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Podlington Village Romance #2
Rewriting History
A one-night stand showing up at your weekend away? It must be karma.
Professor Oliver Ballard is already reeling from the blow of missing out on a promotion. But when he checks into a country hotel to find that the guy he ghosted after a night of passion is not only staying down the hall but also stole his dream job, he can't decide if fate loves him or hates him. Especially when his commitment to the single life starts to waver.
Craig Hofstader isn't sure if it's good luck, bad judgment, or jet lag that lands him at the feet, and in the bed, of his profes- sional crush. He's already doubting whether a relationship is worth the trouble – especially while juggling taking care of his son, navigating his professional obligations, and interpreting Oliver's mixed signals.
With serendipity's guiding hand – and a little help from the residents of Podlington – Oliver and Craig get a second chance to make a first impression in the ancient Somerset village where the magic of romance is all too real.
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true.This LGBTQ+ Second Chance story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Rewriting History features a chip-loving pub dog, a medieval manuscript, an overbearing secretary, and a guaranteed happy ending.
The Podlington Village Romance series is written in British English and includes at least one non-binary character. There- fore they/them is sometimes correctly used as a singular pronoun.
Novel – 60k words
Professor Oliver Ballard is already reeling from the blow of missing out on a promotion. But when he checks into a country hotel to find that the guy he ghosted after a night of passion is not only staying down the hall but also stole his dream job, he can't decide if fate loves him or hates him. Especially when his commitment to the single life starts to waver.
Craig Hofstader isn't sure if it's good luck, bad judgment, or jet lag that lands him at the feet, and in the bed, of his profes- sional crush. He's already doubting whether a relationship is worth the trouble – especially while juggling taking care of his son, navigating his professional obligations, and interpreting Oliver's mixed signals.
With serendipity's guiding hand – and a little help from the residents of Podlington – Oliver and Craig get a second chance to make a first impression in the ancient Somerset village where the magic of romance is all too real.
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true.This LGBTQ+ Second Chance story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Rewriting History features a chip-loving pub dog, a medieval manuscript, an overbearing secretary, and a guaranteed happy ending.
The Podlington Village Romance series is written in British English and includes at least one non-binary character. There- fore they/them is sometimes correctly used as a singular pronoun.
Novel – 60k words
- GenresM M Romance
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2021
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Alex Jane
26 books181 followersAfter spending years creating stories in her head, Alex started writing them down and then found she couldn’t stop.
Despite the late start, she now writes m/m romance about found families, sometimes with a historical feel—and the occasional werewolf.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to spin a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. And if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.
You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane if you like love…but darker.
Blog and Newsletter available on my website - www.alexjane.info
Despite the late start, she now writes m/m romance about found families, sometimes with a historical feel—and the occasional werewolf.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to spin a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. And if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.
You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane if you like love…but darker.
Blog and Newsletter available on my website - www.alexjane.info
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 21, 2021
Oliver Ballard has decided that he’s not cut out for relationships. His first involved a guy who he met as an undergrad in college and who he was gladly supporting while working on his post-graduate studies. Walking in on his “soul-mate” shagging an undergrad on the sofa that Ollie had bought and discovering that all of their shared friends had known all along had soured him on any relationships, even most friendships. He decided then and there that when he needed sex, he’d go out and get it, but it would be “one and done” with no repeat performances.
While that strategy has worked for Ollie for a number of years, his plan is abruptly put to nought when he arrives at the quaint country inn hosting this year’s academic conference. He discovers in short order that 1) he lost out on the promotion he’d been hoping for, 2) the trick from last night is staying at the same inn and is meeting his son and wife there, and 3) the man got the job he was hoping for and will soon be his boss.
But this is Podlington, and while Ollie thinks he’s done with love, perhaps, love isn’t done with him.
The set-up for this novel is well crafted and comes across as believable (at least by Podlington standards) Both guys are likable and the commotion set in motion in chapter one is soon on the path to mending. Seeing the concerns that both bring to this relationship makes us care for both of them. Besides, how do you resist the eager puppy qualities of precocious kid that wouldn’t mind seeing his daddy happier than he’s been alone?
There are moments when Ollie’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge his extraordinary luck in finding the right guy after having been disappointed so badly by Mr. Wrong does get wearing in spots. Perhaps I’m a hopeless romantic, but I just couldn’t believe Ollie’s reluctance to accept just how lucky he is in this tale. Yet, this is a romance novel. There is a guaranteed happy ending, even if we have to weather a storm or two along the way.
The Podlington Village romances do feature a sort of magical realism element that appeals. The “Sturm und Drang” is generally resolved quite easily, leaving plenty of time for sticky sweet romance and with so many beds about… Maybe the old style McDonalds fried apple pies were hotter, but we’re at least at chocolate lava cake hot here.
Just be sure to brush between reading these, and do try to get something with more literary nutritional value into your reading diet as well.
***Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy ***
While that strategy has worked for Ollie for a number of years, his plan is abruptly put to nought when he arrives at the quaint country inn hosting this year’s academic conference. He discovers in short order that 1) he lost out on the promotion he’d been hoping for, 2) the trick from last night is staying at the same inn and is meeting his son and wife there, and 3) the man got the job he was hoping for and will soon be his boss.
But this is Podlington, and while Ollie thinks he’s done with love, perhaps, love isn’t done with him.
The set-up for this novel is well crafted and comes across as believable (at least by Podlington standards) Both guys are likable and the commotion set in motion in chapter one is soon on the path to mending. Seeing the concerns that both bring to this relationship makes us care for both of them. Besides, how do you resist the eager puppy qualities of precocious kid that wouldn’t mind seeing his daddy happier than he’s been alone?
There are moments when Ollie’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge his extraordinary luck in finding the right guy after having been disappointed so badly by Mr. Wrong does get wearing in spots. Perhaps I’m a hopeless romantic, but I just couldn’t believe Ollie’s reluctance to accept just how lucky he is in this tale. Yet, this is a romance novel. There is a guaranteed happy ending, even if we have to weather a storm or two along the way.
The Podlington Village romances do feature a sort of magical realism element that appeals. The “Sturm und Drang” is generally resolved quite easily, leaving plenty of time for sticky sweet romance and with so many beds about… Maybe the old style McDonalds fried apple pies were hotter, but we’re at least at chocolate lava cake hot here.
Just be sure to brush between reading these, and do try to get something with more literary nutritional value into your reading diet as well.
***Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy ***
October 24, 2021
🤓Two profs who could be enemies but...
3.5-4.0🌟 stars
I liked this read and no doubt Duncan, Craig's son, was an important factor. I loved the way Oliver and he interacted. Duncan also added a bit more realism to this insta-lust MM romance.
This isn't really an enemies or friends to lovers trope MM romance but it has elements of both. Craig, who's just got the job that Oliver had applied for, came to the position admiring Oliver's work and wanting to be friends. Oliver is a bit bent out of shape by losing the promotion to an outside hire. He also has his doubts and fears, though, especially when the chemistry between them is combustible and his self-preservation instincts are activated. Oliver is leery of relationships thanks to a huge betrayal in his past. But a weekend thrown together in the same country hotel? Excellent chance to get to know each other better😉.
It's steamy but there's plenty going on besides, too, with Duncan thrown into the mix, and the epilogue was a really great way to cap their story.
This was not as rapid a read as I expected and some of Oliver's anxiety and dithering about how he wanted to handle things made my interest flag as I approached the midway point in the book. After a few days break I returned and it picked up; I have to say I thought it got better and better until that touching ending.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
3.5-4.0🌟 stars
I liked this read and no doubt Duncan, Craig's son, was an important factor. I loved the way Oliver and he interacted. Duncan also added a bit more realism to this insta-lust MM romance.
This isn't really an enemies or friends to lovers trope MM romance but it has elements of both. Craig, who's just got the job that Oliver had applied for, came to the position admiring Oliver's work and wanting to be friends. Oliver is a bit bent out of shape by losing the promotion to an outside hire. He also has his doubts and fears, though, especially when the chemistry between them is combustible and his self-preservation instincts are activated. Oliver is leery of relationships thanks to a huge betrayal in his past. But a weekend thrown together in the same country hotel? Excellent chance to get to know each other better😉.
It's steamy but there's plenty going on besides, too, with Duncan thrown into the mix, and the epilogue was a really great way to cap their story.
This was not as rapid a read as I expected and some of Oliver's anxiety and dithering about how he wanted to handle things made my interest flag as I approached the midway point in the book. After a few days break I returned and it picked up; I have to say I thought it got better and better until that touching ending.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
October 24, 2021
I'm a huge fan of Alex Jane and their Homestead Alpha's series. Definitely a 1-click author for me.
Couldn't wait to dive into Rewriting History and it didn't disappoint.
Ollie and Craig both had some baggage going into this and that made watching their journey over one sunny summer weekend even more sweeter. Loved the setting and Podlington Village and the hotel had a lovely mystical romantic air to it which really added to the story.
The epilogue hit me in the feels and was a perfect end.
Loved it, highly recommend. And if you've never read Alex Jane before I urge you to go and read all their stuff you won't be disappointed.
Couldn't wait to dive into Rewriting History and it didn't disappoint.
Ollie and Craig both had some baggage going into this and that made watching their journey over one sunny summer weekend even more sweeter. Loved the setting and Podlington Village and the hotel had a lovely mystical romantic air to it which really added to the story.
The epilogue hit me in the feels and was a perfect end.
Loved it, highly recommend. And if you've never read Alex Jane before I urge you to go and read all their stuff you won't be disappointed.
October 17, 2021
4.5 Stars.. A great start as Oliver's lost trying to find his new accommodation for a convention he was attending. Oliver had a rule never more than a one night stand.
Things happen in three as scenes played out, promotion news, re-meeting Craig, and learning who they both are. Not to mention the big surprise of all after that.
I loved the humour and teasing between them in this. Oliver has baggage with an Ex that puts him off relationships.
Lots of feels and a great ending. Told with both pov's.
also reviewed on MMBookwormReviews.com
Things happen in three as scenes played out, promotion news, re-meeting Craig, and learning who they both are. Not to mention the big surprise of all after that.
I loved the humour and teasing between them in this. Oliver has baggage with an Ex that puts him off relationships.
Lots of feels and a great ending. Told with both pov's.
also reviewed on MMBookwormReviews.com
December 17, 2021
This was a wonderful story, kept me up late late last night, couldn't put it down. A little angsty, a little sexy, a little humorous, and with the sweetest surprise in the epilogue that will make your heart melt. I haven't read the previous stories in this series but it didn't interfer with my enjoyment except for one brief puzzling moment in the last chapter which I'm sure made sense to readers of the series. Oliver and Craig are the most adorable pair, their struggles are painful at times and then gorgeously sweet, just a lovely, cozy read.
October 18, 2021
2.5 stars
October 24, 2021
This is a very lovely, sweet romance! A nice quick easy read for an afternoon or a night in :)
November 5, 2021
Delightful
Another quietly engaging story about a magical place to find love. Definitely, a feel good series. A cozy read for this time if year.
Another quietly engaging story about a magical place to find love. Definitely, a feel good series. A cozy read for this time if year.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews