Category: LGBTQIA Holiday Story

Review: Linus (Christmas Sprites #4) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Linus finishes out Blakes’ heartwarming Christmas Sprites series and it’s a magical end I’d hoped for.

Linus, the last of the Christmas sprite cousins to find a mate, has always thought he’d be the first one to find the perfect one to love and spend the rest of his life with.

Instead, the fumbling, large-hearted innkeeper has stood by and watched, a tad jealously, as the other three found their mates, and got their magical “glow up”.

So Linus makes a plan to change his luck. And Colby, Tate’s best friend (and Eldon’s mate) comes to town, looking for Tate, and to check out the mysterious village he’s living in.

With all the other couples and inhabitants of Mistletoe Falls involved in the growing relationship between Colby and Linus, mischief and magical hijinks soon abound! From tiny “borrowed “ goats to Easter eggs and bunnies out of season, this is a heartwarming story, full of charming moments, happy memories, and a couple fated for HEA!

I totally recommend this no angst, heartwarming holiday quartet of magical tales!

Christmas Sprites:

✓ Nyall #1

✓ Oberon #2

✓ Eldon #3

✓ Linus #4

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showLinus (Christmas Sprites #4) by Macy Blake

Description:

Never sleigh never.

Linus is having a Christ-massive problem. His cousins have all found their fated mates and their sprite magic is making beautiful things happen in the small town of Mistletoe Falls they call home. His magic? Well, it’s making a fa-la-la-la-lasting impression
and not in a good way.

No need to Claus a scene!

When Colby’s best friend runs away to Mistletoe Falls, Colby follows. From the moment he arrives, things are an elf-ing mess. Strange things keep occurring in and around the Tinseled Inn, all involving its bewitching owner, Linus. Colby is determined to find out Linus’s secret, and if he doesn’t end up getting his chestnuts roasted, he may discover that Linus will make more than his Christmas bright.

If you love fated mates, Christmas hijinks, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, this holiday romance will help you have a tree-mendous holiday season.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Felix (Boyfriend for Hire #5) by R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell

Rating: 4🌈

I haven’t read the other books in the Boyfriends for Hire series, but that didn’t keep me from reading and enjoying Felix, the fifth installment.

Felix is very much a holiday story and it works somewhat well as a standalone novel. While I was unfamiliar with the characters from the agency that Felix works for, there’s just enough background information that a new reader has a good idea of the universe we are falling into.

That said, while I had a good grasp on the character of Felix, the character of Ethan, the scientist, came about more slowly. I wasn’t sure what to attribute certain aspects of his personality to. Was his scattered thoughts and inability to focus on social situations part of being on the spectrum or something else. Else as it turns out.

But it leaves him as a lesser formed individual than say Felix who we have a firm grasp of.

Their relationship and it’s path is slow but sweet. It has some dramatic moments that turns Ethan’s character into one grounded in a believable, painful journey to healing, new hopeful future for them both.

Felix is a sweet, loving, heartwarming holiday tale. Even without the other books, it’s a lovely read and one I enjoyed immensely.

Add it to your holiday TBR list!

Boyfriends for Hire:

◩ Darcy #1

◩ Kaden #2

◩ Gideon #3

◩ Jaden #4

✓ Felix #5

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showFelix (Boyfriend for Hire, #5) by R.J. Scott

Description:

Hiring a fake boyfriend for a school reunion seems to be the only solution, but love was never part of the equation.

Felix has enough on his plate looking out for his parents, let alone agreeing to being hired for a date with the friend of a friend. His instant attraction to the scatter-brained scientist has him making impulsive decisions he hopes he won’t regret. But, somehow, he’s agreeing to more dates, and more time with sexy Ethan and his non-stop talking. When stolen wintry kisses turn to love, and Christmas works its magic, Felix knows he’s losing his heart.

The science of chemistry makes more sense to Ethan than connecting with potential boyfriends, and he’s wary of romance. Unsettled by a string of failed hookups, he knows it’s on him when everything goes wrong and he can’t help but wonder what has made him this way. His friend Jared says that Ethan needs to close metaphorical doors on past hurts—whatever that means—and that the school reunion might just be step one. Determined to show himself as confident and happy, he hires Felix to be his date for the night, but a kiss to make up for the one he missed at prom, and abruptly, it’s not the past that is consuming his thoughts.

Now all Felix has to do is show Ethan that it’s okay to love and be loved in return, and that chemistry can lead to a happily ever after.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Merry Christmas Cupid (Hartbridge Christmas #3) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.25🌈

N.R.Walker takes us back to that incredibly beautiful and charming place, Hartbridge, Montana, supposedly for the last time, in Merry Christmas Cupid.

No Aussies this time, except for newly transplanted Gunter Zuniga’s interactions with our couples from the past two stories.

Gunter Zuniga, 44 years old, grieving the loss of his father and a breakup of a longstanding relationship on the day of his father’s funeral, relocates to a small town he’s never forgotten for their kindness and support towards his father and himself towards the end of his father’s life.

The old heritage home calls out to him, and that’s how he meets Clay Henderson, a man whose generosity sparks a friendship, a ease into the town, and a new journey forward for both.

Merry Christmas Cupid is a slow, lower angst romantic tale. Clay learns to fully embrace his bisexuality and come out to those that matter. Gunter gains a new found family and close knit set of friends.

Hartbridge, Montana is picturesque and Hallmark descriptive. From the citizens we’ve met before in previous books to new ones that call out for new romances of their own, Merry Christmas Cupid is a lovely holiday gift for fans of this author and lovers of seasonal fiction.

I’m certainly sorry to see this series end if Merry Christmas Cupid truly marks a ending to the Hartbridge Christmas stories!

Pick it up and enjoy Walker’s trademark well crafted characters, heartwarming plot, and heartfelt moments!

Hartbridge Christmas:

✓ Tic-Tac-Mistletoe #1

✓ Christmas Wish List #2

✓ Christmas Cupid #3

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showMerry Christmas Cupid (Hartbridge Christmas, #3) by N.R. Walker

Description:

After a year of tragedy, forty-four-year-old Gunter Zuniga is leaving heartbreak behind and moving to the peaceful and picturesque town of Hartbridge, Montana. He buys an old house in need of some work, which he naively thinks he can manage now that he’s single and retired—he has nothing but time.


Clay Henderson runs the local sawmill with his dad, and it’s the busiest time of year. Firewood and Christmas trees are in high demand, and a delivery of firewood to the old house on Cedar Bark Road leaves him curious about the new man in town.


Clay has never had time for romance and Gunter certainly isn’t looking, but Hartbridge has a way of working its Christmas magic; the jingle of Christmas bells, snow, and love are ringing in the air. And Gunter and Clay are about to get the best Christmas gift they never asked for.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Eldon (Christmas Sprites #3) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Oh those fabulous Christmas sprites! Eldon, the serious one, gets his mate, in a story that runs almost concurrently with all the others. So we get mentions of events we know happened in the other Sprites romances.

Here in a not really “frenemies to lovers “ trope, it’s Tatum William Bixby III , new owner of the Snowda Shoppe, that has Eldon in a snit.

Tate won’t tell Eldon his plans for the shop and the mystery is making Eldon nuts, along with all the magical drama his cousins are causing.

Tate has his own personal reasons for fleeing to Mistletoe Falls. Tate grows on the reader as he wanders about town, falling into the charm of the town and its inhabitants, learning to love it and Eldon.

Once more, Blake has built on the previous books and storylines, and made this story and characters stronger. It’s a lovely romance and it’s leading up to the very last cousin, Linus, and his romantic partner. He’s here too.

Can’t wait for the finale.

I’m highly recommending this and the series.

Christmas Sprites:

✓ Nyall #1

✓ Oberon #2

✓ Eldon #3

◩ Linus #4 – Dec 22, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showEldon (Christmas Sprites #3) by Macy Blake

Description:

Yule be sorry.

Eldon doesn’t care what Tatum William Bixby the third thinks, he absolutely will not allow the Snowda Shoppe to become some corporate monstrosity. Mistletoe Falls is Eldon’s home, his life’s work, and some stuck-up, irritating, rich grinch will not ruin their small town spirit—no matter how gorgeous and intriguing Eldon finds the annoying newcomer.

Baby it’s cold outside. Frigid even, if the adorable Eldon’s reaction to Tate’s arrival in Mistletoe Falls is anything to go by. His plan to secretly escape to the small town for a much needed break has turned into a challenge to drive Eldon over the edge.

Sweet Eldon has a bite to him, though, and when Tate’s secret emerges, he and Eldon reach a holiday crisis of their own. Will the magic of Mistletoe Falls finally miss its mark, or did Eldon and Tate find love at frost sight?

If you love fated mates, enemies to lovers, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, this holiday romance will leave you in pepper-mint condition.

Review: Naughty Neil ( A Hidden Species Novella) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4🌈đŸŒČ

Naughty Neil is a short holiday story that takes place in Masters’ Hidden Species universe.

Neil is a young guy working as an exotic dancer, happy with his life until a guy knocks on his door, claiming to be some kind of government agent, only from a agency he’s never heard of.

Mark Mikakos, Hellhound and CBG investigator ( Community of Species Government ) has come to tell Neil Diaz that he’s a incubus, that there’s a whole hidden world of supernatural beings the he’s a part of , and Mark’s life is about to change forever.

No problem.

What follows is a short, cute story that allows us to see the very start of a relationship and new romance. We meet Mark’s team of investigators and see Neil start to fit into his new world.

It’s over way too soon.

I wish we could have a follow up story to see what happens next. They are a genuinely lovely and fun couple.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showNaughty Neil (A Hidden Species Novella) by Louisa Masters

Description:

I’m just an ordinary guy
 who feeds on sexual energy.

I never knew my dad. Mom said he was a nice enough guy, fun for a night, but she never did get his name. I didn’t miss him, and my life is good.

Then a government agent shows up at my door and announces that I’m not really human. Dear old Dad was actually an incubus, a being that needs sexual energy to survive, and apparently that means I am too. Gotta be a scam, right?

Or so I think
 until Agent Cutie changes into a canine (not a werewolf) in my living room and then eats half a dozen Christmas cookies while making orgasm sounds. Turns out, other species do exist.

On the plus side, being a stripper means that all my incubus needs are being met without me even trying. And now that I know the situation in my pants is normal for an incubus, I don’t feel self-conscious
 so a fling with Agent Mark is definitely on the table.

Between being sexy Santa at work, supplying a team of hellhounds with Christmas cookies, and learning what stamina in the bedroom really is, I’m discovering that my old life was kind of empty. Maybe I’m not such an ordinary guy after all.

This novella was previously available free to newsletter subscribers. Only the cover has changed.

Review: Oberon (Christmas Sprites #2) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Oberon , the second in Blake’s Christmas Sprite’s series, is an even more enjoyable and engaging story than the the first. We’ve had our introduction to magical Mistletoe Falls, the family of four Sprites on course to find their forever mates, and the fantastic experience that awaits us and their mates as the romance begins.

Here is it’s a family of three, each one captivating and lively in their own way. There’s Dr. Miles Lane who has come to Mistletoe Falls to take over the veterinary clinic of Paws and Claus from it’s retired owner, a certain Nickolas Claus and wife 👀. He’s brought his adorable young daughter, Holly, and their Saint Bernard, Ivy. It’s a match made for the town and the spritely handyman, Oberon, who’s there to welcome them and make sure their new home is everything they envisioned for their new life.

This is a heartwarming story, full of family moments and charming scenes as Holly, Ivy and the Doc find themselves adopted by the sprites as part of their family and the town itself. Eldon especially finds himself in a situation where he adopts the entire Lane family and we get to see new sides to his personality.

Which sets him up nicely for the next installment, Eldon. His romance.

Christmas Sprites are low angst, full on magical romance holiday glow storylines. They are warm-hearted and full of cuteness and mysteries that aren’t very mysterious.

They are fast reads and a wonderful holiday Bon Bon to treat yourself to , especially if you’re a fan of Macy Blake.

Christmas Sprites:

✓ Nyall #1

✓ Oberon #2

◩ Eldon #3 – Dec 15, 2022

◩ Linus #4 – Dec 22, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showOberon (Christmas Sprites #2) by Macy Blake

Description:

Santa Paws is coming to town.

When Dr. Miles Lane purchases Paws and Claus, a veterinary clinic in the quirky town of Mistletoe Falls, he doesn’t quite know what he’s in for.

The small town offers a fresh start for Miles, his seven year old daughter, Holly, and their rambunctious Saint Bernard. What Miles doesn’t count on is his immediate attraction to the local handyman, Oberon, who he hires to do some work on their new home and clinic.

Oberon finds himself falling hard for the town’s new vet and his adorable family. There’s only one problem: Oberon is a sprite, a magical being tasked with bringing holiday spirit to the human realm. Every time he’s around Miles and Holly, his chemis-tree goes a bit haywire.

But when a pet-tastrophe strikes Mistletoe Falls, Miles and Oberon must team up to make sure the town and all of it’s furry residents have the ulti-mutt holiday.

If you love fated mates, pets who like to play matchmaker, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, you’ll have a pawsitively wonderful Christmas time with this holiday romance.

Review: The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lanes Hayes has written a heartwarming holiday story in The Humbug Holiday. One of my favorites this season, it’s has a gentle romance between two men whose histories include adolescent pasts with deep emotional pain associated with the Christmas holidays.

One, Cameron Warren, a famous author of mysteries, has escaped his LA home , family, and notoriety for a newly purchased old Victorian in small town Fallbrook, Vermont . He’s there to write and hide from the holidays.

However, his elderly aunts have temporarily accompanied him to make sure he’s settled, alive, and decorated in his new home. One that needs a ton of work.

Joe Linton, Handyman, is hired by one aunt to help make the beautiful old house livable for the winter, and start with the crusade to get their nephew to decorate.

Hayes’ characters are real in their faults, charming in their own ways of thinking about life and their feelings for the holidays, decorating and the town. Each man’s story will slowly come tumbling out , piecemeal, as one writes, the other puts the house in order, and their relationship grows.

It’s warm, like sitting next to a fireplace, chatting, learning about someone. It’s believable and grounded in small town culture and the strengths of that lifestyle.

My heart was easily invested and flowed with the story, right through to the end. So charming and wonderful.

Perfect for the holidays and one I’m absolutely recommending.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showThe Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes

Description:

Two grumpy bears and a holiday season neither will forget


Joe

So this sexy silver fox rolls into my small New England town and buys a run-down old house in need of renovation. That’s where I come in. My job is to do some basic repairs, so he can write in peace. Yep, the hotshot is a bestselling author, but that’s not why I recognize Cameron Warren.

No worries, I won’t let a one-night stand make things awkward. I could use the work, but is he seriously asking me to help him buy a Christmas tree too?

No way.

Cameron

I’m a good-natured guy all year long, but I have to admit
I hate the holidays.

There. I said it.

This season, I’m hiding away on the opposite side of the country in a picturesque village. My family isn’t excited about my decision, and the only way to assure them I’m fine is to deck the darn halls. Or hire someone else to do it.

The handyman might not be the logical choice for an elf, but his grumpy act makes me smile. Which makes me think the holidays might not be so “bah-humbug” this year after all.

The Humbug Holiday is a bisexual, age-gap romance featuring two grumpy bears who find unexpected magic and learn to embrace everyone’s favorite time of year!

Review: Nyall (Christmas Sprites Book 1) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4🌈

Nyall is a sweet holiday romance, an adorable beginning to a new Christmas series about a holiday village, Mistletoe Falls, and a special magical family of sprites looking for their HEA’s.

First up is the village baker, Nyall, who meets reporter Aaron Newton, banished to the village to write holiday fluff by his father for a past byline mistake. It becomes a delightful romance as Nyall , and his cousins, show Aaron the Christmas experience by way of all the events and the festivities that happen in Mistletoe Falls.

Of course, there’s a certain magical charm and glamour that occurs to spice things up. There’s a tiny mystery (not much of one) as well as a itty bitty drama about their relationship.

This is pretty much angst free, and a quick easy holiday read. It also sets up the next story which is cousin Oberon’s romance. There’s four books in total. I’m looking forward to reading them all.

Christmas Sprites:

Nyall #1

Oberon #2

Eldon #3 – Dec 15, 2022

Linus #4 – Dec 22, 2022

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showNyall (Christmas Sprites #1) by Macy Blake

Description:

Good things come to those who bake.

At least that’s what the sign hanging in Mistledough, the bakery owned by the gorgeous and mysterious Nyall claims.

When reporter Aaron Newton is banished to Mistletoe Falls for the holidays and forced to provide fluffy and lighthearted stories without a hint of scandal, or else, he finds himself drawn to both the bakery and the sweet taste of the man who runs it.

Aaron may not have come to the small Christmas town for love, but a little holiday magic is in the air, and the season may bring Aaron everything he’s ever wanted
 if he’s willing to get whisked away by the handsome baker whose family has a secret to rival Santa Claus himself.

If you love opposites attract, small towns with holiday traditions galore, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, you’ll fall head-over-mixing bowl for this feel good Christmas romance.

Author’s Note: Although this series takes place in the Chosen Universe, it is completely stand-alone.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: His Last Christmas in London by Con Riley

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Con Riley has quickly become a go to author for me for contemporary romance. Riley’s characters and movingly detailed plots manage to capture my attention as well as my imagination. I end up loving the couples, their stories, and the cast around them.

His Last Christmas in London is a perfect example. After a bitter experience with a mentor who took credit for his work and then refused him references when he wanted out, Ian Fisher, photographer, is forced to face reality and a move back home to Cornwall. In a short period, Riley gives us a intimate glimpse into a man who is hurting, full of self doubt, and questioning his own abilities.

It takes his friends, and one last chance, a job for a well known food critic, for everything to change course, albeit slowly.

Guy Parsons, food critic, widower, man of amazing depths, if you can get the chance to see beyond his walls. Guy is another amazing character and one I could easily spend another book with. The two of them , together, exploring London, is magical.

I truly wasn’t ready to let them or their romance go. I wanted to tag along aside as they wandered through Cornwall, or perhaps France. It honestly didn’t matter. They charmed me.

I suspect they will you too.

It’s why I’m definitely recommending His Last Christmas in London by Con Riley. It’s a holiday read to take to heart!

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showHis Last Christmas in London by Con Riley

Description:

Falling for his final client won’t make leaving London easy


Ian ~ A talented, young photographer desperate to stay in London.

Guy ~ An older, fierce food critic, determined to keep him in his city.

Ian shouldn’t be attracted to a scathing food critic like Guy Parsons, not after the last time he fell for someone older, arrogant, and gorgeous. He knows better than to let dramatic good looks sway him since his last heartbreak. Besides, he’s accepted a new job at the far end of the country and won’t be staying in London.

Having one month left doesn’t seem enough now Ian’s fallen in love with the city. Working as Guy’s photographer for December might help him afford to stay for longer, even if he hates Guy’s brand of restaurant reviewing. When Guy turns out to be worlds away from the last man Ian fell for, shared meals soon result in shared secrets and feelings.

More than attraction sparks between them as Christmas approaches. Intimate moments lead to intense passion, but is being well matched in the bedroom enough to stop the clock counting down to Ian leaving London, and Guy, for good?

♄ Steamy, snarky, and sweet, His Last Christmas in London is an utterly British, low-angst, age-gap, workplace gay romance set in London and Cornwall. ♄

Celebrate the holidays with a lovely long novella full of heartfelt hurt/comfort and second chances from Con Riley, author of the much adored Charles: Learning to Love.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer

Review: Christmas Spirit by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4🌈

Christmas Spirit by Annabelle Jacobs is another delightful holiday romance. Set In Cornwall, a favorite location of mine, this low angst age gap tale has a bit of the magical holiday spirit that takes this a tad into the supernatural with a merry matchmaking ghost!

Dylan tears his Achilles tendon and ends up recovering at his best friend’s uncle’s house In Cornwall.

The uncle is younger that expected and hot! And someone Dylan had met-cute before arriving.

Gareth is drawn to his nephew’s best friend, the first one since his bad breakup. The vet has his newly purchased older house under renovation, with the help of his nephew and others . But it Dylan he can’t keep his eyes off.

The men maneuver through the minefield of emotions that’s the best friend/nephew’s feelings about them, the idea of any permanence, guided by the actions of a ghostly matchmaker.

It’s sweet, funny, and sexy. Accompanied by several side stories that involve Dylan’s dad and Gareth’s ex’s father about moving on with your life. Believable and lovely.

I’m recommending Christmas Spirit by Annabelle Jacobs as another heartwarming holiday read. Add it to your list!

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com â€ș showChristmas Spirit by Annabelle Jacobs

Description :

Dylan’s Cornish retreat wasn’t supposed to include a hot bloke and a cupid-playing ghost


After tearing his Achilles tendon, recuperating by the sea sounds like a fantastic idea, and Dylan happily accepts his best mate’s offer to stay with him and his uncle for a few weeks. But he hadn’t counted on the uncle being smoking hot, or the fierce attraction that blossoms between them.

Swapping the busy streets of London for the easy pace of Cornish life is exactly what Gareth needs to move on with his own life. His new home requires a little TLC, but he’d expected that. What he hadn’t expected was the ghostly resident already living there.

A ten-year age gap isn’t the only issue standing between Dylan and Gareth. Their time together has an expiration date. By Christmas, Dylan will be back home in Bristol spending the holidays with his dad, leaving Gareth all alone. Luckily for them, a matchmaking Christmas Spirit has other ideas.

A Christmas MM romance featuring a meet-cute, pining, a meddling ghost, a teeny bit of angst, and a festive HEA

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer