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The Tutor
Gothic romance with a twist.
Elements of The Sound of Music, The Enchanted Garden, Jane Eyre, and “true” ghost hunting shows make this story feel familiar. Gay love makes it unique.
Seeing an ad for a position at a Yorkshire estate, typesetter Graham Cowrie decides to make an upward career move by passing himself off as a tutor. How hard can it be to teach a few subjects to a pair of nine-year-old boys? But on his arrival at the ancient house, he finds the staff creepy, the twins odd, and the widowed master temporarily absent.
His first meeting with brooding, stern, but oh-so-attractive, Sir Richard doesn’t go well, but with no other prospects vying for the teaching position, Graham manages to keep it. His mission soon becomes clear, break down the walls of reserve both father and sons have erected and attempt to bridge the gap between them.
But strange sounds, sights and experiences keep Graham on edge until he finally admits the Hall is haunted by two entities with very different agendas. Graham works to appease one and combat the other while protecting the broken family he’s grown to care for.
Elements of The Sound of Music, The Enchanted Garden, Jane Eyre, and “true” ghost hunting shows make this story feel familiar. Gay love makes it unique.
Seeing an ad for a position at a Yorkshire estate, typesetter Graham Cowrie decides to make an upward career move by passing himself off as a tutor. How hard can it be to teach a few subjects to a pair of nine-year-old boys? But on his arrival at the ancient house, he finds the staff creepy, the twins odd, and the widowed master temporarily absent.
His first meeting with brooding, stern, but oh-so-attractive, Sir Richard doesn’t go well, but with no other prospects vying for the teaching position, Graham manages to keep it. His mission soon becomes clear, break down the walls of reserve both father and sons have erected and attempt to bridge the gap between them.
But strange sounds, sights and experiences keep Graham on edge until he finally admits the Hall is haunted by two entities with very different agendas. Graham works to appease one and combat the other while protecting the broken family he’s grown to care for.
193 pages, ebook
First published July 21, 2015
35 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Dee
131 books698 followersI began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, I was the designated ghost tale teller. I still have a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.
I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.
I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
September 12, 2016
Take one part Jane Eyre, one part The Turn of the Screw, and one part Wuthering Heights. Throw in a few extra penises and you've got this wonderful example of Gothic Horror with a m/m twist. Congrats to Bonnie Dee for getting this so, so right. Great story!
July 29, 2015
** 4 “now I see a light in you” STARS **
There was nothing I craved more than the sight of Sir Richard Allinson kneeling at my feet, but just then I wanted him in my embrace even more.
An odd and unexpected feeling.
~ GRAHAM
Yorkshire, England, 1893
When Graham Cowrie arrived at the dark and foreboding Allinson Hall, he couldn’t help but be nervous about his new job of being a tutor to the 9-year-old twin boys, Whitney and Clive, who lost their mother Lavinia Allinson a year ago. Getting the position based on falsified references and a name that isn’t the one bestowed on him at his birth, Graham is afraid the master of the house, the widowed father, Sir Richard Allinson will see through his lies the moment their eyes meet.
Though at the moment he glances at the tall and broad-shouldered Sir, emitting a mist of darkness and misery, his black cloak dancing with the wind like some villain of an opera’s would, an attraction so primitive and powerful takes over Graham, and he becomes a slave to the unwanted but undeniable monster that is lust…
But lust is not the only monster in Allinson Hall. Something dark and sinister is lurking in the shadows, and it might be the end of all of them.
Can the new tutor save Sir Allinson and his boys from the evil of their home?
My favourite line in the book:
C*ck is c*ck, but a kiss with the right person can be magical.
OVERALL: The way Graham helps Richard's dark and doomed soul turn into one shining bright and full of joy and hope and the possibility of happiness, was just...BEAUTIFUL. I loved the slow build-up, and how their relationship evolved into something MORE with time. I also adored the twins, and their interaction with their new tutor. This book was surprisingly entertaining and if you are a fan of gothic stories that have a little spice (ehehehe) in them...then you should jump right in!
So why not 5 stars? -----> Because the ending was...too supernatural? I don't know how to explain it, but it was just a bit too leaned towards the unrealistic side of the line for me.
October 24, 2015
I was really looking forward to this one and unfortunately it just didn't do it for me.
The first half of the book kind of dragged for me and I was getting a little bored. But I am not that huge of a fan of historical reads so this could have been why. The second half was much more entertaining.
I was hoping for a spooky tale but it just wasn't. I didn't find it scary at all and the scenes that were suppose to be creepy came off as cheesy and I just wasn't really feeling it. I was hoping for a great mystery of the wife's death and more bumps in the night that leaned more towards the frightening side and I didn't get it.
I did enjoy Graham as a character. He is really the only reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did. I found him funny and an unlikely hero which really worked for the story. Richard was hard to like. He was kind of aloof and dismissing of what was happening in his home and with his children. So I found it hard to like him.
The romance was kind of missing for me. I mean they were together and all it's just I didn't feel any chemistry with these men because there weren't many scenes with these guys being intimate. I think if the relationship was more developed I definitely would have enjoyed the story more.
I think I am only in a handful of people who didn't love the story. So please don't dismiss this book just because I personally didn't love it because there are many who did.
The first half of the book kind of dragged for me and I was getting a little bored. But I am not that huge of a fan of historical reads so this could have been why. The second half was much more entertaining.
I was hoping for a spooky tale but it just wasn't. I didn't find it scary at all and the scenes that were suppose to be creepy came off as cheesy and I just wasn't really feeling it. I was hoping for a great mystery of the wife's death and more bumps in the night that leaned more towards the frightening side and I didn't get it.
I did enjoy Graham as a character. He is really the only reason I enjoyed the story as much as I did. I found him funny and an unlikely hero which really worked for the story. Richard was hard to like. He was kind of aloof and dismissing of what was happening in his home and with his children. So I found it hard to like him.
The romance was kind of missing for me. I mean they were together and all it's just I didn't feel any chemistry with these men because there weren't many scenes with these guys being intimate. I think if the relationship was more developed I definitely would have enjoyed the story more.
I think I am only in a handful of people who didn't love the story. So please don't dismiss this book just because I personally didn't love it because there are many who did.
July 17, 2022
4.5 stars
This has the gothic spookiness of a Jane Eyre (without being as sombre) with a twinge of The Sound of Music (without the singing and the Nazis and the Baroness!) but there's no governess in sight, only a supremely likeable tutor.
Graham is working his way up in life. He's created a new identity, and forged a few references, to land a job as tutor to nine-year old twin boys in a desolate estate in Yorkshire. Sir Richard is the father of said boys whose mother died one year before. When Graham arrives, he finds that the boys are wild and troubled and that they have a lingering anger and sadness about their mother's death. The similarities to The Sound of Music come into play because the twins immediately start playing tricks on Graham but Graham is able to connect with them pretty quickly through imaginative and fun teaching techniques. I adored Graham!
And then we get to Sir Richard. At first, he is distant and unapproachable. He clearly carries guilt over his wife's death. Graham, of course, feels a powerful attraction to him and the attraction seems to go both ways but Sir Richard doesn't want to give into his feelings for another man. So, we get a little bit of a slow burn on the romance side but eventually, of course, Sir Richard is unable to stop himself from succumbing to Graham's many charms.
This is a gothic tale so it's no surprise that there are other dark and sinister things happening at the estate, but I'll leave the details to be discovered.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read!
This has the gothic spookiness of a Jane Eyre (without being as sombre) with a twinge of The Sound of Music (without the singing and the Nazis and the Baroness!) but there's no governess in sight, only a supremely likeable tutor.
Graham is working his way up in life. He's created a new identity, and forged a few references, to land a job as tutor to nine-year old twin boys in a desolate estate in Yorkshire. Sir Richard is the father of said boys whose mother died one year before. When Graham arrives, he finds that the boys are wild and troubled and that they have a lingering anger and sadness about their mother's death. The similarities to The Sound of Music come into play because the twins immediately start playing tricks on Graham but Graham is able to connect with them pretty quickly through imaginative and fun teaching techniques. I adored Graham!
And then we get to Sir Richard. At first, he is distant and unapproachable. He clearly carries guilt over his wife's death. Graham, of course, feels a powerful attraction to him and the attraction seems to go both ways but Sir Richard doesn't want to give into his feelings for another man. So, we get a little bit of a slow burn on the romance side but eventually, of course, Sir Richard is unable to stop himself from succumbing to Graham's many charms.
This is a gothic tale so it's no surprise that there are other dark and sinister things happening at the estate, but I'll leave the details to be discovered.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read!
February 6, 2017
I was a big fan of Victoria Holt way-back-when, and this plot (at least on the surface) reads like one of hers - young governess travels to a rundown, dark and foreboding castle in the middle of nowhere to take care of children, while the brooding, gorgeous widower remains mysterious and aloof, and there's a mystery surrounding the wife's death.
Set in Yorkshire England, 1893, Graham Cowrie arrives at Allison Hall to tutor Richard Allison's 9-year-old twin sons, Whitney and Clive. Graham, who lied on his resume and has no teaching experience, grew up in London's East End and has a backbone of steel. He overcame an abusive stepfather, acquired a hard-won education and strives to attain a better position in life.
Graham's unorthodox teaching methods win over Whit but Clive (who has not spoken since his mother's death) is tougher, and the boy's reclusive father is tougher yet. And of course, Allison Hall is dark, creepy and there's a cold presence in the old tower that leaves Graham feeling suicidal and depressed. And Tom, a young servant, draws pictures of intense darkness and evil clouds surrounding the estate.
This book takes the typical gothic romance story and gives us a slowly burning attraction between Richard and Graham as well as an evil entity that has been haunting Allison Hall for generations. Without giving away too much more of the book, I gotta say I'd had this book in my queue for a LONG TIME, and I'm so glad I finally read this!
Set in Yorkshire England, 1893, Graham Cowrie arrives at Allison Hall to tutor Richard Allison's 9-year-old twin sons, Whitney and Clive. Graham, who lied on his resume and has no teaching experience, grew up in London's East End and has a backbone of steel. He overcame an abusive stepfather, acquired a hard-won education and strives to attain a better position in life.
Graham's unorthodox teaching methods win over Whit but Clive (who has not spoken since his mother's death) is tougher, and the boy's reclusive father is tougher yet. And of course, Allison Hall is dark, creepy and there's a cold presence in the old tower that leaves Graham feeling suicidal and depressed. And Tom, a young servant, draws pictures of intense darkness and evil clouds surrounding the estate.
This book takes the typical gothic romance story and gives us a slowly burning attraction between Richard and Graham as well as an evil entity that has been haunting Allison Hall for generations. Without giving away too much more of the book, I gotta say I'd had this book in my queue for a LONG TIME, and I'm so glad I finally read this!
Read
November 2, 2015"There was something about the library that always seemed to put us on the verge of kissing."
July 22, 2015
Gah this book! Perfection. Gothic M/M perfection. Bonnie Dee is so ridiculously talented. I loved every minute of this.
July 26, 2015
New author for me. A bit reminiscent of KJ Charles or Jordan L Hawk, not quite as gritty though. A good ghost hunting gothic tale with likeable main characters.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
November 19, 2021
Só tenho uma coisa para dizer sobre o lance da torre
Adoro livro com tema sobrenatural, não só toda casa sombria ajudou no clima, mas principalmente os empregados que eram super esquisitos. Se vou trabalhar numa casa dessa e tenho de conviver com esse povo, eu iria e sair correndo em menos de um dia. Pessoas curiosas são corajosas, acho que isso ajudou o protagonista a não se mijar nas calças ( como eu faria 😅). Fiquei mais envolvida com o caso assombrado do que com o romance dos caras ( não que não tenha sido bom, foi ótimo) é que desvendar o que tava acontecendo naquele lugar me prendeu muito mais. Esse lance de um tutor chegar numa família devastada e transformá-la,me lembrou aqueles filmes antigos de babás que iam cuidar dos filhos de um viúvo carrancudo e acabava se apaixonando, foi mais ou menos isso aqui mas com um casal gay + caso sobrenatural ( o que tornou tudo melhor). Gostei bastante, o protagonista tinha um jeito de narrar envolvente e uma visão engraçada sobre ele e às pessoas ao seu redor. Foi um bom livro de casa mal assombrada + romance.
Adoro livro com tema sobrenatural, não só toda casa sombria ajudou no clima, mas principalmente os empregados que eram super esquisitos. Se vou trabalhar numa casa dessa e tenho de conviver com esse povo, eu iria e sair correndo em menos de um dia. Pessoas curiosas são corajosas, acho que isso ajudou o protagonista a não se mijar nas calças ( como eu faria 😅). Fiquei mais envolvida com o caso assombrado do que com o romance dos caras ( não que não tenha sido bom, foi ótimo) é que desvendar o que tava acontecendo naquele lugar me prendeu muito mais. Esse lance de um tutor chegar numa família devastada e transformá-la,me lembrou aqueles filmes antigos de babás que iam cuidar dos filhos de um viúvo carrancudo e acabava se apaixonando, foi mais ou menos isso aqui mas com um casal gay + caso sobrenatural ( o que tornou tudo melhor). Gostei bastante, o protagonista tinha um jeito de narrar envolvente e uma visão engraçada sobre ele e às pessoas ao seu redor. Foi um bom livro de casa mal assombrada + romance.
December 19, 2017
I’m a big fan of Gothic and horror stories, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. Being a big fan of Jane Eyre and classics, I was even prepared for a formulaic story. I'm sorry to say that I quickly lost interest in this so-called Gothic tale.
The story was boring and dragged a lot. The supernatural mystery wasn’t well-developed and I found it disappointing. I couldn’t connect with the main characters at all. Graham’s character was more likeable but Richard was rather useless, stupid and weak. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and their relationship seriously lacked depth for me. I felt more invested in Graham’s relationship with his young students.
Overall, I think this story had great potential, but didn’t really work for me.
The story was boring and dragged a lot. The supernatural mystery wasn’t well-developed and I found it disappointing. I couldn’t connect with the main characters at all. Graham’s character was more likeable but Richard was rather useless, stupid and weak. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and their relationship seriously lacked depth for me. I felt more invested in Graham’s relationship with his young students.
Overall, I think this story had great potential, but didn’t really work for me.
November 20, 2015
The promise of Jane Eyre drew me to this book. I love the classic and have also read my fair share of gothic romances.
I did enjoy it to a point but unfortunately for all it's potential it didn't quite work. From about 40% I'd lost my inital interest and as the supernatural plot developed I was more bored than thrilled.
Graham isn't entirely sympathetic, we know he's lying and it seems more self-serving than necessity. He's not had things easy but there's a hint of blasé about him. A lack of softer feelings to make him likeable, we never really see any depth there.
Normally I'm wary of kids in books, but here the way they're dismissed put me on edge. Considering their circumstances the impression put across is of them being unpleasant/difficult - rather than severely trauamatised/vulnerable. Again some feelings there would have added depth also made the sense of threat more real.
The supernatural angle seemed poorly developed and even a bit silly when the setting could have lent itself to delicious shivers - the potential was there but never spread chills. I kept thinking with a bit of work this could be a great story, but mostly found it disappointing.
I did enjoy it to a point but unfortunately for all it's potential it didn't quite work. From about 40% I'd lost my inital interest and as the supernatural plot developed I was more bored than thrilled.
Graham isn't entirely sympathetic, we know he's lying and it seems more self-serving than necessity. He's not had things easy but there's a hint of blasé about him. A lack of softer feelings to make him likeable, we never really see any depth there.
Normally I'm wary of kids in books, but here the way they're dismissed put me on edge. Considering their circumstances the impression put across is of them being unpleasant/difficult - rather than severely trauamatised/vulnerable. Again some feelings there would have added depth also made the sense of threat more real.
The supernatural angle seemed poorly developed and even a bit silly when the setting could have lent itself to delicious shivers - the potential was there but never spread chills. I kept thinking with a bit of work this could be a great story, but mostly found it disappointing.
Want to read
October 19, 2015Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 10/18/15
January 6, 2022
Another Audible listen.
Part gothic M / M romance and part ghost story.
A fun listen but as always I found the sex scenes rather laughable.
Passed the time I guess 😅🤣
Part gothic M / M romance and part ghost story.
A fun listen but as always I found the sex scenes rather laughable.
Passed the time I guess 😅🤣
April 13, 2017
Graham, under false references that he forged himself for getting an opportunity to rise from his station, gets a job as a tutor of two nine-year-old twins living in an isolated and sinister castle. And right from the start, he is intrigued by the twins, their father and the gloomy atmosphere.
This book didn’t work for me. First, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the MCs. I even felt more feels between Graham and the twins than between Graham and Richard, that said a lot :-(
Add to the fact that I was expecting to read a historical romance, in the spirit of Seducing Stephen, a story I really enjoyed. Instead, I got some spirits, a package of “salt, sage and holy water” and some exorcism.
Well, I guess I now know what a “gothic story” means. And it’s not my cup of tea.
This book didn’t work for me. First, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the MCs. I even felt more feels between Graham and the twins than between Graham and Richard, that said a lot :-(
Add to the fact that I was expecting to read a historical romance, in the spirit of Seducing Stephen, a story I really enjoyed. Instead, I got some spirits, a package of “salt, sage and holy water” and some exorcism.
Well, I guess I now know what a “gothic story” means. And it’s not my cup of tea.
July 22, 2015
“I was Graham Cowrie, tutor extraordinaire and now Sherlock Holmes of the north.”
It has been several months since a book has grabbed my attention as quickly as The Tutor…I never even finished the blurb when I knew I needed to read this book as soon as possible.
Throughout all my years of reading, I’ve always had a fondness for haunted house stories. The creepier the better. There was nothing I loved more than sitting in my darkened house with a low lit lamp and a book that could scare the breath out of me anytime I heard a tiny creak break the silence. Even though I’ve upgraded to a self-lit Kindle, The Tutor did not disappoint!
I’m just going to jump right into my thoughts; the blurb is available for you to peruse at your leisure…or just go in blind like I (mostly) did.
The Characters: The story is told completely in first person from Graham’s POV and I immediately connected to him and his voice. I loved his outlandish imagination and how he would think up fully developed scenarios-slash-fantasies and play them out in his mind. But then the doubt and insecurities would set in and he would have to come back to the here and now. As for Richard? Well, he was a tougher nut to crack. I actually knew more about his twin sons, Clive and Whitney, long before Richard started revealing himself. But I totally fell for his tortured soul and misplaced guilt. Then there Tom and the other peculiar members of the house staff. And most importantly, the ominous presences (yes, plural) that had taken up residence in Allinson Hall.
The Romance: This is slow burn with a capital S! Some readers may even consider the romance too slow. I on the other hand, LOVE when the characters fight their attraction for each other until it culminates into a passionate and heated encounter…which is exactly what happens between Graham and Richard. Is it dirty? Yes. Is it kinky? It could have been kinkier. But I definitely felt the connection between them and I actually wished for a bit more “page time” of them together.
The Haunting: This story definitely gets points for eeriness and I admit it had me looking around the room and over my shoulder on more than one occasion. I could sometimes feel that heavy weight of darkness and gloom that would come over Graham when he was exploring around the halls. Unfortunately, the haunting plot falls a bit short on originality and into the realm of predictability. I kept hoping for that one big twist that never came.
In the End: I loved this book and almost everything about it. It fits perfectly to my tastes in what I love to see in a “gothic romance with a gay twist”.
I want more books like this!!
4.5 Stars
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
It has been several months since a book has grabbed my attention as quickly as The Tutor…I never even finished the blurb when I knew I needed to read this book as soon as possible.
Throughout all my years of reading, I’ve always had a fondness for haunted house stories. The creepier the better. There was nothing I loved more than sitting in my darkened house with a low lit lamp and a book that could scare the breath out of me anytime I heard a tiny creak break the silence. Even though I’ve upgraded to a self-lit Kindle, The Tutor did not disappoint!
I’m just going to jump right into my thoughts; the blurb is available for you to peruse at your leisure…or just go in blind like I (mostly) did.
The Characters: The story is told completely in first person from Graham’s POV and I immediately connected to him and his voice. I loved his outlandish imagination and how he would think up fully developed scenarios-slash-fantasies and play them out in his mind. But then the doubt and insecurities would set in and he would have to come back to the here and now. As for Richard? Well, he was a tougher nut to crack. I actually knew more about his twin sons, Clive and Whitney, long before Richard started revealing himself. But I totally fell for his tortured soul and misplaced guilt. Then there Tom and the other peculiar members of the house staff. And most importantly, the ominous presences (yes, plural) that had taken up residence in Allinson Hall.
The Romance: This is slow burn with a capital S! Some readers may even consider the romance too slow. I on the other hand, LOVE when the characters fight their attraction for each other until it culminates into a passionate and heated encounter…which is exactly what happens between Graham and Richard. Is it dirty? Yes. Is it kinky? It could have been kinkier. But I definitely felt the connection between them and I actually wished for a bit more “page time” of them together.
The Haunting: This story definitely gets points for eeriness and I admit it had me looking around the room and over my shoulder on more than one occasion. I could sometimes feel that heavy weight of darkness and gloom that would come over Graham when he was exploring around the halls. Unfortunately, the haunting plot falls a bit short on originality and into the realm of predictability. I kept hoping for that one big twist that never came.
In the End: I loved this book and almost everything about it. It fits perfectly to my tastes in what I love to see in a “gothic romance with a gay twist”.
I want more books like this!!
4.5 Stars
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
November 3, 2015
This book is cheesy and formulaic and was a struggle to read. Frankly, it felt as historical as yesterday's newspaper.
Told in the first person by a character who certainly appears to think of himself as charming and irresistible, but whom I found to be tedious.
I felt I was wasting my life on an entirely unengaging protagonist, who attained his job as a tutor by deceitful means and continued to fly by the seat of his pants while attempting to ingratiate himself with the household:
Utterly underwhelming.
Enough said. Clearly I do not share the same humour as the author. A relief to have quit reading, it is a DNF for me.
Told in the first person by a character who certainly appears to think of himself as charming and irresistible, but whom I found to be tedious.
I felt I was wasting my life on an entirely unengaging protagonist, who attained his job as a tutor by deceitful means and continued to fly by the seat of his pants while attempting to ingratiate himself with the household:
...“I thought after lunch we’d have a crack at arithmetic.” I lowered my voice confidentially. “Not my strong suit, I must admit. Perhaps we can invent ways to make numbers more entertaining.” I fired off a dazzling smile, which was met again with disappointing results—blank stares. Apparently my charm would do nothing for me here in this grim house...
Utterly underwhelming.
'...Richard nodded. "I'll meet you at the rear entry." After he left, I stood for a second grinning at the double entendre of rear entry...'
Enough said. Clearly I do not share the same humour as the author. A relief to have quit reading, it is a DNF for me.
July 6, 2015
I wrote it and on editing I still really liked it. Thought it was just the sort of thing I'd read if it were written by someone else.
October 21, 2022
This story had a lot more heaviness than I was expecting. When Graham shows up at the estate to work, he finds a grieving widower who blames himself for his wife’s death and grieving children, one of whom won’t even speak anymore. And as I learned more about the whole situation, it became even more sad. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* I think I felt worse for Lavinia, the dead wife, than I did for Richard. They all deserved better, but she especially did, and yet, even in death, she still just wanted her family to be happy.
But the heaviness was ultimately balanced by the sweet and touching elements of the story. This was about romance, but it was also about a broken family being repaired, as much as they could be with a piece missing.
Also ghosts! Or something supernatural.
The whole book was very atmospheric with the ghosty, Gothic, grieving family, mysterious death, big empty estate vibes.
I found the main character, Graham, pretty unlikeable at first. To be honest, I can’t remember why? But he grew on me over the course of the book. By the end, he really did care about and want to help this family.
I enjoyed the romance. Graham thought about sex a lot, but I still felt like there was more to the relationship than that and like I could understand their feelings for each other. And the sex scenes that were in the book were hot and felt like believable situations.
The audiobook narration by Ruri Carter was good. It sounded natural. Voices were slightly different. English accent. I felt like it maybe could’ve had more oomph during more emotional scenes? Still enjoyable though.
Overall, I enjoyed this atmospheric book with its heavy emotions but ultimately touching ending.
Trigger/Content Warnings: *MILD SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes m/m romance, ghost hauntings, and stories that are both heavy and touching.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
But the heaviness was ultimately balanced by the sweet and touching elements of the story. This was about romance, but it was also about a broken family being repaired, as much as they could be with a piece missing.
Also ghosts! Or something supernatural.
The whole book was very atmospheric with the ghosty, Gothic, grieving family, mysterious death, big empty estate vibes.
I found the main character, Graham, pretty unlikeable at first. To be honest, I can’t remember why? But he grew on me over the course of the book. By the end, he really did care about and want to help this family.
I enjoyed the romance. Graham thought about sex a lot, but I still felt like there was more to the relationship than that and like I could understand their feelings for each other. And the sex scenes that were in the book were hot and felt like believable situations.
The audiobook narration by Ruri Carter was good. It sounded natural. Voices were slightly different. English accent. I felt like it maybe could’ve had more oomph during more emotional scenes? Still enjoyable though.
Overall, I enjoyed this atmospheric book with its heavy emotions but ultimately touching ending.
Trigger/Content Warnings: *MILD SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes m/m romance, ghost hauntings, and stories that are both heavy and touching.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
July 30, 2015
This is dark, spooky with gothic elements, and that's all done well. But what else is done well that no one seems to have mentioned is the sexual tension between Graham and his employer, Richard. They take a while to get their smexy on, and the attraction sparks.
The two boys are great company and Tom adds a nice dimension.
It's all from Graham's viewpoint, so Richard appears mysterious and forbidding. Graham's personality comes through eventually - initially he behaves how he thinks he should, but it doesn't take long for his optimism and his boldness to make appearances.
Highly enjoyable with a satisfying conclusion.
The two boys are great company and Tom adds a nice dimension.
It's all from Graham's viewpoint, so Richard appears mysterious and forbidding. Graham's personality comes through eventually - initially he behaves how he thinks he should, but it doesn't take long for his optimism and his boldness to make appearances.
Highly enjoyable with a satisfying conclusion.
November 28, 2015
This was a really entertaining read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's spooky, well-paced, the MC's have great chemistry and Ms Dee sure knows how to write a sexy love scene.
I knocked off a star because I was a tad disappointed with the mystery side, which wasn't much of a mystery at all. From pretty early on you could predict the outcome and the conclusion.
I was lacking that shock factor, an interesting twist, that I expect from a good scary gothic romance.
I knocked off a star because I was a tad disappointed with the mystery side, which wasn't much of a mystery at all. From pretty early on you could predict the outcome and the conclusion.
I was lacking that shock factor, an interesting twist, that I expect from a good scary gothic romance.
August 3, 2015
I was in the mood for a spooky paranormal and this one hit the spot. It was a bit corny at times but I really didn't mind, it was fun and enjoyable, with just a touch of angst. Graham and Sir Richard were a hot couple once they got going and I'm glad they got their happy ever after!
July 5, 2021
Oh that was scary! I wasn't expecting the ending to be so real, what a great surprise. Ruri Carter does a nice job with the narration. The whole story is from a single point of view, and he pulls it off well.
February 17, 2017
What an absolute treat this was! :D
We have a tainted house, an unnerving pair of twins and the brooding Lord of the manor.
I love the POV, the slow building of the story and the wonderfully sinister atmosphere. Bonnie Dee does a wonderful job of building the world we are dropped into.
We have a tainted house, an unnerving pair of twins and the brooding Lord of the manor.
I love the POV, the slow building of the story and the wonderfully sinister atmosphere. Bonnie Dee does a wonderful job of building the world we are dropped into.
July 20, 2015
I’m not one for historical books but this one caught my eye! It’s a gothic love story. One built on great mystery, forbidden love, and the supernatural. What’s not to love? It was an absolutely thrilling ride. Following the story on Graham’s POV, we see him arrive as the tutor of twin boys Clive and Whit, hired by their widowed father Sir Richard. With the closing of the estates doors Graham’s scary journey of death, mystery, and darkness begin. But love conquers all and finding it is a journey in itself.
I LOVED how this book sucked me in to this haunting world. It had the perfect creepy feel you look for in a book like this. Bonnie’s descriptions of every room in this creeptastic castle was divine! Each character was fantastically depicted and no matter how small their role in this book they stood out.
It’s a brilliant book that will have you biting your nails and vibrating in your seat!
A gothic love story indeed… with ghosts and all!
I LOVED how this book sucked me in to this haunting world. It had the perfect creepy feel you look for in a book like this. Bonnie’s descriptions of every room in this creeptastic castle was divine! Each character was fantastically depicted and no matter how small their role in this book they stood out.
It’s a brilliant book that will have you biting your nails and vibrating in your seat!
A gothic love story indeed… with ghosts and all!
September 17, 2020
3.5 Stars
This was a fantastic change of pace for me.
Who knew - I sure didn't - that a sexy , gothic , horror , ghostly, funny , romance story was just what I needed to get me out of my recently - half a week long- book funk? Yet, that's exactly what happened.
I found The Tutor to be an entertaining story and Ruri Carter narration was very nice.
I am glad , listened it through Audible Plus Catalog (their new library-like service) as I liked it but no enough to buy it and keep it in my permanent library.
This was a fantastic change of pace for me.
Who knew - I sure didn't - that a sexy , gothic , horror , ghostly, funny , romance story was just what I needed to get me out of my recently - half a week long- book funk? Yet, that's exactly what happened.
I found The Tutor to be an entertaining story and Ruri Carter narration was very nice.
I am glad , listened it through Audible Plus Catalog (their new library-like service) as I liked it but no enough to buy it and keep it in my permanent library.
August 29, 2015
This was so damn good! A true gothic romance with some elements of horror thrown in at the end. The mm twist? Refreshingly wonderful and totally, believably cool. I loved every second reading this book. A great story by an exceptional writer. Thank you! The slump is over!!!
January 2, 2016
This was a really good mystery, nice and scary! Albeit a slightly predictable ending. The second half was definitely better, I read that in 3 hours and it took 3 days to get through the first half. It wasn't bad, just didn't grab my attention as I would've liked.
I really liked Whit and Clive and actually enjoyed reading about them. Graham was one of those characters that is positively cheerful despite his life experiences, which went well with tragic, conflicted Richard, however I didn't feel much chemistry between these two characters for some reason. That could've been because I started off reading this slowly... I'm sure it'll work well for a lot of people.
I really liked Whit and Clive and actually enjoyed reading about them. Graham was one of those characters that is positively cheerful despite his life experiences, which went well with tragic, conflicted Richard, however I didn't feel much chemistry between these two characters for some reason. That could've been because I started off reading this slowly... I'm sure it'll work well for a lot of people.
August 12, 2017
I'm not the usual reader of gothic stories. Nor a reader of horror stories filled with ghosts. Therefore, maybe I was not made to really appreciate this book.
It's pretty much the typical gothic story, but with a male protagonist. Contrarily to the shy maiden, the MC is particularly proud of himself.
"Apparently my charm would do nothing for me here in this grim house..."
His "charm" didn't do for me either.
And the story was very predictable and not at all spooky.
The only part a little interesting was
It's pretty much the typical gothic story, but with a male protagonist. Contrarily to the shy maiden, the MC is particularly proud of himself.
"Apparently my charm would do nothing for me here in this grim house..."
His "charm" didn't do for me either.
And the story was very predictable and not at all spooky.
The only part a little interesting was
maybe
April 12, 2017So I'm reading this, a bit spooked, and we get a thunder storm. Eeeek! Great story, great writing and what sex we got was hot. I do wish we got a little more time with just the two of them but overall a very enjoyable book.
November 29, 2017
I am not sure whether I liked this or not. Guess it was an okay read for me, even though it started really really slow (like falling asleep during reading slow...) However, there were a lot of things that I just didn't like, starting with the really strange ghost story that was happening at the mansion. I am usually a big fan of Regency, but this one did not convince.
Many things did not make sense, starting with a tutor who's unconventional methods would be acceptable today but definitely not hundred years back.
Probably I could have ignored one or two of the things that were strange, or didn't make sense, but it went on and on and in the end it was just too much.
There was a preview of another Regency story from Bonnie Dee with the trope of "My fair lady" with a "gay Eliza Doolittle" at the end, which I might give a try, as it sounded nice, this one however, I would rate average 3 stars and not really recommend.
If you like the genre, try "The gentleman and the Rogue" by the same author, it's definitely a much better choice!
Many things did not make sense, starting with a tutor who's unconventional methods would be acceptable today but definitely not hundred years back.
Probably I could have ignored one or two of the things that were strange, or didn't make sense, but it went on and on and in the end it was just too much.
There was a preview of another Regency story from Bonnie Dee with the trope of "My fair lady" with a "gay Eliza Doolittle" at the end, which I might give a try, as it sounded nice, this one however, I would rate average 3 stars and not really recommend.
If you like the genre, try "The gentleman and the Rogue" by the same author, it's definitely a much better choice!
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