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August Ice
It takes a special kind of person to work in Antarctica. Max Conway, an ex-Navy Seal, loves working at the bottom of the world. Like any other diver, he's tough and hard drinking. Half the year he's stuck in the States traveling the commercial dive circuit and hitting gay bars every night. The other six months he's lead safety diver at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, reveling in the cold blue Antarctic Sea. The only drawback to life way down under is that Max feels like he has to tuck his libido into storage while he's on station, stashing all those free condoms for use back up north.
That is until Andre Dubois, a gorgeous French scientist, shakes up his world. Not only is Andre out and proud, he's sober as the day is long. And the days are long during an Antarctic summer. Max must choose between his comfortable inebriated closet and a life in the sun with Andre.
That is until Andre Dubois, a gorgeous French scientist, shakes up his world. Not only is Andre out and proud, he's sober as the day is long. And the days are long during an Antarctic summer. Max must choose between his comfortable inebriated closet and a life in the sun with Andre.
128 pages, ebook
First published July 17, 2012
29 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Dev Bentham
25 books127 followersDev Bentham believes in the transformative power of true love. She’s the author of many gay romances, including Moving in Rhythm, August Ice and the Tarnished Souls Jewish Holiday series.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
March 22, 2016
Set in a research station in Antarctica, August Ice is as much about addiction, fear, and friendship as it is about love.
This was my first read by this author, and I was impressed by the visceral quality of the writing. Bentham paints a vivid picture of a man in the throes of alcoholism, and of a stark, icy land where the lost come to hide.
Max, an ex-SEAL and a professional deep sea diver, is trapped in the closet, drowning his pain in booze. Max's cravings, his anger and denial, are central to the story.
Andre can't watch Max self-destruct. Max is a bad idea, but the quietly self-contained French research scientist, with his own history of addiction and recovery, is drawn to Max's hard-edged ways.
When Max breaks the trust of his best friend Annie, he hits rock bottom, and Andre is there to break the fall.
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I found the descriptions of diving fascinating and beautiful.
Even though the romance is subdued, it's a living thing, just waiting to crawl out of the shadows. When Max and Andre come together, their passion is palpable.
For all the darkness, the ending is quite hopeful, a bright light on the horizon.
This was my first read by this author, and I was impressed by the visceral quality of the writing. Bentham paints a vivid picture of a man in the throes of alcoholism, and of a stark, icy land where the lost come to hide.
Max, an ex-SEAL and a professional deep sea diver, is trapped in the closet, drowning his pain in booze. Max's cravings, his anger and denial, are central to the story.
Andre can't watch Max self-destruct. Max is a bad idea, but the quietly self-contained French research scientist, with his own history of addiction and recovery, is drawn to Max's hard-edged ways.
When Max breaks the trust of his best friend Annie, he hits rock bottom, and Andre is there to break the fall.
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I found the descriptions of diving fascinating and beautiful.
Even though the romance is subdued, it's a living thing, just waiting to crawl out of the shadows. When Max and Andre come together, their passion is palpable.
For all the darkness, the ending is quite hopeful, a bright light on the horizon.
March 23, 2016
I really appreciated the unique Antarctic setting of this story. The writing is vivid, and I could see and feel why ex-SEAL diver Max is willing to do odd jobs half the year, in order to spend the other half in the clean, white-and-blue world of the research station in Antarctica. The details felt real without being intrusive, and the setting isn't just decor, but is essential to the story.
I also loved Max, a man whose past mistakes, and some injustices, have pushed him halfway into the bottle. He's an unadmitted alcoholic, rationing his drinks carefully to avoid symptoms while pretending it simply keeps the "heebie-jeebies" away. He's also deeply in the closet due both to his past in the Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell Navy, and to the prejudices of the other divers he currently works with. Max lies to everyone, including himself. The closest he comes to truth is with his best friend, roommate and beard, Annie. And even with her, he pretends he just "likes" the booze, when in fact he needs it.
Enter Andre, a research scientist making his first trip to the bottom of the world. He and Max meet unknowingly in a gay bar before the trip, where Max proceeds to let Andre see both his gayness and his black-out drinking. When he realizes the next day that Andre is in fact a member of this season's team, both of his long-kept secrets are in jeopardy. Add to that his simmering attraction to the man he kissed and forgot about next morning, and Max's balancing act of almost-sobriety in Antarctica begins to fall apart.
I enjoyed the progression of the book a lot, the secrets and stresses, the interactions of the two guys. I really liked that Max took the hard route to changes. The book was on track to be 5 stars for me.
As Max begins to hit bottom, tension builds. Will he figure out what he needs to do? If not, how badly will he screw up his life? His relationship with Andre also develops a new dynamic. And then... we get a big time skip. It kind of works, to move on to the story resolution. But because I'm a sucker for the hurt-comfort parts and the difficult and angry and painful parts of a story, I wished I had seen just a bit more of what is only shown in retrospect.
So a book I enjoyed, that felt fresh in both setting and character, but that missed out just a bit on the tough part where some more complicated relationship building might have happened on the page. Definitely an author I will read again.
I also loved Max, a man whose past mistakes, and some injustices, have pushed him halfway into the bottle. He's an unadmitted alcoholic, rationing his drinks carefully to avoid symptoms while pretending it simply keeps the "heebie-jeebies" away. He's also deeply in the closet due both to his past in the Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell Navy, and to the prejudices of the other divers he currently works with. Max lies to everyone, including himself. The closest he comes to truth is with his best friend, roommate and beard, Annie. And even with her, he pretends he just "likes" the booze, when in fact he needs it.
Enter Andre, a research scientist making his first trip to the bottom of the world. He and Max meet unknowingly in a gay bar before the trip, where Max proceeds to let Andre see both his gayness and his black-out drinking. When he realizes the next day that Andre is in fact a member of this season's team, both of his long-kept secrets are in jeopardy. Add to that his simmering attraction to the man he kissed and forgot about next morning, and Max's balancing act of almost-sobriety in Antarctica begins to fall apart.
I enjoyed the progression of the book a lot, the secrets and stresses, the interactions of the two guys. I really liked that Max took the hard route to changes. The book was on track to be 5 stars for me.
As Max begins to hit bottom, tension builds. Will he figure out what he needs to do? If not, how badly will he screw up his life? His relationship with Andre also develops a new dynamic. And then... we get a big time skip. It kind of works, to move on to the story resolution. But because I'm a sucker for the hurt-comfort parts and the difficult and angry and painful parts of a story, I wished I had seen just a bit more of what is only shown in retrospect.
So a book I enjoyed, that felt fresh in both setting and character, but that missed out just a bit on the tough part where some more complicated relationship building might have happened on the page. Definitely an author I will read again.
July 18, 2012
After reading 1000+ stories in M/M romance genre (most of them contemporary), I always long for something that feels fresh. No need to be too out there (I don't do sci-fi or tentacle sex, that's for sure); sometimes a change of setting or having older gay guys is enough (can 40 be the new 20? :p).
This story offers that in particularly the setting. It takes place at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, where the winter-overs and the WinFly stay their duration for months (you will get to know what those slangs mean in the story *smile*). I wholeheartedly enjoy reading about the day-to-day life at McMurdo. From the Happy Camper - the two-day survival training required of everyone at McMurdo -- to the diving through six-foot-long tunnel of ice. Sometimes it does feel a bit too technical, but it is also fascinating -- like watching one of those documentaries about dive team and scientist in National Geographic or Discovery Channel. I imagine the deep-blue water, I imagine the penguins or the anemones. It's wonderful.
And the story also have a great characterization. Max Conway, the ex-Navy SEAL who is part of the dive team, spends his time at McMurdo Station keeping his sexuality a secret. Divers are not openly welcome to homosexuality. He is the main narrator in this. His love interest is a gorgeous French scientist, Andre Dubois.
In their first meeting, Max out drunk and passed after one kiss, and he couldn't remember anything. In fact, Max does have problem with alcohol. So, here, Max must struggle to deal with his attraction and to fight his alcohol addiction if he wants to grab that chance of happiness with Andre ...
So all those combination of setting and subject and characters results in one of the refreshing experiences I read in an M/M romance this year. I love it!
This story offers that in particularly the setting. It takes place at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, where the winter-overs and the WinFly stay their duration for months (you will get to know what those slangs mean in the story *smile*). I wholeheartedly enjoy reading about the day-to-day life at McMurdo. From the Happy Camper - the two-day survival training required of everyone at McMurdo -- to the diving through six-foot-long tunnel of ice. Sometimes it does feel a bit too technical, but it is also fascinating -- like watching one of those documentaries about dive team and scientist in National Geographic or Discovery Channel. I imagine the deep-blue water, I imagine the penguins or the anemones. It's wonderful.
And the story also have a great characterization. Max Conway, the ex-Navy SEAL who is part of the dive team, spends his time at McMurdo Station keeping his sexuality a secret. Divers are not openly welcome to homosexuality. He is the main narrator in this. His love interest is a gorgeous French scientist, Andre Dubois.
In their first meeting, Max out drunk and passed after one kiss, and he couldn't remember anything. In fact, Max does have problem with alcohol. So, here, Max must struggle to deal with his attraction and to fight his alcohol addiction if he wants to grab that chance of happiness with Andre ...
So all those combination of setting and subject and characters results in one of the refreshing experiences I read in an M/M romance this year. I love it!
March 27, 2016
This is the story of Max, a highly qualified professional diver and fascinated by the depths of the Antarctic sea, and Andre, a scientist. They meet while on their way for a six-months stay in Antartica and the attraction is undeniable. However, Max is deeply in the closet and refuses to admit he’s an alcoholic, so much so that he’s on the verge of losing his job, his friend and the man for whom he’s ready to break his rule of no involvement while in Antarctica.
I wasn’t expecting to get so immersed in this book.
First, there is the unusual setting of Antarctica. For those interested, check first about the documentary “Encounters at the end of the world” : not only it is really interesting, it also helps getting even more into the story.
Then, I really rooted for the MCs : Max’s willingness to finally come out for Andre and awareness of his addiction and Andre’s patient support for Max.
Would have I liked for the author to dug deeper into the dynamic of Max and Andre’s relationship and Max’s fight for sobriety ? Yes, definitely. This book could have been much longer in my opinion when it comes to these aspects. However, the fascinating depiction of the setting and the life on the McMurdo station and finally the strong chemistry between Max and Andre were absolutely riveting. I couldn’t put this book down : I simply loved it.
I wasn’t expecting to get so immersed in this book.
First, there is the unusual setting of Antarctica. For those interested, check first about the documentary “Encounters at the end of the world” : not only it is really interesting, it also helps getting even more into the story.
Then, I really rooted for the MCs : Max’s willingness to finally come out for Andre and awareness of his addiction and Andre’s patient support for Max.
Would have I liked for the author to dug deeper into the dynamic of Max and Andre’s relationship and Max’s fight for sobriety ? Yes, definitely. This book could have been much longer in my opinion when it comes to these aspects. However, the fascinating depiction of the setting and the life on the McMurdo station and finally the strong chemistry between Max and Andre were absolutely riveting. I couldn’t put this book down : I simply loved it.
July 18, 2012
I'm wavering on this review. I have to say it's closer to 3.5 but I can't give a 4. It's such a beautifully written book with compelling characters but boy did it depress me.
I really enjoyed the slice of life down in Antarctica and at McMurdo Station, this was such an original location for a story, one I'd love to see more of in future books. The descriptions of life there in relative isolation were so interesting and one of the reasons why this is pushing closer to a 3.5
I'm glad there was no quick fix for the characters here, most especially,
I'm not adverse to reading darker more dramatic stories but I lean more towards those with a thread of hope running through them.
I just think for all the darkness the characterization of both Max and Andre is a bit thin, this for me has a lot to do with the length of the story which was surprisingly short. I think with a longer story I could have come away with a deeper understanding of the character's motivations, especially Andre, who has a backstory that I think suffers from the length of the work.
Still this is a really intense, concentrated story that is wonderfully written but in the end, too dark for me. I enjoyed it and can recommend it but it's not something I'll ever go back to again.
I really enjoyed the slice of life down in Antarctica and at McMurdo Station, this was such an original location for a story, one I'd love to see more of in future books. The descriptions of life there in relative isolation were so interesting and one of the reasons why this is pushing closer to a 3.5
I'm glad there was no quick fix for the characters here, most especially,
I'm not adverse to reading darker more dramatic stories but I lean more towards those with a thread of hope running through them.
I just think for all the darkness the characterization of both Max and Andre is a bit thin, this for me has a lot to do with the length of the story which was surprisingly short. I think with a longer story I could have come away with a deeper understanding of the character's motivations, especially Andre, who has a backstory that I think suffers from the length of the work.
Still this is a really intense, concentrated story that is wonderfully written but in the end, too dark for me. I enjoyed it and can recommend it but it's not something I'll ever go back to again.
March 20, 2016
*** 3.75 Stars ***
I wish there'd been a bit more romance and a little less time spent on diving and addiction, but it was a well-written story with compelling characters set in a unique environment and the feels were still there.
I wish there'd been a bit more romance and a little less time spent on diving and addiction, but it was a well-written story with compelling characters set in a unique environment and the feels were still there.
March 18, 2016
3.75 stars
I asked for something not the norm and boy did I get it (in a good way)!
Review coming soon.
I asked for something not the norm and boy did I get it (in a good way)!
Review coming soon.
February 26, 2017
Read this way back when, not sure why no review showing.
Recall it as being highly judgemental, Andre immediately taking the high road based on a lot of assumptions. Seeing someone drunk does not always mean they're an alcoholic. Though Max was hitting the downward spiral hard.
Didn't connect, didn't like the characters or situations, and my impression of it after time is still annoyance.
Recall it as being highly judgemental, Andre immediately taking the high road based on a lot of assumptions. Seeing someone drunk does not always mean they're an alcoholic. Though Max was hitting the downward spiral hard.
Didn't connect, didn't like the characters or situations, and my impression of it after time is still annoyance.
August 17, 2016
3,75 stars
This was a totally unexpected pleasure. Unexpected because I have never heard of this author before and I would have never read it if it hadn't been recommended to me - Thank you Christelle :) !
I really liked this because ...
* the setting was fascinating. Antarctica and the way people work and live there was totally different to anything I've come across.
* the intensity of the story. I didn't quite expect how angsty and serious this would turn out - but I loved that!
* Max is such a troubled character I couldn't help rooting for him. It was heart wrenching to watch his downward spiral, and it hurt to see him making such horrible mistakes and letting himself and his friend down. But at least he is still able to recognise a good thing when it comes his way - Andre.
* Andre is such a put together guy: he is clever and smart and has made a life for himself despite his bad choices in his youth. and that is why he gets Max - because he has been in a very similar place before. So he gives Max time and patience to figure out for himself that he needs help, and thank God he does eventually.
* together the guys are hot and urgent. There is a lot of physical chemistry between them.
What I wasn't sure about...
~ why does Andre fall for Max? It seems to be based on outer appearance mainly because apart from that Max doesn't seem to have too many redeeming qualities to the outside world. I really would have liked to understand Andre better by getting his POV.
~ I would have also liked to be part of Max's journey of getting better and be there when his relationship with Andre unfolded. The jump between the main part and the last chapter was too big.
~ on a personal note - Being slightly claustrophobic myself, reading about swimming under ice with just one little hole to get out gave me the creeps. Not that it deterred me from enjoying the book, but I guess I'm with Henrick on this one!
All in all a very enjoyable novella I would happily recommend further.
This was a totally unexpected pleasure. Unexpected because I have never heard of this author before and I would have never read it if it hadn't been recommended to me - Thank you Christelle :) !
I really liked this because ...
* the setting was fascinating. Antarctica and the way people work and live there was totally different to anything I've come across.
* the intensity of the story. I didn't quite expect how angsty and serious this would turn out - but I loved that!
* Max is such a troubled character I couldn't help rooting for him. It was heart wrenching to watch his downward spiral, and it hurt to see him making such horrible mistakes and letting himself and his friend down. But at least he is still able to recognise a good thing when it comes his way - Andre.
* Andre is such a put together guy: he is clever and smart and has made a life for himself despite his bad choices in his youth. and that is why he gets Max - because he has been in a very similar place before. So he gives Max time and patience to figure out for himself that he needs help, and thank God he does eventually.
* together the guys are hot and urgent. There is a lot of physical chemistry between them.
What I wasn't sure about...
~ why does Andre fall for Max? It seems to be based on outer appearance mainly because apart from that Max doesn't seem to have too many redeeming qualities to the outside world. I really would have liked to understand Andre better by getting his POV.
~ I would have also liked to be part of Max's journey of getting better and be there when his relationship with Andre unfolded. The jump between the main part and the last chapter was too big.
~ on a personal note - Being slightly claustrophobic myself, reading about swimming under ice with just one little hole to get out gave me the creeps. Not that it deterred me from enjoying the book, but I guess I'm with Henrick on this one!
All in all a very enjoyable novella I would happily recommend further.
September 9, 2012
4.5. Great location in Antarctica, multi-layered characters; the take on addiction realistic and heartbreaking. A little too mushy ending.
August 12, 2012
Why I read it: The author offered me a review copy.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) It takes a special kind of person to work in Antarctica. Max Conway, an ex-Navy Seal, loves working at the bottom of the world. Like any other diver, he's tough and hard drinking. Half the year he's stuck in the States traveling the commercial dive circuit and hitting gay bars every night. The other six months he's lead safety diver at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, reveling in the cold blue Antarctic Sea. The only drawback to life way down under is that Max feels like he has to tuck his libido into storage while he's on station, stashing all those free condoms for use back up north.
That is until Andre Dubois, a gorgeous French scientist, shakes up his world. Not only is Andre out and proud, he's sober as the day is long. And the days are long during an Antarctic summer. Max must choose between his comfortable inebriated closet and a life in the sun with Andre.
What worked for me (and what didn't): I enjoy this author's voice and loved the idea of the setting. I also love broken/tortured heroes so I was pretty happy to dive in to this book (pardon the pun). The descriptions of Antarctica and life at McMurdo Station were interesting and felt authentic. I'd love to visit Antarctica (well, except for the cold) - I guess reading about it will have to do for now.
The story is told from Max's deep third person POV so unfortunately we get very little of Andre. What he doesn't reveal in conversation remains unknown. The book is about 110 pages and I felt it was a little short for the story packed into it.
The author does a great job of showing the reader how screwed up Max is - Andre describes him as a "beautiful wreck", that it was difficult to see Andre's attraction and willingness to put him with him and stick with him throughout. Max is an alcoholic and in deep denial about it and he's also a closet case, so the latter certainly feeds into the former. A former Navy SEAL, he was active when "don't ask, don't tell" was in force and he believes he will get no acceptance from other divers if he comes out. The book in fact reinforces that belief somewhat, because when he does come out, his fellow Antarctic divers (with the exception of his boss) remain the homophobic bigots he knew them to be.
There is Max's alcoholism to be dealt with - and it takes a lot of the book for him to realise it's a problem and then a lot more for him to be willing to do something about it. The resolution is a few paragraphs which felt unbalanced and made me question its reality - I was so convinced by Max's early behaviour it was difficult to imagine it changing and I didn't see enough of that change in the book to completely buy it.
Then there was Max's coming out. Given how much of a problem this had been for Max and for how long, it seemed a little too easy for him to suddenly be willing to share a tent with Andre on the ice with everyone knowing they were lovers. There was no resolution to his coming out story really - the book ended with him in the midst of it at work and again, I wondered whether the flack from this would fracture his relationship with Andre and drive him back to the bottle.
I didn't have a lot of confidence in his relationship with Andre because I didn't see much of them being strong and healthy together and, like I said, I saw so little of Andre because we only had Max's POV.
All this sounds like I didn't like the book. But I did. The beauty of Antarctica, the wonder and freedom Max experiences when he dives under the ice, the sympatico he feels when diving with Andre - they were all wonderful. The writing was spare and lovely and I definitely got the spark between the couple. There were some steamy sex scenes which left me in no doubt of their physical connection. It was just that there wasn't quite enough of the good stuff to balance out the set-up and that left it being somewhat of an uneven reading experience. I would have loved another 50 pages from Andre's POV.
Grade: B-
www.kaetrinsmusing.blogspot.com
What it's about: (from Goodreads) It takes a special kind of person to work in Antarctica. Max Conway, an ex-Navy Seal, loves working at the bottom of the world. Like any other diver, he's tough and hard drinking. Half the year he's stuck in the States traveling the commercial dive circuit and hitting gay bars every night. The other six months he's lead safety diver at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, reveling in the cold blue Antarctic Sea. The only drawback to life way down under is that Max feels like he has to tuck his libido into storage while he's on station, stashing all those free condoms for use back up north.
That is until Andre Dubois, a gorgeous French scientist, shakes up his world. Not only is Andre out and proud, he's sober as the day is long. And the days are long during an Antarctic summer. Max must choose between his comfortable inebriated closet and a life in the sun with Andre.
What worked for me (and what didn't): I enjoy this author's voice and loved the idea of the setting. I also love broken/tortured heroes so I was pretty happy to dive in to this book (pardon the pun). The descriptions of Antarctica and life at McMurdo Station were interesting and felt authentic. I'd love to visit Antarctica (well, except for the cold) - I guess reading about it will have to do for now.
The story is told from Max's deep third person POV so unfortunately we get very little of Andre. What he doesn't reveal in conversation remains unknown. The book is about 110 pages and I felt it was a little short for the story packed into it.
The author does a great job of showing the reader how screwed up Max is - Andre describes him as a "beautiful wreck", that it was difficult to see Andre's attraction and willingness to put him with him and stick with him throughout. Max is an alcoholic and in deep denial about it and he's also a closet case, so the latter certainly feeds into the former. A former Navy SEAL, he was active when "don't ask, don't tell" was in force and he believes he will get no acceptance from other divers if he comes out. The book in fact reinforces that belief somewhat, because when he does come out, his fellow Antarctic divers (with the exception of his boss) remain the homophobic bigots he knew them to be.
There is Max's alcoholism to be dealt with - and it takes a lot of the book for him to realise it's a problem and then a lot more for him to be willing to do something about it. The resolution is a few paragraphs which felt unbalanced and made me question its reality - I was so convinced by Max's early behaviour it was difficult to imagine it changing and I didn't see enough of that change in the book to completely buy it.
Then there was Max's coming out. Given how much of a problem this had been for Max and for how long, it seemed a little too easy for him to suddenly be willing to share a tent with Andre on the ice with everyone knowing they were lovers. There was no resolution to his coming out story really - the book ended with him in the midst of it at work and again, I wondered whether the flack from this would fracture his relationship with Andre and drive him back to the bottle.
I didn't have a lot of confidence in his relationship with Andre because I didn't see much of them being strong and healthy together and, like I said, I saw so little of Andre because we only had Max's POV.
All this sounds like I didn't like the book. But I did. The beauty of Antarctica, the wonder and freedom Max experiences when he dives under the ice, the sympatico he feels when diving with Andre - they were all wonderful. The writing was spare and lovely and I definitely got the spark between the couple. There were some steamy sex scenes which left me in no doubt of their physical connection. It was just that there wasn't quite enough of the good stuff to balance out the set-up and that left it being somewhat of an uneven reading experience. I would have loved another 50 pages from Andre's POV.
Grade: B-
www.kaetrinsmusing.blogspot.com
July 19, 2012
What I liked most: the setting! Antarctica has always fascinated me, so it was a pleasure to read a romance set there. The author has obviously done a lot of research, and the level of detail in the story is just right. I also liked Max and Andre. They're strong but flawed, both in different stages of struggling with their own demons. Why I didn't give it 5 stars: For all we know about Max, I felt that Andre was still something of an enigma. Max and Andre don't spend a lot of time together in the first part of the book, until Max hits rock bottom, and then most of the getting-to-know-you-and-falling-in-love stuff seems to have happened off-screen. Still, I am a big fan of Dev Bentham's writing, and I do recommend this without reservations.
October 17, 2014
I read the revamped version, so have no idea what the first one was like.
I gather as Dev's writing has developed and with some good suggestions from a new editor, she has fleshed the relationship and plot out.
The setting, the plot, the characters are great. If you're hesitant to tackle this book because of shortcomings pointed out by other readers, don't. Chances are those are the things that were addressed in the rewrite.
And for those who aren't interested in the detail of the setting, that's like saying the Lord of the Rings movie was okay, Orlando and Viggo were hotties, but they could have spent less time on the scenery and world building.
The setting and professions and the research that goes into both is what makes Dev Bentham's books five stars for me.
I gather as Dev's writing has developed and with some good suggestions from a new editor, she has fleshed the relationship and plot out.
The setting, the plot, the characters are great. If you're hesitant to tackle this book because of shortcomings pointed out by other readers, don't. Chances are those are the things that were addressed in the rewrite.
And for those who aren't interested in the detail of the setting, that's like saying the Lord of the Rings movie was okay, Orlando and Viggo were hotties, but they could have spent less time on the scenery and world building.
The setting and professions and the research that goes into both is what makes Dev Bentham's books five stars for me.
December 31, 2012
4.5 stars
Loved this. The UST between Andre Dubois and Max Conway is sweet especially as things don’t go terribly well at their first meeting. I fell slowly in love with Andre. The tough compassion and understanding he eventually shows to a broken Max is enlightened and courageous. This may not be clear early on in the story but give it time...
Loved the setting: the depiction of life and sea diving on an ice station in the Antarctic is well done. Loved the characters -- all of them and especially Annie, Max’s best friend. It is refreshing to see a well drawn, female character in m/m romance. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work.
Loved this. The UST between Andre Dubois and Max Conway is sweet especially as things don’t go terribly well at their first meeting. I fell slowly in love with Andre. The tough compassion and understanding he eventually shows to a broken Max is enlightened and courageous. This may not be clear early on in the story but give it time...
Loved the setting: the depiction of life and sea diving on an ice station in the Antarctic is well done. Loved the characters -- all of them and especially Annie, Max’s best friend. It is refreshing to see a well drawn, female character in m/m romance. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work.
July 24, 2012
Max is an ex-Navy SEAL (man, I love those ex-seals) who now spends his time at McMurdo station in Antarctica as a diver. His job is to prepare the stations for the main season when the scientists come down to research the climate and other scientific things. He lives for diving and for the cold, cold land. He likes to keep to himself, which is something hard to do when on assignment down there. They stay in dorm type rooms, and they see the same people every single day. The food kind of sucks, yet it is home to Max.
Max had some bad experiences while in the military and now turns to alcohol pretty much every day to ease his mind. It is many, many drinks of alcohol which lands him in a hotel room of a complete stranger while getting ready to fly back to Antarctica for another few months work. This stranger is Andre Dubois, a French scientist who just so happens to also be going to Antarctica. Max has no recollection of the previous night as Andre gives him the very cold shoulder in the morning. Apparently Max started the make-out process and then promptly fell asleep. Max and Andre part on bad terms, only to meet again on the plane heading south. These two will get paired up again when Max has to get Andre’s dive station ready.
I’m eager to try more of Dev Bentham’s work. I loved and adored Moving in Rhythm which I reviewed earlier this year. Then I tried Learning From Isaac but got bored and set it aside. But I like this one. She has a really nice writing style. Max and Andre really hate each other at the beginning and even the middle of the book. It takes a long time for a romance to develop in this one. Maybe a little too long. It all comes down to the fact that Andre is hesitant to forgive Max about his one night in that hotel room. Andre kind of looks at Max with disgust because Max drinks so much. Max really can’t help it though. He is definitely an alcoholic and has gotten really good at hiding it while working. Obviously a drunk diver, who is diving into extreme freezing conditions, needs to have all his wits about him. But somehow Max survives, year after year. But his actions eventually catch up to him, and he does have consequences to answer to.
This is all told in Max’s point of view, and we really don’t get to know Andre all that well. We are told of his back story but I still think we missed out on a lot of his personality. And as I mentioned, the romance takes a long time to build. Which is fine, but at the same time, I think I needed more page time of them together. The romance felt rushed at the end.
I think the strength of this book lies in the setting. I really felt like I could picture the cold, dark tundra of Antarctica and the way the author describes the dives is well done. The romance lacked a bit for me, but I still like this author’s voice.
Rating: B-
Max had some bad experiences while in the military and now turns to alcohol pretty much every day to ease his mind. It is many, many drinks of alcohol which lands him in a hotel room of a complete stranger while getting ready to fly back to Antarctica for another few months work. This stranger is Andre Dubois, a French scientist who just so happens to also be going to Antarctica. Max has no recollection of the previous night as Andre gives him the very cold shoulder in the morning. Apparently Max started the make-out process and then promptly fell asleep. Max and Andre part on bad terms, only to meet again on the plane heading south. These two will get paired up again when Max has to get Andre’s dive station ready.
I’m eager to try more of Dev Bentham’s work. I loved and adored Moving in Rhythm which I reviewed earlier this year. Then I tried Learning From Isaac but got bored and set it aside. But I like this one. She has a really nice writing style. Max and Andre really hate each other at the beginning and even the middle of the book. It takes a long time for a romance to develop in this one. Maybe a little too long. It all comes down to the fact that Andre is hesitant to forgive Max about his one night in that hotel room. Andre kind of looks at Max with disgust because Max drinks so much. Max really can’t help it though. He is definitely an alcoholic and has gotten really good at hiding it while working. Obviously a drunk diver, who is diving into extreme freezing conditions, needs to have all his wits about him. But somehow Max survives, year after year. But his actions eventually catch up to him, and he does have consequences to answer to.
This is all told in Max’s point of view, and we really don’t get to know Andre all that well. We are told of his back story but I still think we missed out on a lot of his personality. And as I mentioned, the romance takes a long time to build. Which is fine, but at the same time, I think I needed more page time of them together. The romance felt rushed at the end.
I think the strength of this book lies in the setting. I really felt like I could picture the cold, dark tundra of Antarctica and the way the author describes the dives is well done. The romance lacked a bit for me, but I still like this author’s voice.
Rating: B-
June 7, 2017
I loved this book, Max, Andre and the other characters are well-developed and realistic and I loved the setting in Antarctica. The only thing about the story that I thought was a bit rough was the leap from Max starting his recovery in Antarctica to him being finished in N. California. It seemed to me too abrupt since so much serious growth for himself as well as in his relationship to Andre was just assumed without us seeing a minute of it. Other than this one point the book was a incredible read!
March 18, 2013
I liked the story. I just wished there was more written about the two MC's relationship and less about the diving.
August 24, 2012
Great location! And interesting situations. Good book. Was surprised that the main theme was alcoholism, but it was handled well.
September 24, 2023
Reread 2023
Still excellent and atmospheric. How can you not fall in love with Antartica? I should check more books from this author..
Still excellent and atmospheric. How can you not fall in love with Antartica? I should check more books from this author..
August 3, 2016
Better than I expected. It was different & interesting.
December 19, 2023
So I had a hard time rating this book. First of all, strong trigger warning for addiction. I thought this
would be a romance with an mc that had some issues with alcohol. Actually we watch him spiraling to rock bottom as an alcoholic. It was hard for me to read. But the writing is very good and I was drawn in. Then comes the romance. The romance didn’t work for me. Max is not exactly relationship material when they get together, and Andre basically takes him in and saves him, and then we see they are together and he’s putting his life back together. Good that he was hot I guess, or else maybe he wouldn’t have been saved? It felt odd to me, we don’t really get enough of why they would build a relationship. So while it was well written, I am not sure that I would look for more by this author. It definitely left me shaken up and made it hard for me to sleep.
would be a romance with an mc that had some issues with alcohol. Actually we watch him spiraling to rock bottom as an alcoholic. It was hard for me to read. But the writing is very good and I was drawn in. Then comes the romance. The romance didn’t work for me. Max is not exactly relationship material when they get together, and Andre basically takes him in and saves him, and then we see they are together and he’s putting his life back together. Good that he was hot I guess, or else maybe he wouldn’t have been saved? It felt odd to me, we don’t really get enough of why they would build a relationship. So while it was well written, I am not sure that I would look for more by this author. It definitely left me shaken up and made it hard for me to sleep.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2021
3.5 stars
September 21, 2012
Well, I'm torn!
I really really liked the final couple dozens pages and I rather liked the whole final third of the book. But the beginning not so much. The whole Antarctica setting was great and I loved Max - to me he's very sympathetic character, despite his flaws, but Andre at first came across as judgemental prick. I couldn't understand why he's been so mad at Max - so, you picked up a drunk guy at the bar and he passed out, well it happens to drunk people all the time and it's not that Max's been violent or abusive, so what's all that fuss was about? And when Max suggested to make it up to Andre at the morning, Andre's been so disgusted and again I couldn't understand him. When on McMurdo Andre sill has that stick up his ass and acted like Max was his mortal enemy or something. Later on he suddenly changed and started being attentive and supportive and when we learn he's been an addict himself it's clear why he reacted that way when they first met, but that explanation came way later, than it was necessary, imo.
Also I'd like the story to be more focused if not on romance, but at least on Max's drinking problems, since for the good first part of the story it's not been clear there was a problem. He's been drinking, sure, but it didn't seem to affect his work and his relationships with Annie or his co-workers. Oh and the whole Annie/LSD debacle really was her own fault, not his. I mean as someone else pointed out you're getting high in the room with a known drunk, what do you expect?
But the final part, when Andre stepped up and together they pulled Max through - that part I wish was longer, because I loved it and because of it I cannot get these characters and the story out of my head :) It was really good and I'd like to read a sequel about their life together :)
I really really liked the final couple dozens pages and I rather liked the whole final third of the book. But the beginning not so much. The whole Antarctica setting was great and I loved Max - to me he's very sympathetic character, despite his flaws, but Andre at first came across as judgemental prick. I couldn't understand why he's been so mad at Max - so, you picked up a drunk guy at the bar and he passed out, well it happens to drunk people all the time and it's not that Max's been violent or abusive, so what's all that fuss was about? And when Max suggested to make it up to Andre at the morning, Andre's been so disgusted and again I couldn't understand him. When on McMurdo Andre sill has that stick up his ass and acted like Max was his mortal enemy or something. Later on he suddenly changed and started being attentive and supportive and when we learn he's been an addict himself it's clear why he reacted that way when they first met, but that explanation came way later, than it was necessary, imo.
Also I'd like the story to be more focused if not on romance, but at least on Max's drinking problems, since for the good first part of the story it's not been clear there was a problem. He's been drinking, sure, but it didn't seem to affect his work and his relationships with Annie or his co-workers. Oh and the whole Annie/LSD debacle really was her own fault, not his. I mean as someone else pointed out you're getting high in the room with a known drunk, what do you expect?
But the final part, when Andre stepped up and together they pulled Max through - that part I wish was longer, because I loved it and because of it I cannot get these characters and the story out of my head :) It was really good and I'd like to read a sequel about their life together :)
March 26, 2016
It was a pretty decent read, I liked the setup in the cold, cold Antarctic. I liked how our heroes were not your usual hero types in regards to their professions. However I felt that Bentham put a bit too little emphasis on a couple of things for me to rate it higher.
First of all, I was a bit reluctant to read about a drunk because both my grandfathers were drunks in their time and I don't actually have a very good opinion about people who literally waste away their life in a bottle. Although I like the fact that Max was finally ready to beat his addiction, I felt that we got to see a bit too little about his battle. One moment he's addicted and can't stop thinking about alcohol, the next he's ready to beat it and all of a sudden we're shown a moment six months later and he's all right. Where's the fight??
I quite liked Max's love interest Andre BUT I felt that I didn't really get to know him. There wasn't really much in regards to the way they got to know each other. At least I didn't see it. I guess I expected more of a romance than this subdued version? However, if you know that there's actually quite little said romance, then I don't think you will be as disappointed as I was.
You can find this review and more on The Book Challengers
First of all, I was a bit reluctant to read about a drunk because both my grandfathers were drunks in their time and I don't actually have a very good opinion about people who literally waste away their life in a bottle. Although I like the fact that Max was finally ready to beat his addiction, I felt that we got to see a bit too little about his battle. One moment he's addicted and can't stop thinking about alcohol, the next he's ready to beat it and all of a sudden we're shown a moment six months later and he's all right. Where's the fight??
I quite liked Max's love interest Andre BUT I felt that I didn't really get to know him. There wasn't really much in regards to the way they got to know each other. At least I didn't see it. I guess I expected more of a romance than this subdued version? However, if you know that there's actually quite little said romance, then I don't think you will be as disappointed as I was.
You can find this review and more on The Book Challengers
May 20, 2013
Another milestone, another Dev Bentham's book. My 900th book was Moving in Rhythm, therefore I postponed reading August Ice in order for it to be my #1000.
Although heavy on the subject of diving and living and working in Antarctica, August Ice kept my interest throughout. I can only imagine the amount of research that went into writing this book, and I applaud the author's ability to incorporate it into the story.
As far as characters go, Ms. Bentham didn't disappoint. All of the characters, including secondary ones, were portrayed realistic and relatable. The author doesn't shy away from showing their highs and lows, and that's something I have found I can always count on when reading her books.
I loved this book and I recommend it highly!
Although heavy on the subject of diving and living and working in Antarctica, August Ice kept my interest throughout. I can only imagine the amount of research that went into writing this book, and I applaud the author's ability to incorporate it into the story.
As far as characters go, Ms. Bentham didn't disappoint. All of the characters, including secondary ones, were portrayed realistic and relatable. The author doesn't shy away from showing their highs and lows, and that's something I have found I can always count on when reading her books.
I loved this book and I recommend it highly!
March 23, 2016
The story of an alcoholic hitting rock-bottom, realizing he needs help, and then asking for it. Also there is some gay smut.
Actually, I don't mean to be harsh, because the book seemed to be well-researched with respects to the job of diving and the location of Antarctica, and I really respect research in a book. It's just that it wasn't...wasn't really a romance story because the interactions between the two men were...I want to say superficial, but "brief" or "shallow" might be better words. It just wasn't a carefully constructed intricate romance, just some guys who see each other sometimes, and one wants to help the other, plus sexual attraction. And it wasn't an erotica story, either, because there wasn't quite enough sex to qualify as that (...three scenes? four?), and it wasn't a story about working in Antarctica, because that was just the setting (they didn't go frequently into detail about it, so it was just a really nicely done backdrop).
So if it's not about the relationship, and it's not about the sex, and it's not about the job, then what's left? The one guy having a drinking problem, realizing it is a problem, and asking for help. Also, there is some gay smut.
Actually, I don't mean to be harsh, because the book seemed to be well-researched with respects to the job of diving and the location of Antarctica, and I really respect research in a book. It's just that it wasn't...wasn't really a romance story because the interactions between the two men were...I want to say superficial, but "brief" or "shallow" might be better words. It just wasn't a carefully constructed intricate romance, just some guys who see each other sometimes, and one wants to help the other, plus sexual attraction. And it wasn't an erotica story, either, because there wasn't quite enough sex to qualify as that (...three scenes? four?), and it wasn't a story about working in Antarctica, because that was just the setting (they didn't go frequently into detail about it, so it was just a really nicely done backdrop).
So if it's not about the relationship, and it's not about the sex, and it's not about the job, then what's left? The one guy having a drinking problem, realizing it is a problem, and asking for help. Also, there is some gay smut.
February 6, 2013
3.5 stars, rounding up for the unusual and fascinating setting
I loved the setting and found each of the main characters relatable and sympathetic in their own ways. And I could see the potential for friendship and sexual attraction between them, but I was surprised when they were suddenly in a Relationship and apparently heading for HEA. That must have happened off-page or something, because I certainly never saw it.
I'm also unsure how believable Max's sudden slide was, considering how long he'd apparently been holding it together. And I know many alcoholics drink copiously in their off-hours but don't let it affect their work, for like entire careers. Especially given Max's "mind over matter" creed, I felt like I needed some sort of explanation why he suddenly slid so precipitously over the edge like that.
So lots of the fundamental plot points didn't work for me, or needed greater explanation or on-page demonstration. And yet, despite that, I really enjoyed it anyway. I'll definitely read more by this author, and hope the editing in other stories is better.
I loved the setting and found each of the main characters relatable and sympathetic in their own ways. And I could see the potential for friendship and sexual attraction between them, but I was surprised when they were suddenly in a Relationship and apparently heading for HEA. That must have happened off-page or something, because I certainly never saw it.
I'm also unsure how believable Max's sudden slide was, considering how long he'd apparently been holding it together. And I know many alcoholics drink copiously in their off-hours but don't let it affect their work, for like entire careers. Especially given Max's "mind over matter" creed, I felt like I needed some sort of explanation why he suddenly slid so precipitously over the edge like that.
So lots of the fundamental plot points didn't work for me, or needed greater explanation or on-page demonstration. And yet, despite that, I really enjoyed it anyway. I'll definitely read more by this author, and hope the editing in other stories is better.
September 21, 2016
free on Amazon 17.3.16
Max is a former SEAL now a diver at the Antarctic station for six months a year having taken the option of leaving the service having been found with another man doing the days of 'don't ask, don't tell'. to live with what he's lost he drinks. Andre is new to the Station, a European scientist and diver. The pair meet first in NZ when Max passes out in Andre's bed before anything can happen between them.
The first 3/4 of this book focuses on Max and his drinking and how it is ruining his career. The interactions with Andre are sparse but the pair obviously want each other. When Max hits rock bottom it's Andre he turns to for help
I liked this story but would have preferred to see more of Max's recovery. The setting is wonderful and I liked some of the middle or characters (not Max's phobic fellow divers).
Max is a former SEAL now a diver at the Antarctic station for six months a year having taken the option of leaving the service having been found with another man doing the days of 'don't ask, don't tell'. to live with what he's lost he drinks. Andre is new to the Station, a European scientist and diver. The pair meet first in NZ when Max passes out in Andre's bed before anything can happen between them.
The first 3/4 of this book focuses on Max and his drinking and how it is ruining his career. The interactions with Andre are sparse but the pair obviously want each other. When Max hits rock bottom it's Andre he turns to for help
I liked this story but would have preferred to see more of Max's recovery. The setting is wonderful and I liked some of the middle or characters (not Max's phobic fellow divers).
July 8, 2016
Not For Me **Bewear**Mild Spoilers** Four -stars for the first three-quarters of the story. One-star for the last quarter of this book. There are very few things that make me as angry as I am about this book. It's hard to disappoint me like this book did. I know, I know, I'm totally out of sync with everyone else. I can't believe after setting up an incredible beginning, letting us watch this character spiral out of control. POW! We would suddenly find ourselves in rehab and then POW! There’s an end. What the H-E-L-L is that all about? I feel like Bev just got bored with the story and decided to move on to something else. I can't like them all.
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