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Holiday Hearts #1
An Alabama Christmas
Alex Greene has nowhere to go for Christmas. When he enrolls in the military’s Home for the Holidays program, he gets accepted into a family he never bargained for.
Trey Briggs is a gangly gamer that’s been in the closet since puberty. But when his family takes in a handsome marine, it becomes almost impossible for him not to expose himself.
Trey Briggs is a gangly gamer that’s been in the closet since puberty. But when his family takes in a handsome marine, it becomes almost impossible for him not to expose himself.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2018
22 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 31, 2018
¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ ★¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ ★Giving love at Christmas
Over the Christmas holidays, Alex and Trey fell in love. That should have been the end of it, but there was more. You see, Alex was military. Alabama used to be home until his homophobic father made life a misery. Living in California with his best friend Jay, that was all the family he needed. Until Jay's need to interfere bought them back to Alabama on a holiday assignment.
Trey couldn't say how he felt about his mother bringing on a stranger during he holidays. But he soon realised just what life had in store for him when Alex entered his periphery. Almost too difficult but finally able to admit it to himself, Trey found himself gravitating toward Alex and all that was being offered.
A slow, delicate burn, I was in love with this story. Though young, these two men knew the feelings of love and though the heat was there, they took time in exploring. I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Trey's Momma. Alise was the kind of Mom every child, especially Alex wished for. I look forward in exploring Karma's world. And I liked the fact that this story focused on live and not race.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
(¸.•´ ★¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ ★Giving love at Christmas
Over the Christmas holidays, Alex and Trey fell in love. That should have been the end of it, but there was more. You see, Alex was military. Alabama used to be home until his homophobic father made life a misery. Living in California with his best friend Jay, that was all the family he needed. Until Jay's need to interfere bought them back to Alabama on a holiday assignment.
Trey couldn't say how he felt about his mother bringing on a stranger during he holidays. But he soon realised just what life had in store for him when Alex entered his periphery. Almost too difficult but finally able to admit it to himself, Trey found himself gravitating toward Alex and all that was being offered.
A slow, delicate burn, I was in love with this story. Though young, these two men knew the feelings of love and though the heat was there, they took time in exploring. I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Trey's Momma. Alise was the kind of Mom every child, especially Alex wished for. I look forward in exploring Karma's world. And I liked the fact that this story focused on live and not race.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
August 26, 2018
Not much depth in this story. No character development at all, especially with Trey who is unemployed but is not showing any signs of actually looking for a job (no job interviews or even mentioning that he is looking and trying) or even doing some volunteer work until he finds something else?
He is complaining about still living with his mom at his age but doesn't make any moves of getting a job to get his own place.
In the end it is his mom (and not himself) who is making him take control of his life. To me he feels like a character without a backbone.
He is complaining about still living with his mom at his age but doesn't make any moves of getting a job to get his own place.
In the end it is his mom (and not himself) who is making him take control of his life. To me he feels like a character without a backbone.
October 28, 2018
This was a sweet story with great characters. I wanted to know these guys. My first book from this author but will not be my last.
August 24, 2018
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit. 5* is now 5,5* and my old 3* is now a 4*):
5,5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the kids' series
from EM Leya or 'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like an A+
5* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books), it's like an A
4,5* - it's the place between I really like it and I love it, it's like an A-
4* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an A-B
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartly, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, unlogical,
NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
I like the idea of support US soldiers (I'm myself at the AAUSS - Adopt an US Soldier), so the story was absolut perfect for me. Also the idea between (ok, don't hit me, if I call it wrong) interracial. That's also a plus for me.
The story is settled in the Deep South of Alabama, not the best place for being gay (ok, which part of USA is that nowadays?).
A soldier who is normally out and proud is going to holidays via a Soldier program. To be back in Alabama he is pretending going back in the closet. There he met Trey, the young men at the house. Also deep in the closet.
What happened, when they sit there together is nice written and you want kick both MCs more then once in their (sexy) asses to come together.
Why then only 3,5 stars? If you read my ratings, it's the wow-effect what is missing. It's a really nice and great story, it was too fast at the end. I started it at 4 am asa I got it and finished it short after 7 am (my dogs wasnt happy with me to miss their breakfast, but I couldn't stop).
I'm sure, I will read it in a few days again, because I liked it really much. And I hope, there will be a short story about them to a later time in their live. There are some open string for me, I want to know more about.
It was my first book of Karma and definitively not my last one!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit. 5* is now 5,5* and my old 3* is now a 4*):
5,5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the kids' series
from EM Leya or 'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like an A+
5* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books), it's like an A
4,5* - it's the place between I really like it and I love it, it's like an A-
4* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an A-B
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartly, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, unlogical,
NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
I like the idea of support US soldiers (I'm myself at the AAUSS - Adopt an US Soldier), so the story was absolut perfect for me. Also the idea between (ok, don't hit me, if I call it wrong) interracial. That's also a plus for me.
The story is settled in the Deep South of Alabama, not the best place for being gay (ok, which part of USA is that nowadays?).
A soldier who is normally out and proud is going to holidays via a Soldier program. To be back in Alabama he is pretending going back in the closet. There he met Trey, the young men at the house. Also deep in the closet.
What happened, when they sit there together is nice written and you want kick both MCs more then once in their (sexy) asses to come together.
Why then only 3,5 stars? If you read my ratings, it's the wow-effect what is missing. It's a really nice and great story, it was too fast at the end. I started it at 4 am asa I got it and finished it short after 7 am (my dogs wasnt happy with me to miss their breakfast, but I couldn't stop).
I'm sure, I will read it in a few days again, because I liked it really much. And I hope, there will be a short story about them to a later time in their live. There are some open string for me, I want to know more about.
It was my first book of Karma and definitively not my last one!
September 14, 2018
Alabama Christmas is a quick, sweet holiday read. It takes place over the span of American Thanksgiving and Christmas. Alex is a soldier who has a little bit of leave time to use. His best friend, Jay, signs them both up for a program, Marine Home for the Holidays. Basically a family hosts them for a bit of time to give them a sense of home while they are in the service.
This is a fun, easy read. There’s not too much drama, it definitely speaks true about the south (I’m in Louisiana) and the chemistry between Alex and Trey is hot. I liked that Trey was a bit geeky and unsure of himself. He was a believable character. He doubted that Alex could find him attractive. I mean, Alex is a marine who puts a lot of work into his body in order to stay in shape for his work. Why would he be interested in a small town guy like Trey?
Turns out, both Alex and Trey have been keeping secrets from each other and Trey’s family. Alex actually came from a small town like the one Trey lives in, he isn’t straight like he’s been saying, and he can’t stop thinking about Trey. Trey hasn’t come out to his family, isn’t made to stay in the south and thinks he isn’t good enough for Alex.
I really enjoyed reading this. Alex moved at Trey’s pace. He didn’t push Trey for more than he was ready for. They were tender, kind, and loving towards each other. It was exactly what I needed to feel better after a stressful day.
This is a fun, easy read. There’s not too much drama, it definitely speaks true about the south (I’m in Louisiana) and the chemistry between Alex and Trey is hot. I liked that Trey was a bit geeky and unsure of himself. He was a believable character. He doubted that Alex could find him attractive. I mean, Alex is a marine who puts a lot of work into his body in order to stay in shape for his work. Why would he be interested in a small town guy like Trey?
Turns out, both Alex and Trey have been keeping secrets from each other and Trey’s family. Alex actually came from a small town like the one Trey lives in, he isn’t straight like he’s been saying, and he can’t stop thinking about Trey. Trey hasn’t come out to his family, isn’t made to stay in the south and thinks he isn’t good enough for Alex.
I really enjoyed reading this. Alex moved at Trey’s pace. He didn’t push Trey for more than he was ready for. They were tender, kind, and loving towards each other. It was exactly what I needed to feel better after a stressful day.
September 17, 2018
Holiday Hotness
Not what I expected at all. Such a sweet story. Even though it was an interracial romance, that wasn't the central issue in the book. The main premise was the fear of coming from the back of a very deep closet. Fear of loss of his family's love kept one MC silent & miserable. Not living the life he truly wanted. Not even working despite a college degree. His self esteem is low. He felt like a failure and a coward. His sister despite her wild behavior still had managed to live her life fully.
His mother inviting a Marine to join them for the holidays was shocking. He was so angry & turned on. Angry at his flirty sister. On edge - this man was everything he wasn't. His mother couldn't stop praising their visitor. As if her son needed another reason to admire the gorgeous serviceman. Unbeknownst to either of them the attraction is definitely mutual.
It's a slow build romance full of self doubt, tender moments, then finally an awakening. The characters are well defined and first appearances are deceiving. This is a lovely Christmas story that isn't all sugar plum fairies & mistletoe. Life is harder as are HEAs. Can that be achieved if one MC can't get over his fear and the other his anger and heartbreak?
I look forward to reading more by this author. I was nice reading a Christmas tale in the heat of summer.
Not what I expected at all. Such a sweet story. Even though it was an interracial romance, that wasn't the central issue in the book. The main premise was the fear of coming from the back of a very deep closet. Fear of loss of his family's love kept one MC silent & miserable. Not living the life he truly wanted. Not even working despite a college degree. His self esteem is low. He felt like a failure and a coward. His sister despite her wild behavior still had managed to live her life fully.
His mother inviting a Marine to join them for the holidays was shocking. He was so angry & turned on. Angry at his flirty sister. On edge - this man was everything he wasn't. His mother couldn't stop praising their visitor. As if her son needed another reason to admire the gorgeous serviceman. Unbeknownst to either of them the attraction is definitely mutual.
It's a slow build romance full of self doubt, tender moments, then finally an awakening. The characters are well defined and first appearances are deceiving. This is a lovely Christmas story that isn't all sugar plum fairies & mistletoe. Life is harder as are HEAs. Can that be achieved if one MC can't get over his fear and the other his anger and heartbreak?
I look forward to reading more by this author. I was nice reading a Christmas tale in the heat of summer.
October 9, 2018
Enjoyed this, and liked the characters for the most part but it was a bit too syrupy for my tastes. Trey got on my nerves. I feel bad for saying that because he was a young, closeted virgin in Alabama...but he was too much of a girl. Before anyone comes for me, that is not to say men can't be emotional and vulnerable, but Trey was just too much. I think my favorite character was Jay. He was hilarious. Alex was great too, and so00 patient. Goodness! The sex scenes were hawt and well written, though the pace felt painstakingly slow to me...literally everything in steps - frottage, handjob, blowjob, and I don't want to spoil the rest. The love declarations after such a short time added to the syrupy feel but I rolled with it. By 81% I was skimming. We all knew once they actually had sex, the next step was the accidental outing to a family member, let's just get to it already. Cue the unnecessary, temporary breakup with Trey, once again, being mad extra. I was ready to be done. I totally get that it was a big move and decision, but the whiplash decision just felt contrived for dramatic effect. Either way, 3 stars. Editing was well done.
August 27, 2018
3.75* An Alabama Christmas is the first in the Holiday Hearts series by Karma Kingsley. This was a quick and sweet holiday read, though it doesn’t focus too much on the holidays and can be read anytime throughout the year. First book I’ve read by this author but won’t be the last.
Alex’s best friend, Jay, signs them both up for the Marine Home for the Holidays program where they will spend the Thanksgiving holiday with a host family. Trey’s family takes Alex, and eventually Jay, in for the holidays. Trey is a 22yo graduate from business school who can’t seem to find his place in life and is living at home with his family while he figures it out. Trey is incredibly awkward throughout much of the story and it takes both his mom, Alise, and his sister, Chasity, to push him towards what and who he wants in the end.
Alex’s best friend, Jay, signs them both up for the Marine Home for the Holidays program where they will spend the Thanksgiving holiday with a host family. Trey’s family takes Alex, and eventually Jay, in for the holidays. Trey is a 22yo graduate from business school who can’t seem to find his place in life and is living at home with his family while he figures it out. Trey is incredibly awkward throughout much of the story and it takes both his mom, Alise, and his sister, Chasity, to push him towards what and who he wants in the end.
August 25, 2018
Alex, a soldier goes to spend the holidays with a family and discovers both someone he might be able to love and people who he may be able to lean on. Trey, a shy introvert discovers that sometimes taking chances can end up being amazing.
I liked this book a lot. It's a sweet, low angst read that left me feeling happy when I finished it.
I liked both MC's and I liked them together. They were believable and both were down to earth which I appreciated. I found myself wanting to see what happened to them which kept me turning pages. The supporting cast was quirky and fun and were there just enough to keep the story moving without being too much of a distraction from the MC's.
A great story with a HFN ending that was very satisfying.
I liked this book a lot. It's a sweet, low angst read that left me feeling happy when I finished it.
I liked both MC's and I liked them together. They were believable and both were down to earth which I appreciated. I found myself wanting to see what happened to them which kept me turning pages. The supporting cast was quirky and fun and were there just enough to keep the story moving without being too much of a distraction from the MC's.
A great story with a HFN ending that was very satisfying.
September 2, 2018
MINUS A GAZILLION STARS!!! In fact, this book deserves a gazillion ANTI-stars!!! This "book" is the perfect example of how even SHIT can get published ... my G-d ... does this industry not have ANY standards?!!? How on earth did this bullfuckery get published?!!?
I jotted a few examples down, so I'll be including those when I get to my computer!! But let me tell ya ... my lord is this "book" the shittiest of the shitty!!!
I couldn't take any more at around 6%, believe it or not, but in order to justify an actual rating, I continued skimming til the very end!! Blech, I feel like I need a shower now!! SUCH a crappy collection of words ... I can't stomach calling this drivel a "book" any longer, even with the excessive use of sarcastic quotation marks!!!!
I jotted a few examples down, so I'll be including those when I get to my computer!! But let me tell ya ... my lord is this "book" the shittiest of the shitty!!!
I couldn't take any more at around 6%, believe it or not, but in order to justify an actual rating, I continued skimming til the very end!! Blech, I feel like I need a shower now!! SUCH a crappy collection of words ... I can't stomach calling this drivel a "book" any longer, even with the excessive use of sarcastic quotation marks!!!!
August 24, 2018
Who doesn’t love a Christmas story? I’m a sucker for them whether it’s August or December! This was a great story about coming out, first time love and first times! Alex Greene, a Marine with nowhere to go for the holidays, gets signed up for the Home for the Holidays program by his buddy Jay. Alex winds up being hosted by The Briggs family, in his home state of Alabama. Alex is immediately taken with Trey Briggs, a recent college grad who lives at home with his Mom, Alise. Alex can’t figure out whether Trey is gay, if he’s into him or not, but he knows he wants to know more about him. The slow burn of Alex and Trey’s developing relationship is all the feels.
September 3, 2018
An Alabama Christmas is a fun and charming little Christmas novella by Karma Kingsley.
I fell in love with Alex right away, and then fell for Trey and his family. Alex's past with his family is heartbreaking, adding such an extra sense of enchantment to the way he finds a family in Trey's family. And even better is the fantastic journey towards facing one's fears.
An Alabama Christmas contains some angst, some misunderstandings and some sparks. It's definitely a fun read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a nice Christmas romance.
I fell in love with Alex right away, and then fell for Trey and his family. Alex's past with his family is heartbreaking, adding such an extra sense of enchantment to the way he finds a family in Trey's family. And even better is the fantastic journey towards facing one's fears.
An Alabama Christmas contains some angst, some misunderstandings and some sparks. It's definitely a fun read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a nice Christmas romance.
September 13, 2018
If you are looking for a hot, sweet M/M romance this fits the bill. With no family to share the holidays with Alex Greene is enrolled in the military’s Home for the Holidays program. Hiding who he is seems not too hard until he finds himself attracted the son of the host family. Only problem is that the son has not shared that he is attracted to men with his family. A flirty game of cat and mouse ensue as these two dance around their attraction. Will this holiday fling lead to more? A quick, hot read.
November 5, 2018
I loved this story, it was sweet and intense with Alex and Trey being attracted to one another the first moment they saw each other. Trey had hidden who he truly was all his life and Alex knew what he wanted but at first couldn't see that Trey wanted him too. This story was funny and good and just a very cute story to read and it did have some sad moments but it was well written and the emotions in this book were raw and good. There wasn't a dull moment when it came to these two men trying to find love.
August 24, 2018
Good book
.
An awkward gamer in the closet meets a sexy marine and both men find something more than they ever thought they would for Christmas.
Alex is sexy and sweet willing to go at Grey's pace... and to fall in love with him completely. Trey is definitely awkward and scared of coming put and of leaving what he knows for the unknown, almost losing something dear because of the fear. But their story was a good one. Definitely recommend this book.
.
An awkward gamer in the closet meets a sexy marine and both men find something more than they ever thought they would for Christmas.
Alex is sexy and sweet willing to go at Grey's pace... and to fall in love with him completely. Trey is definitely awkward and scared of coming put and of leaving what he knows for the unknown, almost losing something dear because of the fear. But their story was a good one. Definitely recommend this book.
September 17, 2018
A very sweet romance.
I did think there could have been some more to the story like Trey searching for jobs etc. while it was a good story I wish they relationship had started sooner in the book. It starts right as Alex is going back home.
However it does speak to once you know what you want do everything you can to keep it and make it work.
It is an easy quick read. I will certainly pick a book up by this author again.
I did think there could have been some more to the story like Trey searching for jobs etc. while it was a good story I wish they relationship had started sooner in the book. It starts right as Alex is going back home.
However it does speak to once you know what you want do everything you can to keep it and make it work.
It is an easy quick read. I will certainly pick a book up by this author again.
October 19, 2018
While the premise of the book was small town Very Southern holiday read, there was love, sweet heat between the cbaracters, family drama rivalry between brother and sister, Angsty self doubt, self esteem issues, and sweet love. Coming out of a closet, inter racial dating, while important to the storyline, is secondary to the love story, which builds slowly and realistically. Recommended adult due to themes.
December 30, 2018
This is the first book that I have read by this author but will not be the last. Trey and ALex come from to different worlds but when Alex takes does adopt a Marine for the holidays love blooms for him and Trey. THis is a quick read but the secondary characters make this book so full that you seem like you have read for days. Kingsley does an excellent job at making you feel that you are right there in the action.
September 3, 2018
This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read more. In this story you meet Trey, a super awkward virgin who is very much in the closet and Alex, a badass Marine Sniper, who is very much out of the closet. Will these opposites attract and if they do will it last? Find out in this sweet story about finding and keeping your one true love.
September 16, 2018
Happy Tears
Such a sweet adorable story. Trey was so cute with his shy awkward self. Alex was amazing as a military gentlemen. I mean helping without be asked just doing all the handy work because he wanted to. It was a great read I look forward in reading her other books. I was only a little disappointed in the end I felt like maybe just a little but more on there HEA.
Such a sweet adorable story. Trey was so cute with his shy awkward self. Alex was amazing as a military gentlemen. I mean helping without be asked just doing all the handy work because he wanted to. It was a great read I look forward in reading her other books. I was only a little disappointed in the end I felt like maybe just a little but more on there HEA.
April 4, 2022
A beautiful story
This is without a doubt one of the best stories that I have ever read. The characters are believable and attract sympathy with each chapter. The author takes the reader on a journey full of emotional twists and turns leaving you fully invested in the characters lives right to the final page. I know that I will re-read this again and again.
This is without a doubt one of the best stories that I have ever read. The characters are believable and attract sympathy with each chapter. The author takes the reader on a journey full of emotional twists and turns leaving you fully invested in the characters lives right to the final page. I know that I will re-read this again and again.
September 15, 2018
This is a slow burn, adorable, sweet, sexy and steamy romance!! This book causes all kinds of giggles and blushing. I loved this story, and watching how these two guys navigate all the challenges that can come with a M/M romance.. I'll definitely be looking for more Karma Kinglsey books.
September 21, 2018
A sweet slow burn. It was actually a little too slow for my taste but still an enjoyable read. It follows Trey and Alex as they figure out their feelings for each other in still fairly conservative Alabama where being gay is not exactly welcomed by all.
May 6, 2019
This was my first book to read by this author and it was amazing. I love how they helped each other and eventually Trey did something for himself. The men brought out the best in each other and were there for each other.
August 24, 2018
Super sweet romance. I loved that it wasn't Insta love for both of them. They had to find their way. I am so glad I was able to read this one. It was a lot of fun to read!
August 27, 2018
Christmas, Military perfect. This is one of the best books that it is one of the MC first time. They didn’t just head straight to bed but took it a step at time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2018
What a sensational book! Loved how beautifully romance blossomed, and how detail went into ensuring all the characters were developed, not just the lead characters. A wonderful, feel-good romance.
September 8, 2018
This was a good holiday romance story about Alex and Trey romance Alex is out of the closet and Trey is still in and a virgin afraid to come out to his mamma and sis but the ending has a hea
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September 12, 2018
A sweet MM romance. I really enjoyed reading it. 5 stars
October 4, 2018
Heartwarming
This is my first time reading this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this slow burning romance. I especially enjoyed the loveable awkward geekiness of Trey.
Charo
This is my first time reading this author and I thoroughly enjoyed this slow burning romance. I especially enjoyed the loveable awkward geekiness of Trey.
Charo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews