Tabs’ review of Writing Her In (Plot Twist, Book 1) by Holley Trent
Erotic Romance published by Carina Press 11 Mar 19
I am an absolute sucker for a good ffm poly romance and whooo boy does this hit the mark with two complex and extremely compelling heroines and one supportive and endearing hero along for the ride.
Cranky mystery author Stacia Leonard is on a business trip in LA, when the cover model for her series slides into her DMs with an invitation to meet up for a drink and a photo op. She would much rather hit the hay than socialize, but her publicist would never let her live it down and she’s intrigued enough to say yes. Adrien and his wife Dara are not what she expected, and when they throw an intriguing proposition her way, she can’t resist.
Stacia is a successful business woman who does what she wants and answers to few. She’s also nursing a fair amount of baggage from past relationships with men who continuously tried to diminish her. A one-time sexual encounter with a married man with his spouse’s express permission isn’t something she does every day, but she’s game. The sexual attraction that develops between Stacia and Dara is something no one saw coming. Emotional entanglements of any kind are not on Stacia’s agenda and entering into a romance with a committed pair is a sure way to be left on the outside when the dust settles.
Dara Valliere has loved her husband deeply since they were high school sweethearts, but she doesn’t believe that sexual attraction is something she’s capable of. Opening their marriage up is something the Vallieres discussed at length, but neither of them could have predicted the changes Stacia would bring to their lives. Dara struggles with independence and overcoming anxiety, but watching her come into her power and refuse to allow her loved ones to make decisions for her without her input is down right exhilarating.
This is a very heroine-centric poly romance and I have jokingly referred to it a few times as “f/f with a side of dick.” Adrien may not be the focus of the book, but he is a supportive partner who wants the best for his wife and for his lover, and he’s a refreshing alternative to overbearing asshat men.
I thoroughly loved watching Stacia and Dara and Adrien navigate their problems and fall in love and I can’t recommend this book enough. I feel like menage romances tend to either lean hard into the sex or lean hard into the angst, but this book had the perfect balance of weightiness, eroticism, romance, and affection. I can’t wait to read more in this vein from Holley Trent. In the meantime, I’ll just have to keep swan-diving in her extensive backlist of paranormals, sci-fi romances, contemporaries, and erotic romances. Come on in, folks, the water’s fine.
Grade: A
Summary:
There’s room in a heart for more than one kind of love.
Dara and Adrien Valliere are soul mates and best friends…but they’re not lovers. Their marriage may be unconventional, but it’s satisfying and loving, and they’ve never needed anything or anyone else.
Until they met writer Stacia Leonard.
Stacia built a career on maintaining close ties with her fictional characters while keeping everyone else at arm’s length. She avoids intimacy, apart from a few one-night stands when the loneliness and need become too much. But when Adrien Valliere, her cover model and long-distance friend, invites her for drinks, she’s too fascinated to refuse.
Dara recognizes the physical attraction between her husband and Stacia and sees it for what it is: an opportunity to help Adrien get what he needs. Dara can breathe easy knowing that both she and her husband are happy.
Before long, though, it’s clear that Stacia’s connection isn’t just with Adrien… She and Dara have something special, and it’s something neither of them can—or want to—deny.
No excerpt available.
