Christmas Riches, H L Day
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Gay Romance
Tags: Christmas, Clear Age Gap, Sexy Contemporary Romance, Tug on the Heartstrings
Length: DK
Reviewer: Kazza
Purchase At: amazon
Blurb:
Christmas comes early for Aiden Malone in the form of a seductive blue-eyed stranger down on his knees. But a shock revelation about his new ‘friend’ has him running for the hills and cursing his stupidity before the night is out.
Tom’s not prepared to give up that easily. He may be rich, where Aiden’s poor. Innocent in a way that Aiden isn’t. And on the wrong side of twenty. But he’s old enough to know what he wants. And that’s Aiden. He just needs to persuade the older man to look past his hang-ups about age and wealth.
Lust and prejudice pull Aiden in opposite directions, severely testing his willpower. As Tom’s layers begin to peel away, Aiden discovers the younger man’s life of privilege may not be all it seems. If Aiden gives in, they could have the sweetest Christmas that either of them has ever tasted.
But Tom’s about to shatter their joy with a surprise announcement. Decisions need to be made on both sides. It’s down to Aiden, though, to stay strong and decide whose happiness is more important. His? Or Tom’s? Because they can’t have it both ways.
It’s possible their relationship won’t even last as long as it takes for the snow to melt.
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**NSFW REVIEW**
Review:
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Just a quick note first, at the beginning I make an error in the podcast saying Tom thinks that he’s out of his league I meant to say Aiden thinks this. I also say reindeer are at Richmond Park when I meant deer – obviously I was caught up in the Christmas spirit ?
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Virginal, dirty-talking, eighteen-year-old Tom and job-fit and muscular thirty-one-year old Aiden would make for interesting reading at the best of times, but during the Christmas season they are fun and sexy and have an intense chemistry borne out of the reason some people struggle with this time of the year. Borne out of the most personal gift you can ever give.
When the two MCs hook up at Aiden’s local pub, sparks fly but there is more to Tom than Aiden realises and Tom gets more than he dreamed he might.
This is a sexy novella, I’m not sure of the page count, and I’ve concentrated on the sexy aspects in my pictorial version of this review, but it is seasonal and Christmas forms the backbone of the story.
The reason I gave Christmas Riches 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I missed having Tom’s POV. I think this would be an amazing story with dual POV and in a longer version. My imagination ran wild for a while. Not a bad thing at all, but I’d love to have some dots filled in and I’d love more on Tom. It’s not particularly a complaint, just my gut feel, the story is so good I wanted more. This was a delight from start to end and a definite re-reader over the years to come.
What a way to start a book. 😉 And once again you found the best visuals and quotes. Just… wow, It’s always fun when things get started in a bar bathroom. The mom thing, though. lol.
I don’t mind suspending belief if the story is written well. I love an age gap, as you know. More often than not that’s what I’m looking for when I’m seeking out books. Eighteen is quite young and I agree with what you said about that in your review. It seemed to work here. I was glad to hear that the book shows the characters a little older as well.
I think it’s sweet how Aiden wants to make Tom smile. I can tell this is a really nice story. Another great podcast review, Karen.
Nothing says unsexy quite like seeing mum after you’ve just had some sex in their house. Aiden had the same reaction – uh… no 🙂
Thank you. I love these pics/quotes too. I had WAY too much fun marrying them up, lol
After Christmas Riches and Endless Knight I feel good about reading again after I was thrown by a few basic books in between.
I did mean to say the brain isn’t fully developed not ‘formed.’ But, you know. Eesh. I have to learn how to edit these podcasts.