This was the first book I've read by Cat Sebastian and it was so, so good. I don't normally go for historical fiction, or historical romance, but I'm glad I gave this one a try. Nick and Andy are delightful even when they were being idiots, and their slow burn romance was beautiful. Also, spoiler-ish but I loved how even though one engagement in the book fails, neither party is denigrated or demonized for it.

Oh my god. My heart.

Queer historical fiction books that take place in the 1950s to 1990s always hit me a lot harder than queer historical fiction that takes place before that. I think a lot of it is that I know how close they were to being able to at least love without going to jail and even though things still suck for queer people we have so much more freedom to be ourselves and express ourselves publicly. Knowing that these characters would probably still be alive and would've been able to experience loving out loud makes my heart ache. Like I get so teary just thinking about it.

I adore this book. I loved every second of it. I loved the two characters and I loved the flip-flopping of their perspectives and different parts of the book. I loved all of their queer friendships and really the celebration that queer people have always been here and we will always be here no matter how much society and laws and politics try and tear us down.

I especially loved and appreciated the focus on the celebration of queerness and a time when it was illegal and the effort that went into historical accuracy and showing that Queer people can be happy and were happy and will be happy.

I don't have any complaints about this book. Not a single one. I don't know why I waited to read it when I read the rest of Cat Sebastian's books and loved them all.

Gay MC, bi MC

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I think it's possible I never reviewed this because the HarperCollins strike was going on at the time, but despite the horrible Newsies comp in the copy (seriously?!), I loved this book and am coming back just to give it the five stars it deserves.

Historic romance that's a little on the long side. I found it difficult to stay engaged. Problem might be me and my tastes, not the book

A solid 4 stars. Historical fiction can sometimes come across as anachronistic, and unfortunately, LGBTQ+ books are very often guilty of this. Not this book. I really felt I was in 1950s New York, and that the characters were very much of their times, facing the very real fears and navigating the often dangerous waters of those pre-Stonewall days. Cat Sebastian made me care about the two main characters right from the very start, and that's no small accomplishment. Very much recommend, and I had my library buy this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

AH this book was so good!! And I definitely need more from this author. I loved reading about Nick and Andy and how they developed their relationship. One thing that I wish more romances had were good relationships with their family, which is something that this book had. I loved it so much, and especially considering that this is a historical romance set in the 1950s, you could see how much the family's loved their kids but also struggled with what was going on. And just, ugh. The softness was there and it was so sweet.

I can't wait to see what else this author is going to release, because I'll be there to read it.

I may have nothing in common with queer white men in the 1950s, but Cat Sebastian’s sweet and savvy mid twentieth century historical romance is my favorite love story of the year. Andy Fleming is the privileged scion of the New York newspaper company that employs hard-working Nick Russo. In the opposite of the typical “Succession” story, hapless Andy is ambivalent at best about being his father’s designated heir, but he’s agreed to spend a year learning the newsroom ropes nonetheless. Smart and rough around the edges, reporter Nick becomes his work guide and roommate. The unlikely friendship and attraction that sparks are unexpected and amazing. Sebastian handles the historical context with insight and a light but realistic touch, perfecting the art of slow-burning sizzle.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. For a book that is about love set in a background of police corruption, McCarthyism, and pre-Stonewall persecution, this book is surprisingly sweet and loving. Andy and Nick are both rather wary and this is definitely a slow burn romance, but their growth out of fear and constant anxiety into a life of love and family was lovely. There was a little bit of internal angst, but it wasn't nearly as dark as I was expecting a gay romance set in 1959 to be, and I should have trusted the author's name. Even when they were being idiots, Nick and Andy were well worth the read.

This was a very moving and poignant story of a gay reporter from Brooklyn in the 1950's who knew all too well how hostile the environment is and how he can't let anyone get too close to him. Nick Russo is from a typical rough Brooklyn neighborhood. His family is Catholic, his brother a cop. He works the crime beat for The Chronicle and keeps his head down. Andy is the heir apparent for his retiring father who owns the Chronicle. He is haphazardly stumbling through life. Their unlikely friendship opens the door to the possibility of something more.
But a relationship enjoyed in private runs the risk of ruination if it becomes public. Any rumor of homosexuality could result in police scrutiny, communist accusations, and a fire- able offense, and would have any man looking over his shoulder. Rough and handsome Nick is a portrait of vulnerability, fear and looking at a life of loneliness. And even those closest to Nick, much will never be said out loud.
The author did a wonderful job of addressing so many issues in a subtle way giving the readers two very loveable characters, that I could do nothing but root for them!

Nick and Andy deserve the world! I adored every bit of this story and 100% would’ve read even more.

The growth that the characters exhibited throughout the book was amazing. I loved the side characters and getting glimpses into their worlds as well.

This is definitely not the last book I’ll read by Cat Sebastian!

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (The version I read was a finished copy.)

This is such a delicate story about a new and seemingly inaccessible love between two men in the 1950's. As always, Cat Sebastian has jerked my heart around and tricked my cynical soul into rooting for love yet again.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

I usually loves Cats book but this one wasn't for me. It's an engaging story and well written just didn't hit the mark for me.

Cozy, charming mid-century historical romance with a lovely cast of characters and an incredibly sweet romance.

A masterpiece, not that I expected any less from Sebastian. But truly, so tender and masterfully written and researched. Loved it.

This was a beautiful historical fiction opposites attract, dual POV, friends to lovers, workplace romance between two queer men living in 1950s NYC. I honestly had no idea just how much I was going to fall in love with Nick and Andy and their gradual move from best friends to lovers in this incredibly moving and poignant M/M love story!!

I absolutely loved that this is a time period not often written about and it was refreshing to learn about what life was like as a gay/queer man at this time. The book addresses issues such as being out in private but not public, hiding your identity from coworkers and your family, safety, lack of positive representation in the media and so much more.

Great on audio read by Joel Leslie and HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like KJ Charles or Casey McQuiston. Cat Sebastian is quickly becoming one of my absolutely favorite queer romance writers!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I thought this book was really cute. It was a fluffy light romance set in 1950s New York. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator’s performance was really theatrical, it felt like I was listening to a stage play, and also made me think this would work wonderfully as a stage play! Nick and Andy were very cute together, and their love story was enjoyable.

I wish there was more on the corrupt cop story Nick was working on at the newspaper. That B story was really intriguing to me, moreso than a lot of the other little side plots going on and it ended kinda bleh. But overall it was a fun read.

Cat Sebastian writes incredible stories and this one is no exception. I was so happy to have the opportunity to read this ARC! Her characters are so unique and her story lines always keep me invested.

I like Cat Sebastian's work and this one was no different! Andy and Nick are a great match. I enjoyed them as characters individually as well as together. It was a fast read for me with not too much drama or trauma around the difficulties of being queer in the 1950s.