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The Firecracker Cousins #2
Ablaze: The Firecracker Cousins, Book 2
Sometimes you think you know yourself until you realize you’ve only scratched the surface.
Mariana Torres Charles is finally ready to fulfill her dream as a bandleader and designer for the up-and-coming carnival band LoveVibe for Miami Carnival. The win would be proof that she can follow through on her goals because in love…the follow through is less than stellar. After a long string of crushed lovers, she is done breaking hearts.
When Mason Brathwaite, her forever-friends-with-benefits, needs a date to a networking event to snag a new sponsor for his student community center, she volunteers to attend with him hoping to catch a break from the pressures of dating. But when they meet the mysterious Daniel Robinson, son of Mason’s prospective donor and experienced kinkster, she can’t help but forget her newfound resolve.
Every moment they spend together illuminates her thoughts and desires, but her track record at love tells her it is only a matter of time before their liaison smokes away.
With Mason vying for her heart and Daniel seducing their minds, what can a woman do but succumb to the temptation calling to her? Mariana will deal with the ashes once they come. After all, that's her specialty.
Mariana Torres Charles is finally ready to fulfill her dream as a bandleader and designer for the up-and-coming carnival band LoveVibe for Miami Carnival. The win would be proof that she can follow through on her goals because in love…the follow through is less than stellar. After a long string of crushed lovers, she is done breaking hearts.
When Mason Brathwaite, her forever-friends-with-benefits, needs a date to a networking event to snag a new sponsor for his student community center, she volunteers to attend with him hoping to catch a break from the pressures of dating. But when they meet the mysterious Daniel Robinson, son of Mason’s prospective donor and experienced kinkster, she can’t help but forget her newfound resolve.
Every moment they spend together illuminates her thoughts and desires, but her track record at love tells her it is only a matter of time before their liaison smokes away.
With Mason vying for her heart and Daniel seducing their minds, what can a woman do but succumb to the temptation calling to her? Mariana will deal with the ashes once they come. After all, that's her specialty.
Audible Audio
First published February 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 16, 2024
A.H. Cunningham is probably one of the few authors if not the only one that can give me a polyamorous love story with on page male on male intimacy that isn’t cringy and actually turns me on 🫣.
I enjoyed this Throuple love story between Marianna, Mason and Daniel. They are all navigating their sexuality and comfort zones individually and even though they aren’t all fully living in their truths, you can’t help but to be intrigued by the outcome of their journey.
Marianna already had a long standing friends with benefits situation with Mason and even though feelings are involved, Marianna isn’t sure she wants to take the leap of being more. After being Mason’s plus one at a community funding event, Daniel enters the chat and I guess when you live this lifestyle, you can pick up on certain queues 🤷🏽♀️ because he was trying to be down with the crew. It’s not long before these three enter a relationship and uncharted territory.
I loved the maturity of the story and the display of how healthy communication can be beneficial. They provided each other a safe space to be authentic and unapologetically themselves. This type of story isn’t for everyone but if it’s your thing then I think you’d enjoy it.
I enjoyed this Throuple love story between Marianna, Mason and Daniel. They are all navigating their sexuality and comfort zones individually and even though they aren’t all fully living in their truths, you can’t help but to be intrigued by the outcome of their journey.
Marianna already had a long standing friends with benefits situation with Mason and even though feelings are involved, Marianna isn’t sure she wants to take the leap of being more. After being Mason’s plus one at a community funding event, Daniel enters the chat and I guess when you live this lifestyle, you can pick up on certain queues 🤷🏽♀️ because he was trying to be down with the crew. It’s not long before these three enter a relationship and uncharted territory.
I loved the maturity of the story and the display of how healthy communication can be beneficial. They provided each other a safe space to be authentic and unapologetically themselves. This type of story isn’t for everyone but if it’s your thing then I think you’d enjoy it.
March 14, 2022
dnf @ 56% but giving it three stars because i did like what I'd read so far.
While i liked the premise (yay for openness surrounding polyamoury and sexuality) and thought this was super sexy (mmf 🥵🔥), the plot and writing style was just not holding my interest, unfortunately. I might pick it up again at a later date because i loved the diversity, inclusion, and representation (this was so intersectional!! 🙌🏽) but it's just not calling to me at this time.
While i liked the premise (yay for openness surrounding polyamoury and sexuality) and thought this was super sexy (mmf 🥵🔥), the plot and writing style was just not holding my interest, unfortunately. I might pick it up again at a later date because i loved the diversity, inclusion, and representation (this was so intersectional!! 🙌🏽) but it's just not calling to me at this time.
May 31, 2023
a well written polyamory story
This is one of the few polyamory plots featuring people of color that I found well done. The trepidation each character felt seemed reasonable and the progression of the attraction to love between Mariana, Mason and Daniel was well paced.
It had a whole lot more sex than I actually needed but they were sexy scenes. I especially enjoyed Mari having sexual freedom and agency in her life and in the relationship with the men. She clearly had trust and self confidence to communicate her wants, needs and desires. I alternated between the ebook and the audiobook as enjoyed both equally.
This is one of the few polyamory plots featuring people of color that I found well done. The trepidation each character felt seemed reasonable and the progression of the attraction to love between Mariana, Mason and Daniel was well paced.
It had a whole lot more sex than I actually needed but they were sexy scenes. I especially enjoyed Mari having sexual freedom and agency in her life and in the relationship with the men. She clearly had trust and self confidence to communicate her wants, needs and desires. I alternated between the ebook and the audiobook as enjoyed both equally.
June 28, 2025
4.5 stars
“Beauty was subjective but there was nothing subjective about how her beauty, spoke of the way she held the sun in her hands and divinity in her hips.”
“One set of eyes burning from down below, and the other set of eyes, cooling her from afar.”
This was soooo good! I really enjoyed this so much, the voice narrators did their thang, they truly brought the characters to life! I really love how this story was about open communication, between the three of them! This was such a positive and open story that explored lots of important themes, i really enjoyed reading this story a lot! It’s not only an enjoyable spicy read but the characters have so much depth and it’s so easy to root for them to all make it work!
“Beauty was subjective but there was nothing subjective about how her beauty, spoke of the way she held the sun in her hands and divinity in her hips.”
“One set of eyes burning from down below, and the other set of eyes, cooling her from afar.”
This was soooo good! I really enjoyed this so much, the voice narrators did their thang, they truly brought the characters to life! I really love how this story was about open communication, between the three of them! This was such a positive and open story that explored lots of important themes, i really enjoyed reading this story a lot! It’s not only an enjoyable spicy read but the characters have so much depth and it’s so easy to root for them to all make it work!
February 16, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: friends to lovers/ strangers to lovers
TW/CW: sexual harassment (supporting character), queerphobia (main characters parent)
Representation: multicultural romance/ polyamorous romance/ pansexual rep/ bisexual rep
Favorite quote: “Anything for you, sweetheart. I tell you that over and over again, but you don’t listen. But that’s alright, I’ll keep telling you until it becomes your truth,” Mason said, giving her a soft kiss on her hair.”
Thoughts: **i was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review** We meet Marianna and Mason in book 1 of this series and i was so excited that they were getting their own book! This book was unbelievably sex positive, and gave me all the feels! Daniel was such a KING and i love that man so much. Marianna was going through a lot of to deal with coming to terms with the relationship these three were building and i loved how patient they were with her. I also just loved how much these three grew together and you could tell from the first interaction that they were meant to be together. I really love the educational bits about kinks and sexual exploration we got in this book. I also loved that they explored each others fantasies! Ugh i loves these three! But also lets get to the spice...... THAT SHIT WAS IMMACULATE OKAY!? top tier! I cant even put into words how amazing the chemistry was for them, and how HOT these moments were! Chileeeeeee i need more lol
Tropes: friends to lovers/ strangers to lovers
TW/CW: sexual harassment (supporting character), queerphobia (main characters parent)
Representation: multicultural romance/ polyamorous romance/ pansexual rep/ bisexual rep
Favorite quote: “Anything for you, sweetheart. I tell you that over and over again, but you don’t listen. But that’s alright, I’ll keep telling you until it becomes your truth,” Mason said, giving her a soft kiss on her hair.”
Thoughts: **i was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review** We meet Marianna and Mason in book 1 of this series and i was so excited that they were getting their own book! This book was unbelievably sex positive, and gave me all the feels! Daniel was such a KING and i love that man so much. Marianna was going through a lot of to deal with coming to terms with the relationship these three were building and i loved how patient they were with her. I also just loved how much these three grew together and you could tell from the first interaction that they were meant to be together. I really love the educational bits about kinks and sexual exploration we got in this book. I also loved that they explored each others fantasies! Ugh i loves these three! But also lets get to the spice...... THAT SHIT WAS IMMACULATE OKAY!? top tier! I cant even put into words how amazing the chemistry was for them, and how HOT these moments were! Chileeeeeee i need more lol
February 12, 2022
3.5🌟
•Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
•This was my first m×f×m book and i can say with no doubt that i enjoyed. However I would have loved to hear more thoughts in Daniels pov....most of the book revolves around Mason and Marianna's pov and I'm not saying I didn't like them it just felt like they left Daniel out alot. Same with the sex scene they kinda felt forced like you could feel the chemistry between Mason & Mariana but add Daniel it felt meh....He was more suited to be to play the part of a voyeur in this polyamorous or throuple relationship.
•I also had a problem with Mariana towards the end like she could not make up her mind and that pissed me off alot.
•However the writing was really good and loved how the author gave details in all aspects. Be sure to check out it this Monday (14th Feb) when it releases.
•Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
•This was my first m×f×m book and i can say with no doubt that i enjoyed. However I would have loved to hear more thoughts in Daniels pov....most of the book revolves around Mason and Marianna's pov and I'm not saying I didn't like them it just felt like they left Daniel out alot. Same with the sex scene they kinda felt forced like you could feel the chemistry between Mason & Mariana but add Daniel it felt meh....He was more suited to be to play the part of a voyeur in this polyamorous or throuple relationship.
•I also had a problem with Mariana towards the end like she could not make up her mind and that pissed me off alot.
•However the writing was really good and loved how the author gave details in all aspects. Be sure to check out it this Monday (14th Feb) when it releases.
December 4, 2023
(Audible version)
June 10, 2023
I cheer every time I read about a black polyamorous relationship because we don’t get it enough!! The communication and chemistry between Daniel/Mason/Mari was FIRE. They made sure they were always on the same page in terms of their kink, boundaries and emotions, and were sure to talk it out if conflict arose.
I was a little frustrated with Mari sometimes because she was a little hot and cold when it came to taking the relationship public, but I could understand wanting her parents’ approval. I’m glad she finally realized that Daniel and Mason loved her for who she was, and everyone else didn’t matter!
TROPES: black romance/BIPOC/OWN voices; polyamory; bisexual/pansexual H/h; kink exploration/kink club
TRIGGER WARNINGS: homophobia; mentions of parental neglect/parental death
I was a little frustrated with Mari sometimes because she was a little hot and cold when it came to taking the relationship public, but I could understand wanting her parents’ approval. I’m glad she finally realized that Daniel and Mason loved her for who she was, and everyone else didn’t matter!
TROPES: black romance/BIPOC/OWN voices; polyamory; bisexual/pansexual H/h; kink exploration/kink club
TRIGGER WARNINGS: homophobia; mentions of parental neglect/parental death
November 9, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but it was way longer than what it had to be in my opinion. The story itself wasn’t that deep for it to be so long.
November 13, 2023
This was so good!!
November 8, 2024
4.5 🥵🌶️❤️
December 8, 2023
I tried to get into this book because I’m into RH. But the plot moves too slow. DNF @ 20% cause this storyline didn’t hold my attention. If you like to read several pages of story before the characters have sex, then this book might hit for you. I admit I only read it because I heard how good of an RH this story was, but it takes too long to get to the meat and potatoes.
February 2, 2026
4.5 stars.
February 14, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Review coming soon…whew Chile! Este libro me tuvo en sumisión total!
**Review**
Mason and Mariana have played fast and loose with their love and friendship since they were teenagers with everyone expecting them to end up together. Both openly bi-sexual, the pull that exists between them is just magnetic and cannot be ignored. After years of the back and forth with Mari, Mason finds he and his heart are a little more guarded when it comes to the “friends with benefits” relationship they have. Mari isn’t just stringing Mason along though because she’s just as guarded and more importantly she’s trying to guard his heart because she feels incapable of giving him everything she believes he deserves and hurting him is the last thing she wants to do. Then Daniel comes into both of their lives and instantly knocks them off their axis. He introduces them to new and exciting possibilities and a different lifestyle that could actually work. What was intended to be a “no strings” pan sexual/polyam relationship of kink and exploration turned into vulnerability, hard truths, trust, support, acceptance, and love. A.H. Cunningham has done it again! She’s tackled the hard topics for LGBTQ individuals of color, in diverse ethnic backgrounds, how fear of familial abandonment exists, what happens when families aren’t accepting of who we are, and how beautiful it can be when love truly wins. I loved the vividness of the story. It was written so well that I felt like I was a part of the story from the costume making, to the interactions, and the carnival celebration.💃🏽💃🏽
**Review**
Mason and Mariana have played fast and loose with their love and friendship since they were teenagers with everyone expecting them to end up together. Both openly bi-sexual, the pull that exists between them is just magnetic and cannot be ignored. After years of the back and forth with Mari, Mason finds he and his heart are a little more guarded when it comes to the “friends with benefits” relationship they have. Mari isn’t just stringing Mason along though because she’s just as guarded and more importantly she’s trying to guard his heart because she feels incapable of giving him everything she believes he deserves and hurting him is the last thing she wants to do. Then Daniel comes into both of their lives and instantly knocks them off their axis. He introduces them to new and exciting possibilities and a different lifestyle that could actually work. What was intended to be a “no strings” pan sexual/polyam relationship of kink and exploration turned into vulnerability, hard truths, trust, support, acceptance, and love. A.H. Cunningham has done it again! She’s tackled the hard topics for LGBTQ individuals of color, in diverse ethnic backgrounds, how fear of familial abandonment exists, what happens when families aren’t accepting of who we are, and how beautiful it can be when love truly wins. I loved the vividness of the story. It was written so well that I felt like I was a part of the story from the costume making, to the interactions, and the carnival celebration.💃🏽💃🏽
May 29, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - workplace sexual harassment (briefly mentioned, secondary character), parental queer-phobia, death of a parent (mentioned)
CW - D/s, exhibitionism, voyeurism, edging, public play, sensory depravation, impact play, DP
Tropes - throuple - MMF, erotica, friends with benefits
This book follows:
Daniel (MMC): solo polyam bisexual man
Mason (MMC): pansexual
Mari (FMC): bisexual
Mason is in love with Mari but finds himself getting hurt by her more often than not because she can't settle and always finds herself feeling confined when she gets into relationships and eventually wanting more; she doesn't want to hurt Mason so she tries to avoid that with him.
They both meet Daniel who is instantly drawn to them and very direct in what he wants, which is something I really appreciated. Daniel is into kink which brought a good dynamic to the group but I was kinda expecting more from that.
I also really liked how they pushed for open communication between them, it was refreshing to read and allowed them to avoid a lot of bs.
Mari struggles with figuring out what she wants and how she's going to share it with her friends and family. For a lot of the book, I felt bad for Mason getting hurt by Mari's actions but there really wasn't anything he could do but let Mari deal with everything on her own. I think an important lesson in this book is that if you cannot be who you truly are in front of the people that are meant to love you unconditionally, then they do not love you unconditionally 🤷🏽♀️.
The relationship felt quite surface level to me in this one but I'm assuming that it's due to this book being < 300 pages.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
TW - workplace sexual harassment (briefly mentioned, secondary character), parental queer-phobia, death of a parent (mentioned)
CW - D/s, exhibitionism, voyeurism, edging, public play, sensory depravation, impact play, DP
Tropes - throuple - MMF, erotica, friends with benefits
This book follows:
Daniel (MMC): solo polyam bisexual man
Mason (MMC): pansexual
Mari (FMC): bisexual
Mason is in love with Mari but finds himself getting hurt by her more often than not because she can't settle and always finds herself feeling confined when she gets into relationships and eventually wanting more; she doesn't want to hurt Mason so she tries to avoid that with him.
They both meet Daniel who is instantly drawn to them and very direct in what he wants, which is something I really appreciated. Daniel is into kink which brought a good dynamic to the group but I was kinda expecting more from that.
I also really liked how they pushed for open communication between them, it was refreshing to read and allowed them to avoid a lot of bs.
Mari struggles with figuring out what she wants and how she's going to share it with her friends and family. For a lot of the book, I felt bad for Mason getting hurt by Mari's actions but there really wasn't anything he could do but let Mari deal with everything on her own. I think an important lesson in this book is that if you cannot be who you truly are in front of the people that are meant to love you unconditionally, then they do not love you unconditionally 🤷🏽♀️.
The relationship felt quite surface level to me in this one but I'm assuming that it's due to this book being < 300 pages.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
February 17, 2022
Let me begin by saying, that I am so proud of A.H Cunningham for writing a story about black people falling in love I really appreciated that. However I felt like the story fell short to me I was really excited around 30% of the book because I felt like it was going to be something that I really liked. But after that it started to become just about sex and everything that Mariana wanted. It felt as if Mason and Daniel were really in love and then Mariana was just there on the side. I really lovedMason and Daniel!! Like when they went from calling each other Bruh to calling each other babe I got so happy!! So I really love them two in this relationship. I just wish it wasn’t about them having to abide by everything that Mariana wanted. It felt like them consistently giving and her taking. I would’ve like to see them three as a couple rather than Mason and Daniel being a couple and then Mariana just being there. Overall Cunningham does an amazing job at writing about people within the black diaspora and I really appreciate the diversity because it’s some thing that we’re not given a lot!
July 8, 2026
3.75⭐️ gladly rounding up for the audio experience!
I had an excellent time with Ablaze, but I think it would have been even better if it had trusted some of its strongest ideas just a little more.
See, I'm usually not the biggest fan of Why choose or RH because it always feels lacklustre in the character/relationship development area. I have mentioned this in several reviews, but the minute you have too many characters involved and thus smut scenes, authors start to suffocate actual character development to add just another smutty scene in yet another combination/variation.
Surprisingly, the biggest strength of this book is the people. Mariana, Mason, and Daniel never felt like three archetypes thrown together because “why choose/poly” is the trope. But these three all come into the story carrying very different emotional baggage, and the relationship only works because those differences are acknowledged instead of ignored.
Mariana especially stood out to me. I appreciated that her hesitation isn't framed as some misunderstanding that only needs the right man to fix it. She genuinely believes she's capable of loving more than one person and refuses to promise someone a version of herself she can't honestly give. Whether you agree with her or not (and she will feel frustrating at a point), it comes from a place of integrity and I liked that the book worked out that distinction with respect for the emotional plausibility of her motivations.
Mason is probably the emotional heart of the story. He's the nurturing kind, endlessly patient, and almost painfully devoted to the people he loves. Underneath that, though, is someone who's spent a long time accepting half-measures because he believes loving someone means waiting until they're ready. I take it you see the conflict? Watching him slowly realise that his own needs deserve space too was one of the stronger character arcs for me (and gladly he never got reckless in doing so).
Daniel was the biggest surprise. On paper, he could have easily become the stereotypical cold businessman, and obviously his need for control, perfection, and respectability makes complete sense once you see the environment he was raised in. His emotional restraint isn't a personality quirk. It's survival. But, and this is what I liked the most, he will give up that need for control in a situation (trying to avoid spoilers) that will make you enjoy this a lot. I loved that.
Another me issue, is that poly romances (especially when it's only a triad) sometimes end up feeling like one established couple with a third person orbiting around them. I slightly got that impression here in the beginning, but it kind of made sense for the premise of the book. And by the end, it genuinely felt like three people building one relationship together instead of two people simply adding a third. It also never felt like two people competing for someone's affection. It's much more interested in exploring how different kinds of love can coexist, how each relationship fills emotional gaps the others can't, and how vulnerability looks different depending on who's standing in front of you. It could have lingered on this emotional beat a bit longer, but I also know that my expectations are set a bit too high here.
The Caribbean representation was another highlight. Carnival is woven into the characters' identities, their creativity, their friendships, and the sense of community surrounding them. The food, the music, the language, the family dynamics…for me, that was refreshing.
Where the book lost me a little was in the emotional progression. I completely bought the attraction between them from the beginning. The chemistry is undeniable, and it made perfect sense that desire opened the door to something deeper. What I didn't fully buy was how quickly that deeper connection became love. The relationship keeps moving forward through acts of service, quiet care, and a growing physical intimacy, all of which I enjoyed. But emotionally, I found myself wanting more conversations in which those moments got unpacked. The characters spend a lot of time wrestling with their fears of rejection, abandonment, and what this relationship could mean for their lives, yet I occasionally felt like we moved from those fears straight into the next intimate scene before really sitting with the emotional shift that had happened. I believed they were becoming important to each other. I just wanted a little bit more time watching those fears transform into trust.
Overall, though, this was a refreshing take (at least for me) on a polyamorous romance because it acknowledges that the relationship itself isn't the real or only conflict. The conflict comes from learning to believe you're worthy of being fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved without having to cut away pieces of yourself first.
I had an excellent time with Ablaze, but I think it would have been even better if it had trusted some of its strongest ideas just a little more.
See, I'm usually not the biggest fan of Why choose or RH because it always feels lacklustre in the character/relationship development area. I have mentioned this in several reviews, but the minute you have too many characters involved and thus smut scenes, authors start to suffocate actual character development to add just another smutty scene in yet another combination/variation.
Surprisingly, the biggest strength of this book is the people. Mariana, Mason, and Daniel never felt like three archetypes thrown together because “why choose/poly” is the trope. But these three all come into the story carrying very different emotional baggage, and the relationship only works because those differences are acknowledged instead of ignored.
Mariana especially stood out to me. I appreciated that her hesitation isn't framed as some misunderstanding that only needs the right man to fix it. She genuinely believes she's capable of loving more than one person and refuses to promise someone a version of herself she can't honestly give. Whether you agree with her or not (and she will feel frustrating at a point), it comes from a place of integrity and I liked that the book worked out that distinction with respect for the emotional plausibility of her motivations.
Mason is probably the emotional heart of the story. He's the nurturing kind, endlessly patient, and almost painfully devoted to the people he loves. Underneath that, though, is someone who's spent a long time accepting half-measures because he believes loving someone means waiting until they're ready. I take it you see the conflict? Watching him slowly realise that his own needs deserve space too was one of the stronger character arcs for me (and gladly he never got reckless in doing so).
Daniel was the biggest surprise. On paper, he could have easily become the stereotypical cold businessman, and obviously his need for control, perfection, and respectability makes complete sense once you see the environment he was raised in. His emotional restraint isn't a personality quirk. It's survival. But, and this is what I liked the most, he will give up that need for control in a situation (trying to avoid spoilers) that will make you enjoy this a lot. I loved that.
Another me issue, is that poly romances (especially when it's only a triad) sometimes end up feeling like one established couple with a third person orbiting around them. I slightly got that impression here in the beginning, but it kind of made sense for the premise of the book. And by the end, it genuinely felt like three people building one relationship together instead of two people simply adding a third. It also never felt like two people competing for someone's affection. It's much more interested in exploring how different kinds of love can coexist, how each relationship fills emotional gaps the others can't, and how vulnerability looks different depending on who's standing in front of you. It could have lingered on this emotional beat a bit longer, but I also know that my expectations are set a bit too high here.
The Caribbean representation was another highlight. Carnival is woven into the characters' identities, their creativity, their friendships, and the sense of community surrounding them. The food, the music, the language, the family dynamics…for me, that was refreshing.
Where the book lost me a little was in the emotional progression. I completely bought the attraction between them from the beginning. The chemistry is undeniable, and it made perfect sense that desire opened the door to something deeper. What I didn't fully buy was how quickly that deeper connection became love. The relationship keeps moving forward through acts of service, quiet care, and a growing physical intimacy, all of which I enjoyed. But emotionally, I found myself wanting more conversations in which those moments got unpacked. The characters spend a lot of time wrestling with their fears of rejection, abandonment, and what this relationship could mean for their lives, yet I occasionally felt like we moved from those fears straight into the next intimate scene before really sitting with the emotional shift that had happened. I believed they were becoming important to each other. I just wanted a little bit more time watching those fears transform into trust.
Overall, though, this was a refreshing take (at least for me) on a polyamorous romance because it acknowledges that the relationship itself isn't the real or only conflict. The conflict comes from learning to believe you're worthy of being fully known, fully accepted, and fully loved without having to cut away pieces of yourself first.
March 1, 2022
CW: Sexual Content, Homophobia, Difficult parental relationships
Ablaze was just what the doctor ordered for February. A polyamorous romance starring three beautiful black people? Friends to lovers? Workplace Romance? Sexiness?! Check, check, check, CHECK!
Mari and Mason are no stranger to each others bodies or lives. They've been on again/off again friends with benefits for years. Mason has always known he's loved Mari, but she constantly pushing him away. It's her way of trying to keep from hurting him, but it always had the opposite effect. Still, they can't seem to keep away from each other. So when Mason asks Mari to accompany him to an investor's party as his date, she happily agrees.
Enter Daniel. Daniel is the son of said investor and from the moment he lays eyes on them, he's sucked into Mari and Mason's web. He's very clear in that he wants a polyam relationship, but the concept is new to both Mari and Mason (though technically they've been living that way for awhile). While Mason is hesitant because he doesn't want his heartbroken, Mari has different reasons for resisting getting into a relationship with these two men: she doesn't want to hurt them, but she's also terrified of what her friends and family may think of the arrangement. There's no denying their attraction to one another though and pretty soon this triad gets more than they originally bargained for.
Let me tell y'all my favorite thing about this book: The communication. Daniel's biggest thing is that there always needs to be communication between their triad, no matter how uncomfortable the topic may be. His past has shown him that when communication isn't at the forefront of a relationship, especially a polyamorous relationship and a relationship involving kink, things can go bad very quickly. His proclivity to communicate any and everything eventually find their way into Mari and Mason. Mason quickly realizes that this is one of the biggest things that has always been missing from his interactions with Mari. They've never taken the time to communicate what they both want, which has led to heartbreak and misunderstandings. Mari's scared of opening those communication channels, but Daniel and Mason both teach her that life is better when you can talk through even your biggest fears.
The three of them each brought something to the table in their relationship. I was pleasantly surprised to see that even though Mari and Mason were the ones with a prior relationship, Mason and Daniel were the two who really shined. All in all, I had a great time reading this and even though I wanted to smack Mari a few times, everything worked out for the best.
Ablaze was just what the doctor ordered for February. A polyamorous romance starring three beautiful black people? Friends to lovers? Workplace Romance? Sexiness?! Check, check, check, CHECK!
Mari and Mason are no stranger to each others bodies or lives. They've been on again/off again friends with benefits for years. Mason has always known he's loved Mari, but she constantly pushing him away. It's her way of trying to keep from hurting him, but it always had the opposite effect. Still, they can't seem to keep away from each other. So when Mason asks Mari to accompany him to an investor's party as his date, she happily agrees.
Enter Daniel. Daniel is the son of said investor and from the moment he lays eyes on them, he's sucked into Mari and Mason's web. He's very clear in that he wants a polyam relationship, but the concept is new to both Mari and Mason (though technically they've been living that way for awhile). While Mason is hesitant because he doesn't want his heartbroken, Mari has different reasons for resisting getting into a relationship with these two men: she doesn't want to hurt them, but she's also terrified of what her friends and family may think of the arrangement. There's no denying their attraction to one another though and pretty soon this triad gets more than they originally bargained for.
Let me tell y'all my favorite thing about this book: The communication. Daniel's biggest thing is that there always needs to be communication between their triad, no matter how uncomfortable the topic may be. His past has shown him that when communication isn't at the forefront of a relationship, especially a polyamorous relationship and a relationship involving kink, things can go bad very quickly. His proclivity to communicate any and everything eventually find their way into Mari and Mason. Mason quickly realizes that this is one of the biggest things that has always been missing from his interactions with Mari. They've never taken the time to communicate what they both want, which has led to heartbreak and misunderstandings. Mari's scared of opening those communication channels, but Daniel and Mason both teach her that life is better when you can talk through even your biggest fears.
The three of them each brought something to the table in their relationship. I was pleasantly surprised to see that even though Mari and Mason were the ones with a prior relationship, Mason and Daniel were the two who really shined. All in all, I had a great time reading this and even though I wanted to smack Mari a few times, everything worked out for the best.
August 4, 2025
Ablaze by AH Cunningham is an engaging exploration of love, desire, and self-discovery that challenges traditional notions of relationships. From the cover alone, I expected a spicy read, and Cunningham delivered—there’s definitely heat and passion in this story. But what truly stood out was the authentic depiction of the complexities involved in navigating polyamorous relationships.
Mariana Torres Charles is a compelling protagonist—ambitious, hopeful, and searching for her place in love and life. Her journey from a woman with a checklist of crushes to someone willing to open herself up to genuine connection is heartfelt and relatable. Cunningham describes the chemistry and tension between Mariana, Mason, and Daniel with sincerity, emphasizing that love isn’t a linear or neat experience. Instead, it’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal.
What I particularly appreciate about Cunningham’s approach is her honest portrayal of polyamory. Unlike many romances that depict a closed triad happily ending at the story’s conclusion, Ablaze reflects the realities of polyamorous dynamics—fluid, evolving, and sometimes uncertain. The characters are all seeking their own version of happiness, each with different needs and fears, which makes the narrative richly layered. Falling in love becomes a vulnerable act, fraught with the fear of hurting others or being hurt—and Cunningham captures that raw emotion beautifully.
This novel is a breath of fresh air for anyone interested in polyamory, as it moves beyond the “perfect triad” trope and dives into the genuine challenges and joys of wanting multiple people simultaneously. The characters are imperfect, their desires are varied, and their explorations are authentic. Cunningham reminds us that love doesn’t have to conform to anyone’s idea of "normal"—it’s as unique as the people involved.
In essence, Ablaze is a warm, honest, and fiery story that celebrates the messy, beautiful reality of love without boundaries. Highly recommended for those looking for a polyamorous romance that feels real, heartfelt, and unapologetically raw.
Mariana Torres Charles is a compelling protagonist—ambitious, hopeful, and searching for her place in love and life. Her journey from a woman with a checklist of crushes to someone willing to open herself up to genuine connection is heartfelt and relatable. Cunningham describes the chemistry and tension between Mariana, Mason, and Daniel with sincerity, emphasizing that love isn’t a linear or neat experience. Instead, it’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal.
What I particularly appreciate about Cunningham’s approach is her honest portrayal of polyamory. Unlike many romances that depict a closed triad happily ending at the story’s conclusion, Ablaze reflects the realities of polyamorous dynamics—fluid, evolving, and sometimes uncertain. The characters are all seeking their own version of happiness, each with different needs and fears, which makes the narrative richly layered. Falling in love becomes a vulnerable act, fraught with the fear of hurting others or being hurt—and Cunningham captures that raw emotion beautifully.
This novel is a breath of fresh air for anyone interested in polyamory, as it moves beyond the “perfect triad” trope and dives into the genuine challenges and joys of wanting multiple people simultaneously. The characters are imperfect, their desires are varied, and their explorations are authentic. Cunningham reminds us that love doesn’t have to conform to anyone’s idea of "normal"—it’s as unique as the people involved.
In essence, Ablaze is a warm, honest, and fiery story that celebrates the messy, beautiful reality of love without boundaries. Highly recommended for those looking for a polyamorous romance that feels real, heartfelt, and unapologetically raw.
December 23, 2024
4.5 stars rounded down.
This book was written exactly for me. Queer, kinky, polyamorous romance, deep characters and fear of not loving in a way that makes others feel loved, and a little subplot about the risks of relying on major donors and the advantage of switching to community based monthly donor funding structures. I loved it.
This book was written exactly for me. Queer, kinky, polyamorous romance, deep characters and fear of not loving in a way that makes others feel loved, and a little subplot about the risks of relying on major donors and the advantage of switching to community based monthly donor funding structures. I loved it.
May 17, 2026
Never thought I’d get turned on by a MFM relationship! 🥵 this is definitely a new area of the genre for me and I enjoyed the storyline, relationships and tribulations that are all legitimately concerns a polyamorous relationship would make me ask.
As a person whose family is from Barbados, I thought the cultural representation was done well, it’s not one that’s often seen in books.
As a person whose family is from Barbados, I thought the cultural representation was done well, it’s not one that’s often seen in books.
November 28, 2025
Listened via Libby with the ebook. The narrators did an amazing job.
This was a really enjoyable poly book. Every character had so much more going for them outside of getting together. That us as readers get to enjoy and be engaged with them. Falling in love with these characters was easy. I loved the openness of the characters with positive communication. Now Mari did have me a little bit nervous with her family but her growth probably was my favorite. Of course spice was through the roof. Very sensual with attention to detail and the right amount of tenderness to dominance.
This was a really enjoyable poly book. Every character had so much more going for them outside of getting together. That us as readers get to enjoy and be engaged with them. Falling in love with these characters was easy. I loved the openness of the characters with positive communication. Now Mari did have me a little bit nervous with her family but her growth probably was my favorite. Of course spice was through the roof. Very sensual with attention to detail and the right amount of tenderness to dominance.
May 12, 2025
The communication is *chef's kiss*
January 3, 2023
This story actually turned out to be more than I was expecting. From the cover, alone, I was ready for hot and spicy content which I did get. However, the story was actually about 3 people learning to love each other while trying to figure out what is "normal" in a relationship. Here's a hint, there is no "normal" and I appreciated being able to read about a polyam couple that was honestly figuring it out as they went. I really enjoyed getting to know each character and I honestly did feel a connection with all of them. I also enjoyed reading about black and brown polyam relationships. I feel like a lot of books like this that are marketed all look a certain way and this was breath of fresh air.
March 11, 2022
Content Warnings: discrimination against same-gender partners as well as discrimination against polyamory.
Not going to lie, the cover is what drew me in and after reading book one, Alight, I knew that I needed to know more about Mariana and Mason. If you read Alight you’d know that Mariana and Mason have a long and complicated history. Anytime their friend group questions them, they evade and dodge all opportunities to clarify what they are to each other.
Mariana and Mason have both loved each other since they were teens but, because of some hesitations on both sides, never committed to more than just friends with benefits. They seamlessly fit into each other’s lives and are always there when the other needs them, yet they haven’t fully committed to a relationship. When they meet Daniel a new world of possibilities seems to open up before them.
Total honestly, there were many times that I wanted to reach through the pages and just shake these characters, Mariana especially. Though infuriating, at times, it was wonderful to see all three of them open up and warm to the idea of a future together.
Though they just met, Daniel just fits, as if he was made to be part of their lives. Its equal parts fascinating, and infuriating, seeing these three learn to be open and communicate their feelings and emotions. It takes a lot of trust, and love, to be in a relationship and these three put in the work, to build something beautiful.
This book shows how open communication, and trust, can create strong bonds and happiness. I love seeing these three not only learn from each other but explore kink together. Being able to open up and express all of your deepest desires takes a lot of trust and vulnerability, and I love how the author wrote the discussions around them.
It felt like the author really took her time ensuring that we could see how normal, and beautiful, kink is. The level of care Daniel shows, by having Mariana and Mason learn more about kink before they start a physical relationship is wonderful. He constantly makes sure they’re checking their limits and remember their safe words and ensures they practice aftercare, which is an important step.
I really enjoyed seeing this relationship blossom and each of these characters grow, individually and together. I’ve never been happier to stumble upon a new author and cannot wait to see what other relationships Cunningham writes us.
Not going to lie, the cover is what drew me in and after reading book one, Alight, I knew that I needed to know more about Mariana and Mason. If you read Alight you’d know that Mariana and Mason have a long and complicated history. Anytime their friend group questions them, they evade and dodge all opportunities to clarify what they are to each other.
Mariana and Mason have both loved each other since they were teens but, because of some hesitations on both sides, never committed to more than just friends with benefits. They seamlessly fit into each other’s lives and are always there when the other needs them, yet they haven’t fully committed to a relationship. When they meet Daniel a new world of possibilities seems to open up before them.
Total honestly, there were many times that I wanted to reach through the pages and just shake these characters, Mariana especially. Though infuriating, at times, it was wonderful to see all three of them open up and warm to the idea of a future together.
Though they just met, Daniel just fits, as if he was made to be part of their lives. Its equal parts fascinating, and infuriating, seeing these three learn to be open and communicate their feelings and emotions. It takes a lot of trust, and love, to be in a relationship and these three put in the work, to build something beautiful.
This book shows how open communication, and trust, can create strong bonds and happiness. I love seeing these three not only learn from each other but explore kink together. Being able to open up and express all of your deepest desires takes a lot of trust and vulnerability, and I love how the author wrote the discussions around them.
It felt like the author really took her time ensuring that we could see how normal, and beautiful, kink is. The level of care Daniel shows, by having Mariana and Mason learn more about kink before they start a physical relationship is wonderful. He constantly makes sure they’re checking their limits and remember their safe words and ensures they practice aftercare, which is an important step.
I really enjoyed seeing this relationship blossom and each of these characters grow, individually and together. I’ve never been happier to stumble upon a new author and cannot wait to see what other relationships Cunningham writes us.
September 10, 2025
Sometimes you think you know yourself until you realize you’ve only scratched the surface.
Mariana Torres Charles is determined to prove herself as the bandleader and designer for LoveVibe, an up-and-coming Carnival band set to compete in Miami Carnival. Professionally, she’s focused, but in love, her history of broken connections has left her wary. When her longtime friend-with-benefits, Mason Brathwaite, asks her to be his date for a networking event, she sees it as a chance to avoid the messiness of romance for a while.
Everything changes when she meets Daniel Robinson, the charming son of Mason’s potential donor and an experienced kinkster who sparks desires Mariana didn’t know she was ready to face. Soon she finds herself caught between Mason’s steady devotion and Daniel’s fiery allure, all while trying to balance her own dreams and fears.
I really enjoyed this book—it was actually my first polyamorous love story, and I loved how A.H. Cunningham handled the multicultural representation and relationship dynamics. The spice was definitely there (and it was hot!) but never overdone, making the intimate scenes feel purposeful and full of chemistry.
What stood out most to me was the maturity of the story. Seeing three people navigate a relationship with honesty, care, and healthy communication was refreshing. Relationships are complicated enough with one partner, but here we got to see how Mariana, Mason, and Daniel worked together and help each other through their struggles.
Mariana definitely had the most difficulty—not in accepting who she was, but in being able to be “out” because of her family and cultural expectations. As someone of Hispanic descent, her hesitation and fear felt real and layered. It was beautiful, though, to see her family open themselves to understanding what their daughter needed and to witness that journey of acceptance. That piece of representation made the story hit even harder for me.
Ablaze is more than just a steamy romance—it’s a story about growth, trust, cultural identity, and embracing all parts of yourself. The Carnival backdrop adds vibrancy and energy, and the relationships feel layered and real. This was such a rewarding read, and I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.
Tropes You’ll Find:
Friends with benefits → more
Polyamorous romance / love triangle turned triad
Multicultural romance
Found family & family acceptance
Kinky romance
Self-discovery & growth
Mariana Torres Charles is determined to prove herself as the bandleader and designer for LoveVibe, an up-and-coming Carnival band set to compete in Miami Carnival. Professionally, she’s focused, but in love, her history of broken connections has left her wary. When her longtime friend-with-benefits, Mason Brathwaite, asks her to be his date for a networking event, she sees it as a chance to avoid the messiness of romance for a while.
Everything changes when she meets Daniel Robinson, the charming son of Mason’s potential donor and an experienced kinkster who sparks desires Mariana didn’t know she was ready to face. Soon she finds herself caught between Mason’s steady devotion and Daniel’s fiery allure, all while trying to balance her own dreams and fears.
I really enjoyed this book—it was actually my first polyamorous love story, and I loved how A.H. Cunningham handled the multicultural representation and relationship dynamics. The spice was definitely there (and it was hot!) but never overdone, making the intimate scenes feel purposeful and full of chemistry.
What stood out most to me was the maturity of the story. Seeing three people navigate a relationship with honesty, care, and healthy communication was refreshing. Relationships are complicated enough with one partner, but here we got to see how Mariana, Mason, and Daniel worked together and help each other through their struggles.
Mariana definitely had the most difficulty—not in accepting who she was, but in being able to be “out” because of her family and cultural expectations. As someone of Hispanic descent, her hesitation and fear felt real and layered. It was beautiful, though, to see her family open themselves to understanding what their daughter needed and to witness that journey of acceptance. That piece of representation made the story hit even harder for me.
Ablaze is more than just a steamy romance—it’s a story about growth, trust, cultural identity, and embracing all parts of yourself. The Carnival backdrop adds vibrancy and energy, and the relationships feel layered and real. This was such a rewarding read, and I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.
Tropes You’ll Find:
Friends with benefits → more
Polyamorous romance / love triangle turned triad
Multicultural romance
Found family & family acceptance
Kinky romance
Self-discovery & growth
July 27, 2024
This isn’t a bad book by any means. It’s a really unique story that weaves polyamory and queerness and loving, communicative relationships together with some insight into Carnival culture and all of its glory. There are diverse characters with different and interesting perspectives that add to the largeness of the narrative, making this a fully realized world.
It’s too long. There is absolutely a thing as being overly detailed, and this book suffers heavily from it. Part of the reason it took me almost a month to finish this is because I got tired of reading so many unnecessary words and descriptions so I’d take a break. I often found myself saying “her to the point” throughout this book. Cutting down the word count significantly and showing instead of telling the thoughts and feelings of our MCs would improve this book. Also, I personally think this would have benefited from being told in first person instead of this third person; it would give distinct voices to Mari, Mason, and Daniel and do a lot of the showing of their emotions and feelings versus the telling we get with this third person viewpoint.
Outside of the length, I was meh on Mari. She was such a contrast to Mason and Daniel (and lowkey, everyone else) that I felt a bit exasperated by her behavior. Like girl, we get it: you’re a bad bitch who can do it all but you’re secretly seeking everyone’s validation. It doesn’t give you an excuse to move the way you do to the point of not properly caring for yourself and treating Mason like shit for years (he better than me😒). Mari’s extraness also eclipsed Daniel and Mason’s perspectives for me, especially Mason. We learned so much about Mari’s background and got a really good look at Daniel’s, but it was kinda lacking for Mason. There definitely needed to be a better balance between their viewpoints.
Overall, it was an okay read. I DNF’d the first book in this series and painstakingly pushed through this book, so I probably won’t get to the third book, unfortunately.
It’s too long. There is absolutely a thing as being overly detailed, and this book suffers heavily from it. Part of the reason it took me almost a month to finish this is because I got tired of reading so many unnecessary words and descriptions so I’d take a break. I often found myself saying “her to the point” throughout this book. Cutting down the word count significantly and showing instead of telling the thoughts and feelings of our MCs would improve this book. Also, I personally think this would have benefited from being told in first person instead of this third person; it would give distinct voices to Mari, Mason, and Daniel and do a lot of the showing of their emotions and feelings versus the telling we get with this third person viewpoint.
Outside of the length, I was meh on Mari. She was such a contrast to Mason and Daniel (and lowkey, everyone else) that I felt a bit exasperated by her behavior. Like girl, we get it: you’re a bad bitch who can do it all but you’re secretly seeking everyone’s validation. It doesn’t give you an excuse to move the way you do to the point of not properly caring for yourself and treating Mason like shit for years (he better than me😒). Mari’s extraness also eclipsed Daniel and Mason’s perspectives for me, especially Mason. We learned so much about Mari’s background and got a really good look at Daniel’s, but it was kinda lacking for Mason. There definitely needed to be a better balance between their viewpoints.
Overall, it was an okay read. I DNF’d the first book in this series and painstakingly pushed through this book, so I probably won’t get to the third book, unfortunately.
April 20, 2022
This book was so interesting and complicated at the same time! It was my first read with a Male/male/female romance.
I love mason omg. That guy so so sweet and I swear he deserves the world. He’s so passionate about his friends, the centre he runs with Gabo and just wants to be loved.
Mariana is a badass and I loved how she is just so confident in her self and sexuality. She oozes sass and is a beacon in any room. Mariana is so different from Alicia so it was great to see the difference in the two cousins but their stubborn gene they share is still there!
Daniel was a interesting character. He seems so cold and uptight but was the complete opposite, so passionate and funny.He was so straight to the point in the book and Mason and Mariana needed Daniel as a anchor I think.
I enjoyed this book. These three were so passionate towards each other and it was nice to see their friendship turn into something more as discovering it. The spicy scenes were hot, three passionate lovers and a whole load of kinks. The only thing I didn’t like was sometimes I felt Mason and marinas connection overpower theirs with Daniels and I felt like he was left out abit. Also Mariana frustrated me holding back on Mason in the past and then in the future with Mason and Daniel. You know why but it takes a while for her to be 100% with her guys.
I love mason omg. That guy so so sweet and I swear he deserves the world. He’s so passionate about his friends, the centre he runs with Gabo and just wants to be loved.
Mariana is a badass and I loved how she is just so confident in her self and sexuality. She oozes sass and is a beacon in any room. Mariana is so different from Alicia so it was great to see the difference in the two cousins but their stubborn gene they share is still there!
Daniel was a interesting character. He seems so cold and uptight but was the complete opposite, so passionate and funny.He was so straight to the point in the book and Mason and Mariana needed Daniel as a anchor I think.
I enjoyed this book. These three were so passionate towards each other and it was nice to see their friendship turn into something more as discovering it. The spicy scenes were hot, three passionate lovers and a whole load of kinks. The only thing I didn’t like was sometimes I felt Mason and marinas connection overpower theirs with Daniels and I felt like he was left out abit. Also Mariana frustrated me holding back on Mason in the past and then in the future with Mason and Daniel. You know why but it takes a while for her to be 100% with her guys.
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