Under the Arabian Sky, Love Abroad by Robin Knight

Under the Arabian Sky is a short, sweet, sandy and hot romance in the Love Abroad series. 

From the blurb:

Find Love Abroad Under the Arabian Sky…

Arthur Somersby is an expert in sand. Working as an arenologist at Oxford University, it’s Arthur’s job to gather research and data on the movement and molecular structure of sand, blending geology,

chemistry and biology into one specialty science. But while Arthur’s colleagues conduct their work around the globe — from the Sahara to the Kalahari and beyond — a tragedy in Arthur’s past prevents him from wanting to leave the safety of his office.

That is until one of his colleagues goes missing, presumed dead, and Arthur is called upon to take his place in the distant Arab nation of Oman.

It is there upon the shipless oceans of sand that Arthur meets falcon veterinarian Tariq Hassan. And while the desert heat ignites an instant spark between the two men, a clash of cultures could mean their Arabian love affair is over before it’s even begun.

Can two strangers from opposite worlds overcome the Middle East’s tightly-held religious beliefs and find a way to love one another? Can a connection be made between the science of sand and the spirituality of the desert? Will Arthur’s past and centuries-old traditions keep two souls apart, or will Arthur and Tariq find their happily-ever-after… Under the Arabian Sky?

Under the Arabian Sky is a 40k-word MM romance that will transport you to the deserts of Arabia from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. It can be read as part of the Love Abroad collection or as a stand-alone romance.

Sheena's Review:

This is part of the multi author Love Abroad series. I've never read anything from this author before, they are new to me but after reading this, I'd be keen to find more. This was so well written, I really got the feel of Tariq's love for his country of Oman, his sense of belonging there, and his love for his religion, family and life there. I didn't know studying sand was an actual thing, but you live to learn and it was something different and new.

Arthur I loved too, at the beginning he's insular, lonely, grieving a great loss and unwilling to embrace change. I loved seeing the world through Arthur's eyes, his unwilling journey to a country and life he never thought he wanted, and seeing him slowly come to embrace that was wonderful. It's a fast development of the relationship between him and Tariq, that's the nature of a novella, but it never felt rushed to me. I got a real sense of belonging for Arthur, and him finding what he didn't know he needed all along.  

This series is a perfect summer read if you're looking for short, sweet, swoony and hot.  

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Heather's Review:

Few books I've read in the M/M romance genre take on the challenge of discussing Islam and the Muslim world in relation to being queer, but Under the Arabian Sky does it in a very sensitive way.  Told from Arthur's POV, we get feedback from Tariq, the other MC and also Tariq's parents - the supportive mother and homophobic father.. as the two men find compatibility and love in the midst of sand and endless stars...

I would have liked to see more from Tariq's POV and more in general, but the novella was well written and touched on but didn't linger on the greater issue of being gay in Oman.  It was a little bit insta-love and some of the threads seemed to stay unravelled, but overall it was a good read and definitely made me think.

Rating: 4 Stars

Under the Arabian Sky is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.