Erryn reviews Gay Romance Holiday Collection by Keira Andrews, published November 6, 2019 by KA Books,. The audiobook was released on October 20, 2020, is 13hrs and 1mins and is narrated by Kirt Graves. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read the book: I adore Keira books.
Four steamy and sweet M/M holiday romances in one sizzling bundle!
This gay romance collection from Keira Andrews includes four of her best-selling holiday novellas:
Eight Nights in December: A geek. A virgin. One sexy holiday.
In Case of Emergency: Former stepbrothers find Christmas romance under the tree.
Santa Daddy: Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot!
Where the Lovelight Gleams: Will costars take their romance offscreen this Christmas?
Buy it here: Audible | Amazon | Add it to Goodreads
My Review:
I’m not even sure where to start with my review. I have to say I’m known as a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas – getting together with family is okay, but the rest of it? Not interested. Of course, this year is different and I’d do anything to have a normal Christmas. Ah well, not to be. All that being said, I headed into this collection with high expectations because I have yet to listen to a Keira Andrews book I didn’t love and Kirt Graves is a fave of mine as well. I believe this is their first collab and I hope it won’t be their last. Kirt does great narration and this series of novellas worked with his voice. That being said, he missed a couple of pronunciations because he’s not Canadian, but only a Canadian would catch the mistakes.
Which leads me into the first thing, aside from Kirt, that I really loved about these books. They are all unapologetically set in Canada. I’m a proud Canadian who loves reading books that are set in Canada (and other countries as well, to be sure, but Canuck all the way). I also love that not every book centers around the Christian Christmas. There was variety in the stories and their approaches from the devoutly religious to the barely mentioned. A little something for everyone. For instance, in Eight Nights in December, I learned a lot about Hanukkah and Jewish traditions – things I knew almost nothing about. I also got a sexy story about two young men struggling to figure out what they want and discovering that it’s each other.
In Case of Emergency was a lovely story about two men who were barely stepbrothers a bunch of years ago but who come together when one is injured and needs help. Who knew being a klutz could lead to meeting up again with the man of your dreams? And who knew connecting with someone from your past would enable a profound understanding of who you are fundamentally? And how powerful acceptance can really be.
Then there’s Santa Daddy. Hunter is newly graduated from university but has been unable to find a real paying job in Toronto. He comes home, north of the city, and lands the job as an elf to the hottest mall Santa he’s ever encountered. Nick might be attracted to the new elf in town, but this Santa is grumpy and solitary for good reason. Only when Hunter invades Nick’s Christmas Tree Farm do fun times ensue. Nick gets to play Daddy to a very naughty Hunter. But with Hunter heading back to the city in the New Year, is a happy ending possible? Of course, there’s ‘Toys, Turkeys, and Trees’. Maybe grumpy Santa can come back into the light and away from the darkness of grief once and for all.
Finally the collection is rounded out with Where the Lovelight Gleams. Ryan has been in love with his co-star Cary for as long as they’ve known each other. Ryan home heads to Canada for Christmas to escape the Hollywood insanity, only to find Cary following him. Cary (named after Cary Grant) claims he also wants to get away from the pressure, and Ryan’s off-handed offer of a Christmas in a little cabin in Muskoka is the perfect solution. (I’ve stayed in a similar cabin in Muskoka and can tell you some of those places are tight quarters.) Somehow the two men find a way to connect in a way they never have before, and suddenly Ryan is questioning whether Cary is as straight as he portrays himself. Cary comes from a long line of Hollywood royalty and if news got out that he was bisexual, it’d be a disaster, right? Well, yeah, maybe Cary is willing to risk everything for Ryan. Just quickly – this story is told entirely from Ryan’s point of view while the other stories in the collection are split POVs.
Well, writing that review was pretty easy because I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Each story was unique and added just the perfect cheer to this dreary holiday season. So well done Ms. Andrews and Mr. Graves. I look forward to more collabs in the future.
My Rating:
10/10 pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
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