Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Teach Me To Sin

SERIES: Standalone M/M/M – Water, Air, Earth, Fire Series,

AUTHOR: Riley Nash

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 342 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2023

BLURB:

Three wrongs can’t make a right.

I’ve spent six years building a life that isn’t defined by my father’s sins—a beautiful girlfriend, a thriving nonprofit, safe dreams that won’t get me into trouble. Someone with my family’s reputation can’t step out of line without drawing attention, and they definitely can’t coach professional swimmers.

My carefully controlled world starts to unravel on my summer vacation, when a mysterious boy catches my eye. He’s intoxicating, beautiful, and an incredible swimmer. His body makes me question everything about my sexuality, and his talent makes me desperate to become his coach. Too bad the only lawyer who will help me navigate the PR nightmare of opening a coaching program happens to be a rude, self-absorbed, sexy-as-sin older man who doesn’t even like me. I shouldn’t want either of them, but my mixed up heart wants both.

When one explosive moment in an empty locker room ties all three of us together, we start down a path we can’t turn back from, even as my past threatens to destroy my future. We weren’t supposed to be more than a single night’s mistake. I can’t do anything to threaten my life’s work. But I’m not sure I can live without them, either.

Breaking free from the past has a cost for all three of us, but I don’t know if we can afford to pay it.

This book contains some mentions of mature and difficult topics. For a full list, see the author’s note in the front of the book using the “look inside” feature.

REVIEW:

When Alek sees Benji swimming, he is smitten with Benji’s near-perfect technique and stunned by the man’s looks. Benji’s talent makes Alek want to coach – but that’s a dangerous path. When Benji spots Alek, he knows the man is a walking disaster. Alek’s childhood at the hands of his crooked swimming coach father made the national news. Then again, he can empathize; Benji’s father is also controlling. Colson is drawn to both men – but his instincts and words of caution are not heeded.

Teach Me to Sin is part of a Water, Air, Earth, and Fire series, where all novels can be read as individuals. Oh, my word, what an unexpected delight. This was one of those stories where I was tempted to peek at the last chapter so that I could read the rest without my heart in my mouth. The fact that the tale involves a triad relationship may put some off, but oh damn, it soooo works.

The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Alek, Benji, and Colson. On reflection, I can’t honestly say much about technicalities or worldbuilding other than – I ate up every word written. I remember pictures forming, but more importantly, the emotional landscape hit my heart. Early encounters between the three were akin to a storm at sea, and the supporting cast added to the story in all the right places.

Alek’s childhood made him introverted, and scared to live to the point where he no longer touched the water he once loved. At the age of thirty, he has led an exemplary life, but the shadow left by this swimming coach of a father still looms, and the non-profit swimming center Alek has built with Victor strives to atone for the legacy. Benji inspires him to dream again and reach for life. Colson warns him of the pitfalls, but the pull is strong.

On the outside, Benji is a confident and bold force of nature, but he lives a life starved of touch and love, with a domineering wealthy father, and unrealized dreams. Not that he tells Alek any of this. At age twenty-three, he rebels where he can and knows what he wants. When shown the dream, he doesn’t want to let go – but he may not have a choice. Here, I liked that Benji wasn’t an automatic star.

Colson, at forty, is the oldest of the three. He is a divorced lawyer who has lived a self-centered life with no reason to be anything else – except with his two dogs. Colson’s dry, tell-it-as-it-is way added an insightful element to the story without being derogatory. The emotional pull to Alek and Benji often made him do things with his awakening heart instead of his logical head.

Yes, there is an eighteen-year age gap between the three. However, each one brings something different to the mix. Coulson is the experienced steadfast rock that Alek and Benji need to feel safe. Benji is the imp that makes Coulson and Alek smile. At the same time, Alek is the facilitator of dreams. Individually, their lives would be tolerated, but none would live. Each man needs something from the other two that makes him whole.

Initially, I found the tale a touch confusing until I got a handle on who and why. It only took two or three chapters, so stick with it. Other story elements involve scathing media, derogatory graffiti, arson, nightmares, PTSD, and more.

This story is a must if you have no problem with three in a bed.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon