Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Scrooge You

SERIES:   Christmas Falls

AUTHOR:  Brigham Vaughn

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  298 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 28, 2023

BLURB:

Joel McArthur thought he knew everyone in the small town of Christmas Falls. He’s been running Ginger’s Breads bakery for more than a decade, after all.

But who is the mysterious runner who’s been passing by his shop every morning?

Hayden Bradley’s post-college plans fell through, landing him in this stupid small town he can’t get out of fast enough.

He hates Christmas and he’s tired of the endless holiday cheer.

But as Hayden finds himself spending more and more time at Joel’s bakery, he’s forced to admit that he’s developed a taste for the ginger-molasses cookies and the handsome ginger-haired baker who makes them.

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.

Content Warning: Discussion of a past death of a parent/missing them at the holidays.

REVIEW:

Hayden is a young guy who has graduated from  University.  He had a job lined up at a start-up, but it folded.  He couldn’t even get back his barista job, so he’s forced to move in with his mother and her husband in the small town of Christmas Falls.  His father had passed away and his mother has remarried and moved to the town where Hayden doesn’t know anyone, doesn’t have a job and is basically looking for work at the worst possible time of the year.  Mainly he runs and puts in job applications.

One day as he’s running past Ginger’s Breads, he falls.  Joel, the ginger bear baker helps him and fixes up his injuries.  Joel thinks Hayden is cute if grumpy and a bit surly.  Hayden’s mother is happy that he has at least met someone in town now.  Hayden starts stopping in at the bakery and also working there some days.  Joel is friendly with him and eventually he convinces Hayden to start participating in the holiday activities. Hayden feels useless and he’s also missing his dad.  Joel is happy in Christmas Falls – moving back from Chicago after his aunt and uncle need help at the bakery.  It’s sort of a small town/big city conundrum for these two.

As they grow closer, they finally act on their attraction. Naturally in a small town, everyone has a vested interest.  They try to keep things on the DL, but that doesn’t last long.  But there’s still perhaps an end date – Hayden is still looking for jobs in the city.  But what if that’s not what he wants anymore??  And what if Joel doesn’t want to be without Hayden now that he’s found him?

This is a lovely conclusion to this series of small town Holiday romances in Christmas Falls.  While this can be read as a standalone, there are some minor spoilers for the other books in the series.  I loved revisiting all of the other couples who got together during this series.  They are each worth a read if you’re looking for more low angst holiday romantic fun.  Hayden is a character I just wanted to hug.  His life hadn’t turned out as planned and he’s struggling.  Joel is a real teddy bear of a guy.  He’s never really been in love before and he’s never even really thought he wanted that, but Hayden manages to worm his way into Joel’s heart 😉  There are loads of fun holiday activities and some really nice family moments.  Not everything has been perfect for these two men, but they are figuring things out.  I loved how ready Joel was to figure out how he could be with Hayden.  He really does not have to do everything himself.  I really enjoyed how Hayden was able to come to the realization that what he always though he wanted might not have been what he needed after all.  Turns out small town life isn’t so bad despite everybody maybe have more of a vested interest in Hayden and Joel’s happiness 😀  Families can change and while it’s right to acknowledge what has been lost, it’s also ok to embrace what is now found.  I really loved these two and thoroughly enjoyed the little wrap up scene at the end that solved an ongoing mystery plot point through the series.  Just lovely 🙂  Highly recommended.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

Amazon