The Larks Still Bravely Singing

by Aster Glenn Gray

The Great War cost Robert his left leg and his first love.

A shattering breakup leaves Robert convinced that he is a destructive force in romantic relationships. When he finds himself falling in love with David, an old friend from boarding school, he's sure that he shouldn’t confess his feelings. But as their meandering conversations drift from books and poetry to more intimate topics, Robert’s love deepens - and so do his fears of hurting David.

Since he was wounded, David has been batted from hospital to hospital like a shuttlecock, leaving him adrift and anxious. His renewed friendship with Robert gives him a much-needed sense of peace and stability. Slowly, David opens up to Robert about the nervous fears that plague him, and when Robert responds with sympathy and support, David finds himself feeling much more than friendship. But he’s afraid that he’s already a burden on Robert, and that asking for more will only strain their developing bond.

Can these two wounded soldiers heal each other?

Content warning: period-typical homophobia and ableism (probably less than is strictly period typical, but this is a romance novel, not a historical essay), implied/referenced suicide

Genres: Historical, Romance, M M Romance, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Queer, Historical Romance

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2021

About the author

Aster Glenn Gray writes fantasies with a romantic twist, or romances with a fantastic twist. (And maybe other things too. She is still a work in progress.) When she is not writing, she spends much of her time haunting libraries, taking long walks, and doing battle with the weeds that seek to topple her tomato plants.

Reviews

[drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

god, this was an incredibly charming and bittersweet story. there was a lot i liked about this story, but one thing kept it from receiving a five star rating…. Robert. i have such mixed feelings about this character. on one hand, he was incredibly sweet and caring toward David, but the way he treated Cyril left me so cold toward him for much of the story. much of his story is focused on his guilt over his multiple affairs on Cyril before the book begins, and it was hard for me to read, truth be told. cheating is such a trigger for me, especially in romance books where the appeal of the story (for me ofc) is the idealized relationships, especially when i’m not aware of that story beat when going into a book. to be clear, Robert does not cheat on David (although he is very briefly tempted late in the book), and David is aware of Robert’s past before they begin their relationship, but still, it bothered me.

other than that, i really enjoyed this. the writing was wonderful and David was exceedingly lovely. the actual romance between Robert and David was also wonderfully handled, i thought. they’re so supportive and sweet to each other, and i really loved the way they really discussed the realities of what a relationship between them would be like. chapter fifteen, in particular, was amazing and agonizing in equal measures due to their frank and heartbreaking conversation. i tea red yo a few times over the course of the book, but man, that chapter made me bawl!

i definitely think this worth a read, but be aware that cheating plays a large part in this story. a very strong four stars.

[Elena]

DNF at 11%

And with this third and last try, this author and I can now part ways for good. It’s clear her writing style isn’t for me, I find it so incredibly dry that even a book that should be right up my alley like this one is just… boring. It doesn’t help that the (so far only) POV MC seems to be a selfish jerk with a one-track mind. Not that it would be a problem for me under normal circumstances, but when that selfish jerk is also as boring as watching paint dry, it’s no wonder I was already skimming before reaching 10%.

[juli✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 (𝟯/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰) — 𝟰.𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀


- - - -


A wound left one weak and sad, and sometimes the sadness leaked out, that was just how it was.





The Larks Still Bravely Singing was a delightfully romantic and touchingly sweet read. Author Aster Glenn Gray did such a wonderful job rounding out Robert and David. Both young men had been through so much trauma, and yet their romance felt like a cool balm soothing the grizzly sting of war.


| 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 ✎ |

✎° TLSBS focuses on Robert (H) and David (H), two former schoolmates who reunite while recovering, mentally and physically, from the frontlines of the Great War. Over the course of the story Robert and David grow closer and closer.

✎° However, both men are still grappling with the ghosts of their past. Robert is struggling with the pain he caused his deceased lover, while David is still dealing with the trauma of the war.

| 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 ♥ |

♥° Hands down the best part of TLSBS was the historical backdrop of The Great War. This time period really was an interesting point in global history. It was the war that really destroyed the romantic illusion of war.

♥° Thus, I have to commend Aster Glenn Gray for expertly weaving that quiet disillusionment into the characters of David and Robert. AGG did a fabulous job utilizing the historical setting of The Great War / Interwar period.

| 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦 - 𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗧 / 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗗 ♥ |

♥° This might be a controversial take, but… I ended up really loving Robert. He was a decidedly flawed but endearing individual. Robert seemed to be someone who was so deeply empathetic. Thus, while I did not condone what he did too Cyril I did not condemn him for it. War is a bloody brutal thing and I think someone as sensitive as Robert sought comfort and escape in the only way he knew how.

♥° I have to say it took me a while to warm up to David. But, once I truly saw David I couldn't help but love him. David was, understandably so, a giant ball of nerves. Throughout, TLSBS we saw David grappling with the traumatic effects of The Great War. His journey was one of realizing his great inner strength.

| 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 ★ |

★° The romance in The Larks Still Bravely Singing was absolutely stunning. It was a quiet slow-burn that gradually became ever consuming. Simply put, I was enraptured by the love between David and Robert.

★° I think my favorite part of the romance was the way Robert fondly pined for David. It was very… period accurate. Moreover, I absolutely adored the exceedingly English endearments that Robert had for David. I don't know, there was something so heart-achingly sweet about DavidRobert that just worked for me.

| 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 🅾🅺 |

🅾🅺° I'd say the only thing that did not work for me in TLSBS was the passage of time. Our story starts in about 𝟭𝟵𝟭𝟲/𝟭𝟳 and it ends in 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟰. Now, getting from point a to point b was… strange. There were quite a few time jumps that felt just a bit jarring.

🅾🅺° I think the execution of said time jumps could have been done a bit better. That said, I was so enthralled with DavidRobert's romance that I was (mostly) able to overlook my issues with the time jumps.

| (𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩ |

✩° ultimately, i highly recommend The Larks Still Bravely Singing. this slow-moving and gentle romance was a truly a gem of a find.

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aster Glenn Gray offers a quiet, melancholy romance about two WWI veterans adjusting to their disabilities—Robert is missing a leg, David a hand—as the war comes to an end. Robert pined for David while they were at boarding school together but wasn’t sure David felt the same way. He also has a habit of getting in his own way and self-sabotaging, bless his heart. These two are both sure the other is getting a bad deal and it made for a really compelling read, as they worked through what a relationship could look like.

I never knew what to make of Robert. He took good care of David and the other convalescents but there was a lot in his backstory that gave me pause, including infidelity and the fact that he hit David with a ruler for impertinence while they were in boarding school because "that's what's done." Yeesh. The reason for his infidelity was basically an adrenaline/fight-or-flight response to being in the trenches and then it took a long time to wear off once he was recovering. At a time when there would have been very little understanding of those urges, much less how to manage them (especially for an entitled upper crust boy), his actions made a degree of sense, even though Cyril still deserved much better. Robert is eaten up by guilt over it and sure that David will be disgusted by him. Instead, David was very forgiving and understanding, more than I would be.

This may be in part because David is naturally a loyal friend and he and Robert are friends above all else. He wants to hold on to his small circle of friends no matter what he thinks of them—how my heart broke over his loneliness and desire for more community. He’s had a rough go of things his whole life. There’s a really great exploration of his depression and anxiety, including the way he deals with erectile dysfunction. I wish the latter had been more fully developed but at least there was another later conversation beyond the initial disclosure.

The last quarter lost its way a bit and I felt less invested. There was also an overuse of period-typical slang and terms of endearment. But on the whole I quite enjoyed this one. Robert and David bond over books and there are a lot of cozy scenes of them reading or David making up the stories they wish they could read.

Characters: Robert is a gay white British war veteran from an upper class family. His family has a dog named Anubis. David is a demisexual bisexual white American war veteran and an aspiring writer. He inherited his great-aunts’ cats named Flossie and Rapscallion. This is set toward the end of WWI in various parts of England.

Content notes: Spanish flu pandemic, PTSD, anxiety, panic attack, depression, discussion of suicidal ideation, ableist slur (self-use), ableism, internalized ableism, illness-related weight loss, consensual slapping (they’re arguing and Robert tells David to slap him so he does. It turns Robert on, even though it wasn’t in the context of sex. I don’t think this is healthy and it could easily read as intimate partner violence. However, Robert is very explicit before and after about wanting David to slap him.), blood magic (used in story David writes in the epilogue), Robert’s lower leg was amputated (eventually able to get a prosthetic limb; at various points he uses a wheelchair, crutches, and a cane), David’s hand was amputated (he refuses to use a prosthetic), discussions of being in trenches and fatal battle wounds they witnessed, war casualties (including implied suicide), past infidelity (Robert cheated on his ex who was later killed in the war; he’s briefly tempted to cheat on David in the present but resists), death of great-aunts (rheumatism, Spanish flu), past death of David’s parents (train derailment when he was a young teen), past bullying (including Robert bullying David), period-typical homophobia and bierasure, nightmare (secondary character), erectile dysfunction, on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, gender essentialist language, ableist language, mention of man who lost most of his penis due to shrapnel, mentions of David’s British mother’s family disowning her for marrying an Irishman, mentions of Robert’s father being sexist toward his sister, reference to friend who had a psychiatric hospital stay

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aster Glenn Gray is a master at writing quiet, precise, interior stories where nothing and everything happens. This is another beautiful example. Robert and David's connection is profound but fragile, as both men deal with visible and invisible wounds from the killing fields of the first world war, but also more intimate, personal losses: David's parents, Robert's first love. This is a book that centers patience, understanding, and care as much as desire and wanting. It's exquisite and gentle and kind. I loved it.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

School chums went to war.
Came back to make a small life.
Genuine, lovely.

[AngelFire · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 47%

This was a massive disappointment because this was a highly anticipated read for me. I've enjoyed Gray's other m/m historical books but this one missed the mark for me. I didn't like the way the plot was executed, the attempt at historical authenticity in the dialog wasn't done well and didn't like either of the romantic leads. It didn't help that this book shares many set up similarities with Sally Malcolm's The Last Kiss. Both books take place directly after WW1 ends, they have a point-of-view character who is upper class, fought in WW1 and lost his leg and the characters are friends with a lower-class character who ends up living at their family's massive estate for a while. But while The Last Kiss was brilliant, this book felt like an amateur attempt at the same premise by an author who doesn't yet have the skills to do justice to such a premise.

While the author clearly did do research into this time period, the historical details only existed in the form of physical objects, references the characters made and the character's speech patterns. But the characters and the community around them never acted as if they had just come out of WW1. There was very little focus on the medical issues that Robert and David were going through, we were told about things like rationing and roads being in poor condition but we weren't shown any of that and Robert's upper class family still lived exactly the way did before the war. Robert has been through many traumatic situations (his ex-boyfriend was killed during the war after they broken up due to Robert cheating on him, Robert went from living an upper class lifestyle to fighting in the trenches for months and Robert lost his leg while at the front) but none of these things seemed to have a big emotional impact on him. He spent his days lazing around his family home, being bored, chatting to David about books they've read and constantly obsessing over wanting to have sex with David. You could have taken Robert and placed him in a contemporary setting and removed his disability entirely and nothing would have changed about the plot. It felt like the author was using WW1 as nothing more than background decoration.

Even situations that had built-in opportunities for the author to connect things back to WW1 in a meaningful way weren't taken advantage of. For example, there's a thunderstorm and David is terrified of the sound of thunder. I thought this was because the loud noise would remind David of the noises at the front. But no, David has always been scared of thunderstorms. At another point, David references the vast amount of poetry that had been written during WW1 and I thought this was a great opportunity for the characters to have meaningful discussions over poems such as In Flanders Fields. But again, the poetry reference is only used for the author to share her historical research and it's not taken any further. Basically, every opportunity that the author had to utilize the characters' experiences in the war in a meaningful way wasn't taken advantage of.

In addition, the author went way overboard with her desire to make the dialog sound period-accurate. I applaud her effort at not making the characters sound like they're from the 21st century, but the author just shoved as much 1900s slang as possible in the characters' speech, without considering whether the words made sense for the characters. It was distracting and didn't sound authentic.

In addition to all this, I really disliked Robert and I wasn't fond of David. In regards to David, I was put off by his random acts of juvenile hysterics where he'd breathlessly apologize to Robert a million times for minor issues or he'd run out of a room when he's embarrassed. It was childish and emphasized the age gap between them, which isn't what I want in a romance.

As for Robert, due to his lack of emotions, he came across as spoiled, cold and arrogant. We're told that he loved his ex-boyfriend (the one who Robert had constantly cheated on and who had been killed at the front) but Robert isn't shown to be grieving in any way. He barely thinks about the ex-boyfriend, which is completely the opposite of what the story's blurb proclaimed. But it gets worse. Robert's main interest in David seems to be solely sexually motivated and I hated having him constantly making plans to deepen their friendship with the only goal being to get into David's pants. Anything that didn't further that goal was dismissed by him. For example, when David's only remaining relative (his aunt) dies of the flu shortly after the war ends, Robert doesn't even consider how David feels about this. Robert is only annoyed that David's letter writing has gotten more infrequent and thus, his quest to get David into bed has been slowed down.

I think Robert's arrogance was another result of the amateur way the author tried to present the historical setting. For example, Robert casually explains that his servant is responsible for carrying his suitcases into David's home from the car as the reason why he made no effort to do it himself. I think the author included these lines to add historical accuracy to the scene, but unfortunately they made Robert look like a spoiled brat.

Overall, I don't feel the author did an adequate job of portraying this time period properly. The physical details were all there, but there was little effort made to portray the thoughts and emotions of the people who lived at that time. WW1 was one of the most horrible and traumatic events that human society has ever lived through and created massive social changes that ended the Victorian period and ushered in the 20th century. It takes an author of considerable skill and experience to do justice to such an event and unfortunately, I feel Gray's writing talent and storytelling experience aren't yet good enough to do justice to the premise she wanted to tackle here.

[Victoria (Eve's Alexandria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an achingly tender and quiet story about two wounded WWI veterans who come together in a historically sensitive way. Aster Glenn Grey channels early 20th century gay subculture in the most accurate, and therefore slightly alienating, sense I’ve encountered - David and Robert’s relationship tests the boundaries of what historical romance can do while still connecting with contemporary audiences. AGG really is doing the most interesting work in queer historicals - highly highly recommended.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY HEART IS FULL

(full RTC, but oh my god, as someone who always theorised it'd take WWI to push David Blaize into a realised relationship with Frank Maddox, this book was written for me, personally.)

[Janine Ballard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I've read five of Aster Glenn Gray's books. I loved three, liked one, and this, the fifth, is the first one is didn't care for. Sirius and I wrote a joint review that posted on Dear Author on December 8th. Here’s an outtake:

Janine: The Larks Still Bravely Singing begins when Robert Montagu and David Callahan reunite after being invalided from the battlefields of World War I.

Robert and David both attended the Abbey, an English boys’ boarding school. As members of the same natural history club, they rambled along the countryside and sometimes tussled. When Robert realized that David felt the same spark he did, he feared he would corrupt David and pushed him away (I wasn’t clear on where that idea came from—maybe because David being was younger, orphaned, new to England, and attracted to girls too?).

World War I broke out and Robert shipped out first. He and David served in separate regiments and they only meet again when each ends up in Montagu house, Robert’s parents’ country estate, which now serves as a convalescent hospital.

By this point, Robert has lost a leg and David a hand. After running into each other in the library they start meeting regularly to talk about books and school memories. Robert kicks himself for rejecting David when they were schoolboys and decides to pursue him. But although they have great conversations, David gives no sign that he is interested in Robert romantically or physically. When Robert subtly tests the waters, David shies away.

The friendship holds, though, and when David leaves, they correspond and plan for Robert to visit David in Cornwall. But the Great Flu arrives before the visit. David falls ill and the last of his elderly aunts dies, leaving him with only her cats. David’s letters become sporadic and Robert worries about him.

When Robert finally comes to Cornwall, David is much changed. He experiences anxiety and is overwhelmed by minor things. Robert wants to help but has his own insecurities. During the war, he cheated on his longtime lover, Cecil, many times. When he finally confessed, Cecil was devastated. Cecil died in battle, and now Robert thinks that if they get close, he may harm David as well.

David is conscious of his vulnerabilities and worries that they will scare Robert away. Everyone in his life has died or left and he has almost no one. With his confidence shattered, what good is he? What can he contribute to Robert’s life, or anyone’s?

I’m curious to hear what you thought of The Larks Still Bravely Singing, Sirius. It’s the only one of the five Aster Glenn Gray books I’ve read that didn’t work for me. I had multiple problems with it and I’m not sure I would have finished if I hadn’t loved a few of Gray’s earlier books.

The book felt very slow. Almost nothing happens other than that these two men are too much in their own heads, each getting in his own way. I have no problem with that as a conflict per se and it’s enough by itself to drive a novella. But this is a short novel and it needs a bit more conflict and plot than that.

Sirius: Agreed. The book did feel very slow and when I started rereading it before doing our review I did feel a little bored, but when I read it initially it worked for me quite well. Again, normally I do need more conflict and plot but occasionally the books like this one work for me, at least for the single read and this is a good example.

Janine: A second problem I had was with the writing. The author laid the period Briticisms on too thick for my taste, as if she were putting up a “1919 Britain!” neon sign. Even David, who was American, used a lot of period British speech tics like “awfully” and “ripping.” Robert frequently addressed David as “dear boy” or “old chap.” The thickness of the speech mannerisms made the characters (Robert especially) ring false.

Sirius liked this one better than I did. The entire review can be found here:

https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...

[QuietlyKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had The Larks Still Bravely Singing on my Kindle for months and months, for some reason shying away from reading it even though I’ve truly enjoyed everything I’ve previously read by Aster Glenn Gray. Gray has a very distinct voice that some find too bland or boring but that really works for me. I think I may have let some of the negative reviews cause me to hesitate to pick it up but I’m glad I finally pushed past that hesitancy because this one was quite lovely.

The historical stories that I’ve read by Gray have featured historical notes at the end which give highlights of actual historical accounts that Gray has read and used to ‘grow’ her evocative tales. The echos of her reading and research really shine in her stories, they feel so true to the period. The Larks Still Bravely Singing exudes the essence of the WWI era. The characters and their interactions and their responses and reactions to their circumstances and the world around them feel authentic. Robert and David feel like WWI era young men, shaped by that world experience. Gray captures that experience in a way that I find refreshing and engaging and more authentic and touching than other m/m historical fiction I’ve read.

As I have done with other of Gray’s books, I skipped directly to the historical notes before starting the story. I find that I get more out of the story knowing which bits and details were drawn specifically from actual accounts, books, etc.

4.25 stars

PS I just have to note that some of my hesitancy was due to reviews with negative opinions of Robert… while I ultimately understood what people were saying and why, I, on the other hand, had tremendous empathy for Robert. For much of the book we’re not privy to his motivation for the sexual activity he engaged in while he’s at war. It comes across as cold and unfeeling but he’s AT WAR, living in hell and terror, his outlet for that emotional and psychological agony might have seemed heartless to some readers but I found it heart wrenching and understandable and I ached for the way he agonized over his actions and punished himself for them 💔❤️💔

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stayed up until 2 am to read this in one sitting and omg this is the definition of cozy. It's short, sweet, but still smutty. Oh, and I CRIED like a baby near the end. Because I'm dramatic. I loved that you could tell the author did her research. The characters' approaches to homosexuality felt very period accurate, especially with MC's preference for traditional lover-beloved dynamics. It also touched on the intersection of religion and homophobia and how no, queer love does not have to be "pure" and sexless to be moral.

But what sets this book apart from other historical romances is the fact that we have two disabled war veteran leads. They struggle with their disabilities, of course, but it's treated with such empathy and respect. It doesn't hinder them from having a HEA and a great life together. Despite the angsty subject matter, the book never gets too depressing, which I appreciate.

I loved how there were references to queerness in classical books and the love interest basically gifts his boyfriend gay fanfiction as a Christmas present. Literally, what more can you ask for??

Aster Glenn Gray is a welcome addition to the queer histrom genre considering how she focuses on less popular eras of history. I'm hoping there are other WWI queer romances out there because this is a time period that always fascinated me.

[Papie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely historical MM! I love this author’s writing. Just a love story, quiet, normal, sweet.

[Littlerhymes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former school friends David and Robert are brought together again after they have been injured in the Great War. They renew their friendship, bonding over a shared love of books and stories, and eventually act on their mutual attraction.

Both David and Robert are such great characters, and I adored how playful they were together, brought together by the act of storytelling and their shared imaginative worlds. Their relationship is one where they both have to meet in the middle, overcoming their insecurities and their post-war traumas. They're very tender and good to each other, and they work through their problems in a way that I found so satisfying.

The main characters are both amputees and I thought this was dealt with well, showing how they adapt to their changed circumstances in simple, everyday ways like learning how to open a thermos or going up stairs.

Their schoolboy friendship feels very much of a piece with classic Tom Brown's School Days and similar stories - I love how the book captures the feel of that period and genre, firmly locating the book in a time and a place while very much being an original story.

The book also features some charming cats. Nothing further to add on that point except that if you enjoy cats as supporting characters, they are delightful.

Note: I was provided with an ARC with no obligation to review.

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great MCs and a deliciously slow-burn romance arc; the tension was such that I was screaming for them to get it on by the middle of the book. The author does not over-dwell on the PTSD and physical traumas of war (although they are evident) and I really appreciate those quiet and understated British turns of phrases and observations used in the prose. Almost as good as Briarley - 4.5 stars.

[Alisa]

DNF @ 40%

I've been trying to get through this since it came out. Time to admit I'm too bored and I'm not going to pick it back up.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.

[Brittanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a post-World War hurt/comfort story and this is right up that alley.

The narrative goes back and forth from Robert and David's time as private school boys in the English country to after WWI where they have both been injured and hospitalized. David grew up in the Dakotas in America but when his parents die in an accident, he's sent back to England to be with his remaining family and for schooling. Because of this unique background, he doesn't quite fit in but finds comfort in a fellow book lover Robert, who is ever the stereotypical posh English boy. They develop a friendship - with each boy wanting more but not making the move - until the day they're both shipped off to fight in The Great War.
Later in time, Robert's family home has been turned into a hospital for soldiers returned to England, with Robert himself being a patient after losing a leg, and he's shocked to see his old school friend (and crush) David - sans one hand. They eventually rekindle their old friendship over books and just enjoying each other's company, while also learning that they still want more.
This shows the typical trope of complete lack of communication between men but it keeps the story going. A lot of time passes throughout the novel, with letters written between the men but never saying what they actually want. David inherits a home from the aunts he returned to England for and invites Robert to stay. It's right on the beach in an idyllic English village and, since returning from the trauma of war and injury, both need the respite. But now they also have the privacy and connection to finally make something more of their friendship.

This has the typical historical romance MM tropes of homophobia and the fear in a time when it's still very illegal, self-loathing, lack of communication, and English stiff upper lip but I enjoyed the slow melancholy tone of it and the descriptions of a beautiful seaside village and David's cats.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as Honeytrap in an entirely different way, and exactly in my wheelhouse in queer interwar Britain.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two WWI vets move in together very. slowly. Mental health issues gently and respectfully discussed. A very relaxing book!

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4.5 Stars **

[Susan Scribner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a disappointment, especially after the superb Honeytrap. Not much of a plot other than two former boarding school friends falling in love and dealing with the aftermath of the first World War. Robert is a bit of a tool with an annoying superior attitude of the idle rich, but David is a sweetheart. From the author's afterword, it appears that she is taking the homoerotic subtext of that era's schoolboy novels and making it text. An interesting exercise, but ultimately not as strong as her previous releases.

[Felicia Davin]

This book begins in a convalescent home for amputees during World War I and both main characters are disabled and traumatized by the war. It’s such an unusual historical moment and premise, but Aster Glenn Gray does such a beautiful job developing the characters. I always appreciate how often her characters connect through reading and discussing the same books, and this book is no exception. Her historical characters in particular feel very shaped by their era, with outlooks on happiness and sexuality that diverge from how most of us now think about those things. This is a very quiet, intimate, emotional book, and it was perfect to read with a cup of tea while it was pouring rain outside.

[Suanne Laqueur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well damn, that was a peach of a one-sitting read. It was sweet. Maybe at times a little silly or even trite, but I think after being thoroughly gutted by The Secret Language of Cranes, these two brave, singing Larks were just what I needed. I’m so glad I found it. Or that it found me.

Bravo to the historical detail. It has an amazing historical notes section at the end, with all the research material. Including a lot of books I read for Small Hotel (before I took World War I out of it). Especially “Fanny Goes to War.”

[Ella Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the way that some authors have the ability to invoke a tremendous sense of place, Astrid Glenn Gray consistently creates such a sense of time. The romances are always great, but feel tremendously of their moment in a way that is always such a specific experience. The end of book historical note is always a great read and a testament to the work and effort Gray puts in. Such a great and underrate pick if you have kindle unlimited and are looking for your next read.

[Autiacora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it felt like I've been reading about myself. The book just pulls the right strings and I loved it. I do think the ending could be even better because most of the story was absolutely wonderful. But it's happy anyway so I'm very glad. David is my beautiful sunshine, I love him and want to protect him. His character hits very close to home.

[Karen]

This was an odd book, but good overall. There's really no plot, which isn't a problem for me, but it might irritate others. It's the story of Robert and David, who met as schoolboys before WWI, and later as they are both convalescing from their war wounds. I wouldn't say it's an easy read - it's pretty angst-ridden, tbh - but I appreciated how AGG showed how their respective emotional baggage (especially David's) affects their evolving romantic relationship. One thing that I've noticed about AGG's books (this is the third one I've read) is that she does not shy away from the very messy, human side of romance. There's no sugar-coating, but that's not to say her books aren't satisfying; in my opinion, they're even more so for their realism.

[Kt Wakeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful friends to lovers romance with the backdrop of the first world war. I feel their disabilities are sometimes forgotten for the sake of plot, but it's two lovely, real characters in a slow burn you really care for, despite the slight moral greyness of the main character

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love these quiet, gentle romance books that don't rely on artificial drama to create a compelling story. Great sense of place, decent disability rep, wonderful character work and Kidnapped fanfiction, what more could I want.