Home for the Holidays

by Mavis Applewater

Let's see... Smoke? Check. Bright flashes? Check. Shrieks of delight? Check! Must be Mavis. That's right! It's Mavis, here with the gift that gives it up all year. She's brought a couple of friends to the party, too. Meet Tressa Lindsey, and get ready for the year of their lives! Up, down, in, out, in, out, in... Well, you get the picture. Mavis wants you to be very, very happy.

Genres: Christmas, Lesbian

Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Mavis Applewater, a Massachusetts native and Salem State Theatre graduate, began writing while working as a bartender in Cambridge. She is the author of seven novels, including The Brass Ring, Whispering Pines (a Goldie winner), and The Plaza, as well as four short story collections such as the Goldie Finalist Home For The Holidays. Her work blends romance, mystery, and erotica. Applewater lives in Massachusetts with her longtime partner, continuing to write novels, novellas, and thrillers with a devoted fanbase.

Reviews

[Michelle Schuler]

Second chance romance

A seriously hot romance of second chance lovers. I didn't feel the connection of the holiday spirit, which is why the 4 star review. I was hoping that there would be more to the holidays then the mention of them. However, if it was a regular novel not suppose to be holiday themed, would have been a dull five stars. The chemistry is outstanding and there are a few bits of laughter and suspense. The angst does not follow normal patterns, and resolved timely and satisfactorily. I will retread this in the future, but probably not as a holiday novel. This is my first book by Mavis Applewater, I will be looking at more of her books.

[T]

i wouldn't call this a collection of short stories, as the description conveys it to be.
it is basically the two women of the story getting back together after ten years and then describes the sex they have on each holiday for the next 18 or so months. It is the same sex scene, over... and over... just on different holidays and occasions. There is no plot to keep you turning pages so that you can see how the story turns out. (except for the two very minor attempts at jealous ex girlfriend, and coworker) there's nothing to make you say "hmm, i gotta see how this turns out".
it's just a novel length repetitive description of the sex life of these two.

Granted the characters are well done, likeable, potentially interesting if their stories were told a bit more, but this would have been better off as just a short story... since the scenes are so repetitive. you run the risk of being desensitized by the whole physicality of it by the end.

I was disappointed since this author has so many good reviews of her work, but i think i just picked the wrong book of hers to read first. I later went and downloaded a sample of Tempus Fugit, another book of hers that garnered good reviews. It caught my interest and i bought it. I'm now 1/4 the way through and happy to say it seems far more developed and interesting than this one.

If you are looking for a good novel to pull you in, I honestly cannot recommend this book, even if you are already a fan of the author.

[Kathryn]

Way too many references to "Her lover". The sex in this book is repetitive and has no purpose. The two MC's just seem like a couple of horny teenagers. Also, the anger they both display toward each other is childish and confusing.

I normally enjoy Mavis Applewater's books but this one is a PASS (as in pass it by).

[Carole Damoci]

loved this book

First book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. A second chance for two women who never forgot about each other. Two meddling mothers. Sounds like a happy ending to me.

[Jo Mitchell]

This was a fun read. Not too much angst. A year in the life of two neighbours that were highschool sweethearts that reconnect fifteen years later. A great short read.

[Loek Krancher]

A more than excellent romance.

I loved how this story developed. Not, as so often in other romances, that you have to wait until the last chapter before the leading ladies find each other. No, you see their relationship grow right from the start and that is awesome. The twists and turns are perfect and there was enough tension. And don't forget the humor, there was a lot of humor. Especially the mothers, they were the comedians of the story. The passion, the sex scenes were hot and well defined. I really loved everyting. Another excellent book by this author.

[Bib]

Never thought that I would ever make this comment, but there is way too much sex in this book.

[Anja]

What should I say, I trusted the reviews and well, it was just a badly written fanfic. It could have been something way better.