What do you think?
Rate this book
Victorian Holiday Hearts #1
Simon and the Christmas Spirit
Listening Length: 2 hours and 4 minutes
A Christmas trifle from Devon/Dee.
The holiday spirit has forsaken Simon Harris. A recent reminder of the man who used and then left him sends lonely Simon on a glum visit to his club to while away a few hours. A breath of fresh air in the form of Christopher Andrews is about to enter his stale life. Performer of many talents and faces, Christopher gained entrée into the club to win money at cards. Unfortunately, he's losing. But the evening needn't be a complete disappointment as he strikes up a friendship with a gentleman which ends in a bedroom. Simon and Christopher enjoy a few hours of pleasure together, never expecting to see each other again, but Simon's newfound resolution to change might just transform both their holidays.
A short story, which includes a brief excerpt. Simon and Christopher's future will appear in our next short: Will and the Valentine Saint.
A Christmas trifle from Devon/Dee.
The holiday spirit has forsaken Simon Harris. A recent reminder of the man who used and then left him sends lonely Simon on a glum visit to his club to while away a few hours. A breath of fresh air in the form of Christopher Andrews is about to enter his stale life. Performer of many talents and faces, Christopher gained entrée into the club to win money at cards. Unfortunately, he's losing. But the evening needn't be a complete disappointment as he strikes up a friendship with a gentleman which ends in a bedroom. Simon and Christopher enjoy a few hours of pleasure together, never expecting to see each other again, but Simon's newfound resolution to change might just transform both their holidays.
A short story, which includes a brief excerpt. Simon and Christopher's future will appear in our next short: Will and the Valentine Saint.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 8, 2015
9 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Summer Devon
62 books227 followersSummer Devon is the pen name writer Kate Rothwell often uses. Whether the characters are male or female, human or dragon, her books are always romance.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
You can visit her facebook page, where there's a sign up form for a newsletter (she'll only send out newsletters when there's a new Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell release and she will never ever sell your name to anyone).
Her blog is available here.
She also has a blog with Bonnie Dee, a frequent co-author. It's mostly just announcements, but we might do good give-aways on occasion.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 24, 2019
A charming twist on A Christmas Carol. No one can perform Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee's historicals quite like Cornell Collins. If you're in the mood for a little Christmas spirit (or Christmas in July like I was), Simon and the Christmas Spirit will suit you perfectly.
Read
April 2, 20163.75 stars
This was a surprisingly sweet Christmas novella.
This was a surprisingly sweet Christmas novella.
January 4, 2018
My first Christmas read of 2015 and it made me incredibly happy. I love a charming historical holiday tale and this had the charm in spades.
December 11, 2020
The man was a party, a celebration of life unto himself, and Simon couldn't help but be buoyed along on such a wild current.
This was super cute! I love reading historical Christmas stories; they somehow deliver twice the cosy vibes. This was very short, but worked really well as the beginning of a love story. A charming thespian/confidence man meets a lonely aristocrat a few days before Christmas, and they end up forging a connection. I do love lonely troubled heroes, and I felt deeply for Simon. And I also love scrappy resourceful scrappy heroes, so Christopher was a delight! The found family aspects were a great touch, and it was just really feel-good in general.
A short cute cosy read.
April 20, 2023
Short, compelling, and inoffensive.
June 22, 2018
Aww so sweet Xmas novela!
The Mcs come from 2 different worlds but their first night together help the two of them and everything ends with a super HEA :D
The Mcs come from 2 different worlds but their first night together help the two of them and everything ends with a super HEA :D
May 11, 2023
Not all short-stories read like an epic adventure. Some just give a bear bones performance. Yet Bonnie Dee never fails to entertain!
November 20, 2015
3.5 stars
I was pretty blindsided with the release of this short story. I didn't know that one of my favorite writing duos Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon would've released a holiday story. I only found out about it when I visited ARe website and saw that it was part of the 'recently added' titles.
I thought this was really lovely. I thought it was a 'twist' of Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol. After being reminded by the 'ghost' from his past, a man who used him for his money then left him, Simon Harris felt lonely and melancholy enough, he found himself visiting his club to temporarily forget. Then the form of Christopher Andrews, performer and optimist, changes Simon's life for the better future. Christopher was a darling and simply the man that Simon needed.
The ending was simply buoyed with Christmas spirit, complete with rag-tag family members and strays that reminded me of Bob Cratchit's big family, a Santa Claus costume, and lots of lots presents. 'Tis the season to be jolly and ho ho ho may your Christmas be merry :)
PS: Summer Devon hinted that she and Bonnie Dee were talking about Will's story which made me pretty hopeful. Will is Christopher's brother, and believe me you WANT his story as well.
I was pretty blindsided with the release of this short story. I didn't know that one of my favorite writing duos Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon would've released a holiday story. I only found out about it when I visited ARe website and saw that it was part of the 'recently added' titles.
I thought this was really lovely. I thought it was a 'twist' of Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol. After being reminded by the 'ghost' from his past, a man who used him for his money then left him, Simon Harris felt lonely and melancholy enough, he found himself visiting his club to temporarily forget. Then the form of Christopher Andrews, performer and optimist, changes Simon's life for the better future. Christopher was a darling and simply the man that Simon needed.
The ending was simply buoyed with Christmas spirit, complete with rag-tag family members and strays that reminded me of Bob Cratchit's big family, a Santa Claus costume, and lots of lots presents. 'Tis the season to be jolly and ho ho ho may your Christmas be merry :)
PS: Summer Devon hinted that she and Bonnie Dee were talking about Will's story which made me pretty hopeful. Will is Christopher's brother, and believe me you WANT his story as well.
November 18, 2020
Audible Review
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
Sweet Christmas story.
Simon and the Christmas Spirit was a short, sweet, slightly somber little holiday listen. It was equal parts melancholy and hopeful and my Christmas wish is that Simon and Christopher find a way to be happy together!
Cornell Collins is so outstanding, I love listening to him perform historical stories like these- he can do no wrong.
Borrowed through Plus and I look forward to listening to more in this series!
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
Sweet Christmas story.
Simon and the Christmas Spirit was a short, sweet, slightly somber little holiday listen. It was equal parts melancholy and hopeful and my Christmas wish is that Simon and Christopher find a way to be happy together!
Cornell Collins is so outstanding, I love listening to him perform historical stories like these- he can do no wrong.
Borrowed through Plus and I look forward to listening to more in this series!
December 15, 2018
Audio Review 15Dec2018: 4.2 Stars
Oh thank you sweet baby Jebus. I was beginning to despair that all my Holiday audiobook listens were gonna be just average and then I heard Cornell Collins' sweet dulcet tones narrate this lovely and sort of Dickens-ish tale, performing his amazing accents, and my faith was renewed. I really liked the book originally and he made it just that much better!
Original Rating 05Dec2016: 4 Stars
Oh thank you sweet baby Jebus. I was beginning to despair that all my Holiday audiobook listens were gonna be just average and then I heard Cornell Collins' sweet dulcet tones narrate this lovely and sort of Dickens-ish tale, performing his amazing accents, and my faith was renewed. I really liked the book originally and he made it just that much better!
Original Rating 05Dec2016: 4 Stars
December 7, 2017
Charming Christmas tale!
November 23, 2015
4.5 - review soon at bmbr.
November 7, 2021
Cute and sweet tale of a good old fashioned Dickens Christmas fused with guy on guy action. Heart warming and heart racing. It's only faults are being too short and offering a HFN vs. HEA.
Read
December 12, 2022And that finishes up my 2021 holiday reading on a positive note!
March 26, 2023
I did not finish a 2 hour listen. Narration was fine.
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
Follow my reviews at https://hemmelm.blogspot.com/
January 18, 2021
Simon & the Christmas Spirit was sweet, fun, cute and short.
August 26, 2021
⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️
October 21, 2021
I honestly gave it 3 starts because it's a Christmas story, and I love Christmas stories. But really, I never felt connected to the MCs. Plus, Christopher has a big family, and the fact that they were all introduced or referred to in the last two chapters confused me more than anything.
I feel bad for Will though. I'm debating reading his story.
I feel bad for Will though. I'm debating reading his story.
November 11, 2015
Scrooge Would be Envious
Out of nowhere appears this short novella from two long-time mistresses of M/M historical romance, just in time for Christmas, and a twist on A Christmas Carol that even the most cynical would forgive.
Simon is rich, thrown over by his selfish greedy lover, lonely and quite boring--as he has suddenly come to realize. Christopher is trying to be the financial bastion of a theatrical family that includes his younger brother Will, and a variety of hangers on.
That they should meet by happenstance and begin their own little tryst with neither of them hoping for more but longing for everything is handled in such a sweet, angst-free and jolly way that you will shake your head in wonder at how Ms. Devon and Ms. Dee literally get away with how this is all resolved.
While I have been informed by one of the authors that this is a stand-alone (and it is), there is a hint that one of the characters herein may get his own tale some day. But in this one, Simon and Christopher croon their own Christmas carol without missing a note. Tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laaaaaah!
Out of nowhere appears this short novella from two long-time mistresses of M/M historical romance, just in time for Christmas, and a twist on A Christmas Carol that even the most cynical would forgive.
Simon is rich, thrown over by his selfish greedy lover, lonely and quite boring--as he has suddenly come to realize. Christopher is trying to be the financial bastion of a theatrical family that includes his younger brother Will, and a variety of hangers on.
That they should meet by happenstance and begin their own little tryst with neither of them hoping for more but longing for everything is handled in such a sweet, angst-free and jolly way that you will shake your head in wonder at how Ms. Devon and Ms. Dee literally get away with how this is all resolved.
While I have been informed by one of the authors that this is a stand-alone (and it is), there is a hint that one of the characters herein may get his own tale some day. But in this one, Simon and Christopher croon their own Christmas carol without missing a note. Tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laaaaaah!
December 26, 2017
Cute, a little too syrupy and diabetes inducing for me - but it is the time of the year I always get maudlin so it was probably good for me. Besides, I really did like both the guys and their chemistry together and, though it was short, the story did make me care about them. Ends really abruptly, though. (Didn't help that my kindle said there were still six minutes left in the chapter when the story ends.)
August 25, 2016
Cute series. Third book is the best one for sure! First two are too short. The Andrews family is wonderful and funny to read about.
October 25, 2016
Reread. I've no idea why I didn't rate this the first time.
November 12, 2024
Victorian era, class difference, m/m romance. Short and sweet.
Simon (a well to do gentleman is lonely and broken hearted after he discovers his lover had only been using him for $ and doesn’t actual care for him.
Simon meets Christopher at his gentleman’s club. Only Christopher isn’t actually a member there. Christopher’s brother, Will - (the MC of the next story in the series) is a waiter at the club. And he sneaks Christopher in to try to win $ at cards to help their large family pay for Christmas.
After a sultry rendevous in one of the upstairs rooms, Simon and Christopher part ways, not thinking it possible to meet again.
However, neither man can get the other out of his mind.
When Simon learns that Will got fired from his position at the club, and on Christmas Eve, Simon feels guilty and responsible. Simon/Christopher are in fact a bit to blame, in a round about way— which only makes sense given the time period’s atrocious exploitation of “lessers”, tendency to devalue “the help” and de-humanize the lower classes altogether). So Simon decides to actually follow up on Christopher’s invitation to join his family’s Christmas Day celebrations. Simon shows up at Christopher’s overcrowded home made up of family, friends and “refugees” from the streets. Simon brings lots of presents and food, dressed up as Santa for the children— and it’s very sweet. Simon reveals how smitten he truly is with Christopher, despite all the obstacles of social/class differences. And for once Simon feels a part of a grateful/loving family… as Christopher helps Simon out of his father Christmas attire -wink wink- sexy time.
Simon (a well to do gentleman is lonely and broken hearted after he discovers his lover had only been using him for $ and doesn’t actual care for him.
Simon meets Christopher at his gentleman’s club. Only Christopher isn’t actually a member there. Christopher’s brother, Will - (the MC of the next story in the series) is a waiter at the club. And he sneaks Christopher in to try to win $ at cards to help their large family pay for Christmas.
After a sultry rendevous in one of the upstairs rooms, Simon and Christopher part ways, not thinking it possible to meet again.
However, neither man can get the other out of his mind.
When Simon learns that Will got fired from his position at the club, and on Christmas Eve, Simon feels guilty and responsible. Simon/Christopher are in fact a bit to blame, in a round about way— which only makes sense given the time period’s atrocious exploitation of “lessers”, tendency to devalue “the help” and de-humanize the lower classes altogether). So Simon decides to actually follow up on Christopher’s invitation to join his family’s Christmas Day celebrations. Simon shows up at Christopher’s overcrowded home made up of family, friends and “refugees” from the streets. Simon brings lots of presents and food, dressed up as Santa for the children— and it’s very sweet. Simon reveals how smitten he truly is with Christopher, despite all the obstacles of social/class differences. And for once Simon feels a part of a grateful/loving family… as Christopher helps Simon out of his father Christmas attire -wink wink- sexy time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2021
SIMON GIVES CHRISTMAS TO CHRISTOPHER’S FAMILY
Simon is an aristocrat in the 1840s. Christopher is an actor who is trying to make money to buy the family’s children Christmas presents. They are both gay and find a way to reveal a card cheat and have a tryst in Simon’s club, which Christopher has crashed. This is a cute M/M version of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. A lovely story of how life for the gay community was in the 19th century.
Simon is an aristocrat in the 1840s. Christopher is an actor who is trying to make money to buy the family’s children Christmas presents. They are both gay and find a way to reveal a card cheat and have a tryst in Simon’s club, which Christopher has crashed. This is a cute M/M version of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. A lovely story of how life for the gay community was in the 19th century.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2019
I adored the beginning/meeting Christopher. But it lost much attention after their first meeting, until the last scene or two. Enjoyable little story. It seems it was adding some foundation for the other books in the series.
March 9, 2021
2,5 stars rounded up
Read as part of Victorian Holiday Hearts: a Boxed Set
Read as part of Victorian Holiday Hearts: a Boxed Set
December 26, 2017
Enjoyable little historical christmas tale, that ends on a HFN note.
March 5, 2018
3.5 stars
August 29, 2019
SERIES BEST IF READ IN ORDER - THIS IS BOOK 1
A very enjoyable period seasonal novella.
A very enjoyable period seasonal novella.
December 19, 2019
Quite a delightful holiday read! I only wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt; I would have loved to get a more final resolution between the pair.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews