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Lovers' Knot
An M/M Romance
Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff, and generally learn what it’s like to live as the landed gentry now. He’d only been there once before, fourteen years earlier. But that was a different time, he’s a different person now, determined to put that experience out of his mind and his heart….The locals agree that Jonathan is indeed different from the lost young man he was that long ago summer, when he arrived at the farm for a stay after his mother died. Back then the hot summer days were filled with sunshine, the nearby ocean, and a new friend, Nat. Jonathan and the farmhand had quickly grown close, Jonathan needing comfort in the wake of his grief, and Nat basking in the peace and love he didn’t have at home.
But that was also a summer of rumors and strange happenings in the surrounding countryside, romantic triangles and wronged lovers. Tempers would flare like a summer lightning storm, and ebb just as quickly. By the summer’s end, one young man was dead, and another haunted for life.
Now Jonathan is determined to start anew. Until he starts seeing the ghost of his former friend everywhere he looks. Until mementos of that summer idyll reappear. Until Alayne’s life is in danger. Until the town’s resident witch tells Jonathan that ghosts are real. And this one is tied to Jonathan unto death…
Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff, and generally learn what it’s like to live as the landed gentry now. He’d only been there once before, fourteen years earlier. But that was a different time, he’s a different person now, determined to put that experience out of his mind and his heart….The locals agree that Jonathan is indeed different from the lost young man he was that long ago summer, when he arrived at the farm for a stay after his mother died. Back then the hot summer days were filled with sunshine, the nearby ocean, and a new friend, Nat. Jonathan and the farmhand had quickly grown close, Jonathan needing comfort in the wake of his grief, and Nat basking in the peace and love he didn’t have at home.
But that was also a summer of rumors and strange happenings in the surrounding countryside, romantic triangles and wronged lovers. Tempers would flare like a summer lightning storm, and ebb just as quickly. By the summer’s end, one young man was dead, and another haunted for life.
Now Jonathan is determined to start anew. Until he starts seeing the ghost of his former friend everywhere he looks. Until mementos of that summer idyll reappear. Until Alayne’s life is in danger. Until the town’s resident witch tells Jonathan that ghosts are real. And this one is tied to Jonathan unto death…
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Donald Hardy
4 books14 followersA San Francisco Bay Area resident for the past twelve years, Donald Hardy moved from the east coast, where he had lived since childhood, while trapped in the grip of a midlife crisis of Biblical proportions, and lives in a small, tree shaded cottage with a very conversational Schnauzer named Schultz and too many books.
He began writing after moving west and dumping his television, and has gradually expanded his output. His first novel, Lovers’ Knot, was released in December of 2009 by Running Press to critical acclaim. He is currently working on a stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for the Butterfield 8 Theater Company. Other work includes Space/Time Magic, (as editor) by Taylor Ellwood, for Immanion Press, and his biographical essay Puppy Whipped was published in Paws And Reflect (by Alyson Press).
When he isn’t writing -- or catering to the demands of Schultz -- he can be found onstage or in rehearsal with Butterfield 8, usually performing in Shakespeare with a twist. On certain weekends, he’s an avid Renaissance (Faire) Man — proving that even when he’s offstage, he’s onstage.
He has discovered, in the writing of this biography, that speaking of himself in the third person is strangely appealing, and is struggling with his desire to break into the royal first person plural. He fears he may fail, and so will end, lest he offend even more.
Source: www.donaldhardy.net
He began writing after moving west and dumping his television, and has gradually expanded his output. His first novel, Lovers’ Knot, was released in December of 2009 by Running Press to critical acclaim. He is currently working on a stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for the Butterfield 8 Theater Company. Other work includes Space/Time Magic, (as editor) by Taylor Ellwood, for Immanion Press, and his biographical essay Puppy Whipped was published in Paws And Reflect (by Alyson Press).
When he isn’t writing -- or catering to the demands of Schultz -- he can be found onstage or in rehearsal with Butterfield 8, usually performing in Shakespeare with a twist. On certain weekends, he’s an avid Renaissance (Faire) Man — proving that even when he’s offstage, he’s onstage.
He has discovered, in the writing of this biography, that speaking of himself in the third person is strangely appealing, and is struggling with his desire to break into the royal first person plural. He fears he may fail, and so will end, lest he offend even more.
Source: www.donaldhardy.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 8, 2015
This was clearly the best book of this genre I have ever read in my life!!!
I cannot find words to write a coherent synopsis or review at the moment. I am totally shattered after reading this. But I draw my hat to the author. The skill behind writing a book like this is beyond anything I could ever hope to achieve myself.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! If there's only one book you want to read this year, read this one!
oh, and forget that awful cover. The book is not your usual m/m romance, like the cover suggests.
I cannot find words to write a coherent synopsis or review at the moment. I am totally shattered after reading this. But I draw my hat to the author. The skill behind writing a book like this is beyond anything I could ever hope to achieve myself.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! If there's only one book you want to read this year, read this one!
oh, and forget that awful cover. The book is not your usual m/m romance, like the cover suggests.
March 16, 2013
Back when I first started watching TCM, I stumbled across a virtually unknown and unappreciated film from 1944 called The Uninvited. Starring Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey, it tells the story of a brother and sister who buy a "mysterious" mansion on a cliffside which, apparently, comes equipped with a ghost and one helluva backstory. This film beats out all the other psychological ghost stories I've seen (and re-seen), hands-down; and that includes the original Julie Harris/Claire Bloom psychological ghoster, The Haunting.
Having made my bones by referencing a movie that, likely, none of you have ever heard of, or are likely to ever see, I have to say that I approached Donald Harris' romantic ghost-story-in-a-cliffside-farmhouse, Lovers' Knot , with considerable trepidation. Not only does it have, arguably, the most butt-ugly cover art I've ever seen (a tacky comment, but so damn true), but it's ensconced in a time period that I, even as a history buff, have little-to-no-interest in: the late 1890's through the first decade of the 1900's.
The fact that I was unable to find a reader review that gave the book below a 3-star rating, with the vast majority being a full 5 stars, finally lead me to overlook a first-time author's work costing at the very high end of m/m romances on both Amazon and B&N.
PLEASE, if you enjoy reading romances, ghost stories, psychological mysteries, or simply fantastically written novels of any genre, get your hands on, and read, Lovers' Knot.
In the past, I've treated even those novels I've loved with a certain amount of snark and sarcasm; there is no possible way I could subject Lovers' Knot to anything approaching that. It just doesn't deserve anything but a full-on, flat-out rave.
There have been, prior to this, exactly three novels I've known, within minutes, contained stories I would love forever: Gone With The Wind; Interview With The Vampire; and Dancer From the Dance. That was prior to reading this story. This novel, like the ones cited, is a book that, once read beginning-to-end, may be picked-up and reread from any random point to any other random point, in the book, with ease and a sense of continued relish and rediscovery.
In capsule, this is a story of two totally engrossing, non-contemporaneous, love stories having a single common denominator *not Taylor Swift* that creates the tension; is it metaphysical, or just man-made, striving desperately to tear the MCs apart. Set in England's Cornwall district, during the late Edwardian period, the gay story(ies) are lived-out within a world that not only harkens back to pre-Christian England, but a contemporary society which is also ruled by Christian biblical edicts and secular laws. This is a love that, literally, dare not speak its name for fear of, at the least, being cast out of society or, at the worst end of the spectrum, being imprisoned for years, at hard labor.
I can't give any more away without creating the dreaded spoilers but, suffice it to say, Lovers' Knot should not be missed by anyone who is reading this forum. It's really that good.
This first novel is a winner of the very first magnitude. *um* Trust me?
Having made my bones by referencing a movie that, likely, none of you have ever heard of, or are likely to ever see, I have to say that I approached Donald Harris' romantic ghost-story-in-a-cliffside-farmhouse, Lovers' Knot , with considerable trepidation. Not only does it have, arguably, the most butt-ugly cover art I've ever seen (a tacky comment, but so damn true), but it's ensconced in a time period that I, even as a history buff, have little-to-no-interest in: the late 1890's through the first decade of the 1900's.
The fact that I was unable to find a reader review that gave the book below a 3-star rating, with the vast majority being a full 5 stars, finally lead me to overlook a first-time author's work costing at the very high end of m/m romances on both Amazon and B&N.
PLEASE, if you enjoy reading romances, ghost stories, psychological mysteries, or simply fantastically written novels of any genre, get your hands on, and read, Lovers' Knot.
In the past, I've treated even those novels I've loved with a certain amount of snark and sarcasm; there is no possible way I could subject Lovers' Knot to anything approaching that. It just doesn't deserve anything but a full-on, flat-out rave.
There have been, prior to this, exactly three novels I've known, within minutes, contained stories I would love forever: Gone With The Wind; Interview With The Vampire; and Dancer From the Dance. That was prior to reading this story. This novel, like the ones cited, is a book that, once read beginning-to-end, may be picked-up and reread from any random point to any other random point, in the book, with ease and a sense of continued relish and rediscovery.
In capsule, this is a story of two totally engrossing, non-contemporaneous, love stories having a single common denominator *not Taylor Swift* that creates the tension; is it metaphysical, or just man-made, striving desperately to tear the MCs apart. Set in England's Cornwall district, during the late Edwardian period, the gay story(ies) are lived-out within a world that not only harkens back to pre-Christian England, but a contemporary society which is also ruled by Christian biblical edicts and secular laws. This is a love that, literally, dare not speak its name for fear of, at the least, being cast out of society or, at the worst end of the spectrum, being imprisoned for years, at hard labor.
I can't give any more away without creating the dreaded spoilers but, suffice it to say, Lovers' Knot should not be missed by anyone who is reading this forum. It's really that good.
This first novel is a winner of the very first magnitude. *um* Trust me?
September 23, 2012
This one is one of those books that sat on my kindle waiting to be read...for years. Seriously. It's one of four historical M/M Romances done by running press, of which I'd found randomly in Barnes & Noble years ago, False Colors being one of the first adult M/M books I ever read (it's also that last paper back book I ever purchased). This was the last one I had left and I just wasn't sure about it because it seemed depressing and it's so long so it wasn't one of those that was just sitting around for a lazy day read. So I finally read the damned thing and WOW i loved it. Really loved it. It was not a typical M/M in that we don't see so much of Williams and Langston's relationship, but Langston IS Jonathan Williams's happy ending to what turns out to be a terribly horrible beginning.
The story within the story is of Nat and Jonathan's love one summer after the death of Jonathan's mother and wow was it sweet. And Nat's presence was still felt throughout the entire story. I totally did not see the big ending to their relationship coming AT ALL. I knew it sucked, but holy mother was it surprising and devastating. Because I really adored Nat. Yeah, he was a bit of a cad, but he made no apologies and told you straight up he was who he was. Some people say they don't understand what Nat was doing with Jonathan etc but I do believe they were painfully in love and in times such as those with circumstances such as theirs it just made something that should have been beautiful end very tragically. My heart ached. But you love dear old Langston too so him being the end result made me happy. It was definitely a bittersweet tale. Not for the reader looking for the methodical M/M romance. Very very sad, but worth it.
Oh, and Rose Hale: Eat shit.
The story within the story is of Nat and Jonathan's love one summer after the death of Jonathan's mother and wow was it sweet. And Nat's presence was still felt throughout the entire story. I totally did not see the big ending to their relationship coming AT ALL. I knew it sucked, but holy mother was it surprising and devastating. Because I really adored Nat. Yeah, he was a bit of a cad, but he made no apologies and told you straight up he was who he was. Some people say they don't understand what Nat was doing with Jonathan etc but I do believe they were painfully in love and in times such as those with circumstances such as theirs it just made something that should have been beautiful end very tragically. My heart ached. But you love dear old Langston too so him being the end result made me happy. It was definitely a bittersweet tale. Not for the reader looking for the methodical M/M romance. Very very sad, but worth it.
Oh, and Rose Hale: Eat shit.
April 10, 2014
Stayed until 4am finishing this, Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Great story!
January 31, 2017
Such a beautiful, beautiful book! Lyrical writing, complex, well-developed characters, emotionally intense love story (two, actually), and hint of paranormal that brings a just-right amount of spookiness. It's poignant, heartbreaking, haunting, yet makes one's heart soar with a happiness both simple/light and desperate. It's complicated, and so very human, and wonderful, and even in the more intense moments, there's an undercurrent of soothing gentleness.
*warning: includes a difficult, violent scene
*warning: includes a difficult, violent scene
May 23, 2011
I won't be able to do this book justice.
A warning: I'm an emotional mess in this period, so I think I was a fertile soil for the visceral feelings this book stirred in me. It's a historical romance with the touch of a classic and, even if the story is not as charged, it reminded me a few times of The Turn of the Screw. There are many elements in this story: romance, mystery, a touch of paranormal (or superstition?). Everything contributed to the constant feeling of dread and uncertainty, vulnerability, danger. Pretty angsty.
Jonathan and Langsford have known each other for years, they are very much in love, but they've never confessed these feelings to each other. When Jonathan inherits a farm in Cornwall, Langsford goes with him to spend a week together before he has to go back to London and probably put an end to the very close relationship he has with Jonathan. He'd like to finally confess his love to his friend, to get a weight off his chest, but many things happen on the farm, things that make him realize that Jonathan is maybe a different person than what he thought and that his reserved character probably hides some horrible secret.
In Cornwall Jonathan is forced to face the memories of his past and tragic love for Nat, a farm hand who had become his first lover 14 years before. That love was tragic because Nat had drowned falling from a cliff and leaving a pregnant girl, who he had to marry before his death. That girl, Rose, is now living on the farm and working for Jonathan and making everything in her power to make Jonathan miserable, since she thinks Jonathan is responsible for Nat's death. Alec - Nat and Rose's son - is the living remainder of the man who had so much influence on Jonathan's life.
Jonathan's love for Nat is told in a series of flashbacks. We learn of the young lovers' bliss at the beginning while shadows gather on their future. Their love is almost naive, but it's powerful and it binds them with their own deeds and their own words that seem to stir an ancient and dark magic. The times are not right for their love, which is considered against nature and law. There's also a malevolent will set against them. Slowly we see their story progress to its horrible and tragic end.
The main characters of the story are Jonathan and Langsford. They complete each other. Langsford is like the light, sunny and cheerful; Jonathan is more reserved and contained, but Langsford is able to bring out his more playful side.
The figure that stuck in my mind was Nat. I don't think we really know the truth about him, if he was really truthful in his relationship with Jonathan or if the cruel words of other characters were closer to the reality of what he was and what he was doing to Jonathan. I like to think that he was really born under an unlucky star, but even in his most horrible moments, his desperation for a future he couldn't change got to me and made me hurt so much that I can't still believe it. Reading his last encounter with Jonathan was incredibly hard and painful. Everything he did was wrong, and he knew it, and he couldn't help it.
The book is full of the most different feelings. There's love and tenderness, but there's also violence and desperation, there's deceit and revenge, but there's also friendship and generosity. There are people with an aura of ancient power and old rites in a land which seems to retain its pagan heritage. I don't think it's a book for everyone. It's not explicit, but sensual. I'd recommend it to those who like historical books where romance is more promised than given.
A warning: I'm an emotional mess in this period, so I think I was a fertile soil for the visceral feelings this book stirred in me. It's a historical romance with the touch of a classic and, even if the story is not as charged, it reminded me a few times of The Turn of the Screw. There are many elements in this story: romance, mystery, a touch of paranormal (or superstition?). Everything contributed to the constant feeling of dread and uncertainty, vulnerability, danger. Pretty angsty.
Jonathan and Langsford have known each other for years, they are very much in love, but they've never confessed these feelings to each other. When Jonathan inherits a farm in Cornwall, Langsford goes with him to spend a week together before he has to go back to London and probably put an end to the very close relationship he has with Jonathan. He'd like to finally confess his love to his friend, to get a weight off his chest, but many things happen on the farm, things that make him realize that Jonathan is maybe a different person than what he thought and that his reserved character probably hides some horrible secret.
In Cornwall Jonathan is forced to face the memories of his past and tragic love for Nat, a farm hand who had become his first lover 14 years before. That love was tragic because Nat had drowned falling from a cliff and leaving a pregnant girl, who he had to marry before his death. That girl, Rose, is now living on the farm and working for Jonathan and making everything in her power to make Jonathan miserable, since she thinks Jonathan is responsible for Nat's death. Alec - Nat and Rose's son - is the living remainder of the man who had so much influence on Jonathan's life.
Jonathan's love for Nat is told in a series of flashbacks. We learn of the young lovers' bliss at the beginning while shadows gather on their future. Their love is almost naive, but it's powerful and it binds them with their own deeds and their own words that seem to stir an ancient and dark magic. The times are not right for their love, which is considered against nature and law. There's also a malevolent will set against them. Slowly we see their story progress to its horrible and tragic end.
The main characters of the story are Jonathan and Langsford. They complete each other. Langsford is like the light, sunny and cheerful; Jonathan is more reserved and contained, but Langsford is able to bring out his more playful side.
The figure that stuck in my mind was Nat. I don't think we really know the truth about him, if he was really truthful in his relationship with Jonathan or if the cruel words of other characters were closer to the reality of what he was and what he was doing to Jonathan. I like to think that he was really born under an unlucky star, but even in his most horrible moments, his desperation for a future he couldn't change got to me and made me hurt so much that I can't still believe it. Reading his last encounter with Jonathan was incredibly hard and painful. Everything he did was wrong, and he knew it, and he couldn't help it.
The book is full of the most different feelings. There's love and tenderness, but there's also violence and desperation, there's deceit and revenge, but there's also friendship and generosity. There are people with an aura of ancient power and old rites in a land which seems to retain its pagan heritage. I don't think it's a book for everyone. It's not explicit, but sensual. I'd recommend it to those who like historical books where romance is more promised than given.
February 4, 2020
[Special thanks to Martin for recommending the book to me.]
If you're planning to read this book and have not read the blurb yet, I suggest, don't. I think the blurb gave a little too much of the story away that most of the book would seem like an (REALLY) extended version of the blurb.
I'm not sure how to talk about this story without giving spoilers. It's a historical romance set in the UK between late 1890s to early 1900s. The chapters vacillate back and forth between the teenage years and the adulthood 'present' of the main character, Jonathan.
Parts of the book felt plodded, while some parts were captivating and five star worthy. I thought the story showed a lot of potential, but ultimately I was disappointed in the way the book turned out in the end. I would explain it in a short paragraph which would contain spoilers, so skip it if you have not read it.
This book has an HEA, but I was dissatisfied at the end because of the reasons above. I felt that the ending wrapped up everything too quickly and added in certain new information in the epilogue which could have been further elaborated. It could be an intent to set the premise for a spinoff or second book. Still, I enjoyed reading most of the story.
4 Stars!
If you're planning to read this book and have not read the blurb yet, I suggest, don't. I think the blurb gave a little too much of the story away that most of the book would seem like an (REALLY) extended version of the blurb.
I'm not sure how to talk about this story without giving spoilers. It's a historical romance set in the UK between late 1890s to early 1900s. The chapters vacillate back and forth between the teenage years and the adulthood 'present' of the main character, Jonathan.
Parts of the book felt plodded, while some parts were captivating and five star worthy. I thought the story showed a lot of potential, but ultimately I was disappointed in the way the book turned out in the end. I would explain it in a short paragraph which would contain spoilers, so skip it if you have not read it.
This book has an HEA, but I was dissatisfied at the end because of the reasons above. I felt that the ending wrapped up everything too quickly and added in certain new information in the epilogue which could have been further elaborated. It could be an intent to set the premise for a spinoff or second book. Still, I enjoyed reading most of the story.
4 Stars!
February 6, 2012
I don't often give 5 stars, but this book deserved them. Truly a book that belongs on a different shelf than 90% of the other books of this ilk. Bravo to Donald Hardy.
Though Mr. Hardy appears to be a born-and-bread American, he writes with the flare of an Englishman. Maybe that's due in part to his training. Lover's Knot is written in the style of a good-ol' Shirlock Holmes story, with a touch of Bronte: dark, brooding landscapes, drippy fog, ghosts and folklore. And yet the characters are well developed. Nat to say the least is complicated. Jonathan is well developed and Rose is the evil wife lurking in the background.
I loved the epilog. I suppose rather tongue-and-cheek...as if to say, "don't take this too seriously. It's still just a tale."
I don't really want to say too much about the plot, because it would be a spoiler. Just that it's an excellent read. Perhaps my only complaint is the long back-and-forth timeline. If I put the book down, I had to do some recouping to figure out which time period I was in...but that was just me. If the author had done it differently, it would have destroyed the story. It's an intricately woven plot that takes the reader back and forth and then neatly ties it together in a "lover's knot."
As is too often the case, an author's best work is his first. I hope this is not the case here. I'm looking forward to many a good read in the future. Keep up the good work.
Though Mr. Hardy appears to be a born-and-bread American, he writes with the flare of an Englishman. Maybe that's due in part to his training. Lover's Knot is written in the style of a good-ol' Shirlock Holmes story, with a touch of Bronte: dark, brooding landscapes, drippy fog, ghosts and folklore. And yet the characters are well developed. Nat to say the least is complicated. Jonathan is well developed and Rose is the evil wife lurking in the background.
I loved the epilog. I suppose rather tongue-and-cheek...as if to say, "don't take this too seriously. It's still just a tale."
I don't really want to say too much about the plot, because it would be a spoiler. Just that it's an excellent read. Perhaps my only complaint is the long back-and-forth timeline. If I put the book down, I had to do some recouping to figure out which time period I was in...but that was just me. If the author had done it differently, it would have destroyed the story. It's an intricately woven plot that takes the reader back and forth and then neatly ties it together in a "lover's knot."
As is too often the case, an author's best work is his first. I hope this is not the case here. I'm looking forward to many a good read in the future. Keep up the good work.
October 25, 2015
2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
November 8, 2014
Good grief did this knock me for a loop. I've had this for quite a while and kept putting off starting it, ignoring all the good reviews that caused me to buy it in the first place. I just don't like books where there is a sense of foreboding. Actually not even a sense, it's pretty much a known fact from the beginning what with the flashbacks and all. I don't like knowing that some terrible fate is going to be met by a character in whom I'm investing time and growing to like. But I trusted others and boy am I glad that I did. I suppose because there was the hope of happiness for Jonathan with Langsford I was able to not hate knowing of the train wreck Jonathan and Nat were hurtling towards. And when Nat finally met his end it was not at all what I was expecting. A book which had taken me two days to get past the first chapter had me glancing at the clock at 3am trying to read faster and get to the end. Donald Hardy, where's your next story? I promise to trust you next time.
July 27, 2014
4.5 stars rounded down for making me cry.
I love a doomed romance. Everything is so much more acute and fraught and tragically romantic. Don't let the poorly photoshopped cover fool you, it belies a deeply sad and beautiful book about young love gone awry and hurtful secrets and stupid decisions. I actually can't review this very coherently because I'm still quite emotional. I will say that it very atmospheric and well written; and that if you're fond of gothic-type romance, then definitely give this one a try.
I love a doomed romance. Everything is so much more acute and fraught and tragically romantic. Don't let the poorly photoshopped cover fool you, it belies a deeply sad and beautiful book about young love gone awry and hurtful secrets and stupid decisions. I actually can't review this very coherently because I'm still quite emotional. I will say that it very atmospheric and well written; and that if you're fond of gothic-type romance, then definitely give this one a try.
October 22, 2019
Ghost story perfect for haunting-October 🎃
But overall I am very pleased with my reading, and I give it 4.2 stars.
A ghost and beautiful and tragic love story, and a happy ending!
Still some things could have been a little more explained, like if Nat finally rested in peace and if he was sorry. And extra story or an Epilogue would have been wonderful.
Also, there is no explicit sex in this one. Totally rating T. Just to be clear.
But overall I am very pleased with my reading, and I give it 4.2 stars.
A ghost and beautiful and tragic love story, and a happy ending!
Still some things could have been a little more explained, like if Nat finally rested in peace and if he was sorry. And extra story or an Epilogue would have been wonderful.
Also, there is no explicit sex in this one. Totally rating T. Just to be clear.
October 25, 2013
3.75 stars. This story remained with me for a long time. In fact, it's been a year or two since I read this, but I still remember it very well. A tough read, the story challenges the reader to understand how strong an obsession can be and yet how deep in the closet a person can be.
Most of the story is done in flashbacks where Jonathan recounts meeting Nat, the farmhand. He's vibrant and boisterous and willing to explore. He's passionate in a way Jonathan is only at heart. But Nat has his secrets and his straight life--plus a woman I hated with every fiber of my being. In a way, Jonathan is being used for Nat's selfish pleasure. When accident strikes, it seems to be both the best and the worst thing that could happen.
Enter present day. Well, historical present, if you know what I mean. Jonathan is returning to his old stomping grounds with his best friend, Alayne. Jonathan is in love with Alayne, but his past weighs him down. When he returns home, the horrible woman (Nat's woman) is there, just being a bitch all around, and odd and dangerous things are happening to threaten Alayne's life. It's almost as if the ghost of Nat is trying to harm Jonathan's new love from beyond the grave.
This is a gripping story, hard to forget even later. Be forewarned: Not only is there a cliched disgusting female character, there's also a rape scene. And third, but not least, is the fact that while we're shown Jonathan and Nat's relationship to the extreme, Jonathan and Alayne's story is small and cuts off far too abruptly. I was SO disappointed. But... guess their tale wasn't the point of the story. Still, as is, it feels like a HFN instead of HEA.
Mr. Hardy writes well, in an engaging manner which provided full immersion. I still see the story in my head clear as day, and the historical period, the landscape and the village society all became alive. For a historical MM, this lacks in a bit in the romance and true love department, but offers an intriguing plot and lots of action and heat in return.
Most of the story is done in flashbacks where Jonathan recounts meeting Nat, the farmhand. He's vibrant and boisterous and willing to explore. He's passionate in a way Jonathan is only at heart. But Nat has his secrets and his straight life--plus a woman I hated with every fiber of my being. In a way, Jonathan is being used for Nat's selfish pleasure. When accident strikes, it seems to be both the best and the worst thing that could happen.
Enter present day. Well, historical present, if you know what I mean. Jonathan is returning to his old stomping grounds with his best friend, Alayne. Jonathan is in love with Alayne, but his past weighs him down. When he returns home, the horrible woman (Nat's woman) is there, just being a bitch all around, and odd and dangerous things are happening to threaten Alayne's life. It's almost as if the ghost of Nat is trying to harm Jonathan's new love from beyond the grave.
This is a gripping story, hard to forget even later. Be forewarned: Not only is there a cliched disgusting female character, there's also a rape scene. And third, but not least, is the fact that while we're shown Jonathan and Nat's relationship to the extreme, Jonathan and Alayne's story is small and cuts off far too abruptly. I was SO disappointed. But... guess their tale wasn't the point of the story. Still, as is, it feels like a HFN instead of HEA.
Mr. Hardy writes well, in an engaging manner which provided full immersion. I still see the story in my head clear as day, and the historical period, the landscape and the village society all became alive. For a historical MM, this lacks in a bit in the romance and true love department, but offers an intriguing plot and lots of action and heat in return.
December 11, 2016
This is a gorgeous book. I absolutely loved it. It's a historical-mystery-thriller-romance with a touch of the supernatural and it's wonderfully gothic. A city boy inherits an isolated country house by a seaside cliff in Cornwall and finds there: Ghosts! Secrets! Heartache! Very bad weather! Danger! Suspicious characters! Betrayals! Love! This story is vivid, atmospheric, a little spooky, and beautifully written. Williams and Langsford's friendship is a joy to read and their dialogue just sparkles. The love story is heartwarming and just delightful. It's set in both 1906 and 1892, and Jonathan's past and present lives are intertwined beautifully. I enjoyed reading this so much. It's exciting, moving, and vibrant, and it does have the feel, somewhat, of an early twentieth century novel. This story is gripping and so very engaging and there are touches of lovely, quiet humour throughout. There is a very violent scene towards the end (as well as its aftermath) that is shocking and devastating and hard to read. It doesn't appear that this author has written any other novels, so I will have to be content with reading this one again (and again). This has been sitting on my Kindle for several years, and it looks like it may have gone out of print since I bought it, which is sad. This is an absolutely lovely book.
August 27, 2014
3.75
Я долго и достаточно мучительно проникалась сюжетом. Язык и стиль автора соответствуют описанному времени на стыке 19-20 веков, общение героев также в духе времени - все это не способствовало быстрому увлечению книгой.
Кроме того, использованный сюжетный прием умалчивания героями своих чувств и тайн на протяжении многих лет меня всегда только бесит - так и хочется столкнуть героев лбами и заставить объясниться.
Но автор не раскрывал читателю всех событий прошлого сразу, а рассказывал истории прошлого и настоящего параллельно, тем самым нагнетая напряжение. Постепенно, я вникла, заинтересовалась, увлеклась, начала сопереживать.
Здесь нет постельных сцен, все построено на эмоциях и чувствах. Более-менее подробно описана только , которая меня даже не сквикнула, как это обычно со мной бывает.
Баллы снижаю за упомянутое выше глупое умалчивание (т.к.считаю, что за столько лет либо выдашь себя либо поймешь другого), за мало правдоподобную толерантность сельских жителей того времени, а также за однобоко описанную Роуз.
В целом, мрачноватое, но увлекательное и удовлетворительное чтиво.
Я долго и достаточно мучительно проникалась сюжетом. Язык и стиль автора соответствуют описанному времени на стыке 19-20 веков, общение героев также в духе времени - все это не способствовало быстрому увлечению книгой.
Кроме того, использованный сюжетный прием умалчивания героями своих чувств и тайн на протяжении многих лет меня всегда только бесит - так и хочется столкнуть героев лбами и заставить объясниться.
Но автор не раскрывал читателю всех событий прошлого сразу, а рассказывал истории прошлого и настоящего параллельно, тем самым нагнетая напряжение. Постепенно, я вникла, заинтересовалась, увлеклась, начала сопереживать.
Здесь нет постельных сцен, все построено на эмоциях и чувствах. Более-менее подробно описана только , которая меня даже не сквикнула, как это обычно со мной бывает.
Баллы снижаю за упомянутое выше глупое умалчивание (т.к.считаю, что за столько лет либо выдашь себя либо поймешь другого), за мало правдоподобную толерантность сельских жителей того времени, а также за однобоко описанную Роуз.
В целом, мрачноватое, но увлекательное и удовлетворительное чтиво.
April 25, 2014
Only rarely do I give a book five stars. To earn that rating, a book has to be one that I know I will want to reread at some future time.
Lovers' Knot got me on a number of levels; it's well written, the characters are carefully and thoroughly developed, the author is adept at creating a sense of time and place, which is important when writing historical fiction, and the storyline was well-crafted, unfolding layer by layer as you make your way through the book.
The tale weaves backwards and forward over a fourteen year period and between two M/M romances, one in 1892, and the other in the present of 1906. It is around the slowly revealed details of the earlier affair, and it's cataclysmic ending, that this story revolves.
This was a most enjoyable read. I hope to see more from this author. Lovers' Knot is a beautifully crafted story that kept me turning pages well into the night. Thankfully, this book doesn't contain graphic descriptions of sex (I have an imagination), although there is a scene containing sexual violence.
Lovers' Knot got me on a number of levels; it's well written, the characters are carefully and thoroughly developed, the author is adept at creating a sense of time and place, which is important when writing historical fiction, and the storyline was well-crafted, unfolding layer by layer as you make your way through the book.
The tale weaves backwards and forward over a fourteen year period and between two M/M romances, one in 1892, and the other in the present of 1906. It is around the slowly revealed details of the earlier affair, and it's cataclysmic ending, that this story revolves.
This was a most enjoyable read. I hope to see more from this author. Lovers' Knot is a beautifully crafted story that kept me turning pages well into the night. Thankfully, this book doesn't contain graphic descriptions of sex (I have an imagination), although there is a scene containing sexual violence.
July 29, 2010
A very solid historical romance and I love the Cornwall scenery it so vividly described. This story has everything: regrets, secrets, tragedy, first love, forbidden feelings, village gossips and lots of misunderstandings and sacrifice.
It draws readers in quickly and the parallel narration of present day and the past keep readers guessing. You know something had gone horribly wrong, you begin to wonder if you really want to find out. That almost put me on the edge of my seat.
My only small complaint is the supernatural/pagan element in the story. I think it would have been better and even more heart wrenching if they were all part of the main protagonist's imagination. Also, I feel the love between Williams and his first love farm hand more strongly than the the present day one he has with his social equal friend... Which makes the ending not quite the romantic ending I wanted.
It draws readers in quickly and the parallel narration of present day and the past keep readers guessing. You know something had gone horribly wrong, you begin to wonder if you really want to find out. That almost put me on the edge of my seat.
My only small complaint is the supernatural/pagan element in the story. I think it would have been better and even more heart wrenching if they were all part of the main protagonist's imagination. Also, I feel the love between Williams and his first love farm hand more strongly than the the present day one he has with his social equal friend... Which makes the ending not quite the romantic ending I wanted.
June 8, 2011
This book had it all, forbidden love, unrequited love, first love, jealousy and a mysterious death. The author wound these threads together in a wonderful story that took us from the present (1906) back 14 years to when one of the protagonists, Johnathan, was a teenager. The story was wonderfully paced with bits pieces and pieces of the past as well as the present revealed tantalizingly. The author did a wonderful job with characterizations as well as atmosphere. There were some bumps in the narrative when switching the POV, but as the story moved along those became smoother. Over all this was a great read and I could hardly put it down trying to figure out exactly what took place that summer and to see if Jonathan and Alayne got their happily ever after.
November 4, 2013
...they use the word "queer" so much...but actually as "weird." It was quite queer. I had a hard time getting used to seeing queer all over the place, but not as either a derogatory term or a label.
It took me forever - and several tries - to finally get into the story.
And I totally had a moment towards the middle in which I wondered what Langsford's name was. And when his first name was finally revealed (re-revealed?), I totally did not recognize it.
The story was actually quite confusing at times. I remember certain points where I either couldn't figure out who was who or keep certain plot points straight.
Still, all in all, it's quite an epic. It had moments that gave me chills...
It took me forever - and several tries - to finally get into the story.
And I totally had a moment towards the middle in which I wondered what Langsford's name was. And when his first name was finally revealed (re-revealed?), I totally did not recognize it.
The story was actually quite confusing at times. I remember certain points where I either couldn't figure out who was who or keep certain plot points straight.
Still, all in all, it's quite an epic. It had moments that gave me chills...
November 22, 2015
An enthralling and somewhat bittersweet tale of lost love and suspense.
This was a beautiful slow burner that was absolutely heart-wrenching to read. The reader is shown Jonathan's past and present loves.
The paranormal aspect was a nice, subtle touch that lent a delicious air of creepiness and suspense.
This was a beautiful slow burner that was absolutely heart-wrenching to read. The reader is shown Jonathan's past and present loves.
The paranormal aspect was a nice, subtle touch that lent a delicious air of creepiness and suspense.
December 10, 2010
This was my first Gay historical and I was exceedingly happy with the result. The added mash-up of other genres including paranormal mixed with elements of mystery made this a very entertaining read that kept me tied in knots. : )
September 2, 2016
How in the world do I begin....This. Book!
I embarked on this adventure expecting historical fiction + romance and then there was a ghost story...AND THEN there was a terrible, horrible plot twist...
And then healing...and forgiveness and true and lasting love...and WOW! Excellent read!!
I embarked on this adventure expecting historical fiction + romance and then there was a ghost story...AND THEN there was a terrible, horrible plot twist...
And then healing...and forgiveness and true and lasting love...and WOW! Excellent read!!
May 23, 2010
I really loved this book. It starts off quiet, the pacing is a little slow, but the second half of the novel really packs an emotional wallop—I cried while reading, which I don't do often.
February 22, 2021
Rather like Maurice meets Wuthering Heights. Very Merchant Ivory.
March 29, 2018
I was sitting here reading the blurb, and it seemed awfully familiar, but I hadn't reviewed it, and it wasn't showing up on Amazon as being something I checked out from the library using Kindle. Had I checked it out using a different eReader app, I wondered? Hmm . . .
Then the plot of the book came rushing back: oh heavens, it was that book. No, no, no.
First off, I wasn't wild about Jonathan and Alayne's relationship to begin with. It just seemed . . . weird, somehow. Like, they both cared about each other so much, but neither of them really understood the feelings of the other, neither of them acted in a way that the other was able to understand, and they were on the verge of breaking up with each other at the beginning of the book due to a combination of this lack of understanding and a willingness to let the other go. I just didn't feel invested in this kind of relationship.
Then there was Nat. Oh, lord. I was not down with what happened with him, at all. It was like watching a car crash: impossible to look away, but you know no good comes from watching it.
And was it really necessary to make Rose into ? Oi.
No, this book was not the book for me.
Then the plot of the book came rushing back: oh heavens, it was that book. No, no, no.
First off, I wasn't wild about Jonathan and Alayne's relationship to begin with. It just seemed . . . weird, somehow. Like, they both cared about each other so much, but neither of them really understood the feelings of the other, neither of them acted in a way that the other was able to understand, and they were on the verge of breaking up with each other at the beginning of the book due to a combination of this lack of understanding and a willingness to let the other go. I just didn't feel invested in this kind of relationship.
Then there was Nat. Oh, lord. I was not down with what happened with him, at all. It was like watching a car crash: impossible to look away, but you know no good comes from watching it.
And was it really necessary to make Rose into ? Oi.
No, this book was not the book for me.
December 28, 2023
To the day still my absolute number one favorite books of all time. It was the summer of 2009 or 2010 and we went to the beach. At some store on the boardwalk I bought two books, Lover's Knot being one of them. I read the other book and foolishly left Lover's Knot sitting on the shelf for a few years until I finally read it. Oh, crazy for having waited. Such an incredible storyline. Loved every second of this book . It should without a doubt be a movie. How has anybody in Hollywood not yet figured this out?? This book is a 100/100. Get it and read it!!
May 2, 2018
This is a ghost story- literally and figuratively. The characters battle the ghosts of their pasts from 14 years ago, the relics of an ill-fated triangle, while a malevolent spirit haunts their present and jeopardizes their futures. The story drags a bit in the middle but overall is an interesting read. I would give this author another try.
August 22, 2022
Fantastic gothic romance between two men. Some of it was difficult to read as it dealt with gaslighting, and rape. But like all good romances, it had a happy ending. I would read more from this author but this is his only gay romance from what I have researched.
May 23, 2021
Enjoyed every minute.
December 31, 2024
I got pulled in but I wouldn’t call this a Romance, despite what the cover says.
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