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Book Title: Little Harbour
Author: Sophia Soames
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Miriam Latu
Genre/s: M/M, contemporary romance
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 135 377 words/468 pages
It is a standalone story and is the first book in series of stories set in Scandinavia.
Tagline
A story of love and grief, second chances, and family life. An M/M GFY-ish romance, featuring a hoard of feral children, a stolen pram, a Midwifery blog and an ill advised stint on TV. Oh yes and a Man who has lost hope and another who never gave it up.
Blurb
This is a story about life and death. Because there has never been anyone else for Jens. He had been with Sofie almost all his life, from the day they met at school when they were fifteen, until the day she took her final breath against his chest. She was always everything to him. As he was to her. He never doubted that. Not for a minute.
This is a story of hope, where Axel Kleve keeps himself too busy to even stop and think. Work, sleep, eat, repeat. He loves his job as a Midwife at Oslo’s University Hospital, He’s good at lecturing and training, and now he has somehow been pushed into running “Ask Axel,” a midwifery blog on PNN.no, the parenting-site everyone in Norway trusts.
This is a tale of second chances. Jens, he doesn't let himself think of Axel. He doesn't think of Axel at all. And Axel needs to stop longing for that one crush he’s never been able to leave behind. It’s just plain ridiculous. He should have got over Jens Sommerfeldt years ago.
A song about family and love and happiness found in small doses. Of trying to parent when you don’t know how. Of finding love where you always knew it lived.
This is the story of a little harbour. The place in your heart you didn’t know was there.
Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited
Excerpt
“Can I have a hug? Please?” Axel asks. He can’t help it. He needs one. He needs to know that Jens is still Jens. His Jens. The one who hugged him every time they met up all those years ago. Jens always hugged him to say hello. Always hugged him goodbye. Always. He needs Jens to still be Jens.
Jens doesn't hug him. Jens body slams him, so hard Axel thinks he might fall over. Stumbling backwards while Jens’ arms are squeezing him, so hard he can’t breathe, and there is hot breath against Axel’s neck and it is so Jens. All-consumingly Jens. Allhim.
“I fucking missed you so much.” Jens whispers, his voice hoarse and quiet.
I’m all yours.” Axel whispers back. “I always was.”
4.25 Stars!
Little Harbour is Sophia Soames debut novel and as such, this is a very solid, really good start and I, for one, am excited to hopefully read more books in the future from this author. I won't say it's perfect, because there were a few things that didn't quite work for me and that I'll get to in a minute, but it was emotional and angsty and sweet and hot and very focused on family.
Jens and Axel met each other in high school while doing a project and they struck an easy friendship that became more for each of them, even if a kiss was all they shared back then. Jens had a girlfriend he kept from Axel and kept Axel from others, too. After the kiss and finding out about Jens' girlfriend, Axel disappears and Jens continues with his life, marrying Sofie, with whom he had 4 kids. Now several years later, Jens is going through a rough patch, taking care of his children and dealing with the loss of his wife, when he stumbles across an article about Axel, who is now a midwife, and they reconnect.
Okay, so this was what kind of bothered me, Jens and Axel hadn't been in contact for nearly 20 years and I would've expected them to take a bit more time to fall into a relationship, especially one where one of the parties has kids and is dealing with depression. It was pretty much "I loved you back when we were teens and I still love you no matter if we haven't seen each other in so much time and we're different persons now" full-steam ahead from the moment they saw each other again. Considering the length of the story, I would've liked a bit more of a buildup. Don't get me wrong, the book is lovely as it is, I was just expecting more, I guess. I did love Jens and Axel together and it was great seeing them tackle being a family as a cohesive unit.
I really liked Jens' relationship with his children, especially Malena. Actually, even if it was a bit of a cultural shock for me, I loved how open about everything he was with her. They were friends and she was a great support to her father, even with her only being 16. She helped with her siblings' care and was there for Jens when he needed her. It was refreshing that it took her more than two seconds to warm up to Axel, like it did Morten and Marthe, though. ;) I also enjoyed seeing Axel's relationship with the kids grow as they got to know each other. It was pretty realistic and Axel ended up being just what they all needed.
This book is long and an emotional rollercoaster, and the writing took a bit getting used to, but if you're looking for a second-chance romance very focused on family, with a gorgeous HEA (and a heartbreaking second epilogue), this story is very worthy of any time you devote to it. Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
About the Author
Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over tv-shows, has fallen in and out of love with more popstars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un-) glamourous real-life job.
Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The AuPair just sighs. She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in Scandinavia.
Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever and she hopes it may long continue.
Author Links
Facebook: Sophia Soames
Twitter: @sophiasoames
instagram: @sophiasoames
Tumblr: sophia soames
Giveaway
Come and enter a super chilled Scandinavian style laid back competition. Just sit back, follow Sophia on social media if you wish, and enter to win a cozy Little Harbour inspired ‘Hygge’ pack featuring a Little Harbour printed tea towel and an Amazon £10 gift card. And it wouldn’t be Scandinavian without FIKA, so I will throw in a $5 Starbucks gift voucher too. How is that for a relaxing prize?
Competition ends December 22 and 3 (yes 3!) lucky winners will be drawn to win a Hygge pack each. Good luck!
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