Mine for Christmas

by A.D. Lawless

Matt Westin was shocked when he ran into Cody, his grade-school best friend—pleased, but shocked. Devastatingly handsome was an understatement when it came to Cody, with his hazel eyes, wide smiles, and broad shoulders.

It was less shocking, months later, when Matt found out just how far he’d go for Cody. A desperate request for Matt to play his boyfriend over Christmas and save him from his mom’s meddling blind-date plans completely hammered that fact home.

Matt couldn’t resist saying yes, not when it meant getting closer to Cody. The only question was how would he ever be able to let him go when it was over?

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

ebook

First published December 18, 2017

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

An adorable friends to lovers Christmas short that was equal parts sexy and sweet.

Mine for Christmas is about two college students, Matt and Cody. Matt and Cody knew each other growing up, but hadn’t seen each other in a few years. Until their sophomore year of college when they ended up being lab partners. They’ve become friends and both have a crush one one another. Everyone realizes this… except the two of them.

When Cody needs a ‘date’ for a Christmas Eve party his parents throw every year he takes Matt. It’s either that, or his mom will try to set him up with a guy he has no interest in. Matt and Cody go as friends even though everyone else thinks their dating. Soon enough, their true feelings get revealed.

This was a light and fun Christmas read that had just enough steam. I really enjoyed it and only wish it was a little longer. It took me a little less than an hour to read, and was a nice way to end my night.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a cute friends-to-lovers story, the writing was not my thing.

What I noticed when I started was how the writing didn’t seem to have a nice flow. We are immediately thrust into the most important thoughts of our main characters and I kind of wanted to get to know them a little more first.

Some emotions also didn’t make a lot of sense, like how the brother was ‘fuming’ when Matt made a joke. Sure, he could be the most humorless brother in history, but to me it felf a bit out of place. Irritated perhaps would have been a better word in this case.

What I also found hilarious is that when Matt fell through the ice and he needed to be warmed up, Matt and Cody could only come up with a naked Cody to keep Matt warm. Now, that might sounds like a cheap porno, and yes, it felt that way to me too. I mean, the guy could at least keep his underwear on if all he wanted was to get Matt warm. The heat of dick wasn’t going to prevent frostbite! Well, I guess Matt and Cody thought so.

Now it may sound like it was all bad, and that wasn’t the case. It was kind of cute overall, and if you don’t expect too much, you will enjoy this.

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An ARC of Mine for Christmas was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 STARS

This was a short and cute read. Friends to lovers storyline. It would've been better if it was longer.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Matt and Cody were friends when they were 9, but circumstances and life happened and they fell into different groups of friends and completely lost touch. Until the fall semester of college. They shared the same Chem class and both ending up crushing on each other secretly.

Matt lives with his older brother and has no other family, so he's got no plans for the holiday to speak of. When Cody calls and needs a favor, he can't say no.

Cody's parents are constantly setting him up with high class douches and he's sick of it. So he tells a little white lie that snowballs and suddenly he's begging Matt to pretend to be his boyfriend and come to his family dinner as such.

This was a cute, short story of friends to lovers that was really really sweet. For being a short as it was there wasn't a ton to the plot line, but it moved along well and ended on a very happy note.

*Galley copy graciously given in exchange for an honest review*

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a fairly large number of possible variations of a “pretend boyfriend” scenario, but I find this one particularly cute: not only are Matt and Cody best friends before things start, their “scheme” also takes place at Christmas. It’s all because Cody’s mother keeps setting him up with blind dates and always picks men Cody would never consider dating material – but this year Cody decides enough is enough and tells her he has a boyfriend – before thinking it through. Watching him and Matt deal with the fallout was great fun!


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

eProof was given by publisher, NineStar Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. NetGalley Review can be found here

This is a light, fluffy (at times cheesy) M/M novella with a Happily Ever After (HEA) that would make perfect Christmas Eve, reading in a blanket den with a big mug of hot chocolate.

One of my main issues is that once the main characters, Matt and Cody realise that they both have feelings for each other and have oral sex, they said I love you and called each other "baby" and "sweetheart". Yes, I get they fancied each other for years, but still...

It's really a pacing problem, but this made me super aware of the pace this novella/short story was going.

Was light and fun Christmas read. Very much like a made-for-TV Christmas movie. And a nice reading break from Gilded Cage (which I am enjoying, but with all the Brexit drama hitting the UK at the moment, I need something fun)

[Nicole Diskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was Lucky enough to get this short sweet holiday story thanks to Net Galley and Nine Star Press!
Mine for Christmas was the short sweetly romantic tale of Matt and Cody childhood friends forced to act as something more, and when that act becomes real? that's when the sparks really start to fly! This was so holiday so sweet an so worth the quick read! Great job A.D. Lawless and Nine Star Press!!

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was like watching a Hallmark movie. You know where it's going, you know something will happen to make them share their feelings and you know it's an HEA. It's cute and sweet, with likeable characters.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and I loved it!

[Tracie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short quick read, Mine for Christmas is a good m/m romance. I liked this story and the character and would look to read more by this author

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a short, but fun read!! Matt and Cody used to be friends in high school, but drifted apart. Funny, one day in college, they end up being in the same chem class and are lab partners. The sparks are still there, but neither wants to put themselves out there and topple the apple cart, so they seem content to not mess things up and just be good friends.

When Cody's mom wants to set him up with a blind date for Christmas, he's desperate! He begs Matt to pretend to be his boyfriend. Matt doesn't know if his heart can take faking being Cody's boyfriend. He knows it will do some serious hurt to him, but he can not give up the chance to see what it would feel like having Cody as his. Even if it is for just a couple of days.

I loved how these two had a past and it wasn't traumatic-just a drifting apart. It was refreshing that they found each other again and were once again ,friends. Both Matt and Cody were likeable characters. They were both thoughtful and sweet! I liked the premise of the book and even though we knew the end game, I enjoyed the journey getting there!

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mine for Christmas" is a sweet friends-to-lovers Christmas story with plenty of cute scenes as Matt and Cody realize they love one another in the process of pretending to be boyfriends to keep Cody's mother's matchmaking at bay. There are cozy scenes of drinking cocoa and picking out a tree, a dramatic scene where Matt falls through the ice while they are skating (and requires full body naked warming from Cody) and other adorable moments.

While this story is sweet, it lacks any sizzle between Matt and Cody and feels overly predictable. For me, personally, I guess I wanted just a bit more of something deeper or different. But then again, this is a short Christmas love story and if you are looking for a light read, this is quick and enjoyable. 3.5 stars.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[One chapter more · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novel about spirit of Christmas.

Cody to avoid his mom setting him up again with a guy he knew he wouldn't feel anything to, asks his best friend Matt to pretend to be his boyfriend and invites him over for family Christmas Eve party. He doesn't know yet that magic of Christmas is real and lies could easily be someone's dreams to come true.

Ok. It was a short novel so I shouldn't have expected for it to be too developed but I did and... Was disappointed. I know it's my fault but this story didn't really need the course words put across it or we should have had more details about Cody's and Matt's life. True- the story itself was delightful and charming but I feel like I expected more.

Altogether I believe I would love if this novel was a little bit longer and had more depth as I really did like the characters and would love to get to know them better.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and publishers.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was completely sweet and all things good about the friends-to-lovers trope. Matt was quirky cute and has been quashing his crush on Cody for quite a while. It gives him a little more to pull from as they fake their way through playing it up for Cody's family. Cody's surprisingly cute-awkward about his feelings though, and the ease with which he accepts his desire for more takes the angst out of the equation. The shock on the ice was thankfully not too dramatic and served as just the right amount of push for both of them to move their friendship into the "more" they both want so much. And their confessions were definitely the right amount of cute to match their steamy session. Such a great story that had me smiling on the outside.

[Jennifer Shanahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute short adorable Christmas read! Too short for any deep story line but just enough for a Merry Christmas story. Matt and Cody were estranged friends reunited in college. They both really like each other but won't tell the other because they doubt the each other's feelings. Cody asks Matt to be his fake boyfriend for Christmas to avoid his mom's meddling and when they spend the weekend at Cody's family's house, they get closer as time progresses. CUTE holiday romance! Thanks for the ARC NG!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww! Cue the goofy smile! This little fake boyfriend goodie is about Cody and Matt who grew up together, drifted apart and then became friends again. Both are hopelessly in love with each other but neither is aware. Really enjoyed the holiday celebrations and the lovely way they discovered their love for each other. Interestingly this rocks a Cate Ashwood vibe. For some reason, the MCs reminded me of a few of her books. Anyway, yes, cue the goofy smile.

[slaygela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and christmassy (a bit sappy?)!!
Even though, it was short I got to know the characters a bit. I wish there was a bit more background to make it all more believable. The whole story idea was kinda basic BUT I’m a sucker for friends to lovers trope ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ overall, I had fun + it helped me procrastinate on uni stuff which is always appreciated 🙃 Basically, it served its purpose (as a short story) - shaky 4 stars, more like 3.5 (I’m being nice so the rating is higher ;)))))).

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this charming love story. It's so well written and flowed so well that I couldn't stop until I'd read every word from start to finish. Pretend boyfriends is always adorable and with the holiday twist it just leaves you feeling all warm inside. Just enough drama to keep you invested without losing the good feelings. Can't wait to read more work from this author.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story

Short sweet good Christmas story. Just enough emotion and a dat danger to open closed eyes and reach for what you want

[Jaimed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

This is a decent read. Friends crushing on each other and thinking the other isn't interested. Fake relationship ensues and then a accident occurs.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick little Christmas romance with crush on a friend and a pretend relationship. Its sweet but pretty shallow as to characterization.

A nice way to pass the eventing but not memorable.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fake dating story with a bunch of other tropes thrown on top, I loved it :D A perfect short story for christmas eve :)

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. Just a cute little bit of Christmas fluff. I just don't think it's the type of story that's going to stick with me.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Such a perfect friends to lovers story. Matt and Cody were friends as children but lost track of each other over the years but quickly begin their friendship again and grow close. Cody puts them in an almost impossible situation but it helps push their feeling out into the open.

It was funny how much these two have had crushes on each other but being oblivious to the other’s feelings. I loved how Cody’s family quickly accepts Matt into their midst and it makes Cody feel so much more for him. This was so sweet and a perfect holiday story.

I like the cover art by Natasha Snow is great and the standard for holiday shorts this year.

[Kristīne Vītola · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 fake boyfriends for Christmas stars.

[etoile1996 · Rating 4 out of 5]

in mine for christmas a super cute holiday novella, matt has had a crush on cody for years but thinks he's been friend-zoned. when cody asks him to join him for christmas as his pretend boyfriend, things start to feel real.

this is a very short novella, but the characters are sweet and when they admit their true feelings for each other, it gives you all those feel-good emotions that a holiday story should.

**mine for christmas will publish on november 26, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/ninestar press in exchange for my honest review.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fluffy Christmas read. The characters aren't too fully developed beyond their past, what they take in school and their family situation, but for a novella, doing so would take away from pages that could be filled with plot. Their relationship ramps up pretty quickly, and much of what we see of their friendship is them crushing on each other, so I was a little disappointed that there wasn't so much a friends to lovers relationship but a "we were friends in grade school, drifted apart and think the other is really hot as an adult" sort of deal. It's a perfect Christmas romance though, with ice skating, snuggling and tree decorating. Definitely worth the read if you need some quick Christmas fluff.