Title: Masks of Emotion
Author: Claire Thompson
Publisher: www.aspenmountainpress.com
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: Novella
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Alex Williams, an American, met Julian Goddard, a Brit while in Sri Lanka. At the time Alex was 20 years old, attending New York University, and spending the summer with two friends, bumming through India. When his friends left for home he stayed in Sri Lanka for an additional week and it was then that he met Julian who was 22.
The two men had an immediate connection and Alex believed he was in love. He was already “out” but Julian was still firmly in the closet and pretended that his feelings for Alex were just “friendly”. However, he kept giving out mixed signals and one night after a few glasses of wine Alex decided to test the waters with Julian and everything blew up in his face. He left for home that same evening.
Over the years Julian came out to his family and friends. He had several relationships but thought of Alex frequently, however although he knew his alma mater he really made no effort to look for him. Alex remembered Julian from time to time as the one that got away, a dream gone wrong, but other than wondering how he was doing he also didn’t try to find him. He had several short relationships over the years and while he missed what might have been with Julian he went on with his life.
Then out of the blue, years later Julian is offered a visiting professorship in New York and through a bizarre set of circumstances he and Alex met again at a masked ball and they reignite the old passion that had never been consummated. Will Julian and Alex finally have their HEA?
Masks of Emotion traces the lives of Julian and Alex who are linked by two masks purchased years ago while they were in Sri Lanka. The story worked for the most part but, in my opinion, the premise of the book that these two star-crossed lovers meet again after 6 years and fall madly in love didn’t quite ring true. Despite this, it was a good read because the author has a talent for bringing her characters to life. There was lots of great sex going on throughout the book although none between the two protagonists until the end of the story and I wish I had been able to spend more time with them as a couple. Claire Thompson is an incredible writer and while I had a few issues with the execution of the story I would recommend Masks of Emotion to her fans and others who like its unusual concept.
