Blitz

Title: Blitz
Author: Charlie Cochrane
Publisher: http://www.lindenbayromance.com
Genre: Historical GLBT (M/M)
Length: Short Story (10 pages)
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

THE BLURB

Adam Jackson feels frustrated that he isn’t doing more for the war effort; a liaison job with the War
cabinet is hardly as glamorous as being in the forces. Nor is London, in the grip of the Blitz, the sort of place where a young man expects to find love, especially when your ideal partner isn’t a young lady.

Hugh Scarborough—a handsome decoder from the same department—is exactly what Adam’s looking for, but will the interest be returned? And what chance can any budding romance have against a background of air raids and huddling in shelters?

THE REVIEW

Adam was in a bar having a drink and feeling sorry for himself because, due to a medical condition, he could not have the job he coveted, that of a flying ace in the War. He knew that his current job was very valuable and important, but he wanted a glamorous career, with a lot of prestige. As he was sitting in the bar Hugh Scarborough, a colleague, came in and they started chatting but as they were getting to know each other better were interrupted by a car backfiring which seemed to make Hugh very nervous. He explained that in his neighborhood a number of houses had been hit during the air raids. Adam had always been attracted to Hugh and seized the opportunity to invite him to stay at his house for the evening, and perhaps longer, and Hugh who didn’t want to go back to his lonely room was only too happy to accept the invitation.

On their way they had to make a quick stop at a nearby air raid shelter since the siren had sounded, and while there they quickly realized that neither one was interested in women. When the all clear was given they headed off to Adam’s home and when they arrived it was a short step to Adam’s bed for a bit of fun and frolic. They clearly wanted each other and the sex was very tender and tasteful; there was almost a hint of desperation in their lovemaking because of the uncertainty of the War since the next day could very well be their last.

Adam and Hugh’s characters were well done even though this was such a short story. The book managed to be quite funny even with the threat of bombs and blackouts hanging over everyone. I felt as if I was actually living in London during the blitz because the author’s world building was so detailed and seemed so real.

This is a free story and if you like the historical genre, or even if you don’t, I think you will enjoy Blitz as a change of pace.