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Tides of Change #1
Dublin Bay
In 1939, the world tumbles toward war and the lives of two young men will be forever changed.
James Brennan grew up in the poorest of Dublin’s tenements, turning adversity to advantage wherever he could. But he’s nearly a man now—with a good education at that—and wants more from life than what he can get as a day laborer, or following his father into the factory.
Otto Werner is the privileged son of a German diplomat stationed in Dublin. Otto is destined for great things in the new Europe sure to arise after Germany’s victory in the war. But he’s a lonely young man, living in Ireland with only his father for company, cut off from friends and family back home.
The two teens meet by chance, and each sees in the other a means to advance his own interests. But they quickly become friends, and then—surprisingly, dangerously—more. As the globe spirals deeper into chaos, the love between the young men deepens; but their world is not a hospitable place for forbidden love.
As war comes closer and closer to home, everything they believe—about themselves, about each other, about the world around them—will be shattered. Will their love for each other survive the pull toward destruction in a world gone mad?
James Brennan grew up in the poorest of Dublin’s tenements, turning adversity to advantage wherever he could. But he’s nearly a man now—with a good education at that—and wants more from life than what he can get as a day laborer, or following his father into the factory.
Otto Werner is the privileged son of a German diplomat stationed in Dublin. Otto is destined for great things in the new Europe sure to arise after Germany’s victory in the war. But he’s a lonely young man, living in Ireland with only his father for company, cut off from friends and family back home.
The two teens meet by chance, and each sees in the other a means to advance his own interests. But they quickly become friends, and then—surprisingly, dangerously—more. As the globe spirals deeper into chaos, the love between the young men deepens; but their world is not a hospitable place for forbidden love.
As war comes closer and closer to home, everything they believe—about themselves, about each other, about the world around them—will be shattered. Will their love for each other survive the pull toward destruction in a world gone mad?
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First published October 26, 2021
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About the author
John Patrick
7 books37 followersJohn Patrick spends much of his time in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, where he is supported in his writing by his husband and their terriers, who are convinced they could do battle with the bears that come through the woods on occasion (the terriers, that is, not the husband).
John is an introvert and can often be found doing introverted things like reading or writing, cooking, and thinking deep, contemplative thoughts (his husband might call this napping). He loves to spend time in nature—“forest bathing” is the Japanese term for it—feeling connected with the universe. But he also loathes heat and humidity, bugs of any sort, and unsteady footing in the form of rocks, mud, tree roots, snow, or ice. So, his love of nature is tempered; he’s complicated that way.
John and his husband enjoy traveling and have visited over a dozen countries, meeting new people, exploring new cultures, and—most importantly—discovering new foods.
John is an introvert and can often be found doing introverted things like reading or writing, cooking, and thinking deep, contemplative thoughts (his husband might call this napping). He loves to spend time in nature—“forest bathing” is the Japanese term for it—feeling connected with the universe. But he also loathes heat and humidity, bugs of any sort, and unsteady footing in the form of rocks, mud, tree roots, snow, or ice. So, his love of nature is tempered; he’s complicated that way.
John and his husband enjoy traveling and have visited over a dozen countries, meeting new people, exploring new cultures, and—most importantly—discovering new foods.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 21, 2022
5 - Stars - Only because there are no more stars available
John Patrick’s Dublin Bay, the first book in his ‘Tides of Change’ series is an absolute MUST READ. It’s simply amazing.
It takes a special kind of author to create a story combining elements of love, loss, grief, religion, compassion, intrigue, suspense, duplicity, the horrors of war, and the worst of man’s inhumanity to man, into one compelling novel. In Dublin Bay John Patrick has done just that.
Told through the years from 1939 to 1942, and set primarily in Dublin, Ireland, Dublin Bay is the story of two teenage boys from very different backgrounds experiencing the beauty of falling into a forbidden love while trying to understand, survive, and, even in their own way, influence the outcome of a World War exploding around them.
James Brennan and Otto Werner first meet at Dublin Bay where James is in the water harvesting mussels, and Otto is on the wharf with his mother. They’re at the point of the Bay where the River Liffey merges into it, a site about which Otto later says, “Every important thing in my life has happened right here.”
Sixteen year old James grew up in the North Strand, one of Dublin’s poorest tenements.
But James had received a good education at the O’Connell School, and he definitely wanted more out of life for himself and for his sister, Annabelle (Bella).
Otto, also 16-years old as the story begins, is the son of a German diplomat who heads the German legation in Dublin.
While James doesn’t understand and can’t even put a name to his feelings, the two are instantly drawn to one another.
At this point in his life James is also dealing with his guilt about ‘self abuse’, a guilt instilled in him by the priest in his local Catholic Church, Father Flannery. Otto finds that guilt ridiculous and in the course of one of their wichsen sessions, gives James a Claddagh Pendant as a token of his love.
In addition to Bella, there are two other significant secondary characters who play important roles in the lives of Otto and James. First is the Reverend Dr. Howard Fulman, a Harvard-educated American Unitarian minister hired by Otto’s father as a tutor, and Hans, a young German homosexual Jew who has escaped from a Nazi concentration camp.
Howard assures James that some of the things James has learned in his Catholic upbringing aren’t universally accepted. The scenes where James comes to understand that what he and Otto are doing together isn’t ‘abuse’ but perfectly normal behavior, are some of the funniest scenes in the book.
Among the other secondary characters who are also fully developed are Otto’s father; James’ mother and his brother, Liam, a member of the IRA; assorted other family members; and several residents of both the tenement where James grew up and the Council flats where his mother finally comes to live.
Dublin Bay takes a darker turn with the German Luftwaffe bombing of the Campile Creamery in Co Wexford.
That bombing killed three local women and gave Ireland - until then largely insulated from the terror of World War II - its first taste of war.
That bombing also galvanized the resolve of both Otto and James to do whatever they could to find a way to stay together forever and to thwart the impact of Germany’s desires to control England and Ireland.
To say anything more would require too many spoiler alerts. So I will only add that Germany’s bombing of the tenements of Dublin - and particularly of North Strand where James grew up
led to one moment of suspense, intrigue, and edge-of-the-seat action after another; an emotional rollercoaster that lasted right through the novel’s uplifting epilogue.
My only regret is that Dublin Bay came to a conclusion far too quickly for me. I wanted more - so very much more. Fortunately Patrick has a new book, Turtle Bay, the second volume in his ‘Tides of Change’ series scheduled for publication later this year.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Do not miss out on the joy of experiencing Dublin Bay and of discovering a place for new beginnings, a place to create a future!
John Patrick’s Dublin Bay, the first book in his ‘Tides of Change’ series is an absolute MUST READ. It’s simply amazing.
It takes a special kind of author to create a story combining elements of love, loss, grief, religion, compassion, intrigue, suspense, duplicity, the horrors of war, and the worst of man’s inhumanity to man, into one compelling novel. In Dublin Bay John Patrick has done just that.
Told through the years from 1939 to 1942, and set primarily in Dublin, Ireland, Dublin Bay is the story of two teenage boys from very different backgrounds experiencing the beauty of falling into a forbidden love while trying to understand, survive, and, even in their own way, influence the outcome of a World War exploding around them.
James Brennan and Otto Werner first meet at Dublin Bay where James is in the water harvesting mussels, and Otto is on the wharf with his mother. They’re at the point of the Bay where the River Liffey merges into it, a site about which Otto later says, “Every important thing in my life has happened right here.”
Sixteen year old James grew up in the North Strand, one of Dublin’s poorest tenements.
But James had received a good education at the O’Connell School, and he definitely wanted more out of life for himself and for his sister, Annabelle (Bella).Otto, also 16-years old as the story begins, is the son of a German diplomat who heads the German legation in Dublin.
While James doesn’t understand and can’t even put a name to his feelings, the two are instantly drawn to one another.
At this point in his life James is also dealing with his guilt about ‘self abuse’, a guilt instilled in him by the priest in his local Catholic Church, Father Flannery. Otto finds that guilt ridiculous and in the course of one of their wichsen sessions, gives James a Claddagh Pendant as a token of his love.
In addition to Bella, there are two other significant secondary characters who play important roles in the lives of Otto and James. First is the Reverend Dr. Howard Fulman, a Harvard-educated American Unitarian minister hired by Otto’s father as a tutor, and Hans, a young German homosexual Jew who has escaped from a Nazi concentration camp.
Howard assures James that some of the things James has learned in his Catholic upbringing aren’t universally accepted. The scenes where James comes to understand that what he and Otto are doing together isn’t ‘abuse’ but perfectly normal behavior, are some of the funniest scenes in the book.
Among the other secondary characters who are also fully developed are Otto’s father; James’ mother and his brother, Liam, a member of the IRA; assorted other family members; and several residents of both the tenement where James grew up and the Council flats where his mother finally comes to live.
Dublin Bay takes a darker turn with the German Luftwaffe bombing of the Campile Creamery in Co Wexford.
That bombing killed three local women and gave Ireland - until then largely insulated from the terror of World War II - its first taste of war. That bombing also galvanized the resolve of both Otto and James to do whatever they could to find a way to stay together forever and to thwart the impact of Germany’s desires to control England and Ireland.
To say anything more would require too many spoiler alerts. So I will only add that Germany’s bombing of the tenements of Dublin - and particularly of North Strand where James grew up
led to one moment of suspense, intrigue, and edge-of-the-seat action after another; an emotional rollercoaster that lasted right through the novel’s uplifting epilogue.My only regret is that Dublin Bay came to a conclusion far too quickly for me. I wanted more - so very much more. Fortunately Patrick has a new book, Turtle Bay, the second volume in his ‘Tides of Change’ series scheduled for publication later this year.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Do not miss out on the joy of experiencing Dublin Bay and of discovering a place for new beginnings, a place to create a future!
December 24, 2022
3.5 stars
Set in neutral Ireland at the start of WWII, we meet 17-yr old low-class Irishman James and 17-yr old German patriot Otto. They meet when Otto and his father, who works at the German legation office, when they're sending Otto's mother and sister back to Germany. Otto is naïve and believes all the lies the Nazi party is telling the German people, but he's kind-hearted and good intentioned, even if his earnestness is initially misplaced. James's fortune is literally and figuratively improved when Otto's father hires him and his sister, Bella, to work in his house. James and Otto hit it off from the start.
This is the first book I've read that focuses on Ireland during the war. I didn't realize they'd been neutral when the war first started, or that the IRA collaborated with the Germans. I also didn't realize that Ireland and North Ireland had bombs dropped on them too. No surprise though that England choked Ireland's supplies of basic necessities to try to force them into the war. The Irish are resilient, however, and found ways to deal with their troubles.
Watching James and Otto's friendship blossom into something more was sweet, even while it was heartbreaking to see James being so hard on himself because of his Catholic upbringing. I'm glad he found a friend in the American, Howard, a Unitarian minister who provided a more level-headed approach to morality. Seeing poor Otto slowly come to realize just what his country was doing and what Germany had become was even harder. But these boys are fighters, and along with the help of some trusted friends, they were able to make their own impact in the war effort, though not without risk to themselves.
I liked all the characters here, and there were some grim parts, but for the most part, the book wasn't sad or maudlin. It was fairly matter of fact, and that's kind of where it lost me just a little. While I was rooting for the characters and was happy to see things going well for them and worried about things going bad, the story felt a little detached from itself. Maybe because of the narrative choice of having James telling the story from a future point in time, which removed some of the unknown, but I can't really pinpoint it.
Still, it's a very readable story and an interesting perspective on the war that I hadn't read before, and I did appreciate the attention to historical detail. I'll be getting the next one, which seems to be about different characters.
Set in neutral Ireland at the start of WWII, we meet 17-yr old low-class Irishman James and 17-yr old German patriot Otto. They meet when Otto and his father, who works at the German legation office, when they're sending Otto's mother and sister back to Germany. Otto is naïve and believes all the lies the Nazi party is telling the German people, but he's kind-hearted and good intentioned, even if his earnestness is initially misplaced. James's fortune is literally and figuratively improved when Otto's father hires him and his sister, Bella, to work in his house. James and Otto hit it off from the start.
This is the first book I've read that focuses on Ireland during the war. I didn't realize they'd been neutral when the war first started, or that the IRA collaborated with the Germans. I also didn't realize that Ireland and North Ireland had bombs dropped on them too. No surprise though that England choked Ireland's supplies of basic necessities to try to force them into the war. The Irish are resilient, however, and found ways to deal with their troubles.
Watching James and Otto's friendship blossom into something more was sweet, even while it was heartbreaking to see James being so hard on himself because of his Catholic upbringing. I'm glad he found a friend in the American, Howard, a Unitarian minister who provided a more level-headed approach to morality. Seeing poor Otto slowly come to realize just what his country was doing and what Germany had become was even harder. But these boys are fighters, and along with the help of some trusted friends, they were able to make their own impact in the war effort, though not without risk to themselves.
I liked all the characters here, and there were some grim parts, but for the most part, the book wasn't sad or maudlin. It was fairly matter of fact, and that's kind of where it lost me just a little. While I was rooting for the characters and was happy to see things going well for them and worried about things going bad, the story felt a little detached from itself. Maybe because of the narrative choice of having James telling the story from a future point in time, which removed some of the unknown, but I can't really pinpoint it.
Still, it's a very readable story and an interesting perspective on the war that I hadn't read before, and I did appreciate the attention to historical detail. I'll be getting the next one, which seems to be about different characters.
January 2, 2024
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded down)
I've had this on my TBR forever and I kept avoiding it because I assumed it would be historical fiction instead of historical romance. To the author's credit, the romance does get enough development that the book deserves to sit in the romance category but it's firmly straddling the boundary between the two genres and it's definitely not something I would recommend for historical romance lovers. In addition, the entire story had a YA feel to it in terms of the smut scenes and the action plotlines and I also didn't like the author's approach to the characters' dialog.
To give the author credit where it's due, it's clear that he did a ton of research into what was happening in Ireland during WW2. Like many other reviewers, I had no idea Ireland was caught in the middle of England and Germany, being pressured by both sides to abandon their neutral stance. It was also interesting to realize that Ireland's stance and position in the war was completely separate from their neighbor (Northern Ireland), which joined the war automatically due to being part of the UK.
The author did a great job showing how daily life was impacted by the war for people from different classes. Most of this was done through the clever plotline of having James and his sister Bella be hired by Otto's father to help run their household when the war starts. As time goes by, James' duties as house manager become more difficult as rationing takes effect and he has to get creative to ensure the Werner's continue living the lives they're accustomed to. It was also great .
Unfortunately, I didn't really care for anything else.
Lack Of Irish Authenticity
I can't believe that this book is known as one of the THE Irish MM romance novels, yet it had very little Irish flavor. Sure, the names of places were Irish places and Catholicism was a huge part of the early plot but none of the Irish characters came across as being Irish. Oh - I take that back. The guy who installed the old stove at the Werner's place and had one single line of dialog actually sounded like he was Irish, but that was it. None of the other Irish characters had anything adjusted about their dialog to make it seem like they're speaking with Irish accents. I also didn't notice any phrases which stood out as being particularly Irish. I don't know any Irish phrases, but that's the point - the dialog was very generic.
In fact, I think the author realized the Irish characters sounded so generic that he had to find a way to differentiate Howard's dialog (he's American) from the others. Unfortunately, his approach was to make Howard's speech sound way too modern. He'd use phrases like 'tip of the iceberg' (which my research tells me didn't show up until the 1970s) and say things like "We get it. Jesus", which completely threw me out of the 1940s era that the book was supposed to take place in. The author did do a somewhat better job of writing Otto's German-accented English but this was way too little. One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was because I was excited to be immersed in Irish culture and I barely got any of that.
Privilege
I'm not one to harp on the topic of wealth privilege and it's something I normally tune out when people are ranting about it. But this book's usage and examination of privilege was so tone deaf that it actually made me uncomfortable. Otto's father works for some German political office/embassy/whatever in Ireland so he's quite wealthy and he uses that wealth to ensure he and his son live very comfortably. Once the war starts, Otto's father wants to ensure his son's education won't be interrupted so he pays to have an American tutor (Howard) come all the way from the US to Ireland to tutor his son. When Otto's mother and sister leave for Germany at the start of the story, Otto's dad freaks out a bit because he knows nothing about maintaining a household (cooking, cleaning, ordering supplies etc). He jumps at the chance to hire James and Bella and he pays them outrageous salaries to do this work, mostly because he doesn't want to have to deal with it.
Throughout the war, . In addition, Otto is constantly angsting about how his people (Germans) are making life hard for Ireland, yet he never considers using his wealth and connections to help the people who are effected. The whole thing made me uncomfortable.
An Unrealistic YA-Like Action Plotline
So the story is pretty boring until the midway point, where things finally pick up. Otto has spent the first half of the book firmly keeping his rose-tinted glasses pressed to his face, refusing to question the Nazi propaganda that's been shoved at him for years. When Germany's 'accidental' bombing of Ireland gets to the point where somebody would have to be a complete moron to keep believing the 'accident' explanation, Otto finally accepts the reality of what's happening. But because he's a 17 year old kid, he immediately decides he and James will work together to defeat the Nazis all on their own.
This childish idea fits his age but my problem was that the author came up with an absurd scenario where the boys really did fulfill every teenage boy's fantasy of single-handedly disrupting an Evil Enemy's plans. You see - On what planet does this make sense???
Then the author makes things even more complicated because the boys take on an additional responsibility: they get involved in .
But combining these two plotlines and then throwing in meant I didn't believe any of it. The majority of the people involved were all teenagers and I think kids were more capable and grew up faster back then, but not to the point where two 17 year olds would be doing .
I get that the author wanted Otto's character arc to include him doing something to help with the war effort. Otto starts out being painfully naïve (to the point where both James and I wanted to shake him multiple times) and the immense guilt he feels when he realizes how wrong he's been about everything was tough. It made sense that Otto would want to help, but there were more realistic ways of doing that. For example, .
A Lackluster Romance
The romance didn't work for me at all and it was purely due to the author's writing style. The problem is that the author's writing style is very emotionless. Whenever things happen to characters, the actions are described but emotions aren't. The worst examples of this were when . In both cases, the author describes what happens but there's no description of James' mental state at any point. . There was so much potential for me to connect with James in that scene, but I didn't because his emotions aren't described. I'm the type of reader who needs to read a characters emotions to connect with them so the book remained frustratingly flat for me.
This also impacted the romance because even though James tells us and Otto that he loves him many times, there's zero description of his emotional connection to Otto. There was also the frustrating subtle/vague nature of the smut scenes. It was too subtle to even be classified as fade-to-black. We get descriptions of kissing and vague references to the boys doing stuff together, but that's it. It's confusing because this book isn't marketed as being YA, yet many parts of it were written as if it was, including the deliberately vague smut scenes. Because there were no sexy times described, it added to my lack of emotional connection with James, Otto and their romance. I was with them as they went from strangers to friends to lovers to long term partners over the span of 2 years, but their lack of emotional connection made me feel as if they were still strangers to each other by the time the book ended.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a disappointment. The author definitely made attempts to make this be historical romance as opposed to historical fiction with a romance subplot but I felt those attempts fell short. In addition, there was a strong YA vibe to many aspects of the story and I avoid YA books for a reason, so that added to my dislike of it. There are some great World War 2 historical gay romances out there and sadly, this isn't one of them.
I've had this on my TBR forever and I kept avoiding it because I assumed it would be historical fiction instead of historical romance. To the author's credit, the romance does get enough development that the book deserves to sit in the romance category but it's firmly straddling the boundary between the two genres and it's definitely not something I would recommend for historical romance lovers. In addition, the entire story had a YA feel to it in terms of the smut scenes and the action plotlines and I also didn't like the author's approach to the characters' dialog.
To give the author credit where it's due, it's clear that he did a ton of research into what was happening in Ireland during WW2. Like many other reviewers, I had no idea Ireland was caught in the middle of England and Germany, being pressured by both sides to abandon their neutral stance. It was also interesting to realize that Ireland's stance and position in the war was completely separate from their neighbor (Northern Ireland), which joined the war automatically due to being part of the UK.
The author did a great job showing how daily life was impacted by the war for people from different classes. Most of this was done through the clever plotline of having James and his sister Bella be hired by Otto's father to help run their household when the war starts. As time goes by, James' duties as house manager become more difficult as rationing takes effect and he has to get creative to ensure the Werner's continue living the lives they're accustomed to. It was also great .
Unfortunately, I didn't really care for anything else.
Lack Of Irish Authenticity
I can't believe that this book is known as one of the THE Irish MM romance novels, yet it had very little Irish flavor. Sure, the names of places were Irish places and Catholicism was a huge part of the early plot but none of the Irish characters came across as being Irish. Oh - I take that back. The guy who installed the old stove at the Werner's place and had one single line of dialog actually sounded like he was Irish, but that was it. None of the other Irish characters had anything adjusted about their dialog to make it seem like they're speaking with Irish accents. I also didn't notice any phrases which stood out as being particularly Irish. I don't know any Irish phrases, but that's the point - the dialog was very generic.
In fact, I think the author realized the Irish characters sounded so generic that he had to find a way to differentiate Howard's dialog (he's American) from the others. Unfortunately, his approach was to make Howard's speech sound way too modern. He'd use phrases like 'tip of the iceberg' (which my research tells me didn't show up until the 1970s) and say things like "We get it. Jesus", which completely threw me out of the 1940s era that the book was supposed to take place in. The author did do a somewhat better job of writing Otto's German-accented English but this was way too little. One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was because I was excited to be immersed in Irish culture and I barely got any of that.
Privilege
I'm not one to harp on the topic of wealth privilege and it's something I normally tune out when people are ranting about it. But this book's usage and examination of privilege was so tone deaf that it actually made me uncomfortable. Otto's father works for some German political office/embassy/whatever in Ireland so he's quite wealthy and he uses that wealth to ensure he and his son live very comfortably. Once the war starts, Otto's father wants to ensure his son's education won't be interrupted so he pays to have an American tutor (Howard) come all the way from the US to Ireland to tutor his son. When Otto's mother and sister leave for Germany at the start of the story, Otto's dad freaks out a bit because he knows nothing about maintaining a household (cooking, cleaning, ordering supplies etc). He jumps at the chance to hire James and Bella and he pays them outrageous salaries to do this work, mostly because he doesn't want to have to deal with it.
Throughout the war, . In addition, Otto is constantly angsting about how his people (Germans) are making life hard for Ireland, yet he never considers using his wealth and connections to help the people who are effected. The whole thing made me uncomfortable.
An Unrealistic YA-Like Action Plotline
So the story is pretty boring until the midway point, where things finally pick up. Otto has spent the first half of the book firmly keeping his rose-tinted glasses pressed to his face, refusing to question the Nazi propaganda that's been shoved at him for years. When Germany's 'accidental' bombing of Ireland gets to the point where somebody would have to be a complete moron to keep believing the 'accident' explanation, Otto finally accepts the reality of what's happening. But because he's a 17 year old kid, he immediately decides he and James will work together to defeat the Nazis all on their own.
This childish idea fits his age but my problem was that the author came up with an absurd scenario where the boys really did fulfill every teenage boy's fantasy of single-handedly disrupting an Evil Enemy's plans. You see - On what planet does this make sense???
Then the author makes things even more complicated because the boys take on an additional responsibility: they get involved in .
But combining these two plotlines and then throwing in meant I didn't believe any of it. The majority of the people involved were all teenagers and I think kids were more capable and grew up faster back then, but not to the point where two 17 year olds would be doing .
I get that the author wanted Otto's character arc to include him doing something to help with the war effort. Otto starts out being painfully naïve (to the point where both James and I wanted to shake him multiple times) and the immense guilt he feels when he realizes how wrong he's been about everything was tough. It made sense that Otto would want to help, but there were more realistic ways of doing that. For example, .
A Lackluster Romance
The romance didn't work for me at all and it was purely due to the author's writing style. The problem is that the author's writing style is very emotionless. Whenever things happen to characters, the actions are described but emotions aren't. The worst examples of this were when . In both cases, the author describes what happens but there's no description of James' mental state at any point. . There was so much potential for me to connect with James in that scene, but I didn't because his emotions aren't described. I'm the type of reader who needs to read a characters emotions to connect with them so the book remained frustratingly flat for me.
This also impacted the romance because even though James tells us and Otto that he loves him many times, there's zero description of his emotional connection to Otto. There was also the frustrating subtle/vague nature of the smut scenes. It was too subtle to even be classified as fade-to-black. We get descriptions of kissing and vague references to the boys doing stuff together, but that's it. It's confusing because this book isn't marketed as being YA, yet many parts of it were written as if it was, including the deliberately vague smut scenes. Because there were no sexy times described, it added to my lack of emotional connection with James, Otto and their romance. I was with them as they went from strangers to friends to lovers to long term partners over the span of 2 years, but their lack of emotional connection made me feel as if they were still strangers to each other by the time the book ended.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a disappointment. The author definitely made attempts to make this be historical romance as opposed to historical fiction with a romance subplot but I felt those attempts fell short. In addition, there was a strong YA vibe to many aspects of the story and I avoid YA books for a reason, so that added to my dislike of it. There are some great World War 2 historical gay romances out there and sadly, this isn't one of them.
May 21, 2022
A working-class Irish teenager and the son of a German diplomat grapple with what WWII means for their relationship and their beliefs.
Dublin in 1939-1941 isn’t your typical WWII setting, and the author rendered it vividly and with care. Ireland’s neutrality and the presence there of German diplomats created a backdrop full of complex questions of morality and identity that affected all of the relationships in the book. And, although the MCs are teenagers, they’re dealing with adult responsibilities and situations, so this story feels more like adult romance than YA or new adult.
I would have liked the book to delve more deeply into the characters’ feelings. James and Otto deal with painful, difficult issues throughout the book, and while we see what actions they take in response to those issues, we don’t see much of their internal struggle. Including those details would have given the book more tension and impact. I also felt the resolution was a bit too quick and easy.
Overall though, this is a well-written, thoughtful historical romance, especially since it’s the author’s first historical. I recommend it to anyone who likes historicals that immerse them in the setting, and I look forward to the second book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from from Gay Romance Reviews.
Dublin in 1939-1941 isn’t your typical WWII setting, and the author rendered it vividly and with care. Ireland’s neutrality and the presence there of German diplomats created a backdrop full of complex questions of morality and identity that affected all of the relationships in the book. And, although the MCs are teenagers, they’re dealing with adult responsibilities and situations, so this story feels more like adult romance than YA or new adult.
I would have liked the book to delve more deeply into the characters’ feelings. James and Otto deal with painful, difficult issues throughout the book, and while we see what actions they take in response to those issues, we don’t see much of their internal struggle. Including those details would have given the book more tension and impact. I also felt the resolution was a bit too quick and easy.
Overall though, this is a well-written, thoughtful historical romance, especially since it’s the author’s first historical. I recommend it to anyone who likes historicals that immerse them in the setting, and I look forward to the second book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from from Gay Romance Reviews.
December 9, 2022
Recommended by a GR friend who ran out of stars to award this book ... I can see why. A coming-of-age M-M romance set in the early WW2 years, two engaging MCs define their sexuality, relationship and possible future in a darkening and increasingly violent world. I became easily invested in the fate of Otto and Jimmy and hoped as the book progressed that there would not be some kind of Anne Frank ending; and was happily rewarded with a HFN open-ended finale. So of course I will now have to get the next book in the series to see how things fare for the MCs and their friends/family. Bella, Howard and Mrs Brennan also proved to be well crafted secondary characters whom I became quite fond of also. 4.5 stars - almost but not quite 5.
March 22, 2022
Wow! What a great book!
November 26, 2023
This was a real surprise. A terrific read! No literary masterpiece but a gripping, can't wait to find out what happens next type of adventure fiction.
The setting of Dublin 1939-1942, a period when Ireland was neutral but still vulnerable to hard times and occasional German bombing, gives this fine novel that extra bump of mystery and intrigue.
An accidental meeting between Irish boy James and Otto, the son of a German diplomat, not only begins a business relationship which will enhance James and his family's rise out of poverty but also the opportunity for him to discover his homosexuality via his love for the blond boy from Dresden.
But this novel is a lot more than boy meets boy. There is also Howard, the American minister who recruits the boys into working undercover to rescue refugees from German-occupied Europe and feed false information to the Germans (Otto may be forced to wear the uniform, but is no Nazi) and to the IRA where James's brother Liam is climbing the ranks. And later on, the cross-dressing Hans, a victim of shocking brutality in a German concentration camp.
There is the wise and resourceful older sister Bella, a wonderfully interesting and strong character beautifully drawn by the author. And all the traumas of life during wartime - including catastrophic bombings both in Belfast and Dublin- and when you don't know what the next day will bring.
There maybe a few implausible moments in the story but the overall power of the narrative is the key to a ripper of an adventure yarn. Fast-paced and full of compelling characters and period charm colored by a fresh perspective on civilian life in a "neutral" country during calamitous times.
Re the shelving of this title. Although the same sex relationship between James and Otto is central to the story, I felt it would be a shame for "general readers" to avoid reading this excellent book because of that. The author has painted a beautiful relationship and friendship between these two young men, both strong well developed individuals from vastly different backgrounds, and whilst there are some, as you would expect, sexual situations (very mild) they only compliment the story. James and Otto enjoying their "wichsen time" together should only put a smile on your face and a desire to wish them well.
The setting of Dublin 1939-1942, a period when Ireland was neutral but still vulnerable to hard times and occasional German bombing, gives this fine novel that extra bump of mystery and intrigue.
An accidental meeting between Irish boy James and Otto, the son of a German diplomat, not only begins a business relationship which will enhance James and his family's rise out of poverty but also the opportunity for him to discover his homosexuality via his love for the blond boy from Dresden.
But this novel is a lot more than boy meets boy. There is also Howard, the American minister who recruits the boys into working undercover to rescue refugees from German-occupied Europe and feed false information to the Germans (Otto may be forced to wear the uniform, but is no Nazi) and to the IRA where James's brother Liam is climbing the ranks. And later on, the cross-dressing Hans, a victim of shocking brutality in a German concentration camp.
There is the wise and resourceful older sister Bella, a wonderfully interesting and strong character beautifully drawn by the author. And all the traumas of life during wartime - including catastrophic bombings both in Belfast and Dublin- and when you don't know what the next day will bring.
There maybe a few implausible moments in the story but the overall power of the narrative is the key to a ripper of an adventure yarn. Fast-paced and full of compelling characters and period charm colored by a fresh perspective on civilian life in a "neutral" country during calamitous times.
Re the shelving of this title. Although the same sex relationship between James and Otto is central to the story, I felt it would be a shame for "general readers" to avoid reading this excellent book because of that. The author has painted a beautiful relationship and friendship between these two young men, both strong well developed individuals from vastly different backgrounds, and whilst there are some, as you would expect, sexual situations (very mild) they only compliment the story. James and Otto enjoying their "wichsen time" together should only put a smile on your face and a desire to wish them well.
July 7, 2022
This book is set in Dublin city between 1939 and 1942 and tells the story of the effects WW2 had from the point of view of an Irish teenager, James, discovering his sexuality and falling for a German teenager, Otto, whose father was stationed in Ireland.
I have been eyeing this book for a few weeks and was so privileged to receive an ARC of it. This was definitely one of my top reads this year and being based in my home country struck a few heart strings.
It reminded me on a Romeo and Juliet scenario where it was forbidden love and they had to secretly meet to let their love grow. There was a great coming of age and self-discovery theme along with the added angst of war time and real life situations added to the mix.
The protagonists were easily followed and the way the book was written, you felt yourself right there, in the middle of it all with the characters. The supporting characters were also very intriguing and I really liked Howards part in it all with helping to start smuggling refugees to safety with the help of James and Otto, manipulating the IRA and German informants.
Without a doubt, I would rate this book a 5 star but I want to mention that some of the scenes felt rushed. When James found his way to move up in the world, from the poorest slum of Dublin to a working class citizen with a thriving business. When reading, it felt like it happened over night but I think I would have like a little more insight of, especially when the business had a major part of the story.
Personally, I feel that this novel would be enjoyed by many people. From romance seekers to history enthusiasts. It covers a lot of varying themes and I look forward to reading Turtle Bay.
(I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.)
I have been eyeing this book for a few weeks and was so privileged to receive an ARC of it. This was definitely one of my top reads this year and being based in my home country struck a few heart strings.
It reminded me on a Romeo and Juliet scenario where it was forbidden love and they had to secretly meet to let their love grow. There was a great coming of age and self-discovery theme along with the added angst of war time and real life situations added to the mix.
The protagonists were easily followed and the way the book was written, you felt yourself right there, in the middle of it all with the characters. The supporting characters were also very intriguing and I really liked Howards part in it all with helping to start smuggling refugees to safety with the help of James and Otto, manipulating the IRA and German informants.
Without a doubt, I would rate this book a 5 star but I want to mention that some of the scenes felt rushed. When James found his way to move up in the world, from the poorest slum of Dublin to a working class citizen with a thriving business. When reading, it felt like it happened over night but I think I would have like a little more insight of, especially when the business had a major part of the story.
Personally, I feel that this novel would be enjoyed by many people. From romance seekers to history enthusiasts. It covers a lot of varying themes and I look forward to reading Turtle Bay.
(I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.)
June 2, 2022
4,5 stars.
This was a beautifully told historical novel that’s set mainly in Dublin in the years 1939-1942. The two mc’s are two young teen boys, Otto and Jimmy. Otto is the son of a rich German diplomat and Jimmy comes from the poor side of town. But one day their lives collide and the outbreak of the Second World War forces them to grow up rapidly.
They discover that their growing friendship might build enough trust between them that they are able to explore their physical attraction as well. Trust is also needed because the war might force them to chose sides, specially when the German airforce forms a threat to neutral Ireland.
I really appreciated how the author dealt with a lot of emotional topics, a lot of them due to the era, where the war dictated their lives. There’s love, loss and grief. There’s fear, the need to trust others, the urge to do something good. The need to mature and take adult decisions while they were still growing into their adulthood. I loved the secondary characters too, and I really loved Otto and Jimmy. Their friendship, their physical attraction that can’t be more than that, specially in that time, where homosexuality was still very obscure and hidden. But I couldn’t help but hope there would be more for Otto and Jimmy, a possibility to love each other properly.
The author handles serious topics, but I love the humour that’s present between the lines.
The way the story is told, it shows the author’s love and interest in this particular time in history and you can tell he researched thoroughly. There were lots of things I never knew and my curiosity about the history of WWII was truly satisfied.
The first part of the book is focused more on the relationship part between Otto and Jimmy, while the second part of the book deals more with all the things and challenges they face while the war goes on and news about what’s going on on the mainland of Europe slowly reaches them. They both deal with family issues and prejudice and the need to act, and all that makes for a very well written, entertaining story.
When you’re interested in historical romances, you don’t want to miss out on this book, specially when WWII is a time era that speaks to you. You’re going to love it.
A very well deserved Lambda Award finalist!
This was a beautifully told historical novel that’s set mainly in Dublin in the years 1939-1942. The two mc’s are two young teen boys, Otto and Jimmy. Otto is the son of a rich German diplomat and Jimmy comes from the poor side of town. But one day their lives collide and the outbreak of the Second World War forces them to grow up rapidly.
They discover that their growing friendship might build enough trust between them that they are able to explore their physical attraction as well. Trust is also needed because the war might force them to chose sides, specially when the German airforce forms a threat to neutral Ireland.
I really appreciated how the author dealt with a lot of emotional topics, a lot of them due to the era, where the war dictated their lives. There’s love, loss and grief. There’s fear, the need to trust others, the urge to do something good. The need to mature and take adult decisions while they were still growing into their adulthood. I loved the secondary characters too, and I really loved Otto and Jimmy. Their friendship, their physical attraction that can’t be more than that, specially in that time, where homosexuality was still very obscure and hidden. But I couldn’t help but hope there would be more for Otto and Jimmy, a possibility to love each other properly.
The author handles serious topics, but I love the humour that’s present between the lines.
The way the story is told, it shows the author’s love and interest in this particular time in history and you can tell he researched thoroughly. There were lots of things I never knew and my curiosity about the history of WWII was truly satisfied.
The first part of the book is focused more on the relationship part between Otto and Jimmy, while the second part of the book deals more with all the things and challenges they face while the war goes on and news about what’s going on on the mainland of Europe slowly reaches them. They both deal with family issues and prejudice and the need to act, and all that makes for a very well written, entertaining story.
When you’re interested in historical romances, you don’t want to miss out on this book, specially when WWII is a time era that speaks to you. You’re going to love it.
A very well deserved Lambda Award finalist!
October 25, 2021
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Dublin Bay
Tides of Change, Book 1
by John Patrick
★★★★★
348 Pages
1st person POV
Themes: war, WWII, politics, poor vs rich
Triggers: scenes of war, including: bombings, violence, concentration camps; mentions of past trauma and sexual assault, torture and experience in prison camps; historical homophobic attitudes, shell shock. Vague descriptions of the Blitz, and Pearl Harbour, with an on-page experience of the Belfast Blitz.
Genre: MM, LGBT, Historical, Wartime, WWII, Romance
World-Building: ★★★★★
Heat: ★★★☆☆
Chemistry: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Romance: ★★★★★
INTRO
Dublin Bay is an enchanting historical romance, set during WWII in Dublin, Ireland. Tackling one of the most difficult periods of history – for many people, of many countries – Patrick manages to put a human face on the tragedies that shook the world.
The story focuses on the little-mentioned fact (at least in my school education) that Ireland was neutral during WWII, and German diplomats were stationed there throughout the war. Beginning in September 1939, on the very cusp of the war, it continues throughout, sometimes in real time and sometimes in monthly instalments, until 1942.
CHARACTERS
Our two main characters are James (aka Jimmy), an Irish boy who lives in Dublin, and Otto, a young German who has travelled to Dublin with his diplomat father. There's also a secondary cast of James' family, Otto's family, and a teacher who comes to tutor Otto, Howard.
In terms of importance, James' sister, Bella, is a constant source of support, friendship and family ties, with a clear view of what's important and some wonderfully feminist values. James' brother, Liam, is a member of the IRA, who is desperate to climb up the ranks, and isn't afraid to use his family to get ahead. Even when they don't agree with his actions or the IRA's bombings. Howard is the one who opens James' eyes, and gets him to expand his thinking beyond what he's been taught. Allowing him to question everything he's ever known to be real.
Despite how little he was on page, I was touched by Hans' story, by his subtle strength. I appreciated and admired Otto's father for his ability to turn a blind eye to what was going on under his roof, and what he didn't want to face head-on. Despite burying his head in the sand about a lot of things, he eventually proves he's a father first and diplomat second.
I loved both James and Otto, in different ways.
From the very beginning, James was my favourite. Probably because we were in his 1st person POV for the entire book, it was easier to get to know him, to connect to him, and to share his emotions. But, as the story progressed, I saw Otto's personality shine through more clearly.
To start with, James was very much an uncertain teenager, who didn't know which way to turn. He was questioning a lot of what he'd been raised to believe in, and struggling with an attraction he couldn't make sense of, that went against his beliefs. Struggling with his Catholic faith, a brother who was acting against his beliefs, and a new romance, it was no wonder he initially didn't want to question Ireland's neutrality in the war. The lack of Nazi/Reich propaganda that reached Ireland – because of the Emergency, a blockade against media related to the war – meant he had little reason to challenge their lack of participation in the war. And little reason to believe it would be as serious as it became, trusting Otto's insistence that the war would be overly quickly, once the countries surrendered to the Reich's power. Until Howard came along, with a wider view of war in general, he had no reason not to trust that Otto was right about the war being a minor, quick inconvenience.
In personality, he's brash and fun, poor but proud of his family and achievements. He worries about taking advantage of Otto's generosity, but knows that his family badly needs the money. He stands up to his alcoholic father, and protects his mother and sister, aware that his brother's work with the IRA is wrong. Even when he begins to learn about the reality of the war, he feels ashamed for benefiting so much. Fiercely independent, despite his age, he puts his family first, knowing that, without the war, Otto would never have come into his life, and his family's fortunes would never have improved. Despite struggling to keep his faith, while his feelings for Otto grow more intense, he manages to find acceptance through widening his knowledge of the world.
“I had already delivered my soul into hell, but Otto had just slapped a padlock on the gate and swallowed the key.”
Otto was an enigma, to begin with. A posh, intelligent teenager, who seemed to be more astute and aware of current events than James, he was hard to pin down. He knew he way paying too much for services, but didn't care, knowing people like James needed the money more than he did. He was aware of the war, and what his father was doing as part of his war effort. Aware of being German in a foreign country, during a war, and careful to be smart about how to behave appropriately.
Cute and sweet, he's flirtatious and happy to push James' boundaries, right until the end of the book. Over time, he becomes a questionable character – either indoctrinated to the Reich, or ignorantly loyal to his country; either smart and calculating or manipulative and sly; either well informed and perceptive, or fully immersed in the war efforts.
There is so much scope for questioning whether Otto is too good to be true, or the perfect match for James. And I loved that ambiguity. How it was never certain if they would get their HFN, never mind an HEA.
I really felt for Otto, as he began to question his loyalty to the Reich. His feelings of helplessness, as the news became progressively horrifying and more opposed to what he'd always believed, was touching. The way James took care of him, sympathised with him, and helped him find way to salvage what little faith he had in his own country, was beautiful to see.
“My whole country is complicit, James. We're the ones who are letting this happen, whether we're flying the planes of minding our business, looking the other way.”
It was easy to forget these were two teenagers, barely sixteen when the story began, and not long eighteen when it ended. The issues they deal with, the mature way they handled the war, and how they navigated real-world problems showed their character clearly. Otto, who was in control and decisive, opinionated and crafty. James, who was staunchly supportive, strong and independent. Together, they encouraged each other's good traits and helped change their negative traits, becoming a strength and support for each other.
PLOT
The story eases you into the reality of the horror of WWII, through an innocent teenage relationship and friendship. Through the eyes of two teenagers, discovering their identities, challenging their beliefs, and exploring new friendships, while discovering with increasing tension that they're on opposing sides of the war.
Initially, James is fully immersed in the idea that Ireland is neutral, not taking sides in the war. He maintains that mentality for a while, despite his brother being entrenched in the IRA and the Irish Defense Force. The fact that Ireland had a long-standing feud with the English (as we Scots do) it made sense for him to flounder and not form an opinion, at first. As he meets Otto, he's given a reason to remain neutral. Their flirtations make it hard for him to see the worst of Germans, especially in the beginning.
Patrick does an incredible job of showing Ireland's neutrality – and how logical it seems to James, on the outside of the war – while becoming progressively, but subtly, troubled by that neutrality. Ireland's disinterest in the war is clear, at first. A stark, but realistic “if it's not happening to us, it doesn't matter” attitude that many people have in the wake of an unprecedented life-changing event. Something we all saw recently, with the Covid pandemic.
“I knew the Irish press were heavily censored as part of the Emergency, but sometimes it felt like Otto and I were seeing two different wars playing out.”
Yet, the distant, unaware view of the war is considered a lesser of two evils. An “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” situation. Then the London bombings start, and the intensity of the plot begins to rise. The reality of the war becomes stark and clear, in a way it hadn't been before. I had a lump in my throat, when the bombings started, remembering the stories from my grandmother, the documentaries and movies over the years, of the Blitz.
Then the Belfast Blitz happens, on page, in great detail. Shocking James to his core, and making the war more real than he'd ever known it to be. And suddenly that awareness of the history of the war became tears, for how the Belfast Blitz shocked James out of his neutrality. That event really shows the difference between knowing something and experiencing it. How he deals with it, and the aftermath, is both entrancing and touching.
I appreciated how cleverly Howard was used to show the neutrality, and eventual participation of the American troops and intelligence. Through him, multiple plot devices are possible, and he helps both boys explore their own country-loyalty, and cultural identity, through the scope of the wider world.
“Howard became despondent, claiming no one back in the States would listen to what was happening, or worse, they chose not to hear.”
Patrick does an incredible job exploring the intricacies of WWII and the ways it impacted the characters. Managing to expose the reality of war, without drifting from the main plot.
Subjects like the homophobia of the Reich, the fact young German men were expected to join the Nazi party upon their eighteenth birthday, and be conscripted into active service at eighteen. How, if they didn't, they would face terrible consequences. The exploration of James and Otto's relationship had mostly been religious until it became clear that the Reich would not tolerate homosexuality, any more than it would the feeble, weak or old. The reality of the Reich's plans for Jew's across Europe, the concentration camps, the prison camps, and how the camp guards abused and tortured their prisoners. Everything was dealt with in a gentle, sympathetic way, that revealed the horrors to James and Otto without them having to experience it, or having the issues explored in graphic detail.
Yet, it's also very clear throughout the plot, that German and Nazi are not synonymous. A man can be a German but not a Nazi. And – as history has taught us, and as is explored in the book – not all Nazi-sympathisers are German. It also explores the reality that some German citizens, especially men, became Nazi's or supported the war from loyalty, fear, misguided understanding of what the Reich planned, coercion, and some through being raised with specific ideals and beliefs. It was never a clear-cut matter of German = Nazi.
Similarly, I felt Patrick was able to sympathetically show how divided Ireland was, during this time. One half was peaceful, with the IRA even working with the Germans, while the other half was suffering the bombings and fear of invasion. One half were of the opinion the Germans were no different to the English, and the other were sending troops and aid to the war effort. Yet, when the war came to one side, they remembered they were all Irish at heart, and worked together.
WRITING
The story was told in a first person POV, through one character. It was also written in a semi-autobiographic manner, where James provided brief hindsight remarks, as if recollecting the story many years later. I haven't read many books like this, only a handful, but the ones I've read have all managed to find a fine line between telling the story and adding these hindsight elements. This one was no exception. The balance was perfect, sometimes providing the right touch to avoid a startling or jarring switch of event.
The extensive, methodical, intricate historical research that must have gone into this book – from timeline, names, dates, places, and uniform descriptions – is mind-boggling. The story is far from insular, though it takes place only within Ireland, managing to explore the multi-faceted, interconnected aspects of the war.
Through James, we see how the war affects Ireland and the Irish people. Through Otto, we see how a German teenager deals with the reality of the war. Through them, and their interactions with other characters, we see how information is withheld, found, and the shockwave when the reality sinks in.
The writing was engaging, emotive when it focused on the characters, and honest but factual when it came to the historical elements. I never felt disengaged, even when the stark realities of the war were explored, no matter what the characters were feeling or experiencing.
Both main characters are teenagers for the entire book, between the ages of 15-18, and they begin a relationship quite quickly after meeting. They do end up having a sexual relationship. The sex begins off as fade-to-black, more often vague and implied references, until they're older, and then it begins to get a touch more detailed. I wouldn't say there's anything too graphic, as it's still a historical novel and they're teenage boys who don't know or use the right words for things. However, it's worth remembering that these events take place in Ireland, in the 1940s, during wartime. The rules tended not to apply for many things, back then, and the general age of consent in Britain has been 16, so it's not uncommon for a British-based book to explore sexual relationships at this age. Especially during this time period, where the relation begins as 'exploration with a friend' to 'maybe I'm a homosexual'.
OVERALL
Dublin Bay explores a teenage romance through the scope of a war, pitting religion vs homosexuality, war vs love, and loyalty to their country vs being in love with the enemy. Subtly intense and captivating, I was enthralled from beginning to end, and devoured the entire book in one day.
From the characters, to the historical detail, to the progression from “wichsen time” to full-on romance, I loved every minute. There were multiple tearful moments throughout, from the Blitz, to James' experience in Belfast, and the last few pages. Everything about the journey of these two innocent, young boys growing into strong, independent men finding their way in the world, was engaging.
Though the story deals with some terrible moments in our history, the very real, relatable characters of James and Otto gave it heart. Every page turned was another adventure, another step forward in their friendship. The timeline progression was cleverly devised to show us each pivotal moment in their shared lives, while following the war through three years of a six year war. It never lost sight of James and Otto, of how they were the main characters, or how the war and the events going on around them would impact their lives and their relationship.
The story takes place between 1939 and 1942, and I would have loved an Epilogue to complete the picture, seeing the characters celebration the end of the war, with relief. WWII lasted until 1945, and due to this being a series, I totally appreciate and anticipate that this ending means there will be an exploration of the last three years of the war, eventually. Whether based on these same characters or not, I will happily be first in line for the next book. (Though, I'm really hoping for a story for Hans!)
~
Favourite Quotes
“He was my Eve.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Dublin Bay
Tides of Change, Book 1
by John Patrick
★★★★★
348 Pages
1st person POV
Themes: war, WWII, politics, poor vs rich
Triggers: scenes of war, including: bombings, violence, concentration camps; mentions of past trauma and sexual assault, torture and experience in prison camps; historical homophobic attitudes, shell shock. Vague descriptions of the Blitz, and Pearl Harbour, with an on-page experience of the Belfast Blitz.
Genre: MM, LGBT, Historical, Wartime, WWII, Romance
World-Building: ★★★★★
Heat: ★★★☆☆
Chemistry: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Romance: ★★★★★
INTRO
Dublin Bay is an enchanting historical romance, set during WWII in Dublin, Ireland. Tackling one of the most difficult periods of history – for many people, of many countries – Patrick manages to put a human face on the tragedies that shook the world.
The story focuses on the little-mentioned fact (at least in my school education) that Ireland was neutral during WWII, and German diplomats were stationed there throughout the war. Beginning in September 1939, on the very cusp of the war, it continues throughout, sometimes in real time and sometimes in monthly instalments, until 1942.
CHARACTERS
Our two main characters are James (aka Jimmy), an Irish boy who lives in Dublin, and Otto, a young German who has travelled to Dublin with his diplomat father. There's also a secondary cast of James' family, Otto's family, and a teacher who comes to tutor Otto, Howard.
In terms of importance, James' sister, Bella, is a constant source of support, friendship and family ties, with a clear view of what's important and some wonderfully feminist values. James' brother, Liam, is a member of the IRA, who is desperate to climb up the ranks, and isn't afraid to use his family to get ahead. Even when they don't agree with his actions or the IRA's bombings. Howard is the one who opens James' eyes, and gets him to expand his thinking beyond what he's been taught. Allowing him to question everything he's ever known to be real.
Despite how little he was on page, I was touched by Hans' story, by his subtle strength. I appreciated and admired Otto's father for his ability to turn a blind eye to what was going on under his roof, and what he didn't want to face head-on. Despite burying his head in the sand about a lot of things, he eventually proves he's a father first and diplomat second.
I loved both James and Otto, in different ways.
From the very beginning, James was my favourite. Probably because we were in his 1st person POV for the entire book, it was easier to get to know him, to connect to him, and to share his emotions. But, as the story progressed, I saw Otto's personality shine through more clearly.
To start with, James was very much an uncertain teenager, who didn't know which way to turn. He was questioning a lot of what he'd been raised to believe in, and struggling with an attraction he couldn't make sense of, that went against his beliefs. Struggling with his Catholic faith, a brother who was acting against his beliefs, and a new romance, it was no wonder he initially didn't want to question Ireland's neutrality in the war. The lack of Nazi/Reich propaganda that reached Ireland – because of the Emergency, a blockade against media related to the war – meant he had little reason to challenge their lack of participation in the war. And little reason to believe it would be as serious as it became, trusting Otto's insistence that the war would be overly quickly, once the countries surrendered to the Reich's power. Until Howard came along, with a wider view of war in general, he had no reason not to trust that Otto was right about the war being a minor, quick inconvenience.
In personality, he's brash and fun, poor but proud of his family and achievements. He worries about taking advantage of Otto's generosity, but knows that his family badly needs the money. He stands up to his alcoholic father, and protects his mother and sister, aware that his brother's work with the IRA is wrong. Even when he begins to learn about the reality of the war, he feels ashamed for benefiting so much. Fiercely independent, despite his age, he puts his family first, knowing that, without the war, Otto would never have come into his life, and his family's fortunes would never have improved. Despite struggling to keep his faith, while his feelings for Otto grow more intense, he manages to find acceptance through widening his knowledge of the world.
“I had already delivered my soul into hell, but Otto had just slapped a padlock on the gate and swallowed the key.”
Otto was an enigma, to begin with. A posh, intelligent teenager, who seemed to be more astute and aware of current events than James, he was hard to pin down. He knew he way paying too much for services, but didn't care, knowing people like James needed the money more than he did. He was aware of the war, and what his father was doing as part of his war effort. Aware of being German in a foreign country, during a war, and careful to be smart about how to behave appropriately.
Cute and sweet, he's flirtatious and happy to push James' boundaries, right until the end of the book. Over time, he becomes a questionable character – either indoctrinated to the Reich, or ignorantly loyal to his country; either smart and calculating or manipulative and sly; either well informed and perceptive, or fully immersed in the war efforts.
There is so much scope for questioning whether Otto is too good to be true, or the perfect match for James. And I loved that ambiguity. How it was never certain if they would get their HFN, never mind an HEA.
I really felt for Otto, as he began to question his loyalty to the Reich. His feelings of helplessness, as the news became progressively horrifying and more opposed to what he'd always believed, was touching. The way James took care of him, sympathised with him, and helped him find way to salvage what little faith he had in his own country, was beautiful to see.
“My whole country is complicit, James. We're the ones who are letting this happen, whether we're flying the planes of minding our business, looking the other way.”
It was easy to forget these were two teenagers, barely sixteen when the story began, and not long eighteen when it ended. The issues they deal with, the mature way they handled the war, and how they navigated real-world problems showed their character clearly. Otto, who was in control and decisive, opinionated and crafty. James, who was staunchly supportive, strong and independent. Together, they encouraged each other's good traits and helped change their negative traits, becoming a strength and support for each other.
PLOT
The story eases you into the reality of the horror of WWII, through an innocent teenage relationship and friendship. Through the eyes of two teenagers, discovering their identities, challenging their beliefs, and exploring new friendships, while discovering with increasing tension that they're on opposing sides of the war.
Initially, James is fully immersed in the idea that Ireland is neutral, not taking sides in the war. He maintains that mentality for a while, despite his brother being entrenched in the IRA and the Irish Defense Force. The fact that Ireland had a long-standing feud with the English (as we Scots do) it made sense for him to flounder and not form an opinion, at first. As he meets Otto, he's given a reason to remain neutral. Their flirtations make it hard for him to see the worst of Germans, especially in the beginning.
Patrick does an incredible job of showing Ireland's neutrality – and how logical it seems to James, on the outside of the war – while becoming progressively, but subtly, troubled by that neutrality. Ireland's disinterest in the war is clear, at first. A stark, but realistic “if it's not happening to us, it doesn't matter” attitude that many people have in the wake of an unprecedented life-changing event. Something we all saw recently, with the Covid pandemic.
“I knew the Irish press were heavily censored as part of the Emergency, but sometimes it felt like Otto and I were seeing two different wars playing out.”
Yet, the distant, unaware view of the war is considered a lesser of two evils. An “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” situation. Then the London bombings start, and the intensity of the plot begins to rise. The reality of the war becomes stark and clear, in a way it hadn't been before. I had a lump in my throat, when the bombings started, remembering the stories from my grandmother, the documentaries and movies over the years, of the Blitz.
Then the Belfast Blitz happens, on page, in great detail. Shocking James to his core, and making the war more real than he'd ever known it to be. And suddenly that awareness of the history of the war became tears, for how the Belfast Blitz shocked James out of his neutrality. That event really shows the difference between knowing something and experiencing it. How he deals with it, and the aftermath, is both entrancing and touching.
I appreciated how cleverly Howard was used to show the neutrality, and eventual participation of the American troops and intelligence. Through him, multiple plot devices are possible, and he helps both boys explore their own country-loyalty, and cultural identity, through the scope of the wider world.
“Howard became despondent, claiming no one back in the States would listen to what was happening, or worse, they chose not to hear.”
Patrick does an incredible job exploring the intricacies of WWII and the ways it impacted the characters. Managing to expose the reality of war, without drifting from the main plot.
Subjects like the homophobia of the Reich, the fact young German men were expected to join the Nazi party upon their eighteenth birthday, and be conscripted into active service at eighteen. How, if they didn't, they would face terrible consequences. The exploration of James and Otto's relationship had mostly been religious until it became clear that the Reich would not tolerate homosexuality, any more than it would the feeble, weak or old. The reality of the Reich's plans for Jew's across Europe, the concentration camps, the prison camps, and how the camp guards abused and tortured their prisoners. Everything was dealt with in a gentle, sympathetic way, that revealed the horrors to James and Otto without them having to experience it, or having the issues explored in graphic detail.
Yet, it's also very clear throughout the plot, that German and Nazi are not synonymous. A man can be a German but not a Nazi. And – as history has taught us, and as is explored in the book – not all Nazi-sympathisers are German. It also explores the reality that some German citizens, especially men, became Nazi's or supported the war from loyalty, fear, misguided understanding of what the Reich planned, coercion, and some through being raised with specific ideals and beliefs. It was never a clear-cut matter of German = Nazi.
Similarly, I felt Patrick was able to sympathetically show how divided Ireland was, during this time. One half was peaceful, with the IRA even working with the Germans, while the other half was suffering the bombings and fear of invasion. One half were of the opinion the Germans were no different to the English, and the other were sending troops and aid to the war effort. Yet, when the war came to one side, they remembered they were all Irish at heart, and worked together.
WRITING
The story was told in a first person POV, through one character. It was also written in a semi-autobiographic manner, where James provided brief hindsight remarks, as if recollecting the story many years later. I haven't read many books like this, only a handful, but the ones I've read have all managed to find a fine line between telling the story and adding these hindsight elements. This one was no exception. The balance was perfect, sometimes providing the right touch to avoid a startling or jarring switch of event.
The extensive, methodical, intricate historical research that must have gone into this book – from timeline, names, dates, places, and uniform descriptions – is mind-boggling. The story is far from insular, though it takes place only within Ireland, managing to explore the multi-faceted, interconnected aspects of the war.
Through James, we see how the war affects Ireland and the Irish people. Through Otto, we see how a German teenager deals with the reality of the war. Through them, and their interactions with other characters, we see how information is withheld, found, and the shockwave when the reality sinks in.
The writing was engaging, emotive when it focused on the characters, and honest but factual when it came to the historical elements. I never felt disengaged, even when the stark realities of the war were explored, no matter what the characters were feeling or experiencing.
Both main characters are teenagers for the entire book, between the ages of 15-18, and they begin a relationship quite quickly after meeting. They do end up having a sexual relationship. The sex begins off as fade-to-black, more often vague and implied references, until they're older, and then it begins to get a touch more detailed. I wouldn't say there's anything too graphic, as it's still a historical novel and they're teenage boys who don't know or use the right words for things. However, it's worth remembering that these events take place in Ireland, in the 1940s, during wartime. The rules tended not to apply for many things, back then, and the general age of consent in Britain has been 16, so it's not uncommon for a British-based book to explore sexual relationships at this age. Especially during this time period, where the relation begins as 'exploration with a friend' to 'maybe I'm a homosexual'.
OVERALL
Dublin Bay explores a teenage romance through the scope of a war, pitting religion vs homosexuality, war vs love, and loyalty to their country vs being in love with the enemy. Subtly intense and captivating, I was enthralled from beginning to end, and devoured the entire book in one day.
From the characters, to the historical detail, to the progression from “wichsen time” to full-on romance, I loved every minute. There were multiple tearful moments throughout, from the Blitz, to James' experience in Belfast, and the last few pages. Everything about the journey of these two innocent, young boys growing into strong, independent men finding their way in the world, was engaging.
Though the story deals with some terrible moments in our history, the very real, relatable characters of James and Otto gave it heart. Every page turned was another adventure, another step forward in their friendship. The timeline progression was cleverly devised to show us each pivotal moment in their shared lives, while following the war through three years of a six year war. It never lost sight of James and Otto, of how they were the main characters, or how the war and the events going on around them would impact their lives and their relationship.
The story takes place between 1939 and 1942, and I would have loved an Epilogue to complete the picture, seeing the characters celebration the end of the war, with relief. WWII lasted until 1945, and due to this being a series, I totally appreciate and anticipate that this ending means there will be an exploration of the last three years of the war, eventually. Whether based on these same characters or not, I will happily be first in line for the next book. (Though, I'm really hoping for a story for Hans!)
~
Favourite Quotes
“He was my Eve.”
July 16, 2022
What a huge disappointment.
I had GREAT expectations for this book. I've read praises pretty much everywhere.
But nope. Not from me.
It's not like it's badly written. Quite the opposite. The style is in fact quite lovely, and I enjoyed reading about a neglected piece of contemporary history, e.g. the position of Ireland in WWII. In this regard, the book was very well researched.
But... Is this author American? Because even though the book was set in Ireland, it wasn't Irish at all. Like, at all. There was nothing irish about the language (I was sort of expecting a At swim, two boys thing?), actually even the spelling is americanised, which I found SO OFF PUTTING. Every time I read something ending in -ize insted of -ise I could feel myself carried straight out of the story. But anyway. These people are Catholic, I mean. A big part of the book is centered around the kind of sin and guilt that only Catholicism can cause you (and I say this as as someone who was raised Catholic myself). But for all we knew, we could have been in any place in America where Roman Catholicism is majoritarian, like, I dunno, Boston, or whaeverelse. These characters never felt Irish to me. And knowing many Irish people, the book came out as very underwhelming.
This problem with characterisation is what brings down the book in general: I was supposed to care about John and Otto, but I knew nothing about Otto, or sort of. Nothing about his personality. John, as the pov voice, was a little better, but only by a little, as he comes out flat as well. Their relationship, then, was so badly described I didn't even get why these two boys were in a relationship in the first place, if not to wank each other off.
And with this, bye
I had GREAT expectations for this book. I've read praises pretty much everywhere.
But nope. Not from me.
It's not like it's badly written. Quite the opposite. The style is in fact quite lovely, and I enjoyed reading about a neglected piece of contemporary history, e.g. the position of Ireland in WWII. In this regard, the book was very well researched.
But... Is this author American? Because even though the book was set in Ireland, it wasn't Irish at all. Like, at all. There was nothing irish about the language (I was sort of expecting a At swim, two boys thing?), actually even the spelling is americanised, which I found SO OFF PUTTING. Every time I read something ending in -ize insted of -ise I could feel myself carried straight out of the story. But anyway. These people are Catholic, I mean. A big part of the book is centered around the kind of sin and guilt that only Catholicism can cause you (and I say this as as someone who was raised Catholic myself). But for all we knew, we could have been in any place in America where Roman Catholicism is majoritarian, like, I dunno, Boston, or whaeverelse. These characters never felt Irish to me. And knowing many Irish people, the book came out as very underwhelming.
This problem with characterisation is what brings down the book in general: I was supposed to care about John and Otto, but I knew nothing about Otto, or sort of. Nothing about his personality. John, as the pov voice, was a little better, but only by a little, as he comes out flat as well. Their relationship, then, was so badly described I didn't even get why these two boys were in a relationship in the first place, if not to wank each other off.
And with this, bye
March 3, 2025
I've been on a WWII podcast and non fiction book kick lately, so combining it with my favorite MM romance was absolutely perfect. And I sure enjoyed this one. It was a true case of both opposite attracts and forbidden romance. It's also a coming of age novel in a time when everyone had to grow up much quicker, and the author did a wonderful job of expressing that. The romance was well developed and did a great job of showing how it grew and changed as we saw the great strides the MCs took growing and changing in their new world. It dealt with love, loss, grief, war, and so much that you really run the gambit of feelings. I did feel the ending was a little abrupt, but left our MCs in a good position to show up in the second novel which I'm excited to pick up.
December 16, 2021
An engaging read. John Patrick has taken a little-discussed (in America, anyway) aspect of WWII—when Ireland remained neutral—and has used it as the suspenseful background for the love story of two young men who don't quite understand their impulses and feelings toward one another. I was very impressed with Patrick's facility in creating a believable, vivid atmosphere. The writing is confident. I recommend it highly, especially for those who enjoy the gay love story genre.
July 11, 2022
Dublin Bay was a pleasure. John Patrick not only researched the historical and social background deeply but also assimilated his research, and the dread Info Dump never appeared. James and Otto simply inhabit Dublin as the city was in the early years of WWII.
Two small examples, neither of which amounts to a spoiler:
--the women doing their wash in the basement of James's building, and the way hot water was a valuable commodity that James had to replace after he took some to wash himself in.
-- turf replacing coal and gas as these came into short supply, and the labor and financial economy that grew up around the changes caused by the war
***
I'd hesitated to read this book because, one of the lovers being the son of a German diplomat, I feared it would gloss over the Nazis' atrocities. Truth is, Otto's change of heart felt like a stretch; we see in our own time how many people hang on to their loyalties even when presented with clear evidence of what's being done in their name. And I remained a bit skeptical about how much the narrative had James and Otto (and their friends) accomplish. Could they really thwart so many of the Reich's military aims?
All the same, I was engrossed and maaaaaaaaay have done a bit of nail-biting until the conspirators made their escape.
I could cite more quibbles, because I always have quibbles and when I'm reading a book expressly because I mean to review it I tend to focus on those. But never mind, because I loved the rich historical setting and the -- oh, how to put this? -- the non-triviality of the MCs' struggles. (I was especially smitten with the refugee Hans Schmidt, and was pleased to see that he gets his own story in Turtle Bay.) And if it's a little fantastic to give queer people in this time and place supportive straight friends and relatives, eh, fine. It's a romance and we want a happy ending.
Four and a half stars.
I received a free ARC and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Two small examples, neither of which amounts to a spoiler:
--the women doing their wash in the basement of James's building, and the way hot water was a valuable commodity that James had to replace after he took some to wash himself in.
-- turf replacing coal and gas as these came into short supply, and the labor and financial economy that grew up around the changes caused by the war
***
I'd hesitated to read this book because, one of the lovers being the son of a German diplomat, I feared it would gloss over the Nazis' atrocities. Truth is, Otto's change of heart felt like a stretch; we see in our own time how many people hang on to their loyalties even when presented with clear evidence of what's being done in their name. And I remained a bit skeptical about how much the narrative had James and Otto (and their friends) accomplish. Could they really thwart so many of the Reich's military aims?
All the same, I was engrossed and maaaaaaaaay have done a bit of nail-biting until the conspirators made their escape.
I could cite more quibbles, because I always have quibbles and when I'm reading a book expressly because I mean to review it I tend to focus on those. But never mind, because I loved the rich historical setting and the -- oh, how to put this? -- the non-triviality of the MCs' struggles. (I was especially smitten with the refugee Hans Schmidt, and was pleased to see that he gets his own story in Turtle Bay.) And if it's a little fantastic to give queer people in this time and place supportive straight friends and relatives, eh, fine. It's a romance and we want a happy ending.
Four and a half stars.
I received a free ARC and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
January 18, 2023
This well-written book ranks among the best of the best mm romance books I've ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is an excellent blend of coming-of-age, sexual awakening, and historical romance. As the story begins, James is a 16 year-old who lives in Dublin's poorest tenement with his family. He's harvesting mussels along the shore when he catches sight of a German young man, Otto, on the docks with his father, saying good-bye to his mother and sister. The two young men are drawn to each other and later become friends. Otto's father is a diplomat, often in the office, and James begins to help out in management of the house, navigating the Irish services needed to maintain a household.
It is the early days leading up to WWII and Ireland hopes to stay neutral. As James and Otto get to know each other better, they feel a physical attraction in addition to a growing friendship. As months go by, danger mounts and other people enter their lives with various agendas. This book is exciting, an absolute page-turner, emotional, and intriguing. It overlays various historical points in the war and gives a view into the war from the Irish and German perspectives. The romance is solid and loving. The book stands alone and has a fulfilling HEA. The journey of the characters, with a focus on Hans, a supporting character in this book, takes place in Bk 2, Turtle Bay.
It is the early days leading up to WWII and Ireland hopes to stay neutral. As James and Otto get to know each other better, they feel a physical attraction in addition to a growing friendship. As months go by, danger mounts and other people enter their lives with various agendas. This book is exciting, an absolute page-turner, emotional, and intriguing. It overlays various historical points in the war and gives a view into the war from the Irish and German perspectives. The romance is solid and loving. The book stands alone and has a fulfilling HEA. The journey of the characters, with a focus on Hans, a supporting character in this book, takes place in Bk 2, Turtle Bay.
August 25, 2022
A coming of age love story set in the beginning of WWII. It’s also action packed and has moments where I feel like I will pee a little with excitement. A story of hope too and family and friendship contrasting the horrible war in the background.
March 15, 2023
A wonderful piece of historical fiction, this book was poignant, suspenseful, and hopeful as a tale about two young gay men trying to make their way through mounting tensions in 1940’s Ireland.
Though fictional, there were fascinating and easily digestible facts of what was actually happening in the world at these times and it gave the book a sense of mounting tension and urgency. I enjoyed reading about this time period from an Irish perspective and I also appreciated that these characters were living through tumultuous times but were somehow able to find their own successes and take care of family, start making their own way, and find romance. I liked that it wasn’t a tragic image on every page. There’s plenty of that already and not enough stories about gay people in these times.
The romance between Otto and Jimmy was quiet, sometimes awkward, and very sweet. It was realistic for the time period and also ultimately hopeful. Much of the struggle Otto and Jimmy is still sadly quite timely. Characters like Jimmy’s sister Bella and their relationship were also a highlight, and some characters kept me wondering if they were going to end up friend or foe which made me eager to keep reading.
I was also struck by the notion of growing up in these times, finding unparalleled personal success, and then ultimately choosing to give up what could be a more privileged life (even in times of war) to sacrifice and risk for the sake of taking care of others.
I greatly enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out more from this author.
Though fictional, there were fascinating and easily digestible facts of what was actually happening in the world at these times and it gave the book a sense of mounting tension and urgency. I enjoyed reading about this time period from an Irish perspective and I also appreciated that these characters were living through tumultuous times but were somehow able to find their own successes and take care of family, start making their own way, and find romance. I liked that it wasn’t a tragic image on every page. There’s plenty of that already and not enough stories about gay people in these times.
The romance between Otto and Jimmy was quiet, sometimes awkward, and very sweet. It was realistic for the time period and also ultimately hopeful. Much of the struggle Otto and Jimmy is still sadly quite timely. Characters like Jimmy’s sister Bella and their relationship were also a highlight, and some characters kept me wondering if they were going to end up friend or foe which made me eager to keep reading.
I was also struck by the notion of growing up in these times, finding unparalleled personal success, and then ultimately choosing to give up what could be a more privileged life (even in times of war) to sacrifice and risk for the sake of taking care of others.
I greatly enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out more from this author.
December 28, 2021
“Dublin Bay” is a heart wrenching story by John Patrick. He takes readers back in history during wartime in 1939. James Brennan is Irish and Otto Werner is German, they make a special connection but can they withstand the horrors of war?
James and Otto meet when they are both sixteen. As Otto’s mother and sister are boarding a ship back to Germany for safety. James has just finished collecting mussels for his families dinner. Otto knowing how much his father yearned for mussels, talks James into selling his mussels to him. James lives in poverty and the offer for the mussels is more money than he had ever seen. Not knowing how to prepare mussels James get’s his sister Annabelle to help. This meeting of James and Otto leads to very beneficial jobs for both Annabelle and James. They are able to help their Mother also with a better life.
During the next couple years James and Otto become lovers, but the war rages on. The war is ugly and it has everyone taking sides. Eventually, Otto and Jimmy both experience the atrocities of war. Otto knows how it will end for him. James finds a way to aid in the war and work towards a new and better life ahead.
John Patrick brings the history of WWII to the page. He takes the reader back to a devastating time, step by step, as the Nazi Germany takes over Europe. How Ireland held their own and tried to remain neutral. But the IRA believed in what Germany was doing because of the control of British government. It also addresses the family bonds and strict beliefs of the Irish Catholic religion.
John Patrick also brings the characters of James and Otto alive with their in-depth feelings: strengths, fears and support of each other. Also, self-blame as Otto being German often feels guilt. James is often optimistic and continues his plan to find a better life. Both are equally brave in facing the realities of war.
I also found the character of American, Howard Fulman interesting. He brought an awakening to James with educating him on politics and religion. Through Fulman James learns of a way to help in the plight of the Jews and refugees.
“Dublin Bay” was a well written, page-turner for me. It was very suspenseful following James and Otto through a chaotic time. At every turn the reader doesn’t know what to expect when it comes to their life together. I’ve read several fiction novels that address WWII but “Dublin Bay” brought a new outlook to the era with the Ireland point of view. From the title: “Tides of Change” being book one, I’m intrigued to find out what John Patrick has planned for a sequel.
James and Otto meet when they are both sixteen. As Otto’s mother and sister are boarding a ship back to Germany for safety. James has just finished collecting mussels for his families dinner. Otto knowing how much his father yearned for mussels, talks James into selling his mussels to him. James lives in poverty and the offer for the mussels is more money than he had ever seen. Not knowing how to prepare mussels James get’s his sister Annabelle to help. This meeting of James and Otto leads to very beneficial jobs for both Annabelle and James. They are able to help their Mother also with a better life.
During the next couple years James and Otto become lovers, but the war rages on. The war is ugly and it has everyone taking sides. Eventually, Otto and Jimmy both experience the atrocities of war. Otto knows how it will end for him. James finds a way to aid in the war and work towards a new and better life ahead.
John Patrick brings the history of WWII to the page. He takes the reader back to a devastating time, step by step, as the Nazi Germany takes over Europe. How Ireland held their own and tried to remain neutral. But the IRA believed in what Germany was doing because of the control of British government. It also addresses the family bonds and strict beliefs of the Irish Catholic religion.
John Patrick also brings the characters of James and Otto alive with their in-depth feelings: strengths, fears and support of each other. Also, self-blame as Otto being German often feels guilt. James is often optimistic and continues his plan to find a better life. Both are equally brave in facing the realities of war.
I also found the character of American, Howard Fulman interesting. He brought an awakening to James with educating him on politics and religion. Through Fulman James learns of a way to help in the plight of the Jews and refugees.
“Dublin Bay” was a well written, page-turner for me. It was very suspenseful following James and Otto through a chaotic time. At every turn the reader doesn’t know what to expect when it comes to their life together. I’ve read several fiction novels that address WWII but “Dublin Bay” brought a new outlook to the era with the Ireland point of view. From the title: “Tides of Change” being book one, I’m intrigued to find out what John Patrick has planned for a sequel.
October 20, 2024
This novel would make an excellent film.
It has all the elements of a box office smash or a highly streamed miniseries. Period drama. Likeable characters. Sneaky dealings. A love story.
Two teenage boys meet one evening just before the second world war. James is Irish and from a very poor family. Otto is the privileged son of a German diplomat stationed in Dublin. Otto engages James and his sister to run the house he and his father occupy, and soon after, romance blooms.
As time passes, James and Otto become part of a plan to sneak Jewish refugees out of Nazi occupied countries. This is done through what Otto learns about German war tactics from his father, and by James hoodwinking his brother who is a member of the IRA (at the time, the IRA supported the Germans because they shared Britain as their common enemy).
Part of what makes this book interesting is Ireland's neutrality. So while the war doesn't directly affect its citizens, there are characters who become aware of the genocide. Otto has a naive view of what his nation's army are up to until the truth becomes apparent. His early denial, and the guilt he experiences later, are relationship hurdles James must deal with.
James' sister, Bella, and Otto's American tutor, Howard, are important players too. While Bella cooks and cleans for Otto and his dad, she also holds strong views about the freedoms awarded to her brother which she can't enjoy. James can disappear for a night, chasing romance, while she needs to be chaperoned.
James has very Catholic views about his own sexuality. Part of this story's charm is the way Howard assures James he will not go to hell for enjoying sex with someone of the same gender. And Otto's more mainland European views on intimacy also add to James' awakening.
The writing is as solid as the plot, as is the authentic feel of both time and place.
It has all the elements of a box office smash or a highly streamed miniseries. Period drama. Likeable characters. Sneaky dealings. A love story.
Two teenage boys meet one evening just before the second world war. James is Irish and from a very poor family. Otto is the privileged son of a German diplomat stationed in Dublin. Otto engages James and his sister to run the house he and his father occupy, and soon after, romance blooms.
As time passes, James and Otto become part of a plan to sneak Jewish refugees out of Nazi occupied countries. This is done through what Otto learns about German war tactics from his father, and by James hoodwinking his brother who is a member of the IRA (at the time, the IRA supported the Germans because they shared Britain as their common enemy).
Part of what makes this book interesting is Ireland's neutrality. So while the war doesn't directly affect its citizens, there are characters who become aware of the genocide. Otto has a naive view of what his nation's army are up to until the truth becomes apparent. His early denial, and the guilt he experiences later, are relationship hurdles James must deal with.
James' sister, Bella, and Otto's American tutor, Howard, are important players too. While Bella cooks and cleans for Otto and his dad, she also holds strong views about the freedoms awarded to her brother which she can't enjoy. James can disappear for a night, chasing romance, while she needs to be chaperoned.
James has very Catholic views about his own sexuality. Part of this story's charm is the way Howard assures James he will not go to hell for enjoying sex with someone of the same gender. And Otto's more mainland European views on intimacy also add to James' awakening.
The writing is as solid as the plot, as is the authentic feel of both time and place.
November 11, 2021
Really good historical fiction has a way of immersing readers not just in a bygone time and place but into the larger forces, the zeitgeist, that shapes that time and place, and that’s definitely the case with this novel. Spanning from 1939 to 1942, we see through the eyes of protagonist and narrator James, a young Irishman whose life is changed when he meets Otto, the son of a German diplomat stationed in Ireland, and with whom he experiences so many momentous things. Both James and Otto are compelling characters-- James is bold and fun, struggling with the Catholic teachings that condemn things he’s discovering about himself, proud of his family and his origins. Otto is intelligent, polished, and compelling. They’re both so young when the story starts (16!) and the events that transform their lives also transform them. I really liked how they brought out the best in each other and the strength they could draw from one another, and I appreciated the care and detail with which the author immersed their characters, and readers, in all the geopolitical nuances of time and place: James and Otto’s awareness evolves and changes through their experiences, and it’s impossible to look away from them as they move through their changing world.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
June 4, 2022
Another great story by John Patrick!
I wasn't sure what to expect and it took me some time to get into the story (which was only my fault btw) but I truly loved it.
It is a story about two boys/young men falling in love in Ireland during WWII. I had some difficulty getting into the story but I think it was mostly because I have never read or seen war from other point of wiev than polish or german. This is a book about guys in love but this is not a romance. It is a low heat story about friendship between people who were supposed to be enemies and about building a new world for everyone.
I love the story, especially a part about Hans' rescue. I wish it was longer, I'd love to see Otto and James .
* I was gifted an ARC copy of this awesome book and this is my honest review *
I wasn't sure what to expect and it took me some time to get into the story (which was only my fault btw) but I truly loved it.
It is a story about two boys/young men falling in love in Ireland during WWII. I had some difficulty getting into the story but I think it was mostly because I have never read or seen war from other point of wiev than polish or german. This is a book about guys in love but this is not a romance. It is a low heat story about friendship between people who were supposed to be enemies and about building a new world for everyone.
I love the story, especially a part about Hans' rescue. I wish it was longer, I'd love to see Otto and James .
* I was gifted an ARC copy of this awesome book and this is my honest review *
June 8, 2022
I love a good historical fiction novel set during the Second World War. Embarrassingly, I wasn't actually aware of Ireland's involvement with the war, and how the war impacted the IRA. It wasn't something that was taught in school, and something I've just not thought to look into.
Dublin Bay centres around two boys, James (Jimmy) and Otto. Two boys from different countries, classes, and religions, but find each other. Their relationship is a slow burn, which suits their age as we meet them at 17—discovering their sexuality and love for each other, it's a well-written love story.
I kept expecting the heartbreaking moment. Patrick weaves into the story the 'old beliefs' where fae is real, and that the second sight is something serious to consider. When James experiences the second sight, I almost threw the book out the window not wanting to find out if it was true (don't worry, I won't spoil that).
The end was a bit abrupt to me, but then again, it did suit the action of the book. I can also forgive it as I have discovered this is part of a series. I can't wait to read more! I am so not done with these characters.
Dublin Bay centres around two boys, James (Jimmy) and Otto. Two boys from different countries, classes, and religions, but find each other. Their relationship is a slow burn, which suits their age as we meet them at 17—discovering their sexuality and love for each other, it's a well-written love story.
I kept expecting the heartbreaking moment. Patrick weaves into the story the 'old beliefs' where fae is real, and that the second sight is something serious to consider. When James experiences the second sight, I almost threw the book out the window not wanting to find out if it was true (don't worry, I won't spoil that).
The end was a bit abrupt to me, but then again, it did suit the action of the book. I can also forgive it as I have discovered this is part of a series. I can't wait to read more! I am so not done with these characters.
September 30, 2022
A familiar struggle in an unfamiliar world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's quite an achievement for the author to have found a Second World War theme that hasn't been done to death. I found it fascinating and it's taught me things I didn't know about a conflict I am very well-versed in. I'll probably read more about neutral Ireland during the war as a result.
The original story is populated with characters I quickly came to care about, which is always important to me. Coming to terms with being gay as a protestant in 1980's Wales was hard enough, but here the main protagonist is Catholic and having to do it in an Ireland which is surrounded by a world that's going mad.
I was sorry when I finished it. I know there's more though and I shall certainly be reading it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's quite an achievement for the author to have found a Second World War theme that hasn't been done to death. I found it fascinating and it's taught me things I didn't know about a conflict I am very well-versed in. I'll probably read more about neutral Ireland during the war as a result.
The original story is populated with characters I quickly came to care about, which is always important to me. Coming to terms with being gay as a protestant in 1980's Wales was hard enough, but here the main protagonist is Catholic and having to do it in an Ireland which is surrounded by a world that's going mad.
I was sorry when I finished it. I know there's more though and I shall certainly be reading it.
June 4, 2022
I've read lots of books about WWII focused on the US, England and Germany, but this is my first focused on Ireland during the period. We come to see the period through the characters of Jimmy, a poor young Dubliner and Otto, son of a wealthy German ambassador. As their relationship changes in a positive direction, the world around them grows dark. They face all the challenges any young men would face in this time of laws against homosexual acts, but with all the added complications of war, Ireland's position and Otto's father as a German official. An interesting, superbly written historical m/m story.
June 7, 2022
James & Otto are two teens from different countries who meet in 1939, right at the start of the war. They are from different stations in life, as well as different cultures.
Right from the start the descriptions of the time & place this story occurs in are quite clear & accurate... From how James sees running water in a sink for the first time, to how payment for women’s work is about half of men’s work (since it’s considered to be easier), to how Catholics needed to atone for any perceived sins like self-abuse (pleasuring oneself). All this within just a few chapters, right from the start.
It was also quite interesting to read about the war strategies & plans from both sides, too, especially about the lies being spread & taken at face value. I looked up a few of the incidents mentioned in the book (the Campile bombing, for example), & these were always accurately described.
I’m not a history buff, but this was truly a wonderful book to read... I loved seeing how James & Otto made plans about how to help with the war effort on their own terms, though this was at times quite dangerous. I really wondered if they would be able to survive the war at all, & if they would end up together by the end.
I don't often reread books, but this is one I will be rereading for sure.
<3 this book... It’s worth more than 5 stars.
Worth reading!
I received this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Right from the start the descriptions of the time & place this story occurs in are quite clear & accurate... From how James sees running water in a sink for the first time, to how payment for women’s work is about half of men’s work (since it’s considered to be easier), to how Catholics needed to atone for any perceived sins like self-abuse (pleasuring oneself). All this within just a few chapters, right from the start.
It was also quite interesting to read about the war strategies & plans from both sides, too, especially about the lies being spread & taken at face value. I looked up a few of the incidents mentioned in the book (the Campile bombing, for example), & these were always accurately described.
I’m not a history buff, but this was truly a wonderful book to read... I loved seeing how James & Otto made plans about how to help with the war effort on their own terms, though this was at times quite dangerous. I really wondered if they would be able to survive the war at all, & if they would end up together by the end.
I don't often reread books, but this is one I will be rereading for sure.
<3 this book... It’s worth more than 5 stars.
Worth reading!
I received this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2022
I very much enjoyed my first experience of John Patrick’s writing with Dublin Bay. Filled with vivid imagery and characters that were complex and well fleshed out, this story of two young men falling in love during WWII brought a fresh perspective on a part of the war we don’t often hear much about. As James, Otto and their friends struggle to make a difference against impossible odds, we learn more and more about the lengths people will go to in order to help the ones they love and to do what’s right. 10/10 would recommend!
January 2, 2025
Meant to be a book about a German teen who is sent to Ireland with his Nazi father and who then meets a local lad. Otto becomes close to James and they forge their way through wartime with one on each side of the equation.
However, the book is about their love relationship with each other, so it reads like young adult gay porn. Not that I consider myself a prude, but there is only so much an old gal wants to read about teenage masturbation.
Obviously a tad disappointed that it was on the young adult side of a romance novel, gay or straight.
However, the book is about their love relationship with each other, so it reads like young adult gay porn. Not that I consider myself a prude, but there is only so much an old gal wants to read about teenage masturbation.
Obviously a tad disappointed that it was on the young adult side of a romance novel, gay or straight.
July 16, 2025
James & Otto are 2 teenage boys who at first appear to have little in common but then as the story unfolds they discover how they both view themselves, each other and the world they find themselves in. That plot line alone would have rated 5 stars from me; the story set in newly independent Ireland yet still firmly under the thumb of the Church is well shown in the storyline involving how the Dubliners view the English and the Germans, and how and why those views change for some. I've added the next book in the series to my To Read shelf.
June 3, 2022
Two very different teens will meet and things will change for them. One has grown up in poverty while the other has grown up with money, with his family expected Germany will win the war. He is all alone so when he meets this young man a friendship forms. They expect to gain from each other but they didn’t expect love. How will it all go? Will life become very difficult for their love survive? See where they tie you
June 3, 2022
This story, so gorgeus
I don't read so much historical novel, generally is not my cup of tea.
But this one (and a few rare exception) is very good, this first volume very good.
I don't know If I have a choice one, maybe James but a little respect Otto.
Very interesting the period, the story, the setting and of course the characters.
I can't wait for the nex one, the story is just the beginning!
Thank GRR for the arc copy.
I don't read so much historical novel, generally is not my cup of tea.
But this one (and a few rare exception) is very good, this first volume very good.
I don't know If I have a choice one, maybe James but a little respect Otto.
Very interesting the period, the story, the setting and of course the characters.
I can't wait for the nex one, the story is just the beginning!
Thank GRR for the arc copy.
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