Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
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 there is a villain and, if he gets his way, he’ll destroy them.
The Review
As the title states, this is really a story about “Pierre & Bill” and the special bond that they have, no matter what challenges life deals them.
Pierre is quite the character! He’s sixty-four, and to Bill he is known as Tonton (uncle). Pierre was Joe’s lover and Joe had a son – that’s Bill. When Joe passed away, Pierre legally adopted Bill, but their status remained a secret because of bigotry, society, rumors and scandal. From a very young age Pierre continued to take care of Bill. Now Bill finds himself taking care of Pierre.
Pierre stays fit and in good psychical condition, but with his age, he has a some serious health problems working against him. He’s stubborn at times and feels that some of the things that have to be done to help him health wise are degrading.
Pierre is also a sweetheart and loves life to the fullest. He believes he can do anything, and it leads him into trouble. He can also build and fix anything around the house. Being from Quebec and feeling resentment toward the Roman Catholic Church, he swears religiously using the rites and artifacts of the church, which is really funny!
Bill is in his thirties and shares the house with Pierre. He’s always there for Pierre and has no issues with accompanying him to his doctor appointments and goes above and beyond for Pierre. He’s very loyal to Pierre and their bond remains solid, no matter the of the issues that crop up between them.
Bill finds himself attracted to two men – Danny Ali and Liam Lewis. His emotions are in a turmoil as both men reject him. Although the attraction for Danny lingers, Bill finds his feelings for Liam changing once he discovers an unexpected truth.
Both Bill and Liam are teachers at the same school, and have been propositioned by Director Crump. Bill almost accepted the proposition, but through sheer luck was saved from it. But in the aftermath, his job as a teacher is threatened.
Liam, out of fear of loosing everything, went along with the Director’s wishes. The situation quickly escalates, but Bill is determined to help Liam, and to find a way to get to the bottom of this chaos.
Doyle creates a wonderfully compassionate love story that tugs at your heart. It’s not just a romantic love story, but also a story of love between a parent and child, about the special commitment that Bill makes to Pierre as he gets older. Most of all this, is a beautiful tale about four men who have to make adjustments and accept becoming friends and lovers, eventually creating their own family in the process. Along the way, jealousy, acceptance, misunderstandings, hurt, and humor all come into play.
The story also deals with the importance of getting older and having someone who’s always there to check on you and care for you.
What Pierre tells Bill at the closing is important too. He’s well aware of the age difference in himself and Danny, and sees a lot of himself in the younger man too. Pierre has prepared himself, because there’s every chance that Danny may move on. But Bill will forever be there for him.
Bill’s students were a great addition to the story too – DeAngelo, Tammy, Maryanne and David. But to balance the good, there’s also the evilness and ignorance of Director Crump.
Side note… the author also mentions “Tom of Finland” – very interesting art!
This is very different from what Patrick Doyle usually writes. There are no murders involved, but there is a little bit of crime solving. I loved this story and it touched my heart. I’m so glad Patrick Doyle shared “Pierre & Bill” with me!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
