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REVIEW: Baby, It’s Cold by Josh Lanyon
Baby, It’s Cold – Josh Lanyon
Talk about Kitchen Nightmares! TV Chef Rocky and Foodie Blogger Jesse have been pals forever, so it should have been the most natural thing in the world to kick their relationship up a notch. Instead, it turned out to be a disaster. But Christmas is the season of love, and someone’s cooking up a sweet surprise…
Rocky said it best, it was a convoluted mess. The whole charade fell flat in so many ways and I don’t understand why Jesse didn’t simply invite Rocky to dinner instead. It would have been the more honest and sincere approach for rebuilding that bridge. The introduction of Rocky’s agent to the affair didn’t help much either.
It’s not without it’s good points. The setting was cozy, the lovely meal Jesse prepared was a success and the whole story gave off fluffy, quirky vibes that earned it an extra star.
Baby, It’s Cold might not be Lanyon’s best short story but it is enjoyable enough once you get past dinner. It started picking up when Jesse caught the flu and he and Rocky had their Big Fight where Rocky pretty much hurled everything he had been bottling up inside out in the open. I’m with Rocky on this one. I love that he even made sure Jesse got his fluids despite everything. Jesse seemed unlikable and it was mostly his fault, IMO. Though I am glad they had their second chance, I still have a few niggles. Better make it work this time, guys!
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)
Artist: Ramones
Album: Brain Drain -
Love Around the Corner – Sally Malcolm
Real life enemies, online lovers. Two lonely men, destined for each other–if only they knew it.
Real life enemies.
Alfie Carter grew up in New Milton, caring for his sick father and keeping their auto repair shop on its feet. He’s touchy about his poor education and doesn’t take kindly to snide remarks from the town’s prickly bookstore owner—no matter how cute he looks in his skinny jeans. Leo Novak’s new life as owner of Bayside Books is floundering. And he could do without the town’s gorgeous, moody mechanic holding a grudge against him after an unfortunate—and totally not his fault— encounter last Christmas.
Online lovers.
Left to run the family business alone, Alfie spends his lonely evenings indulging his secret passion for classic fiction and chatting online with witty, romantic ‘LLB’ as they fall in love over literature. Leo’s still reeling from a bad breakup and struggling to make friends in New Milton, so seeks comfort instead in his blossoming online romance with thoughtful, bookish ‘Camaro89’.
But as the holidays approach, ‘LLB’ and ‘Camaro89’ are planning to meet, and realities are about to collide…
Two lonely men, destined for each other—if only they knew it.What a delightful little story!
Love Around the Corner is the perfect Christmas story for book lovers everywhere. It is an updated version of You Got Mail in which two shop owners don’t get along in real life but connect closely online. While I didn’t enjoy the rom-com because Meg Ryan was forever doing the same character in all her movies and Tom Hanks was not my type, Alfie and Leo charmed me with their online bond and mutual love of Jane Austen, an author I’m trying to get.
I have tried reading Emma twice but I couldn’t move past the mind-numbingly dull conversations but I guess that’s the whole point, it being a commentary on people. I also want to read Pride and Prejudice to see what the fuss is all about with this Darcy fellow. Alfie and Leo understood the whole dissection of human nature thing that Austen is so adept at. Their enthusiasm for classic literature was so contagious I was inspired to read some. I was even pleasantly surprised to learn that Maurice, a book I dismissed as the usual bury your gay classic, has a happy ending! Definitely reading that.
This is another book set in New Milton, this time, in winter. The story is typical of romantic comedies. But even if we know what to expect, Sally Malcolm was able to keep things interesting. She had me hard rooting for both men. Alfie, the moody mechanic, is not really moody. He is actually such a sweetheart. He finds reading challenging but he worked around it by listening to audiobooks. Leo was the exasperating one and I thought Dee should have egged him harder to tell the truth. Heck, Dee should have gone ahead and told Alfie, spare everyone the drama. But since Leo was cute as a button and he was genuinely hurting, I didn’t feel too inclined to be annoyed. Also his love letter to Alfie was so worth it!
If you are up for something warm and fuzzy, Love Around the Corner is for you. That it is about bookworms is an extra treat. Author Sally Malcolm started writing MM in 2016 and she’s an exciting new voice in the scene. I totally loved her New Milton books! I liked how her books are a winning combination of fluff and humor with a side of angst. I recommend this to those who love stories about enemies-to-lovers, second chances and getting into that Christmas spirit.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
P.S.
Review of Sally Malcolm’s book, Between the Lines here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Lost in Austen
Artist: Mystery Jets
Album: Radlands(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42779749-love-around-the-corner)
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A Touch of Brogue – Christine Danse
Eric Rossi isn’t a bad person. But he’s been talked into doing some pretty regrettable things by the man he thought he loved–like write a fake review of a pub he never stepped foot in for a food magazine that makes or breaks restaurants in Portland. He’s since dumped the boyfriend, but he can’t undo the review or the damage it’s done to the Irish Sisters and its passionate owner, Colm.
When Colm paid to have his family pub shipped from Ireland to Oregon, he put his savings, his heritage, and his sanity on the line. Now he gets so few customers, he notices each one. Especially the sweet, shy man who is dragged into the pub by his pink-haired niece. He calls himself Mark, and he is a chef’s dream, a man who completely enjoys everything Colm cooks. What Colm doesn’t know is that the man he’s falling for is the critic who’s almost cost him everything.
Eric didn’t mean to fall in love with the Irish Sisters or its blue-eyed, Irish-American owner. He definitely didn’t mean to lie about his identity. He’s already done enough damage, after all. Now he must make things right for the restaurant and disappear from Colm’s life before Colm learns the devastating truth, because the last thing Eric wants to do is destroy the chef’s heart, too.
A Touch of Brogue is a very charming holiday story that had me craving for Irish food I never had before.
The blurb immediately caught my attention. I had a short stint working for a not so popular restaurant before so I have some idea of it how feels to have an empty dining room while the resto next door is overflowing. I also couldn’t forget the huge stacks of dishes I washed when there were more customers.The people I worked with before weren’t as passionate as Colm so I doubt they paid attention to reviews. I wasn’t surprised the restaurant eventually closed.
Eric Rossi, the food critic is very suggestible and a bit of a pushover. He was talked into writing a bad review of the Irish Sisters by his ex even though he has not eaten at the restaurant before. The Irish Sisters is a pub owned by Irish-America Colm who took over the family business.
I felt sorry for Colm. He poured his heart and soul into the restaurant. And I know his food is really good. I could practically taste it off the page. Food is central to the story and food bridged the gap between the two men.
Colm and Eric had great easy going chemistry together. It was fun tagging along with them on their date because they really had a good time. It was only marred by Eric’s mistake. I felt sympathetic towards Eric even though I was exasperated at him for not telling the truth sooner. As expected, he had to drag it out until he was busted and so the Big Fight ensued. He eventually found the courage to say no to bad influence, face the consequences and made efforts to redeem himself. I liked the fact that the price he paid was high because, yeah, that was a shitty thing to do. How he eventually got back on his feet and how Colm communicated with him again was satisfying and nicely done.
Overall, the story is cozy, warm and very enjoyable. Perfect for holiday weekends when you stuffed yourself full of your grandma’s cooking.
P.S.
I received a copy of A Touch of Brogue from Nine Star Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: This Christmas
Artist: Picture This
Album(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42439939-a-touch-of-a-brogue)
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Merry and Bright – Joanna Chambers
Three seasonal love stories from Joanna Chambers
Humbug
Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.
Mr Perfect’s Christmas
Sam Warren’s new job hasn’t been going so well so the last thing he’s in the mood for is the obligatory office Christmas party, particularly since Nick Foster’s going to be there. Nick–the guy whose shoes Sam has been trying to fill–seems to take very opportunity to point out where Sam’s going wrong. But when Sam receives an unexpected Secret Santa gift at the party, he’s forced to question his assumptions about his rival. Could it be that he’s been misinterpreting Nick’s actions all along? And is it possible that his reluctant attraction to Nick is reciprocated?
Rest and Be Thankful
Things haven’t been going well for Cam McMorrow since he moved to Inverbechie. His business is failing, his cottage is falling apart and following his very public argument with café owner Rob Armstrong, he’s become a social outcast. Cam needs to get away from his troubles and when his sister buys him a ticket to the biggest Hogmanay party in Glasgow, he can’t leave Inverbechie quick enough. But when events conspire to strand him in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm, not only is he liable to miss the party, he’ll also have to ask his nemesis, Rob, for help.
Three seasonal love stories that were sweet and fluffy. Joanna Chambers writes great short stories. They are usually well-written, fully fleshed out and resolved satisfactorily. Insta-attraction is the scourge of romance short stories and the author works around that by having the characters crush on each other for a long time without the other realizing then she brings them together and BAM! The FEELS.
Humbug: posted here
Mr. Perfect: What was supposedly Sam’s Kris Kringle nightmare turned out to be a sweet revelation. Nick be like, notice me, kohai! This one’s a win.
Rest and Be Thankful: Rob and Cam did their best but it wasn’t working. Sorry guys! You’re good people. It’s just that, the story is boring. I feel bad giving you low ratings.
Rating:
Humbug – 4 Stars
Mr. Perfect – 4 Stars
Rest and Be Thankful – 2.5 StarsOverall: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Artist: Rufus Wainwright & Sharon van Etten
Album: Holidays Rule(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36554036-merry-bright)
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Humbug – Joanna Chambers
Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.
A highly enjoyable retelling of the classic story of Scrooge in the guise of a workaholic who wouldn’t find the time to take a holiday and expects his subordinates to do the same. Come Christmas time, he found himself alone. Work has eaten up his life and everybody hates him. But good cheer comes from unexpected quarters and he found new love and a new lease on life.
This holiday short is perfect for bed weather days or when you just want to start celebrating early. Because Christmas starts in September why not.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Christmas in the Room
Artist: Sufjan Stevens
Album: Silver & Gold(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27268211-humbug)
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Blame It on the Mistletoe – Eli Easton
When physics grad student Fielding Monroe and skirt-chaser and football player Mick Colman become college housemates, they’re both in for a whole new education. Mick looks out for the absent-minded genius, and he helps Fielding clean up his appearance and discover all the silly pleasures his strict upbringing as a child prodigy denied him. They become best friends.
It’s all well and good until they run into a cheerleader who calls Mick the ‘best kisser on campus.’ Fielding has never been kissed, and he decides Mick and only Mick can teach him how it’s done. After all, the physics department’s Christmas party is coming up with its dreaded mistletoe. Fielding wants to impress his peers and look cool for once in his life. The thing about Fielding is, once he locks onto an idea, it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind. And he just doesn’t understand why his straight best friend would have a problem providing a little demonstration.
Mick knows kissing is a dangerous game. If he gives in, it would take a miracle for the thing not to turn into a disaster. Then again, if the kissing lessons get out of hand they can always blame it on the mistletoe.
I’m happy to say my first Eli Easton book was a surprise hit. I didn’t read the blurb beforehand so I was totally blank when I started listening but the narrator, Jason Frazier, was so good at it and boy did it turn out to be utterly adorkable!
Mick Colman was looking for a housemate and eventually landed on Physics geek extraordinaire Fielding Monroe. The two hit if off really well, became BFFs until Fielding ask Mick to teach him how to kiss. This would have been all sorts of awkward between two friends but Fielding, not keen on social cues, was relentless. This lead Mick, who has always considered himself straight, to ask questions about himself.
This novella packs a lot of goodies: jock-and-nerd + gay-for- you + roommates-to-lovers + best-friends-to-lovers. There’s snappy dialogue and dry humor. The writing is that type you can breeze through in one sitting. Despite the lightness of the writing, the whole thing was so sweet and emotional, you should avoid reading it in public lest you end up with a silly grin all over your face. I know I was smiling like crazy when I was listening to it.
Fielding is a joy to listen to. He revels in simple everyday things he missed growing up, like snow-ball fights and DVDs. His child-like glee, good nature and exuberance were contagious. Frazier’s voice for him perfectly captured his geeky but lovable personality. Mick couldn’t help but like him the first time they met. It would have been easy to hate Mick being a man-whore and a jock but he endeared himself for being kind-hearted, loyal and always looking out for Fielding. His confusion and anxiety, though understandable, were really funny. Frazier’s voice for him was on point as well, capturing everything from seductive player, all around nice guy, to “but I’m straight?!” self-debate and the momentous
“It was so… fuck. And it was… damn.
“
Definitely a highly recommended Christmas treat!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Kiss Kiss Kiss
Artist: John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Album: Double Fantasy(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18776908-blame-it-on-the-mistletoe)
