Waiting for Mr. Ashwell

by K. Sterling

Robert Fitzwilliam Ashwell, he’d always gone by Ash, was not all right. He’d tried to convince his family, friends and himself that he was with little success. Ash had spent his whole life hating himself and trying to run from the truth. Despite his best efforts, Ash had failed to kill himself during the war. “I tried like hell. Each time, I tried to take as many of the enemy with me or shield as many of my men as I could but it was just about me and how much I wanted it all to end.”

Easygoing, puckish natured, incredibly intelligent and blatantly sensual, Ned was Ash’s greatest source of joy and torment. After twenty years of friendship, Ash struggled to keep his feelings and desires from Ned. Secretly, Ned burned for Ash since the moment they first met. But because of the expectations of his title and wealth, Ned did everything he could to make himself enjoy women. Everything. The only thing preventing him from doing the inevitable and marrying had been Ash.

Everything changes when Ash’s secret is revealed. Elston Abbey, Ned’s home and Ash’s childhood safe haven will never be the same. Decades of love and longing hurl them into an erotic whirlwind neither could have foreseen. Despite the sensual and emotional bliss, Ash lives in fear of losing Ned to the obligations of his title and the danger of their discovery. Ned refuses to give up the only thing he has ever wanted. “It’s not new, Ash! It’s been here forever, waiting for us. I’m never going to regret this. And there’s no going back.”

Genres: M M Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Regency

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2015

About the author

Author of the popular Nannies of New York and Boys of Lake Cliff book series, K Sterling has self-published dozens of books. K. is known for fast-paced romantic thrillers and touching gay romcoms. There might be goosebumps and some gore but there’s always true love and lots of laughter.

Reviews

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

K. Sterling writes some interesting stories with endearing characters. The only complaint I have is that she really needs an editor. She doesn't do well using commas, there are quite a few spelling errors sprinkled throughout her books, and enough word swapping to convince me it's caused by simple ignorance. "Confidant" in lieu of "confident", for instance (Waiting for Mr. Ashwell). Or someone feeling their curiosity "peak" instead of having their curiosity "piqued" (Hide and Keep). And one should "defuse" a bomb, not "diffuse" a bomb ( Hide and Keep). Different words, completely different meanings.

I think there's a word for that. And I think it's covered in most basic English classes. Or maybe not, given the state of education today. (The word is malapropism. Thanks, sraxe!)

Sterling also uses periods at the end of quoted dialogue before "he/she said" instead of a comma, which can get confusing for the reader. Not to mention the ever pervasive "its/it's" confusion. That one is probably small to most people, but it's one of my biggest writing pet peeves.

Anyway, the editing wouldn't be restricted to fixing spelling errors ("eery"? Building Heat), but would also have to address Sterling's tendency to put way too many sex scenes in her books. There's only so much I can take before I want to know what's going on with the actual story.

She has potential, and her stories are good. With a little work, they could be great.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful historical romances I have read, I have come back and read this one several times and each time is better then the last. During a time when falling in love with the wrong person could get you killed, exiled or imprisoned, these two men struggle to both build a loving relationship while protecting themselves from societies beliefs.

Finding themselves surprising surrounded by people in their lives who support them, their love grows
and strengthens.

I have enjoyed all of this authors books, but this is hands down my favorite.....

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Ashwell, auch Ash genannt, und Lord Ned kennen sich seit Schulzeiten und es verbindet sie nach zwanzig Jahren noch immer eine enge Freundschaft. Als Zweitgeborener hat Ash keine wirklichen Pflichten und reist die meiste Zeit im Jahr durchs Land. Dabei zieht es ihn immer wieder Elston Abbey zu Ned, der dort seinen Pflichten als Lord nachkommt. Zusammen verbringen sie immer eine großartige Zeit, doch wenn sich ihre Wege zu gegebener Zeit wieder trennen, sind sie für ihre Umgebung kaum zu ertragen und launisch.

Ash sehnt und fürchtet jede Begegnung mit Ned. Doch über seine wahren Gefühle und Sehnsüchte kann er mit seinem engsten Freund nicht sprechen. Zu schockierend sind seine Wünsche und doch treibt Ned ihn eines Tages in die Enge. Ned überrascht Ash und offenbart nun seinerseits die Gefühle, die er schon seit so vielen Jahren für Ash hegt und ängstlich für sich behalten hat. Doch selbst wenn sie wissen was sie fühlen und wollen - die Gesetze und gesellschaftlichen Zwänge sind eindeutig gegen diese Beziehung, die für sie beide gefährlich werden könnte.

Waiting For Mr. Ashwell ist ein sehr romantisch und wenig realistisches Buch. Trotzdem fand ich die Geschichte einfach süß und berührend. Möglich, dass sich ähnliche Romanzen in dieser Zeit entfalten konnten, jedoch immer diskret und fern der Gesellschaft. Dass Ned und Ash am Ende doch sehr viel Unterstützung bekommen, überrascht. Vermutlich war es in der Realität ganz anders. Aber es ist ja auch eine Romanze und kein Tatsachenbericht. K. Sterling schreibt hier wieder sehr sexy, humorvoll und wie schon erwähnt sehr romantisch. Allerdings nicht kitschig oder übertrieben.

Ned und Ash sind erwachsene Männer, die aber ihre Gefühle, Sehnsüchte und auch Unsicherheiten so gut wie möglich verbergen (müssen). Sie haben natürlich auch ihre Fehler und es kann schon mal zu hitzigen Wortgefechten und Missverständnissen kommen. Aber auch hier hält sich die Autorin zurück und zieht nicht jedes Klischee heran, dessen sie habhaft werden könnte.

[Alp Mortal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully romantic - I was spirited away for a few hours and didn't really want to come back to the present. This is the first story by K Sterling that I've read - I loved the easy, flowing style. Pace was just about right; not too heavy or laboured; just enough detail to invoke the period without it becoming a history lesson - thoroughly enjoyable and the perfect 'discover' story if you want to get to know K Sterling's writing - I have purchased all of her other works on the strength of this story.

Alp Mortal

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being in love forever and ever!

This story is a historical gay romance and it didn't feel like it the only thing is they couldn't share Their love with the world because being gay could get you killed. This was a fiercely romantic story of friends turned into lovers and how they were able to be together with the help of family and friends. I laughed and cried and was very happy with this book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Wins

Ned and Ash live during a time where men being in love with each other is frowned on even more than it is in this 'enlightened' time. They are lucky enough to find a solution to their desperate need to be together.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, I loved it, and the main characters. If I say anything else, it will be spoilers.

[Free_dreamer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. There was virtually no plot to speak of and the countless sex scenes weren't particularly well written or all that erotic. We start off by Ash and Ned secretly in love with each other, without the other knowing anything about it. So Ash masturbates a lot with his home-made dildo. Then they confess they never ending love and proceed to have sex. Lots and lots and lots of sex. That's basically all that happens in this book. Oh, and despite the historical setting, everybody who finds out about their relationship is delighted. They're happy for them. And nobody seems to think that it's wrong or a sin or whatever. Not even for a second. The MCs are mostly fine with being gay as well. No fear of going to hell for it or something along those lines. Just a lot of insecurity on Ash's part and lots of loving from Ned to cure it. Oh, and although neither of them has ever been with another man before, they're absolute pros at sex from the beginning. Some of the sex doesn't sound physically possible. And some is downright ridiculous.
So, yeah, I did not like this book at all.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Just re read it and love it still. Ned and Ash are childhood best friends who have loved each other in secret for years. The story is set in Regency England and despite the norms of the time, the social and cultural imperatives mitigating against being gay they loved and loved deeply. Admittedly there are issues with grammar and punctuation. Yes there are a few malapropisms but for me that didn't take away from the value of the story. I like the idea of love that persists despite uncertainty of it being returned. I was drawn in by the efforts the characters made to keep their love alive once they admitted it to each other, and heart warmed by the response of family and staff. I acknowledge it may have been an unrealistic outcome in that day and time. I also contend that the inheritance laws and transfer of titles didn't quite work in the way the story presented but I loved the story anyway. Nothing beats the charm of fidelity and lasting love despite the odds, especially with hotttttt sex thrown in.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I'm totally on the fence about this one. I liked the characters but I didn't buy the story at all. didn't feel like the time period and everyone around them were way too understanding. I mean there was good sex and immense amount of love between the mc's but the book just felt off for me.

[Jenn C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like the MCs especially Ned, but like others have mentioned the storey is just a bit off. The premise is interesting, but the storey is supposed to be a historical romance, and many of the characters words and actions aren't.

[Char Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Read!

I fell in love with Ash and Ned from the start. They were so good together. They were both brave to love each other in the time that they lived in. They were lovely together. Just discovered this author and will definitely read more from this author in the future.

[Lizzie422 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much

I normally don't say this but there is too much sex. Could have done a bit more with characters. Also, the editing needs some work.

[Lucy Smith]

DNF 50%. This doesn't read like a historical. Their actions and words don't feel right for a historical. After reading for a while I got bored with it, and couldn't go on.

[BeStill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant. Loved it.

[Secretly Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely romance with leads I very much liked. The men's feelings for each other were on page, as was the sex. Yes, the ending was uber unrealistic but hey, it was romantic so who cares?

[Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ned is a nut! Brilliant!!

[Denise Koopman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I am a little disappointed in this book. I mean some parts are good but over all nah, not my favorite like all the others.