Rating: 5🌈
With Lily Morton I find I have to look at her stories as I would a rare treat. Something I need to remind myself not to binge on, but rather a gift I give to myself a little bit at a time. Mostly when I know I need to laugh during unexpected moments, or lie in bed giggling over scenes that rear vividly back to life, along with their characters to make me feel warm and happy.
Last night it was Endof romping hilariously out of control through a park, to Laurie’s endless amusement (and mine) and everyone else’s dismay.
Just one small scene and I’m instantly transported back into the world of Mags and Laurie and Beautifully Unexpected.
And it made me want to pick up their story and start their journey all over again.
Lily Morton’s books have a way of making me want to do that. It becomes a Sisyphusian task to get by a Morton library!
Key Morton elements include making any location not just a mere setting but a rich aspect of her stories. From well known historical sites that get a new perspective to out of the way pubs and galleries, the way the streets and structures look in a certain light during a season…There’s a love and affection that flows through all the descriptions to the places where the men walk, the stops they make from the bingo hall, to the parks. So that each stop becomes an integral rich part of them and their relationship and story.
In every book, I itch to get a ticket and retrace their steps.
But it’s Mags, Magnus Carlsen, the magnificent Dane himself. And Laurie Gentry who will sneak up on you and slowly send their way into your heart as they do each other’s. The men are deeply layered, believable human beings. You delight in them, even as you find them grumpy or outrageous. So it’s falls in line that as a reader you’re pulled immediately into their lives and growing relationship.
It’s funny, often hilarious, sneaky, so clever, sexy, loving, and heartwarming.
It’s very hard to describe such a strange path these two take towards a relationship and HEA. They are both later in life, neither has looked to have a relationship, each has an extremely rewarding career.
They are totally different. Yet absolutely perfect for each other.
Such a joy and fun , and poignant, because that’s life and this author doesn’t forget that part too.
And when the ending comes, it stays true to who these men are. I loved that too.
Once again, Lily Morton has given us an brilliant opportunity to peer into a unique romance and relationship between two unforgettable men. One that still has me smiling. Or laughing.
As her stories so often do.
It’s why this one is another I’m recommending. So lovely. And honestly, Endof is just as unforgettable as well!
Check it out to find out exactly who that is!
https://www.goodreads.com › showBeautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton – Goodreads
Synopsis:
Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.
Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesn’t believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, books—everything gets jettisoned, eventually. He’s divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms. He fills his nights with a parade of handsome young men who want to make him happy. Why date someone his own age to discuss back pain, retirement-planning, and corns, when he can date men who don’t care to discuss anything at all?
However, when one of these sunny young men shows an inclination for dramatic scenes, Magnus meets his new neighbour. And his whole world implodes.
Laurie Gentry is nearly the same age as Magnus, but that’s where the similarity ends. He’s messy and creative and nosy and mysterious. He’s everything that Magnus has spent a lifetime avoiding. So, why can’t he get Laurie out of his head?
Luckily, Laurie is only in London for the summer. Magnus can uncover Laurie’s mysteries and indulge their annoyingly hot attraction, and Laurie will be gone before complications arise. A few months isn’t long enough to lose his heart. Is it?
From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two footloose older men and how one summer in London brings something quite beautifully unexpected into their lives.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 