Party of Three by C. Travis Rice is a lot more lighthearted than I thought it was going to be from the description, and I enjoyed it very much. Buckley is a terrific, fun character who brings two alpha males together through his own unrelenting positivity and joy. There are some serious issues being dealt with (PTSD, family estrangement, fear of abandonment) but they are all dealt with sympathetically and even humorously. The threesome sex is hot, and the fantasies titillating. I enjoyed this novella a lot!

ARC courtesy of NetGalley, opinions my own.

I had a really hard time reading this book, and I wasn't able to finish. I liked the characters and where the book was heading, but I was very confused by the writing style. I think this could've benefited from being written in first person with different chapters from the three characters POVs. I really wanted to stick it out, but I just couldn't make it work. Thank you for the opportunity!

Party of Three by C. Travis Rice is a scorching MMM novella that brings the heat fast and doesn’t let up. Buckley and Mateo are already a solid couple, but when Jeff—Mateo’s longtime friend and Buckley’s not-so-secret crush—joins them for a weekend in Sapphire Cove? Let’s just say things get very interesting. 😏

What follows is a weekend of slow-burn tension giving way to explosive chemistry and emotional vulnerability. It’s about deepening connection, opening up to unexpected possibilities, and choosing something new—together. For such a short story, it delivers on both spice and sincerity.

💦 Tropes & vibes:
🔥 MMM triad
🏖️ Vacation heat
💘 Mutual attraction & emotional intimacy
💪 Broody ex-Marine
💉 Sweet, grounded EMT
💬 Big feelings + even bigger heat

If you’re in the mood for something fast, filthy, and full of emotional payoff—this one’s got you covered.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read for an honest review!

Party of Three by C. Travis Rice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

Let me start by saying: the concept? Loved it. A sweet, charming EMT, a slightly repressed ex-Marine trying to live his truth, and a mysterious, emotionally complicated best friend with history? That setup had so much potential—and yes, it delivered on the steam. The tension, the buildup, the emotions… all there. And Sapphire Cove as the setting? Perfection. It was giving oceanfront drama with just the right touch of fantasy.

Buckley is basically sunshine in uniform, Mateo is trying to figure himself out, and Jeff is that emotionally guarded alpha type you just know has a soft heart buried under all the control. So yeah, the characters worked, especially when you see them circling around each other, trying to make sense of their very complicated dynamic.

That said… the book wasn’t perfect.

Some parts felt forced—like the emotional beats didn’t always match the moment, or like things were happening just because the plot needed them to. There were definitely missed chances to dig deeper into the emotional side of things. I wanted more inner conflict, more vulnerability, more mess. There was also a little confusion here and there—some parts felt a bit rushed or like I was supposed to connect dots that weren’t fully drawn.

Still, the core of the story? Hot, emotional, and surprisingly sweet. There’s something really satisfying about seeing three people not only explore their desires but also learn to communicate and trust each other through it.

Final thoughts?
A spicy, romantic read with a unique setup and characters you want to root for. It could’ve been tighter and gone a bit deeper emotionally, but overall it was an enjoyable ride. If you’re into MMF stories with history, heart, and a whole lot of heat—this one’s worth checking out.

Buckley, a caring EMT has been a source of support for his boyfriend Mateo, a veteran who survived a traumatic training accident. But Mateo has a history with the man who saved his life during that accident, his former superior Jeff. When Buckley convinces Jeff to show up to Mateo's party at Sapphire Cove, a dazzling resort, the truth about why Jeff disappeared from Mateo's life is revealed. What follows is the three men unlocking previously undiscovered fantasies and getting to know each other all over again.

This book was absolutely spicy and steamy, but it had a pretty significant helping of plot too. Seeing the relationship unfold from each different POV was more heartfelt that I was initially expecting. Jeff, Buckley, and Mateo all have their various insecurities that come to light as they get closer, and the relationship development felt so satisfying. Even in a short period of time this book tackled themes of PTSD, loneliness, and abandonment. I definitely felt the spicy scenes were well written too. Even though this is a novella which is part of a larger series, it is quite self contained so I didn't feel confused not having read the other books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Party of Three by C. Travis Rice is as hot as the heat wave we are currently having in Boston at the moment. Seriously if your looking for a HOT MMM erotica to spice up your summer than look no further! A novella where a couple invites a third and filled with off the charts steam ( Buckley's praise kink was delicious) , role play, truth or dare, sex toys and more. A well rounded novella because besides all the hot as hell sex scenes, these characters bring emotion and a tangible connection between the three of them. This is so much more than a threesome for fun but start of a wonderful poly relationship.

Oh yeah, this is the mostly-lighthearted smutty read I needed after a deep Juneteenth book experience. Just what the literature doctor ordered. Party of Three is fun, it’s sexy, and it’s kind of raw in a way. Yes, there’s a lot of sex. But there are some big and real emotions woven throughout the story.

I love the way this book was written! The Connor and Logan bookends are perfect; it’s like experiencing the story with them but having full insight into the details. I agree with Logan too, more role playing in the bedroom please and thank you.

To still accept your partner’s current feelings after finding out the mentor was a mentor in more ways than one isn’t just poly behavior, it’s open-minded and understanding. Mateo is clearly still in love, and it’s definitely possible to love multiple people simultaneously.

Respect to Buckley for not taking back the birthday invite after finding out Jeff and Mateo had history. That takes a lot of maturity and security in your relationship.

Bottom line, I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review. 4.25 stars. I’m definitely going back to read the other books in the series.

4 stars

Overall, this was a fun, spicy, and somehow heartfelt read. The spice was giving off the same vibes as that late night soft-core p*rn from the 90s/00s that you would sneak watch out of curiosity after your parents went to bed. Somewhat cheesy, but still pleasantly spicy and also somewhat nostalgic because of all that. Rice handles the emotions and conversations around this polyamorous relationship rather well for such a short and quick read. Despite being in the Sapphire Cove universe with cameos of known characters, this novella feels like a slight departure from the others in both the story and writing style, but in a good way. If you want something simple, fun, sexy, and gay then this is for you.

I had to DNF this one! It just was not for me and I unfortunately do not have the time to read books that I cannot get into! I hope others like this little novella!

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

his was a fun time! read it mostly bc i wanted to read something by christopher rice, and i love a novella! i think he managed to make the romance feel believable and have a proper and complete arc despite the shorter length, and despite two of the throuple already being an established couple. the smut was hot! the story structure was a bit weird to me, but i'm guessing it's there to connect with other books in the series?

also pretty sure this is tommy/buck/eddie fanfic. if it isn't. then those are a lot of similarities!

MMM romance isn’t a usual genre for me but every year for pride month I’m trying something a bit different, and Party of Three was great! This steamy standalone novella sure packed a punch. I’m feeling this might be the beginning of my descent into binge reading all of the Sapphire Cove series!

A weekend away at Sapphire Cove for Buckley Mitchell and his boyfriend Mateo Cano takes a surprising turn. There for Mateo’s birthday party, Mateo’s old friend (and one time lover) Jeff Braxton turns up. Jeff and Buckley have never met, but upon meeting they both realise there’s a connection and an attraction there - it’s not only their shared love for Mateo that brings them together. It’s a weekend of feeding and feasting off each other while discovering their polyamorous side. It’s a weekend that will either break something between them all or build something entirely new.

This was a fun, short and sweet steamy read about a loving couple who make room in their relationship for a third man. The lengths Buckley goes through to track down his boyfriend's former Marine Master Sergeant showed his devotion to his partner and lack of jealousy. Somehow despite the past baggage and age differences the three make perfect sense together. Based on the cover I expected pretty much just smut but the military PTSD aspects made it more emotional than expected. It was great seeing Mateo overcome his fears and deal with his trauma with the help of his boyfriends. Overall a sexy, heartfelt story that made me want to read more of the Sapphire Cove series.

I LOVE BUCKLEY!!!! Seriously, he may have gone about things the wrong way, but you can see how Mateo means everything to him. Add Jeff into the mix, and you get the perfect balance between the three. This short and sweet novella his you in the feels as you watch the guys help Mateo through his past issues. I didn't feel lost having not read the rest of the series.

Wow….this one was hot and sexy. If you an open minded person about poly relationship this is for you. The scene is explicit and entertaining for sure. Love how Mateo, Buckley and Jeff tackled the start of a relationship but started by a hook up for a birthday party as a gift, second chance rekindle past relationship. Very good read, it is a qi k red, I did take my time bc I didn’t want it to end.

I was not expecting to get emotionally invested in a novella this spicy, but wow, I was so pleasantly surprised! This MMM romance delivered on every level. While it’s undeniably steamy (and I mean very steamy), there was also genuine heart and care written into Buckley, Mateo, and Jeff’s dynamic. Their relationship felt natural, thoughtful, and beautifully built on trust and open communication. Nothing felt rushed or forced, and the emotional connection was just as satisfying as the physical chemistry. Absolutely adored this; thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC!

This was my first mmm romance it was a fun read I had the best time ever definitely found one of my new favorite authors 🥰

My first from Christopher Rice writing as C. Travis Rice and I loved every word. Rice's prose is lovely as he explores what is deep in the hearts of 3 men whose lives are about to change forever. Buckley Mitchell and Mateo Cano have a wonderful relationship but there's a hurt deep within Mateo at being ignored by his former Master Sergeant Jeff Braxton after they shared a passionate night. With many attempts for months to connect again just to say thank you once more for saving Mateo's life, it's Buckley who finally gets through to the stoic Marine and organizes a surprise for both men.

Rice tackles PTSD in a very delicate way as Mateo refuses to seek help for what happened in the ocean while he was still a Marine. Jeff also has abandonment issues from his childhood and it was very interesting to watch as both men started to heal as Buckley became the bridge, both literally and figuratively, for them to feel whole. Not truly knowing if Jeff was ever interested in Mateo romantically, these sexy guys dance around each other with Buckley being the one to conquer the at times gruff master sergeant with a few dance floor moves of his own.

Soon, all bets are off and what all 3 realize is how in sync they are with one another both in and out of the bedroom. This throuple comes as a surprise to all of them yet they can't seem to take their eyes off one another as their bodies become rabid for simply a touch. And when Mateo, Jeff and Buckley finally succumb to their desires, it's electric. Rice gives us just enough steamy trysts to counter the intensity with which Mateo and Jeff have mentally suffered. And it's not like Buckley hasn't had his own issues with family drama but somehow his humor, his devotion and his huge heart are all these 3 need to be the best they can be.

Rice treats these men with the respect they deserve, not shying away from the harshness of their pasts. I loved that because of the intense connection they all have with one another, that Mateo can now trust that he will get past the effects of his PTSD and be able to be the man Buckley and Jeff know he has always been. In addition, the way Rice used fantasies together with a friendly game of Truth or Dare to intensify the tether that will forever bind this throuple was wonderful. It was clever and real and allowed these men to feel vulnerable enough to finally declare their truths.

Now that I know Rice writes these kinds of storylines, I am beyond anxious to explore his work as C. Travis Rice a bit more since the writing is just so clean and addictive and easy to devour. I am so happy to have picked up this well-written book and I happily give Party of Three a big 5 stars!

Unfortunately, I started with this book in the series, not knowing it came after at least the first book. Gratefully, it did not contain any major spoilers for the rest of the series. Yes, I absolutely read the rest of the series. I fell in love with the writing style, especially the stylistic decision to have the whole book as a form of a story told from the perspective of an outside character.
Speaking of the characters, I loved how developed and complex the characters were able to be in such a short amount of time. This was not a quickie here as a vehicle for the steamy/spicy content.
I will say though, the spicy content was well paced and added to the progression of the story, Also, it was hot.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read for an honest review.

No plot, just smut? While I enjoy good erotic scenes, this book lacks storytelling and emotion. I would love to see more of how they all feel, what happened to Marcus, and why he fears water and elevators. Also no character development? Just not okay. I need more non sexual interactions, dates and just happy non-sex time together between MMCs. Overall it was an okay read, nothing special happened.

An MM couples becomes a MMM throuple in this novella.

The story setup is a little weird-- it's a story within a story-- with essentially the prologue and epilogue being told in first person POV by characters from a previous story. The main story is third person POV and it becomes confusing as to which character's POV (it switches within the chapters sometimes.)

Lots of angst amongst the characters with a lot of internal struggles with the situation the 3 characters are in. They are saving their relationship discussion for 4pm on Sunday, at the end of the weekend of debauchery. It would've saved a bit of heartache to just talk about things sooner but then that's the story.

Mateo's parents have disowned their son for being gay but suddenly at the end of the story they accept him because their priest was caught up in a scandal. Seemed like a cheap reunification arc to me. Buckley never reunites with his family, nor does Jeff.

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC