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A Summer Without Rain
Forbidden doesn’t mean never.
Shannon Sullivan is an outcast. In 1920’s Ireland, love like his is forbidden and men like him face prosecution and even death. But it’s not his fault, really. If his male teacher hadn’t turned him into the monster he is today by doing those sordid things to him, then maybe the priest of their town wouldn’t have forced the confessions that led him to harden his heart against the world, even his best friend and the one person he loves, the person he’s always loved.
Ciaran O’Kelly’s mother just up and died. Ciaran is beside himself with grief and needs his best friend’s comfort. But Shannon’s not one to give comfort. In fact, Shannon doesn’t like to be touched at all. It won’t stop Ciaran. In fact, a hasty embrace in the barn uncovers confusing feelings he’s not sure he can ignore. When his father asks Shannon to accompany him on a journey to Dublin to bring a family heirloom to his Aunt, he’s more than happy to go. Along the way, a drunken night in a shared hotel room shatters all boundaries between them. Neither one can turn back. As their love grows, they face the obstacles of Irish society and the Catholic church among political unrest.
Shannon Sullivan is an outcast. In 1920’s Ireland, love like his is forbidden and men like him face prosecution and even death. But it’s not his fault, really. If his male teacher hadn’t turned him into the monster he is today by doing those sordid things to him, then maybe the priest of their town wouldn’t have forced the confessions that led him to harden his heart against the world, even his best friend and the one person he loves, the person he’s always loved.
Ciaran O’Kelly’s mother just up and died. Ciaran is beside himself with grief and needs his best friend’s comfort. But Shannon’s not one to give comfort. In fact, Shannon doesn’t like to be touched at all. It won’t stop Ciaran. In fact, a hasty embrace in the barn uncovers confusing feelings he’s not sure he can ignore. When his father asks Shannon to accompany him on a journey to Dublin to bring a family heirloom to his Aunt, he’s more than happy to go. Along the way, a drunken night in a shared hotel room shatters all boundaries between them. Neither one can turn back. As their love grows, they face the obstacles of Irish society and the Catholic church among political unrest.
251 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2010
About the author
Christie Gordon
73 books267 followersChristie Gordon is the author of steamy, heartfelt gay romance novels that explore the emotional journey of men discovering themselves and finding love. It all started when she stumbled upon MM fanfiction by accident—and let's just say, it was love at first read. Inspired by the genre's mix of passion and complexity, Christie transitioned from reading about men in love to writing her own stories. After taking fiction writing classes at a local community college, she published her first MM romance novel in 2009 with a small press, and she’s never looked back.
When she’s not writing, Christie watches boys-love dramas, creates digital art, or is serenaded by her snoring one-eyed rescue pug. A graduate of both Electrical Engineering (BS) and Business Administration (MBA), she spends her "day job" navigating the high-tech world, but her heart belongs to the characters who live in her books. Christie currently resides in the Phoenix metro area, though she’s also lived in California’s Bay Area and Minnesota (which probably explains her deep love of pumpkin spiced latte coffees and hockey).
She’s also the proud mother of two young-adult sons who provide plenty of material for stories—usually in the form of chaotic shenanigans. But no matter what, Christie’s always up for a new adventure, whether it's on the page or in the real world.
For information about her and her work, please visit her website at: www.christiegordon.com
Sign up for her Newsletter for free reads, updates and give aways: https:www.ChristieGordon.com/newsletter
Join her Reader’s Group for exclusive content: Christie’s Cocktale Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chris...
To friend or follow:
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When she’s not writing, Christie watches boys-love dramas, creates digital art, or is serenaded by her snoring one-eyed rescue pug. A graduate of both Electrical Engineering (BS) and Business Administration (MBA), she spends her "day job" navigating the high-tech world, but her heart belongs to the characters who live in her books. Christie currently resides in the Phoenix metro area, though she’s also lived in California’s Bay Area and Minnesota (which probably explains her deep love of pumpkin spiced latte coffees and hockey).
She’s also the proud mother of two young-adult sons who provide plenty of material for stories—usually in the form of chaotic shenanigans. But no matter what, Christie’s always up for a new adventure, whether it's on the page or in the real world.
For information about her and her work, please visit her website at: www.christiegordon.com
Sign up for her Newsletter for free reads, updates and give aways: https:www.ChristieGordon.com/newsletter
Join her Reader’s Group for exclusive content: Christie’s Cocktale Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chris...
To friend or follow:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristieGord...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/chris...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiegor...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 9, 2010
First off, I don’t get the cover. I think it’s a bad mistake on the publisher’s part and may make many people veer off. It’s obviously aimed at the yaoi market, and if I had seen this in a store, I wouldn’t have touched it, because I’m not a fan of that genre. I’d have had no idea it was a historical, and certainly not one about 1920′s Ireland.
Similarly the book’s layout. I was frankly baffled as to why the font inside and outside was oriental. Very, very odd and clashed terribly with the geographical tone of the story. It jolted me every chapter, in fact, and I hadn’t realised how much a layout mattered to keeping the reader focussed.
One of the character’s names – Shannon – jolted me too. There’s no way any Roman Catholic boy in Ireland in the early part of the last century would have been called (or would have got away with having their son christened) Shannon. Boys were (and still are) named after saints. Shannon is an American name and came into fashion there in the 40′s by ex-patriot Irish who felt nostalgic for the homeland. Like Tara.
OK – so not off to a great start. But I hoped that things would improve as we went on, but sadly they didn’t.
This isn’t Ireland in the 1920s. This is a mish mash of Hollywood and Tom Cruise land where every potato farmer has a gas stove (puh-leeze, most rural communities don’t have those NOW) a butcher’s block and a horse and cart. Typical Irish villages have drugstores. Save me. The research wobbles hugely, having potatoes “finished planting” in August. er, no. And Boxer Shorts? In the 1920′s? Please, authors, if you are going to write gay fiction, the VERY LEAST you need to know is the history of men’s underpants.
I don’t generally advocate the use of films for research, but if the author had bothered to watch Ryan’s Daughter – or even The Quiet man – she’d get more a feel of the era than this.
Here’s a very small list of the things that were entirely wrong in about three pages.
1. en suite showers (perhaps, just, in a five star hotel in Dublin, not in a tatty hotel one day out of Dublin, even if they did charge six pounds a night.)
2. “shepard’s pie”
3. “Restrooms”
4 Waitresses and food in pubs
6. paying the tab
7. spigot
8. Buying a book by Oscar Wilde
The two young men take a private horse and trap (er – I thought they were poor) to Dublin, ( have NO idea why they didn’t take the train) - stop at a drugstore and buy Dorian Gray which would never have been for sale in any shop let alone non existent drugstores. They stay in a hotel which costs six pounds (equivalent to at least £200 in today’s money and a ludicrous amount, not only for a hotel, but for POOR POTATO FARMERS to pay.
I’m afraid writing wise I wasn’t at all impressed. Adjectives peppered the text like raindrops, just about every noun had an adjective and that can be a little wearing. Unforgiveable editing errors such as “chicken’s clucked” “running a ginger hand down Ciaran’s side” and Every Single Mention of the word “reins” is spelled REIGNS. Also abounding are clunky sentences like these, which read like bad translations from another language. ( you can see another instance of this in the blurb itself)
He ambled in silence with Ciaran behind him to the house.
and
That evening, he lay restless on his back in his bed.
All of which served to amuse and then gradually to irritate.
The characters are clearly girls, they cry, gasp, have curves and ansgt like a ravished nun at confession. It’s implied that Shannon is only gay because he was interfered with–a trope that I’m getting very sick of.
I won’t go on. In fact I am not going to continue with the review. Perhaps someone might like it who likes the kind of fanfic where the boys are actually girls and have actual curves like Ciaran does, or someone who like overly angsty yaoi, but I found absolutely nothing to recommend it, and it’s probably the most insulting book for the time, the place, and the gay historical genre I’ve ever had the displeasure to read.
Similarly the book’s layout. I was frankly baffled as to why the font inside and outside was oriental. Very, very odd and clashed terribly with the geographical tone of the story. It jolted me every chapter, in fact, and I hadn’t realised how much a layout mattered to keeping the reader focussed.
One of the character’s names – Shannon – jolted me too. There’s no way any Roman Catholic boy in Ireland in the early part of the last century would have been called (or would have got away with having their son christened) Shannon. Boys were (and still are) named after saints. Shannon is an American name and came into fashion there in the 40′s by ex-patriot Irish who felt nostalgic for the homeland. Like Tara.
OK – so not off to a great start. But I hoped that things would improve as we went on, but sadly they didn’t.
This isn’t Ireland in the 1920s. This is a mish mash of Hollywood and Tom Cruise land where every potato farmer has a gas stove (puh-leeze, most rural communities don’t have those NOW) a butcher’s block and a horse and cart. Typical Irish villages have drugstores. Save me. The research wobbles hugely, having potatoes “finished planting” in August. er, no. And Boxer Shorts? In the 1920′s? Please, authors, if you are going to write gay fiction, the VERY LEAST you need to know is the history of men’s underpants.
I don’t generally advocate the use of films for research, but if the author had bothered to watch Ryan’s Daughter – or even The Quiet man – she’d get more a feel of the era than this.
Here’s a very small list of the things that were entirely wrong in about three pages.
1. en suite showers (perhaps, just, in a five star hotel in Dublin, not in a tatty hotel one day out of Dublin, even if they did charge six pounds a night.)
2. “shepard’s pie”
3. “Restrooms”
4 Waitresses and food in pubs
6. paying the tab
7. spigot
8. Buying a book by Oscar Wilde
The two young men take a private horse and trap (er – I thought they were poor) to Dublin, ( have NO idea why they didn’t take the train) - stop at a drugstore and buy Dorian Gray which would never have been for sale in any shop let alone non existent drugstores. They stay in a hotel which costs six pounds (equivalent to at least £200 in today’s money and a ludicrous amount, not only for a hotel, but for POOR POTATO FARMERS to pay.
I’m afraid writing wise I wasn’t at all impressed. Adjectives peppered the text like raindrops, just about every noun had an adjective and that can be a little wearing. Unforgiveable editing errors such as “chicken’s clucked” “running a ginger hand down Ciaran’s side” and Every Single Mention of the word “reins” is spelled REIGNS. Also abounding are clunky sentences like these, which read like bad translations from another language. ( you can see another instance of this in the blurb itself)
He ambled in silence with Ciaran behind him to the house.
and
That evening, he lay restless on his back in his bed.
All of which served to amuse and then gradually to irritate.
The characters are clearly girls, they cry, gasp, have curves and ansgt like a ravished nun at confession. It’s implied that Shannon is only gay because he was interfered with–a trope that I’m getting very sick of.
I won’t go on. In fact I am not going to continue with the review. Perhaps someone might like it who likes the kind of fanfic where the boys are actually girls and have actual curves like Ciaran does, or someone who like overly angsty yaoi, but I found absolutely nothing to recommend it, and it’s probably the most insulting book for the time, the place, and the gay historical genre I’ve ever had the displeasure to read.
Read
March 8, 2022DNF at 10%. No rating.
March 28, 2010
I wrote a much longer review about the many things I disliked about A Summer without Rain, but I felt like it was too long for Goodreads. If you're interested in it, it's here: The Long Version. (warning: spoilery)
My problems with the book are threefold. Firstly, I don't particularly like yaoi style stories: overly emotional (and entirely unrealistic) pretty boys (not men) who cry (a lot) and whine (a lot) and declare their love in flowery, can't live without you soliloquies. Secondly, the story itself is badly written. This includes technical flaws like typos, grammatical and formatting errors, as well more subjective flaws such as poor dialogue, unrealistic characterization and plotting and the lack of character development or growth. And lastly, though the book is ostensibly set in Ireland of the 1920's, Gordon fails to utilize or even show adequate research for her background; it reads more like modern America from the language of the prose and dialogue to the situations and viewpoints of the various characters. Including cursory mentions of the word 'bloody' and the Black and Tans does not constitute adequate research or evocation. If I hadn't been reading the book for a specific purpose, I would have never labored through the entire thing and, at the end, I found no satisfaction for having done so.
My problems with the book are threefold. Firstly, I don't particularly like yaoi style stories: overly emotional (and entirely unrealistic) pretty boys (not men) who cry (a lot) and whine (a lot) and declare their love in flowery, can't live without you soliloquies. Secondly, the story itself is badly written. This includes technical flaws like typos, grammatical and formatting errors, as well more subjective flaws such as poor dialogue, unrealistic characterization and plotting and the lack of character development or growth. And lastly, though the book is ostensibly set in Ireland of the 1920's, Gordon fails to utilize or even show adequate research for her background; it reads more like modern America from the language of the prose and dialogue to the situations and viewpoints of the various characters. Including cursory mentions of the word 'bloody' and the Black and Tans does not constitute adequate research or evocation. If I hadn't been reading the book for a specific purpose, I would have never labored through the entire thing and, at the end, I found no satisfaction for having done so.
March 13, 2022
I am always up for a good historical m/m romance. Honestly, there aren't enough out there. I have only read a few from this author but This is an angsty slow-burn romance set in a small village in 1920’s Ireland (a very Catholic very traditional place). Shanon and Cirian are best friends who eventually though there is some turbulence and a lot of angst they do finally become more. So the main point (angsty part) had to do with the fact that Shanon was discovered to have an affair with a teacher and like most small towns when it was discovered it didn't take long for it to spread to everyone. The teacher disappeared but Shannon stayed and took the brunt of the ridicule and honestly kind of exile from the community. Because of the time, they live in there is a lot of internal conflict, wanting, crying, feelings, slow burn. The two characters are very different but somehow work together, and have great chemistry. This was good and I definitely want to read more from this author.
March 12, 2022
I loved the Irish setting and since this was a time period in Ireland I know little about, I enjoyed the skillful way the author wove historical information into the story of these two friends who become so much more as they travel from their small town to the much larger and more open city of Dublin. Great characters, great romance that overcomes deep societal prejudice and a wonderful setting.
March 1, 2022
I received an ARC for an honest review and I gotta say this book took me by surprise. Went from two being bestfriends to lovers and having to hide because it was illegal to be together. You can't help, but love and feel sorry for both Shannon and Ciaran with everything they go thru. Dealing with loss and constant hatred, disapproving glares from a whole town and your own family. Definitely an emotional must read with an HEA
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October 2, 2021A Summer Without Rain received 5 Angels and a Recommended Read from Fallen Angel Reviews!
Snippets:
"A Summer Without Rain by Christie Gordon is a story of impossible love and passion set against a backdrop of 1920s Ireland… Ms. Gordon does an excellent job of fitting her story into this setting"
"This novel is well written and smoothly plotted and truly has no “down” time. Everything that happens is pertinent to the story and advances the plot. The Irish setting is portrayed so well that the reader is pulled into the scene seamlessly and effortlessly."
"As this story of love and struggle for identity unfolds, it draws the reader in and holds them captive, making A Summer Without Rain an appealing and entirely engrossing read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a little history with their romance."
Fallen Angel Reviews
A Summer Without Rain received 4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs:
Snippet:
"Over all this is a wonderful story that transports you back to this era with the clothing, setting, and political unrest. I immensely enjoyed reading A Summer Without Rain, and look forward to discovering more stories by Christie Gordon."
Literary Nymphs
A Summer Without Rain received 4 Cups from Coffee Time Romance:
Snippet:
"Christie Gordon weaves emotions into the storyline, making this an incredible read. She captures the essence of two men trying to maintain their love in a society that considers them outcasts. The story flows at a good pace and does not lose the reader."
Coffee Time Romance
Snippets:
"A Summer Without Rain by Christie Gordon is a story of impossible love and passion set against a backdrop of 1920s Ireland… Ms. Gordon does an excellent job of fitting her story into this setting"
"This novel is well written and smoothly plotted and truly has no “down” time. Everything that happens is pertinent to the story and advances the plot. The Irish setting is portrayed so well that the reader is pulled into the scene seamlessly and effortlessly."
"As this story of love and struggle for identity unfolds, it draws the reader in and holds them captive, making A Summer Without Rain an appealing and entirely engrossing read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a little history with their romance."
Fallen Angel Reviews
A Summer Without Rain received 4 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs:
Snippet:
"Over all this is a wonderful story that transports you back to this era with the clothing, setting, and political unrest. I immensely enjoyed reading A Summer Without Rain, and look forward to discovering more stories by Christie Gordon."
Literary Nymphs
A Summer Without Rain received 4 Cups from Coffee Time Romance:
Snippet:
"Christie Gordon weaves emotions into the storyline, making this an incredible read. She captures the essence of two men trying to maintain their love in a society that considers them outcasts. The story flows at a good pace and does not lose the reader."
Coffee Time Romance
February 25, 2022
To understand this story, you need to put your head back 100 years to 1920's Ireland. In the potato-farming countryside. Where any same-sex activity leads to social stigma and potential arrest. And where the Catholic church makes society's rules.
Shannon Sullivan is 19 and still living at home. His best (and only) friend is Ciaran O'Kelly who is 18 and lives the next farm over. Shannon was seduced by his male teacher back when he was 14. The affair was discovered and then broadcast to the entire community. Teacher disappeared but Shannon stayed on - shunned by everyone including his own family - and taken on as a rehab project by the local priest.
Problem is that Shannon realizes he's gay and has real feelings for Ciaran, and has no intention of being rehabbed by the priest or his father - who tries to set Shannon up with girls. Shannon wants Ciaran, and a casual encounter out in the barn leads to sparks which eventually turns into a burning romance. When Shannon travels to Dublin with Ciaran on a family errand, their relationship is consummated and we spend the rest of the book sorting out how and where these two guys can make their relationship work in the context of their surroundings.
I liked the book. The two MC's are interesting guys - Shannon is more introverted and realistic, while Ciaran is more optimistic and sometimes a bit flighty. Opposites attract and they often struggle to reconcile conflicts that arise from their different perspectives. There is a bit too much crying by both guys for my taste, but that comes with the YAOI genre, I guess. Conversely, the smexy scenes are smoking hot and there are a lot of them!
Given the setting's time and place, the guys constantly struggle to keep their budding relationship a secret - and that's the angst factor that holds the story together. You know it's not going to stay a secret forever, and how they deal with it coming out and what they do to find acceptance is what keeps you turning the pages. Know that there is an HEA - and that mint will now become your favorite flavor of ice cream!
Shannon Sullivan is 19 and still living at home. His best (and only) friend is Ciaran O'Kelly who is 18 and lives the next farm over. Shannon was seduced by his male teacher back when he was 14. The affair was discovered and then broadcast to the entire community. Teacher disappeared but Shannon stayed on - shunned by everyone including his own family - and taken on as a rehab project by the local priest.
Problem is that Shannon realizes he's gay and has real feelings for Ciaran, and has no intention of being rehabbed by the priest or his father - who tries to set Shannon up with girls. Shannon wants Ciaran, and a casual encounter out in the barn leads to sparks which eventually turns into a burning romance. When Shannon travels to Dublin with Ciaran on a family errand, their relationship is consummated and we spend the rest of the book sorting out how and where these two guys can make their relationship work in the context of their surroundings.
I liked the book. The two MC's are interesting guys - Shannon is more introverted and realistic, while Ciaran is more optimistic and sometimes a bit flighty. Opposites attract and they often struggle to reconcile conflicts that arise from their different perspectives. There is a bit too much crying by both guys for my taste, but that comes with the YAOI genre, I guess. Conversely, the smexy scenes are smoking hot and there are a lot of them!
Given the setting's time and place, the guys constantly struggle to keep their budding relationship a secret - and that's the angst factor that holds the story together. You know it's not going to stay a secret forever, and how they deal with it coming out and what they do to find acceptance is what keeps you turning the pages. Know that there is an HEA - and that mint will now become your favorite flavor of ice cream!
May 18, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
A Summer Without Rain is a historical romance set about 100 years ago in Ireland. It is a very sex-heavy read, to the point where I was wanting to skip forward to get back to the action. There are many tensions at work: the illicit romance, the political unrest, the acceptance in town versus revulsion in the country, and the two very different family dynamics between the O’Kellys and the Sullivans. I really felt most of those were only superficially addressed, and sometimes had contradictory situations. Shannon’s unwillingness to stand up for himself didn’t jibe with his tough-guy persona, and his so-called “femininity” due to longer hair also didn’t seem to carry water. The priest felt like a caricature villain, abusing Shannon for the sport of it. Meanwhile, Ciaran’s voracious sexual appetite pushed Shannon far beyond the boundaries he continually set, being itself almost abusive. And, honestly, I get that the explorations were novel and fulfilling, but Ciaran’s absolute lack of sense or propriety and obtuseness regarding proper decorum was as upsetting to me as to Shannon, by the midpoint. It felt like watching a slow fuse burn down to an inevitable and catastrophic explosion, so I was even less inclined to enjoy Shannon and Ciaran’s love story, post-Dublin.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
A Summer Without Rain is a historical romance set about 100 years ago in Ireland. It is a very sex-heavy read, to the point where I was wanting to skip forward to get back to the action. There are many tensions at work: the illicit romance, the political unrest, the acceptance in town versus revulsion in the country, and the two very different family dynamics between the O’Kellys and the Sullivans. I really felt most of those were only superficially addressed, and sometimes had contradictory situations. Shannon’s unwillingness to stand up for himself didn’t jibe with his tough-guy persona, and his so-called “femininity” due to longer hair also didn’t seem to carry water. The priest felt like a caricature villain, abusing Shannon for the sport of it. Meanwhile, Ciaran’s voracious sexual appetite pushed Shannon far beyond the boundaries he continually set, being itself almost abusive. And, honestly, I get that the explorations were novel and fulfilling, but Ciaran’s absolute lack of sense or propriety and obtuseness regarding proper decorum was as upsetting to me as to Shannon, by the midpoint. It felt like watching a slow fuse burn down to an inevitable and catastrophic explosion, so I was even less inclined to enjoy Shannon and Ciaran’s love story, post-Dublin.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
February 27, 2022
Shannon and Ciaran are best friends and live in a small village in 1920 Ireland. The story begins when Ciaran is mourning for the loss of his mother and dealing with is grieving father. Shannon is dealing with the judgement of the villagers in regards to an affair with a male teacher. They have always been there for each other. Shannon knows who he is and although he loves Ciaran more than just fiends, it's his friendship that holds him together since he knows he can never have more. A series of events lead them to travel through the countryside to progressive Dublin to deliver something for his father. Ciaran meets his Aunt and they realize things in Dublin are quite different from at home. They find their way to each other and Ciaran realizes he has always loved Shannon and they explore their new found love for each other in the safety of Dublin and his Aunt's pub. Can they continue exploring their new found relationship at home, what will their parents think, the villagers, can they be safe if they're together? I love their story and how they fight their way to each other despite all their challenges and the dangers within 1920 Ireland. This was another great read by Gordon, I look forward to reading more of her work.
March 3, 2022
I 100% love A Summer Without Rain.
It’s an historical m/m romance set in the 1920’s in Ireland.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I’m a fan of Christie’s books and this one intrigued me a lot.
Let me tell this is an absolute must read. Although it’s set in the 1920’s it’s still got everything you could want from an m/m romance.
Shannon & Cieran’s love is forbidden and obviously back in those days things were a lot different to now. It’s raw, emotional, heartbreaking even at times but equally their love for each other and being best friends is something special.
It’s also got all the feels and heat. I really wanted these guys to get their HEA, they definitely deserve it.
Shannon has had such an awful time and Cieran is their for him. He can’t understand why people treat him so bad and he’s desperately worried for him. He wants to know what happened to him, why he’s so hurt and upset. Cieran is literally the sweetest.
This was such an incredible read and would highly recommend. There’s so much to this story and Christie has done an amazing job delivering it just right.
A well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s an historical m/m romance set in the 1920’s in Ireland.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I’m a fan of Christie’s books and this one intrigued me a lot.
Let me tell this is an absolute must read. Although it’s set in the 1920’s it’s still got everything you could want from an m/m romance.
Shannon & Cieran’s love is forbidden and obviously back in those days things were a lot different to now. It’s raw, emotional, heartbreaking even at times but equally their love for each other and being best friends is something special.
It’s also got all the feels and heat. I really wanted these guys to get their HEA, they definitely deserve it.
Shannon has had such an awful time and Cieran is their for him. He can’t understand why people treat him so bad and he’s desperately worried for him. He wants to know what happened to him, why he’s so hurt and upset. Cieran is literally the sweetest.
This was such an incredible read and would highly recommend. There’s so much to this story and Christie has done an amazing job delivering it just right.
A well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 23, 2022
This book took me by surprise. It is set in Ireland in the 1920’s. This is different than the other books I’ve read by this author so I was anxious to read it. I’m sure not disappointed. First I read for enjoyment and probably overlook things others might not. I really know little about Ireland nor the 1920’s but I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them. I like this story because it takes two misplaced guys and gave me a feel for what the characters felt being gay where it was against the law. I can’t even imagine. Both guys grew up together and had already a relationship before it matured. It also identified how a town and family could turn against a person. The other side of the coin was Ciaran’s relationship with his dad. This man gave me a heartwarming feeling. The journey these two take is emotionally all over the board. I feel that would be true given the situation. I thank the author for not giving me a textbook type story but rather a enjoyable one.
February 27, 2022
I really enjoy a good historical romance and even more so the ones where the main characters must love their way forward in complex social situations. This is the case in this story. Two young men who grew up together and already enjoy a strong friendship that turns to something else in an era where to be discovered as lovers could be illegal and have dire social consequences. Shannon and Ciaran's love story is complicated by having occurred a hundred years ago. When their relationship blossoms into more while they are on a journey they are also aware that they must handle their love and how they are perceived with care. Shannon especially has had history that reminds him of that. I rooted for these two to find a place where they could be happy together and to find those who would accept and embrace them as is. And I enjoyed this story.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
March 11, 2022
Queer Coming of Age in Old-Timey Ireland
This book was alright. In the beginning, I was really excited by the writing style and the plot synopsis. Old-timey Ireland, boys coming of age, falling in love – it has all the elements for a great book.
It’s a decent book. It’s sweet, with lots of thinking by the two MCs and a whole lot of young horny sex. There are also some real and difficult challenges thrown in the mix with an emotionally abusive priest who may be more deranged than he appears.
Shannon has been dealing with rumors and gossip and abuse for awhile now. Ciaran doesn’t get it. But as the story goes on, they learn to navigate each other and their new relationship, and find that they have some strong allies on their side as well.
If you want a sweet coming of age story with a taste of old-timey Ireland, read this.
This book was alright. In the beginning, I was really excited by the writing style and the plot synopsis. Old-timey Ireland, boys coming of age, falling in love – it has all the elements for a great book.
It’s a decent book. It’s sweet, with lots of thinking by the two MCs and a whole lot of young horny sex. There are also some real and difficult challenges thrown in the mix with an emotionally abusive priest who may be more deranged than he appears.
Shannon has been dealing with rumors and gossip and abuse for awhile now. Ciaran doesn’t get it. But as the story goes on, they learn to navigate each other and their new relationship, and find that they have some strong allies on their side as well.
If you want a sweet coming of age story with a taste of old-timey Ireland, read this.
March 2, 2022
This was simply brilliant!! The story takes place in Ireland in the 20’s. Shannon and Ciaran are best friends whose relationship develop into lovers. It broke me a little all the hatred they endured. The story felt heartfelt and realistic, so many emotions poured thru me as I was reading! The story kept me engaged, hooked me from the beginning and didn’t let go. Overall, a fantastic read. The story was really well written, the pacing flowed smoothly, highly recommend. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
March 7, 2022
This story emerges you into the setting of historical Ireland in the 1920s. You get to know two best friends Ciaran and Shannon and then they fall in love. This is extremely forbidden during this time so this a very emotional journey trying to keep their relationship while hiding and dealing with hate. This story is full of love, hurt, anger and struggles of loss. These two are very emotional and passionate in every way. I received an ARC of this book, and I was completely invested in the survival of the strong bond between these two young men!
March 9, 2022
His life has not been easy but having his best friend has helped although he would like even more with them. This tale follows them as they journey to take an heirloom to an aunt. How will it all go? How will they get on? What if war happens? See how they get on
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March 14, 2022Not rating this one for now as i’m not quite sure how I feel about it, I wanted to love it as it’s everything I ever wanted in a book but yet I had the hardest time getting into it, sadly.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion
December 15, 2022
A great coming of age story
I love a good historical romance and this one is very good! 2 young men that have been best friends since very young discover how deep their friendship really goes.
I love a good historical romance and this one is very good! 2 young men that have been best friends since very young discover how deep their friendship really goes.
May 31, 2023
Great read
I really did love this one. It really shows the fear of being gay etc ..The characters are likable. Lots of spice with a actual good story. I wish Shannon's parents wrote him or something. This is a wonderful read .
I really did love this one. It really shows the fear of being gay etc ..The characters are likable. Lots of spice with a actual good story. I wish Shannon's parents wrote him or something. This is a wonderful read .
January 20, 2010
My biggest and most notable complaint: "HE."
So much is referred to as 'he,' 'him,' 'his,' etc. that it was hard to keep up with which 'him' Gordon was referring two. I mean, it's a gay novel so obviously there are two primary characters that can both referred to as 'he' ... and especially in the scenes where they were 'together' I had a hard time figuring out who was doing what and to whom.
In other notes - long and most definitely emo, I had a bit of trouble getting through "A Summer Without Rain." The summary is interesting and I kind of expected something relatively short, a coming-of-age story in a place much different than where I live. Instead, it was 300+ pages long, and barely anything happens enough to warrant that much writing.
What I ended up with was conflict, in all its many forms. Shannon is judged by everyone in the whole area for previous 'abuse' by a teacher when he was 14 - of which he is very ashamed ... and yet he states later that he enjoyed and *wanted* to do everything the teacher asked of him? And from a single paragraph inference, the teacher actually let *him* - at 14, mind you - top?? Well, okay, whatever ...
Ciaran has the chance to be an adorable chara and *is* at times, but mostly I found him coming off as spoiled, brattish, and insanely ADD. He is the one who has absolutely no sexual experience, and yet only a month or so after they get together, he's the one calling the shots and startling Shannon with all his 'secret knowledge'? His explanation is that he used to peek in on girls all the time and wank off. Um ... sorry; some of the things he 'introduces' Shannon to are things that you just wouldn't figure out when you're a pre-adolescent wanking off in a back room to a bunch of girls changing clothes.
Add to that the fact that every time you turn around Shannon is lashing out at Ciaran in his insecurities and anger [personally, I'd have punched him a few times and walked away - not sure how Ciaran could stand it:], and either Shannon or Ciaran are bursting into tears.
You end up with a very interesting premise - but a not so interesting result.
So much is referred to as 'he,' 'him,' 'his,' etc. that it was hard to keep up with which 'him' Gordon was referring two. I mean, it's a gay novel so obviously there are two primary characters that can both referred to as 'he' ... and especially in the scenes where they were 'together' I had a hard time figuring out who was doing what and to whom.
In other notes - long and most definitely emo, I had a bit of trouble getting through "A Summer Without Rain." The summary is interesting and I kind of expected something relatively short, a coming-of-age story in a place much different than where I live. Instead, it was 300+ pages long, and barely anything happens enough to warrant that much writing.
What I ended up with was conflict, in all its many forms. Shannon is judged by everyone in the whole area for previous 'abuse' by a teacher when he was 14 - of which he is very ashamed ... and yet he states later that he enjoyed and *wanted* to do everything the teacher asked of him? And from a single paragraph inference, the teacher actually let *him* - at 14, mind you - top?? Well, okay, whatever ...
Ciaran has the chance to be an adorable chara and *is* at times, but mostly I found him coming off as spoiled, brattish, and insanely ADD. He is the one who has absolutely no sexual experience, and yet only a month or so after they get together, he's the one calling the shots and startling Shannon with all his 'secret knowledge'? His explanation is that he used to peek in on girls all the time and wank off. Um ... sorry; some of the things he 'introduces' Shannon to are things that you just wouldn't figure out when you're a pre-adolescent wanking off in a back room to a bunch of girls changing clothes.
Add to that the fact that every time you turn around Shannon is lashing out at Ciaran in his insecurities and anger [personally, I'd have punched him a few times and walked away - not sure how Ciaran could stand it:], and either Shannon or Ciaran are bursting into tears.
You end up with a very interesting premise - but a not so interesting result.
January 9, 2011
A fantastic story of best friends coming of age and falling in love in 1920's Ireland. The very well developed main characters and tender love story make this a great m/m romance. The unique location and interesting choice of time period coupled with vivid descriptions and memorable secondary characters make this an excellent novel. "A Summer Without Rain" is marketed as Yaoi, but it didn't "feel" Yaoi. Perhaps that was due to the young age and uke"ish" appearance of both main characters combined with the fact that Ciaran is too inexperienced to come across as the typical seme. The angst factor is fairly high, but well spaced through the book so it is not overwhelming. My only frustration is that the story could have used more aggressive editing in a couple of places to keep a good pace and preserve flow. I don't know Christie Gordon, but overall the story had the feel of a talented yet less experienced author's voice. If that is the case, we can expect fabulous stories as this author's style matures.
Admitedly, I am not a stickler for accuracy nor very knowledgeable about Irish history, so I can't comment about the historical accuracy. That said, despite the aforementioned issues with pacing, I very much enjoyed A Summer Without Rain. So I give it a solid score for entertainment.
Admitedly, I am not a stickler for accuracy nor very knowledgeable about Irish history, so I can't comment about the historical accuracy. That said, despite the aforementioned issues with pacing, I very much enjoyed A Summer Without Rain. So I give it a solid score for entertainment.
January 16, 2012
I like this story immensely though I did have a lot of problems with the editing. More care needed to be taken as to pronouns. I often didn't know who "he" was and what "he" was doing so I had to reread parts.
The setting is in 1920 Ireland and Shannon is a sweet person who had something awful happen to him when he was younger. It colored the rest of his life and his relationships with his family and the people in his town.
The only people who still treat him well are his best friend Ciaran and Ciaran's parents. Shannon has loved Ciaran as long as he can remember, and when they have to take a trip to Dublin together, Ciaran learns of this love and returns it. Ciaran is so strong and caring, but young and sometimes not as careful as he needs to be in their situation.
Lots of things happen but in the end they have their HEA. I read this story for the M/M Quarterly challenge - Yaio and I loved it even though sometimes the writing errors drove me nuts... which is the only reason this didn't get 5 stars from me. I recommend this if you can see past those flaws to the gem beneath.
The setting is in 1920 Ireland and Shannon is a sweet person who had something awful happen to him when he was younger. It colored the rest of his life and his relationships with his family and the people in his town.
The only people who still treat him well are his best friend Ciaran and Ciaran's parents. Shannon has loved Ciaran as long as he can remember, and when they have to take a trip to Dublin together, Ciaran learns of this love and returns it. Ciaran is so strong and caring, but young and sometimes not as careful as he needs to be in their situation.
Lots of things happen but in the end they have their HEA. I read this story for the M/M Quarterly challenge - Yaio and I loved it even though sometimes the writing errors drove me nuts... which is the only reason this didn't get 5 stars from me. I recommend this if you can see past those flaws to the gem beneath.
March 8, 2010
I'm not sure how accurate this book is in regards to Irish life in the 1920's, but it was an enjoyable story. I think the happy ending was a bit too unrealistic though.
June 6, 2011
Loved this book, really felt bad for Shannon and some of the stuff he went through. with his parents and the community
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