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djmcewen's review
4.0
A heck of a journey
You've heard it before about how it's the journey rather than the destination that makes things worthwhile. It's a romance novel so we know where it ends but the lead up to it was difficult and understandable in many ways.
It's the Victorian Era and here are the best of friends who happen to both be gay. One is free and the the other beholden to the honor of his family. One able to accept his feelings while the other lives in fear. That drives a wedge between the then that they almost never recover from.
There are things about the writing I like and don't like. The attention to detail and word choices were great. Ms. chambers made a point to get things right, especially for someone who likely is a historian. The part that bothered me was the point of view. I sometimes couldn't tell whose head I was in. It could feel like it switched between paragraphs, sometimes even within the same paragraph. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
Merged review:
A heck of a journey
You've heard it before about how it's the journey rather than the destination that makes things worthwhile. It's a romance novel so we know where it ends but the lead up to it was difficult and understandable in many ways.
It's the Victorian Era and here are the best of friends who happen to both be gay. One is free and the the other beholden to the honor of his family. One able to accept his feelings while the other lives in fear. That drives a wedge between the then that they almost never recover from.
There are things about the writing I like and don't like. The attention to detail and word choices were great. Ms. chambers made a point to get things right, especially for someone who likely is a historian. The part that bothered me was the point of view. I sometimes couldn't tell whose head I was in. It could feel like it switched between paragraphs, sometimes even within the same paragraph. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
You've heard it before about how it's the journey rather than the destination that makes things worthwhile. It's a romance novel so we know where it ends but the lead up to it was difficult and understandable in many ways.
It's the Victorian Era and here are the best of friends who happen to both be gay. One is free and the the other beholden to the honor of his family. One able to accept his feelings while the other lives in fear. That drives a wedge between the then that they almost never recover from.
There are things about the writing I like and don't like. The attention to detail and word choices were great. Ms. chambers made a point to get things right, especially for someone who likely is a historian. The part that bothered me was the point of view. I sometimes couldn't tell whose head I was in. It could feel like it switched between paragraphs, sometimes even within the same paragraph. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
Merged review:
A heck of a journey
You've heard it before about how it's the journey rather than the destination that makes things worthwhile. It's a romance novel so we know where it ends but the lead up to it was difficult and understandable in many ways.
It's the Victorian Era and here are the best of friends who happen to both be gay. One is free and the the other beholden to the honor of his family. One able to accept his feelings while the other lives in fear. That drives a wedge between the then that they almost never recover from.
There are things about the writing I like and don't like. The attention to detail and word choices were great. Ms. chambers made a point to get things right, especially for someone who likely is a historian. The part that bothered me was the point of view. I sometimes couldn't tell whose head I was in. It could feel like it switched between paragraphs, sometimes even within the same paragraph. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read.
kay_slayerofbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Captain Iain Sinclair is a rake with a heart!
I was sure Iain would be helpless till his dying day. And poor Jamie, who had to wait for him to figure it out. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ Glad he finally figured it out, though.
I was sure Iain would be helpless till his dying day. And poor Jamie, who had to wait for him to figure it out. 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ Glad he finally figured it out, though.
bexterrr's review
5.0
Breaking hearts in unexpected ways, this book looked at the same struggles as the Enlightened series, but from new eyes. I found it a little more romantic and sweetly written and just enjoyable!
While there are other things happening, this book focuses purely on the plot of the romance.
While there are other things happening, this book focuses purely on the plot of the romance.
anihc's review
5.0
I absolutely love this book. I just wish we had more material on the present timeline. They literally got together and the book ended. I wanted more from Jamie and Iain
jackiehorne's review
4.0
I adored this Regency-set male/male romance, which switches back and forth between the present day (1824), with former Calvary officer Iain Sinclair trying to fix his damaged relationship with long-time family friend and occasional lover James Hart, and key scenes from their past, which show how their childhood friendship gradually transformed into a sexual relationship, and then into a broken relationship.
Though Iain is the more obviously masculine of the two, it is naturalist James who is the more emotionally heroic, being open with Iain about what he wants, and why. Iain, haunted by the need to please his demanding, verbally abusive father, keeps coming close to James but then backing away when he fears that his feelings for James might endanger his own, and thus his family's, good reputation. After James finally calls a halt to their friendship, unable to stand Iain's continual approach/retreat dynamic, Iain stays away from all family events, avoiding James for two years. Yet Iain can't leave England for a new, dangerous job in India without trying one last time to make James see why they should still remain friends.
Chambers does fabulous character work here, showing both Iain's bluff charm but underlying fearfulness and James' introverted nature but deep inner joy, both in his scientific studies and in his love for Iain. And she's amazing at evoking the emotions each man is feeling, and allowing readers to feel them right alongside her characters. Talk about feels!
I read the book's second edition, revised and self-published by the author in 2017 (first edition published in 2015).
Though Iain is the more obviously masculine of the two, it is naturalist James who is the more emotionally heroic, being open with Iain about what he wants, and why. Iain, haunted by the need to please his demanding, verbally abusive father, keeps coming close to James but then backing away when he fears that his feelings for James might endanger his own, and thus his family's, good reputation. After James finally calls a halt to their friendship, unable to stand Iain's continual approach/retreat dynamic, Iain stays away from all family events, avoiding James for two years. Yet Iain can't leave England for a new, dangerous job in India without trying one last time to make James see why they should still remain friends.
Chambers does fabulous character work here, showing both Iain's bluff charm but underlying fearfulness and James' introverted nature but deep inner joy, both in his scientific studies and in his love for Iain. And she's amazing at evoking the emotions each man is feeling, and allowing readers to feel them right alongside her characters. Talk about feels!
I read the book's second edition, revised and self-published by the author in 2017 (first edition published in 2015).
emilyrpf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jedbird's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked this, but not as much as I'd liked the story of David and Murdo, the main characters of the first three books in the series. Certainly having three times as many books to get to know them made a difference. Still, this was a lovely story.
pvbobrien's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
theangstierthebetter's review
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
2.5
It took a long time to finish it. My favorite read when it comes to longing, heartbreaks, and unrequited love, it's the Friends to Lovers, especially if they are a slow burn. But the book relied heavily on the flashback to the point of not having a breakthrough of their now-selfs and how they were going to work things out. Imo, the flashbacks were also lacking to show why they fell for each other and why they keep loving each other despite all the struggles and pain.
I love the pining and angst, but the power/emotional imbalances were too much and they were never on even ground. While the reasons why he couldn't reprocicate are pretty understandable, I didn't feel that the MC was worth that effort, when he hadn't done anything to win or deserve it. Besides, it was way too far off the pages when they got together, and wasn't feeling much at that point
I love the pining and angst, but the power/emotional imbalances were too much and they were never on even ground. While the reasons why he couldn't reprocicate are pretty understandable, I didn't feel that the MC was worth that effort, when he hadn't done anything to win or deserve it. Besides, it was way too far off the pages when they got together, and wasn't feeling much at that point