one + one = three – Sasha  James

St. Martin’s Press

ISBN-13:  978-0-312-56015-7

August 2009

Erotic Contemporary Romance

New York City, New York – Present Day

Munro Sheridan is one of the most famous models in New York, and has spent many years looking her best and saving her money.  Now, at the ripe old age of thirty, she has kept her promise to herself and decided to retire.  Munro is going to open what she hopes will be the new happening bar in New York, named Strutt.  She has been overseeing the renovation of the bar, and while at first everything was fine, the last few weeks the boiler went out, the roof had a leak and she’s had plumbing problems, and all these things going wrong has her completely on edge.  Munro has fallen down the basement steps becasue of a faulty step and been "accidentally" locked in the freezer, and is starting to be afraid for her life.  She used her years of savings from modeling for Strutt, and she is now counting on her bar to support her.  Sexually, Munro has been with two men for awhile, and enjoys showing them off at every opportunity

 Rockmon Phillips grew up with Munro in Michigan, and they remained friends after they each moved to New York.  Rock has a degree in criminal law, but instead of going to law school, joined the NYPD, but a lack of money to support his lifestyle led him to start his own security agency.  After moving to England for several years and now back in New York, Rock and Munro recently changed their relationship that began as friendship and went into, well, what Rock calls polyamorous.  Polyamorous means there are three people who have feelings for each other in and out of the bedroom, not just a ménage.  Rock is the first one to suspect someone is trying to hurt Munro and her bar, and trying to keep her calm while figuring out what is going on has most of his attention. Veronica is Rock’s old girlfriend, and with her crazed personality it seems like she will let nothing stand in the way of getting him back.  Could she be the one threatening Munro?

Dirk Baptiste is a founding partner in a minority-owned owned equity firm and has made lots of money over the years.   Dirk has a “special” relationship with Munro and Rock.  Rock introduced Munro to him and he easily fit in their polyamorous relationship, in fact it’s Rock’s experience with a polyamorous relationship that brought all three of them together.  Dirk loves Munro, and tries with all he has to keep her happy.  But Dirk is ready to settle down, and is looking to change the direction of his life.  Hunter Fouche’ is a jazz singer who Dirk once had an affair with, and she is back in town with her biological clock ticking.  Hunter wants Dirk to be her baby daddy, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants from him.  Could she be the one threatening  Munro?

When weird things start happening to Munro, Dirk and Rock try to figure out who has such hatred for her.  In between trying to love her and protect her and keep her calm, they definitely show their dedication to her.  But how long can a three way last before one of the members wants something more?  Or, can they exist together indefinitely, each caring only for their sexual needs and not thinking where that will lead them?

Sasha James’ handling of this story has some definite highs and lows.  The story is a quick read written in the third person, and the action moves along and each character is given their own story.  But I did not feel as if I was touching their inner selves, as emotions were largely lacking and the story seemed to be rushed along, rather than going along at its own pace.  If we are to believe Rock has a security agency, he sure didn't prove his abilities in finding out anything about Munro's problem.  The sexual encounters, for an erotic story, are largely clinical and quick, with no real feeling between Munro, Rock and Dirk.  I would rate the erotic or passion index here at zero; at no time did I feel that any of them had a real passion for each other, even sexually.  The men supported Munro and helped her when she was in trouble, but more like friends than caring lovers.  In fact, their answer to trouble is to go out and eat and have enough alcohol to forget everything.

Secondary characters seem to have an importance that really doesn’t live up to their actions.  Jane is Munro’s manager, and has a personality that is dour and sober, as if she’s hiding something behind her quiet walls.  Piper is Munro’s friend, but seems to be secretly envious of everything that she has. Jon, Dirk’s friend from college attracts Piper, but only because he is wealthy and a crazy man in bed.  Veronica is fixated on Rock, even crazily obsessed with him.  How far will she go to get him back?  Hunter Fouche’ is looking to have a baby, and Dirk is number one on her list to be the donor.  She has a plan to restore their relationship, will it work?  All of these characters seemed to have something else to add to the story, but it is never explored deeper.

one + one = three is a pleasant, quick read that will be enjoyed by almost everyone.  While not overly descriptive, Munro and Rock and Dirk’s bond will definitely pique your curiosity.  If a ménage, errr, rather a polyamorous relationship, is something that interests you, one + one = three will certainly broaden your horizons.  While the plot was very different and interesting, the story did not live up to its promise.

CeCe Johns