ABOUT THE BOOK
Two years ago, I moved back to the dusty small town I used to call home. Every day that goes by is the same until two men I have no business wanting turn my life upside down.
Levi Rayburn. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the ex-hockey player, but now he’s back in Texas—hotter and more rugged than ever.
Mateo Jimenez. The mustached firefighter is sexy, sweet, and has been there for me more times than I can count.
The only problem? As my overprotective brother’s best friends—Levi and Mateo are completely off limits.
At least, they should be…
MY REVIEW
Holy cow! It’s been a while since I experienced a Clio Evans novel full of hot, kinky sex in a cozy small town. Levi is Avery’s neighbor. Mateo is Avery’s “friend”. And the two of them are her brothers’ best friends. Which means, above all else, they were off-limits. Why not break the rules in Whynot, Texas?
Our FMC is Avery, a talented and messy painter and gallery owner who is navigating a complex web of family dynamics. She’s got two overprotective brothers, Dallas and Austin, who are basically the world’s most unyielding barrier between her and any potential romance. She’s also recovering from an abusive relationship with her ex, Kevin, and her home life isn’t much of a picnic either. After the loss of her beloved father, her mother gives her the cold shoulder, and her brothers don’t get it, so Avery’s been searching for solace and more from Mateo, who wants to be friends. Or does he?
MMC number one is Mateo, the sexy firefighter who’s always one to swoop in and save the day. Confident and ever-charming, he’s the kind of best friend who knows all the little nuances of your heart, but can he become something more for Avery? The strained tension between friendship and romance adds a delicious layer to their relationship, and when Levi crashes into their world, it’s all they need to let loose and enjoy each other.
MMC number two is Levi, the brooding, grumpy NHL goalie next door, who is just as lost as Avery in his own way. He’s dealing with the weight of expectations and the aching pain of his past. He’s broken, and everyone wants a piece of him, but no one truly understands. After a tough year, he finds himself in Whynot, trying to reclaim his sense of self and maybe figure out if Minnesota is really where he belongs. But guess who’s throwing a wrench in his plans? You got it, Avery and Mateo. Their attraction is instant, but is it enough to make him stay?
The tension is hot and heavy as the threesome escapes into a secret whirlwind romance without the judgment of their peers. It’s all fun and games until someone tries to keep the secret because secrets have a way of blowing up in your face when you least expect it, and this one is a doozy.
Through it all, Avery’s ride-or-die best friends, June and Evie, offer not only support but also a necessary dose of reality as they stand by her side. They make sure she feels empowered to live her life on her own terms, no matter what anyone else thinks.
If you’re into stories filled with complex characters, heart-pounding chemistry, and a whole lot of kink, you’ll definitely want to pick up this heartfelt, steamy tale.
Thank you to Ms. Evans for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Whynot Series
1 Cactus Heart (2025)
2 Thorn Kiss (2026)
3 Prickly Pair (2026)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clio Evans writes contemporary and monster romance books that are kink-positive, queer-normative, steamy, and full of heart. They’re from Austin but are now living their best life drinking lattes and writing happy endings in Chicago. When Clio isn’t writing, she’s either painting, swing-dancing with her partner, or discovering new coffee shops in the city.
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