Expected Publication: February 23d, 2015 by Riptide Publishing
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Genre:
MM Contemporary Romance
Summary On Goodreads:
People come as well as go.
Twelve years ago, Edwin Tully came to Oxford and fell in love with a boy named Marius. He was brilliant. An artist. It was going to be forever.
Two years ago, it ended.
Now Edwin lives alone in the house they used to share. He tends to damaged books and faded memories, trying to a build a future from the fragments of the past.
Then the weather turns, and the river spills into Edwin’s quiet world, bringing with it Adam Dacre from the Environment Agency. An unlikely knight, this stranger with roughened hands and worn wellingtons, but he offers Edwin the hope of something he thought he would never have again.
As the two men grow closer in their struggle against the rising waters, Edwin learns he can’t protect himself from everything—and sometimes he doesn't need to try.
RATING:
*** REVIEW ***
"How had I forgotten? How had I become so careless, so cruel, so locked inside my own uncertainties? I had allowed hurt to gain such ascendancy over me. Given it so much power. But I had come, at last, in the middle of a flood, to some fresher, deeper truth which was simply this: love is stronger than grief."
Alexis Hall certainly has a way with words, making it so easy for me to fall in love with his stories.
Everybody who expects something like Glitterland- stop right there, because this story is different. It was less intense, light on the drama and heavy issues, but nonetheless it was still very good. When you think about it, the plot of the story isn't something unique or never written before, but what makes it special and outstanding for me is the elegant, evocative and captivating writing style of the author and how vividly he delivered the story. Hall's characters aren't one of those crazy rich super models, but ordinary people with flaws, insecurities and real life problems, characters you'll find charming in spite of those flaws. Characters with whom you can relate to.
The plot is in fact quite simple- about a guy in his mid-30ies who is still trying to deal with a breakup with his ex-boyfriend of 10 years and who finds love again when he least expects it, but the question is- is he ready or willing enough to yet again put himself out there, to put his trust and heart in the hands of a stranger?
This is one of those right in the feels story which will hit close home every reader who has ever experienced a heartbreak and the struggle to move on. Rare authors have this impact on me- to make me completely immerse myself in the story, to connect with the characters on a deeper level and to find myself in almost every second quote. I usually feel like this while reading books by Megan Hart who is one of my favorite authors nowadays, but A. Hall is slowly climbing up on that list.
Everybody who expects something like Glitterland- stop right there, because this story is different. It was less intense, light on the drama and heavy issues, but nonetheless it was still very good. When you think about it, the plot of the story isn't something unique or never written before, but what makes it special and outstanding for me is the elegant, evocative and captivating writing style of the author and how vividly he delivered the story. Hall's characters aren't one of those crazy rich super models, but ordinary people with flaws, insecurities and real life problems, characters you'll find charming in spite of those flaws. Characters with whom you can relate to.
The plot is in fact quite simple- about a guy in his mid-30ies who is still trying to deal with a breakup with his ex-boyfriend of 10 years and who finds love again when he least expects it, but the question is- is he ready or willing enough to yet again put himself out there, to put his trust and heart in the hands of a stranger?
This is one of those right in the feels story which will hit close home every reader who has ever experienced a heartbreak and the struggle to move on. Rare authors have this impact on me- to make me completely immerse myself in the story, to connect with the characters on a deeper level and to find myself in almost every second quote. I usually feel like this while reading books by Megan Hart who is one of my favorite authors nowadays, but A. Hall is slowly climbing up on that list.
The book's only flaw for me was its shortness- around 95 pages. Such a shame it wasn't a full length novel.
Glittterland remains my favorite book by this author, but this one definitely comes as a close second. Recommended to every mm romance fan who has a soft spot for bittersweet, emotional and at the same time heart-warming stories with realistic, relate-able and endearing characters.
*Arc provided by Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
*Arc provided by Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
xoxo
What attracted me in the excerpt you've chosen is how the author manages to phrase differently something I read tons and tons of times in romance novels and make it immediately evocative and more realistic. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Iza!:) I love his writing style.
DeleteI do love it when I can connect with a character, their emotions and situation. I think you're right, it's easier when the character isn't the standard perfect that's in a lot of books now. It sounds like this writer has a talent with words. That quote is beautiful! Lovely review, Purple! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel! :) The book was full of beautiful quotes, I highlighted almost every second page.
DeleteI can't wait to read this. Nobody writes more gorgeous or emotionally evocative prose than Alexis Hall.
DeleteI'm so with you on that and can't wait for you to read it! In comparison to Glitterland, this is pretty light, but there's still beauty and depth to it. :)
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