Book recommendation!

[luzula]

Beck and Call by Annick Trent (2021)
Full disclosure: this historical m/m romance was written by a fannish friend of mine, and I have beta-read it. But really, I would still be enthusiastic about it even if I had just randomly bought it!

It's set in 1790's England and is a romance between two valets. William is isolated in the countryside a lot of the time and is lonely. He also goes to one of the local reading clubs and so gets tangentially involved in controversial politics. Edwin is a guarded and somewhat prickly man whose past makes him vulnerable to blackmail, and they meet and connect at a house party which their masters attend.

This book has lovely writing and a lot of heart, and I appreciate the historical setting in the servants' world rather than among the aristocracy. There's a plot which is not just about their love affair, and supporting characters including William's family. I hope some other people will read and enjoy it, too! And now to prepare it for bookbinding so I can have it in my bookcase...

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

thanks for the rec! just bought it.

[regshoe]

Ooh! This looks very interesting, although not the sort of thing I usually read—I shall make an experiment and check it out. Thanks for the rec :)

[chestnut_pod]

I love the idea of a double-valet romance with 1790s-England controversial politics! I'm tangentially interested in the Dissenters and in the Priestley Riots -- though I would be just as excited for Bonapartist stuff, and equally engaged in new-to-me history. Thanks for the rec!

[seascribble]

I have been looking for a book to read, thank you!

[luzula]

I hope you enjoy it! : )

[luzula]

Ha, now I feel responsible if you don't enjoy it! But I think you might?

[luzula]

Perhaps I should say that the politics is not the main plot--it's there round the edges, but it's far more about the servants' lives and concerns. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it!

[china_shop]

and they meet and connect at a house party which their masters attend.

Oh, what a great idea! *grabs sample chapter* :-)

[genarti]

Oh, I love the idea of a downstairs romance instead of just aristocrats! This sounds very cool.

[luzula]

I hope you enjoy it! : )

[luzula]

The aristocrats are only relevant insofar as they are the main characters' working environment! I do like that perspective.

[luzula]

I hope you enjoy it! : )