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If It Ain't Love
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-mouth existence with little hope of recovery, until he meets Peter, a man in even greater need of new hope.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
February 19, 2014
So, 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 had made it, and wondering if perhaps there were answers to my questions on the first page—
—But just a peek, right? Because I don't really have any time right now for anything, you see.
Of course, the next thing I know I'm in Depressed New York feeling this crazy compulsion to read on and on and on—because measured prose filled with compassion and wit and clever little details will do that to me.
And then it was over, and it was pretty great.
I have quibbles.
I have questions.
But mostly I have the urge to read it again.
I was staring at the lovely cover, and wondering why the designer did x instead of y, and basically wishing that I had made it, and wondering if perhaps there were answers to my questions on the first page—
—But just a peek, right? Because I don't really have any time right now for anything, you see.
Of course, the next thing I know I'm in Depressed New York feeling this crazy compulsion to read on and on and on—because measured prose filled with compassion and wit and clever little details will do that to me.
And then it was over, and it was pretty great.
I have quibbles.
I have questions.
But mostly I have the urge to read it again.
May 16, 2015
~4.25~
This is the first Tamara Allen book I've read, and I'm impressed with the quality of the writing.
Set during the American Great Depression of the 1930s, If It Ain't Love is at once hopeless and HOPEFUL.
Beautifully written, evocative, and historically accurate without being pedantic, this short story packs an emotional punch in under 40 pages.
If you're looking for smex galore, this is not the story, but the lack of graphic sex didn't irk me.
The story has a dreamy, floaty quality, and the physical scenes are muted and abstract. Even so, the connection between the MCs, Whit and Peter, is palpable.
The quiet intensity builds into a story of redemption and love.
This is the first Tamara Allen book I've read, and I'm impressed with the quality of the writing.
Set during the American Great Depression of the 1930s, If It Ain't Love is at once hopeless and HOPEFUL.
Beautifully written, evocative, and historically accurate without being pedantic, this short story packs an emotional punch in under 40 pages.
If you're looking for smex galore, this is not the story, but the lack of graphic sex didn't irk me.
The story has a dreamy, floaty quality, and the physical scenes are muted and abstract. Even so, the connection between the MCs, Whit and Peter, is palpable.
The quiet intensity builds into a story of redemption and love.
Awake and alive—with someone to be awake and live for; that was all Peter wanted.
December 20, 2012
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 hastily in this short read (some of Whit's background, taking time to explore their attraction and relationship, more detail of Peter's life before the "accident")
But what it lacks in content (even the romance bits are a bit tame), it makes up for in Tamara Allen's gorgeous writing.
June 8, 2019
3 Stars
In the thick of the Great Depression, this aptly shows how small things can make a big difference in changing perspective and thus, bring hope for that much needed edge for better survival.
If love happens to be found amongst such despair, all the more better.
Bittersweet, leaving the reader with a warm fuzzy feel full of hope.
In the thick of the Great Depression, this aptly shows how small things can make a big difference in changing perspective and thus, bring hope for that much needed edge for better survival.
If love happens to be found amongst such despair, all the more better.
Bittersweet, leaving the reader with a warm fuzzy feel full of hope.
December 22, 2014
First: look at that cover!
Both formats have two of the most amazing covers in the genre!
Well done for that!
Than... Well, everything else was wonderful- The writing, the setting, the pace, the characters... Few can do it so well in under 40 pages!
Bravo Tamara Allen, bravo!
It's a beautiful short story, that takes place at the hard time of The Great Depression in New York.
You can feel the depression, you can taste it! That's how good the writing is!
And into that darkness of hard times, Tamara takes this two charming characters, and give them and us, light.
Shining bright light!
"...and all at once, he understood. Awake and alive-with someone to be awake and alive for."
It's FREE! (Aren't we lucky sometimes?)
READ IT!
Both formats have two of the most amazing covers in the genre!
Well done for that!
Than... Well, everything else was wonderful- The writing, the setting, the pace, the characters... Few can do it so well in under 40 pages!
Bravo Tamara Allen, bravo!
It's a beautiful short story, that takes place at the hard time of The Great Depression in New York.
You can feel the depression, you can taste it! That's how good the writing is!
And into that darkness of hard times, Tamara takes this two charming characters, and give them and us, light.
Shining bright light!
"...and all at once, he understood. Awake and alive-with someone to be awake and alive for."
It's FREE! (Aren't we lucky sometimes?)
READ IT!
August 22, 2015
Sweet little story set during the depression. I wish there had been a lot more to this because the writing is fantastic.
January 1, 2014
Story wise -- this one was quite lovely. There was this sweet tenderness between Whit, a reporter who has lost his heart and passion of his job, and Peter, a man who suffered a tragedy of himself. Their relationship was gentle and rather quiet, probably due to the time period where showing off romance between two men wasn't really possible.
As for the writing style ... this was when I hit a major bump. Tamara Allen came to me highly recommended. I had Downtime with me for years, but every single time I put it down because I felt like I cannot connect. Each time, I thought it was because I wasn't in love with historical genre. Since I was doing a personal challenge, I thought I would give Tamara Allen another try, this time trying her (FREE) short story.
After I finished, I realized, I simply didn't have chemistry with her writing. This story was only 17k but I needed several hours to finish. I put it down more than once and forcing myself rereading the paragraphs because my brain just didn't click. I believe in chemistry between reader and author's writing -- maybe due to choices of words, for example; thus, some authors have writing style that just not compatible with me.
Unfortunately, Tamara Allen is one of them.
So sadly, I must say that Tamara Allen's stories and I will never be in a relationship. I will just admire her from the distance.
Personal MM historical challenge January 2014: story #1
As for the writing style ... this was when I hit a major bump. Tamara Allen came to me highly recommended. I had Downtime with me for years, but every single time I put it down because I felt like I cannot connect. Each time, I thought it was because I wasn't in love with historical genre. Since I was doing a personal challenge, I thought I would give Tamara Allen another try, this time trying her (FREE) short story.
After I finished, I realized, I simply didn't have chemistry with her writing. This story was only 17k but I needed several hours to finish. I put it down more than once and forcing myself rereading the paragraphs because my brain just didn't click. I believe in chemistry between reader and author's writing -- maybe due to choices of words, for example; thus, some authors have writing style that just not compatible with me.
Unfortunately, Tamara Allen is one of them.
So sadly, I must say that Tamara Allen's stories and I will never be in a relationship. I will just admire her from the distance.
Personal MM historical challenge January 2014: story #1
May 3, 2013
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 story. Well worth adding to your library.
August 30, 2015
One of those "pleasant surprise" reads. This is currently free on Amazon, and it's a short read, so you've got absolutely nothing to lose. And believe me when I say, it's worth the time. Fantastic atmosphere and characterization, and the prose is beautiful. Allen captured the desolate desperation many must have felt during the dark days of the Great Depression, and she used that desolation to highlight the miracle of finding love amidst ruin.
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January 1, 2020
Not many stories I chose to read are set in the 1930s. For some reason that particular historical era doesn't appeal to the reader in me even though so much happened back then that has greatly impacted my generation. I'm glad I made an exception for this romance, because it was truly uplifting.
The story starts out in blue spirits, bang in the middle of the big depression, where our hero like so many others have lost his home and struggle to afford food. The subtle flirting and spur of the moment hookup with a stranger turns into something more over the next few days and weeks. And the romance that blossoms changes everything for both men.
I enjoyed both the story and the writing quality, and it will surely not be my last Tamara Allen read. But gah, rating was hard as the romance was more subtle than I normally prefer them. More than 3 stars for certain. Let's say 3.8.
The story starts out in blue spirits, bang in the middle of the big depression, where our hero like so many others have lost his home and struggle to afford food. The subtle flirting and spur of the moment hookup with a stranger turns into something more over the next few days and weeks. And the romance that blossoms changes everything for both men.
I enjoyed both the story and the writing quality, and it will surely not be my last Tamara Allen read. But gah, rating was hard as the romance was more subtle than I normally prefer them. More than 3 stars for certain. Let's say 3.8.
February 18, 2022
I liked this very short story about two people who find comfort and more in each other in a very harsh time. The writting is lovely and despite everything that those men are going through, the ending is full of hope.
February 18, 2022
Still as good the second time around. My memory was fuzzy on the details, I mostly remembered , but what stayed with me about this book for more than 6 years was the feeling of the story, the atmosphere, and the mood going from sad to hopeful. I closed the book feeling warm inside after this reread just as I did the first time. That's enough to leave my original rating untouched.
January 6, 2022
This was lovely, especially for a freebie. A sweet short story about finding love in unexpected places, dealing with grief, but most of all, kindness and hope.
September 15, 2013
A vivid, poignant and hopeful story.
If It Ain't Love is a gentle, heartwarming story set during the skillfully painted scene of America during the Great Depression. Tamara Allen manages to capture the desperation and darkness of that era with such subtle yet evocative prose until even I couldn't help but feel the stench and grit of unwashed skin and sharp pangs of hunger and despair.
What really shone through for me was the absolute and powerful theme of hope. During a time where even something so simple like a bath and kind smile could make all the difference in the world, hope really is so significant, and it really does show in this book. Reading about them lifting each other from their own abyss and giving each other courage and the will to make it was so brilliant, so moving and so damn rewarding. I was invested in the two of them, their relationship and welfare the entire time.
I enjoyed this story immensely-- there seriously isn't a reason not to enjoy this. I found no faults, even if it didn't cross into the realms of 'love' for me. *snort* If it ain't love. Okay sorry, that was sightly lame. On a more serious note, I really think that this book is worth a try.
Rating: 4 - 4.25
If It Ain't Love is a gentle, heartwarming story set during the skillfully painted scene of America during the Great Depression. Tamara Allen manages to capture the desperation and darkness of that era with such subtle yet evocative prose until even I couldn't help but feel the stench and grit of unwashed skin and sharp pangs of hunger and despair.
What really shone through for me was the absolute and powerful theme of hope. During a time where even something so simple like a bath and kind smile could make all the difference in the world, hope really is so significant, and it really does show in this book. Reading about them lifting each other from their own abyss and giving each other courage and the will to make it was so brilliant, so moving and so damn rewarding. I was invested in the two of them, their relationship and welfare the entire time.
I enjoyed this story immensely-- there seriously isn't a reason not to enjoy this. I found no faults, even if it didn't cross into the realms of 'love' for me. *snort* If it ain't love. Okay sorry, that was sightly lame. On a more serious note, I really think that this book is worth a try.
Rating: 4 - 4.25
April 1, 2024
Reread 2022:
I was able to appreciate this a bit more on reread. I really like Peter and Whit, who find hope in each other at the start of the Great Depression. I was still wanting for a bit more padding though.
(I just noticed that tomorrow will be 8 years to the day I first read this. 😯)
Original review 2014:
I enjoyed the characters well enough but I didn't feel they were as well developed as in Ms. Allen's longer works. I couldn't really feel their connection to each other.
The setting during the Great Depression should have been murky and hopeless, but Ms. Allen manages to keep the tone light and hopeful while not ignoring the reality of that time period.
I was able to appreciate this a bit more on reread. I really like Peter and Whit, who find hope in each other at the start of the Great Depression. I was still wanting for a bit more padding though.
(I just noticed that tomorrow will be 8 years to the day I first read this. 😯)
Original review 2014:
I enjoyed the characters well enough but I didn't feel they were as well developed as in Ms. Allen's longer works. I couldn't really feel their connection to each other.
The setting during the Great Depression should have been murky and hopeless, but Ms. Allen manages to keep the tone light and hopeful while not ignoring the reality of that time period.
September 24, 2011
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.
September 6, 2023
If It Ain't Love is a sweet quick read short story. The writing is good and the two MCs are wonderful. My one regret is that this was a short story.
Whit and Peter definitely deserve more.
Whit and Peter definitely deserve more.
September 23, 2012
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 luck. Whit meets Peter in the flophouse and they wind up spending the night together someplace completely different. At first Whit comes off as a bit hardened, a bit of a moocher, understandable given the times and his situation; but his real persona, gentle and kind, eventually comes out.
This is such a lovely combination of found love and paying it forward; of how people can lean on and help each other in desperate times and make a ‘small miracle.’ A good reminder for us in these present times of crisis, blame-making, and name-calling.
“There'd been a time when Whit would never have believed it could be done with just a willing hand and generous spirit. Now he wondered if there was any other way.”
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 luck. Whit meets Peter in the flophouse and they wind up spending the night together someplace completely different. At first Whit comes off as a bit hardened, a bit of a moocher, understandable given the times and his situation; but his real persona, gentle and kind, eventually comes out.
This is such a lovely combination of found love and paying it forward; of how people can lean on and help each other in desperate times and make a ‘small miracle.’ A good reminder for us in these present times of crisis, blame-making, and name-calling.
“There'd been a time when Whit would never have believed it could be done with just a willing hand and generous spirit. Now he wondered if there was any other way.”
June 12, 2015
The past few days I've heard Rihanna singing: We found love in a hopeless place... quite a few times, and every time it reminded me of Whit and Peter from If It Ain't Love, and how I never wrote a review of it to at least say how much I liked it. Well, time to rectifying that.
I really liked it.
If It Ain't Love is a memorable love story. This I know for certain because months after reading it, I can still recall it quite well. Of course, this could have something to do with the fact I read it right after a book that gave me a lot of worries, worries I hadn't gotten over before starting this. I swear, I can't count the times the thought one of the main characters would walk out into the street and get hit by a car and die crept into my mind. Luckily, nothing remotely like that happened. This wasn't written by Shonda Rhimes, after all. No, this was beautiful: love and hope found in the midst of the Great Depression. The darkness of the period, I think, was presented well. This was one of those stories that made me feel the atmosphere as if I had been there. Needless to say, this was not the best setting for falling in love, so when it happened, it was all the more precious. And I feared something might happen to ruin it (like getting hit by a car, if you remember). Only when I read the last sentence did I get to breathe a deep sigh of relief. The story was over; Whit and Peter were both still alive and well; they were together, and Manhattan could wait.
They found love in a hopeless place...
December 18, 2014
4.5 stars
A sweet but also dark story set in the time of the Great Depression. Don't normally like novellas as it's hard for me to believe that two people can fall in love in less than 50 pages, but in this one, it works.
A sweet but also dark story set in the time of the Great Depression. Don't normally like novellas as it's hard for me to believe that two people can fall in love in less than 50 pages, but in this one, it works.
January 27, 2013
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.
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.
September 8, 2011
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 together, better than good.
The fade to black intimacy was perfect for the story. Anything more might have detracted from the subtlely that makes this romance stand out. If It Ain't Love may deal with harsh subjects, but the bottom line is that this is an amazing, feel good kind of read that almost made me late for work. I couldn't stop reading!
Highly recommended.
The fade to black intimacy was perfect for the story. Anything more might have detracted from the subtlely that makes this romance stand out. If It Ain't Love may deal with harsh subjects, but the bottom line is that this is an amazing, feel good kind of read that almost made me late for work. I couldn't stop reading!
Highly recommended.
December 25, 2018
A quiet, short falling-in-love story set in the Great Depression between a down-and-out New York Times reporter, Whit Stoddard, and a mysterious man named Peter who is about to be evicted from his mansion after financial ruin. It has a light, airy touch that several reviewers on Goodreads have said gives it a fairy tale feel, and I agree. Peter's the prince in the decaying castle, and Whit's the scruffy bard who helps the prince find hope. Both men are sweetly surprised to find a connection with each other that's more than physical.
This seems to be permanently free on Amazon, so if you have a way to read digital books from the Zon and you want to say "awwww" several times, give it a whirl.
This seems to be permanently free on Amazon, so if you have a way to read digital books from the Zon and you want to say "awwww" several times, give it a whirl.
March 9, 2012
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. This was a steamy and passionate read, but not erotica with explicit love scenes.
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. This was a steamy and passionate read, but not erotica with explicit love scenes.
January 18, 2015
don’t like to read Tamara Allen because with ever book I read, that makes one less book I have left TO READ!! Her stories are so wonderful, they immediately draw me in and I care so much about what’s happening to the characters…If It Ain’t Love was no exception!
Set during the time of the Great Depression…this story was quite sad and, well, depressing! But also filled with LOVE and HOPE and a nice happy ending. Yeah, these guys will be alright.
Set during the time of the Great Depression…this story was quite sad and, well, depressing! But also filled with LOVE and HOPE and a nice happy ending. Yeah, these guys will be alright.
September 19, 2011
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.
August 27, 2012
3.5 stars.
A lovely free story set during the Depression. Tamara Allen does a great job developing her characters for such a short story. I love her writing style. Definitely recommended.
A lovely free story set during the Depression. Tamara Allen does a great job developing her characters for such a short story. I love her writing style. Definitely recommended.
October 20, 2013
If It Ain’t Love is one of those rare stories—in every way. Rare that a captivating, lovely cover has equally captivating, lovely writing. Rare that a pure romance is so much more than just a romance. Rare that a short story felt like a complete novel.
I honestly don’t feel like I’m overselling when I say that Tamara Allen crafted a masterpiece. The level of depth, connection, time, scene, and movement was astounding in such a brief work of art. She did in less than forty pages what I strive to do in over three hundred. Both the story and the writing is lovely, a term I’ve already used, but I think it’s rather perfect. There was no gasp of surprise, I knew where the story would go and end up nearly from the first page. At times, I find that a sign of poor craftsmanship. Not so here. Instead, it created a warm, cozy, comfortable blanket sensation. It made the story timeless. Free of gimmick and slight of hand. It was perfect in its purity.
I honestly don’t feel like I’m overselling when I say that Tamara Allen crafted a masterpiece. The level of depth, connection, time, scene, and movement was astounding in such a brief work of art. She did in less than forty pages what I strive to do in over three hundred. Both the story and the writing is lovely, a term I’ve already used, but I think it’s rather perfect. There was no gasp of surprise, I knew where the story would go and end up nearly from the first page. At times, I find that a sign of poor craftsmanship. Not so here. Instead, it created a warm, cozy, comfortable blanket sensation. It made the story timeless. Free of gimmick and slight of hand. It was perfect in its purity.
March 22, 2020
5 Heartrendingly Beautiful Stars
I adore Tamara Allen's stories! This little gem is probably my favorite, and amazingly, you can pick it up for FREE!
This story has long been a comfort re-read for me, but it has some beautiful messages about grief, hope, suffering, kindness, and joy that are extremely relevant for our current day and age.
I strongly urge you to pick up this emotion packed little gem. It will help to restore your faith in humanity, and give you hope for better days ahead.
If you enjoy historical romance, go check out Tamara Allen's stories. Amazingly, Ms. Allen is currently offering most of her stories for FREE, so now is a great time to add these stories to your book treasure hoard.
Go, go, go and download these delightful treats!
Highly recommend!!
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
I adore Tamara Allen's stories! This little gem is probably my favorite, and amazingly, you can pick it up for FREE!
This story has long been a comfort re-read for me, but it has some beautiful messages about grief, hope, suffering, kindness, and joy that are extremely relevant for our current day and age.
I strongly urge you to pick up this emotion packed little gem. It will help to restore your faith in humanity, and give you hope for better days ahead.
If you enjoy historical romance, go check out Tamara Allen's stories. Amazingly, Ms. Allen is currently offering most of her stories for FREE, so now is a great time to add these stories to your book treasure hoard.
Go, go, go and download these delightful treats!
Highly recommend!!
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
February 17, 2022
New York, ~1930. Impoverished reporter Whit Stoddard meets enigmatic Peter in a flophouse. Which I learned is a cheap hotel. I love the word "flophouse" :-) They hook up. *Huh*, that sounds boring. It isn't.
This is a beautifully written novella about two men who fall in love, have hopes, and find it in each other. Low angst, misunderstandings are communicated quickly, and except the first intimate scene sex is skipped over (even the first encounter was very short).
While a lot of scenarios were a bit far fetched, it was such a comforting read that I ignored my inquisitive mind for this one.
Highly recommended!
General writing style: 5 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Annoy factors: almost none, 4 stars
R-rated content: one very short scene that barely registers as R-rated in this genre
Narration: 3rd person Whit's POV, past tense
Main Location: ~1930, New York, New York
Main protagonists: Whit Stoddard, NY Times reporter; Peter
This is a beautifully written novella about two men who fall in love, have hopes, and find it in each other. Low angst, misunderstandings are communicated quickly, and except the first intimate scene sex is skipped over (even the first encounter was very short).
While a lot of scenarios were a bit far fetched, it was such a comforting read that I ignored my inquisitive mind for this one.
Highly recommended!
General writing style: 5 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 4 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Annoy factors: almost none, 4 stars
R-rated content: one very short scene that barely registers as R-rated in this genre
Narration: 3rd person Whit's POV, past tense
Main Location: ~1930, New York, New York
Main protagonists: Whit Stoddard, NY Times reporter; Peter
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