Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Merry Measure

AUTHOR:  Lily Morton

NARRATOR:  Joel Leslie

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  5 hours and 25 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  October 8, 2021

BLURB:

Arlo Wright’s introduction to his sexuality came when he saw his older brother’s best friend, Jack Cooper, in his sweaty football kit. Unfortunately, he didn’t have long to enjoy the revelation because he promptly knocked himself out on a table.

Relations between them have never really moved on from that auspicious beginning. Arlo is still clumsy, and Jack is still as handsome and unobtainable as ever. However, things look like they’re starting to change when Arlo finds himself sharing a room with Jack while on holiday in Amsterdam at Christmas.

Will the festive spirit finally move them towards each other, or is Arlo just banging his head against a wall this time?

From best-selling author Lily Morton comes a warm romantic comedy set in chilly Amsterdam.

REVIEW:

Arlo Wright is joining his brother Tom and his boyfriend and his best friend Jack to Amsterdam for a Christmas time holiday.  Jack has broken up with his boyfriend and apparently his room got cancelled, so he’s left without a booking and no rooms in the inn!  Arlo to the rescue – he’s got a room and Jack can bunk with him.  Tom intends to get engaged on this trip and he wants his best friends there for it.

Arlo has had a crush on Jack forever.  Their flight to Amsterdam is hilarious and when Arlo agrees to have Jack stay in his room, things get even more interesting 🙂  Jack has had a string of unsuccessful relationships and the latest ex, Steven, is nobody’s favorite.  The group is having a wonderful time on the trip – and then Steven arrives, just as Jack and Arlo have taken their relationship to the next level – on the DL.  Arlo has never liked Steven – who treats everyone as beneath him.  He’s not even nice to Jack!  Nobody wants to spend any time with him, and the lengths they go to in order to NOT spend time with him are pretty entertaining.

Then there is the fact that Tom cannot seem to find the right moment to propose – and he certainly doesn’t want Steven around.  While the proposal drama is going on, Jack and Arlo are growing closer and closer.  But Arlo is thinking this is his one and only opportunity to have the man of dreams – even if it’s just for a short time and mostly consists of snogging and shagging.  But Jack has something else in mind entirely.  If only he can convince Arlo of his sincerity.

Oh this was a delight!!  I adore sweet holiday stories and this one had all that and more.  I love best friend’s brother trope and this could well end up a favorite.  Arlo is an absolute kick 🙂  He’s so funny and his hilarious banter and budding relationship with Jack is pure gold.  I also loved that he’s not too confident in the beginning, but Jack wins him over 🙂  Every scene with Steven ends up in some extremely entertaining dialog and I was so happy to watch everyone put him in his place 😉  Arlo and Jack are the perfect couple – they complement each other so well.

As usual, Joel Leslie does a fantastic job narrating this story.  The various accents and voices were just spot on and I loved his ability to really showcase Arlo’s snarky, sarcastic, but ultimately lovable and adoring nature.  Jack is adorable in his slight lack of confidence in being the right person for Arlo – even though he obviously wants this badly.  Steven is a twat and he definitely comes off that way in this audio 🙂  Highly recommended for those who love sweet, funny and memorable Christmas time romances that end with the boy getting his boy of his dreams 😀

RATING:

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