Regifted

by Kim Fielding

It’s December, and although Chrys Carvalho loves his home among the trees in the California Sierras, he’s a little lonely. While trying to find a new owner for a motorcycle—gifted by Chrys to his late husband—he meets handsome rancher Monroe Ogden. Monroe would dearly love to own the bike, but it’s out of his budget. In the spirit of the holidays, Chrys offers the motorcycle as a gift—and gets a new friend in return. When friendship turns to something more, Chrys must decide whether to keep his secrets or reveal his true nature. Can love and trust, like the motorcycle, be given more than once?

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Fantasy, Holiday, Paranormal, Contemporary, Christmas

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2023

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.

Reviews

[~Nicole~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have words to express how much I loved this Christmas short story, I’m absolutely stunned by its simple beauty. It’s everything you’d want to read snuggled under a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa And I know I’m probably way more effusive than the story warrants it but I just loved it and that’s that! I’m not even surprised this was amazing because you know…Kim Fielding, I’d recognize her writing anywhere because it’s always magical,enchanting. In fact the book belongs to magical realism style/genre, blending contemporary realism with fantastical elements, real with unreal and its done in such a captivating way I had to take small breaks to prolongue the experience since the book is so short and also to let the beautiful emotions sink into me. I’m so happy when,in the big sea of copy/paste seasonal books once in a while we stumble upon little gems like this one. If you want a tranquil,beautiful gentle story with 2 thoughtful, kind , and beautiful souls, with a bit of fantasy and even a stunning small plot twist(if you can call it that since it was pretty obvious) do yourself a favor and read this. It’s 1 euro on Amazon. I would have given anything for it to be a normal length book.
Excellent read in only 46 pages!

PS It reminds me a lot of Amy Rae Durreson’s Christmas story “The Holly Groweth Green”, also written in a (this time historical) magical realism style and also an excellent Christmas read.

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so wonderfully beautiful. I'm still crying because it was so incredibly beautiful.

Chrys had been content with his own touch. Now, though, just holding Monroe’s hand was enough to make him burn. Fire was dangerous; but if managed well, it could clear away old brush and promote new growth.

Sometimes when two trees grew near each other, their branches or trunks would conjoin, a process called inosculation. The term came from the Latin word for to kiss. Chrys enjoyed inosculating with Monroe.

The two of them were meant to be like this, wrapped in each other’s arms.

I think the quotes say more than any words I can find. It's short and absolutely perfect. It brought warmth to an otherwise bleak day.

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short one by this amazing author that put stars in my eyes 🤩

No idea what’s with this author’s writing- it lures you in and wraps you in a fluffy, dreamlike blanket.

Chrys, who’s a recluse, and whom we learn quickly that he’s not quite the ordinary man he seems to be, wants to sell the bike his late husband owned. Monroe, who’s a (quite ordinary) ranch hand on an almond farm close by, loves the bike, but has no means to buy it. On impulse, Chrys “regifts” him the bike - and they meet again. And again.

Yes, it’s (again) a short story/novella, but the writing, the characters and the general idea are so beautiful, executed with so much love to little details, that I couldn’t help but completely fall for it.

“I think some things can be given once and then given again, and they don’t lose their value. Antique motorcycles. Cherished ornaments. Hearts.”

Absolutely wonderful, and a well deserved 5 star rating, despite the fact that it’s short.

[Vanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 astounding stars!! 🤩😍 what a beautiful story!! I don’t think I’ve read anything so melancholy and yet so joyous ever. I’m spellbound by the extraordinary writing. 👏🏻👏🏻
Will have to read more by this author.

[Kim]

This is my annual holiday story--it includes a bit of both the winter solstice and Christmas. It was inspired by my trips into the Sierra foothills in California, where several of my other stories are set. The real town in this one, Murphys, is close to my fictional Rattlesnake. Another inspiration was a motorcycle--to be specific, a vintage Indian brand bike. I think they're beautiful. My grandfather owned an Indian motorcycle as a young man in the 1930s.

I hope you enjoy this story with its themes of growth, change, and renewal.

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars.
Beautiful, calm and soothing writing style.
I loved the mood, rain and roots and trees.. I just wished the novella would have been much longer, showing us more how the deep connection between the MCs was built.

Thank you Nicole, for recommending this gem!

"When he’d first met Jeff, he’d found the concepts of gender and sexual orientation mystifying. Didn’t people simply feel like… themselves? And find themselves attracted to people who were, well, attractive? Over the years, he’d reached a better understanding of the concepts, but he sometimes still found the details a little confusing. Actually, he found people in general a little confusing, but he liked them. Including this one."
❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim Fielding is one of my go-to authors ... I love how she infuses "magic" in her contemporary stories. Like this one... apparently Chrys is a dryad who turns into a human after falling in love with one.

I adored this new gentle relationship between Chrys and Monroe; it didn't feel instant despite the short length of time between them courting. Probably because they feel right together, like finding that right slot. Such a lovely short holiday story.

Thank you so much to Sugar Cookie Elf from Goodreads 2023 Secret Santa Event for this gift

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange and ultimately unsatisfying short story with a fantasy element; set during the holidays, but I wouldn't call it a Christmas story.

We're not even told how Chrys's husband died. The motorcycle "regift" is a way for the MCs to meet - it serves no purpose beyond that.

As is typical for Kim Fielding, the story has no real denouement; it just ends.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any time is a perfect time for soaking in the beauty, peace, and goodness that is this Christmas short. Wonderful storytelling. Absolutely lovely.

[Achim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I always enjoy it when Fielding works her calm and steady magic, when nothing much happens and nevertheless feels like you follow a trace of something meaningful and like in this story that there will be a time where grieving memories make way for more fond memories of lucky times. It's like she's setting the magic of an everyday life (although Chrys economic status isn't exactly everyones everyday life) against the glitter and overwhelming emotions of the other holiday themed books and giving the quiet back to the silent night. It's just that this time she's adding real magic and I don't know why. The story would have worked without it, somehow. Can't help it but that kind of magic is asking for more than such a short story.

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute seasonal read that fits in nicely with the author's Bureau oeuvre.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9⭐

An interesting novella with an intriguing premise. I've never read about dryads before and would absolutely like to again.



🟢 Dryads (tree spirits)
🔵 A complex MMC
🟣 Instant chemistry
🟠 Age gap hinted, but not specified
🟡 Short, but heartwarming

Chrys is a very complex man who came into this world in a very specific way. He's left without his person after 15 years, is wealthy and educated, lives alone and enjoys his solitude when Monroe, the young farm hand from another town comes into his life.

Monroe and Chrys seemed to be the perfect match for each other. They complemented each other in ways I don't think Chrys and his ex ever did.
I'd like to know more about their life together, of their future after Chrys delivered the big reveal about his true identity, when everything between them seemed so damn promising. I was looking forward to everything, anything.

Even though the novella only skimmed the story that had enormous potential for a full-length book, it's well written and offers a short, satisfying Christmas read.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a short story, there's a lot touched on; grief, loss, recovery, loneliness, isolation, secrets... The touch of cleverness is just right.

[QuietlyKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. Magical yet earthy characters gave this enchanting short story life in a most wondrous way.

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Regifted’, what an apt title with a word that is sometimes said with an element of scorn or disparagement, “It was regifted.” In this novella, regifting is the sweet plot line that brings the two well written MCs together.
The subtitle could be, “A Tree Grows In…” well, not Brooklyn, but it wasn’t stated just where this was set, but a nice, country place. With a lot of trees. The author fooled me with a twist as to who Chrys was, when I was sure that he was something else.
In the end note the author uses the word ‘eclectic’ and that is the perfect descriptive of their writing. I think that I have read all kinds of settings, characters, and plot lines in their stories and there is no repetition. Except for the character of Chief Townsend in the ‘Bureau’ series, my favorite character and the lovely thread between the books.
This Christmas novella showcases the author’s talent for packing a lot of good writing into a smaller format.
I liked the MCs and I enjoyed their love story. How did I miss this story last Christmas? It’s a lovely gift of the season. 🎄

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who have lost our partner the first few pages of this will hurt a little. Chrys is trying to move on and selling his husband unfinished bike is his main goal. An utterly touching tale with sadness, hope, a little touch of humor, and renewal of love. There is a twist at the end, it is clear through this that there is something different about Chrys.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short story about a "unique" being falling in love with a human. Can't say it was my favorite by Ms Fielding. No deep emotions for me.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how lovely…

Very few authors write the quality of short stories like Kim Fielding does. She never fails to surprise and delight. Sweet, fanciful, original, beautifully written.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a small little treat by Kim Fielding. I love her short stories and this one is sweet, a bit magical and a bit Xmasy, too. Just what I needed in the middle of the night, fighting with fever and terrible cough 😒
Need to come back to this author's shorts 😉

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You don't have to be spectacular. You just have to be you."

Quick, easy read which was exactly what I was in the mood for. There really isn't much to this but it's still a great story overall. Nothing is surprising (but how quickly Monroe accepts all the things which isn't surprising per se...) but is a lovely tale.

I really loved the unconventional side of things like where Monroe does the "impolite" thing and actually stays over for dinner when they've just met, let alone where he actually cooks for them both at Chrys' place and how they even talk about Chrys' late husband, Jeff.

I appreciated how Jeff wasn't a taboo subject; neither was his memory dismissed or shamed. Their connection was so strong, and I really like the background story there. It was both sad and heartwarming.
A squirrel ran up his leg and torso to perch on Chrys's shoulder, scolding him for a lack of acorns.

It's very insta-love but is also a holiday special with a supernatural aspect and very short.

Some questions had no answers; some mysteries had no solutions. If they weren't troubling you, it was probably best to accept them and let them be.

[Carolyn Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The clues as to Chrys's nature are on the cover and also hints dropped in the text, but it was so thoughtful that he should meet a tree farmer.
I liked that Chrys was able to recover from the loss of his husband and find a new heart.
Monroe was kind and just right for Chrys and he loved his motorbike.( I'm fond of Indian motorbikes too - I used to watch them doing the Wall of Death - terrifying.)
The romance is charming and low angst and their regifted presents to each other are deeply personal and meaningful.
I would have liked to have seen more of these two, but it wasn't necessary as this was a compact self contained story and just right

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* B-/C+

Short stories and novellas are tough to review because it's rare for them to have enough depth to feel really complete. I like the way Kim Fielding writes and Regifted has some beautiful language and phrasing. At the same time it's quite short and only so much can happen. So, beautiful writing and a nice punch of emotions, but light on plot. It was still enjoyable despite the lack of depth.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read that I liked. Chrys Carvalho is lonely after the death of his husband. While trying to find a new owner for a motorcycle gifted to him, he meets handsome rancher Monroe Ogden. Monroe would dearly love to own the bike, but it’s out of his budget. In the spirit of the holidays, Chrys offers the motorcycle as a gift and gets a new friend in return. This was a pretty good read. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

I usually prefer my Kim Fielding in longer doses, but this time she did a banger short. The quiet life of a widower... who just doesn't happen to be quite like the rest of us. In the end this twist a minor thing, but it springs up a lovely theme to the story and style to the prose. It still could be written with more length and depth, but it's a beauty as it is.

[Kazza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty Weird.

This was okay. A lot of superfluous information and a… weird romance. It’s a short story that felt too short for the full development that was really required. Middle of the road reading.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

To review later.
I adored this. Leading men Chrys and Munroe are great. I appreciated the way it was written with a slightly concealed narrative. This is the perfect length, ending at a satisfying place without overstaying it's welcome or leaving the reading wanting.

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written story by Fielding. Fantasy is definitely one of her strongest fields, and this tale is no exception. It's a quiet story about two men, Chrys and Monroe, who meet and find themselves attracted to one another, yet one of them is hiding quite the secret. Fielding excels at grounding fantastic events in the mundane, turning a story about everyday life into myth. Great entry for lovers of quirky fantasy.

[nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Gail Overholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasant accident! I'd finished this week's books for the TBR Knockout challenge and was looking for something to read. This showed in my Kindle library (I don't remember buying it), so Regifted it was.

It was nice to read a Christmas story with rain and snow when it's been 100 degrees for weeks. But perhaps a re-read is in order come December. I'm always looking for holiday-themed reads during the season, especially mysteries and fantasy. Kim Fielding certainly offers the latter, often with a hint of the former.

There is magic in this lovely story, but it's not evident at first. It grows and grows until it's finally explained. And yet magic and mystery remain.

A tale of two lonely men who "just fit together," it's full of "universal truths," themes to live by and to give us hope. Many have a forest-themed analogy, but some are old adages

- Even if you don't reach your goals, there is growth in trying
- The most difficult time in life can lead to new perspectives and new beginnings
- Questions don't always have answers, and it might be best to let it go
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

All great words to live by.