Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Who needs a love life when there’s so much work to do?

Nothing is getting in the way of this tiny house build.

Not my tiny budget.

Not my tiny stockpile of supplies.

Not the tiny question of legality concerning the practice of sneaking materials out of the dumpster on my neighbour’s construction site.

Not the tiny snowflakes threatening to fall sooner than I am prepared for them.

Definitely not Cullen, the not-so-tiny foreman on the construction site with his amazing shoulders, kind eyes, and inexplicable interest in taking me on dates and feeding me.

Wait. Maybe that last one, but just for the afternoon…then I’m right back on task, because building an entire house, of any size, from recycled materials is no tiny feat.

So imagine my shock when, every time I leave the site, I come back to find someone has been there while I was away. They haven’t taken anything. Instead, they’re putting up walls and roof joists and leaving behind festive decorations.

Have I been the victim of tiny construction elves?

 

First edition published at Dreamspinner Press, December 2017.

 

Book Review

I envied Eugene in one big way right from the start. He might have been poor and having to resort to scavenging the supplies thrown away by the construction crew next door, but he has a postage stamp lot above a lake and he’s building his own cozy home. It didn’t take me long to fall head over heels for him, either. Not that surprising since I tend to have that reaction to a lot of this author’s characters. Regardless, Eugene might just be the sweetest, nicest man I’ve met in a very long time.

I wish I were a handy person able to build things and repair broken items. I really enjoyed learning some interesting new facts by watching Eugene work, though I have to admit that I’d rather win the lottery and pay someone to build a home for me. *grins* Eugene has gotten somewhat friendly with the construction crew working on the house below him but, nevertheless, he’s still pretty nervous when the foreman joins him for coffee one morning. Expecting to get reprimanded for taking supplies out of the dumpster, Eugene is confused when Cullen just chats with him about his building plans and then goes on his way.

“A broad smile spread over Cullen’s face. “It’s like nothing fazes you. You just go on and do the next thing on the list. No hesitation.”....
“Sure,” Eugene said, and it wasn’t a reflex response this time. “Because what else would you do? The things don’t get done if you don’t do them. I’m always behind, but—” He shrugged. “That’s just life.”

When Cullen asks Eugene to lunch the whole rotten-luck story of Eugene’s past seven years comes pouring forth at Cullen’s gentle queries. I’ve got to say that my respect and admiration for Eugene went up a whole lot more after learning everything he’d endured, partially at the hands of his own bigoted brother! The “construction elf” as Eugene refers to him continues to assist in building his home and Cullen is confused as to why Eugene gets upset instead of being grateful. It all stems from Eugene’s upbringing and what he has had to deal with. Instead of viewing the assistance as someone wanting to help him out of the goodness of his heart, Eugene views it as charity, or the idea that he can’t do it by himself. It takes a bit of pain, healing, and Christmas magic to show Eugene the error of his thoughts.

“Whenever things started going right for him was usually when it all went wrong. He didn’t want to take that chance with Cullen.”

I truly love this author’s way with words. Everything about this story worked for me. The characters were wonderful, the plot showcased the good in people, and the romance was a lovely slow to melting burn. This is definitely going on my reread holiday list.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The first edition of this book was purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novella, 89 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	16-December-2025
Price	$3.99 ebook, $12.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Eugene-Box-Nails-Jaime-Samms-ebook/dp/B0G15TSJMX