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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I admit that serials aren’t typically my thing. They can be excessively long and the wait can be interminable. However, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this 3 part series is finished, as I couldn’t resist the premise of this love story.
Work colleagues Henry and Marc are stuck on the side of the road during a terrible storm. Being stranded with nowhere to go provides the perfect opportunity to let some truths out. What unfolds is a little heart to heart and a bit of smexy exploration.
Well written with a nice progression, this was full of realistic fears, doubts, and desires. As a warning perhaps, this ends abruptly just as Henry and Marc are saved, and it remains to be seen how the rest of their Christmas holiday unfolds. To be continued...
I admit that serials aren’t typically my thing. They can be excessively long and the wait can be interminable. However, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this 3 part series is finished, as I couldn’t resist the premise of this love story.
Work colleagues Henry and Marc are stuck on the side of the road during a terrible storm. Being stranded with nowhere to go provides the perfect opportunity to let some truths out. What unfolds is a little heart to heart and a bit of smexy exploration.
Well written with a nice progression, this was full of realistic fears, doubts, and desires. As a warning perhaps, this ends abruptly just as Henry and Marc are saved, and it remains to be seen how the rest of their Christmas holiday unfolds. To be continued...
shandra's review against another edition
4.0
Analytical minds make for the most awesome sex scenes. I loved Henry's reasoning for counting fence posts while driving in awkward silence with Marc. There's something about trying to do anything other than the thing a person wants to do which is universally easy to understand. Henry definitely had the once-burned, twice-shy attitude thanks to a rough time with a guy "experimenting" with him in the past; Marc made for a pleasant puzzle as he showed bits of himself a little at a time while being more transparent in his confessions than any lover I've ever had in the past has been.
Innocence, exploration, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer make Counting Fence Posts a fantastic read for me. It's a solid four-stars. I can't wait to see where Henry and Marc go from here.
Innocence, exploration, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer make Counting Fence Posts a fantastic read for me. It's a solid four-stars. I can't wait to see where Henry and Marc go from here.
leelee68's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a great start to the story. Glad there's s second part. Because we only got a little of them together..
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
This was a sweet, quick, easy read and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the rest of the series to see where Henry and Marc go.
ellelainey's review against another edition
5.0
Book – Counting Fence Posts
Author – Kelly Jensen
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 61
Cover – Very nice!
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Christmas in July, Holiday, Stranded, Contemporary, Romance
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Confession: When I first read Kelly Jensen, it was in “When Was the Last Time” and I said, in my review that, although this was a new-to-me author, “It's a beautiful piece of art and craftsmanship, just like the story.”. Well, THANK YOU, Christmas in July! Kelly Jensen knocks it out the park once again. And, honestly, I could say the same thing about this story: it's a work of art.
We start off already in the car, during a snow storm and I was relieved for this, because I like when we start off right in the guts of the story. Henry is unrequitedly crushing on co-worker and superior Marc, who is driving but as stubborn bull, so when things take a weathered turn for the worst, things get hot and bothered.
Through a lot of talking – which was great to see – the two begin to share secrets, as the hours drag on. Not only did I love that the situation was realistic – heavy, sudden snow fall that couldn't be fought through, visual detail as well as temperature dropping and rushing to layer up on many clothes – but the chemistry felt real as well. Though we do get some hot scenes, there was no “let's get naked” or impractical stuff here. It was freezing and the characters, and us readers, never forgot that. From breathing fogging, cold fingers, biting wind etc and snowfall, there were subtle, but regular reminders of the weather.
When it comes to Henry and Marc, as characters, I can only say that I'm in love. At first, Marc is grouchy, irascible and frustrating for both me and Henry. But then he slowly begins to melt as the snow piles up and we – me and Henry – get to see beyond the protective armour. *sigh* Henry himself is just loveable and lovely and sweet. He's frustrated, scared and afraid of falling into *that* trap again. Ugh! The feels are ridiculous.
This is no insta-love story, either. This is two adult men being stranded in a situation where emotions are heightened, strength is more vulnerable than usual and they end up saying things that they were normally too scared to say. So when they talk and share a heart-to-heart, they both acknowledge that it's a rotten situation, that it might be temporary, as it's likely that whatever they share in this distressing moment may not last once they're past it. What they share is shared on the knowledge that there may be hurt, but no recriminations, if things fall apart once they're safe. Because they accept the limitations of the situation, but also talk with hope and encouragement, wishing for more after this situation is resolved.
As you can probably tell, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm utterly in love with something and can feel all the emotions, the uncertainty, the *happy sigh* moments that made me smile and crunch in on myself in excitement; that make my toes curl and breath hitch, my stomach tighten in anticipation. All that and more. In 61 pages. Genius!
~
Favourite Quotes
“Marc had never met an obstacle he couldn't defeat. Over, under, around, or through. He probably had that tattooed somewhere on his body.
Henry lost a moment imagining just where that ink might be and how it might flex across Marc's pleasantly muscled frame.”
““You don't think all this is improvisation, do you? I'm good, but I'm not that good.”
“It could just be a 'trapped in a snowstorm' thing. Holy shit, I don't want to die without checking that particular box.”
“I don't think many people have 'see if I'm gay' on their bucket list.””
Author – Kelly Jensen
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 61
Cover – Very nice!
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Christmas in July, Holiday, Stranded, Contemporary, Romance
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Confession: When I first read Kelly Jensen, it was in “When Was the Last Time” and I said, in my review that, although this was a new-to-me author, “It's a beautiful piece of art and craftsmanship, just like the story.”. Well, THANK YOU, Christmas in July! Kelly Jensen knocks it out the park once again. And, honestly, I could say the same thing about this story: it's a work of art.
We start off already in the car, during a snow storm and I was relieved for this, because I like when we start off right in the guts of the story. Henry is unrequitedly crushing on co-worker and superior Marc, who is driving but as stubborn bull, so when things take a weathered turn for the worst, things get hot and bothered.
Through a lot of talking – which was great to see – the two begin to share secrets, as the hours drag on. Not only did I love that the situation was realistic – heavy, sudden snow fall that couldn't be fought through, visual detail as well as temperature dropping and rushing to layer up on many clothes – but the chemistry felt real as well. Though we do get some hot scenes, there was no “let's get naked” or impractical stuff here. It was freezing and the characters, and us readers, never forgot that. From breathing fogging, cold fingers, biting wind etc and snowfall, there were subtle, but regular reminders of the weather.
When it comes to Henry and Marc, as characters, I can only say that I'm in love. At first, Marc is grouchy, irascible and frustrating for both me and Henry. But then he slowly begins to melt as the snow piles up and we – me and Henry – get to see beyond the protective armour. *sigh* Henry himself is just loveable and lovely and sweet. He's frustrated, scared and afraid of falling into *that* trap again. Ugh! The feels are ridiculous.
This is no insta-love story, either. This is two adult men being stranded in a situation where emotions are heightened, strength is more vulnerable than usual and they end up saying things that they were normally too scared to say. So when they talk and share a heart-to-heart, they both acknowledge that it's a rotten situation, that it might be temporary, as it's likely that whatever they share in this distressing moment may not last once they're past it. What they share is shared on the knowledge that there may be hurt, but no recriminations, if things fall apart once they're safe. Because they accept the limitations of the situation, but also talk with hope and encouragement, wishing for more after this situation is resolved.
As you can probably tell, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm utterly in love with something and can feel all the emotions, the uncertainty, the *happy sigh* moments that made me smile and crunch in on myself in excitement; that make my toes curl and breath hitch, my stomach tighten in anticipation. All that and more. In 61 pages. Genius!
~
Favourite Quotes
“Marc had never met an obstacle he couldn't defeat. Over, under, around, or through. He probably had that tattooed somewhere on his body.
Henry lost a moment imagining just where that ink might be and how it might flex across Marc's pleasantly muscled frame.”
““You don't think all this is improvisation, do you? I'm good, but I'm not that good.”
“It could just be a 'trapped in a snowstorm' thing. Holy shit, I don't want to die without checking that particular box.”
“I don't think many people have 'see if I'm gay' on their bucket list.””
missawn's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this! My first time reading this author and I was nicely impressed with the writing. A very lovely short story that packs a nice punch-- good chemistry and engagingly wonderful MCs. It is very low angst and a perfect holiday romance -- lots of good things like snow and Christmas carols. And as with all good short stories, I would have loved to keep reading ... which is a good sign ... means I enjoyed it and was drawn in enough to want to continue. Definitely, recommended ...
rainbow_grace's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
Short, complete story but with more in the series I may just have to get!
I enjoyed Marc and Henry, a little bit of frisson from a few years work acquaintance and then being stuck together.
Marc isn’t what Henry assumes so being stuck accelerates Marc’s plans for Henry.
I did feel cold when they were stuck. Getting their clothes wet was daft.
Hurrah for Betty!!
I enjoyed Marc and Henry, a little bit of frisson from a few years work acquaintance and then being stuck together.
Marc isn’t what Henry assumes so being stuck accelerates Marc’s plans for Henry.
I did feel cold when they were stuck. Getting their clothes wet was daft.
Hurrah for Betty!!
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
3.0
Henry and Marcus have decided to try to beat the weather home to Boston for Christmas Eve after their flight has been cancelled due to the impending storm. Unfortunately, they then end up on state roads rather than the interstate after Marcus gets frustrated with the traffic. Might I suggest Waze for your next trip boys??