The way my life is set up, I find myself more often than I care to confess, attracted to short stories. They usually can be read in one setting, giving me a snapshot of the character's life, quickly resolving an impending conflict. Short stories usually leave the reader with one lasting impression about the subject(s) unlike novels, with details that are important to the development of the story and characters.
Confessions of a Reformed Cougar is a short story true to form centered on a woman we only know by her first name, Janet. Because this is a short story, there is no character maturation. The dialog between the characters are lengthy and read like uninterrupted text messages in tone and informal mood; not conversational as I believe they are meant to be.
It is hard to determine if Janet is truly a cougar - her age is never mentioned, neither is her physical appearance, city of residence, or her ethnicity. Like the wind, you have no idea where Janet comes from or where she is going, but soon you learn she is juggling multiple men and enjoying what she describes as "meaningless sex" and is strongly desiring a polyamorous relationship with them all.
If a cougar is still defined as an older woman who is interested in dating and actively pursues much younger men, I am not sure if cougar would describe Janet. No descriptions about the men she is dating are anywhere to be found. Who are these men... There is Austin, Janet's favorite boy toy who she doesn't want to share and is easily frustrated by his playboy ways - the proverbial kettle calling the hypocritical pot black. Sammy, a former sex partner from her past that recently has returned, professing undying love and an acceptance of her horny ways, hoping she will choose him and forsake all others. Kirby, is the friend with benefits - the benefit being his sex is good and his personal advice is, in Janet's case, life saving.
Ralph is a sucker for love but has the potential to be the real thing for a heartless Janet. At the root of Janet's polyamorous lifestyle appears to be a man named Cameron, who is mentioned in passing. If this short story were to develop into an entire novel, Cameron would be the one who helped create the Janet who couldn't possibly imagine herself in a monogamous relationship, sexually satisfied by one man. And of course, no woman sexin' this many men could pull it off without a crew of girlfriends co-signing her mess.
Even though this is a short story, there is a plot twist that will give Janet reason to pause and consider one lover for her life time and send her on a path to possible reformation. One of these guys is cut loose, the other is exposed as a con-artist, and another will win her heart. You will have to read Confessions of a Reformed Cougar and the Confession Series to guess what happens next.
Author Holly Mosley Cooper
Could you, would you.... ever consider a polyamorous relationship? Leave me a comment below!