Brendan, Tuck, and Jamie are part of a research team in the Antarctic. When their team was packing up to leave, there was not enough room for the three of them after loading the equipment, so they agreed to say on for a few days until the plane could get back to pick them up. Then a blizzard hits, and they are stranded. They are desperate to get out before winter sets in, but the blizzard is so bad, no one can get to them and all communication is lost. Now all they have is each other for survival, solace and maybe for something else.

Polar Reaction is a touching and erotic story of three men, learning about themselves and each other. I enjoyed learning the deepest emotional parts of each man and was touched by their love and struggles.

Brendan is a true scientist, analyzing everything, including himself, and placing everything in neat little compartments. He met Tuck a year ago when they were a part of the same research team, and they had a connection unlike any Brendan had ever felt with anyone, including his ex-fiancé. He has been unable to get Tuck out of his mind but can't understand why, because he is straight, not gay, with no intentions of being gay.

Tuck is gay and fell in love with Brendan a year ago. He is exhilarated to find that Brendan is on the same team again this year and thinks maybe he can reconnect with him and see if there is something there. However, the time flies by, and before he knows it, it is time to go back home, and he has missed his chance with Brendan again. Then the blizzard hits, and he thinks that maybe this is his chance.

Jamie is the youngest of the three men, yet he is the most experienced in gay relations. Jamie is the most emotionally honest and the most willing to put himself in risk of heart break. He works with Tuck back at home and has admired him from afar for a while, even though Tuck seems to not notice him at all. When he and Tuck have a fondling session, he is excited to think that he may have a chance with Tuck, until he sees the look in Tuck's eyes when he looks at Brendan.

Claire Thompson is a master at creating in-depth characters and perfectly illustrating who they are and how they feel. Although not as great as some of her other books, Polar Reaction is a really good book that deserves to be read just for the insight into these men, their struggles with themselves and each other, and their very real relationship.

Reviewed by: Melissa C.