The two stories in this book both contain all the ingredients I love seeing in Christmas tales, and since they follow the same couple from one Christmas to the next, I even get a sequel within the same book. I loved rereading them and enjoyed Luke, his son Reggie, and Jamie’s adventures as much now as I did in their original incarnation. Maybe more, because they feel like old friends now.

Story 1: Mr. Popsalos
This is a very cute Christmas story, which has all the ingredients to make me smile. Potential heartbreak threatens throughout, but thankfully never happens. The characters are real, have flaws and are very supportive of each other – sometimes in very unexpected ways. And the ending has an extra little twist which just makes the whole thing even better.

There is Luke, a single father who is determined to make sure his son, Reggie, doesn’t miss a thing. He is willing to go as far as to deny himself happiness. He thinks he has reason to expect nothing from another man; he has been disappointed once too often.

Reggie is an extremely cute kid, who understands a lot more than his father gives him credit for. In the unerring way some kids have, he takes care of Luke as much as his father could do it for himself. In a way, even better, because he has no preconceived notions about what ‘should happen’.

And Jamie, the man Luke meets but doesn’t believe will be interested is not only the perfect guy for him, he also has a ‘secret’ that is only revealed at the end, and in a very funny way.

If you like stories with kids, if a situation that turns from pretty desperate (romantically speaking) to absolutely perfect is what you want, and if you appreciate a little twist at the end that makes things even better, you will probably like this story as much as I did.

Story 2: The Perfect Gift
It was great to read about Jamie and Luke's life a year after they've first met. Of course, their first anniversary looms, and Jamie has his mind made up as to how he wants to celebrate. The warmth of their family life is great, and Reggie is as cute as ever. I loved the episodes in school as well as the scenes of late Sunday brunches and the celebratory dinner at home (when Luke gets promoted). And, as it turns out, it is a good thing they are so loving and strong as a family. They need all of each other's support when disaster strikes.

Jamie is secure in his relationship with Luke, and their love is visible in and out of the bedroom. Jamie has also struck a good balance with Reggie, despite the fact that he's his teacher. Their 'rules' of behavior at school make a lot of sense, but the way Lisa Worrall talks about them and illustrates with little anecdotes made me laugh. Jamie is a true rock for the newly formed family.

Luke is still career oriented, and does really well. I got the feeling that his self-confidence grew since Jamie moved in. He is clearly happy to share parenthood with Jamie, and now that Reggie has a second parent to go to, he doesn’t feel quite so overwhelmed anymore. And he'll need all of that and more to survive the severe test fate sends their way.

If you like stories where family means everything, if you believe that love really can conquer all, and if you're looking for a read that will make you laugh and cry with the characters, then you will probably enjoy this short book as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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Very enjoyable story with holiday magic. Reggie is the result of a very special friendship for Luke and he's been really taking care of his son and not much else. I love how his friends work at getting him out to enjoy himself. It was cute how things worked out for Luke and his pick-up. ( )