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Maths #2
One Plus One
James Cape has been in love with his mother’s best friend Laurie since James was sixteen and Laurie an inaccessible twenty-six. When he’s turned down flat by the older man just after his nineteenth birthday, James’s best friend Al encourages him to forget Laurie and find someone else. And James tries, he really does. But can he cope with his feelings for Laurie, his best friend’s home-life problems, and the deteriorating health of his father, all at the same time? And will Laurie ever notice the young man who’s right in front of him?
- GenresM M Romance
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2017
25 people want to read
About the author
P.A. Friday
9 books4 followersP.A. Friday lives in the UK with one partner, one child, and one cat and has a creeping paranoia that she is obsessed with the number one. The only time when "one" cannot be used to describe her, however, is in her writing: she fails dismally to write one sort of thing and, when not writing erotic romance of all sexualities, may be found writing articles on disability, pagan poetry, or science fiction. She loves wine and red peppers, and loathes coffee and mushrooms.
Visit Penelope's blog at http://www.t5m.com/penelope-friday and her web site is http://penelopefriday.viviti.com. She tweets at penelopefriday and has a Facebook account. You can contact her at penfriday@gmail.com.
Visit Penelope's blog at http://www.t5m.com/penelope-friday and her web site is http://penelopefriday.viviti.com. She tweets at penelopefriday and has a Facebook account. You can contact her at penfriday@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 23, 2017
*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶Have you ever had a crush?
This is book two of the Maths series, but can clearly be read out of order. It reads as a prequel to Love Plus One, reintroducing readers to James, his best friend Al and his mother's best friend Laurie.
Having not read book one, spanks all around, I am in a way glad as it gives me an excitement to discover these guys now that their relationship have been established. And it was not an easy one to begin with. Told over several years, James was the voice of this story, taking the readers on a journey of his life and love as he tries to get over his unrequited love for the much older Laurie. The one man he had wanted since he was sixteen and who had decided that theirs was not one for the books.
In order to "get over" Laurie, James soon found himself in a sort of friends with benefits relationship with Al, that was just too perfect. Best friends forever, these two could do and say anything and come out better on the other side. I loved Al, and even knowing about his homelife, you just want to love and hold him.
Though Laurie upset me, because the attraction to James was so obvious, I can understand the author's hesitance. Besides the age difference, there was the "your mother is my best friend " aspect and how awkward that must have felt for him. I was rooting for the best however. Touching on death and laughter, pain and sorrow, these men knew what was ahead and pushed for what they wanted. An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from NineStar Press.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶Have you ever had a crush?
This is book two of the Maths series, but can clearly be read out of order. It reads as a prequel to Love Plus One, reintroducing readers to James, his best friend Al and his mother's best friend Laurie.
Having not read book one, spanks all around, I am in a way glad as it gives me an excitement to discover these guys now that their relationship have been established. And it was not an easy one to begin with. Told over several years, James was the voice of this story, taking the readers on a journey of his life and love as he tries to get over his unrequited love for the much older Laurie. The one man he had wanted since he was sixteen and who had decided that theirs was not one for the books.
In order to "get over" Laurie, James soon found himself in a sort of friends with benefits relationship with Al, that was just too perfect. Best friends forever, these two could do and say anything and come out better on the other side. I loved Al, and even knowing about his homelife, you just want to love and hold him.
Though Laurie upset me, because the attraction to James was so obvious, I can understand the author's hesitance. Besides the age difference, there was the "your mother is my best friend " aspect and how awkward that must have felt for him. I was rooting for the best however. Touching on death and laughter, pain and sorrow, these men knew what was ahead and pushed for what they wanted. An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from NineStar Press.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
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October 26, 2017 4 Hearts
Wow. This book has a lot of emotion in it that I wasn’t prepared for. Honestly, when I looked at the blurb I didn’t realize it was the second book in the series and that it deals with the past that becomes the present in Love Plus One. Being of an organized mind when it comes to reading, I am happy that I have read this series out of order because knowing the context of the first book I needed to know how Al becomes a frequent third for Laurie and James.
Told in the POV of James Cape, we meet him as a young teen who has a crush on his mother’s best friend Laurie. Laurie and Gillie, James’ mom, meet through classes and though they have an age difference it doesn’t hinder their friendship at all. Laurie becomes a constant at the Cape home being a friend to Gillie and James’ father Terry. Laurie is ten years older than James and is quite frankly the guy who helped James realize that he’s gay and James crushes hard on Laurie. The crush and his sexuality are kept quiet with only James’ best friend, since age 10, Al knowing the truth. Al teases James about his crush but being the ultimate best friend, commiserates with James on the unrequited love and faithfully treats Laurie with disdain when James is hurt.
When James officially becomes an adult and Laurie is finally single, James decides to lay his love on the line with the truth and lays a kiss on Laurie. Ugh. Laurie rejects James with the classics “this isn’t right” and “you’re young” and “our age difference” and “I’m the only gay guy you know so…” and “you need to experiment at uni” bullshit so James takes off to school and tries to sow his wild oats. That doesn’t work for James who consistently wants Laurie to want him back and makes a decision that if he does hook up he will only top, saving himself for Laurie.
Years pass at Uni with James having a few flings but no one compares to Laurie and seeing Laurie at home over the summers doesn’t help the infatuation. When James confesses his sexual frustration to Al – who is openly bisexual – James is offered a no strings sexual relationship with Al. At first this seemed odd to me with how close they are (Gillie refers to Al as her other son) but Al’s offer is so real to their friendship, I agreed right along with James to move forward.
I know this book is supposed to be about James and Laurie and how they will come to be an established couple in Love Plus One but let me tell you, James and Al together are hot. Goodness. There was more than one time I totally forgot about Laurie and the hopeless romantic in me wanting declarations falling from the mouths of these two best friends but it doesn’t happen. James and Al really are best friends who just happen to have passionate and off the charts hot sex together but keep everything else in the friend zone. They need and use one another without jealousy and honestly, it was quite beautiful to see.
So, when it comes times for more James pining for Laurie and Laurie keeping him at arm’s length, I was glad that James always had Al for whatever he needed. But that end? That admission from Laurie to Gillie about fantasizing about fucking her son and the swoon worthy moments that follow and then the intimacy? Yeah, this was a slow burn for sure between James and Laurie with a side of Al to be there for mutual, moral and sexual support.
Now, I am needy for Love Plus Oneand thank goodness it’s already out seeing how again, I read this series out of order. I hope we get to learn how Al becomes a third and how Laurie dealt with learning that Al and James had been fucking throughout the years Laurie was in love with James but trying to do the right thing.
Wow. This book has a lot of emotion in it that I wasn’t prepared for. Honestly, when I looked at the blurb I didn’t realize it was the second book in the series and that it deals with the past that becomes the present in Love Plus One. Being of an organized mind when it comes to reading, I am happy that I have read this series out of order because knowing the context of the first book I needed to know how Al becomes a frequent third for Laurie and James.
Told in the POV of James Cape, we meet him as a young teen who has a crush on his mother’s best friend Laurie. Laurie and Gillie, James’ mom, meet through classes and though they have an age difference it doesn’t hinder their friendship at all. Laurie becomes a constant at the Cape home being a friend to Gillie and James’ father Terry. Laurie is ten years older than James and is quite frankly the guy who helped James realize that he’s gay and James crushes hard on Laurie. The crush and his sexuality are kept quiet with only James’ best friend, since age 10, Al knowing the truth. Al teases James about his crush but being the ultimate best friend, commiserates with James on the unrequited love and faithfully treats Laurie with disdain when James is hurt.
When James officially becomes an adult and Laurie is finally single, James decides to lay his love on the line with the truth and lays a kiss on Laurie. Ugh. Laurie rejects James with the classics “this isn’t right” and “you’re young” and “our age difference” and “I’m the only gay guy you know so…” and “you need to experiment at uni” bullshit so James takes off to school and tries to sow his wild oats. That doesn’t work for James who consistently wants Laurie to want him back and makes a decision that if he does hook up he will only top, saving himself for Laurie.
Years pass at Uni with James having a few flings but no one compares to Laurie and seeing Laurie at home over the summers doesn’t help the infatuation. When James confesses his sexual frustration to Al – who is openly bisexual – James is offered a no strings sexual relationship with Al. At first this seemed odd to me with how close they are (Gillie refers to Al as her other son) but Al’s offer is so real to their friendship, I agreed right along with James to move forward.
I know this book is supposed to be about James and Laurie and how they will come to be an established couple in Love Plus One but let me tell you, James and Al together are hot. Goodness. There was more than one time I totally forgot about Laurie and the hopeless romantic in me wanting declarations falling from the mouths of these two best friends but it doesn’t happen. James and Al really are best friends who just happen to have passionate and off the charts hot sex together but keep everything else in the friend zone. They need and use one another without jealousy and honestly, it was quite beautiful to see.
So, when it comes times for more James pining for Laurie and Laurie keeping him at arm’s length, I was glad that James always had Al for whatever he needed. But that end? That admission from Laurie to Gillie about fantasizing about fucking her son and the swoon worthy moments that follow and then the intimacy? Yeah, this was a slow burn for sure between James and Laurie with a side of Al to be there for mutual, moral and sexual support.
Now, I am needy for Love Plus Oneand thank goodness it’s already out seeing how again, I read this series out of order. I hope we get to learn how Al becomes a third and how Laurie dealt with learning that Al and James had been fucking throughout the years Laurie was in love with James but trying to do the right thing.
July 15, 2017
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 stars
P.A. Friday is a new-to-me author. This is the second in its series, & can easily be read as a standalone. However, I'd like to go back and read book one eventually, & I'm curious to read the next installment.
One Plus One was written in more of a storytelling fashion, more memoir than novel. For nearly two hundred pages, the reader is immersed in James' quest to snag his mother's best friend.
Spanning many years, passages are told, not shown, & not in a linear timeline with a fluid flow of scenes.
Not that this is a bad thing (it's up to reader preference). I enjoyed the novel, James' sexual exploration, & the character building dealing with grief.
However, without releasing spoilers, I felt who James ended up with was the wrong guy. There was a lot to build on to go in an unexpected direction, as all relationship building was strong for one character & not until the final pages for another. This left me muttering, "well, dang!" Not unexpected, but not what I wanted either, leaving me with insta-love in the final chapter, no relationship building, & feeling pained for another character.
With that being said, I enjoyed One Plus One, would recommend to those who enjoy a storytelling writing style, and look forward to more.
Edit after reading book 1's blurb: I'm not sure which would be better for the reader. I'm almost happy I read it out of order, & will be downloading book 1 asap. I almost think reading 2, then 1 would make for a better payoff, but I'm a weirdo reader.
4 stars
P.A. Friday is a new-to-me author. This is the second in its series, & can easily be read as a standalone. However, I'd like to go back and read book one eventually, & I'm curious to read the next installment.
One Plus One was written in more of a storytelling fashion, more memoir than novel. For nearly two hundred pages, the reader is immersed in James' quest to snag his mother's best friend.
Spanning many years, passages are told, not shown, & not in a linear timeline with a fluid flow of scenes.
Not that this is a bad thing (it's up to reader preference). I enjoyed the novel, James' sexual exploration, & the character building dealing with grief.
However, without releasing spoilers, I felt who James ended up with was the wrong guy. There was a lot to build on to go in an unexpected direction, as all relationship building was strong for one character & not until the final pages for another. This left me muttering, "well, dang!" Not unexpected, but not what I wanted either, leaving me with insta-love in the final chapter, no relationship building, & feeling pained for another character.
With that being said, I enjoyed One Plus One, would recommend to those who enjoy a storytelling writing style, and look forward to more.
Edit after reading book 1's blurb: I'm not sure which would be better for the reader. I'm almost happy I read it out of order, & will be downloading book 1 asap. I almost think reading 2, then 1 would make for a better payoff, but I'm a weirdo reader.
August 15, 2017
Reviewed by Jenn for Diverse Reader
***********************************************
One Plus One is book two in the Maths series, but it actually reads as a prequel to book one. We're with James, Al and Laurie from James and Al's teenage years. I really enjoyed seeing this story from this perspective.
We meet James Cape and his best friend Al at age 16. James has just realized he is in love with his mother's best friend, Laurie. Laurie is 26 has has just brought his boyfriend over for a visit. James is horribly jealous and Al knows it. Al confronts James about his feelings for Laurie and the fact that James is gay. James and Al have been best friends since they were 10 years old. Al is a great support to James and is treated as a second son in the Cape family.
As some years pass, James's feelings for Laurie only grow. At 19, he confesses his love to Laurie and kisses him. Laurie turns him down flat and James is heartbroken.
As always, Al is there. Al has so many problems with his parents that the Cape family has truly become his only family. As the years go by, James has two constants in his life, Al and his love for Laurie. When the family suffers a loss, they all pull together for each other. James has Al and his mom, but always wonders if he'll ever have Laurie. Will Laurie ever see him as a man?
I had read and really loved book one of this series. I loved going back, I find that I love these characters even more now. I found this to be a 5 star read, it also has me going back for a reread of book one. I'm so glad P.A. Friday took readers back to the beginning.
***********************************************
One Plus One is book two in the Maths series, but it actually reads as a prequel to book one. We're with James, Al and Laurie from James and Al's teenage years. I really enjoyed seeing this story from this perspective.
We meet James Cape and his best friend Al at age 16. James has just realized he is in love with his mother's best friend, Laurie. Laurie is 26 has has just brought his boyfriend over for a visit. James is horribly jealous and Al knows it. Al confronts James about his feelings for Laurie and the fact that James is gay. James and Al have been best friends since they were 10 years old. Al is a great support to James and is treated as a second son in the Cape family.
As some years pass, James's feelings for Laurie only grow. At 19, he confesses his love to Laurie and kisses him. Laurie turns him down flat and James is heartbroken.
As always, Al is there. Al has so many problems with his parents that the Cape family has truly become his only family. As the years go by, James has two constants in his life, Al and his love for Laurie. When the family suffers a loss, they all pull together for each other. James has Al and his mom, but always wonders if he'll ever have Laurie. Will Laurie ever see him as a man?
I had read and really loved book one of this series. I loved going back, I find that I love these characters even more now. I found this to be a 5 star read, it also has me going back for a reread of book one. I'm so glad P.A. Friday took readers back to the beginning.
January 28, 2019
An excellent story, but I'm not sure if I'll be reading the other two stories in the series...although now that I know Al, maybe the "with you but not exclusively" might not bother me. Maybe.
July 31, 2017
One Plus One takes the brother’s best friend trope to somewhere different…like, to mother’s best friend instead. And no, that’s not as odd as it might sound. Yes, there’s an age gap, but it’s only ten years and James’ mother was young when she had him so don’t let the age differences throw you off. What you will find though is a lot of frustration and pining, enough to fill at least three-quarters of the book…so if you’re a fan of extremely slow burn, unresolved sexual and other tension, then this book will be just what you’re looking for.
To fall for someone and just KNOW they’re the one, but then never have that feeling returned…and then get turned down not just once, but twice at different times of your life by that same someone…poor James, I just felt so bad for him. He’s a sweet guy, not one for a one-night stand and just cannot change how he feels no matter who he tries to date or how much time passes. Laurie just does not show any interest at all, seeming to only see James like a little brother.
I LOVED James’ best friend Al. He’s supportive of James, and not just in a “I’m here for you” way. While fulfilling a physical need for them both, Al is a shoulder to lean on for James throughout James’ pursuit of Laurie.
I’ll admit, the length of time that James’ unrequited love for Laurie goes on was a bit frustrating to me as a reader. I was half expecting that everything for them would never come to pass, and that there might be a surprise instead with Al. But that did keep me on my toes, particularly near the end of the story.
This is the second book of the series, and could easily be read as a standalone…though after reading the blurb for the first book, I’m definitely going back to read that one since Al is involved. As for One Plus One, this story is getting 4 stars from me…and I’d recommend it fans of M/M romance who like the so-and-so’s best friend and best friends with benefits themes. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content (very HOT content indeed!).
To fall for someone and just KNOW they’re the one, but then never have that feeling returned…and then get turned down not just once, but twice at different times of your life by that same someone…poor James, I just felt so bad for him. He’s a sweet guy, not one for a one-night stand and just cannot change how he feels no matter who he tries to date or how much time passes. Laurie just does not show any interest at all, seeming to only see James like a little brother.
I LOVED James’ best friend Al. He’s supportive of James, and not just in a “I’m here for you” way. While fulfilling a physical need for them both, Al is a shoulder to lean on for James throughout James’ pursuit of Laurie.
I’ll admit, the length of time that James’ unrequited love for Laurie goes on was a bit frustrating to me as a reader. I was half expecting that everything for them would never come to pass, and that there might be a surprise instead with Al. But that did keep me on my toes, particularly near the end of the story.
This is the second book of the series, and could easily be read as a standalone…though after reading the blurb for the first book, I’m definitely going back to read that one since Al is involved. As for One Plus One, this story is getting 4 stars from me…and I’d recommend it fans of M/M romance who like the so-and-so’s best friend and best friends with benefits themes. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content (very HOT content indeed!).
July 31, 2017
3.75 Stars...
James realized that he was infatuated with his mother's younger, gay, friend Laurie when he was just 16. It's a one-sided affair as Laurie is ten years older than James. James pines for Laurie, confessing his deep attraction to his stoic bestie, Al, a schoolmate who came out as bi early in life. Al is not perturbed, yet encourages James to find a better outlet for his affection--especially as Laurie has a serious boyfriend at the time.
We fast forward a couple of years, and James still swoons for Laurie. The boyfriend is long-gone, and James is about to leave for uni when he makes an ill-advised attempt to capture Laurie for his very own. It's a disaster, and James leaves for school heartbroken and determined to find a replacement for Laurie.
This pattern continues for the next few years. James does find partners, but he's not emotionally able to casually hook-up with people the way Al can. James and Al are each other's rock however, as James deals with his unrequited love, his father's worsening MS and Al's absentee parents. There's a lot of great emotion here, and I half-hoped that James and Al would turn their friendship-love into a true one--because they share nearly everything already, except their hearts.
As James' father's health deteriorates, James sees Laurie in their home more and more frequently--he's moved in temporarily to assist James' parents with his care. It's a critical time and James is really suffering. I'm not going to chat more about the plot, but the happy ending came at the very tail end of the book.
For me, this wasn't much of a romance. James is a good kid with a bad crush, and he makes decisions that didn't bring me into his love for Laurie. He's biding his time, mostly, and the sex that happens isn't romantic. It honestly messed with me because I nearly thought the story would end quite differently to the expectations, because of the intimacy he was sharing with another person. It left me feeling a little confused, though I still liked all the characters. I think there could have been a little more foreshadowing of the big revelation, which seemed to appear out of sheer hope and wet dreams. I still liked James and got interested in his life--and Al was a great foil to James--so I enjoyed the book. In all, this was an interesting read, but, because the romance factor was really low, I didn't really love it the way I had expected to.
James realized that he was infatuated with his mother's younger, gay, friend Laurie when he was just 16. It's a one-sided affair as Laurie is ten years older than James. James pines for Laurie, confessing his deep attraction to his stoic bestie, Al, a schoolmate who came out as bi early in life. Al is not perturbed, yet encourages James to find a better outlet for his affection--especially as Laurie has a serious boyfriend at the time.
We fast forward a couple of years, and James still swoons for Laurie. The boyfriend is long-gone, and James is about to leave for uni when he makes an ill-advised attempt to capture Laurie for his very own. It's a disaster, and James leaves for school heartbroken and determined to find a replacement for Laurie.
This pattern continues for the next few years. James does find partners, but he's not emotionally able to casually hook-up with people the way Al can. James and Al are each other's rock however, as James deals with his unrequited love, his father's worsening MS and Al's absentee parents. There's a lot of great emotion here, and I half-hoped that James and Al would turn their friendship-love into a true one--because they share nearly everything already, except their hearts.
As James' father's health deteriorates, James sees Laurie in their home more and more frequently--he's moved in temporarily to assist James' parents with his care. It's a critical time and James is really suffering. I'm not going to chat more about the plot, but the happy ending came at the very tail end of the book.
For me, this wasn't much of a romance. James is a good kid with a bad crush, and he makes decisions that didn't bring me into his love for Laurie. He's biding his time, mostly, and the sex that happens isn't romantic. It honestly messed with me because I nearly thought the story would end quite differently to the expectations, because of the intimacy he was sharing with another person. It left me feeling a little confused, though I still liked all the characters. I think there could have been a little more foreshadowing of the big revelation, which seemed to appear out of sheer hope and wet dreams. I still liked James and got interested in his life--and Al was a great foil to James--so I enjoyed the book. In all, this was an interesting read, but, because the romance factor was really low, I didn't really love it the way I had expected to.
July 31, 2017
I enjoyed this book.
One Plus One is the first book I've read by P.A. Friday; it's book 2 in the Maths series. I found out after I read this that it actually takes place before book 1, Love Plus One. Both stories are about Laurie and James but James' best friend, Al, figures heavily in both books. (I have not read the first book.)
I don't feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book. Since One Plus One is about how Laurie and James got together I think I might actually like it better that I started with this one. I enjoyed it enough that I'd like to read Love Plus One to find out more about where their relationship goes.
James has been in love with his mother's best friend, Laurie since he was a teenager. Laurie is much older than James and he rebuffs James when he professes his love. Since this is book 2, I'm not giving anything away to say that James and Laurie eventually get together. What's interesting about this story is how James handles himself in the years between when Laurie rebuffs his advances and when they finally do get together.
James best friend, Al, doesn't like how James is pining after Laurie; he thinks James needs to forget him and get on with his life and find someone else to have a relationship with.
I enjoyed this book a lot and will read more by this new-to-me author.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
One Plus One is the first book I've read by P.A. Friday; it's book 2 in the Maths series. I found out after I read this that it actually takes place before book 1, Love Plus One. Both stories are about Laurie and James but James' best friend, Al, figures heavily in both books. (I have not read the first book.)
I don't feel like I missed anything by not reading the first book. Since One Plus One is about how Laurie and James got together I think I might actually like it better that I started with this one. I enjoyed it enough that I'd like to read Love Plus One to find out more about where their relationship goes.
James has been in love with his mother's best friend, Laurie since he was a teenager. Laurie is much older than James and he rebuffs James when he professes his love. Since this is book 2, I'm not giving anything away to say that James and Laurie eventually get together. What's interesting about this story is how James handles himself in the years between when Laurie rebuffs his advances and when they finally do get together.
James best friend, Al, doesn't like how James is pining after Laurie; he thinks James needs to forget him and get on with his life and find someone else to have a relationship with.
I enjoyed this book a lot and will read more by this new-to-me author.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
April 5, 2019
P. A. Friday’s Maths series is a delightful exploration of a polyamorous love story between three men.
In the first book, Love Plus One, we are introduced to couple Laurie and James and their best friend/sometimes shared lover Al. Outside of Al, Laurie and James are happily monogamous. Al, on the other hand, happily enjoys sex with many lovers of a variety of genders. After experiencing a terrible trauma, Al seeks comfort in the arms of his friends and lovers. Laurie and James discover during this time how important Al is to them as more than just a friend, and Al finds himself falling in love for the first time in his life – with both men.
In the second book, One Plus One, we go back in time to learn about James and Al’s teen and young adult years as best friends who eventually develop a sexual relationship, and about the long-held crush James has had on Laurie, always believing it was unrequited until… well, I’ll let you discover that for yourself!
In the third book, Three’s the Charm, our beloved trio are put through the wringer both individually, and as a whole. The three men are still newly sorting out what this relationship is all about when suddenly they are having to cope with how the outside world sees them. Laurie, as an older man who knew James and Al when they were younger - and Al, who is joyfully both an out bisexual and openly promiscuous – are both put under the public microscope, causing pain and confusion for all three in the relationship. Can this threesome put things back together and come back even stronger?
I’m not normally a fan of erotica, and especially not erotica that focuses on men. But what I love about Friday’s series is how much she puts into each character and the connections they each have with one another. For the record – the sex is very sexy! But it’s the romance, the plot development, the character growth, and the importance of the narratives told in each story that really sell me.
The series deals with issues of terminal illness and grief, mental illness and dysfunctional family issues, sexual assault, gender identity, homophobia and biphobia, as well as being excellent representation for poly relationships.
Acceptance and care is given to differences – Al is not depicted in a negative light just because he enjoys having lots of varied sex with multiple partners – it’s a part of himself that his lovers acknowledge and accept, Laurie and Al develop a Dom/sub relationship which is equally fulfilling to them both as well to James who enjoys being a part of things despite not feeling either dominate or subordinate himself, the age difference between Laurie and the other two is carefully examined and there was never attraction from his side until the others were of age and it took him longer than that to act on his feelings, and while all of their feelings for one another are different – it’s not lopsided, they all love and care for and respect and are attracted to one another.
All in all, a lovely trio of books focused on a lovely trio of characters – who I frankly hope to read much more about in the future!
In the first book, Love Plus One, we are introduced to couple Laurie and James and their best friend/sometimes shared lover Al. Outside of Al, Laurie and James are happily monogamous. Al, on the other hand, happily enjoys sex with many lovers of a variety of genders. After experiencing a terrible trauma, Al seeks comfort in the arms of his friends and lovers. Laurie and James discover during this time how important Al is to them as more than just a friend, and Al finds himself falling in love for the first time in his life – with both men.
In the second book, One Plus One, we go back in time to learn about James and Al’s teen and young adult years as best friends who eventually develop a sexual relationship, and about the long-held crush James has had on Laurie, always believing it was unrequited until… well, I’ll let you discover that for yourself!
In the third book, Three’s the Charm, our beloved trio are put through the wringer both individually, and as a whole. The three men are still newly sorting out what this relationship is all about when suddenly they are having to cope with how the outside world sees them. Laurie, as an older man who knew James and Al when they were younger - and Al, who is joyfully both an out bisexual and openly promiscuous – are both put under the public microscope, causing pain and confusion for all three in the relationship. Can this threesome put things back together and come back even stronger?
I’m not normally a fan of erotica, and especially not erotica that focuses on men. But what I love about Friday’s series is how much she puts into each character and the connections they each have with one another. For the record – the sex is very sexy! But it’s the romance, the plot development, the character growth, and the importance of the narratives told in each story that really sell me.
The series deals with issues of terminal illness and grief, mental illness and dysfunctional family issues, sexual assault, gender identity, homophobia and biphobia, as well as being excellent representation for poly relationships.
Acceptance and care is given to differences – Al is not depicted in a negative light just because he enjoys having lots of varied sex with multiple partners – it’s a part of himself that his lovers acknowledge and accept, Laurie and Al develop a Dom/sub relationship which is equally fulfilling to them both as well to James who enjoys being a part of things despite not feeling either dominate or subordinate himself, the age difference between Laurie and the other two is carefully examined and there was never attraction from his side until the others were of age and it took him longer than that to act on his feelings, and while all of their feelings for one another are different – it’s not lopsided, they all love and care for and respect and are attracted to one another.
All in all, a lovely trio of books focused on a lovely trio of characters – who I frankly hope to read much more about in the future!
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