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Holiday Outing
LGBT Romantic SuspenseIt's been years since Jonah Levinson has seen his parents. But now he is going to spend Hanukkah with them in order to finally tell them the not only is he gay, but he is a successful author of gay novels and not the struggling (and straight) writer they imagine him to be.The holiday starts poorly. A record blizzard delays his flight. The snowstorm locks him and his loud, argumentative relatives in the house. The power fails. And, worst of all, Jonah has to share his room with his childhood rival, the perfect Jewish son, the one he spent his entire life unfavorably compared Dr. Ethan Rosenberg, son of his mother's mahjong partner, and apparently God's gift to the Chosen People.If this isn't bad enough, Jonah has to interpret Ethan's strange new fascination with him. Is Ethan flirting? Or is this just another trick to break Jonah's heart?But when a valuable family heirloom is stolen during the festivities and suspicion falls on Jonah, Ethan agrees to help prove Jonah's innocence. They have eight days to do it. But will they solve the crime before the cooking oil -- and everyone's civility -- runs out?Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Male/male sexual practices.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 10, 2017
The plot was a little far-fetched, but I love when I read a Chanukah story with Jewish characters that I can relate to. Astrid Amara is my go-to for Jewish MC romances!
November 24, 2018
This is another wonderful tale by Astrid Amara.
Jonah is a great guy full of insecurities when it comes to Ethan and his family, and with a mother like that I’m not surprised. While she might of loved her son, she sure didn’t show it.
Ethan seemed like the typical poster child, successful at everything he put his mind too, but not so confident when it came to Jonah. I would of like to see a little more repentance for his actions while at school but overall I really liked him.
The mystery portion of this book was well paced and added to the overall enjoyment.
Loved Aunt Goldie.
I did have a few niggles with certain things like the blurb saying Jonah hadn’t seen his family in twelve years but in the book its only been four years, but apart from minor things this was an entertaining read and I will be happily looking for more from this author.
ETA Pushing this up to 5 stars because it's a great festive read. I loved it and will happily re read it next year
Jonah is a great guy full of insecurities when it comes to Ethan and his family, and with a mother like that I’m not surprised. While she might of loved her son, she sure didn’t show it.
Ethan seemed like the typical poster child, successful at everything he put his mind too, but not so confident when it came to Jonah. I would of like to see a little more repentance for his actions while at school but overall I really liked him.
The mystery portion of this book was well paced and added to the overall enjoyment.
Loved Aunt Goldie.
I did have a few niggles with certain things like the blurb saying Jonah hadn’t seen his family in twelve years but in the book its only been four years, but apart from minor things this was an entertaining read and I will be happily looking for more from this author.
ETA Pushing this up to 5 stars because it's a great festive read. I loved it and will happily re read it next year
December 20, 2017
This was a cute story. I especially liked the beginning very much.
Jonah Levinson returns home after 4 years of not visiting his parents for Christmas AKA Hanukkah. He's an acclaimed writer of gay fiction, but his personal love life is less than thrilling and on top of everything, at age 30, he's still not out to his parents.
Arriving at the airport, Jonah is picked up by Dr Ethan Rosenberg, a high school mate (and his mom's best friend's son) who used to bully him in school. Due to some trick of fate, Ethan is staying with Jonah's parents over the holidays, sharing a room with Jonah.
Sounds totally promising, right?
I also liked the humor and the quirky family very much.
HOWEVER, the main story revolves around a Jewish pushke (a box for charity donations) being stolen while the family is snowed in during a storm.
The family members accusing each other of stealing the family heirloom, and especially accusing Jonah - who already felt like an outcast in his own family - of being a thief, seemed deeply sad and totally ruined the book for me. This totally wrecked the Christmas feeling for me.
Therefore, only 3 stars, even though it is a well written story with an interesting cultural angle.
Jonah Levinson returns home after 4 years of not visiting his parents for Christmas AKA Hanukkah. He's an acclaimed writer of gay fiction, but his personal love life is less than thrilling and on top of everything, at age 30, he's still not out to his parents.
Arriving at the airport, Jonah is picked up by Dr Ethan Rosenberg, a high school mate (and his mom's best friend's son) who used to bully him in school. Due to some trick of fate, Ethan is staying with Jonah's parents over the holidays, sharing a room with Jonah.
Sounds totally promising, right?
I also liked the humor and the quirky family very much.
HOWEVER, the main story revolves around a Jewish pushke (a box for charity donations) being stolen while the family is snowed in during a storm.
The family members accusing each other of stealing the family heirloom, and especially accusing Jonah - who already felt like an outcast in his own family - of being a thief, seemed deeply sad and totally ruined the book for me. This totally wrecked the Christmas feeling for me.
Therefore, only 3 stars, even though it is a well written story with an interesting cultural angle.
December 23, 2014
ooooohhhh...I liked this one very much.
It's my first Astrid Amara book! I've been meaning to read others, but just hadn't gotten to any yet. And I have to say I really enjoy this author's style. There's genuinely solid storytelling even in a basic contemporary holiday novella. The characters were layered and I liked both the subtle and not-so-subtle emotions portrayed here.
Jonah is in the closet to his family, he secretly writes best-selling gay romance, and he heads home to face the scrutiny and the beating that comes from the best of Jewish family gatherings. I so related to Jonah in the sense that when I head home to my beloved Korean family gatherings, I too get the lambasting about my life. (Why aren't you married? You should've been a doctor! Why is your hair so long? ...my personal favorite from the book: Why don't you play golf? ha!) So, I felt a kinship with Jonah. Because despite all this criticism...and don't get me wrong, it does hurt!...it's family...and we love them.
Added to Jonah's home visit is a surprise guest, Ethan. Ethan who is the perfect, handsome, successful doctor. Ethan who outed and bullied Jonah in high school. Ethan, who we come to find, was once a confused teenager and now a very self-assured, knows-exactly-what-he-wants man. And what he wants is Jonah.
Throw in a mad-capped, zany who-stole-the-family-heirloom storyline...which I found to be kinda hysterical!...and this book fully entertained. There were moments that caused physical pain in my heart. There were times I held my breath hoping for something romantic to happen. There were laugh-out-loud parts. There were heat-rising sexy scenes. And it all worked for me.
Very enjoyable and totally recommended Hanukkah read! Now off to find more Astrid Amara books...!
December 7, 2012
Jonah Levinson is a best-selling author of gay fiction. He has a rich and layered life back in Seattle the problem is he's not in Seattle for Hanukkah he's in Connecticut with his family. His family who don't know he's gay and who don't know he's a popular and successful author. To make matters worse Jonah is forced to share a room with his childhood nemesis Ethan Rosenberg.
I love a good enemies to lovers story. I really enjoyed how the layers were peeled back on Ethan's feelings and his actions in the past. I liked Ethan. I laughed when Jonah kept revealing his flaws. They're a good couple. Very well matched and the sex is super hot. Jonah has the best voice here just the right amount of snark that had me laughing and commiserating when the family focus just got too overwhelming.
I really enjoyed the mystery here as well with the missing family heirloom. It kept me guessing right up to the reveal. This was a fun, engaging holiday story.
I love a good enemies to lovers story. I really enjoyed how the layers were peeled back on Ethan's feelings and his actions in the past. I liked Ethan. I laughed when Jonah kept revealing his flaws. They're a good couple. Very well matched and the sex is super hot. Jonah has the best voice here just the right amount of snark that had me laughing and commiserating when the family focus just got too overwhelming.
I really enjoyed the mystery here as well with the missing family heirloom. It kept me guessing right up to the reveal. This was a fun, engaging holiday story.
December 14, 2011
A sweet romance with a touch of mystery and some eccentric relations! Jonah I adored and could relate to the lovable insecure sweetheart. I thoroughly enjoyed this funny and unusual story. Its another gem from the author who is fast becoming a favourite!
April 15, 2010
M/M version of "Home for the Holidays" :). Jonah Levinson comes home for Hanukah, planning to finally tell his parents that he is gay (and a successful gay author to boot) -- when he is not only faced with relatives coming but also his old crush, Dr. Ethan Rosenberg, who apparently, stay in Jonah's parents' house for the holiday. While the plot might not be new (Ethan used to be a little mean to Jonah back in school) but it is one sweet and fun read. Thoroughly enjoyable.
November 8, 2015
3.5 stars
This was a low angst, straightforward kind of story. With some mystery on the side. I have to admit it was somewhat lacking in the romance department, but entertaining nonetheless.
Jonah hasn’t seen his family in 4 years (no idea why the blurb says 12 years). As a successful writer of gay romance novels and with him being gay himself, Jonah is quite happy with the life he has built for himself. Well, except for the part where he lies to his family and feels he can never live up to their expectations.
When Jonah goes home for Hanukah he gets picked up at the airport by Ethan, his old high school nemesis. The jock who used to call him a fag. It turn out Ethan is staying with Jonah’s family, being a friend of the family and all.
There is some resentment from Jonah side, there is some awful flirting from Ethan’s side. There is some forgiveness, there is some sex and in between they are trying to solve who stole a precious family heirloom during a black out.
It was a nice story, not too complicated. Not a lot of character development or romantic moments. Jonah hates Ethan, Ethan crushes on Jonah, Jonah doesn’t want to like his old enemy, they kiss, they are boyfriends, they have sex.
Not a bad formula, but not a great one either.
Still, I had a good time.
This was a low angst, straightforward kind of story. With some mystery on the side. I have to admit it was somewhat lacking in the romance department, but entertaining nonetheless.
Jonah hasn’t seen his family in 4 years (no idea why the blurb says 12 years). As a successful writer of gay romance novels and with him being gay himself, Jonah is quite happy with the life he has built for himself. Well, except for the part where he lies to his family and feels he can never live up to their expectations.
When Jonah goes home for Hanukah he gets picked up at the airport by Ethan, his old high school nemesis. The jock who used to call him a fag. It turn out Ethan is staying with Jonah’s family, being a friend of the family and all.
There is some resentment from Jonah side, there is some awful flirting from Ethan’s side. There is some forgiveness, there is some sex and in between they are trying to solve who stole a precious family heirloom during a black out.
It was a nice story, not too complicated. Not a lot of character development or romantic moments. Jonah hates Ethan, Ethan crushes on Jonah, Jonah doesn’t want to like his old enemy, they kiss, they are boyfriends, they have sex.
Not a bad formula, but not a great one either.
Still, I had a good time.
December 14, 2013
4.0 Stars
This is a warm and funny Hanukkah story. Jonah leads a double life. In Seattle, he's openly gay and a best-selling gay fiction author; back home in Connecticut, he's still in the closet so his friends and family believe him to be unsuccessful and kind of pathetic. They love him nonetheless but Jonah feels guilty for hiding his true nature from them. He ventures home for the holidays after a twelve year stint of not visiting. Waiting for him are his loving but neurotic parents, his Uncle Al, his senile Aunt Goldie, and his cousins Rachel, Daniel, and Matthew. Also visiting is his childhood rival and first crush, Ethan, a handsome and successful physician who has recently relocated to Seattle. In high school, while Ethan was the epitome of perfect in Jonah's world, he was also utterly cruel to an incredibly shy and reserved Jonah. The snowstorm of the century traps this crazy but loving family together, affording Jonah and Ethan time and proximity to work through their issues and find their HEA.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Astrid Amara's writing style and her characters were hilarious! Jonah and Ethan's story was romantic and sweet. The mystery of the stolen family heirloom helped to move the plot along.
Bottom line: A funny and romantic story about love, family, forgiveness, and coming out during the Hanukkah season.
This is a warm and funny Hanukkah story. Jonah leads a double life. In Seattle, he's openly gay and a best-selling gay fiction author; back home in Connecticut, he's still in the closet so his friends and family believe him to be unsuccessful and kind of pathetic. They love him nonetheless but Jonah feels guilty for hiding his true nature from them. He ventures home for the holidays after a twelve year stint of not visiting. Waiting for him are his loving but neurotic parents, his Uncle Al, his senile Aunt Goldie, and his cousins Rachel, Daniel, and Matthew. Also visiting is his childhood rival and first crush, Ethan, a handsome and successful physician who has recently relocated to Seattle. In high school, while Ethan was the epitome of perfect in Jonah's world, he was also utterly cruel to an incredibly shy and reserved Jonah. The snowstorm of the century traps this crazy but loving family together, affording Jonah and Ethan time and proximity to work through their issues and find their HEA.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Astrid Amara's writing style and her characters were hilarious! Jonah and Ethan's story was romantic and sweet. The mystery of the stolen family heirloom helped to move the plot along.
Bottom line: A funny and romantic story about love, family, forgiveness, and coming out during the Hanukkah season.
December 20, 2010
Jonah goes back home for the holidays, not because he wants to but because it is time to tell his parents that he is gay. He's thirty years old, it's time...he knows it time but when he get there nothing is as it should be. EVERYBODY is there. Not only that the person who man his life hell in high school by outing him in front of the basketball team is there...sleeping in his room. Add to that the storm of the century strands everybody there and then to make things perfect they lose power. It seemed that the cosmos was against him. Then a family heirloom goes missing and his Uncle blames him.
Loved the mystery. I kept switching who I thought it was. Loved the family. The perfect depiction of a Jewish mom, at least in my family, had me laughing. LOVED Ethan ~HOT~ even with the really bad come-on lines. That first kiss in the bathroom ~smoken'~.
Loved the mystery. I kept switching who I thought it was. Loved the family. The perfect depiction of a Jewish mom, at least in my family, had me laughing. LOVED Ethan ~HOT~ even with the really bad come-on lines. That first kiss in the bathroom ~smoken'~.
July 13, 2011
Maybe a 3.5 - This was funny and an easy read. Jonah reluctantly comes home from his successful life as an out gay writer in Seattle to spend Hanukkah with his family. He finds himself trapped by the storm of the century in his parents' house, surrounded by his relatives and faced with sharing a room with Ethan, the guy he secretly had a crush on but was tormented by in high school. What's worse, all his gifts are in his lost suitcase, and he has only copies of his gay novels to give to his parents, to whom he has never come out.
Jonah's voice is clever and funny. The mystery element helps drive the plot, although the family interactions are the best part of the book. I didn't really find Evan's character appealing or consistent (too shy to phone Jonah in Seattle but willing to practically jump him in his parents' house?) Jonah's understandable resentment of him seemed to fade rather easily, with just proximity and a basic apology. The relationship seemed a bit superficial. I could imagine these guys breaking up as easily as staying together.
Jonah's voice is clever and funny. The mystery element helps drive the plot, although the family interactions are the best part of the book. I didn't really find Evan's character appealing or consistent (too shy to phone Jonah in Seattle but willing to practically jump him in his parents' house?) Jonah's understandable resentment of him seemed to fade rather easily, with just proximity and a basic apology. The relationship seemed a bit superficial. I could imagine these guys breaking up as easily as staying together.
June 29, 2014
Sweet, light and funny. Astrid Amara has now become one of my favorite MM authors.
July 1, 2013
Oh, I liked this one!
This was more than a typical holiday family story. Yes, it had the usual elements, such as numerous relatives coming together and the prodigal son (Jonah) returning home for the first time in years. The romance played also a big part with Ethan turning up at Jonah's family house. Ethan is Jonah's high school crush and rival who hurt him badly back then by mockingly declaring him gay in front of the rest of a not-so-understanding group of jocks. And finally, there were elements of suspense: a family heirloom is suddenly missing, seemingly of more sentimental value than anything else, leading to false suspicions and tense family moments. And, of course, someone has to find out what's going on, and who could be better equipped to do just that than Jonah and Ethan?
Combine all these story threads with a snow storm, making it impossible for anyone to leave, and a power outage which leaves no one any opportunity to contact the world outside.
And let's not forget that 30-year-old Jonah chose this holiday to finally come out to his parents. Oh yes, it turns out to be a pretty eventful Hanukkah indeed...
... There were several things I really liked about this story. First of all, reading non-Christmas oriented holiday stories is really refreshing, and Hanukkah is something I'm always interested in reading about. Second, I genuinely liked the characters, Jonah and Ethan. And lastly, the writing style seemed appropriate and nice to me. It was nothing incredible or outstanding, but it nicely fit the setting and the situation and was fluid and natural during narration as well as direct speech. That is no matter of course and I'm always happy to find stories that are written like that.
Conclusion: a nice, slightly different holiday story that I very much recommend reading.
This was more than a typical holiday family story. Yes, it had the usual elements, such as numerous relatives coming together and the prodigal son (Jonah) returning home for the first time in years. The romance played also a big part with Ethan turning up at Jonah's family house. Ethan is Jonah's high school crush and rival who hurt him badly back then by mockingly declaring him gay in front of the rest of a not-so-understanding group of jocks. And finally, there were elements of suspense: a family heirloom is suddenly missing, seemingly of more sentimental value than anything else, leading to false suspicions and tense family moments. And, of course, someone has to find out what's going on, and who could be better equipped to do just that than Jonah and Ethan?
Combine all these story threads with a snow storm, making it impossible for anyone to leave, and a power outage which leaves no one any opportunity to contact the world outside.
And let's not forget that 30-year-old Jonah chose this holiday to finally come out to his parents. Oh yes, it turns out to be a pretty eventful Hanukkah indeed...
... There were several things I really liked about this story. First of all, reading non-Christmas oriented holiday stories is really refreshing, and Hanukkah is something I'm always interested in reading about. Second, I genuinely liked the characters, Jonah and Ethan. And lastly, the writing style seemed appropriate and nice to me. It was nothing incredible or outstanding, but it nicely fit the setting and the situation and was fluid and natural during narration as well as direct speech. That is no matter of course and I'm always happy to find stories that are written like that.
Conclusion: a nice, slightly different holiday story that I very much recommend reading.
January 3, 2009
Jonah hasn’t seen his family in twelve years. They don’t know he’s gay. Now he’s trapped with them in the storm of a century. A family heirloom has been stolen. And now, his childhood rival, Ethan, has arrived to steal his heart. From Loose Id.
This is my first contemporary read from Astrid Amara and it was wonderful. The premise was engaging, going home for the holidays and having that moment of truth with your family, which I imagine is on a lot of peoples minds at this time of year. Hanukkah and Christmas can be such interesting occasions to say the least! The feeling of being closed in and forced into each others company due to the storm was also clever and handled well.
The book was sweet, sexy and funny. I think Astrid Amara’s style and pacing just gets better with every book she writes. She has a very original and romantic feel to her writing and her characters were a delight. I just loved the moment when Jonah opens his mothers beside drawer, total awww. Ethan was by turns hot and totally epitomized that cute boy you always had a crush on in school, but he’s also very human and has to make amends with Jonah for being such a shit when they were teenagers.
I nearly read it in one sitting and it made me feel like I was reading a romance novel, which sounds bizarre I know, (maybe it was the vodka in my trifle?) but it hit all the right notes for a romantic holiday read and then some. There were no awkward moments or lag, it was tight and an enjoyable read. There was also bathroom smex, snow and sleeping bags. Hawt!
Check out my review via my blog here.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com
This is my first contemporary read from Astrid Amara and it was wonderful. The premise was engaging, going home for the holidays and having that moment of truth with your family, which I imagine is on a lot of peoples minds at this time of year. Hanukkah and Christmas can be such interesting occasions to say the least! The feeling of being closed in and forced into each others company due to the storm was also clever and handled well.
The book was sweet, sexy and funny. I think Astrid Amara’s style and pacing just gets better with every book she writes. She has a very original and romantic feel to her writing and her characters were a delight. I just loved the moment when Jonah opens his mothers beside drawer, total awww. Ethan was by turns hot and totally epitomized that cute boy you always had a crush on in school, but he’s also very human and has to make amends with Jonah for being such a shit when they were teenagers.
I nearly read it in one sitting and it made me feel like I was reading a romance novel, which sounds bizarre I know, (maybe it was the vodka in my trifle?) but it hit all the right notes for a romantic holiday read and then some. There were no awkward moments or lag, it was tight and an enjoyable read. There was also bathroom smex, snow and sleeping bags. Hawt!
Check out my review via my blog here.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com
November 27, 2016
First read sometime before 12/2011, 4 stars
Re-read Nov 27, 2016, 4 stars
I had the start of this story in my mind for a few days now and finally found it! And it was the same great read I remembered. Only the ending was a bit abrupt.
Re-read Nov 27, 2016, 4 stars
I had the start of this story in my mind for a few days now and finally found it! And it was the same great read I remembered. Only the ending was a bit abrupt.
December 17, 2011
Another delightful Hanukkah m/m romance from Astrid Amara! A successful author of gay fiction, still closeted to his family, gets snowed in with his family (and a high school nemesis) for Hanukkah.
November 25, 2012
This was a fun and sweet story with a cute little mystery thrown in.
December 8, 2010
I found this author's style and humor to be so addictive.
March 21, 2011
seriously, i'm an idiot. i keep passing over amara's books in my computer (this is even after reading 'policy of lies' which i know i liked) b/c for some reason i have this brain block that i dont like her style, when in fact she's great- and funny too! growing up about 90% of my friends were jewish; reading this totally returned me to sitting through various holiday dinners with them and all the random family drama i was able to witness. fluid writing, understandable characters, good detail- highly recommended.
August 18, 2013
Astrid Amara's love story of Jonah and Ethan was sweet and hit all the right notes for me. The mystery, which I initially thought was a simple "throwaway" plot device (I mean this in the nicest of ways), turned out to be more interesting than expected and augmented this wonderful "childhood friends/bullies becomes lovers" story. But the attraction and sexual tension between her wonderful characters and her unique style made this book a joy to read for me.
November 27, 2011
Jonah has a boat load of problems, his luggage was lost on the way to visit his family for the holidays.
He's still on the closet, so he can't reveal how successful he is as an author, his family drives him crazy and if that wasn't enough Ethan, his boyhood crush is also staying with his parents.
Add a bit of thievery and it's a great, fun story!
He's still on the closet, so he can't reveal how successful he is as an author, his family drives him crazy and if that wasn't enough Ethan, his boyhood crush is also staying with his parents.
Add a bit of thievery and it's a great, fun story!
August 22, 2012
Really sweet story with two very likable MCs. Sometime humorous, sometimes sexy and always entertaining. Nothing angsty in this book, just a sweet former "rivals" to lovers story. I loved the setting with everyone stuck in the parent's house for the holiday with no power and plenty of family drama. Loved everything about this book, just wished it were longer.
October 16, 2012
This is, without doubt, my favourite book by Astrid Amara. I loved the two main characters (Jonah and Ethan) and Jonah's crazy family was a great contrast to the romance, with so many elements of real life believability. Definitely a book I'll read again just for the shear enjoyment of the craziness and paranoia :)
November 29, 2020
Usually I find OTT whacky families tedious and annoying, but in this one I found it (mostly) charming. I must be getting into the holiday spirit, lol.
December 23, 2014
Thanks Susan!
Cause of your rec/review I decided to read this one btwn 5am-7:30
What a cute and sweet way to spend a Tuesday morning
Cause of your rec/review I decided to read this one btwn 5am-7:30
What a cute and sweet way to spend a Tuesday morning
November 24, 2021
4.25 stars - This is billed as romantic suspense? Ehhh, not really. I didn’t know that going in, and I just had a fun time. It’s a rivals to lovers, snowed in for the whole of Hanukkah, there’s a thief amongst us mystery, with some unexpected art history, coming out after 30, and a bit of excitement near the end. Mainly, I loved how sweetly persistent Ethan is with Jonah.
January 22, 2021
A good solid 3.5 Stars
For the most part I really liked this holiday story. There were a few little niggles that stopped me from loving it, like the abrupt ending for one. I did like the mystery, that was fun, until the incident at the lake, that was heart stopping. The writing was good and the characters, all of them, were great. Maybe I just needed more, there were places that felt a little rushed.
TAGS
-- holiday/Hanukkah -- quick easy read -- high school crush/bully to lovers -- second chance -- in the closet/coming out -- family -- mystery -- made me chuckle -- sweet moments -- really liked the MC... Ethan & loved Jonah -- had a few niggles -- kind of abrupt ending -- would have liked more -- less than 98 pages
For the most part I really liked this holiday story. There were a few little niggles that stopped me from loving it, like the abrupt ending for one. I did like the mystery, that was fun, until the incident at the lake, that was heart stopping. The writing was good and the characters, all of them, were great. Maybe I just needed more, there were places that felt a little rushed.
TAGS
-- holiday/Hanukkah -- quick easy read -- high school crush/bully to lovers -- second chance -- in the closet/coming out -- family -- mystery -- made me chuckle -- sweet moments -- really liked the MC... Ethan & loved Jonah -- had a few niggles -- kind of abrupt ending -- would have liked more -- less than 98 pages
August 31, 2025
Holiday Outing unfolds like a cozy mystery, with a charming Clue-style plot and a cast of endearing characters. The narrative moves at a brisk pace—some might say it's a bit short—but its brevity doesn't detract from its enjoyment. The story is engaging, and the characters are easy to root for. It's a delightful read that leaves you satisfied, though you may wish it were just a bit longer.
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May 18, 2009Jonah has worked hard to find a way as far as possible from the small town in which he is born. He is now a successful gay novel author and openly gay man... but not with his family. The few times he comes back home, he returns the brooding teen who never found the courage to tell his parents. But this time, coming home for the Hanukkah holiday, he is firm in his decision to coming out... until he discovers that Ethan is staying with them for all the week; Ethan, the perfect son of his neighbors, the man to whom his mother always compared him, the successful doctor... how can Jonah compete with such perfection?
And then the unthinkable happens, not only Ethan is hitting on him, but he is also out and proud, and his mother seems to have no problem with that... but before Jonah could do anything, a family heirloom, a wooden box, disappears and at the same time, all the town is under a snowstorm, and Jonah's family, complete of an uncle, an aunt and three cousin, are blocked inside the home. Ethan and Jonah decide to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, but they seem more Miss Marple... everyone seems to have an enough good reason to steal the box, but an important clue will lead you to discover the culprit before the two heroes.
This is a light romance, and even with the little mystery, it's mostly funny; Jonah is the classical repressed teen who never found his way out of the hell who was his youth, even if he went far from it: he is still that young man who was starting to realize that he wanted someone he shouldn't do, someone like Ethan. A mother a bit too present and always worried for him probably didn't help, but Jonah couldn't see past his fears, and didn't realize that his parents loved, and love, him. Finding out that once more Ethan was the perfect son he wasn't, coming out to his parents, doesn't help. To not build an altar to the perfection of Ethan, it has to be say that when they were young, Ethan did a not so nice thing to Jonah, and this caused to Jonah to go through some very nasty moments, confirming his idea to not come out before leaving town.
There are some really funny moments, like when Ethan suggests that Jonah's mother would be more upset in discovering that his son smokes rather than discovering that he is gay, and when that happens... well you need to read the book to know what happens. This novel surprised me since the previous I read by the same author was good as well, but not at all a light comedy like this one: this book is the proof that, even writing light comedy, you can do a quality work.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/48...
And then the unthinkable happens, not only Ethan is hitting on him, but he is also out and proud, and his mother seems to have no problem with that... but before Jonah could do anything, a family heirloom, a wooden box, disappears and at the same time, all the town is under a snowstorm, and Jonah's family, complete of an uncle, an aunt and three cousin, are blocked inside the home. Ethan and Jonah decide to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, but they seem more Miss Marple... everyone seems to have an enough good reason to steal the box, but an important clue will lead you to discover the culprit before the two heroes.
This is a light romance, and even with the little mystery, it's mostly funny; Jonah is the classical repressed teen who never found his way out of the hell who was his youth, even if he went far from it: he is still that young man who was starting to realize that he wanted someone he shouldn't do, someone like Ethan. A mother a bit too present and always worried for him probably didn't help, but Jonah couldn't see past his fears, and didn't realize that his parents loved, and love, him. Finding out that once more Ethan was the perfect son he wasn't, coming out to his parents, doesn't help. To not build an altar to the perfection of Ethan, it has to be say that when they were young, Ethan did a not so nice thing to Jonah, and this caused to Jonah to go through some very nasty moments, confirming his idea to not come out before leaving town.
There are some really funny moments, like when Ethan suggests that Jonah's mother would be more upset in discovering that his son smokes rather than discovering that he is gay, and when that happens... well you need to read the book to know what happens. This novel surprised me since the previous I read by the same author was good as well, but not at all a light comedy like this one: this book is the proof that, even writing light comedy, you can do a quality work.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/48...
April 17, 2011
Jonah has been away from his family for 12 years. They don't know that in that time he's become a successful M/M author or that he's gay. He decides to go home for the holidays and is taken aback to see Ethan, his childhood "enemy" and family friend (who he crushed on in highschool), at the airport to pick him up instead of his parents. He's also confused as to why Ethan is so obviously hitting on him because Ethan is straight, right? Once they get to the house, the snow "storm of the century" sets in, trapping the whole extended family in for the next week. The mishaps and mayhem start as only it can when being trapped with crazy family. Also, a budding relationship starts as Johah learns that Ethan is not so straight after all and they begin to overcome their past issues. Meanwhile, a family heirloom goes missing and fingers start pointing as everyone gets blamed as most everyone seemingly could be a suspect. Jonah and Ethan decide to figure out "who-done-it".
This was a well written story. It was very sweet to see the romance build between Jonah and Ethan, who were both very sweet and likeable guys, despite the guy that Ethan once was, but you can't really hold something against someone for how they behaved when they were a teenager. All of the other characters in the story were well written, and if annoying, in the end, were somewhat redeemed, even if I never did end up liking them. This was the first book that I've read by this author and I will definitely be looking for other books by her. She's definitely a talented author. Great story!
This was a well written story. It was very sweet to see the romance build between Jonah and Ethan, who were both very sweet and likeable guys, despite the guy that Ethan once was, but you can't really hold something against someone for how they behaved when they were a teenager. All of the other characters in the story were well written, and if annoying, in the end, were somewhat redeemed, even if I never did end up liking them. This was the first book that I've read by this author and I will definitely be looking for other books by her. She's definitely a talented author. Great story!
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