I've been waiting (mostly patiently) for this next installment in the Jacksonville Rays series and it did NOT disappoint! We go back in time to when the first book starts to see everything that happens with these three MCs along the what that we only got glimpses and teases for throughout the first two books and novellas. While we definitely got into the spice decently quickly as far as both MF pairings went, it was a bit more of a slow burn for the three of them together than I anticipated! Regardless, all relationships within the throuple were great, came with their own drama, and then the pregnancy thew things for a loop too (not a spoiler since we knew from the other books that it would end up there). As expected, I laughed, I swooned, if I was someone who blushed I would have blushed. Really it just made me want to read the entire series over again AND the tiniest little teaser in the epilogue about the next book was certainly intriguing! Thankfully we'll get another novella between now and then!

2025 reread: Okay, now that I've reread everything that exists, it's just clear that this is as serious where I think each book will be the favorite as I go through them and then can't pick by the end because I love them all for different reasons. I know the first time I read this one, I was surprised that it covered so much time without the three MCs together, but now reading reading them all again I caught so many hints and vibes so I'm glad it spans the other two books and then goes forward. My fave part is how Cole and Novy's relationship progresses, and I like that it's different from Caleb and Jake since these two were teammates, sort of friends, but not close. The way they came into their queerness was lovely. Poppy is hell on heels, a southern lady who gets things done to start, except for with her family, and her journey to demanding what she wants was great too. The pregnancy is not a surprise in this one, and I was glad the delivery itself wasn't on page after the trauma of Tess's last time.  Cole's heart condition stuff was interesting as well, and as the first MC of color in the series, I'm glad he addressed experiences like tokenism and inter-racialnrelationships, even briefly. I don't think we are getting a novella of bonus stories in between this time but now that I remember how we get to the reveal about book 4 ppl, I'm excited again to just get there (and had my eyes peeled as I read this time, knowing there will be a book 5 and who one of its MCs is). I did about 15 chapters (of 80some) in audio then switched to ebook for the majority.