From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

So This is Christmas

Josh Lanyon

Start date: December 30, 2016

Finish date: January 30, 2017

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

* Candidates for Next Month's Read
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What Members Thought

Jan 27, 2017 Meep rated it it was ok

Re-read after listening to the series. While remembering all I loved about the series I remain underwhelmed by this extra.

Hmm the characters lack their edge in this one, it's borderline smulchy Christmas fare. Jake without the burden of lies over him is a step too chill, Adrien appears to have lost his prickles.

There's too much weepy preforming sister Lauren - and I get that we're seeing her through Adrien's eyes but she's a total disaster area and claimed too much page time. Then there's a bla Re-read after listening to the series. While remembering all I loved about the series I remain underwhelmed by this extra.

Hmm the characters lack their edge in this one, it's borderline smulchy Christmas fare. Jake without the burden of lies over him is a step too chill, Adrien appears to have lost his prickles.

There's too much weepy preforming sister Lauren - and I get that we're seeing her through Adrien's eyes but she's a total disaster area and claimed too much page time. Then there's a bland little mystery that lacked urgency so seemed more a distraction. The glimpse of Jake's family that was interesting but didn't last long enough for me to determine number or names. Would have really liked to see more of the two of them interacting with family.

Kevin - I get who he is now; but still don't particularly recognise this version of him.
Guy - he simply appeared for roll-call

Everything is tied up neat. While I love the series and the complexity of Jake as a lead character here I kept thinking how easy he now had it! The truth will set you free! He gets a big flash house and new life set up before the ink has dried on his divorce papers. I couldn't help seeing Adrien as somewhat selfish too - Kate married for love and lost everything, which adds bitterness to all the fluff. Lanyon is good at adding those layers but her I think here it warred with the easy fluff of the rest. Yes, I really want them to have their HEA, but was too aware of the victim of it. This isn't long after the reveal, after the coming together openly - the end scene therefore fell flat for me, I couldn't quite parse it. The sex in this book more technical than previous and seemed to be there to make a point.

I'll come back to the series again but probably forget this addition and leave them walk into the sunset after the last novel.

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I'm going to have to re-read the series, because I remember it with affection but didn't enjoy this extra. It's been too long, I had only a vague idea who certain important characters were and the familiar ones didn't endear me. Found it difficult to keep a clear impression of what stage of their relationship Adrien and Jake were at, and wasn't fully supporting them. ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Pete W rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So... This is the long awaited book by many of the Adrien English series fans. MS. Lanyon sure seems energized by the time away from the series, as this one was not only the triumph return to the series but expand upon it with new theme as well.

We got the main plot right away with an old friend basically running into Adrien's arms. The *friend* was a character from (view spoiler) It took me a while to remember who he ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 28, 2016 Marge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, mystery, m-m, humor, favorite-author, top-100, holiday, stars-5, want-to-reread

A wonderful additional book to the series, where we see Adrien and Jake settling in to their relationship. Lots of cameos from characters in earlier books, lots of dry humor, a mystery, and many great character moments. I believe I loved every single word!

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2017 Irina rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, mystery, favourite-series, mm, josh-lanyon

A very much needed 'closure' for A&J. I read it as an epilogue and regretted not having it right after finishing the series the first time around. These two will always have a special place in my heart. ...more

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Jan 01, 2017 motty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Dear Josh, thank you for writing this. What a precious gift to your fans. I read and absorbed this in one sitting, and after finishing it I'm just left wanting even more. You do realise that fans like me will never ever get tired of Adrien and Jake and will forever pester you with questions of 'so, when are you writing the next AE book'?

The last scene... (view spoiler) ...more

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