Becoming Lord Drake’s Lover is set in London, 1815 and stars Albinus and his best friend Josiah Drake. The story is told in third person through Albinus’ pov.

Albinus and Josiah have been friends for most of their lives. However, Albinus’ feelings for Josiah grow much deeper as the years go by. Eventually Josiah travels to Italy, experiences life while Albinus awaits every letter from Josiah. Josiah is eventually summoned back to London when his father is on his deathbed. Once Josiah becomes lord of the manor, Albinus and he return to their old habit of visiting prostitutes, only Albinus isn’t as thrilled about it as he once was. He wants Josiah for himself, but figures this is the way it must be. One evening Josiah invites Albinus to go out with him again; reluctantly Albinus agrees and is in for a big surprise. The place they visit changes everything between the two men.

Personally, I didn’t care for how Josiah revealed his desires by banging a male prostitute in front of Albinus. It’s not my idea of a good way of proclaiming his love for Albinus either. However, Josiah is arrogant and cocky and it seems plausible that during the era this story took place, men would have behaved in such a manner. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if men who are in the closet in our current time also behave in the same way.

Albinus tends to be on the quiet side, letting Josiah take the lead. Although later in the story he speaks up for himself more when he learns how Josiah feels and Josiah asks Albinus about his desires and wants. So in that way, they were on an even playing field except for the beginning when Josiah wishes to teach Albinus. Once Josiah’s awkward handling of his feelings was straightened out, the two men settled into a comfortable relationship.

For the short length of this book, I thought the author did a good job of covering the growth of the men’s feelings and the culmination into their HEA. This is a fast, low angst read and I only noticed one instance where it felt like there was some head-hopping and we were no longer in Albinus’ thoughts, but Josiah’s. The speech patterns also helped create the atmosphere for the time period of this book. I enjoyed this story and give Becoming Lord Drake’s Lover, 4 Stars.

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Penumbra1 | Oct 11, 2022 |