Barbies and Beaches

by Asta Idonea, Nicki J. Markus

A Story from the Warmest Wishes: Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar

For the first time ever, Shane is not looking forward to the annual Boxing Day barbecue at Matty’s house. He recently divorced, none of his friends know what to say to him now, and Shane is tired of the pity and awkwardness. Things take a turn, however, when he meets Matty’s English cousin. Neil is struggling with the Australian heat, having left the UK after a bad breakup. When Shane suggests the two of them head to a secluded beach to cool off, the growing intimacy between them might make both reassess their current situation.

Genres: Holiday, M M Romance, Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Gay, Australia

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2018

About the author

Asta Idonea is the M/M pen name of author Nicki J. Markus.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Very short but feel good as two blokes who have not had luck in the love department connect on Boxing Day!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

To be honest, this was not great, however, to make something memorable in only 21 pages takes some exceptional skill.

My problem with Barbies and Beaches by new-to-me author, Asta Idonea, was that it moved too quickly. I couldn't buy for a second that one mediocre night with a cute guy would change Neil's mind about staying in Australia.

It was a fine, quick read, but I don't think I'll remember much about it next week.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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[Sushi (寿司) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short was cute. I loved both characters. I would like to read more about them but since it was only a 21 pages short story I think it was ok.
The short story (and also the novellas) are always 50-50 for me.
So far I read 3 out of 31 and I loved them but I am sure there will be also some short/novella I will not like. I choose them randomly.

I am going to take a break 'cause I wanna read a Jay Northcote's novella. After it I am going to read the 4th one from the AC.

[BWT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shane, a builder, isn't really looking forward to the pitying looks and whispers he expects to encounter at his friend Matty’s annual Boxing Day Bash, but things take a turn for the better when he meets Matty's cousin, Neil. Shane and Neil have things in common, Neil's a landscape architect, and they spend an afternoon and evening getting to know one another and connecting on a deeper level.

Barbies and Beaches is, at only 21 pages, the shortest of the 2018 Advent Calendar - Warmest Wishes anthology offerings that I read, but it contains a solid beginning, middle, and end even going so far as to (thankfully) include a one year later epilogue that shows the couples' happy ever after ending.

NOTE: Purchase the whole Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar - Warmest Wishes anthology and get a story delivered automatically to your bookshelf each day in December. More than 400,000 words of romantic fiction in 31 stories. Buy the package early and save. *Sale of packages for daily delivery ends Nov. 25. Beginning December 1, stories will be available individually as priced or as a bulk package.

Advanced Review Galley copy of Barbies and Beaches provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a few beers with the guys and than he can withdraw. Shane doesn’t want to be there but... it’s a 26th December tradition. He is intrigued by the sleeping guy on the couch.

Neil thinks it’s time to return to the other side of the world where it’s not so terrible hot... he can’t handle the heat. Who is that guy watching him ‘sleep’?

Two men sneaking out of the party. The two both with baggage... and a lot of attraction.

Sweet read, just enough developed to get into the feelings and understand where they come from.
I loved the entourage and the way this story is written. Engaging personalities put in a bubble and having a hea. Well done. A sweet short Christmas read!

Read and reviewed for Open Skye Book reviews

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Shane shows up at his friend Matty's annual Boxing Day party, he's coming off his divorce and expecting nothing more than a relaxing day with friends. But he meets Matty's cousin Neil visiting from the UK, and they spend the day getting to know each other, ending the day together at a private beach. We get a short epilogue giving us a glimpse into their lives together one year late. This is a short novella (just over 20 pages) and it touches all the bases (they meet, the fall in insta-love, they get their HEA). I personally did not find this story especially touching or memorable, but if you're looking for a quick holiday read, give it a try! 2.5 stars.

I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

Though not enough page time to fully develop a story, the author did a great job capturing the spirit of season down under. One afternoon spent together wasn't quite enough but fortunately the characters realized that and committed simply to finding out if they really had a chance at love. Shortly after that point, we were in the epilogue and can see that they did indeed gel nicely.

I wish it were longer, but I did like it much better than others in the advent calendar collection this year.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was provided for free by the publisher and Love Bytes in exchange for an honest review.

This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.

I’m a girl who is used to a cold winter climate, so I was excited to read a holiday-themed story with an exact opposite setting. It’s a challenge for me to see “holiday” without thinking of “snow,” but the brief, sweaty romance between Shane and Neil has that hopeful holiday feel.

The one thing that took me out of this story was the epilogue. A 21-page short story does not need an epilogue, sweet as it might be. It just makes the story seem more like an outline than a whole piece of writing. It assumes we’ve become more attached to the characters than we have. Shane and Neil have chemistry, but we’re just not invested enough to be interested in their epilogue.

I do like the generally optimistic feeling of the story. I didn’t mind Neil’s spontaneity when it came to staying in Australia to possibly make a new relationship work. It’s a long shot in real life, but for a holiday story, it leaves us on a note of hope and freshness. He’s ready for a change, and he took the plunge!

I don’t think this is a particularly memorable short story, but it is a fresh take on an unconventional holiday setting. This is your pick if you need a holiday read without the snow and cold.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Hmm. I feel like this short story was over before it ever really got started. There’s enough material for a novel in these 21 pages but somehow, the author manages to cram everything from a first introduction to a HEA epilogue into a very short story. And it doesn’t really work. Neil and Shane both have piles of baggage when they first meet at a Christmas BBQ but apparently an afternoon trip to the beach together is enough to take them from strangers to snogging to life altering choices in a matter of minutes. I might have enjoyed the novel version of this story but I couldn’t get my head around the 21 page version.

As a side note, I also have to mention the language that did my head in. I think the author must have used every single Australian colloquialism imaginable in this short story. I like the idea of an Aussie Christmas story - but this one was screaming AUSSIE in neon flashing lights from every paragraph. Urgh.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This super-short story introduces us to how the Australians celebrate on Boxing Day ... and uses every Aussie term designed to confuse the rest of us!

It is the ultimate in insta-love, but does try to remedy that by jumping forward a year - but it does seem pretty incredible that one swim and fondle could result in such a positive future.

[Bess · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Good
-Very short (21 pages including the cover and a summary page, as well as 4-5 pages of back matter)
-It's a nice start to something, it just feels so rushed due to the length

The Bad
-Unlike a lot of other reviewers, I did pay for this as part of the Advent Calendar, and I would not necessarily recommend paying anything to read this

The YMMV
-There is no sex, so if that's a priority for you, skip this

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short fun met at a party romance with the heat of of an Aussie summer thrown in.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this was part of an anthology so it didn't need to be super long but I felt like it needed something more. Maybe something about their lives in the middle. But for what it was, it wasn't bad.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is an easy quick read the accurately reflects Boxing Day (or Christmas Day for that matter) for plenty of Aussies. Backyard barbies on a stinking hot day. Shane and Neil’s little romance was good even though there wasn’t really much of it. I liked seeing a romance with two regular guys. I like even more getting to see Christmas in my part of the world reflected in Christmas stories.

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had potential, the bones are there but there just wasn't enough of anything to make it work for me.

[Smut Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted to find that Barbies and Beaches by Asta Idonea is based in my local city in South Australia!
Neil is visiting from the UK – right in the middle of the scorching Australian summer heat. He’s not coping well, considering cutting his journey short and heading back home to cooler climates, when Shane appears at Neil’s cousin’s annual Boxing Day barbeque.
Shane is sick of everyone only discussing his recent divorce. He’s ready to move on but it seems as if it’s the only topic whenever he catches up with friends and family. He’s putting in a polite appearance at the annual event, but intends to leave early to drink the day away on his own. Until, that is, Neil catches his eye… 

For such a quick read, ‘Barbies and Beaches’ provides depth of character, well described scenery and would be perfect for filling in some time around the holidays. 

This sweet and enjoyable short read is full of Australianisms! Anyone not familiar with an esky (to keep drinks cool) or that thongs belong on feet, may need to do some Googling to keep up with the fun! While the descriptions of the Australian summer and typical barbeques are spot on and a great look at our culture.
I inhaled this engaging story in a single sitting and found myself smiling and giggling along with the cultural references. For such a quick read, Barbies and Beaches provides depth of character, well described scenery and would be perfect for filling in some time around the holidays.

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a delightfully “down under” setting of sunny weather and barbecues, this Australian way to celebrate Christmas is as surprising for both main characters as it is heartwarming. Neil is from the UK and not used to the heat in December, and Shane may be used to the weather, but his personal life is in shambles and he doesn’t look forward to his friends not really knowing how to react. Nick and Shane are not in a good place in their lives when they meet. But, as the saying “misery shared is misery halved” promises, once they begin to talk and decide to explore a nearby beach, things change for the better. Filled with Australian lingo, customs, and bright sunshine, this tale makes for a very different holiday mood than we are used to in the northern hemisphere.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane isn't looking forward to Mattie's boxing day party. Ever since his divorce the guys just seem to pity him and not treat him the same so he decided to go grab some food make and appearance and slip out.
Mattie's cousin Neil is visiting, after a bad breakup and not happy. He meets Shane and they slip off to the beach.
I have to admit when i read this title i had an entirely different idea of what the story might be. Like a kid with Barbie dolls or something involved. I was pleasantly surprised with the Australian setting, the language, settings and the two very different men. It is an entertaining holiday story.

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This jumped from meet cute to epilogue. I know it’s a short story, but for me, short or not, a romance is about the journey and connection, and I just didn’t feel it.

It was well edited, and it was entertaining while it lasted - it just would have benefited from not skipping the entire actual building of a relationship part.

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I wanted to love this story, after reading two great books of this series, I felt this one like a let down. I felt like I read a story written in a hurry. The two guys were just recently had breakup and a divorced. Connected instantly. Maybe it's Australian sun, who knows? :)

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
Every year I say I'm not going to buy the Dreamspinner Advent calendar because the stories are just too short to really do anything with and this is a perfect example. It's like a chapter of a longer book.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two men who meet up at the annual Boxing Day party. I like that Neil isn't sure he wants to hang around Australia but he's willing to at least see the beach. I love how this becomes the start of a new tradition for these two men.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do love a good common language, different meanings confusion - v close to beginning Shane’s thong slips giving me a mental imagine somewhat differnet than a shoe malfunction!
Meet cute, beer, barbie, Aussie beach and voila, one yr later they are still together - enjoyed

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

review coming soon

[Tori Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Super short, no plot, no connection, no sex.

[Sara]

4 Hearts

This was super cute and perfect for this years theme. A


Also, I love that Aussie's call them "thongs" instead of flip flops because that is what I called them growing up and still do.

Anyway.

Review on the blog and then here.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is smooth and top notch in Barbies and Beaches and I do love short stories, but this one had too much story packed in to too few pages. I felt like I was missing integral pieces that connected Shane and Neil in a forever way. 21 pages need to engage me in a focused moment, not a life changing event. I need those little nuggets of connection between two MC’s for me to be able to gel with them and that was the one piece that was missing for me. I still very much liked the MC’s and believed what I was told about their future, I just needed to see it a bit more organically to make the story more memorable.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**