In the darkest days of the Great Depression, New York Times reporter Whit Stoddard has lost the heart to do his job and lives a lonely hand-to-mout...
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Aug 31, 2011
♡KarLynP♡
rated it: 
4.5, great little m/m romance story set in depression era Manhattan. Loved the writing voice, an author to watch! (For those wondering, this was a steamy warm romance, not gay erotica. Great read for all romance fans.)
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Jan 07, 2012
Nicci
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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 spar More...
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 spar More...
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Oct 09, 2011
Top 2 Bottom Reviews
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Sep 10, 2011
Dumbledore11214
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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 th More...
I have read and loved all three novels she has written, but I actually was a little worried despite th More...
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Sep 06, 2011
Jenre
rated it:
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. Afte More...
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. Afte More...
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(6 people liked it)
Sep 05, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
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 li More...
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 li More...
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Sep 01, 2011
Ann
rated it:
I won't claim to be Tamara Allen's biggest fan only because I know that there is fierce competition for that position. But by god, I love her writing, so very very much. Yet, when this little freebie turned up, I hestitated over reading it. I was in a foul mood about other things, and a story set in the Depression sounded...well, depressing. You can understand my reasoning, I'm sure.
But I should have had faith. This is the author who can make Victorian England sound almost wonderful, w More...
But I should have had faith. This is the author who can make Victorian England sound almost wonderful, w More...
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Sep 19, 2011
K.Z.
rated it:
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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(4 people liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Moss
rated it: 
A beautifully atmospheric book, set in depression-era New York. The setting is masterfully crafted, and is redolent with the feel of shamed desperation and hopelessness that was the era's trademark. The author does a brilliant job of personifying that in her characters as well.
Both protagonists are people fallen from glory, forced into lives of intense desperation. Both men recognise the need to seize whatever small moment of joy happens upon them, and it's through this mutual rec More...
Both protagonists are people fallen from glory, forced into lives of intense desperation. Both men recognise the need to seize whatever small moment of joy happens upon them, and it's through this mutual rec More...
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Sep 08, 2011
Eden
rated it:
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. Th
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 13, 2011
Melora
rated it:
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.
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.
Sep 23, 2011
Tamela
rated it:
Excellent writing. It put me down right in the middle of those days and made me really think about not have a scrap of food or a place to sleep or wash up. Whit is so real and at first, though he doesn't admit it, I think he had about given up hope. Peter was Whit's miracle and his hope. I loved the story and recommend it highly. I'm going now to become a Tamara Allen fan :)
Sep 24, 2011
Kaje
rated it:
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
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 21, 2012
Kathy
rated it:
could have been just depressing but was a moving and thoughtful MM story that showed what little it took to bring some hope to people.
Jan 08, 2012
Jerry
rated it:
Really great little story. Loved it.
Alex and Kaje Harper wrote great reviews, so therefore I refer you to them.
Alex and Kaje Harper wrote great reviews, so therefore I refer you to them.
Oct 06, 2011
Alex
rated it:
This is a beautifully written piece that follows the struggles of two men during the Great Depression and the hope that can be found in the most desperate of times. I don't have a single thing to mark off against this story. It was moving and well written, and I loved the characters, but it didn't make me feel like I was shorted (as many short stories do). It ended when it needed to. It painted the time period, surroundings, and characters superbly, giving enough to let the reader see without cl
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Aug 29, 2011
Started reading, but it takes place during the Great Depression and it just gets me... depressed. I'll finish it another day.
Sep 15, 2011
Lady*M
rated it:
4.5 stars
Great story about finding hope and kindness in the midst of the Great Depression. Two beautiful characters and lovely, gentle romance. Highly, highly recommended.
Great story about finding hope and kindness in the midst of the Great Depression. Two beautiful characters and lovely, gentle romance. Highly, highly recommended.
Sep 24, 2011
Kez
rated it:
This book is fabulously written. I can't believe I haven't discovered the author before. And incredibly the book was free!
Oct 22, 2011
Erin (PT)
rated it: 
Tamara Allen is great at sweet. And I say that as someone who, generally, when using the word 'sweet', means it as a negative. But Allen writes a very palatable and relatable sweetness, balanced on it's other side by an aching loneliness and sadness that makes the sweetness always feel well-earned and well-deserved. A well-paced and lovely sweet story.
Oct 14, 2011
Lily
rated it:
I loved this story. It's beautifully written, vivid and realistic with characters that really came alive for me. Set during the Great Depression this story is at times bleak but also is a message that hope and love can be found even during the bleakest of times. Once again Tamara Allen has blown me away with her writing. Definitely recommended.
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Nov 03, 2011
Sadonna
rated it:
I read this on my commute to work today when my Kindle decided to fry. This is a beautiful historical piece that said so much in a mere 34 pages. The characters were so well written and the desperation of the times so well captured, I'm really a little bit in awe. I am going to search for more by this author.
Feb 17, 2012
