AKM Miles

An M/M novella of 2.5 hours, this is an unusual romance to say the least! A department store Santa, Derek Campbell, is won over by a little boy dressed as an elf, who turns out to be the son of the store owner, Max Martin.

The story and the way it is written are more saccharine than my usual reads, and yet the author has included these full-on anatomically detailed sex scenes.

I was definitely drawn in, so the technique is successful, but at the same time I was thinking, this is dreadful writing! in the way a freaky thing grabs your attention and you can't look away.

I don't think I'll be reading more by this novelist, despite my 3 stars for holding my attention.

(After reading Thingers' comments: I see that Penny01 says much the same as me. Yes, the characters were one dimensional. The way the two MCs got together emotionally, not just physically, was absurdly quick - they knew almost nothing about each other. Of course it is romantic, and showed an almost old-fashioned kind of faith in people based on some fundamentals, but ridiculous?! It just doesn't happen like that now - people err on the side of caution big time, especially when children are involved.… (more)

Jamie is a technician working in a rehab facility while studying to become a physical therapist. When a new patient, Grant, shows up and sparks Jamie's interest, he truly believes this could be the start of something - especially when Grant comes out and makes it know the attraction is mutual. But when jealous Donnie, the son of Jamie's boss, makes it clear he thinks Jamie belongs to him, will they be able to weather the storm?

While I could definitely see the sweetness intended in the relationship here, I had a few problems with this story. First, the ethical issue of Jamie coming onto a patient and the inviting him to come live in his house is totally glossed over - even the facility's administrator doesn't even bat an eye. Second, the speed with which the relationship grows is unrealistically fast - even for a romance, in my opinion. Third, the way things progress with Donnie comes across as rather unrealistic, too. And, finally, the dialogue in the sex scenes is completely over-the-top. I appreciated the intent of the story, but it just didn't work for me.… (more)

As much as I enjoyed the book, there were a few things that irritated me. One of the major ones: honestly you think your dog is sick, rather than suspecting somebody's sneaking around. And finding the back door unlocked after you know you locked it, not one, but twice doesn't seem enough to call the police? Hmmm.

Other than that it was an okay story. I would have liked to have given more praise, but between the above and then the oh, so frequent sex scenes, it just didn't get there for me.… (more)