Status Updates From The Twelve Loves of Christm...

A Solstice Kiss

3.5/5 ⭐️

I wanted to love this one so much more than I did! The writing was so good and the concept adorable! Unfortunately for it being a short story it felt like everything was insta-love. For short stories I am always happy to suspend my disbelief, but this was a bit too far for me. I think I would have loved for it to be more of a sweet curious affection/interest instead of insta-love more.

Twelve Seconds to Forever

4.5/5 ⭐️

Best friend’s brother/second chance romance that I’ll eat up every time! I was initially going to HATE this story because there wasn’t a good reason to me for the brother to skip his sisters rehearsal and wedding, but getting both POV’s saved the day and made this one sweet and spicy in the best ways!

Ho Ho Oh No

2/5 ⭐️

The premise of this one was so cute with grumpy being pulled into a mall Santa Claus and sunshine being the elf that he gets snowed in with! Unfortunately there just wasn’t enough detail to pull me into the moment of this story as it felt like the writing just wanting to jump straight to the very detailed smut. I wanted a little more descriptive language to make me care more beforehand.

Someone To Hold On To

2/5

This was cute and sweet, but really didn’t feel romantic. To be honest, while the premise was really fun, the characters were too childish when we knew they were meant to be adults. I wanted to enjoy it, but found myself cringing at how mean the FMC would be at times for no reason other than embarrassment.

I’ll Be Home for X-Mas

4/5 ⭐️

Very similar to the first short story and just as cute and sweet! I loved the childhood friends to lovers to second chance romance and feel that it was nicely wrapped up. The writing was well done and the characters well established, I just wish there had been more of a concluding scene post airport. Very fun either way!

Decking His Halls

2/5 ⭐️

I am a sucker for a brother’s best friend trope, but this one just didn’t click for me. Not only was the writing extremely telling (ie, she did this, she thought thought, he did this), the story was entirely physical and not at all emotional—which doesn’t match my preference. It is an ideal short story for someone who wants a more smutty holiday short story with cute decor!

A Merry Little Christmas:

4/5 ⭐️

Super cute and sweet Christmas short story!! I honestly loved their story and how sweet Max was to El (I honestly wish there was one more interaction for the two!) and will definitely be rereading this story at Christmas. Honestly just wish there was one more scene between the two of them or slightly more build up (I realize this is a short story but I just wanted more!!)

Zakiya N. Jamal. M/F. Bestie's brother. Second chance-ish. Queer. 4 stars. This was a really cute story to end with. We had a little heartache. A little miscommunication. 1 sex scene. But....why on earth are the parents of the MMC considering anyone under 30 'kids'??? But also, the FMC's bestie did sound like a teenager.

The last story was the perfect ending to this collection!

Sarah Hogle. M/F. 1 star. The FMC was fucking annoying. Go to therapy and get over your divorce, lady. Also, not nearly enough romance in this shortie patortie.

Susan Lee. M/F. Second chance-ish. Coworkers. 3.5 stars. Overall, this was a cute story. Kissing, handies.

Rebekah Weatherspoon. M/F. Strangers to more. 3.5 stars. Kisses and dirty thoughts, no sex. This was cute, but I got a little bored?

Joss Richard. M/F. Friends to strangers to more. Kisses. 3 stars. A few cute moments but nothing super special.

6- this one was cuuute! best friends NYE wedding, rekindled love between best friends brother!

Olivia Dade. M/F. 3 stars. This was cute, but nothing too special, sadly.

Second chance, airport, rockstar, this one was cute!

Jessica Joyce!! Ohh I’ve missed her writing! It feels so cozy and safe and like she knows what she’s doing and it’s all new and fresh.
omg this was so delightful. Truly how does Jessica do it?! I had all the butterflies in that last scene by the Christmas tree 🦋

Rebecca Jenshak. Bestie's Older Brother. M/F. 4 stars. This was a cute little thing. Some kissing and petting, some heartache. Slightly second-chance-ish.

MA Wardell. M/M. 1 sex scene. 3 stars. This started off cute and soft, and ended soft, but the sex absolutely ruined it, lmao. I don't care who you're having sex with, I do not want to read the words, "Your hole is so beautiful".

Elise Bryant. M/F. No kisses or sex. Strangers to Friends. 2 stars. I was so bored.