Binding Their Hearts: Neighborly Affection Book 7

M.Q. Barber

Sep 2023 · Neighborly Affection Book 7 · Whiskey Jack Editing LLC

About this ebook

Planning a wedding for three is the least of their problems.

Since nearly losing Jay, Henry is driven by an inescapable urge to collar his submissives. Jay's certain to be all in, but Alice has fled from commitment before. Negotiating their needs is a treacherous tightrope. Can he sketch a path to forever?

As Alice's career takes off, the new demands steal time from Henry and Jay. The stress is crushing when every decision hurts the ones she loves. She'll have to rig a solution before she cracks under the strain and takes her lovers down with her.

After years of resisting, Jay is learning big lessons in therapy. Loosening his family's stranglehold leaves him free to explore what—and who—he wants in his life. But with Alice at work all the time and a deadline looming for the trio to vacate their apartment, stability is hard to find.

Can Henry, Alice, and Jay hold themselves together when the world keeps pushing them apart?

New to USA Today bestselling author M.Q. Barber’s Neighborly Affection series?

This friends-to-lovers bisexual menage romance saga is best read in order. Dominance and submission is the name of the game for this committed MMF poly triad.

Start with Playing the Game or the prequel book Becoming His Master. For a different perspective on the events of Playing the Game, read it alongside Tuesdays with Jay and Other Stories.

Praise for the Neighborly Affection series:

"The three lovers define the ups and downs of a polyamorous triad and leave the ending open for future adventures. ... Barber frames a sexy, loving relationship that happens to be among three people. Libraries looking for more ménage works might consider purchasing all three [books in the series]." -- Library Journal on the Neighborly Affection series

“The writing is quick, smart and witty. The character development, especially of the heroine, and plot progression work well with this trio.” – Shelly, reviewer for Red Hot Books

“Ms. Barber delves into the culture of Dominance and submission with compelling grace, introducing us to Alice, Henry, and Jay and all of their delightful emotional and sexual complexities.” – Sophia Jones, author of The Pharaoh and the Curator

“It’s steamy and sexy enough, and doesn’t hold back on the BDSM angle, but this erotic romance has so much more to offer than titillation or fantasy.” – D.B. Sieders, author of Red Shoes for Lab Blues

“I will read this one again. The sex scenes were off the charts hot. The characters were amazing. Henry melted me.” – Jessi Gage, author of Wishing for a Highlander

“Chapter after chapter, I was captivated by the very real process of a woman that discovers her submissive self and how a man tamed her, day after day, week after week, month after month. … It is the kind of book that make you think: yeah, that makes sense. If I was in her shoes, I would act like this.” – Mary, reviewer for Mary’s Menage Whispers



“The writer had a way to bring you in and make you feel soulful about what they were sharing. I felt like I was made to consider each decision they made about what they needed and why they needed it. This wasn’t just a wham-bam book, it was a story of Alice’s emotions surrounding this couple she had grown to care for.” — Mistress L, reviewer for S&M’s Book Obsessions

Ratings and reviews

I have followed Alice's journey from moving in next door to now and have loved every minute spent with them. Seven books later and I am still invested in this fabulous trio. Whilst not as heartrending as some of the previous stories, you must still definitely have the tissues ready. This series has been on of the very few ones that I have re-read, a true testament to the quality of writing and the amazing characters that the author has created.

It was really beautiful to see this portrait of a relationship undergoing some real growth pangs and seeing these characters meeting and exceeding their own expectations for what they can do, what they can be for each other and what help they can receive just by asking. Jay might be my favorite character in this book. He has to overcome common therapy misconceptions in order to discover his truths, find the strength to enforce his boundaries, and, ultimately, prove his worth to himself. (Alice and Henry also have large growth arcs, as I have come to expect from this series, but I really connected with Jay on this read through.) I loved getting to see Henry’s spontaneous side. I loved seeing Alice continue to gain confidence in her abilities at work and in her personal relationships. Watching these characters continue to grow and to help each other to reach further potentials has been a pure pleasure. This is a beautiful addition to Jay, Alice, and Henry’s life journeys.

I love seeing the relationship between these three. Every installment of this series has them grow together and strengthen not only their individual selves but the relationship they are building. I love how even though it's a fictional relationship, they feel like real people we can all relate to.

About the author

M.Q. Barber likes to get lost in thought. She writes things down so she can find herself again. The USA Today bestselling author of contemporary erotic romance — often with poly, kinky, and queer elements — has a soft spot for romances that explore the inner workings of the heart and mind alongside all that steamy physical exertion. She loves memorable characters, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion in any genre.

Dear reader, beware: She’s also been known to cuss and use big words.

For regular updates on her books and free flash fiction in the Neighborly Affection series, sign up for her author newsletter at www.mqbarber.com.