What do you think?
Rate this book
Dwell
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 23, 2026
Edgar waits until he judges that their teacups are empty enough to prevent long discussion, then asks, "Are you going to be alright?"
Lynwood bites his lips together, looking fixedly at his saucer, not answering...
"If you feel this passionately at least find out how she feels. Give yourself a chance at - you know - happiness, kind of thing."
"But Mother."
"It's astounding how much can be kept hidden if one is determined enough." Edgar has said too much. (p.225-226)
I'm a pushover for books which feel like a labour of love, and in the Acknowledgements section for this debut novel the author Rue Baldry notes, "I have been writing Dwell in different forms for fifteen years." Reading 'Dwell' you can tell the attention and care that has been taken with the writing. It won the First Novel Prize in 2024.
It's a story of love and healing set in the aftermath of the Great War. In genre terms it's historical romance, but also literary fiction. There are echoes of Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy and Julian Mitchell's 'Another Country'. The tone is usually gentle, which makes the moments of violence more shocking. The protagonists are war veteran Albert - not yet out of his teens, and traumatised by his experiences in the trenches - and student Edgar who has ambitions to be a doctor.
Kudos to the cover designer, T.J. Keane - it's a really beautiful book 💚
Many thanks to Northodox Press for the ARC. The publication date is 11th June 2026.
Lynwood bites his lips together, looking fixedly at his saucer, not answering...
"If you feel this passionately at least find out how she feels. Give yourself a chance at - you know - happiness, kind of thing."
"But Mother."
"It's astounding how much can be kept hidden if one is determined enough." Edgar has said too much. (p.225-226)
I'm a pushover for books which feel like a labour of love, and in the Acknowledgements section for this debut novel the author Rue Baldry notes, "I have been writing Dwell in different forms for fifteen years." Reading 'Dwell' you can tell the attention and care that has been taken with the writing. It won the First Novel Prize in 2024.
It's a story of love and healing set in the aftermath of the Great War. In genre terms it's historical romance, but also literary fiction. There are echoes of Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy and Julian Mitchell's 'Another Country'. The tone is usually gentle, which makes the moments of violence more shocking. The protagonists are war veteran Albert - not yet out of his teens, and traumatised by his experiences in the trenches - and student Edgar who has ambitions to be a doctor.
Kudos to the cover designer, T.J. Keane - it's a really beautiful book 💚
Many thanks to Northodox Press for the ARC. The publication date is 11th June 2026.
May 11, 2026
Albert leaves the trenches and takes a job as a gardener at a boarding school. There he meets Edgar, a young man in his final year. What follows is a story of love and secrets as the two men try to create a home that society says is wrong. This is a beautiful tale of love and loss and the effects of war.
Read
April 29, 2026I am very proud to be able to present to you my debut novel, published by Northodox Press June 2026. I hope you enjoy it!
June 18, 2026
Dwell is an exquisitely told love story about two people whose attraction to each other is so strong that no obstacle must stand in the way of them being together, even though that brings with it great risk.
Despite being similar in age, Albert’s and Edgar’s life experiences couldn’t be more different. Edgar’s life so far has been one of privilege. His father is a successful solicitor and it’s expected Edgar will eventually join the family firm and marry well. His mother and his sister are already on the lookout for suitable candidates.
Albert grew up in poverty and joined up to escape his violent home life. Now the war is over, he’s adrift. The terrible things he experienced during his time on the front line, not all of which were perpetrated by the enemy, continue to haunt him. He suffers nightmares in which he recalls harrowing scenes. He has catatonic episodes and flashbacks, sometimes triggered by seemingly innocuous things. The reader shares Albert’s experience of these sudden shifts from present to past. In vividly drawn scenes we witness the horror of the battlefield, the ultimate demands of comradeship and the malevolent actions of those with power over life and death.
From their very first encounter, Edgar and Albert seem destined for each other. For Edgar, his attraction to Albert confirms the sense he’s had about his sexuality but has been unable to act on before. Albert is equally smitten but is conscious of Edgar’s innocence and inexperience. He also has a secret he fears would change how Edgar feels about him.
Both are aware of the risks they’re taking. Edgar knows discovery of their relationship could result in prosecution and disgrace, including for his family. Albert’s war experiences have left him with the notion that others have been punished for his ‘sin’ of being attracted to other men. What if Edgar too is punished because of Albert’s actions?
Ironically it is the difference in their social class that eventually provides a ‘cover’ for their relationship. Hidden in plain sight, if you like, but still not without risk because that thing in Albert’s past could still bring everything crashing down. It’s why Albert’s instinct is to remain in the shadows, to resist Edgar’s desire to venture out into the underground gay community. As it turns out, Albert was right to be wary.
I loved that, as well as the passion of Albert’s and Edgar’s relationship and their delight in each other’s bodies, we witness moments of tenderness and domestic intimacy: a reassuring embrace when awakening from a nightmare, the gentle application of lotion to inflamed skin, the drawing of a bath to soothe aching limbs, the preparation of an early morning cup of tea.
The author writes with real compassion and insight. By the end of the book I was totally invested in Albert and Edgar’s story and left with the profound hope they would be able to make a future together. It’s Albert though who will really stay with me.
Dwell is an emotionally charged, tender and compelling story of a love that must remain hidden. It’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
Despite being similar in age, Albert’s and Edgar’s life experiences couldn’t be more different. Edgar’s life so far has been one of privilege. His father is a successful solicitor and it’s expected Edgar will eventually join the family firm and marry well. His mother and his sister are already on the lookout for suitable candidates.
Albert grew up in poverty and joined up to escape his violent home life. Now the war is over, he’s adrift. The terrible things he experienced during his time on the front line, not all of which were perpetrated by the enemy, continue to haunt him. He suffers nightmares in which he recalls harrowing scenes. He has catatonic episodes and flashbacks, sometimes triggered by seemingly innocuous things. The reader shares Albert’s experience of these sudden shifts from present to past. In vividly drawn scenes we witness the horror of the battlefield, the ultimate demands of comradeship and the malevolent actions of those with power over life and death.
From their very first encounter, Edgar and Albert seem destined for each other. For Edgar, his attraction to Albert confirms the sense he’s had about his sexuality but has been unable to act on before. Albert is equally smitten but is conscious of Edgar’s innocence and inexperience. He also has a secret he fears would change how Edgar feels about him.
Both are aware of the risks they’re taking. Edgar knows discovery of their relationship could result in prosecution and disgrace, including for his family. Albert’s war experiences have left him with the notion that others have been punished for his ‘sin’ of being attracted to other men. What if Edgar too is punished because of Albert’s actions?
Ironically it is the difference in their social class that eventually provides a ‘cover’ for their relationship. Hidden in plain sight, if you like, but still not without risk because that thing in Albert’s past could still bring everything crashing down. It’s why Albert’s instinct is to remain in the shadows, to resist Edgar’s desire to venture out into the underground gay community. As it turns out, Albert was right to be wary.
I loved that, as well as the passion of Albert’s and Edgar’s relationship and their delight in each other’s bodies, we witness moments of tenderness and domestic intimacy: a reassuring embrace when awakening from a nightmare, the gentle application of lotion to inflamed skin, the drawing of a bath to soothe aching limbs, the preparation of an early morning cup of tea.
The author writes with real compassion and insight. By the end of the book I was totally invested in Albert and Edgar’s story and left with the profound hope they would be able to make a future together. It’s Albert though who will really stay with me.
Dwell is an emotionally charged, tender and compelling story of a love that must remain hidden. It’s one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
April 28, 2026
This is a beautiful forbidden love story that explores trauma, class & homosexuality in post WW1 England.
The story is told through a dual narrative: 19 year old demobbed soldier Albert suffering painfully with PTSD and Edgar, a middle class schoolboy who just misses the action and begins to train as a Dr. Through their meeting and love story you are painted a vivid picture of the hidden lives of gay men in early 20th century England.
Albert’s chapter’s were heartbreaking with his flashbacks to the war and his attempts to cope alone with his PTSD and grief. The descriptions of his war experience were so evocative and visceral you feel there in the trenches with the mud and rats. Just breathtaking. I loved how the writing made you feel as discombobulated in these passages as Albert must have felt suffering flashbacks. He was such a deeply caring character, my heart ached for him. His love for Edgar and how healing Edgar’s love for him was beautifully told. The author really captures the essence and yearning of first love too; that simmering heat & desperation for each other. Through their cross class relationship the British class system is also explored. Although their love for each other unites them they are often divided by customs and expectations of class, privilege and their differing experience of the war.
Although there were horrid characters and they both faced significant peril, the love and kindness shown by some of their friends was deeply touching. Really brought home how significant allies are to the LGBTQ community.
I was really moved by this story and woke up thinking of Albert! From the horrific experiences in the war to the isolation and terror faced by gay men at this time. Such beautiful, poetic prose I kept stopping and re reading the sentences. Immersive and breathtaking.
I loved the hopeful ending but would have loved to check in on them both in the future. Hope they both lived long & happy lives. Together.
Thank you to the publishers for a free copy. Loved
The story is told through a dual narrative: 19 year old demobbed soldier Albert suffering painfully with PTSD and Edgar, a middle class schoolboy who just misses the action and begins to train as a Dr. Through their meeting and love story you are painted a vivid picture of the hidden lives of gay men in early 20th century England.
Albert’s chapter’s were heartbreaking with his flashbacks to the war and his attempts to cope alone with his PTSD and grief. The descriptions of his war experience were so evocative and visceral you feel there in the trenches with the mud and rats. Just breathtaking. I loved how the writing made you feel as discombobulated in these passages as Albert must have felt suffering flashbacks. He was such a deeply caring character, my heart ached for him. His love for Edgar and how healing Edgar’s love for him was beautifully told. The author really captures the essence and yearning of first love too; that simmering heat & desperation for each other. Through their cross class relationship the British class system is also explored. Although their love for each other unites them they are often divided by customs and expectations of class, privilege and their differing experience of the war.
Although there were horrid characters and they both faced significant peril, the love and kindness shown by some of their friends was deeply touching. Really brought home how significant allies are to the LGBTQ community.
I was really moved by this story and woke up thinking of Albert! From the horrific experiences in the war to the isolation and terror faced by gay men at this time. Such beautiful, poetic prose I kept stopping and re reading the sentences. Immersive and breathtaking.
I loved the hopeful ending but would have loved to check in on them both in the future. Hope they both lived long & happy lives. Together.
Thank you to the publishers for a free copy. Loved
April 28, 2026
I was stressed, invested and did shout "kill him!" at a certain part of the book (when you read this you’ll know the exact scene I'm referencing). All in all, 5 stars is well deserved here.
I cannot emphasise how tender Albert and Edgar's relationship is. It's truly devastating how because of the time period (1919) they aren't allowed to be open about their love for each other. Baldry writes their intimacy with such sacred reverence and respect that it truly feels atmospheric, especially as the focus is on the characters lives that are altered not just because of their love but because of threats.
If you love introspection with emotional nuance then this will be the book for you becuase my goodness do we as readers get put through the wringer. We witness the evolution of Albert and Edgar as they fight for each other and are able to communicate with assurances. To be a part of their journey as a reader is truly beautiful and whilst there were characters of hate, I loved that we did have a support system in Pearl, Irma and Clement.
'Dwell' is magnetic. The characters are expertly crafted with actual complexity that allows readers to be both sympathetic and emotionally invested. I will be thinking about this novel for a long time and relish that it adorns my bookshelf.
I cannot emphasise how tender Albert and Edgar's relationship is. It's truly devastating how because of the time period (1919) they aren't allowed to be open about their love for each other. Baldry writes their intimacy with such sacred reverence and respect that it truly feels atmospheric, especially as the focus is on the characters lives that are altered not just because of their love but because of threats.
If you love introspection with emotional nuance then this will be the book for you becuase my goodness do we as readers get put through the wringer. We witness the evolution of Albert and Edgar as they fight for each other and are able to communicate with assurances. To be a part of their journey as a reader is truly beautiful and whilst there were characters of hate, I loved that we did have a support system in Pearl, Irma and Clement.
'Dwell' is magnetic. The characters are expertly crafted with actual complexity that allows readers to be both sympathetic and emotionally invested. I will be thinking about this novel for a long time and relish that it adorns my bookshelf.
May 9, 2026
Many thanks to Northodox Press, and to Rue Baldry, for the GIFTED proof copy of Dwell, which will be published on 11th June.
Opening in 1919, this novel is about Nineteen-year-old Albert Mere. Haunted by his experiences in The Great War, on being demobbed he starts a new job as a gardener at a boys’ boarding school. He catches everyone’s attention there because it is rumoured that he is a war hero.
Albert is soon fighting the temptation of one particular prefect, because what they both want is illegal, and being caught would ruin them both. When Albert’s past catches up to him, their love comes under even greater threat...
Dwell is a novel that can proudly take its place alongside Alice Winn's In Memoriam and Tom Crewe's The New Life, in the way that it brings alive the experiences of young gay men in the approach to, and in the early years of, the twentieth century. A time when homosexuality was illegal and male same sex relationships had to remain a secret, otherwise prosecution for Gross Indecency, lead to imprisonment, public shaming, ruination and ostracisation.
This novel reveals the secrecy, oppression, repression, stress, and misery which these unenlightened times induced, not to mention how they enabled exploitation for nefarious reasons, and the gross hypocrisy of the entitled wealthy who freely indulged their own behaviours.
In fact privilege, wealth, and class form major threads of this novel, alongside the depiction of horrors faced by servicemen in the first World War, and the longlasting mental and physical damage which ensued, within the framework of a very sympathetic and sensitive rendering of a coming-of-age love story. One which engages all the reader's emotions.
The prose is often lyrical and highly descriptive. Rue Baldry writes beautifully, and she vividly paints scenes, evokes a strong sense of place, and captures feelings, sensations and emotions which feel both intense and authentic. It is the quality of this writing, the story, and the characters themselves which completely immerses you as you're reading.
Speaking of characters, they are extremely well drawn and feel very real. You are very much in the heads of Albert and Edgar, and their introspection, so you come to know them really well over the course of the novel. However even the lesser characters are deftly, swiftly and economically drawn, so that even from a briefly described expression or gesture you immediately know what kind of person they are.
Rue Baldry's extensive research informs and underpins this story, and her sensitive portrayal of Albert's PTSD is exceptional, especially in the way his past and present realities elide in an almost dreamlike way, whilst her rendering of the horrors and atrocities of the First World War battle fields, matches the smothering terror, futility and pain conjured by Owen, Sassoon etc al.
Exploring themes of class, intolerance, and trauma, this compulsive and compelling novel has a satisfyingly redemptive arc which delivers a very welcome sense of healing, belonging, and hope for the future for the main characters at its conclusion. Recommended.
Opening in 1919, this novel is about Nineteen-year-old Albert Mere. Haunted by his experiences in The Great War, on being demobbed he starts a new job as a gardener at a boys’ boarding school. He catches everyone’s attention there because it is rumoured that he is a war hero.
Albert is soon fighting the temptation of one particular prefect, because what they both want is illegal, and being caught would ruin them both. When Albert’s past catches up to him, their love comes under even greater threat...
Dwell is a novel that can proudly take its place alongside Alice Winn's In Memoriam and Tom Crewe's The New Life, in the way that it brings alive the experiences of young gay men in the approach to, and in the early years of, the twentieth century. A time when homosexuality was illegal and male same sex relationships had to remain a secret, otherwise prosecution for Gross Indecency, lead to imprisonment, public shaming, ruination and ostracisation.
This novel reveals the secrecy, oppression, repression, stress, and misery which these unenlightened times induced, not to mention how they enabled exploitation for nefarious reasons, and the gross hypocrisy of the entitled wealthy who freely indulged their own behaviours.
In fact privilege, wealth, and class form major threads of this novel, alongside the depiction of horrors faced by servicemen in the first World War, and the longlasting mental and physical damage which ensued, within the framework of a very sympathetic and sensitive rendering of a coming-of-age love story. One which engages all the reader's emotions.
The prose is often lyrical and highly descriptive. Rue Baldry writes beautifully, and she vividly paints scenes, evokes a strong sense of place, and captures feelings, sensations and emotions which feel both intense and authentic. It is the quality of this writing, the story, and the characters themselves which completely immerses you as you're reading.
Speaking of characters, they are extremely well drawn and feel very real. You are very much in the heads of Albert and Edgar, and their introspection, so you come to know them really well over the course of the novel. However even the lesser characters are deftly, swiftly and economically drawn, so that even from a briefly described expression or gesture you immediately know what kind of person they are.
Rue Baldry's extensive research informs and underpins this story, and her sensitive portrayal of Albert's PTSD is exceptional, especially in the way his past and present realities elide in an almost dreamlike way, whilst her rendering of the horrors and atrocities of the First World War battle fields, matches the smothering terror, futility and pain conjured by Owen, Sassoon etc al.
Exploring themes of class, intolerance, and trauma, this compulsive and compelling novel has a satisfyingly redemptive arc which delivers a very welcome sense of healing, belonging, and hope for the future for the main characters at its conclusion. Recommended.
May 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this beautifully written book and Albert is certainly a character I won’t easily forget. It is heartbreaking to witness the devastating effects of war on him and how he suffers regular nightmares and flashbacks – these are vividly described and cleverly woven into the story.
The relationship between Albert and Edgar is masterfully told and the characters feel so real and full of emotion. Having to hide their feelings for each other in fear of being discovered, is a reminder of the injustices of that time period.
This is a powerful and immersive read with a satisfying ending full of hope. If you enjoyed In Memoriam, please read this book.
The relationship between Albert and Edgar is masterfully told and the characters feel so real and full of emotion. Having to hide their feelings for each other in fear of being discovered, is a reminder of the injustices of that time period.
This is a powerful and immersive read with a satisfying ending full of hope. If you enjoyed In Memoriam, please read this book.
April 28, 2026
Set in the aftermath of the First World War, Dwell is a compelling story of forbidden love between two young men.
Opening at the start of 1919 at Whitethorne School, Baldry paints a superb portrait of public-school life – prefects and sick bay, tennis nets and cricket whites – and of Edgar, a sensitive boy, in his final year and on the cusp of manhood. When his attraction to Albert, the school’s new gardener, is reciprocated, it becomes clear this is to be a love story thwarted not only by the sexuality laws of the time but also by class.
Baldry writes with huge empathy for both men and their struggles against societal expectation. Edgar must endure introductions to eligible young ladies and sidestep a career in his father’s law firm to be able to pursue medicine and get away. Working-class Albert is particularly well-drawn. Having returned from the Front, war-damaged and vulnerable, his trauma is so present Baldry weaves it in with flashbacks so seamless, the reader is plunged into the horror of the trenches with him.
The historical world-building is impressive, wide-ranging and always convincing, from Edgar’s comfortable upper middle-class home to a flat in a terraced house in inner city Birmingham. It is here, in the city, where the plot picks up pace with a growing sense of the jeopardy the men face to be themselves.
Throughout, the prose is vivid and precise, often gorgeously lyrical, yet shot through with an aching melancholy even as the men find ways of being together. For at its heart, this is a memorial to the generations of gay lovers whose relationships were inhibited in this way, as well as a timely reminder of the prejudice still faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Tender and thought-provoking, Dwell is an important restatement of 'love is love' and quite simply a beautiful read.
'
Opening at the start of 1919 at Whitethorne School, Baldry paints a superb portrait of public-school life – prefects and sick bay, tennis nets and cricket whites – and of Edgar, a sensitive boy, in his final year and on the cusp of manhood. When his attraction to Albert, the school’s new gardener, is reciprocated, it becomes clear this is to be a love story thwarted not only by the sexuality laws of the time but also by class.
Baldry writes with huge empathy for both men and their struggles against societal expectation. Edgar must endure introductions to eligible young ladies and sidestep a career in his father’s law firm to be able to pursue medicine and get away. Working-class Albert is particularly well-drawn. Having returned from the Front, war-damaged and vulnerable, his trauma is so present Baldry weaves it in with flashbacks so seamless, the reader is plunged into the horror of the trenches with him.
The historical world-building is impressive, wide-ranging and always convincing, from Edgar’s comfortable upper middle-class home to a flat in a terraced house in inner city Birmingham. It is here, in the city, where the plot picks up pace with a growing sense of the jeopardy the men face to be themselves.
Throughout, the prose is vivid and precise, often gorgeously lyrical, yet shot through with an aching melancholy even as the men find ways of being together. For at its heart, this is a memorial to the generations of gay lovers whose relationships were inhibited in this way, as well as a timely reminder of the prejudice still faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Tender and thought-provoking, Dwell is an important restatement of 'love is love' and quite simply a beautiful read.
'
June 9, 2026
4.5 stars
Dwell is such a beautiful love story. Secrets and whispers fill each page as the love story unfolds.
Albert and Edgar so young, yet Albert has experienced so much.
The alternate storyline showing the experiences of war from Albert were vivid and stark. His memories of the war hitting him like the shells he was still hearing. The impact of the war so great on such young lives.
The contrast in their young lives so obvious, but their love so strong.
The threat of being discovered was intense and kept the story flowing after they’d both left the school setting.
Albert was such a great character, written so sensitively, and I felt for him at all stages of this story. His loyalty and friendship so valuable to those around him, his suffering all the more severe.
Dwell is such a beautiful love story. Secrets and whispers fill each page as the love story unfolds.
Albert and Edgar so young, yet Albert has experienced so much.
The alternate storyline showing the experiences of war from Albert were vivid and stark. His memories of the war hitting him like the shells he was still hearing. The impact of the war so great on such young lives.
The contrast in their young lives so obvious, but their love so strong.
The threat of being discovered was intense and kept the story flowing after they’d both left the school setting.
Albert was such a great character, written so sensitively, and I felt for him at all stages of this story. His loyalty and friendship so valuable to those around him, his suffering all the more severe.
May 18, 2026
Set in the aftermath of the Great War, two young men meet at a boys boarding school. Edgar is a pupil in his final year with hopes to study medicine. Albert, a year older, is the newly appointed gardener at the school, and mentally scarred from his experiences on the Western Front.
Rue Baldry seamlessly transports readers into early twentieth century society where Edgar and Albert strive to keep their love hidden; not only because same-sex love is illegal, but also because of their class division.
Can their love survive? Can they find a place where their love can safely dwell?
In addition to the societal difficulties these young men must contend with, is Albert’s PTSD. What Albert endured was more than trauma in the trenches (I don’t want to give too much away) and it makes for some difficult reading, but the author has woven this in and through the story in a really commendable and sensitive way. Albert’s circumstances definitely pulled at my heartstrings.
“When you’ve seen what hate can do, it’s warming to witness affection, whatever the form.”
A credible, convincing historical love story that drew me in.
Rue Baldry seamlessly transports readers into early twentieth century society where Edgar and Albert strive to keep their love hidden; not only because same-sex love is illegal, but also because of their class division.
Can their love survive? Can they find a place where their love can safely dwell?
In addition to the societal difficulties these young men must contend with, is Albert’s PTSD. What Albert endured was more than trauma in the trenches (I don’t want to give too much away) and it makes for some difficult reading, but the author has woven this in and through the story in a really commendable and sensitive way. Albert’s circumstances definitely pulled at my heartstrings.
“When you’ve seen what hate can do, it’s warming to witness affection, whatever the form.”
A credible, convincing historical love story that drew me in.
June 9, 2026
January 1919. Fresh from the Great War, nineteen-year-old Albert accepts a job at the snow-bound boys' boarding school, Whiteborne. He is an object of frenzied excitement to the pupils, especially the excitable Lower Fourth crowd, who are sure he must be a war hero.
Albert remains quiet and aloof, haunted by his past, and determined not to be tempted into sin with the red-headed prefect who has caught his attention by channelling himself into his work. But the prefect, Edgar, has noticed him too. Despite the danger, the two are attracted to each other like moths to a flame, even though being together would mean ruin for them both...
Dwell by Rue Baldry is a beautifully written novel that sensitively describes the experience of gay men in post Great War Britain through the heart-rending love story of Albert and Edgar - two young men close together in age, but with wildly different backgrounds.
The story unfurls through the perspectives of the lovers (with the occasional delicious revisit to Whiteborne). Baldry begins with Albert, who signed up to go to France at only fifteen to escape a poverty-stricken upbringing, and who has returned broken by his experiences. As Albert swings between punishing manual labour to keep his thoughts in check, and paralysing remembrances of his time in the trenches, you become aware that privileged Edgar has a secret too. He has recognised a kindred spirit in the handsome gardener, and cannot keep away from him.
Edgar makes it his object to break through Albert's fever-dream-plagued reality, and a tentative romance blossoms between them... until Albert's living nightmares bring chaos, and he flees the new-found security Whiteborne offered. But fate cannot keep the two young men apart. When Edgar attends university in grimy Birmingham to study medicine, the opportunity arises for them to live together in a semblance of happiness - as long as they can manage the tricky business of maintaining their privacy - but Albert's complicated past intrudes once more.
This is a queer romance set flawlessly in time and place, wreathed in the secrecy necessary to prevent Albert and Edgar's love being exposed. Baldry captures the underground gay scene of Birmingham in a way that fits incredibly well with the mystery surrounding the secrets Albert is keeping about his time in the trenches - secrets about much more than the usual horrors of war. The carefully crafted twists and turns, laced with palpable menace (and a monster in the shadows) reveal the true scale of Albert's fears, and the lengths he will go to in order to protect oblivious Edgar from harm.
Baldry touches on so much about the backdrop surrounding her lovers by exploring attitudes to sex, the class divide, expectation, exploitation, prejudice, and religion, all while immersing you in a tender romance that thrums with moments where time seems to stand still. The post-Great War landscape is so well drawn, showing the problems veterans faced upon returning home, and how the social fabric of Britain was changing, especially for women.
I cannot sing the praises of this incredible debut, with its lovely echoes of E.M. Forster's Maurice, enough. My emotions were shredded, with good reason given the constant feeling of peril, and pitch-perfect romantic suspense. There is is ample opportunity for Baldry to weave in joyful threads of friendship and allies to Albert and Edgar's cause too, which serve to make your spirit soar in an ending full of hope and healing. And, oh, how beautifully Baldry uses her title... a place to dwell, dwelling on thoughts... superb! I loved it!
Albert remains quiet and aloof, haunted by his past, and determined not to be tempted into sin with the red-headed prefect who has caught his attention by channelling himself into his work. But the prefect, Edgar, has noticed him too. Despite the danger, the two are attracted to each other like moths to a flame, even though being together would mean ruin for them both...
Dwell by Rue Baldry is a beautifully written novel that sensitively describes the experience of gay men in post Great War Britain through the heart-rending love story of Albert and Edgar - two young men close together in age, but with wildly different backgrounds.
The story unfurls through the perspectives of the lovers (with the occasional delicious revisit to Whiteborne). Baldry begins with Albert, who signed up to go to France at only fifteen to escape a poverty-stricken upbringing, and who has returned broken by his experiences. As Albert swings between punishing manual labour to keep his thoughts in check, and paralysing remembrances of his time in the trenches, you become aware that privileged Edgar has a secret too. He has recognised a kindred spirit in the handsome gardener, and cannot keep away from him.
Edgar makes it his object to break through Albert's fever-dream-plagued reality, and a tentative romance blossoms between them... until Albert's living nightmares bring chaos, and he flees the new-found security Whiteborne offered. But fate cannot keep the two young men apart. When Edgar attends university in grimy Birmingham to study medicine, the opportunity arises for them to live together in a semblance of happiness - as long as they can manage the tricky business of maintaining their privacy - but Albert's complicated past intrudes once more.
This is a queer romance set flawlessly in time and place, wreathed in the secrecy necessary to prevent Albert and Edgar's love being exposed. Baldry captures the underground gay scene of Birmingham in a way that fits incredibly well with the mystery surrounding the secrets Albert is keeping about his time in the trenches - secrets about much more than the usual horrors of war. The carefully crafted twists and turns, laced with palpable menace (and a monster in the shadows) reveal the true scale of Albert's fears, and the lengths he will go to in order to protect oblivious Edgar from harm.
Baldry touches on so much about the backdrop surrounding her lovers by exploring attitudes to sex, the class divide, expectation, exploitation, prejudice, and religion, all while immersing you in a tender romance that thrums with moments where time seems to stand still. The post-Great War landscape is so well drawn, showing the problems veterans faced upon returning home, and how the social fabric of Britain was changing, especially for women.
I cannot sing the praises of this incredible debut, with its lovely echoes of E.M. Forster's Maurice, enough. My emotions were shredded, with good reason given the constant feeling of peril, and pitch-perfect romantic suspense. There is is ample opportunity for Baldry to weave in joyful threads of friendship and allies to Albert and Edgar's cause too, which serve to make your spirit soar in an ending full of hope and healing. And, oh, how beautifully Baldry uses her title... a place to dwell, dwelling on thoughts... superb! I loved it!
April 28, 2026
At a remote north-country boys’ boarding school in the aftermath of the first world war, the paths of two very different young men cross. Edgar Lancaster, in his final school year is hoping to read medicine but his grades have been affected by a recent bout of life-threatening influenza. Only a year or so older but already care-worn by wartime traumas, demobbed Albert Mere arrives at the school to become a live-in gardener. As soon as they meet, Albert and Edgar both experience an unwanted but overwhelming attraction that neither of them can resist.
The story that follows brings us into the secret world of these star-crossed lovers, who must hide their all-consuming passion from everyone else, not just because their same-sex love is outlawed, both also because of the yawning class divide between them. This could be just as fatal to their relationship (as one of Edgar’s straight friends in love with a working-class woman finds out). The question of whether Edgar and Albert’s love can survive infuses every page of the novel with jeopardy, while the threat of being found out keeps the lovers in a state of heightened vigilance – and passion. But internal threats also loom. Will Edgar remain interested handsome but tongue-tied Albert whilst the company of his vivacious new friends at medical school is so enticing? And can Albert square his love for Edgar with his deep Christian faith?
Rue Baldry has created a wholly believable post-world war one world in this impressively accomplished debut. Albert’s flashbacks give vivid and harrowing glimpses into his time in the trenches, and the story doesn’t shy away from interrogating early 20th century attitudes to sexuality. But while Albert’s religiously-driven shame about his attraction to men is very much of his time, the powerful sub-plot around grooming and blackmail feels completely contemporary. Neither does Rue Baldry avoid Edgar and Albert’s most intimate moments. Their love-making is described in language which is affecting yet straightforward with a physical and emotional resonance that provides a masterclass in how to write sex scenes.
Sexy, heartfelt and real, Dwell is a gloriously page-turning mix of Pat Barker and Heartstopper. One of the outstanding debut novels of 2026.
The story that follows brings us into the secret world of these star-crossed lovers, who must hide their all-consuming passion from everyone else, not just because their same-sex love is outlawed, both also because of the yawning class divide between them. This could be just as fatal to their relationship (as one of Edgar’s straight friends in love with a working-class woman finds out). The question of whether Edgar and Albert’s love can survive infuses every page of the novel with jeopardy, while the threat of being found out keeps the lovers in a state of heightened vigilance – and passion. But internal threats also loom. Will Edgar remain interested handsome but tongue-tied Albert whilst the company of his vivacious new friends at medical school is so enticing? And can Albert square his love for Edgar with his deep Christian faith?
Rue Baldry has created a wholly believable post-world war one world in this impressively accomplished debut. Albert’s flashbacks give vivid and harrowing glimpses into his time in the trenches, and the story doesn’t shy away from interrogating early 20th century attitudes to sexuality. But while Albert’s religiously-driven shame about his attraction to men is very much of his time, the powerful sub-plot around grooming and blackmail feels completely contemporary. Neither does Rue Baldry avoid Edgar and Albert’s most intimate moments. Their love-making is described in language which is affecting yet straightforward with a physical and emotional resonance that provides a masterclass in how to write sex scenes.
Sexy, heartfelt and real, Dwell is a gloriously page-turning mix of Pat Barker and Heartstopper. One of the outstanding debut novels of 2026.
June 15, 2026
What a wonderful read. Set in 1919, after the end of World War I, and told from dual POV’s, those of Albert a 19 year old man suffering with PTSD from his war service and Edgar a schoolboy who wants to train as a doctor and who was too young for conscription. Beautifully written this is a poignant and emotional story.
Briefly, after he was demobbed Albert took a job as a gardener at a boarding school hope to escape some of his traumatic memories from the war. There he meets Edgar but their burgeoning love has its own battles to fight. Not just the fact of a same sex relationship but also the class divide and the huge difference in their lives as young men.
The wider society at this time would never accept a relationship between two men so their private lives had to be hidden from the world. Their love was seen as a criminal act and widely stigmatised. After his war experiences it seemed unimaginable and unfair that Albert was now expected to fight prejudice to live a quiet and happy life with the person he loved. It’s so sad that the world then, and now, cannot put prejudice and differences aside to live in peace. A very satisfying read.
Briefly, after he was demobbed Albert took a job as a gardener at a boarding school hope to escape some of his traumatic memories from the war. There he meets Edgar but their burgeoning love has its own battles to fight. Not just the fact of a same sex relationship but also the class divide and the huge difference in their lives as young men.
The wider society at this time would never accept a relationship between two men so their private lives had to be hidden from the world. Their love was seen as a criminal act and widely stigmatised. After his war experiences it seemed unimaginable and unfair that Albert was now expected to fight prejudice to live a quiet and happy life with the person he loved. It’s so sad that the world then, and now, cannot put prejudice and differences aside to live in peace. A very satisfying read.
April 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this beautifully written historical novel. Set in the aftermath of WWI, Dwell follows the passionate, tender and challenging love story of Albert and Edgar. The odds are firmly against the couple, who must keep their illegal same-sex relationship secret, and who are also divided by the rigid class system of the time.
There are harrowing flashbacks to Albert’s brutal war service in the trenches, and I was reminded of In Memoriam by Alice Winn and Strange Meeting by Susan Hill.
Complex, relatable characters and a real page-turner – what more could you want? A fabulous debut!
There are harrowing flashbacks to Albert’s brutal war service in the trenches, and I was reminded of In Memoriam by Alice Winn and Strange Meeting by Susan Hill.
Complex, relatable characters and a real page-turner – what more could you want? A fabulous debut!
June 20, 2026
My taste in books lately has been veering heavily toward literary fiction, so when this proof came through the door, I was incredibly excited to dive in.
You can truly tell that Baldry spent years perfecting the prose of Dwell. Everything feels beautifully and carefully put together, making it impossible not to become just as infatuated with Albert and Edgar as the author clearly is.
We follow Albert and Edgar as they navigate a brutal period in history, and I found myself desperately hoping they would find a small piece of happiness for themselves. Overall, this is a wonderful book that I am so glad landed in my lap!
You can truly tell that Baldry spent years perfecting the prose of Dwell. Everything feels beautifully and carefully put together, making it impossible not to become just as infatuated with Albert and Edgar as the author clearly is.
We follow Albert and Edgar as they navigate a brutal period in history, and I found myself desperately hoping they would find a small piece of happiness for themselves. Overall, this is a wonderful book that I am so glad landed in my lap!
June 12, 2026
This was a fabulous book and I enjoyed it very much. The author has crafted her novel in a way that made it a joy to read.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews