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Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas
Reid, an American shark research scientist, is in Perth, Australia working to develop a mobile app that may revolutionize shark safety practices. But even the company of his boyfriend, Graham, isn't enough to stave off homesickness as Christmas approaches, and a missing shark and Graham's struggling business seem set to ruin the holiday for good.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2015
57 people want to read
About the author
A.V. Sanders
2 books20 followersA.V. Sanders loves and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She shares her home with her husband, two cats, and tropical aquarium fish. She is an avid hoarder of Halloween decorations and inconsequential information. When writing science fiction, mystery, horror, and romance with LGBTQ main characters, she can be found staying up all hours of the night listening to endless sets of EDM music. She is an advocate of love, art, animals and frivolous acts of beauty. She also has a growing suspicion that not causing harm to one another is what matters in the end.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
dnf
February 16, 2021Only 33 pages and I can't even finish it! There's only so much I can take of a grown man whining and whimpering about how Christmas in Australia isn't exactly like Christmas in America.
Grow up, baby.
DNF @ 30%
Grow up, baby.
DNF @ 30%
December 23, 2015
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't usually like stories featuring established couples, but this story really worked for me. I think it was because their relationship was strong, and the story wasn't about any sort of drama between the two of them. I really liked Reid, and could understand his longing for his home, and familiar holiday traditions. The information about sharks was fascinating, and it added a lot to the story. I respected Reid, and what he was trying to do. The ending was nicely sweet, and it made me really love Graham as well. Well written, and sweet holiday story.
I don't usually like stories featuring established couples, but this story really worked for me. I think it was because their relationship was strong, and the story wasn't about any sort of drama between the two of them. I really liked Reid, and could understand his longing for his home, and familiar holiday traditions. The information about sharks was fascinating, and it added a lot to the story. I respected Reid, and what he was trying to do. The ending was nicely sweet, and it made me really love Graham as well. Well written, and sweet holiday story.
May 16, 2016
I’m a bit of a sucker for a good established couple story. It has to be done the right way, otherwise it’s a bust for me. Thankfully Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas is just the type of established couple story that I like. It’s sweet, with not a lot of angst and a happy ending to make you feel good.
I loved Reid and Graham’s relationship. I really felt the love the two had for each other.
I understood Reid a lot. His struggle with being home sick and trying to put on a brave face for Graham made him extremely likable, in my opinion.
I loved Graham’s little surprise for Reid. It was so sweet.
This really fitted my mood and was a little different than my usual holiday read, which I liked. I also loved the Australian setting.
Recommended if you’re looking for a quick holiday read.
I loved Reid and Graham’s relationship. I really felt the love the two had for each other.
I understood Reid a lot. His struggle with being home sick and trying to put on a brave face for Graham made him extremely likable, in my opinion.
I loved Graham’s little surprise for Reid. It was so sweet.
This really fitted my mood and was a little different than my usual holiday read, which I liked. I also loved the Australian setting.
Recommended if you’re looking for a quick holiday read.
December 19, 2015
*copy provided to bayou book junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Reid came to Australia a year ago, he not only found his dream job, tagging sharks and helping invent safer ways to keep them and humans separated and safe from one another, but he also found the love of his life in an Australian surfer, Graham. It's Christmas time, but Reid is a little homesick. You shouldn't be able to hang out at the beach at Christmas time, should you?
This was a sweet and romantic read. I adored both Reid and Graham. They were a cute and loving couple. Ms. Sanders seems to have done some extensive research on sharks. She was very knowledgable on the subject.
This was a quick and enjoyable Christmas read!
Reid came to Australia a year ago, he not only found his dream job, tagging sharks and helping invent safer ways to keep them and humans separated and safe from one another, but he also found the love of his life in an Australian surfer, Graham. It's Christmas time, but Reid is a little homesick. You shouldn't be able to hang out at the beach at Christmas time, should you?
This was a sweet and romantic read. I adored both Reid and Graham. They were a cute and loving couple. Ms. Sanders seems to have done some extensive research on sharks. She was very knowledgable on the subject.
This was a quick and enjoyable Christmas read!
April 26, 2016
Sweet story
This is a sweet short novelette about Graham and Reid as they struggle through the Christmas in very, hot Australia.
This is a sweet short novelette about Graham and Reid as they struggle through the Christmas in very, hot Australia.
December 27, 2016
This story was ok for me but everyone else seems to have loved it.
February 2, 2017
I was very excited to read this short book. Unique holiday stories are fun and the setting and themes of this story certainly set it apart from the rest. I also wanted to try my first book by this author and this short story seemed like a good choice.
Reid and Graham are an established couple, which leaves the story free to focus on other things. The relationship is solid and the conflicts they have to deal with are external. For such a short story it is a good way to avoid the setup of a new relationship and I liked the work and family related issues the main protagonists had to handle.
I have to be honest, though. While both characters seemed likeable, it took me a while to really connect with them. I do think part of it is that they are already together when we meet them and part of it is that Reid feels homesick during the holiday season, which is very different in Australia and that discomfort rubbed off on me.
I do love how adult their relationship feels, though. There is no stupid misunderstanding or unneccesary secret that threatens their connection. They talk things out and support each other. It is a beautiful thing to see and was well-written and realistic.
I also ended up really liking both main characters. I found a connection to Reid through our shared love for the sea.
Even before I started the book, I thought the job of ‘shark research scientist’ would be fascinating to read about. Sharks are the perfect predators of the ocean and inspire primal fears in most humans. Yet, in the end, humans are the ones who kill and murder for no reason, destroy this planet and endanger sharks and many other endangered animals by hunting and trapping them in brutal ways.
I have seen shark week before, support animal rights and have known some of the info, but I love that the author has found a way to talk about an issue that seems close to her heart, without being preachy. The details about the sharks and the app Reid is creating are super interesting.
Graham has some trouble with his mom, who continues to rope him into company functions, he isn’t interested in. It was very interesting to see their relationship and how it develops over the course of this story.
The guys were cute together, especially the way Graham tries to make christmas special for Reid, even though he is missing home. They care for each other and as reader I feel invested in their fate, though I don’t feel I know them and their relationship as intimately as if I had been there with them from the very begining. The author wanted to tell a different story, though and it worked for me in a lot of ways.
In the end everything falls into place for both characters, somewhat conveniently, but it is the happy ending – or beginning – these guys deserve.
7.5/10 Pots of Gold (75% Recommended) – Compares to 3.75/5 Stars
Find this and other reviews on Rainbow Gold Reviews
http://www.rainbowgoldreviews.wordpre...
Reid and Graham are an established couple, which leaves the story free to focus on other things. The relationship is solid and the conflicts they have to deal with are external. For such a short story it is a good way to avoid the setup of a new relationship and I liked the work and family related issues the main protagonists had to handle.
I have to be honest, though. While both characters seemed likeable, it took me a while to really connect with them. I do think part of it is that they are already together when we meet them and part of it is that Reid feels homesick during the holiday season, which is very different in Australia and that discomfort rubbed off on me.
I do love how adult their relationship feels, though. There is no stupid misunderstanding or unneccesary secret that threatens their connection. They talk things out and support each other. It is a beautiful thing to see and was well-written and realistic.
I also ended up really liking both main characters. I found a connection to Reid through our shared love for the sea.
Even before I started the book, I thought the job of ‘shark research scientist’ would be fascinating to read about. Sharks are the perfect predators of the ocean and inspire primal fears in most humans. Yet, in the end, humans are the ones who kill and murder for no reason, destroy this planet and endanger sharks and many other endangered animals by hunting and trapping them in brutal ways.
I have seen shark week before, support animal rights and have known some of the info, but I love that the author has found a way to talk about an issue that seems close to her heart, without being preachy. The details about the sharks and the app Reid is creating are super interesting.
Graham has some trouble with his mom, who continues to rope him into company functions, he isn’t interested in. It was very interesting to see their relationship and how it develops over the course of this story.
The guys were cute together, especially the way Graham tries to make christmas special for Reid, even though he is missing home. They care for each other and as reader I feel invested in their fate, though I don’t feel I know them and their relationship as intimately as if I had been there with them from the very begining. The author wanted to tell a different story, though and it worked for me in a lot of ways.
In the end everything falls into place for both characters, somewhat conveniently, but it is the happy ending – or beginning – these guys deserve.
7.5/10 Pots of Gold (75% Recommended) – Compares to 3.75/5 Stars
Find this and other reviews on Rainbow Gold Reviews
http://www.rainbowgoldreviews.wordpre...
July 6, 2016
I’m not normally a big fan of short stories, mainly because I feel like they don’t answer all my questions about the story or characters. I’m also not the biggest fan of reading books where you get thrown in to the life of an established couple, usually for the exact same reasons as why I’m not a big fan of short stories. This book, however, is an exception. The established couple route works in this story, as we get enough information about the characters to understand why they are together, how their relationship works, etc. Plus, we do get a glimpse into how they met, which also told me a lot about the characters. Due to the way the characters are portrayed, I didn’t feel cheated by not getting the detailed first year of their relationship. And the fact that the author managed to do this so effectively in such a short story? Brilliant.
As for the characters, I love Reid. As a native Floridian who’s not a big beach fan and someone who always spends Christmas with my family, I could definitely relate. Graham was okay for me, but Reid was my number one, especially with what he pulled on Christmas Day.
This story also had a lot going on…romance, life changes, sharks, and action. And yet it all worked together. I can definitely tell that the author did her research, not only on sharks but on Christmas in Australia as well. The information on the sharks really fit into her story and I had a blast reading all about Australian Christmas, something I’d wondered about in the past but never really learned a lot about. All I have to say is that if you haven’t heard the song Six White Boomers, go look it up right now. Listening to that song while reading was just great.
I will admit though, while I enjoyed most of the book, the missing shark aspect didn’t really work for me. It came off as a bit odd, and didn’t seem to fit as well as Graham’s troubles or Reid’s homesickness. At first Reid was super worried, then we got an odd time skip and didn’t really hear about the issue again until the end of the story when everything worked out. So I was left wondering why this was important to the story. Other than that though, this was a fun, short read, and makes a perfect Christmas in July (or December) read.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
As for the characters, I love Reid. As a native Floridian who’s not a big beach fan and someone who always spends Christmas with my family, I could definitely relate. Graham was okay for me, but Reid was my number one, especially with what he pulled on Christmas Day.
This story also had a lot going on…romance, life changes, sharks, and action. And yet it all worked together. I can definitely tell that the author did her research, not only on sharks but on Christmas in Australia as well. The information on the sharks really fit into her story and I had a blast reading all about Australian Christmas, something I’d wondered about in the past but never really learned a lot about. All I have to say is that if you haven’t heard the song Six White Boomers, go look it up right now. Listening to that song while reading was just great.
I will admit though, while I enjoyed most of the book, the missing shark aspect didn’t really work for me. It came off as a bit odd, and didn’t seem to fit as well as Graham’s troubles or Reid’s homesickness. At first Reid was super worried, then we got an odd time skip and didn’t really hear about the issue again until the end of the story when everything worked out. So I was left wondering why this was important to the story. Other than that though, this was a fun, short read, and makes a perfect Christmas in July (or December) read.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 27, 2016
“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” ~ Dr. Seuss
Reid is trying his best to get into the spirit, but without the familiar cold, snow, evergreens, and holly, he is having a difficult time. Reid tries not to show it, but he can't help being a little homesick. For his boyfriend, Graham's, sake, he tries to put on a good face.
Reid's work as a shark researcher keeps him busy. He's developed an AP called Surf Safe; it notifies swimmers of sharks in the area, hopefully giving swimmers time to get out of the water. Reid understands the potential danger, but he also has a great respect for these formidable creatures. Reid tries to justify the nets the authorities have put in place as a necessary evil to keep the swimmers safe but it still bothers him that they do so much ecological damage.
Graham has his own issues to deal with. After his father died, his mother continues to run their business and expects Graham to step up and help. Graham has no interest in doing that. He's caught between obligation and living his own life. Graham needs to come up with a plan to make his own business profitable while not completely disappointing his mother; a near impossible task. Graham loves Reid dearly and wants to help improve his Christmas spirit; he comes up with a special present that he hopes will do the trick.
I enjoyed this short but endearing Aussie Christmas love story. Graham and Reid are wonderful together and I am definitely not ready to let them go! It was interesting reading about the shark crisis and Reid's invention. AV obviously did a lot of research on the subject. I enjoyed learning about Aussie Christmas traditions as well. If you like reading about different Christmas customs, devoted couples, sharks, and happy endings you may enjoy this story. If Reid and Graham are willing, I'd love a sequel. Thanks, AV, for a different Christmas perspective.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Reid is trying his best to get into the spirit, but without the familiar cold, snow, evergreens, and holly, he is having a difficult time. Reid tries not to show it, but he can't help being a little homesick. For his boyfriend, Graham's, sake, he tries to put on a good face.
Reid's work as a shark researcher keeps him busy. He's developed an AP called Surf Safe; it notifies swimmers of sharks in the area, hopefully giving swimmers time to get out of the water. Reid understands the potential danger, but he also has a great respect for these formidable creatures. Reid tries to justify the nets the authorities have put in place as a necessary evil to keep the swimmers safe but it still bothers him that they do so much ecological damage.
Graham has his own issues to deal with. After his father died, his mother continues to run their business and expects Graham to step up and help. Graham has no interest in doing that. He's caught between obligation and living his own life. Graham needs to come up with a plan to make his own business profitable while not completely disappointing his mother; a near impossible task. Graham loves Reid dearly and wants to help improve his Christmas spirit; he comes up with a special present that he hopes will do the trick.
I enjoyed this short but endearing Aussie Christmas love story. Graham and Reid are wonderful together and I am definitely not ready to let them go! It was interesting reading about the shark crisis and Reid's invention. AV obviously did a lot of research on the subject. I enjoyed learning about Aussie Christmas traditions as well. If you like reading about different Christmas customs, devoted couples, sharks, and happy endings you may enjoy this story. If Reid and Graham are willing, I'd love a sequel. Thanks, AV, for a different Christmas perspective.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 17, 2016
Recommendation: If you read Percolation, Poetry, and Passion by Sanders then this story will tick all the boxes you got there and more. Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas is fine writing filled with loveable moments, hunky characters, and a passion that pours from the pages!
Reid is an American shark researcher on a mission to revolutionize the way sharks are treated in Perth. It’s Christmas time, and being away from home starts to take a toll on his cheery holiday spirit and his boyfriend Graham has his own preoccupations on his mind. When Reid’s favorite shark goes missing, the struggle for Christmas, his passion for sharks, and his love for Graham all collide into one heartracing finale.
Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas is the second novelette from A.V. Saunders and she’s done nothing but improve! Reid and Graham are deep characters with struggles, flaws, and countless relatable qualities. From the first page their love and relationship is laid out bare for the reader to cheer for as the story progresses and while I would categorize WHAC as a romance, it’s actually not. Reid and Graham have very minor bumps in their relationship, apart for a bit of misplaced envy, their love is not tested at all. This allows the focus of the story to be more on Reid’s passion for his work and Graham’s struggle with his future. The men are portrayed as opposite sides to a coin; Reid knowing his “destiny” at a young age and Graham’s thrust upon him unwillingly when his father passes. The mirrored similarities between the two characters give a refreshing glimpse into a real life relationship and how support from a partner can make all the difference.
I don’t know much about Australia, but I certainly felt like I was oceanside and sweating as I was reading WHAC! The imagery, both for Christmas and Australian life itself, was enjoyable, realistic, and flowed seamlessly alongside the character interactions.
Reid is an American shark researcher on a mission to revolutionize the way sharks are treated in Perth. It’s Christmas time, and being away from home starts to take a toll on his cheery holiday spirit and his boyfriend Graham has his own preoccupations on his mind. When Reid’s favorite shark goes missing, the struggle for Christmas, his passion for sharks, and his love for Graham all collide into one heartracing finale.
Wet, Hot, Australian Christmas is the second novelette from A.V. Saunders and she’s done nothing but improve! Reid and Graham are deep characters with struggles, flaws, and countless relatable qualities. From the first page their love and relationship is laid out bare for the reader to cheer for as the story progresses and while I would categorize WHAC as a romance, it’s actually not. Reid and Graham have very minor bumps in their relationship, apart for a bit of misplaced envy, their love is not tested at all. This allows the focus of the story to be more on Reid’s passion for his work and Graham’s struggle with his future. The men are portrayed as opposite sides to a coin; Reid knowing his “destiny” at a young age and Graham’s thrust upon him unwillingly when his father passes. The mirrored similarities between the two characters give a refreshing glimpse into a real life relationship and how support from a partner can make all the difference.
I don’t know much about Australia, but I certainly felt like I was oceanside and sweating as I was reading WHAC! The imagery, both for Christmas and Australian life itself, was enjoyable, realistic, and flowed seamlessly alongside the character interactions.
April 2, 2016
Such a sweet romantic story! I was a little apprehensive about it because, well, sharks are terrifying to me. Sharks were in the book and Reid worked with the sharks but they were mostly in the background. It was mainly concentrating on the technology to track sharks to make it safer for both the shark and swimmers in the ocean. It was a brilliant idea that I wouldn't mind seeing come to fruition in the future. Imagine how many lives could be saved? How sharks reps would improve! That's what the enigmatic Reid was fighting for in this short story.
Graham was the Australian native that captured the heart of our American Reid. So sad finding out that Graham lost his pops right around the time he met Reid. However, Graham is expected to take over the family business and even though he lacks the enthusiasm in the beginning I'm so glad that it worked out the way it did. The two MC's were so beautiful together and you could see the connection between them shining so bright! I loved this book and I cannot gush about it enough!
Graham was the Australian native that captured the heart of our American Reid. So sad finding out that Graham lost his pops right around the time he met Reid. However, Graham is expected to take over the family business and even though he lacks the enthusiasm in the beginning I'm so glad that it worked out the way it did. The two MC's were so beautiful together and you could see the connection between them shining so bright! I loved this book and I cannot gush about it enough!
July 13, 2016
This is such an adorable and sweet novella. Being from America I’ve never experienced an Australian Christmas. I grew up with white Christmases and below freezing Decembers. I felt for Reid. It must be so hard to acclimate to the change and get into the holiday season.
But through all this, through Reid and Graham falling deeper in love, finding the holiday spirit, and mothers, they are also trying to find a shark that Reid adores and has gone missing.
This was so freaking cute but over too soon. I think I could’ve read these two for even longer! For such a short story we met exes, best friends, mothers, pokey cats, and a pregnant shark! Oh my!
If you’re looking for a smile look no further than this book for sure.
But through all this, through Reid and Graham falling deeper in love, finding the holiday spirit, and mothers, they are also trying to find a shark that Reid adores and has gone missing.
This was so freaking cute but over too soon. I think I could’ve read these two for even longer! For such a short story we met exes, best friends, mothers, pokey cats, and a pregnant shark! Oh my!
If you’re looking for a smile look no further than this book for sure.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews