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Dare loves challenging convention.

Dare doesn’t mind second glances and getting people’s attention. As a take-charge guy who looks more like a twink, he’s used to surprising guys…and his wicked streak means that most of the time he likes it. But when two shy hunks spend their evening watching him with wide eyes and nervous smiles, he knows he might have found exactly who he’s looking for…his Mr. Rights.

Scott and Ryan aren’t ready to challenge convention.

Secrets are harder to keep than Ryan and Scott ever imagined, especially when they’re keeping them from each other. Still, confession is only good for the soul when a friendship isn’t on the line…or at least that’s what they tell themselves, right up until the Dom with a wicked smile walks into their life.
When one take-charge flirt lands in the laps of two wary hunks, life will never be the same.


56k Words
This series was originally titled
The Weight of a Word. This book was previously titled Us and has been expanded by ten thousand words to show more of the start of their relationship.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2021

78 people are currently reading
218 people want to read

About the author

Shaw Montgomery

47 books545 followers
Shaw Montgomery loves reading, traveling, and family. While not necessarily in that order, they all rank pretty close. Shaw has lived all over the United States and even Germany. While the coast of North Carolina is a favorite place Shaw currently lives in the Western United States. Current wish list places to travel to are Australia, Italy, and Scotland.

When Shaw wants to write about things that are a little more taboo (or sometimes a lot more taboo), Shaw writes under the name M.A.Innes.

Do you want to get sneak peeks at upcoming books? Personal updates? A chance at freebies and more? Click here to join Shaw Montgomery's Newsletter!

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5 stars
144 (42%)
4 stars
96 (28%)
3 stars
72 (21%)
2 stars
22 (6%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,798 reviews30 followers
August 1, 2025
August 2025
Kindle edition

Hmm, not quite what I was looking for. It was sweet and smooth sailing with little hesitations and a communication problem. Dare knew what he wanted. Ryan knew what he wanted. Scott was more unsure and the shyer of the two. Bigger submissives but Dare topping from bottom. Mild and sweet. Had a wholesome feel. Might give the next one a go but when I'm in the mood for something light.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Smut Librarian.
1,305 reviews51 followers
September 25, 2021
Achingly sweet and so sizzling hot - this story burns up the kindle and makes you yearn to turn the page. Great characters and a brilliant premise - even though I read the shorter first edition, this newer one is like reading a whole new story. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jenn (not Lily).
4,801 reviews27 followers
November 4, 2021
This is an updated version, with additional content, of something I've read before, and I still love these three together. Dare is precisely who Scott and Ryan need, and it's gorgeous seeing all three of them open to the relationship. Wish I had the time to read all three of their books right now!
Profile Image for Jennie.
849 reviews25 followers
September 18, 2021
Scott and Ryan are both shy guys. They meet Dare, a muscular twinkish Top at a bar.
Dare approaches the pair knowing the guys want him but are to afraid to make the first move..

"I wasn't sure when the fantasies in my head had switched from sexy one night stands to waking up in their arms and planning a life together, but I wasn't going to chase them away."

I love how their relationship begins. They all decide to date each other. Dare tries to get these guys to open up to him and each other, to admit what is right in front of them.

"We were either going to be the most interesting people Dare had ever dated or the most boring. I wasn't sure which."

They are so cute in their cluelessness..

"I wasn't afraid of showing them they could have everything they'd ever dreamed of and more."

"No hitting, boys. If anyone gets to punish you, it's me."


Things between Ryan and Scott are adorably awkward. Both reluctant to be open and honest with each other. Both wanting the same thing with Dare but scared to be the first to take the initial step.

"I worried about what Scott would see on my face, but when Dare stretched up to kiss me, worries faded away. There were too many other incredible sensations to let fears take over."

I loved watching them learn each other, fighting their shyness and inhibitions. Finally being open with each other and the joy that it brings them all. They were so hot but sweetly sexy together.

"Shy on the outside but deliciously wicked on the inside."

"Dare gave me instructions already."
Dare loved giving instructions.
"What kind?"
"The good kind."

Scott and Ryan are becoming more comfortable with their new normal.

"I think everyday should start with a good-morning kiss"
"That's a rule I could get used to."

"I glanced around, trying to see Ryan's car. When I found him, I had to laugh. He was leaning against the hood of his car doing his best eighties movie pose, trying to seem cool.
He didn't need to worry about how he looked for me. I didn't need him cool... I just needed him."

"I think since your my boyfriend now I should get to pick the movies more often. I think that's a rule or something."
I reached out to run a hand up his arm. "I think you're making shit up."
"Possibly, but since we're in a relationship where rules are the norm, there's nothing to say I can't make up another one."
"I'm pretty sure I only agreed to rules about sex."

"I readily admitted to being a kinky Dom who enjoyed a variety of things, but there was nothing like being pressed against a big, muscular guy who wanted to submit.
Well, unless it was two big, muscular men who wanted to submit."

I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop and evolve. I can't wait to see more of them!!
Profile Image for Lorraine.
955 reviews11 followers
September 17, 2021
A really cute story

This was just a beautiful start to this story.
Sweet and low angst, perfect for a lazy evening. Good chemistry and such sweet plot, I look forward to the next part.
Profile Image for Mystisith.
696 reviews10 followers
August 29, 2022
Very cute and sweet but lacks "density" and the wording tends to be repetitive (English is not my 1st language, I'm not bilingual and I still find it simplistic at times). Just upping the rythm and using synonyms here and there would bring this from 3.5 stars to 4.5.
Profile Image for Amur Thera.
560 reviews75 followers
February 6, 2022
The good
+ Dare lipreading and therefore knowing exactly what Ryan and Scott were saying about him at the club
+ Dare deciding he wants both of them, not once preferring one over the other
+ Ryan and Scott being totally in love already, even though neither of them knows it yet
+ Dare's relationship with his mom
+ How fucking sweet all three of them are together
+ Ryan and Scott opening up more to each other about their desires
+ No jealousy from any of them
+ How Scott decided to let all of his colleagues think he's really fucking boring, just so he doesn't get questions about his personal life
+ Defying of many stereotypes (smallest guy is the Dom, Dom is a bottom, one of the subs is an exclusive top, both subs are big and muscular)

The neutral
o Dare is the only one living apart from the others, and it causes some kind of slight imbalance. However, they have only met like a few weeks ago so it's totally understandable

The bad
- A little more communication from Scott and Ryan wouldn't have been amiss. Sure, they're shy and sometimes insecure, but I didn't feel like Dare really got a chance to get to know them yet


I am a sucker for sweet romances, and this was really fucking sweet. I loved it. I'm immediately starting the second book and I can't wait. Would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Trip .
912 reviews30 followers
June 27, 2025
'It was one simple word that held such weight and such hope. One simple word that held such promise.'

I adored the setup for this book, their initial meeting in the club and the connection between all three is wonderful to see developed. The BDSM aspect, the discussions and slowly revealing their interests - the slowly building relationship and romance is stunning.

Also love how showed the various dynamics between Dare, Scott & Ryan as start to learn one another. Especially the admiration and adoration shown in each their povs for each other, how they find their way with Dare leading.

Scott & Ryan are so cute too in their uncertainty, the worries and how they miss the obvious. I enjoyed seeing them start to explore a future with Dare together, figuring out and seeing each other in a new light.

Honestly this book was a great introduction to their romance and potential as all exploring together. Dare is the more experienced and his the perfect Dom for these two, how he brings them out of their shells is lovely.

First kisses, texts, dates, dancing, snuggling and all the little details. Also plenty of spice in this book, yet it's great exploration and start off relationship overall. I was entertained and enjoyed seeing the start of a beautiful relationship between them all ✨

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,001 reviews147 followers
November 17, 2022
This was good, although I will say it confused me at times. I’m not sure if it’s the writing style, the three POVs, or I was just having trouble keeping track of things, but there were times I couldn’t figure out who was talking without rereading parts, or double-checking whose chapter we were in. I think part of it might have been because there’s 2 submissives and they think the same sometimes since they’re best friends and have lived together for a long time (Scott and Ryan).

I definitely want to see more of what happens for this throuple. This was a bit slow because this was new to them and there had to be a lot of discussion about limits and expectations, but then it got steamy for a while. I think it’ll keep being steamier and steamier in the rest of this triology. Also one thing that drove me a little nuts was the part about the ex from high school, because it seemed so obvious to me and it should have to them I feel like. I also would like to meet Ryan’s family and see more of Dare’s. 3 out of 5 stars?
212 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2025
WOW! This book was fantastic! I loved everything about it! I love the way that Dare supports and protects Scott and Ryan and never tries to push them into anything they don’t want. I love the way that he knows and understands them so well even from the very beginning because I feel that it just makes their relationship stronger because he knows when to push them and when not to! I love the development between Scott and Ryan! They didn’t know what they were missing with each other until they met Dare but it has become everything they never knew they needed. I love the open communication between all three of them and the way that we really get to see all the characters come alive throughout this book! Overall, I think all of the characters were written very well and I really enjoyed this book! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series and see how their relationship continues to develop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,727 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2021
Terrific mmm triad story

This is the first book in a revamped series by Shaw Montgomery that starts a fascinating story about three men who start to find out how much they compliment each other. I love reading triad stories and I also like bdsm involved in them so this book hits those elements for me but also I love how the smaller twink type of character is the Dominant and the two big jock characters are the submissives. I really enjoy stories that flip society’s ideas and expectations around and demonstrate how much you shouldn’t just someone by how they look. It’s hard to juggle things between three people in a relationship but Ms. Montgomery does a marvelous job with that as well. If you like mm stories that have elements of Dom/sub relationships then you will probably enjoy this series. Now I’m off to re read the next one.
Profile Image for Terri.
1,661 reviews
September 24, 2021
This story was originally published as Us (The Weight of a Word Book 1), and I really enjoyed it. I gave that version 4 stars. The author added about 10,000 words and re-released it under this new title and series name. The added material made an already good story so much better. Dare, Scott, and Ryan were each very likable characters, and they became even better together. Dare was incredibly patient with the bigger men, who had such a hard time admitting their needs. Best friends Scott and Ryan were blind to the very things in each other that attracted Dare to them. When they began opening up, things got hotter and also sweeter. These men made each other feel complete, and I loved their romance!
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
September 20, 2021
4.5 stars

I read the previous version of this novel. I can definitely tell that Montgomery has "upgraded" it to be consistent with her current writing ability without doing anything to take away from what makes this book special. I look forward to "re-reading" the next book and then finishing this sweet series.
Profile Image for Denise GremoryKohta.
4,249 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2021
Even better than I remembered!!!

I don’t know how she does it! I’m always given characters that steal my heart. And Dare, Scott, and Ryan have mine. They were just waiting for each other. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops. Yes I know I’ve read the first two in this series before but like I said before, each time I read one I get hooked again.
Profile Image for April Bartholomew.
11 reviews
January 4, 2026
3.5 Stars

I really don't like the use of Master in any of these books. The writing is generally decent but there was.something about the pacing in this one that felt a bit off to me. Not a bad start to the story overall.
Profile Image for Angelique.
320 reviews16 followers
November 29, 2021
What a book

I've been a fan for a very long time
This has not changed my opinion in the least
The story between Dare and his two boys is beautifully written and so sexy.
Profile Image for Antu.
144 reviews
July 18, 2024
3.5 stars leaning towards more lol
Profile Image for Bobbi.
1,266 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2025
Yours, One simple Word book one by Shaw Montgomery. I enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more!
Profile Image for Jai Oni.
1,622 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Soda.
385 reviews
July 31, 2022
3.5 stars.. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

For a long while through I struggled with this book.

I think it was because to me Ryan and Scott were essentially the same person and Dare was just too damn pushy.

Most chapters from Ryan or Scott’s perspective felt repetitive.. they’re both shy, secretly submissive, scared, etc., the trouble for me was that the two of them felt entirely interchangeable.. maybe that was the point.. but to me it was a bit bland.

Dare was a dom-twink and he just really didn’t appeal to me at all. I didn’t like his personality, he was overbearing and controlling - even if that was supposedly what Ryan and Scott were looking for, to me felt like he was a bit too much.

But I read the book in full (because that’s me and I always do) and as their physical relationship picked up the pace, so did my interest, enough so that I was disappointed that it ended as soon as it did and enough so that I’ve now downloaded the next book..

For me, it’s a 3.5 stars, so far..
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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