House of Mirrors by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon
Loose Id
Gay Historical
ISBN: 978-1-60737-986-7
Reviewed by Cassie




After being beaten and cast aside by his family for being gay, Jonah Talbot stumbles onto a traveling carnival. Desperate to get away, he seeks a job. Rafe Grimstone, the mysterious owner of the show, gives Jonah a shot on a trial basis only. Jonah, grateful for whatever he can get, seizes the opportunity. He’s drawn to Rafe but ignores the feelings, determined not to ruin his chance.

Rafe Grimstone is a man with many secrets. The show’s not doing well, thanks in part to a persistent saboteur, and his past doesn’t seem to want to stay there. On top of everything else, he finds himself attracted to the battered young man he’s sheltering. Will Rafe show Jonah his true self and reach for happiness at last, or will he continue to hide behind his many masks?

House of Mirrors is a fascinating tale of illusion and reality, emotion and suspense. I fell in love with sweet, earnest Jonah right away. Betrayed by his lover and family, he’s alone in the world. He doesn’t expect to find the place he belongs in a carnival, but that’s exactly what happens. Despite his betrayal, he’s still willing to take the risk of caring for Rafe. Rafe, on the other hand, lives a life of deception. His whole persona is smoke and mirrors. When he finds himself wanting something deeper with Jonah, he doesn’t want to risk it. Even when I wanted to kick him, I always understood where he was coming from.

The setting and secondary characters in House of Mirrors are very well done. I could picture the turn-of-the-century carnival, shabby in the daylight but a world of mystery at night. The cast of the carnival, from the giant and the fat lady to those who perform in various shows, were colorful and three-dimensional. Suspense comes from the mystery of who’s trying to ruin the show, as well as from whether Rafe will ever open up. House of Mirrors has a bit of something for everyone: a great historical setting, drama, suspense, romance, and angst. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, pick up House of Mirrors.