Advent Calendar Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop (2018 Advent Calendar Warmest Wishes) by Kim Fielding

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: Exit Through the Gift Shop

AUTHOR: Kim Fielding

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 39 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2018

BLURB:

Alex’s traditional family Christmas Compromise means spending the holiday at a second-rate theme park, Poseidon’s Planet, but Alex doesn’t mind. He enjoys the rides and the company of his family, and it’s a good break from his going-nowhere existence back in Indiana. Then he meets a certain sexy employee in a pirate costume, and Alex’s vacation gets even better. But thrill rides last only a short time, and sooner or later everyone has to return to real life. Alex long ago gave up on marrying a handsome prince—will he have to give up on his pirate as well?

REVIEW:

Such a cute story! Kim Fielding has managed to capture the allure of making a connection in the strangest places an enjoyable experience.

Alex is on his annual family Christmas Compromise vacation. His and his siblings agree to this vacation that his parents settle on landing somewhere between what his mother desires, opulence and extravagance, vs. his father’s thriftiness and a strong desire not to spend too much money. This year they’re in Florida, but not at the Magic Kingdom – the family is spending it’s time at a second-tier amusement park, Poseidon’s Planet, a poor cousin to Disney. Alex seems to be wandering in life, trying to find purpose but is stuck in a rut. A gentle suggestion for a gift for his sister from a pirate in a gift store after an amusement park ride leads to possibilities Alex hadn’t considered.

The pirate, Rory, has been a free spirit for much of his life, working at the amusement park but not tied down to anything but having fun. Sparks fly between the two and they go on a journey of discovery of each other and where they really want their lives to lead.

Even though this is a short story, the characters feel very fleshed out and you get a true sense of both men. It’s a great twist on a Christmas tale as it’s set in a warm and humid climate, unlike so many Christmas stories that involve too much snow. One comes away in lovely amusement as you get to find out how the two navigate getting to know each other and develop feelings. Alex’s family is a lovely backdrop to supporting the two men as they travel on a discovery of each other. A definite fun read that just makes one smile for a long time after reading.

RATING: