I really wanted to like this more but I was pretty disappointed with it, unfortunately, which sucks because the description, atmosphere, tropes, etc. are ones I love. I didn't feel like the relationship between the two main characters was properly developed, and one of the characters had much more of an arc than the other. The main conflict in the story was resolved a little too easily, and the plot hinged on coincidences. These kinds of factors made me less forgiving of inconsistencies I'd otherwise not mind, like the homophobia being there only to serve the plot and disappearing for the HEA. I think part of the problem is that this book was said to be a standalone, but much of the early development for the central relationship was implied to have happened in a prior/companion novel I hadn't read. I'm not sure if that was the case, but I needed that development to feel committed to the relationship, perhaps by the story starting earlier, flashbacks, or some other strategy. All that said, I think this author has a lot of potential and I would consider picking something else by them in the future.