possible that he’s been unfaithful? How did he let a harmless crush turn into…this?
Hugh is shocked. Angry. Numb. He has no intention of getting divorced, but no idea how to fix his relationship. And Truman isn’t the only one who’s been less than totally honest. But how can Hugh open the doors to their future when the present is such a mess?
Will has two boyfriends. For years he’s secretly wondered what it would be like to be more than just the boyfriend, but suddenly even that is in jeopardy. Did he miss his chance to tell them how he feels?
Betrayal cuts deep, exposing things they never thought to question. The road back to one another feels nearly impossible, but if anyone can do this, it’s Will and the boyfriends…or should that be Will and his partners?
Truman has been married for almost five years. He loves his husband, their boyfriend, his job, and his life. So how is it possible that he’s been unfaithful? How did he let a harmless crush turn into…this?
Hugh is shocked. Angry. Numb. He has no intention of getting divorced, but no idea how to fix his relationship. And Truman isn’t the only one who’s been less than totally honest. But how can Hugh open the doors to their future when the present is such a mess?
Will has two boyfriends. For years he’s secretly wondered what it would be like to be more than just the boyfriend, but suddenly even that is in jeopardy. Did he miss his chance to tell them how he feels?
Betrayal cuts deep, exposing things they never thought to question. The road back to one another feels nearly impossible, but if anyone can do this, it’s Will and the boyfriends…or should that be Will and his partners?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2018
About the author
Kris Ripper
89 books414 followersKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
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May 8, 2023I read nine books in a week…what else can I say?
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July 19, 2018Well. That was worth every moment.
More thoughts later after I turn my reactions over and over.
I still feel like Hugh is my patronus. Or maybe I’m his. Don’t know.
ETA:First, I have to say I adore this series. It's probably one of my top top top reads ever. Hugh, Truman, and Will (dear Will) are so damn real.
Which is why this book hurt so very much to read. As in I was physically shaking and having a hard time catching my breath as I read. Because I ached for them. For Truman, who fucked up big-time. For Hugh, who I identify with so hard, who deals with pain and hurt by shutting down and pulling away, and for Will, who loves these men so much and can't tell them what he really needs.
That pain, that inability to breathe didn't ease up until about 50%.
People screw up bad in real life. For reasons, good, bad, and sometimes unknown even to them. They betray trust. They hurt people they love. Sometimes that causes dissolution. But sometimes it doesn't. It uncovers the issues and fissures no one saw because everyone was comfortable. Everyone had a role. Because sometimes change and growth are hard, so we avoid it. We stay where we are, until....something happens.
Something happened. Hugh, Truman, and Will will not be the same. And that's okay. It's okay. Hugh was right. It's going to be fine.
Trust Ripper. Zie knows what zie is doing.
I can't wait for New Years.
More thoughts later after I turn my reactions over and over.
I still feel like Hugh is my patronus. Or maybe I’m his. Don’t know.
ETA:First, I have to say I adore this series. It's probably one of my top top top reads ever. Hugh, Truman, and Will (dear Will) are so damn real.
Which is why this book hurt so very much to read. As in I was physically shaking and having a hard time catching my breath as I read. Because I ached for them. For Truman, who fucked up big-time. For Hugh, who I identify with so hard, who deals with pain and hurt by shutting down and pulling away, and for Will, who loves these men so much and can't tell them what he really needs.
That pain, that inability to breathe didn't ease up until about 50%.
People screw up bad in real life. For reasons, good, bad, and sometimes unknown even to them. They betray trust. They hurt people they love. Sometimes that causes dissolution. But sometimes it doesn't. It uncovers the issues and fissures no one saw because everyone was comfortable. Everyone had a role. Because sometimes change and growth are hard, so we avoid it. We stay where we are, until....something happens.
Something happened. Hugh, Truman, and Will will not be the same. And that's okay. It's okay. Hugh was right. It's going to be fine.
Trust Ripper. Zie knows what zie is doing.
I can't wait for New Years.
December 8, 2021
Re-read May 2022
OK. We’ve almost made it. Take three breaths.
Untrue is Kris Ripper walking the walk. Ze has taken us so many places with these characters. So many highs, so many lows. But cheating is a dealbreaker for a lot of readers. And even where it’s not a dealbreaker – and let’s face it, if you’ve made it to the last book of a 9-book series, you’re probably more-than-usually invested in the ending; I doubt many hardcore fans opted out of this one, regardless of their normal stance on cheating in romance – the fallout from cheating is so hard to read. Ripper is putting these characters and the reader through a painful, confusing, isolating, heart-wrenching journey in this book.
But it’s a necessary journey. It is, ultimately, a hopeful journey. It forces our triad to acknowledge that there are some foundational issues – roles that they play, compromises that have curdled, misunderstandings that have set in – that must be handled at the root. It’s recognizing that those assumed or unsaid things can no longer go assumed or unsaid. It’s not a gimmick. It’s not a loyalty test. It’s pushing Hugh, Truman, and Will (and us, who love them) way out of our comfort zones – and in the process, showing how those comfort zones had gradually, subtly, almost invisibly become more hindrance than help: a way of not dealing with the hard things that we dislike or are challenged by in ourselves and our relationships.
Because Truman cheating seems way out of the blue. (I’m not spoiler tagging this because it’s on page 1 and in the blurb. And for that matter, the title.) This is Truman! Not that I could really envision Hugh, much less Will, cheating – which is to say, having an undisclosed sexual relationship: where cheating in monogamous romance tends to conflate sexual exclusivity and honesty, it is very clear here that the act of cheating is found in lying, hiding, and failures in communication, entirely separate from notions of sexual exclusivity. But Truman is so . . . Truman. Even after the upheavals of Extreme, it’s almost incomprehensible to think of Truman cheating. And not just for the reader. It’s equally incomprehensible to Hugh and Will, who are, of course, angry, hurt, and betrayed – but also utterly baffled at how this came to pass. Hell, Truman himself – guilt-wracked, self-flagellating (not literally; necessary clarification in the SMU!) Truman – is baffled at how this came to pass.
And therein lies the amazingness of what Ripper does here. Because ze shows how this betrayal stems, not just from issues and dynamics internal to the relationship between the three of them (some longstanding), but from behaviors and patterns that Truman had even before he ever met Hugh and Will. This does not excuse it, but it roots it, and shows a path to dealing with it – not just for Truman, but for all three of them. It is a painful reckoning for Truman, Hugh, and Will, but they emerge with a greater understanding of how this crisis came to pass, as well as all of their parts in it. While the Truman-Hugh dynamic is most directly affected and most stressed, it is clear that the roles all three of them play are implicated and need to be rethought.
And on that note, this is when Will finally, finally stakes his equal partnership in the relationship – simultaneous with, but independent from, Hugh’s own (very belated!) realization that his no-pressure, up-to-you, trying not to be possessive, chivalrous approach to Will’s place in their lives was both a lie (of omission, at least) and directly counter to what they all wanted. Untrue ends the only place this long, wonderful series can: with Will, Hugh, and Truman being equal partners. But it’s an earned ending. There is no wave-a-magic-wand, sugarcoated HEA here. There is recognition and acceptance that things can get shitty, things can be painful, things can feel impossible, but that with enough work, honesty, love, vulnerability, courage, and will, things can change for the better.
And I would be remiss not to mention that Molly, Adam, and Ian are absolute legends in this one. It really does take a village.
So thanks for the memories, Will, Truman, and Hugh. What a ride it was.
Series review here.
And – there is an epilogue of sorts in Molly’s book in the New Year’s series, Every New Beginning, which takes place roughly six months after the events of Untrue and finds our men in a much better place: happy together, still figuring out what being a triad means, still committed to working on their shit individually and together. Because HEAs are always a work in progress.
OK. We’ve almost made it. Take three breaths.
Untrue is Kris Ripper walking the walk. Ze has taken us so many places with these characters. So many highs, so many lows. But cheating is a dealbreaker for a lot of readers. And even where it’s not a dealbreaker – and let’s face it, if you’ve made it to the last book of a 9-book series, you’re probably more-than-usually invested in the ending; I doubt many hardcore fans opted out of this one, regardless of their normal stance on cheating in romance – the fallout from cheating is so hard to read. Ripper is putting these characters and the reader through a painful, confusing, isolating, heart-wrenching journey in this book.
But it’s a necessary journey. It is, ultimately, a hopeful journey. It forces our triad to acknowledge that there are some foundational issues – roles that they play, compromises that have curdled, misunderstandings that have set in – that must be handled at the root. It’s recognizing that those assumed or unsaid things can no longer go assumed or unsaid. It’s not a gimmick. It’s not a loyalty test. It’s pushing Hugh, Truman, and Will (and us, who love them) way out of our comfort zones – and in the process, showing how those comfort zones had gradually, subtly, almost invisibly become more hindrance than help: a way of not dealing with the hard things that we dislike or are challenged by in ourselves and our relationships.
Because Truman cheating seems way out of the blue. (I’m not spoiler tagging this because it’s on page 1 and in the blurb. And for that matter, the title.) This is Truman! Not that I could really envision Hugh, much less Will, cheating – which is to say, having an undisclosed sexual relationship: where cheating in monogamous romance tends to conflate sexual exclusivity and honesty, it is very clear here that the act of cheating is found in lying, hiding, and failures in communication, entirely separate from notions of sexual exclusivity. But Truman is so . . . Truman. Even after the upheavals of Extreme, it’s almost incomprehensible to think of Truman cheating. And not just for the reader. It’s equally incomprehensible to Hugh and Will, who are, of course, angry, hurt, and betrayed – but also utterly baffled at how this came to pass. Hell, Truman himself – guilt-wracked, self-flagellating (not literally; necessary clarification in the SMU!) Truman – is baffled at how this came to pass.
And therein lies the amazingness of what Ripper does here. Because ze shows how this betrayal stems, not just from issues and dynamics internal to the relationship between the three of them (some longstanding), but from behaviors and patterns that Truman had even before he ever met Hugh and Will. This does not excuse it, but it roots it, and shows a path to dealing with it – not just for Truman, but for all three of them. It is a painful reckoning for Truman, Hugh, and Will, but they emerge with a greater understanding of how this crisis came to pass, as well as all of their parts in it. While the Truman-Hugh dynamic is most directly affected and most stressed, it is clear that the roles all three of them play are implicated and need to be rethought.
And on that note, this is when Will finally, finally stakes his equal partnership in the relationship – simultaneous with, but independent from, Hugh’s own (very belated!) realization that his no-pressure, up-to-you, trying not to be possessive, chivalrous approach to Will’s place in their lives was both a lie (of omission, at least) and directly counter to what they all wanted. Untrue ends the only place this long, wonderful series can: with Will, Hugh, and Truman being equal partners. But it’s an earned ending. There is no wave-a-magic-wand, sugarcoated HEA here. There is recognition and acceptance that things can get shitty, things can be painful, things can feel impossible, but that with enough work, honesty, love, vulnerability, courage, and will, things can change for the better.
And I would be remiss not to mention that Molly, Adam, and Ian are absolute legends in this one. It really does take a village.
So thanks for the memories, Will, Truman, and Hugh. What a ride it was.
Series review here.
And – there is an epilogue of sorts in Molly’s book in the New Year’s series, Every New Beginning, which takes place roughly six months after the events of Untrue and finds our men in a much better place: happy together, still figuring out what being a triad means, still committed to working on their shit individually and together. Because HEAs are always a work in progress.
July 12, 2018
This is so Kris Ripper. Ze gets the emotions and the feelings and the dark and light and all the shadows in between just right.
It's a really, really hard read. I had to put it down several times in the first 10% of the book because it was just too emotional of a read. I felt crushed. I felt angry. I felt betrayed. I felt guilty. I felt ashamed. I felt anguish. I mean, these men. These three men who love each other so much. And this. Oh. Just. Oh.
But Kris Ripper did as Kris Ripper does, and once I got through the start and into the nitty gritty, I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I was deeply entwined and fully sucked into Untrue.
These characters. I love them. I love them because none of them are perfect. None of them are innocent. They are so well written. So alive. So human. Complex. Growing, changing, evolving.
Yes, this is a hard read. Yes, it's an emotional read. Read it. Read it as soon as you can get your hands on it. Feel free to stop and cry every few pages, or ever few sentences. Just don't stop reading it.
It's a really, really hard read. I had to put it down several times in the first 10% of the book because it was just too emotional of a read. I felt crushed. I felt angry. I felt betrayed. I felt guilty. I felt ashamed. I felt anguish. I mean, these men. These three men who love each other so much. And this. Oh. Just. Oh.
But Kris Ripper did as Kris Ripper does, and once I got through the start and into the nitty gritty, I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I was deeply entwined and fully sucked into Untrue.
These characters. I love them. I love them because none of them are perfect. None of them are innocent. They are so well written. So alive. So human. Complex. Growing, changing, evolving.
Yes, this is a hard read. Yes, it's an emotional read. Read it. Read it as soon as you can get your hands on it. Feel free to stop and cry every few pages, or ever few sentences. Just don't stop reading it.
July 19, 2018
Stock up on your favorite facial tissues before reading this one. I cried a lot.
This is, in case you need a Content Warning, a story about infidelity, and forgiveness. This is Truman, and Hugh, and Will, and it is not an easy tale after all this time, weathering a lie and new truths.
I am polyamorous, have been my entire romantic life (three-plus decades), and I belong to the discussion group PolyTampa (have since the late '90s) at which the topics of infidelity and forgiveness come up now and then, sometimes from a specific person, sometimes a group topic. The responses are varied - of course they are - but next time I attend I may bring up this series, and this book in particular, for those interested in thoughtful and cogent fiction on the topic.
Kris Ripper dealt with the subject perfectly for these characters.
More generally, and in real life: after an infidelity, if you want to not just preserve what you have, but make it better and stronger so infidelity isn't tempting, then it takes time and no little amount of patience. It requires bravery, and a good therapist is invaluable. If it isn't scary, you're not down to what needs to change yet. And change comes from ALL parties. This is the part many people miss. Also, there are people who cannot keep a promise. You either accept that, or you end that relationship. Regardless, you examine your guilt and fear, or your hurt and anger, to learn what you need to change. And then TALK about it. The mantra, the three most important "rules" of polyamory, apply to any relationship: communicate, communicate, communicate.
No one can read your mind. You have to talk. And you have to listen.
There are no shortcuts without repercussions.
This is a really good story.
This is, in case you need a Content Warning, a story about infidelity, and forgiveness. This is Truman, and Hugh, and Will, and it is not an easy tale after all this time, weathering a lie and new truths.
I am polyamorous, have been my entire romantic life (three-plus decades), and I belong to the discussion group PolyTampa (have since the late '90s) at which the topics of infidelity and forgiveness come up now and then, sometimes from a specific person, sometimes a group topic. The responses are varied - of course they are - but next time I attend I may bring up this series, and this book in particular, for those interested in thoughtful and cogent fiction on the topic.
Kris Ripper dealt with the subject perfectly for these characters.
More generally, and in real life: after an infidelity, if you want to not just preserve what you have, but make it better and stronger so infidelity isn't tempting, then it takes time and no little amount of patience. It requires bravery, and a good therapist is invaluable. If it isn't scary, you're not down to what needs to change yet. And change comes from ALL parties. This is the part many people miss. Also, there are people who cannot keep a promise. You either accept that, or you end that relationship. Regardless, you examine your guilt and fear, or your hurt and anger, to learn what you need to change. And then TALK about it. The mantra, the three most important "rules" of polyamory, apply to any relationship: communicate, communicate, communicate.
No one can read your mind. You have to talk. And you have to listen.
There are no shortcuts without repercussions.
This is a really good story.
May 22, 2022
OMG Kris Ripper. Just fucking rip my heart out and stomp on it a bit why don’t ya?
This was an intense read. Like, right from the very first pages you are just thrown right into it and it doesn't let up!
While this was painful to read, because Will, Hugh, and Truman were having all of the feelings, and I love them together and don't want anything to happen to them, I also think it was a perfect finale to the series. Like, ALL THE THINGS come up and I just love how everything was handled. It was really interesting to see them working through things and how something small can fester and grow and become this terrible thing when you don't talk about it. I also really liked that while they were working on things, and seeing a counsellor, that all three of them came to realizations about how they had gotten to this point, and that everything wasn't just pinned on Truman for doing the bad thing.
Despite how rough it was to read this book, I am really happy with the ending and how everything was resolved. That through the work they did at counselling they were able to say all kinds of things to each other that they never would have said before, and that it got them to a much better place.
I will say, however, that I really wish I had read the New Years stories before reading this one. There were A LOT of things that I didn't know and felt a bit blindsided by (like, when did THAT happen???), so I would very much recommend reading those before taking this one on.
God, what am I even going to do with myself now that I've finished the series? (well, the main books, anyway) Definite book hangover happening over here right now.
This was an intense read. Like, right from the very first pages you are just thrown right into it and it doesn't let up!
While this was painful to read, because Will, Hugh, and Truman were having all of the feelings, and I love them together and don't want anything to happen to them, I also think it was a perfect finale to the series. Like, ALL THE THINGS come up and I just love how everything was handled. It was really interesting to see them working through things and how something small can fester and grow and become this terrible thing when you don't talk about it. I also really liked that while they were working on things, and seeing a counsellor, that all three of them came to realizations about how they had gotten to this point, and that everything wasn't just pinned on Truman for doing the bad thing.
Despite how rough it was to read this book, I am really happy with the ending and how everything was resolved. That through the work they did at counselling they were able to say all kinds of things to each other that they never would have said before, and that it got them to a much better place.
I will say, however, that I really wish I had read the New Years stories before reading this one. There were A LOT of things that I didn't know and felt a bit blindsided by (like, when did THAT happen???), so I would very much recommend reading those before taking this one on.
God, what am I even going to do with myself now that I've finished the series? (well, the main books, anyway) Definite book hangover happening over here right now.
June 9, 2022
5 stars for the SMU series
Review for the entire Scientific Method Universe series. I mean, this is just a really excellent series/multiverse of books, short stories, crossovers by Kris Ripper about a triad relationship and their friends and families. The central relationship is Hugh | Will | Truman. The series is a masterclass of relationships and exploring all the intricacies of life. With a fair amount of kink.
There are a couple of books that are quote/unquote not my favorite but they aren't throwaway reads they each add to the overall arc of the narrative and the complexity of relationships (all relationships). And the books that fall in the "not my favorite" are because of very greedy Becs specific things like "there's not enough Hugh |Will | Truman." ;) All of the books cleverly examine and process power dynamics, fantasies, misunderstandings, communication and miscommunication, wants, desires, needs, anxiety, romance, love, betrayal, trust, depression, hope - it has everything.
After reading the final book I immediately dipped back into the first book Catalysts and can see the small moments, the seemingly throwaway lines said by characters that will weave throughout the series building to a crisis point and breakthrough. It is so good. And with nine books plus how many(?) short stories and freebies, I want to read it all again.
"he's shit at having feelings" wow never felt so seen and attacked
Review for the entire Scientific Method Universe series. I mean, this is just a really excellent series/multiverse of books, short stories, crossovers by Kris Ripper about a triad relationship and their friends and families. The central relationship is Hugh | Will | Truman. The series is a masterclass of relationships and exploring all the intricacies of life. With a fair amount of kink.
There are a couple of books that are quote/unquote not my favorite but they aren't throwaway reads they each add to the overall arc of the narrative and the complexity of relationships (all relationships). And the books that fall in the "not my favorite" are because of very greedy Becs specific things like "there's not enough Hugh |Will | Truman." ;) All of the books cleverly examine and process power dynamics, fantasies, misunderstandings, communication and miscommunication, wants, desires, needs, anxiety, romance, love, betrayal, trust, depression, hope - it has everything.
After reading the final book I immediately dipped back into the first book Catalysts and can see the small moments, the seemingly throwaway lines said by characters that will weave throughout the series building to a crisis point and breakthrough. It is so good. And with nine books plus how many(?) short stories and freebies, I want to read it all again.
"he's shit at having feelings" wow never felt so seen and attacked
December 13, 2023
My god. Kris Ripper did not go easy on us. It’s a bold choice to tackle infidelity in the ninth and final installment. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the blurb and yet here we are. And it was Truman of all people! Not that I could imagine Hugh or Will doing that instead but Tru has been such a solid, steady presence. And yet it illustrates how those cracks and insecurities can lead to incredible harm if they’re not properly dealt with. These three men have A LOT to deal with.
Thanks to counseling with priest Ian, they start to deal with it but it takes time, especially when Hugh goes full blown iceberg. I was so impressed with how the sessions went, particularly what Will’s presence or absence meant, the reason behind Hugh’s initial desire for things to go back to “normal”, and Truman’s realization of the patterns in his relationships. Being in a polyamorous relationship requires a lot of honest conversations; this shows exactly why that’s the case and what holding back one’s thoughts and impulses can do. Because that’s the thing: if Truman had told Hugh about Jaron, he probably would have been free to explore things. It’s the not telling and the secrecy that they have to reckon with. Only then can they all advocate for the kind of relationship they want, one that includes Will being an equal partner and exploring becoming foster parents for LGBTQ+ teens. They needed a catalyst (lol) to push them together for good and talk everything out.
This installment has the least sex of all the books, which I found to be such a fascinating choice. Will and Hugh’s relationship began due to kink, then turned sexual and then turned romantic. Truman had never explored kink prior to Hugh. Their scenes at times have taken risk but on the whole, they communicate well in that arena. This time around they need to learn to communicate aside from sex and really put things on the table, as well as address some of the scenes that went sideways that contributed to them feeling hurt or insecure. I really love what they’ve come to mean to each other and it was such a relief for them to all be on the same page. Plus: the cuffs!!!! Gah, my heart is full.
There are some structural issues. Most scenes are experienced from two viewpoints, which led to an unholy amount of repetitiveness. Same scene, different POV needs to be used judiciously and we need to learn a lot from being in each character’s head. That wasn’t often the case for the first half. I wound up doing a lot of skimming and ignoring the repeated dialogue. However, I can appreciate that some of the lack of detail was perhaps mirroring how frozen Hugh was. The scenes open up and become more informative once he starts to open back up and become productive in the therapy sessions.
There were a lot of references to things that happened in spinoff books that I haven’t read yet but aren’t included in the series order so I felt lost in places or unclear if details were missing on purpose. Like when did Will move back to the East Bay?! Apparently this happened before Extremes but it wasn’t delved upon there either but one of the New Years books instead. It would have helped to have either oriented readers who are only reading SMU or to have incorporated the New Years books into the series. Also side note: it wasn’t believable that Truman wouldn’t have thoroughly vetted whatever therapist he went to. That is one of my super powers as a former social worker and I cannot believe Truman wouldn’t have already been aware of other therapists in the Bay Area that might have been a good fit for him.
These quibbles aside, this series is going on my Game-changing Romance shelf. It’s such a fantastic exploration of kink, polyamory, and sexuality. Sticking with the same characters allowed for so much depth. This is all the more impressive because we’re really in a bubble with them, not seeing much about their work (half the time I didn’t even know what Will’s job was), other friends, and so on. And yet I still feel like I know them well. Kris Ripper really impressed me across the board.
Characters: Will is a 31 year old “not straight” white submissive who works at a coffee shop. Hugh is a 39 year old gay white therapist, switch, and former escort who wears glasses. Truman is a 42 year old gay white therapist. Hugh and Truman are married and have been together nine years. Will and Hugh have known each other for a decade. They are polyamorous. This is set in East Bay, CA.
Content notes: infidelity (Truman cheated for a few weeks before confessing, infidelity happens off page but is recounted), body insecurity, internalized fatphobia, history of depression, brief acknowledgment of potential for suicidal ideation/attempt, past death of Hugh’s mom and grandparents (cancer), past family rejection and emotional abuse (Truman), past mole biopsy (benign), Hugh’s mom never told him who his dad was or what happened, family planning discussion (interested in becoming foster parents for LGBTQ+ teens), past unsafe sex (Truman had unprotected sex with Will that was not pre-negotiated), sex (mostly mentions), D/s, past top drop, alcohol, past marijuana, diet culture, ableist language, references to past miscarriage (secondary character)
*Forever thanks to Kathleen for putting this on my radar!
Thanks to counseling with priest Ian, they start to deal with it but it takes time, especially when Hugh goes full blown iceberg. I was so impressed with how the sessions went, particularly what Will’s presence or absence meant, the reason behind Hugh’s initial desire for things to go back to “normal”, and Truman’s realization of the patterns in his relationships. Being in a polyamorous relationship requires a lot of honest conversations; this shows exactly why that’s the case and what holding back one’s thoughts and impulses can do. Because that’s the thing: if Truman had told Hugh about Jaron, he probably would have been free to explore things. It’s the not telling and the secrecy that they have to reckon with. Only then can they all advocate for the kind of relationship they want, one that includes Will being an equal partner and exploring becoming foster parents for LGBTQ+ teens. They needed a catalyst (lol) to push them together for good and talk everything out.
This installment has the least sex of all the books, which I found to be such a fascinating choice. Will and Hugh’s relationship began due to kink, then turned sexual and then turned romantic. Truman had never explored kink prior to Hugh. Their scenes at times have taken risk but on the whole, they communicate well in that arena. This time around they need to learn to communicate aside from sex and really put things on the table, as well as address some of the scenes that went sideways that contributed to them feeling hurt or insecure. I really love what they’ve come to mean to each other and it was such a relief for them to all be on the same page. Plus: the cuffs!!!! Gah, my heart is full.
There are some structural issues. Most scenes are experienced from two viewpoints, which led to an unholy amount of repetitiveness. Same scene, different POV needs to be used judiciously and we need to learn a lot from being in each character’s head. That wasn’t often the case for the first half. I wound up doing a lot of skimming and ignoring the repeated dialogue. However, I can appreciate that some of the lack of detail was perhaps mirroring how frozen Hugh was. The scenes open up and become more informative once he starts to open back up and become productive in the therapy sessions.
There were a lot of references to things that happened in spinoff books that I haven’t read yet but aren’t included in the series order so I felt lost in places or unclear if details were missing on purpose. Like when did Will move back to the East Bay?! Apparently this happened before Extremes but it wasn’t delved upon there either but one of the New Years books instead. It would have helped to have either oriented readers who are only reading SMU or to have incorporated the New Years books into the series. Also side note: it wasn’t believable that Truman wouldn’t have thoroughly vetted whatever therapist he went to. That is one of my super powers as a former social worker and I cannot believe Truman wouldn’t have already been aware of other therapists in the Bay Area that might have been a good fit for him.
These quibbles aside, this series is going on my Game-changing Romance shelf. It’s such a fantastic exploration of kink, polyamory, and sexuality. Sticking with the same characters allowed for so much depth. This is all the more impressive because we’re really in a bubble with them, not seeing much about their work (half the time I didn’t even know what Will’s job was), other friends, and so on. And yet I still feel like I know them well. Kris Ripper really impressed me across the board.
Characters: Will is a 31 year old “not straight” white submissive who works at a coffee shop. Hugh is a 39 year old gay white therapist, switch, and former escort who wears glasses. Truman is a 42 year old gay white therapist. Hugh and Truman are married and have been together nine years. Will and Hugh have known each other for a decade. They are polyamorous. This is set in East Bay, CA.
Content notes: infidelity (Truman cheated for a few weeks before confessing, infidelity happens off page but is recounted), body insecurity, internalized fatphobia, history of depression, brief acknowledgment of potential for suicidal ideation/attempt, past death of Hugh’s mom and grandparents (cancer), past family rejection and emotional abuse (Truman), past mole biopsy (benign), Hugh’s mom never told him who his dad was or what happened, family planning discussion (interested in becoming foster parents for LGBTQ+ teens), past unsafe sex (Truman had unprotected sex with Will that was not pre-negotiated), sex (mostly mentions), D/s, past top drop, alcohol, past marijuana, diet culture, ableist language, references to past miscarriage (secondary character)
*Forever thanks to Kathleen for putting this on my radar!
May 19, 2022
As I’ve been reading more in the romance genre, I’ve found I really gravitate toward books where the characters spend a lot of time talking (or arguing) it out. Yes, the genre is known for its sex scenes, and no, I’m not going to be turning those down anytime soon but for me, equally as valuable as those are the scenes where people in relationships discuss those relationships. In the same way that readers often (sort of) jokingly talk about learning about sex from sex scenes, I think we (can) learn about good communication from watching scenes where characters try to communicate. I think this is maybe particularly the case in queer romance because characters are often forced to be more specific about their wants and needs in order to clearly communicate them from outside the heteronormative relationship paradigm. It’s great to see these conversations happen successfully in queer romances.
All of this to say, something I have loved about this series is how the characters spend so much time discussing what they want in their relationships, how they view their past and their roles within those relationships, how other factors affect those relationships, etc… and this book was about 100% that. I have appreciated following and relating to these characters over the course of this series, and this felt like a great way to (mostly) end it - with these three characters growing together toward the next phase of their lives.
All of this to say, something I have loved about this series is how the characters spend so much time discussing what they want in their relationships, how they view their past and their roles within those relationships, how other factors affect those relationships, etc… and this book was about 100% that. I have appreciated following and relating to these characters over the course of this series, and this felt like a great way to (mostly) end it - with these three characters growing together toward the next phase of their lives.
July 13, 2018
Aww, I want moooore!
July 22, 2018
I've been a fan of the Scientific Method Universe for a long time. The triad of Hugh, Will, and Truman was interesting for both the emotional and the kink aspect, and over the years I've kept hoping that Will would officially join as a member of the triad. There were scraps of hints that that would happen peppered throughout other novels and short stories set in this universe. So when this book promised to finally make that happen, it was basically an insta-buy.
I suppose the book did deliver on that front. Hurray, Truman/Hugh/Will is official.
And that's about the only good thing I can say about the novel, and the sole reason I rated it two and not one star.
It didn't bode well the first time a scene was repeated from a different character's point of view. Or the second. Or the third. I would say a good chunk of this novel could be cut out because it's just the same scenes, the exact same dialogue, repeated from another POV. The author was selling themselves short if they thought their writing was so bad we wouldn't know what the other character was feeling without the repetition; they do a fine enough job describing mannerisms in the first version of a scene that the second version offers no real insight.
Maybe if these repeated scenes had been more interesting? But half the book was spent on therapy. I'm aware that talking is important to a successful poly relationship, but I find therapy scenes intensely boring, and I wish the characters had done more.
And that brings me to the third "strike" against the book. When I picked up this series originally, or was because I was looking for m/m bdsm. And the series consistently delivered on that front, even while the interpersonal relationships got more complex. Well, I stuck through the boring repeated scenes and the endless therapy and the overly clever insights from friends. The characters finally had their big romantic moment! ... and then it ends, not a single erotic scene in sight.
What an absolute disappointment. :/ If I had known, I would have DNF'ed the book. It really wasn't worth it to me.
I suppose the book did deliver on that front. Hurray, Truman/Hugh/Will is official.
And that's about the only good thing I can say about the novel, and the sole reason I rated it two and not one star.
It didn't bode well the first time a scene was repeated from a different character's point of view. Or the second. Or the third. I would say a good chunk of this novel could be cut out because it's just the same scenes, the exact same dialogue, repeated from another POV. The author was selling themselves short if they thought their writing was so bad we wouldn't know what the other character was feeling without the repetition; they do a fine enough job describing mannerisms in the first version of a scene that the second version offers no real insight.
Maybe if these repeated scenes had been more interesting? But half the book was spent on therapy. I'm aware that talking is important to a successful poly relationship, but I find therapy scenes intensely boring, and I wish the characters had done more.
And that brings me to the third "strike" against the book. When I picked up this series originally, or was because I was looking for m/m bdsm. And the series consistently delivered on that front, even while the interpersonal relationships got more complex. Well, I stuck through the boring repeated scenes and the endless therapy and the overly clever insights from friends. The characters finally had their big romantic moment! ... and then it ends, not a single erotic scene in sight.
What an absolute disappointment. :/ If I had known, I would have DNF'ed the book. It really wasn't worth it to me.
July 26, 2018
There are characters in book series that stick with you. The whole universe of people in the Scientific Method specially Hugh, Truman and Will are those for me. They are like my friends I keep an eye on from book to book so I knew from reading the blurb that this was going to be a tough read. And boy was I right...it was gut wrenching from the very first page. Ripper ripped a hole in our hearts then put them back together again in such satisfying fashion. I’m still processing but I can’t wait for the next trip to SMU
January 7, 2023
I have conflicting thoughts about this book. On one hand, wow - Ripper gets into what one of "the boyfriends" cheating would be like, and how the other two guys would handle it. This part is on point and in line with the rest of the series in its interiority and examination of relationships.
And what these guys go through - the first 50% of the book put me through the ringer. I wanted to gather Will up into the biggest hug, and poor, poor Hugh.
As you can imagine the book is a lot of talking and to get inside people's heads Ripper shows us scenes twice, with pages of the same dialog, but from different POVs. It might have worked better for me if the dialog were shortened up a bit, or if the thoughts in the other person's head were revelatory, but alas. I ended up skimming.
Our three do make it through and are forever changed, not for the worse. It makes me sad that this is the last book of the main series - I could read about Will, Hugh, and Truman forever - but I'm looking forward to rereading the entire thing from the start, as well as exploring the side novellas and shorts. An end that will lead to new beginnings.
Content notes:
And what these guys go through - the first 50% of the book put me through the ringer. I wanted to gather Will up into the biggest hug, and poor, poor Hugh.
As you can imagine the book is a lot of talking and to get inside people's heads Ripper shows us scenes twice, with pages of the same dialog, but from different POVs. It might have worked better for me if the dialog were shortened up a bit, or if the thoughts in the other person's head were revelatory, but alas. I ended up skimming.
Our three do make it through and are forever changed, not for the worse. It makes me sad that this is the last book of the main series - I could read about Will, Hugh, and Truman forever - but I'm looking forward to rereading the entire thing from the start, as well as exploring the side novellas and shorts. An end that will lead to new beginnings.
Content notes:
May 17, 2021
I think that I need to draw this very solid line after or around the experience with this book - it almost feels like a relationship we had, despite me not reading all nine books but if I saw someone in this kind of relationship, I'd probably told them to dump that ass. So there is that.
I think that the problem - the real one, that lies somewhere between Me and You (as in the series) is (manifested as) the conflict between all the good emotions it made me feel and the bad emotions it made me feel - because the good ones were SO high yet the lows were SO down there.
You could try to blame it on the expectations but after a bit, I think I would label it more as a promise. That is defining feature. Not expectations - not me assuming and expecting something and throwing a tantrum when I did not get my way. It's a promise - a promise from the first book, where I felt I could love this series and consider it my new favourite and that showed me and fitted me so well. The first book felt like a promise - of what I could expect in the future. Just to be clear, the first book was actually perfect and I am not sure I would change a single hair on its perfect head.
The problem was... basically the rest of the series. It was not just about the M person (the girlfriend) or Davey, who felt like a fluff filler so we can "check this" off our list of experiences.
Scientifically, the list went on something like this:
Promise 1: This is a romance between not perfect but mature people being adults about their problems, two of them shrinks, even.
(I adore this one. Maybe because it doesn't work like that in real life but it's what I truly, deeply dig, where two people can get any and stopm or cry or something but won't storm out like a teenager or do manage to have an open communication. Call it some... healthy relationships kink or what but it was vital to my enjoyment.)
Breaking 1: They pretended to be mature and not be afraid of doing the hard work on a relationship yet, as this book demonstrated, missed HUGE problems along the way and managed to keep them for... 5? 7? 9 years? You can't claim they're so insightful and show it but overlook the real important issues. Not for so many years. That feels like stretching the plot for... what?
Promise 2: It's a polyamorous book.
Breaking 2: For money? For experimentations? How can I consider the three of them as polyamorous when Will almost always felt like he was "the spare" or like... the cherry on top. Nice, pretty... detachable. Will fell in love with them. Sure, they could have built the relationship, it is what happens but instead, they brought him just this close... and slammed the freaking door. No, I do not feel, emotionally... I don't think it was equal until the very last moment - that's just mind-fudge and cruel and wrong.
Promise 3: Science.
Breaking 3: At the start. At the end. They should just have been... joined, go after another. I don't need it to be a defining feature but if you name a series like this and (okay, I did not read those book in between) but what I read, did involve science in small doses, at the start and the end.
Promise 4: Slow-burn.
Breaking 4: This was not slow-burn. This was starting a relationship, passing at a certain point, fudging around so that characters have something to do besides stare at each other, unpause and hurriedly, I stress hurriedly gobble the three of them together. After nice freaking books of built-up, finally confessing they are all three of them differently but equally in love with each other? It was not just anticlimactic. It felt too little too late. And after having SO much freaking sex - they get together and... nothing. Where is your kink now, you stupid?!?
I am... not sure this is getting anywhere, cookie. Sorry. I am just getting progressively more pissed at what a mess your made of what was and could have been a perfect relationship. And I know I am supposed to say it's my fault, but you know I am not one for lying and I definitely feel the inconsistencies and the whole logic are on you. The good stuff... they just can't carry us far, if anywhere. We really are better apart.
But hey, despite the misgivings, I thank you. For introducing me, for labelling the shrink kink, the intimacy kink (possibly) for me, I did not realize it was a thing. Thanks for Davey even though you mishandled him so much, after M person got so much space and thoughts and affection. I... kind of thank you for the new experience of being this effed up over a book. In this, I am pretty sure you were my first. Cherish it. Or not. I may just try to kind of forget you - in a respectful but maybe a little petty manner
Cheers. May our paths never cross... or only do so in a new, in the very best way.
I think that the problem - the real one, that lies somewhere between Me and You (as in the series) is (manifested as) the conflict between all the good emotions it made me feel and the bad emotions it made me feel - because the good ones were SO high yet the lows were SO down there.
You could try to blame it on the expectations but after a bit, I think I would label it more as a promise. That is defining feature. Not expectations - not me assuming and expecting something and throwing a tantrum when I did not get my way. It's a promise - a promise from the first book, where I felt I could love this series and consider it my new favourite and that showed me and fitted me so well. The first book felt like a promise - of what I could expect in the future. Just to be clear, the first book was actually perfect and I am not sure I would change a single hair on its perfect head.
The problem was... basically the rest of the series. It was not just about the M person (the girlfriend) or Davey, who felt like a fluff filler so we can "check this" off our list of experiences.
Scientifically, the list went on something like this:
Promise 1: This is a romance between not perfect but mature people being adults about their problems, two of them shrinks, even.
(I adore this one. Maybe because it doesn't work like that in real life but it's what I truly, deeply dig, where two people can get any and stopm or cry or something but won't storm out like a teenager or do manage to have an open communication. Call it some... healthy relationships kink or what but it was vital to my enjoyment.)
Breaking 1: They pretended to be mature and not be afraid of doing the hard work on a relationship yet, as this book demonstrated, missed HUGE problems along the way and managed to keep them for... 5? 7? 9 years? You can't claim they're so insightful and show it but overlook the real important issues. Not for so many years. That feels like stretching the plot for... what?
Promise 2: It's a polyamorous book.
Breaking 2: For money? For experimentations? How can I consider the three of them as polyamorous when Will almost always felt like he was "the spare" or like... the cherry on top. Nice, pretty... detachable. Will fell in love with them. Sure, they could have built the relationship, it is what happens but instead, they brought him just this close... and slammed the freaking door. No, I do not feel, emotionally... I don't think it was equal until the very last moment - that's just mind-fudge and cruel and wrong.
Promise 3: Science.
Breaking 3: At the start. At the end. They should just have been... joined, go after another. I don't need it to be a defining feature but if you name a series like this and (okay, I did not read those book in between) but what I read, did involve science in small doses, at the start and the end.
Promise 4: Slow-burn.
Breaking 4: This was not slow-burn. This was starting a relationship, passing at a certain point, fudging around so that characters have something to do besides stare at each other, unpause and hurriedly, I stress hurriedly gobble the three of them together. After nice freaking books of built-up, finally confessing they are all three of them differently but equally in love with each other? It was not just anticlimactic. It felt too little too late. And after having SO much freaking sex - they get together and... nothing. Where is your kink now, you stupid?!?
I am... not sure this is getting anywhere, cookie. Sorry. I am just getting progressively more pissed at what a mess your made of what was and could have been a perfect relationship. And I know I am supposed to say it's my fault, but you know I am not one for lying and I definitely feel the inconsistencies and the whole logic are on you. The good stuff... they just can't carry us far, if anywhere. We really are better apart.
But hey, despite the misgivings, I thank you. For introducing me, for labelling the shrink kink, the intimacy kink (possibly) for me, I did not realize it was a thing. Thanks for Davey even though you mishandled him so much, after M person got so much space and thoughts and affection. I... kind of thank you for the new experience of being this effed up over a book. In this, I am pretty sure you were my first. Cherish it. Or not. I may just try to kind of forget you - in a respectful but maybe a little petty manner
Cheers. May our paths never cross... or only do so in a new, in the very best way.
August 26, 2021
This was indescribably wonderful, heartbreaking yes, but also so beautiful. I can't remember the last time I read something where the characters felt like such real people in my life and I'll miss them terribly. I so badly want more stories after this volume, want to see them grow old together, even though I do believe the ending was fitting and that everyone will truly be okay.
August 5, 2018
This book ripped my heart out and stomped on it. It's very good; you should read it.
May 19, 2022
Omg this went so deep I'm fucking swooning
January 19, 2021
I was so scared to read this one, all the others were so happy and wonderful, so I thought about putting it off. But im glad I didn't, I love them so much.
March 27, 2024
I was so fucking scared to start Untrue. I hadn’t read the blurb. But. The Cover…. I genuinely had no idea how it was all going to end. And I totally wouldn’t have put it past Kris Ripper to take this series to a place I really didn’t want it to go. Well. It wasn’t exactly like that. But Untrue wasn’t the ending I wanted for the series either.
It felt… unfinished.
I realize that I’m always bitching about the Happy Ever After epilogues. I mostly hate them, everything wrapped up neatly with a tidy little bow. And now I’m also bitching about the lack of it. But after all this… This being the last book of a series that had so much impact, it feels a bit… weak. I walked through some very low lows with the characters, but there was always a point to it, a point where the ups made the lows so very much worth it in the end.
Here we have the lowest of all lows and again it is authentic and well (if a bit repetitively) written and I didn’t mind the cheating and all, but I was missing the big payoff to be honest. And this book unravels EVERYTHING! So many memories you see in a different light now. How can you break everything down, without building it up again?
I wasn’t missing just an epilogue, I feel like I was missing half the book.
Yes, in the end we get the triad finally all in and committed and there’s a future on the horizon… But it was soooo little of the good stuff. I was missing them, how they are when it’s good. I missed cuddles and THE LOVE. I missed Tru finally barebacking. I missed aftercare after that intense breakdown lol. But they JUST started to find their way back to each other when the story was all over. I don’t know if Kris Ripper intended to continue the story, but never did? I don’t know. It left me wanting. I didn’t need the Happy Ever After, but I kinda wanted more than we got.
I feel sad now and unsettled and restless and… that’s it?
It felt… unfinished.
I realize that I’m always bitching about the Happy Ever After epilogues. I mostly hate them, everything wrapped up neatly with a tidy little bow. And now I’m also bitching about the lack of it. But after all this… This being the last book of a series that had so much impact, it feels a bit… weak. I walked through some very low lows with the characters, but there was always a point to it, a point where the ups made the lows so very much worth it in the end.
Here we have the lowest of all lows and again it is authentic and well (if a bit repetitively) written and I didn’t mind the cheating and all, but I was missing the big payoff to be honest. And this book unravels EVERYTHING! So many memories you see in a different light now. How can you break everything down, without building it up again?
I wasn’t missing just an epilogue, I feel like I was missing half the book.
Yes, in the end we get the triad finally all in and committed and there’s a future on the horizon… But it was soooo little of the good stuff. I was missing them, how they are when it’s good. I missed cuddles and THE LOVE. I missed Tru finally barebacking. I missed aftercare after that intense breakdown lol. But they JUST started to find their way back to each other when the story was all over. I don’t know if Kris Ripper intended to continue the story, but never did? I don’t know. It left me wanting. I didn’t need the Happy Ever After, but I kinda wanted more than we got.
I feel sad now and unsettled and restless and… that’s it?
November 27, 2018
Intense
I hadn't originally wanted to read this book because ... cheating. But then I did read it and I'm so glad I did because, wow, that was intense! There's no other way to say it.
Even though I could have done without some of the repetitions, it was an awesome read.
I hadn't originally wanted to read this book because ... cheating. But then I did read it and I'm so glad I did because, wow, that was intense! There's no other way to say it.
Even though I could have done without some of the repetitions, it was an awesome read.
September 23, 2026
Kris Ripper what a genius you were in this book. I would never have guessed that a book, a romance book with this central theme would be the perfect last book of this series.
I started my journey in SMU 3 years ago because of Red and Bad. I was at that time not particulary attracted to poly romance and how I was wrong. Red and Bad make me meet Truman and Hugh and then this series was one of my highlight of my 2023 reading year.
I love how those characters became a family, how they love each other in their own way, how they communicate, how they live their kinks without shame but as a part of their love, of their pleasure, of their relationship, how they learn about themselves, how they help each other.
They feel so real. I feel like I know them or maybe I want to know them. And then I learned about book 8 et book 9.
After book 7 (not my fav but I still love them) I couldn't see how Truman could do this. To be honest, I was not sure I would read this book and the one before because of the TW.
And 2026 came, is not a good year, and book 8 was not a hardship anymore because I may understand Hugh in some ways. And thankfully I read it because. 3 years passed, the characters were still in my heart but not as much, because I was less involved emotionally. I saw an another Truman in this book. And I realised. It's there. It's that. It's the beginning of what will be book 9. And it was.
I hate cheating. I can't read about characters who are involved in a love affair so why here I still love Truman and I still love this book ?
Well the cheating was actually not the problem. It's the start of the book but for the characters it was the end/consequences of many years losing what make their relationship strong.
And the book is about that. About their fondation crushing for many years without them seeing it. It's about being in their routine and not seeing that someway along the way they change. It's about complicated feelings, it's about lack of communication even if you are talking, it's about not telling your true feelings without knowing, it's about a routine who is not good anymore and it's about so much more.
Doing that in book 9 is brilliant. Because the characters were togther for 10 years and 8 books and in a way they are questionning their happy ending, their future, what was right years ago and not anymore. It's a way to reminisce the series, what was good, what events make them here now, what actually never work and implode in this book.
They are hurt. They are angry. They are sad. But they still want this to work because they love each other.
So they need to talk, they need to listen, they need to learn, they need to work for this, for their family. (Ian, Nick, Lucy and Adam were great).
So this a book reviewing the past (the series) and working about their future. A future they have to build together.
I love how in this book, their poly relationship evolve in something new. How they want new things. How they challenge themselves.
The ending was not the end. They were evolving and trying. And I do think it was the best wat to leave them. In a place were I know they are together trying to build a new chapter in their 10 years relationship.
"felt like a second chance. For all of them. A second chance at everything."
It was fun. And it was deep. But it wasn’t this, Truman. You were the… catalyst . In our experiment. The circle is complete.
Thanks Kris.
I started my journey in SMU 3 years ago because of Red and Bad. I was at that time not particulary attracted to poly romance and how I was wrong. Red and Bad make me meet Truman and Hugh and then this series was one of my highlight of my 2023 reading year.
I love how those characters became a family, how they love each other in their own way, how they communicate, how they live their kinks without shame but as a part of their love, of their pleasure, of their relationship, how they learn about themselves, how they help each other.
They feel so real. I feel like I know them or maybe I want to know them. And then I learned about book 8 et book 9.
After book 7 (not my fav but I still love them) I couldn't see how Truman could do this. To be honest, I was not sure I would read this book and the one before because of the TW.
And 2026 came, is not a good year, and book 8 was not a hardship anymore because I may understand Hugh in some ways. And thankfully I read it because. 3 years passed, the characters were still in my heart but not as much, because I was less involved emotionally. I saw an another Truman in this book. And I realised. It's there. It's that. It's the beginning of what will be book 9. And it was.
I hate cheating. I can't read about characters who are involved in a love affair so why here I still love Truman and I still love this book ?
Well the cheating was actually not the problem. It's the start of the book but for the characters it was the end/consequences of many years losing what make their relationship strong.
And the book is about that. About their fondation crushing for many years without them seeing it. It's about being in their routine and not seeing that someway along the way they change. It's about complicated feelings, it's about lack of communication even if you are talking, it's about not telling your true feelings without knowing, it's about a routine who is not good anymore and it's about so much more.
Doing that in book 9 is brilliant. Because the characters were togther for 10 years and 8 books and in a way they are questionning their happy ending, their future, what was right years ago and not anymore. It's a way to reminisce the series, what was good, what events make them here now, what actually never work and implode in this book.
They are hurt. They are angry. They are sad. But they still want this to work because they love each other.
So they need to talk, they need to listen, they need to learn, they need to work for this, for their family. (Ian, Nick, Lucy and Adam were great).
So this a book reviewing the past (the series) and working about their future. A future they have to build together.
I love how in this book, their poly relationship evolve in something new. How they want new things. How they challenge themselves.
The ending was not the end. They were evolving and trying. And I do think it was the best wat to leave them. In a place were I know they are together trying to build a new chapter in their 10 years relationship.
"felt like a second chance. For all of them. A second chance at everything."
It was fun. And it was deep. But it wasn’t this, Truman. You were the… catalyst . In our experiment. The circle is complete.
Thanks Kris.
October 7, 2026
I wrote a review for the first one that I’m going to add something at the end. I may have been too harsh. I spent most of these books heartbroken that Will left for Santa Barbara. And Truman was good but he just didn’t feel right when he came along. I fell in love with Truman over the rest of the books then heart broken again for this one.
This book felt rushed. And I cannot stand the same scene from multiple perspectives. I found myself bored. It felt like a lackluster finish to an amazing series. I thought that I would miss these characters when it was done. But after this book, I just felt wanting in a bad way. I was also very lost about a few topics which seemed to be covered in other books and I just felt lost.
The series felt real. Unlike most other romance. And real life is messy. I’m not even mad about the cheating and how the main three worked through it. I’ve read a couple reviews that asked how such communicative characters changed so much that this happened. But people become complacent and resentful over small things. Even a therapist can miss that in their own life if they’re not looking for it. I liked that they worked it out. I just kept looking at the pages left and thinking, how is there going to be any conclusion here. There wasn’t. It just felt like a rushed ending to just be finished and done with. It felt like even though Will and Hugh forgave Tru, we the reader decided he wasn’t worth it and just left and I don’t feel that way.
Ya I’m sad the kink scenes were absent but it wasn’t the right time for it. I understand that. This book feels like a mid series book not a finale. I find myself not wanting to read anything else from this author because of how this ending was treated. I feel forced into giving up on 3 people that I grew to care about and I don’t know how to reconcile the loss.
This book felt rushed. And I cannot stand the same scene from multiple perspectives. I found myself bored. It felt like a lackluster finish to an amazing series. I thought that I would miss these characters when it was done. But after this book, I just felt wanting in a bad way. I was also very lost about a few topics which seemed to be covered in other books and I just felt lost.
The series felt real. Unlike most other romance. And real life is messy. I’m not even mad about the cheating and how the main three worked through it. I’ve read a couple reviews that asked how such communicative characters changed so much that this happened. But people become complacent and resentful over small things. Even a therapist can miss that in their own life if they’re not looking for it. I liked that they worked it out. I just kept looking at the pages left and thinking, how is there going to be any conclusion here. There wasn’t. It just felt like a rushed ending to just be finished and done with. It felt like even though Will and Hugh forgave Tru, we the reader decided he wasn’t worth it and just left and I don’t feel that way.
Ya I’m sad the kink scenes were absent but it wasn’t the right time for it. I understand that. This book feels like a mid series book not a finale. I find myself not wanting to read anything else from this author because of how this ending was treated. I feel forced into giving up on 3 people that I grew to care about and I don’t know how to reconcile the loss.
February 24, 2019
So basically I knew about this book when I started reading the series, and I‘ve kind of been dreading it ever since. Today, I seriously debated putting it off a little longer, but it felt like it was time. And I‘m glad I took the chance.
I realized when reading it what I was dreading most was reading about Truman cheating. I think it would have been a lot harder to bear if that had been more drawn out and detailed than it was. But as it is, it was a great book about how to deal with cheating in a relationship. It takes a lot of talking, and a lot of honesty, and it was exhausting to read about. I loved how we got their different perspectives on scenes- I honestly don’t see how they would feel repetitive, considering the point is in the small differences. It‘s a great conclusion to this series, which always took a lot out of me in the best of ways - it repeatedly challenged my views on relationships and probably spoiled me for most of the conventional romance novels. Will, Hugh and Truman and their extended family have become very dear to me, and I am grateful there is more from this universe to read. I highly recommend giving this series a try if kink doesn’t scare you off. There is, admittedly, quite a lot of that, but again, so well done I’m afraid Kris Ripper has ruined me for most other writers.
I realized when reading it what I was dreading most was reading about Truman cheating. I think it would have been a lot harder to bear if that had been more drawn out and detailed than it was. But as it is, it was a great book about how to deal with cheating in a relationship. It takes a lot of talking, and a lot of honesty, and it was exhausting to read about. I loved how we got their different perspectives on scenes- I honestly don’t see how they would feel repetitive, considering the point is in the small differences. It‘s a great conclusion to this series, which always took a lot out of me in the best of ways - it repeatedly challenged my views on relationships and probably spoiled me for most of the conventional romance novels. Will, Hugh and Truman and their extended family have become very dear to me, and I am grateful there is more from this universe to read. I highly recommend giving this series a try if kink doesn’t scare you off. There is, admittedly, quite a lot of that, but again, so well done I’m afraid Kris Ripper has ruined me for most other writers.
July 20, 2018
4.5
Ermahgerd, this book!
Look, I'm not gonna lie. I was gutted when I found out what this book would be about. Hugh and Truman, along with my darling boy, Will Derrie, are #relationshipgoals. It felt like nothing could ever come between them. Trust Ripper, then, to pull our hearts out with something so unbelievable that it could ruin one of my favourite #relationshipgoals throuple causing me to actual cry while reading their story.
This was hard to read in parts, but I had every confidence those wonderful men would find their way through this heartache and not only end up back in each other's arms, but back even better than before. Amazing.
If you haven't read this series yet, don't wait another minute. You won't regret any time spent in this fabulous world Ripper has created. I'll just be sitting here completely jealous that you get to read it for the first time.
Highly recommend
Ermahgerd, this book!
Look, I'm not gonna lie. I was gutted when I found out what this book would be about. Hugh and Truman, along with my darling boy, Will Derrie, are #relationshipgoals. It felt like nothing could ever come between them. Trust Ripper, then, to pull our hearts out with something so unbelievable that it could ruin one of my favourite #relationshipgoals throuple causing me to actual cry while reading their story.
This was hard to read in parts, but I had every confidence those wonderful men would find their way through this heartache and not only end up back in each other's arms, but back even better than before. Amazing.
If you haven't read this series yet, don't wait another minute. You won't regret any time spent in this fabulous world Ripper has created. I'll just be sitting here completely jealous that you get to read it for the first time.
Highly recommend
July 21, 2018
I could be here literally all day talking about this book. And as much as I would love to, time doesn't allow so I'll just say a couple things.
1. It was hard. This was an emotional, hard read. But it was well done, and with a loving hand. It never downplays what happened, but it also never lets what happened trump the entirety of the relationships.
2. To get the most out of this book, I highly recommend having read the entire series. Maybe even re-read book eight before this if it's been a while for you.
3. The ending? Was exactly what I have wanted since book one. And I honestly never let myself hope for it, because I just never thought that's where this would go. But it does, and I am just so happy about it.
Will has been one of my most favorite fictional characters for a while now, since I found these books in 2016. So thank you, Kris, for his journey and for taking good care of him.
1. It was hard. This was an emotional, hard read. But it was well done, and with a loving hand. It never downplays what happened, but it also never lets what happened trump the entirety of the relationships.
2. To get the most out of this book, I highly recommend having read the entire series. Maybe even re-read book eight before this if it's been a while for you.
3. The ending? Was exactly what I have wanted since book one. And I honestly never let myself hope for it, because I just never thought that's where this would go. But it does, and I am just so happy about it.
Will has been one of my most favorite fictional characters for a while now, since I found these books in 2016. So thank you, Kris, for his journey and for taking good care of him.
April 29, 2020
Wow
I had so many reservations to starting this one. I didn’t even read the blurbs just grabbed the next book. And the title and cover had me sweating. This is such an important book. Not that they all haven’t been. But the handling of this betrayal? The ending of this series in a real uplifting way? Where real growth, acceptance & love are possible? These characters are so real. They fee like real people, and not just from the dialogue (excluding Hugh 😉) but the real broken way that our lives have molded us. And how we bring our baggage into relationships. And how important it is we are willing to do the work and not expecting others to do it for us. I’m going to have to sit with this one for a while. And I cannot wait to read them all again. Bravo Kris! Amazing story.
I had so many reservations to starting this one. I didn’t even read the blurbs just grabbed the next book. And the title and cover had me sweating. This is such an important book. Not that they all haven’t been. But the handling of this betrayal? The ending of this series in a real uplifting way? Where real growth, acceptance & love are possible? These characters are so real. They fee like real people, and not just from the dialogue (excluding Hugh 😉) but the real broken way that our lives have molded us. And how we bring our baggage into relationships. And how important it is we are willing to do the work and not expecting others to do it for us. I’m going to have to sit with this one for a while. And I cannot wait to read them all again. Bravo Kris! Amazing story.
May 28, 2026
I spoiled myself about the cheating in the last book around book3, I guess. I ran through the other books with a dread in me so deep, it’s hard to express. As someone who comes from a family with cheating parents, there is nothing more repulsive for me than cheating. I hoped so much that it would be a one time thing for Truman, that he wouldn’t be able to lie to them for long. I was both right and wrong. And that was okay.
I associated so well with Truman and his insecurities. I understood him deeply, I guess. That’s why in the end, I was able to accept what lead him to that situation. It hurt me, but I understand.
The wristbands were such a nice touch ❤️
I associated so well with Truman and his insecurities. I understood him deeply, I guess. That’s why in the end, I was able to accept what lead him to that situation. It hurt me, but I understand.
The wristbands were such a nice touch ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2018
Loved it
Overall, I'm really happy with this book. The writing style is a little different than usual. There is a lot of backtracking in order to provide the perspectives of the characters. But it really worked and I was able to understand each experience as individual.
Ive been a fan for many years and I cant wait to see the growth that is to come for these characters. This might not be a helpful review, but sometimes you have you take a risk. Just know there is a large community waiting for you if you do. 😉
Overall, I'm really happy with this book. The writing style is a little different than usual. There is a lot of backtracking in order to provide the perspectives of the characters. But it really worked and I was able to understand each experience as individual.
Ive been a fan for many years and I cant wait to see the growth that is to come for these characters. This might not be a helpful review, but sometimes you have you take a risk. Just know there is a large community waiting for you if you do. 😉
January 4, 2022
Can you get a hangover from a book series? I binged this entire series in a week and was so invested in these characters, I practically through through reading so I could get to this book. It is as heartbreaking as you assume it will be, but with all the heart and emotional depth you’d expect from Kris Ripper. I desperately loved this book and just wanted it to continue so I could keep seeing how these three’s relationship could grow and change. I can only hope ze will consider revisiting this trio once again!
January 5, 2022
SO GOOD and the book of the series I'm thinking most about. Such great character development, I'm still thinking if it days later. Maybe a little obsessively.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that we get lots of conversations from two different points of view, but there were whole chunks of dialog repeated verbatim with few insights into the second POV through most of it. Yes some additional info, but I found myself skimming over lots of it.
That said, if you go in prepared for that, you'll be able to appreciate this amazing close to the series.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is that we get lots of conversations from two different points of view, but there were whole chunks of dialog repeated verbatim with few insights into the second POV through most of it. Yes some additional info, but I found myself skimming over lots of it.
That said, if you go in prepared for that, you'll be able to appreciate this amazing close to the series.
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