THE TUTOR IS REALLY CUTE

I mean is a really cute story...☺️ I was very impressed- at first- because there seemed to be so much more to the story than has generally been my experience with this particular genre, where the sexual is the main thrust (so to speak!). But even here, I felt that the sex scenes were WAY too overdone for my taste. TOO graphic, and TOO much. I am not a prude and am not offended by sex scenes, but so much of contemporary writing these days overdoes it to the point where it is no longer titillating but becomes just BORING, BORING, BORING. Also, it seemed a little preachy to me with its politically correct message.

This is why I only gave it three stars. However, there were definitely redeeming factors to this audiobook: I enjoyed listening to the narrator who was quite good. And the story otherwise was pretty good, especially with the young twins.

12 people found this helpful

A thoroughly enjoyable Gothic tale

This lovely story reminded me why I fell in love with Gothic romance way back when I was a teenager in high school. Granted that was in a different lifetime, but the Gothic romance is still wonderful. We have the unique twist of the "governess" who has fallen on hard times instead being a tutor who fudged on his resume to get the job. But is didn't seem to matter. There was still the poor neglected children who need a firm, but loving hand. The bitterly unhappy "Master" of the manor who glowers and growls and also needs a firm, but loving hand. Things that go bump in the night. Let us not forget the "ghost" in the tower. All the elements of a old fashion Gothic novel are here, and put together very well. A thoroughly enjoyable Gothic tale that any fan of the genre would enjoy.

6 people found this helpful

Queer, magical Jane Eyre

The author didn't gloss over real poverty, class divisions, etc., but she still managed to write a sweet, funny, super sexy story. I was a fan of Jane Eyre as a kid, and reading gay romance over the essential parts of that plot was kind of a surreal experience. An enjoyably surreal experience!

The darker supernatural elements don't take away from the essentially light-hearted tone of the book. I don't want to give away spoilers, but the only time any gory or disturbing bits occur are in the second to last chapter. Even there, things are referred to pretty vaguely and interrupted by the protagonists fighting back with happy things.

The narrator managed to distinguish little kid voices from adult voices without making them sound creepy. Yay!

4 people found this helpful

Perfectly Fine Simple Story

I don’t have a lot to say about this one. It is a simple story that relies too heavily on modern tropes and language. Often there were moments where the characters did not feel like they were in a period piece purely due to the language the author decided to use.

But before I get into specifics, overall this story was an attempt at a classic English period drama with modern views and language. It is an easy read that I did enjoy but won’t linger on my emotions/mind for long.

Many of the story beats really showed the authors hand in knowledge. Understanding the rules and setting perfectly well but not the atmosphere or culture. The restricted manners that should have been, could have provided more of a weight in the clashing of these two characters.

And, kinda spoilers but not really, the almost Kingdom Hearts approach to writing during the climax with the “villain” at the end really took me out of the weight of the situation. Everything was about the power of heart and love, becoming comical on how often it was being brought up and said.

The secondary characters almost did not have a point other to provide a breath between the two protagonists. They ultimately did not provide any new perspective and the one character that did was not as impactful. All the knowledge/aid provided by this character could have been provided by anything/anyone.

2 people found this helpful

Spoilers

The generic: The plot was seamless. The writing had some places that could use a more professional eye (for example, "seized" was used to describe an action that was also "delicate"). The writing surrounding the sex was trying for passionate romance but ended up sounding like someone who's never had sex but who's read a lot of bad romance novels in their time. Overall, I would have given this a better review, except for the below.

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This is a book about gay men wherein the only female character of any relevance is offscreen and a caricature. The other women are supporting caricatures. The dead mother is the most generic dead mother you can imagine - all-consuming love for the two children, and very little other personality of substance. Tragic and meek.

Then you have, in this book about gay men, a dead woman trope, and very graphic descriptions - which become first-hand - of the rape and torture of women. Then we find out the killer is also disparaging of the protagonists' sex life, but is somehow willing to enter Graham's (supposedly) impure body?

I don't know whether "Bonnie" is a pen name, but I expect better from authors, but women authors in particular, when it comes to inclusive casts and the tired track of the off-screen damsel in distress supporting a nearly all-male cast.

2 people found this helpful

Loved it

I wish with all my heart there were more gothic gay romance novels in this style, ghosts and all!!!!!

1 person found this helpful

fun

I enjoyed this story. the narrator isn't fantastic but isn't awful either. overall I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others.

1 person found this helpful

Enjoyed this book.

I thought the storyline was really good.and It was enjoyable and the narration was terrific.

1 person found this helpful

Everything I Didn't Know I Needed

Such a perfect little gem. I am so glad I happened upon this story, it's really thrilling and each character is very painted in my head. It's not exactly a major novel but I feel it's an important one with a good blend of everything, I will want this in my library. It felt very modern in the way it all flowed easily, extremely connected to each of the characters and nothing felt too far outside of my understanding with a period piece. It's perfect and I will recommend it to friends ☺️. Thank you author and narrator!

The narration was actually a bit fast to my liking so I slowed it down to maybe around .90x if anyone has an issue about that.




[SPOILER]
The climax of the book REALLY freaked me out VERY unexpectedly! I feel it would have only hit me as hard as it did because of the narration but I would have to read it to find out for myself. It ended so we'll!

1 person found this helpful

The description for this book is misleading.

If I’d known this book would literally take a dive into the paranormal, I’d have been less ruthless with rating. The way the description reads I was expecting a haunted by memories tale. I was not expecting “The Exorcist” with gay leads. If I’d known where this was going ahead of time with the dive into paranormal, I would have been sure I I was in the right mindset before listening. Performance got a higher rating because that’s the only reason I listened to the end. I took one star off for 2 reasons. 1- took me 2 chapters to get into the British accent and 2- seems like the voice for side characters changes. As someone who is visually impaired and can’t actually read the books myself, I’m extremely grateful to nearly anyone who will put a voice to books and I’ll definitely search for more titles narrated by the same person. (As if audible makes that easy) Bottom line is… it was an interesting story but know what you are getting into before you start. I listened because it was included with my membership but I won’t include it in my permanent library. Hope this is helpful.