I read this a few years ago as an ARC and didn't review it due to not understanding it. 2 years later I re-read it and I liked it, but it wasn't the best thing I've read.

Due to the cover I expected there to be time travel or some kind of "dream" where one character switches bodies with another.

I did finally get the Prince and the Pauper reference that people in previous reviews mentioned. I liked the aspect and that it was set in the 1920s.

Niall is an immigrant from Ireland just coming to the United States in hopes of improving his life and not living in poverty. He lands in Manhattan and encounters Frederick who is well off coming from a rich father. These men are drawn together by their appearance - they could be twins. Frederick is always in turmoil with his father. So he asks Niall to switch places with him for a night to avoid his father's wrath. However, he neglects to tell Niall all his past which leads to intrigue. It is an enjoyable read but a bit wordy in places.

Disclaimer: I received this arc and e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: However Long the Day

Author: Justin Reed

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Recommended For...: historical fiction, prince and the pauper retelling, 1920s era

Publication Date: February 15, 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Relevance: 16+ (xenophobia, racism, sexism, sickness, war, alcohol consumption, violence, gore)

Explanation of Above: There is xenophobia, racism, and sexism mentioned and shown in the book, especially towards one of the characters. This is set in a post-war world, so war is brought up and mentioned occasionally. Sickness in the form of Spanish Flu (which was COVID like) is mentioned as well as mask wearing and mandates. Alcohol consumption is mentioned, especially since this is set during the prohibition era. There is also some violence and gore in the book.

Publisher: Bulrush Press LLC

Pages: 401

Synopsis: However Long the Day is the tale of two strangers—Niall Donovan, a poor immigrant from Ireland, and Frederick Philips, a rich ne'er-do-well from New York's Upper East Side—who discover they look so similar they could be twins. Frederick, desperate to avoid a lecture from his father, bribes Niall to switch places for the evening. Niall finds there's more to the story than Frederick let on, and is dragged through the turbulence created by World War I, the Spanish Flu, and social upheaval, and into the corrupt belly of Manhattan on the cusp of Prohibition.

As Niall and Frederick hurtle through the next twenty-four hours, will either get what they bargained for?

Review: For the most part this was a fun book. It’s a Prince and the Pauper retelling set during the 1920s. The book has an okay premise, but the story is very well done. The characters are well developed and the world building is spectacular. The writing is also well done and I highly enjoyed this read overall.

The only issue I had with the book is that it’s very fast paced for a 400 page book. There’s a lot that goes on and sometimes it gets confusing, especially in the beginning of the book. I highly enjoyed it, but it took me a bit to get into.

Verdict: It was well done!

Despite having read the blurb before, I expected a time slip book when I picked this up. It might be the cover that gave me the impression. I actually paused a few chapters in to reread the blurb, and only then did I put my misconception to the test.
This is an intriguing narrative, but I would have enjoyed it even more if it was slightly shorter. We have two primary protagonists. Both look alike enough to cause multiple cases of mistaken identity. I have usually seen this deployed in humorous comedies but not in such an adventure. There is a lot of fighting, both verbally and physically, as people actually try to come away with their lives intact.
Fredrick Philips is a rich spoilt brat who seems to be indulging in mischief for the sake of it. When he has been sentenced to his room, he crosses paths with a recent immigrant from Ireland. Master Philips uses this opportunity to lure him with money and set out to do something for himself. He is shown to have some redeemable qualities, but whether he follows through on them is something any reader would keep waiting for.
On the other hand, Niall is fresh off the boat and very responsible. His 'goodness' leads him down many dangerous paths. It is only for a day that they switch places, but chaos ensues involving a lot more things than anyone can expect with the limited information provided in the beginning. That part of the plot is built slowly throughout the book.
The tales run parallel for a while but merge at crucial intersections to split again. The number of times that this happened was a little tiring. The action-packed scenes kept me occupied, but I wanted some sort of resolution to come way before it actually did.
I would actually recommend this to anyone looking for a historical adventure fiction that can be read by young adults as well (although it should be noted that there is a lot of fighting and bloodshed involved).
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Nothing is as simple as it appears to be in Justin Reed's HOWEVER LONG THE DAY. A feckless, rich playboy and a hard-working, poor immigrant manage the swift outcome of their PRINCE AND THE PAUPER identity swap and discover all is nowhere near as quick, easy, and profitably done when their plan goes immediately awry. I so enjoyed the romp through privileged and not-so-privileged New York City in the early 1900s, immediately following the First World War. I was absorbed, breathless, and delighted at the swift way justice was meted out by indifferent karma for both men, with a twisty, marvelous perfection. I received an advance copy of this novel; my opinions are my own and unbiased.

In HOWEVER LONG THE DAY Justin Reed brings us a tale of two strangers, one rich and one poor, who, because of their similar appearance, decide to switch places for one night. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, it’s not the same. It is not long before one of our characters is kidnapped and at the core of a crime ring. Set in 1918 Manhattan, this book takes a dystopian turn

I wanted to LOVE this book, but could not get into it. I found the characters unlikeable and the story hard to follow. It has a great premise that I don’t think was executed properly for the everyday reader. At its core I think the book was a bit too long and the characters a bit too complex for what they needed to be.

Justin Reed brings us a tale of two strangers, one rich and one poor, who, because of their similar appearance, decide to switch places for one night. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, it’s not the same. One of them gets kidnapped and involved in a crime ring. No Prince and the Pauper here.

Set in the Upper East Side of Manhattan in 1918, it’s the tale of two strangers, Niall Donovan, a sodder from Ireland working as an ice delivery man and Frederick Philips, a rich 19-year-old rogue from New York, who discover they are so alike they could trade places. To avoid a lecture from his father, Frederick pays Niall to switch places with him for the night. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go according to plan and Niall is caught up in Frederick’s schemes.

I love it when authors put thought into the book title! This one is wonderful. It’s from an Irish Gaelic proverb (Dá fhada an lá tagann an tráthnóna) meaning regardless of what happens today, time will pass and your problems will subside. You’ll have to read “However Long The Day” to discover if the good times will be restored for Niall, Frederick or both lads. I must mention the stunning cover. It captures the essence of this book; the ‘fall’ and the mirroring of the New York skyline with the Dublin tenements. Topsy turvy.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that the author writes to allow readers to experience history. His extensive research has enabled him to allow his readers to mentally see, feel, hear, smell and taste the totality of his setting and characters. I felt they were authentic representations of the time. The protagonist and antagonist each had their own voice and it often got them into trouble as they attempted to dupe everyone. The pull created between them as a result of their goals not being achieved propelled the narrative.

Reed exposes the complex dynamics that occur in many families and across different social classes.
Historical fiction lovers will be taken on a wild ride through history; World War 1, the Spanish Flu and towards Prohibition. Crime and thriller lovers will be caught up in a heist that fumbles into a crime ring and will enjoy the tension created by assumed identities. Don't forget to refer to the glossary at the back; it'll add to your reading enjoyment when you understand the Irish slang.

Reed’s next novel promised to be a cross between Animal Farm and The Lion King. I know he’ll bring a unique slant and his research will most likely uncover the utopian/dystopian society.

I was gifted this advance copy by Justin Reed, Bulrush Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I was given an ARC by the publisher for an honest review.
I didn't love the book, but persisted in order to give it proper due. The characters were at times quite difficult to like and the story was at times confusing. I thought the plot had an interesting premise and the author's writing was good. Perhaps it felt too long and the characters were perhaps too complex.

From the first page to the last, Justin Reed's 'However Long the Day' is constantly moving from one exciting moment to the next. The reader is left little time to rest and grow comfortable with the story and characters before being whisked off to the next dangerous outing.

While I enjoyed the story, I was a bit shocked at the callous nature of some of the characters. I understand that this was necessary in the case of this book, but it still seemed beyond human to some extent. In addition, the mix of cheesy humour and 'gritty' 1910s New York seemed (to me at least) to mesh poorly. I was surprised at the climatic final few chapters as the events that unfolded seemed to be misplaced from the narrative throughout the rest of the book.

Overall, I did enjoy 'However Long the Day' and thought it was an interesting modern take on the 'Prince and the Pauper' genre. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Americana (as it does provide some great references to the eras personalities and culture), crime stories, or adventures.

#IndigoEmployee

This genre-bending is a fun take on “The Prince and the Pauper” as lookalikes, but definitely not ‘actalikes’ switch roles. The rich kid and the Irish immigrant get in all sorts of trouble as they take on each other’s life, loves, sins, and more..