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Setting for Eight, Dinner for Two
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar collection Homemade for the Holidays.
To overcome the bad ending of a relationship, Charlie Brooks and a friend plan to decorate his home for the holidays—including elaborate table settings like those made by local ceramicist Tory Phillips. The pieces are exquisite, but Charlie’s on a budget. So Tory convinces him to take his classes and try his hand at making his own dishes for the dinner party Charlie dreams of hosting. As they work together, they grow closer, and the fantasy gathering feels less important than what’s happening between them. When the big day arrives, it might be more magical than Charlie ever imagined.
To overcome the bad ending of a relationship, Charlie Brooks and a friend plan to decorate his home for the holidays—including elaborate table settings like those made by local ceramicist Tory Phillips. The pieces are exquisite, but Charlie’s on a budget. So Tory convinces him to take his classes and try his hand at making his own dishes for the dinner party Charlie dreams of hosting. As they work together, they grow closer, and the fantasy gathering feels less important than what’s happening between them. When the big day arrives, it might be more magical than Charlie ever imagined.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
B.G. Thomas
68 books238 followersB.G. Thomas lives in Kansas City with his husband for nearly fifteen years and was legally married in 2014. Ehey have a fabulous little dog, Sarah Jane. He sees his wonderful daughter just often enough to miss her when she isn't there! He has a romantic soul and is extraordinarily lucky to have many friends.
He loves science fiction & fantasy, horror, romance and more, has gone to SF&F conventions his entire adult life, and been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He is a “Star Trek” and Joss Whedon fan from way back!
He has written all his life, it is where he finds his joy. In the 90’s, he wrote for gay magazines, but stopped because they wanted him to cut out story and romance, and write only sex.
Then through a few friends, he discovered the growing market of M/M Romance and was thrilled beyond words. FINALLY, a way to write the stories he always wanted to write. Adventure, romantic comedy, science fiction, and more, but with gay characters. And he wouldn't have to fade to black! People wanted to read the erotic as well. Plot and sex! HURRAY!
B.G. Thomas very much believes in The Law of Attraction and that "thoughts become things." A lot of things all started happening at once. He heard the words, "Leap, and the net will appear," and something re-kindled inside. He sent out a story and was thrilled when it was almost immediately accepted.
He believes that we are divine expressions of the Universe, each and everyone. "It is never too late!,” he states. “Pursue your dreams! They will come true!"
He loves science fiction & fantasy, horror, romance and more, has gone to SF&F conventions his entire adult life, and been lucky enough to meet many of his favorite writers. He is a “Star Trek” and Joss Whedon fan from way back!
He has written all his life, it is where he finds his joy. In the 90’s, he wrote for gay magazines, but stopped because they wanted him to cut out story and romance, and write only sex.
Then through a few friends, he discovered the growing market of M/M Romance and was thrilled beyond words. FINALLY, a way to write the stories he always wanted to write. Adventure, romantic comedy, science fiction, and more, but with gay characters. And he wouldn't have to fade to black! People wanted to read the erotic as well. Plot and sex! HURRAY!
B.G. Thomas very much believes in The Law of Attraction and that "thoughts become things." A lot of things all started happening at once. He heard the words, "Leap, and the net will appear," and something re-kindled inside. He sent out a story and was thrilled when it was almost immediately accepted.
He believes that we are divine expressions of the Universe, each and everyone. "It is never too late!,” he states. “Pursue your dreams! They will come true!"
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 8, 2019
This was boring.
And I was tired of the acclamation mark, on almost every page.
These guys are mature adult but sounded like teenage girls.
DNF at 44% mark
And I was tired of the acclamation mark, on almost every page.
These guys are mature adult but sounded like teenage girls.
DNF at 44% mark
December 12, 2019
There was kind of a lot to unpack here, and to make it all fit there was probably too much telling vs showing, but both of these MCs were so adorable I just don't even care. Much.
December 29, 2019
In this sweet and gentle holiday story, B.G. Thomas brings together two men who are different in some ways, but whose differences complement one another beautifully, and being together brings out their very best qualities. Charlie is forty-nine years old and his last breakup was very hurtful leaving him to believe that no one is ever going to want him, while Tory is thirty-four years old and doesn’t understand why everyone assumes he prefers older men because he has daddy issues.
Ceramics, much like so many of the arts, is not an easy thing to learn how to do and certainly not to do well. But that is precisely what Tory does and even though he’d love to spend his time on the ceramics that call to his artistic soul, he needs to live and so he creates a lot of items that sell at home and holiday fairs. He also teaches his ceramic craft in the basement of his home for pennies on the dollar because he loves to share his passion with others. It is at one of the holiday fairs where he meets Charlie through his dear friend Gay, who just so happens to be Charlie’s boss. Tory is instantly smitten and can’t understand why this handsome, gentle bear of a man doesn’t see his own worth.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Ceramics, much like so many of the arts, is not an easy thing to learn how to do and certainly not to do well. But that is precisely what Tory does and even though he’d love to spend his time on the ceramics that call to his artistic soul, he needs to live and so he creates a lot of items that sell at home and holiday fairs. He also teaches his ceramic craft in the basement of his home for pennies on the dollar because he loves to share his passion with others. It is at one of the holiday fairs where he meets Charlie through his dear friend Gay, who just so happens to be Charlie’s boss. Tory is instantly smitten and can’t understand why this handsome, gentle bear of a man doesn’t see his own worth.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
April 9, 2020
A sweet story, but it was just a bit too much! With all the exclamation marks! And Charlie reads like a twenty year old instead of a man of almost fifty. But it is cute enough for a quick read over the holidays
January 13, 2020
Still recovering from his break-up, Charlie is overwhelmed when his best friend replaces a full dinner set of dishes the horrid ex had taken with him. Charlie is overjoyed that he now can host a proper and intimate Christmas dinner for his beloved friends. Tory loves his work painting ceramics and is attracted to Charlie from the moment their mutual friend introduces them. Can Tory and Charlie find their Christmas joy together?
I found this to be a really fun and happy, Christmassy story. I enjoyed the chemistry and connection that happened almost instantly between Charlie and Tory and was also pleased they didn’t fall into insta-lust or just simply jump into bed with each other. Charlie is still pretty burned out from his ex and Tory is quite a bit younger than him so it’s not an easy path for them to come together. Charlie, in particular, felt to my mind to get caught up in his own inner thoughts and musings a fair bit and second (and even third) guess himself so when Tory offered to help Charlie make some napkin rings in Tory’s ceramics class it was the perfect opportunity for the two men to spend some time together without awkwardness or strings.
I felt that Charlie’s inner conversations slowed the pace of the story somewhat, and the author had a very chatty style of writing with lots of self-musings and sentences where the characters train of thought would get interrupted. I can’t help but feel this style of writing won’t appeal to all readers as it can feel a little jarring and jump around, and I personally found the pace was just a little slow with the frequent feeling of interruptions between Charlie and Tory getting to know each other. That said, both men were interesting and well drawn characters and I enjoyed watching them circle each other and try to find their way together.
I really enjoyed how the chemistry sizzled between Charlie and Tory. Despite the fact both men were unsure the attraction and connection between them simply couldn’t be denied. I really liked how with more interactions and meeting together at the pottery sales and classes helped both Charlie and Tory not only spend more time together but grow more comfortable with each other. While there’s no explicit sexual intimacy I adored how Charlie and Tory definitely both got their happy ending. It made all the chemistry and slow build up between them totally worthwhile to my mind.
Fun and happy, this is a lovely short Christmas story.
I found this to be a really fun and happy, Christmassy story. I enjoyed the chemistry and connection that happened almost instantly between Charlie and Tory and was also pleased they didn’t fall into insta-lust or just simply jump into bed with each other. Charlie is still pretty burned out from his ex and Tory is quite a bit younger than him so it’s not an easy path for them to come together. Charlie, in particular, felt to my mind to get caught up in his own inner thoughts and musings a fair bit and second (and even third) guess himself so when Tory offered to help Charlie make some napkin rings in Tory’s ceramics class it was the perfect opportunity for the two men to spend some time together without awkwardness or strings.
I felt that Charlie’s inner conversations slowed the pace of the story somewhat, and the author had a very chatty style of writing with lots of self-musings and sentences where the characters train of thought would get interrupted. I can’t help but feel this style of writing won’t appeal to all readers as it can feel a little jarring and jump around, and I personally found the pace was just a little slow with the frequent feeling of interruptions between Charlie and Tory getting to know each other. That said, both men were interesting and well drawn characters and I enjoyed watching them circle each other and try to find their way together.
I really enjoyed how the chemistry sizzled between Charlie and Tory. Despite the fact both men were unsure the attraction and connection between them simply couldn’t be denied. I really liked how with more interactions and meeting together at the pottery sales and classes helped both Charlie and Tory not only spend more time together but grow more comfortable with each other. While there’s no explicit sexual intimacy I adored how Charlie and Tory definitely both got their happy ending. It made all the chemistry and slow build up between them totally worthwhile to my mind.
Fun and happy, this is a lovely short Christmas story.
December 1, 2019
Okay, this one took me a little too long to get in to… Charlie and his friend “Gay” (is that really her name? Who’s named Gay?) are really, really, so extra. Like, really extra…. The extra of all extra’s. So, when Charlie gasps, “Oh, Gay!” for the third time, I had to be like, alright… we get it, Gay is amazing.
BUT, I digress….
Now, Tory is a ceramicist and is also friends with Gay, and introduces the two and they’re immediately smitten and over the top with each other. There’s a couple pages dedicated to some salt and pepper shakers and I didn't really get it. I mean, I know that they shop at the dollar store, because gay had a whole monologue about it, but, I was confused about why 30 dollars was acted like 30 thousand dollars and even though I do think that 30 dollars for salt and pepper shakers, I just didn’t understand the hoopla about it lol though they were certainly entertaining.
But, the hoopla goes on, and Charlie spies some napkin holders for five dollars and when Tory sees that his pieces are just too expensive for Charlie, he offers him one of classes, which is awesome because Charlie has agreed to host a dinner party and he needs the perfect centerpiece. Lord knows he can’t afford it unless it comes from the dollar store, so making it will have to do. (though the price of the class would probably be more expensive than just buying a centerpiece, but… whatevs)
Oh my Lord, these people are so incredibly much.
Now, I don’t want to give the whole thing away because I feel like you hould experience it yourself, but if you like over the top, exaggerated, oh-my-gooooooooosh situations, you’ll enjoy this story. It also had a cute ending, so there was that. I feel like I need a nap now lol
3 stars from me
BUT, I digress….
Now, Tory is a ceramicist and is also friends with Gay, and introduces the two and they’re immediately smitten and over the top with each other. There’s a couple pages dedicated to some salt and pepper shakers and I didn't really get it. I mean, I know that they shop at the dollar store, because gay had a whole monologue about it, but, I was confused about why 30 dollars was acted like 30 thousand dollars and even though I do think that 30 dollars for salt and pepper shakers, I just didn’t understand the hoopla about it lol though they were certainly entertaining.
But, the hoopla goes on, and Charlie spies some napkin holders for five dollars and when Tory sees that his pieces are just too expensive for Charlie, he offers him one of classes, which is awesome because Charlie has agreed to host a dinner party and he needs the perfect centerpiece. Lord knows he can’t afford it unless it comes from the dollar store, so making it will have to do. (though the price of the class would probably be more expensive than just buying a centerpiece, but… whatevs)
Oh my Lord, these people are so incredibly much.
Now, I don’t want to give the whole thing away because I feel like you hould experience it yourself, but if you like over the top, exaggerated, oh-my-gooooooooosh situations, you’ll enjoy this story. It also had a cute ending, so there was that. I feel like I need a nap now lol
3 stars from me
January 1, 2020
3.5 Stars
B.G. Thomas can do some romance. It was a little OTT at times for me, and that’s only because I enjoy excessive levels of snark, but for a Christmas story like this, the level was Christmas story purity at its best.
Charlie is a very charming character and is one of those guys I root for as soon as I read about him. He’s an everyman with a heart of gold who gets passed over because he is an everyman, and it took someone like Tory to really see him and get his passions. The two really were made for each other.
It was also nice to read about a more unique crafting experience. I remember taking ceramics back in the day and man was I bad at it. I really could have used a Tory in my life at that moment, but in all honesty, Charlie deserved him most.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
B.G. Thomas can do some romance. It was a little OTT at times for me, and that’s only because I enjoy excessive levels of snark, but for a Christmas story like this, the level was Christmas story purity at its best.
Charlie is a very charming character and is one of those guys I root for as soon as I read about him. He’s an everyman with a heart of gold who gets passed over because he is an everyman, and it took someone like Tory to really see him and get his passions. The two really were made for each other.
It was also nice to read about a more unique crafting experience. I remember taking ceramics back in the day and man was I bad at it. I really could have used a Tory in my life at that moment, but in all honesty, Charlie deserved him most.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
January 2, 2020
I loved this book, but there are not many B.G. Thomas books I don't love. Charlie loves dishes and his ex took his matched set so his friend and boss start bringing him new pieces. Most from the dollar store but Charlie adores them. Then his friend brings him a beautiful holly bowl and takes him to the craft fair to meet the person that makes them. Charlie falls in love with all the matching pieces but when seeing the price has to choose one thing. Tory the artist likes Charlie and invites him to his classes to make his own pieces, so he can get more and at less price, plus he can spend more time getting to know Charlie. Charlie and Tory made me swoon. they are so sweet, the story has witt and it is a perfect holiday read. I guess I really related to Charlie because I too collect holiday dishes and mostly from the dollar tree stores.
November 25, 2022
I've found over the years that some of the books in the Dreamspinner Advent series are downright odd. This was too cutesy, too many exclamation points, too much inner musings on the part of the two MCs and, unfortunately, boring. I kept hoping that the disjointed feeling would dissipate but alas, nope. Charlie is wary of getting into another relationship after the one he was in ended badly. He kind of muddles along, working for his OTT boss, Gay, and wanting a dinner setting for eight so he can have a Christmas dinner party. He meets Tory, who makes ceramic dishes and other items. Lots of shy smiles, blushes, and "oh can he see my erection in my pants,"etc. Ugh.
December 18, 2019
Okay, so it is a bit of an ott Christmas story, with everyone so perfect, but it is easy reading and quite warm and fuzzy. It certainly fits the Homemade of the collection title.
Tory is a potter and I liked that as a theme. He is a very positive person.
Charlie is a bit downtrodden from his failed relationship and certainly didn’t present as 49.
They did take a bit of leeway to go with but overall, it was a likeable and easy story.
Tory is a potter and I liked that as a theme. He is a very positive person.
Charlie is a bit downtrodden from his failed relationship and certainly didn’t present as 49.
They did take a bit of leeway to go with but overall, it was a likeable and easy story.
December 7, 2019
I feel bad about low rating since I do like B.G. Thomas' writing but for a short story it felt overly long with lots of unneeded descriptions and too much gasping in delight. I think trimming would have done the plot a lot of good and made it tighter without boring repetitions and extra details that took the focus of the courtship progress.
December 1, 2019
Lovely and sweet
This is a perfect Christmas story. Light, sweet, no angst, a fairytale confection perfect for the season. You can count on B.G. writing characters you will care about.
This is a perfect Christmas story. Light, sweet, no angst, a fairytale confection perfect for the season. You can count on B.G. writing characters you will care about.
December 11, 2019
I enjoyed the characters and their bonding over love of ceramics and holiday table settings. I loved that this story is set in B.G.'s Kansas City universe and we briefly see or hear about several happy couples from previous books. It all made me smile and I sighed happily at the ending scenes.
December 19, 2019
I got a bit mixed confused during the first few chapters as to who was who as the story seemed to jump around a bit. But as the lives of the two men become entwined the story made more sense and the ending really makes the story worth reading.
January 24, 2020
I thought it was a sweet Christmas novella. It was a slow build story, especially for a short story, which made it very romantic. I loved Tory and Charlie. It was low angst, fade to black but really sweet romance. i definitely recommend it.
December 4, 2019
This is a prefect holiday read! A sweet heartwarming Christmas story, that will make you smile and feel all warm and cozy.
December 8, 2019
Sadly this one didn't work for me.
TAGS
-- Holiday/Christmas -- very sweet MCs... Charlie & Tory -- age difference -- slow start -- a bit wordy -- too long -- less than 100 pages
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December 28, 2019review to follow
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December 29, 2019review coming at www.lovebytesreviews.com
January 10, 2020
3.5 almost treacle
October 14, 2020
Woe
Wow sums this book up. Charlie is a man looking for love, Torrid is existing, They find each other and it gets so good.
Wow sums this book up. Charlie is a man looking for love, Torrid is existing, They find each other and it gets so good.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews