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Our Bright Christmas Town
One knows it's love. The other is just figuring it out.
Ashby is not in love with his best friend.
Except that he is. And has been. Since forever.
Kieran left their tiny hometown to become a doctor in London, and Ashby—well, Ashby stayed behind, running his dad’s old business and doing odd jobs for everyone and their nan. The kind of guy you call when the sink leaks or the fairy lights need hanging. Reliable. Predictable. Entirely fine.
But now Kieran is back for Christmas, newly curious about kissing boys, and very interested in Ashby’s opinion on the matter. Ashby knows one he can’t be Kieran’s “safe” experiment. Not when he’s spent half his life trying to forget he wants more.
So he offers to wingman instead. Take Kieran to a gay bar. Help him find someone else. But when Ashby’s ex shows up and Kieran kisses him just to make a point—everything changes. Because that kiss?
It doesn’t feel hypothetical.
It feels like home.
A sweet and cosy 20k MM holiday romance novella with mutual pining, banter, childhood friends to lovers, snow, shelter dogs, and one impulsive kiss that changes everything.
Ashby is not in love with his best friend.
Except that he is. And has been. Since forever.
Kieran left their tiny hometown to become a doctor in London, and Ashby—well, Ashby stayed behind, running his dad’s old business and doing odd jobs for everyone and their nan. The kind of guy you call when the sink leaks or the fairy lights need hanging. Reliable. Predictable. Entirely fine.
But now Kieran is back for Christmas, newly curious about kissing boys, and very interested in Ashby’s opinion on the matter. Ashby knows one he can’t be Kieran’s “safe” experiment. Not when he’s spent half his life trying to forget he wants more.
So he offers to wingman instead. Take Kieran to a gay bar. Help him find someone else. But when Ashby’s ex shows up and Kieran kisses him just to make a point—everything changes. Because that kiss?
It doesn’t feel hypothetical.
It feels like home.
A sweet and cosy 20k MM holiday romance novella with mutual pining, banter, childhood friends to lovers, snow, shelter dogs, and one impulsive kiss that changes everything.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
161 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Zarah Detand
19 books441 followersWriter of M/M romances. Chaos monkey. Coffee snob. Cheese is her love language.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
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December 15, 2025
RATING 4.5 STARS
Our Bright Christmas Town by Zarah Detand, is a beautifully written, short, sweet and steamy, MM holiday novella. This is my very first book by this author! It took me a minute to get into it but I was impressed with how beautifully she described things. If you’ve read as many books as I have, it’s gotten to the point where I skim over some scenes that I’ve read so many of. But in this little novella, she actually made me slow down and read the steamy scenes word for word. She managed to put so much feeling into them that I didn’t want to miss a word.
Ashby is twenty six years old. He has been best friends with Kieran Hughes most of his life. And he’s known for over a decade that he was in love with him. In love with his straight best friend. So, as any best friend would do, he kept it hidden. He stayed in their home town, working with his dad in his handy man business. Kieran, with his dreams of being a doctor, went off to school. He’s been in London doing what I would refer to as his residency. But he’s home now for Christmas break.
Kieran only has a few months left of his residency and then he has some big decisions to make. Stay in London or go home. A random dare to kiss his roommate has opened Kieran’s eyes to why none of his relationships with women have worked. Because that one little platonic kiss made him realize that it was his best friend back home, Ashby, that holds his heart, that has ALWAYS had his heart. But he has no idea if he might feel the same way.
Ashby doesn’t take the news that Kieran isn’t as straight as he thought he was well. Yes he’s in love with Kieran but he can’t be his gay experiment. It would break him. So he can volunteer to help him find someone else. But while out in a bar, when his ex shows up, Ashby kisses him, and his world turns upside down. All it took was one kiss and he knew that it would always be just Kieran.
“He felt like coming home.”
This was so sweet and as I said, I loved the author’s writing style. These two were so cute together and the ending was absolutely perfect for them. It’s a quick read and I completely enjoyed every word.
Our Bright Christmas Town by Zarah Detand, is a beautifully written, short, sweet and steamy, MM holiday novella. This is my very first book by this author! It took me a minute to get into it but I was impressed with how beautifully she described things. If you’ve read as many books as I have, it’s gotten to the point where I skim over some scenes that I’ve read so many of. But in this little novella, she actually made me slow down and read the steamy scenes word for word. She managed to put so much feeling into them that I didn’t want to miss a word.
Ashby is twenty six years old. He has been best friends with Kieran Hughes most of his life. And he’s known for over a decade that he was in love with him. In love with his straight best friend. So, as any best friend would do, he kept it hidden. He stayed in their home town, working with his dad in his handy man business. Kieran, with his dreams of being a doctor, went off to school. He’s been in London doing what I would refer to as his residency. But he’s home now for Christmas break.
Kieran only has a few months left of his residency and then he has some big decisions to make. Stay in London or go home. A random dare to kiss his roommate has opened Kieran’s eyes to why none of his relationships with women have worked. Because that one little platonic kiss made him realize that it was his best friend back home, Ashby, that holds his heart, that has ALWAYS had his heart. But he has no idea if he might feel the same way.
Ashby doesn’t take the news that Kieran isn’t as straight as he thought he was well. Yes he’s in love with Kieran but he can’t be his gay experiment. It would break him. So he can volunteer to help him find someone else. But while out in a bar, when his ex shows up, Ashby kisses him, and his world turns upside down. All it took was one kiss and he knew that it would always be just Kieran.
“He felt like coming home.”
This was so sweet and as I said, I loved the author’s writing style. These two were so cute together and the ending was absolutely perfect for them. It’s a quick read and I completely enjoyed every word.
November 27, 2025
2,75 stars.
My first book by this author. I've eyed their books for a while now, so this Christmas novella seemed like a good point to start.
I'm a bit disappointed, though.
The story was nice enough but quite bland and simple. Not bad, but it didn't really touch me. The writing wasn't very convincing, either. Both MCd sounded exactly the same, lots of exclamations and "God!", "like,.." thrown around.
My first book by this author. I've eyed their books for a while now, so this Christmas novella seemed like a good point to start.
I'm a bit disappointed, though.
The story was nice enough but quite bland and simple. Not bad, but it didn't really touch me. The writing wasn't very convincing, either. Both MCd sounded exactly the same, lots of exclamations and "God!", "like,.." thrown around.
November 13, 2025
It’s cool to read a book from my neck of the woods. It’s not often this area is mentioned in the books I read, and even though nothing specific is mentioned, it makes it feel more familiar.
This was a really cute novella. I love how they finally admit their love for one another, and there’s a little humour in the way Kieran goes all in to prove to Ashby he means what he says.
Really short novellas like this one are often hard to leave behind because you don’t get the chance to bond with the characters as well, and I’m always left wanting more from them. That’s a personal issue though, and this story was fun to read, sweet, and really enjoyable. This author is always great at getting that wit, humour, and all-round fun out of her characters.
Really cute.
This was a really cute novella. I love how they finally admit their love for one another, and there’s a little humour in the way Kieran goes all in to prove to Ashby he means what he says.
Really short novellas like this one are often hard to leave behind because you don’t get the chance to bond with the characters as well, and I’m always left wanting more from them. That’s a personal issue though, and this story was fun to read, sweet, and really enjoyable. This author is always great at getting that wit, humour, and all-round fun out of her characters.
Really cute.
December 21, 2025
This was a good story for a quick Christmas read but technically there wasn’t much to do with Christmas and the story was not as fleshed out as I hoped it would be.
The story needed more to make it better. The storyline of two friends, one gay and in love with the other “straight” friend, was nothing new but I wish there was more build up to them getting together. Kieran discovering he’s madly in love with Ashby just by kissing another friend was not that believable. Ashby wasn’t sure if he could trust that Kieran had true feelings or just wanted to experiment and once he decided he was serious they got together and then it was the epilogue.
This would’ve benefited from being either a bit longer novella or a full story.
The story needed more to make it better. The storyline of two friends, one gay and in love with the other “straight” friend, was nothing new but I wish there was more build up to them getting together. Kieran discovering he’s madly in love with Ashby just by kissing another friend was not that believable. Ashby wasn’t sure if he could trust that Kieran had true feelings or just wanted to experiment and once he decided he was serious they got together and then it was the epilogue.
This would’ve benefited from being either a bit longer novella or a full story.
December 19, 2025
4 Stars! Sweet holiday romance with BFFs becoming more than friends. It story has likable MCs, witty and relatable banter, steamy chemistry and a perfect HEA!! ❤️❤️❤️
P.S. Big Thank you to Elf on the Bookshelf for this book. 🫶
P.S. Big Thank you to Elf on the Bookshelf for this book. 🫶
November 16, 2025
Jestem naprawdę dużą fanką Zarah Detand, zwłaszcza jej brytyjskiej serii (bo amerykańska jest, hmmm... słabsza 😉). I bardzo chciałabym dać tej historii kolejną piąteczkę... ale nie mogę 😞
Jest po prostu zdecydowanie za krótka. Ma wibracje i klimat innych książek autorki, ale niestety, ze względu na jej długość, niewiele jest tam wiarygodnych rzeczy... Nie uwierzyłam w bohaterów, ani w takie nagłe bi-oświecenie jednego z nich, ani w uświadomienie sobie przez niego, że kocha swojego najlepszego przyjaciela (jak grom z jasnego nieba to na niego spadło)... Wszystko jest zbyt rwane, zbyt przeskakuje i jest zbyt wygodne dla historii...
Wiem, że to książka świąteczna, a one rządzą się swoimi prawami, ale nie wiem... nawet jak na świąteczną historię, nie za bardzo mi to wszystko zagrało 🫤
Dlatego tylko trzy gwiazdki - w sumie to z sentymentu bardziej, bo inna autorka dostałaby za to mniej 😞
Jest po prostu zdecydowanie za krótka. Ma wibracje i klimat innych książek autorki, ale niestety, ze względu na jej długość, niewiele jest tam wiarygodnych rzeczy... Nie uwierzyłam w bohaterów, ani w takie nagłe bi-oświecenie jednego z nich, ani w uświadomienie sobie przez niego, że kocha swojego najlepszego przyjaciela (jak grom z jasnego nieba to na niego spadło)... Wszystko jest zbyt rwane, zbyt przeskakuje i jest zbyt wygodne dla historii...
Wiem, że to książka świąteczna, a one rządzą się swoimi prawami, ale nie wiem... nawet jak na świąteczną historię, nie za bardzo mi to wszystko zagrało 🫤
Dlatego tylko trzy gwiazdki - w sumie to z sentymentu bardziej, bo inna autorka dostałaby za to mniej 😞
November 18, 2025
Lovely holiday novella! I wish there were to Kieran's change of perspective of his best friend, Ashby, though, more than just an acknowledgment when he happened to kissed another friend.
I mean, I adored Ashby immediately, with his unrequited feelings over Kieran, and I could understand his reluctance to Kieran's statement. So I wanted Kieran to have more convincing reason, I guess?Although it led to Kieran's trying to woo Ashby, so that was sweet *lol*
I enjoyed their group of friends as well - and that epilogue was really sigh-inducing.
Thank you Elf On The Bookshelf from 2025 Goodreads Secret Santa Exchange for this book
I mean, I adored Ashby immediately, with his unrequited feelings over Kieran, and I could understand his reluctance to Kieran's statement. So I wanted Kieran to have more convincing reason, I guess?Although it led to Kieran's trying to woo Ashby, so that was sweet *lol*
I enjoyed their group of friends as well - and that epilogue was really sigh-inducing.
Thank you Elf On The Bookshelf from 2025 Goodreads Secret Santa Exchange for this book
Want to read
November 11, 2025Thank you for the gift, Elf on the Bookshelf!
December 27, 2025
⁀➷ 4.5 ★ ´ˎ˗
the way i absolutely adored this novella. i’ll forever be a sucker for a well written friends to lovers trope, especially when it’s a bi-awakening story. kieran and ashby were absolutely adorable together and i really enjoyed the author’s writing style. the only downside is that i wish this story had been longer because i had grown so attached to their relationship — which is usually a rare feeling when it comes to novellas for me.
“for a second, i stopped to take him in — golden-hued in the glow of fairy lights, mouth slightly parted, eyes wide. i’d been in love with him for maybe half my life, and from one minute to the next, he was within my reach.”
the way i absolutely adored this novella. i’ll forever be a sucker for a well written friends to lovers trope, especially when it’s a bi-awakening story. kieran and ashby were absolutely adorable together and i really enjoyed the author’s writing style. the only downside is that i wish this story had been longer because i had grown so attached to their relationship — which is usually a rare feeling when it comes to novellas for me.
December 13, 2025
The actual story in this book ended at 67%. The rest was taken up by a sneak peek at some other book the author also wrote. Sorry, no. Didn't ask for that.
The story itself wasn't much to write home about - friends become lovers, with the one having pined for years now not quite able to believe that the object of his long-held affection is actually in love with him too.
Meh.
Given to me by a kind Elf from the yearly ebook exchange. Thank you, kind Elf!
The story itself wasn't much to write home about - friends become lovers, with the one having pined for years now not quite able to believe that the object of his long-held affection is actually in love with him too.
Meh.
Given to me by a kind Elf from the yearly ebook exchange. Thank you, kind Elf!
Read
November 22, 20251.5 Stars
November 18, 2025
не успела я втянуться как все уже закончилось...слишком уж коротко, буквально история на полтора два часа, но меня такой волной милоты накрыло, что так уж и быть, прощаю
на заметку если вы 31 декабря не успеваете добить свой читательский челлендж
на заметку если вы 31 декабря не успеваете добить свой читательский челлендж
November 17, 2025
I enjoyed the book after I got through all of the overthinking that's in it. Two guys who have had crushes on each other since they were kids. One knows that he's gay, and the other, just realizing that he's bi after a kiss. I didn't consider this a Christmas book. The book dragged on.
November 18, 2025
Ashby has spent years keeping his life steady in the small town he never left — fixing things for neighbors, keeping his dad’s old business running, and trying very hard not to think about the one person he’s always wanted. That person is Kieran, his childhood best friend, who moved away to build a life and career far beyond their tiny community. Now Kieran’s home for the holidays, and something about him feels different — more open, more curious, more aware of the connection between them than ever before. But Ashby’s convinced he can’t let himself hope. Instead of risking his heart, he tries to help Kieran explore this new side of himself… even if it means pretending he doesn’t care. As the town glows with all the festive cheer — snow, twinkling lights, familiar routines — the tension between them grows, pushing both of them to figure out whether what they’re feeling is temporary curiosity or something much more profound.
Honestly? This one didn’t land for me. The biggest issue was the length — it was way too short for me to connect with the characters or really buy into their dynamic. Everything moved so quickly that I never felt like I truly knew them, and the emotional moments didn’t have the breathing room they needed to hit hard. It was cute, though. I’ll give it that. The cozy holiday setting, the small-town warmth, the softness between the characters — all of that had potential. The atmosphere was charming and had the exact winter vibe I usually love.
I just… wanted more. More depth, more time with them, more story. It felt like the pieces were there, but the novella format rushed everything. If this had been a full-length book, I think I could have been more drawn in and invested in the story. As it is, it wasn’t bad — just too quick and too light to really grab me. -2 Stars!
Honestly? This one didn’t land for me. The biggest issue was the length — it was way too short for me to connect with the characters or really buy into their dynamic. Everything moved so quickly that I never felt like I truly knew them, and the emotional moments didn’t have the breathing room they needed to hit hard. It was cute, though. I’ll give it that. The cozy holiday setting, the small-town warmth, the softness between the characters — all of that had potential. The atmosphere was charming and had the exact winter vibe I usually love.
I just… wanted more. More depth, more time with them, more story. It felt like the pieces were there, but the novella format rushed everything. If this had been a full-length book, I think I could have been more drawn in and invested in the story. As it is, it wasn’t bad — just too quick and too light to really grab me. -2 Stars!
December 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - alcohol consumption, medical discussions due to occupation incl severe asthma (sc, mentioned in passing) and chest pain (not a heart attack, sc, mentioned in passing), abused animal (past, implied)
Tropes - christmas, unrequited love, childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation - queer rep, MM, coming out, bi rep
This was a sweet story that follows to best friends; one who is pining for the other and the other who is recently discovering more things about himself and is willing to give them a shot.
Unrequited love always hurts to read but of course, Ashby (MMC) and Kieran (MMC) get their happy ending anyway
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
TW - alcohol consumption, medical discussions due to occupation incl severe asthma (sc, mentioned in passing) and chest pain (not a heart attack, sc, mentioned in passing), abused animal (past, implied)
Tropes - christmas, unrequited love, childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation - queer rep, MM, coming out, bi rep
This was a sweet story that follows to best friends; one who is pining for the other and the other who is recently discovering more things about himself and is willing to give them a shot.
Unrequited love always hurts to read but of course, Ashby (MMC) and Kieran (MMC) get their happy ending anyway
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
December 14, 2025
another "novella" that ends at under 70% and fills in the rest with a note and an intro to something else. I HATE THIS.
the story itself was cute. it could've been amazing if it was more flushed out but i really adored these two when they finally talked it all out.
a little sweet and a little sweet.
but authors, let's quit ending stories at 70% because I'm not flipping 30% to the end for you to get paid for pages I didn't read because I shouldn't have to.
the story itself was cute. it could've been amazing if it was more flushed out but i really adored these two when they finally talked it all out.
a little sweet and a little sweet.
but authors, let's quit ending stories at 70% because I'm not flipping 30% to the end for you to get paid for pages I didn't read because I shouldn't have to.
December 15, 2025
Sweet holiday novella. A little too short for much substance, but a quick, enjoyable read.
December 25, 2025
Just a short and sweet christmas novella to squeeze into the waiting time for food on christmas eve.
December 28, 2025
book ends at 68% it was a mediocre 3 stars until i realized that was it, and now i'm like. where's the rest of it. i don't even want to do a book journal spread for this.
December 4, 2025
Sweet holiday read, friend to lover romance
November 9, 2025
This was a really sweet Christmas novella, right in time for the holidays. I’m not always a huge fan of novellas, since sometimes it’s hard to really get to know the characters in a short period of time, but this was done really well. I felt like I had a good feel for both characters personalities, and there was a good amount of pining. Plus they had that witty banter that Zarah is so good at. In terms of the story itself, it moved along at a nice pace, and the epilogue was cute. Definitely worth a read.
Read
November 12, 2025NOPE. DNF 15%. Not the story's fault exactly, I am just entirely done with this don't tell the truth trope.
November 10, 2025
Cute!
This was a super cute sweet Christmas romance! Two friends, one who has been in lover for years, and the other just realizing he has feelings for his best friend too! I enjoyed both Ashby and Kieran and just wish there was more to their story!
This was a super cute sweet Christmas romance! Two friends, one who has been in lover for years, and the other just realizing he has feelings for his best friend too! I enjoyed both Ashby and Kieran and just wish there was more to their story!
November 11, 2025
A sweet little best friends to lovers story. Really enjoyed this. Detand's signature yearning and humor make anything she writes just a total pleasure to read.
November 8, 2025
Love this author
My only complaint is that it’s a novella. It’s nice there was no angst though, or silly problem that has to be solved. It’s just straightforward and sweet. Very well written.
My only complaint is that it’s a novella. It’s nice there was no angst though, or silly problem that has to be solved. It’s just straightforward and sweet. Very well written.
December 21, 2025
A bright Christmas card of a book
Now this isn’t the first Zarah Detand book I’ve read. Though that said, this is more of a short story you could pop on a Christmas card rather than in a book. No, I have read others, or tried to. I’ve read the one about the actor, I liked that one. Then I tried to read the one about the football player, which I didn’t finish. And I tried to read the one about the ex porn actor, but struggled with that one. I did contemplate reading the one about the Dad and the one about the pop-star, but decided against them. I think my problem is I’m not really into tropes and when you pick up a Zarah Detand book that’s kinda of her whole M.O.
Now, this isn’t really a trope-type of short story… well it kind of is as it’s best-friends-unrequited-love thingy, but you know what I mean. You see because it’s so short there’s hardly any time for you to realise, “I’ve read this story a million times before“. No. She’s dressed it up with enough tinsel and dusted it off with just the right sprinkling of snow that you quickly lose yourself in all the festive spirit. Plus, the lack of any real story is easily ignored because you’re so busy focusing on the two characters getting together. So in that sense it makes for a short, inoffensive Christmas read. Which must be a win for the author.
But at the heart of this, as at the heart of many MM romances, is the lack of any real story that is worth telling and the lack of any true gay male representation. Still, these books aren’t really written about me, they’re mainly written to quench the thirst of the majority of people who buy romance books. We just happen to be a vehicle that they like to hitch their fetish to. I’m hopeful though, that now she has a mainstream publisher behind her that we might start to see her write a genuinely interesting story that is really worth telling. One that includes characters that truly represent gay men and have authentic male voices. Hopefully then trying to reeducate the romance reading community to how “good literature” can be written in this genre, won’t be left to the likes of Tal Bauer and Cat Sebastian… where a trope by any other name definitely does smell sweeter. I’m sure she’s got it in her to achieve this as I do feel her heart is in the right place.
Now this isn’t the first Zarah Detand book I’ve read. Though that said, this is more of a short story you could pop on a Christmas card rather than in a book. No, I have read others, or tried to. I’ve read the one about the actor, I liked that one. Then I tried to read the one about the football player, which I didn’t finish. And I tried to read the one about the ex porn actor, but struggled with that one. I did contemplate reading the one about the Dad and the one about the pop-star, but decided against them. I think my problem is I’m not really into tropes and when you pick up a Zarah Detand book that’s kinda of her whole M.O.
Now, this isn’t really a trope-type of short story… well it kind of is as it’s best-friends-unrequited-love thingy, but you know what I mean. You see because it’s so short there’s hardly any time for you to realise, “I’ve read this story a million times before“. No. She’s dressed it up with enough tinsel and dusted it off with just the right sprinkling of snow that you quickly lose yourself in all the festive spirit. Plus, the lack of any real story is easily ignored because you’re so busy focusing on the two characters getting together. So in that sense it makes for a short, inoffensive Christmas read. Which must be a win for the author.
But at the heart of this, as at the heart of many MM romances, is the lack of any real story that is worth telling and the lack of any true gay male representation. Still, these books aren’t really written about me, they’re mainly written to quench the thirst of the majority of people who buy romance books. We just happen to be a vehicle that they like to hitch their fetish to. I’m hopeful though, that now she has a mainstream publisher behind her that we might start to see her write a genuinely interesting story that is really worth telling. One that includes characters that truly represent gay men and have authentic male voices. Hopefully then trying to reeducate the romance reading community to how “good literature” can be written in this genre, won’t be left to the likes of Tal Bauer and Cat Sebastian… where a trope by any other name definitely does smell sweeter. I’m sure she’s got it in her to achieve this as I do feel her heart is in the right place.
December 12, 2025
3.75/5⭐️
Achtung, Winterwarnung! Glitzer außen, Herzschmerz innen – diese Mini-Novelle trifft härter als jeder Weihnachtspunsch. Liebe dem besten Freund gestehen war noch nie so chaotisch und süß zugleich!
Diese kleine, zuckersüße Mini-Novelle habe ich bei KU entdeckt..und ganz ehrlich: Sie ist wie ein Weihnachtspunsch, der viel stärker einschlägt, als er aussieht. Außen glitzert’s, innen brennt’s. Denn nichts tut so weh wie unerwiderte Liebe, vor allem, wenn sie dem ältesten, besten Freund gilt. Ash trägt diesen festlichen Herzensfluch seit Jahren mit sich herum und organisiert sein Leben braver als ein Adventskalender, nur damit niemand merkt, wie sehr er an Kieran hängt. Kieran hingegen stolziert fröhlich ahnungslos durchs Leben, macht in London seine Facharztausbildung und hat keinen blassen Schimmer, dass Ash zu Hause regelmäßig die Tannennadeln der Verzweiflung von seinem Herzen fegt. Als Dom dann beim Mistelzweig-Kuss mit Kieran eine vorweihnachtliche Identitätskrise auslöst, ist das Chaos perfekt. Für Ash fühlt es sich an wie ein Sturz vom Schlitten ohne Handschuhe..schmerzhaft, kalt, aber irgendwie notwendig. Denn Kieran weiß nicht, was er will, und Ash weiß viel zu gut, was er nicht sein kann: ein Testobjekt. Besonders schön: kein künstliches Drama, keine überladenen Lichterketten aus Konflikten, sondern warme, ehrliche Gefühle, eine Clique, die man am liebsten zu Plätzchen und Glühwein einladen möchte, und Dom, der eigentlich einen eigenen Adventsroman verdient hätte. Am Ende wurde mein Herz ein wenig gebrochen, ein wenig geflickt und ein wenig weihnachtlich poliert. Die Geschichte wärmt wie ein Kamin, ist aber so kurz, dass man sich fragt, ob ein sparsamer Weihnachtswichtel heimlich mit der Schere drüber gegangen ist. Deshalb von mir 3,75 Sterne..nicht für die Story, die war wundervoll, sondern weil ich einfach gern länger in dieser kleinen winterlichen Gefühlswelt geblieben wäre.
Achtung, Winterwarnung! Glitzer außen, Herzschmerz innen – diese Mini-Novelle trifft härter als jeder Weihnachtspunsch. Liebe dem besten Freund gestehen war noch nie so chaotisch und süß zugleich!
Diese kleine, zuckersüße Mini-Novelle habe ich bei KU entdeckt..und ganz ehrlich: Sie ist wie ein Weihnachtspunsch, der viel stärker einschlägt, als er aussieht. Außen glitzert’s, innen brennt’s. Denn nichts tut so weh wie unerwiderte Liebe, vor allem, wenn sie dem ältesten, besten Freund gilt. Ash trägt diesen festlichen Herzensfluch seit Jahren mit sich herum und organisiert sein Leben braver als ein Adventskalender, nur damit niemand merkt, wie sehr er an Kieran hängt. Kieran hingegen stolziert fröhlich ahnungslos durchs Leben, macht in London seine Facharztausbildung und hat keinen blassen Schimmer, dass Ash zu Hause regelmäßig die Tannennadeln der Verzweiflung von seinem Herzen fegt. Als Dom dann beim Mistelzweig-Kuss mit Kieran eine vorweihnachtliche Identitätskrise auslöst, ist das Chaos perfekt. Für Ash fühlt es sich an wie ein Sturz vom Schlitten ohne Handschuhe..schmerzhaft, kalt, aber irgendwie notwendig. Denn Kieran weiß nicht, was er will, und Ash weiß viel zu gut, was er nicht sein kann: ein Testobjekt. Besonders schön: kein künstliches Drama, keine überladenen Lichterketten aus Konflikten, sondern warme, ehrliche Gefühle, eine Clique, die man am liebsten zu Plätzchen und Glühwein einladen möchte, und Dom, der eigentlich einen eigenen Adventsroman verdient hätte. Am Ende wurde mein Herz ein wenig gebrochen, ein wenig geflickt und ein wenig weihnachtlich poliert. Die Geschichte wärmt wie ein Kamin, ist aber so kurz, dass man sich fragt, ob ein sparsamer Weihnachtswichtel heimlich mit der Schere drüber gegangen ist. Deshalb von mir 3,75 Sterne..nicht für die Story, die war wundervoll, sondern weil ich einfach gern länger in dieser kleinen winterlichen Gefühlswelt geblieben wäre.
November 12, 2025
4.5
How painful does it have to be to be in love with your oldest, best friend and have it be unrequited? For Ash, it’s incredibly difficult, and he has been hiding it and compartmentalizing his life for years. He never has any real long term relationships because they always figure out his heart isn’t involved. They’ve been friends forever, but Kieran has gone to London for his medical residency, while Ash stayed in their small hometown. He runs his dad’s old business and does pretty much anything the people need. “I’d put down roots in the place where we’d grown up.” When Kieran becomes friends with Dom, Ash is rude to him and Kieran still doesn’t see it. Kieran does sit Ash down to tell him – you hate Dom? We will get rid of him. Thankfully, Ash is a good person and realizes what he’s doing. Even more thankfully because Dom and Kieran are fellow MDs and roommates in London. It is here that, during a dare about mistletoe, Kieran kisses Dom and realizes, “I kind of liked it? So it-you know. It made me think”. Way to blow Ash’s mind! “My stomach lurched, like I’d missed a step on the staircase and was about to go tumbling down, head over feet.”
The problem is, Kieran isn’t real clear about what he wants and Ash knows, “I’d been in love with him for…for years. Years. I couldn’t be just some experiment for him, a way to test the waters without getting wet.” I 100% understood that. It would destroy him. But a run-in with an ex brings a surprise, and things are changing. There is a point where Ash just destroyed my heart. Kieran is asking about romantic love and friendship. Ash defines it. “It’s crying yourself to sleep because your best friend just told you about his first time snogging a girl and you tried your fucking hardest to smile and ask the right questions”. And you can’t blame Kieran, he just didn’t know, about Ash or himself.
I appreciated their whole friend group, but especially Dom, who is there for Kieran, and for Ash. This story was sweet and very low angst. Just what I needed.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
How painful does it have to be to be in love with your oldest, best friend and have it be unrequited? For Ash, it’s incredibly difficult, and he has been hiding it and compartmentalizing his life for years. He never has any real long term relationships because they always figure out his heart isn’t involved. They’ve been friends forever, but Kieran has gone to London for his medical residency, while Ash stayed in their small hometown. He runs his dad’s old business and does pretty much anything the people need. “I’d put down roots in the place where we’d grown up.” When Kieran becomes friends with Dom, Ash is rude to him and Kieran still doesn’t see it. Kieran does sit Ash down to tell him – you hate Dom? We will get rid of him. Thankfully, Ash is a good person and realizes what he’s doing. Even more thankfully because Dom and Kieran are fellow MDs and roommates in London. It is here that, during a dare about mistletoe, Kieran kisses Dom and realizes, “I kind of liked it? So it-you know. It made me think”. Way to blow Ash’s mind! “My stomach lurched, like I’d missed a step on the staircase and was about to go tumbling down, head over feet.”
The problem is, Kieran isn’t real clear about what he wants and Ash knows, “I’d been in love with him for…for years. Years. I couldn’t be just some experiment for him, a way to test the waters without getting wet.” I 100% understood that. It would destroy him. But a run-in with an ex brings a surprise, and things are changing. There is a point where Ash just destroyed my heart. Kieran is asking about romantic love and friendship. Ash defines it. “It’s crying yourself to sleep because your best friend just told you about his first time snogging a girl and you tried your fucking hardest to smile and ask the right questions”. And you can’t blame Kieran, he just didn’t know, about Ash or himself.
I appreciated their whole friend group, but especially Dom, who is there for Kieran, and for Ash. This story was sweet and very low angst. Just what I needed.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
November 23, 2025
Sorry Zarah Detand but this is bad. Why is it called Our Bright Christmas Town when it is not about or taking place in a bright christmas town? It takes place 4 days before christmas, the holiday is mentioned twice and has no incidence on the plot. Unless a joke kiss under a mistletoe causing a bi awakening can be considered 'christmas magic'? I am not convinced....that kiss could have taken place whenever, as a joke or as a part of a game like Truth or dare.
I like unrequited love stories but here the sudden realization comes out of nowhere in spite of everything their friends said afterwards. They never said anything before, never alluded to it or tried to help out.
Basically, the main problem with this story is that it is too short (<70p!) so we don't have time to get to know the mcs and they are shacked up together after two days.
The other problem is that the gay character spent 10 years pining after his completely ignorant straight best friend who has a " revelation" and turns bi (aka gay for you,in this case!) and they live happily ever after....
I need more magic in my christmas stories. It oes not have to be magic magic but just some spécial feelings, the dreamy atmosphère evoking a particular ie of the year. Nothing like that in this short story unfortunately. It needs to be longer.
I like unrequited love stories but here the sudden realization comes out of nowhere in spite of everything their friends said afterwards. They never said anything before, never alluded to it or tried to help out.
Basically, the main problem with this story is that it is too short (<70p!) so we don't have time to get to know the mcs and they are shacked up together after two days.
The other problem is that the gay character spent 10 years pining after his completely ignorant straight best friend who has a " revelation" and turns bi (aka gay for you,in this case!) and they live happily ever after....
I need more magic in my christmas stories. It oes not have to be magic magic but just some spécial feelings, the dreamy atmosphère evoking a particular ie of the year. Nothing like that in this short story unfortunately. It needs to be longer.
January 10, 2026
Our Bright Christmas Town, by Zarah Detand, was such a fun read. It’s a Christmastime romance revolving around two longtime friends, each with secrets of their own that could very much affect their future happiness. Ashby, afraid to reveal his true feelings for fear of ruining their friendship, and Kieran, just coming to the realization that he feels the same way, and probably has all along. Will their feelings for each other ever be made known? Let’s just say, this book has a HEA, though the road getting there has its bumps.
It was an entertaining read, with interesting main characters, Ashby and Kieran. Shout out to Dom for helping them realize what was evident to so many already, including Jude and Ezra…and even Kieran’s sister and mum. And even though Ashby’s negativity and fear sometimes made the road to happiness a little more difficult, their journey to their future together wouldn’t have been the same without it. As for spice level, it was fairly low, the way I prefer it.
I couldn’t help but smile for them at the end, and hope that there will be a sequel so that we get to read more of their future together. That said, I look forward to reading more from this author, and give this book a 5 out of 5 (rounded up from a 4.5).
It was an entertaining read, with interesting main characters, Ashby and Kieran. Shout out to Dom for helping them realize what was evident to so many already, including Jude and Ezra…and even Kieran’s sister and mum. And even though Ashby’s negativity and fear sometimes made the road to happiness a little more difficult, their journey to their future together wouldn’t have been the same without it. As for spice level, it was fairly low, the way I prefer it.
I couldn’t help but smile for them at the end, and hope that there will be a sequel so that we get to read more of their future together. That said, I look forward to reading more from this author, and give this book a 5 out of 5 (rounded up from a 4.5).
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