Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Hensley Manor

SERIES: A Snow Globe Christmas

AUTHOR:  Jaclyn Osborn

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  157 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 22, 2019

BLURB:

Cole hates Christmas. He finds it all ridiculous; the decorations, music, and the obsession with spending a fortune just to show people you care about them. He used to love the holiday season. But that was before his world came crashing down around him.

Now, the happy families and Christmas cheer only remind him of things he’d rather forget.
Everything changes when he visits Treasures of Old Antiques. The snow globe on the dusty shelf was just a silly trinket. So why did Cole feel an overwhelming sense of peace when he picked it up?

When he wakes up the next morning in a strange manor with no recollection of how he got there, he thinks he’s officially lost his mind. And then he meets Ian Hensley, the sexy Bed & Breakfast owner. There’s an instant connection between the two men; powerful and almost…magical. Though it’s snowing outside, Cole and Ian stay warm and cozy between the sheets.
But what happens when Cole’s stay comes to an end? He can’t stay in the snowy, charming town of Evergreen Valley forever.

Welcome to Hensley Manor.
Breakfast is at 7:30 and lunch is at noon. Warm yourself by the fire and enjoy your stay. And be careful, you might just find what you’re looking for this Christmas.

*Although this book is part of A Snow Globe Christmas series, it is a complete standalone, and it isn’t a requirement that you read the previous books to follow along. We wish everyone a happy holiday season.*

REVIEW:

Cole really really dislikes everything that comes with Christmas.  He’s out shopping with his best friend Lance but he’s not into it.  After they stop for a hot drink, Lance drags him to the antique store to look for a gift for his father.  Cole is not thrilled to be there and he’s a little creeped out by the lady who works there who talks to him while he’s examining a snow globe he sees on a shelf of other items.  Cole could swear he sees a light on in the beautiful mansion in the snow globe.  But when he looks again, it’s gone.

When Cole receives the snow globe as a gift, he still feels like he sees things in it.  But he’s unhappy about everything else – including the invitation to Lance’s parents Christmas Eve party.  So he drowns his sorrows.  But the next morning, he wakes up in a strange room in a strange inn with no idea how he got there or what he’s supposed to be doing there.  But then he meets the innkeeper.  Ian Hensley is gorgeous, gay, kind, generous and a little bit sad.  He does everything for make his guests at Hensley Manor feel special and happy and in the holiday spirit.  Although Cole is reluctant is participate in all the holiday festivities, he can’t really bear to disappoint Ian.  But as Christmas approaches, they grow closer.  And Cole tries to figure out what he should do at the end of his stay.  He’s never felt the connection he feels with Ian and he’s not sure he wants to leave.

Oh what a beautiful story!  Cole has been through really hard times.  The holidays are the worst for him. Ian senses that there is something beneath Cole’s reluctance, but he doesn’t push.  He’s the perfect host and then he becomes the perfect lover.  He feels the same deep connection to Cole.  As Ian tries to include Cole in all the holiday preparations, he begins to break down the barriers that Cole has put up after a tragedy.  Ian does his best to convince Cole that he does deserve something good in his life.  The twists in the story also kept my reading and  wanting to know just what could happen to these two.  I just loved everything about this story – the characters, the setting, the Christmas themed activities, the other guests at the inn, the magical elements and the perfect ending.  This is actually the first book I’ve read by this author – although I find I have several more in my library.  I will need to move them up the list post the holidays 🙂  Her writing is just lovely.  Highly recommended for those who love happy endings and beautiful holidays.

RATING:

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