REVIEW: Salt & Vinegar by Clare London

- September 30, 2024

SALT & VINEGAR

Games We Play - Book One

by Clare London

Release Date: September 30, 2024

Review

On the face of it, this a really sweet summer love story, with a hint of something unknown.

A shy guy becomes a regular at the fish & chip shop Joe works at. And though Joe is normally pretty carefree about sex and relationships, something about Steven calls to him in a different way.

They build something sweet and tender, but it’s also clear that Steven is holding on to something. And when that comes to light…it’ll break your heart.

Thankfully their connection is strong enough to overcome it all and find their happy ending.

It’s a really nice romantic story that makes you feel all sorts of emotions and definitely takes you on a journey.

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Synopsis

The sweetest summer love can have an edge of sour

Brighton in the summer is a great place to be for a young, gay man looking for a good time with no strings. Art student Joe is spending his vacation working in a fish-and-chip shop with a succession of cringey punning names, and enjoying casual, fun hook-ups. But something makes him want to take it slow with one regular customer, the quiet, gorgeous Steven.

It's an exciting and emotional time when Steven returns Joe’s interest, and they begin to see each other more often. Steven is still reserved, and Joe isn’t practised in being boyfriend of the year—but there’s no mistaking the mutual attraction. Joe finds himself, for the first time in his life, wanting more from a relationship, and prepared to be what Steven needs.

The trouble is, Joe may not have all the facts to hand. Despite their growing love, Steven’s shy smile hides a dark secret, and his past is about to overshadow their sweet times together. Maybe they’ll both need to find the strength and care to have a future beyond this summer.

Author Note: this story has fun and a romantic happy ending, but there is also angst and struggle along the way, and it covers the themes of (off-page) abuse. Readers should bear this in mind if they may be triggered or distressed by these topics.

About Clare London

Clare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with the weekly wash, waiting for the far distant day when she can afford to give up her day job as an accountant. She's written in many genres and across many settings, with novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she's just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she's happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.

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