Honey Red
by Liz Crowe
Two men suffering from visible and invisible wounds meet by chance circumstance. Nick Traynor and Ian Donovan spend a lot of time and effort keeping it very hot, only physical, and purely superficial. But when their resolve starts to slip, a woman is tossed into their midst.
Hannah Williams wants nothing more than to do her job until something better comes along, but is forced to own up to her visceral reaction to Ian, her new boss, and later to Nick, his sometimes lover. Lust has a funny way of turning into companionship, and eventually evolving into a deeper connection. Faced with the internal and external complications of their potential three-way relationship, they begin to heal and trust, to consider that it might work. Then life tosses them a hardball, forcing them back into their respective corners, where each must choose what is most important. Three people determined not to commit, thrown together by fate and undeniable attraction--their nights heat up and emotions run high in spite of a claimed mutual desire to "keep it simple." In the process of honest self-discovery, can they learn that while love is never simple, it is definitely worth fighting for?
Ian Donovan is very clear that he’s bisexual. Nick Traynor is very clear that he is gay. Hannah Williams is very clear that she’s heterosexual. So how did the three of these people end up in one relationship?
I’m now a diehard fan of Liz Crowe. She has the unique ability to create interesting and compelling characters and then have them be in the most complex and extraordinary situations and keep her readers conflicted about them and the things they do. This story is no different as both Ian and Nick have some pretty serious damage in their background and Hannah’s life hasn’t been all sweetness and light. But, there are varying degrees of dysfunction and Hannah, being the most level-headed, is the one that binds the relationship together, for better or for worse. And, Nick is the one that ultimately wants Hannah as part of his and Ian’s life.
All three are extremely appealing and the romance is at times painful but always, always sensual and heartfelt. Needless to say, the steam meter exploded and the erotic scenes are hot and wonderfully done. I was so drawn into each of them I was reluctant to let them go.
The beginning of the story had me worried for a time as it doesn’t seem to connect with the heart of the story, at least initially. It all begins to make sense pretty quickly and then I was hooked. I still can’t decide which is my favorite character as they all have their individual appeal.
If you like conflict in your romance, really hot and erotic scenery and a well-told story, you should add this book to your shelf. It is definitely going to be a re-read for me.
(I was provided an ARC from the publisher)
