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The Lock-Keeper's Heart
A 19th Century American MM Historical Romance
In the aftermath of a failed love, Isaac Evans drops out of college and flees Philadelphia for a lock-keeper’s job on the Delaware Canal in rural Pennsylvania, where he pursues a life of Thoreau-driven solitude.
Prussian immigrant Lenert Tessmer trudges along the canal towpath in good and bad weather, hobbled by his dialect, which prevents him from connecting with others. Then Lenert breaks his leg, and Isaac’s Quaker beliefs force him to offer a place where Lenert can recover.
Slowly, these two broken men find solace and healing in each other. But with railroads replacing the canal and narrow-minded outsiders who threaten their country idyll, Isaac and Lenert will have to face their deepest fears to develop a love that will endure.
Fans of MM historical romance will appreciate a fascinating time period, filled with unique details and a vibrant location, and a focus on the lives of working-class men in the 19th century who dare to love other men.
In the aftermath of a failed love, Isaac Evans drops out of college and flees Philadelphia for a lock-keeper’s job on the Delaware Canal in rural Pennsylvania, where he pursues a life of Thoreau-driven solitude.
Prussian immigrant Lenert Tessmer trudges along the canal towpath in good and bad weather, hobbled by his dialect, which prevents him from connecting with others. Then Lenert breaks his leg, and Isaac’s Quaker beliefs force him to offer a place where Lenert can recover.
Slowly, these two broken men find solace and healing in each other. But with railroads replacing the canal and narrow-minded outsiders who threaten their country idyll, Isaac and Lenert will have to face their deepest fears to develop a love that will endure.
Fans of MM historical romance will appreciate a fascinating time period, filled with unique details and a vibrant location, and a focus on the lives of working-class men in the 19th century who dare to love other men.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2021
19 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
252 books653 followersI have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 30, 2022
3.5 stars
I'm most familiar with Plakcy's Mahu series, which is contemporary. He's recently branched into historical fiction, and this is the first of those I've read.
I liked Isaac and Lenert a lot. Lenert had the darker backstory, being kicked out of his home in Prussia, and having to find ways to pay for his passage to America. He eventually lands a job as a hoggee on a canal, until one day he breaks his leg and gets left with the lock-keeper while he heals. Isaac had a much easier past, but still has heartbreak that he's working through when Lenert lands in his care. He's less than enthusiastic to give up his solitude and peace to this unexpected houseguest. And unfortunately, it comes at a time when Isaac's job on a lock-keeper is coming under threat by the railroads.
I would have liked a little more background into how and why the canal worked like it did. I did hunt down some videos and wikis after finishing to get more info, so I had trouble picturing what exactly Isaac was working with, and I don't live anywhere near where a canal used to be. There was also a bit too much repetition, and more sex than I cared to read, so I eventually just skipped over those scenes. Of course, it didn't help that those scenes were nearly mechanical.
I liked seeing the historical aspects, and seeing what life was like then. We even get some brief reminders of what life was like for former slaves then (this is placed shortly after the end of the Civil War). I also liked that one of the main characters was a Quaker. I think this is a first for me. Usually, they're side characters in the books I've read. I was really interested in how Quakers practice their faith. It seems much more level-headed and healthy than other forms of Christianity I've seen or been exposed to.
The romance was nice, but again, a bit mechanical. I got frustrated at them making assumings based on misunderstandings. It took them too long to actually explain things to each other. Granted, there was the language barrier, but even after that was less of a factor, they still took too long to just come out and say what they actually wanted. I ended up feeling a little detached from the romance, since it was more telling than showing. But that's pretty standard for Plakcy's writing, and a lot of male authors when it comes right down to it. It's not a deterrent with the Mahu series, since those are primarily mysteries, but since this is romance focused, it was a deterrent here.
I'm most familiar with Plakcy's Mahu series, which is contemporary. He's recently branched into historical fiction, and this is the first of those I've read.
I liked Isaac and Lenert a lot. Lenert had the darker backstory, being kicked out of his home in Prussia, and having to find ways to pay for his passage to America. He eventually lands a job as a hoggee on a canal, until one day he breaks his leg and gets left with the lock-keeper while he heals. Isaac had a much easier past, but still has heartbreak that he's working through when Lenert lands in his care. He's less than enthusiastic to give up his solitude and peace to this unexpected houseguest. And unfortunately, it comes at a time when Isaac's job on a lock-keeper is coming under threat by the railroads.
I would have liked a little more background into how and why the canal worked like it did. I did hunt down some videos and wikis after finishing to get more info, so I had trouble picturing what exactly Isaac was working with, and I don't live anywhere near where a canal used to be. There was also a bit too much repetition, and more sex than I cared to read, so I eventually just skipped over those scenes. Of course, it didn't help that those scenes were nearly mechanical.
I liked seeing the historical aspects, and seeing what life was like then. We even get some brief reminders of what life was like for former slaves then (this is placed shortly after the end of the Civil War). I also liked that one of the main characters was a Quaker. I think this is a first for me. Usually, they're side characters in the books I've read. I was really interested in how Quakers practice their faith. It seems much more level-headed and healthy than other forms of Christianity I've seen or been exposed to.
The romance was nice, but again, a bit mechanical. I got frustrated at them making assumings based on misunderstandings. It took them too long to actually explain things to each other. Granted, there was the language barrier, but even after that was less of a factor, they still took too long to just come out and say what they actually wanted. I ended up feeling a little detached from the romance, since it was more telling than showing. But that's pretty standard for Plakcy's writing, and a lot of male authors when it comes right down to it. It's not a deterrent with the Mahu series, since those are primarily mysteries, but since this is romance focused, it was a deterrent here.
June 1, 2021
4 Stars for ‘The Lock-Keeper's Heart’ by Neil S. Plakcy
Neil Plakcy’s meticulous attention to detail in evoking both time and place is on full display in his latest novel, ‘The Lock-Keeper's Heart’. The author’s name alone is inducement enough for me to read any M/M romance novel he writes, but in this case the cover art featuring a portrait on the lock-keeper himself (Isaac Evans) was certainly an added incentive.
Set in 1871-72, ‘The Lock-Keeper's Heart' is the story of Isaac’s decision to leave his studies at the University of Pennsylvania to find an idyllic Thoreau-like ‘Walden’ peace communing with nature.
With the help of his university professor/mentor, Isaac secures a position as a lock-keeper on the Delaware Canal and moves into the lock-keeper’s cottage in Bucklebury, a few miles south of New Hope and just north of Stewart’s Crossing. It’s in that cottage and along the canal to the Quaker House in Stewart’s Crossing where much of the early part of the story takes place.
Lenert Tessmer was banished by his father from their family farm in Prussia when he was found having sex with another man. Through a series of events - many of them extremely unpleasant - he arrives in America where he becomes a bargeman on the Delaware Canal. One day, while walking a pair of mules towing a barge, the mules balked just before the barge had reached Isaac’s lock. Their sudden exertion caused Lenert to fall and break his left leg.
Even though he desperately wants to be alone, Isaac’s Quaker upbringing couldn’t let him turn away another man who clearly needs help, so he offers to let Lenert stay with him until Lenert’s leg can heal.
Thus begins the slow - at times painfully slow - dance of learning to trust, care for, and love one another. Their initial doubts about the feelings each has for the other is compounded by the fact that Lenert speaks very little English, the deep hurt both men have experienced in the past, and the fear both men have that others might learn of their mutual attraction.
As always, Plakcy introduces a host of wonderful supporting characters, including Solomon Smith, a freed slave who also works as a bargeman, Amos Barclay, a Philadelphia policeman, Isaac’s parents, and his professor, Artemus Branson, as well as other lock-keepers, barge owners, villains, and, of course, an interfering matchmaker, Mrs. Alice Pennington, trying to get her daughter Charity married to any man.
I received ‘The Lock-Keeper’s Heart’, a novel focused on the lives of working-class men in the late 19th Century who dare to love other men, from the author through Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest review.
Neil Plakcy’s meticulous attention to detail in evoking both time and place is on full display in his latest novel, ‘The Lock-Keeper's Heart’. The author’s name alone is inducement enough for me to read any M/M romance novel he writes, but in this case the cover art featuring a portrait on the lock-keeper himself (Isaac Evans) was certainly an added incentive.
Set in 1871-72, ‘The Lock-Keeper's Heart' is the story of Isaac’s decision to leave his studies at the University of Pennsylvania to find an idyllic Thoreau-like ‘Walden’ peace communing with nature.
With the help of his university professor/mentor, Isaac secures a position as a lock-keeper on the Delaware Canal and moves into the lock-keeper’s cottage in Bucklebury, a few miles south of New Hope and just north of Stewart’s Crossing. It’s in that cottage and along the canal to the Quaker House in Stewart’s Crossing where much of the early part of the story takes place.
Lenert Tessmer was banished by his father from their family farm in Prussia when he was found having sex with another man. Through a series of events - many of them extremely unpleasant - he arrives in America where he becomes a bargeman on the Delaware Canal. One day, while walking a pair of mules towing a barge, the mules balked just before the barge had reached Isaac’s lock. Their sudden exertion caused Lenert to fall and break his left leg.
Even though he desperately wants to be alone, Isaac’s Quaker upbringing couldn’t let him turn away another man who clearly needs help, so he offers to let Lenert stay with him until Lenert’s leg can heal.
Thus begins the slow - at times painfully slow - dance of learning to trust, care for, and love one another. Their initial doubts about the feelings each has for the other is compounded by the fact that Lenert speaks very little English, the deep hurt both men have experienced in the past, and the fear both men have that others might learn of their mutual attraction.
As always, Plakcy introduces a host of wonderful supporting characters, including Solomon Smith, a freed slave who also works as a bargeman, Amos Barclay, a Philadelphia policeman, Isaac’s parents, and his professor, Artemus Branson, as well as other lock-keepers, barge owners, villains, and, of course, an interfering matchmaker, Mrs. Alice Pennington, trying to get her daughter Charity married to any man.
I received ‘The Lock-Keeper’s Heart’, a novel focused on the lives of working-class men in the late 19th Century who dare to love other men, from the author through Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest review.
December 4, 2021
One of Packcy's Best
Neil Plakcy has a habit of surprising the hell out of you with his knowledge of the milieu of his books with his sometimes pithy but always to the point prose.
Most of all, however, he is a master when it comes to fleshing out the two main characters in his books, and in this historical novel--a departure in venue for him--he goes from outstanding to brilliant in that respect.
Never mind that he latched on to Henry David Thoreau and his era in order to give us the rationale for this story of Quaker student Isaac Evans and Prussian immigrant Lenert Tessmer.
Never mind that he has chosen an almost forgotten era and locale which is rarely if ever remembered by historians as crucial to the development of the country to spin a tale with all the mini plots and exceptional secondary characters that rivet your attention .
Never mind that this is a story which builds on attraction, hope and then love with and without fulfillment--and includes one or two secondary characters with the same experiences.
What matters is that if I had a hard cover or paperback copy of this book instead of having read it on my Kindle, I would have crushed it to my chest a dozen or more time and sighed with thanks that this tale of two wonderful souls had come into our lives.
And I'd save a hug for Mr. Plakcy as well. Bravo!!
Neil Plakcy has a habit of surprising the hell out of you with his knowledge of the milieu of his books with his sometimes pithy but always to the point prose.
Most of all, however, he is a master when it comes to fleshing out the two main characters in his books, and in this historical novel--a departure in venue for him--he goes from outstanding to brilliant in that respect.
Never mind that he latched on to Henry David Thoreau and his era in order to give us the rationale for this story of Quaker student Isaac Evans and Prussian immigrant Lenert Tessmer.
Never mind that he has chosen an almost forgotten era and locale which is rarely if ever remembered by historians as crucial to the development of the country to spin a tale with all the mini plots and exceptional secondary characters that rivet your attention .
Never mind that this is a story which builds on attraction, hope and then love with and without fulfillment--and includes one or two secondary characters with the same experiences.
What matters is that if I had a hard cover or paperback copy of this book instead of having read it on my Kindle, I would have crushed it to my chest a dozen or more time and sighed with thanks that this tale of two wonderful souls had come into our lives.
And I'd save a hug for Mr. Plakcy as well. Bravo!!
June 1, 2021
Enjoyed the historical aspect ; romance , no so much
If I were to review/rate this book as Historical Fiction , I confidently give it a solid 4 stars . The history it's fascinating . I can only imagine the amount of research author had to do to create the detailed world build around the story.
Yet, it's categorized as Historical Romance but when it comes to the heroes romantic relationship , chemistry , it comes out lacking. Therefore , my review/rating comes down to a 3.5 stars.
If I were to review/rate this book as Historical Fiction , I confidently give it a solid 4 stars . The history it's fascinating . I can only imagine the amount of research author had to do to create the detailed world build around the story.
Yet, it's categorized as Historical Romance but when it comes to the heroes romantic relationship , chemistry , it comes out lacking. Therefore , my review/rating comes down to a 3.5 stars.
May 25, 2021
I find it hard to write a review about this book. On the one hand I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. It's well written and well researched. The story breaths 19th century in all it's descriptions and actions of both mc's and the secondary characters. There's an ex-slave character, a woman who desperately wants to find a husband for her daughter, there's talk about the civil war that ended only just a decade before. The fear for the negative influence of the new railroads to the boats that use the canal to trade. As I said, I enjoyed all these historical facts. It's why I read historicals in the first place.
The story had a nice, slow pacing and not so much angst, despite some heavy topics like prostitution and mentions of possible rape (off page), homophobic family members and abusive men.
But I found myself not very invested in the romance between Lenert and Isaac. I didn't dislike them, but I also didn't love them. I wasn't rooting for them to get together. It dragged a bit, with Lenert telling himself he should leave over and over, and with the misunderstandings between the two before they explained their meanings to each other.
When I was just a few chapters in, I thought this book had quite some potential to be a great read, but somehow this story fell flat and the last chapters had me skimming and that says quite enough.
Still, historically speaking, this was good, so that's why I end up with 3 stars. Romantically, it would have been less. Which I'm really sorry about, because I had hoped to like it more than I did.
The story had a nice, slow pacing and not so much angst, despite some heavy topics like prostitution and mentions of possible rape (off page), homophobic family members and abusive men.
But I found myself not very invested in the romance between Lenert and Isaac. I didn't dislike them, but I also didn't love them. I wasn't rooting for them to get together. It dragged a bit, with Lenert telling himself he should leave over and over, and with the misunderstandings between the two before they explained their meanings to each other.
When I was just a few chapters in, I thought this book had quite some potential to be a great read, but somehow this story fell flat and the last chapters had me skimming and that says quite enough.
Still, historically speaking, this was good, so that's why I end up with 3 stars. Romantically, it would have been less. Which I'm really sorry about, because I had hoped to like it more than I did.
June 11, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
The Lock-Keeper’s Heart is, on the whole, an interesting historical with an unusual setting and two main characters who I found a tad lacking.
In light of the recent incident on the Panama Canal, I found The Lock-Keeper’s Heart somewhat timely reading. Most modern day lock systems are a massive, automated process and it’s hard to think of the same thing being done by hand a 150 years ago. But the author does a good job of describing the realities of canal work, as well as acknowledging that, as of the 1870s, the railroads were replacing canals as the primary form of shipping goods. This historical aspect of the book was one I enjoyed and the entire work has a strong sense of time and place.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
The Lock-Keeper’s Heart is, on the whole, an interesting historical with an unusual setting and two main characters who I found a tad lacking.
In light of the recent incident on the Panama Canal, I found The Lock-Keeper’s Heart somewhat timely reading. Most modern day lock systems are a massive, automated process and it’s hard to think of the same thing being done by hand a 150 years ago. But the author does a good job of describing the realities of canal work, as well as acknowledging that, as of the 1870s, the railroads were replacing canals as the primary form of shipping goods. This historical aspect of the book was one I enjoyed and the entire work has a strong sense of time and place.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
May 27, 2021
This was the first book by Neil S. Plakcy I read and I'm left with mixed feelings. On one hand, I loved the story and the plot, the character developments, and the writing. On the other hand, I had trouble following the historical events and language. Somewhere in the middle, the story fell, and kinda made me skip some parts.
I'm going to use modern terms so bear with me. Issac Evans is a sort of college drop-out who, after experiencing a failed love and disappointment moves to Philadelphia and takes a job as a lock keeper on the Delaware Canal. Issac is an avid reader of Thoreau and following Mr. Thoreau's footsteps chooses to live life in solitude until he meets Prussian immigrant, Lenert Tessmer.
Lenert travels to America to start a new life after he is ordered to leave his hometown. Lenert doesn't really speak English and because of his limited grasp of the language, he is not able to form meaningful connections with others. Lenert works traveling along the canal and in an unfortunate accident, he breaks his leg which causes the lady he works for leave him behind to heal with Issac.
Issac is a Quacker and his beliefs make him provide the Prussian with a place to recover. Lenert and Issac are both burned and broken by their pasts but soon find a company with each other. Issac has some knowledge of German so he teaches Lenert English so they can communicate easily with each other. Slowly and gradually, these two find mutual interests and begin to heal each other.
I loved how the story developed gradually and didn't rush but still, I found something lacking. The chemistry between Issac and Lenert was stilted at first but later in the book, it picked up. I don't have much knowledge of US history, especially railroad history, so on one hand I found the history lessons fascinating, but on the other, it made it difficult for me to follow the events.
The interaction between the characters was appropriate historically but still, as I said, there was something missing. Issac and Lenert have issues but together they work well. They help heal each other from their pasts and balance each other out. Issac is a loner and doesn't like talking to people while Lenert is a people person. The characters compliment each other and have good chemistry.
If you have good knowledge of 19th century US history, you'll find this book interesting but if you're not familiar with 19th-century slang and history (like me), you'll find some trouble connecting the dots.
While the author's grasp on history is good along with their writing skills, I have to say that I found this book somewhere in the middle between dull and interesting. The ending was beautiful and appropriate for Issac, Lenert, and friends.
For me, this book is a 3.5 star, one time read but if you're a fan of historical romance, slow burn, working-class men living in the woods, sharing a cabin and bed - then you'd enjoy The Lock-Keeper's Heart .
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews for my honest and open review of this book. I don't intend to offend anyone or the author with this review. The above opinion is based on my reading experience alone.
I'm going to use modern terms so bear with me. Issac Evans is a sort of college drop-out who, after experiencing a failed love and disappointment moves to Philadelphia and takes a job as a lock keeper on the Delaware Canal. Issac is an avid reader of Thoreau and following Mr. Thoreau's footsteps chooses to live life in solitude until he meets Prussian immigrant, Lenert Tessmer.
Lenert travels to America to start a new life after he is ordered to leave his hometown. Lenert doesn't really speak English and because of his limited grasp of the language, he is not able to form meaningful connections with others. Lenert works traveling along the canal and in an unfortunate accident, he breaks his leg which causes the lady he works for leave him behind to heal with Issac.
Issac is a Quacker and his beliefs make him provide the Prussian with a place to recover. Lenert and Issac are both burned and broken by their pasts but soon find a company with each other. Issac has some knowledge of German so he teaches Lenert English so they can communicate easily with each other. Slowly and gradually, these two find mutual interests and begin to heal each other.
I loved how the story developed gradually and didn't rush but still, I found something lacking. The chemistry between Issac and Lenert was stilted at first but later in the book, it picked up. I don't have much knowledge of US history, especially railroad history, so on one hand I found the history lessons fascinating, but on the other, it made it difficult for me to follow the events.
The interaction between the characters was appropriate historically but still, as I said, there was something missing. Issac and Lenert have issues but together they work well. They help heal each other from their pasts and balance each other out. Issac is a loner and doesn't like talking to people while Lenert is a people person. The characters compliment each other and have good chemistry.
If you have good knowledge of 19th century US history, you'll find this book interesting but if you're not familiar with 19th-century slang and history (like me), you'll find some trouble connecting the dots.
While the author's grasp on history is good along with their writing skills, I have to say that I found this book somewhere in the middle between dull and interesting. The ending was beautiful and appropriate for Issac, Lenert, and friends.
For me, this book is a 3.5 star, one time read but if you're a fan of historical romance, slow burn, working-class men living in the woods, sharing a cabin and bed - then you'd enjoy The Lock-Keeper's Heart .
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews for my honest and open review of this book. I don't intend to offend anyone or the author with this review. The above opinion is based on my reading experience alone.
June 5, 2021
A wonderful slow burn romance with a good dose of the history and the ways of the 19th century
I am a big fan of historicals and I loved the regency romance recently released by this author, so I grabbed this one ASAP.
I really liked the way the author builds up the initial scenes to give us the flavor of what the scene in 19th century was. The ways of the people, education, the ever prevalent gap between the have and the have-not's, the struggles of immigrants as well as views on same sex relationships. Very well written.
I liked both the MCs and the slow burn nature of their romance. Though they seemed like very different people and there was always the language barrier, it was nice to see how their love blossomed from strangers, friends and to lovers.
The writing flows well with some great prose and good world building.
Complete with great side characters, I'll recommend this to anyone looking for a good historical with a romance on the side.
I am a big fan of historicals and I loved the regency romance recently released by this author, so I grabbed this one ASAP.
I really liked the way the author builds up the initial scenes to give us the flavor of what the scene in 19th century was. The ways of the people, education, the ever prevalent gap between the have and the have-not's, the struggles of immigrants as well as views on same sex relationships. Very well written.
I liked both the MCs and the slow burn nature of their romance. Though they seemed like very different people and there was always the language barrier, it was nice to see how their love blossomed from strangers, friends and to lovers.
The writing flows well with some great prose and good world building.
Complete with great side characters, I'll recommend this to anyone looking for a good historical with a romance on the side.
June 3, 2021
This is the first book I've read by Neil Plakcy and I have to say he's got a new fan. "Lock-Keeper's Heart" is a genuinely good read, complete with fascinating characters in an unusual setting for a MM romance novel.
Lenert is a Prussian immigrant, driven to America when he's cast out by his family. The story of his passage is not a pretty one but probably not unusual given the circumstances of the time. Once in America, he eventually finds work helping guide a barge up the Delaware canal. An accident leaves him with a broken leg and in the care of Isaac, a lock-keeper on the canal who, in keeping with his Quaker teachings, takes Lenert in and cares for him. Isaac, having been hurt from a previous relationship, finds himself falling for Lenert and the two begin a tentative courtship.
It's a well-done romance between the two men, and moving how they each help mend the other's heart despite the roadblocks in their way of being gay men in the late 1800s. The historical details of the time tie in with the story quite well and seem to be meticulously researched. For example, the rise of the railroads and the economic unrest following the Coinage Act of 1873 play a large role in events of the book. At times, the circumstances the characters face are somewhat terrifying when compared to today's society, since at the time there was no safety net for someone losing their jobs even through no fault of their own.
Plakcy does a good job of depicting the harsh realities of the time without going overboard. People cling to hope for the most part since they don't have much else. And there is a happy ending for Isaac and Lenert, after all. If I have a quibble with the book at all, it's that the solution for their happy ending seemed to stretch plausibility a bit. I was happy that they found their HEA but it seemed that the strictures of a romance novel may have dictated an ending a bit happier than probably would have been possible in the real world.
Nonetheless, an immensely entertaining book that cast a spell on me. I'm eager to read more of Plakcy's work.
Lenert is a Prussian immigrant, driven to America when he's cast out by his family. The story of his passage is not a pretty one but probably not unusual given the circumstances of the time. Once in America, he eventually finds work helping guide a barge up the Delaware canal. An accident leaves him with a broken leg and in the care of Isaac, a lock-keeper on the canal who, in keeping with his Quaker teachings, takes Lenert in and cares for him. Isaac, having been hurt from a previous relationship, finds himself falling for Lenert and the two begin a tentative courtship.
It's a well-done romance between the two men, and moving how they each help mend the other's heart despite the roadblocks in their way of being gay men in the late 1800s. The historical details of the time tie in with the story quite well and seem to be meticulously researched. For example, the rise of the railroads and the economic unrest following the Coinage Act of 1873 play a large role in events of the book. At times, the circumstances the characters face are somewhat terrifying when compared to today's society, since at the time there was no safety net for someone losing their jobs even through no fault of their own.
Plakcy does a good job of depicting the harsh realities of the time without going overboard. People cling to hope for the most part since they don't have much else. And there is a happy ending for Isaac and Lenert, after all. If I have a quibble with the book at all, it's that the solution for their happy ending seemed to stretch plausibility a bit. I was happy that they found their HEA but it seemed that the strictures of a romance novel may have dictated an ending a bit happier than probably would have been possible in the real world.
Nonetheless, an immensely entertaining book that cast a spell on me. I'm eager to read more of Plakcy's work.
June 1, 2021
Reviewed by Taylin 4 1/2 Hearts
During 1871-2, Isaac hated noise and left college in favor of quiet solitude. He landed a job as a lock-keeper. Lenert left his home country under a cloud, seeking a life in the New World – America. Finding a job as a hoggee, working the mules, on the canal, he gets by. An accident that broke Lenert’s leg also put him on an intersecting path with Isaac. From there, both lives change.
What followed was a historical story that, when I saw the word count, I had a few misgivings. However, by the end, I felt I’d experienced a part of history and was enchanted by a story that I was sad to leave.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Isaac and Lenert. Other than that, I can’t say that I noticed any other technicalities because, figuratively speaking, I was stuck to the page.
Imagine going for a stroll through the woods on a long summer’s day – enjoyable but gentle – this is the pace throughout the story. So, yes, the relationship is a slow burn, but so is the worldbuilding. Only, this story is not a walk through the countryside. In the opening chapters, there is powerful imagery concerning the plight of an immigrant and what awaited them in the New World. It is depressingly bleak with sex being a universal currency. Also, some dialogue is in German/Prussian – which I don’t speak. My lack of language skills gave me an intimate realization of how isolating the inability to communicate can be. Add in prejudice and …well.
When Lenert encounters Isaac with his Quaker beliefs, it is a breath of fresh air to Lenert and the story. Isaac is a serene, sexually naïve, learned man, with firm views about people, hospitality, and what God provides. As such, he opens his home to Lenert and eventually his heart. Though, for a long time, the couple plays the dance of attraction and second-guessing – afraid to venture into something more. Each man learns something from the other, and this process was lovely to read.
The story is a historical tale told in an old tongue. The extended cast fills out the world and makes it a tale to immerse oneself in. There are no guns or huge drama, just that of life, told beautifully. It is sweet, sexual, and enlightening. As the story progressed, it pulled me in, and by the end, I was a fan.
During 1871-2, Isaac hated noise and left college in favor of quiet solitude. He landed a job as a lock-keeper. Lenert left his home country under a cloud, seeking a life in the New World – America. Finding a job as a hoggee, working the mules, on the canal, he gets by. An accident that broke Lenert’s leg also put him on an intersecting path with Isaac. From there, both lives change.
What followed was a historical story that, when I saw the word count, I had a few misgivings. However, by the end, I felt I’d experienced a part of history and was enchanted by a story that I was sad to leave.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Isaac and Lenert. Other than that, I can’t say that I noticed any other technicalities because, figuratively speaking, I was stuck to the page.
Imagine going for a stroll through the woods on a long summer’s day – enjoyable but gentle – this is the pace throughout the story. So, yes, the relationship is a slow burn, but so is the worldbuilding. Only, this story is not a walk through the countryside. In the opening chapters, there is powerful imagery concerning the plight of an immigrant and what awaited them in the New World. It is depressingly bleak with sex being a universal currency. Also, some dialogue is in German/Prussian – which I don’t speak. My lack of language skills gave me an intimate realization of how isolating the inability to communicate can be. Add in prejudice and …well.
When Lenert encounters Isaac with his Quaker beliefs, it is a breath of fresh air to Lenert and the story. Isaac is a serene, sexually naïve, learned man, with firm views about people, hospitality, and what God provides. As such, he opens his home to Lenert and eventually his heart. Though, for a long time, the couple plays the dance of attraction and second-guessing – afraid to venture into something more. Each man learns something from the other, and this process was lovely to read.
The story is a historical tale told in an old tongue. The extended cast fills out the world and makes it a tale to immerse oneself in. There are no guns or huge drama, just that of life, told beautifully. It is sweet, sexual, and enlightening. As the story progressed, it pulled me in, and by the end, I was a fan.
June 1, 2021
I wrote this review on behalf of Love Bytes and gave it 4.5 hearts.
During 1871-2, Isaac hated noise and left college in favor of quiet solitude. He landed a job as a lock-keeper. Lenert left his home country under a cloud, seeking a life in the New World – America. Finding a job as a hoggee, working the mules, on the canal, he gets by. An accident that broke Lenert’s leg also put him on an intersecting path with Isaac. From there, both lives change.
What followed was a historical story that, when I saw the word count, I had a few misgivings. However, by the end, I felt I’d experienced a part of history and was enchanted by a story that I was sad to leave.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Isaac and Lenert. Other than that, I can’t say that I noticed any other technicalities because, figuratively speaking, I was stuck to the page.
Imagine going for a stroll through the woods on a long summer’s day – enjoyable but gentle - this is the pace throughout the story. So, yes, the relationship is a slow burn, but so is the worldbuilding. Only, this story is not a walk through the countryside. In the opening chapters, there is powerful imagery concerning the plight of an immigrant and what awaited them in the New World. It is depressingly bleak with sex being a universal currency. Also, some dialogue is in German/Prussian – which I don’t speak. My lack of language skills gave me an intimate realization of how isolating the inability to communicate can be. Add in prejudice and …well.
When Lenert encounters Isaac with his Quaker beliefs, it is a breath of fresh air to Lenert and the story. Isaac is a serene, sexually naïve, learned man, with firm views about people, hospitality, and what God provides. As such, he opens his home to Lenert and eventually his heart. Though, for a long time, the couple plays the dance of attraction and second-guessing - afraid to venture into something more. Each man learns something from the other, and this process was lovely to read.
The story is a historical tale told in an old tongue. The extended cast fills out the world and makes it a tale to immerse oneself in. There are no guns or huge drama, just that of life, told beautifully. It is sweet, sexual, and enlightening. As the story progressed, it pulled me in, and by the end, I was a fan.
During 1871-2, Isaac hated noise and left college in favor of quiet solitude. He landed a job as a lock-keeper. Lenert left his home country under a cloud, seeking a life in the New World – America. Finding a job as a hoggee, working the mules, on the canal, he gets by. An accident that broke Lenert’s leg also put him on an intersecting path with Isaac. From there, both lives change.
What followed was a historical story that, when I saw the word count, I had a few misgivings. However, by the end, I felt I’d experienced a part of history and was enchanted by a story that I was sad to leave.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Isaac and Lenert. Other than that, I can’t say that I noticed any other technicalities because, figuratively speaking, I was stuck to the page.
Imagine going for a stroll through the woods on a long summer’s day – enjoyable but gentle - this is the pace throughout the story. So, yes, the relationship is a slow burn, but so is the worldbuilding. Only, this story is not a walk through the countryside. In the opening chapters, there is powerful imagery concerning the plight of an immigrant and what awaited them in the New World. It is depressingly bleak with sex being a universal currency. Also, some dialogue is in German/Prussian – which I don’t speak. My lack of language skills gave me an intimate realization of how isolating the inability to communicate can be. Add in prejudice and …well.
When Lenert encounters Isaac with his Quaker beliefs, it is a breath of fresh air to Lenert and the story. Isaac is a serene, sexually naïve, learned man, with firm views about people, hospitality, and what God provides. As such, he opens his home to Lenert and eventually his heart. Though, for a long time, the couple plays the dance of attraction and second-guessing - afraid to venture into something more. Each man learns something from the other, and this process was lovely to read.
The story is a historical tale told in an old tongue. The extended cast fills out the world and makes it a tale to immerse oneself in. There are no guns or huge drama, just that of life, told beautifully. It is sweet, sexual, and enlightening. As the story progressed, it pulled me in, and by the end, I was a fan.
June 5, 2021
It’s clear that the world built in this novel, as well as the people who inhabit it, reflect careful research into both landscape and time period (for more detail on this process the author’s note at the end is definitely informative). I liked how vividly both places and characters inhabited each page, and how they provided a picture of late nineteenth century American life that acknowledged its many many obstacles and inequities -- economic, racial, cultural, etc-- while celebrating the characters’ ability to find, and make, their own happiness within the rigid frameworks available. There’s hardship, suffering, inequity, and exploitation in this story, but there’s also love, determination, and courage in face of some steep odds. I appreciated that the community of “committed bachelors” the novel slowly assembled brought together a variety of perspectives and experiences, with Isaac’s position of relative privilege-- he’s educated, white, and American-born-- affording him a different outlook, and expectations, than those held by Prussian immigrant Lenert, who’s experienced more discrimination and exploitation than Isaac can even imagine. The presence of supporting characters like former slave Solomon and policeman Amos adds even more nuance to the narrative, and while it’s definitely fair to call this a romance, and to identify Isaac and Lenert as the protagonists, this book is more than their love story: it’s a meditation on a particular time in history, on human relationships and social constructs, as well as a kind of celebration of finding a way to exist within parameters that aren’t always, or ever, kindly intended. While Isaac is initially obsessed, then somewhat disenchanted, with Thoreau’s ideas about nature and isolation, it’s easy to see some threads of other nineteenth-century literary staples in here as well: Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” perhaps, as much as “Walden.” A really interesting, moving read.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2021
I received an ARC of this from GRR and this is my honest review.
This is yet another new author to me, I'd never come across them before, but I think I'd be keen to look for more works written by them.
This is obviously a very well researched book. I know next to nothing about the American canal system, or the Quaker faith but the author has clearly done his homework and it's all so well written. I liked how even though Isaac wanted the solitude at the start, his Quaker faith wouldn't let him turn Lenert away. The story between Isaac and Lenert is a slow burn, and I liked that very much, too often there's insta-lust or worse, insta-love and it was a joy to see things develop organically between the two, especially in a time where gay relationships were not accepted and neither was sure at the start if the other was attracted to them.
It was good to see both men bloom as they came together, Isaac coming out of his shell of loneliness and solitude and Lenert too, learning english and how to read and write properly. The middle section of the book was a little slower, I did weary a little of Lenert constantly wanting to leave and I just wanted them to talk to each other, to sort things out. I did like the ending though, it was fitting for them both, moving forward together with something for both in a place they can be together. Happy to see the little weasel of a boss on the canal getting his dues too.
All in all I really liked this one, and I'll be sure to look out for more from the author too.
This is yet another new author to me, I'd never come across them before, but I think I'd be keen to look for more works written by them.
This is obviously a very well researched book. I know next to nothing about the American canal system, or the Quaker faith but the author has clearly done his homework and it's all so well written. I liked how even though Isaac wanted the solitude at the start, his Quaker faith wouldn't let him turn Lenert away. The story between Isaac and Lenert is a slow burn, and I liked that very much, too often there's insta-lust or worse, insta-love and it was a joy to see things develop organically between the two, especially in a time where gay relationships were not accepted and neither was sure at the start if the other was attracted to them.
It was good to see both men bloom as they came together, Isaac coming out of his shell of loneliness and solitude and Lenert too, learning english and how to read and write properly. The middle section of the book was a little slower, I did weary a little of Lenert constantly wanting to leave and I just wanted them to talk to each other, to sort things out. I did like the ending though, it was fitting for them both, moving forward together with something for both in a place they can be together. Happy to see the little weasel of a boss on the canal getting his dues too.
All in all I really liked this one, and I'll be sure to look out for more from the author too.
June 5, 2021
This story was heartbreakingly romantic. Isaac has just had his heart broken so he's been inspired by his favorite novel, Walden, to leave the city and go to nature the best he can. So he leaves university to become a Lock Keeper, a very secluded job. But his seclusion is interrupted by the arrival of an injured Lenert. Isaac is Quaker, which encourages him to offer hospitality even if it's against his nature. So not only does he get Lenert treatment, he also offers him a place to stay but there's only one bed…
Lenert was my favorite character. He went through some very painful experiences but is a hard worker and perseveres. His desire for Isaac is so tender, and so is Isaac's, that it was so sweet to read. I liked how they danced around each other, with both uncertain how to make the first or next move. But they compliment each other so well that their relationship is pretty low angst and despite the obstacles they do face, eventually they are able to overcome them by working together.
This was definitely one of my favorite historical romances of the year and maybe even my most favorite. I highly recommend this story because the tone was so perfect. You’ll feel like Isaac did when reading Walden. The side characters were also very interesting, I don't think that the author is planning to tell the story of Amos and Solomon but I would eagerly read it if they did.
Lenert was my favorite character. He went through some very painful experiences but is a hard worker and perseveres. His desire for Isaac is so tender, and so is Isaac's, that it was so sweet to read. I liked how they danced around each other, with both uncertain how to make the first or next move. But they compliment each other so well that their relationship is pretty low angst and despite the obstacles they do face, eventually they are able to overcome them by working together.
This was definitely one of my favorite historical romances of the year and maybe even my most favorite. I highly recommend this story because the tone was so perfect. You’ll feel like Isaac did when reading Walden. The side characters were also very interesting, I don't think that the author is planning to tell the story of Amos and Solomon but I would eagerly read it if they did.
May 30, 2021
Heartbroken, Isaac Evans leaves college and Philadelphia and takes a job as a lock-keeper on the Delaware Canal. He is looking for the peace and serenity he gets from reading Thoreau. What he gets is Prussian immigrant, Lenert Tessmer who has broken his leg. Isaac, as a good Quaker, takes him in and nurse him back to health. Lenert knew very little English and was working the canal managing the mules. Living with Isaac, Lenert learns English and finds some healing as does Isaac. Their idyllic existence is threatened with railroads, a change in management and narrow-mindedness.
I loved going back in time and learning about life on the canals. Neil S. Plakcy does an excellent job bringing the era to life through the eyes of these two working class men. Both men had trust issues that made living true to their selves difficult. Being gay in that time brought along a whole new level of bravery and determination. Something both men found within themselves. As they face obstacles, they will need to draw on that inner strength to survive and flourish. This book is perfect for those of us who enjoy MM historical romance. You will be happy to lose yourself in its pages.
I loved going back in time and learning about life on the canals. Neil S. Plakcy does an excellent job bringing the era to life through the eyes of these two working class men. Both men had trust issues that made living true to their selves difficult. Being gay in that time brought along a whole new level of bravery and determination. Something both men found within themselves. As they face obstacles, they will need to draw on that inner strength to survive and flourish. This book is perfect for those of us who enjoy MM historical romance. You will be happy to lose yourself in its pages.
May 24, 2021
This was an interesting, gentle and historically detailed story with a mixture of sympathetic characters, a sweet slow burn romance and evil villains.
One of the best things for me in the book was the use of place and time. The setting on the canal worked to set the pace for much of the story, with the steady pattern of barges passing and the work in dealing with the lock giving the story a kind of slow gentleness, especially in the development of the romantic relationship.
The main characters were largely well developed and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship evolved. There was a bit of repetition in how often Lenert would decide that he ought to leave, which did start to tire a little, but the ending was satisfying.
I appreciated the historical research and the inclusion of Black characters.
Overall this was an enjoyable read in a historical setting that is not seen as often as many.
CW rape, previously enslaved character, racism, homophobia, physical and sexual abuse, family estrangement
*I received a free ARC and I have chosen to leave a review*
One of the best things for me in the book was the use of place and time. The setting on the canal worked to set the pace for much of the story, with the steady pattern of barges passing and the work in dealing with the lock giving the story a kind of slow gentleness, especially in the development of the romantic relationship.
The main characters were largely well developed and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship evolved. There was a bit of repetition in how often Lenert would decide that he ought to leave, which did start to tire a little, but the ending was satisfying.
I appreciated the historical research and the inclusion of Black characters.
Overall this was an enjoyable read in a historical setting that is not seen as often as many.
CW rape, previously enslaved character, racism, homophobia, physical and sexual abuse, family estrangement
*I received a free ARC and I have chosen to leave a review*
November 11, 2021
Hmm.. An interesting take on a historical romance...
To be fair, most historical romances are set in England, but not this one. In this case, it is set in USA, Pennsylvania. Both main characters are struggling with their emotional health, some past traumas that have made it hard for them to accept themselves, trust others and even communicate with others. Lenert's story is really heartbreaking, yet he proves how strong he is by moving forward and still believing it is possible to live a happy life. Isaac has lost such hope, he just wants to be left alone and escape from everyone and everything, yet that is not how the world works. He meets Lenert and they are good for each other. Together they find something special - love, understanding, hope. It was a heartbreaking, yet inspiring story. Well-written, well-researched and full of that elusive thing called hope.
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
To be fair, most historical romances are set in England, but not this one. In this case, it is set in USA, Pennsylvania. Both main characters are struggling with their emotional health, some past traumas that have made it hard for them to accept themselves, trust others and even communicate with others. Lenert's story is really heartbreaking, yet he proves how strong he is by moving forward and still believing it is possible to live a happy life. Isaac has lost such hope, he just wants to be left alone and escape from everyone and everything, yet that is not how the world works. He meets Lenert and they are good for each other. Together they find something special - love, understanding, hope. It was a heartbreaking, yet inspiring story. Well-written, well-researched and full of that elusive thing called hope.
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
May 23, 2021
This book is a carefully woven tail which brings the reader back in time and places them in a rich and complete setting. Having lived near the areas where this book takes place, I found myself getting excited with every location that was familiar to me, and eager to envision it as it was then. This book really helps to paint that picture, both physically and through the interactions of each of the characters.
The plot is interesting, engaging, and has high stakes enough without having made me overly anxious. The love story itself, however, was done beautifully. The language barrier was handled so well that I could feel their frustration, and their excitement when slowly it dwindles. It added to the emotion of their love building so well within the story.
Overall it was a really excellent read, especially for someone who enjoys history with romance interwoven nicely through.
The plot is interesting, engaging, and has high stakes enough without having made me overly anxious. The love story itself, however, was done beautifully. The language barrier was handled so well that I could feel their frustration, and their excitement when slowly it dwindles. It added to the emotion of their love building so well within the story.
Overall it was a really excellent read, especially for someone who enjoys history with romance interwoven nicely through.
July 12, 2025
This was a really enjoyable story set in 1872 around the canals and locks of Pennsylvania. Isaac is a lock-keeper who has left college to return to nature and possibly nurse a broken heart. He enjoys the solitude between visits from passing barges, but he is also lonely.
Lenert has immigrated from Prussia after his father found him with an older neighbor man and kicked him out. Lenert had a very difficult journey, but eventually began working the locks, in charge of the mules. When he broken his leg near Isaac's station, Isaac took him in to allow him to heal. Slowly, they discovered their attraction.
This is an interesting look into the history of the era. There is prominent mention of Quaker congregations and a look at life for an emancipated slave. The love between these two men, in a very difficult era, is beautiful and hard-won. Highly recommended!
Lenert has immigrated from Prussia after his father found him with an older neighbor man and kicked him out. Lenert had a very difficult journey, but eventually began working the locks, in charge of the mules. When he broken his leg near Isaac's station, Isaac took him in to allow him to heal. Slowly, they discovered their attraction.
This is an interesting look into the history of the era. There is prominent mention of Quaker congregations and a look at life for an emancipated slave. The love between these two men, in a very difficult era, is beautiful and hard-won. Highly recommended!
July 20, 2025
I'm giving this 2 stars because it was readable enough to finish, although I'm definitely rounding up. The book seems well researched, but I felt like I was reading the actual research with some plot points sprinkled in (and some really awkward sex scenes), as if this was written as a draft that needed a once (or twice) over to polish it up into something more streamlined. The canal locks, the Quakers and their Meetings, the writing of Thoreau are all written about repeatedly to the point of exhaustion. This is my first book by the author, and quite honestly I don't think he's for me. Not only did I not enjoy the wooden writing style, the dialogue was cringe worthy and the way plot points were resolved was downright silly. I'm a little dumbfounded at all the positive reviews, but I'm glad some people seem to enjoy it.
May 26, 2021
This story was extremely well documented and researched and made me travel back in time for a day. It was such a journey!! I really enjoyed reading about the characters’ everyday life by the canal and the other historical aspects of the book.
The romance was extremely well written and well paced. These two men had a lot to overcome, starting with the language barrier and their cultural differences. It was a delight to watch them open up to each other and realize they were exactly what the other needed. I have a soft spot for lost and lonely people who find their other half and their happiness. And that’s why this story worked very well for me :)
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
The romance was extremely well written and well paced. These two men had a lot to overcome, starting with the language barrier and their cultural differences. It was a delight to watch them open up to each other and realize they were exactly what the other needed. I have a soft spot for lost and lonely people who find their other half and their happiness. And that’s why this story worked very well for me :)
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
June 6, 2021
The author does a fantastic job depicting the settings in this book, including the harsh realities of life in general and of gay people, in the 1800's. His characters are likewise well-drawn and complete. Contrasting the lives, situations, and experiences of Isaac and Lennart really shows the differences and disparities a person faced based on race, education, economic standing, etc. Add to that, being attracted to someone of the same sex, and life could really be an uphill battle. I enjoyed watching Isaac and Lennart come together and help each other trust and heal. Great historical novel with the added pleasure of an MM relationship.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
June 5, 2021
I found this to be a good slow paced read without a lot of angst. The historical side of the story was well researched and reminded me of the history in the area I live in. The romantic side of the story was slow moving and well done. I would recommend this book for the more mature reader who remembers what life was like for gay men and women to form relationships before being gay was more accepted.
I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy.
I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy.
June 26, 2021
An interesting book from the historical perspective involving a studious character who gave up his studies to live out his life in solitude following in the footsteps of one of his heroes. The second main character was a poor Prussian immigrant sent from home by his homophobic father. Details of the canal way of life as a lock keeper and the main character adherence to his religious faith as a Quaker.
Also reference to the development of the railways and race discrimination.
Also reference to the development of the railways and race discrimination.
June 5, 2021
I love M/M historical romances so to me this was always going to be a winner!
A gorgeous,slow burn delight that I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending!
There is so much I want to say about this book but,I don't want to spoil this for anyone.I want to urge readers to immerse themselves in this beautifully written delight!
A gorgeous,slow burn delight that I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending!
There is so much I want to say about this book but,I don't want to spoil this for anyone.I want to urge readers to immerse themselves in this beautifully written delight!
June 6, 2021
Loved this historical story. I think Isaac is the first Quaker main character I've found in an m/m romance and his belief was integral to the plot. Lenert lets us get a glimpse of some immigrants' lives at this time and their relationship provides a window how differences were accepted and not accepted at this time. I was drawn to Isaac's world of solitude as described here.
February 2, 2022
Great historical read
I am a gay man who enjoys history. This book tells a story of two gay men in a time when homosexuality was almost universally misunderstood and even reviled. It is a story that reveals how a love between two men could win despite adversity.
I am a gay man who enjoys history. This book tells a story of two gay men in a time when homosexuality was almost universally misunderstood and even reviled. It is a story that reveals how a love between two men could win despite adversity.
Read
May 19, 2021DNF at 33%
March 6, 2023
good read
Once again Mr Plakcy has written an enjoyable book to read. I look forward too reading any following books of his.
Once again Mr Plakcy has written an enjoyable book to read. I look forward too reading any following books of his.
July 20, 2023
4.5 rounded up
Well-written historical, gay novel set int he 1870s near Philadelphia amongst bargemen of the Delaware canal. The works and beliefs of Quakers also play a major role in the story.
Plakcy does a great job immersing the reader in a time of cultural and economic change just after the civil war when wealth was scarce although the railroad boom was adding prosperity while making winners and losers in a new economy.
I've read many of Plakcy's various novels. I hope he writes more like this one.
Well-written historical, gay novel set int he 1870s near Philadelphia amongst bargemen of the Delaware canal. The works and beliefs of Quakers also play a major role in the story.
Plakcy does a great job immersing the reader in a time of cultural and economic change just after the civil war when wealth was scarce although the railroad boom was adding prosperity while making winners and losers in a new economy.
I've read many of Plakcy's various novels. I hope he writes more like this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews