Lightning Review

The Companion by E.E. Ottoman

A

The Companion

by E.E. Ottoman

The Companion came out in April, but I only got around to it now. It’s the best queer historical romance I’ve read in ages. Do not sleep on this erotic love story between three beautiful and wounded people, a trans man, and two trans women. This is a gorgeous little book about finding a soft place to land. It has serious #cottagecore vibes and would be a perfect comfort read for when you want to fantasize about a woodland hideaway. I wish I would have read it sooner.

It’s 1948, and Madeline is an aspiring writer who’s been chewed up by the toxic New York City publishing scene. Out of money, she retreats to the country house of a friend of a friend, successful writer Victor. He’s gorgeous, reclusive, and kind, mostly leaving Madeline to herself. When she stumbles across his mysterious neighbor and ex-lover, Audrey, Madeline is smitten. Audrey’s an earthy artist, with an intense wood nymph energy that fascinates Madeline. Slowly, she finds herself drawn to them both of them, even though Victor and Audrey barely seem to get along.

The Companion is a low-conflict romance about healing from hurt and learning to trust again. The plot is minimalist: Madeline figures out how to be happy, she has a lot of sex, and she helps Aubrey and Victor get over their past. Madeline is inexperienced, and she learns through these relationships first what’s possible between lovers, and later, what she wants in a romance, in a writing career, and in the rest of her life. There’s lots of cooking, sexytimes, vintage fashion, and walks in the woods along the way. I adored how comforting this was, but readers looking for an action-filled plot will be disappointed.

The setting is verdant, rural, dreamy, and totally separated from the rest of the world. While the characters allude to the hostility outside of their bubble, the story is insularly focused on the safe place they create together. All three characters were easy to root for, fascinating from their first appearance, caring, and equally sympathetic and distinct. That’s quite a feat in a poly romance. I often find myself liking one love interest more than the other in poly stories, so it feels more like a love triangle. Not here! These three are all ridiculously attractive, hot and talented. Competence porn abounds.

I was struck by the writing too: every word feels precise, every subplot is essential, and it’s lovely and lyrical at the same time. The Companion is also the sexiest romance I’ve read this year. That’s right, Fall 2021 releases, you’re going to need to step it up. Lastly, I can’t overstate how compassionate all these characters are; watching them take care of one another hit me in all the feels. If you want to be looked after, you’re in good hands with this book.

Shana

New York, 1949

After years of trying to break into New York City’s literary scene, Madeline Slaughter is emotionally and physically exhausted. When a friend offers her a safe haven as the live-in companion to reclusive, bestselling novelist Victor Hallowell she jumps at the chance to escape the city.

Madeline expects to find rest and quiet in the forests of Upstate New York. Instead, she finds Victor, handsome and intensely passionate, and Audrey Coffin, Victor’s mysterious and beautiful neighbor.

When Victor offers her a kiss and the promise of more Madeline allows herself to become entangled even as Audrey is also claiming her heart. The only problem is that Audrey and Victor are ex-lovers with plenty of baggage between them. As Madeline finds herself opening up and falling in love with both she starts to wonder, can there be a future for all three?

Historical: American, LGBTQIA, Romance
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