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A review by crtsjffrsn
Private Truths by C.B. Lewis
4.0
After struggling with addiction after returning from Army service, Jack McCall turned his life around and now devotes his time to a charity that assists homeless veterans in London. He's devoted to the charity and the cause, and he works hard to do the best he can. Which is why he goes so far as to approach Edward Marsden, Viscount Routhsley, about supporting the charity. Edward is known for his philanthropy but he's equally well-known for his philandering. As Jack gets to know Edward, however, he quickly learns that Edward's public image couldn't be further from who the man really is. The two have many things in common--and something Jack did not expect at all. As they grow closer, they struggle to keep their relationship a secret. Jack worries that if it got out, it might cast some doubt on what he did to secure the donation for his charity. And Edward doesn't want his sexuality to overshadow the work he does for several important causes. But secrets can only be kept for so long, especially by those who are very much in the public eye. Eventually, they will have to make a decision and be willing to accept the consequences of whichever choice they make.
Perception is what defines reality. It can be easy for us, in the abstract, to say that people should follow their hearts when it comes to love. That's the romanticized view anyway. Don't let love pass you by. But for people whose actions and relationships will be scrutinized and picked apart first by the media and then by the general public, it's not as easy as just thinking about what you want. The masses love a scandal. And we also love to fill in the missing details of any story with the juiciest possible explanations. So for people like a viscount or the poster-child for an important charity, actions and choices can have an impact. And the appearance of impropriety is just as good--in terms of public currency--as actual impropriety. This is an excellent look at what it means to find love in the face of celebrity and balancing the public good with personal choices. If only we could all just live our lives...
Perception is what defines reality. It can be easy for us, in the abstract, to say that people should follow their hearts when it comes to love. That's the romanticized view anyway. Don't let love pass you by. But for people whose actions and relationships will be scrutinized and picked apart first by the media and then by the general public, it's not as easy as just thinking about what you want. The masses love a scandal. And we also love to fill in the missing details of any story with the juiciest possible explanations. So for people like a viscount or the poster-child for an important charity, actions and choices can have an impact. And the appearance of impropriety is just as good--in terms of public currency--as actual impropriety. This is an excellent look at what it means to find love in the face of celebrity and balancing the public good with personal choices. If only we could all just live our lives...