Balanced Party by Alex Silver (Table Topped #7)

Balanced Party picks up right when the Party of Three finishes and gives us a glimpse into how an established MMX throuple navigate the next stage of their relationship...  .

From the blurb:

Emil

I’m devastated when growing our family comes with more bumps along the way than expected.

Pia and Gregor stick by me through my lowest lows, but infertility has left me struggling with intimacy. I long to reignite our passion. If only I can find the courage to be brave.

Gregor

When Emil suggests spicing up our love life, I’m not sure what to expect—or if I’m physically up for the challenge.

For Pia and Emil, I’m willing to try almost anything, but I worry my limitations will be a burden. Trusting them to take care of me might bring us closer than ever. I just have to speak up and be honest about my needs.

Pia

If parenthood is the pinnacle of domestic bliss, why does finally achieving our dreams of a growing family leave me empty inside?

Staying home with our baby is slowly stripping away every part of my identity, leaving me overwhelmed by the constant demands I can’t meet. It’s too much for me to handle alone, but how can I ask for help when I’m not even sure I deserve it?

Balanced Party is an M/M/X nerdy contemporary romance with two trans leads who have different experiences of what that means for them. This is part two of a duology featuring these three characters and it ends with an HEA. This duology can stand alone, but it is also the final installment in the Table Topped series. The CW information for both of Pia, Emil, and Gregor’s books is in the author’s note.

Heather's Review:

The author has suggested that people read the author's note if they have questions regarding triggers, and I encourage that, because there is a lot to unpack in the final Table Topped story.  While I read the entire thing, I had to take breaks and reflect, which is something I don't normally do with books - I usually devour and power through, but there was a lot of emotions, a lot of transitions and a lot of learning to balance and shift...

I'm glad I read it through and got to Pia, Emil and Gregor's HEA, but be prepared for a lot!  I struggled with the star rating for this review, because I loved the characters and the book, but because I had to struggle to get through it, I'm giving it a 4.

Rating: 4 Stars

Angel's Review:

Balanced Party is the continuation of Party Of Three, and this book was just as good as the first one! In this book we went on a journey of self growth, the trials and tribulations of trying to conceive, along with admitting when things are not okay. 

This book was definitely filled with heavier topics than Party Of Three was, but the topic matter was handled so beautifully. This book was well written, the characters continued to grow and develop, we got to learn more about Emil's religion and his and Pia's experience with trying to conceive and grow their family. I felt bad for these three cause you could feel the pain and sadness of these characters while reading this book, I just kept wishing things would turn out for them. And you know what? It did. Maybe not the way they wanted, or intended but they were able to grow their family, and what a spectacular family these three created. They not only had their babies and doggo to grow their family but they also had friends they surrounded themselves with that became family. I love the found family aspect of these books! Cause sometimes just because you're related by blood doesn't make people family, you can choose to surround yourselves with those that love, support, and accept you. 

I'm so sad that Gregor, Emil, and Pia's story is all over, but I'm excited to see who's story is yet to come. I'm looking forward to the Seahorse Shoal series, I think that series is going to be fantastic! 

Another aspect of this story I enjoyed was all of the characters that were involved! Rain, Rowan, River, Nick, Theo, Harrison, Rene, Mo, Errol.. all of the characters added that found family feeling that this book evoked. 

This book is NOT a standalone, you need to read Party Of Three before you read this one. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Balanced Party is available in e-book format and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription.