207
pages
Publisher:
Velvet Cucumber
Blurb
London Dates is an MM erotic romance novel,
which consists of five parts:
1.
First Wound –
young Castor arrives in London and his first romantic experience.
2.
A Man in Budgie
Smugglers – that steamy weekend, Castor learns that sex can be good as just
sex.
3.
Sex in the Cave –
Castor goes to Edinburgh for Christmas where many surprises await, including a
cave where naughty things can happen.
4.
Sputnik 2 Love –
back to London, back to studies – but no, Castor isn’t falling for a fellow
student, a young Russian poet called Alyosha.
5.
A Million Dollar
Man – not knowing if his love is mutual is one thing, now Castor has to battle
other obstacles on his path to conquer Alyosha’s heart.
London Dates is a light, emotional and humorous
coming-of-age LGBT story set in London.
Review
I
have to say it is very appropriate that London Dates has been published in
the form of five separate parts seeing how they deal with five different stages
in Castor’s coming of age / growing up process.
When
Castor first arrives in London to start his studies, it is his first time away
from home and his first time being attracted to / falling for another man. He
meets Mike when he gets off the bus from Edinburgh and the attraction is
instant and mutual. Mike is basically Castor’s first when it comes to
everything related to intimacy and sex, so it’s hardly surprising that Castor
falls hard and fast. Neither is surprising that he’s devastated when it appears
Mike might not feel quite as deeply or be as loyal as Castor does. Thank
goodness for Violet, the caretaker in his dorm who takes Castor under his wing
right from the moment they first meet and provides both entertainment and moral
support when he (and the reader) most needs it.
The
subsequent stories take Castor’s journey further. A hook-up with a very sexy Australian
in a leisure centre teaches him that attraction doesn’t necessarily have to
mean deep feelings or commitment, while his trip to Edinburgh forces him to
grow up fast when his parents share shocking news. A hook-up with a somewhat
older man is just the distraction Castor needs to deal with what could have
been a ruined Christmas.
“His lips soothe my past and future wounds.”
Everything
changes when Castor first sets eyes on Alyosha, a fellow student. Castor falls
head over heels and hard despite the fact that he has no idea whether or not
the beautiful Russian youngster is attracted to men or returns his feelings.
And when Castor at last gets what (or should I say who) he’s been longing for,
it turns out there are those who would put obstacles in the way of young love.
Having to stand up to the world at large is either going to bring the two young
men closer together or tear them apart.
This
is a charming, humorous, and touching coming of age story. Castor is absolutely
adorable. He feels with all his being and he fully embraces every new
experience he encounters. This is a story about growing up and young love and
as such the characters experience everything profoundly. Castor’s love, when he
first experiences it, is all or nothing just as his loyalty knows no bounds.
While
this is basically a light-hearted coming of age tale, it doesn’t shy away from
touching on heavier topics, such as the Russian attitude towards gay
relationships. Personally I found this to be a comfortable balance between easy
reading and thought-provoking. I also appreciated the fact that this book is
almost (but not quite) angst-free.
Long
story short, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will most definitely read more
by Brad Tanner.
“He straightens my bowtie and this is the moment I think I’ll
always remember. It’s a first time you notice someone you love is looking after
you.”
