An Uncommon Alignment

An Unlikely Alliance #3

by Ellie Thomas

Sequel to An Increasing Entanglement

After the adventures of the spring of 1808 in Regency London, while beginning to fall in love, Clem Metcalfe, Abe Pengelly, and Humphrey Atkinson have the entire summer to consolidate their romantic relationship.

But change is already afoot. Abe has distanced himself from his criminal past, now gainfully employed at the military headquarters of Horse Guards, sifting through valuable information to further the cause of the long war against France. Humphrey, at the whim of his beloved Aunt Cece, might have to depart from London and his lovers for the countryside together with the rest of high society. And Clem is studying hard for his longed-for reinstatement at Oxford University in the autumn, which will inevitably mean leaving his lovers at a distance.

While the trio juggles their everyday routines, a shadow from the past reappears to threaten their harmony. Can Clem, Abe, and Humphrey thwart their mutual enemy for good? And might they finally have a chance to reach their happy ever after?

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2024

About the author

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes MM historical romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Reviews

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific story that's penned so beautifully. This is a slice of life for these three men dealing with their day-to-day over the summer months. They are all moving forward in their lives and it was nice to just read about their on-goings. When Abe decides to study the art of boxing, it comes in handy when they meet up with an old foe. Farquarson is finally dealt with properly in this story, and it was satisfying watching him get his comeuppance after what he did in the prior story. I loved Lucy's comment when asked if Abe killed him. The support of both Lucy and Cece in regards to this trio of men is just superb, especially given the time period this is written in. I love that they are both mother hens and don't take any back talk from anyone, especially the three men. I liked Travers role in this story and feel like he may one day have his own story too. He seems like an interesting character who has something to tell and a love to find of his own. This story has the perfect ending to the summer and leaves the reader with the knowledge that this trio will be happy together long into the future.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So we meet Clem, Abe and Humphrey, in their third tale, all seems well, life is rolling along smoothly, and their love for each other continues to stay strong. Abe's pugilist past resurfaces, much to Humphrey's delight and Clem's despair but it soon becomes a godsend when a dangerous figure from the past returns to London. I really love these three men, their devotion to each other, their strengths, and the cute way they get when they are slightly drunk, I can only hope we may see them again.

[Ay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an m/m/m trilogy. It is a very pleasant and comfortable reread.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love reading the books from Ellie Thomas. She writes the most delightful novellas about men and their relationships in historical times. I am always impressed by how much she manages to write into her stories without them ever feeling rushed.

This book is a follow up to her first book about Clem, Abe and Humphrey. As much as they want to be together life seems to be pulling them in different directions. I think Ms Thomas does a marvelous job of writing a story about how difficult things would have been back then and yet she writes believable happy endings. I really enjoyed visiting with these guys again and I hope that they bug Ms Thomas into telling more of their tale.

[Colin Dereham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, the author delivers her trademark charming period MM romance, replete with impeccably-researched detail, elegant prose and meticulous mastery of language. The finely-drawn characters of Clem, Abe and Humphrey are given life well beyond their respective word counts, and the sweet intensity of their connection resounds throughout this quaint, low-angst tale of three diverse hearts that find solace in each other. Fade to grey encounters are adorned with subtle hints of the steamy activities they encompass—with broad brush strokes, the author paints a scarlet picture and allows us to fill in the gaps. Very befitting, given the dignified tone she has so carefully crafted.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clem, Abe, and Humphrey return here and there’s a vividness to their emotions and experiences that makes the nuances of who they are and how they relate to each other feel deeply real here. These were already some of my favorite characters from this author, and it’s nice to see them again here, growing in their relationship and putting to rest some dangling plot threads (looking at you here, Farquarson). Gentle note to start with the previous stories in the series if you haven’t already: they, like this one, are well worth the read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abe, Clem and Humphrey have overcome some overwhelming odds and are still very much together and in love.
Abe, however is feeling somewhat nostalgic about his past.
Not for it's dangerous dealings but simply because he feels stifled at his new job, mainly chained to his desk.
He misses the freedom of movement and so his boss, Travers suggests that he try some amateur boxing.
He really enjoys it but it upsets Clem and brings back terrible memories of his near death scrape.
This shows the three of them learning to love, respect and live together.
I loved Abe's mom and Humphrey's aunt, they were both such strong, independent woman who loved and supported all three of them fiercely.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Uncommon Alignment - The Trio

‘Clem kissed Abe and stroked himself. For once, he didn’t need to be the centre of attention. This was between Abe and Humphrey, to make amends and shore up their feelings for each other. As Abe’s face twisted in passion, Clem mulled over the give and take of mastery and respect. This, he thought, is love.’

Ellie Thomas writes sincere historical romance that reaches into the darker nooks and crannies, where hidden love was dangerous, yet still as exciting and heartfelt.

This trio of men have found a strong connection that is shared through both emotional harmony and clashes of differences, which gives readers a fantastic fictional reality.