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Hearts of Parkerburg #1
Christmas in His Heart
Christmastime brings joy to hearts everywhere. Between snow angels, festive clothing, holiday decorations, and of course, all the beautiful lights, it’s hard not to partake in the season.
Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.
Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.
Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.
Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.
Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.
Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.
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First published December 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 12, 2015
Who wants Christmas to be over? Not this Unicorn! I read the Jingle Jizz all year long and I loved this story about a surly (and kinda broken) Chef and an overgrown Elf-man who is completely charming and who I feel completely in love with. Yes, you Xander, you cheekly little minx.
Christmas in His Heart is written in a dual POV style and while I know that isn’t always everyone’s thing, or easy to pull off, it totally worked here for me and I’m so glad it was written this way. Xander’s brain is too amazing not to be a part of and Dermot would have come across as a totally unsympathetic ass hat if I hadn’t been able to get a gander at his inner musings and turmoil.
Ok, let’s talk about Xander some more. He’s charming as all hell and confident without being cocky. I couldn’t help but be drawn to him and his positive and really funny nature. His thoughts seem to head in the “stream of consciousness” direction that can be either too much and annoying or adorable. This was adorable. He’s completely smitten with the chef from the neighborhood and he’s made it his mission to make the grumpy man smile just for him. He starts by bringing Dermot coffee in a ridiculous Christmas mug. This is at 5% and from whence I fall for Xander;
Oh brother, did he suddenly feel like an obsessed teenager again – he’s touching my mug. He couldn’t help it though, ever since he came to Parkerburg the tall, dark, and gorgeous restaurant owner had caught his eye. What Xander wouldn’t do to be the reason behind a full-blown thousand watt smile on that man’s face.
D’awwwww. Remember those moments? When your crush touched or held some insignificant object of yours and suddenly it mattered way more than it should? And all he wants to do is make Dermot smile. How stinkin’ sweet is that? Basically it was two of my favorite things in one paragraph. A simple little moment and one character’s desire to just make another happy. There is nothing sexier on a man than a real smile, so this totally worked for me.
But Dermot has tragedy in his past and it weighs on him heavily. I appreciated how the authors gave enough hints and snippets so that you knew what happened without it turning into an overdramatic mystery. The event was horrible enough, so extra drama wasn’t necessary and it wouldn’t have gone with Dermot’s personality. So, there was some angst but it wasn’t overdone and getting to see into Dermot’s head made his thought processes clear and understandable.
Dermot isn’t a real chatty guy but as the two got to know each other I could see why Xander was so attracted to Dermot and how the two of them complemented one another perfectly. It did take a little time to get to the chatting as the sexual tension was a little too overwhelming to ignore for something as banal as conversation, but I did get their connection. As much as Xander wants to make Dermot smile, Dermot wants to feed Xander. “Food is love” to him and watching Xander enjoy one of his creations is food porn for Dermot and it was really sweet to read this stoic professional get all gooey watching his new love swoon over his culinary skills.
Then, the INCIDENT happens and just as these two guys are coming together, they fall apart. They’ve come to an understanding about Dermot’s aversion to Christmas and even though Xander doesn’t know all the details he’s cool with it. He isn’t going to let one day of the year get in the way of an HEA. But, they still haven’t had the all-important confessional conversation yet so misunderstandings and overreactions happened.
The action and conversations during were a little choppy for me and while I knew what was happening the comments by Shawna (Xander’s BFF) seemed a little out of place for the moment and I get why they needed to be somewhere, it just didn’t seem like the time given what was going on. I kind of expected Dermot to be a little more freaked at that moment so it read a little odd to me.
Thankfully Xander and Dermot acted like grown-ups and owned their own fuck ups. I was glad the break up didn’t drag on too long and while Dermot’s revelation was a smidge rushed I was ok with it since I liked these two together so much. The epilogue was perfect and I was happy to read that Xander finally shared his kitchen fantasy with Dermot and Dermot was happy to oblige, within reason of course, health codes exist for a reason after all.
I would highly recommend adding this one to your Merry Jizzmas reading list and keep the holiday spirit all year long!
Christmas in His Heart is written in a dual POV style and while I know that isn’t always everyone’s thing, or easy to pull off, it totally worked here for me and I’m so glad it was written this way. Xander’s brain is too amazing not to be a part of and Dermot would have come across as a totally unsympathetic ass hat if I hadn’t been able to get a gander at his inner musings and turmoil.
Ok, let’s talk about Xander some more. He’s charming as all hell and confident without being cocky. I couldn’t help but be drawn to him and his positive and really funny nature. His thoughts seem to head in the “stream of consciousness” direction that can be either too much and annoying or adorable. This was adorable. He’s completely smitten with the chef from the neighborhood and he’s made it his mission to make the grumpy man smile just for him. He starts by bringing Dermot coffee in a ridiculous Christmas mug. This is at 5% and from whence I fall for Xander;
Oh brother, did he suddenly feel like an obsessed teenager again – he’s touching my mug. He couldn’t help it though, ever since he came to Parkerburg the tall, dark, and gorgeous restaurant owner had caught his eye. What Xander wouldn’t do to be the reason behind a full-blown thousand watt smile on that man’s face.
D’awwwww. Remember those moments? When your crush touched or held some insignificant object of yours and suddenly it mattered way more than it should? And all he wants to do is make Dermot smile. How stinkin’ sweet is that? Basically it was two of my favorite things in one paragraph. A simple little moment and one character’s desire to just make another happy. There is nothing sexier on a man than a real smile, so this totally worked for me.
But Dermot has tragedy in his past and it weighs on him heavily. I appreciated how the authors gave enough hints and snippets so that you knew what happened without it turning into an overdramatic mystery. The event was horrible enough, so extra drama wasn’t necessary and it wouldn’t have gone with Dermot’s personality. So, there was some angst but it wasn’t overdone and getting to see into Dermot’s head made his thought processes clear and understandable.
Dermot isn’t a real chatty guy but as the two got to know each other I could see why Xander was so attracted to Dermot and how the two of them complemented one another perfectly. It did take a little time to get to the chatting as the sexual tension was a little too overwhelming to ignore for something as banal as conversation, but I did get their connection. As much as Xander wants to make Dermot smile, Dermot wants to feed Xander. “Food is love” to him and watching Xander enjoy one of his creations is food porn for Dermot and it was really sweet to read this stoic professional get all gooey watching his new love swoon over his culinary skills.
Then, the INCIDENT happens and just as these two guys are coming together, they fall apart. They’ve come to an understanding about Dermot’s aversion to Christmas and even though Xander doesn’t know all the details he’s cool with it. He isn’t going to let one day of the year get in the way of an HEA. But, they still haven’t had the all-important confessional conversation yet so misunderstandings and overreactions happened.
The action and conversations during were a little choppy for me and while I knew what was happening the comments by Shawna (Xander’s BFF) seemed a little out of place for the moment and I get why they needed to be somewhere, it just didn’t seem like the time given what was going on. I kind of expected Dermot to be a little more freaked at that moment so it read a little odd to me.
Thankfully Xander and Dermot acted like grown-ups and owned their own fuck ups. I was glad the break up didn’t drag on too long and while Dermot’s revelation was a smidge rushed I was ok with it since I liked these two together so much. The epilogue was perfect and I was happy to read that Xander finally shared his kitchen fantasy with Dermot and Dermot was happy to oblige, within reason of course, health codes exist for a reason after all.
I would highly recommend adding this one to your Merry Jizzmas reading list and keep the holiday spirit all year long!
April 16, 2016
I was so excited when I saw this title. Havan Fellows and Lee Brazil. I love these two authors. They're part of the Pulp Friction group and I love that series. Plus I've read some of their other stories and loved them so I was pretty stoked when I saw this one and me and my credit card made this happen.
This story sounded so sweet and just full of kittens and rainbows it was going to be amazeballs!!! I was ready, I put it on my e-reader finished the story I was reading and dove in. I'm done now and I just...well...I don't know what happened but it just didn't work. There were parts that were good and just as I was starting to feel that I was getting into the story, bang things just stopped working for me. It's not that I didn't like it, I just didn't love it as much as I had expected or wanted to.
So at the end of it all the story didn't work for me, but the authors are still on my favourites list and I look forward to seeing what they have for me to read in the coming year.
2.5 stars rounded down on GR.
This story sounded so sweet and just full of kittens and rainbows it was going to be amazeballs!!! I was ready, I put it on my e-reader finished the story I was reading and dove in. I'm done now and I just...well...I don't know what happened but it just didn't work. There were parts that were good and just as I was starting to feel that I was getting into the story, bang things just stopped working for me. It's not that I didn't like it, I just didn't love it as much as I had expected or wanted to.
So at the end of it all the story didn't work for me, but the authors are still on my favourites list and I look forward to seeing what they have for me to read in the coming year.
2.5 stars rounded down on GR.
December 30, 2014
This is a relatively short book but I was bored very quickly with it. Dermot was a highly unlikable character and he turned me off right away. I never saw what Xander saw in Dermot. Xander came off a bit desperate chasing Dermot around like a sick puppy. No matter how good looking a man is, if his personality is horrible and nasty, what good is he?
This story could not pull me in and I started to skim majorly. Didn't care for the characters nor the story.
This story could not pull me in and I started to skim majorly. Didn't care for the characters nor the story.
January 13, 2023
3.5 Stars ~ Ahh, for once I can actually say I'm reading a holiday novella during the appropriate season. *grins* I'm a fan of both these authors, so it's certainly no hardship to sit down, snuggle with some fur babies, and read this delightful tale. And 'Christmas in His Heart' most definitely qualifies as delightful.
Xander is happy. He left the boring corporate world to move to Parkerburg and manage his best friend's craft shop. Parkerburg made me think of a Victorian village with its quaint historical buildings, and all the little shops and restaurants along Main Street. It's one of the reasons Xander made his decision - he needed to be where people are happy and joyful. The other reason is because Dermot walked into him, Xander got an up-close look at this gorgeous restaurateur and his grumpy disposition, and Xander is positive he can bring a smile to the man's face.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Xander is happy. He left the boring corporate world to move to Parkerburg and manage his best friend's craft shop. Parkerburg made me think of a Victorian village with its quaint historical buildings, and all the little shops and restaurants along Main Street. It's one of the reasons Xander made his decision - he needed to be where people are happy and joyful. The other reason is because Dermot walked into him, Xander got an up-close look at this gorgeous restaurateur and his grumpy disposition, and Xander is positive he can bring a smile to the man's face.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
March 2, 2016
Christmas in his heart turned out to be better then I thought it was going to be.
This book has two main character... Xander and Dermot.
Xander is this care free spirit that constantly has a smile on his face. People gravitate to him because of his happy attitude. And of course Xander loves Christmas.
Dermot is the opposite of Xander. He is serious, rarely ever has a smile and does not do anything that involves Christmas.
This is a book that shows when u meet the right person that you can overcome your own personal hang ups if you love someone and if they love you also. I found this book to be inspiring. It shows what love can actually do for a person who thought they did not have any love left in there heart to give.
I would definitely suggest this book to be read by others
This book has two main character... Xander and Dermot.
Xander is this care free spirit that constantly has a smile on his face. People gravitate to him because of his happy attitude. And of course Xander loves Christmas.
Dermot is the opposite of Xander. He is serious, rarely ever has a smile and does not do anything that involves Christmas.
This is a book that shows when u meet the right person that you can overcome your own personal hang ups if you love someone and if they love you also. I found this book to be inspiring. It shows what love can actually do for a person who thought they did not have any love left in there heart to give.
I would definitely suggest this book to be read by others
December 9, 2014
Dermot Alasdair has terrible memories forever associated with Christmas time. Xander Leahman came to interview job applicants, but stayed to take the job himself at his friend's craft shop. This story is about what happens when Xander who has eternal Christmas in his heart meets Dermot the grump, a heart with no Christmas in it.
This was a lovely, fun read. I am forever a sucker for the grump with a heart of gold, and the optimist who opens his life to love. This is a great story for the season, and a soft couch when it is cold outside.
This was a lovely, fun read. I am forever a sucker for the grump with a heart of gold, and the optimist who opens his life to love. This is a great story for the season, and a soft couch when it is cold outside.
Read
February 6, 2016DNF at 35%, This one just wasn't for me right now. I couldn't get into it. A book can either click for me or not.
September 10, 2017
Sweet little love story. Really liked it
August 29, 2019
Wasn't my favorite of the genre.
June 21, 2025
Dermot hates Christmas but won't tell why. Xander wants him at any cost.
December 28, 2014
4 star reveiw by Dan
Xander Leahman just doesn’t get the hot guy who owns the restaurant next to the craft store that Xander manages. He first ran into him in the late summer when he came to town to do interviews for his friend that owns the craft store. After Dermot Alasdair bumped into him and then walked away, Xander decided it was time for him to give up the high pressure corporate world and get into running a small business. Especially if that hotness worked next door!
When the story opens, it is approaching the Christmas season and Xander has been lusting after the guy ever since, but it doesn’t appear Dermot even knows he exists! It is time to make him notice, so Xander conveniently has to sweep the steps right when Dermot is on his way to the restaurant one morning, and conveniently just happens to have a cup of coffee ready for him when he comes by. All is fine until Dermot looks down at the cup, with its Christmas theme and practically runs off to the restaurant.
Dermot Alasdair runs an up and coming restaurant in the historic district of town, as I said above, right next door to the craft shop where Xander works. Something really bad happened in Dermot’s past that makes him hate Christmas. We get hints along the way, but never learn the truth of his past until late in the book. When it is revealed it is well justified. A thing like that would make anyone hate Christmas.
It turns out that Dermot certainly does know that Xander exists. He has had his eye on him but knows that Xander won’t want anything to do with him once he learns that Dermot doesn’t celebrate Christmas. After all, Xander is chronically happy, reminding Dermot of a hyperactive elf!
When Dermot ran off to the restaurant, he did it with the coffee cup clutched in his hand. This is just the opening that Xander needs to go by the restaurant for lunch and to regain the cup. Thus begins the conquest of Dermot. The road is bumpy, but can they navigate it together? Can Xander make the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes and make him enjoy the Christmas season. Will they find a happy ending? Grab the book and find out!
I really liked this book. I recommend you add it to your holiday reading list!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Xander Leahman just doesn’t get the hot guy who owns the restaurant next to the craft store that Xander manages. He first ran into him in the late summer when he came to town to do interviews for his friend that owns the craft store. After Dermot Alasdair bumped into him and then walked away, Xander decided it was time for him to give up the high pressure corporate world and get into running a small business. Especially if that hotness worked next door!
When the story opens, it is approaching the Christmas season and Xander has been lusting after the guy ever since, but it doesn’t appear Dermot even knows he exists! It is time to make him notice, so Xander conveniently has to sweep the steps right when Dermot is on his way to the restaurant one morning, and conveniently just happens to have a cup of coffee ready for him when he comes by. All is fine until Dermot looks down at the cup, with its Christmas theme and practically runs off to the restaurant.
Dermot Alasdair runs an up and coming restaurant in the historic district of town, as I said above, right next door to the craft shop where Xander works. Something really bad happened in Dermot’s past that makes him hate Christmas. We get hints along the way, but never learn the truth of his past until late in the book. When it is revealed it is well justified. A thing like that would make anyone hate Christmas.
It turns out that Dermot certainly does know that Xander exists. He has had his eye on him but knows that Xander won’t want anything to do with him once he learns that Dermot doesn’t celebrate Christmas. After all, Xander is chronically happy, reminding Dermot of a hyperactive elf!
When Dermot ran off to the restaurant, he did it with the coffee cup clutched in his hand. This is just the opening that Xander needs to go by the restaurant for lunch and to regain the cup. Thus begins the conquest of Dermot. The road is bumpy, but can they navigate it together? Can Xander make the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes and make him enjoy the Christmas season. Will they find a happy ending? Grab the book and find out!
I really liked this book. I recommend you add it to your holiday reading list!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
December 19, 2014
Christmas in His Heart is a story of opposites attracting. I identify most with Xander with his eternal optimism and his love of all things Christmas and he always has a smile for everyone. Dermot is anti-Christmas and rarely smiles.He seems to be the exact opposite, but you can tell that he does have a heart.
In the past Dermot experienced a tragedy that took place at Christmas time and it affected him strongly. He lost someone and it ended up destroying his whole family in the process. His dislike of the holidays seemed to ruin every relationship he had until he gave up on them all together. I have never been in a situation like his, but I felt like he had taken his fears and unhappiness too far, that he let him shape his life too much.
Luckily Xander is a determined character and his persistence at seeing Dermot smile never wavered. Their romance was sweet and I enjoyed seeing Dermot open up slowly to Xander’s attention. It was a sweet, slow burn build up that heated up to passionate sex. There is a moment that sets back their progress, but by that time, Dermot has felt too much to give up on the relationship completely. Christmas takes on a whole new meaning for him as he creates a new happy memory of getting back together with Dermot instead of his sad history. I really enjoyed the story and the change made in Dermot’s heart when he let Christmas in, more importantly let Xander in.
In the past Dermot experienced a tragedy that took place at Christmas time and it affected him strongly. He lost someone and it ended up destroying his whole family in the process. His dislike of the holidays seemed to ruin every relationship he had until he gave up on them all together. I have never been in a situation like his, but I felt like he had taken his fears and unhappiness too far, that he let him shape his life too much.
Luckily Xander is a determined character and his persistence at seeing Dermot smile never wavered. Their romance was sweet and I enjoyed seeing Dermot open up slowly to Xander’s attention. It was a sweet, slow burn build up that heated up to passionate sex. There is a moment that sets back their progress, but by that time, Dermot has felt too much to give up on the relationship completely. Christmas takes on a whole new meaning for him as he creates a new happy memory of getting back together with Dermot instead of his sad history. I really enjoyed the story and the change made in Dermot’s heart when he let Christmas in, more importantly let Xander in.
April 30, 2016
Sometimes love comes with baggage, and that’s the hard truth of this Christmas love story. Dermot is a chef who owns a successful restaurant. Alexander has been interested in Dermot since the first time he saw him, but unfortunately, as Christmas season approaches, the curmudgeonly Dermot becomes even more grouchy and unapproachable. Does that bother perpetually cheerful Xan? Not at all. It simply makes him up his game. One of my favorite quotes from this delightful Christmas
romance: “If you knew everything, where would hope live in your life?”
As Xan begins to woo Dermot and get him to become the friend and lover Xan needs, no one could be more surprised than Dermot, unless it’s Xan’s meddling best friend, who doesn’t see this working out in the long run. Realizing that Dermot hates Christmas, Xan avoids references to the season, even though Xan loves the holiday. Then something happens that triggers the full-on reaction that Dermot has tried to cover up for years and the two men split up. What is the root cause of Dermot’s hatred of Christmas? Is it permanent? Can their relationship be fixed?
Havan Fellows and Lee Brazil have written together and separately for a long time, and this little Christmas novella is a perfect example of why I love their collaboration. The good news is, after you fall in love with Dermot and Xan, this is the first of a series, waiting for your reading pleasure …
romance: “If you knew everything, where would hope live in your life?”
As Xan begins to woo Dermot and get him to become the friend and lover Xan needs, no one could be more surprised than Dermot, unless it’s Xan’s meddling best friend, who doesn’t see this working out in the long run. Realizing that Dermot hates Christmas, Xan avoids references to the season, even though Xan loves the holiday. Then something happens that triggers the full-on reaction that Dermot has tried to cover up for years and the two men split up. What is the root cause of Dermot’s hatred of Christmas? Is it permanent? Can their relationship be fixed?
Havan Fellows and Lee Brazil have written together and separately for a long time, and this little Christmas novella is a perfect example of why I love their collaboration. The good news is, after you fall in love with Dermot and Xan, this is the first of a series, waiting for your reading pleasure …
February 18, 2015
The first thing I need to say is that I read this book after the holidays were over. And that might have been a mistake. One gets so holiday’d out that reading a Christmas book afterwards may not reflect the book as well as if read before.
The basic storyline was good: Curmudgeon meets over-the-top boy and feels instant attraction, though he can’t stand how holiday’esque said boy is. Against his better judgment, he falls for said boy. His worst fears come to pass and he pushes said boy away. So the question lies: will he get the boy back or not?
The story between the two men was told well, but there were some huge gaping plot holes. Dermot works so hard on a project…we never see it presented, but do hear it went through. It seemed somewhat anticlimactic. Dermot’s history was hinted at and there was at least one reference that made it sound as though his parents turned on him after his brother died – that they even blamed him. And yet, at the end, that doesn’t seem to be what happened at all.
I won’t tell you what happened at the end (though the epilogue is worth the whole book), but the complete turnaround by one character…I wish there’d been a bit more buildup. It seemed off.
Anyway, I still think that the storyline was good and I adored Xander.
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
The basic storyline was good: Curmudgeon meets over-the-top boy and feels instant attraction, though he can’t stand how holiday’esque said boy is. Against his better judgment, he falls for said boy. His worst fears come to pass and he pushes said boy away. So the question lies: will he get the boy back or not?
The story between the two men was told well, but there were some huge gaping plot holes. Dermot works so hard on a project…we never see it presented, but do hear it went through. It seemed somewhat anticlimactic. Dermot’s history was hinted at and there was at least one reference that made it sound as though his parents turned on him after his brother died – that they even blamed him. And yet, at the end, that doesn’t seem to be what happened at all.
I won’t tell you what happened at the end (though the epilogue is worth the whole book), but the complete turnaround by one character…I wish there’d been a bit more buildup. It seemed off.
Anyway, I still think that the storyline was good and I adored Xander.
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
December 7, 2014
Dermot and Alexander are quite the proof that opposites attract. Dermot is down to earth, gruff but not mean, and hates Christmas, though he has a good reason to. Xander, is happy go lucky, fun-loving, all smiles and out-going.
Xander fell (almost literally the first time Dermot bumped into him. Also literally. Despite Dermot’s gruff exterior, Xander could see the hot and sexy man beneath and wanted to get to know him more.
I loved Xander. I loved his zeal and how when he wanted something he went for it. I even liked Dermot as well. I do wish we had got to know a bit more about Xander and his past, but maybe we will someday. All the characters are intriguing and the storyline is very sweet, romantic and hotter than Hell’s Kitchen.. I also liked the descriptions of the foods that Dermot was making.
If you’re looking for a fun sexy holiday story this is a good one.
If you like sexy, gruff chefs, interesting food, craft stores, Christmas mugs, intriguing food, extra sweet romance, and extremely hot man-sex all wrapped up in a nice Christmas story, this is definitely for you!!
I was given a copy for my honest opinion by mmgoodbookreviews.com
Xander fell (almost literally the first time Dermot bumped into him. Also literally. Despite Dermot’s gruff exterior, Xander could see the hot and sexy man beneath and wanted to get to know him more.
I loved Xander. I loved his zeal and how when he wanted something he went for it. I even liked Dermot as well. I do wish we had got to know a bit more about Xander and his past, but maybe we will someday. All the characters are intriguing and the storyline is very sweet, romantic and hotter than Hell’s Kitchen.. I also liked the descriptions of the foods that Dermot was making.
If you’re looking for a fun sexy holiday story this is a good one.
If you like sexy, gruff chefs, interesting food, craft stores, Christmas mugs, intriguing food, extra sweet romance, and extremely hot man-sex all wrapped up in a nice Christmas story, this is definitely for you!!
I was given a copy for my honest opinion by mmgoodbookreviews.com
December 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this story of Dermot, the grumpy chef and Xander, the happy elflike man who makes it his mission to get Dermot to smile. Dermot has his restaurant and his alley cat not a lot else. He's suffered a tragedy that has unfortunately colored his life since. Xander on the other hand is happy, smiling and shiny. Like all the time. This of course makes Dermot even more wary when Xander makes it obvious that he is clearly interested in Dermot. Much as Dermot tries to keep Xander and arm's length, it seems that even he cannot resist the happy, smiling force of nature.
As they get closer though, Dermot still is worried because in the past, none of his relationships have worked out and his requirements are a deal breaker for too many. Despite Xander's assurances that he can live with Dermot's demand, there are still doubts - at least on Dermot's part - that Xander really will stick around.
Then another near tragedy has Dermot pushing Xander away. They are both miserable. What can bring them back together? Can Dermot manage to thaw his frozen heart in order to keep the man that he loves? You'll have to read it to find out :)
As they get closer though, Dermot still is worried because in the past, none of his relationships have worked out and his requirements are a deal breaker for too many. Despite Xander's assurances that he can live with Dermot's demand, there are still doubts - at least on Dermot's part - that Xander really will stick around.
Then another near tragedy has Dermot pushing Xander away. They are both miserable. What can bring them back together? Can Dermot manage to thaw his frozen heart in order to keep the man that he loves? You'll have to read it to find out :)
December 7, 2014
This is delightful, charming, and sweet, and it's sexy holiday fun. I admit to being a sucker for holiday romance, so this was a nice treat.
I loved Dermot right away, despite his gruff exterior. I'll admit, I was kind of on his side about Xander, who would have irritated me no end with his excessive chipperness. They were a perfect odd couple, but I didn't feel like their differences were overblown.
The one thing I would have liked to see was more of what made Xander who he was. We got to know Dermot's story about his heartbreaking Christmases past and his partly self-imposed loneliness, but we never really found out what made Xander tick. I suspect there's a story hidden in there somewhere.
That aside, this was enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who wants a little Christmas cheer (especially if they want it in the form of two hot guys making a little magic together).
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
4.5 stars
Amy
I loved Dermot right away, despite his gruff exterior. I'll admit, I was kind of on his side about Xander, who would have irritated me no end with his excessive chipperness. They were a perfect odd couple, but I didn't feel like their differences were overblown.
The one thing I would have liked to see was more of what made Xander who he was. We got to know Dermot's story about his heartbreaking Christmases past and his partly self-imposed loneliness, but we never really found out what made Xander tick. I suspect there's a story hidden in there somewhere.
That aside, this was enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who wants a little Christmas cheer (especially if they want it in the form of two hot guys making a little magic together).
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
4.5 stars
Amy
March 26, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
This is such a fun joyous holiday read. Dermot is such a grinch, but he has a good reason to be. I love how Xander loves him anyway, even if he loves Christmas the most. There are some great one liners in the book. My favorite is “He’s touching my mug.” I had a great giggle over that one. I really enjoyed watching how Dermot and Xander grew together and their relationship built from acquaintances to lovers. I wanted to thump Dermot for how he broke up with Xander. But I could also tell he was hurting too. The epilogue at the very end was so cute. I loved seeing how Dermot reacted after all of his demons were laid to rest. I hope these two authors (that I love separately) write more together in the future.
Four and a half stars!
This is such a fun joyous holiday read. Dermot is such a grinch, but he has a good reason to be. I love how Xander loves him anyway, even if he loves Christmas the most. There are some great one liners in the book. My favorite is “He’s touching my mug.” I had a great giggle over that one. I really enjoyed watching how Dermot and Xander grew together and their relationship built from acquaintances to lovers. I wanted to thump Dermot for how he broke up with Xander. But I could also tell he was hurting too. The epilogue at the very end was so cute. I loved seeing how Dermot reacted after all of his demons were laid to rest. I hope these two authors (that I love separately) write more together in the future.
August 21, 2016
This is delightful, charming, and sweet, and it’s sexy holiday fun. I admit to being a sucker for holiday romance, so this was a nice treat.
I loved Dermot right away, despite his gruff exterior. I’ll admit, I was kind of on his side about Xander, who would have irritated me no end with his excessive chipperness. They were a perfect odd couple, but I didn’t feel like their differences were overblown.
The one thing I would have liked to see was more of what made Xander who he was. We got to know Dermot’s story about his heartbreaking Christmases past and his partly self-imposed loneliness, but we never really found out what made Xander tick. I suspect there’s a story hidden in there somewhere.
That aside, this was enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who wants a little Christmas cheer (especially if they want it in the form of two hot guys making a little magic together).
I loved Dermot right away, despite his gruff exterior. I’ll admit, I was kind of on his side about Xander, who would have irritated me no end with his excessive chipperness. They were a perfect odd couple, but I didn’t feel like their differences were overblown.
The one thing I would have liked to see was more of what made Xander who he was. We got to know Dermot’s story about his heartbreaking Christmases past and his partly self-imposed loneliness, but we never really found out what made Xander tick. I suspect there’s a story hidden in there somewhere.
That aside, this was enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who wants a little Christmas cheer (especially if they want it in the form of two hot guys making a little magic together).
December 13, 2014
It is difficult to fathom that this is the first Christmas Story Collaboration between these two authors. Their comfort zone is seamless and any differences in styles, to me anyway, is undetectable.
This is a very smooth and heart encompassing read. Xander and Dermot, each with their own unique characteristics and endearing qualities, are at once so easy to respect and to love; and this is continually built upon and carried throughout right to the last sentence of the tale.
There are no crevasses that the reader must leap over, no rapids to navigate, not even a snow storm to maneuver through; just a delightfully captivating fantasy to experience and savor!
This is a very smooth and heart encompassing read. Xander and Dermot, each with their own unique characteristics and endearing qualities, are at once so easy to respect and to love; and this is continually built upon and carried throughout right to the last sentence of the tale.
There are no crevasses that the reader must leap over, no rapids to navigate, not even a snow storm to maneuver through; just a delightfully captivating fantasy to experience and savor!
December 11, 2014
4 Christmas Stars for Christmas in His Heart! <3
This ARC was provided to me by the authors, through Pride Promotions, in exchange for an honest review. You can see my review at the link below:
http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com/2...
This ARC was provided to me by the authors, through Pride Promotions, in exchange for an honest review. You can see my review at the link below:
http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com/2...
December 9, 2014
We get to see two strong men. One has every reason to hate Christmas and Xander is willing to keep things simple for his man. They have so much to work through and a near disaster almost derails the whole thing. This story really gives you a great feeling for the Christmas reading season.
December 8, 2014
3.5
Just the thing to put you in the holiday mood
Just the thing to put you in the holiday mood
May 24, 2015
I see the opportunity for a sequel. I hope they keep with the holiday theme because it was a good season's read and I'm quite interested in how they progress as a couple.
January 9, 2016
wonderful holiday story , really liked it .been meaning to read it for a whileand never got to it
so i made sure to purchase it and finally read it :)
so i made sure to purchase it and finally read it :)
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