Balanced And Tied By Mary Calmes May 2026

Breaking from the single-POV style of previous books, this installment uses dual perspectives , allowing readers inside both Eli and Cel’s heads.

The book subtly touches on themes of demisexuality and bisexual awakening . Eli, previously identified as straight, realizes that his soul-deep happiness is tied specifically to Cel, regardless of gender. Plot & Structure Balanced and Tied by Mary Calmes

Some criticism notes that it feels slower and more "meandering" than its predecessors, with some reviewers suggesting it feels more like a spin-off than a direct continuation of the main series. Breaking from the single-POV style of previous books,

The story follows Eli Kohn, a man who excels at his public-facing role as Director of Public Affairs for the Northern District but feels stagnant in his personal life. His world revolves around his best friend, , a principal dancer with the Chicago Ballet Company. Plot & Structure Some criticism notes that it

The "criminal element" involves a murder and professional grief caused by an obnoxious fellow dancer, which serves to threaten the "carefully built haven" Eli and Cel have created.