Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  A Taste of Christmas

AUTHOR:  Jaclyn Quinn

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  156 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 20, 2020

BLURB:

Mitch Jensen has just missed the most important interview of his career. An outrageous suggestion to meet Everett Remington at his family’s home in upstate New York irrevocably changes Mitch’s life. The idea is crazy, right? The last place he belongs is in the family home of the famous chef, but if he wants to meet his deadline and convince his boss he’s right for the online column, At Home With…, he really has no other options.

Delayed snow plows, a treacherous covered bridge, and Mitch’s boss finding out he’s snowed in with the Remingtons, creates the perfect storm. When the gorgeous chef invites Mitch to stay for Christmas and document their family traditions for next year’s printed holiday issue, Mitch finds himself in a very unknown place. For one week, he allows himself to experience something he’s never had:

A taste of a real Christmas—and a taste of the sexy man who makes Mitch realize how amazing this time of year can be.

REVIEW:

Mitch Jensen is not having a good day.  His job is on the line with an interview with famous second generation chef Everett Remington.  Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong and he’s late.  He’s going to miss his appointed time and Everett is leaving for his family Christmas celebration at his family’s home upstate.  Mitch tells him his job is on the line and he’ll meet Everett anywhere he wants.  Everett agrees to let Mitch come to his family’s home to do the interview the next day.

After checking on his downstairs neighbor, Jerry, an older man that Mitch has been looking out for, he gets ready for the trip to the Remington home.  But of course as he arrives, the winter storm gets worse and he’s lucky to make it to the house.  And then he’s stuck there – the house won’t be plowed out for a few days.  But the Remington family is completely lovely and invites him to stay and participate.  Mitch’s boss, however, has another idea. He wants Mitch to leverage this into a “Holidays with . . . ” feature.  Mitch’s refuses to take advantage of Everett, his family, or the situation.  And then Everett tells him to do it.  Wha…?

Everett tells the family and it’s a done deal.  Everett’s mother Jean insists that Mitch participate in all of the holiday traditions.  But Mitch is a fish out of water on this. He grew up in the foster system and has never had a Christmas tree, let alone a “family” Christmas.  But Mitch’s mom drops a few pearls of wisdom on Mitch.  Mitch has a hard time believing that this can be for him.  It’s obvious that Everett is attracted to and cares about Mitch.  Mitch feels like this whole thing has an expiration date but he’s made up his mind to enjoy it while it lasts.  While he doesn’t want to leave and Everett obviously doesn’t him to go, Mitch feels like he needs to get back to his life and Everett needs to get to his.  They are from different worlds and that’s just the way it is.  But does it have to be??

I really really liked this story!  I listened to the audiobooks of another series by this author and this is the first book I have read and I just adored everything about it.  In fact, I think it’s my favorite story from this author so far.  This has absolutely one of the best Christmas vibes that I’ve read this year.  This family is all about the love and togetherness and the food of the holidays and having each other’s backs.  Their traditions were wonderful and entertaining and just joy-filled.  The kids and the adults all had fun and the grandparents and parents kept everyone in line for the most part. Ben, I’m looking at you – although you did redeem yourself 😉  I loved the relationship between Mitch and Jerry as well.  Everett was a such a lovely man – he really SAW Mitch – not his protective shell.  This was just a really beautifully told story of two men who fit together, even though maybe they didn’t seem to be a match from the outside looking in.   Highly recommended!  This is a story well worth your time for a lovely holiday romance.

RATING: 

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