Jonah Woolner’s life is as prudently regulated as the bank where he works. It’s a satisfying life until he’s passed over for promotion in favor of ...
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Sep 29, 2011
Vio
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Wonderful, a slow paced beautiful love story with mystery and depth seriously this is just gorgeous, I loved it so much and the writing is fabulous completely captivating. Jonah and Reid were perfect the chemistry and by play between them is tense but also romantic, Reid's little digs at Jonah to bring him out of his shell (stuffed shirt type of guy) were amusing and delightful. One awesome historical romance a must read.
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Feb 21, 2012
GymGuy aka D Brian
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I rather enjoyed this book. I felt it was way too long, however. For what actually happens, the book needn't have been more than 200 pages. It is poorly paced. The first 2/3s of the book seems to ramble on and on and then it picks up to a feverish pace towards the end. There was far too much nagging about how to dress in a bank...like, after the first couple of times, who cares whether one should wear a waistcoat or a cut-away or a gold vest or a green-striped tie?? One of the huge issues I
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Oct 20, 2011
Tamara Allen always amazes me, but I should not be surprised. In particular this time I enjoyed very much this turn of the nineteen century New York City gay romance since I was still fresh from my reading of the essay Gay Metropolis, and it was really fascinating to read a romanced version of the real life stories I read in that essay.
Even more it was nice since the men in this novel are ordinary guys, living in a city that is not yet metropolis, Manhattan of 1888, but still a city More...
Even more it was nice since the men in this novel are ordinary guys, living in a city that is not yet metropolis, Manhattan of 1888, but still a city More...
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Jun 03, 2011
Top 2 Bottom Reviews
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May 14, 2011
Lisa
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Apr 14, 2011
Kassa
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In the world of too many books and too little time, the phrase “auto-buy” is tossed around with almost cavalier meaning. Although I have very few “auto-buy” authors where I buy everything they do no matter what, Tamara Allen has to be on my list. The Only Gold may not be as beloved as Whistling in the Dark, which if you haven’t read do so now immediately, but it showcases Allen’s meticulous attention to detail, flair for complex yet fascinating characters, and impeccable writing.
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Apr 03, 2011
Kirsten
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Mar 20, 2011
Ann
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The only thing you need to know about The Only Gold is that it's written by Tamara Allen. If Ms Allen's name does not make you shiver in sheer pleasure, then either you read Whistling in the Dark and didn't like it, in which case, you're a hopeless case and I abandon any attempt to improve your clearly defective taste, or you haven't read Whistling in the Dark, in which case you have untold treasures to discover, and I shall guide you towards them with the greatest pleasure.
Ahem. I'm More...
Ahem. I'm More...
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May 04, 2011
Shira
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This book just snuck up on me... It started out slowly, setting up the tension between the two protagonists, filling in the background, pulling me in. And then - wow! - I was on the edge of my seat and hanging on for dear life for the last quarter of the book.
<spoiler> Jonah Woolner is the epitome of a banker - he does everything by the book, puts the bank above all else - the bank is his life, his heart, and his soul. When we first meet him, Jonah is on his way to the bank ( More...
<spoiler> Jonah Woolner is the epitome of a banker - he does everything by the book, puts the bank above all else - the bank is his life, his heart, and his soul. When we first meet him, Jonah is on his way to the bank ( More...
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Jun 28, 2011
Yvonne
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Good story about a very rigid, by the books guy, Jonah Woolner who goes to work anticipating after years of doing everything correct for the bank he works for, he's finally going to get his promotion. He walks in to learn that he's been passed over for the position in favor of a charismatic outsider who is Jonah's exact opposite. This sets up lots of conflicts between and a begrudging attraction between the two men.
There are other things that happen in this book which leads to a litt More...
There are other things that happen in this book which leads to a litt More...
Mar 30, 2011
Estara
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8 comments
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Apr 26, 2011
thelastaerie
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I struggled a bit at the first few chapters because the main protagonist, Jonah, really put me off with his rigidness, self-righteousness and embarrassing petty attitude, granted, he's bitter that he just lost a promotion he was sure he would get, but since the story is told from his POV, I literally feel embarrassed by his actions, a bit like watching a train wreck... but of course, all these would make sense in end as the story unfolds. Reid, the other protag, is a well-drawn character More...
Dec 13, 2011
Charming, affecting, affirming tale of two opposites who drive each other nuts before one, then the other, recognizes the possibility for love.
The characters are wonderful: I particularly loved stiff-necked, buttoned-up Jonah (his overzealous devotion to the bank where he works is funny but also believable and admirable), but gregarious, golden-touch Reid is a delight, too, particularly as Jonah's evident disapproval & borderline passive-aggressive hostility only redouble Reid's deter More...
The characters are wonderful: I particularly loved stiff-necked, buttoned-up Jonah (his overzealous devotion to the bank where he works is funny but also believable and admirable), but gregarious, golden-touch Reid is a delight, too, particularly as Jonah's evident disapproval & borderline passive-aggressive hostility only redouble Reid's deter More...
Mar 30, 2011
Shana
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Though it suffered occasionally from some odd pacing, I overall enjoyed reading this rather a lot. The characters were well-drawn and charming, the setting was well-realized, and the plot moved swiftly with few stumbles. (The instance of the first intimacy between the two main characters and the onset of the bank robbery both seemed to come out of nowhere; I stopped paying attention for two paragraphs and suddenly they were having sex. Bwah?) The intimate scenes were as well done as everythi
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Apr 02, 2011
Dumbledore11214
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When I was a child I used to imagine that one day I will get to travel in the time travel machine to some of my favorite eras in the past to see for myself how people lived in those days. Of course I know now that this is not possible, but in a sense
this book for me had been a perfect substitute of the time travel machine. It transported me to another era. I felt that I was in the year 1888 in the city that gave me a second home, just as it gave second home to Jonah and Reid. I really lov More...
this book for me had been a perfect substitute of the time travel machine. It transported me to another era. I felt that I was in the year 1888 in the city that gave me a second home, just as it gave second home to Jonah and Reid. I really lov More...
Jan 05, 2012
Sylvie
rated it:
Lovely, lovely book.
I knew from many reviews that Tamara Allen is a wonderful m/m writer. It was deliberate that I held back from reading her works despite owning all of them. I needed to ration myself - I've been running out of truly 'readable' m/m authors, and if I read them all at once, I'll have nothing left to enjoy. Since it's the new year, I broke in the year with The Only Gold. What a joy! Cannot wait to read the rest of her works.
I am in love with both Jonah and Reid More...
I knew from many reviews that Tamara Allen is a wonderful m/m writer. It was deliberate that I held back from reading her works despite owning all of them. I needed to ration myself - I've been running out of truly 'readable' m/m authors, and if I read them all at once, I'll have nothing left to enjoy. Since it's the new year, I broke in the year with The Only Gold. What a joy! Cannot wait to read the rest of her works.
I am in love with both Jonah and Reid More...
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Apr 23, 2011
Carolinareader
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I fell for Jonah from the first. At the beginning of the story he comes off as a bit of a stick-in-the-mud and since I have called that a few times I felt a certain kinship with him. There was a quiet dignity about him; it helped him get through the lost promotion and the pain of watching everyone adore his usurper.
The character of Reid wasn’t as easy to get to know. He seemed the kind of person that most everyone liked but know one really knew. I actually plan on rereading this book More...
The character of Reid wasn’t as easy to get to know. He seemed the kind of person that most everyone liked but know one really knew. I actually plan on rereading this book More...
Apr 11, 2011
Alex
rated it:
Stars: 4.5/5
Overall
This is a highly enjoyable book, especially for fans of Allen's previous works. Halfway through reading I described the experience as taking a leisurely stroll through the park, and until about three-quarters of the way, it is very much like that. If you're looking for action-packed adventure, this isn't the book to pick up, although the last quarter does a good job of satisfying that. This is like many romances where our two unlikely men meet and fall in togeth More...
Overall
This is a highly enjoyable book, especially for fans of Allen's previous works. Halfway through reading I described the experience as taking a leisurely stroll through the park, and until about three-quarters of the way, it is very much like that. If you're looking for action-packed adventure, this isn't the book to pick up, although the last quarter does a good job of satisfying that. This is like many romances where our two unlikely men meet and fall in togeth More...
Apr 23, 2011
T'Lar Tuscadero
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A warm and lovely story. To the despair of some, I am one of THOSE m/m readers - I am not a stickler for historical accuracy and will take a good yarn and a happy ending over period authenticity most days of the week - but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it when an author delivers on all counts. I love books like this one and Whistling in the Dark, with detailing so intricate that it feels like a tapestry I can lose myself in. It's perhaps most evident with the characterization of Jonah her
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Sep 05, 2011
Vfields
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This is one talented writer. She has created two interesting characters who I instantly worried would not make to the end of their adventure. Tamara Allen recreates the late 1800's NYC easily and pulls the reader in by assuming we are intelligent enough to follow. Kudos and keep an eye out for her works. This is a luscious mystery, love story.
Sep 28, 2011
Deeze
rated it:
A brilliantly told story, that will keep you interested from page one. Don't be put off if like me you tend to stay away from storys set in the past. This is one you should try if you want a real romance with guys you will fall in love with and a story to keep you guessing.
Apr 01, 2011
Maria
rated it:
I truly enjoyed reading this. The characters are well developed and likeable. First you get a slowly building romance and in the second half of the book a bit of adventure and excitement.
I loved New York of days past and the cold of the snow storm. Very nicely written.
I loved New York of days past and the cold of the snow storm. Very nicely written.
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Dec 07, 2011
Lily
rated it:
Another winner from the amazing Ms. Allen. This look into the early days of the banking industry was really interesting to me since I work in the industry. I loved it from beginning to end. Definitely recommended!
Mar 31, 2011
Zandra
rated it: 
Sweet and sentimental, but I didn't like it as much as her other books (Downtime, and Whistling in the Dark). Probably because the weak plot was more obvious, and I felt like the pacing was off--too much plot shoved in at the end, after a very slow build-up. Not a bad read, and I enjoyed the post-Civil War NYC setting.
Jul 11, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
Most excellent read. I was lost in that time period and loved the characters. Beautifully written.
May 24, 2011
Mickie
rated it:
Wonderful historical novel that lived up to all the hype. Ms. Allen has a new fan.
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Apr 07, 2011
Kiki
rated it:
4.5 I loved the characters and the relationship, and also the setting -- the feeling of immersion in another time. The everyday details held my interest... more so than the bank robbery part of the plot, which for the big action/suspense segment actually got a bit tedious. Still, on the whole this was very good, and one I'll be rereading, as I do both Downtime and Whistling In The Dark.
Feb 21, 2012
