Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: For a stationery store owner, the holidays are great for business. But for Hollis Alcott, Christmas reminds him of the tragic events of three years past, and the last thing he wants to do is take part in Portland’s over-abundance of festive cheer. But Sawyer Murphy, a hunky gift shop owner whose brother is married to Hollis’s sister, has made it his mission to pluck Hollis out of his holiday blues. And his plan is beginning to work. Wrapped in the warm glow of newfound passion, the former business rivals hit up Portland’s finest holiday traditions—and Hollis’s icy attitude begins to melt like snowflakes on his tongue. But he isn’t sure he can trust anyone with the only gift he has—his heart—without breaking it like an antique ornament. Unless he can find the courage to take a leap with the one lover he never expected . . .

Review: This is the 5th novel in the Portland Heat series, but I think it's only the second one that I've read. I definitely need to read the others though, because Albert is a fantastic writer and creator of characters that you just grow to love. The only small, tiny negative I'd have about Wrapped Together is that it's just not long enough! Alas...I did love what I was given.

This book is about Hollis Alcott and Sawyer Murphy. Hollis' twin sister is married to Sawyer's twin brother, and people have been pushing these two together for years. Despite growing up as friends, they are very different people and Hollis mostly keeps to himself, especially after the tragic death of his parents. Sawyer, on the other hand, is more out and proud, bringing around guys all the time. Hollis tries to squash any feelings he has for Sawyer, but it's difficult.

When Sawyer makes it his Christmas mission to bring the joy of the season back into Hollis' life, Hollis realizes that he really does want to be with Sawyer, not to mention all the happiness he's been missing. However, Hollis thinks he knows Sawyer. Anything the two of them have will just end, because Sawyer can't stay committed to anything.

I loved both of these characters, despite their vast differences. I thought it was wonderful how Albert showed aspect of these men that the other hadn't realized existed. It just goes to show how pre-conceived notions aren't always right, no matter how long you have known someone.

Wrapped Together was such a sweet novel, and perfect for the holiday season! Definitely worth reading!

Want to read Wrapped Together? Get it from Amazon for $1.99

Merry Belated Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to those that celebrate! Happy Monday to those that do not! I will be around this week with a few posts so don't forget to check back and comment! I'll be visiting your blogs too!

Glass Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins

Glass Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins

Review by Lauren

source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Eddie Rodrigues doesn’t stay in one place long enough to get attached. The only time he broke that rule, things went south fast. Now he’s on the road again, with barely enough cash in his pocket to hop a bus south after his (sort-of-stolen) car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Midwest, USA.

He’s fine. He’ll manage. Until he watches that girl get hit by a car and left to die.

Local shop owner Grayson Croft isn’t in the habit of doing people any favors. But even a recluse can’t avoid everyone in a town as small as Clear Lake. And when the cop who played Juliet to your Romeo in the high school play asks you to put up her key witness for the night, you say yes.

Now Gray’s got a grouchy glass artist stomping around his big, empty house, and it turns out that he . . . maybe . . . kind of . . . likes the company.

But Eddie Rodrigues never sticks around.

Unless a Christmas shop owner who hates the season can show an orphan what it means to have family for the holidays.

Review: Let me preface this review by saying that I really love this author and some of her other novels, but Glass Tidings just didn't work for me all that much. There is some age difference between Gray and Eddie, though I couldn't ever really figure out how much. Age differences in romance don't bother me if they are done well, but I just felt like Eddie was too much of a kid for Gray and therefore, it didn't entirely ring "true" for me.

Also, the reason that Eddie is stuck in town is due to a hit and run that he witnessed. I thought this aspect would play more of a part, but it didn't. Sure, it's mentioned throughout and there were some parts of this story line that I did not see coming, but all in all, it just seemed like a convenient way for the two guys to meet.

Regardless of my qualms, I did finish the book, so it wasn't terrible and I did really enjoy parts of the story. I thought Gray and Eddie's love of books was really cute, and I liked how both characters grew throughout the novel. All in all, I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.

Want to read Glass Tidings? Get it from Amazon for $17.99

Novella Reviews: Resolutions and Krampus Hates Christmas

I'm back with a couple more novella reviews from the Bah Humbug Advent Calendar, courtesy of Dreamspinner Press.

Resolutions by Emma Keene

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: As an advertising executive, it’s Logan’s job to sell people holiday cheer, and he’s good at what he does. But deep down, Logan hates everything about Christmas, so he worries that his crush on the hot baker who loves the holidays is a recipe for disaster.

Last year, Logan saw Ryan at a holiday party Ryan was catering, and the attraction was instant. In a drunken moment, Logan made it his New Year’s Resolution to ask the pastry chef out. But another year has slipped away, time is running out, and Logan’s assistant demands he collect on his resolution. Can Logan find the confidence that usually comes so easily to him? And if he does, will Ryan have any interest in spending the holidays with a man who doesn’t share his enthusiasm for the season?

Review: While I enjoyed this one, it definitely wasn't my favorite. The basic idea is that Logan makes a drunken New Year's Resolution to ask out caterer Ryan, when he meets him at a holiday party. The book starts almost a full year later and Logan still hasn't done it. His office secretary pushes him to do it, telling him that he needs to at least try, even if Ryan says no. I understand the reluctance to ask out a near-stranger. Logan doesn't want to be let down. However, there is an aspect of this story that just didn't ring true to me. I can't see it happening in real life - but then again, maybe it could? Like I said, it 's a good read, but more of the short and sweet variety than anything truly amazing.

Want to read Resolutions? Get it from Amazon for $1.99

Krampus Hates Christmas by Andi Van

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Karl Kringle hates the modern-day Christmas. He was born to be Krampus, but the Holiday Council refuses to let him help his brother Nick—aka Santa Claus—with the Naughty List until he finds his holiday spirit. To meet that challenge, he’s turned human and dumped in a strange apartment.

Lewis Weatherby loves the holidays and always has. Not only do his parents own a pumpkin patch and tree farm, he’s also inherited a Christmas-themed shop. All he wants from Santa is the man of his dreams, and the Big Guy might’ve just delivered. Lewis’s new neighbor Karl is gorgeous, sweet, and has a fantastic sense of humor—if his jokes about being Krampus are any indication.

Soon getting home is less important to Karl than what will happen when Lewis inevitably realizes the truth behind his jokes. He’s finally starting to understand the real joy of the season—now he just has to figure out how to hold on to it. 

Review: This is one of the longer novellas and for that, I was really happy, because it benefits from a slightly fuller story and it's definitely one of my favorites in the collection. I highly recommend it!

Karl Kringle looks a bit like an animal, fur and hooves to match. He's Nick Kringle's twin brother - Santa Claus to most people - and he's supposed to help Nick every Christmas by taking care of the naughty children. The council won't let him though. So Nick's husband sends Karl to live in the apartment building he owns until Krampus Day, disguising him as a human, in hopes that he will find his Christmas spirit.

It's here that Karl meets his neighbor, Lewis, and they soon start a friendship that leads to more. It's easy to feel concerned about this relationship though, since Lewis doesn't know Karl's full story and Karl is unsure if Lewis will stay with him when he once again takes on his "animal-esque" appearance. 

I loved these two together though! Lewis loves Christmas and it's nice to see Karl slowly develop more of a love for it, helping out with Lewis' shop and decorating a Christmas tree. Family plays a big part in this novella and I thought it was done really well. I'd love to read more about Karl and Lewis in the future! It was a fun, imaginative story!

Want to read Krampus Hates Christmas? Get it from Amazon for $3.99

Novella Reviews: Iced and #ChristmasHatesYouToo

Bah Humbug is the Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar. You can buy the whole calendar, or you can buy the individual novellas. I'm here today to share a couple novella reviews; not all the titles have their own cover, but if they do, I'll share it!

Iced by Jon Keys

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Keith Walker, a mall bookstore employee, is struggling to get through another miserable holiday season while trying to preserve a crumbling long-term relationship. One of his few comforts is his morning coffee made by a good-looking, younger barista. Austin Novak felt an attraction when Keith started frequenting the coffee shop, but he doesn’t think the older man has any interest in him or his graphic novel collection.

A Christmas week snowstorm buries the city and locks Keith’s car into its parking spot. Keith decides to show Austin his gratitude for helping free the car from the ice with a dinner invitation. The meal becomes complicated when Austin meets Keith’s boyfriend, Shawn, and things go downhill from there when Shawn announces he’s heading to Cancún with his coworkers. Keith is caught between keeping his boyfriend happy and keeping his job. But Keith might not need a plane ticket to find the happiness that’s been missing from his life.

Review: I really enjoyed Iced. It's a simple story, with Keith having a crush on the barista, Austin. One night it gets so cold and icy, his car is stuck in the mall parking lot, and Austin comes to his rescue. As a thanks, he invites him over to dinner, where they find Keith's boyfriend Shawn with his best friend. It's obvious the two are a little flirtatious and Austin is angry on Keith's behalf.

I thought Keith was a really good guy, but he definitely lets people walk over him. Austin is more outspoken and he does care for Keith, but ultimately, he just wishes that Keith wasn't with Shawn - who is obviously bad for him. As it's a novella, you don't get a ton of character growth, but when it comes to Austin and Keith, there isn't much they need to change. Keith just needs to stand up for himself more. It's a good, quick read!

Want to buy Iced? Get it from Amazon for $1.99

#ChristmasHatesYouToo by E.F. Mulder

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Born December 25, Noel Beebe is tired of having his birthday overshadowed by all things Christmas. While looking for love on social media, he comes across a prospective new beau just in time to celebrate the Big 3-0, someone who encourages him to take back his day and say thumbs down to Christmas! On a trip to the Big Apple, Noel does just that, flipping off the Rockefeller Center tree and demanding his coffee in a nondecorative paper cup as a fun birthday prank. His act of defiance is caught on video and soon goes viral, leading to a backlash all over the Twitterverse, Internet, and TV. Suddenly what Noel thought would be his best birthday—and even Christmas—yet is shaping up to be his worst. Can his family and his potential boyfriend prove to the world that Noel isn’t the Scrooge he’s been labeled?

Review: I really loved this novella! Noel (rhymes with Joel, not No-El) isn't a big fan of being born on December 25th. It just means that his birthday gets mixed in with Christmas and it's not really celebrated all on its own. When he ends up going out on a date with someone he met via Twitter, they persuade him to have a little fun and pronounce his hatred of Christmas wherever they go. For example, when visiting a coffee shop, Noel will loudly say how he hates Christmas and he doesn't want a holiday cup, he wants a regular cup! The man he's out with video tapes most of these interactions and puts some up on his Twitter feed. Unfortunately, Noel's videos go viral.

Suddenly, he's all over the news. The hashtag "#ChristmasHatesYouToo" is used over and over. Everyone in the world seems to think that Noel is an awful person who hates Christmas and somehow, America. It's ridiculous, but it's definitely upsetting and Noel doesn't know what to do to show that he really doesn't hate all these things. It was just for fun.

It's ultimately up to Noel's potential boyfriend, friends, and family to "clear" Noel's name. All in all, it's a really cute read. I thought the premise was kind of fun - I could definitely see someone doing something similar to Noel all in good fun and having it blown way out of proportion.

Want to read #ChristmasHatesYouToo? Buy it from Amazon for $3.99

M/M Christmas Titles Released in November

As it's about the middle of December, a lot of you are probably thinking CHRISTMAS almost non-stop. I'm currently reading a bunch of novellas from Dreamspinner Press, and you can check them all out here. The whole collection is Bah Humbug and you can buy it for $64.99. Now, that sounds like a lot - BUT you can also buy individual stories for $1.99 or $3.99 - I assume the $3.99 stories are the longer ones, because some really are longer! I'll start reviewing those ASAP, with probably two stories per post. I'm not reading/reviewing them all - just the ones that sounded interesting to me!

Anyway, if you are looking for something Christmas-themed to read NOW, I wanted to share some m/m novels that came out in November that I think sound great. I'll share December/January picks soon! I'm linking you to Goodreads if you want to add these titles to your to-read list, but I'm also using my Amazon Associates links if you want to buy a copy!

What do you want to read?

A Family for Christmas by Jay Northcote 

Check it out on Goodreads

Buy on Amazon for $2.99

A Christmas Kiss by Annabelle Jacobs

Check it out on Goodreads

Buy on Amazon for $2.99

Walking on Thin Ice by Jocelynn Drake

Check it out on Goodreads

Buy on Amazon for $2.99