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All I Want for Christmas Is Stu
Life isn’t going to plan for Charlie Mathis. He’s back in Cutler Lake with no job, no prospects, and no plan. But when he sees his old childhood crush, Stuart Harrison, working at Santa’s Grotto in the local mall, suddenly things don’t seem so bad.
When Charlie was growing up, Stu was always way out of his league. Well, not anymore! The guy is wearing an elf costume—he’s clearly failing harder at life than Charlie is right now. It’s a perfect match, right?
But Christmas has a surprise for Charlie, and it’s not what’s under the tree.
All I Want for Christmas is Stu is a 15000 word novella containing all the fun, chaos and total confusion of the season.
When Charlie was growing up, Stu was always way out of his league. Well, not anymore! The guy is wearing an elf costume—he’s clearly failing harder at life than Charlie is right now. It’s a perfect match, right?
But Christmas has a surprise for Charlie, and it’s not what’s under the tree.
All I Want for Christmas is Stu is a 15000 word novella containing all the fun, chaos and total confusion of the season.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2023
20 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Henry
103 books2,280 followersI like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 15, 2023
What I liked:
All the side characters: Charlie's mum and dad. His sister and his brother-in-law. All their wonderful kids, especially Lizzie and the 'what-is-your-next-dinosaur' boy. 😂 This group of people really made this story for me. I could have read about them for many more pages.
The writing. I love this author's humor and writing style. It totally clicks with me.
What I didn't like:
Charlie. For me, he crossed that thin line between hilarious and kind of obnoxious. No idea why Stu liked him.
The romance. I didn't necessarily dislike it, it just didn't do anything for me. There was no real development in that department and, in relation to what I said earlier, I don't get what Stu liked about Charlie and why he asked him out in the first place.
All the side characters: Charlie's mum and dad. His sister and his brother-in-law. All their wonderful kids, especially Lizzie and the 'what-is-your-next-dinosaur' boy. 😂 This group of people really made this story for me. I could have read about them for many more pages.
The writing. I love this author's humor and writing style. It totally clicks with me.
What I didn't like:
Charlie. For me, he crossed that thin line between hilarious and kind of obnoxious. No idea why Stu liked him.
The romance. I didn't necessarily dislike it, it just didn't do anything for me. There was no real development in that department and, in relation to what I said earlier, I don't get what Stu liked about Charlie and why he asked him out in the first place.
December 15, 2023
Awesome Christmas read. Hilarious, fun and so cute 😍. I loved being in Charlie’s head, it was so entertaining to see him being a fumbling spaz (despite his sometimes snobbish pettiness)and I enjoyed this light and feel-good story.
PS. Funny thing, when I was looking for the book on Amazon every time I was typing the title Amazon was replacing Stu for stud and apparently All I want for Christmas is a stud . 🤣🤣🤣
PS. Funny thing, when I was looking for the book on Amazon every time I was typing the title Amazon was replacing Stu for stud and apparently All I want for Christmas is a stud . 🤣🤣🤣
December 24, 2023
3.5 Stars
A fun and festive Christmas short by Lisa Henry, full of her signature style of heart and humour that makes reading her stories not only enjoyable but necessary.
I was laughing out loud on page one, enjoying the banter and the sardonic wit MC Charlie, a down on his luck journo, brought immediately to the table.
Although tragically short on length, this holiday story delivered on the joy and the promising romance, glimpsed between Charlie and his childhood crush, Stu, as they reconnect in their hometown over Christmas.
The romance was sweet and I appreciated the presence of Charlie’s supportive and loveable family (including the hilarious kids—a special shout out to little Lizard!).
Overall, I found this story highly entertaining and I loved the whirlwind epilogue (which is practically my dream scenario come to life). My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer, because I’m greedy like that.
A fun and festive Christmas short by Lisa Henry, full of her signature style of heart and humour that makes reading her stories not only enjoyable but necessary.
I was laughing out loud on page one, enjoying the banter and the sardonic wit MC Charlie, a down on his luck journo, brought immediately to the table.
Although tragically short on length, this holiday story delivered on the joy and the promising romance, glimpsed between Charlie and his childhood crush, Stu, as they reconnect in their hometown over Christmas.
The romance was sweet and I appreciated the presence of Charlie’s supportive and loveable family (including the hilarious kids—a special shout out to little Lizard!).
Overall, I found this story highly entertaining and I loved the whirlwind epilogue (which is practically my dream scenario come to life). My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer, because I’m greedy like that.
December 13, 2023
What a cute little Christmas story.
It's never a good idea to date someone because you consider him a loser. Even if you consider yourself one too and think you'd be a perfect match.
Unemployed writer Charlie learns this the hard way when he runs into his high school crush in Santa's grotto where sexy and confident Stu is rocking colorful tights as one of Santa's elves.
Of course we suspect pretty quickly that Stu isn't a low income elf at all.
I loved the resolution and the sweet ending, but I did nearly die of shame when Charlie found out what Stu's deal really was.
A cute Christmas read. 4 stars!
It's never a good idea to date someone because you consider him a loser. Even if you consider yourself one too and think you'd be a perfect match.
Unemployed writer Charlie learns this the hard way when he runs into his high school crush in Santa's grotto where sexy and confident Stu is rocking colorful tights as one of Santa's elves.
Of course we suspect pretty quickly that Stu isn't a low income elf at all.
I loved the resolution and the sweet ending, but I did nearly die of shame when Charlie found out what Stu's deal really was.
A cute Christmas read. 4 stars!
December 27, 2023
3 Stars
As per the blurb, Charlie is a bit down on his luck, but he sees a light at the end of the tunnel when he spots his teen crush working the Santa line as an elf. He’s confident that he can easily make a connection with the sweet Stu until he realizes they might not have so much in common.
Admittedly, Charlie rubbed me the wrong way a bit but it wasn’t malicious as it was more a hopeful desperation to find something positive in his recent disappointments. I wouldn't have minded at all if this was longer, and the epilogue assuaged that desire as it was the bestest part of the story!
As per the blurb, Charlie is a bit down on his luck, but he sees a light at the end of the tunnel when he spots his teen crush working the Santa line as an elf. He’s confident that he can easily make a connection with the sweet Stu until he realizes they might not have so much in common.
Admittedly, Charlie rubbed me the wrong way a bit but it wasn’t malicious as it was more a hopeful desperation to find something positive in his recent disappointments. I wouldn't have minded at all if this was longer, and the epilogue assuaged that desire as it was the bestest part of the story!
December 9, 2023
2,75 stars.
I didn't like the MC Charlie very much, and I didn't get to know the other MC, Stu, well enough to like him either.
Charlie was insecure, whiney and conceited, not an endearing combination.
Had he been 15-16 his behavior and thoughts would have been believable, but he was 26 years old and reading his thoughts felt cringey (at best).
What Stu could have seen in Charley was a mistery to me.
The storyline was predictable from beginning to end, that's not a bad thing for a christmas novella, but in addition to the fact that I couldn't relate to Charlie and Stu at all, the story felt bland and boring.
" My whole life I’d thought that Stu was totally out of my league—he was older, smarter, and better looking than me. And, okay, he was still all of those things, but also? The man was employed as an elf in Santa’s grotto in a tired shopping mall in a podunk town nobody had ever heard of. An elf. And that was fine. That was better than fine, because for once I wasn’t the one bringing less than nothing to the first date table. I didn’t know what life had done to cut Stu off at the knees and bring him down to my loser level, but, whatever it was, I appreciated it."
I'd hate to date someone who was happy I had had a hard time in life, just so they could feel better about themselves.
The one thing I really LOVED: Charlie's niece Lizzy insisting her full name was Lizard.
I didn't like the MC Charlie very much, and I didn't get to know the other MC, Stu, well enough to like him either.
Charlie was insecure, whiney and conceited, not an endearing combination.
Had he been 15-16 his behavior and thoughts would have been believable, but he was 26 years old and reading his thoughts felt cringey (at best).
What Stu could have seen in Charley was a mistery to me.
The storyline was predictable from beginning to end, that's not a bad thing for a christmas novella, but in addition to the fact that I couldn't relate to Charlie and Stu at all, the story felt bland and boring.
" My whole life I’d thought that Stu was totally out of my league—he was older, smarter, and better looking than me. And, okay, he was still all of those things, but also? The man was employed as an elf in Santa’s grotto in a tired shopping mall in a podunk town nobody had ever heard of. An elf. And that was fine. That was better than fine, because for once I wasn’t the one bringing less than nothing to the first date table. I didn’t know what life had done to cut Stu off at the knees and bring him down to my loser level, but, whatever it was, I appreciated it."
I'd hate to date someone who was happy I had had a hard time in life, just so they could feel better about themselves.
The one thing I really LOVED: Charlie's niece Lizzy insisting her full name was Lizard.
December 24, 2023
4.5 cute, funny Christmassy stars!! ❤️❤️ This was a very PG style M/M romance but had some great writing with witty banter and fun supporting characters. I loved both Stu and Charlie as MC; despite Charlie being a self-deprecating chaotic mess….he still was both endearing and relatable. 🤪🥰 Stu obviously was just the sweetest.. 💞 So yeah, despite the absence of steam and passion; I thoroughly enjoyed this short and will highly recommend it to all fans of holiday M/M romances 👍🏻👍🏻
December 30, 2023
This was sweet and silly...
but I was smiling and felt lighter after finishing the final pages.
And what's not to love about that?!
but I was smiling and felt lighter after finishing the final pages.
And what's not to love about that?!
January 4, 2024
Not for me...
2.5 stars
Charlie is back home after losing his job and his apartment. He spots his old crush, Stu, working as an elf at Santa's grotto. He decides he can now make a move on Stu because they are both "losers" who returned back to their hometown. Well Charlie's assumptions weren't exactly right.
This was ok. I am not sure I was a fan of Charlie. The fact he was only going after Stu because he thought he was a loser was odd. I'm glad they got together but not sure I enjoyed the short. Idk, it just didn't work for me.
2.5 stars
Charlie is back home after losing his job and his apartment. He spots his old crush, Stu, working as an elf at Santa's grotto. He decides he can now make a move on Stu because they are both "losers" who returned back to their hometown. Well Charlie's assumptions weren't exactly right.
This was ok. I am not sure I was a fan of Charlie. The fact he was only going after Stu because he thought he was a loser was odd. I'm glad they got together but not sure I enjoyed the short. Idk, it just didn't work for me.
Want to read
December 8, 2023Thank you for the gift, Pixie Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!
Read
November 25, 2024Super cute shortie. No thinking involved.
”As kisses went, it was enough to make me wish I was a poet and not a novelist. The first press of his mouth was a teasing little couplet, and then it deepened, and whole sonnets wrote themselves in the scant space between us.”
”As kisses went, it was enough to make me wish I was a poet and not a novelist. The first press of his mouth was a teasing little couplet, and then it deepened, and whole sonnets wrote themselves in the scant space between us.”
December 9, 2023
Look, Charlie's reasoning to finally have a date with Stu (Charlie had MAJOR CRUSH on him since he was a kid) was a little bit stupid silly ("You only date him because you think Stu's a loser, Charlie? Really?") - but the whole short story was filled with deligh and fun times, and despite the ending is a slight wishful thinking, IMHO (), it brought happiness to my heart. So YAY for this short Christmas story from Henry.
December 9, 2023
I loooved this! Charlie is a hot mess and tends to not only put his foot into his mouth, but the whole leg 🤣
December 10, 2023
I tried to read a few Christmas stories this year but most of them were disappointing. This definitely is an exception, I really liked it and it was a fun read.
The only disappointment was the length of the story, for my taste it could have been longer and maybe with a little more steam.
The story is about Charlie who returns home, because his writing doesn't earn him enough money to live in the city. When he meets his childhood crush Stu, working as an elf in the mall, he finally has the courage to talk to him, because he thinks Stu is as broke as himself...
(small spoiler, of course he isn't...) lovely story, nice characters and a sweet HEA. 4 stars
The only disappointment was the length of the story, for my taste it could have been longer and maybe with a little more steam.
The story is about Charlie who returns home, because his writing doesn't earn him enough money to live in the city. When he meets his childhood crush Stu, working as an elf in the mall, he finally has the courage to talk to him, because he thinks Stu is as broke as himself...
(small spoiler, of course he isn't...) lovely story, nice characters and a sweet HEA. 4 stars
May 9, 2024
I liked everything about it-except, Charlie. He was an okay character, but where did the attraction come from between he and Stu? I’m not buying it that an NYC corporate lawyer in town for the holiday would fall for hometown and jobless Charlie. Charlie, and his sis, were a little too snarky for my taste.
December 6, 2023
An adorable tale as two young men, old school acquaintances, meet again years later, it's sweet, touching and at time quite funny. But, of course, there's a splash of angst but on the whole it's a truly lovely holiday read.
December 9, 2023
Funny, sweet, feel-good little shorty 💜
January 3, 2025
3.5 stars. A sweet little nugget of a story. Fluffy, silly, funny, and Christmasy. I can't say it was plausible and I didn't really understand what put-together Stu saw in down-and-out, mildly annoying Charlie, but I smiled plenty. And totally agree w Charlie’s thoughts on wrapping paper tubes lol.
December 20, 2023
This was a cute, cozy, and quick Christmas romance read. The protagonist had just the right amount of self-aware (often self-deprecating) sass.
December 25, 2023
Cute fluffy story to put you in the Christmas mood
April 12, 2024
⭐️3.5⭐️
November 30, 2024
Short.
Sweet.
Silly.
Good, smart writing but then Lisa Henry is always a smart writer.
I do miss my hardcore, deep, and intense Henry books but I’ll take what I can get.
Sweet.
Silly.
Good, smart writing but then Lisa Henry is always a smart writer.
I do miss my hardcore, deep, and intense Henry books but I’ll take what I can get.
December 8, 2023
Love this a lot. Light touch. Cute boys. Witty story.
Love getting all this xmas story from my fav authors.
Love getting all this xmas story from my fav authors.
November 6, 2025
Unrequited attraction in school and out of work writer gets second chance
Lisa Henry's storytelling prowess is evident in this delightful short holiday narrative concerning an unemployed writer who returns to his parental hometown. He ends up residing in their garage—sans bathroom—while endeavoring to compose the next great American novel.
Charlie Mathis was compelled to accept his parents' invitation to stay in the garage when he exhausted his financial resources, and his prospects of securing employment in the city diminished.
One advantage of his return was rekindling his admiration for Stuart Harrison, the son of the hardware store proprietor. Now older, Stu was an idolized figure for Charlie, whose pre-adolescent sexual awakening involved fantasies of being with him. Consequently, upon returning home and discovering that Stu was employed as an elf alongside the mall Santa, Charlie quickly took one of his sister's children to the mall with the intention of meeting Stu 'by chance.'
Charlie presumed that Stu was experiencing difficulties if employed as an elf, yet this was not the case. This well-crafted and thoughtfully developed narrative, featuring highly relatable characters, demonstrates Charlie's realization that Stu is not facing financial hardship and, consequently, believes that Stu would not be interested in him.
The story concludes happily, yet it encapsulates significant detail and potential within a few pages. It offers a quick yet memorable read that will linger in one's thoughts for days following completion.
Lisa Henry's storytelling prowess is evident in this delightful short holiday narrative concerning an unemployed writer who returns to his parental hometown. He ends up residing in their garage—sans bathroom—while endeavoring to compose the next great American novel.
Charlie Mathis was compelled to accept his parents' invitation to stay in the garage when he exhausted his financial resources, and his prospects of securing employment in the city diminished.
One advantage of his return was rekindling his admiration for Stuart Harrison, the son of the hardware store proprietor. Now older, Stu was an idolized figure for Charlie, whose pre-adolescent sexual awakening involved fantasies of being with him. Consequently, upon returning home and discovering that Stu was employed as an elf alongside the mall Santa, Charlie quickly took one of his sister's children to the mall with the intention of meeting Stu 'by chance.'
Charlie presumed that Stu was experiencing difficulties if employed as an elf, yet this was not the case. This well-crafted and thoughtfully developed narrative, featuring highly relatable characters, demonstrates Charlie's realization that Stu is not facing financial hardship and, consequently, believes that Stu would not be interested in him.
The story concludes happily, yet it encapsulates significant detail and potential within a few pages. It offers a quick yet memorable read that will linger in one's thoughts for days following completion.
June 10, 2024
old post reposted
I'm still slowly working my way through Lisa Henry's works (as well as all of the many, many TBR piles I have). Here's her latest release: "All I Want For Christmas is Stu."
["Life isn’t going to plan for Charlie Mathis. He’s back in Cutler Lake with no job, no prospects, and no plan. But when he sees his old childhood crush, Stuart Harrison, working at Santa’s Grotto in the local mall, suddenly things don’t seem so bad.
When Charlie was growing up, Stu was always way out of his league. Well, not anymore! The guy is wearing an elf costume—he’s clearly failing harder at life than Charlie is right now. It’s a perfect match, right?
But Christmas has a surprise for Charlie, and it’s not what’s under the tree."]
This was a fabulous read. Nice and quick and sweet and happy and charming. A perfect Thursday night read (hopefully it'll set the mood for tomorrow/Friday as well as this weekend--*fingers crossed*).
Or maybe not. Yes it was very cute, but Charlie is the picture next to the word word-vomit and second-hand-embarrassment in the dictionary. I don’t need that for my weekend. Some cocoa, some books, and a happily ever after (and a book store dog)??? Hell. Yes.
#alliwantforchristmasisstu #lisahenry #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
I'm still slowly working my way through Lisa Henry's works (as well as all of the many, many TBR piles I have). Here's her latest release: "All I Want For Christmas is Stu."
["Life isn’t going to plan for Charlie Mathis. He’s back in Cutler Lake with no job, no prospects, and no plan. But when he sees his old childhood crush, Stuart Harrison, working at Santa’s Grotto in the local mall, suddenly things don’t seem so bad.
When Charlie was growing up, Stu was always way out of his league. Well, not anymore! The guy is wearing an elf costume—he’s clearly failing harder at life than Charlie is right now. It’s a perfect match, right?
But Christmas has a surprise for Charlie, and it’s not what’s under the tree."]
This was a fabulous read. Nice and quick and sweet and happy and charming. A perfect Thursday night read (hopefully it'll set the mood for tomorrow/Friday as well as this weekend--*fingers crossed*).
Or maybe not. Yes it was very cute, but Charlie is the picture next to the word word-vomit and second-hand-embarrassment in the dictionary. I don’t need that for my weekend. Some cocoa, some books, and a happily ever after (and a book store dog)??? Hell. Yes.
#alliwantforchristmasisstu #lisahenry #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
December 12, 2023
You know the books that leave you with a big smile on your face? This is one of them.
For a short novella, this is as perfect as it gets: Charlie returns to his (small) home town after losing his Chicago-based journalist job to AI. He moves back in with his parents, and one day, he meets his teen-crush Stu again. Stu works as a Christmas elf, so Charlie doesn't feel like a complete loser next to him, and dares to go on a date.
Ofc things are not always what they seem, and it's all Christmas-sweetness, but it works for this novella - and COME ON, who DOESN’T love a character who loves books, and old bookstores? I even loved the kids in this book, and that’s saying something.
“And what’s your name?” he asked Lizzie, the bells on his hat jingling as he leaned down toward her. “Lizzie,” she said. “What a lovely name! Is it short for anything?” “Lizard,” she said. The elf’s smile froze on his face and he looked at me as though I’d committed unspeakable crimes against humanity.
“It’s actually short for Elizabeth,” I said. “Isn’t it, Lizzie?” “Lizard,” she said stubbornly.
It's a short pick-me-up, highly recommended if you need a smile on your face :)
For a short novella, this is as perfect as it gets: Charlie returns to his (small) home town after losing his Chicago-based journalist job to AI. He moves back in with his parents, and one day, he meets his teen-crush Stu again. Stu works as a Christmas elf, so Charlie doesn't feel like a complete loser next to him, and dares to go on a date.
Ofc things are not always what they seem, and it's all Christmas-sweetness, but it works for this novella - and COME ON, who DOESN’T love a character who loves books, and old bookstores? I even loved the kids in this book, and that’s saying something.
“And what’s your name?” he asked Lizzie, the bells on his hat jingling as he leaned down toward her. “Lizzie,” she said. “What a lovely name! Is it short for anything?” “Lizard,” she said. The elf’s smile froze on his face and he looked at me as though I’d committed unspeakable crimes against humanity.
“It’s actually short for Elizabeth,” I said. “Isn’t it, Lizzie?” “Lizard,” she said stubbornly.
It's a short pick-me-up, highly recommended if you need a smile on your face :)
November 21, 2024
Sweet and hysterical tale about Charlie who has returned home to Cutler Lake, broke, out of work after his plans to become a writer fall through. He is living in a room above his family's garage, attempting to write the great American novel. It's Christmas time and during a trip to the mall with his sister's 4 kids, he spots his teenage crush, Stu who is working as an elf at the pictures with Santa display. Like all mature men, Charlie devises a plan borrowing one of the kids to go back and approach Stu. Yeah, this is a romance between Charlie and Stu but the best part of this book is the kids!! Oh I howled. The dialogue is written with a light deft touch. I always think that Lisa Henry has fun writing her books since I have so much fun reading them!! The connection between Stu and Charlie is rather thin. Not a lot of romance and no heat. Still a cute book. Did love the ending.
January 1, 2024
What could "loser" want more than another lover?
Charlie Mathis considers himself a loser. He's lost his job, he can no longer afford his apartment, and between student loans and maxed out credit cards, he's in debt up to his eyeballs. Determined to write the Great American novel, he goes home and takes up residence in the room above his parents' garage.
It's Christmas, though, and the angels are smiling down on him when he spots Stu, his teenage crush. And this gorgeous man is working at the mall as an elf for Santa. Okay, not to wish misery on anyone, but if Stu has to work as an elf, he must be on par with Charlie's loserdom and maybe not so out of his league as Charlie thought.
A fun story for the holiday season.
Charlie Mathis considers himself a loser. He's lost his job, he can no longer afford his apartment, and between student loans and maxed out credit cards, he's in debt up to his eyeballs. Determined to write the Great American novel, he goes home and takes up residence in the room above his parents' garage.
It's Christmas, though, and the angels are smiling down on him when he spots Stu, his teenage crush. And this gorgeous man is working at the mall as an elf for Santa. Okay, not to wish misery on anyone, but if Stu has to work as an elf, he must be on par with Charlie's loserdom and maybe not so out of his league as Charlie thought.
A fun story for the holiday season.
December 9, 2023
A delightful warm-hearted Christmas story, set in a small town, where MC Charlie returns when he's made redundant from his big city job.
When Charlie notices his high-school crush Stu is working as an elf at Santa's Grotto, he finally seems within reach and no longer unattainable, so Charlie has a chance.
I thoroughly enjoyed the central romance and the misunderstanding that sparks it. The cosy setting was perfectly drawn and the supporting cast, especially Charlie's family, just added to the fun. I mean, who could resist his three-year-old niece, who insists that her name Lizzie is actually short for Lizard! A delightful seasonal read.
When Charlie notices his high-school crush Stu is working as an elf at Santa's Grotto, he finally seems within reach and no longer unattainable, so Charlie has a chance.
I thoroughly enjoyed the central romance and the misunderstanding that sparks it. The cosy setting was perfectly drawn and the supporting cast, especially Charlie's family, just added to the fun. I mean, who could resist his three-year-old niece, who insists that her name Lizzie is actually short for Lizard! A delightful seasonal read.
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