Free Fire

by Masha Hayim

In 1967, nineteen-year-old Sid Cohen—an aspiring folk singer from New York City—is drafted against his will and sent to Vietnam. He finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Lieutenant Rupert Hart, a handsome English officer who thinks he knows what the Americans need to do to win the war—if only they would listen to him. At first, Sid just wants desperately to go home. But as his erotic relationship with Hart intensifies, he realizes that he would do anything to stay by Hart’s side.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

I’m a queer Jewish military veteran, and I’m passionate about telling LGBTQ+ love stories. Come say hi!

Reviews

[ancientreader]

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[Ali Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this from start to finish.
It is a story of the tense and exasperating love between Sid Cohen, a Jewish American man, and Hart, an uptight Englishman, both military although of very different backgrounds. The settings in time and place are well researched and feel real, from their first meeting in Vietnam to their reconnection in sexually repressed (if you’re not straight) 1969 London, and their 2003 epilogue in Bangkok.
I particularly loved the author’s ear for realistic dialogue and Sid’s inner thoughts. Go read it - this story is a complicated delight.

[M.Z. Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction and M/M romance, and the premise of this one easily put it in my reader app. I'm glad I found it, too, because the chemistry Sid and Rupert share is nothing short of sizzling. The story is told exclusively through young Sid's POV - young, somewhat idealistic, definitely doesn't want to be in the middle of a war in Vietnam. The moment he meets ambitious Rupert Hart changes everything for him.

I enjoyed reading this very much. Will definitely follow the author for more.