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Hiding Behind The Couch #Novellas
Chain of Secrets
Josh and George have always shared the special bond of friendship. From days in primary school, to holidays spent riding their bikes along the canal, theirs is a promise to remain best friends forever.
But can that promise withstand the trials of adolescence, and the changes in their feelings towards each other?
NOTE: this is a fully stand-alone story, but it contains significant spoilers for anyone reading the Hiding Behind The Couch series, and should be read after The Harder They Fall (season three).
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked - a collection of seven short stories and novellas - unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
LOVE UNLOCKED:
The Trap by Claire Davis and Al Stewart
Writer's Lock by Victoria Milne
Locked in the Moment by Dawn Sister
The Weekend by J P Walker
The Scarlet Lock by Caraway Carter
He Melted Us by Ofelia Gränd
Chain of Secrets by Debbie McGowan
But can that promise withstand the trials of adolescence, and the changes in their feelings towards each other?
NOTE: this is a fully stand-alone story, but it contains significant spoilers for anyone reading the Hiding Behind The Couch series, and should be read after The Harder They Fall (season three).
* * *
A story from Love Unlocked - a collection of seven short stories and novellas - unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.
LOVE UNLOCKED:
The Trap by Claire Davis and Al Stewart
Writer's Lock by Victoria Milne
Locked in the Moment by Dawn Sister
The Weekend by J P Walker
The Scarlet Lock by Caraway Carter
He Melted Us by Ofelia Gränd
Chain of Secrets by Debbie McGowan
134 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2016
1 person is currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 17, 2016
When I received the Love Unlocked anthology, I kind of skipped to the end for this story. Not that I don't plan to read the others, just that I already felt invested in the possibility of a Josh and George relationship from reading Ruminations.
Just like with Ruminations, I found myself struggling to understand what was going on with Josh, maybe struggling even to like him. He is such an emotionally reserved character, and I'm anything but. He is a jarring combination of mature and innocent.
Debbie McGowan writes very densely. If that makes sense? A very controlled style that, while it might not fit with everything, seems to fit the thoughtful, almost philosophical way Josh has of digesting the world around him.
So, there I was again, trying to figure him out just like I did the first time around. Late bloomer? Maybe just too cerebral? It took someone else saying 'asexual' for the lights to come on. It explained some of what made Josh so unrelatable to me, and made this such a unique story. Because real love and true intimacy isn't about sex.
This is a very gentle read and I love how we were given jumps in time, flashes of important moments, and then we're moved forward, everything propelling us to THE moment.
I know there were a lot of characters that, from my understanding, play roles in other books, characters with histories (and futures) already out there, and I think there is probably a lot I missed or, at least things I might have enjoyed on another level, but it didn't seem to diminish my enjoyment of the story.
I'll say that I suspected it with Ruminations, but it was confirmed here. I am just crazy about George.
Just like with Ruminations, I found myself struggling to understand what was going on with Josh, maybe struggling even to like him. He is such an emotionally reserved character, and I'm anything but. He is a jarring combination of mature and innocent.
Debbie McGowan writes very densely. If that makes sense? A very controlled style that, while it might not fit with everything, seems to fit the thoughtful, almost philosophical way Josh has of digesting the world around him.
So, there I was again, trying to figure him out just like I did the first time around. Late bloomer? Maybe just too cerebral? It took someone else saying 'asexual' for the lights to come on. It explained some of what made Josh so unrelatable to me, and made this such a unique story. Because real love and true intimacy isn't about sex.
This is a very gentle read and I love how we were given jumps in time, flashes of important moments, and then we're moved forward, everything propelling us to THE moment.
I know there were a lot of characters that, from my understanding, play roles in other books, characters with histories (and futures) already out there, and I think there is probably a lot I missed or, at least things I might have enjoyed on another level, but it didn't seem to diminish my enjoyment of the story.
I'll say that I suspected it with Ruminations, but it was confirmed here. I am just crazy about George.
February 16, 2016
I am not sure what to say here except that this story is just absolutely beautiful. It is gentle and sweet. It's about first loves and only loves.
I don't get a chance to read as much Debbie McGowan as I would like, mainly because she writes long (I mean really long!) and I find it hard to scrape together enough uninterrupted time to enjoy them. But every time I pick one up I am reminded of why I enjoy her so much. Her characters seem nearly real, with all their complexities and all their flaws.
Just a lovely take on the Love Lock theme, and uniquely Debbie.
I don't get a chance to read as much Debbie McGowan as I would like, mainly because she writes long (I mean really long!) and I find it hard to scrape together enough uninterrupted time to enjoy them. But every time I pick one up I am reminded of why I enjoy her so much. Her characters seem nearly real, with all their complexities and all their flaws.
Just a lovely take on the Love Lock theme, and uniquely Debbie.
February 9, 2016
My not-so-secret-anymore favourite in the Love Unlocked anthology. One of my favourites in the Hiding Behind The Couch Series.
Everyone who reads my reviews knows I am an absolutely fanatical fan of Debbie McGowan's books. Even more so, of her 'circle' books. This offering combines both, and stands apart from the others stories in the anthology in that it is set in the UK, using the principle of love-lock bridge, as opposed to being there in the city of love. But that isn't an issue for our protagonists, the much-loved Josh and George, as we see their love develop over decades. Don't let it fool you - there is a padlock involved, in the most unexpected of places, but for the most fitting of reasons. An absolute delight to read, and a fitting expression of George and Josh's story. They're just the best.
Everyone who reads my reviews knows I am an absolutely fanatical fan of Debbie McGowan's books. Even more so, of her 'circle' books. This offering combines both, and stands apart from the others stories in the anthology in that it is set in the UK, using the principle of love-lock bridge, as opposed to being there in the city of love. But that isn't an issue for our protagonists, the much-loved Josh and George, as we see their love develop over decades. Don't let it fool you - there is a padlock involved, in the most unexpected of places, but for the most fitting of reasons. An absolute delight to read, and a fitting expression of George and Josh's story. They're just the best.
February 21, 2016
I guess this was always going to be my favourite story in the Love Unlocked Anthology; Josh & George are one of my three favourite fictional couples ever, and I'm utterly in love with George. He must be the most patient, understanding and loving man ever! And handsome as well...
However, Josh is the one I can really relate to, even though I'm no genius. I can't say I'm asexual either, but the amount of men I am sexually attracted to is probably unusually limited, so I think I understand pretty well where Josh is coming from on that score, and why he's having such a hard time understanding his feelings for George.
Anyway, it's really fascinating to see their love developing from Junior School onward; it's a sweet, gentle tale that still manages to go into the emotional aspects of the developing love between two men and the cultural problems associated with it.
My only gripe (as Debbie already knows) is that the phonecall that changes their lives forever is a bit underplayed...
Overall, it's a really satisfying and, for me at least, very emotional story that I'm sure I'll be rereading time and time again!
However, Josh is the one I can really relate to, even though I'm no genius. I can't say I'm asexual either, but the amount of men I am sexually attracted to is probably unusually limited, so I think I understand pretty well where Josh is coming from on that score, and why he's having such a hard time understanding his feelings for George.
Anyway, it's really fascinating to see their love developing from Junior School onward; it's a sweet, gentle tale that still manages to go into the emotional aspects of the developing love between two men and the cultural problems associated with it.
My only gripe (as Debbie already knows) is that the phonecall that changes their lives forever is a bit underplayed...
Overall, it's a really satisfying and, for me at least, very emotional story that I'm sure I'll be rereading time and time again!
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February 14, 2016This is my story, so no rating from me. Chain of Secrets is a fully stand-alone story, but it's also part of the world of Hiding Behind The Couch, which is, essentially, a literary soap opera about nine friends, two of whom are Josh and George. What I've tried to do in Chain of Secrets is zoom in on them within the bigger picture; readers of the series may recall some of the moments, but zooming in expands those moments and adds finer detail. Or that's the idea. I'll leave you to judge for yourself. :)
February 15, 2016
This is a very sweet story about two guys who start out as childhood friends. They follow a winding path that leads to a satisfying and delicious finale :D Very lovely following their journey
March 18, 2016
This is such a sweet story. I love that we get to follow Josh and George from young boys till they’re adults, through the good and the bad, through love and doubts. I haven’t read all the stories in Debbie’s Hiding Behind the Couch series but I was delighted when this story turned out to be about Josh and George since I have read A Midnight Clear where we also get to meet these men. A lovely story!
August 10, 2016
I was really, really tempted to simply write my review as, "Josh!!!!!" and leave it like that, but then no one would know what I liked about the story. He's just about my favorite character ever and the closest thing I have to a literary soul mate, so you’re not going to get an exactly unbiased review here. I’ve been reading about these characters for the better part of a year in order to catch up, and I’m invested in their lives and loves. But no matter how much I adore them all, I really do read these stories for Josh.
I first “met” him in Ruminations and was drawn to his combination of innocence and acute observation of the world. It’s highly entertaining to see little-kid Josh demonstrating that skill set right from the beginning, including his deep, almost intellectual love for his friends while simultaneously and consistently underestimating himself in his relationships. There are a lot of spoilers in this story for the entire series, so I can’t be specific about all the little details I cherished or the individual sentences which reminded me why I fell so hard for Josh in the first place. I suppose the only thing I can say is that it’s beginning-to-end pitch perfect and answers a bit of my lingering curiosity. While reading, I couldn't help sighing with amusement, exasperation, and finally happiness. (Josh gets 5 stars all to himself just because, though I suspect he might very bluntly ask me why.)
I first “met” him in Ruminations and was drawn to his combination of innocence and acute observation of the world. It’s highly entertaining to see little-kid Josh demonstrating that skill set right from the beginning, including his deep, almost intellectual love for his friends while simultaneously and consistently underestimating himself in his relationships. There are a lot of spoilers in this story for the entire series, so I can’t be specific about all the little details I cherished or the individual sentences which reminded me why I fell so hard for Josh in the first place. I suppose the only thing I can say is that it’s beginning-to-end pitch perfect and answers a bit of my lingering curiosity. While reading, I couldn't help sighing with amusement, exasperation, and finally happiness. (Josh gets 5 stars all to himself just because, though I suspect he might very bluntly ask me why.)
June 10, 2016
Man it was a while since I read this book.
Josh was a very intense but quiet character, and I really liked how George was with him. The story it self is quite slow paced and has that 'slice of life' quality to it, which I love. The writing is always clear and sets the atmosphere. Right from Josh and George's childhood, through their teens and till their adulthood, we're taken on a journey, like looking through old photo albums.
Lovely story.
Josh was a very intense but quiet character, and I really liked how George was with him. The story it self is quite slow paced and has that 'slice of life' quality to it, which I love. The writing is always clear and sets the atmosphere. Right from Josh and George's childhood, through their teens and till their adulthood, we're taken on a journey, like looking through old photo albums.
Lovely story.
Want to read
July 13, 2017Also part of the Love Unlocked Anthology.
dnf
February 16, 2018DNF @ 15%. It's "three strikes and you're out" for this author; her writing style just doesn't work for me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews