While I liked the writing and was intrigued by the story (and I think fans of this series will enjoy this instalment), there were one or two elements that didn't sit comfortable with me.

The first is a small thing, but the amount of names thrown at the reader within the first few chapters (mainly the first two) was very overwhelming. We had names of the main lead, his nephew and all five of the lead's former lovers thrown at us within the first few pages, which got very confused and had to reread the section so I had it all straight in my head.

The second was the timing. This is set either during or post First World War - it never, in my opinion, was made clear. We're just told "...returned from World War One injured, but at least he returned". But it never felt like it was set during or just after the first World War. I get this is a romance story, but I didn't feel like this was happening in the right time. I always wondered that, if I took these characters and story and set it in a different time, it would still work. I feel that this story would have worked much better in a contemporary setting.

But my biggest issue was the relationship, the main focus. The main character, Michael, is mourning the death of his first (and great) love, Thomas. And the love interest is Thomas's younger brother, Harry. This isn't a problem, but it did make me question how true Michael's feeling will be. But what did raise red flags was that, within the chapters we meet Harry, we are told several times how strikingly similar he looked to Thomas. Yes, they're brothers, but it made me hugely question whether Michael feelings towards Harry will be because he's Harry, or because he looks so much like Thomas and Michael can't let go. It caused me to be uncomfortable and very mistrusting over the relationship, which is the main thrust of the story. (hide spoiler)]

Fans of the series will enjoy this, but because of the above issues, I found I couldn't enjoy this.

Michael Gray has had precisely five lovers in his short life, and he's outlived them all. This is the time just after the Great War, and Michael is still plagued by memories of combat in Flanders and France. He's come to holiday on the Cornish coast, with his sister's family. There he relishes long days by the seaside with his young nephew, Richard, and pondering why he survived when all his lovers perished in the war times. His most dear memories are of Thomas Carter-Clemence, his first and only true love, and he's anguished that they parted on bad terms, never having made up the fight that caused their rift.

While out walking with Richard when motorbike nearly hits them. Michale's rocked to his core when he confronts the driver and feels as if he's seeing Thomas' ghost. Not far from the mark, Thoma's younger brother, Harry, has taken possession of the family estate, Broch, and is happy to establish their previous friendship; their families were close, and Harry, four years younger, always wanted to tag along with Thomas and Michael on their adventures. As Thomas and Michael were spending their alone time in fast and furious sex, the annoying little brother was often brushed aside, but now he's eager to establish an acquaintance.

Invitations are made for luncheons and visits, and Michael struggles to reconcile the guilt he feels over losing Thomas to the attraction he feels for Harry--and attraction that seems more than returned. As the days pass, Harry reveals his secret crush on Michael, from their childhood days, and more...secrets. And, Michael reveals his own secret surrounding his "friendship" with Thomas. Both men are astounded and hurt by the new information, and it causes a great deal of tension in their lives, not just their budding relationship.

I really loved the setting and characters in this one. I could see the old world charm, and feel Michael and Harry's pain regarding their service, because Harry was in the naval service during the war, too. The issues that drive them apart aren't discussed in malice, neither man expects the other didn't already know. And that's a pickle, indeed. It turns out the deepest secrets of their families aren't actual secrets after all--that the main players already have the information they need, but aren't sharing it with others openly. Still, it's awkward, and tense. Michael and Harry seem to make the best of the difficult situation, recognizing that the past cann't be changed and life is fleeting. If nothing else, Michael's sixth lover may be his last. At least, if Harry has his way. Expect maudlin moments, and steamy encounters. Michael has a wry sense of humor and he and Harry engage in some rather fun banter laced with cricket innuendoes that made me smirk. The resolution is as good as one could expect, given the family skeletons that get aired out, but I'd expect that Harry and Michael find their new lives very much more satisfying than before.

Michael has returned from WWI injured and having lost his first and only love Thomas. He was never able to apologize to Thomas for the fight that separated them before the war took Thomas. Michael chooses to go visit his sister and her family at the family vacation home, and deal with the painful memories that will surface. He doesn't expect to see a ghost from the past in the form of Harry, Thomas's brother, or to start to feel attracted to Harry.

As they start to navigate a relationship, secrets start to come out that could push them apart from each other if they aren't will to let the past go and try to have a life together.

This was a great book, both Harry and Michael have secrets they are keeping which when the secrets come out, they realize that didn't really know Thomas all that well.

Count the Shells is the sixth standalone novel in the loosely linked Porthkennack series. The series – comprising a mixture of contemporary and historical romances – started off strongly, but I have to confess the last few novels haven’t quite lived up to their predecessors and sadly, Charlie Cochrane’s entry fares much the same. Set during an idyllic summer on the Cornish coast shortly after the end of the World War I, Count the Shells is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for Michael Gray, a soldier who survived the war but can’t seem to shake off his memories of the friends and lovers he lost.

The novel begins on a promising note. Holidaying with his sister Caroline and her family, Michael is on the beach with his precocious nephew Richard, counting the shells in the many languages he knows – much to Richard’s delight. Ms. Cochrane paints a lovely picture of the pair enjoying a splendid summer afternoon together… until Michael’s counting segues into a mental tally of former lovers. I couldn’t help but wince as Ms. Cochrane juxtaposed the innocence of Richard’s enjoyment with Michael’s memories of sexual partners and liaisons. His thoughts seem off-note to the setting and scene until it becomes clear that the counting ritual is simply the means by which Ms. Cochrane introduces the other principal character of the story, Thomas Carter-Clemence. Killed shortly after the start of the war, Thomas was the love of Michael’s life, and his memories of Porthkennack are linked inextricably to Thomas and his lingering regret over their angry parting before the war.

This first, best part of Count the Shells details Michael’s return to Porthkennack and High Top, the house he where he spent halcyon summers with this family and with Thomas, who lived nearby. This is Michael’s first trip back to Porthkennack since his fight with Thomas, and he’s a bit overwhelmed by memories of a happier, simpler time in his life. Thoughts of Thomas creep up on him unawares and are triggered by the inquisitive nature of his nephew, who likes nothing more than to hear about his uncle’s history and friendships during summers on the coast. Michael is filled with longing and regret for Thomas and the other men he loved and lost over the course of the war. His nostalgia, tinged with regret over Thomas, have prevented him from moving on with his life.

One afternoon walking with Richard, the pair are nearly run over by a motorbike. When Michael angrily approaches the rider, he’s shocked when the man removes his helmet – it’s Thomas. Only it isn’t – it’s Harry Carter-Clemence, Thomas’s younger brother. After getting over their initial surprise, the men exchange pleasantries and Michael feels a frisson of attraction for the younger man, though he assumes it’s because he reminds him of Thomas. Later that day when his sister encourages him to invite Harry for a visit, Michael is anxious – seeing Harry has stirred up long repressed memories of his parting with Thomas, and he isn’t sure he’s prepared to deal with them yet.

Nevertheless, Harry visits and Michael enjoys the visit more than he anticipated and the pair make plans for Michael to visit the Carter-Clemence estate, Broch, the following afternoon. Michael initially avoided a visit – too many memories of Thomas and afternoons sneaking away to make love – but he finds himself eager to spend time with Harry. Reader – are you sensing a theme here? You should be! Michael spends an inordinate time thinking about sex, his former lovers (especially Thomas), and wondering who his next lover will be (maybe Harry?), and truly not much else. Oh, he also spends a good bit of time entertaining his sweet (if overly mature) nephew. But that’s pretty much it. Anyway, the visit goes surprisingly well and as he gets to know the charming Harry – visiting him at Broch, Michael finally begins to feel the return of a sense of hope and happiness. Despite barely giving him a passing thought before the motorcycle incident, the relationship between Michael and Harry progresses quickly (this is an understatement), setting in motion several plot lines, not the least of which is an affair between the men (which apparently seems strange to no one but me). Unfortunately, during a post-coital cuddle wherein Harry admits to having admired Michael for years, he also inadvertently makes a revelation about Thomas that shakes Michael to his core. [Side note: They’re talking about Thomas – Harry’s brother and Michael’s former lover – in bed after having sex. It’s weird.]

Harry’s inopportune words – and the secret he reveals – drive Michael from his bed. Upset, angry and unwilling to hear anything else Harry has to say, Michael returns to High Top determined to ferret out the truth. The secret has profound repercussions for everyone Michael loves, and leaves him feeling bitter and betrayed. I won’t spoil it here except to say that Michael’s reaction and easy assignment of blame, grew tiresome. Thomas, as any astute reader would have cottoned on to by this point, wasn’t perfect. But Michael, who has embarked on an affair with his former lover’s brother, comes across as sanctimonious and hypocritical in equal parts.

I liked the Thomas plot twist. It made sense in the context of the story and I think Ms. Cochrane shows a deft touch as she details Michael’s bewildered response to it – and the reactions of those close to him – as Michael finally begins to accept that Thomas wasn’t quite the man he remembers. Michael’s relationship with his family is particularly well done, and his extended family – especially his kind and practical brother-in-law – are a nice contrast to Michael’s rather mercurial temperament. It’s unfortunate that the same can’t be said of Michael’s other relationships. Thomas was the love of his life, but after a foolish prank, Michael refused to speak to him again. He instead spent the following summer with a different lover (number two if you’re keeping count). Discovering that Thomas also had a liaison with someone else angers Michael – but his inability to see the hypocrisy of his anger, especially in light of his own behavior, is ridiculous. Ms. Cochrane doesn’t spend nearly enough time developing Harry’s character or the relationship he forms with Michael, and in a novel that purports to be a romance, it’s a shame. Michael barely had a thought for Harry even as a boy, but he suddenly develops a tendre for him and after a bit of perfunctory lovemaking, they’re talking about a future together in London. The relationship simply isn’t well developed or romantic… and frankly, it was odd.

The setting, the sense of time and place, and the premise of this story are highlights in Count the Shells. Unfortunately, the central romance is disappointing and underdeveloped, and despite its strengths, the novel ultimately left this reader unsatisfied.

This book has a bit of a slow start. However, there is a twist mid-way through the book that sets the stage for the unfolding drama. The author's writing style fits well with the time period of the book. It's very descriptive and you can picture the setting and events as they unfold. I would have liked more sexual tension and heat but the issues were resolved in a way that kept my interest. I did want an epilogue or something to tell me how the future played out- especially in this period of history.

A post WWI era, summer holidays with the family, and a chance to face down the past and get on with the future were all tantalizing elements of a story told by an already favorite author. It was irresistible. I was delighted by the way the author could surround me with an authentic feel of the era and situation for her little cast of characters.
Review

As the Porthkennack book six, Count the Shells only shares the locale with other books from the series so functions just fine as a standalone. In fact, this innovative series that pulls in a handful of solid British authors doesn’t even stick to one era which I thought was a great thing.

Count the Shells is not a dynamic story nor is it a swift moving one. It’s tremendously contemplative. This is not a book with a crisp, clean plot either particularly with that fuzzy happy for now ending. I don’t reveal all that to say that I hated the book. Actually, far from it, though yes, I wanted a more swoony tied-up ending rather than the appropriate one for the times and the situation.

Speaking of the times, this is post-war, waning years of the Edwardian era Cornwall. The author nailed the whole feeling of the setting, culture, society, and the people of that era.

Michael is the narrator and he is the main figure in the story, but really, this is the story of two families. Michael reminisces and tends to get broody. I enjoyed him most of the time. Though, there were a few moments when he let his anger and resentment get the better of him and he ‘shoots the messenger’ making me want to kick him in the pants to get over himself. But, it was a very significant shock he receives that changes everything he thought so I guess I’ll cut him some slack.

My one niggle is that as Michael reflects back, I did get distracted and felt the story dragged. I wanted things to get moving.

The romance was not exactly a full romance. It was more the beginning of one. The past had to be dealt with when it came to Thomas’ ghost and Michael’s feelings for Thomas. He was attracted to Harry, but the author carefully made it clear that he distinguish between the brothers and distinguish between his feelings for them. There were fun banter, passion, and then emotional conflict. I would have loved an epilogue maybe even a year or two in the future to see something more solid between this pair.

So, all in all, it was moderately enjoyable. I wasn’t as vested as I wanted to be, but didn’t actually dislike anything. Its a lovely, gentle and emotional m/m historical romance.

My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Going into a Charlie Cochrane historical novel expecting flash and bang is like going into a Merchant Ivory film expecting Quentin Tarantino. Cochrane’s voice lends itself so beautifully to a story such as Count the Shells, as she consistently captures and conveys the time in which her novels are set through little more than the genteel language and gentrified air of her characters. To look at this novel through a contemporary lens is to deprive oneself of slipping fully into a time gone by, and the bucolic setting and its seaside locale, post-World War I, only adds to the story’s ambiance and contrasts the secrets that are exposed upon Michael Gray’s return to Porthkennack, secrets which threaten to turn a family inside out.

The book’s title is such a poignant complement to the hidden meaning behind Michael’s shell counting with his young nephew, Richard, and reflects the losses he has experienced even before the war began. For someone such as Michael, someone who prefers men, the practicality of caution tempers every frisson of attraction; although, when this novel begins, Michael’s heart is not his own—it belongs to grief and regret over the last words he spoke to his first love in a heated moment of youthful pride and anger. Michael may have lost the opportunity to make amends with Thomas, who didn’t return from battle, but as this is a story of second chances, Michael does get an opportunity to find love again, with the last person he might have expected.

Harry Carter-Clemence is Thomas’s younger brother, and remembered by Michael as the nuisance he and Thomas had often escaped from to find their stolen moments of heated passion. Harry has grown up, however, having fought in the war himself, and Michael can’t help but notice it, even as some shock registers along with the appreciation for Harry’s resemblance to his brother. Their connecting in the present is made all the more difficult with ghosts of the past hovering on the periphery and ultimately intruding on their time together, and the sense of Harry’s hopefulness adds a sweet overtone to the drama that lies ahead. When pillow talk reveals a rather messy family secret, a betrayal from which Michael might not rebound derails a relationship that had just barely been kindled.

Not given to hyperbolic dialogue or extremes in behavior, there is even a sense of propriety in Matthew’s anger when the trail of lies and secrecy begins to unfold before him, which might just be a reflection of that stiff upper lip we hear so much about, and there were times I wondered at the placement of or, perhaps, the misplacement of his ire, but if anything, it made him all the more human for it. Michael is dealt quite a blow, and nothing is simple anymore, although the one person who is most affected by what’s happened, Michael’s brother-in-law, Eric, is a means for the author to craft him into a standout character among this cast. Eric exemplifies wisdom and an admirable capacity for forgiveness when Michael needed it most, and I adored the man for his kindhearted and pragmatic nature.

Charlie Cochrane handles any question of Michael’s feelings for Harry stemming from his former relationship with Thomas with a careful eye towards obliterating any question in readers’ minds that Harry is riding on his late brother’s coattails, and I was happy when they overcame their external obstacles to begin something of their own making.

Count the Shells is the third book I’ve read in the Porthkennack universe, the second of Charlie Cochrane’s contributions to the series I’ve read, and I haven’t been disappointed yet. This is a quiet story, idyllic in setting and heartfelt in emotional tone, and another lovely historical offering from this author.

Count the Shells, by new-to-me author, Charlie Cochrane, is the sixth entry in Riptide Publishing’s Porthkennack series of standalone romances that are linked by virtue being set in and around the fictional Cornish town of the same name. The series boasts a mixture of contemporary and historical stories, and this is the second historical (the first was Joanna Chambers’ excellent A Gathering Storm), set – I’m guessing, because it’s not actually made clear what the year is – not long after the end of World War One.

Count the Shells is a gently moving, reflective story which opens as a young man – Michael Gray – ponders love and loss as he reminisces about his past lovers, some of whom fought in the war and unlike him, did not come home. Playing on the beach with his young nephew, Michael counts aloud in several different languages as he places shells on the sand, one for each of his five lovers, while thinking about those very different men and the nature of his feelings for them.

Number one – un, uno, eins – on Michael’s list is, and will always be Thomas Carter-Clemence, his oldest friend, the love of his life… and the man from whom he’d parted following a bitter row in the Spring of 1909. Thomas had joined the army not long after that, and had then been killed in the early days of the war; he and Michael had never reconciled but Michael still feels the pain of their parting and his loss and never expects to love so deeply and completely again.

Michael is spending the summer at High Top house near Porthkennack with his sister, Caroline, brother-in-law, Eric, and their eight-year-old, articulate and perceptive son, Richard. The bulk of the first part of the book is spent among the family, and I enjoyed the way the familial relationships are presented and developed, especially the scenes between Michael and Richard, which are gently humorous, poignant and full of affection on both sides. Richard is a precocious boy, but never crosses the line into ‘plot-device moppet’; he’s a charming, inquisitive lad, and it’s clear he adores his uncle and that the feeling is mutual.

Change is in the wind however; Michael and Richard are out walking when they are almost run down by a motorcyclist. Furious and about to give the miscreant a piece of his mind, Michael is stunned when the rider removes his headgear and is revealed as Thomas’s younger brother, Harry. Harry had always been the annoying, gangly younger sibling traipsing about –or trying to – after Michael and Thomas and to be honest, Michael has never really given him a lot of thought. The jolt of attraction he feels soon after meeting him again must, surely, be because of Harry’s resemblance to Thomas. Mustn’t it?

I admit that when I read the synopsis for Count the Shells, I wasn’t sure about the idea of having the protagonist falling in love with the brother of his dead lover. It happens in m/f stories as well, of course, but it’s not a premise that appeals to me for its own sake; however, I decided to read the book and see how things panned out. As it turned out, I didn’t have too many reservations about that aspect of the relationship; Harry is genuinely decent, kind and witty, and reveals to Michael that he has been carrying a torch or him for years. Their progression from being friends to lovers perhaps happens rather quickly, but the author lays the foundations of an emotional connection I was able to believe will get stronger with time.

Michael is charmed by Harry and is surprised at the feelings of happiness that are suffusing him; it’s been a long time since he’s shared himself with anyone, been so comfortable with another person and felt such joy. But when, not long after Michael and Harry become lovers, Harry lets slip a momentous secret in an unguarded moment, Michael’s contentment is shattered as he is confronted with some unpleasant truths that could have serious repercussions on his family. And of course, one secret leads to another until a whole web is unravelling, forcing Michael to reassess a number of long-held memories and beliefs. I can’t say more without spoiling this part of the story, but I can say that the plot is well thought-out and executed, highlighting the strength of the familial connections that the author establishes so well at the beginning of the book. One thing I wasn’t too happy with, however, is the way it seems one relationship is being made palatable at the expense of another; one character has to be shown to have been duplicitous so that Michael can move on.

I enjoyed Count the Shells, although I suspect that the leisurely pace of the novel may not suit everyone. I found it like the best of the sort of lazy summer days on which it is set; warm, comfortable and unhurried, allowing me time to get to grips with the family dynamics and to understand Michael a little. But the book has a number of flaws that are reflected in my rating; there is a little too much telling rather than showing when it comes to Michael’s past relationships – especially his past with Thomas – and that while Harry enters the story like a breath of fresh air, he remains something of an enigmatic figure and we never really get to know him.

In spite of those things, however, I liked the book sufficiently to give it a qualified recommendation. The romance is just one aspect of a story that covers a wider canvas, and while I normally prefer novels in which the romantic love story is the main focus, the author writes the other love stories, the familial ones, so well that I was just as happy to read those while I awaited developments between Michael and Harry.

Grade: B-

3 Stars

Count The Shells is part of the Porthkennack series but can be read as a standalone.

Michael Gray is back in Porthkennack to spend his vacation there with his sister and her family after years away. He hasn't been there since he had a fall-out with his friend Thomas, who was his first love, who died during WWI.

While there, he meets Harry, Thomas' younger brother who looks just like Thomas. They start a relationship, but when Harry makes a startling revelation, Michael's world is turned upside down.

I'll start by saying that the writing was great, the language and descriptions managed to transport me to the past. Unfortunately, that was about the only thing I liked.

I didn't quite like Michael, other than his interactions with his nephew Richard, who was adorable. I think Harry had potential, but since we only got Michael's POV, his character remained pretty much a mystery. Yes, we were told Harry had a crush on Michael from when he was a young boy and of course, he would take the chance to seduce Michael when he realized they shared the same inclinations, but other than that, I don't really feel I really got to know him and that made it difficult for me to actually root for them as a couple.

Also, while the first half of the book was a bit slow, when the big reveal came, things moved a lot faster. Regarding this, well, I hated how Michael tried to make it all about him, but it was kind of understandable since it's his POV. However, more than that, I abhorred his sister's actions, especially considering how good her husband was both to her and her children. Nevermind Thomas, who turned out to be a player, and who Michael kept comparing Harry with, without realizing how much better Harry was.

While the book ends with a HFN, I'm not really sure how strong it is. Harry is too good for Michael and I feel Michael just fell into a relationship with Harry out of convenience.

Overall, I just didn't find this book as enjoyable as the rest, so I'm sorry I can't truly recommend it.

Michael returns home from WWI intact, but not unscathed. He's haunted by his battlefield memories as well as the men he loved and lost because of the war. As he returns to his family's summer house in Porthkennack, the memory of Thomas Carter-Clemence, his first love, is front and center. And when he meets Harry Carter-Clemence, Thomas' younger brother, he is gobsmacked by how much he looks like his dead brother Thomas. There is an attraction but Michael wonders if he can get past his feelings for Thomas and move on.

This is very much an English family drama including Michael's sister Caroline, her husband Eric and their children Richard and Lily, and the Gray family's interaction with the Carter-Clemence family ... and the secret we learn as the book proceeds. Some readers may find the pace of the story rather slow (okay, very, very slow) but I liked how Cochrane really gets the setting and time period right and the family interaction sets the tone of the book. However, about halfway through, I did wish that the pace of the story picked up!

We learn that Thomas is not the person Michael thought him to be, but Michael's knee-jerk reactions to burst out in anger or flee when confronted by unpleasant details make me think that Thomas is not the only hero with feet of clay. Harry is an interesting character, but unfortunately we only get Michael's POV throughout and I didn't really get a sense of a strong sexual chemistry between the two men.

I enjoyed the time period and the way Cochrane shows how WWI changed the life of the men who served, as well as their families. The pace was slow, and I didn't really buy into the relationship between Michael and Harry. 3.38 stars, rounded up to 3.5.

2.5 stars- A love triangle that didn’t work for me

Count the Shells is a historical romance set in the fictional town of Porthkennack on the Cornish coast of England. The book takes place after World War I, with both heroes being veterans who are still dealing with the emotional and physical aftereffects of the war. Historical romance isn’t typically a preferred genre of mine, but I’ve quite enjoyed the Porthkennack contemporary romances and I like this author, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, Count the Shells ended up being a bit of a miss for me.

The plotline of Count the Shells had good potential. However, the book led with a lot of descriptive scenes and nonessential conversations which got the book off to a sluggish start. The slow pace was enough that I considered not finishing the book. Once the heroes met, the pace steadily shifted. Additionally, some revelations added tension to the plot and refocused my attention.

Although the pacing improved, I had other issues with the storyline that kept me from becoming invested in the characters and romance. I usually like love triangles, but I find those that involve a sibling are trickier to navigate. In Count the Shells Michael meets his former lover’s younger brother, Harry. Harry’s brother passed away during the war so there isn’t a traditional triangle or any cheating, but Michael’s frequent comparisons of the brothers left me feeling a little muddled. In fact, for a good part of the book, it felt as though Harry was a placeholder for his dead brother. Following a few surprise reveals, the dynamic between Harry and Michael certainly improved. However, the twists kept coming, and eventually it tipped into the overdramatized realm where angst overshadowed the romance and any emotions growing between Harry and Michael. As a result, I never really saw this as a promising couple.

I thought there was a lot of potential in the plot, but Count the Shells was a case of a book and characters that failed to secure my attention. Because I never wholly believed in the couple, the languid pacing and dramatics became off-putting. I do really like this series and will continue it, this one simply missed the mark for me.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The story is about how things are not as they appear to have been, this includes everything from a past lover to paternity. Michael discovers things about Thomas they shake his memories of the man and the relationship they had had. Numerous characters come into the story from his sister, his brother-in-law, his nephew and Harry. The sex in the book is minimal and somewhat vanilla. The book is a good read.

This was such a disappointing miss for me. First of all, my least favorite trope in romancelandia is the love triangle between one character and two siblings (dead or alive). It just gives me the biggest "Ick" feeling, primarily because I can't imagine wanting a relationship with either of my siblings' partners or exes. So the trope has to be executed really, really well to overcome my squeamishness and make me root for the love story.

Unfortunately Count the Shells was not done well. I was looking forward with great anticipation for a Charlie Cochrane M/M novel set in the post WWI years, hoping that it would be reminiscent of her wonderful Cambridge Fellows mystery series, which spans several decades in the pre- and post-Great War era. Alas, instead of shy mathematician Orlando Copperfield and ebullient literature professor Jonty Stewart, we have an incredibly priggish, judgmental Michael Gray, who did not impress me much. Michael is spending the summer with his sister and her family in seaside Porthkennack. After reminiscing to himself about his first lover, Thomas, who was killed in battle, Michael literally runs into Thomas' younger brother Harry. The two men get to know each other carefully, and embark on a promising relationship, but then Harry lets slip a secret that causes Michael to re-examine the truth about almost everyone in his life - especially Thomas.

Long-held secrets are never easy to hear, and this one is a doozy (no spoilers), but Michael's reaction goes way beyond understandable anger and disbelief into narcissistic self-righteousness. The truth that Harry reveals has tremendous implications for a number of people, but Michael can only see how much he has been hurt. He's the original snowflake. And when some of the other characters beg for his forgiveness, I wanted them to box his ears instead for not realizing that it was not all about him.

Then there's the so-called love story between Michael and Harry. There are all kinds of risks with this plot - the reader has to believe that Michael is interested in Harry for himself, and not just because he looks/acts like Thomas. Cochrane doesn't manage to pull that off, so the Ick Factor wasn't dispelled for me. I never felt that Michael and Harry had a strong, special emotional bond outside of the bedroom, so I never believed they would have a long future together.

Speaking of the future, the book does have a certain poignancy as Michael's nephew and his best friend are portrayed in all of their curious, mischevous boyhood. It was quietly devastating to watch the characters talk about the War to End Wars and know that only 20 years later these boys would probably be called upon to fight in WWII.

The book was well plotted, too, with the web of secrets being revealed little by little, and surprises abounding until the end. So some of Cochrane's considerable talents are displayed here - just not the ones that make a satisfying romance.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thinking about this, I'm increasing my rating from 2 to 3 stars. I think the ending is much better than the beginning, and it's worth persisting. I did find the first half frustrating. I kept being annoyed by little anachronisms that threw me out of the story. The nursery maid being treated like a social equal, as if she were a governess (huge difference) ... the boy calling a gentleman he'd just met by his first name ... American-sounding phrases like "I guess so" in the dialogue. As far as the actual story went, I liked the main characters but they got together too fast for me. I like more angst in my stories, and this one was frustrating because the potential was there for a lot of painful feelings and serious emotional growth, with all the secrets and Harry and Thomas being brothers, but I thought everything was made too easy for our main character. But if you prefer angst-free stories and aren't so picky over historical accuracy, you might love this. The end (last 15%) resolved things in a believable way and in the end I understood why the first chapters were so slow.