Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I did like the idea of this, and I felt like Everlee did do some historical research as it pertained to the illegality of homosexuality and homosexual materials, which is a little different than other historical romances. Where I think it fell short are the MCs themselves--Charlie is whiny and Miles is boring and together I don't really root for them.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was very fun and I will definitely seek out more of this author’s work. It’s a male/male romance set in 1883 London. Extrovert Charlie Price is embedded in a small community of queer friends, while Miles Montague, after his lover died in prison, isolates himself from everyone while writing philosophical and filthy erotica under a pen name. It’s a bit of a Grumpy/Sunshine story and I loved seeing how Charlie shows Miles how lonely he’s become through fear and depression and brings him out of it.
As someone who’s written a lot of erotica, I appreciated how Miles’ early writings, in the vein of Dickens, got him nowhere, but he then pours more of himself than he thinks into his erotica; it’s lovely that Charlie recognizes that and loves his work so deeply.
I also loved that Charlie, engaged to be married to save himself from financial ruin, is genuinely fond of the young woman he’s supposed to marry, and she is genuinely fond of him. They want to make it work. The resolution of their dilemma was emotional and heartwarming and satisfying; I would love to see Alma’s story continued in another book!
I’ve been in a reading slump and it makes me happy to find something that actually drags me out of it for a while. In short, this was great and you should read it.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a solid, well-paced gay MM romance. There's a good balance of sex and intrigue. The drama makes sense for the time period, and there's a sweet conclusion. I enjoyed it.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Fun, romance romp. Less kinky/erotic than implied by the back cover copy, but has elements. Sex was all fade to black. Fun to see something set in the Victorian era instead of regency.
emotional
medium-paced
medium-paced