Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Celebrations in the Season of Long Nights
SERIES: Escape from the Holidays
AUTHOR: Mere Rain
PUBLISHER: Mischief Corner Books LLC
LENGTH: 58 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 12, 2018
BLURB:
Having escaped his abusive family by winning a scholarship to college, Shahin promised himself he would never go back. So when his plans for winter break fall through and he’s left homeless for a month, he decides he’d rather camp in the park than go home. But he doesn’t realize it’s the solstice, the longest night of the year, the start of the season when the supernatural is at its strongest.
Yima is a demon-hunter, a duty passed down through his family. He doesn’t resent it, but it does get lonely, especially since his work is at its most difficult and dangerous when everyone else is celebrating with family. After he rescues Shahin from an demon attack and finds that he has nowhere safe to stay, he takes him back to his flat. He just arrived in town and hasn’t even gotten the electricity turned on, leaving the two men with little to do but talk.
It isn’t a surprise when they end up in bed, but what at first feels like a temporary comfort grows over days spent together into a deeper bond. Nomadic Yima has to find a way to stay without demons coming after his lover, and Shahin has to decide whether he can risk his heart loving a man who constantly puts his life in danger.
REVIEW:
I’ve always been interested in the history of things or where things come from, so this was a good book for me. A different holiday to celebrate from a different history. And learning what the meaning behind some of those things are. It’s an interesting holiday read and something very much different from ole Saint Nick.
Finally able to leave a life of abuse, Shahin is determined to make it no matter what he has to do so he never returns home again. Unfortunately, that means sleeping outdoors in the middle of winter. But for now it’s all he has. Getting ready to get settled, he runs into Yima, who mistakes him for trying to commit suicide. There were days he wanted to, but he promised himself….not tonight. He has a new future. He finds himself woken but screams and strange sounds, and sees Yima again covered in blood and holding a huge sword. Yima quickly gets him away and explains what is going on. But Yima is also lonely and interested in Shahin. They spend days and nights getting to know each other when Yuma isn’t hunting. Shahin has finally found a place that feels like home, and Yima is definitely no longer lonely. But battling demons is bloody work and they both each day Yima comes home. Shahin has to decide if this is the kind of life he can lead and Yima has to realize he may have finally found his home.
You ever have those times where you wish you could reach through a book and beat the tar out of someone? Yeah me too. Shahin’s father was my target this time. The book doesn’t go into detail, but you know from what it does mention that Shahin has been badly abused. Very badly. It broke my heart that he finally found his freedom only to have to go through such poverty to survive. At heart, he is the sweetest guy. In spite of what he’s been through. He’s just full of love and a desire for Love in return.
Yima has a hard life himself. Being a demon Hunter is a very lonely job. No rewards whatsoever. No one waiting at home for him. No one he can really talk to about things. Until Shahin. It’s sad because he knows he shouldn’t involve himself with Shahin, but the loneliness gets overwhelming and I cried. All these boys wanted was someone of their own who would love them. Scars and all.
This was a good story. Very different for a holiday story and I loved it. Happy endings come in many different forms and I was glad to read this one.
RATING: 
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