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astarlia's review
4.0
Always amazed by how this author takes premises that shouldn't work and makes them great. Love the relationship in this book so much
virgo_reader's review
2.0
This is a rough premise for a book - her fiancee was found shot in dead with their girlfriend. "Their" because they were in a polyamorous relationship with her.
They connect after the funerals/investigations and bond on the hurt and trauma they face from the cheating and death of their partners.
This book didn't exactly hit the right marks for me. I think the relationship between Shaw and Brook was underdeveloped, and Vaughn and Brook was too rushed. I would've liked more exploration of Shaw's commitment issues, why he wants to stay in Cape Cod instead of moving in with Vaughn, the topic of marriage, etc.
They connect after the funerals/investigations and bond on the hurt and trauma they face from the cheating and death of their partners.
This book didn't exactly hit the right marks for me. I think the relationship between Shaw and Brook was underdeveloped, and Vaughn and Brook was too rushed. I would've liked more exploration of Shaw's commitment issues, why he wants to stay in Cape Cod instead of moving in with Vaughn, the topic of marriage, etc.
indecisivesailorscout's review
5.0
Nothing but GOOD and STEAMY polyamorous rep for THIS queer polyam reader! So much of this story was close to my own experience, in good and rough ways. I felt very seen reading this (and, let's be real, had to aggressively fan myself quite a few times from their chemistry). Although the ending came a little too quickly for my personal tastes, the happy conclusion that they found together made my heart soar for them all. I hope to see myself in their shoes one day soon. <3
nickcarravay's review against another edition
4.0
I am so glad to have decided to give this series one more chance. This poly love story is anything but ordinary. Weatherspoon explores what it means to be tragedy-bound and if that is the reason Brooke, Shaw, and Vaughn are so attracted to one another.
The book deftly navigates the waters of a polyamorous partnership, how each partner can mean different things both physically and emotionally to each of the other partners. What the boundaries are and how to have open communications in any relationship.
This thruple starts out on a sexually charged note, clearly defining the Dominant and Submissive sides of their relationship. The consent and rules of play, which in the previous books was less clearly defined, is so specific and safe and comforting, making the sexual interactions intense, but very clearly exactly what everyone involved wants.
If you have never read a poly story or if you have never encountered one that made you feel seen and loved for exactly the needs you have, this is the one. It’s lovely and absolutely-pour-some-water-on-me-its-to-hot sexy.
I’ll just be over here fanning myself for the rest of the year.
The book deftly navigates the waters of a polyamorous partnership, how each partner can mean different things both physically and emotionally to each of the other partners. What the boundaries are and how to have open communications in any relationship.
This thruple starts out on a sexually charged note, clearly defining the Dominant and Submissive sides of their relationship. The consent and rules of play, which in the previous books was less clearly defined, is so specific and safe and comforting, making the sexual interactions intense, but very clearly exactly what everyone involved wants.
If you have never read a poly story or if you have never encountered one that made you feel seen and loved for exactly the needs you have, this is the one. It’s lovely and absolutely-pour-some-water-on-me-its-to-hot sexy.
I’ll just be over here fanning myself for the rest of the year.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
FEEEEEELINGS. (Brief content warning that the pre-chapter 1/off-page backstory contains cheating by romantic partners and death of romantic partners; there is also homophobia/kink-shaming on the page/related by characters' family members.)
The Beards & Bondage series concludes with an expertly-written poly/menage BDSM romance between three people brought together by the violent deaths of their romantic partners. Vaughn and Shaw lost their partner Corrine and Brooklyn lost her fiance Josh when Corrine and Josh were murdered by Corrine's stalker - while they were together romantically. Their affair was revealed during the police investigation. Vaughn, Shaw, and Brook feel an immediate connection, but Brook chooses to walk away for the time being. Over a year later, she contacts the two men, deciding that perhaps she would like to explore their connection and see if there is more in the relationship than just bonding over shared trauma.
Each book in this series turns on the trauma-bonding between the main characters but I really feel like Rebekah excelled in this book in giving each character time to explore his or her own grief and trauma and wants and needs as the relationship progressed. This novel also takes place over a considerable time period, which really let the characters feel their emotions (and for the reader to feel them, too). The BDSM scenes, while certainly explicit, are exquisitely written. Rebekah could give a masterclass in how to make a scene hotter than hot but without using awkward euphemisms. Poly romances in general are hard to me to get into because it feels like - in my head - there are too many people and emotions to keep track of. I did not have a problem in Harbor - each character's motivation and needs are very clear and they all worked together toward a beautifully satisfying emotional outcome.
The Beards & Bondage series concludes with an expertly-written poly/menage BDSM romance between three people brought together by the violent deaths of their romantic partners. Vaughn and Shaw lost their partner Corrine and Brooklyn lost her fiance Josh when Corrine and Josh were murdered by Corrine's stalker - while they were together romantically. Their affair was revealed during the police investigation. Vaughn, Shaw, and Brook feel an immediate connection, but Brook chooses to walk away for the time being. Over a year later, she contacts the two men, deciding that perhaps she would like to explore their connection and see if there is more in the relationship than just bonding over shared trauma.
Each book in this series turns on the trauma-bonding between the main characters but I really feel like Rebekah excelled in this book in giving each character time to explore his or her own grief and trauma and wants and needs as the relationship progressed. This novel also takes place over a considerable time period, which really let the characters feel their emotions (and for the reader to feel them, too). The BDSM scenes, while certainly explicit, are exquisitely written. Rebekah could give a masterclass in how to make a scene hotter than hot but without using awkward euphemisms. Poly romances in general are hard to me to get into because it feels like - in my head - there are too many people and emotions to keep track of. I did not have a problem in Harbor - each character's motivation and needs are very clear and they all worked together toward a beautifully satisfying emotional outcome.
readingwithstardust's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Almost too much communication? Really fuckin' hot. Didn't really feel the "romance" of it all though. No swoony vibes here.
ash_chooses_pikachu's review
3.0
This one was interesting. I found the concept intriguing, but the execution felt a little abrupt to me at times. It didn't feel very romancey to me overall I guess. I enjoyed it well enough, but not too much though.
scorpisoph's review
dnf-ing at 77%
man i was so excited for this book to come out on audio but I can truly not bring myself to finishing it. this is a case of „it’s not you, it’s me“ because I really enjoy RW’s writing but i feel like i like it best when it has a little more romcom-y vibes to it. with this one it’s a mix of me not at all vibing with the audiobook narrators and this actually being too smutty for my taste (even though I appreciated the open communication between the love interests). also when a 7 hour audiobook drags so much for you that you can’t finish the last 1,5 hours, i think it’s a good indicator that it’s time to dnf
man i was so excited for this book to come out on audio but I can truly not bring myself to finishing it. this is a case of „it’s not you, it’s me“ because I really enjoy RW’s writing but i feel like i like it best when it has a little more romcom-y vibes to it. with this one it’s a mix of me not at all vibing with the audiobook narrators and this actually being too smutty for my taste (even though I appreciated the open communication between the love interests). also when a 7 hour audiobook drags so much for you that you can’t finish the last 1,5 hours, i think it’s a good indicator that it’s time to dnf
bookish_notes's review
5.0
I really loved this book! Dare I say it’s my favorite in the series? This has all my favorite elements in my book. It starts off with a betrayal and murder, and then becomes a polyam romance with BDSM and some angst but everyone is really open with their feelings and expectations for one another. I really loved all the characters and loved that there’s a dog in this book as well.
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
msloan23's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0