If It Ain't Love [Kindle Edition]

Tamara Allen (Author), Piret Mänd (Illustrator)

Book Description

In the darkest days of the Great Depression, New York Times reporter Whit Stoddard has lost the heart to do his job and lives a lonely hand-to-mouth existence with little hope of recovery, until he meets Peter, a man in even greater need of new hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It's a story about small acts of humanity making small but significant differences to little people's lives, even while the whole world is mired in endless financial and social failure. It's ultimately a story about how the human spirit is an amazing, almost indomitable force for both good and ill. Ms Allen believes in the good in people, and she'll make you believe in it too.
- Outlaw Reviews

"The romantic feeling between the heroes was achingly tender and some of the best parts of the story were where the men were muddling through their feelings for each other. The historical setting was flawless, not just in the descriptions of 1930′s NY but also in the way the men spoke and acted towards each other. I was immersed.

I finished the story completely wowed by the intelligent writing, vivid setting and strong characterisation. As a short story this was absolutely perfect and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. "
- Brief Encounters Reviews

From the Author

Tamara Allen is the author of Downtime, The Only Gold, and Whistling in the Dark.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 128 KB
• Print Length: 44 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Tamara Allen (August 25, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005KV1EHW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,947 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #12 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Gay Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful taste of Allen's work October 8, 2011

By Alex W

Format:Kindle Edition

This is a beautifully written piece that follows the struggles of two men during the Great Depression and the hope that can be found in the most desperate of times. I don't have a single thing to mark off against this story. It was moving and well written, and I loved the characters, but it didn't make me feel like I was shorted (as many short stories do). It ended when it needed to. It painted the time period, surroundings, and characters superbly, giving enough to let the reader see without cluttering the pages.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a sombre fairytale February 17, 2012

By Furio

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Other reviewers have pointed out much that is relevant to a story which might be short (40 pages?) but is deeply satisfying, and yet they failed to point out what I deem to be its greatest charm.

Set in a gloomy New York in the thirties, it does not exactly avoid the bleakness of that times but it sort of skips over it. The most unsavoury facets of those harsh years are just hinted at, as if in passing. When Peter and Whit meet in a squallid dosshouse, Ms Allen choses not linger on the poor surroundings but lets her reader marvel with them at the excitement of an unexpected encounter and at the fascination that slowly takes over Whit's mind as he discovers the mysterious stranger.

The two leads are not working class: Whit might have been in the past but he has made a name for himself afterwards and is clearly educated.
I do not know whether this lightness of touch was intentional or whether Ms Allen knew she lacked the skills needed to make a gloomier tone interesting for the reader. It does not matter either.
I only know that by suffusing her story with a hope that is realistic without being prosaic she managed a heartwarming fairytale in the form of a M/M romance between a despondent, disheartened but kind prince charming down on his luck and a sweet, scruffy knight in ink blotted armour. There are no villains here: all side characters have redeeming qualities to them and a happy ending of sorts is achieved without a single word sounding sappy.

The language is neat, never being in the way of a story filled with passion but nearly devoid of graphic sex which happens, of course, but is never indulged upon: a good thing as the little that there is on the page is not exactly memorable....

Characterization is finely developed and so are the intimacy and trust between two leads; as a side note one could point out that they seem to be able to truly find themselves only AFTER having found each other which is subtle indeed.

After so many disappointing reads I shall cherish the opportunity of rereading this fairyta... ehm... work sometime in the future. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely message... December 5, 2011

By MJL

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I picked this up free on Amazon and was delighted to find a short story that packed the same punch as a novel. The characters were thoroughly fleshed out and the state of New York City during The Great Depression was illustrated with vivid imagery. What touched me most was the spirit of the story.

Yes, intimacy develops between the two men but it is the friendship and respect they feel for one another that is at the heart of their union. Romance aside, this is a heartwarming tale of people pulling together in a crisis, of small acts of kindness that yield meaningful results. All I can say is that, while it wasn't sappy or sentimental, this story renewed my faith in mankind.

In these trying economic times it was nice to be reminded that we can still be charitable, that even the smallest contribution can make a difference in someone's life. I truly appreciated the message and the gentle way in which it was delivered.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Poignant September 9, 2012

By David Hughes

Format:Kindle Edition

I really cannot say enough about this story. I actually felt like I was there, in the story with them. It was heartbreaking, loving, depressing and so beautifully told. The story was so realistic! When I finished the story I looked around me almost expecting to find myself in a seriously depressed NYC apartment. Fantastic job!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hopefull April 20, 2013

By ruralmom

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A story about how being "awake and alive --- with someone to be awake and alive for" makes all the difference between hope and hopelessness when the unavoidable circumstances of life bring you down. I absolutely loved this story! I read it in one sitting, and then flipped back to the beginning and read my favorite parts again. This one is a Kindle keeper.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Excellent! December 9, 2012

By Mongrelonian

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I fell in love with this story for the elegance of the writing and the sweet, intelligent story that made me want much more of it. Ms. Allen has a brilliant gift for creating a historical sense of time and place that provides the perfect backdrop for her thoughfully imagined characters you can't help but root for. There's nothing shallow in her work; it's on a much higher level than much of what's out there. I heartily recommend her full length books, too; some of the best money I've spent in the Kindle store!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A romantic M/M set in 1930's NY City. September 18, 2011

By KarLynP

Format:Kindle Edition

This was a quick read at roughly 30-40 pages, but it packed quite a story. I love reading romance novels, but I rarely read M/M. My taste is more 'vanilla' I guess. But I devoured this one and really felt the chemistry and love bloom between the two leads. I especially enjoyed the setting of the Great Depression. The author did a great job of painting the background and made you feel like you are right there. I recommend it to all who enjoy romance, not just the M/M stuff. This was a steamy and passionate read, but not erotica with explicit love scenes.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended! May 24, 2013

By KC

Format:Kindle Edition

Well-written, atmospheric short story, happening in the 30s during the economic crisis, romantic m/m, and sweet, relatable characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

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