What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Underneath
A groundbreaking merger of genres, Luke Hartwell's latest novel, Love Underneath, is as distinctive as its predecessors. Using characters and early chapters from his deleted novel Locomotives in Winter, Hartwell has created a beautiful, sexy story of guys who love. Hunter, a high school senior, finds himself with no place to go and ends up sharing a bed with the friend and classmate he once had abandoned. Brandon, who has been in love with Hunter since ninth grade, finds having Hunter in his bed every night leads to some surprises. After graduating, the two boys part. Years later Brandon receives an unexpected call from Hunter, who has been married twice and has a son. Now, he's come to realize Brandon was always the love of his life. Love Underneath is a multifaceted novel about human relationships. As Brandon meets Hunter's son, Ben; Ben's best friend, Taylor; Taylor's father, Case, and the gardener, Jorge, the novel takes twists and turns that intrigue and delight. As with all Hartwell fiction, the characterizations, narration, and depth of feeling leave an impact.
- GenresM M RomanceRomance
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 2, 2018
3 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Luke Hartwell
39 books62 followersReaders can track Luke Hartwell's book releases on the Watersgreen House website. Luke's books are available from Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Gardners, Baker & Taylor, Smashwords, Scribd, Odilo, and OverDrive.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 17, 2018
I love all of Hartwell's books, but I always considered his novel Locomotives in Winter his weakest. Apparently, Hartwell did as well! He has taken the central characters of that book and rewritten the novel to make it as vibrant and compelling as his other work. The early chapters with the young Brandon and Hunter have been expanded, with a new character added. The remainder of the book after the two reunite has been completely rewritten, with a different, and much better, ending. The book has become a tale of gay family life, with much more emphasis on the boys, Ben and Taylor. I got a strong sense this time of just how much Brandon cares about all the other characters, especially the boys. The book still contains some graphic sex at times, but whereas in Locomotives that seemed too much the focus, that is no longer the case. Now the sex, while beautifully written, is incidental. I highly recommend this one to all Hartwell fans. Also, even better, is his new version of "Nathan's Story," which now appears as the story "Space" in the recently published "Four Walls and a Passion." That story is now one of my two favorite works by Hartwell along with his "Memory and Madness."
January 7, 2026
One of the better pieces of gay romance that I've ever encountered. It reads more like a memoir than a romance novel, spanning several decades. It contains a mixture of showing and telling, but done the right way. The "telling" portions are parts that needed including but in a summary fashion. Luke Hartwell made excellent choices in deciding which parts to depict in scenes and which simply to "tell."
This is a story of the love between Brandon and Hunter, beginning in childhood and ending in middle age (we aren't given the exact age, but it appears they're in their 50s). There is a deep love between the two. However, they are not monogamous. They both have affairs with two other men, with each other's knowledge and consent. I found it touching how well the author showed how a couple completely devoted to each other can nevertheless have other lovers.
Their primary other lovers are both married, closeted bisexual men. So, there is adultery involved. I liked how the author showed the dilemma some bisexuals find themselves in and approached it without judgment. So, even though these bisexual men were cheating on their wives, this was depicted without judgment or the usual biphobia. Obviously, not all (or even most) bisexuals are cheaters, but since some are, it was good to see what they go through depicted without casting stones.
So, I highly recommend this work for its insight into the differing ways in which people love each other and especially for showing how monogamy is not a requirement for true love.
This is a story of the love between Brandon and Hunter, beginning in childhood and ending in middle age (we aren't given the exact age, but it appears they're in their 50s). There is a deep love between the two. However, they are not monogamous. They both have affairs with two other men, with each other's knowledge and consent. I found it touching how well the author showed how a couple completely devoted to each other can nevertheless have other lovers.
Their primary other lovers are both married, closeted bisexual men. So, there is adultery involved. I liked how the author showed the dilemma some bisexuals find themselves in and approached it without judgment. So, even though these bisexual men were cheating on their wives, this was depicted without judgment or the usual biphobia. Obviously, not all (or even most) bisexuals are cheaters, but since some are, it was good to see what they go through depicted without casting stones.
So, I highly recommend this work for its insight into the differing ways in which people love each other and especially for showing how monogamy is not a requirement for true love.
Read
March 22, 2019Amazing
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews