What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cabots #1
Tommy Cabot Was Here
Massachusetts, 1959:
Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot—his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart.
The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend's chilliness is just another reminder of what a thoroughgoing mess Tommy has made of his life.
When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.
Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot—his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart.
The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend's chilliness is just another reminder of what a thoroughgoing mess Tommy has made of his life.
When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2020
82 people are currently reading
3001 people want to read
About the author
Cat Sebastian
27 books5,201 followersCat Sebastian has written sixteen queer historical romances. Cat’s books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
![Profile Image for Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1700013408i%2F101358081._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 4, 2023
|| 3.5 stars ||
This was a truly lovely second-chance romance story. It managed to exude warmth while also serving an expected dose of heartbreak.
The writing was charming and heartfelt, and the characters continually pulled on multiple of my heartstrings. Something about this just felt so pure and authentic.
This might have been a moderately short read, but it still got me rooting for and swooning over the relationship. It was sweet.
This was a truly lovely second-chance romance story. It managed to exude warmth while also serving an expected dose of heartbreak.
The writing was charming and heartfelt, and the characters continually pulled on multiple of my heartstrings. Something about this just felt so pure and authentic.
“I love you.”
Everett reached across the table and took Tommy’s hand. “I love you too.”
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy’s eyes started to water. “Sorry,” he said.
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy’s cheekbone. “I think it’s sweet.”
Tommy wrinkled his nose. “Fuck you.”
“I think you’re sweet. You’re adorable.”
“Oh my God.” Tommy tried to cover his face with the hand Everett wasn’t holding, but Everett grabbed that wrist too and used it to haul Tommy to his feet.
“When did you get so cute? I could eat you up.”
“I’m going to sink into the earth,” Tommy lamented.
“I just like you so much, Tommy Cabot.” He put a knuckle under Tommy’s chin, tilting his face up. “I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.”
“I’m blushing? Oh, fuck me.”
“I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Tommy groaned. “Wait until you see me sobbing over old picture albums. You’ll be overcome with lust.”
This might have been a moderately short read, but it still got me rooting for and swooning over the relationship. It was sweet.
March 10, 2025
This was a low angst time and honestly just very sweet and adorable. Which really shouldn't be a shock with Cat Sebastian. She seems to have the low angst, mid century, historical romance niche locked down.
Probably the biggest surprise was that this was only 100 pages when I had actually thought that this series was full length novels. Not that it's an issue but I had gone in mostly blind and was shocked when I was already 20% in to it before blinking lol.
After living abroad for a number of years, Everett Sloan returns to the US and accepts a position as a teacher in the same boarding school that he himself attended as a youth. Shortly after the school year commences Everett realises that the father of one of the students was his best friend and secret lover from his youth and who he has not had contact with for 15 years.
This is (kind of) a second chance romance in that Everett and Tommy were in an undefined/unacknowledged friends with benefits situation prior to Tommy getting married for the sake of his families expectations and Everett leaving for England.
This was a very low angst story... honestly in some ways it was almost too low angst? Considering the story touches on some heavy topics like Everett going to war, that some of their class mates died in said war, Everett needing to flee the country from his heart break, Tommy processing that he's gay and getting disowned and let go from his job working for his brother not to mention his divorce... And this somehow remained a sweet and light hearted read throughout. I guess it's fine if you aren't looking for something heavy and emotional and it's a thoroughly enjoyable read, but it had the potential to be a story with significantly more depth and meaning and in some ways I'm a bit sad not to get that.
On that note, Tommy, bless your cotton socks but what the actual fuck... Truly the emotional range of a house brick. I had to laugh as Tommy is sitting there talking with his ex-wife about how oblivious he was about Everett in their youth “I was oblivious. Despite the fact that we were very literally having sex and I routinely told him I loved him.” He raked a hand through his hair. “How could I have been so stupid?”. Tommy, you lovely dumb ass, the fact that for 15 YEARS YOU COULDNT GUESS WHY THIS MAN HAD TO DIP AFTER YOU LITERALLY GOT MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE!? Jesus Christ my guy.
I loved Tommy's ex-wife Patricia and Harry. They were wonderful side characters and added such a delightful charm to the story.
Tommy and Everett provided a light, fun and enjoyable time and an easy way to lose a few hours in an afternoon reading.
Probably the biggest surprise was that this was only 100 pages when I had actually thought that this series was full length novels. Not that it's an issue but I had gone in mostly blind and was shocked when I was already 20% in to it before blinking lol.
After living abroad for a number of years, Everett Sloan returns to the US and accepts a position as a teacher in the same boarding school that he himself attended as a youth. Shortly after the school year commences Everett realises that the father of one of the students was his best friend and secret lover from his youth and who he has not had contact with for 15 years.
This is (kind of) a second chance romance in that Everett and Tommy were in an undefined/unacknowledged friends with benefits situation prior to Tommy getting married for the sake of his families expectations and Everett leaving for England.
This was a very low angst story... honestly in some ways it was almost too low angst? Considering the story touches on some heavy topics like Everett going to war, that some of their class mates died in said war, Everett needing to flee the country from his heart break, Tommy processing that he's gay and getting disowned and let go from his job working for his brother not to mention his divorce... And this somehow remained a sweet and light hearted read throughout. I guess it's fine if you aren't looking for something heavy and emotional and it's a thoroughly enjoyable read, but it had the potential to be a story with significantly more depth and meaning and in some ways I'm a bit sad not to get that.
On that note, Tommy, bless your cotton socks but what the actual fuck... Truly the emotional range of a house brick. I had to laugh as Tommy is sitting there talking with his ex-wife about how oblivious he was about Everett in their youth “I was oblivious. Despite the fact that we were very literally having sex and I routinely told him I loved him.” He raked a hand through his hair. “How could I have been so stupid?”. Tommy, you lovely dumb ass, the fact that for 15 YEARS YOU COULDNT GUESS WHY THIS MAN HAD TO DIP AFTER YOU LITERALLY GOT MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE!? Jesus Christ my guy.
I loved Tommy's ex-wife Patricia and Harry. They were wonderful side characters and added such a delightful charm to the story.
Tommy and Everett provided a light, fun and enjoyable time and an easy way to lose a few hours in an afternoon reading.
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 22, 2022
"I want to love you like this," Everett said, brushing his lips across Tommy's, so soft and slow that Tommy almost moaned. "And I want to love you by helping you with that mountain of dishes in your sink. And I want to love you by waking up next to you tomorrow. I want to love you by being there when you do whatever you decide to do next month, or next year. I want to love you any way you need to be loved."
"Everett," Tommy said, almost breathless.
"I don't know what I'm doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don't know what to do. Is that okay?"
with novellas, i've always said i tend to be hesitant bc the book is shorter so there may not be enough development, enough interactions, enough moments to understand the connection or chemistry between the mcs (the way you can with a full length novel) but i admit, while that is the case for some novellas... there are others where it still works. the feels are there. the emotions are present. you still find yourself rooting for the mcs to have their happy ending. this was the case for me with this book.
now, could i have loved this more if it was longer? definitely. while there are some aspects i wish were further developed, the book still packed a punch and hit me with the feels to the point where some scenes made me tear up. the romance, although kinda angsty in the beginning, felt sweet to me overall.
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy's eyes started to water. "Sorry," he said.
"There's nothing to apologize for." With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy's cheekbone. "I think it's sweet."
Tommy wrinkled his nose. "Fuck you."
"I think you're sweet." Everett got to his feet. "You're adorable."
"Everett," Tommy said, almost breathless.
"I don't know what I'm doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don't know what to do. Is that okay?"
with novellas, i've always said i tend to be hesitant bc the book is shorter so there may not be enough development, enough interactions, enough moments to understand the connection or chemistry between the mcs (the way you can with a full length novel) but i admit, while that is the case for some novellas... there are others where it still works. the feels are there. the emotions are present. you still find yourself rooting for the mcs to have their happy ending. this was the case for me with this book.
now, could i have loved this more if it was longer? definitely. while there are some aspects i wish were further developed, the book still packed a punch and hit me with the feels to the point where some scenes made me tear up. the romance, although kinda angsty in the beginning, felt sweet to me overall.
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy's eyes started to water. "Sorry," he said.
"There's nothing to apologize for." With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy's cheekbone. "I think it's sweet."
Tommy wrinkled his nose. "Fuck you."
"I think you're sweet." Everett got to his feet. "You're adorable."
April 12, 2021
This is a simple, sweet story of two men finding each other after 15 years apart. They were best friends, and more, at boarding school, but in that era there didn't seem to be any way to move forward from the moment of graduation. Everett enlisted, because it was easier than telling golden-boy Tommy Cabot that he wanted something lasting, in a world where "gay" and "lasting" didn't go together.
Tommy went on to marry a society girl, have a son, and Everett tried to put their youthful love behind him. But when Tommy shows up with his young son at the school where Everett teaches, it's clear that his effort to forget was less than successful. Strangely, Tommy isn't the successful polished man that Everett knows from the society pages he couldn't help reading. And when they meet again, it's a new beginning. But Tommy's still a married family man. Keeping his distance would be far safer for Everett's heart. Unfortunately, "safer" has not been his guiding principle where Tommy is concerned.
Given the set-up and the era, this could have been an angsty story. But instead, it's a warm, slow, inevitable slide into second chances love.
Tommy went on to marry a society girl, have a son, and Everett tried to put their youthful love behind him. But when Tommy shows up with his young son at the school where Everett teaches, it's clear that his effort to forget was less than successful. Strangely, Tommy isn't the successful polished man that Everett knows from the society pages he couldn't help reading. And when they meet again, it's a new beginning. But Tommy's still a married family man. Keeping his distance would be far safer for Everett's heart. Unfortunately, "safer" has not been his guiding principle where Tommy is concerned.
Given the set-up and the era, this could have been an angsty story. But instead, it's a warm, slow, inevitable slide into second chances love.
June 23, 2025
Reading this felt like a giant hug. Normally novellas aren't enough for me, but this story was the perfect size. One of the better second chance romance stories out there.
2025 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo categories hit: Fall (the season or the action), They were roommates, and Construction
2025 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo categories hit: Fall (the season or the action), They were roommates, and Construction
April 10, 2021
Prior to this book, I’ve only read a few regency era Cat Sebastian books. I think besides Hither Page, which I have yet to read, she tends to stick to those. So I was curious if I would enjoy her writing in a more modern time. Well...1959 is not so modern. But definitely more modern than the ones I’ve read. I still enjoyed her writing style. It did feel kind of old fashioned but that didn’t bother me.
Plot wise, liked this but never got to the loving it stage even though I thought for sure I was getting there a few times. It’s a short book. Only 105 pages. And I think if it had been longer, it would have worked better for me. This is a second chance love story. And Everett and Tommy were so lovely together. Initially I could really feel their heartbreak and yearning.
But their reunion felt rushed and the ending was unsatisfying. I wanted more build up to their reunion then more time spent together after. Just my two cents. It was still worth the read.
Plot wise, liked this but never got to the loving it stage even though I thought for sure I was getting there a few times. It’s a short book. Only 105 pages. And I think if it had been longer, it would have worked better for me. This is a second chance love story. And Everett and Tommy were so lovely together. Initially I could really feel their heartbreak and yearning.
But their reunion felt rushed and the ending was unsatisfying. I wanted more build up to their reunion then more time spent together after. Just my two cents. It was still worth the read.
January 16, 2026
I'm beginning to suspect this author can't write a book I don't like. Luckily for me I still haven't read everything she's written but at this rate I soon will. This shortstory of two childhood friends was both a bit heartbreaking and hopefull. They met at boarding school and soon were as close as could be. Due to the times and some obliviousness Tommy later got married and Everett broke their contact and moved away. Their paths crosses again at the school they met. Everett is now a teacher and Tommy's son is starting there. This is not an angsy story - it's heartwarming. Shout out to Tommy's ex wife who was a wonderful ally 💙
August 13, 2024
I feel Tommy is one of those characters that are just relatable because honestly, same
. “Nobody had told him how much of his late thirties would involve lying on floors and crying.”
This is one of those books and I guess the series would be the same where the story is mostly vibes and no plot and I’m here for it. I feel at this point anything that Cat Sebastian writes I'll love.
“I don’t know what I’m doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don’t know what to do. Is that okay?”
This is one of those books and I guess the series would be the same where the story is mostly vibes and no plot and I’m here for it. I feel at this point anything that Cat Sebastian writes I'll love.
“I don’t know what I’m doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don’t know what to do. Is that okay?”
August 20, 2024
Beautifully written mm romance set in 1959.
I have yet to read a Cat Sebastian book that isn't good.
I have yet to read a Cat Sebastian book that isn't good.
June 7, 2022
I loved everything about this book except the length. I usually don't complain about something as pedestrian as the length of a book but this one unfortunately suffered narratively by being way too short. Everything felt as if it was just beginning and nothing really happened. That being said, I really did love everything about this book. Especially the amount of tears Tommy sheds for no reason, or, really, for every reason ever. A weepy older main character is a lovely change from the stoic manly man stuff that can come through in a romance.
In conclusion, I needed approximately 5 times the amount of pages with weeping Tommy being hugged by Everett.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
In conclusion, I needed approximately 5 times the amount of pages with weeping Tommy being hugged by Everett.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
August 13, 2024
"I don’t know what I'm doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don't know what to do. Is that okay?"
Yeah, I cried, what about it? Tommy and Everett made me emotional ❤️
January 8, 2023
5 stars! I think I’m in love with Cat Sebastian’s writing. This was short, sweet, funny and sad. It broke my heart to think of young Tommy and young Everett, and their confused feelings. They broke each other’s hearts, but you can’t really fault them.
But Everett had put distance between them for a reason. Staying in Boston would have meant getting his heart broken every time Tommy showed up and slung his arm around Everett’s shoulders, every time Tommy acted like a kiss or a grope or even more didn’t mean anything.
When they find each other again, they are unsure at first. Hurt. But their deep connection and easy friendship are still there, and can’t be denied. I loved their sweetness, their easy banter.
“I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.” “I’m blushing too? Oh, fuck me.” “I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Do I wish it was longer? Yes, but not because it felt rushed or unfinished. I just wish I could have spent more time with these two.
But Everett had put distance between them for a reason. Staying in Boston would have meant getting his heart broken every time Tommy showed up and slung his arm around Everett’s shoulders, every time Tommy acted like a kiss or a grope or even more didn’t mean anything.
When they find each other again, they are unsure at first. Hurt. But their deep connection and easy friendship are still there, and can’t be denied. I loved their sweetness, their easy banter.
“I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.” “I’m blushing too? Oh, fuck me.” “I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Do I wish it was longer? Yes, but not because it felt rushed or unfinished. I just wish I could have spent more time with these two.
December 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. Tommy Cabot Was Here was a heartfelt, heartwarming story that managed to deliver the perfect amount of heartache as well ❤️🩹❤️🥹
Bonus: though not billed as a Christmas story, part of the story happens over the holiday and that was perfect for me because my last attempt at a Christmas story was a huge, disappointing bust so this one was not only a great recovery from that fail, it gave me the holiday fuzzies I’ve been craving.
3.75 stars
Borrowed Tommy Cabot Was Here from the library but enjoyed it so much that I’m anxious to start the next in the series, Peter Cabot Gets Lost. I’m so enthusiastic to start it that although I have it on hold with the library, I’m too impatient to wait the two weeks left on the hold and am just going to buy it now 😅😆
Bonus: though not billed as a Christmas story, part of the story happens over the holiday and that was perfect for me because my last attempt at a Christmas story was a huge, disappointing bust so this one was not only a great recovery from that fail, it gave me the holiday fuzzies I’ve been craving.
3.75 stars
Borrowed Tommy Cabot Was Here from the library but enjoyed it so much that I’m anxious to start the next in the series, Peter Cabot Gets Lost. I’m so enthusiastic to start it that although I have it on hold with the library, I’m too impatient to wait the two weeks left on the hold and am just going to buy it now 😅😆
September 19, 2024
Re-read and changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars. I really appreciate the depth of the characters, so well written for a story as short as this one.
As I love historical novels, it may sound weird that this is the first time I read a book by Cat Sebastian. I know she's usually known for her regency novels, but when I saw she wrote a book that was set in the 50's, I just couldn't resist, because that's one of my favorite era's to read about. And I became even more enthusiastic when I saw there will be a second book releasing in September.
So, as for this one: it's a novella, only about a 100 pages. I always enjoy to read a novella in between novels and this one was an enjoyment on its own. I loved the feeling of the era, which was well done. I also loved the two MC's, Everett and Tommy. This is a second chance story about two men who used to be friends and roommates when they were at boarding school together fifteen years ago, but they lost contact, mainly because Everett was in love with Tommy and didn't think the feelings were mutual, specially when Tommy gets married. He just needed to guard his heart.
Everett ended up teaching at his former boarding school, and he and Tommy meet again when Tommy's son Daniel will be attending there as well. There's a slow getting to know each other again, but when Everett finds out the real reason for Tommy's divorce, he knows he has to try and take a chance.
I loved Patricia, Tommy's ex, and her friend Harry. They were just fabulous.
I clicked with the author's writing style, so apart from the second book in these series, I know I will be reading more of her books.
If you enjoy a short, historical romance and second chances is your trope, you will enjoy this sweet, well written novella.
As I love historical novels, it may sound weird that this is the first time I read a book by Cat Sebastian. I know she's usually known for her regency novels, but when I saw she wrote a book that was set in the 50's, I just couldn't resist, because that's one of my favorite era's to read about. And I became even more enthusiastic when I saw there will be a second book releasing in September.
So, as for this one: it's a novella, only about a 100 pages. I always enjoy to read a novella in between novels and this one was an enjoyment on its own. I loved the feeling of the era, which was well done. I also loved the two MC's, Everett and Tommy. This is a second chance story about two men who used to be friends and roommates when they were at boarding school together fifteen years ago, but they lost contact, mainly because Everett was in love with Tommy and didn't think the feelings were mutual, specially when Tommy gets married. He just needed to guard his heart.
Everett ended up teaching at his former boarding school, and he and Tommy meet again when Tommy's son Daniel will be attending there as well. There's a slow getting to know each other again, but when Everett finds out the real reason for Tommy's divorce, he knows he has to try and take a chance.
I loved Patricia, Tommy's ex, and her friend Harry. They were just fabulous.
I clicked with the author's writing style, so apart from the second book in these series, I know I will be reading more of her books.
If you enjoy a short, historical romance and second chances is your trope, you will enjoy this sweet, well written novella.
January 20, 2022
I'm glad I read these out of order, while I really liked the second book, this has less depth.
The start is good, interesting characters with history together, earning. But then the story is too rushed. They talk twice and then are together and in love.
It left me still wondering what pushed Tommy to come out to his family and face the life altering disownment. What Everett's life was in the interim, did signing up have impact? Neither character felt fully drawn. Tommy is emotional and given to tears, but we're not shown the capable side of him for comparison. His son Daniel is merely a reason for him being at the school where Everett works. Daniel doesn't have any personality, I don't think he actually speaks in the book.
I found myself skimming through, not caring about the characters. They're 'youthful hijinks' is in the past, we don't see them get to know each other as adults. The feelings felt more hangover from the past than something rekindled.
For me this was too easy, too short a story.
The start is good, interesting characters with history together, earning. But then the story is too rushed. They talk twice and then are together and in love.
It left me still wondering what pushed Tommy to come out to his family and face the life altering disownment. What Everett's life was in the interim, did signing up have impact? Neither character felt fully drawn. Tommy is emotional and given to tears, but we're not shown the capable side of him for comparison. His son Daniel is merely a reason for him being at the school where Everett works. Daniel doesn't have any personality, I don't think he actually speaks in the book.
I found myself skimming through, not caring about the characters. They're 'youthful hijinks' is in the past, we don't see them get to know each other as adults. The feelings felt more hangover from the past than something rekindled.
For me this was too easy, too short a story.
April 11, 2021
3.5 stars
A lovely second chance romance. Not much plot. No drama.
A bit too sweet at the end.
Perfect read between longer books if you want something quick and delightful.
A lovely second chance romance. Not much plot. No drama.
A bit too sweet at the end.
Perfect read between longer books if you want something quick and delightful.
January 3, 2026
~3.5~
Pitch perfect as always from Cat Sebastian, but too short by far. I wanted to know more about Tommy and Everett, their past and their future. So much was left unsaid.
Pitch perfect as always from Cat Sebastian, but too short by far. I wanted to know more about Tommy and Everett, their past and their future. So much was left unsaid.
At some point ... snow began to fall ... There was no mud, no mistakes, just a landscape transformed by something as ordinary as cold and water. And here they were inside, flawed and messy, safe and warm, loved and loving.
September 15, 2021
Although this is marked as #1 in the Cabots series, I read it second and was perfectly happy with that reading order. :)
This historical romance novella (set in 1959) has a much more muted tone than Peter Cabot Gets Lost (which was full of snicker-worthy banter and lots of humor), but it was a really lovely, warm, kind, and compassionate story about finding hope, courage, and second chances. It's set mostly in the winter, and it was just wonderfully cozy and emotionally moving. I am really looking forward to the next Cabots story that gets released (which will be about Patricia Cabot, Tommy's ex-wife, who was a wonderful side-character in both stories)!
This historical romance novella (set in 1959) has a much more muted tone than Peter Cabot Gets Lost (which was full of snicker-worthy banter and lots of humor), but it was a really lovely, warm, kind, and compassionate story about finding hope, courage, and second chances. It's set mostly in the winter, and it was just wonderfully cozy and emotionally moving. I am really looking forward to the next Cabots story that gets released (which will be about Patricia Cabot, Tommy's ex-wife, who was a wonderful side-character in both stories)!
Want to read
November 16, 2021Thank you for the gifts, Still not afraid of the dentist elf!
March 16, 2023
Cat Sebastian heals hearts.
April 15, 2021
Short and sweet without being saccharine or cutsey. I approve. It's set in 1959 (and believably so) and the McCarthy era was coming to an end, so I can believe that there is not an incredible amount of very real fear in there. Also, it's part of a series, so I think I can trust especially this author to further enlighten us about the time period. I liked it. Highly recommended.
December 3, 2022
It was sweet and heartwarming. Some moments had the grab on me. I liked it, but it doesn’t fit so much to my liking. The writing and storyline was okay actually, but I didnt like it as much as I expected. I can imagine lots of people enjoy this for a short second chance FTL :)
November 15, 2021
A super sweet second chance MM romance novella set in the late 1950s America.
I love Cat Sebastian's HR novels and had read her complete backlist. I was keeping this novella pending till the release of the next book in the series but finally, I gave up. This is the 1st Cat Sebastian book based in America. It's the story of Tommy and Everett, who were best friends and lovers while in school. Everett moved away after Tommy married Patricia. Now, 15 years later, they meet again in the same school where Everett is a teacher and Tommy had his son as a student. These long 15 years have changed things between them. Everett is guarding his heart and avoids Tommy at all cost. Whereas once upon confident and rich Tommy is emotional and broken due to his family's betrayal after he came out. Super sweet romance with a bit of angst. Now am waiting eagerly for the release of the next 'Cabot' book.
I love Cat Sebastian's HR novels and had read her complete backlist. I was keeping this novella pending till the release of the next book in the series but finally, I gave up. This is the 1st Cat Sebastian book based in America. It's the story of Tommy and Everett, who were best friends and lovers while in school. Everett moved away after Tommy married Patricia. Now, 15 years later, they meet again in the same school where Everett is a teacher and Tommy had his son as a student. These long 15 years have changed things between them. Everett is guarding his heart and avoids Tommy at all cost. Whereas once upon confident and rich Tommy is emotional and broken due to his family's betrayal after he came out. Super sweet romance with a bit of angst. Now am waiting eagerly for the release of the next 'Cabot' book.
December 25, 2025
This little book is perfect.
Sebastian takes a very slight tale and makes it profoundly moving and just Right. With a very light touch and never falling into the obvious.
She gets the period right (I kind of remember 1959), although I'm not sure anyone was using the word 'gay' the way we do now.
I read it in one sitting and am delighted there is to be a series.
9-23 First re-read (of several, I suspect; this is comfort reading par excellance).5
It was actually kind of soon to revisit this one, but once again I really enjoyed it.
12-25 Second re-read: ditto. Sometimes life makes rereading of faves absolutely necessary. So good.
Sebastian takes a very slight tale and makes it profoundly moving and just Right. With a very light touch and never falling into the obvious.
She gets the period right (I kind of remember 1959), although I'm not sure anyone was using the word 'gay' the way we do now.
I read it in one sitting and am delighted there is to be a series.
9-23 First re-read (of several, I suspect; this is comfort reading par excellance).5
It was actually kind of soon to revisit this one, but once again I really enjoyed it.
12-25 Second re-read: ditto. Sometimes life makes rereading of faves absolutely necessary. So good.
July 9, 2025
Read #3 (July 2025) me @ cat sebastian (complimentary): youtube.com
Read #2 (June 2023): Loved it just as much as the first time!
Read #1 (Dec 2022) Short and incredibly sweet. I just adore everything Cat Sebastian writes!
Read #2 (June 2023): Loved it just as much as the first time!
Read #1 (Dec 2022) Short and incredibly sweet. I just adore everything Cat Sebastian writes!
April 22, 2021
Read as part of He's Come Undone: A Romance Anthology Anthology, back in 2020
Lovely rather heartbreaking story. Fifteen years ago, when Tommy decided to marry a woman, Everett decided to leave America altogether and cut off their ties. Even if they were best friends and lovers back at school.
But it was the 1940's - 1950's, so things wasn't exactly peachy for two male lovers. When they met again in 1959, a little older, and with heartbreak too, they found way to each other again.
I loved it.
Lovely rather heartbreaking story. Fifteen years ago, when Tommy decided to marry a woman, Everett decided to leave America altogether and cut off their ties. Even if they were best friends and lovers back at school.
But it was the 1940's - 1950's, so things wasn't exactly peachy for two male lovers. When they met again in 1959, a little older, and with heartbreak too, they found way to each other again.
I loved it.
April 6, 2025
Update April 2025, fourth time reading it and it is the ultimate comfort reread. Romantic and swoony.
Updating my star rating on re-read. Such a soft and tender novella with a surprisingly sweeping story considering how short it is.
Updating my star rating on re-read. Such a soft and tender novella with a surprisingly sweeping story considering how short it is.
Read
July 4, 2022Really enjoyed this. A gentle short story, which I needed, because reading has been hard this year.
January 27, 2023
Gentle and lovely, even during the sad bits.
July 23, 2025
"he had both a future and an identity, and they were tied up together in this—being queer, being in love, being someone who had been lost and then found."
oh 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
not perfect but pretty fuckin close
oh 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
not perfect but pretty fuckin close
Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews