The Official Description: Alex Ross can’t catch a break when it comes to Christmastime. With a long history of bad holiday experiences—like getting rejected under the mistletoe or playing referee to his mother’s divorce—he’s just trying to survive it.
New in town and a stranger to everyone, he plans on ignoring the holiday altogether. That would be easier if his ridiculously cheerful new neighbor would cool it on the Christmas hype. Nicholas is annoying and loud. Worst of all, he’s also impossibly attractive and nice to everyone. It’s getting harder for Alex to deny his interest, especially when Nicholas leaves Christmas cookies at his door and wages a snowball fight against him on the coldest day of the year.
Can Alex open up to him and get into the holiday spirit before he endures another ruined Christmas?
Just the facts: M/M holiday romance, playful, hopeful
Chrismas spirit and joy oozes out of this story! It’s fun, joyful and romantic. – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Alex is the embodiment of the Grinch when this story begins. He’s battling the holiday shoppers for some food and everything is annoying him. He’s sick of Christmas carols, holiday spirit, and peppermint… he really hates peppermint. When Alex bumps into a festive stranger named Nicholas ( oh yes, he’s impressed that he’s named after Santa) Alex has no idea he’s meeting a neighbor in his new building.
Alex hasn’t really moved to the city just for his education. He’s run away from the fact that no one in his family knows that he’s gay. He doesn’t want to tell anyone because of a very unpleasant experience with his ex-best friend. No, I’m not going to spoil what happened.. that my holiday gift to you.
Alex has met his match in Nicholas when it comes to Christmas cheer. Hart writes a lovely character and Nicholas is no exception. He bakes and hands out candy canes, gives his neighbors Christmas baking and howls out Christmas carols in the middle of the night. He gathers up supplies so the neighbors can all make snowmen and he leaves candy canes with notes attached to Alex’s door.
How could you not love Nicholas? Well, if you were Alex you’d be shy. There’s a lot going on for Alex but this isn’t a heavily emotional plot. There are a few speed bumps but Hart handles Alex’s past issues lightly and sweetly.
If you’re looking for a romantic, extremely Christmassy love story then this will hit all the buttons for you!
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) Lots of miscommunication, miscommunication in the past leading to loss of friendship
Readalikes: Other stories that are similar or give the same feel.
- A Christmas Cabin for Two by K.D. Fisher
- A Boyfriend for Christmas by Jay Northcote
- Irises in the Snow by Isabelle Adler
Links: Goodreads // The Author // The Publisher
I received an ARC of This Christ by J.R. Hart from Ninestar Press via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kinzie Things 