Claiming Mister Kemp

Audiobook review Overall – 5 Story – 5 Performance – 5 A nice surprise… Note: Claiming Mister Kemp is the 4th book in the Baleful Godmother series but it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the other books in this story and I enjoyed it very much! I love Hamish Long’s audiobook performances. He’s one of my favorites for MM audiobooks. I say that this audiobook was a nice surprise because when I requested a review copy of the audiobook from the author, I had totally forgotten that I reviewed the ebook back in 2017. As I started listening, the story seemed familiar. I’m kind of obsessive about keeping copies of book reviews that I’ve written and, sure enough, I found a copy of what I wrote back then. As has happened to me in the past, listening to the audiobook increased my appreciation of the story. Because it’s been over four years since I read the book, listening to the audiobook was like it was my first time experiencing the story. This is a touching story about Tom, who knows what he wants and goes after it, and his friend Lucas who's afraid to take a chance at happiness with Tom. Their story is a tender one and I very much enjoyed reading how Lucas was finally able to come to terms with what he wanted. The support of his family and staff was wonderful and instrumental in his coming to terms with the love he felt for Tom. In the past 4 years I’ve read over 500 books and I think I can safely say that 95% of those have been MM books. Claiming Mister Kemp stands up well against the other historical MM books I’ve read. A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.

Emily Larkin has written another moving story. I was drawn into the story from the start. From Trusting Miss Trentham this reader knew Lucas and Tom would be lovers. This story reverts in time to a scene, wherein Tom arrives from the continent to save his grieving and depressed best friend. Tom is torn with doubt if he should reveal his feelings, risking rejection and losing Lucas' friendship. His relief when he realizes his feelings are returned is palpable. This is the first of the Baleful Godmother series that I could not read in one sitting. Not because it was boring or tedious, but because the latent danger of discovery of the two lovers and the possibly dire consequences made me put this away for a day. It moved me to tears but also made me laugh. Brava, Emily!