There's a little bit of a story with this book.

If you know me intimately enough to find out I write (bad) historical fiction and publish it as fanfic online, then you'll know how similar this story is to my own large one. Please don't sue me Tamara--trust me when I say I hadn't heard of this and was pretty stoked when an anonymous message recommended it to me on my blog.

Well, a handful-of-a-lot months later I found an e-copy through the LA library, and 3 days later I was done. I never wanted to write again (God how horribly stilted my writing was in comparison) and I just wanted to reread for the first time all over again.

There's nothing much else to say except that this book was fun. I loved the setting (this is what historical fiction should be about--well researched and for world-building), I loved the romance, I loved the pace and the characters and the drama. It was as my friend said "like eating candy". It was a horribly niche treat.

I eventually figured out the anonymous message was none other than my friend Kaija, and that her dumb Vancouver library doesn't even have the book. She has my amazon kindle info now, and I'm happy to say Tamara has also become a bit of a star with us (thanks for adding me back on twitter;;;)--we're both pretty stoked that something like this exists and her passion and care for something so... esoteric. We're book clubbing it a bit and like to joke about asking the author to explain bits to us we can't understand as we're both fairly literary and love a good explication (so Tamara if you're free in the distant future *call me hand signal*)

The only thing pulling me away from giving it 5 stars is that I felt the writing in the beginning was a bit confusing, and I either grew to better understand it or it did indeed get better. I felt like i had to reread parts sometimes because it wasn't terribly clear, but beyond that--hell it was a good time. I live for cliché: all romance, post WWI and gay together. I absolutely recommend it if you're looking for something sweet, affirming, and fun. ( )

Sweet and fun romance taking place right after WWI in New York. It's right before Prohibition and in the midst of strong anti-homosexuality laws, despite what you took comfort in overseas. Sutton and Jack are both very charming characters, as is the rest of the cast, but you will definitely get frustrated with them both. It's the typical "I have all these feelings but I'm not going to say anything which will cause a very dramatic miscommunication" trope in mm romance but it works itself out and you get that HEA. It tackles some tough problems - like PTSD, anti-gay laws, and war injuries -with aplomb but that I can see how it may read differently with someone who's actually experienced any/all of those things. Like all of Allen's stories I've read, it's a meandering, quiet romance between two men who are conflicted so while it wasn't a book I could have devoured in one sitting, it's still a recommend if you need something light and sweet. ( )

Sutton Albright's aspirations as a concert pianist were dashed by the war. And his hopes for a new career were dashed by a scandal at college. So he finds himself wandering the streets of Manhattan, unwilling to face his family and his shame. But when he crosses paths with Jack Bailey, things turn in an unexpected way. Jack has his own share of problems, but there is a spirit and tenacity about him that Sutton can't ignore. And although a love like theirs isn't accepted by the time they live in, neither truly believes that should be what stops them. No, they'll have a whole pile of other obstacles to overcome...

I always enjoy Tamara Allen's historicals. There is something about the way she creates the world and writes the characters that conveys a sense of authenticity for me. ( )

Whistling in the Dark is a heartwarming and poignant historical romance set in New York in the aftermath of World War I. It's the story of two men, both damaged by the war in different ways, who are drawn together first by fate, then by friendship and finally by love.

Sutton Albright, son of a rich Kansas businessman, has just been expelled from college and, too ashamed to face his parents, travels to New York to look for work. Here he meets Jack Bailey, who is desperately trying to keep his late parents' struggling novelty shop afloat. Jack has come up with the idea of advertising on the radio (which is still a very new invention) and is looking for someone to provide the music for his broadcasts. Well, guess who just happens to be a talented classical pianist?

This is a very well written book and Tamara Allen does a fantastic job of portraying New York City in the early 20th century. I had no problem at all in forming a mental picture of Bailey's Emporium, Ida's restaurant, Jack's apartment and the other locations we visit. It was interesting to read about the early days of radio broadcasting, the emerging jazz scene, prohibition and all the little period details that the story touches upon. In Jack and Sutton - very different people in terms of both background and personality - she has also created two characters that I really liked and cared about.

The book was just the right length to allow the author to take her time developing the characters and building up the different layers of the plot, without the story dragging at all. Recommended. ( )

This is a great book. The story itself is excellent, but the author makes it all the better by painting this absolutely beautiful picture of New York after WWI. Her voice throughout the novel evokes a convincing sense of the time period and reading the dialog was like watching an old RKO film on Turner Classic Movies. The vernacular was so spot on that the entire story took place in black and white in my mind's eye making it not only an interesting read, but a fun read as well. The characters were flawed yet lovable and I'm going to miss them now that I've finished the book. A rare and wonderful reading experience overall. Highly recommended. ( )