Not just another Summer

@centexhairysub's review of this story made me shed a tear (or more) almost as much as the concluding chapter of this entertaining and enriching story from @Robert Hugill. The tears were a mixture of sadness and joy, sadness the story had finished, joy that I had read another Hugill.

I have enjoyed all of Robert's stories published on GA to date, but in the words of my fellow Hugillite, @Gary L, this one well may be Robert's best, in fact, I think it is.

It was a privilege to read this beautifully written story. Very highly recommended.

A story about family that have been out of each other's lives in the main; but circumstances pull them back into each other's orbit in a rather brusque manner.  

The main characters are two brothers, Graham a poet, and Vince a lawyer.  We find out some of their backstory, but this is more about looking forward.

All of the side and secondary characters, especially Freddie, Vince's son; Matt, a birder that becomes much more; and Peter, who helps run a centre for people needing a helping hand, are brilliantly drawn and are compelling in their own ways.  There are many others that truly contribute to the story in pivotal ways and moments, some good some bad.

But what this really comes down to, is a story about family and what makes a family and why it is important.  

Pick a day when you have plenty of time, because once you start, you won't want to finish until you make it to the end.  

I found the writer by accident and am very happy that I did.

His story and character development are excellent.  I could happily read a complete series about Vince, Gray, their family, and the expansion of the gay commune.

This is a great expansion on Armistead Maupin’s Logical Family.  Sometimes your biological family can be your logical one, as well, even though it might not have started that way. 

This is a very British story and if that is not your cuppa, you may want to look elsewhere.  But if you enjoy a dry sense of humor with some Britishisms thrown in, this is one to enjoy.  The brothers could not be more different and yet are alike.  Gray (Graham) is the poet, somewhat shy and uncomfortable in groups.  Vince is a lawyer and a widow with a legalistic and business like manner.  Incredibly he finds himself with a boyfriend with a past.  Gray also acquires a boyfriend.  The writing and the characters are what carry the story.  I found it well worth the time and got several chuckles along the way.