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A Very Genre Christmas
Very little is merry in a private dick’s world.
Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.
With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something too—a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal.
Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.
With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something too—a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
21 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
176 books1,308 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 9, 2023
You know what, Kim Fielding? Every year around Christmas take all my money ! Take it all, just don’t stop giving us these little gems. Such a cute read and again: magical realism. Quirky and sooo heartwarming and sweet. Gah, beautiful and I think you can’t get a read more Christmassy than this. 😍❤️
December 12, 2021
4.5 stars
One of the best winter holiday stories I’ve ever read. Well written and researched. Sweet. Poignant. Funny. Utterly endearing.
One of the best winter holiday stories I’ve ever read. Well written and researched. Sweet. Poignant. Funny. Utterly endearing.
December 10, 2023
Sleeper!
Yep, this has been the sleeper in my holiday pile o' books this year.
What a surprise.
I mean, I love Fielding and I'm not surprised she delivered such a fabulous tale.
I just...didn't expect to love this story as much as I did.
Grumpy Detectives are my jam though.
Exceptional!
Yep, this has been the sleeper in my holiday pile o' books this year.
What a surprise.
I mean, I love Fielding and I'm not surprised she delivered such a fabulous tale.
I just...didn't expect to love this story as much as I did.
Grumpy Detectives are my jam though.
Exceptional!
December 8, 2021
Incredibly sweet and sappy, LOVED IT!!!
This story checked every box that I have. Beautifully written, fascinating characters that you fall in love with and an awesome real world fantasy setting that I adored!
This story checked every box that I have. Beautifully written, fascinating characters that you fall in love with and an awesome real world fantasy setting that I adored!
December 28, 2021
Nothing says Merry Christmas like an old school private detective. You know the kind. The tough talking, gets beat up at least once a case type. A Very Genre Christmas introduces us to Nick, a PI in 1950s Oregon, and a client like no other.
This magical tale involves a Rift under a city bookstore that slides and shifts now & again causing some things and some ones to fall through. This holiday a big, little surprise pops by. And it’s Nick’s job to help get him home. Hopefully in time for Christmas. He’s got work to do!
Yup. You guessed it! An elf slipped through the Rift. A beautiful, sweet, joyful elf named Evindal, who gets under Nick’s skin in a hurry. I loved watching our big grumpy detective melt. The way Evindal saw the world was so full of light and hope. He even loved the rain! It was “like the whole world’s a present wrapped in a shiny bow”. Nick just couldn't help falling for the little guy. I think it was the tights. :) Their energy together was sweet and something special to see! I loved ‘em.
Come see if Nick is able to find a way home for Evindal and if he’s able to let go when he does. This gumshoe tale with a twist is full of surprises! I had fun with it all. Try and see if you can figure out the past Rift visitors.
This wasn’t my first Kim Fielding read, but it had been awhile. I’m happy I found my way back to her words. Off to find more…
December 21, 2022
Now, this is the kind of Christmasy vibe I love in my novellas.
December 15, 2022
Holiday Cheer!
A lonely, gruff private dick
A lost, jolly elf
Mix the two and magic abounds
Fielding builds a fun world where literary creatures of all kinds find themselves “lost” in the human world. It’s our dick’s job to find a way to send them back.
I loved the joy an elf brought to the story. I especially loved the ending!! HEA all the way!
A lonely, gruff private dick
A lost, jolly elf
Mix the two and magic abounds
Fielding builds a fun world where literary creatures of all kinds find themselves “lost” in the human world. It’s our dick’s job to find a way to send them back.
I loved the joy an elf brought to the story. I especially loved the ending!! HEA all the way!
December 17, 2021
This author's newest releases haven't been hits for me so I went into this with a bit of trepidation, but I ended up really enjoying it. The 1950s setting was interesting, as was the concept--not too overdone or cracky, which has been my experience with some of their more out-there ideas in the past. I did think the 50s slang felt a bit over-done at times, and all of the smut is fade-to-black which was pretty disappointing given I know this author can and does write explicit. It was sweet without being overly saccharine, and the ending was really lovely. Glad I picked this one up!
December 17, 2021
3.5
Imagine there is a literature multiverse and then imagine there's sometimes a temporary rift between the universe of the story and the one where the book was written, a rift that pushes one random character through. Might be a dream for some romance readers but only if the right person is coming through. For Nick Bozic it's just an opportunity to earn some cash because he's a private dick who, on behalf of the city of Portland, has to find a way to send those unintended migrants back. The just-an-opportunity part suddenly becomes something else when a Christmas elf appears at the bookstore. The bright and lively elf affects everyone he's meeting and slowly, piece by piece breaks through Nick's jaded and sarcastic armor.
To a certain degree it's a variation of A Christmas Carol where Evindal plays the part of all 3 ghosts but Kim Fielding's decision for a gloomy Portland of the homophobic 1950 as the place and time for her story and to give it a powerful film noir vibe, made it hard for me to get into a Holiday mood. For me it only became the expected Holiday read nearly at the end of the book and of course in the epilogue.
Kim Fielding's mastership of creating characters is out of question and of course this applies also for A Very Genre Christmas. The story flows seamlessly (with the sex scenes completely off-page) and I had a great time guessing which characters needed Nick's support to get back into their own world or to decide they want to stay. Seems he's not really well-read or books like Tarzan or Cinderella are not known in his world, so he just mentions some characteristics or how he got them back, never their name or the appropriate book. I also liked to watch him open up to Evindal slightly but invariably. It's just that together with the short intermediary mystery the romance was too short to get me really engaged and the film noir genre doesn't mix with Christmas and while I appreciate the end of the story, the epilogue, while nice, was like going to sleep with Robert Mitchum and wake up with Tim Allen.
Imagine there is a literature multiverse and then imagine there's sometimes a temporary rift between the universe of the story and the one where the book was written, a rift that pushes one random character through. Might be a dream for some romance readers but only if the right person is coming through. For Nick Bozic it's just an opportunity to earn some cash because he's a private dick who, on behalf of the city of Portland, has to find a way to send those unintended migrants back. The just-an-opportunity part suddenly becomes something else when a Christmas elf appears at the bookstore. The bright and lively elf affects everyone he's meeting and slowly, piece by piece breaks through Nick's jaded and sarcastic armor.
To a certain degree it's a variation of A Christmas Carol where Evindal plays the part of all 3 ghosts but Kim Fielding's decision for a gloomy Portland of the homophobic 1950 as the place and time for her story and to give it a powerful film noir vibe, made it hard for me to get into a Holiday mood. For me it only became the expected Holiday read nearly at the end of the book and of course in the epilogue.
Kim Fielding's mastership of creating characters is out of question and of course this applies also for A Very Genre Christmas. The story flows seamlessly (with the sex scenes completely off-page) and I had a great time guessing which characters needed Nick's support to get back into their own world or to decide they want to stay. Seems he's not really well-read or books like Tarzan or Cinderella are not known in his world, so he just mentions some characteristics or how he got them back, never their name or the appropriate book. I also liked to watch him open up to Evindal slightly but invariably. It's just that together with the short intermediary mystery the romance was too short to get me really engaged and the film noir genre doesn't mix with Christmas and while I appreciate the end of the story, the epilogue, while nice, was like going to sleep with Robert Mitchum and wake up with Tim Allen.
December 10, 2024
A charming and sweet Winter/Christmas story with a grumpy/sunshine romance at its heart and lots of clever literary references.
The narration was, of course, fabulous.
The narration was, of course, fabulous.
December 25, 2022
This was sweet! A fun little idea about a rift opening and depositing characters from books into our world, and the main character is the one who deals with them, usually by helping them get back home. Combined with a 1954 setting. A main character who acted like he had a cold heart but really didn't. A joyful, excitable Christmas elf love interest. And since the characters basically spent all their time together for weeks, I could believe their feelings. Overall, a quick but sweet and low-angst Christmas romance.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes sweet m/m Christmas romance, elves, and characters who make everyone smile.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes sweet m/m Christmas romance, elves, and characters who make everyone smile.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
December 11, 2021
There's a Genre Rift underneath a bookstore in Portland, Oregon, when people and other living things plopped into the hallway when the rift shifts. And it's Nick job to find a way to get those people (and other living things), when they want to, to get back to their home. And on this night, a Christmas elf is the one coming.
I LOVE THIS!! It is a unique situation and I had grand time to try guessing about the characters coming from the shift based on Nick's explanation (I think there's Thor, Shakespeare, Hannibal Lecter). And despite the short time span, Nick and Evindal are so cute together. Evindal is adorable character! I love them together. The epilogue is also lovely *sigh*
Yes, it's another good one, Kim Fielding!
I LOVE THIS!! It is a unique situation and I had grand time to try guessing about the characters coming from the shift based on Nick's explanation (I think there's Thor, Shakespeare, Hannibal Lecter). And despite the short time span, Nick and Evindal are so cute together. Evindal is adorable character! I love them together. The epilogue is also lovely *sigh*
Yes, it's another good one, Kim Fielding!
Read
November 6, 2021Holiday novellas are always fun to write, but I had an especially good time with this one. What happens when a hardboiled private eye meets up with a jolly Christmas elf?
There are Easter eggs in this story too (maybe they should be Christmas eggs?). See how many books you can recognize from Nick's brief descriptions. Almost all of the places mentioned in the story really existed in 1950s Portland--including Nick's apartment, where I lived in real life many decades later.
There are Easter eggs in this story too (maybe they should be Christmas eggs?). See how many books you can recognize from Nick's brief descriptions. Almost all of the places mentioned in the story really existed in 1950s Portland--including Nick's apartment, where I lived in real life many decades later.
December 14, 2021
Story: 3 ⭐️
Narration: 4 ⭐️
December 10, 2021
Historical with a heavy dose of magic / paranormal. Evindal the elf brings a decided blast of joie de vivre to Nick's worn down humdrum existence (the author employs a similar interpersonal dynamic between these MCs as can be found in Farview). I enjoyed the romance arc which was carefully spread out across this novella; however, I had to make some adjustments to the elf using very up-to-date urban lingo/phrases. Having all the additional festive seasonal elements was really a bonus.
December 13, 2021
Very little is merry in a private dick’s world.
Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.
With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something too—a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal.
Review:
I picked up this book because it showed up as reviewed by couple of my book buddies and idea of the RIFT sounded VERY intriguing. And it was intriguing! I always enjoy the twist on "fictional and real worlds colliding" and this one was very fun. It was fun even though author flat out tells us that nobody knows how the Rift took place and what are the details. The fictional characters just appear in the very specific place of the city of Oregon ( the bookstore of course , what else did you think it would be ? :))). And Nick, our narrator has to find the way to get them home . And city pays his bills for these assignments. The author somehow made the fantastical element work for me within the historical time frame.
Nick was lovely too, gruff private detective, who always tries to do the right thing. Nick had a tough childhood, survived World War II and even though he does not always have a lot of clients, he tries to work his cases right and not to become corrupted and not to be on anyone's payroll.
Since blurb tells you that his love interest comes through the Rift and he is an Elf. I can confirm it, he is in fact an Elf :-). I don't even mind that they pretty much had love at the first sight ( or almost at the first sight ) hit them. The story is after all a novella and if the author choses to cover the beginning of the relationship in the novella, I can understand the limited page space. What I did mind though is that Evindal never became real for me .
Just to be clear him being an Elf is not what I am referring to when I say he never became real. He was just so very perfect and it is hard to explain because he was indeed an Elf, but I guess I need the fantastical being still act how human would act ( because I am a human being and my species are the only ones I can related to). Evindal was all understanding and sweet to the point of sugary and helpful and lives saving and man, just too much sugar for my teeth. I am not one of those readers who hate holiday stories . I love magic and New Year was, is and always will be my most beloved holiday, but I need a balance of sugar and this story had way too much for me .
“Because yes, he was beautiful; but more importantly, he was sweet and joyful and good. Too damn good for this world, and definitely too damn good for me.” This is how Nick views Evindal and one can argue of course that the view one looks at his beloved maybe a little skewed, but unfortunately I thought that this is how Evindal was meant to be portrayed.
Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.
With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something too—a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal.
Review:
I picked up this book because it showed up as reviewed by couple of my book buddies and idea of the RIFT sounded VERY intriguing. And it was intriguing! I always enjoy the twist on "fictional and real worlds colliding" and this one was very fun. It was fun even though author flat out tells us that nobody knows how the Rift took place and what are the details. The fictional characters just appear in the very specific place of the city of Oregon ( the bookstore of course , what else did you think it would be ? :))). And Nick, our narrator has to find the way to get them home . And city pays his bills for these assignments. The author somehow made the fantastical element work for me within the historical time frame.
Nick was lovely too, gruff private detective, who always tries to do the right thing. Nick had a tough childhood, survived World War II and even though he does not always have a lot of clients, he tries to work his cases right and not to become corrupted and not to be on anyone's payroll.
Since blurb tells you that his love interest comes through the Rift and he is an Elf. I can confirm it, he is in fact an Elf :-). I don't even mind that they pretty much had love at the first sight ( or almost at the first sight ) hit them. The story is after all a novella and if the author choses to cover the beginning of the relationship in the novella, I can understand the limited page space. What I did mind though is that Evindal never became real for me .
Just to be clear him being an Elf is not what I am referring to when I say he never became real. He was just so very perfect and it is hard to explain because he was indeed an Elf, but I guess I need the fantastical being still act how human would act ( because I am a human being and my species are the only ones I can related to). Evindal was all understanding and sweet to the point of sugary and helpful and lives saving and man, just too much sugar for my teeth. I am not one of those readers who hate holiday stories . I love magic and New Year was, is and always will be my most beloved holiday, but I need a balance of sugar and this story had way too much for me .
“Because yes, he was beautiful; but more importantly, he was sweet and joyful and good. Too damn good for this world, and definitely too damn good for me.” This is how Nick views Evindal and one can argue of course that the view one looks at his beloved maybe a little skewed, but unfortunately I thought that this is how Evindal was meant to be portrayed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2021
Cute little festive read from Kim Fielding. I really liked Evindal the elf, and Carmilla was very droll 🤨.
December 12, 2025
Yearly relisten, 12/2025
Relistened 11/24 This is becoming a yearly tradition! I enjoyed it just as much the third time around.
Relistened 11/23. Such a sweet, fun book.
A Very Genre Christmas is a whimsical holiday romance with a clever plot, and the audiobook is narrated superbly by Greg Trembley. It's a wonderfully entertaining combination. Highly recommended for unusual and humorous holiday diversion. Worth reading even when it's not Christmas!
Relistened 11/24 This is becoming a yearly tradition! I enjoyed it just as much the third time around.
Relistened 11/23. Such a sweet, fun book.
A Very Genre Christmas is a whimsical holiday romance with a clever plot, and the audiobook is narrated superbly by Greg Trembley. It's a wonderfully entertaining combination. Highly recommended for unusual and humorous holiday diversion. Worth reading even when it's not Christmas!
November 21, 2022
2022 Re-Read:
This was my favorite holiday story from last year, and I loved it just as much this year. It'll probably be a holiday tradition from now on.
Original 2021 Review:
Figuring out who all the other rift hoppers were as Nick reminisced about them was the most fun I've had all year.
This was my favorite holiday story from last year, and I loved it just as much this year. It'll probably be a holiday tradition from now on.
Original 2021 Review:
Figuring out who all the other rift hoppers were as Nick reminisced about them was the most fun I've had all year.
December 16, 2021
3-3.5 stars
Cute story, but it did fade to black and some of the character references through the rift went over my head, but even with that said it was a cute Christmas story.
Nick and Evindal were cute it was a perfect sunshine character meets grump.
I wished this book was longer and we learned more about Carmilla, but I think for the length a lot happened and it kept me entertained. This was a good way to see if I liked Kim Fieldings writing and turns out I do. so this definitely won’t be the last book of hers I read.
Greg Tremblay also did a great job narrating, no doubt about that.
If you are looking for a quick Christmas read, this one is cute, I recommend the audiobook because Greg T… duh.
Cute story, but it did fade to black and some of the character references through the rift went over my head, but even with that said it was a cute Christmas story.
Nick and Evindal were cute it was a perfect sunshine character meets grump.
I wished this book was longer and we learned more about Carmilla, but I think for the length a lot happened and it kept me entertained. This was a good way to see if I liked Kim Fieldings writing and turns out I do. so this definitely won’t be the last book of hers I read.
Greg Tremblay also did a great job narrating, no doubt about that.
If you are looking for a quick Christmas read, this one is cute, I recommend the audiobook because Greg T… duh.
December 13, 2021
So... a surly PI and an exuberant elf get together...
This is a sweet and sexy holiday treat!
I loved the premise of 'the Rift' beneath a bookstore, where characters from books came through a strange, time-hopping portal to 1950s Portland, Oregon.
The story is told from PI Nick Bozic's point of view, and he is a surly and unintentionally funny individual. With Evindal, it's easy to see how hard Nick fell for him.
3.75 twinkling holiday stars!
This is a sweet and sexy holiday treat!
I loved the premise of 'the Rift' beneath a bookstore, where characters from books came through a strange, time-hopping portal to 1950s Portland, Oregon.
The story is told from PI Nick Bozic's point of view, and he is a surly and unintentionally funny individual. With Evindal, it's easy to see how hard Nick fell for him.
3.75 twinkling holiday stars!
December 13, 2022
An absolutely lovely and genuine elf (MC Evindal) arrives in Portland, Oregon through a dimensional rift and melts the heart of a hard-boiled detective (MC Nick). Add in a dodgy client and tawdry mystery and you have an unusual Christmas story, well executed and holding its personality throughout.
Narrated by Greg Tremblay - excellent. Really captured the mood and era.
Narrated by Greg Tremblay - excellent. Really captured the mood and era.
December 22, 2021
Enjoyed this sunshiny noir! This was a refreshing spin on, well, everything. Delightful.
November 30, 2022
This was really sweet, with just a thread of that 50's noir 'period typical'ness. I pretty much knew how it would play out early on, but it was a fun journey.
December 27, 2021
Completely adorable without being too sweet and just enough reality to keep it grounded. I loved the characters and the world built around them. The premise was unique and executed so well, I'll read this one again.
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December 22, 20213.5 Stars
January 23, 2024
Sweet, a bit syrupy. If you loved the movie Elf and want a MM version, this is basically it. At times it was too corny for me though.
Tags: private detective MC, elf MC, book store that spawns book characters as real people in the city, historical
Tags: private detective MC, elf MC, book store that spawns book characters as real people in the city, historical
December 16, 2022
Surprisingly wonderful! Not a regular paranormal reader and after reading the first few pages, I almost put it aside but continued. So glad I did. Terrific and imaginative with a dash of film noir!
It read like one of those movies pulled from the Noir Alley selections on the TCM movie channel. Nick is a detective (gumshoe) who specializes in trailing unfaithful spouses and thieves and in returning lost souls who get caught in a shift in the Rift and somehow end up on the top floor of a bookstore. Evindel the elf is one of those lost souls. Evindel is definitely elf like - sweet and innocent. Sort of reminds you of the Will Farrell character in "Elf." In the course of trying to get Evindel back to the North Pole, Nick finds himself falling for him while trying to make a living. Loved Carmilla! Strong female character. And loved the way it ends - not like a typical lost elf story.
It read like one of those movies pulled from the Noir Alley selections on the TCM movie channel. Nick is a detective (gumshoe) who specializes in trailing unfaithful spouses and thieves and in returning lost souls who get caught in a shift in the Rift and somehow end up on the top floor of a bookstore. Evindel the elf is one of those lost souls. Evindel is definitely elf like - sweet and innocent. Sort of reminds you of the Will Farrell character in "Elf." In the course of trying to get Evindel back to the North Pole, Nick finds himself falling for him while trying to make a living. Loved Carmilla! Strong female character. And loved the way it ends - not like a typical lost elf story.
November 19, 2022
Loved this Xmas story. A cute story about a Xmas elf that comes through a rift and private detective, Nick, has to try and help him find his way home. This proves more difficult than usual and in the meantime Evindal brings joy and colour back into Nicks life.
November 19, 2022
wonderful Christmas story
I loved trying to figure out the characters that came through the rift. Seeing Nick discover that life can be more than he thought was heartwarming. I loved Evindal’s spirit and sweetness. It was a very nice read!
I loved trying to figure out the characters that came through the rift. Seeing Nick discover that life can be more than he thought was heartwarming. I loved Evindal’s spirit and sweetness. It was a very nice read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews