His Christmas Sweater

by C.M. Valencourt

A holiday enthusiast. A grinch. A blizzard. What could go wrong?Owen loves Christmas. From November 1st to New Year's Eve, his world is nothing but ugly sweaters, peppermint mochas, and Mariah Carey holiday singles.Jacob is a bit of a grinch. Since he's gotten older, Christmas has never really been what he imagined. The closest he usually gets to festivities is an occasional bottle of peppermint schnapps.When Owen's journey to his parents' house for their famous Christmas celebration gets cut short by the worst blizzard central Colorado has seen in years, he finds himself seeking shelter at the small roadside inn that Jacob manages. With Christmas rapidly approaching, Owen sets out to bring some holiday cheer to the hotel and its grumpy manager. Will Jacob be able to let Owen in before roads clear and Owen drives away forever?

Genres: M M Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

124 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2018

About the author

C.M. Valencourt is a new m/m romance author. They started devouring queer fiction when they still had to smuggle it into their parents’ Catholic household, and dreamed of writing books about queer people finding love ever since. They like figure skating, ghost hunting shows, and Carly Rae Jepsen. You can find out more about their books and learn about upcoming releases at cmvalencourt.com.

Reviews

[Bitchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really adorable.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 Stars

Funny and hot and a lovely Holiday tale of pulling together to make things work in less than desirable circumstances. Not insta-love, but barely just. I adored the sarcastic banter between Jacob and Owen.

(Also, makes me wonder about other hotels' "snowed in" policy; I mean, what are they gonna do if you can't afford to pay for the room more than the night(s) you planned to stay and you literally cannot leave due to blizzard conditions and the roads are closed? I mean, I guess there's always the lobby or whatnot...)

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥.•🌟¨)☆♡¸.•🌟
♡🌟(¸.•♥´🌟The Grinch and the Ugly Sweater

Ohh, ooooh, ooooh!

I swear I HAVE been a Grinch for the past decade plus, but for some strange reason, I feel the Christmas spirit. And comma person, C.M. Valencourt have given us a taste of that which is yet to come.

Sickeningly happy Owen loves the holidays and is not afraid to show it. He loves it so much, he is dedicated to all the feels and the shows. When he gets stuck for the holidays, he never thought that ole St. Nick would fulfill his Christmas wishes.

For every Christmas freak, there was a Grinch in happenstance. Jacob was green with no, not envy, but hatred for the season. He'd never had it good, so why should he celebrate? But when a snow storm forces him to host a group of people stranded at the lodge he manages, there was no thought that things were about to change.

With the attraction that sparks, songs of the season and family traditions that made the season merry and bright, the men were able to keep the holidays happy despite it all and Owen opened Jacob's eyes to the joys of celebrations.

One click and discover how this Grinch earned his sweater.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2★'s = it was ok.

I have to be honest. I try to be sweeter with Christmas story ratings but I still gotta tell the truth and well, I won't like them all even if I want to.

This made me sad! All these people stranded and not able to get home for Christmas is sad. All these people not able to get home for Christmas taking it out on the hotel clerk at check in and check out is detestable.

But that wasn't all.

I never got to know who these guys were. I couldn't distinguish between them, they had no back story. I don't think I even know what Owen did for a living honestly. Why did Jake live like he did? This obviously isn't where his family is from. It didn't sound like he was estranged just at Christmas? Why was Owens sweater three sizes too big for Jake but Jake was bigger? It was very confusing. To me Jake was isolated and this was opportunity. I never got what it was for Owen.

And the magic kitchen that wasn't anything but a fridge and a stove miraculously filled with groceries and prepared meals and treats and meals and treats!

It was definitely a Christmas miracle.

So, I guess it was a cute story but it just never clicked with me really. I need some sort of connection with the characters.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen loves Christmas. From November 1st to New Year’s Eve, his world is nothing but ugly sweaters, peppermint mochas, and Mariah Carey holiday singles.
Jacob is a bit of a Grinch. Since he’s gotten older, Christmas has never really been what he imagined. The closest he usually gets to festivities is an occasional bottle of peppermint schnapps.
When Owen’s journey to his parents’ house for their famous Christmas celebration gets cut short by the worst blizzard central Colorado has seen in years, he finds himself seeking shelter at the small roadside inn that Jacob manages. With Christmas rapidly approaching, Owen sets out to bring some holiday cheer to the hotel and its grumpy manager. Will Jacob be able to let Owen in before roads clear and Owen drives away forever?
I was so excited to read this book as this author, C.M. Valencourt, wrote my favorite book of 2018, From the Ashes. This one is different, holiday themed and not as deep. This starts with Owen heading back through a storm to get to his family Christmas celebration. They are a very close family who never had much money and all the traditions are very important to Owen. When the snow storm forces closure of the roads Owen has to very reluctantly admit that he’s going to miss at least part of it for the first time ever. He ends up at an inn managed by Jacob, the Grinch, which isn’t even decorated for the holidays. Since there are other guest unhappily stranded as well, Owen pitches in to try to make things better.
The inn does not provide meals, so first off Jacob has to hit the grocery to get things for these stranded holiday travelers. There are only two people running the inn apparently, Jacob and Mandy, the seasonal housekeeper. Owen spearheads a “make it Christmasy” campaign that includes Christmas caroling with hot cocoa, decorating the inn and the rooms, making cookies and whipping up Christmas dinner.
This is something that made me roll my eyes because when Jacob goes to the grocery store it is mentioned that “The kitchen in Elk Terrace wasn’t designed with room service in mind.” There is a single fridge and home range and Jacob got what was there, “…various cans, boxes and the few fresh things…” Jacob “…was more of a frozen dinner and coldcut sandwiches kind of guy, himself.” Despite this Owen was able to do miracles. “They made enough cookie dough to feed an army: two batches of sugar cookie, one snickerdoodle, and one chocolate chip…” They were also able to whip up the special Gramma’s hot cocoa recipe and a huge dinner including more cookies, three whole pies, etc.

A small pet peeve – the use of the term “hungry hole” when having sex.
This is a sweet, suspend belief Christmas story with some insta-love happening. Jacob’s family situation is so different from Owen’s, you get to understand why, for him, Christmas is just another day. Maybe a time to drink some peppermint Schnapps, but otherwise another day. Similarly, you see the love and care that Owen’s family has and why it is so important to him.
I loved the whole wrapping paper idea because that seemed so Jacob.
Cover art, showing Owen and Jacob and a ridiculous Christmas Sweater, fits the theme very well although I wish Owen was smiling because that’s kind of his thing!

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha, it's been ages since I've read something so sexy lol. These two recognize their chemistry right away and don't loose any time jumping into bed together. But if there's only 78 pages to make it happen, the author doesn't waste any words making it happen.

Seriously though, His Christmas Sweater is a nice, easy, feel good forced proximity romance with a lovely message and is nicely written.

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Taya:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most wonderful time of the year. My TBR shelf slowing filling up on holiday-themed books. I like/love every book that comes across my path. This was a sweet story. All Owen wants for Christmas is his family, ugly sweaters and all the treats. But only hours from reaching his destination, he is caught in a blizzard and must seek shelter in an inn. The inn is run by Jacob, a man who has been all but been abandon by his family has come to hate Christmas and all its trapping.

Overall, I love this story. Owen slowly but surely infusing the aging inn with Christmas cheers. Also showing Jake what the holiday cheer is all about and a promise of a future romance. The pace was good and would put you in the right mood for the season.

**This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Snjez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really connect to the story nor the characters. It was a bit too "Hallmarky" for me.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A snowstorm, an angry gaggle of guests, an old fashioned small town lodge/hotel, only two stressed staff members, a bare lobby during the height of Christmas, a fierce snowstorm stranding everyone at the lodge: employees, guests, and unlucky travellers. A nearly empty pantry, sad kids & adults all missing Christmas at their families homes.

What do you do to keep everything from falling apart even more? Christmas built together out of nothing and kept everyone happy & cohesive with the magic of Christmas. It was nice to read about a man not thin and lithe or broad & chiseled. A happy man but with some body image issues, he was a bit of a "bear" including a soft blond beard & no washboard abs. Though there was a handsome hotel manager. A scruffy hard bodied mountain man whose silent brooding made him more Grinch like.

Owen knew how to make the most out of not much of anything. His family's Christmas traditions made something that had been a disaster into something incredible. I didn't have any idea what to expect when I read this story only knowing it was going to be a Christmas story complete with ugly Christmas sweaters. I love Christmas carols, listening to then as I write this review. Different parts of the story reminded me of past Christmases.

Vulnerability was there, as well as sweetness and passion. If you love Christmas stories - this one will definitely warm your heart. I can't recommend it more highly!

[Vfields Don't touch my happy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

His Christmas Sweater was a cute, fun, light, quick moving holiday story. A pro holiday man trying to get home for the holidays meets and dazzles a modern-day, grumpy grinch. I thought the situation was oddly unreal but surprisingly satisfying because to be honest I didn’t want to think too hard.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/3

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3☆

[Wendy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet, feel good Christmas read.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and a little sexy!

This is a sweet fluffy read with a little bit of steam and a lot of holiday warmth. A perfect addition to your holiday reading list.

[Helen Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

*arc received in exchange for an honest review*

There’s nothing I love more than curling up with a good Christmas book at this time of year and this will be my first one if the season and boy what a start! It was extremely cute. I loved the whole grizzly grinch of a hotelier meeting Christmas obsessed traveller stranded by a snow storm. It was exceptionally sweet and even though it does play out like a hallmark movie Valencourt made the plot entirely their own. I couldn’t put it down once I started. It was quick paced, insta-love and boy I’m sad it’s over. Great read!

[N.M. Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to get through this one. The idea was cute but I kept losing track of who was talking. I didn’t have a clear idea of what the characters looked like, so I kept mixing them up. I ended up skimming the end.

There was good potential but it just wasn’t for me.

[MTULIPK · Rating 1 out of 5]

ONCE AGAIN, AN AUTHOR HAS WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT POLITICS . . .
. . . WITHOUT SAYING SO IN THEIR SYNOPSIS!
——————————
HIS CHRISTMAS SWEATER
C.M. VALENCOURT
10 JUL 2020

🚫⭐️👎🏿
——————————
I LIKED IT UP UNTIL THIS PART:
QUOTE:
“. . . talking about how ‘the dumbasses in this administration won’t be happy until they ruin the lives of anyone who isn’t a millionaire.’ Jacob initially tried to steer their conversation away from politics, out of fear that Mandy would start some fight about welfare policy or something, . . .”

TRULY, I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT CARE WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE AN AUTHOR’S POLITICS LAY ON!

IT’S THE FACT THAT, YET AGAIN, ONE MORE AUTHOR COULDN’T STOP THEMSELVES FROM INTERJECTING THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS INTO BOOKS THAT, FOR IT’S READERS, ARE SUPPOSED TO BE . . .
— •R•O•M•A•N•T•I•C• — •G•E•T•A•W•A•Y•S• — . . .

NOT • AN • OUTLET • FOR • THEIR• POLITICAL • VIEWS.

THEY WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS?
FINE.
THEY CAN DO SO.
IT’S, NO MATTER, TO ME . . .

. . . JUST SAY SO IN THE SYNOPSIS!

THIS AUTHOR HAS FALSELY MISLED THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUGHT THIS BOOK, BASED UPON THE SYNOPSIS PROVIDED.
THEY READ THAT SYNOPSIS, USING IT AS A GUIDE WHEN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY “HIS CHRISTMAS SWEATER.”

I’M REALLY TIRED OF BEING BLINDSIDED BY AUTHORS.
HERE, I THOUGHT I WAS BE BUYING A ROMANTIC NOVEL — A ROMANTIC “CHRISTMAS” NOVEL — BUT, IT TURNED OUT TO BE JUST ANOTHER VENUE FOR THE AUTHOR’S POLITICS.

I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ***ASHAMED *** — TRULY.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about fortunate encounters! The story introduces two diametrically opposed personalities at first glance - the glass-is-always-half-empty Jacob and the glass-is-half-full-but-look-there's-a-storm Owen. We are treated to a gentle introduction of their backstories, and we join them on an emotional journey as they discover their attraction for each other. What impressed me most about this novella was that it acknowledges how love perseveres through the sandpaper effect that couples have on each other, as we rub each other every which way while putting up with rough edges. I appreciated the authentic-sounding fact that people can sometimes surprise you by taking on different roles in bed than the ones we present among our peers. Notwithstanding the sweetness of the holiday romance, I would have liked to see another challenge come up during another festive season before the HEA ending.

*Voluntary review posted after receiving an advance copy from the author.

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Owen is travelling to his parents' house for Christmas, when he gets stopped by an epic snowstorm. The only place to pull over is a small inn, where he meets Jacob, who is manning the desk. Owen is a little surprised that the inn isn't going full out for Christmas, since he figures that small towns usually do that. Once in the hotel, he meets Jacob, a man who seems to have no Christmas spirit...and doesn't really appear to like people. Over the next couple of days, Owen brings Christmas cheer to all the stranded travelers, as well as Jacob.

Enh. This was more like a 2 star read, but it gave me a slightly warm, fuzzy feeling, so I bumped it up to 2.5. There were editing issues, and I never really felt as though Jacob and Owen got to know one another. Everything felt way too fast. Plus, if Jacob really didn't like people, which is how he came across, what the heck is he doing working in the hospitality industry?

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen is trapped with others at a small town hotel when the interstate is shut down due to weather. The travelers are all stressed and upset, worrying that their Christmas will be ruined. Jacob is one of two hotel employees stuck dealing with the horde, and he is not a fan of the season. When Owen takes it upon himself to spread holiday cheer to those waiting for the roads to reopen, he and Jacob begin to grow closer and closer. Owen even manages to spark a little enjoyment of the holiday in the sexy grinch. What will happen when the weather gets better and the roads are cleared?
This was a very cute holiday romance. I loved Owen and Jacob, and while I think the small hotel kitchen was made of Christmas magic, I really enjoyed this story. I tend to re-read my favorite holiday stories each year, and I'm happy to say I'll be adding this one to the mix.

[Ekollon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically the quintessential holiday romance, with fluff and lightness and sweetness and cheer. It's not a long story, but it doesn't feel as short and Goodreads says it is (77 pages? It doesn't feel that short). Jacob didn't feel anywhere near as much of a "grinch" as I had anticipated, either. The big thing was that he didn't put up decorations (and I kind of remember him making an insensitive remark towards one of Owen's sweaters), but if not putting up decorations makes one a horrible grinch, oops. There were some other things going on with Jacob and Christmas, but that's totally spoilery, so I'll leave that out, and I think those weren't grinch territory at all.

Owen was a total Christmas elf, though.

A lot of things weren't realistic, though, like with the kitchen being as it was and Owen being able to cook in it like he did. Don't expect realism.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a M/M holiday love story. This is sweet as well as spicy 🌶️🌶️.

This story centers around a guy named Owen. He loves everything Christmas from peppermint mocha’s to Mariah Carey singing Christmas carols. During a horrendous blizzard he meets a guy named Jacob. Jacob is a total grinch. Since he has gotten older Christmas isn’t what he’s imagined.

When Owen’s journey to his parents house for their famous Christmas celebration gets cut short by a blizzard in Central Colorado he has ever seen in years he finds himself shelter at a roadside inn that Jacob manages. With Christmas approaches Owen sets out to bring some holiday cheer to the hotel and its grumpy manager. Jacob and Owen get to know each other and develop feelings for each other. This story was sweet but it was spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Maria E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romantic story. Owen is on his way to his parent's home to spend Christmas, when he gets stuck in a snowstorm and has to stop at a little inn, where he stays until the storm blows over. There he meets Jacob the handsome but surly manager of the inn, trying to cope with angry guests who want to leave but are stuck because of the snowstorm. Jacob's Bah-Humbug attitude and lack of holiday decorations makes the inn a little dreary so Owen goes about putting up the decorations, baking cookies and singing Christmas carols, and turns the atmosphere around. He and Jacob hit it of and have a wonderful three days. But then the storm stops, the roads are cleared and Owen has to leave...will they separate or stay together?

[kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Christmas Sweater is the perfect holiday morsel. This story will put you in the holiday mood! I just loved the cute meet that between Jacob and Owen. A holiday blizzard brings these two together. On his way to his family home for Christmas, Owen is stranded at an inn run by Jacob. At first glance these two seem like polar opposites. Owen embraces everything Christmassy while Jacob appears Grinch like.
As these two get to know each other they feel an attraction and connection that can't be denied! I loved everything about this delightful holiday story! I know it is one I will revisit every holiday season.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding this one quite hard to rate. There was nothing at all wrong with this book. I liked that it averted love in five minutes. I liked the characters well enough, I was just largely indiferent to them as a couple. I don't know why they liked each other as more than a fuck. Like, they both talked about their lives but I felt no sense of connection between them. Along with some weird plot elements (one of them apparently makes while chickens appear from nowhere?) Left me feeling a bit met. I think I'm going to go for the 4 because ratings are important but I'm pretty dubious about this book.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story between two men who have wildly different thoughts about the Christmas season. When you meet Owen, he's on his way to his parent's house and fully looking forward to the holiday with his family, but a snowstorm has him stopping at an inn where he meets Jacob. Jacob, while working during the holiday's and his past ones haven't gone the way he imagined, he thinks this one will be the same. As Owen and Jacob get to know one another, their chemistry made me smile and I have to say I enjoyed this story about the holiday spirit and two men falling in love.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Christmas Sweater is a charming Christmas novella by CM Valencourt.

This one has all the things I love about a good Christmas romance. Two great characters, one who loves Christmas and one who loathes it. And some heat between them.

Jacob and Owen meet during a snowstorm. When they get to know each other, Owen strives to give Jacob one good Christmas memory. It's a sweet story, as we watch the two men during their two days stranded together.

His Christmas Sweater is well worth a read when you're in the mood for a cute, quick romance.

[Melanie Rawlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas book

Just finished this fab short book from CM Valencourt, who has achieved what I consider to be one of the hardest feats: writing a shorter story (this one is 77 pages) that doesn’t leave you thinking it should have been longer and missed loads out.
Our two main characters, Christmassy AF Owen and Grinchy Jacob, are beautifully portrayed so you know them well enough to like them a lot. Side character Mandy is great fun, and the snowed-in-with-strangers (in a hotel, run by Jacob with Mandy’s, ahem, ‘help’) works well. Now feeling v Christmassy 😁