Review: "Crossing the Lines" by M.Q. Barber (Neighborly Affection #2)
It's been about six months since Alice Colvin signed the contract that would change her life and those of her two friends and lovers. Being with the composed and enigmatic Henry Webb and the eager and mischievous Jay Kress every other Friday has opened a whole new world of pleasure to Alice. However, she's beginning to feel as if those pre-scheduled times with the two men aren't enough for her. She wants much more but doesn't want to impose on the already established relationship between Henry and Jay.
As they spend those Friday nights together, Alice feels herself doing one more thing she never thought she'd ever do: fall in love. It's just something else that she's discovered she's capable of after being with Henry and Jay. She continues to hide her feelings and while Jay senses that both Alice and Henry want to to take their exclusive polyamorous relationship to a new level, he knows Alice will have to be the one to initiate the discussion with Henry. After all, Henry has promised to provide whatever it is Alice may need.
With their relationship either destined to become something new and more for all three of them or to reach an impasse that may lead to it abruptly ending if it is deemed no longer satisfying everyone's wants and needs, Jay's painful past comes back and casts a foreboding shadow. Will Jay be able to confront the man who abused and traumatized him? Will Alice be able to be open and honest about what it is she truly wants from Henry and Jay? And will Henry be able to continue to protect the two people he's ever loved?
Crossing the Lines is the second book in the Neighborly Affection series by author M.Q. Barber and this installment continues to explore the relationship among the three main characters. With Alice continuing to grow more comfortable with the BDSM lifestyle, the idea of falling for her two lovers, though I suspect her feelings for Henry are more romantic compared to those for Jay, is something she wasn't prepared for. Her concern for Jay's feelings as well as not being sure about Henry's makes her more vulnerable.
Because Henry and Jay were already in a relationship prior to Alice's contract, it made my wonder why they considered including her in their playtime and secretly wanted her to want more with them. With Jay's past coming to clearer and torturous focus, it appears that she brings a balance to what the two men have. It's not that their relationship was lacking; only that having Alice created a new dimension. Knowing Henry, he would have thought long and hard before putting the idea forward and suggesting it to Alice.
If book number one, Playing the Game, got me hooked on the Neighborly Affection series, book number has completely reeled me in. I thoroughly enjoyed M.Q. Barber's writing and continue to appreciate how different, in an absolutely good way, the presentation of BDSM is in these books. Henry, Jay, and Alice are multi-dimensional characters and the books are not merely about sex but the underlying factors that make the three characters tick. Crossing the Lines is a must-read and I have no qualms giving this five stars. ♥
Date read: 09 March 2015
Learn more about author M.Q. Barber here.
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