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imme_van_gorp 's review for:
Mr. Jingle Bells
by Leta Blake
This is an angsty Christmas story with forced proximity, opposites attract, hurt/comfort, fake dating, and an office romance. As you can see; it has plenty of tropes and they all work together surprisingly well.
The story follows Ashton and Walker. They are business partners and couldn’t be more different. Ashton is beautiful and shiny, but with some hidden demons that haunt his ability to trust and feel loved. Meanwhile, Walker is practical and nurturing, but lives quite a simple and empty life. Walker also has a secret past and if the truth were to come out about it, it would definitely drive a wedge between him and Ashton. Which is something Walker desperately wants to avoid, because Ashton has become the world to him.
The story follows Ashton and Walker. They are business partners and couldn’t be more different. Ashton is beautiful and shiny, but with some hidden demons that haunt his ability to trust and feel loved. Meanwhile, Walker is practical and nurturing, but lives quite a simple and empty life. Walker also has a secret past and if the truth were to come out about it, it would definitely drive a wedge between him and Ashton. Which is something Walker desperately wants to avoid, because Ashton has become the world to him.
Walker’s stomach tightened at the thought that Ashton might have given him all that to just turn around and walk away.
I honestly just loved the way Walker was in utter awe of Ashton. He was completely enamoured and adored every bit about him. It was awesome.
This was quite a slow-burn romance, which I appreciated. It has a lot of pining, longing and insecurities. Their love story is not an easy or quick road, but it was always sweet and caring. I never doubted their devotion, and I was also never annoyed with any of the drama that ensued, because I honestly understood where Ashton’s hang-ups came from. His past was well-explained, and it was easy to empathise with him as a person. My heart felt honestly full, simply by knowing that he got a man like Walker, who not only accepted him completely, but also thought the sun shone right out of his arse. Ashton desperately wants to be wanted, and I don’t think anyone could have possibly wanted him any more than Walker did.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I do have to say that I personally think this story was a bit too long. Sometimes it felt a little dragged-out, and maybe even repetitive. It didn’t bother me too much, but I think the story could have been tighter and shorter.