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Company for Christmas
A Festive Cinderfella Story.
Who says fairy tales are only make-believe?
Who says fairy tales are only make-believe?
Every night, Nathan works the street known as The Rack. Like every other rent boy, he dreams his Prince Charming will come and take him away to a better life.
Too bad Nathan's stopped believing in fairy tales.
Max has everything except the one thing he craves: somebody to love, cherish, and protect.
Somebody to call his own.
When Nathan and Max’s worlds collide on the cold and grimy backstreet, little do they know that Christmas magic has already cast its spell.
Maybe fairy tales really can come true after all.
Company for Christmas is a 16k novelette. A warm woollen coat instead of a glass slipper, an unconventional found family, an inflatable Father Christmas called Dirty Santa... and the best Company for Christmas ever.
49 pages, ebook
First published November 21, 2018
45 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Ryecart
22 books112 followersA born and bred Londoner, she may have moved to someplace more leafy but the city is still very much part of her DNA, which is why her books are set in and around present-day London, providing a thrilling, metropolitan backdrop to the main action.
https://www.facebook.com/AE-Ryecart-1...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 2, 2018
I LOVED this Pretty Woman-esque short Christmas piece. Max and Nathan are wonderful and I cried some happy tears by the end. If your looking for sexy scene there are none, they were not necessary.
December 15, 2018
*Read this for free via Kindle Unlimited*
Didn't realize this was part of a series when I saw it on the app, whoops:)
A cute story with a sort of fairytale style to it. Parts of it felt convenient/predictable but didn't stop from enjoying it.
The ending was very sweet, had me smiling and tearing up a bit.
Will check out the other books in the series, hopefully after xmas.
Would recommend:).
3.5 stars
Didn't realize this was part of a series when I saw it on the app, whoops:)
A cute story with a sort of fairytale style to it. Parts of it felt convenient/predictable but didn't stop from enjoying it.
The ending was very sweet, had me smiling and tearing up a bit.
Will check out the other books in the series, hopefully after xmas.
Would recommend:).
3.5 stars
December 20, 2018
I loved this little novella! It was so fluffy and cute I think I am still stuck in the Awwww mode. It's completely chaste but so sweet and full of hope, just made me sigh all through the book. It's May/December beginning of romance and I liked that the author left things a little untold. It can go either way: they can become friends or something more or maybe both. Imagination has no limit here. It made me feel happy to think about their future remote fights and adventurous coffee choices! I was feeling a little down and this was definitely one of those books that could cheer me up and it certainly did! I highly recommend it!
December 5, 2022
Not bad…
December 12, 2018
A very sweet holiday read! Nathan is a rent boy hoping to find his Prince Charming, someone that will take him away from this life. He runs into Max when he takes a wrong turn and ends up on the dingy backstreet that Nathan is working. The characters were well written and even though they came from completely different worlds, I could see how they were drawn to each other. Very little steam, but a wonderful HFN.
November 21, 2021
Yeah, I didn’t like anything except for the trope.
December 1, 2018
3.6 Stars
Lovely little Holiday/Cinderfella story with a solid HFN that I really liked, despite having no heat. Hell, it didn't even steam. It was sweet and given the characters felt entirely appropriate, even though one of the MCs was a rent-boy. Honestly, it didn't need it. (I would have loved to read it, but it wasn't necessary.)
Lovely little Holiday/Cinderfella story with a solid HFN that I really liked, despite having no heat. Hell, it didn't even steam. It was sweet and given the characters felt entirely appropriate, even though one of the MCs was a rent-boy. Honestly, it didn't need it. (I would have loved to read it, but it wasn't necessary.)
December 2, 2018
***** This is a meaningful, heartwarming, lovely English Christmas tale !
A rent boy meets a wealthy man quite by accident, and it leads to Nathan being cared for by big-hearted Max.
Terrific characters that we like and a tale of true giving.
ENJOY !
========
A rent boy meets a wealthy man quite by accident, and it leads to Nathan being cared for by big-hearted Max.
Terrific characters that we like and a tale of true giving.
ENJOY !
========
December 17, 2018
D'awwwww - Nathan got the Pretty Woman treatment and then some.
This little treat has made me head off to get the Barista Boys series and is making me crave a gingerbread latte.
This little treat has made me head off to get the Barista Boys series and is making me crave a gingerbread latte.
November 25, 2019
3.5
Heart-warming sweet and completely in the fairytale part of contemporary.
Of course it's predictable and the characters have a tendency to be sterotypical but did I mention it's a fairytale and a Holiday read? So ignore your inner grinch and embrace the sappy kind of Christmas spirit where rent-boys can be naive and innocent and banker selfless and open-hearted. Then you're leaving this story feeling good and ready for a dream of a white Christmas.
Heart-warming sweet and completely in the fairytale part of contemporary.
Of course it's predictable and the characters have a tendency to be sterotypical but did I mention it's a fairytale and a Holiday read? So ignore your inner grinch and embrace the sappy kind of Christmas spirit where rent-boys can be naive and innocent and banker selfless and open-hearted. Then you're leaving this story feeling good and ready for a dream of a white Christmas.
July 9, 2020
I was reading Release when I figured that Nathan and Max must have had their own story, so I set Release aside and started reading this.
I typically am wary of books where one or more character is a sex worker. Far too often that character will just muse how dirty they are. That doesn't happen here. Sex work isn't glorified, but no one is shamed for it.
I loved both characters and their interactions with each other. And I absolutely loved the ending.
I didn't realize until after I had finished this that this ans the Rent Boys series ties into Barista Boys, which I will probably end up reading at someone point.
I typically am wary of books where one or more character is a sex worker. Far too often that character will just muse how dirty they are. That doesn't happen here. Sex work isn't glorified, but no one is shamed for it.
I loved both characters and their interactions with each other. And I absolutely loved the ending.
I didn't realize until after I had finished this that this ans the Rent Boys series ties into Barista Boys, which I will probably end up reading at someone point.
January 4, 2019
Really sweet with a lot of loneliness and some reality mixed into this Pretty Woman and Cinder retelling.
There is lots of Christmas here but also so good emotionial connection. A nice novella.
There is lots of Christmas here but also so good emotionial connection. A nice novella.
December 27, 2018
Very cute, very sweet story, perfect for the season.
November 29, 2018
3.5 stars
Was it only me that was on the verge of tears throughout most of this story? It was a combination of heartbreaking and sweet at the same time. I really liked it but I think I would have loved it if there had been more.
November 6, 2019
This is such a sweet little story.
Nathan, 19, is just trying to find his way. Max, 40, is hoping to avoid anybody and everybody until after Christmas, for reasons I can't go into without giving away spoilers. When they literally bump into each other on the street something happens. First, Max offers Nathan, who's obviously freezing, his expensive coat. Nathan, not used to people doing things simply out of the goodness of their hearts, offers his 'services' in exchange. Max simply wants to do a good deed, nothing more. Second, once they go their separate ways, neither man can stop thinking about the other.
Of course, they somehow end up, again, in the right place at the right time.
There's a big age gap between the two men. If you know anything about what I look for more often than not, it's books with characters who have substantial age differences. That was a HUGE plus for me. But even had they been closer in age it wouldn't have mattered. Nathan and Max are perfect for each other.
I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author, starting with the Barista Boys series. One of the main characters from that series is mentioned in Company for Christmas. I'm now eager to learn more about him.
Full review can be found at -
Nathan, 19, is just trying to find his way. Max, 40, is hoping to avoid anybody and everybody until after Christmas, for reasons I can't go into without giving away spoilers. When they literally bump into each other on the street something happens. First, Max offers Nathan, who's obviously freezing, his expensive coat. Nathan, not used to people doing things simply out of the goodness of their hearts, offers his 'services' in exchange. Max simply wants to do a good deed, nothing more. Second, once they go their separate ways, neither man can stop thinking about the other.
Of course, they somehow end up, again, in the right place at the right time.
There's a big age gap between the two men. If you know anything about what I look for more often than not, it's books with characters who have substantial age differences. That was a HUGE plus for me. But even had they been closer in age it wouldn't have mattered. Nathan and Max are perfect for each other.
I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author, starting with the Barista Boys series. One of the main characters from that series is mentioned in Company for Christmas. I'm now eager to learn more about him.
Full review can be found at -
January 2, 2019
A quick short. It was really just an introduction to the characters, their meeting and some discrimination against ones profession and them ultimately coming to term with themselves and their feelings with each other. The heat level is a 0 or 1 depending on what definition you define this as (kissing, possible hugging/handholding, and no sex).
I liked how it started and progressed I just wished it was longer and reader got a glimpse of how their relationship will progress after they figure out their relationship. I was also interesting in seeing a bit more of Sean, I think it was and whether he would one day leave the streets behind.
It can be read as a standalone but I think it may just be better if it was read in order. I didn't read any of the other books and started with this one but you meet characters from the previous books in this one. It just makes you curious how they fit.
I liked how it started and progressed I just wished it was longer and reader got a glimpse of how their relationship will progress after they figure out their relationship. I was also interesting in seeing a bit more of Sean, I think it was and whether he would one day leave the streets behind.
It can be read as a standalone but I think it may just be better if it was read in order. I didn't read any of the other books and started with this one but you meet characters from the previous books in this one. It just makes you curious how they fit.
November 24, 2018
A feel-good Christmas short
I enjoyed this sweet and slightly angsty short story - it even made me tear up a couple of times. The ending made me smile, but I was slightly disappointed that it ended right as they were beginning. It would have been nice to have just one more chapter, or even an epilogue, showing the two characters actually in a relationship. Still, it was well-written and wonderfully Christmassy.
I enjoyed this sweet and slightly angsty short story - it even made me tear up a couple of times. The ending made me smile, but I was slightly disappointed that it ended right as they were beginning. It would have been nice to have just one more chapter, or even an epilogue, showing the two characters actually in a relationship. Still, it was well-written and wonderfully Christmassy.
December 9, 2018
Adorable, sweet fluff, just like the gingerbread lattes that Nathan drinks! I kind of wish it could have ended with an HEA, but I can always imagine that on my own. Gotta put the Barista Boys books on my TBR now!
Read
January 26, 2019A sweet sweet Christmas read without a lot of complexity but very heartwarming. I meant to read this in December and didn’t get to it until January and it actually made me nostalgic for the holidays again. It’s sheer fluff but I enjoyed it for all that.
December 22, 2019
3.5*
Une jolie romance de Noël, emplie d'espoir...Les deux héros sont touchants et l'auteure, en très peu de pages, parvient à nous mettre des étoiles dans les yeux.
Une lecture éphémère mais réconfortante même si j'aurais aimé passer plus de temps en compagnie de Max et Nathan !
Une jolie romance de Noël, emplie d'espoir...Les deux héros sont touchants et l'auteure, en très peu de pages, parvient à nous mettre des étoiles dans les yeux.
Une lecture éphémère mais réconfortante même si j'aurais aimé passer plus de temps en compagnie de Max et Nathan !
November 16, 2022
A cute, very short story that is a nice holiday read. Like all Cinderella/Pretty Woman-esque stories, you do need to suspend your disbelief for them to work. I wish that we got to see some of Christmas Day or got an epilogue, but that's the price of short stories I suppose.
November 23, 2018
Broke my heart and mended it back together.
I didn't think that A E Ryecart could top her recently released Christmas story A Kiss Before Christmas. I'm not saying that this one is better but it's at least equal and it's a fairly short one at only 16,000 words.
The blurb tells you everything but I have to add…if you are a fan of this author's Barista Boys series, you'll want to read Company for Christmas if for no other reason than Bernie's in the story. If you haven't read that series, don't worry, Company for Christmas isn't part of that series and you don't need to have read it first.
Ms. Ryecart packs a lot into this novelette and, while I'm the kind of reader who always wants more, the ending is sweet and left me feeling really good about Nathan and Max. Perhaps next year she'll write a follow up story for these two. 😊
I didn't think that A E Ryecart could top her recently released Christmas story A Kiss Before Christmas. I'm not saying that this one is better but it's at least equal and it's a fairly short one at only 16,000 words.
The blurb tells you everything but I have to add…if you are a fan of this author's Barista Boys series, you'll want to read Company for Christmas if for no other reason than Bernie's in the story. If you haven't read that series, don't worry, Company for Christmas isn't part of that series and you don't need to have read it first.
Ms. Ryecart packs a lot into this novelette and, while I'm the kind of reader who always wants more, the ending is sweet and left me feeling really good about Nathan and Max. Perhaps next year she'll write a follow up story for these two. 😊
November 23, 2018
Broke my heart and mended it back together.
I didn't think that A E Ryecart could top her recently released Christmas story A Kiss Before Christmas. I'm not saying that this one is better but it's at least equal and it's a fairly short one at only 16,000 words.
The blurb tells you everything but I have to add…if you are a fan of this author's Barista Boys series, you'll want to read Company for Christmas if for no other reason than Bernie's in the story. If you haven't read that series, don't worry, Company for Christmas isn't part of that series and you don't need to have read it first.
Ms. Ryecart packs a lot into this novelette and, while I'm the kind of reader who always wants more, the ending is sweet and left me feeling really good about Nathan and Max. Perhaps next year she'll write a follow up story for these two. 😊
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
I didn't think that A E Ryecart could top her recently released Christmas story A Kiss Before Christmas. I'm not saying that this one is better but it's at least equal and it's a fairly short one at only 16,000 words.
The blurb tells you everything but I have to add…if you are a fan of this author's Barista Boys series, you'll want to read Company for Christmas if for no other reason than Bernie's in the story. If you haven't read that series, don't worry, Company for Christmas isn't part of that series and you don't need to have read it first.
Ms. Ryecart packs a lot into this novelette and, while I'm the kind of reader who always wants more, the ending is sweet and left me feeling really good about Nathan and Max. Perhaps next year she'll write a follow up story for these two. 😊
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
January 11, 2019
Gah, this was so cute. Such a sweet little story full of hope and warmth. I loved Nathan and Max both. I only wish it had been longer! <3
Aaahhh! And, I just went and looked, and there is a story for Bernie! A whole series of Barista Boys...I was so hoping there was. :-D
Aaahhh! And, I just went and looked, and there is a story for Bernie! A whole series of Barista Boys...I was so hoping there was. :-D
November 28, 2018
Very Good
Slightly different Christmas short, not all the cheerful sweetness and light of other stories but still plenty enjoyable. Great if you have an hour to full.
Slightly different Christmas short, not all the cheerful sweetness and light of other stories but still plenty enjoyable. Great if you have an hour to full.
December 27, 2018
Awww. So cute! Perfect little Christmas story and so fun!
November 16, 2018
l don't want to believe that there are so many unfortunate people
in this world that have to spend Christmas alone and suffering.
That's why l love this festive Cinderfella story so much.
It brings together 2 people that need that special friendship
much more this time of the year .
Nathan is freezing, it may be the festive season, but boys like him
still need to work, just to live.
Unfortunately, Christmas cheer does not visit " The Rack"
where many boys ply their trade, as they struggle to survive.
Nathan is so cold that he has decided to go home, not many people are around.
In his rush to catch the late bus he crashes in to someone,
in his panic, worried about retribution he cowers.
Max is making his escape from another well meaning family set up.
In his mad dash he takes a wrong turn, and ends up lost in the back streets of London.
Unexpectedly someone collides with him, when Max looks at the person he is lost.
Looking up at him is a gorgeous young man, who looks scared and frozen.
His heart melts, and without thinking he removes his coat and hands it to Nathan.
Max may be a very successful business man, but for the last 4 years he's been lonely.
Since the tragedy 4 years ago he has closed his heart off to everyone.
He is longing to find someone worthy of his love, care and protection,
and this young man makes his heart stutter.
Max may have given his coat to Nathan for protection from the freezing night,
but fate has so much more in store for these two men.
As Max and Nathan dream about each other, and maybe meeting again,
Their dreams might just come true...
in this world that have to spend Christmas alone and suffering.
That's why l love this festive Cinderfella story so much.
It brings together 2 people that need that special friendship
much more this time of the year .
Nathan is freezing, it may be the festive season, but boys like him
still need to work, just to live.
Unfortunately, Christmas cheer does not visit " The Rack"
where many boys ply their trade, as they struggle to survive.
Nathan is so cold that he has decided to go home, not many people are around.
In his rush to catch the late bus he crashes in to someone,
in his panic, worried about retribution he cowers.
Max is making his escape from another well meaning family set up.
In his mad dash he takes a wrong turn, and ends up lost in the back streets of London.
Unexpectedly someone collides with him, when Max looks at the person he is lost.
Looking up at him is a gorgeous young man, who looks scared and frozen.
His heart melts, and without thinking he removes his coat and hands it to Nathan.
Max may be a very successful business man, but for the last 4 years he's been lonely.
Since the tragedy 4 years ago he has closed his heart off to everyone.
He is longing to find someone worthy of his love, care and protection,
and this young man makes his heart stutter.
Max may have given his coat to Nathan for protection from the freezing night,
but fate has so much more in store for these two men.
As Max and Nathan dream about each other, and maybe meeting again,
Their dreams might just come true...
November 25, 2018
3,5 *
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* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - 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
3,5* - 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 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 heartily, 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, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
It’s a pity, that’s it’s only a short story in the barista boy universe.
It has the potential to be a long book in the series...
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* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - 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
3,5* - 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 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 heartily, 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, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
It’s a pity, that’s it’s only a short story in the barista boy universe.
It has the potential to be a long book in the series...
November 25, 2018
A 5 star short and sweet Christmas tale.
A young man who works the street that never quite let that dream go that his prince charming could come and sweep him away from such a life. Turning and walking into Max was the best thing Nathan ever did.
I love this story from both men's sides. Each has their worries and past woes but when they are together, it's adorable and a love at first sight kind of thing. Though Nathan's worries could possibly ruin things as why on earth would such a refined man such as Max want a rent boy like Nathan.
A.E. Ryecart tells this story very well, weaving a tale of longing from both men who want someone of their own to love and care for. With the cold weather and Christmas coming it's a perfect time for such a love story. And of course, an appearance from Bennie and a stop at the Barista Boys cafe brings more warmth and acceptance to the romance.
Definitely a Christmas story for everyone. It's a quick romance that's easily enjoyable and highly recommended.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
A young man who works the street that never quite let that dream go that his prince charming could come and sweep him away from such a life. Turning and walking into Max was the best thing Nathan ever did.
I love this story from both men's sides. Each has their worries and past woes but when they are together, it's adorable and a love at first sight kind of thing. Though Nathan's worries could possibly ruin things as why on earth would such a refined man such as Max want a rent boy like Nathan.
A.E. Ryecart tells this story very well, weaving a tale of longing from both men who want someone of their own to love and care for. With the cold weather and Christmas coming it's a perfect time for such a love story. And of course, an appearance from Bennie and a stop at the Barista Boys cafe brings more warmth and acceptance to the romance.
Definitely a Christmas story for everyone. It's a quick romance that's easily enjoyable and highly recommended.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
January 25, 2019
💕 SWEET HOLIDAY STORY 💕
🎄 COMPANY FOR CHRISTMAS: A FESTIVE CINDERFELLA STORY by A. E. Ryecart is a sweet holiday story.
It is really short -- more like an introduction.
💕 Even though the story is short, the author was still able to facilitate an emotional connection between me and the two main characters, Nathan and Max 👬.
♥ Seriously... while reading this story, my heart ached and melted. As I finished reading, it was full of happiness and hope... 💗
🌟 This really is an enjoyable, quick read. After I read the final words, I was smiling and my heart was happy.
🌠 Of course, I wish the story had included more...
......maybe some glimpses of them together on Christmas day and then celebrating New Year's;
......maybe an epilogue written showing them celebrating next Christmas together along with their friends and family 💞 ... 😆
🎄 COMPANY FOR CHRISTMAS: A FESTIVE CINDERFELLA STORY by A. E. Ryecart is a sweet holiday story.
It is really short -- more like an introduction.
💕 Even though the story is short, the author was still able to facilitate an emotional connection between me and the two main characters, Nathan and Max 👬.
♥ Seriously... while reading this story, my heart ached and melted. As I finished reading, it was full of happiness and hope... 💗
🌟 This really is an enjoyable, quick read. After I read the final words, I was smiling and my heart was happy.
🌠 Of course, I wish the story had included more...
......maybe some glimpses of them together on Christmas day and then celebrating New Year's;
......maybe an epilogue written showing them celebrating next Christmas together along with their friends and family 💞 ... 😆
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews