A Family For Christmas - Jay Northcote
Author: Jay Northcote
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh
Release: November 18
Length: 45,000 words
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Blurb
Shy, inexperienced Rudy has a crush on Zac from the moment his new colleague walks through the door. On an office night out before Christmas, Rudy finds the courage to make a move, and they form a tentative bond. When he discovers Zac will be alone at Christmas, he invites Zac to come home with him.
Zac prefers to keep people at arm’s length. Yet when Rudy offers him a family Christmas it’s impossible to resist. With no parents of his own, Zac is pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Rudy’s. The only drawback is that everyone assumes they’re a couple. Unwilling to disappoint Rudy’s mum and make Christmas awkward, they decide not to deny it.
It’s not a chore for Zac to pose as Rudy’s boyfriend, but the pretense makes him want things that scare him—things like a real relationship with Rudy. Zac’s suffered enough rejection in his life already and is afraid to risk his heart. If he can get over his past rejection and let Rudy inside his armour, he might get more for Christmas than he ever imagined.
4.5 out of 5 stars
A Family For Christmas is a standalone contemporary holiday romance.
This is one adorkably cute, sweet, sexy, and tender story of pretend boyfriends who turn into the real thing.
Rudy and Zac meet at Rainbow Futures, the LGBTQ+charity organization on Zac's first day on the job. Zac is the new guy who sticks to himself and isn't looking for friends. He's gotten himself into the pattern of work, gym, home, eat, and sleep with little room for anything else. One night he's coerced into going out for drinks with his co-workers by their boss and Zac finds himself chatting with Rudy. Of course this is after liberal applications of tequila, which loosens both Zac and Rudy's inhibitions. The two share a hot, but very drunken kiss and Zac ends up sharing Rudy's bed. Although nothing more then Rudy inviting Zac home for Christmas happens.
Rudy and Zac do end up going together to Rudy's family for the Christmas Holiday where Rudy's mom mistakenly thinks they're a couple and has them share Rudy's bed. The boys make the best of it in the end because they are attracted to each other. Zac has some moments though while visiting Rudy's family. Having no family of his own, Zac doesn't know what to make of them accepting him so easily. He's torn with the need to protect himself by being alone but has the wistful longing for the closeness that Rudy's family and Rudy show him.
I've never read a bad story by this author and this story is no exception. I would even go so far as to say that Rudy and Zac are probably my favorite characters that he's written up to this point. They were both so easy to fall in love with, Rudy for his adorkable sweetness and Zac for his prickly but wants to be loved self. That is also where the only conflict in this story occurs, within Zac because he wants the love he sees before him but he doesn't want to be left behind or alone again. While Rudy may have been physically inexperienced, he's capable of giving so much love and family to Zac that they are perfect for each other.
While this wasn't the first holiday story I've read this season, it has been my favorite so far. I highly recommend this lovely holiday read to everyone.
Author Bio
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
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