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Menage
Philadelphia bookstore owner Kate comes home from work one day to find her two flatmates in bed together. Joe - a sensitive composer - is mortified. Sean - an irrepressible bad boy - asks her to join in. As they embark on a polysexual menage a trois, Kate wants nothing more than to keep both her admirers happy. However, things become complicated. Kate has told everyone that Sean is gay, but now he and Kate are acting like lovers. Can the three of them live happily ever after - together?
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Emma Holly
93 books1,268 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 20, 2016
My body responded to the flying dildo with a rash-like prickle of heat.
Menage is entertaining, while not the best erotica out there. The characters have personalities and get some development. However, the plot alternates between forgetting about characters entirely and trying too hard to wrap things up cutely. It also has the honor of having some of the weirdest descriptions and imagery that I've encountered. I mean, I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically because it was just so fucking weird, or to congratulate author Emma Holly cause it sure kept me reading.
It would be criminal of me not to share these. Now presenting:
A Selection of Passages from Menage that made me Giggle, Cringe, and/or Shake my Head.
My sex melted like butter at the thought.
I fingered the sweat-dampened cotton. The mouth of my sex gave a little gasp and a trickle of warmth ran out.
Awash in cream, my clit beat a frantic tattoo against the seam of my jeans.
His cock jerked an instant before Sean moaned like a foghorn...
Inside, my body twitched and flamed. I thought my bottom had grown a second heart, the pounding there was so intense.
...made my hot little snatch quiver like a rabbit.
Their cocks stood like crimson lances poised for battle.
He ran his fingers over Sean's thick, ruby crested erection like a man reading braille.
And finally:
I wanted his tender, forceful presence in my bowels.
So, I have no idea if Menage was truly good, but it was weird and entertaining as fuck. For all its detriments, it gets points from me just for making me laugh like a loon.
Menage is entertaining, while not the best erotica out there. The characters have personalities and get some development. However, the plot alternates between forgetting about characters entirely and trying too hard to wrap things up cutely. It also has the honor of having some of the weirdest descriptions and imagery that I've encountered. I mean, I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically because it was just so fucking weird, or to congratulate author Emma Holly cause it sure kept me reading.
It would be criminal of me not to share these. Now presenting:
A Selection of Passages from Menage that made me Giggle, Cringe, and/or Shake my Head.
My sex melted like butter at the thought.
I fingered the sweat-dampened cotton. The mouth of my sex gave a little gasp and a trickle of warmth ran out.
Awash in cream, my clit beat a frantic tattoo against the seam of my jeans.
His cock jerked an instant before Sean moaned like a foghorn...
Inside, my body twitched and flamed. I thought my bottom had grown a second heart, the pounding there was so intense.
...made my hot little snatch quiver like a rabbit.
Their cocks stood like crimson lances poised for battle.
He ran his fingers over Sean's thick, ruby crested erection like a man reading braille.
And finally:
I wanted his tender, forceful presence in my bowels.
So, I have no idea if Menage was truly good, but it was weird and entertaining as fuck. For all its detriments, it gets points from me just for making me laugh like a loon.
February 3, 2016
Quickshot review (since I read this long ago and never marked it down)
This is a great one handed read. The storyline is a little OTT and alot happens between these three. It's not a committed triad, but there are insanely hot scenes between them all the same. If MMF erotica is your thing, Ms. Holly has a talent for it.
This is a great one handed read. The storyline is a little OTT and alot happens between these three. It's not a committed triad, but there are insanely hot scenes between them all the same. If MMF erotica is your thing, Ms. Holly has a talent for it.
April 13, 2009
Hot. Puts the triple XXX in exotic sex. Not for the faint of heart.
September 20, 2024
Dnf on page 50
This isn't even good literature. First I was surprised that I was shocked and then I got over that shock and it turned into disgust because first of all,
WHY
That is all I can say
I wanted something with no plot. It sure gave me that but it also gave me like no dialogue and nothing other than description (And the description described) But nobody talked
I am annoyed and kind of pissed off but who cares? I got it for like a dollar.
Also really hate the name Joe and Sean and I hated the main woman
I've never hated something more. It's not even literature, it's just like a toddler trying to draw descriptive smut and if you do that you know what you get you get this book. (Also at that point somebody calls CPS)
For being published in the '90s, I'm impressed with the gay sumt in this
But other than that all this book was, was smut AND IT WASN'T EVEN GOOD
This isn't even good literature. First I was surprised that I was shocked and then I got over that shock and it turned into disgust because first of all,
WHY
That is all I can say
I wanted something with no plot. It sure gave me that but it also gave me like no dialogue and nothing other than description (And the description described) But nobody talked
I am annoyed and kind of pissed off but who cares? I got it for like a dollar.
Also really hate the name Joe and Sean and I hated the main woman
I've never hated something more. It's not even literature, it's just like a toddler trying to draw descriptive smut and if you do that you know what you get you get this book. (Also at that point somebody calls CPS)
For being published in the '90s, I'm impressed with the gay sumt in this
But other than that all this book was, was smut AND IT WASN'T EVEN GOOD
June 9, 2018
Start as you mean to go on!
Kate comes home to find her tenants having sex in her bed. One of these handsome young men, Joe, has a crush on her, and the other, Sean, is indulging his sexual fantasy. Upon being discovered they immediately invite her to join in, which she gladly does. And for the next 100 pages, all three are bonking happily together all around the house and various locations in Philadelphia.
‘Hmm,’ the reader might think. ‘Well, if the whole book is just going to be nothing but sex scenes -’ (yes, yes, it is - it’s erotica) ‘- then I hope the sex scenes are good.’ Well, there’s actually a surprising amount of character development, all cleverly tied into the sex. Sean’s desperately trying to hide his vulnerability by staying in control (queue scenes featuring Sean the Dom) but Kate is determined to reach his loving soul within (queue Kate topping from the bottom and turning Dom herself) and of course he can only express himself to her from the safety of make believe (queue role play) meanwhile Joe is just a sweet boy desperately in love (queue the more tender scenes). And Kate loves them both, or at least, loves Joe and lusts for Sean (lots of happy menage scenes).
The smut itself is not bad - look, here’s the thing, I actually love the smut in this book. All three characters are whole-heartedly, willingly, joyfully into each other, which just makes me so happy. I so rarely read erotica which is so… wholesome. There’s not a trace of angst in this story. No spite, no drama, no selfishness, an alpha but not an asshole. That being said, the level of realism bounces up and down like our young heroes’ ruby red cocks (yes, that is how they are described). There’s a very worthy attention paid to always having safe sex, and the characters all make sure to use condoms before any sexual encounter. But then the BDSM scenes show a fair lack of understanding about the importance of informed consent. Now we know, as the reader, that everyone involved is loving every second of it and having a great time, so it didn’t worry me, but it seemed incongruous.
The purple prose delighted me. Yes, the descriptions tended to the ridiculous, but that just highlighted for me how much everyone was enjoying every part of each other. There were a few moments where the menage didn’t quite obey the laws of physics, and I would think, ‘they must be very flexible to get into that arrangement’ but it didn’t happen often enough to ruin the fun.
There was a lot of room for improvement in the plotting, which gets somewhat messy towards the end before all being tied up rather rushedly, but I am overlooking any faults in the story due to the wonderful, upbeat mood. At the end everybody has a happy ending, which is all I ever wanted for these adorable characters.
Kate comes home to find her tenants having sex in her bed. One of these handsome young men, Joe, has a crush on her, and the other, Sean, is indulging his sexual fantasy. Upon being discovered they immediately invite her to join in, which she gladly does. And for the next 100 pages, all three are bonking happily together all around the house and various locations in Philadelphia.
‘Hmm,’ the reader might think. ‘Well, if the whole book is just going to be nothing but sex scenes -’ (yes, yes, it is - it’s erotica) ‘- then I hope the sex scenes are good.’ Well, there’s actually a surprising amount of character development, all cleverly tied into the sex. Sean’s desperately trying to hide his vulnerability by staying in control (queue scenes featuring Sean the Dom) but Kate is determined to reach his loving soul within (queue Kate topping from the bottom and turning Dom herself) and of course he can only express himself to her from the safety of make believe (queue role play) meanwhile Joe is just a sweet boy desperately in love (queue the more tender scenes). And Kate loves them both, or at least, loves Joe and lusts for Sean (lots of happy menage scenes).
The smut itself is not bad - look, here’s the thing, I actually love the smut in this book. All three characters are whole-heartedly, willingly, joyfully into each other, which just makes me so happy. I so rarely read erotica which is so… wholesome. There’s not a trace of angst in this story. No spite, no drama, no selfishness, an alpha but not an asshole. That being said, the level of realism bounces up and down like our young heroes’ ruby red cocks (yes, that is how they are described). There’s a very worthy attention paid to always having safe sex, and the characters all make sure to use condoms before any sexual encounter. But then the BDSM scenes show a fair lack of understanding about the importance of informed consent. Now we know, as the reader, that everyone involved is loving every second of it and having a great time, so it didn’t worry me, but it seemed incongruous.
The purple prose delighted me. Yes, the descriptions tended to the ridiculous, but that just highlighted for me how much everyone was enjoying every part of each other. There were a few moments where the menage didn’t quite obey the laws of physics, and I would think, ‘they must be very flexible to get into that arrangement’ but it didn’t happen often enough to ruin the fun.
There was a lot of room for improvement in the plotting, which gets somewhat messy towards the end before all being tied up rather rushedly, but I am overlooking any faults in the story due to the wonderful, upbeat mood. At the end everybody has a happy ending, which is all I ever wanted for these adorable characters.
January 14, 2016
Holy Hell this book was hot. When Kate Winthrop discovers her two male boarders in a romantic tryst in her bedroom, she accepts their offer to join them and thus begins an adventure for all three. Kate, a successful bookstore owner, finds herself attracted to the dominating, masterful Sean, who takes liberties with her body, but from whom Kate keeps her heart and soul at a safe distance. This books was picked for me in a pick it for me challenge in the Menage Group it was a very good pick. The sex scenes are really hot and Holly, as usual, knows how to build the anticipation before every encounter. Emma Holly did a great job of telling this story. She definitely delivers a great read in this book. You are able to bond with the characters and actually understand their points of view. I found this book to be well written with good plot and character development. I love reading Emma Holly's books they are well written and this one was one of them.
May 18, 2011
Emma Holly writes some delicious sex scenes. This is one of my early menage stories I've read. I remember thinking, wow... this is different than the sex books I've read. This was tastefully done and I enjoyed it. Hot!
October 10, 2012
I'm so torn on this book! The sex scenes were some of the hottest I've ever read. SERIOUS panty-melting yumminess. It's the plot that sort of sinks it. The emotional plotline is a complete mess, and most of the time, I had no idea who was feeling what for whom and why in that respect.
The development of the characters, except Sean, didn't make any sense to me either. Changes just seemed to come out of nowhere, for no reason. I never really knew what the hell was going on with Kate, and Joe's sudden rise to fame and thus to a "play top" was really fake and made me miss the original Joe. I mean -- it was SIX MONTHS, not ten years! Oy.
So, the plot, emotional throughline, and characterization are only 2/5, imo, but I finally had to decide on 3/5 just based on the sex scenes. Did I mention they were hot?
The development of the characters, except Sean, didn't make any sense to me either. Changes just seemed to come out of nowhere, for no reason. I never really knew what the hell was going on with Kate, and Joe's sudden rise to fame and thus to a "play top" was really fake and made me miss the original Joe. I mean -- it was SIX MONTHS, not ten years! Oy.
So, the plot, emotional throughline, and characterization are only 2/5, imo, but I finally had to decide on 3/5 just based on the sex scenes. Did I mention they were hot?
July 29, 2021
This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!!!
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.
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The Plot
God, the plot really went somewhere stupid. The sub turns dom, the sweet man turns into an arrogant big shot actor, the m/m relationship ends up a m/f relationship.
Ménage started of as a book that felt no need to portray the 'typical' relationship. It was all about raw sexuality; about giving in to desire without feeling the need to define or limit oneself. And then, the plot (what little there was of it anyway) was twisted just enough to make sure the story ended as straight as possible with a marriage between a man and woman. It felt kind of like... straightwashing. I can't commit to that statement fully because there was a possibility of the other man joining them, but it still felt problematic to me.
The start was very erotic but I completely lost interest at 65%. It took several tries to finish the book, and now that I have, I realize the difficulty was largely because the last 35% or so was like a rush job to make sure Joe and Kate ended up together. It doesn't help that it generally read like a bad Wattpad fan fiction, especially near the end (no insult intended to Wattpad, it's just not what I expected here). And why wouldn't the author make quiet Joe super famous at the end? Oh yeah, because it was stupid.
The Characrers
Kate - Loves to talk about how fit she is. Her traits are being super sexy, horny, and having trust issues due to a cheating ex-husband.
Joe - Is described as a "lovesick puppy" at the start of the book. He's portrayed as an affectionate, submissive type for the majority of the book but somehow ends up being arrogant as f***. His character development makes absolutely zero sense and he is, of course, also super sexy.
Sean - Deserves better. He's dominant in every way except emotionally. Turns out he's also very smart. And guess what? He's super sexy.
Marian - Just a bitchy character used as a plot device. She basically is the plot, and she's only in a few chapters so that says a lot.
I don't remember any other characters.
Other than that, I don't have anything to say. There isn't even enough substance to comment on.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Plot
God, the plot really went somewhere stupid. The sub turns dom, the sweet man turns into an arrogant big shot actor, the m/m relationship ends up a m/f relationship.
Ménage started of as a book that felt no need to portray the 'typical' relationship. It was all about raw sexuality; about giving in to desire without feeling the need to define or limit oneself. And then, the plot (what little there was of it anyway) was twisted just enough to make sure the story ended as straight as possible with a marriage between a man and woman. It felt kind of like... straightwashing. I can't commit to that statement fully because there was a possibility of the other man joining them, but it still felt problematic to me.
The start was very erotic but I completely lost interest at 65%. It took several tries to finish the book, and now that I have, I realize the difficulty was largely because the last 35% or so was like a rush job to make sure Joe and Kate ended up together. It doesn't help that it generally read like a bad Wattpad fan fiction, especially near the end (no insult intended to Wattpad, it's just not what I expected here). And why wouldn't the author make quiet Joe super famous at the end? Oh yeah, because it was stupid.
The Characrers
Kate - Loves to talk about how fit she is. Her traits are being super sexy, horny, and having trust issues due to a cheating ex-husband.
Joe - Is described as a "lovesick puppy" at the start of the book. He's portrayed as an affectionate, submissive type for the majority of the book but somehow ends up being arrogant as f***. His character development makes absolutely zero sense and he is, of course, also super sexy.
Sean - Deserves better. He's dominant in every way except emotionally. Turns out he's also very smart. And guess what? He's super sexy.
Marian - Just a bitchy character used as a plot device. She basically is the plot, and she's only in a few chapters so that says a lot.
I don't remember any other characters.
Other than that, I don't have anything to say. There isn't even enough substance to comment on.
October 21, 2014
2.5-3 stars
This was a decent story. I liked Kate, Joe and Sean and I liked their story to a point but there were too many parts of the story that didn't work for me overall. Maybe I was so disappointed with this book because I've previously read Holly's The Billionaire Bad Boys Club and loved it.
Kate is a successful bookstore owner. She was married but things didn't work out due to him cheating on her multiple times and then running off with the 17 year old daughter of one of Kate's friends. Kate has her own house and has 2 boarders, Joe and Sean, that are both 23 years old and graduate students. They're involved with each other but Kate has secretly been crushing on Joe for a while.
Sean is an accounting student and Joe is also a student (although I don't remember reading his degree path) as well and is taking an interest in drama/music. Sean is really smart and is going to do well in the business arena. Joe is actually a musical child protege but his mother wanted him to have a normal life. Now that he's building his career, Joe wants to write musicals. Joe and Sean met each other around a year ago and are best friends and involved sexually.
When the story begins, Kate is getting home from work. She gets to her bedroom and finds Sean and Joe in her bedroom having sex. This turns her on as she's been drooling over Joe for a while and Sean is pretty hot as well. When Kate doesn't go running, Sean asks if she wants to join them...which she does. It soon becomes apparent that there's a much stronger tie between Joe and Kate (who have become friends over the past 6 months they've been cohabitating) than between Sean and Kate. Because of the mutual crushing that's been going on between Kate and Joe, Sean figures he's losing Joe but invites Kate in figuring he'll take what time he can get with them both. Kate doesn't know if something can work out long term but seems determined to see what can come of things. Joe doesn't see a problem with things but doesn't seem to think about the future, at least at first. The menage relationship between the three starts off well and goes alright. There's some drama here and there but nothing too bad and some unusual sexual encounters as well. The main drama comes with the conflict of Joe's future vs. staying with Kate and things kind of go to crap and stay stay crappy for a while. There is a reunion effort from Joe but I wasn't too thrilled with the way he and Sean played it and so the reunion was kind of a dud for me. The story ends with a HEA for Joe and Kate.
This was an alright story. I liked the characters and the story wasn't bad but there were certain points of the story that were a bit too weird for me or just didn't work for me, especially the reunion at the end (as noted above). Also, the HEA was sort of inconclusive because Kate and Joe are together but there also seemed like the possibility of adding Sean back in later. Overall, the story was alright but just didn't work for me.
This was a decent story. I liked Kate, Joe and Sean and I liked their story to a point but there were too many parts of the story that didn't work for me overall. Maybe I was so disappointed with this book because I've previously read Holly's The Billionaire Bad Boys Club and loved it.
Kate is a successful bookstore owner. She was married but things didn't work out due to him cheating on her multiple times and then running off with the 17 year old daughter of one of Kate's friends. Kate has her own house and has 2 boarders, Joe and Sean, that are both 23 years old and graduate students. They're involved with each other but Kate has secretly been crushing on Joe for a while.
Sean is an accounting student and Joe is also a student (although I don't remember reading his degree path) as well and is taking an interest in drama/music. Sean is really smart and is going to do well in the business arena. Joe is actually a musical child protege but his mother wanted him to have a normal life. Now that he's building his career, Joe wants to write musicals. Joe and Sean met each other around a year ago and are best friends and involved sexually.
When the story begins, Kate is getting home from work. She gets to her bedroom and finds Sean and Joe in her bedroom having sex. This turns her on as she's been drooling over Joe for a while and Sean is pretty hot as well. When Kate doesn't go running, Sean asks if she wants to join them...which she does. It soon becomes apparent that there's a much stronger tie between Joe and Kate (who have become friends over the past 6 months they've been cohabitating) than between Sean and Kate. Because of the mutual crushing that's been going on between Kate and Joe, Sean figures he's losing Joe but invites Kate in figuring he'll take what time he can get with them both. Kate doesn't know if something can work out long term but seems determined to see what can come of things. Joe doesn't see a problem with things but doesn't seem to think about the future, at least at first. The menage relationship between the three starts off well and goes alright. There's some drama here and there but nothing too bad and some unusual sexual encounters as well. The main drama comes with the conflict of Joe's future vs. staying with Kate and things kind of go to crap and stay stay crappy for a while. There is a reunion effort from Joe but I wasn't too thrilled with the way he and Sean played it and so the reunion was kind of a dud for me. The story ends with a HEA for Joe and Kate.
This was an alright story. I liked the characters and the story wasn't bad but there were certain points of the story that were a bit too weird for me or just didn't work for me, especially the reunion at the end (as noted above). Also, the HEA was sort of inconclusive because Kate and Joe are together but there also seemed like the possibility of adding Sean back in later. Overall, the story was alright but just didn't work for me.
June 12, 2020
4 Stars
Phew... That was
Noone does guilty pleasures and erotic delights like Emma Holly....
Phew... That was
Noone does guilty pleasures and erotic delights like Emma Holly....
September 22, 2009
well written and even somewhat believable plot wise. these characters didn't get together i the middle of saving the world, r running for their lives. they were friends and room mates for awhile. things had a more natural progression to them than most menage books. the sex scenes were pretty amazing. ok pretty amazing is an understatement. they were down right delicious.
the story kind of irked me in spots. the games sean played seemed just out and out mean at times. yes, yes, that is part of his tortured appeal but they were just a little too hurtful. watching joe follow suit was pretty heartbreaking as well. i get the point of it, i just don't like how it came about.
this was also one of those times where at the end of the book i was looking for more. the ending did not make me a happy kitty. i needed a little bit more follow up. i was dying to know how it all ends up. no such luck. it was well implied, but still.
the story kind of irked me in spots. the games sean played seemed just out and out mean at times. yes, yes, that is part of his tortured appeal but they were just a little too hurtful. watching joe follow suit was pretty heartbreaking as well. i get the point of it, i just don't like how it came about.
this was also one of those times where at the end of the book i was looking for more. the ending did not make me a happy kitty. i needed a little bit more follow up. i was dying to know how it all ends up. no such luck. it was well implied, but still.
May 11, 2017
I've read the first chapter but this book is really not grabbing me. This could be a DNF... I'll give it another couple of chapters and see how I go.
*******************************
I sat down and finished this book today. Whilst the first 150 pages has some steamy writing in it, I just couldn't settle into the book. Generally, if I'm reading erotica, I like it to be short and sweet. This was erotica but it was long; so it struggled to hold my attention.
The last 100 pages then turned into more of a romance story - that's when I really started to enjoy the book... It was still steamy - but I could relate better to the characters and 'feel' for them. I can see why this book was this length - the first 2/3 of the book is really setting the scene for the last third. I really liked the resolution and the 'open' ending.
The last 100 pages deserve 4 stars, but I really did have to force myself to get to that point, so 3 stars overall.
*******************************
I sat down and finished this book today. Whilst the first 150 pages has some steamy writing in it, I just couldn't settle into the book. Generally, if I'm reading erotica, I like it to be short and sweet. This was erotica but it was long; so it struggled to hold my attention.
The last 100 pages then turned into more of a romance story - that's when I really started to enjoy the book... It was still steamy - but I could relate better to the characters and 'feel' for them. I can see why this book was this length - the first 2/3 of the book is really setting the scene for the last third. I really liked the resolution and the 'open' ending.
The last 100 pages deserve 4 stars, but I really did have to force myself to get to that point, so 3 stars overall.
February 26, 2011
Parts of this book I did quite enjoy onto others I was looking more with something like scientific curiosity. I'm just not into spanking, BDSM and the submission thing. When I'm reading such scenes I'm always wondering and I read these scenes trying to understand what drives these people. So, if you enjoy these topics I can recommend this book to you. For the likes like me there are also several rather common erotical encounters if you include m/m, m/m/f into this defintion ;-) which are pretty hot.
Emma Holly again manages to spin a real plot around her characters and tell a real story and not only lines up sex scene after sex scene with a flimsy excuse of a story. Just for that one star more.
Emma Holly again manages to spin a real plot around her characters and tell a real story and not only lines up sex scene after sex scene with a flimsy excuse of a story. Just for that one star more.
August 21, 2015
1.5 stars
This book is set in Philadelphia but is written as though it's set in London. British English spelling and grammar and even speech patterns. Additionally, there's dubcon kink. It's dubcon when you have ZERO discussion of limits or desires. Giving someone a safeword is BARELY enough, so half a star for that. Additionally, the characters were beyond absurd. Caricatures of some sort of people. And in the 6 months timeline at the end of the book is so insanely fast for the professional AND personal development. Add in the gag-worthy OTT language (ie quivering quims), and this didn't even work as spank bank material. Which, let's be honest, is all I was hopeful for.
This book is set in Philadelphia but is written as though it's set in London. British English spelling and grammar and even speech patterns. Additionally, there's dubcon kink. It's dubcon when you have ZERO discussion of limits or desires. Giving someone a safeword is BARELY enough, so half a star for that. Additionally, the characters were beyond absurd. Caricatures of some sort of people. And in the 6 months timeline at the end of the book is so insanely fast for the professional AND personal development. Add in the gag-worthy OTT language (ie quivering quims), and this didn't even work as spank bank material. Which, let's be honest, is all I was hopeful for.
August 26, 2015
8/26/15 - 99 cents on Kindle
May 12, 2015
This story was interesting, though much longer than I expected. Generally speaking, it's about Kate and Joe falling in love, despite the protests of Kate. When it first starts, Joe and Sean are a couple. Kate actually thought they were gay, though she felt like Joe had a bit of a crush on her, their older landlady. And when Kate catches Joe and Sean in a compromising position, they invite her to join in, which continues on for months and months. Joe is apparently a talented actor and composer, and Kate lived by the "if you love something set it free" mantra. She really felt like if Joe didn't explore his true potential, he'd grow to resent her. She also felt like if she accepted his professions of love, he'd be ignoring half of is sexuality, and he'd grow to resent her. Plus, with her being older, she felt like he needed to really live his life before settling for her. She really felt this way! So she sent him away to live his life and become successful. Eventually, he comes back and grovels pretty well. I have to say it was a little sad that Sean ended up not really being a part of their lives. It would have been nice to know where Sean ultimately landed, romance wise. We know he and Kate were in business together, so he was still very much in the picture, just not in a romantic sense. Sean sure was creative when it came to their play! Kate was too, for her part. She definitely rolled with the roleplay. While I generally liked the overall story, it was a little jarring to see all the British-speak in a story that took place in Philadelphia. There also seemed to be several little story threads that never went anywhere: the Italian dude who seemed to give up way too easily after having doggedly pursued Kate; the person who called the cops -- I refuse to believe it was their elderly neighbor whom nobody thought could hear anything; and Marianne kinda fizzled out. And I found myself just wanting it to be over already. But I am glad I read it.
December 10, 2025
2017 = 3 stars
2022 = DNF / review written
ᖇᗩTIᑎG ᒪOᗯEᖇEᗪ ᗷEᑕᗩᑌSE -
🚫 I no longer read Erotica.
Poorly Written Porn with Plot:
Right after the story starts, a 33-year-old divorcee gets sexually involved with her two 23-year-old roommates. She knows that she's incredibly sexy, dressing in tight clothes to show off all her curves along with her best feature, her derriere. (She's an oversexed cougar, often thinking about her cunt). It's straight-up erotica. There's anal sex, no prep needed. When it got to the orgy scene with F/F, I was done. 🫣
🤢 Nasty or Odd Sex Scene Excerpts: 💦
➽ My sex melted like butter at the thought.
➽ Awash in cream, my clit beat a frantic tattoo against the seam of my jeans.
➽ The mouth of my sex gave a little gasp and a trickle of warmth ran out.
➽ Sean was sodomising him.
➽ Tiny droplets of preorgasmic fluid seeped from the eye of his prick.
➽ My fingers made a rapid, squelching sound in all that juice.
➽ Sean moaned like a foghorn...
➽ the orgasm shook me like a rag doll
➽ ...spreading my gathering moisture until my whole sex felt oiled.
➽ The foreskin hugged his heart-shaped glans like a smooth pink turtleneck.
➽ I thought my bottom had grown a second heart, the pounding was so intense.
➽ ...made my hot little snatch quiver like a rabbit.
➽ I wanted his tender, forceful presence in my bowels.
2022 = DNF / review written
ᖇᗩTIᑎG ᒪOᗯEᖇEᗪ ᗷEᑕᗩᑌSE -
🚫 I no longer read Erotica.
Poorly Written Porn with Plot:
Right after the story starts, a 33-year-old divorcee gets sexually involved with her two 23-year-old roommates. She knows that she's incredibly sexy, dressing in tight clothes to show off all her curves along with her best feature, her derriere. (She's an oversexed cougar, often thinking about her cunt). It's straight-up erotica. There's anal sex, no prep needed. When it got to the orgy scene with F/F, I was done. 🫣
🤢 Nasty or Odd Sex Scene Excerpts: 💦
➽ My sex melted like butter at the thought.
➽ Awash in cream, my clit beat a frantic tattoo against the seam of my jeans.
➽ The mouth of my sex gave a little gasp and a trickle of warmth ran out.
➽ Sean was sodomising him.
➽ Tiny droplets of preorgasmic fluid seeped from the eye of his prick.
➽ My fingers made a rapid, squelching sound in all that juice.
➽ Sean moaned like a foghorn...
➽ the orgasm shook me like a rag doll
➽ ...spreading my gathering moisture until my whole sex felt oiled.
➽ The foreskin hugged his heart-shaped glans like a smooth pink turtleneck.
➽ I thought my bottom had grown a second heart, the pounding was so intense.
➽ ...made my hot little snatch quiver like a rabbit.
➽ I wanted his tender, forceful presence in my bowels.
June 18, 2012
There is so much that is wrong with this book. Both the roleplay scenes are absurd, as is the "BDSM" scene. Captain Blood is ridic. Joe's magical career? Ridic. All of this should make the entire thing intolerable.
And yet...
This book is a perfect example of emotional authenticity trumping everything else. Sean felt real. His behavior toward the ends of the BDSM scene and the priest scene saved both of those. Sean's motivation felt true. Sean's occasional moments of vulnerability felt true. His issues and the arrangements he makes to stay in Kate's life felt true, and more importantly, they felt specific. The 180 he does and the moment she realizes he's flipped made my stomach drop.
The only thing that would've made this better would've been Joe disappearing entirely - and as a permanent MMF partisan, that is sacrilege - but again, emotionally, it has to be this way to make things work long term.
So, five stars.
And yet...
This book is a perfect example of emotional authenticity trumping everything else. Sean felt real. His behavior toward the ends of the BDSM scene and the priest scene saved both of those. Sean's motivation felt true. Sean's occasional moments of vulnerability felt true. His issues and the arrangements he makes to stay in Kate's life felt true, and more importantly, they felt specific. The 180 he does and the moment she realizes he's flipped made my stomach drop.
The only thing that would've made this better would've been Joe disappearing entirely - and as a permanent MMF partisan, that is sacrilege - but again, emotionally, it has to be this way to make things work long term.
So, five stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2016
Menage is a story about three flat mates-Kate, Joe, and Sean. When Kate catches the two men in bed together, she can't suppress the flare of desire that the vision evokes. When the three embark on a whirlwind adventure, Kate fights to protect the boys from getting hurt and also her heart. Can she learn to open her damaged heart to one or both of the boys? Will one or both of them return her feelings?
This was the first book I read by Emma Holly. I was very excited to read this one; The summary of the story sounded very intriguing and different. Unfortunately, after actually reading it, I wasn't very impressed with the story. Towards the end of the book, I was just waiting for the story to be over. Some of the language used seemed off, and the story seemed jumbled in spots. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book full of hot sex, and threesomes, this book is full of that-the story on the other hand, I felt was slightly lacking.
This was the first book I read by Emma Holly. I was very excited to read this one; The summary of the story sounded very intriguing and different. Unfortunately, after actually reading it, I wasn't very impressed with the story. Towards the end of the book, I was just waiting for the story to be over. Some of the language used seemed off, and the story seemed jumbled in spots. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book full of hot sex, and threesomes, this book is full of that-the story on the other hand, I felt was slightly lacking.
July 27, 2013
reread- 2013
I know this book isn't for everyone. What really makes me like it? Older woman, younger man; m/m/f; 1st person POV.
What I ignore that probably really irks many/most others:
The Britishisms. There is no way to disguise that this was written by a Brit (and possibly for Brits). Which can be annoying since it's set in Philadelphia, PA, USA. I admit, it would have just been so much more believable if Kate had just been written as a Brit living in Philly.
Still, even after several rereads, I love this book.
I know this book isn't for everyone. What really makes me like it? Older woman, younger man; m/m/f; 1st person POV.
What I ignore that probably really irks many/most others:
The Britishisms. There is no way to disguise that this was written by a Brit (and possibly for Brits). Which can be annoying since it's set in Philadelphia, PA, USA. I admit, it would have just been so much more believable if Kate had just been written as a Brit living in Philly.
Still, even after several rereads, I love this book.
May 8, 2011
The start was a bit fast for me. I always need some more time to warm up to the characters but in the end I really like them all. Usually the build up, emotionally and sexually, comes before the first bedroom action but this one is good exception. Very hawt, dirty and kinky but I highly approve. Can't wait to read more of Holly'y books.
July 1, 2012
HOT!!!! Thoroughly enjoyed this page turner! I was surprised that it has a good plot and an HEA!! Honestly, I was just looking for a very steamy romance. I got that and a whole lot more!!! Would have rated it 5 stars but I don't want to take away from the books that do have complex plots, characters, and steamy scenes when appropriate.
October 12, 2010
It. Was. HOT. ...And that's all I can really say. A GOOD hot, if you know what I mean ;) Really about going out of one's comfort zone, and trusting your lover(s) to accept you and be vulnerable with you.
December 31, 2010
After all the hype about Emma Holly's work, I was expecting something much better than I got. I spent most of the time giggling over Holly's euphemisms and bad, purple prose descriptions of man-parts rather than enjoying the romance.
March 13, 2016
I loved this and it was relatively plausible. I don't quite understand how the setting is in Philadelphia and it's written with English spelling and grammar (colored/coloured) etc. but that didn't stop me from loving it.
September 14, 2011
THIS WAS THE MOST AMAZING LOVE STORY I HAVE READ IN A VERY LONG TIME, THE INTERACTION WITHIN CHARACTERS AND THE WAY THE READERS ATTENTION WAS ON HIGH AT ALL TIMES WAS AMAZING, I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN UNTIL FINISHED. THANKS FOR SUCH A WONDERFULL READ.
MARY
MARY
March 5, 2009
Steamy sex but weak plot.
April 14, 2017
Entertaining Black Lace novel, for the most part anyway. Makes nice escapism... :-)
August 27, 2015
Two
It took three to find out that each of them can and will be what they each need to be. Although love and friend ship all the difference I. The long run.
It took three to find out that each of them can and will be what they each need to be. Although love and friend ship all the difference I. The long run.
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