Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Christmas I Know

AUTHOR:  Nicky James

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  139 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 27, 2018

BLURB:

Andrew Walker has memories of what Christmas is supposed to be like. Having lived so many years without a family to share the holidays with, he’s determined to rebuild traditions with his fiancé, Val. However, Val’s ideal Christmas doesn’t align with Andrew’s.

Not only do the men come from two different worlds, but they live thousands of miles apart.
During a disastrous trip to Toronto to visit Val for the holidays, Andrew meets Xavier, a caring and thoughtful man who only wants to help Andrew out of a bad situation and get him where he’s supposed to be for Christmas.

Xavier grew up in a loving home filled with a holiday spirit that reminds Andrew of his childhood. Reflecting on life and love, Andrew realizes how mismatched he and Val truly are and wonders if this is the life he’s destined to live.

Perhaps being alone is better than settling for someone who doesn’t make him happy.
Except, no one should be alone at Christmas, so when Xavier finds out Andrew’s plan to travel home alone after ending his relationship with Val, he has a different agenda.
Maybe it’s time Andrew gets a taste of the Christmas he knows in his heart.

REVIEW:

The Christmas I Know is one heck of a feel-good Christmas book all about spirit – not just holiday spirit but the uplifting spirit of family. This warm and fuzzy novella is like being snuggled up with a loved one, sipping cocoa under the Christmas lights, with snow gently falling outside. In fact, it’s exactly like that when two men who meet by chance are fated for each other. 

Cue a missed flight and an airport snowstorm and we have the beginning of a Hallmark Christmas movie endearing, holiday love story. Andrew Walker arrives too late to catch his flight from Los Angeles to Toronto. He’s headed for his fiancé’s fancy-pants Christmas party – the kind of shindig that involves none of the holiday traditions that are important to Andrew, even the most basic like a Christmas tree. The fiancé is named Valentino Eduardo Arquette III, and he’s exactly the kind of man that name might conjure up: an arrogant fool who doesn’t appreciate what a selfless, beautiful, caring man he has. This cretin cares more about the color scheme of his party than Andrew’s safety while traveling across the continent in a storm. The less said, the better. 

California boy Andrew eventually gets as far as Detroit where he faces the impossibility of driving in Snowgameddon. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, Xavier Lovell, saves the day by offering to drive Andrew, the cute, blond stranger, eight hours to Toronto. Does he do this out of the goodness of his heart? Yes, yes, he does, because he’s a salt-of-the-earth, genuinely kind guy. But, spending the day with the sexy man he wants to devour won’t be the end of the world for Xavier. Being in sweet Xavier’s company forces Andrew to reflect on his relationship with Val, how different they are and how disparate their goals are for the future. And it provides him the opportunity to recognize Val’s treatment is disrespectful, dismissive, and almost cruel.  

If you love homegrown Christmas goodness, you’ll adore this book. Family means the world to Andrew and holiday traditions are what give him the peace, joy, and sense of belonging he longs for. Andrew’s need to be important to someone is something Val is selfishly unwilling to acknowledge. Not so for Andrew’s Christmas elves – Xavier and his Nana – who bestow it all on him: a tree, decorations, warm cookies, a lovingly prepared Christmas dinner, lights, lots of wine, and let’s not forget, the Christmas Eve sexy times.  

You’ll know this isn’t a TV movie because there’s actual chemistry between the leads. Hallmark makes you wait until one minute before the credits roll for a chaste (boring, heterosexual) kiss, and by that time you don’t care because the relationship feels totally platonic. Not the case here. Xavier and Andrew’s kisses are long, indulgent, and tender. They’re accompanied by lingering eye contact, breathy sighs, and soft touches. Eventually, something a whole lot more desperate and lustier develops. The turkey in the oven isn’t the only thing heating up. 

“Andrew,” he sucked my tongue and bit hard into my lip, kissing more and holding my face tight in his grasp. “Tell me we’ll see each other again. Tell me this isn’t over. Tell me you’re mine and there will be no one else.” 

*sigh* 

One quick side note that makes me chuckle: Andrew Walker is the name of a Canadian actor who regularly appears in a couple of Hallmark Christmas movies each year. I have to wonder if Ms. James knew this. I know this because he’s cute, not because I’m addicted to Christmas movies or anything.  

Anyway, I love The Christmas I Know with its adorable leading men, a wonderful happily ever after, and all the sweetness of a gingerbread house. Some of my favorite romances involve a serendipitous meeting of two men who are meant to be together, and this certainly fits the bill. This book is the perfect length to get you in the holiday spirit without taking too much time away from your own celebrations. I happily recommend it. 

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon