Summary:
Season of Joy #2
By the beginning of 1944, Walter Webb and Stanley Gardner have been together for twenty years. They live quietly above the grocer’s shop on Cheltenham’s Lower High Street, outwardly two middle-aged bachelors sharing a home.
Cheltenham might have escaped the worst of the bombing raids, but the privations and dangers of the second war have put a strain on the whole community. This includes ongoing concern about loved ones on active duty. Stanley’s beloved nephew Jack is serving in Italy, while engaged in the fiercely fought Battle for Rome.
Walter worries about the strain on Stanley’s health, never robust after the Great War, as they both deal with family issues and direct threats from the enemy.
As St. Valentine’s Day approaches, can Walter and Stanley find solace in the hope of a peaceful shared future after the war?
This was an unexpected surprise. Ellie Thomas' Season of Joy was one of the first books I read when my mom was in hospice and near the end, which really helped me stay sane, as well as one of my favorite reads in 2025 so when I came across the author's FB post about the pre-order of a 3rd story, I immediately looked and 1-clicked this second entry.
In Joy, we met Walter and Stanley, both dealing with post-WW1 life and in Hope, we see them 20 years later dealing with WW2 on the homefront, from ration books to unexploded bombs to worrying about family. Speaking of family, we get to see Stanley's nieces and nephews all grown up in their own stages of life, especially his nephew, Jack who is currently serving his country.
So I won't give anything else away. I can't lie, I think I liked Joy slightly better, not because it was first but because of the post-WW1 element as there is just not enough WW1/post-WW1 era stories in the LGBTQ+ genre for my liking. As much as I was missing that time frame, I loved seeing the characters older, how far they've come and grown, seeing what kind of life they were able to create for themselves. Don't mistake my missing the post-WW1 element as a negative because its not, its just a tiny reason why Joy inched ahead, I was thoroughly entertained riding along on Walter and Stanley's heartwarming and loving journey. Add in a little Valentine's Day factor and it's an extra layer of yummy goodness. Considering it's a romantic holiday, there aren't very many stories that touch on the love holiday. A delightful treat.
When they were back in the kitchen together, washing and drying the dishes after their evening meal, Stanley and Walter were free to discuss the letter at leisure. For once, they didn’t have to dash off promptly for a Home Guard meeting, but were merely joining their pals for a drink at the Plough Hotel.
“I know Jack can’t tell us exactly what’s going on. Loose lips sink ships and all that,” Stanley said, as he dunked a plate in the regulation amount of water. “But having been a soldier, I can read between the lines and imagine all too well. The Battle for Monte Casino sounds as grim as anything we faced in France and Flanders. I’m only grateful that Jim and Donald aren’t there too.”
Walter nodded in agreement as he dried the crockery. Both Jack’s older brothers were in the Royal Engineers, patrolling the coastline to keep the country safe from invasion.
Stanley added, “At least Jack’s dad is spared our memories. That’s another blessing.”
“It certainly is.”
During the Great War, Stanley’s brother-in-law had been turned down by the military on account of his poor vision.
Not that he hadn’t done his bit on the home front.
Walter recalled sanctimonious individuals handing out white feathers to apparently able-bodied men of conscription age. He’d been appalled by their lack of insight to the recipient’s inner convictions or hidden health issues.
He wouldn’t resent any man spared from the hell of mass conflict. It was a miracle that he and Stanley had emerged relatively unscathed.
If there is a God, please let Jack come through this, he thought for the umpteenth time.
Stanley coughed. His slim frame shuddered as he covered his mouth with his hand.
Walter was reminded amongst the uncertainty of wartime, some things remained worryingly constant. They weren’t through the winter yet. He hasn’t got the strength to cope with another bout of pneumonia.
Walter kept his observations to himself. Stanley would brush off any concerns up to the point where he was struck down by a full-blown chest infection. Tactfully Walter kept to the subject in hand.
“I was chatting to Dad today. With Jack and the others away, it’s dawning on me how he must have struggled. At the time, I was too bloody busy trying to stay alive to think about how worried he must have been.” Walter added casually. “If anyone understands what you’re going through, it’s Dad. He said you could call round anytime.”
Stanley’s face brightened.
“That’s very kind of him. I certainly appreciate the offer. But I always have you to talk to.”
“Of course you do, love.”
Walter tried not to reveal the helplessness he felt at the worry that ate away at Stanley. “Dad thought a chat might help. You’ll probably be sent home with an extra sack of potatoes too.”
“He’s a good man, just like his son.”
Stanley smiled. Not the restrained expression of recent times, but a real smile, crinkling the skin around his eyes.
That particular smile never failed to pull at Walter’s heartstrings. It also provoked a reaction below the belt, even after two decades together.
“I’m not that good,” he said lightly.
Stanley’s smile widened.
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
Walter put his hands on Stanley’s shoulders, turning him around so they were face to face. He bent down and kissed him.
When they’d first met, Stanley had sported a pencil moustache. Walter had loved how it framed his lush lips and the feel of those coarse hairs against sensitive areas of his body had driven him wild.
Stanley had been clean-shaven for some years. This also had its advantages. Walter found the prickle of his five o’clock shadow equally alluring. He pulled Stanley closer, making him laugh, his damp hands either side of Walter’s waist.
Stanley’s body moulded against Walter’s as their kiss deepened.
What a difference a letter from Jack makes.
Walter pulled back slightly, before burying his head in Stanley’s neck. He kissed the bare skin above his shirt collar.
Stanley shivered appreciably.
“If we carry on like this, we won’t get to the pub,” he joked. “Only Monty, Sam and Jonesy can make it tonight, so we need to make up the numbers.”
Walter continued to hold Stanley, enjoying their closeness.
“If we turn down our homemade entertainment for the sake of a pint with the chaps, I’ll be seething if the landlord has run out of beer again.”
Ellie ThomasEllie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes historical romance.
Ellie also writes historical erotic romance under the pen name L. E. Thomas.
Season of Joy #1
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
Season of Change #3
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