If It Ain't Love

Mar 09, 2012 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, free, genre-m-m, genre-contemporary, novella, steam-warm, read-2011

4.5, great little m/m romance story set in depression era Manhattan. Loved the writing voice, an author to watch.

This was a quick read at roughly 30-40 pages, but it packed quite a story. I devoured this one and really felt the chemistry and love bloom between the two leads. I especially enjoyed the setting of the Great Depression. The author did a great job of painting the background and made you feel like you are right there. I recommend it to all who enjoy romance, not just the M/M stuff. Thi...more

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May 17, 2013 genao rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to genao by: Weasel

Shelves: shorts

It went like this:

I was staring at the lovely cover, and wondering why the designer did x instead of y, and basically wishing that I'd made it, and wondering if perhaps there were answers to my questions on the first page—but just a peek, you see, because I don't really have any time right now for anything—but of course the next thing I know I'm in Depressed New York feeling this crazy compulsion to read on, because measured prose filled with compassion and wit and clever little details will do...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Jarta rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-reads, mm-slash-yaoi, historical-fiction, romance

This is really lovely, I just really feel like it should be longer and the characters more fleshed out.
I kinda feel bad for the protagonist when he's just being nice and people think really bad of him.
The story is just so sweet and hopeful in the midst of The Great Depression.

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Jan 27, 2013 Furio rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gay, gay-historical, gay-romance

Other reviewers have pointed out much that is relevant to a story which might be short (40 pages?) but is deeply satisfying, and yet they failed to point out what I deem to be its greatest charm.

Set in a gloomy New York in the thirties, it does not exactly avoid the bleakness of that times but it sort of skips over it. The most unsavoury facets of those harsh years are just hinted at, as if in passing. When Peter and Whit meet in a squallid dosshouse, Ms Allen choses not linger on the poor surro...more Other reviewers have pointed out much that is relevant to a story which might be short (40 pages?) but is deeply satisfying, and yet they failed to point out what I deem to be its greatest charm.

Set in a gloomy New York in the thirties, it does not exactly avoid the bleakness of that times but it sort of skips over it. The most unsavoury facets of those harsh years are just hinted at, as if in passing. When Peter and Whit meet in a squallid dosshouse, Ms Allen choses not linger on the poor surroundings but lets her reader marvel with them at the excitement of an unexpected encounter and at the fascination that slowly takes over Whit's mind as he discovers the mysterious stranger.

The two leads are not working class: Whit might have been in the past but he has made a name for himself afterwards and is clearly educated.
I do not know whether this lightness of touch was intentional or whether Ms Allen knew she lacked the skills needed to make a gloomier tone interesting for the reader. It does not matter either.
I only know that by suffusing her story with a hope that is realistic without being prosaic she managed a heartwarming fairytale in the form of a M/M romance between a despondent, disheartened but kind prince charming down on his luck and a sweet, scruffy knight in ink blotted armour. There are no villains here: all side characters have redeeming qualities to them and a happy ending of sorts is achieved without a single word sounding sappy.

The language is neat, never being in the way of a story filled with passion but nearly devoid of graphic sex which happens, of course, but is never indulged upon: a good thing as the little that there is on the page is not exactly memorable.

Characterization is finely developed and so are the intimacy and trust between two leads; as a side note one could point out that they seem to be able to truly find themselves only AFTER having found each other which is subtle indeed.

After so many disappointing reads I shall cherish the opportunity of rereading this fairyta... ehm... work sometime in the future.(less)

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Jan 07, 2012 Nicci rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, m-m-romance

Review originally posted at http://twlibreviews.com

Whit Stoddard, a Times reporter is one of the lucky ones in that he has a small resource. When I read how the editor loan him $5.00 and then later $1.00, I was shocked at the dollar amount. Who can lives off such paltry figures? I realized I’m reading a story about the depression era.

“Whit smoothed the crumpled bill, folded it, then eased it securely into his vest pocket. Some of the dollar would have to be spared for a bed. He wasn't sleeping i...more Review originally posted at http://twlibreviews.com

Whit Stoddard, a Times reporter is one of the lucky ones in that he has a small resource. When I read how the editor loan him $5.00 and then later $1.00, I was shocked at the dollar amount. Who can lives off such paltry figures? I realized I’m reading a story about the depression era.

“Whit smoothed the crumpled bill, folded it, then eased it securely into his vest pocket. Some of the dollar would have to be spared for a bed. He wasn't sleeping in a doorway again, if he could help it.”

The language the author uses to draw out the true purpose for Peter’s visit to the flophouse is gorgeous, subtle, and understated. Men of gay orientation didn’t do public announcement or engage in flirtation as they happen today. Back then, they risk arrestment by the law as sexual deviants. I love how the author incorporates these social mannerisms in her story adding authenticity to the narrative.

What starts out as an interlude for human contact, transforms into something wonderful in the development of character and storyline. Whit finds himself no longer interested in writing the human story, being surrounded by suffering and depression, adult men crying tears waiting for food, people prepared to fight for their place in the bread line. Who wants to read this kind of news in the newspaper? The people are living it every day. Peter is trying to survive the backlash of his father’s terrible deeds, those of the wealthy. He knows a different story than the public. He knows a father’s love. A love, which guides and shapes him as the man he is when he meets Whit.

Tamara Allen’s “If It Ain’t Love” is a story of hope, a growing mm romance, and the love for the community. The narrative is evocative, heartbreaking, warm, and sensual without the use of explicit wording. I felt pulled into this universe from descriptions of great imagery. I admire the sparse use of language giving this short story the feel of a complete novel. If It Ain’t Love is perfect for holiday reading and is recommended for m/m romance readers who enjoy a historical setting. The writing is exquisite with strong attention to details.
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Oct 09, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, that powerful equalizer of men which toppled many an ivory tower, bringing prosperous men low and poor men lower, If It Ain’t Love is a story of hope and the promise of love found amongst the debris left behind in the wake of the country’s financial collapse.

In a time when a very fortunate man was one who could claim two coins to rub together, Whit Stoddard and Peter Dorington are men who come together from very different walks of life. Like many...more Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, that powerful equalizer of men which toppled many an ivory tower, bringing prosperous men low and poor men lower, If It Ain’t Love is a story of hope and the promise of love found amongst the debris left behind in the wake of the country’s financial collapse.

In a time when a very fortunate man was one who could claim two coins to rub together, Whit Stoddard and Peter Dorington are men who come together from very different walks of life. Like many men during that time, they find themselves on the intersecting paths that might have led to a free bed, maybe a little whiskey, and an offer of compassion that would see a man through to another day, if he was lucky.

Peter and Whit meet as one man’s world is sinking, while the other is trying his best to keep his afloat. They come together under what may have been the worst of circumstances, but as unlikely as their connection would’ve been before the depression, they are now men who find a bond based in the mutual need for companionship. That bond is tested by secrets and misunderstandings, but it ultimately holds firm with the help of kindness and a common goal, and with the promise that the truth, when revealed, will have the power to heal a broken spirit and build the trust needed to move forward.

In a mere thirty-four pages, Tamara Allen sweeps the reader along on a bittersweet journey of loss, of a time when a man’s place in a breadline was coveted nearly as much as the meager scraps of bread that awaited to sustain him for another day. Every sentence, every paragraph draws the reader into the setting and time period, as well as into the lives of the characters who enrich the story with their presence. The challenges they face, the conflicts that arise are the very definition of a human interest story and are delivered pitch perfectly.

If It Ain’t Love is just one more reason why Tamara Allen is on my short list of must-read authors. It’s simply brilliant.

Reviewed By: Lisa(less)

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Sep 10, 2011 Dumbledore11214 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: male-male-historical-romance, gay-romance

This is one of those reviews where I have to start with a warning. Tamara Allen is one of those writers from whom I will buy books as soon as I see her name on the cover, so you may want to seek out more critical reviews if you would like to see a more balanced picture. However I can tell you this is a wonderful short story and since it is free, you have nothing to lose by trying it!

I have read and loved all three novels she has written, but I actually was a little worried despite the fact that...more This is one of those reviews where I have to start with a warning. Tamara Allen is one of those writers from whom I will buy books as soon as I see her name on the cover, so you may want to seek out more critical reviews if you would like to see a more balanced picture. However I can tell you this is a wonderful short story and since it is free, you have nothing to lose by trying it!

I have read and loved all three novels she has written, but I actually was a little worried despite the fact that I loved her long works so much. I mean, a short story is a different animal and I have been disappointed too often with short stories. I was so happy when I finished this one and started rereading it right away. The story is set during Great Depression in my home city New York and as always it is vividly drawn. You can actually imagine that you are travelling back in time when you are reading her stories and this one is no exception. I could feel the despair on the pages, people who lost their jobs, who have no place to stay and of course many who lost hope. One of the main characters, journalist Whit, may not have lost his job, but he lost something which is often just as important even if it is less tangible — hope. Fortunately during this short story the author shows us that Whit has not completely lost himself and that hope indeed can be found in the most unlikely places. When Whit meets Peter, he does not realize that Peter has lost something very important to him as well and is trying to find new reason for living while at the same time hold on to important traditions and memories.

This is a very quiet story, but emotions which we can feel from the protags are so very real, making both characters come so very alive on the pages. The connection between Whit and Peter is very fragile initially, but at the same time I could not help but believe in its strength. I am not a fan of Insta!Love in stories, but I do not think that what Tamara Allen does here can be called Insta!Love, perhaps Insta!Connection. I think she just shows that initial connection which may grow into something much stronger, and at the end of the story I definitely believed that it will. Maybe it is the fragility of the connection is what keeping it from venturing into that ridiculous over-the-top category of Insta!Love?

Whit swallowed and pushed away from the images Peter had conjured. “So why bring me home? You don’t know me either.”

“I’m not sure,” Peter whispered. “It felt, for a few minutes, like I did.”

Whit had to smile at that. “It did, didn’t it? Just a little”

I loved that the author got me to feel so much within such a short page count. I smiled, I shed a tear, I wanted the characters to heal and overcome the harsh circumstances they found themselves in. I loved that they still found it in themselves the desire to do good, to help other people and not just concentrate on their own problems. I mean, this story could have easily become either a load of angst or sugary-sweet. I did not find it to be either. While it is sweet, in my opinion it was a genuine, believable sweetness, something that makes you want to hug both men and cheer for them when you feel that they do have an inner strength if not to change the world, to at least try and to make it better for the few people around them. And while both Whit and Peter are nice guys, the writer gives us a glimpse of their flaws as well. Whit could be somewhat selfish, Peter could make rash decisions, but they are also capable of recognising their mistakes and to try to correct them.

I would call the ending a HFN, which for me suited perfectly to this story, but I absolutely believed that these two guys will stay together for a very long time, so much I was convinced by their understated quiet chemistry.

I think the best compliment I can pay to this story is that at the end of it I thought that I did not want to read a novel about Whit and Peter. I felt that I learned all I needed to know about them and they have a place in my heart already. It is one of the meatiest short stories I have ever read.

Highly recommended.

Originally posted at Reviews by JesseWave

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Sep 06, 2011 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, m-m, romance, historicals

This review can also be found at Brief Encounters Reviews.

Sometimes Twitter can be a marvellous thing. If the author hadn’t flagged up on Twitter that she’d published this short at ARe, I would have missed this absolute gem completely. The story is set during The Great Depression of the 1930′s in New York and follows Whit who, unlike many men, has a job. He’s a freelance reporter for the NY Times but has lost his heart for journalism in the face of all the horrors he sees daily. After borrowing...more This review can also be found at Brief Encounters Reviews.

Sometimes Twitter can be a marvellous thing. If the author hadn’t flagged up on Twitter that she’d published this short at ARe, I would have missed this absolute gem completely. The story is set during The Great Depression of the 1930′s in New York and follows Whit who, unlike many men, has a job. He’s a freelance reporter for the NY Times but has lost his heart for journalism in the face of all the horrors he sees daily. After borrowing a dollar from his boss, Whit has enough money to bypass the bread lines and buy a meal and a night in a flop house where he meets Peter. Peter’s not destitute, but is about to lose everything. Whit gives Peter a new lease of life in helping those who have nothing, to gain some pride, and Peter helps Whit to rediscover his talent for journalism.

There’s so much I liked about this story that I doubt I will be able to fit it all into this review! Firstly the setting is poignant and realistic. We see it through Whit’s jaded, almost dispassionate, eyes and in some ways that makes it all the more heartbreaking as Whit shrugs off the sights of men crying in the streets and the huge lines for food. The oppressive atmosphere has affected Whit so much that he is suffering from a form of writer’s block and so he has lost everything and is trapped in a spiral of destitution he has no hope of getting out of. When he meets Peter, he’s jolted out of that spiral as he firstly sees how tragedy has affected Peter, then how Peter’s generous heart can bring hope to men without means to help themselves.

The fact that the main message in this story is that of hope means that what could have been a maudlin or bleak story is lifted into something much less heavy. It was proof of the skill of the author that she was able to tell the tale of The Great Depression whilst also providing a realistic romance and a happy ending for our heroes. The romantic feeling between the heroes was achingly tender and some of the best parts of the story were where the men were muddling through their feelings for each other. The historical setting was flawless, not just in the descriptions of 1930′s NY but also in the way the men spoke and acted towards each other. I was immersed.

I finished the story completely wowed by the intelligent writing, vivid setting and strong characterisation. As a short story this was absolutely perfect and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. This story is free at All Romance Ebooks (although I would happily have paid money for it) so there’s no excuse not to download it!(less)

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Sep 05, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, that powerful equalizer of men which toppled many an ivory tower, bringing prosperous men low and poor men lower, If It Ain’t Love is a story of hope and the promise of love found amongst the debris left behind in the wake of the country’s financial collapse.

In a time when a very fortunate man was one who could claim two coins to rub together, Whit Stoddard and Peter Dorington are men who come together from very different walks of life. Like man...more Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, that powerful equalizer of men which toppled many an ivory tower, bringing prosperous men low and poor men lower, If It Ain’t Love is a story of hope and the promise of love found amongst the debris left behind in the wake of the country’s financial collapse.

In a time when a very fortunate man was one who could claim two coins to rub together, Whit Stoddard and Peter Dorington are men who come together from very different walks of life. Like many men during that time, they find themselves on the intersecting paths that might have led to a free bed, maybe a little whiskey, and an offer of compassion that would see a man through to another day, if he was lucky.

Peter and Whit meet as one man’s world is sinking, while the other is trying his best to keep his afloat. They come together under what may have been the worst of circumstances, but as unlikely as their connection would’ve been before the depression, they are now men who find a bond based in the mutual need for companionship. That bond is tested by secrets and misunderstandings, but it ultimately holds firm with the help of kindness and a common goal, and with the promise that the truth, when revealed, will have the power to heal a broken spirit and build the trust needed to move forward.

In a mere thirty-four pages, Tamara Allen sweeps the reader along on a bittersweet journey of loss, of a time when a man’s place in a breadline was coveted nearly as much as the meager scraps of bread that awaited to sustain him for another day. Every sentence, every paragraph draws the reader into the setting and time period, as well as into the lives of the characters who enrich the story with their presence. The challenges they face, the conflicts that arise are the very definition of a human interest story and are delivered pitch perfectly.

If It Ain’t Love is just one more reason why Tamara Allen is on my short list of must-read authors. It’s simply brilliant.(less)

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Sep 19, 2011 K.Z. Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- in the m/m romance genre can craft fiction like Tamara Allen. In fact, her work transcends genre boundaries, whether gay or historical. It is just-plain-superb writing. Always. By any standards.

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Sep 08, 2011 Eden Winters rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: short-stories-that-rocked

What a fabulous voice Tamara Allen has! I was caught up and swept away by this little gem. I smiled, I cried, I "awwwwwww'd". The author took me back to a time older relatives had told me about, let me see the despair, the sorrow and, eventually, the hope. She created two men from two different backgrounds, and leveled the playing field with hard times. Would Peter and Whit have crossed paths in a saner world? Maybe, but it took a shared night in a flophouse to bring them together. They're good...more

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Apr 12, 2013 ARe Cafe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: are-top-picks, vals-picks

An ARe Cafe top pick for October, 2011.

If It Ain’t Love by Tamara Allen (18,000 words) unfolds within the third-person viewpoint of Whit, a journalist for the New York Times during the darkest days of the Great Depression. Now homeless, Whit can no longer bring himself to care about his career in the midst of such worldwide catastrophe. When he spends the night at a flophouse, he meets a well-dressed man who looks too refined to be there. Mutual attraction leads to sex, friendship, and possibly...more An ARe Cafe top pick for October, 2011.

If It Ain’t Love by Tamara Allen (18,000 words) unfolds within the third-person viewpoint of Whit, a journalist for the New York Times during the darkest days of the Great Depression. Now homeless, Whit can no longer bring himself to care about his career in the midst of such worldwide catastrophe. When he spends the night at a flophouse, he meets a well-dressed man who looks too refined to be there. Mutual attraction leads to sex, friendship, and possibly to something more.

There is so much to praise in this wonderful story by one of our finest historical fiction authors. First, we get a lot of plot in only 18,000 words rather than the usual slice-of-life or tiny epiphany that takes the place of real conflict and resolution within most short fiction. There is the main plot with Whit and his lover working through trust issues and figuring out how to survive together during such hard times. Meanwhile, a character with a full wardrobe of suits finds renewed purpose in outfitting homeless men for job interviews, thereby restoring their confidence. A smaller, but amusing, subplot centers the indefatigable attempts of Whit’s lover to track down his full name and find out what “Whit” is short for.

Second, the sex is very hot while remaining non-explicit. To me, it has always looked much more difficult to write emotionally engaging “sweet” non-explicit romance than to pile on the explicit descriptions and to use the street terms as most of us romance authors do. In this story, the art of writing non-explicit sex scenes reaches its highest potential. Through metaphor, poetic terms, and a deep focus on the emotional excitement of the lovers, the story takes the sex scenes to their full consummation in beautiful language that never shuts the reader outside of the bedroom door.

Third, the author has a light, sure touch when it comes to bringing her historical period alive with what feels like perfect accuracy. The Great Depression was a dark time, and the modern mindset would make most of us write about it through characters steeped in angst, self-awareness, and self-pity. But the men of the actual 1930s were not exactly the navel-gazing type. For example, Whit, who has already experienced the humiliation of begging his editor to loan him a dollar, sees a bread line and thinks, “he’d be a damned jerk to make anyone else wait behind him when he had enough in his pocket to buy himself a meal. Funny, how privileged he felt with only a dollar to his name.” His tough, plain-spoken, and practical outlook saves the story from becoming overwhelmed with its bleak setting. If It Ain’t Love offers the readers two appealing and stalwart characters finding the inner strength to triumph over considerable adversity. Very highly recommended!

Val for AReCafe(less)

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May 02, 2013 Angel rated it 2 of 5 stars

I also just finished

by Tamara Allen and to be honest this is not a book I will be sad to delete from my Kindle. I admit I usually like some m/m books but, this was too short for my taste. Had to much depression..I know I know don't shoot me I know it was about the Great Depression but, It was too much like a story I have read before in the past and way tooo short. I will give it 2 stars for the story but, to me it needed more. I will definitely check out the author though because I did like h...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm such a fan of Tamara Allen's.

I typically don't read historicals. But, I wanted to give this a shot since her writing is so beautiful and I loved "Downtime". What a treat.

Whit and Peter meet during the Depression...and frankly...it's depressing. They find, after already forging a bond, that their paths cross in other surprising ways. I really liked the storyline. I think it would have been so much more satisfying, however, if it was a longer book and dove deeper into the topics introduced h...more

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May 03, 2013 Macky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-historical, emotionally-satisfying, enjoyable-read, free-read, short-sweet-and-satisfying, more-story-than-sex

A sweet, poignant and tender tale set during the depression. Two men brought together by circumstances beyond their control they forge a friendship that turns to romance but outside influences threaten their bond and one of them has to look at himself and his actions to put it right. More story than actual sex, although there are some tender but not overly graphic love scenes . It's beautifully written , so I'll definitely be checking out more of Tamara Allens books. A very satisfying free short...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Weasel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-main-char, historical-fiction, m-m-romance, short-story, third-person

4.5 rounded up. Very good story about 2 guys who find each other durring the depression. I enjoy historicals and the writing was quite good, while the sex was very restrained, so this was just my sort of thing.

Two caveats.

Other than the Depression NY setting, I didn't really feel like there was anything magically "special" here. My five star books/stories often feel to me like they have a special something in terms of content that sets them apart from the run of the mill stories in their genre...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Elizabetta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hist-rom

Tamara Allen weaves a wonderful tapestry of time and place in this gentle, historical romance between Whit, a newspaper reporter and Peter, a mysterious toff he meets up with one night.

Set in the Great Depression when so many were out of work and jobs were scarce, Whit is on his last dollar and trying to keep things together. Familiar times, familiar sentiments. In those days a dollar could buy you dinner and a bed for the night in a flophouse...and maybe find you some desperately needed good lu...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Kendra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nook-lendable, historical, mm, short-story

I am not typically a fan of historical stories so I already know that is part of my bias. It wasn't one of my favorite stories but it was really well written. Peter and Whit are two characters that I found myself rooting for. They deserved a happy ending and deserve to be happy together. The only thing that bothered me is how open they seemed to be together for it occurring during the Great Depression. There seemed to be no questions around them being together all the time or living together--wh...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Melora rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, online-free-reads, read-in-2011

4.5 stars
Strong writing conveyed both the bleakness of the era and the hope that makes it all worthwhile. Whit and Peter managed to find each other in a time when most could barely find the will to get up in the morning. I'd say it's a diamond in the rough, but there is no rough. This is a shining example of the kind of impact a short story can (and should) have when crafted by a talented writer who effortlessly infuses the whole thing with such heart.

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Mar 08, 2013 Amf0001 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Charming, short book about 2 men meeting in Depression era New York, and rescuing each other. Sad, tender feelings permeate the story, about opportunities lost and perhaps never regained... but that discovering love can really help. Lovely sentences -
"Sunny days," he said with a laugh, "You didn't hear? Those are over. Done. Settle in and enjoy the rain."
Well, by the end Whit and Peter have found a way to enjoy the rain...

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Dec 31, 2012 D rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: epub, historical, m-m, romance, short-story

It takes a remarkable author to pack such a moving story into 40-some pages. I felt the bleakness and hopelessness these characters were experiencing during The Great Depression.

But in the midst of society's greyness, a sweet connection and romance blooms for Whit and Peter. By the story's end, I felt their hope.

This is so well written and beautiful. And FREE from Amazon and Smashwords...do yourself a favor...go read this!!

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Feb 14, 2013 Kris (KindleRomance) rated it 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful, heart-warming relationship-based story between 2 young men during the depression. It was positively amazing, and I couldn't put it down. I loved Peter and Whit! They were very endearing and sweet people. Although it's hard to read about people suffering during that time period, Allen did a phenomenal job tugging at our heart strings without depressing us. There were several happy moments that were well earned bringing a huge smile to my face. My first, but not my last, book by this...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

A short, beautifully written novella. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. The cold, dreary setting of depression era New York is made bearable by the warmth of the well drawn characters. I hope the author will revisit some of the supporting characters in future stories. I felt as if I was making a very brief visit to a very interesting time and place. I want to go back for a much longer trip next time.

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Apr 26, 2013 Sineala rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, fiction, gay, historical-fiction, queer, romance

Reasonably cute short-story length m/m historical romance set in NYC during the Great Depression, between a reporter and a formerly-wealthy guy (who, naturally, has a heart of gold). I liked it well enough; I would have liked it more if it had been longer. But, hey, it was free, and I can't really complain too much about free gay romance, especially a historical one.

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Sep 24, 2011 Kaje Harper rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, m-m, short-story, favorites

This is a wonderful, sweet, hopeful love story, set in the Depression when hope was hard to come by. The period details all ring true and the characters are very real. Short but a complete story, much heavier on the relationship development and plot than the sex, which is nice in a short. And it's free! (Thank-you Ms. Allen.) This is one I will reread.

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Sep 26, 2011 Katrina Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 18, 2012 Gabrielle Morgan rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a gorgeous little story, filled with enough hope and love to make a heart burst with it. My only wish (as, it seems, with everything Tamara Allen writes) is that it could have been longer, because it seems I'm never ready to let go of her characters at the end of their stories. <3

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Sep 18, 2012 willaful rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, rated-g-or-pg, story-novella-or-anthology

4 1/2 stars. Such a lovely little story. The depression era setting is unique in romance, probably because it's so difficult to write a happy ending in it, but Allen pulled it off -- with an m/m story, no less. If Frank Capra were alive today, he would make a movie out of this.

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Mar 16, 2013 deirdre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to deirdre by: Susan

Shelves: free, short-story, m-m

Great short read . . .

Great MCs . . . Made me empathetic in such a short span
Loved the story line . . . finding unexpected love in such difficult difficult times
Sweet romance, nice plot twist
Great writing . . .really great writing!!

Off to find more from Ms. Allen!

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May 03, 2013 Cassie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-lendable

This was a good short story about two men down on their luck, meeting by chance in a flophouse in early 1900s and falling in love. It was well-written, entertaining and had good pacing, despite the length.

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12430702-if-it-ain-t-love?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1343626072l/12430702.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12430702-if-it-ain-t-love?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]If It Ain't Love by Tamara Allen[/url]

If It Ain't Love

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