Michael Gray returned from World War One injured, but at least he returned. Others were not so fortunate, including his first and greatest love, Thomas Carter-Clemence, with whom Michael had parted bitterly before the conflict began. Broch, the Carter-Clemence home in Porthkennack, was an integral part of pre-war holidays for the Grays, the two families drawn together in the wake of their sons’ friendship. Returning to the once-beloved Cornish coast for a break with his sister and her family, Michael has to find the courage to face old memories . . . and dare new relationships. When Thomas’s brother Harry makes an unexpected appearance, Michael is surprised to find himself deeply attracted to Harry for his own sake. But as their relationship heats up, it unearths startling revelations and bitter truths. Michael must decide whether Harry is the answer to his prayers or the last straw to break an old soldier’s back.
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9 primary booksPorthkennack is a 9-book series with 9 primary works first released in 2017 with contributions by Joanna Chambers, J.L. Merrow, and 3 others.
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This was such a disappointing miss for me. First of all, my least favorite trope in romancelandia is the love triangle between one character and two siblings (dead or alive). It just gives me the biggest “Ick” feeling, primarily because I can't imagine wanting a relationship with either of my siblings' partners or exes. So the trope has to be executed really, really well to overcome my squeamishness and make me root for the love story.
Unfortunately Count the Shells was not done well. I was looking forward with great anticipation for a Charlie Cochrane M/M novel set in the post WWI years, hoping that it would be reminiscent of her wonderful Cambridge Fellows mystery series, which spans several decades in the pre- and post-Great War era. Alas, instead of shy mathematician Orlando Copperfield and ebullient literature professor Jonty Stewart, we have an incredibly priggish, judgmental Michael Gray, who did not impress me much. Michael is spending the summer with his sister and her family in seaside Porthkennack. After reminiscing to himself about his first lover, Thomas, who was killed in battle, Michael literally runs into Thomas' younger brother Harry. The two men get to know each other carefully, and embark on a promising relationship, but then Harry lets slip a secret that causes Michael to re-examine the truth about almost everyone in his life - especially Thomas.
Long-held secrets are never easy to hear, and this one is a doozy (no spoilers), but Michael's reaction goes way beyond understandable anger and disbelief into narcissistic self-righteousness. The truth that Harry reveals has tremendous implications for a number of people, but Michael can only see how much he has been hurt. He's the original snowflake. And when some of the other characters beg for his forgiveness, I wanted them to box his ears instead for not realizing that it was not all about him.
Then there's the so-called love story between Michael and Harry. There are all kinds of risks with this plot - the reader has to believe that Michael is interested in Harry for himself, and not just because he looks/acts like Thomas. Cochrane doesn't manage to pull that off and the best she can do is reveal that Thomas was quite the cad, so the Ick Factor wasn't dispelled for me. I never felt that Michael and Harry had a strong, special emotional bond outside of the bedroom, so I never believed they would have a long future together.
Speaking of the future, the book does have a certain poignancy as Michael's nephew and his best friend are portrayed in all of their curious, mischevous boyhood. It was quietly devastating to watch the characters talk about the War to End Wars and know that only 20 years later these boys would probably be called upon to fight in WWII.
The book was well plotted, too, with the web of secrets being revealed little by little, and surprises abounding until the end. So some of Cochrane's considerable talents are displayed here - just not the ones that make a satisfying romance.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
