overdue triumphs

This story is a glimpse of how being gay in the early ages was dealt with in conversion asylums. I loved the disparity of the relationship that developed and grew between Tully (a caretaker) and John (a patient). Their interactions and banter were endearing and heartwarming. I empathized with the inpatients and their plight. It was good to see the lengths Tully and John went to to gain a fresh start together. The ending was oh so sweet. The narrator's voices added to my enjoyment of the book.

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1 person found this helpful

Fun and sweet gothic novel

This was fun and sweet, despite the heavy subject matter. John is "caught in the act" with another young man at university and ends up in a mental institution. He is of a wealthy family and he is therefore better treated at the asylum than some of the lower class may be, but it's still a horrid place to be confined.

He develops a friendship and later a love affair with one of the attendants at the place and I was quite concerned as to ow this would end well. The plot is a bit too gothic novel / penny dreadful type thing for my liking, but it was a fun ride after all and I was enjoying myself whilst listening.

The ending is sweet and all you could ask for.

3.5 stars for John and his bear of an attendant.

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Great society portrait.

The setting of this book is extremely interesting, an asylum near London at the end of the 19th century.
John Gilliam is an inmate in the asylum and forms an unlikely friendship with one of the attendants, Samuel Tully, which then develops into something more. Through their stolen times together they will discover that the asylum has secrets, and they will work together to uncover them.
Though it can be considered in the category of M/M romance, the book is a great commentary of the society’s situation at the time: it has great insight in the life of the asylum, it doesn’t fully condemn the institutions but it exposes its weaknesses, as well as highlighting its strengths.

Mark James narration is lovely, and makes this historical romance a thing of beauty to listen too.

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3 people found this helpful

Good story

Loved the story. The setting was so different and so good. Narrator did a great job. Perfect listening experience. Highly recommend.

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Let Me Out!!

Charming, suspenseful, exciting. A wonderfully concocted story tat will hold the listeners interest until its conclusion.
Mark James narration is spot on.

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A despairing story with a very happy end

<b>audiobook version</b>
When despair seems to be gaining the battle, a bit of kindness becomes a beacon of light to keep you alive….
Scholar John Gillian never thought he would find himself deprived of even paper and pencil for his own good… When he accepted to be send to an institution to be treated of his unnatural proclivities, after being caught by his father in such acts, he had no idea what he was signing for. After the demeaning treatments, the humiliation, and even an assault, John feel himself sliding into the madness he is being treated for. Until a kind touch from a rough man brings him back from despair, and helps him regain his balance…
Sam Tully sees the men behind the inmates, and he treats them with kindness and care. Despite being an uncultivated man, he knows every single one of them deserves respect. Specially John Gillian, a man who does not belong in Fairpark Asylum, the institution he’s been confined to by his loving family. When Tully starts looking after the distraught professor, a friendship begins to form between them. But as their bond deepens and changes, they realise there is something dark going on at Fairpark, something that can end up killing John if Tully does not manage to set him free…
This is a deeply moving story, the main romance following the lines of an opposites attract trope, with likeable characters and a slow burn relationship. But leaving the romance aside, I was deeply impressed by the scenes about the treatments and the humiliations that the inmates at the asylum were submitted to. John’s anguish is heartbreaking. I cannot stop thinking about how many men and women suffered torture and humiliation by the so called men of science who were trying to cure them from things which were never meant to be cured… So sad
Mark James’ performance in this audiobook is great, he easily conveys the social differences between Tully and John with masterful changes of intonation. His narration flows easily, and listening to it becomes a really enjoyable experience.
A very recommendable story for those who don’t mind quite a bit of anguish with their romance.

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3 people found this helpful

What a trio!

Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon, and Mark James did an amazing job.

Poor John voluntarily puts himself into an insane asylum in 1887 because he is caught with another man by his father. Sam is an attendant working on John’s floor. He too is gay but keeps it a secret as he knows the consequences of coming out.

The two men long for each other not knowing the other feels the same.

I loved the slow burn and angst the two men endured. They are both in a place where people watch each other and it’s hard to get alone time giving me a roller-coaster of emotions. I wanted the two to be together, but I didn’t want them to get caught. At times they weren’t so secretive with their feelings or with being physical. There was another attendant, Jenkins, who was a mean drunk and always kept a close eye on John and Sam.

I enjoyed the mystery as well. Another time my emotions were on high alert and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Mark James does another wonderful job and I can’t wait to hear him again. His voice is clear, smooth and the emotions just come alive when he speaks.

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Amazing listen!!

I don't listen or read many historical books but this one I love. I just love how Sam and John's relationship does develop even in the last 1800's. Then Mark James just pulls me even more into the story and pulls so much emotions out of me. I couldn't stop listening.

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amazing

amazing and very well written story it wasn't easy in the beginning but due to the timeline of the story it was logical but then the story began to build a wonderful love story between two men in a very difficult situation I loved it it was so intense and so touching

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Enjoyable and well narrated

I really like historical romance, and this book checked all my boxes in the genre. The narrator Mark James has a great voice and his accent work was very good too, it fit right in with the time period and vibe of the story. I have never read a story that takes place in such a facility/asylum in this time period and it was a very interesting twist to the historical genre in regards to gay romance.
John and Tully are an unlikely pair and they meet in the worst place possible in a time were the very nature of their connection is a sin punishable by law. I really liked Tully's loyalty and care for the patients, he was a character I really felt for throughout the story.
John finds himself in such dire circumstances and his ingenuity and wit despite the hardships he faces are admirable. There is just the right amount of suspense in the story without it being overly dramatic or angsty, and I liked it because I was worried their fate will be very bad by the time the story ends.
An interesting read by authors who were new to me and a narrator I heaven't listened to before, and I was not disappointed, I recommend this book to all MM historical romance livers.

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