This is a part of a series that follows a handful of gay men in a small town in Minnesota... Marcus, Arthur and Paul, three "bears", three best friends, as they try to find their forever partners. In this story we get to see Paul, who is the neediest of the entire bunch, finally find his forever love.... well not right away... first we have to have a little bit of angst and drama. Paul is from a quite conservative family. Poor guy…. He’s a big "bear", but he’s also a big mess...a mess of anxiety, a complete lack of confidence, and some other oddities that you would never suspect considering that he is a big "bear". He has his friends, he’s dated, but he can’t ever seem to connect with the right guy. He’s lonely but he’s so tied up in his own head that he can’t see what is right in front of him. Kyle Parks. the Resident Twink. So much so that "Look at me I'm a twink" should have been written in bright, glowing florescent paint across his forehead. He finally decides he’s waited long enough and he’s going to get "his man" come Hell or high water. He starts by trying his luck with Grindr, which doesn’t work so well. Next, he tries his personal specialty, snow sculptures...and leaves a lovely creation on Paul’s front porch. I won't say what it was, but let's just say that the town was NOT amused. I, however laughed and snickered through the rest of the story. Paul is not too impressed either. He eventually enlists the help of resident "busybody" Corrina, who helps him come up with a plan of attack. Kyle, after a few more "mishaps" gets his man, and we get a very sweet holiday story. I loved this book along with poor Paul and all his drama, and Kyle and his strength and willpower to not give up his cause, even if some of his methods were a bit on the questionable side. The plot that runs through it about trying to save this small town was a great backdrop to Paul and Kyle’s love story. The little details in this book that worked so well...like Holiday movies, snow sculptures, cooking together, friends, food, family...it was a perfect way to spend a memorable Christmas. ( )

4 stars

Synopsis: Paul is feeling lonely, because his friends have paired off and leave him feeling like a fifth wheel. He's also been the only one actively looking for a relationship, and feels as though it's not fair that he doesn't have one. He has also been dealing with someone who is leaving penis sculptures on his doorstep, which his family doesn't approve of. When Paul discovers that it is Kyle, someone who he feels is too young and just not right for him, he wigs out. Then Kyle and Paul are thrown together to help with the Christmas extravaganza that the town is putting on, and Paul realizes that Kyle isn't what he seems.

What I liked: that Kyle went after what he wanted. I liked that he went against stereotype and was so toppy. I also liked the way Kyle was with his family. I liked the friendships that developed between the Paul and Kyle and Paul's friends, and I liked how Arthur's mother was right on the money with everything.

What I didn't like: How Paul rolled over for his family. ( )

This is book 3 of 4 in this series. Since I read 4 first, it was really fun to see all the pieces come together. And yet, this is very much Paul and Kyle's story. It is intensely character-driven as all these are. And I grinned and said "Hah!" out loud at the end. :) The author burns stereotypes down all the way through the series. I love that the best of all the things she manages to do through these characters. It's a great series, one of the very best I've read. ( )

Well worth the wait. LOVED this. Paul is just so...human and screwed up. In fact both the guys spend half their time second guessing their actions and feelings, just like they would IRL.
So glad that Paul's issues weren't solved with the magical power of the peen, that the family situation didn't end up with them being born-again LGBTQ flag wavers and that, in the end, he was the one to be pro-active about making himself a new family.
December 2016 - Dave's story? Or a triple wedding at Winter Wonderland 2016?

Come on Heidi. You know you wanna.


******

OMG a new book in my favourite Christmas series! I know it's only July but, aghh, I need this book now!

Bought and downloaded. Now we wait for December *drums fingers at self imposed hell* ( )

Well worth the wait. LOVED this. Paul is just so...human and screwed up. In fact both the guys spend half their time second guessing their actions and feelings, just like they would IRL.
So glad that Paul's issues weren't solved with the magical power of the peen, that the family situation didn't end up with them being born-again LGBTQ flag wavers and that, in the end, he was the one to be pro-active about making himself a new family.
December 2016 - Dave's story? Or a triple wedding at Winter Wonderland 2016?

Come on Heidi. You know you wanna.


******

OMG a new book in my favourite Christmas series! I know it's only July but, aghh, I need this book now!

Bought and downloaded. Now we wait for December *drums fingers at self imposed hell* ( )