Oh, that is such a layered question. For me, it's never just about the fact there are three people. It's the way the internal geometry shifts to become its own unique shape. A stand-out MMF makes each dyad within the triad feel vital and distinct—the connection between the two men needs to be as richly developed as their connections with the woman. If the MM relationship is treated as an afterthought or just a vehicle for her pleasure, it falls flat. I need to believe in all three bonds equally.
A novel like 'Salt Magic, Skin Magic' by Lee Welch comes to mind, though it's more MM with a fantastical element. For a true triad, 'The Sea of Ruin' by Pam Godwin is brutal and intense, but the dynamics are everything. The power isn't static; it flows between them depending on the scene, creating this constant, thrilling tension. The jealousy isn't erased, but transformed into something fiercer and more protective. That's the key—it's not a sanitized, conflict-free utopia. The friction is what makes the eventual cohesion so rewarding.