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That Summer of '74 Kindle Edition

by Howard Rayner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 209 ratings
See all formats and editions

One golden Californian summer in the seventies sets the scene for a 'Prince and the Pauper' bromance that evolves into a timeless MM love story spanning the decades.

Seagulls squawk overhead, distant waves crash onto the shore, and inside his art studio Alex Morgan contemplates yet another unfinished painting. Without gallery representation or making a sale in months, he's losing faith in his talent. He's broke, sexually frustrated, and spending more time working as a lifeguard to purchase art supplies and fix up his beach house’s peeling woodwork and weathered shingles than painting. Alex has to face the brutal truth that despite his long hair, surfer's tan and rippling muscles, he's nearly thirty - and nowhere near being the acclaimed artist he wants to be.

About to throw in the towel, on his daily jog along the surf Alex spots a young man climbing the Cove’s crumbling cliffs. Worried the guy missed seeing the 'DANGER' sign, Alex's lifeguard instinct kicks in. Barefoot, he chases up after a stranger in peril. The enigmatic young man on the cliff's edge turns out to be Rick Stradman, sophisticated, clearly wealthy, and dangerously handsome. After coming to his aid on the cliffs, Alex rescues Rick once again when his car won’t start. Inveigling his way into the beach house, Rick discovers Alex is an aspiring artist with money troubles. Seeing promise in Alex’s work, revealing he has contacts in the art world and wanting to escape from issues of his own, Rick suggests a solution to both their problems – renting a room in Alex’s beach house for the summer.

Their odd-couple share starts poorly. Although only occupying a room, Rick’s fastidious tastes rule the roost. Neighbors warn Alex someone's watching his house. Then Alex discovers Rick has lied about key aspects of his personal life. And just as Alex is convinced he's harboring a dangerous fugitive, an unexpected turn of events takes place. Rick's irresistible humor, charm, and unwavering support for Alex's art career seduce him. It's in this moment that Alex realizes the grave danger of succumbing to something he swore he'd never do - letting a guy steal his heart again.

Witty, Romantic, Wistful
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    That Summer of '74
  2. Print length
    500 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 25, 2018
  6. File size
    2930 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

1974 was the summer of disco, Watergate and a gas crisis text over blue sky

amazing image and five stars over water

a sexy book like the 1970s text over blue sea

a great book of wonderful journey of two men text over water

and it was the summer that Alex Morgan fell in love text over water

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Definitely a past your bedtime read..." - "and I was completely involved in it from first page to last! I was rooting for Alex and Rick from the off, it's a terrific story. I loved everything about it: the Summer beachside setting, the eclectic cast, & the weaving in of the 70s art world and Hollywood studio lots. An addictive read I won't forget. Highly, highly recommended." - Chris Jennings, author of 'Three Tickets for Tonight' and 'Saturday Night Alibi'. 17th January 2019 via Twitter.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07L41HRSB
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (December 25, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 25, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2930 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 500 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 209 ratings

About the author

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Howard Rayner

Howard Rayner

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Howard Rayner is an accomplished novelist with a diverse body of work that includes both adult and young adult fiction. He developed a love of reading at a young age and spent his formative years exploring a wide range of literature, from classic children's stories to ground-breaking LGBTQ+ literature.

In addition to his successful career as an actor, singer, and dancer in film, theater, and TV, Howard has studied fine art, costume design, and screenwriting, all of which have influenced his body of work. His travels and experiences of living and working in the UK, USA, and Australia have also shaped his storytelling. Howard usually spends a portion of each summer in Venice, Italy, where he is inspired by the city's rich history and cultural traditions.

In addition to his six novels for young readers, Howard is a prolific writer of short stories and factual pieces for English language programs. He is currently working on several new projects and can be found sharing updates on his writing journey on social media.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
209 global ratings
Los Angeles in the 1970s
5 Stars
Los Angeles in the 1970s
“That Summer of ‘74”: 1974 was an EXCITING time in Los Angeles, California, especially for a young person, where I lived then AND now. Adding the movie-entertainment-artistic business and characters REALLY made this story “my thing.”I’m impressed by author Howard Rayner’s descriptive writing.When I had time to read a few pages, I couldn’t stop reading at ONLY a few pages. There are a lot of action, humorous and heartfelt scenes in this story.Plus, I sincerely like, and care for, these characters. I wished them well as I read. I enjoyed trying to predict what would happen next. Often, I was wrong.I recommend this book now and also as a summer read.My advice?: Don’t wait until summer.
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Top reviews from the United States

Guy Venturi
5.0 out of 5 stars I got married and moved to St Louis in the ear!y 70s.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I had been in active duty with the Army. I visited the beach almost daily, but in the East Coast in New Jersey.

I remember the crazy madness of lot smoke swirling in clouds above almost any small crowds of hippies, sippies, and dippies that blocked the boardwalks and sidewalks of cities and camped in park and beaches across the country.

Viet Man Was at a stalemate. Government at a checkmate. Paper airplanes for Air Force. Paper clips for Congress. Navy and Marine playing "Go Fish" Army wondering what happened? Colleges and Canada full of draft Dodgers as the Guard and Reserves begged for training money. The Coast Guard was chasing drugs and the thugs were after quick cash. Border Patrol Agents guarded cactus and trees.

The streets were a bit safer, but the whole country was a mess playing Doctor, Monopoly, or strip poker. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you loose. I was just glad to see things start g to get better, but I lost so many friends and classmates in the war. Drugs and booze and Aids took more. I gained a sense of depression as the world struggled to avoid itself. The sand in the beach or the stars in the sky were not enough to save Hollywood from itself. The ocean still waves and the sun still shines, but the Moon has lost so much love to apathy that no one cares.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars I don't know if I'm glad I read this book or not.
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2019
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It was a really great story and very well written. The ending was the worst.
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Fred wenzel
5.0 out of 5 stars A beach read with characters to care about !!
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
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When I started this story I had no idea where it was going . Was Rick a killer - a young one looking for an older man for money ? I was hooked and never looked back !! Alex the artist who I found interesting as I like to paint so I could deal with that and learned some things . Rick the Hollywood wants be !! I loved the 70s and related to that era . What got me was RJ & Natalie - this is 2020 and that brought back memories ! Then Mc Millan & Wife wow - Rock Hudson when you wondered and then you found out how hard it was to be gay in Hollywood! What I really liked with this author and story - when we're Alex & Rick finally gonna get together -well it took a while AND it wasn't graphic like most stories . You want a good story that hooks you in and doesn't let go - READ this story and fall in love ! Is there a follow up Mr. Rayner , I hope so ! Thanks for a "movie about a movie " !!
One person found this helpful
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just relax
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but too long
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2021
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At 500 pages I found too much detail. A story that fit into the 70’s. Some parts seemed redundant.
If you are into long stories this might be for you.
Sorry I would not read it again ! Also disappointed in the ending .
One person found this helpful
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Chandler Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer Perfection!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2019
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This is truly one of the best books I've ever read. Being a California boy myself and having lived during this period, I felt at times I was transported back to my days of youth. Life in the 70's, although proclaimed as the period of free love, wasn't easy for those who were gay and had to hide their love and passion from neighbors, workers, jobs and families. At a moment's notice, a life could change because of one headline, one person's line of gossip, etc. Harold Rayner's portrayal of Rick and Alex's relationship was "spot on" ... living as free and open as they could at the cove and yet, having to deflect when in town and around influential people who could make or break their existence. We say quickly how family ties can affect a relationship, especially when control is part of the deal. And lastly, I would how many of us suffered the same outcome as the characters in the book..... to move on when lives go in different directions. After 499 pages, I found myself wanting the story to continue. If you have a chance to read this book, gay, straight, whatever.... take the time and do so.
6 people found this helpful
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Elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2019
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I’m going to make this short. This was an amazing book. There’s so much going on, so much learning by the characters, particularly Alex, about life and that things are not always as they seem. Be prepared to laugh out loud, cry, get angry, laugh some more, and cry, cry, cry. The ending is heartbreaking. You’ll know when you read it. So sad. Yet still a great book. The writing was perfect, the character were well developed, especially Alex’s. Just read it. I didn’t read any of the reviews before or since reading The Summer of ‘74 but it there are any negative reviews ignore them.
4 people found this helpful
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JSLundgren
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2019
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I enjoyed it quite a bit.
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john carter
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a great book
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2022
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I really loved this book ! I can’t believe it’s not more popular. I loved the throw back to 70s tv and movie. more people should read it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Michael Wild
5.0 out of 5 stars A delight
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2023
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There is a good sense of the times, the place and the characters build steadily. Together with a lighness of touch; moving without being maudlin, funny without being crass, I loved it.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A bit cheesy but I liked it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2023
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Boys meet and fall in love but life gets in the way. 1974 was a different world and to be gay was a lot more difficult. A good read giving an insight into the movie and art scene in the seventies.
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P. R. Kline
5.0 out of 5 stars So good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2021
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It is rare to find a book with gay central characters that is this well written.

Right from the get go I felt that I cared about these guys. The setting appeared to be written on both a researched and informed level.

Bravo, sir. This would make super t.v.

And so, on to the sequel.
2 people found this helpful
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themogster
3.0 out of 5 stars Misread the title
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2023
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Foolishly Didn’t realise ( mea culpa ) it was set in the USA and not the UK so wasn’t the book I was hoping for - overall found it very superficial and not memorable - would give it a miss
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Bravery
5.0 out of 5 stars THE Holiday book for 2019!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2019
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Really enjoyable holiday read: a love story set in Hollywood, the art world and the beach. Loved the characters, couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen in the end...
One person found this helpful
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