Reviewed by Larissa
TITLE: Inevitable
AUTHOR: Briar Prescott
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 266 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2021
BLURB:
The three of us were never impossible. We were always inevitable.
When Drew meets Ezra, he doesn’t expect much. A one-night stand and a quick goodbye in the morning. That’s how these things usually go. Only there’s nothing usual about Ezra and the connection that forms between them.
When Ezra meets Drew, he doesn’t expect much. A distraction and parting as strangers after a night of meaningless fun. That’s how these things usually go. Only there’s nothing meaningless about Drew and the relentless spark between them that just refuses to disappear.
When Bas meets Ezra… things get complicated. As if being hopelessly in love with his best friend isn’t painful enough. Throw in an unexpected friendship that develops with the one-time hookup of said best friend, and the results are messy at best.
But sometimes beautiful things emerge from messy and complicated beginnings, and where two isn’t enough, three might be just perfect.
REVIEW:
Inevitable is the latest offering from new-ish author Briar Prescott, who has continued to astound me with her expert writing prowess even at such an early stage in her writing career. This MMM ménage romance ushers us into the lonely world of successful sports lawyer Drew, his longtime best friend and musical prodigy Bas, and down-on-his-luck, hanging-on-by-a-thread college student, Ezra. These three men each exist in their own spheres of heartbreak and isolation. Yet the three of them are improbably and inexplicably brought together time and time again.
The common thread that ties our three main characters together is hope. It’s hope that keeps Drew, Bas and Ezra going through their darkest times, that pushes them through their doubts. It’s also hope that allows them to see and embrace a unique and previously uncontemplated solution: Happiness and love are inevitable if it’s three instead of two.
Drew and Bas are hopelessly in love with each other, and have been for the length of their almost 25-year friendship. But these two have never made it work romantically, never even tried. Drew is willing to take a chance. Bas is not. So now in their late-twenties, they are codependent roommates sleeping in separate rooms across the hall from each other.
Drew desperately pines after Bas, hoping Bas will change his mind and decide to give them a chance. But Bas is certain his “difficult personality” will ultimately cause Drew to leave. In an authentic portrayal of an asexual (ace) main character (which is refreshing in and of itself), Ms. Prescott sheds light on Bas’ personal truth and his acceptance of who he is and what he likes (or dislikes). But despite all that self-awareness, Bas has a distorted view of himself – he thinks he’s “wired wrong”, too much trouble, and most definitely not deserving of Drew.
As a result, Bas staunchly refuses to take the chance of trying for more and losing everything. The stakes are just too high. Drew hopes though that one day Bas will change his mind. So for now, he’s a hookup only guy even though he wants permanence. Drew has created his own Catch-22 and the resultant disappointment, resentment and bone-deep loneliness fester like a wound left untended.
Bas and Drew’s relationship is beginning to fray due to the strain. They both hope for a solution that never comes and wonder how much longer it will last before it all falls apart anyway. Before Drew gives up and moves on with someone else. Before Bas has to vacate Drew’s life to make room for someone else who can fill the needs Bas can’t.
Enter Ezra. Beautiful Ezra is a heartbreaker and I don’t mean just because he’s gorgeous. He will break your heart with the hurt and desolation he feels and his desperation to literally survive. Ezra’s hope for a better future is what keeps him going. Maybe fate sought to reward him for his belief and tenacity.
He and Drew have a chance encounter in a back alley which turns into an explosive hookup that leaves both men reeling. Shortly thereafter, Ezra finds himself homeless in the dead of winter. Through a series of what can only be called “fated” run-ins, Drew and Bas’s paths keep crossing with Ezra. Ezra ends up bonding, separately, with both Drew and Bas. He leaves an indelible mark on both men and they end up throwing Ezra a lifeline.
As Ezra begins to let his hope grow, he weaves himself into Drew and Bas’s lives and hearts. Ms. Prescott subtly yet powerfully shows exactly how Ezra “fits”. We see how these three men join together like puzzle pieces, closing the gaps and open spaces and making the three of them, as a triad, whole. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve encountered an author who’s managed to do this better: impliedly depicting in vivid detail something that’s absent. Ms. Prescott made me see the missing pieces, like they were tangible things, and I could feel how they locked into place when Bas, Drew and Ezra were together.
Calling Inevitable a ménage romance really is a disservice to this elegantly, poignantly written book that digs deep into the emotional turmoil and scars of these exceptionally created men. This is not your typical MMM romance. Ménage is usually equated with sex and this book actually has very little sex in it. There’s a larger exploration at work here and a bit of poking at societal norms and prejudices against homosexuals and polyamorous relationships. There was room for Ms. Prescott to excavate that further, but her choice not to do so didn’t detract from my enjoyment (read: love) of this book and attachment to these complex, endearing, loveable, loving men.
Ms. Prescott brings Drew, Ezra and Bas (oh my Bas, my heart …) to life through her vibrant, detailed, precise writing. Yes, there’s angst, but it hurts so good. It’s also balanced by sharply written wit and humor. The dialogues between Ezra and Bas, in particular, are priceless. Additionally, she provides absolutely heartwarming, feel-good, heart-brimming-with-love-and-happiness scenes that made me feel warm and grateful despite the challenges and difficulties that face these men.
Inevitable does not deliver perfection for Drew, Ezra and Bas, or for the reader. What we do get is balance. At times the relationship focus is more on Bas and Drew, but there’s plenty on Bas and Ezra and Ezra and Drew as well. It doesn’t really matter who gets more page time because holistically, we feel that each individual relationship is addressed and the one needing the most attention, Bas and Drew’s, is healed. There is a HEA and it is lovely and absolutely satisfying. But consistent with the authentic portrayals in the story, the HEA is not picture perfect, and that’s perfectly fine with me.
I highly recommend you read Inevitable and take your time with it. The characters, their romance and love for each other will linger in your heart and mind long after reading “THE END”.
RATING: 
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