Ok so this was not at all the story I expected. It’s less a rom. or holiday story (which for some reason is how I found it listed) and more of a can-you-return-home story. The MC has a strong drive to run from attachments and hits his breaking point one Christmas season but instead of just running, he finally decides to return to the first place he left when he was just 15 with his mum. As he tossed into the whirlwind of turning up after 13 years of radio silence to his father and brother, and the pain of leaving his boyfriend with no warning (his boyfriend was on a business trip and returned to find him gone) the MC has to choose what he really wants and decide if he can make peace with his past and stop running or if he’s going to keep running even though it will destroy his heart.

Has some remembered violence that borders on graphic, includes drug addiction. But in trues Calmes style it is handled as tastefully as possible while staying true to the characters. ( )

This story blew me away. I wasn’t really sure what was going on for a while, but had a feeling the mystery about to unravel was going to be devastating, interesting, or both. It ended up being utterly emotional on top. Not only was I totally invested in the main character who tells the story in first person, I was also fascinated by the psychology of what was going on, the slow reveal of the reasons behind his behavior and the final revelations and solution had me tearing up. A truly amazing story, firmly settled in real-life psychology with love playing the central part in solving the issues.

Jake/Eli is clearly a troubled soul. He has a past, and as he meets the family he has been separated from, we learn more about him and what happened in small steps. It kept up the tension for me, and the love and acceptance Jake/Eli finds from his two elder brothers, his father and even his father’s new wife was touching. Whether it was the Christmas spirit that was upon them or whether they were just nice people, the situation, as grim as it was, became a lot more bearable through their support. And not just for Jake/Eli!

Craig, the boyfriend Jake/Eli ran away from, is an absolutely amazing guy. He doesn’t seem so at first, because we see him through Jake/Eli’s eyes and he isn’t too sure what to think or how to deal with everything. As Jake/Eli realizes what is going on and how he really feels, my impression of Craig improved. That and the fact that Craig’s actions speak a lot louder than words ever could.

On the whole, this is one amazing book. If you like psychological insights, deep emotional drama and families finding each other again, you will probably like this story as much as I did. And while the story is set at Christmas time, and there is lots of Christmas spirit (if that is what you want to call it), this is a positive, uplifting story that is good to read at any time of the year. Just be ready for quite an emotional roller coaster ride before you get to the very rewarding ending.




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

BMB Reviews - February Author of the Month



Mary Calmes Jizzmas Sugar to be exact?

3.5 stars - O.M.G. I thought this day would never come. Mary Calmes is our AOTM for February!

*flutters her wings like Tinkerbell*

I get like this when I see a new Mary Calmes book:


Happy with precious, don't want to part kinda feels.

I am currently riding a MC sugar filled rush, so I'll just blurt out my feels on this story which was good but not a MC slammer. Because Jizzmas. It wasn't super saturated with Santa cum but man...was it present.

Overall, it's a Calmes - I know what I'm going to get. And I got it: a possessive top, a sweet, bottom that everyone loves, adores, cherishes and wants to put in their pockets forever (and ever) and "mine" and domestic inner goddess and kisses and a modern day fairy tale-esque feel.

Jake is a runner. He was born to a runner. And he repeats the pattern by running. He's 28 now and he left his boyfriend and life because...well I'm not exactly sure why...but he ran back to his hometown and was seen by his long lost brother in a gas station. Jake ran away from home with his mother when he was fifteen. He hid from his family and kept a dark secret. Jake's all 'I have this big secret - don't talk to me or look too hard 'cause I'm running, bitch' type of attitude. So everyone kind of coddled him.

In the beginning of this prodigal son tale, I was a little meh. Because not only is Jake/Eli super loved by everyone, he kept being compared to his mother, a lot. Like he looked like this glorious and beautiful dead woman all the time.



All. The. Time. It was weird.

Then we get crumbs to this mystery of 13 years that Jake (real name Eli) has kept hidden. Then the story got a little dark. Not too much but enough for me to pay attention. Might've also been because they finally stopped comparing Jake/Eli to his mother.



Anyway, Jake's boyfriend the super rich, sorta alpha business owner Craig Zhao isn't here to listen to that crap. He wants his man home with him. Craig's all 'kill the noise Jake. You know your kisses are potent. Gimme your sweet behind.'

And that's when I got happy.



Because it just worked. The little bit of time Jake /Eli and Craig spent together, their attraction and passion was yummy. Jake's reasons might be silly and fluffed to gills but at the end of the day, he just needed his man to reassure him and show him that he's his and quit the shit.

So it read like a fluffed out Christmas after school special but it's a Mary Calmes one. I went in knowing what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. Some parts corny, more parts sweet and full of love and cooking hints.



Not my favorite (it's earlier Calmes) but a solid novella is solid. " ( )

Mary Calmes has her formula... I know what to expect from her characters. This story pulled at my heart springs. I'm a fan. 4 stars ( )

Well color my ass surprised. I want to give this 3.5 because there were some moments that felt a bit rushed, over the top, and not developed, but fuck it. I liked this. ( )