Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Not Over Yet
AUTHOR: Barbara Elsborg
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 118 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 10, 2020
BLURB:
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…
One pissed off Santa…
A whole heap of trouble…
The last thing Phin feels like doing is going to a New Year’s Eve party. After a day dealing with sick animals, all he wants is a glass of red wine, some food and his bed. But as he drives home down a steep, snow-covered hill, he skids and hits a guy dressed as Santa Claus.
Maric’s not badly hurt, but he’s pissed off. He’s pretty sure Phin’s not the one he’s supposed to find, but when Phin takes him to his cottage, and Maric sees no sign of festivities, he begins to wonder if Phin is the one who needs his help.
Much as Phin would like to get rid of Maric, the thickly falling snow makes it too dangerous for Phin to drive him anywhere. The pair are stuck together, which suits Maric just fine. Now all he needs is luck and a bit of magic.
REVIEW:
Not Over Yet is a short and sweet holiday novella perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire for a few hours of fairytale magic. That is, a fairytale with a snow dragon, sarcasm, and sexy times. At just 118 pages, it’s perfect for this busy time of year.
Phin, a lonely veterinarian with no family or partner, is driving home on a snowy New Year’s Eve. He doesn’t see the man in a bright red Santa suit walking in the road until his car skids down a treacherous hill and hits him. An argument of epic proportions ensues over who’s at fault. Phin and Santa, aka Maric, have snark honed to an art form. It turns out Maric was tossed out on the side of the road by his annoying, meddling older brother.
It’s too unsafe to drive Maric anywhere in the blizzard conditions, so the only option is for him to spend the night at Phin’s home. Oh, and there’s Only One Bed. Well, there’s a sofa but it’s mighty uncomfortable and cold.
Apparently, Maric has some sort of mission to complete by January 5th, which is the twelfth day of Christmas. His greater purpose is to give to those in need of something immaterial. He’s unsure, though, if Phin is the intended recipient of his help or if it’s supposed to be someone else living nearby. He didn’t receive clear instructions from his brother.
There are complicated personalities involved here. Phin is awkward and difficult around Maric and he doesn’t disguise his irritation. He’s grieving his parents who died a year ago, and still getting over the cheating, bastard boyfriend he dumped around the same time. Maric is a sweet and quirky guy prone to babbling incessantly and driving Phin batty. Their time spent together while snowbound is turbulent at first but gives way to more amicable times spent playing in the snow, cooking, and eventually falling into bed together. Maric feels unwanted, though, and sad because he’s starting to feel a connection to Phin and wants so badly to stay with him. If he fails in his mysterious mission, his family will take him home and he knows he will meet everyone’s low expectations of him. He imagines the jibes and mockery he will be subjected to. But he won’t give up before January 5th. It’s Not Over Yet, he tells his brother who comes for him early; he wants (and needs) his full allocated time.
The ending is befitting a fairytale and provides Maric and Phin the ideal happily ever after. The well-thought out plot and relaxed pace belie the book’s short length, so no worries that you’re not getting a fully developed story. Not Over Yet fits the novella format perfectly. I recommend this whimsical, joyful book for anyone in the mood for some holiday magic. Oh, and if you love Jonty – one of Barbara Elsborg’s other characters – you’ll adore Maric.
RATING: 
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