What Child is This?

by Shawn Bailey

Paris Cullier arrives at the Ames Peach Farm to begin a job as housekeeper. His new boss, Wyatt Ames, is tall, handsome, and just the sweetest guy Paris has ever met. Wyatt's parents recently died in an accident and left the farm for Wyatt to manage. But it isn't until he meets Wyatt's two-year-old, motherless son, Jeff, that Paris realizes he has been sent to the farm for a reason… to help Wyatt make a proper home for his son. Paris has always wanted a family, and for once in his life, he prayed his Christmas wish would come true.

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Family, Contemporary, Christmas

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2013

About the author

Shawn Bailey hails from New Orleans, LA, where she works as a programmer and help desk administrator. Shawn loves mangas and anime. Her current hobbies are watching Japanese and Korean dramas, when she has the spare time. She’s also trying to learn to speak and read both Japanese and Korean. She’s also into Korean pop music and can often be found with her MP3 player attached to her head. Shawn is single and enjoying the heck out it.

Reviews

[Lizzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star for the authors attempt and the story's premise. Everything else read like a long outline and its voice sounded like Ben Stein from Ferris Buellers Day Off. You know, that flat monotone voice that says Bueller. Bueller. Bueller. It was a painful read.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forget 'What Child Is This?' it was more like...

What the f#@k is this? This book was without a doubt the worst Christmas story I read this year. I don't know if it was insta-love or insta-lust but nothing worked for me. Paris was given up at birth by his mother and lived his entire life (18 years) in an orphanage and is now traveling half way across the country to his first job as a housekeeper/nanny/bookkeeper for a 20 year old father of a 2 year old boy (how convenient). Luckily for all concerned Paris is perfect for the job. He's exactly the type of man that Wyatt (our Peach Plantation/farmer/whatever owner) is attracted to, he's a whiz kid when it comes to technology and accounting, he's a fabulous cook, Jeff loves him on sight (Wyatt's 2 year old son, who is usually very shy and reserved with strangers) and the list goes on and on add nauseum. I don't need loads of angst or conflict in my stories but something more than housekeeping, a 2 year old with an ear infection and the anxiety of watching a young child go off to daycare (which by the way is a very healthy thing for an only child's social skills). Yeah, done it seen it been there got the tee shirt and the sweatshirt...so in general boooorrrrriiingggg!!!! It was a case of thank heavens this is a short story.

And last but not least what the hell is with the whole 'I love you, I want to marry you and make you my son's guardian but you're such a wonderful housekeeper/nanny/bookkeeper that I'm going to continue to pay you for your services, sorry but really just wtf?

This was as I have just discovered my first read for this author. I don't know if it will be my last but I do know I will be very selective in future if I decide to take another try at this authors stories. I did take a gander at some of the reviews for this book and I noticed that they ran the gambit from 1 star to 5. So while this wasn't to my liking it may be exactly what someone else is looking for.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

I love a good Christmas story, especially if I read it in the middle of a hot summer. It makes me think that four months may not be a very long time to wait for the trees, lights, music, and good cheer.

"What Child is This" is a sweet and romantic story between Wyatt and Paris. Wyatt is a single father who is now running the peach farm that he inherited when his parents passed away. Little Jeff, his adorable little son, needs someone to look after him while he's out among the trees. Wyatt also needs someone to cook, clean, and even do some accounting. Paris is perfect for the job. He's been raised in an orphanage. Aging out, he's sent to Wyatt's farm to do just that. What happens after is lovely. Paris falls in love with, not only Wyatt, but Jeff as well. He feels an instant connection with both. Wyatt feels the same about Paris. He quickly realizes that his life is made, not just better, but whole with Paris in his home.

They have a great chemistry. The sex is very passionate and hot, but it's loving as well. They meet on a soul level with each other. Forgive me for gushing. I just get very excited when I read a book where there is love, romance, sex, and happiness. Also, I'm a sucker for stories where a child is a central character. He may be little, but Jeff is essential to the story.

I enjoyed this so much. It was a short one...only an hour to read from start to finish. It made me smile a mile wide. If you're feeling down, pick up a copy of this book, and you will cheer up. I guarantee it. Highly recommend it

Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.

[Dale Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the story, made me tear up loved the central characters would love to read a full length story

[Redshayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story and that it was a little mushy and because of the characters ages 18 & 21 I could believe the insta love and insta sex as they didn't have life other experiences to taint their way of thinking or make them push away their feelings for each other in fear. Sometimes you just need a nice read where everything just moves along to a real happy ending. Yeah one of the characters grew up in an orphanage, but it sounded like a positive experience for him and he was treated well, so it didn't seem far fetched. I liked the Characters and I kind of wished it was a little longer to develop some of the other characters in the book, but it was still a nice read. Ending had me smiling saying ah wouldn't it be nice if it was true and they did live happily ever after.

[Dakota Storm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and romantic Christmas read. Love Paris, I wanted to hug him and adopt him as my own, he is so full of love and just wants to be loved and have a family if his own. Wyatt oh sexy as hell Wyatt, he's a loving, strong, great father and sweet guy. They are perfect for each other. Love Peter too. But Jeff is my favorite such a cutie and he loves his Daddy and Par Par. This is a feel good, sweet and romantic story. very sexy and hot as heck sex scenes. Love the Football Guys too, even Bruce.....4 stars Nanee from upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book only ok. It had its characters in love within a day or two of meeting. It also seemed to me that Paris was more the cook, cleaner, nanny, book keeper and more being left home to cook on Christmas morning. Then they were married with no details and the same with the ex girlfriend nothing there. It was a little to much for such a short story sorry, maybe if it was spread out longer with some more details in areas it would have been better.

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story about Paris, who grew up in an orphanage, and finds a new home with Wyatt. Paris is ony eighteen but is very good at taking care of the house and the books, and loves Wyatt's young son to pieces. They fall for each other very quickly, and end up together despite the small Georgia town not exactly being gay friendly.

If you're looking for a light, fun read without any angst or major drama, then you will probably like this short story.

[Sadonna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story seemed like it was trying to compress a much bigger story into a low word count. I felt like Paris would have had a LOT more issues with trust - being raised in an orphanage, being greeted at gun point, etc. The story moved very quickly from employee/employer to lovers - regardless of how lonely the main characters were. This probably needed to be at least twice the length to do the story justice. It was cute, but I really wanted more. It felt rushed and glossed over.

[Bookivore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book that I've read from this author and I finally understand what's (in my opinion) wrong with them. All her books are full of stereotypes (big manly top vs slightly effeminate bottom). It's too bad because the stories are enjoyable and entertaining.

P.S : I can't leave without commenting the cover. Despite being a beautiful cover, it has absolutely nothing to do with the story. Weird.

[~RMG · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars - Writing seemed a bit choppy and the story need to be fleshed out more. The MC's fell into their relationship much too quickly. Insta-love is fine and dandy when written well, but that wasn't the case with this one.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paris arrives to help out and the connection was immediate. Wyatt is just a part of the fun family for Paris. They only thing I didn't understand was their saying they were keeping it quiet yet they are friends with another gay couple and they have a wedding reception.

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Cute

I really liked this story it was sweet and cute. I think they make the perfect little family and I wish it was a little bit longer so we could see their future with a couple more babies.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this 3 stars and only because the sex was Hot and the storyline was good, but something about the story just didn't work for me.

[Moomba · Rating 2 out of 5]

<2.75.stars

[Ericka Walden · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5****
Ummm. .. well. ... yeah.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story moved too fast and there was no real chemistry between the characters