Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Haven Holiday

SERIES:  Love at the Haven #7

AUTHOR:  Stella Shaw

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  127 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 20, 2021

BLURB:

Sentimental discoveries, sexy men, a special performance – and badly-kept secrets. Is it the perfect Christmas at the Haven Hotel?

It’s the first Christmas at the Haven Hotel since Rick inherited it from his aunt, and he’s spent all year getting things back on track. When he and Eliot find a box of Auntie’s mementoes in the basement, highlighting a very unconventional theatrical career, he decides to hold a party to honour her. But there are way too many obstacles preventing him getting his friends together in one place, this close to Christmas. Or so everyone keeps telling him.

Rick loves his partner Eliot, and is very fond of his friends. But a man’s patience can only stretch so far. The day of Auntie’s birthday turns out to be a very confusing and distracting time for him—and everyone except him seems to be in on it. From covert meetings, to secret recipes, to mysteriously vanishing decorations, and even through a very hot but surprising seduction, Rick is led astray until the day is almost over.

And then his friends show another side of their meddling. Auntie Pop had love and respect from many of the escorts at the Haven, and it looks like her day will be fondly remembered after all. And Rick and Eliot may have the chance at last to make their own special commitment—that’s if Rick ever forgives all the subterfuge!

REVIEW:

Haven Holiday is more than just a Christmas book. In addition to the sweet story about a celebration that reunites our beloved men of the Haven, it’s an enjoyable opportunity to catch up with them and their special someones to see what’s been happening in their lives. There’s one particularly exciting development. It’s like five mini epilogues in one, and you all know how much I love epilogues. 

We know from Dante and Rick that Rick’s Auntie Pop once owned the Haven Hotel, but then sadly, she fell ill, went in the hospital, and passed away. During this time, Arne and Dante led the other rent boys in keeping the dilapidated hotel from falling apart – literally and financially. Then Rick arrived and saved the day. He inherited the Haven from his aunt and put all his resources – money, time, and manpower – into repairing and maintaining it to be his home and a safe place for the boys to continue escorting.  

Now, almost a year later, Pop’s birthday is rolling around and Rick wants to honor her memory with a party. To his dismay, Eliot is not on board – too busy at Christmas time, he says – and insists Rick wait until the new year. Rick tries to elicit interest in the other men but everyone else is too busy, also.  

No one in the establishment can lie to save their life and the fact that Rick falls for their falsehoods shows what a trusting friend he is. The acts of evasion and lies are highly amusing and Eliot’s attempts at subterfuge the day of the big event are downright comical. 

The best part of the Love at the Haven series has always been the spirit of found family these men have created. I’m pleased to say that it’s stronger than ever in this book. All the past characters figure prominently. Rick’s best friend, Blake, and his beau Dante return from Scotland to be with Rick and Eliot. Micah and Fox take time out from songwriting to work on a project for the celebration. Liam and Felix lend their talents toward a secret project, too, and Arne and Simon help Eliot with all the logistics.  

And then there’s Tom. No party would be complete without Tom’s outrageous shenanigans, and he steals the show to everyone’s delight. There’s one specific man particularly interested in getting to know Tom more intimately. Speaking of intimate…the flurry of activity surrounding the party planning doesn’t leave a lot of time for the sexy stuff, but we are treated to one hot role playing scene between Rick and Eliot. 

As they sort through the memorabilia they unearth from Auntie Pop’s life, they appreciate how she affected all of the men, even those she never met, by providing them with the place that led to them meeting. It changed all of their lives by fostering their friendships and romantic pairings. The sentimentality is touching.  

Series diehards will absolutely NOT want to miss Haven Holiday. It is not a standalone, though. It’s fun and entertaining (in other words, Tom is his usually self). Every one of these men is so likable and their love and support for each other is heartwarming. Highly recommended. 

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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