Freeman by Clare London

Freeman by Clare London
Publisher: MLR Press
Genre: erotic, M/M romance



Review Copy received from Author

Summary:
Freeman’s return to the city is quiet, without fuss — the way he likes things. But, he’s missed by more people than he thought: his ex-wife, his ex-lover, and his ex-business partner. One wants friendship, another one intimacy. The third just wants him the hell gone again.
Freeman — private, controlled — hasn’t time or appetite for trouble. But, when he strikes up an unusual, ill-advised friendship with young, lively, amoral Kit, it seems trouble’s come looking for both men, ready to expose secrets that can destroy the fragile trust they’ve built. Freeman’s more ready for the challenge than anyone realizes when the choice comes down to peace or Kit’s life.

Jaime’s Review:
This was an interesting read. There were times in this book when I thought...man. One of these characters is just too stupid for words. What an uncomplimentary thing to say, you might think. It simply speaks to the number of layers Ms. London wove into this tale, that, hard as I looked, I couldn't always see through to what was really going on. I could guess, sure, but I didn't always get it right. That's just good writing. I've heard Ms. London say in interviews that this isn't typical of her usual m/m fare. She's right. I'm very familiar with her work. This book is definitely a departure, and a welcome one.

Freeman is as hard for readers to get to know as he is for his fellow characters. Even the ones who thought they knew him discover some things about him that they really weren't expecting. He's a strong, stoic type to the nth degree, and normally, I don't go in for that kind of character. I like to see the connection between the men as they fall for one another. Freeman doesn't give anything away, not even to Kit, who desperately needs to know what's going through the older man's head.

Kit, described as amoral, strikes me more as lost. His past is just a mystery until almost the very end of the story. It's not a unique past. It happens all the time, and it's a little frightening to realize how far, and how fast, a person can get lost in a world where he doesn't even know he doesn't belong until it's too late. Kit's saving grace isn't even Freeman. It's his own strength that he almost doesn't think he has that keeps his head above water just long enough for Freeman to grab on.

There's an interesting dynamic between the two. Where you might think Freeman is the man in control, because that's what he needs to be, he's not, so much, when it comes to Kit. He can't control the boy, and he can't control how he feels for the boy. Kit, on the other hand, wants some sort of structure from Freeman that Freeman won't give him. It's fascinating. Ms. London has played with the dynamics of this couple so thoroughly, it impossible to tell which end is up, and by the time push comes to shove, there's only one answer, and it isn't what anyone, even the reader really expects.

The plot to this story is shrouded in so many secrets and memories no one wants to get into, that every twist is both anticipated and at the same time, a little more twisted than I expected. It certainly kept me interested beyond the convoluted romance. Most of the time, the strength in a book lies either in the plot, or the romance. This time, there's equal screen time, equal emphasis given to both, and the book is great for that reason. I'd be hard pressed to slot this story into a genre, but I'm quick to say, it was one thoroughly enjoyable read.
My recommendation: This book is for anyone with a bent for puzzle solving, and anyone who likes the power dynamics in a relationship to go beyond the expected.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Jaime!





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