Review: His Heart's Obsession

Reviewed by Jen
 

Being in love with another man is no small thing for an officer in the British Royal Navy, especially if the year is 1752. It's even worse if the object of your affections is head-over-heels in love with someone else entirely. But despite the odds against him, Robert is not ready to give up on his feelings for Hal.

Hal may be crazy about the ship's captain, William, but William has no idea and favors women, anyway. So Robert makes his move. Hal is shocked by his interest and even questions his sincerity. So Robert vows to prove his love by being the kind of man Hal could respect.

This is a really short story, but it's one led primarily by emotion. I believed in Robert's affections for Hal and in Hal's hopeless crush on William. I liked watching Robert try to better himself and show Hal what love really looks like. I did, however, think Hal was a little hard on Robert. He knows first hand what unrequited love feels like. He could have been a little kinder.

I also wished for a little more sexual payoff. Though I acknowledge what we got was good --and realistic, considering the circumstances. It also reinforces that this is a story really more about the feeling of love rather than the psychical manifestation of it.

Well done, especially considering the brevity of the story, which was less than 80 pages.

Rating: B-

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

His Heart's Obsession

by Alex Beecroft

Release Date: June 19, 2012

Publisher: Carina Press