Debbie McGowan

Seamus Williams has returned to Ireland after spending several years in the States, leaving his brother, Patrick, behind. But Patrick has Aiden, and he's an adult, so he can fend for himself. Reconnecting with his homeland is just what Seamus needs--well, that and to get away from the one thing (read: person) who scares him more than anything else. And Seamus isn't afraid of much. Not even an ocean can keep him safe, though, as he gets a phone call from a U.S. number he doesn't recognize and show more answers it. It seems not saying goodbye to Chancey "Chance" Clearwater didn't mean he wouldn't find a way to track Seamus down, forcing Seamus to confront the feelings he thought he left back in Kansas. But it turns out Seamus might be eliciting some of the same feelings and fears in Chance, leaving both men to sort out what they want and how to get it despite living thousands of miles apart.

I'm sometimes a bit skeptical of stories where the relationship started and has already faced complications before the book starts. Too often authors use that as a device without having to actually deal with the issues that led to those complications in the first place. Or readers are left without understanding what brought the couple together in the first place, making it difficult to understand why they remain together and work past the problem. But neither of those cases are true here. Even though the relationship started and much happened before the first page of text, that doesn't mean we miss out at all on knowing Seamus and Chance both individually and together. And by no means are the complications over before the book starts, either. There is a slow but steady plot progression that meanders and builds toward a conclusion that seems real and right. In short, this is a heartwarming and enjoyable story, even if there are moments where one might want to reach through the page and give both men a hearty shake.

Definitely recommended for fans of m/m romance. Although this is the second book in a series, it's not necessary to read the first book before reading this one. I haven't read the first book and I had no problems following or understanding this one.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.] show less

I was happily surprised by this story, though I’m not sure if the reason I was expecting not to like it should actually matter. It’s not the first time other people feel very differently about a book from me.

It’s full of funny banter, great humor, and semi-British writing. (The latter was slightly confusing to me since I couldn’t decide if I felt the author was British and trying to Americanize their writing, or American trying to do British. Turned out to be they’re British, which show more left me feeling a little disappointed: the book wasn’t “British enough” for me. Weird, I know.)

In addition to the aforementioned things I liked about the book, I also liked the main characters, Sol and Adam. But they were also weird! (A lot of weirdness going on with this one.) How they got together lacked so totally credibility it was almost ridiculous, but when they were together it was somehow very intense. I can’t think of a better word to describe it. It was almost instalove, but not quite, even if they did move in together only a few weeks after they first met.

I didn’t like Sol’s (ex-) wife, Elise. For a person in a marriage of convenience she seemed to forget the reason they were married. She acted like a woman scorned from the moment the story began to the moment she was out of it. Even if they had mutually agreed to keeping their extra-marital affairs discreet, I really don’t get why she would expect Sol not to feel anything for another man. I really didn’t like her or the marriage thing and how it was presented.

Altogether, it was a really confusing read and hard to rate. If it wasn’t for the marriage thing and some of the juvenile actions from both Sol and Adam, it could very well have been a 5 star read. But it could also very easily have been a 3 star read.

Strange book. In a good way. show less

3.5 stars. Powerful story and devastating in its portrayal of the persecution that homosexual men faced even midway through the 20th century. Jim and Arty felt very much like men of their time, and I loved the period detail, but I wasn't a big fan of their Insta-love, and I skimmed through some of the wartime aircraft descriptions. Does get bonus points for two MCs who appreciate cats.

3.5 stars

A story very realistic and very romantic at once, absolutely consistent with its time span.

The inmmersion in that period is impressive, reflecting a thorough research work; Arty evolves in a way and pace perfectly credible; those all-American tears of Jim kept me between tender giggle and funny incredulity.