3.25
Another sweet-as-hell, ridiculously heartwarming novel to end this year in the best way possible!
I had quite a few niggles with this holiday romance, and I did end up skimming a bit of it, especially near the end, but all in all, it left me with sappy, happy feelings, so this is a solid three star (and plus!) rating for me.
So, starting with the good... I really enjoyed the small-town setting and the very Hallmark-y atmosphere of Elijah and Nathan's romance! I also adored the whole cast of side characters, and I'm now very much intrigued by a few of them and the possibility of them getting their well-deserved HEA.
I also loved Nathan and Elijah, individually and together, but... Some of the misunderstandings between them got tiring after a bit. I shouldn't judge Elijah too harshly, since I'm a serial paranoid-insecure dater as well, but ugh, I just wanted to scream at him at times. Nathan too.
I was also a biiiiit disappointed that their dynamic wasn't explored more: I'm a sucker for D/s dynamics in my romances, especially ones involving inexperienced submissive-types that have never gotten the opportunity to explore that side of themselves in their previous relationships, but sigh. Some of their scenes, like when Nathan discovers Elijah's more subby personality and in general, their first times together, were really explosive, but I kind of wish their dynamic was portrayed a bit more thoroughly.
One thing I DID love was the way Elijah slowly but surely started getting more confident about his femme side, by wearing make-up and feminine clothes in public. I was so proud of him!
The writing wasn't precisely my cup of tea, because it was a tad too sugary and, I don't know, a bit green, for my liking, but I'd definitely give this author another go, especially considering how much I loved Kota Quinn's work with Avery Tu in their "Baton Blue Daddy" series.
All in all, this was a cute read, but I wish I'd loved it just a tiny bit more!
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.