Broke By Christmas

by Kathleen Pendoley

The last place Brandon Drummond expected to find himself was out of work. After all, he made a name for himself on Bristlemouth Bay, cooking and baking from the age of nine, long before he ran his own kitchen straight out of culinary school. Now he’s stuck to his couch, mainlining homemade ice cream and wallowing in his troubles. He needs a job, the lease on his apartment isn’t being renewed, and all this stress has added twenty pounds to a body he once took pride in. He can’t go to friends for help as they’re all starting out. He won’t go to his mom because Brandon sees himself as the family rock after losing his father when he was only eight.

Tristan Adler considers himself the decorator to the Boston Brahmin and wears the title like armor against a world filled with bad taste and horrible style. Somehow he finds himself at the entryway of all things awful when he arrives at Brandon’s outdated and unkempt apartment to help him plan a holiday party. With little to work with as Brandon’s place is in shambles, Tristan decides to go against his nature and help the guy anyway. Brandon is a trained chef, and Tristan has difficulty maintaining his weight of late. Plus, there’s Lenny to consider.

As the days fall away and party time looms, feelings grow between the men. Brandon has been an open book about his life and how it’s heading nowhere, but Tristan holds his dark secrets close. Their routine of keeping things casual gets tested at the island’s most fabulous party in years. Will Brandon’s affection for aloof Tristan be destroyed once and for all, or will a miracle of a Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie proportion save them from heartache?

Genres: Holiday

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it was an enjoyable story I really liked Tristan and Brandon, I liked how Tristan was with Lenny always making sure he was safe, all the characters in the story were nice apart from Corey and his sidekick Landon.looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story

I'm rounding this up from 3.5. This winds up being a cute story but there were a few times that I wasn't quite sure why certain things were happening or where things were going in the story. I did enjoy reading it though.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon and Tristan's Story . . .

Brandon Drummond received his culinary arts bachelor’s degree and immediately got a job at The Clam Digger restaurant. For a recent graduate, running his own kitchen was extraordinary luck! But a rogue hurricane destroyed the building and the only place hiring was Pam’s Parlor selling ice cream to people. The owners were tired of it, tourists getting more rude every year, so having Brandon take over was perfect. They made him manager within a month! Two years later, he still feels trapped. So he quits and has his own little pity party. He is out of work, gaining weight from all the ice cream he is consuming on the couch, and his apartment lease is not being renewed. He refuses to go home to his mom to be seen as a failure. His apartment is turning into a filthy dump until it gets so bad that even he notices that he needs to start over… and a shower is a good place to begin! If only he had remembered to change his food-covered, sweaty clothes before trying to hire someone to help him clean up his apartment before he brings in a decorator to get it ready for that big party.

Brandon left messages for various decorators, but it was Tristan Adler who got a cancellation and texted him back that he would arrive there tomorrow to start. He is not prepared for the mess Brandon has made of everything, outdated, unkempt, and a shambles. But he felt sorry, so decided to help instead of walk out the door. The two of them get comfortable working together. But Tristan has secrets he doesn’t want to share. Will Tristan’s encouragement and Brandon’s epic party plan change his attitude? And will Brandon finally find out that Tristan does love him, despite what he said when he gave into his fears? Are they ready to try to be together? Have they finally reached that “Hallmark moment”?

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting. Brandon, is a chef extraordinaire and has elevated expectations for himself. When he runs into a few personal roadblocks, his pride keeps him from turning to friends and family for help. He becomes a hot mess. Tristan, presents himself as a decorator to the city's elite he claims high brow clients and considers himself a decorator extraordinaire. Brandon, doesn't see a bright future. Tristan has secrets and drags a huge weight around with him. Questionable friends, slow flow, and warms up in the end, lots going on in the story. Characters are absolutely relatable. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Cramutola · Rating 2 out of 5]

disjointed and confusing.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars.

This turned out to be a cute story eventually. The beginning is slow, and often times as I wondered why what I was reading was pertinent to the story. Tristan and Brandon (the two MMCs) don't even meet until 20% into the book, and, for a shorter story, that's a lot. However, the evolution of their relationship was enjoyable to read and some of the side characters were great. Will probably read this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

A little slow building but worth it to see it to the end.
Took a little longer than expected for the main characters, Tristan and Brandon, to meet. Ultimately, I enjoyed the overall premise.

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[Janice Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kinda meh. It was boring in some parts and kinda rambled in other parts. There were also characters and situations that really did not move the story along or even make much sense. I did not feel like the MC’s had any chemistry. It had potential, but could have been better in the execution.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[M.K. McCollom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Romance

The perfect Hallmark Christmas story.
Brandon is out of work and in need of a miracle, so he hires Tristan to help him decorate his apartment to throw the perfect Christmas party.
The friendship and romance they build together through the story will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
A perfect short read for the holiday season.

[Sue :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute romcom.

Not always cohesive but still enjoyable. Kind of like a poor mans Hallmark movie. Lol Anyway, it's a quick read and it will get you in the spirit of giving, family and love.