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A review by a_reader_obsessed
Lars by Aleksandr Voinov
4.0
4 Stars
This is not some super/paranormal fantasy with magic and unreal creatures but quite the philosophical look on different practices of faith, interwoven very nicely with a lovely contemporary romance.
Lars is your average bloke, trying to find a community to belong to, a place to practice his paganism without rebuke or ridicule. He’s busy with his business renovating houses, playing on his strengths as a builder and a nurturer and is basically the epitome of a gentle giant who wouldn’t mind finding that special someone to love. When Lars lands a big job from the stunning Rhys, he does hope a little that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t misread that spark of interest he saw in the gorgeous man’s eyes.
In turn, Rhys is somewhat on a new lease in life. He’s not necessarily fatalistic but he is realistic with his current predicament, and he’s not going to say no to the bright light and unbelievable wonder that Lars is. These two connect wonderfully and easily, and their interactions and intimate dance were all very sexy and swoony.
This is no doubt full of spirituality and looks at various forms of non-Christian religion. I’m not gonna lie. These aspects are abundant and detailed and though it doesn’t garner a lot of interest personally, it never came off preachy to me which I greatly appreciated.
At its core though, this is all about Lars and Rhys and their beautiful journey. Both these characters were really really likeable (Lars especially) and though there was no flash and bang, there is a nice touch of twisty angsty that is short lived but plausible. Throw in a seriously romantic happy ending that induced a few tears out of my cold heart, all of which provided that much appreciated happy sigh of contentment and satisfaction!
This is not some super/paranormal fantasy with magic and unreal creatures but quite the philosophical look on different practices of faith, interwoven very nicely with a lovely contemporary romance.
Lars is your average bloke, trying to find a community to belong to, a place to practice his paganism without rebuke or ridicule. He’s busy with his business renovating houses, playing on his strengths as a builder and a nurturer and is basically the epitome of a gentle giant who wouldn’t mind finding that special someone to love. When Lars lands a big job from the stunning Rhys, he does hope a little that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t misread that spark of interest he saw in the gorgeous man’s eyes.
In turn, Rhys is somewhat on a new lease in life. He’s not necessarily fatalistic but he is realistic with his current predicament, and he’s not going to say no to the bright light and unbelievable wonder that Lars is. These two connect wonderfully and easily, and their interactions and intimate dance were all very sexy and swoony.
This is no doubt full of spirituality and looks at various forms of non-Christian religion. I’m not gonna lie. These aspects are abundant and detailed and though it doesn’t garner a lot of interest personally, it never came off preachy to me which I greatly appreciated.
At its core though, this is all about Lars and Rhys and their beautiful journey. Both these characters were really really likeable (Lars especially) and though there was no flash and bang, there is a nice touch of twisty angsty that is short lived but plausible. Throw in a seriously romantic happy ending that induced a few tears out of my cold heart, all of which provided that much appreciated happy sigh of contentment and satisfaction!