Cover Artist - Garrett Leigh
Title: What Happens At Christmas
Author: Jay Northcote
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Jaybird Press
Release Date: 19 November 2015
~~~~~~~~~~
Blurb
When two friends pose as boyfriends, could what happens at Christmas turn into something more?
Justin is recently and unhappily single. Christmas is coming, and he doesn’t want to face his ex alone at their office party. So Sean—Justin’s best mate and long-time secret crush—volunteers to go with him and pretend to be his new flame.
Sean has always lusted after Justin from afar, but there’s never been a good opportunity to ask him for more than friendship. Posing as Justin’s boyfriend isn’t a chore, and if Justin wants to rebound onto him, Sean’s more than willing. At the party pretence and reality blur, and a kiss on the dance floor leads to a night of passion.
In the aftermath, they both assume it was a one-time thing until fate intervenes. Stuck together in London over the holidays, they give in to temptation again. But what happens at Christmas stays at Christmas... right?
Review
In this sweet and sexy novella we get two of my favourite
storylines – friends to lovers and fake boyfriend. The blurb set me up for this
and I wasn’t disappointed.
Sean and Justin have been best friends since they were
younger. Sean has recently been away for almost a year travelling but now he’s
back in England and goes to stay with Justin on his return. It looks like he
arrived in the nick of time as recently dumped Justin needs some morale support
and also a pretend boyfriend for the office Christmas party.
Both have been carrying a torch of each other but neither
let the other know. However the act of pretending to be boyfriends is the
catalyst to it becoming a reality.
This was a slow build and engaging romance, nothing was
rushed and it was paced just right. Both characters were easily to like and the
chemistry of the two friends believable and hot. I loved that even though
things were changing in their relationship they still held their friendship with
their constant fun and banter (insert picture of a big snow penis here) intermixed
with lots of passion and steam.
I loved this read as it kept me entertained throughout with
giggles, sighs and oh my mys! Definite recommend if you love your m/m romance
funny, hot and romantic. Four stars.
Excerpt
Justin’s phone chimed with a text, interrupting Sean’s train of thought.
Justin picked up his phone to read the message. “Ugh.” He put the phone back down without typing a reply and ran his hands through his hair.
“What’s up?”
Justin sighed. “It’s our work Christmas party next weekend. I’ve already got a ticket, and nearly everyone in the office goes, but it’s for partners as well. One of my co-workers, Jess, is bugging me to come, but I can’t face it. I bet Andy’s going to bring his new boyfriend. I know he’s a shit and I shouldn’t let him get to me, but the thought of him parading around with my replacement, and me being there on my own, isn’t very appealing.”
“Is it too late to find someone to take?”
“No, they don’t need final numbers till Monday.”
“Well, then. Take someone else and flirt like crazy in front of him. Show him you can do better and that you’ve already moved on.”
“But I’m not ready to date. It’s only been two weeks, and I’m still at the feeling-sorry-for-myself stage.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sean offered. “I could be your date. We could pretend we’ve got together and are a couple now.”
“Yeah?” Justin looked thoughtful. “Are you sure?”
Duh. It would hardly be much of a sacrifice to flirt with Justin all night. It would actually be a relief not to have to hide the way he felt for a change.
“Sure,” Sean replied. “I think I can manage to fake that I’m arse-over-tit infatuated with you. As long as it’s only for a few hours.”
“Gee, thanks.” Justin rolled his eyes. “You really know how to make an already-wounded ego feel better. But if you’re up for it, we should totally do it. Andy was always jealous of you before you went away. He saw you as competition because we lived together and were so close. I’d love to see his face when I walk in with you on my arm. I think he’ll hate it even if he’s moved on.”
“Okay.” Sean rubbed his hands together, excited at the prospect of getting to piss off Andy. “Let’s do it! Text your friend Jess back and tell her you’re in—with a hot date.”
Buy the book
Meet the author
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.
She comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story–just to see if she could–and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
Where to find Jay
No comments:
Post a Comment