Oliviate

Disclaimer: this book was provided me by the author in exchange for a book of mine. It was a lovely exchange and I'd be thrilled to do it again.

Oddly, though the sex in this book is scorching hot and definitely a little boundary-pushing for me, what I keep coming back to in my mind is how much I liked the people in this story. Jay and Adriana have a bond that is strong without being static, which is an incredibly difficult thing to do well as an author. Paul, the new member of the relationship, is a little aloof, which is a traditional dom trait, but it feels fresh and interesting and particular here. I liked that he had a different dynamic with Jay than he did with Adriana. I liked that the tensions between the trio were fluid and internal and complicated. I liked getting to watch Jay try and figure out where he would go career-wise now that he's recovered from his injuries, and I liked seeing Adriana fight hard against a terrible job situation so they could keep their health insurance and have a steady income. I liked that Jay and Adriana's Hispanic backgrounds were palpable but not The Issue Of The Book, and that there were multiple characters of color so nobody had to be a stereotype. I liked the way the book dealt with the realities and risks of sex work without being sensationalistic. This is a pitch-perfect example of how the triumphs and traumas of ordinary life can make for high-stakes reading.

It's a hot kinky contemporary menage, but I just want to hug it like it's a fuzzy teddy bear. I can't remember the last time that happened.