Skylar M. CatesCritiques

Cole lives with his best friend and three other guys and they are all like family. Cole finds a guy very attractive, but he happens to be his best friends boss and his friend likes the boss, so he doesn't feel like he can act on it. When there is tragedy in the family, Cole finds himself grieving and turning to someone he didn't think he would end up turning to.

This book had some heartbreaking moments and a bit of dealing with grief, but I didn't find it overwhelming through the story, and there was quite a bit of happiness and hope despite the tragedy. I really enjoyed this story.

This started out with me not liking Julian too much because he was too grumpy, but with his past of hurt and trying to raise his kids as a single parent and seeing his jerk ex, I can understand why he was that way. Leo, however, was totally adorable right from the get go. When they finally get past the annoying "I don't want to like you" stage, they were adorable together. I liked how they came together and the fun Christmas spirit of the book. I do wish there was more of an HEA for these guys, though. It's too much HFN for me to love love love it. Hopefully we can get more of these guys in the near future. Their family and friends were awesome, so it would be great to see some of their stories, too.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services

Julian and Leo are so cute together, once they let go of their preconceptions of each other. Their original meeting might not have been ideal, but it kept them in each other's minds, so maybe that wasn't so bad.

I love the fact that Leo backed Julian up when his scuzzy ex came around and helped give Julian some much needed confidence. It was an excellent way to handle it.

Good book, good story.

Sometimes the people we are attracted to us seem all wrong – and in a few cases that first impression turns out to be totally inaccurate. Cole and Ian’s story is one that proves how incorrect preconceived ideas can be, and I loved accompanying both of them on their journey to a better understanding of themselves and each other. Both men are in a lot of pain, for very different reasons, but Cole broke my heart. And then what happens to one of the guys he considers his family makes it even worse… This is not a fun, fluffy read by any means but exploring these characters, what makes them tick, and how they figure each other out is a fascinating story and one that I think is well worth reading.

Cole is determined to put the past behind him, and since it is one filled with pain, I could totally understand him. The new family he builds with his four roommates may be unconventional, but it fulfills Cole’s emotional needs far better than his biological family ever has. The one thorn in Cole’s side is Ian – a man who is so totally not right for him that Cole can’t believe he feels attracted at all. Cole has a lot to learn, and when a tragedy helps Cole see Ian in a different light, Cole quickly realizes he may have done the sexy lawyer an injustice. It still takes them awhile to adjust – and that was a totally fascinating process!

Ian is a lawyer. He is dedicated to make his career a success, and any passion he feels is for his job. At least that’s the way it was before he meets Cole – and then everything changes. But Cole is a hard nut to crack, so to speak, and Ian isn’t exactly good at relationships, so the only things that keep him going are curiosity about the enigma that is Cole and Ian’s stubbornness to figure it all out. There is much to learn for Ian as well, and his journey toward a man who knows his heart as well as his brain is compelling and a good complement to Cole’s efforts of understanding Ian.

If you like character-driven stories with lots of character growth and emotional depth, if two men who need to figure out how to relate sound interesting, and if you’re looking for an emotionally intense read with a subtle romance woven in, then you will probably enjoy this novel. I am hoping for a sequel – some of the secondary characters sound like they’d have a story or two to tell as well!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

“What could go wrong?” must be about the most famous last words in existence. Any time someone asks that question, I cringe—because I just know the universe will be rubbing their hands in glee, and making plans to show whoever spoke the words exactly what’s what. Evan, in this delightfully funny and heartwarming Christmas novella, is on the receiving end of the universe’s “revenge”, for lack of a better word. He is about to find out, in a most enjoyable way, exactly what can and does go wrong when you challenge powers you’d be better off not getting noticed by.

Evan is an actor. And that doesn’t just describe his chosen profession and course of study, it describes his default reaction to stress and threats. After all, he sadly had to “act” his way through most of school when bullies were after him for being “different”, for being gay. Inside, he is a very sensitive young man, and he desperately wants to love and be loved. But wanting a guy who has shown casual interest in him to be his boyfriend doesn’t make it true, and the rude awakening that follows crushes Evan and ruins his dreams of finally bringing home a boyfriend for Christmas. I really felt for him and his conundrum, because even though he narrates the story with lots of humor, I was able to feel his pain.

JD comes to the rescue – albeit without knowing it at first. Actually, JD needs rescuing himself, after his brother kicks him out of their deceased parents’ home when JD comes out to him. JD may be too proud to admit he needs help and support, but Evan knows better. JD goes into the farce of playing Evan’s boyfriend thinking he knows what he’s in for, but Evan’s family and Evan surprise him in the best ways possible. I loved the way he learns first-hand what it feels like to be part of a real family, crazy though they may be. In a way, the universe has as much to teach him as Evan, even though JD never asked for, or expected, the wonderful “trouble” he soon finds himself in.

If you like characters with overactive imaginations and a great sense of humor, if said characters finding out what’s truly important sounds like an interesting journey, and if you’re looking for an entertaining, funny, and heartwarming read with a lot of Christmas spirit and some great romantic moments between two unsuspecting young men, then you will probably enjoy this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

review to follow

Just a sweet and cute Christmas read.

Holiday impromptu read with Elsbeth, Kayl, Momo and Britta...Tuesday, December 23rd


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3.5

3.5

Pre-order from DSP. Download 5/26.