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ChrisMyths
After courtship, cohabitation, and learning about love and each other, Andy and Eli face the ultimate being separated at Christmas.
Eli’s seen the propaganda—the country boy goes home from the city and realizes his heart is back among the snow, trees, and chickens. A big happy family is something Eli, with his demanding job running a shelter for LGBTQ youth, can’t provide. He’s been readying himself for the other shoe to drop anyway—Andy’s mother is a force of nature, and she wants her little boy home.
Andy may be in Vermont, but his heart is back in Brooklyn with the man who’s battling basement floods and crumbling buildings to bring Christmas to sixty kids who’ve had their hearts broken too many times already. Holiday myths may say that Christmas means going back home to a happy family, but Andy knows happy endings don’t come without a little faith and a lot of hard work. He's got an army ready to put in the elbow grease. If he can get Eli to believe in him, they might just save Christmas after all.
Eli’s seen the propaganda—the country boy goes home from the city and realizes his heart is back among the snow, trees, and chickens. A big happy family is something Eli, with his demanding job running a shelter for LGBTQ youth, can’t provide. He’s been readying himself for the other shoe to drop anyway—Andy’s mother is a force of nature, and she wants her little boy home.
Andy may be in Vermont, but his heart is back in Brooklyn with the man who’s battling basement floods and crumbling buildings to bring Christmas to sixty kids who’ve had their hearts broken too many times already. Holiday myths may say that Christmas means going back home to a happy family, but Andy knows happy endings don’t come without a little faith and a lot of hard work. He's got an army ready to put in the elbow grease. If he can get Eli to believe in him, they might just save Christmas after all.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2022
15 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
204 books3,487 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 9, 2025
Re-read December 2025
Still loved it.
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This was such an Amy Lane book. I really liked it.
This had everything I craved in a Christmas story.
I loved how Andy and Eli were already in a relationship and how they were obviously very much in love.
I loved how Andy was trying to fix everything for Eli when things started to go wrong at home. And how everyone seemed to come together to help.
And I loved how dedicated these two were to each other. Nothing could keep them apart.
A lovely Christmas story.
Still loved it.
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This was such an Amy Lane book. I really liked it.
This had everything I craved in a Christmas story.
I loved how Andy and Eli were already in a relationship and how they were obviously very much in love.
I loved how Andy was trying to fix everything for Eli when things started to go wrong at home. And how everyone seemed to come together to help.
And I loved how dedicated these two were to each other. Nothing could keep them apart.
A lovely Christmas story.
December 12, 2022
Typical Amy Lane Christmas story - sweet and a little sad with "perfectly ordinary, perfectly decent" MCs. MCs that are a little bit broken (Eli) and not very ambitious (Andy), nor are they extremely beautiful or rich. But they are kind, caring and loving - good men with wonderful hearts. And maybe my heart broke for Eli more than once but it was always put back together by Andy's love and devotion.
The story goes back and force between now and then which is not my favorite thing but it worked surprisingly well here. I fall in love with both Andy snd Eli as they fall for each other. Those glimpses into their story were my favorite parts of the book.
There were also some great secondary characters of all ages.
On a side note, from the moment I started reading mm books and Googled some of the things mentioned in those, I can't comprehend how parents can throw their children on the street 😢 it's an absolute worst and heartbreaking and always hit the hardest
The story goes back and force between now and then which is not my favorite thing but it worked surprisingly well here. I fall in love with both Andy snd Eli as they fall for each other. Those glimpses into their story were my favorite parts of the book.
There were also some great secondary characters of all ages.
On a side note, from the moment I started reading mm books and Googled some of the things mentioned in those, I can't comprehend how parents can throw their children on the street 😢 it's an absolute worst and heartbreaking and always hit the hardest
December 12, 2022
Cudna, absolutnie cudna i ciepła książka o prawdziwym duchu świąt i o tym, co się liczy w życiu. Kilka razy się naprawdę wzruszyłam, ale to było zdecydowanie pozytywne wzruszenie 💙
Ta historia jest nietypowa - parę głównych bohaterów, Andego i Eliego, poznajemy, kiedy są już ze sobą od 3 lat. Andy jedzie na święta do swojej rodziny, do małego miasteczka w Vermont, Eli zostaje w NY - pracuje w schronisku LGBTQ+ dla dzieci i młodzieży, i w tym roku jest koordynatorem całych świąt.
Pomimo bycia ze sobą tak długo, rodzina Andego nie zna jego chłopaka. Jego matka robi, co tylko w jej mocy, aby Andy wrócił do tego małego miasteczka - na stałe. Ma w głowie obraz idealnej rodziny i idealnych świąt. Choć dobry z niej człowiek, to z zapędami dyktatora - całą rodzinę najchętniej trzymałaby na krótkiej smyczy przy sobie.
Eli, kochany Eli - chciałabym go przytulić i nigdy nie puścić, żeby nic więcej złego go w życiu nie spotkało. Wyrzucony z domu w wieku 15 lat, żył na ulicy, dopóki nie trafił do schroniska, w którym teraz pracuje. Kocha te dzieciaki i zrobi dla nich wszystko. Zajmuje się nimi tak, jak się tylko da, zapominając w tym wszystkim o sobie. I to zadanie dla Andego - kiedy Eli opiekuje się dzieciakami, on opiekuje się Elim - bo ktoś w końcu powinien.
W pierwszych 7 bodajże rozdziałach na 9 są retrospekcje - których normalnie nie znoszę - każdy, kto raz na jakiś czas rzuci okiem na moje komentarze pewnie świetnie o tym wie. Ale tutaj są idealne - i dają lepszy obraz głównych bohaterów, niż w niejednej normalnej i długiej książce, gdzie wydarzenia następują po sobie chronologicznie.
Cudna książka - o tym, co ważne. W życiu, w miłości, podczas świąt. Pocztówkowe święta, parada świąteczna, pieczenie w cholerę i jeszcze trochę ciasteczek nie oddaje tego, co powinny ze sobą nieść - a już zwłaszcza dla tych, dla których rzeczywiście coś powinny znaczyć. Otwarcie się na drugiego człowieka, miłość, hojność, bezinteresowność, chęć pomocy innym jest ważniejsza niż idealna rodzina, idealne święta, idealne dekoracje, idealne zdjęcia, prezenty czy idealny występ w chórze. Nie o to w tym chodzi. Ważni są ludzie. I książka Amy Lane właśnie o tym przypomina 💙
Trafia zdecydowanie do ulubionych 💙
Ta historia jest nietypowa - parę głównych bohaterów, Andego i Eliego, poznajemy, kiedy są już ze sobą od 3 lat. Andy jedzie na święta do swojej rodziny, do małego miasteczka w Vermont, Eli zostaje w NY - pracuje w schronisku LGBTQ+ dla dzieci i młodzieży, i w tym roku jest koordynatorem całych świąt.
Pomimo bycia ze sobą tak długo, rodzina Andego nie zna jego chłopaka. Jego matka robi, co tylko w jej mocy, aby Andy wrócił do tego małego miasteczka - na stałe. Ma w głowie obraz idealnej rodziny i idealnych świąt. Choć dobry z niej człowiek, to z zapędami dyktatora - całą rodzinę najchętniej trzymałaby na krótkiej smyczy przy sobie.
Eli, kochany Eli - chciałabym go przytulić i nigdy nie puścić, żeby nic więcej złego go w życiu nie spotkało. Wyrzucony z domu w wieku 15 lat, żył na ulicy, dopóki nie trafił do schroniska, w którym teraz pracuje. Kocha te dzieciaki i zrobi dla nich wszystko. Zajmuje się nimi tak, jak się tylko da, zapominając w tym wszystkim o sobie. I to zadanie dla Andego - kiedy Eli opiekuje się dzieciakami, on opiekuje się Elim - bo ktoś w końcu powinien.
W pierwszych 7 bodajże rozdziałach na 9 są retrospekcje - których normalnie nie znoszę - każdy, kto raz na jakiś czas rzuci okiem na moje komentarze pewnie świetnie o tym wie. Ale tutaj są idealne - i dają lepszy obraz głównych bohaterów, niż w niejednej normalnej i długiej książce, gdzie wydarzenia następują po sobie chronologicznie.
Cudna książka - o tym, co ważne. W życiu, w miłości, podczas świąt. Pocztówkowe święta, parada świąteczna, pieczenie w cholerę i jeszcze trochę ciasteczek nie oddaje tego, co powinny ze sobą nieść - a już zwłaszcza dla tych, dla których rzeczywiście coś powinny znaczyć. Otwarcie się na drugiego człowieka, miłość, hojność, bezinteresowność, chęć pomocy innym jest ważniejsza niż idealna rodzina, idealne święta, idealne dekoracje, idealne zdjęcia, prezenty czy idealny występ w chórze. Nie o to w tym chodzi. Ważni są ludzie. I książka Amy Lane właśnie o tym przypomina 💙
Trafia zdecydowanie do ulubionych 💙
December 6, 2022
Well this one hit me right in the Christmas feels – especially as we’re in the process of packing up my youngest kid's stuff for the move into halls of residence in the new year. Who knew apron strings were really this tough to cut!
This was a beautiful story about what Christmas should mean – and it’s not about pageants, Christmas carols, presents or any of the extra stuff. It’s about love, caring, family and just being a good, genuine person. And yes, it made me sniffly more than once – not just at the tales of the kids who live at the shelter, but at how people can pull together and show you their hearts in the best possible way.
If you are looking to get into the Christmas mood, I highly recommend this story. It was sexy, sweet, touching and loving and – even in the tough moments of which there were more than a few – I never once doubted that Amy Lane would make it all okay in the end because she always does!
I received an ARC from the author.
This was a beautiful story about what Christmas should mean – and it’s not about pageants, Christmas carols, presents or any of the extra stuff. It’s about love, caring, family and just being a good, genuine person. And yes, it made me sniffly more than once – not just at the tales of the kids who live at the shelter, but at how people can pull together and show you their hearts in the best possible way.
If you are looking to get into the Christmas mood, I highly recommend this story. It was sexy, sweet, touching and loving and – even in the tough moments of which there were more than a few – I never once doubted that Amy Lane would make it all okay in the end because she always does!
I received an ARC from the author.
December 27, 2022
Thank you Secret birthday elf!
December 25, 2022
Ta książka jest chyba trochę niedopracowana, czego nie spodziewałam się po Amy Lane. Trochę psuło mi to przyjemność czytania, bo przez połowę czasu nie byłam w stanie zrozumieć motywacji i toku rozumowania bohaterów.
Andy jedzie na święta do domu rodzinnego bez swojego partnera, z którym mieszka od trzech lat. Przez te trzy lata Andy nie był w stanie dogadać się z matką, na czym właściwie polega jej problem, że nie przyjmuje do wiadomości istnienia Eliego. Czy nierozmawianie o kluczowych kwestiach rzeczywiście jest normą w amerykańskich rodzinach? A może to po prostu kulawy pomysł na nawiązanie fabuły?
W tym świecie dziwnych niedopowiedzeń Eli martwi się, że Andy pojedzie na święta do domu i już nie wróci. Co? Dlaczego? Bo mama powiedziała, żeby przyjechał na święta do domu? A co z życiem Andy'ego poza związkiem z Elim? Co z jego pracą i przyjaciółmi? Tak po prostu wszystko rzuci? Logika nie jest chyba mocną stroną Eliego.
Potem matka Andy'ego. Nie rozumiem kulturowego zjawiska etatowych matek, które za cel życia stawiają sobie rządzenie swoimi dziećmi i mężem. Przez połowę scen z Cindy miałam ochotę powiedzieć bohaterce, żeby zajęła się jakąś prawdziwą pracą, zamiast ustawiać dorosłych ludzi jak bezwładne marionetki. Andy, jego dwie siostry i ojciec - wszyscy skaczą, jak im Cindy zagra. A potem, kiedy Andy w końcu zdobywa się na sprzeciw, robi to w naprawdę upokarzający dla matki i chamski sposób. Co gorsza, cała rodzina porzuca matkę w święta praktycznie bez wahania. Amy, serio?
Nie poczułam wtedy spełnienia i moralnej kompensaty, a jedynie smutek, że o tej konkretnej rodzinie mówi się w książce, że jest wspierająca i wzorowa. Tak, nie odrzucili Andy'ego, kiedy wyszedł jako gej, ale reszta średnio im wychodzi.
Zwrot fabularny w postaci katastrofy był ciekawy, a wielki zryw społecznego wsparcia bardzo wiarygodny, ale wypadek mogła już sobie autorka podarować. Jednak na końcu się wzruszyłam, za co dodaję pół gwiazdki.
Andy jedzie na święta do domu rodzinnego bez swojego partnera, z którym mieszka od trzech lat. Przez te trzy lata Andy nie był w stanie dogadać się z matką, na czym właściwie polega jej problem, że nie przyjmuje do wiadomości istnienia Eliego. Czy nierozmawianie o kluczowych kwestiach rzeczywiście jest normą w amerykańskich rodzinach? A może to po prostu kulawy pomysł na nawiązanie fabuły?
W tym świecie dziwnych niedopowiedzeń Eli martwi się, że Andy pojedzie na święta do domu i już nie wróci. Co? Dlaczego? Bo mama powiedziała, żeby przyjechał na święta do domu? A co z życiem Andy'ego poza związkiem z Elim? Co z jego pracą i przyjaciółmi? Tak po prostu wszystko rzuci? Logika nie jest chyba mocną stroną Eliego.
Potem matka Andy'ego. Nie rozumiem kulturowego zjawiska etatowych matek, które za cel życia stawiają sobie rządzenie swoimi dziećmi i mężem. Przez połowę scen z Cindy miałam ochotę powiedzieć bohaterce, żeby zajęła się jakąś prawdziwą pracą, zamiast ustawiać dorosłych ludzi jak bezwładne marionetki. Andy, jego dwie siostry i ojciec - wszyscy skaczą, jak im Cindy zagra. A potem, kiedy Andy w końcu zdobywa się na sprzeciw, robi to w naprawdę upokarzający dla matki i chamski sposób. Co gorsza, cała rodzina porzuca matkę w święta praktycznie bez wahania. Amy, serio?
Nie poczułam wtedy spełnienia i moralnej kompensaty, a jedynie smutek, że o tej konkretnej rodzinie mówi się w książce, że jest wspierająca i wzorowa. Tak, nie odrzucili Andy'ego, kiedy wyszedł jako gej, ale reszta średnio im wychodzi.
Zwrot fabularny w postaci katastrofy był ciekawy, a wielki zryw społecznego wsparcia bardzo wiarygodny, ale wypadek mogła już sobie autorka podarować. Jednak na końcu się wzruszyłam, za co dodaję pół gwiazdki.
December 6, 2022
Darn it, Amy Lane! You made me cry again! But they were both heartbreaking and heart healing tears. I loved the Christmas spirit that saved the day for so many. I loved Andy and his care of Eli. I loved that Eli learned to trust. I loved this book and its stellar happy ending
December 13, 2022
This was a very sweet holiday story that also broke my heart just a bit, thankfully it also mended it. My one little issue with it was I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, otherwise a really nice Christmas story about love, family and acceptance.
QUICK THOUGHTS
** Holiday/Christmas
** Quick easy read
** Made me smile
** Made me a bit sad
** Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time
** Very sweet
** A bit of angst
** Switches between past & present (nicely done)
** Family/chosen & blood, good & bad
** Can I smack that mother LOL
** Nice secondary characters
** Loved the MCs... Andy & Eli
** Satisfying ending but a bit abrupt
December 25, 2022
This is such a sweet romance about an established couple. Eli and Andy have been together for three years. Even though they have a happy life in Brooklyn Eli still can't believe Andy is in it for the long haul. Events from Eli's past have left him with a terrible sense of self-worth. Andy's mom has pressured him into going home to Vermont this Christmas while Eli stays in Brooklyn to make Christmas special for Rainbow House, the youth shelter he runs. Eli is sure life will imitate a Hallmark movie and Andy will fall back in love with his small town life and never return to Brooklyn. I absolutely love both characters. Your heart breaks for Eli, for the hurt child kicked out of his house to the adult who does not think he is worth long term love. Andy is the perfect book boyfriend. His love for Eli shines through everything he does. If you are looking for a romance to read this holiday season I highly recommend ChrisMyths. It will tug at your heartstrings and make you cry happy tears.
December 12, 2022
What a sweet and wonderful story! I was a bit concerned we would not see enough of the guys together, but the author did a wonderful job of showing scenes from their past and yet keeping the story very relative to the present. Another keeper--meaning I don't upload it to the cloud but keep it on my e-reader to re-read every year.
September 1, 2024
This made me cry. I hate crying when I read. I typically won’t read a cry book! But I really wanted to read this one. Andy finds that Eli was his Family all along. It’s a sweet romance and holiday story.
dnf
December 13, 2022DNF 27%
Too much tell and not enough show. Too much flipping between past and present. Not keeping my interest.
Too much tell and not enough show. Too much flipping between past and present. Not keeping my interest.
December 10, 2022
It's been a while since I last read an MM book and I'm happy to say this one was perfect to get me back in the mood.
A sweet story with lovable characters. Told with a past and present combo that was easy to follow and gave just enough insight of past to convince me of the love in the present.
Heartache and love and Christmas magic.
A short but perfect Christmas read.
A sweet story with lovable characters. Told with a past and present combo that was easy to follow and gave just enough insight of past to convince me of the love in the present.
Heartache and love and Christmas magic.
A short but perfect Christmas read.
January 16, 2023
This is a great Christmas story. Love learning about Andy and Levi. Levi needs to go home for Christmas but Eli can’t go with him due to commitments at work. Andy’s mom wants all of her children to live in the town Andy grew up in. Levi has been perfectly clear that his life is with Eli and not in their small town. Love the way the family and friends all pull together in the end. Such a lovely, heartwarming story.
November 21, 2022
ChrisMyths is what a Christmas story should be. All the love and joy through struggles. Helping family and finding family. This will be a story I will want to ready every year as a holiday tradition.
Eli is just... oh, Eli. I want to wrap him in a hug and I'm very happy he has Andy. I loved seeing their courtship through flashbacks.
I can't say too much because I don't want to give anything away. This is a must read book. Just buy it already.
Eli is just... oh, Eli. I want to wrap him in a hug and I'm very happy he has Andy. I loved seeing their courtship through flashbacks.
I can't say too much because I don't want to give anything away. This is a must read book. Just buy it already.
November 9, 2023
What an amazing start to the season of Christmas readings. So much warmth, so much heart, so much love, and so much getting together to overcome obstacles. All tied up in the central theme of ‘let’s give Eli a family.'
Loved it.
Loved it.
December 6, 2022
In typical Amy Lane style, she wrote one of the most heartwarming holiday stories of the year. This is a story of family, both by blood and those made that gather around to give helping hands.
I truly loved the character of Eli, who was heartbroken and left homeless as a teenager. Eli catches the eye of Andy while riding the subway, and they strike up a friendship. As Andy falls for the shy man, with a sweet smile, and soulful eyes that have seen way too much hurt in his life, he knows he must tread lightly to earn the trust of Eli.
Eli is a man who has learned to rely only on himself, and has a difficult time asking for help. He is running a shelter for kids who have had next to nothing, and he knows exactly how they feel. He has sworn no other child on his watch will feel the disappointment and hunger he felt on the streets. He works hard to give the kids under his care a loving stable place to grow and learn. His love for Andy is pure joy in his life, but he has learned that love that is given, can also be taken away. Eli lost his family, and secretly pines for one of his own.
When Andy goes to Vermont to spend the holidays with his family, he realizes his heart was left back in New York with the love of his life. One disaster after another befalls the Rainbow House, threatening to ruin the magical holiday that Eli and Andy have worked so hard for to give the kids. With Andy in Vermont, and Eliin New York trying to handle one catastrophe after another, Andy springs into action to take care of the man that takes care of others, but doesn’t take care of himself.
There is tree decorating, cookie baking, present wrapping, snow, children, snarky teenagers, annoying siblings, a hot ex-boyfriend with a surprising new love interest, and most of all, there is the spirit of Christmas, and a love so strong, it will bring a town, and a family together.
I truly loved the character of Eli, who was heartbroken and left homeless as a teenager. Eli catches the eye of Andy while riding the subway, and they strike up a friendship. As Andy falls for the shy man, with a sweet smile, and soulful eyes that have seen way too much hurt in his life, he knows he must tread lightly to earn the trust of Eli.
Eli is a man who has learned to rely only on himself, and has a difficult time asking for help. He is running a shelter for kids who have had next to nothing, and he knows exactly how they feel. He has sworn no other child on his watch will feel the disappointment and hunger he felt on the streets. He works hard to give the kids under his care a loving stable place to grow and learn. His love for Andy is pure joy in his life, but he has learned that love that is given, can also be taken away. Eli lost his family, and secretly pines for one of his own.
When Andy goes to Vermont to spend the holidays with his family, he realizes his heart was left back in New York with the love of his life. One disaster after another befalls the Rainbow House, threatening to ruin the magical holiday that Eli and Andy have worked so hard for to give the kids. With Andy in Vermont, and Eliin New York trying to handle one catastrophe after another, Andy springs into action to take care of the man that takes care of others, but doesn’t take care of himself.
There is tree decorating, cookie baking, present wrapping, snow, children, snarky teenagers, annoying siblings, a hot ex-boyfriend with a surprising new love interest, and most of all, there is the spirit of Christmas, and a love so strong, it will bring a town, and a family together.
December 11, 2022
Christmas
Sigh. What a fabulous reverse Hallmark movie of a novella!Lane gives us such a loving look at the idea that a village can exist anywhere. Andy and Eli's story opens with Andy leaving for his home in a small town in Vermont (sounds picture perfect), having not been home in several years. Eli is staying behind to make sure all the young people in his care at the Rainbow House have Christmas. At home Andy suffers through his mom's machinations with an old friend, family and friends obligations. Eli is struggling with setbacks at the shelter threatening to disrupt his found family's Christmas with Eli ending up in the hospital. Andy finally sees what his mother has been doing, trying to get him to move back to VT even though everyone can see his life and heart belongs to Eli in NY. We see the VT town really become the village as they come together to make Christmas happen for Eli and Rainbow House.
We get to see Pastor Dan and Porter (need their story!), Mary Beth and Charlie (Andy's sister), we meet Lola and Josie, the boys who want to be fairies, heck, the nurses in the hospital. The scenes in the hospital, so lovely. Amy does a great job of giving us Andy's and Eli's back stories, together and as individuals. And even some sexy times. And all in a novella that never felt rushed or too much of an info dump, filled with love, perfect Christmas read.
This moment of peace between crises. This moment of gentleness to cushion their hearts from the harshness of the world.
Sigh. What a fabulous reverse Hallmark movie of a novella!Lane gives us such a loving look at the idea that a village can exist anywhere. Andy and Eli's story opens with Andy leaving for his home in a small town in Vermont (sounds picture perfect), having not been home in several years. Eli is staying behind to make sure all the young people in his care at the Rainbow House have Christmas. At home Andy suffers through his mom's machinations with an old friend, family and friends obligations. Eli is struggling with setbacks at the shelter threatening to disrupt his found family's Christmas with Eli ending up in the hospital. Andy finally sees what his mother has been doing, trying to get him to move back to VT even though everyone can see his life and heart belongs to Eli in NY. We see the VT town really become the village as they come together to make Christmas happen for Eli and Rainbow House.
It's hard. It's hard to make dreams come true for children who've had all their dreams stripped away. The world is a hard place to make genrosity and charity matter. But damned near every one in this town has worked their asses off to make it happen, just this once , for these kids.
We get to see Pastor Dan and Porter (need their story!), Mary Beth and Charlie (Andy's sister), we meet Lola and Josie, the boys who want to be fairies, heck, the nurses in the hospital. The scenes in the hospital, so lovely. Amy does a great job of giving us Andy's and Eli's back stories, together and as individuals. And even some sexy times. And all in a novella that never felt rushed or too much of an info dump, filled with love, perfect Christmas read.
December 8, 2022
This is what Amy Lane is Best at !!!……Heart wrenching, stories of sweet people who never believe they are enough….For this story pease meet Eli Engel. Eli thrown out of his home for being gay, living on the streets till he found RAIBOW HOUSE. Having a place to stay, he studied and got an education and now ran the place that saved his life giving back for the next generation of LGBTQ youth.
We begin the book meeting Andy Chambers who has been living with Eli Engel for the past three years. Thru chapters titled THEN and NOW we learn of their meeting and Andy’s courtship of Eli and ‘feel’ their sweet story.
Andy is going home to his family in Vermont for Christmas for the first time in the 3 years and Eli is worried Andy will not come back to him, after seeing Vermont again, his family and friends. From our story, we see how much time and effort Andy has put in to urturing this relationship and his caring of Eli.
When Rainbow House has a series of horrible occurrences, from Vermont, Andy gathers his family and friends to help Eli and the kids while understanding home is where your heart is and his is in Brooklyn NY with Eli……..Surprisingly even able to have his Mother turn a page in her own life.
As I said Amy is best with the family- hearth- love- angles and my heart ached in places, and I shed tears in places with her well placed story…..
A winning Holiday story! Even her Grammy would approve
We begin the book meeting Andy Chambers who has been living with Eli Engel for the past three years. Thru chapters titled THEN and NOW we learn of their meeting and Andy’s courtship of Eli and ‘feel’ their sweet story.
Andy is going home to his family in Vermont for Christmas for the first time in the 3 years and Eli is worried Andy will not come back to him, after seeing Vermont again, his family and friends. From our story, we see how much time and effort Andy has put in to urturing this relationship and his caring of Eli.
When Rainbow House has a series of horrible occurrences, from Vermont, Andy gathers his family and friends to help Eli and the kids while understanding home is where your heart is and his is in Brooklyn NY with Eli……..Surprisingly even able to have his Mother turn a page in her own life.
As I said Amy is best with the family- hearth- love- angles and my heart ached in places, and I shed tears in places with her well placed story…..
A winning Holiday story! Even her Grammy would approve
December 7, 2022
4.5 stars
How is happy angst a thing? I don't know, but Amy has pulled it off. This is a heartwarming holiday story with ups and downs that wrenched my heart so tight even as I smiled most of the way through.
My heart ached for poor broken Eli, yearned to comfort torn-int0-two Andy, but at the same time, I never once questioned their love for one another. And OMG. Every "What could possibly go wrong?" moment was met with an equally resounding "I have a way to fix this" response, which kept my heart on a lovely little bouncing yo-yo string.
Family (immediate and found) and friends were the backbone of this holiday tale, and while I loved seeing the emotional and physical support, and while there were many happy smiles, laughs, and tears, there were some gut-wrenching moments on both sides that really brought home what is important in life.
The peppering of romantic history/backstory doesn't always work, but it did here. I loved seeing pieces of Eli and Andy's past as we watched them move toward the future. Full and rich, this did not feel like a novella/shorter story, and it joins the ranks of Turkey in the Snow and Freckles as favorite re-reads.
****ARC FOR REVIEW****
How is happy angst a thing? I don't know, but Amy has pulled it off. This is a heartwarming holiday story with ups and downs that wrenched my heart so tight even as I smiled most of the way through.
My heart ached for poor broken Eli, yearned to comfort torn-int0-two Andy, but at the same time, I never once questioned their love for one another. And OMG. Every "What could possibly go wrong?" moment was met with an equally resounding "I have a way to fix this" response, which kept my heart on a lovely little bouncing yo-yo string.
Family (immediate and found) and friends were the backbone of this holiday tale, and while I loved seeing the emotional and physical support, and while there were many happy smiles, laughs, and tears, there were some gut-wrenching moments on both sides that really brought home what is important in life.
The peppering of romantic history/backstory doesn't always work, but it did here. I loved seeing pieces of Eli and Andy's past as we watched them move toward the future. Full and rich, this did not feel like a novella/shorter story, and it joins the ranks of Turkey in the Snow and Freckles as favorite re-reads.
****ARC FOR REVIEW****
December 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this one.
I set aside Thanksgiving to the end of the year for holiday reads, and have so many favorites I tend to do weeks and weeks of re-reads. I wanted something original today, and this Amy Lane novel was on my list. I tend to be hit or miss, as I was today, with Amy Lane. Some of her novels don’t appear to me at all, and others are on my will-read-forever list. This one is the former.
This is the story of Andy and Eli, two Brooklynites separated for Christmas. Eli has an entire backstory as an abandoned teenager who works with homeless LGBTQ youth and has severe attachment issues. His boyfriend, Andy, has a boisterous family led by an unbendable matriarch, and agrees to travel home for Christmas and be separated from Eli who can’t get away from work.
What really works for this novel is each man has a character arc. Eli’s is more by-the-book and was less interesting to me, as we knew where it was going to land. Andy’s was more satisfying, and for a 125 page novel, his storyline crammed in great characters from his small town who merged with the Eli storyline perfectly. There were a few places for the story with his Mom to go, and where it ended was pitch perfect.
I look forward to rereading in 2026!
I set aside Thanksgiving to the end of the year for holiday reads, and have so many favorites I tend to do weeks and weeks of re-reads. I wanted something original today, and this Amy Lane novel was on my list. I tend to be hit or miss, as I was today, with Amy Lane. Some of her novels don’t appear to me at all, and others are on my will-read-forever list. This one is the former.
This is the story of Andy and Eli, two Brooklynites separated for Christmas. Eli has an entire backstory as an abandoned teenager who works with homeless LGBTQ youth and has severe attachment issues. His boyfriend, Andy, has a boisterous family led by an unbendable matriarch, and agrees to travel home for Christmas and be separated from Eli who can’t get away from work.
What really works for this novel is each man has a character arc. Eli’s is more by-the-book and was less interesting to me, as we knew where it was going to land. Andy’s was more satisfying, and for a 125 page novel, his storyline crammed in great characters from his small town who merged with the Eli storyline perfectly. There were a few places for the story with his Mom to go, and where it ended was pitch perfect.
I look forward to rereading in 2026!
December 31, 2022
As much as the trope of going back home to a small town from the big city, falling in love, and staying there is popular and fun to read, it is sometimes annoying. After all, I have people in my own family tree who got the heck out of the small town and had no desire to return nor any sudden need to move back when they visited for holidays. Sometimes the small city boy wants a big city life and it doesn't change, but believing that can be difficult.
Since Eli already has difficulty believing that Andy wants to stay with him, the fact that he is going home for the most magical time of the year to a family that wants him back just mean that he is finally going to lose him. Eli can't believe in people staying and this test is just too big to see it ever working out for him. Meanwhile, Andy wants nothing more than to be there for Eli, but needs to appease his mother and figure things out with a family that doesn't seem to be coming to see him anymore since settling in the big city. There are family issues to work out, small town love even for those who left, and hope even during the darkest times. It was an emotional and sweet journey that simply has to be read!
Since Eli already has difficulty believing that Andy wants to stay with him, the fact that he is going home for the most magical time of the year to a family that wants him back just mean that he is finally going to lose him. Eli can't believe in people staying and this test is just too big to see it ever working out for him. Meanwhile, Andy wants nothing more than to be there for Eli, but needs to appease his mother and figure things out with a family that doesn't seem to be coming to see him anymore since settling in the big city. There are family issues to work out, small town love even for those who left, and hope even during the darkest times. It was an emotional and sweet journey that simply has to be read!
December 7, 2022
Time: Now
Themes: MM Romance; Contemporary Romance; Size Difference; Christmas; Christmas Spirit; Found Family
MCs: MM
What I Think: This tale captures what Christmas should be. As Angel and Andy make their way through this time of the season, there were just so many lessons. Even if you never believe in anything, believe that there is someone in you worthy of being loved and giving love in return. Christmas is not about commerce, but a wonderful excuse to share and spread your love around. So, go the extra mile. Make someone smile ‘cause you’ll be smiling much longer. Family isn’t always blood, no matter how we may wish it to be. It is the people that pick you up, dust you down, and then give you the strength to continue. Be ready to cry tears of joy as magic is made real, and tears of hope as hearts change. I mean, really. Keep a tissue box handy. You’re welcome!
Time of day to read: A nice, chilly morning with this keeper of a comfort book will infuse your whole being with warmth, comfort and hope!
Themes: MM Romance; Contemporary Romance; Size Difference; Christmas; Christmas Spirit; Found Family
MCs: MM
What I Think: This tale captures what Christmas should be. As Angel and Andy make their way through this time of the season, there were just so many lessons. Even if you never believe in anything, believe that there is someone in you worthy of being loved and giving love in return. Christmas is not about commerce, but a wonderful excuse to share and spread your love around. So, go the extra mile. Make someone smile ‘cause you’ll be smiling much longer. Family isn’t always blood, no matter how we may wish it to be. It is the people that pick you up, dust you down, and then give you the strength to continue. Be ready to cry tears of joy as magic is made real, and tears of hope as hearts change. I mean, really. Keep a tissue box handy. You’re welcome!
Time of day to read: A nice, chilly morning with this keeper of a comfort book will infuse your whole being with warmth, comfort and hope!
December 7, 2022
This holiday romance made me cry a little and smile a lot. Andy and Eli were already together and deeply in love at the start of this novella, but there were several flashbacks that showed how their love story began. These men were made of goodness and heart, and I adored them. Eli was in charge of a LGBTQ youth center, and he did all he could to make the kids there as happy as possible. He'd been there as a teen, so he understood their fears and emotions. Andy was completely in love with Eli, and his main goal was to give Eli the security and care he craved. The only thing that would have made Andy happier who provided the Christmas magic needed when trouble arrived.
I loved everything about this story, and I am happy to add it to my list of holiday favorites. I happily recommend it to readers who appreciate tales of wishes coming true.
I loved everything about this story, and I am happy to add it to my list of holiday favorites. I happily recommend it to readers who appreciate tales of wishes coming true.
December 10, 2022
‘Tis the season for an avalanche of sweet Christmas romances! This year’s entry from Amy Lane uses, and even flips, several romance tropes to great effect.
Main characters Eli and Andy live in New York City. Eli is a formerly homeless youth who now runs Rainbow House, a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth who have nowhere else to go. Eli’s partner Andy comes from a close-knit family in Vermont – a family that is insisting that Andy spend Christmas with them this year, since he’s stayed in the City with Eli for the past three years. Eli has abandonment issues, and braces himself for Andy not returning from the holidays.
Andy, and his family, get the chance to prove his commitment to Eli. It’s a great story, destined to be another of my annual “must read again” holiday romances!
Main characters Eli and Andy live in New York City. Eli is a formerly homeless youth who now runs Rainbow House, a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth who have nowhere else to go. Eli’s partner Andy comes from a close-knit family in Vermont – a family that is insisting that Andy spend Christmas with them this year, since he’s stayed in the City with Eli for the past three years. Eli has abandonment issues, and braces himself for Andy not returning from the holidays.
Andy, and his family, get the chance to prove his commitment to Eli. It’s a great story, destined to be another of my annual “must read again” holiday romances!
December 27, 2024
In the middle this story was a tragedy of errors. But it was wrapped in love and kindness and coming together and Christmas and it was beautiful.
When we first met Potter after one scene I hoped he too will find his happily ever after and then we met Dan and I was content.
I adored Charlie and MaryBeth. And Andy's dad. I was also glad that his mom came around. But it was good for him to stand up for himself and his relationship.
I loved Rainbow House. Even though it is heartbreaking that such thing is needed and that not every kid will get that support after losing the one they were supposed to get from their families.
I liked the flashbacks to show us how Andy and Eli came to be. And I loved their relationship and how they learned to navigate it and trust it.
When we first met Potter after one scene I hoped he too will find his happily ever after and then we met Dan and I was content.
I adored Charlie and MaryBeth. And Andy's dad. I was also glad that his mom came around. But it was good for him to stand up for himself and his relationship.
I loved Rainbow House. Even though it is heartbreaking that such thing is needed and that not every kid will get that support after losing the one they were supposed to get from their families.
I liked the flashbacks to show us how Andy and Eli came to be. And I loved their relationship and how they learned to navigate it and trust it.
December 23, 2024
Not quite the Hallmark Holiday romance that you might expect, more a little dose of reality. Andy and Eli have been together for three years and Andy has finally succumbed to his mother's wishes and is going home to Vermont for Christmas, leaving Eli alone running the Rainbow House Shelter in Brooklyn. Andy's mother is not someone you want to come up against, but when circumstances intervene, Andy has to do just that for himself, for Eli, and for the rest of his family to save Christmas for the kids at the shelter. A wonderful story of strength, determination, and the real meaning of Christmas.
December 9, 2022
Amy Lane’s Christmas stories are always the highlight of holiday season for me every year and this story definitely hit all the right notes for me. Eli’s dedicated to working for the kids that his shelter takes care of, and Andy went out of his way to help Eli achieve his goal of making a great Christmas for them. I loved Eli and Andy together and how Andy worked to stand up for what he believed in and what he cared about the most while supporting Eli. Very sweet book, I’m already looking forward to seeing how Amy Lane will top this story next year.
December 10, 2022
The anti-Hallmark movie!
I love a Christmas romance and this one is so sweet. Eli and Andy align like magnets. I'm always impressed when people grow up with secure attachments in good homes and have the tenacity to hang on to romances with flight risk folks. Eli has such a hard time trusting that Andy is going to return from his idyllic country Christmas. I mean, he's right--we've all seen that movie. Andy's mom is a grade A witch, but the rest of his family is delightful. Overall it's an adorably sweet found family Christmas!
I love a Christmas romance and this one is so sweet. Eli and Andy align like magnets. I'm always impressed when people grow up with secure attachments in good homes and have the tenacity to hang on to romances with flight risk folks. Eli has such a hard time trusting that Andy is going to return from his idyllic country Christmas. I mean, he's right--we've all seen that movie. Andy's mom is a grade A witch, but the rest of his family is delightful. Overall it's an adorably sweet found family Christmas!
December 18, 2022
Amy does it again. This is definitely going on my Christmas re-read list. I love how Andy wooed Eli, slowly, surely, with apartment hunting and food on the train. Andy goes home to Vermont, leaving Eli behind. However, so many things go wrong for Elli while Andy is away. Flooded basement, ruined Christmas presents for the kids at the shelter, ruined food and Andy not there. When Andy finds out, the troops are gathered and Eli gets the support and the family he desperately needs. The hea is so sweet.
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