I genuinely did not have Santa kink on my bingo card to read and I almost didn’t pick this up, despite two friends’ positive reviews (Eleanor and Christina). But we’re about to get some snow for the first time in two years and I gave this a shot and then could.not.put.it.down. It’s sweet and steamy and then the feels hit fast. Plus, the Santa kink ended up working.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced. H usually had casual hook ups and h didn’t tend to, it’s mentioned that it’s been 10 months for her but not a specific for the H. Also when they’re recounting some of their history, each has had partners of the same sex before.
Some themes/tropes:
☆ Only one time planned
☆ Age gap (H is 47 and h is 28)
☆ Temporary co-workers
☆ Small exhibitionist type scene
☆ FMC hates Christmas, MMC loves it
☆ Christmas loving town
Rora (h) has recently lost her job and is back in her hometown as a favor for her best friend to be their Santa photographer for their toy shop. She has a slightly unclothed meet-cute with her BFF’s uncle Henry (H) who’s playing Santa, and the sparks start flying. Henry and Rora were flirty and fun together with good chemistry. I loved that Rora checks in her with friend first before making a move on Henry because their family is basically Rora’s second family. What was supposed to be one night together ends up being more and more until they want to make something long-term work, but don’t know how with planned jobs expected to take them in opposite directions.
The steamy scenes in this one are really good imo and you get a decent amount for the book being shorter. Some take place with the suit and some without. For the exhibitionist like scene, there’s no confirmation that anyone sees them just FYI for those that don’t dig that. As I said before, the emotional connection is also present in this story with solid relationship development. They bond while they’re working together and on page in other scenes. I thought it struck a good balance between the emotional and physical sides. Rora and Henry are also so likable, you just want to root for them to find the way to make it all work.
Henry’s family aren’t all initially on board when they realize what’s been going on, but it’s a blip and there’s actual discussion about how Rora is an adult multiple times since this isn’t a teenager with someone in their thirties. Both characters are older and have decent establishment career-wise. Yes Rora lost her job but she’s a photojournalist who has field recognition and Henry’s a climatologist. Also, when the book starts is the first time these two have actually met in person so Henry didn’t know her growing up.
There was another holiday read I finished last year where the leads wanted to make something work after their initial time together and then things got muddled. That’s not the case here, Henry and Rora have challenges, but they work on making their connection stronger rather than letting it flounder. The ending of the book is a year later and felt like more of a HFN for me personally, though some will consider it a HEA. They’ve worked out a plan to be with each other more and there’s a little surprise (that didn’t work as much for me but others may like). I would have loved a peek at them just a bit further out to see a slice of life moment for them a year or two further down the road, but I was happy with the ending. This one hit the spot and my mood perfectly and I inhaled it.