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anxiousandreading's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was just so much fun. The ultimate grumpy/sunshine match 🥹
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Car accident
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
this was super cute & hot but not my fave. i feel like we didn’t get to really unpack some things, the dialogue was a little stunted at parts, and the time jumps felt out of place. i had a good time reading, but ultimately, this felt like too long of a book for what we got.
⚠️: panic attacks/disorders, death, car accident, grief, homophobia, death of parent, abandonment
⚠️: panic attacks/disorders, death, car accident, grief, homophobia, death of parent, abandonment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Abandonment and Homophobia
xanthe87's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
**4.5**
An equally heartwarming and heartbreaking Christmas romance as a school event brings two single dads together to celebrate the Christmas period. Never mind they are complete opposites and one seems to really dislike the other. Their intense love for their children mean they will do anything for them, even share the holidays with other people.
Baxter and Paxton make for an entertaining duo to read, seemingly polar opposites in every way and Paxton, for what seems the most ridiculous of reasons, doesn't like Baxter no matter how much the other guy tries. Now their kids, Becca and Nathan, are getting them together for this school event and they will be socialising at least three times in the lead up to Christmas but their love for them shines through and they easily cave into doing what they want. I love the way each man is with their child, showing clear love and support but also trust in them, knowing that they have a good head on their shoulders. When it comes to getting together, it starts off quite tense with Paxton not being exactly forthcoming but one outburst from Baxter, and a comment from his son, soon has him thinking ever differently. It's a wonderful transformation in their interactions and relationships and it then brings a whole new level of support that neither are used to experiencing, but especially Baxter as his sister was the last of his family so he has been alone since then. Paxton showcases his softer side perfectly as well as Baxter and Becca showing their festive joy and wrapping it around the quieter men from the other side of town.
I really enjoyed this story and how the animosity is first established and then knocked down. Paxton really shows his best assets after first being ever so judgemental but he clearly raised a good son in Nathan was able to spot Baxter's pain. The teens make for fun characters who bring some laughs and feels to the story, bringing the softer side out of both parents. It's also most heartwarming to read the whole town come together, showing their support for a much loved resident.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
An equally heartwarming and heartbreaking Christmas romance as a school event brings two single dads together to celebrate the Christmas period. Never mind they are complete opposites and one seems to really dislike the other. Their intense love for their children mean they will do anything for them, even share the holidays with other people.
Baxter and Paxton make for an entertaining duo to read, seemingly polar opposites in every way and Paxton, for what seems the most ridiculous of reasons, doesn't like Baxter no matter how much the other guy tries. Now their kids, Becca and Nathan, are getting them together for this school event and they will be socialising at least three times in the lead up to Christmas but their love for them shines through and they easily cave into doing what they want. I love the way each man is with their child, showing clear love and support but also trust in them, knowing that they have a good head on their shoulders. When it comes to getting together, it starts off quite tense with Paxton not being exactly forthcoming but one outburst from Baxter, and a comment from his son, soon has him thinking ever differently. It's a wonderful transformation in their interactions and relationships and it then brings a whole new level of support that neither are used to experiencing, but especially Baxter as his sister was the last of his family so he has been alone since then. Paxton showcases his softer side perfectly as well as Baxter and Becca showing their festive joy and wrapping it around the quieter men from the other side of town.
I really enjoyed this story and how the animosity is first established and then knocked down. Paxton really shows his best assets after first being ever so judgemental but he clearly raised a good son in Nathan was able to spot Baxter's pain. The teens make for fun characters who bring some laughs and feels to the story, bringing the softer side out of both parents. It's also most heartwarming to read the whole town come together, showing their support for a much loved resident.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐
Okay... where to start? This is my first time reading Fae's book and I... really love it! This is solid for me. Solid story of a sweet M/M Holiday Story. I love how both Paxton and Baxter started as stranger with Grumpy X Sunshine trope; made this story likable and cute.
I love the process when I read this book; trying to understand both Paxton and Baxter; including their struggles in life. I also love both Nathan and Becca. They're sweet kids. In the end, I love this book as a whole. The plot, the characters, the story, the character developments and the pace.
I love the slowburn romance between this two single dads and I also love their bond. Thank you for bringing such a lovely holiday M/M story, Fae. You are brilliant!
If I had a chance to re-read, I will for sure. What a journey for this Christmas and Disability December read.
Okay... where to start? This is my first time reading Fae's book and I... really love it! This is solid for me. Solid story of a sweet M/M Holiday Story. I love how both Paxton and Baxter started as stranger with Grumpy X Sunshine trope; made this story likable and cute.
I love the process when I read this book; trying to understand both Paxton and Baxter; including their struggles in life. I also love both Nathan and Becca. They're sweet kids. In the end, I love this book as a whole. The plot, the characters, the story, the character developments and the pace.
I love the slowburn romance between this two single dads and I also love their bond. Thank you for bringing such a lovely holiday M/M story, Fae. You are brilliant!
If I had a chance to re-read, I will for sure. What a journey for this Christmas and Disability December read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug use
Moderate: Car accident, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Death, and Homophobia
lady_moon's review
5.0
Rep: gay MC with anxiety, bi male MC, achilliean side character
This was so precious, I can't 😭 This was the queer joy shot I so desperately needed.
I also may have or have not cried at the anxiety rep...
And apparently this is published on my birthday?? Which just makes it hundred percent better
This was so precious, I can't 😭 This was the queer joy shot I so desperately needed.
I also may have or have not cried at the anxiety rep...
And apparently this is published on my birthday?? Which just makes it hundred percent better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, and Car accident
Minor: Abandonment and Death
_isabel_'s review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Well, this was freaking adorable.
A fair bit emotional at times, but still very light-hearted and feel-good and romantic, and yes, steamy as well. It was the perfect Christmas novel and I managed to absolutely DEVOUR it.
Paxton and Baxter stole my heart completely: their story was unbelievably cute. Single dads, kinda of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, size difference, grumpy/sunshine at its absolute finest, tons and tons of dirty talking and a light D/s relationship? Inject it into my veins, thank you.
Both protagonists were fabulously crafted: Baxter was my favourite, and his struggles with his anxiety and his fears and his grief were gut-wrenching and wholly relatable.
I just wanted to wrap him up in blankets and protect him from the world.
Paxton was equally fantastic: his grumpy attitude was wholly endearing and it made me laugh out loud many, many times. I loved his protective, caregiver mode even more: the way he took care of Baxter, and of Nathan and Becca too, was so damn swoony.
I also loved that there wasn't any unnecessary angst after the two protagonists got together: there were doubts insecurities for sure, but they were also fearless and certain about their own feelings for the other. That was refreshing to see, especially considering they're both well into their 40s and Paxton's not precisely out.
One of my favourite things of this novel was their relationship with Nathan and Becca. I ADORED those two to absolute bits: they're nice and funny and charming and just, the cutest teenagers ever. I can't tell you how many of their interactions brought tears to my eyes. 😭
I also LOVED the steam: D/s relationships, even if only lightly kinky, are my jam. This is my first Fae Quin novel, but I can already tell she'll become a favourite of mine in the steam department: Paxton is THE king of dirty talking. The way he was with Baxter, commanding and caring and domineering and dirty? GAH, I blushed.
My rating is not a full 5 star rating because of a few niggles I had with a few things that happened: namely, I was a bit disappointed with Paxton's sappiness, because I was missing his usual grumpiness and snark quite a bit. But yeah, those were minor issues because, all in all, I absolutely adored this novel and Baxter and Paxton's love story.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books: I'm certain I'll love them as much as this one.
A fair bit emotional at times, but still very light-hearted and feel-good and romantic, and yes, steamy as well. It was the perfect Christmas novel and I managed to absolutely DEVOUR it.
Paxton and Baxter stole my heart completely: their story was unbelievably cute. Single dads, kinda of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, size difference, grumpy/sunshine at its absolute finest, tons and tons of dirty talking and a light D/s relationship? Inject it into my veins, thank you.
Both protagonists were fabulously crafted: Baxter was my favourite, and his struggles with his anxiety and his fears and his grief were gut-wrenching and wholly relatable.
I just wanted to wrap him up in blankets and protect him from the world.
Paxton was equally fantastic: his grumpy attitude was wholly endearing and it made me laugh out loud many, many times. I loved his protective, caregiver mode even more: the way he took care of Baxter, and of Nathan and Becca too, was so damn swoony.
I also loved that there wasn't any unnecessary angst after the two protagonists got together: there were doubts insecurities for sure, but they were also fearless and certain about their own feelings for the other. That was refreshing to see, especially considering they're both well into their 40s and Paxton's not precisely out.
One of my favourite things of this novel was their relationship with Nathan and Becca. I ADORED those two to absolute bits: they're nice and funny and charming and just, the cutest teenagers ever. I can't tell you how many of their interactions brought tears to my eyes. 😭
I also LOVED the steam: D/s relationships, even if only lightly kinky, are my jam. This is my first Fae Quin novel, but I can already tell she'll become a favourite of mine in the steam department: Paxton is THE king of dirty talking. The way he was with Baxter, commanding and caring and domineering and dirty? GAH, I blushed.
My rating is not a full 5 star rating because of a few niggles I had with a few things that happened: namely, I was a bit disappointed with Paxton's sappiness, because I was missing his usual grumpiness and snark quite a bit. But yeah, those were minor issues because, all in all, I absolutely adored this novel and Baxter and Paxton's love story.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books: I'm certain I'll love them as much as this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Grief
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