Reviewed by Valerie and Larissa

 

TITLE:  Beautifully Unexpected

AUTHOR:  Lily Morton

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  200 pages

RELEASE DATE:  June 27, 2021

BLURB:

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.

 

VALERIE’S REVIEW:

“I’m ridiculously in love with him. He’s everything to me. Best friend, co-conspirator, confidant, and fierce defendant.”

Beautifully Unexpected is a profound love story and sublime romantic comedy in one. It’s one of the sweetest and most compelling books I’ve read in ages. I cannot express how much I loved this book. This is the story of two middle aged men who are specifically not looking for love. Lily Morton’s trademark humor and off-the-charts banter is well-balanced with a degree of tension – the sense there’s heartbreak to come – and enough angst to squeeze more than a few tears from me near the end. Mags and Laurie’s relationship unfolds naturally from strangers to companions to casual lovers, and falling in love creeps up on them without their consent.

They bond over bingo, vinyl records, 80s music (NOW That’s What I Call Music!), too much vodka, and the naughtiest, most entertaining dog ever. Their time together is vibrant, spontaneous, and meaningful. They become best mates…until Laurie dares Mags to kiss him and things take a decidedly dirty turn. The resulting scene is steamy (literally) and the sex throughout is scorching hot.

I adore Mags (not my name!) He’s a highbrow Queen’s Counsel barrister who thrives on his work and enjoys the luxuries his profession affords him. He has a stunning London flat overlooking the River Thames and the Tower Bridge. Mags is arrogant and charismatic with a rakish charm and wicked humor. He observes the world with curiosity and amusement, and is quick to laugh. He favors “uncomplicated” men in their twenties as partners. In other words, his club hookups could populate a Twinks-R-Us emporium.

Laurie is more of a free-spirit who’s unimpressed by materialism. He’s a successful portrait painter from the South of France who lives among chaos. He’s full of kindness and mirth, has a mischievous streak, and an insouciance that’s masking turbulent emotions and a personal secret.

In many ways, the men are different, but their commonalities are greater, in scope and importance. They share an intelligent wit and quickly establish a jovial rapport. They communicate with clever banter, full of sarcasm and sauciness, but not as edgy or acerbic as snark. Neither has ever had a serious relationship, nor do they want one. No strings attached serves both of them perfectly. Mags’ idea of long-term involvement is when a one-night stand doesn’t leave before breakfast. They’re both too absorbed in their successful careers to make time for anyone else, and they’re each happy with that choice. Although they both maintain they want nothing serious or lasting, they have all the hallmarks of a successful, forever relationship:

Mags and Laurie make each other laugh. They like each other as they are, complete with foibles – messy flats, holey sweaters, cheekiness and all. They’re not afraid to disagree with each other; in fact, it’s almost a requirement. They can completely be themselves without artifice; they see their true selves.

Their bond is strong and deep. It’s real. They build a solid foundation of friendship, companionship, and respect. Soon, they long for each other’s company because being together enriches their lives. There’s a certain maturity that brings comfort without effort. They just click.

As usual, Ms. Morton has created an evocative sense of place. London is one of my favorite cities, so I took great pleasure in accompanying the men on their walks through parks, meals in English pubs, visits to the eclectic bookshop and the old, gaudy music hall now housing bingo nights.

While the love between Mags and Laurie is beautifully unexpected, there’s nothing unexpected about the quality of this novel. Lily Morton has written some of my favorite MM romances (ahem, Rule Breaker, Deal Maker, and Merry Measure), so when I say this book is one of her best, it’s high praise. Mags and Laurie are utterly endearing characters; the mature, laid-back nature of a relationship between men aged forty-eight and fifty-two is refreshing. The humor is nothing short of divine. I wish I could quote a line from each page because that’s about how often Ms. Morton cracks me up. If her comedy could be bottled up, it might cure depression.

“I know he’s older than your usual twink du jour.” She bites her lip. “But then I’ve got pairs of tights that have been on this earth longer than them.”

This is a must-read for all Lily Morton fans, and really, just about anyone who enjoys their romance with a good dose of merriment and a lovely HEA. Don’t miss the two bonus short stories in her newsletter. Gah! This is one of my favorite reads of the year.

VALERIE’S RATING: 

 

LARISSA’S REVIEW:

If I gave you the book Beautifully Unexpected but obscured all references to the author, I am certain that upon reading it, one of two things would happen:  Either you’d desperately want to know the identity of this fantastic author because you need to add all their books to your TBR posthaste.  Or you’d smugly proclaim your recognition of Ms. Morton’s inimitable writing, and rejoice in the unexpected gift of a new Lily Morton story like the superfan you are.  Am I right Snarkers?

Here’s the thing:  Only the crème de la crème of writers manage to establish a style so unique, impactful, and identifiable that a reader doesn’t need the author’s byline to know who created the stunning words on the page.  Upon reading Lily Morton’s latest M/M romance, Beautifully Unexpected, the recognition of Ms. Morton’s distinct voice and exceptional talent struck me in a way it hadn’t before, even though I’ve read all of her books multiple times. 

Maybe it’s because Beautifully Unexpected unexpectedly diverges from Ms. Morton’s other romances.  Magnus Carlsen and Laurie Gentry aren’t twenty- or thirty-year-olds like most M/M romance protagonists.  Mags is a 52-year-old barrister, one of the elite Queen’s Counsel, with an unrivaled reputation of (almost) never losing in court.  Laurie is a 48-year-old, exceptionally talented painter who is driven by his inner muse to paint the world and the people in it in all their living colors.  Mags and Laurie’s relationship dynamic refreshingly shows two mature, uber-successful, very independent, stubborn men, trying to take the other’s measure.  Neither of them needs to fall in love.  Neither of them is looking to fall in love.  Neither of them wants to fall in love.  In fact, they both assiduously avoid it. 

Ms. Morton deftly spins out through her crisp, evocative, emotionally impactful prose a sublimely written, well-crafted story of Mags and Laurie establishing a gorgeous friendship.  But love lurks in every word and action Mags and Laurie share, in every verbal sparring match between them, in their every activity and interaction, biding its time waiting to make its appearance when they least expect it.  And when it arrives, they’re not prepared.  

In that way, Beautifully Unexpected feels a bit like After Felix in tone.  The persistent undercurrent of anxiety that comes from waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I found myself rubbing my sternum just as Mags often does because my heart hurt both from the breathtaking happiness, laughter, and adoration between them, but also from the angst that we know is sure to come.  

Ms. Morton always showcases her characters as the heart and soul of her stories.  Beautifully Unexpected is no different.  Mags is indulgent, excessively charismatic, and unapologetically himself.  He soaks up life like a sponge, always watching, taking everything in, observing the people around him, missing nothing.  His robust confidence and love of life make him a walking, talking encapsulation of the vibrant energy Laurie strives to capture on his canvases.

Mags reminds me of my favorite Lily Morton character, Gabe from Rule Breaker.  The sardonic wit and grumpy, beleaguered external persona fronts a deep, inherent loyalty for those he loves.  “I always look after what’s mine.”  It’s not easy to get past his walls, but once inside, his deep, abiding love is unmistakable and unavoidable.

In contrast, Laurie lives his life seemingly unhampered by rules and social constructs and not impressed by materialistic trappings.  He is rich in spirit and inspiration, clever, witty, kind, and generous.  To quote Mags, Laurie is “like sunshine to be with”.  But Laurie doesn’t see himself that way.  He acts like he’s an island.  He has burdens and secrets that he believes he has to carry alone.  As a result, he struggles to believe that Mags can reliably bridge the gap. 

In Mags and Laurie, Ms. Morton brings to life two multi-dimensional characters, unerringly lovable even with their flaws.  Their friendship to love journey shows them grappling with the challenges and insecurities that come with falling in love. Ms. Morton masterfully delivers all that through textured dialogue, layered with nuance and intonation.  

Like the pricey, limited edition Absolute Crystal Vodka Mags and Laurie share, Beautifully Unexpected is a simple yet sophisticated story, elegantly written, crafted with uncompromising attention to detail, and rich with heady, potent words you can easily get drunk on.  But beware, like the vodka, this book will also give you a wicked hangover. We desperately need Mags and Laurie to get their HEA, can’t get to it fast enough. Yet at the same time, we don’t want the pages of their story to run out.  But run out they eventually do and all too soon. That is the only critique I can level against this rare gem of a book.

I expected Beautifully Unexpected to be the fantastic, absorbing read full of complex, endearing characters and rapier-sharp wit that it is.  But I didn’t expect it to rival Rule Breaker and Deal Maker as Ms. Morton’s best work.  Ironically, that in and of itself drives home the message of this book.  It’s never too late, you are never too settled, there is never a time when something new, different and amazing is precluded.  The next great thing could be right around the corner, arriving just when you least expect it.

LARISSA’S RATING:

 

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