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Sock it to Me, Santa!
Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class's secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school. It's a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he'd be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he's going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gonna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that's the reason he's putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn't be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?
55 pages, ebook
First published November 12, 2012
12 people are currently reading
2206 people want to read
About the author
Madison Parker
6 books282 followersMadison Parker grew up in Germany where she feasted on Gummibärchen, wandered through the woods on many a Volksmarch, and dreamed of one day living in a castle on a mountain with a boy who knew how to rock a pair of lederhosen. The Fates had other plans for her, but she’s not complaining.
Madison began writing LGBTQ fiction to help address issues of bullying and low self-esteem in young adults. Madison’s short story, SOCK IT TO ME, SANTA!, explores one boy’s struggle to come out in a hostile school environment. Her debut novel, PLAY ME, I'M YOURS, takes the reader on an emotional journey in search of love and self-acceptance.
Madison began writing LGBTQ fiction to help address issues of bullying and low self-esteem in young adults. Madison’s short story, SOCK IT TO ME, SANTA!, explores one boy’s struggle to come out in a hostile school environment. Her debut novel, PLAY ME, I'M YOURS, takes the reader on an emotional journey in search of love and self-acceptance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 547 reviews
December 17, 2012
*smiling as I type...
This short story made me:
-want to learn how to knit
-vow to make a sock monkey immediately
-need to hug my mom
-HAPPPPPPYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Quick - someone give me a spigot 'cause I'm feeling sappy!!!!!!!!! (<-ha, crack myself up!)
December 5, 2014
Oh this was so adorable! Ooey gooey, sticky sweetness that made me smile. I wish I knew more about the characters, though. I could have used a full-length story!
**FREE right now on Smashwords with coupon code XU97E!! 10/24/13 (Still free 12/18/13!)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...**
**FREE right now on Smashwords with coupon code XU97E!! 10/24/13 (Still free 12/18/13!)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...**
January 5, 2020
Such a sweet holiday story!
Ryan is assigned to Jamie for his class's secret gift exchange.
Ryan has to make three handcrafted gifts to him, but the difficulty is not only in making the gifts actually. If word gets out that he is the openly gay Jamie’s secret Santa, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school.
Ryan is so closeted and so terrified of being bullied at the beginning of the story that I felt a little fast for him to become open about his sexuality in such a short period of time. But maybe it is the right time for him, and he also has a very supportive family, and it helps more than anything.
The story is adorable, the dialogues are witty and fun, and that first kiss is very sweet. Highly recommended!
Ryan is assigned to Jamie for his class's secret gift exchange.
Ryan has to make three handcrafted gifts to him, but the difficulty is not only in making the gifts actually. If word gets out that he is the openly gay Jamie’s secret Santa, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school.
“Maybe you should talk to Jamie,” Mom said. “Get some ideas for your gift exchange.”
“That would be social suicide.”
She gave me a stern look.
“Mom, he knits.”
Ryan is so closeted and so terrified of being bullied at the beginning of the story that I felt a little fast for him to become open about his sexuality in such a short period of time. But maybe it is the right time for him, and he also has a very supportive family, and it helps more than anything.
The story is adorable, the dialogues are witty and fun, and that first kiss is very sweet. Highly recommended!
“Do you like hot chocolate?” he said.
“Yeah.”
“Marshmallows?”
“Sure.” I laughed when I saw the bag he pulled out of the cupboard. “Rainbow marshmallows?”
He smiled. “They go better with the white hot chocolate. White on white is boring.”
“My sister would love you.”
“Your sister would love me? That isn’t really who I was aiming for, but okay.”
November 11, 2021
This was so, so lovely.
A high school secret Santa game pairs closeted student Ryan with the out and proud classmate Jamie. Desperately trying to impress Jamie without outing himself, Ryan tries to come up with handmade gifts for Jamie that are both meaningful and still safe to be opened in front of the whole class.
It's an incredibly cute story about self-acceptance and respect.
Definitely a recommendation.
5 Stars!
A high school secret Santa game pairs closeted student Ryan with the out and proud classmate Jamie. Desperately trying to impress Jamie without outing himself, Ryan tries to come up with handmade gifts for Jamie that are both meaningful and still safe to be opened in front of the whole class.
It's an incredibly cute story about self-acceptance and respect.
Definitely a recommendation.
5 Stars!
November 25, 2014
3.5 rounded up because it's THAT time of the year. Nothing cozy to read when you’re recovering from copious Christmas meals on the sofa, while the Christmas tree lights are twinkling and snowflakes are falling outside your window?
Look no further.
For this here is the perfect read for the holidays. Sock it to me, Santa! is an adorable short story about two boys who are in the same class, yet never talk. The reason? Jamie is openly gay while Ryan’s carefully protecting his reputation as a tough kid. After all, he’s reminded of the consequences of ‘acting gay’ on a daily basis. All he has to do is look at Jamie, who is being ridiculed and bullied for daring to walk out of line. However, when Ryan pulls Jamie’s name for the secret Santa gift exchange in class he is completely caught off guard. And being the honorable kid that he is, he realizes that he has an important decision to make. Will he play it cool and gift Jamie with something ordinary, meaningless and safe? Or will he make the other boy something that he will truly love, something that will be considered ‘gay’..and risk being outed when his classmates discover that he’s behind it?
This being a very short and somewhat predictable story, I for once don’t have to stop myself from rambling on. Sock it to me, Santa! is simply a cute tale of blossoming love, secret smiles and secret Santa’s. However, it also covers the angst of coming out, the harsh reality of not being accepted because you are brave enough to not conform to the majority. And last but not least, it’s about finding support and happiness when everything looks bleak and you least expected it.
Feel good stuff!
This story really is a must read when you crave something sweet. Something with homemade sock monkeys, colorful socks and a foot fetish! Wait..what? Yup, the foot thingy really felt a bit out of place in such a conventional story, but at least it all stays very innocent. What it boils down to is that I really don’t have anything to add to the glowing reviews that are already out there, so I’ll leave it at this and will now return to my hot chocolate and Christmas stollen.
Look no further.
For this here is the perfect read for the holidays. Sock it to me, Santa! is an adorable short story about two boys who are in the same class, yet never talk. The reason? Jamie is openly gay while Ryan’s carefully protecting his reputation as a tough kid. After all, he’s reminded of the consequences of ‘acting gay’ on a daily basis. All he has to do is look at Jamie, who is being ridiculed and bullied for daring to walk out of line. However, when Ryan pulls Jamie’s name for the secret Santa gift exchange in class he is completely caught off guard. And being the honorable kid that he is, he realizes that he has an important decision to make. Will he play it cool and gift Jamie with something ordinary, meaningless and safe? Or will he make the other boy something that he will truly love, something that will be considered ‘gay’..and risk being outed when his classmates discover that he’s behind it?
This being a very short and somewhat predictable story, I for once don’t have to stop myself from rambling on. Sock it to me, Santa! is simply a cute tale of blossoming love, secret smiles and secret Santa’s. However, it also covers the angst of coming out, the harsh reality of not being accepted because you are brave enough to not conform to the majority. And last but not least, it’s about finding support and happiness when everything looks bleak and you least expected it.
Feel good stuff!
This story really is a must read when you crave something sweet. Something with homemade sock monkeys, colorful socks and a foot fetish! Wait..what? Yup, the foot thingy really felt a bit out of place in such a conventional story, but at least it all stays very innocent. What it boils down to is that I really don’t have anything to add to the glowing reviews that are already out there, so I’ll leave it at this and will now return to my hot chocolate and Christmas stollen.
November 29, 2012
A sweet lovely romance, Jamie and Ryan are sweeties and I loved the knitting "Monkey" fiasco, cracked me up and was so cute. Eventually Ryan did produce that special and perfect Secret Santa gift. Left me all happy and smiley, recommended.
June 3, 2016
Cute short MM high school story about a declared gay boy and another one who hasn't come out of the closet yet.
I liked Jamie and Ryan. They were so sweet. I wish this story was longer, though. The subject had a great potential. Secret Santa, exchanging gifts and Christmas atmosphere would have been (it was in fact) a great idea for a whole novel.
I'll be checking more works by this author soon. Her writing style is interesting.
I liked Jamie and Ryan. They were so sweet. I wish this story was longer, though. The subject had a great potential. Secret Santa, exchanging gifts and Christmas atmosphere would have been (it was in fact) a great idea for a whole novel.
I'll be checking more works by this author soon. Her writing style is interesting.
December 18, 2013
Nice.
Short.
Sweet.
Yeah, I really enjoyed this one so if you're up for a really sweet and short story that will make you sigh a few times then go for it.
I love YA books, LOVE THEM. And this one was very well written and the characters were so cute. Why am I not giving it more stars? Just because it was way too short and I had no time to connect with them as much as I wanted but I really loved this author's voice.
I'd recommend this to everyone who loves YA & MM.
December 25, 2020
First read: August 2019
Re-read: December 2020
An adorable novella! ♡
Re-read: December 2020
An adorable novella! ♡
November 15, 2014
LOVE IT!!!!
It is the first book on my new shelf
♥Adorable-♥Christmas-♥hoobajoobs-♥make-♥a-♥sock-♥with-♥a-♥red-felt-♥heart-♥and-♥a-♥bright-♥blue-♥monkey-♥with-♥little-♥rainbows-♥and-♥happy-♥faced-♥clouds-♥all-♥over-♥it-♥super-♥pretty-♥cool-♥mom-♥feeling-♥happy-♥put-♥smile-♥on♥-♥my-♥face-♥want-♥to-♥hug-♥the-♥whole-♥world-♥delightful-♥rainbow-♥spider-♥glitter-♥dust-♥easy-♥funny-♥touching-♥sweet♥-♥MORE-♥MORE-♥MORE-♥MORE!!!!
Recommended for everybody!
December 7, 2012
Oh my heavenly socks, if you don't crack a grin from cheek to cheek while reading this, I might think you are that little demonized sock monkey in this. The perfect length short with interesting and likable characters from the main characters to the classmates, even the family members were wonderful. Secret Santa is nothing new, but I loved the idea that the gifts had to be handmade. Star Wars, knitting, rainbows, realistic teenage boys with charm, and presents. Sugar fluff happiness I HAZ.
November 14, 2014
3.5 stars
Freaking adorable and so very charming! This one belongs on the "sweet-as-honey-YA-first-time-Christmas" shelf.
This is very much a first-love story. I just wish we saw more of Ryan and Jamie and their relationship, and more about Ryan coming out in high school; I would read a sequel for sure.
Freaking adorable and so very charming! This one belongs on the "sweet-as-honey-YA-first-time-Christmas" shelf.
This is very much a first-love story. I just wish we saw more of Ryan and Jamie and their relationship, and more about Ryan coming out in high school; I would read a sequel for sure.
December 14, 2017
What a sweet short story! This is about a high school boy who gathers the courage to face his true feelings, to brave the opinions of others, and to come out not only to the boy he is attracted to, but to his own mother as well. My only criticism is that I wish this had been at least a novella rather than a short story. This one touched me.
July 1, 2015
Awww. That was super adorable.
December 10, 2013
4.25*
A very sweet YA short.
It's tough being in HS, trying to fit in or fly under the radar, and for Ryan being in the closet just adds to it.
Jamie the openly gay boy in his Homeroom class is his 'secret Santa' and he has to give him something homemade.
I felt for poor Ryan trying to adjust his perception of himself and it was so sweet reading about him joining his mother in the craft classes! His monkey and spider are great gifts! I had to sniffle at the tie story! Ryan's Mom and sister are just the icing on the cake!
Jamie is such a sweetheart, his gifts are so creative and thoughtful.
The ending of this story is absolutely the sweetest! I highly recommend it for a wonderful little holiday story that will leave you smiling and feel like you've been hugged.
But, me being me, means I am greedy and wanted more..just a little more....
A very sweet YA short.
It's tough being in HS, trying to fit in or fly under the radar, and for Ryan being in the closet just adds to it.
Jamie the openly gay boy in his Homeroom class is his 'secret Santa' and he has to give him something homemade.
I felt for poor Ryan trying to adjust his perception of himself and it was so sweet reading about him joining his mother in the craft classes! His monkey and spider are great gifts! I had to sniffle at the tie story! Ryan's Mom and sister are just the icing on the cake!
Jamie is such a sweetheart, his gifts are so creative and thoughtful.
The ending of this story is absolutely the sweetest! I highly recommend it for a wonderful little holiday story that will leave you smiling and feel like you've been hugged.
But, me being me, means I am greedy and wanted more..just a little more....
November 22, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
I have to say, this might be the cutest story I've read all year!
Ryan is just admitting to himself that he likes guys, but it is difficult and scary keeping such a secret in high school, especially when his only friend has a lot to say about "fags." He's scared to get close, in any way, to Jamie, the queer kid. It is social suicide. When he draws his name for Secret Santa in their study hall, Ryan has to figure out a way to make three gifts for Jamie without them knowing it came from him. The problem, is that now Ryan has started noticing Jamie, he can't get him out of his head -- and he starts to see just how hard a time Jamie has in school. Maybe he can make a few gifts to cheer Jamie up.
Not only is this well written, plotted, paced, and pretty much everything I could think of, this is such a feel good story, a perfect young adult story… it is just completely heartwarming. I knew I wanted to read and review this immediately when Madison contacted me. I mean, knitting…young adult boys… secret santa. It just sounded cute. But then I heard from a friend that they loved this story and I just couldn't wait to read it -- I barely made it through finishing the novel I was reading before jumping in. And it completely lived up to my expectations. Sometimes the best thing about a story is the way it makes you feel, and this will give you the warm fuzzies. You'll fall in love with Ryan and Jamie -- the latter because he needs a good cuddle, and Ryan because he's so honorable, yet still a confused kid. He's the kind of guy you want to champion, yet still give him a gentle kick the in ass to get him back on track, simply because Jamie needs a champion of his own. I loved them both.
And it made me want to knit a sock monkey!
So, I definitely recommend this story and I'll be looking out for this author's work in the future :) It's a perfect story for the stressed out holidays! So for those of you eating Turkey today (or tofurkey, or yams and potatoes and stuffing), take this story with you to your family dinner and sneak out when the bickering starts! It will make you feel warm and happy again :)
I have to say, this might be the cutest story I've read all year!
Ryan is just admitting to himself that he likes guys, but it is difficult and scary keeping such a secret in high school, especially when his only friend has a lot to say about "fags." He's scared to get close, in any way, to Jamie, the queer kid. It is social suicide. When he draws his name for Secret Santa in their study hall, Ryan has to figure out a way to make three gifts for Jamie without them knowing it came from him. The problem, is that now Ryan has started noticing Jamie, he can't get him out of his head -- and he starts to see just how hard a time Jamie has in school. Maybe he can make a few gifts to cheer Jamie up.
Not only is this well written, plotted, paced, and pretty much everything I could think of, this is such a feel good story, a perfect young adult story… it is just completely heartwarming. I knew I wanted to read and review this immediately when Madison contacted me. I mean, knitting…young adult boys… secret santa. It just sounded cute. But then I heard from a friend that they loved this story and I just couldn't wait to read it -- I barely made it through finishing the novel I was reading before jumping in. And it completely lived up to my expectations. Sometimes the best thing about a story is the way it makes you feel, and this will give you the warm fuzzies. You'll fall in love with Ryan and Jamie -- the latter because he needs a good cuddle, and Ryan because he's so honorable, yet still a confused kid. He's the kind of guy you want to champion, yet still give him a gentle kick the in ass to get him back on track, simply because Jamie needs a champion of his own. I loved them both.
And it made me want to knit a sock monkey!
So, I definitely recommend this story and I'll be looking out for this author's work in the future :) It's a perfect story for the stressed out holidays! So for those of you eating Turkey today (or tofurkey, or yams and potatoes and stuffing), take this story with you to your family dinner and sneak out when the bickering starts! It will make you feel warm and happy again :)
December 16, 2021
I have seen huge love, rave reviews and ratings around the GR block for this story praising its cuteness. But of course, me and all my humbug *cough* I mean holiday cheer thought--How cute could it be? Um…Yeah. Pretty flipping adorable actually! :D
“Maybe the way it is isn’t the way it ought to be.”
Life just gave Ryan a nudge, push and wake up call with a holiday karma kick in the keester! Ryan’s heart and world tilts and skips a beat when he pulls Jamie Peterson’s name for a class Secret Santa exchange. All sorts of nerves, emotions, and hearts start fluttering around the high school halls from there! Both Jaime and Ryan were so real-boy cute. The whole damn story had me “aww-ing”. Haha…A tale chock full of love! Two sweet hearted boys, one kickass Mom, homemade gifts, glitter, locked gazes, sock monkeys, smiles, secrets santas, secret crushes, and secrets revealed!
I really don’t want to spill too much here. But please, if you need a blast of holiday jingling-tingling adorableness with a dash of sexy (*whispers foot fetish*….hehe)—you found it!
I’m still glowing and grinning ear to ear! Plus I may as well confess….I have a huge weakness for socks. At the moment, I’m wearing my favorite snow man socks with three black buttons up the side. :D And just so we are clear, I realize there is a fine line between foot fetish and sock fetish, but there is a line. Haha...Maybe.
12/28/20: Re-read.
This is my favorite holiday read. It just makes me so frigging happy!
12/16/21: Re-read.
I am the most un-crafty person on the planet. No lie! But this story makes me want to dash off to the store for supplies to make a glittery, rainbow spider ornament. :)
Love, love, love this story! A must read every year.
December 10, 2014
4 Short But Cute Stars
This is a YA high-school romance and it was cute as hell but sadly too short. The short length meant that the story was a little rushed and you didn't have the time to form a solid opinion of the characters.
Still, both Ryan and Jamie are really sweet kids and I liked how the Secret Santa exchange story went. Ryan was funny trying to find a gift that wouldn't disappoint the "out of the closet" gay kid who had very few friends and didn't need more trouble. The fact that Ryan is secretly gay only adds to his determination not to blow it. But he doesn't expect to start seeing Jamie in another light and doesn't know how to react to Jamie not being willing to keep their "friendship" a secret.
Cute, fun and Christmasy... It could have used a few more pages but all in all a delight.
Couldn't resist. I love these two...
This is a YA high-school romance and it was cute as hell but sadly too short. The short length meant that the story was a little rushed and you didn't have the time to form a solid opinion of the characters.
Still, both Ryan and Jamie are really sweet kids and I liked how the Secret Santa exchange story went. Ryan was funny trying to find a gift that wouldn't disappoint the "out of the closet" gay kid who had very few friends and didn't need more trouble. The fact that Ryan is secretly gay only adds to his determination not to blow it. But he doesn't expect to start seeing Jamie in another light and doesn't know how to react to Jamie not being willing to keep their "friendship" a secret.
Cute, fun and Christmasy... It could have used a few more pages but all in all a delight.
Couldn't resist. I love these two...
December 7, 2012
Oooh, I have the warm fuzzies now. What a great Xmas story! Awesome female secondary characters. Yummy.
March 23, 2013
I love finding surprises and finding this was exactly that! I can't give this any less than the full 5 stars because I loved everything about it, from its two gorgeous young MC's to its perfectly pitched HEA. I'm over 50 and I felt like I was 16 again and crushing on my heartthrob of the moment, except of course the crushing in this is between two cute guys who I dare anyone not to fall for as they find love and (for one of them in particular ), their true selves, all whilst battling peer pressure, school bullies and the worry of how to make a homemade present! Brightly coloured socks, demonic sock monkeys, glittery spiders and the best mum in the world made this an absolute delight. Sweet, sweet story and a definite keeper! :)
November 23, 2012
Ryan needs to give handmade gifts as part of his Secret Santa project at econ class -- and he gets Jamie's name, the openly gay boy. For a short young adult story, this one is just adorable and cute.
It has the right amount of self confusion (to do what's right), then discovering bravery to stand up for one self, and first romance. My only complain is that it stops when it's getting good. I want it to continue a couple of more pages ^^
Just read Cole's review. He writes a more eloquent review than I.
It has the right amount of self confusion (to do what's right), then discovering bravery to stand up for one self, and first romance. My only complain is that it stops when it's getting good. I want it to continue a couple of more pages ^^
Just read Cole's review. He writes a more eloquent review than I.
February 6, 2017
**** 4 Sock Monkey stars ****
-----------------------
"They make a handsome pair"
-----------------------
Aww, wasn't that the cutest short story! Ryan and Jamie was adorable. :D
Me likey very much.
"They make a handsome pair"
-----------------------
Aww, wasn't that the cutest short story! Ryan and Jamie was adorable. :D
Me likey very much.
December 6, 2012
Ok,ok, admitting defeat.
That was a lovely story with a very beautiful feel-good ending.
Stand by your man - a tough job when you`re young and scared.
But when it comes down to it all you need is a family who loves you no matter what, a sock monkey, some courage and a man who loves you back...
That was a lovely story with a very beautiful feel-good ending.
Stand by your man - a tough job when you`re young and scared.
But when it comes down to it all you need is a family who loves you no matter what, a sock monkey, some courage and a man who loves you back...
December 16, 2012
Aww! Cute! Excuse me while I go melt in a puddle of goo.
March 9, 2014
This brought love and Christmas to me. Warms my heart and tickles my funny bone. Plastered a goofy grin on me.
Ryan's first word describing Jamie to his mom was, soft. That goofy grin of mine started right at that point onwards. Lol. Ryan wasn't exactly a perfect person, he is filled with insecurities and was a little too self absorbed to see things around him clearly. He should really thank Mrs. Keats his homeroom teacher for setting up that Secret Santa gift exchange challenge.
That event did a hell lot of good drawing Ryan out of his protective shell, helping him to look deeper than the skin and also to let his true self shine. I'll say, Jamie brought out the best in Ryan and of course Ryan's loving understanding mom must be credited as well for the undying support she gave.
The author did great with Ryan's characterization, he is very much a believable teenager trying to find his own footing in life, was troubled by his sexuality and being too overly sensitive to public judgment. Although I didn't get to know Jamie as much due to the fact that the story was entirely in Ryan's POV, but he still managed to endear himself to me. Jamie might look effeminate and soft as everyone including how Ryan first perceived him yet he is stronger than anyone even the bullies and Ryan. This is because he stand tall and proud of who he is. He acknowledges his true self and wouldn't hide like Ryan did just to fit in. At least he isn't living a lie and I admire his courage and sense of self-value to stand firm against unjust negativity directed at him daily. He is beautiful inside out. He shines, and this is what attracted Ryan to him.
Ryan's sudden discovery of his fetish was priceless. There are many adorable moments in this book such as the aforementioned embarrassing fetish discovery, giggly chapstick exchange and the Great Shoe Operation was utterly romantic!
Here's my assortment of feelz for this book...
Fell in love with the Hoobajoob socks monkey
I want him please? Found him on the internet and fell in love with him. He makes me wish I could sew well.
Haz too much happy magic mushrooms
Touching, heart-warming moments worth a thousand words
Moments of intense annoyance over some idiots!
Lastly, bone-meltingly sweet and romantic moments which I took my time to savor each morsel
Then, I pen this short note....
Dear Author,
Thank you for bringing Christmas and love to me.
With tears of joy,
Kyn
That ending was perfect and most meaningful. It highlights a message that bigoted fools are unworthy of your time. So don't waste your life over these shallow minds. Go live life and love without regrets as it should be.
Pick up this book, read it and love it!
BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Sock it to Me, Santa!
Author: Madison Parker
Publication Date: November 12th, 2012
Type: Short Story, 13,290 words
Genre: M/M, Gay, LGBTQ, Coming Out, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Tags/Keywords: student, school, closeted, coming out, first love, having a crush, falling in love, romance, holidays, christmas, secret santa, gift exchange, contemporary, adorable character, adorable story, humor-comedy-fun, feel-good-story, effeminate male, engrossing, insecurities, low confidence, inspiring, no sex, realistic, twink, young adult, young man, angst
Description:
Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class's secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school. It's a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he'd be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he's going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gonna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that's the reason he's putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn't be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?
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* Reviewed on December 26th, 2013
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Comment on December 25th, 2013:
July 27, 2016
“Maybe you should talk to Jamie.” Mom said. “Get some ideas for your gift exchange.”
“That would be social suicide.”
She gave me a tern look.
“Mom, he knits.”
Oh, this shortie is superb! I don’t usually enjoy them that much but this one is too special to let it pass. It made me laugh, it made my heart melt and it made me forget everything except Ryan and Jamie for a while. Intense in its fleeting reading.
“I needed to know more about him, but I couldn’t just walk up and talk to him. That would be too obvious. He’d either realize I was his Secret Santa, or he’d think I had a crush on him. I couldn’t ask around about him either. Then other people would think I had a crush on him. It was an impossible situation.”
“Last week she stood in front of our class and held out a roll of toilet paper. She made us each come up and tear off the amount we’d “normally use”. Like I’d want to share that information. I kinda have a thing about cleanliness. Let’s just say, I typically use a lot. After seeing how much toilet paper everyone else took, I’d say I use a shit ton.”
Very funny and cute!
March 15, 2016
I'm going to give myself a cavity with all the sweetness this week but I can't help myself.
Another sugar rush and it was just adorable.
I don't like YA. Not my gig. At all. But this was recommended to me by the fabulous Susan so I decided to give it a go. I will admit that I wasn't that optimistic going in but it's a very short read and super cute so I was pleasantly surprised and I'm really glad I gave it a go.
Couldn't possibly review this without a sock monkey picture, there is actually no Batman sock monkey in this story but now that I know there is such a thing I think the lack of one is a flaw. Once I saw this picture no other would do. I must have one and will soon begin an internet search so I can procure one. In fact I vote that everyone should have a Batman sock monkey. I mean look how awesome it is.
Anyways.
Charlotte, Ryan's mum needs a special mention. The women is a legend. Her and Ryan's relationship is actually my most favourite thing in this.
"Maybe the way it is isn't the way it ought to be.
December 18, 2020
**edit. Read before I became an avid YA reader.**
I'm not normally a YA reader, but this one appealed as I'm a sucker for Christmas stories
, and has been hanging around on the kindle for far too long. Cute, and I may look out more of the author's work.
I'm not normally a YA reader, but this one appealed as I'm a sucker for Christmas stories
, and has been hanging around on the kindle for far too long. Cute, and I may look out more of the author's work.
November 15, 2012
This was adorable. Sweet and angsty.
November 13, 2023
5 stars.
A first heartbreaking then heatwarming novella about a high school boy who slowly takes his first steps to becoming the person he wants to be, open about himself and unafraid of bullies.
Ryan's thoughts and actions felt realistic, I loved how the author showed us his fears and doubts, but also his hopes and emphathy. He was a delight to read. Jamie was different and much more confident, and I hated seeing him sad and hurt.
Very short but nevertheless impactful.
I loved it.
This is going to be a regular christmas - reread for me.
ps thanks Nicole for the rec!! ❤️
A first heartbreaking then heatwarming novella about a high school boy who slowly takes his first steps to becoming the person he wants to be, open about himself and unafraid of bullies.
Ryan's thoughts and actions felt realistic, I loved how the author showed us his fears and doubts, but also his hopes and emphathy. He was a delight to read. Jamie was different and much more confident, and I hated seeing him sad and hurt.
Very short but nevertheless impactful.
I loved it.
This is going to be a regular christmas - reread for me.
ps thanks Nicole for the rec!! ❤️
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