Treadmill: Thurs., 17-Nov. > Thurs., 24-Nov.
Here’s a compilation of screen shots of my Apple watch workouts that were recorded while on the treadmill. My goal is to read while walking on the treadmill for at least one 30-minute mile per day.
What I #AmReading…
Twelve Letters ~ Queer Relations ~ Coming of Age by Ellie Thomas
This is an utterly lovely series! Although there is nothing I would call a cliffhanger at any point, the books do flow nicely from one book to the next in the series, so I’m glad I read all three in a row.
One of the things I loved the most is that each of the characters was basically reasonable, yet the storyline included some drama and was always interesting. The characters are all lovely…at least eventually. Character growth/unfolding is masterfully crafted. I started out not caring much for Percy, but in the end, I think he’s my favorite character.
Often in a series the question is whether it follows one couple throughout or if different couples star in each of the books in a shared universe. Here the answer isn’t solidly either of those. The series follows three couples who each feature in every book. I think every one of the six gets at least a bit from their POV (all in 3rd-person past), though there is a primary for each of the couples.
Though the first book starts with Jolyon Everett and Percy Havilland in a relationship of sorts. It’s rather clear from the beginning that it won’t last, and ultimately the three couples are:
- Jolyon (Jo) Everett, a young gentleman who isn’t poor, but neither is he particularly wealthy.
- Daniel Walters, senior assistant at a tailors.
- Captain Ben Harding, a sometimes-cantankerous gentleman who’d lost part of a foot in the war.
- Edward Stephens, a newly qualified physician.
- Percy Haviland, a young gentleman who is better off than Jo while not being overly wealthy. A bit of a player at the start.
- Mr. Nathaniel (Nathan) Brooks, a wealthy gentleman in his thirties with a sharp business acumen.
The Snippets
The snippets are all from the first two books. I didn’t want to get too spoilery pulling from the third one, though I will say that the entirety of chapter five in Coming of Age had me happy sighing throughout.
From Twelve Letters. For context, the first two of the referenced letters were misdirected, and Jo’s flowery love note meant for Percy had gone to Daniel Walters instead of the quick note about buttons for a waistcoat he’d ordered. At first Daniel hadn’t realized it wasn’t actually meant for him, but he’s just clued in. Jo’s POV:
For a moment, Walters stared at him, as though rather than a customer, Jo was a conjurer’s trick about to disappear in a puff of smoke. Then, in the blinking of an eye, all the liveliness left his face and he reverted to being the epitome of a colorless tradesman to the gentry.
From Twelve Letters. Ben’s POV as he remembers the love he’d lost in the war (a lovely description):
Not that Aubrey had been sentimental. Despite his severe, patrician appearance, deceptively angelic with his light hair and eyes, he’d sworn like a trooper and had the most sarcastic sense of humor Ben had ever encountered.
He grinned, despite his sorrow. If Aubrey thought Ben was pining away for him he’d come back from the hereafter to tear a strip off him, with some very choice and possibly obscene phrases.
From Twelve Letters. Jo’s POV as he observes Percy. I love the author’s concise descriptions, which also manage to give a glimpse into the character’s personality:
He was actively encouraging the attentions of Mr. Nathaniel Brooks, a vague acquaintance, older than their set being in his thirties. Jo judged he was a handsome enough fellow in a rugged way and was reputed to be nobody’s fool. Rather than fawning over Percy’s sudden familiarity, Brooks seemed as amused as he was flattered.
From Queer Relations. Percy’s POV:
On the odd occasion when Nathan had chosen to grace his bed-chamber, Percy had kindly attempted to give some direction as to what he like best. Nathan had merely raised an eyebrow and continued to do exactly as he pleased. The worst thing was, Percy pouted, that he had enjoyed that all the more.
From Queer Relations. LOL…poor Percy isn’t in anyone’s good favor at this point. Jo’s POV:
Ben nodded in agreement. Then he said sardonically, “I gather poor Brooks must be another otherwise perfectly sensible man in the throes of a nasty dose of Percy-itis. I’ve never seen the appeal, myself,” he said, his face softening, clearly thinking of Edward’s sweeter charms.
“Don’t look at me,” Jo said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m completely cured.”
Twelve Letters ~ Queer Relations ~ Coming of Age by Ellie Thomas
Historical M/M Romance
Universal Buy-Links
TWELVE LETTERS
In Regency London, Jolyon Everett is determined to dissuade his irascible friend, Captain Ben Harding, from fighting a duel. However, before commencing on the pressing business of defusing Ben’s misplaced anger, Jo writes two notes — one to Percy Havilland, his very demanding paramour, and the other to his tailor, Daniel Walters. With those trifles out of the way, he can concentrate on persuading Ben to reprieve young Edward Stephens, a newly qualified doctor, who Jo suspects has a serious crush on Ben.
But the best-laid plans can go awry, as do the letters. As well as a furious Ben, Jo finds himself at the mercy of an outraged Percy and an amorous tailor. Can he convince Ben not to shoot Edward after all? Will he soothe Percy’s ruffled feathers? And might Jo realise true love can be found under the most unexpected conditions?
QUEER RELATIONS
In the autumn of 1814, the Honourable Percy Havilland is generally content with his sheltered existence in London’s exclusive Mayfair. As a society beau, renowned for his fair and youthful beauty and an object of desire to other well-born gentlemen, Percy is slightly miffed his personal life is not running as seamlessly as he might wish.
His good-natured lover from the spring season, Jo Everett, has inexplicably lost interest, and his replacement, Nathaniel Brooks, is far too hard-headed to be cajoled and manipulated into pandering to Percy’s every whim.
But these trifles are cast into proportion when, out of the blue, a family scandal of immense proportions threatens Percy’s peace of mind and his standing amongst the ton. Fearing rejection or even social banishment, to his surprise, Percy discovers a small, unconventional band of friends, including Jo, who are prepared to stick by him. And more importantly, he finds Nathan is utterly reliable in a crisis.
Will Percy remain spoiled, immature, and pampered? Or can he grow from this disaster to appreciate the value of true friendship? Might he even learn to love?
COMING OF AGE
After the London Season of 1815, Percy Havilland is at a loose end, having guided his younger sister Eustacia through her come out despite the social impact of a disastrous family scandal. Accustomed to being spoiled and generally admired, although still wealthy, he is shunned by most of the ton. Also, he misses looking after his sister now she’s returned to the family estate in Sussex. Taking his frustrations out on Nathaniel Brooks, his long-suffering lover, only makes Percy more uncertain about his future.
Percy’s good friend Jo Everett is having his own problems, thwarted in his dearest wish to share a home with the love of his life, hardworking Bond Street tailor Daniel Walters. And Captain Ben Harding and Dr. Edward Stephens realise the course of true love doesn’t always run smoothly. Can this society of gentlemen solve their romantic dilemmas to their satisfaction? And might Percy, with a birthday looming, surprise himself by opening up to love?
Spreading more book love!
Here are more of my…
✓ recent reads
✓ current reads
✓ re-reads
✓ want-to-reads
(all genres included)
These three are high on my TBR at the mo’.
About My #Treadmill / #AmReading Posts
I started out with this being a Sunday thing, but sometimes I’d rather not mash multiple books into a single post, so now, you never know when you might see one of these posts.
Rather than give a true “review,” which I’m not entirely comfortable doing as an author myself, I share snippets from books I’ve read and enjoyed, letting the authors’ words speak for themselves.
As you’ve possibly noticed, if you’ve been following along, I highlight snippets for reasons of my own which might veer from what is often seen. Sometimes my highlights have more to do with a paragraph simply impressing the heck out of me for its fabulous writerly technique, other times it has to do with the lovely way it gives subtle insight into the story/characters. Still other times simply because it made me laugh.
Anyway, I sometimes add a little commentary, but not always, which is not in any way, shape, or form, to be taken as unwritten commentary. Most likely it just means I’m short on time and/or context isn’t needed to understand what’s happening, and/or my brain doesn’t feel like putting out the effort in that particular moment.
Also, I’m going to try to spread the book love by tacking on covers of more books at the end of the post that I’ve either recently read, am currently reading, or want to read. Not seeing a full post with snippets for any of these books is not a commentary on anything other than how much time I have available in a day either to read or to create a post about what I’ve read. It might also mean I listened to the audiobook only or that it’s a reread that I’ve featured previously, or it’s not M/M so probably not a good fit for featuring on this blog.
Happy reading!
What a lovely surprise and a real boost to read this, Addison! ❤️ I am thrilled to bits you are enjoying this series and that you like the Regency gang (even Percy!) 😁
Percy’s my fave, now! I love a redeemed character. I hope there’ll be more of them. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but there’s room for more to their stories! ❤️
I’m so pleased to hear that, as I have a sneaking fondness for Percy! As you say, they each read as complete stories and don’t end in a cliffhanger as I necer planned them to be a series initially! But book 4, Gentlemen’s Agreement. the final one in the series will be out in January, and I have a spin off in mind as I love these characters so much. Thank you again, you have really made my day! ❤️ I am smiling so much that you’ve enjoyed these.
Oh yay! I’ll be looking for Gentlemen’s Agreement (and any spinoffs) with much anticipation! ❤️ It’s funny that you never intended it to be a series…all of my series are like that, too. They were only ever meant to be the first book. 😂
I’m so pleased I’m not the only one with unexpected series! 😆 And thank you so much! ❤️