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endemictoearth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
audio re-read
iam's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Quick & shortwhile read with a great view on sex and fun cameos from the rest of the series.
Content warnings include: unprotected sex after discussion and tests, sex on-page; mentions of cheating in past relationship, STDs, divorce, lots of internalized homophobia mostly due to religious rhetoric.
My favourite part of this book was how it didn't shy away from awkwardness during sex. It showed sex between characters who are very much attracted to each other simply not working out, while also talking about how we get used to the ways we usually get off which can make other ways harder, that orgasms sometimes just don't happen, and that even when the attraction is there, things can just... yeah, not work out. And I loved that! We need to see more of that in romance and erotica!
That said, while I loved how blunt Quentin and George were about hooking up, I did find their relationship a bit clinical, particularly in the beginning. They didn't draw me in as much as characters from previous installments of the Rainbow Place series.
I must also say that personally I don't think that "go hook up with another person of the same sex" is the right response to "I want to overcome over three decades of intense internalized homophobia and self-isolation because of it." It even seemed dangerous to me, though it worked out perfectly fine for the protagonist.
Speaking of the rest of the series: Happy Place does act wonderfully as an extension, but can also be read as a standalone. There are a lot of cameos and references to the prequels, but the story itself is self-contained and past key-events are described sufficiently.
Happy Place had another story arc about a closeted character and a non-closeted and openly queer one getting together with part of the conflict set around the being closeted, and it was handled very well, like the other books with similar plots by this author.
Overall this was a fast read that is easy to get into and enjoyable. It also gave me inspiration: I am totally going to start calling my twin "utterus buddy" from now on.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Quick & shortwhile read with a great view on sex and fun cameos from the rest of the series.
Content warnings include: unprotected sex after discussion and tests, sex on-page; mentions of cheating in past relationship, STDs, divorce, lots of internalized homophobia mostly due to religious rhetoric.
My favourite part of this book was how it didn't shy away from awkwardness during sex. It showed sex between characters who are very much attracted to each other simply not working out, while also talking about how we get used to the ways we usually get off which can make other ways harder, that orgasms sometimes just don't happen, and that even when the attraction is there, things can just... yeah, not work out. And I loved that! We need to see more of that in romance and erotica!
That said, while I loved how blunt Quentin and George were about hooking up, I did find their relationship a bit clinical, particularly in the beginning. They didn't draw me in as much as characters from previous installments of the Rainbow Place series.
I must also say that personally I don't think that "go hook up with another person of the same sex" is the right response to "I want to overcome over three decades of intense internalized homophobia and self-isolation because of it." It even seemed dangerous to me, though it worked out perfectly fine for the protagonist.
Speaking of the rest of the series: Happy Place does act wonderfully as an extension, but can also be read as a standalone. There are a lot of cameos and references to the prequels, but the story itself is self-contained and past key-events are described sufficiently.
Happy Place had another story arc about a closeted character and a non-closeted and openly queer one getting together with part of the conflict set around the being closeted, and it was handled very well, like the other books with similar plots by this author.
Overall this was a fast read that is easy to get into and enjoyable. It also gave me inspiration: I am totally going to start calling my twin "utterus buddy" from now on.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
stephreviewsbooks's review
3.0
Ok but not as good as previous stories
This one didn't quite hit the mark for me. Too much tooing and frowing of emotions. One minute Q is fine with George being in the closet then he isn't. Lots of sex scenes but I didn't find them particularly hot.
This one didn't quite hit the mark for me. Too much tooing and frowing of emotions. One minute Q is fine with George being in the closet then he isn't. Lots of sex scenes but I didn't find them particularly hot.
whatcha_listening_to's review
4.0
I do love an older man finding his way. It makes my heart happy. His upbringing wasn’t conducive to being who he is so he went on like he was “supposed to”. He married a woman and obviously that wasn’t his journey but he did get one heck of a great kid out of it.
The first meeting is always my favorite and Quentin was adorable, I think right away I liked him because he might have thought one thing but he also gave George another chance. He isn’t close minded he might be guarded because of his past but he is unapologetically himself. I love this about him. As we get to know him and George I like that he did what he needed to do for himself. That made me respect him all the more.
George too takes a good look at himself. I really liked that he seeked out help to work through things.
This book is low on the drama which I love, but it was high on being who you are. I also really enjoyed getting to see some of the characters from the books before it gives us a really well rounded story you can’t help but root for these two.
Hamish Long is a great narrator and I want more, more, more books narrated by him. I enjoy the different tones he gives for each character it brings us so much depth to these characters.
The first meeting is always my favorite and Quentin was adorable, I think right away I liked him because he might have thought one thing but he also gave George another chance. He isn’t close minded he might be guarded because of his past but he is unapologetically himself. I love this about him. As we get to know him and George I like that he did what he needed to do for himself. That made me respect him all the more.
George too takes a good look at himself. I really liked that he seeked out help to work through things.
This book is low on the drama which I love, but it was high on being who you are. I also really enjoyed getting to see some of the characters from the books before it gives us a really well rounded story you can’t help but root for these two.
Hamish Long is a great narrator and I want more, more, more books narrated by him. I enjoy the different tones he gives for each character it brings us so much depth to these characters.
ccreadsbooks_'s review
5.0
Jay’s books make me so happy, especially the Rainbow Place series. While most of them touch on serious subjects they never feel heavy instead ringing true but bringing lightness and joy. I’m a sucker for a Cornish town setting and the residents of Porthladock never disappoint. Quentin is so bright and loveable, George grouchy and scared yet determined. Happy Place is another enjoyable addition to this wonderful, informative, happy and steamy series from the author.
novel_nomad's review
3.0
An age-gap romance that worked incredibly well, but the internalised hatred George had to battle through was difficult to read at times - especially how he sabotaged potential romantic moments.
lucyhargrave's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
broomesbooks's review
4.0
This is the first book I've read of the Rainbow Place series and I'm sitting here wondering why I waited this long to grab one of these books? George, I wanted to give him a hug and tell him to trust that it was going to be okay if he was true to himself.
George is firmly planted in the closet, coming to terms with his sexuality and is used to denying himself basic companionship. Quentin tears into his life in the form of an interview for a local paper. It's hard to resist an older man with no strings attached.
George, I felt for him. He's denied himself for so long, he doesn't know how to handle himself. He wants to experience actual human touch and interaction, but he's terrified. I one hundred percent understand that fear. There were so many expectations on him, at one time being married to a woman, having a child with her. He was an older man, with no experience.
Quentin lived openly and wanted to have a relationship he didn't have to hide. Some how, George's offer was too hard to resist. He'd help George experience life as a gay man outside of the porn he watches.
The two together, you don't think they would work out well. But they do. Eventually. There are hiccups in their arrangement. George is terrified and Quentin wanting more than what he is getting from their arrangement. Their interactions sizzled. Like there were some intense moments between the two men. George was willing to try any and everything, but wasn't afraid to say he didn't like something. One thing that didn't work for me was the dirty talk, that's a personal preference though. I'm not a fan of it.
My favorite scene was the date on George's boat. They were both so free, happy, and excited about life. It was only fitting that it served as a turning point in their relationship. It is a scene that still floats around my mind when I think of this book.
George is firmly planted in the closet, coming to terms with his sexuality and is used to denying himself basic companionship. Quentin tears into his life in the form of an interview for a local paper. It's hard to resist an older man with no strings attached.
George, I felt for him. He's denied himself for so long, he doesn't know how to handle himself. He wants to experience actual human touch and interaction, but he's terrified. I one hundred percent understand that fear. There were so many expectations on him, at one time being married to a woman, having a child with her. He was an older man, with no experience.
Quentin lived openly and wanted to have a relationship he didn't have to hide. Some how, George's offer was too hard to resist. He'd help George experience life as a gay man outside of the porn he watches.
The two together, you don't think they would work out well. But they do. Eventually. There are hiccups in their arrangement. George is terrified and Quentin wanting more than what he is getting from their arrangement. Their interactions sizzled. Like there were some intense moments between the two men. George was willing to try any and everything, but wasn't afraid to say he didn't like something. One thing that didn't work for me was the dirty talk, that's a personal preference though. I'm not a fan of it.
My favorite scene was the date on George's boat. They were both so free, happy, and excited about life. It was only fitting that it served as a turning point in their relationship. It is a scene that still floats around my mind when I think of this book.