Reviewed by Ro

TITLE: Once Upon a Christmas House

AUTHOR: A.D. Ellis

PUBLISHER: Self published

LENGTH: 284 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 1, 2023

BLURB:

Ivyrson is the quintessential Scrooge when it comes to anything having to do with the holidays. However, the chance to win a hefty chunk of money and free repairs on his old home is enough to entice the man to take part in a holiday-themed reality game.

Emory has had a crush on his older brother’s best friend for years. When the chance to help Ivy possibly win a reality game comes along, Emory doesn’t hesitate. After all, that’s what friends are for.

The two men have known each other forever, but living together and pretending to be a couple means getting to know each other on a whole new level. Can they convince the viewing audience their fake relationship deserves to win the grand prize? Or will Ivy and Emory get swept up in the holiday magic and find themselves falling in love for real?

REVIEW: 

This starts with Ivy and his best friend, Trevor, going to be on a reality TV show where the winning prize is not only a giant cash prize at $500,000 but also a home remodel. Ivy really needs it because he has a lovely house that needs a ton of work. They have to pretend to be a couple but they are okay with that. Until Trevor is in an accident. Ivy is a grump but he is a good loyal friend and the show is the last thing on his mind. Until Emory, Trevor’s little brother, offers to step in.

It’s like a story within a story because part of it is focused on the relationship developing between Ivy and Emory, and part is on the reality show where they are doing said development. I am not a fan of reality TV, but I liked the idea of this one.  Silas’, the producer, response about the switch from Trevor to Emory: Seriously, it’s what I always thought happened on reality TV.

Just as a side note, there is some commentary from Emory about the church people, and wow, Emory, you could be reading my mind. “And each and every one of those churches had some folks who needed a less on the reality of what would Jesus do? Judgmental, hateful, selfish, and downright mean, all in the name of the god they served.” Amen, Emory, Amen.  Emory is not against anyone praying for his brother, “…I’d take thoughts, prayers, good vibes, whatever folks wanted to send his way.”  But he definitely hit it right. “Would the church-going, god-fearing people of Peppermint Hollow pray just as hard for the gay boy as they would for his golden boy brother?”  I wanted to hug this man, hard.  I loved him right away.

Ivy is grumpy, sure, but he has some history that explains it and makes him understandable. “I really do hate Christmas,” Ivy said, an edge to his voice. “So, like, best not to expect anything super holiday-ish from me.”  So many things that happen in childhood affect you as an adult, and Ivy is no different.

What I loved about this was how, little by little, Emory was chipping away at the grumpy. Forced proximity and fake boyfriends aside, Emory earned Ivy’s trust. And that was a Christmas miracle. I am a huge Christmas story fan and this was my first one of this year. It was a good one.

RATING:

BUY LINK: 

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