REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Flash Me
SERIES: Heathens, Ink
AUTHOR: K.M. Neuhold
PUBLISHER: K.M. Neuhold
LENGTH: 274 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 3, 2018
BLURB: Love is multiplied, never divided
Liam
I was kicked out at sixteen for being transgender, but it turned out to be one of the best things to ever happen to me. At twenty-one, I have a fantastic new family made up of my brother and a handful of wonderful friends, I own my own photography business, and I’m happier than I imagined possible. There’s just one thing missing… Okay, maybe two…
Wyatt
When I took the position volunteering as a therapist at Rainbow House, I knew I’d found my place in the world: helping teens who had been rejected by their families. What I didn’t expect was the friendship I formed with Liam or how it would grow over the years into a crush I just couldn’t shake. I’m happy to see him finally opening himself up to dating with someone he trusts like Owen. But when he comes to me and asks if I can help his boyfriend, I feel like there’s more to the request than just a few therapy sessions. The more I get to know Owen, the more I like him, too.
Owen
I’m not sure why I believe so much in fate when she’s dealt me nothing but crappy hands—a stint in prison and enough childhood horrors to fuel all my adult nightmares. But I still hold on to the idea that everything happens for a reason. What I can’t figure out is why fate would plop me naked into Liam’s bed under the pretext of helping him with a photo series for a gallery showing. Or why my stomach goes funny every time he smiles at me. Liam is too sweet to be exposed to my demons, but I don’t know how to protect him…Maybe that’s why fate gave us Wyatt.
What a sweet installment this was! And that cover is perfect! Wyatt with his beanie and bowtie, Owen with his beard and tattoos, and then Liam, front and center, exactly as I pictured him. Liam is so confident about the things he wants and about many aspects of his life, yet completely vulnerable at the same time about others.
Liam knows he wants a poly relationship, just like his brother, Royal and his two men. He has always had a crush on tattoo artist, Owen, who works at Heathen’s Ink with Royal. But now he is also crushing on his friend Wyatt. He finally gets the nerve to go out with Owen, who takes a tiny bit of convincing giving their almost 10 year age gap and Owen’s nightmare issues. Owen knows all about Liam which definitely makes things easier. They start dating, and before long, Liam is comfortable enough to bring up the topic of a poly relationship which it turns out Owen isn’t completely opposed to – it would just have to be the right guy.
Meanwhile, Liam has been subtly encouraging Wyatt and Owen to get to know one another. Wyatt was just about at the point where he realized he wanted to be more than friends with Liam when Liam told him he was dating Owen. So, he carried on with being the best friend. Everything works out exactly as Liam had hoped though, and Wyatt and Owen got along really well. Having been brought up by a polygamist Mormon father with like 5 wives has left a really bad taste in Wyatt’s mouth, so needless to say, he takes a bit more convincing to enter a relationship with two guys.
I really liked how this all played out, from the menage aspect to the trans issues Liam faced. I had no trouble understanding where each guy was coming from and the issues they faced. This is clearly a case where you are better off without the family you were given and much better off with the family you make. These guys are surrounded by people who love and support them, and they become everything each other needs. Clearly, this threesome is perfect for each other, and I hope we get to see more of them in the future.
