A Man for the Holidays

by J.O. Mantel

Spencer always regarded himself as a hopeless romantic. A boring, pathetic loser who gave up on dating and finding love. For the past ten years, it’s just been him and his best friend, Paige.

Aside from the ‘loser’ status, Spencer also has an obsession. An obsession that would seem crazy, stupid, and even idiotic to everyone else, you know, all the ‘normal’ people. For Spencer though, this obsession is anything but normal, and he knows it.

Day after day he spends his time in a men's clothing store, obsessing over Quinn. Quinn is a handsome, mysterious, and spectacular creation who Spencer knows absolutely nothing about, but finds himself extremely attracted to the guy.

There’s just one problem––Quinn is a mannequin.

All Spencer wants is a man. Someone to be with, shop with, sleep with, fall in love with, even if it’s just for the holidays. All he wants … is Quinn.

What he wasn’t expecting, however, was to find Quinn, the mannequin he’s been obsessing over, standing at his front door at midnight, two weeks before Christmas … as a real-life human being.

Is Quinn staying just for the holidays? Or will he and Spencer find their Happily Ever After that will last an eternity?

Genres: Gay, M M Romance

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2021

Reviews

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequate, Yet Also A bit Awkward!

The story is pretty well done, but the writing style just felt quite awkward when reading. Plus there were a number of spelling and grammar issues. The MCs were fairly well done.

[vrstal · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'd @ 18%. [12/22/2021]
My biggest issue is casual transphobia - having a penis does not make you a man. However, the writing felt hard to connect with at all. From poor character descriptions ("a nice set of boobs") to an MC that was rather annoying to read the POV of, I just couldn't get into this book. Also, yeah, if you spend your time obsessing over mannequins it will get in the way of you forming relationships. Also, you're a dick to your friends. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Spencer wants is a man for the holidays. He’s tired of being lonely. He just wants to fall in love and have his own happily ever after. Spencer has a secret he doesn’t want anyone to know. He’s got a secret crush on a mannequin he named Quinn.

When Spencer encounters a stranger after work and the stranger asks him what he wants most at that moment he tells the stranger he says he wants Quinn for the holidays. Low and behold later that evening during a horrible storm Quinn is standing at his door step as a human.

After realizing this isn’t a dream Spencer let’s Quinn into his home and gets to know him. He’s even better in real life than a mannequin. Spencer knows his time with Quinn is limited but the more time they spend together he can’t help but see a real future with Quinn.

I’m going to be honest and say when I read the synopsis of this book I had my doubts about how could this plot be any good. With that being said, I should have known better than to doubt this author. JO has a way of taking an off the wall plot and turn it into a wonderful tale. I really enjoyed this book. I got emotional more than once while reading it and I enjoyed every minute of this story. Very well done.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Jakki Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved it. Now I know that there will surely be comments/complaints about it being similar to Mannequin or Life Size - movies from years ago. But although familiar, I really loved J.O's take on the tale. As with all great J.O. books, it's MM, tongue in cheek funny, and equal parts sweet and steamy.

It's quick and easy to read - perfect for a Xmas eve time out before your chosen chaos commences. You'll fall in love with Quinn - he's a sweety with so much to give the right man... And it'll take the right man to make it happen - believe me. I promise not to judge you if you happen to cry just a little. I can neither confirm nor deny that I did - only J.O. knows for sure. Treat yourself to the perfect man this Xmas ninjas, because let's be honest - who doesn't want Santa to bring them their dream man?

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet holiday read. It was a cute storyline that I have not seen in quite a while. Quinn was so adorable, you just wanted to hug him. Spencer had to grow on me a little bit. Part of the time he seemed a little standoffish and at one point he was a little harsh with Quinn. However, he did redeem himself and the book had a very nice happily ever after. I would recommend this book for a nice easy holiday read.

[Wayne Blood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, but this book is simply not good. At. All. it’s riddled with stilted, clunky dialogue and not one iota of warmth to be found. It’s supposed to be *magical* but comes across as an incompetent first draft. There is no internal logic to *any* of the events and the characters are practically schizophrenic in their thoughts and actions. I really wanted to like it, but just kept shaking my head. #ManniquinsAndStatuesAreNotTheSameThing.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I loved this book!

It's romantic and funny and sad and a little weird. I don't really get why Spencer is wondering that he has problems finding more friends or a boyfriend when he is obsessing over a mannequin. I mean, it is weird, right? But it is a tale and so almost all the magic is allowed to happen. And it does!

I especially loved the super sweet ending.

If you're not into tales, the book is not for you but I guess you got that from the synopsis ;-)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer just wants a man he can spend the holidays with, somebody to talk to, spend time with and do all those things couples do together but he wasnt really looking for love. Quinn is just the man for the job... or is he. A quick fast fun holiday read that will have you cheering on Spencer and Quinn.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, holiday book. This book is very similar to one of my favorite movies. See if you can figure that out, while your reading it. Spencer just wants to be happy. Will he get his wish? Is Quinn the right man for the job? I loved reading about Spencer’s and Quinn. A great book during the holidays.

[Lori Hammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn is a dream come true when Spencer shares his wish with just the right person. They spend a couple weeks together. Just as Quinn goes back, Spencer gets a Christmas miracle. This is a very sweet, magical story.

[Jerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a cute, sweet story about a man who doesn’t want to take a chance to be happy. Luckily, a wish comes true that helps him take that chance. Reminiscent of the movie that’s mentioned. Great Christmas story!

[Contina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This was so enjoyable and totally caught me by surprise. I love going into a book blind. I'm glad I had no expectations because this was a real gem with just enough holiday magic.

[Belinda Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful holiday romance story.

Spencer just wants a man to love, to shop with and have a family with.

Quinn is the perfect man for Spencer except for 1 tiny detail.

Will Spencer get his Christmas wish?

This is a great holiday read, the author has done a fantastic job making you feel like you are right beside Spencer as the story plays out.

[Crystal Stafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute story, a tad weird but the synopsis hides nothing so you know exactly what to expect going in. I love a MM romance and this one had a unique twist and was centered around Christmas which always gets my warm and fuzzies going. This was my first read by J.O. Mantel and I definitely would read his work again, he's creative and descriptive enough where I could be in and enjoy the story and characters. I loved all the characters and thought the ending was so exceptionally sweet. There were moments I laughed out loud and I loved the commentary and conversations between our two hero's.

This is a quick read with lots or odd little quirks to make the storyline unique and the characters super enjoyable.