Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Dumped by his ex on Christmas Eve two years ago, Oxford Street department store manager Richard Barratt now hates the holidays. Things go from bad to worse when the store's usual Santa is too ill to reprise his role and the firm sends cocky but handsome Blaine Ryder to take his place. The attraction between the two is clear, but Blaine is an incorrigible player who reminds Richard of his ex. His idea of a relationship is a quick roll in the hay, and his advances have Richard running for the hills. It might take some special intervention for both of them to realize they can change enough to have a chance at a holiday romance.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2016 Advent Calendar "Bah Humbug."

Book Review

Like a few others in this year’s Advent Calendar stories – appropriately themed “Bah Humbug” - Richard has good reason to dislike Christmas. But it has been two years since he found out his ex cheated on him and the breakup that followed, so it is also time for him to start getting over the painful memories. At least his coworker thinks so, and once she sees potential in Blaine, the actor employed on a temporary basis to play Santa, she lends a helping hand more than once.

Richard has not dared consider another relationship after the bitter disappointment his ex put him through, and even though he finds Blaine attractive from the moment he sets eyes on him, Richard will not take the first step. In fact, even once Blaine makes a move, Richard shies back from any sort of contact.
 
Blaine is an actor looking for his breakthrough role and has taken the gig to play Santa in a department store to help him pay his bills over the winter. He is immediately interested in Richard, but he usually has flings, not serious relationships. It takes a while for him to figure out what he wants, but once he does, there is no holding him back.

If you like Christmas stories where a wounded character finds his chance at happiness, if a player who reconsiders his attitude and expectations is your thing, and if you’re looking for an entertaining read with quite some naughtiness in Santa’s grotto, then you might like this short story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 31 pages/10355 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-December-2016
Price	$1.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/santa-for-hire-by-asta-idonea-7983-b