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Christmas at the Wellands
Kev's had a truly horrible year. After losing his mom, he was plunged into a deep depression, and only pulled through with his best friend Andrew's help. So when Andrew invites him to spend Christmas with his family in Connecticut, it would be pretty crappy to turn down the invitation, despite not being sure how he would fit in with Andrew's very white, very wholesome family.
As soon as they get there, Kev and Andrew are greeted with over-active and curious children, and many harried--and curious--adults. As Kev struggles to find his place amidst the chaos, he is also confronted by his awakening desire for something he really can't have--his straight best friend.
But revelations, great and small, take everyone by surprise--and show that Christmas just might be the happiest time of the year, after all.
CW for parental loss, depression, past suicidality, and past self-harm
As soon as they get there, Kev and Andrew are greeted with over-active and curious children, and many harried--and curious--adults. As Kev struggles to find his place amidst the chaos, he is also confronted by his awakening desire for something he really can't have--his straight best friend.
But revelations, great and small, take everyone by surprise--and show that Christmas just might be the happiest time of the year, after all.
CW for parental loss, depression, past suicidality, and past self-harm
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2018
7 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Liz Jacobs
3 books78 followersLiz Jacobs came over with her family from Russia at the age of 11, as a Jewish refugee. All in all, her life has gotten steadily better since that moment. They settled in an ultra-liberal haven in the middle of New York State, which sort of helped her with the whole “grappling with her sexuality” business.
She has spent a lot of her time flitting from passion project to passion project, but writing remains her constant. She has flown planes, drawn, made jewelry, had an improbable internet encounter before it was cool, and successfully wooed the love of her life in a military-style campaign. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for her essay on her family’s experience with immigration.
She currently lives with her wife in Massachusetts, splitting her time between her day job, writing, and watching a veritable boatload of British murder mysteries.
She has spent a lot of her time flitting from passion project to passion project, but writing remains her constant. She has flown planes, drawn, made jewelry, had an improbable internet encounter before it was cool, and successfully wooed the love of her life in a military-style campaign. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for her essay on her family’s experience with immigration.
She currently lives with her wife in Massachusetts, splitting her time between her day job, writing, and watching a veritable boatload of British murder mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 12, 2018
Roll out the red carpet for Liz Jacobs! Why is this the first time I hear about this author? I can't believe this is
FREE
!
Amazing writing, great narrative and very good rep. This is a relatively short, Christmas, New Adult story. No fluff, it's mostly on the heavy side with a big dose of family. So good.
Amazing writing, great narrative and very good rep. This is a relatively short, Christmas, New Adult story. No fluff, it's mostly on the heavy side with a big dose of family. So good.
January 17, 2018
This is not your typical fluffy holiday story. Christmas at the Wellands is rather depressing. Kev's mindset was realistic, and I didn't need all the rainbows, but a less abrupt ending would have been appreciated.
April 21, 2023
After reading Abroad by Jacobs, which was *amazing*, I was unsurprised that I enjoyed this new adult M/M friends to lovers holiday story. Kev, a Black college student, lost his mother and almost lost his life to depression (suicide attempt), pulling through with the help of his white roommate Andrew. Who Kev has a crush on. Which makes it complicated when Kev agrees to spend Christmas with Andrew's family. This is happening after Kev is back on a more even keel than when he was dangerously ill, but his recent past is a big presence in the book, underlying the Wellands' family shenanigans. By the end, though, I felt confident that these two adorable kids are on a good path. Definitely recommended for that vibe of "it's the holidays, we're trapped with the slightly dysfunctional family, someone has a secret."
Additional content warning on 2023 re-read: on-page racist behavior by one of the relatives, not author endorsed. I also don't know that today, I would buy a book by a non-Black author with a Black POV character.
Additional content warning on 2023 re-read: on-page racist behavior by one of the relatives, not author endorsed. I also don't know that today, I would buy a book by a non-Black author with a Black POV character.
November 17, 2023
2023: What I didn't say last time is that this is a novella, the leads are roommates who are attending the one's family home for Christmas, and the MC has been in love with him for awhile, but is also struggling after enduring illness and loss. They are white and Black, in college, but what got to me is the prose. It's just exceptionally well-written.
However, it now appears to be unavailable on amazon, so I don't know what's up with that. And,
apparently Goodreads didn't record the last read date, when I wrote the original review below? It has to have been four or five years ago, since I didn't remember any of it on this re-read, but it was every bit as enjoyable this time, and I wish I could do this with every story I've loved, enjoy them again for the first time!
Original review,
THIS IS SO GOOD. Sorry for yelling but go read it! It's currently inexplicably free but I'd have happily paid for this one. There are a couple typos but I don't care, it doesn't matter. It's a delight all the way through to the last word.
However, it now appears to be unavailable on amazon, so I don't know what's up with that. And,
apparently Goodreads didn't record the last read date, when I wrote the original review below? It has to have been four or five years ago, since I didn't remember any of it on this re-read, but it was every bit as enjoyable this time, and I wish I could do this with every story I've loved, enjoy them again for the first time!
Original review,
THIS IS SO GOOD. Sorry for yelling but go read it! It's currently inexplicably free but I'd have happily paid for this one. There are a couple typos but I don't care, it doesn't matter. It's a delight all the way through to the last word.
January 6, 2018
I did some editing for this, but I found I then had to re-read it immediately it was released. This is a very cute Christmas novella about mental health, other people's families being weird, and what love might mean.
The characters really stuck with me. This isn't a surprise - Liz is very good at characters - but it's hard to do in a short, where every word counts. I found this very quietly moving. The characters do learn and grow here, but it's much more about that stage of becoming an adult where you're dealing with the aftermath of your life so far, and figuring out what it means to deal with that as an adult. Here, they do, together, and it's adorable.
The characters really stuck with me. This isn't a surprise - Liz is very good at characters - but it's hard to do in a short, where every word counts. I found this very quietly moving. The characters do learn and grow here, but it's much more about that stage of becoming an adult where you're dealing with the aftermath of your life so far, and figuring out what it means to deal with that as an adult. Here, they do, together, and it's adorable.
January 22, 2018
#readathon18 Μία νουβέλα
This was such a lovely and comforting story, like a fluffy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate in story form. Short, sweet, immersive and moving. An LGBTQ+ setting, with family relations and mental health at its core, handled with care and humanity and tenderness. A simple story but told with love, and it shows.
I had read many good things about Liz Jacobs and I wanted to give her work a try. I'm very happy that I did and this was also free! I can't wait to read her other books.
This was such a lovely and comforting story, like a fluffy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate in story form. Short, sweet, immersive and moving. An LGBTQ+ setting, with family relations and mental health at its core, handled with care and humanity and tenderness. A simple story but told with love, and it shows.
I had read many good things about Liz Jacobs and I wanted to give her work a try. I'm very happy that I did and this was also free! I can't wait to read her other books.
December 4, 2018
I finally read this book after a year on my Kindle, and it's definitely jumpstarted ny Christmas spirit. It's sensitive and sweet with the loveliest slow burn. I enjoyed the large family setting which seems a nice departure from a lot Christmas romances - it really painted a warm and cozy picture, complete with all the chaos and the usual bad egg in every family. I particularly loved how nuanced Kev's POV was as a young Black man from the city out of his element having a very white suburban Christmas. Kev and Andrew were incredibly sweet and surprisingly hot.
December 15, 2021
2.5 stars
Basically I'm a sucker for UST with a supposedly straight best friend. And this BF is adorable. I would have preferred more focus on the two guys, although I wouldn't say the family stuff was too much. It's just a little short to do both parts full justice on top of Kev's internal struggles with depression/anxiety. His voice rang true enough that I'll be interested to see what the author does with a full-length novel, though.
Basically I'm a sucker for UST with a supposedly straight best friend. And this BF is adorable. I would have preferred more focus on the two guys, although I wouldn't say the family stuff was too much. It's just a little short to do both parts full justice on top of Kev's internal struggles with depression/anxiety. His voice rang true enough that I'll be interested to see what the author does with a full-length novel, though.
February 2, 2018
3.5 stars
Read
December 5, 2018DNF @43%. The writing is fine, but it's just not grabbing me. Maybe because the thought of spending days with a friend's extended family at Christmas seems awful to this introvert. *shudders*
Read
January 14, 2019I rarely read contemporary stories like this, but this was a refreshing slice-of-life short that would appeal to older YA and NA readers looking for a feel-good LGBT read.
December 31, 2019
Kev had suffered a loss and a devastating depression. So when his best friend and roommate convinced Kev to come home with him, Kev still wasn't sure it was a great idea, but it was better than sitting alone in their dorm room.
I loved this different type of Christmas story. Considering how many people, suffering from depression, struggle with the holidays, Kev's thoughts and initial struggles felt realistic. Even though Andrew's family was the exact opposite of Kev's , I loved how being around them with Andrew watching over him, helped turn the corner for Kev.
I loved this different type of Christmas story. Considering how many people, suffering from depression, struggle with the holidays, Kev's thoughts and initial struggles felt realistic. Even though Andrew's family was the exact opposite of Kev's , I loved how being around them with Andrew watching over him, helped turn the corner for Kev.
January 6, 2018
Very sweet novella
Generally, I find novellas too short to really tell a story well, but this one came as close as any to have plot, issues of belonging/acceptance, and some character development. I prefer novels where I can really get to know the characters, but this was sweet and satisfying. And asks the right questions about Titanic.
Generally, I find novellas too short to really tell a story well, but this one came as close as any to have plot, issues of belonging/acceptance, and some character development. I prefer novels where I can really get to know the characters, but this was sweet and satisfying. And asks the right questions about Titanic.
did-not-finish
June 20, 2024DNF @ 36%. No rating.
I'm not feeling this one. The writing style is a bit odd with Kevan talking about things that happened in his past as if readers should be familiar with the situations. I can't explain it well but references to past events can be written about in one of two ways: either if readers are already familiar with the situation or if they aren't. The author used the first approach and while it doesn't led to complete confusion, I constantly felt as if I had missed part 1 of this story and I didn't enjoy it. It's a me problem, hence the lack of a rating.
I also didn't care about either MC and there was no chemistry between them. Even worse is that I didn't get a strong friendship vibe from them and they've been friends for a few years by this point and a strong friendship is the foundation for a successful friends to lovers romance so I knew this wouldn't satisfy me.
Lastly, this isn't my kind of story and I shouldn't have bothered picking it up. The summary makes it clear that it's all about the two MCs going to spend Christmas with one of their families, which obviously means that the family plays a huge role. Andrew's family consists of a dozen named characters, all of whom took up a lot of page time and I didn't care about any of them.
Overall, nothing was grabbing my interest here and I'm a bit behind with my reading plans for this month so I didn't feel like continuing, despite how short this is.
I'm not feeling this one. The writing style is a bit odd with Kevan talking about things that happened in his past as if readers should be familiar with the situations. I can't explain it well but references to past events can be written about in one of two ways: either if readers are already familiar with the situation or if they aren't. The author used the first approach and while it doesn't led to complete confusion, I constantly felt as if I had missed part 1 of this story and I didn't enjoy it. It's a me problem, hence the lack of a rating.
I also didn't care about either MC and there was no chemistry between them. Even worse is that I didn't get a strong friendship vibe from them and they've been friends for a few years by this point and a strong friendship is the foundation for a successful friends to lovers romance so I knew this wouldn't satisfy me.
Lastly, this isn't my kind of story and I shouldn't have bothered picking it up. The summary makes it clear that it's all about the two MCs going to spend Christmas with one of their families, which obviously means that the family plays a huge role. Andrew's family consists of a dozen named characters, all of whom took up a lot of page time and I didn't care about any of them.
Overall, nothing was grabbing my interest here and I'm a bit behind with my reading plans for this month so I didn't feel like continuing, despite how short this is.
March 24, 2019
Yes, I realize it’s March, but I wanted a not-too-long, not-too-angsty bit of HAE and I knew Liz Jacobs would deliver.
This is sweet, but not cloying. With a realistic level of imperfection and seriousness without too much angst.
Kev, our pov character is recovering from a dark depression and a suicide attempt, but the narrative handles his health well, without dwelling on it unduly or turning into inspiration porn. And the way Kev approaches his first encounter with white, suburban, family holiday togetherness kind of like an anthropologist encountering an unfamiliar culture is delightful.
cw: reference to past suicide attempt and death of a parent. That one racist/homophobic uncle who always shows up for Christmas.
This is sweet, but not cloying. With a realistic level of imperfection and seriousness without too much angst.
Kev, our pov character is recovering from a dark depression and a suicide attempt, but the narrative handles his health well, without dwelling on it unduly or turning into inspiration porn. And the way Kev approaches his first encounter with white, suburban, family holiday togetherness kind of like an anthropologist encountering an unfamiliar culture is delightful.
cw: reference to past suicide attempt and death of a parent. That one racist/homophobic uncle who always shows up for Christmas.
January 16, 2018
The story start with Kev and Andrew already being friends but i didn't felt the friendship, i felt like they barely knew each other and were not necessarly at ease with each other and then the big revelation so i don't know but it's a cute story i guess but i felt no connection with the MCs so...
March 11, 2018
Christmas miracle
This was touching and heart breaking at the same time.
Kevan is recovering from depression and trying to take his life. His best friend Andrew invites him to spend Christmas with him and hisfamily.
The emotions Kevin goes through is so heart breaking. You just want to hug him and say it's going to be ok.
Andrew the fixer you got to love him, is there for Kevin whether he knows it or not.
Just a sweet romance of discovery and joy.
This was touching and heart breaking at the same time.
Kevan is recovering from depression and trying to take his life. His best friend Andrew invites him to spend Christmas with him and hisfamily.
The emotions Kevin goes through is so heart breaking. You just want to hug him and say it's going to be ok.
Andrew the fixer you got to love him, is there for Kevin whether he knows it or not.
Just a sweet romance of discovery and joy.
not-interested-or-lost-interest
January 12, 2018Free on Amazaon 01/12/2018
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-at-W...
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-at-W...
January 19, 2018
So charming and cozy and sweet and exactly what you want to read at Christmas!
January 17, 2018
OMG, what a goodie!! It's so hard to convey a compelling story in a few short pages but this book does it well. Kevan and Andrew are roommates in college. It's clear through some cleverly placed hints that something traumatic has happened to Kevan. Andrew is going to his parent's home for Christmas and he's bringing Kevan. Kevan is wary for several reasons and there's an element of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" about the situation (yes, you'll have to Google that to find out what I mean). Andrew's family is cool but there is some drama. The writing is quite good and you find out in a few short sentences just what's going on. The family drama drops a few more hints and we have a beautiful Christmas story that opens Andrew's and Kevan's hearts to each other. My pet peeve and it is mine - do we always have to stereotype the POC as being disadvantaged, growing up needy, etc whose eyes widen at the opulence of the white family that lives in Connecticut. That set-up grows tiresome after a while. It doesn't take anything away from the story but for me, a WOC, it saddens me to see that so many authors depend on that description for POC. Broaden your horizons, authors!!
October 12, 2019
3.5 stars probably? This is totally my jam since I love romances about good people who struggle with mental health issues finding happiness and security. I also like ones that don't shy away from tensions created by differences (class, race, etc.) so I didn't see this as depressing like some people seemed to. I love love stories but I can only read so much shiny happy Hallmark stuff.
I thought the moments after the characters get together were very sweet and super hot. It nails that overwhelming, urgent, crush-finally-fulfilled thing that is, to me, the most essential element of a good friends-to-lovers story.
I will say that the structure as a Christmas story with a narrow time focus (a college guy goes home with his best friend/roomate/crush for Christmas) is a bit of a detriment, since all of their relationship building is in the past, and I do think there is a bit of an abrupt ending, but overall I really liked it :)
I thought the moments after the characters get together were very sweet and super hot. It nails that overwhelming, urgent, crush-finally-fulfilled thing that is, to me, the most essential element of a good friends-to-lovers story.
I will say that the structure as a Christmas story with a narrow time focus (a college guy goes home with his best friend/roomate/crush for Christmas) is a bit of a detriment, since all of their relationship building is in the past, and I do think there is a bit of an abrupt ending, but overall I really liked it :)
January 6, 2018
Liz asked me to beta this for her and it was a quiet day at work, so I said sure. It was kind of long, so I figured I'd edit ten pages at a time, between working. I started and was at 20 pages before I noticed. "Okay," I thought. "25 pages at at time." But I couldn't stop - I just kept going. The characters were so true to life and compelling - obviously Kev and Andrew in particular, but honestly the whole family as well. I could SEE the house in my mind's eye, I could feel the revelry and frantic holiday prep and family nuttiness, and I loved Kev & Andrew SO MUCH that I couldn't stop until I found out how it ended.
This is a lovely, satisfying, comforting holiday read. I know I'm going to be going back to it next Christmas, just to revisit the feeling of it.
This is a lovely, satisfying, comforting holiday read. I know I'm going to be going back to it next Christmas, just to revisit the feeling of it.
December 19, 2018
This is a moving, sensitive friends to lovers story. Not the typical fluffy holiday read, this one addresses the subjects of loss, depression, self-harm, and the culture shock of being immersed in a large, Caucasian, suburban Connecticut family Christmas through the viewpoint of a struggling inner city black college student whose roommate/best friend/secret crush invites him home for the holidays. But, in spite of all that, this is not a dark, depressing story. It's a story of friendship, family, acceptance, and love. The writing is strong, the storyline is compelling, and the characters are vibrant and realistic. I really enjoyed this novella. It left me feeling warm, comforted, and filled with hope.
February 1, 2018
3.5
I liked to be in Kev's head and his thoughts sounded very believable. Even though Kev is fighting depression, the story is quite sweet (I know other people have a different opinion). On the negative side: it is just quite short and with too many descriptions of Christmassy/family stuff.
I recommend Abroad: Book One of the same author.
Warning: past suicide attempt, depression.
I liked to be in Kev's head and his thoughts sounded very believable. Even though Kev is fighting depression, the story is quite sweet (I know other people have a different opinion). On the negative side: it is just quite short and with too many descriptions of Christmassy/family stuff.
I recommend Abroad: Book One of the same author.
Warning: past suicide attempt, depression.
December 25, 2019
I will officially read anything Liz Jacobs writes.
My only regret about this story is that it’s not a full length book — it doesn’t need to be, as the story stands on its own at this length, but I loved Kev and Andrew enough that I want more of them.
The epilogue was wonderful, funny, and unexpected — I want more epilogues to be like that, in fact. Other writers take note.
My only regret about this story is that it’s not a full length book — it doesn’t need to be, as the story stands on its own at this length, but I loved Kev and Andrew enough that I want more of them.
The epilogue was wonderful, funny, and unexpected — I want more epilogues to be like that, in fact. Other writers take note.
November 27, 2023
This was a solid short story that I would have given 4 stars to except for some grammatical errors that pulled out of the story in order to decipher what was actually meant.
I did find myself feeling a little off while reading Kev’s thoughts, but this would probably have been clearer if I’d reread the synopsis prior to starting the story. But, I went in blind, and it wasn’t enough to stop reading in order to find the clarification.
Andrew is steadfast in his resolve to stand up to his racist, homophobic uncle (by marriage) and yet he confronts the issues with respect to all of those around him (grandparents, aunts, parents, cousins, siblings).
Overall, a very solid short.
I did find myself feeling a little off while reading Kev’s thoughts, but this would probably have been clearer if I’d reread the synopsis prior to starting the story. But, I went in blind, and it wasn’t enough to stop reading in order to find the clarification.
Andrew is steadfast in his resolve to stand up to his racist, homophobic uncle (by marriage) and yet he confronts the issues with respect to all of those around him (grandparents, aunts, parents, cousins, siblings).
Overall, a very solid short.
December 6, 2023
Kevan has not had a good year. He's suffered deep depression since losing his mother and its only been thanks to his roommate and best friend Andrew that he's been recovering. Andrew has invited him to spend Christmas with him at his family home in Connecticut, how could he refuse. The house is full of everything Kev has not had, noisey children and curious adults and he truly stands out in this very white world. When one of the children casually reveals Andrew's secret at dinner Kev's world tilts. He always assumed that Andrew was off limits but there may be a chance now. Is it possible that his desire for Andrew could be returned? Will this turn into the best Christmas ever?
January 22, 2019
Long delayed love
When his roommate invites him to his family’s luxurious home in Connecticut for Christmas, Kev is uncertain what to expect. Kev is black and openly gay - very different from Andrew, his privileged best friend. During their stay with Andrew’s family, the two learn a lot about themselves and each other, bringing the friends closer together. Very well written and quite memorable.
When his roommate invites him to his family’s luxurious home in Connecticut for Christmas, Kev is uncertain what to expect. Kev is black and openly gay - very different from Andrew, his privileged best friend. During their stay with Andrew’s family, the two learn a lot about themselves and each other, bringing the friends closer together. Very well written and quite memorable.
February 11, 2018
Sweet, and not just for Christmas
I enjoyed reading this. It's a bit sad - Kev lost his mum and is dealing with depression. Funny, as we meet Andrew's family - 'terrifying twins', kooky aunt Sandy. And sweet, when Andrew and Kev finally realise that they have feelings for each other.
Lovely story.
I enjoyed reading this. It's a bit sad - Kev lost his mum and is dealing with depression. Funny, as we meet Andrew's family - 'terrifying twins', kooky aunt Sandy. And sweet, when Andrew and Kev finally realise that they have feelings for each other.
Lovely story.
January 6, 2018
So much love for this book. Adorable couple.
I've reread the ending a few times and keep coming back to it for the warm fuzzy feeling I get. As I do with the author's other books.
Love love love.
I've reread the ending a few times and keep coming back to it for the warm fuzzy feeling I get. As I do with the author's other books.
Love love love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews