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There’s no easy way to come back from the dead…

…and Connor MacPherson is living with the consequences. He may be back in Trajan’s life – and in his bed – but the trust they once shared is gone.

Some days it feels like David is the only thing holding their threesome together.

When Trajan and David stumble over a murdered kitsune, Connor is drawn into the investigation. He uses that murder to cover a second inquiry, one he’s bound by his oath to the Elites to keep secret – specifically from Trajan.

Then David uncovers his covert search, and if Connor’s own internal conflict is painful, seeing how it hurts David makes it even worse.

But they don’t know the secret Trajan’s keeping, a command that could destroy everything. Trajan’s maker has ordered him to kill, and if they don’t rebuild their damaged trust, this time death will be permanent.

368 pages, ebook

First published September 23, 2021

18 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

About the author

Liv Rancourt

56 books185 followers
Liv Rancourt writes romance of all kinds. Because love is love, even with fangs.
Liv is a huge fan of paranormal romance and urban fantasy and loves history just as much, so her stories often feature vampires or magic or they’re set in the past…or all of the above. When Liv isn’t writing she takes care of tiny premature babies in the NICU. Her husband is a soul of patience, her kids are her pride and joy, and her dogs – Trash Panda and The Boy Genius – are endlessly entertaining.

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5 stars
51 (43%)
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43 (36%)
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21 (17%)
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2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Jewel.
1,940 reviews279 followers
September 26, 2021
3.5 Stars

I liked it, but not as much as the first book. The keeping secrets from each other crap kinda got on my nerves, hence the rounding down. Seriously, boys, did you learn nothing the first time around? David really is the only sensible one. The ending was abrupt and cliffy, as well, and there is no indication at the end of the book when book 3 will be out. I do hope the wait won't be too too long, though. I would like to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Relly.
1,649 reviews28 followers
September 19, 2021
4 Stars

Great second book.

This one expanded on the relationship between the guys and did touch on some of the issues I had in the first one that I couldn't explain due to giving away the plot. Even though they are together , they are still trying to find their feet and still trying to get over past grievances. Trust is a major issue and it seems like everyone is working against them.

It's interesting seeing the dynamics in this one, both Connor and Trajan are trying to keep David occupied by helping him find a job, whether it is working with Connor in his PI business or running the accounts for Trajan.

David is the surprising one here, as he really doesn't want hand outs and throughout the book he comes across as the most mature on the relationship side by forcing the communication when the other two would shut down and walk away or try and keep secrets. His making friends throughout the supe community is great to see as he is slowly working out just what he is capable of now his is basically a lone wolf.

I enjoyed the two cases going on as they kept me well and truly entertained as we found out more about Connor and his heritage. I did feel that one of the cases was left floundering as it was the one with the time constraints and yet not much time was actually spent on it, and Connor's belief he could easily complete the task in the time frame when he hadn't in two years was a bit out there.

The open ending didn't worry me here and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes in the next book.

*** ARC Provided by GRR. This is my voluntary and honest review ***
1,244 reviews52 followers
April 27, 2022
The boys are back in a murder mystery thriller and I loved it! I've grown to like David and I've always liked Connor and Trajan. Of course my favorite is Sheena.
Profile Image for Jacquie Stewart.
2,633 reviews74 followers
September 18, 2021
4.5
The sequel had a better flow for me and while I figured out the murderer, there was plenty I didn't see coming.
I'll admit to being frustrated at the lack of communication, triads are only successful if they communicate, but this felt realistic. They are only just getting settled into their relationship and establishing ground rules.
Mild cliffhanger ending and more action focused than steam but I really want more for this series
Profile Image for Diane Dannenfeldt.
4,019 reviews79 followers
September 23, 2021
Communication boys is so important, don't you know this by now? Anyway, this book picks up where book one ends, it also ends on another cliffhanger. So as we already know, Connor is alive, but he is keeping secrets that David finds out about & then Connor puts him in a bad position by wanting him to keep them from Trajan. But Trajan also has a secret. I loved that David stepped up & was the clam between his mates. I also liked seeing him making friends through the community. Connor is pulled into a case investigating the murder of female paranormals as well as a case when he worked for the Elites comes back around. Now that our boys are pretty much on the same page, things take a turn & they appear to get set to go on the run. I can't wait for the next book as I need to see where we are going from here.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion
Profile Image for Natalie.
171 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2021
It's hard to gather up my thoughts on this sequel because overall, I've been left with a feeling of being unfinished, or unfulfilled. This is a sequel and part of (I assume) what will be an ongoing series, so I understand that not everything can be resolved. But, there was just TOO much left up in the air and unresolved to the point where this felt like a filler.

But let's start from the beginning. Werewolf David, vampire Trajan and uhhh Something Else Connor are living together as a throuple. They aren't good at communication, at all. Trajan and Connor have serious history (he faked his death and the first book was about Trajan finding out he was actually alive), and David is a little lost and unsure what he wants to do with his life (having been severed from his wolf pack at the end of the previous book). There's trust issues and secrets and insecurities. (However, they all do seem to get along in bed fabulously, so there's that, at least.)

Connor has been pulled into solving a series of supernatural murders, with David along to help. He's also been tasked with finding an elven princess by the Elites, his former employers (and why he faked his death). He does not tell Trajan about being back with the Elites. Trajan has to deal with this vampire master telling him to kill Connor for a mysterious reason. Trajan doesn't want Connor to know that, obviously. Both Trajan and Connor want David to hitch his wagon to their career stars (crime-solving with Connor and restauranteur-ing or BDSM with Trajan), and David is torn between supporting his dudes.

At the end of the book, only the mystery of the murders is solved, and it was kind of a lame conclusion -- with the culprit being pretty obvious (to me, at least). The elven princess? Still up in the air. Connor's many-great grandmother's maneuvering? Still a mystery. Trajan's vampire master? Gone but still a problem without a step toward a solution to his order to kill Connor. The communication issues between the three guys? Still there, with some improvement, but not much because their heart-to-heart only addressed the immediate concerns and not the systemic issues. David's career choice? I think he wants to help Connor's sleuthing and become a baby Dom under Trajan's wing (but even Connor's hangup about that aren't explored or confronted. Which was frustrating).

I remember the first book having a lot of emotional punch and a strong plot line pushing me through. There wasn't the same high emotions and there were plot lines, but with so many of them left to be resolved at a future date, I felt like I wasted my time getting invested in them.

I will say the best improvement was David. In the first book, he was almost a caricature. Here, he feels more realized, while maintaining his fashion flair in a more grounded, everyday way. I still feel like a true explanation of what Connor is would be helpful. I would also have liked a greater exploration of Trajan's BDSM tendencies (he owns a club and does participate in scenes, but it was more a driveby sort of scene).

The book is well-written, with good dialogue and editing. I just wish this didn't feel so much like a filler between the first book and the next.

| I received an ARC, and this is my honest, freely given review. |
Profile Image for  ☔️ Stormy Day Reader .
1,208 reviews41 followers
September 14, 2021
A cliffhanger ending, seriously? *sigh* As I said in my updates as I was reading, I’m really not fond of continuous series’s with the same main character couple (throuple?) because inevitably the happy ending in the first book falls apart in the second. Normally, I’d just quit reading but since I was reading this to review it, I soldiered forward. Let me just say from the start that if the whole relationship problems thing doesn’t bother you that this is a really good book so don’t let my issues hold you back. I just get too invested in characters which affects my anxiety.

In my review for the first book I said I hadn’t seen enough of Connor to really get a read on his personality. Unfortunately, I disliked him quite a bit through most of the book. In the end, he seemed to have brightened up so I expect I’ll like him more in the next book. I was also frustrated with Tray because of his stubborn insistence that David be his daytime liaison and keeping a huge secret that would affect all of them.

I understand the need for this second book to “test” their relationship I really do. Thankfully, David was the calm between the storms of his mates. (or whatever you want to call them) I actually think I liked him even more in this book than the first. Despite all of his uncertainty regarding his future, he has this confidence I appreciate. I hate angsty characters and if any person had reason to be angsty it was him but instead he stepped up and was stronger for it. I give huge props to the author for that decision. Even if she can’t seem to decide on his age.

The whole mystery regarding the murders and the investigation was right up my alley which is why I’ll definitely give the next book a try. I’d really like the series to go in that direction although I’m not sure where that leaves Tray. Also, I’m really liking all of the other characters. Other than Brodie. What a jerk. So yea, all-in-all a good book that I probably will enjoy much more if I ever read it a second time since that’ll quell my ridiculous anxiety.

~I received an ARC of this book from the author through Gay Romance Reviews in return for an honest review. Thank you!
Profile Image for Jason Wrench.
Author 29 books34 followers
September 22, 2021
Tested is the second book in Liv Rancourt's Soulmates series. I previously had a chance to review the first book in this series, so I jumped at the opportunity to read the second book in the series.

This book picks up where the first book left off. Our favorite werewolf (David), vampire (Trajan), and "what is he exactly?" (Connor) thruple have moved in together. Of course, things can be simple for the three. Quickly, Connor is back to is old routine of keeping things close to the chest and not completely confiding in David and Trajan. In Connor's defense, he has some real reasons he can't let Trajan know what's going on.

Connor has started working as a PI and is pulled into a case involving the murder of a number of paranormal women. At the same time, an old case of Connor's from when he worked for the Elites raises its head, and it pits Connor at odds with Trajan's maker. Of course, Trajan's maker's response to Connor's interference is to command Trajan to kill Connor.

As you can imagine, with this level of subterfuge, the thruple has a little bit of unresolved conflict and trust issues that need some serious therapy time.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a really good follow-up to the first novel and kept our threesome moving in new and unique directions. My only complaint is that the sex scenes got in the way of the narrative in places, but this is a complaint I have about a LOT of MM urban fantasy and fiction in general.

I want to thank the author/publisher for the opportunity to read this book before publication. Although I am thankful for their generosity, this review reflects my views.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
October 19, 2021
Like the first book in this series, Rancourt weaves together two conflicts that have different impacts on the three main characters to this nontraditional paranormal romance set in a heavy urban fantasy setting. Connor and Trajan might be back together, but they carry enough wounds from their previous experience together that it’s easy for them to pretend to keep the focus on David, a young werewolf who would otherwise not have a pack. Even though not having a pack is supposed to be the worst thing for a werewolf, David has truly come into his own in this new reality of his life as he collects friends and allies. However, this book still centers primarily on Connor, as his involvement in helping to solve a series of murders slowly peels away secrets he’d tried to keep from his lovers.

Ultimately, however, Connor can’t keep running from his past. And this time, he can’t fake his death to save Trajan. The overall conflict that will link all the books in this trilogy acquires more definition, and I can’t wait to finally get more of Trajan’s backstory as the full story comes to light.

But until then, this book is a solid middle-trilogy installment filled with mystery, sexiness, and a lot of the worldbuilding I was missing in book 1. I’ve definitely become invested in these characters, and I look forward to continuing to watch David manage his cantankerous lovers as much as I look forward to final reveals of the rest of Connor and Trajan’s secrets.
Profile Image for Juniper.
3,391 reviews24 followers
October 1, 2021
4.5 stars

This is the continuation of the story begun in Soulmates, so make sure you start there first! Here, we have the continuation of some old mysteries, with new information, twists, secrets, and betrayals. The story is as easy to get immersed in as it was in the first novel, and David, Connor, and Trajan are still awesome, complicated, caring, frequently infuriating characters. Connor and Trajan in particular backslide into some not-so-great secret keeping and noble-but-misguided sacrifice making, while David is the sole ocean of sanity (that’s right folks, the werewolf in his early twenties is the mature and rational one). I wanted them, as a unit, to have come further, and even though this book’s cliffhanger comes with a steady support of HFN, I don’t think I’ll be really satisfied until they get it together, face down all the obstacles, and actually make a habit of being honest with each other. Love is not the problem, but communication could seriously use work. The world building is awesome, the mysteries are compelling, the characters well developed-- there’s a lot to recommend this book and the series it’s part of. I can’t wait for the next one.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chelsea Moore.
456 reviews11 followers
April 16, 2022
This was a great second book to this series! It continued on right where book 1 left off. We got to see more of the relationship between Connor, Trajan and David. Connor is working really hard to win Trajan’s trust back and even though they are back together the relationship is much different than it was before. It seems like David is what is holding the 3 of them together. They are all three putting n the effort to fix their issues and get back to a strong point. It seems like everything just seems to be working against them though but they are doing their best to overcome. I also loved the mystery aspect side of this book. I loved the cases that were going on in there background. It kept e very invested in the book and on the edge of my set. All in all this book was a really great read and I excited to jump right in to the next one.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

POV: 1st person Triple POV

Standalone or series: Book 2 in the Soulmates series

Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩

Would I read it again: Most definitely!
Profile Image for Katherine.
183 reviews
October 4, 2021
Oh boy… I enjoyed the first book, it was fast paced, gripping, enjoyable. But Tested? Well it certainly tested me. I spent a lot of time encouraging myself to read because this was nothing like book one. Tested was much slower, with a less compelling storyline (one that had nothing to do with the main characters), and David, Trajan and Connor spent the majority of the book apart, keeping secrets from each other. It was honestly so disappointing. It was so clear that Trajan and Connor needed to talk about their past and not doing so was putting such a strain on their relationship. Not to mention both of them were lying to each other about very important things the entire book. And Connor putting David in the middle made me so angry! Aside from the boring murder plot, where the twist was visible from a mile away, the way the three men treated each other really ruined this for me, and I can’t see myself continuing to read this story.
As it stands, I’m not mad at this book, I’m just disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
3,282 reviews30 followers
September 13, 2021
I was expecting this book to blow me away after the first one and it did, just not as dramatically as the first. I guess because the shock of Connor being alive has already been absorbed. But the drama between these three lovers is still at high tension because Connor is still keeping major secrets. And he expects David to keep them from Trajan once David finds out. This could have easily destroyed the triad at its foundation but these three are made of stronger stuff than that. It doesn’t help that Trajan has a secret as well that will eventually mean they may have go on the run to escape Trajan’s master. The ultimate conflict is still unresolved but our guys have their HFN for now. I love these characters so much. They have to learn to give and take and not to keep secrets from each other if they are going to make it work. I may however continue to harbor a bit of hate for Connor’s old partner and boss from the Elites.
817 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2022
The plot thickens...

I am really enjoying this paranormal murder/mystery with a helping of romance series.
David, Trajan and Connor are still building their relationship - Trajan (vamp) and Connor (part fae) have past history and are working to trust each other again; David (werewolf) is their millenial, snarky linchpin, lol! Their dynamic/relationship is almost a living thing, as they work on making it work. But, there are still some mysteries - like what other supernatural being is Connor? Also, who murdered a kitsune? - this becomes Connor's case, and ultimately involves his partners in the ensuing investigation.
There are also strings being pulled by Trajan's maker (Jacques) and Connor's former boss. So many good mini plots that tie into the overall story.
This is a plot driven story, and I'm looking forward to the next book to see how they deal with the situation of Jacques 'making' (pun intended!)
4,872 reviews18 followers
May 4, 2022
Absolutely exciting! Connor and Trajan are back together, but things are off. They each bring a special substance to the glue of their relationship. They just have to strengthen it. As they go through their mission, Connor, Trajan and David are keeping secrets from each other that damages the relationships. Can they get beyond that without betraying loyalties? As the team continues to form and grow, they learn a lot about each other. There are decisions to make within the circle that sometimes get skewed. There are a lot of complicated twists in the criminal mysteries and a lot of folks have dual roles. The action and adventure and bumps and hairpin turns are fantastic. Will they figure out the murderer? Will our guys find their balance? Will the pack survive? Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,827 reviews
September 24, 2021
We pick up right where we left off with these three! They are just establishing their relationship which is difficult enough with three as it is .. but throw in all the other secrets and stuff going down.. well they have a lot to do here! I liked that this was a realistic story of how it might be for a relationship with three guys.. There was of course David.. the glue that holds them together.. I do not want to give too much more plotline away as this is a Cliffhanger... bummer.. LOL.. but I foresee better communication and trust coming these guys way!! and hopefully more steamy encounters! I received an ARC of this book... you must read book one first of course... and be ready to be awaiting book three!
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,076 reviews517 followers
September 23, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars


Tested is the second book in Liv Rancourt’s excellent Soulmates series. It is a menage/polyamorous story and the identity of the third partner is not revealed until partway through the first book, Soulmates. Therefore, this review is going to spoil his identity (as does the blurb for this book), so if you absolutely don’t want to know anything, skip this review and start off with Soulmates.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.



Profile Image for K.K..
48 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2021
This second book in the Soulmates series is even better than the first. Mysteries, secrets, and dangerous maneuvering and manipulation establish and test the m/m/m relationship between the three main characters. The dynamics of this relationship become more defined and the bonds between these men are strengthened. The more they have together, the more they have to lose when their happiness is put at risk by outside forces with their own agendas. As much as I liked the first book, this one was a page-turner that kept me engaged in the story from beginning to end. When I reached the end, I wanted the story to keep going. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for R.
2,115 reviews
April 17, 2022
Connor (PI) and ????, Trajan (vampire), David (werewolf),

I had hoped they would quit keeping secrets. At some point for the good of the relationship they’ll have to share everything. The lack of trust is the biggest issue.

Interesting story. Surprising bad guy that was solved but still threads that weren’t answered. Ended with a small cliffhanger.

Good writing and I liked the story. The secrets were irritating and are starting to really annoy me and the only saving grace is that I’m reading the third book next. Let’s hope these guys get their crap together. The three of them are perfect when they allow trust to enter the room.

I received an arc of this book.
Profile Image for Antonella.
1,541 reviews
July 9, 2023
2.5
The same as the first book: great cover, underwhelming plot, too much sex. On the positive side: femme visibility (David). And David is more fleshed out in this book.
. I'm not going to read the sequel. In fact I got this book because it was a freebie.
I liked Aqua Follies by Liv Rancourt and I recommend it.
Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,514 reviews47 followers
October 1, 2021
Secrets on top of secrets. Connor may be back, but his relationship with Trajan is on very thin ice and David is caught in the middle as the one forced to hold things together. This is a story that while the partners never betray each other, they walk a fine line by keeping so much stuff secret and not being honest about what they are doing, who they are working and communicating with, etc., you just wait for the major explosion and fall-out. This is an amazing series that will have you all tied in knots because you so want these three to get their HEA.
Profile Image for Rachwithheadinabook.
1,893 reviews
October 2, 2021
Communication people it's a thing!

I have been eagerly awaiting this second book of the the series and I wasn't disappointed. The throuple is struggling to trust and communication is lacking, but there is a good reason for this. This book has just as much action and a similar pace as the first book, I did like the character development except for their inability to communicate. I guessed the perpetrator early on, however there was plenty of twists and turns that kept my attention, interest and enjoyment going throughout.
Profile Image for Coline Peterson.
623 reviews6 followers
September 20, 2021
As we open the first page of the 2nd book in the Soulmates series we hit the ground running starting off right where the first book ended, with all the drama we were experiencing before but now we find out there's even more going on. There are only two things can happen in a relationship when you keep secrets either it deepens the bonds or it dies a fast and furious death. But once it is out we have no choice but towith it and figure out what we are going to next.
Profile Image for SFBookReviewer.
631 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2021
Tested continues the Soulmates series that follows David, Connor, and Trajan. The book is full of different paranormal creatures and is a really interesting read. It contains fast-paced action and some steamy interludes. The threesome mmm works really well and adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. The book is well written, the characters are interesting, and overall looking forward to more from this author as this book ends in a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Ashley.
494 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. There was plenty of steam, angst and heat to make this a 5 star read. What I love most about this book is you have a great suspense that gets concluded by the end of the book but there is still a separate mystery left open for book 3, seriously they need to end Jacque! I love the romance between Trajan, David and Connor, and even though David met them years later he is still just as important. Truly a great series and I CANNOT wait for more!
1,600 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2021
I enjoyed this ongoing story. I really love MMM stories, although this one could have done with a little more heat IMO. The relationship between the guys hits some rough patches, with secrets, hidden agendas, uncertainty, tension, and suspense. It had me hooked until the end, waiting for all the secrets to come out, and wondering if the relationship between David, Trajan, and Connor would survive.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,723 reviews24 followers
April 20, 2022
Love with fangs and a few other things

There are so many elements bouncing around in this book. I can’t really tell you all of them because that would give some things away. Suffice to say that Liv Rancourt balances all of these plot balls and has developed them into a remarkable series that is a lot of fun to read. I’m really enjoying following these three guys and their various friends and enemies. If you enjoy mmm urban fantasy then I recommend this series to you.
Profile Image for Gwen.
1,359 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2021
Connor, Trajan and David test the boundaries on a still new trio. Trajan can’t trust completely, Connor keeps secrets and David is finding his place in this world. First they have to solve crimes, some cold cases and above all consolidate their relationship or burst. Lots of mystery and action in this second installment. Very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Lydia Devlin.
387 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2021
Continuing on from book one, and I was hooked straight from the beginning
Love all three main characters and I was rooting for them all the way through this brilliant book.
I'm not going to say too much about this as I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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