Florian stayed silent, just a gentle squeeze of his fingers at my waist told he understood. "It's okay to not be okay sometimes."
I know where I will be spending my summer this year: Île de Ré, a small island off the French coast where this story takes place. Unfortunately I won't be coming across Florian, because he's all made up by Fearne Hill, but the idyllic descriptions of this island tempt me to pick this destination for my summer holidays.
This book tells the beautiful, heartfelt story of Florian and Charles. Charles has come to the island to find some peace and quiet after his mother's passing and his declining mental health. He's rented a house and is mostly keeping to himself until he encounters Florian's lost grandfather, who is suffering from the early stages of dementia.
Despite their age difference, Florian and Charles immediately find a connection and attraction towards each other. They first become friends before anything else, Florian showing Charles about his profession as one of the last independent salt workers. It's clear Florian takes pride in what he does and owns!
Charles's mental health is fragile, though, and what he and Florian have is nothing more than a summer fling. Or is it?
When Charles's stressful job comes back in the form of his work partner (and former best friend) and he has to return to London, his mind is not in a right place yet, and once he is back to his old life, things go downhill very fast.
I really loved this new book by Fearne Hill. I love how she handles heavy topics. As she says herself, always with a light touch, and she does. Charles's mental health is very prominent in this story - it's threatening and disturbing. I loved how Florian wanted to be there for Charles, how he, despite his young age, tried to help him. But whatever he wanted to be or do, Charles's disturbing mind was too strong for them to fight. I wondered how he would ever heal enough for them to stand a chance, but this is a romance and so of course the happy ever after is there. It's one very hard fought for and very well deserved.
As always, Fearne's writing is with a light touch but still trigger warnings are in place because the subject of Charles's mental health is a heavy one, and as I mentioned before, very prominent.
Florian was such a delight, he was a beautiful character with a soft, loving and caring soul. I loved how his grandfather's mental state played an important role next to Charles's and how there were some similarities too.
This was a delightful read, one I truly enjoyed reading, despite the heaviness of it. Yes, it was heartbreaking at times, but knowing things were going to be okay made it more bearable.
I've reached a point where Fearne Hill can hardly do any wrong with her books. I have enjoyed every single one of them so far, and they always end up on my list of best books I read in a year. I don't think this year will be any different!
I kindly received an arc from gaybookpromotions and this is my own, unbiased and honest opinion
Merged review:
Florian stayed silent, just a gentle squeeze of his fingers at my waist told he understood. "It's okay to not be okay sometimes."
I know where I will be spending my summer this year: Île de Ré, a small island off the French coast where this story takes place. Unfortunately I won't be coming across Florian, because he's all made up by Fearne Hill, but the idyllic descriptions of this island tempt me to pick this destination for my summer holidays.
This book tells the beautiful, heartfelt story of Florian and Charles. Charles has come to the island to find some peace and quiet after his mother's passing and his declining mental health. He's rented a house and is mostly keeping to himself until he encounters Florian's lost grandfather, who is suffering from the early stages of dementia.
Despite their age difference, Florian and Charles immediately find a connection and attraction towards each other. They first become friends before anything else, Florian showing Charles about his profession as one of the last independent salt workers. It's clear Florian takes pride in what he does and owns!
Charles's mental health is fragile, though, and what he and Florian have is nothing more than a summer fling. Or is it?
When Charles's stressful job comes back in the form of his work partner (and former best friend) and he has to return to London, his mind is not in a right place yet, and once he is back to his old life, things go downhill very fast.
I really loved this new book by Fearne Hill. I love how she handles heavy topics. As she says herself, always with a light touch, and she does. Charles's mental health is very prominent in this story - it's threatening and disturbing. I loved how Florian wanted to be there for Charles, how he, despite his young age, tried to help him. But whatever he wanted to be or do, Charles's disturbing mind was too strong for them to fight. I wondered how he would ever heal enough for them to stand a chance, but this is a romance and so of course the happy ever after is there. It's one very hard fought for and very well deserved.
As always, Fearne's writing is with a light touch but still trigger warnings are in place because the subject of Charles's mental health is a heavy one, and as I mentioned before, very prominent.
Florian was such a delight, he was a beautiful character with a soft, loving and caring soul. I loved how his grandfather's mental state played an important role next to Charles's and how there were some similarities too.
This was a delightful read, one I truly enjoyed reading, despite the heaviness of it. Yes, it was heartbreaking at times, but knowing things were going to be okay made it more bearable.
I've reached a point where Fearne Hill can hardly do any wrong with her books. I have enjoyed every single one of them so far, and they always end up on my list of best books I read in a year. I don't think this year will be any different!
I kindly received an arc from gaybookpromotions and this is my own, unbiased and honest opinion
NicoleR.M.M.
>
Books:
mental-problems
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