Book: Facing Leeward by J.J. Mulder
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4.5/5
ARC REVIEW
Facing Leeward by J.J. Mulder
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
This is such a beautiful, quiet friends-to-lovers romance. Nils and Oliver's story isn't built around grand romantic gestures or dramatic declarations. Instead, it's the small moments that make their relationship feel so special—the everyday acts of care, understanding, and devotion that show their love rather than simply telling us about it.
Nils absolutely broke my heart. After spending much of his childhood being judged because of his stutter, he's learned to stay quiet and make himself small. He genuinely believes he isn't smart enough or worthy enough to be loved, which couldn't be further from the truth. Beneath that insecurity is a deeply caring man who is always there for the people he loves. He's a fantastic listener, observant, thoughtful, and has so much to offer if people take the time to hear him.
Oliver broke my heart in a different way. He grew up in a home where affection was scarce and criticism was plentiful. His father spent years convincing him that enjoying traditionally feminine things somehow made him less of a man. Even as an adult working as a lobsterman—a profession that couldn't be more stereotypically masculine—he still struggles to silence that voice in the back of his mind.
What I loved most about this romance is how naturally Nils and Oliver fit together. In many ways, they're opposites, but they understand each other so completely. Nils gives Oliver the unconditional love and acceptance he's always deserved, while Oliver has learned to read the things Nils doesn't say out loud. Their connection feels effortless, and their transition from friendship to something more is completely believable.
The tenderness between them is what really sold me on their relationship. They're patient with each other, protective of each other, and so deeply invested in the other's happiness. By the end, it felt impossible to imagine them with anyone else.
Overall, this was a thoughtful, heartfelt romance that proves the quietest love stories can sometimes be the most powerful.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!