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eacolgan's review against another edition
4.0
This book is like if [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304187141s/10964.jpg|2489796] were about two guys falling in love while they try to catch Jack the Ripper in Victorian London instead of a guy and a girl falling in love while they try to survive life and war in medieval Scotland. It is technically a romance novel, which I don't usually read, mostly because I really prefer my romance novels heavy on the plot and romance, not on the sex, and those are difficult to come by. But Downtime hit all the right notes in all the right measures. I loved Morgan to death, both as a character and as a narrator, and I absolutely couldn't help falling in love with Ezra right along with him. The book was really funny in a warm and real way, and the supporting cast were wonderful. I really liked the subplots-- they didn't feel like filler-- and actually, overall the amount of plot in this book is what made it for me. I am usually too much of a book snob to read romance novels because I hate stories with no plot. There is literally nothing worse to me in a novel, especially one with a gay love story, than a flimsy premise; this is especially true of the "I can't tell him/her how I feel, s/he can't possibly be gay!" variety (not that that can't be used to good effect, but it just so often isn't). So it was awesome that both the main characters were aware of their sexuality and open, if carefully so, about it. It felt accurate to Ezra's time period and appropriate for a man in Morgan's profession, but never felt like the author was trying to drag it out or, conversely, trying to ignore social mores or period-sensitive issues in order to speed things up. And of course the whole "I'm a time traveler and have to go back home" thing helped keep everything from resolving neatly. Without giving away more of the plot than is already outlined in the summary, I will just say that I started this book looking for some light, fun reading, and ended up staying up until almost 2am two nights in a row so I could finish it. It was really lovely and wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a satisfying historical mystery with an awesome love story on the side.
books_and_cha's review
3.0
Having read Tamara Allen's Whistling in the Dark, I knew what to expect from this book in terms of writing, themes, and romance. Downtime did not disappoint, although I didn't love it as much as Whistling in the Dark.
When FBI Agent Morgan Nash gets stuck in Victorian London due to a spell gone unexpectedly right, he is not happy. This isn't a surprise, seeing as Morgan has been decidedly not happy since the book began. Snarky, tired, and perhaps lonelier than he realizes, Morgan is a grouch. He grouches in disbelief when he's pulled back through time, then grouches some more when he realizes that the 19th century isn't so great with heating, or electricity, or gay men (the last one, to be fair, is atrocious). When Ezra, one of the party who cast the spell - apologetic, kindly, accomodating Ezra - confesses that he can see the dead, Morgan decides he's a conman and is, on top of being unhappy, highly suspicious. Yes, readers, you're right: it can only go up from here. Morgan stumbles upon a newspaper article about Jack the Ripper and soon gets caught up trying to catch him. Meanwhile, Ezra's abilities seem more and more convincing, and soon Morgan finds that he's not only at risk of losing his sanity by believing him, but also his heart.
Downtime is an ambitious book. It is a romance, a historical novel, and a mystery, all wrapped in one. Most of these things, it does well. The romance is a slow, slow simmer that will have you aching for the fire. More importantly, the characters develop feelings at a pace that feels natural with the story and their relationship. The mystery arc was scattered throughout the novel, gaining more importance towards the end of the book. I thought they found a specific culprit for the crimes, but then that narrative also shifts due to the time-travel arc and in the end, I was left confused as to what actually happened. The time-travel aspect wasn't cohesively threaded through the narrative either. You begin by thinking it works because of a spell, but that only turns out to be half true. The last quarter of the book expounds on this, but not satisfactorily.
Like Whistling in the Dark, this book also features themes of found family, but not as strongly. For example, I felt that Hannah's character only existed for Morgan to protest against child labor. Their friendship, though a sweet gesture, felt shallow to me. On the other hand, Derry's affection for both Morgan and Ezra was genuine. The relationships between characters were developed unevenly.
Despite its flaws, Downtime was an absorbing, feel-good read. The murders were gruesome to read about, but for the most part, this was a heartwarming story.
When FBI Agent Morgan Nash gets stuck in Victorian London due to a spell gone unexpectedly right, he is not happy. This isn't a surprise, seeing as Morgan has been decidedly not happy since the book began. Snarky, tired, and perhaps lonelier than he realizes, Morgan is a grouch. He grouches in disbelief when he's pulled back through time, then grouches some more when he realizes that the 19th century isn't so great with heating, or electricity, or gay men (the last one, to be fair, is atrocious). When Ezra, one of the party who cast the spell - apologetic, kindly, accomodating Ezra - confesses that he can see the dead, Morgan decides he's a conman and is, on top of being unhappy, highly suspicious. Yes, readers, you're right: it can only go up from here. Morgan stumbles upon a newspaper article about Jack the Ripper and soon gets caught up trying to catch him. Meanwhile, Ezra's abilities seem more and more convincing, and soon Morgan finds that he's not only at risk of losing his sanity by believing him, but also his heart.
Downtime is an ambitious book. It is a romance, a historical novel, and a mystery, all wrapped in one. Most of these things, it does well. The romance is a slow, slow simmer that will have you aching for the fire. More importantly, the characters develop feelings at a pace that feels natural with the story and their relationship. The mystery arc was scattered throughout the novel, gaining more importance towards the end of the book. I thought they found a specific culprit for the crimes, but then that narrative also shifts due to the time-travel arc and in the end, I was left confused as to what actually happened. The time-travel aspect wasn't cohesively threaded through the narrative either. You begin by thinking it works because of a spell, but that only turns out to be half true. The last quarter of the book expounds on this, but not satisfactorily.
Like Whistling in the Dark, this book also features themes of found family, but not as strongly. For example, I felt that Hannah's character only existed for Morgan to protest against child labor. Their friendship, though a sweet gesture, felt shallow to me. On the other hand, Derry's affection for both Morgan and Ezra was genuine. The relationships between characters were developed unevenly.
Despite its flaws, Downtime was an absorbing, feel-good read. The murders were gruesome to read about, but for the most part, this was a heartwarming story.
myzanm's review
5.0
Sweet love story about an unlikely couple. Victorian London, a noble man and a psychic conjure a FBI agent from the twenty-first century then looses the book with the spell that can send the man back. In their quest to find the book they get tangled up on the investigation of the terrifying murders of Jack the Ripper.
I liked the characters and the description of London 1888. The relationship between Morgan and Ezra was not one with extreme chemistry, at least not in the first half. It got a bit better in the end. It was an intriguing story with a few twist that kept you guessing and interested. If I was to complain about anything it would be that the pace was a bit uneven and at times it dragged. Despite that, it was a very enjoyable book.
I liked the characters and the description of London 1888. The relationship between Morgan and Ezra was not one with extreme chemistry, at least not in the first half. It got a bit better in the end. It was an intriguing story with a few twist that kept you guessing and interested. If I was to complain about anything it would be that the pace was a bit uneven and at times it dragged. Despite that, it was a very enjoyable book.
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
Most m/m books are just so-so, written mainly as sex with a plot added in as an afterthought. This book was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the plot and it had just the right amount of UST (at the beginning).
I have an ebook of this and made my own mp3 using my screen reader program, so I didn't actually 'read' it.
I enjoyed it so much I ordered a hardcopy of it from Amazon.
I have an ebook of this and made my own mp3 using my screen reader program, so I didn't actually 'read' it.
I enjoyed it so much I ordered a hardcopy of it from Amazon.
tereoleneva's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
FBI Agent Morgan Nash couldn't have expected the adventure he'd experience while on assignment in London. Right in the middle of confronting his target, he is pulled back in time to 19th century London by three friends who had no idea that reciting a bit of Latin from an old spellbook could actually work. Out of his element, Nash finds he has to make do in the past when the book goes missing and he doesn't know how he'll get home. But maybe one of his new friends will help his new surroundings feel like home while one of London's most notorious serial killers awaits his capture.
Historical fiction? M/M romance? A bit of mystery and suspense? Three things I very much enjoy and this book delivers. Tamara Allen creates a rich setting in the 19th century London she creates, with dynamic and believable characters dealing with the constraints of the society around them. The book took just a bit go get me into it, but then from there it was difficult to put down. A solid 4 stars!
Historical fiction? M/M romance? A bit of mystery and suspense? Three things I very much enjoy and this book delivers. Tamara Allen creates a rich setting in the 19th century London she creates, with dynamic and believable characters dealing with the constraints of the society around them. The book took just a bit go get me into it, but then from there it was difficult to put down. A solid 4 stars!
claudia_is_reading's review
4.25
I truly enjoyed this story. Yes, at the beginning I found Morgan a little hard to like. Too stubborn and likely to alter the flow of history. Well, that last one didn't change one bit along the story, to be honest *laughs*
But I really enjoyed seeing him change, and get closer to Ezra and all the people around them. Even when he was a bit dense and needed a hell of a wake-up call to understand the deep of his feelings for Ezra :P And I think his mother is lovely :D
And I also liked the mystery. C'mon, who wouldn't want to solve Jack the Riper's mystery? I can't really fault Morgan for doing what he did.
And Ezra, he's such a beautiful soul, a kind, loving man who wouldn't try to trap his beloved, even if that would kill him.
Yes, no surprise here, Tamara Allen did it again and wrote a wonderful story.
But I really enjoyed seeing him change, and get closer to Ezra and all the people around them. Even when he was a bit dense and needed a hell of a wake-up call to understand the deep of his feelings for Ezra :P And I think his mother is lovely :D
And I also liked the mystery. C'mon, who wouldn't want to solve Jack the Riper's mystery? I can't really fault Morgan for doing what he did.
And Ezra, he's such a beautiful soul, a kind, loving man who wouldn't try to trap his beloved, even if that would kill him.
Yes, no surprise here, Tamara Allen did it again and wrote a wonderful story.
myendlessshelf's review
4.0
This book was so interesting! I read it because of a recommendation by one of my favourite m/m romance authors, Anyta Sunday, who recommended it as a slow-burn romance. Whilst,I wouldn't actually agree that it's a slow burn, it was definitely an interesting read. This book had a bit of everything really, time travel, magic, murder mystery, ghosts and a truly sweet love story. The direction of the book and some of the elements took me by surprise but I really enjoyed it.
dreamerfreak's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Morgan's jaunt to the past and his adventures with Ezra. Not knowing much going into this, I was pleasantly surprised with Ezra's special abilities, and that and the heroes' slowly growing connection really brought this story to life for me. The Ripper twist certainly made things really interesting as well! I was so glad these boys got their happy ending, even if it wasn't quite what I had expected at first.