“The Bibliophile” is set in 1888 and written in the style of Nathanial Goldsmith’s journal as he is torn away from his beloved books and higher education and basically hired out to a ranchman, Cayuse Jem, to learns his father’s business and “become a man.” But Nathaniel wants to become “a man of letters, an intellect, someone who wrestles with idea – to me, that is a man – that defines a man.” It’s fascinating to see how Nathanial copes with living in a basic cabin, learns to cook and clean, do chores and slowly appreciate the pace of his life with Cayuse Gem. The plot and pace of this story kept my interest throughout and I especially like how Nathanial uses his education to save people.

What didn’t work as well for me is the relationship between Cayuse Jem and Nathanial, mostly because we only get Nathanial’s POV throughout and there is no background or insight into Cayuse Jem; for this reason the boy/sir relationship seemed to come out of nowhere. In this M/M historical romance, I enjoyed the historical much more than the romance. 3.5 stars.

I loved 'The Bibliophile'. This is a love story, but it's also so much more than that! The novel's historical setting is interesting and educational, the author includes enlightened thinking about the treatment of native tribes and the central message places much emphasis on the importance of friendship and rightness of being true to yourself. I have enjoyed many titles from Nine Star Press, usually find them light reading which gives me a break from 'heavier' tomes, however this title surprised me with the depths to which it engaged me emotionally. I had tears in my eyes on a handful of occassions and really invested in some of the characters and action. Highly recommended.

This review is based on an advanced readers copy.

Nathaniel Goldsmith is a boy who loves books and learning in the late 1800s when book learning isn't respected in his family. I was immediately attracted to this book because of a book loving character. I also really enjoyed the setting of the real old west instead of the fantasy cowboys and shoot-outs version.

The journal style of this book was an interesting choice. It did give allowance for some of the more over the top language used as being a choice by the writer when otherwise it would have seemed too much. It did make it a but slow going at the beginning but it picked up reasonably well about 25% in. There are many details I would have preferred to get from a less biased perspective, but I think the bias was necessary in a lot of it.

Sir/Boy relationships are not something I particularly like reading personally. The overlap between father figure/lover was also a bit strange for me. For those who enjoy that type of relationship I think this would be a good read, but it was not really for me.

I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nathaniel Goldsmith is bookish university student called home to rural Idaho in the 1880's. To a father who doesn't understand him and wants Nathaniel to grow up, to become "a man". He is sent to work for a quiet Scotsman named Cayuse Jem. In working together Nathaniel and Cayuse develop a close relationship that eventually turns into a romantic one.

There are many things that I really enjoyed about this book. The setting was one. I rarely read about the West in the 19th century and the author did a great job creating a world that seemed greatly flushed out. That and the relationship with Caysume and the local Native Americans was great. I liked seeing their friendships. The crisis that happened later in the book was really interesting too.

The characters were interesting, more so Nat. I'm always drawn to bookish types. He seemed so young and innocent. At the same time his elevated language drove me nuts. I understand the authors choice in doing so but if one isn't learned when it comes to history, literature and big SAT words I could see why a reader would get frustrated. Cayuse really was more of a mystery to me. I really wanted to know more about him. But we never got any backstory on him.

The book's format of a journal was awesome. It was a creative way to tell the story and seemed to fit the setting of the 19th century well.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book. Once Nat and Cayuse's relationship turned physical I was really wanting more plot. Also warnings for sir/boys relationships. If that is your thing, then you'll love the book but it didn't really work for me. So overall I really enjoyed parts of this story but the love story wasn't for me.

the bibliophile is about a bookish young man who is sold into in servitude by his father. the man who is in charge of his is a rough, uncouth farmer, a man of few words, but also a man of great kindness. the whole thing is rather sweet, and somewhat strange and icky, but i suppose in the end nat belongs with cayuse jem and who am i to say otherwise. maybe if this had been in not-journal style i would have liked it a little more? i don't know. i didn't fall in love with this one.

**the bibliophile will publish on november 26, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/ninestar press in exchange for my honest review.

I ended up DNFing this book at 40%. The story is told through diary entries and written in 19th century-style prose. Usually this isn't a problem for me, but the pacing and content was boring.

There was so much potential for this one! But it unfortunately wasn't me for. However, it does have a highly historical vibe, for those invested/highly interested in setting.

As soon as I read the synopsis of this book (historical M/M romance! main character loves books!), I knew I had to read it. I ended up devouring it all in one night, and I still can't believe how fast it flew by - at one point I looked at the clock after what I thought was five minutes and an hour had passed.

It's definitely on the sentimental side, and sometimes that didn't work for me. For example, I found the scene where Chuslum and Motsqueh have sex (or "prepared to perform the great act of male love") beside Cayuse Jim and Nat on the banks of the pond while Motsqueh and Nat hold hands "in both solidarity and joy" to be just too over the top to keep me in the story. I never really reconnected with it fully after that.

That said, the characters and setting were fully realized, and it was an enjoyable read. Just not 100% my cup of tea.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.