What do you think?
Rate this book
Happy Holidays! The Charlie Barnes Experience, Volume 1
280 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2020
35 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 11, 2024
"Damn Charlie you are one odd duck"
Do not let anyone spoil this for you!
Go in as a blank slate, unprepared for the twisty turny moments
This was so far out in left field while at the same time so relatable
This had a little dash of everything. I swear each page brought another layer to the story.
Humor, mystery, action, a little romance, light angst, even some personal growth (not much it is Charlie we are talking about)
Think Rodney Dangerfield comedy, cozy mystery suspense, modern noir, and Murphy's law all wrapped up in one
Just trust the process and enjoy the journey
You won't be disappointed
"A forced apology is like a faked orgasm. Even if you pull it off, everyone goes away unsatisfied in the end."
I admit Charlie grated on my nerves the first couple of chapters. He was so self-absorbed and honestly a bit delusional
Until he wasn't
And he captured my heart
Just like he stole his BFF Bee Bee's a true ride-or-die sidekick. I'm hoping we get more on him and his pilot
The storyline kept me guessing as much as Charlie. It is filled with great supporting characters and some villainous ones - it is a bit of a mystery got to have the good and the bad
Like his publisher who knows how to command a room
And Luke Goode... "As in you sure Luke Goode to me"
An all around solid must read!!!
Do not let anyone spoil this for you!
Go in as a blank slate, unprepared for the twisty turny moments
This was so far out in left field while at the same time so relatable
This had a little dash of everything. I swear each page brought another layer to the story.
Humor, mystery, action, a little romance, light angst, even some personal growth (not much it is Charlie we are talking about)
Think Rodney Dangerfield comedy, cozy mystery suspense, modern noir, and Murphy's law all wrapped up in one
Just trust the process and enjoy the journey
You won't be disappointed
"A forced apology is like a faked orgasm. Even if you pull it off, everyone goes away unsatisfied in the end."
I admit Charlie grated on my nerves the first couple of chapters. He was so self-absorbed and honestly a bit delusional
Until he wasn't
And he captured my heart
Just like he stole his BFF Bee Bee's a true ride-or-die sidekick. I'm hoping we get more on him and his pilot
The storyline kept me guessing as much as Charlie. It is filled with great supporting characters and some villainous ones - it is a bit of a mystery got to have the good and the bad
Like his publisher who knows how to command a room
And Luke Goode... "As in you sure Luke Goode to me"
An all around solid must read!!!
March 9, 2025
"Happy Holidays!" by C.R. Barnes is a wildly entertaining story packed with unexpected twists. Charlie Barnes, a struggling writer, finds his life turned upside down after a chaotic Halloween night. This event lands him in the ICU and introduces him to the charming cop, Luke, who seems almost too perfect. As Charlie navigates his feelings for Luke, he must also deal with a looming book deadline and a rather illicit suitcase left at the airport.
Charlie's story is both humorous and poignant as he struggles with writer's block and personal identity. His character development is engaging, especially as he confronts his flaws and the complexities of his relationships. Luke's mysterious motives add intrigue, keeping readers guessing. The supporting cast, especially BeeBee, contributes to the chaotic yet endearing atmosphere.
The novel explores themes of identity, creativity, and deception, touching on the pressures of success and the blurred lines between truth and fiction.
Barnes's writing is fast-paced and witty, balancing humor and seriousness. The narrative is engaging, though some readers might find the pacing a bit frenetic.
I found the book enjoyable, if somewhat chaotic, read. It effectively conveys the messiness of life and the importance of being true to oneself.
The atmosphere is vibrant and unpredictable, much like Charlie's life. One area for improvement could be adding more depth to the supporting characters, which would enrich the story further.
This novel stands out for its unique mix of humor and drama, making it a compelling addition to the LGBTQ fiction genre. It encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences with identity and creativity, making it a relatable and engaging read.
Overall, "Happy Holidays!" is memorable for balancing lighthearted humor with deeper themes, creating an entertaining experience.
Charlie's story is both humorous and poignant as he struggles with writer's block and personal identity. His character development is engaging, especially as he confronts his flaws and the complexities of his relationships. Luke's mysterious motives add intrigue, keeping readers guessing. The supporting cast, especially BeeBee, contributes to the chaotic yet endearing atmosphere.
The novel explores themes of identity, creativity, and deception, touching on the pressures of success and the blurred lines between truth and fiction.
Barnes's writing is fast-paced and witty, balancing humor and seriousness. The narrative is engaging, though some readers might find the pacing a bit frenetic.
I found the book enjoyable, if somewhat chaotic, read. It effectively conveys the messiness of life and the importance of being true to oneself.
The atmosphere is vibrant and unpredictable, much like Charlie's life. One area for improvement could be adding more depth to the supporting characters, which would enrich the story further.
This novel stands out for its unique mix of humor and drama, making it a compelling addition to the LGBTQ fiction genre. It encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences with identity and creativity, making it a relatable and engaging read.
Overall, "Happy Holidays!" is memorable for balancing lighthearted humor with deeper themes, creating an entertaining experience.
September 11, 2024
"Damn Charlie you are one odd duck"
Do not let anyone spoil this for you!
Go in as a blank slate, unprepared for the twisty turny moments
This was so far out in left field while at the same time so relatable
This had a little dash of everything. I swear each page brought another layer to the story.
Humor, mystery, action, a little romance, light angst, even some personal growth (not much it is Charlie we are talking about)
Think Rodney Dangerfield comedy, cozy mystery suspense, modern noir, and Murphy's law all wrapped up in one
Just trust the process and enjoy the journey
You won't be disappointed
"A forced apology is like a faked orgasm. Even if you pull it off, everyone goes away unsatisfied in the end."
I admit Charlie grated on my nerves the first couple of chapters. He was so self-absorbed and honestly a bit delusional
Until he wasn't
And he captured my heart
Just like he stole his BFF Bee Bee's a true ride-or-die sidekick. I'm hoping we get more on him and his pilot
The storyline kept me guessing as much as Charlie. It is filled with great supporting characters and some villainous ones - it is a bit of a mystery got to have the good and the bad
Like his publisher who knows how to command a room
And Luke Goode... "As in you sure Luke Goode to me"
An all around solid must read!!!
Do not let anyone spoil this for you!
Go in as a blank slate, unprepared for the twisty turny moments
This was so far out in left field while at the same time so relatable
This had a little dash of everything. I swear each page brought another layer to the story.
Humor, mystery, action, a little romance, light angst, even some personal growth (not much it is Charlie we are talking about)
Think Rodney Dangerfield comedy, cozy mystery suspense, modern noir, and Murphy's law all wrapped up in one
Just trust the process and enjoy the journey
You won't be disappointed
"A forced apology is like a faked orgasm. Even if you pull it off, everyone goes away unsatisfied in the end."
I admit Charlie grated on my nerves the first couple of chapters. He was so self-absorbed and honestly a bit delusional
Until he wasn't
And he captured my heart
Just like he stole his BFF Bee Bee's a true ride-or-die sidekick. I'm hoping we get more on him and his pilot
The storyline kept me guessing as much as Charlie. It is filled with great supporting characters and some villainous ones - it is a bit of a mystery got to have the good and the bad
Like his publisher who knows how to command a room
And Luke Goode... "As in you sure Luke Goode to me"
An all around solid must read!!!
March 16, 2021
Fun read if you’re not put off by profanity. There’s no graphic sex/erotica, which is refreshing. The twists keep it interesting and Charlie’s running inner monologue swerves from absurd, to self-effacing, to almost... tour guide? Anyway, I read this in day, straight through.
September 9, 2024
I laughed so hard I cried!
First off, I loved this book; second, it is not a holiday book! (OK, it does span events from Halloween to Christmas but it’s still not a holiday book IMHO.) I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh so hard I actually cried. I mean tears literally streaming down my face. And this was happening while I was trying to read a passage to my husband (who also LOL’d) – which was pretty damn difficult to do while laughing! 😊 While parts of this story were LOL funny, other parts were not so much.
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that went from lovers-to-enemies without then going back to lovers but that’s what happens here so I would not call this a romance. It’s also not really spicy even though two of the main characters get it on a few times (it’s not graphic). I said two main characters…I think there are three main characters. One of them is just a friend to Charlie, however he is so integral to the book that I definitely consider him a main character.
While not a romance, to me this story was a fantastic romp through totally implausible events that kept me entertained the entire time I was reading it. This one is going on my favorites list for this year.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
First off, I loved this book; second, it is not a holiday book! (OK, it does span events from Halloween to Christmas but it’s still not a holiday book IMHO.) I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh so hard I actually cried. I mean tears literally streaming down my face. And this was happening while I was trying to read a passage to my husband (who also LOL’d) – which was pretty damn difficult to do while laughing! 😊 While parts of this story were LOL funny, other parts were not so much.
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that went from lovers-to-enemies without then going back to lovers but that’s what happens here so I would not call this a romance. It’s also not really spicy even though two of the main characters get it on a few times (it’s not graphic). I said two main characters…I think there are three main characters. One of them is just a friend to Charlie, however he is so integral to the book that I definitely consider him a main character.
While not a romance, to me this story was a fantastic romp through totally implausible events that kept me entertained the entire time I was reading it. This one is going on my favorites list for this year.
A copy of this book was provided to me at my request and my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
September 18, 2024
This book is hilarious. I loved so much of it and it was just fun to read. This isn't really so much of a romance, but still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews