In Good Spirits

by Helen Juliet

270 pages, Paperback

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Helen Juliet is a British author of contemporary MM fairy tale adaptations, including the international bestselling Beauty and the Beast retelling, Thorn in His Side. She lives just outside of London with her husband and three balls of fluff that occasionally pretend to be cats.

She began writing at an early age, later honing her craft online in the world of fanfiction on sites like Wattpad. Fifteen years and over half a million words later, she sought out original MM novels to read. By the end of 2016 she had written her first book of her own, and in 2017 she achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time author.

When she’s not writing she’s usually dancing, singing, filming music videos, taking long walks, working on jigsaw puzzles, drinking prosecco, or talking about Eurovision.

She also writes contemporary American small town MM series as HJ Welch, including Pine Cove, Homecoming Hearts, and Paddle Creek College.

Reviews

[Brianne McCallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

4M
Standalone
Poly
2 Daddies/1 little/1 middle
Christmas
1 MC widowed and full of grief and guilt
Starting over
Established relationship (2 MCs married + their shared bf of 3 years but the relationship is also open)
Super steamy

Arc audio review

Story = 5 stars
Narration = 4 stars

Evan is depressed and just wants to be alone. His friend behind his back entered his name for matchmaking.

Tian is a little who had a crush on Daddy Evan and was so happy he got paired with him and then crushed when he found out Evan knew nothing about it and doesn't want to do it.

Tian has another Daddy named Sai and a middle named Jude that are his 2 bfs. Jude and Sai are married to each other but still see other people and asked Tian to permanently join their family 3 years ago as a throuple. He is also free to see other people. They hate to see Tian sad so they decide to help him get Daddy Evan by getting him to spend time individually with each of them getting to know each other on the pretense of him just practicing being a Daddy in case he ever decides to date again in the future.

This was a angst free heartwarming story. All the characters were fantastic and they all had amazing chemistry. I could not stop listening from start to finish. Did I mention super hot, like scorching. The writing was fantastic. I don't normally read this author cause I thought they mostly write retold fairytales which aren't my thing but I would definitely read this author again if they write more like this.

The narrator did a great job. Their voice was pleasant enough to listen to. Not my favorite but ok. Their accent matched where the characters were from as far as I could tell. He kept a good pace/flow. He expressed the emotions well enough thoigh I felt they could have put a bit more into it. Considering the number of MCs and side characters the narrator did a great effort to give the characters distinct voices. Though when the 4 were all together that was less so. The 2 daddies sounded the same and the 2 boys sounded the same. It was a nice listening experience. I just prefer others that have more range.

[Alias11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I had trouble getting through the sex scenes where one of the parties was personifying as a child. That is a ME problem and is not reflected in my review. Just be aware that happens in this book, if that is an issue for you, too.

Aside from that one qualm, this is a beautiful and heartfelt story. Evan is a Daddy who lost his Little and love of his life at Christmas many years ago. Since then he has become a true scrooge who has closed himself off from Christmas, from love, and from feelings in general. When a well-meaning former friend signs him up or a Daddy-Little secret Santa event at a club, a determined Little (Tian) sets out to show Evan how to be a Daddy again. Along with his boyfriends, married couple Daddy Sai and bratty middle Jude, Tian reminds Evan of what he has been missing, and together the three men show Evan that he can love again without forgetting his lost love. This is a very sweet tale, with plenty of emotion, and some hot sex, too. Although I love books with polyamory, and I am glad I listened to Evan's story, I probably won't read other books in this series because Daddy kink is just not a trope I enjoy.

The narration was good, and captured perfectly the intended ages (Daddy, Middle, Little) of the various characters, and ensured each voice had the appropriate tone.

I received an Audio ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was such a beautiful hurt/comfort poly romance. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved all the guys- Evan, Tian, Sai, and Jude. Sai, Jude, and Tian have an established relationship, and I loved the love and trust between them; the strength of their bond and support for each other. And the way they communicated and cared for each other's needs. Evan was lonely but still hurting, and had some insecurities getting back into things. Little Tian coming into his life may have been the first step to his healing, but I loved that Jude- a middle- and Sai- their Daddy- also had large roles to play and each fulfilled something for Evan. I also enjoyed Evan's time with each of them individually and how that dynamic built. A sweet romance. Dan Calley did a good job bringing this story to life. Though I couldn't always tell the difference in characters by voice alone without some context.

Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 5 stars

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story albeit a bit sad. Evan’s grief was really heartbreaking. All he wanted was to be left alone but thanks to his meddling friend, he’s basically forced into the world.

Tian was a little who was ecstatic he was the person matched with Evan. He’s had a major crush on Daddy Evan but his feelings are crushed when Evan refuses to be his Daddy.

Eventually, Tian’s other daddies offer to help him with Evan so he can get to know him better.

The narrator was fantastic. I have listened to his other works and I really enjoyed it.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scrooge had the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future to help him revise his feelings about Christmas and start to experience the joy again. Evan has Tian, Jude and Sai to help him find happiness again through the fog of loss and grief. Although things get off on the wrong foot, everyone here has good intentions and are sweet people so they get past their start and experience and rediscover the magic of the holidays together.

[Unusable Booklore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polyamory
Daddy x 2 / little / middle
#MiddleLifeRomance
Holiday (Christmas) vibes
Set in London
Low stress

A daddy gets a Christmas miracle. An established throuple find a bonus daddy who’s a little out of practice loving.

I enjoyed the audio of this book. I’m not usually a fan of a single narrator for a multi POV book but Dan Calley did a great job.

[Adoraboy]

This was a very good book. The storyline was easy to follow, and I loved the characters!!! The narrator did an amazing job and I was able to keep interest!!!!