Voyageurs is currently an Amazon kindle free read right now. So if you’re in the mood for a short M/M romance, this would be an interesting one to pick up!

Simon Cavendish is an Englishman who recently secured a position at the Canadian North West Company, fur-trapping business, after a long stay in India. Unfortunately, he arrived at the new company a month late and the other employees have already been sent off to the Fort Charlotte outpost. His only option to get to his new post is Christian Smith, who the company paid handsomely to take Simon on an unpredictable and dangerous trek to reach the fur trapping post before the winter hits. Christian thought Simon wouldn’t last two days on the journey and would ask to return to Montreal – figuring it was quick money to “try” to make the journey. But Simon is more resilient than Christian originally gave him credit for. They end up spending weeks on the water and get closer to Fort Charlotte.

The boys battle more than just the elements of nature. They must resist their rising forbidden desires for each other.

First off, a nice bite-size story for when you’re pressed for time or feeling up to reading a quick M/M romance! I love shorter stories. However, there are pros and cons to this.

I love Keira Andrews’s work! She’s a talented writer who never fails to captivate her audience – I’ve enjoyed plenty of her other stories.

I think with Voyageurs, she should have written a longer version. The world was interesting. It’s a historical romance set in the late 18^th century – early 19^th century that explores the world of the Canadian fur trapping business and about the Ojibwe tribe. Like totally hooked already as this idea was different from anything I ever read!

I felt the world-building could have been enriched. The story is too short – especially since the focus was the characters’ romance – to allow the necessary depth to explore this historical aspect – which would have been a really cool read! We do get bits and pieces of the Canadian fur trapping culture though it felt like surface level research.

Also Simon and Christian are…interesting. I thought the buildup of their romance was good. I loved that Christian is stoic and very serious while Simon tries to make conversation and get to know him. I was as anxious as Simon in thinking that Christian hated him! But that wasn’t the case at all! They also come from differing worlds which explains Christian’s attitude towards Simon. Though they share a common interest – traveling! They couple works very well together. Both bring their own skills, strengths and knowledge as they travel through the wilderness.

Then in the middle of the book, they randomly have sex. I was a little thrown off…I guess I was expecting something more romantic. Or at least more buildup – a longer “get to know you” phase. The first time they have sex is not my favorite either as it was done without consent. Despite the brief explanation for the non-consensual sex – I still didn’t like it. Once things were smoothed over, their relationship does grow and deepen. They begin to express mutual feeling towards each other – these love scenes were hot and sweet (*makes-you-blush-profusely kind of scenes)!

This will sound weird as this was one of my favorite scenes in the book. No, it’s not a happy scene. Quite the opposite – it’s a very somber scene and a reality check. Breaks my heart but it intrigues my mind. One of the most heartbreaking parts of their relationship was their realization that they couldn’t be together due to two strikes: 1) they would be an interracial couple, 2) they were a same-sex couple (which during the story’s time period would be illegal and they’d most likely get killed for). Despite these odds, they do manage to work out their relationship and find a way to stay together in the end – super happy for them! The ending was interesting! Goes to show that the end destination of any journey might not be what you set out for in the beginning.

Overall, it’s an entertaining, short read but a longer version with more development and depth to the characters, world and plot would have been more impactful. As a short read, it has plenty of sexy times and romantic obstacles to keep you intrigued. Plus, it’s free so you have nothing to lose by checking it out!