This Christmas by T.E. Ridener
M_M, Romance, Short Stories
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story accompanies the novel Chartreuse which is available now. For a better understanding, entertainment, enjoyment, and the sake of not spoiling the ending of the novel, please be sure to read Chartreuse first. This is a M/M romance for those who are curious. If you don't mind the spoilers and you're just looking for a quick, enjoyable read, please proceed.
For Kasen Reed and Rowan Kelly the road to true love has never been easy. Six years after finding each other, things seem to finally be falling in to place. Their love for each other has done nothing but grow. But true love has its faults. Demanding jobs, new business ventures, and general day to day activities have put a distance between the two lovers. Both are at a loss on how to fix it. With the holidays right around the corner and a want to expand their family, our favorite couple must find a way to get back to the harmony they once had. After fighting for their love in almost impossible conditions will everyday life be their downfall? Christmas is a time of peace and love. Can Kasen and Rowan turn their chaotic life around in time to enjoy the holiday and have everything they ever dreamed of?
4 out of 5 (very good)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
6 years after Chartreuse ended, we catch up with Kasen and Rowan. You really should read Chartreuse first, it will help get the full feel of what these men went through to be together. Kasen and Rowan have moved their relationship to married, with the two dogs that got them together. But life has a way of getting in the way, and with new businesses taking off, both men are finding things a struggle. When the prospect of extending their family comes sooner than they think, can they pull it together??
Ms Ridener pulled a fast one with this little novella, the sneaky woman! She sprung it on us, with no hint of the deliciousness that was entailed within! In the run up to Christmas, both Kasen and Rowan are struggling with one thing or another. Rowan is keeping secrets, and Kasen is feeling unloved. A phone call changes all that. A life changing, amazing phone call, that had me in tears, let me tell ya, tears! What also had me in tears, was, well I'm not saying, because that is a huge part of this novella, and I dont want to spoil it.
We catch up Jessica, who helped the two men in Chartreuse and Kasen's mum too. She has been through the wringer, and seems to have come out the other side. I said in my original review, that THAT book wasn't about the sex between them, (although we do get some steam :-)) and I stand by that here. I love that its not on every page, BUT what is on every page, is the LOVE that shines between Kasen and Rowan, and everyone else who is mentioned.
Written from both Kasen and Rowan's POV, you get the full package, the full monty, of what they are both thinking, and feeling. My only problem?? I would like to have had some warning as to what I was sent to read, and I wished it was a longer story. But being friends with quite a few authors now, I know, you gotta write what comes, and if its just a short burst to catch up, so be it.
Thank you, Ms Ridener, I loved my short burst of catch up. Loved it.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
T.E. Ridener simply had a passion for writing and wanted to share some worlds with the rest of the world. She sincerely hopes people enjoyed them, and will forever cherish the support given to her during her writing career.