Review The short novel Phase, written by James West tells the story of a love triangle set in the midst of an office setting, as well as through the eyes of music-making main characters.  Readers follow Alison Reilly, who works as a legal secretary during the day, while spending her nights making rocking tunes on her drum set.  Her office isn't her favorite place in the world, and she tries to keep her private life separate from her office life, but when a new coworker named Joan Stevens comes into the mix, Alison's life completely changes.  Add in fellow coworker George Kerns, who is a musician himself, and an unlikely love triangle is quickly formed.  It's not long before George and Alison start making music together, their shared interest in Joan slowly overtaking their minds.  Tension heats up as the book speeds along, ending with a powerful and dramatic conclusion that will have readers feeling very satisfied.Coming in at only a little over one hundred pages, Phase is more of a novella than a true novel, but there is still a complete story here for readers to get wrapped up in.  We get to know the three main characters:  Alison, Joan, and George, pretty well, but at times it almost feels like the author could have expanded the story and taken the reader on even more twists and turns.  The conclusion of the book is satisfying, but comes about rather abruptly.  Nevertheless, Phase is an engaging story that has something to offer for readers of all interests. Product Description Alison Reilly works as a legal secretary by day, but she spends her nights banging away on her beautiful blue drum set. Office politics and ill-advised romances rule the halls at work-something Alison steers clear of until the firm hires Joan Stevens as a secretary. Joan is the most intense, most self-confident, and most brash woman who's ever worked at the firm. She's also a stunning beauty that everyone in the office, including Alison, can't help admiring. When Joan goes out on a date with an office services clerk, George Kerns, she returns refusing to talk about the date-and she won't even read the lyrics to a song that George left her. But Allison does read the song, and she's impressed by its clever lyrics. Soon, she's jamming on the drums with George, but their beautiful co-worker continues to invade their minds. Personal and private worlds collide, and Alison, Joan, and George edge toward a dramatic conclusion in Phase.