Category: LGBTQIA Holiday Story

Review: Under the Mistle-tome (a Christmas Falls story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4.5🌈

Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee is the third book I’ve read in the multi-author Christmas Falls series and it’s my favorite one so far.

A best friends to lovers story, here the best friend from childhood is returning to Christmas Falls after a long separation and with an adorable daughter in tow.

Trevor’s cold family life that he and his young daughter, Holly, are leaving behind is sharply contrasted with the warmth and joyful welcome that awaits them at the familiar bookstore run by Trey and his heart warming family. Cee makes that bookstore, Season’s Readings, with its fun kids story times run by Eddie, hustling crowds of book loving people, and general air of welcoming spirit a place of reality for the reader. It grounds us and all the characters immediately.

It’s a place where the men can start their own journey back together as Trevor’s adorable little Holly adjusts to her new home, stealing hearts and scenes left and right.

Through Holly, the reader gets to view Christmas Falls as we should see it! Christmas Falls parades, the magical world of the town spreads out before Trevor and Holly as she sees it for the first time and Trevor remembers why he loves it so and needed to return. And Trey, see his town again and appreciates how special it is again.

This entire story is just a reminder of the importance of the community and spirit of the holiday season, whether it’s a large town celebration or a family coming together, home again in heart and place. Such a joy to read in every aspect.

If I had a quibble, it was the quick resolution for the manner Trevor was treated, and his daughter was treated by his parents . There was a later disclosure about her behavior but it did nothing to assuage the lack of full support from his father or the lack of apologies from either for what was really long term damaging behavior. If this was going to be an important element, then it needs just as thorough and satisfying ending.

Otherwise, a fantastic holiday story, with beautifully rendered scenes and great characters. I love it.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

✓ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

Buy Link:

Under The Mistle-tome

Blurb:

Hoping to give his young daughter, Holly, the joyful childhood he had, Trevor moves back to the one place he’s always considered home—Christmas Falls.

As happy as he is to be back in the festive atmosphere of the small charming town, it’s nothing compared to how excited he is to spend time with his best friend, Trey.

Taking over the family bookstore in the town he grew up in was all Trey had ever wanted. Until Trevor walked back into his life, proving his childhood crush had never completely faded.

And Trevor’s daughter? Well, the adorable girl quickly claims a piece of Trey’s heart.

With the help of a little holiday magic, these two men and one very determined little girl may get exactly what they need—a family.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

• Publisher: (December 1, 2023)

• Publication date: December 1, 2023

• Print length: 188 pages

Review: Under the Mistle-tome (a Christmas Falls story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4.5🌈

Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee is the third book I’ve read in the multi-author Christmas Falls series and it’s my favorite one so far.

A best friends to lovers story, here the best friend from childhood is returning to Christmas Falls after a long separation and with an adorable daughter in tow.

Trevor’s cold family life that he and his young daughter, Holly, are leaving behind is sharply contrasted with the warmth and joyful welcome that awaits them at the familiar bookstore run by Trey and his heart warming family. Cee makes that bookstore, Season’s Readings, with its fun kids story times run by Eddie, hustling crowds of book loving people, and general air of welcoming spirit a place of reality for the reader. It grounds us and all the characters immediately.

It’s a place where the men can start their own journey back together as Trevor’s adorable little Holly adjusts to her new home, stealing hearts and scenes left and right.

Through Holly, the reader gets to view Christmas Falls as we should see it! Christmas Falls parades, the magical world of the town spreads out before Trevor and Holly as she sees it for the first time and Trevor remembers why he loves it so and needed to return. And Trey, see his town again and appreciates how special it is again.

This entire story is just a reminder of the importance of the community and spirit of the holiday season, whether it’s a large town celebration or a family coming together, home again in heart and place. Such a joy to read in every aspect.

If I had a quibble, it was the quick resolution for the manner Trevor was treated, and his daughter was treated by his parents . There was a later disclosure about her behavior but it did nothing to assuage the lack of full support from his father or the lack of apologies from either for what was really long term damaging behavior. If this was going to be an important element, then it needs just as thorough and satisfying ending.

Otherwise, a fantastic holiday story, with beautifully rendered scenes and great characters. I love it.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

✓ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

Buy Link:

Under The Mistle-tome

Blurb:

Hoping to give his young daughter, Holly, the joyful childhood he had, Trevor moves back to the one place he’s always considered home—Christmas Falls.

As happy as he is to be back in the festive atmosphere of the small charming town, it’s nothing compared to how excited he is to spend time with his best friend, Trey.

Taking over the family bookstore in the town he grew up in was all Trey had ever wanted. Until Trevor walked back into his life, proving his childhood crush had never completely faded.

And Trevor’s daughter? Well, the adorable girl quickly claims a piece of Trey’s heart.

With the help of a little holiday magic, these two men and one very determined little girl may get exactly what they need—a family.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

• Publisher: (December 1, 2023)

• Publication date: December 1, 2023

• Print length: 188 pages

Review: Grinch Kisses (Christmas Falls #1 by D J Jamison

Rating: 4.5🌈

Griff is a character I met in previous books, largely Beth Bolden’s Silent Knight, where he’s everywhere trying to keep order for the Christmas festivities.

Now Jamison takes him and fleshes him out. We see a man with a failed marriage, teenage kids he never sees, who’s made his job his life and order a safety net for his loneliness.

It’s takes a sister, a fake boyfriend ploy, and a man with a tragic background, to get Griff out of his Grinch-like ways and into a relationship and new life. Same goes for Logan, the friend who agrees to the fake boyfriend deal for his bestie when she invites him home for the Christmas holiday. He’s a well defined character, his own foster background and loss of family coming through in moving glimpses.

The author has written several tough topics into the narrative. Loss of family, fear of abandonment, inability or fear to connect, trauma and loss. Whether it’s fear of what’s gone or what is there to have and can be lost. Again.

How each man is feeling about these important issues, the emotional state of mind is beautifully expressed in scenes, individually and of the men working together to overcome their fears.

The storytelling is so warmhearted and layered with the seasonality of the Christmas events and townspeople as they have their own impact on the growing relationship.

I love the story and definitely feel it’s a must read for anyone who enjoys holiday stories.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

✓ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison ❤️

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

✓ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee ❤️

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

Buy Link:

Grinch Kisses

Blurb:

I’m the grinch who saves Christmas …

Yep, you read that right. Every year I save Christmas–and Christmas Falls–by organizing a massive festival that sustains tourism for our little town.

But it turns out when Christmas is your life 24/7, the shine wears off the twinkly lights after a while. The holidays are a heck of a lot of work, and when I go home, I want peace and quiet, not fa-la-la’ing on my porch.

That all changes when my sister brings me an early Christmas gift. One I didn’t ask for. One that’s tall, broad, and handsome…

Suddenly this season got a whole lot brighter.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the holidays and time for Shannon Mae’s Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures to go all things Christmas! What an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance this is!

Mae gives us her version of the Santa origin story this time around with a touch of chaotic demonic energy and angelic joy combined to create happiness and love for children at a certain time of year. That had serious ramifications for one Nachielus (not Nicholas).

I absolutely loved seeing Nach return to the human realm. Mae’s ability to make the reader see the joy and wonder of the season, the warmth and happiness he’s able to bring, is a marvel of its own.

That carries over to the other characters, Beckett, a human, whose love for Christmas is deep and abiding as well as his roommate, who adds to the holiday spirit.

Together, we get a portrait of two beings who are soulmates, completely compatible in every sense of their being. It’s sexy, fun, but also filled with the joy and excitement of the Christmas spirit.

Happily, we get appearances from another important couple too. That’s the frosting or maybe tree topper on the Christmas tree here. As well as hints for a new book and identity of a character that’s been around in the background of the preceding stories.

All in all, a fabulous time was had back in this universe and I have another Christmas story to recommend.

Great cover again!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles30Kindle Edition$0.00or $2.99 to buy

Blurb:

Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck’s Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach’s kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out to keep this sexy Santa all to himself.

Tags: Beck is living his own Christmas rom-com, complete with a meet cute and lots of Christmas kisses; Nach never means to cause trouble—it just seems to find him (and the reindeer thing was definitely not his fault); Nach has a very loose definition of what constitutes a miracle; corporate Scrooges try to suck the fun out of Christmas (but don’t worry, they don’t succeed); Nach is an angel of joy of fulfillment, so expect plenty of joy… and fulfillment (wink, wink).

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles is a 30k novella bursting with laughs, holiday spirit, and a Happily Ever After that even the Grinch would approve of. Get ready for festive chaos, Christmas kisses, and a love story weirder than Grandma’s fruitcake.

— A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

• Publication date: November 27, 2023

• Print length: 118 pages

Review: The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3🌈

A story in shared universe with the author’s Mr Romance of the Franklin U series collection, this holiday short features the uncles of Mr Romance’s young main couple.

I’m a solid fan of Masters and her ability to build great characters, relationships, and, indeed, imaginative worlds to throw them into.

But the short length here limits this to a cute story with characters and a relationship that’s one note, quickly built, instant love, with little of the author’s usual narrative charm and depth. There’s just too little page length.

It’s a meet, insult, meet again with great embarrassment. Apologies and into bed. Love and immediate commitment. Done. With family that you don’t have much time to get a feel for.

So if you’re interested in a quick holiday tale that’s a cute read. Pick it up, read, put down. Mainly because of the author. Interested? The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters is a short story for you.

Buy Link:

Blurb:

The hot guy at my new job is my nephew’s boyfriend’s uncle… and I just insulted his whole family…

Transferring to the California office is a great opportunity for me, and it gives me the chance to spend more time with my nephew, Liam. There’s no way to lose in this situation—especially when I meet Jim, who works in my office, is super-hot, and seems interested.

Except, for reasons I can’t explain, I might have complained about having to spend Thanksgiving with Liam’s boyfriend’s family, who are mega rich. I wasn’t expecting to turn up and discover that Jim’s nephew is dating mine… and that the family I called snobs is his.

Now I have to find a way to apologize and convince Jim to keep my secret. There’s no way I’ll risk damaging Liam’s relationship. Too bad there’s no chance he’ll still be interested in me… right?

A fun holiday romp with cameo appearances by Liam and Charlie from Mr. Romance.

Review: York: Yule Lads Book One by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

“Frosted snickerdoodle antlers!”

And it’s back to Mistletoe Falls after last year’s terrific Christmas Sprites Series, but this time it’s the Sprites counterparts, the Yule Lads getting back their magic and mates.

York, the first Yule Lad we meet, is Christmas Falls mechanic. A mixture of grumbly mischief with a deep love for his cousins, and an appreciation for the weirdness of his town, he’s just perfect. I adore him and all the quirky little elements that Blake layered into him, carrot fondness included.

He’s balanced with the relatable human Gabriel Baum and his adorable corgi, Bogie, who has come to Christmas Falls to sell his beautiful hand crafted gifts and ornaments at the annual Christmas fair. Gabe is in desperate need of some help and maybe even some magic. He’s got a sad backstory but he’s landed in a town that is warm and welcoming.

Love this town and its inhabitants. More please.

Macy Blake has written a delightful, heartwarming story that has all the holiday charm and great elements woven into a perfect fantasy romance. It sparkles with magical moments and scenes of comfort as well as ones of comedy.

What a great start in a short Christmas present! I can’t wait to see what Uriel’s story brings.

Highly recommended.

Yule Lads:

✓ York #1

◦ Uriel #2 – December 7,2023

Buy Link:

York: Yule Lads Book One

Blurb:

Naughty but nice…

York Lad is stunned when his magic unexpectedly returns, but he’s ready to bring a little mischief to the small town of Mistletoe Falls. Along with his cousins, the other Yule Lads, York has spent the last year planning pranks to add their version of holiday cheer to the season.

Gabriel Baum needs to succeed at Mistletoe Falls annual craft fair. He doesn’t expect for the town’s quirky residents to embrace him with open arms, especially York, the town’s mechanic. When his beloved vehicle breaks down, Gabriel is stranded unless York can save him from certain doom.

York may not have been expecting to lose his heart over the holidays, but with his magic sparkling in the air and the man of his dreams at his side, he has a few new reasons to love the season…if his Yule Lad magic doesn’t get up to snow good.

If you love small towns, mischief makers, and holiday magic, your heart will melt over this feel-good Christmas romance.

The Chosen Universe is a group of interconnected series set in one universe. There is some overlap to the series, so it’s recommended to read the books in order. You can download a FREE reading order guide by clicking here

Sweet Nothings: The Chosen One Prequel–When Sam Baker discovers a small child at his backdoor, he learns that a world of magic and shifters exists all around him—including the alpha werewolf he had a one night stand with years before.

The Chosen One Series–The mythical Chosen One is set to return with his eight guardians and correct the magical wrongs done centuries before.

Hellhound Champions Series–As the champions of the fire goddess, the hellhounds have one task: keep the secret of the supernatural world safe.

Magical Mates Series–After the Chosen One returns, magic is in the air, and shifters are finally finding their fated mates… with a little help on the side.

Chosen Champions Series–With the magical realm in chaos, a new set of champions emerges to keep the human world secure.

Cosmo and the King–Cosmo never told any of his friends in the human realm that he ran away on his wedding day, leaving his king at the alter. Now Silenus has to track down Cosmo and convince him that they are meant for each other, even though his stubborn fiancé seems determined to challenge him at every turn.

Christmas Sprites Series–With magic in the human realm on the fritz, four Christmas Sprites find themselves trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive in Mistletoe Falls… and finding love along the way.

Yule Lads Series–You better watch out… the Yule Lads are coming to Mistletoe Falls this holiday season! A follow up to the pun-filled Christmas Sprites series, prepare for mischief, mayhem, and maybe a little love in time for Yule. If you prefer to read in chronological order, check out the Chosen Universe Box Sets

— York: Yule Lads Book One by Macy Blake

Review: Silent Knight (a Christmas Falls novel) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 3🌈

Silent Night by Beth Bolden is a novel written for the Christmas Falls multi-author collaboration about a small town whose inhabitants live and breathe Christmas.

But it’s very much a mashup with her successful football series, the Charleston Condors, as one of the main characters, Jem Knight, is a famous Condor player currently on the injured reserve list.

We know Jem from his best friend relationship with Deacon, another character and teammate. Both men are going through some very difficult times, emotionally, mentally, and in Jem’s case, physically.

Sports (also food) is where Bolden’s writing excels. It’s in the team dynamics, the on-field team chemistry and excitement, and the ability to translate the author’s knowledge and love for each sport into a compelling narrative.

Here Jem is outside of his usual comfort zone and it shows in making him an outsider in his hometown. It absolutely works in his status and his emotional distance from the town’s citizens and events. We feel that outsider status from the minute he arrived back into town. He’s never emotionally home and that’s the issue, no matter what happens, he and Bolden never believably make him a viable choice to come back for us or him. It’s Told To Us. But nope.

The other man, local craftsman made famous, gnome carver , Murphy Clark, is also a terrific creation. He’s vulnerable, fearful of repeating the past, and insecure about his own attributes. Murphy is a very strong character. He belongs to Christmas Falls one hundred percent.

However, it’s the reality and relationship between the men, the parents (especially Jem’s) that just wasn’t there for me. The intrusive aspect where Jem’s parents decided they were the best judge of two grown men’s lives, including leaning against the son over another man, struck me as cold. Instead I found it completely natural for Jem to have stayed away from the town and family for years.

The author made a case, but not in the way she anticipated. And that negated most of the rest of her storyline. I could see a friendship rekindled but didn’t Bolden didn’t make me feel the chemistry that normally comes with one of her stories and couples. And so much of the deeper characters and depth, with the exception of Murphy’s best friend, was missing. Jem never felt a part of this town or family. It all seemed forced, unlike Charleston.

Run, Jem, run. How’s that for Christmas?

See you back at the Charleston Condors.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

Buy Link:

Silent Knight

Blurb:

Of all the things Murphy Clark loves about Christmas Falls, there’s always been one he loves a little more than the rest:

His childhood best friend, Jem Knight.

Doesn’t matter that Jem’s barely been home in years, or that he’s busy conquering football fields instead of hanging out at Jolly Java or admiring Murphy’s carved wooden gnomes. Murphy’s always loved him anyway.

But now Jem’s finally returned to Christmas Falls to be the honorary figurehead of the biggest holiday festival in the Midwest.

Murphy’s hoping to rekindle their friendship but he didn’t count on Jem not recognizing him. Or flirting with him. Or re-igniting the hopeless crush he’s always had for his best friend.

He definitely didn’t expect for his crush to no longer be hopeless at all.

Or for both of them to realize that all they want for Christmas this year is each other.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

◦ The Play #4 – March 31, 2024

Review: Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton

Rating: 3🌈

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton is based loosely on one of this author’s favorite movies with comedic actors Steve Martin and John Candy, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”.

Both have unexpected road trips at its core and new relationships that form as part of the plot.

Easton’s is a sweet instant love story that happens at Christmas during a road trip racing to escape a Hurricane bearing down on Florida and the east coast.

One man’s an engaged uptight medical businessman trying to get to his wedding, and the other’s a social worker trying to see a mother who’s sick to say goodbye. Both in New York City. Or there bouts.

The premise is cute and the characters are straight up Easton adorable. But the quickness of breakdown in Joe Blankenship’s life, from engaged overworked medical executive to “madly in love” running after the social worker who’s convinced him to give up everything.

It feels more like a mid life crisis than a real life romantic moment. It’s a hurricane. They run around a Six Flags type of theme park while fleeing it , smh! Then it’s crisis mode and pressed into relief and more crisis related events.

No relationship really but sex and high emotions that just don’t make me feel like this isn’t anything but intense events and pressure piled into each other. For me, the author didn’t make the connection between the two men viable past the hurricane.

If the author had made the relationship between the two men more realistic , then maybe leave out running around doing crazy stuff while a major hurricane’s impact on their car ride and the world around them. Make that clear and direct, because the events that happen just take the men and their trip out of any kind of realistic scenario until Easton decides to plunge them back in again.

It’s fun, it’s not. It’s a break, it’s a disaster. It’s a roller coaster of a narrative that has not a lot of substance.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton is a cute Christmas story but not my favorite from this author. Read it because you’re a fan or you like holiday stories.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Planes-…Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance

Blurb:

Joe knows where he is going in life. But one crazy road trip just might change everything.

Joe Blankenship knows where he’s going. He’s on track to marry the boss’s daughter and become heir apparent to a multi-million dollar medical supply business. The financial security he never had growing up is within his grasp along with a glitzy Manhattan lifestyle. All he has to do is get to New York by Christmas Eve for his engagement party.

Joe didn’t count on getting grounded in Florida thanks to a hurricane. He couldn’t have anticipated having to rent a broken-down car for the long drive north. And he certainly never foresaw being stuck with a passenger like Remy Guidry, a sweet-natured Cajun boy, social worker at a children’s home, and free spirit. Remy is the opposite of everything Joe has worked for. But he just might teach Joe, not only the spirit of Christmas, but what’s truly of value in life.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes is a Christmas road trip, forced proximity, opposites attract romance.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Planes-…Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance

Blurb:

Joe knows where he is going in life. But one crazy road trip just might change everything.

Joe Blankenship knows where he’s going. He’s on track to marry the boss’s daughter and become heir apparent to a multi-million dollar medical supply business. The financial security he never had growing up is within his grasp along with a glitzy Manhattan lifestyle. All he has to do is get to New York by Christmas Eve for his engagement party.

Joe didn’t count on getting grounded in Florida thanks to a hurricane. He couldn’t have anticipated having to rent a broken-down car for the long drive north. And he certainly never foresaw being stuck with a passenger like Remy Guidry, a sweet-natured Cajun boy, social worker at a children’s home, and free spirit. Remy is the opposite of everything Joe has worked for. But he just might teach Joe, not only the spirit of Christmas, but what’s truly of value in life.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes is a Christmas road trip, forced proximity, opposites attract romance.

Review: Get Frosted (a Christmas Falls novel) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4🌈

Get Frosted is a sweet Christmas romance with elements of small towns at Christmas, retired NHL players looking for a new start, home, and love.

This is a low angst story about a family that has two retired NHL players that have returned back home to Christmas Falls after their careers have ended. It’s the younger brother , Mik, who’s the main character, one who has had a long rivalry with/crush with his older brother’s best friend and NHL teammate, Rudy Snow.

This charts their relationship and Rudy’s indecision about staying in Christmas Falls, the longest stretch of stability in his life.

There are so many wonderful elements written into this book. Aislin’s scenes of Mik’s helping one of his young hockey players learn how to high stick properly highlights not only the author’s own knowledge of the game but her ability to bring this moment beautifully to life, making the shared love and passion for hockey, the teaching that’s etched into the ice, sticks and blades feel real and meaningful.

And there’s the decorations, from the Bigfoot collection to the icicles lighting of memory that mean so much to the men, town, and most likely many readers. The author writes that into the narrative in ways that are humorous, and poignant, much as this mixed feelings of this holiday tradition often brings us.

As the relationship develops and grows, we are able to develop a feeling about the town and characters, not just the couple. It turns into a sweet Christmas romance with a sense of humor and touches of small town pride that makes it a lovely read.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

◦ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

— Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

Buy Link:

Get Frosted

Blurb:

For years, Mik has wanted nothing more than to put coal in Rudy Snow’s stocking.

As former pro hockey players, they’ve been rivals for years. It started in Mik’s rookie season, when a reporter pitted him against his older brother’s best friend. Rudy pushes Mik’s buttons like no one else, going out of his way to one-up him at every turn.

Now they’re both pub owners in a small town that takes Christmas to a level best seen in Hallmark movies, but not much else has changed. They’re still rivals, this time pitting gingerbread martinis against pomegranate sangria.

But when they’re forced to work together to plan a special holiday party, sparks ignite. Maybe it’s a bad idea to put coal in Rudy’s stocking after all. They both might just catch fire.

Then again, what better way is there to stay warm on a cold winter’s night?

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Review: Holiday Heart Strings (Hartbridge Christmas, #4) by N. R. Walker

Rating: 5 🌈

I love this series so much and it just keeps getting better with each story. Holiday Heart Strings sees Hartbridge, Montana getting a new elementary school teacher in the form of newly arrived Englishman, Braithe Branson.

Braithe has a temporary position as a kindergarten teacher until the permanent one comes back from maternity leave. Just enough time for the legendary Hartbridge Christmas Cupid connection to kick in.

Walker’s series is that Christmas gift that keeps on giving, and now we get a new couple and emotionally charged romance. While Braithe is a English spot of delightful positivity and optimism, the story belongs to Deputy Colson Price, a wounded man in need of healing and help so he can find his way forward to a real family and community within the place where he calls home.

I found myself in tears more than once, at the pain and suffering that Walker realistically wrote into Colson’s fear over being gay and the abusive homophobic history that led to it. But Walker balances it with the joy of Braithe’s compassion and understanding as well as love showed Colson he could be safe in his sexuality as their relationship progresses.

I love all the Hartbridge couples but this may be my favorite story. It’s so moving and deeply rooted in the feelings of the community and characters.

With each release there’s always a bit of apprehension that this is the last of Walker’s Hartbridge Christmas novels but there’s a new gay firefighter in town in need of his own HEA so, delightfully, we can look forward to another narrative gift next Christmas! I’ll be waiting! And rereading this amazingly beautiful series to celebrate!

Don’t miss out on the Hartbridge map so you know just where everything is in this fabulous town!

Hartbridge Christmas:

✓ Tic-Tac-Mistletoe #1

✓ Christmas Wish List #2

✓ Merry Christmas Cupid #3

✓ Holiday Heart Strings #4

Buy Link:

Holiday Heart Strings (Hartbridge Christmas Series Book 4)

Blurb:

Hartbridge Christmas Series – Book Four

Englishman Braithe Branson arrives in Hartbridge, Montana, to take on a brief substitute kindergarten teacher position. His introduction to the sleepy town is being pulled over for speeding. Not an ideal start, but at least the deputy was cute.

Colson Price takes being a deputy very seriously. After all, his job is all he has. Disowned by his family ten years ago, he’s vowed to stay closeted so it won’t cost him everything all over again.

But the holidays are tough for Colson, and the new guy in town is far too tempting. With a promise of some very private no-strings encounters on the downlow, he can’t resist.

Braithe is charmed by the handsome deputy, the gorgeous town, and the great group of friends he meets. But as the countdown to leaving gets closer, the more tangled the ‘no strings’ becomes.

Braithe and Colson have to hope that Hartbridge will find a way for this Christmas wish to come true.

• Publisher: BlueHeart Press (November 21, 2023)

• Publication date: November 21, 2023

• Print length: 319 pages