Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: All I Want for Christmas
AUTHOR: Izzy van Swelm
PUBLISHER: Self Pub
LENGTH: 28 pages
BLURB:
Stuart, still grieving for his husband Oliver, is spending Christmas Eve evening in a village church watching his granddaughter in a nativity play. The location, play and carols bring back memories and so much more.
REVIEW:
This was a fairly short, really bittersweet Christmas story. Four years ago Stuart lost his husband Oliver in an accident and he’s still not over the loss. Watching his granddaughter in the yearly Christmas play, Stuart can’t help but remember watching his daughter in the same play with Oliver by his side. The memories are both welcome and upsetting and by the end of both the play and his recollections, Stuart will have a decision to make that will change everything.
I’m not afraid to admit that I shed a few tears with this one; I’m sometimes overly sensitive to other people’s upset, even in books, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Stuart. Losing someone is never easy but its always especially hard around the holidays and while Stuart loves his daughter and granddaughter, he can’t help but wish his husband was still with him. I can’t say much about the story without giving too much away but I enjoyed getting to know Oliver through Stuart’s memories and while I’m glad for Stuart at the end of the story, it was also a bit upsetting to me. This wasn’t a bad story by any means but when I think of Christmas, I want something that will give me warm fuzzies instead of making me want to grab a tissue.
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
Oh Sarina I’m sorry I made you cry, I’d hoped the ending was ultimately a happy one. I myself enjoy reading wistful stories at Xmas that in the end leave me with a happy glow. Next holiday I shall ensure more warm fuzzies for you. Thank you for your lovely review – Izzy VS