Cambridge Fellows Books
This review focuses on the entirety of the series of books comprising the Cambridge Fellows stories written by Charlie Cochrane.
I purchased the first of the 12 stories/books nearly 6 years ago. I was reminded of it at the end of 2022 which prompted me to begin reading it. After reading this first story/book, I found I was intrigued with the characters.
I also love the feeling authenticity that seemed to reflect the time period for each of the books. There was a consistent and constant reminder that societal values were very different about so many things and in particular about same-sex relationships.
These stories/books use England for the location of the activities of the characters with a few exceptions (won’t provide any spoilers for those of you in the process of reading your way through the series).
I found the characters believable—yes, there were bits of the individual stories that I thought some of the unique qualities (perhaps quirks) of the principal characters were a tad bit over the top or annoying. Nevertheless the author pulls back before one feels repelled and keeps the specific story line moving forward.
For the most part, the conclusions or solutions identified seemed reasonable, believable and acceptable. There were certain stories where the conclusion seemed to have a feel of being pushed by perhaps a deadline that that the author may have been working under. While these conclusions did leave an uncertainty in my mind, the conclusion did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.
Frankly, I believe the order or sequence of the books in this series should be based on the chronological date for the characters rather than the actual date written by the author. Once I was nearing the end of the 12 books I discovered that the author opted to return to earlier periods.
Again without spoiling the story line of any of the books, I found that Book 8—at least the postscript it has—should have been reserved for the final book using the suggestion that order of the series be adjusted to use the last chronologically date of the characters’ experiences. This would seem to be Book 12 if I have recalled the dates of each of the books properly.
I was particularly touched with Book 8 and how the principal characters cope with the changes in the world and specifically the impact on them as individuals and as a couple.
I commend Charlie Cochrane on her portrayal of the characters dealing with their same-sex relationship in a period where in it was unaccepted. At times I feel that Coppersmith’s struggles with himself and the relationship nearly reaches that line where it seems unreasonable—yet I had to remind myself that everyone struggles with their sexual identity differently.
Overall I will be a bit sad to bid adieu to these characters as I have enjoyed the various stories which have kept me company over the last several months. In my mind, this could easily become a wonderful TV or streaming series but given the same-sex relationship, even in these days of 2023 I have to wonder whether society has really progressed that far to tolerate a touching series with a same-sex set of characters.
Having lived through the 1960s onward and knowing the kind of treatment the LGBTQ+ community has had to deal with, I may have a more jaundiced eye on our current society than others.
As noted earlier, I found this series of books/stories entertaining, witty and with well-written characters as well as plots.
I think any reader would enjoy these assuming the reader is accepting of a same-sex couple as the primary characters.
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See full series- Kindle Price:$35.90By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
Shop this series
There are 12 books in this series.
Kindle Price:
$35.90
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
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