Misfits

Fabulously successful restaurateur Tom is swept off his feet by Jake, a fragile, masculine beauty who’s a terribly clumsy waiter. The two share an intense sexual connection, and soon they’re sharing secrets as well: Jake explains that he has Tourette syndrome, and Tom reveals that he’s in an open relationship with his partner, Cass. When Tom hires Jake to work on a new restaurant project, Jake and Cass unexpectedly hit it off. Leigh’s absorbing story pivots on the palpable tensions among the three men as the apex of the romantic triangle keeps shifting, especially when Jake moves in—and into bed—with Tom and Cass. Leigh makes salient points about the challenges and joys of threesomes, and how sex changes relationships. There are numerous tastefully erotic passages, but the book is more smart than smutty. Jake’s tics are incorporated well, even if they are sometimes gimmicky signals. Unfortu­nately, the story suffers when a character is blindsided by a “big dark secret” that comes out of nowhere. It’s meant to provide a dramatic last-act catalyst, but this otherwise fine book would have been better off just staying on its course. (Mar.)