Historical forbidden M/M romance for the win❤️

I am sooo glad I picked this book to accompany me today!!!
I think I found my next favorite M/M author ❤️❤️

Benedict is so naive, innocent, “buttoned-up”, “restrained” when it comes to the matters of life and of the flesh that you want to hold his hand and just show him what is really going on under all these masks of propriety!

Fortunately, he will find a man who will throw his carefully planned life of celibacy away and help him realise that the life of the happy sinner is much much much more exquisite than refusing oneself the pleasures of the flesh for society’s sake. He will let himself be touched. He will let himself feel seen. He will let himself feel wanted and experienced very a liberating “petite mort”.

My literature geek side was also so pleased with all the cultural gems in this book ❤️❤️

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Great book. Love the author and narrator!

Loved this series. Listened several times. I love Isobel starling and Gary Furlong is great. Highly recommend!

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A little gem of a tale

I was given this book as an advanced listener. I have read and listened to several of Isobel Starling's books but these have been books set in the modern era. I initially I found the book slow and the lead character Benedict quite heavy going. However, as the tale developed you understood why he was like he was. Also, as the mystery developed the pace sped up. I was then gripped, growing to like Benedict more and more but also seriously taking against one particular character. I hope there will be another this series in which we get to meet the two main protagonist. I enjoyed the period feel and the clever but not overly elaborate twist. It is useful reminder that it is major change in recent times to be able to talk about being gay so freely. Gary Furlong is gem of a narrator. I had not realised he was so versatile.

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3.5 stars

I didn't realize there was going to be a book 2 when I started this. It would have been 4 stars if it concluded instead of as a continuation of the story get the next book.

Narrator was excellent.

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Something different

I absolutely loved both the story and the narration. Told solely from the point of view of a rather proper Benedict, I love how Gary Furlong brings him to life, yet never misses an opportunity to be creative with the secondary characters. I particularly enjoyed the many voices of Sebastian. I can't wait to hear more of his work.

The author captured the late 19th century excellently and this is indicative of thorough research. I certainly learnt several new things and will never look at plums the same way again! I like how Benedict is a more mature man of 50 (at a time when this might have been considered old). I definitely want to see him to continue to blossom after being so set in his way for 30 years. I hope that Sebastian is a large part of his rebirth.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

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Fantastic historic M/M

At first, I thought this story was going to be dry and boring. Fortunately, it sped up quickly and I wanted to know about Benedict's journey, his past, his predilections, and the mysterious man(men) he meets. It really left me wanting to know more about the mysterious Mr. Cavell. They are some truly funny, if dryly so, comments in this story, and I think if you blink you could miss them. Don't blink! I've already listened to the second book, which is longer, and provides more mystery, funny moments, disguises, and steamy connection between Benedict and Sebastian. I am eager for the next installment.

Gary does his usual excellent job of voicing the characters, perfectly capturing the accents, and distinguishing all the different characters and personas. Honestly, I can't imagine anyone else narrating Isobel's stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

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Entertaining!

Although this story got off to a slow start, it became very engaging. Once again the writing of Starling and performance Furlong make for great entertainment.

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An historical story.

A nice easy book to listen to, not my normal read but I enjoyed it.
Great narration as well, which really helped.

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Audio perfection

Wonderful writing, wonderful narration. If you love mm romance you cannot go wrong with an audiobook by Starling and Furlong!

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Deliciously Dastardly Deceptions

Fantastically penned romp, fantastically narrated. Benedict and Sebastian meet, better late than never. Such a delightful tale, well written, well set in the art world of Georgian England. Why in the height of Imperial times, are measurements in meters, especially when the narrator is Gary Furlong? The scenic descriptions of train travel, clothing, and houses of the period all augment this tale.

VERY ENJOYABLE

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