This one is so odd that at times, it wanders into traditional fiction as opposed to staying in the realm of formula HEA romance. McCade’s writing style at times is flowery, and at times, well, flat.
The narration is quite soothing, and I waffled between three and four stars as I was so lulled on occasion that I had to go back a bit as my mind would wander. I decided it was less the gentle tenor of Graves voice that pulled me away, but the rather rambling nature of the writing.
The primary story is somewhat disjointed as it feels bigger than formula romance typically allows. Young Summer Hemlock returns to the private boys school as a TA for a professor he’s long desired. The intimidating Fox Iseya is surprised when after a conversation with Summer about bravery, finds himself being kissed. This kicks off a very twisty plot of more or less earning kisses
It also tries to add side stories about bullying, a lost spouse, a mother that might be ill(?) and a cranky school administrator. None of them are fleshed out particularly well, with the exception of the deceased spouse. That receives more attention, and certainly drives the story more than the others.
If this had been set in a school on the west coast in the 70’s, it could have been a 500 page novel dealing with the cultural challenges Fox faces as a biracial Japanese boy growing up during WW2, the need to marry, the struggle of being gay and still loving his wife. He would have suffered the after effects of her loss just as privately – torturing himself for failing her and not willing to let himself be himself. Summer would then make sense as the boy who returns to his roots and must face his childhood ghosts as well as his attraction to Fox. The ill mother, the nature of boys in boarding schools and the racism Fox would encounter – could have been pretty amazing. Their relationship would have been more private, adding to the underlying angst.
Instead the book tries to hit current topics that run rampant in formula fiction and the curious elements are forced to share the stage, if you will, rather than simply being the focus.
What didn’t work for me? Is Fox gay? I am not a fan of Gay for you plots, it isn’t made clear. There is a huge age difference, which doesn’t really bother me, but Fox’s age is also never made clear. We know Summer is 25, is Fox 40? 45? 50? I don’t remember it being stated. Also, they are very sloppy. That seems incredibly unlikely in any school, doors left open and such. Finally, the heat factor. While I appreciated the descriptions of tanned skin and angular jaws, the sex isn’t depicted with any real interest. I’m fine with taking a “less is more approach”, but if you’re going to write it, then do it well. I also realized that this is a series surrounding the school- not these characters. I am unlikely to move forward. I like a touch of realism, and having more teachers we have yet to meet also get it on at the boys school feels very unlikely and uncomfortable – especially in todays climate where gay teachers are under attack for grooming.
I would still generally recommend this title for the sheer oddity of the basic premise – a daily kiss in trade for an act of bravery, and for some of the lovely little gems of prose that McCade provides. He does a good job describing scent and mood.
The whole honeysuckle thing was a nice touch.