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How We Are is a sizzling, emotional, and unapologetically steamy MFM romance that keeps you turning pages from start to finish. Poppy Minnix nails the tension between past love and irresistible temptation, creating a story that’s equal parts heartfelt and hot.

The heroine’s journey—from chasing her dreams to navigating intense feelings for two men—is both relatable and thrilling. Darius and Arlo are perfectly drawn contrasts, each offering charm, challenge, and undeniable chemistry, making the love triangle electric without ever feeling forced.

What sets this story apart is the combination of high spice and emotional depth. Minnix doesn’t shy away from exploring complicated desires, jealousy, and self-discovery, giving the romance a richness that lingers long after the last page. For readers who love soulmate reunions, roommates-to-lovers tension, and stories where love isn’t simple but entirely irresistible, How We Are is a must-read.

Oh wow, I absolutely devoured this one. Watching all 3 of the main characters grow into themselves throughout this book was heartwarming and seeing their pain from their own perspective whilst watching the others do their upmost best to fix it was tough to read but beautifully done. I really can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

PLEASE someone tell me why I waited so long to read an MFM romance because WOW. This book was spicy, addictive, and had me in a chokehold for two days straight (yes, during exam season).

If you love:
🔥 why choose (MFM)
🏠 roommates-to-lovers tension
💔 messy family drama + pageant queen past
😏 sweet boyfriend x confident jerk dynamic
…then How We Are by Poppy Minnix will not disappoint.

Jolene is a former pageant queen with a controlling mom and plenty of baggage, finally breaking free to chase her own life in Chicago. She’s determined to make things work with her soulmate Darius, the sweet and steady boyfriend who’s been waiting for her. But then there’s Arlo—Darius’s best friend and moody, hot roommate—who complicates everything in the best way possible.

The dynamic between these three?? OBSESSED. Darius is the caring, reliable one, while Arlo is the confident jerk who grows on you until suddenly you can’t get enough of him. And Jolene—caught between what’s expected of her and what she truly wants—was such a fun heroine to follow.

The writing was smooth, the pacing was perfect (no rushing here), and it was such an easy binge read. My only tiny wish? That Darius had a little more personality outside of being “the boyfriend,” and Jolene leaned more into her sass. But honestly, this book delivered exactly what I needed: high spice, addictive tension, and just enough plot to keep me hooked.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — bold, sexy, and unputdownable. If you’re craving spice with a side of feels, this is it.

will be posted on goodreads today

How We Are is a beautifully messy, steamy, and deeply emotional why choose romance that hooked me from the very beginning. What makes this book shine is how seamlessly it blends passion with vulnerability, showing that love doesn’t always come in a neat package, it’s raw, complicated, and worth fighting for.

The MFM dynamic is written with intensity and heart. The connection between the three of them is undeniably steamy, full of heat and dirty moments that will leave you fanning yourself, but it’s also layered with genuine emotion. Their bond feels broken at times, but never hollow it’s real, and it grows stronger as they learn to accept themselves and each other.

What struck me most was the emotional core of the story, the courage it takes to embrace who you are, even when family or society tries to make you feel otherwise. That theme gave the book so much depth, making it more than just a romance it’s a story about identity, acceptance, and love in its most honest form.

Every page pulled me deeper into their journey, and by the end, I wasn’t just invested in the romance, I was invested in their healing. This isn’t just a book you read for the spice (though it delivers plenty) it’s one you feel.

How We Are is steamy, dirty, emotional, and unforgettable. I loved every second of the ride.

Electric chemistry and spiciness sizzle throughout the book, seamlessly wrapped in raw and passionate emotions. While the pages are filled with heat, that fire is layered around the vulnerability and growth of a deepening relationship. The complexities of this story made it nearly impossible to put down. It’s a delicious combination of heartfelt romance and toe-curling spice, blending the tension of soulmates reuniting with the thrill of roommates becoming lovers.

How We Are is the story of three individuals falling in love and discovering how to write their own rules about relationships. Jolene and Darius grew up together and are the loves of each other’s lives, but for the past five years, their romance has survived long distance while Jolene finished school. Now, she’s finally leaving Kentucky—and her mother’s expectations—behind to move to Chicago with Darius, which also means living with his best friend and roommate, Arlo.

Jolene faces the emotional gauntlet of adjusting to city life, finding a job, redefining family expectations, and confronting her attraction to Arlo. She must decide what it truly means to be a “good girl” while giving herself permission to want more—specifically, two men and all the complexities that come with them.

From the moment Jolene enters the apartment, the tension between her and Arlo is undeniable, though both try to ignore it. Ironically, it’s Darius who notices and gently fuels the spark between the two people he loves most. When Jolene learns that Arlo and Darius have experimented together before, the doors of possibility fling wide open.

Arlo is the unapologetic wild card—tattooed, confident, and magnetic. He’s deeply emotional beneath his free-spirited exterior, and his blunt honesty forces Jolene to shed the masks she’s been wearing for others. Darius, meanwhile, is the cinnamon roll of the trio: steady, caring, and the embodiment of unconditional love. While I wished for a bit more dimension to his arc—especially their adjustment after years apart—the balance of personalities made this trio unforgettable.

Poppy Minnix shines in the way she portrays safe, consensual kinks and the raw reality of polyamorous love in a society that doesn’t always accept it. The dialogue is honest, heartfelt, and deeply moving.

Poppy Minnix is a master of words, weaving wit, heat, and emotion with the precision of an art form. How We Are dazzles with seamless storytelling, bold romance, and characters who will stay with you long after the last page.

Tropes:
✨ New adult
✨ Battling parental & societal expectations
✨ Forced proximity (roommates)
✨ Boyfriend’s best friend
✨ Consensual alpha male & a cinnamon roll
✨ Small-town girl moves to big city
✨ Found family
✨ Self-discovery

Poppy Minnix’s How We Are is a bold, beautifully written, and unapologetically passionate novel that blends romance, spice, and emotional depth in a way that feels both captivating and authentic. At its heart, this is a story about three people navigating love, desire, and identity as they step into a relationship structure that is less often represented in mainstream romance: a committed trouple.

The first thing that stands out is just how natural Minnix makes the story feel. The chemistry between the three main characters is undeniable, but what elevates this book is that it isn’t just about the heat—it’s about connection, vulnerability, and trust. Readers are invited into the inner worlds of each character, experiencing their hopes, fears, and insecurities as they learn how to balance love for one another while also grappling with societal expectations. You don’t just witness the passion—they let you feel the tenderness, the doubts, and the triumphs of discovering a new kind of “normal.”

The writing itself is lush and engaging, with prose that flows effortlessly, carrying the reader through both steamy encounters and heartfelt moments of reflection. Minnix gives space for the relationships to breathe, evolve, and deepen, ensuring that the story never feels rushed or superficial. The spice is definitely there—and it is wonderfully done—but it never overshadows the emotional resonance. Instead, the intimacy only enhances the authenticity of the bonds being built.

What makes How We Are particularly important is its representation. Stories that center polyamorous or trouple relationships are still rare in romance fiction, and Minnix handles the subject with care, respect, and celebration. By presenting a narrative where love doesn’t have to be limited to two people—and showing the joy and challenges that come with it—this book offers readers a chance to see themselves, or their desires, reflected in a positive, affirming way. For those who are part of or curious about nontraditional relationships, this novel delivers both validation and inspiration.

How We Are is more than just a spicy romance—it’s a story about love without limits, about finding security and happiness in being true to who you are and who you love. With its combination of heartfelt storytelling and sizzling intimacy, it is a standout read that both entertains and empowers. Poppy Minnix has given us a romance that feels as real as it is beautiful, and one that reminds us there is no single definition of love.

How We Are was an absolute ride and I mean that in the best, steamiest way possible. This was my first MFM romance, and let me just say: I get it now. Poppy has definitely opened a spicy new door for me, and I’ll definitely be walking through it again.

Jolene is such a strong, relatable heroine. Watching her break free from the expectations of her pageant-obsessed upbringing and go after the lifeand love(s) she truly wants was both empowering and deliciously entertaining. The chemistry between her, Darius, and Arlo is off the charts. Darius brings the soft, supportive soulmate vibes, while Arlo is pure grumpy temptation. Together? Explosive.

Yes, it’s hot (seriously, the smuttiest book I’ve ever read), but there’s also depth, heart, and growth. The emotional tension is just as satisfying as the physical, and I was hooked from start to finish.

If you’re curious about MFM or just want a spicy, emotionally charged escape, How We Are is the perfect place to start. Can’t wait for book two!