Mobility Mom Book Shelf: Chestnuts By: Irene Bahrd(Audio Review)

Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Book Description

Four hearts. One messy, beautiful chance at forever.

Noah Kelly thought Henry was the love of his life, but after a night of sharing his boyfriend with his best friend, Meghan, he discovers his heart is big enough for two. Though their relationship might be unconventional, the three of them find something Noah had only read about in books—real love. Still, even the happiest of hearts can ache for something more.

Owning two thriving restaurants and loved by two incredible men, Meghan James believes she has it all. Until Dean Thomas skates into her life. Each time the cocky hockey team owner comes to town, his visit always ends with asking Meghan on a date. When she finally gives in, it’s a little too easy falling under Dean’s spell. Despite Henry and Noah encouraging her to pursue something real with Dean, juggling her new relationship with the one she already treasures turns out to be more complicated than she anticipated. The only thing she knows for sure is loving the three of them completes her.

When Henry Adams lands his dream gig touring as a drummer for one of his favorite bands, he never imagined his passion for music would pull him away from the people he loves most. The distance tests them all, and forces him to question how much longer he can survive without Meghan and Noah. Giving up his dream doesn’t feel like an option, but big decisions will need to be made to ensure everyone’s happiness—especially his own.

Dean Thomas always gets what he wants, so it’s no surprise when he falls hard and fast for Meghan, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make their relationship work. That is until he discovers she’s in love with two other men, turning his world upside down. He’s never been one to share, but if Dean can let go of old ideas about love, he won’t just gain a partner… he’ll gain a family.

Chestnuts is a deliciously spicy MMFM romantic comedy intended for mature audiences.

About Irene Bahrd

Irene Bahrd is a feisty Capricorn and one of the most avid readers you will ever meet. Her favorite genres to read or write include romantic comedies, political romance, romantasy, and the occasional contemporary or dark romance.

She started her writing journey as a dare from a friend, after recounting dating stories from her early twenties. They inspired her to write spicy romantic comedies and parodies that feature a variety of book boyfriends—though most are cinnamon roll golden retrievers. Many of her stories contain LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.

Irene can be found on Instagram and TikTok under @irenebahrdauthor

My Thoughts

Chestnuts by Irene Bahrd, narrated by the talented ensemble of Stephanie Rose, Lance West, Simon Dornet, and Brandon Francis, is a beautifully layered and emotionally charged romance that dives deep into love, loyalty, and the complexities of the poly lifestyle. This "why choose" standalone is an excellent introduction for readers new to the trope, offering a story that is spicy yet balanced with a well-developed plot.

The narrative centers on Meghan, who is invited by Noah and Henry to join their established relationship. Though the initial throuple dynamic quickly clicks, bringing Meghan into a life where she is loved by two incredible men, something still feels incomplete. Noah and Henry, the stable, intimate, and often scene-stealing duo, genuinely love each other in every way, and they only want Meghan's ultimate happiness.

Their existing bond is soon tested by the arrival of Dean Thomas, a cocky hockey team owner and the story's wildcard. Dean aggressively pursues Meghan, and both Noah and Henry encourage her to follow her heart with him, believing he might be the missing piece. Dean beautifully clicks into place for Meghan, completing her. However, Dean is initially unaware of her existing two boyfriends, believing she was joking—a problem since he hates liars. When he discovers the truth, the core tension is whether his traditional views on love can stretch to embrace an unconventional family, letting go of old ideas to gain a partner and a family.

Irene Bahrd does a great job of showing how, in this MMFM romance, the addition of more people to the equation, while potentially messy, is made almost seamless by the characters' honesty and loving commitment to one another. Each character brings unique wants and needs, resulting in relationships that are all distinct and different, yet emotionally charged and balanced. The relationships between Meg and Noah, Meg and Henry, and Noah and Henry are all well-established before Dean is introduced, a fact that sometimes creates a subtle division between the throuple and Dean.

The audiobook narration, featuring the brilliant performances of the ensemble cast, is a must-listen, perfectly capturing the depth of the characters. While the story delivers medium spice and avoids being gratuitously packed with group activities or spice on every other page, it has a solid plot.

My main critique is the pacing: I wished the reader was given a little more backstory on the initial relationships. Also, the timeline felt rushed towards the end, jumping quickly from Spring to December and then two years later. While the author perfectly captures the essence of this complex, found family dynamic, I wanted to see the natural growth of all four relationships during those time gaps.

Chestnuts is a heartfelt exploration of love in all its forms—messy, passionate, and profoundly real. It’s a rewarding read that challenges convention, showing that four hearts can find one messy, beautiful chance at forever. Though not a holiday book, the festive season is sprinkled into the background. For readers who crave romance that celebrates connection, trust, and the courage to love freely, this story is a perfect match. I hope to see future stories exploring this wonderful found family as they continue to grow through the years.

Other books by Irene Bahrd