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blewballoon's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think I enjoyed this even more than Hither, Page? I hadn't realized how fond I was of James and Leo and how much I wanted more of their story. The familiar characters and old family mystery were exactly what I was in the mood to read. It was intriguing to meet the new cast of characters and speculate on all of the unraveling family secrets, but the deepening romance between the leads was the highlight for me. I would happily take a whole series of these two solving mysteries together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, and Medical trauma
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
localmalewife's review against another edition
5.0
Cat Sebastian could do anything and I'd be on my knees for her books. The more familiar with her style and values and especially beautiful reflections in historical romance I get, the more deeply I can fall into the narrative. Feeling every ache and pain while knowing her storytelling is kind, and gentle. No matter the hurt the characters go through and the trials they face, there is space for queer love, queer triumph, queer healing, queer life.
This mystery in particular hit extremely close to home for me, and I teared up more than once, deeply touched. James and Leo are such wonderful and wounded people, and watching them communicate and patch each other up and work together for a kinder future means more than I can say. I could spend hours trying to put into words the sheer emotions I felt and am now left with.
The mystery? Delicious and fantastic. I had a Hunch that turned out to be true but that I tossed out and reeled back in over and over as I was led through the story. I never need a mystery to totally bamboozle me, but it's always a pleasant surprise if it does. Also, glimpsing our familiar faces from book one meant so much. What a beautiful and weird found family they are.
Page & Sommers as a series feels like returning to a cozy home, where the mug is put back into the same place and things are done a certain comforting fashion, where chicken might suddenly cluck in the garden, and where a friendly face might visit you anytime. I am already looking forward to coming back home to it again in a future re-listen.
This mystery in particular hit extremely close to home for me, and I teared up more than once, deeply touched. James and Leo are such wonderful and wounded people, and watching them communicate and patch each other up and work together for a kinder future means more than I can say. I could spend hours trying to put into words the sheer emotions I felt and am now left with.
The mystery? Delicious and fantastic. I had a Hunch that turned out to be true but that I tossed out and reeled back in over and over as I was led through the story. I never need a mystery to totally bamboozle me, but it's always a pleasant surprise if it does. Also, glimpsing our familiar faces from book one meant so much. What a beautiful and weird found family they are.
Page & Sommers as a series feels like returning to a cozy home, where the mug is put back into the same place and things are done a certain comforting fashion, where chicken might suddenly cluck in the garden, and where a friendly face might visit you anytime. I am already looking forward to coming back home to it again in a future re-listen.
agravereader's review
4.0
I liked this one more than the first book. I really love how Cat Sebastian writes relationship dynamics, but I really don't think mysteries are for me.
andrealectora's review against another edition
4.0
#pridemonth
Me ha gustado mucho. El primero había sido entretenido, un misterio interesante pero la historia de amor algo floja. Sin embargo éste ha sido muy distinto. El misterio sigue siendo muy “cosy”, sencillo, sin grandes giros, aunque he de decir que no vi venir el desenlace. Pero lo que más me ha gustado es la evolución de la relación entre James y Leo. Como se gustan, como quieren estar juntos, pero la época y sus propios miedos hacen que se repriman, aunque hay sinceridad y comunicación. Es un romance de las pequeñas cosas, de los gestos, de sensaciones, y me ha encantado. Ambos son un amor de hombres, y solo les quieres abrazar y decirles que todo va a ir bien.
Deseando leer el siguiente en la serie.
Me ha gustado mucho. El primero había sido entretenido, un misterio interesante pero la historia de amor algo floja. Sin embargo éste ha sido muy distinto. El misterio sigue siendo muy “cosy”, sencillo, sin grandes giros, aunque he de decir que no vi venir el desenlace. Pero lo que más me ha gustado es la evolución de la relación entre James y Leo. Como se gustan, como quieren estar juntos, pero la época y sus propios miedos hacen que se repriman, aunque hay sinceridad y comunicación. Es un romance de las pequeñas cosas, de los gestos, de sensaciones, y me ha encantado. Ambos son un amor de hombres, y solo les quieres abrazar y decirles que todo va a ir bien.
Deseando leer el siguiente en la serie.
elfduchess's review against another edition
5.0
I don't really have a lot to say. Enjoyed it just as much as the first one and am hoping for another one. I like that the mystery develops James' past. I also like that there is more quiltbag representation than just our two main characters. I also like mystery books - but can't read them any more because 97% of people (main characters and otherwise) in mystery books are horrible, terrible people that I don't want to spend two minutes with, much less the length of a book. These characters are almost universally at least tolerable, if not likeable.
kohava's review against another edition
4.0
Cat Sebastian is an auto-buy for me and this is no exception. I'd read this series forever.
embossedsilver's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why I went from liking Cat Sebastian to finding her so-so to really digging her particular brand of cozy romances but I'm not complaining.
Sharing clothes! *dies*
Sharing clothes! *dies*
arithegnome's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
solnit_and_sebastian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sequel to "Hither, Page," this romance/mystery makes for a cozy winter read. I love everything I've read by Cat Sebastian, and this was no exception! Fans of her gently explicit work, be advised; this is very tame, yet still heartwarming.
katehawki's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75