All is not sparkly snowflakes and sweet candy canes in North Pole City. Office workers Tim and Noel do nothing all day but antagonize each other—petty fighting that might be based on hatred… or a heated mutual attraction. It’s up to Jack Frost and his elf-friend Rudy to broach the hostilities and introduce some Christmas kisses, but is the Frost Prince up to the challenge of launching a new romance when someone’s trying to break his holiday spirit?
Step into a world of romance, humor, and heart-pounding action with Charlie Cochet, the international bestselling author behind the captivating THIRDS series. Embrace a fusion of Cuban flair and American charm as you dive into her stories with unforgettable characters and a dash of delightful mayhem.
Fueled by a love for classic rock and Cuban lattes, Charlie resides in Central Florida with her rascally Doxiepoo and a very opinionated German Shepherd. When she isn’t writing, she’s losing herself in a whirlwind of books and movies.
Charlie’s stories will stir your imagination and ignite your passion. So grab your favorite coffee, turn up the music, and prepare for your next adventure.
A very sweet holiday story... but was I the only one that thought Noel should have done way more groveling?
I love holiday stories. Little seasonal tales of love and forgiveness never fail to put a smile on my face.
This was a really cute audiobook about two North Pole workers. I was actually pretty impressed at the amount of world building involved in this story. This wasn't just a bunch of elves and Santa in the North Pole. There was a whole class system, a more sinister underbelly, and a police-type force in this fictional world. I enjoyed the whole light tone of the story, made even better by a very nice narration from Dave Gillies.
My small issues with the story came with Noel's behavior. I thought that he was grumpy and juvenile to the point where I didn't see Tim's attraction to him at all. I wanted more emotion and more begging for forgiveness from Noel. I also thought that Tim was a bit of a wet noodle. He sort of took everything that Noel dished out and didn't have much of a backbone.
Though the relationship dynamic between the two of them wasn't the strongest, I was still swept away by the story. It was fun escapism and a very nice way to spend an hour or two. It was a cheery listen and just right for the beginning of the holiday season.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
How to make quarantine psychosis worse? Read a bizarre gay romance of two elves who work in the North Pole and get caught up in the Rat King's scheming against Jack Frost - who is, by the way, the boyfriend of Rudy the red-headed rein dear.
This book is the equivalent of a fever-dream at Christmastime.
3.80 stars It's not a historical romance "sniff" and it threw me for a bit but once I got stuck into it I loved it and the elves were adorable. Tim cut a sad and lonely figure getting the rough treatment from Noel, who picked on him constantly, the twit. Feelings of inadequacy and love always cause misunderstandings but with some sound advice from Jack, Noel comes around, at least Tim gives him a bit of his own medicine. Delightful fantasy and the Rudy and Jack side story was just as appealing.
I don't mind the author branching out in a different direction, as long as the historicals keep coming!
Set in Cochet’s awesomely imagined North Pole City, this story features a budding romance between co-worker elves Tim and Noel. Tim may be the runt of the litter but he’s a total sweetheart, he just can’t work out why grumpy pants Noel is always on his case.
After witnessing some bad guys plotting against Jack the Frost Prince, Tim and Noel are forced into close quarters for their own safety, under the protection of the Rein Dear Squadron leader Rudy. While Tim and Noel are stuck together, emotions run high and each reveal some hidden truths about themselves, including their secret feelings for one another.
I adored this little Christmassy treat! The world building was totally kick ass; I loved how Cochet took so many of the elements we know and love about Christmas and weaved them together to create this fun and cute little story set in the North Pole.
I'm seriously excited to read more, particularly where Rudy and Jack are concerned.
Tongue in cheek, this was the wonderful world of winterland and Christmas lore reimagined, and it was all sorts of smart and sugary and adorable!
Tim and Noel are elves in North Pole City, and they clash in every which way. When Tim stumbles upon a possible conspiracy, his help is wanted by the prince, Jack Frost himself. Despite outward appearances indicating that Noel can’t stand Tim, he’s not going to let Tim take all the risk in catching the bad guys.
The premise here is definitely promising, and it’s the little details that make this shine. I wanted more to this too short story - thankfully, there’s 5 sequels to dive into!!
Well, I thought I was going to get a sweet little holiday read. What I got was an asshole hero for 50% of the book. Tim was depressing in the beginning and Noel was just a mean ass. I think it was just too short for me to really believe in the two of them. Noel does come around but as I said, it was just too short to make me like him. I liked the writing and it really had the potential to be much better if it was longer.
Holy Holly, I had to take a BIG Jumpin' Jack Frost Leap of Faith on this one. Within two pages I was thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" Thank Tinsel I read on; what a Pretty Present this turned out to be. So, Heighten your Holiday and don't be afraid to climb up on Santa's lap to read this Twink'ling Tale of Christmas Cheer.
A really fun and clever spin on life in the North Pole. Incredibly adorable and sweet but never overly so, just like the right amount of marshmallows in the hot chocolate kind of sweet.
I loved all the characters. Shy Tim, gruff Noel, and the secondary characters of Rudy and Jack Frost. I'm still grinning thinking about this book. Recommended.
OK let me start off by saying I will do what I want. I love Christmas. So to cheer my self up, I'm going to read this series. ( what's that nobody care- AWESOME)
I loved this book. There is so much in just 54 pages. It a perfect set up for the series. This is Noel and Tim book. Noel is a a** who love to pick on Tim. Tim is a sweet hart that can forgive. Towards the end you can see them being a cute couple that complements each other. There is also a little bit of mystery too. I would recommend this to EVERYONE
I was so used to Ms. Cochet's historical stories, that this story took me by surprised because it was a fantasy (albeit one that was familiar myth). The beginning was a bit rough for me to follow; again because I wasn't expecting a fantasy. It started with Tim being grumpy because he was alone at the office filing invoices. But wait, there was Abominable Administrative Department for more magical pastures", "elves", "Mayor Kringle’s Construction Firm", "Frost King", "Rein Dear Squadron" ... and I thought, WAIT-A-MINUTE!! I needed a time to adjust my frame of mind, which put a halt on my enjoyment of reading the story.
HOWEVER, characters wise, they were adorable. Tim and Noel were the main casts, with Jack Frost and Rudy (no, Rudy was not a reindeer, though he WAS the leader of Rein Dear Squadron -- get it?) as secondary characters.
Tim was a runt, though his father was a heroic toy soldier and his mother was one of the most beautiful sugarplum fairies, Tim didn't possess the right skill or feature to be a hero. But he actually cared for Noel, his supervisor, even if he made Tim's life miserable.
Noel, well. Noel was a jerk at first. He seemed to have it at Tim. But you know how it is, that can be a sign of true love? :). Turns out that Noel held a secret ... which punched me on the gut slightly when it was revealed: . Because of that, Noel didn't think he was good enough for Tim.
The secondary love story between Rudy and Jack Frost, who have been together for more than two centuries was sweet. Added with a sort of conspiracy to kill Jack Frost, in which Tim and Noel ended up helping both Jack and Rudy to uncover the bad guys, it added the sense of adventure to this romance-fantasy.
Again, it was a different offer from Ms. Cochet. I appreciate the idea. But since it didn't go as smoothly for me to enjoy it, that I suffered from all the confusions, it wasn't enough for my idea of 4-stars reading.
PS: No sex. Those who are looking for smut, you will be disappointed.
This might be the MOST adorbs thing I have ever read.
Ok, so I’l admit, starting out, I had trouble getting into this. I mean, all I could picture when I was reading a story about elves and living in the North Pole and working for Mayor Kringle was those old school clay-mation holiday films and how everyone looks miniaturized. And then my mind went to the movie “Elf” with Will Ferrell and I was certain there was no going back from there.
BUT…when I convinced myself that these were real’ish men living in a real city that just…had magical powers and over-the-top holiday cheer, I was able to come back into it. And having done that, I wanted to hug it.
I’m not a Noel fan. I mean, I get why he was so grumpy. But there’s a line between being grouchy at someone and actually trying to ruin there lives. And I think he crossed it with Tim. But Tim, I could hug and squeeze, and hang out with all day long. And don’t get me started on the hotness that was Rudy & Jack (looking forward to reading their story: “The Heart of Frost”.
By the end, the book had me smiling with joy and that’s what’s important with this holiday shorts. So yay for this one!
“Holy Holly!” This story is sweet, sweet adorableness!
Tim is the sweetest elf ever! Smiles, goodness, and clumsy cuteness aplenty. I want to smother him with kisses! But Noel, his supervisor in the Abominable Administrative Department, is a big bully making Tim’s life miserable. One nippy, snow covered night of danger and mystery send Tim and Noel to places they only dreamed of though. A twist of fate that has Tim wondering if maybe, just maybe there is a reason behind Noel’s grumpy, growling ways.
I loved this holiday-ish world filled with magic, gingerbread, elves, Kringles, toy soldiers, and more. Charlie Cochet creates a land alive with color, smells, and flavors. I could smell and taste the peppermint juleps, cinnamon swirls, and hot cocoa. See the reds and silvers sparkle. Feel the soft robes and warm fires on my skin. *sigh* I loved spending time in this heartwarming little world.
I wouldn’t have minded a bit more….
Mending Noel will have you cuddling up with your loved ones in front of the Christmas tree. Pure holiday love and joy!
This short Christmas novella was all I could have hoped it to be. I was intrigued by the whole North Pole City idea, with a Mayor Kringle, Frost King, Jack Frost, Rudy Rein Dear and lots of other elves. The author has created a jolly, fun world to set these stories in and the first was a truly stunning tale. Tim and Noel's story was a joy to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series! What awesome Christmas fun!
* Clapping hands with sparkly glee* Sweet, magical and a proper little Xmas cracker!!! Fun with a little twinkle of elf intrigue, some elftastic romance and a dollop of festive fun... What's not to love. Ho ho ho!
Grumpy elves. The North Pole. Rudy the Rein Dear. This story basically exploded in Santa jizz all over my Kindle, and I adored every moment of it.
The worldbuilding in this story is so fun with cute turns of phrases and clever little plays on words for the various persons and magical beings who inhabit the North Pole and make the magic of Christmas possible. I just loved stepping into the fantasy world of the North Pole that Mending Noel creates so effortlessly.
The MC elves were initially a little hard to warm up to for me. We're first introduced to Tim, the beleaguered and down-on-himself office elf who doesn't do anything remotely cool like the cookie bakers or the toy makers. No, he's an office elf, and to make things worse, his boss Noel treats Tim like Noel has received a coal in his stocking every damn year. Poor Tim.
The beauty of this story is that, even though I wasn't warming up too much to Tim OR Noel, the way they resolve their differences -- and the reasons for said differences -- was totally believable in a magical fairy tale kind of way. I even got a little choked up and teary eyed when I found out why poor Noel was behaving the way he was. It was so sweet, and the way Tim handled everything was even sweeter. Hey, it's a Christmas story, and I can like 'em sticky-sweet if I want to!
Mending Noel is a clean romance. That is to say, there are kisses and some light petting, but nothing happens below the belt. I was a little bummed because (call me a perv!) I wanted to see some hot elf-on-elf action. Alas, I had to make do with my imagination. Even so, this story was perfect for the holidays and a wonderful addition to my Santa jizz arsenal. Highly recommended for those who like their stories sweet and fantastical!
Silly & sweet. Sparkly tinsel treat. Giddy and light-hearted with a guarantee of holiday giggles. Tim & Noel are elves at the North Pole. They begin with a bumpy relationship that tosses them into a sticky situation. Lots of fluff, lots of cheese, and lots of fun. Adorable characters and amusing descriptions wrapped into a cute holiday novella. Grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy this cheerful and amusing Christmassy tale. *3 holly-fun stars*
Super super cute and (for me anyways) quite funny introduction to this festive themed series from Charlie Cochet.
I've owned these books for years but had never got round to reading them. Charlie's re-released them all with new covers so I bought them all over again and am now making my way through.
They're short enough for a lunchtime read imho or a just before bed with a cup of tea read and they're just lovely, not overly steamy but fun.
This is a twist on Santa's city at the North Pole. Tim and Noel are elves relegated to working in the Abominable Administrative Department (AAD). Tim is a clerk and Noel is his supervisor. Once friends (or at least on friendly terms), the two now spend their work days antagonizing each other. A scary encounter in a back alley one evening lands Tim and Noel on the Rein Dear Squadron Leader's (Rudy) doorstep. With Rudy and Jack Frost's help, Tim and Noel are able to figure out the root of the animosity between them and seek their own HEA.
Well, this was certainly different. Charlie Cochet's twist on the Christmas happenings up at the North Pole make for an interesting story. I liked Tim and Noel. I felt for Tim and I was a little pissed at Noel for being so pissy. When we discover the reason for Noel's childish behavior, it makes sense but I felt like smacking him in the head nonetheless. What is he, like three? Sheesh. Outing the bad toy soldiers and the Mouse King's hoodlum was entertaining. Rudy and Jack Frost's coming out was sweet.
Bottom line: a charming twist on the Christmas elves at the North Pole.
This was very cute and made me smile. It reminds me a lot of another Xmas book I can't recall the title to for the life of me. That elf thought his boss hated him too. Anyway, this was a sweet read.
ETA: yes, the one to which this is similar though better than is The Naughty Ones
Ms Cochet created a charming world of Winter and Christmas characters living their lives in North Pole City. While enemies to lovers relationship between Tim and Noel didn't completely work for me - Noel was very naughty and Tim was a little bit too forgiving, the city and it's inhabitants were an absolute delight. I loved the idea of all the well known mystical Christmas creatures as people with feelings, beliefs, politics, court intrigue and a healthy dose of magic. This was low angst, mild steam dual POV Christmas Wonderland romance. I enjoyed it.
This book was so adorable and different. The book is written from both Tim and Noel's POV. I love Tim and grew to love Noel. I love how the author portrayed Jack Frost, Rudy and other holidays characters. It also made me laugh. Really sweet Christmas story.
I had such fun reading this, lots of light snowy fluffy flakes of fun.
As usual, Charlie adds some very heartfelt and grounded elements that get right to the humanity of her characters. She uses imperfections and insecurities to paint gentle layers of depth to the flouncy, clever wordplay and humor of those characters and the story as a whole.
Seriously, I wanna hang out with Tim. I wanna watch him get all excited over whatever next and newest project comes his way. I wanna hear him let loose a "holy holly berries" or "peppermint twist" when his elf hat gets in a twist... especially concerning Noel.
And Noel. Noel, you've got a lot to make up for and I think you can and will do it. Tim sees your heart, and that makes you very, very, very lucky!
Jack and Rudy, talk about a life-long commitment. Love that aspect of this story.
High on humor, low on heat, sky high on heart and simply so sweet.
This is my favorite story so far in this year's advent calendar. Right from the beginning it is interesting, fun, and suspenseful. I enjoyed the way Noel hated Tim so much and Tim's confusion over that hatred. It's heartbreaking but when you figure out the reason for Noel's bullying, you feel really sorry for him. But then Tim's soft heart soothes Noel, which made it really special.
I loved both Noel and Tim and I loved that Jack Frost and Ruby (Rudolph) played a role in getting them together. I LOVED this little world with all the cute names for everything. I adore Santa's elves so this was a real treat for me. This was a fast-paced story that had sweet, slightly angsty, and fun moments along with the occasional bouts of action. Very enjoyable and definitely recommended! I know I'll be re-reading it again and hoping for a continuation of these elves!
Update: I've read this whole series twice now, so I'll give a little series review. These books are overdramatic and sappy, most are instalove, and too many characters tell other characters they're broken... but I have read them twice lol. So make of that what you will. If you want Christmas fluff, they're fun. (Though this one is my least favorite.) Leaving my original review below.
This was the first in a series of fun M/M Christmas-themed novellas, each one about different characters in the North Pole. This one was about two elves, Tim and Noel. At only 50 or so pages, it can be easily read in one sitting, but I thought it still did a great job of setting up the adorable North Pole world. It's kind of like our world, except everything is Christmas-themed. Their curse words are things like, "Holy Holly!" They have candy-cane clubs and gingerbread bars. Their criminal boss is the Mouse King. Their soldiers are the 'toy soldiers.' I loved it and just ate it up, haha.
You have to go into this with the right expectations though. When characters say things like, "It's not your fault you're broken, but if you play your cards right, maybe he can help put you back together," you know the book isn't going to be particularly realistic. And Noel was a jerk to Tim because he loved him? Really? (Secretly being in love is not an excuse for treating someone badly!) Not to mention the reason for Noel's disabilities was so random. (But hey, disability was included, so who am I to complain?) Overall though, the story was light and sweet and easy to read, all the North Pole/Christmas stuff was fun, and the book was exactly what I was in the mood for, so I enjoyed it!