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Village Love #2
Renaissance
Smudge really needs to get laid, if only to stop himself wondering about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and why he keeps running away.
After his tumultuous teenage years, Smudge has settled into his quiet life in the sleepy English village of Slopy Bottom. He’s his own boss with the time and space to indulge his artistic creativity. And he has friends. He’s happy. Satisfied. Lonely. And the pool of potential soulmates is almost non-existent. His friends, Rick and Mal, flush with their own happy romance, keep trying to set him up with the most incompatible men, and he's never finding true love on Grindr. Hell, he's not even going to manage a hook up based on the kinky messages he’s been getting recently. He'll just have to slake his desire to find his own HEA in the pages of bosom-heaving romance novels.
Raleigh is the darling of Slopy Bottom’s blue rinse brigade: church organist, mobile librarian, and apparently wedded to his trademark cardigans. He seems to be the polar opposite of the artistic Smudge, whose brightly coloured mohawk and piercings should be a red flag to Raleigh. Yet he’s yearning for company too. It’s just that Raleigh has less expectation and definitely less courage to chase after it, for reasons that he keeps very close to his chest. Reasons that don’t stop him from being drawn irresistibly to Smudge.
Smudge is sure that the way Raleigh runs from him whenever he sees him is cruelly deliberate. A reflection on his bad boy looks and his disdain for Raleigh’s precious church. So why can’t he stop thinking about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and his delicate body? Then Raleigh offers an olive branch of sugar and caffeine, Smudge’s favourite combination, starting them on a road to an awkward truce. And when they are conned into working together on a community project at the local hospital, the proximity ignites a spark that can’t be ignored. But navigating the murky waters that could take their relationship beyond tentative friendship all depends on whether Raleigh can release his secret fears – and whether Smudge is the man to share and allay them.
After his tumultuous teenage years, Smudge has settled into his quiet life in the sleepy English village of Slopy Bottom. He’s his own boss with the time and space to indulge his artistic creativity. And he has friends. He’s happy. Satisfied. Lonely. And the pool of potential soulmates is almost non-existent. His friends, Rick and Mal, flush with their own happy romance, keep trying to set him up with the most incompatible men, and he's never finding true love on Grindr. Hell, he's not even going to manage a hook up based on the kinky messages he’s been getting recently. He'll just have to slake his desire to find his own HEA in the pages of bosom-heaving romance novels.
Raleigh is the darling of Slopy Bottom’s blue rinse brigade: church organist, mobile librarian, and apparently wedded to his trademark cardigans. He seems to be the polar opposite of the artistic Smudge, whose brightly coloured mohawk and piercings should be a red flag to Raleigh. Yet he’s yearning for company too. It’s just that Raleigh has less expectation and definitely less courage to chase after it, for reasons that he keeps very close to his chest. Reasons that don’t stop him from being drawn irresistibly to Smudge.
Smudge is sure that the way Raleigh runs from him whenever he sees him is cruelly deliberate. A reflection on his bad boy looks and his disdain for Raleigh’s precious church. So why can’t he stop thinking about the softness of Raleigh’s curls and his delicate body? Then Raleigh offers an olive branch of sugar and caffeine, Smudge’s favourite combination, starting them on a road to an awkward truce. And when they are conned into working together on a community project at the local hospital, the proximity ignites a spark that can’t be ignored. But navigating the murky waters that could take their relationship beyond tentative friendship all depends on whether Raleigh can release his secret fears – and whether Smudge is the man to share and allay them.
298 pages, ebook
First published March 8, 2017
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Lillian Francis
15 books101 followersLillian Francis is an English writer who likes to dabble in many genres but always seems to return to the here and now.
Their name may imply a grand dame in pink chiffon and lace, but Lillian is more at home in jeans, Converse, and the sort of T-shirts that often need explaining to the populous at large but will get a fist bump at Comic-Con. Lillian is a self-confessed geek who likes nothing more than settling down with a comic or a good book, except maybe writing. Given a notepad, pen, her Kindle, and an infinite supply of chocolate Hob Nobs and they can lose themself for weeks. Romance was never their reading matter of choice, so it came as a great surprise to all concerned, including themself, to discover a romance was exactly what they’d written, and not the rollicking spy adventure or cosy murder mystery they always assumed they’d write. Luckily there's always room for romance no matter what plot bunny chooses to bite them, so never say never to either of those stories appearing.
Lillian lives in an imposing castle on a windswept desolate moor or in an elaborate shack on the edge of a beach somewhere, depending on their mood. And while they’d love for the heroes of their stories to either be chained up in the dungeon or wandering the shack serving drinks in nothing but skimpy barista aprons more often than not they are doing something far less erotic like running charity shops and shovelling elephant shit.
Drawn to the ocean, although not in a Reginald Perrin sort of way, Lillian would love to own a camper van and to live by the sea.
Their name may imply a grand dame in pink chiffon and lace, but Lillian is more at home in jeans, Converse, and the sort of T-shirts that often need explaining to the populous at large but will get a fist bump at Comic-Con. Lillian is a self-confessed geek who likes nothing more than settling down with a comic or a good book, except maybe writing. Given a notepad, pen, her Kindle, and an infinite supply of chocolate Hob Nobs and they can lose themself for weeks. Romance was never their reading matter of choice, so it came as a great surprise to all concerned, including themself, to discover a romance was exactly what they’d written, and not the rollicking spy adventure or cosy murder mystery they always assumed they’d write. Luckily there's always room for romance no matter what plot bunny chooses to bite them, so never say never to either of those stories appearing.
Lillian lives in an imposing castle on a windswept desolate moor or in an elaborate shack on the edge of a beach somewhere, depending on their mood. And while they’d love for the heroes of their stories to either be chained up in the dungeon or wandering the shack serving drinks in nothing but skimpy barista aprons more often than not they are doing something far less erotic like running charity shops and shovelling elephant shit.
Drawn to the ocean, although not in a Reginald Perrin sort of way, Lillian would love to own a camper van and to live by the sea.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 15, 2017
Renaissance by Lillian Francis was a pure joy to read. I was waiting for Raleigh and Smudge’s story since I first met them in the previous book in the Village Love series. I am very happy the author quickly fulfilled my wish. I loved this new release so much.
This is an “opposites attract” story, Raleigh is the perfect and so beloved librarian of Sloppy Bottom, Smudge is the strange owner of a print shop, full of tattoos, piercings and colorful hair. When these two world will be brought together, something special will happen. I loved them because I love my characters to be damaged like we all are, it makes them real, although I could have saved Raleigh from the deep pain of his past.
The relationship was slow at start and developed, Raleigh and Smudge are really together just at the very end of the novel, plus there is no sex scenes and it was perfect. Imo it shouldn’t have been different and I want to thank the author for the respect she showed to Raleigh with this choice.
The writing was so engaging, it made the reading easy to follow and I particularly enjoyed it in the descriptive scenes. With her style Lillian brought me to Sloppy Bottom and its people and it was a great place.
In Renaissance I found Rick and Mal from Resonance and Resistance, I saw how happy they still were together, how their relationship has grown and become more solid. And then I met some characters I so want and hope the author will give them their own HEA, like Adam and Trevor and Jason and PuondingTorque. I’m so curious to see what she can come up with.
I feel to highly recommend Renaissance by Lillian Francis, one of the best book I read in 2017.
The cover art by Garrett Leigh follows the style of the covers of the series and I quite like it since it’s different.
This is an “opposites attract” story, Raleigh is the perfect and so beloved librarian of Sloppy Bottom, Smudge is the strange owner of a print shop, full of tattoos, piercings and colorful hair. When these two world will be brought together, something special will happen. I loved them because I love my characters to be damaged like we all are, it makes them real, although I could have saved Raleigh from the deep pain of his past.
The relationship was slow at start and developed, Raleigh and Smudge are really together just at the very end of the novel, plus there is no sex scenes and it was perfect. Imo it shouldn’t have been different and I want to thank the author for the respect she showed to Raleigh with this choice.
The writing was so engaging, it made the reading easy to follow and I particularly enjoyed it in the descriptive scenes. With her style Lillian brought me to Sloppy Bottom and its people and it was a great place.
In Renaissance I found Rick and Mal from Resonance and Resistance, I saw how happy they still were together, how their relationship has grown and become more solid. And then I met some characters I so want and hope the author will give them their own HEA, like Adam and Trevor and Jason and PuondingTorque. I’m so curious to see what she can come up with.
I feel to highly recommend Renaissance by Lillian Francis, one of the best book I read in 2017.
The cover art by Garrett Leigh follows the style of the covers of the series and I quite like it since it’s different.
April 12, 2017
4.5 Stars!!!
Renaissance is book 2 in the Village Love series and while it can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading Resonance (Book 0.5) and Resistance (Book 1), which both feature Rick and Mal's story, who feature prominently in Renaissance.
Raleigh is shy and doesn't quite know how to deal with confident and extroverted Smudge and because of that, tries to avoid him as much as he can, which in turn, makes Smudge think that Raleigh doesn't like him. Being thrown together to work on a project for the Vicar, makes them start seeing each other in another light and get closer, but there are things that Raleigh isn't ready to share with Smudge and that might put a stop to anything happening between them.
This is a slow-burn romance, and if you're looking for sexy scenes, you won't find those here. You'll find kisses, though, sweet and passionate. You'll find two characters that have gone through a lot in their lives and are somewhat broken. We get glimpses of what Raleigh endured, but it's not until the last part of the book when we see the full picture of what happened to him and why he is like he is. Smudge is more of an open book in that sense but also dealing with the aftermath of something that happened when he was a teenager. Not only that but also dealing with the prejudice of the village people, because of how he looks like. Even with this, Smudge is perhaps in a better place than Raleigh and he has his friends Mal, Rick and Adam to help him. Raleigh and Smudge are as different as they can be, but they work great together, have amazing chemistry and it was lovely seeing their progression into more. I think my favorite of the two was Smudge, mostly because he was so sweet and reassuring with Raleigh and never gave up on him.
Overall, this was a delightful read! Enthralling, sweet, fun, slightly angsty, with a great array of characters that you can't help but want to read more of. I'm looking forward to Trevor's story now! Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Renaissance is book 2 in the Village Love series and while it can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading Resonance (Book 0.5) and Resistance (Book 1), which both feature Rick and Mal's story, who feature prominently in Renaissance.
Raleigh is shy and doesn't quite know how to deal with confident and extroverted Smudge and because of that, tries to avoid him as much as he can, which in turn, makes Smudge think that Raleigh doesn't like him. Being thrown together to work on a project for the Vicar, makes them start seeing each other in another light and get closer, but there are things that Raleigh isn't ready to share with Smudge and that might put a stop to anything happening between them.
This is a slow-burn romance, and if you're looking for sexy scenes, you won't find those here. You'll find kisses, though, sweet and passionate. You'll find two characters that have gone through a lot in their lives and are somewhat broken. We get glimpses of what Raleigh endured, but it's not until the last part of the book when we see the full picture of what happened to him and why he is like he is. Smudge is more of an open book in that sense but also dealing with the aftermath of something that happened when he was a teenager. Not only that but also dealing with the prejudice of the village people, because of how he looks like. Even with this, Smudge is perhaps in a better place than Raleigh and he has his friends Mal, Rick and Adam to help him. Raleigh and Smudge are as different as they can be, but they work great together, have amazing chemistry and it was lovely seeing their progression into more. I think my favorite of the two was Smudge, mostly because he was so sweet and reassuring with Raleigh and never gave up on him.
Overall, this was a delightful read! Enthralling, sweet, fun, slightly angsty, with a great array of characters that you can't help but want to read more of. I'm looking forward to Trevor's story now! Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
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April 3, 2017Smudge's story is finally here.
https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Vi...
For all those that were waiting for Smudge's story, it's nearly here.
ETA (28 March):
One more week to go.
https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Vi...
For all those that were waiting for Smudge's story, it's nearly here.
ETA (28 March):
One more week to go.
August 24, 2017
Five bliss-filled hearts - though I have a bit of a confession; for some reason this book took me a while to get into. I kept starting it, then reading something else - I just couldn't get into it. Until I could. I truly don't know why this took me so long to get into to read because I loved it enormously once I did get going. Once I properly started it was an I-can't-put-this-down kinda read. I genuinely, genuinely loved it and had a horrendous book hangover at the end. I liked the first book, and the short prequel, in the series, so it should have been no surprise that I loved this too. It just kinda was after taking a little while to get into. My brain is a peculiar place. *shrug*
I love books that are set in Britain, especially in rural Britain, it is my favourite setting, if pushed to choose. I love small village/town stories, they generally have such a feel-good factor about them and this was no exception. Smudge and Raleigh are both characters we've met in the series as secondary characters and now it was time to find out their story. Smudge with his bad-boy aura and Raleigh seeming too good to be true - it just worked perfectly. Through in a bit of a crisis/humanitarianism/helpfulness, add a dash of UST, a pinch (and it was just a pinch thank goodness) of miscommunication, mix it up with helpful friends and a sprinkle of unnecessary jealousy and you have a beautifully baked story. The kind that warms your cockles, and make you crave tea and scones (jam first) while reading.
It's just good. A perfect series to comfort read. This book definitely can be read as a standalone - but why would you want to miss out on all the tales of Slopy Bottom? I, for one, cannot wait until the next instalment is available.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
Review previously at BMBR.
I love books that are set in Britain, especially in rural Britain, it is my favourite setting, if pushed to choose. I love small village/town stories, they generally have such a feel-good factor about them and this was no exception. Smudge and Raleigh are both characters we've met in the series as secondary characters and now it was time to find out their story. Smudge with his bad-boy aura and Raleigh seeming too good to be true - it just worked perfectly. Through in a bit of a crisis/humanitarianism/helpfulness, add a dash of UST, a pinch (and it was just a pinch thank goodness) of miscommunication, mix it up with helpful friends and a sprinkle of unnecessary jealousy and you have a beautifully baked story. The kind that warms your cockles, and make you crave tea and scones (jam first) while reading.
It's just good. A perfect series to comfort read. This book definitely can be read as a standalone - but why would you want to miss out on all the tales of Slopy Bottom? I, for one, cannot wait until the next instalment is available.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
Review previously at BMBR.
January 9, 2018
Smudge and Raleigh are Heartbreakers!
The Village Love series by Lillian Francis has captivated me from the first short where we meet the local handyman/gardener during a chance encounter with the man of his dreams while being checked out at a local hospital. I love everyone in this little town of Slopy Bottom! I even love reading about the vicar Colin and his wife who apparently makes the best cakes ever. Raleigh has fascinated me for a while since Mal thought he recognized him and he's known to be the "Only Gay Man In Town" which is to say he's the only man who is out-and-proud in town.
Smudge is a contradiction in characteristics. He's got the tough guy look with the sweet guy persona. He loves romance books, wants to find love, and he's an artist. There are so many wonderful qualities to love in him it was no surprise to me he was an absolutely sweetheart to Raleigh while Raleigh worked out how he wanted to tell him his story. If I could believe any man would accept the past Raleigh presented alongside the potential future problems he offered up for a relationship with him? I'd say Smudge was that man. He's a kind man with an honest heart who happens to be quite visually colorful.
Raleigh has a story which is designed to break hearts. I was no exception in spite of already having a vague idea what he intended to confess as his past history. I'll admit the sexual implications were surprising considering how much sex was in previous books in the series, but the lack of explicit sex was no detriment at all to my enjoyment of the romance. I found I loved Raleigh and Smudge all the more for the sweetness of their relationship. They're men who know what sex can give them while realizing the best things they can find in the company of another aren't the things found while bumping uglies in the dark.
Renaissance is the sweetest read I've read in a long time. I'm thoroughly delighted I chose to invest in it as soon as I saw it was available; I look forward to revisiting Slopy Bottom again in the future!
The Village Love series by Lillian Francis has captivated me from the first short where we meet the local handyman/gardener during a chance encounter with the man of his dreams while being checked out at a local hospital. I love everyone in this little town of Slopy Bottom! I even love reading about the vicar Colin and his wife who apparently makes the best cakes ever. Raleigh has fascinated me for a while since Mal thought he recognized him and he's known to be the "Only Gay Man In Town" which is to say he's the only man who is out-and-proud in town.
Smudge is a contradiction in characteristics. He's got the tough guy look with the sweet guy persona. He loves romance books, wants to find love, and he's an artist. There are so many wonderful qualities to love in him it was no surprise to me he was an absolutely sweetheart to Raleigh while Raleigh worked out how he wanted to tell him his story. If I could believe any man would accept the past Raleigh presented alongside the potential future problems he offered up for a relationship with him? I'd say Smudge was that man. He's a kind man with an honest heart who happens to be quite visually colorful.
Raleigh has a story which is designed to break hearts. I was no exception in spite of already having a vague idea what he intended to confess as his past history. I'll admit the sexual implications were surprising considering how much sex was in previous books in the series, but the lack of explicit sex was no detriment at all to my enjoyment of the romance. I found I loved Raleigh and Smudge all the more for the sweetness of their relationship. They're men who know what sex can give them while realizing the best things they can find in the company of another aren't the things found while bumping uglies in the dark.
Renaissance is the sweetest read I've read in a long time. I'm thoroughly delighted I chose to invest in it as soon as I saw it was available; I look forward to revisiting Slopy Bottom again in the future!
April 3, 2017
Darned, I finished, not ready for that yet.
Very recommendable part of the Village series.
Very recommendable part of the Village series.
August 31, 2020
This is the second installment of the Village Love series and I was so excited to get to read Smudge’s story. He’s an artist in the small village and sort of the resident bad boy, at least in the eyes of some of the villagers, based on his teen years and also his appearance. “Gauges, tats and a purple faux hawk with green streaks would do that.” One judger in particular is the cardigan-wearing church organ player and librarian, Raleigh. Raleigh is downright rude to Smudge, going so far as to take off in the mobile library bus while Smudge is trying to return the romance books he’s checked out. This happens every time Raleigh sees Smudge and he’s getting really tired of it.
Raleigh is quiet, polite and “a good boy”, although often he doesn’t come across as shy, he comes across as rude when it comes to Smudge. “I’m not lying. Jesus. Why would I lie to you? It would imply I care what you think.” Ouch. He does feel guilt about “…leaving the man high and dry every time there was a chance of the two of them being alone together in the library.” He knows all he has to do is check in Smudge’s returned books and check out new ones, but that flight response is ingrained.
Smudge is more than he lets people know. I loved that he’s a romance reading machine, all the while he’s an artist that paints the romance novel covers! His joy when he finds out, through Raleigh, that there are gay romance novels made me happy.
It is a sign of how much Smudge thinks Raleigh hates him that when Raleigh drops off a “guilt gift” of Smudge’s favorite brownie and coffee, Smudge immediately wonders if Raleigh is trying to poison him. “He toyed with the notion of sweet angelic Raleigh actually being some avenging biblical serial killer.” He knows it isn’t true, but…
I loved that we get to revisit Mal and Rick from Resistance, as they try to set Smudge up with people who just don’t work. I questioned at one point why Mal was aghast at turkey bacon being not bacon, because the man can’t have bacon!
It seemed like Smudge was always apologizing for saying or doing the wrong thing around Raleigh. He speaks before he thinks, he says. But he’s trying. There are things in Raleigh’s past that cause him to react badly sometimes but Smudge doesn’t know that. As the two of them try to work towards being civil, then maybe friends, then maybe more, there is a delicate balancing act happening until Raleigh is honest with Smudge.
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment to the Village series, especially because I so liked Smudge in the first book and I was a little worried about him getting his happy. But he does get it, after working for it some. I loved that they were able to compromise on who and what they would be, with Smudge understanding where Raleigh was coming from and Raleigh finally understanding he was good enough. Highly recommended.
Raleigh is quiet, polite and “a good boy”, although often he doesn’t come across as shy, he comes across as rude when it comes to Smudge. “I’m not lying. Jesus. Why would I lie to you? It would imply I care what you think.” Ouch. He does feel guilt about “…leaving the man high and dry every time there was a chance of the two of them being alone together in the library.” He knows all he has to do is check in Smudge’s returned books and check out new ones, but that flight response is ingrained.
Smudge is more than he lets people know. I loved that he’s a romance reading machine, all the while he’s an artist that paints the romance novel covers! His joy when he finds out, through Raleigh, that there are gay romance novels made me happy.
It is a sign of how much Smudge thinks Raleigh hates him that when Raleigh drops off a “guilt gift” of Smudge’s favorite brownie and coffee, Smudge immediately wonders if Raleigh is trying to poison him. “He toyed with the notion of sweet angelic Raleigh actually being some avenging biblical serial killer.” He knows it isn’t true, but…
I loved that we get to revisit Mal and Rick from Resistance, as they try to set Smudge up with people who just don’t work. I questioned at one point why Mal was aghast at turkey bacon being not bacon, because the man can’t have bacon!
It seemed like Smudge was always apologizing for saying or doing the wrong thing around Raleigh. He speaks before he thinks, he says. But he’s trying. There are things in Raleigh’s past that cause him to react badly sometimes but Smudge doesn’t know that. As the two of them try to work towards being civil, then maybe friends, then maybe more, there is a delicate balancing act happening until Raleigh is honest with Smudge.
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment to the Village series, especially because I so liked Smudge in the first book and I was a little worried about him getting his happy. But he does get it, after working for it some. I loved that they were able to compromise on who and what they would be, with Smudge understanding where Raleigh was coming from and Raleigh finally understanding he was good enough. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2017
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews. Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 Love Bytes.)
I was super happy to see this book show up on a Signal Boost Promotions list. I really enjoyed the previous installments, Resonance, 0.5 and Resistance, 1.0, (Review here.), and I knew that I wanted to read this one immediately because I expected it to be just as good.
I was not disappointed. I think I liked this one the best so far. The story is told with the same level of writing as the first two, and the various characters that we met previously, tie directly over into this one. I would definitely tell you to read the two previous installments before reading this one, since they aren’t long. I think it is important so that you know who everyone is. I love the residents of Slopy Bottom, and I’m sure you will as well.
In this latest installment, our focus shifts over to the character Smudge who we met in the previous installment, but didn’t get to know very well. If you read my review on the author’s previous installments, you might have seen that the name Smudge brought me flashbacks of a close friend named Smudge, so I was predisposed to love it. The story revolves around Smudge and the organist at the local church, who is also the local librarian, a young man named Raleigh. I can’t tell you much, because there is a lot in the blurb on this one. What I will say, is these are two young men with a lot of baggage. Watching them work through it, made it an entertaining read. When all was revealed, it explained a lot about both of them.
The story is well written and held my attention right up to the last page. I didn’t put it down once, which is a compliment. My one and only complaint was that the two men’s story isn’t really finished at the end of this current installment. It’s a HFN, not a HEA, and now I’m stuck waiting for the next installment. Please hurry that along Ms. Francis! I see she has several ideas ahead. I’m hoping for a story that includes Bruce the big bear who loves bacon… but we’ll have to see what she brings us. I personally can’t wait to see what is next.
I highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a sweet, miscommunication, enemies to friends sort of book. It is totally outside my normal dark reads, but I’m enjoying the series. Give it a try.
I was super happy to see this book show up on a Signal Boost Promotions list. I really enjoyed the previous installments, Resonance, 0.5 and Resistance, 1.0, (Review here.), and I knew that I wanted to read this one immediately because I expected it to be just as good.
I was not disappointed. I think I liked this one the best so far. The story is told with the same level of writing as the first two, and the various characters that we met previously, tie directly over into this one. I would definitely tell you to read the two previous installments before reading this one, since they aren’t long. I think it is important so that you know who everyone is. I love the residents of Slopy Bottom, and I’m sure you will as well.
In this latest installment, our focus shifts over to the character Smudge who we met in the previous installment, but didn’t get to know very well. If you read my review on the author’s previous installments, you might have seen that the name Smudge brought me flashbacks of a close friend named Smudge, so I was predisposed to love it. The story revolves around Smudge and the organist at the local church, who is also the local librarian, a young man named Raleigh. I can’t tell you much, because there is a lot in the blurb on this one. What I will say, is these are two young men with a lot of baggage. Watching them work through it, made it an entertaining read. When all was revealed, it explained a lot about both of them.
The story is well written and held my attention right up to the last page. I didn’t put it down once, which is a compliment. My one and only complaint was that the two men’s story isn’t really finished at the end of this current installment. It’s a HFN, not a HEA, and now I’m stuck waiting for the next installment. Please hurry that along Ms. Francis! I see she has several ideas ahead. I’m hoping for a story that includes Bruce the big bear who loves bacon… but we’ll have to see what she brings us. I personally can’t wait to see what is next.
I highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a sweet, miscommunication, enemies to friends sort of book. It is totally outside my normal dark reads, but I’m enjoying the series. Give it a try.
January 1, 2022
This is the second full book in this series. I have read both Resistance and Renaissance and I have to say that I enjoyed this book more. I really like the characters. Their chemistry, both positive and negative was engaging. This is the story of Smudge and Raleigh. Both are mentioned in the first book but it is not necessary to have read the first book to understand and enjoy this book. Smudge runs a printing shop in their small town. He is also an artist and does novel covers. He is not hiding the fact that he is gay, he just isn't going about waving the flag everywhere. His personal life is just that; his. Next we have Raleigh. Raleigh wears many hats. He is the organist at church and the librarian who takes the mobile bookmobile throughout the district. He is the only openly gay character in town and is painfully shy. Both men have had a hard life to come back from but they are working on it. Raleigh's back story is heart breaking. It is alluded to in book one but fully explained in book 2. It is no wonder that he is continually in fight or flight mode.
This book starts out with many false assumptions. Leading the reader to believe that there is animosity between Smudge and Raleigh. As the story progresses and we learn more about each character, the assumptions are corrected. This is a really well written story. It grabbed me from the beginning and never faltered to the end. I really enjoyed it.
If you are looking for a well written love story, look no further. You have found it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book starts out with many false assumptions. Leading the reader to believe that there is animosity between Smudge and Raleigh. As the story progresses and we learn more about each character, the assumptions are corrected. This is a really well written story. It grabbed me from the beginning and never faltered to the end. I really enjoyed it.
If you are looking for a well written love story, look no further. You have found it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2021
The author has a real talent for giving us personable characters that fascinate and pull the reader in, ready to hear their stories. Smudge is someone who is visually arresting with his brightly colored Mohawk hairstyle, tattoos, and body piercings which would have, admittedly, given me an incorrect image of the person he really was. He loved romance books, was artistic, creative, kind, and patient. Raleigh is described as shy (sometimes projecting hostility as a defensive move), the church organist, mobile librarian, and always wearing cardigans, so possibly nerdy? But there is so much more to each of them!
Pulled into a community project at the local hospital gives them an opportunity to work together, to see the real person underneath, and begin to realize their attraction for each other. There are some deep issues to unveil, especially for Raleigh, but these two characters have the sensitivity to be able to help each other if they begin to trust.
Once again, this series is amazing, touching on emotions and providing understanding for motives and actions coming from past histories. Everyone has some sort of baggage, and sometimes these stories make one grateful to only be carrying their own burden. I can only respect what others have to deal with. But sharing the load with someone who cares most definitely can make a difference. Grab your copy and go back to peaceful Slopy Bottom for a change of pace!
Pulled into a community project at the local hospital gives them an opportunity to work together, to see the real person underneath, and begin to realize their attraction for each other. There are some deep issues to unveil, especially for Raleigh, but these two characters have the sensitivity to be able to help each other if they begin to trust.
Once again, this series is amazing, touching on emotions and providing understanding for motives and actions coming from past histories. Everyone has some sort of baggage, and sometimes these stories make one grateful to only be carrying their own burden. I can only respect what others have to deal with. But sharing the load with someone who cares most definitely can make a difference. Grab your copy and go back to peaceful Slopy Bottom for a change of pace!
January 15, 2021
Face your fears, open the world! Raleigh was the librarian, who always wears cardigans. Smudge is inked, pierced and looking for love so he can settle down. Smudge is feeling a little envious at Rick and Mal's relationship and as an out gay couple. Smudge feels a bit insecure questioning his relationships. He feels he has no friends and that not manny people like him. Raliegh prefers to just man the mobile library and play the piano on Sundays. He finds his joy in giving to others. Both men carry oversized baggage, yet they find each other. Raleigh's baggage is a little heavier. Smudge has a leaky mouth. Will they share their stories? Is Smudge strong enough to let Raleigh lean on him? Is Raleigh brave enough to face his fear? Great story. Excellent group of friends and town. Nicely done. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2020
This one didn’t work quite as well as the Mal/Rick pairing. It relied too much on lack of communication & misunderstandings. And most of the book was spent on getting them together. I would’ve liked to see them continue to work out some things as a budding couple. I'm still a fan of the writing tho so I’ll keep an eye out for more from this author. This series seems to have stalled, but I'd love for Adam and Trevor to get their own book(s).
June 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. Smudge is a closet romantic with a semi checkered past and Raleigh is a church organist with sad and traumatic secrets. They are so cute together. I have one problem though. The lack of intimacy. I totally get the lack of actual sex but there is a lot the author could have allowed them with getting into actual sex. I guess I'm a show me person and that lack of finding the type of intimacy that will work for them made the story feel incomplete. It's a HFN instead of an HEA for me because of it. The book is definitely worth the read though.
May 23, 2018
Tag explanations (May contain spoilers):
It feels like we were set up for Adam's and Trevor's stories (together or not idk) and I definitely want to hear theirs.
It feels like we were set up for Adam's and Trevor's stories (together or not idk) and I definitely want to hear theirs.
April 24, 2017
I absolutely love the Village Love series and Rick & Mal, but I think this was my favorite book so far.
I was looking forward to getting to know Smudge & Raleigh better and was not disappointed. Renaissance was such a sweet, heart melting story.
When I read a book, it's to escape from reality for a while, but the realness and believability of watching Smudge & Raleigh's relationship evolve was a nice change of pace from the instant-love stories.
Other reviews I've read describe Renaissance as an opposites attract story. To me, it's more a lesson of don't judge a book by it's cover. Smudge and Raleigh at first seem like complete opposites, but may be more alike than they think. We definitely find out there's more to Smudge behind his faux-hawk and gauges, and Raleigh with his cardigans and angelic curls. With as private as these two are, it was a honor to be allowed to see inside their private lives.
If you want a story to make you smile, laugh, tear up a bit, and end with a happy sigh, this is the perfect book to do that.
I was looking forward to getting to know Smudge & Raleigh better and was not disappointed. Renaissance was such a sweet, heart melting story.
When I read a book, it's to escape from reality for a while, but the realness and believability of watching Smudge & Raleigh's relationship evolve was a nice change of pace from the instant-love stories.
Other reviews I've read describe Renaissance as an opposites attract story. To me, it's more a lesson of don't judge a book by it's cover. Smudge and Raleigh at first seem like complete opposites, but may be more alike than they think. We definitely find out there's more to Smudge behind his faux-hawk and gauges, and Raleigh with his cardigans and angelic curls. With as private as these two are, it was a honor to be allowed to see inside their private lives.
If you want a story to make you smile, laugh, tear up a bit, and end with a happy sigh, this is the perfect book to do that.
November 28, 2017
This was a cute story, easy to read and well put together. Also my first Francis' story. It has a good, slow-building romance that ends up on a satisfying note in the end. Well done!
July 13, 2019
Liked this better than the earlier 2 titles in the series - the MCs are so cute. I do wonder how many tiny little townlets out there are so LGBT friendly/accepting.
May 1, 2017
3.5 stars
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