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The Carousel
Eighteen–year-old Jonathan Moore works as a garden hand on a lord’s estate in Victorian England. On a festive servants’ day off, he visits the Christmas fair, hoping to fulfill his childhood dream of riding the carousel. The trip turns out unexpectedly when he catches the eye of impudent footman Francis Johnson. Despite Jonathan’s reservations, the flirtatious Francis doesn’t give up, and after some hesitation, they share a ride on the glittering carousel. Before they say good-bye, Francis asks to meet again, and with a quickening heartbeat, Jonathan agrees.
Rarely having a day off from their duties, their yearning for one another cannot be quenched, while Jonathan’s fear of heartbreak makes him uncertain whether Francis is the right man for him. Meanwhile, Francis does everything in his power to make a next date happen. Will Jonathan’s naïve heart give in to the temptation of the seductive footman?
Rarely having a day off from their duties, their yearning for one another cannot be quenched, while Jonathan’s fear of heartbreak makes him uncertain whether Francis is the right man for him. Meanwhile, Francis does everything in his power to make a next date happen. Will Jonathan’s naïve heart give in to the temptation of the seductive footman?
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 11, 2014
There was an innocent kind of love here, when young Jonathan Moore met the slightly rude and arrogant Francis Johnson. I liked how Jonathan contemplated his growing feelings for the older footman (Francis was 25, Jonathan was 18) – considering the era that the story was set, he was going back and forth from feeling guilty, weary, but then later, bravely embraced the unknown of being with a man.
I liked the idea of them disguising their potential connection to one another, seeking the reason for them to meet. Although at the same time I felt kinda sad that the two men should go to such distance to weave a tale just to see one another. The ‘resolution’ for their situation was believable, quite believable.
Considering that this a novella, there were times when the story felt rather fast-forwarded, especially since Jonathan and Francis lived in separate areas, and they couldn’t meet every day. So one scene it was the Christmas Fair, and a few scenes later it was already after New Years when Jonathan managed to find time to meet Francis. For some readers it might be annoying, but for me, it was a logical way of telling their story. Or else you might be ‘burdened’ with reading Jonathan’s day-to-day activities without Francis in sight.
Unfortunately, as lovely as the story was, I had a bit of a bump with the writing style. It is similar to what I feel when I’m reading a fairy tale – a real fairy tale, not the MM or MF romance kind – like there is a distance between myself and the story / characters. I ‘read’ their story but am not truly ‘immersed’ in the story, you know? Am I making sense? Well, that was how I felt throughout … It might be my issue only, something with the chemistry between myself and the writing, so you need to make your own judgment on that.
Oh, for smut lovers, sorry, there weren’t any sex scenes here. Not one. It was a clean read. So you definitely need to satisfy your smut appetite elsewhere
I liked the idea of them disguising their potential connection to one another, seeking the reason for them to meet. Although at the same time I felt kinda sad that the two men should go to such distance to weave a tale just to see one another. The ‘resolution’ for their situation was believable, quite believable.
Considering that this a novella, there were times when the story felt rather fast-forwarded, especially since Jonathan and Francis lived in separate areas, and they couldn’t meet every day. So one scene it was the Christmas Fair, and a few scenes later it was already after New Years when Jonathan managed to find time to meet Francis. For some readers it might be annoying, but for me, it was a logical way of telling their story. Or else you might be ‘burdened’ with reading Jonathan’s day-to-day activities without Francis in sight.
Unfortunately, as lovely as the story was, I had a bit of a bump with the writing style. It is similar to what I feel when I’m reading a fairy tale – a real fairy tale, not the MM or MF romance kind – like there is a distance between myself and the story / characters. I ‘read’ their story but am not truly ‘immersed’ in the story, you know? Am I making sense? Well, that was how I felt throughout … It might be my issue only, something with the chemistry between myself and the writing, so you need to make your own judgment on that.
Oh, for smut lovers, sorry, there weren’t any sex scenes here. Not one. It was a clean read. So you definitely need to satisfy your smut appetite elsewhere
January 16, 2014
Downton Abbey meets MM romance or what do you do when you can only get to see the person you love once a month? Well, this is the case for Francis, a footman for the Earl of Lincoln, and Jonathan Gardner for Lord Thomson.
Jonathan is on his way to the Christmas fair in the village with the service staff of Lord Thomson's house. He has been saving all year to be able to buy a ticket to go on The Carousel, the main attraction at the fair. Quite impossible to even consider today, but then I guess a real treat and you could feel Jonathan's excitement about the prospect of riding on the carousel. While he is there he discovers something on a stall of deep sentimental value and is put in a quandary as to what to spend his money on, the carousel or to buy this item. A rather arrogant young man, at first appearances, starts to talk to him who is standing next to him at the stall......enter Francis. Jonathan finds him highly irritating at first, however as he is standing alone and feeling awkward about going on the carousel alone as everyone else was riding with family and friends Francis approaches him once more.
Due to his persistence, the barriers soon break down and they both take a ride together on the carousel. Well, this for me was a beautiful moment. Eva brings across the delight in such simple pleasures that we seem to have lost and forgotten today. It's only a carousel, right? Nevertheless, for these two young men the ride makes them giddy, not only literally but also from happiness and while they are cheering, whooping and enjoying the excitement they suddenly find a strong attraction to each other. I could just imagine the lights, the barrel organ playing, the horses going gently up and down, the world disappearing around them, carefree and laughing if only for a few minutes, no wonder they fell in love, who wouldn't? I thought this was a beautiful backdrop to create the attraction between these two guys. At this point my heart blossomed, but then I had to pinch myself as this was early 1900's in England, how could the attraction ever have a future?
Well, the both arrange to meet on their next Sunday off in a month. Imagine it? They have just met and now they would only be able to meet once a month. Geez, I know I would never be able to wait that long. But for this time totally normal as servants would not have got a lot of time off, however that made the time you got off even more special so you made good use of it. They meet and go to a local pub where they sit in a quiet room. The frustration of not being able to touch each other in public or even seem to be behaving "oddly" must have been agonising. Eva brings this across really well and I felt the electricity running through Francis and Jonathan and not being able to do anything about it was great. They concoct a story that they are cousins who have a very ill grandmother, and use this as a smoke screen to be able to write and see each other without raising any suspicions.
However, things rarely go smoothly and Francis is a little too forward with Jonathan in the pub on evening and frightens him off due to his advances. This is also compounded by the fact that two servants in Jonathan's household are found out one night and are thrown off the estate immediately in disgrace. This frightens him even more. So he decides not to go to the next meeting, but the longing is so great he regrets his decision and feels miserable. Again, the attitudes in this day were just unbelievable from where we sit today, but it would have been exactly like this as hard as it is to understand.
The Countess of Lincoln comes to visit and Francis being the footman has his chance to meet Jonathan briefly on his Lordship's estate. He does this by sending a servant to find Jonathan to give him the message his "cousin" his here and he has important news about their grandmother. Well, they both meet and have to behave formally and normally, oh the agony of that once again. But it is clear they decide not give up on their relationship. Well, a fortunate turn of events and circumstance means they both get their HEA of sorts. I thought this ending would all be in the realms of possibility for this period even thought they were probably taking a hell of a risk.
This book mainly concentrates on the servants. We don’t get to meet the Earl and Lord or the aristocracy whose families Jonathan or Francis work for. The cook in the household where Jonathan works is a great supporting character and to Jonathan is almost like a surrogate mother. Eva sets the scene very well and you can just imagine the hard working life of the servants and them really making the most of the rare free time they get.
The book is short, only a novella and it took me an hour and 30 minutes to read, which left me unfortunately wanting more. This however is a good thing as I felt that there is potential here to expand on the story even more and really turn it into a gay Downton Abbey drama. I hope there is more to come, as I would really like to know how their lives work out and manage their relationship under such circumstances.
Jonathan is on his way to the Christmas fair in the village with the service staff of Lord Thomson's house. He has been saving all year to be able to buy a ticket to go on The Carousel, the main attraction at the fair. Quite impossible to even consider today, but then I guess a real treat and you could feel Jonathan's excitement about the prospect of riding on the carousel. While he is there he discovers something on a stall of deep sentimental value and is put in a quandary as to what to spend his money on, the carousel or to buy this item. A rather arrogant young man, at first appearances, starts to talk to him who is standing next to him at the stall......enter Francis. Jonathan finds him highly irritating at first, however as he is standing alone and feeling awkward about going on the carousel alone as everyone else was riding with family and friends Francis approaches him once more.
Due to his persistence, the barriers soon break down and they both take a ride together on the carousel. Well, this for me was a beautiful moment. Eva brings across the delight in such simple pleasures that we seem to have lost and forgotten today. It's only a carousel, right? Nevertheless, for these two young men the ride makes them giddy, not only literally but also from happiness and while they are cheering, whooping and enjoying the excitement they suddenly find a strong attraction to each other. I could just imagine the lights, the barrel organ playing, the horses going gently up and down, the world disappearing around them, carefree and laughing if only for a few minutes, no wonder they fell in love, who wouldn't? I thought this was a beautiful backdrop to create the attraction between these two guys. At this point my heart blossomed, but then I had to pinch myself as this was early 1900's in England, how could the attraction ever have a future?
Well, the both arrange to meet on their next Sunday off in a month. Imagine it? They have just met and now they would only be able to meet once a month. Geez, I know I would never be able to wait that long. But for this time totally normal as servants would not have got a lot of time off, however that made the time you got off even more special so you made good use of it. They meet and go to a local pub where they sit in a quiet room. The frustration of not being able to touch each other in public or even seem to be behaving "oddly" must have been agonising. Eva brings this across really well and I felt the electricity running through Francis and Jonathan and not being able to do anything about it was great. They concoct a story that they are cousins who have a very ill grandmother, and use this as a smoke screen to be able to write and see each other without raising any suspicions.
However, things rarely go smoothly and Francis is a little too forward with Jonathan in the pub on evening and frightens him off due to his advances. This is also compounded by the fact that two servants in Jonathan's household are found out one night and are thrown off the estate immediately in disgrace. This frightens him even more. So he decides not to go to the next meeting, but the longing is so great he regrets his decision and feels miserable. Again, the attitudes in this day were just unbelievable from where we sit today, but it would have been exactly like this as hard as it is to understand.
The Countess of Lincoln comes to visit and Francis being the footman has his chance to meet Jonathan briefly on his Lordship's estate. He does this by sending a servant to find Jonathan to give him the message his "cousin" his here and he has important news about their grandmother. Well, they both meet and have to behave formally and normally, oh the agony of that once again. But it is clear they decide not give up on their relationship. Well, a fortunate turn of events and circumstance means they both get their HEA of sorts. I thought this ending would all be in the realms of possibility for this period even thought they were probably taking a hell of a risk.
This book mainly concentrates on the servants. We don’t get to meet the Earl and Lord or the aristocracy whose families Jonathan or Francis work for. The cook in the household where Jonathan works is a great supporting character and to Jonathan is almost like a surrogate mother. Eva sets the scene very well and you can just imagine the hard working life of the servants and them really making the most of the rare free time they get.
The book is short, only a novella and it took me an hour and 30 minutes to read, which left me unfortunately wanting more. This however is a good thing as I felt that there is potential here to expand on the story even more and really turn it into a gay Downton Abbey drama. I hope there is more to come, as I would really like to know how their lives work out and manage their relationship under such circumstances.
January 13, 2014
Jonathan's childhood dream has always been to ride the carousel at the local fair. Now he is 18 and has saved up enough money with his gardening job to enjoy a few rounds on the dazzling ride...against Mrs. Watkins' mad ravings about the carousel being the devil's work. At the fair he meet's Francis, an arrogant footman for a nearby lord. Francis is flirty and forward and Jonathan doesn't want to have anything to do with him. Then after the young men spend some time together riding the carousel, they agree to another date in a months time. But Jonathan is hesitant and doesn't trust that Francis truly has any interest in him. Plus, an affair between two men can be dangerous. Will Jonathan risk it all and see if he and Francis may have a future together?
This was a sweet, enjoyable little read for me. I had just finished a long and complex book and was in the mood for something quick and simple. I really liked innocent Jonathan; he was over-thinker and a worrier and reminded me a lot of myself. I honestly didn't like Francis in the beginning; he was a bit of an asshole, but once I realized it was his armor, then I was able to warm up to him a bit.
I think this story would have been more solid if it would have been expanded to a longer novella, or even a short novel. I feel like I didn't get to see enough of the two characters together to feel for myself that spark they obviously felt for each other. If the time that Jonathan and Francis spent on the carousel would have been on page in the story...I think their connection would have been more believable. Instead, it felt a bit too much like insta-love for the characters to risk so much for each other without really knowing each other at all.
In the end, its a sweet and hopeful story that will make a good "in-between" read.
3.5 stars
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
This was a sweet, enjoyable little read for me. I had just finished a long and complex book and was in the mood for something quick and simple. I really liked innocent Jonathan; he was over-thinker and a worrier and reminded me a lot of myself. I honestly didn't like Francis in the beginning; he was a bit of an asshole, but once I realized it was his armor, then I was able to warm up to him a bit.
I think this story would have been more solid if it would have been expanded to a longer novella, or even a short novel. I feel like I didn't get to see enough of the two characters together to feel for myself that spark they obviously felt for each other. If the time that Jonathan and Francis spent on the carousel would have been on page in the story...I think their connection would have been more believable. Instead, it felt a bit too much like insta-love for the characters to risk so much for each other without really knowing each other at all.
In the end, its a sweet and hopeful story that will make a good "in-between" read.
3.5 stars
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
August 14, 2016
As Jonathan Moore of 'The Carousel' by Eva Vicci stands and watches the beautiful carousel, with its magnificent, brightly-painted horses, go round and round, he's more anxious than ever to have a turn. It's an important event for Jonathan; it's something he's always wanted to do, but could never afford. Now that he has a job, he's been saving up for months in order to be able to fulfill his dream. As it continues in its endless circles, Jonathan notices, with dismay, that everyone on it has a partner and becomes painfully aware that he's alone. Little did he realize that the young man, Francis, who offers to ride with him is also joining him on the carousel of life, which, like the ride, goes up and down and round and round until the ride is over.
Jonathan has not had an easy life in Victorian England, but he's managed to get a job and he is grateful for it. He is determined to work hard and pull his own weight. He is a kind, almost innocent person, who is just coming into the bloom of manhood. Similar to many young men his age, meeting someone to whom he is attracted to for the first time is bewildering. He's excited, confused, on a whirlwind of an emotional ride. To make matters even more complex, his object of affection is another man. In this period of time, loving a person of your own gender is forbidden and the consequences are severe, so not only does he have to deal with his feelings, he is also filled with trepidation, doubt, and indecision as to whether it's worth the risk in the first place. Even when he decides it is, there are many setbacks and disappointments and, at times it feels not only improbable, but virtually impossible. Jonathan wants someone he can be with every day, not, as he and Francis have it, which is to meet once a month if they are lucky. While reading the story, I hoped that, as it often does, love would find a way and the men could be together.
Francis is more difficult to understand. He's older than Jonathan and has had more experience in matters of the heart, so he seems almost arrogant about it. He's pushy and forward and throws Jonathan off balance. Francis has a wall up that I couldn't penetrate, therefore it was difficult to connect with him. I wasn't at all sure that he was good for Jonathan, but when he risks everything to come see Jonathan, and tells him the truth about his previous situation, I began to look at him in a different light and realized that there was a very good reason for his distant, seemingly carefree attitude. I was also impressed by his ingenuity in planning and orchestrating a way for them to be together. Although risky, especially in their time, it is feasible.
This was a nice story, written in the lyrical language of the time which made it a bit more difficult to understand, but definitely added interest and ambiance. I felt sorry for the men having to hide their love affair due to the attitudes toward homosexuality, but was very impressed with the way Eva added a positive twist to the situation. I recommend this book to those of you who like a short, but endearing historical read. Thanks, Eva, for giving Jonathan and Francis their chance for happiness.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jonathan has not had an easy life in Victorian England, but he's managed to get a job and he is grateful for it. He is determined to work hard and pull his own weight. He is a kind, almost innocent person, who is just coming into the bloom of manhood. Similar to many young men his age, meeting someone to whom he is attracted to for the first time is bewildering. He's excited, confused, on a whirlwind of an emotional ride. To make matters even more complex, his object of affection is another man. In this period of time, loving a person of your own gender is forbidden and the consequences are severe, so not only does he have to deal with his feelings, he is also filled with trepidation, doubt, and indecision as to whether it's worth the risk in the first place. Even when he decides it is, there are many setbacks and disappointments and, at times it feels not only improbable, but virtually impossible. Jonathan wants someone he can be with every day, not, as he and Francis have it, which is to meet once a month if they are lucky. While reading the story, I hoped that, as it often does, love would find a way and the men could be together.
Francis is more difficult to understand. He's older than Jonathan and has had more experience in matters of the heart, so he seems almost arrogant about it. He's pushy and forward and throws Jonathan off balance. Francis has a wall up that I couldn't penetrate, therefore it was difficult to connect with him. I wasn't at all sure that he was good for Jonathan, but when he risks everything to come see Jonathan, and tells him the truth about his previous situation, I began to look at him in a different light and realized that there was a very good reason for his distant, seemingly carefree attitude. I was also impressed by his ingenuity in planning and orchestrating a way for them to be together. Although risky, especially in their time, it is feasible.
This was a nice story, written in the lyrical language of the time which made it a bit more difficult to understand, but definitely added interest and ambiance. I felt sorry for the men having to hide their love affair due to the attitudes toward homosexuality, but was very impressed with the way Eva added a positive twist to the situation. I recommend this book to those of you who like a short, but endearing historical read. Thanks, Eva, for giving Jonathan and Francis their chance for happiness.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 28, 2014
3 Hearts
Review written for MM good book Reviews
Being poor do not allow for much and being the sixth kid of a poor family makes it even harder to get things as a kid. That is why Jonathan is hell-bent, now that he is eighteen and working, making his own money, to get on that carousel at the fair. It’s been his dream ever since he was a child. It doesn’t matter that he’s a man now, the magic of going round and round on those beautiful wooden horses has not dissipated. When he gets in the way of Francis however, a young cocky, arrogant, and highly flirtatious man, Jonathan feels like running away while simultaneously rooting in place. Francis is magic in his own way and together they share his childhood dream and joy on that carousel. When Francis asks him to meet him again though, Jonathan’s heart goes on a merry trip all by itself.
So I felt this satisfied feeling when I read this book that came from the characters’ station in life. It is so rare seeing both protagonist and antagonist being poor. Usually, in such historical reads...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
Review written for MM good book Reviews
Being poor do not allow for much and being the sixth kid of a poor family makes it even harder to get things as a kid. That is why Jonathan is hell-bent, now that he is eighteen and working, making his own money, to get on that carousel at the fair. It’s been his dream ever since he was a child. It doesn’t matter that he’s a man now, the magic of going round and round on those beautiful wooden horses has not dissipated. When he gets in the way of Francis however, a young cocky, arrogant, and highly flirtatious man, Jonathan feels like running away while simultaneously rooting in place. Francis is magic in his own way and together they share his childhood dream and joy on that carousel. When Francis asks him to meet him again though, Jonathan’s heart goes on a merry trip all by itself.
So I felt this satisfied feeling when I read this book that came from the characters’ station in life. It is so rare seeing both protagonist and antagonist being poor. Usually, in such historical reads...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
February 19, 2014
One of the few pitfalls of loving the historical genre obsessively is devouring so many books that it’s given me a lot of years to develop a huge bit of snobbery for the medium, something I own completely and admit to making me perhaps a bit hypercritical of the books I read in the genre. The Carousel is a book that didn’t quite hit the mark for me in terms of the time or place, written in a language that I felt didn’t necessarily always complement its Victorian England setting, making it a story that could just as easily have taken place anywhere and in a more modern time period, if not for the horse drawn carriages.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
January 15, 2014
What a gentle,heart-warming romantic novella! I literally couldnt put it down, I had to get to the end of it to see how these two young men tackle the distance between them. I wish there were more of these so called old-fashioned historical romance books on the market.The author perfectly recreated the mindset and mentality of Victorian working class people.
January 19, 2014
Where is the WANT TO READ SO MUCH I MIGHT JUST BUNK OFF WORK TODAY button???
Impudent footman? Naive garden hand? Victorian? Who is this Eva Vicci and how the heck did she get inside my head to steal my dream story???
Impudent footman? Naive garden hand? Victorian? Who is this Eva Vicci and how the heck did she get inside my head to steal my dream story???
January 12, 2014
This charming Victorian novella was written in an old fashioned way and I loved it from beginning to the end. It was well worth spending my Sunday afternoon reading it, definitely lifted my mood. Some of the characters are hilarious, watch out for Mrs Watkins!
January 10, 2014
A gentle and touching historical M/M romance. :) I loved it! Definitely an excellent read. Looking forward to more from Ms Vicci ...will there be a sequel to The Carousel?
January 11, 2014
Trash!!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews