Flames and Flowers

Players #4.5

by Jaine Diamond

An angsty friends-to-lovers / MMF romance about a mysterious, enigmatic rock star and the newlywed couple he falls head-over-heels for.

All I want is both of them…

I. Love. Couples.
Yes, you read that right.
But even an openminded rock star like me has rules.
For one, no getting involved with married couples.
And absolutely no getting involved with my band members.

But that all went to hell the moment Ash and Danica walked into my life.

Little did I know, when I pushed Ashley Player up against a wall and kissed him, that he’d soon be asking me to join the Players, the new rock band he was putting together.
Or that the legendary player himself would soon be getting married.

Now, we’re on the road together, and his beautiful new wife, Danica, is touring with us.
And I’m falling in love with two people who are already deeply in love with each other.

Obviously, this can spell only one thing: complete and total disaster. For me.

I know I don’t belong in their marriage.
But never did I dream that Ash and Danica would open the door and leave a light on for me.

I’ve never taken a risk like this before. Especially while the whole world is watching.
The only question is: do I have the courage to admit how I feel about them, no matter who’s looking… and take a chance on us?

Note: Flames and Flowers is a novella; it is meant to be read at the end of the Players series, after Lovely Madness (Players #4).

Genres: Romance, M M F, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, LGBT, Novella, Contemporary

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2022

About the author

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Jaine Diamond is an Amazon Top 50 Bestselling contemporary romance author. She writes emotional page-turners featuring swoon-worthy heroes and strong, sassy heroines. Known for blending wit, explosive chemistry, and raw vulnerability, she creates deeply immersive love stories that linger long after the final page.

Jaine lives on the beautiful West Coast of Canada with her real-life romantic hero, their daughter, and their sweet dog. When she’s not writing or reading, you’ll find her indulging her love of music while creating extensive playlists for her books, or enjoying her newest favorite restaurant, cup of chai, or local wine.

Her books have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Czech, Hebrew, and more.

Reviews

[Millie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Throughout the Dirty series, and then in the start of Players, Ashley was a very unhappy character. Every time he thought he found love, it blew up in his face. He just couldn't seem to find HIS person. The person who completed him. And then we get to Hot Mess. His story where he found his unicorn. The person who completed him, and made him realize he could give his love to them and they would give it back wholeheartedly in return. And then what happens? We have his ex's start telling him that he will not be happy unless he is in a shared relationship. Not once did Ashley think these thoughts, until various different characters who could not or would not love him the way he needed started repeatedly telling him this. Hot Mess could have ended with him being happy with his relationship, but we had to have an ex put the thoughts of him with another person onto his radar, And then the book ends with him thinking, "hey, what if.." So the series started moving into that direction. And what do you know? The series ends with Ashley "needing" to be in a shared relationship. (Because according to the author, Matt belonged to him and his wife and no one else. Yet we never got any insight into Matt with anyone else. Not even anything substantial within this novella. It is almost as though the character of Matt was created specifically for the sole purpose of being a third person in a relationship with Ashley, because you know, he "needed" to be shared to be happy). I am so unbelievably against people needing to do something because it is drilled into their head over and over. And that is exactly what I feel was done with the character of Ashley Player. One of my favorite characters throughout the series was completely destroyed in my eyes because of this. For him to think he needed to be in a relationship with both a male and female (in a shared capacity) because that is what people told him he needed to feel happy. I have lost a great deal of respect for this author due to this storyline, and am honestly not sure if I will continue to read her work going forward because of it.

[AussieMum · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, this book gave me what I wanted. A HEA for Matt, Ash and Danica. But the execution sucked.

Seriously, all they get is a novella? Really? For possibly the most complex of relationships where you’ve already given 2 characters their own full length book with a solid HFN? WTF?

And why bother writing this story at all when it’s nearly ALL TELLING from one POV and every single thing of importance is essentially just summed up and skimmed over?

I’m not saying my heartstrings weren’t pulled a time or two while these three worked through their issues but FFS, this was about as satisfying as stepping on a Lego.

Even the sex was summed up as they were literally doing it. It’s as if the author didn’t really want to write about it so just shoved it all in at the 90% mark to finally get it out the way. May as well have been fade to black.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…ASH DESERVES BETTER!!!

There’s enough angst and drama and plot here to warrant a full length novel. Why minimise the only MM/MMF relationship in the entirety of the Dirty and Player series?

I was so excited to read this and see how it all unfolded. To say I’m disappointed in this author is an understatement.

[Shawna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whether this was her true ending for the series or not, (I say this because polls before the story was written and the end being what was the supposed results of said polls were) it felt forced. All the things the author thought were wanted (Ashley with a man and woman, Ashley not compromising his marriage with Danica, Danica accepting Matt because Ashley wanted her to) was forced into one short story to try to make readers happy. This was a ridiculous end to a mediocre series. Not even a true story to give Ashley the end that was his supposed destiny from the beginning.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I got what I wanted (Matt joining Danica and Ashley in a loving throuple), I was SERIOUSLY disappointed with how rushed it was! This deserved its own book! I wanted the three of them to get together in a beautiful (and very sexy and descriptive) way. This rushed through any of the tension. We don’t even get to see the first time they all have sex together?! Why?! Honestly, give me some hot and raunchy three way love! Some double penetration! Some more gay love scenes! We get one short sex scene at the end and it was rushed too.

I dunno… I’m sad that this wasn’t given the full book treatment.

[Cecilia Kipka · Rating 1 out of 5]

First things first.
A novella?
A freaking NOVELLA?
Seriously what the hell. Matt deserved his own book and his own love interest/interests. This felt rushed, and like she scrapped it all together just to tie up the series. She made matt feel like a side character in his own story because she put him together with an already loved and existing couple. Maybe if they all were put together from the beginning it wouldn’t felt so off or if we’ve gotten more buildup or backstories. This shit just doesn’t add up to me. I could’ve honestly have gone with out this one.
Secondly;
I love jaine Diamond and Ashley is one of my faves. As a bisexual person I was so happy to read about another bisexual as a lead character and it gave me comfort and I felt seen. However the fact that she just turned it all around and jumped on the “bisexuals can’t stay loyal or be happy with just one person trope” that the media constantly shoves down our throats made me pretty upset. I probably wouldn’t have minded as much if she gave him a poly relationship from the start but the fact that she laid bait about him wanting monogamy and being happy with Danica as it was up until he was told otherwise made really upset. It’s such a sensitive topic in the lgbtq community when it comes to biphobia and how everyone keep telling us we can’t stay loyal or do monogamy. I have nothing against people being poly but the way she wrote this felt like a slap to the face. She wrote it in a way that made it seem like she agreed that bisexuals can try all they want but they can’t do monogamy no matter what they say because they can’t be full filled with just one gender. Which is bullshit. Ok thank you for my Ted talk. Still love mrs diamond though.

[B. C. Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are addicted to Jaine Diamond's rockstar romance world like I am and have finished Hot Mess and her Player series where this story began, then you are totally ready to dive into her latest novella, Flames and Flowers.

Ashley Player and his lady love Danica make quite a splash with their surprising announcement which leaves a crack in the heart of his friend and bandmate, Matt Brohmer. Uniquely told from his own POV, Matt shares his deepest and most personal feelings with readers-from his past, that combustible stolen kiss that began his crush on Ash to the emotional journey of self discovery that followed.

Feelings run hot, cold and in every direction in this MMF, friends to lovers, slow burning rollercoaster of this 'will they or won't they' romance. Matt's thoughts seemed to always drift to the undeniable love he feels for Ash which now includes his wife Danica. If he gives into these feelings and explores a relationship with them, is he setting himself up for a broken heart and a life without music if it fails? 

Hearing their complicated story entirely from Matt's perspective was a surprise I really enjoyed. He tucked himself right into my own heart with every little detail he revealed about himself. I couldn't help but love him, sweet insightful Danica and of course, my most favorite sexy Player of all, Ashley. Flames and Flowers was touching, smoldering and entwined these soulmate's commitment to each other in the most beautiful way. Fans and tissues might be needed but what great story doesn't involve emotions spilling over onto every page?

I never doubt that Jaine Diamond will give her characters the happily ever they deserve at the end of every one of her deliciously written books...Flames and Flowers was no exception!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series, and generally love all of Jaine Diamond's books, but I just couldn't get on board with this one. I have no problem with people being polyamorous, and Diamond's steaminess is top notch (though I can't believe there wasn't more of a description of the three's first night together).

What was truly missing for me was the decision making process between Danica and Ash (and Matt, too). This couldn't have been an easy decision to make and I would have loved to read how the whole thing evolved from their POV.

I think this short novel would have been so much better as a full-length novel. Hopefully that's coming in the future...

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️
3🌶 ( just at the end)

* Rock Star Romance
* Love Triangle
* MMF
* Friends To Lovers
* Slow Burn

This is the final book and a novella, I the players series. It starts at the same exact starting point as Lovely Madness and follows the same timeline just at a more ramped up pace.

The tale seems to be told in retrospect. Matt reliving how he fell in love with Ash and Danica. Unlike all the other books in the Dirty and Players series, this one is entirely told by Matt with no other perspective. It lets the reader see and feel his side. Unfortunately, this also leaves the whole thing up to interpretation, seeing as it's completely one-sided, and we don't know Ash and Danicas's feelings and points of viewviews.

"It was important to me to be mysterious because when you’re a mystery, even when someone hears the truth about you, they can never be sure."

This is basically one long 114-page monolog. It's not as capturing to read. Over 70% of poor me. And Ode to how he can never have what he wants. A diatribe to Ash and Danica's happiness. It's rather tedious and hard to care about what happens.

[Guada · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a disservice to Matt's story with Danica and Ash. This shouldn't have been a novella, It needed to be something just a little longer, show a little of Danica's and Ash's conversation and how they felt about letting someone into their relationship, show more of how all tree of them shared some moments, it just felt very rushed, that tiny sex scene was okay, but what happened to the very first time they where together? All those sexy scenes we where expecting from this book? I get that a lot of the book should have been from Matt's perspective, but we needed Ash and Danica POV too
1🌶️/5

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointed is an understatement

Uugggg… spent so long looking forward to Matt’s story; either becoming a part of them or figuring out how to break away and find someone(s) else. He deserved better. Their story deserved more than what seemed like an afterthought. I realize many fans may not have wanted this story but once this is the direction the author chose to go, it should have been full throttle, not a glossed over version of their story.

[Jan Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed Goodreads for years but have never actually participated til now. I discovered Jaine Diamond’s books a few months ago, and I just absolutely love them. I’ve been hooked on erotic romances since I was a (probably too young to be reading this) teenager that had just discovered Anne Rice. Then I discovered Emma Holly’s Menage, and forget about it, my mind was opened and I was always on the hunt for my next favorite voice. Authors are like voices to me that I like to listen to, and I love Jaine Diamond’s voice. It was super exciting to me to find a series to get so hooked on!! The Dirty Series was just sooo good, and now here was a new series with characters I cared about following. Ashley Player became one of my favorite characters. I loved when he was in a scene, and by the time I got to his book Hot Mess, I was swooning for him and soooo happy for him. I LOVE menage books. Just simply love them. And I loved the idea of Ashley finding his three-way happiness. Hotness!!! And really I wanted to give this Flames & Flowers novella Five Stars. But I COULDN’T because of the fact that it is just a novella. It is totally NOT ENOUGH for me!!!!!! I feel like Ive been following every moment that there was a HINT that Matt would be joining Ash & Danica’s romance. Every single “member of a band” in these books has gotten their own full-length book!!! Why NOT MATT?????? Oh my God!!! Like why???? Not only that but there are MORE characters involved when it comes to a three-way. More content, more perspectives. And Matt didn’t get his own book!!!!?? I wish there had been a TRUE Matt, Ash & Danica falling in love book. All three of their perspectives because Danica matters SO MUCH in that story too!! It makes me sad when I see reviews that say she was just doing it for Ashley. I don’t think she was. But I also would have loved to see what was going on in Ash and Danica’s individual minds while they were falling in love with Matt. Not just Matt’s angst & confusion about how they really felt or what they really wanted. In my opinion, considering Ash was such a fan favorite, and Matt didn’t get his own story told, and Danica is making the decision to be in a long term committed relationship with 2 men after having just fallen in love and gotten married… Flames & Flowers should have been the LONGEST of ALL the books!!!!!!!!!

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flames and Flowers is a novella set in Jaine Diamond's Players series and it must be read after the fourth book Lovely Madness.
If you've read the previous books in the Players series, you'll recognise Matt and now we finally get his story, albeit a short one.
Matt's version of love is a different one than expected, he likes to be with couples and even though he has off the charts chemistry with both Ashley and Danica, he has a rule that he doesn't get involved with married couples and at this point in the story it isn't a problem but when Ash and Danica announce their marriage, Matt is gutted to have missed his chance to have something more with both of them, but he won't break his rule.
But as the story goes on you see Matt struggles with trying to deny their attraction and when he discovers Ash and Danica are open at adding someone else to their relationship, preferably him, Matt needs to decide if he is willing to break his rules and be open about what he desires.
"When I was with Ash and Danica, I could see the life that I'd always wanted. The one I'd always dreamed of.
I could feel it, right there in front of me, surrounding me, so close.
Yet I couldn't quite touch it. I couldn't make it mine."
Can Matt move past everything that is standing in the way of true love and finally have everything he's ever wanted?
Read Flames and Flowers now to find out what happens!
I really enjoyed Flames and Flowers, but I will say I would of preferred Matt to get involved with a different/new couple as I feel like I would of been happier leaving Ash and Danica to their own happily ever after. But it didn't stop me from enjoying it because of course it's a Jaine Diamond book and those are always amazing and as per usual I couldn't put it down!
I received an arc of Flames and Flowers and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shouldn't have been a novella

This book was about 95% tell and 5% show. It was 100% from Matt's POV.
So the reader gets zero angst from Ash and Danica about opening up their amazing relationship. Or even how it was to actually fall in love with Matt. Because at the end of their own book the author alluded to it - but it came across as lusty. And suddenly after much "telling" (bleh) in this novella, they are all in love?
Honestly this novella is not really a 3 stars. It's more like barely a 2. The extra star is for Ash and Danica out of respect for the couple that I enjoyed so much in their own book. And also because I typically enjoy this author. Just not this particular book - and not because it's a MMF romance (I love those). More because it lacked perspective from other characters and all the telling was such a turn off. And also for someone who writes amazing sex scenes suddenly she writes only one at the end of the novella?! C'mon! Anyway, read at your own peril.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful novella that end the amazing journey of the Players. It’s a nice look into one of the most sort after relationship of the series. It’s sweet, complicated but revealing insight of the well known characters. definitely shows there deeper but secretive side in a new light. All i can say is thank you for this free bonus story. I also look forward to any future insights into Dirtys and Players world

Wow..... what a beautiful ending the players series. I have been waiting for this story to happen since ‘Hot Mess’ and it didn’t disappoint as always Author Jaine Diamond gave me an amazing journey of love, sex and Rock’n’ Roll. My only regret is that I want to know more about these characters and their world.

[Kat Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really looking forward to this one as such as fan of Ash and Danica. Really disappointed was such a short story and only from Matt's POV.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to Matt's story, which ended up being a novella. After reading, I felt like there wasn't enough depth to his character.

[Comfy Couch Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story earlier at the end of the Players series and found it very emotional but also a satisfying ending to Ashley's story. Ashley is a brilliant musician who deserved everything that fame could bring him but since Jaine introduced his character in the books he has always made the wrong choices when it came to falling in love. He finally found love with Danica in Hot Mess and I thought that he would have everything he ever wanted.

Flames and Flowers is a novella continuing Ashley's story from the point of view of Matt his bandmate and friend. Matt has always loved Ashley from afar especially after the kiss in the castle but he always thought that it was unrequited especially when Ashley marries Danica. I never thought that Danica would be interested in more in her relationship with Ashley but boy was I wrong. The sexual tension between Matt, Ashley and Danica just jumps off the page but at the same time is sad to read as no one seems to be ready to make the first move.

I was so sad for Matt as he is tormented by his feelings for both Ashley and Danica. His life revolves around being with them but it is just not enough and the book is about his struggle to come to terms with what they need from him and what he is able to give them if they are all to have a future together.

This is an emotional read that brought me to tears more than once, but it is a fitting ending to Ashley's story.

[Kali Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️

The only thing I didn't enjoy about Flames and Flowers was that it wasn't a full length novel. I absolutely loved getting to see Matty's happily ever after and getting to really see Ash and Danica's too. We got some foreshadowing to a throuple possibility in Hot Mess when Danica didn't shut Ash down when discussing it and again in the epilogue when Ash was thinking about his lingering feelings for Matt. I love that Danica was always open to this possibility and that she didn't just do it for Ash, but for herself too.

This one was full of angst. I had a hard time with Ash and him confronting Matty on his feelings... But when he finally told Matty how he felt I really began to understand that while Danica helped heal Ash, he is still just a broken boy that wonders when he's going to get his heart broken again.

This was definitely a slow burn and probably closer to a 2.5 spice rating, but it was totally worth the wait. I loved getting to see their dynamics in the bedroom and it was hot as h311.

I'm sad this is likely the end of the Players series... I know we'll see more of them in the Dirtyverse, but I'll miss them having the spotlight. I am looking forward to the newest series, Vancity Villains, though and enjoyed the preview of Handsome Devil at the end of this book.

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m glad I stuck with this series after my disappointment in book 2. Book 3 and 4 were my favorite. And though I wasn’t happy Ashley wasn’t honest at the end of book 1 with Danica, I did love reading this thropple come about. Just wished for Danica and Ash’a POV to really flesh out the falling in love.

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matt Brohmer is in love with a couple. He loves both Ashley Player and Danica Vola who are in a happy relationship. Matt wants to hook up with the two of them one Christmas but it doesn't happen instead he finds out they are married. Over time he falls more and more in love with them but Ash and Danica have both expressed that they need someone who doesn't hide who they are from the world. Matt eventually grows to accept that he will only be happy with Ash and Danica and decides to show them that he cares. They start a relationship with him and Matt finally gets his happily ever after.
This was a fast novella. I really like Matt and I'm glad he and Ash and Danica all ended up happily together. I wish this had been a little longer though and we would have read about everyone reacting to the news.

[Amber.mood.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect cherry-on-top way to finish this series

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possible spoiler alert...

So this is the story we begged for, mostly. For those of us that adore Ashley Player and were desperate to find out what happened after that kiss in the castle, and were convinced that Ash needed more than Danica to be really truly happy, we finally got Matt's story. But be warned, this isn't a full length story and it's told entirely from Matt's point of view.

That said, it's as beautifully written as the rest of the Dirty and Players series and is a great conclusion to the series. It flows so easily despite the angst Matt is dealing with and covers a lot of time in its short length. Much of it takes place in parallel to the rest of the series, including Lovely Madness, so we get Matt's perspective of touring with Dirty and finally getting into the studio with the Players (although this is talked about in broad terms only).

I loved it. I felt like this is the conclusion to the series we needed. It started and ended with Ash finding his people and ultimate happiness. But I'm greedy. I wanted more. More day to day detail. More time in Ashley's head. More insights into Danica's feelings about both the guys. More from Matt himself. I get why we're not getting that though so I'm happy that we at least have this insight and glimpse of their HEA. And I'm hopeful we'll still see Ashley and Co popping up a little more in the new Vancity Villains series as we've had with others from the Dirtyverse. Ultimately, if you're a fan of Ash and Danica and don't have an issue with a HEA that involves a thruple, you can't and won't be disappointed in Flames and Flowers.

[Mel Mendonca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book had the potential to be fantastic but it fell short. We already loved Ashley and Danica from the first book in the series and the ending left us curious about Matt and whether he would play a big role in their future as a couple. This novella basically covers the same amount of time as Lovely Madness (Cary’s story) but in less than half of the pages. Not only that but rather than alternating between perspectives, it was only told from Matt’s point of view and has a lot of internal dialogue and reflecting rather than actual moments between him, Ash and Danica. It felt extremely rushed and I definitely would have liked to know what was going on in Ashley’s and Danica’s head as well. Also I would have like to see some more exploration of their chemistry as opposed to one scene thrown in at the end of the book. I still definitely think it’s worth the read because the characters are amazing and it offers us some closure and if this ever became a full length novel in the future told from all of their perspectives, I would definitely pick it up.

[Helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is told thru Matt's POV and, as such, basically all we read are his views, his feelings, his impressions and his reservations about this three way relationship between him, Ash and Danica that may or may not take off.

After reading hot mess, whish is Ashley's and Danica's story, Flames and Flowers doesn't really make sense to me. Ash and Danica were in a good place and I can't really see a third party joining their little bubble except maybe as a way to experiment or maybe a little Fling, but nothing permanent.

I felt this story collided with the history for 2 characters that had already been established and was a bit near-sided and 2 dimensional.

[Shannon Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Ashley, and I'm so glad he got his true Happily Ever After here! Ashley is a very heart-on-the-sleeve type of guy, and he's not afraid to be himself. That's all him and Danica want for Matt; got him to learn to be himself and come to terms with it.
The heat is scorchin' in this one. I love the acceptance and love the entire Dirty and Players family seem to have for each other. My only complaint is that it was too short! I know it's a novella, but Matty deserves a little more backstory.
This was my second read through, and it was just as good as the first time! Love it!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Matt, Ashley and Danica together. Holy sh!t that ending was hot!🥵 I would love for this series to continue so we can see The Players take off. This book ends where Lovely Madness ends basically. Their first album just dropped. I would love to see them tour and really blow up. I loved the Dirty series and the Players series. I feel like I know all the characters and just want to continue watching their stories unfold. You are an incredibly talented writer Jaine!!

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope not my cup of tea

I'm not old fashioned, but I didn't like a sweet married couple hooking up permanently with anther guy. I love this series, but honestly, this novella killed it for me. To each his own.

[Beverly Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

only three stars

Because I hate reading internal dialogue. And this was at least 90% internal. Just Matt. It would have been good to read what Ash and Dania were thinking. End science was hot. The whole series has been stellar

[Robin Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t really care for this story. All other books by this author have been great. Just didn’t like the storyline and Matt seemed too whiney! Not my cup of tea, but others may like it.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

Told like a memoir so we don’t really get to see any scenes of Ash, Dani, and Matt falling in love.