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Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories #3
The First Noel
Each Christmas has marked a milestone in Bobby and Paolo’s love story. But will this year be their last noel?
It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department store due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.
With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.
It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department store due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.
With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2018
12 people want to read
About the author
Joe Cosentino
45 books194 followersJOE COSENTINO was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married emeritus college theatre professor residing in New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2018
Three years after the first Bobby and Paolo story (‘A Home for the Holidays’), much has happened to lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo – from falling in love to getting married to fostering and then adopting Geoffrey, a little boy much in need of a loving home. Their annual Christmas adventures are some of my favorite reads, and this year’s is no exception. There is more suspense as the entire family – and that includes all the grandparents, uncles, aunts, and anyone else close to Bobby and Paolo – unites to help them avoid disaster.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 8, 2018
I'm always happy revisiting Bobby and Paolo every year. The First Noel is more than a holiday story. This is about family value, unconditional love, trust and the meaning of a friendship.
Joe hit it off with this family, and definitely another winner from this author!
Highly recommended!😘
Joe hit it off with this family, and definitely another winner from this author!
Highly recommended!😘
June 4, 2019
Full review available at: https://optimumm.blog/2018/12/08/revi...
The First Noel is the third book in the Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories. I really liked the blurb, and even though I hadn’t read the first two books in the series I figured I would give it a try, and I’m so glad that I did. I loved the story. The writing was wonderful with a great flow to it, and the characters were lovable and relatable and dealt with everyday issues and problems. I can’t wait to read the first two book to see what adventures I missed as their relationship grew. I also loved Noel and David. David is the attorney for the Adam and Eve Forever Organization—antigay extremists. David had been through a conversion camp to cure his gayness, and I loved how every time he had a gay thought he would snap the rubber band on his wrist. He sure did have a dirty mind every time he saw Noel. That rubber band sure did get a workout. I would love for Noel and David to get their own story. I would love to read more about them.
I loved Bobby. He’s feeling down and misses his husband, Paolo, because he is working such long hours and having to take clients to dinner to schmooze them. Because of all of the late nights, Bobby is feeling insecure and thinks that Paolo might be thinking about having an affair. Like I said, real everyday issues and problems and worrying about if your husband is cheating is definitely a real everyday issue between couples. He also has to deal with his father retiring as the department store Santa although I really loved the couple that replaced him as Santa and his elf—naughty Santa and his elf. The department store will never be the same, but everybody at the store just loves them. I loved them too.
I loved Paolo. He’s swamped at work and isn’t getting the credit and recognition that he should be, and so he decides to get his own clothing line with the help of a new celebrity sports client. But it all has to be done in secret since neither his work or his husband know that the work he has been doing isn’t for his job but so that he can go into business with the client he’s stealing away from work.
And if that isn’t enough drama for Bobby and Paolo, a woman shows up that says that she’s Geoffrey’s birth mother and that she wants him back. That she’s gotten her life together with the help of the Adam and Eve Forever Organization and that they’re going to help her get her son back. It sounded like Geoffrey had been through a lot and didn’t want anything to do with his mom. But with the help of some good friends like Noel, who’s supposed to distract the Adam and Eve’s attorney, David, and a little holiday magic their holiday wishes do come true.
This holiday novella is full of twists and turns, and it was a joy to read. I can’t wait to read more book by Joe Cosentino.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book ***
The First Noel is the third book in the Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories. I really liked the blurb, and even though I hadn’t read the first two books in the series I figured I would give it a try, and I’m so glad that I did. I loved the story. The writing was wonderful with a great flow to it, and the characters were lovable and relatable and dealt with everyday issues and problems. I can’t wait to read the first two book to see what adventures I missed as their relationship grew. I also loved Noel and David. David is the attorney for the Adam and Eve Forever Organization—antigay extremists. David had been through a conversion camp to cure his gayness, and I loved how every time he had a gay thought he would snap the rubber band on his wrist. He sure did have a dirty mind every time he saw Noel. That rubber band sure did get a workout. I would love for Noel and David to get their own story. I would love to read more about them.
I loved Bobby. He’s feeling down and misses his husband, Paolo, because he is working such long hours and having to take clients to dinner to schmooze them. Because of all of the late nights, Bobby is feeling insecure and thinks that Paolo might be thinking about having an affair. Like I said, real everyday issues and problems and worrying about if your husband is cheating is definitely a real everyday issue between couples. He also has to deal with his father retiring as the department store Santa although I really loved the couple that replaced him as Santa and his elf—naughty Santa and his elf. The department store will never be the same, but everybody at the store just loves them. I loved them too.
I loved Paolo. He’s swamped at work and isn’t getting the credit and recognition that he should be, and so he decides to get his own clothing line with the help of a new celebrity sports client. But it all has to be done in secret since neither his work or his husband know that the work he has been doing isn’t for his job but so that he can go into business with the client he’s stealing away from work.
And if that isn’t enough drama for Bobby and Paolo, a woman shows up that says that she’s Geoffrey’s birth mother and that she wants him back. That she’s gotten her life together with the help of the Adam and Eve Forever Organization and that they’re going to help her get her son back. It sounded like Geoffrey had been through a lot and didn’t want anything to do with his mom. But with the help of some good friends like Noel, who’s supposed to distract the Adam and Eve’s attorney, David, and a little holiday magic their holiday wishes do come true.
This holiday novella is full of twists and turns, and it was a joy to read. I can’t wait to read more book by Joe Cosentino.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book ***
December 12, 2018
The First Noel by Joe Cosentino is a book that captures my interest from the beginning. In this tale, Bobby is juggling a lot of new challenges. Anti-gay extremists, his son being taken away, and his husband's interest in another man. The intensity of the situations were felt. I was feeling my sympathy growing towards Bobby and his son. All I wanted for Bobby, was for him to have a good Christmas. The other cast of characters such as Bobby's mom and dad made this funny, sweet, and entertaining. There was never a boring moment in this book. Overall, Joe Cosentino, knows how to grab my attention and keep, as well as melting my heart in the process.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
December 7, 2018
The First Noel is another sweet installment in the life of Bobby and Paolo. This is book three and you really do need to read these in order. This is the third book since they met and coming on their anniversary. But life isn't as easy as falling in love at first sight.
This is a sweet story with a few twists. I love all of the characters. I wasn't sure what I thought of Noel though.
Then we have the adoption and blood mother showing up too. I adore Bobby and Paolo has grown on me over the years. This is a sweet, romance with some great holiday cheer.
If you like sweet romances with cute kids, a lot of tension with a happy ending and holiday cheer this is for you!
This is a sweet story with a few twists. I love all of the characters. I wasn't sure what I thought of Noel though.
Then we have the adoption and blood mother showing up too. I adore Bobby and Paolo has grown on me over the years. This is a sweet, romance with some great holiday cheer.
If you like sweet romances with cute kids, a lot of tension with a happy ending and holiday cheer this is for you!
December 4, 2018
Book three of Bobby and Paolo's Holiday stories is The First Noel.
This book is so sweet, as we've come to expect from Bobby and Paolo. But, of course they face some issues.
Everything is well developed, interesting and will keep you intrigued throughout. It's a wonderful story and it is a fantastic follow up to the first two books in the series.
This book is so sweet, as we've come to expect from Bobby and Paolo. But, of course they face some issues.
Everything is well developed, interesting and will keep you intrigued throughout. It's a wonderful story and it is a fantastic follow up to the first two books in the series.
January 8, 2019
This one was a nail bitter to the end. Bobby is trying to deal with some insecurities. Then their family is threatened in the worst way. What I hated was the win was on a technicality and not what was truly right and just.
December 11, 2018
Family and Christmas come together in this delightful novella.
I’ve loved Bobby and Paolo since they first appeared in A Home for the Holidays. Following their journey through book two last year and now on to book three, has been a delight I look forward to each December.
In The First Noel we follow our beautiful young men, and their adorable son Geoffrey, as they prepare for another Christmas together in Philadelphia. With the appearance of Geoffrey’s birth mother and her attempt to regain custody it’s not looking like a very happy Christmas this year. Only time, a Judge and a dodgy lawyer or two, will tell if their precious family can stay together.
Joe Cosentino uses words like an artist uses paint, to create gloriously colourful backgrounds for his characters. This novella, like all the author’s writing, is a wonderful reading experience.
The First Noel could be read as a stand-alone but why deprive yourself of reading this beautiful story from the first time Bobby and Paolo met.
A wonderful Christmas story filled with love, family and a perfect HEA.
I’ve loved Bobby and Paolo since they first appeared in A Home for the Holidays. Following their journey through book two last year and now on to book three, has been a delight I look forward to each December.
In The First Noel we follow our beautiful young men, and their adorable son Geoffrey, as they prepare for another Christmas together in Philadelphia. With the appearance of Geoffrey’s birth mother and her attempt to regain custody it’s not looking like a very happy Christmas this year. Only time, a Judge and a dodgy lawyer or two, will tell if their precious family can stay together.
Joe Cosentino uses words like an artist uses paint, to create gloriously colourful backgrounds for his characters. This novella, like all the author’s writing, is a wonderful reading experience.
The First Noel could be read as a stand-alone but why deprive yourself of reading this beautiful story from the first time Bobby and Paolo met.
A wonderful Christmas story filled with love, family and a perfect HEA.
December 15, 2018
Aww 💖 I loved this. A really beautiful story for these guys as they try to hold on to their family. Everything happens at once but they take it as it comes, it helps with family and friends 100% behind them. Beautifully written you can't help love them. The ending was fantastic I was hopeful something would happen but you'll have read this to find out. I may have had a few grins and lol's along the way as I read at Jared's antics. The series of 3 novellas are all fantastic I'd recommend them, to be read in order though.
The story continues with Bobby, Paolo and little 8 yr Geoffrey as they finish of another year together. Bobby definitely has his worries, his marriage, his Dad's health and then more unexpected trouble.
The story continues with Bobby, Paolo and little 8 yr Geoffrey as they finish of another year together. Bobby definitely has his worries, his marriage, his Dad's health and then more unexpected trouble.
December 13, 2018
Excellent as always!
December 14, 2024
The importance of fighting for your family and trust are at the forefront of this final instalment in the series. The Christmas season is rolling around again and Paolo seems to be working a lot of nights. When a well meaning coworker puts doubts in Bobby's mind he needs to trust Paolo as he has to fight for their family as a right wing group launches a case that could rip Geoffrey from them. Is Geoffrey's birth mother really trying to regain custody, or is this just meant to prevent two men from raising a child. A great conclusion to this holiday series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews