Box 1663

Many thanks to author Kaje Harper for recommending this under-the-radar M/M gem. It's a long novel but I didn't mind; in fact, I wish I could have spent more time with these characters and the late WWII time period. Nick is the brash American soldier-turned-photographer and Ian is the quiet, brilliant British scientist who arrive together at Los Alamos. Ian is working on the top secret project, and Nick is photographing things he's not allowed to ask questions about. Nick has his work cut out for him to break through Ian's reserve, grief and fear to the guy he knows feels the same attraction that Nick does, and it's very rewarding when the two men finally get together. I liked Nick, but I lost my heart to cinnamon roll Ian, who has suffered so much before he left England that for every step he moves towards Nick, he takes two backwards.

The novel also features a suspense plot - who keeps conking Nick on the head and trying to steal his photographs? - that turns deadly, a strong female supporting character, cameo appearances from Robert Oppenheimer and Richard Feynman, and thoughtful discussion about the ethics of creating a bomb that killed thousands but might have prevented the deaths of thousands more. There is acknowledgement that the time period is not kind to homosexuals, but also hopeful signs that some men managed to make a life together despite the challenges.

I took my time reading this book, and enjoyed every minute of it until a slightly abrupt (but happy) ending. Bravo to Alex Sorel for a strong, striking debut novel. I hope there are many more to come. (ETA I read on her GR page that she was recently treated for cancer and has not yet been able to think about another book. I hope and pray that she is fully recovered.)