A Position in Paris, Megan Reddaway

A man damaged by the war with scars much deeper than what is seen on his skin.  Another man struggling to help is family survive while hiding his family's secret.  Together these men bring light, solace, and hope for the future, but only if they'll let go of their pride and accept the happiness on offer.

James Clarynton struggles every day.  His physical pain is enormous and it's bleeding into his emotional pain.  With very little will to live he's given an idea to write a book.  When that endeavor brings him in contact with the shy and seemingly plain Edmund Vaughan, he finds a light in the darkness.  Edmund is grateful for the chance to earn a salary that will help him support his mother and brother but is closed up tighter than a vault when it comes to sharing any of his personal information with the damaged yet alluring Colonel.

Edmund is the most frustrating with his pride, knee-jerk reactions, aloofness, and hesitation.  He was also earnest and sweet to James which helped to off-set some of his less admirable qualities.  Only at the very end when he finally opened up to James after James bares his soul via his journal does he begin to make up for his continual distance throughout the book.

I did like James.  He was the most interesting by far with his inner struggles and his vulnerability.  We get much more from him through his musings and writings and so it's easier to feel for and relate to him.  Near the end when he finally figures out what Edmund needs and the eager honesty with which he opens his heart to Edmund is truly endearing.  I couldn't help but hope for his every success.

Their romance was a slow-burn...incredible emphasis on the slow.  While I grew quite impatient with the slowness, I actually appreciated that it was sensitive to the reality of navigating romantic relations of their type in the setting.  It was believable at the same time it was frustrating.  With an overall satisfying ending, the plodding feel to the writing could kind of be overlooked in favor of enjoying the story as a whole.

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