For me, this was an interestingly sparse read - and ordinarily I'd be fine with that, but the beginning seemed more dense than the rest of it, and that uneven tone's lingering. I hoped for more of that at the end, but it stayed very light. It was good, but not her best work. ( )

This was SOOO sweet. I absolutely loved coming into Carver and Pete's relationship with it already established. We got enough back story to learn how they got together, and they clearly had eyes only for each other. I adored Carver's family, and my heart felt for them as they struggle with his mother's illness. I really enjoyed this. Another gem from Mary Calmes! ( )

Beautiful love story.. it's a story of a families love for their son no matter who he chooses to love...it's a story of small southern town acceptance and a welcome home to a beloved son and friend. It has much more than just a happy ending. Be aware that it is centered around a controversial subject that many may/will find objectionable. The reader can't have any preconceived prejudices in order to feel any degree of happiness for these two. It's short...only 54 pages... but it's ....as I said...beautiful in every meaning of the word. ( )

Forgive me, but...I think I'm going to gush!

I LOVE this book! All of it! EVERYTHING!

Let's start with the cover. That is MY home...the home of my dreams. Warm and cozy for snowy winter days (and nights) but with a deep, covered verandah, with rocking chairs, for those hot, summer days! Out back, an old carriage house that's been converted into a potter's studio. The only thing that would be different is the Maple Leaf rather than the Stars and Stripes out front!

As always, Mary Calmes' characters speak to me. Here, Peter Lomax and Carver Fleming are people I know and love. The softer Carver and the grumbly Pete! I smiled the whole way through whilst reading because I had no doubt about the outcome of their Christmas visit!

Perfect! Just perfect! ( )

What a great holiday story. And not just because it is set around Christmas, but it's the spirit of the story, with its theme of love, home, and family that makes it so special. Pete, the slightly gruff ATF agent, and Carver, the somewhat wild artist and gallery owner, are a wonderful couple. And even though they are trying to find their way into "forever" after only six months of knowing each other, with all the emotional fireworks that entails, I never really doubted they would make it. Their love is just that deep and they are both that determined.

Having Pete, the tough special agent, needing to make a decision to move if he wanted to stay with Carver was unexpected for him. Add the fact he is facing small town life, and I can see why he may hesitate. Worse than that, Carver never even told him until it was too late. Yes, he may have been scared, and yes, he may have had his own issues to deal with (his mother's stroke basically causing the whole situation), but he really should have discussed it with Pete.

The secondary characters, mainly Carver's parents, were brilliant too, as was the peek into small town life where everyone knows everyone else and their secrets. If you like sweet, warm Christmas stories, if you enjoy seeing two stubborn men butting heads over who loves whom more, and if you're looking for an absolutely lovely read about home and family, then you will probably enjoy this novella. I certainly did!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review. ( )