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rellimreads's review
5.0
I was going to take a little break from my holiday reads...then I spotted this sitting in my KU queue and I couldn't leave it be.
So, so glad that I read it. I really loved this story. Not just from the holiday aspect - it's set at a Christmas Tree farm! - but from the emotional tale that Easton shares. Greg and Robbie are both hurt and trying to find a way to go on despite all the losses. Slow burn, age gap, hurt/comfort - all set in a winter wonderland that eventually brings closure and peace to both men.
So, so glad that I read it. I really loved this story. Not just from the holiday aspect - it's set at a Christmas Tree farm! - but from the emotional tale that Easton shares. Greg and Robbie are both hurt and trying to find a way to go on despite all the losses. Slow burn, age gap, hurt/comfort - all set in a winter wonderland that eventually brings closure and peace to both men.
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Stars!
Easton always does a perfect mix of feel good vibes and just enough emotional heft to make you (or in this instance, me) cry. This was no different.
Greg is struggling with the loss of his son who died in combat earlier in the year, and he is barely making it through the holiday season as he mans their family run Christmas tree farm. When Greg picks up a stranger hitchhiking into the coming storm, he sets off a series of events that he would never anticipate.
Robbie is wounded and recovering from his recent stint in the military. Discharged and with really no where to go, it’s pure luck that Greg offers him a holiday job to get him through to the end of the year. Of course, these two connect in their loneliness and end up giving each other all the things the holidays can possibly bring - hope, happiness, and renewal.
Again, Easton is an expert at hurt comfort with both happy and sad tears, and for those of you who have read Hansen’s [b:Point of Contact|36625948|Point of Contact|Melanie Hansen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516842773l/36625948._SY75_.jpg|58387768], this had all the vibes but imbued with Christmas goodness. Overall, a holiday story that doesn’t shy away from tragic life challenges and will ultimately warm you from the inside out!
Easton always does a perfect mix of feel good vibes and just enough emotional heft to make you (or in this instance, me) cry. This was no different.
Greg is struggling with the loss of his son who died in combat earlier in the year, and he is barely making it through the holiday season as he mans their family run Christmas tree farm. When Greg picks up a stranger hitchhiking into the coming storm, he sets off a series of events that he would never anticipate.
Robbie is wounded and recovering from his recent stint in the military. Discharged and with really no where to go, it’s pure luck that Greg offers him a holiday job to get him through to the end of the year. Of course, these two connect in their loneliness and end up giving each other all the things the holidays can possibly bring - hope, happiness, and renewal.
Again, Easton is an expert at hurt comfort with both happy and sad tears, and for those of you who have read Hansen’s [b:Point of Contact|36625948|Point of Contact|Melanie Hansen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516842773l/36625948._SY75_.jpg|58387768], this had all the vibes but imbued with Christmas goodness. Overall, a holiday story that doesn’t shy away from tragic life challenges and will ultimately warm you from the inside out!
fishreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was going to rate this as a four-star read, but any story that can make me bawl my eyes out, which this one did in the last few chapters, deserves at least a five-star rating. Maybe that makes me soft, but I enjoy being soft. Crying is good for you, be it over sad or happy things. Ultimately, crying is good. And this story made me cry over sad things first, then happy things in the end as well.
The summary of 'The Best Gift' reminded me of 'The Lucky One', the movie with Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling, and considering I really liked that movie, I was pretty sure I might enjoy an m/m romance with a similar plot, and I was right.
Greg Cabot is the owner of Cabot's Christmas Wonderland, and December is the busiest time of the year for him. But Greg's heart is hardly filled with Christmas cheer as he's still mourning the death of his son, who died while being deployed in Afghanistan. In fact, by the end of January, Greg is planning on selling his family Christmas tree farm and business, as the thought of not being able to share it with Sam is unbearable to him.
Robbie Sparks is a hitchhiker whom Greg picks up on his impromptu trip to town and offers a place to stay during the storm. Robbie is a veteran, fresh out of a 10-month rehabilitation, with no intention of using Greg's hospitality any longer than absolutely necessary. Except, when he goes to say goodbye, he notices how understaffed Greg is and jumps in to help during busy hours and agrees to stay on as a seasonal worker and help until Christmas.
Both men feel the initial attraction between them, but neither of them thinks it is particularly wise to give in to it. Except, the more they work together and the more they get to know each other, the harder it is to resist. I enjoyed Greg and Robbie's developing romance; they both carried a lot of grief with them, and there was such warmth and understanding between the two.
There weren't that many sexy scenes, and they weren't particularly explicit in nature, but that was understandable considering the story's themes. There was also a little "supernatural" aspect to the story, which is nothing unusual for this author, and it is always done in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way, which I have to admit I enjoy quite a lot. Maybe others find it cheesy, and the story could work without it, but I like that little pinch of "magic dust" (might not be the best term for it) added to it.
Of course, there is more to Robbie than it appears at first. Robbie's secret is easily enough to guess,but I have to admit I did not even connect Robbie with Sam's last gift until Greg figured it out. How dumb was I? I really appreciated that the fallout did not last very long because I hate it when people drag it out just for the sake of conflict between the characters, especially when I personally think characters should have been more understanding. Thankfully, this wasn't the case here, and I just loved the way the story came together at the end and how Sam was such a big part of their family's healing process even in his absence.
Themes: dual POV, age difference, hurt comfort, veteran, Christmas
The summary of 'The Best Gift' reminded me of 'The Lucky One', the movie with Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling, and considering I really liked that movie, I was pretty sure I might enjoy an m/m romance with a similar plot, and I was right.
Greg Cabot is the owner of Cabot's Christmas Wonderland, and December is the busiest time of the year for him. But Greg's heart is hardly filled with Christmas cheer as he's still mourning the death of his son, who died while being deployed in Afghanistan. In fact, by the end of January, Greg is planning on selling his family Christmas tree farm and business, as the thought of not being able to share it with Sam is unbearable to him.
Robbie Sparks is a hitchhiker whom Greg picks up on his impromptu trip to town and offers a place to stay during the storm. Robbie is a veteran, fresh out of a 10-month rehabilitation, with no intention of using Greg's hospitality any longer than absolutely necessary. Except, when he goes to say goodbye, he notices how understaffed Greg is and jumps in to help during busy hours and agrees to stay on as a seasonal worker and help until Christmas.
Both men feel the initial attraction between them, but neither of them thinks it is particularly wise to give in to it. Except, the more they work together and the more they get to know each other, the harder it is to resist. I enjoyed Greg and Robbie's developing romance; they both carried a lot of grief with them, and there was such warmth and understanding between the two.
There weren't that many sexy scenes, and they weren't particularly explicit in nature, but that was understandable considering the story's themes. There was also a little "supernatural" aspect to the story, which is nothing unusual for this author, and it is always done in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way, which I have to admit I enjoy quite a lot. Maybe others find it cheesy, and the story could work without it, but I like that little pinch of "magic dust" (might not be the best term for it) added to it.
Of course, there is more to Robbie than it appears at first. Robbie's secret is easily enough to guess,
Themes: dual POV, age difference, hurt comfort, veteran, Christmas
jamie_w's review
5.0
I knew this book was going to hurt since going into this I knew that Greg had lost his son earlier in the year while he was enlisted overseas in Afghanistan. The loss of a child, no matter the age, is going to HURRRRTTTTT A LOT! And it did!!
However, there were some genuinely beautiful moments leading up to the ugly crying while my husband slept next to me. This was a very well done novella and if I have one complaint, it's that it wasn't long enough! I would've happily read this book if it were twice as long. And while the theme wasn't necessarily new, it was a beautiful story nonetheless.
Getting to know Greg and the inner turmoil he was struggling with while trying to maintain his family's christmas tree farm and what the rest of his life looked like without his son was just heartbreaking. He had no family left and his son's mother didn't live close. He was struggling. So when Robbie randomly showed up, it was the life he needed breathed back into his soul.
Robbie didn't have any family either and was returning back home following months of PT while he was injured during deployment. He had nothing so to speak but he was still so alive and full of holiday joy. He never pushed anything on Greg. He knew Greg was hurting and he wanted to give him a little bit of levity.
Their attraction and passion was so sweet and wildly emotional. They both had a lot of healing they needed to endure. I loved that they found each other and were able to mend their broken hearts.
But when the reveal happened, it was like a dam burst and I was completely overwhelmed. Seriously crying my eyes out and trying to not sob out loud. As a parent, the aftermath of a child’s death seems crushing so the fact that Greg and Roseanna (Sam's mother - deceased son) were able to have some sense of closure and peace was really all that we could ask for!
However, there were some genuinely beautiful moments leading up to the ugly crying while my husband slept next to me. This was a very well done novella and if I have one complaint, it's that it wasn't long enough! I would've happily read this book if it were twice as long. And while the theme wasn't necessarily new, it was a beautiful story nonetheless.
Getting to know Greg and the inner turmoil he was struggling with while trying to maintain his family's christmas tree farm and what the rest of his life looked like without his son was just heartbreaking. He had no family left and his son's mother didn't live close. He was struggling. So when Robbie randomly showed up, it was the life he needed breathed back into his soul.
Robbie didn't have any family either and was returning back home following months of PT while he was injured during deployment. He had nothing so to speak but he was still so alive and full of holiday joy. He never pushed anything on Greg. He knew Greg was hurting and he wanted to give him a little bit of levity.
Their attraction and passion was so sweet and wildly emotional. They both had a lot of healing they needed to endure. I loved that they found each other and were able to mend their broken hearts.
But when the reveal happened, it was like a dam burst and I was completely overwhelmed. Seriously crying my eyes out and trying to not sob out loud. As a parent, the aftermath of a child’s death seems crushing so the fact that Greg and Roseanna (Sam's mother - deceased son) were able to have some sense of closure and peace was really all that we could ask for!
teresab78's review
4.0
Hurt comfort
Greg is mourning for his son, Robbie is recovering from wounds as a soldier. Together they find reasons for going on. There were bitter sweet spots that tugged my heart strings but I loved how it all works out
Greg is mourning for his son, Robbie is recovering from wounds as a soldier. Together they find reasons for going on. There were bitter sweet spots that tugged my heart strings but I loved how it all works out
thisgayreads's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
4 ⭐️'ˢ
“The Best Gift” By Eli Easton
📕 Edition: Physical Book
This was a heartwarming Christmas novella full of holiday cheer. 🎄
Greg Cabot, grieving the loss of his son, finds unexpected solace when he picks up Sergeant Robbie Sparks on a snowy night. 🛻 The story captures the magic of Cabot's Christmas Wonderland with its charming atmosphere and festive spirit.
The characters, Greg and Robbie, share a touching connection that goes beyond the surface, and as they navigate their pain, a Christmas miracle unfolds.
missawn's review
4.0
Loved this! OTT? Yes, at times ... both with Christmas cheer and angst ... but a lovely holiday read. Christmasy but not nauseatingly so or overly cliched. There was a weird twist at the end that I could have done without. But a lovely book, not overly complicated, and one I was glad to have read during #covidchristmas2021.
rachie877's review
5.0
Heart warming and heart wrenching
It’s been a while since a book brought me to tears - but this book did it several times.
EE wrote in their notes at the end that Xmas stories always have the best focus - kindness, generosity and family and that is so true. This book has all of this in spades (cue happy tears) with an underlying sadness to the story as well (cue sad tears).
An absolutely beautiful story, I 110% recommend you read it!
It’s been a while since a book brought me to tears - but this book did it several times.
EE wrote in their notes at the end that Xmas stories always have the best focus - kindness, generosity and family and that is so true. This book has all of this in spades (cue happy tears) with an underlying sadness to the story as well (cue sad tears).
An absolutely beautiful story, I 110% recommend you read it!