For anyone who loved Matt Cain’s recent novel, ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’, here’s another dose of uplifting, heartwarming and charming storytelling!
Thanks to the lovely people at Headline for my copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour – as always, opinions are my own.
This book is published on 19th January in hardback, ebook and audio.
Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Becoming Ted’ by Matt CainWelcome to my stop on the blog tour for ‘The Love that Dares’, a collection of letters by LGBTQ+ writers throughout the ages.
Thanks to Random Things Tours for inviting me on to the tour and for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was published on 27th January 2022 by Ilex Press.
I love historical fiction and this time period – James VI of Scotland succeeding to the throne after Elizabeth I and becoming James I of England. In my head, this is a time of Shakespeare, Macbeth, witch hunts and the Gunpowder Plot. Genuinely fascinating, and a precarious time to be part of the court, especially if you were gay as this was definitely not a time of tolerance.
Cue Francis Bacon – writer, philosopher and newly promoted to Attorney General under James I. And hiding his sexuality from all but the men he picks up for fleeting liaisons on the banks of the Thames.
Continue reading (Audio)Book Review: ‘The Dangerous Kingdom of Love’ by Neil BlackmoreAnother book released on 20th August, this is a lovely piece of historical fiction with a mystery at its heart – right up my street!
I’d read (and loved) ‘Miss Treadway and the Field of Stars’ a while back, but picked ‘A Little London Scandal’ up without realising that it featured the same characters. It doesn’t matter too much if you haven’t read the first book, but you would be missing an absolute treat.
In this book, the sixties are swinging, but for Nik and the rent boys based around Piccadilly Circus all is not so bright. Police raids and violence threaten their livelihoods and the murder of one of them, Charlie, near an exclusive gentlemen’s club, causes them to come under some unwelcome scrutiny. When Nik is arrested for the murder, Anna Treadway, dresser at the Galaxy Theatre in Soho, steps in to prove his innocence. Her investigations take her into the heart of seedy London but also reveal corruption within high society.
This is another great read. The 1960s setting is lively and well-researched and Anna herself is an appealing protagonist (as we discovered in the first book). She is moral, motivated to help others and kind – but her softer character should absolutely not be interpreted as weakness and she is also flawed and human.
It is quite sad in places as the prejudice against gay men is depicted and the reader is shown that the 1960s were not all about free love and tolerance as they have been presented. The early pages are a little slow, but once the story really gets going then it is addictive! I raced through the majority of the book and will be keenly looking out for more titles in the series.
I would recommend this highly to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially connected to issues of gender and sexuality. I really would suggest you start with the first book though, otherwise you risk missing out on a charming novel that establishes this great protagonist.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Photo by Jeremy Dean Bourbeau from Burst
This book – published today in hardback – is a warm, witty and uplifting read.
I really love funny books and Adam Kay (who endorsed this book) so I thought this was definitely worth a try. I am certainly glad I did.
Jake is edging towards thirty with a girlfriend who is expecting to become a fiancee, but he isn't quite comfortable in his own skin or even with his own family. His younger brother, Trick, has just publically come out as gay, not that anyone ever considered he might not be. Their parents are accepting of their youngest son's sexuality, but seem a whole lot less supportive when Jake announces his own bisexuality. This book charts Jake's progress from heterosexual coupledom into uncharted waters...
The book is funny - not side-splittingly so, but certainly warm and witty. However, its strength lies in its characterisation. Jake is troubled and flawed and capable of some bad decisions, and his family and friends are so real. This is a book that swerves stereotypes wherever possible - Jake's girlfriend is fabulous even when she is hurting when she could easily have been made into a woman scorned and I loved her. Similarly, Jake's family are brash and loud, but also extremely subtly drawn and tender when it matters.
I enjoyed this book - it's a lively and engaging read that doesn't preach or stereotype. Instead, we get a full range of well-observed and realistic characters who are just trying to navigate their own situations. A lovely book and one I whole-heartedly recommend.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Photo by Shopify Partners from Burst
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