Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Dear Santa
AUTHOR: K.C. Wells
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 171 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2021
BLURB:
Ten-year-old Chris’s request to see Santa again takes Dave by surprise. He’s a little old for that, surely? But Dave will do anything to put a smile on his son’s face. Except when they get there, Santa is the one to make Dave smile. He’s pretty sure there’s a gorgeous man hiding beneath that white beard. And those eyes… Not that Dave gets a chance to even say hello. Chris tells Dave to stay back. Well, Christmas is a time for secrets, right?
Jeff loves playing Santa. That cute kid with the huge eyes – and the hot-looking dad – just surprised the hell out of him. Jeff hears all kinds of strange requests during the holiday season. But this one beats them all – even if it takes a little coaxing to get it out of the kid.
“There must be something you want for Christmas.”
The boy snuck a glance over to where his dad stood with one of Santa’s elves. “Well… there is one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
He bit his lip. “It’s not for me.”
Jeff smiled. Sweet kid. “Tell me.”
“You’re Santa. You can do anything, right?”
Jeff smiled. “You bet.”
“My dad… he’s a great guy, but… I think he’s lonely.”
Jeff gazed at the kid’s dad. “Oh. Okay.” How can someone so beautiful be lonely?
“So… what I really want for Christmas… is for him to find a new… boyfriend.”
Jeff slowly arched his eyebrows. “I see.”
The boy nodded. “Ever since Papa died, I know Dad has been unhappy. He tries to hide it, but I can see. And it’s been three years since Papa went. Do you think it’s too soon for him to fall in love again?”
Jeff stared at the man. “No, I don’t think it’s too soon.” He gave the kid a smile. “Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do.”
REVIEW:
Dear Santa is a sweet-as-candy-canes Christmas story about a man moving on after the death of his husband. Ten-year-old Chris lost his Papa in a tragic death three years earlier. Now he thinks it’s about time his dad, Dave, gets a boyfriend, so when they visit Santa Land, that’s exactly what he tells Santa he wants for Christmas this year. Santa (Jeff) and Dave catch eyes – and linger – with Jeff thinking Dave is one sexy dad and Dave thinking Santas now come in younger, hotter varieties. Jeff later introduces himself and interest arises in both men.
There are matchmakers aplenty, with Chris leading the charge with his full-court press on Jeff: Are you gay? Do you have a boyfriend? Can you stay for dinner? Chris must have trained at the feet of Dave’s sister for she’s a master of romance pushiness, as is Jeff’s sister. Dave, Jeff, and Chris enjoy all the seasonal festivities and soon Dave and Jeff are inseparable. Dave must come to terms with moving on from his husband, Matt, and he eventually determines that Matt would only want happiness for him.
This is a simple book, a quick, easy read with a straightforward story, amiable characters, and no angst. Chris’ thoughtfulness and care for his father’s happiness is heartwarming and he’s a joy. He adores Jeff from their first meeting.
One thing I didn’t care for was the frequent, italicized internal thoughts interjected into the third person POV. If Ms. Wells wanted to provide a peek into the thoughts of her characters, a dual, first person narrative would’ve been a better, less distracting option.
There’s an unusual twist in this book – all the main characters have simple, common names: Dave, Jeff, Chris, and Matt. I can’t remember the last time I encountered a story without the likes of at least one River, Dallas, Dabney, Laughton, Fenn, or John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.
If you’d enjoy a fluffy, no angst, holiday story about a man’s second chance at love, look no further. Happily recommended.
RATING: 
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