The Yule Log

by M. Bonnet

As a teenager, my best friend’s brother barely gave me the time of day, despite my embarrassingly obvious crush. He was my bad boy fantasy, the man I would never stop thinking about over the years.

A decade later—after a successful career as a photographer on the West Coast and my own, personal glow-up—I run into him while visiting family for Christmas. He puts me on his list, and he wants to check me off, twice.

I’m not sure if I want Otto’s dominant, possessive attention. Oh, who am I kidding? Of course I do. Is it worth a blow to my pride to act on my decade old feelings? Should I let him give me a white Christmas for one hot and heavy holiday night? Or should I let him be my forever Santa?

🪵🎄🎅🏻🥵

The Yule Log is a contemporary MM, 1st person/dual POV Christmas romance novella filled with coziness, spice, a loose (almost nonexistent) plot, and holiday heat. While this raunchy romcom isn't M. Bonnet’s usual dark romance, it does include her love of Christmas and holiday puns.

🎄MM Christmas Novella
🎅🏻 Raunchy Rom Com Vibes
🔥 Plot and Holiday Heat
🥵 Dominant, Cinnamon Roll MMC
🥰 Best friend’s brother
❤️ Second Chance Romance
☃️ The One Who Got Away
🛷 Hurt/Comfort
✨ Redemption

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Christmas, Novella, Ebooks

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2023

Reviews

[Alex (HEABookNerd)]

DNF @ 25%

Just personal but I don't like books where someone ends up with their former bully so I'm going to have to pass on this one.

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yule Log - So Good!

The Yule Log, by M Bonnet @m.bonnetauthor. I am a huge fan of M Bonnet’s books.

Aww, nsuch a cute novella about Mick & Otto! Tropes: Contemporary, Gay Romance, Second Chance, Christmas, No 3rd Act Break Up & HEA!

[Deanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was first featured in the limited run Jingle My Balls anthology and I absolutely loved it so I’m glad it’s now getting its own special release so everyone can read it!

Usually Maggie kills me with plot twists and evil cliffhangers but this time she’s sleighed me (ha, get it?!) with feels. ALL THE FEELS 🥹

I loved insecure little cinnamon roll Mick and big growly Otto so much! I almost wish the story was longer because it was so freaking cute.

This was a short and sweet little hometown holiday romance that gave me a well needed serotonin boost and has forever changed the way I will view Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” 😂🎄 and I loved every minute of it.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Great characters and 🌶️ scenes, and if this weren’t a novella and didn’t have Christmas puns every 12 seconds I could see myself giving this five stars. I just wanted more development and time with all the characters. I loved their family and friends and would’ve loved to see more of them and see more of the couple together. I don’t mind the “getting with your HS bully” however I don’t like the “bully has always been into me” thing. I love present Otto but that 0-100 was crazy

[Sayde · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I think maybe novellas aren’t my thing 🥴

If you like insta lust/love, fast paced relationships & punny Christmas jokes this may be for you!!

[(╯`▭´）╯︵ ǝɔnɒꓷ]

*Dropped at 11%*

[Jace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holiday Cheer Meter: 2/5
(Where 1 is as Christmassy as 'Die Hard' and 5 is more like 'Elf')

Holiday puns aside there was very little Christmas spirit infused into this story and those can only take the story so far. This just wasn't for me, novella storytelling is a fine art and this missed the mark.

This was simultaneously too long and too short; too much extraneous information for good erotica and not enough storytelling for a good romance. It could have been both with a simpler set-up but the author bit off a little more than she could realistically deal with within the constraints of a novella.

I thought the puns and premise were adorable and quite enjoyed the spicy times but as it was I spent a considerable portion of the book rolling my eyes, cringing, and recoiling from some of the non-punny red flags that popped out of Otto's mouth. I didn't buy the second chance and thought the love-bombing was concerning, not sweet.

I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh The Christmas Puns!!

The puns have run rampant in this short story. Little plot here, all heat and I was cackling. Have fun!

[Paula Sabol (Never Choose Fantasy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Yule Log by M Bonnet is a super sweet MM holiday romcom.  Mick hasn't been home In a decade.  However after a rough year of being alone for 6 months after a terrible breakup he's ready for a change.  When he runs into his high school crush and discovers Otto has a crush on him he's left wondering if it's a holiday quickie or if he can trust again and have something more.

     This story was super cute along with lots of humor.  The characters are amusing and reminiscent of many families  around the holidays. I couldn't help but laugh at Mick and his sisters antics.  This contemporary romance was very realistic…I   I rated this story 5 out of 5 stars.  It is a fast burn, hot and steamy story about putting yourself out there and taking a chance on love, sometimes in thr most unexpected places.  I love the importance of family in this story. This is a feel good story with a happy ending that melts the heart. If you enjoy hot and spicy MM romcoms that bring new meaning to the holidays you'll love The Yule Log.

[Nicanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas read!

📚Book = Standalone,
💕Burn = Very Fast,
🎭OW/OM Drama = No,
🔥Heat/spice = 8/10,
😬Angst = Very Low,
🍆🌮 MM/FF = Yes, MM
🔸POV = 1st Person, MPV,
🔸Genre = Contemporary,

This was a lovely quick sweet Christmas themed read!

Otto and Micks sister were best friends growing up. Otto fancied Mick, but Mick was just a mean jock who never gave him the time of day, apart from when he was horrible to him. Years later they meet up again over the holiday period when Otto comes home broken hearted after being cheated on.

Mick bumps into Otto and can’t believe how much he’s changed. All of a sudden old feelings come rushing back, hard and fast. When Mick was younger, he fancied Otto but didn’t understand his feelings then, fighting what he felt and lashing out. He can’t and won’t fight his feelings now because he’s wasted way too long giving into his needs. Otto is going to be his!!

A lovely quick read, it was super sweet. A little too many Christmas puns, but hay that’s me!

[Deborah Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hits in the warm and fuzzies! What a great way to get ready for the Yule season. Otto and Mick are the cutest couple, and The Yule Log is the sweetest holiday read. Coming home for the holidays and finding out your lifelong crush returns your feelings is the best Christmas gift ever! Mick has kept quiet about his crush on his best friend's brother for years. Ottos didn't exactly treat his younger sister's best friend nicely, and now he has a chance to change all of that. When an opportunity falls in your lap, you have to go for it or lose out on what could be the love of a lifetime.

The heat level in this novella is just enough that you won't be left out in the cold. Fall in love with Mick and Otto like I did. It's the perfect way to thaw your heart out!

[Ashley -Goldstarreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a very cute, punny, sexy short Christmas story. It was packed full with family, friends and love. Tons of Christmas puns and jokes. Lots of Christmas innuendos. It was a fast and hard fall for these two guys. A true whirl wind Christmas romance. For me the downfall to a novella is everything happens so fast that I miss the intimacy and details of the love story. The way Mick’s alone fantasies played out, I was expecting something a lot kinkier when they were together, a lot dirtier, so that was slightly disappointing. It was still sexy and hot AF. These guys have amazing chemistry. It was an enjoyable, fun Christmas rom-com. Short and sweet. The writing was well done. Made me chuckle and smile at all the different dirty Christmas innuendos.

[Carol Rupprecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading The Yule Log in the Jingle My Balls anthology last year. The Christmas puns had me giggling the entire book. They are over the top and so silly but they make the novella even more fun to read. Otto and Mick have a sort of I wouldn't necessarily say enemies to lovers romance, although there was bullying in the past that we are aware of, but more of a second chance to try something new type of romance. There is no current bullying in this book and because it is a novella, their relationship progresses super quickly. This is a great little palette cleanser if you're in the mood for something light and cheery for the holidays. 

[Christy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mutual Crushing Gets Happy Ending

Mich has had crush on his best friend's sister for years but thought Otto hated him since he would pick on him when were in school. Turns out was It tons way of returning the crush since was trying figure out his feelings back then.

Now that they both back home town for Christmas things go from hot to full on fire between them. I thought was hot for sure and great sex. No slow burn here which I needed. Only thing I didn't like was Mick calling Otto daddy twice that was a turn off and made me cringe. So not into that.

The ending was perfect too. Lots of puns that had me laughing.

[Ashley Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute hilarious MM Christmas read. It’s a quick read as well. I laughed like 90% of the time while reading this. The Christmas puns are freaking hilarious. Mick is home for Christmas. He is fresh out of a break up. He is nervous about attending his best friend’s family’s Christmas party. Why is he nervous about it? Well it might have to do with the fact that he’s still crushing on his best friend’s brother. Has been since high school. A chance meeting between him and Otto lead to some flirting and other things. Will Otto be different or will he be like the rest and break Mick’s heart? Read the story to find out.

[Christina Rybka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mick and Emelia were best friends since they were three, and Mick has always had a crush on her Brother Otto. Mick was treated badly by Otto in high school. Ten years later Mick comes home and is spending the holidays with his family and friends, and he runs into Otto. They are both attracted to each other, but their lives are in two different places. Can they be together? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. Love Mick and Otto and their dynamic. Great supporting characters. This was a short, sweet, sarcastic, and sexy holiday story.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really can’t get much better than this . A fun , sexy and steamy M/ M Holiday romance written by one of my very favorite authors. To be completely transparent - you’ll usually find me reading more dark themed romances than anything. But with Christmas right around the corner I’ve been trying to change it up a bit and The Yule Tide Log was just what I was looking for . Mick and Otto’s love story is one of second chances that will make you smile , make you laugh , maybe even cry a bit and keep you rooting so freaking hard . It’s definitely a must read 💜💜

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute fast paced Christmas novella with all the naughty christmas puns attached. I absolutely loved Mick and Otto in this story it's just what I needed as the season creeps upon us.
Mick and Otto have both had a crush on each other when they were in high school, but Otto would give Mick a hard time that you find out later why he was like that and apologizes to Mick for being like that.
Those sisters of Mick's were a riot. I don't think there was a moment where they weren’t teasing him about his crush on Otto.

[Idalia Helaena · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Yule Log” is an absolutely adorable Christmas romance novella featuring Mick and Otto, two people who reconnect after meeting for the first time in years. I loved Mick and Otto’s relationship, I thought it was a long time coming, and even though Mick had some reservations at first, Otto was able to prove to him that he was serious about him. Mick and Otto were meant to be, and I’m so glad they were able to find happiness in each other. I’d definitely recommend!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a punny Christmas romcom when the holidays hit. And this book delivers! It's a great book to kick off the holiday season, Otto and Mick are so frkn cute. And I loved the sweet read that this book is, especially after all that Mick has gone through. His crush is finally returning the feelings, after many years apart. Can they make it work after how Otto treated him those years ago?

The spice is spicing and you won't want to miss their HEA.

[Tayleee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me because it was very different from M. Bonnet's normal writing. That was refreshing.

Even though this was a short read, it didn't feel like that. It didn't seem like things were being rushed to get it all in, it was perfect.

And the puns and jokes about Daddy Christmas and yule logs had me laughing.

I highly recommend this as an in-between book when you need a light and fun refresher.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read. You will not be able to put this book down once you start and need to keep reading until the end. It moves along at a comfortable pace which makes for an easy read. The characters are amazing and no matter what happens you will fall in love with them. A must read for the upcoming holiday season, no doubt about it.

[Crazy4bookscruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come on this was fricking adorable!!
Mick was the cutest, hottest man ever and come on “Christmas Daddy” was even better and man was the possession just perfect!
I loved the connection and spice with serious love that bloomed so beautifully I wanted to smoosh the guys!
I absolutely loved this MM and the author did such a wonderful job writing it!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this was.

This story gave me the feels for Mick loving Otto for so long. I absolutely loved the storyline of Mick and Otto.l even if Mick was reserved about ottos' feelings for him at first. This was such a great romance novella that I enjoyed from the first page to the last.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop it! M Bonnet not only writes amazingly dark romance ,but girl can also write raunchy rom coms! I loved this so much! Even though it's a holiday novella ,it sucks you in (literally) ! 5 stars .M will have you laughing out loud with her wit! I'm biased, though, because I haven't found a book that she's written that I wasn't obsessed with!

[Dian Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little holiday story. You have Mick who had a crush on his best friends brother, Otto, since high school, who goes home for the holidays. Sparks fly as Otto confesses he also had a crush on Mick but was not comfortable in his sexuality. Sparks fly under the Christmas tree as they meet again. This was not her usual genre of writing, but it was still really good!

[heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

big surprise for me,
im not the biggest fan of second change but this book sure surprised me by how much i enjoyed it

it was a short but very spicey and good sexy time
i loved how eventho it was short it did pack a punch

they way both of them reconnect or connect
it sure made my blood run a little warmer hehe

if you looking for a short but steamy read? be sure to pick this one up!

[jamies_bookreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it.

4.5/5 stars

I can always count on M. Bonnet to have me swooning and snorting with laughter in her writing. I can also count on some hot ‘fan myself’ moments with the characters she creates. This novella is the perfect Holiday MM romance that fits all the elements to break into your holiday reads.

[Courtney Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yule Log 🎄❤️

This was such a cute, steamy, and funny book to read!! 🥵💕 I love all of M. Bonnet’s books and this Christmas theme one was no different. I was laughing so hard with all the Christmas puns throughout the book! 🤣 If you are looking for a cute, smutty, funny holiday themed book then look no further! 🎄❤️😍