Hello everyone!
That's right, we're headed into 2023 at full-tilt now, which means that we're only about one blog post away from completely wrapping up.
So I picked what I hope is a good one.
At least, I liked it!
Which is saying something given I can be the world's harshest critic sometimes, even if I like the other books written by the same author.
But that's beside the point.
Thing is, I wanted a do-over from the book I DID pick from Keira Andrews for this holiday season, which I didn't love as much as I hoped to. I was cautiously optimistic about her novella, however.
And boy, did it turn out to be more than just alright!
Lumberjack under the Tree brings all the holly jolly you may have missed, plus more.
Now, Lumberjack under the Tree is set in the same universe as Santa Daddy, and in fact on the very same tree farm, so that means we get to see the grumpy ole Santa and his Elf helper again this holiday season.
Given Santa Daddy was one of my more positive reviews, it should be of no surprise to anyone that I really enjoyed seeing the couple again.
But we're not here to talk about them.
We're here to talk about Blake and Caleb.
Now, Caleb was a rising hockey star in high school who seemed to have it all - until one time he messed around with Blake, then completely ghosted him afterwards.
Blake, for his part, was heartbroken, as he was out pretty early in life, and went on to become a writer living out of a van, and holding down this additional Christmas tree chopping job for some added income.
The last person he expects to come help out as a hired hand is Caleb, but beggars can't be choosers.
Especially as the two guys are left to their own devices because of a medical intervention for the bosses, right before a whiteout that forces them to camp out together in the van to wait through it all.
Which, naturally, leads to some confrontations - though not all - some admissions - again not all - and some sexy times.
All of that, for sure.
It isn't until an event hosted on the farm where Caleb has to stand in for Santa and later on gets told he's actually going to be permanently hired on the farm that Blake has a bit of a heart-to-heart with his buddy, rather than Caleb first.
But Caleb overhears all about the broken hearts and lost trust and history and whatnot, and jumps in to take it from there, to ensure he gets himself a second chance.
He got one with the job, after all, considering his hockey career is now over, he's alone in the world with a dilapidated cabin, and he loves Blake - has always loved Blake - more than anything else. The two decide maybe this second chance could turn into something even better over time, if they just gave in?
So they do. Caleb continues on with the job, Blake gets a permanent home at the cabin they renovate and refurbish together, and they even get a dog.
Not only that, but Blake encourages Caleb to get back into ice hockey, so all's well that ends well!
Now THIS is the kind of heart-to-heart story I can get behind.
Short, sweet and to the point, it nevertheless gives us ample insight into Blake and Caleb, making both their initial hiccup and eventual reconnection plausible.
Plus, as I've already said I loved Nick and Hunter so returning to the tree farm is a bonus. Especially with Ella!
Highly recommend this wonderful holiday novella, especially for a quick afternoon read.
Short, sweet and to the point, it nevertheless gives us ample insight into Blake and Caleb, making both their initial hiccup and eventual reconnection plausible.
Plus, as I've already said I loved Nick and Hunter so returning to the tree farm is a bonus. Especially with Ella!
Highly recommend this wonderful holiday novella, especially for a quick afternoon read.
xx
*image not mine
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