“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.
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Just a sweet and cute Christmas read.

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


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