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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Despite it being an unrealistic story (snow globe trapping a man for over 150 yrs) I did get hooked into the impossibility of Jason and Ben's romance.
I laughed that Ben's first concern was who shot JR - and that Jason didn't know the reference!
The story was engaging though I was beginning to wonder at the Winter Oranges reference but that came with time.
Dylan was an odd character - whilst he was quite cavalier with his affections and how that affected Jason, he was obviously a loyal friend and did react like anyone probably would to Jason's confession.
A great story for being in your snowbound winter cabin!
3.10.17 reread : enjoyed revisiting this story - it is improbable but the smooth, pacy writing style gets you rooting for a HEA for Jason and Ben, however unlikely it looks as the story progresses.
I laughed that Ben's first concern was who shot JR - and that Jason didn't know the reference!
The story was engaging though I was beginning to wonder at the Winter Oranges reference but that came with time.
Dylan was an odd character - whilst he was quite cavalier with his affections and how that affected Jason, he was obviously a loyal friend and did react like anyone probably would to Jason's confession.
A great story for being in your snowbound winter cabin!
3.10.17 reread : enjoyed revisiting this story - it is improbable but the smooth, pacy writing style gets you rooting for a HEA for Jason and Ben, however unlikely it looks as the story progresses.
Loved Benjamin, what a lively , bunch of fluffies, christmas cracker he was! Jason seemed to be the complete opposite, a morose character whose only friend seemed to only be with him for the sex. So I didn't warm to Dylan until nearly the very end. Liked the slow-burn of the romance, curled up on the couch watching old TV shows together.
You have to suspend belief that someone can be stuck in a snow globe and live but isn't Xmas a time of fairytales!
4 stars
You have to suspend belief that someone can be stuck in a snow globe and live but isn't Xmas a time of fairytales!
4 stars
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I almost dnf’d this one, but once it gets going Ben is just too adorable. His positive outlook is hard-earned, and I got some good laughs at the pop culture jokes.
I definitely could have done without them being so I think in the end my initial worry — that the magical details would be vague and require a lot of suspension of disbelief — got flipped on its head and it almost took itself *too* seriously with some of that. The lightness was by far the strength of the story, so I kinda wish the serious parts took up a little less space overall. Ben’s gonna keep it at 3 stars, though.
I definitely could have done without them being
Spoiler
RELATED (!!! even if it is many great-greats later ... ew)
This was very cute and a lovely fuzzy Christmas read! It also really made me want to eat an orange.
Loved this little christmas story. Very sweet and detailed. Perfect holiday read
Jason Walker has left Hollywood behind. After growing out of his child star and teen heartthrob years, he’s done a string of B-movies, and frankly, he’s just tired of the rat race. He was tired of being his parents’ meal ticket and has essentially no relationship with them, and his one true friend is also the object of his unrequited love.
When he moves to Idaho to a remote fully furnished house, he’s prepared to have some alone and down time. But what he gets is far different. It turns out he has also become the host of a guy who has been trapped for 150+ years. Benjamin Ward was put away for safe keeping during the Civil War, but through a lot of serendipitous events, he has landed at Jason’s house. The problem is only Jason can see him, and it’s even a trick for Jason to be able to hear him.
As Jason spends more time with Ben, he quickly becomes enamored of his sweetness and his genuine enthusiasm for so many things. They have fun watching movies together, and when Jason takes Ben along with him for a trip into town, he is accused of being on a drug-fueled binge. He does smarten up on ways to make it not seem like he’s talking to himself or, even worse, his invisible friend.
But his best friend, Dylan, is suspicious and shows up unexpectedly, so Jason has to figure out a way to get rid of him and also convince him that he’s not crazy. This is easier said than done, and it’s a good thing Jason is an actor. Ben and Jason continue to spend time together, and Jason realizes that, for once, he is truly in love. Not the kind of love he thought he felt for Dylan, but real, true love. Ben is obviously crazy about Jason as well, but he’s filled with doubts, given the very real constraints of their relationship.
Jason is worried about keeping his relationship with Ben a secret, but is also trying to figure out a way to move forward. Both are worried that their continued actions will have long-lasting, detrimental effects on Jason, but they just can’t stay away from each other. Again, Dylan shows up unannounced and things come to a critical climax that have far reaching consequences for both Jason and Ben.
I actually pre-ordered this story at GRL 2015, but never had the chance to read it, so when the audio was up for review, I jumped at it. I am a huge Marie Sexton fan, and I was certainly not disappointed in the story. This is a thoroughly charming tale that pulled me in from the beginning and is made that much better by an expert and engaging narrator. I loved both Ben and Jason, and watching their relationship build was very entertaining—especially Ben’s embracing the 21st century, and the fact that Jason really cared for him. Nick J. Russo is a consummate professional. I loved his narration of the Two Gentlemen of Altona series from JA Rock and Lisa Henry, and this performance continued my love affair with his narration. Highly recommend on the merits of both the story and performance.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
When he moves to Idaho to a remote fully furnished house, he’s prepared to have some alone and down time. But what he gets is far different. It turns out he has also become the host of a guy who has been trapped for 150+ years. Benjamin Ward was put away for safe keeping during the Civil War, but through a lot of serendipitous events, he has landed at Jason’s house. The problem is only Jason can see him, and it’s even a trick for Jason to be able to hear him.
As Jason spends more time with Ben, he quickly becomes enamored of his sweetness and his genuine enthusiasm for so many things. They have fun watching movies together, and when Jason takes Ben along with him for a trip into town, he is accused of being on a drug-fueled binge. He does smarten up on ways to make it not seem like he’s talking to himself or, even worse, his invisible friend.
But his best friend, Dylan, is suspicious and shows up unexpectedly, so Jason has to figure out a way to get rid of him and also convince him that he’s not crazy. This is easier said than done, and it’s a good thing Jason is an actor. Ben and Jason continue to spend time together, and Jason realizes that, for once, he is truly in love. Not the kind of love he thought he felt for Dylan, but real, true love. Ben is obviously crazy about Jason as well, but he’s filled with doubts, given the very real constraints of their relationship.
Jason is worried about keeping his relationship with Ben a secret, but is also trying to figure out a way to move forward. Both are worried that their continued actions will have long-lasting, detrimental effects on Jason, but they just can’t stay away from each other. Again, Dylan shows up unannounced and things come to a critical climax that have far reaching consequences for both Jason and Ben.
I actually pre-ordered this story at GRL 2015, but never had the chance to read it, so when the audio was up for review, I jumped at it. I am a huge Marie Sexton fan, and I was certainly not disappointed in the story. This is a thoroughly charming tale that pulled me in from the beginning and is made that much better by an expert and engaging narrator. I loved both Ben and Jason, and watching their relationship build was very entertaining—especially Ben’s embracing the 21st century, and the fact that Jason really cared for him. Nick J. Russo is a consummate professional. I loved his narration of the Two Gentlemen of Altona series from JA Rock and Lisa Henry, and this performance continued my love affair with his narration. Highly recommend on the merits of both the story and performance.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
Bonkers but in an interesting way.
I honestly can’t imagine how she came up with this idea but she made it reasonably plausible.
I honestly can’t imagine how she came up with this idea but she made it reasonably plausible.
I’ve read this author before. This book is a mm contemporary story with a paranormal twist. Loved Jason and Ben. Kept me guessing the whole time. Very enjoyable reading. I’ll read more from this author.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A