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Victorian Holiday Hearts #3
Mike and the Spring Awakening
A bitter sweet from Dee/Devon
Young Micah “Mike” Cordett’s privileged life explodes when he is caught naked with a schoolmate. Running away from disgrace, he blunders into a trap in a seamy part of London and endures months of abuse before escaping. But with the help of the Andrews family, he’s begun to climb out of his fear. Yet, when a reminder of his happier past erupts into his life in the form of Lucas Spring, Mike’s not certain he’s ready to face the remnants of the charmed life he’d once enjoyed. He’s certainly not ready for love.
Lucas Spring pined for Mike from afar when they were in school. This shadow of the confident boy he once knew shocks him, and Lucas vows to do anything he can to help restore the person he’d so admired. With patience and determination, he hopes to ease Mike’s fears and perhaps even win his love.
But when a violent figure from Mike’s past looms into his present, will the tender shoots of a new beginning be crushed?
WARNING: Contains themes of sexual abuse that may trigger some readers.
Young Micah “Mike” Cordett’s privileged life explodes when he is caught naked with a schoolmate. Running away from disgrace, he blunders into a trap in a seamy part of London and endures months of abuse before escaping. But with the help of the Andrews family, he’s begun to climb out of his fear. Yet, when a reminder of his happier past erupts into his life in the form of Lucas Spring, Mike’s not certain he’s ready to face the remnants of the charmed life he’d once enjoyed. He’s certainly not ready for love.
Lucas Spring pined for Mike from afar when they were in school. This shadow of the confident boy he once knew shocks him, and Lucas vows to do anything he can to help restore the person he’d so admired. With patience and determination, he hopes to ease Mike’s fears and perhaps even win his love.
But when a violent figure from Mike’s past looms into his present, will the tender shoots of a new beginning be crushed?
WARNING: Contains themes of sexual abuse that may trigger some readers.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2016
5 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Summer Devon
62 books226 followersSummer Devon is the pen name writer Kate Rothwell often uses. Whether the characters are male or female, human or dragon, her books are always romance.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 8, 2016
I have read and often re-read every book this duo has produced together so I feel comfortable saying this is their most romantic tale yet, which is a feat. There was just something about Lucas's optimism and his unwavering kindness and patience with Will, how he let Will know he was cherished when Will needed it most. And that Will found his way. This novella was everything I needed today. Swoony and sweet and gentle with wonderful characterization and flawless writing. Highly recommend this, and the previous books in the series -- which you don't have to have read, as they all stand alone very well.
March 8, 2016
3.5 stars
I have a soft spot in my heart for Mike who appeared in the previous two stories as someone with dark past. I was happy that Mike finally got his own happy ending -- in form of Lucas Embry Spring, an acquaintance from old his school few years back before Mike's life turned to hell.
I thought Lucas was sweet and patient; he was so good for Mike. The story was lovely ... because of Mike's ordeal it also went in a slow-burn pace, which I appreciated. I was rooting all the way for Mike to be able to grasp his happiness with Lucas and felt satisfied when he did.
I have a soft spot in my heart for Mike who appeared in the previous two stories as someone with dark past. I was happy that Mike finally got his own happy ending -- in form of Lucas Embry Spring, an acquaintance from old his school few years back before Mike's life turned to hell.
I thought Lucas was sweet and patient; he was so good for Mike. The story was lovely ... because of Mike's ordeal it also went in a slow-burn pace, which I appreciated. I was rooting all the way for Mike to be able to grasp his happiness with Lucas and felt satisfied when he did.
April 2, 2017
Rounding up because it was more engaging than book 2, but Mike opened up about his past too easily. It didn't feel realistic or true to his character.
October 30, 2016
Another excellent addition to the series. However finding out about Mike's sad past I find it hard to believe he would be ready for the relationship to proceed as it did so quickly.
Oh and ignore the bitter sweet tagline. This has HEA ending.
Oh and ignore the bitter sweet tagline. This has HEA ending.
March 26, 2023
Quick and easy from A to B without any tension or drama. Well read.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
January 30, 2021
Oh this one really pleased me. I’ve been waiting for this story. It was short but the characters were rich enough to leave me happy!
August 27, 2021
⭐️3.5⭐️
August 24, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
April 2, 2016
I love this series so much and already can't wait for the next one. There will be another right???
Lucas is pretty much the most amazing and loving person on the planet and I'm glad the authors gave him all that compassion and a backbone too, it made him that much better. Mike was so lucky that Lucas came along, they were perfect for one another at just the right time.
As always, the Andrews family was dysfunctionnally wonderful, I love their brand of acceptance.
Lucas is pretty much the most amazing and loving person on the planet and I'm glad the authors gave him all that compassion and a backbone too, it made him that much better. Mike was so lucky that Lucas came along, they were perfect for one another at just the right time.
As always, the Andrews family was dysfunctionnally wonderful, I love their brand of acceptance.
March 25, 2023
An worthy continuation of the Victorian Holiday Hearts series. I loved getting to see more of the Andrew clan and it was interesting to see things from Mimi/Mike's pov. This book had darker tones than its predecessors as poor Mike's past gets revealed. But I think BD and SD really pulled it off well. Mr. Lucas Spring was a delightful love sick puppy and just what Mike and the plot needed.
January 25, 2017
Don't have a lot to say against this novel.
Sure, there are some mistakes and the writing style, especially some words and phrases, aren't really historically accurate or even close to being that.
Other than that, I must admit that I enjoyed the plot. A broken young man who tries to find his way and another young'one who tries his best to get him to really live again.
However, the storyline itself was pretty slow-burning... There wasn't a lot happening and we are left in the dark about a lot of stuff (e.g. Mike's family reunion)... That's something I don't really like because I feel like I'm missing out.
Characters?
Couldn't say anything against them. Chemistry was definitely there. The characters themselves are both likeable.
All in all, good but not extraordinary.
Sure, there are some mistakes and the writing style, especially some words and phrases, aren't really historically accurate or even close to being that.
Other than that, I must admit that I enjoyed the plot. A broken young man who tries to find his way and another young'one who tries his best to get him to really live again.
However, the storyline itself was pretty slow-burning... There wasn't a lot happening and we are left in the dark about a lot of stuff (e.g. Mike's family reunion)... That's something I don't really like because I feel like I'm missing out.
Characters?
Couldn't say anything against them. Chemistry was definitely there. The characters themselves are both likeable.
All in all, good but not extraordinary.
January 5, 2019
Not wanting to sound redundant after my reviews of the other 2 in this series available on audio, but...I adored this one too.
This one is a tad darker than the others, as it deals with serious PTSD, but there is still lightness and wit. The characters are ever-charming and loveable, and I hated to say goodbye to them when the book ended, no matter if there was a happy resolution.
Cornell Collins/Matthew Lloyd Davies continues to be wonderful as well.
This one is a tad darker than the others, as it deals with serious PTSD, but there is still lightness and wit. The characters are ever-charming and loveable, and I hated to say goodbye to them when the book ended, no matter if there was a happy resolution.
Cornell Collins/Matthew Lloyd Davies continues to be wonderful as well.
June 8, 2018
2.5 stars because it wasn’t to my taste, not badly written. More about the main character dealing with his crap than anything else. Too heavy for me. Also it was too short to get through all the crap involved, not that I wanted to get into it any more.
March 9, 2021
2,5 stars rounded up
Read as part of Victorian Holiday Hearts: a Boxed Set
Read as part of Victorian Holiday Hearts: a Boxed Set
March 14, 2017
rating 4.25
January 9, 2020
Good. Does a nice job of showing the non-linear path it takes to recover from trauma. I was rooting for Mike and Lucas to get together.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
March 12, 2020
Magical healing cock. 'nuff said.
March 22, 2020
Audible
November 7, 2020
I think I liked this one the best of the first three, to be honest. Again, lovely non-toxic masculinity and just... a general sense of hope. Which I desperately needed.
September 22, 2021
T/w sexual assault and trauma.
April 16, 2023
Oh, poor Mike!
To go through all that he'd gone through is enough to make anyone fall into a depression. Glad Lucas was able to get through to him.
3.75 stars
To go through all that he'd gone through is enough to make anyone fall into a depression. Glad Lucas was able to get through to him.
3.75 stars
June 8, 2023
3.5 stars
February 26, 2017
I haven't read any of the previous in the series so thought this did quite well as a standalone. I liked both the MCs and thought this was a good slow burn story. I don't believe it would have been right had they rushed into their romance since Mike had been so badly mistreated before Lucas found him again. I loved that Lucas was so nice and so patient with Mike.
I would like to read more in this series.
A copy of the audiobook was given to me by the author but this review is not solicited and is my honest opinion. I'm reviewing the ebook version because I need the page count for a challenge.
I would like to read more in this series.
A copy of the audiobook was given to me by the author but this review is not solicited and is my honest opinion. I'm reviewing the ebook version because I need the page count for a challenge.
March 20, 2016
Nice Segue Again
Welcome to the continuing Andrews family saga where gay romance flourishes around every theatrical offering of this happy- go-lucky late 19th Century clan of English characters. Here we have Micah (Mike) an Andrews family "adoptee" with a wealthy but scarred past, haphazardly renewing an acquaintance with Lucas Spring, a young, shy man who has inherited his family's vast holdings but still carries the memories of scorn heaped his way as a chubby poofter at school--where they'd known each other but not well.
But Lucas holds precious memories of Mike being kind to him. However, Mike is now a recluse because of what happened to him after he ran away from his family estate and wound up as a carnal object in London. How these two dance around each other, their memories, their increasing attraction to one another, and eventually their love for each other, is yet another splendid romp conjured up by Ms. Devon and Ms. Dee.
This one has drama, angst and comedy, and it's short enough to accompany an after-dinner drink and rich desert. Lovely.
Welcome to the continuing Andrews family saga where gay romance flourishes around every theatrical offering of this happy- go-lucky late 19th Century clan of English characters. Here we have Micah (Mike) an Andrews family "adoptee" with a wealthy but scarred past, haphazardly renewing an acquaintance with Lucas Spring, a young, shy man who has inherited his family's vast holdings but still carries the memories of scorn heaped his way as a chubby poofter at school--where they'd known each other but not well.
But Lucas holds precious memories of Mike being kind to him. However, Mike is now a recluse because of what happened to him after he ran away from his family estate and wound up as a carnal object in London. How these two dance around each other, their memories, their increasing attraction to one another, and eventually their love for each other, is yet another splendid romp conjured up by Ms. Devon and Ms. Dee.
This one has drama, angst and comedy, and it's short enough to accompany an after-dinner drink and rich desert. Lovely.
February 8, 2017
This was the darkest one in the series. I really liked knowing Mike's background. And the ending was beautiful.
March 20, 2016
I knew when we were introduced to Mike in Will and the Valentine Saint that his story was going to hold secrets that could break your heart. When Lucas Spring comes looking for his school year crush and finds a man who has not had an easy journey, their lives converge and a new path is formed. Watching them travel this new path gives the reader hope even when they appear at odds with each other. Another great read by the writing duo of Devon & Dee, the Victorian Holiday Hearts series may not be as explosive as some of their work simply because they fall on the shorter side of the length spectrum but they don't fall short on the plotline punch scale.
March 14, 2016
4.5 stars
Read
April 7, 2016DNF - just not capturing my interest.
May 26, 2016
4.5 Stars
August 25, 2016
Best one of the series. Great characters- Lucas and Mike.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews