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War Tales #1
Half a Man
Traumatised by the nightmare of trench warfare in France, Robert Blake turns to rent boy Jack Anderson for solace. Neither man expects their business relationship to go quite so far.
It is 1919, less than a year after the end of the First World War with a recovering Britain in the grip of the influenza pandemic. Crippled veteran of the Somme battle, Robert Blake, is looking for someone to ease his nightmares of France and his guilt over what happened to his commanding officer. He turns to educated rent boy Jack Anderson for physical solace, not expecting how deeply the two soon become immersed in each other's lives.
It is 1919, less than a year after the end of the First World War with a recovering Britain in the grip of the influenza pandemic. Crippled veteran of the Somme battle, Robert Blake, is looking for someone to ease his nightmares of France and his guilt over what happened to his commanding officer. He turns to educated rent boy Jack Anderson for physical solace, not expecting how deeply the two soon become immersed in each other's lives.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 4, 2014
A Hearts On Fire Review
3.75 HEARTS--"Half a Man" by Scarlet Blackwell is a novella set in England after the end of WWI. The damaged soldiers and influenza scare help set the tone for this romance between a wheelchair bound ex-solider, Robert, and a rent boy/book shop worker, Jack.
This is an interesting take on the "Pretty Woman" theme, you know...a prostitute with a heart of gold has a dashing wealthy man swoop in to ease their troubles with a fat cock and an even fatter wallet.
The twist is:
1) it's set in 1919 - different world and mindset (the author did a good job capturing the essence)
2) Robert is paralyzed from the waist down and battles impotence issues. The urge is there (hence the hiring of Jack)
The novella starts off strong, it delves into an area that is real, sex with a physically disabled partner and how to achieve pleasure. I loved the fact that Robert's physical ailments were not miraculously solved. The ending was HEA leaning more to HFN to me but I was happy.
This is a Scarlet Blackwell book which means expect some version of rollercoaster emotions and twists. And they were given...not as hyped as I know she can go. The miasma of Robert's feelings of inadequacy was always present. And Jack's hesitancy with starting their relationship (he's a prostitute and how could he be with a handicapped fully) was natural.
Their dialogue read stiff and formal a lot but I'll chock it up to the time period. I'm deducting for the back and forth weeping, unsure declarations. I wanted to shake both Jack and Robert at one point, to just get it together. They obviously cared for one another. There are bouts of jealousy, harsh words and other lovers. Was it insta-love-ish? Yeah but it worked for the two.
I think I am more in love with the fantasy of them being together then the actuality of them making it work. Robert was sneakily demanding but Jack might be the man for him.
Entertaining read with enough history to keep it interesting.
3.75 HEARTS--"Half a Man" by Scarlet Blackwell is a novella set in England after the end of WWI. The damaged soldiers and influenza scare help set the tone for this romance between a wheelchair bound ex-solider, Robert, and a rent boy/book shop worker, Jack.
This is an interesting take on the "Pretty Woman" theme, you know...a prostitute with a heart of gold has a dashing wealthy man swoop in to ease their troubles with a fat cock and an even fatter wallet.
The twist is:
1) it's set in 1919 - different world and mindset (the author did a good job capturing the essence)
2) Robert is paralyzed from the waist down and battles impotence issues. The urge is there (hence the hiring of Jack)
The novella starts off strong, it delves into an area that is real, sex with a physically disabled partner and how to achieve pleasure. I loved the fact that Robert's physical ailments were not miraculously solved. The ending was HEA leaning more to HFN to me but I was happy.
This is a Scarlet Blackwell book which means expect some version of rollercoaster emotions and twists. And they were given...not as hyped as I know she can go. The miasma of Robert's feelings of inadequacy was always present. And Jack's hesitancy with starting their relationship (he's a prostitute and how could he be with a handicapped fully) was natural.
Their dialogue read stiff and formal a lot but I'll chock it up to the time period. I'm deducting for the back and forth weeping, unsure declarations. I wanted to shake both Jack and Robert at one point, to just get it together. They obviously cared for one another. There are bouts of jealousy, harsh words and other lovers. Was it insta-love-ish? Yeah but it worked for the two.
I think I am more in love with the fantasy of them being together then the actuality of them making it work. Robert was sneakily demanding but Jack might be the man for him.
Entertaining read with enough history to keep it interesting.
September 29, 2014
I saw Half a Man on the Coming Soon list from Totally Bound, and when I skimmed the blurb, I immediately wanted to read it. I love historicals and I love characters with disabilities. I sometimes even love rent boys in my historicals. Sadly, I was a little annoyed when I later figured out this was a rerelease…I don’t even know if has been expanded or even edited…? Anyway, I started reading it late one night and stayed up ’til the wee hours of the morning because I could not put it down. There were many things I loved about it, and I few things that I didn’t.
Usually when I write a review, I refer back to the notes I made while reading the book. Sometimes there is a pageful; sometimes there are only a few lines. For this book, my notes were simply the following:
Three words. It took only three words to remind myself of my feelings as I was reading this book.
I was in love with the idea of the story. Robert, a disabled war veteran confined to a wheelchair and lacking certain functions, hires Jack, a rent boy, to be his weekly companion for one short hour. Robert is completely different from Jack’s usual employers, not just that he is in a wheelchair, but their time isn’t all about fucking and Robert seems more focused on Jack’s pleasure than his own. It is not a complicated story and the scenery doesn’t move much beyond Robert or Jack’s home, which is something else that I really liked. And the encounters between Robert and Jack were sexy and sweet and hot!!!
Then I cried at Robert’s despair, at what all he lost because of the war and how he feels alone and stuck inside his shell of a body. I really connected with him on an emotional level and wanted to see him find happiness in all the darkness that his life had become.
Then I was pissed and screaming “What the fuck is wrong you idiots???” The story took a wrong turn that I never saw coming: the back and forth calling it quits, the swingers party, the BDSM dungeon!! WTF? Okay, so it didn’t go exactly like I would have wanted it to, but I forged on. I HAD to know how it would end.
In the end, I should have added a fourth word: happy. I was happy with the story over all. Jack and Robert really were great together and I’m glad they finally agreed on a long term arrangement.
So it appears that this is the first book of a series? Will the next book continue Jack and Robert’s story, or will it move on to someone new? I’m curious to find out.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
Usually when I write a review, I refer back to the notes I made while reading the book. Sometimes there is a pageful; sometimes there are only a few lines. For this book, my notes were simply the following:
Love
Cried
Pissed
Three words. It took only three words to remind myself of my feelings as I was reading this book.
I was in love with the idea of the story. Robert, a disabled war veteran confined to a wheelchair and lacking certain functions, hires Jack, a rent boy, to be his weekly companion for one short hour. Robert is completely different from Jack’s usual employers, not just that he is in a wheelchair, but their time isn’t all about fucking and Robert seems more focused on Jack’s pleasure than his own. It is not a complicated story and the scenery doesn’t move much beyond Robert or Jack’s home, which is something else that I really liked. And the encounters between Robert and Jack were sexy and sweet and hot!!!
Then I cried at Robert’s despair, at what all he lost because of the war and how he feels alone and stuck inside his shell of a body. I really connected with him on an emotional level and wanted to see him find happiness in all the darkness that his life had become.
Then I was pissed and screaming “What the fuck is wrong you idiots???” The story took a wrong turn that I never saw coming: the back and forth calling it quits, the swingers party, the BDSM dungeon!! WTF? Okay, so it didn’t go exactly like I would have wanted it to, but I forged on. I HAD to know how it would end.
In the end, I should have added a fourth word: happy. I was happy with the story over all. Jack and Robert really were great together and I’m glad they finally agreed on a long term arrangement.
So it appears that this is the first book of a series? Will the next book continue Jack and Robert’s story, or will it move on to someone new? I’m curious to find out.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
April 24, 2012
A nice historical about a man eking out an inadequate income by working as a male companion and the paraplegic WWI vet for whom he's hired to provide his services. No real surprises, but very likable MC's.
September 5, 2025
This had the potential to be so much better than it was and it was let down purely because of the writing style and short length.
I really liked the historical details and how the author portrayed Robert's paraplegia and the various issues associated with it. Having been shot in the back during WW1, Robert has spent two years living as a recluse and he's adapted to living in a wheelchair but he still feels inadequate due to the injury making him impotent. When he begins his weekly paid sessions with Jack, I really liked that their relationship is built on more than sex, right from the start. They get along well and Jack really enjoys spending time with Robert and he ends up being instrumental in boosting Robert's self-confidence in and out of the bedroom and making Robert experience joy again.
It was also interesting that the author referred to Robert's past lover (James) quite a bit in the story. For context: Two years after the war, Robert hasn't had any other partners and still misses James. Normally, I'm not a fan of characters bringing up their deceased past lovers because it usually splits the romantic focus of the story and ends up making me doubt the person's feelings for the new partner. But in this book, Robert is a completely different person after the war so Jack isn't seen as a replacement because their relationship is brand new territory for Robert. At the same time, James was a huge part of Robert's life (not just in a sexual way) and Jack recognizes Robert's grief and encourages him to talk about James and keep his memory alive. It felt very sweet and it's one of the few times in a romance novel that I felt the presence of a deceased past lover was done well.
While all of this was great, the book suffered from amateur writing and a really rushed pace. Events would happen in rapid succession and readers are yanked from one event to the next with no time to breathe or digest what happened. Robert and Jack will have a nice sex scene and be affectionate with each other, then Robert will say something unintentionally rude that Jack takes the wrong way, they get into a huge fight, Jack storms off in a flood of tears, Robert catches up and apologizes and they're fine again. And this sequence of events happened several times and always took place within a few pages.
Another example of this ridiculous rushed pace was when . Again - this entire thing happened within a few pages and it left my head spinning. Not to mention that for a short novella that had a complex premise, there were way too many sex scenes between Jack and Robert and they felt repetitive. Yes, dealing with Robert's sexual issues was important but the same progress could have been achieved with way fewer sex scenes. In addition, the repetitive sex scenes added to the rushed pace because of the novel's short length.
I also didn't appreciate having a graphic rape scene (between Jack and another character) and that previously mentioned hardcore BDSM scene just casually dropped into a story that had multiple sweet, fluffy sex scenes before and after. It was a jarring change that put me off, not to mention that the speed at which those scenes were done meant there was no emotional impact during or after.
Lastly, I quickly got tired of Robert and Jack's back-and-forth relationship because they were both Drama Llamas. Their constant cycle of being lovey-dovey and then letting their insecurities grab hold of them and launch them into a huge fight before quickly making up again in a flood of tears got annoying and repetitive.
On a positive note, I did like how the author set up their HEA. This felt realistic and it demonstrated how they're willing to work together to make their relationship work.
Overall, there were a lot of good ingredients here and this had the potential to be a stellar book, but it was badly let down by amateur writing and a rushed pace that didn't take full advantage of the premise.
I really liked the historical details and how the author portrayed Robert's paraplegia and the various issues associated with it. Having been shot in the back during WW1, Robert has spent two years living as a recluse and he's adapted to living in a wheelchair but he still feels inadequate due to the injury making him impotent. When he begins his weekly paid sessions with Jack, I really liked that their relationship is built on more than sex, right from the start. They get along well and Jack really enjoys spending time with Robert and he ends up being instrumental in boosting Robert's self-confidence in and out of the bedroom and making Robert experience joy again.
It was also interesting that the author referred to Robert's past lover (James) quite a bit in the story. For context: Two years after the war, Robert hasn't had any other partners and still misses James. Normally, I'm not a fan of characters bringing up their deceased past lovers because it usually splits the romantic focus of the story and ends up making me doubt the person's feelings for the new partner. But in this book, Robert is a completely different person after the war so Jack isn't seen as a replacement because their relationship is brand new territory for Robert. At the same time, James was a huge part of Robert's life (not just in a sexual way) and Jack recognizes Robert's grief and encourages him to talk about James and keep his memory alive. It felt very sweet and it's one of the few times in a romance novel that I felt the presence of a deceased past lover was done well.
While all of this was great, the book suffered from amateur writing and a really rushed pace. Events would happen in rapid succession and readers are yanked from one event to the next with no time to breathe or digest what happened. Robert and Jack will have a nice sex scene and be affectionate with each other, then Robert will say something unintentionally rude that Jack takes the wrong way, they get into a huge fight, Jack storms off in a flood of tears, Robert catches up and apologizes and they're fine again. And this sequence of events happened several times and always took place within a few pages.
Another example of this ridiculous rushed pace was when . Again - this entire thing happened within a few pages and it left my head spinning. Not to mention that for a short novella that had a complex premise, there were way too many sex scenes between Jack and Robert and they felt repetitive. Yes, dealing with Robert's sexual issues was important but the same progress could have been achieved with way fewer sex scenes. In addition, the repetitive sex scenes added to the rushed pace because of the novel's short length.
I also didn't appreciate having a graphic rape scene (between Jack and another character) and that previously mentioned hardcore BDSM scene just casually dropped into a story that had multiple sweet, fluffy sex scenes before and after. It was a jarring change that put me off, not to mention that the speed at which those scenes were done meant there was no emotional impact during or after.
Lastly, I quickly got tired of Robert and Jack's back-and-forth relationship because they were both Drama Llamas. Their constant cycle of being lovey-dovey and then letting their insecurities grab hold of them and launch them into a huge fight before quickly making up again in a flood of tears got annoying and repetitive.
On a positive note, I did like how the author set up their HEA. This felt realistic and it demonstrated how they're willing to work together to make their relationship work.
Overall, there were a lot of good ingredients here and this had the potential to be a stellar book, but it was badly let down by amateur writing and a rushed pace that didn't take full advantage of the premise.
September 10, 2011
3.5 stars
Robert is "half-a-man", bound in wheel-chair after a bullet hit him in the back during WW 1. His only way to achieve sexual satisfaction is to hire a companion. Comes in Jack, a rent-boy, who slowly gives Robert reason to care. This is another push/pull story from Scarlet Blackwell -- we have Robert who fears that he cannot give what Jack wants because of his condition, while Jack worries that he can't be in Robert's life because of his "profession". The balance between them is "smeared" with money since Robert pays Jack for his time. But what can I say, I love how Ms. Blackwell plays with the emotion. I love their contemplations and how they decide to give their relationship a chance. Still tugs my heart a lot ...
Warning: non-consentual scene (though short, and NOT involving Robert)
Robert is "half-a-man", bound in wheel-chair after a bullet hit him in the back during WW 1. His only way to achieve sexual satisfaction is to hire a companion. Comes in Jack, a rent-boy, who slowly gives Robert reason to care. This is another push/pull story from Scarlet Blackwell -- we have Robert who fears that he cannot give what Jack wants because of his condition, while Jack worries that he can't be in Robert's life because of his "profession". The balance between them is "smeared" with money since Robert pays Jack for his time. But what can I say, I love how Ms. Blackwell plays with the emotion. I love their contemplations and how they decide to give their relationship a chance. Still tugs my heart a lot ...
Warning: non-consentual scene (though short, and NOT involving Robert)
November 10, 2014
Your heart will be touched by the sincerity and longing that flows between Robert and Jack. They might start off as merely a rich man and his hired “help”, but the instant rapport goes well beyond the physical. There is a connection to these characters that feels so real, and I feel it is due to the emotional and physical trials they must try to overcome. I really enjoy stories that pull you in and keep you hanging on every word, and Ms. Blackwell provides a perfect example.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
https://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Boo...
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
https://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Boo...
February 12, 2013
The story was warm. I liked both main characters. Robert, even if being crippled veteran, was a sad person and you simply had to love him. Jack, a rent boy, made me a bit angry and confused with his feelings of denial. But in general, I have to say, this was well written emotional story and I really liked it. Highly recommend it on!
March 22, 2012
This would have been a 4-star rating because I enjoyed most of the story quite a bit.
Post WWI isn't my preferred historical time period, but I enjoyed that aspect well enough. I'm also a sucker for a disabled hero. Naturally, both characters have bouts of self-recrimination and lashing out and pushing each other away. The smexing is hot. Everything is VERY well written. As a self-appointed member of the grammar police, I especially enjoy that. For this, I will look at other Scarlet Blackwell books.
The issue that dropped this story one full to one and a half stars is a VERY spoilery spoiler. DO NOT READ unless you accept that you will be spoiled.
I would recommend this book and this author but I would offer caveats when I do.
Post WWI isn't my preferred historical time period, but I enjoyed that aspect well enough. I'm also a sucker for a disabled hero. Naturally, both characters have bouts of self-recrimination and lashing out and pushing each other away. The smexing is hot. Everything is VERY well written. As a self-appointed member of the grammar police, I especially enjoy that. For this, I will look at other Scarlet Blackwell books.
The issue that dropped this story one full to one and a half stars is a VERY spoilery spoiler. DO NOT READ unless you accept that you will be spoiled.
I would recommend this book and this author but I would offer caveats when I do.
January 5, 2012
Rather a touching premise, a tart with a heart and a man paralysed from the waist down. You don’t at first (or rather I didn’t) twig that Jack Anderson is a prostitute but I suppose these days he’d be called an escort. He provides companionship and relief if needed from discreet and wealthy men. He hasn’t been soured by his life as a renter, and is both professional and attentive.
He’s called to the house of Robert Blake, who we discover is in a wheelchair. The two men meet once a week, a little tea and cakes, some sex and after a week or so they realise that they are becoming fond of each other.
It started well, and I was encouraged that this was something a little different, even though the tropes are well known, but sadly enough the men soon started to weep all over the place and to once they got into bed the old fanfic favourite chestnut of ”Come for me, [name here] both trends in m/m which I’m thoroughly tired of.
I liked both protagonists, Robert particularly because he seriously thought he was entirely useless to anyone being in the state he was and many men did–and do–think like this. Legs and cock not working=end of the world, and I can understand this. The interactions between them–and I don’t mean just the sex scenes which are detailed and many–are well done and believable when there’s no crying going on.
I enjoyed the read, but it’s not a keeper for me, I’m afraid.
However, it’s well-written, and thoroughly romantic with very little conflict so I’m sure that the readers of a more romantic brand of gay historicals will like it a lot. It’s not so over-the-top romantic as to spoil the story, so I did enjoy it. I also enjoyed that the ending was left a little in flux, and that Robert’s problem wasn’t magically cured entirely by all the gay sex.
Overall, well worth a try-out.
He’s called to the house of Robert Blake, who we discover is in a wheelchair. The two men meet once a week, a little tea and cakes, some sex and after a week or so they realise that they are becoming fond of each other.
It started well, and I was encouraged that this was something a little different, even though the tropes are well known, but sadly enough the men soon started to weep all over the place and to once they got into bed the old fanfic favourite chestnut of ”Come for me, [name here] both trends in m/m which I’m thoroughly tired of.
I liked both protagonists, Robert particularly because he seriously thought he was entirely useless to anyone being in the state he was and many men did–and do–think like this. Legs and cock not working=end of the world, and I can understand this. The interactions between them–and I don’t mean just the sex scenes which are detailed and many–are well done and believable when there’s no crying going on.
I enjoyed the read, but it’s not a keeper for me, I’m afraid.
However, it’s well-written, and thoroughly romantic with very little conflict so I’m sure that the readers of a more romantic brand of gay historicals will like it a lot. It’s not so over-the-top romantic as to spoil the story, so I did enjoy it. I also enjoyed that the ending was left a little in flux, and that Robert’s problem wasn’t magically cured entirely by all the gay sex.
Overall, well worth a try-out.
November 29, 2014
Originally reviewed for www.bdsmbookreviews.com
HALF A MAN
TITLE: Half a Man
AUTHOR: Scarlet Blackwell
PAGE COUNT: 157
GENRE/SUB: M/M romance, historical, D/s
RATING: 3.5 rounded to 4 for goodreads
Heat: 3 (blush worthy)
REVIEW (summary, cassl)
Jack is hired by Robert to be a companion. Robert is in a wheelchair, he is still functional , but his handicap has made him stay inside. He has been away from men for two years. Jack has other clients and is very professional. When Robert hesitates Jack gently urges Robert, asking him what he would like him to do next.
They have conversations, drink tea and have sweet rolls. They grow more fond of each others company besides the fact that Robert is once again able to enjoy the sexual company of a man. Jack feels strange. Being the object of affection and attention instead of giving it to his suitor.
I have always said I'm not a fan of historical romance. Meaning I don't actively seek this genre out to read. But in doing reviews I am finding out the setting can come to life and frame the story just as nicely, when well written, as anything written in the present time. I have never read anything by this author but I enjoyed this book about a handicapped man finding love. As I read the story further it becomes more clear why Robert wants to pay for companionship rather than seek a genuine relationship. But as it sometimes happens even using someone for only pleasure can turn into real love. The D/s theme is present but lightly used. Jack is given commands and finds he is sexually excited when he is told what to do by Robert. I would recommend this to fans of sensual m/m romance with a historical setting.
HALF A MAN
TITLE: Half a Man
AUTHOR: Scarlet Blackwell
PAGE COUNT: 157
GENRE/SUB: M/M romance, historical, D/s
RATING: 3.5 rounded to 4 for goodreads
Heat: 3 (blush worthy)
REVIEW (summary, cassl)
Jack is hired by Robert to be a companion. Robert is in a wheelchair, he is still functional , but his handicap has made him stay inside. He has been away from men for two years. Jack has other clients and is very professional. When Robert hesitates Jack gently urges Robert, asking him what he would like him to do next.
They have conversations, drink tea and have sweet rolls. They grow more fond of each others company besides the fact that Robert is once again able to enjoy the sexual company of a man. Jack feels strange. Being the object of affection and attention instead of giving it to his suitor.
I have always said I'm not a fan of historical romance. Meaning I don't actively seek this genre out to read. But in doing reviews I am finding out the setting can come to life and frame the story just as nicely, when well written, as anything written in the present time. I have never read anything by this author but I enjoyed this book about a handicapped man finding love. As I read the story further it becomes more clear why Robert wants to pay for companionship rather than seek a genuine relationship. But as it sometimes happens even using someone for only pleasure can turn into real love. The D/s theme is present but lightly used. Jack is given commands and finds he is sexually excited when he is told what to do by Robert. I would recommend this to fans of sensual m/m romance with a historical setting.
August 13, 2012
Reviewed By BlackTulip for Booked Up
Robert is a man who went through the mill fighting this dirty war in the trenches in France, trying to stay alive in the mud and the blood of his fellow companions. He is left severely handicapped in his body as well as in his mind.
Two years later, he is a lonely man who still suffers, in a wheelchair, with no life, no hope and no one to care for, having lost his lover during the war and feeling guilty about it. He needs to fill a gap ... So he rents a young man as a sexual companion who happens to be quiet different from expected ... He is as lonely and lost as Robert.
Little by little we can see them becoming addicted to one another in a very subtle and fragile equilibrium not even aware of that themselves.
The building of these two characters is quiet good, the first encounter, their hesitations, their hopes, their doubts... we can feel it, as well as a large range of emotions, shyness, frustration, fear, tenderness, passion ...
Despite the fact that I liked the book, I found a flaw in Robert's character. I was expecting somebody with more depth, more tortured, desperate and on the edge and I didn't feel it. I felt only sadness, frustration, hopelessness, not enough strong feelings for a man who went through hell. Another thing is that not enough is said about his nightmares and I would have liked to hear a bit more about his lost lover too.
It is a book nonetheless that I recommend. I give a note of 3.5/5.
Robert is a man who went through the mill fighting this dirty war in the trenches in France, trying to stay alive in the mud and the blood of his fellow companions. He is left severely handicapped in his body as well as in his mind.
Two years later, he is a lonely man who still suffers, in a wheelchair, with no life, no hope and no one to care for, having lost his lover during the war and feeling guilty about it. He needs to fill a gap ... So he rents a young man as a sexual companion who happens to be quiet different from expected ... He is as lonely and lost as Robert.
Little by little we can see them becoming addicted to one another in a very subtle and fragile equilibrium not even aware of that themselves.
The building of these two characters is quiet good, the first encounter, their hesitations, their hopes, their doubts... we can feel it, as well as a large range of emotions, shyness, frustration, fear, tenderness, passion ...
Despite the fact that I liked the book, I found a flaw in Robert's character. I was expecting somebody with more depth, more tortured, desperate and on the edge and I didn't feel it. I felt only sadness, frustration, hopelessness, not enough strong feelings for a man who went through hell. Another thing is that not enough is said about his nightmares and I would have liked to hear a bit more about his lost lover too.
It is a book nonetheless that I recommend. I give a note of 3.5/5.
April 10, 2012
4 Stars
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Robert is a war veteran who was severely wounded. He now only sees himself as half a man but he has decided to find a little human comfort in the form of a companion. Jack is a book store worker but he also works as a discreet escort providing companionship and comfort to those who request it.
This is a well written story that pulls at the heart strings. We have Robert who has shut himself off from the outside world because of his injury and guilt; guilt over his lover and commander who didn’t survive the war. We have Jack who has turned to being what rich men want (discreetly) so that he can survive in post-war England.
The arrangement between these two men quickly becomes something more for both of them but they both put up obstacles as Robert fears that he cannot give Jack what he needs because of his condition (he can’t walk and can’t get an erection), while Jack worries that he can’t be in Robert’s life because Robert knows all about his profession as an escort/companion and that he isn’t good enough for Robert.
I think this was a very charming story that gave us a great happily ever after for the time of 1919. I do think that the setting and the reactions of the time were realistic, I also liked that Robert didn’t become magically healed by Jack but that Jack started the healing process instead, all in all well worth reading.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Robert is a war veteran who was severely wounded. He now only sees himself as half a man but he has decided to find a little human comfort in the form of a companion. Jack is a book store worker but he also works as a discreet escort providing companionship and comfort to those who request it.
This is a well written story that pulls at the heart strings. We have Robert who has shut himself off from the outside world because of his injury and guilt; guilt over his lover and commander who didn’t survive the war. We have Jack who has turned to being what rich men want (discreetly) so that he can survive in post-war England.
The arrangement between these two men quickly becomes something more for both of them but they both put up obstacles as Robert fears that he cannot give Jack what he needs because of his condition (he can’t walk and can’t get an erection), while Jack worries that he can’t be in Robert’s life because Robert knows all about his profession as an escort/companion and that he isn’t good enough for Robert.
I think this was a very charming story that gave us a great happily ever after for the time of 1919. I do think that the setting and the reactions of the time were realistic, I also liked that Robert didn’t become magically healed by Jack but that Jack started the healing process instead, all in all well worth reading.
January 12, 2013
3 1/2 Stars ~ Left with little sensation in his legs and pelvis from a bullet to his back, Robert has reconciled himself to a life in a wheelchair. It's now two years since his return from the Battle of Somme, and he craves physical contact. So he rents a young man to be his companion. Jack is actually an English scholar but academic work is hard to find. He works in a book store two days a week and spends the balance as companions to rich gentleman. He's intrigued with Robert and as is deeply moved when he learns the other man has not know another human touch since his injury. Robert is content to be the one to give the physical pleasure, but soon he learns that he too can receive pleasure.
This is a story of a man wounded both emotionally and physically and not feeling worthy. Jack seems to sense what Robert needs and he slowly brings him back to life. I enjoyed this story very much. The ending didn't seem quite complete. I do hope Ms. Blackwell will give these two wonderful characters another story.
This is a story of a man wounded both emotionally and physically and not feeling worthy. Jack seems to sense what Robert needs and he slowly brings him back to life. I enjoyed this story very much. The ending didn't seem quite complete. I do hope Ms. Blackwell will give these two wonderful characters another story.
February 10, 2013
Fantastic story! It may be my favorite from Scarlet Blackwell so far!
I loved Robert and my heart ached for him - for both his physical sufferings and his pain of losing the man he loved and I adored and respected him for his strength. And I liked Jack too, despite his profession he's very sympathetic character and quite a serious and considerate person. Those two is a good match and I'm glad Jack had finally overcome his doubts and accepted it.
Although the ending was very satisfying I'd really love to read more about Robert and Jack together, hopefully to see Robert's full recovery in the near future :)
I loved Robert and my heart ached for him - for both his physical sufferings and his pain of losing the man he loved and I adored and respected him for his strength. And I liked Jack too, despite his profession he's very sympathetic character and quite a serious and considerate person. Those two is a good match and I'm glad Jack had finally overcome his doubts and accepted it.
Although the ending was very satisfying I'd really love to read more about Robert and Jack together, hopefully to see Robert's full recovery in the near future :)
February 1, 2012
Reviewed by Max: I think the idea behind this novel was a good one and there could have been a lot done with it, but unfortunately it fell flat for me.
My problems started with the sex. It was explicit and I felt it was out of place in this story. I didn't buy the instant connection between Jack and Robert. Everything felt rushed and there's no need for that in a novel length story. Better developed characters, along with more subtle love scenes would have made this one a winner.
D
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
My problems started with the sex. It was explicit and I felt it was out of place in this story. I didn't buy the instant connection between Jack and Robert. Everything felt rushed and there's no need for that in a novel length story. Better developed characters, along with more subtle love scenes would have made this one a winner.
D
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...
to-read-yes-own
October 5, 2014M/M HR freebie to down load here on GR. - get it with the green "download ebook" button or https://www.goodreads.com/ebooks/down....
June 26, 2023
Followers of my reviews now that I absolutely love historical tales so when I saw this was a post-WW1 story, I just hoovered it up as it's one of my favorite time periods. Having one of the main characters wheelchair bound drew me in too, my grandfather was in a wheelchair by the time I was born, he wasn't paralyzed but he couldn't walk(he had MS) so when I see a character like Robert, my interest is piqued even further. Throw in Jack, a book shop clerk/rent boy, doing what he has to to survive, and you have a recipe that screams "TRY ME!" So I tried it and loved it. Half a Man may be a bit shorter than I would have liked because there were areas that could have been expanded on to make it an ever greater tale, but those missed scenes did not detract me from not being able to put it down. I've never read Scarlet Blackwell before but it most certainly won't be the last time, I look forward to checking out her backlist. A truly inspiring story that proves you're never too broken to experience life to the fullest.
December 1, 2011
I surprised myself and enjoyed this book. Originally I was concerned because I accepted this reading challenge without realizing it was an M/M story. As I said in my first status update, I've read books with M/M scenes but never a book that was solely M/M.
I enjoyed that I was brought through the emotions and passion that I would expect from any other romance. The loving was sweet and sexy. And the relationship was dear and real.
Overall, very satisfied with this read.
I enjoyed that I was brought through the emotions and passion that I would expect from any other romance. The loving was sweet and sexy. And the relationship was dear and real.
Overall, very satisfied with this read.
August 10, 2016
3.75 Stars
This book had everything going for it - rent-boy, WW1 vet - and while it was very well written, it just didn't quite gel for me. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just didn't feel connected.
This book had everything going for it - rent-boy, WW1 vet - and while it was very well written, it just didn't quite gel for me. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just didn't feel connected.
July 23, 2015
This could have been really good, but one of the MCs was awful and the relationship was really unpleasant. You know, when someone has to apologize 20 times a 100 page book, it doesn't feel like romance, even when he miraculously changes in the last 10 pages.
February 28, 2012
2.5 - 2.75 stars
January 9, 2012
Review to follow
October 10, 2011
3,5 stars
October 11, 2011
This was a five star book until the middle and then it went to crap somehow. It doesn't even feel like the same characters of author after the party.
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