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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Despite the fact this book contained two things I don’t normally enjoy in romance - small children and mentions of Christian faith - I really liked this book. The children weren’t annoying (Tor was actually quite adorable) and the religious aspect was played very much down, so the focus was mostly on Charles and Hugh and their lovely relationship. You’ll have to ignore the reason why Charles ended up with a job offer at Hugh’s school (probably not something that would normally get past HR) and simply enjoy Charles and Hugh who pretty much click from their hilarious first meeting. I loved both of them.
It’s apparent that there are side characters who feature in other books but having read none of them, I didn’t feel like I was missing too much. It has made me want to go back and read a few, however, especially Keir’s story.
Anyhow, CW for mentions of Christian religion and pregnancy struggles/loss
Despite the fact this book contained two things I don’t normally enjoy in romance - small children and mentions of Christian faith - I really liked this book. The children weren’t annoying (Tor was actually quite adorable) and the religious aspect was played very much down, so the focus was mostly on Charles and Hugh and their lovely relationship. You’ll have to ignore the reason why Charles ended up with a job offer at Hugh’s school (probably not something that would normally get past HR) and simply enjoy Charles and Hugh who pretty much click from their hilarious first meeting. I loved both of them.
It’s apparent that there are side characters who feature in other books but having read none of them, I didn’t feel like I was missing too much. It has made me want to go back and read a few, however, especially Keir’s story.
Anyhow, CW for mentions of Christian religion and pregnancy struggles/loss
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐
Ce livre est dans ma PAL depuis sa sortie, car j'étais tout simplement tombée amoureuse de la couverture ... Il m'aura fallu un peu de temps pour m'y mettre, mais je suis de nouveau tombée amoureuse, cette fois de Charles et Hugo, de Glynn Harber, de la Cornouaille, et tout simplement de la plume de Con Riley.
C'est une histoire pleine de sensibilité, de pudeur et de moments douloureux qui nous est contée, chacun des personnages m'a profondément touchée, chacun à leur manière. La plume est délicate, sensible, à la mesure de la vulnérabilité de ces hommes qui voient leurs solitudes respectives se conjuguer le temps d'une cohabitation imprévue.
La première rencontre entre Charles & Hugo est très originale, l'une des plus originales que j'ai jamais pu lire d'ailleurs, et on sent tout autant pour l'un pour l'autre, tout ne tient qu'à un fil. Un fil, ça peut se briser ou au contraire ... se tendre et soutenir ce qui doit l'être.
Sans rentrer dans les détails, je dirais juste que j'ai été extrêmement touchée par les parcours de vie de ces deux hommes, par la détresse que chacun peut ressentir à certains moments (surtout Charles) et par la beauté de ce que cette relation leur apporte.
L'environnement des héros, avec ce pensionnat un peu mystérieux, apporte un vrai plus, et je dois dire que l'autrice a fait un travail particulièrement remarquable avec les enfants de cette histoire, notamment Tor, car tout sonne juste et vrai. La relation entre Charles et Tor est si belle, naturelle et sans filtre, et j'avoue que sur la fin, j'ai versé ma petite larme.
Ce livre est pour moi un bijou, un concentré d'émotions et de sensations brutes, tantôt lumineux, tantôt sombre, avec une petite touche d'humour et d'absurdité très britannique, un petit coup de coeur en somme !
Ce livre est dans ma PAL depuis sa sortie, car j'étais tout simplement tombée amoureuse de la couverture ... Il m'aura fallu un peu de temps pour m'y mettre, mais je suis de nouveau tombée amoureuse, cette fois de Charles et Hugo, de Glynn Harber, de la Cornouaille, et tout simplement de la plume de Con Riley.
C'est une histoire pleine de sensibilité, de pudeur et de moments douloureux qui nous est contée, chacun des personnages m'a profondément touchée, chacun à leur manière. La plume est délicate, sensible, à la mesure de la vulnérabilité de ces hommes qui voient leurs solitudes respectives se conjuguer le temps d'une cohabitation imprévue.
La première rencontre entre Charles & Hugo est très originale, l'une des plus originales que j'ai jamais pu lire d'ailleurs, et on sent tout autant pour l'un pour l'autre, tout ne tient qu'à un fil. Un fil, ça peut se briser ou au contraire ... se tendre et soutenir ce qui doit l'être.
Sans rentrer dans les détails, je dirais juste que j'ai été extrêmement touchée par les parcours de vie de ces deux hommes, par la détresse que chacun peut ressentir à certains moments (surtout Charles) et par la beauté de ce que cette relation leur apporte.
L'environnement des héros, avec ce pensionnat un peu mystérieux, apporte un vrai plus, et je dois dire que l'autrice a fait un travail particulièrement remarquable avec les enfants de cette histoire, notamment Tor, car tout sonne juste et vrai. La relation entre Charles et Tor est si belle, naturelle et sans filtre, et j'avoue que sur la fin, j'ai versé ma petite larme.
Ce livre est pour moi un bijou, un concentré d'émotions et de sensations brutes, tantôt lumineux, tantôt sombre, avec une petite touche d'humour et d'absurdité très britannique, un petit coup de coeur en somme !
anniekayefic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful. So much emotion, wonderfully expressed. The combination of Riley’s lovely characters and CC’s first class narration makes this a top listen.
tinkcourtney's review
5.0
I LOVED this book so much!
This book was just amazing. It was often funny but also deep and insightful. Charles helped Hugo learn to smile again, and Hugo helped Charles see his worth. Added straight to my favorites shelf!
This book was just amazing. It was often funny but also deep and insightful. Charles helped Hugo learn to smile again, and Hugo helped Charles see his worth. Added straight to my favorites shelf!
jemima_reads15's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute and Swoony!
jodi_ice's review
3.0
Cawpile: 6.86 3.5*
People kept telling me to read Con Riley, and gushed over these books on every rec thread, so again, I thought might as well!
Please, someone, next time, remind me not to go for the one with the teacher as the first I read by an author, I’m *going* to find fault.
Overall though I enjoyed it if I took away the teaching and some plot holes so I’m willing to try another.
The rest of this review is a copy of a note I wrote while reading the book. I’m still learning what I want to do with this idea so please excuse me while I get to grips with it. For those on the app please note there will be *spoilers* from this point on (the app doesn’t spoiler tag
People kept telling me to read Con Riley, and gushed over these books on every rec thread, so again, I thought might as well!
Please, someone, next time, remind me not to go for the one with the teacher as the first I read by an author, I’m *going* to find fault.
Overall though I enjoyed it if I took away the teaching and some plot holes so I’m willing to try another.
The rest of this review is a copy of a note I wrote while reading the book. I’m still learning what I want to do with this idea so please excuse me while I get to grips with it. For those on the app please note there will be *spoilers* from this point on (the app doesn’t spoiler tag
unusablebooklore's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
First times - both actual and mental
Hurt comfort donut
Scars of war - PTSD and physical
So unbelievably sweet and packed with feels
Neurodivergent Rep (Dyslexia)
Around 15% I started to get into it.
Not a massive fan of Charles’ background, and the language he uses. At first it’s hard to read him as relatable and not just a rich guy, as the book progresses you realise his depth. As well as the depth of his family. They aren't what they appear at first.
I initially thought it was gradually paced…not slow…just steady like a stroll. But I was wrong…it’s slow…like SLOW slow…
I’ve never wanted such a good book to come to an end.
There are so many emotions and such compassion shown by both characters. They felt like they naturally fit together like two pieces of a puzzle that fit so well they pull each other together.
98% - F you Con Reily I was not planning to sob into my oatmeal this morning 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
layla87's review against another edition
3.0
Finished this a while back but forgot about it.
I liked it.. I didn't love it.
Charles was fun and quirky. The first chapters in particular were very funny.
The writing was enjoyable.
The dyslexia and the kids aspect was charming.
I didn't connect with the second MC though.
There was just something that held me back...
I put it down and picked it up alot.
It wasn't a book that consumed me.
All in all it was a good read.
I liked it.. I didn't love it.
Charles was fun and quirky. The first chapters in particular were very funny.
The writing was enjoyable.
The dyslexia and the kids aspect was charming.
I didn't connect with the second MC though.
There was just something that held me back...
I put it down and picked it up alot.
It wasn't a book that consumed me.
All in all it was a good read.
kaitlin_durante's review
4.0
I really loved Charles.
He's such a sweetheart and I was so happy to see him find someone who could love him for all his quirks.
He's such a sweetheart and I was so happy to see him find someone who could love him for all his quirks.