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Mechanical Universe #3
Winter's Bees
Lord Marcel de la Mont de Anges, the Marquis de Montespan is a brilliant mathematician, member of the mechanical animation movement and all around dandy. He's been in love with shy, quiet entomologist and youngest member of the royal family, Prince Gilbert André XVI, since they were children. The Emperor's plans to arrange a marriage between Marcel and Gilbert should have been the answer to all his secret fantasies.
But Gilbert is still reeling from a nasty breakup, and he cannot picture the man he regards as a brother becoming his lover. The order to marry has thrown their relationship into disorder, and if they cannot sort out the changes there may not even be a friendship left for them to save...
But Gilbert is still reeling from a nasty breakup, and he cannot picture the man he regards as a brother becoming his lover. The order to marry has thrown their relationship into disorder, and if they cannot sort out the changes there may not even be a friendship left for them to save...
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
183 people want to read
About the author
E.E. Ottoman
29 books348 followerswrites romance novels, wears pretty clothes, does history stuff.
he/him/his
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 24, 2015
I love EE Ottoman's writing. I love the worldbuilding, and the realistic, insecure characters nervously feeling their way through to one another, and the odd passions, and the secrets. It's a lovely novella and as ever, I wanted more, longer, deeper. I want a full-length EE Ottoman novel and to see what they do on a bigger stage, pushing the characters further and harder. But for now, this will do very nicely.
I have to say, though, the proofreading is really not good enough, and I hope the publishers address this forthwith, because they have not served the book as it deserves.
I have to say, though, the proofreading is really not good enough, and I hope the publishers address this forthwith, because they have not served the book as it deserves.
January 1, 2015
I've read a fair share of E.E Ottoman's work, and I think this is one of the best pieces I've read by them. It centers around a marriage of convenience, but Marcel has been in love with Gilbert for years. The tension this causes is absolutely delicious.
I felt like my heart was close to breaking through most of this novella, which was just what I wanted when I curled up with this book. Marcel and Gilbert navigate their relation in awkward and clumsy ways, but it never feels like that awkwardness becomes too much. And of course, we do get our happy ending as a reader.
As a side note, as a reader I really appreciated the fact that Gilbert was not presented as traditionally attractive. This is a point of view that I feel is badly neglected in romance fiction, and was welcome. Marcel is disabled, and it was the same thing, the representation was valuable, and never once felt like Ottoman was checking off boxes for diversity, or playing either fact for readers. Excellent work.
I felt like my heart was close to breaking through most of this novella, which was just what I wanted when I curled up with this book. Marcel and Gilbert navigate their relation in awkward and clumsy ways, but it never feels like that awkwardness becomes too much. And of course, we do get our happy ending as a reader.
As a side note, as a reader I really appreciated the fact that Gilbert was not presented as traditionally attractive. This is a point of view that I feel is badly neglected in romance fiction, and was welcome. Marcel is disabled, and it was the same thing, the representation was valuable, and never once felt like Ottoman was checking off boxes for diversity, or playing either fact for readers. Excellent work.
February 6, 2023
DNF @ 42%
This one didn't work for me at all. A small but very annoying problem is that there are way too many characters whose names/titles start with the letter M. We have Marcel who is either called Marcel or the Marquis de Montespan, his mother is the Marquise de Montespan and another character is the Marquis de la Marches. Why is the author obsessed with names/titles that start with M?!? It was very confusing and I couldn't keep the characters straight.
Another minor issue is that Marcel has physical disabilities (he was born missing one arm and with a deformed leg so he wears an arm prosthetic and walks with the use of a cane) but this wasn't a big part of the plot. Since he's had these disabilities since the day he was born, it made sense that they weren't a big focus in the story but it was still disappointing. Granted, I have no idea if his disabilities became a bigger thing later but I read nearly half of it and there was little focus on them.
Another missed opportunity was that this world combines science and magic, yet neither of the two MCs have anything to do with magic. They're both scientists, which is great but it means the magic aspect was wasted and the story could have been an ordinary historical romance set in a fictional country. That being said, I'm not sure if magic was a bigger part of the previous books in the series (which I'm not interested in) so this was a minor annoyance.
By far, my biggest problem is that the story was really boring. I read nearly half of it and the MCs hadn't even gotten married yet so my hopes that the arranged marriage would be a big focus in the story faded fast. Also, there is way too much page time given to other characters and the description of buildings/clothes/furniture. This story is short so I hated having those pages being wasted on pointless stuff.
In addition to this, the romance progressed in small bursts that seemed forced. For example, throughout the first half of the story Gilbert and Marcel have agreed to get married but they've never let the other person know about their feelings towards them. Then at 42%, Marcel randomly kisses Gilbert out of the blue and then he runs out of the room afterwards. It was rushed, forced and Marcel's immature reaction afterwards made this seem like a rom-com and that's not my thing.
This one didn't work for me at all. A small but very annoying problem is that there are way too many characters whose names/titles start with the letter M. We have Marcel who is either called Marcel or the Marquis de Montespan, his mother is the Marquise de Montespan and another character is the Marquis de la Marches. Why is the author obsessed with names/titles that start with M?!? It was very confusing and I couldn't keep the characters straight.
Another minor issue is that Marcel has physical disabilities (he was born missing one arm and with a deformed leg so he wears an arm prosthetic and walks with the use of a cane) but this wasn't a big part of the plot. Since he's had these disabilities since the day he was born, it made sense that they weren't a big focus in the story but it was still disappointing. Granted, I have no idea if his disabilities became a bigger thing later but I read nearly half of it and there was little focus on them.
Another missed opportunity was that this world combines science and magic, yet neither of the two MCs have anything to do with magic. They're both scientists, which is great but it means the magic aspect was wasted and the story could have been an ordinary historical romance set in a fictional country. That being said, I'm not sure if magic was a bigger part of the previous books in the series (which I'm not interested in) so this was a minor annoyance.
By far, my biggest problem is that the story was really boring. I read nearly half of it and the MCs hadn't even gotten married yet so my hopes that the arranged marriage would be a big focus in the story faded fast. Also, there is way too much page time given to other characters and the description of buildings/clothes/furniture. This story is short so I hated having those pages being wasted on pointless stuff.
In addition to this, the romance progressed in small bursts that seemed forced. For example, throughout the first half of the story Gilbert and Marcel have agreed to get married but they've never let the other person know about their feelings towards them. Then at 42%, Marcel randomly kisses Gilbert out of the blue and then he runs out of the room afterwards. It was rushed, forced and Marcel's immature reaction afterwards made this seem like a rom-com and that's not my thing.
May 4, 2017
Bizarre alternative universe (C18th France?), with oddly beguiling characters. For a novella, this is richly written fare and, as this appears to be one of a series, I shall definitely look out other books. Not least because I don't quite know what to make of this on its own. I veered between thinking it pretentious and charming.
No, it is charming.
I think.
Note - the cover is delightful, but the proof reading is atroshus.
No, it is charming.
I think.
Note - the cover is delightful, but the proof reading is atroshus.
June 8, 2022
3 stars.
Perhaps I would have been better served by not jumping in the middle of this series. The world-building was quite nebulous to me, though very interesting.
My main complaint is that I struggled to keep these two characters straight. I never went more than 24 hours between reading sessions, and yet when I opened the book each time it took me several times to relearn which man was the son of the king, which was in love with the other, which had a prosthetic arm, which loved bugs, etc. They had all these characteristics which on the surface should have separated them, yet they felt really quite similar.
Also, despite its short length, it somehow managed to feel quite repetitive.
Contains: son of king + marquis, arranged marriage, childhood best friends, pining, magic, steampunk-esque, world seemingly without sexism or homophobia, French history inspired, scarred hero, hero with prosthetic arm and cane, sexy dreams, wank, mathematician hero, entomologist hero
Steam 2 (1 scene together, a few dreams/imaginings/wanks)
Perhaps I would have been better served by not jumping in the middle of this series. The world-building was quite nebulous to me, though very interesting.
My main complaint is that I struggled to keep these two characters straight. I never went more than 24 hours between reading sessions, and yet when I opened the book each time it took me several times to relearn which man was the son of the king, which was in love with the other, which had a prosthetic arm, which loved bugs, etc. They had all these characteristics which on the surface should have separated them, yet they felt really quite similar.
Also, despite its short length, it somehow managed to feel quite repetitive.
Contains: son of king + marquis, arranged marriage, childhood best friends, pining, magic, steampunk-esque, world seemingly without sexism or homophobia, French history inspired, scarred hero, hero with prosthetic arm and cane, sexy dreams, wank, mathematician hero, entomologist hero
Steam 2 (1 scene together, a few dreams/imaginings/wanks)
February 20, 2015
This short novella is less a fantasy in the genre sense than in the aspirational sense: there isn't much room for world-building, but the world established allows for a certain kind of story. In this case, it's an arranged political marriage between two men.
Marcel and Gilbert both have mixed feelings when told they're expected to marry. Gilbert doesn't want to deprive his closest friend of the possibility of a love match. But Marcel, unbeknownst to Gilbert, has always hoped to marry him. I liked the bit of trope reversal here: scientist Gilbert is what we'd call nerdy, and not conventionally attractive. (His nickname is The Frog Prince.) But the popular, sophisticated Marcel has been pining for him for years.
This is a gentle, tender story, with mostly internal conflict. I like the slightly fantastical details, such as Marcel's collection of prosthetic arms. (He was born with a twisted leg and no left arm.) As a courtier and a dandy, he enjoys accessorizing, even using arms that are purely decorative:
Marcel chose his clothes carefully. The arm he chose to go with his outfit was made from black metal intricately sculpted to look like a tree with its roots twining around his shoulder, the branches stretching down to where they became fingers.
Marcel's disability isn't ignored -- it sometimes causes him difficulties -- but it is treated fairly casually as just part of his life.
This isn't a story with a great deal of oomph, but it's a pleasant world to spend some time in.
Marcel and Gilbert both have mixed feelings when told they're expected to marry. Gilbert doesn't want to deprive his closest friend of the possibility of a love match. But Marcel, unbeknownst to Gilbert, has always hoped to marry him. I liked the bit of trope reversal here: scientist Gilbert is what we'd call nerdy, and not conventionally attractive. (His nickname is The Frog Prince.) But the popular, sophisticated Marcel has been pining for him for years.
This is a gentle, tender story, with mostly internal conflict. I like the slightly fantastical details, such as Marcel's collection of prosthetic arms. (He was born with a twisted leg and no left arm.) As a courtier and a dandy, he enjoys accessorizing, even using arms that are purely decorative:
Marcel chose his clothes carefully. The arm he chose to go with his outfit was made from black metal intricately sculpted to look like a tree with its roots twining around his shoulder, the branches stretching down to where they became fingers.
Marcel's disability isn't ignored -- it sometimes causes him difficulties -- but it is treated fairly casually as just part of his life.
This isn't a story with a great deal of oomph, but it's a pleasant world to spend some time in.
March 4, 2015
*Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Winter’s Bees is a painfully slow burn friends-to-lovers tale that falls into the familiar traps of mis- and lack of communication to propel this story to its 99 pages. What sets this apart is the particularly sensuous writing, though there is hardly enough world building to flesh characters out. (Perhaps the world is better explained in the earlier, if unrelated, books in the series?) In any case, this novella traces the engagement, unrequited love, marriage, and eventual happy ending between two life-long friends, Marcel and Gilbert, with dramatic flair from a fantastical royal court.
I first came across E.E. Ottoman in their fantastic essay, “Why We Need Trans Romance”, posted as a part of Queer Romance Month last October; the article was extremely important discussion about celebrating everyone under the queer umbrella and specifically challenging the common trans romance narratives/tragedies. I was definitely intrigued what stories this author would cook up.
Unfortunately Winter’s Bees did not leave a good impression. The story was tedious, the dialogue at times was stilted, and the chemistry wasn’t, well… there.
Lastly I can’t talk about Winter’s Bees without mentioning my middle school French textbook, because every picture in it featured a) representatives from each continent, b) equal ratios of boys to girls and c) at least one person in a wheelchair. On principle, I applaud efforts of inclusion and political correctness. But there’s a fine line - I suppose it differs for everyone - between subverting stereotypes and tokenism. And to me the characters in this book appear superficial, awkward, and forced, much like those in the ’99 edition of Discovering French! Level 1. Between their unconventional looks, birth defects (missing and stunted limbs), uncharismatic personalities, and family situations, Marcel and Gilbert left me more confused than inspired, especially because their differences from the “norm” were never explored, nor truly characterized either of them. Maybe my prejudice is showing. I don’t know.
I just wasn’t impressed by this novel.
Winter’s Bees is a painfully slow burn friends-to-lovers tale that falls into the familiar traps of mis- and lack of communication to propel this story to its 99 pages. What sets this apart is the particularly sensuous writing, though there is hardly enough world building to flesh characters out. (Perhaps the world is better explained in the earlier, if unrelated, books in the series?) In any case, this novella traces the engagement, unrequited love, marriage, and eventual happy ending between two life-long friends, Marcel and Gilbert, with dramatic flair from a fantastical royal court.
I first came across E.E. Ottoman in their fantastic essay, “Why We Need Trans Romance”, posted as a part of Queer Romance Month last October; the article was extremely important discussion about celebrating everyone under the queer umbrella and specifically challenging the common trans romance narratives/tragedies. I was definitely intrigued what stories this author would cook up.
Unfortunately Winter’s Bees did not leave a good impression. The story was tedious, the dialogue at times was stilted, and the chemistry wasn’t, well… there.
Lastly I can’t talk about Winter’s Bees without mentioning my middle school French textbook, because every picture in it featured a) representatives from each continent, b) equal ratios of boys to girls and c) at least one person in a wheelchair. On principle, I applaud efforts of inclusion and political correctness. But there’s a fine line - I suppose it differs for everyone - between subverting stereotypes and tokenism. And to me the characters in this book appear superficial, awkward, and forced, much like those in the ’99 edition of Discovering French! Level 1. Between their unconventional looks, birth defects (missing and stunted limbs), uncharismatic personalities, and family situations, Marcel and Gilbert left me more confused than inspired, especially because their differences from the “norm” were never explored, nor truly characterized either of them. Maybe my prejudice is showing. I don’t know.
I just wasn’t impressed by this novel.
April 4, 2015
The first thing I will note is that Winter Bees is a true ‘old school’ romance, and although set in a ‘steampunk’ universe that plays little part in this novella, as the themes are timeless. The covers in this series are likewise ‘old school’ romance and perfect for the world E.E. Ottoman has created.
In a world where same sex marriage is just ‘marriage’, two boyhood friends are chosen by their parents to marry each other. Arranged marriage is not a cultural part of this world, but this concerns a Marquis, Marcel and younger son of the Emperor, Gilbert. This is a joining of powerful families and royalty…
The essence of this story is that Marcel has loved Gilbert, in the romantic sense, since their young teens, whilst Gilbert loves Marcel, as a brother. Their arranged marriage brings this situation out in the open between the men, and the story’s internal conflict arises from this.
I loved that sexuality, is a non issue. I loved that both protagonists were, perceived, as flawed physically in some way. I loved it’s gentility and the descriptions of rooms and scenery, which mirror moods. I loved the sensual build up and sexual tension between the two men.
I would love a longer novel version, so the characters could have been fleshed out a little bit with some external conflict maybe.
I didn’t like the ‘misunderstanding’ / ‘misinterpretation’ of each other’s motives or thoughts. This trope is overused generally, and not this reader’s favourite.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the kind a reader can lose themselves in, and I already have the previous two novellas in this series on my kindle to read.
I will finish with a note to the publisher…the proofreading did not do justice to this work.
In a world where same sex marriage is just ‘marriage’, two boyhood friends are chosen by their parents to marry each other. Arranged marriage is not a cultural part of this world, but this concerns a Marquis, Marcel and younger son of the Emperor, Gilbert. This is a joining of powerful families and royalty…
The essence of this story is that Marcel has loved Gilbert, in the romantic sense, since their young teens, whilst Gilbert loves Marcel, as a brother. Their arranged marriage brings this situation out in the open between the men, and the story’s internal conflict arises from this.
I loved that sexuality, is a non issue. I loved that both protagonists were, perceived, as flawed physically in some way. I loved it’s gentility and the descriptions of rooms and scenery, which mirror moods. I loved the sensual build up and sexual tension between the two men.
I would love a longer novel version, so the characters could have been fleshed out a little bit with some external conflict maybe.
I didn’t like the ‘misunderstanding’ / ‘misinterpretation’ of each other’s motives or thoughts. This trope is overused generally, and not this reader’s favourite.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive, the kind a reader can lose themselves in, and I already have the previous two novellas in this series on my kindle to read.
I will finish with a note to the publisher…the proofreading did not do justice to this work.
March 1, 2018
Not bad, but could use a really good grammar editor.
'Apart' does not mean 'a part of', it means separate from!
June 12, 2016
I still don’t know how to review Winter’s Bees, which is really frustrating for me. I can’t even say if I liked the book or not and have myself tied in a knot here. There are defintely things that I loved, so I’m gonna start with them.
I love the Mechanical Universe that EE has created in this series. I’ve already written about this in my reviews for A Matter of Disagreement and Duende. It’s like a mixture of our past and a future that is hopefully to come. For example, we still have arranged marriages and loyalty, but same-sex marriage isn’t frowned upon, and there is some magical science, too :-)
I love the characters that EE creates. They are unique in appearance, likes, and emotions. In Winter’s Bees one of the protagonists, Marcel, only has one arm and he limps, but he wears this super cool fashionable protheseses. Gilbert on the other hand loves insects and spends his days researching them, but has not that great social skills.
Marcel and Gilbert have been best friends forever, they have loved each other forever, but only Marcel is in love with Gilbert. When their parents arrange their marriage, which is a politically one, things start to get really uncomfortable for them. Because their feelings towards each other are not the same. Because they deeply care for each other and don’t want to do the other any harm. Because they are afraid to be hurt or hurt the other. Because they can’t talk to each other openly, at least not the whole time.
Gosh, that was so hard to read for me. I have really, really problems to read about people who can’t communicate. Most of the times, it’s easy, though. It’s sprung upon me as angst, and I can easily just dislike it. In Winter’s Bees, however, it fits the situation and it fits the characters, which leads to me not enjoying the read, but also not having an easy out through hating the angst. —> Dilemma
Apart from that, I think this books could have been better edited. The flow was somehow missing and the end was too short.
And this one goes out to the proof-reader: I’m sorry, but you did a shitty job. There were so many typos and wrong or missing words, even character names were switched at one point.
So I conclude with: I want those earrings!
***
This book counts for my following reading challenges 2015:
- 100 books in total
- 20 books about a marginalised group
- 20 buddy reads
December 5, 2018
There's something you need to know about me: I love pining. There's no quicker way to get me totally invested in a couple than have one of them secretly in love with the other for years and unwilling to say anything about it. I feel that too many books pass this up in favor of insta-love/lust. And to me, that's just not the same emotionally. The way the pining was done here was very, very nice, what with them being best friends, both of them feeling guilty and just the emotional connection. I was going to complain a bit about the 'grab and kiss' - but the person that did it realized that he shouldn't have and definitely apologized for it. He realized that what he did wasn't cool at all. (Special mention must also be made that one of the main characters is not commonly considered good looking and the other one has some physical birth defects and that adds up to be a rather unique take on a genre that often gets beautiful people and no one else.)
Honestly, everything about the story is delightful, except for one: it desperately needs an editor. Several sentences are all mixed up, there's a few incorrect words and twice one of the love interest's name (Gilbert) was mixed up with a supporting character's name (Gregory). Beyond that, lovely, lovely story.
Honestly, everything about the story is delightful, except for one: it desperately needs an editor. Several sentences are all mixed up, there's a few incorrect words and twice one of the love interest's name (Gilbert) was mixed up with a supporting character's name (Gregory). Beyond that, lovely, lovely story.
August 19, 2015
So this was planned as a buddy read with Mel and Maarja, but I had fail. Will read now!
~finished~
So, this was a lovely, angsty read about best friends strong armed into arranged marriage, where they are both so sensitive about hurting each other's feelings that they don't dare come clean on their own feelings. Gilbert sees himself as unattractive, but through Marcel's eyes, we get a different point of view.
I enjoyed the story and the characters, but because of the many typos and lacking proof reading, I'm detracting half a star. 3.5
~finished~
So, this was a lovely, angsty read about best friends strong armed into arranged marriage, where they are both so sensitive about hurting each other's feelings that they don't dare come clean on their own feelings. Gilbert sees himself as unattractive, but through Marcel's eyes, we get a different point of view.
I enjoyed the story and the characters, but because of the many typos and lacking proof reading, I'm detracting half a star. 3.5
December 12, 2014
Lovely, just lovely
Review to follow
Want to read all the others in this universe now
Review to follow
Want to read all the others in this universe now
February 4, 2015
This is the first book I've read from this author that I actually loved! Everything worked here, and I'm SO happy for that!
July 2, 2015
Needs more editing and I didn't care for the lack of honest communication
March 13, 2017
There was something enchanting about this story that, strangely, seems really hard to find in other contemporary works of fiction. I was hooked right from the start--a setting that reminds me of the French countryside and its lavish palaces, and an unspoken love story between two men? Sign me up, I declare!
I'd never read anything from E.E. Ottoman before, and only discovered Winter's Bees by chance, but I've found that most good things tend to happen by chance.
Still, looking past the beautiful setting and the plot, I was pretty much immediately drawn to the main characters:
Gilbert had been posed in a garden, encircled by flowering bushes. In one hand, he held the Royal Writ for the Funding of Scientific Study. With the other hand, he pointed to a rose blossom on which a winged insect had settled, glittering in the sunlight.
[...]He smiled looking up at the portrait. Gilbert had been so mortified by the painting, but he could never understand why.
Marcel and Gilbert felt right to me, with their nearly contrasting personalities yet incredibly amiable qualities. They weren't perfect or all-powerful, and their flaws made them relatable. I just wanted to reach through my computer screen and hug them both.
By that same token, there were quite a few times when I wished that they would just communicate their concerns, instead of internalizing them. However, I know from firsthand experience that relationships can be damned complicated, even if you are dealing with a friend. So I think E.E. Ottoman captured that well.
The story itself was almost entirely (if not wholly) centered around them, and other elements fell back into the background. That being said, if anyone wanted to read Winter's Bees with the expectation of grandiose world building and a multitude of layered supporting or side characters, they'd be disappointed.
Regardless of that, I absolutely enjoyed reading this. It was beautiful, it was thought-provoking, and I was left feeling satisfied. More than that, it was good to step into a world where a relationship between two men was accepted and treated with dignity, rather than as taboo. To me, E.E. Ottoman's writing, characters, and story, are comparable to a glittering gem in a sea of too many predictable and tired plots.
As a final note, I would have gone with 5 stars instead of 4, but there was a visible lack of editing somewhere along the way, which kind of took me out of the story at times.
I'd never read anything from E.E. Ottoman before, and only discovered Winter's Bees by chance, but I've found that most good things tend to happen by chance.
Still, looking past the beautiful setting and the plot, I was pretty much immediately drawn to the main characters:
Gilbert had been posed in a garden, encircled by flowering bushes. In one hand, he held the Royal Writ for the Funding of Scientific Study. With the other hand, he pointed to a rose blossom on which a winged insect had settled, glittering in the sunlight.
[...]He smiled looking up at the portrait. Gilbert had been so mortified by the painting, but he could never understand why.
Marcel and Gilbert felt right to me, with their nearly contrasting personalities yet incredibly amiable qualities. They weren't perfect or all-powerful, and their flaws made them relatable. I just wanted to reach through my computer screen and hug them both.
By that same token, there were quite a few times when I wished that they would just communicate their concerns, instead of internalizing them. However, I know from firsthand experience that relationships can be damned complicated, even if you are dealing with a friend. So I think E.E. Ottoman captured that well.
The story itself was almost entirely (if not wholly) centered around them, and other elements fell back into the background. That being said, if anyone wanted to read Winter's Bees with the expectation of grandiose world building and a multitude of layered supporting or side characters, they'd be disappointed.
Regardless of that, I absolutely enjoyed reading this. It was beautiful, it was thought-provoking, and I was left feeling satisfied. More than that, it was good to step into a world where a relationship between two men was accepted and treated with dignity, rather than as taboo. To me, E.E. Ottoman's writing, characters, and story, are comparable to a glittering gem in a sea of too many predictable and tired plots.
As a final note, I would have gone with 5 stars instead of 4, but there was a visible lack of editing somewhere along the way, which kind of took me out of the story at times.
December 4, 2017
Ok, look, there's a lot that I really like about Ottoman's writing. In general I'm a fan of stories about overall nice people having trouble getting together because of personality conflicts (as opposed to some sort of Romeo/Juliet situation or one person is a jerk for funsies), but I spent a lot of time while reading this book desperately trying to astral project myself into the story so that I could yell at the characters to USE. THEIR. WORDS.
To be fair to Ottoman, it was completely believable how the characters got to the point of refusing to talk to each other (for m o n t h s omg) and honestly none of this is anything against the author's writing. Like, I feel a little bad writing a complain-y review of this book but this is the sort of thing I'd like to know before I read something and I decided a while ago the main reason for me to write out reviews would be if I had something to say beyond what you could figure out from the blurb.
Apparently what happens if a trope I dislike is well written is that I brood for days about it.
To be fair to Ottoman, it was completely believable how the characters got to the point of refusing to talk to each other (for m o n t h s omg) and honestly none of this is anything against the author's writing. Like, I feel a little bad writing a complain-y review of this book but this is the sort of thing I'd like to know before I read something and I decided a while ago the main reason for me to write out reviews would be if I had something to say beyond what you could figure out from the blurb.
Apparently what happens if a trope I dislike is well written is that I brood for days about it.
August 4, 2017
I liked #1 better, but this one was not bad.
July 22, 2022
3.5
Above average. A slow and tender story with a frustrating lack of communication between the two MCs.
Above average. A slow and tender story with a frustrating lack of communication between the two MCs.
June 12, 2017
Winter's Bees was my favorite of the three. It was longer and the world-building started to be more solid and began to compliment the romantic plot. This is the point I got sad there is no more novels in Mechanical Universe. I wish E.E. Ottoman will write full-leigh novel in this world. I think it could turn an exciting read. The love story was adorable. And it possesses 2 of my most favorite tropes: arranged marriage and what I call “painful misunderstanding”. Both were dealt by the author most excellently. The thing that I appreciated the most in the series is how inclusive it is. We had transgender character, castrato, characters of different nationalities, disabled character and lots of strong, accomplished female side characters. In overall the series was very nice and with much potential.
May 4, 2016
This series just keeps getting better and better.
Marcel and Gilbert (both of whom have ridiculously long titles that I am not going to reproduce) have been the best of friends for a long time. Marcel has been gone for the last several years, studying abroad, but they have kept in contact through letters. Those letters didn’t however contain some rather pertinent information: One, that Marcel has been in love with Gilbert since they were still teens, and Two, that Gilbert had fallen in love with someone else-–someone who ended up breaking his heart. When Marcel returns home, and find that the Emperor has proposed that his son, Gilbert, and Marcel become married, Marcel thinks it is his dream come true. Unfortunately, Gilbert, still heartbroken, can’t even think about loving anyone else, let alone a man who he has only ever considered a brother and a friend.
But the Emperor has had his say, and married they will be. They can only hope that this marriage will not be the thing that breaks what has taken years to create.
I had picked up the first book of this series on a whim. I hadn’t known the author, and had no idea what to expect. As the series has gone on, I have come to love this world created here, and I look forward to each new book written. This one is slightly different than the previous two. Not only is it a bit longer, but it also has much less sex. Instead it focuses mainly on the relationship between the two characters-–both the old friendship and the new growing attraction. The first two books were smoking hot, and I loved that about them, but this one is a slow-burn romance that leaves you happily sighing at the end, instead of panting for breath. Both have their merits, but I find I am more of a slow-burn type of gal, so this was a nice surprise.
And of course the world here is just fantastic. I absolutely love how it isn’t just a bunch of cookie-cutter MCs, all white and tall and practically perfect in every single way. Different races, different genders, some differently-abled…you are never left bored with the characters given to you in this world. It is a enchanting fantasy world that I am not sure has its equal anywhere else (or, atleast, not that I have read).
I truly hope that E.E. Ottman has many more stories planed for this series, because I have a feeling I will be happily reading them all.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Marcel and Gilbert (both of whom have ridiculously long titles that I am not going to reproduce) have been the best of friends for a long time. Marcel has been gone for the last several years, studying abroad, but they have kept in contact through letters. Those letters didn’t however contain some rather pertinent information: One, that Marcel has been in love with Gilbert since they were still teens, and Two, that Gilbert had fallen in love with someone else-–someone who ended up breaking his heart. When Marcel returns home, and find that the Emperor has proposed that his son, Gilbert, and Marcel become married, Marcel thinks it is his dream come true. Unfortunately, Gilbert, still heartbroken, can’t even think about loving anyone else, let alone a man who he has only ever considered a brother and a friend.
But the Emperor has had his say, and married they will be. They can only hope that this marriage will not be the thing that breaks what has taken years to create.
I had picked up the first book of this series on a whim. I hadn’t known the author, and had no idea what to expect. As the series has gone on, I have come to love this world created here, and I look forward to each new book written. This one is slightly different than the previous two. Not only is it a bit longer, but it also has much less sex. Instead it focuses mainly on the relationship between the two characters-–both the old friendship and the new growing attraction. The first two books were smoking hot, and I loved that about them, but this one is a slow-burn romance that leaves you happily sighing at the end, instead of panting for breath. Both have their merits, but I find I am more of a slow-burn type of gal, so this was a nice surprise.
And of course the world here is just fantastic. I absolutely love how it isn’t just a bunch of cookie-cutter MCs, all white and tall and practically perfect in every single way. Different races, different genders, some differently-abled…you are never left bored with the characters given to you in this world. It is a enchanting fantasy world that I am not sure has its equal anywhere else (or, atleast, not that I have read).
I truly hope that E.E. Ottman has many more stories planed for this series, because I have a feeling I will be happily reading them all.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
March 1, 2017
This was angsty as f*ck, but I absolutely loved it.
February 6, 2015
I have to start off by saying – I love the world EE Ottoman has built. I had to go back and read Duende, the second in the series, after I read this because I missed it. In this story, Marcel, the Marquis de Montespan, has been in love with his best friend, Prince Gilbert, for years. Gilbert is very introverted and rather plain, while Marcel is outgoing and beautiful. They complement each other as the best of friends, even as they don’t see each other due to Marcel being away studying.
Upon his return to the city, he pays a call to the palace and finds the Emperor has arranged for the him to marry Gilbert. It is like all Marcel’s dreams come true until he realizes Gilbert doesn’t want to marry him at all. Gilbert has had his heart broken (and the fact that he never even mentioned his affair to Marcel really is sad) by a callous lover and now he’s cynical about love.
Marcel, with his limp and his missing arm, is an amazing character. He chooses to wear an arm that matches his outfit, as opposed to one that is functional. He brings gifts to Gilbert that demonstrate how much he listens to what Gilbert has to say. He treats Gilbert well and wants him happy. He’s in love. So imagine how painful it has to be to hear from Gilbert, “I already told my father I didn’t want this, several times…” in regards to their upcoming marriage. “The marriage that was everything Marcel had wanted since he was twelve.” Oh, heartbreaking for Marcel.
We do get to see Gregory (from A Matter of Disagreement) and that was lovely – he’s another character I just loved. Marcel has a friend in Gregory and for that I was very glad. He needed one. Especially as his mother and the Emperor just throw out "be married and go cheat" like it's nothing. This man is in love!
My favor was totally for Marcel. Gilbert has been heart broken, yes, but Marcel didn’t do it, yet I felt like Gilbert punished him for it. To ask what he did at the Christmas ball was the height of selfish, by this time knowing Marcel loved him. And the apology for that request was the worst apology ever. The fact that Marcel wants Gilbert happy at the expense of his own feelings? That’s love. To put yourself in pain to make someone else’s life better, well, unconditional love.
This story is destined to be a re-read for me, and it will be for Marcel.
Upon his return to the city, he pays a call to the palace and finds the Emperor has arranged for the him to marry Gilbert. It is like all Marcel’s dreams come true until he realizes Gilbert doesn’t want to marry him at all. Gilbert has had his heart broken (and the fact that he never even mentioned his affair to Marcel really is sad) by a callous lover and now he’s cynical about love.
Marcel, with his limp and his missing arm, is an amazing character. He chooses to wear an arm that matches his outfit, as opposed to one that is functional. He brings gifts to Gilbert that demonstrate how much he listens to what Gilbert has to say. He treats Gilbert well and wants him happy. He’s in love. So imagine how painful it has to be to hear from Gilbert, “I already told my father I didn’t want this, several times…” in regards to their upcoming marriage. “The marriage that was everything Marcel had wanted since he was twelve.” Oh, heartbreaking for Marcel.
We do get to see Gregory (from A Matter of Disagreement) and that was lovely – he’s another character I just loved. Marcel has a friend in Gregory and for that I was very glad. He needed one. Especially as his mother and the Emperor just throw out "be married and go cheat" like it's nothing. This man is in love!
My favor was totally for Marcel. Gilbert has been heart broken, yes, but Marcel didn’t do it, yet I felt like Gilbert punished him for it. To ask what he did at the Christmas ball was the height of selfish, by this time knowing Marcel loved him. And the apology for that request was the worst apology ever. The fact that Marcel wants Gilbert happy at the expense of his own feelings? That’s love. To put yourself in pain to make someone else’s life better, well, unconditional love.
This story is destined to be a re-read for me, and it will be for Marcel.
June 20, 2015
Reviewed for The Novel Approach.
If you haven’t read the other books in this series, you don’t need to in order to understand this series. Each book has its own characters and storylines, though Winter’s Bees does mention characters that appear in the other stories. Maybe their mention will make you want to read the others if you haven’t already.
I enjoy E.E. Ottoman’s writing, and this book is no different, though I did find the characters to be tedious at times. Perhaps it was just that the elements of the story are common enough to be overused, and I wanted something more.
For example, Marcel is beautiful, and he is in love with his childhood friend, Gilbert. Gilbert, on the other hand, is not in love with Marcel, and he doesn’t want to marry him out of convenience, for his father’s sake. But, of course, what the Emperor wants, the Emperor gets. And, well, Marcel is happy with the situation. What follows is some angst and miscommunication between the two men. They don’t discuss things, which would clear things up really fast. But, then, I guess there wouldn’t be a story.
What is different about this book is the nature of the characters. They’re not your typical heroes, and that’s one of the reasons I love Ottoman’s stories. Gilbert is short, stocky, and not entirely attractive. And it’s not just him saying that about himself, but everyone says it. He’s also an entomologist. He studies BUGS. A prince that studies bugs? You have to admit that’s kind of cool. And then there’s Marcel. Marcel has a disability, but this doesn’t get in his way of life, and people still consider him beautiful, which is refreshing. And he’s not just a dandy who exists to look pretty, but a brilliant mathematician as well.
The world also embraces same-sex relationships, so this isn’t a problem. Gilbert’s father understands he’s attracted to men, so he plans his betrothal accordingly rather than going against his wishes. That’s fairly unique as well. Too often I’ve read stories where, yes, same-sex marriage is accepted, but if you’re a member of the royal family, “sorry, you need to suck it up for the sake of the bloodlines.”
Plus, there is the twisted steampunk elements. It’s not quite Victorian, but it seems close to it, and it’s not completely steampunk, but it’s there. Maybe as a bridge for those who want to test the genre out?
Overall, I would say this was an enjoyable story. While some of the elements are commonly used in other books, if you can look past this, you’ll read about a fascinating world and atypical heroes.
If you haven’t read the other books in this series, you don’t need to in order to understand this series. Each book has its own characters and storylines, though Winter’s Bees does mention characters that appear in the other stories. Maybe their mention will make you want to read the others if you haven’t already.
I enjoy E.E. Ottoman’s writing, and this book is no different, though I did find the characters to be tedious at times. Perhaps it was just that the elements of the story are common enough to be overused, and I wanted something more.
For example, Marcel is beautiful, and he is in love with his childhood friend, Gilbert. Gilbert, on the other hand, is not in love with Marcel, and he doesn’t want to marry him out of convenience, for his father’s sake. But, of course, what the Emperor wants, the Emperor gets. And, well, Marcel is happy with the situation. What follows is some angst and miscommunication between the two men. They don’t discuss things, which would clear things up really fast. But, then, I guess there wouldn’t be a story.
What is different about this book is the nature of the characters. They’re not your typical heroes, and that’s one of the reasons I love Ottoman’s stories. Gilbert is short, stocky, and not entirely attractive. And it’s not just him saying that about himself, but everyone says it. He’s also an entomologist. He studies BUGS. A prince that studies bugs? You have to admit that’s kind of cool. And then there’s Marcel. Marcel has a disability, but this doesn’t get in his way of life, and people still consider him beautiful, which is refreshing. And he’s not just a dandy who exists to look pretty, but a brilliant mathematician as well.
The world also embraces same-sex relationships, so this isn’t a problem. Gilbert’s father understands he’s attracted to men, so he plans his betrothal accordingly rather than going against his wishes. That’s fairly unique as well. Too often I’ve read stories where, yes, same-sex marriage is accepted, but if you’re a member of the royal family, “sorry, you need to suck it up for the sake of the bloodlines.”
Plus, there is the twisted steampunk elements. It’s not quite Victorian, but it seems close to it, and it’s not completely steampunk, but it’s there. Maybe as a bridge for those who want to test the genre out?
Overall, I would say this was an enjoyable story. While some of the elements are commonly used in other books, if you can look past this, you’ll read about a fascinating world and atypical heroes.
March 14, 2015
An emotional story set in a world where same sex marriage is commonplace. When the parents of best friends from childhood arrange their children's engagement everything changes.
Is there anyone more amazing than your best friend? And when you fall in love with your best friend it can make for a blissfully happy and stable marriage. Unless they don't love you back, have never even thought of you as a potential sexual partner and are freaked out at the thought of marrying you. Welcome to Marcel's world.
I ached for Marcel. He had loved Gilbert for as long as he could remember and had wanted to marry him since he was twelve years old. Gilbert's reaction to their engagement and marriage were heartbreaking. The chasm that separated them hurt them both. And the lengths that Marcel was willing to go to in pursuit of Gilbert's happiness broke his heart all over again.
It was hard to not smack Gilbert. I know he's shy and awkward and he'd never considered Marcel as a lover, but he hurt them both so much. I know he's was still hurting from a very ugly breakup that had left him with some serious self esteem issues. But ouch! It was painful to see them both suffer as their friendship deteriorated. I was so happy when Gilbert finally pulled his head out and realized that Marcel was the best thing that could ever happen to him.
One of the aspects of this book that I deeply appreciated was that one of the men has some physical issues that were never once commented on in any negative way. There was zero sense of it changing his status, attractiveness or abilities in any way. It was a part of him, the same as having brown hair and a keen intelligence. If anything it became an interesting part of the character's personal style.
This is the third book set in the same steampunk universe. I have not had the opportunity to read the other books yet, but this book has made me eager to read more about the people in this world set in another time and place and full of magic and science.
Reviewed by Nina
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
Is there anyone more amazing than your best friend? And when you fall in love with your best friend it can make for a blissfully happy and stable marriage. Unless they don't love you back, have never even thought of you as a potential sexual partner and are freaked out at the thought of marrying you. Welcome to Marcel's world.
I ached for Marcel. He had loved Gilbert for as long as he could remember and had wanted to marry him since he was twelve years old. Gilbert's reaction to their engagement and marriage were heartbreaking. The chasm that separated them hurt them both. And the lengths that Marcel was willing to go to in pursuit of Gilbert's happiness broke his heart all over again.
It was hard to not smack Gilbert. I know he's shy and awkward and he'd never considered Marcel as a lover, but he hurt them both so much. I know he's was still hurting from a very ugly breakup that had left him with some serious self esteem issues. But ouch! It was painful to see them both suffer as their friendship deteriorated. I was so happy when Gilbert finally pulled his head out and realized that Marcel was the best thing that could ever happen to him.
One of the aspects of this book that I deeply appreciated was that one of the men has some physical issues that were never once commented on in any negative way. There was zero sense of it changing his status, attractiveness or abilities in any way. It was a part of him, the same as having brown hair and a keen intelligence. If anything it became an interesting part of the character's personal style.
This is the third book set in the same steampunk universe. I have not had the opportunity to read the other books yet, but this book has made me eager to read more about the people in this world set in another time and place and full of magic and science.
Reviewed by Nina
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
February 24, 2015
So, I love the idea of this story. Arranged marriage stories are such fun; Gilbert and Marcel are lovely, well-developed characters with whom I enjoyed spending time; and I love Ottoman's delightfully interconnected Mechanical Universe and hope we'll see more of it in the future.
BUT. Folks who know my reading tastes know that I cannot abide romances where the sole obstacle separating Our Lovers is their unwillingness to USE THEIR FREAKING WORDS LIKE ACTUAL GROWN-UPS. And "Winter's Bees" has so much of that.
Let's look at this, shall we? My version (ePub, read on an iPhone 5, in case anyone cares) is 439 pages long. Marcel kisses Gilbert on page 181. Gilbert realizes he's in love (or at least lust) with Marcel on page 246. Then they don't start getting their acts together until PAGE 400. What's in between? 150+ pages of will-they-won't-they/does-he-doesn't-he, O MAI AGOKNEE LET ME SHOW U IT. And some entomology.
I empathize with Gilbert's insecurities in the wake of Tristan's cruelty. I've been there. But Marcel made it abundantly clear that he loves Gilbert, which makes Gilbert's reluctance to admit his changed feelings about as sensical as reluctance to book a trip to the Grand Canyon out of fear that it won't be there anymore. (I also found something patronizing and almost insulting in Gilbert thinking, early on, that Marcel's love for him was "pure" and that he shouldn't "taint" it with his lustful thoughts, as if the fact that Marcel wasn't actively humping Gilbert's leg every time they were together meant he wasn't having lustful thoughts of his own, but I might've misread that part. It was kind of late at night.)
I would've infinitely preferred 50 pages of misunderstanding and miscommunication, 50 pages of Gilbert psyching himself up to pull on his big boy breeches and tell Marcel his feelings had changed, and 50 pages of them negotiating their changed relationship, or dealing with an automatonical bee attack, or something that wasn't all that needless pining.
I realize I'm in the minority here; that protracted pining is The Done Thing in romance. But I much prefer relationships-in-the-making that feel like they're actively progressing toward something to those that feel like they're persistently banging their heads against the walls.
BUT. Folks who know my reading tastes know that I cannot abide romances where the sole obstacle separating Our Lovers is their unwillingness to USE THEIR FREAKING WORDS LIKE ACTUAL GROWN-UPS. And "Winter's Bees" has so much of that.
Let's look at this, shall we? My version (ePub, read on an iPhone 5, in case anyone cares) is 439 pages long. Marcel kisses Gilbert on page 181. Gilbert realizes he's in love (or at least lust) with Marcel on page 246. Then they don't start getting their acts together until PAGE 400. What's in between? 150+ pages of will-they-won't-they/does-he-doesn't-he, O MAI AGOKNEE LET ME SHOW U IT. And some entomology.
I empathize with Gilbert's insecurities in the wake of Tristan's cruelty. I've been there. But Marcel made it abundantly clear that he loves Gilbert, which makes Gilbert's reluctance to admit his changed feelings about as sensical as reluctance to book a trip to the Grand Canyon out of fear that it won't be there anymore. (I also found something patronizing and almost insulting in Gilbert thinking, early on, that Marcel's love for him was "pure" and that he shouldn't "taint" it with his lustful thoughts, as if the fact that Marcel wasn't actively humping Gilbert's leg every time they were together meant he wasn't having lustful thoughts of his own, but I might've misread that part. It was kind of late at night.)
I would've infinitely preferred 50 pages of misunderstanding and miscommunication, 50 pages of Gilbert psyching himself up to pull on his big boy breeches and tell Marcel his feelings had changed, and 50 pages of them negotiating their changed relationship, or dealing with an automatonical bee attack, or something that wasn't all that needless pining.
I realize I'm in the minority here; that protracted pining is The Done Thing in romance. But I much prefer relationships-in-the-making that feel like they're actively progressing toward something to those that feel like they're persistently banging their heads against the walls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2015
Oh, Marcel! There’s a lot to love and like about this adorable novella set in the Mechanical Universe, but pretty much throughout the entire read I was thinking, oh, Marcel! There may have been a couple of places where I sighed at, or for, Gilbert instead, but mostly Marcel won my heart in this.
I did feel bad for Gilbert, though at times while I was reading this, because he has seriously low self-esteem and he’ll never be the brightest light at a party, but argh! His behaviour towards Marcel was so often infuriating. Especially when his own feelings started to change, but he still wouldn’t let him close out of fear that Marcel’s pure love wouldn’t extend to lust.
Then there’s Marcel, so lovely, so sweet, so steadfast and badly confused. Poor man. I loved how he saw Gilbert so differently to everyone else, even if he did back off too hard after a certain kiss. I just wanted Gilbert to reach out to him, show him that it was okay, but instead Marcel goes all noble and selfless. It almost broke my heart at times.
However, and there had to be something, I do wish I’d learnt more about the world this is set in. I know this is the third in the series, but they’re supposed to be unrelated, so a little extra world-building wouldn’t have gone amiss – specifically about the magic side of things. But it’s only a minor thing, when compared to the loveliness that is Marcel – oh, and Gilbert too.
A sweet tale of unrequited love, an inconvenient marriage and learning to see beautiful things that are right in front of your silly nose, this was a wonderful little novella. I’m firmly intrigued by this world, and will definitely be looking out for more from this series and this author soon.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I did feel bad for Gilbert, though at times while I was reading this, because he has seriously low self-esteem and he’ll never be the brightest light at a party, but argh! His behaviour towards Marcel was so often infuriating. Especially when his own feelings started to change, but he still wouldn’t let him close out of fear that Marcel’s pure love wouldn’t extend to lust.
Then there’s Marcel, so lovely, so sweet, so steadfast and badly confused. Poor man. I loved how he saw Gilbert so differently to everyone else, even if he did back off too hard after a certain kiss. I just wanted Gilbert to reach out to him, show him that it was okay, but instead Marcel goes all noble and selfless. It almost broke my heart at times.
However, and there had to be something, I do wish I’d learnt more about the world this is set in. I know this is the third in the series, but they’re supposed to be unrelated, so a little extra world-building wouldn’t have gone amiss – specifically about the magic side of things. But it’s only a minor thing, when compared to the loveliness that is Marcel – oh, and Gilbert too.
A sweet tale of unrequited love, an inconvenient marriage and learning to see beautiful things that are right in front of your silly nose, this was a wonderful little novella. I’m firmly intrigued by this world, and will definitely be looking out for more from this series and this author soon.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
March 6, 2015
In what I expected would be a short fantasy novella, E.E. Ottoman brings a marriage for political convenience with a rather uniquely twisted set of circumstances. Marcel is purported to be a brilliant mathematician, and holds his unrequited love for Gilbert, the youngest royal.
Gilbert is disabled, and not presented as a typical ‘beauty”, and his reservations about the politically advantageous marriage to his friend Marcel is understandable, especially after a bad end to his most recent relationship.
There is an often awkward navigation of their relationship, as secrets are revealed clumsily, with great pauses as information begins to sink in. While never quite too awkward to feel stilted, the careful navigation and unfolding of secrets that each held close are well-drawn, and the ending, although happy, seems to come without great push for either character’s development.
I also felt a lack of ‘fantasy’ in the story: with a series titled Mechanical Universe I expected far more world and gadget building and description, but the focus was on the romance. I can only expect that the world was developed and exposed in earlier instalments, just left alone in this story.
What emerged is a story that is well-writen as a romance, even as the characters don’t seem to push any great boundaries of growth personally: even most of their ‘secrets’ are rather mundane and simple, and are soon resolved as they work toward the marriage. A quick ending that left little opportunity to see the characters as a couple as they navigate the new situation, this was a quick and semi-satisfying read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Gilbert is disabled, and not presented as a typical ‘beauty”, and his reservations about the politically advantageous marriage to his friend Marcel is understandable, especially after a bad end to his most recent relationship.
There is an often awkward navigation of their relationship, as secrets are revealed clumsily, with great pauses as information begins to sink in. While never quite too awkward to feel stilted, the careful navigation and unfolding of secrets that each held close are well-drawn, and the ending, although happy, seems to come without great push for either character’s development.
I also felt a lack of ‘fantasy’ in the story: with a series titled Mechanical Universe I expected far more world and gadget building and description, but the focus was on the romance. I can only expect that the world was developed and exposed in earlier instalments, just left alone in this story.
What emerged is a story that is well-writen as a romance, even as the characters don’t seem to push any great boundaries of growth personally: even most of their ‘secrets’ are rather mundane and simple, and are soon resolved as they work toward the marriage. A quick ending that left little opportunity to see the characters as a couple as they navigate the new situation, this was a quick and semi-satisfying read.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
August 11, 2021
First, if this were a free read, it would have easily been a four- or even five-star read, but I'm giving it a three. I'll explain in a minute.
This friends-to-lovers tale charmed me, put a wide, contented grin on my face. The development was natural, paced with believable sexual tension and longing, delicious scenes of want; it mesmerized me into its world, a close, personal world of two men, discovering and fighting emotions, two men filled with the quivering anxiety of being uncertain of each other's feelings. They were unique, flawed, and likeable--most especially, not the idealize specimens of a men's magazine glossy.
Copy editors. Beta readers. They abound in the wonderful, enchanted community of supportive m/m readers. Please, please, please--because your stories are so delicious--ask some of the many, many m/m readers to beta read your story, especially if you're going to put a price tag on it, and your publisher doesn't seem to have any copy editors employed. A scene may build beautifully to an outstanding moment, gradually filling to the tippy top with hot liquid excitement, ready to spill over delightfully, but when the fantasy in my brain crashes into this, "I want to you push back against me as much as a you like," it's just a nasty, frightfully cold dump of water, not the hot wax of shivers I was expecting. This happened way too often.
Either make it a free read, which will allow me to take higher, wider steps over silly typos, fueled by a magnanimous lightness, or--and this is the better choice for a strong narrative full of transportation possibilities--rerelease it after being edited properly. Five stars await!
This friends-to-lovers tale charmed me, put a wide, contented grin on my face. The development was natural, paced with believable sexual tension and longing, delicious scenes of want; it mesmerized me into its world, a close, personal world of two men, discovering and fighting emotions, two men filled with the quivering anxiety of being uncertain of each other's feelings. They were unique, flawed, and likeable--most especially, not the idealize specimens of a men's magazine glossy.
Copy editors. Beta readers. They abound in the wonderful, enchanted community of supportive m/m readers. Please, please, please--because your stories are so delicious--ask some of the many, many m/m readers to beta read your story, especially if you're going to put a price tag on it, and your publisher doesn't seem to have any copy editors employed. A scene may build beautifully to an outstanding moment, gradually filling to the tippy top with hot liquid excitement, ready to spill over delightfully, but when the fantasy in my brain crashes into this, "I want to you push back against me as much as a you like," it's just a nasty, frightfully cold dump of water, not the hot wax of shivers I was expecting. This happened way too often.
Either make it a free read, which will allow me to take higher, wider steps over silly typos, fueled by a magnanimous lightness, or--and this is the better choice for a strong narrative full of transportation possibilities--rerelease it after being edited properly. Five stars await!
February 11, 2015
Editing-wise, there’s an alarming amount of editing snafus, to the point they are impossible to miss. That was a drag, and not up to the high standard Less Than Three Press is capable of.
What I liked about the characterization was that neither man was perfect. This could easily have fallen to the cheesy royal-men-getting-it-on subgenre. Thankfully, this isn’t the case here. Gilbert is short and stocky, and he sees himself as ugly. Easy to do since other people say that to his face. Marcel, on the other hand, was born without one arm, and he’s got a limp leg too. These men are flawed, inside and out, which is realistic and attractive in itself. Bertie suffers from poor self-esteem and he doesn’t know how to see his friend as a lover; Marcel is kind and understanding to a fault, having decided long ago never to reveal his true feelings to his best friend. Both men know sacrifice, and that makes for a good story.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay
What I liked about the characterization was that neither man was perfect. This could easily have fallen to the cheesy royal-men-getting-it-on subgenre. Thankfully, this isn’t the case here. Gilbert is short and stocky, and he sees himself as ugly. Easy to do since other people say that to his face. Marcel, on the other hand, was born without one arm, and he’s got a limp leg too. These men are flawed, inside and out, which is realistic and attractive in itself. Bertie suffers from poor self-esteem and he doesn’t know how to see his friend as a lover; Marcel is kind and understanding to a fault, having decided long ago never to reveal his true feelings to his best friend. Both men know sacrifice, and that makes for a good story.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay
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