Into Deep Waters

Half finished on Audible - must return to this as it was quietly brilliant.

I returned to this after 7 months (Oct 2025) ... and I think now was my right time to read it.

Into Deep Waters is the most amazing wonderful work of art, surely a classic in the romance genre.

Immediately I went searching for other books by the author in my my libraries and Hoopla, but no audiobooks despite the fact that the author has many titles. How could this be???

But at least I have experienced this.

Why don't more novels take the approach of this one, following the characters throughout their life, weaving in major social events, like the New York riots for gay rights in 1964? In that respect, it reminded me of those great romantic historical sagas like Dr show more Zhivago.

This book also involves the effect of cataclysmic social and political events - WW2, the fear of homosexuality in the mid 20C, and woeful support for those who returned after the war. However, it is the quiet, singular, heart-rending intimacy of the relationship between these two men that makes this a great novel.

Narrated to perfection by Kaleo Griffith.

(Later) I let myself read the comments below after I've written mine. It's affirming when I see other reader's reactions mirror my own, and invigorating to read observations I hadn't thought of. I definitely wanted another star for this book, too, Marlobo, and that was probably a first for me. And of course I should have mentioned the exceptional writing. That could have been me who lost interest in the long second half when Daniel and Jacob live boring lives of long days of work, invisibility, and domesticity ... but I didn't find it boring. Oh yes, and there were scenes that wrung tears from me like it was my very own heartbreak, not fiction.

Since I regard this as a hidden gem, I wanted to know who the author is so I'm including this interesting clip from AI: "Kaje Harper (pronounced like "cage") is a prolific American author of LGBTQ+ fiction, best known for her heartfelt MM (male/male) romances that blend "real men, real life, real love." She writes across genres like contemporary, historical, mystery, and fantasy, often exploring themes of hurt-comfort, personal growth, queer awakening, found family, and emotional depth. Her stories emphasize authentic relationships, equality, and happy-ever-afters (HEAs), inspired by early reads like The Persian Boy and The Front Runner, which left her determined to give queer characters the joyful endings they deserve.
Born in Montreal, Canada, Harper has lived in Minnesota for over 30 years, where she humorously notes the "two seasons" of snow removal and road repair, with mosquitoes as the state bird and stunning winter beauty as a backdrop. She grew up in a family that quietly championed equality—her mother was a trailblazing PhD holder and university professor in the 1950s, when women were expected to stay home—which shaped her focus on justice and diverse voices. Harper's pronouns are she/her, and she's been writing for over 40 years, starting as a hobby before her husband encouraged her to publish. Her debut, Life Lessons (2011), marked her entry into professional MM romance." show less

This book had two of my favorite things: romance (especially gay) and history (especially showing a couple throughout the years, as this did--over 69 years if I remember correctly). And it was heart-wretchingly beautiful, breathtaking in the love and devotion between the couple and in the creation of the historical scenes.

This is one of my favorite stories, and now, more than two months after I read it, it's still deep in my head and heart. Remembering it makes me happy, a bit melancholy, and so thankful that I read it. Jacob and Daniel were so perfect, so wonderfully written, and I feel that they are real people rather than characters. Everything in the story--from the first time they laid eyes on one another aboard the ship to the show more finger lick at the end--added to the layers in my heart. Highly, highly recommended! show less

I cannot tell you how much I love this story! Kaje Haper has taken a grainy photograph and the few, spare words of a "Love is Always Write" prompt and created real, living, breathing characters.

The story spans 69 years - from Daniel and Jacob's first meeting, their first fumbling forays into a sexual relationship, the horrors of WW II, the difficulties integrating back into civilian life, leading a hidden life, Stonewall, adopting a cat, through to the tribulations of old age - and does it all the while showing the love and courage, flaws and foibles that embody these two men!

An absolute must read!

Amazing! Kaje hit all the right notes, first blush of love, the growing pains of building a relationship and the wonderful comfort found in being together for 60 plus years. I loved that these guys were real, had real problems and doubts but stuck it out together. I also loved how the story ended on a high note. This story in less adept hands would've been a muddled mess, Kaje manages to make a decades long romance blossom and enrapture the reader. Very well done.

From the moment Daniel first saw Jacob on the deck of the Gageway, he was drawn to him. There was something about the young man that caught his attention and when the two of them finally connected, it's not surprising that the attraction is mutual. But in the U.S. Navy during World Ware II, being gay is misunderstood and certainly not tolerated. In a world that isn't going to make it easy, can Daniel and Jacob build a relationship that will survive - not to mention surviving the enemy planes and the bombs and the guns?

Overall, I liked this one. Daniel and Jacob's interactions are great, and I really feel like the reader can get a good sense of what life would have been like for a couple like them during the span of time portrayed in the show more story. (The only real detractor for me were a few occasional bathroom-related thoughts by Daniel that left me making a face - they just didn't seem to be necessary in the story. Nothing overly inappropriate, though.) show less

It was a megapack of Kleenex.

And I need one more star.

Sweet and moving. but not cloying or sappy. Wonderful.

This was a beautiful little book. It had me crying with its sweet ending. The first half of the book was hot and exciting and engrossing. The 2nd 1/2 of the book was slower and covered a lot of ground. The final scene was beautiful and a perfect ending. This was a free read but I would not have been disappointed had I paid for it.