Reviewed by Stephen K.
TITLE: Pierre & Bill: A Love Story
AUTHOR: Patrick Doyle
PUBLISHER: Independently Published
LENGTH: 317 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2021
BLURB:
Pierre and Bill have been together for nearly thirty years, ever since Bill was five. Thrown together by tragedy, they stayed together despite the many attempts to tear them apart. Some thought it wrong that a stranger should raise a child, especially when that stranger was gay. Especially, too, when the child also turns out to be gay. But Pierre and Bill would win that fight and go on to develop a unique and special bond.
Now many years later, they’re facing a different kind of crisis. The specter of illness and financial insecurity threaten their future. When Danny shows up their lives get even more complicated, but it’s Liam’s arrival that turns their world upside down. Liam comes with Ruthie, and he has a problem of his own.
Love takes center stage. Whether as parents, children, lovers, rivals or friends, everyone wants love, fears losing it, and struggles to make room for more.
But a villain lurks in the background and, if he gets his way, he’ll destroy them.
REVIEW:
For a book that contains so much truth, it’s odd that the title of the book is itself a lie. Yes, the story is about Pierre and Bill. And yes ,there is love; but actually, that’s the lie. There is so much love, of so many varieties, that calling this “A Love Story” is misleading.
Bill does love his gay foster step father Pierre. Pierre does love his step son Bill, but it’s a tender, parental love and not the romantic kind. Pierre has raised Bill on his own since Joe, Bill’s bio-dad (and Pierre’s lover) died when Bill was in his early teens. The book contains plenty of the romantic love as well. And that’s the point. This is also a story that breaks down stereotypes and transcends tropes.
At times it’s sweet, at times it’s heartbreaking and at other times its laugh out loud funny. Pierre is a sexy sexagenarian, past sixty but with a charm that’s undimmed by the years. Bill teaches a night class in art and invites Danny a fit young model home for a meal with him and Pierre. Bill starts to rage at Pierre when the old man sets a candle-lit table for two and then conveniently tries to disappear. After changing the seating plans back to dinner for three, Bill learns to be careful what he wishes for when the young model is romantically smitten with Pierre. Bill can’t decide if he’s jealous or insulted.
This is also a story about growing older. It’s a story about an older man’s brush with prostate cancer. It’s a story about growing comfortable in your own skin, and growing cranky with age. It’s a story about living today fully rather than worrying too much about tomorrow. In fact, it’s a story about many things. Unfortunately one of those things is a school administrator who preys on cute young teachers and Bill soon finds his work schedule cut to the bone after he fends off the man’s advance. Bill’s not the only victim and when Liam, another young teacher at the school begins a relationship with Bill only for Bill to discover that he’s also been a victim, Bill realizes that he has to confront this situation.
Seeing four adult gay men dealing with these complicated relationships makes this much more than just “A Love Story.” By all means, if you’d like to add a little fiber to your literary diet, check this one out.
RATING: 
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