Christmas is a time for giving, not lusting after your brother’s best mate.
Finn has never had the Christmas of his dreams, and this year isn’t shaping up to be much better. Then he rents his spare room out to Jasper, and life begins to look up.
Laid-back Jasper is nothing like Finn expects. He’s hot, sweet, and easy to talk to. Finn could easily fall for him. But, he’s his brother’s best friend. He’s off limits, and Finn would never break that sacred rule…right?
Jasper has carried a torch for his best mate’s brother for years. Living with him sparks an old flame to light, and the more time they spend together, the brighter it burns. Finn is gorgeous and kind. He’s everything Jasper has ever wanted.
But he’s also scarred by old wounds and reluctant to let his guard down again. Friendship blooms, and for a short while, it’s enough. But the fire between them is undeniable. Finn can fight it as much as he likes.
He won’t win.
A Christmas Break is a festive MM romance. Expect: a swoony best friend’s brother, old friendships that fast turn to love, sweet roommate romance, and lots of naughty rescue cats.
Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her three rowdy children, and two cats.
An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book or so. I liked Finn and Jasper. They were attracted to each other right from the start, but I think it worked here. I liked that they talked about it. This part of the story gave me all the warm and cozy feelings.
The second half of the book was a bit disappointing for me. I really felt the chemistry between Finn and Jasper in the beginning, but the moment they passed the kissing stage, it kind of got lost. The way their relationship developed didn't seem natural to me. I didn't see the point of Jasper's injury, Finn's trip and all the moving in and moving out that happened later on.
Overall, it was a light read. I enjoyed the family aspect of the story, even though the situation with Jasper's family felt a bit fabricated. All the side characters were very likable, the cats included, and I liked how supportive everyone was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Garnering automatic points, this entails one of my favorite tropes - falling for your best friend’s brother!
This starts out with Finn, who has just gotten out of a bad relationship. He’s understandably emotionally battered and needs help paying the rent on his new place. When his brother Cole, suggests bff Jasper, Finn’s not too sure that’s such a great idea.
Of course, the attraction is immediate. Of course, these two hit it off quickly despite both being hesitant to rock the boat by acting on their lusty feelings. However, as always, close quarters make it very hard to resist the comfort and camaraderie they find in each other as time goes on.
Beware Finn putting up all sorts of excuses - the age difference (which is a mere 5 years), the unequal footing as he’s Jasper’s landlord, not to mention he’s still rebounding from his ex boyfriend. Jasper for sure wants to play and wouldn’t mind more, but he has his own life to patch up in terms of his fractured family dynamics and deciding on what he wants to be when he grows up.
Thankfully, this is easy reading. There’s hardly any angst, and I so appreciated that brother Cole, was not a jerk about them possibly getting together as is often seen in this particular trope. Jacobs excels at the storytelling with spot on UST and the smexy was nothing to sneeze at.
Overall, an enjoyable holiday romance!
Thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review
I love Christmas. I love Christmas stories. I love Annabelle’s Christmas stories. So, naturally, this was a solid win! It was sweet and adorable and the perfect way to spend a quiet weekend night. Finn is still licking fresh wounds from a recent breakup. He loves his little house (especially since he’s been able to hide away in it) but can’t quite make ends meet on his own. Taking in a roommate is the only option. When his brother’s best friend returns from a sabbatical and needs a place to live, it seems like the perfect solution. It might have been if only the night at the bar hadn’t happened. Against his will, Finn was dragged to the bar to try and shake his funk. Things were looking up when a sexy stranger crossed his path until…until he discovered he wasn’t a stranger after all. Mortified that he’d been hitting on his younger brother’s bestie, Finn made his escape with his dignity still intact. But Jasper left a mark and fired up unexpected parts of Finn. He’s not ready for a relationship again…is he? He’s not supposed to want his brother’s friend…or can he? He doesn’t date younger guys…or could he? Jasper makes him question lots of things but he also brings a surge of happiness to his home again. They tip-toe around feelings and try and curb their desires and it was a pleasure to watch. Forbidden love which proves its worth is one of my favorite things. Full of longing and sexual tension, this holiday story will warm you up and make you smile. It’s delightfully British and packed with witty charm. Besides the loveable blokes and the marvelous family, there are cute kitties! So, why not give yourself a break from the real world and slip inside this dazzling holiday romance? I think it’s a great idea. Speaking of great ideas, there are many here and I can’t wait for you to decide who actually comes up with the very best ones.
Beware of: Acquaintances become friends and then roommates who realize they wish to share more than a roof together. Love strikes when it’s least expected. And the reminder that age truly is…just a number.
This book is for: If you’re searching for a lighthearted read with holiday charm, this Christmas chance is a sure bet.
I love it when Annabelle does a festive romance, this one's an absolute delight.
Brother's best friend, five years younger and just back from travelling, is where it's at and I loved both Jasper and Finn big time.
This is a sort of New Age romance, Finn is 26, Jasper just gone 21, and both felt true to that.
There's sparks from the off, but Finn's just getting over a damaging ex and Jasper's not sure where he's going now he's back after a year's trip around the world.
As is usually the case with Annabelle, there's a strong British feel, great secondary characters and some cute animals to help drive the plot.
Add in a cheerleading squad of family members and Finn's best friend Christian, and it's no wonder these two end up house sharing.
I really liked that this wasn't a straight up friends with benefits turned serious plot. Yes they're both hugely attracted to the other, but there's realistic obstacles that need working through.
All in all, a cracking good read and perfect for enjoying with a cup of the hot chocolate Jasper is so fond of!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Angus the cat stole the show in this story. I loved how grumpy and needy he was.
The MCs were okay too. I liked the secondary characters and the focus on family.
The first half was better than the second. Once Jasper broke his wrist and Finn left on a work trip, I got a little bored. There was a lot of talking about finally talking, but it took forever for the men to actually have a conversation about their relationship.
Finn was so focused on the age gap, and he was like five years older than Jasper. I get that Jasper was his younger brother's bestie, but it was kind of silly.
I didn't really feel the chemistry between the MCs, but the epilogue solidified a tentative HEA at least (except I wanted to know where Jasper was doing an apprenticeship; did I miss that somehow?).
Finn and Jasper were likeable, although a bit bland. I liked the focus on family dynamics, and the fact that there was actual communication (even if mostly instigated by others). But I gotta say Angus (the fat, grumpy cat) stole the show. He was honestly the best character in this book.
However, their issues were kinda silly. Maybe that's why I couldn't really get attached to the characters or to the story per se. Why the hang-up about age? They have 5 years between each other. Since when does that classify as "so much older"? It's not a real age gap by any stretch of imagination.
Plus, while I get that the "brother's best friend" thing could have been an issue in theory, it wasn't here. Cole was very supportive from the start. So nothing major should have kept them away from each other for so long, especially considering that they both knew the other wanted more.
The only valid reason I saw was the potential power imbalance due to Finn being Jasper's landlord, but it's not something they couldn't have discussed earlier. Moreover, that point was kinda moot with how things turned out at the end.
So yeah. It was okay, but the obstacles that kept them away from each other were all annoying me too much to enjoy the story more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This felt more like a 'real' romance, with Christmas happening at the side, rather than a dedicated Christmas story.
My short summary is: Pleasant, but nothing to rip me off my socks.
I wasn’t sure why Finn keeps playing the age gap card when Jasper is only five years younger than him (which in the best of all worlds is NOT an age gap), but did understand that him being Jasper’s landlord does create a ‘power imbalance’ he doesn’t want to take advantage of.
There is some good UST and some enjoyable sizzle, and yes, it was nice. All in all I’m probably just marginally underwhelmed.
It was ok. It started strong, but then the story stalled. The whole 'why' Finn was hesitant became repetitive, and them putting off talking felt like an attempt to keep the story going. A shame because as I said, it began well, and Finn and Jasper did have good chemistry.
A Christmas Break has one of my favorite trope. A brother's best friend. Oh, the forbidden object to have relationship with, only crush allowed. However, after came back from his one year traveling, Jasper looks nothing like a scrawny kid Finn knew. And he almost hit on him the fist night they met again. And as for Jasper who always had a crush on Finn almost over the moon when Finn willingly offered him a hose to share. It a UST and slow burn holiday story with family problem, Christmas trees but also a low angst romance. Finn and Jasper fit into their relationship perfectly, especially when they knew each other since forever. This one was a nice adorable story you can add to your reading list on holiday sesaons, when all we can do is stay at home and safe.
A kind and friendly story where friends and family are important. No awkwardness, maybe a few silly ones ;), no extreme circumstances, no angst here to find, just beautiful regular people who are open or find new ways to open up for the other.
Finn, twenty-six finally agree to go to a bar with his best friend. There’s an attractive guy who eyes him, there is a sparkle between them. When Finn’s younger brother Cole joins the guy Finn shockingly understands the guy is Jasper, Cole’s best friend who’s back from a year traveling. No way he’s gonna start something with the twenty-one-year-old Jasper.
Finn has a great home with space and Jasper needs a room. So there we are, Jasper can rent one of the rooms. They have the best time, they are a bit the same, hard workers and not often to find in a bar. The attraction is getting more intensive. Finn has so many doubts.
There are a lot of little things happening, entertaining, funny, endearing, some a bit hurtful but mostly enjoyable, easy-going, and warm. Two guys who find their happiness together. With family and friends to support them. All with the Christmas and holidays as background. The story is written in a very enjoyable way, easygoing pace, and is enough developed.
I have a weakness for brother's best friends kind of books...so I was extra excited for this one.
Finn is looking for a roommate and when his younger brother suggests his best friend Jasper -- Finn isn’t sure that is a good idea. Mostly due to the fact he had been eying that younger man up in a bar before realizing who he is. But, the offer is too good to turn down and soon enough he is sharing a space with the attractive Jasper and all the reasons why it was a bad idea goes out the window. The same can’t be said for the wanting to go to bed with him but the tension sometimes becomes too much….and some things can’t be denied.
Finn and Jasper were pretty sweet together and I enjoyed the pace of their relationship and realistic choices that were made. This is another short, low angst book that involves plenty of sweetness and a dab of steaminess.
Definitely a book worth adding to your holiday to read list.
A very sensible sweet story. I’m a fan of the brothers best mate stories so this one was just what I needed for Christmas. The writing was good the characters were sweet. And I appreciated that they acted like adults. If I had to complain it would be first about the cats, don’t get me wrong I’m fine with cats but the knock about the moms boyfriend being allergic to cats, and the fact an ex boyfriend didn’t like cats rubbed me wrong. I’m deathly allergic it’s nothing I can help yet nothing I’ll apologize for that makes me not a cat person either. That doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. That being said is it bad that I kinda want my characters doing the not sensible thing? I know I know, in real life that was the best choice, but in book world I’d like them to be reckless and have that work out.
brother bestfriend is one of my favorite trope. and like that on this one the brother was the one who pushed them to be together. sweet but not overly sweet, love it 🖤
A cute romance btw Cole's best mate and Cole's older brother, with the full support of Cole. What's not to like? Maybe the sex scenes that never felt scintillating, inspired, actual, or crucial to the plot? Other than that, all the sweetness of a gingerbread house, with cats.
This is a delightfully, sweet MM romance & I really enjoyed reading it. The plot is quite entertaining with a festive undertone & has no major drama or anguish in it. The characters are well-developed & likable with good chemistry between them. There is good support from the secondary characters. It is about: a man (Finn) freshly out of a bad relationship comes into contact with his younger brother’s (Cole) best friend (Jasper) & Cole decides to gently manipulate Finn into offering Jasper a room in his home naturally these two people (Finn & Jasper) become attracted to each other. There is: a supportive family, friendship, mild drama, comradery, some feline manipulations, humour, attractions, doubts, confusion, complications, some frustration, longings, compromises, happiness, love & a wonderful epilogue.
I adored this holiday romance with Jasper and Finn. Everything from their “first” meet, their strong connection, their helpful friends and families and all the way through to their heartfelt HEA made me smile. “I know what I’m getting with you... Someone who’s wonderful, warm, funny and so very...far from boring.” Those words describe my feelings for this book. It’s charming, heartwarming and so full of good cheer, I guarantee you’ll love it, Finn, Jasper, Angus and Jerry. In fact, I’d bet on it.
It had promising start, but Finn was too hung up with his FIVE YEARS AGE DIFFERENCE (seriously?!?) that this book lost its fun. It felt very dragging and I got bored.
Only Angus the cat, and Cole (Finn's younger brother) that got the 👍🏻 from me
Oh, man. This knocked me over out of nowhere. I absolutely loved it!!! I loved the premise of the best friend’s older brother. I loved how communicative they were. It was refreshing to have family on their side and backing their relationship! This was a really fantastic story that I had to finish in one sitting! Very sweet!!
Annabelle Jacobs has released a sweet holiday romance, A Christmas Break, that is sure to thrill her fans. I really enjoyed meeting Finn and Jasper and especially loved Angus, the cat. The sexual tension in this novel is off the charts from page one and the idea that these two men are actually quite level-headed and like to communicate is a real win for me. I am so used to reading romance novels where miscommunication is the crux of all the drama that unfolds. It is so refreshing to have a novel where the main characters act like the adults they are and still manage to be sexy and interesting.
A lovely festive read from Annabelle Jacobs! Finn ends up with his brother's best friend living with him when he finds himself searching for a lodger and though he finds himself incredibly attracted to the younger man, he's determined to keep things platonic. Jasper understands why but finds himself frustrated, especially after sharing a hot kiss with the attractive man who lends him support in tough moment. I really enjoyed this slow burn romance as these two men interact in a different way than they have before. Finn is reticent after a bad ending to a previous relationship, their age gap, him being Jasper's landlord and his brother's best friend. It's easy to feel for him with his back and forth of wanting Jasper but also wanting to do, in his mind, the right thing. Jasper has a lot going on for himself as well with problems with both parents, separately, that's causing him emotional turmoil and Finn is natural at providing comfort but he has to be careful not to fall to far when Finn keeps saying no. This is a really sweet story and a wonderful romance that slowly builds with hot kisses and tender moments. Definitely a recommended read for the season. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Overall, this was a sweet holiday read but it did have a few small niggles. Definitely worth the read.
QUICK THOUGHTS
** Holiday/Christmas ** Younger brothers best friend ** Not sure why the MC was hung up on a 5 year age difference ** Really sweet ** Made me smile a lot ** Humorous made me chuckle ** Slow-ish burn ** Sheesh, it was a broken wrist not major surgery ** More than likeable MCs... Finn & Jasper ** Loved Angus the cat ** Great families ** Satisfying enough ending ** Worth putting on your TBR Holiday list
Cute and sweet, but it had a hard time holding my attention. I can't really pinpoint a reason, though. I figure this is the kind of book someone looking to relax and not think might enjoy a lot, like an equivalent to a hallmark movie, but it's not what I want in a book.
A wholesome and heart-warming festive romance story. I love how free of the usual drama tropes it is. No misunderstandings, that drag on forever. No break-ups, no jealousy, no cheating, no troublemakers. And still this story is never boring.