What do you think?
Rate this book
Escort: Three Tales of a Silver Fox
On the eve of his fiftieth birthday, George’s world is pretty much a wreck. His husband of twenty years is divorcing him for a woman, a baby and a second try at life. He’s lost his job and his home, and he’s living in his brother Andrew’s spare room.
But if George has given up on himself, Drew is more optimistic. He’s hit on a daring idea for George’s fiftieth, a present he won’t soon forget.
When a handsome sex-worker called Silver knocks on the hotel-room door, George tries to send him away. But Sil is persuasive and kind, and George’s inhibitions melt away to a night of unimagined pleasures. Stranger still, when daylight comes, George’s one-night-stand man-for-hire shows every sign of wanting to stay.
But these two men are from different worlds, and George is sure it’s too late for second chances. Silver’s a mystery to him, dashing and dangerous, walking the wild side of life. A trap is closing around the silver-fox escort: will George learn to trust himself in time for Silver to be saved?
But if George has given up on himself, Drew is more optimistic. He’s hit on a daring idea for George’s fiftieth, a present he won’t soon forget.
When a handsome sex-worker called Silver knocks on the hotel-room door, George tries to send him away. But Sil is persuasive and kind, and George’s inhibitions melt away to a night of unimagined pleasures. Stranger still, when daylight comes, George’s one-night-stand man-for-hire shows every sign of wanting to stay.
But these two men are from different worlds, and George is sure it’s too late for second chances. Silver’s a mystery to him, dashing and dangerous, walking the wild side of life. A trap is closing around the silver-fox escort: will George learn to trust himself in time for Silver to be saved?
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2019
13 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Harper Fox
58 books1,179 followersHarper Fox is an M/M author with a mission. She’s produced six critically acclaimed novels in a year and is trying to dispel rumours that she has a clone/twin sister locked away in a study in her basement. In fact she simply continues working on what she loves best– creating worlds and stories for the huge cast of lovely gay men queuing up inside her head. She lives in rural Northumberland in northern England and does most of her writing at a pensioned-off kitchen table in her back garden, often with blanket and hot water bottle.
She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn't letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she's yet to discover them.
She lives with her SO Jane, who has somehow put up with her for a quarter of a century now, and three enigmatic cats, chief among whom is Lucy, who knows the secret of the universe but isn't letting on. When not writing, she either despairs or makes bread, specialities foccacia and her amazing seven-strand challah. If she has any other skills, she's yet to discover them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 24, 2019
Spoiler Warning! Don’t click if you don’t wanna know!
By all rights, I should’ve hated this. It’s got a few eye-rolling components:
A high-priced, older but supersexy callboy who Whose
The high-priced, supersweet and well-connected callboy who also
Two men who
Plus a climax that
The thing is, I didn’t hate it at all. I rolled my eyes a bit (see above) but I really, really liked the characters, starting with George (I loved George! Poor George! I just want George to be happy!) to his brother Andrew and his employee Jamie, and even the ex-husband
It was really well written. I don’t know what to do about Harper Fox, it’s just like the last book I read by her, where I had the same reaction to and the random that had me shaking my head but the rest of the story was awesome.
It may not seem like it to the casual observer of this review, but I’m a bit at a loss for words. Did I like it? Did I not? Yes.
In conclusion, I apologize for the Mueller Report style presentation of this book review.
By all rights, I should’ve hated this. It’s got a few eye-rolling components:
A high-priced, older but supersexy callboy who Whose
The high-priced, supersweet and well-connected callboy who also
Two men who
Plus a climax that
The thing is, I didn’t hate it at all. I rolled my eyes a bit (see above) but I really, really liked the characters, starting with George (I loved George! Poor George! I just want George to be happy!) to his brother Andrew and his employee Jamie, and even the ex-husband
It was really well written. I don’t know what to do about Harper Fox, it’s just like the last book I read by her, where I had the same reaction to and the random that had me shaking my head but the rest of the story was awesome.
It may not seem like it to the casual observer of this review, but I’m a bit at a loss for words. Did I like it? Did I not? Yes.
In conclusion, I apologize for the Mueller Report style presentation of this book review.
May 16, 2019
Despite the title, this actually reads as one full novel, although new elements enter the plot with each section. I really enjoyed this, with characters I cared about, a sweet romance between two older men, and a bit of action plot to round it out.
George is a civil servant whose musician husband asked for a divorce after deciding he wanted a wife and child. George spent many years supporting his husband, including taking the uninspiring but safe job he held. Now, after leaving that job to work for his property developer brother, and leaving the home they'd made to live in his brother's spare room, George is very much at loose ends.
For his 50th birthday, away at a conference, his brother sends a silver fox of an escort to George's room. The coming together of stress and loneliness and attraction, and the escort, Silver's, gentle compassion and self-confidence, result in George actually going to bed with Silver. To both of their surprises, the sex doesn't feel like a simple transaction for pleasure. From that moment, there's a connection between them that will upend both their lives.
Silver is a wonderful character, if a bit too good sometimes, and there's no doubt why George would fall for him. But we also see the sweet, idealistic, and practical side to George, and the stress of the life Silver has led, which make it believable that this quiet urban planner could be a haven for the high-priced escort. I fell for them as a couple, and was fascinated to watch their relationship play out, even as Silver continued to take customers.
There's a sub plot about gender identity, and there are sex scenes where Silver is not with George, which play out in the final resolution. I enjoyed every piece of this, down to the surprisingly more suspenseful third section and the unexpected reveals. Harper Fox always makes me care about her characters, and this one had hidden charms that will make it a reread for me.
George is a civil servant whose musician husband asked for a divorce after deciding he wanted a wife and child. George spent many years supporting his husband, including taking the uninspiring but safe job he held. Now, after leaving that job to work for his property developer brother, and leaving the home they'd made to live in his brother's spare room, George is very much at loose ends.
For his 50th birthday, away at a conference, his brother sends a silver fox of an escort to George's room. The coming together of stress and loneliness and attraction, and the escort, Silver's, gentle compassion and self-confidence, result in George actually going to bed with Silver. To both of their surprises, the sex doesn't feel like a simple transaction for pleasure. From that moment, there's a connection between them that will upend both their lives.
Silver is a wonderful character, if a bit too good sometimes, and there's no doubt why George would fall for him. But we also see the sweet, idealistic, and practical side to George, and the stress of the life Silver has led, which make it believable that this quiet urban planner could be a haven for the high-priced escort. I fell for them as a couple, and was fascinated to watch their relationship play out, even as Silver continued to take customers.
There's a sub plot about gender identity, and there are sex scenes where Silver is not with George, which play out in the final resolution. I enjoyed every piece of this, down to the surprisingly more suspenseful third section and the unexpected reveals. Harper Fox always makes me care about her characters, and this one had hidden charms that will make it a reread for me.
August 18, 2019
Contemporary m/m romance novella or short novel (more the latter, I think.) I had enjoyed some of the author's mystery/paranormal mystery/contemporary m/m romance series Tyack & Frane, so I was willing to give this a whirl. Both main characters had congenial (and distinguishable) first-person-narrative headspaces to be in. The story never descended into grimdark, thankfully, though plot and backstory got a bit lurid toward the end. I don't count the setup as that, but I can see the convenience of Silver's line of work for logically setting up a sex scene early in the story, something I've seen done much more awkwardly and less convincingly in some het romances toward the explicit end of the range.
Ta, L.
Ta, L.
December 6, 2025
This was so not at all what I expected. Thought it would be a slightly depresseing read but I was totally wrong. It turned out both fun, suspenseful and with a lovely HEA .
February 11, 2021
Read this book as part of the 2019 Members' Choice Awards Challenge.
Categories: Best Sex Industry
I mostly really liked this story, but at one point it seemed all over the place and like it didn't know what it wanted to be anymore. Imho, it could have easily focused on the plotline in the first half and skipped the latter one entirely
So, 4 stars for the first half and 2 stars for the second one.
Categories: Best Sex Industry
I mostly really liked this story, but at one point it seemed all over the place and like it didn't know what it wanted to be anymore. Imho, it could have easily focused on the plotline in the first half and skipped the latter one entirely
So, 4 stars for the first half and 2 stars for the second one.
May 4, 2019
On the eve of his fiftieth birthday, George’s world is pretty much a wreck. His husband of twenty years is divorcing him for a woman, a baby and a second try at life. He’s lost his job and his home, and he’s living in his brother Andrew’s spare room.
But if George has given up on himself, Drew is more optimistic. He’s hit on a daring idea for George’s fiftieth, a present he won’t soon forget.
When a handsome sex-worker called Silver knocks on the hotel-room door, George tries to send him away. But Sil is persuasive and kind, and George’s inhibitions melt away to a night of unimagined pleasures. Stranger still, when daylight comes, George’s one-night-stand man-for-hire shows every sign of wanting to stay.
But these two men are from different worlds, and George is sure it’s too late for second chances. Silver’s a mystery to him, dashing and dangerous, walking the wild side of life. A trap is closing around the silver-fox escort: will George learn to trust himself in time for Silver to be saved?
WARNING: attempted rape
Review:
Dear Harper Fox,
I stumbled upon this story by accident when I was commiserating with some book friends on the board I frequent about trying to find something good to read. I saw your book and thought why not. It seemed quiet, intimate and not as over the top as I found a lot of your books to be.
I dived in and overall I really liked it, but I should have known better because the secret that Silver keeps did seem very over the top and not too plausible, but while I was reading I rolled with it and it more or less worked for me within the constraints of the story. I also really really liked main characters - I have read one Amazon review before purchasing the book and I completely agree that both George and Aaron Silver a/k/a Sil are kind souls who try to treat the world around them with kindness.
The story is written from both George and Silver's POV, however George is narrating in the first person and when we are in Silver's head we are in third person POV. It worked well enough for me, although I do wish for more distinctive difference between their voices.
As blurb tells you in the beginning of the story George is not in a very good place, because his husband of twenty years left him for a young model and with his fiftieth birthday closing up on him, he feels all alone in the world. Although of course we do know right away that George is NOT completely alone - his brother Drew loves him dearly and would do anything to help him, to support him, even to purchase a night with the escort service.
George is also an architect and while his brother offered him a job at his start up architect firm, Drew initially cannot afford to pay much and George knows that he would have to find something else soon.
The night with the handsome escort who is several years older than George ( I took Silver to be fifty five or fifty six) turns into the mutual desire to continue their acquaintance, only George is reluctant for several reasons and for now they part ways. I was frankly amazed how this author convinced me that the feelings they had for each other after one night - one night could turn into something bigger if both men would want it.
Aaron Silver is a sweet kind man as well, and he charmed his way into my heart just as much as George did.
Then strange things started to happen in the story. Actually no, the strange things start to happen later. First we see that Drew, bless his kind heart helps another mutual friend to hire Silver for the night and we see the night of Silver working as in really working without any extra feelings involved and in a way that was a very sweet and kind event as well.
Don't worry, I don't think you would find this story too sugary, because shortly thereafter the narrative becomes a suspense and it did give me a little whiplash I won't deny it, but as I said above within the constraints of the story it worked for me . It worked for me while I was not thinking too much about it.
And of course the ending was lovely, pretty good HFN likely to turn in HEA I thought .
Grade: B
Recommended
But if George has given up on himself, Drew is more optimistic. He’s hit on a daring idea for George’s fiftieth, a present he won’t soon forget.
When a handsome sex-worker called Silver knocks on the hotel-room door, George tries to send him away. But Sil is persuasive and kind, and George’s inhibitions melt away to a night of unimagined pleasures. Stranger still, when daylight comes, George’s one-night-stand man-for-hire shows every sign of wanting to stay.
But these two men are from different worlds, and George is sure it’s too late for second chances. Silver’s a mystery to him, dashing and dangerous, walking the wild side of life. A trap is closing around the silver-fox escort: will George learn to trust himself in time for Silver to be saved?
WARNING: attempted rape
Review:
Dear Harper Fox,
I stumbled upon this story by accident when I was commiserating with some book friends on the board I frequent about trying to find something good to read. I saw your book and thought why not. It seemed quiet, intimate and not as over the top as I found a lot of your books to be.
I dived in and overall I really liked it, but I should have known better because the secret that Silver keeps did seem very over the top and not too plausible, but while I was reading I rolled with it and it more or less worked for me within the constraints of the story. I also really really liked main characters - I have read one Amazon review before purchasing the book and I completely agree that both George and Aaron Silver a/k/a Sil are kind souls who try to treat the world around them with kindness.
The story is written from both George and Silver's POV, however George is narrating in the first person and when we are in Silver's head we are in third person POV. It worked well enough for me, although I do wish for more distinctive difference between their voices.
As blurb tells you in the beginning of the story George is not in a very good place, because his husband of twenty years left him for a young model and with his fiftieth birthday closing up on him, he feels all alone in the world. Although of course we do know right away that George is NOT completely alone - his brother Drew loves him dearly and would do anything to help him, to support him, even to purchase a night with the escort service.
George is also an architect and while his brother offered him a job at his start up architect firm, Drew initially cannot afford to pay much and George knows that he would have to find something else soon.
The night with the handsome escort who is several years older than George ( I took Silver to be fifty five or fifty six) turns into the mutual desire to continue their acquaintance, only George is reluctant for several reasons and for now they part ways. I was frankly amazed how this author convinced me that the feelings they had for each other after one night - one night could turn into something bigger if both men would want it.
Aaron Silver is a sweet kind man as well, and he charmed his way into my heart just as much as George did.
Then strange things started to happen in the story. Actually no, the strange things start to happen later. First we see that Drew, bless his kind heart helps another mutual friend to hire Silver for the night and we see the night of Silver working as in really working without any extra feelings involved and in a way that was a very sweet and kind event as well.
Don't worry, I don't think you would find this story too sugary, because shortly thereafter the narrative becomes a suspense and it did give me a little whiplash I won't deny it, but as I said above within the constraints of the story it worked for me . It worked for me while I was not thinking too much about it.
And of course the ending was lovely, pretty good HFN likely to turn in HEA I thought .
Grade: B
Recommended
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2020
3.5 stars
This was delightful, but.
I think the "but" is the fact there are just too many ingredients to this fairy tale. The plot strand I fell for was the first one: good, kind, grieving George is consoled and valued by the charismatic professional escort, Mr Silver. Here, Fox is superb on the limning of disappointed hopes, small sorrows and quietly growing joy. She can make me believe completely in both love at first sight and the vitality of inspired town-planning. For me, the whole novella could have concentrated on how George and Sil navigate Sil's job, how they take on property developers, how they make a life together.
So when the middle third of the book branches off into I'm left hanging. And when Fox devotes a further third to I'm not only hanging but drowning. "More George and Sil," I call, as I'm washed under by the plot again. "More George and Si...gurgle, gurgle, glub, glub..."
Four stars for George and Sil, two for the rest of the book, and a whole half-star for George's cheerfully clueless Labrador of a brother.
This was delightful, but.
I think the "but" is the fact there are just too many ingredients to this fairy tale. The plot strand I fell for was the first one: good, kind, grieving George is consoled and valued by the charismatic professional escort, Mr Silver. Here, Fox is superb on the limning of disappointed hopes, small sorrows and quietly growing joy. She can make me believe completely in both love at first sight and the vitality of inspired town-planning. For me, the whole novella could have concentrated on how George and Sil navigate Sil's job, how they take on property developers, how they make a life together.
So when the middle third of the book branches off into I'm left hanging. And when Fox devotes a further third to I'm not only hanging but drowning. "More George and Sil," I call, as I'm washed under by the plot again. "More George and Si...gurgle, gurgle, glub, glub..."
Four stars for George and Sil, two for the rest of the book, and a whole half-star for George's cheerfully clueless Labrador of a brother.
May 4, 2019
I liked it
4 ⭐️
I liked this one. I enjoyed George and connected well with him. The man was a little bit overweight and at the start in his pain from the breakup of his marriage the previous year, he really didn’t care. I liked the family bond between him and Andrew, they made for some comic relief moments a couple of times.
I enjoyed the set up between George and Silver, and yes it was kind of instalove as they had only really met a couple of times, I forgave that as I really enjoyed their chemistry together.
I enjoyed that this one touched on a number of issues within the book without feeling preachy (I enjoy learning new things reading but don’t want to feel preached to) and I also liked that Silver didn’t meet George once and then turn in his job, it continued on until he was ready to stop, and that even though George would have really liked him to stop he didn’t actually ask him to.
4 ⭐️
I liked this one. I enjoyed George and connected well with him. The man was a little bit overweight and at the start in his pain from the breakup of his marriage the previous year, he really didn’t care. I liked the family bond between him and Andrew, they made for some comic relief moments a couple of times.
I enjoyed the set up between George and Silver, and yes it was kind of instalove as they had only really met a couple of times, I forgave that as I really enjoyed their chemistry together.
I enjoyed that this one touched on a number of issues within the book without feeling preachy (I enjoy learning new things reading but don’t want to feel preached to) and I also liked that Silver didn’t meet George once and then turn in his job, it continued on until he was ready to stop, and that even though George would have really liked him to stop he didn’t actually ask him to.
October 12, 2019
Escort (Three Tales of a Silver Fox)
BY Harper Fox
Published by the author, 2019
Four stars
One of the things I learn as I get older, is to trust the authors I know, even when what they write about makes me squirm. This latest book from Harper Fox sat on my backlog for months, because the very idea behind it made me anxious.
George Fenchurch is about to turn fifty, a year after his husband of twenty years asked for a divorce. Upset over this split ultimately cost him his job, and he’s been doing busy work for his kid brother’s architectural firm in London and hogging his guestroom. As a fiftieth birthday present, in an attempt to cheer his big brother up, Andrew Fenchurch hires Aaron Silver from a high-end escort service to take George’s mind off his troubles.
What should have been a disastrous misstep turns into something altogether different.
Told from both George and Aaron’s point of view, this is a fairly simple story of men on the late side of middle age facing loneliness and mortality; men who have given their all and find themselves left with less than they expected. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming by turns, and offers the reader Harper Fox’s full range of prose and richly considered characters.
First off, the old “whore with a heart of gold” premise is not one I embrace too readily. Fox manages to carry it off, and indeed makes it into a powerful personal story arc as we learn about Aaron Silver – known throughout the book simply as Silver. Secondly, the middle-aged-man dumped after decades as a faithful spouse is another one to give me the horrors, and yet George Fenchurch’s character is so intelligent and deeply good that all my discomfort turned to concern for his wellbeing.
I also particularly loved Andrew Fenchurch, George’s big jockey younger sibling, who loves his brother and desperately wants him to be happy again. This sort of close fraternal relationship resonates greatly with me, and Fox handles it both to comic and emotional effect.
What I haven’t noted is all of the discoveries we make as we get to know George and Silver. This simple tale of an aging escort and three of his clients is in fact the description of a journey of two men who have left their youth behind and are trying to find their way forward. It might not be the most plausible of premises, but in Harper Fox’s skilled hands it becomes almost mythical in its romantic power.
BY Harper Fox
Published by the author, 2019
Four stars
One of the things I learn as I get older, is to trust the authors I know, even when what they write about makes me squirm. This latest book from Harper Fox sat on my backlog for months, because the very idea behind it made me anxious.
George Fenchurch is about to turn fifty, a year after his husband of twenty years asked for a divorce. Upset over this split ultimately cost him his job, and he’s been doing busy work for his kid brother’s architectural firm in London and hogging his guestroom. As a fiftieth birthday present, in an attempt to cheer his big brother up, Andrew Fenchurch hires Aaron Silver from a high-end escort service to take George’s mind off his troubles.
What should have been a disastrous misstep turns into something altogether different.
Told from both George and Aaron’s point of view, this is a fairly simple story of men on the late side of middle age facing loneliness and mortality; men who have given their all and find themselves left with less than they expected. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming by turns, and offers the reader Harper Fox’s full range of prose and richly considered characters.
First off, the old “whore with a heart of gold” premise is not one I embrace too readily. Fox manages to carry it off, and indeed makes it into a powerful personal story arc as we learn about Aaron Silver – known throughout the book simply as Silver. Secondly, the middle-aged-man dumped after decades as a faithful spouse is another one to give me the horrors, and yet George Fenchurch’s character is so intelligent and deeply good that all my discomfort turned to concern for his wellbeing.
I also particularly loved Andrew Fenchurch, George’s big jockey younger sibling, who loves his brother and desperately wants him to be happy again. This sort of close fraternal relationship resonates greatly with me, and Fox handles it both to comic and emotional effect.
What I haven’t noted is all of the discoveries we make as we get to know George and Silver. This simple tale of an aging escort and three of his clients is in fact the description of a journey of two men who have left their youth behind and are trying to find their way forward. It might not be the most plausible of premises, but in Harper Fox’s skilled hands it becomes almost mythical in its romantic power.
April 15, 2021
Updated for audio review:
Read Jay’s audiobook review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I am a huge Harper Fox fan and I was particularly excited to see this new book from her that features some 50-year-old heroes, something quite rare in this genre. I really enjoyed this book, particularly the interesting way the story is structured. It is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different client of Silver’s. The first part is George’s night with Silver and it is where the men meet and form their connection. Even though George is wary about getting involved in anything more serious, it is clear that there is a spark between these men that they would both love to pursue further. The next two parts feature two additional clients, but George is always present in the background and the interactions with these clients do connect back to the relationship between Silver and George. So it is kind of non-traditional structure, but one that I found made for a really interesting story. Obviously, you have to be ok with Silver having sex with other men, though it is not really shown on page. However, we do get much more depth on Silver’s interaction with his second client, a trans friend and coworker of George’s, which is important as it ties into the larger story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
Read Jay’s audiobook review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I am a huge Harper Fox fan and I was particularly excited to see this new book from her that features some 50-year-old heroes, something quite rare in this genre. I really enjoyed this book, particularly the interesting way the story is structured. It is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different client of Silver’s. The first part is George’s night with Silver and it is where the men meet and form their connection. Even though George is wary about getting involved in anything more serious, it is clear that there is a spark between these men that they would both love to pursue further. The next two parts feature two additional clients, but George is always present in the background and the interactions with these clients do connect back to the relationship between Silver and George. So it is kind of non-traditional structure, but one that I found made for a really interesting story. Obviously, you have to be ok with Silver having sex with other men, though it is not really shown on page. However, we do get much more depth on Silver’s interaction with his second client, a trans friend and coworker of George’s, which is important as it ties into the larger story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
April 26, 2019
Hmm. This is a tough one to rate. It was a combination of some odd elements and I wasn’t too keen on the dark place it went to in one episode, but overall I enjoyed it. I liked that the MCs were my age(ish) and of course the writing is the usual high quality we expect of Fox. I was happy to read along and see where this unconventional tale would go. Rounded up to 4.
December 29, 2019
Enjoyed.
November 21, 2022
Short, sweet, and sexy.
Awkward banter, older men.
Not transactional.
3.5 stars rounded down
Awkward banter, older men.
Not transactional.
3.5 stars rounded down
September 19, 2019
2.5 stars. Stayed away from this for a while because it sounded pretty bonkers. I was not wrong.
There are two leads in their 50s, which is lovely. One of them's an escort, which, yup, love a rentboy trope. They fall in love like *snap*, which, okay, I'll roll with it. The chemistry was great. The characterisation was great. I was here for it.
Uhm, but. Then there's a long and convoluted plot about saving a London neighbourhood with oak trees and magical awesomeness from some evil developers. Okay, fine. Characters need something to do other than bone, I guess.
Uhm, but. Then there's an endless side theme of main character's ex, who dumped him to have a baby with a 20-YO (female) model. Ok, character needs a backstory, I guess, only there was waaaay too much screentime for the ex and his babyplot, up to and including an emergency elevator delivery scene where the main character (i.e. the ex's painfully dumped ex-husband!) has to deliver the damn baby because the damn ex is useless, and boy did I ever not need any of that. But sure. Backstory, whatever.
Uhm, but. Then there's ANOTHER long and convoluted plot about the escort's next client, who is trans and has a shitty transphobic PTSD-ridden ex-army husband. This involves a very detailed assignment between the escort and the trans guy which was objectively absolutely lovely, but in the context of this book (which is, again, about a middle-aged recent divorcee and his love-at-first-shag plot with said escort) felt weird, like it took the whole thing way off course and made me briefly wish the trans dude could have his own damn book. Then it turns out the reason all this is in THIS book is so that the trans dude's psycho ex can find out and absolutely lose his shit and lure the escort to his secret murder house and attempt to rape and murder him. As you do. By this point, all the extra heapings of weird plots were starting to get a bit much, but I guess we needed some OTT life-and-death drama because I Had To Deliver My Ex's Baby In An Elevator and I'm In Love With A Sex Worker and I Want To Save This Real Estate were not enough? IDEK. I rolled with it.
Uhm, but. It also transpires that escort chap was a secret agent/spy all along, because... because... this literally served no purpose other than to make him even more dashing and unlikely and fabricate a flimsy past mysterious connection with trans guy's psycho ex's military past, and at that point, I just kinda lost the plot (ALL THE PLOTS) and when I'd stopped giggling, the day was saved, the ILUs were said, all the problems gone and the book over.
In conclusion, I would have probably enjoyed the book about the middle-aged lonely guy who meets a hot rentboy and they fall in love. I would also have enjoyed the book about the guy who finds the strength to dump his psycho husband's transphobic arse and hopefully meet someone new. Dump them together and throw in an overly lengthy "my ex and his baby" story, a lot of babble about neighbourhood redevelopment and sustainable urban planning, plus some random Spooks plot for no purpose, and I've mostly come away bemused.
The other side effect of the mad plot hodgepodge is that it really made the connection between the two main characters suffer. Harper Fox has written stories where relationships progressed rather quickly before and I usually buy it because she's fab at chemistry. With these guys, I struggled to buy it, mostly because they get next to no time together in between all the mad dashing around to save oak trees and deliver babies and get abducted by psycho ex-soldiers.
I'm rounding up because I was still pretty entertained, but boy was this plot on crack.
There are two leads in their 50s, which is lovely. One of them's an escort, which, yup, love a rentboy trope. They fall in love like *snap*, which, okay, I'll roll with it. The chemistry was great. The characterisation was great. I was here for it.
Uhm, but. Then there's a long and convoluted plot about saving a London neighbourhood with oak trees and magical awesomeness from some evil developers. Okay, fine. Characters need something to do other than bone, I guess.
Uhm, but. Then there's an endless side theme of main character's ex, who dumped him to have a baby with a 20-YO (female) model. Ok, character needs a backstory, I guess, only there was waaaay too much screentime for the ex and his babyplot, up to and including an emergency elevator delivery scene where the main character (i.e. the ex's painfully dumped ex-husband!) has to deliver the damn baby because the damn ex is useless, and boy did I ever not need any of that. But sure. Backstory, whatever.
Uhm, but. Then there's ANOTHER long and convoluted plot about the escort's next client, who is trans and has a shitty transphobic PTSD-ridden ex-army husband. This involves a very detailed assignment between the escort and the trans guy which was objectively absolutely lovely, but in the context of this book (which is, again, about a middle-aged recent divorcee and his love-at-first-shag plot with said escort) felt weird, like it took the whole thing way off course and made me briefly wish the trans dude could have his own damn book. Then it turns out the reason all this is in THIS book is so that the trans dude's psycho ex can find out and absolutely lose his shit and lure the escort to his secret murder house and attempt to rape and murder him. As you do. By this point, all the extra heapings of weird plots were starting to get a bit much, but I guess we needed some OTT life-and-death drama because I Had To Deliver My Ex's Baby In An Elevator and I'm In Love With A Sex Worker and I Want To Save This Real Estate were not enough? IDEK. I rolled with it.
Uhm, but. It also transpires that escort chap was a secret agent/spy all along, because... because... this literally served no purpose other than to make him even more dashing and unlikely and fabricate a flimsy past mysterious connection with trans guy's psycho ex's military past, and at that point, I just kinda lost the plot (ALL THE PLOTS) and when I'd stopped giggling, the day was saved, the ILUs were said, all the problems gone and the book over.
In conclusion, I would have probably enjoyed the book about the middle-aged lonely guy who meets a hot rentboy and they fall in love. I would also have enjoyed the book about the guy who finds the strength to dump his psycho husband's transphobic arse and hopefully meet someone new. Dump them together and throw in an overly lengthy "my ex and his baby" story, a lot of babble about neighbourhood redevelopment and sustainable urban planning, plus some random Spooks plot for no purpose, and I've mostly come away bemused.
The other side effect of the mad plot hodgepodge is that it really made the connection between the two main characters suffer. Harper Fox has written stories where relationships progressed rather quickly before and I usually buy it because she's fab at chemistry. With these guys, I struggled to buy it, mostly because they get next to no time together in between all the mad dashing around to save oak trees and deliver babies and get abducted by psycho ex-soldiers.
I'm rounding up because I was still pretty entertained, but boy was this plot on crack.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2019
I wanted to love this book. It was written by Harper Fox (win!). It featured two older protagonists which I found refreshing after reading a batch of stories that featured men half my age (another win!). I also was intrigued by the story line which featured an escort and another man starting over after 20+ years of marriage (win #3!).
Ultimately, I liked this book, but it's not without flaws. I felt the escalation from "I find you interesting" to "I love you" was a little too rapid in this book. In addition, the secondary characters--while interesting--proved distracting at times. And finally, there are aspect's of Silver's professional life (which I won't spoil here) that defy reality in ways that took me outside the story. But if you look past these three issues, there is still much to enjoy about this short story.
Ultimately, I liked this book, but it's not without flaws. I felt the escalation from "I find you interesting" to "I love you" was a little too rapid in this book. In addition, the secondary characters--while interesting--proved distracting at times. And finally, there are aspect's of Silver's professional life (which I won't spoil here) that defy reality in ways that took me outside the story. But if you look past these three issues, there is still much to enjoy about this short story.
March 9, 2020
A New Lease on Life!
The “gift” that keeps on giving for both civil servant George & sexy Escort Silver. An intriguing premise, with surprising elements, adds to the sweet and sexy MCs. I enjoyed the very British literary style writing, the story setup, and pacing. I’m adding Harper Fox to my favorite author’s list.
The “gift” that keeps on giving for both civil servant George & sexy Escort Silver. An intriguing premise, with surprising elements, adds to the sweet and sexy MCs. I enjoyed the very British literary style writing, the story setup, and pacing. I’m adding Harper Fox to my favorite author’s list.
May 7, 2019
“Sometimes it takes a heartbreak to shake us awake & help us see we are worth so much more than we're settling for.” ~ Mandy Hale
George is about as low as he can go, and with good reason. His first marriage, one of convenience, was to a woman. They had a child who died, then divorced. George married a man who he was with for nineteen years, before the guy recently left him and filed for divorce so he could marry his pregnant girlfriend. Just recently, George also lost his job. Who wouldn’t be depressed?
Desperately, his younger brother, Arthur, tries to avenge George by dumping his ex in the river. George is appalled and tells him so. His brother decides he needs to find another way to lift his spirits and suggests that he go out and get shagged. George is just as appalled by this suggestion and tells his brother that that part of his life is over. Instead of accepting George’s wishes, Arthur takes matters into his own hands. He sets up an appointment with an escort service and engages someone for George.
George is startled when the escort, Sil, arrives at his door telling him that Arthur sent him to George as his birthday present. He’s completely overwhelmed with emotion and tries to reject Sil, fussing about how much his brother must have spent to arrange this transaction. Still, Sil is a very handsome, charming man who is kind and considerate of his feelings. They talk about George’s situation for a while and Sil tells him that he’s there to keep him company more than anything else and that they do not need to have sex. Then, he pulls out a chess game and they begin to play. After a bit, not knowing what comes over him, George decides that sex with Sil is what he wants more than anything and becomes the aggressor. Sil is pleasantly surprised and amused, but more than willing and able to comply. George and Sil form a bond beyond sexworker and client. These developments should have been wonderful for George, but fear of becoming close to someone again and getting hurt ruins their relationship. When Sil asks to see him outside of work, George tells him that it’s not a good idea. Sil is disappointed, but, reluctantly, honors his wishes.
Harper has created a lovely, complicated, and sensitive story about second chances in love and life. I adored sweet, honest George who would do anything for anyone, including being kind to his ex’s girlfriend. He always looks for the best in people, regardless, and that makes him a better person than most. Sil is an amazing, complex character, with a complicated past. He is not your ordinary sexworker. Sil seems to have it all together, but there’s a lot no one knows about him. In the end, he falls, whole heartedly, for George’s goodness. Thanks, Harper. To say I loved this brilliant story is an understatement.
George is about as low as he can go, and with good reason. His first marriage, one of convenience, was to a woman. They had a child who died, then divorced. George married a man who he was with for nineteen years, before the guy recently left him and filed for divorce so he could marry his pregnant girlfriend. Just recently, George also lost his job. Who wouldn’t be depressed?
Desperately, his younger brother, Arthur, tries to avenge George by dumping his ex in the river. George is appalled and tells him so. His brother decides he needs to find another way to lift his spirits and suggests that he go out and get shagged. George is just as appalled by this suggestion and tells his brother that that part of his life is over. Instead of accepting George’s wishes, Arthur takes matters into his own hands. He sets up an appointment with an escort service and engages someone for George.
George is startled when the escort, Sil, arrives at his door telling him that Arthur sent him to George as his birthday present. He’s completely overwhelmed with emotion and tries to reject Sil, fussing about how much his brother must have spent to arrange this transaction. Still, Sil is a very handsome, charming man who is kind and considerate of his feelings. They talk about George’s situation for a while and Sil tells him that he’s there to keep him company more than anything else and that they do not need to have sex. Then, he pulls out a chess game and they begin to play. After a bit, not knowing what comes over him, George decides that sex with Sil is what he wants more than anything and becomes the aggressor. Sil is pleasantly surprised and amused, but more than willing and able to comply. George and Sil form a bond beyond sexworker and client. These developments should have been wonderful for George, but fear of becoming close to someone again and getting hurt ruins their relationship. When Sil asks to see him outside of work, George tells him that it’s not a good idea. Sil is disappointed, but, reluctantly, honors his wishes.
Harper has created a lovely, complicated, and sensitive story about second chances in love and life. I adored sweet, honest George who would do anything for anyone, including being kind to his ex’s girlfriend. He always looks for the best in people, regardless, and that makes him a better person than most. Sil is an amazing, complex character, with a complicated past. He is not your ordinary sexworker. Sil seems to have it all together, but there’s a lot no one knows about him. In the end, he falls, whole heartedly, for George’s goodness. Thanks, Harper. To say I loved this brilliant story is an understatement.
June 15, 2019
I am reading a political non-fiction book that gets to me, so I took a moment to read this one. It was just what I needed.
George is a 50 year old man who gets the divorce papers, his soon-to-be ex-husband is waiting to marry the mother of his child. George has been drifting about his life for the past year, losing his job, relying on his brother for employment and residence, getting out of shape. He thinks his brother has forgotten his birthday, and so is very surprised when he gets his present: a night with a very handsome escort named Silver. Their time together changes George's life path, and strangely, it has just as big an impact on Silver.
Told in three parts and in two POVs, the plot had some scary moments and intrigue, which surprised me. I definitely enjoyed both of these characters.
George is a 50 year old man who gets the divorce papers, his soon-to-be ex-husband is waiting to marry the mother of his child. George has been drifting about his life for the past year, losing his job, relying on his brother for employment and residence, getting out of shape. He thinks his brother has forgotten his birthday, and so is very surprised when he gets his present: a night with a very handsome escort named Silver. Their time together changes George's life path, and strangely, it has just as big an impact on Silver.
Told in three parts and in two POVs, the plot had some scary moments and intrigue, which surprised me. I definitely enjoyed both of these characters.
March 4, 2020
Good! I wasn't sure what to expect from the "three tales" aspect, but they're all tightly woven together—it's just one long story that's told from multiple POVs, basically.
Enjoyed George and Sil, plus the rest of the cast.
Sil's secret seemed a tad...incredible, but it was put together pretty well, so I went with it. :)
Fun and quick! (That doesn't necessarily mean light, btw.) And I enjoyed that the main character were older!! :D
Enjoyed George and Sil, plus the rest of the cast.
Sil's secret seemed a tad...incredible, but it was put together pretty well, so I went with it. :)
Fun and quick! (That doesn't necessarily mean light, btw.) And I enjoyed that the main character were older!! :D
July 30, 2019
This slim volume was overstuffed with plot. There were too many things going on, and the relationship between George and Sil is a little lost in the shuffle. There are some truly lovely moments between the two of them, but they keep slipping through each other's fingers until the last. I guess I just wish this had been a more quiet and contained story of the two of them getting together.
April 26, 2019
How could I not give 4 stars to a book that features MCs in their 50s and shows how sexy men of this age can still be? And yet how can I give 4 stars to a book that uses one of my least favorite tropes, sex worker who falls in love with his client? Ah, the genius of Harper Fox...
The Insta!Love between mundane civil servant George and his 50th birthday present Aaron Silver strains belief, and Fox doesn't show the two of them spending enough time together before the rest of the story takes place so that the reader truly feels their love is earned. Plus Silver continues seeing clients after his encounter with George, including a very sweet scene with George's colleague Jamie who is escaping a bad marriage. I hate it when the MCs have sex with anyone but each other, even if Silver spends most of the time thinking about George. And finally, Silver turns out to have a lot of secrets that make the plot even more ridiculous. So all in all, this book shouldn't work at all.
And yet it does because Harper Fox writes with such generosity about her characters, even the troubled ones. The perfectly British but obviously close relationship George has with his brother Andrew is perfectly rendered, and even George's ex, Melchior, gets a moment to shine despite being a selfish spoiled git who left the very nice George for a younger hot female model. Even the story's real bad guy has some hidden depths that help explain (although not excuse) his actions.
Although I still wanted to see more of George and Silver falling in love, their scenes together are just lovely and reminded me of Tyack and Frayne) from Once Upon A Haunted Moor et al). While it may be difficult initially to believe that a dashing escort whose car glove box contains "a pair of deluxe padded handcuffs, a copy of Madame Bovary and a box of tissues" could immediately fall for a mild-mannered slightly overweight city planner (and utter such lines as "I normally don't get into it that much with anyone" after they sleep together the first time), if anyone can pull it off with sincerity it would be this author.
Fox was open about experiencing a bad case of writer's block recently, and at one point she apparently thought she wouldn't publish again. That would be a horrible shame, because she is one of the strongest writers in the M/M genre. Even if Escort wasn't my favorite book of hers, I'm thankful she wrote it and hope there are still many more to come.
The Insta!Love between mundane civil servant George and his 50th birthday present Aaron Silver strains belief, and Fox doesn't show the two of them spending enough time together before the rest of the story takes place so that the reader truly feels their love is earned. Plus Silver continues seeing clients after his encounter with George, including a very sweet scene with George's colleague Jamie who is escaping a bad marriage. I hate it when the MCs have sex with anyone but each other, even if Silver spends most of the time thinking about George. And finally, Silver turns out to have a lot of secrets that make the plot even more ridiculous. So all in all, this book shouldn't work at all.
And yet it does because Harper Fox writes with such generosity about her characters, even the troubled ones. The perfectly British but obviously close relationship George has with his brother Andrew is perfectly rendered, and even George's ex, Melchior, gets a moment to shine despite being a selfish spoiled git who left the very nice George for a younger hot female model. Even the story's real bad guy has some hidden depths that help explain (although not excuse) his actions.
Although I still wanted to see more of George and Silver falling in love, their scenes together are just lovely and reminded me of Tyack and Frayne) from Once Upon A Haunted Moor et al). While it may be difficult initially to believe that a dashing escort whose car glove box contains "a pair of deluxe padded handcuffs, a copy of Madame Bovary and a box of tissues" could immediately fall for a mild-mannered slightly overweight city planner (and utter such lines as "I normally don't get into it that much with anyone" after they sleep together the first time), if anyone can pull it off with sincerity it would be this author.
Fox was open about experiencing a bad case of writer's block recently, and at one point she apparently thought she wouldn't publish again. That would be a horrible shame, because she is one of the strongest writers in the M/M genre. Even if Escort wasn't my favorite book of hers, I'm thankful she wrote it and hope there are still many more to come.
June 11, 2020
Well...for sure a solid 3.5 stars. I rounded up...I do love this author.
George Fenchurch, whose 20-year marriage has ended in divorce, is lonely down to his bones. He’s just trying to get through his days..and waiting...for something he can’t even name. Until his brother sends him the most unexpected birthday gift ever: a night with gorgeous ‘escort’ Aaron Silver...and George slowly reawakens to thoughts and feelings he’d thought long dead. Silver is equally surprised by his reaction to George...he senses an immediate connection to sweet and caring George. But...Silver’s job(s) make a personal life nearly impossible, and he refuses to begin something that will only bring George pain. However when Silver’s past and present collide in an ugly confrontation, George’s only thought is to save Silver and maybe find a way to build a HEA for them both.
Yes...It starts out rather slowly...and, gotta say... the ‘hooker with the heart of gold’ premise is a little thin, but Fox manages to bring it off (pardon the pun). I LOVE George...he’s just such a decent human being: stalwart, loving, resourceful - all the good stuff. And life has just shit on him repeatedly...you only want good things for this guy. Silver is an awesome foil...smart, slick, and street smart..he’s entranced by George’s honesty and transparency.
One reason for the -4 stars...confusing changes in POV, which switches from 1st person to 3rd seemingly at random. It’s distracting and not up to this author’s usual standard.
But it’s still a very, very sweet romance.
George Fenchurch, whose 20-year marriage has ended in divorce, is lonely down to his bones. He’s just trying to get through his days..and waiting...for something he can’t even name. Until his brother sends him the most unexpected birthday gift ever: a night with gorgeous ‘escort’ Aaron Silver...and George slowly reawakens to thoughts and feelings he’d thought long dead. Silver is equally surprised by his reaction to George...he senses an immediate connection to sweet and caring George. But...Silver’s job(s) make a personal life nearly impossible, and he refuses to begin something that will only bring George pain. However when Silver’s past and present collide in an ugly confrontation, George’s only thought is to save Silver and maybe find a way to build a HEA for them both.
Yes...It starts out rather slowly...and, gotta say... the ‘hooker with the heart of gold’ premise is a little thin, but Fox manages to bring it off (pardon the pun). I LOVE George...he’s just such a decent human being: stalwart, loving, resourceful - all the good stuff. And life has just shit on him repeatedly...you only want good things for this guy. Silver is an awesome foil...smart, slick, and street smart..he’s entranced by George’s honesty and transparency.
One reason for the -4 stars...confusing changes in POV, which switches from 1st person to 3rd seemingly at random. It’s distracting and not up to this author’s usual standard.
But it’s still a very, very sweet romance.
May 1, 2019
In the "about the author" section of H. Fox' books, there's a line that reads "here you'll find immersive tales of M/M romance." That's the key word for her writing - IMMERSIVE. This little goody was a three story anthology where the characters were all linked. First up is a lovely tale about George, who is about to turn 50, who is about to be divorced after 20 years married to a man who decides he wants a woman and a family. Through the generosity of his brother, George meets Silver, an escort. What continues to strike me as I devour Ms. Fox' books is the whimsical, lyrical yet engaging writing that just draws you in. Just read this passage "Came so fucking hard myself that shadows grazed my vision, and whatever thing within myself I thought of as me, as George, tried to tear loose of its roots and escape. I roared like a bloody bull—one, twice, again, the third sound breaking up into rags. I tasted blood, thumped back down onto the mattress, still spilling into Silver’s tight-clenched hand." Don't you just want to cry with joy!? The writing trips along telling the story of George, Silver and several other characters dragged into George and Silver's orbit. A tale well told!!
December 10, 2019
3 Stars
I was really excited when I read the blurb for this one. First of all, Harper Fox is a quality author that has many titles I have read and enjoyed in the past. Secondly, I love a good rent-boy story; it is one of my favourites. I wont say that I am disappointed with Escort, because I did enjoy it, but it was definitely not what I was expecting. I liked the characters of George and Silver quite a bit and thought they had some great potential. We seem to get a lot of separate introspection and not as much interaction between our two MCs as I would have liked. Also the plot line, which began much as I expected, seemed to go off on a weird tangent with the involvement of George’s ex and Jamie’s ex and Silver’s day job revelations. Again, it's not that I disliked where the story went, but it was just not the direction I was anticipating. All things considered, in true Harper Fox style, this was a well written story with an unusual narrative that I enjoyed and rather wished was longer so there was more to enjoy.
I was really excited when I read the blurb for this one. First of all, Harper Fox is a quality author that has many titles I have read and enjoyed in the past. Secondly, I love a good rent-boy story; it is one of my favourites. I wont say that I am disappointed with Escort, because I did enjoy it, but it was definitely not what I was expecting. I liked the characters of George and Silver quite a bit and thought they had some great potential. We seem to get a lot of separate introspection and not as much interaction between our two MCs as I would have liked. Also the plot line, which began much as I expected, seemed to go off on a weird tangent with the involvement of George’s ex and Jamie’s ex and Silver’s day job revelations. Again, it's not that I disliked where the story went, but it was just not the direction I was anticipating. All things considered, in true Harper Fox style, this was a well written story with an unusual narrative that I enjoyed and rather wished was longer so there was more to enjoy.
August 18, 2022
3.5
I hadn't yet read this book, mainly because I wasn't into the escort theme divided into three stories., even though till now I loved everything Harper Fox wrote.
Well, it turned out that this isn't my issue with the book. In fact it isn't an issue at all, because the three parts read as one full story, and the beginning with the meeting of George and Silver, although slightly predictable and with more than a touch of insta-love, is very much enjoyable.
But then George and Silver story gets a bit lost because there is too much going on. For ex. the encounter with Jamie would have needed a separate book. There are also many coincidences, suspension of disbelief is heavily required.
See also this review by Aldi.
I round the rating up because Harper Fox not at her best - IMO - is still much better than many other writers.
Warnings: homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence, attempted rape.
Disclaimer: I'm a cis woman.
I hadn't yet read this book, mainly because I wasn't into the escort theme divided into three stories., even though till now I loved everything Harper Fox wrote.
Well, it turned out that this isn't my issue with the book. In fact it isn't an issue at all, because the three parts read as one full story, and the beginning with the meeting of George and Silver, although slightly predictable and with more than a touch of insta-love, is very much enjoyable.
But then George and Silver story gets a bit lost because there is too much going on. For ex. the encounter with Jamie would have needed a separate book. There are also many coincidences, suspension of disbelief is heavily required.
See also this review by Aldi.
I round the rating up because Harper Fox not at her best - IMO - is still much better than many other writers.
Warnings: homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence, attempted rape.
Disclaimer: I'm a cis woman.
April 29, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Harper Fox is a beautiful writer and every story she tells sings in the telling. The two MC's - sad divorcee George and glamorous sex worker, Aaron Silver, are wonderfully complex characters. But Sil got a little too complex for me, and while the ending eventually explained all his choices, in the middle I was sort of sighing at what a super man he was turning out to be.
Also, someone wrote that this was a sweet and gentle book - but it's not, there is some horrific violence actually written, and just as bad alluded to off page, so I didn't find sweet or gentle. The two mc's are gentle with each other, but there is plenty (too much?) drama going on.
Also, for those who are bothered by such things, the sex worker continues working after meeting George and there is a detailed description of that too. So I found it quite a complex story told in a very short amount of time, with an almost insta love occurring. But Harper Fox is such a great writer, she can carry it off.
Harper Fox is a beautiful writer and every story she tells sings in the telling. The two MC's - sad divorcee George and glamorous sex worker, Aaron Silver, are wonderfully complex characters. But Sil got a little too complex for me, and while the ending eventually explained all his choices, in the middle I was sort of sighing at what a super man he was turning out to be.
Also, someone wrote that this was a sweet and gentle book - but it's not, there is some horrific violence actually written, and just as bad alluded to off page, so I didn't find sweet or gentle. The two mc's are gentle with each other, but there is plenty (too much?) drama going on.
Also, for those who are bothered by such things, the sex worker continues working after meeting George and there is a detailed description of that too. So I found it quite a complex story told in a very short amount of time, with an almost insta love occurring. But Harper Fox is such a great writer, she can carry it off.
December 25, 2019
3.5 stars, just because if ever there were two MCs I need/want/NEED to know what happens after the HFN, it's these two. I feel like we just got the tip of the iceberg with Silver, and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!
I continue to be impressed with Harper Fox's ability to suck me straight into the story. I love her writing and her characters, the emotions, the settings, just all the little details that pull you in and make you forget you're just reading a book.
There was just one moment in the action climax of the story that felt one step too far in a OTT way, but literally one step. I was fully in it until that final moment -- just a few sentences, really -- but then I was right back in for the aftermath. (I don't know how I would have felt if I hadn't already read the reviews enough to realize there was more to Silver than we're originally told, but I was prepared for that going in, so it worked for me.)
I just desperately hope George's HFN turns into and HEA because I loved that man.
I continue to be impressed with Harper Fox's ability to suck me straight into the story. I love her writing and her characters, the emotions, the settings, just all the little details that pull you in and make you forget you're just reading a book.
There was just one moment in the action climax of the story that felt one step too far in a OTT way, but literally one step. I was fully in it until that final moment -- just a few sentences, really -- but then I was right back in for the aftermath. (I don't know how I would have felt if I hadn't already read the reviews enough to realize there was more to Silver than we're originally told, but I was prepared for that going in, so it worked for me.)
I just desperately hope George's HFN turns into and HEA because I loved that man.
December 17, 2019
Ah, Harper Fox never disappoints! I love this story. And I particularly love George, who is so... caring and proper and gentlemanly. Who even when he has been hurt by his ex, won't hesitate to run to the rescue when the new wife is having a baby. In a lift. While his husband panics. And the ambulance is late. *dies laughing* Who has no qualms on sharing that he's falling in love with a lovely man who is a sex-worker. Who, . How can you NOT love him?
But all the characters are endearing (except Jamie's ex-husband, of course) and the story is sweet and a bit sad, with exciting moments and quiet ones and it's perfect.
What can I say? Harper Fox's writing is simply perfect for me ♥
But all the characters are endearing (except Jamie's ex-husband, of course) and the story is sweet and a bit sad, with exciting moments and quiet ones and it's perfect.
What can I say? Harper Fox's writing is simply perfect for me ♥
August 4, 2019
As you can tell by all the stars, I enjoyed this story. It is told in three parts, from both George's and Silver's points of view - George in first person, Si in third, and I did not notice that at first, which speaks to the author's skill. It is a thoroughly modern romance in that Fox ticks many of the social awareness boxes without preaching or breaking stride.
I scanned a few reviews, and see that some people think Silver's too perfect, forcing me to surmise that these reviewers haven't met good people. Good people exist! Truly! They can even have more than one career by their fifth decade! Geesh. :)
The content warning might be a spoiler for you.
Warning: spoiler:
Content Warning: attempted rape, on-page.
I scanned a few reviews, and see that some people think Silver's too perfect, forcing me to surmise that these reviewers haven't met good people. Good people exist! Truly! They can even have more than one career by their fifth decade! Geesh. :)
The content warning might be a spoiler for you.
Warning: spoiler:
Content Warning: attempted rape, on-page.
March 18, 2021
This is wonderful! All the earmarks of a Fox book without any mystical touches which I really appreciated.
If you are looking for a book with older MCs, both in their fifties, finding love after having had fulfilling, if maybe slightly lonely, lives this is your book. The love happens perhaps a little quickly, but these are men who know what they want and it works pretty well. There is so much wonderful representation of so many different identities and occupations here it would be difficult not to love the story. I really liked that everyone in the story is basically good and kind without being ridiculous and that even those who broke up manage to find their way to friendship. This is a book about adults who have faults, but who act like adults, how refreshing!
If you are looking for a book with older MCs, both in their fifties, finding love after having had fulfilling, if maybe slightly lonely, lives this is your book. The love happens perhaps a little quickly, but these are men who know what they want and it works pretty well. There is so much wonderful representation of so many different identities and occupations here it would be difficult not to love the story. I really liked that everyone in the story is basically good and kind without being ridiculous and that even those who broke up manage to find their way to friendship. This is a book about adults who have faults, but who act like adults, how refreshing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews