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Memoirs of a Houseboy #5
Christmas at Leo's
Christmas at Leo’s does exactly what it says on the cover, it tells the tale of Christmas at Leo’s.
I wasn’t looking forward to spending Christmas as part of a house party at Leo’s place to begin with. The booze ban by my boyfriends had taken the lustre right off the party season for me.
What’s Christmas without a flagon of ale or a classy glass of fancy fizz? Boring!
A visit to my mother, on the day before Christmas Eve, did nothing to lift my mood. It triggered a welter of memories and emotions that made Christmas seem even less appealing.
Stuff the season of goodwill.
I just wanted to be left alone to brood. I wasn’t given the choice. I was spending Christmas at Leo’s whether I liked it or not. It proved to be eventful in its own way. Details within.
Gillibran Brown
I wasn’t looking forward to spending Christmas as part of a house party at Leo’s place to begin with. The booze ban by my boyfriends had taken the lustre right off the party season for me.
What’s Christmas without a flagon of ale or a classy glass of fancy fizz? Boring!
A visit to my mother, on the day before Christmas Eve, did nothing to lift my mood. It triggered a welter of memories and emotions that made Christmas seem even less appealing.
Stuff the season of goodwill.
I just wanted to be left alone to brood. I wasn’t given the choice. I was spending Christmas at Leo’s whether I liked it or not. It proved to be eventful in its own way. Details within.
Gillibran Brown
270 pages, ebook
First published November 15, 2014
7 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 9, 2015
That was a minefield.
Glad I went with my instincts and saved this for after the holidays because it would have wound me right up. Another episode with Gilli, Shane and Dick where they are so out of sync. There's the patented Gillibrat frolics to amuse even if they're a little sharp--reflecting the edge he's teetering on throughout this story, that deep wounded psyche probing that guts you.
Shane's a tough bastard. Lord knows I'd crack heads with him in Gilli's place, but I really got where Shane was coming from in the end. Shane is straight forward and doesn't coddle, but he does love Gilli. Unfortunately, the past is a nightmare Gilli can't escape and he wants/seeks/desires/covets a different form of expression from Shane.
But Shane, he comes through for both Dick AND Gilli on Boxing Day. The start of the day rattled the sh*t out of me. There's a lot of subtle, but significant illumination of Shane's feelings and care in his authoritarian rule. Shane's not going to change. But... BUT, if Gilli would finally open up and realize that discussing his feelings and WTF is really going on with him there would be a whole lot less of this constant clusterfuck of misunderstanding.
Gilli's instant replay loop was killing me. It explained so much of his insecurity and his relationship with Shane. The box.. I have no words, but heaven and hell are impotent in its presence. Gilli's mom, no comment other than I'll be relieved when it's over--for many reasons. Lied, but it is a spoiler so no reading before reading!
Some great supporting characters. I loved Pat. I finally saw something of Leo that didn't make me want to drive an icepick through him, and Jak and Vince are the intrusive, bullying assholes that make every Gilli book complete. Dickheads.
Overall, anxiously entertaining Gillitale that leaves one satisfied, but exhausted.
**Thanks to my very Secret Santa for this gift**
Favorite quote:
Glad I went with my instincts and saved this for after the holidays because it would have wound me right up. Another episode with Gilli, Shane and Dick where they are so out of sync. There's the patented Gillibrat frolics to amuse even if they're a little sharp--reflecting the edge he's teetering on throughout this story, that deep wounded psyche probing that guts you.
Shane's a tough bastard. Lord knows I'd crack heads with him in Gilli's place, but I really got where Shane was coming from in the end. Shane is straight forward and doesn't coddle, but he does love Gilli. Unfortunately, the past is a nightmare Gilli can't escape and he wants/seeks/desires/covets a different form of expression from Shane.
You have to deal with the situation as it is, not how you want it to be, not how you wish it could be, but as it IS.
But Shane, he comes through for both Dick AND Gilli on Boxing Day. The start of the day rattled the sh*t out of me. There's a lot of subtle, but significant illumination of Shane's feelings and care in his authoritarian rule. Shane's not going to change. But... BUT, if Gilli would finally open up and realize that discussing his feelings and WTF is really going on with him there would be a whole lot less of this constant clusterfuck of misunderstanding.
Gilli's instant replay loop was killing me. It explained so much of his insecurity and his relationship with Shane. The box.. I have no words, but heaven and hell are impotent in its presence. Gilli's mom, no comment other than I'll be relieved when it's over--for many reasons. Lied, but it is a spoiler so no reading before reading!
Some great supporting characters. I loved Pat. I finally saw something of Leo that didn't make me want to drive an icepick through him, and Jak and Vince are the intrusive, bullying assholes that make every Gilli book complete. Dickheads.
Overall, anxiously entertaining Gillitale that leaves one satisfied, but exhausted.
**Thanks to my very Secret Santa for this gift**
Favorite quote:
“The boy is off limits.”--I'd like to see more of this attitude, Shane.
January 7, 2017
I love everything Gilli. I mean it, I love Gilli so much that I feel like I actually know him. This is the first book where I was really on Shane and Dick's side too, which was a change of pace, and I sort of started liking Leo as well. Shocker.
I could read about Gilli all day, every day. Every single trivial detail. I could read about him gardening and peeing and cleaning and be totally happy.
This is also the only M/M/M series that I like, and the first one that I believe in. Adore them together.
I could read about Gilli all day, every day. Every single trivial detail. I could read about him gardening and peeing and cleaning and be totally happy.
This is also the only M/M/M series that I like, and the first one that I believe in. Adore them together.
December 20, 2014
Gilli Gilli Gilli! Gah, that was one frustrating 5-star read.
I am sure anyone reading this book has followed Gilli since the Fun with Dick and Shane book. You get all that you expect including funny-as-hell uber-brat Gilli, posh-yet-naughty Dick and big-meanie Shane. You will have many cringe-worthy frustrating moments when you wonder why any of three men put up with the whole relationship. We also learn more about Gilli and his past, and quite frankly, it's sad and it puts the whole lumpy relationship with Dick and Shane into perspective. Even though there were moments where I was seriously angry at each of the characters, (especially you Dick!), I thought this brought everything together nicely.
Two questions:
Are there any Gilli readers who have actual domestic discipline relationship experience? Is there anything realistic to the Dick, Shane & Gilli relationship? Or is it purely designed for reader entertainment?
Does anyone know who the author behind Gillibran Brown is? I find the writing very funny and would curious read something by this author that is not in Gilli-character.
I am sure anyone reading this book has followed Gilli since the Fun with Dick and Shane book. You get all that you expect including funny-as-hell uber-brat Gilli, posh-yet-naughty Dick and big-meanie Shane. You will have many cringe-worthy frustrating moments when you wonder why any of three men put up with the whole relationship. We also learn more about Gilli and his past, and quite frankly, it's sad and it puts the whole lumpy relationship with Dick and Shane into perspective. Even though there were moments where I was seriously angry at each of the characters, (especially you Dick!), I thought this brought everything together nicely.
Two questions:
Are there any Gilli readers who have actual domestic discipline relationship experience? Is there anything realistic to the Dick, Shane & Gilli relationship? Or is it purely designed for reader entertainment?
Does anyone know who the author behind Gillibran Brown is? I find the writing very funny and would curious read something by this author that is not in Gilli-character.
November 18, 2014
There's something about Gilli and his situation that makes me perfectly willing to read 300 pages of the minutiae of his daily life while loving every minute of it. He could probably write about taking a shit and I'd be like, "Really?? Tell me more!"
That being said, I found this book to be horribly...
I'm kidding! I loved it, as usual. Longer review to come when I'm not half asleep.
Earlier
IT'S OUT!!
That being said, I found this book to be horribly...
I'm kidding! I loved it, as usual. Longer review to come when I'm not half asleep.
Earlier
IT'S OUT!!
November 16, 2014
This was by far the hardest Gilly memoir to date. From the first chapter I could see the anger and grief this piece of Gilli's memoir would deliver. It lacked almost completely Gilli's happy-go-lucky attitude. Gilli was very depressed for so many reasons. Maybe the biggest reason was the time running out from him and his terminally ill mum. Gilli's bad mood spirals worseafter visiting her right before the main holiday. Gilli's Christmas sucks big time this year. Thevisit to his mum brings back all kinds of bad memories and shit from his teens and the feeling of loneliness and abandoment is rooted painfully deep. To make the holidays even worse, Gilli and his menfolk spend it at Leo's, at Gilli's archenemy. I don't see Leo as such and I don't think Gilli does either, it is just his way of rethorics and how their relationship looked to the outside. I could actually see affection on both parties actions. Their banter seemed even cruel at times, but I had a feeling of family from Leo. Brk aside, he accepts and cars for Gilli as part as a junior partner of his friend trio,
I could not notice how Gilli drew a horrible picture of his life after Frank coming to picture and eventually marrying his mum and them all moving in together. Frank is an easy subject to blame and Gilli certainly uses it. I wanted him to revell on the loving parts of his past, how he was almost adopted by his mate's Lee's family. How they took care of him. That is tossed aside after noting it but it is more Gilly to revell on the matters of hardship and injustice - injustice to himself.
Gilly is a sensitive soul and I think a true introvert who doesn't share his inner turmoil with the ones he lives with. For the first time I thought Gilly would benefit from some kind of therapy. He was really, really depressed. I think Shane, the leader of the household was out of his wits with him too. He handeled matters with hard handedly, trying not to allow Gilly to sink in too deeply into one of his glorious moods. We see that Shane and Dick really worry about their boy and don't know how to reach him. There is even a domestic dicipline scene here that turned my gut and I flew through the pages hoping it was just one of Gilli's twisted dreams. But it was real and so hard for me to accept. Yet for some odd reason it helped Gilly. When I reread this, I will go more slowly on those pages and try more to understand it and not so much feel it.
We are presented with a parade of interesting guests at Leo's Christmas celebration, also a glimpse of a kink party that was held and Gilli witnessed but did not participate for his own good. All guests added delicious color tomthe story. I was very fond of new people, Pat and Vince. In good and bad they made Gilli's Christmas at Leo's even more interesting.
I was not a happy bunny after I finished this in the late hours of the nght. I was frustrated and crying. I was sick to my stomach. No other book has made me feel like that. No other author can. This is a sick obsession I have. I so desperately want to see Gilly happy and thriving but things never really get to that. Like in real life, shot happens and sometimes you take pleasure where you can and try to cope with the cards you are dealt with. There is no plot with a happy ending. That makes me want more. MORE. It is twisted.
What lacked for me in the book was love. I felt it wasn't balanced with all the cruel stuff that eent on. Yet all I can do is accept it. THIS was what Gilli wanted to share with us. He might not have felt the love as a big thing when his persona dwells on the difficulties.
There are so many parallells to Gilli's past rejections and lonelies and the present he shares with dick and Shane. Not so much in what actually happens but as Gilly is constantly trying his best to make his daddies push him away. It is like he is always waiting for the other shoe to drop and he'd find himself kicked out like how it happened with his mum and Frank.
I am hoping there will be some tender loving for Gilli to share with us in the next memoir. I don't trust that will happen though, not anymore, not after reading this. Not very soon at least. Gilly is in a bad place and the way things look for his mum is not good. That is bound to set the poor boy off. Hard times ahead, but I want to see my favorite trio go through them.
Thanks for finally publishing this, waited so long for it.
(Sorry for all possible typos, I can't be arsed to read through and edit my rant disguised as a review)
I could not notice how Gilli drew a horrible picture of his life after Frank coming to picture and eventually marrying his mum and them all moving in together. Frank is an easy subject to blame and Gilli certainly uses it. I wanted him to revell on the loving parts of his past, how he was almost adopted by his mate's Lee's family. How they took care of him. That is tossed aside after noting it but it is more Gilly to revell on the matters of hardship and injustice - injustice to himself.
Gilly is a sensitive soul and I think a true introvert who doesn't share his inner turmoil with the ones he lives with. For the first time I thought Gilly would benefit from some kind of therapy. He was really, really depressed. I think Shane, the leader of the household was out of his wits with him too. He handeled matters with hard handedly, trying not to allow Gilly to sink in too deeply into one of his glorious moods. We see that Shane and Dick really worry about their boy and don't know how to reach him. There is even a domestic dicipline scene here that turned my gut and I flew through the pages hoping it was just one of Gilli's twisted dreams. But it was real and so hard for me to accept. Yet for some odd reason it helped Gilly. When I reread this, I will go more slowly on those pages and try more to understand it and not so much feel it.
We are presented with a parade of interesting guests at Leo's Christmas celebration, also a glimpse of a kink party that was held and Gilli witnessed but did not participate for his own good. All guests added delicious color tomthe story. I was very fond of new people, Pat and Vince. In good and bad they made Gilli's Christmas at Leo's even more interesting.
I was not a happy bunny after I finished this in the late hours of the nght. I was frustrated and crying. I was sick to my stomach. No other book has made me feel like that. No other author can. This is a sick obsession I have. I so desperately want to see Gilly happy and thriving but things never really get to that. Like in real life, shot happens and sometimes you take pleasure where you can and try to cope with the cards you are dealt with. There is no plot with a happy ending. That makes me want more. MORE. It is twisted.
What lacked for me in the book was love. I felt it wasn't balanced with all the cruel stuff that eent on. Yet all I can do is accept it. THIS was what Gilli wanted to share with us. He might not have felt the love as a big thing when his persona dwells on the difficulties.
There are so many parallells to Gilli's past rejections and lonelies and the present he shares with dick and Shane. Not so much in what actually happens but as Gilly is constantly trying his best to make his daddies push him away. It is like he is always waiting for the other shoe to drop and he'd find himself kicked out like how it happened with his mum and Frank.
I am hoping there will be some tender loving for Gilli to share with us in the next memoir. I don't trust that will happen though, not anymore, not after reading this. Not very soon at least. Gilly is in a bad place and the way things look for his mum is not good. That is bound to set the poor boy off. Hard times ahead, but I want to see my favorite trio go through them.
Thanks for finally publishing this, waited so long for it.
(Sorry for all possible typos, I can't be arsed to read through and edit my rant disguised as a review)
December 16, 2014
What about Gilli and his talent to make me cry over and over again? Why do Gilli's bloody diaries affect me so much? Damn, it’s been more than two years that Gillyflowers has been released and he needed only a few pages to have me there where he left me after finishing his last diary, right from the start I was a sobbing mess. Boy, one day you gonna kill me!
Gilli is so cute, so sad, his remarkable great sense of humour and his sarcastic remarks (sometimes a bit on the snide site) are just etched into his personality. If he wouldn’t share his thoughts with us readers we’d be as puzzled as Shane and Dick. They are just clueless whats going on with him and that doesn’t help their domestic peace. Not. One. Bit!
In this 5th instalment we finally get to know some details about Gilli’s awful past, where his self-doubts and his unhappiness are coming from. Can you imagine to be thrown out of your home by your Mum’s new boyfriend... Gilli was bloody 16 back then... and your Mum just let it happen? Just like that? Then living on the streets without having somewhere to go? My heart shattered into pieces while reading this. How Gilli later managed to reconnect with his Mum is still beyond me…
Openhearted and forgiving Gilli still loves his Mum and is dying inside because of her terminally illness. He is shattered when she asks him to sing a special song at her approaching funeral, remembering his childhood Christmases aren’t helping his mood either. Gilli’s depressing thoughts are eating him up inside and his Daddies have no clue what has been getting into him when a Christmas weekend at Leo’s turns out to become a disaster. A Gilli initiated disaster…
Yep, Shane is hard on Gilli... his poor bum suffers so much! But please don’t forget those three men live in a discipline relationship and Gilli seems to be completely beside himself. Shane can only guess (can he?) what’s going on. Of course he reacts the only way he knows to get through to Gilli… with discipline. Yes, I hated him more than in the previous books… but I tried to see Gilli’s behavior from his point of view. I didn’t envy Shane. Not. At. All! Even Dick’s patience is beginning to wear thin.
Leo and Mike are rather nice to Gilli. Yes, there is some teasing going on (and Gilli is just too easy to tease) but they mean no harm, I’m sure they like him. I loved Pat, the elderly queen, a wonderful character. Vince and Jac - the bondage twins - not so much. It was too bad that Shane didn’t walk in when Vince was saying all this awful things to Gilli... and about Pat. I would have loved to see his face!
Well, except for my swollen eyes and my running nose I had only one little point of criticism. The book ended too early. I needed to know what happened after the guys went home, I needed to know if Gilli finally talked about the memory box his Mum gave to him (Lie Detector shrieks no!), I needed to know more about Pat... and if these horrible douchebags Jak and Vince ever got the stench out of their jackets. I hope not!
While waiting for the next book I have to go back to Gilli's online journal. Luckily he’s updating regularly. :)
I'm now off to wipe my nose and take care of my swollen eyes... *sniffs*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2014
This book is part of the series that begins with Fun With Dick and Shane and should be read in order.
Here we see a lot more of Gilly, with a host of memories of his youth and childhood coming up as he deals with his mother's illness. You can finally see that so much of his snark and temper is rooted in pain from the past. When something hurts him, he lashes out with sarcasm and spite. Because he is unwilling to let anyone see the true source of his issues, even Dick, he looks totally unreasonable and unrepentant, a brat by intent, instead of in painful reaction. In this book he comes up against Shane's limits over and over, and although the other two men can see that something is bothering him, he shoves them away so hard when they inquire that they have no choice but to take him at face value.
It's a bit tough reading - the little slings and barbs from other people at Leo's house party cut much deeper because of Gilly's existing issues, but the people around him can't see that. You want to shake Gilly by the scruff of the neck, and make him tell Shane, or at least Dick, where his issues are coming from. There is comfort available if he only let himself make one move to explain that he needs it...
There is humor here, but mostly this is a painful, irritating, and poignant instalment. More an episode than a real story arc, this one doesn't have a lot of resolution from start to finish. But for those who love mouthy, bratty, sweet, self-involved, lost and found Gillibran, this story sheds a lot of light on where our hero comes from.
Here we see a lot more of Gilly, with a host of memories of his youth and childhood coming up as he deals with his mother's illness. You can finally see that so much of his snark and temper is rooted in pain from the past. When something hurts him, he lashes out with sarcasm and spite. Because he is unwilling to let anyone see the true source of his issues, even Dick, he looks totally unreasonable and unrepentant, a brat by intent, instead of in painful reaction. In this book he comes up against Shane's limits over and over, and although the other two men can see that something is bothering him, he shoves them away so hard when they inquire that they have no choice but to take him at face value.
It's a bit tough reading - the little slings and barbs from other people at Leo's house party cut much deeper because of Gilly's existing issues, but the people around him can't see that. You want to shake Gilly by the scruff of the neck, and make him tell Shane, or at least Dick, where his issues are coming from. There is comfort available if he only let himself make one move to explain that he needs it...
There is humor here, but mostly this is a painful, irritating, and poignant instalment. More an episode than a real story arc, this one doesn't have a lot of resolution from start to finish. But for those who love mouthy, bratty, sweet, self-involved, lost and found Gillibran, this story sheds a lot of light on where our hero comes from.
December 12, 2014
It was good to hear from Gilli again, though this book was more melancholy than the previous ones. He still managed to make me laugh out loud a few times, which is quite rare for me.
Gilli is much too stubborn for his own good, especially when it comes to confiding in his Daddies, and I often wanted to shake some sense into him. Then again, I have the cynical belief that they (or at least Shane) wouldn't be sufficiently sympathetic if he were to let down those walls. Shane can be a right bastard most of the time.
I'd have preferred shorter flashbacks, but flashbacks in general are a personal pet peeve. That was my only annoyance with the book, and as usual, I was left wanting more when it ended because I can never get enough of Gilli's tales.
P.S. I was shocked that
Gilli is much too stubborn for his own good, especially when it comes to confiding in his Daddies, and I often wanted to shake some sense into him. Then again, I have the cynical belief that they (or at least Shane) wouldn't be sufficiently sympathetic if he were to let down those walls. Shane can be a right bastard most of the time.
I'd have preferred shorter flashbacks, but flashbacks in general are a personal pet peeve. That was my only annoyance with the book, and as usual, I was left wanting more when it ended because I can never get enough of Gilli's tales.
P.S. I was shocked that
December 27, 2014
Oh, God.
This wasn't the hilarious, clever, sexy read I have been looking forward to in ages, but it is of course brilliant anyway.
Poor Gili :(
He's locked in his own childhood/ coming out/ mum turmoil, and not only is he unable to shut mental doors, he can't even share the hurt with Dick and Shane.
Definitely less snark in this one, but we love Gili so much by now that we don't care.
I really hope he tells them, before Shane kills him.
This wasn't the hilarious, clever, sexy read I have been looking forward to in ages, but it is of course brilliant anyway.
Poor Gili :(
He's locked in his own childhood/ coming out/ mum turmoil, and not only is he unable to shut mental doors, he can't even share the hurt with Dick and Shane.
Definitely less snark in this one, but we love Gili so much by now that we don't care.
I really hope he tells them, before Shane kills him.
November 22, 2014
4.5 stars. I had to take the funny tag off this one, but it's Gilli, sad or rolling on the floor with laughter he always always has me so asbored in his life. Greedily, I wished this story was longer, but I will eagerly await the next installment in my favorite houseboy's life.
January 28, 2017
★★★★★
This picks up right after Gilliflowers and with just a few exceptions, it's not a very happy Christmas for Gilli in a lot of ways.
RED ALERT - Reader Rant:
He visits his mother the day before they all leave for their stay with Leo and gets so much more than he bargained for - his mother's plans for her what looks to be her very last Christmas: But Kelly, who's nobody, is invited!!!! WTF!!!!!
And then there's the box:
Ok, there's so much fucked-up stuff in that spoiler, I still can't put my thoughts into rational words, even a week after I finished this book. It seriously brings me to tears.
And then we have those f****ers Vince and Jak: They deserved everything they got - my only concern is for Gilli and the consequences of his actions coming to light.
I loved Pat and hope he appears again.
And if it's not enough, Gilli has to live through all this sober and accept his limits.
So this was a very heart wrenching tale for me, and I hope there's more because it can't end here. I can only hope that our guys have learned to communicate on a better level since.
Please, please Gilli!
ETA: I've been ruminating about this and I've know I've thought Gilli doesn't share his thoughts easily, but I realized that Dick and Shane are guilty of the very same thing, especially Shane. If Shane has a bad day or needs to talk, he confides in Dick, never Gilli. I realize that their dynamic - Shane is Big Daddy, Dick is Shane's sub and Gilli's Daddy, but I think Shane's lack of empathy? not sure if that's the right verb, makes it even more difficult for Gilli to communicate and I don't think at least at this point in their relationship, he fully trusts Shane. Or I could just be full o' shit, lol!
But man, I keep thinking about this. How many books/series can you say that about?!
This picks up right after Gilliflowers and with just a few exceptions, it's not a very happy Christmas for Gilli in a lot of ways.
RED ALERT - Reader Rant:
He visits his mother the day before they all leave for their stay with Leo and gets so much more than he bargained for - his mother's plans for her what looks to be her very last Christmas: But Kelly, who's nobody, is invited!!!! WTF!!!!!
And then there's the box:
Ok, there's so much fucked-up stuff in that spoiler, I still can't put my thoughts into rational words, even a week after I finished this book. It seriously brings me to tears.
And then we have those f****ers Vince and Jak: They deserved everything they got - my only concern is for Gilli and the consequences of his actions coming to light.
I loved Pat and hope he appears again.
And if it's not enough, Gilli has to live through all this sober and accept his limits.
So this was a very heart wrenching tale for me, and I hope there's more because it can't end here. I can only hope that our guys have learned to communicate on a better level since.
Please, please Gilli!
ETA: I've been ruminating about this and I've know I've thought Gilli doesn't share his thoughts easily, but I realized that Dick and Shane are guilty of the very same thing, especially Shane. If Shane has a bad day or needs to talk, he confides in Dick, never Gilli. I realize that their dynamic - Shane is Big Daddy, Dick is Shane's sub and Gilli's Daddy, but I think Shane's lack of empathy? not sure if that's the right verb, makes it even more difficult for Gilli to communicate and I don't think at least at this point in their relationship, he fully trusts Shane. Or I could just be full o' shit, lol!
But man, I keep thinking about this. How many books/series can you say that about?!
November 18, 2014
Eagerly awaited, bought as soon as it was available and then started reading. Finished last night and had to sleep over what to write. This wasn't the fun book I was looking forward to, nope. Nevertheless, it was compelling and didn't let me go. But more in a train-wreck-happened way. Gilli got totally on my nerves, only to then, the next page, got me looking for my Kleenex. And Shane - I don't know, yes he had to put his foot down, but obviously it didn't really work. Poor Gilli, I wondered he was still able to sit! I wanted to shout: Shane, try something else already! It reminded me of dealing with a toddler, when they try and aggravate the parents - best to take a time-out. LOL!
Anyway, Gilli remembering past Christmasses and episodes with his mom, yes, that was rather sad. Despite some funny moments the whole book felt sad for me. Now I'm looking forward to the next book, in hope that it will be a bit more cheery.
Anyway, Gilli remembering past Christmasses and episodes with his mom, yes, that was rather sad. Despite some funny moments the whole book felt sad for me. Now I'm looking forward to the next book, in hope that it will be a bit more cheery.
November 18, 2014
I love this series. Honestly, I love everything Gilli. This snapshot made me sad, I want to give Gilli a great big squish.
November 17, 2014
This book chronicles a very sad holiday season - Gillie's mom is dying and he knows it will be her last Christmas. Gillie and his mom may have reached a peace of sorts but there are still a lot of unresolved feelings . The glimpses this book gives of Gillie's childhood break my heart.
Juxtaposed against the childhood memories and sense of impending grief is the round of holiday parties that his two daddies are determined to include Gillie in. It's a really interesting juxtaposition because Gillie's family now consists of Shane and Dick, and by insisting on his participation in every party and activity, they are trying to support Gillie in their own way. It's hard to say whether this is giving Gillie what he needs, because while he clearly needs structure in his life, it doesn't seem as if Dick and Shane have an empathetic sense of what Gillie is going through. Of course it doesn't help that Gillie seems unable to talk about his feelings at all. Gillie is also still inordinately bitter that they've not letting him drink alcohol because of his epileptic fits, thus depriving him of what he perceives as a much needed crutch.
There are parts of this story that I think will only work for someone who understands domestic D/s relationships and who knows what it means to want to live under someone else's authority. (I left home at 18, even with the best parents imaginable, because I was dying to live solely under my own authority, so clearly, I lack that understanding on an instinctive level.) To me, some of the interactions felt a little brutal, but as Shane said at one point, the relationship is 100% consensual, so Gillie is there because he wants to be.
Juxtaposed against the childhood memories and sense of impending grief is the round of holiday parties that his two daddies are determined to include Gillie in. It's a really interesting juxtaposition because Gillie's family now consists of Shane and Dick, and by insisting on his participation in every party and activity, they are trying to support Gillie in their own way. It's hard to say whether this is giving Gillie what he needs, because while he clearly needs structure in his life, it doesn't seem as if Dick and Shane have an empathetic sense of what Gillie is going through. Of course it doesn't help that Gillie seems unable to talk about his feelings at all. Gillie is also still inordinately bitter that they've not letting him drink alcohol because of his epileptic fits, thus depriving him of what he perceives as a much needed crutch.
There are parts of this story that I think will only work for someone who understands domestic D/s relationships and who knows what it means to want to live under someone else's authority. (I left home at 18, even with the best parents imaginable, because I was dying to live solely under my own authority, so clearly, I lack that understanding on an instinctive level.) To me, some of the interactions felt a little brutal, but as Shane said at one point, the relationship is 100% consensual, so Gillie is there because he wants to be.
July 4, 2018
Gilli is one out of the box - magnificent, adorable and utterly ridiculous. You would think he has a death wish or was a tried and true masochist! His Christmas event at Leo’s was harsh. His memories only aided his painful moods and yet he would share these. Add the two dick head, Jax and Vince to the mix and it made life even worse. Gillis secret prawn revenge had me laughing hysterically and I’m glad Pat supported him. Leo was a great host who deep down really adores Gilli. Another brilliant installment
November 28, 2014
4.5 stars rounded up
This is the fifth edition of Gilli's memoirs and focuses on the Christmas of 2008, which as the title says is spent at Leo's. Like Achilles and the Houseboy it's not in the familiar diary form but chapters.
As usual it contains Gilli's trade mark snark and rantings, but it's a sad book. Gilli is very obviously struggling and determined to struggle alone as he deals with the knowledge that his mother is dying, the drinking ban imposed by his Daddies and his own general insecurities. There are the usual characters along for the ride, with the addition of Vince, another sub and friend of Jak's, and Pat, an elderly flamboyant widower.
This story will cause the usual "I hate Shane" grumbles, but I don't think he deserves them. Shane is a good Top, and he can only work with what he's given. He very obviously cares about Gilli, I'd go as far as to say he does love him - after all he wouldn't put up with all the crap and drama that Gilli flings at him if he didn't.
There is a lot more insight into Gilli's past in this book - in particular relationship with his mother, his coming to terms with being Gay and coming out in the industrial North East of England. It also deals with Gilli experiencing homophobic abuse - in particular from his step father, and dealing with homelessness at the age of sixteen. Although in usual Gilli fashion he tries to gloss over these, there is a feeling of how these events went to shape him into what he is at the time the book is set.
I totally undestand why it took so long for this book to be written, and I think given that we really all know what is coming next for him that it will be a while before the next book. That said, with his diary being online, at least we know that Gilli and his Daddies are still together six years on.
This is the fifth edition of Gilli's memoirs and focuses on the Christmas of 2008, which as the title says is spent at Leo's. Like Achilles and the Houseboy it's not in the familiar diary form but chapters.
As usual it contains Gilli's trade mark snark and rantings, but it's a sad book. Gilli is very obviously struggling and determined to struggle alone as he deals with the knowledge that his mother is dying, the drinking ban imposed by his Daddies and his own general insecurities. There are the usual characters along for the ride, with the addition of Vince, another sub and friend of Jak's, and Pat, an elderly flamboyant widower.
This story will cause the usual "I hate Shane" grumbles, but I don't think he deserves them. Shane is a good Top, and he can only work with what he's given. He very obviously cares about Gilli, I'd go as far as to say he does love him - after all he wouldn't put up with all the crap and drama that Gilli flings at him if he didn't.
There is a lot more insight into Gilli's past in this book - in particular relationship with his mother, his coming to terms with being Gay and coming out in the industrial North East of England. It also deals with Gilli experiencing homophobic abuse - in particular from his step father, and dealing with homelessness at the age of sixteen. Although in usual Gilli fashion he tries to gloss over these, there is a feeling of how these events went to shape him into what he is at the time the book is set.
I totally undestand why it took so long for this book to be written, and I think given that we really all know what is coming next for him that it will be a while before the next book. That said, with his diary being online, at least we know that Gilli and his Daddies are still together six years on.
March 11, 2024
Reread - March 2024 - for a story going over the course of 4 days this really does pack a punch. So glad some of this tension is resolved in Revelations.
Review
Oh Gilli Gilli Gilli. These books are kind of hard to read because if you just told Shane and Dick what was upsetting you Gilli, they wouldn't be as hard on you. Although I'd be seriously ok if vince died.
This book was much more serious, Gilli dealing with his mums coming death and reliving his past of being kicked out of home and being homeless. I just wanted to give him so many cuddles!!!
Review
Oh Gilli Gilli Gilli. These books are kind of hard to read because if you just told Shane and Dick what was upsetting you Gilli, they wouldn't be as hard on you. Although I'd be seriously ok if vince died.
This book was much more serious, Gilli dealing with his mums coming death and reliving his past of being kicked out of home and being homeless. I just wanted to give him so many cuddles!!!
January 1, 2018
So beautiful - I read a good portion of it biting on my fist, damn sometimes Gilli is so intense! Truly, sometimes I'm torn between smacking him upside the head and wanting to kill Shane.
I've got his three books of short stories, but I'm dying for Revelations!
I've got his three books of short stories, but I'm dying for Revelations!
November 16, 2014
I am such a fan girl for Gilli, his cheekiness and humour is adorable. I had been going on to his website frequently over the last few months to find out more about the release of this story. I must have read Chapter 1 half a dozen times. Imagine my delight when I woke up, checked his site and saw it was available for purchase!!! Unfortunately, the first chapter was the best part for me. I like angst and my heart broke for some of poor Gilli's sad childhood memories, but overall it was kind of downer. There were a few scenes with Shane and even one with both men I found really disturbing. Gilli should not be treated like that and I would hope he can find someone who will cherish and love him. How many times does he have to question Shane's love for him and get no reassurances before he realizes he is right. Shane does not and will not love him. This one didn't have much of the charm of the previous stories. I understand this is a sad time for Gilli because of his mother's illness but it is really his men's treatment that left me saddened. I hope the next one will redeem the men because Christmas at Leo's s showcased a very ugly side of them. Good luck, Gilli!
May 14, 2015
I so love Gilli.
This is not a happy installment. There is some humor, but not what I'd have expected from a Gilli installment.
If you are currently depressed....do NOT read this book. At some point this book effected my mood, even when I put it down. That is not a negative statement. Usually, if a book can make me laugh out loud, or tear up, or SCREAM at the characters, I rate that as being a strong book. This book was strong enough, that it effected my emotions when I wasn't reading it. That doesn't happen very often.
This is the 5th installment. You'd think it would be winding down...but it isn't. This one, is better than the last. I look forward to the next one, and then I'll be waiting not so patiently for the one after that.
Gilli...Shane loves you too....you just have to look closely.
January 23, 2015
I think this is a bit of cheating but this review is more about my feelings for the the whole series than my thoughts on this last book since I read all of them together.
I'm still amazed that I read them all, I'm not a fan of 24/7 D/s relationship, I don't like domestic discipline books and I hate menage where one person is never as important and loved as the the other two so I shouldn't have be able to read one, much less five books that has all of that but damn if Gilli doesn't grab your attention and feelings and never let it go. He just has an uncanny gift for breaking my heart. I thought I was only going to read a little sample of this story since I liked the silly little title and forget all about it but now five books in I don't think I'll ever forget Gilli and will always hope for so much more for him.
It's odd that in the first book, I thought Shane and Dick loved Gilli, not nearly as much as they loved each other at that time but enough that I could see they could make it work and hoping they were going in a direction where they could have a more emotional equal relationship in the future but the more I read about them the less I believe that will ever happen, in fact I don't even understand why they are all together. The relationship even seems sightly toxic for Gilli and sometimes even for all of them, not because Gilli is a poor victim of terrible men, far from that. He's just not ever going to get what he truly wants and no matter how many times Shane and Dick tells him, is not wrong to want more out of a relationship, although it does get to a time one should accept or leave.
I dislike Shane more times than not but I do believe he truly cares and want to help, the problem is his solution, always, is domination, which works beautifully for Dick but nearly never for Gilly and it wasn't never as clear as in this book. I can't help but think he accepted Gilli in his bed because Dick wanted a "pet" but never thought they would last that long and now he cares and feel responsible for him and have no idea how to handle Gilly's issues.
Reading a little bit about their lives in his journal, I can see the future for them is very much business as usual, Shane has never said I love you, Gilli cleans a lot and gets spanked even more, Dick and Shane still go away on holidays without Gilli, they go out for dinner. I suppose it's as good as it gets but I can't say that reading this book didn't make me sad to think that's it for him. I wanted so much for him to talk about his feelings but I honestly don't know how would that help, I mean Shane and Dick couldn't possible not know why someone who has a mother dying of cancer is sad on Christmas and don't want company so even if he did say how depressed he was I can only imagine Dick hugging him and going "there, there" and Shane saying he can't change what's going on and to get over which fair enough but not that helpful. It seems that the future will be even more unsettled and all three of them are as ill-prepared as always.
One thing I'm always amused about these books is that Dick is the luckiest guy in the world, he gets everything he could possible want. He has a pretty good Dom/top/husband who loves him beyond anything, who fulfills his physical and emotional needs as a partner and as sub, he gets nice jewelry for his birthday, even when he puts a collar he gets words about how they belong together and how much he's respected and he also gets a clever, good looking young guy who also loves him that he can top and dominate so he can fulfill his other physical and emotional needs to a tee. Good thing he's likeable most of the time and no wonder he's such a happy guy!
I'm still amazed that I read them all, I'm not a fan of 24/7 D/s relationship, I don't like domestic discipline books and I hate menage where one person is never as important and loved as the the other two so I shouldn't have be able to read one, much less five books that has all of that but damn if Gilli doesn't grab your attention and feelings and never let it go. He just has an uncanny gift for breaking my heart. I thought I was only going to read a little sample of this story since I liked the silly little title and forget all about it but now five books in I don't think I'll ever forget Gilli and will always hope for so much more for him.
It's odd that in the first book, I thought Shane and Dick loved Gilli, not nearly as much as they loved each other at that time but enough that I could see they could make it work and hoping they were going in a direction where they could have a more emotional equal relationship in the future but the more I read about them the less I believe that will ever happen, in fact I don't even understand why they are all together. The relationship even seems sightly toxic for Gilli and sometimes even for all of them, not because Gilli is a poor victim of terrible men, far from that. He's just not ever going to get what he truly wants and no matter how many times Shane and Dick tells him, is not wrong to want more out of a relationship, although it does get to a time one should accept or leave.
I dislike Shane more times than not but I do believe he truly cares and want to help, the problem is his solution, always, is domination, which works beautifully for Dick but nearly never for Gilly and it wasn't never as clear as in this book. I can't help but think he accepted Gilli in his bed because Dick wanted a "pet" but never thought they would last that long and now he cares and feel responsible for him and have no idea how to handle Gilly's issues.
Reading a little bit about their lives in his journal, I can see the future for them is very much business as usual, Shane has never said I love you, Gilli cleans a lot and gets spanked even more, Dick and Shane still go away on holidays without Gilli, they go out for dinner. I suppose it's as good as it gets but I can't say that reading this book didn't make me sad to think that's it for him. I wanted so much for him to talk about his feelings but I honestly don't know how would that help, I mean Shane and Dick couldn't possible not know why someone who has a mother dying of cancer is sad on Christmas and don't want company so even if he did say how depressed he was I can only imagine Dick hugging him and going "there, there" and Shane saying he can't change what's going on and to get over which fair enough but not that helpful. It seems that the future will be even more unsettled and all three of them are as ill-prepared as always.
One thing I'm always amused about these books is that Dick is the luckiest guy in the world, he gets everything he could possible want. He has a pretty good Dom/top/husband who loves him beyond anything, who fulfills his physical and emotional needs as a partner and as sub, he gets nice jewelry for his birthday, even when he puts a collar he gets words about how they belong together and how much he's respected and he also gets a clever, good looking young guy who also loves him that he can top and dominate so he can fulfill his other physical and emotional needs to a tee. Good thing he's likeable most of the time and no wonder he's such a happy guy!
November 16, 2014
Five melancholy stars. I found this one to be a real tearjerker. I love Gilli and and just want Shane and Dick to give him a big smoochy cuddle. Gilli may be a brat, he may overthink everything but he has a heart of gold and I'm holding out for his happily ever after. I need Revelations now please!
August 19, 2015
“Another word for stress,” he murmured. He tapped the pen against the page in a thoughtful manner. “I’d say Gillibran, but the letters don’t fit.”
He didn’t sound as if he was joking.
HOLY SHIT.
I love this book. Gilli is my fucking soul-mate! I just love everything about him-even some of his misplaced overflowing feelings and mood swings.
“Now, what needs doing, what can I help with?”
“You can carve the meat.” I glared at him. “I don’t trust myself with a knife at the moment.”
Christmas at Leo's covers the a few days of the men folk and Gilli's Christmas on 2008. Gilli was as petulant and naughty as ever. He was also humorous and entertaining, but also, in this book he was a wreck-an emotional Gilliflower. As much as I love reading about his silliness and humor, it was overwhelming finding out about his past and his buried fears, resentment, and regrets. It was heart-breaking, witnessing how he struggled with these heavy emotions. Would it have been easier had he shared it to his lovers?
There’s probably no afterlife for rainbow people anyway. We’ll be denied recognition and equality in death, just as in life, consigned to some painful limbo of never ending loneliness, by way of appeasing the God bothering thugs and bible bullies.
On other stuffs...fuck! I might get struck with a lighting for this but hell! Shane in this book gave me an imaginary boner.And I was never this attracted to him-not before this book. Damn! When I started this series, I mostly disliked Shane because I couldn't understand him as much as I was still not educated enough to understand 24/7 D/S relationships [I was not also into BDSM when I started this series]. But now, gosh! he had me wishing I was the one sitting on his lap and getting my earlobe licked! [shush trouser pup! not now!]
Angered by his arrogance, I tried to get up, but he hooked his arms around my waist, anchoring me in place. Putting his mouth to my ear, he flicked his tongue at the lobe and then whispered a threat that made my balls contract with fear.
“On my knee or over it with your pants down. Your choice.”
On the previous books, I was more into Dick than Shane. He was the one who showed more affection for Gilli than their Alpha Daddy. On those occasions, I even wondered what Shane really felt towards Gilli. Now though, I was totally hooked with him!
It was a cold fact. He turned me on, even when I didn’t like him, even when he scared the shit out of me, maybe even especially then.
Though besides all the drama, Gilli was still full of mischief. I couldn't say I empathize with him thought when it comes with the alcohol subject. Sorry Gilli, your health always comes first! I really enjoyed this book. It made me sad, made me laugh, amused, aroused and Gilli left me wanting for more! Can't wait for his next book, Revelations.
“How Shane hasn’t murdered you is beyond my understanding. If you were my boy I’d have killed you by now.”
“If I was your boy you wouldn’t have to kill me, I’d kill myself.”
Just can't help adding this one.
“What’s going on?” Shane invaded the bedroom.
“Baby says he’s going to sleep in the den.”
“Baby is not sleeping in the den.” He strode over to me, swiping a heavy paw across my butt. “Get undressed and into bed pronto, you ornery brat, or I’ll flay the skin from your tail with my belt.”
Daddy kink FTW! <3
Review posted on 01/21/15
Edit: 08/18/15
Gilli's new short, The Snail Affair, is now available on Smashwords!
November 19, 2014
This one was hard for me to rate.
The end is rather open but I guess that's where the next book, Revelations, will deliver the answers. All in all, I'm looking forward to it.
The end is rather open but I guess that's where the next book, Revelations, will deliver the answers. All in all, I'm looking forward to it.
November 19, 2014
I love Gilli the houseboy. I'm gonna go crazy waiting for the next one!!!!!!!
November 18, 2014
*4.5*
Oh the heart breaking angst.
I actually read this with my heart racing, breaking and, in parts, having to dig my nails into my hands to get through it.
I’ve invested so much emotionally in this series of memoirs and the blog that goes with them.
It makes my heart ache but I continue to want to know that everything will be OK for Gilli, that he will have the peace and contentment in his relationships that he (as everyone) deserves. (For those of you who are desperate to know is he is ok have a look at his blog – he is ok, they are still together).
While reading this I did need to check the blog at times to reassure myself that there were some sweet times ahead for Shane and Gilli (even though 2009-2010 are missing from the blog) there are signs that Shane does value his relationship with Gilli. It’ll never be what he has with Dick – the insights provided by Pat were interesting and did help ease some of my issues with Shane (I always cast my mind back to when he drove Gilli to the beach to watch the sunrise as a way to remind me of the care he does show Gilli)
The writing is engaging. The tale is one of struggle and emotional turmoil – holy moly it’s like a washing machines of angst and heart break, I think I felt physically unwell with anxiety at times.
I enjoyed the self-analysis dispersed through his recounting of that time. Although it is written years later with reflection from much more mature eyes (but pretty much everyone has 20/20 hindsight hey?) we are given glimpses that show although he was lost at sea at this point in time and drowning in his emotions without ever sharing and asking his partners for help, there is an understanding now as to why he was acting the way he did. A comment about the grief counselling he would go through later eased my mind (and my stomach) and made me so glad he got some help.
After reading I understand how draining it must be to relive and write these moments again. I can’t begin to imagine how hard he’ll have to brace himself to re-tell the following years and his mother’s death, but I hope he can share that with us at some time.
I’ll leave it at that.
Oh the heart breaking angst.
I actually read this with my heart racing, breaking and, in parts, having to dig my nails into my hands to get through it.
I’ve invested so much emotionally in this series of memoirs and the blog that goes with them.
It makes my heart ache but I continue to want to know that everything will be OK for Gilli, that he will have the peace and contentment in his relationships that he (as everyone) deserves. (For those of you who are desperate to know is he is ok have a look at his blog – he is ok, they are still together).
While reading this I did need to check the blog at times to reassure myself that there were some sweet times ahead for Shane and Gilli (even though 2009-2010 are missing from the blog) there are signs that Shane does value his relationship with Gilli. It’ll never be what he has with Dick – the insights provided by Pat were interesting and did help ease some of my issues with Shane (I always cast my mind back to when he drove Gilli to the beach to watch the sunrise as a way to remind me of the care he does show Gilli)
The writing is engaging. The tale is one of struggle and emotional turmoil – holy moly it’s like a washing machines of angst and heart break, I think I felt physically unwell with anxiety at times.
I enjoyed the self-analysis dispersed through his recounting of that time. Although it is written years later with reflection from much more mature eyes (but pretty much everyone has 20/20 hindsight hey?) we are given glimpses that show although he was lost at sea at this point in time and drowning in his emotions without ever sharing and asking his partners for help, there is an understanding now as to why he was acting the way he did. A comment about the grief counselling he would go through later eased my mind (and my stomach) and made me so glad he got some help.
After reading I understand how draining it must be to relive and write these moments again. I can’t begin to imagine how hard he’ll have to brace himself to re-tell the following years and his mother’s death, but I hope he can share that with us at some time.
I’ll leave it at that.
September 10, 2015
This series is my favorite mm series without a doubt. I'm sure I'll love it no matter what the author decides to write.
This series started as hilarious, but it lost some of the lightheartedness somewhere in the last two books. This installment in Gilli's story was pretty sad. It chocked me up, and I haven't cried over a book since I read the Fault in our Stars a couple of years ago.
Gilli finally told us about his past. We knew he'd had problems with Frank and his mother, but I had always assumed that, Gilli being Gilli, these problems were mostly exagerated in Gilli's mind. After reading this book, though, I don't think Gilli's mother deserved his forgiveness, dying or not. And Frank just disgusted me.
I didn't like any of the main characters in this book, and the side characters were pretty horrible, too, with the exception of Pat and Mike, and sometimes Leo. Dick, who is usually my favorite character, was a straight up jerk in this book. His behavior all throughout the book made me want to hit him hard in the head. Shane was an even bigger assehole than usual, and Gilli's stubbornnes was really annoying. He was so bitter during the whole book and his remarks were very sharp. I didn't laugh at all in this book.
I was mad at Gilli the entire book for not leaving Dick and Shane. Gilli is getting more and more depressed each book, and it feels like Dick's and mostly Shane's behaviour is a huge part of the reason. Gilli doesn't really want a discipline life; the only reason he has accepted it is because that's the only way he can be with the two men he loves. Shane is smart enough to know that. As much as it's obvious that he doesn't love Gilli, he could at least try to cut him some slack.
Anyways, this book frustrated the hell out of me, and I didn't feel like anything was resolved. I hope things get better in the next book.
This series started as hilarious, but it lost some of the lightheartedness somewhere in the last two books. This installment in Gilli's story was pretty sad. It chocked me up, and I haven't cried over a book since I read the Fault in our Stars a couple of years ago.
Gilli finally told us about his past. We knew he'd had problems with Frank and his mother, but I had always assumed that, Gilli being Gilli, these problems were mostly exagerated in Gilli's mind. After reading this book, though, I don't think Gilli's mother deserved his forgiveness, dying or not. And Frank just disgusted me.
I didn't like any of the main characters in this book, and the side characters were pretty horrible, too, with the exception of Pat and Mike, and sometimes Leo. Dick, who is usually my favorite character, was a straight up jerk in this book. His behavior all throughout the book made me want to hit him hard in the head. Shane was an even bigger assehole than usual, and Gilli's stubbornnes was really annoying. He was so bitter during the whole book and his remarks were very sharp. I didn't laugh at all in this book.
I was mad at Gilli the entire book for not leaving Dick and Shane. Gilli is getting more and more depressed each book, and it feels like Dick's and mostly Shane's behaviour is a huge part of the reason. Gilli doesn't really want a discipline life; the only reason he has accepted it is because that's the only way he can be with the two men he loves. Shane is smart enough to know that. As much as it's obvious that he doesn't love Gilli, he could at least try to cut him some slack.
Anyways, this book frustrated the hell out of me, and I didn't feel like anything was resolved. I hope things get better in the next book.
November 27, 2014
I have read all the books in the series thus far and the author never lets me down or fails to drag me (very willingly) into the story. I feel like a bystander watching the story unfold from Gilli's perspective. It is hard to describe how you feel about this series and put it in terms of "loved it, enjoyed it" because there are many emotions that I as the reader go through with the main character from sadness to joy; anger to frustration and sometimes scratching your head at Gilli's antics saying "did he really just say and/or do that"?? Yes, that boy does have a death wish! I also find the relationship between the 3 main characters fascinating. I can relate to his anger and jealousy too at some situations as well.
Christmas at Leo's was emotional - there are events going on in Gilli's life that are all consuming - extreme change and sadness is in his near future - it seems he doesn't quit know where he fits in with his relationships (friends, family, and lovers) either. He tries to grasp happier times in his past (we were taken back to past childhood events) which I liked.
Especially enjoyed reading Gilli's interactions with Leo in this book, as well as other characters such as Mike (it was nice to see someone on his side besides Dick) and Pat. Gilli's revenge against two creeps in the book was priceless too! I laughed and cheered at that one and was real relieved Gilli didn't pay the price for it!
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. It is an emotional read, but it is also a very good read. The book is probably not to everyone's taste, but is perfect for folks who like things a little outside of the "norm" and a little kinky too.
Christmas at Leo's was emotional - there are events going on in Gilli's life that are all consuming - extreme change and sadness is in his near future - it seems he doesn't quit know where he fits in with his relationships (friends, family, and lovers) either. He tries to grasp happier times in his past (we were taken back to past childhood events) which I liked.
Especially enjoyed reading Gilli's interactions with Leo in this book, as well as other characters such as Mike (it was nice to see someone on his side besides Dick) and Pat. Gilli's revenge against two creeps in the book was priceless too! I laughed and cheered at that one and was real relieved Gilli didn't pay the price for it!
I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. It is an emotional read, but it is also a very good read. The book is probably not to everyone's taste, but is perfect for folks who like things a little outside of the "norm" and a little kinky too.
May 1, 2015
As normal with these book this is a very reluctant 5 stars. As the series progress each book becomes a little bit harder to read, not because of bad writing just the relationship dynamics continue to worse. Much of the humor has flown from this book although there are glimmers here and there. The majority of this book is rather sad and filled with Gilli's reminiscing about his troubled past with his mother, step-father and coming out. Along with that is Shane and Dick's misunderstanding of what is causing Gilli's sadness and acting out and their ire at him. Most of the book Shane and Dick are mad and disciplining Gilli but there are several bright spots in the form of a new character Pat and at least a few times were people do at least try to stick up for Gilli against some of the other subs more spitefulness.
As this series progress it gets harder and harder to see what the characters are getting out of the relationship as it becomes more painful and unhappy for each one. I keep reading the series in hopes of a pay off where instead of disciplining Gilli for the surface problems they actually spend the time to figure the boy out. Unfortunately I'm not sure if that will happen.
As this series progress it gets harder and harder to see what the characters are getting out of the relationship as it becomes more painful and unhappy for each one. I keep reading the series in hopes of a pay off where instead of disciplining Gilli for the surface problems they actually spend the time to figure the boy out. Unfortunately I'm not sure if that will happen.
December 6, 2014
I think this was my most favorite book in the series. Though describing just a few days of Gilli's life - it was sad, emotional, beautifully written, and revealing so many details about Gilli's past. I was transfixed from the first page to the last.
The wait for the next book will be unbearable.
The wait for the next book will be unbearable.
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