Gigi Rivers has written a really beautiful fantasy romance that weaves into the relationship between an adopted Pixie Cas and a cast off, painfully maligned Orc, Graal, so many emotional themes.
Abandonment, emotionally and physically, adolescent and adult trauma due to racism or rather speciesism, found families and acceptance in every aspect of their lives. This is a highly complex, often emotional story with wonderful moments and some very sexy scenes.
Cas was adopted into the family of hearth and kitchen witches that this series is focused upon, and his retelling of that moment is both heartfelt and magical. That scene has so many layers to it. Itās funny, poignant, heartwarming, and beautiful. And exactly why I love this book.
Riversā characters have been vividly defined, by their well crafted personalities and by their backgrounds that support their own actions and responses to the events around them. To say more is to go into the details that might remove those magical moments that connect with us and make us feel so deeply drawn into their lives and developing love story.
I just love this couple, this series and Gigi Rivers is on my auto list. Highly recommended.
Donāt forget to check out the Authorās Notes for the exact reading order for the stories listed below (not that I knew about this to begin with). I should have done that and have been working on it now.
Another great cover.
AN MM MONSTER CHRISTMAS
A Werewolf Mate for Christmas
The Orc Who Hated Christmas
The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas The Last Gargoyleās Christmas Wish
A grumpy orc who hates Christmas. A Christmas-obsessed pixie. Can these opposites find love together?
Graal is an orc who hates Christmas. Every year, he spends the day alone in his crappy rented room, haunted by memories of a family who never loved him. He just wishes Christmas and everyone who celebrates it would leave him alone.
Cas is a pixie who loves Christmas. He dresses up in sparkly outfits, calls himself the Christmas pixie, and spreads holiday cheer and pixie dust in the bakery where he works. But this year, his partner cheated on him and then left him. Still, Cas wonāt let a broken heart ruin his favourite time of the year.
When Graal steps into Casās bakery, Cas is determined that the grumpy orc will enjoy the holiday. Graal is reluctant, but itās hard to resist the pixieās charms. As Cas shows Graal the magic of the season, something lingers in the air between them. And it isnāt just pixie dust.
But can a pretty Christmas pixie really love a grumpy orc? And can Cas open his heart again so soon after being betrayed? Or will Graal celebrate another Christmas alone?
The Orc Who Hated Christmas is a cosy fantasy romance with plenty of spice. It features grumpy/sunshine, hates Christmas/loves Christmas, hurt/comfort, fling to more, size difference, an orc who doesnāt believe his worth, a pixie keen to show him it, and a guaranteed HEA. Whilst this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
Making Best of Lists has always been problematic for me, especially when it comes to books and series. Thatās such a broad range of categories, tropes, themes, and spectrums of characters to whittle it down to a favorable few for such a long time period.
Thereās so much I love about many genres and read so different tropes and authors, so many characters and stories that to reflect and refine them down to those that I have taken to heart during this year is close to impossible.
I always forget about the ones early on in the year or even smaller series that had a couple of books to them instead of an ongoing collection. And this year Iām adding some books I have found so beautiful and memorable but not necessarily that fall under the LGBT umbrella. Iām including them in my year in lists here because they are now forever comfort reads or books that will remain near my bedside for re-reading.
Among them is the magnificently written novel, The Women by Kristin Hannah, along with a fantastic dragonrider series that has some LGBT characters but not the main characters. Thatās The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. And a book that I read and then immediately read again, as it resonates with me so. Thatās the incredible Whiskey and Warfare: The Team Huntress Flights by E. M. Hamill.
Then there are series that had finale stories and series that have just begun. With the exception of the multiple authors series, all series listed here are ones whose books should be read in the order they were written. No matter was some descriptions said. Just no.
These arenāt in any kind of order btw when listed under certain categories. Chaos is my name here. Enjoy and let me know what books and series you recommend.
I own these books in several formats, including hardback. Thatās the impression they have made on me. I wanted them permanently in my library. And now I do.
Fantastic 5 Star Series /Stories
Paranormal , some dark fantasy with horror elements, some humor:
š·Beyond the Veil by K. M. Avery
(In particular for this year, Turning of the Tables and Badger in his Burrow-amazing )
š¹Why Did The Alien Cross The Galaxy? To Find a Fake Boyfriend and Befriend a Vacuum Cleaner by A. M. Rose (yes, 2023 but I found it this year and wheezed laughed the entire book)
Terrific Multi-Author Collections ( Iām still working on the larger collections)
There were several books I wanted to include here from the beginning of the year but when I went to check out the links I found that they werenāt available, anywhere. Even the small press that had published them was no longer in business. And these were remarkable first books for the authors. Iād lost track because I read so many.
Itās a hard reminder of how hard it is for these incredible authors to keep writing and keep publishing stories that we love to read and hold dear. And every book and authorās voice lost is a lessening of the rich narrative fabric that they bring to us daily. One that lets us escape or become more thoughtful and aware or just more.
Iām so thankful for the authors and books Iāve read this year. Those listed and those who are not but still held dear. You have made and continue to make a difference in my life. You are treasured.
š«¶
Happy New Year and Happy Reading from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
āWelcome to The Passing Through Cafe, where the coffee is hot, the pastries mouth-watering, and the staff are more than a little unholy. They will make you feel welcomeāmore or lessāas they provide exceptional serviceāmost of the time. Conveniently located outside Purgatory Station, stop in as you wait for your next train and enjoy a latte with a shot of something special, a savory bite of kriltcake, and the sauciest tea this side of the Pentagram.
Open Monday-Saturday
6:00-21:00
*Watch out for ninja stars*
Passing Through Purgatory #1 , a story that was not only a stellar introduction to the complicated series universe but to the highly diverse characters from both worlds this series is based upon is a favorite of mine. Including the otherworldly diner they work in, The Passing Through Purgatory Cafe.
I love that book and couple. Oliver and Liel, both so different and yet so deeply compelling as a couple , along with everyone else were a fantastic story.
Itās where we met human Oliverās best friend, Jude, and co worker, Toni, an extroverted demon Elas. Knight beautifully portrayed the Hell dimension, its many species and territories, including the political and societal issues that are seen in the human world. Not astonishing since some of the territories have names such as Gluttony, Lust, or Greed.
That narrative gave the reader overlays of pathos to go with humor, thoughtfulness and compassion to go with the sexiness of the developing relationship. And the excellent characterizations!
However, in Gratification in Gluttony, something has been lost, starting with the characters. The anticipated romance between Jude and Toni isnāt as strong as the one between Oliver and Liel. And that has to do with not only the characters as theyāre portrayed but the relationship between them. Thereās so much sex, not unusual but itās given so much attention that everything else like cohesion of characters and details of grounding in backgrounds is lacking.
Primarily, my issue is the character of Toni the Elas. He has so much potential but feels like itās not really well defined. Heās a being that has left his family business, cutting ties with them, mostly to become his own being. But the few scenes written with interactions between himself and them (with the exception of a BIL), donāt seem to support that framework. What is off putting is Toniās explosive anger issues, and his continued poor treatment of Rusty the Pyclon, a pink walking Care Bear with a snarky attitude that hides a very damaged past. Toni is told repeatedly by different friends, including bff Gem, that Rusty is very young whose sometimes annoying facade is due to a terrible past. Does he have compassion or stop being borderline abusive? No, not even when Rusty himself offers to the group a bit of his awful adolescence.
His temper and lack of compassion to others ,as written, didnāt extend to expectations for himself. I wasnāt sure why Knight thought that showing him consistently in this way was a good idea. But it kept me from connecting with him.
As did Judeās treatment of him during their growing relationship. Jude is an incredibly well crafted character but not one I liked a lot. I understood their background and actions but together this wasnāt a relationship that I enjoyed wholly. Maybe towards the end. But thatās when it could be perceived as a start of a relationship.
Unlike the other characters, these two are the primary focus. No isnāt much narrative wandering about here to enhance our observations about this dimension or our understanding of these characters. Thereās scenes from the first novel we see from different angles, and the next couple is being set up for their story.
This really didnāt expand on any new world building or add much to the series overall in terms of exploration of the territories, economics, or even the environment that surrounds them. More of this please just as in the original story.
Interesting but not a couple I can connect with. Looking forward to book 3.
When Jude entered The Passing Through Cafe, Toni thought heād be nothing more than a fun night, a challenge to win, a fixation to satisfy; Toni didnāt expect Jude to be exactly what he never knew he was looking for.
As the rightful heir to the Maryno family dynasty, Toni grew up with clear expectations of who he was supposed to be, and more importantly, who he wasnāt. Growing up a constant disappointment isnāt a childhood experience he recommends, but heās come a long way from the little boy who could never quite measure up to his familyās toxic standards. At twenty-nine, heās finally proud of the man heās built himself into, and while the routine of his life is simple and, sure, sometimes lonely, heās content.
Or so he thought.
Enter Jude, a human from across the veil who ignites something in Toni that heās never allowed himself to explore, and Toni canāt wait to burn. While the spark of attraction is instantaneous, he knows itās going to take more than a romp in the hay to win Jude over, and Toni quickly sets to work, proving to Jude that home can be found in the most unexpected places, that chosen family is always something worth fighting for, and that their love is far from small.
Join Toni and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knightās rom-com urban fantasy series, full of found family, hilarious hijincks, spectacular self-discovery, and love that defies definition.
Father F’in’ Christmas: A Minded Story by R.L. Merrill is a short story about loss, grief, and redemption. From the perspective of a deceased firefighter looking back at his life, especially on his grieving wife whoās been struggling since his death.
Merrillās story is one I wish was longer as it ends just as I want to see more of the characters as they move forward. Thereās pain, recognition of oneās own faults and failures, and also the ways in which we have been successful. Itās a human journey full of otherworldly beings and human struggles. And cats. Lots of cats.
Iām definitely heading to read the rest of the Minded stories, more of Louis and Maggie.
A holiday story for those not very fond of the holidays. Put this and the author on your TBR list.
Isnāt that a wonderful cover?
Cover Illustration: Art By Regan Kubecek
Cover Design: Yosbe Designs
Wonder what happens in the afterlife? Follow the adventures of the recently deceased and their Intervention Specialists, Maggie Boudreaux and Louis Sheffield.
Fans of Minded and Blossomed will enjoy seeing one of Louis’s early solo Interventions in this wacky and sweet new tale from the afterlife.
When deceased firefighter Tommy Quintana wakes up in a gymnasium and is told he suffers from Death Denial Syndrome, he knows the one thing he must do in order to move on: mind his wife, Kimberly. Assigned to work with Intervention Specialist Louis Sheffield, he soon learns that he has much more to make up for than he thought as his widow is literally dying of a broken heart. With the help of a 1980s-era punk rocker, a gargoyle, and an alley cat, Tommy will attempt a friggin’ Christmas miracle to save her.
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications LLC; 1st edition (August 13, 2017)
If I thought the dark curses of Like a House on Fire were terrifying, Rose takes this story and goes into another magical lane of darkness and curses.
Fool Me Twice by A. M. Rose, the second book in the Cursebreakers, Inc. series, has two main characters we met in book one. Cain, the brutal, anger filled owner of an illegal underground fighting club (where Ash fought in book 1), and Hart, the uber polished, always controlled unofficial head of his family of Cursebreakers.
Of the two main storylines, the relationship aspect between Cain and Hart doesnāt really work (imo) as well as the magical curse plot line.
Aside from a instant heavy D/s element, thereās other parts of this relationship, that as written, makes it harder, imo, to create a connection between them as a couple and a reader. One is the missing history or background between them. Itās implied here but itās not clear what happened. Thereās a short story that a reader can access after finishing the book that fills this in, but itās lack of details in the narrative leaves a deep gap between the present day emotional complexity and intensity of the actions of the characters to make their interactions believable. For Hart to break down, abandoning his character, there needed to be a foundation laid out for this to be something that could be understood. Especially when Cain is the key.
I donāt think that happened. The characters apart are intriguing. Together, not so sure.
What was incredible about the story is the curse , the mystery and once again, the escalating suspense and horror that surrounds the curse and those affected by it. Itās so well written, the tension and horror so intense as well as the puzzling nature and scrambling for a solution.
That last part of the narrative is a true white knuckle ride. Itās emotional, compelling ,and very dangerous. And the reader is all in.
Aside from the romantic thread, thereās other things that really matter here. The authors bring us more background information about how the Cursebreakers were formed as a unit, we see more of the agency and its members, and get a feel for stories to come.
The various members of the remarkable Cursebreakers are still being fleshed out. The first being Ash with Morgan. Now Hart, still polished house family manager alongside his partner Cain. Next up is the affable Fix, the large Cursebreaker whoās helped hold them together during a formative period/history thatās slowly being revealed.
Wren, an intriguing Cursebreaker who works with cursed creatures, has important clues released here about his past and a new character that was introduced. Canāt wait for their story to be released.
Iām excited for this series and recommending this story. Read them in the order they are written for character development and event content.
Hart, perhaps, took that quote a bit too much to heart. In the midst of drama and the constant restlessness of his family, he chose to present himself as unwavering. Poised. Controlled. Even when inside, heās anything but. There are layers to him underneath the perfection. Layers heās desperately craving for someone to peel away.
Itās just his luck that the only person who knows how to do that lives his life in shades of gray. Morally gray.
Cane punches first. Period. What question would he even need to ask?
Only, it seems like his tried-and-true method isnāt working so well for him anymore. With an empire to run in the underbelly of Slatehollow, the last thing he needs is a curse placed on his head and drawing attention to the details of hisā¦business ventures.
But when it starts to do more than just that, he knows there is only one person he can call. Hart. And with Hart, inevitably, comes a realization. Cane wants so much more than cursebreaking from him.
Will Hart let him have it? Or will the curse destroy them both first?
Cursebreakers, Inc is a series that has released books 1 and 2 in the terrific new paranormal fantasy romances from the authors known as A.M. Rose. Sexy, fascinating, dystopian in the world setting, magical and often horrifying, Rose grabbed me from the beginning of this novel.
The Cursebreakers, a group of men (in this case) who are born with a mark that lets the magical governing agency know what they are and what they might be capable of magically as they develop. The history and backgrounds of each Cursebreaker is relayed by the characters in their stories, in most cases not very pleasant ones. And, as we find out in Book 2, how exactly this group was formed.
Like a House on Fire sets down the basic foundations of the world and agency. Itās a tantalizing framework that immediately begs for more exploration and detailed knowledge because of the defining features Rose lets us see through the lens of their creations.
The first of the Cursebreakers is Ash, who has an affinity with fire and fighting. Heās impulsive and highly skilled in a certain type of curses as is everyone in their group. Each having a specific skill set or sets of magical abilities to breaking curses.
Itās a two person POV, and the magical drama, which is horrifyingly subtle at first, is built skillfully as the scenes bounce between the two protagonists.
Morgan and his bff, Brea, arrive at a dilapidated house heās just inherited by an aunt he barely knew. Itās not an ordinary house, fyi. Various things happen and heās trapped inside.
In a panic, Brea calls the Cursebreakers and Ash is sent to handle whatās assumed to be a simple case. Itās not.
From the central point of a strange situation, an unknown magical force which happens to be a house, Rose writes a novel that tells multiple stories. Ash and Morgan develop into fascinating layered characters, people with depths able to develop different aspects of their personalities as they explore and deal with each new frightening situation.
Then thereās all the magical elements, the spells and craftwork, the tools and techniques created to enhance the characters and world building. Itās remarkable and feels believable in such a dark fantasy environment.
As the terror and suspense keeps multiplying, more series knowledge and intense magical energy becomes available that pulls in other members of the Cursebreakers so we meet them and lays a foundation for new plots going forward.
Thereās a trigger warning for people with issues with tight spaces and claustrophobia. Take note because I found parts, ok many parts, of this story terrifying.
I just was so invested in this story and the characters. A definite page turner and a must read for all lovers of paranormal or fantasy dark romance.
Right, soā¦letās see how he got himself in this mess.
An estranged family member left him a house. Which is great. The house looks like itās a soft breeze away from crumbling. Less great. The house is cursed and now Morgan is trapped inside it. Anything BUT great.
Cursebreaker, please! And make him hot. Morganās been through a lot.
Herbs? Check. Fire? Check. Being the best at his job and knowing it? Double effing check.
Ash had everything he needed to get his client out of a cursed house. So how in the world did he get himself trapped inside with him? Why is the house so against them leaving? And why is his client the hottest thing since wildfire?
Time for a new plan.
One that involves breaking the curse, and breaking the bed. Not necessarily in that order.
K.M. Averyās Beyond the Veil series is one of my favorites, not only because of its narrative complexity in terms of the themes, intensity of its layered paranormal characters, and the well crafted conceptual elements that Avery has created for the series and continues to explore as each new book releases.
Itās also the interesting way the author has formatted the series. Avery sections it into 3 book miniseries that revolve around a certain character or coupleās arduous emotional journey. Each one moves the many plot lines of mystery and drama of the series forward through the various lives of the couple and characters we are focusing on.
Currently, the one that weāre in is the one of the most emotionally charged and compelling segment of the series so far. Mostly due to the nature of the narrative and we see intimately and feel full connected to a person who has contracted the virus during the series. Thatās huge in a group of brilliantly written storylines with full of memorable characters and oftentimes heartbreaking scenes.
It starts with the unforgettable events in The Turning of the Tables that lead to shattering changes to Seth Mays, and the beginning of his relationship with Elliott Crane, badger shifter and best friend of Hart.
The Badger in His Burrow follows Seth in his quest for new beginnings, including a job and control to the small Wisconsin town where Elliott Crane lives, Hart is from, and Seth has a tiny familiarity with because of his association with Hartās investigation into the murder case involving Elliotās father.
Avery picks up the storylines, characters and township from that previous story and weaves it into something deeper, different but still familiar. Itās now a mystery, a search for Seth for a new start, and for Elliot too.
All the emotions, physically charged elements in adapting to the new identity, the having to adjust to others judgements, it is all worked realistically into this world and Sethās character.
Thereās also more horror, more mystery and suspense to go with a developing relationship as the Arcanavirus continues to divide the populace. What makes Averyās series so relevant and compelling is that the reactions and immediate responses to the Arcanavirus, for those itās impacted in every aspect, can be viewed through the lenses of the current events today. Racism, sexism , highlighting the deep fears and hatred that is directed towards the LGBTQIA by some people, AIDS, all the experiences the pandemicās produced are reflected in the ways the Arcanavirus has affected the world in the series.
The story is raw, moving, complicated and thoughtful. And thereās another story to come in Seth and Elliottās 3-book group.
I highly recommend this entire series. They must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the events, the relationships and the developments in the series themes.
Iāll be reading the preceding book again as I want to go back to the beginning of Sethās journey.
What an epic deeply rooted emotional experience this book turns out to be.
I moved halfway across the country for this guyāknowing that he wasnāt interested. And thatās probably not even the stupidest thing Iāve ever done.
The stupidest thing Iāve ever done is seriously contemplate telling him that Iām falling in love with him. While also trying to find a job and keep my new coworkers from finding out that Iām a shifter. In a small town where everybody knows everybody elseā¦ except me.
The same small town where Elliotās dad was murdered, where Elliot was almost murdered, and those people have family and friends who are still openly anti-shifter. The town is divided over whether it wants to embrace its shifter citizens or watch them literally be torn apart. I know which side has my vote, but Iām clearly the outsider here.
So here I am, in a tiny midwestern town with more cows than people, trying not to get fired, not to get outed, and not to get killedā¦ all while hoping to somehow figure out a way to make Elliot Crane fall in love with me.
K. C. Carmineās contemporary romance is a sexy sweet best friends to lovers romance with a twist. In a series that is centered around a Diner that is a safe haven for the LGBT community, the stories are themed on the same storylines and characters. Here Charlie, who transitioned once his family moved, is reunited with his best friend from childhood, Trent, whoās just arrived in town.
Carmineās story has a number of big elements and emotional moments to explore. Itās been ten years since Charlie and Trent have seen each other, and the growth for each person in that time has been tremendous. Especially for Charlie. Then thereās Trent whoās recognizing that his sexuality is more fluid, pansexual than strictly drawn to one gender. Thereās more. From a reunion of old friends whoāve had enormous changes in their lives to an intimate sexual relationship and love life, including a mixed everyday interactions.
It all occurs without too much introspection, drama , and time span. For all the terrific characters, great aspects of the story, and even the relationship, for me, that it all came together so fast felt unreal.
It was like watching a sweet romance unfold but I never felt a connection because, imo, they were never grounded or believable. To have that would have needed more depth, layers, and time for the years apart and the growth theyāve undergone to be fully understood and explored between them.
Enjoy the story for the sweet sexy moments and romance the author intends.
Can a rocker fall for a gym bunny? Nah, no way. But what if the big, muscly guy looks sad? Wellā¦
Moving out of his hometown gives Trent the freedom to shape his life the way he wants, out of his brotherās shadow. Running into his childhood friend is not what he expected, but exactly what he needed. Amidst the chaos of new discoveries, his closeness to Charlie unlocks his heart and mind.
With supportive family and friends, Charlie lives as his true self. His past comes stumbling into his life in the shape of a muscled, cute-as-a-cupcake guy who shakes the foundation of the walls around Charlie’s heart.
The new feelings threaten to jeopardize their friendship after they just got it back.
A story of a rekindled friendship, a bi-awkening, opposites attract, and trans joy.
A standalone MM book (with a trans man) from multi-author, shared world Diner Days series.
Striking a Chord at Randyās is a low angst M/M opposites attract romance between a trans male music lover and a lost boy about to have an awakening.
Multi-author series info: Love beyond the binary: serving up low angst trans romances at Randyās Diner.
Fragile as Glass by Pat Henshaw is a wonderful, slightly mystical romance in JMS Books LLCās Gay Advent Calendar this year.
Henshaw does such an excellent job in creating the character of glass artist Ashton Snell, complete with compelling history that explores and helps the reader really understand him, his personality, including his disability, and the slightly magical gift that he inherited from his grandfather. Ashton is so well written that he and this narrative need a longer story to completely dive into all the many elements and characters this author has created here.
The other main character is singer/rock star/songwriter Hunter who just isnāt as layered a character but has the ability to grow into something special. Heās intriguing but thereās so much to Ashton that anyone would be a lesser individual with this story. Thereās not enough pages for equal development.
He comes with a good backstory, two side characters ( a bodyguard and his boyfriend , a chef) that I also wanted more of. Especially Gil, that bodyguard, because in a tv show or on stage, heās whatās called a āscene stealerā. Heās that dynamic.
Thereās also something fascinating going on, plot wise, that Henshaw pulls together here. After giving us an idea of the intriguing place where Ashton lives, a home turned compound that his grandfather started and has filled with artists. Ashton has two long time friends,fellow artists, and the author begins a storyline about a changing new dynamic between them, not a welcome one.
Itās a great plot. But thatās not what the story is about, and it has nowhere to go. Itās dropped. But I certainly was glued to this aspect of the story and itās still there in my mind, going back over what the author might have done with more pages to really explore this aspect of Ashtonās life.
The romance between Ashton and Hunter is magical, quick, with a dramatic moment and then a sweet ending. That seems a bit rushed. But that is my preference for longer stories in general and this is in keeping with the spirit of the story.
Fragile as Glass by Pat Henshaw is a lovely story. Itās got so many interesting elements and well done characters that I wish it was twice its length or a prequel for more of this universe to come.
Itās another win for this author and the delightful press, JMS Books LLC. Check them out!
A scrying stone says after his gift is destroyed, a famous songwriter will fall in love. Will the stoneās prediction come true?
Glass artist Ashton Snell is delighted when superstar singer/songwriter Hunter Davidson walks into his shop looking for a gift for a friend. On a whim Ashton looks through a scrying glass to see whatās in store for Hunter in the future. The stone shows a vision of the glass unicorn gift shattering and Hunter falling in love. Should Ashton tell Hunter what heās seen?
Before he can decide, Hunter asks him to lunch. Ashton agrees although heās surprised someone as celebrated as Hunter would want to be seen with him. Despite living with it since birth, Ashton is still self-conscious about his limp. Hunter, however, doesnāt seem to notice it.
Could their lunch be the beginning of a lasting friendship? Or will their attraction turn into something more?
On Circus Lane by Lily Morton is another one of this authorās fantastic heartwarming Christmas stories. The second novel, Merry Measure, was released first in December 2020, and is the hilarious holiday story of Arlo Wright, the younger brother. And I love it.
But it had been several years since Iād read it so I approached On Circus Lane with fresh eyes and as though the characters were completely new to me. After a reread, I think this is the best way to go into the book because Bee and Tom Wright were secondary characters in Merry Measure and I love their personalities and characters so much more here .
As they roam around the snow covered streets of Edinburgh, peering into the tiny alleyways and decorated shops that Morton vividly describes, we become deeply connected to this complicated marvelous couple. As with all her books, Morton has visited and traveled the same pathways that her characters take so the incredible sights and experiences of their journey come alive through the authorās own eyes as her imagination. Itās so beautifully written and charming.
Layered into the charming holiday landscape are the perfectly executed characters of Bee Bannister and Tom Wright. Bee is that slowly unfolding gift of hidden depths, adolescence painful secrets, and unimaginable intelligence wrapped up in a lovely quirky man who trusts few and has an unlimited appetite for knowledge. I adore him . Tom Wright, with his unusual family background and his parents romantic love story, is the perfect companion and character whose own journey to love is one that fits in so beautifully that the reader is along with them emotionally each step forward.
Secondary characters like Sal and Ivy, Frank and awful boyfriend Stephen are just as well crafted, full of energy and personality. We love them, root for them, and even dislike one of them ,itās a complete cast of recognizable people that add to a warmhearted romance full of the sights and atmosphere of the holiday season in Edinburgh.
In short, a fabulous story and a must read this year.
The first time Bee Bannister met Tom Wright, he couldnāt stand him.
Everything about the man aggravated himāhis perfect hair and body, his confident arrogance, and the way he looked straight through Bee.
Which is why itās such an unpleasant shock to find that heāll be sharing space with him while on a Christmas holiday with friends in Scotland.
However, as the days fly by and snowy Edinburgh begins to work its magic on him, Bee discovers that sometimes first impressions can be very misleading. Tom is kind and funny, and somehow, rather than looking through Bee, he actually sees and likes all of him.
The two men grow closer, but will Bee follow his heart or his head when the holiday ends? And can relationships that start so badly ever lead to love?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a festive romantic comedy about enemies to lovers and the magic of Christmas.
This is the first book in the Wright Brothers series.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 