Seeing Red

Trowchester Blues #4

by Alex Beecroft

Bad boys don’t tame easy.

Victor is a bad man. Is there anything he won’t do for power and money?

Destroy a local business so he can buy it cheap? Kick out its owners and turn it into a cash cow? He relishes the chance.

Idris is a good man in possession of a renowned tea-house. He’s put his heart and soul into the place. It’s everything he has and wants...

Except for Victor.

He wants Victor too.

Can the love of a compassionate man soften a predator’s heart before it’s too late? Or is Idris doomed to lose his life’s work, and his heart with it?

A contemporary mm romance, Seeing Red is a long-awaited new installment of the critically acclaimed Trowchester Series.

Each book in the series is a standalone, and can be read in any order.

Feel free to start here and work back!

Get Seeing Red today and visit the town where love conquers all.

A Contemporary MM Romance.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2019

About the author

Spaceships and galaxy spanning empires, conversations with angels, viking villages, haunted mansions and forbidden love in the Age of Sail... I love a good strong plot in an exotic setting, with characters you can admire, and a happy ending.

If you make a venn diagram of genres, including historical, fantasy, gay romance and mystery, I occupy the space in the middle where they overlap.

~

BTW, if you're thinking my reviews on here are a bit mean, most of the books I really enjoy will get a 4 star. I am saving 5 stars for books I find genuinely life changing. 4 is still "this was really really good, you should read it." 5 is "OMG, my mind is blown and my life will never be the same again."

Reviews

[Rachel]

6/26/19 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RSWBMZ7

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

This one was a bit nerve racking for me, on account of Victor being such a snake, at first. He’s caught in a web of his own making as the weeks wear on and Victor falls harder and faster for Idris. The interracial aspects were handled with care, especially the inner terror Idris feels regarding the Brexit issues that are sweeping England. He’s not sure, but he thinks race is a reason new customers are being warned off. He’s partially right, but Idris is blindsided by Victor’s shenanigans. It felt like the climax managed several confrontations. Each time, Victor shows more of his humanity and a new capacity for love.

There is a little bit of sexy times and a lot of hurt feelings here. Idris finally thinks life is turning a corner, but instead he gets a (metaphorical) roundhouse kick to the stones. Vincent is a man who made millions without any true education, but Idris teaches him about love without cost. I hated Victor for a large part of the book, not because he is bad—he is—but because he thinks what he does to Idris is justified and moral. I also pitied Vincent a lot of the book, as his life is loaded with trauma, even as a “successful” adult. The resolution came quickly, once Victor did the right thing, and Idris’ love was worth the cost Victor had to pay to win it.

Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victor is not a good man. Or decent. Or honest. But then again, he would never claim to be. Life has taught him that all those things make weak men, and weak men are crushed under the heals of the ruthless. He never intends to be under any man’s heal again. So when, in an effort to get a promotion, he learns he needs to cause a local business to fold so that Victor’s company can snatch it up cheap, he doesn’t have any qualms about going in and drilling holes into an already unsteady ship. Then he meets Idris, the owner of the local tea shop he is sabotaging…and it turns out that the one man he wants more than any other is exactly the kind of man he has hated (and feared) all his life: a good, kind, honest man.

This book was a series of highs and lows for me. When the book was good, it was really good…but there were some lows that made it almost impossible for me to read. Not because it was badly written–in fact I think that it was very well written–but because Victor is not a very likable character half the time. Real scum-of-the-earth. And boy did I have a hard time hoping for a HEA between him and Idris when he was going behind Idris’ back to ruin his life.

Yet…my god, there were times where the story would get going and I’d forget how much I hated Victor. Where I wanted all the good things and puppy kisses for him. And the book did an excellent job of navigating the swing between the two extremes. Neither side of him felt false, which I loved. The story and the characters were very compelling.

If only I didn’t find myself loathing Victor half the time.

I think this is an excellent example of why I’m not a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers stories. I can’t get my brain, most of the time, to make the leap from “he treated X like shit” to “he loves X.” I don’t know how to hope for a long and loving relationship when one of the parties to that relationship was someone who acted in all ways repulsive to the other person.

So I guess what I’m saying is that it was a good story, with some rather complicated characters. And if this in any way sounds like something you’d love, I heartily recommend it. If, however, you have a harder time with characters who spend a large portion of the story doing horrible things…I’d probably give this one a miss.

3.5 stars


This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a good sign that I was struggling to like (much less love) MC Victor post halfway mark ... despite all the bad karma he endured in his early years. The other MC Idris was much more lovable but I could not understand why he became enamored with Victor's almost sociopathic character / behavior. And I know I definitely would not have been as forgiving at the end. Several characters from earlier Trowchester Blues books make an appearance (as Idris' friends and supporters) but my initial admiration for secondary character Lalima waned at the end as this character became almost too willingly embroiled in a last-minute matrimonial wrangle reminiscent of the ending of that Cinderella musical starring Richard Chamberlain and Gemma Craven. Vixen was probably the best thing about this read.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Quality writing full of depth and detail. Author doesn't shy away from difficult subjects or morally dubious characters, and addresses the issue of nature vs nurture in a way that damn near broke my heart.
Idris is adorable, if too innocent and trusting, a character that is easy to like and root for. He shines off the page like sunshine, making even the morally dubious Victor glow. And when Idris' shine is dimmed so is the book. From the moment Victor breaks his heart (and that's not really a spoiler, that knowledge is curled up waiting from the very first moment they meet because there really is no other way out for them) the book is a shadow of its former self, still beautifully written but without that joy that had carried it along, so you are living that bleakness with the characters.

The happy ending came fast on the heels of this gloom and I felt it needed one more chapter to balance that out, as it stands the ending wasn't quite enough to wipe away my lingering sadness from the events after their split. I would have liked to have seen some of the events told to us in the final chapter and that would have given me the distance from the sadness that I craved.

This is the reason I give it 4.5* I toyed with rounding down to 4 but the quality of the writing and the gloriousness that is Idris wouldn't let me.

[Karolina Cebula]

Review in English and Polish || Recenzja po angielsku i polsku

*4,5 stars*
If Victor wants to get rid of his annoying coworker and become a head of the company, his employers must takeover a small but receiving excellent reviews tea shop, and Victor is the one who needs to make it happen as soon as possible. Already during his first reconnaissance, Victor gets into trouble, which leads to his meeting with the tea shop owner, Idris. The first sparks of mutual attraction quickly start to form between them. However, no matter how deeply they fall in love with each other, the task entrusted to Victor hangs over their future like a dark cloud. And the stronger their feelings are, the more painful the betrayal may be.

When I decided to read "Seeing Red", I was expecting a novel about a self-conscious, soulless sob who falls in love with his victim. So how great was my surprise when I've started reading this book and met Victor, who in every respect was different from my initial expectations. This character was the reason I completely changed my approach to "Seeing Red", because instead of a typical bad guy, I've got a lost and in a way socially maladjusted soul. Is it a problem? No, it's not! However, I want to point out that Victor is the character that is certainly not the easiest one to accept. Let's be honest, because of his role in this story, it would be a lot easier for us to hate him for various reasons, but because he is who he is, it's simply impossible. Victor is like a child who, by making mistakes, learns to distinguish good from evil, unconditional love from selfishness. So if you, just like me at the beginning, expect this book to be light and simple, you may be pleasantly surprised. "Seeing Red" is a novel with a soul.

I must admit that in "Seeing Red" I really liked the way in which Victor's past was used to build this character. For the reader can see how childhood, lack of love, struggle for survival influence one's social development, hierarchy of values, and self-esteem. Adult Victor is 100% the creation of his past and conditions in which he grew up. Thanks to the fact that the relation between these two periods in his life – adulthood and childhood – is often outlined, the psychological side of the novel is very clearly presented. The more so because we frequently have an insight into Victor's thoughts, reflections, his psychological self-analysis. It is also worth adding that the reader can see how Victor is changing and how he's learning about life, that has been beyond his reach, through contact with feelings and values he's known nothing about, and people living in harmony with them. This extensive psychological insight into Victor's mind and heart is therefore a huge advantage of this novel.

Another of the important advantages of "Seeing Red" is undoubtedly the fact that in the novel one of the main characters is a Muslim who came to England from Bangladesh. I won't hide that I was really delighted with this fact. Idris is sweet, full of warmth, love. He's perfect, so obviously it's impossible not to love him. If to all this uniqueness we add the fact that he's body in a bit rounder, we get a mix that is not so easy to find in contemporary literature. Reading "Seeing Red" I also loved that looking at Idris, Victor doesn't "divide" him into body and character traits, but he sees him as one beautiful whole. I admit that it really caught my eye and that's how Victor won my heart. The more so because in this simple but charming way the good traits of both Idris and Victor were emphasized.

I think that a very interesting subject raised in "Seeing Red" is also the juxtaposition of soulless business and human feelings. This is something Victor completely doesn't understand, and what causes Idris pain. Anyway, this is also the main theme of the novel right next to love, it fuels the plot, increases the drama. I think the fact that Victor really learns how his work affects people, their feelings and emotions is not without significance here. Thus, it is also clearly shown to the readers so they can really feel the novel and understand the main characters better.

In conclusion, "Seeing Red" is a really good, interesting novel that arouses the readers' emotions and conquers their hearts. What's more, it can't be denied that it makes them fall in love with these characters, who are beautiful, each one of them in their own individual way. In short, "Seeing Red" is really worth reading.

_____________________________

*4,5 gwiazdki*

Aby pozbyć się uciążliwego współpracownika i zostać głową swojej firmy, Victor musi w możliwie krótkim czasie doprowadzić do przejęcia drobnej, otrzymującej wspaniałe recenzje herbaciarni przez swoich pracodawców. Już podczas pierwszego rekonesansu, Victor pakuje się w drobne kłopoty, dzięki którym poznaje właściciela herbaciarni, Idrisa. Między mężczyznami szybko zaczynają rodzić się pierwsze zalążki uczucia, jednak bez względu na to, jak głęboko się w sobie zakochują, zlecone Victorowi zadanie wisi nad ich przyszłością niczym ciemna gradowa chmura. A im silniejsze są ich uczucia, tym boleśniejsza może okazać się zdrada.

Kiedy zdecydowałam się przeczytać „Seeing Red” spodziewałam się powieści o pewnym siebie, bezdusznym dupku, który zakochuje się w swojej ofierze. Jakież więc było moje zdziwienie, kiedy zaczęłam lekturę i poznałam Victora, który okazał się pod każdym względem różnić od moich początkowych oczekiwań. Jego postać zmusiła mnie do całkowitej zmiany podejścia do „Seeing Red”, albowiem zamiast typowego „złego” kolesia, dostałam zagubioną, nie do końca dostosowaną społecznie duszyczkę. Czy to źle? W żadnym razie! Muszę jednak zauważyć, że postać Victora z całą pewnością nie jest dla nas łatwa w odbiorze. Bądźmy szczerzy, ze względu na jego rolę w tej historii, łatwiej byłoby nam go z różnych powodów nienawidzić, a to jest po prostu niemożliwe. Victor jest jak dziecko, które popełniając błędy uczy się odróżniać dobro od zła, bezwarunkową miłość od samolubnych pobudek. Jeśli więc ktoś tak jak ja na początku, spodziewa się niewymagającego czytadła, może być mile zaskoczony. „Seeing Red” jest bowiem powieścią z duszą.

Muszę przyznać, że bardzo podoba mi się to, w jaki sposób w „Seeing Red” została wykorzystana przeszłość Victora, w celu budowania tej postaci. Czytelnik widzi bowiem, w jaki sposób dzieciństwo, brak miłości, walka o przetrwanie wpłynęły na jego rozwój społeczny, system wartości, samoocenę. Dorosły Victor jest w 100% dziełem swojej przeszłości i warunków, w jakich się wychowywał. Dzięki często zarysowywanej relacji między tymi dwoma okresami w jego życiu – dorosłości i dzieciństwu – bardzo wyraźnie zostaje przedstawiona psychologiczne zaplecze powieści. Tym bardziej, że bardzo często mamy wgląd w myśli mężczyzny, jego przemyślenia, jego psychologiczną samoanalizę. Warto również dodać, że czytelnik widzi, w jaki sposób Victor zmienia się i uczy życia, które było poza jego zasięgiem, poprzez kontakt z uczuciami i wartościami, z którymi dotąd nie miał do czynienia, oraz ludźmi, żyjącymi w zgodzie z tymi właśnie uczuciami i wyznającymi te właśnie wartości. Rozbudowane zaplecze psychologiczne w odniesieniu do Victora jest więc naprawdę ogromną zaleta tej powieści.

Kolejną z bardzo ważnych zalet „Seeing Red” jest bezsprzecznie fakt, że w powieści jednym z głównych bohaterów jest muzułmanin, który przybył do Anglii z Bangladeszu. Nie ukrywam, że naprawdę byłam tym faktem zachwycona. Idris jest słodki, pełen ciepła, miłości, idealny. Nie sposób go nie kochać. Jeśli dodamy do tego wszystkiego jego pełniejsze kształty, otrzymujemy mieszankę, o którą wcale nie tak łatwo we współczesnej literaturze. W powieści bardzo podobało mi się również to, że Victor patrząc na Idrisa nie „dzielił” go na ciało i cechy charakteru, ale widział go jako jedną, piękną całość. Przyznaję, że to naprawdę rzuciło mi się w oczy i podbił tym moje serce. Tym bardziej, że w ten prosty, ale uroczy sposób podkreślone zostały zalety zarówno Idrisa, jak i właśnie Victora.

Uważam, że bardzo ciekawym tematem poruszonym w „Seeing Red” jest także zestawienie ze sobą bezduszności biznesu oraz czującego człowieka. Jest to coś, czego Victor zupełnie nie pojmuje, a co w bardzo dotkliwy sposób rani Idrisa. Zresztą, jest to również głównym tematem powieści zaraz obok miłości, tym co napędza fabułę, zwiększa dramat. Myślę, że nie bez znaczenia jest w tym wypadku także fakt, że Victor naprawdę dopiero uczy się tego, w jaki sposób jego praca wpływa na człowieka, jego uczucia, emocje. Tym samym, zostaje to także wyraźnie pokazane czytelnikom, którzy w tym większym stopniu mogą wczuć się w powieść i zrozumieć głównych bohaterów.

Podsumowując, „Seeing Red” jest naprawdę dobrą, interesującą powieścią, która budzi w czytelniku wiele emocji i podbija jego serce. Nie można też zaprzeczyć, że rozkochuje go w bohaterach, którzy są piękni, każdy na swój indywidualny sposób. Krótko mówiąc, „Seeing Red” naprawdę warte jest przeczytania.

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Possessions delude the human heart into believing that they provide security and a worry-free existence, but in truth they are the very cause of worry.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Victor St. John, of ‘Seeing Red’ by Alex Beecroft, is the very definition of a self-made man. He started with his company at the very bottom and worked his way up to where he is now. The trouble is, where he is, is not a good place to be. Without a crumb of guilt, Victor destroys businesses in order to purchase them from desperate owners. Money is security to him. Victor assumes that it is the bottom line for everyone else as well, that is, until he meets Idris, to whom money and status are low on his list of importance.

In order to get a promotion, Victor and his obnoxious bully of a coworker, are assigned projects; the winner will get the job. Victor’s project is to destroy the reputation of a tea cafe in order to make the owner sell out. To facilitate this effort, he attempts to seduce the owner, Idris. He visits the shop when he unexpectedly comes across two thugs attempting to drown some puppies. Just as he’s run the jerks off, Idris comes out and witnesses what happens. Immediately, this endears Victor to him. Victor considers this a gratuitous turn of events, because it gives him an instant in. Victor figures that it will be simple to keep Idris distracted with all the things his wealth and body can give, while, behind his back, destroying his future.

The thing is, Idris is not the pushover Victor assumes. Idris is flattered, but he has morals and is not as materialistic as other people are. Victor is perplexed when Idris isn’t impressed with expensive dates, flashy cars, his mansion, pricey gifts, etc. Victor begins to wonder if Idris is interested in being with him at all. Idris notices Victor’s wealth and is physically attracted to him, but he has other priorities. His tea house represents more than monetary success to him. It’s his declaration of independence from his family, a chance to prove to them that he can be successful on his own. They do not know that he is gay; Idris is terrified to tell them. He does not want to lose their love and respect. Idris doesn’t depend on them and refuses to accept money; he doesn’t want to be under their control. His relationship with Victor, from his perspective, is approached from a place of trust and joy. He loves being with Victor and feels happier than he has ever felt in his life. Idris is even more elated when Victor asks him to move in with him. This sense of security prompts Idris to do the thing he has dreaded, tell his parents that he is gay. Idris is tired of hiding. He wants to live honestly, with Victor by his side.

Victor is out of his depth with Idris. Growing up in an orphanage, he never experienced love. When he starts having unfamiliar feelings for Idris, he has no idea of how to express them. He realizes that the reason Idris is worried about his failing business and that is his fault. In order to fix it, he tries to manipulate the situation at work so he can control the acquisition and put Idris back in place as manager. When he tells Idris of his shady scheme and how he plans to fix it, Victor assumes that Idris will be okay with it. if Idris still has the cafe, it won’t matter than he doesn’t own it. Victor is very wrong. Idris is devastated by the deception. He feels betrayed, and worse yet, wonders if it’s the only reason why Victor wanted him to begin with. Immediately, Idris leaves a stunned Victor behind, who is trying to sort out what has just happened.

“Money can’t buy happiness” is a familiar saying, but it’s indisputably true. Victor thought that money would help him feel secure, but he always felt like a fake; no matter how much he made, he still felt like that bullied, orphan child that no one ever loved. It’s only when he learned what was truly vital, that he was able to drop the self-loathing and fear and learn to love. Thanks, Alex, for reminding me of what’s important.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say that I really enjoyed this book. However, it was written well, and the characters are well developed. This wasn't the book for me, but it really isn't a bad book.

Vague spoilers ahead...

Victor grew up with nothing. Now he is driven by the need to win; more money, higher positions at work; and he's never paid attention to what he's had to do in order to reach the goal he has set for himself. Now, his boss's position is up for grabs, but he must beat his coworker, whom he despises, in order to win the position. All he has to do is acquire a small, privately owned business, and turn it over to his employer.

Idris is a wonderfully loving and caring man. He and his cousin moved to England, both to escape the rules and laws of their homeland, but also to prove to themselves that they could make an honest living without their families' financial support. They have done very well for themselves by creating a business that is popular near and far.

Now, Victor has been assigned to take over Idris' dream, but Idris is unaware of Victor's scheming. The night they meet, Idris is smitten, because he sees Victor's act as heroic when he saves some puppies from certain death. Victor isn't sure what to do, but he needs help, so he lets Idris take care of things. When he goes to the office, his rival says it's a great idea to play Idris until he closes the deal.

Idris sees Victor as someone who has never known love. He excuses his behavior time and again because he believes he is actually making progress in their relationship. Victor, on the other hand, is struggling internally; one minute thinking he is doing the right thing, another that Idris can't possibly like him...But the whole while, continuing with his takeover plan.

Eventually, the ugly truth comes out, and Idris' heart is shattered. But, it forced him to talk to his family, which leads to unforeseen consequences. Perhaps they are not what he truly wants, but maybe they are what he needs.

In what I'm sure was meant to be a touching moment, the two are reunited, and a discussion is had...with an audience. Our MCs get their HEA and they start a new life together.

As I said, this book was not for me. But, it was written well, and has potential for other readers to really enjoy.

* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *

[R E · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the end, a warm and buoyant novel about treachery, love and redemption

"Perhaps you know what I mean? He's...broken in interesting ways."

Many of Alex Beecroft's protagonists are broken people, and in this (hopefully ongoing) series, they find themselves drawn to her fictional English village of Trowchester as if it were a beacon for the desolate. If you've read some of the other stand-alone Trowchester novels, Seeing Red feels like a homecoming. Despite the trials and trauma some of her characters experience, and the plot points that occasionally stretch credulity, there's a nurturing, buoyant feel to these stories that I find are warm and enjoyable. It's as if the author has finally found a place where all her favorite imaginings can live, be it a fractured glass statue of winged Pegasus with tiny galaxies of light refracting through its cracks or a room-sized homage to Jules Verne.

In Seeing Red, the broken person in question is Victor St. John, a walking rags-to-riches success story with few scruples. A tall, slender red head, he's in competition with an arch-rival to be the next CEO of a cutthroat capital investment firm, and to win he needs to betray Idris Malakar, whom he has fallen in love with. Meanwhile, Idris, the 30 year old, kind-hearted owner of Trowchester's renown tea room, is eventually railroaded by his concerned family into an unwanted wedding to someone else. Consequences ensue. (Warning: reading this book will expose you to sequences with adorable puppies and laugh out loud scenes, too).

Beecroft's writing feels perfectly suited to her stories, with a constantly shifting yet judiciously used stream of descriptions that tickle and poke the brain into paying attention. The author gives voice to difficult emotions with metaphors having the precision of a scientific instrument ("...he felt like a scream trapped in an airtight room, bouncing futilely from wall to wall"), and imagery that gives support to and amplifies attitudes and motivations (a child forced to watch his prized yellow toy train, the one with green wheels, maliciously burned over the blue flame of a gas range). She imbues these books with a "Trowchester feel," different from her other novels, conjuring colors, scents, flora, eclectic architectural features, quirky historical sites, and a unique social fabric. These elements combine and take on a life of their own, making it easy to imagine yourself on a summer evening stroll past the weird crayfish statue in the village square and then window shopping past Finn's bookstore.

While Seeing Red definitely had that "Trowchester feel," it also felt a bit thin or rushed in parts. Beecroft gives her own unique spin to popular tropes, but some of the more extensive back stories and context development that I noticed in her other books was only hinted at in this one. She eventually fleshes it all out, but I wondered a couple of times at how fast things unfolded in Victor and Idris's relationship. Nevertheless, it's still a brilliant return trip to this quaint village, that safe haven for bruised yet hopeful souls, and I can't wait to go back.

[Anabela.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

* this review may contain spoilers

This is a brilliant, highly emotional book with two beautiful characters.
Idris is a shy,sweet and gentle Islamic man,scared of racism, who's never allowed himself to fall in love with another man. Victor is a hard-case,self made success, who considers his worth only based on the luxury things he owns. Their encounter has a strong impact on both of them, but the situation can only end in ugliness, seeing that Victor does everything in his power to take down Idris' tea room, putting the latter's ruin in motion.
Personally, I think that Victor's story heartbreaking. It was hard reading through his emotional inner battles. As Idris realizes at some point, Victor's growing up the way he did "stunted his ability to feel empathy, to understand right from wrong ". Page by page ,in saw him practically reset all his beliefs in order to eventually consider himself a man worthy of being loved and able to love in return. Idris also teaches him some important lessons about money not being the most important thing, about acceptance and forgiveness.
Seeing Red is the beautiful story of two troubled hearts finding each other,bringing hope ,color and happiness into their lives. I really recommend it

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, interesting & enjoyable MM romance. It has a well-paced story-line & plot filled with some unexpected situations. The complex characters are quite well-developed & display realistic & believable emotional feelings.
There is: a man determined to get a certain position has to acquire a small privately owned business by any means possible & comes across two men who want to drown some puppies naturally he decides to rescue the pups (Victor), a caring man who escaped from his homeland & now owns a tea-shop (Idris) his cousin (Lalima), twists & turns, confrontations, a chance meeting, vulnerability, memories, devious plans, emotional turmoil, attractions, confusion, strange attraction, false reviews, conversations, guilt, fear, manipulations, warnings, admittance, deceit, betrayal, confrontations, desperation, accusations, anger, devastation, verbal conflict, heartache, decisions, doubts, declaration, apologies, forgiveness, happiness, love, some steam & a satisfying conclusion.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

For the full review see https://wp.me/p220KL-gXJ
From this review:I have been an enthusiastic fan of Alex Beecroft's Trowchester series since the release of the first story, Trowchester Blues.  There we met Finn Hulme, a retired criminal, now proud owner of a bookshop in Trowchester and Michael May, ex cop come to the village and his childhood home full of bad memories.  Everything about that story has staying power.  Vivid complicated characters, a powerful romance with a troubled and rocky path, realistic given the men, and a complex plot that included Finn's past returning to haunt him.  All that while introducing us to the village of Trowchester.  The canals, the canal boats, the shops, the people, and overall atmosphere of ancient and waning, new and struggling.  So remarkable and vivid that the place just felt as though you could go visit and walk the streets, but stay in the lights in certain areas.


For all our reviews, check out http//scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a rule, I tend to read funny, action/adventure stories. I'm glad that I took a chance on reading this.
First off, it's well written - the characters, including the minor ones are well developed. Second, the MC's are very different - the sweet, very likeable Idris and the not-so-nice, unlikable Victor (at least at first), but when you understand their backstories, especially Victor's, nothing is really that cut and dried. They are both a product of a difficult life - Idris, a Muslim brought up in a country where he could be killed for being gay; Victor, who grew up scrabbling for everything he has.
From the blurb, one pretty much knows that Victor pulls the rug from under Idris - even though I was expecting it, I was still gutted! There is a lot that happens before both men can reconcile, and this is what makes it a good story.
So, while this is not really my type of book, I'm glad to have read it :)
I requested a copy to read and this my opinion.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series has been up and down for me, mostly up! Another good solid story, 3.5*
Victor is dubbed a bad boy but really he is a victim of bullying and abandonment from an early age. Add in a toxic workplace with very dubious practices and you get an isolated, broken man.
In complete contrast Idris is warm, encouraging, kind, supportive - all sorts of good words!
I wanted to tell Idris to run away quick, he was only ever going to get his heart broken.
So Victor sees the light somewhat and Victor gets a dose of reality.
We cover gay marriage in the Muslim community, Brexit and hostile take over practices - and also change of hearts, and how family can support but still like the ‘norm’ better.
I didn’t really get a feel for the romance between Victor and Idris but I did enjoy their journeys to being different people.

[Misty M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and forth over the rating for this book several times. I finally decided on middle of the road. It’s well written, with lots of detail. The characters are on a whole other level, so deep and fleshed out. I can see the talent this author has, but this just didn’t work for me. I struggled to get into it, the beginning wasn’t compelling to me. I never really connected, and so the big moment just left me flat. Not sure if it’s just me, or just this book in particular, but I’m going to check out some of the author’s other work to see if I can find a story more to my liking. Because I was impressed with the writing, and I think some would really love this.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Red by Alex Beecroft is a wonderfully written tale that made me feel for the characters in different ways. Idris is a character that you fall for and root for. He is the light to Victor's dark... the gentle to his hard. For Victor, Life has been hard and he has grown to believe that money is everything and he is only as good as the luxury he can surround himself with. He is a self made success but it has come with prices and his actions put his future happiness at risk. The journey these two mem ho on was worth reading about and the ending definitely satisfying.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this story. There were a few passages that I had to sit back and read again because the language was so beautiful.
It took a while for me to connect with the characters, partly because it hurts my heart so much to think of abandoned children living in a youth home, but in the end I was invested in their success.
For those readers who like a redemption story where one MC does terrible things and then redeems himself through a grand gesture should like this book.
*I received an arc of this book.*

[Patdbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the old sayimg goes. All good things must cone yo an end, (or does it mr beecroft). Here we seebits time for idris to get his chance of love and more. But the journey is hard and much hurt along the way. Victor is the hard man so protected within the walls he has built around him that he has no hesitation in stomping on people but love wins through and both men get their salvation.
This series has to be one of the best I have read and I am so grateful for this set of freebies. An honest set of reviews are given and I'm in love with Alex beecroft and the men of trowchester.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between 2 or 3 star. Three stars for keeping interest in the story. Two stars for rather unrealistic characters. Islamic vigilantes currently murder gay men in Bangladesh; a gay Bangladeshi marriage attended by family seems fantastical. The two lovers' interior monologues were somewhat adolescent for adult men. I pictured the Sikh man who was on the British baking show and Damien Lewis as the sparring but loving couple.

[kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was conflicted as to how to rate this book. I had a very hard time getting into it. I really didn't connect with the MC's at all. While I can say that it is well written with lots of details it just left me feeling disconnected.
I did appreciate the diversity that is represented in this story.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulously-told enemies to lovers story, featuring a protagonist who does some really loathsome things. But Beecroft gets so deep inside his head that we understand and sympathize with wealthy Victor, even as we root against his campaign to take over the tea shop owned by his new lover, Idris. Sensitive handling of both interracial romance and early childhood abuse.

[Zeoanne]

Although I understand all the turmoil Victor went through throughout his childhood, I still hated the stinker. He was convinced that money and power would make him happy. How wrong he was! After finishing the book, I still hated him! But at least he made things okay with Idris... And they have a puppy.

[Terry Osman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Served up piping hot!

Alex Beecroft has penned a lovely tale of cut-throat finance and a gentle tea room. Even the hero needs to be rescued. Add to that a playful puppy... Love can blossom and soften the hardest heart. Readers will enjoy this journey.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great redemption story. I love Idris but it did take me little bit to be ok with Victor. So I like that he does get his redemption. Definitely a book I would recommend.

[Manon Lavoie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Une histoire qui ne tient pas debout !!! Des personnages caricaturaux !! Vraiment décevant !!! Le 1er tome était le meilleur !

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we have Victor trying to destroy a business and falling for the owner.