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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
Another chuckle-filled m/m romance from British author Merrow, but one that simultaneously manages to convey deeper messages about homelessness, mental illness, and the many layers that lie behind the pleasant facades that people show the world. The "counter culture" of the title refers to many different things: the differences between working class and middle class cultures in a small British city that is definitely not London; the world of the college-educated vs. those without a uni degree; the world of old white Britain vs. the multicultural amalgam that is current-day Britain; and the mundane quotidian world vs. the fantasy world of steampunk.
On his way home from a rough day at work, college grad and current department store sales clerk Robin Christopher (white, gay) runs into a strangely-dressed but really hot guy scavenging parts from an abandoned refrigerator, not quite sure if he's a homeless man, an alien, or an escapee from a Doctor Who set. But as Robin's path keeps crossing with "Fridge Bloke," he discovers the man is steampunk (NOT steampunker) Archie (white, bisexual), who is currently living with his counter-culture mum, sharing the child-raising duties of a new parent with his former girlfriend (with whom he doesn't live), and working in the local workhouse museum. Which leaves him only a few spare hours to indulge in his predilection for dressing up as a Victorian gent and messing around with cogs and gadgets. The two begin an awkwardly sweet courting, but when Robin, discovering that Archie's mom is planning a protest against his department store (due to a publicity campaign that unintentionally insults the homeless, or "rough sleepers") lies about where he actually works, first to Archie's mum, and then to Archie, things get a bit messy in their budding romance. Secondary characters (especially Robin's co-workers Azrah, Heath, and Gail) are as fun, and as layered, as are Robin, Archie, and his mum Lyddie.
The models on the cover aren't quite right: Robin's hair is supposed to be blond, and Archie is meant to have a "moustache with curly, waxed ends, like a Victorian dandy or cartoon villain." Still, it does a great job of conveying the surprised, funny tone of Merrow's story.
Another chuckle-filled m/m romance from British author Merrow, but one that simultaneously manages to convey deeper messages about homelessness, mental illness, and the many layers that lie behind the pleasant facades that people show the world. The "counter culture" of the title refers to many different things: the differences between working class and middle class cultures in a small British city that is definitely not London; the world of the college-educated vs. those without a uni degree; the world of old white Britain vs. the multicultural amalgam that is current-day Britain; and the mundane quotidian world vs. the fantasy world of steampunk.
On his way home from a rough day at work, college grad and current department store sales clerk Robin Christopher (white, gay) runs into a strangely-dressed but really hot guy scavenging parts from an abandoned refrigerator, not quite sure if he's a homeless man, an alien, or an escapee from a Doctor Who set. But as Robin's path keeps crossing with "Fridge Bloke," he discovers the man is steampunk (NOT steampunker) Archie (white, bisexual), who is currently living with his counter-culture mum, sharing the child-raising duties of a new parent with his former girlfriend (with whom he doesn't live), and working in the local workhouse museum. Which leaves him only a few spare hours to indulge in his predilection for dressing up as a Victorian gent and messing around with cogs and gadgets. The two begin an awkwardly sweet courting, but when Robin, discovering that Archie's mom is planning a protest against his department store (due to a publicity campaign that unintentionally insults the homeless, or "rough sleepers") lies about where he actually works, first to Archie's mum, and then to Archie, things get a bit messy in their budding romance. Secondary characters (especially Robin's co-workers Azrah, Heath, and Gail) are as fun, and as layered, as are Robin, Archie, and his mum Lyddie.
The models on the cover aren't quite right: Robin's hair is supposed to be blond, and Archie is meant to have a "moustache with curly, waxed ends, like a Victorian dandy or cartoon villain." Still, it does a great job of conveying the surprised, funny tone of Merrow's story.
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet and easy read. I liked the steampunk aspect and the little bit of drama. All the characters were unique.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Counter Culture is a new M/M humorous romance by JL Merrow. Released 4th Nov 2019 by Riptide, it's 244 pages and available in paperback format.
This is a light romance with mismatched protagonists who are sweetly silly. The story arc is standard (misunderstandings and well meant lies threaten to tear the star crossed couple apart, complicated by loving and well meaning family and friends on both sides... can they find their way to happiness despite the drama... you know they will). The dialogue is unbelievable, but never truly wince-worthy. In short, it's a well written M/M feel good romance.
The author slips in some good points about the changing face of society with some comments about wealth inequality, power, respect, class divide, and culture. It's not heavily balanced toward social commentary, there's enough misunderstandings, drama, and kissing to keep romance readers pleased. It was nice to see some substance and not just fluff. (Don't get me wrong, I like fluff too).
There is explicit sexual content (very well written, adult, consensual, and in context). The language is rough (liberal sprinklings of everything from damn to bollocks to the f-bomb), but also used in context. The spellings, slang and constructions are British English, but shouldn't present any problems for readers who are used to American vernacular.
Three and a half stars, rounded up for the steampunk, and the very well written secondary characters.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Counter Culture is a new M/M humorous romance by JL Merrow. Released 4th Nov 2019 by Riptide, it's 244 pages and available in paperback format.
This is a light romance with mismatched protagonists who are sweetly silly. The story arc is standard (misunderstandings and well meant lies threaten to tear the star crossed couple apart, complicated by loving and well meaning family and friends on both sides... can they find their way to happiness despite the drama... you know they will). The dialogue is unbelievable, but never truly wince-worthy. In short, it's a well written M/M feel good romance.
The author slips in some good points about the changing face of society with some comments about wealth inequality, power, respect, class divide, and culture. It's not heavily balanced toward social commentary, there's enough misunderstandings, drama, and kissing to keep romance readers pleased. It was nice to see some substance and not just fluff. (Don't get me wrong, I like fluff too).
There is explicit sexual content (very well written, adult, consensual, and in context). The language is rough (liberal sprinklings of everything from damn to bollocks to the f-bomb), but also used in context. The spellings, slang and constructions are British English, but shouldn't present any problems for readers who are used to American vernacular.
Three and a half stars, rounded up for the steampunk, and the very well written secondary characters.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
shile87's review against another edition
3.0
I Liked it
My first book by this author and sure enough it will not be my last. It was sweet and just right for my teeth.
The story revolves around Robin and Archie two guys on the opposite sides of everything. Robin a guy who works at a store which he seems to hate and Archie a Victorian wearing steampunk obsessed guy. I liked the characters so much. They were well developed and so much fun to read about.
The writing was solid enough, the story flowed so well. The banter between the characters was enjoyable to read, i got some laughs out of it. The chemistry between the MCs was believable.
So why not all the stars? I felt like it was too long, and there was so much info filler. Things took too long to happen and ones it happened it was towards the end of the book. Good thing the characters were still interesting enough.
The side characters fit so well with the main characters. They added some spice to the story.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Recommended for when you are in the mood for some light cute story.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
My first book by this author and sure enough it will not be my last. It was sweet and just right for my teeth.
The story revolves around Robin and Archie two guys on the opposite sides of everything. Robin a guy who works at a store which he seems to hate and Archie a Victorian wearing steampunk obsessed guy. I liked the characters so much. They were well developed and so much fun to read about.
The writing was solid enough, the story flowed so well. The banter between the characters was enjoyable to read, i got some laughs out of it. The chemistry between the MCs was believable.
So why not all the stars? I felt like it was too long, and there was so much info filler. Things took too long to happen and ones it happened it was towards the end of the book. Good thing the characters were still interesting enough.
The side characters fit so well with the main characters. They added some spice to the story.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Recommended for when you are in the mood for some light cute story.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Always a great read from JL Merrow.
Archie and the steampunk world is wonderfully described.
Robin, Heath and Azrah did kind of annoy me at times, not listening to Robin and stitching him up.
The dalliance between Archie and Robin was good, but it was always going to go horribly wrong!
I was expecting more from the protest and the the Willoughby end of things.
But a great slice of life and I wanted to see Robin get more into the steampunk!
Archie and the steampunk world is wonderfully described.
Robin, Heath and Azrah did kind of annoy me at times, not listening to Robin and stitching him up.
The dalliance between Archie and Robin was good, but it was always going to go horribly wrong!
I was expecting more from the protest and the the Willoughby end of things.
But a great slice of life and I wanted to see Robin get more into the steampunk!
naomi_branham's review against another edition
3.0
First time read by this author. I liked the story. Archie and Robin are opposites in almost every way yet they get along well. The steampunk aspect brought some originality to the story. Robin is just doing what he has to, to maintain his job at one of the local retail shops, too bad Archie and his grandmother can't stand the place which leads Robin to a predicament. Extremely slow burn romance. I really enjoyed the ending.
mlvalard's review
4.0
A solid 3.5 stars.
This book was a charming read in a lot of ways. It was mostly lighthearted and pleasant which is absolutely the ticket at the moment. I really liked almost all the characters, and there were rather a lot of them. They all felt individual and interesting and I appreciated that.
I loved both Robin and Archie immensely for different reasons. This book managed to make me fall for a guy with a mustache and I really don't usually like those. (Still if you're willing to pair it with a waistcoat who am I to argue.) When the two of them were together it was definitely interesting and I absolutely adored the Steampunk bits and Robin joining in and learning about it. Robin was such an easy character to sympathize with and I felt for him every minute. The secondhand embarrassment hurt a little at times.
If I had a quibble with the book I think it is mainly that it took so long before we got any real interaction between the two main characters and that we saw more of them apart than we did together. I would really have liked to see more of them together! It was actually a bit frustrating that it felt so little about their actual relationship even when it was.
That said, the story itself worked nicely for what it was and it definitely had a feel-good warmth and a quintessential British-ness to it that I was very here for. I did love most of the side characters and they did give the story a very lived-in and genuine feel. It was almost more a story about a town than about Archie and Robin, and while I would really have appreciated a lot more Archie and Robin it did -work-.
Overall this was a solid read, I gulped it down mostly several chapters at a time when I managed to sit down with it. I have another by this author sitting in my to-be-read pile and this definitely made me want to move it up a few notches in the list.
I received a free eArc through Netgalley for my honest review.
This book was a charming read in a lot of ways. It was mostly lighthearted and pleasant which is absolutely the ticket at the moment. I really liked almost all the characters, and there were rather a lot of them. They all felt individual and interesting and I appreciated that.
I loved both Robin and Archie immensely for different reasons. This book managed to make me fall for a guy with a mustache and I really don't usually like those. (Still if you're willing to pair it with a waistcoat who am I to argue.) When the two of them were together it was definitely interesting and I absolutely adored the Steampunk bits and Robin joining in and learning about it. Robin was such an easy character to sympathize with and I felt for him every minute. The secondhand embarrassment hurt a little at times.
If I had a quibble with the book I think it is mainly that it took so long before we got any real interaction between the two main characters and that we saw more of them apart than we did together. I would really have liked to see more of them together! It was actually a bit frustrating that it felt so little about their actual relationship even when it was.
That said, the story itself worked nicely for what it was and it definitely had a feel-good warmth and a quintessential British-ness to it that I was very here for. I did love most of the side characters and they did give the story a very lived-in and genuine feel. It was almost more a story about a town than about Archie and Robin, and while I would really have appreciated a lot more Archie and Robin it did -work-.
Overall this was a solid read, I gulped it down mostly several chapters at a time when I managed to sit down with it. I have another by this author sitting in my to-be-read pile and this definitely made me want to move it up a few notches in the list.
I received a free eArc through Netgalley for my honest review.
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