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Christmas Falls #7
L’aiutante di Babbo Natale
Sono il vostro cattivo prodotto con lo stampino…
O questo è il ruolo che mi ha assegnato Christmas Falls.
Sono qui per aiutare mio nonno a evadere l’incredibile quantità di ordini che il suo negozio di giocattoli è solito ricevere. L’azienda per cui lavoro vorrebbe strapparglielo dalle mani. E io voglio che nonno Nicholas si goda qualche anno senza dover lavorare tutto il giorno.
Quando arrivo a Christmas Falls, non solo il nonno è irremovibile nel mantenere il negozio di giocattoli, ma ha già assunto un assistente che lo asseconda e che non sopporta la mia presenza. Ezra, l’Elfo di Babbo Natale del mondo reale, un’insopportabile bolla di tradizioni natalizie, un cinnamon roll che parla e cammina, è delirante proprio come nonno Nick.
Di colpo, sono il cattivo di questa storia natalizia. Ezra contesta ogni mia saggia decisione e pensa che io sia qui per rubare il Natale ai bambini della città.
Convincere il nonno a vendere il negozio e combattere Ezra in ogni occasione è più di quanto un ragazzo possa fare da solo. Ma forse non è necessario. Una tregua temporanea con Ezra si trasforma rapidamente in un incendio passionale e disastroso, che scioglierà la neve di questo inverno se non resistiamo alla tentazione.
Veniamo da mondi diversi: io ho una vita che mi aspetta a New York ed Ezra vive e respira il fascino della piccola città. Siamo destinati a separarci, ma questo non mi impedisce di sognare modi per tenere Ezra con me per un altro minuto. Un’altra ora. Un’altra notte.
Christmas Falls è una serie MM Romance scritta da più autori e ambientata in una piccola cittadina ricca di fascino natalizio, degna di qualsiasi film Hallmark.
O questo è il ruolo che mi ha assegnato Christmas Falls.
Sono qui per aiutare mio nonno a evadere l’incredibile quantità di ordini che il suo negozio di giocattoli è solito ricevere. L’azienda per cui lavoro vorrebbe strapparglielo dalle mani. E io voglio che nonno Nicholas si goda qualche anno senza dover lavorare tutto il giorno.
Quando arrivo a Christmas Falls, non solo il nonno è irremovibile nel mantenere il negozio di giocattoli, ma ha già assunto un assistente che lo asseconda e che non sopporta la mia presenza. Ezra, l’Elfo di Babbo Natale del mondo reale, un’insopportabile bolla di tradizioni natalizie, un cinnamon roll che parla e cammina, è delirante proprio come nonno Nick.
Di colpo, sono il cattivo di questa storia natalizia. Ezra contesta ogni mia saggia decisione e pensa che io sia qui per rubare il Natale ai bambini della città.
Convincere il nonno a vendere il negozio e combattere Ezra in ogni occasione è più di quanto un ragazzo possa fare da solo. Ma forse non è necessario. Una tregua temporanea con Ezra si trasforma rapidamente in un incendio passionale e disastroso, che scioglierà la neve di questo inverno se non resistiamo alla tentazione.
Veniamo da mondi diversi: io ho una vita che mi aspetta a New York ed Ezra vive e respira il fascino della piccola città. Siamo destinati a separarci, ma questo non mi impedisce di sognare modi per tenere Ezra con me per un altro minuto. Un’altra ora. Un’altra notte.
Christmas Falls è una serie MM Romance scritta da più autori e ambientata in una piccola cittadina ricca di fascino natalizio, degna di qualsiasi film Hallmark.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2023
228 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Hall
72 books772 followersGay. Sweet. Steamy.
Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.
Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.
His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.
You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com
Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.
Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.
His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.
You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
February 24, 2024
DNF @ 30%
I hardly ever DNF but I just couldn't make myself keep reading this! I've read a few books by this author now and I think their writing style just doesn't work for me.
It was so out of place with the rest of this series. For some reason it was written as though the characters would have been more likely to be conversing with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, rather than modern day Americans. Plus the hints at being elves and Santa were jarring and the plot felt forced.
For a book this far in the series to make the town feel completely different, in a bad way at that, it just didn't make sense to me.
Also not a single character came across as likeable so I'm admitting defeat with this one. Hopefully the next book will be better.
I hardly ever DNF but I just couldn't make myself keep reading this! I've read a few books by this author now and I think their writing style just doesn't work for me.
It was so out of place with the rest of this series. For some reason it was written as though the characters would have been more likely to be conversing with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, rather than modern day Americans. Plus the hints at being elves and Santa were jarring and the plot felt forced.
For a book this far in the series to make the town feel completely different, in a bad way at that, it just didn't make sense to me.
Also not a single character came across as likeable so I'm admitting defeat with this one. Hopefully the next book will be better.
July 26, 2024
Cute "enemies" ish romance with a lovely heartwarming feel
I'm not sure if this is the first book I've read from Hayden but I really enjoyed it.
I adored the toy shop setting and the kind of "enemies" but not really vive he brought to the Christmas Falls setting really worked.
Santa's Workshop has been a solid presence in the series and we've met its owner Nicholas before. This book introduces his nephew James, and at first he's difficult to root for.
You see, he's in town to try and get his grandfather to sell his bespoke and traditional toy shop to the multinational conglomerate that he works for, in the hope of being made a partner.
You can tell though that not all is well in his world though and enter Ezra to show him everything he could have if he came home to Christmas Falls.
I loved the dynamic between them, Ezra's sunny optimistic nature, his attitude of grabbing each day and living his best life comes from a place of sadness, thrown out of his home for being gay.
You can see how he slowly makes James reevaluate his own life and his own tragic past, when he lost his parents in a traffic accident around Christmas when just a small boy.
Together they fratch and brush up in all the wrong ways until it suddenly changes. Then things take a turn for the hot and sexy as all the feels start James' journey back home.
I'm not sure if this is the first book I've read from Hayden but I really enjoyed it.
I adored the toy shop setting and the kind of "enemies" but not really vive he brought to the Christmas Falls setting really worked.
Santa's Workshop has been a solid presence in the series and we've met its owner Nicholas before. This book introduces his nephew James, and at first he's difficult to root for.
You see, he's in town to try and get his grandfather to sell his bespoke and traditional toy shop to the multinational conglomerate that he works for, in the hope of being made a partner.
You can tell though that not all is well in his world though and enter Ezra to show him everything he could have if he came home to Christmas Falls.
I loved the dynamic between them, Ezra's sunny optimistic nature, his attitude of grabbing each day and living his best life comes from a place of sadness, thrown out of his home for being gay.
You can see how he slowly makes James reevaluate his own life and his own tragic past, when he lost his parents in a traffic accident around Christmas when just a small boy.
Together they fratch and brush up in all the wrong ways until it suddenly changes. Then things take a turn for the hot and sexy as all the feels start James' journey back home.
December 10, 2023
Not for me, but maybe it’s for you
Meh. The cheese stand alone because in the end I really didn’t enjoy this very much. The running of Nicholas’s shop really gives Christmas Falls a Santa’s workshop type store, yet the actual running of it seems unbelievable. James is supposed to convince his grandfather to sell, but he literally never talks to him about it. He just talks about talking to him. And then I feel like there was a missed opportunity to really play up the enemies to lovers between James and Ezra. I didn’t feel any sort of angst between the two and despite their supposed animosity, their relationship just sort of happens without much buildup. And the ending seemed so easy and really rushed despite all these supposed obstacles. Idk, I didn’t vibe well with it.
Meh. The cheese stand alone because in the end I really didn’t enjoy this very much. The running of Nicholas’s shop really gives Christmas Falls a Santa’s workshop type store, yet the actual running of it seems unbelievable. James is supposed to convince his grandfather to sell, but he literally never talks to him about it. He just talks about talking to him. And then I feel like there was a missed opportunity to really play up the enemies to lovers between James and Ezra. I didn’t feel any sort of angst between the two and despite their supposed animosity, their relationship just sort of happens without much buildup. And the ending seemed so easy and really rushed despite all these supposed obstacles. Idk, I didn’t vibe well with it.
December 21, 2023
I really liked this a lot. James and Ezra made a really hot couple once their animosity gave way to the sparks they were feeling for each other. I'll admit that James takes a while to warm up to the reader. He's selfish and priggish, but there's a tragic part of his past that explains what makes him the way he is. Very self-determined, at thirty-three he has just two items remaining on his life goals list: make partner and retire. How sad.
Ezra is described as being a Timothy Chalamet lookalike, so no surprise that is how I pictured him in this book, or at least as he looked in CMBYN. He's snarky yet full of life and joy. He has had a terrible past, too, which makes him very protective of those people who look after him. He has a heart made for love, though, and it is through his loving attitude towards James that James finds redemption in the end.
Hall writes fairly elegantly for genre fiction, and I noticed some reviewers are putting the prose down as being Austen-ish or out of some historical novel, whatever that means. I like that Hall uses complex sentence structures and has his characters speak as adults, not caricatures like so many MM romance writers do (especially in this series). His sex scenes are just beautiful to read. Are they a bit purple prosey? Perhaps. But it's much better than the "wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" sex scenes in so many books these days. His characters approach sex with passion and, yes, lust, but Hall saves the reader from suffering through repetitive, frankly boring, sex scenes that read like every other sex scene out there.
We don't see a lot of Christmas Falls in this book, and I think that was good. In some of the previous books, Christmas Falls becomes a MC itself, and it often feels intrusive that the characters have to go to this restaurant or this bar or this Christmas tree lighting event, etc. Hall is able to concentrate on his characters and their relationship to each other without the need to horn in extraneous characters like Griff or Mik.
Of course, this is not a perfect book. It's fairly predictable. James has returned to Christmas Falls to convince his grandfather that he is too old to run Santa's Workshop and that he needs to sell it to the huge corporation James works for. We all know this isn't going to happen, and the resolution is a bit too tight, as if the strictures of the situation called for only one solution. Like every other book in this series, it revolves around someone moving to Christmas Falls, someone returning to Christmas Falls, and whether or not they'll stay there or move on, leaving romantic partners swinging in the wind. It would be great to see some other plot device besides this one in this series.
Ezra is described as being a Timothy Chalamet lookalike, so no surprise that is how I pictured him in this book, or at least as he looked in CMBYN. He's snarky yet full of life and joy. He has had a terrible past, too, which makes him very protective of those people who look after him. He has a heart made for love, though, and it is through his loving attitude towards James that James finds redemption in the end.
Hall writes fairly elegantly for genre fiction, and I noticed some reviewers are putting the prose down as being Austen-ish or out of some historical novel, whatever that means. I like that Hall uses complex sentence structures and has his characters speak as adults, not caricatures like so many MM romance writers do (especially in this series). His sex scenes are just beautiful to read. Are they a bit purple prosey? Perhaps. But it's much better than the "wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" sex scenes in so many books these days. His characters approach sex with passion and, yes, lust, but Hall saves the reader from suffering through repetitive, frankly boring, sex scenes that read like every other sex scene out there.
We don't see a lot of Christmas Falls in this book, and I think that was good. In some of the previous books, Christmas Falls becomes a MC itself, and it often feels intrusive that the characters have to go to this restaurant or this bar or this Christmas tree lighting event, etc. Hall is able to concentrate on his characters and their relationship to each other without the need to horn in extraneous characters like Griff or Mik.
Of course, this is not a perfect book. It's fairly predictable. James has returned to Christmas Falls to convince his grandfather that he is too old to run Santa's Workshop and that he needs to sell it to the huge corporation James works for. We all know this isn't going to happen, and the resolution is a bit too tight, as if the strictures of the situation called for only one solution. Like every other book in this series, it revolves around someone moving to Christmas Falls, someone returning to Christmas Falls, and whether or not they'll stay there or move on, leaving romantic partners swinging in the wind. It would be great to see some other plot device besides this one in this series.
August 5, 2024
Returning to his home town of Christmas Falls to convince his grandfather (who raised him) to sell his toy shop to the corporation that he works for, James ends up getting more than he bargained for. Ezra, his grandfather’s employee is vehemently opposed to the sale and completely offsets the grumpiness of James with his love of Christmas.
The pair, obviously bond despite their differences and fall in love. Will James stay in Christmas Falls or convince his grandfather to sell?
Eh. It was fine. I gave up on reading this series as it was coming out because almost EVERY book was “omg he’s going to leave though!” And I was sick of that…this had that too a bit. I only read this in August as part of a challenge for a group on GoodReads lol
The pair, obviously bond despite their differences and fall in love. Will James stay in Christmas Falls or convince his grandfather to sell?
Eh. It was fine. I gave up on reading this series as it was coming out because almost EVERY book was “omg he’s going to leave though!” And I was sick of that…this had that too a bit. I only read this in August as part of a challenge for a group on GoodReads lol
December 8, 2023
James is ambitious, rigid, and composed, he has the feeling he’s almost at the top of the ladder. One thing has to be done, to show he’s capable of promotion. He has to let Grandpa sell his artisan toyshop, to Sinclair Emporium, which James works for. Yes, I know it sounds horrible, and it is, James thinks he’s doing his gramps a favor, but oh boy.
Grandpa Nicholas crafts the toys and everyone who enters the shop leaves happily. He loves James dearly and wants him to be happy.
Ezra is Grandpa’s assistant who lives above the store in a tiny place. He’s the happiest person on earth. At first sight, he understands James' moves, the grumpy villain can not succeed.
There’s so much joy in this magical place, it would be devastating.
James wants to figure out who Ezra is and what his motivations are, this beautiful petite, always happy guy, is a thorn in his behind. Selfless just like his gramps, but still a thorn.
Somewhere deep there’s a much softer James, one who loves his gramps deeply, one who never got over his parents dead, one who can feel the Christmas spirit, and that is the one who helps in the shop.
That James is the one Ezra adores, and it’s mutual.
You have to understand Christmas Falls is a happy little place, with warm loving content people.
James' way of business is so far away from what Gramps and Ezra tried to accomplish.
It has everything to do with love, heart, soul and compassion. Oh James you have so much to unlearn.
What a hugely enjoyable read this is. Feelings all over the place. The Christmas spirit is palpable.
Ezra and James are so wonderful together, sweet, fun, and have some attractive spice moments.
The story is detailed, and wonderfully to envision, the emotions are everywhere and sensible.
Overall an emotional ride with a Christmas-worthy outcome.
Reviewed for Love Bytes - LGBTQ book reviews
Grandpa Nicholas crafts the toys and everyone who enters the shop leaves happily. He loves James dearly and wants him to be happy.
Ezra is Grandpa’s assistant who lives above the store in a tiny place. He’s the happiest person on earth. At first sight, he understands James' moves, the grumpy villain can not succeed.
There’s so much joy in this magical place, it would be devastating.
James wants to figure out who Ezra is and what his motivations are, this beautiful petite, always happy guy, is a thorn in his behind. Selfless just like his gramps, but still a thorn.
Somewhere deep there’s a much softer James, one who loves his gramps deeply, one who never got over his parents dead, one who can feel the Christmas spirit, and that is the one who helps in the shop.
That James is the one Ezra adores, and it’s mutual.
You have to understand Christmas Falls is a happy little place, with warm loving content people.
James' way of business is so far away from what Gramps and Ezra tried to accomplish.
It has everything to do with love, heart, soul and compassion. Oh James you have so much to unlearn.
What a hugely enjoyable read this is. Feelings all over the place. The Christmas spirit is palpable.
Ezra and James are so wonderful together, sweet, fun, and have some attractive spice moments.
The story is detailed, and wonderfully to envision, the emotions are everywhere and sensible.
Overall an emotional ride with a Christmas-worthy outcome.
Reviewed for Love Bytes - LGBTQ book reviews
December 10, 2023
I love small town romances and when Christmas is included, even better.
I loved this book specially Ezra with his wild curly hair and a Christmas spirit.
Ezra works at the Santa's workshop and he's deliriously happy until James arrives. James is the grandson of owner of the workshop/store and wants his gandfather to sell his shop to a big corporate where he works and hope the climb to the top of the corporate lader. James gets a promotion and his grandfather can retire with plenty of money. But Ezra and the christmas spirit can do miracles. Or not?
A cute christmas story highly recommended
I loved this book specially Ezra with his wild curly hair and a Christmas spirit.
Ezra works at the Santa's workshop and he's deliriously happy until James arrives. James is the grandson of owner of the workshop/store and wants his gandfather to sell his shop to a big corporate where he works and hope the climb to the top of the corporate lader. James gets a promotion and his grandfather can retire with plenty of money. But Ezra and the christmas spirit can do miracles. Or not?
A cute christmas story highly recommended
December 15, 2023
…what…?
I…
Um…
Hmm…
*laughs for literally 45 minutes*
No.
So, I don’t think I was supposed to laugh until I was choking and my body hurt like I just did six straight hours of burpees at a spicy scene, but, I mean…*gestures around*… here we are. I’m having a hard time trying to stop the after chuckles because they’re probably going to unalive me at this point. I’m in PAIN. Send help.
We’re not even going to talk about the mechanics. I have nothing I can say to fully explain what I just read through. I think it was written like a historical romance, but I’m not sure why, and I’m not even sure that was the goal? Like, the text didn’t match the characters or the time in which this series is set. Everything was confusing and it was a mess.
And then there’s the disconnect again. That makes three books so far that don’t really feel like they have much to do with the series. It’s sad because there were so many chances to build upon what the others did, include cameos and add quirky new details, or even just do anything outside of passing usage of places as background props.
Then we get to the spicy bits. I honestly laugh a lot in real life. I laugh until it hurts quite frequently, actually, but I’ve never laughed that long and that hard over a schmex scene. I even highlighted the best worst ways to say c***. People were concerned I was going to stop breathing.
2.5/5. This was bad. But like, it was also comedy gold and I will be using several lines for the rest of my life in the same way I still quote vines. Freeshavocado is now hot whiteness, I don’t make the rules.
I…
Um…
Hmm…
*laughs for literally 45 minutes*
No.
So, I don’t think I was supposed to laugh until I was choking and my body hurt like I just did six straight hours of burpees at a spicy scene, but, I mean…*gestures around*… here we are. I’m having a hard time trying to stop the after chuckles because they’re probably going to unalive me at this point. I’m in PAIN. Send help.
We’re not even going to talk about the mechanics. I have nothing I can say to fully explain what I just read through. I think it was written like a historical romance, but I’m not sure why, and I’m not even sure that was the goal? Like, the text didn’t match the characters or the time in which this series is set. Everything was confusing and it was a mess.
And then there’s the disconnect again. That makes three books so far that don’t really feel like they have much to do with the series. It’s sad because there were so many chances to build upon what the others did, include cameos and add quirky new details, or even just do anything outside of passing usage of places as background props.
Then we get to the spicy bits. I honestly laugh a lot in real life. I laugh until it hurts quite frequently, actually, but I’ve never laughed that long and that hard over a schmex scene. I even highlighted the best worst ways to say c***. People were concerned I was going to stop breathing.
2.5/5. This was bad. But like, it was also comedy gold and I will be using several lines for the rest of my life in the same way I still quote vines. Freeshavocado is now hot whiteness, I don’t make the rules.
November 14, 2025
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
In questo sesto volume della serie troviamo un vero Grinch grinchoso, spodestando Griff, l’organizzatore brontolone dell’intero festival, dal suo soprannome.
James, il nostro primo protagonista, fa ritorno al suo paesello natio dopo quattro anni e mezzo dall’ultima volta. Ufficialmente lo fa per aiutare il nonno anziano nella gestione del negozio di giocattoli fatti a mano, durante le folli settimane del famoso festival natalizio di Christmas Falls, ma in realtà il suo scopo è convincere il nonno a vendere la sua attività e andarsene in pensione, godendosi la vita come non ha mai fatto finora con una generosa buonuscita.
James sa che non sarà semplice persuaderlo, ma non si aspetta certo di trovare un giovane ma agguerrito aiutante del vecchietto a biasimarlo per i suoi tentativi.
Ezra è il perfetto aiutante di Babbo Natale, ossia del vecchietto che a Christmas Falls offre gioia ai bimbi con le sue creazioni personalizzate in legno intagliato e decorato.
Continua sul nostro blog!
In questo sesto volume della serie troviamo un vero Grinch grinchoso, spodestando Griff, l’organizzatore brontolone dell’intero festival, dal suo soprannome.
James, il nostro primo protagonista, fa ritorno al suo paesello natio dopo quattro anni e mezzo dall’ultima volta. Ufficialmente lo fa per aiutare il nonno anziano nella gestione del negozio di giocattoli fatti a mano, durante le folli settimane del famoso festival natalizio di Christmas Falls, ma in realtà il suo scopo è convincere il nonno a vendere la sua attività e andarsene in pensione, godendosi la vita come non ha mai fatto finora con una generosa buonuscita.
James sa che non sarà semplice persuaderlo, ma non si aspetta certo di trovare un giovane ma agguerrito aiutante del vecchietto a biasimarlo per i suoi tentativi.
Ezra è il perfetto aiutante di Babbo Natale, ossia del vecchietto che a Christmas Falls offre gioia ai bimbi con le sue creazioni personalizzate in legno intagliato e decorato.
Continua sul nostro blog!
December 8, 2023
Back to Christmas Falls - this time following James who’s reluctantly returning to his hometown and Ezra who’s ecstatic to find a home somewhere so great. Their story is sweet, steamy and full of sneaking around.
James Willoughby is back in Christmas Falls to help his grandfather, Nicholas - aka Gramps, with the holiday rush at his artisan toy store but he has way more planned than that. He works for a large toy store chain and wants to buy out Gramps to help him retire while also helping James achieve his goal of becoming partner. He’s professional, hardworking and focused so much of the time, but Ezra gets under his skin from the moment they meet.
Ezra Thorne is new to Christmas Falls and found a place to call home with Gramps and the toy shop, fitting right in behind the counter and making a life for himself in the apartment over the shop. After being kicked out of his home by his parents, the love and community provided by Gramps and all of Christmas Falls is a welcomed change. Ezra is sweet and caring but his experience with his parents have made him hesitant about love in general.
These two are directly at odds with each other for the first half of the book - James wanting Gramps to sell the store and Ezra wanting him to keep it - but there’s an attraction between them that they can’t deny. Once they start spending time together to finish up the work that needs done in the shop each day, it’s only a matter of time before they start to explore what’s between them. Even though they’re opposites in a lot of ways, they help each other realize that what they want most is right in front of them and in Christmas Falls of all places.
Really enjoyed this addition to the overall Christmas Falls series - while most of their time was spent in the toy shop, it felt like it fit right into the world created by the other author’s stories. Can’t wait to read more!
James Willoughby is back in Christmas Falls to help his grandfather, Nicholas - aka Gramps, with the holiday rush at his artisan toy store but he has way more planned than that. He works for a large toy store chain and wants to buy out Gramps to help him retire while also helping James achieve his goal of becoming partner. He’s professional, hardworking and focused so much of the time, but Ezra gets under his skin from the moment they meet.
Ezra Thorne is new to Christmas Falls and found a place to call home with Gramps and the toy shop, fitting right in behind the counter and making a life for himself in the apartment over the shop. After being kicked out of his home by his parents, the love and community provided by Gramps and all of Christmas Falls is a welcomed change. Ezra is sweet and caring but his experience with his parents have made him hesitant about love in general.
These two are directly at odds with each other for the first half of the book - James wanting Gramps to sell the store and Ezra wanting him to keep it - but there’s an attraction between them that they can’t deny. Once they start spending time together to finish up the work that needs done in the shop each day, it’s only a matter of time before they start to explore what’s between them. Even though they’re opposites in a lot of ways, they help each other realize that what they want most is right in front of them and in Christmas Falls of all places.
Really enjoyed this addition to the overall Christmas Falls series - while most of their time was spent in the toy shop, it felt like it fit right into the world created by the other author’s stories. Can’t wait to read more!
December 11, 2023
This was such a sweet and funny story for the Christmas Falls series and I loved it.
Ezra has found his place in the world. He works at a toy shop in a little town that is all about Christmas so he couldn't be happier. Then James, the owner's grandchild, shows up trying to convince his grandfather to sell his shop and that's where the animosity arises and it's game on.
I had so much fun with this book. I loved the numerous glares that Ezra gave James all the time and his comments about the city guy. I enjoyed their banter, mostly coming from Ezra, and how James tried to convince him it was the best for his gramps.
The attraction for each other was there from the beginning and once they started getting to know each other things turned in a different direction. James was the grumpiest guy on Earth, but Ezra made him see what Christmas was all about. It was very romantic to witness Ezra work his magic and turn James into what the latter was really meant to be.
They were perfect together and had more in common than they thought at first. It was beautiful to see James change and remember everything he had loved as a child. Ezra and James were pure magic together and their relationship was romantic and sweet. James understood why Ezra loved Christmas Falls, due mostly to a tough past, and that made them get closer as James had also had a difficult past.
This is another wonderful story in the Christmas Falls series that I loved and enjoyed so much. A romance novel with a Christmas atmosphere that stole my heart.
Ezra has found his place in the world. He works at a toy shop in a little town that is all about Christmas so he couldn't be happier. Then James, the owner's grandchild, shows up trying to convince his grandfather to sell his shop and that's where the animosity arises and it's game on.
I had so much fun with this book. I loved the numerous glares that Ezra gave James all the time and his comments about the city guy. I enjoyed their banter, mostly coming from Ezra, and how James tried to convince him it was the best for his gramps.
The attraction for each other was there from the beginning and once they started getting to know each other things turned in a different direction. James was the grumpiest guy on Earth, but Ezra made him see what Christmas was all about. It was very romantic to witness Ezra work his magic and turn James into what the latter was really meant to be.
They were perfect together and had more in common than they thought at first. It was beautiful to see James change and remember everything he had loved as a child. Ezra and James were pure magic together and their relationship was romantic and sweet. James understood why Ezra loved Christmas Falls, due mostly to a tough past, and that made them get closer as James had also had a difficult past.
This is another wonderful story in the Christmas Falls series that I loved and enjoyed so much. A romance novel with a Christmas atmosphere that stole my heart.
December 10, 2023
4.5 stars
No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall may be my favorite book in the Christmas Falls series. James, big city businessman, is trying to convince his grandfather to sell his toy store. He meets Ezra, Nicholas’ employee. Ezra hates James on sight and it’s easy to understand why. James was fairly unlikable in the first 30% of the book. He didn’t want to hear how his grandpa was not ready to retire and still loved working at the store. Ezra and James couldn’t have been more different, but I loved how they really balanced each other out. Ezra helped James remember the things he loved about Christmas and his hometown, and James helped Ezra feel loved for maybe the first time in a long time. Both men had family trauma that would have been interesting to explore, but maybe didn’t have a place in a Christmas romance. However, James’ trauma did shape him into who he was and I would have liked to have seen that play out a little bit more. I was definitely concerned that James was going to break his grandpa’s heart and Ezra’s heart by giving in to his boss’s demands. But in the end it was all okay. I definitely would have LOVED to have seen an epilogue here. How did James adjust to living back in Christmas Falls? But I really did enjoy this one so much.
I received an ARC for my honest review
No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall may be my favorite book in the Christmas Falls series. James, big city businessman, is trying to convince his grandfather to sell his toy store. He meets Ezra, Nicholas’ employee. Ezra hates James on sight and it’s easy to understand why. James was fairly unlikable in the first 30% of the book. He didn’t want to hear how his grandpa was not ready to retire and still loved working at the store. Ezra and James couldn’t have been more different, but I loved how they really balanced each other out. Ezra helped James remember the things he loved about Christmas and his hometown, and James helped Ezra feel loved for maybe the first time in a long time. Both men had family trauma that would have been interesting to explore, but maybe didn’t have a place in a Christmas romance. However, James’ trauma did shape him into who he was and I would have liked to have seen that play out a little bit more. I was definitely concerned that James was going to break his grandpa’s heart and Ezra’s heart by giving in to his boss’s demands. But in the end it was all okay. I definitely would have LOVED to have seen an epilogue here. How did James adjust to living back in Christmas Falls? But I really did enjoy this one so much.
I received an ARC for my honest review
January 2, 2026
molto molto carino 🤩
January 3, 2024
3.5🌟Started off slow for me but grew on me. I didn’t feel it was set in the same time frame as the rest of the series not sure the wording used at times fit in current day.
December 16, 2023
The way these two DIDN'T hit it off right away lol. I love it. James is a grumpy dude for sure, when it comes to Christmas. And Ezra is sunshine, but protective and a bit sassy. I'm lovin this series. They're all quicker, not super angsty holiday reads in a super Christmassy town. it's been a fun experience.
January 13, 2026
Sempre per Quixote Translations, è la volta di un vero Grinch, James e un delizioso folletto, Ezra.
James torna in città con un solo scopo, convincere nonno Nicholas proprietario del negozio di giocattoli ad andare finalmente in pensione, proponendogli di vendere il suo locale alla società di cui James ambisce a diventare socio.
Peccato che fin da subito il suo desiderio si scontra con il fastidio neanche troppo velato di Ezra, un giovane che il nonno ha assunto da qualche mese per aiutarlo in negozio.
Ezra sa cosa vuole James e non vuole per nessun motivo perdere casa e lavoro, inoltre è contrario a rendere il Santa’s Workshop un negozio senza anima come sarà dopo l’acquisizione.
James ha i suoi buoni motivi per odiare il Natale ma è fermamente convinto che il nonno abbia bisogno di riposarsi e non passare tutte quelle ore al lavoro, solo che mentre aiuta in negozio qualcosa cambia, riprende il lavoro manuale che non faceva da anni e anche con Ezra trovano un modo per collaborare senza infastidirsi a vicenda, così James inizia a vedere il ragazzo con occhi nuovi…
"Santo Natale, pensai, mentre mi sforzavo di respirare. Anche quando il campanello del piano di sotto tintinnò per avvisarmi che James aveva lasciato il negozio, rimasi come una statua nel corridoio del suo appartamento d’infanzia. Il fatto che avesse vissuto lì aveva improvvisamente un nuovo significato. Dormivo nel suo letto. Cucinavo ai suoi fornelli. Tecnicamente, apparteneva a Nicholas, ma non ero mai stato uno che si attaccava ai tecnicismi. L’infanzia di James era racchiusa tra quelle pareti e in quelle assi del pavimento."
James rispetto a Griff di Baci da Grinch è davvero come l’uomo in verde, odia il Natale e tutto quello che lo rappresenta e a differenza del precedente, per lui l’unica cosa che conta è il profitto, il prestigio e il diventare socio dell’azienda con cui lavora da anni.
Vuole bene a suo nonno perché l’ha cresciuto ma è deciso a fare in modo che l’uomo ceda l’attività ed è pronto a tutto per ottenere il suo obiettivo, certo non ha fatto i conti con Ezra, i suoi abiti informi, il suo entusiasmo e la sua gioia di vivere. Anche Ezra vuole bene a Nicholas anche se lo conosce da poco ma gli è riconoscente, per quello vede il nipote di città come una minaccia alla sua felicità.
Una storia che mi è piaciuta perché è riuscita in circa duecento pagine a farci conoscere i protagonisti, il loro passato, il loro presente, quello che vogliono e l’avvicinamento tra loro l’ho trovato naturale e non messo a caso per dare una svolta, così come i dubbi di James che lentamente lo portano a riflettere.
Non avevo ancora conosciuto l’autore ed è stata una piacevole scoperta, ha uno stile leggero e ironico, una bella caratterizzazione dei personaggi, personaggi secondari ben inseriti e scene emotivamente coinvolgenti, da tenere d’occhio sicuramente.
Ringrazio ancora per la copia arc, alla prossima!
4.5
Tfpeel
James torna in città con un solo scopo, convincere nonno Nicholas proprietario del negozio di giocattoli ad andare finalmente in pensione, proponendogli di vendere il suo locale alla società di cui James ambisce a diventare socio.
Peccato che fin da subito il suo desiderio si scontra con il fastidio neanche troppo velato di Ezra, un giovane che il nonno ha assunto da qualche mese per aiutarlo in negozio.
Ezra sa cosa vuole James e non vuole per nessun motivo perdere casa e lavoro, inoltre è contrario a rendere il Santa’s Workshop un negozio senza anima come sarà dopo l’acquisizione.
James ha i suoi buoni motivi per odiare il Natale ma è fermamente convinto che il nonno abbia bisogno di riposarsi e non passare tutte quelle ore al lavoro, solo che mentre aiuta in negozio qualcosa cambia, riprende il lavoro manuale che non faceva da anni e anche con Ezra trovano un modo per collaborare senza infastidirsi a vicenda, così James inizia a vedere il ragazzo con occhi nuovi…
"Santo Natale, pensai, mentre mi sforzavo di respirare. Anche quando il campanello del piano di sotto tintinnò per avvisarmi che James aveva lasciato il negozio, rimasi come una statua nel corridoio del suo appartamento d’infanzia. Il fatto che avesse vissuto lì aveva improvvisamente un nuovo significato. Dormivo nel suo letto. Cucinavo ai suoi fornelli. Tecnicamente, apparteneva a Nicholas, ma non ero mai stato uno che si attaccava ai tecnicismi. L’infanzia di James era racchiusa tra quelle pareti e in quelle assi del pavimento."
James rispetto a Griff di Baci da Grinch è davvero come l’uomo in verde, odia il Natale e tutto quello che lo rappresenta e a differenza del precedente, per lui l’unica cosa che conta è il profitto, il prestigio e il diventare socio dell’azienda con cui lavora da anni.
Vuole bene a suo nonno perché l’ha cresciuto ma è deciso a fare in modo che l’uomo ceda l’attività ed è pronto a tutto per ottenere il suo obiettivo, certo non ha fatto i conti con Ezra, i suoi abiti informi, il suo entusiasmo e la sua gioia di vivere. Anche Ezra vuole bene a Nicholas anche se lo conosce da poco ma gli è riconoscente, per quello vede il nipote di città come una minaccia alla sua felicità.
Una storia che mi è piaciuta perché è riuscita in circa duecento pagine a farci conoscere i protagonisti, il loro passato, il loro presente, quello che vogliono e l’avvicinamento tra loro l’ho trovato naturale e non messo a caso per dare una svolta, così come i dubbi di James che lentamente lo portano a riflettere.
Non avevo ancora conosciuto l’autore ed è stata una piacevole scoperta, ha uno stile leggero e ironico, una bella caratterizzazione dei personaggi, personaggi secondari ben inseriti e scene emotivamente coinvolgenti, da tenere d’occhio sicuramente.
Ringrazio ancora per la copia arc, alla prossima!
4.5
Tfpeel
December 31, 2025
L'aiutante di babbo Natale
Hayden Hall
Siamo nuovamente a Christmas Falls, ma in questa occasione vedremo come protagonista Ezra, un giovane che ha finalmente trovato un luogo dove potersi sentire pienamente sè stesso, senza più provare un senso di inadeguatezza. James farà ritorno a Christmas Falls con l'intenzione di assistere il nonno: Nicholas. Ritiene che suo nonno dovrebbe godersi maggiormente la vita e cerca di convincerlo a vendere il negozio all'azienda per cui lavora; James non aveva considerato i sentimenti che avrebbe provato, tornando nel luogo in cui è cresciuto. Una storia bellissima che mi ha fatto riflettere molto su quanto, a volte, non diamo il giusto valore alle cose. Per esempio, al Santa's Workshop non si troveranno mai i giocattoli dei grandi magazzini, perché un oggetto fatto a mano, sebbene per molti possa avere un valore economico inferiore, possiede un valore affettivo inestimabile, un'anima. Hayden, con la sua scrittura scorrevole, è riuscito a emozionarmi profondamente, ma soprattutto a farmi percepire come la magia di quelle cose, fatte con il cuore, possano scaldare l'anima e renderci completi.
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶
Emozioni: 💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Julia Altamura.
strana Family BOOK Blog ❤️
Hayden Hall
Siamo nuovamente a Christmas Falls, ma in questa occasione vedremo come protagonista Ezra, un giovane che ha finalmente trovato un luogo dove potersi sentire pienamente sè stesso, senza più provare un senso di inadeguatezza. James farà ritorno a Christmas Falls con l'intenzione di assistere il nonno: Nicholas. Ritiene che suo nonno dovrebbe godersi maggiormente la vita e cerca di convincerlo a vendere il negozio all'azienda per cui lavora; James non aveva considerato i sentimenti che avrebbe provato, tornando nel luogo in cui è cresciuto. Una storia bellissima che mi ha fatto riflettere molto su quanto, a volte, non diamo il giusto valore alle cose. Per esempio, al Santa's Workshop non si troveranno mai i giocattoli dei grandi magazzini, perché un oggetto fatto a mano, sebbene per molti possa avere un valore economico inferiore, possiede un valore affettivo inestimabile, un'anima. Hayden, con la sua scrittura scorrevole, è riuscito a emozionarmi profondamente, ma soprattutto a farmi percepire come la magia di quelle cose, fatte con il cuore, possano scaldare l'anima e renderci completi.
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶
Emozioni: 💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Julia Altamura.
strana Family BOOK Blog ❤️
December 5, 2023
No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall is the 7th book in the Christmas Falls series by various authors. James grew up with his Gramps, Nicholas Willoughby, in Christmas Falls after a tragedy that involved his family. Because of this he couldn’t wait to get away from the town, especially at Christmas time because it brought back all the memories. His Gramps owned Santa’s Workshop, a woodworking and toy shop that was beloved in the town and very busy because of the unique things he sold, and also because he looked and acted like Santa. James had gone on to work for Donovan Sinclair’s Toy Emporium and was working his way up the ladder hoping to become a partner. He was worried about his Gramps at his age and hoped to convince him to sell the store to Sinclair so he could relax and enjoy his retirement, and also because he thought it would land him the partner position. He went to Christmas Falls to talk about this with him and it was there he met Ezra. He had had a bad childhood and was forced to leave his home. He wandered from place to place until he came to Christmas Falls and saw a help wanted sign in Nicholas’s window. He spent the day with him and was hired and was living a life he never thought he could have, with happiness and safety all around him. When he found out what James wanted he was not thrilled, especially because he knew that Nicholas wanted to continue working in his toy shop because it was where he was the happiest. James had taken two weeks off from work and started to help out around the shop. He was reintroduced to woodworking in making toys and also in seeing how people acted with wonder when they came in the shop. This caused him to start thinking if his actions were truly in his Gramps’ best interest and also if the promotion really meant that much to him, as well as the lonely life he had in New York City. He felt an attraction to Ezra and as time went on they got to know each other more and Ezra brought out the best in him, which led to some very hot love scenes, as well as both of them falling for each other. Then something happened that caused James to rethink everything as he wondered if his Gramps could be happy in retirement and he almost lost Ezra. Luckily they were able to find their happy ending. I enjoyed this story. James was single minded in his quest to be at the top, but as time went on he began to question where he would really find his happiness. Ezra had had a hard life but was always upbeat and elflike in his love of everything Christmas. He also challenged James and caused him to really think about what he wanted. Gramps was very Santa like but also a wonderful character in he always looked for the best in everyone around him and wanted to make them happy, especially James. There was some angst around whether or not he would sell the toy shop and what would happen with Ezra but it all worked out. I recommend this story, especially if you like grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, characters that come to an epiphany at the crossroads of their lives, and lots of Christmas magic and fun.
December 10, 2023
4 to 4,5 stars
I honestly don't have the right words to adequate say how I loved this story and what exactly grabbed me.
Firstly part of it was being back in Christmas Falls and getting to know even more of the characters living there.
I just love this town. I'm not the greatest Christmassy being but I love to read about it and seeing all the light.
So reading this series is really a lot of fun for me. Often all is described so vividly that I feel like I was there and could see and experience it myself.
I loved meeting the new to me characters, especially Grandpa Nicholas and Ezra. Both loved the toy shop and Christmas Falls with all they had.
I'm honest, James had to grow on me. But he did. Or should I say I had to understand him better?
To be fair even with him wanting to buy the toyshop from his grandfather and for his chain I believe he really had Nicholas' best interests at heart. He just didn't understand that those were not what HE thought that should be – retirement and money.
Ezra, even newish to Christmas Falls loved it so much and felt right at home. He wanted to keep the toy shop how it is and wished for nothing more – aside from someone to love who would love him in return.
James who lived there as a child wanted nothing more than to go back to the big city.
I found that an interesting and different starting point.
Ezra and James seemed to be so different but if you look closely enough you will recognise that they are not. Sure, one is more of a sunshine and the other seems to be grumpy. But both have the heart in the right place. They simply look different at the world.
And that's another important similarity I think, because they both can't understand how someone can have such a different view on things.
But don't worry they'll get there in the end.
I can say that I really liked the story. The chemistry between botch MCs was clear and after not really liking each other – because of their different points of view what's best for Christmas Falls, the toy shop and Grandpa Nicholas – they slowly got to know and understand each other better. It was satisfying following their developing relationship along.
I think Hayden did a fantastic job showing us why James was the way he was and that he could change and realise what happiness really is about. So that he 'became' a man we could root for, even for 'getting' Ezra.
Btw I detested Don and Kinsleigh. I believe Hayden made them perfect & fantastic villains. But imo the somewhat irony of it is that they are sadly like a lot of people you find/meet these days. Especially in corporate settings.
Definitely a great addiction to the series.
I honestly don't have the right words to adequate say how I loved this story and what exactly grabbed me.
Firstly part of it was being back in Christmas Falls and getting to know even more of the characters living there.
I just love this town. I'm not the greatest Christmassy being but I love to read about it and seeing all the light.
So reading this series is really a lot of fun for me. Often all is described so vividly that I feel like I was there and could see and experience it myself.
I loved meeting the new to me characters, especially Grandpa Nicholas and Ezra. Both loved the toy shop and Christmas Falls with all they had.
I'm honest, James had to grow on me. But he did. Or should I say I had to understand him better?
To be fair even with him wanting to buy the toyshop from his grandfather and for his chain I believe he really had Nicholas' best interests at heart. He just didn't understand that those were not what HE thought that should be – retirement and money.
Ezra, even newish to Christmas Falls loved it so much and felt right at home. He wanted to keep the toy shop how it is and wished for nothing more – aside from someone to love who would love him in return.
James who lived there as a child wanted nothing more than to go back to the big city.
I found that an interesting and different starting point.
Ezra and James seemed to be so different but if you look closely enough you will recognise that they are not. Sure, one is more of a sunshine and the other seems to be grumpy. But both have the heart in the right place. They simply look different at the world.
And that's another important similarity I think, because they both can't understand how someone can have such a different view on things.
But don't worry they'll get there in the end.
I can say that I really liked the story. The chemistry between botch MCs was clear and after not really liking each other – because of their different points of view what's best for Christmas Falls, the toy shop and Grandpa Nicholas – they slowly got to know and understand each other better. It was satisfying following their developing relationship along.
I think Hayden did a fantastic job showing us why James was the way he was and that he could change and realise what happiness really is about. So that he 'became' a man we could root for, even for 'getting' Ezra.
Btw I detested Don and Kinsleigh. I believe Hayden made them perfect & fantastic villains. But imo the somewhat irony of it is that they are sadly like a lot of people you find/meet these days. Especially in corporate settings.
Definitely a great addiction to the series.
June 10, 2024
old post reposted
Here is the seventh novel in the new multi-author series (Christmas Falls): this is Hayden Hall's "No Elfing Way."
["I'm your cookie-cutter villain...
Or that's the role Christmas Falls has given me.
I'm here to help my grandfather fulfill the crazy amount of orders his toy shop is getting. The company I work for would love to take it off his hands. And I want to see Grandpa Nicholas enjoy a few years without having to work all day long.
When I arrive in Christmas Falls, not only is Gramps adamant about keeping the toy shop, but he has already hired an assistant enabler who can't stand the sight of me. Ezra, the real world Santa's Elf, an unbearable bubble of Christmas tradition, a walking, talking cinnamon roll, is as delusional as Grandpa Nick himself.
Suddenly, I'm the villain of this Christmas story. Ezra challenges every smart decision I make and thinks I'm here to steal Christmas from the town's kids.
Convincing Grandpa to sell the shop and fighting Ezra at every turn is more than one guy can do alone. But maybe I don't have to. A temporary truce with Ezra quickly turns into a passionate and disastrous wildfire that will melt this winter's snowfall if we don't resist the temptation.
We come from different I have a life waiting for me in New York and Ezra lives and breathes small town charms. We are destined to fall apart, but that's not stopping me from dreaming up ways to keep Ezra with me for another minute. Or hour. Or night."]
Sooooo here for the theory/fact that Grandpa Nicholas is Santa. Yes. Please. Adds even more of that Hallmark Christmas magic to Christmas Falls.
Also, James doesn't help himself much from not being seen as the "villain." He's a little Scrooge-like with his pessimism, his city-boy lack-of-charm, his lost innocence (childhood trauma), and his hatred of Christmas (see: childhood trauma). But, like any good Christmas story, he sees the error of his ways by the end of the novel, falls in love, and lives happy ever after. :D
#noelfingway #haydenhall
#grinchkisses #snowbodylovesme #getfrosted #silentknight #clausingascene #underthemistletome #readysetglow #scroogeyou #christmasfalls #christmasfallsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Here is the seventh novel in the new multi-author series (Christmas Falls): this is Hayden Hall's "No Elfing Way."
["I'm your cookie-cutter villain...
Or that's the role Christmas Falls has given me.
I'm here to help my grandfather fulfill the crazy amount of orders his toy shop is getting. The company I work for would love to take it off his hands. And I want to see Grandpa Nicholas enjoy a few years without having to work all day long.
When I arrive in Christmas Falls, not only is Gramps adamant about keeping the toy shop, but he has already hired an assistant enabler who can't stand the sight of me. Ezra, the real world Santa's Elf, an unbearable bubble of Christmas tradition, a walking, talking cinnamon roll, is as delusional as Grandpa Nick himself.
Suddenly, I'm the villain of this Christmas story. Ezra challenges every smart decision I make and thinks I'm here to steal Christmas from the town's kids.
Convincing Grandpa to sell the shop and fighting Ezra at every turn is more than one guy can do alone. But maybe I don't have to. A temporary truce with Ezra quickly turns into a passionate and disastrous wildfire that will melt this winter's snowfall if we don't resist the temptation.
We come from different I have a life waiting for me in New York and Ezra lives and breathes small town charms. We are destined to fall apart, but that's not stopping me from dreaming up ways to keep Ezra with me for another minute. Or hour. Or night."]
Sooooo here for the theory/fact that Grandpa Nicholas is Santa. Yes. Please. Adds even more of that Hallmark Christmas magic to Christmas Falls.
Also, James doesn't help himself much from not being seen as the "villain." He's a little Scrooge-like with his pessimism, his city-boy lack-of-charm, his lost innocence (childhood trauma), and his hatred of Christmas (see: childhood trauma). But, like any good Christmas story, he sees the error of his ways by the end of the novel, falls in love, and lives happy ever after. :D
#noelfingway #haydenhall
#grinchkisses #snowbodylovesme #getfrosted #silentknight #clausingascene #underthemistletome #readysetglow #scroogeyou #christmasfalls #christmasfallsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
December 4, 2023
Oh, how I love the magic of Christmas Falls! I'm fairly new to Hayden's work but when I read the blurb for this book I knew I needed to try to get an arc copy, and I'm so grateful I was able to! In a different Christmas Falls book there's a character who the townsfolk call 'Grinch', well I think James's nickname could be Scrooge.
James's character is stuck trying to climb the corporate ladder, he decides that trying to get his grandfather to sell his shop will be great for the both of them. James gets a promotion and his grandfather can retire with plenty of money, easy peasy, right? Wrong! Upon James's arrival back in Christmas Falls, with help from his grandfather, and the peppy and cheerful elf that helps with his grandfather's store, he discovers what he really wants. He discovers what will truly make him happy, and it's not a job sitting behind a desk.
I loved all of these characters! Although, I wasn't the biggest fan of James's character for a majority of the book, but he did redeem himself towards the end of the story. His character grew,developed, and learned what's truly important. Ezra's character was such a perfect contrast to James's character; where James's character was grumpy and disliked Christmas, and Ezra loved the holiday and was full of optimism and cheer. Ezra's character is by far my favorite, he cares deeply for Grandpa Nicholas and has his best intentions at heart. Throughout the course of this story he discovers that James isn't as cold and brash as he first thought, and learns that James does care, even if he has an odd way of showing it. Eventually he comes around.
I love where this book takes place in, Nicholas's workshop was described so immaculately, and had so many details, that I could envision the workshop in my mind. It filled me with so much Christmas cheer, and I adored how the toys that were sold there was made mostly by hand, And how they were customisable so they were unique to each child/person. This book was written very, very, well. Full of incredible characters, tons of feel good Christmas scenes, love, family, and just a bit of spice.
James's character is stuck trying to climb the corporate ladder, he decides that trying to get his grandfather to sell his shop will be great for the both of them. James gets a promotion and his grandfather can retire with plenty of money, easy peasy, right? Wrong! Upon James's arrival back in Christmas Falls, with help from his grandfather, and the peppy and cheerful elf that helps with his grandfather's store, he discovers what he really wants. He discovers what will truly make him happy, and it's not a job sitting behind a desk.
I loved all of these characters! Although, I wasn't the biggest fan of James's character for a majority of the book, but he did redeem himself towards the end of the story. His character grew,developed, and learned what's truly important. Ezra's character was such a perfect contrast to James's character; where James's character was grumpy and disliked Christmas, and Ezra loved the holiday and was full of optimism and cheer. Ezra's character is by far my favorite, he cares deeply for Grandpa Nicholas and has his best intentions at heart. Throughout the course of this story he discovers that James isn't as cold and brash as he first thought, and learns that James does care, even if he has an odd way of showing it. Eventually he comes around.
I love where this book takes place in, Nicholas's workshop was described so immaculately, and had so many details, that I could envision the workshop in my mind. It filled me with so much Christmas cheer, and I adored how the toys that were sold there was made mostly by hand, And how they were customisable so they were unique to each child/person. This book was written very, very, well. Full of incredible characters, tons of feel good Christmas scenes, love, family, and just a bit of spice.
November 14, 2025
Recensione su copia ARC
Voto: 4+ su 5 stelle
In questo sesto volume della serie troviamo un vero Grinch grinchoso, spodestando Griff, l’organizzatore brontolone dell’intero festival, dal suo soprannome.
James, il nostro primo protagonista, fa ritorno al suo paesello natio dopo quattro anni e mezzo dall’ultima volta. Ufficialmente lo fa per aiutare il nonno anziano nella gestione del negozio di giocattoli fatti a mano, durante le folli settimane del famoso festival natalizio di Christmas Falls, ma in realtà il suo scopo è convincere il nonno a vendere la sua attività e andarsene in pensione, godendosi la vita come non ha mai fatto finora con una generosa buonuscita.
James sa che non sarà semplice persuaderlo, ma non si aspetta certo di trovare un giovane ma agguerrito aiutante del vecchietto a biasimarlo per i suoi tentativi.
Ezra è il perfetto aiutante di Babbo Natale, ossia del vecchietto che a Christmas Falls offre gioia ai bimbi con le sue creazioni personalizzate in legno intagliato e decorato.
Nicholas lo ha accolto nel suo negozio e gli ha dato un lavoro e una casa, mentre lui era solo e disperato, pertanto la sua fedeltà e riconoscenza sono totali e assolute verso nonno Nick.
Quella che è iniziata come una guerra tra Ezra e James, però, cambia man mano che i giorni passano, i due sono costretti a collaborare, e questo nipote Grinch perde lo smalto da cattivo e l’aria supponente da newyorkese spocchioso e ritrova la gioia sincera di sporcarsi con le vernici e di intagliare il legno come faceva da ragazzino, prima di fuggire via da lì.
A indurire il cuore di James c’è una perdita grande che lo ha segnato profondamente, ma sotto sotto ha un cuore buono e generoso, e il suo intento è mosso dalla convinzione che l’anziano parente – l’unico che ha – meriti una pensione felice e serena, che il suo accordo potrebbe garantirgli. Ma sarà davvero così?
Regalatevi qualche ora di piacevole lettura con personaggi interessanti, momenti coinvolgenti, fra battibecchi divertenti, barattoli delle parolacce, cuori in disgelo e dolcezza natalizia davvero ben confezionata.
James, Ezra, nonno Nicholas e Marigold vi aspettano!
Voto: 4+ su 5 stelle
In questo sesto volume della serie troviamo un vero Grinch grinchoso, spodestando Griff, l’organizzatore brontolone dell’intero festival, dal suo soprannome.
James, il nostro primo protagonista, fa ritorno al suo paesello natio dopo quattro anni e mezzo dall’ultima volta. Ufficialmente lo fa per aiutare il nonno anziano nella gestione del negozio di giocattoli fatti a mano, durante le folli settimane del famoso festival natalizio di Christmas Falls, ma in realtà il suo scopo è convincere il nonno a vendere la sua attività e andarsene in pensione, godendosi la vita come non ha mai fatto finora con una generosa buonuscita.
James sa che non sarà semplice persuaderlo, ma non si aspetta certo di trovare un giovane ma agguerrito aiutante del vecchietto a biasimarlo per i suoi tentativi.
Ezra è il perfetto aiutante di Babbo Natale, ossia del vecchietto che a Christmas Falls offre gioia ai bimbi con le sue creazioni personalizzate in legno intagliato e decorato.
Nicholas lo ha accolto nel suo negozio e gli ha dato un lavoro e una casa, mentre lui era solo e disperato, pertanto la sua fedeltà e riconoscenza sono totali e assolute verso nonno Nick.
Quella che è iniziata come una guerra tra Ezra e James, però, cambia man mano che i giorni passano, i due sono costretti a collaborare, e questo nipote Grinch perde lo smalto da cattivo e l’aria supponente da newyorkese spocchioso e ritrova la gioia sincera di sporcarsi con le vernici e di intagliare il legno come faceva da ragazzino, prima di fuggire via da lì.
A indurire il cuore di James c’è una perdita grande che lo ha segnato profondamente, ma sotto sotto ha un cuore buono e generoso, e il suo intento è mosso dalla convinzione che l’anziano parente – l’unico che ha – meriti una pensione felice e serena, che il suo accordo potrebbe garantirgli. Ma sarà davvero così?
Regalatevi qualche ora di piacevole lettura con personaggi interessanti, momenti coinvolgenti, fra battibecchi divertenti, barattoli delle parolacce, cuori in disgelo e dolcezza natalizia davvero ben confezionata.
James, Ezra, nonno Nicholas e Marigold vi aspettano!
December 9, 2023
Move over, Scrooge, there’s a new grump in town. James Willoughby is all business when he returns to Christmas Falls to convince his grandfather to sell his toy shop to James’s employer, a move that will finally earn James his coveted partner status. It’s everything he’s worked for, and reaching that pinnacle will make his long work hours and lonely existence worthwhile, right? Especially if it means taking care of the one person who was there for him when he needed it most.
No Elfing Way is a super sweet, classic holiday tale with a rather storybook ending. At its heart, this story is about rediscovering what’s important in life and appreciating the things that matter. James is the traditional protagonist who leaves small town life behind in search of something better, only to begrudgingly return home in the future. His character evolution from selfish and solitary to caring and compassionate is really well done, and I enjoyed watching his transformation as he reconnects with his past.
A huge part of his transformation and change in perspective is due to Ezra. His grandfather’s new apprentice is the ultimate sunshine to James’s grump, and his effusive love for Christmas Falls rivals James’s disdain. They’re opposites in many ways, and Hayden Hall uses their forced proximity to his advantage as he slowly turns these enemies into lovers in the most satisfying way. I loved watching them fight their immediate, undeniable attraction as they each attempt to reconcile their own hopes and dreams.
The plot to sell the toy shop carries themes of corporate greed and its threat to ruin everything good, especially in a town as charming as Christmas Falls. Don Sinclair is a worthy villain, a character who will have readers rooting for the little guy.
I really enjoyed this book, and I think it fits well within this multi-author series. If you’re looking for a sweet, entertaining holiday read, I definitely recommend it!
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
No Elfing Way is a super sweet, classic holiday tale with a rather storybook ending. At its heart, this story is about rediscovering what’s important in life and appreciating the things that matter. James is the traditional protagonist who leaves small town life behind in search of something better, only to begrudgingly return home in the future. His character evolution from selfish and solitary to caring and compassionate is really well done, and I enjoyed watching his transformation as he reconnects with his past.
A huge part of his transformation and change in perspective is due to Ezra. His grandfather’s new apprentice is the ultimate sunshine to James’s grump, and his effusive love for Christmas Falls rivals James’s disdain. They’re opposites in many ways, and Hayden Hall uses their forced proximity to his advantage as he slowly turns these enemies into lovers in the most satisfying way. I loved watching them fight their immediate, undeniable attraction as they each attempt to reconcile their own hopes and dreams.
The plot to sell the toy shop carries themes of corporate greed and its threat to ruin everything good, especially in a town as charming as Christmas Falls. Don Sinclair is a worthy villain, a character who will have readers rooting for the little guy.
I really enjoyed this book, and I think it fits well within this multi-author series. If you’re looking for a sweet, entertaining holiday read, I definitely recommend it!
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
December 8, 2023
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There’s nothing more Christmassy than a holiday love story involving the big city guy coming back to his hometown to buy up a small local business for his money-hungry company and falling in love with the guy who’s trying to stop it.
Ezra may be new to town, but he’s fallen in love with Christmas Falls and he wants to see if kept the way it is. So when James shows up to convince his grandfather to sell the toy shop Ezra works at, things get tense.
I love James, the buttoned-up and somewhat rigid man who truly believes his offer to buy will be a good thing for his grandfather. His worldview has been formed by his desire for control, especially after losing his parents at a young age. My heart goes out to him, he really is a kindhearted man and so baffled by others who see life differently.
Ezra is judgemental of James before he even meets him. He suffers from the same issue of finding it difficult to understand someone who doesn’t see life from his more creative and cheery worldview.
But once they spend some time together, once they start to see what’s underneath their veneer they will melt your heart. They are quite sweet (okay, and spicy) as a couple. And with Ezra by his side and his grandfather's gentle nudges, James finds joy in the holiday season and the town Christmas inhabits. And in the process, they find the family they’ve both been missing.
This may be the hallmarkiest of all the stories so far (did I mention it’s set in a toy store/workshop), but it also has the depth and emotional layers we’ve come to expect from Hayden’s stories. It will tug at your heartstrings and tear ducts as much as it will make you swoon.
There’s nothing more Christmassy than a holiday love story involving the big city guy coming back to his hometown to buy up a small local business for his money-hungry company and falling in love with the guy who’s trying to stop it.
Ezra may be new to town, but he’s fallen in love with Christmas Falls and he wants to see if kept the way it is. So when James shows up to convince his grandfather to sell the toy shop Ezra works at, things get tense.
I love James, the buttoned-up and somewhat rigid man who truly believes his offer to buy will be a good thing for his grandfather. His worldview has been formed by his desire for control, especially after losing his parents at a young age. My heart goes out to him, he really is a kindhearted man and so baffled by others who see life differently.
Ezra is judgemental of James before he even meets him. He suffers from the same issue of finding it difficult to understand someone who doesn’t see life from his more creative and cheery worldview.
But once they spend some time together, once they start to see what’s underneath their veneer they will melt your heart. They are quite sweet (okay, and spicy) as a couple. And with Ezra by his side and his grandfather's gentle nudges, James finds joy in the holiday season and the town Christmas inhabits. And in the process, they find the family they’ve both been missing.
This may be the hallmarkiest of all the stories so far (did I mention it’s set in a toy store/workshop), but it also has the depth and emotional layers we’ve come to expect from Hayden’s stories. It will tug at your heartstrings and tear ducts as much as it will make you swoon.
December 10, 2023
We finally get the story surrounding the wonderful toy shop of Santa’s Workshop in the fictional town of Christmas Falls and I really enjoyed this sweet story from Hayden Hall. It was a quick read with some amazing characters and a great addition to this multi-author series. I read Clausing A Scene and after the brief mention of James in that book, I couldn’t wait to read this grumpy/sunshine story.
This felt straight out of a Hallmark movie and I loved every second. James comes back into town from his fast paced, high powered job hoping to score a partnership with the company by offering up his grandfather’s store as a new acquisition. What this grump from the city finds instead is the mysterious sunshine helper with a dimpled grin, a swear jar and a fierce loyalty to his grandfather. James is once again wrapped up in the comforts of being around his grandfather and magic of the shop and the start of something special with Ezra. Ezra is a caring bundle of cheer who is grateful of the help he’s received from Nicholas and has grown to love this town that has accepted him. It’s a low angst story with a fantastic ending. James and Ezra were great characters with Nicholas and the feisty Marigold rounding out the cast for this story.
Even though the majority of the story takes place within Grandpa Nicholas’ shop, as a reader I still felt like it continues with the entire vibe of the series. It’s meshed together so well even though so many different authors coming together for this. There are little bits that jump from story to story that keep me waiting for the next addition in this series. Will we ever find out about who the mysterious graffiti artist is spreading little bits of art across the town? And stories that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, I definitely can’t wait to sit down with those books as well. I read a complimentary copy and this is my honest and fair review.
This felt straight out of a Hallmark movie and I loved every second. James comes back into town from his fast paced, high powered job hoping to score a partnership with the company by offering up his grandfather’s store as a new acquisition. What this grump from the city finds instead is the mysterious sunshine helper with a dimpled grin, a swear jar and a fierce loyalty to his grandfather. James is once again wrapped up in the comforts of being around his grandfather and magic of the shop and the start of something special with Ezra. Ezra is a caring bundle of cheer who is grateful of the help he’s received from Nicholas and has grown to love this town that has accepted him. It’s a low angst story with a fantastic ending. James and Ezra were great characters with Nicholas and the feisty Marigold rounding out the cast for this story.
Even though the majority of the story takes place within Grandpa Nicholas’ shop, as a reader I still felt like it continues with the entire vibe of the series. It’s meshed together so well even though so many different authors coming together for this. There are little bits that jump from story to story that keep me waiting for the next addition in this series. Will we ever find out about who the mysterious graffiti artist is spreading little bits of art across the town? And stories that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, I definitely can’t wait to sit down with those books as well. I read a complimentary copy and this is my honest and fair review.
December 6, 2023
4.5⭐️
James has returned to his home town Christmas Falls to help his Grandpa Nicholas get through the Christmas rush at his artisan toy store. He also plans on getting Nicholas to retire and sell his shop to the company James works for which will get him the promotion he desires.
Upon returning to the small town he is deterred to find that not only is his Grandpa no interesting in retiring anytime soon but he has also hired some help in the form of a man named Ezra.
Ezra will challenge everything James believes and it’s no time before their banter and tension transforms into passion and his well laid plan begins to fall apart.
I have been trying my best to not pick a favourite from this series but this book! I absolutely adored this story and the characters and it will definitely hold a special place in my heart.
James’ character was written expertly and his inner turmoil over what he expects from himself and what will actually make him happy is incredible to read, also having Ezra as the perfect dichotomy made for an entertaining and believable romance.
The sex scenes were some of the best in the series thus far and the side characters were absolutely perfect. Don and Kinsleigh were the worst type of businessmen and having them come more fully into the story toward the end as antagonists really helped keep the momentum of the book going. Not to mention Grandpa Nicholas, who was so kind and loving toward everyone and definitely gave off “real-life Santa” vibes.
I found myself laughing, crying and on an enjoyable yet emotional rollercoaster throughout this book and will definitely be keeping a copy close by that I can reread, because I will definitely be rereading this one. I cannot believe this is the first book I have read from this author, I will need to resolve the error of my ways very quickly.
James has returned to his home town Christmas Falls to help his Grandpa Nicholas get through the Christmas rush at his artisan toy store. He also plans on getting Nicholas to retire and sell his shop to the company James works for which will get him the promotion he desires.
Upon returning to the small town he is deterred to find that not only is his Grandpa no interesting in retiring anytime soon but he has also hired some help in the form of a man named Ezra.
Ezra will challenge everything James believes and it’s no time before their banter and tension transforms into passion and his well laid plan begins to fall apart.
I have been trying my best to not pick a favourite from this series but this book! I absolutely adored this story and the characters and it will definitely hold a special place in my heart.
James’ character was written expertly and his inner turmoil over what he expects from himself and what will actually make him happy is incredible to read, also having Ezra as the perfect dichotomy made for an entertaining and believable romance.
The sex scenes were some of the best in the series thus far and the side characters were absolutely perfect. Don and Kinsleigh were the worst type of businessmen and having them come more fully into the story toward the end as antagonists really helped keep the momentum of the book going. Not to mention Grandpa Nicholas, who was so kind and loving toward everyone and definitely gave off “real-life Santa” vibes.
I found myself laughing, crying and on an enjoyable yet emotional rollercoaster throughout this book and will definitely be keeping a copy close by that I can reread, because I will definitely be rereading this one. I cannot believe this is the first book I have read from this author, I will need to resolve the error of my ways very quickly.
December 8, 2023
All the Christmas cuteness with lots of spice! James is returning home to Christmas Falls for the first time in over four years to try to get his grandfather to sell his toy store to his boss' company. He thinks his grandfather deserves to retire and spend the rest of his years traveling. The problem? He doesn't want to! But, James needs this sale in order to make partner at his job. When he arrives at the store, he doesn't expect to find Ezra, an employee of his grandfather's that loves Christmas as much as James hates it.
The two of them bicker about the sale from the beginning, but once James starts working at the store and gets back to carving wooden toys like Gramps, they get to know each other better. They both have tough pasts: James lost his parents in a car accident one Christmas when he was a boy and Ezra's parents kicked him out for being gay. Ezra is able to bring lots more light into James' life for the holidays, something he starts to realize he missed.
When these two finally get together, it's spicy! Even though James detests most spices🤣 Their scenes are drawn out and graphic, full of heat and unbridled desire that can't be contained.
We get some funny moments as these two get to know each other and James gets back in the holiday spirit. He's definitely more Grinch than Santa. But Grandpa Nicholas has the Santa role covered! There are some tough moments as these two deal with their pasts as well as the current issue of selling the store. Emotions run high!
Overall, this was a great read and it was awesome getting to know the story behind another store in this small holiday town.
CW: parents' death in car accident off page, homophobic parents off page
The two of them bicker about the sale from the beginning, but once James starts working at the store and gets back to carving wooden toys like Gramps, they get to know each other better. They both have tough pasts: James lost his parents in a car accident one Christmas when he was a boy and Ezra's parents kicked him out for being gay. Ezra is able to bring lots more light into James' life for the holidays, something he starts to realize he missed.
When these two finally get together, it's spicy! Even though James detests most spices🤣 Their scenes are drawn out and graphic, full of heat and unbridled desire that can't be contained.
We get some funny moments as these two get to know each other and James gets back in the holiday spirit. He's definitely more Grinch than Santa. But Grandpa Nicholas has the Santa role covered! There are some tough moments as these two deal with their pasts as well as the current issue of selling the store. Emotions run high!
Overall, this was a great read and it was awesome getting to know the story behind another store in this small holiday town.
CW: parents' death in car accident off page, homophobic parents off page
December 5, 2023
I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.
James, currently employed in a large toy store corporation. He oversees acquisitions and has decided that his grandfather’s toy store in Christmas Falls is a good candidate for joining the corporation. He travels there to put the proposal in person to his grandfather. Ezra was kicked out of his family home because he is gay. He arrives in Christmas Falls and meets Nicholas, James’ grandfather, who lets him sleep in the small flat above the store. With James’ arrival, a battle is on between him and Ezra who is very protective of Nicholas. James has difficulty tying Nicholas down to actually discuss the sale but does get roped into making some of the toys. Eventually, the Ezra and James discover they are into each other. They go through some rough periods on their way to their happy ending.
The small town at Christmas is one of my favourite tropes. The idea that everyone knows everyone else, and their business is a lot of fun. While this story has a bit less of that than some of the others, there are still some elements of it present. The plot is very enjoyable and straightforward with a brief period of angst that resolves itself quickly. Ezra is a real sweetie, despite his rough start in life. James, given the type of firm he works in, is rather unpleasant at the beginning but comes around fairly quickly. The secondary characters, though fewer in number than in other books in the series, are still important to plot development, whether they be pleasant or not.
This was a wonderful book that I’m happy to recommend.
James, currently employed in a large toy store corporation. He oversees acquisitions and has decided that his grandfather’s toy store in Christmas Falls is a good candidate for joining the corporation. He travels there to put the proposal in person to his grandfather. Ezra was kicked out of his family home because he is gay. He arrives in Christmas Falls and meets Nicholas, James’ grandfather, who lets him sleep in the small flat above the store. With James’ arrival, a battle is on between him and Ezra who is very protective of Nicholas. James has difficulty tying Nicholas down to actually discuss the sale but does get roped into making some of the toys. Eventually, the Ezra and James discover they are into each other. They go through some rough periods on their way to their happy ending.
The small town at Christmas is one of my favourite tropes. The idea that everyone knows everyone else, and their business is a lot of fun. While this story has a bit less of that than some of the others, there are still some elements of it present. The plot is very enjoyable and straightforward with a brief period of angst that resolves itself quickly. Ezra is a real sweetie, despite his rough start in life. James, given the type of firm he works in, is rather unpleasant at the beginning but comes around fairly quickly. The secondary characters, though fewer in number than in other books in the series, are still important to plot development, whether they be pleasant or not.
This was a wonderful book that I’m happy to recommend.
January 2, 2024
2.5/5 I had a lot of trouble liking James. I kept waiting for him to realise how unhappy he was and see the value in Christmas Falls and the store. That was really slow to occur and never quite felt to me like it fully happened. (Honestly, it felt a bit more like Don and Kinsleigh were so bad that anything else felt better than like James fully understood the value of Nicholas’s life as is.)
I would have enjoyed more if Ezra and James had spent more time getting to know one another and enjoying Christmas Falls. I’m still not convinced at the end of the book that James actually enjoys Christmas, and more than any of the books so far, I can’t quite tell if he’d actually be happy in Christmas Falls. His feelings around Christmas are understandably complicated, but it just didn’t feel like he actually made all that much progress through the book. He finally recognises the emptiness of his life, but he barely seems to really understand how Nicholas values the life that he has. Some real discussions between them would have been nice to see (although maybe they were avoided to avoid resolving things too early or having James be more of an ass).
I did like the way that James, Ezra, and Nicholas connected over making toys, and how James rediscovered the pleasure of that creation. I enjoyed the magic that each customer felt in the shop and how happy everyone was. I liked James making sure that Ezra had food. But I wish James had actually listened to people about what Nicholas and Ezra wanted for themselves and not just assumed a lot that he knew what people wanted.
I would have enjoyed an epilogue here to show how things were actually working in the future.
I would have enjoyed more if Ezra and James had spent more time getting to know one another and enjoying Christmas Falls. I’m still not convinced at the end of the book that James actually enjoys Christmas, and more than any of the books so far, I can’t quite tell if he’d actually be happy in Christmas Falls. His feelings around Christmas are understandably complicated, but it just didn’t feel like he actually made all that much progress through the book. He finally recognises the emptiness of his life, but he barely seems to really understand how Nicholas values the life that he has. Some real discussions between them would have been nice to see (although maybe they were avoided to avoid resolving things too early or having James be more of an ass).
I did like the way that James, Ezra, and Nicholas connected over making toys, and how James rediscovered the pleasure of that creation. I enjoyed the magic that each customer felt in the shop and how happy everyone was. I liked James making sure that Ezra had food. But I wish James had actually listened to people about what Nicholas and Ezra wanted for themselves and not just assumed a lot that he knew what people wanted.
I would have enjoyed an epilogue here to show how things were actually working in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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