Midwinter Night's Dream

Unwrapping Hank #2

by Eli Easton

Micah is the hippest, most chill guy on campus. But when he gets the hottest kiss of his life from a cute guy during a game of ‘spin the bottle’, Micah’s cool turns into a puddle of anxious goo. Sure, Micah’s always been a little bi-curious, but he never thought he’d pursue a guy, much less a guy who doesn’t seem to be interested in getting caught.

Leo is passionate about two things: gay rights activism and acting. He stays focused and in control, and he never, ever, dates straight guys. When a chance spin of a bottle at a party has him locking lips with Micah Springfield, president of the Delts, dread-headed, serial-dating, straight Micah, Leo is determined to forget about it, no matter how incendiary the sparks or how gorgeous Micah may be.

Leo has bigger problems. His senior project is directing Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream just before the Christmas break. When his venue cancels at the last minute, Micah offers the use of his parent’s barn in rural Pennsylvania. Leo’s play may be saved, but what about his heart? Between Micah’s sweet lips, his family’s welcoming arms, and a devious bulldog who is determined to play Puck, Leo may find himself falling under the spell of Christmas magic.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance, Christmas, College, New Adult

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2015

About the author

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a game designer, an organic farmer, an avid hiker, and a profound sleeper, Eli is happily embarking on yet another incarnation as a m/m romance author.

As an addicted reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.

Her website in www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com

COMING SOON:
See what's in the pipeline here: http://elieaston.com/work-in-progress/

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 disappointing stars. Review posted November 26, 2015





I needed 36 hours to finish a novella with 121 pages because I never felt invested in Micah and Leo's story.

I devoured Easton's Christmas novellas Unwrapping Hank and Blame It on the Mistletoe. So it saddens me even more to say that Midwinter Night's Dream disappointed me greatly. The only aspect I actually enjoyed about this Christmas novella was catching up with Hank and Sloane, MCs of Unwrapping Hank. It's rather telling, isn't it? You just know…

Houston we have a problem.

I mean when I enjoy the secondary characters' cameo more than the main couple's presence, then something is very wrong. The kissing game was ok, but from there on the allegedly unresolved sexual tension was incredibly weak, the buildup (WHAT BUILDUP ANYWAY??) boring and the romance between Micah and Leo seriously lacking. So while the buildup was dull, everything felt rushed when they did come together eventually. I only skimmed the final 20% because I was past caring at that point. Speaking of secondary characters? Yas and Helen, who were irritating me, by the way, made me roll my eyes. Several times. And the way these two ended up together was too convenient and fairytale-like and somehow far-fetched, IMO. It came off like killing two birds with one stone.

Favorite quotes

"Dude, you're going after guys now? What happen, did you run through all the available females on campus?" Hank smirked.
Of course my little brother would give me a hard time.
"He's stretching his bisexual wings," Sloane said with pride. "We should encourage him. Fly little bird, fly!"

"Who's your flesh and blood here anyway?"
"Maybe he talks to me because I'm gay," said Sloane.
"I'm gay," Hank insisted.
"I'm screwing you, aren't I?"
"True," Sloane said with a devilish grin. "But I've been gay for years. I'm gay like Leo is gay. In fact, not even. He's like March-On-Washington-In-Rainbow-Underwear gay."

"Hey," Hank said huskily. "Why don't we sneak out of here so I can have some of your greatness thrust upon me?"

See? Hank and Sloane are more entertaining than Leo and Micah.


Anyhoo, Midwinter Night's Dream missed the mark this time around and some parts were too sappy for my liking. Though here's hoping that the next one will be a winner for me.

Rating clarification
According to GR, two stars means it was an ok read. I'm adding a half star because I liked Hank and Sloane's cameo.





***************************************

Pre-reading Midwinter Night's Dream:

She always writes great Christmas novellas. So it's a no brainer…I've got to read this one!

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5~

Micah, Micah, Micah, he of the dreads and laid-back tude.



I loved Micah in Unwrapping Hank. He's the big brother everyone wants: supportive of Hank and willing to step back and let Hank claim his man.

Micah is equally awesome in Midwinter Night's Dream. He kisses Leo during the app version of Spin the Bottle (I didn't know that was still a thing) and is HOOKED. But Leo adheres to his Only Homo motto and shoots him down flat.

Even so, when Leo needs a new venue for the student play he's producing, Micah graciously offers his parents' huge barn.

I liked the first-person alternating POVs. Micah is as chill on the inside as he is on the outside. A few short sections are narrated in the third-person by Sloane and a couple other secondary characters. I found this a little distracting and not necessary.

I also wanted more page time with Leo and Micah. The weeks leading up to the play where they get to know each other better are summarized, so the UST is off page.



The steam level isn't high, but the one scene in the barn (where else?) is very sexy.

I loved that Sloane and Hank are still going strong! Having them in the story (but not overly present) was nice. However, the side story with Helen and Yas was random and didn't need to be there.

Huge YES to Micah and Hank's parents and Grinch the dog.

This is a FUN, easy holiday read!



And Micah for the WIN:

So. Definitely bisexual. I was stoked about that. It was as if Life had opened up Door #3 when I'd thought the game was already over, and what was behind it rocked.

[Exina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Micah Springfield gets the hottest kiss of his life from a guy during a game of ‘spin the bottle’, and his world turns upside down. Eli Easton excels in writing first kisses. Micah and Leo’s first kiss was breathtaking and spectacular. I wish I was there too to see it.



Midwinter’s Night Dream is a pretty good retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

I loved Micah and loved Leo. Both of them are very well-drawn.

The ‘courting phase’ could have been great, if more detailed and not off-page. Micah did awesome. He was serious in Leo, really serious. He knew he stumbled into something extraordinary, something truly unique, and he held on it. And of course he managed to convince Leo about it eventually.



The other romance storyline between Yasmine and Helen is very superficial and lame. I get that it is here in order to make the retelling more accurate but then it should be more convincing. The story is too short to have a secondary romance storyline in it.



I liked Sloane and Hank a lot better here than in their own story. Sloane was hilarious!

Another complaint of mine is the number of the POVs. The two main characters’ viewpoints in first person are great and very enjoyable. But there are three (or more?) additional viewpoints in third person – they are weightless and irrelevant.



Apart from that, Midwinter’s Night Dream is a lovely story. I liked Micah and Leo much better than Hank and Sloane in the first book of the series. I know I’m alone with this though.



My favorite quotes.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3 Stars ***


Well,I've just read Unwrapping Hank and was really looking forward to Micah's story but it was a bit of a let down for me,unfortunately.

Micah is Hanks older brother.Totally hip and cool with a laid back character that is almost horizontal at times.

There was a hint at his sexuality in book one when he kissed Sloane but so far he's only been into girls....until one night changes everything.....

He's on kind of a date with Yas(a girl) when things take on a different twist....people are playing a spin the bottle app...he shares a passionate kiss with Leo,a guy who he notices has been watching him.

Micah can't stop thinking about Leo and asks him out only to be turned down.






Leo is openly Gay and working hard to finish his production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.He's not interested in a guy who wants to explore his bi curiosity.But when the venue for his play is pulled he accepts Micah's offer to use his parents barn and finds it difficult to resist Micah.





I read this one almost straight after Unwrapping Hank and the similarities were too obvious...the openly Gay guy,the one that wasn't sure and it was too much of the same for me.

I was actually more excited when Hank and Sloane,from book one,featured.


Due to the Book Tital it's obviously a 'take' on A Midsummer Night's Dream

Micah wants Leo

Helen wants Yas

Yas wants Micah

The whole concept of people being with the wrong person.And that's fine but the whole Helen/Yas thing didn't work for me.

So Yas has been lusting after Micah,when one night she goes looking for him she ends up in Helen's bed (to get warm)...the next day they are a couple and openly are kissing in front of everyone ..

..I mean, come on,she wasn't even bi curious before this ....this wasn't inta lust/love ...it was just ridiculous!


Overall an enjoyable M/M story and I do love this Author's style of writing.....

[Eli Easton]

Midwinter Night's Dream is my Christmas novella for 2015. It features Micah, Hank's brother from "Unwrapping Hank", but it can be read as a stand-alone. Coming out Nov 25, 2015!

Here's my desktop post:
http://elieaston.com/desktop-midwinte...

Eli

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

It kills me to say this because Eli Easton is one of my favorite authors, but this wasn't her best work. And, GAH, what a disappointment after the splendor that was Unwrapping Hank.

Micah was... okay, I guess. He was laid-back, but almost too much for my taste. His laziness let his psuedo-relationship with Yaz go on for too long, and his seemingly lack of caring made the sexuality discovery aspect less dramatic. He just... went with the flow, to a level that didn't carry the story well.

My biggest issue with the story was that most of the relationship development happened off-page. There were very few moments with Leo and Micah alone together, and some of their page time was stolen by Helen and Yaz's story (totally unnecessary and forced, BTW). The sexual tension, the build-up just was NOT there, and that is the best part of most of Eli Easton's stories.

I sad, I sad... better luck next year.

**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

[☆ Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finally reading last year's "Unwrapping Hank" and falling completely in love with both Sloane and Hank, I immediately ran for the ARC of book 2, Micah's story.

And while I liked "Midwinter Night's Dream," I have to be honest and say that it wasn't quite the level of love that I had for the first book.



My very favorite parts of this story were, unsurprisingly, the scenes with Sloane and/or Hank. I loved how effortless that their relationship seemed, one year later.

I was impressed with the initial 'spin the bottle' scene that put Leo front-and-center on Micah's radar. Like Micah, my knees may have gotten a bit weak during that, too.

"Jesus, Leo, you and Micah were making out like two horn dogs from Hornville—on ecstasy!" Helen chortled with horror, a thing I didn't know was possible until I'd met her.

"It was just a kiss."

"Yeah. No. That was not 'just a kiss'. You could have taken a throat culture. You practically had him bent over backward in a swoon. Another thirty seconds and I would have come."

However, one thing that I wasn't a fan of was Helen. Or Yas. Or Helen *and* Yas.

To me, Helen came off more as jealous than necessarily caring. More like she didn't want Leo and Micah to happen because she'd be left behind. She was pretty hypocritical in pressuring Leo to honor their "homos only" pact, when she was extremely willing to break it herself.

Bad Helen. Bad, bad Helen.



And Yas, after only one lukewarm date, ending without so much as a kiss, seemed clueless. Hello, he's not actively calling you and you're having to chase him down.

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU!



But unlike in book 1, I never really felt any type of bone-deep connection between Micah and Leo the way that I did with Sloane and Hank. I wanted to, but it just didn't happen for me here.

Instead, I found myself more interested in how supportive and encouraging Micah's parents, Hank and especially Sloane were. That was completely awesome.

"He's stretching his bisexual wings," Sloane said with pride. "We should encourage him. Fly little bird, fly!"

I snorted so hard at that point, I ended up coughing my head off. Freaking classic Sloane there, folks! I completely adore him.

I think that part of what I longed for most while reading this story were more on-page interactions between Micah and Leo, instead of those pages being devoted to what I felt were less important points, such as Helen and Yas.

One of my favorite parts where Micah and Leo do finally get to talk (on-page) was the snowshoe hiking scene, where Sloane somehow gets Grinch to drag Leo off into the woods.

That was a very cool pivotal scene, but I still want to know how the hell Sloane managed that trick with the dog. My money is on some form of human-canine ESP or Vulcan mind meld. : )



When Micah and Leo do finally get together during the single steamy scene in the book, I wasn't sure if I was more worried whether the space heaters or what was happening on the futon would set the barn ablaze. That was extremely hot.



For me, the first book just felt more effortless and set the bar so very high, so while this was a 'good' book, it didn't completely blow me away like the first one.

I think that about covers it, so this one comes in around 3.5 stars for me, in large part due to the inclusion of Sloane and Micah's parents. And Grinch, of course.

-----------------------------------------------------------

My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author for a fair, unbiased review.

[.Lili. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Micah,



To say I've been dying for your book the past year- is an understatement.

The Sad thing is although it was a cute story it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Book starts off great, Leo and Micah share a kiss during the app game of spin the bottle.



It was such a great set up- how it could the story go wrong?

Three reasons:

1. The 5 different POVs. It was too much. It was unnecessary, distracting, and disruptive to the story flow. When I'm reading about a couple falling in love- those are the only POVs I want to read.

2. The side story between Yas and Helen. I would've preferred it to have happened off-page, and loved more one on one time between Micah and Leo. One of my favorite parts of reading a romance is that dance between two characters who are falling for each other. The touches and glances- and we missed out on that. We got very little of it.

3. The end was a bit lackluster.

Now it wasn't all bad. There were some great parts, too. For example:

1. Micah and Leo were great protagonists and the time we did get with them was delightful. I thought their personalities went well together.

2. It was great catching with the rest of the gang- especially Sloane and Hank.

3. It was also great to get both Leo's and Micah's POV.

4. The steamy moments were on point! *thumbs up*

5. It was a sweet, fun read that made me smile.

All in all, like I said, it was a cute story. I was just expecting a bit more. I still have crazy love for Eli Easton and can't wait for her next book! 3.5 Stars.


ARC kindly provided to Gay Book Reviews.

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3 Stars***

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There comes a point at which you want something badly enough, it becomes imperative enough, that you willfully disregard the obstacles.

Micah Springfield is one of the hottest and popular guys on campus. He has always dated girls casually and he hasn't really seriously thought about being with a guy. That is, until he ends up kissing a cute boy named Leo during a game of ‘spin the bottle’.

Leo Dayson is a theater major student who takes himself very seriously. He's all about gay rights and he and his friend, Helen, have a rule that they won't date straight people. When Micah offers Leo the use of his parent’s barn for his play, because his original venue was canceled, the 'only homo' resolve starts sinking fast. Leo is attracted to Micah, and now that he spends Christmas time at the Springfield's farm, he finds himself falling for him even more.



There're multiple POVs, five to be exact, which is a little too much for me. I probably would have been more satisfied with dual or maximally triple perspectives. Besides that, I think it's a nice Christmas novella. I loved Micah, Leo and the sexy barn scene. Grinch, the white bulldog playing Puck was awesome. Plus, it was great to see Hank and Sloane again.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[Jo ★The Book Sloth★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Not Quite What I Wanted Stars



Eli Easton has become one of my go-to authors when I want a little bit of fluff, and let's face it, that's all the freakin' time. I had high hopes for this book since I was already half in love with Micah from Unwrapping Hank, sadly, they weren't exactly met.



Micah was just as great as I imagined he would be. He was laid-back and care-free, a guy who didn't want attachments and was fine with random hook-ups to take the edge off. I aso loved how non-judgemental he was about other people. And then he had to go and ruin it for me by using Yas to get to Leo. Although I did like how all-in he went when he found a guy he actually cared about, I didn't like the way he went at it by stringing Yasmin along. Maybe in the beginning I could pretend that he wasn't concious of what he was doing but, by the end, he damn well knew what he was doing.



Now Leo... Leo was awesome. He was talented and passionate about what he loved and believed in and he was an actually good friend, who wasn't willing to stomp all over Yas' feelings to get Micah. He did have this stupid "only-homo" rule that he luckily got over quickly. I enjoyed reading his POV and actually finding him a grounded and logical person who learned something from previous experiences!



The romance aspect was also poorly developed. I liked the beginning very much. I enjoyed the spin-the-bottle scene and Micah's awkwardness in admitting his feelings later. But then the author had to go and skip the "getting to know each other" stage by jumping a week later. Why? It robbed me of the details that would make me invest in the love story. I ended up founding the romance lacking and insubstantial.



And as if that wasn't enough, the author had to go a novella between two couples. Helen and Yas' relationship was even worse because that wasn't just rushed, it was out of the freaking blue. It felt like Eli Easton just dropped that relationship on our feet(or more accurately she dropped Helen between Yas' legs) just to "make up" and sweep under the rug the fact that Micah had used Yas to get Leo.



It's a sad day in my world when I can't enjoy an Eli Easton book at all. Hope she does better next time!

[Tara♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but I didn't love it.

Micah was a total dork, sometimes he was even too dorky for me though, but Leo was lovely, I liked him a lot and I liked the connections to A Midsummer Night's Dream. I also thought the secondary romance was really cute. A big surprise for me in this was how much I liked Slone who I wasn't a big fan of in Unwrapping Hank. But I just didn't love it. I don't really know what it was. I think my absolute adoration of Blame It on the Mistletoe hasn't helped as I want all of Eli Eastons Christmas stories to be like that. I think I might be due a reread of that.

A big plus in this though was the reappearance of everyone's favourite matchmaker, Grinch.



A big massive thank you to my 'not' secret Santa Helle for gifting this to me.

[BWT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hippie dude Micah Springfield is chill from his waist length dreads to his attitude about life and love. He's president of his fraternity, finishing up his masters, casually dating (while letting the girls do the heavy lifting), and is genuinely enjoying life. Though, sure, when he watches his little brother Hank with his boyfriend, Sloane, Micah might feel a little tingle in his heart chakra - but that doesn't really mean anything.



Leo Dayson is a theater major getting ready for his senior project directing Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream". He's focused on his goal of graduating and eventually making it as an "out" bankable star.

I wanted to show that a gay man could be an action hero, just as macho, just as lovable to the public, as a straight one.

During a party game of Spin The Bottle Leo lands on Micah and their resulting kiss is incendiary. For Micah it's an awakening; he's known he's a bit bi-curious for a while now, but for Leo, Micah is straight and therefore strictly off-limits.

Micah is completely drawn to Leo and it's the first time someone's really captured his attention. So, with a little encouragement from Sloane, he asks Leo out - only to get shot down. Leo wants to say yes, but he and his best friend, Helen, have a strict "Only Homo" rule after too many times picking each other up after yet another broken heart. So even though his heart is saying yes, he turns Micah down.

But when the venue for Leo's senior project falls through, Sloane convinces Micah to offer up the use of his family's farm in order to save the day and get a chance back with Leo. Micah just needs to convince Leo that love is love and straight can absolutely move to bi-curious to full out bisexual with the right motivation.

So. Definitely bisexual. I was stoked about that. It was as if Life had opened Door #3 when I'd thought the game was already over, and what was behind it rocked. I could totally see why Hank and Sloane were all about gay sex.

I loved Micah and Leo. I only wish I'd gotten more time with them.

“Micah's...Christmas cookies, puppy dogs, and winning an Oscar all rolled into one.”

I also loved getting to see Lilith and Karma, Micah's parents, and Grinch the bulldog again. I enjoyed knowing Hank and Sloane are still living their happily ever after (and still having sexy barn times!).

Ultimately, my enjoyment in this fluffy feel good short was marred by two things I really disliked. First, there are five different POV in this. What's worse, Micah and Leo are in first-person and Sloane, Helen and Yasmine are in third-person. It's bad enough there is multiple POV, which drives me nuts on a good day, but the difference in the delivery of each had me crazy.

Second, I felt cheated over the relationship development between Micah and Leo. The time they spend getting to know each other is relayed, rather than shown, and takes place mostly off page.

I found myself resentful of the other perspectives, especially Yasmine and Helen, who I didn't care about at all. I wish that focus had been turned more on Micah and Leo.

I just...I waited over a year for Micah's story, you know? I absolutely LOVED him in Unwrapping Hank and just wanted to see his HEA, and though I did, I feel like it got lost a bit amongst the other characters. I can kind of see how the story has sort of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" kind of feeling for it, but I suppose that was lost on me as that was never my favorite Shakespeare play. I just wanted more time with Micah and Leo, seeing their relationship develop and getting to see them fall in love. Especially after their spectacular scene in the barn. I wanted more of that!



All in all it's a fluffy, low-angst holiday short with some UST and a whole lot of friendship.

Advanced Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to say this, but 'Midwinter Night's Dream' was a bummer.



I look forward to Eli Easton's holiday books. I can count on her to deliver stories that are sweet, sexy, and get me in to the holiday mood. Last year's Unwrapping Hank was all kinds of awesome. But this sequel about Micah, Hank's brother, just fell flat.

I really didn't like that there were multiple POVs from secondary characters. I particularly didn't like Helen and Yas's side story. I thought it was a distraction from Micah and Leo. Not to mention that Helen didn't come off as a nice person.

My reaction towards Leo and Micah's relationship was just 'meh'. The two were just dull. I couldn't help but compare them to Hank and Sloane from the previous book, who were pretty much burning up my tablet screen from the get-go. Even two-thirds in, I didn't really care whether Leo and Micah got their HEA. I was bored.

However, I loved getting back to the Springfield family farm. Eli Easton recently revealed that she based the fictional farm on her actual gorgeous homestead, which made it interesting to read from a new perspective. And I was very happy to get snippets of Hank and Sloane's continuing relationship. I'm really hoping that the author continues their story after they graduate!

I also have to give the author kudos for the modern-day rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was sort of like a story within a story. But it worked well, and Leo and Micah, along with the secondary characters, were still unique.

'Midwinter Night's Dream' was an okay read. I didn't feel any real connection between Leo and Micah, but the setting and the secondary characters made for a good enough holiday story.

[Britta ★ Nachteule ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

OK. Let's face it! Eli Easton could write me her grocery list and I would not only read it but at least like it a lot.

We know Micah from last years "Unwrapping Hank" and I was more than just a little bit excited to read his story.

Yes, I liked it a lot but somehow it didn't touch me as much as the other books by Eli Easton I've read so far. I think Todd described it best in his review.

I loved to see Sloane, Hank and Micah's parents again. And I still want a Grinch all for myself!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I honestly didn't remember ANYTHING from Unwrapping Hank, including who Micah was. I know, bad memory and all. Having said that, I had no problem getting into it, because, well I love Easton's writing.

This is pretty much taking inspiration off Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream; with Micah liking Leo, Leo liking Micah, Yasmine thinks she likes Micah, while Helen secretly liking Yasmine. Yes ... four players, and we can probably think of Hank and Sloane as Oberon and Titania, respectfully, since Grinch, the tank-like white bulldog is taking part as Puck.

It's cute, but I can't say I'm really invested in all of them. I'm just not feeling that deep attachment on Micah and Leo as a couple. Plus I'm a bit miffed that Micah never really tells Yasmine outright that "he's not into her". I'm not taking the whole 'being mellow guy' as an excuse.

In addition, I felt that since Micah and Leo 'shared' the spotlights with Yas and Helen (they had their own chapters) and heck, sometimes even Sloane, it pulled me out from the focus of the story -- which probably contributed to my not having deep attachment to the two of them. Couldn't help that I felt Yas to be a little pathetic and Helen to be manipulative. I guess I wanted the girls to be written a bit better.

But as always, Easton's writing is charming. I finished this in one sitting. And my extra star-ratings are specifically added for Hank & Sloane, Grinch, and Mama Springfield (who still wanted her grandchildren, thank you very much).

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Midwinter's Night Dream' is Eli Easton's follow up to last years 'Unwrapping Hank' and admittedly I am also of the 'Unwrapping Hank' was better opinion like so many others. However, I still really enjoyed this story, as well, and wouldn't have missed it.

Now, if you want to read a really good review of this book and see what Micah truly should look like just read Dani's review here on GR (you can sit and ogle Micah for a while, Dani won't mind and hell, I do it all the time).

Also if you haven't read 'Unwrapping Hank' I guess you could still read this one but honestly it's way more fun if you read them both and in order because Hank and Sloane are awesome and their story shouldn't be missed.

4 orange? yellowish orange? 'damned if I know what color they are anymore' stars because apparently they can change the color but they can't make 1/2 stars here on GR so I rounded up from 3.5 stars.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4th re-read November 2023

4.5 stars

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I adored Micah. I was very excited that he was getting his own story. I don't know. Maybe I came into this with my expectations set too high, but I felt this did not do Micah justice. I didn't feel like he and Leo had enough time together. Too much time was spent on other people IMO. This just did not live up to Micah. I wanted so much more for him. There is nothing wrong with the story, at all. It just wasn't what I was expecting.

Of my friends that have read this, I'm in the minority. Give it a try. Eli Easton always delivers a nice, easy read.

[SheReadsALot]

The Grinch returns for her miserly allotment of Santa semen.

Eli Easton's is just the right blend for me it seems.

No gagging. ;)



Preparation for Christmas cheer.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas BR, December 6th with Sonia and Paul (7th Xmas read 2015)

Yep, this was good! I loved Leo and Micah.
It was sweet, funny and the scene in the barn was hotttt!

Loved Unwrapping Hank!! And was very excited for Micah's (Hank's brother) story

Micah

So. Definitely bisexual. I was stoked about that. It was as if LIFE had opened up Door #3 when I'd thought the game was already over, and what was behind it ROCKED.

I so hope to read more about Leo's and Micah's life in California!! And also it was great reading more about Sloane and Hank.

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a lot of what I love from Eli Easton. There were funny moments and sweet ones. There were enjoyable main characters with good hearts and youthful mistakes, and a family that didn't stint on love. And we got to see favorite guys from the earlier book.

There is a minor theme of an F/F romance mixed in here, and it felt a bit half-baked. If it had been seen only from the POV of the two guys, it would have been a note of balance in the secondary characters. But once the author decided to go full out, and give us the women's points of view, then the decision to make their story minor, restrained, and fade-to-black, gave the impression it was less important filler. They seemed to come together as a way to resolve a relationship tangle in a sweet Christmassy way, rather than a true and equal love story. I'm not big on minor-character POVs anyway, but when they are there, I want them as deeply engaging and real as the main characters (which is tough to do, and probably one of the reasons I rarely like them.) And I'd have liked to see Micah become a little more responsible in his relationship to Yas, rather than letting it kind of peter out conveniently. It made me like him a bit less that he continued to take the easy way out of the situation, after the brave moment from the start.

I did enjoy this, as a light holiday read. I liked the early tension between the guys. The easy resolution and scattered POV flattened the story, and I wouldn't pick this as a first Eli Easton read - she has many other truly wonderful stories to tell - but it filled a pleasant couple of hours on a plane ride.

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

~ 2,5 big disappointment stars ~

OMG ! I want to cry!
How can I gave Eli Easton's book 2,5 stars FFS?? I can't even rounded it up!

I really hate it when a secondary unimportant character ruined the whole book! And Helen and Yas did that.
Oh how I want to go inside the book and slammed a chair in Helen's face!
I'm seriously cursing like Captain Haddock right now!



Micah and Leo are cute but they're not strong enough to say 'NO', when they're actually they MUST say NO!

I loved Hank and Sloane, if it's not for them and the dog Grinch, I would gave this 1* instead.

Some female in MM books are 'annoying' AF, but Helen and Yas are very special in that area.
Helen for her 'only homo' thing and jealousy and Yas for a very stupid no clue girl, TSTL!
OMG I'm so mad at them right now !

Later, I'm still disappointed. MUCH.

On second thought, I'll let Baba tells all here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



Note : It's YAS not Yes,LOL. Thanks Baba ! :)

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

As things typically go, it all starts off with a kiss. A kiss to beat all kisses.

Seemingly straight but definitely open minded, Micah finds himself kissed by Leo when playing co-ed spin the bottle. He’s in a pickle because he absolutely cannot seem to forget it, and he starts obsessing because literally, that was the best kiss of his life.

Equally, Leo can’t seem to ignore the incident either, which makes it difficult to follow his steadfast rule of not even looking in the direction of guys who are curious or confused.

However, these two just can’t seem to move on despite trying very hard to do so. Luckily when a serious obstacle threatens Leo’s senior project, Micah is able to step in and save the day. When they’re forced to spend time together, these two realize some things about themselves and the other and thus, decide to take a chance.

As always, this had great writing, mixed with some very nice UST and sexy. Not the most emotional I’ve read from this author but still an enjoyable holiday read.

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

This was another enjoyable m/m Christmas novella from Easton. Being a big fan of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream I really enjoyed this story and it's homage to the original.

However, in opposition to popular opinion, I definitely preferred Leo over Micah as an MC. It's a me thing; a head of dreads and the whole laid-back hippy vibe just doesn't float my boat. Having said that, these two guys were really sweet together and I was only truly disappointed that their on-page interactions were so limited - because I really couldn't care less about Yas or Helen, who both seemed to persistently bore me whenever they appeared.

As usual, Easton's writing is so effortlessly readable. I love and appreciate that, persistently. And although these particular characters didn't quite grab me, I'll no doubt (happily) continue to attack-read Easton's books as they fall in my path.

[Kade Boehme · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute, easy read. It was nice to see Sloane and Hank and their family again in a not overbearing way. Def had some cute seasonal moments.

But, I hated the random extra POVs that were there for no reason and the whole random side Yas and Helen story that could hav had its own book since all this stuff gave us so little page time with Micah and Leo who I've been waiting FOREVER for (well, Micah anyways). The couple of sexy moments were good but literally there was a cute kiss in the first chapter then tons of Leo saying NO and people interrupting til they sorta got together in the last 2 chapters. Usually Eli's short stories don't leave me feeling so... Unfinished. *shrug*

It was the Christmas SHORT we were promised tho and I did very much enjoy Micah's 1st person. They were both characterized and followed thru well.

[Makhda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars


What I liked :
- I enjoyed Micah and Leo. As well as Hank and Sloane. Thank god...
- The UST. I loved it so much!

What I disliked :
- No offense. But I don't really need F/F content that much in my M/M book. If I want to read F/F, I just read F/F book.
- I want more Micah and Leo..

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Micah gets the hottest kiss of his life from a cute guy during a game of ‘spin the bottle’, he turns into a puddle of anxious goo. Sure, Micah’s always been a little bi-curious, but he never thought he’d pursue a guy, much less a guy who doesn’t seem to be interested in getting caught.
Micah is the "coolest" guy on campus. He never loses his temper. He just "chills" about everything... and the ladies...even though he's not interested... are always chasing after him. Micah never has to work very hard to get any kind of attention. That is until he goes to a campus party and a game of spin-the-bottle leads to Micah kissing Leo, who was never an easy subject.

I liked Leo. He's an "out-and-proud" gay rights activist and a passionate actor, who is, not only talented but always focused. Leo has one rule that he has thus far lived by... only gay guys that are out. The rule is always in effect regardless of any and all attractions. No bi-curious straight dudes or men staying locked in the proverbial closet. Leo tries to forget the kiss; Micah can't forget the kiss, and now the game is on.

Leo is directing a play as part of his studies, Shakespeare’s "Midsummer Night’s Dream". In the middle of rehearsals, he loses his stage venue to a homophobic guy, so Micah offers his barn at his family's farm, as a theater. Micah also hoped that his offer would perhaps show Leo that his intentions are sincere.

This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's good to read the series in order, since some of the characters from the first book, Unwrapping Hank, are mentioned quite frequently in this one.

Eli Easton is one of my many favorite M/M Romance authors. Her writing is always exciting, realistic, and easy to read. As usual, the characters feel real and most are sympathetic. It makes the reader "feel" for them and want only the best of everything for them. When Micah lost his cool over the kiss with Leo...that change in his personality is described well, as is all his thoughts and the reactions that he gets from his friends and family. Leo’s strong personality and his professionalism also comes through beautifully...plus he’s so cute and sweet that you can’t help but really like him. His past and straight lover was actually the one that explains Leo through a big part of the story. It's not a very long story, just a little over 100 pages...but one that you'll remember with fondness.

[Eugenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

No call backs....

This showed promise at the beginning, but it dragged by the third act only to rush to a close at the 5th and final act.

Multiple POV's used randomly boggled me. Don't do that to me. I just need the one or two, dear author.

Also, I appreciate trying to break the MM sex formula, but I just can't buy the fact that our MC's first time together, aside from an early spin the bottle kiss, goes right into penetration. Really?! Where is my build-up? Tension? It went out the barn door.

Still......I want to read the first book in the series because that couple is prominent here and they look like fun.

So, it could have been fun.

[Bitchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. I admit, it took me a couple of chapters to warm up to Micah, but I loved Leo from the start. I think I could have done without the couple of chapters from Helen and Yas's POV. Interesting that they got together, but every time it switched to them, it took me out of the rhythm of the story I was actually there for.

I did love seeing Micah and Hank's family again, they are just too freaking perfect for words.