Covering Christmas

by Caleb Marks

He’s just in town to cover the Christmas Festival. Will complete strangers turn into lovers this Christmastime?

Clay
Instead of reporting on the biggest story of my career, I end up in this podunk town to cover a Christmas Festival. Now my rental winds up stuck in a snowbank!

My savior though…a hunky handyman digs me out. But I’m sure my in-the-heat-of-the-moment snappy comebacks must have turned him cold to me. Why, Clay?

He seems to be everywhere I turn though, including fixing my sink at the B&B. Maybe having him fix more than my leaking pipes might provide the diversion I desperately need?

Too bad I won’t be here much longer. Once my story is done…I’m out of here!

Dylan
Who comes to a snowy New Hampshire town not dressed for winter weather?

I’m staring at him…this cocky, yet easy-on-the-eyes, reporter is just a bit jaded. So of course, he’s staying at my folks’ B&B.

My responsibilities are endless leading up to the big Christmas Festival, helping around the B&B, and raising my belated sister’s son, Aiden. I can’t even dream of adding him to my plate to warm my bed.

Though I’m willing to give it a try.

When Clay uncovers a deeper story that threatens everyone…our town, my folks, Aiden, and us, will exposing the truth change what we’ve just started forever?

"Covering Christmas" is a standalone M/M Christmas novel featuring strangers to lovers, small town snowy holiday feels, a town secret, a loving family, and a warm, cozy HEA ending.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Christmas, M M Romance, Holiday, Gay, Queer

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2022

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute Christmas meet cute set up that finds a plot much deeper than will they won’t they. There’s a great little save our happy little Christmas town embezzlement story for our intrepid reporter to redeem himself by. There’s a town that shows massive love to a handyman that hasn’t quite found his footing. There’s a young boy who needs a family after losing his troubled mother.

I was very happy watching this all play out. Redemption should be possible. And face it. Neither of these characters were very good people at the beginning. The selfish, unethical reporter and the Uncle who makes his nephew turned ward feel unwanted.

This happy ever after story is a great Christmas miracle theme that works.

[Arianna ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely not my favorite Christmas themed book that I've read.

I really thought I was going to enjoy this one because I love reading about journalists doing their thing. I also really love the single parent trope (even though Dylan's technically a single guardian, not parent).

I never really developed an emotional connection with either of the main characters. It felt incredibly slow paced. The book wasn't necessarily a closed door romance but that door wasn't fully open either. Definitely don't go into this one expecting a hot male / male romance because that's not what you're going to get.

It actually took me awhile to get through this one despite how short (& quick of a read it should have been).

Features:
- journalist x handy man
- single "parent" aka guardian
- small town
- MM romance

[Jezabel Nightingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet Hallmarkesque small-town Christmas story that hit the right notes. Two lovable men who have less-than-perfect pasts, a sweet eight-year-old and small-town shenanigans!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindi]

Stopping at 33%. If I keep going, I'm afraid I'll end up royally screwing up the author's good ratings. Maybe I'll come back to it another time but it's doubtful.

There are so many italics it's distracting.

Clay was extremely sexist and rude early on. Sexist at his job in Atlanta. Rude in New Hampshire when everybody went out of their way to be kind to him.

The sex scenes weren't overly remarkable. Lots of build-up, a little bit of on-screen fondling, etc., but not much else on-page.

I never felt Clay and Dylan together. There was almost no chemistry, in my opinion.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Romance

This is a cute holiday romance story. I enjoyed Clay and Dylan's story quite a bit. It was worth the read.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[RE Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 2.5 stars rounded up because it did get better as I went on. Overall, I ended up liking the 'expose' and how all that fell out. I definitely felt for Aiden, and I think the complexities mentioned throughout were intriguing (even if not explored to the depth that would have truly done them justice, imo).

What bothered me the most was opening the book with a character who is pretty unlikable. This is a pet peeve of mine -- so many authors want to show growth in their characters (which is awesome), but they start out by bombarding the reader with all the negative traits of the person, and why would we want to continue on? I came very close to putting it down after Clay's opener. He was an ass (no other way to put it). He came across as selfish, shallow, and willing to use his boss (sexually) to get what he wanted. Honestly, even by the end of the book, I still didn't like him very much (and it didn't matter that we learned that his boss was using him just as much).

It also bothered me that he treated Dylan so poorly right out of the gate, and Dylan put up with it because Clay was 'so hot.' Ugh. I'm sorry, but beauty is as beauty does, and I just don't connect that well with people who are able to overlook an ugly heart just because they're attracted to the outer facade. It made their 'romance' seem shallow and unbelievable (and very insta-'love').

The only reason I read the entire thing was for Aiden's story (and I did like Dylan too, despite his shallowness with Clay). So I don't know that I'd call this a romance, per se, as much as lust, and it's definitely a shaky 3 stars for me.

(I notice I'm in the minority, and that's okay. That's what makes reading so wonderful -- we all have different tastes. :) )

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clayton is sent to New Hampshire to cover a Christmas festival. It is so not his thing. He is stuck in a snowdrift when he meets Dylan who helps him and tells him lose the attitude. Clayton has nothing good to say about the town or his assignment. He does what he must. As he got to know Dylan and the other townspeople, his attitude changes. A story of scandal involving the town's mayor fall into his lap. Will he break it? Will it get him the big stories back in Atlanta? Does the town get to him?

I enjoyed this story. I liked Clayton. He is snarky and funny at the beginning. His boss was a jerk. Dylan seemed to hold the town together. Everyone relied on him, but he was unable to connect with his nephew, Aiden, whom he raising. I liked how Clayton connected to Aiden though at first he seemed to not be interested in Dylan with Aiden attached. There is a lot of history with Dylan that he has to come to terms with before he can build a life with Aiden and, hopefully, with Clayton. I liked the townspeople. They were quirky and fun. I especially enjoyed Debbie and her mistletoe.

I look forward to reading more of this author. His writing kept me interested, and I was hooked from the beginning.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clayton is a news reporter from Atlanta banished to a small town in New Hampshire to report on a Christmas festival. There, he meets Dylan, the town handyman, son of the B&B owners, and guardian of his 8 year old nephew, Aiden. The two men have an instant attraction and shortly get together. Clayton hates that he has been sent to this tiny town to do what he considers an insignificant story, but eventually Dylan, Aidan and the townspeople change his attitude. Clay learns there is apparently something shady going on in town and starts investigating to save the town. Of course a miscommunication occurs between Dylan and Clay, but all is set right for the HEA in an emotional meeting. The characters are endearing, there is a fairly predictable series of events between the 2 men, some laughter and tears as Clay and Dylan realize things about themselves as they put past life experiences behind them to chase the future they want. Very enjoyable read done in one sitting to find out what happened next. It does sound like there may be related book with. Nolan in the future.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Oh my gosh,” he mumbles. “I wasn’t supposed to say that!” He flops into the sofa. “Dang it.”

This story has been brought to you by "Hawlmarq" Xmas Classics. lol

Wow. Another great story by Caleb Marks! It has angst, romance, intrigue, and a gossipy small-town that thrives on Christmas. Its denizens are quirky but loveable. Oh, there's also a young boy who is both young and old at the same time.

Something is happening to the town of Redhaven. For some reason, someone is trying to get the residents out and take over their property for unknown reasons. But reporter Clayton Miller smells a big news story and thinks he could save Redhaven.

Mr. Marks's writing is crisp and flowing. The character development and scene imagery are vividly described. My only tic about this story is that it is very light on the steam. The sexy times are a "meh".

This is still worthy of a hearty recommend!

[Janice Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay was a guy from a big city sent to cover a story in a small town, and wouldn't you know it; he gets stuck in the snow. Dylan is a small town guy who does not have time to deals with this snarky city slicker. But the more time they spend t together, the closer they get. The closer they get, the more they realize how perfect for each other they actually are.

This was a sweet holiday love story. It was so romantic and was such a delight to read. I loved getting to know the characters, especially some of the small town secondary characters. This book was a lot more emotional than I expected, but that just made it all the better to read. I am so glad that their exes got dealt with karma-wise, and that the MC's got their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay was using his boss to try and get better stories to report on but it back fired, he was sent for two weeks to cover a Christmas festival in Redhaven, New Hampshire. He live in Atlanta so he wasn’t ready for snow, Dylan found him stuck in a snow bank and Clay was having an attitude about it. Clay learned to do better while he was there he fell in love with the town and Dylan, plus him and Nolan the mayor’s son helped with saving the town after breaking the news about what the mayor had been doing. Clay went home to finish up the story and had different jobs opening for him since he wasn’t going back for Dylan. Dylan showed up at the news station and what he did was grea to get his man back! Good book!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this festive romance with a side of investigative journalism. Clay and Dylan are from very different worlds but seem to bring out the best in each other and heal the hurts of each others' pasts.
I love a bit of a mystery so Clay's journalism storyline in this was very enjoyable and satisfying. The town of Redhaven was a big character in the story and I loved all of the characters Clay befriends in this Christmas town. I agree with some reviewers saying the story has a slower pace, but I didn't find this a problem and it gave me time to process all the different storylines and themes.
Definitely a heartwarming holiday read.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? This book hit me in the feels. It was more emotional than I am used to with my typical fluffy reads, but I really loved it. I quite disliked Clay at the beginning, but of course he turned into the sweetest marshmallow who just needed someone to love him. The people of the small town were wonderful, and the mystery was a fun addition. Both exes getting their comeuppance doesn’t happen NEARLY enough in romance stories. 😄 Medium angst, mild heat, lovely HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun. Clay and Dylan, couldn't be more different. Clay is from ATL and force to cover a Christmas Festival in the smallest small town ever. He's totally out of his element and experiencing a reality where he isn't viewed as he wishes or expected by his employers. Dylan is an enterprising all around dependable and solid good guy. Clay uncovers and opportunity to shine. The relationship between teh two men, provide the heat for a cold winter. Nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. Nice cover art!

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb's books never disappoint and this one being set at Christmas with a whole community feel is exactly what I needed to read.

When your boss/lover sends you to a nowhere town to report on their Christmas festival to get you away from the office the last thing you expect is to fall in love with an entire town and it's community. A town in urgent need of saving has been sent the perfect person for the job and while he's there he may just be able to help an uncle come to terms with being the guardian of his nephew when he never wanted children.
A family just in time for the holidays, for both the main characters.

[Sue Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay has his eyes set on the biggest story of his career so is more than a bit p....d off at being sent to a small back-woods town to cover their Christmas festivities. He's not dressed for the cold weather he encounters and then his rental car sets stuck in the snow. But ... Dylan comes to the rescue and Clay's life is never going to be the same again. Initially all he wants to do is get his story and get out but fate has a way of throwing hurdles in the way and that happens big time for Clay.

[Stealth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise, who would've thought going to a small town......

you could meet THE ONE! Clay meets his ONE, plus a little one. Communication between all parties is a must to make any relationship move forward smoothly. We sometimes forget that along the way. Thank goodness, family and friends, help to remind us of that very important part.
THANK YOU, CALEB! ENJOY!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Covering Christmas by Caleb Marks. I loved Clay and Dylan's story. I loved their chemistry and their hot scenes. I loved Aiden and hope he eventually gets his puppy.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ken Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal and snow

Marks has written a cozy tale with a big city reporter whose feature story becomes national news, while falling for the local handyman. Good character development, hot times and medium angst with a nice cast of supporting players.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming Read

Covering Christmas was such a good story. I became heavily invested in the characters and loved them all. I highly recommend this book for a heartwarming, sweet (but thankfully not sappy) Christmas story.

[Fancy]

I literally just watched this Hallmark movie on TV but in mf LOL

[Michelle Hayden]

Couldn't get a feel for Clay so didn't continue 😕

[Michaele]

I only made it to 11%, so it wouldn't be fair to rate it.