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A review by lilybear
The Station by Keira Andrews
5.0
I can always count on Kiera Andrews for a good read.
When I read historical romance there is always the implication that being outed as gay would be bad for one's health. From raids of molly houses to blackmail threats from scorned lovers, or even expulsion from school for being caught in the act. But never before had I read a novel that fully explored the actual consequences of being caught, put on trial and sentenced for the crime of buggary. Patrick, a stablemaster, is caught inflagranti and about to be flogged and hung. When the young lord of the house, Colin, bursts into the room and declares that he too is a sodomite and if Patrick is to be hung so will he! To save their son's life the pair of men are given a lighter sentence of prison labor on Australia. And so their adventure starts. It got surprisingly dark with the terrible conditions of a prison ship, attempted rape, and whipping. But it was also heart achingly sweet as Patrick comes to realize and accept that Colin loves him and has loved him since he was thirteen and clueless. Together they must forge ahead and build a new life as Australian prisoners set to work on a Station. Not only are the perils of love full of bumpy roads and thorns, but like the land itself if full of everything is poisonous and dangerous too!
When I read historical romance there is always the implication that being outed as gay would be bad for one's health. From raids of molly houses to blackmail threats from scorned lovers, or even expulsion from school for being caught in the act. But never before had I read a novel that fully explored the actual consequences of being caught, put on trial and sentenced for the crime of buggary. Patrick, a stablemaster, is caught inflagranti and about to be flogged and hung. When the young lord of the house, Colin, bursts into the room and declares that he too is a sodomite and if Patrick is to be hung so will he! To save their son's life the pair of men are given a lighter sentence of prison labor on Australia. And so their adventure starts. It got surprisingly dark with the terrible conditions of a prison ship, attempted rape, and whipping. But it was also heart achingly sweet as Patrick comes to realize and accept that Colin loves him and has loved him since he was thirteen and clueless. Together they must forge ahead and build a new life as Australian prisoners set to work on a Station. Not only are the perils of love full of bumpy roads and thorns, but like the land itself if full of everything is poisonous and dangerous too!