Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Not Just For Christmas

AUTHOR: JJ Harper

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 189 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 2, 2021

BLURB:

Hunter has lost everything, including himself. Can Otto and Ajax help him find the joy of Christmas again?

After tragedy strikes, famous news reporter, Hunter Wiley, flees his London home and his successful career in television. In the hills outside a small Welsh town, he finds his refuge. Building his house helps him grieve, and for two years, he hides from everyone. He’ll be spending another Christmas on his own.
Until he finds a puppy, dumped in his woodshed.

Otto Markham used to be a player, but not anymore. He longs for a boyfriend, but they aren’t prepared for his long hours as the town vet. He’s resigned himself to being alone.
Until he gets a call about a bruised and battered puppy.

Not only Ajax heals under the vet’s loving care. Hunter feels safe with the man with the soft Welsh accent and the skilled, kind hands. Otto gives him the strength to let go of the guilt and the courage to move on.

The greatest love stories aren’t always easy, but they are the ones worth waiting for.

Not Just for Christmas isn’t a story full of tinsel and mistletoe, roaring fires, and sweet kisses. It contains lots of snow, hurt/comfort, a broken news reporter, a hard-working vet, and an adorable puppy with the heart of a warrior.

Please read the author’s note at the front of the book for TW.

REVIEW:

A Christmas story by author JJ Harper. What a wonderful Christmas gift

Hunter Wiley has it all. Famous news reporter – check. Awards for best TV personality, best TV show, view’s favorite – check check check. Drop dead gorgeous – check. Equally gorgeous and successful businessman boyfriend -definitely check! Yeah Hunter has it all so it seems according to the tabloids. And he thought so too until Brock started to show his true colors and life went sideways and Hunter disappeared. But when he discovers a sweat puppy that has been abused and left to die. In his need to save the innocent puppy he discovers the local small town Welsh vet, Otto Markham, in the town he choose to make his sanctuary. The smoking hot gay vet that might just be the ticket in restoring his ability to trust and learn to truly love.

Being a gorgeous superstar means that the press are all over you and in your business. There is no privacy and it wears on a person. But it can, and usually does, more so on their loved ones. It’s the reason that the divorce rate is so high with celebrities. I think Brock liked the idea of being in the spotlight with Hunter until he realized how limiting and invasive stardom can be. I also believe he was somewhat unstable for much longer than Hunter realized but Brock found it easy to mask it until he reached his breaking point. I loved that Hunter stood by Brock when he was at his lowest and tried his best to get him the help he needed. However, you can’t really help cure someone from a problem like addiction unless that individual truly wants and accepts the help and actively participates in their own recovery. That just wasn’t Brock.

I really love that rescuing and nursing back to health Ajax was the start of the fire that lit in these two lonely men. Discovering each other and their common wants and desires help lead them out of their recent mundane lives. They each learned to trust and believe in each other. Otto didn’t just nurse Ajax back to life but helped Hunter to live again too. Hunter taught Otto that being a responsible adult wasn’t always looked down upon by a mate. They complimented and completed each other and, as a result, found their true one.

This was a wonderful story that, even filled with hurt and tragedy, filled your heart with warmth and hope. A must-read!

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon