Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Jake Huntington works hard and plays just as hard in New York City, but when he receives a letter from his father, he hastens to Philadelphia to meet his father’s new wife. Surprised to find he likes the lady, Jake is even more surprised to find himself attracted to her son, Ash Moore. That first night, Jake convinces Ash to head out with him to a whore house, and they pass a hot and enjoyable evening sharing a woman. But after they leave, Jake gives in to his desires and makes a pass at Ash, one Ash enthusiastically returns.
The men find an instant chemistry and attraction, and though Jake has never been with a man, Ash has. They begin a friends-with-benefits relationship, and Ash accompanies Jake back to New York City. They spend their nights out drinking and dancing, and occasionally sharing women, but always end up back at Jake’s house and in bed together. Jake isn’t ashamed of what they are doing, and he’s certainly not ashamed of Ash, but the times do not allow for them to be open about it.
When Ash has to head back to Philadelphia to begin his next term in college, Jake is despondent, though he refuses to believe he loves the man. Love can only get you hurt when the one you love leaves you. But he still writes to Ash every day and counts down to Christmas when he can see him once again. Their reunion is passion filled. But when Jake realizes his love for the man, he pushes Ash away and breaks things off. Almost immediately, he realizes his mistake. But he knows he’s gone too far and lost Ash forever. It’s only after some well-intentioned meddling that Jake sees there might be hope. On the verge of fixing things, Jake’s dearest desire comes true and he and Ash just might have a chance at a future.
This week for Reading Challenge Month was a big challenge for me. There’s not a lot I won’t read, but I still wanted to find something I would enjoy. A historical romance not set in Regency England (and also not laced with magic) fit the bill perfectly for Genre Week. A Summer Pursuit is a hot, wonderful romance filled with two well done characters and I really enjoyed it.
Radcliffe did a great job of setting the scene of east coast America in 1853. I was transported to the era without difficulty, and there was a fantastic sense of place throughout the story. The scenes were described with lush language that had me picturing it all with ease. I did find some of the language a bit over the top, and while I appreciated the lengths the author went to in order to give it an authentic feel, it was far enough outside the norm that I had a little trouble parsing out the meaning of things at times. This detracted just a bit for me, as I was pulled out of the story while I mentally translated and figured out exactly what the characters were talking about. So while I liked this aspect, I think if it had been toned down a bit it would have been easier to get lost in the story. This was the only big draw back to the book for me though, and I really enjoyed the plot.
The story is told from Jake’s third person POV, and this is really his journey. He’s been hurt pretty badly before, and has suffered some losses in his young life. So it makes sense that he’s built a wall and keeps deeper emotions from forming. In particular, I really liked how he grew within the story, accepting his desires and then acting on them, establishing his relationship with Ash, and then even how he pushed Ash away. It all felt very real for the character, and it made the ending very satisfying, as he came to terms with what he wanted. I really liked that his biggest struggle was about opening his heart again, and not about his desire for a man. While the word bisexual is never used, it’s because the word had no place in this historical story. But Jake makes it clear that he enjoys both genders, and I really loved seeing this portrayed. Ash, too, identifies as bisexual, though perhaps prefers men. All in all, I thought it was handled beautifully, and it is gratifying to see bi men finding their HEA.
The chemistry between the MCs was smoking hot and just leapt off the page. From the instant Jake and Ash meet, it’s electric between them. I loved the way their relationship evolved into something deeper, into real love, and seeing them together was more than satisfying. Given the time period, their relationship isn’t going to be easy, but the book ended with a real sense that they could make it work. I’m also going to make a quick note here that technically they are step-brothers as Jake’s father and Ash’s mother have recently wed. But they didn’t grow up together, and they meet as contemporaries in their early 20s.
Jake and Ash were great characters, the author did a wonderful job with the time period, the secondary characters were fantastic and really fleshed out the tale. All in all, I really enjoyed it. And if you’re looking for a well done historical, then this is the one for you.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for Genre Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win a fabulous prize from Less Than Three Press. Three lucky winners will each receive a selection of print books. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a loaded Kindle fire filled with DSP books!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on Genre Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
So, you’ve convinced me! This is going to be my pick for this week’s challenge… I’m off to download the ebook now.
That’s great news Anna! I hope you like it as much as I did.
This book sounds fascinating, and pre-Civil War America is not a time period that has featured in many of my books. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention, Kris.
It was definitely interesting to see a different time period portrayed!
I have started to enjoy historical MM romance over the past couple of years but I don’t think I’ve read many that sets NOT in England. So I will take a look on this one. Thanks so much for the review.
Yeah there aren’t many of them, which is one of the reasons this caught my interest.
Thanks Ami!
Great review – I always struggle with historicals! I very rarely pick one up because I have myself convinced I won’t enjoy the story even though I have enjoyed the few that I’ve read! (I don’t really know what’s wrong with my reasoning process at all 🙂 ) Based on your review, I think I definitely have to check out this one! 🙂
I totally get where you’re coming from Jenn. I think I’m somewhat the same way. Hope you enjoy it if you give it a chance
Thank you for the review! I keep my eyes out for good historical m/ms. Going to go add it to my TBR list.
This one definitely qualifies as a good one. Enjoy!
This month is killing me (in a good way). I had to stop buying all the books that sound great because there are so many, but I’m getting a HUGE wishlist. I really, really want to read this one but I have to wait. 🙁 😉 🙂
I hope you’ll enjoy it when you finally get to it!
I totally know what you mean about this month. 🙂
Weirdly, I usually only read historicals in m/m…this one sounds intriguing!
It definitely is that! 🙂
I don’t read much historical m/m stories, I’m not really sure why since I enjoy them immensely. Thank you for the review =)
I think, comparatively, there just aren’t as many. But this one is definitely one of the good ones. Thanks H.B.!
I love historical romance and this sounds like a good one. Thanks for your review.
It really is. Thanks Toni!
Ooooh! This sounds so good. Historical is on of my favourite genres, so this wouldn’t work for me as genre challenge, but I’m always in the lookout for new books to read, and new periods of time to read about. I do not think I’ve read anything set at the end of the 19th century in America yet, so I’ll add A Summer Pursuit to my TBR pile.
Thank you for the review, Kris!
Thanks Susana! I hope you like it. I thought the author captured the time period really well.
I love reading historicals so I really want to read this one. Thanks for an interesting review.
I hope you enjoy it! Thank you!
Good review. I love gay historicals, particularly in this period, and this one also intrigues with its setting, relationship, and plot. A new tbr.
As soon as I saw it was a historical, I was really excited. I’m always on the look out for another great historical read. I like what you said, Kris, about finding one not in Regency England or with magic, because while I’ve definitely loved those I’ve read like that, I want authors to be successful with stories outside of that and for a broader type of historical. As for this one, your review has absolutely sold me. I love that their bi (implicitly, given the times) and that it’s shown in their actions. I like that you said his reactions felt real, because I hate feeling like something’s just there for angst. I haven’t read anything by Jules Radcliffe before, but I definitely need to start with this one.
I enjoy historicals, especially those that are very descriptive 🙂 This sounds like a fun romp that I might enjoy. Thanks for the review and for bringing it to my attention.
I don’t read too many historicals mainly because there aren’t as many. This does sound interesting & I’ve added it to my wishlist. Thanks for your review.
I have read some historical m/m romance books and i enjoyed them, i haven’t read this one but after reading your review it is definitely going on my TBR list.
I’m so excited to see historical bisexual characters. I’m going to be getting my grabby hands on this one!
I tend to avoid historicals but this one sounds like fun. I think I’ll be adding it to my list.