The Hideaway Inn

The Hideaway Inn (Seasons of New Hope #1) by Philip William Stover is a 5 star read. It’s an extraordinary gay m/m romance novel that deserves to be read and reread.

In choosing The Hideaway Inn to initiate their new monthly series, Harlequin-Carina Adores has set a high bar to meet for all those books that follow.

The Hideaway Inn is one of the best character driven novels I’ve read in a very long time. The principal characters, Vince Amato and Tack O’Leary, are wonderful. And practically everyone else in the diverse set of characters Stover has created is just as captivating.

As the story opens, Vince is returning to New Hope, PA where, as a gay teenager, he’d been badly bullied. It’s now his intention to flip the town’s decaying Hideaway Inn, make a bundle of cash, and get back to Manhattan as quickly as he can. His plans immediately go awry as the first two sentences of the book explain:

“This isn’t New Hope,” Vince tells the bus driver. “No, it’s Pittstown. Last stop”

Stepping off the bus into a sea of mud during a drenching rain storm, the last person Vince expected to see was Tack O’Leary, his high school crush. In fact Vince had previously decided, “I’ll make sure I don’t see Tack again while I’m in New Hope. I’ll avoid him with the same enthusiasm I avoid porta potties at outdoor music festivals.’

But not only does Tack rescue Vince from the storm, Tack and his extraordinary child, James/Jules, continue to rescue Vince time and time again.

There are so many wonderful lines in this novel. Lines such as Tack’s when he says, “Vince, for being the smartest person I know, sometimes your logic is pretty messed up. Don’t you understand? In school you were your own person and that’s what’s important to me.” Being honest with yourself is an important theme of this book.

And, for me at least, there was an introduction to Shinrin-yoku (森林浴), which literally means forest bathing. The term originated in Japan in the early 1980s and is regarded by many as a form of nature therapy.  It absolutely works for Vince and Tack.

As I finished the story, I knew I really want to see more of these people. I hope the author will decide to develop a full series with Vince, Tack, their families and friends.

This is the first book written by Stover I’ve read. It definitely won’t be the last.

I received an Advance Review Copy of ‘The Hideaway Inn’ from NetGalley and Harlequin - Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. #TheHideawayInn #NetGalley

An ARC of this novel was sent to me by NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is amazing! It's a gorgeously written book with dynamic characters and a great storyline.

I enjoyed reading this passionate, thoughtful love story. I was cheering Tack and Vince on and loving the cutie pie Jules.