The My Happiness series follows the life of a Russian Lieutenant, Alexeev Kondurov, in 1700s Russia. In Part 1, he falls in love with an older man, Tomi Pedorov, whose life is cut short by illness. The first book explores their first encounter, and how they were separated for six years before they finally got back together. The Lieutenant retires from the army, and the couple travels from Moscow back to Tomi’s home in Storozhevsk, Komi Republic. Their encounters along the way are challenging: Tomi’s illness gets progressively worse, Alexeev is tempted by a younger man, and they both face the violent prejudices of the time. Part 1 ends with Alexeev and Tomi exchanging vows and rings privately, halfway to Tomi’s cottage in Storozhevsk.