Review: Boats in the Night by Josephine Myles

Note: we received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.

I know what you’re going to say, another British m/m author? Well, yes! I’m on a binge and I’m loving every part of it. There’s something about British writers that’s quite unique, not just m/m authors but romance in general, and Ms. Myles is one of them. Maybe you have heard of her before because her novel Barging In made the rounds in a lot of review blogs and everyone had nice things to say about it, so when I was presented with the opportunity to read this novella I jumped right in.

Giles Rathbourne is a rich schoolteacher who’s going through a rough patch. His long-time boyfriend left him, he is suddenly alone in a house full of memories, he is teetering on the edge of alcoholism and he’s on an extended sick-leave from work. Needless to say, he’s feeling miserable.

One morning a narrowboat breaks down in the part of the canal adjacent to his garden. The owner of the boat is a dreadlocked, tattooed hippie named Smutty. Since Smutty needs a place to keep his boat while he fix it and Giles is lonely, they strike a bargain, Smutty will help take care of Giles’ garden in exchange of a free stay for as long as he needs.

These two guys could not be more different from each other. Smutty has a sunny and positive take on life whereas Giles is pessimistic and cynic. They feel a strong attraction and even deeper connection so it doesn’t take long before they become friends and lovers. But they have a lot of issues to overcome in order to get their happily ever after, so it won’t be an easy road.

I love opposites attract stories, and this one is exactly that. Giles was a straight-laced and spoiled man on the verge of self-destruction. He wasn't depressing though, and neither was Smutty, although both characters had dark and painful pasts. He was very likeable even though he had a fair amount of unlikeable traits, he was prejudiced, a neat-freak, depressed and a bit lazy. Once he meets Smutty, though, he starts to see himself under a different light and he realizes that he needs to change.

The romance was believable even though it takes place during a short time period, I felt like both Smutty and Giles were in need of love, support and companionship. They were lonely in different ways and that’s why they just click, I could just see them as lovers but also as friends.

I had one big issue with this book and it was the ending, it took me completely by surprise and not in a good way. It involves Giles’ ex-boyfriend and I won’t go into details as to not spoil the plot twist, but I do want to say that I was very disappointed by him. At first I thought that they were going to be a realistic ex-couple, one in which both parts were good and bad, and equally responsible in the ending of the relationship. But no, it turns out that the ex was an evil cartoon villain, crazy and one of those guy that make you wonder how no one realized how insane he was. I mean, Giles lived with him and he never saw any of this? I don’t buy it. I felt this last conflict was unnecessary for the plot, the book was fine just being about the leads finding happiness and dealing with their issues. By the end of the book everything is magically resolved and they never even addressed Giles drinking problem again. This annoyed me because up until that point the story was fantastic, I was in love with Giles and Smutty and I was rooting for them, and this felt like the author took the easy way out.

Maybe the reason why the ending bothered me so much was because the book is so beautiful. The setting was compelling and incredibly vivid, it was obvious that Ms. Myles has some type of personal experience with narrowboats because that part was detailed without being boring, it was like listening to someone talk about their life’s passion. The best part of the descriptions was that they were attractive and beautiful but there was no sugarcoating, this wasn’t a magical boat where everything sparkles, nope, the boat was messy and uncomfortable, but regardless of all that I hope I get the chance to visit England and see one. The same applies to the characters, I liked them very much, flaws and all, and I didn’t feel like the ending was up to par.

Overall I think Ms. Myles is a very talented author and I want to read more by her, this novella works well as a preview of what she’s capable of and if you can see past through the disappointing ending I think you will enjoy it.

Note: Ms. Myles is offering a free download of Boats in the Night to everyone who subscribes to her newsletter. Here is the link so you can see the details. This offer expires on December 25^th so hurry up!

Review by Brie

Grade: 3

Sensuality: McSteamy

Synopsis:

Like two ships passing in the night—if one was a narrowboat and the other a luxury yacht.

Disgraced private school teacher Giles Rathbourne has been sent home on extended sick-leave and is stuck in a rut of obsessive housework and drinking. His ex may have been a snobbish bastard, but without him, Giles is adrift, rattling around his huge, lonely house. When a dreadlocked narrowboater’s engine breaks down at the end of his canal-side garden, Giles is furious at this invasion of his privacy—for a while.

Smutty might not have ever held down a proper job, but the fire-dancing, free-spirited traveller can recognise an opportunity for mutual benefit when he sees it. Giles’ extensive gardens are in as desperate need of attention as the upper-class hunk is himself, whereas Smutty knows a thing or two about plants and needs a place to moor up. 

A simple business arrangement between two men who have nothing else in common? It would be—if they could keep their hands off each other!

Boats in the Night by Josephine Myles

Josephine Myles; November 15, 2011.