Reviewed by Cindy
TITLE: Christmas Lights and Sleepless Nights
AUTHOR: K.C. Wells
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 144 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 9th, 2023
BLURB:
Keith Braxton has never felt so ill, and for a man who’s known nothing but illness most of his life, that’s saying something. He’s had enough of pain, and the only thing helping him wile away the hours when it has him in its bony grip, is talking with Yuri, the nurse who works the night shift.
Yuri sits with him, listening to Keith’s stories, and laughing, crying, and blushing like crazy. He’s easy to talk to, and when Yuri speaks, the pain dims, and those precious hours give him the will to continue.
Keith does most of the talking, about first love, first times, people who came into his life and left their mark… All this talking is having a beneficial effect—Keith is finally able to sleep at night, his pain eased. Which is great, because Keith’s favorite holiday is fast approaching, and he wants to see it when it arrives.
There’s only one thing that puzzles him.
Why does no one else in the hospital seem to know who Yuri is?
Trigger warning
This story respectfully discusses issues concerning palliative care, end of life and termination of treatment. This story may not be for you right now, especially if you’ve lost someone you love recently.
REVIEW:
First I’d like you all to know that this is a difficult read in some ways but it is totally worth it.
Keith was so easy to fall in love with as a character, even knowing what was coming. I was very curious as to how this would end up with the HEA that is usually required for a true romance novel, but as always, K.C. Wells gets it done right.
I’m struggling with this review as I don’t want to give anything away while still being able to get my feelings across. This book does have some inherent sadness in it, it still manages to show the joy that can be found in Christmas, even when things are hard.
Keith’s relationship with his sister brought me to tears more than once. I have both a brother and a sister and the thought of either of them being in Keith’s situation absolutely tears at my heart.
I also think the author does a wonderful job at portraying the roller coaster of emotions that someone who’s facing death can be caught on.
As for Yuri, all I can say about him without giving anything away is that I wish that everyone in Keith’s situation had someone like Yuri to get them through it.
Of course this story is a little bittersweet, how can it not be? But it also made me smile and I enjoyed the short journey we get to take with Keith so much. I understand how this could be triggering for people who are facing the loss of someone or who have just lost them, but I think it might also be a balm to their aching hearts.
I wish it could have gone on a little longer, that we could have gotten to know Keith a little more and that is probably my only complaint.
This a sweet and lovely story and I hope it brings you smiles along with the tears you’re bound to shed.
RATING: 
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