Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: The Proof is in the Pudding
AUTHOR: Nic Starr
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 54 pages
BLURB:
Steve never expected making a Christmas pudding would bring him the man of his dreams.
Steve Hayes is away with a group of friends who are spending the Christmas break together. He’s determined to put his two-timing ex-boyfriend in the past, and enjoy his week away. Steve is happily surprised to find that Corey Oh, the guy he’s been admiring from afar, has been invited along too. But Steve knows there’s no way someone as wonderful as Corey, who could have any man he wanted, would be interested in him.
However, thanks to a misadventure with a Christmas pudding, Steve will find that dreams can come true.
REVIEW:
I know I keep saying it but I love these Christmas/Advent/Holiday novellas. They brighten my day and people have been asking why the big smile on my face. I then tell them about the little “treat” I just opened and read.
Nic Starr has also added a wide smile on my face. Her delightful Christmas novella was just what I needed. I am sitting in Hawaii, with the sun beating on me, and completely “got” her book! Being used to the cold of Oregon and then experiencing the hot sun while shopping for Christmas presents is a bit perplexing. I can’t imagine preparing, let alone consuming, a huge Christmas feast in 85+ degree weather. But that is what the delightful men in her newest book do. A great group friends go on Christmas vacation together every couple years in Australia. They have a newer friend that they invited along and that is where the story gets really interesting. I loved the friends-to-lovers story of Steve and Corey. Although Steve seems a bit dense, I can understand his lack of trust in men, after being treated so badly by his ex. Corey is cute and fun and I was cheering for them to get together the entire story. I still have no idea what this pudding is that they were making. It sounded a bit like fruitcake at first, but fruitcake isn’t boiled. I would love to try it.
I am always a sucker for an HEA and I know that we have at least the start of that. This is a story that I could easily see as a prequel to their full story. Hint, hint!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Thanks so much for the wonderful review. I’m contemplating writing some more about Steve and Corey, but if it happens, it will be a little farther down the track as my writing schedule is fairly full. But I’m so glad to hear you’d like to read more. 🙂