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Cruised #2
Holiday Gridlock
Gabe is way too happy. Mark is as close to a perfect boyfriend as you can get. He’s smart, good-looking, successful, and he cares about Gabe. He’s also way more serious about their relationship than Gabe’s ready for. He wants them to move in together.
The closest Gabe’s ever gotten to living with a boyfriend is accidentally leaving his boxers behind. But he and Mark are way past that. It’s terrifying.
Mark invites Gabe home for the holidays where Gabe gets an intimate look at Mark’s family, his childhood, and how different their Christmas traditions are. It’s loud, overwhelming, messy, and…really nice. Homey in a way Gabe’s never experienced.
But Mark wants more than for Gabe to just have a peek at this part of his life. He wants Gabe to become part of the family, to go to bed with him every night, and wake up with him every morning. He wants all their Christmases to be together. Moving in may be just the start.
It might take a Christmas miracle for Gabe to figure himself out and overcome his fears. Or maybe a little familial intervention.
Will Gabe and Mark take the next step, or will they get stuck in holiday gridlock?
The closest Gabe’s ever gotten to living with a boyfriend is accidentally leaving his boxers behind. But he and Mark are way past that. It’s terrifying.
Mark invites Gabe home for the holidays where Gabe gets an intimate look at Mark’s family, his childhood, and how different their Christmas traditions are. It’s loud, overwhelming, messy, and…really nice. Homey in a way Gabe’s never experienced.
But Mark wants more than for Gabe to just have a peek at this part of his life. He wants Gabe to become part of the family, to go to bed with him every night, and wake up with him every morning. He wants all their Christmases to be together. Moving in may be just the start.
It might take a Christmas miracle for Gabe to figure himself out and overcome his fears. Or maybe a little familial intervention.
Will Gabe and Mark take the next step, or will they get stuck in holiday gridlock?
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First published November 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 13, 2019
Holiday Gridlock is a continuation of the romance begun in Evans’s previous novella, Bumper to Bumper. I thought the first story was very cute, but this one suffers a bit in comparison.
Part of what made the first book work for me was that the basics of the story—Gabe and Mark flirt through a hookup app while commuting to work, and their relationship grows from there—was both fun and something I hadn’t read before. This time, the plot is more conventional. Gabe and Mark have been dating for a while, and while Mark is ready to move in together, Gabe is commitment shy. A trip to visit Mark’s family for Christmas brings their differences to a head, and they have to figure out their future as a couple.
Outside of being less original, the story itself isn’t bad. I liked catching up with Gabe and Mark and getting to meet both of their families. Christmas is part of the story, but the author doesn’t hit you over the head with the holiday theme, which is a plus for me. The only quibble I had with the plot is that Gabe changes his mind about their relationship fairly quickly at the end, but that’s par for the course with relatively short novellas.
I’d give this a read if you liked Bumper to Bumper, but I’d start with that one if you are new to the author.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
Part of what made the first book work for me was that the basics of the story—Gabe and Mark flirt through a hookup app while commuting to work, and their relationship grows from there—was both fun and something I hadn’t read before. This time, the plot is more conventional. Gabe and Mark have been dating for a while, and while Mark is ready to move in together, Gabe is commitment shy. A trip to visit Mark’s family for Christmas brings their differences to a head, and they have to figure out their future as a couple.
Outside of being less original, the story itself isn’t bad. I liked catching up with Gabe and Mark and getting to meet both of their families. Christmas is part of the story, but the author doesn’t hit you over the head with the holiday theme, which is a plus for me. The only quibble I had with the plot is that Gabe changes his mind about their relationship fairly quickly at the end, but that’s par for the course with relatively short novellas.
I’d give this a read if you liked Bumper to Bumper, but I’d start with that one if you are new to the author.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
November 13, 2019
I was so happy to see another book in this series! Gabe and Mark were intriguing in the first book... and this one just solidified their relationship. It amazes me that the author is able to pack so much characterization into such a short piece of fiction. I really felt for Gabe... his confusion over the status and longevity of his relationship was really palpable. I’ve been there and this read as authentic.
What this story lacks in length, it more than makes up for in characterization. It’s funny but I remember caring about these two characters in the first novel... and really not a lot about them is revealed during that plot. This seemed like such a natural continuation.
I loved that it was a bit of a Christmas story... and that all levels of commitment to the holiday spirit were reflected! Great continuation!
What this story lacks in length, it more than makes up for in characterization. It’s funny but I remember caring about these two characters in the first novel... and really not a lot about them is revealed during that plot. This seemed like such a natural continuation.
I loved that it was a bit of a Christmas story... and that all levels of commitment to the holiday spirit were reflected! Great continuation!
November 18, 2019
I received a copy of Holiday Gridlock by Gretchen Evans via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. This is one of those sequels that can be read easily without reading the first book, for which I am grateful, as I did not realize it was book two in a series. I liked that the age gap between Gabe and Mark was not generational, but added to the dynamic between the two of them. I especially liked Gabe, while being younger, was the top in the relationship. Gabe’s insecurities about becoming serious with Mark felt realistic and created the tension in the story. It was also refreshing to read a holiday story that was not all sweetness and light but still had a happy ending.
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February 3, 2020The second book in a series, Holiday Gridlock can be read solo with little issue (which is great, as I had no idea when I picked it up that it was a sequel). It's a cute story about the tensions between people in a relationship who aren't completely comfortable with not knowing what to expect. Gabe is incredibly insecure of his place in Mark's life, and of the possible differences is definition of what their relationship is. I do admit I spent a fair amount of time mentally telling Gave to just freaking talk to Mark already, but between the age difference (not generational, but enough that they are at different points in their lives) and Gabe's personal history, I could understand it. It's a sweet story.
November 10, 2019
This was a sweet read and I enjoyed Gabe and Mark's relationship, especially since Gabe isn't used to having one. But after a visit to Mark's family for the holidays, Gabe craves the closeness he feels as Mark's boyfriend and he wants it to extend into their home life also. I really enjoyed getting to know the two men and their time filled with holiday cheer and family. A great read!!
November 19, 2019
I nice epilogue to cruised.
December 14, 2019
Another short, sweet read in Gretchen Evans’ Cruised series.
Bumper to Bumper was the beginning of Mark and Gabe’s relationship. In Holiday Gridlock, they’ve fallen into a comfortable relationship. At least it’s comfortable for Gabe. Mark wants more though and the longer that Gabe stalls, the harder it is for Mark to see their relationship going in the direction he wants it to.
I liked getting to know these two better and seeing where they were headed. I also liked the additional characters in Holiday Gridlock. Family is important to both of these men. And even though they came from very different backgrounds, they still had a great support system.
Gabe was afraid of commitment, but Mark was patient. Even the most patient person has their limits though and Gabe isn’t prepared when he’s faced with the possibility of losing Mark. It’s a good thing they had that support system in place 😉
I received Holiday Gridlock in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bumper to Bumper was the beginning of Mark and Gabe’s relationship. In Holiday Gridlock, they’ve fallen into a comfortable relationship. At least it’s comfortable for Gabe. Mark wants more though and the longer that Gabe stalls, the harder it is for Mark to see their relationship going in the direction he wants it to.
I liked getting to know these two better and seeing where they were headed. I also liked the additional characters in Holiday Gridlock. Family is important to both of these men. And even though they came from very different backgrounds, they still had a great support system.
Gabe was afraid of commitment, but Mark was patient. Even the most patient person has their limits though and Gabe isn’t prepared when he’s faced with the possibility of losing Mark. It’s a good thing they had that support system in place 😉
I received Holiday Gridlock in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 23, 2024
4.5 stars - I read the first book last year on hoopla, but this one wasn’t available, but when I saw it was in the Ninestar Press sale, I bought it. I don’t think you necessarily need to read the first book to appreciate this installment, but it is a really sweet portrayal of an established relationship on the precipice of greater commitment. The trip to the family’s house for Christmas was both specific and very relatable, and I don’t know exactly why, but it just worked for me and was one of my favorite holiday reads this year.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews