TITLE: The Agony of Joy
AUTHOR: Red Haircrow
PUBLISHER: JMS
Books
LENGTH: 337
pages
RELEASE DATE: 29th
June 2024
BLURB:
Former model-turned-actor Adrian Lee can barely list age
range 23–29 on his résumé anymore, nor stand his life of empty
social events and appearances, meaningless roles, and casual partners. When he
meets Alexander Skizetsky by clever arrangement of his agent, the enigmatic yet
infinitely attractive Russian kindles a little light of hope in his aching
heart. Yet even the beginnings of a friendship and love beyond his wildest
dreams cannot stop a life spiralling out of control.
The long estrangement from his devout Irish Catholic parents and family and the
dark secrets they all share combine to drive Adrian to the brink of despair,
though Alexander becomes determined to stay by his side. After locking away his
own memories of betrayal and loss, Lexx had decided never to love again, but
something in Adrian spurs the noblest intentions in his formerly jaded heart.
Returning in pilgrimage to Alexander’s homeland, on a journey of rebirth,
revelation and redemption, can they escape the ghosts of their pasts to find
true love together?
NOTE: This book contains references to childhood sexual assault that might
disturb some readers.
REVIEW:
This book is extremely visual. One of the author’s greatest
strengths lies in their ability to describe surroundings in vivid detail. From
a small appartment, to entire cities, the characters’ world is drawn in vivid colour
and it is easy to picture everything alongside the characters themselves.
Another strength is the characterisation. Each character has
a unique voice and a unique viewpoint, and although that viewpoint is often awkward
or flawed it is always authentic and coherent to the character. Whilst this is undoubtedly
a romance first, it is also a travel guide, clearly showing the author’s love
for the places they talk about and the things that can be found within the
locations.
The romance itself is by no means straightforward. To say
that both the characters are flawed would be an understatement for sure and this
leads to a flawed and sometimes broken relationship. They stumble from one
problem to the next, not always dealing with things in a neat and logical way. For the most part, this is absolutely authentic to the characters and the result of
skillful storytelling, although I have to admit there were a few times when
there was a certain awkwardness about the writing that was noticeable whilst
not being distracting from the story. For example, the first meeting between
Adrian and Lexx felt a little contrived.
I can’t honestly say that I immediately warmed to Lexx. He
came across as an arrogant, rich bully. However, it didn’t take long for him to
grow on me and I was soon rooting for the pair of them, even when it felt like
there was no chance of a future for them.
There are some shocking moments that I honestly did not
expect, but on the whole, the story is a sweet, if rocky romance between two
men who are somewhat set in their ways and not really in the market for longterm love. To see their relationship deepen and blossom, even when all the
petals were plucked off and they had to start again, was truly a joy.
I can absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes
their romance protagonists to have to work hard for their happy endings,
especially if you are a visual reader, who likes to have the characters’ world
filled with detail and colour.
RATING: 4
BUY
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