Liviania’s review of Perfect Cadence by Nikki Soarde
Contemporary romance released 04 Jun 08 by Ellora’s Cave
A well-done m/m/f threesome is one of my favorite things and I haven’t read enough stories to lose my optimism about finding one well-done. I am also a band nerd who enjoys books about musicians. Perfect Cadence delivered the musicians but not the m/m/f threesome. The threesome scenes are mostly m/f/m.
Guitarist and singer Josh wants a relationship with his old friend and former teacher Maddie. Maddie feels an attraction to Josh, but ignores it because he’s to young for her and she has her nine-year-old son Ash to think about. But someone new has just entered Josh’s life. At auditions for a new drummer, a bold Australian strode in and proclaimed that he was the guitarist Shiver needed. Dawson Kidd does make incredible music with Josh, and they decide to write it down before they forget. One thing leads to another and the two are quickly in bed together. Josh, who earlier that day vehemently denied any possibility of being gay, goes over to Maddie’s and they resolve their unresolved sexual tension. Then a pep talk from Maddie convinces Josh to try to make a relationship with Dawson work.
A reasonable problem in threesome stories is why a gay couple suddenly decides they desperately need a woman. I bought it on Josh’s part since his and Maddie’s relationship had history. The problem with Perfect Cadence is how quickly the characters moved past their inhibitions. Josh gets over having sex with another man in less than twenty-four hours. It moves the plot along, but it’s utterly unrealistic for the average American guy. Maddie is given an explanation for why she’s suddenly willing to sleep with Josh, but I don’t buy it. Part of her reason for waiting was the effect on her son Ash if their relationship ended. I did not understand why that suddenly became not a factor, nor why she was willing to have loud, messy threesome sex and have those two men in the kitchen next morning with him in the house. I cannot really say anything for Dawson because his character was pretty much limited to good-looking, likes music and kids.
Actually, Ash was also a problem. Soarde seems to have little experience with real kids. I could not get a handle on his age until the narration specified that he was nine. No self-respecting nine-year-old would let an adult get away with calling him a “tyke.” I kept thinking he was about four or five until he would need to do his homework or Maddie would reminisce about catching him smoking.
I thought Perfect Cadence was okay, but I couldn’t get into it because of the two mentioned problems. They pulled me out of the story’s rhythm and made me analyze what I was reading rather than allowing me to follow the words’ flow. I also felt a bit of lingering resentment that I thought I was getting a m/m/f and I got a m/f/m instead. It wasn’t terrible, but I won’t be reading it again.
Grade: C-
There’s only one thing Josh Morell loves more than his music—Maddie Paige. Maddie began as his piano teacher, but soon grew to be his friend—his best friend. But because of Maddie’s insistence that they remain only friends he has had to content himself with expressing his passions through the chords and riffs of his guitar, and pursuing his dream of leading his rock band to fame and fortune. Oh, Josh has dated, but no woman has ever come close to making him feel the way Maddie does and, inevitably, his relationships end in failure.
And then Dawson Kidd strides into his life. Tall and lean, with a down under accent and a dramatic flare for rock and roll, Dawson cajoles his way into Josh’s band—and his bed. Confused and frightened by his feelings for Dawson, Josh runs to Maddie for comfort and support. But Maddie is struggling with her own demons and her reaction to his news is unexpected—and passionate.
Suddenly Josh finds himself faced with a new and agonizing dilemma. Where once he had no lovers, suddenly he has two and he must decide between them. Or must he?
