Tag Archives: m/m romance

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Book Review: The Problem With Mistletoe, by Kyle Baxter

I picked up a copy of Kyle Baxter‘s The Problem With Mistletoe last year. But I didn’t get around to reading it until this year and my Christmas Reading Challenge.
the problem with mistletoe

David Cooper did not believe in happily ever after—he thought he let his chance pass him by—between work, being a single father and planning a Christmas party for his mother’s charity his life is complicated enough. And then he has to ask Alex Capili, an old friend who just returned from the big city, to help run it. Spending weeks working closely together old feelings come up and David wonders if fairy tales really do come true.

Alex came home to help sell off his family’s restaurant, he was not looking for love. And happy endings only happen in movies. But nothing about this return trip home town is quite what he expected and David is still the best man he’s ever known. A good father, with a heart as big as all outdoors, and disarmingly handsome.

my review

I thought this was very cute, if a little unrealistic at times. I simply find it unlikely that two people who loved each-other as much as the two main characters (be it erotically, romantically or even just platonically) really would have walked away and remained without contact for 15 years. Conversely, I find it equally as unlikely that people who hadn’t so much as spoken in 15 years would so instantly fall back in step with one another. Having said that, once I decided to simply acknowledge it and forcefully suspend my disbelief on these matters I liked the characters and the slow burn. (Yes, it’s a second chance romance that also manages to be a slow-burn, go figure.) I liked Baxter’s use of color to symbolize Alex’s reawakening. I liked the side characters and the happy themes. I could have done without the evil jealous woman as the obligatory foe though. All in all, it’s very Hallmark Movie Channel sweet, but I liked it and will happily read book two (which I have).

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Other Reviews:

Book 759: The Problem with Mistletoe (Five Points Stories #1) – Kyle Baxter

The Problem with Mistletoe – Book Review


Come back tomorrow. I’ll be reviewing To Linzer & to Cherish, by Jen Fitzgerald.

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Book Review: The Christmas Lights Battle, by Skylar M. Cates

I picked up a copy of The Christmas Light Battle, by Skylar M. Cates from Amazon on one of its freebie day. I read it as part of my Christmas Reading Challenge.
the christmas lights battle

For a single dad and his neighbor, the Christmas competition is on!

Julian Moss wants to give his children a happy Christmas. Since his divorce, Julian has no time for a social life; he’s been doing the tiring work of two parents while his cheating ex-husband dodges his responsibilities. If that isn’t stressful enough, he has to deal with his new—and ridiculously good-looking—neighbor and his noisy dogs. Christmas used to be Julian’s favorite holiday, but lately all he sees is the cost. Then Julian’s young son tells him about a Christmas lights competition with a much-needed prize.

Leo Adams is going to be alone for Christmas…again. All he’s ever wanted is to be accepted by his family, but he knows that will never happen. Deciding to focus on his career as a personal trainer, Leo develops a boot camp program on the beach, but he needs publicity. The lights competition offers Leo a way to get some free press, and if it annoys his snooty neighbor Julian—all the better.

The battle is on, and both Julian and Leo want to win. The stakes are high, the reward is great, and the neighbors are in it to win it. There’s nothing like a little competition to make Christmas at Shelby Beach extra merry and bright.

my review

On one hand, I thought this was super sweet. I liked both Leo and Julian. I liked that they healed one another and there was very little drama and/or angst between them. I appreciated the children and the presence of a supportive family and community. On the other hand, I thought there was some repetition and over-stressing of some elements. I think we’re told about a million times that Julian is a single parent and his children are the most important thing in his life, for example.

Additionally, I think I have to give one of my least favorite literary criticism here. I hate the dictate to show, not tell. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s become so ubiquitous that it’s tossed out like confetti. But here I felt it’s truth. It seems like a lot of this book is told, instead of shown—especially in the beginning—and it created a distance between me (the reader) and the characters that didn’t need to be there.

Lastly, the ending felt a little rushed. Generally, however, I thought this a perfectly enjoyable Christmas romance.

the christmas light battle photo


Other Reviews:

Dogeared Day Dreams: Review Christmas Lights Battle

Recent Release Review: The Christmas Lights Battle by Skylar M. Cates


Come back this afternoon. I’ll be reviewing Dreaming Of a White Wolf Christmas, by Terry Spear and tomorrow, when I’ll be reviewing Solstice Surrender, by Tracy Cooper-Posey and Charley’s Christmas Wolf, by C.D. Gorri. Yep, I’ve started having to double up to fit all the reviews in by Chrismtas.

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Book Review: Mr. Frosty Pants, by Leta Blake

I picked up a copy of Leta Blake‘s Mr. Frosty Pants last November with every intention of reading it by Christmas. But we had kitchen construction going on last year and just about nothing went to plan. I don’t think I managed any Christmas reading, which means I have it available to read during this year’s Christmas Reading Challenge.
Mr. Frosty Pants Cover

Can true love warm his frozen heart?

When Casey Stevens went away to college four years ago, he ghosted on his straight best friend, Joel Vreeland. He hoped time and distance would lessen the unrequited affection he felt, but all it did was make him miss Joel more. Home for the holidays, Casey hopes they might find a way to be friends again. But Joel’s frosty reception reminds Casey of just how hard he had to fight to be Joel’s friend in the first place. It’s going to take a Christmas miracle to get past that cool façade again.

Joel isn’t as straight as Casey believes, and his years of pining for Casey have left him hurting and alone, caring for his abusive father and struggling to get by. Unable to trust anyone except his rescue dog—and with no reason to believe Casey is interested in him for more than a holiday fling—Joel’s icy heart might shatter before it can thaw.Can Casey and Joel’s love overcome mistrust, parental rejection, class differences, and four long years apart?

Mr. Frosty Pants is a stand-alone, Christmas gay romance by Leta Blake featuring a virgin hero, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and steamy mm first times.

my review

I really appreciated having a male main character here who had spent some time in therapy and learned to recognize and ask for what he wants. Seeing Casey openly and honestly pursue Joel and Joel learn to be more open and honest in return was a pleasure to read. Blake faked me out several times, presenting scenarios that might turn into the tedious misunderstanding plot device, but I was relieve with what I found instead. I could have taken or left about half the sex scenes. There was a certain repetitiveness to them that bored me after a bit. But, all in all, I enjoyed this a lot (sunshine and Grumpy Pants being a favorite pairing of mine) and am awful happy to have book two at my fingertips.

Mr. Frosy Pants photo


Other Reviews:

Mr Frosty Pants

Review of Mr. Frosty Pants by Leta Blake

Come back tomorrow. I’ll be reviewing The Christmas Lights Battle, by Skylar M. Cates and Dreaming Of a White Wolf Christmas, by Terry Spear. Yep, I’ve had to start doubling up on my posts to fit all the reviews in by Christmas.