Name: The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle
ISBN: 9781786332028

Neil Blackmore

'But in the moment of the delusions that love bestows on us, one can convince oneself of almost anything, and indeed I did.' Benjamin and Edgar Bowen have led a privileged, if sheltered, childhood. Now they have come of age, their mother believes they are ready to embark on a Grand Tour of Europe. Their parents intend for them to meet People of Quality and make connections that will enable them to be great successes in society and business. But high society greets the brothers' knowledge of the Enlightenment and their ability to quote Voltaire with amusement and derision. Class is not something that can be learnt. Meeting Horace Lavelle changes everything. Clever, seductive, tempestuous, Lavelle is unlike anyone Benjamin has ever encountered. He challenges all the rules that Benjamin has been taught make a man. Love can transform a person. But can it save them?

The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle

__________________________ 'Seductive, decadent, cruel and utterly thrilling - just like Horace Lavelle himself. This is The Talented Mr Ripley for the twenty-first century.' Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths 'An enjoyable dip into decadence.' Observer __________________________ Brothers Benjamin and Edgar have so far led a quiet life, but change is afoot as they enter a world of glorious sights and People of Quality on their Grand Tour of Europe. But a trunk full of powdered silver wigs and matching suits isn't enough to embed them into high society. As Edgar clings on to conventions, Benjamin pushes against them. And when the charming, seductive Horace Lavelle promises Benjamin a real adventure, it's only a matter of time before chaos and love ensue. __________________________ 'A fizzing, seductive queer romance.' i Paper 'Wildly entertaining and painfully heartbreaking ... Neil Blackmore writes with a fizzy wit that bounds his characters off the page.' Ben Aldridge

Ebony Francis

Cerys

This novel was an interesting read revolving around the grand tour and the education and poise of the eighteenth century. However, this book may not be for the faint of heart, quoting many philosophers, artists and historians the amount of non-fiction information injected into this novel is substantial yet necessary for the premise of the story. This also is a novel that keeps you thinking, especially about how far keeping things from family and loved ones can cause more harm than good even if it came from a place of love and self-preservation. As well as touching on the historical notions surrounding religion and homosexuality. I would definitely recommend this book, but maybe only to select people.

Pam Sartain

The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle by Neil Blackmore starts with brothers Edgar and Benjamin being declared ready by their mother to go on The Grand Tour, where the young and rich would visit Europe, meet people, see historic sites, and make mistakes.  Above all, their mother makes them swear that they will look after each other, and she is sure that this tour will be the making of them in society.

Benjamin is our protagonist, and so it's his experiences on the journey that we see, along with his meeting Mr Lavelle, which changes so many things for Benjamin, and for Edgar.

It is a story of love, of changes, and of consequences.  I thought it was good, and uncomfortable in places, but didn't want to put it down.  

 The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle  was published on 13th August 2020, and is available from  Amazon ,  Waterstones  and your  local independent bookshop .

You can follow Neil Blackmore on his  website  and on  Twitter .

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to  Penguin  Random House, Cornerstone (the publishers).

The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle

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