When Leo moves to West Sunhaven, he feels like he is hopelessly broken beyond repair.
He's suffering from severe burnout after being accused of something he never did. He lost his job, his friends and the support of his parents.
However, West Sunhaven offers new prospects for A quaint, peaceful town, friendly inhabitants, and his loving, if estranged brother, Aspen, who wants to rebuild their relationship.
Then... there is Soren, his brother's best friend and the town vet, with his kind personality and his silly dad jokes.
"All I Want Is Love" is a low-angst M/M holiday romance set in a small town with a handsome yet quirky vet and a young graphic designer who tries to heal from his burnout. It features an adorable oversized pup, a lot of (un)funny dad jokes, some silly Christmas traditions, a supportive group of friends and some steamy scenes.
okay listen this was actually so dang cute & adorable and it deserves SO MUCH MORE ATTENTION.
Leo was such a cutie and so was Soren (and Barkley!) - I had the funniest moment right in the beginning where I thought Robin (best friend) was the love interest, and so I didn't catch up onto the fact that it was Soren until about 20% into the book (ups!). It's what I get for not reading synopses lmao. I do hope Robin gets his own book in the future ~ preferably featuring a certain big brother 💕
Now onto some slight nitpicks: I thought, that the quality kinda took a nosedive around the 40-60% mark (mostly in the quality of dialogue, which was at times a bit stilted), and truth be told I was losing interest a bit, but I am glad I continued reading, because Isla Rayn turned it around in the last 40% of the book, and I ended up grinning like an idiot for most of the second half.
This book is just so wholesome. There are so many characters to fall in love with that I honestly can’t even decide on a favorite (other than the main character). Robin completely stole my heart—he’s vulnerable with Leo in a way that makes him utterly lovable. He’s confident, yet still open about his insecurities, and that honesty gives Leo the space to be vulnerable too.
Then there’s Aspen, the fiercely protective big brother. The love and devotion he shows Leo is everything you’d hope for in a sibling relationship. Not going to lie… a part of me kept hoping Robin and Aspen would end up together.
And then we have poor, broken Leo. My heart ached for him the entire time. He’s so lost, so unsure of who he is or what he truly wants, after spending so long simply following others. Watching him slowly build a support system and find his own path was one of my favorite parts of the story. His journey toward confidence—step by painful step—was beautiful to witness.
Soren, meanwhile, was perfect for Leo. Patient, gentle, and thoughtful, he never pushed Leo past his limits. I loved how committed he was to understanding Leo’s triggers and learning how to support him in meaningful ways. He has his own insecurities too, but their communication made those moments feel genuine and easy to navigate.
Overall, this book was tender, uplifting, and full of characters who feel vividly real. A comforting read with a lot of heart. 💛
"But I feel like when I am with you, things are easier, you know? The baggage is not as heavy as it used to be."
Leo moved to his brother's small town because he got burn out by work and needed help. He met his brother's best friend and the town's vet, Soren, and they formed a relationship.
I am always a sucker for gorgeous covers like these. And it's Christmas-themed? Count me in.
Now, I started this alongside the other book I am reading so I might not have gave this enough justice or attention its deserved.
I adore the characters and my heart broke for Leo. He's struggling with what we may consider normal or ordinary things/decisions, but he's really trying his best. Soren's so considerate and very corny with his jokes but he's always willing to lend a hand with Leo and other people.
I honestly did not expect the characters to get together early on the book. I love slow burn, so that may be it, but I wished we kinda prolonged the getting to know each other part. But other than that, I have no complaints.
Short, fun book that's very Christmas-themed and perfect for holiday read.
All I want is love by Isla Rayne is a MM stand alone Christmas short story romance. If you're looking for a book to give you all the Hallmark movie feels with that sweet hint of m/m love this is definitely the one to pick up. Leo ends up in small town West Sunhaven after an incident that leaves him suffering panic attacks and unable to handle the stress of his daily job. With the help of his big brother he makes new friends, gets an amazing dog, and learns to forgive himself. He also opens his heart to a chance at love, something he has never given himself room to do thanks to his parents.
The characters are really lovable. The book ends way too soon. I need a sequel about one of the other characters asap.
I absolutely adored this holiday romance! The relationship between Leo and Soren feels so genuine and beautifully paced. Their connection isn’t rushed — instead, it grows softly over time as Leo begins to heal and trust again.
And Soren’s jokes? Hilariously charming! His goofy humor added so much warmth to the story — I found myself smiling every time he tried a new joke. He’s the perfect mix of kind, quirky, and endearing.
Between the supportive friends, cozy small-town vibes, an oversized lovable dog, and a wonderful found-family feel, All I Want Is Love hit all the right notes for a comfort-read as it's a sweet holiday romance that leaves you with a full heart and a happy sigh. Highly recommend! 🎄💖
What an awesome read! This book addresses real issues in such a beautiful and honest way. Isla's ability to make you fall in love with all her characters is magical! It doesn't matter how big or small a role a character has in her books, you can't help but fall in love with them and root for them. And this book is no different. This is such a lovely holiday romance, I couldn't tear myself away from it once I started reading!
Leo and Soren are so relatable as people. Their struggles are their own but they take time to work through them. No instant healing. It's a feel good love story with two swoon worthy real men. The dad jokes are A1 and the pets are so cute. If you ever have dealt with depression or anxiety and found the strength to work through it for yourself you will love this story. Even if you havent you will love it. Leo and Robin can definitely be my best friends haha.
This is the first book ive read from Isla Rayn and the first book of this genre. I was hesitant going into it because this was not my normal read. This book was absolutely amazing! The love story was everything 😍 I really loved that it wasnt a picture perfect story. There was trauma and healing and things going at their own pace, it was really really good. Will be adding this book to my favorites pile ☺️
I LOVE Isla Rayn’s writing and this book was not a disappointment! The description describes it perfectly as a low angst holiday romance. It is all about the characters and Ryan is a master at bringing her characters to life and falling in love with them. You will be rooting for not only our leads but the supporting cast as well. Each is rich in dialog and description. A beautiful love story
Sweet, small town romance. Loved the main characters, the supportive chosen family, the emotions and healing. The pets in the story were very cute and I loved the jokes. Another wonderful book by this author.
Świąteczne romanse chyba nie są dla mnie. Zbyt szybki rozwój uczuć praktycznie od pierwszego wejrzenia plus wylewająca się słodycz. Plus za psa i strusia i przemyślane prezenty. 2 gwiazdki bo ledwo dociągnęłam do końca fabuła się dłużyła i wrzucona na siłę drama na koniec.
I just started reading her books and I honestly love all of them. For this one I felt like I was reading a plot to a hallmark Christmas movie. So cute and if you love love this is for you. Leo is adorable and Soren is so funny! Would 100% recommend reading.
Such a great book! I really enjoyed how the MC was able to work through his struggle with anxiety and depression and recovery. The "found family" is amazing to get to know.. Its a great book.
Why did I enjoy this book so much? Because Isla Rayn knows how to write characters that are loveable, real and engaging in all their anxiety and need for a happy ending. What is also enjoyable is the story of healing, finding love and connection both with friends, family and a significant other. The writing from Isla Rayn is always fulfilling and genuine. This romantic, holiday love story is a Hallmark Movie in words and perfect for a festive season read, I highly recommend.