The Nutcracker

by Drew Hunt

Bitter and depressed after his boyfriend walks out on him, Garth Morgan cancels Christmas. Garth’s mom has other ideas however. She reminds him there’s still Adam, Garth’s eight-year-old son to consider. So Garth braves the Christmas Eve crowds at the shopping mall to buy gifts.Despite aching feet and arms that feel like they’re being pulled out of their sockets, Garth agrees to wait in line so Adam can see Santa.Adam asks for a new boyfriend for his daddy because the last one made Daddy cry. When the Santa lectures both Garth and Adam about the sins of homosexuality, Adam objects, swivels around on the man’s knee, and kicks him in the nuts.Before Adam and Garth can make their escape, they’re stopped by Tony Luciano, a former Marine who now works as a security guard. One look at the man’s wide chest, broad shoulders, and model-handsome face has Garth hoping Adam’s wish is about to come true.

Genres: M M Romance, Christmas, Anthologies, Holiday

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2013

About the author

Having read all the decent free fiction on the net Drew could find, he set out to try his hand at writing something himself. Fed up reading about characters who were super-wealthy, impossibly handsome, and incredibly well-endowed, Drew determined to make his characters real and believable.

Drew lives a quiet life in the north of England with his cat. Someday he hopes to meet the kind of man he writes about.

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...

Reviews

[Rellim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: KoboPlus

Adorable stand alone Christmas short. Garth & Tony’s story is meet cute, single dad, precocious kid, and ends on a budding HFN.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb had me curious about this book, particularly the bit about eight-year-old Adam gets his own back when a bigoted Santa tries to lecture him about his gay dad wanting a new boyfriend. Adam sounded like a great kid, and he definitely didn’t disappoint! I just love kids like that who know what they want, say what they think, and basically get the adults around them to listen because they approach life in such an uncomplicated way, entirely based on common sense. The old boyfriend made daddy cry – so, clearly, he needs a better one. I wish we were all so wise!

Garth trying to "cancel Christmas" is understandable from where he is, depressed about his cheating ex leaving, but he should have known better. When you have children, as he does, you cannot just ignore a major holiday. Luckily he comes to his senses with his mother's "help" as a reminder, and goes off to the mall for some last-minute shopping. The "Santa incident" mortifies him and he fears the worst when a built security guard approaches them, but then Adam becomes the guy's newest friend and "arranges" a date for the men. It made me laugh out loud.

Tony, the security guard who notices the commotion around the "fallen" Santa is the one who goes to talk to Garth, but needs to clarify a few things with Adam first. That whole discussion is just too cute for words, and when Adam ends up asking Tony to be Daddy's new boyfriend, Gareth is embarrassed but secretly hopeful, and Tony is totally with the program.

This is a wonderful and much-too-short story with great characters and a very, very romantic feel to it. I just hope Drew Hunt will write a longer book about Tony, Garth, and his super-cute son Adam! If you like romantic holiday stories, if you enjoy reading about kids for whom life is still simple, and if you're looking for a cute, sweet read with a Christmassy message of hope, then you will probably like this short story. I think it's adorable.


NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Tailtiu]

Also part of the 2014 Top Ten Gay Romance Anthology.

[Kat Moreid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. Very short little story but feels complete enough. Feel-good story: bigoted Santa get what he deserves, cute kid, and gay dad gets a new partner.

[Deeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far far too short, I want their full story.

Short but sweet.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh man. SO perfect. Who has not dreamed of this happening. Would have liked to have more of these guys though. Don't know why but those last few words... got to me. Don't have kids of my own, but really hit me hard when he was so protective of his dad. Loved this. Will have to look Drew Hunt up for more.

[Dutchgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like both Tony and Garth and Adam he is great, kicking Santa in the nuts hilarious.
I really liked this story but i want more, i really like to know what happens to Tony and Garth.
Wouldn't mind a sequel to this story.

[Lucibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think that this book is good for my age because im just 9 years old.this book is good for children to read, much more in the holidays!

[Thamesgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the sweetest stories I've ever read. I really enjoyed the read and beg the author to write a sequel.I want more soon.