Release Review: Jonty's Christmas: Barbara Elsborg
Have you ever had something that you’re really looking forward to but dreading at the same time?
Jonty’s always longed for a traditional family Christmas, and his boyfriend Devan thinks it’s the perfect time for Jonty to meet his big, boisterous, Christmas-loving family. But Jonty’s sure Devan’s parents aren’t going to think he’s good enough for their son. He probably isn’t. But he is good for Devan and the arrival of an unexpected guest gives him a chance to prove it.
Jonty never backs down from a challenge. His mouth won’t let him. But his brain is telling him that if he interferes, he might wreck any hope of acceptance. On the other hand, could his reward be the best Christmas present ever?
A little Christmas story that takes place before the epilogue of The Making of Jonty Bloom but can be read as a standalone.
The effervescent and unfiltered Jonty Bloom and his now content boyfriend, Devan Smith are back. ..this time it is to celebrate Christmas at the Smith house.
Jonty has increasing anxiety about this and desperately wants the family to like them, but does not hold out much hope. It stirs up all of his insecurities about his own sordid family history, background, and lack of formal high-level education.
But Devan has come a long way from the grumpy, bitter man that first met Jonty. He now basks in Jonty's positivity and has found joy in life and love again. All he wants is for his family to accept Jonty and their happiness. And he hopes to avoid his one brother who betrayed him.
It will be a family Christmas with all the trappings and activities like Jonty has never experienced. Jonty is plucked right down in the middle of the perfect Christmas he always dreamed about, but the people around him are not quite sure what to make of him. But it will also involve some family dynamics, judgment, disappointments, and honest discussions.
Jonty has such a big heart and tries so hard to make people happy, but he is sometimes an acquired taste. Will he finally have a happy holiday himself?
This is a short, sweet, witty, inspiring holiday novella about love, family, forgiveness, and the heart of Christmas. I loved Jonty and Devan in this one. Their banter, their love, their chemistry, and their support of each other made my heart happy. Jonty's wonder at the food, gifts, and family traditions is both heartwarming to see and heartbreaking to know that he never had that growing up. Sometimes I held my breath (like Devan) wondering what might come out of Jonty's mouth and how the family would react.
I really liked Devan's fun and snarky brother, Cato and hope we see a book for him. I liked some other people in Devan's family and hated others. I was hoping and waiting to see a couple of them put in their place and to find some empathy. But with this stubborn group that might take a full Christmas miracle. If anyone can manage it, maybe Jonty Bloom can.
It will be a family Christmas with all the trappings and activities like Jonty has never experienced. Jonty is plucked right down in the middle of the perfect Christmas he always dreamed about, but the people around him are not quite sure what to make of him. But it will also involve some family dynamics, judgment, disappointments, and honest discussions.
Jonty has such a big heart and tries so hard to make people happy, but he is sometimes an acquired taste. Will he finally have a happy holiday himself?
This is a short, sweet, witty, inspiring holiday novella about love, family, forgiveness, and the heart of Christmas. I loved Jonty and Devan in this one. Their banter, their love, their chemistry, and their support of each other made my heart happy. Jonty's wonder at the food, gifts, and family traditions is both heartwarming to see and heartbreaking to know that he never had that growing up. Sometimes I held my breath (like Devan) wondering what might come out of Jonty's mouth and how the family would react.
I really liked Devan's fun and snarky brother, Cato and hope we see a book for him. I liked some other people in Devan's family and hated others. I was hoping and waiting to see a couple of them put in their place and to find some empathy. But with this stubborn group that might take a full Christmas miracle. If anyone can manage it, maybe Jonty Bloom can.
The Making of Jonty Bloom
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon (KU)
Kim's 4/4.5 star review
Finding his fiancé in bed with his brother was bad enough, finding out they’re getting married is the final blow.
Devan Smith needs to cool his anger. He needs to forget the lies and betrayals and work on resetting his life. When his boss orders him to scope out a remote hotel for a possible buyout, Devan’s only interested in getting the job done and getting out. What he’s not interested in is the guy with the piercings, bleached hair, and the smart, kissable mouth behind the reception desk.
Working the hotel reception is the only thing that’s stable in Jonty Bloom’s unstable life. His best friend has had a terrible accident, his ex refuses to move on, and his eight-year-old self is still waiting for his mother to collect him from school. Jonty needs his job. What he doesn’t need is the rude, arrogant, and hot as they come guy who’s rocked up demanding he be let into his room right now.
Thrown together by a freak accident, Devan and Jonty’s lives entwine, and neither wants to loosen the knot. Can the irrepressible Jonty be the reset Devan needs? Can Devan be the making of Jonty Bloom, or will secrets drive them apart?
A Long Way Back
(Unfinished Business #2)
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon (KU)
Kim's 4.5/5 star review
A serious accident may have left Tay’s body broken, but he’s determined to live an independent life at any cost. Except he’s barely coping. Alone and isolated in London, his only solace comes from the pain numbing drugs he’s become addicted to.
Ink’s on the run. He keeps his head low, but London streets don’t feel safe. The only way to stay under the radar is to keep moving and not let anyone or anything get close. But the stray mutt that’s latched onto Ink has other ideas.
A chance encounter and Ink’s bungled attempt to free himself from his four-legged companion leads to the offer of a job as a live-in helper. Tay’s moody and difficult, but he’s also scared and vulnerable, and Ink finds himself saying yes when he should be saying no.
Can Tay and Ink find a clear path on the road towards true love? Or will their broken lives prove to be one roadblock too many?
This is the second book in the Unfinished Business series but can be read as a standalone.
This story has dark elements and possible triggers for some—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism and drug addiction.
Barbara Elsborg
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Barbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the South of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they were to write.
0 comments