Setting For Eight, Dinner For Two by B.G. Thomas
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short story (81 pages)
Other: M/M
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

To overcome the bad ending of a relationship, Charlie Brooks and a friend plan to decorate his home for the holidays—including elaborate table settings like those made by local ceramicist Tory Phillips. The pieces are exquisite, but Charlie’s on a budget. So Tory convinces him to take his classes and try his hand at making his own dishes for the dinner party Charlie dreams of hosting. As they work together, they grow closer, and the fantasy gathering feels less important than what’s happening between them. When the big day arrives, it might be more magical than Charlie ever imagined.

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I found this to be a really fun and happy, Christmassy story. I enjoyed the chemistry and connection that happened almost instantly between Charlie and Tory and was also pleased they didn’t fall into insta-lust or just simply jump into bed with each other. Charlie is still pretty burned out from his ex and Tory is quite a bit younger than him so it’s not an easy path for them to come together. Charlie, in particular, felt to my mind to get caught up in his own inner thoughts and musings a fair bit and second (and even third) guess himself so when Tory offered to help Charlie make some napkin rings in Tory’s ceramics class it was the perfect opportunity for the two men to spend some time together without awkwardness or strings.

I felt that Charlie’s inner conversations slowed the pace of the story somewhat, and the author had a very chatty style of writing with lots of self-musings and sentences where the characters train of thought would get interrupted. I can’t help but feel this style of writing won’t appeal to all readers as it can feel a little jarring and jump around, and I personally found the pace was just a little slow with the frequent feeling of interruptions between Charlie and Tory getting to know each other. That said, both men were interesting and well drawn characters and I enjoyed watching them circle each other and try to find their way together.

I really enjoyed how the chemistry sizzled between Charlie and Tory. Despite the fact both men were unsure the attraction and connection between them simply couldn’t be denied. I really liked how with more interactions and meeting together at the pottery sales and classes helped both Charlie and Tory not only spend more time together but grow more comfortable with each other. While there’s no explicit sexual intimacy I adored how Charlie and Tory definitely both got their happy ending. It made all the chemistry and slow build up between them totally worthwhile to my mind.

Fun and happy, this is a lovely short Christmas story.

Purls Of Wisdom by Morgan James
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short story (50 pages)
Other: M/M
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Yarn shop owner and ex-soldier Noah Miller never looks forward to the Christmas season. At least this year the break coincides with Hanukkah. But before his vacation, he has to survive the December rush.

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As the deadline to finish his roommate’s scarf looms, Finley falls in love with the reclusive shopkeeper, and he tries his best to woo Noah with all the magic of New York City at Christmastime. Noah could easily be swept away—if only Finley wasn’t straight and taken….

Noah doesn’t have patience for idiots – and when Finley dashes into his yarn store with a crazy story about a bet involving Christmas presents, knitting and having no clue at all, Noah is certain it’s not going to end well. Only Finley is strangely charming and Noah can’t help but feel a little wistful.

I absolutely loved this story. I found Finley’s character to be an absolute delight, full of joy but also a kind of contagious sense of fun and happiness. While Noah seemed to come across as grey and a bit moody to some of the other secondary characters, I have to admit I couldn’t see it myself. Sure, Noah wasn’t some flamboyant, outrageous and exuberant character, but I couldn’t see where his reputation for moodiness or being a wet blanket had come from really. This didn’t bother me, but I did find it a bit odd.

I loved the slow pace of the romance blossoming between Noah and Finlay. I thought Noah’s assumptions, while understandable at the beginning, did drag on for a bit too long, but it helped slow the pace of the romance growing between Noah and Finlay. I was pleased when Noah eventually worked things out (the scene where he meets Hazel made me laugh like a lunatic) even if I would have preferred this miscommunication to have been cleared up a little quicker.

With a delightful and slow-moving chemistry growing between the two men, this story was really lovely, though not sexually intense. Cheerful and really lovely – I thoroughly enjoyed this short story.

A Graphically Designed Holiday by Ren Holly
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short story (48 pages)
Other: M/M
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Graphic designer Eli has harbored a secret crush on nerdy math teacher Lincoln since they were at school together, and he’s perfectly content with his unrequited feelings—until Lincoln requests a special handmade holiday gift: a dating profile with all the bells and whistles Eli can include, one that will be sure to find Lincoln a boyfriend for Christmas.

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Having known each other since school, Eli and Lincoln have been friends a long time. When Lincoln asks Eli for help making his dating profile can the two men find something special together?

I enjoyed this fun frolic of a short story. Eli and Lincoln have been friends forever and their chemistry and attraction was lovely to witness. The story is told only from Eli’s perspective so there were a few brief moments – particularly in the beginning – where I wasn’t completely certain that Lincoln felt the same level of attachment and commitment that Eli did, but that was fairly quickly put to rest when the men finally kissed.

Steamy and sensual I found this to be a really enjoyable friends-to-lovers story, even if Eli was a little dense in picking up Lincoln’s clues and hints. There’s tons of fun and chemistry and I thought the author added just the right amount of humour into it all as well to keep the tone and pace light (the scene where Eli has a conversation while drunk with his dad – and the results from that conversation – made me laugh aloud for ages).

With a wonderful happy ending and a fair bit of chemistry exploding between the two men I feel most readers should enjoy this short and fun story.

…

Sweet Anticipation by Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Short story (46 pages)
Other: M/M
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Greg Hansen’s pregnant sister is on bed rest, so it falls to Greg to finalize the arrangements for her best friend’s bachelorette party. Little does he know he’s in for a sweet surprise. When he arrives at the bakery recommended to him, he comes face to face with the man he never should’ve let get away—Rhys Denning.
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Rhys’s business is booming with the holidays approaching, so he can’t agree to cater the party without help—and that means Greg getting his hands dirty in the kitchen, where the two reconnect over sugar, spice, holiday goodies of all kinds, and even some penis-shaped baguettes! But the most satisfying treat might be the second chance they never thought they’d get.

Greg and Rhys both feel they’d let the other slip away – so when a second chance comes their way neither is willing to let this opportunity pass them by.

I found this to be a funny and rather tongue-in-cheek sort of Christmassy story. I’d never even dreamed of Santa-penis-shaped baguettes, but that was most certainly an image that stayed with me – and likely will continue to do so for quite some time!

While I found Rhys’ explanation as to his and Greg’s break up a little pat – and it felt a little strange how simply and quickly it was discussed then put away virtually the moment the two men reunited – I have to admit I found it a good thing that they could begin so quickly to rebuild their relationship. I wasn’t totally sold initially on their chemistry, but they certainly worked well together and I absolutely thought their personalities were compatible and meshed very well together. I loved how the author showed this really clearly through how well they worked together in Rhys’ kitchen, even though Greg had practically no skills in that area.

With a fair bit of steam between the two men in the kitchen and a whole lot of sassy fun this story really ticked a number of boxes that I feel many readers will enjoy. Short and sumptuous, this is a great author and one I’m starting to keep an eye out for.