cover image Hotter Than Ever: Out of Uniform, Book 9

Hotter Than Ever: Out of Uniform, Book 9

Elle Kennedy. Samhain, $5.50 e-book (340p) ISBN 978-1-61921-481-1

The title says it all! Kennedy’s ninth Out of Uniform installment (after Getting Hotter), which works perfectly well as a stand-alone story, is an erotically charged tale of an unconventional happily-ever-after. After Chris Wade dumps Claire McKinley at the altar, Claire is doubly shocked when Chris’s brother, Dylan, a “cocky, antagonistic” Navy SEAL, kindly offers to sneak her out of the wedding venue and put her up at his apartment. Dylan and his roommate, Aidan Rhodes, have a comfortable best-friends-with-benefits relationship, and they’re happiest with a woman as “the filling in a Dylan-and-Aidan sandwich.” Though at first they adopt a hands-off policy with Claire, she can’t help overhearing their passionate lovemaking, which inspires her lust for both men. A sizzling ménage results, with astounding sex and caring friendship helping the trio bond in the face of past demons, family secrets, and societal pressures. Good polyamorous relationship-building and bold, intense, yet tasteful sex scenes round out the story. Kennedy fans and newcomers will relish the well-crafted plot, witty dialogue, and engaging characters. Agent: Don Fehr, Trident Media Group. (July)