Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Get Frosted

SERIES:   Christmas Falls

AUTHOR:  Amy Aislin

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  221 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 21, 2023

BLURB:

For years, Mik has wanted nothing more than to put coal in Rudy Snow’s stocking.

As former pro hockey players, they’ve been rivals for years. It started in Mik’s rookie season, when a reporter pitted him against his older brother’s best friend. Rudy pushes Mik’s buttons like no one else, going out of his way to one-up him at every turn.

Now they’re both pub owners in a small town that takes Christmas to a level best seen in Hallmark movies, but not much else has changed. They’re still rivals, this time pitting gingerbread martinis against pomegranate sangria.

But when they’re forced to work together to plan a special holiday party, sparks ignite. Maybe it’s a bad idea to put coal in Rudy’s stocking after all. They both might just catch fire.

Then again, what better way is there to stay warm on a cold winter’s night?

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

REVIEW:

Mik Gilmore is a former pro hockey player.  He’s returned home to Christmas Falls after his career is over.  His older brother Josh who is just one year older and who he has allowed followed – including into pro hockey has also retired and they run a successful pub in their home town.  Josh’s wife is pregnant – but at high risk – so Josh has his hands full with his 2 year old and coaching youth hockey.  He’s losing his mind though handling everything at home, so he needs help.

Josh’s best friend and also former hockey player, Rudy Snow manages another pub in town. He’s led a rather nomadic life – spending time on 4 pro teams.  He was well suited to it since he also led a childhood where his parents moved constantly.  At some point, he gave up trying to make friends.  But Josh has been his best friend for a decade and he moved to Christmas falls to be near him.

When Josh is overwhelmed, Mik jumps in and offers to take over his coaching duties with Rudy.  Rudy and Mik have been sort of frenemies over the years. Mik has always felt like he’s been in Josh’s shadow and his older brother’s bestie also has teased Mik throughout the years.  But when they start coaching together, something changes.  Has Rudy actually been flirting with Mik all these years?

Rudy and Mik spend a lot of time together coaching the kids, helping out Josh and getting ready for a family birthday party.  They take over the planning of the party and as they get closer, it’s clear that there is more than friendship here 😉  Mik can’t believe he missed the signs and they finally get together.

Rudy starts to feel itchy.  He’s been in the same place for two and a half years – the longest he’s stayed anyplace.  He is so happy with Mik but he’s got another iron in the fire with a job offer.  In another state.  He’s torn.  He doesn’t want to leave when he finally feels like he’s found a home, but he’s not sure he’s built for putting down roots.  Mik of course has feelings on this.

Will Rudy stay?  Is it a Christmas miracle?  You’ll have to read it to find out.

This was such a lovely and sweet holiday feel-good story!  Rudy and Mik are frenemies, former hockey rivals, connected through Josh, Mik’s older brother.  They have had their own relationship and Mik has been oblivious to Rudy’s attraction.  Josh has seen it and so has everyone else, but Mik has been a bit slow on the uptake 😉  Rudy has teased Mik for years and they go back and forth but they finally get it together 🙂  Everyone is supportive of their relationship.  Rudy feels trapped – by his past and by the fact that he’s never felt settled anyplace.  Mik has felt like he’s in his brother’s shadow his whole life.  He loves his brother, but he needs something that is just his.  When he finally finds it, it helps him reframe how he sees his past and his relationship with Josh.  Rudy doesn’t seem to get that Mik will fight for him and everything doesn’t have to be just one way. They can make compromises.  Rudy can feel like he’s living his life without running all the time.  They are simply wonderful together.  I loved Mik and Josh’s family and how they were so supportive of their sons/grandsons.  They are quite a fun group and they keep things hopping in Christmas Falls.  This is another happy story in this series that left me with all the holiday happy feels.  Found family, coming home, making the life you truly want – all can be found in this delightful take from Amy Aislin (who I think has a particular talent for holiday stories).  Highly recommended 😀

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

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