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Love's Labours #1
Midsummer
Love's Book One
John Lyonel, a long-time theater professional and teacher, heads to Virginia to play Oberon in the Theater in the Woods’s production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, intending to focus on his work. John is recovering from the tragic loss of his family and needs a break. The last thing he expects is to become captivated by Michael Hilliard, the professional actor playing Puck, especially since John has never been attracted to men, let alone one so much younger.
They rush headlong into an affair, which falls apart dramatically over secrets that John and Michael are keeping from each other. A steep learning curve, the gossipy cast of the show, and the sometimes sinister magic of the woods conspire to keep them apart. But stage lights and stars might work their magic and help them define a new future.
John Lyonel, a long-time theater professional and teacher, heads to Virginia to play Oberon in the Theater in the Woods’s production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, intending to focus on his work. John is recovering from the tragic loss of his family and needs a break. The last thing he expects is to become captivated by Michael Hilliard, the professional actor playing Puck, especially since John has never been attracted to men, let alone one so much younger.
They rush headlong into an affair, which falls apart dramatically over secrets that John and Michael are keeping from each other. A steep learning curve, the gossipy cast of the show, and the sometimes sinister magic of the woods conspire to keep them apart. But stage lights and stars might work their magic and help them define a new future.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2015
2 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Racheline Maltese
79 books184 followersRacheline Maltese is a queer writer living a big life from a small space. She flies planes, sails boats, and rides horses, but as a native New Yorker, has no idea how to drive a car.
A performer and storyteller focused on themes of celebrity, gender, desire and mourning, Racheline has a journalism degree from The George Washington University; studied acting and directing at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School (New York City) and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Sydney, Australia); and is a proud SAG-AFTRA member.
She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their two cats.
A performer and storyteller focused on themes of celebrity, gender, desire and mourning, Racheline has a journalism degree from The George Washington University; studied acting and directing at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School (New York City) and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Sydney, Australia); and is a proud SAG-AFTRA member.
She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 21, 2020
3.75 Stars
Sweet, sexy and mostly angst-free (which was refreshing). Definitely interested to see how this Summer Stock couple make a go of their relationship in Book 2.
Sweet, sexy and mostly angst-free (which was refreshing). Definitely interested to see how this Summer Stock couple make a go of their relationship in Book 2.
August 18, 2015
Midsummer is practically an angst-free M/M contemporary novella. I enjoyed the setting -- Theater in the Woods brings a kind of mystical feel to the whole story, because our H/H can take a walk into the woods, going to a lake, heck, even finding out a skull (yes, a skull, and no this is not a murder mystery).
The relationship happens pretty fast, but somehow I didn't find it too annoying. Maybe because despite the fact that John had been married to a woman for the past decade and never been with a guy before, he is also an actor and used to male casts flirting around him. He takes his attraction towards the younger Michael in stride, which contributes to the angst-free factor of it. We do have little arguments between the two but it settles nicely. The ending is more HFN than HEA; but I know that the sequel is released last week.
Just a nice read in between the novels. Nothing mind-blowing but nothing particularly disappointing either
PS: Warning to readers who emphasize on tenses, this story uses third person present tense. I'm not an English native so tenses never bother me (I don't understand the difference nuance between present and past anyway), but I know some people are very strict about this. So take this into your consideration.
The relationship happens pretty fast, but somehow I didn't find it too annoying. Maybe because despite the fact that John had been married to a woman for the past decade and never been with a guy before, he is also an actor and used to male casts flirting around him. He takes his attraction towards the younger Michael in stride, which contributes to the angst-free factor of it. We do have little arguments between the two but it settles nicely. The ending is more HFN than HEA; but I know that the sequel is released last week.
Just a nice read in between the novels. Nothing mind-blowing but nothing particularly disappointing either
PS: Warning to readers who emphasize on tenses, this story uses third person present tense. I'm not an English native so tenses never bother me (I don't understand the difference nuance between present and past anyway), but I know some people are very strict about this. So take this into your consideration.
August 10, 2016
I received this book free via Inked Rainbow Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, the authors had me at a story about Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is my favorite Shakespeare play. They were guaranteed success in my eyes unless they royally messed it up. Which, fortunately, they were miles from doing.
I fell hard for this delightful gem from page one. I love how the story–much like the play–is a study in contrasts. John’s a bit cynical, a bit snarky, and dealing with the shrapnel of his messy life. He’s utterly relatable. Michael, on the other hand, is full of optimistic energy.
There are other opposites as well–the May-December romance, the community members (children and seniors), the bright joy of the play and the participants vs. the mysterious woods and the creepy subtext. It all has such a magical, mystical feel to it while still being a down-to-earth story about two people finding each other.
I appreciated how the authors handled John’s discovery of his sexuality. I’m always excited to see genuinely bisexual men represented well, and John is incredibly well-written. I loved how even in his inexperience, the maturity of his age showed and he wasn’t afraid to put Michael in his place when Michael tried to pin him down to the identity Michael preferred.
The writing is superb, and it’s clear the authors know their craft. I can’t speak to how accurate the situation is, but it hardly matters when the important part is really about the characters. They’re both utterly believable, and I spent the whole story alternating between loving them and wanting to smack some sense into them.
This one held my interest, and it was short enough to finish in an afternoon. Utterly wonderful.
First of all, the authors had me at a story about Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is my favorite Shakespeare play. They were guaranteed success in my eyes unless they royally messed it up. Which, fortunately, they were miles from doing.
I fell hard for this delightful gem from page one. I love how the story–much like the play–is a study in contrasts. John’s a bit cynical, a bit snarky, and dealing with the shrapnel of his messy life. He’s utterly relatable. Michael, on the other hand, is full of optimistic energy.
There are other opposites as well–the May-December romance, the community members (children and seniors), the bright joy of the play and the participants vs. the mysterious woods and the creepy subtext. It all has such a magical, mystical feel to it while still being a down-to-earth story about two people finding each other.
I appreciated how the authors handled John’s discovery of his sexuality. I’m always excited to see genuinely bisexual men represented well, and John is incredibly well-written. I loved how even in his inexperience, the maturity of his age showed and he wasn’t afraid to put Michael in his place when Michael tried to pin him down to the identity Michael preferred.
The writing is superb, and it’s clear the authors know their craft. I can’t speak to how accurate the situation is, but it hardly matters when the important part is really about the characters. They’re both utterly believable, and I spent the whole story alternating between loving them and wanting to smack some sense into them.
This one held my interest, and it was short enough to finish in an afternoon. Utterly wonderful.
June 19, 2016
MIDSUMMER is a beautiful blend of classic and contemporary themes.
Emotionally exhausted, John returns to his roots. While seeking solace in the comforting arms of his first love, classical theater, John meets Michael.
At first glance, Michael appears to be everything John is not. Young, free-spirited, outgoing, charismatic and gay.
The two bond over their shared love of theater and an unlikely romance quickly develops. As time passes, what started out as a summer romance seems to be developing into more.
When they become principal players in an ongoing mystery, the issues of John's sexuality and Michael's past arise to complicate things further. It appears that they have more in common than either man suspected.
I love the theater, and this well written story marries one of my all time favorite productions, A Midsummer Night's Dream, with another one of my favorite things, finding love in unexpected places. Once again Racheline and Erin have gifted me with a complex cast of characters, multi-layered drama, romance and suspense. I'm thrilled with this new series and am excited to see where further installments will take me!
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly’s Book Reviews
Emotionally exhausted, John returns to his roots. While seeking solace in the comforting arms of his first love, classical theater, John meets Michael.
At first glance, Michael appears to be everything John is not. Young, free-spirited, outgoing, charismatic and gay.
The two bond over their shared love of theater and an unlikely romance quickly develops. As time passes, what started out as a summer romance seems to be developing into more.
When they become principal players in an ongoing mystery, the issues of John's sexuality and Michael's past arise to complicate things further. It appears that they have more in common than either man suspected.
I love the theater, and this well written story marries one of my all time favorite productions, A Midsummer Night's Dream, with another one of my favorite things, finding love in unexpected places. Once again Racheline and Erin have gifted me with a complex cast of characters, multi-layered drama, romance and suspense. I'm thrilled with this new series and am excited to see where further installments will take me!
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly’s Book Reviews
May 20, 2015
This book was lovely. The lush, beautiful language captured the hushed, wild, dreamy setting of the book, which perfectly supported the characters and play unfolding before us.
I dearly loved that John's drama and angst had nothing to do with his surprise attraction and relationship with Michael -- it would have felt a little flat when we find out later what his real wounds are.
The way they fell into each other was very satisfying.
Most importantly for me is Michael. He's a stunning character; ethereal and otherworldly, this dichotomous creature of the woods and nature (the perfect Puck), but in whom we see hints of another man from the "real" world.
I do wish that it was just a bit longer, but that's a selfish desire to lose myself in the story a little more.
Highly recommended.
I dearly loved that John's drama and angst had nothing to do with his surprise attraction and relationship with Michael -- it would have felt a little flat when we find out later what his real wounds are.
The way they fell into each other was very satisfying.
Most importantly for me is Michael. He's a stunning character; ethereal and otherworldly, this dichotomous creature of the woods and nature (the perfect Puck), but in whom we see hints of another man from the "real" world.
I do wish that it was just a bit longer, but that's a selfish desire to lose myself in the story a little more.
Highly recommended.
June 1, 2015
Maltese & McRae are consistently excellent in tailoring their use of language--its rhythms, cadences, phrasing--to mirror the scenes and characters they are building. It is an exquisite joy to read because you are drawn in so well to the world they are creating.
Midsummer is no different. This novella was absolutely delightful and delicious, just the way summer fun is. But, they were deft to create more than just a fluffy summer romance. There are teeth and substance. The curve ball that surprises does so in just the way things painful and private do.
The main characters are real, and when the novella ended, I actually said out loud, "NO!! I WANT MORE!" So, I am beyond pleased that there are more stories planned in this series.
I highly recommend Midsummer, and you too will be waiting anxiously for the next release in the series.
Midsummer is no different. This novella was absolutely delightful and delicious, just the way summer fun is. But, they were deft to create more than just a fluffy summer romance. There are teeth and substance. The curve ball that surprises does so in just the way things painful and private do.
The main characters are real, and when the novella ended, I actually said out loud, "NO!! I WANT MORE!" So, I am beyond pleased that there are more stories planned in this series.
I highly recommend Midsummer, and you too will be waiting anxiously for the next release in the series.
August 14, 2015
This is written in third person present tense, which should've driven me batty, but I loved this book. Wonderful characters and a well written story, I'm not even hesitating, just diving into the next one.
June 23, 2016
2.5 Stars
February 16, 2016
3.5
Неожиданно приятная, легкая история. Временами смешная, временами грустная.
Неожиданно приятная, легкая история. Временами смешная, временами грустная.
April 23, 2019
An honest and surprising love story
Michael and John both arrive for theatre in the woods not knowing what the summer holds for them. John, recently divorced, is truly not looking for anything, but somehow his eyes end up looking for Michael. This is new to him but it feels right. Get ready for a story that feels like real life. Dealing with grief, labels, age gaps, expectations and everything in between these two will try to make it through it all so they can have their midsummer night's dream.
It is truly a story about understanding each other, realizing that one experience is not like the other and that to love, you truly need to let someone in and see you for who you are. The steamy moments are a bonus in what truly is a beautiful story.
Michael and John both arrive for theatre in the woods not knowing what the summer holds for them. John, recently divorced, is truly not looking for anything, but somehow his eyes end up looking for Michael. This is new to him but it feels right. Get ready for a story that feels like real life. Dealing with grief, labels, age gaps, expectations and everything in between these two will try to make it through it all so they can have their midsummer night's dream.
It is truly a story about understanding each other, realizing that one experience is not like the other and that to love, you truly need to let someone in and see you for who you are. The steamy moments are a bonus in what truly is a beautiful story.
April 3, 2018
O.K. im heading straight back to the library site to get the next in this series to see where John and Michael end up. After a whirlwind summer romance that neither really expected and enough behind-the-scenes drama to keep their on stage chemistry out enough to bring the house down, the two separate with plans to meet again in a week. I'm not sure I can wait a week to find out what's next. Needless to say this is one great read and kept me turning the pages.
October 15, 2021
Coming back to add a review after the fact. I read this novella twice - once at the beginning of the series, and again after reading the other two, because it is so sweet and delightful I wanted to return to it again. Generally I read so many books that I don't think a ton about books from a month or two again, unless a sequel is coming out. But this book popped to mind spontaneously today, and it just made me feel warm to think about it. I may go ahead and re-read it again.
May 30, 2015
FiveStars
First of all, the authors had me at a story about Midsummer Night's Dream, which is my favorite Shakespeare play. They were guaranteed success in my eyes unless they royally messed it up. Which, fortunately, they were miles from doing.
I fell hard for this delightful gem from page one. I love how the story--much like the play--is a study in contrasts. John's a bit cynical, a bit snarky, and dealing with the shrapnel of his messy life. He's utterly relatable. Michael, on the other hand, is full of optimistic energy.
There are other opposites as well--the May-December romance, the community members (children and seniors), the bright joy of the play and the participants vs. the mysterious woods and the creepy subtext. It all has such a magical, mystical feel to it while still being a down-to-earth story about two people finding each other.
I appreciated how the authors handled John's discovery of his sexuality. I'm always excited to see genuinely bisexual men represented well, and John is incredibly well-written. I loved how even in his inexperience, the maturity of his age showed and he wasn't afraid to put Michael in his place when Michael tried to pin him down to the identity Michael preferred.
The writing is superb, and it's clear the authors know their craft. I can't speak to how accurate the situation is, but it hardly matters when the important part is really about the characters. They're both utterly believable, and I spent the whole story alternating between loving them and wanting to smack some sense into them.
This one held my interest, and it was short enough to finish in an afternoon. Utterly wonderful.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Amy
First of all, the authors had me at a story about Midsummer Night's Dream, which is my favorite Shakespeare play. They were guaranteed success in my eyes unless they royally messed it up. Which, fortunately, they were miles from doing.
I fell hard for this delightful gem from page one. I love how the story--much like the play--is a study in contrasts. John's a bit cynical, a bit snarky, and dealing with the shrapnel of his messy life. He's utterly relatable. Michael, on the other hand, is full of optimistic energy.
There are other opposites as well--the May-December romance, the community members (children and seniors), the bright joy of the play and the participants vs. the mysterious woods and the creepy subtext. It all has such a magical, mystical feel to it while still being a down-to-earth story about two people finding each other.
I appreciated how the authors handled John's discovery of his sexuality. I'm always excited to see genuinely bisexual men represented well, and John is incredibly well-written. I loved how even in his inexperience, the maturity of his age showed and he wasn't afraid to put Michael in his place when Michael tried to pin him down to the identity Michael preferred.
The writing is superb, and it's clear the authors know their craft. I can't speak to how accurate the situation is, but it hardly matters when the important part is really about the characters. They're both utterly believable, and I spent the whole story alternating between loving them and wanting to smack some sense into them.
This one held my interest, and it was short enough to finish in an afternoon. Utterly wonderful.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Amy
December 31, 2015
*copy provided by author/publisher via Pride Promotions in exchange for an honest review:
I enjoyed this book, perhaps not as much as I thought I would, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like it. I loved following all the intricacies of putting together a play like this and I really liked the idea of Michael and John together, despite the age difference. They seemed to complement each other quite well, actually, and I loved that the way they fall into this was so seamless.
I didn't particularly care for all of John's insistence on the age difference bit, although he did have a point. Especially once other things came into play, the age difference really made the difference. I was mildly annoyed with Michael for the way he reacted to John's 'secret', especially since it wasn't something you would share with another too easily, no matter if they were together or not, and the fact that Michael had been keeping secrets, too, so he didn't have much ground to act like he did.
Other than that, it's a relatively fast read and I loved the chemistry between Michael and John, even if I prefer John all the way. It was a pretty good story, even if there are some things that could've been improved.
Rating: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book, perhaps not as much as I thought I would, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like it. I loved following all the intricacies of putting together a play like this and I really liked the idea of Michael and John together, despite the age difference. They seemed to complement each other quite well, actually, and I loved that the way they fall into this was so seamless.
I didn't particularly care for all of John's insistence on the age difference bit, although he did have a point. Especially once other things came into play, the age difference really made the difference. I was mildly annoyed with Michael for the way he reacted to John's 'secret', especially since it wasn't something you would share with another too easily, no matter if they were together or not, and the fact that Michael had been keeping secrets, too, so he didn't have much ground to act like he did.
Other than that, it's a relatively fast read and I loved the chemistry between Michael and John, even if I prefer John all the way. It was a pretty good story, even if there are some things that could've been improved.
Rating: 4 Stars
June 18, 2015
I love this gentle, sexy story of "elder" John (who is a couple years younger than I am ;-) so I can call him that!) and 25-yr old Michael. They are adorable as they work their way through a summer theatre camp romance. Love the twist of John being a "formerly straight," bi? man (the question of labels arises during the story) in his forties struggling with identity and experiencing his new sexuality with ethereal, enigmatic & alluring Michael.
That it takes place in a theatre setting makes it even more special to this amateur actress & long-time theatre geek. I loved taking my time, reading each chapter at a leisurely pace. There's a mystery that arises as John & Michael fall in love & reveal secrets from their pasts that might separate them permanently. It really is a nice summer love story with just enough angst to keep the story going.
I'd love to read more about these two. ❤️
That it takes place in a theatre setting makes it even more special to this amateur actress & long-time theatre geek. I loved taking my time, reading each chapter at a leisurely pace. There's a mystery that arises as John & Michael fall in love & reveal secrets from their pasts that might separate them permanently. It really is a nice summer love story with just enough angst to keep the story going.
I'd love to read more about these two. ❤️
February 8, 2017
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
Midsummer is my first book from either of these obviously talented authors. It this haunting tale, they gave us characters we couldn't help but love while not truly understanding their motivations. John is a straight, middle-aged recent divorcee. Michael is a pixie of a man who has too many quirks to take them all in. Somehow, however, they come together through the magic of Summer Stock theater.
For Complete review see Prism Book Alliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
June 5, 2015
This book should come with a warning that it is written in third-person, present-tense, which is not only distracting for readers, but also pretentious. Good writers do not need tricks, especially ones that alienate their readers.
May 24, 2015
Good solid read.
June 8, 2015
A lushly worded book, filled with romance and characters that leap from the page. One of the best M/M reads of the year so far!
June 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. Maltese and McRae continue to make sweet fun stories with deep layers of heart and sadness.
September 7, 2015
Uggg…third person present tense in writing drives me crazy, but I still enjoyed this novella. I really liked the setting, the group of characters, and I enjoyed reading this one!
August 20, 2015
A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my Shakespeare favourites, so I couldn't ignore the blurb on this.
It's a pretty straight forward tale, with minimal angst, but the characters made it for me.
It's a pretty straight forward tale, with minimal angst, but the characters made it for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews