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The House of the Red Balconies
Hylas has come to Tykanos to build an aqueduct. He has not come to enjoy the island’s main attraction: the six houses where the companions of Tykanos, courtesans both female and male, offer tea and elegant conversation. Yet he cannot ignore them as he finds himself renting a room in one of the tea houses and meeting his neighbour, the beautiful, chronically ill companion Zo.
Over breakfasts in Zo’s garden, the two men begin a friendship that transforms the isolation of their lives. But Hylas’s aqueduct project is threatened by bureaucratic delays, and Zo is pressured to secure a rich patron to help support his failing house. When they have begun to hope that they have found a home in each other, the world seems intent on forcing them apart.
Over breakfasts in Zo’s garden, the two men begin a friendship that transforms the isolation of their lives. But Hylas’s aqueduct project is threatened by bureaucratic delays, and Zo is pressured to secure a rich patron to help support his failing house. When they have begun to hope that they have found a home in each other, the world seems intent on forcing them apart.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2024
19 people are currently reading
988 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Demas
8 books442 followersA.J. Demas writes about love and imaginary politics in a fictional ancient world. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and cute daughter.
A.J. also publishes fantasy and historical fiction with a metaphysical twist as Alice Degan.
A.J. also publishes fantasy and historical fiction with a metaphysical twist as Alice Degan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
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May 21, 2024A new AJ Demas is always a cause for celebration, and I got an ARC!
Again set in the author's fascinating alt-ancient Mediterranean world, though to my mind this one has quite a Japanese feel (in mood, not content), in that it's very 'floating world' with a sense of melancholy. Hylas is a 40yo engineer from a Sparta-like nation of repression and misery, finally broken away but emotionally and sexually inexperienced. He comes to an island known for its tea houses (which offer conversation and entertainment rather than sex per se but sex is kind of a possibility) and strikes up a friendship with a young courtesan, Zo, who has chronic pain.
There's a lovely slow burn romance, which is very realistic about bodies and their failings, about duty and necessity, about people's flaws. I loved that, because it really grounds the relationship: we aren't asking for perfection but looking for happiness, and this is a book infused with kindness. It's really about how people can lift one another up, and how much happier we all are when we work on that rather than our own selfish aims. It's a rainy book in a minor key, but in the end the happiness is all the more real and lasting because of that. Super vividly conveyed setting makes it extra immersive. Make a cup of tea, turn off the phone and reserve your afternoon on the sofa. I loved it.
Again set in the author's fascinating alt-ancient Mediterranean world, though to my mind this one has quite a Japanese feel (in mood, not content), in that it's very 'floating world' with a sense of melancholy. Hylas is a 40yo engineer from a Sparta-like nation of repression and misery, finally broken away but emotionally and sexually inexperienced. He comes to an island known for its tea houses (which offer conversation and entertainment rather than sex per se but sex is kind of a possibility) and strikes up a friendship with a young courtesan, Zo, who has chronic pain.
There's a lovely slow burn romance, which is very realistic about bodies and their failings, about duty and necessity, about people's flaws. I loved that, because it really grounds the relationship: we aren't asking for perfection but looking for happiness, and this is a book infused with kindness. It's really about how people can lift one another up, and how much happier we all are when we work on that rather than our own selfish aims. It's a rainy book in a minor key, but in the end the happiness is all the more real and lasting because of that. Super vividly conveyed setting makes it extra immersive. Make a cup of tea, turn off the phone and reserve your afternoon on the sofa. I loved it.
June 14, 2024
One of these days I suppose A.J. Demas will write a book I don't love. Probably. Maybe. I suppose.
However, The House of the Red Balconies is (shocker) not that book. I tried mightily to resist it, mind you, because I had other ARCs approaching pub day ahead of it, but there it was draped alluringly on the screen of my Kindle, rather like Zo draped alluringly (napping! napping!) on his bed the first time Hylas sees him, and eventually I gave in. Hylas, too, gives in -- also eventually: having been raised in an alt-Sparta -- militaristic and masculinist -- he has spent a solid couple of decades repressing his desire for men. Fortunately, A.J. Demas is here to not only give him an unhappy backstory but also to come to his rescue.
Hylas, who is an engineer, has come to live on the island of Tykanos, where water supply is a problem, partly owing to inherent shortages and partly to decayed infrastructure. The governor wants an aqueduct, and an aqueduct (very eventually) he will have, but first things first: as he informs Hylas immediately on the latter's arrival, Tykanos "makes Boukos look like a jurist's funeral." (If you're not already familiar with Boukos from AJD's One Night in Boukos, consider this a hint.)
Well, it's more complicated than that -- Tykanos isn't a 24/7 festival of debauchery by any means, though it has a relaxed attitude toward sex to make up for the hydrology -- but Governor Loukianos is not wrong when he tells Hylas he'll love the place.
Unlike the Sword Dance series and Honey and Pepper, Red Balconies doesn't have a mystery plot, unless you count the mystery of Zo's origins; it's basically a story of some people getting on with life, changing, and falling in love. I'm inclined to compare it with Cat Sebastian's books, except I kind of hate to do that because AJD isn't Cat Sebastian Lite, or B-grade Cat Sebastian, which is what comparisons inevitably lead to people thinking when one writer's much better known than another. Instead, think of AJD and CS together as writers whose love stories hinge mainly on character rather than on contrived drama. There is a plot, but it's a plot about making a life for yourself, not a plot focused on outsmarting villains. (Outsmarting villains is also fine! *eyes KJ Charles's Will Darling books*)
Demas has been setting books in her alt-ancient-Mediterranean world for a while now. It's not a paradise: there's plenty of dirty politics; there's slavery; women don't have direct political power. But the people Demas centers aren't the dirty politicians or the kings. They're the slaves, the women, the sex workers, the retired soldiers, the cookshop owners, the aqueduct builders. Ordinary people, except that they're extraordinary in their capacity to do their best in often difficult circumstances, and to love.
ETA to mention a couple of points I especially liked:
- the way pain makes Zo irritable; he doesn't suffer in saintly self-abnegation
- the way the residents of the House of the Red Balconies call Hylas "aqueduct man" forever
- the way sexual jealousy seems not to be a thing (specifically: Hylas isn't sexually jealous of Zo)
Thanks to AJD for the ARC, and yes, this is an honest review. I'm infatuated; sue me.
However, The House of the Red Balconies is (shocker) not that book. I tried mightily to resist it, mind you, because I had other ARCs approaching pub day ahead of it, but there it was draped alluringly on the screen of my Kindle, rather like Zo draped alluringly (napping! napping!) on his bed the first time Hylas sees him, and eventually I gave in. Hylas, too, gives in -- also eventually: having been raised in an alt-Sparta -- militaristic and masculinist -- he has spent a solid couple of decades repressing his desire for men. Fortunately, A.J. Demas is here to not only give him an unhappy backstory but also to come to his rescue.
Hylas, who is an engineer, has come to live on the island of Tykanos, where water supply is a problem, partly owing to inherent shortages and partly to decayed infrastructure. The governor wants an aqueduct, and an aqueduct (very eventually) he will have, but first things first: as he informs Hylas immediately on the latter's arrival, Tykanos "makes Boukos look like a jurist's funeral." (If you're not already familiar with Boukos from AJD's One Night in Boukos, consider this a hint.)
Well, it's more complicated than that -- Tykanos isn't a 24/7 festival of debauchery by any means, though it has a relaxed attitude toward sex to make up for the hydrology -- but Governor Loukianos is not wrong when he tells Hylas he'll love the place.
Unlike the Sword Dance series and Honey and Pepper, Red Balconies doesn't have a mystery plot, unless you count the mystery of Zo's origins; it's basically a story of some people getting on with life, changing, and falling in love. I'm inclined to compare it with Cat Sebastian's books, except I kind of hate to do that because AJD isn't Cat Sebastian Lite, or B-grade Cat Sebastian, which is what comparisons inevitably lead to people thinking when one writer's much better known than another. Instead, think of AJD and CS together as writers whose love stories hinge mainly on character rather than on contrived drama. There is a plot, but it's a plot about making a life for yourself, not a plot focused on outsmarting villains. (Outsmarting villains is also fine! *eyes KJ Charles's Will Darling books*)
Demas has been setting books in her alt-ancient-Mediterranean world for a while now. It's not a paradise: there's plenty of dirty politics; there's slavery; women don't have direct political power. But the people Demas centers aren't the dirty politicians or the kings. They're the slaves, the women, the sex workers, the retired soldiers, the cookshop owners, the aqueduct builders. Ordinary people, except that they're extraordinary in their capacity to do their best in often difficult circumstances, and to love.
ETA to mention a couple of points I especially liked:
- the way pain makes Zo irritable; he doesn't suffer in saintly self-abnegation
- the way the residents of the House of the Red Balconies call Hylas "aqueduct man" forever
- the way sexual jealousy seems not to be a thing (specifically: Hylas isn't sexually jealous of Zo)
Thanks to AJD for the ARC, and yes, this is an honest review. I'm infatuated; sue me.
October 29, 2024
You know the feeling of being in a quiet foreign town on a warm dusky evening. Or coming home to someone who hugs you. Or a perfectly ironed linen handkerchief. Or a letting a heavy sweet raspberry fall into your palm.
Something small, thoughtful, complex and hopeful.
This.
Something small, thoughtful, complex and hopeful.
This.
June 17, 2024
If you haven't read an A.J. Demas book yet, you are really missing out. I enjoyed this so much. Cozy isn't quite the right word, but definitely calming and bound to leave you smiling. I loved the slow building of the relationship between the MCs and how comfortable and safe they felt with one another. The world building and characters and all the little details of their lives really transport the reader. The obstacles here are circumstances, rather than anything in the relationship of the MCs, which I also really liked. Their trust in one another gave me all the feels. A fantastic read when you want to be swept away to another world and a surefire way to boost your mood.
October 7, 2024
Very charming, a mm romance (kind of, more on that later) in her usual alternate antiquity universe. An engineer and a kind of courtesan (kind of a male geisha)) become neighbours and slowly fall in love. The characters were fantastic, the secondary ones, the universe. But the story was a bit flimsy, moved slowly (actually it was a feature and not a bug) up till 70% all oh-no-we-can't and then all of sudden, external reveals and everything gets solved for our characters HEA with a big over the top scene. Odd pacing.
Also maybe a bit too much worldbuilding in details, empires, external politics, cities (I am reading the books one at a time, hard to keep track of who is which) while remaining resolutely at shallow depth regarding the economics and specifics of those "tea houses with indentured girls and strategic sex with clients all. Made the book cozier but still kind of an odd mix the cozy and the setting.
I said this was a kind of a romance, and it is not very conventional paced, or actually "romantic" - might break a couple of romance genre expectations , but more than that, the romance just felt a bit marginal to me much as I wanted good things for all characters. I preferred the first book of this series, but I am sure I will eventually read any more in this universe, even if I do not appreciate them all the same.
Also maybe a bit too much worldbuilding in details, empires, external politics, cities (I am reading the books one at a time, hard to keep track of who is which) while remaining resolutely at shallow depth regarding the economics and specifics of those "tea houses with indentured girls and strategic sex with clients all. Made the book cozier but still kind of an odd mix the cozy and the setting.
I said this was a kind of a romance, and it is not very conventional paced, or actually "romantic" - might break a couple of romance genre expectations , but more than that, the romance just felt a bit marginal to me much as I wanted good things for all characters. I preferred the first book of this series, but I am sure I will eventually read any more in this universe, even if I do not appreciate them all the same.
Read
July 23, 2024A new AJ Demas book is such a cause for celebration. I rarely allow myself to reread books, but I do reread AJ Demas. These books evoke their setting—broadly, an imagined world inspired by the ancient Mediterranean and more specifically in this book, the island of Tykanos, famed for its tea houses and their charming “companions”—so richly, and it’s easy to get swept up in them. Hylas, a shy, 40-something engineer who grew up in a militaristic and repressively homophobic culture, arrives on the island of Tykanos thinking he will build an aqueduct as he’s been hired to do, but getting anything done on the island is delicate and meandering social process, so Hylas ends up spending at lot of time at the tea house where he’s a tenant, the House of the Red Balconies. He befriends his neighbor, the beguiling young companion Zo. They take such good care of each other, in such wonderfully specific ways: Zo does a lot to set poor, nervous Hylas at ease, while Hylas fixes the house’s broken pipes and designs a new, improved crutch so Zo can get around more easily on bad pain days. This is a quiet, intimate romance that is beautifully written.
December 12, 2024
Adorable friends-to-lovers romance between a courtesan and an aqueduct engineer. There's similar relaxed slice of life pacing and focus on characters and vulnerability as in Cat Sebastian's books, so it's really no wonder it ended up exactly up my alley. The setting, sort of alternate ancient Greece/Rome(?), is also absolutely fascinating and I liked the inclusion of disability (specifically, fatigue and chronic pain) and focus on ordinary people. I was a little confused by the dynamic their relationship took towards the end but eh, not a big deal. Everything else was great.
Need to finally get around to the other books set in the same world now, Something Human in particular has been on my TBR forever...
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
Need to finally get around to the other books set in the same world now, Something Human in particular has been on my TBR forever...
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
June 15, 2024
I loved this one a lot. I love how tender Hylas is to Zo and how much he cares and wants to make things easier/better for him. As always, I am a sucker for a well-written chronically ill character, and it was really nice to see someone with something akin to chronic fatigue.
June 23, 2024
A.J. Demas is my favourite author for wholesome romance, and this newest novel is no exception! It's a very sweet story with low stakes that builds up the relationship between its two main characters beautifully. There is nothing softer or more wholesome than falling in love with someone because you share a cup of tea in a garden every morning 🥲
I also appreciated a lot of details in this one, for example the nuanced depiction of a character with chronic pain and sometimes limited mobility, and how obviously a gesture of love from an engineer would be "I will design a better kind of cane for you" 🥲
Recommended!!!
I received an advance copy directly from the author. This has not influenced my review.
I also appreciated a lot of details in this one, for example the nuanced depiction of a character with chronic pain and sometimes limited mobility, and how obviously a gesture of love from an engineer would be "I will design a better kind of cane for you" 🥲
Recommended!!!
I received an advance copy directly from the author. This has not influenced my review.
August 13, 2024
B+/4.5 stars
Now, THIS is how you do a ‘vibes over plot’ book. A.J. Demas returns readers to the alternate ancient Mediterranean world of her Sword Dance novels for The House of the Red Balconies, a quiet and sweet slice-of-life romance about finding one’s place in the world and making a life. Unlike Sword Dance and Honey and Pepper , there’s no mystery plot here; the focus is firmly on character and situation, and the obstacles to the central relationship are posed by circumstance rather than manufactured drama.
Hylas Mnemotios grew up in the hyper-masculine society of Ariata, but his distaste for killing and destruction marked him as a failure as a man. As a result, he was stripped of his aristocratic status – and so were his mother and sister - so he worked as a commoner, a tradesman, to support them. After the death of his mother five years earlier, Hylas left Ariata and now, aged forty, he works as an engineer, travelling to wherever his expertise is needed – which is how he has come to live on Tykanos. The island is in desperate need of a new aqueduct to replace old and worn out infastructure that is no longer fit for purpose and Hylas has been charged with making it happen.
He’s dismayed when he discovers that the lodging he’s been assigned is in one of the island’s celebrated tea houses. When the island’s governor had talked about taking him to visit all six of them, Hylas had imagined… well, somewhere that sells tea, not a house of pleasure, a place of lively conversation, good food and drink, musical entertainment and, for an extra consideration, the charms of its companions. He has no interest in that, of course, but the idea of having to take communal meals and be sociable rather than just keeping himself to himself and not having to talk to anyone is not what he’d hoped for.
He’s shown to a small apartment backing onto a small garden and decides to have a look around, maybe introduce himself to the neighbour who occupies the apartment on the other side. Noticing the door is open he looks inside to see a young man asleep on a couch – a young man who is, quite simply, the most beautiful thing Hylas has ever seen. Not wanting to get caught staring at someone in their sleep, Hylas makes to leave when the young man wakes up and introduces himself as Zo, one of the house’s two male companions. Tongue-tied, Hylas stumbles his way through a quick introduction – then flees.
The next day, Hylas discovers that the somewhat unpredictable, laid-back way of life on Tykanos isn’t going to make his job easy. Nothing is in readiness and nobody seems to know anything about the aqueduct project; whether funds have been allocated, where it’s to be built, if any workers have been engaged and so on, and he’s further frustrated to learn that he’s going to have go through unusual channels to organise a survey team. The mistress of the naval quartermaster is the person to ask if you want to get anything done, but she’s currently away and not expected back for a while. It’s all very dispiriting.
As the days turn into weeks, Hylas settles into a routine at the House of the Red Balconies, his regular trip to the kitchen for a morning pot of tea and buns giving him the chance to get to know the people there before he heads out for a day of trying to find out what he can about the possible aqueduct sites and checking the map of water sources in the town and its environs. He’s taken to eating his breakfast in the garden, and one morning, knocks on Zo’s door and offers to share it with him – he’s always given more than he can eat or drink on his own. He’s surprised when Zo accepts his offer, and the two of them are soon enjoying the food and conversation. Breakfast for two in the garden becomes another regular feature of Hylas’ days after that.
The growing attraction between Hylas and Zo, is superbly done, their chemistry is undeniable and their gentle romance is built on a strong foundation of friendship, caring and kindness. Hylas has spent years suppressing his desire for men, had “buried that part of himself, so far down that he had forgotten it was there” and has just accepted that he’ll never love or be loved in the way he truly wants, and the realisation of his desire for Zo really does come as a bit of a shock to him. But there’s no way someone as young and gorgeous as Zo could possibly be interested in Hylas – and even if there were, Zo needs a patron if he’s to keep his place at the House of the Red Balconies, and Hylas isn’t wealthy enough to be that patron.
Hylas and Zo are beautifully developed characters. Hylas is an absolute sweetheart, a man who just wants to live and let live and to make things better for the people around him. He’s a genuinely humble individual who thinks himself ordinary and unremarkable and never really believes he deserves the esteem and respect he’s held in by others. Yet he’s not blandly perfect; he’s an endearing mixture of anxiety and competence, he still has a lot to unlearn about the toxic masculinity he grew up with, and it’s only since he left Ariata that he’s started to find out who he truly is. Zo is perhaps a little more guarded – for reasons we find out later on – and he’s living with a chronic illness which often causes pain and sometimes leaves him unable to walk. He likes Hylas a lot – it’s been a long time since he’s been able to be himself with someone – but isn’t blind to the practicalities of life and the need to secure his future.
I love the world A.J. Demas has created for these stories. As in the Sword Dance books, The House of the Red Balconies is set in a world in which same-sex love is regarded as perfectly natural and where women, although they’re not allowed to hold positions of power, find other ways to exert their influence. The setting of Tykanos is incredibly vivid and I liked the gentle humour found in Hylas’ frustrations and struggles to get anything done and the element of culture shock he experiences as he navigates Tykanos’ different customs. I also appreciate that, unlike in the vast majority of historical romances, her protagonists are generally from the working classes or lower social strata – retired soldiers, freed slaves, sex-workers, builders and engineers. It makes a nice change to read about ordinary people going about their regular lives and I really like the attention to detail given to that aspect of the story.
While ‘vibes over plot’ books aren’t always my cup of tea (!), The House of the Red Balconies really worked for me, so if you’re in the mood for a charming, slow-burn romance that centres two good people finding each other, love and happiness, then it should definitely be on your radar.
Now, THIS is how you do a ‘vibes over plot’ book. A.J. Demas returns readers to the alternate ancient Mediterranean world of her Sword Dance novels for The House of the Red Balconies, a quiet and sweet slice-of-life romance about finding one’s place in the world and making a life. Unlike Sword Dance and Honey and Pepper , there’s no mystery plot here; the focus is firmly on character and situation, and the obstacles to the central relationship are posed by circumstance rather than manufactured drama.
Hylas Mnemotios grew up in the hyper-masculine society of Ariata, but his distaste for killing and destruction marked him as a failure as a man. As a result, he was stripped of his aristocratic status – and so were his mother and sister - so he worked as a commoner, a tradesman, to support them. After the death of his mother five years earlier, Hylas left Ariata and now, aged forty, he works as an engineer, travelling to wherever his expertise is needed – which is how he has come to live on Tykanos. The island is in desperate need of a new aqueduct to replace old and worn out infastructure that is no longer fit for purpose and Hylas has been charged with making it happen.
He’s dismayed when he discovers that the lodging he’s been assigned is in one of the island’s celebrated tea houses. When the island’s governor had talked about taking him to visit all six of them, Hylas had imagined… well, somewhere that sells tea, not a house of pleasure, a place of lively conversation, good food and drink, musical entertainment and, for an extra consideration, the charms of its companions. He has no interest in that, of course, but the idea of having to take communal meals and be sociable rather than just keeping himself to himself and not having to talk to anyone is not what he’d hoped for.
He’s shown to a small apartment backing onto a small garden and decides to have a look around, maybe introduce himself to the neighbour who occupies the apartment on the other side. Noticing the door is open he looks inside to see a young man asleep on a couch – a young man who is, quite simply, the most beautiful thing Hylas has ever seen. Not wanting to get caught staring at someone in their sleep, Hylas makes to leave when the young man wakes up and introduces himself as Zo, one of the house’s two male companions. Tongue-tied, Hylas stumbles his way through a quick introduction – then flees.
The next day, Hylas discovers that the somewhat unpredictable, laid-back way of life on Tykanos isn’t going to make his job easy. Nothing is in readiness and nobody seems to know anything about the aqueduct project; whether funds have been allocated, where it’s to be built, if any workers have been engaged and so on, and he’s further frustrated to learn that he’s going to have go through unusual channels to organise a survey team. The mistress of the naval quartermaster is the person to ask if you want to get anything done, but she’s currently away and not expected back for a while. It’s all very dispiriting.
As the days turn into weeks, Hylas settles into a routine at the House of the Red Balconies, his regular trip to the kitchen for a morning pot of tea and buns giving him the chance to get to know the people there before he heads out for a day of trying to find out what he can about the possible aqueduct sites and checking the map of water sources in the town and its environs. He’s taken to eating his breakfast in the garden, and one morning, knocks on Zo’s door and offers to share it with him – he’s always given more than he can eat or drink on his own. He’s surprised when Zo accepts his offer, and the two of them are soon enjoying the food and conversation. Breakfast for two in the garden becomes another regular feature of Hylas’ days after that.
The growing attraction between Hylas and Zo, is superbly done, their chemistry is undeniable and their gentle romance is built on a strong foundation of friendship, caring and kindness. Hylas has spent years suppressing his desire for men, had “buried that part of himself, so far down that he had forgotten it was there” and has just accepted that he’ll never love or be loved in the way he truly wants, and the realisation of his desire for Zo really does come as a bit of a shock to him. But there’s no way someone as young and gorgeous as Zo could possibly be interested in Hylas – and even if there were, Zo needs a patron if he’s to keep his place at the House of the Red Balconies, and Hylas isn’t wealthy enough to be that patron.
Hylas and Zo are beautifully developed characters. Hylas is an absolute sweetheart, a man who just wants to live and let live and to make things better for the people around him. He’s a genuinely humble individual who thinks himself ordinary and unremarkable and never really believes he deserves the esteem and respect he’s held in by others. Yet he’s not blandly perfect; he’s an endearing mixture of anxiety and competence, he still has a lot to unlearn about the toxic masculinity he grew up with, and it’s only since he left Ariata that he’s started to find out who he truly is. Zo is perhaps a little more guarded – for reasons we find out later on – and he’s living with a chronic illness which often causes pain and sometimes leaves him unable to walk. He likes Hylas a lot – it’s been a long time since he’s been able to be himself with someone – but isn’t blind to the practicalities of life and the need to secure his future.
I love the world A.J. Demas has created for these stories. As in the Sword Dance books, The House of the Red Balconies is set in a world in which same-sex love is regarded as perfectly natural and where women, although they’re not allowed to hold positions of power, find other ways to exert their influence. The setting of Tykanos is incredibly vivid and I liked the gentle humour found in Hylas’ frustrations and struggles to get anything done and the element of culture shock he experiences as he navigates Tykanos’ different customs. I also appreciate that, unlike in the vast majority of historical romances, her protagonists are generally from the working classes or lower social strata – retired soldiers, freed slaves, sex-workers, builders and engineers. It makes a nice change to read about ordinary people going about their regular lives and I really like the attention to detail given to that aspect of the story.
While ‘vibes over plot’ books aren’t always my cup of tea (!), The House of the Red Balconies really worked for me, so if you’re in the mood for a charming, slow-burn romance that centres two good people finding each other, love and happiness, then it should definitely be on your radar.
January 31, 2025
Did I know this was a neighbors to lovers/friends to lovers, sex work positive, romance between a charming, chronically ill, entertainer/companion of a tea house and a very awkward, nd-coded, middle aged man who has never had sex with anyone before and has repressed any thought about his sexuality? No. It is an AJ Demas book. Of course, I didn't read the blurb. I just bought it and saved it for times in need. And times in need it is, lmao.
I LOVED ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!😍🥰❤️😍🥰❤️😍🥰❤️
P.S. Once again, meli from the past, great job! Keep hoarding!👍
I LOVED ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!😍🥰❤️😍🥰❤️😍🥰❤️
P.S. Once again, meli from the past, great job! Keep hoarding!👍
June 26, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a gentle and quiet m/m romance, set in the author's signature imaginary world based on ancient Greece. I have already read several of her novels set in the same world and I enjoyed most of them. This book was no exception, although not much happened in this particular story. Two men meet by circumstance. Both have painful pasts. Both are vulnerable. Both have been hurt before. Their relationship grows gradually, as they learn to trust each other and themselves.
Zo is a companion in the House of the Red Balconies on the island of Tykanos. Companions are not whores. They don't sell sex (at least not exclusively), but they do sell their company and entertainment. They offer music and erudite conversation to anyone who could pay for the privilege. Sometimes, sex is included, but it is up to a companion to opt for it (or not). Zo is charming and beautiful and he has many loyal guests, but his house is struggling financially. He has no other place to go, and no other profession to make a living. He needs a rich patron.
Hylas is an engineer who came to the island of Tykanos from far away to build an aqueduct. He is renting a room at the House of the Red Balconies. His engineering project is stalled by bureaucratic red tape, while he tries to navigate the island complex hierarchy and unfamiliar customs. He is a very shy and reserved man, very competent professionally, but awkward in social situations. He reads like an Asperger: always fumbling, never quite doing the right things or saying the right words. As I read about him falling in love with Zo, I wanted to cheer him up. I wanted him to be happy.
Despite the action being almost non-existent in that story, I couldn't stop reading it until I came to the end. The narrative's slow tempo underscores the deep emotional and psychological issues the author explores and makes the heroes' eventual happy ending all the sweeter.
This was a gentle and quiet m/m romance, set in the author's signature imaginary world based on ancient Greece. I have already read several of her novels set in the same world and I enjoyed most of them. This book was no exception, although not much happened in this particular story. Two men meet by circumstance. Both have painful pasts. Both are vulnerable. Both have been hurt before. Their relationship grows gradually, as they learn to trust each other and themselves.
Zo is a companion in the House of the Red Balconies on the island of Tykanos. Companions are not whores. They don't sell sex (at least not exclusively), but they do sell their company and entertainment. They offer music and erudite conversation to anyone who could pay for the privilege. Sometimes, sex is included, but it is up to a companion to opt for it (or not). Zo is charming and beautiful and he has many loyal guests, but his house is struggling financially. He has no other place to go, and no other profession to make a living. He needs a rich patron.
Hylas is an engineer who came to the island of Tykanos from far away to build an aqueduct. He is renting a room at the House of the Red Balconies. His engineering project is stalled by bureaucratic red tape, while he tries to navigate the island complex hierarchy and unfamiliar customs. He is a very shy and reserved man, very competent professionally, but awkward in social situations. He reads like an Asperger: always fumbling, never quite doing the right things or saying the right words. As I read about him falling in love with Zo, I wanted to cheer him up. I wanted him to be happy.
Despite the action being almost non-existent in that story, I couldn't stop reading it until I came to the end. The narrative's slow tempo underscores the deep emotional and psychological issues the author explores and makes the heroes' eventual happy ending all the sweeter.
June 23, 2024
I got an advanced review copy from one of the few authors who is absolutely guaranteed to write something deeply enjoyable.
I look forward to rereading this book, hence the five stars.
Hylas is in his late 30s? and is reinventing his self and his life after leaving the toxic and ridiculous society of alt-Sparta. He inadvertently finds himself renting an apartment in a tea house, which is a sort of brothel on an island which specialises in them. He meets Zo, who lives in the room next to his. These two guys are very different, and delightful. I want to make friends with both of them.
Hylas is there to build an aqueduct to secure the island's supply of drinking water. Zo is an entertainer at the tea house. They both have to find their way forward in their lives.
Unlike Demas' other alt-mediterranean books, there is not a mystery element other than a broader "what is going on? How do I get stuff done?" on Hylas' part.
Why is this book so excellent? First, because all the characters are delightful, even the feckless idiots. The island of Tykanos and its society (in the broader context of Demas' world) is delightful and fascinating. The story of Zo and Hylas finding themselves, finding each other (in a gentle charming slow burn way) and finding their way forward in their lives was lovely and satisfying. Demas always thinks through her plots and problems/how to solve them very well. I also appreciate that her characters are often what we would call "essential workers" or freed slaves or other people lower down in the social hierarchy. I do love meeting them, and learning about their lives, work and relationships.
I hope we come across these guys again in a future book.
I look forward to rereading this book, hence the five stars.
Hylas is in his late 30s? and is reinventing his self and his life after leaving the toxic and ridiculous society of alt-Sparta. He inadvertently finds himself renting an apartment in a tea house, which is a sort of brothel on an island which specialises in them. He meets Zo, who lives in the room next to his. These two guys are very different, and delightful. I want to make friends with both of them.
Hylas is there to build an aqueduct to secure the island's supply of drinking water. Zo is an entertainer at the tea house. They both have to find their way forward in their lives.
Unlike Demas' other alt-mediterranean books, there is not a mystery element other than a broader "what is going on? How do I get stuff done?" on Hylas' part.
Why is this book so excellent? First, because all the characters are delightful, even the feckless idiots. The island of Tykanos and its society (in the broader context of Demas' world) is delightful and fascinating. The story of Zo and Hylas finding themselves, finding each other (in a gentle charming slow burn way) and finding their way forward in their lives was lovely and satisfying. Demas always thinks through her plots and problems/how to solve them very well. I also appreciate that her characters are often what we would call "essential workers" or freed slaves or other people lower down in the social hierarchy. I do love meeting them, and learning about their lives, work and relationships.
I hope we come across these guys again in a future book.
July 3, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I always enjoy AJ Demas’ quasi-historical novels and The House of the Red Balconies is no exception. Though not truly historical, the book has an ancient Greek and Roman flavor and, as a result, the world building is engaging, yet familiar and comfortable. But its the characters in The House of the Red Balconies that really shine, especially Hylas and Zo.
Their relationship is slow burning: a quiet and soft friendship that evolves into something more over time. It’s sweet and gentle and I loved everything about how it developed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
I always enjoy AJ Demas’ quasi-historical novels and The House of the Red Balconies is no exception. Though not truly historical, the book has an ancient Greek and Roman flavor and, as a result, the world building is engaging, yet familiar and comfortable. But its the characters in The House of the Red Balconies that really shine, especially Hylas and Zo.
Their relationship is slow burning: a quiet and soft friendship that evolves into something more over time. It’s sweet and gentle and I loved everything about how it developed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
July 24, 2024
As always for me this author's work feels deliberately paced and often relaxing, up until the resolution. It's fantastic for in-bed reading. :) This one's more gentle than usual, which fits with the feel of small-island life, in my experience (Key West, and Kauai). I empathized so hard with Hylas trying to do a job despite lackadaisical leadership. Zo is just as good and entirely different. I'm glad I bought this one.
Read
March 28, 2024Just bought it in pre-order and I can't wait!!
February 14, 2026
well, I'm 7 AJDs deep at this point, and my enthusiasm hasn't let up. this is so good! demas manages to write a real and distinct dynamic every time and always incorporates something I expect not to be into but then she plays it off so well I forget I ever had qualms (here, it's the age gap): I'm impressed.
this is a quieter one, with one lead who's shy and awkward to the point of pain and one whose pain is more literal, of the chronic variety, which, like—chronic pain and illness rep in a way that doesn't feel anodyne or after-school special–esque? yeah, I'll take that, thanks.
because this is a gentler and somewhat lower-stakes romance—there's no big mystery to solve, really, other than the question of "how will The Aqueduct Man manage to build the aqueduct with infrastructure and politics this messy and lax??"—but is certainly not like...a book that would get labeled Cozy, you know? real people have real problems that don't get handwaved away by—well, let me cut myself off there before I start taking random shots at specific books I've hated, because this book didn't do anything to deserve being compared to such lowering company.
really loved when hylas was like "I heard this was a tea house?? so where's the tea???"
this is a quieter one, with one lead who's shy and awkward to the point of pain and one whose pain is more literal, of the chronic variety, which, like—chronic pain and illness rep in a way that doesn't feel anodyne or after-school special–esque? yeah, I'll take that, thanks.
because this is a gentler and somewhat lower-stakes romance—there's no big mystery to solve, really, other than the question of "how will The Aqueduct Man manage to build the aqueduct with infrastructure and politics this messy and lax??"—but is certainly not like...a book that would get labeled Cozy, you know? real people have real problems that don't get handwaved away by—well, let me cut myself off there before I start taking random shots at specific books I've hated, because this book didn't do anything to deserve being compared to such lowering company.
really loved when hylas was like "I heard this was a tea house?? so where's the tea???"
July 25, 2024
When I read the blurb for this book, I knew immediately I wanted to request it. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but this was so easy to jump into.
The House of the Red Balconies is a cozy, soft, and wholesome slow-burn of a romance (with age-gap!) set in an alternative world of ancient Roman/Mediterranean world. I really loved both MCs - I especially loved how unsure and shy Hylas was at first. He was so kind.
While meeting in the mornings for tea and buns, the two men become friends and then more. So gentle and soft, that’s all I can think of for this book! I loved that Hyla was so caring and attentive to Zo, He had such self-doubt about himself, but found a friend and then lover with Zo. I want to say that Hylas falls into the ace spectrum - maybe demi?
This book also gives me some similar vibes of the Robot and Monk books. So if you’re looking for something slice-of-life-cozy and sweet, with excellent disability rep (hey, a couple days left to disability pride month!) then give this one a try!
I received a copy of the book for a book tour on instagram. My thoughts are my own.
The House of the Red Balconies is a cozy, soft, and wholesome slow-burn of a romance (with age-gap!) set in an alternative world of ancient Roman/Mediterranean world. I really loved both MCs - I especially loved how unsure and shy Hylas was at first. He was so kind.
While meeting in the mornings for tea and buns, the two men become friends and then more. So gentle and soft, that’s all I can think of for this book! I loved that Hyla was so caring and attentive to Zo, He had such self-doubt about himself, but found a friend and then lover with Zo. I want to say that Hylas falls into the ace spectrum - maybe demi?
This book also gives me some similar vibes of the Robot and Monk books. So if you’re looking for something slice-of-life-cozy and sweet, with excellent disability rep (hey, a couple days left to disability pride month!) then give this one a try!
I received a copy of the book for a book tour on instagram. My thoughts are my own.
March 19, 2025
This was such a charming, cozy romance: low stakes yet abounding in character development, with a romance founded on friendship and respect. Demas's take on fantasy was subtle and without lots of info-dumping but somehow managed to convey the fact that this story sits inside a larger world. Although I at times wanted more conflict plot-wise (the need for the aqueduct and how the folks of Tykanos would suffer without it), I found the character interactions and growth compelling enough to carry the book: seeing Hylas gain confidence and how everyone on the island showed care for him; watching Zo open himself up once again to his fellow companions and embrace both his identity and his work in the house; plus the various representation, from an asexual couple to a main character living with chronic pain. Both Zo and Hylas were believable, flawed yet patient with one another. And the kindness they showed each another? Hylas finding such pleasure in serving Zo when he had a pain flair-up? Zo never making Hylas feel lesser due to being sexually inexperienced? How proud they were of one another?? A-plus. If anything, the epilogue was a bit abrupt.
Lucky for me, I own a copy of Sword Dance—can't wait to pick it up!
Lucky for me, I own a copy of Sword Dance—can't wait to pick it up!
April 1, 2025
a drowsy afternoon in the sunshine sort of book ♡ no drama no high stakes just peaceful mildly mediterranean island vibes and a soft lil love story~
September 17, 2024
3.5 stars
AJ Demas has created a fantasy world, inspired by historical Mediterranean. All of the author’s books take place there, and maybe I should have started elsewhere? I was a bit confused to the political considerations that were discussed, with the different nations and cultures mentioned, etc.
Still, at the center of it, this book revolves around a single teahouse, on an island famous for its companions. An engineer from a faraway land comes here for an aquaduct project, and slowly gets introduced to the new culture, makes friends, and falls in love. Besides the main pair, there’s quite a lot shown about the teahouse itself, and the everyday lives of companions living there.
I enjoyed the slice of life nature of this story. It was slow, and meandered, and allowed for a gradual shift in relationships and perspectives. It felt like a peek into actual lives, and it works well. One of the main characters has serious health issues, and the book doesn’t flinch away from how it impacts his moods and everyday activities.
There was one big reveal I couldn’t quite get my head around, but it worked out ok.
AJ Demas has created a fantasy world, inspired by historical Mediterranean. All of the author’s books take place there, and maybe I should have started elsewhere? I was a bit confused to the political considerations that were discussed, with the different nations and cultures mentioned, etc.
Still, at the center of it, this book revolves around a single teahouse, on an island famous for its companions. An engineer from a faraway land comes here for an aquaduct project, and slowly gets introduced to the new culture, makes friends, and falls in love. Besides the main pair, there’s quite a lot shown about the teahouse itself, and the everyday lives of companions living there.
I enjoyed the slice of life nature of this story. It was slow, and meandered, and allowed for a gradual shift in relationships and perspectives. It felt like a peek into actual lives, and it works well. One of the main characters has serious health issues, and the book doesn’t flinch away from how it impacts his moods and everyday activities.
There was one big reveal I couldn’t quite get my head around, but it worked out ok.
July 7, 2024
3.5 stars. Like 2022's Honey and Pepper, this one feels slight compared to the brilliant Sword Dance trilogy. Hylas has a strong personal arc; he arrives in Tykanos with a boatload of emotional and professional baggage, but develops ease and confidence over the course of his stay. Zo is a bit of a cipher because Reasons, but props to Demas for writing an MC with chronic pain issues. Their love story is meh, but if Hylas is happy with Zo, I am happy for him.
I'm still a huge fan of the author, who astutely describes her work as "gentle love stories with a strong sense of place and a lot of talking"; and "characters who make good choices most of the time and treat each other with respect." Demas warns that her next book, to be published in September 2024, amps up the angst and tropiness. I'm glad she's trying something new, but hope she doesn't forsake the rare and welcome niche that she inhabits in the queer romance space.
I'm still a huge fan of the author, who astutely describes her work as "gentle love stories with a strong sense of place and a lot of talking"; and "characters who make good choices most of the time and treat each other with respect." Demas warns that her next book, to be published in September 2024, amps up the angst and tropiness. I'm glad she's trying something new, but hope she doesn't forsake the rare and welcome niche that she inhabits in the queer romance space.
July 19, 2024
This was delightful, like every other book in Demas’s alt-ancient-Mediterranean world. From the blurb, Hylas and Zo seem like maybe they’ll be similar to Damiskos and Varazda, but any similarities are superficial, and they feel like another unique pairing. I appreciate how Demas writes relationships that work because the characters make an effort with each other, and not just because there’s a lot of initial attraction or chemistry. Here, Hylas does a lot of little things to accommodate Zo’s chronic illness without patronizing him or infringing on his autonomy, and Zo stays open-minded and empathetic towards Hylas despite having plenty of reasons to mistrust a stranger living next door. It made a long-term commitment between them feel believable despite how short a time they’d been together.
I also enjoyed all the local government shenanigans, which were often absurd but never unbelievable. And as always with Demas’s books, I liked that characters who could have been one-dimensional antagonists (or comic relief) were written with nuance and empathy. It makes the whole setting feel more believable because characters are making mistakes and causing problems for understandable human reasons, and not just because the story needs them to.
I also enjoyed all the local government shenanigans, which were often absurd but never unbelievable. And as always with Demas’s books, I liked that characters who could have been one-dimensional antagonists (or comic relief) were written with nuance and empathy. It makes the whole setting feel more believable because characters are making mistakes and causing problems for understandable human reasons, and not just because the story needs them to.
August 21, 2024
My second A.J. Demas book after really enjoying Something Human last year. This book didn't hit for me the way that one did; I never felt an attachment to the romance. There's a moment where things suddenly fall into place, but the reasoning for the flip didn't fully make sense to me. I did really appreciate the representation of Zo's disability, as there were aspects I related to. I didn't dislike the story overall—but the pacing left me feeling little drive to keep reading.
TW: chronic pain, ableism, prostitution, denigration of sex workers, past death of a loved one, homophobia mentioned, mention of past political prisoner/hostage status
TW: chronic pain, ableism, prostitution, denigration of sex workers, past death of a loved one, homophobia mentioned, mention of past political prisoner/hostage status
July 30, 2024
i—
i don't know man. this is the first book from a.j. demas that i didn't truly like. it felt like an unfinished draft, like the spark notes version of a story that could have been much more complex.
anyway. it happens.
i don't know man. this is the first book from a.j. demas that i didn't truly like. it felt like an unfinished draft, like the spark notes version of a story that could have been much more complex.
anyway. it happens.
June 21, 2024
"Men like you and Loukianos are a great boon to women like me, you know."
"W-we are?" He'd have thought it was the opposite.
"Oh, yes. One can't do all one's politicking in bed. It's handy to have men to deal with who don't expect it." [p. 98]
Hylas Mnemotios has come to the island of Tykanos to build a much-needed aqueduct. He's something of an innocent, in more ways than one, and is dismayed to find that he's been assigned a lodging in a tea-house, the eponymous House of the Red Balconies. Tykanos' tea-houses are its pride and joy: places where one can enjoy good food and drink, conversation and music -- and, for a consideration, the charms of the companions. Hylas finds himself sharing a garden with the companion Zo, the most beautiful person he's ever met. And Zo, with his mysterious past and his chronic illness, finds that Hylas is kind, unassuming, and willing to bring him his breakfast every day.
Hylas quickly becomes known in the house as Aqueduct Man, but his professional endeavours are frustrated by the unpredictable customs of Tykanos: the fact that he has to seek out the quartermaster's mistress to assemble a team of workers, the drunken outings to other tea-houses with his employer Loukianos, the gorgeous map of the island's water sources and piping which is wholly inaccurate. He begins to feel more comfortable in the House of the Red Balconies, despite its impoverishment, and despite its bad-tempered Mistress Aula. And he is enraptured by Zo's music: by Zo. But Mistress Aula demands that Zo find a wealthy patron, and Hylas doesn't even know when he's next getting paid ...
The House of the Red Balconies is a novel about kindness, friendship, secrets and mutual support; a slow-burning, sweet romance; and a cheering vision of a society in which same-sex love is regarded as natural and normal, and in which women, though precluded from formal power, find plenty of ways to exert influence. Demas' alt-Classical world, based on but not identical to the ancient Mediterranean, is full of the minutae that bring the best historical fiction to life: the romance novel that everyone's eager to read, lent to Hylas by Mutari (the quartermaster's mistress), the adjustments Zo's made to his room so that he can manage better on bad pain days, the gossip in the kitchen. I'm reminded of the little details in Rosemary Sutcliff's books that bring a lost world to life.
And I loved the alternation of Zo's and Hylas's narratives, and their complementary strengths and weaknesses. Hylas comes from Sparta-flavoured Ariata and has a lot to unlearn about toxic masculinity: Zo is from Persia-styled Zash, and left his identity, as well as his family, behind. Each man, at the beginning of the story, Is adrift, without connections or any sense of home: by the end of the novel they (and others) have found stability, security and love. The House of the Red Balconies is an absolute delight, highly recommended. The sign of a good novel, for me, is that on finishing it I immediately want to reread the author's other works: I've already reread most of Sword Dance, and I'm looking forward to rereading more by Demas this weekend.
Many thanks to the author for the review copy! UK publication date is 24th June 2024.
July 27, 2024
This book was truly gorgeous, with its historical Mediterranean-inspired setting, queer-normative and sex worker positive culture, well written characters and cosy plot.
Hylas has been hired to build an aqueduct on the island of Tykanos to improve their ailing water supply. He takes up lodgings in The Red Balconies, one of the Tea Houses on the island - a place where one can hire the time and attention of ‘companions’ who will play music, talk on a range of subjects and occasionally provide more intimate services.
Hylas knows he is attracted to men, but because of the stigma in his home country, he has never really thought about it or acted on it, until he meets the beautiful Zo, a companion in the Red Balconies. Zo is chronically ill and so often struggles with the social aspect of his job, but he enjoys gradually making friends with the quiet, respectful aqueduct man who has moved into the room beside his.
Honestly this book was such a pleasure to read. The angst was incredibly low (if any really) and the plot was sweet and engaging. Tykanos is a wonderful place where ‘anything by goes’ as it were in terms of relationships; all the characters are so supportive of each other and the found family aspect is on point. Don’t go into this book expecting action or thrills - it’s a lovely quiet look at a beautiful inclusive community on a beautiful island.
Read The House of the Red Balconies for:
✨ Queer historical romance
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Courtesan x engineer
✨ Low angst
✨ Slow burn
✨ Queer normative setting
✨ Sex worker positive narrative
✨ Sweet, cosy plot
✨ Virgin MC
✨ Idyllic Mediterranean setting
Hylas has been hired to build an aqueduct on the island of Tykanos to improve their ailing water supply. He takes up lodgings in The Red Balconies, one of the Tea Houses on the island - a place where one can hire the time and attention of ‘companions’ who will play music, talk on a range of subjects and occasionally provide more intimate services.
Hylas knows he is attracted to men, but because of the stigma in his home country, he has never really thought about it or acted on it, until he meets the beautiful Zo, a companion in the Red Balconies. Zo is chronically ill and so often struggles with the social aspect of his job, but he enjoys gradually making friends with the quiet, respectful aqueduct man who has moved into the room beside his.
Honestly this book was such a pleasure to read. The angst was incredibly low (if any really) and the plot was sweet and engaging. Tykanos is a wonderful place where ‘anything by goes’ as it were in terms of relationships; all the characters are so supportive of each other and the found family aspect is on point. Don’t go into this book expecting action or thrills - it’s a lovely quiet look at a beautiful inclusive community on a beautiful island.
Read The House of the Red Balconies for:
✨ Queer historical romance
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Courtesan x engineer
✨ Low angst
✨ Slow burn
✨ Queer normative setting
✨ Sex worker positive narrative
✨ Sweet, cosy plot
✨ Virgin MC
✨ Idyllic Mediterranean setting
October 10, 2024
I’m always excited to read more stories of A.J. Demas’ alt-ancient Mediterranean world. Demas’ books are each grounded in an authenticity that comes from good research yet are still completely unique, and The Red Balconies is no exception. This time we’re in Tykanos, an island ruled by Pheme, for a slow burn neighbors-to-friends-to-lovers romance between Hylas and Zo. There are complications and drama—things aren’t simple for our protagonists, but they’re countered by community and kindness, and the book left me feeling bright and happy.
Zo is disabled by chronic pain and fatigue, and as I am similarly disabled, I was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of that representation. From how misunderstood Zo’s health is, to how his symptoms flare and take from him, to how he masks them to pretend healthfulness for the benefit of others—it was so honest, and made Zo (and Hylas—who begins the book shy and uncertain, but shows up for him over and over again) seem all the more real.
Zo hides his past and his wariness behind beautiful gestures and a perfect mask, but still gets snippy when he’s tired. Hylas, who worked hard to survive his repressive, violent homeland, is so kind and determined. He finds what needs to be done or fixed and just does it, and shows up for Zo and his neighbors as he slowly finds his way back to the queer self he hid to survive.
I loved the setting of the communal not-brothel Tea Houses and Companions. Consent and intimacy are handled with care (as usual), and the romance is exciting, joyful and satisfying.
Zo is disabled by chronic pain and fatigue, and as I am similarly disabled, I was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of that representation. From how misunderstood Zo’s health is, to how his symptoms flare and take from him, to how he masks them to pretend healthfulness for the benefit of others—it was so honest, and made Zo (and Hylas—who begins the book shy and uncertain, but shows up for him over and over again) seem all the more real.
Zo hides his past and his wariness behind beautiful gestures and a perfect mask, but still gets snippy when he’s tired. Hylas, who worked hard to survive his repressive, violent homeland, is so kind and determined. He finds what needs to be done or fixed and just does it, and shows up for Zo and his neighbors as he slowly finds his way back to the queer self he hid to survive.
I loved the setting of the communal not-brothel Tea Houses and Companions. Consent and intimacy are handled with care (as usual), and the romance is exciting, joyful and satisfying.
April 30, 2025
"He was happy. He knew that his happiness couldn't last, but happiness never did, any more than pain. The only thing to do was to cherish it while you could."
ع˖⁺ ☁⋆ ୭ 🕊.⋆｡⋆༶⋆˙⊹
a slow burn, slice of life romance that got me craving tea and milk buns. literally. they had tea and bread together every morning, chatting as the sun rose, which is the pinnacle of domestic bliss if i ever saw one 😭 may this kind of life kidnap me
it is otherwise a pretty light read, but nothing i would probably think about from next week. the age gap (~20 years) is kinda crazy but it's wholesome enough that i'll let it slide...
ع˖⁺ ☁⋆ ୭ 🕊.⋆｡⋆༶⋆˙⊹
a slow burn, slice of life romance that got me craving tea and milk buns. literally. they had tea and bread together every morning, chatting as the sun rose, which is the pinnacle of domestic bliss if i ever saw one 😭 may this kind of life kidnap me
it is otherwise a pretty light read, but nothing i would probably think about from next week. the age gap (~20 years) is kinda crazy but it's wholesome enough that i'll let it slide...
September 16, 2024
a man arrives at a peaceful little island to build an aqueduct.
spoiler alert: by the end of the book, he still hasn't built an aqueduct.
this is a cozy, vibes-over-plot, relatively quick read, and frankly, just what I needed. the ending is teeth-rottingly sweet, I dare say even a bit too much, but it's also quite fitting of, well, the entirety of the book. definitely a good choice for anyone in the mood for a cozy romance.
spoiler alert: by the end of the book, he still hasn't built an aqueduct.
this is a cozy, vibes-over-plot, relatively quick read, and frankly, just what I needed. the ending is teeth-rottingly sweet, I dare say even a bit too much, but it's also quite fitting of, well, the entirety of the book. definitely a good choice for anyone in the mood for a cozy romance.
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