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♥ MM Romance
♥ Friends-to-Lovers
♥ Follow your Heart

Against the backdrop of the Australian Outback, two best friends grow up to become lovers as they endure the trials of life and the challenges of Australia's perilous deserts and tropical seas.


The Top End of Australia—a tropical paradise filled with beauty. Wonder. Danger.

For two young boys growing up in the Northern Territory—half-Aboriginal Jarrah "Jad" Yindi and his best friend Luke Lawson—the remote beaches and aqua waters of the Top End are a playground of adventure. And as two best friends become young men, true love washes over them like the sea upon the sand. But life is full of challenges and change, and if Jad is to discover who he really is, he must piece together his ancestral past, his dream-filled present and his uncertain future to become the man he was always destined to be.

Through water and fire; through love and loss; through the days of youth to the stories of the world's oldest living culture, journey across the heart of Australia to discover what's in the heart of one young man.

The Pearl is a standalone friends-to-lovers romance set against the sweeping landscape of the Australian Outback. It features the stunning settings of the Australian bush and the rich tapestry of the oldest continuous living culture in the world—the Australian Aboriginal people—along with unforgettable characters and a HEA ending.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2022

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About the author

Geoffrey Knight

75 books350 followers
Geoffrey Knight is the author of more than 30 gay fiction novels, novellas and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense and gay comedies.

The heroes of Geoffrey's books love to spend their time jumping off the page, seeking lost treasures, unraveling mysteries or falling in love.

Geoffrey is the recipient of two Rainbow Awards including Best Mystery Winner and Best Overall Gay Fiction Runner-up. His work has been featured in several anthologies including Best Gay Erotica 2013, and he appeared as Guest of Honor at the inaugural Rainbow Con in Florida, 2014.

Geoffrey has worked in advertising, politics, journalism and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories. He lives with his partner, their young daughter and their small furry family in a rambling old house in North Queensland, Australia, where the paint is fraying and life is good.

You can find everything you need to know about Geoffrey and his books at— https://linktr.ee/authorgeoffreyknight

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5 stars
86 (45%)
4 stars
65 (34%)
3 stars
27 (14%)
2 stars
8 (4%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Shira Anthony.
Author 43 books430 followers
November 15, 2012
I don't often cry when I read books, but I found myself tearing up at least three times as I read this one. How has it taken me so long to find Geoffrey Knight? *scratches head*

This was an absolutely beautiful love story set in the Australian Outback. Without revealing too much of the plot (it's both a lovely romance and a journey of self-realization), what really struck me about the book was the poetry with which Mr. Knight conveys the emotional context of his characters. The story is really about Jad, and his growth from boy to man, as well as his personal journey to figure out what is important in his life. To find his "pearl."

The writing is strong, the characterizations profound, the love ageless. "The Pearl Trilogy" is a true pearl amongst a lot of fakes. Highly recommend for any die-hard romantic who wants a bit more depth to his or her happy endings.
Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,911 reviews142 followers
November 27, 2024
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. It does hit a lot of tropes you'd expect to run into with the Australian Outback, including a walkabout (of sorts) and wildfire, but I easily fell into Jad's voice. He's a good POV character. He thinks he needs something bigger, something grand, and he goes off to chase it to get a medical degree. But he's also in love with his childhood best friend, who has already found his place back home.

I liked the challenges they faced. There weren't too many of your typical "goes off to college" tropes, and when it looks like it's going to fall into cliché, it pulls itself out real quick. Jad doesn't take so long to figure himself out that it becomes aggravating. Luke's patience is believable, and I appreciated that

I did get a bit annoyed at the end
Profile Image for Snowtulip.
1,077 reviews
February 26, 2012
4.5

I read the first two stories separately and The Pearl is one of the most beautiful short love stories around.

The sense of place, history, and being are so strong in these stories and completely move me as a reader.

The purity of the love captures my heart.
Profile Image for Dee Wy.
1,455 reviews
January 3, 2012
Wonderful!! I loved all three stories that make up this trilogy. The Pearl and the Seventh Wave were sold as individual e-books, but part three, Firestick is only available in this edition with all three parts at this time.

Jad and Luke prove over and over again how devoted they are to each other, and it has been truly special to read their story. Australia itself plays and important part in this story too, and makes me wish it wasn't half way round the world, because I really would love to visit and spend several weeks there.

Thank you Geoffrey Knight for this lovely journey with Jad and Luke. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Jamie.
1,361 reviews551 followers
January 22, 2020

The one writing tic I hate the most:

Sentences.

Broken up into fragments.

On different lines.

Because… why?

I’d almost like to re-read the story written in a different style to see if it helped. I say almost because it might still be full of over the top emotional melodrama. Making the story smaller would improve it by an order of magnitude.

Profile Image for Balthazar Lawson.
792 reviews9 followers
August 23, 2013
Jad and Luke met as school boys and instantly became the best of friends. This turned to love for each other forsaking all others, which is a pretty typical gay love story. There are the usual ups and downs, but without any kind of family rejection issues. The sort of love we all long for.

Although it's a pretty standard story it's still a rather pleasant and easy read. A nice distraction from life.
Profile Image for Bobbi.
1,289 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2016
At first I didn't think I liked the writing style, but it didn't take long for me to love all the characters. The story was fantastic! I even learned to love the writing style. This is a great story!
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books770 followers
June 14, 2018
What a beautiful story! From the amazing setting in Australia to the wonderful main and supporting characters, the deep love between Jad and Luke, to Jad's journey of self-discovery, this book contains everything that makes a story worth reading and rereading for me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and kept me spellbound throughout the drama unfolding across the pages. Whether you're looking for a romance with intense emotions, or a character's deeply moving realization of who he is and who he is supposed to be with, this book will give you both.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Valerie.
Author 21 books172 followers
February 3, 2019
I read the first book and was surprised how detailed Jad's life was depicted in it. But when he meets Luke and they become friends, everything changes at that point. But the rest of the trilogy is really where you understand the differences between the two men. From how they were raised to how they are seen because of their race is realistically depicted. And despite everything pushing them apart, both men are essential to each other and they keep coming back to one another. This is a highly emotional journey of self-discovery and love and it's captured perfectly in this story.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,158 reviews69 followers
February 6, 2019
Fantastic story for Jad and Luke

💖 A beautiful story about growing up and making adult decisions.  Distance would eventually spilt them up going different career choices. Great scenes are written in this book as drama takes fold.
A story of two 6 yrs olds Luke and Jarrah begin their freindship in Darwin.
Jad wanted to be a Doctor but he also told  taddle stories and loved diving. Luke life was rough regarding his family life.  Luke began flying a plane in lessons when hes 14.
Profile Image for Leanne Norman.
66 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2020
Well written

I loved the writing style Jad and Luke were so well drawn I fell in love with them in part 1, which is why it's 3 instead of 5 stars because what happens in part 2 of the book really didn't sit well with me and honestly I really couldn't enjoy it after Jad was so selfish and so unlike how he was in the first part of the book. The dramatics of part 3 left me cold probably because of how upset I was by part 2.
*SPOILER*
Jad cheating on Luke to find himself was really gross to me how callous he acted towards luke really didn't seem true to his character.
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,584 reviews33 followers
August 16, 2023
Two young boys from opposite worlds of northen Australia meet and set into motion events that will change everything.
Jad is half abroginal half white and struggles to see his place in the world, while Luke is happy to stay home and help others as a pilot to save those around him. Their journey isn't easy but really is true love ever easy or must you prove to the world this person is your other half.
Robin brought beauty of nature and all it does for us to life and shows us how it needs to be appreciated and it will give back to us.
Profile Image for Antonella.
1,565 reviews
January 10, 2018
A beautiful, heartfelt friends-to-lovers but also coming-of-age story mainly set in Australia'a Northern Territory (then Jarrah goes to study in Sidney). The Aboriginal culture plays also an important role. . Warmly recommended.
Profile Image for Kim Stone.
1,585 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2019
New to me author. This is a wonderful mm contemporary story set in Darwin Australia. The story follows the life of Luke and Jed as they grow into men and realise their love for each other. A beautiful story about love beating all.
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,595 reviews10 followers
January 18, 2020
Jad and Luke are friends at 7, lovers at 18, and pearl divers forever. When Jad goes to uni, he misses Luke terribly, but his world opens up to a future as a doctor. He meets Brandon, from the US, and for awhile, is confused, loving both men.

When Luke, as a Flying Doctors pilot, crashes his plane in a storm, Jad races to find him. His father takes him to Billy Shakespear, who knows the terrain of Mother Earth the best of anyone.

Luke is found, and Jad finally realizes he and Luke are meant to be. He asks him to marry him, breaks the news to Brandon, and things seem to be right.

But Billy knows the sea, the sky, and the Earth, and it’s not over yet. A final climax of rage and torrent, then peace and beauty, end this book.

I love the almost poetic writing, the mix of a regular romance and Aboriginal culture, the ways of history and destiny. Amazing.

KU
Profile Image for Cassie.
395 reviews31 followers
September 29, 2020
Well this was interesting. Part I: I absolutely loved!! Part II: was hard to read. There was cheating...I mean I am not sure what others would call it, but to me it was cheating, and also they just never addressed it on the page except to say that the MC felt bad about it. I do not think that is a spoiler by any means, but sorry if it was! More of a disclaimer. I was wrecked in reading such. Then Jad goes on his journey with Billy and that was really cool but also strange and felt kind of out of place. It make sense in the end, but at the time I felt it was kind of out of nowhere. Part III: Loved this part as well. It was intense with loss, but it was worth it in the end. Also, what pushed this to a solid 4 star read for me, was Luke. Gah Luke. He loved Jad, and was perfectly happy and content in his life.
Profile Image for AND 1515.
1,283 reviews15 followers
February 19, 2020
Ultimate Five Star Awesome...
by and1515

I've been sitting here for awhile I've started an stopped several times and I realize this probably going to be the sappiest review I've ever done.
This is the perfect quintessential young love story that started the first day they met and grew through the years.
Then Jad went off to the Uni. and I'll even admit there were moments that I seriously wanted to yell,swear an smack Jad upside the head and ask him what was he thinking.
But I kept reading and finally what an epiphany that aha moment the realization he already had everything he ever needed already and that was so beautiful just like Jad and Luke together.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
288 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2020
Great story

Jad and Luke became best friends at age 6 and their connection grew with each day. As adults they have decisions to make and they need to discover who they are and what their future will hold. They face ups and downs that have dramatic consequences. There is passionate scenes, love, and a satisfying HEA.
This story is well written although some did drag a bit, it deals with wealth differences, race identity, coming of age, and more, the characters are unique and likeable, and there are many hold your breath moments.
Profile Image for Rissa.
2,301 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2021
I really liked Jad and Luke (I would have loved to read more from Luke's POV). Jad's parents were great so were Bluey and Ms. Ivy. BILLY WAS AWESOME.

But then Jad does something unforgivable in my opinion and !

So, even though the story was interesting and even had a good moral point, I just couldn't get past what Jad did. I finished the book but what happened with Brandon was just a deal-breaker for me.
167 reviews3 followers
March 12, 2020
Wow. That is all I can say about this book. It kept me on my toes waiting to find out what came next. I was left wanting more and I am very eager to read anything written by this writer. This book had everything I like in the romance genre. It was well-written with a lot of character and world building. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11k reviews128 followers
March 24, 2020
I've read several books written by Geoffrey Knight; he has done a great job at writing a good book; he is becoming one of my favorite authors and I will definitely be reading more of his books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
669 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2020
A love story where everything works out, eventually

An epic slow burn love story that is far from simple and uncomplicated. I was three quarters the way through and still had no clue how things would resolve. There’s plenty of drama, lethal wildlife and natural disasters - well it IS Australia, and drama of the emotional kind too. Bill Shakespeare deserved better, I was not a happy bunny.
Profile Image for Blake Allwood.
Author 34 books180 followers
November 29, 2020
In 2015, after my husband and I had been together for over twenty years, we had our official wedding ceremony, taking advantage of it now being legal in the US.

At the time I struggled to explain to my friends and family, that although this ceremony was important and significant, it was just a continuation of what already existed. I think Geoffrey Knight did an excellent job describing that same concept in this book.
508 reviews12 followers
August 9, 2025
Powerful Pearl M/M Love Story

Have read many of R. Knight’s stories, and this one moved me a lot! I really got into this one because I could feel like I was there…under the ocean, sleeping on the sand, and feeling the searing heat of the fire among other things. Love the characters because they are humans! A wonderful book!!!
Profile Image for F.K..
Author 6 books16 followers
January 16, 2020
Great story, likeable characters and I really enjoyed the writing style - economical with words, every one chosen for impact.
Profile Image for Kel.
914 reviews
March 4, 2020
Stunning and true gem of a story. Something I will reread again.
Profile Image for Lisa Brick.
532 reviews47 followers
September 3, 2020
So sweet!

Well this was a change in pace for me. What a sweet romance with some life lessons thrown in. I enjoyed this book.
292 reviews
July 17, 2021
I’m sorry but Jad just really annoyed me. He was too wishy washy and I think Luke deserved the truth and deserved better.
7 reviews
August 13, 2021
Wow

What a beautiful story. This was so much more than I expected. This was my first book by this author and will not be the last. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews