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zaza_bdp's review
3.0
Annabeth Albert - Must Be Santa
On retrouve ici Teddy & Nick, de [b:Better Not Pout|40242604|Better Not Pout|Annabeth Albert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530894263l/40242604._SY75_.jpg|62519319], qui deviennent des "foster dads". Une histoire mignonne et cheesy à souhait, ça manque quand même de substance, mais c'est pas mal de retrouver un couple quelques années après, de voir ce qu'ils sont devenus, et de les voir franchir une autre étape, à savoir celle de la parentalité.
Eli Easton - Twelve Days of UPS
Comme toujours avec Eli Easton, c'est tout mignon, et on peut dire que ça restera une nouvelle "collector" car elle s'inscrit dans l'ère Covid, avec masque, distanciation sociale et tout le reste.
Lane Hayes - Out For The Holidays
Revoilà Derek et Gaben de [b:Out in the Deep|41543610|Out in the Deep (Out in College, #1)|Lane Hayes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535404210l/41543610._SY75_.jpg|63994223]. Gabe est désormais coach, mais fait toujours du water polo (d'ailleurs il est sélectionné pour les JO d'été de Tokyo) et Derek a changé de voie. Il s'apprête à ouvrir un bistro/café qui servira de la bonne cuisine d'inspiration française. Des trois nouvelles que j'ai lues jusqu'ici dans ce recueil, c'est ma préférée.
On retrouve ici Teddy & Nick, de [b:Better Not Pout|40242604|Better Not Pout|Annabeth Albert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530894263l/40242604._SY75_.jpg|62519319], qui deviennent des "foster dads". Une histoire mignonne et cheesy à souhait, ça manque quand même de substance, mais c'est pas mal de retrouver un couple quelques années après, de voir ce qu'ils sont devenus, et de les voir franchir une autre étape, à savoir celle de la parentalité.
Eli Easton - Twelve Days of UPS
Comme toujours avec Eli Easton, c'est tout mignon, et on peut dire que ça restera une nouvelle "collector" car elle s'inscrit dans l'ère Covid, avec masque, distanciation sociale et tout le reste.
Lane Hayes - Out For The Holidays
Revoilà Derek et Gaben de [b:Out in the Deep|41543610|Out in the Deep (Out in College, #1)|Lane Hayes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535404210l/41543610._SY75_.jpg|63994223]. Gabe est désormais coach, mais fait toujours du water polo (d'ailleurs il est sélectionné pour les JO d'été de Tokyo) et Derek a changé de voie. Il s'apprête à ouvrir un bistro/café qui servira de la bonne cuisine d'inspiration française. Des trois nouvelles que j'ai lues jusqu'ici dans ce recueil, c'est ma préférée.
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
4.0
I just loved all of the short holiday snippets that are included in this book. From authors that I read religiously: R.J. Scott, Annabeth Albert, V.L. Locey and Lane Hayes that simply added to the characters new and old to new authors: Joanna Chambers, Annabelle Jacobs and Posy Roberts who I now have to find other books that they have written, this was a great collection. Love is in the air, snow is on the ground and the holidays are made so much better at the end of each story. A must read.
valerieullmerauthor's review
5.0
This is a great anthology and got me into the Christmas spirit. Some of the stories were follow-ups to previous novels, and some were new. But they were all filled with the hope of the season and budding and/or established romances. Eli Easton's Twelve Days of UPS, a new story, and the follow-up for Lane Hayes' Out for the Holidays were charming and sweet. The rest were memorable and although some of them are new to me authors, I enjoyed the stories. A great collection for a wonderful cause!!
endemictoearth's review
3.0
Quite an uneven reading experience, so I'll rate each story individually below:
* An Unworthy Gift by A.E. Via - 1 star - WHAT EVEN IS THIS? I was confused for the first four chapters and then realized I didn’t care and super-skimmed a bit before DNF-ing. Read enough to know: No. (Also, kind of a terrible story to open the book with; if I didn’t already know many of the other authors, I might have chucked the whole thing and returned it.)
* Out For the Holidays by Lane Hayes - 3 stars - This is a follow-up story for a couple that has another book, which I haven’t read. However, it was cute and nice not to have the conflict be will they won’t they?
* A Single Dad Christmas by RJ Scott - 3.75 stars - Very sweet story that felt complete. Cute kids, too.
* Twelve Days of UPS by Eli Easton - 4 stars - A pandemic set story that was handled very well.
* Must Be Santa by Annabeth Albert - 3.5 stars - This is a follow-up to Better Not Pout, which I have read. I liked this a shade better, because Nick has gotten over himself fully, and it was a sensitive portrayal of fostering-to-adoption. The date night was sweet/hot.
* The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers - 3.75 stars - I would have loved a full-length book about these two, but I’ll take what I can get. Really lovely, just ended too soon for my liking.
* Five Gold Blings by Clare London - 2.5 stars - Another delivery guy romance, but this one was a little harder to believe. It had its charms, though. Perfectly fine.
* Sojourn with Me by Posy Roberts - 3.75 stars - This is the first in a series, and left me wanting more. It kinds of ends on a . . . plateau, maybe? Not as nailbite-y as a cliff, but will definitely seek out the sequels.
* Sometimes, Always by Suki Fleet - 2 stars - There’s some beautiful language in here, but I felt really confused and couldn’t connect to much in this follow-up to a story I haven’t read.
* Dressed in Holiday Style by V.L. Locey - 1.5 stars - This left a bad taste in my mouth. It was meant to be lighthearted, but causing a frivolous conflict that got a Black man arrested in NYC? Nope, not gonna endear the other MC to me. We also got a lot of hand-wave-y mental health discussion in the middle that seemed really rushed as an explanation for some of the behavior. I really think this story needed more room to build that part of the narrative. This could’ve been cute.
* Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs - 4 stars - Genuinely adorable little snowed-in with best friends who’ve fallen out over attraction gem. Self-contained and delightful.
* No Place Like Home by Garrett Leigh, The Gift of Forever by Felice Stevens, A Santa for Trin by Amber Kell, and Homestead for the Holidays by Alex Jane - Didn’t read any of these stories, as they were follow-ons and I couldn’t take any more feeling lost and confused. But the anthology was worth it for the six stories I truly enjoyed, and I might return to those after reading the stories that precede them.
* An Unworthy Gift by A.E. Via - 1 star - WHAT EVEN IS THIS? I was confused for the first four chapters and then realized I didn’t care and super-skimmed a bit before DNF-ing. Read enough to know: No. (Also, kind of a terrible story to open the book with; if I didn’t already know many of the other authors, I might have chucked the whole thing and returned it.)
* Out For the Holidays by Lane Hayes - 3 stars - This is a follow-up story for a couple that has another book, which I haven’t read. However, it was cute and nice not to have the conflict be will they won’t they?
* A Single Dad Christmas by RJ Scott - 3.75 stars - Very sweet story that felt complete. Cute kids, too.
* Twelve Days of UPS by Eli Easton - 4 stars - A pandemic set story that was handled very well.
* Must Be Santa by Annabeth Albert - 3.5 stars - This is a follow-up to Better Not Pout, which I have read. I liked this a shade better, because Nick has gotten over himself fully, and it was a sensitive portrayal of fostering-to-adoption. The date night was sweet/hot.
* The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers - 3.75 stars - I would have loved a full-length book about these two, but I’ll take what I can get. Really lovely, just ended too soon for my liking.
* Five Gold Blings by Clare London - 2.5 stars - Another delivery guy romance, but this one was a little harder to believe. It had its charms, though. Perfectly fine.
* Sojourn with Me by Posy Roberts - 3.75 stars - This is the first in a series, and left me wanting more. It kinds of ends on a . . . plateau, maybe? Not as nailbite-y as a cliff, but will definitely seek out the sequels.
* Sometimes, Always by Suki Fleet - 2 stars - There’s some beautiful language in here, but I felt really confused and couldn’t connect to much in this follow-up to a story I haven’t read.
* Dressed in Holiday Style by V.L. Locey - 1.5 stars - This left a bad taste in my mouth. It was meant to be lighthearted, but causing a frivolous conflict that got a Black man arrested in NYC? Nope, not gonna endear the other MC to me. We also got a lot of hand-wave-y mental health discussion in the middle that seemed really rushed as an explanation for some of the behavior. I really think this story needed more room to build that part of the narrative. This could’ve been cute.
* Driving Home for Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs - 4 stars - Genuinely adorable little snowed-in with best friends who’ve fallen out over attraction gem. Self-contained and delightful.
* No Place Like Home by Garrett Leigh, The Gift of Forever by Felice Stevens, A Santa for Trin by Amber Kell, and Homestead for the Holidays by Alex Jane - Didn’t read any of these stories, as they were follow-ons and I couldn’t take any more feeling lost and confused. But the anthology was worth it for the six stories I truly enjoyed, and I might return to those after reading the stories that precede them.
marlobo's review
3.0
An Unworthy Gift by A.E. Via - 2.5 stars
Out for the Holidays by Lane Hayes - 2 stars
Part of a series I haven't read yet; It has so many references to it that I felt lost more than once. I don't like when anthologies include stories that aren't standalone.
Single Dad Christmas by RJ Scott - 2.5 stars
Parenthood, Bosses & Staffers, Age Gap. Autin (Architect, 41; Paul (Manny, 26)
Twelve Days of UPS by Eli Easton - 3,5 stars
Delivery guy, humor
Must Be Santa by Annabeth Albert - 4 stars
Established relationship, Parenthood
Perfect example of a story part of a series that stands on its own. I loved it
The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers - 3 stars
Historical, Napoleonic Wars, Former soldier, One-armed, Homecoming, Forced Proximity, Since forever, Friends to lovers, First time. Sam (25), Jasper (22)
Five Gold Blings by Clare London - 3,5 stars
(Humor, Sweet, Delivery guy, Fashion designer, Vlogger
Sojourn for Christmas by Posy Roberts - 3 —I want more— stars
Linked to one series, first installment of other, HFN; Outed, College student & Dog walker, Age gap, Roommates
Sometimes, Always by Suki Fleet - 1 star
Again, part of a series that mostly isn't a standalone story. And on top of it bored me.
No Place Like Home by Garrett Leigh - 2 stars
Too many references to stories that I have read. The third story in this anthology that isn't standalone., isn't too much?
The Gift of Forever by Felice Stevens - 3,5 stars
Established relationship
Connected to a previous story, but I didn't feel lost, I enjoyed it
Dressed in Holiday Style by VL Locey - 3 stars
Enemies to lovers-to-be, Window dressers, Age gap
Driving Home For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs - 3 stars
Friends to lovers, Second chance with you, Since forever
A Santa for Trin by Amber Kell - 2.5 stars
Shifters, Gods, Established relationships, Magic, Parenthood
Related to a series that I read partially and long ago. Yet, it has hints and a context that avoid that the reader fell lost
Homestead for the Holidays by Alex Jane - 4 stars
Since forever, Roommates, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers
Lovely
Out for the Holidays by Lane Hayes - 2 stars
Part of a series I haven't read yet; It has so many references to it that I felt lost more than once. I don't like when anthologies include stories that aren't standalone.
Single Dad Christmas by RJ Scott - 2.5 stars
Parenthood, Bosses & Staffers, Age Gap. Autin (Architect, 41; Paul (Manny, 26)
Twelve Days of UPS by Eli Easton - 3,5 stars
Delivery guy, humor
Must Be Santa by Annabeth Albert - 4 stars
Established relationship, Parenthood
Perfect example of a story part of a series that stands on its own. I loved it
The First Snow of Winter by Joanna Chambers - 3 stars
Historical, Napoleonic Wars, Former soldier, One-armed, Homecoming, Forced Proximity, Since forever, Friends to lovers, First time. Sam (25), Jasper (22)
Five Gold Blings by Clare London - 3,5 stars
(Humor, Sweet, Delivery guy, Fashion designer, Vlogger
Sojourn for Christmas by Posy Roberts - 3 —I want more— stars
Linked to one series, first installment of other, HFN; Outed, College student & Dog walker, Age gap, Roommates
Sometimes, Always by Suki Fleet - 1 star
Again, part of a series that mostly isn't a standalone story. And on top of it bored me.
No Place Like Home by Garrett Leigh - 2 stars
Too many references to stories that I have read. The third story in this anthology that isn't standalone., isn't too much?
The Gift of Forever by Felice Stevens - 3,5 stars
Established relationship
Connected to a previous story, but I didn't feel lost, I enjoyed it
Dressed in Holiday Style by VL Locey - 3 stars
Enemies to lovers-to-be, Window dressers, Age gap
Driving Home For Christmas by Annabelle Jacobs - 3 stars
Friends to lovers, Second chance with you, Since forever
A Santa for Trin by Amber Kell - 2.5 stars
Shifters, Gods, Established relationships, Magic, Parenthood
Related to a series that I read partially and long ago. Yet, it has hints and a context that avoid that the reader fell lost
Homestead for the Holidays by Alex Jane - 4 stars
Since forever, Roommates, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers
Lovely
robazizo's review
To read: Eli Easton/Annabeth Albert/Joanna Chambers/Annabelle Jacobs/Alex Jane
Maybe: RJ Scott/VL Locey
9/12/2020 Must Be Santa - Annabeth Albert: 3.5 stars. Sugary sweet, but cute. It was nice to see Nick and Teddy again and it was lovely to see them taking a next step in their lives together.
24/11/2021 Driving Home For Christmas - Annabelle Jacobs: 3.5 stars. I missed some background info, but the story was cute.
6/12/2021 Twelve Days of UPS - Eli Easton: 3.75 stars. Cute. One of the first stories I've read that incorporated the pandemic and it did so in a charming way.
8/11/2023 Alex Jane - Homestead for the Holiday: 3.25 stars. Cute, but too short. It felt a bit anticlimactic somehow.
Maybe: RJ Scott/VL Locey
9/12/2020 Must Be Santa - Annabeth Albert: 3.5 stars. Sugary sweet, but cute. It was nice to see Nick and Teddy again and it was lovely to see them taking a next step in their lives together.
24/11/2021 Driving Home For Christmas - Annabelle Jacobs: 3.5 stars. I missed some background info, but the story was cute.
6/12/2021 Twelve Days of UPS - Eli Easton: 3.75 stars. Cute. One of the first stories I've read that incorporated the pandemic and it did so in a charming way.
8/11/2023 Alex Jane - Homestead for the Holiday: 3.25 stars. Cute, but too short. It felt a bit anticlimactic somehow.
papercranestitches's review
I have a love/hate relationship with short story anthologies, but it seems that I can never resist a charity Christmas anthology jampacked with stories by my favourite authors. I'm looking for stories that appeal to my deeply buried gooey centre and make me want to curl up in front of a warm fire with a cozy blanket and a cup of Bailey's spiked coffee while snow falls outside my windows.
I'll review stories individually below & then average my star ratings for the overall rating for the antho.
Regardless of the ratings, I just wanted to take a moment to thank the authors for giving their time and their talents in support of this charity. THANK YOU!
And without further ado...
A.E. Via (An Unworthy Gift) - ? Stars
Lane Hayes (Out For The Holidays) - 3 Stars
This was a sweet holiday vignette about post-college life, and chasing down your dreams and living your life on your own terms, even in the face of challenges and family disapproval. I enjoyed revisiting Gabe and Derek and seeing how they were getting on with their HEA, but between them and all the other Out in College series men popping up for cameos, I could easily see how readers unfamiliar with Hayes' signature series may feel a little left out of all the holiday cheer.
RJ Scott (Single Dad Christmas) - 3.5 Stars
Ouch. This story was heart stabby from the first page to the last. Thank goodness for those last few paragraphs that turned it all around for us. I thought Scott did a great job of capturing that aching longing of unrequited love. Also, the kids were adorbz.
Eli Easton (Twelve Days of UPS) - 3.5 Stars
Total COVID Christmas meet cute between a work-from-home prince and our modern day hero - the delivery drivers that are absolutely killing themselves to deliver the goods that keep all of us feeling connected to the outside world.
Annabeth Albert (Must Be Santa) - 3 Stars
Solidly sweet story, but it missed a little of that holiday pizazz for me because it started before Thanksgiving and ended on Christmas day, so we didn't get the full effect of the wintertime feels.
Clare London (Five Gold Blings) - ? Stars
I'll review stories individually below & then average my star ratings for the overall rating for the antho.
Regardless of the ratings, I just wanted to take a moment to thank the authors for giving their time and their talents in support of this charity. THANK YOU!
And without further ado...
A.E. Via (An Unworthy Gift) - ? Stars
Lane Hayes (Out For The Holidays) - 3 Stars
This was a sweet holiday vignette about post-college life, and chasing down your dreams and living your life on your own terms, even in the face of challenges and family disapproval. I enjoyed revisiting Gabe and Derek and seeing how they were getting on with their HEA, but between them and all the other Out in College series men popping up for cameos, I could easily see how readers unfamiliar with Hayes' signature series may feel a little left out of all the holiday cheer.
RJ Scott (Single Dad Christmas) - 3.5 Stars
Ouch. This story was heart stabby from the first page to the last. Thank goodness for those last few paragraphs that turned it all around for us. I thought Scott did a great job of capturing that aching longing of unrequited love. Also, the kids were adorbz.
Eli Easton (Twelve Days of UPS) - 3.5 Stars
Total COVID Christmas meet cute between a work-from-home prince and our modern day hero - the delivery drivers that are absolutely killing themselves to deliver the goods that keep all of us feeling connected to the outside world.
Annabeth Albert (Must Be Santa) - 3 Stars
Solidly sweet story, but it missed a little of that holiday pizazz for me because it started before Thanksgiving and ended on Christmas day, so we didn't get the full effect of the wintertime feels.
Clare London (Five Gold Blings) - ? Stars
ccgwalt's review
4.0
I didn't finish all the stories, but overall I've enjoyed this anthology quite a bit. Some stories are parts of series and that made them a little less enjoyable because I didn't know the backstories. I also got introduced to some new authors while giving to charity, so I consider this a win/win.
cleo_reads's review
I enjoyed the Annabeth Albert story Must Be Santa - it's the sequel to Better Not Pout. I'm not sure how stand alone it is but it was a sweet story about a couple fostering two children.
I also read the Joanna Chambers and then I put it down and never picked it up again.
I also read the Joanna Chambers and then I put it down and never picked it up again.
aster1123's review
4.0
sweet collection of holiday romance! it's a mixed bag of quality for sure, and some errors that easily could have been found by an editor but didn't. which really disappoints me in a short story...like how did you miss changing a child's name halfway through a 40 page story??
Also, I hate when an author changes reality to fit their story. It's lazy and incompetent and speaks very poorly of the author (cough AE VIA cough).
So while I'm happy I have this, because some of my favorite authors are in this, there are lots I wish I skipped.
Also, I hate when an author changes reality to fit their story. It's lazy and incompetent and speaks very poorly of the author (cough AE VIA cough).
So while I'm happy I have this, because some of my favorite authors are in this, there are lots I wish I skipped.