I’ve been a fan of historical MM romance for several years and this one is a real gem. While this story is set at Christmastime, I think it would be a wonderful one to read at any time of the year. It’s one of the best love stories I’ve read in a while.

It begins in 2014 with James telling Dylan a story about his family from long ago. It’s a wonderfully complex story, with a few twists and surprises that I definitely didn’t see coming. While this is a novella length book, it has all the richness and feels of a much longer one. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.

Dances Long Forgotten broke my heart in places and then put it back together again in the best way. I really don’t know what else to say about it other than it got all of my emotions involved and brought me to tears more than once – some sad, but then ultimately happy tears.

The book cover says it’s a Winsford Green Story; I hope that means this is the start of a series and that there will be more to come.

Reviews for Ruby Moone

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A knock on the door froze him. Who in God’s name would be wanting entry to the damned library at this hour?Before he could respond, it opened, and Lyndon Cross stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind him.

Hugo had no idea what to say. He just stared. Mouth quite probably hanging open.

“I hope you don’t mind me following you,” Cross said. His voice should have been like a chorus of angels given the way he looked, but it was deep, quiet, and had a warm, raspy quality to it that brushed against Hugo’s skin. It always had. Even as a boy it had power, but as a man it wrapped its way all around him.

“Not at all.”

Cross walked towards him, and Hugo had to fight to remain in place and not bolt for the door.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Hugo frowned. “Beg pardon?”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to speak to me.”

“Ah, why wouldn’t I?” Hugo was genuinely bewildered for a moment, but then Cross raised an eyebrow; tilted his head.

No…no…no… He isn’t going to mention it…surely to God? It was something that Hugo had expunged from memory.

“Do you remember my last day?”

Hugo nodded; eyes wide. He is. Dear, sweet God, he is going to mention it.

Hugo felt as though someone was squeezing him all over, making it hard to think or breathe, as he recalled that last day vividly to memory.

He’d heard that Lyndon was leaving the school, from the gossip that periodically rippled through the school. It was as though someone had ripped his heart from his chest. He’d followed him through the building, completely unable to speak to him, tell him how desperate he felt. At the end, he’d hidden in the grand hall and watched Lyndon walk across it to meet his parents waiting in the carriage on the drive. No-one else was about. It was his last chance to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

Lyndon, by some strange twist, paused by the door, looked around, and spotted him lurking by the grandfather clock. He’d hesitated, whilst Hugo’s heart hung suspended in his chest, and then he’d run to him. Run back into the hall. He’d thrown his arms around Hugo, held him tight for a moment, then kissed him on the cheek. He’d been about to run back when Hugo grabbed him. Actually grabbed him and kissed him full on the mouth.

In his dreams, Hugo liked to think Lyndon had returned the kiss, in a closed mouthed, inexpert way, with his arms tight about him. In reality, he wasn’t too sure. Lyndon had stared for a moment, then run back to his parents.

That had been ten years ago, and now, the first boy he’d kissed stood before him. Hugo wasn’t sure if he’d come to exact retribution and expose him. Well, if he was here to do that, he’d need to get in line.