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Grateful
Nate Roth’s latest dumb stunt has left him with a broken arm, black eye, and stitched chin—and extra trepidation about visiting his family for Hanukkah. He fears his relatives will put him through another round of criticism for his foolish choices and his nonexistent love life. Several mishaps during his short journey to his parents’ house don’t bode well. But along the way he meets impossibly gorgeous Gio DiPietro—and maybe it’s time for Nate’s risk-taking impulses to turn out well for a change.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Advent Calendar package "Sleigh Ride".
41 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
175 books1,303 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 29, 2023
2.5 Stars
A cute little MM holiday read, about a hot-mess guy whose luck turns around when he serendipitously has a meet-cute with a very handsome and very interested stranger.
It’s insta-everything, but there’s a cute dog, a welcoming family, and some Hanukkah celebrations to enjoy.
It’s all of 41 pages, so there’s not enough time to build complex characters or a deeper connection between the men, but as always, Fielding’s writing is on-point as she delivers a sweet little read, here.
It’s been many, many years since I’ve read a Dreamspinner advent story, but it felt really good to finally read this after having it sit on my kindle for 8 years untouched.
A cute little MM holiday read, about a hot-mess guy whose luck turns around when he serendipitously has a meet-cute with a very handsome and very interested stranger.
It’s insta-everything, but there’s a cute dog, a welcoming family, and some Hanukkah celebrations to enjoy.
It’s all of 41 pages, so there’s not enough time to build complex characters or a deeper connection between the men, but as always, Fielding’s writing is on-point as she delivers a sweet little read, here.
It’s been many, many years since I’ve read a Dreamspinner advent story, but it felt really good to finally read this after having it sit on my kindle for 8 years untouched.
November 21, 2016
Nate Roth, clumsy and impulsive, is my kind of Jew: the kind who likes his latkes with a side of ham. Nate's Hanukkah is not off to a great start. He's bruised and in a cast thanks to a cycling *ahem* accident. He gets a speeding ticket on the way home AND forgets the gifts he bought for his family.
Epic. Disaster.
Until Nate meets Gio at the gas station. Gio is, well, pretty much perfect. He has a great dog, an interesting career, and plenty of money. Nate doesn't think he's in Gio's league, but Gio disagrees.
I love Fielding's holiday stories. They are low-key and charming, brimming with family and sweetness.
Nate and Gio are dang cute together. The story gives us a peek into their future, and it's BRIGHT! Piles and piles of kisses & smiles, and a tentative HEA to boot.
Review originally posted here: Sleigh Ride (Dreamweaver's 2015 Advent Calendar).
Epic. Disaster.
Until Nate meets Gio at the gas station. Gio is, well, pretty much perfect. He has a great dog, an interesting career, and plenty of money. Nate doesn't think he's in Gio's league, but Gio disagrees.
I love Fielding's holiday stories. They are low-key and charming, brimming with family and sweetness.
Nate and Gio are dang cute together. The story gives us a peek into their future, and it's BRIGHT! Piles and piles of kisses & smiles, and a tentative HEA to boot.
Review originally posted here: Sleigh Ride (Dreamweaver's 2015 Advent Calendar).
November 18, 2017
I’m sure you are aware of the annual Advent collection Dreamspinner puts together every holiday season but if not, let me tell you, it’s loads of great fun. I would love to read each and every story but sadly time is always an issue for me during this hustle-bustle time of year. I’m forced to pick and choose a small handful of stories from the collection. I’ve learned the hard way that sticking with favorite authors typically works to my best advantage. This year I was stoked to see Fielding participating again. Woot! I was pleasantly rewarded with another marvelous treat from her.
This may be a quickie but it’s utterly satisfying.
Nate is a trip. Well, he actually does trip a lot but he’s a hoot too. I connected easily with his easy-going hilarious voice. He’s a bull in a china shop. He’s reckless, impulsive and oh-so-sweet. He’s dreading heading home for the holidays; not because he isn’t welcome or accepted by his family but because he’s embarrassed about his latest crash-n-burn. A mucked up dare ended badly, leaving him busted and broken. It’s not that he’s a total bonehead, it’s just a combination of butterfingers and harebrain ideas. He’s a frequent flier at the hospital and is sporting impressive injuries just in time for Hanukkah. It’s always something with Nate however this thing has his spirits down.
En route to his parents, a stranger stumbles upon him in mid freak-out. This handsome stranger is everything wet dreams are made of. Gio. As if an angel was summoned to fix his blunder, Gio not only helps Nate replace his missing gifts but also his missing smile. And if things couldn’t get any crazier, they are headed in the same direction and make plans for a hot date the following night.
Gio is filthy rich, disgustingly gorgeous and fathers a magnificent dog. His life is always neat, clean and perfect. He desperately wants to…mess it up. A frazzled cutie at the truck stop catches his eye and before he knows it, his heart.
It’s short but so much fun.
Trust me, add this one to your wish list…you’ll be entirely Grateful.
*4 silly-sweet-sapptastic stars*
This may be a quickie but it’s utterly satisfying.
Nate is a trip. Well, he actually does trip a lot but he’s a hoot too. I connected easily with his easy-going hilarious voice. He’s a bull in a china shop. He’s reckless, impulsive and oh-so-sweet. He’s dreading heading home for the holidays; not because he isn’t welcome or accepted by his family but because he’s embarrassed about his latest crash-n-burn. A mucked up dare ended badly, leaving him busted and broken. It’s not that he’s a total bonehead, it’s just a combination of butterfingers and harebrain ideas. He’s a frequent flier at the hospital and is sporting impressive injuries just in time for Hanukkah. It’s always something with Nate however this thing has his spirits down.
En route to his parents, a stranger stumbles upon him in mid freak-out. This handsome stranger is everything wet dreams are made of. Gio. As if an angel was summoned to fix his blunder, Gio not only helps Nate replace his missing gifts but also his missing smile. And if things couldn’t get any crazier, they are headed in the same direction and make plans for a hot date the following night.
Gio is filthy rich, disgustingly gorgeous and fathers a magnificent dog. His life is always neat, clean and perfect. He desperately wants to…mess it up. A frazzled cutie at the truck stop catches his eye and before he knows it, his heart.
It’s short but so much fun.
Trust me, add this one to your wish list…you’ll be entirely Grateful.
*4 silly-sweet-sapptastic stars*
November 21, 2016
*2.5*
This story is part of the Sleigh Ride Calendar.
I'm so surprised and sad that I didn't like this story more. I'm such a huge fan of Kim Fielding and I devour everything she writes, but I struggled with this one.
I think the biggest reason is Nate, the main character and narrator of the story. Nate is just...all over the place. He's clumsy, impulsive, procrastinatory and acts like child. He keeps complaining that his family sees him as a running joke, but he's the one who brings it all to himself.
Gio, the man he meets on the way to his parents' house, is exactly what Nate needs.
And it turns out that Nate doesn't give enough credit to his family, which actually consists of lovely people. They out only want him to be happy and are just worried about him.
The ending is a tentative HEA and I liked it a lot.
Although I expected to like this one more, Kim Fielding's witing is so evocative and effortless, even in fluffy-sparkly stories, that it's just not possible for me to actually hate a story of hers.
*Cross posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
This story is part of the Sleigh Ride Calendar.
I'm so surprised and sad that I didn't like this story more. I'm such a huge fan of Kim Fielding and I devour everything she writes, but I struggled with this one.
I think the biggest reason is Nate, the main character and narrator of the story. Nate is just...all over the place. He's clumsy, impulsive, procrastinatory and acts like child. He keeps complaining that his family sees him as a running joke, but he's the one who brings it all to himself.
Gio, the man he meets on the way to his parents' house, is exactly what Nate needs.
And it turns out that Nate doesn't give enough credit to his family, which actually consists of lovely people. They out only want him to be happy and are just worried about him.
The ending is a tentative HEA and I liked it a lot.
Although I expected to like this one more, Kim Fielding's witing is so evocative and effortless, even in fluffy-sparkly stories, that it's just not possible for me to actually hate a story of hers.
*Cross posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
December 12, 2015
--- Sweet, quirky, Nate has a cast, stitches and a black eye as he heads to his folks for Hanukkah... can he get there unscathed? ---
Nate, a nerdy, thrill seeker; people who work the ER know him, and once again he's "banged up" for his trip to see his family.
"... he didn't want to be that old dude brooding in a nursing home over all the things he wished he's done..."
He has a good job, friends, and a loving family, but he's alone, and accident prone. On his trip he meets handsome, world traveled, Gio, who speaks five languages and has a huge, fluffy show dog.
Nate says: "...did I tell you about his voice? Deep and rumbly. I wanted to lean up against him and feel his chest..."
Outgoing Gio helps him with presents, which Nate forgot at home, and is promised a date. The presents are a big hit, and his sweet family is happy he's met someone. Instead of going out, Nate wants wonderful Gio to have dinner at his family's. Gio hasn't got close family, as they can't abide him being gay, so Nate wants to share his welcoming clan. A few sexy kisses later, they are skinny dipping in the cold lake, and going to Gio's place. There is no sex in this delightful holiday story. "Grateful" is the key word in Nate's life. He had a beautiful family, and now, wonderful Gio....with lots to look forward to. Terrific...ENJOY !!!
==========================
Nate, a nerdy, thrill seeker; people who work the ER know him, and once again he's "banged up" for his trip to see his family.
"... he didn't want to be that old dude brooding in a nursing home over all the things he wished he's done..."
He has a good job, friends, and a loving family, but he's alone, and accident prone. On his trip he meets handsome, world traveled, Gio, who speaks five languages and has a huge, fluffy show dog.
Nate says: "...did I tell you about his voice? Deep and rumbly. I wanted to lean up against him and feel his chest..."
Outgoing Gio helps him with presents, which Nate forgot at home, and is promised a date. The presents are a big hit, and his sweet family is happy he's met someone. Instead of going out, Nate wants wonderful Gio to have dinner at his family's. Gio hasn't got close family, as they can't abide him being gay, so Nate wants to share his welcoming clan. A few sexy kisses later, they are skinny dipping in the cold lake, and going to Gio's place. There is no sex in this delightful holiday story. "Grateful" is the key word in Nate's life. He had a beautiful family, and now, wonderful Gio....with lots to look forward to. Terrific...ENJOY !!!
==========================
December 23, 2015
Another lovely shorts from Kim Fielding! Gaahhh, I loved the onset chemistry between Nate and Gio *hearteyes* I could easily relate with Nate and imo, he’s actually a free-spirit. Someone who felt stuck in a moment but still getting up (hah! U2shit) Gio’s just so dreamy and I think he’s what Nate needed in his life vice-versa. I enjoyed it a lot! 2015 is a grandslam year for Miss Fielding from Astounding to The Downs to Rattlesnake and this… Clap! Clap! Clap! Bravo!
July 12, 2021
Quirky and sweet and funny. Nate Roth, bearing the wounds of a cycling accident ..... um, riding a tricycle down a big hill and ending up with a cast on one arm, stitches on his chin, a black eye and a limp ..... meets dashing, rich, gorgeous Jaguar-driving Giovanni DiPietro in a truck stop outside Stockton on his way to a Hanukkah celebration with his family. Hilarity ensues, and love follows. Loved the story, but it was WAY too short!
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
December 21, 2015
3.5 stars
This was cute but just way too short!
This was cute but just way too short!
November 13, 2017
I thought this was a sweet and cute holiday story...
Read
December 1, 2015Fluffy, sparkly holiday tale! Sometimes I write dark for the holidays, but this isn't one of those times. I had a blast writing about Nate and Gio--along with a cast of characters that includes a very large dog. And although the cover is for the entire advent calendar collection, it's a scene I can easily imagine happening with these guys.
December 13, 2015
'Grateful' is an absolutely delightful story that pulled me in with its humor, Nate's crazy stunts, and the message of love and acceptance throughout. The tone is light, yet some of the truths Nate believes about himself are quite painful, and he could easily sink into depression. The fact that he doesn't is proof of his strength, and I loved reading this story about him realizing he's much more loved than he feared.
Nate is definitely an interesting man. No matter how ridiculous the things are that seem to "happen" to Nate, his spirit is irrepressible, and he knows how to have fun. He's like a big kid who knows how to enjoy himself, and that can be very attractive. But he also thinks that his family must think he's an idiot and is almost scared to see them for Hanukkah. As for presents? He has no idea what to get them
Gio, a man Nate meets at a freeway rest station, definitely finds Nate intriguing. And that's just from seeing him with one arm in a cast, a black eye, and stitches in his chin. Gio's life isn't half as interesting as Nate's and he decides he'll hang on to Nate to see what happens. Since Gio also thinks Nate is cute, this is by no means a hardship.
If you like stories about men who are unusually accident-prone, if a close family (even though they can come across as meddling) is your thing and if you're looking for an entertaining read that is as sweet as it is emotional, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
Nate is definitely an interesting man. No matter how ridiculous the things are that seem to "happen" to Nate, his spirit is irrepressible, and he knows how to have fun. He's like a big kid who knows how to enjoy himself, and that can be very attractive. But he also thinks that his family must think he's an idiot and is almost scared to see them for Hanukkah. As for presents? He has no idea what to get them
Gio, a man Nate meets at a freeway rest station, definitely finds Nate intriguing. And that's just from seeing him with one arm in a cast, a black eye, and stitches in his chin. Gio's life isn't half as interesting as Nate's and he decides he'll hang on to Nate to see what happens. Since Gio also thinks Nate is cute, this is by no means a hardship.
If you like stories about men who are unusually accident-prone, if a close family (even though they can come across as meddling) is your thing and if you're looking for an entertaining read that is as sweet as it is emotional, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
December 20, 2015
Nate is the definition of a hot mess and I loved him. He needed a Gio in his life for obvious reasons, but I think Gio needed Nate more and that's what I loved about this story. These guys couldn't be more different and this is an instance where the opposites attract thing makes complete sense. Nate's family was perfect and their characters made the story complete because Gio needed them as much as he needed Nate.
December 26, 2015
Ack. This was good and sweet.
Long review short...
Nate was a bit of a mess and needed Gio, yet I think Gio needed Nate more. The gift giving scene was so heartfelt it made me cry and I love Nate's family but I kinda wish we saw Libby test out her rescue skills, even just for a laugh.
Long review short...
Nate was a bit of a mess and needed Gio, yet I think Gio needed Nate more. The gift giving scene was so heartfelt it made me cry and I love Nate's family but I kinda wish we saw Libby test out her rescue skills, even just for a laugh.
Read
November 14, 2017Beyond a cute story and a nice reminder of what gift giving is all about.
December 28, 2019
Fun, Warm Holiday Novella!
There was no angst to this story. Just lots of good characters, plenty of heart, and lots of laughs. And a giant dog named Libby. Merry Christmas!
There was no angst to this story. Just lots of good characters, plenty of heart, and lots of laughs. And a giant dog named Libby. Merry Christmas!
December 12, 2015
I could empathize with Nate in one regard. I, too, am a giant klutz and have spent my life sporting various bruises, cuts and gashes. Sigh. He seems to have way more issues than I ever did. The idiot part though, is all on Nate. Never in a million years are you going to catch me doing something stupid because a friend dared me to. Although I will admit my husband sure enjoyed watching those fools on YouTube and many of those videos made us laugh out loud.
"And although my family’s used to my ways, it’s kind of embarrassing for a thirty-year-old accounts receivable clerk to explain why he did a header over the handlebars of a trike."
I was cringing right beside Nate as he drove to his parents’ for Hanukkah. I have a Jewish mother. I knew how the conversation was going to go before Nate even got there. They'll talk about why he's wasting himself at his job, and what's wrong with him that he does stupid stuff his friends dare him to, and why is he single? They love him, they mean well, and because Nate loves them, he doesn't want to face their disappointment.
When Nate realizes he's forgotten everyone's gifts back at his apartment, it's almost too much to bear. That's when he meets Gio—gorgeous, well to do, and everything Nate is sure would never be interested in him. I mean, seriously, the man speaks five languages, is a translator, owns a dog who just needs one more win to be a champion, drives a Jag, and his parents are diplomats. Pretty sure I'd be feeling the same way Nate is, wondering why this man is talking to him. What Nate doesn't realize yet is that Gio needs to spend time with someone who knows how to have fun and doesn't take everything so seriously.
I absolutely loved this holiday story! Definitely being added to the favorites pile. The author did a great job, and I loved how Gio was able to show Nate a different view of his crazy actions, and Nate was able to share his family with a man who really needed them. Thank you, Kim!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
"And although my family’s used to my ways, it’s kind of embarrassing for a thirty-year-old accounts receivable clerk to explain why he did a header over the handlebars of a trike."
I was cringing right beside Nate as he drove to his parents’ for Hanukkah. I have a Jewish mother. I knew how the conversation was going to go before Nate even got there. They'll talk about why he's wasting himself at his job, and what's wrong with him that he does stupid stuff his friends dare him to, and why is he single? They love him, they mean well, and because Nate loves them, he doesn't want to face their disappointment.
When Nate realizes he's forgotten everyone's gifts back at his apartment, it's almost too much to bear. That's when he meets Gio—gorgeous, well to do, and everything Nate is sure would never be interested in him. I mean, seriously, the man speaks five languages, is a translator, owns a dog who just needs one more win to be a champion, drives a Jag, and his parents are diplomats. Pretty sure I'd be feeling the same way Nate is, wondering why this man is talking to him. What Nate doesn't realize yet is that Gio needs to spend time with someone who knows how to have fun and doesn't take everything so seriously.
I absolutely loved this holiday story! Definitely being added to the favorites pile. The author did a great job, and I loved how Gio was able to show Nate a different view of his crazy actions, and Nate was able to share his family with a man who really needed them. Thank you, Kim!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
December 22, 2015
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
This is a sweet short story about Nate, a young man prone to making unfortunate choices that usually result in accidents and injuries, who’s on his way to his parents’ house for Hannukah when he suddenly realizes he forgot the gifts. Typical of Nate, who feels like a misfit at the best of times, his choice is to go back and waste another three hours when he’s already late or go forward and disappoint his family yet again.
As he’s standing by his car, contemplating his choices, a gorgeous dark-haired man with an equally gorgeous dark-haired Newfoundland accompanying him, pauses to ask Nate what’s wrong? Stunned nearly speechless by this too-good-to-be-true vision in front of him, Nate tells his tale, and to his surprise, the man, Gio, offers to help him.
What he gets is not only a great idea for the gifts for his family, but also the gift of friendship from Gio and the promise of even more. In fact, Gio’s gift ideas are a hit with Nate’s family, and the very next night, Nate brings Gio to dinner. After dinner, Nate takes Gio on one of his adventures, and he finds out it’s fun to have a partner in crime, and he realizes he may just be lucky enough to have a partner for even longer as the story draws to a close.
I highly recommend this story, one of the 2015 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar Stories. The author manages to impart a world of character-building, poignant feelings, and humor in just a few pages. It’s more than enough to warm the heart on those long cold winter nights and well worth grabbing for your holiday reading enjoyment.
This is a sweet short story about Nate, a young man prone to making unfortunate choices that usually result in accidents and injuries, who’s on his way to his parents’ house for Hannukah when he suddenly realizes he forgot the gifts. Typical of Nate, who feels like a misfit at the best of times, his choice is to go back and waste another three hours when he’s already late or go forward and disappoint his family yet again.
As he’s standing by his car, contemplating his choices, a gorgeous dark-haired man with an equally gorgeous dark-haired Newfoundland accompanying him, pauses to ask Nate what’s wrong? Stunned nearly speechless by this too-good-to-be-true vision in front of him, Nate tells his tale, and to his surprise, the man, Gio, offers to help him.
What he gets is not only a great idea for the gifts for his family, but also the gift of friendship from Gio and the promise of even more. In fact, Gio’s gift ideas are a hit with Nate’s family, and the very next night, Nate brings Gio to dinner. After dinner, Nate takes Gio on one of his adventures, and he finds out it’s fun to have a partner in crime, and he realizes he may just be lucky enough to have a partner for even longer as the story draws to a close.
I highly recommend this story, one of the 2015 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar Stories. The author manages to impart a world of character-building, poignant feelings, and humor in just a few pages. It’s more than enough to warm the heart on those long cold winter nights and well worth grabbing for your holiday reading enjoyment.
December 24, 2015
Nate pulls a lot of dumb stunts which ends up getting him hurt a lot. He has several mishaps on his trip to his families for the holidays but that leads him to meeting Gio who helps him when Nate realizes he has left things at home for his family that were really important.
I really loved the way this author wrote this sweet holiday story and these characters! I don't really want to go to much into this and give away any spoilers because this is a short story but I will say I loved Nate's character and these two men together! They were so cute and sweet together.
So I will leave this review with this was such a sweet Holiday novella and I really loved this story! I would definitely recommend this novella!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
I really loved the way this author wrote this sweet holiday story and these characters! I don't really want to go to much into this and give away any spoilers because this is a short story but I will say I loved Nate's character and these two men together! They were so cute and sweet together.
So I will leave this review with this was such a sweet Holiday novella and I really loved this story! I would definitely recommend this novella!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
December 7, 2017
This is an adorable story, and I enjoyed it so much.
I've been in Nate's position before , when I was young, reckless, clumsy and all. i know the feeling of bruising everywhere, lol.
Good thing he has Gio who thinks he's not boring (of course).
This is a nice holiday story, Gio got a family he wanted, and Nate got a man who adores him, with a dog in tow, that's a bonus.
Recommended holiday story !
I've been in Nate's position before , when I was young, reckless, clumsy and all. i know the feeling of bruising everywhere, lol.
Good thing he has Gio who thinks he's not boring (of course).
This is a nice holiday story, Gio got a family he wanted, and Nate got a man who adores him, with a dog in tow, that's a bonus.
Recommended holiday story !
December 20, 2015
Sweet read. The family stuff is well done not over done and the dog is adorable.
If there is ever a time of the year to believe in love at first sight it's Christmas, so insta-love rarely makes it into my pet peeves in these stories, and it doesn't here.
If there is ever a time of the year to believe in love at first sight it's Christmas, so insta-love rarely makes it into my pet peeves in these stories, and it doesn't here.
December 27, 2016
I Wanted More Grateful by Kim Fielding was a quirky Hanukkah boy-finds-cool-boy with a big dose of family appreciation. I do wish this had been a longer story because I know this author could have done some amazing things with these characters. Did I mention this was a Kim Fielding's work?
December 5, 2015
Nice story, I only found the wrap-up too fast. A few more pages, a bit more development, yap, that would have been much appreciated.
January 1, 2016
4.0 Stars
I am a HUGE Kim Fielding fan. I love her writing and the characters she creates. This Christmas short was no exception.
Bottom line: A sweet holiday treat but too short!
I am a HUGE Kim Fielding fan. I love her writing and the characters she creates. This Christmas short was no exception.
Bottom line: A sweet holiday treat but too short!
December 20, 2015
This was short and sweet!
November 17, 2017
Well this was adorable! I love Kim Fielding's writing and this is no exception.
Nate is kind of a screw-up. He's really a bit of a bit overgrown kid in a 30 year old body. His latest stunt had left him with broken bones, stitches, a black eye, etc. A bit like Tim "the toolman" Taylor, he has his own mug at the Emergency Room he's such a frequent flyer. He's not looking forward to once again explaining this mishaps to his family on the first night of Hanukkah.
Of course everything goes wrong - he oversleeps, has traffic issues and worst of all, forgets the giftcards. As he's having a bit of a meltdown at a highway oasis, a gorgeous man with a gorgeous dog approaches him - thinking he needs help. Well he does ;-)
Gio is everything Nate is not. He's a gorgeous Italian guy with a show dog, a cool job, obviously tons of money, etc. But he's missing a few things that maybe Nate has taken for granted. But he might just be willing to share.
I LOVED every single character in this story - well maybe not the highway patrolman ;-) Gio and Nate are both so cute! Nate's family is hilarious and amazing. Nate's BFF is also amusing. Honestly if Kim wrote another story starring these two, I would totally read it. My only complaint is that this story is short - I'd love to read a full length book about these guys. Also, I love a good Hanukkah story.
Nate is kind of a screw-up. He's really a bit of a bit overgrown kid in a 30 year old body. His latest stunt had left him with broken bones, stitches, a black eye, etc. A bit like Tim "the toolman" Taylor, he has his own mug at the Emergency Room he's such a frequent flyer. He's not looking forward to once again explaining this mishaps to his family on the first night of Hanukkah.
Of course everything goes wrong - he oversleeps, has traffic issues and worst of all, forgets the giftcards. As he's having a bit of a meltdown at a highway oasis, a gorgeous man with a gorgeous dog approaches him - thinking he needs help. Well he does ;-)
Gio is everything Nate is not. He's a gorgeous Italian guy with a show dog, a cool job, obviously tons of money, etc. But he's missing a few things that maybe Nate has taken for granted. But he might just be willing to share.
I LOVED every single character in this story - well maybe not the highway patrolman ;-) Gio and Nate are both so cute! Nate's family is hilarious and amazing. Nate's BFF is also amusing. Honestly if Kim wrote another story starring these two, I would totally read it. My only complaint is that this story is short - I'd love to read a full length book about these guys. Also, I love a good Hanukkah story.
December 7, 2018
Who doesn't want to meet a handsome Italian stranger with a cute dog to spend the holidays with?! Cute holiday story that reinforces that it's not the gift itself, but the intention behind it that is important.
December 22, 2022
Very cute, if a bit more love-at-first-sight than I like. My ebook from Scribd was listed as 64p so I was pretty surprised to have it end at 35 and then the rest was just promo copy for other books!
December 15, 2015
5 Heart Review by Vicki
Woohoo! I am giving a five heart review to a 41 page holiday story! Yes I am….
This is just a fun little story, it made me smile, and laugh out loud. I felt a certain connection to it for several reasons. Nate is driving to his parent’s house for Hanukkah, and he goes through Stockton California. I lived in Stockton for a couple of years when I was a teenager. It sucks. Nate is Jewish, but not really a good Jew, my husband is exactly that. Nate’s family dinner was latkes and ham. We have eaten that meal! Seriously, you know you are a bad Jew when you eat PORK with a traditional Jewish food… Nate has a Jewfro. My husband had a Jewfro! So anyway, all of those things made me laugh a little, and made this story even more special.
These short stories are a challenge to review, I usually give a bit of character or plot details, but there isn’t much to this one, so I have to be careful. Basically Nate the Jewish klutz, heads to his family’s house for Hanukkah, does something stupid (again), meets a man, and… You have to read it to find out!
I really really like Kim Fielding’s books. This is a great example of her writing, clean, quick, snappy dialogue, great characters, a little romance, and what looks to be a happy ending and a long life for Nate and Gio. She tells a great story, doesn’t add unnecessary fluff, even with a sweet holiday story. There is enough details to make this interesting, but she didn’t cram a lot of story in to a small space.
I totally enjoyed this story! Just what I needed a few days before spending an evening with my husband’s family for our Hanukkah dinner. Which will not be latkes and ham…
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Woohoo! I am giving a five heart review to a 41 page holiday story! Yes I am….
This is just a fun little story, it made me smile, and laugh out loud. I felt a certain connection to it for several reasons. Nate is driving to his parent’s house for Hanukkah, and he goes through Stockton California. I lived in Stockton for a couple of years when I was a teenager. It sucks. Nate is Jewish, but not really a good Jew, my husband is exactly that. Nate’s family dinner was latkes and ham. We have eaten that meal! Seriously, you know you are a bad Jew when you eat PORK with a traditional Jewish food… Nate has a Jewfro. My husband had a Jewfro! So anyway, all of those things made me laugh a little, and made this story even more special.
These short stories are a challenge to review, I usually give a bit of character or plot details, but there isn’t much to this one, so I have to be careful. Basically Nate the Jewish klutz, heads to his family’s house for Hanukkah, does something stupid (again), meets a man, and… You have to read it to find out!
I really really like Kim Fielding’s books. This is a great example of her writing, clean, quick, snappy dialogue, great characters, a little romance, and what looks to be a happy ending and a long life for Nate and Gio. She tells a great story, doesn’t add unnecessary fluff, even with a sweet holiday story. There is enough details to make this interesting, but she didn’t cram a lot of story in to a small space.
I totally enjoyed this story! Just what I needed a few days before spending an evening with my husband’s family for our Hanukkah dinner. Which will not be latkes and ham…
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
January 23, 2016
In lieu of writing reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters, had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried.
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters, had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried.
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
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