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pam_h's review
3.0
It took me a looong time to get into this one. Not sure I would have made it through if I wasn't already a fan of the author.
alisonalisonalison's review
4.0
Lovely. No one does slow-burn American historical queer romance better than Tamara Allen. She is the queen of this sub-sub-sub-genre. This book, like all her books, is beautifully written, has a gorgeous period feel, has endearing and interesting characters, and has a really delightful romance. This author doesn't publish often, but each one of her books is an absolute gem.
terriaminute's review
Here is a book that is not for me, a supposed romance. DNF at 13%.
There's zero chemistry, plus I dislike the reporter intensely, and he generates way too much anxiety-poking sitcom-esque nonsense besides. With no end in sight, my patience has run out.
There's zero chemistry, plus I dislike the reporter intensely, and he generates way too much anxiety-poking sitcom-esque nonsense besides. With no end in sight, my patience has run out.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
Charlie is a newspaper reporter with a cheerful and resilient spirit, a taste for the gentlemen that he perforce keeps hidden, and a confidence in his writing that may or may not be justified. In Charlie's opinion, an editor's sole job seems to be to whittle down his eloquent prose to dry little columns half the length. So when he meets a new applicant for an editorial post at the paper in his boss's office, he has no scruples against trying to send the man on his way.
William was a well-respected editor at his small local paper, but he wants to marry his girlfriend Violet, and she comes from money. So, since his pride won't let him sponge off her father, he needs to advance. A post with a big-city paper is a start. Polishing the prose of overly-wordy writers like Charlie is his bread-and-butter, and he knows he's good at it. He doesn't require reporters to like him.
But the happenstance of William's last name - Nesmith - matching that of a wealthy west-coast family, results in him being invited into the inner circles of local wealth and power. Charlie (and his boss) convince him to take advantage of the mistake, as the two of them try to get a story on an elusive visiting British nobleman. Between the adrenaline and shame of the deception, his curiosity about Lord Belcourt, the proximity of Charlie sticking to his side in search of the story, and Violet's hot-and-cold reactions to his new job situation, William is thrown out of the comfortable path he'd envisioned for himself. He never imagined writing society columns, and he never quite imagined friendship with the kind of scamp Charlie is. In this new life, anything might be possible.
Charlie hates editors. But he's coming to appreciate William, in more than one way although he won't mention that to the man with the fiancee. Writing columns that make the rich folk buzz is good, friendship is great, the hunt for Lord Belcourt is a lark. And if he sometimes wishes for a bit more substance to his life, maybe the lord has dark secrets that will provide some. Charlie's an optimist.
This book started more slowly than some by this favorite author. It took me time to warm to Charlie, and to get a feel for William, and the situation they were in. But about the halfway mark, the story settled in with a click and reminded me why I read anything Tamara Allen writes. I loved both these men, and enjoyed the plot and the resolution of their story. If you haven't tried this author, you could start anywhere but "Whistling in the Dark" remains my favorite, and "If It Ain't Love" is a gorgeous short freebie. If, like me, you wait for new stories from her with ill-hidden impatience, then I expect you will enjoy this new one.
William was a well-respected editor at his small local paper, but he wants to marry his girlfriend Violet, and she comes from money. So, since his pride won't let him sponge off her father, he needs to advance. A post with a big-city paper is a start. Polishing the prose of overly-wordy writers like Charlie is his bread-and-butter, and he knows he's good at it. He doesn't require reporters to like him.
But the happenstance of William's last name - Nesmith - matching that of a wealthy west-coast family, results in him being invited into the inner circles of local wealth and power. Charlie (and his boss) convince him to take advantage of the mistake, as the two of them try to get a story on an elusive visiting British nobleman. Between the adrenaline and shame of the deception, his curiosity about Lord Belcourt, the proximity of Charlie sticking to his side in search of the story, and Violet's hot-and-cold reactions to his new job situation, William is thrown out of the comfortable path he'd envisioned for himself. He never imagined writing society columns, and he never quite imagined friendship with the kind of scamp Charlie is. In this new life, anything might be possible.
Charlie hates editors. But he's coming to appreciate William, in more than one way although he won't mention that to the man with the fiancee. Writing columns that make the rich folk buzz is good, friendship is great, the hunt for Lord Belcourt is a lark. And if he sometimes wishes for a bit more substance to his life, maybe the lord has dark secrets that will provide some. Charlie's an optimist.
This book started more slowly than some by this favorite author. It took me time to warm to Charlie, and to get a feel for William, and the situation they were in. But about the halfway mark, the story settled in with a click and reminded me why I read anything Tamara Allen writes. I loved both these men, and enjoyed the plot and the resolution of their story. If you haven't tried this author, you could start anywhere but "Whistling in the Dark" remains my favorite, and "If It Ain't Love" is a gorgeous short freebie. If, like me, you wait for new stories from her with ill-hidden impatience, then I expect you will enjoy this new one.
kelseykeefe's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alba89's review
3.0
I enjoyed it but liked it less than her previous books. Sometimes there were things I didn’t understand and it took 66% of the book before the 2 MCs started to get together. Then it was too quick. Still, pretty good. I just didn’t love it the way I loved her previous ones.
_isabel_'s review
5.0
4.5
Ah I loved this.
So damn much.
The first few chapters were a bit rusty and I needed a bit of time to get used to the pace but oh my god, was it worth it.
Charlie and Will literally owned my heart the second they appeared.
"Enemies to lovers" is my favourite romantic trope of all times and the author was so good at pacing their relationship: distrust turned into banter and affection and mutual pining and ugh, my heart.
I absolutely loved the secondary characters: Rose and her father, Archie, Caroline, Hildy and Violet were all equally well-made and characterized.
I absolutely adored the premises of the story, the subterfuge and narrow escapes and shenanigans the two mains got up to were wonderfully entertaining.
I'm already pretty sure I'll be re-reading this soon enough.
GO READ IT TOO.
Ah I loved this.
So damn much.
The first few chapters were a bit rusty and I needed a bit of time to get used to the pace but oh my god, was it worth it.
Charlie and Will literally owned my heart the second they appeared.
"Enemies to lovers" is my favourite romantic trope of all times and the author was so good at pacing their relationship: distrust turned into banter and affection and mutual pining and ugh, my heart.
I absolutely loved the secondary characters: Rose and her father, Archie, Caroline, Hildy and Violet were all equally well-made and characterized.
I absolutely adored the premises of the story, the subterfuge and narrow escapes and shenanigans the two mains got up to were wonderfully entertaining.
I'm already pretty sure I'll be re-reading this soon enough.
GO READ IT TOO.
susanscribs's review against another edition
5.0
Tamara Allen releases new books far too infrequently so each one is cause to rejoice. Invitation to the Dance doesn't disappoint. In turn of the century New York City, a cautious new copy editor and a brash journalist go from enemies to friends to lovers when they are forced to work together to get the Society story of the year, which turns out to be more than they anticipated. This is a slow-burn romance (neither character even admits to being homosexual until more than a third of the book is done, and the first kiss takes place well after the halfway mark) but it feels completely appropriate to the setting. Instead of longing looks we get lots of witty banter, interesting secondary characters (including a sweet M/F romance), and period detail that makes you feel like you are trying to hail a cab on Broadway right before Christmas in a cold wind.
While Allen doesn't shy away from the realities of being a gay couple when it was still a crime, she's also rather matter of fact about the ways that Charlie and Will find to be alone together, so it doesn't feel like their sexuality is the barrier keeping them apart. Once they admit their feelings, the conflict revolves around the actions they have taken to insinuate themselves into High Society and the friends and enemies they have made along the way.
I can't understand why Tamara Allen isn't a bigger name in MM romance, but I look forward to each release with great anticipation. I'm already planning a re-read in the very near future because I already miss Charlie and Will and want to spend more time with them. To resort to a cliche - don't turn down this Invitation (sorry, couldn't help myself)!
While Allen doesn't shy away from the realities of being a gay couple when it was still a crime, she's also rather matter of fact about the ways that Charlie and Will find to be alone together, so it doesn't feel like their sexuality is the barrier keeping them apart. Once they admit their feelings, the conflict revolves around the actions they have taken to insinuate themselves into High Society and the friends and enemies they have made along the way.
I can't understand why Tamara Allen isn't a bigger name in MM romance, but I look forward to each release with great anticipation. I'm already planning a re-read in the very near future because I already miss Charlie and Will and want to spend more time with them. To resort to a cliche - don't turn down this Invitation (sorry, couldn't help myself)!
otterpebbles's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An enjoyable slowburn with mostly low angst but still with shenanigans! A fun relaxing read, and I really enjoyed the period newspaper setting.