Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: His Perfect Christmas Gift
AUTHOR: Ali Ryecart
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 189 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2021
BLURB:
Can a Bad Boy be a Good Boy’s Perfect Christmas Gift?
Days before Christmas, and another bad choice forces Felix Hennessy to flee his hedonistic London life. When his plans to lay low at a luxury hotel are thwarted by a snowstorm, he’s forced to seek shelter in a tiny village pub. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere isn’t meant to be part of the picture but if he has to rough it for a few days, the cute young barman will help smooth things over. Then he can return to his real life in the city.
For Gabriel York, home is where the heart is. He’s determined to stay in the tight-knit village nestled deep in a rural valley — but it would be so much better with the right man by his side. Someone steadfast, someone to share his love of family and community. Someone to build a future with. Felix intrigues him like no other, but he’s a city boy through and through. When the snow melts, Felix will be gone — and he might just take Gabriel’s heart with him.
A sweet, low angst MM romance, overflowing with all the festive feels and flavours. A celebration of family, community, and two men finding in the other His Perfect Christmas Gift.
REVIEW:
Felix is a spoiled rich boy who has spent his life being a bit of a selfish screwup. He’s left time for Christmas to avoid his family, friends and those who are not too happy with him 😉 He’s headed to a posh spa hotel to spend the Christmas holidays alone, but his plans are thwarted by a snowstorm. He ends up being rescued and then stuck in a small village. He’s taken to The Lamb, the pub that is the heart of the village and has run by the York family for generations. It’s truly a gorgeous and old time pub, but there aren’t any accommodations. And then Felix finds out he’s been cut off.
Gabriel York isn’t fooled by the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen. He figures Felix is accustomed to getting whatever he wants and he’s right 🙂 But he’s definitely not going to get what he wants at The Lamb – especially if it’s Gabe. Given the funds shortage, the power outage and the impassable roads, it seems that Felix is going to be a guest for some time. At first he’s just happy to have a roof over his head and a place to sleep in the barn. As time goes on though, he really comes to appreciate Gabe and his family. He’s put to work at the pub and while he takes a while to catch on to things, he really likes talking to the folks in the village and helping Gabe. But he realizes that Gabe is too good for the likes of him – a screwup and a user and a man who hasn’t accomplished much in life except spending his allowance.
As Christmas approached, the village carries on with their traditions. Some are rooted in the solstice and in other paths besides Christmas. Gabe is embarrassed at first because he’s sure a big city guy like Felix will look down on the village. But instead, Felix is enchanted by the sense of community and the beauty of the rituals.
The more he stays in Applemead, the more it feels like home to him. He saves the day on a couple of occasions and the townsfolk always seem happy to see him. He grows closer to Gabe and begins to feel things he’s never felt before. If only there was some way he could make this work between him and Gabe. But he just knows he doesn’t belong. He’s not good enough for Gabe and his family and this community and he’ll only mess it up and he’ll end up hurting the one person he truly cares about – Gabe. Even though leaving and returning to London will hurt like hell, it’s the right thing to do. Or is it?
I really enjoyed this story. This is a really lovely story of second chances. At first I wasn’t sure about Felix – he’s a rather obnoxious guy. But when for once he’s blamed for something he didn’t do, he is finally coming to the conclusion that something’s gotta give. When his holiday plans are completely thrown off course, he has a chance to really prove himself to someone that he could truly care about. If only he can figure out a way to be worthy of Gabe. Gabe is happy in his village and he’d love to have a partner who can be happy there with him. So far he hasn’t much luck there. He really things Felix is starting to feel like maybe he’d have a home in Applemead, but only if he can get past his fears and feelings of unworthiness. Despite Gabe’s pleas, Felix has trouble seeing himself making it work. But it’s the holiday season and hey, miracles do happen 🙂 I loved the way both Gabe and Felix grew up a little during this story and put themselves out there. There are lots of lovely holiday traditions as well to be enjoyed. In the end, their romance is very sweet. Recommended for those looking for a redemption arc story with an HEA 😀
RATING: 
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