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Finding Yuletide Karol
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2019 Advent Calendar collection Homemade for the Holidays.
Fifty years ago, during the Vietnam War, Lee Elbridge fell in love with an Army cook nicknamed Yuletide Karol, but they haven’t seen each other since.
Now, led by a clue in an old cookbook, Lee sets off on a road trip to find his lost love. He arrives on Karol's upstate New York farm to find preparations for a handfasting in full swing, and is mistaken for the wedding planner’s assistant. As Lee is roped into folding hemp napkin goats and mashing fresh sweet potatoes, he is welcomed by Karol's large, eccentric family of witches and pagans. When Lee and Karol finally get a moment alone, Lee tells him the truth, but it will take more than a little Yuletide magick to bring them together again after almost a lifetime.
Fifty years ago, during the Vietnam War, Lee Elbridge fell in love with an Army cook nicknamed Yuletide Karol, but they haven’t seen each other since.
Now, led by a clue in an old cookbook, Lee sets off on a road trip to find his lost love. He arrives on Karol's upstate New York farm to find preparations for a handfasting in full swing, and is mistaken for the wedding planner’s assistant. As Lee is roped into folding hemp napkin goats and mashing fresh sweet potatoes, he is welcomed by Karol's large, eccentric family of witches and pagans. When Lee and Karol finally get a moment alone, Lee tells him the truth, but it will take more than a little Yuletide magick to bring them together again after almost a lifetime.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 10, 2019
4 Stars
This holiday short packed an emotional punch, managing to make my eyes leak while simultaneously filling my heart with the magic and joy of Christmas.
Featuring two MCs in their seventies, Finding Yuletide Karol follows successful businessman, Lee, as he serendipitously finds a long-desired lead on the whereabouts of a lost love fifty-years-gone.
With his dedicated assistant in tow, Lee sets out on find a person he only knows as Yuletide Karol — a man who saved Lee’s life and stole his heart one fateful Christmas Eve, while they were both serving in the Vietnam War.
Separated and unable to find one another due to happenstance, Lee and Karol get that blessed second chance, proving unequivocally that it’s never too late to fall in love and find true happiness.
This story was beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful, all wrapped up in one wonderfully written, short but emotionally affective package. This is definitely the advent story I’ll be comparing other advent stories against this holiday season. <3
This holiday short packed an emotional punch, managing to make my eyes leak while simultaneously filling my heart with the magic and joy of Christmas.
Featuring two MCs in their seventies, Finding Yuletide Karol follows successful businessman, Lee, as he serendipitously finds a long-desired lead on the whereabouts of a lost love fifty-years-gone.
With his dedicated assistant in tow, Lee sets out on find a person he only knows as Yuletide Karol — a man who saved Lee’s life and stole his heart one fateful Christmas Eve, while they were both serving in the Vietnam War.
Separated and unable to find one another due to happenstance, Lee and Karol get that blessed second chance, proving unequivocally that it’s never too late to fall in love and find true happiness.
This story was beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful, all wrapped up in one wonderfully written, short but emotionally affective package. This is definitely the advent story I’ll be comparing other advent stories against this holiday season. <3
January 3, 2020
3 Hearts - Blog holiday reads with Ann!
If you’re itching to read about a mature couple for the holidays, look no further!
What I enjoy most about Christmas stories is the whimsical way that they can make anything happen through the magic of the holidays.
Lee has been searching for a man he only briefly knew during the Vietnam War. Though their time together was seriously short, it was impactful enough for both men to use those memories to get them through some very very difficult life situations. When Lee finally finds Karol, he hopes he can rekindle what they had so many years ago.
The feel good feels overcome what any quibbles one may have about the set up and progression, and the old saying “love is the only thing that matters” rings true for these two men who finally get their well deserved ending that really is just the beginning!
Thanks to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Check out the blog for more advent reviews!
If you’re itching to read about a mature couple for the holidays, look no further!
What I enjoy most about Christmas stories is the whimsical way that they can make anything happen through the magic of the holidays.
Lee has been searching for a man he only briefly knew during the Vietnam War. Though their time together was seriously short, it was impactful enough for both men to use those memories to get them through some very very difficult life situations. When Lee finally finds Karol, he hopes he can rekindle what they had so many years ago.
The feel good feels overcome what any quibbles one may have about the set up and progression, and the old saying “love is the only thing that matters” rings true for these two men who finally get their well deserved ending that really is just the beginning!
Thanks to the author/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
Check out the blog for more advent reviews!
December 13, 2019
This is my absolute favorite Christmas story this year. Between all the other beautiful stories I read, between all those lovely long or short beauties, all those wonderful stories about love, sexiness, and steamy hotness, beautiful personalities, I loved them all, but this? This is a gem.
I didn’t expect it, but it is, period!
It’s about love, yeah, I can hear you thinking... of course it’s about love.
But not just love, it’s about long-lost love. One precious love. A love where the magical forces of the universe are working, where tectonics are moving.
“My brown-eyed boy”
During the Vietnam war fifty years ago, Lee met and fell in love with nicknamed army cook Yuletide Karol. They made a promise. Only, they never saw each other again. Lee never found Karol again.
Now fifty years later Lee gets a gift, a cooking book made by a man named Karol.
The end of the searching seems near. Lee takes his car and drives and drives.
From the moment he steps over the threshold it seems as if the universe is doing its magic.
I know I’m a crybaby but oh my goodness I couldn’t stop, I’m writing my review with blurry eyes. What a wonderful precious story. I was deeply impressed!
I can tell a lot more, but I won’t. Just read it!
I didn’t expect it, but it is, period!
It’s about love, yeah, I can hear you thinking... of course it’s about love.
But not just love, it’s about long-lost love. One precious love. A love where the magical forces of the universe are working, where tectonics are moving.
“My brown-eyed boy”
During the Vietnam war fifty years ago, Lee met and fell in love with nicknamed army cook Yuletide Karol. They made a promise. Only, they never saw each other again. Lee never found Karol again.
Now fifty years later Lee gets a gift, a cooking book made by a man named Karol.
The end of the searching seems near. Lee takes his car and drives and drives.
From the moment he steps over the threshold it seems as if the universe is doing its magic.
I know I’m a crybaby but oh my goodness I couldn’t stop, I’m writing my review with blurry eyes. What a wonderful precious story. I was deeply impressed!
I can tell a lot more, but I won’t. Just read it!
December 19, 2019
This is my favorite holiday story of the year, so far. It's a little wacky, and a little tragic, and the MCs don't actually spend much time together on-page, but there's a very special story here, nonetheless.
January 1, 2020
An unusual love story ...
A lovely short story of two Vietnam vets who finally found each other. A very different story, with a rich businessman, Lee, and a free spirit, Karol, who is a Wiccan hippieish character. It had me in tears at the beauty of the sadness and the deep love.
Marvelous emotions.
Enjoy !
=====
A lovely short story of two Vietnam vets who finally found each other. A very different story, with a rich businessman, Lee, and a free spirit, Karol, who is a Wiccan hippieish character. It had me in tears at the beauty of the sadness and the deep love.
Marvelous emotions.
Enjoy !
=====
December 7, 2019
Unicorn Christmas Review with *A Reader Obsessed*!
Such a refreshing change to read about mature characters, I loved that!
Lee has been in love with Karol since they were both very young men in the Vietnam War. Lee was coming off a traumatic mission and Karol literally and figuratively saved his life. It altered Lee forever and no one could live up to the memory of Karol. Which, was incredibly sweet and also so sad. The two knew one another for less than 24 hours but the impact was profound.
Through serendipity, tenacity and a cookbook the two are reunited and the reconnection is lovely, but busy. Karol lives a unique lifestyle surrounded by his pagan friends and family. It’s very different than what Lee is used to, but having Karol back in his life makes Lee see that it’s time for him to embrace something different.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
Such a refreshing change to read about mature characters, I loved that!
Lee has been in love with Karol since they were both very young men in the Vietnam War. Lee was coming off a traumatic mission and Karol literally and figuratively saved his life. It altered Lee forever and no one could live up to the memory of Karol. Which, was incredibly sweet and also so sad. The two knew one another for less than 24 hours but the impact was profound.
Through serendipity, tenacity and a cookbook the two are reunited and the reconnection is lovely, but busy. Karol lives a unique lifestyle surrounded by his pagan friends and family. It’s very different than what Lee is used to, but having Karol back in his life makes Lee see that it’s time for him to embrace something different.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
December 3, 2019
Such a sweet story, and so lovely to read about an older couple. Love can be found at any age! ❤️
December 28, 2019
Okay, so this was the December Holiday story I was waiting for all month.
Was it perfect? No. There's a tentative HFN, and I'd love to have a whole novel as they learn to love again. I mean, septuagenarian Vietnam vets with PTSD and other health issues who've spent 50 years apart...with Karol being very "crunchy granola" and Lee being very uptight Wall Street establishment? That just screams a good story and engaging tale to me.
But...I legit cried happy tears for these guys.
Can I have some more please, L.A. Merrill?
Was it perfect? No. There's a tentative HFN, and I'd love to have a whole novel as they learn to love again. I mean, septuagenarian Vietnam vets with PTSD and other health issues who've spent 50 years apart...with Karol being very "crunchy granola" and Lee being very uptight Wall Street establishment? That just screams a good story and engaging tale to me.
But...I legit cried happy tears for these guys.
Can I have some more please, L.A. Merrill?
December 22, 2020
That was lovely! A little heart-breaking and definitely some melancholy here, but still loveliness, too.
December 18, 2019
I have to give author kudos for writing a story I won't forget for a long time.
It's rather tragic due to 50 years being apart but still leaves you with a hope in human kindness.
It's rather tragic due to 50 years being apart but still leaves you with a hope in human kindness.
January 11, 2020
4,5 stars
What an amazing love story! It was beyond beautiful. It took only a few sentences of this book to completely hook me and hold me captive for the duration and when it ended I felt it was too soon.
Lee and Karol met in Vietnam during the war, Lee a soldier and Karol the army cook. Karol pulled Lee away from the brink of despair and made him bake sun cakes with him. Talked with him. They might only have spent that day together, but in that single day they fell head over heels in love. Sadly, being 1969 and the army, nothing could come of it there and then (so completely unfair if you ask me). So Karol made Lee a promise
Only the war ended, and no Karol was in sight. Couldn’t be found anywhere. No matter how hard and how much Lee looked he couldn’t find the man that saved his life that day. Whom he fell in love with over sun cakes and a dance. So time passed like it has a tendency to do, and when we meet Lee it’s been fifty years since Vietnam and he’s still as much in love now as he was back then.
Gah, Lee broke me with his loneliness. Having so much yet so little. Having been in love with the same man for fifty years, but having to luck finding him. Until one night, when his assistant gave him a vintage cookbook for his collection that contained the recipe for sun cake with a note from Karol, a last name and a clue where to find him. And he set of to do just that.
This book might only be 39 pages long, but what an amazing 39 pages they were. With a few sentences Merrill gives us so much history, so much love, so much pain. You will cry happy tears and sad tears. You will smile and feel that warmth of love jumping off the pages. The rollercoaster of feelings Merrill takes you on is incredible, I don’t know if I’ll stop spinning any time soon.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the in exchange for an honest review
What an amazing love story! It was beyond beautiful. It took only a few sentences of this book to completely hook me and hold me captive for the duration and when it ended I felt it was too soon.
Lee and Karol met in Vietnam during the war, Lee a soldier and Karol the army cook. Karol pulled Lee away from the brink of despair and made him bake sun cakes with him. Talked with him. They might only have spent that day together, but in that single day they fell head over heels in love. Sadly, being 1969 and the army, nothing could come of it there and then (so completely unfair if you ask me). So Karol made Lee a promise
I’ll kiss you when the war is over
Only the war ended, and no Karol was in sight. Couldn’t be found anywhere. No matter how hard and how much Lee looked he couldn’t find the man that saved his life that day. Whom he fell in love with over sun cakes and a dance. So time passed like it has a tendency to do, and when we meet Lee it’s been fifty years since Vietnam and he’s still as much in love now as he was back then.
Gah, Lee broke me with his loneliness. Having so much yet so little. Having been in love with the same man for fifty years, but having to luck finding him. Until one night, when his assistant gave him a vintage cookbook for his collection that contained the recipe for sun cake with a note from Karol, a last name and a clue where to find him. And he set of to do just that.
This book might only be 39 pages long, but what an amazing 39 pages they were. With a few sentences Merrill gives us so much history, so much love, so much pain. You will cry happy tears and sad tears. You will smile and feel that warmth of love jumping off the pages. The rollercoaster of feelings Merrill takes you on is incredible, I don’t know if I’ll stop spinning any time soon.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the in exchange for an honest review
December 3, 2019
👬💖👬💖👬💖👬💖👬💖👬💖👬
Finding Yuletide Karol .. LA Merrill.. 4.5 ✨✨✨✨•✨ Stars
“He fell in love over sun cakes and kindness”
Lee & Karol
This story was beautiful and tragic. The Author did an amazing job telling the story from Lee’s point of view. LA Merrill gave the reader flashbacks from fifty years ago, where a much younger Lee fell in love with a cook while serving his country on the other side of the world.
Not gonna lie, people…this one shredded my guts a little. A lot of that has to do with my age, I think, as I am closer in age to Lee than most of the other characters in the story. I found Lee and Karol quite relatable and I have a feeling I will be thinking of them and their love for each other for a while. I love when a story can do that…don’t you?
Much like the witches in the story, I too believe everything happens for a reason.
❄I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.❄
December 9, 2019
Another lovely Christmas tale about an older gentleman, Lee, who met Yuletide Karol at a particularly traumatic point in his life. - during the Vietnam War after an enemy ambush. Lee loses track of Karol after the war and spent years trying to find him. Through one of those quirks the universe throws us, Lee finds Karol in upstate NY in the middle of a Wiccan wedding ceremony. Just loved the writing and atmospheric descriptions of the setting, the ceremony and secondary characters, particularly Bobbi. Just made me sigh with happiness.
December 9, 2019
As a long time pagan and the daughter of a Vietnam vet, I adored this book so much. To find a story that not only acknowledges the solstice and Yule, but to actually get a lot of what happens right - is such a blessing for me. I love Christmas in a nontraditional way, but the solstice and Yule are when my heart is lightened and feel the love and joy of the season the most. It's a night of hope and Karol and Lee found theirs again in each other. Thank L.A. Merrill and Happy Solstice to you and yours.
December 20, 2019
I love reading stories with mature MCs, there aren't enough of them in my opinion, but unfortunately that wasn't enough to make me fall in love with this one. I loved the idea of the story but I was never able to connect with the characters. This one turned out to be just an okay read.
TAGS
-- holiday/Christmas -- great concept -- love the idea of stories with mature MCs -- couldn't connect to the MCs... Lee & Karol -- just an okay read -- didn't love it but I also didn't dislike it -- less than 50 pages
December 19, 2019
I like that this one has older Characters. Lee is in his seventies now, wealthy, seems to have it all except he is lonely. An office party gift gives him a clue as to where he may find his first and only true love. How he met Karol was poignant and how he finds him is sweet. And I love his personal assistant sidekick that adds a touch of humor to the story!
December 21, 2019
Timeless Love
No sturm und drang, no Christmas fantasy, this is just a quiet, magical story about finding love. The song that Lee and Karol, the MCs, danced to and the scenes where Karol whispered those words have been on replay in my mind since I read them. "My brown eyed boy" made my heart swell.
No sturm und drang, no Christmas fantasy, this is just a quiet, magical story about finding love. The song that Lee and Karol, the MCs, danced to and the scenes where Karol whispered those words have been on replay in my mind since I read them. "My brown eyed boy" made my heart swell.
December 29, 2019
I love books with older-than-average main characters. The fact that these two, who had met during the war and then lost track of each other, were able to find each other 50 years later warmed my heart. I loved the thread of how both of them felt the other had "saved" them during extremely hard times. This one will stick with me for a long time.
December 15, 2019
Fifty years is a long time to wait for a kiss but when the promise is made with his first love, holding on to it becomes very important to Lee. Lee lost friends in Vietnam, his mother to cancer, yet more friends to AIDS, and still he keeps going having tried to find Karol ever since 1969. Love is all that matters, after all.
Lee fell in love with Karol during eight hours in Vietnam and he never saw him again. Now, through an odd twist of fate, he finds him again only to discover that Karol was captured and spent his last four years in the Army in a POW camp in Hanoi.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Lee fell in love with Karol during eight hours in Vietnam and he never saw him again. Now, through an odd twist of fate, he finds him again only to discover that Karol was captured and spent his last four years in the Army in a POW camp in Hanoi.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
December 10, 2019
This is a deeply moving story. One moment during war time left deep roots in both of these men. Even as their lives diverged into different directions a thread remained. But when the time was right they are returned to each other. Warning grab tissues before reading.
October 28, 2020
Another in the Homemade for the Holidays collection, this time baking.
Lee and Karol met in Vietnam, with quite a deep connection for an afternoon.
50years later Lee gets a sign it is time to resume the search for Karol.
Life has taken them in completely different directions so it is an eye opener for Lee.
Definitely good to see much older MC’s though we do just see them at the start of possibilities.
Lee and Karol met in Vietnam, with quite a deep connection for an afternoon.
50years later Lee gets a sign it is time to resume the search for Karol.
Life has taken them in completely different directions so it is an eye opener for Lee.
Definitely good to see much older MC’s though we do just see them at the start of possibilities.
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December 14, 2019review to follow
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