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Kane Christmas #3
How My Brother's Best Friend Stole Christmas
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
I have one Christmas wish: to get Sam Porter, my brother’s best friend and the man I’ve loved from a distance for most of my life – to notice me. To really notice me. So, I’m doing that super cheesy thing where I get all dressed up at the Kane Co. Holiday party in the hopes he’ll see what he’s been missing.
And for the span of a blackout every one of my sex dreams about Sam come true. But then the lights come back on and he pushes me away with both hands.
So now I’m done with him. Done with his handsome face, and his not-so-hidden pain and all our inside jokes. And my love for him – I’m really done with that.
But Sam has been discharged from the Marines, and my brother has hired him on at Kane Co. In the shipping department. Where I’m the boss. And he’s…irresistible.
But Sam has his own Christmas wish and it’s me he’s wanted all along.
I have one Christmas wish: to get Sam Porter, my brother’s best friend and the man I’ve loved from a distance for most of my life – to notice me. To really notice me. So, I’m doing that super cheesy thing where I get all dressed up at the Kane Co. Holiday party in the hopes he’ll see what he’s been missing.
And for the span of a blackout every one of my sex dreams about Sam come true. But then the lights come back on and he pushes me away with both hands.
So now I’m done with him. Done with his handsome face, and his not-so-hidden pain and all our inside jokes. And my love for him – I’m really done with that.
But Sam has been discharged from the Marines, and my brother has hired him on at Kane Co. In the shipping department. Where I’m the boss. And he’s…irresistible.
But Sam has his own Christmas wish and it’s me he’s wanted all along.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2020
556 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 4, 2022
5 Christmas Eve Makeover Stars ⭐
“But I knew. I knew her secret heart. Even without seeing it. Belief without proof was faith, and that was everything I felt for her.”
Sophie Kane has been in love with her brother’s best friend Sam Porter forever. Except she didn’t realise that she hadn’t been successful in concealing her feelings. With the intent of finally seducing Sam at the Kane & Co Christmas Party, this revelation is mortifying.
"Years I’d spent loving this guy and he didn’t know? Didn’t see? Was I so invisible? Or was he pretending? And why did that feel so much worse? Now he was back with that fresh pink scar.”
Armed in a sequin dress and thong, Sophie has a plan. Until, 5 minutes in and she’s been friend zoned yet again. And it stings, in fact the rejection is unbearable, even as a reader!
“The humiliation shifted, making room for grief. The bone-deep grief that the man I loved with my whole self didn’t feel at all the same way about me.”
Sam Porter is no asshole. He’s not oblivious to Sophie’s love. Nor is he immune or unaffected, but he is damaged. Having just retired from the military, he is not emotionally or physically equipped for a woman. But the one he really wants, he feels he can’t have. Until that pinnacle moment when he sees the heartbreak in Sophie’s eyes.
Yet in a moment of weakness or call it the Christmas spirit, they steal a moment for themselves. Believing they can just return to being friends, both a deluded. With nowhere to hide as Sam and Sophie essentially work together, this could be the beginning of the end.
“Let that girl go. All the way. Or love her the way she deserves. Otherwise...you’re damning her to half a life.”
Christmas romances are typically festive, cliché and cute. However, if you’ve read this author before, you should expect better. Yes it has all the trimmings of a Christmas romance but it's more. It's a gut wrenching read of unrequited love and the debilitating affects of PTSD. It’s one of those stories you a desperate for a happy ending as you know from the beginning it will be bittersweet. What an ending to a terrific festive series.
“But I knew. I knew her secret heart. Even without seeing it. Belief without proof was faith, and that was everything I felt for her.”
Sophie Kane has been in love with her brother’s best friend Sam Porter forever. Except she didn’t realise that she hadn’t been successful in concealing her feelings. With the intent of finally seducing Sam at the Kane & Co Christmas Party, this revelation is mortifying.
"Years I’d spent loving this guy and he didn’t know? Didn’t see? Was I so invisible? Or was he pretending? And why did that feel so much worse? Now he was back with that fresh pink scar.”
Armed in a sequin dress and thong, Sophie has a plan. Until, 5 minutes in and she’s been friend zoned yet again. And it stings, in fact the rejection is unbearable, even as a reader!
“The humiliation shifted, making room for grief. The bone-deep grief that the man I loved with my whole self didn’t feel at all the same way about me.”
Sam Porter is no asshole. He’s not oblivious to Sophie’s love. Nor is he immune or unaffected, but he is damaged. Having just retired from the military, he is not emotionally or physically equipped for a woman. But the one he really wants, he feels he can’t have. Until that pinnacle moment when he sees the heartbreak in Sophie’s eyes.
Yet in a moment of weakness or call it the Christmas spirit, they steal a moment for themselves. Believing they can just return to being friends, both a deluded. With nowhere to hide as Sam and Sophie essentially work together, this could be the beginning of the end.
“Let that girl go. All the way. Or love her the way she deserves. Otherwise...you’re damning her to half a life.”
Christmas romances are typically festive, cliché and cute. However, if you’ve read this author before, you should expect better. Yes it has all the trimmings of a Christmas romance but it's more. It's a gut wrenching read of unrequited love and the debilitating affects of PTSD. It’s one of those stories you a desperate for a happy ending as you know from the beginning it will be bittersweet. What an ending to a terrific festive series.
November 21, 2021
UPDATE.
Yepp, still good the second time around.
---
Okay, O'Keefe can officially do no wrong.
The cover suggested a goofy and sweet Christmas story, but, as always with this author, she gave us so much more.
It might be an old and much used trope, best friends, an ex-military with a PTSD who was also the brother's best friend on top of it all, but it was also a wonderful and heartwarming love story.
The heroine was such a funny yet vulnerable ray of sunshine; and a hero such a complicated yet lovable guy, I fell in love with them. I laughed and cried and never wanted the book to end.
Do if you want to read something beautiful for the season, but with some more substance, go for it!
Yepp, still good the second time around.
---
Okay, O'Keefe can officially do no wrong.
The cover suggested a goofy and sweet Christmas story, but, as always with this author, she gave us so much more.
It might be an old and much used trope, best friends, an ex-military with a PTSD who was also the brother's best friend on top of it all, but it was also a wonderful and heartwarming love story.
The heroine was such a funny yet vulnerable ray of sunshine; and a hero such a complicated yet lovable guy, I fell in love with them. I laughed and cried and never wanted the book to end.
Do if you want to read something beautiful for the season, but with some more substance, go for it!
January 3, 2021
"This was my Christmas wish come true."
This was my first Molly O'Keefe book and I bought it because... I saw the blurb on Instagram. Friends to lovers. I couldn't resist it, even though I had said I wouldn't be reading any more Christmas-themed books.
This book is a solid 4 for me.
"He turned me upside down just being in the room."
It was hard for me at first to connect to Sam, I don't really know why. It felt like something was off, and I was glad to realize I actually knew the guy by the time the book was over. He's more than Sophie's brother's best friend, he's family to them. He's a war vet with a bad childhood. He's damaged, he thinks he's unworthy, and he's very much vulnerable.
"I was weak against her. So weak. So powerless."
I loved Sophie right away. I mean, who among us never dressed up to impress *that* person we knew was going to be at that party or at that dinner? I know I did. Sophie is hardcore. She feels a lot, she's very emotional, but she is also strong. She is there for her family, for Sam's family, and for Sam.
"'That’s what I deserve. Someone who loves me. It’s what you deserve too.'"
Sam and Sophie are perfect together. I love how they mention they played videogames online together, even though they were far away from each other, and how they supported each other, even though Sophie sometimes had no idea where in the world he was.
I really liked how this progressed, even though it annoyed me at times. Sam thinks he's unworthy and that she could do better, and so his actions are a bit aggravating at times - look, she's into you, and you're not entitled to let her know if she should be with you or not.
In Sam's mom's words, "stop fighting".
"He kissed me like I was home and he’d missed it so much."
This book is sweet, romantic, and steamy. Very steamy at times. The fact that we know what Sam is thinking is great so as to understand just how damaged he is from his service overseas. PTSD is a real, terrible thing and I'm glad it's mentioned here.
In the end, it's like Sam was caught in a blizzard and Sophie brought out the sun. She's been doing that for him for a very long time. And they both find their home in each other at the end.
Note: there were a few grammar mistakes here and there. I don't get too caught up in that, but they're noticeable. There was one bit where I think the continuity was off, and that led me to go back and read the previous two pages. This could obviously have been avoided, but it doesn't take anything away from the story.
This was my first Molly O'Keefe book and I bought it because... I saw the blurb on Instagram. Friends to lovers. I couldn't resist it, even though I had said I wouldn't be reading any more Christmas-themed books.
This book is a solid 4 for me.
"He turned me upside down just being in the room."
It was hard for me at first to connect to Sam, I don't really know why. It felt like something was off, and I was glad to realize I actually knew the guy by the time the book was over. He's more than Sophie's brother's best friend, he's family to them. He's a war vet with a bad childhood. He's damaged, he thinks he's unworthy, and he's very much vulnerable.
"I was weak against her. So weak. So powerless."
I loved Sophie right away. I mean, who among us never dressed up to impress *that* person we knew was going to be at that party or at that dinner? I know I did. Sophie is hardcore. She feels a lot, she's very emotional, but she is also strong. She is there for her family, for Sam's family, and for Sam.
"'That’s what I deserve. Someone who loves me. It’s what you deserve too.'"
Sam and Sophie are perfect together. I love how they mention they played videogames online together, even though they were far away from each other, and how they supported each other, even though Sophie sometimes had no idea where in the world he was.
I really liked how this progressed, even though it annoyed me at times. Sam thinks he's unworthy and that she could do better, and so his actions are a bit aggravating at times - look, she's into you, and you're not entitled to let her know if she should be with you or not.
In Sam's mom's words, "stop fighting".
"He kissed me like I was home and he’d missed it so much."
This book is sweet, romantic, and steamy. Very steamy at times. The fact that we know what Sam is thinking is great so as to understand just how damaged he is from his service overseas. PTSD is a real, terrible thing and I'm glad it's mentioned here.
In the end, it's like Sam was caught in a blizzard and Sophie brought out the sun. She's been doing that for him for a very long time. And they both find their home in each other at the end.
Note: there were a few grammar mistakes here and there. I don't get too caught up in that, but they're noticeable. There was one bit where I think the continuity was off, and that led me to go back and read the previous two pages. This could obviously have been avoided, but it doesn't take anything away from the story.
January 4, 2021
I know it's not Christmas anymore but I'm a rebel sometimes and like to live on the edge. I don't iron my jeans either and sometimes I wash my blues with my blacks. I'm wild.
So anyway, this was a delightful short read with a surprising emotional punch and a sprinkling of angst.
I really enjoyed both the h and H although I did wish that the H hadn't needed convincing to go after the girl. I do prefer my H's to be decisive, take charge bulldozers in these situations however he did redeem himself in the end.
I'm now intrigued by the other two stories in this series but maybe that's a bit too wild to read 3 Christmas stories in January?
Laters, I'm off to eat some ice cream straight out of the tub #rebel #sowild #youcanttellmewhattodo #letmelive
So anyway, this was a delightful short read with a surprising emotional punch and a sprinkling of angst.
I really enjoyed both the h and H although I did wish that the H hadn't needed convincing to go after the girl. I do prefer my H's to be decisive, take charge bulldozers in these situations however he did redeem himself in the end.
I'm now intrigued by the other two stories in this series but maybe that's a bit too wild to read 3 Christmas stories in January?
Laters, I'm off to eat some ice cream straight out of the tub #rebel #sowild #youcanttellmewhattodo #letmelive
December 26, 2020
This book punched in the gut, how f+cking rude.
Sam and Soph's story is so packed with feels and angst and longing and steam and oh my god, more feels if that's even possible. I just cannot keep it together enough to write a proper review.
If you share the same borderline unhealthy obsession with military romances that leave you fisting your chest, then please go read this book. Don't let the title fool you, this is no eggnog Christmas romance. This is a glass of whiskey, it burns your way down but boy, does it taste rich and oh so good.
Sam and Soph's story is so packed with feels and angst and longing and steam and oh my god, more feels if that's even possible. I just cannot keep it together enough to write a proper review.
If you share the same borderline unhealthy obsession with military romances that leave you fisting your chest, then please go read this book. Don't let the title fool you, this is no eggnog Christmas romance. This is a glass of whiskey, it burns your way down but boy, does it taste rich and oh so good.
December 21, 2021
4.5 ⭐️ Oh Sam! What is it about a big hearted, damaged ex-Marine that is just so damn endearing and sexy? This book was my standout favorite and the couple I loved the most. There was an emotional backstory here that really made me root for them, and Sam in particular, to have their HEA. Plus, this was by far the steamiest one in my opinion. The moments between Sam and Sophie were 🔥 and who doesn’t love the hot older brother’s best friend/off limits little sister trope?
December 27, 2020
Skimmed through this one it wasn’t as good as the other two books.
December 21, 2021
4.5 Christmas Wish Stars
Sophie and Sam's story was so sweet! I enjoyed every-single page I've read! It was a heartwarming one and I loved the ending!
Sophie and Sam's story was so sweet! I enjoyed every-single page I've read! It was a heartwarming one and I loved the ending!
January 6, 2022
How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas had a bit of a serious side to it; former Marine with PTSD and the woman who has loved him most of her life. This book was equal parts sweet, sexy, and emotional and it was impossible to put down.
Sophie has loved Sam for most of her life and she intends to show him, but things go terribly wrong and even after they go right for one night he pulls away. Sophie was good person inside and out, fun loving, sweet, and brave, but when it came to Sam she was so lost in the idea of being with him that she let him shake her confidence. I hurt for her.
I understood Sam’s reasoning for the way he pushed Sophie away; I didn’t agree with it or like it, because to be honest his thinking was wrong. Sam is transition to civilian life hasn’t been easy; his injuries plague him; he believes his PTSD keeps him from being the man that Sophie deserves. He has a good heart, loves and protects his mother and those he’s closest to fiercely, but believes he doesn’t deserve that in return. In reality, Sophie was exactly what he needed.
I loved these two together, they had years of friendship that even Sophie’s brother isn’t aware of, time together where he can just be without judgment or someone pressing him for more. This friendship gives them a foundation for their relationship to grow. While Sam had a misguided since of honor and he did hurt Sophie, he wised up with some help and made things right.
This story was a bit heavier than most Christmas romances, but it was well written and one I won’t forget.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Sophie has loved Sam for most of her life and she intends to show him, but things go terribly wrong and even after they go right for one night he pulls away. Sophie was good person inside and out, fun loving, sweet, and brave, but when it came to Sam she was so lost in the idea of being with him that she let him shake her confidence. I hurt for her.
I understood Sam’s reasoning for the way he pushed Sophie away; I didn’t agree with it or like it, because to be honest his thinking was wrong. Sam is transition to civilian life hasn’t been easy; his injuries plague him; he believes his PTSD keeps him from being the man that Sophie deserves. He has a good heart, loves and protects his mother and those he’s closest to fiercely, but believes he doesn’t deserve that in return. In reality, Sophie was exactly what he needed.
I loved these two together, they had years of friendship that even Sophie’s brother isn’t aware of, time together where he can just be without judgment or someone pressing him for more. This friendship gives them a foundation for their relationship to grow. While Sam had a misguided since of honor and he did hurt Sophie, he wised up with some help and made things right.
This story was a bit heavier than most Christmas romances, but it was well written and one I won’t forget.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
December 26, 2022
Fucking Sam Porter. I'm sorry but trauma or not, his wishy washy attitude and the push & pull he did 80% of the entire book (and it's a really short book so this says a lot) was not it.
December 10, 2021
Well I didn't like it at all. Thank god it was short, so I was able to finish it. I even don't know what that story wanted to be ... it felt like forced Christmas tale!
July 26, 2023
it was okay. really, that's about it.
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December 27, 2020
So in my opinion this was definitely the best of the 3 books in this holiday novella series. This was my first book by this author so I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.
The H in this book, Sam, just got out of the Marines and is dealing with PTSD, which I felt like the author handled well and made this a deeper more meaningful read than I was expecting for a holiday novella. I definitely connected to these characters much more than in the first two books and really felt their chemistry and tension. I love the slightly forbidden nature of the brothers best friend trope and this was pulled off well. I loved that they were best friends too.
That said there were a couple issues with formatting like the title page says "Untitled" and then in small font "Kane Family Christmas" which is the name of the series. There's also two more "Untitled" that show up on the authors table of contents and are really just supposed to be page breaks but the ebook is treating them like chapters... So "chapter 4" "Untitled" "Chapter 5"...Just really obvious easy stuff to catch for a professional author, I'd think. It only bugs me because I'm someone who checked minutes left in chapter quite often so having the book think a chapter is over when it's not is annoying to me.
There were a couple grammar issues, one continuity thing I noticed, nothing major and they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novella.
But something I really don't like is that this novella really ends at 87%. Going back to the table of contents it just says "chapter 20" which would make that last chapter nearly 20% of the book which is crazy. I did notice before I read this that the first two books had page counts of about 150-160 where as this one was claiming 190, turns out it's really the same as the others and she just stuffed chapter 20 with an excerpt from another book of hers. I don't have a huge problem with authors including excerpts of other books, but I don't think books should end before 90% and I don't think excerpts should be hidden inside chapters. Put it on your table of contents so we know when the book really ends. Just a little shady, imo.
The H in this book, Sam, just got out of the Marines and is dealing with PTSD, which I felt like the author handled well and made this a deeper more meaningful read than I was expecting for a holiday novella. I definitely connected to these characters much more than in the first two books and really felt their chemistry and tension. I love the slightly forbidden nature of the brothers best friend trope and this was pulled off well. I loved that they were best friends too.
That said there were a couple issues with formatting like the title page says "Untitled" and then in small font "Kane Family Christmas" which is the name of the series. There's also two more "Untitled" that show up on the authors table of contents and are really just supposed to be page breaks but the ebook is treating them like chapters... So "chapter 4" "Untitled" "Chapter 5"...Just really obvious easy stuff to catch for a professional author, I'd think. It only bugs me because I'm someone who checked minutes left in chapter quite often so having the book think a chapter is over when it's not is annoying to me.
There were a couple grammar issues, one continuity thing I noticed, nothing major and they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novella.
But something I really don't like is that this novella really ends at 87%. Going back to the table of contents it just says "chapter 20" which would make that last chapter nearly 20% of the book which is crazy. I did notice before I read this that the first two books had page counts of about 150-160 where as this one was claiming 190, turns out it's really the same as the others and she just stuffed chapter 20 with an excerpt from another book of hers. I don't have a huge problem with authors including excerpts of other books, but I don't think books should end before 90% and I don't think excerpts should be hidden inside chapters. Put it on your table of contents so we know when the book really ends. Just a little shady, imo.
December 29, 2024
Again with this brother's best friend trope... More like friends to lovers, but appreciated that the main drama wasn't about these tropes at all.
December 1, 2022
He joined the marines to learn how to beat up his dad and then he gets ptsd, worth the trade? Probably not, but now people can’t touch him without his skin crawling! So hey there’s a win … not. He probably should have just joined a fight club or some shit
anyway he’s mean and then they end up together
Sex was boring at best, but of course her magical Pussy cured his ptsd peen 💃
anyway he’s mean and then they end up together
Sex was boring at best, but of course her magical Pussy cured his ptsd peen 💃
October 22, 2020
The broody brothers best friend who has returned from the Marines a different wounded wan. Cue the swoons for this one. Sophie has been in love with Sam for years and she's just his friends sister who gamed with him on line while he was a million miles away.
Sophie is determined to show him that she is not just his friend's sister and sweet Sophie is going to get her heart crushed. Sam has been seeing Sophie for the gorgeous woman that she is for a long time but he is home and broken from war and doesn't see that he is worthy of Sophie. So he pushes her away.
I loved that this story delved into PTSD and the hurt that brings our soldiers and their loved ones. It hurt my heart when Sam was so ashamed that things that should feel good made his skin crawl. My girl Sophie goes out of her way to take care of Sam and offer him comfort. He might have broken parts but they are still perfect to Sophie.
The only thing that I was disappointed in was we didn't get an epilogue and I need more Sophie and Sam. I needed a sneak peek into their happily ever after.
Sophie is determined to show him that she is not just his friend's sister and sweet Sophie is going to get her heart crushed. Sam has been seeing Sophie for the gorgeous woman that she is for a long time but he is home and broken from war and doesn't see that he is worthy of Sophie. So he pushes her away.
I loved that this story delved into PTSD and the hurt that brings our soldiers and their loved ones. It hurt my heart when Sam was so ashamed that things that should feel good made his skin crawl. My girl Sophie goes out of her way to take care of Sam and offer him comfort. He might have broken parts but they are still perfect to Sophie.
The only thing that I was disappointed in was we didn't get an epilogue and I need more Sophie and Sam. I needed a sneak peek into their happily ever after.
October 13, 2020
What a heartfelt story. Sam and Sophie have been friends since they were children and watching their friendship grow into more has it’s struggles, a lot of emotions, and love. Sam is going through a rough time and I love how Sophie handles him with so much care and understanding and how Sam goes to bat for Sophie. These two are always there for each other and are beautiful together. A heartfelt story that leaves your heart full of happiness.
October 22, 2020
Rated 3.5 Stars
I enjoyed How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas quite a bit. It’s a quick and fun read. It’s also sexy and contains one of my fave tropes. I liked the relationship dynamic between the main characters, Sam and Sophie. However, I wasn’t a fan of Sam running hot and cold, I got why he was the way he was but it still annoyed me. That said I’d still recommend this book. I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
Copy provided by author
I enjoyed How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas quite a bit. It’s a quick and fun read. It’s also sexy and contains one of my fave tropes. I liked the relationship dynamic between the main characters, Sam and Sophie. However, I wasn’t a fan of Sam running hot and cold, I got why he was the way he was but it still annoyed me. That said I’d still recommend this book. I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
Copy provided by author
December 24, 2022
Christmas With A Difference.
I do like reading books with a troubled hero, and Sam had some issues that made it hard for him to be truly open with Sophie. She was amazingly patient but also knew when to be stern regarding their situation. These have been a good Christmas themed series to get into the festive season mood, each and everyone couple were unique and their stories well worth the read.
I do like reading books with a troubled hero, and Sam had some issues that made it hard for him to be truly open with Sophie. She was amazingly patient but also knew when to be stern regarding their situation. These have been a good Christmas themed series to get into the festive season mood, each and everyone couple were unique and their stories well worth the read.
February 17, 2021
Molly O'Keefe's writing always tugs at the hearstring!
December 20, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
December 27, 2022
the guy in this needed therapy and multiple slaps over his head for the way he treated this heroine.
December 13, 2023
Una lectura temática de ritmo rápido y trama predecible.
December 14, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Enjoyable and fun read that keeps you entertained.
Seasonal and full of passion
💋💋
Enjoyable and fun read that keeps you entertained.
Seasonal and full of passion
December 30, 2021
i didn’t like the hero that much :( the epilogue with the previous couples was very cute tho!
October 27, 2020
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas by Molly O’Keefe is book 3 in the Kane Christmas series and a great wrap up of the Kane Family!
Next is Sophie Kane and Sam Porter and Sophie wants her long awaited Christmas present...Sam!
What happens when the lights go out?? Can these two find that what is deep in their hearts will bring them together and find their HEA!
How My Brother’s Best Friend Stole Christmas by Molly O’Keefe is book 3 in the Kane Christmas series and a great wrap up of the Kane Family!
Next is Sophie Kane and Sam Porter and Sophie wants her long awaited Christmas present...Sam!
What happens when the lights go out?? Can these two find that what is deep in their hearts will bring them together and find their HEA!
December 25, 2021
Surprisingly the book with the least appealing trope in this series to me [ I mean come on- the other two had a forced/fake marriage and enemies to lovers ] was the one that I ended up enjoying the most.
I am usually not that much of a sucker for the brothers best friend trope but this was a really cute short little holiday book. I really did have fun reading it!
3.75🌟
I am usually not that much of a sucker for the brothers best friend trope but this was a really cute short little holiday book. I really did have fun reading it!
3.75🌟
October 24, 2020
I enjoyed this novella. Sophie tries to get Sam’s attention. She’s loved him for awhile but he tries to keep his distance. But he going through some P.T.S.D. and thinks she deserves better. Can he really let her go? Thankfully there’s a happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I recommend this book.
October 27, 2023
CW: intimate partner violence
I was worried about Molly O’Keefe doing a romcom, as I’m not sure that’s her skillset. Or maybe I’m just bitter about my reliable angst authors chasing a trend that I hate. While the story was all over the place tonally—perhaps recalling it was meant to be a romcom and plopping in some nonsensical plot choices—it eventually settled into angsty territory and I wound up enjoying it quite a lot. True, Sam comes off as wishy-washy at first but once we peel back the layers, it becomes a nuanced reaction to PTSD and . I really felt for Sophie as she processed the ups and downs and tried to move beyond seemingly fruitless pining.
There was much to enjoy in Sophie and Sam’s romance. However, one plot choice prevents me from rating it any higher: intimate partner violence by Sophie which is not acknowledged by the novella as such. I also found the redemption of to be completely unearned. Some people just plain suck and it would be a better choice to cut them out of your life.
Characters: Sophie is a 25 year old white Christmas ornament warehouse supervisor. Sam is a 30 year old white Marine veteran and new warehouse employee. This is set in Denver, CO.
Content notes: intimate partner violence by FMC (not treated as such: , PTSD, nightmare, erectile dysfunction (related to medication and PTSD; the issue magically disappears once MMC gets around FMC), MMC’s alcoholic father harasses mother (she decides to finally file a restraining order; unclear if they’re divorced or what he did while they were married but he was not a good husband or father), toxic mother, sexism, MMC injured in line of duty three months ago (unclear exactly what happened but he sustained brain damage from a concussion), post-injury weight loss, touch aversion, scars from past deployments, past child emotional neglect, FMC’s parents in process of divorce, FMC’s father is in prison for embezzlement, possible violation of workplace policy (FMC is MMC’s supervisor; it’s not clear if there is a policy about workplace relationships that they are violating), past childhood poverty, unsafe sex practices (MMC thrusts inside FMC’s vagina without a condom and THEN asks if her if he should use a condom and they discuss STI status.), on page sex, alcohol, diet culture, STD stigma, casual ableism, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language
I was worried about Molly O’Keefe doing a romcom, as I’m not sure that’s her skillset. Or maybe I’m just bitter about my reliable angst authors chasing a trend that I hate. While the story was all over the place tonally—perhaps recalling it was meant to be a romcom and plopping in some nonsensical plot choices—it eventually settled into angsty territory and I wound up enjoying it quite a lot. True, Sam comes off as wishy-washy at first but once we peel back the layers, it becomes a nuanced reaction to PTSD and . I really felt for Sophie as she processed the ups and downs and tried to move beyond seemingly fruitless pining.
There was much to enjoy in Sophie and Sam’s romance. However, one plot choice prevents me from rating it any higher: intimate partner violence by Sophie which is not acknowledged by the novella as such. I also found the redemption of to be completely unearned. Some people just plain suck and it would be a better choice to cut them out of your life.
Characters: Sophie is a 25 year old white Christmas ornament warehouse supervisor. Sam is a 30 year old white Marine veteran and new warehouse employee. This is set in Denver, CO.
Content notes: intimate partner violence by FMC (not treated as such: , PTSD, nightmare, erectile dysfunction (related to medication and PTSD; the issue magically disappears once MMC gets around FMC), MMC’s alcoholic father harasses mother (she decides to finally file a restraining order; unclear if they’re divorced or what he did while they were married but he was not a good husband or father), toxic mother, sexism, MMC injured in line of duty three months ago (unclear exactly what happened but he sustained brain damage from a concussion), post-injury weight loss, touch aversion, scars from past deployments, past child emotional neglect, FMC’s parents in process of divorce, FMC’s father is in prison for embezzlement, possible violation of workplace policy (FMC is MMC’s supervisor; it’s not clear if there is a policy about workplace relationships that they are violating), past childhood poverty, unsafe sex practices (MMC thrusts inside FMC’s vagina without a condom and THEN asks if her if he should use a condom and they discuss STI status.), on page sex, alcohol, diet culture, STD stigma, casual ableism, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language
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