Series: Rewind
Volume: 2/?Publisher: Self-Published
Genre/s: MM Romance
Length: -
Read in: English
Review copy format: mobi
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✰
Raphaël is about to start his studies in Paris, unfortunately having no place to stay, he's forced to find any kind of accommodation as soon as possible. Adrien, a young, attractive man on whose room rental offer Raphaël responds seems to be his last hope. Although their first meeting is not particularly successful, they both decide to give each other a chance and become roommates. Getting to know each other better and better each day, they begin to see not only each other's faults, but also advantages. Over time, between the two of them forms a bond, which begins to take on a different shape with each moment, when their mutual affection becomes more difficult to ignore.
ATTENTION, THIS PARAGRAPH MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS
In other words, I would like to start my review of "Return" with a topic that I can't ignore, and which in the novel is really important. It is undoubtedly a controversial one, so the more I would like to write about it a little. What I have in mind is the profession of being an escort and how the author approached this subject. First of all, Rowan Shaw undoubtedly showed us great courage, because not every author is brave enough to create a character who is a full time escort in a serious novel, which purpose is to show the readers some topics which are full of depth and meaning. But what's the most important, she doesn't judge this profession or the people who do it. On the contrary, she shows us a job, like any other, a job that someone likes and is proud of. To tell the truth, the presentation of the topic may surprise some readers, which is fully understandable. Personally, I was surprised, but I admit that it was a positive surprise, because it was a great lesson of having an open mind.
END OF SPOILERS
In other words, I would like to start my review of "Return" with a topic that I can't ignore, and which in the novel is really important. It is undoubtedly a controversial one, so the more I would like to write about it a little. What I have in mind is the profession of being an escort and how the author approached this subject. First of all, Rowan Shaw undoubtedly showed us great courage, because not every author is brave enough to create a character who is a full time escort in a serious novel, which purpose is to show the readers some topics which are full of depth and meaning. But what's the most important, she doesn't judge this profession or the people who do it. On the contrary, she shows us a job, like any other, a job that someone likes and is proud of. To tell the truth, the presentation of the topic may surprise some readers, which is fully understandable. Personally, I was surprised, but I admit that it was a positive surprise, because it was a great lesson of having an open mind.
END OF SPOILERS
Another topic that I really want to discuss is sex, or more like a lot of sex. I admit, this novel is full of it, because on the one hand it is the subject of many conversations and reflections, while on the other it is also part of the plot of "Return". In the case of many novels right now we would wonder if there's too much sex, or if it was hot enough, and so on. However, in this novel these are not the questions that come to the fore. The most important is what the author managed to show us in this way. There is no doubt that in "Return" sex is an integral part of the presented story, and in this way, by making a large number of sexual intercourse the center of the book, Rowan Shaw is building the subject of the meaning of sex in the life of an average sexually active person. Some of us probably don't even realize how high on the list of human body needs sex is and how easy it is to cross the line between sex and feelings, and this is what the author shows us in "Return".
Another interesting theme that gives this novel even more depth is widely presented jealousy. It would seem that it is not a big deal, because what new can be written about jealousy. It turns out, however, that by combining many very different elements, Rowan Shaw managed to show this problem at an interesting angle. In "Return" it is important that jealousy is simply a human thing and the closer we are with this other person, the easier it is for that feeling to occur, even if we don't realize it. Another thing that is quite well presented in the novel is the consequence of jealousy. The author shows that it is impossible to win against jealousy, but it can be used as a motivation to act. Because it's important to remember that every person has a different reaction to jealousy. Feelings are not an equation, they don't always consist of the same elements, they don't always give us one correct result. And this is what we see in this novel.
You can believe me or not, but everything that I have written so far has many common points. Some of the most important ones are the comfort zone, the need for life stabilization and fear of changes, which are closely related to one of the characters – Adrien. The fact that in the novel everything fits together perfectly and creates a neat whole is simply amazing. However, let's return to the points I have mentioned. I think that the author presented them in a really good, sensible way that touches the readers' feelings right away. What's more, it is thanks to them that we understand Adrien better and at some point we see him in a completely different light than at the very beginning of "Return", when we don't know much about him, his feelings, or his psyche. All this clearly proves that Rowan Shaw rethought her novel from the beginning to the end, she devoted a lot of time, energy and heart to it.
In summary, "Return" is a really valuable, interesting and very well-written novel that quickly draws the readers in and makes them think. Undoubtedly, this is a book which can change something in the audiences' way of thinking, and can shed more light on many topics, about which we usually don't think too much. In short, "Return" is a novel really worth reading!
Headcanon: Every year for summer holidays, Raphaël and Adrien go abroad to visit art museums.
Fanfiction idea: Enzo and Florian visit Raphaël and Adrien, and they go on a double date.
AU idea: Sci-Fi!AU, Raphaël belongs to an alien army who conquers other planets, including Earth. Adrien falls into the hands of a squad that controls the Earth. He serves Raphaël, who pays him more attention than he should.
No comments:
Post a Comment