Rainbows in Sea Glass

by Kim Katil

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar collection Homemade for the Holidays.

Kyle has loved James, his best friend’s older brother, for as long as he can remember. Unfortunately James is a player, and Kyle has no desire to be his latest conquest. When James suddenly turns the full weight of his charm on him, Kyle flees to Cape May Point to collect sea glass and Cape May diamonds to make a St. Nicholas Day present for his aunt.

James has always taken Kyle’s presence for granted and he’s shocked to find how integral Kyle is to his life and future happiness. Braving his family’s well-meaning attempts to help and a sudden winter storm, James heads to the shore to convince Kyle that the most precious thing they’ll find on the beach is each other

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Gay, Contemporary, LGBT

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2019

About the author

Kim lives in the mythical and contentious territory known as Central Jersey. Originally from South Jersey, she is still unsure if Central Jersey is a real place or a Fae construct. Her movement from the lower to middle band of the state was interrupted by time spent living in Ireland, Boston, Uzbekistan, Maryland, Trinidad, and Florida. So far, she has only been asked to leave one country.

A happily ever after is a necessity. Kim loves to give her characters a fun adventure to get them there and a plethora of family and friends to help them along the way.

Reviews

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

3 Hearts - Blog holiday reads with Ann!

Bonus points for favorite trope of falling for your best friend's brother!!

As per the blurb, Kyle has been in love with James for as long as he can remember, but he knows that he would never survive being a fleeting hookup. When a night of dancing makes Kyle realize he needs to distance himself from James and the potential messy situation, James too, has his own revelation.

What ensues is a bit of sappy wooing but it was enjoyable sappy wooing. Beware again the out of nowhere random BDSM element dropped in the bedroom (perhaps along with the homemaking theme, a little bondage was also a possible option for advent authors this year) but I digress.

Again, this features a beloved trope, warm family vibes, and an inevitable cuddly HEA!

Thanks to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review

Check out BMBR for more advent reviews!

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

After enjoying Katil’s debut story (Season to Shimmer) in last year’s advent line, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by her latest offering, especially when I saw some of my favourite words in the synopsis: his best friend’s older brother.

Granted, I’m a sucker for this trope, but bias aside, it was done really well here, especially considering how much history and spark needed to be expressed in the short page count for it to work well.

Main characters Kyle and James were truly lovely together – I felt their connection, as well as Kyle’s hesitancy (having crushed on James for so long and not wanting to get hurt), and it wasn’t hard to believe that their shared history as friends and chosen family would inevitably lead to a forever kind of love.

I loved that Kyle was already a part of James’s family, not only because he was James’s sister’s best friend for years, but because their parents practically thought of him as one of their own. Cementing that strong family vibe definitely aided in making James’s romantic intentions and love declarations all the move convincing, and I’m glad Kyle’s long-term crush was realised to perfection.

I’m now two-for-two with Katil’s Christmas romances and I’m looking forward reading more of her work in the future.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
They have history, Kyle and James. James is the brother of Kyle’s best friend. At their home, he grew up. James protected him at high school against bullies. Kyle has had a crush on James forever.
When James finally approaches him, Kyle runs away. He will not be another guy in the long line of lovers. With Kyle gone, James is a bit lost. He travels to where Kyle is to convince him of his honest intentions. Kyle is doubtful about James' motives.

James joins Kyle’s search on the beach to find the perfect sea glass to make a beautiful rainbow wave for his dear aunt Ollie who was his home, in contrast to his mother.

Stuck together at the beach house, James knows his time together is precious. Kyle is finally melting.

Such a sweet story, thoroughly friendly. Involved family members are of importance here. All pictured in a comfortable holiday scenery.
A slightly developed, pleasantly written story, a nice addition to the advent collection.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beaches, for some reason, are linked to summer for me, so it was nice to read a story set (mostly) on a beach in winter. Kyle needs sea glass for a crafts project for his aunt, so collecting enough for a St. Nicholas gift for her is his objective when he moves into one of his best friend’s family’s cottages. There is a secondary benefit as well – or so he thinks – and that is to get away from his longtime crush, James. James is Kyle’s best friend’s older brother, a player, and to be avoided at all costs. But James has other plans and follows Kyle to the beach…


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so adorable and sweet.. it was also heartbreaking at times.. i really enjoyed the writing of this one.. i enjoyed the characters and it didnt leave me broken.. the author put me back together again which made me happy. i liked it a lot

[Avid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rainbows in Sea Glass by Kim Katil
3 stars
M/M Friends to lovers romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Kyle, Maria and James have known each other since they were kids. It was James who kept Maria and Kyle out of trouble and made sure nobody bullied them while in high school. Maria and Kyle have stayed very close friends, but lately, Maria has noticed Kyle start to pull away from her and her family. Not really sure why, she tells him that no matter what, she's dragging him out.

After James and Kyle share a heated dance, Kyle really isn't sure what to make of it. James has always been a player and Kyle knows that his heart couldn't take any rejection from the one man that he's had a crush on always. Plus, Kyle isn't willing to risk losing the family that he's been part of for so long.

Honestly, while this is a cute story, I didn't really get the chemistry between Kyle and James. Molly and Stan had more chemistry in their short part of the story than the main couple had throughout. While this had great potential to be a cute holiday read, it just didn't really work for me.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unicorn Christmas Review with *A Reader Obsessed*!

Being in love with the best friends brother is a trope made of gold. Rainbows in Sea Glass took it and cranked it up to 11. While everything was a little too perfect, a little too sweet and a little too shiny, that didn’t mean I didn’t eat it up. The author did a really good job of throwing in enough flash back moments to make sure we knew how important Kyle was to James and his family.

I really appreciated the unique setting and the use of the crafts that brought Kyle and James together (finally). Being a west coaster I wasn’t familiar with the setting and some of the treausres Kyle worked into his present for his aunt. So I did some googling and that always is a fun rabbit hole and any story that makes me google is a winner.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

[❤Sharonica-Logic❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle & James

This is a delightful holiday story. It is filled with romance, love of family, and friends who are as close as family. There was a Saint Nicholas tradition I wasn't aware of, so I look forward to researching that. Time spent at a beach cottage taking gorgeous pictures and collecting sea glass for a Saint Nicholas Day gift. And time kindling a romance from the sparks ignited in youth. The perfect recipe for a delicious read.

The main MCs, James and Kyle grew up together. Kyle the best friend of James' younger sister, always had a crush on James. He knew James would never reciprocate because James never stayed with anyone too long and Kyle would never jeopardize his place in James' family. So, he kept his heart and crush hidden away... until James realized Kyle was the man he wanted all along.

This truly was a sweet read and the author wrote the story so beautifully that you finish it feeling full and satisfied, just as if you'd read a novel.

4.75🌟

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.⛄

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked the story quite a lot, but the writing seemed a little, I don't know . . . unpolished, maybe? There were a lot of great conversations, but the dialogue didn't flow smoothly, a lot of great locations, but their descriptions seemed a little forced . . . things like that. But still, sweet little holiday story, with beaches, even!

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as long as he can remember Kyle has adored his best friend Maria’s older brother, James. While Kyle is disappointed, he had never expected James to return his interest. So Kyle’s world is rocked when James shows a small spark of chemistry with him and – terrified of getting his heart broken – Kyle takes some space to protect himself. When Kyle’s aunt asks him for some sea glass, Kyle can’t refuse her. With a little help from Maria and a lot of beach magic, can Kyle and James find their way together?

I felt the author did a good job explaining the mutual chemistry and curiosity between James and Kyle. While I personally would have preferred a bit more explanation as to how and why James suddenly started to see and feel Kyle was the one man who would complete him after decades of being friends and platonic, I can appreciate how the short length of the story didn’t really leave too much time for hashing over the past or dragging this aspect of the plot out. I was grateful James did explain some of this change in perspective to his sister as it gave James’ reasoning – but it still felt like quite an about-face, especially from Kyle’s perspective.

That said, I really enjoyed this story. The whole friends-to-lovers plotline is always a winner with me and there was certainly chemistry and a deep emotional connection between the two men which made the believability and logic to their relationship seem very well grounded and understandable. I also enjoyed how Kyle was already practically a member of the family from many years of his close ties and friendship so this made things really smooth and feel natural. Readers looking for a strongly Christmassy story might not be satisfied with that aspect of the story. While set in December and having some reference to the holiday period the story really is mainly centered around Kyle, James, their relationship and Kyle’s photos and creations for his Aunt.

Steamy and sensual, this is a lovely story that ticks all the right boxes. Emotional and really well written – I loved this story and will be eagerly keeping an eye out for more stories by this author.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh, who hasn’t been in love with their best friends older brother? I know I have!!

With Kyle, though, it goes beyond a crush, but James is a known player and Kyle knows he doesn’t want to just another notch in James busy bedpost. And who can blame him? So, when on a night out, James get a little too close to Kyle, he pulls back from everyone and tries to keep his distance.

When his bestie gets the bright idea to set Kyle up with someone, it’s just another attempt at matching making for Kyle, but James gets a little taste of the green eyed moster, especially because six months ago, he stopped seeing Kyle as his sisters best friend and started seeing him for what he is… and he is everything. He just never realized it before.

Unfortunately, Kyle has enough people in his life to let him down, his mother is literally the worst… you will hate her…luckily, James and Maria (the best friend) has the best family and they’ve adopted Kyle, and Kyles Aunt Ollie is a keeper too.

So, when Kyle is away and James pops, he doesn’t know what to do with himself, that is, until James makes his intentions known, it’s enough to send Kyle into a frenzie. I didn’t think I would like James by the description and maybe that’s my own personal similarities to this story, but I adored James… once he realized he wanted Kyle, he didn’t let him run away, he didn’t him hide from being scared to try and well.. he was way better than I expected him to be. Kyle didn’t stand a chance to resist.

I wouldn’t mind reading more about these two, very cute!

4 stars from me

[DB Kimmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say the blurb for Kim Katil’s Rainbows in Sea Glass intrigued me, but the men’s dynamic doesn’t play out exactly as it sounds. Nonetheless it is a charming friends to lovers read that will spark the fire for the season.

Six months ago, a dance at a nightclub forced Kyle to ghost his bestie or be forced to face the “Mayday” territory of his infatuation for her older brother, James. But when Marie learns from her brother that Kyle is the one, she’s all too happy to help him get his man. Only problem? As Marie tells him, “‘Kyle was not impressed’” by James’ many conquests during his younger years, a time he cringes over now.

With dual points of view, shared memories, hunts for ocean glass, a cast of loving characters, and an appropriate winter storm, ‘Rainbows in Sea Glass’ is a cozy, feel good romance.

But, with a “‘full-scale campaign’” in mind, not “‘a momentary skirmish,’” as James tells Marie, he heads off to get his man in Cape May, where Kyle escapes to gather his thoughts and to find the sea glass needed to make a gift for his aunt.

With dual points of view, shared memories, hunts for ocean glass, a cast of loving characters, and an appropriate winter storm, Rainbows in Sea Glass is a cozy, feel good romance. Not a lot of Christmas sprinkle, or St. Nicholas Eve as it were, more a backdrop of gifts of the heart and of realizing your other half may have been right in front of you all along.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

Nice enough story based on a promising trope with the MC finally getting a shot at his best friend’s brother, whom he’s been pining after for years.
However, it remained too formulaic and predictably corny, and even taking into account that it’s a novella, the story seemed a bit too rushed, with one particularly brusque jump between chapters that really bugged me. Both emotionally and physically the connection between the MC’s could have been developed better, now it all felt like a little too much too fast.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
Yup, so many Christmas shorts I'm still reading them in February. Good for a short story, but needed more of a back story and the HEA was a little too easy.

Tags: Location: in and around Cape May Point, NJ; Holiday: Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th)

Quotes:

"And wasn’t that a revelation that had punched him in the gut. Right there in that nightclub six months ago, he realized what he wanted more than anything in his life was the man who had always been there." -James' a-ha moment.

[Nissy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super Sweet Collection -
These were all Short Stories that had sweetness, chemistry and love. They were all well written, my only complaint is that they were too short. I would have loved more from all of the MC's. Very good reads
Season to Shimmer: Nolan and Skylar - There was instant chemistry and love with these two
Rainbows in Sea Glass: Kyle and James - Finally love - Kyle finally gets the love he has waited for for years
Holiday Lights: Evan and Axel - There was instant chemistry and love with these two also
I received an ARC from GRR Team and read it voluntarily for an honest review

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories where characters pine for a best friend's older sibling and finally get the one they love in the end. I also love sea glass so now I want to make strings of sea glass and prisms to hang in all my living room windows. Lovely

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice holiday short with sweet MCs... Kyle & James but this one didn't knock my socks off.

TAGS
-- Holiday/St. Nick's Day -- fast easy read -- sweet -- likable MCs... Kyle & James -- best friends brother -- something was missing -- less than 75 pages

[Claire Denning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this recently in the Seaside Holiday collection and it was by far my favorite of the three! Kyle was such a sweetheart and his connection to his aunt was painfully relatable. This short story was a quick read for any time of year.

[MariF · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not buy into romance between James and Kyle and a lot of events felt too unrealistic or predictable.

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the sense of family with this one.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3☆~

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Miss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the premise. A sweet, holiday story.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear of taking chances, a bold move, and a special gift.
You can understand Kyle's reluctance to trust. I love how James' sister does her part in pushing these two together.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fit the homemade bill, would have loved a picture of a sea glass rainbow!
James and Kyle a little bit too sweetly sugarly for my cup of tea, but decent short story, coffee break material!