We Could Be So Good

Starred review from April 3, 2023
Sebastian (The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes) sets this irresistible romance in 1958, when Nick Russo, a cub reporter for the New York Chronicle, finds himself inexplicably smitten with the publisher’s absent-minded son, Andy Fleming, who’s “slumming it at the city desk... because his father threatened to cut off his allowance.” After Andy’s fiancée calls off their society wedding, a reeling Andy moves into Nick’s West Village walk-up and their improbable friendship intensifies. Nick is secretly thrilled, but he also knows he needs to maintain caution as queer men can be arrested. In the Village, Andy’s curiosity about queer life grows, and after he asks Nick to take him to a gay bar, he gains new clarity about his own desires and decides to declare his feelings. Once coupled up, however, the guys must worry about rumors. Meanwhile, Nick courts trouble with a piece he’s writing on police corruption—and a blackmailer threatens to expose his relationship with Andy if he doesn’t drop the story. There’s plenty of conflict to keep the pages flying, but it’s the scenes of Nick and Andy’s cozy domesticity that truly shine. This wonderful period romance will leave readers just as giddy as its leads. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency.

Starred review from May 1, 2023

Sebastian (The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes) turns her considerable talent to the Manhattan of the late 1950s with her latest novel. City beat reporter Nick Russo has worked for everything he has, using a newspaper internship to escape his rough Brooklyn neighborhood. As a gay man in his mid-20s, he learned the hard way not to put too much trust in anyone else. He's initially exasperated beyond belief with his latest work colleague, yet he can't help himself from rescuing Andy Fleming from every ridiculous scrape in which the man finds himself. Andy seems to be living a charmed life, but then his bride-to-be leaves him for another man. Reluctant to return to his own neighborhood, he moves in with Nick temporarily. When their not-so-easy friendship turns into something else, however, both men will have to decide how much they're willing to fight for the happy ending they deserve. VERDICT Fans of the author's books will absolutely not want to miss this one. This sweetly angsty novel about two people finding themselves and figuring out a way forward together will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading opposites-attract romances with found family subplots.--Rebecca Moe

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2023
Two men who work for a newspaper in New York City in the late 1950s fall in love. Nick Russo worked his way up the ranks to become a reporter for the Chronicle, a reputable progressive newspaper. As a gay man, he keeps his personal life private. Even outside of work, he's cautious about his actions since he knows cops regularly throw people like him in jail. Andy Fleming is set to inherit the newspaper from his father, but first he has to get experience by working in the newsroom with Nick. Scatterbrained, amiable Andy becomes unlikely friends with grouchy Nick, but after Andy is jilted by his fiancee and moves in with Nick, their friendship deepens into more. The story is grounded in its time and place with specific New York references, including visits to Yankee Stadium, and thoughtful mentions of real historical heroes and queer media. The hardships queer people faced because of intolerance are present, yet the focus remains on the revolutionary act of queer joy--sometimes simply feeding each other soup and cuddling on the couch. Nick's reporting work on police corruption adds some intensity but mostly hangs out at the periphery of the tale. Both men have complicated relationships with family--Nick with his extended Italian family, particularly his cop brother, and Andy with his ailing father--which function to deepen the characterizations of the leads. A found family element contributes to the hopefulness and heart that are the cores of this story. A vividly portrayed midcentury romance filled with queer contentment.

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Starred review from April 15, 2023
Well, this is just great. Reporter Nick Russo has enough to worry about (like preferring the company of men in a world where this is frowned upon, to say the least) without having to basically babysit Andy Fleming, the New York Chronicle owner's son and heir apparent. However, given that Andy is such a sincerely nice guy--and not to mention he is engaged to Nick's friend Emily Warburton--Nick can't help but take Andy under his journalistic wing. But the fledgling friendship sprouting up between the two is thrown for a loop when Andy's wedding plans take an unexpected turn and Nick discovers that Andy might want to be more than just friends. Few authors have Sebastian's (The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes, 2022) flair for deftly exploring the intricate, often messy nature of human relationships, from moments of heartbreak to happiness, with such insight and compassion. While the vividly evoked 1950s setting is new for this author, everything else about this sublimely romantic love story, including the dryly witty writing and graceful characterization, is signature Sebastian.

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