Patrick Doyle (3)

I really enjoyed reading about the life that Pierre led before the events in “Pierre and Bill.” Set against the backdrop of 1960s Canada, this captivating novel took me on an unforgettable journey with Pierre, a young man from a small town in northern Quebec. Despite facing numerous hardships, Pierre’s unwavering optimism and determination shine through, making him a truly inspiring protagonist.

After a heated argument with his father, Pierre decides to leave home and hitchhike his way show more to the Pacific. The start of his journey is filled with encounters with a diverse array of characters, who are more hinted at rather than fully sketched out. This allowed the focus of the story to be on his time spent with Ed, a truck driver who gave him a lift in his rig, marking the true beginning of the narrative.

The most compelling parts of the story revolve around Pierre’s time as Ed’s lover. Ed, carrying demons from his own past, adds a layer of complexity and turbulence to their relationship, making it a poignant and thought-provoking aspect of the novel.

The sex scenes are intriguing as well. They strike a balance between being neither a complete 'fade to black' nor a detailed ‘step-by-step’ account. This approach aligns seamlessly with the rest of the book, ensuring they don't detract from what is ultimately a love story.

In the end, what I enjoyed most was Pierre himself. Pierre's boundless optimism in the face of difficulties that would challenge even the most seasoned adults is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite being just barely out of his teens, his patience, relentless hard work, unyielding drive to better himself and his refusal to dwell on the past makes him one of the most unforgettable and remarkable protagonists I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. show less

I really enjoyed reading about the life that Pierre led before the events in “Pierre and Bill.” Set against the backdrop of 1960s Canada, this captivating novel took me on an unforgettable journey with Pierre, a young man from a small town in northern Quebec. Despite facing numerous hardships, Pierre’s unwavering optimism and determination shine through, making him a truly inspiring protagonist.

After a heated argument with his father, Pierre decides to leave home and hitchhike his way show more to the Pacific. The start of his journey is filled with encounters with a diverse array of characters, who are more hinted at rather than fully sketched out. This allowed the focus of the story to be on his time spent with Ed, a truck driver who gave him a lift in his rig, marking the true beginning of the narrative.

The most compelling parts of the story revolve around Pierre’s time as Ed’s lover. Ed, carrying demons from his own past, adds a layer of complexity and turbulence to their relationship, making it a poignant and thought-provoking aspect of the novel.

The sex scenes are intriguing as well. They strike a balance between being neither a complete 'fade to black' nor a detailed ‘step-by-step’ account. This approach aligns seamlessly with the rest of the book, ensuring they don't detract from what is ultimately a love story.

In the end, what I enjoyed most was Pierre himself. Pierre's boundless optimism in the face of difficulties that would challenge even the most seasoned adults is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite being just barely out of his teens, his patience, relentless hard work, unyielding drive to better himself and his refusal to dwell on the past makes him one of the most unforgettable and remarkable protagonists I've ever had the pleasure of reading about.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

I love discovering new authors, so when I saw Catching Hanif’s Eye by Patrick Doyle on BookSirens, I knew I had to read it. The story blends contemporary MM romance with espionage elements, creating an adventurous and thrilling atmosphere that immediately caught my attention. I especially liked the originality of including ophthalmology details — it’s not something you see every day in romance fiction.

While the story itself isn’t banal, some scenes could use a bit more editing for show more clarity, and the ending felt slightly rushed. That said, I found it a refreshing debut with plenty of potential. The author’s voice shows creativity and a genuine effort to do something different in the MM romance genre. With a bit of polish, Patrick Doyle could easily become one to watch. Overall, a nice, original read that I enjoyed. show less

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s

“Seing Sean" by Patrick Doyle

This is a story of love at first sight, where the complexities of reality and secrets threaten to tear apart the budding romance between Wyatt and Sean. From the start, Wyatt’s attraction to Sean is electric, with their Zoom encounters sparking an unusual electronic reaction that piques Wyatt's interest.

When they finally meet in person, Sean proves to be even more captivating than Wyatt had anticipated, and the attraction between them is show more mutual. However, Sean's reluctance to open up about himself and the strange occurrences that seem to follow him leave Wyatt questioning whether the relationship is worth pursuing.

With Wyatt's disillusionment and Sean's reluctance to share his past creating a palpable tension that builds throughout the story. As Sean's secrets are slowly revealed, the story takes on a fantastical element that adds a layer of intrigue to the already engaging plot.

The love story between Sean and Wyatt seemed to be a bit fast-paced, which might not be to everyone's liking but then again it is a story of love at first sight…

The ending left some unanswered questions, especially regarding Sean's secrets, which might leave some readers unsatisfied.

PUB Date: 4/21/23

The author provided me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. show less