A Mutual Understanding

by Caro Soles

Can a flamboyant young hairdresser find happiness with an up-tight closeted professor in small town New Brunswick in the 1984?.

It is 1984. Wayne Robinson is the local hairdresser in the small college town he grew up in. Campy, demonstrative, an amateur artist and a romantic at heart, he quickly discovers an inferiority complex where Professor Adrian Taylor is concerned. Taylor is deeply closeted with a mania for privacy, a dry sense of humor and an endearing helplessness in matters of the heart. When he invites Wayne to move in as his 'tenant', their mutual misunderstanding of the arrangement causes conflict. The haunted house in the old part of town becomes a battleground as Wayne tries to retain his relationship with his new lover, his old friends, and his family.

This story has been previously published.

Genres: M M Romance

224 pages, ebook

First published September 20, 2012

About the author

Caro Soles Bio


My novels include mysteries, erotica, gay lit, the occasional bit of dark fantasy, and science fiction. I received the Derrick Murdoch Award from the Crime Writers of Canada for my work in the mystery field, was short listed for the Lambda Literary Award, the Aurora, and the Stoker Award. I live in Toronto with my long suffering husband, ,and love dachshunds, books, opera and ballet, not necessarily in that order.

And yes, I love to read!

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a relationship story set in the 1980s, of that era, when gay men were first coming out of the closet. Set in a small town, it brings two people together, one of whom has to deal with not just the dance of two individuals forming a relationship which for any couple involves both getting to know one another and also accepting differences as well as similarities, but also includes a family that may not understand and a community that may not be tolerant. Excellent writing of a wonderful story set in a time that formed the foundation on which today's level of acceptance rests in the ongoing battle for not just tolerance but also equality. Kudos to the author for tackling the subject of gay relationships in such a sensitive manner.

[justanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be a five star read if the author had fleshed the story out a bit more. There was too much going on and too many loose ends that were brought up but never resolved. The writing style is also a bit abrupt and sometimes came across as forced. I had a hard time finding the characters' voices. I kept reading hoping I would be able to make sense of the MCs relationship but in the end all I cared about was finishing the book hoping it would get better... Unfortunately, it didn't.

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. I just couldn't get in to the relationship between the characters. I liked Wayne well enough, but I never warmed up to Adrien. I felt like Wayne could've done better for a partner.