This story delivers what the title says: it is about the ‘first flames of love’ between Simon, a librarian, and Mark, who has run away from home after his father got really upset when he found out Mark is gay. Their romance is slow to develop, both of them uncertain about themselves and their chances with the other man. It is a quiet story which grows emotionally more intense as Simon realizes he loves Mark. I liked that it is set in England and that two very normal men are the main characters.

Simon's self-esteem couldn’t be much lower and being who he is, a shy, retiring librarian, he doesn’t even know what to do for companionship. The few attempts he has made were unsuccessful, so he retreats back into his shell. His desperate attempt to find another man to ‘cuddle’ with (he doesn’t dare imagine anything more) leads him to a male prostitute. Luckily, the first contact is with Mark who is in trouble because he got taken advantage of by an unscrupulous pimp. Mark not having any real desire to keep selling his body opens up the possibility of something more for the two of them.

Mark remains a bit of a mystery since Simon tells the story in first person. What I did get to see showed a man who needs love and understanding as badly as Simon does. He also doesn’t think he deserves someone special and has no idea what to do to change his life. I only got to see him through Simon’s eyes, but what I did see, I liked.

If you want to read about normal men, with problems and issues that match, if you like a quietly developing love story that takes its time to go from the first sparks to the initial flame, and if you want a happy ending, you may like this story.





NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews ( )