Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: A Christmas Break
AUTHOR: Annabelle Jacobs
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 193 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 30, 2020
BLURB:
Christmas is a time for giving, not lusting after your brother’s best mate.
Finn has never had the Christmas of his dreams, and this year isn’t shaping up to be much better. Then he rents his spare room out to Jasper, and life begins to look up.
Laid-back Jasper is nothing like Finn expects. He’s hot, sweet, and easy to talk to. Finn could easily fall for him. But, he’s his brother’s best friend. He’s off limits, and Finn would never break that sacred rule…right?
Jasper has carried a torch for his best mate’s brother for years. Living with him sparks an old flame to light, and the more time they spend together, the brighter it burns. Finn is gorgeous and kind. He’s everything Jasper has ever wanted.
But he’s also scarred by old wounds and reluctant to let his guard down again. Friendship blooms, and for a short while, it’s enough. But the fire between them is undeniable. Finn can fight it as much as he likes.
He won’t win.
REVIEW:
A Christmas Break is a charming, holiday novel that takes place near Bristol, England. It features several popular tropes: brother’s best friend, forbidden love, and forced proximity. Twenty-six-year-old Finn finds himself living alone after he kicks out his boyfriend. He’s feeling raw after being denigrated by the ex-boyfriend; he’s lost his confidence and has retreated from his friends, choosing to mainly stay at home.
The income from renting out a spare bedroom would help him pay the bills, so he seeks out a “lodger”. His brother, Cole, wants him to take on his friend Jasper as a roommate. Jasper has recently returned from a year traveling around Asia on his own and is uncomfortable living with either parent. He’s estranged from his father and his mom is now living with her boyfriend. Finn has reservations about taking on Jasper, though: he is five years younger than Finn and they likely have little in common; he’s Cole’s best friend and Finn doesn’t want to damage anyone’s relationship if the housing situation goes south; and the biggest hurdle … Finn is attracted to Jasper, much to his dismay, because he’s five.years.younger!
Jasper moves into the spare room and they both enjoy the friendship and compatibility that Finn thought was unattainable. But the mutual attraction is instantly evident and the sexual tension ramps up quickly. Finn struggles to keep the relationship platonic but that determination goes the way of the dinosaurs. They try a friends-with-benefits arrangement but Feelings Happen. At this point, Finn’s greatest concern is the power differential in the relationship caused by being Jasper’s landlord. In the end, it’s Jasper who finds the solution.
Annabella Jacobs has created well-developed characters in Finn and Jasper. They are sweet together and imminently caring of each other. Her side characters, including Cole and Finn’s best friend, Christian (I would love to see that pairing in a future book!) are highly likable. Jasper’s family dynamics are explored in a side plot and add interest to the story.
The book concludes with a satisfying epilogue that occurs five months into the future. It seems taking chances pays off. I happily recommend this festive holiday read.
RATING:
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