The best part of reading this was zoning out and jamming to my reading playlist before remembering what I was reading.

Okay so I don't know how to list everything wrong with this book so let's start off with the few things I liked.
- some of the physical descriptions
- some of the cozy romantic scenes when the characters aren't talking or having sex
- some of the letters the characters send to one another were very sweet and romantic

Now for all I didn't like:
- the age gap being described in consistently uncomfy ways
- romanticizing SA scenes without trigger warnings
- break ups and getting back together without any explanation or foreshadowing, just for drama or to emphasize the "tragic times."
- using a slur against Romani people
- the pacing was all over the place
- the writing style was so stagnant, made me feel like the author wanted to say "look how tragic aren't I so talented writing this melodramatic masterpiece?"
- the most lackluster ending to a book I've ever read in my life
- absolutely no investment in the romance or stakes whatsoever because they're such a bad couple
- references to Oscar Wilde felt forced more than anything else as if to show the author knows queer history
- the characters broke character so often just for the author to jerk them around to do whatever the plot demanded of them
- I sincerely doubt the MC would have been able to paint the queen I'm sorry but that plot point just made me laugh because I couldn't believe what I was reading.
- the love interest's wife deserved better, I don't even remember her name but she was done dirty and written with very little respect in my opinion.

Overall the premise was pretty good and the few good moments keep it from being 1 star, but the execution failed at every point I could see. Again, I don't know how the author got away with writing a literal slur in this book or how they didn't think twice about the SA scenes. Sorry to say, I don't recommend this one.

“You should burn this, perhaps?”

This line, in the opening letter of the book, it was instantly drew me in. It’s so simple yet strikingly effective, In my eyes, that perfectly lays the weight of what it was like to be a queer person in the early 1900s.

Unfortunately, However engrossed I was with the beginning of this book, I found that is didn’t quite meet my hopes or expectations. I found most of the dialogue and pacing a bit lackluster. On the other hand, the setting and atmosphere of the novel was fascinating enough to motivate me to continue reading it.

However, the small areas of discontent were nothing compared to how invalidated I, as a queer man, felt reading certain portions of this book— and I’m not talking about period typical homophobia. I’m talking about the author briefly described Robbie, the main character, getting sexually assaulted by a group of older boys and, because he “instantly became hard” that was how he knew he was gay. Yeah, no. BIG no from me. But because this is an ARC, I am hoping that this can be resolved before the official release, since the rest of the paragraph about Robbie being naturally inclined towards men works perfectly well without the THAT. I won’t lie, reading that so early on in the novel ruined my taste for it as a whole.

I am picky about my historical fiction. However, anything historical on the topic of the LGBTQIA+ will peak my interest. I'm glad this book was one of them, because it was a beautifully tragic story. There is a certain comfort in knowing these events have been occurring throughout history, but equally tragic to know they still are today. The romance between the two main characters was wonderfully written.
I look forward to the success of the book upon its release day.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I have so much to say about this book.

Let’s start off with the good sentiments.
So this book has a lot going for it, the characterization of Robbie and Anton was really very solid. These were two fully fleshed out characters with their own motivations, personalities, and weaknesses and I really enjoyed getting to know more about them and getting a peek into their respective histories. The writing also has moments of brilliance and several times the author really outdoes herself with encapsulating something complex and rich in only a brief sentence or two. For instance, one I especially liked comes from the chapter “Conversation” in Book One, the context is Robbie musing on how his desires, which seem so benign and natural to him are vilified as perverse in the eyes of society, the church, and the law. (note: this quote comes from an advance copy of the book and not a final edition)

“Men were beautiful things: Why could God create such things and not allow them to be touched? Wasn’t it natural to touch a beautiful thing?”

Excellent stuff.

The author also excels in portraying the mix of apprehension and longing endemic between two men in Edwardian England who see each other as potential partners but unsure of how, or even if, to make the first move. These early chapters showing the beginning of their relationship were some of the finest in the book.

Now for the not so great elements.

At times the pace of this book was jarring and disjointed. Sometimes events and characters would shift perspective, setting, or even whole countries, in only a few words. This took some getting used to and by the end it wasn’t quite so disorienting but it still made the story feel jumbled in places. The dialogue too, both internal and verbal, could use some work. Almost all the characters speak in the exact same, matter of fact, way and sometimes their exchanges are as abrupt and full of non-sequiturs as the scene transitions. Additionally, the book felt repetitive at times and certain phrases (“his face grew stern”) are relied on to an all to noticeable degree.

Finally, my biggest problem with this novel was the eternal back and forth between Anton and Robbie, perpetually breaking off and then mending their relationship in an everlasting emotional tug of war that exhausts the reader and saps even the abundant vitality of this otherwise charming and earnest book. I lost track of the number of times either of our main characters left the other, always “for their own good” and then regretted it and eventually returned. It strains the heartstrings and after the third or fourth “final” break up or reconciliation it’s difficult to care or wish for anything except maybe a permanent resolution, of any kind, to this Sisyphean “will they, won’t they” pattern.

These characters also seem to learn nothing from any of their many break ups. Anton always goes on repressing his feelings and hoarding his words and Robbie always manages to drink too much too fast at the most inopportune times. And in every break up neither of our leading men ever just talk or even attempt to communicate! Our leading men would rather jump at any opportunity to board the earliest train out of London or Nottingham depending, rather than speak for even a few moments longer about their relationship or their emotions.

I understand relationships are hard, and they’re work, and it must have been fiendishly challenging to do that work in this time and place with a prison sentence or denunciation hanging over you. But people don’t behave this way. People learn and grow emotionally (which they do in the novel, to be fair, though never enough to prevent another inevitable, tearful, break up), and when they’re in love and want to be together they don’t invent reasons to leave and return ad infinitum over the span of decades as happens in this book. By the end I found myself thinking, these aren’t people, or even characters, they’re puppets.

I can appreciate an author trying to write a gay historical romance story where most of the roadblocks to a relationship are internal and stem from the challenging nature of relationships rather than from the explicitly homophobic society they live in (though that plays its part too); but this novel just didn’t accomplish that and for me and didn’t quite stick the landing. Despite its shortcomings I couldn’t seem to stop reading it, even as I grew frustrated with its compounding issues.

5 stars. This book: not perfect but so, so lovely, so, so shattering. I could NOT stop reading, couldn't continue to be with Robbie and Anton, to see how THEY would continue. Kudos to Stephanie Cowell for making me care so much. Also, too many times historical fiction novels can feel anachronistic, especially novels with LGBTQ+ characters and themes, but except for a very few and fleeting moments, the author had me very firmly in Edwardian England, feeling the fears, the despair of perhaps never being allowed to find and share love. I never doubted that the main characters, and all the others on the (virtual) pages, were real, flawed human beings for us to care for.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the e-ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review of this wonderful, powerful, evocative, lovely book.

Rating: 2.5

I really wanted to enjoy this book. The synopsis sounded promising; I loved the cover. But as the story went on, it felt as though it were lacking something. One of my issues came with the dialogue. It felt flat and like it just touched the surface of what it could have been. I do plan to give this one a reread at a later time, as I feel as if I just wasn’t in the right mood or mindset for it right now.

I received this advanced copy from Netgalley and Publisher, so thank you!

The book is divided in five parts and spans for about ten years in which we follow mainly Robbie Stillman's career, love life and inner torments. First of all, there is a love story, but for me, it is not the central point, what I take from it is how institutionalized homophobia in society affected the queer people back then and their relationships.

To be honest, I struggled to pass through the first part, the writing was odd, there wasn't a natural flow between scenes, abrupted changes of themes ocurred. However, when I reached the second part, story started to develop nicely or perhaps I grew used to the writing style.

I liked the relationship between Robbie and Anton, there were low and high points just as in real life and I can't imagine how was to be queer with The Gross Indecency Law.

One weird point for me is that Robbie always saw his paints as not good enough and by the end of the book I did not get the feeling of a closure about this topic, he just settled as a portrait artist and that's it? And lastly, I find really odd the friendship between him and Louise, Anton's ex-wife, specially at that time, well, I don't know, maybe it could happen.

Overall, after that first part, I really enjoyed the book, the settings were nice, all the themes addressed were really interesting and to imagine all those horrific things happened in England until the late 60's and still happen across several countries across the globe, it is revolting.

This book made for a really emotional read and I really enjoyed the journey it took me on. I'm really looking forward to reading more work by this author.

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

1.5 stars

Half a star because the book slightly reminded me of Maurice. The writing style was killing me. Nothing ever seemed to happen and if it did it was simply stated, not described. It was very slow-paced. I didn't like any of the characters.

The plot points were typical. The title and cover grabbed my attention. But the ending was bad. All-in-all, if anything this would have made a better movie.

Highlight quotes:

"Being liked is a luxury in this world".

"You have so much talent, you don't know what to do with it all; it comes from you, I think, in a volcanic way--or rather, you don't so much have it as it has you".

"Love it to be avoided. Friendship is the best".

My other big issue was:

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER




Robbie with the wandering eye. Let's all make cheating the new norm, why not. Also, Robbie seemed like a user.

It very much gives Maurice and I mean that as a compliment. Not in like plot really just in a messy and complicated and thoroughly enjoyable to read.

Thank you, Regal House Publishing, for allowing me to read The Boy in the Rain early.

What a pleasant surprise! I didn't know the author beforehand but am definitely going to read Stephanie Cowell's other books. Splendidly written and so captivating! highly recommended!

I got this arc from netgalley and oh my god i just thought it'd be a bit sweet but? They were so messy your honor. To be honest i loved their dynamic and even tho it was slowly built it gave me the feel of a classic somehow. it took me time to get through but I'm glad i did because the writing style is so so good. Recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

Actual rating 4.5

This was my first time reading Stephanie Cowell's book, and I really loved her writing style. I loved how the story developed in such a slow pace but never bored me. Anton and Robbie relationship was sweet yet they kept hurting each other. The only thing I didn't like from this book was the ending. The ending Made me feel all the relationship developments between Anton and Robbie Were pointless. Even though I really understood why Corwell wrote that way, especially after what happened to Keith, I understood Robbie's feeling.