The Boy in the Rain

by Stephanie Cowell

“The Boy in the Rain transports us to another time and place in this powerful, sensual, and lyrical novel that literally took my breath away—the love is so visceral, the pain so deep, the beauty so real, and the danger so palpable!” ~NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose, author of The Last Tiara

It is 1903 in the English countryside when Robbie, a shy young art student, meets the twenty-nine-year-old Anton who is running from memories of his brutal childhood and failed marriage. Within months, they begin a love affair that will never let them go. Robbie grows into an accomplished portraitist in the vivid London art world with the help of Anton’s enchanting former wife, while Anton turns from his inherited wealth and connections to improve the conditions of the poor. But it is the Edwardian Era, and the law sentences homosexual men to prison with hard labor, following the tragic experience of Oscar Wilde. As Robbie and Anton’s commitment to each other grows, the world about them turns to a more dangerous place.

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

310 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2023

About the author

THE MAN IN THE STONE COTTAGE, a novel of the Brontë sisters, is set in 1846 Yorkshire, where the three sisters - Charlotte, Anne and Emily - navigate precarious lives marked by heartbreak and struggle. Charlotte faces rejection from the man she loves, while their blind father and troubled brother add to their burdens. No one will publish their poetry or novels. Amidst this turmoil, Emily encounters a charming shepherd on her solitary walks on the moor, yet no one else has ever seen him. Several years later, Charlotte, who is now the successful author of Jane Eyre, sets out to find him. THE MAN IN THE STONE COTTAGE is a poignant exploration of sisterly bonds and the complexities of perception, asking whether what feels real to one person can truly be real to another.

My previous novel, THE BOY IN THE RAIN, set in Edwardian England 1903, is a love story between two men, a shy young artist and a rising socialist speaker, as they struggle to build a life together against personal obstacles and the dangers of prosecution under the gross indecency laws. CLAUDE & CAMILLE: A NOVEL OF CLAUDE MONET is the story of Monet in his 20s and 30s as he struggles to sell his work and manage his love for the beautiful, elusive Camille who would die young and forever remain his muse.

My other novels MARRYING MOZART, THE PLAYERS, THE PHYSICIAN OF LONDON AND NICHOLAS COOKE all continue to find readers. They were translated into several languages and MARRYING MOZART was turned into an opera.

I was born in New York City and have lived in the same apartment for 50 years. My heart is half in England/Europe where I have family and consider myself an emotional citizen there.

Please do visit my website StephanieCowell.com

Reviews

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This book: not perfect but so, so lovely, so, so shattering. I could NOT stop reading, couldn't continue to be with Robbie and Anton, to see how THEY would continue. Kudos to Stephanie Cowell for making me care so much. Also, too many times historical fiction novels can feel anachronistic, especially novels with LGBTQ+ characters and themes, but except for a very few and fleeting moments, the author had me very firmly in Edwardian England, feeling the fears, the despair of perhaps never being allowed to find and share love. I never doubted that the main characters, and all the others on the (virtual) pages, were real, flawed human beings for us to care for. It's only mid-January, but I'd be surprised if this book doesn't end up in my Top Five of 2023. (By the way, kudos also to the cover artist; exceptional work!!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the e-ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review of this wonderful, powerful, evocative, lovely book.

P.S. EXCEPTIONAL cover!

[Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction + Romance + LGBTQ

"The Boy in the Rain" is a historical novel set in Edwardian England over the course of a decade, from 1900 to 1910. It is a love tale between two men, a shy young artist named Robbie and a rising socialist speaker named Anton, as they try to establish a life together in the face of personal hurdles as well as the risks of being prosecuted under the indecency laws of that era.

The story had my attention from the very first page. This is the first time I've read a book by Stephanie Cowell, and I must say that she is an excellent storyteller. I think that everything about this book, including the atmosphere of that era, the setting, the plot, and the characters, is outstanding. I highly recommend it. Everything seemed incredibly genuine. I find that the stories that center on characters with flaws appeal to me the most. It felt to me like I was reading the autobiographies of actual people.

Reading about these characters over the span of a decade, you will notice a significant amount of change and progression in their personalities. This is true not only of the primary protagonists but also of the supporting characters as well. The tale is heavily reliant on the romantic relationship that develops between Robbie and Anton. The two had really great chemistry with one another, and I believe it will make the readers root for them. The ending was both stunning and devastating in equal measure. This book blew my mind in every possible way.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story between two men in Edwardian London at a time when homosexuality was a crime punishable by years in prison.

The exquisite prose portrays the angst that men of this persuasion would have felt at that time. The necessity of hiding their feelings took an unspeakable toll and often ruined lives that should not have been ruined.

Robbie is the younger man who enters into a love affair with the older Anton. Robbie is an aspiring artist and Anton is a wealthy land owner. Anton is a Socialist who is determined to change the social mores of the day that are established to preserve the rich and keep down the poor. How will they manage their differing paths, one artistic, one political without being torn apart?

There was a point when I questioned Robbie’s actions and thought I might give this book no more than 4-stars, until I read to the end.

It is a beautiful love story, because love is love no matter the gender, told in a way that touched me deeply.

It was a surprise to note the author is a woman who has managed to capture the nature of love between two men so perfectly.

My affection for Robbie and Anton grew throughout the book as though they were real and friends of mine.

The book cover is stunning and could not be more perfect for this book.

This is a well deserved 5-stars!

[jay]

dnf @47%

i liked it for the first 20-25% but it's honestly exhausting to read. the writing style feels very detached, the story isn't really moving anywhere and it feels like everyone is just constantly drowning in self-pity. this is putting me into a reading slump so i'm giving up.


(i received a free copy from Edelweiss)

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story blurb very intriguing and found the writing to be very engaging. It was also very interesting learning about England’s labor movement’s history.

That being said I was not a fan of either character nor the course of their relationship. It really seemed the two were together because they found each other in a small village and not out of true desire or love.

I have to give this book 3 out of 5 stars. Neither recommending nor discouraging others from reading it. I’m sure many other people will, and reading other reviews, have enjoyed it more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this book to me to read and review.

[Raegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Read 65%, and skimmed the rest.

1.5 stars

Half a star because the book slightly reminded me of Maurice. The writing style was killing me. Nothing ever seemed to happen and if it did it was simply stated, not described. It was very slow-paced. I didn't like any of the characters.

The plot points were typical. The title and cover grabbed my attention. But the ending was bad. All-in-all, if anything this would have made a better movie.

Highlight quotes:

"Being liked is a luxury in this world".

"You have so much talent, you don't know what to do with it all; it comes from you, I think, in a volcanic way--or rather, you don't so much have it as it has you".

"Love it to be avoided. Friendship is the best".

My other big issue was:
Robbie with the wandering eye. Let's all make cheating the new norm, why not. Also, Robbie seemed like a user.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this arc from netgalley and oh my god i just thought it'd be a bit sweet but? They were so messy your honor. To be honest i loved their dynamic and even tho it was slowly built it gave me the feel of a classic somehow. it took me time to get through but I'm glad i did because the writing style is so so good. Recommend.

[Magen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a difficult, emotional read. The realities of Edwardian politics and social norms around homosexuality and being in love—it all hit viscerally. However. I disliked both of the main characters, particularly Robbie. The writing style also was overly simple, a lot of telling and no showing, no greater descriptions, which made it harder to connect with already difficult to connect with characters. It was a bit of a mess and ended with a bit of a splat that I really felt nothing for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anthony McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary fine novel.
More comments to follow!

[froschpapi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belongs into the category of books that made me realize that I actually don't love to suffer

(Not a bad book, it just made me incredibly sad)

[studio_rat04 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of reading this was zoning out and jamming to my reading playlist before remembering what I was reading.

Okay so I don't know how to list everything wrong with this book so let's start off with the few things I liked.
- some of the physical descriptions
- some of the cozy romantic scenes when the characters aren't talking or having sex
- some of the letters the characters send to one another were very sweet and romantic

Now for all I didn't like:
- the age gap being described in consistently uncomfy ways
- romanticizing SA scenes without trigger warnings
- break ups and getting back together without any explanation or foreshadowing, just for drama or to emphasize the "tragic times."
- using a slur against Romani people
- the pacing was all over the place
- the writing style was so stagnant, made me feel like the author wanted to say "look how tragic aren't I so talented writing this melodramatic masterpiece?"
- the most lackluster ending to a book I've ever read in my life
- absolutely no investment in the romance or stakes whatsoever because they're such a bad couple
- references to Oscar Wilde felt forced more than anything else as if to show the author knows queer history
- the characters broke character so often just for the author to jerk them around to do whatever the plot demanded of them
- I sincerely doubt the MC would have been able to paint the queen I'm sorry but that plot point just made me laugh because I couldn't believe what I was reading.
- the love interest's wife deserved better, I don't even remember her name but she was done dirty and written with very little respect in my opinion.

Overall the premise was pretty good and the few good moments keep it from being 1 star, but the execution failed at every point I could see. Again, I don't know how the author got away with writing a literal slur in this book or how they didn't think twice about the SA scenes. Sorry to say, I don't recommend this one.

[Jendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sensitive historical novel moved me so deeply that it's hard to find words for a review. I've been sitting with the impact of this book for days after finishing it. Where to begin? The meditative, introspective prose; the insight into how the bonds of love are tested, broken, and re-created as two people mature; the heartbreaking impact of England's criminal laws against homosexuality, which shockingly were not fully repealed till 1967. "The Boy in the Rain" bears comparison to the films "Casablanca" and "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" in its exquisite depiction of a love that must be sacrificed to society's demands, but that will endure forever in the heart.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Afra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

Actual rating 4.5

This was my first time reading Stephanie Cowell's book, and I really loved her writing style. I loved how the story developed in such a slow pace but never bored me. Anton and Robbie relationship was sweet yet they kept hurting each other. The only thing I didn't like from this book was the ending. The ending Made me feel all the relationship developments between Anton and Robbie Were pointless. Even though I really understood why Corwell wrote that way, especially after what happened to Keith, I understood Robbie's feeling.

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Regal House Publishing, for allowing me to read The Boy in the Rain early.

What a pleasant surprise! I didn't know the author beforehand but am definitely going to read Stephanie Cowell's other books. Splendidly written and so captivating! highly recommended!

[Natalia Provolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5- eager to discuss at sister book club

[Kj · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

What began as a delicate portrait of connection amidst constraint turned quickly into a laborious melodrama that stretched all credulity.

It's probably not fair that I happened to be reading this while also revisiting EM Forster's Maurice and William di Canzio's Alec, but even without those simultaneous comparisons, this historical fiction set in Edwardian England entirely misses the significant role that restraint and implicit understanding plays in the context of the society it is depicting. The descriptive writing was often evocative, but the second a character started speaking, it might as well have been an American 1990s high school drama. Characters pour out every facet of what they want and feel, without any prompting. I don't think there was a single sentence spoken by any male character that I believed could have come from someone raised in British boarding schools at the turn of the 20th century (or tutored by them if not there themselves). Characters spoke in long explanatory paragraphs about their past and their future in a way that never sounded like conversation or realistic dynamics in a society that promoted saying nothing rather than saying the wrong thing. Additionally, the important conversations that weren't had were never acknowledged as missing. There was no consistency in how these characters communicated and nothing about it felt like people inhabiting the Midlands in 1910, regardless of social status.

Also, the melodrama stems largely from what appears to be a lack of trauma informed storytelling. We get accounts of sexual assault, suicide attempts, and domestic partner violence that are presented more for the heightened emotional response of the reader than for addressing the truth of a character's pained experience. It felt more about shock than exploring darker sides of human experience.

I wanted to care about the characters, and mostly did for the first third, but the more unrealistic their conversations and behaviour got (i.e. the more American and emotionally anachronistic) it all got, I just wanted it to end. The story structure doesn't help, with its meandering, self-contradicting story arcs, and even more oddly, the practice of titling every chapter with a year and month despite nearly every chapter picking up moments or hours after the previous and any significant time leaps being made explicit within the narrative. What was significant about it being February 1910 vs March 1910? I kept waiting for this charting of months and years to pay off in terms of story or structure, but it never did. Indeed, the few historical markers in the text are, by the author's admission, fudged a bit, so why belabor an already belabored text with the constant date keeping?

This is one of those cases where a book at times made me feel a lot and hope a lot on its behalf, so every time it fell short of its promise and premise, I grew exponentially more frustrated. If you don't mind historical fiction that doesn't feel reflective of the time and place it depicts, then this is a mostly okay read. But I found it so hard to believe the cause or effect or anyone's words or actions, and the whole journey led to yet one more melodramatic action that felt unearned and disconnected from the events preceding it, like the story ended there because the author ran out of paper, not because it's where it was heading all along.

Overall, the novel felt like an EM Forster paper doll puppet show that, like a long running TV series, had to keep making up reasons to separate then reunite characters in order to keep viewers engaged. It all felt unconsciously emotionally manipulative, and therefore, unconvincing. (also so very many typos, almost one per page by the last quarter of the book). Bummed that this one missed the mark for me.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Basically, the 1900-1910 British version of Call Me By Your Name, and I mean that in the most flattering way. Really touching and emotionally complex. What a great book to start the year with!

[Ely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not understand myself sometimes, because I always love these kinds of books — 4.5 ⭐️!!

The storyline was focusing on the development between two MCs but the focus part is on Robbie. The storyline was also beautifully written in the context “I’m gonna devour this book or rather the opposite” and yup, it was completely the opposite. Even though it was focusing on the development of finding the true self of Robie, the plot is quite mesmerizing with little historical heritage in it. The writing was also understandable and relaxing enough to read. However, because this one was claimed as Historical, it was expected that few choices of words were unfamiliar to my own terms. Also, inside the storyline, several political terms and issues were written well when it comes to Anton as well as a piece of new knowledge for myself. The story of how Robbie decided on what he had purposed in his life was quite a breakthrough to my heart because he was trying to find his true self with his own terms. Then, it is also proof to every reader that not many things in life have butterflies and rainbows, the path is not always easy and whatever happens, the choice in this life is yours because this is your life. It was beautiful and the choice he took for the sake of their love, hold me — wait, is this the ending????? I want more!!

The Characters. Every character in this book has their own traits and the beautiful things about these characters in this book were how they dealt with their own past and moved on. Some of them probably have some grudge but they come eventually to terms with moving on. Also, from the moment the emotion gathered between Robbie and Anton, how they express their own characteristic, how society sees them, what struggles they have to bear the love they have, and how they reconciled and finally choose the path they think it would be best for them both are unique. I think I fell in love again.

The Issue and History in this book is too damn much to bear, especially in that certain era. It took long enough to figure out one by one what this book can express at that specific time with the longing for love and home our two MCs has. I was definitely surprised that this book has these kinds of traits that you want to keep continue reading because of the unique traits between one artist and one unknown speaker in England. The historical traits mostly focus on England but yeah, it was mentioned several time in the storyline. Explicitly.

➊ The Stereotype, many stereotypes things were pointed out in this book, those are:
¹ Drawing is for girls, who made that kind of stereotype anyway, I wonder? I mean artist was born as artists in their own blood regardless of what gender they are. This one was truly heartbreaking for Robbie because he was a good artist on his own term and when I know the background story he had while he was living with his own uncle, I want to smash someone’s head.
² Priest must please everyone in his parish, I get that this term still has some stereotype in it because a priest is known or shown as the bridge between humans and God. However, are those humans also forget that “this priest” is also a human being?
³ Loving the same gender. In that certain era, it was a disgrace and a shame to the core, because homo-phobic is still spread everywhere and it is also categorized as a sin, even. They also mentioned that in that specific era, the Gays will be locked up in prison and the judges and people surrounding them will beat them or rather they’ll be killed. It was horrible and cruel even though we know that certain era was not as good as nowadays. However, we cannot say that nowadays is also a hell lot better for LGBTQ+ people.
➋ The Child is never a burden. These families between Robbie and Anton, why do they always feel like the children are always a burden to them? Not saying about Robbie’s parents but his other relatives, they blame him because he was like ruining his mother's life by his birth. Then this is about Anton as well, they both were broken people with the same but different backgrounds. Even in that certain era, people still have these thoughts, how about people nowadays? — its getting worse
➌ The fatherly love, this one was touched my heart because Robbie found this love he never had from the unexpected person, the priest. They do not develop some romantic relationship, but rather the relationship that touched my heart the most. I am just in love with these two relationships because it is pretty heartwarming
➍ Coping mechanism. People have their own on applying this kind of mechanism in their life. In this case, Robbie is by needing a kinship from the other party. It was pretty heartbroken seeing how Robbie coping with this one while he still guessing his own self.
➎ The Feeling of Home. This book showed that a home is a person indeed.
➏ The different longing being The Woman. I mean this was focusing on Robbie because the longing he was feeling is about being the woman in the relationship. Based on how his past was written and what happened with his love throughout the story, no wonder he has this specific thought.
➐ Don’t Trust too much. Society at that specific time has some issues with putting too much trust in people and as a result, it caused a thorn between them. Also, it might as well be the cause of why people nowadays always take precautions towards each other. It must have some connection somehow lol

I always thought that this book is kind of a book written by Anton showing his love and how Robbie was in their life. Also, when Mr. Donovan mentioned that “the young man questions” Robbie, I was never had thought of that before but he was open up my eyes and wondering maybe Anton did that because of this.

Robbies characteristic in this book was written too damn well. I shed my tears several time when it comes to him. He was just a broken child ffs. Oh, I forgot to mention, Robbie as an artist is supposed to be known, he was the one who has open up my eyes that this portrait painter has a way with words and the world needs to learn from him when it comes to the time he painted.

Overall, this book has its own way to my heart and the ending was something else. I do need more. I wasn’t expecting much from this book and to be honest, got bored in the middle of it. But when you keep reading it, they have some special bond for the heart of longing for home and love. The supporting characters even have their own special traits in my heart. This book was a dam well written and every letter inside this book has a special meaning. Also, the writing is a chef kiss indeed. I intend to look forward to her work in the future!

Thank you for Netgalley giving me the privilege to read the book before publication day

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for sister book club! I was really into the story but I was kinda disappointed with the ending

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I have so much to say about this book.

Let’s start off with the good sentiments.
So this book has a lot going for it, the characterization of Robbie and Anton was really very solid. These were two fully fleshed out characters with their own motivations, personalities, and weaknesses and I really enjoyed getting to know more about them and getting a peek into their respective histories. The writing also has moments of brilliance and several times the author really outdoes herself with encapsulating something complex and rich in only a brief sentence or two. For instance, one I especially liked comes from the chapter “Conversation” in Book One, the context is Robbie musing on how his desires, which seem so benign and natural to him are vilified as perverse in the eyes of society, the church, and the law. (note: this quote comes from an advance copy of the book and not a final edition)

“Men were beautiful things: Why could God create such things and not allow them to be touched? Wasn’t it natural to touch a beautiful thing?”

Excellent stuff.

The author also excels in portraying the mix of apprehension and longing endemic between two men in Edwardian England who see each other as potential partners but unsure of how, or even if, to make the first move. These early chapters showing the beginning of their relationship were some of the finest in the book.

Now for the not so great elements.

At times the pace of this book was jarring and disjointed. Sometimes events and characters would shift perspective, setting, or even whole countries, in only a few words. This took some getting used to and by the end it wasn’t quite so disorienting but it still made the story feel jumbled in places. The dialogue too, both internal and verbal, could use some work. Almost all the characters speak in the exact same, matter of fact, way and sometimes their exchanges are as abrupt and full of non-sequiturs as the scene transitions. Additionally, the book felt repetitive at times and certain phrases (“his face grew stern”) are relied on to an all too noticeable degree.

Finally, my biggest problem with this novel was the eternal back and forth between Anton and Robbie, perpetually breaking off and then mending their relationship in an everlasting emotional tug of war that exhausts the reader and saps even the abundant vitality of this otherwise charming and earnest book. I lost track of the number of times either of our main characters left the other, always “for their own good” and then regretted it and eventually returned. It strains the heartstrings and after the third or fourth “final” break up or reconciliation it’s difficult to care or wish for anything except maybe a permanent resolution, of any kind, to this Sisyphean “will they, won’t they” pattern.

These characters also seem to learn nothing from any of their many break ups. Anton always goes on repressing his feelings and hoarding his words and Robbie always manages to drink too much too fast at the most inopportune times. And in every break up neither of our leading men ever just talk or even attempt to communicate! Our leading men would rather jump at any opportunity to board the earliest train out of London or Nottingham depending, rather than speak for even a few moments longer about their relationship or their emotions.

I understand relationships are hard, and they’re work, and it must have been fiendishly challenging to do that work in this time and place with a prison sentence or denunciation hanging over you. But people don’t behave this way. People learn and grow emotionally (which they do in the novel, to be fair, though never enough to prevent another inevitable, tearful, break up), and when they’re in love and want to be together they don’t invent reasons to leave and return ad infinitum over the span of decades as happens in this book. By the end I found myself thinking, these aren’t people, or even characters, they’re puppets.

I can appreciate an author trying to write a gay historical romance story where most of the roadblocks to a relationship are internal and stem from the challenging nature of relationships rather than from the explicitly homophobic society they live in (though that plays its part too); but this novel just didn’t accomplish that and for me and didn’t quite stick the landing. Despite its shortcomings I couldn’t seem to stop reading it, even as I grew frustrated with its compounding issues.

[Leah Lax · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to read on a rainy day in a quiet time, with patience and openness, to let yourself sink into these beautiful, flawed, loving characters who, like the rest of us, only want tenderness and love in their lives.
There are just six years between them, but they're so young when they meet that it matters. Anton is a well-dressed banker in his twenties with a polished commanding voice. Robbie is the boy in the title – innocent, impetuous, he speaks his feelings with exuberance. Robbie was born a love child of a mysterious father and a nurturing mother who died young. Lithe in body with cascading curls and a sensitive soul, he was left to a resentful uncle who sees too much of the boy’s parents in him. Robbie takes refuge in his drawings, which captivate him and perhaps save him from his illegal yearnings for boys…until the uncle burns his portfolio and sends him to study under a widowed vicar. But all of that is back story, beautifully wrought. The real story shows you how Robbie and Anton manage to love during a time in England in which 50,000 men were imprisoned for homosexual “indecencies.”
Anton and Robbie each have their talents and their demons. Each confronts the inexorable demands of a creative drive. Their love threatens to swallow a deeper need to make their mark on the world.

[Jude Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graceful, moving story, suffused with moments that really resonate. In many ways, it’s a book about relationships—not just with lovers, but father figures, platonic friends, exes—and how our connections with the people in our lives grow and change in unexpected ways. Cowell finds moments of beauty, and tragedy, in these human journeys. Readers who love Call Me By Your Name and E.M. Forster will be unable to put this book down.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

M/M romance during early 20th century…poignant and sometimes painful
Superlative storytelling albeit realistic and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
This book is told in five books, each having multiple chapters told with a title instead of a number. When I saw one of the titles later in the book, I became fearful for our wonderful couple.
Orphan and 18yo Robbie was working for his uncle as a tailor’s apprentice of sorts, which he hated. He would rather draw things, people, anything. After a very mean event, his uncle sends him away to stay in a little village named Nottinghamshire to live with an old vicar and tutor. George Langstaff has tutored many a boy to prepare for the rigors of university. Robbie discovers his homosexual feelings when he meets almost 30yo Anton Harrington, one of the vicar’s former pupils. It doesn’t take too long for Anton to give into his feelings toward Rob. Life seems idyllic until Anton’s wife wants to get back together after their mutual separation.
This is a book to read and cherish so my telling you more would just ruin the story. If you like well-told stories with meaningful events and wonderful characters, of a time much different to today, please try this book. It is poignant, poetic prose. I felt like I knew these two men. When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through NetGalley. I say this book is beyond five-stars-good.

[Ali Tufel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely moving story of two men in Edwardian England -- I know of nothing else out there quite like it. Stephanie Cowell's beautifully drawn characters and the ups and downs of their relationship with each other, as well as her eye for detail and prodigious research on the period and the place, make the story come alive. She also excels at painting a picture of the social, cultural, and political environment in which these two men moved. Highly recommended!

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to GetRed PR for a copy of this heart-wrenching story. I read it on one day as I longer to find out what happened between Anton and Robbie. Lots of emotions here.

[Michelangelo Molinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good read. I didn’t like how it ended, but until that point I really enjoyed it. A novel set in the early 1900’s about a relationship between two men, an artist and politician, and their struggles to have an intimate relationship that come with being lgbtq+ in that time period.

[Michael Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a palpable story of love between two men, it is early twentieth century in the English countryside when young Robbie who has been abandoned by his rude uncle and sent to live further afield with a somewhat more understanding vicar who will be his mentor until Robbie goes off to university, but who then meets the vicar’s friend Anton and the two fall in love. I say somewhat understanding because though the vicar appreciates Robbie’s need to develop as an artist, he, as a man of his times, does not approve of the love affair. Robbie does develop in skill and Anton becomes a voice for the poor, but much time passes where the two are separated from each other and darker periods of their past lives, especially Anton’s, come to light. Will things work out for them? Well, this is Edwardian England and for the most part it doesn’t appear likely, but read this well-written novel and find out. You should enjoy Stephanie Cowell’s writing. The Boy in the Rain takes us to another time and place, and it feels real.

[G · Rating 1 out of 5]

A relationship that made no sense (I can understand why Robbie might fall into a clinging paradigm-shifting schoolboy crush but not why Anton would), weirdly stilted, exposition-heavy dialogue, some questions about the setting (I'm no expert but some of the character interactions didn't feel very Edwardian, shall we say), abrupt and irritating ending that basically re-reset the same stakes that had been set and reset the whole novel long. Read like a soap opera plot-wise but at least soap operas are deliciously sleazy. This carefully wrote around and euphemism'd around its sex scenes. Could have used a better editing job, also - a lot of small repetitions that were minor individually but noticable by how often they happened.

[Christina Britton Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of Stephanie Cowell's novels, this one immediately grabbed my attention, compelling me to care deeply about her multi-dimensional characters. As always, she time-traveled me back in history, this time to Edwardian England. The beauties and horrors of that period initially stifling and eventually nurturing a gifted and sensitive young artist were heartbreaking and thrilling. The love story's bittersweet conclusion is totally believable. While much of the story is sad, the conclusion is uplifting. For readers interested in historical art and politics, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy in the Rain by Stephanie Cowell follows the relationship between two men, Robbie Stillman, a young up and coming painter from the midlands, and his lover Anton Harrington, a socialist writer and activist, over the span of the Edwardian era.

While mainly set in London and Nottinghamshire, The Boy in the Rain is expansive and explores what it is like to be queer in the Edwardian England as the tides have begun to shift after the rigid Victorian era. I think this makes for a really interesting backdrop as it is a period of flux after the repressive century of Victorian morality and before the progressive roaring 20s. The love story between Robbie and Anton is sweet at times and tumultuous at others, but I was still rooting for them the whole time. While I did think it dragged a little in the middle, I really enjoyed the character growth that the timeline afforded these characters. Robbie grows from a simply boy into a complicated, flawed young man who still retains his heart and soul despite many hardships and Anton goes on his own journey of self discovery as well, becoming involved with the Labour Party in an attempt to help the local poor. I love when my queer historical fiction has a touch of socialism, always a good time.

I also loved the old vicar, George Langstaff, who is like a father figure to Robbie and Anton and is initially wary of their relationship as a man of the church, but eventually comes to accept their love. Anton’s ex-wife Louise was also a nice addition in the background and it felt nice to have so many supportive characters in a book that otherwise would have felt like the whole world is against the main characters.

I’ve been on a queer historical kick lately so this seemed perfect to fill the empty space I’ve had in the Edwardian era. As a queer historical novel, I really appreciated that it brought in mentions of E. M. Forster (thought I haven’t read Howard’s End yet and Maurice would not be published for another 60 years for these characters) and I also really liked how it challenged the conceptions of the traditional older man-younger boy pairing for gay men of the time. Obviously this practice dates back to the ancient Greeks who were the closest thing they had to a model for queer relationships, but I appreciated that Stephanie Cowell included some pushbacks and the negative effects that could come with this type of relationship despite the main couple falling into this category.

Overall, this was a very sweet yet complex and emotional historical almost-romance that I think anyone interested in queer historical fiction should definitely give a chance to.

P. S. I may just have to move up Howard’s End on my to be read list