This review was commissioned by Harper Collins.

Please be prepared to watch me shamelessly gush; why, you ask?

Because it has been a long time since I have fallen this completely into a love story- actually, I don’t think I ever have but from the moment I met Vince and Tack I had to know where they were going because I fell directly in love with them both.

Was everything unresolved going to become settled and harmonious?

Could two people who were victims of timing and misunderstanding and regret find their happiness years later, regardless of the water still churning under their bridge?

What stands out to me in Philip William Stover’s ‘The Hideaway Inn’ is so much more than the sparkling writing and strong dialogue and delicious plot trajectory; all of that is there in spades but what had me bawling on and off throughout the length of this beautiful, uniquely lovely story was the inclusiveness that Stover so masterfully weaves.

Inclusiveness for those whose gender identification is fluid but also for the people who love them and are trying so hard to use the pronouns that make them comfortable and that it is ok when they falter, as long as they continue to make that loving effort. Inclusiveness for those who want to see a love like theirs on paper and feel represented by characters who are strong and sincere and beautiful inside and out, even managing to include the very underrepresented category of bi-sexual characters into the fold in a way that was beautifully understanding and respectful.

This beautiful book had it all; you do not want to miss this 5 star read.

‘The Hideaway Inn’ is for sale now- go read it so we can talk about it!