Kris Ripper

Funny and sweet, perfect ending to the series. Only Kris Ripper could make me appreciate a HEA that involves polyamory. And the Motherf*ckers (the friend group including the MCs from books #1 and #2) continue to be delightfully supportive and annoying in equal measure.

Before you start reading, have your favorite brand of tissues handy. Also: usually SU novels go quickly for me, but I had to take a lot of breaks while reading this one. CW: miscarriage, grief. But it is devastatingly good.

Ripper doesn't shy away from the emotional trauma loss causes. Over the past sixteen (?) books we've seen Becs and Ads but usually from a distance. This is a deep dive into their worst experience and how each of them reacts, resists, and slowly return, changed. It is by show more far the most emotionally loaded novel I've ever read, about how badly grief will twist you up. I appreciated how Ads reacts to how little help or support there is for a man whose dreams of a baby end in miscarriage.

As always in Scientific Universe stories, family is there, ready when needed. ...And I teared up again remembering the end. This is so good, so well done. Just know you may need to schedule in some recovery time. show less

Stock up on your favorite facial tissues before reading this one. I cried a lot.

This is, in case you need a Content Warning, a story about infidelity, and forgiveness. This is Truman, and Hugh, and Will, and it is not an easy tale after all this time, weathering a lie and new truths.

I am polyamorous, have been my entire romantic life (three-plus decades), and I belong to the discussion group PolyTampa (have since the late '90s) at which the topics of infidelity and forgiveness come up now show more and then, sometimes from a specific person, sometimes a group topic. The responses are varied - of course they are - but next time I attend I may bring up this series, and this book in particular, for those interested in thoughtful and cogent fiction on the topic.

Kris Ripper dealt with the subject perfectly for these characters.

More generally, and in real life: after an infidelity, if you want to not just preserve what you have, but make it better and stronger so infidelity isn't tempting, then it takes time and no little amount of patience. It requires bravery, and a good therapist is invaluable. If it isn't scary, you're not down to what needs to change yet. And change comes from ALL parties. This is the part many people miss. Also, there are people who cannot keep a promise. You either accept that, or you end that relationship. Regardless, you examine your guilt and fear, or your hurt and anger, to learn what you need to change. And then TALK about it. The mantra, the three most important "rules" of polyamory, apply to any relationship: communicate, communicate, communicate.

No one can read your mind. You have to talk. And you have to listen.

There are no shortcuts without repercussions.

This is a really good story. show less

Book Boyfriend is a relatively enjoyable slow-burn romance with a delightfully diverse cast. That said, I found myself wondering where the evidence was that PK and Art were best friends because we never get enough engagement or history between the two characters for that to feel accurate. I also found my suspension of disbelief stretched to the breaking point over PK's desperate belief that Art had figured out his feelings for them. I thought the character growth and development of show more communication skills was very well handled, but I was frustrated that everyone fully recognized that emotions and romance were difficult for PK but never suggested that maybe he should look into that. Especially when everyone kept being surprised that he knew his own feelings and had written a romance novel. show less