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Restraint
J2 Period Fanfic
Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki
The calling card said Tristan Jarrett, Viscount Penrith. Beneath that, in a lazy scrawl, was the addendum Mr Acklebury, be so good as to wait on me tomorrow, number 10, Half Moon Street. Yours, &c., Penrith. Mr Acklebury was not sure how he felt about being thus summarily commanded to paint his lordship's portrait.
Words:233014 complete
Art by owzers
Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki
The calling card said Tristan Jarrett, Viscount Penrith. Beneath that, in a lazy scrawl, was the addendum Mr Acklebury, be so good as to wait on me tomorrow, number 10, Half Moon Street. Yours, &c., Penrith. Mr Acklebury was not sure how he felt about being thus summarily commanded to paint his lordship's portrait.
Words:233014 complete
Art by owzers
700 pages, ebook
First published January 11, 2011
11 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 2, 2015
There is no inside without there should be an outside.
Whatever victory you carve for yourself on this miserable pile of shit of a planet cannot help but come at the cost of another's defeat.
Occasionally, your own.
***
And yet...
This pain—the loss—it is not yours alone.
When your world conspires, by design or through indifference, to deny you and your soul the smallest measure of happiness—when your family, your social circle, indeed—your life—conspire to stand athwart you and your beloved...
Vanquish them.
Lay waste to them all, and do not scruple at the cost.
For somewhere there is another, just like you, who does not.
Who cannot, or who will not.
And there is never any accounting for the love this other never claims.
***
And there is so little time.
So little time in which to claim it, before you are gone.
And everything you ever knew—gone.
Fight. Claim a love that's yours.
Defend it against all who would seek to take it from you.
Better to hurt—even destroy—any would deny you your birthright, than to stand aside, and watch it fade away, until the curtain of night at last draws down upon your head.
***
And when you can—maybe even when you shouldn't—love.
Give love.
Be love.
For there is nothing to say that it'll come from anywhere else.
Ever.
***
I should be able to explain what this book did to me, but I can't. I can't even say I read the entire ending—I wept for the final two chapters, and have no idea how I managed to see any of the closing 500 words at all.
For a more useful review, read Eric's. It's very good.
Read this. Once you get used to the formal, archaic cadence, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, funny, insightful story that will hopefully leave you in better shape than it did me.
Don't be afraid of pain.
Whatever victory you carve for yourself on this miserable pile of shit of a planet cannot help but come at the cost of another's defeat.
Occasionally, your own.
***
And yet...
This pain—the loss—it is not yours alone.
When your world conspires, by design or through indifference, to deny you and your soul the smallest measure of happiness—when your family, your social circle, indeed—your life—conspire to stand athwart you and your beloved...
Vanquish them.
Lay waste to them all, and do not scruple at the cost.
For somewhere there is another, just like you, who does not.
Who cannot, or who will not.
And there is never any accounting for the love this other never claims.
***
And there is so little time.
So little time in which to claim it, before you are gone.
And everything you ever knew—gone.
Fight. Claim a love that's yours.
Defend it against all who would seek to take it from you.
Better to hurt—even destroy—any would deny you your birthright, than to stand aside, and watch it fade away, until the curtain of night at last draws down upon your head.
***
And when you can—maybe even when you shouldn't—love.
Give love.
Be love.
For there is nothing to say that it'll come from anywhere else.
Ever.
***
I should be able to explain what this book did to me, but I can't. I can't even say I read the entire ending—I wept for the final two chapters, and have no idea how I managed to see any of the closing 500 words at all.
For a more useful review, read Eric's. It's very good.
Read this. Once you get used to the formal, archaic cadence, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, funny, insightful story that will hopefully leave you in better shape than it did me.
Don't be afraid of pain.
October 16, 2012
One of the best stories I've ever read. It's a shame really that not many people will likely encounter it, as it is free fiction, and technically it is "slash". A genre which some people (including me) usually look down upon as hopelessly amateurish. However, I assure you it isn't. It's so masterfully written that I wonder why the author isn't published.
This has all the elements of a regency classic, and much better written than any published m/m authors writing for the same genre I've encountered so far. It's a very lengthy story. Sedate, but never boring. It didn't feel like reading, it was more like watching the 1995 BBC adaptation of Austen's Pride and Prejudice (the one where Colin Firth takes the unforgettable swim in the lake).
The archaic language used might put off a lot of readers, true. It took me about three chapters to get used to it, but once I did, I had to consciously stop myself from sounding Georgian in everyday conversations, lol. I don't know why one reviewer criticized it for that though, I found it reasonably authentic and I've read enough 19th century scientific journals to compare.
The time period is exhaustively researched and painfully detailed. I believe this is the first contemporary-written regency romance I've read that actually mentions link-boys and bluestockings. It doesn't extend merely to that, but the description of painting itself (as one of the protagonists is a painter) makes me suspect that the author is a painter herself. The setting is fascinating and incredibly realistic that I truly found myself transported back in time and place.
It might even be faulted for being too accurate. Everything is constrained within believability. There are no convenient plot devices, no contrived scenes, no cardboard characters, no miracles. Sometimes you find yourself desperately wishing that these men should have been born two centuries later. The title is apt in that I could feel both the terrible wretchedness and the exquisite anticipation of the necessary but unjust restraint put on a love that wouldn't and shouldn't have to hide in a better world.
This has all the elements of a regency classic, and much better written than any published m/m authors writing for the same genre I've encountered so far. It's a very lengthy story. Sedate, but never boring. It didn't feel like reading, it was more like watching the 1995 BBC adaptation of Austen's Pride and Prejudice (the one where Colin Firth takes the unforgettable swim in the lake).
The archaic language used might put off a lot of readers, true. It took me about three chapters to get used to it, but once I did, I had to consciously stop myself from sounding Georgian in everyday conversations, lol. I don't know why one reviewer criticized it for that though, I found it reasonably authentic and I've read enough 19th century scientific journals to compare.
The time period is exhaustively researched and painfully detailed. I believe this is the first contemporary-written regency romance I've read that actually mentions link-boys and bluestockings. It doesn't extend merely to that, but the description of painting itself (as one of the protagonists is a painter) makes me suspect that the author is a painter herself. The setting is fascinating and incredibly realistic that I truly found myself transported back in time and place.
It might even be faulted for being too accurate. Everything is constrained within believability. There are no convenient plot devices, no contrived scenes, no cardboard characters, no miracles. Sometimes you find yourself desperately wishing that these men should have been born two centuries later. The title is apt in that I could feel both the terrible wretchedness and the exquisite anticipation of the necessary but unjust restraint put on a love that wouldn't and shouldn't have to hide in a better world.
May 20, 2013
I have spent a solid couple of years trying to find a good Regency m/m. I read maybe one or two 3 star ones, but most of the ones I've read I've rated meh to yuk. The books were either drowning in puddles of tears about how hard everything was (and yet still managed to end up with an HEA in which everybody turned a blind eye to guys living together) or they did the handwavey thing for the 'punishable crime' aspect of writing a male love story in this era, turned it into a (more or less) smexy romp and had everybody turn a blind eye etc. Disappointments all.
But here it is, another winner from the makers of I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Published, from the unpaid anonymous masses of fanfiction writers: the Regency Romance that has everything I have ever wanted. And things I didn't even know I wanted. A story with just the right balance between gravity and lightheartedness. It has depth. It's depressing in places, funny in others, and romantic all over. It doesn't shy away from the ugly sides of this society, the very real obstacles these guys face. Not everyone turns a blind eye. And it even has a heart for the women that marry men like this.
The language and slow pacing are very Jane Austen, which makes it extra enjoyable to me. But this is a long book, so if that is not your thing, don't even start. If fanfiction isn't your thing this may still work though: this is about as unfanfiction as you can get. The guys even have different names and it's only their physical appearance that has any resemblance to the original characters. I am not even sure they'd have to change anything if it were pulled to publish.
Is it flawless? Probably not. But it is close enough to make no discernible difference to me. Lord, what a beautiful book.
P.S. Don't miss the Deleted Scenes: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7532...
But here it is, another winner from the makers of I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Published, from the unpaid anonymous masses of fanfiction writers: the Regency Romance that has everything I have ever wanted. And things I didn't even know I wanted. A story with just the right balance between gravity and lightheartedness. It has depth. It's depressing in places, funny in others, and romantic all over. It doesn't shy away from the ugly sides of this society, the very real obstacles these guys face. Not everyone turns a blind eye. And it even has a heart for the women that marry men like this.
The language and slow pacing are very Jane Austen, which makes it extra enjoyable to me. But this is a long book, so if that is not your thing, don't even start. If fanfiction isn't your thing this may still work though: this is about as unfanfiction as you can get. The guys even have different names and it's only their physical appearance that has any resemblance to the original characters. I am not even sure they'd have to change anything if it were pulled to publish.
Is it flawless? Probably not. But it is close enough to make no discernible difference to me. Lord, what a beautiful book.
P.S. Don't miss the Deleted Scenes: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7532...
July 11, 2015
DNF at 80%. At this point I couldn't really care less how this ends.
Restraint should have been used in more than the title. It should have been used in the writing and the word count. An editor would have been great.
I do not like that I gave my precious hours to this. Both the story and the characters have a lot of potential, I just got bogged down in the slow, slow unfolding. I gave it up to 80% by then I wanted to throw away my precious Kindle. Kept hoping for more but finally had to say stop.
Maybe it's just my mood at the moment.
February 6, 2014
For about a week now I have been living in the 17th century. The details, language, descriptions, locals, mores, everything is quite perfect. I have lived with a Viscount and a painter who are very much in love at a time when society would prefer to throw them in jail or hang them. Here I sit in 2013, in California where my marriage to my husband is recognized by my state as well as the Supreme Court of the USA. 200 years separate us and was very much on my mind as I read this novel. I am grateful for the time I am living in and relish reading about other couples in other times. DarkEmeralds has done a magnificent job with with work of art.
This book was such a wonderful telling of a life long relationship of love, one that lasted even though all of society was set against such a thing. The writer did not stint with the harsh reality of how difficult it was to carry out this relationship and not be outed by ones servants or wife or other relations. Not everything is rosy, many a calamity is visited upon them, but thru all adversity, their love prevails.
I highly recommend this book. I truly wish that this would be published. It is a great work.
I also recommend reading Julio's review.
This book was such a wonderful telling of a life long relationship of love, one that lasted even though all of society was set against such a thing. The writer did not stint with the harsh reality of how difficult it was to carry out this relationship and not be outed by ones servants or wife or other relations. Not everything is rosy, many a calamity is visited upon them, but thru all adversity, their love prevails.
I highly recommend this book. I truly wish that this would be published. It is a great work.
I also recommend reading Julio's review.
June 3, 2022
I found another gem in AO3, One of the best hisrorical mm romances I've ever read. So good I got a book hangover days after I finished it. It's tender, and raw, and real, and heart-breaking, all of these feelings at the same time. Don't let the "fanfic" tag fool you, this is actually an original story. Only the character names are borrowed, though the names are slightly altered.
Go to AO3 to read this book right now if you're a historical romance fan.
Go to AO3 to read this book right now if you're a historical romance fan.
July 6, 2022
I can’t remember how I stumbled onto this one, first let me say I have never seen a supernatural- I think this is who the MC’s are from. So I was reading this as just fresh.
This book is long, like super long and the writing does take a bit to adjust to. However it’s really quite impressive. So well written, the characters are so fleshed out and truly people come to life, the setting researched expertly. The writing ….wow!!! I so enjoyed traveling the lives with the men of this story because it wasn’t what you would expect in a book but it was true to the time period, I felt the connection of the M/C’s, the longing and ups and downs. Really enjoyed this one
This book is long, like super long and the writing does take a bit to adjust to. However it’s really quite impressive. So well written, the characters are so fleshed out and truly people come to life, the setting researched expertly. The writing ….wow!!! I so enjoyed traveling the lives with the men of this story because it wasn’t what you would expect in a book but it was true to the time period, I felt the connection of the M/C’s, the longing and ups and downs. Really enjoyed this one
July 30, 2012
I usually do not write reviews, because I do not have the skills to do so and prefer to leave it to other people who know what they’re doing; but in this case I do have to make an exception. This is my personal opinion, but I wish to express it.
This is a fanfic story, and with about 230.000 words, not a small one… I do not have anything against fanfic, I come from this corner myself, as long as it is a good and well written story. In this case I am not even really familiar with the protagonists or their basics whatsoever, which may have been a positive side to it. I was just piqued by the historical setting, loving a great deal all historical m/m stories, and I have read a few…
To make it short, this is one of the best, if not the best historical/regency m/m story I have ever had the pleasure to come upon.
I was drawn into this world with a very slowly developing plot (it took about 200 pages to finally make “something happen”… many stories don’t even come to that length…), but without being tedious or boring. A wonderful description of the timeframe, the way of living, dressing, moving about one’s daily life, surroundings (and all so realistic that when in France for example I felt the warm breeze on my skin and heard the crickets), the way those 2 men got into one another’s life. I was in awe. A development in all characters involved, their insight, but also the circumstances of their lives, the hardships and the pleasures.
The plot itself is truly believable, and although I might not be historian, it seems to me, that yes, it could have been that way, and sometimes was, I am sure. (Some editing ok, and maybe one or two smallest plot holes… but nothing that could not be corrected.)
The writing “of course” very 19th Century English, which I admit I have a knack for. But it never felt exaggerated or out of place to me, it framed this genre picture perfectly. Yes, you have to like this sort of writing, but if you do, this is a gem.
I won’t admit that I had damp eyes in the end, but let’s say that I miss being IN this story, in their world, their lives.
kudos!
This is a fanfic story, and with about 230.000 words, not a small one… I do not have anything against fanfic, I come from this corner myself, as long as it is a good and well written story. In this case I am not even really familiar with the protagonists or their basics whatsoever, which may have been a positive side to it. I was just piqued by the historical setting, loving a great deal all historical m/m stories, and I have read a few…
To make it short, this is one of the best, if not the best historical/regency m/m story I have ever had the pleasure to come upon.
I was drawn into this world with a very slowly developing plot (it took about 200 pages to finally make “something happen”… many stories don’t even come to that length…), but without being tedious or boring. A wonderful description of the timeframe, the way of living, dressing, moving about one’s daily life, surroundings (and all so realistic that when in France for example I felt the warm breeze on my skin and heard the crickets), the way those 2 men got into one another’s life. I was in awe. A development in all characters involved, their insight, but also the circumstances of their lives, the hardships and the pleasures.
The plot itself is truly believable, and although I might not be historian, it seems to me, that yes, it could have been that way, and sometimes was, I am sure. (Some editing ok, and maybe one or two smallest plot holes… but nothing that could not be corrected.)
The writing “of course” very 19th Century English, which I admit I have a knack for. But it never felt exaggerated or out of place to me, it framed this genre picture perfectly. Yes, you have to like this sort of writing, but if you do, this is a gem.
I won’t admit that I had damp eyes in the end, but let’s say that I miss being IN this story, in their world, their lives.
kudos!
April 12, 2015
Firstly, this is an epic. It is incredibly long and follows the lives of two men from their early twenties and into old age. If you can't handle long reads, don't start it and then moan about the length. Fair warning.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the honesty with which everything is treated. Things don't go well. It is not a fairy tale. It is a hard road and both men get banged up pretty badly before they arrive somewhere nice. Also, the sub characters are treated with great honesty too, and sympathy (in my opinion).
For example (SPOILER!), the woman Penrith is forced to marry in order to cover up his nature probably has the worst fate of all. She was tricked into a false marriage with a man who not only doesn't love her, but who isn't even attracted to her. She is cheated out of a loving marriage and companionship, and is humiliated to the point where she becomes a bitter shell of a human being. It's another element of reality in cruel circumstances. As much as we sympathize with Penrith and his situation, we cannot ignore the fact that he destroyed a young woman's life in order to cover up and maintain his own.
If one word describes this book, it is "bittersweet". From beginning to end all of the fine moments are tinged with a bit of sorrow, a bit of reality that just won't go away.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the honesty with which everything is treated. Things don't go well. It is not a fairy tale. It is a hard road and both men get banged up pretty badly before they arrive somewhere nice. Also, the sub characters are treated with great honesty too, and sympathy (in my opinion).
For example (SPOILER!), the woman Penrith is forced to marry in order to cover up his nature probably has the worst fate of all. She was tricked into a false marriage with a man who not only doesn't love her, but who isn't even attracted to her. She is cheated out of a loving marriage and companionship, and is humiliated to the point where she becomes a bitter shell of a human being. It's another element of reality in cruel circumstances. As much as we sympathize with Penrith and his situation, we cannot ignore the fact that he destroyed a young woman's life in order to cover up and maintain his own.
If one word describes this book, it is "bittersweet". From beginning to end all of the fine moments are tinged with a bit of sorrow, a bit of reality that just won't go away.
April 19, 2016
Superb. This is quite an amazing piece of work. It's a grand, epic love story that spans more than thirty years. I absolutely loved it. It's beautiful and tender and so well written. This is a really long story set in nineteenth century England and it's completely engrossing the whole way through. It never felt long and it was never boring and I felt quite bereft when it was over. I found it a little hard to get into initially, but after a few chapters, I became accustomed to the formal, 19th century-style writing and soon I was totally enamoured of this story. The language is simply amazing. This story feels pretty authentic in all ways--the characters, the mannerisms, the behaviour, the details, the language. "Restraint" isn't just the title, it's completely suffused into everything and makes it feel so period-appropriate. At the same time, it's incredibly moving and emotionally rich and amusing and romantic and full of the realities of life (and also full of things that made me cry). It's an amazing reading experience and I look forward to reading it again someday. Try not to be put off by the fact that it's super long or that it's free fan fiction or any of the other reasons you think you might not want to read this, because it's pretty magnificent and absolutely worth it. I definitely recommend it. The author has written a few extras, also found on AO3, that are worth reading.
June 10, 2016
I absolutely love John and Tristan. They are a memorable couple who are now on my list of MCs who set the bar of what an epic love story ought to be.
Although the end leaves us crying with grief, it is not lost on me that their story is a HEA, as much as was possible in the time period they lived in.
Although the end leaves us crying with grief, it is not lost on me that their story is a HEA, as much as was possible in the time period they lived in.
July 11, 2015
Did not like. Historical are possibly not for me. This was also SO long and had a crappy end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2013
London, 1818: the up-and-coming artist John Acklebury is commissioned to paint the portrait of Tristan Jarrett, Viscount Penrith--and their meeting sparks an immediate friendship and the beginning of a lifelong love affair which defies Recency society and law. Ostensibly, Restraint is real person fiction based on Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki; ignore this. It makes for distinct casting, but it's also unnecessary, as well as presumptuous and somewhat tasteless; the occasional references to Supernatural largely serve to break immersion. With this caveat aside, Restraint is exceptional. Its prologue makes for a slow start, the headhopping can grow excessive, and it's in most senses "just" a love story, confined to the limits of the relationship. But it's a relationship of remarkable subtlety and sensitivity--a sanctified "true love," thoroughly complicated by flawed characters and the many constraints of a well-researched and -realized Regency-era England, unwilling to subsist on the emotional motivation of angst but instead dedicated to progressing the romance through an entire successful lifetime. It's also a dialog about how individuals experience and express things, like homosexual desire and identity, when society offers limited language to aid them. Restraint has its flaws, but what it does well it does with grace, complexity, and emotion. I'd love to see it edited into a published novel, but still recommend it as is--just ignore the Ackles and Padalecki photoshops.
May 25, 2016
Good writing and plot. Also quite believable: I hate historicals where everybody is basically ok with two queer dudes. I can't judge the language nor the correctness of the details, but both look very accurate to me. I liked also the way the two MCs come nearer and the banter among them. I read it as original fiction, because I don't have a clue about «Supernatural», even less so about the actors.
See also reviews by Julio and by Alison, who recommended me the book.
ETA: I was too restrained in writing this review... .
See also reviews by Julio and by Alison, who recommended me the book.
ETA: I was too restrained in writing this review... .
July 24, 2014
Truly one of the most beautiful, epic, love stories I have ever read. This book is simply...astounding. It is difficult to say much more without giving away spoilers, but I will say that its charm lies so much in its reality, good and bad. Never have I seen this subject treated with such honesty and such attention to historical detail. This is, in fact, perhaps the best historic romance I have ever read, and that includes traditional M/F.
As to it being a fanfiction, I honestly do not understand that. It may be because I am entirely unfamiliar with "Paranormal", or whatever the show is, but this work for me stands as a unique and original work of art. Honestly, DarkEmeralds, whoever you are....YOU NEED TO PUBLISH THIS. It is far more worthy than anything else I have read in quite some time.
As to it being a fanfiction, I honestly do not understand that. It may be because I am entirely unfamiliar with "Paranormal", or whatever the show is, but this work for me stands as a unique and original work of art. Honestly, DarkEmeralds, whoever you are....YOU NEED TO PUBLISH THIS. It is far more worthy than anything else I have read in quite some time.
September 21, 2015
Well what a lovely treat, and for free! Thank you DarkEmeralds! Please keep writing!
I can't tell you how many historicals I've put down because because of one jarring anachronism too many. This author, to my Austen-tuned ear, gets the speech, sensibility and setting exactly right. S/he's right up there with Patrick O'Brian.
I missed whatever slash aspect this had. It may be descended from the Georgette Heyer-type Regency but had none of the coyness/pertness which put me off in those, perhaps because the protagonists are pretty manly.
A very satisfying romance without much angst/suffering. The difficulties our heroes face, in spite of their very privileged circumstances, are given due weight, however.
I can't tell you how many historicals I've put down because because of one jarring anachronism too many. This author, to my Austen-tuned ear, gets the speech, sensibility and setting exactly right. S/he's right up there with Patrick O'Brian.
I missed whatever slash aspect this had. It may be descended from the Georgette Heyer-type Regency but had none of the coyness/pertness which put me off in those, perhaps because the protagonists are pretty manly.
A very satisfying romance without much angst/suffering. The difficulties our heroes face, in spite of their very privileged circumstances, are given due weight, however.
March 23, 2013
If the description hadn't specified that this was fan fiction, I never would have known. This is by far one of the best books I've read lately. I totally love the historical accuracy in the book (including the language) and I would love to see this author write more books like this this one.
There were a few typos and editing errors, but nothing could distract from the story and the feelings this book displayed.
There were a few typos and editing errors, but nothing could distract from the story and the feelings this book displayed.
April 22, 2014
4.5 to 5 stars....Someone please give me a tissue.
March 15, 2015
I skipped heaps of this one, it may have just been the mood I was in but it went on and on. It was a good story though and it was good writing. It could have been cut nearly in half though.
December 26, 2015
Ack...sniffle...gah! *iz incoherent* Loved it!
April 13, 2020
Such a reading. I ended crying and wishing things would have been different, more tolerant, more fair for them. Really, Restriaint was so well written and with strong and consistet characters also they, and us, experienced their growth.
Even though is fan fiction I really feel as if it were a published novel, it is fantastic. Thank you very much. I was so absorbed, the world was so well described and the painting was the most enjoyable thing, well their romance also. Okay first the romance, then the painting and for my third place all of Tristan's personality (I loved him).
I am very grateful for this piece of art and if I have grammar errors I'm sorry, I just had to thank you DarEmerdals for your story and English is not my first language.
Even though is fan fiction I really feel as if it were a published novel, it is fantastic. Thank you very much. I was so absorbed, the world was so well described and the painting was the most enjoyable thing, well their romance also. Okay first the romance, then the painting and for my third place all of Tristan's personality (I loved him).
I am very grateful for this piece of art and if I have grammar errors I'm sorry, I just had to thank you DarEmerdals for your story and English is not my first language.
November 22, 2016
I love the beginning, the two of them was absolute blast.. but the other half was so fast.. and I was rapidly losing interest in it.. pitty, because all and all it's a great story. So thank you for it.
May 18, 2022
Forget the fannish origins of this sweeping romance and read it as original fiction. It's such a pleasure and so immersive I read it every autumn to ring in my holidays feel goods.
March 16, 2017
No, you're crying.
September 20, 2017
Unlike others, I really enjoyed the length of this story, for me it wasn't long enough. The characters and relationship were able to be fully developed over the course of their lives from first meeting to well...lets just say the ending was bittersweet. I love when stories that are fundamentally about relationships are able to span the entire thing rather than ending abruptly after the romantic leads get together and leave me wondering what happened 10, 20 or 30 years down the road.
There were technical writing problems to be sure, and the timeline is not quite consistent. This gets confusing at times with regard character ages and events but all of that is easy enough to overlook because the love story between the two MC's is so touching and realistically portrayed. As the timeline of the novel spanned about 50 years there were many supporting characters that I became attached to and I was disappointed that the book did not tie up all their storylines as neatly. I was left wondering how long John's uncle Martin lived and what became of him and Braithwaite. Same thing for Lizzie, Charlotte & Caine. I really feel this story could have been even better had it been treated as a series rather than one work.
Still I highly recommend it for readers of historical romance. I had a nice good ugly cry at the end too.
There were technical writing problems to be sure, and the timeline is not quite consistent. This gets confusing at times with regard character ages and events but all of that is easy enough to overlook because the love story between the two MC's is so touching and realistically portrayed. As the timeline of the novel spanned about 50 years there were many supporting characters that I became attached to and I was disappointed that the book did not tie up all their storylines as neatly. I was left wondering how long John's uncle Martin lived and what became of him and Braithwaite. Same thing for Lizzie, Charlotte & Caine. I really feel this story could have been even better had it been treated as a series rather than one work.
Still I highly recommend it for readers of historical romance. I had a nice good ugly cry at the end too.
April 23, 2012
I found this work really hard to rate. Whilst the story is reasonably competently written and structured, it does need a really good edit. Parts of it were very slow and seemed to add little to the story which leads me to conclude that they were kept in purely for the vanity of the author. Also, whilst the use of latinate and archaic language was clearly meant to help define the milieu of the story, some words and phrases just weren't used quite correctly and that really dragged the work down. This lack of a good edit lost it two stars. But on the other hand it doesn't slip into the temptation to produce an ahistorical piece of work in which despite buggery being a capital offense everyone just happens to turn a blind eye and two blokes live together quite merrily. Instead there's a creditable attempt to depict the compromises and challenges that arise in such a situation. Plus it's free. Two rather big bonus points.
But these two positives couldn't outweigh the need for a ruthless edit, so in conclusion: two stars.
But these two positives couldn't outweigh the need for a ruthless edit, so in conclusion: two stars.
July 31, 2013
This story had a slow start for me, which left me a bit concerned considering how long it was. But after that start, the story really did take off and offer a story of love and hardship.
This is another one of those stories that reminds you that life is made up of shades of grey and that right v. wrong are very contstraining modes of thought.
What do you do when society denies you as a person, do you cave or grab some happiness within those constraints somehow? These men ultimately made lemonade out of lemons, yes, sometimes the lemonade was sour and hard to swallow, but they did the best they could to claim some love. Should it come at the cost of others chance for love? That is the age old question.
I really loved Tristan and John and I believed in their relationship, I believed in their characters. Great read.
This is another one of those stories that reminds you that life is made up of shades of grey and that right v. wrong are very contstraining modes of thought.
What do you do when society denies you as a person, do you cave or grab some happiness within those constraints somehow? These men ultimately made lemonade out of lemons, yes, sometimes the lemonade was sour and hard to swallow, but they did the best they could to claim some love. Should it come at the cost of others chance for love? That is the age old question.
I really loved Tristan and John and I believed in their relationship, I believed in their characters. Great read.
June 2, 2013
I don't usually read regency novels, but this one is a must. I can't believe this isn't published!
I found at the beginning it took a little time to get used to the style, since it jumps around from age to age and sometimes I didn't think it matched up chronologically. From what I understand (asking an English major), this is simply due to genre - the regency novel spans from childhood until death.
Once you get into the book, though, it's simply brilliant with pacing that I'm more used to. And it's long, which is a plus since a lot of other fiction I've seen in m/m can come woefully short. In this kind of a story, it must be long to build up the intimacy between John and Tristan, and them and the reader.
It's sweet and tender, but because of the period, it seems much darker (bonus) than if it took place in contemporary times.
I found at the beginning it took a little time to get used to the style, since it jumps around from age to age and sometimes I didn't think it matched up chronologically. From what I understand (asking an English major), this is simply due to genre - the regency novel spans from childhood until death.
Once you get into the book, though, it's simply brilliant with pacing that I'm more used to. And it's long, which is a plus since a lot of other fiction I've seen in m/m can come woefully short. In this kind of a story, it must be long to build up the intimacy between John and Tristan, and them and the reader.
It's sweet and tender, but because of the period, it seems much darker (bonus) than if it took place in contemporary times.
March 25, 2014
A beautiful love story! It's written so elegantly. I laughed, cried and overall was very emotional through the book. I loved that it was so realistic, yet romantic but still true to the time and circumstances. Reading the book I could see where the story is going, but still hoped that Tris and John will have their time at the end. I appreciate the ending (felt catharsis after a good cry) but still in my mind I hope they find the happiness they deserve.
Thank you to the author and I hope you'll write more!
Thank you to the author and I hope you'll write more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 24, 2013Had to mark this as a DNF. Actually hardly got started.
Dialog really really stilted and forced. I know that it's supposed to be Regency, but it's even forced and non-flowing for that time.
If I read another M/M novel where the main character is named "Tristan," I think I'll barf. God, that is so over-used!!!!
Dialog really really stilted and forced. I know that it's supposed to be Regency, but it's even forced and non-flowing for that time.
If I read another M/M novel where the main character is named "Tristan," I think I'll barf. God, that is so over-used!!!!
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