In real-life chess, the pre-game phase can be boring – all that setting up of chess pieces, aligning them, and making sure they’re all in the right spot for the game to begin. However, like the five main books in the ‘Chess’ series by Sean Michael, this prequel is exciting, hot, and particularly fun if you’ve already read the remaining volumes. It tells the story of Rook and Knight’s first encounter and how they added Bishop to their relationship. I loved not just the insight into these three men when they were younger, but also watching the dynamic between them develop from scratch.

Rook is a happy-go-lucky young man who has just inherited a ton of money and is considering what to do with it and his life. He decides to buy a sex toy shop (so typical for him!), against the desire of his lawyer. But Rook couldn’t care less. It’s his money, right? Right. He also sits for an art class, as a model, and this is where he encounters Knight.

Knight is already a successful artist, but he “gets bored” and likes to go back to various classes to amuse himself. When he sees Rook he is interested, and leaves him a very creative invitation to coffee. Not that they ever get around to actually drinking it – they are too busy running to Knight’s place to “make like bunnies”, as Rook puts it. And my, are they good at it!

Bishop makes his first entrance just after their first date, then has another run-in with them a few weeks later. Suddenly the chemistry goes three ways, but I was relieved to see the guys show at least some restraint before approaching a fundamental change to their relationship. Bishop is very different from the other two, but clearly has something to add. He and Knight take their first steps into what will later become a very intense part of the triad/foursome. Fascinating!

If you haven’t read the ‘Chess’ series yet, read this book first; it explains a lot of the interpersonal goings-on that form the basis for these three men adding Jason in ‘Opening Moves’. If you already read all or part of the Chess series, keep this one until you’re done with the others. I definitely liked reading it last and finding out these extra bits about the original threesome while already knowing where they end up. Whatever situation you’re in, this is a fun, hot, entertaining read with lots, and lots, and lots of action between, on, and under the sheets.


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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