Dnf please see notes sent to publisher. No review will be given since it is a dnf and that would be unfair to the author to type a review on a book I was unable to finish.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

This story is a wonderful mashup of all of my favorite things in romance novels: King the sports superstar, Sam the veteran with PTSD, and Jane the good girl who finds her bad side. This is my first book by this author, but I promise it’s not going to be my last!!!

All three main characters were instantly holding special places in my heart, but I absolutely loved King and with words like this, I dare you to NOT love him as well:

“You’re with someone because they make your heart beat faster and you‘d do anything for them, no matter what. Because even if you could only touch their hand and see their smile for the rest of your life, you’d be happy.”

I also loved the “extras” in the book. There’s one conversation with Jane and her parents that had me rolling out of bed, it was so funny!

I loved this entire story from the first page to the last and can’t wait to read more from this author, but let me just say that I think there should be special underwear for women who read this book. Seriously, this book is so hot you’ll want some that are extra absorbent!! I found an ad on Facebook for some period pantines, but I”m thinking I need to create some book reading undergarments. :)


*** I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***

Jacked Up is a sexy MMF menage story. Sam Taylor and King Ulupoka are best friends who play for the Birmingham Rebels football team. Sam is a veteran with PTSD who is closed up emotionally, but hides a really big heart underneath his tough outer layer. King is the opposite of Sam. He's a big Samoan guy with muscles upon muscles and a friendly, open personality.

It's July and King is determined to get Sam laid, because Sam hasn't had sex since he came off deployment 2 years previously. When they meet Jane, Sam (and King) are really attracted, and somehow the three of them end up in bed steaming up the sheets. Originally it was just supposed to be a one night stand between just Jane and Sam, but because Sam needed King to be there in case he had one of his PTSD induced episodes, King was present and got involved as more than just a chaperone of sorts. But, the next morning, Jane rushes the guys out and they don't see her until a hospital run in October for King's nephew brings them back into orbit with Jane.

When the three fall into a relationship, it's sexy and sweet. But emotional issues abound. Sam is in therapy, still dealing with the aftermath of losing his team in Afghanistan, still having nightmares, and now he's having to come to terms with his bisexuality. King has already come to terms with his sexuality, but he's now having to navigate a menage and it's not easy. Jane, Jane has the biggest issues of the three. She's also the must frustrating character in my mind. She has to reconcile having not only a menage relationship, but has to let go of her good girl facade and let herself just be. Just be in love, just be herself, just be, and it's not easy for her. In fact, it's downright hard, and she runs more than once from this dilemma she's trying to sort out in her mind. I didn't really connect with her the way I did with Sam and King. I love those two! They're so sweet and sexy and giving of their love that it was really hard to see Jane reject them as she was trying to come to terms with her feelings.

Even if you do not normally read MMF, I urge you to read Jacked Up. It's well written, it's sexy and heartfelt. What more could you ask for in a good romance?

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for exchange of an honest review.

I had no idea what this book was gonna be about. I never read the blurb about it. So let's just say I was a little shocked that it was a book about Jane with two hot football players instead of just one.

This book is basically watching porn except that it's written. I loved both male characters. Of course who wouldn't love a huge sexy Samoan as one of the main characters. Esp if your a Game of Thrones fan. And the other is hot ex-army guy.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I didn't like Jane. She drove me completely nuts. She continuously kept referring to herself as a slut. And how guilty she felt for having sex with 2 guys. Just get over it.

I didn't read the previous 2 books in this series. But I may go back and read those. And I look forward to any additional books Samantha Kane may write. I will keep an eye out for more.

Jacked up by Samantha Kane is the third book in her Birmingham Rebels series and, like the other books, this one is a menage. Sam has some issues with PTSD and he hasn't had sex since he left the military. His teammate King offers to help him pick a girl to sleep with and stay in the room in case he freaks out. Jane is the woman they pick, and after a night of steamy sex they part ways. Fast forward a bit and the trio meets up again. Things start up again, but not just as a fling. King and Sam have to convince Jane to really give them a try, but eventually she does. What I enjoyed so much about this book is it shed some light on things ex-military have to deal with after their service. The entire story was sexy and very HOT. I got hooked into this story and read it as quickly as I could. I love this series and am looking forward to more from Ms. Kane. This story gets five stars and I will be reading it again.

Great Read! This is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Sam left the army with lots of emotional issues and because of it been staying away from women. His best friend King decides to help him find someone, however Sam asks that King stay to watch. Jane is attracted to them both, can she choose between them? Fast paced read with great chemistry and an excellent story the sex is off the charts hot. I loved it!

Holy moly was this book hot! There was not one word in this book that I didn't love. The interactions between Sam and King went deeper than even they realized. When they spot Jane in a bar, King instantly knows that Sam is attracted to her. But for what was to be their one and only night, Sam has one request. King needs to watch. He has his reasons for this. And when life brings Jane back into their lives, they know they can't let her go. But can she accept what being involved with them means?
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

For linebacker Sam Taylor moving on after the Army has been a daily trial but with the help of his best friend defensive lineman King Ulupoka he is making some headway. When Sam's self imposed celibacy is the next hurdle to be tackled King agrees to help him out by remaining in the room with Sam's one night stand, ER nurse Jane Foster, as an observer to step in if Sam losses control of his war torn psyche. Jane never thought she would be in a room with two hot football players letting go of all her inhibitions but she surprised even herself. When the three recognize that there is much more to this hook up the self exploration each goes on reveals the key to their personal fulfillment.

Samantha Kane relationships come in all shapes, colors and sizes the only thing required is that they have an open mind and heart. This author writes hot and the connection between her triangle practically crackled with their yearning and was explosive on contact. This work stood out with its convincing threesome scenario focusing on more than being a kink and resulting in a committed family. The struggles that all three characters worked through to achieve happiness was deftly sorted out by this writer. In Jacked Up, book three in the Birmingham Rebels series, Samantha Kane shows there is no right or wrong in love and it is not a matter of picking but including, great read.

Jacked Up, the third book in her Birmingham Rebels series, and a standalone, is one of Samantha Kane’s best ménage novels yet. All Kane’s books are elaborate character studies, convincing us why her three flawed personalities are better off together than alone, or in a coupling. And these three were especially relatable.

“Sober, responsible, dependable Jane,” a self-described “good girl”, finds herself protected by two hot football stars when she’s manhandled at a bar. Linebacker Sam, is an anxious combat Vet who hasn’t had sex since his return from Afghanistan. He’s afraid a flashback might cause him to harm a partner. King, the calm Samoan Defensive Lineman who’s taken Sam under his wing, believes Sam might be able to “perform,” if King is in the room to protect the gal from Sam’s potential flashback. Jane is more than game to be that gal for a single secret night.

Only, they all like each other a bit too much. And soon a good girl finds herself wanting all she’s been offered. But is she brave enough to accept it? Can Sam overcome his demons to love safely? And what about King’s unannounced desires for both Sam and Jane, the “girl-next-door” ER nurse, who pushes all his buttons?

Often polyandrous female main characters are portrayed as counterculture, tough and unconcerned with their social image. Those can be fun to read, but I bet most readers would feel as conflicted as Jane, if actually faced with a ménage. “Her head was telling her it was wrong, but her body knew damn well what it wanted, and it wasn’t standard, missionary-style sex after the required month of dating.”

While Ms. Kane ratchets up Jane’s struggle within, Sam struggles to heal and King realizes he can’t protect anyone from themselves. The result is uncompromisingly genuine reactions, conflicts and turmoil.

As an extra attraction, Ms. Kane uses the forum to offer terrific philosophical advice:
“I didn’t raise you to be perfect. I raised you to enjoy life, with all its faults and pitfalls and roller-coaster rides.”
“He wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines and wait for the chance to play. He was going to go after what he wanted …That was his life.”
“Love isn’t earned … It’s freely given.”

As if this wasn’t enough, Kane’s sex scenes sizzle. We know precisely who is doing what to whom and exactly how everyone feels about it. And since Jane, Sam and King have a good sense of humor, we are drawn into a frolicking good time.

Man, do I love to read a book that covers all its bases while covering all those hot and heavy bases as well, and Samantha Kane totally delivers with Jacked Up!

4 Stars

Jacked Up is the third installment in the Birmingham Rebels book series. I have not read the earlier books, so I can honestly say that this book easily stands on its own. It's about two defensive players who are best friends, and a wild night and morning that they spend with a woman that they think is amazing, who happens to be a nurse. King, a giant Samoan, and Sam, a slightly smaller white guy, meet Jane at a professional fishing tournament that is being held on the Orange Coast of Georgia. They are somewhat introduced when King steps between Jane and a man who starts calling her names when she doesn't fall at her knees in thanks that he noticed her. Obviously, Jane, King and Sam aren't impressed.

To begin with, the three of them spend hours together just talking, first at the bar where they met and then at the hotel pool where they have separate rooms. As they become more candid with each other, King propositions Jane on Sam's behalf, since Sam is so shy at the beginning of their relationship, mostly because he's afraid of what his PTSD will make him do during an intimate moment. Once they hammer out some details, like that it's a real offer and Sam will only be comfortable if King stays in the room to almost chaperone, they head to Jane's room to get the party started.

The next day, they went their separate ways, with the men not realizing that Jane lived in Birmingham. They spend several months apart, the men surprising Jane in the ER when a family member gets hurt. From this point on, the romance between the three of them grows and hits walls, having to take a couple steps back after those walls. Quite a few of their issues come from their own minds, though King seldom second guesses himself. He seems very self-aware.

The only true external issues they had was when the media got pictures of the three of them on the dance floor at some teammates' apartment. Kind of hard to explain away what they had going on. But they did deal with it, though Jane pretty much flaked out on the guys. PTSD also played a pretty big anytime Sam checked out of the relationship. He always turned right back around and grabbed whoever he could.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I definitely would. Though there is a more unique crowd for this book than a "normal" romance. As is mentioned in this book several times, what's normal for me is not necessarily normal for anyone else. That means there's nothing wrong with this book, it may just not be to everyone's liking. It is a Male\Male\Female romance, so if you object to two men together, this isn't the book for you. Also there are possible "slut-shaming" triggers, along with war related PTSD triggers. Despite these warnings, I found this to be an entertaining book, and I've already purchased the first book. I must have liked it pretty well to go backward in the series!!

Good story! But I had a hard time relating with with the heroine, Jane in this story. It was like she was two different people. A good girl who was ashamed of her relationship with King and Sam, but a bad girl in bed with them. They met had sex and then went there separate ways only to see each other accidentally again and all of a sudden they were in love. It was hard for me to believe. And although the sex scenes were hot they were also a little overdone.
I loved the information about PTSD and what veterans coming back from the war sometimes endure. I definitely could feel the connection between Sam And King, and loved both of these warm, sexy characters. I also enjoyed the secondary characters in this story. So if you like a story with plenty of hot sex you will like this book. It will definitely keep you warm on a cold winter night.

I voluntarily requested a copy through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Jacked Up by Samantha Kane.....So hot!! This book will turn the heat up as you read. I enjoyed the characters Sam, King and Jane they are well developed and likeable. These three have threesomes and they are tasteful and playful. This is my first book by Samantha Kane and it will not be my last. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 stars -- I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

I've read a few books in Ms. Kane's historical menage series (Brothers in Arms) and really enjoyed them, and this modern series is quite entertaining as well! It had some intriguing characters, a bit of depth (which is always nice for an erotica read), and obviously some hot sex. And I enjoyed the little glimpses of either past book characters, or potential next book characters in the series. It's always fun when a series follows a close knit group of characters, in this case all being involved in the same fictional NFL football team.

I adored King. I loved that he brought a little bit of diversity with his Samoan heritage, and I didn't feel as though he was a caricature. But he was so laid back and accepting, I just wanted to hug him for always thinking the right things and helping Sam and Jane get to the right places.

Sam was a bit up and down for me. I LOVED the military background story we got with him, and he was so damaged and vulnerable, but willing to make baby steps and try to change and grow and slowly embrace the changes. I loved some of his conversations with the team psych, Mark. Heck, I loved some of King's conversations with Mark too. But he just brought this book from normal erotica to something with more depth and interest, if that makes sense.

And then there's Jane. *sigh* She was a tough character to love, b/c she spent a lot of the book slut-shaming herself. And I really don't deal well with that, but it was kind of the topic of the book and something she was supposed to be learning to deal with and changing and growing about. But there was just so fricking much of it, it was hard to take. And it took her so long to learn, and I'm still not sure she really did and accepted it as much. For all that self-flagellation, I was hoping for more of an obvious breakthrough I guess. And other than that I'm not sure I really learned enough about her to like her a lot. Not that I disliked her, she just didn't make a big impression. Although I did love how she handled Sam, and his issues from the PTSD to being confused about being bi.

And now onto the major aspect of any good menage erotica: the steamy scenes!! And oh my gawd, they were a contradiction. They were sooooo hot sometimes, like really woosh. And then they would start talking. And quite frankly, the dirty talking just didn't work for me in this book. It might have been just me, but it was just too comical at times. I know it was supposed to be, but then it just felt forced to me. Like how I would sound dirty talking. Like from a script or something. It was just a personal taste thing. And it was pervasive through every steamy scene, so it was a mix of good and bad I guess.

So in the end it was a solid erotica, but the little things (like the dirty talking and the slut shaming) just have me rounding down instead of up this time.

DNF @ 72%

As much as this book was HOT, with erotic M/M/F scenes, I simply couldn't look past the insecurities and self-shame of the heroine, Jane. Awkward dialogue during some scenes, coupled with her gratuitous (and unnecessary) use of the word 'slut' and its derivatives meant that I simply couldn't enjoy Jacked Up.

While I did enjoy King, and to a lesser extent, Sam, I struggled to find a chemistry that would keep them coming back for more with a woman who claimed on one hand to be a 'good girl' and fretted and fussed and complained about being a 'bad girl' on the other.

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me, despite Samantha Kane's otherwise good writing and story telling.

~ NO RATING ~

Jacked Up is book three in Samantha Kane's Birmingham Rebels series. I've been reading this series from the beginning and although I have enjoyed the other books, this is by far, my favorite! It was a fun read! Sweet, sultry, and oh so satisfying!! All of the books in this series can be read by themselves. But since its about a football team, the prior characters do make appearances, and there are references to their stories as well.

Jane Foster is a nurse and works long hours. She hasn't been with any man in a very long time. She's always looked at herself as the good friend-good girl-follows the rules type. Her cousin Margo talks her into a weekend to the beach to find someone to hook up with. Things aren't working well for Jane as she seems to attract the seedy type. When she's accosted by a drunk in the bar, the two most sexy guys she's ever seen, come to rescue.

Sam and King both play defense for the Birmingham Rebels. Sam is a veteran and was injured in an IED attack on his team. Some didn't make it. He's been working through his PTSD with no real help except for King, his best friend that lives with him. Sam was drafted prior to serving and once he was out, he went to play for the Rebels. With his memories plaguing him, his football is lagging.

King is a huge wall of a Somoan! He means business on the field, but is a teddy bear at heart! Sam hasn't been with any women since coming out of the service and King wants him to live life again! He takes him to the beach to find a hook up for Sam. Once they see Jane, King knows she's perfect for Sam.

After setting some ground rules, Jane and Sam do decide to have a one night stand and Jane lets her inner dirty girl out! She figures she'll never see them again right? She never even knew she had a dirty girl side and what comes out of her mouth surprises even her! Sam loves it!

A few months go by and King's little brother is in the hospital hurt. Sam and King come to see him there and find Jane there working. Neither can stop thinking about that night. They do not intend to let her get away again!

I totally enjoyed this book! I loved how the threesome ended up happening and that it wasn't really orchestrated to be that way in the beginning. I loved how Jane just turned into this sex loving, dirty girl, whose mouth had no filter! It surprises even her! The guys are all over it of course!

Yes they are sizzling together but reality has a way of intruding. Jane is having a real hard time reconciling that she enjoys two men. Her body says yes, but her head is thinking what's wrong with her. She's worried about society and that makes her feel guilty for what she likes. I felt bad for her.

Ultimately you have to decide for yourself what's important to you, and that nothing else matters in the big scope of things. Jane needed to work through that and both Sam and King had to as well. In the end, we are treated to a hopeful ending that was in tune with the story! I highly recommend reading Jacked Up and the entire Birmingham Rebels series!

reviewed by Deb

Living out his dream of playing pro football, Sam signs on with the Birmingham Rebels after returning from a tour in Afghanistan. Sam, who suffers PTSD, hasn’t been with a woman since his return home over two years ago out of fear sex will trigger his nightmares. Best friend and teammate King only wants what is best for Sam and thinks helping him get laid will help him get over his fears. Heading to the shore for some fun, the pair meets Jane Foster, the perfect girl for Sam. Sam and Jane are completely attracted, but Sam will only have sex with her if King is in the room, to stop him if he starts having nightmares. With Jane on board, the couple has the best sex of their lives, especially when they involve King in the action. However, that was just for one night, and the guys and Jane go their separate ways. Fast-forward to the fall and the Birmingham Rebels are struggling. But an accidental run-in with Jane sparks a fire inside Sam, changing his outlook on life and football.

Jacked Up is the third ménage in the Birmingham Rebels series. By now, most of the team embraces the non-conforming relationships and sexuality of the players and coaches, although those outside the team still aren’t as accepting. This openness affords this particular trio the ability to speak more openly about their desires, making the story less about the social issues and more about the individual fears and concerns. I felt that the book was better because the story wasn’t as focused on breaking taboos. Even Sam’s doctor tells him no one cares who he sleeps with.

Right from the start, I really liked this threesome. Sam, King, and Jane are all relatable people. I love that they are friends who are exploring and learning. And both males are sweet and kind: good guys. Together, the trio has amazing chemistry! I like that they are normal people who happen to learn they like a bit more kink in the bedroom.

Reading the story from all POVs (Sam, King, and Jane), together with the open and honest dialogue, made me love the characters. I loved how Jane wrestles with what she wants and feels when she’s with Sam and King, instead of what she thinks she should like and how she should act. We've all experienced something like this, probably not in the bedroom, but in some aspect of our lives. This is why I can relate to Jane. She is someone who feels like she's losing control and doesn't know how to process it. Likewise, Sam learns to embrace what happened to him and accept he is a survivor. Watching him come to terms with his memories, coupled with his feelings for both Jane and King, was almost inspirational. Meanwhile, King is such a calming presence and great friend. He’s the glue that holds the fledgling ménage together. He knows when to push and when to hold close.

While it wasn't really an "issue" for me, the overwhelming and over-the-top support of Jane's parents and King's mom felt too ideal. I appreciate that the author has created a world where ménages are more accepted, and a football team where bisexuality is commonplace; however, the positive support still felt a tad unrealistic. But the message was great, regardless.

In this fictional world where the Birmingham Rebels are an NFL expansion team and the world is more accepting of sexual differences, King, Sam, and Jane fit perfectly. Their story resonates because they are normal people with normal fears. Their openness and honesty are what makes them work and creates such a lovely romance. I thoroughly enjoyed their story and look forward to see what Ms. Kane will bring readers in the next Birmingham Rebels title.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

didn't realize this was a menage situation. not my jam at all.

King Ulupoka has taken Sam Taylor under his wing, so to speak, and is going to make sure Sam gets laid. Sam has not been with a woman since he came home from Afghanistan and he is worried that his PTSD will get in the way and so wants King to be in the room with him. They find the woman they want and she is agreeable. Jane Foster is a good girl, a trauma nurse, and she understands Sam's issues but there is an immediate connection between the three of them. Too bad this is just a one night stand. Or is it. A couple weeks after later they meet up in Jane's ER when King's nephew is injured and Jane is his nurse and they are brought back together. The chemistry is still zinging between them and they get together. King and Sam are strong together and Jane brings just the right element to keep everything right. However, this is the Rebels and something has to go wrong so hang on...

I recommend this one and even though you can read this as a standalone, I would read the others in the series because they are just a good and HOT football players and menage what more would you want!

**Received an ARC copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

The secret about the Birmingham Rebels is out: With a girl in the middle, two mouth-watering football studs are better than one.

Linebacker Sam Taylor feels like a ticking time bomb. He left the army with emotional wounds as fresh as the scars on his back. Sam’s been living like a monk, but his best friend, defensive lineman King Ulupoka, wants to get him laid. Easy for him to say. The larger-than-life Samoan is a hard-bodied, tribal-tattooed fantasy. Sam agrees, under one condition: King stays to watch.

ER nurse Jane Foster is done being a good girl, and nothing says wild like picking up two of football’s sexiest players and bringing them back to your hotel room. Trouble is, she can’t decide which one she wants more. Sam is hot, sweet, and vulnerable. Jane’s more than willing to ride him into oblivion. But King’s intense gaze from across the room promises that the best is yet to come.

Sure, King has had his choice of girls and guys in the past. That doesn’t mean he’ll jeopardize his relationship with Sam over a case of locker-room lust—until a naughty nurse pushes them both out of their comfort zones. Seeing Jane and Sam together turns King on more than he ever imagined. If they’re game, he’s ready to tackle a three-way play.

Apparently, Loveswept has changed over the years and it now needs to be labeled Erotica...I don't know what to say about this book except if you like 2 on 1, get it. If you don't...don't read this book - You've been warned people!! There should be a warning on this book that puts it in the M/M category and M/M/F Category. Some people will love that, I for one am not one of those people. Anyone who reads me or knows me, knows I like my romance subtle and my sex non-explicitly written. This couldn't get more explicit if you watched some porn on the internet and googled it the way I typed it above.

I'm a writer that types pretty much how she speaks, which means that if you don't like my reviews then you probably won't like me cause I don't blow smoke up your tail just to tell you something you want to hear. I'm sure this book will get lots of reviews saying how awesome it is and that's super great. Here's why that'll happen: The author did something that even I, as the reviewer didn't like but I had to say "oh, say again?" I liked the characters. I really liked Sam, King and Jane. Which is why I gave her 4 stars. I skimmed over dang near all the sex scenes and there were A LOT!! So many that they made my eyes water with steam. However, the author was onto something that I think a bunch of other authors should start taking for granted more often - she used her characters and made them into real people for her audience to relate to. Whether you are Army, Navy, Marines, Nurses, Football players, Straight, gay, or anything in-between she made you feel what her characters were going through. She researched PTSD and brought that home to me as a reviewer and reader. Although, at times I didn't like some parts of the book I wanted to see what happened with the characters. That was the saving grace and made it so that it wasn't a DNF for me. I still believe it needs to contain warnings for people because this may not be their cup of tea. I can't see a 80 year-old grandma sitting there listening to it on Audible going "get it boy!!" I definitely wouldn't recommend it to my 16 year-old cousin to read because I wouldn't educate her on any of what's contained in the pages even if she already knows (I'm praying that she doesn't and if she does, I'll be over here in denial.) Less is more people. Less is sometimes more.

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.