Blair Fell
Alcove Press
20 October 2026
352
eBook - EPUB
Historical/LGBT+
ARC via NetGalley
Willy Hughes, an arrogant young hustler in Elizabethan England, is used to conning drunken men into believing he’s a young woman of ill repute—and then robbing them of their purses. But behind his thievery, he’s heartbroken over his first love, Barnaby Stubb, ending things between them. Not one to lick at his wounds for long, one night, Willy spots a newly famous stage poet in the alehouse. Will is ten years his senior, and he looks at Willy in a way he’s never been looked at before. Rather than robbing him blind, Willy decides that the sharp-eyed poet is meant to be the greatest love of his life.
Will wants Willy as his muse and perhaps as something more, but the older and more experienced poet is playing a dangerous game with people’s hearts. The confusion is driving Willy mad. Willy’s treacherous connection with Will—who is already married and involved in another love affair—becomes even more complicated when Will’s rival poet comes into the picture.
Christopher Marlowe is sexy, stunning, and dangerous. And he’s pursuing Willy with all he’s got. When Barnaby suddenly comes back into his life, Willy must determine once and for all who his heart belongs to. But London’s burgeoning acting companies have a darker side, and, as Willy goes from lowly apprentice to full-fledged star, he must rise to the occasion and stand up against exploitation and abuse.
The Two Wills offers an LGBT+ historical fiction tale based on the premise that a young player of female roles, William Hughes, is the young man to whom Shakespeare wrote so many sonnets. This story explores the idea of bisexuality in Elizabethan England, following Hughes often complex relationship with Shakespeare and weaving through it his acquaintance with the 'Dark Lady' and other key figures of the time such as Marlowe and Burbage. Overall, I found this a compelling tale. I preferred Hughes' narration over that of Rose, but all in all it was a fun story to follow with plenty of action and emotion along the way. If you are a fan of Shakespeare and of historical fiction with LGBT+ representation, this is likely a story you will enjoy. I am giving it 4 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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