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I'll Run Away For The Holidays
Scott Cooper has never liked the holidays. So when his best friend, Madison, asks him to travel to her childhood home to celebrate Christmas, he can’t refuse fast enough. Scott doesn’t even get along with his own family, so the last thing he wants is to get saddled with her relatives for a whole week of snow and holiday cheer. Madison is good at getting what she wants, though, and before he knows it, Scott finds himself in for a seventeen-hour drive back to their home state of Michigan.
Just as Scott is getting adjusted to the idea of having to deal with Madison’s crazy family, another one of her relations joins in for the car trip; her very sexy, very younger brother, Anson. Not only is Anson still in college, but he’s the baby of the family, both of which should make him hands-off for Scott. To Scott’s horror and joy, however, Anson doesn’t want Scott to keep his hands to himself. The younger man immediately makes it clear that Scott is the only present he wants to unwrap for Christmas.
Holiday miracles can happen to anyone, or so Scott would like to believe. And it will take true magic for him and Anson to survive the holiday with their sanity intact, let alone for them to find a happily ever after...
Gay / Contemporary / Romantic Comedy
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2010
2 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Stephani Hecht
250 books863 followersStephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.
When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. In the coming months, she has several books coming out with eXtasy Books in both The Lost Shifter Series and Drone Vampire Chronicles, plus a few additional projects that are still in the development stages.
Visit Stephani on the web at:
Email her at:
archangelwriter@yahoo.com
When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. In the coming months, she has several books coming out with eXtasy Books in both The Lost Shifter Series and Drone Vampire Chronicles, plus a few additional projects that are still in the development stages.
Visit Stephani on the web at:
Email her at:
archangelwriter@yahoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 12, 2010
Anson Mace has been lusting over his sister's BFF, Scott Cooper, for the length of all his teenager years. But when he literally threw himself to Scott when he was 18-years old, the older guy rejected him. Now, three years later, Anson is coming home to Michigan with his sister Madison and Scott, and he is determined to show Scott that they DO have a chance to be together. Scott thinks Anson is a brat and a bane of his existence. However, three years after he last seen Anson, the brat has turned into one handsome young man. The truth is, Anson has been under Scott's skin, and he worries that this time, he will not be able to say No ...
I always like the idea of chasing your teenage dream. Anson is one sweet determined young man. Noted that from conversation between family members, he hasn't get his act together, that he switches major easily ... but isn't that common to happen? We don't always know what we want in life, right? Well, at least Anson knows that he wants Scott ^_^. I truly enjoy how he brings Scott out of his carefully-planned life. Scott doesn't have a chance with him *lol*. I can understand Scott being worried about losing the Mace's family if things don't work out between them, but I'm glad he is not so bull-headed about it.
Other notes: The Myrtle incident (it's related to a turtle, and you need to read it by yourself) is a bit funny though tragic. I'm not sure if the secret of Grandpa Mace is necessary for the story, and whether it helps bringing Anson and Scott together. AND, I totally love the sweet Epilogue chapter
I always like the idea of chasing your teenage dream. Anson is one sweet determined young man. Noted that from conversation between family members, he hasn't get his act together, that he switches major easily ... but isn't that common to happen? We don't always know what we want in life, right? Well, at least Anson knows that he wants Scott ^_^. I truly enjoy how he brings Scott out of his carefully-planned life. Scott doesn't have a chance with him *lol*. I can understand Scott being worried about losing the Mace's family if things don't work out between them, but I'm glad he is not so bull-headed about it.
Other notes: The Myrtle incident (it's related to a turtle, and you need to read it by yourself) is a bit funny though tragic. I'm not sure if the secret of Grandpa Mace is necessary for the story, and whether it helps bringing Anson and Scott together. AND, I totally love the sweet Epilogue chapter
December 24, 2010
This was totally not what I expected. I thought I was going to read about some poor soul who got duped before the holidays and fell for his best friend’s brother on the ride home for the holidays. This was much better.
What you have is a turtle assassin, a missing Christmas tree, a sister who thinks where enough orange to be recognized as a hazard cone is good fashion sense, and a crazy aunt who wears pink g-string on the outside of her clothing and sexually molest the wise men on the church lawn. How can you not have a good holiday with all of this fun going on? Add grandpa giving relationship advice in the way of two thumbs up when you are caught in bed with your lover and you have a well-rounded holiday.
Loved Anson and Scott are perfect together. Even though this story had elements that were fun it did not take away from the very real issues that Anson and Scott had to face an overcome. And they did with such grace.
What you have is a turtle assassin, a missing Christmas tree, a sister who thinks where enough orange to be recognized as a hazard cone is good fashion sense, and a crazy aunt who wears pink g-string on the outside of her clothing and sexually molest the wise men on the church lawn. How can you not have a good holiday with all of this fun going on? Add grandpa giving relationship advice in the way of two thumbs up when you are caught in bed with your lover and you have a well-rounded holiday.
Loved Anson and Scott are perfect together. Even though this story had elements that were fun it did not take away from the very real issues that Anson and Scott had to face an overcome. And they did with such grace.
January 20, 2011
I'll Run Away for the Holidays was so much fun to read. A real page turner right until the very end, Stephani has written this story in a fun, easy style reminiscent of Double Shot Cappucino. With references to popular culture, and snarky, love-based bitching throughout, this book will make you laugh, but it may also make you cry, with some tough, but touching scenes.
Straight off the mark, you are immediately introduced to Scott, a university student with a passionate distaste for family holidays. He possesses a dry wit with an acerbic edge, and you can't help but sympathise with him and the many plights that happen to befall him on his journey to Michigan.
Beside Scott, giving him the perfect base to bounce off of as their characters develop, is Madison, his best friend since grade school and older sister of Anson. Madison is a hippie living in the wrong time. Wearing platform sandals, long peasant skirts and driving a VW Bug (although it is the current model), Madison is the total opposite of Scott in personality.
Where Scott appears uptight and slightly stressed about things that have yet to occur, Madison is as easy as the breeze. Madison also allows us a glimpse into Anson in his teen years, before Anson steps onto the scene in the here and now. Anson is now pre-med and, having left behind his World of Warcraft days, appears to be all grown up; at least from Scott's perspective.
Having Madison explain about Anson before we meet him allows the plot to have depth, as Scott and Anson have history no-one else is aware of. When Anson joins the wayward duo, the tension between him and Scott is clear and now as a reader, we can gain a much better understanding of how they each react from here. A wonderfully warm, witty story that will make anyone hate snow and crave a family Christmas with a passion, I would recommend this story for anyone who enjoys contemporary style novels. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online
Straight off the mark, you are immediately introduced to Scott, a university student with a passionate distaste for family holidays. He possesses a dry wit with an acerbic edge, and you can't help but sympathise with him and the many plights that happen to befall him on his journey to Michigan.
Beside Scott, giving him the perfect base to bounce off of as their characters develop, is Madison, his best friend since grade school and older sister of Anson. Madison is a hippie living in the wrong time. Wearing platform sandals, long peasant skirts and driving a VW Bug (although it is the current model), Madison is the total opposite of Scott in personality.
Where Scott appears uptight and slightly stressed about things that have yet to occur, Madison is as easy as the breeze. Madison also allows us a glimpse into Anson in his teen years, before Anson steps onto the scene in the here and now. Anson is now pre-med and, having left behind his World of Warcraft days, appears to be all grown up; at least from Scott's perspective.
Having Madison explain about Anson before we meet him allows the plot to have depth, as Scott and Anson have history no-one else is aware of. When Anson joins the wayward duo, the tension between him and Scott is clear and now as a reader, we can gain a much better understanding of how they each react from here. A wonderfully warm, witty story that will make anyone hate snow and crave a family Christmas with a passion, I would recommend this story for anyone who enjoys contemporary style novels. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online
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January 5, 2012Scott is Madison’s best friend and he knows her brother Anson to be a spoiled little brat; plus last time they met, 18 years old Anson tried to kiss 23 years old Scott and Scott ran away so fast to run over Anson’s turtle, Myrtle… not exactly the best exit and one that is still in the memory of all Madison’s family. So it’s for sure with a lack of enthusiasm that Scott accepts to spend Christmas with Madison’s family.
He starts to change idea when they go and pick up Anson, now 21 years old and very, very hot. But still a brat. It will not be an easy Christmas for Scott, but also for Anson it’s a time to come to term with his insecurities, and also to decide if his crush for Scott is something that will can turn in forever love, or instead it has to remain a good memory of his teen years.
I like the tone of the story, it was funny and light, the typical dramas happening when you put together in the same room people who have still to come to term with their own personal issues; even if it’s Christmas this doesn’t mean troubles remain out of the door, on the contrary, they seem to implode at the same speed as the Christmas day is approaching. But the drama are not so big to prevent these people to understand that they are lucky to have a family supporting each other, and even if there are little disagreements, in the end love is bigger than them.
Maybe I have only a little complaint, while I love the Grandpa character, and his escape with the Christmas tree was fantastic, his little secret seemed a little too much, I think that to have him supporting of his nephew would have been enough. But again, it’s a minor complaint from my side, and in the end, Grandpa is probably the best character of all the story.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G08UDY/?...
He starts to change idea when they go and pick up Anson, now 21 years old and very, very hot. But still a brat. It will not be an easy Christmas for Scott, but also for Anson it’s a time to come to term with his insecurities, and also to decide if his crush for Scott is something that will can turn in forever love, or instead it has to remain a good memory of his teen years.
I like the tone of the story, it was funny and light, the typical dramas happening when you put together in the same room people who have still to come to term with their own personal issues; even if it’s Christmas this doesn’t mean troubles remain out of the door, on the contrary, they seem to implode at the same speed as the Christmas day is approaching. But the drama are not so big to prevent these people to understand that they are lucky to have a family supporting each other, and even if there are little disagreements, in the end love is bigger than them.
Maybe I have only a little complaint, while I love the Grandpa character, and his escape with the Christmas tree was fantastic, his little secret seemed a little too much, I think that to have him supporting of his nephew would have been enough. But again, it’s a minor complaint from my side, and in the end, Grandpa is probably the best character of all the story.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G08UDY/?...
February 11, 2013
A sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Scott reluctantly agrees to spend the Christmas holiday with his best friend Madison and her family in Michigan. When they begin their road trip from Florida, Madison informs him that her kid brother Anson will be riding with them. Scott's known Anson for years and always just considered him the bratty kid brother of his best friend, but during the course of the trip, Scott starts to see another side of the young man. By the time they arrive in Michigan, a romance has blossomed.
December 15, 2010
Sweet holiday m/m romance about a guy whose best friend guilts him into driving from Florida to her home in Michigan for the holidays... and then he finds out that her younger brother, who made a slobbery (and rebuffed) pass at him several years before, will be joining them for the drive.
November 21, 2012
Cute holiday story. I would have liked for there to have been more sexual tension instead of Scott giving into Anson's advances so early in the story. Still an enjoyable read.
December 13, 2010
Cute and fun. Made me happy
January 15, 2021
Holiday Insta-love kind of...
Scott has been best friends with Madison for his whole life and going home to Michigan from sunny, warm Florida doesn't hold much appeal except that he doesn't won't to disappoint Madison, so to Michigan he goes. The long road trip home is complicated with Madison stopping to pick up her younger brother for the journey and although that seems like a reasonable sister thing to do, Scott was unprepared to see Anson after what happened 3 years ago.
Anson has been in love with Scott since he realized he liked boys. But Scott never saw him as anything but Max's younger brother. Their 5 year year age gap seemed to wide when Anson was 18. Three years have passed and Anson is ready to show Scott he has grown up and is worthy of his interest and maybe even his love.
Scott is blown away when he first sees Anson and wonders what in the world he was going to do to hide his attraction to the younger man. Anson didn't give him any quarter and kissed him as soon as they were alone. What shocked them both was how much Scott liked it and returned the fervor.
In spite of giving in to their attraction, both men are unsure of their future. Anson not sure if Scott will ever love him like he feels for Scott, and Scott unsure if Anson's words and actions are fleeting, like other interests he's had over the years.
Thank goodness for interfering grandpas. After Anson has his head on straight after grandpa's confession and admonition, Anson is surprised when an emotional outburst reveals Scott's love for him too.
There were a few minor typos and a couple of times the story seemed to jump and made me think I missed a little something, but overall, a nice sweet holiday story with the right amount of heat and humor.
Scott has been best friends with Madison for his whole life and going home to Michigan from sunny, warm Florida doesn't hold much appeal except that he doesn't won't to disappoint Madison, so to Michigan he goes. The long road trip home is complicated with Madison stopping to pick up her younger brother for the journey and although that seems like a reasonable sister thing to do, Scott was unprepared to see Anson after what happened 3 years ago.
Anson has been in love with Scott since he realized he liked boys. But Scott never saw him as anything but Max's younger brother. Their 5 year year age gap seemed to wide when Anson was 18. Three years have passed and Anson is ready to show Scott he has grown up and is worthy of his interest and maybe even his love.
Scott is blown away when he first sees Anson and wonders what in the world he was going to do to hide his attraction to the younger man. Anson didn't give him any quarter and kissed him as soon as they were alone. What shocked them both was how much Scott liked it and returned the fervor.
In spite of giving in to their attraction, both men are unsure of their future. Anson not sure if Scott will ever love him like he feels for Scott, and Scott unsure if Anson's words and actions are fleeting, like other interests he's had over the years.
Thank goodness for interfering grandpas. After Anson has his head on straight after grandpa's confession and admonition, Anson is surprised when an emotional outburst reveals Scott's love for him too.
There were a few minor typos and a couple of times the story seemed to jump and made me think I missed a little something, but overall, a nice sweet holiday story with the right amount of heat and humor.
December 14, 2017
UGH! The never-ending typos! *headdesk*
But, you know what? I don't give a flying flip about the typos! The story was great! The characters were entertaining and who can forget Myrtle? This story wasn't lacking in humor or emotions that tug at your heartstrings... but, I think the most poignant moment was when Grandpa has his heart to heart talk with Anson... things may still be hard in this day and age but at least times they are slowly a-changin'!
Side note: Am I the only one that doesn't get the title? Maybe my poor, old brain just missed something! ;p
But, you know what? I don't give a flying flip about the typos! The story was great! The characters were entertaining and who can forget Myrtle? This story wasn't lacking in humor or emotions that tug at your heartstrings... but, I think the most poignant moment was when Grandpa has his heart to heart talk with Anson... things may still be hard in this day and age but at least times they are slowly a-changin'!
Side note: Am I the only one that doesn't get the title? Maybe my poor, old brain just missed something! ;p
December 15, 2023
This was more of a 3.5 star read for me. I enjoyed it overall, but it Anson's parents annoyed me. The turtle storyline seemed super overdramatic, and I ended up rolling my eyes every time someone brought it up with anger. On one hand the parents felt supportive, and then in another breath they weren't supportive at all. The only adult (outside of the MC and sister, Madison) I liked was Grandpa. I wish they had delved more into Grandpa's story and spent more time with him rather than the rest of the family.
March 14, 2021
Holidays
This was such a cute holiday themed best friends little brother trope and also a nice change from this authors usual supernatural characters
This was such a cute holiday themed best friends little brother trope and also a nice change from this authors usual supernatural characters
January 17, 2022
3.75 stars
December 26, 2023
2.75 stars
December 2, 2016
3.4 Stars
January 25, 2011
Scott agrees to drive from Florida to Michigan to spend Christmas with his friend Madison's family. He's not thrilled when he realizes her younger brother Anson is riding with them. Anson came on to him 3 years ago when he was only 18 and Scott 23 and he rejected him. He sees Anson as his friend's bratty brother. However Anson has grown up and seems to delight in goading Scott. Finally to prove he's not the stick in the mud Anson claims, they end up in Anson's hotel room and Scott realizes that Anson's not a kid anymore but a man he kind of likes. When they get home they are faced with alcoholic Aunt Nora making inappropriate comments, Anson's mother who's still pissed that Scott ran over their turtle three years ago, tension between Anson and his Dad and a grandfather who's moved in. There's lots of Christmas drama and when Scott is afraid to open up to Anson he feels rejected and takes off but gets some great advice from Gramps. I know I complained about the "too perfect" family before and this one is more to my liking. They aren't completely dysfunctional, there is love and acceptance, but it's not a Folger's commercial either. Maybe it's a bit over the top, but I found this kind of family more real and appealing than one which I could never live up to. I liked how Scott was forced to adjust his thinking about Anson and get past that image he had in his head from three years ago. It was a cute read, with some touches of humour and some sweet touching parts too. A really nice read which although it's set at Christmas it was fine to read after the fact.
January 7, 2013
Super cute and fun MM romance between Scott (a gorgeous accountant) and Anson (a beautiful 21 yo pre-Med student and brother of Scott's best friend - Madison).
The story is short, fast-paced and laugh-out loud funny (although annoyingly there were a lot of typos). The dialogue is clever - but it was Anson's crazy family and their antics that made the book for me.
The story is short, fast-paced and laugh-out loud funny (although annoyingly there were a lot of typos). The dialogue is clever - but it was Anson's crazy family and their antics that made the book for me.
July 19, 2013
3.5 stars - This was a short and sweet holiday story. I really loved Scott and Anson, but I do wish the story had been longer to really build up to their relationship. Still, it was a fun and easy read. The epilogue was absolutely perfect. I always love romantic epilogues like that, and this one was completely adorable.
September 3, 2014
Hmmm,so this really didn't work so well for me. It's a taste thing. Friends to lovers is my fave trope...but this did all seem a bit too...tropey.
I felt like the author had a tick-list of points she needed to write, even the characters felt unrealistic, cartoon-like, tropey. Yes I do know that's not a real word. It just didn't work for me, that's not to say it won't for you!
I felt like the author had a tick-list of points she needed to write, even the characters felt unrealistic, cartoon-like, tropey. Yes I do know that's not a real word. It just didn't work for me, that's not to say it won't for you!
November 20, 2011
Really sweet story. Very entertaining. The characters were all hilarious. Gotta love Aunt Nora and Gramps. Scott and Anson were perfect together.
My first by this author. I look forward to reading more.
My first by this author. I look forward to reading more.
January 15, 2012
Anson has been in love, or at least in lust with his sisters BFF Scott for years.
Now traveling from FL to Michigan for Christmas together things come to a head! ( oh yes, a bad pun! )
This is a cute, fun and sweet story!
Now traveling from FL to Michigan for Christmas together things come to a head! ( oh yes, a bad pun! )
This is a cute, fun and sweet story!
January 18, 2012
This was so cute and definitely an awww type of MM romance. Awkward whiny kid Anson grows up to be quite the gorgeous swan and decides to now pursue his sister's gorgeous but predictable accountant of a best friend.
February 8, 2017
it was ok, but was hoping for more of a build up between the two characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2010
**** 4.5 ****
December 20, 2010
A sweet read, I enjoyed this. My only complaint about Ms Hecht's books are that they're too short!
August 22, 2016
Loved this one! The family was a hoot!
February 16, 2011
this was one of Stephani's best, I can't remember laughing this hard in a while, I so loved Aunt Nora, thanks for a really good read.
June 11, 2011
I liked it very much, it was nice and funny too.
But there were too many mistakes here and there, imho. :(
Anyway, it was a nice reading.
But there were too many mistakes here and there, imho. :(
Anyway, it was a nice reading.
September 1, 2011
I liked the switching POV. And how they both were scared of getting hurt but with a little help managed to get it together. And I really liked Ansen's family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews