Farlough

Hands down, the best romance novel I have read in years. My hubs and I love to travel, so reading a novel in a remote, new, familiar yet fantasy-inspired setting was the perfect backdrop.

I have read all of Xavier's books, laughing and lusting my way through - but this gem had me turning pages so quickly. Dabbing at my eyes in sorrow. Laughing in bursts of happiness and feeling the dreaded fear of what was to come...next.

I loved every page and would gladly tell everyone to buy this book!

I'm a reader. Gay, middle aged man - so my review isn't for a book club or sought out as some reviewers are on his site (one can always tell). 🙄 Just buy he book, men! You will love it.

Thanks Mr Mayne! More please!! xo

The pain of what could have been and the losses Cam experienced sent me more than once to get a tissue before I finally brought the box back with me. Realizing he was so close to happiness made the emptiness he lived between leaving the island and returning to the island all the more heart-rending.

The journey Cam traveled through his past as the missing pieces were finally revealed had me anxious to see if he was able to move on. Of course he did, but this part of the journey was rushed. Nevertheless, Farlough, pulled me in emotionally and didn't let me go until the end.

Farlough is a beautiful sweet romance set in both a modern day setting and in a more historic setting. how can that be? Farlough is an island far off the shore of Aberdeen and only accessible by Ferry. the only modern convenience is enough to power to have lights everything else is done with peat for heat and cooking and manpower. There is no TV no cell phones or electronics and you get around by horse or bicycle or walking. Cam left Farlough behind when he was 17 and never looked back. He didn't even go to is aunts funeral. Now e is alone in the world and tired of only having hookups but his heart won't allow anything else. He loses his job right after a shocking announcement that e received all of his Aunt Hilda's estate, her teashop, house and the money to go with it. There was one exception. he had to go there to get it. When e arrived on the day she said it had to be the day of the equinox he found himself stranded for 28 days before the next ferry would arrive.
. He makes friends with a coffee barista to find her happily married to the man tat broke his heart causing him never to return. He finds the house perfectly clean and well stocked and each day this happens. Who is this mystery person that is tending to Cam and drying the herbs for the tea shop?

I adored this story. I loved everything, the charming setting, te story, how the town was so close and everyone helped each other.There is a touch of mystery and hidden romance. If you like a good romance that just makes you feel good this is for you

If I were to sum up my feelings about this book with a single word, it would be “intriguing”. This book was different than your standard contemporary romance- from the setting to the somewhat eccentric characters and even the story itself. Nevertheless, I was drawn to it. So often when I was reading Farlough, I wouldn’t know what to make of it…which only served to intrigue me more. There were unexpected twists and connections. Some connections I correctly anticipated, yet I couldn’t envision how they would factor into Cam’s story or a romance. By a third of the way in I was considering skipping to the end to catch a glimpse of what to expect, but I stopped myself because I was so enjoying the element of mystery. And it continued that way for much of the middle section of the book. Considering I enjoyed the not knowing how things would progress, I’m going to be intentionally vague about the romance portion of the book. (I promise if you choose to read Farlough, you’ll understand my choice)

The bulk of the story is told from Cameron’s point of view. Cam was a difficult main character to pin down. At the start of the story he came off as emotionally detached, and even as he traveled back to the island of Farlough to find what his great aunt willed to him, I had a difficult time connecting. However, I did find his story a bit sad and was interested to see what he would uncover once he returned to the remote island. As the story progressed and I understood his history a bit better, I grew to like Cam, particularly his dry, often biting sense of humor. Though he remained distant and a little melancholy throughout the first part of the book, I saw those glimmers that hinted that there was more to him. I ended up liking this style because as he made personal connections with old and new friends and especially once he found love, there was a noticeable shift in tone and his thoughts that reinforced the changes in Cam and his outlook on life.

The romance aspect of the story was nice but a bit hurried. Although I liked seeing the changes in Cam, thought the match was perfect, and liked the way they were set up, I wished there was a bit more of a development to their feelings. The connection was evident and palpable, but it felt rushed when the rest of the plot developments had a more languid rhythm. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were unique and a little eccentric in their interactions, mannerisms, and speech, but it fit with the uniqueness of the island. I loved the setting of Farlough. I found it as mysterious as it was endearing, and the residents echoed that vibe. The entire book was a bit different but it absolutely pulled me in. I’m not sure it is a title I’d say most would love because it does have a slower pace and has an odd hero who is difficult to connect with, but I think many readers will find it as enchanting a story as I did.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*