Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Secret Guncle
SERIES: Must Love Dogs
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 78 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 16, 2023
BLURB:
Veterinary student Dutton Glenroth isn’t on speaking terms with his sister, Mary, but he isn’t about to let his niece and nephew suffer because of it. He knows they have very little, so for the holidays, he makes up a basket of gifts for them and leaves it outside their door.
But the kids are getting older, and this year Dutton finds it difficult to pick out their gifts. When he asks for help at Foster’s Toys, he runs into Randy Grant, his high school crush, who even volunteers to wrap and deliver the gifts with Dutton. Suddenly Dutton’s normally lonely holiday has a spark of Christmas cheer. Will this be the year he gets the holiday he’s always longed for?
REVIEW:
My only complaint about this book is that it is too short. This is truly a heartwarming Christmas story about family, biological, found and furry, in all its glorious complexity.
Dutton is a sweetheart, although he’s a little lost, and Randy is exactly what he needs. While Dutton is rescuing an adorable little terrier, Randy is rescuing him.
There is a deep sadness in the rift between Dutton and his sister Mary, even more so in that there is no reason for it beyond Mary’s own mental health and I can believe it’s an all-too-common tale. Dutton, not to be entirely ejected from his niece and nephew’s lives, comes up with an imaginative solution and not only does it brighten the children’s Christmas, but it draws Randy into his life and with him a whole heap of Christmas joy and fulfillment.
There is absolutely nothing not to like in this delightful story, other than that it ends far too soon, and I hope very much that the author will be continuing Dutton and Randy’s journey at some point in the future.
RATING: 
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