Home for the Hawley-Daze

by Kris T. Bethke

Hickory Hollow Book 1

Barrett McKinnon is at a crossroads. Newly retired from the Marine Corps, and at loose ends, he heads back to the town he was forced to spend half of his childhood in. He never thought he’d ever set foot in Hickory Hollow again. He tells himself it’s only for the holidays. Just to spend some time with his uncle, the only family he has left. Come January, he’ll head out and start the next phase of his life.

But Hickory Hollow is not like Barrett remembers. Morgan Hawley is the driving force behind the town’s now booming economy. The festivals and events Morgan plans have taken it from ghost town to tourist destination. When Barrett unwittingly gets roped into helping Morgan get ready for the Holiday Festival, he starts to see the town in a new light.

Morgan loves the little town he’s adopted as his own, and Barrett can’t wait to get away again. But the more time the two men spend together, the more things change. No matter how much he fights it, Barrett is drawn in to the holiday magic Morgan is creating. And, more importantly, to the man himself. But when the daze of attraction and Christmas cheer settles, it’s up to Barrett to figure out if Hickory Hollow, the town he thought he hated, is now the place he can call home.

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

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2024

About the author

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head and weekend naps are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with an aquarium full of tropical fish and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

Home for the Hawley Daze is book one in the Hickory Hollow series by Kris T. Bethke. This is my very first book by this author. It was exactly what I needed. So sweet and swoony. Plenty steamy as well! I fell in love with these two men. There were several minor editing issues that I hope the author will eventually find a way to correct.

Barrett McKinnon has just retired after spending twenty years in the Marines. He really has no idea what he will do with his life now but it’s coming up on Christmas so he will spend a few weeks with his only family, his Uncle Arlo that raised him since he was ten, in Hickory Hollow, New York. Barrett hadn’t been back to Hickory Hollow since he left twenty years ago. He had disliked the town since he came to live there with his Uncle. But, the town isn’t the same sleepy town he left all those years ago. It’s a thriving tourist attraction now, all thanks to the new events coordinator.



Morgan Hawley came to Hickory Hollow fresh out of college and has been building the town’s tourism since that first day. He loves this little town. He works day and night, mostly on his own as volunteers are scarce. When Arlo’s nephew returns and volunteers to help him with the Christmas festival, he is thrilled with the help.



As these two begin to spend time together, the attraction doesn’t take long to grow too strong to deny. It was supposed to just be a short fling but emotions got involved. Morgan was so sweet. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and it was so evident how he felt about Barrett. I loved his ways of getting Barrett to see the town in a new light. It was also a time for Barrett and his Uncle to get reacquainted. To finally talk about the things they kept locked away. Barrett isn’t that young, angry boy he was twenty years ago and is finally seeing things from a new perspective.

This was such a sweet book. I loved watching these two fall for each other. I also loved Barrett’s protective ways towards Morgan. It was a wonderful holiday story and I am definitely reading the next book, Barrett’s friend, Tyler’s book, Sleigh Bells Ring.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moment Barrett could escape Hickory Hollow he did, but after doing twenty years in the Marines he’s back in town to spend the holidays with his uncle before his next big adventure—whatever that may be.

With a ton of free time on his hands, Barrett offers to help Morgan, the town’s events coordinator, with his long list of tasks that need to get done to ensure the town’s holiday festivities run smoothly. & of course, the pair fall in love along the way!

Their story was fluffy, sweet, and absolutely is a perfect holiday read for those who love cozy little small town romances!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barrett & Morgan
Rating: 3.8⭐

- Small Town
- Holiday Festival
- Events Coordinator
- Retired Marine
- Hurt/Comfort
- Low Angst
- Grumpy/Sunshine

This was a fluffy and sweet holiday read in a small town where Barrett finds his new purpose.

Barrett is newly retired from the Marines and going to visit his uncle in Hickory Hollow, the one place he said he would never go back to. He wants to visit and determine his next move as a civilian, away from the small town. When his uncle volunteers him to help Morgan out with the Christmas events, Barrett gets something to keep him busy and a brand new perspective on the town he's always hated. Everything has changed since Morgan came into to town and revitalized it. These two spend a lot of time together getting all the events setup and running, while also getting to know each other. They're smitten with each other, but is there a future with Barrett wanting to leave the town?

Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Brief mentions of suicidal ideation and drug abuse
- Brief discussion of neglectful parents

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Single - Barrett
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 38 & 35

[RomanceLand65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author. Sweet Christmas mm romance. Characters were very enjoyable and they had great dynamics. I really appreciate an author who can write a short story give you all the spice stories you love.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing but Heartwarming Christmas Romance

I went into "Hickory Hollow" by Kris T. Bethke with high hopes, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

The story follows Barrett, a newly retired Marine, as he returns to his hometown of Hickory Hollow for the holidays. I enjoyed the Christmas plot and Barrett's obliviousness to Morgan's feelings, which had the potential to be a delightful slow-burn romance.

However, the chemistry between Barrett and Morgan felt low, and their romance developed too quickly. One moment Barrett is unsure why Morgan reacted a certain way, and the next, they're kissing. I had hoped for a more gradual build-up of their relationship.

Despite this, the story has its heartwarming moments, and I appreciated the author's portrayal of small-town life and the holiday atmosphere.

Overall, while "Hickory Hollow" didn't meet my expectations, it's still a pleasant Christmas romance that might appeal to fans of the genre.

[Bluemoonchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't lie - the blurb for this book sucked me in but I was skeptical only because the title was a little too punny for me. You know how they say don't judge a book by it's cover? Don't judge it by it's title either. Lesson learned.

From the moment I started reading this book, I was hooked. Told from a single POV, Home for the Hawley-Daze is former Gunnery Sgt. Barrett McKinnon's journey from two decades in the Marines to civilian life, and his return to the small town he never considered home. But, Hickory Hollow isn't the same place it was when he left two decades ago, and the joy of the community and the spirit of the holiday leap of the page thanks to Morgan Hawley, the architect of the town's revival.

Energetic and endearing, Morgan's enthusiasm for the holidays is infectious, and Barrett finds himself helpless to refuse when his Uncle Arlo volunteers Barrett to help Morgan finish setting up the town's Holiday Festival. The chemistry between them is sweet and satisfying, and the opposites attract dynamic paves the way for some swoon-worthy moments. Kris T. Bethke masterfully contrasts Barrett's gruff, no-nonsense demeanor with Morgan's vibrant, spirited energy. Morgan has adopted Hickory Hollow as his hometown; his love and passion for the town and his irresistible holiday spirit make it easy to understand why Barrett can't help but be drawn into both the festivities and Morgan himself.

The story perfectly balances Barrett's personal struggles with the lightheartedness of the holidays and the festival events, making his transformation feel genuine and truly earned. But what really sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Barrett's internal struggles - his complex relationship with his past, his fears about the future, and his growing feelings for Morgan - are carefully and beautifully explored. This is a book about redefining what home means, healing past hurts, and learning how to embrace change.

If you love gruff heroes who are helpless to resist the holiday spirit, insta-love, swoon-worthy moments, and queer rep beyond the usual, this book is perfect. It's more than just a holiday romance; it's a story that lingers long after you've turned the last page.

[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]

[Maxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
*mild spoilers ahead*

Home For The Hawley Daze is the first book in a series set in the fictional small town of Hickory Hollow. Barret, a retired Marine, returns to the town he left 20 years ago after joining the Corps. He’s only planning to stay for the holidays, mostly to please his uncle Arlo, who raised him after his father died when Barret was ten. Aside from that commitment, there’s nothing keeping him in a place he never warmed up to, just memories of an unhappy childhood. That is, until he meets Morgan Hawley, the town’s event coordinator, the guy who has brought new life to a place Barret only remembers as dull and gray.

Barret and Morgan couldn’t be more different, but when uncle Arlo suggests Barret help Morgan with the organization of the town’s Winter Holiday to keep from getting bored, instead of clashing, Morgan’s bright and open disposition and Barret’s more reserved and subdued nature actually complement each other, and the attraction between them is immediate.

This is a very fast burn, which makes sense for a novella, I guess. These two fall into bed and into each other super quick, and the chemistry is instantaneous. There’s a lot of very hot spice packed into a short time, and while the quick development of feelings might seem rushed in another situation, in this holiday romcom/Hallmark vibe, it’s understandable and really entertaining.

I really enjoyed this story, especially the way Barret slowly starts to realize that his memories of Hickory Hollow are colored by his childhood grief. He ends up recognizing just how much his uncle cared for him and tried to help him. In the end, it’s not just his feelings for Morgan that make him consider staying, it’s the realization that maybe this is what he actually needs.

The small-town vibe and the found family aspect, with lots of interesting side characters, is something the author does really well. I’ve only read a couple of her other books, and this is always a highlight.

It’s a very enticing book one, and a great gateway to book two.

[Theodore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and sweet read. Fluffy, but somehow fitting and still had enough to keep me reading.

Barrett was a nice and simple POV character. I liked his straightforwardness and he worked well as an excuse to have the setting explained to him.

Morgan was a tiny bit too fem MC coded for my tastes (smaller, not eating a lot, tendency to cry) but it wasn't super egregious.

The setting was cute. A winter festival to bring together the MCs was belivable and though they got together relatively quickly, their interactions gave enough justification for me.

A few small criticisms:

I think this story would've benefited from Morgan's POV. Seeing him busy through Barrett's eyes was fine, but getting to experience all the things he needed to do first hand would've gone a long way in really selling his much help Barrett was giving him.

A lot of weird one off mentions felt like they should've been spun into sub plots. Barrett's time in service and saving his friends. Harris and whatever the hell happened with his ranch. Arlo and Jareth's relationship as brothers and why they never reconnected despite being on good terms.

All of those plus a few more were just thrown into the story without any real followup and just felt weird to read and they were so off topic. Still, the story wasn't so bored down that it detracted from it, but it was worth a mention.

Sex was pretty spicy, though I wished we saw Barrett bottoming as was discussed.

And a few chapters kinda just ended without a real conclusion that felt awkward.

TL;DR Some loose threads that felt off topic and the romance felt a little imbalanced because Morgan's side wasn't as well covered, but this was a fine story overall.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas romance. It's an opposites attract, small town romance.
Morgan and Barrett are sweet couple and I really enjoyed their story. And Hickory Hollow has a nice vibe with enough possible couples to provide more books.
Low angst - the conflict comes from the relationship having a time limit.
High heat - honestly I skimmed these scenes. I don't need or want butt plugs and arse play in an otherwise sweet Christmas story. Sexy times are fine but these felt out of place with the rest of the story.
Bonus points to Barrett for not finding Elf funny.

There are quite a few errors in this book. Wrong or missing words, extra full stops etc, I was willing to overlook this thinking this was an ARC and hadn't been proofread. But this book was released December 2024 so even though it was given as an ARC I can only assume it is the published copy (because you wouldn't give an inferior copy to ARC readers if there was a perfect copy available).
Also the author seems to have an issue with Barrett and Arlo’s ages. At the beginning of the book we can assume Barrett is about 40, having finished his 20 years service, it is later confirmed that he is 38 (his dad died 28 years ago when he was 10). Arlo says he's 65, but later in the book he says he always felt like Arlo was an older brother rather than an uncle because Arlo was 25 when he took him in (so 15 years older) which actually makes Arlo 53.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Awww this was such a cute holiday romance, with sweetie pie Morgan and swoony Barrett being all kinds of scrumptious while transforming Hickory Hollow into a winter wonderland!! and oooh the spicy spice definitely kicked this snowglobe small town charm up a few notches, and i just loved the cozy snuggly feeling i had at the end of this. Nothing crazy or intense here -other than the sexy smooching- which tbh would ordinarily throw me off but for some reason it really really worked for these two so i had no complaints with the level of heat!

I really enjoyed Bethke's narrative style and flow. It was light and fun, had great pace, and i thought the characters were all unique and engaging! I loved Arlo so much, and this whole sweet town was so precious, and i'm pretty much hooked on whatever's up next for Hickory Hollow because whatever's driving Carrington to snarl at Elliott was hellfire crackling and i cannot wait to get the story on that!

This was my first Kris T. Bethke but for sure will not be my last, because this was fantastic and i'm positive that whatever comes next will be as well!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another new-to-me author and another author I will definitely read more of their work.

Barrett and Morgan are an adorable couple. Barrett, a retired Marine with childhood trauma who wants nothing more than to not be home for the holidays and Morgan, pretty much Santa’s main elf who had transformed Barrett’s somewhat hometown into a tourist destination brimming with holiday cheer.

The story isn’t exactly anything you haven’t read before but you know what? It’s a damn good story. It’s cozy and sweet and steamy.

Barrett’s Uncle Arlo, the man who raised him after Barrett’s father died, loves him like he’s his own son and wants nothing more than for Barrett to stay. Of course, Barrett falls in love not only with Morgan but with the town of Hickory Hollow as well.

I would have liked a few more things fleshed out. I would’ve liked more of Morgan’s backstory, I would have liked to have known more about the overly suspicious and surly person at the ranch, and I would’ve liked to have seen Barrett bottoming. We got a tease that he would be willing to do it, but we never saw it.

All in all a good holiday read. No breakup!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review

[Amanda Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home for the Hawley-Daze by Kris T. Bethke is a fluffy, sweet holiday romance set in a charming small town. Barrett, a newly retired Marine, reluctantly returns to Hickory Hollow to visit his uncle and figure out his next steps. Unexpectedly, he gets roped into helping Morgan, the town’s events coordinator, with the Christmas festival. As they work together to transform the town into a winter wonderland, sparks fly, and Barrett starts seeing Hickory Hollow—and his future—in a new light.

Morgan’s sunny personality perfectly balances Barrett’s grumpy demeanour, creating a heartwarming grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The romance is cosy with just the right amount of spice to keep things steamy, and the small-town charm adds to the festive vibe. I especially loved the narrative flow, the quirky side characters (Arlo was a standout!), and the hints at future stories, like the fiery tension between Carrington and Elliott.

This was my first Kris T. Bethke book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Home for the Hawley-Daze is a delightful holiday read that’s perfect for fans of low-angst, feel-good romances with a touch of heat!

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute small town Christmas romance

Barrett needs to figure out what comes next in his life now that he is no longer in the Marines. Now he finds himself back in Hickory Hollow, a place he was forced to live when he was younger and a place he never thought he would return to. It's the holidays and he wants spend some time with his only family member.

He never expected he would barely recognize the town when he returned. The town is doing quite well thanks to the planning of a Morgan Hawley. When Barrett is suddenly roped into helping set up the next festival alongside Morgan he begins to see the town in a very different light.

Morgan is a very fun loving man who has grown to love his little town. He wants everyone to fall in love with it the way he did. He is overworked and doing everything on his own until Barrett starts helping.

This is a quick whirlwind romance that starts as just a fun sexy time. However, these two quickly find themselves falling into more of a relationship than a hookup and Morgan hopes that he can get Barrett to love the town and maybe him too.

This is a fun and spicy story filled with Christmas cheer.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Hickory Hollow series. A new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. This is the story of Barrett McKinnon and Morgan Hawley. Barrett is a retired Marine and former Gunnery Sgt. He has been away from his hometown for 20 years. He only stops in to visit his uncle who raised him. He is his only family. Morgan moved here for his job and fell in love with the town. He was hired by the city council to revitalize the town and increase tourism. With his enery and optimism, he has made it come true. He works hard and relies on volunteers to help out.
The two meet at Barrett's uncle's bar. Morgan is hard at work getting ready for the Christmas festival. Seeing as Barrett is bored with nothing to do, he is volunteered by his uncle to help Morgan with the festival. This is their story. I received a complimentary advanced review copy of this book from GRR and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I loved the chemistry between Barrett and Morgan. The book is well written and easy to read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. This is a sweet Christmas romance.

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ESTE FUE MUY ADORABLE!!! Todo lo que necesitaba para esta temporada y mucho mas, fue cortito pero no le falto nada. Nuestros protagonistas fueron adorables ¿un gruñón y un solecito que ama la navidad? UN CLICHE PERO DE LOS MEJORES CLICHES QUE EXISTEN PORQU ME GUSTO Y MUCHO, la relación creció entre ellos como magia (¿navideña?), se unen para hacer de la navidad del pueblo uno de los mejores y encontrar un lugar en el corazón del otro. Pase un buen momento leyendo esta pequeña historia.

---

THIS ONE WAS ADORABLE!!! Everything I needed for this season and so much more, it was short but not lacking anything. Our main characters were adorable a grumpy guy and a sunny guy who loves Christmas? A CLICHE BUT ONE OF THE BEST CLICHES EVER BECAUSE I LOVED IT SO MUCH, the relationship grew between them like magic (Christmas?), they come together to make the town's Christmas one of the best and find a place in each other's hearts. Have a great time reading this little story.

📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Barrett has been without a feeling of home for a long time. His mother left, his father died and he was left in the care of his uncle Arlo. He left Hickory Hollow, the town Arlo brought him to live while he was still underage, and joined the Marines. He did stay in touch with Arlo but he never went back until now when he retired from the Marine Corps. Arlo wants him to settle down in town and be nearby but he is thinking he will stay for a while and then move on. He was not anticipating meeting Morgan Hawley. Morgan is working to help revitalize the town and he sees the possibilities. As Barrett is drawn into Morgan's orbit as he works as Morgan's helper he starts to see things differently but he also falls in love. After a long time of feeling like there was no place to call home, he finds someone he wants to plant roots with. Barrett turns out to be good for Morgan as well. Morgan is working hard, too hard and he needs help that Barrett is finding that he enjoys being able to provide. They make a good team.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“Home for the Hawley-Daze” by Kris Bethke is the first book in the ‘Hickory Hollow’ series and introduces retired Marine Barrett, who has reluctantly returned to the small town he fled a couple of decades ago. Exuberant Morgan has transformed the town into a popular tourist destination, and he tries to convince the stoic Barrett that there is plenty there to love.

This lovely adult contemporary gay romance evokes the allure of a small town and the wonderful feelings of the holiday season even as it follows the heartwarming journey to romance of two very different men. I loved watching Barret learn to lower his walls and get past the pain of his childhood and come to appreciate both his loving uncle and the town that he couldn’t wait to leave. I was tired just reading about everything that Morgan was juggling, lol, and in awe of the way he brought the town together. This was a fun and engaging story, and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

A copy of this title was provided for review

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really cute. I fell in love with the characters immediately, and read the entire thing in one day because I just didn't want to put it down.

Barrett is retired military, come back to his home town (that he was happy to leave 20 years before) to see his uncle for the holidays. He meets Morgan, the town event coordinator and is smitten immediately. Barrett spends his holiday volunteering to help Morgan put on the multiple Christmas events that town is holding, and they fall in love during that time.

This is pretty low-angst, and written entirely from Barrett's point of view. It is completely free of all-knowing friends who give advice and try to push them together - which I really appreciated. Sometimes it's just nice to read about a couple of guys who managed to figure it out all by themselves. Just a really fun read.

[Vols77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is the perfect holiday read. It is sweet, feel good, fluffy and the perfect book for grabbing a glass of wine and enjoying. I loved it because the main characters, Barrett and Morgan, are front and center--this story is all about them. Barrett recently retired from Marines is back (temporarily in his mind) in the town he despises when suddenly he meets Morgan, who loves this cozy town of Hickory Hollow. Morgan has put the town on the map with his events and festivals and when Barrett started helping him he has to rethink his feeling for the town and for Morgan. I love how these two simply embraced their relationship and were all in. Be prepared for a fast moving relationship that sometimes do not work, but work well in his one. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet! As Barrett retires from the Corps, he decides to return to Hickory Hollow, what he considered a dead town to spend Christmas with his Uncle, Arlo, his last living relative. He plans on deciding where the next phase of his life as a retiree will start and entail. He meets Morgan, who is almost single handedly responsible for revitalizing the Hollow and making it a place one can consider settling in. Morgan, is a giver and a doer. He always puts everyone and anyone before himself. Morgan and Barrett stir something in each other that just fits. Good story about looking at life and re-evaluating, seeking a better place in life. Morgan and Barrett are really nice men, who deserve each other. Good story, nice support system, great pacing, I wish it was longer. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrett’s childhood was good until it wasn’t and because he was angry and hurt he ran away from home, now he’s back for the holidays but not planning on staying until he meets Morgan and everything changes.
Morgan is the epitome of Christmas, always happy, got a smile for everyone even when he is tired. Morgan enlist Barrett to help him with all the Christmas events this year and everyday they are together the more they fall in love, and the more Barrett starts to realize he’s home and doesn’t feel the need to run anymore.
There is bit of a misunderstanding and my heart hurt for both of them in that moment but their happy ending happens and it’s beautiful.
Barrett and Morgan are wonderful together! Arlo was great, I loved that he was there for every step of the way for Barrett and he supports them both in everything they do. Can’t wait for the next book. ❤️😁

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Barrett McKinnon is a typical tough-guy former Marine who is also pretty clueless about relationships and what his feelings mean. Morgan Hawley, the events planner and revitalizer of Hickory Hollow, is all heart and feels. This is a cute opposites attract story with a lot of feels, a Hallmark vibe, and sweetness galore. I find the chemistry between them difficult to believe because Barrett is so clueless, and then suddenly he's not. And the move from pseudo-flirting to steamy scenes is not especially believable, either. But it's a nice story about a guy finding a new start in the place he'd run away from with the guy who makes him believe that love can be his, too. The small-town vibe is well-developed, both in terms of the events themselves and the characters who shine through them.

[Gelaskaca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas romance from a new to me author. Barrett and Morgan are an adorable couple. Barrett is retired military, come back to his home town after 20 years to see his uncle who raised him after his father died. He meets Morgan, the town event coordinator and is smitten immediately. Barrett spends his holiday volunteering to help Morgan put on the multiple Christmas events that town is holding, and they fall in love during that time.

This was written entirely from Barrett's point of view, but the shift from friend to lovers was a bit jarring.. one minute Barrett is so clueless, and then suddenly he's not. And the move from pseudo-flirting to steamy scenes is not especially believable, either. All in all, the story isn’t exactly anything new but it’s a decent story. It’s cozy and sweet and steamy.

[REKH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: ARC
New author: Yes
Rep: Gay mc, anti-label mc who presents as pan
Keywords: small town romance, retired marine, town events coordinator, Holiday events, childhood trauma

This book just really hit the perfect notes for a quick, fun, holiday read. It’s deeper than a Hallmark story. But no more angst ridden. The two main characters are delightfully, kind humans, and their interactions and shenanigans and their small town are truly fun to follow. The tension in the story that is a result of Barrett childhood trauma feels very real, without being depressing. So much of the story is resolution and overcoming and joy that the serious topics don’t bring you down. Highly recommend for a sweet but not flimsy Christmas romance.

[Traci S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This story has lovely holiday vibes and I thought the small town setting was quite charming. Morgan and Barrett’s grumpy sunshine romance is pretty drama free- which I like for a holiday romance. It’s a bit slow but I thought the characters were especially well done. I especially loved Morgan, the transformation he’s pulled off for Hickory Hollow through dedication and force of will is pretty impressive. I enjoyed how Barrett couldn’t help but get pulled in by Morgan. Another highlight for me was Barrett reconnecting with the uncle who raised him, Arlo was so clearly wanting Barrett in his life full time. Sweet story, excellent characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It turns out a small town Christmas story is even more charming as a book than it is as a movie!

I really liked Barrett and Morgan together. Barrett trying to figure out what is next in his life while helping (and falling for) Morgan around his old town was great, and it also addressed an under-discussed thing in people's lives: when one chapter ends, and there's no obvious next step, where do you go next?

Hickory Hollow is a charming town, and I love when a small town gets a second life (and has some entertaining residents along the way!).

Honestly, the only real issue I had was with how stubborn Barrett was on one thing. Otherwise, this is a cheerful, heartwarming holiday romance.

[Tanya Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment Barrett could escape Hickory Hollow he did, he's done his twenty years in the Marines, and now he’s back in town to spend the holidays with his uncle before his next big adventure whatever that may be.
He doesn't know how to do down time, so he jumps at the chance to help the town's event planner. Morgan is constantly putting out fires and Barrett's help is appreciated. With the passage of time, the town of Hickory Hollow is the same but different, or maybe Barrett is different. He is looking at the town through Morgan's eyes. Could he have been so full of anger at his situation that he wasn't seeing things as they really were twenty years-ago. Maybe this time he can stay.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

6-pound fritata, Bruce the Spruce, Krimsom Princess, Santa llama pjs, white Christmas

What an excellent Christmas book! The trope isn't original, but the exceptional writing makes it seem so. Hickory Hollow and its denizens come alive because the story is so richly described.

Morgan is an absolute sweetheart! He balances out grumpy Barrett. Even the side characters are well-developed and well-characterized. Their chemistry is off the charts! The spice level is high.

I devoured the book--it's that good. It goes without saying that I highly enjoyed reading this. I feel so satisfied. I enthusiastically recommend it.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and a great way to start the holiday season. I wouldn’t describe it as a grumpy sunshine, as I don’t think Barrett is all that grumpy. He’s just more serious, maybe? Morgan is a sweetie pie tho and is a ray of sunshine. You can tell Barrett is enamored with him from the start. Their story is so sweet, with a touch of spice! There’s a sense of found family within the book as well. Barrett has no plans to stay in town and get close to anyone, but he might have a change of heart! There were some grammatical errors and typos, but I was lucky to receive an arc copy, so hopefully those mistakes will be fixed! All around, a sweet, short read to get you into the holiday mood.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun holiday romance with a big bonus (for me) of minimal references to children. There were more typos than I like to see, even in an ARC, but those will probably be less of an issue for other readers. I quibbled with how fast things went—particularly the unprotected sex right away (with a safety discussion, yes, but I didn't buy that they knew each other well enough to want to take that step yet)—but overall, this was an enjoyable, quick read.

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.