I loved him first.Jake was my best friend in college-my very straight best friend, until one night he was more. He may have ran after what happened between us, but I never forgot him. When fate puts us in the same place, five years later, he has a fiance by his side. Carina is beautiful, driven, and draws my attention almost as much as he still does. A game of truth or dare leads to a wild night … dare leads to a wild night and a relationship that has all our feelings growing into something bigger than any of us intended.
But what happens when our feelings deepen? Can I handle being with two people?
If it means I can have him, I’ll love them both.
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Jackson, Jake, and Carina’s, days are filled with a easiness, in the friendship they created, while working together to open a bar. And their nights are filled with a fantasy, tangled sheets, and intense connections, nights they cant get enough of. This connection they share, the touches and nights spent in bed, Jake, Jackson and Carina, start to find new pieces of who they are, new and old, developing and resurfacing.
Three individuals, who when they collide, experience something fierce, passionate, and yes life changing. But the longer Jackson, Jake and Carina hold on to the fun, the sex, and the charade, the harder they could all fall. Their feelings are starting to pull them all in different directions. But the three are intertwined now, weaved relationships full of secrets, pain and love.
Jackson holds the pain of the past and hides his loneliness behind his humor and charming smiles. Jake hides his vulnerabilities, pushing parts of himself so deep, he starts to loose who he is. And Carina wants to prove, with all that she is, that she is strong and independent, but looses that behind pleasing everyone, everyone but herself.
Jackson was my favorite in this story. I love all the sides that we got to him. He was cocky, sweet, caring and dominate. I was so intrigued by him in Voyeur, so I was so happy to get to know him even more. Jake was a great character, at times I wanted to shake him and others I wanted to hold him. He had to grow the most in this story, search for who he was and what he wanted. Carina, beautiful, strong, fierce. I loved her big heart, and how she embraced and carried herself in and out of the bedroom. Her loyalty, her dedication, and sassy attitude, made for a fantastic female lead.
While The Lovers was full of heat, fan your face sexiness, and all the yummy taboo menage scenes you could hope for, it was also a beautiful love story, a story of growth, with angst and laughs.
·I was provided a ARC by Foreword PR·
*JordansBookReviews*
Even though this is only the second book that I have been fortunate enough to read of Fiona Cole’s, I have got to say holy freaking moly I am now hooked even more than before.
After reading, or more like inhaling Voyeur a few months ago, I knew that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on more books from this author. However, the opportunity hadn’t presented itself to me (because of my busy schedule) until the release of The Lovers. I can’t even begin to express to you all how insanely thrilled I was to make this my second read from this incredibly talented author. Once again I found myself captivated by the storytelling and before I knew it I was reaching the very end in only a few short hours. This is hands down one of those stories that once you pick it up, you aren’t putting it down until you reach the end. Which is exactly what happened to me.
Jackson stole a piece of my heart back when I met him in Voyeur and the moment I found out that he played a rather large (and exciting) role in this story I knew that I was going to fall head over heels in LOVE with this one. Not only did I love him, but Jake and Carina as well. I couldn’t get enough of these three and yet I knew I was rooting for Jackson and Jake to get together rather quickly on but at the same time my heart beat rapidly for Jake and Carina as well. Everyone in this equation deserved their own happily ever, but only two will get it. Gosh I seriously hope that readers love this story as much as I did!
This is the second book by Fiona Cole that I have read. What I have rapidly come to realise is that Fiona creates and develops her characters and her stories in a way that is so real. So much more than I ever thought it would be. It hits so close to home for many people. This book is beautiful, raw and real. This book has it all; happy, sad, dirty and funny. Jake, Carina and Jackson are simply hot.
This wasn’t your typical MMF menage read. This book was all about finding yourself, being comfortable with who you are, being brave and following your heart. The outcome was so much more than I even expected. There was so much angst and passion and heartbreak woven into these pages that it had me completely enraptured from start to finish.
I have devoured two of Fiona Cole’s books having not read her before, and I can firmly say after finishing The Lovers she will be definitely going on my author favorites list. I love her writing style and the depth and the amount of emotions she pours into her characters bringing them to life from every single page. I loved this story and highly recommend this addictive read.
4.5 stars. I have been curious about Jackson ever since meeting him in Voyeur. There was nothing not to like about him, he was so good to Oaklyn in Voyeur as a friend that I was eager to read about his own story and how he fell in love with a guy who did not reciprocate. So this is that story from the past and moving forward into the present. Except this book is not only in Jackson’s POV, but also Carina and Jake. Jackson and Jake were the best of friends in college. Jackson was openly bisexual, with a preference towards males, whereas Jake was very much heterosexual. So when one night blurs the lines, Jackson finds himself without a best friend anymore and it crushed him, along with some other devastating events in his life. Jake, on the other hand, is now currently engaged to Carina, a longtime friend, and they work together at their fathers’ company. Jackson and Jake cross paths again through their jobs and then move into this tangled path of lovers that includes Carina. This was probably some of Fiona Cole’s best writing yet. Sure, it was super hot and steamy with all of the expectation of erotic excitement, but the story behind it was the real draw. Because here we have Jackson, whose feelings for Jake haven’t dwindled, but Jake doesn’t swing that way, or does he? Carina and Jake are a happy couple who bring Jackson into the fold of a sexual threesome, but it becomes more intimate than that and remember that saying that three’s a crowd? Where does Jackson fit into this picture and who is truly the outcast of the trio? Is it Jackson or Carina or Jake? Or can this stay as a trio? I loved getting into each of their perspectives. Of course I was rooting for Jackson the whole time, but that’s not to say that I didn’t want to see Carina or Jake happy either, because they are rather likable, too. There’s no villain in this book, each person brings a solid and strong dynamic to the story and of course someone will be pushed out at the end. But it is Jake who holds the key as to which way the story concludes and his character development is the most fascinating of them all. I couldn’t say for sure that I knew how this would go because there were so many possibilities, but ultimately, it worked out the way it should.
SUPER HOT READ!!!! This is an super hot and intense book that will have your heart racing. This kind of book may not be for everyone so please know this is a M/M/F book before reading it. If you are fine with that then you won’t be able to put this book down!
The Lovers blew me away!!!!
I was so excited to read Jackson’s story and it did not disappoint. This story was Real and Raw. I have friends that have dealt with coming to terms with their sexuality and have to work through the struggles they face everyday in a society that isn’t always accepting but rather judgmental so this definitely hit home. It was beautiful and considerately written to not offend but to show the real struggle of trying to find and accept your true self. This story was passionate and sexy all at once. Jackson, Jake and Carina were EVERYTHING together. Overall I would highly recommend giving this book a read, you’ll thank me later.
*Technically, this book isn’t part of a series, but it takes place in the same world as Voyeur. Some of the characters from that book make appearances in this book.
The Lovers features multiple POVs (Jake, Carina, and Jackson) with some flashbacks to key events when Jake and Jackson were in college. Carina and Jake have been together for 2 years and are engaged, but there seems to be some emotional distance between them. Even though they are sexually attracted to each other, their relationship seems to be based more in friendship than anything else. Jake and Jackson were best friends in college but had drifted apart and haven’t seen each other in several years. Through a series of events, Carina and Jake decide to have a ménage with Jackson which develops into a polyamorous (a triad or threesome) relationship. The sex scenes are hot! I think the author did a fantastic job of portraying a lot of the issues that can develop when 3 people are engaged in a sexual relationship. I felt anxious about what was going to happen between Carina, Jake, and Jackson. Eventually stronger feelings develop between Jake and Jackson. There are some scenes between Jake and Jackson that could be construed as cheating because Carina wasn’t present. I did get frustrated with the characters at times because I thought they should have been able to talk to each other about their feelings and should have been honest when things started changing between them. With these types of relationships, I feel like honesty between all parties is one of the most important requirements in order for them to be able to make the relationship work. But, of course, their inability to talk about their feelings leads to conflict and heartache. I got really frustrated with Jake at times. I realize that he struggled the most with his sexuality (he frequently says “I’m not gay.”) and his feelings for Jackson. I wanted to yell at him to just accept what he was feeling and stop worrying about what anyone else would think of him or what labels people may try to place on him. There were also times that I felt frustrated with Carina and Jackson, but I won’t go into more detail because it could be somewhat spoilery. My frustration is not a negative thing, but just shows how well the author told the story. The Lovers does have a HEA, in a way, but the ending is also bittersweet. Overall, I really liked this book and was really impressed with how well the author told Carina’s, Jake’s, and Jackson’s story. I look forward to reading more of Fiona’s work in the future.
There is so much to say about this book that I barely know where to start. The writing was fantastic. Within the first few chapters, I was emotionally invested in each character’s happiness like it was my own. But, as the story progressed, my allegiances actually shifted as the characters’ deeper truths were revealed. I didn’t always like what their decisions were or where their hearts lead them, but in the end I felt as though everyone was exactly where they needed to be. It was romantic at times, angsty at times, and downright heartbreaking at times, but in the end, true love really did prevail.
On top of the emotional rollercoaster that it offered, I’d rate this book at over 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units on the chili pepper scale. Set your oscillating fan to high and get a bucket of ice water ready. It was flirty and erotic and sensual and dirty and oh so sexy.
I highly recommend this book – just be prepared to have an open mind about the expectations for your typical HEA. There is nothing ‘typical’ about this book and that’s partly why it’s so damn good.
A rollercoaster ride with my emotions, but I would definitely get back on and read it all over again.
Can’t wait to read more books Fiona Cole!
This book was really good to read. It was defintely different then what I originally thought it was going to be going into it. I really enjoyed reading it though. It had so many different twists and turns and literally had me on the edge the whole time. I didn’t know what was going to happen between the main characters the whole time. I didn’t know who was going to end up with who, or if they were going to all end up together or what. The chemistry in the book was seriously HOT OMG! I loved the fact that she tied this book into her other book and that they went to visit the club Voyuer, I thought that was really cool.
A love triangle story full with emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
************WARNING**********
This review has some bad language and blasphemy. So, if that’s not your jam, then please don’t read any further ************
I went back and forth a lot about whether I should bother reading this book, as I’m not a fan of M/M books. This book, however, changed my mind. No, scratch that… it blew my fucking mind!
The easiest description of the plot would say:
In the beginning it was about a man and woman wanting to try something new in the bedroom. Enter man #2. And sweet baby Jesus, was it deliciously naughty. The sex, holy shit, it was addicting to read – I had to know what they would do next! But, it was so much more than that.
The history between the characters created a suspenseful and emotional story. And what amazing, complicated characters they were. Mwah I loved them, so hard.
I figured out pretty early on how the story was basically going to progress but the way in which it was written was bloody perfection. I felt the love, the passion and the heartache. I could feel the uncertainties and reservations, the betrayal and hope. It was fucking intense and I adored it.
First time reader of this author, but I can safely say I will be reading more of her work.
Fiona Cole
The Lovers was hot as hell but more importantly it had a story to tell. I don’t believe in labels when it comes to sexuality. Jackson and Jake have history but what happened between them back then scared Jake off. Now Jake is struggling with his attraction to Jackson and the expectations from his parents and people around him. Jackson knows what he wants. Jake.
The chemistry between Jake, Carina and Jackson was fabulous. I enjoyed the struggle the three of them had to go through. They all had their own battle to fight and hurting one another was inevitable. Jackson’s brother Andrew was a wonderful addition to the story and the epilogue had a fabulous cameo of some of the other characters from Voyeur universe. What a way to end The Lovers.
4 Truth or Dare Stars
Lord, oh lord. Fiona Cole slayed me. Set me in fire with how hot this book was and broke my heart and mended it all in one story! It is utterly fantastic!
The tale of Jackson, Carina, and Jake is just too much. Readers will love them. There is nothing to hate, and yet, readers will know where this is going. They will see the signs just like the characters do, and it hurts, even when it is the inevitable end. The crux of it all is Jake, and my heart broke for him, but because of him we get some of the best parts of the book.
Through Jake and other characters, Fiona Cole relays themes that we so desperately needed shouted into the world. Jake and Jackson and Carina exhibit that sexual orientation can’t be easily defined and why does it need to be. Why can’t a person just be attracted to someone’s soul and heart? The sexual liberation of her characters opens that world to know it is okay to desire what you desire. It doesn’t lessen your love or your relationship or your worth. These characters are brave and put who they are out until the world, not because they don’t care what others think but because their happiness and their love is worth more than the hate, and that is a beautiful thing.
Fiona Cole owns this reader heart. Her writing is impeccable, her romances dirty and filled to the brim with emotion and love, and her captivate me mind, body and soul. I will one-click anything she writes.
Captivating, filthy and dripping with passion, Fiona Cole delivers another seductive story of love! I totally lost myself into the world of the lovers.I highly recommend going in blind,if you want to get the best experience out of it! 😉
Wow I loved this story. It packed a one-two punch…hot and emotional! This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it was a great opener. I loved the story, the characters and the feels that they both gave me. The Lovers was a well-written story that I will be recommending to my friends.
This is the first book I’ve read by Fiona Cole and OMG, I’m so glad I found her. The storyline is one that is so relatable with characters that you will completely fall in love with, no villains here. There were parts that made me laugh and then there were parts they brought a tear, but the emotional rollercoaster these three people go through is so moving, it makes you wish they were real and part of your world. I’m thrilled to have found a new author with such talent and congratulations Fiona Cole on a 5 star review.
In classic Fiona Cole style this story is fraught with All The Feels! Her books completely consume from the first page to the last and leave you begging for more. Jackson’s story managed to be everything I expected and yet somehow So Much More. Even if you don’t think MMF is your jam, baby girl, grab some toast and prepare for a sexy, scrumptious surprise!
Loving the Cards of Love series!!!! I haven’t read Voyeur yet but I definitely will soon. I enjoyed these characters, I’m hoping there’s more to come.