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auburnedge's review
2.0
I am unsure how this was supposed to be a holiday book. I think there may have been 2 mentions of Christmas in the whole book?
The characters were there, they had backstories, but what they did not have was attraction. While they spent the entire story saying they liked the other there was literally no evidence. Unless the snark and animosity was the attraction?
Either way I wasn't moved and didn't enjoy the complete story.
The characters were there, they had backstories, but what they did not have was attraction. While they spent the entire story saying they liked the other there was literally no evidence. Unless the snark and animosity was the attraction?
Either way I wasn't moved and didn't enjoy the complete story.
mousegoddess's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
serenityfire's review
4.0
This is a short, sweet MM romance with two heroes trying to move past painful previous relationships. Sam is a sweet hearted good who is easy to love, and Mick is a sexy paramedic who is working through is issues. The characters have great chemistry, and I loved that we got to see them click both in chat online and in real life.
The book deals with overcoming past emotional domestic abuse, which would be triggering for some readers. But I think the author handled it well.
I have not read the other stories in the series yet, but this book included an interesting set of characters and a town that makes me want to read more.The story is set in Australia, which was fun. I had to remember that Christmas is in summer there. There is some lovely time in the scenery. It made me want to spend more time in the story.
The one problem I had is there was basically no Christmas in this novella. It is referenced in the first chapter, but then it is gone. I wish it had a different title that better represented the story.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.
The book deals with overcoming past emotional domestic abuse, which would be triggering for some readers. But I think the author handled it well.
I have not read the other stories in the series yet, but this book included an interesting set of characters and a town that makes me want to read more.The story is set in Australia, which was fun. I had to remember that Christmas is in summer there. There is some lovely time in the scenery. It made me want to spend more time in the story.
The one problem I had is there was basically no Christmas in this novella. It is referenced in the first chapter, but then it is gone. I wish it had a different title that better represented the story.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.
lenoreo's review
2.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2020/11/30/his-christmas-pride-by-renee-dahlia/
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
2.5 stars — Well, that was disappointing on a few levels…bummer.
First, this is not really a Christmas book, so if you’re looking for a *Christmas* book, this might not fit the bill for you. Essentially the first chapter happens on Christmas day, and that’s the end of anything Christmas.
Second, this is the second book I’ve read in this little series, by different authors, and AGAIN I’ve encountered a couple who has *genuinely* cringey awkward exchanges. Not adorable awkward (although to be fair, there was some adorable awkward too), but the kind of awkward where I don’t understand why they ever talked to each other afterwards. I’m not sure if I was missing something, but other than physical attraction, I didn’t *feel* a whole lot of chemistry between them. They talked about their past chatting on the game, but *I* as a reader didn’t get to see much of that, so it didn’t really help me get excited about them.
I enjoyed the hints of Thai tradition for Sam (though it didn’t take up much space). And there were a few interesting conversations about being bisexual, but everything felt a bit forced.
And on one last side note, I’m not sure if I’m missing a cultural humour or something, but there were occasions where they were talking about domestic violence and emotional abuse where some comments felt borderline insensitive. It might have just been me. It’s not my trigger, but I’m trying to be more sensitive to things, and so I just can’t tell.
I could talk more, but it was just…underwhelming for me. Lots of potential, but the execution just didn’t work for me. Womp womp.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
2.5 stars — Well, that was disappointing on a few levels…bummer.
First, this is not really a Christmas book, so if you’re looking for a *Christmas* book, this might not fit the bill for you. Essentially the first chapter happens on Christmas day, and that’s the end of anything Christmas.
Second, this is the second book I’ve read in this little series, by different authors, and AGAIN I’ve encountered a couple who has *genuinely* cringey awkward exchanges. Not adorable awkward (although to be fair, there was some adorable awkward too), but the kind of awkward where I don’t understand why they ever talked to each other afterwards. I’m not sure if I was missing something, but other than physical attraction, I didn’t *feel* a whole lot of chemistry between them. They talked about their past chatting on the game, but *I* as a reader didn’t get to see much of that, so it didn’t really help me get excited about them.
I enjoyed the hints of Thai tradition for Sam (though it didn’t take up much space). And there were a few interesting conversations about being bisexual, but everything felt a bit forced.
And on one last side note, I’m not sure if I’m missing a cultural humour or something, but there were occasions where they were talking about domestic violence and emotional abuse where some comments felt borderline insensitive. It might have just been me. It’s not my trigger, but I’m trying to be more sensitive to things, and so I just can’t tell.
I could talk more, but it was just…underwhelming for me. Lots of potential, but the execution just didn’t work for me. Womp womp.
cakt1991's review
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
His Christmas Pride is book six in the multi-author Rainbow Cove series. And as such, while there are some recurring characters, it works perfectly fine as a stand-alone, which was a relief for me, as I wanted to read it to read more from this author, Renée Dahlia, having also previously reviewed one of her other Escape Publishing titles.
While it is category/novella length, I like how it was able to delve into some tough topics. Mick, in spite of his tough exterior, has a past of domestic abuse, and I felt the issue was handled with sensitivity. Sam is just a generally good hearted person who gains more awareness from his romance with Mick. And generally, I really liked the couple’s interactions with each other.
Additionally, having learned a bit about Australia from Dahlia’s last book, I loved getting the general holiday vibe of Christmas Down Under, especially as theirs occurs during summer due to being in the Southern Hemisphere. While it’s not overly detailed, given Christmas actually doesn’t play a massive role in the story, I liked this new perspective, especially as most holiday-set stories tend to center the snowy weather, something that is completely alien to me, living in Hawaii and not having traveled much.
This is a really sweet m/m romance, and while it is a bit on the shorter side, it does have an emotional depth to it that makes it a compelling read. If you’re looking for a sweet queer romance that involves some light holiday cheer, I recommend this one.
His Christmas Pride is book six in the multi-author Rainbow Cove series. And as such, while there are some recurring characters, it works perfectly fine as a stand-alone, which was a relief for me, as I wanted to read it to read more from this author, Renée Dahlia, having also previously reviewed one of her other Escape Publishing titles.
While it is category/novella length, I like how it was able to delve into some tough topics. Mick, in spite of his tough exterior, has a past of domestic abuse, and I felt the issue was handled with sensitivity. Sam is just a generally good hearted person who gains more awareness from his romance with Mick. And generally, I really liked the couple’s interactions with each other.
Additionally, having learned a bit about Australia from Dahlia’s last book, I loved getting the general holiday vibe of Christmas Down Under, especially as theirs occurs during summer due to being in the Southern Hemisphere. While it’s not overly detailed, given Christmas actually doesn’t play a massive role in the story, I liked this new perspective, especially as most holiday-set stories tend to center the snowy weather, something that is completely alien to me, living in Hawaii and not having traveled much.
This is a really sweet m/m romance, and while it is a bit on the shorter side, it does have an emotional depth to it that makes it a compelling read. If you’re looking for a sweet queer romance that involves some light holiday cheer, I recommend this one.
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