12 Gays of Christmas

by D.K. Sutton

Gil is the star football player for our college team, and one of the most popular guys in school. As his roommate, I get to see the sweet geeky side he hides from everyone else. The other thing he's kept hidden? He's still a virgin.

Now he has a giant list of guys to do hanging on our wall with the goal of losing his V-card before his birthday. On Christmas. 

12 guys. 12 dates. 12 days. 

Helping my roommate with this is torture. As each date goes hilariously wrong, it's getting more difficult to keep my hands to myself. But he would never want a geeky science guy when he could have any guy on campus. 

Is 12 days enough time to convince Gil to give me a chance? Is it enough time to convince myself?

12 Gays of Christmas is a 45,000+ word low angst gay romance featuring a virgin MC, roommates to lovers, dates gone wrong, a frenemy neighbor, and Christmas cheer with found family.

Genres: Holiday, M M Romance, Christmas, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Novella

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2023

About the author

D.K. SUTTON has a background in social work. In her off time from writing, she enjoys crocheting and spending time with her family. As an introvert, she has always been a little awkward (and a lot geeky). Turns out, those are handy traits for a writer. Her Broken series is M/M fiction, full of love and angst, and it challenges the rhetoric around being gay and religious. Her Trials of Love series and Sloan Brothers series are both M/M romance. She doesn't believe in hate and believes that people have a good side within them.

She enjoys writing about slightly flawed characters in compromising situations. She has a passion for writing LGBTQ+ stories, because the world needs more love and inclusion.


Connect with DK Sutton on Social Media
Facebook @dksuttonwrites
Facebook group facebook.com/groups/dkcafe/
Twitter @debraelq

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 Gays of Christmas is a funny, sweet, and swoony holiday novella, filled with idiot college guys being idiot college guys and yet still managing to find their HEA and their way into my heart.

Gil is 22, a football player, gorgeous, gay, and smart. He’s out, he’s proud, he’s … a virgin. He doesn’t know how to be himself around anyone but his roommate, Colin, and so he’s made it through most of college with everyone thinking he’s one thing, but he’s really a closet history nerd and secretly smart. He’s determined to not turn 23 still a virgin, and since his birthday is Christmas, the clock is ticking. He makes a list, which catches the attention of Colin, who refuses to go there with a football player again after he got burned the last time. But he can’t deny that seeing Gil go out with other guys has him feeling … things. Can these two idiots figure it out before Christmas comes?

I loved this book! It’s has all of my favorite things (jock/geek! first times! morons in love!), plus all the great holiday feels that make it a perfect read this time of year. If you’re unfamiliar with the hilarious and snarky mind of D.K. Sutton, this is a great entry point. Definitely recommend.

[Mandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! I loved Gil and Colin, and their myriad of friends and frenemies.

Gil is a 22 year old virgin. He’s also a nerd who enjoys art history, loves 80s music, likes red meat, plays football, and happens to be gay. His goal is to lose his virginity before his 23rd birthday. He makes a list of 12 types of gay men he will try and date before his birthday (which also happens to be Christmas Day), so he can hopefully lose his virginity.Along the way he also pulls in his roommate and one of their neighbors who they have a not so great relationship with, to help along the way.

Over these 12 days and dates Gil discovers feelings for his roomie, how to be his true, authentic self, and many other things along the way. Overall it was a quick read, and I really enjoyed it. There are some laughs, some tears, and a lot of great moments between Colin, Gil, and Remi.

I received this book from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for my review.

[Elsbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

[Krissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute new adult MM romance. The pining, the jealousy, it was all so good. This was a fun premise and I liked seeing the two MCs realizing their feelings for each other.

[Lisa Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. I love oblivious friends to lovers stories. It was a fun book to read, and I loved the characters. I'm excited for Remi's story next.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 12 Gays of Christmas by D. K. Sutton is a cute story about two college roommates who are clueless when it comes to figuring out they love each other. The story opens when Gil Lauten, a 23 year old tight end for his college football team, has divulged his biggest secret to his roommate Colin Attwood. He hasn’t ever been with another man in an intimate way and he is tired of not being able to find someone to be with. His birthday is on Christmas and he wants the deed done before then. Because of this he has written a list of 12 kinds of men that he would like to date to see if they are compatible enough to take care of his problem on a white board in their apartment. But the thing is, Colin doesn’t like this one bit but he says he will help him if he needs it. So Gil embarks on a date with each kind of man, some he knows and some he sees might work out, sometimes with hilarious or devastating consequences, and none of them ever do. This is because he is in love with Colin but doesn’t want to ruin their friendship and also doesn’t want to be hurt if Colin turns him down. And Colin is in love with Gil but won’t admit it to himself or others. Then they have a somewhat hot scene together that makes them admit their feelings to themselves, and with the help of their friends and family, who have seen the writing on the wall since they started being roommates, they finally declare their love to each other and have a pretty spicy love scene right after that. I really enjoyed this story. Gil is a big teddy bear but can’t see what is right in front of him. Colin is somewhat snarky but willing to help Gil with his problem, even though he doesn’t want to see him with another guy. Remi, their frenemy and upstairs neighbor, is hilarious and helpful in a somewhat mean way, and I can’t wait for his book. Their friends and family keep trying to tell them they want each other but they don’t see it until the end. And I also found myself laughing out loud whenever someone mentioned a missed pass that led to an interception in one of the football games, and this happened quite often. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a shorter Christmas read about two men who are so right for each other but have to figure this out in their own time.

[LGO · Rating 4 out of 5]

3´5 estrellas

⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Sports romance
⚪ Virgin MC
⚪ Christmas Holiday Romance
⚪ College Romance
⚪ Roommates To Lovers

Es un romance navideño con un deportista universitario virgen como protagonista, enamorado secretamente de su compañero de piso, que incluye bastante falta de comunicación y un montón de citas fallidas.
Gil es jugador de futboi americano universitario y es muy popular. Es gay y está fuera del armario, pero esconde varios secretos. Tiene un lado empollón que no muestra a nadie porque no le toman en serio ya que rompe el estereotipo de deportista tonto. Además, a sus 22 años es virgen. Su objetivo es perder su virginidad antes de cumplir 23 el día de navidad. Como quedan 12 días, tiene un plan. Ha hecho una lista con perfiles diferentes de chicos y planea tener una cita cada día hasta su cumpleaños hasta encontrar al adecuado y deshacerse de su tarjeta V. Esta lista llama la atención de su compañero de piso, Colin, al que confiesa sus secretos y que le intenta ayudar. En realidad, tienen sentimientos el uno por el otro desde que comenzaron a vivir juntos, pero no se han atrevido a confesárselo. Además, Colin ha tenido malas experiencias enrollándose con deportistas y compañeros de piso por lo que considera que es mala idea. Sin embargo, todo este plan de Gil le pone muy celoso. Todas las citas van fallando porque en realidad Gil ya ha encontrado a la persona que quiere. Además, todo se complica cuando Gil le pide ayuda a Colin para aprender a besar para descubrir lo que le puede gustar o interesar en el sexo ya que se siente inseguro y sólo consigue que la dinámica entre ellos se ponga aún más caliente. Por suerte, a pesar de ser un poco idiotas y de que les lleva tiempo, consiguen confesar sus sentimientos y encontrar su final feliz.

[Lesetiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Gil is a great football player and is very popular on campus, but what he is still missing is the right man at his side because he is still a virgin. He wants to change this and so he starts a mission in which he wants to date someone else every day for 12 days, because his birthday is in 12 days.
As he is not sure who his type is, he draws up a list. His roommate Colin helps him. Colin, who has had a crush on Gil for a long time, but thinks he doesn't stand a chance with Gil. And Gil is just delightfully clueless.
The story is entertaining, angst-free and humorously written. A Holiday story that was fun to read and put a smile on my face, because Gil is very determined but only moderately successful. But you'll have to read for yourselves how he fares on his dates.
I liked Colin from the beginning, he has his heart in the right place and he encourages Gil to go on the dates he has planned despite his feelings for him.
It was a little frustrating to see that neither of them are standing by what they actually want.
The characters are likeable and I quickly became immersed in the story, which I listened to in one go. Colin and Gil are cute together and I also liked Remi's character and am looking forward to his story.

The two narrators Cole Michael Kurcz and Kevin Earlywine did a fantastic job. They read the story in an entertaining way, they both have a pleasant voice and they protraited the emotions well. It was a pleasure to listen to them bring the book to life.

[Bill Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.

Gil is a college football player who is setting up a list of the types of guys he plans to date in the 12 days leading to Christmas. Colin is his roommate who has been in love with him since Gil showed up for the interview to join Colin in the flat. Gil is also in love with Colin but knows that the latter in opposed to dating another football player after one of his boyfriends broke his heart. Ergo, he is certain that Colin has no interest in him, thus the date list. After the first 4 dates, which were all disasters for one reason or another, Colin suggests that they change the nature of the list and proposes helping him, despite his breaking heart. Gil goes through a few dates until Colins archenemy, Remi, and a librarian, Darcy, finally convince him that Colin is in love with him and they reach their happy ending.

The plot seems a bit odd at first but quickly starts to make sense and is quite linear. The two main characters are quite fun, though a tad misguided which is in effect the plot. Both come across as a bit dense when it comes to their emotions that again is happily the plot of the book. There are several secondary characters, including the dates Gil goes on, that are easy to keep track of and are integral to the plot. The author weaves all characters into the storyline and makes the book a fun read.

I have no hesitation in recommending this book.

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday Cheer Meter: 1/5
(Where 1 is as Christmassy as 'Die Hard' and 5 is more like 'Elf')

1st person, present tense, dual POV
Gil Lauten (22), business major and wide receiver for the Annelon Springs University Redbirds
Colin Jason Attwood, science? major at Annelon Springs University

Another dud in the holiday feels department, but this was also a miss for me in the romance department. First, not to be that person, but, I have to say it, the 12 days of Christmas are not a countdown to Christmas Day. *sigh*

The synopsis sounded solid and I love idiots in love but this wasn't that. These two barely have any chemistry and if I'm honest at times didn't feel like roommates and friends of two years. We barely got to see them spend any meaningful time together and only know that they were friends and have some common interests because we are told they do as Gil spent waaay too much page time fake-dating his way through campus trying to lose his virginity with Colin acting as the world's best wingman.

While having a character put himself out there and try his own version of speed dating is a plot that could work, using it with a virgin character who not only wants to lose his v-card, but do so after a meaningful connection is formed feels like a delusional goal. I don't know of many meaningful connections forged over mere hours. The dates don't actually go hilariously wrong as promised and by the time Gil gets his head out of his ass long enough to make his feelings known it almost feels too late and his 'grand gesture' kind of weak.

My favourite character was actually not one of the MCs, it was the side character, Remi who is their neighbour and a frenemy of sorts to Colin with whom he apparently shares a complicated past. I did not love the secrecy surrounding Colin's relationship with Remi, and I really didn't like the dangling plot thread regarding Remi and his not-so-secret admirer. The fact that I have to pick up another book (anthology actually) to see where this goes just makes me want to roll by eyes.
.
.
.
Inconveniently Yours in Candy Hearts: Volume 1
If you think Colin and Remi's relationship is going to be better explained, it's not, though I enjoyed Remi's story a great deal more than Colin and Gil's.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love DK Sutton's work, and this one is a bit different. You knew the two would get together, and the angst was that the jock in this one was seeking to turn in his V-Card before his 23rd birthday, which happens to be on Christmas Day.

The title comes from the 12 days jock Gil has chalked up on a board with a different guy type each day to date to seek to cash in the card. Normally, Gil calls his roommate Colin to help bail him out of the date, and in doing so, sees the concern and caring Colin demonstrates.

Gil has loved Colin's family and has been warmly received there, as well as by their son named Colin. A couple of under stories; Gil's much smarter than his jock friends, and Colin had a relationship with another football player that left him scarred as well as a former roommate which was best described as a current Frenemy.

The Frenemy role actually helps the two get together.

While short and inevitable, there's some reader angst on my part for enduring some of the 12 days. A couple of places were actually confusing to me, but I trudged through as I wanted to live the transformation. As it was, the end was a snow covered walk in the park, and they lived happily ever after.

DK's wedding disaster series, and and her other Christmas stories have made me happy.

I recommend this book, but I believe it's best when it's read in one sitting.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gil & Colin
Rating: 3.5 ⭐

- Roommates
- Friends to Lovers
- First Times
- Christmas Romance
- College Students
- Nosy Ex

Gil is a college football player that is determined to lose his virginity before he turns 23. His birthday is on Christmas and he has 12 days and 12 dates to get it done. He manages to get his roommate, Colin, to help him with getting this task done and poor sweet Colin is internally screaming the whole time. This is a sweet, funny holiday romance with two clueless college guys who absolutely love each other but won't admit it for fear of rejection. Gil is the sweetest teddy bear ever and he is so shy when it comes to dating and being intimate with someone. Gill has been hurt before by a football player and has sworn off jocks, making his attraction to Gill insufferable for him. Both have their moments of jealousy and epiphanies and it's fun to watch how all of Gil's dates go. I can't wait to see what happens with Remi's story!

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: Yes, but only one side shown
HEA: Yes

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gil and Colin are roommates at Annelon Springs University in Iowa. One afternoon, Gil sheepishly admits to Colin that he, at the age of 22, is still a virgin - a problem that he longs to correct by Christmas day (which just so happens to be his 23rd birthday). Colin reluctantly agrees to help his sexy and charming jock roommate.... knowing full well that the task will be an exercise in jealous restraint, given that he's had a huge crush on Gil for the two years they've been rooming together. Acting as wingman to his desperate roommate throughout Gil's disasterous subsequent dates, Colin wishes he had the guts to tell Gil how he really feels about him. But Gil could never develop feelings for his slightly geeky roommate... or could he?
12 Gays of Christmas is an extremely fun and entertaining novel!! The character development is fabulous in this book... I couldn't help but to fall in love with Gil and Colin! The plot is very well-constructed and engrossing.... the writing is flowing and imaginative. I had trouble putting down this book!
The secondary characters, especially Steph and Remington, really add a healthy dose of not only drama, but a sense of perspective to the main characters, as well. Gil and Colin are each affected by the other, but cannot seem to see the love and affection that's right before their eyes.
A fabulous holiday romance... not to be missed!! 5 stars!!

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and fun Christmas story. Gil is a wide receiver for his college team who happens to love art and history, and Colin is a science major and could care less about sports. They have been roommates for 2 years. Each is pretty much clueless that the other is crushing on them. Gil is afraid to admit his crush on Colin because Colin has stated he doesn't date or like football players after one broke his heart. Colin can't believe that Gil could be attracted to him when he has everyone on campus to choose from. However, Gil has a secret that he is a virgin, and he is determined to change that before his birthday on Christmas day. He sets up a white board with 12 different types of guys to date. This drives Colin crazy. Gil keeps going on dates and self sabotages them because he really wants Colin. It's going to take some interfering frenemies, friends and family members to help them take a chance and declare their feelings for each other. I really enjoyed this book and all the side characters as well.

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had lots of potential and I liked the idea behind it- Gil was so clueless and it was good he had Colin to help and support him as he finally realised what was in front of him all along. There were lots of sweet parts but both were rubbish at actually being honest with each other! Remi was a breath of fresh air, saying exactly what he meant while still somehow staying a very mysterious character. I thought the pace was a bit slow for the first half but it did pick up towards the end. I liked both characters together and I was pleased they got their HEA. It would have been nice to get to know a bit more about Colin and his past though; I didn't really understand why his past with Remy was kept such a mystery... and even now I've finished it I still don't really understand! I am looking forward to reading Remi's story though so I'll be keeping my eye out for that. Overall, I found this an ok read. There were parts I liked but it wasn't really my favourite Christmas romance. Still worth giving a read though.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gil and Colin's story sound like your typical jock/nerd trope, but you add the Christmas element and it becomes something special.

Gil is not closeted, but he is not a stereotypical jock who has gone through a slew of hookups and one night stands. He is a virgin looking for love in all the wrong places. He comes up with a list of 12 stereotypes to go through so he can figure otlut what he really likes. With the help of his roommate, Colin, Gil is on his way to finding the love of his life... or the person he is going to give his virginity away to.

Of course, it can't be a simple as that. Colin, has longstanding crush on Gil that everyone knows about except Gil. Watching and/or helping Gil on these dates is killing him inside. What's worse is, he is scared to act on his feelings because he doesn't want to lose his friend, and/or worse, go through the same heartache of rejection as he has felt in the past from another jock.

Love the, will they, won't they, moments. This was super sweet, and frustrating at times... but worth the HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brit_ta_ny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This was cayuuute! Colin and Gil were both so goshdern precious and their romance was the perfect amount of angst. I giggled and smiled a whole bunch during the story and truly had a lovely time reading it.

Gil is such an adorable disaster, I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket, feed him hot cocoa, and tell him what’s what 😅 I appreciated Colin’s prickliness and his weird relationship with their neighbor; but what I loved most were his occasional super bold moments (more frequent as the story went on 😜). They were such an unlikely but adorable duo as they worked through Gil’s ridiculous list and I was rooting for the two of them to pull their heads out of their asses the whole book. And when things started to heat up, phew 🔥🥵

Overall a delightful read for this holiday season. Though I gotta say I’m pretty fucking stoked for Remi’s story! There’s just something about a sassy gay goth boy that makes my past 13-year-old baby queer goth self swoon 🥰

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

LISTS, DATES AND PINING!

How can two roommates who have been friends for two years not see what everybody else sees?…

Gill is not your ordinary jock as he is mad about history and art and not too much socialising with his teammates, now at the age of 22 he decides he wants someone to love who will accept the real him and deflower him…

This is how a list is set up for the twelve days left before Christmas and Gill’s birthday- each day he will date a guy until he finds the one…

Colin has been pining for Gill for two years but he has a rule- no jocks and no roommates- and then Gill setts up the list in their lounge…

This is their journey to accepting your true self and opening yourself up to finding love with the help of friends(or frenemies), teammates and found family!

A sweet roommates to lovers story with lots of lists, dates and pining!

I look forward to Remi’s story!

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gil is a great football player and very popular on campus. What is he is not great at is sex. In fact, he is still a virgin. He resolves to change that but is not sure what his type is. He decides to take twelve types and date each one. His roommate Connor is helping him and watches as each date ends in failure, some for rather unusual reasons. Connor wants Gil to date him, but is sure Gil would not want a science geek. Maybe within those twelve days, he can convince him otherwise.

This was such a fun book to read. Connor has been in love with his roommate for some time but Gil is rather clueless and with a little help from friends, these two just might find each other in between the various types that Gil has decided to explore. How does it end? It will be worth your time to find out as this is truly a delightful read.
I received a complimentary copy and it was my pleasure to voluntarily leave this review.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gil and Colin have been roommates for 2 years. They are aware of one another but each for his own reasons sees the other as an option. Gil is a successful football player and he has not yet been with anyone and he does not want to continue that way. So he devises a plan to go on 12 dates with a series of different guys in hopes that he can find someone he is attracted to and eventually fall in love. What he gets is a series of unfortunate but humorous dates that do not work out with any of those guys. But it does get him and Colin into a different place and wakes them up. Colin has feelings for Gil, but he assumed Gil was out getting with other people and would not be interested in him. It turns out that 12 unsuccessful dates leads them both to what has been right there all along. And they finally come to realize what their friends and family have seen for a long time. They want to be with one another!
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read tons of books and it is rare that I have a smile on my face the entire book, but this is one of those that I did. I smiled, laughed, and had a full heart thru this entire book. It is a sweet low angst romance between two roommates. In this case Gil is the popular football player hoping to lose his V-card by dating 12 gays before Christmas, even going two far as asking his roommate Colin to help him. Despite his misgiving that he is not the one, Colin swallows his pride and agree to help Gil, a sign of true love. It was funny to watch Gil go about this but conversely was heartbreaking to watch Colin pin for him. Fortunately, they find true love. A sweet holiday romance that also has some great other characters who add to this story. A funny sweet entertaining story that will simply make your holiday season. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I loved this book! The story of Colin and Gil is filled with love, laughter, friends and a crazy search for the right guy. Gil is determined to find someone before his 23rd birthday on Christmas Day. A crazy idea and a chalkboard on the wall later, and his roommate Colin is caught in the search. It is a long list of dates that just don’t work out. Add in Colin’s ex, Remi, who is quite the character and you have the makings of one fantastic tale! With Colin and Gil both clueless about the truth, it will take quite a few friends and a Christmas Eve eve party to get them to see what’s been in front of them all along - each other. It will lead to one very Merry Christmas for two roommates who finally acknowledge that what they wanted most was each other.

I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you are 22, have 12 days until your Christmas birthday, and want to lose your pesky V-card? You put up a list on the wall of your apartment, that you share with your bff/roommate, and plan a date per day of course. What could go wrong? Only Gil has no idea what he’s looking for so Collin decides to help him narrow his choices. The only problem with that is they both secretly want the other, but are afraid to put their friendship to the ultimate test. Once the experimenting starts, as Gil has never even been kissed, it takes the outside influence of a frenemy and football teammate to help these two realize that all they need are each other. And once the lid is cracked, these two boys steam up the pages to a HEA. Sweet, easy, holiday read that will leave you looking forward to the next book in the series.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way too funny! The other people in this story are just as much fun as the main characters. I'd like to see follow up stories with many of them. Gil is one of the most popular boys and the star of the college football team. Everyone thinks they know him, but he has secrets. His roommate, Colin is his geeky room mate who knows most of his secrets and secretly crushes on him. Gil's birthday is on Christmas, and he vows to lose his virginity and hopefully find a man to love him, the real him. Colin, grits his teeth while planning on helping his lovable, geeky, smart room mate. This story is full of ups and downs and too funny moments that will keep you in stitches. The author does an excellent job working through the challenges both Gil and Colin face as they navigate the two weeks to Christmas. Great story, well done, fantastic flow. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 I liked both Gil and Colin, but I found it a little more painful to read than I expected how much the two of them were pining for one another, totally clueless about it, and trying to get Gil to date someone else because neither could admit what they actually wanted for the vast majority of the book.

It *was* generally entertaining to watch everyone else figure it out and try to convince the two of them to get with the program. I’m glad that it didn’t seem to do any harm to any of the dates that Gil was not really interested in.

I was happy with the resolution and glad that Gil finally felt ready to be himself. They definitely deserve to be happy together.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two college students are sweet. And totally oblivious. They're attracted to each other but afraid to say it. Thank goodness for nosy, intrusive friends. And frenemies.
The angst and pining is high in this one. Colin and Gil fit so well, with compatible interests. Colin even makes a reluctant wingman, aiding his friend in the pursuit to lose his virginity.
Lots of silly and laugh out loud moments. Frenemy Remi is sarcastic, but is a marshmallow when push comes to shove.
The book is a quick. enjoyable read. There is a message there about not pigeonholing people, but it's a gentle admonishment set into a fun background.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Christmas!

What a fun book! I know we're not supposed to use generic words like "fun" to describe books, but it's spot on for this read. I had a smile on my face for most of the book and it genuinely made me laugh out loud at times. 

Colin and Gil are the perfect roommates, besties, and potential love interests. When Gil's plan to lose his virginity before his Christmas birthday isn't working, he and Colin work together to complete his list of potential types before the deadline. Only, none of the dates are successful. And no one feels as good as coming home to Colin does. 

I genuinely forget just how good D.K. Sutton's writing is and how much I always enjoy it. I'm so glad I had to opportunity to read this and give it the biggest 5 stars ever!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Christmas romance between the earnest but virgin jock and the slightly sarcastic nerdy roommate who loves him.

Gil is committed to finding love and losing his virginity by Christmas, but he’s going about it all wrong with his oddly specific list of men displayed in the living room. Colin does not appreciate his roommate who he will ABSOLUTELY NOT think about in a romantic sense parading men through the apartment in front of him. This list idea is terrible.

But don’t worry guys, it’s Christmas, you’ll find your way to a happy ever after.

With great main characters, side characters I’d love to learn more about, a solid plot, and sweeties in love, this is a fun Christmas romance for the holidays.

[Traci S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this story. Gil’s plan is a little bit silly, a little bit sweet, and definitely a lot misguided, but it’s a fun set up for a friends to lovers holiday romance. I also liked how the author set each chapter as one of Gil’s 12 dates which was a clever approach. Gil and Colin are likable characters but just so very clueless about their secret feelings for each other. The 11 unsuccessful dates unfortunately leave little time for Colin and Gil to be together, they actually kind of push them apart. It’s not a long book, but for me the dates became a little repetitive and frustrating. They are good together when they finally put an end to the obliviousness, I would have enjoyed them being together more.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet but unusual romance with Gil trying to lose his V-card before his birthday on Christmas by going on 12 dates with 12different types of guys, trying to figure out his “type” and find someone to love. Trusty roommate Colin is reluctantly on hand to help, but it’s really hard because Colin has loved Gil for two years. Since we know there is a friends to lovers trope here, the fun is in the types of guys and the dates. Especially was impressed with Remi’s date —not! Loved the board with his plan all laid out. Seems both are pretty blind when it comes to each other, but getting there is half the fun. Cute characters and a fun read for the holiday season.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.