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The Cabots #1
Tommy Cabot Was Here
Massachusetts, 1959:
Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot—his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart.
The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend's chilliness is just another reminder of what a thoroughgoing mess Tommy has made of his life.
When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.
Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot—his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart.
The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend's chilliness is just another reminder of what a thoroughgoing mess Tommy has made of his life.
When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.
102 pages, ebook
First published May 12, 2020
About the author
Cat Sebastian
26 books2,931 followersCat Sebastian has written sixteen queer historical romances. Cat’s books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
November 23, 2022
|| 3.5 stars ||
This was a truly lovely second-chance romance story. It managed to exude warmth while also serving an expected dose of heartbreak.
The writing was charming and heartfelt, and the characters continually pulled on multiple of my heartstrings. Something about this just felt so pure and authentic.
This might have been a moderately short read, but it still got me rooting for and swooning over the relationship. It was sweet.
This was a truly lovely second-chance romance story. It managed to exude warmth while also serving an expected dose of heartbreak.
The writing was charming and heartfelt, and the characters continually pulled on multiple of my heartstrings. Something about this just felt so pure and authentic.
“I love you.”
Everett reached across the table and took Tommy’s hand. “I love you too.”
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy’s eyes started to water. “Sorry,” he said.
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy’s cheekbone. “I think it’s sweet.”
Tommy wrinkled his nose. “Fuck you.”
“I think you’re sweet. You’re adorable.”
“Oh my God.” Tommy tried to cover his face with the hand Everett wasn’t holding, but Everett grabbed that wrist too and used it to haul Tommy to his feet.
“When did you get so cute? I could eat you up.”
“I’m going to sink into the earth,” Tommy lamented.
“I just like you so much, Tommy Cabot.” He put a knuckle under Tommy’s chin, tilting his face up. “I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.”
“I’m blushing? Oh, fuck me.”
“I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Tommy groaned. “Wait until you see me sobbing over old picture albums. You’ll be overcome with lust.”
This might have been a moderately short read, but it still got me rooting for and swooning over the relationship. It was sweet.
April 12, 2021
This is a simple, sweet story of two men finding each other after 15 years apart. They were best friends, and more, at boarding school, but in that era there didn't seem to be any way to move forward from the moment of graduation. Everett enlisted, because it was easier than telling golden-boy Tommy Cabot that he wanted something lasting, in a world where "gay" and "lasting" didn't go together.
Tommy went on to marry a society girl, have a son, and Everett tried to put their youthful love behind him. But when Tommy shows up with his young son at the school where Everett teaches, it's clear that his effort to forget was less than successful. Strangely, Tommy isn't the successful polished man that Everett knows from the society pages he couldn't help reading. And when they meet again, it's a new beginning. But Tommy's still a married family man. Keeping his distance would be far safer for Everett's heart. Unfortunately, "safer" has not been his guiding principle where Tommy is concerned.
Given the set-up and the era, this could have been an angsty story. But instead, it's a warm, slow, inevitable slide into second chances love.
Tommy went on to marry a society girl, have a son, and Everett tried to put their youthful love behind him. But when Tommy shows up with his young son at the school where Everett teaches, it's clear that his effort to forget was less than successful. Strangely, Tommy isn't the successful polished man that Everett knows from the society pages he couldn't help reading. And when they meet again, it's a new beginning. But Tommy's still a married family man. Keeping his distance would be far safer for Everett's heart. Unfortunately, "safer" has not been his guiding principle where Tommy is concerned.
Given the set-up and the era, this could have been an angsty story. But instead, it's a warm, slow, inevitable slide into second chances love.
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August 22, 2022
"I want to love you like this," Everett said, brushing his lips across Tommy's, so soft and slow that Tommy almost moaned. "And I want to love you by helping you with that mountain of dishes in your sink. And I want to love you by waking up next to you tomorrow. I want to love you by being there when you do whatever you decide to do next month, or next year. I want to love you any way you need to be loved."
"Everett," Tommy said, almost breathless.
"I don't know what I'm doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don't know what to do. Is that okay?"
with novellas, i've always said i tend to be hesitant bc the book is shorter so there may not be enough development, enough interactions, enough moments to understand the connection or chemistry between the mcs (the way you can with a full length novel) but i admit, while that is the case for some novellas... there are others where it still works. the feels are there. the emotions are present. you still find yourself rooting for the mcs to have their happy ending. this was the case for me with this book.
now, could i have loved this more if it was longer? definitely. while there are some aspects i wish were further developed, the book still packed a punch and hit me with the feels to the point where some scenes made me tear up. the romance, although kinda angsty in the beginning, felt sweet to me overall.
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy's eyes started to water. "Sorry," he said.
"There's nothing to apologize for." With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy's cheekbone. "I think it's sweet."
Tommy wrinkled his nose. "Fuck you."
"I think you're sweet." Everett got to his feet. "You're adorable."
"Everett," Tommy said, almost breathless.
"I don't know what I'm doing either. But I want to love you when we make mistakes, and I want to love you when we don't know what to do. Is that okay?"
with novellas, i've always said i tend to be hesitant bc the book is shorter so there may not be enough development, enough interactions, enough moments to understand the connection or chemistry between the mcs (the way you can with a full length novel) but i admit, while that is the case for some novellas... there are others where it still works. the feels are there. the emotions are present. you still find yourself rooting for the mcs to have their happy ending. this was the case for me with this book.
now, could i have loved this more if it was longer? definitely. while there are some aspects i wish were further developed, the book still packed a punch and hit me with the feels to the point where some scenes made me tear up. the romance, although kinda angsty in the beginning, felt sweet to me overall.
And then, God fucking damn it, Tommy's eyes started to water. "Sorry," he said.
"There's nothing to apologize for." With his thumb, Everett swept a tear off Tommy's cheekbone. "I think it's sweet."
Tommy wrinkled his nose. "Fuck you."
"I think you're sweet." Everett got to his feet. "You're adorable."
April 10, 2021
Prior to this book, I’ve only read a few regency era Cat Sebastian books. I think besides Hither Page, which I have yet to read, she tends to stick to those. So I was curious if I would enjoy her writing in a more modern time. Well...1959 is not so modern. But definitely more modern than the ones I’ve read. I still enjoyed her writing style. It did feel kind of old fashioned but that didn’t bother me.
Plot wise, liked this but never got to the loving it stage even though I thought for sure I was getting there a few times. It’s a short book. Only 105 pages. And I think if it had been longer, it would have worked better for me. This is a second chance love story. And Everett and Tommy were so lovely together. Initially I could really feel their heartbreak and yearning.
But their reunion felt rushed and the ending was unsatisfying. I wanted more build up to their reunion then more time spent together after. Just my two cents. It was still worth the read.
Plot wise, liked this but never got to the loving it stage even though I thought for sure I was getting there a few times. It’s a short book. Only 105 pages. And I think if it had been longer, it would have worked better for me. This is a second chance love story. And Everett and Tommy were so lovely together. Initially I could really feel their heartbreak and yearning.
But their reunion felt rushed and the ending was unsatisfying. I wanted more build up to their reunion then more time spent together after. Just my two cents. It was still worth the read.
June 7, 2022
I loved everything about this book except the length. I usually don't complain about something as pedestrian as the length of a book but this one unfortunately suffered narratively by being way too short. Everything felt as if it was just beginning and nothing really happened. That being said, I really did love everything about this book. Especially the amount of tears Tommy sheds for no reason, or, really, for every reason ever. A weepy older main character is a lovely change from the stoic manly man stuff that can come through in a romance.
In conclusion, I needed approximately 5 times the amount of pages with weeping Tommy being hugged by Everett.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
In conclusion, I needed approximately 5 times the amount of pages with weeping Tommy being hugged by Everett.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
January 8, 2023
5 stars! I think I’m in love with Cat Sebastian’s writing. This was short, sweet, funny and sad. It broke my heart to think of young Tommy and young Everett, and their confused feelings. They broke each other’s hearts, but you can’t really fault them.
But Everett had put distance between them for a reason. Staying in Boston would have meant getting his heart broken every time Tommy showed up and slung his arm around Everett’s shoulders, every time Tommy acted like a kiss or a grope or even more didn’t mean anything.
When they find each other again, they are unsure at first. Hurt. But their deep connection and easy friendship are still there, and can’t be denied. I loved their sweetness, their easy banter.
“I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.” “I’m blushing too? Oh, fuck me.” “I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Do I wish it was longer? Yes, but not because it felt rushed or unfinished. I just wish I could have spent more time with these two.
But Everett had put distance between them for a reason. Staying in Boston would have meant getting his heart broken every time Tommy showed up and slung his arm around Everett’s shoulders, every time Tommy acted like a kiss or a grope or even more didn’t mean anything.
When they find each other again, they are unsure at first. Hurt. But their deep connection and easy friendship are still there, and can’t be denied. I loved their sweetness, their easy banter.
“I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.” “I’m blushing too? Oh, fuck me.” “I mean, I could. I would. I think I’d do whatever you wanted at this point.”
Do I wish it was longer? Yes, but not because it felt rushed or unfinished. I just wish I could have spent more time with these two.
April 11, 2021
3.5 stars
A lovely second chance romance. Not much plot. No drama.
A bit too sweet at the end.
Perfect read between longer books if you want something quick and delightful.
A lovely second chance romance. Not much plot. No drama.
A bit too sweet at the end.
Perfect read between longer books if you want something quick and delightful.
Want to read
November 16, 2021Thank you for the gifts, Still not afraid of the dentist elf!
September 15, 2021
Although this is marked as #1 in the Cabots series, I read it second and was perfectly happy with that reading order. :)
This historical romance novella (set in 1959) has a much more muted tone than Peter Cabot Gets Lost (which was full of snicker-worthy banter and lots of humor), but it was a really lovely, warm, kind, and compassionate story about finding hope, courage, and second chances. It's set mostly in the winter, and it was just wonderfully cozy and emotionally moving. I am really looking forward to the next Cabots story that gets released (which will be about Patricia Cabot, Tommy's ex-wife, who was a wonderful side-character in both stories)!
This historical romance novella (set in 1959) has a much more muted tone than Peter Cabot Gets Lost (which was full of snicker-worthy banter and lots of humor), but it was a really lovely, warm, kind, and compassionate story about finding hope, courage, and second chances. It's set mostly in the winter, and it was just wonderfully cozy and emotionally moving. I am really looking forward to the next Cabots story that gets released (which will be about Patricia Cabot, Tommy's ex-wife, who was a wonderful side-character in both stories)!
August 31, 2021
Short and sweet, but it packs a punch because it's Cat Sebastian's writing, so of course it does. And seeing little Peter who grows up to get his own book was great😍😍
January 27, 2023
Gentle and lovely, even during the sad bits.
January 20, 2022
I'm glad I read these out of order, while I really liked the second book, this has less depth.
The start is good, interesting characters with history together, earning. But then the story is too rushed. They talk twice and then are together and in love.
It left me still wondering what pushed Tommy to come out to his family and face the life altering disownment. What Everett's life was in the interim, did signing up have impact? Neither character felt fully drawn. Tommy is emotional and given to tears, but we're not shown the capable side of him for comparison. His son Daniel is merely a reason for him being at the school where Everett works. Daniel doesn't have any personality, I don't think he actually speaks in the book.
I found myself skimming through, not caring about the characters. They're 'youthful hijinks' is in the past, we don't see them get to know each other as adults. The feelings felt more hangover from the past than something rekindled.
For me this was too easy, too short a story.
The start is good, interesting characters with history together, earning. But then the story is too rushed. They talk twice and then are together and in love.
It left me still wondering what pushed Tommy to come out to his family and face the life altering disownment. What Everett's life was in the interim, did signing up have impact? Neither character felt fully drawn. Tommy is emotional and given to tears, but we're not shown the capable side of him for comparison. His son Daniel is merely a reason for him being at the school where Everett works. Daniel doesn't have any personality, I don't think he actually speaks in the book.
I found myself skimming through, not caring about the characters. They're 'youthful hijinks' is in the past, we don't see them get to know each other as adults. The feelings felt more hangover from the past than something rekindled.
For me this was too easy, too short a story.
December 3, 2022
It was sweet and heartwarming. Some moments had the grab on me. I liked it, but it doesn’t fit so much to my liking. The writing and storyline was okay actually, but I didnt like it as much as I expected. I can imagine lots of people enjoy this for a short second chance FTL :)
November 15, 2021
A super sweet second chance MM romance novella set in the late 1950s America.
I love Cat Sebastian's HR novels and had read her complete backlist. I was keeping this novella pending till the release of the next book in the series but finally, I gave up. This is the 1st Cat Sebastian book based in America. It's the story of Tommy and Everett, who were best friends and lovers while in school. Everett moved away after Tommy married Patricia. Now, 15 years later, they meet again in the same school where Everett is a teacher and Tommy had his son as a student. These long 15 years have changed things between them. Everett is guarding his heart and avoids Tommy at all cost. Whereas once upon confident and rich Tommy is emotional and broken due to his family's betrayal after he came out. Super sweet romance with a bit of angst. Now am waiting eagerly for the release of the next 'Cabot' book.
I love Cat Sebastian's HR novels and had read her complete backlist. I was keeping this novella pending till the release of the next book in the series but finally, I gave up. This is the 1st Cat Sebastian book based in America. It's the story of Tommy and Everett, who were best friends and lovers while in school. Everett moved away after Tommy married Patricia. Now, 15 years later, they meet again in the same school where Everett is a teacher and Tommy had his son as a student. These long 15 years have changed things between them. Everett is guarding his heart and avoids Tommy at all cost. Whereas once upon confident and rich Tommy is emotional and broken due to his family's betrayal after he came out. Super sweet romance with a bit of angst. Now am waiting eagerly for the release of the next 'Cabot' book.
April 15, 2021
Short and sweet without being saccharine or cutsey. I approve. It's set in 1959 (and believably so) and the McCarthy era was coming to an end, so I can believe that there is not an incredible amount of very real fear in there. Also, it's part of a series, so I think I can trust especially this author to further enlighten us about the time period. I liked it. Highly recommended.
Read
July 4, 2022Really enjoyed this. A gentle short story, which I needed, because reading has been hard this year.
April 26, 2022
This was a very sweet second chance romance novella set in 1959. I don't normally like second chance romances all that much, but in this case, Sebastian plays it perfectly. Our two main characters went to an all-boys school for almost their entire childhoods, and Everett was in love Tommy for most of it. But Tommy married a woman, moved away, and the two of them stopped speaking.
Now in their thirties, Everett is a teacher at their old school, and Tommy has made the surprising decision to come out as gay to his politically influential family and get a divorce; he has thus been shunned. Back in town, Tommy and Everett reunite awkwardly. Tommy has no idea why Everett gave up on their friendship, and now his own son is at their old school.
Watching these two rekindle their feelings for one another was incredibly sweet and wholesome, and by the end (with Tommy's ex-wife and her "best friend" giving off heavy sapphic vibes) there was even a cozy found family feeling.
I didn't realize going in that this was a novella not a full novel, but the length works here. This particular story didn't need to be stretched out to novel size. I suppose she could have given us flashbacks scenes to their adolescence, but it wasn't necessary. I am glad that the sequel is a novel, though. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I'm looking forward to it. We met Peter Cabot in this book at the end, as he takes refuge with his uncle Tommy, because he is also gay.
Now in their thirties, Everett is a teacher at their old school, and Tommy has made the surprising decision to come out as gay to his politically influential family and get a divorce; he has thus been shunned. Back in town, Tommy and Everett reunite awkwardly. Tommy has no idea why Everett gave up on their friendship, and now his own son is at their old school.
Watching these two rekindle their feelings for one another was incredibly sweet and wholesome, and by the end (with Tommy's ex-wife and her "best friend" giving off heavy sapphic vibes) there was even a cozy found family feeling.
I didn't realize going in that this was a novella not a full novel, but the length works here. This particular story didn't need to be stretched out to novel size. I suppose she could have given us flashbacks scenes to their adolescence, but it wasn't necessary. I am glad that the sequel is a novel, though. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I'm looking forward to it. We met Peter Cabot in this book at the end, as he takes refuge with his uncle Tommy, because he is also gay.
April 22, 2021
Read as part of He's Come Undone: A Romance Anthology Anthology, back in 2020
Lovely rather heartbreaking story. Fifteen years ago, when Tommy decided to marry a woman, Everett decided to leave America altogether and cut off their ties. Even if they were best friends and lovers back at school.
But it was the 1940's - 1950's, so things wasn't exactly peachy for two male lovers. When they met again in 1959, a little older, and with heartbreak too, they found way to each other again.
I loved it.
Lovely rather heartbreaking story. Fifteen years ago, when Tommy decided to marry a woman, Everett decided to leave America altogether and cut off their ties. Even if they were best friends and lovers back at school.
But it was the 1940's - 1950's, so things wasn't exactly peachy for two male lovers. When they met again in 1959, a little older, and with heartbreak too, they found way to each other again.
I loved it.
October 18, 2022
3.5 stars
November 15, 2021
3.5 rounded down
I quite enjoyed this one, and thought it definitely felt like a complete story, but I did find myself wanting a bit more. I hadn't realized it was quite so short when I started, and especially since it's dealing with a second chance romance, I think it would have benefitted from a bit more length to really develop things. The heat was a bit lacking, and I enjoyed the characters so much together I just wanted a bit more, but I did really enjoy it, and thought it was fun to read a historical set in the 50's which isn't a time period I see much for MM historicals.
I quite enjoyed this one, and thought it definitely felt like a complete story, but I did find myself wanting a bit more. I hadn't realized it was quite so short when I started, and especially since it's dealing with a second chance romance, I think it would have benefitted from a bit more length to really develop things. The heat was a bit lacking, and I enjoyed the characters so much together I just wanted a bit more, but I did really enjoy it, and thought it was fun to read a historical set in the 50's which isn't a time period I see much for MM historicals.
February 15, 2022
Several people have recommended this book to me, but I have never gotten around to reading it. Now I wonder why I waited so long.
It's a lovely story about two men who meet again after 15 years apart. It's sweet and swoony and I fell in love with them both, but especially Tommy.
The book is a little short, and seem to be a prequel to Peter Cabot's story, and that's next on my list of books to read.
It's a lovely story about two men who meet again after 15 years apart. It's sweet and swoony and I fell in love with them both, but especially Tommy.
The book is a little short, and seem to be a prequel to Peter Cabot's story, and that's next on my list of books to read.
April 17, 2021
This little book is perfect.
Sebastian takes a very slight tale and makes it profoundly moving and just Right. With a very light touch and never falling into the obvious.
She gets the period right (I kind of remember 1959), although I'm not sure anyone was using the word 'gay' the way we do now.
I read it in one sitting and am delighted there is to be a series.
Sebastian takes a very slight tale and makes it profoundly moving and just Right. With a very light touch and never falling into the obvious.
She gets the period right (I kind of remember 1959), although I'm not sure anyone was using the word 'gay' the way we do now.
I read it in one sitting and am delighted there is to be a series.
October 5, 2021
3,5 redondeadas a 4 porque me he enamorado de Tommy y aunque se me queda corto de páginas, lo he disfrutado mucho.
Una bonita historia de segundas oportunidades ambientada a finales de los años 50, con personajes ya en la treintena y nada de angst ,que me parece ideal para pasar un buen rato leyendo.
Una bonita historia de segundas oportunidades ambientada a finales de los años 50, con personajes ya en la treintena y nada de angst ,que me parece ideal para pasar un buen rato leyendo.
October 16, 2021
A really love sorta-second chance romance set in the late fifties with somewhat older protagonists. I wouldn't call it fluffy but it's.. warm, wholesome, lovely -- even despite the (thankfully) eluded to and off-page homophobia. Also a nice quick read. With bonus points for there being no evil ex.
Diving right into the next one though, for reference, it's different MCs.
Diving right into the next one though, for reference, it's different MCs.
April 28, 2021
Absolutely loved this one. Just pour me another glass of hurt-comfort. It is good shit.
When I say I want a low stress queer romance, this is what I mean. Endearing characters, good historical detail, just enough plot/angst to keep me interested. I love Everett and Tommy so much.
When I say I want a low stress queer romance, this is what I mean. Endearing characters, good historical detail, just enough plot/angst to keep me interested. I love Everett and Tommy so much.
November 25, 2021
This was good but I found it a bit melancholy. I would have preferred it to be longer cuz there was a lot going on her for how short it was and how complicated their pasts and present were.
July 31, 2022
Lo único que no me gustó es que es muy corto pero es súper dulce y tierno y me encantó.
January 18, 2023
Read for the January "Starting Over" prompt in the 2023 TBR Challenge.
For the first prompt of 2023 - Starting Over – I chose Cat Sebastian’s Tommy Cabot Was Here, a short and sweet second-chance romance set in 1959 about two men who were best friends (and more) at boarding school, went their separate ways after college and who unexpectedly find each other again fifteen years later.
On “Visting Sunday” – a month after the start of the new school year - Everett Sloane is surprised to see a familiar face among the crowds of parents at Greenfields, the prestigious boarding school where he was once a pupil and to which he has returned as a teacher. The face belongs to Tommy Cabot, the youngest son of an influential political family, with whom Everett shared his first kiss, his first sexual experiences and who was his first love – until after graduating college, Tommy told Everett he would be getting married, to exactly the ‘right’ sort of wealthy young woman his family have been expecting him to marry. Heartbroken, Everett left for England right after the wedding, and the two haven’t seen each other since.
Catching a glimpse of the boy at Tommy’s side, Everett realises this must be his son, Daniel, but when he really looks at Tommy, he looks nothing like the polished, successful politician he had imagined Tommy would be by this time; instead he’s a bit frayed around the edges, his clothes slightly dishevelled, his hair overlong, his shave not quite close enough – and he’s holding himself stiffly and somewhat defensively. Before Everett can beat a hasty retreat, however, Tommy notices him and greets him warmly – and with an unexpected hug; after a few excruciating minutes Everett, confused and upset, makes an excuse and walks away.
Tommy is surprised to see Everett at Greenfields, but not surprised to see how little he’s changed over the years, still neat as a pin and just a bit starchy… it hurts to remember how much Tommy had loved coaxing him out of that stuffiness, getting a smile or a laugh out of him, and hurts even more to think how clueless he’d been as to the nature of his feelings for Everett back then, how stupid he’d been not to realise how deeply that cluelessness had hurt the man who had been his best friend. And who could, perhaps, have been so much more.
For all it’s only ninety-one pages long (the rest of the Kindle edition I read is taken up with a preview of Peter Cabot Gets Lost), Tommy Cabot Was Here doesn’t lack depth or emotion. The author rounds out the characters very well indeed, so we get a real sense of their quite different personalities; Tommy the people pleaser, Everett, reserved and quieter, but far more aware of his feelings than the outgoing Tommy was when they were younger, and she creates a strong emotional connection between them so that their rekindled romance is entirely believable. There’s a real sense of longing between them in the early stages of the story, with both of them feeling conflicted about seeing each other again and fearing that maybe it’s too late to be anything more than nodding acquaintances. But the pull they feel towards one another is strong enough to give them the courage to work through past hurts and losses to find a way forward together.
I’ve read a lot of novellas I wish had been longer, but I can’t say that’s the case here. In fact, I think that had this been novel-length, I might have found it too drawn out and criticised it for not containing enough plot! That said, I do think some things are a bit too glossed over (such as Tommy’s decision to come out to his family – it’s 1959, wasn’t he worried someone might report him to the police for being “bent”? - and seek a divorce given he knew he’d be cut off ) and the cameo by Tommy’s nephew Peter (presumably to set up the next book) feels a bit contrived. Despite that, however, I found Tommy Cabot Was Here to be a rather lovely, warm and moving story about finding hope, love and second chances and I'm glad I read it.
For the first prompt of 2023 - Starting Over – I chose Cat Sebastian’s Tommy Cabot Was Here, a short and sweet second-chance romance set in 1959 about two men who were best friends (and more) at boarding school, went their separate ways after college and who unexpectedly find each other again fifteen years later.
On “Visting Sunday” – a month after the start of the new school year - Everett Sloane is surprised to see a familiar face among the crowds of parents at Greenfields, the prestigious boarding school where he was once a pupil and to which he has returned as a teacher. The face belongs to Tommy Cabot, the youngest son of an influential political family, with whom Everett shared his first kiss, his first sexual experiences and who was his first love – until after graduating college, Tommy told Everett he would be getting married, to exactly the ‘right’ sort of wealthy young woman his family have been expecting him to marry. Heartbroken, Everett left for England right after the wedding, and the two haven’t seen each other since.
Catching a glimpse of the boy at Tommy’s side, Everett realises this must be his son, Daniel, but when he really looks at Tommy, he looks nothing like the polished, successful politician he had imagined Tommy would be by this time; instead he’s a bit frayed around the edges, his clothes slightly dishevelled, his hair overlong, his shave not quite close enough – and he’s holding himself stiffly and somewhat defensively. Before Everett can beat a hasty retreat, however, Tommy notices him and greets him warmly – and with an unexpected hug; after a few excruciating minutes Everett, confused and upset, makes an excuse and walks away.
Tommy is surprised to see Everett at Greenfields, but not surprised to see how little he’s changed over the years, still neat as a pin and just a bit starchy… it hurts to remember how much Tommy had loved coaxing him out of that stuffiness, getting a smile or a laugh out of him, and hurts even more to think how clueless he’d been as to the nature of his feelings for Everett back then, how stupid he’d been not to realise how deeply that cluelessness had hurt the man who had been his best friend. And who could, perhaps, have been so much more.
For all it’s only ninety-one pages long (the rest of the Kindle edition I read is taken up with a preview of Peter Cabot Gets Lost), Tommy Cabot Was Here doesn’t lack depth or emotion. The author rounds out the characters very well indeed, so we get a real sense of their quite different personalities; Tommy the people pleaser, Everett, reserved and quieter, but far more aware of his feelings than the outgoing Tommy was when they were younger, and she creates a strong emotional connection between them so that their rekindled romance is entirely believable. There’s a real sense of longing between them in the early stages of the story, with both of them feeling conflicted about seeing each other again and fearing that maybe it’s too late to be anything more than nodding acquaintances. But the pull they feel towards one another is strong enough to give them the courage to work through past hurts and losses to find a way forward together.
I’ve read a lot of novellas I wish had been longer, but I can’t say that’s the case here. In fact, I think that had this been novel-length, I might have found it too drawn out and criticised it for not containing enough plot! That said, I do think some things are a bit too glossed over (such as Tommy’s decision to come out to his family – it’s 1959, wasn’t he worried someone might report him to the police for being “bent”? - and seek a divorce given he knew he’d be cut off ) and the cameo by Tommy’s nephew Peter (presumably to set up the next book) feels a bit contrived. Despite that, however, I found Tommy Cabot Was Here to be a rather lovely, warm and moving story about finding hope, love and second chances and I'm glad I read it.
September 29, 2022
“I’m really smitten with the person you turned into, even with the crying and the blushing.”
“I’m blushing too? Oh, fuck me.”
The way I wish Tommy Cabot Was Here was a full-length novel, you guys have no idea. Despite that, I have to applaud Cat Sebastian's ability to make me fall in love with Everett and Tommy's relationship.
We're somewhat thrown into this second-chance romance, but, with a few expertly placed flashbacks, Sebastian had me firmly rooting for this wonderful couple.
January 8, 2023
This was so sweet and tender. I loved both Tommy and Everett, and it was nice to read a story where the ex-wife wasn’t made to be a villain. Lovely!
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