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All I Want for Christmas Is Hughes
Not yet published
Expected 2 Nov 26Nick Smith is supposed to return home and become Santa…so why can’t he stay away from nerdy librarian Ben Hughes?
This magical holiday romp is a Hallmark Movie you can hold in your hands. HOT FROSTY meets SINGLE ALL THE WAY with enough Christmas magic to make anyone believe.
From author Jenny Lane, whose books have readers “swooning the whole way through.” -Library Journal
Elementary teacher Nick Smith has rules to keep his Santa Magic from manifesting. Rule number one: stay away from Ben Hughes—his colleague that seems to awaken it a little more each moment they spend together. So why did he offer to give him a ride home for Christmas?
Ben Hughes hasn’t been home for the holidays since embarrassing himself at the Christmas Eve event years ago. That is—until a promotion at work is on the line. He’ll do anything to prove to his boss that he’s Weatherstone Academy material—including going home for Christmas. Even if that means accepting a ride home from his work bestie (and crush.) It’s fine…he can survive one car ride.
But when a storm hits, Nick is forced to wait it out in the small town of Harper’s Pass. And the more time Nick and Ben spend together, the more Nick’s magic grows…making him wonder if his true calling taking over the “family business” would really be so bad…or if all he wants for Christmas…is Hughes.
This magical holiday romp is a Hallmark Movie you can hold in your hands. HOT FROSTY meets SINGLE ALL THE WAY with enough Christmas magic to make anyone believe.
From author Jenny Lane, whose books have readers “swooning the whole way through.” -Library Journal
Elementary teacher Nick Smith has rules to keep his Santa Magic from manifesting. Rule number one: stay away from Ben Hughes—his colleague that seems to awaken it a little more each moment they spend together. So why did he offer to give him a ride home for Christmas?
Ben Hughes hasn’t been home for the holidays since embarrassing himself at the Christmas Eve event years ago. That is—until a promotion at work is on the line. He’ll do anything to prove to his boss that he’s Weatherstone Academy material—including going home for Christmas. Even if that means accepting a ride home from his work bestie (and crush.) It’s fine…he can survive one car ride.
But when a storm hits, Nick is forced to wait it out in the small town of Harper’s Pass. And the more time Nick and Ben spend together, the more Nick’s magic grows…making him wonder if his true calling taking over the “family business” would really be so bad…or if all he wants for Christmas…is Hughes.
- GenresChristmas Romance
Paperback
Expected publication November 2, 2026
About the author
Jenny Lane
16 books8 followersJenny Lane is a queer romance author. Their stories are queer, whimsical, heartwarming…and always end with a happily ever something.
There is nothing Jenny loves more than a fire pit, an ocean view, and a good book to read—but they will settle for any combination of these three. When they aren't writing or reading something, Jenny works as a librarian and advocate for literacy.
There is nothing Jenny loves more than a fire pit, an ocean view, and a good book to read—but they will settle for any combination of these three. When they aren't writing or reading something, Jenny works as a librarian and advocate for literacy.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy
I absolutely adored this. And the concept was genius
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun and cute little story!
October 28, 2026
This is my first MM Christmas book and what an absolute delight it was. A perfectly charming story that would make an incredible Hallmark Christmas film.
Nick is the son of Santa and has gone out into the world to find his Christmas magic when he's meant to head home to be the new Santa. Enter the new librarian at his school where he teaches, the adorable Ben. When they touch, there's a magic spark. Ben adores Christmas but has kept away from his Christmas loving hometown after an incident 7 years beforehand.
Naturally the two men end up back in the town and slowly start to fall in love.
These are wonderful characters, both Nick and Ben are lovely, and clearly meant for each other. Ben's quirky family are a lot of fun. I loved all the Christmas events in the town and had such a great time reading it.
Yes, it's as saccharine sweet as the hot chocolate the gents love to drink, and that's just how I want my Christmas love stories.
Highly recommended reading this festive season!
Nick is the son of Santa and has gone out into the world to find his Christmas magic when he's meant to head home to be the new Santa. Enter the new librarian at his school where he teaches, the adorable Ben. When they touch, there's a magic spark. Ben adores Christmas but has kept away from his Christmas loving hometown after an incident 7 years beforehand.
Naturally the two men end up back in the town and slowly start to fall in love.
These are wonderful characters, both Nick and Ben are lovely, and clearly meant for each other. Ben's quirky family are a lot of fun. I loved all the Christmas events in the town and had such a great time reading it.
Yes, it's as saccharine sweet as the hot chocolate the gents love to drink, and that's just how I want my Christmas love stories.
Highly recommended reading this festive season!
Review of advance copy received from Author
All I Want for Christmas is Hughes is a sweet, no-spice MM romance between Nick, the man destined to be the next Santa and Ben, who grew up in a town that is all about Christmas but who has since fled due to a Christmas-time disaster. When Nick and Ben meet, Nick is still waiting for his magic to manifest. The sparks are instantaneous, and the more time he spends with Ben, the more his magic grows, but how will he get Ben to believe he's Santa's son?
At its core, this story is about being who we truly are, despite what we think our families want us to be. It's about believing in yourself and not letting the past control you. I really enjoyed both Nick and Ben, but the supporting characters in this book were perfect as well. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Wells, who owns the town bookstore.
If you're looking for a quick, sweet, holiday read, give Nick and Ben a try!
At its core, this story is about being who we truly are, despite what we think our families want us to be. It's about believing in yourself and not letting the past control you. I really enjoyed both Nick and Ben, but the supporting characters in this book were perfect as well. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Wells, who owns the town bookstore.
If you're looking for a quick, sweet, holiday read, give Nick and Ben a try!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This MM Christmas romance is as sweet as a cup of hot chocolate! Nick is an adorable snow-boarding teddy bear of a guy and Ben is his perfect counterpart as a bookish librarian. Throw in some Christmas magic and mistletoe yearnings, and you’ve got a delightful, cozy read.
I appreciate that Jenny Lane kept a light touch with the magic elements and merely hinted at Nick’s role as Santa’s son and heir apparent. The focus remains squarely on the couple and the ways in which they support each other while coming to terms with their respective pasts.
I appreciate that Jenny Lane kept a light touch with the magic elements and merely hinted at Nick’s role as Santa’s son and heir apparent. The focus remains squarely on the couple and the ways in which they support each other while coming to terms with their respective pasts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an absolutely delightful Christmas read! Nick and Ben were adorable, Harper's Pass has all the small town wonder you might need, and watching this story unfold was simply magical. Highly recommend adding this to your holiday TBR--and beyond! Because this kind of magic sparkles year round.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of ARC
This was a very sweet book about two guys who try to figure out where they belong. Its chock-full of christmas wonder with a sprinkle of magic (since Nick is, you know, the son of the guy with the red suit and the beard).
It is a low angst, no spice romance with a cute HEA.
This was a very sweet book about two guys who try to figure out where they belong. Its chock-full of christmas wonder with a sprinkle of magic (since Nick is, you know, the son of the guy with the red suit and the beard).
It is a low angst, no spice romance with a cute HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy received from the author
This is one of the cutest, fluffiest stories I have read in a long time.
Filled with Christmas cheer and antics.
Definitely recommend this book if you are wanting something so sweet it will give you cavities.
This is one of the cutest, fluffiest stories I have read in a long time.
Filled with Christmas cheer and antics.
Definitely recommend this book if you are wanting something so sweet it will give you cavities.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A sweet and swoony Christmas romance full of YEARNING!!! The YEARNING!!!! This needs to be a Christmas movie NOW!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews