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liza5326's review
4.0
At first, I wasn't too sure if I was going to like this story. It was very dry, a portrait of the life of a gay man in 1960's England. The details were a little too much. But then it got a little more interesting as you saw how the MC had to live and cruise because of the legality of homosexuality. Then enter Max and there's suddenly light. The story kind of took off from there. Sweet, sexy, still a little sad but hopeful. I really ended up enjoying this short, simple, yet heartfelt story.
hartd's review
5.0
Between four and five stars. This is a very good read, and it's unfortunate that it's currently out of print. To me, it succeeds really well in capturing queer life in a specific time and place (1967 England), but the romance is also excellent, with a believable progression, conflict, and resolution. I felt for Dylan and his loneliness, and for his disbelief that he could have any happiness.
Dylan has serious internalized homophobia, which makes sense in context, but it's intense. The world he lives in is also very homophobic. So be aware of that before diving in, if you're used to reading queer historicals in which homophobia is not as prominent (like KJ Charles and Cat Sebastian's books).
But for me, reading this book was a great experience. Dylan savors every moment that he spends with Max, and I so enjoyed his focus on details. One example:
I really appreciate that the ending. I'd call this ending an HFN with an openness to an HEA, which feels exactly right for this pair. If you like historical reads and can track this one down, I highly recommend it.
Dylan has serious internalized homophobia, which makes sense in context, but it's intense. The world he lives in is also very homophobic. So be aware of that before diving in, if you're used to reading queer historicals in which homophobia is not as prominent (like KJ Charles and Cat Sebastian's books).
But for me, reading this book was a great experience. Dylan savors every moment that he spends with Max, and I so enjoyed his focus on details. One example:
Dylan pretended not to care, although he would remember splitting a ham sandwich, a cheese sandwich and a Thermos of tea on a bench in a public garden in the spring with lovely Max until his very last day.
I really appreciate that the ending
Spoiler
emphasizes the importance of queer communityregencyfan93's review
5.0
Good pace and vocabulary
This felt like a book of the 1970s. The pace is slower than a contemporary romance. The vocabulary felt like mid-century and not 21st century characters wearing costumes. This is a good thing.
This felt like a book of the 1970s. The pace is slower than a contemporary romance. The vocabulary felt like mid-century and not 21st century characters wearing costumes. This is a good thing.
endemictoearth's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Full five stars to this utter gem. It's, like, an undiscovered Barbara Pym novel. That sort of close reading of an ordinary life. I immediately started it over when I finished it (which is usually the five star gold standard.)
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