The Christmas Bachelor

Holiday Holm #2

by Rhys Everly

For One hot firefighter single-dad. Twelve dates included.

I'm still grieving the loss of my girlfriend, and the last thing I need is to get roped into a charity bachelor auction.

And yet… here I am, being sold to the highest bidder.

I’m ready to grumble my way through it.

Until I see who won me.

Samir, the older, charming bookstore owner whose smile has been haunting me since I met him.

Suddenly, twelve dates feels a lot less like torture and a lot more like trouble.

Will twelve dates be enough. Or will it show us why this Christmas miracle can't last?

The Christmas Bachelor is a holiday standalone set in the world of Mayberry Holm and contains a young single dad who doesn’t realize he’s ready for a second chance, a forty-year-old bookstore owner who’d rather hang out with his rescue cats, a young girl hoping for a family and a whole lot of holiday magic that refuses to mind its own business.

Genres: M M Romance

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

Rhys Everly-Lawless is a hopeless romantic who loves happily-ever-afters.
Which would explain why he loves writing them.

When he's not passionately typing out his next book, you can find him cuddling his dog, feeding his husband, or taking long walks letting those plot bunnies breed ferociously in his head.

He writes contemporary gay romances as Rhys Everly and LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romances as Rhys Lawless.

You can find him and all his latest projects on rhyswritesromance.com

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Cole is a mid-20s single father of a 3 year old, bi, firefighter and restaurant co-owner, buried under the weight of the loss of his girlfriend who died in childbirth, and working way too many hours a day to forget. Samir is 41, Muslim, divorced and gay, never having dated or been with a man, and co-owner of a bookstore/cat rescue. When the two meet in the bookstore, the interest is immediate, but both are not confident enough to do anything about it. But when Cole is volunteered into being in a charity bachelor auction, Samir happens to be in the audience, bids on Cole, and wins him for not 1 but 12 dates. They start dating, finding an ease with each other, learning more about each other, and getting drawn further and further into the physical and emotional attraction, moving slowly as they discover what this could become. Some of the dates involve Cole’s daughter Ellie, and she gets along very well with Sami. When Samir decides to go to Boston for the night, he asks Cole to go along. Encouraged by his family Cole agrees, and the two find it very freeing to be on their own without distractions from their time together. But something has changed in the morning, and unless they can figure it out, both will go back to the lonely life from before, without the person who has taken up so much of their thoughts.

Both of these men have trouble believing they are interesting and attractive enough for the other person, so often question their feelings and reactions. Samir has never had a gay relationship, casual or otherwise, and his inexperience gives him reasons to question what he is doing. Cole’s experience predates the birth of his daughter, so he is questioning also. As a result, the romantic part of the relationship moves very slowly while the compatibility quickly grows. Sami’s interactions with Ellie are sweet, he relates to her very well, and she adores him. Their dates are quite varied, as they discover likes and dislikes. I enjoyed taking Ellie “ring-ringing” and the cat rescue as two unusual dates but ones that highlighted thier interests and how well they got along. Both men had supportive friends and family to encourage them as needed. I thought the development of the relationship felt very natural, and they were well suited to each other.

One thing that did surprise me was the acceptance of Samir being gay by members of his Muslim community. I had been led to believe that being gay was very looked down upon, and mostly remained hidden, but that wasn’t the case. A point wasn’t really made of it, but it did surprise me that there wasn’t more pushback for Samir and for his ex-wife and her girlfriend. I wondered if it was more due to location than general acceptance.

The story was slow moving, but still kept me engaged as the two progressed in their own angsty ways, finally getting to their HEA via that good old standby, communication, communication, communication. I will check back on previous books in this series for the book about Cole’s brother Carter, and for other books with characters from the little town of Mayberry Holm. It is an entertaining location, one which appears to have many interesting characters in the small, island town.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Splendid Christmas Romance for a single father and a bi-awakened bookstore owner

Rhys Everly captures your attention from the outset of this charming Christmas romance, which commences with a bachelor auction featuring a charismatic firefighter. He has a brother who is in love with another man, and he belongs to a gay-friendly family and a supportive community.

Cole is attractive and desirable, with a daughter from a previous relationship with a woman whom he loved and who tragically died during childbirth. His daughter is the central focus of his life, and he is supported by a loving family that cherishes her.

Consequently, when the owner of a local bookstore wins twelve dates with Cole as part of a fundraising event, Cole and Samir are expected to go out twelve times. From the very beginning, there is an evident friendship that is destined to develop into something more. Samir's wife realized she was a lesbian and found a partner, a transition her former husband blessed. Samir had an awakening of his own sexuality, which was intensified during a few of the twelve dates scheduled during the Christmas season. Cole was pleased with how well he connected with his daughter, and despite Samir being in his 40s and significantly older than Cole, they shared a meaningful connection that Cole wished to nurture.

However, when they embark on an out-of-town trip and share intimate moments, Cole experiences remorse over the loss of the mother of his child and the intimacy shared with Samir.

This forms a part of the story's emotional tension, which unfolds as a quintessential Christmas narrative, culminating in a joyful union on Christmas Day and complete acceptance by their respective families. The journey of these two men discovering and intensifying their bond is a heartwarming and delightful read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another holiday entry in the Mayberry Holm series by Rhys Everly. If you are familiar with the previous holiday book you have met Cole before. He’s a firefighter, a co-owner of Carson’s Grill with his older brother, and a single dad to a 3 yr. old daughter. He’s barely holding himself together after losing his gf during childbirth, even with the support of his family and bff. Something’s got to give or else his daughter will grow up without him. Being forced to slow down has him spending the day with his daughter and bff in town. Where they enter a delightful bookstore/cat sanctuary owned by Samir. And the spark is instant for both. Samir is on his own journey, as he’s divorced from his best friend when they both decided they needed to come out and live their truth. The only problem Is Samir has never gotten past the actual coming out part. Both men are cajoled into going to a bachelor auction, Cole as a firefighter participant and Samir as a guest. Samir wins Cole, but with a twist no other participant had. Samir wins 12 Christmas dates instead of just one. As the two men go on their dates, some that include Cole’s daughter Ella as well, they discover the spark that started in the bookstore only grows. However they each get in their heads too much. Cole thinks he’s a disaster and doesn’t know what to do with his still remaining grief, and Samir has no experience dating a man plus he constantly worries he’s too much older than Cole. Although they need a few little pushes from their family and friends the two men finally find their way to HEA. I am definitely looking forward to the next holiday book from this quaint little town.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas miracle for a depressed single dad👍

4-4.5🌟 stars
Warm, comfortable with steamy bits, this MM romance between Cole and Samir had great vibes, helped along by Cole's adorable three year old daughter Ella. The story is a follow on from the 2022 romance for Ella's uncle and godfather (The Holiday Experiment) and features similar tropes. But this story does not rely on having read the previous. I enjoyed both🙂.

Cole is anxiety-ridden, not wanting to displace Ella's mother, who died in childbirth, from his daily thoughts by looking for a new partner. His inner circle worry about him working too hard and missing important moments with his daughter so he cuts down on the work hours, goes out and about with Ella on the quaint streets of Mayberry and pays a visit to the town's bookstore/cat rescue spot, run by Samir. The guys have instant starstruck attraction, but it's their family and friends' matchmaking efforts, facilitated by a bachelor auction, that actually get Samir and Cole to hang out together and ramp up a magical Christmas season with little Ella. Some bumps in the road for a bit of drama, but overall very cozy with a gradual ramp up to full intimacy and steam.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Dawn Siemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a Christmas story

I got about halfway through this story. I've liked other books by Rhys Everly. It's not that the story is bad, exactly. There's some conflict - mostly the guys feeling like they don't deserve love. There is a little girl and lots of cats.

I guess I just don't feel like these guys are a good match. They have different religions, different diets (and one of these guys owns a restaurant), one owns a dog, the other runs a cat sanctuary and is allergic to dogs. They're attracted to each other, and they each want a partner, but that is not enough to make a relationship work. A bunch of cats + toddler alone = big trouble.

Add to that the title of the book being "Christmas Bachelor" and one of the guys not celebrating Christmas puts a damper on the Christmas spirit here.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

What more can you want from a holiday romance than watching two men reluctantly accept the machinations of well meaning family and succumb to holiday romance? The Christmas Bachelor is an age gap, second chance, single dad romance with meddling family, adorable cats and of course a bachelor auction!

I appreciated that the characters were diverse and that the book was focused on more than just holiday happenings, but I would have loved to see more depth and discussion of Samir's religion and how that would impact their relationship... as well as more meaningful conversations overall... but as a sweet and steamy holiday story, this one is definitely worth the read!

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Cole is a single dad who lost his girlfriend during childbirth. Barely hanging on, three years pass. He is a firefighter but also co-owner of a restaurant with his brother. Samir was married to his best friend, but they divorced as they were not living their truth of being gay. When Cole gets volunteered to being put on a bachelor auction to help Duke’s sanctuary, he gets bought by Samir. This was a great read with how Cole learning to breathe through his grief, spending more time with his daughter and falling in love with Samir. I am loving this world and looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!

I loved The Christmas Bachelor by Rhys Everly. It's the second book in the Holiday Holm series. I loved Cole and Samir. I loved their chemistry and how they interacted on their dates. I loved when Cole's daughter got to go with them, like when they went Christmas tree shopping and when they went ice skating. I also loved Cole's best friend, Enzo, and Samir's ex-wife and her girlfriend. I want Samir's bookstore. I would love to have a new/used bookstore where you can curl up with a feline while you read. I also loved the twist at the end.

I read this book using the Kindle unlimited app.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story, set in Mayberry Holm, is a great addition to the holiday series. Cole is a single dad with a young daughter, and is still grieving his wife when he meets divorced bookshop owner and cat rescuer, Samir, and they are smitten with instant attraction. When Samir buys 12 dates with Cole at the local Bachelor Auction the fun begins, as they stumble through the dates and get to know each other. Cole’s daughter, Ella, is a delightful addition to the story, as are characters from the previous books. Their story is sweet, emotional, has heat and a dash of angst, as well as many entertaining cats. This was a great story and I highly recommend it.

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I loved being back in Mayberry Holm, the community and the characters are so unique. This is the story of Samir who owns the book store and cat rescue, who is rather an introverted individual, divorced, Muslim and gay. He meets Cole and his daughter Ellie at his store and is enchanted by both. Cole a firefighter lose his wife during childbirth and holds a lot of guilt and grief. Samir bids on Cole at a fundraiser bachelor auction and gets twelve dates. This relationship is slow moving but keeps you interested as it progresses. The interaction between Samir and Ellie is cute and endearing. Such a sweet story.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samir is a book store owner, Muslim, divorced, newly come out gay man. And don't forget all his cats! Cole is a widowed man with a child who didn't realize he was bi. After Samir buys Cole at a charity auction for 12 dates, they realize they really like each other. Samir is patient and kind but Cole waffles through this whole slow burn story until finally accepting Samir. He also has to work out his grief and insecurities of 4 years. The book implies an acceptance of culture differences that might be part of the magic of a Christmas story.

[Mrs.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Christmas, and a new Holiday romance in Mayberry Holm.
Here we have a single dad, bisexual firefighter, who has closed himself off after losing his girlfriend and a much older, Muslim bookstore owner who, though having come out after his divorce, has not yet had the guts to date other men.
A charity bachelor auction and some meddling friends do the trick of making them meet and commit to twelve Christmas dates; and through their reservations, some back and forth, and a bit of guilt and remorse, they finally get the HEA they both deserve!

[Lisa Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another really good holiday story. I loved stories where one or both MCs get a second chance at happiness, and this didn't disappoint.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samir has been true to himself but hasn’t gotten very far. Cole is caught up in his past. These two are drawn together in a magical way. There are some missteps but for the most part a sweet holiday story of finding love.

[antonia🫧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

i get that he's grieving but trying to guilt trip his own parents for wanting to live their life?🤓

the old lady with the spicy queer books? that's me in approximately 50 years.

i also thought they know each other more than one day, from the blurb.

[Lyndsay TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single dad working himself to the ground to forget the pain, a lonely bookstore owner trying to find himself meet one night at an auction and awkward dates commence. A cute yet emotional slow burn romance set in the small town of Mayberry Holm.

[Jolanda van Osch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Cole and Samir's love story.
It's a slow burn and lovely story.

[Jimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful yuletide story of love overcoming gear and grief.
Thanks Rhys.

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book with cats, books, a kid, some meddling friends and lots of chemistry between the MCs.
A lovely christmas story