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The Trouble With Triads #3
Spare Time
Tired of the men his sister sets him up with, Connor takes his love life into his own hands when he meets not one but two men. They both happen to live in his building. And they’re both already... well acquainted with each other.On the backside of a divorce, Ethan is ready to move on but not sure he’s ready to date. He’s excited to be on his own, and he could use a couple of new friends, but Lucas and Connor make him want more.Being a workaholic has never bothered Lucas because he’s had nothing better to do with his time. But now, with Connor and Ethan, Lucas is rethinking every decision he’s ever made. Lucas faces family drama, a job he hates, and a life he’s not sure he wants. It’s time to decide if he’s ready to walk away from what’s expected, take a chance, and find time for an unconventional but pivotal love.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2021
12 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Denning
95 books549 followersEM Denning has more than twenty romance novels under her belt and has become an author you can rely on to bring you emotionally endearing, soft and fuzzy, stories. She is well known among her friends for her love of naps and sarcasm. She spends her free time reading as many romance novels as she can get her hands on.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 3, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Spare Time is the third book in E.M. Denning’s The Trouble with Triads series. All the books feature different trios and stand alone (and as far as I can tell, there are no crossover characters). This one has a kind of friends-to-lovers vibe, as while these guys are just meeting at the start of the book, things really begin as friendship for them (or at least friendship with a side of sex in Connor and Lucas’ case). Ethan isn’t ready to explore more at first, as he is still dealing with the aftermath of his divorce. So the men start out in a series of friendship as pairs, until they realize that all know one another and share an attraction. It does take a little time for Ethan to want to move things forward, but Denning does a nice job making the progression feel organic as the men get to know one another and then it grows into more.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Spare Time is the third book in E.M. Denning’s The Trouble with Triads series. All the books feature different trios and stand alone (and as far as I can tell, there are no crossover characters). This one has a kind of friends-to-lovers vibe, as while these guys are just meeting at the start of the book, things really begin as friendship for them (or at least friendship with a side of sex in Connor and Lucas’ case). Ethan isn’t ready to explore more at first, as he is still dealing with the aftermath of his divorce. So the men start out in a series of friendship as pairs, until they realize that all know one another and share an attraction. It does take a little time for Ethan to want to move things forward, but Denning does a nice job making the progression feel organic as the men get to know one another and then it grows into more.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 15, 2021
4.5 stars
Disclaimer: I received an advanced electronic review copy of this book from the author.
Denning saved the best for last in her trio of unique poly romances. Once again, she also presents a new arc within the context of this trope. This time, Ethan, Lucas, and Connor have never met each other before the events of this story, which means that each of them starts on equal footing as their relationships develop. None of them are looking for a boyfriend but are up for different levels of fun, so it’s fitting that love sneaks up on all three, and they end up with two boyfriends for the price of one.
One of my favorite elements of this book is that no time is spent on any angst or drama about the poly nature of their relationship, either internally or with any of the secondary characters. Denning also does an excellent job of balancing the conflict within each character’s life (especially for Lucas and Ethan) so that the seriousness is not brushed off, but the overall story doesn’t drown in angst. I actually got a kick out of how the youngest of the three, Connor, is the one whose life is the most “sorted” as Lucas deals with work issues and Ethan works his way through the aftermath of two unhealthy relationships.
I usually hate complaining that a book needs to be longer, but in this particular case, my only minor quibble is that I never had a good sense of the time progression between scenes (whether days or weeks). Denning likely wanted to keep the story focus on the triad, but I would have appreciated more context to see the three individual relationships between the men develop.
Overall, I had an excellent time with the individual stand-alone stories in this trilogy. Denning is always an author to turn to when you’re in the mood for nontraditional character dynamics and a delicious combination of heat and feels.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced electronic review copy of this book from the author.
Denning saved the best for last in her trio of unique poly romances. Once again, she also presents a new arc within the context of this trope. This time, Ethan, Lucas, and Connor have never met each other before the events of this story, which means that each of them starts on equal footing as their relationships develop. None of them are looking for a boyfriend but are up for different levels of fun, so it’s fitting that love sneaks up on all three, and they end up with two boyfriends for the price of one.
One of my favorite elements of this book is that no time is spent on any angst or drama about the poly nature of their relationship, either internally or with any of the secondary characters. Denning also does an excellent job of balancing the conflict within each character’s life (especially for Lucas and Ethan) so that the seriousness is not brushed off, but the overall story doesn’t drown in angst. I actually got a kick out of how the youngest of the three, Connor, is the one whose life is the most “sorted” as Lucas deals with work issues and Ethan works his way through the aftermath of two unhealthy relationships.
I usually hate complaining that a book needs to be longer, but in this particular case, my only minor quibble is that I never had a good sense of the time progression between scenes (whether days or weeks). Denning likely wanted to keep the story focus on the triad, but I would have appreciated more context to see the three individual relationships between the men develop.
Overall, I had an excellent time with the individual stand-alone stories in this trilogy. Denning is always an author to turn to when you’re in the mood for nontraditional character dynamics and a delicious combination of heat and feels.
January 14, 2024
This was okay, three guys live in the same building, kind of start hooking up on Grindr (or whatever) and then end up being friends and finally admitting they all want to bang. My issue was Ethan. He's divorced and supporting his abusive AH father with dementia. He took on everyone's issues. Lucas HATED his job and when his boss refuses him time off to attend the funeral he quits. He'd been injured and had settlement money so wasn't on the cusp of being thrown out and was glad to find a better job but Ethan was just with the constant self-flagellation that it was his fault Ethan didn't have a job. The guy didn't HAVE to quit and he was an adult. Ethan practically killed the relationship with his guilt. I could see every time something happened Ethan would assume it was all his fault, withdraw, criticize himself and need the other two to draw him out. So it did not seem very healthy that even when Ethan said he was glad he quit, Ethan kept blaming himself. So...
Also, Ethan lived on 6 and Lucas on 4. And Connor somewhere lower. But then suddenly Connor is going "down" to Lucas's and they kept going up and down randomly as if the apartments kept moving. That kind of continuity thing is a big pet peeve. If you live on 6 your ALWAYS live on 6 and don't go "upstairs" to your lover's apartment on 4. /rant.
Also, Ethan lived on 6 and Lucas on 4. And Connor somewhere lower. But then suddenly Connor is going "down" to Lucas's and they kept going up and down randomly as if the apartments kept moving. That kind of continuity thing is a big pet peeve. If you live on 6 your ALWAYS live on 6 and don't go "upstairs" to your lover's apartment on 4. /rant.
September 21, 2021
I loved this triad so much. Ethan, Lucas and Conner are amazing characters and I loved how their relationship developed and progressed.
I think the author handled several different difficult scenes with care and compassion. I loved that most of the book was more focused on their individual issues with family, jobs, and just general life without a lot of angst about being in a poly relationship. Ethan questions it for maybe a second, but the ease at which they all move together into a relationship was awesome to read.
My only complaint is the lack of an epilogue. Please, please, please...add epilogues. It feels like their story is unfinished and I would have liked an epilogue really tie things up.
*I received an ARC, but all thoughts and opinions are my own*
I think the author handled several different difficult scenes with care and compassion. I loved that most of the book was more focused on their individual issues with family, jobs, and just general life without a lot of angst about being in a poly relationship. Ethan questions it for maybe a second, but the ease at which they all move together into a relationship was awesome to read.
My only complaint is the lack of an epilogue. Please, please, please...add epilogues. It feels like their story is unfinished and I would have liked an epilogue really tie things up.
*I received an ARC, but all thoughts and opinions are my own*
September 27, 2021
This was different...
In that this story was more about three separate people who happened to get together. When I read about a mmm romance, I want to see the three fall in love and then become a family.
Ethan got a full backstory, Lucas got a partial one but poor Connor was not fleshed out. I dunno if it was because he was so much younger or what.
Then there was the sex. It really seemed all about Lucas. Connor got a couple of minor sexytimes but Ethan got nothing. For a triad to work all participants have to be involved.
There were some minor editing errors but not enough to take away from the story.
In that this story was more about three separate people who happened to get together. When I read about a mmm romance, I want to see the three fall in love and then become a family.
Ethan got a full backstory, Lucas got a partial one but poor Connor was not fleshed out. I dunno if it was because he was so much younger or what.
Then there was the sex. It really seemed all about Lucas. Connor got a couple of minor sexytimes but Ethan got nothing. For a triad to work all participants have to be involved.
There were some minor editing errors but not enough to take away from the story.
September 21, 2021
Ethan, Lucas, and Connor!! EM Denning writes a fantastic triad/poly MMM romance!! The chemistry between these three burned up the pages of my kindle! Of all her characters, I think I loved these three the most. Just enough angst and drama, Ethan and Lucas had their own they needed to work thru. I love how the author adds so much depth and complexity to her characters. The secondary characters are fantastic. The story was really well written, highly recommend. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
September 25, 2021
Three Men, An Apartment Building and an App.
MMM, Contemporary Romance. An emotional, sweet and sexy story with wit and humour. An easy to read page-turner with a guaranteed HEA and great characters. When the three men meet each other individually via app or in person there is an insta, attraction but none of them ever imagined that they would become so important to each other. Really enjoyed reading their story, great book with lots of background information about the characters and their families.
MMM, Contemporary Romance. An emotional, sweet and sexy story with wit and humour. An easy to read page-turner with a guaranteed HEA and great characters. When the three men meet each other individually via app or in person there is an insta, attraction but none of them ever imagined that they would become so important to each other. Really enjoyed reading their story, great book with lots of background information about the characters and their families.
September 21, 2021
After reviewing Spare Parts, I was excited to get the third installment of The Trouble With Triads, Spare Time. These books are all standalone romances that feature triads, but are not interconnected, so you can pick up one or all. I may be biased and say read them all, and think you should too!
See what I think on my full review:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
See what I think on my full review:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
September 28, 2021
These three really just fell in with each other. They all had a quick friendship and they all stood by each other when it was needed. When Ethan needed consoling they were able to move into a more intimate form of relationship and see how everything would work with all of them together. I love watching them interact and how much they cared for each other, they were lucky to not have anyone one in their lives that balked at their relationship.
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
June 23, 2022
Great read! Fun read! Moving through your heart and pulling hard at those strings! It was fun, sweet, sad and wonderful!
These me each have a little something they battle and show that together they can handle it!
What I loved about this most is the openness and honesty these men had right from the beginning. It was casual till it wasn’t!
Fantastic from beginning to end!
These me each have a little something they battle and show that together they can handle it!
What I loved about this most is the openness and honesty these men had right from the beginning. It was casual till it wasn’t!
Fantastic from beginning to end!
January 4, 2023
Connor, Lucas, and Ethan were awesome characters. They all came together at the same time, there wasn’t one couple bringing in a third. They found each other and ended up together without realizing that’s what they were doing and despite thinking they didn’t want any kind of relationships. Their personalities were awesome, the story was fantastic, and together they were hot! Fantastic story.
September 21, 2021
Ethan, Connor and Lucas are 3 single guys, not looking for a relationship but find themselves in one anyway!
There’s no prior relationship so they all start on equal footing. Low relationship angst and many steamy moments to be read!
Overall a great read
There’s no prior relationship so they all start on equal footing. Low relationship angst and many steamy moments to be read!
Overall a great read
January 21, 2022
Cute and very well written! I feel like the last 85 pages skipped so many important conversations, like when did they go from one sex scene to boyfriends with no discussion at all. I wish Connor had gotten more background too.
March 2, 2022
Love
The sweetest MMM I've read so far. I liked this one better than Spare Room and Spare Parts. These three just seem to fall into each other and worked it out well. It was family.
The sweetest MMM I've read so far. I liked this one better than Spare Room and Spare Parts. These three just seem to fall into each other and worked it out well. It was family.
September 21, 2021
Spare Time is the third book in The Trouble with Triads by EM Denning. This book is about Connor, Ethan and Lucas. I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy, fun and very well written.
October 4, 2021
It was nice
It's a nice book. Good storyline but not exciting. The storyline wasn't well developed but still a good read.....
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It's a nice book. Good storyline but not exciting. The storyline wasn't well developed but still a good read.....
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November 18, 2021
❤️❤️❤️
September 18, 2021
What a great book. Connor, Lucas and Ethan all live in the same apartment building and they met each other and hit it off. Both Ethan and Lucas were going through some stuff; Ethan for his divorce and Lucas with his job. Great chemistry between them and it was great to see how they all meshed and fell in love.
I received a copy of this book for my review
I received a copy of this book for my review
September 19, 2021
This trio was my favorite in the series so far! I loved all the real feelings and emotions and things happening in the sidelines along with the main plot.
September 14, 2021
I got an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
Wow, one of the best MMM I've read lately.
Their chemistry, their personalities, the way they start their friendship... all seems wonderful to me. They were meant to be.
It was like entering in this amazing world where everything is possible if every and each one of them are allowed to be themselves.
A very special mention goes to Gabby. Be so young and confused should've been a hell of a lot to go through. They have a very special place in my heart.
It's part of a serie but it can be read as standalone.
Wow, one of the best MMM I've read lately.
Their chemistry, their personalities, the way they start their friendship... all seems wonderful to me. They were meant to be.
It was like entering in this amazing world where everything is possible if every and each one of them are allowed to be themselves.
A very special mention goes to Gabby. Be so young and confused should've been a hell of a lot to go through. They have a very special place in my heart.
It's part of a serie but it can be read as standalone.
September 23, 2021
Ms. Denning knows the right balance to make this triad work. Ethan, Lucas and Connor are new to this dinamic and each has their own problems to work through. There is the right amount of drama and angst to make this an enjoyable read. Spare Time is a great way to end this wonderful series.
September 21, 2021
I have loved all three from this series! This one was awesome in how all three were strangers til they hooked up on the app. I enjoyed seeing how it all came about and the different personalities meshing. It was sweet and endearing.
January 26, 2022
This was probably the weakest of the three book in this series for me. The idea for how the relationship between the three MC's is there but not really executed smoothly.
I also got a little turned around with who lived where in the building and the timeline that was established. Sometimes it sounded like they had been together much longer than they actually had.
I also got a little turned around with who lived where in the building and the timeline that was established. Sometimes it sounded like they had been together much longer than they actually had.
January 3, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I can.
Ethan shared a deliciously wicked kiss with Lucas and a great lunch with Connor. Lucas and Connor shared each other and had a really good time doing it. When the three got together they knew it was meant to be.
Little bit of angst kept the story faithful to the dynamics of the triad. Side characters added to the story without taking away from the main relationships. I liked that they weren’t perfect specimens, either physically or mentally. Just men who knew and went after what they wanted.
This book was as delicious as a meatball sub.
I received an arc of this book.
Ethan shared a deliciously wicked kiss with Lucas and a great lunch with Connor. Lucas and Connor shared each other and had a really good time doing it. When the three got together they knew it was meant to be.
Little bit of angst kept the story faithful to the dynamics of the triad. Side characters added to the story without taking away from the main relationships. I liked that they weren’t perfect specimens, either physically or mentally. Just men who knew and went after what they wanted.
This book was as delicious as a meatball sub.
I received an arc of this book.
January 11, 2025
Sweet but incomplete
I really enjoyed the story, and I love all three men. I just wish it had been fleshed out a little more. I would read a paragraph and feel like I missed something important, some conversation or internal dialogue, but going back through the pages didn't give me the missing pieces.
It's a good story, and steamy! But I hope it gets some extra loving at some point to expand on their relationship and solidify the timeline a little more.
I really enjoyed the story, and I love all three men. I just wish it had been fleshed out a little more. I would read a paragraph and feel like I missed something important, some conversation or internal dialogue, but going back through the pages didn't give me the missing pieces.
It's a good story, and steamy! But I hope it gets some extra loving at some point to expand on their relationship and solidify the timeline a little more.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews