Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Not So Silent Night

AUTHOR:  H.L. Day

PUBLISHER:  Self-Pubblished

LENGTH:  236 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 1, 2021

BLURB:

One grumpy patient. One unconventional nurse. Twenty-two reindeer later.

Things aren’t great for Xander Cole. It’s Christmas, he’s fractured his pelvis on a skiing trip he never wanted to go on, and his on/off boyfriend is most definitely off. No wonder he’s not exactly full of festive cheer.

Ferris Night isn’t having much luck either. His plan to take a break from work before starting a new job has been wrecked by a flooded flat. With nowhere to stay, he grabs the opportunity for a job as a live-in nurse with both hands. After all, how hard can it be?

Xander doesn’t need a nurse. Especially one who’s far too flirty, far too attractive, far too into Christmas, and far too good at getting his own way. But Ferris has never faced a challenge that couldn’t be overcome with a bit of charm and perseverance. It doesn’t matter how attractive Xander might be. He’s immune. Maybe.

As banter and sparring between the two men turn into more, a nurse might not be needed, but both men could be in for a fresh start to the new year.

*Please note that this story was originally released as a single POV short story as part of the Winter Wonderland Prolific Works giveaway. The story has been revised and is now dual POV with over 40k of added content*

REVIEW:

Have you ever read a short story so good you wished it was a full-length novel? That was me when I read Not So Silent Night as a short last winter before H.L. Day tripled its length and added so much yumminess to the story. This is one very endearing Christmas story. It’s lighthearted, silly, and loads of fun. So what do you get when you combine a cranky invalid with a silly, sexy nurse? Crazy amounts of playful banter on par with the best romantic comedies. The one-upmanship of flirty sarcasm between these two men is delightful.

Poor Xander Cole is laid up with a broken pelvis and his loser of an on again, off again boyfriend (who quickly becomes an ex) strands him in a Swiss hospital. Once he’s back in London, Ferris Night – who couldn’t be silent if he tried – comes to the rescue to care for Xander 24/7 for a few weeks. But Xander says he doesn’t need help and he certainly doesn’t want it. Ferris barges right in anyway and gives him no choice.

“Do you sexually harass all your patients?”

Ferris raised an eyebrow. “No, they’re not normally that lucky.”

Arrogant son of a bitch.

Ferris – as audacious as his namesake, Ferris Bueller – is a character you’ll fall in love with. He’s cute, charming, and funny, and he’s never encountered a boundary he wouldn’t cross. He steamrolls Xander into not only tolerating him but falling in love with him, too.

This book is all about the characters, their playful interaction, and the slow burn of their romance. I challenge anyone to not find these men delightful. It’s also about Ferris’ love of all things Christmas. He’s holiday joy personified. He indoctrinates Xander into the festivities by bringing every, um … unique, irreverent Christmas decoration imaginable into Xander’s house. This is one of the best parts of the story; it left me in tears of mirth. Just wait until you read about the nativity set!

Any lover of snarkiness and gaudy holiday decorations will love this read. I highly recommend.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

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