The Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar is a collection of 31 stories. The stories can either be purchased as a bundle, where a new story is released each day during the month of December, or can be purchased individually. This year’s holiday theme is Heartwarming. J9 will be reading and reviewing each of the 31 stories from the Advent Calendar and will post her reviews each week in the month of December. The following are reviews for the stories that were released this week.
Reviewed By: J9
A Solstice Journey by Felicitas Ivey: This story is heavy on fantasy and light on romance but it was a quick read. Gunner has always known he was adopted but not where he was from. One night he learns where he’s from and has to make a decision to stay with his new love or return home. The romance here is superficial at best since it’s light on emotional or sexual intimacy. Still, the Solstice theme was different than other stories in the Advent Calendar.
J9’s Rating:
The Lawyer Under the Tree by Meg Harding: Heavy on sex but with a strong epilogue to turn the story into a romance. Travis is a successful lawyer but is puzzled when his boss orders him to bid on Cameron at holiday bachelor auction which leads to a night to remember. This story is more erotic than emotional but the epilogue ties it up with a romance ribbon.
J9’s Rating:
Rebound by Chris Scully: This is a light and sweet story. Emmett ran to San Diego after breaking up with his no-good boyfriend of twelve years. He’s bitter and cynical but doesn’t know what to make of Sky, a mysterious and just plain nice guy. This is a sweet story with truly nice guy Sky showing Emmett it’s possible to relearn trust. I especially liked the ending and how it fit for both characters.
J9’s Rating:
Wrapped Up In You by Lucy Whedon: Enjoyable though super short reunion story with unconventional holiday cheer I liked. This takes place at a party as Norris and the man who got away, Danny, are reunited by their friends at an Anti-Christmas-Christmas Party.
J9’s Rating:
Alaska by Kim Fielding: Winner, winner chicken dinner! This is a gem of an angsty romance told over twenty years. Marco and Scott have rough lives at twelve but can rely on each other for moments of comfort and peace. Every few years they reconnect but will Christmas ever come for them as a couple? This is as far from a picture perfect holiday story as one can get but I loved it for this. This is the ugly side of families and holidays and how fucked up childhoods lead to fucked up adults—and how adults can change their life trajectory if they have a reason. This tearful and realistic story is my favorite of the Advent Calendar so far.
J9’s Rating:
Grumble Monkey & the Department Store Elf by BG Thomas: This story is so sweet it was like eating an entire tin of marshmallow fluff by myself. Nick St. George is bitter and angry but a storm nearly strands him on his way to San Francisco. This road trip changes Nick’s life when he meets Kit at a rest stop, a young, light-hearted, and obviously gay man. This long story was so sweet my sugar tooth immediately started aching. Kit doesn’t swear, helps accident victims and plays savior to Nick. Nick is the Beast in this fairytale who can’t resist Kit’s charm and innocence. This story was so sweet that I was shocked when the ending added in a little realism which seemed very out of place in comparison.
J9’s Rating:
A Swift Herd For Solstice by Andi Van: Enjoyable shifter romance with nice time lapses to progress the romance. Martin is shocked when he nearly hits an elk who starts talking. Haven did the unthinkable letting a human know about shapeshifters but he still wants to get to know Martin. I liked this story primarily because it uses time lapses to progress the romance. This made me believe the growing feelings between Martin and Haven in a way I wouldn’t have if it was a weekend tryst. The shifter component is good and doesn’t use the mate trope which I appreciated. I liked the secondary characters so well I would like this turned into a series.
J9’s Rating:
Glad you enjoyed Swift Herd! It is indeed part of a series - I'm working on Rain's book now, and it will continue to be blissfully free of the mate trope.
ReplyDelete-Andi Van