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suflet's review
5.0
I really, really loved this book. Ash and Harry were a very sweet pair. I loved how sensitive Ash was ("a few fewer layers of skin than the rest of us") and how Harry noticed that and loved that about him so much. The economic and class structure changes as well as the post-WWI backdrop provided and interesting and poignant background for their story. But mostly I just loved their romance, the way they felt about each other and how they acted on it with one another. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.
chantelbecky's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
terriaminute's review
So, I read to 25%, but this one not only became boring, but was pinging my anxiety hard, so I skipped to the last chapter and the epilogue--and yep. Definitely the only way to sort of read this one, for me. Even then, skimmed the sex scene.
becka6131's review
5.0
THIS BOOK. Okay, so the premise is that these guys spent the whole war together and basically come back soulbonded as a result, so all the conflict is external because they can't work out how to be together afterwards when things go back to normal and class differences are reinstated etc. God. You would not BELIEVE how much these guys want to husband each other up.
The author manages the tricky job of making it clear how their differences in station and class have shaped them as people but also how the war has shaken all that up - Ash in particular just can't go back to how things were before, partly because he lost part of his leg in combat but also because of his PTSD. He wants things to change and he refuses to believe that he and Harry can't be together. Harry is more realistic about the chances of that, although part of the reason he loves Ash so much is that Ash CAN picture a better future for them. The dual POV was excellent, giving you distinct character voices and also making it extremely clear what each party valued in the other. Just so so good. Romantic as hell. Thoroughly recommended.
The author manages the tricky job of making it clear how their differences in station and class have shaped them as people but also how the war has shaken all that up - Ash in particular just can't go back to how things were before, partly because he lost part of his leg in combat but also because of his PTSD. He wants things to change and he refuses to believe that he and Harry can't be together. Harry is more realistic about the chances of that, although part of the reason he loves Ash so much is that Ash CAN picture a better future for them. The dual POV was excellent, giving you distinct character voices and also making it extremely clear what each party valued in the other. Just so so good. Romantic as hell. Thoroughly recommended.
tobyryan's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this book, the writing was good and the story was exactly what I was hoping for when I picked this up. I was able to guess the ending about half way through the book and that's the only reason I took off .5 of a star.
jovienna's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body shaming, Sexism, Homophobia, Cursing, Misogyny, Classism, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Death
jazzyduck's review
5.0
Excellent sweet romance with no contrived misunderstandings! Especially recommended for people who enjoy WWI fiction and themes but anyone would enjoy it.
kiki124's review
5.0
Brilliant book!
I adored [a:Sally Malcolm|87308|Sally Malcolm|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425308508p2/87308.jpg]’s New Mitford novels and have been saving this for a rainy day. Ash and Harry are so good for each other. Olive is a true friend and true feminist. The HEA is a little fantastic—it can’t be easy to be gay when being gay is illegal—but Malcolm makes it work.
The descriptions of Flanders trenches, the train to London, and Ash’s country manor are rich. Malcolm evokes so much memory and longing as Harry and Ash find each other. I was sucked in from the first page.
I highly recommend this novel of WWI and its aftermath.
I adored [a:Sally Malcolm|87308|Sally Malcolm|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425308508p2/87308.jpg]’s New Mitford novels and have been saving this for a rainy day. Ash and Harry are so good for each other. Olive is a true friend and true feminist. The HEA is a little fantastic—it can’t be easy to be gay when being gay is illegal—but Malcolm makes it work.
The descriptions of Flanders trenches, the train to London, and Ash’s country manor are rich. Malcolm evokes so much memory and longing as Harry and Ash find each other. I was sucked in from the first page.
I highly recommend this novel of WWI and its aftermath.
claudiereads's review
3.0
Up until ~80%, this was a very enjoyable romance. Tender, heartfelt, sweet and angsty in just the right measure. I loved the writing and the pace; the characters were flawed and real, and the setting itself was great!
It begs the question, WHY had I been struggling so freaking hard to finish this book for the last three days?
↓↓↓
DRAMA. So much unnecessary, predictable, super-cliche, OTT drama packed in that last 20%. It read like a completely different book.
It begs the question, WHY had I been struggling so freaking hard to finish this book for the last three days?
↓↓↓
DRAMA. So much unnecessary, predictable, super-cliche, OTT drama packed in that last 20%. It read like a completely different book.