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Another England #1
The Rake, The Rogue, and The Roué
The scene is 1815-1816 in Another England, where men of a certain, ah, bent, are known as friends of Edward’s. Our heroes are nicknamed the “Three R’s.” Peregrine, our blond British viscount rake; Rory, our brawny, hairy, sometimes kilt-wearing, Scots rogue, and Michel, the languid, lethal English-born roué with the French name and French title. They’re close friends. Intimate you might say. Especially since Peregrine is having really great sex with both Rory and Michel. And neither of them knows about the other.
Besides his dear Mama trying to marry him off, Peregrine has a problem. He's given his word of honor to each of them he won’t disclose what’s going on. What’s a horny rake to do when he knows the three of them together would be incredible in so many ways, but can’t say anything to make it happen?
Even worse, what happens if his two men find out about all the secret sex Peregrine has been enjoying?
You’ll have to read to find out those answers. Along the way: a duel, mysterious inheritances, a nefarious bishop, a scheming lord, a love poem, some wit and humor, a frantic race home, a frolic by the sea, a portrait and...oh, yes...some great sex.
All royalties will be donated to a local LGBT organization.
RRR is 141,908 words of story. The original version was published for free in 2014 by MM Romance Group. The bonus short story, “Banging the Bishop Back,” is 10,085.
Besides his dear Mama trying to marry him off, Peregrine has a problem. He's given his word of honor to each of them he won’t disclose what’s going on. What’s a horny rake to do when he knows the three of them together would be incredible in so many ways, but can’t say anything to make it happen?
Even worse, what happens if his two men find out about all the secret sex Peregrine has been enjoying?
You’ll have to read to find out those answers. Along the way: a duel, mysterious inheritances, a nefarious bishop, a scheming lord, a love poem, some wit and humor, a frantic race home, a frolic by the sea, a portrait and...oh, yes...some great sex.
All royalties will be donated to a local LGBT organization.
RRR is 141,908 words of story. The original version was published for free in 2014 by MM Romance Group. The bonus short story, “Banging the Bishop Back,” is 10,085.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2014
74 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Eric Alan Westfall
29 books65 followersGuess what...that image ain't really me! (Not nearly enough grey hair). That's Kerry Chin Chew Yee's image of DarkFire for the cover of The Warlord and the Bard. And since he's the favorite of my characters...what better image? Maybe more about me later.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 10, 2014
2.5 stars.
The premise was really interesting. I love a well done menage romance, and I love Regency setting. Mix them, and it will be a recipe for an awesome read..except it wasn't.
I wasn't daunted by the amount of pages. A long, detailed progress of a relationship - I love it. But this book was just too wordy. The banter, the witty dialogues, the monologues, the inner musings of the heroes, the letters - there were too many words. At one point the author just lost the track of the story...it was writing for the sake of writing. Many-many-many pages filled with nothing significant happening, just the heroes going in circles and incessantly talking. The whole eyebrow-talk and arsewipe-talk was amusing the first couple of times - then it became annoying. Same with the accents, 'cos each hero had a distinct manner of speech.
I could have overlooked the wordiness - if the heroes didn't irritate me so much. Especially Peregrine. Letting his two best friends to duel just because he couldn't break his word of honor and tell them the truth?? It was so stupid! The whole stupid miscommunication just went on too long, and Peregrine could have stopped it any minute.
The transfer from two relationships to a threesome was not quite convincing. I would have loved some bonding moments of Michel and Rory together, without Peregrine. Didn't get it.
The whole Alternative Universe Britain seemed interesting...no punishment for sodomy? Yay! Except it didn't change anything - the men were still hiding, and the society didn't accept openly gay people. What was the point?
Overall, the book had lots of potential, but didn't deliver.
The premise was really interesting. I love a well done menage romance, and I love Regency setting. Mix them, and it will be a recipe for an awesome read..except it wasn't.
I wasn't daunted by the amount of pages. A long, detailed progress of a relationship - I love it. But this book was just too wordy. The banter, the witty dialogues, the monologues, the inner musings of the heroes, the letters - there were too many words. At one point the author just lost the track of the story...it was writing for the sake of writing. Many-many-many pages filled with nothing significant happening, just the heroes going in circles and incessantly talking. The whole eyebrow-talk and arsewipe-talk was amusing the first couple of times - then it became annoying. Same with the accents, 'cos each hero had a distinct manner of speech.
I could have overlooked the wordiness - if the heroes didn't irritate me so much. Especially Peregrine. Letting his two best friends to duel just because he couldn't break his word of honor and tell them the truth?? It was so stupid! The whole stupid miscommunication just went on too long, and Peregrine could have stopped it any minute.
The transfer from two relationships to a threesome was not quite convincing. I would have loved some bonding moments of Michel and Rory together, without Peregrine. Didn't get it.
The whole Alternative Universe Britain seemed interesting...no punishment for sodomy? Yay! Except it didn't change anything - the men were still hiding, and the society didn't accept openly gay people. What was the point?
Overall, the book had lots of potential, but didn't deliver.
September 21, 2014
The five stars are for effort, plot, the sex, and the author's extremely skillful use of language. I admired the story and probably enjoyed it.
I feel as if I ought to get a prize for finishing this long, weighty book. It should have ended at page 351, just after Hamilton is hired. The chapters that follow until page 409 are unnecessary.
Unlike other stories by this author this one did not require extensive setup. It takes place in 19th-century high society, almost exclusively in England. The only difference from reality is that sodomy is not a crime.
Narration is only slightly twisted. The tale starts in the middle, immediately moves back in time, and then proceeds forward from that point.
There are three principals in this book, and each chapter takes turns with their points of view.
I did enjoy the vivid descriptions of sex in this book. Usually I do not in other author's writing.
The numerous anachronistic phrases were meant to be witty but to me just a bit annoying, or at least a cause for eye-rolling.
I thought I knew the plot, but there were a few unanticipated twists. I expected loose ends, but they were all tied up by the end. The journey took much longer than it should, bogged down with flowery descriptions and clever word-play at every point. I was frankly bored at times and skimmed quite a bit.
So, A+ for effort, and B+ for execution.
I feel as if I ought to get a prize for finishing this long, weighty book. It should have ended at page 351, just after Hamilton is hired. The chapters that follow until page 409 are unnecessary.
Unlike other stories by this author this one did not require extensive setup. It takes place in 19th-century high society, almost exclusively in England. The only difference from reality is that sodomy is not a crime.
Narration is only slightly twisted. The tale starts in the middle, immediately moves back in time, and then proceeds forward from that point.
There are three principals in this book, and each chapter takes turns with their points of view.
I did enjoy the vivid descriptions of sex in this book. Usually I do not in other author's writing.
The numerous anachronistic phrases were meant to be witty but to me just a bit annoying, or at least a cause for eye-rolling.
I thought I knew the plot, but there were a few unanticipated twists. I expected loose ends, but they were all tied up by the end. The journey took much longer than it should, bogged down with flowery descriptions and clever word-play at every point. I was frankly bored at times and skimmed quite a bit.
So, A+ for effort, and B+ for execution.
Want to read
September 19, 2014Oh my, oh my, oh my... :D
October 4, 2014
3.5 stars
I really, really liked that book - until it started to deviate from what I wanted it to be or rather from what I was led to believe it would be. Now, one could argue that this is just my own dang problem but I rather think of it as a missed opportunity.
The writing is funny, loads of clever word-play, the prose is at times rather... I think, bawdy is the word I'm looking for, and I laughed out loud a lot. Other times the story was really touching and I came to care for the characters. But...
There are some minor issues I had with the book.
The second part needs tightening. Yes, misunderstandings and promises given under false assumptions are a staple for a comedy of errors, which this book is to a certain extent but... This is just too drawn out. Enough already! Now kiss and make up!
There is too much sex (real or imagined). Don't get me wrong, I was very happy to read some sex scenes that had actual fun in it (including *gasp* laughter) but reading the word cock the staggering amount of 459 times on 410 pages seems... excessive and also a bit boring and repetitive after a while.
But still, so far I was okay.
Then there comes this other bit which made this rating drop considerably. It is still a well-written, entertaining book - but...
The ending sucked. Oh, there is a HEA and all. Everything is hunky-dory for the guys, not to worry, but still…
I really, really liked that book - until it started to deviate from what I wanted it to be or rather from what I was led to believe it would be. Now, one could argue that this is just my own dang problem but I rather think of it as a missed opportunity.
The writing is funny, loads of clever word-play, the prose is at times rather... I think, bawdy is the word I'm looking for, and I laughed out loud a lot. Other times the story was really touching and I came to care for the characters. But...
There are some minor issues I had with the book.
The second part needs tightening. Yes, misunderstandings and promises given under false assumptions are a staple for a comedy of errors, which this book is to a certain extent but... This is just too drawn out. Enough already! Now kiss and make up!
There is too much sex (real or imagined). Don't get me wrong, I was very happy to read some sex scenes that had actual fun in it (including *gasp* laughter) but reading the word cock the staggering amount of 459 times on 410 pages seems... excessive and also a bit boring and repetitive after a while.
But still, so far I was okay.
Then there comes this other bit which made this rating drop considerably. It is still a well-written, entertaining book - but...
The ending sucked. Oh, there is a HEA and all. Everything is hunky-dory for the guys, not to worry, but still…
November 20, 2014
This was my prompt! And I LOVED where Eric took it!
So Eric flips the coin a bit for this AU 19th century England ménage. Although it's still frowned upon to be "a friend of Edwards" (gay) it is no longer against the law.
So bring on our three Heroes:
The Rake : Peregrine James Woodhall, Viscount Somerville
The Rogue: Ruaidhi MacLean, Master of Strathain (Rory)
The Roué: Michel Louis Arsenault, Le Vicomte de Vidal-Sansouci
Peregrine is having an affair with both Rory and Michel, but is swore to secrecy by both, he's not even allowed to tell one that he sleeping with the other. This secrecy leads to 2 of the three having a falling out and the three former best friends are no longer. Being sworn on his honour to keep his word Peregrine can't mend the rift, although he dearly wants to. But once we get to the here and now, their relationship picks up, with some major bumps in the road, including; suicides, Bangers (gay bashers), dealing with past rapes, family deaths, and family rejection (don't worry there are heaps of good, happy bits in there too), the three find what they're looking for.
The story jumps around the timeline a bit, and I confess I got lost once or twice. But it always made sense by the end of the chapter. You've probably seen the word count, so you don't need me to tell you it's wordy. But I really enjoined Eric's play on words, it was very witty and often had me chuckling. He did make me cry at one stage though. But I've already yelled at Eric for that, and although I hate that bit of the story, I do agree it's necessary.
I would like to thank Eric Alan Westfall for writing such a great story, and a massive story, I also want to thank Goodreads M/M romance group for putting on this event, especially the volunteers who did all the work to get these stories put together. With a big thank you to those who tackled this story in particular.
So Eric flips the coin a bit for this AU 19th century England ménage. Although it's still frowned upon to be "a friend of Edwards" (gay) it is no longer against the law.
So bring on our three Heroes:
The Rake : Peregrine James Woodhall, Viscount Somerville
The Rogue: Ruaidhi MacLean, Master of Strathain (Rory)
The Roué: Michel Louis Arsenault, Le Vicomte de Vidal-Sansouci
Peregrine is having an affair with both Rory and Michel, but is swore to secrecy by both, he's not even allowed to tell one that he sleeping with the other. This secrecy leads to 2 of the three having a falling out and the three former best friends are no longer. Being sworn on his honour to keep his word Peregrine can't mend the rift, although he dearly wants to. But once we get to the here and now, their relationship picks up, with some major bumps in the road, including; suicides, Bangers (gay bashers), dealing with past rapes, family deaths, and family rejection (don't worry there are heaps of good, happy bits in there too), the three find what they're looking for.
The story jumps around the timeline a bit, and I confess I got lost once or twice. But it always made sense by the end of the chapter. You've probably seen the word count, so you don't need me to tell you it's wordy. But I really enjoined Eric's play on words, it was very witty and often had me chuckling. He did make me cry at one stage though. But I've already yelled at Eric for that, and although I hate that bit of the story, I do agree it's necessary.
I would like to thank Eric Alan Westfall for writing such a great story, and a massive story, I also want to thank Goodreads M/M romance group for putting on this event, especially the volunteers who did all the work to get these stories put together. With a big thank you to those who tackled this story in particular.
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April 30, 2017
I am screaming in joy. You guys. It's finally out!
One of these days, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will get around to writing the review I promised myself I would type up when I finished beta'ing this marvelous piece. But for now, please. Do yourself a favor. Fear not the length, for there are those whose length far surpasses this. I heartily encourage each of you to give it a chance. This story deserves a look and I don't think you would regret it.
One of these days, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will get around to writing the review I promised myself I would type up when I finished beta'ing this marvelous piece. But for now, please. Do yourself a favor. Fear not the length, for there are those whose length far surpasses this. I heartily encourage each of you to give it a chance. This story deserves a look and I don't think you would regret it.
October 7, 2017
A lot of sex but a super weak and disjointed plot. I hate to say this if male MM writers but, I find the women writers to actually have a decent story line and sex scenes. Male writers just tend to focus on the sex, but if that’s the case, then I would seek to read erotica and not a book which I am seeking an actual storyline from.
July 24, 2022
Sooo, this felt far longer than it should. I like poly relationships and regency romance; this did do well with both of those things. The sex was a little dirtier than I like and there was a copious amount of it. Poor Andy was a tragedy and totally unexpected. I liked all three men and thought they were good together when they finally got there. I didn’t see the point of setting it in an alternate England where the only difference was being gay was decriminalized but the bigotry, hatred, and shame were still so prevalent.
Although this review says it all
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Although this review says it all
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 17, 2018
This book is long! However, it's also deliciously filthy and full of erotic goings on in a historic period known for being secretly depraved underneath the prim exterior.
I liked it, but the length of it stops me rating higher as it did go on a bit longer than it needed to. Our three heroes are wickedly sexy though!
I liked it, but the length of it stops me rating higher as it did go on a bit longer than it needed to. Our three heroes are wickedly sexy though!
January 8, 2015
First of all a big THANK YOU to the author for a completely free novel! It's very much appreciated!
I had a hard time getting through this for the first 40% of the book. I found all our three MCs are strikingly arrogant and self contained characters with an enormous ego. Also their whole live and thinking seemed to consist only of sex. Nothing else. While this might be true for man ;-) (no offense meant) I found it tedious to read. Also the way they used woman bothered me. While I understand that a certain cover must be preserved I found their use of women often bordering on abusive. I didn't like either of them. But the dislike was so big that it kind of was like watching a train wreck and I kept on reading. After approx. the 40% mark some likable features kept creeping in, also few other topics than sex. Also I felt compelled to google LGBT history of GB which was a rather interesting read.
There is a lot of witty banter going on, more than I as non native English speaker could catch I guess.
The chaptering by dates is not one of my favorites. I tend to forget which date was written at the end of a chapter always having to skip back to learn how much time actually passed between the chapters. But this might be just me and my bad memory for numbers.
I found the misunderstanding could/should have been solved by Peregrine much earlier. The story could have proceeded just in the same way in my opinion if he would have said something, that way there was part which started to drag a little.
Now the smexing, be aware there is A LOT and it's rough and raw and seems to only have an orgasm as goal. That's in the end, I guess, the point which doesn't really convinced me of these three loving each other. There was no romance there, at least I didn't feel any.
I was unfortunately disappointed by the end. There was no mention of what the Society of Friend's of Edwards did for their fellow friends, male or female alike, apart from hiring a few gay servants. Instead we only get the "enjoy your live part" with more smexing.
I had a hard time getting through this for the first 40% of the book. I found all our three MCs are strikingly arrogant and self contained characters with an enormous ego. Also their whole live and thinking seemed to consist only of sex. Nothing else. While this might be true for man ;-) (no offense meant) I found it tedious to read. Also the way they used woman bothered me. While I understand that a certain cover must be preserved I found their use of women often bordering on abusive. I didn't like either of them. But the dislike was so big that it kind of was like watching a train wreck and I kept on reading. After approx. the 40% mark some likable features kept creeping in, also few other topics than sex. Also I felt compelled to google LGBT history of GB which was a rather interesting read.
There is a lot of witty banter going on, more than I as non native English speaker could catch I guess.
The chaptering by dates is not one of my favorites. I tend to forget which date was written at the end of a chapter always having to skip back to learn how much time actually passed between the chapters. But this might be just me and my bad memory for numbers.
I found the misunderstanding could/should have been solved by Peregrine much earlier. The story could have proceeded just in the same way in my opinion if he would have said something, that way there was part which started to drag a little.
Now the smexing, be aware there is A LOT and it's rough and raw and seems to only have an orgasm as goal. That's in the end, I guess, the point which doesn't really convinced me of these three loving each other. There was no romance there, at least I didn't feel any.
I was unfortunately disappointed by the end. There was no mention of what the Society of Friend's of Edwards did for their fellow friends, male or female alike, apart from hiring a few gay servants. Instead we only get the "enjoy your live part" with more smexing.
Want to read
September 19, 2014Totally out of my comfort zone, but it sounds so interesting - I'll give it a try.
September 21, 2014
This was epic.
The beginning took a little to get into, but after a while i totally got lost in the story and had to read it all in one sitting.
The beginning took a little to get into, but after a while i totally got lost in the story and had to read it all in one sitting.
May 3, 2021
4.5 to 5 Friends of Edward stars!
July 13, 2025
4⭐
This author has skill and style. I absolutely loved The Raven Prince and that's not even a romance. I can recognise the author here even though the tone of the book is very different. This is a horny comedy, a farce almost, with so much talk about "seeding" that everyone and their uncle should be ashamed.
It is funny and charming but too long. This book is certainly not instantly devourable. It takes forever to get back to scene in the prologue, and then the endgame gets quite serious. While I actually liked both tones, in the end it felt weird having these guys fumble around with their dicks (literally) in their hands for hundreds of pages, for the book to sort of really start at 70% or so.
I liked it, I loved some bits of it, and I also grumble. I'm not afraid to tackle another book by the author though.
This author has skill and style. I absolutely loved The Raven Prince and that's not even a romance. I can recognise the author here even though the tone of the book is very different. This is a horny comedy, a farce almost, with so much talk about "seeding" that everyone and their uncle should be ashamed.
It is funny and charming but too long. This book is certainly not instantly devourable. It takes forever to get back to scene in the prologue, and then the endgame gets quite serious. While I actually liked both tones, in the end it felt weird having these guys fumble around with their dicks (literally) in their hands for hundreds of pages, for the book to sort of really start at 70% or so.
I liked it, I loved some bits of it, and I also grumble. I'm not afraid to tackle another book by the author though.
December 4, 2021
I consider this author a fine and brilliant writer. To say this book is a sex farce would be a crime. From reading the reviews of this book I went into it believing just that. I was gut punched. Every social issue considered in this book, I have lived. Every one, and it made me so sad to think in another 200 yrs men will still be living them. All that said, the characters dealt with these issues with humor and love. And I love that. This was a fabulous book.
May 24, 2025
will follow this author
Interesting and hot for the time period. I’m a fast reader and enjoyed it to the end. Someone not of European decent I also imagined how they got their wealth. That needs to be acknowledged.
Interesting and hot for the time period. I’m a fast reader and enjoyed it to the end. Someone not of European decent I also imagined how they got their wealth. That needs to be acknowledged.
June 19, 2017
Wicked and fun. Somerville, Rory, and Michel spend too much of the book apart when they could've been having a good time together.
July 18, 2017
Had some promise in the beginning ... but they got together about halfway and then the book fizzled in storyline other than continuous shagging.
February 9, 2021
Hot m/m romance erotica
3 gorgeous men. All love sex with other men. They find each other. The book drags a bit in some places and could be shorter but I enjoyed the characters
3 gorgeous men. All love sex with other men. They find each other. The book drags a bit in some places and could be shorter but I enjoyed the characters
October 29, 2020
Funny, Hyper-Sexed, Explicit Alternate History M/M Romance; well written with sparkling dialogue
This book is a tidal wave of M/M erotic fantasies (running the gamut of sexual practices) brought to literary life in an alternate Regency-era England. It is simultaneously sexy, dramatic, moving, and at times laugh out loud funny. The author has considerable talent and uses his many skills to deliver a compelling story that grows out of sexual desire and the psychological, interpersonal, and social implications of raw sexual hedonism in all its nuance and detail. While far from perfect, it stands out in the M/M historical romance genre, where most novels are mostly character and plot driven with some sex thrown in, by being unabashedly about sex from beginning to end. Most attempts at this kind of book quickly degenerate into crass, artless pornography. This book succeeds where others fail.
The story is about three gay English aristocrats who first find and use each other for raw sex (which is comprehensively described in detail), then, unexpectedly, a passion for one another develops that turns into a loving, committed three-way relationship. During the course of their affair, Peregrine, the English viscount and Rake, Rory, a Scottish laird and Rogue, and Michel, an English-born heir to French nobility and a Roue, endanger those around them and each other, and end in a confrontation with an English society becoming ever-more conservative. The novel explores how sex connects to privilege, social class, gender roles, identity and power. It’s told in a series of alternating first person accounts using a strangely convincing linguistic mix of historical and contemporary language. The inner dialogue of these accounts is rarely straight forward, except during the most dramatic scenes, and often consists of entertaining mental digressions packed with word play, improvisational riffs on literary and historical sources, and usually perfectly timed humor.
Although I’ve given the book 5 stars based on the author’s impressive writing and storytelling, I’ve done so with some reservations. There are some sections which need an editor’s keen eye. More concerning is the use of at least on blatant racial stereotype which, although dressed up in humanizing language, still encourages the worst in us (the author might argue that objectifying the other as an exoticism is a historically accurate attitude, but he’s filled the pages of this book with anachronisms making such a defense unfeasible). While the female characters, while secondary, are generally well rounded and sensitively portrayed, there is still pervasive sense of sexism that could be seen as being more than just a representation of historical attitudes. Finally, the book might be read as an homage to a narcissistic hedonism (perhaps to the pre-AIDS 1970’s?); the three main characters are self-centered, sex-addicted, privileged-beyond-fantastic-wealth upper-class Caucasians whose feeling for the world and others doesn’t extend beyond the tips of their cocks (a word that is used A LOT in this book). If it’s unpleasant to spend time with someone like this in real life why spend the hours it takes to read this book? The author has given us a book that can be unpacked, discussed and analyzed in many ways. But I found his writing swept me a way with its witty digressions that, like tributaries to a river with unexpected rapids, resulted in a forward momentum that kept me turning the pages. I encourage you to take the ride and decide for yourself.
This book is a tidal wave of M/M erotic fantasies (running the gamut of sexual practices) brought to literary life in an alternate Regency-era England. It is simultaneously sexy, dramatic, moving, and at times laugh out loud funny. The author has considerable talent and uses his many skills to deliver a compelling story that grows out of sexual desire and the psychological, interpersonal, and social implications of raw sexual hedonism in all its nuance and detail. While far from perfect, it stands out in the M/M historical romance genre, where most novels are mostly character and plot driven with some sex thrown in, by being unabashedly about sex from beginning to end. Most attempts at this kind of book quickly degenerate into crass, artless pornography. This book succeeds where others fail.
The story is about three gay English aristocrats who first find and use each other for raw sex (which is comprehensively described in detail), then, unexpectedly, a passion for one another develops that turns into a loving, committed three-way relationship. During the course of their affair, Peregrine, the English viscount and Rake, Rory, a Scottish laird and Rogue, and Michel, an English-born heir to French nobility and a Roue, endanger those around them and each other, and end in a confrontation with an English society becoming ever-more conservative. The novel explores how sex connects to privilege, social class, gender roles, identity and power. It’s told in a series of alternating first person accounts using a strangely convincing linguistic mix of historical and contemporary language. The inner dialogue of these accounts is rarely straight forward, except during the most dramatic scenes, and often consists of entertaining mental digressions packed with word play, improvisational riffs on literary and historical sources, and usually perfectly timed humor.
Although I’ve given the book 5 stars based on the author’s impressive writing and storytelling, I’ve done so with some reservations. There are some sections which need an editor’s keen eye. More concerning is the use of at least on blatant racial stereotype which, although dressed up in humanizing language, still encourages the worst in us (the author might argue that objectifying the other as an exoticism is a historically accurate attitude, but he’s filled the pages of this book with anachronisms making such a defense unfeasible). While the female characters, while secondary, are generally well rounded and sensitively portrayed, there is still pervasive sense of sexism that could be seen as being more than just a representation of historical attitudes. Finally, the book might be read as an homage to a narcissistic hedonism (perhaps to the pre-AIDS 1970’s?); the three main characters are self-centered, sex-addicted, privileged-beyond-fantastic-wealth upper-class Caucasians whose feeling for the world and others doesn’t extend beyond the tips of their cocks (a word that is used A LOT in this book). If it’s unpleasant to spend time with someone like this in real life why spend the hours it takes to read this book? The author has given us a book that can be unpacked, discussed and analyzed in many ways. But I found his writing swept me a way with its witty digressions that, like tributaries to a river with unexpected rapids, resulted in a forward momentum that kept me turning the pages. I encourage you to take the ride and decide for yourself.
March 18, 2016
I thought this was marvelous! It's also 1 in the AM, so I hope this review is coherent. I'm no expert on the Regency era, but I felt like I was there. It was of course, with a little twist, as Eric Westfall made it an alternate England. Instead of gay men, they were "friends of Edward" and instead of gaydar, there is "Ned-sense". But there is still homophobia and the need for men to hide, even though they cannot be executed. But there are "Ned-bangers" that beat and persecute those they judge to be gay, because of fallacious stereotypes, and encouraged by religious zealotry. The story seemed to reflect a great many parallels to our time.
Yes, it was a long book and could have been more condensed in places. I did take a short break around 1/3 of the way, as it was a bit heavy going at first. Getting used to the manner of speech, the terminology used, and the cadence of the writing, took some adjustment for me. Because this wasn't just set in the period, it reflected the entire feeling of the period. The banter, the sly and subtle meanings interjected in conversation, was highly entertaining. The exchanges between all three characters, Michel, Peregrine and Rory, together and separately, were hilarious at times. I thought Michel's musing in the epilogue, regarding his surprise at the predilections of women reading erotica and pornography and engaging in voyeurism, was quite clever. Of course now I feel a bit like a dirty old lady!
I happen to enjoy a long, satisfying story. It was just fun, amusing, and at one point rather sad. I am rather miffed that Beckwith never recieved any actual comeuppance. I rather hope some members of the Society met him in a darkened alley at some point. I also think the seeming obsession with genitalia, orifices and sexual positions was quite suited to the characters as written. I also appreciate a good deal of steam. I look forward to more stories by Mr. Westfall.
Yes, it was a long book and could have been more condensed in places. I did take a short break around 1/3 of the way, as it was a bit heavy going at first. Getting used to the manner of speech, the terminology used, and the cadence of the writing, took some adjustment for me. Because this wasn't just set in the period, it reflected the entire feeling of the period. The banter, the sly and subtle meanings interjected in conversation, was highly entertaining. The exchanges between all three characters, Michel, Peregrine and Rory, together and separately, were hilarious at times. I thought Michel's musing in the epilogue, regarding his surprise at the predilections of women reading erotica and pornography and engaging in voyeurism, was quite clever. Of course now I feel a bit like a dirty old lady!
I happen to enjoy a long, satisfying story. It was just fun, amusing, and at one point rather sad. I am rather miffed that Beckwith never recieved any actual comeuppance. I rather hope some members of the Society met him in a darkened alley at some point. I also think the seeming obsession with genitalia, orifices and sexual positions was quite suited to the characters as written. I also appreciate a good deal of steam. I look forward to more stories by Mr. Westfall.
April 20, 2016
Considering the exposition was dragging on and on and on, the read was pretty terrible. Add nonsensical information distributed all along that, and I really couldn't get past the first couple of pages.
Like, what does a statue of a lady uglier that the three Macbeth witches combined have to do with sucking a guy off? It's presence (comparison/inclusion) is never specified. Considering its prevalence for two paragraphs . . . simply what the fuck??
Like, what does a statue of a lady uglier that the three Macbeth witches combined have to do with sucking a guy off? It's presence (comparison/inclusion) is never specified. Considering its prevalence for two paragraphs . . . simply what the fuck??
April 26, 2023
So good I read it twice
I almost never re-read a book. But this book was worth reading twice, in a row. The story is intricate enough to require a good deal of attention. It is erotic and romantic in a way few historical can reach. By inventing the Another England the author kept all the tropes of the genre without the gut twisting horror of the reality of law in the early 1800s.
I almost never re-read a book. But this book was worth reading twice, in a row. The story is intricate enough to require a good deal of attention. It is erotic and romantic in a way few historical can reach. By inventing the Another England the author kept all the tropes of the genre without the gut twisting horror of the reality of law in the early 1800s.
November 6, 2014
I join with other reviewers who think that this story was needlessly long, poorly paced, and sometimes confusing. Also, three 1st-person characters - switching POV nearly every chapter - is a couple too many for my taste.
However, I really enjoyed the author's use of language - often raunchy and vulgar, sometimes silly and anachronistic, but for the most part very entertaining.
However, I really enjoyed the author's use of language - often raunchy and vulgar, sometimes silly and anachronistic, but for the most part very entertaining.
April 29, 2016
Really? freaking really?
I read up to Peregrine - September 6 1816 then realize the whole thing is nothing but a bunch of letters darting back and forth in different years.
At the very least, what appeared to be a very entertaining story could have been written as a proper novel and not this blinking bunch of letters dicking back and forth among the the three men.
Oh, POPPYSHOW business this.
I read up to Peregrine - September 6 1816 then realize the whole thing is nothing but a bunch of letters darting back and forth in different years.
At the very least, what appeared to be a very entertaining story could have been written as a proper novel and not this blinking bunch of letters dicking back and forth among the the three men.
Oh, POPPYSHOW business this.
October 21, 2014
So, tried this and did not manage to get through it. Too many points of view for me and too much flowery language leading up to sex, plus some parts left me more than a little confused. This one is not for me.
September 23, 2017
M/M/M romance set in post-Edwardian England. Could stand some significant clean up of typos, missed words and the like. Contains graphic sex with an actual well-plotted story to carry it through. Amusing characters.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Rake, The Rogue, and The Roué (Another England #1)
1) This is an exceptional tale of love and life. My only critique is that there were a couple parts that weren't strictly necessary in the depth they occurred to move the plot forward.
1) This is an exceptional tale of love and life. My only critique is that there were a couple parts that weren't strictly necessary in the depth they occurred to move the plot forward.
March 7, 2024
I found the The Rake, the Rogue and the Roué overly long, with inconsistent pacing adding to that impression.
I didn't particularly care what happened to any of the characters and the entire book felt like a slog. I know some readers really enjoyed it, so perhaps it's a me, not you, thing.
I didn't particularly care what happened to any of the characters and the entire book felt like a slog. I know some readers really enjoyed it, so perhaps it's a me, not you, thing.
event-stories-unread
September 22, 2014[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
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