Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Ben is looking for an adventure when he accepts a temporary assignment in Hong Kong, but he never anticipates how his life might change when he meets a sophisticated, intriguing man named Sai. Their initial attraction is sizzling and soon grows into more as Sai takes Ben on a tour of the city’s famous landmarks and introduces him to the local cuisine. Sai stimulates Ben’s intellect and curiosity, and for jaded corporate lawyer Sai, Ben’s innocent eagerness is a breath of fresh air. It would be so easy to fall in love….

But nothing is that simple. Sai’s job forces him to do things that violate his morals, and the difficult dynamics with his family is a major obstacle to any lasting relationship with Ben. For Ben, he misses his family back in Toronto, and can he really leave behind his home for a man he’s only known a short time? With the clock ticking, they must decide whether to risk it all and turn three months into forever.

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, July 2018.

Book Review

What a fantastic ode to Hong Kong this novella turned out to be! The local details are described vividly and add great texture, and even though I visited years ago (before it was returned to the Chinese), the main character’s adventures reminded me of all the sights and sounds and tastes that make up this amazing place. I loved exploring the touristy and less touristy sights through Ben’s eyes during his three-month assignment, was happy he was able to find new friends, and held my breath when it looked like he’d have to leave despite wondering if he could figure out a way to stay – for more than one reason.

Ben is curious and ready for an adventure when he arrives in Hong Kong, sent there by the bank he works for. And while his job is the reason for his extended visit, it is the exploration of the landmarks and getting to know new people that help Ben fall in love with a city that is very different from his hometown of Toronto. But what really gives him food for thought and reason to reassess his life is meeting and getting to know Sai. The Chinese man makes Ben look at things differently, and it isn’t easy for Ben to figure out how to deal with the feelings Ben quickly develops for Sai.

Sai is a native to Hong Kong, and while he was partially schooled abroad, he loves his hometown and can’t imagine living anywhere else. His Chinese parents are very traditional and Sai tries very hard to be a “worthy” son, but they clash on so many levels that Sai has a very hard time dealing with their demands. On top of that Sai hates the job his father makes him do, there are moral issues, and the stress almost tears Sai apart. Meeting Ben is like a breath of fresh air for Sai, but it also makes the rift between him and his homophobic family even larger.

Ben and Sai click on so many levels that three months just don’t seem enough for either of them. Ben supports Sai all the way rather than “nag” Sai to make the changes both of them secretly know will have to be made – for Sai’s mental health as much as for the sake of their love. Their issues are very realistic and it was fascinating to see Sai deal with them in his own way that is culturally very different from what Ben is used to. The result is a highly emotional love story that had me shed a tear or two more than once.

If you like cross-cultural relationships with all the tension they can cause, if you think two men from very different backgrounds and opposite sides of the world can figure out how to make a relationship work, and if you’re looking for a read that is entertaining, interesting, suspenseful, and very romantic, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. I loved every bit of it!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novella, 182 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	17-March-2020
Price	$3.49 ebook, $9.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Three-Months-Forever-Hudson-Lin-ebook/dp/B085GKXWSN