Dumped by her fiance as they were about to marry, Claire can't face the five hundred guests and leaves with the errant man's brother Dylan. He's a Navy man and he's gay, which Claire knows since she saw him kissing a man, so even though they haven't always got on well she feels she's safe with him. As the ex has gone off on the honeymoon trip, Claire grits her teeth and accepts a bed until she can sort out her emotions and her life. Dylan's flatmate Aidan from Naval intelligence is definitely gorgeous, and unknown to the girl both men are actually bisexual. She just wants to ignore her texts, phone her best pal and cry into some Scotch.

In HOTTER THAN EVER the three discuss their jobs next day and watch a football game, agreeing that Claire's ex was changed by stressful legal work for expensive clients, and she admits to feeling relief that the marriage didn't proceed. Eventually Claire and Dylan work out their differences, but Dylan suggests that if Claire finds them attractive she could share a threesome with the guys, and that seems like a step too far. When she finds out the truth about her ex however, all the rules change.

I liked the way that, although this is foremost a story about adult behaviour, the characters are well fleshed out, with one having a mother addicted to gambling, and Christmas intervenes with the normal requirement to buy a tree, shop and visit relatives. I was also pleased that the men are in a firm relationship and both of them respect and want to date Claire, not just have a fling. Claire has a good job in systems management consulting, which is helping companies to use their resources better and run more efficiently, and we can see that she is an intelligent clued-in woman who is not just being used.

Elle Kennedy has taken a thoughtful look at the situations that might arise from being in a polyandrous relationship, including work and family difficulties. We have no trouble in believing her message that a girl who has been duped and dumped may in fact be starting a new life and may be considered HOTTER THAN EVER.

Book Summary

Claire McKinley has just experienced every bride’s nightmare. The groom is a no-show, and now she must face five hundred guests alone. Furious and humiliated, Claire seeks help from the most unlikely candidate—her almost- brother-in-law, who promptly whisks her away to his apartment in San Diego, where she can recover her pride in peace and quiet.

Dylan Wade is no fan of Claire’s, but no way can he leave the jilted bride in her time of need. Bringing her home seems like a good idea—until he remembers his new roommate. Dylan’s relationship with Aidan is…complicated. And with Claire thrown into the mix, life becomes even more… complicated