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Hartbridge Christmas #1

Tic-Tac-Mistletoe

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Hamish Kenneally is moving from Australia to the US for a fresh start, starting with Christmas at his sister’s place in Idaho. When a snowstorm diverts his plane to Montana and leaves him stranded two days before Christmas, he hires a car and drives right into a blizzard.

Ren Brooks has always called Hartbridge, Montana, and his family hardware store, home. After a few failed attempts at love, he’s resigned to being single forever—after all, no guy wants to stay in his sleepy little town for long. And after his dad’s passing earlier in the year, Ren’s Christmas is looking bleak. But when a car runs off the road in front of his property, Ren pulls the driver out and takes him home to get out of the cold.

With the storm and the holidays leaving Hamish with nowhere else to go, Ren kindly offers a place to stay. Hamish is certain he’s crashed right into a Hallmark Christmas movie, despite more car delays and road closures and the prospect of not seeing his sister for Christmas. And with help from Hamish, Ren is beginning to feel a little Christmas cheer.

These two unlikely strangers have more in common than they first realise, and after two days of Christmas decorations, cookies, and non-stop conversation, it looks like Christmas might be saved after all.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2020

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About the author

N.R. Walker

107 books4,677 followers
Author also writes as A. Voyeur

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since...

https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...

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5 stars
1,646 (39%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews
Profile Image for elena ❀.
336 reviews3,972 followers
November 28, 2022
“Thank you. For running off the road out the front of my place. For saving me from a miserable Christmas by myself, and for being the best thing to come into my life in a really long time.”


N.R. Walker is who I automatically turn to when looking for something quick but cute, sappy, and fluffy. I’ve been busy the past couple of days that I wasn’t able to read much, but this story provided a good distraction during the small moments I had free time to spare. It’s true Walker style, with no miscommunication (thank you Nicole), opposites attract, only one bed, forced proximity, Australians, small-town, and a cute dog. It’s Christmas themed, which I’ve been in the mood for, despite Christmas not being a holiday I really celebrate anymore. Regardless, the content delivered.

The relationship between our two main characters developed really nicely, even though they only knew each other for two to three days when they realized they liked each other. I think the reason it worked well for me was because they had an attraction for each other, but there was no love, not until after. It’s a traditional love story with nothing new to offer, but I appreciated how natural the relationship felt. Hamish and Ren spent almost every minute and hour together since the moment they met that it was easy to follow along their romance journey.

“I’m home here,” I replied. “With you and Chutney in Hartbridge. It’s where I belong.”


They’re also opposites, both physically and mentally, and it was my favorite kind. Hamish is fem looking, smaller, thinner, and quite lost after arriving in the U.S. from Australia in hopes of seeing his sister. He’s a little more sensitive, for lack of a better word, and tends to present himself in a more flamboyant way with his verbal diarrhea. On the other hand, Ren is hardware store owner appearing as a lumberjack. He’s much more calm and loose, but has such kind eyes and intentions for everyone. He’s recently lost his dad and doesn’t have any plans to celebrate the Christmas holiday, so the moment the talkative, happy and energetic Australian entered his life, his intentions and motivations changed for the better. I absolutely loved their dynamics and opposite personalities. They balanced each other so well, and I loved seeing how grand their small gestures were.

There’s almost no sex in this, with one being a sexual scene and another fading to black. Of course, this did not bother me one bit, but if you’re looking for a more steamy, sexual story, this one isn’t it. If you’ve read Walker before, you’ll know this isn’t anything new or surprising. I always love when the relationships and couples don’t focus on the sexual relationship and instead we see more of the emotional connection and bond that forms between the characters. We see that a lot here, with Hamish and Ren spending a lot of their individual time together, that the mutual attraction builds up.

Some of my only issues were how underdeveloped with epilogue felt. I’ve already started book 2, and we find out the events of book 1 essentially happened three years ago. I would have appreciated a little how the two adjusted to their new home together and differences culturally. I know it must have been difficult for Hamish to settle in, so being told and thrown into him settling in without a little bit background would have been appreciated. Another problem was how, despite the story being sweet and lovely, and the characters being wonderful and endearing, I couldn’t get past all their interactions all the time. This isn’t a big problem, only because it depends on the reader and how they will interpret their personalities. Regardless of these small quibbles, the story was still a cute one, easy to read and memorable enough. I’ve enjoyed seeing how Walker’s writing has improved, having read some of her newer books before this one. I recently found out about book 3 releasing next month on the 8th, so I’m glad I was able to get to this series before.

“But I think I do know you. Not overly well, admittedly, and I’m sure you have some lurking behavioural traits that might possibly drive me mad, which is not a bad thing because just you wait to find out mine. But I know you saved me, and you looked after me. I know how you get sad when you talk about your dad, and I know you mumble in your sleep, and you love your family business, and you’re part of a community that you call home. You know where you belong in this world, and I envy that. I know you’re one of the most genuine and sweetest guys I’ve ever met. And I know I want to see you again. I want to spend more time with you, and I want to know everything there is to know about you. So yeah, we’ve known each other for 3.5 days, but so what? I know enough to know I want to know more.”
November 24, 2020
This book got so many things right:

- Cute Aussie trying to drive in a snowstorm on the "wrong" side of the road

- Gentle lumberjack who rescues said Aussie

- Forced proximity in Ren's cozy log house

- Adorable doggo!

- NO ANGST

- Humor, low-key banter, and real conversations

- Sweetest Christmas present ever

- The best HEA!

There was one thing missing though:

- Steam

The guys exchange a few lingering kisses, but there's just one sex scene, and it's summarized and fades to black. Insert sad face emoji here. I don't need a sex-fest in every book, but the passion between the MCs was notably absent.

I also wish we had a little longer with the men before the epilogue. I really wanted to watch Hamish settle into life in a small American town.

Even so, this story is pretty close to perfect. I enjoyed every page and wanted more.

Profile Image for Sheri.
1,413 reviews179 followers
November 26, 2020
Oh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh…don’t worry, be happy! If this book could sing to me, that’s what it would belt out. I didn’t worry. I didn’t stress. I let my smile break free and was happy, happy, HAPPY! I loved it to pieces and want everyone to read it and feel the same joy. It was fluffy. It was sweet. It was exactly what I needed! Thank you, Nic for bringing these two into my life and sharing their contagious cheer. The world can use good fortune right now and Hamish and Ren delivered exactly that.

Hamish is looking for a fresh start and what better place than the other side of the world? He’s packed up what remains of his belongings and jumps on a jet plane to join his sister in America. His first visit to the States, first snowfall, and first time driving in said snow after an exhausting day of travel does not add up to anything good. Luckily his slip ‘n slide off the road was fairly harmless. Except for the fact that he’s lost and cold and scared half to death. Lady Luck isn’t finished with him yet and sends an angel wearing plaid to his rescue. This opposites-attract pair is filled with beautiful harmony. I adored their slow-burn simmer and quick fall. It may have only been days but a lifetime of potential knocks on the cabin door. And when you fit, you fit. No sense in questioning fate. Both men are acutely aware that life is short and unexpected and you should hold onto happiness with both hands and…never let go.

Ren is a country boy from top to bottom. He’s gentle yet strong. He’s thoughtful and brave. He’s everything Hamish never knew he needed. Coincidentally, the bubbly Aussie is everything Ren never knew he needed. Hamish is funny and vibrant. He’s silly yet considerate. *sigh* They are absolutely perfect for one another. They share a mutual love of movies, shows, and songs, often speaking in their own language of quotes. Their story is warm and filling. I was captivated by the enchantment in the air. From Christmas cookies and mistletoe kisses, it’s merry and bright. I loved both Ren and Hamish but was also smitten with the rest of the family and town. There are cherished memories and treasured traditions and everything that embodies the holidays. It’s not too sexy, it’s not too angsty, it’s radiant and sugary and I thought…just right.

Beware of: A dramatic entrance from a quirky out-of-towner…lands smack in the middle of a Hallmark movie set. Two lost souls…seem to naturally dovetail as if awaiting the other. And an adorable dog will win your heart…along with her humans.

This book is for: If you need a hearty dose of comfort this season, I highly suggest some noughts and crosses in the mountains of Montana. Yep, it’s a good place to be!

Book UNfunk
Profile Image for Snjez.
832 reviews701 followers
December 15, 2020
I can't say I developed strong feelings for the characters, but the story was light, sweet and cozy. I really liked the setting and I loved the dog. A true Hallmark Christmas romance.
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,456 reviews60 followers
December 2, 2020
3,75 stars

Wholesome.
That was my first thought on finishing.

If you fancy a truly wholesome Christmas story – this surely is it:
- two lovely, lonely, genuine guys, totally in synch with each other.
- a cabin
- tons of snow
- a cute wee dog
- some baking
- hot chocolate
- tree decorating
- thoughtful presents
- helpful townspeople, totally accepting of gay folk
- lovely sibling and husband with family feels galore

Wow. No wonder, even the characters are comparing this to a Hallmark Christmas setting and story. N.R Walker certainly capitalizes on the whole idea (and I guess she does it with a wink) and throws all these Christmas goodies around generously.

And yes, it is all so heartwarming you might forget that romance blossoms here in just a short 3 and half days. However, imo the author deals with the insta everything really well, and the guys are aware of the miniscule time frame and talk about it, too.

Just a shame that most of the heat is drowned in snow, even though all the kissing and cuddling is cute. Yes, there is chemistry between Ren and Hamish, but most of the more involved sex happens off page.

So – all in all very wholesome and ‘nice’.
Maybe I’d prefer a heavier dose of the naughty?
Profile Image for Diana.
575 reviews18 followers
December 27, 2020
This was a perfect holiday read for me. In typical N. R. Walker fashion, it was surgery sweet and insta love, but I didn't even care. I adored both Hamish and Ren together. Hamish had me laughing more than once and Ren just had a big heart.

Now I feel like I need to watch Schitt's Creek

Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,325 reviews481 followers
December 31, 2021
3.5 Stars

Classic Walker fluff with nary a hiccough or roadblock!

Literally, Ren and Hamish meet cute (as cute as rescuing a stranger in a snowstorm can get) and bond over many things as they’re stuck together for a few days.

Hamish is starting anew, moving from Australia to the US to be with his sister whom he hasn’t seen in years, and Ren is spending his first Christmas alone since his father passed away. These two instantly get along fabulously, and it’s sooooo obvious that they’re perfect for each other.

This is hurt-comfort-lite at its best. If you need a Christmas MM romance with no fuss or muss with all the sugary holiday feels, this fits the bill! Enjoy!
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
2,573 reviews25.1k followers
November 23, 2023
Tic-Tac-Mistletoe is book one in the Hartbridge Christmas series by N.R. Walker. I have had this on my to read list for awhile now. This year with a new book added to the series, I finally decided to jump in. I don’t even know if I can put into words my love of this book, of these characters. I think my heart exploded with all the wonderful feels! I am overwhelmed with all the Christmas warmth I can handle. I feel a compulsion to bake cookies now and decorate the house!

Reynold “Ren” Brooks is thirty two years old. He has lived most of his life in Hartbridge, Montana and owns the town’s hardware store. The store has been in his family for generations and after his father’s passing earlier this year, it became his. Hartbridge is a tiny town but Ren has no inclination to go anywhere else. He owns his own home, has a little dog he loves, and has resigned himself to a single life alone. Then Hamish happened!



Hamish Kenneally is thirty one years old. He has lived in Australia all his life. Four years earlier, his sister left for America and has since fallen in love and married. They haven’t seen each other since she left and they miss each other desperately. Hamish hasn’t felt happy with his life for some time and has decided to follow his sister. But a freak blizzard forced his plane to land in Montana instead of Idaho. Hamish has never even seen snow but he is determined to get to his sister so he rents a car and hits the road. Only to end up in a snow bank in the middle of nowhere.

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When Ren finds Hamish near his home, he doesn’t hesitate to take him inside and get him warm. With the crazy storm, the roads are closed, and Hamish is stuck for the time being. But with a little Christmas magic, these two find something wonderful, each other.

“I feel like I landed in a Hallmark movie or something. Scenic mountains, small town, snowstorm, rescued by the handsome stranger who also happens to have the local hardware store. I should totally sell them my story.”

I honestly highlighted so many quotes. These two just made me smile so much. They were absolutely adorable. I totally spammed my friends private messages constantly with my swooning. This is truly a Christmas book filled with nothing but cheer and warmth. I can’t wait to start the next book, Christmas Wish List. I just can’t say enough how wonderful this little town is and the people in it. I hope you take a chance and visit right along with me.

“Santa Claus might have given me the best gift ever.”

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Drusilla.
525 reviews137 followers
November 9, 2023
Super cute, OTT full of delightful hilarious moments. I have to admit it was perhaps a little too sweet and superficial for me. But well, it's a Christmas book, that's the way it has to be.
I love Hamish. He is freakishly wonderful.

I had prepared myself for this. Driving in a different country, on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, honestly couldn’t be too hard. People did it all the time. And while I might be a totally catastrophic, unmitigated disaster, amongst a long list of other things, contrary to popular belief, I was not an idiot. I could do this. 😂🤗😂

Never seen snow before. Never been in snow before, and certainly never driven a car in it. So why on earth did I think my first time should be when I was jet-lagged and driving on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the street? 😂🤗😂

The plot and some of the dialog is not for me, as I said too sweet and some of it is a bit repetitive. Anyway four stars just for the wonderful personality of Hamish and for the dog because they are both incredibly adorable.
Profile Image for Meags.
2,261 reviews558 followers
December 30, 2020
4.5 Stars

I adored this one. No surprises, really, because beyond it being an N.R. Walker story—which, at this point, I’m programmed to enjoy—it effortlessly showcased all those warm and cozy feelings I relate to my love of Christmastime, while also epically and accurately (finally!) portraying the uniqueness between, and the various traditions of, an Australian vs an American Christmas experience.

As an Aussie myself, I relished and related to Hamish’s fish-out-of-water experience, as he packed up his unsatisfactory life in Sydney to move halfway across the world to Idaho, during Christmastime, in order to be closer to his newly married sister.

Going from an Aussie summer to an intense and blizzard-y American winter definitely throws Hamish for a loop, especially when he experiences one travel mishap after another on his journey to Idaho, culminating in a fortuitous rescue from a small-town lumberjack-ish hunk named Ren, after Hamish puts his rental car in a ditch during a snow-storm, while crossing Montana to get to his sister.

With that whole I’m-stuck-here-with-you-in-your-secluded-cabin-until-the-storm-passes trope in play, it was nothing but delightful to watch Hamish and Ren get to know one another in forced-but-favoured-proximity. Sharing of themselves comes easy, as these men bond over family memories and past hurts, while finding shared joy in Christmas traditions (some mutual and some foreign to the other), all the while talking in pop-culture references as they quickly realise their reciprocated obsessions with the likes of Schitt’s Creek and Legally Blonde (which, I too, am a MASSIVE fan).

I adored Hamish and Ren as characters and savoured the slightly insta-ish way they fell-in-love. With plenty of sweet and tender moments between these two, this story could have done with a bit more sexual kick for my personal liking, but I was honestly so wrapped up in their adoration for one another that any feelings of unsatisfaction I may have usually had with a low-steam story vanished under the weight of my enjoyment.

This story is simple, sweet, and so very Christmassy that it filled my heart with joy and made me want to read it again immediately upon completion. You can’t ask much more from your holiday romance reading than that!
Profile Image for D.L. Howe.
Author 18 books510 followers
November 30, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧

This was just the sweetest little Christmas tale!

Right off the bat you felt for Hamish! Here he is a total duck out of water going from 90+F degree weather to a blizzard. Then he has to not only drive in it but find his way from middle of nowhere Montana to Idaho with only the help of a paper map.

He was just so endearing, especially his huge fear of bears considering he hailed from a Australia, home of the deadliest wildlife on earth. And when he slides off the road and his rental dies you totally commiserate with him in his desperation.

Fortunately Ren, a solitary small town hardware store owner is in ear shot and comes to his rescue.

From the moment they meet they are too stinking cute together. Also REN’s dog Chutney is head over heels for Hamish and the ensuing cuteness is everything.

The best part was when they decorated Ren’s house. The way Hamish helped him remember all the good times with his dad made my heart grow three sizes.

I just can’t tell you how much I enjoyed listening to this. To give you some idea, this was the slowest burn with not so much spice but I absolutely didn’t miss it. I could’ve happily been a fly on the wall of their little world forever.
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,234 reviews14.7k followers
November 17, 2021
If you just want a ridiculously sweet Christmas romance, you have to read this book. Hamish is moving to the US and is visiting his sister for Christmas when he crashed his rental car in the middle of a snow storm. Luckily, he crashed right by Ren's home in Montana. Ren lets Hamish stay at his house and the two quickly find themselves opening up about their lives and feeling an attraction towards one another. This was such a cute snowed-in together romance and I loved how Ren had an adorable puppy as well! Hamish's relationship with his sister was so sweet and I loved the Christmas setting we got in this book. I just had a grin on my face reading this and thought Ren and Hamish were adorable together, especially with how many near-kisses they had before finally giving into each other! For a short and sweet Christmas romance, you should pick this up!
Profile Image for Gustaf.
1,440 reviews155 followers
July 24, 2021
Oh my! This was the sweetest. I’m so happy I’m doing this whole Christmas in July thing so I didn’t do something stupid like waiting for December to read this. But also a little sad because I won’t read it for the first time in December. The perks of a fantastic book I guess. I started the audiobook of this for the evenings dog walk and then I just couldn’t stop listening. And here we are, in the middle of the night with me having to be at work in a few hours… but I couldn’t care less because I’m swooning over Ren and Hamish.

If there’s something I trust, it’s N.R. Walker to deliver a sweet, feel good read without much angst at all but characters strong enough for me to still be fully invested. I can trust her to deliver nice guys being truly nice. And those nice guys getting the romance and happy ever after they so clearly deserves.

Enough of this swooning. Just pick this book up if you are ever in need of a truly happy book. Or some cheering up. Or just a book hug. Whether it’s December or July or hell even May. Just do it!
Profile Image for *J* Too Many Books Too Little Time.
1,921 reviews3,708 followers
December 2, 2020
Meh. It was okay. A bit too sugary sweet for even my tastes.

I found a good bit of the dialogue cheesy and eye roll enducing honestly.

I know this is supposed to be a feel good holiday read. But we can't throw everything out the window.

Profile Image for Lau ♡ (semi-hiatus).
428 reviews440 followers
December 16, 2021
Tic-Tac-Mistletoe is the perfect book if you love cheesy Christmas movies with the sweetest meet cute between soul mates that always ends up in a capital HEA. It was light, funny and everything I needed to forget about real life for a moment.


Hardbridge is exactly like the towns in these kind of movies books: full of snow and lights, all decorated for Christmas and where everyone knows everyone. But there aren’t a lot of gay men in a tiny place like Hardbridge and Ren has resigned himself to a life being alone. This Christmas hurts more than ever: it’s the first one without his father.

Until an Aussie guy crashes next to his house and, with the roads closed and no Internet because of the weather, Ren welcomes him to his home. He doesn’t need a lot of time to realize that Hamish is what he’s been waiting for all long. If only he had enough time to show him they are perfect together.


As you can probably imagine, Tic-Tac-Mistletoe is not slow-burn, but Ren and Hamish were soul mates and you’d want them to kiss since the very first page. Hamish was a ray of light: charming and fun, while Ren’s kindness and loneliness touched my heart. He only wanted someone to hug, to make him happy, to share a life with. Ren had so much love to give and Hamish deserved every bit of it.


“I like him. He’s such a nice guy. He’s genuine. Do you know how hard it is to find that in a guy?”
“I’m a heterosexual woman. So yes, I do know how hard that is.”




Overall, Tic-Tac-Mistletoe was a cute Chritsmas story that will make you smile and sigh. Was it too cheesy and unrealistic? Probably, but it warmed my heart. Books like this one are the best remedy to scape reality and just enjoy reading.

As a side note, the cover fits the story so perfectly! I pictured Hamish exactly like that!

Rating: 3.5/4
Profile Image for Lisazj1.
2,072 reviews179 followers
November 30, 2020
Sweet, romantic and packed with all the feels you could want. Very little steam and what there is is just about completely off page but honestly, I didn't miss it *much*. Fabulous holiday story! 💖
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,636 reviews363 followers
November 26, 2020
OMG that was so cute!

It's like N.r. took the best bits about the feelings that spending time with your loved ones creates and turned it into book form.

This whole book just made me happy, it absolutely is a Hallmark Christmas film in words.

From the moment Hamish was dumped in a strange part of America in the snow, to the awesomely romantic Epilogue, I had a massive smile on my face.

Throw in a cute dog, TV and movie quote conversations, (although I'm probably the only person on the planet never to have watched either Ru Paul's Drag Race or Schitt's Creek), and you get a festive romance filled with joy.

I loved everything about it, from Hamish to Ren, Liv and Josh, the picture perfect Montana town and the community spirit.

My only side eye was regarding Hamish's dislike of trifle 🤣 however I've cleared this up with the author and we're in agreement over the sherry versions = a yack bucket.

Read this book and experience all the best magic bits of this time of year.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
4,825 reviews2,969 followers
October 31, 2022
My heart is swimming in love but it doesn't know how to swim. So guess how it feels 🤭

*One of those rare instances where insta love worked.

Maybe I got influenced by the good characters and their wholesome representation. I love the characters. Yes, the 30 something main character behaving like a young adult and we can totally get why and the other main character (you squeezed my heart!) is just too good to be true. But ugh the chemistry!!!! Burnt me. And I felt so freaking single all over again 🤦

And the sister! Hahaha she's the perfect fujoshi rooting them until the end. But yes, a good MM romance for some cosy reading 💞
Profile Image for Jess .
1,034 reviews146 followers
December 6, 2020
Gah! How cute was this book?! Tic-Tac-Mistletoe gave me all the warm and cozy Christmas vibes I could ever want. Hamish and Ren had this perfect chemistry from the moment they met, and Walker really made you connect with the characters as the story progressed. At times it was a bit emotional and at other times it was so full of Christmas joy and love that I felt like my heart would explode. You can't go wrong with a story about two guys who meet by chance and fall in love over Christmas.
Profile Image for Ben Howard.
1,176 reviews156 followers
November 25, 2022
I wonder if I would find myself a Ren if I crashed my car outside a stranger's house during a snowstorm. Knowing my luck, I'd find myself in a horror book.

__
Tic-Tac-Mistletoe is a super sweet, no-angst christmas romance.

After having a hard time of late in his home country of Australia, Hamish decides to move to the US for two years. His younger sister has been living in Idaho four the past for years, so he decides to stay at her place when he arrives a few days before christmas.

However, things quickly go awry when a snow storm hits making his plane have to land at a different airport. With no way of contacting his sister, as the storm has also knocked out a cell tower, Hamish gets a rental car.

His first time driving in snow doesn't go well. Relying on directions the old fashoned way, with a paper map, Hamish takes a wrong turn. But that's the least of his worries as a slippery patch causes his car crash into a snowy embankment.

Contemplating braving it on foot, despite underestimating the cold weather clothes-wise, he's discovered by Ren who heard Hamish letting his frustration out on the cars horn. This must be a hallmark movie, because Ren lets Hamish stay in his house while the snow storm rages and his car gets towed. Now, let the romance commence!
__

While I do love me some angst, I can enjoy a low stakes read just as much. N.R. Walker is one of my favourite romance authors and this book didn't disappoint. I loved the snowed in cabin setting; it was seriously cosy, not to mention Ren's adorable dog! Ren and Hamish are really cute together and had some fun and humorous moments.
Profile Image for Debra.
2,106 reviews253 followers
December 17, 2020
4.5 stars

Hamish an adorable, Australian fish-out-of-water in snowy Montana says it himself, that he ended up in a Hallmark movie. If you want your Hallmark movie fix via a romance novel this is the perfect book for you! This was the sweetest, no angst, low steam, most Christmassy romance I've read so far in my holiday reads.

This book just put a smile on my face from the start. I adored Hamish and Ren and little Chutney. Ren expected to be alone for Christmas, wallowing in grief and Hamish expected to be with his sister for the first time in four years. Cue the meet-cute and two men finding their perfect match amidst all the Christmas preparations and snowy weather, it was very much like a fairy tale. I probably would have loved it even more had I seen more than 3 episodes of Schitt's Creek since the references to their favorite show are plenty, though it didn't impede my reading experience.

With it being tough to be feeling the Christmas spirit in this messed-up year, this book somehow managed to be just what I needed.


***Thank you Berry Kinkiss for going off-list and gifting me this!!
Profile Image for Meep.
2,140 reviews209 followers
November 28, 2020
could pose danger to diabetics - this is a saccharine over sweet story where nothing happens.

A little bit mawkish at a few points then back to overdone emoting and film references. Could do with a film crib sheet at the start, these characters reference films and tv personalities and I had no idea who/what/why, and, I favour books, so not interested in finding out. Felt beaten over the head with being repeatedly told 'it's like a hallmark movie' I get it already!

I wanted a light cosy read but this has nothing, nothing is overcome or achieved or anything. Nothing resonated, nothing mattered. Two likeable enough characters obviously made for each other and absolutely zero tension. Not just no drama tension but no sexual tension between them, everything is a heaping spoon of sugar.

Was skimming in hope of something, but at 53% optimism was exhausted and continuing felt a chore so quit. If you thrive on hallmark movies and get the references then yay there's the chance you'll enjoy this.

Also, it really bugged me I couldn't picture the dog, the breeds mentioned made me picture a medium sized dog but then it's written as being a really small lap dog.
Profile Image for Carol.
2,866 reviews113 followers
December 23, 2023
Think of your favorite film or book about travel related catastrophes and shenanigans during the holidays and you can add this little offering to them. Poor Hamish from Australia, where Christmas it seems, as hard as it is to imagine, is in the summer...and if even if it was in the season that it belongs in... there evidently wouldn't be 25 feet of snow falling in one giant blizzard. As a result of the blizzard, his flight is diverted to Montana instead of Idaho. Now he's in the wrong state and has no idea how to get to Idaho except to rent a car. He's a grown man so How hard could it be? Except...he has never driven in the U.S., and he has never driven in snow, much less a blinding blizzard, and he's never even seen snow before. So, it's no surprise that he ends up in a ditch in "No Where", Montana. His first and only thought is "I'm just going to die, and my body won't be found until spring. I had to laugh at Hamish's experience with the rental car. I drove in Ireland once and was less than happy to have not remembered that not only did I have to drive on the WRONG side of the road, but I had to sit on the WRONG side of blooming car to do it!! This was problem #1 for our Hamish. Combined with everything else that had gone wrong with this trip...he is now freezing to death in a Montana ditch. Summer clothing, and summer footwear will hasten his death if he gets out...and where would he go? He doesn't even know where he is, except in the middle of nowhere! Just when he is panicking about something that he saw in a movie.... of all things, "serial killer bears", he’s rescued by Ren Brooks who lives nearby in the town of Hartbridge, Montana. Ren and his dog...who is adorable...take him home...and after he establishes that Ren is not a serial killer...he settles in. Turns out that they are only an hour and half from the Idaho state line and Hamish's sister. Ren was attracted to Hamish right away and the feeling was mutually returned. They spend a few days together and find they both like the domestic feelings that each brings. They do make it to Hamish's sister's and spend Christmas. Hamish & Ren have to decide if they want to have the budding relationship continue or just say it was fun while it lasted. Hamish is going to be in the U.S. for two years...but Ren and Hamish both want to try and see where it will go. N.R. Walker has created two masculine leading men who are beautiful and unapologetically gay. They sing along with Mariah, quote "Schitt’s Creek" endlessly, watch piles of Hallmark movies, and share a love of "Legally Blond". There’s a fabulous gay tone to this exceptional story. I found the character development to be refreshing and enjoyed meeting Ren and his dog and this lovely Australian character. This is the sweetest of all sweet stories. Ren and Hamish fall in love while enjoying simple, homegrown holiday traditions. It’s warm and wonderful and has a perfect happy ending....and any book that mentions "Snuffleupagus" from Sesame Street is okay with me.
Profile Image for Cat the bookworm .
630 reviews86 followers
December 4, 2023
So very sweet, might get cavities and your teeth might end up glued together.

I really love a sweet, wholesome Christmas romance, and I kind of like them following Hallmark-recipe. But I admit, this one was a bit much, even for me.

It’s the streets of Hamish, a thirty something from Australia, who ends up in the middle of nowhere Idaho because of a snowstorm. He rents a car and -surprise, surprise - gets stuck with it in the snow. And gets rescued by Ren, owner of a hardware shop in a quaint little (very accepting) town.

Ren is gay, lonely, lives in a pittoresk cottage and has a dog that immediately loves Hamish.

And then - being snowed if- they start doing literally EVERYTHING cliche you can imagine - they get a tree, put on old decorations, watch Christmas movies, bake cookies, talk about all the differences between Australia and the US (all kind of idioms, and marvelling that Hamish hasn’t ever seen snow before, hasn’t baked cookies, and loves vegemite, while Ren is that silent, kind and lonely bear of a man whom everyone loves but who has given up hopes on ever finding a man to share his life, and who doesn’t know what a pavlova is). Oh and they quote from Schitt’s Creek and Legally Blonde, and listen to Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande singing Christmas songs.

To quote ONE phrase:

“She grinned, Hamish grinned, and all I could do was smile.”

That about sums it up.

Glen Lloyd, the narrator, did a great job with the Australian accent without overdoing it. I didn’t know him before, but he’s certainly one I wouldn’t mind listening to again.

And now excuse me while I rewatch Schitt’s Creek, because all the talk about it and the quotes made me miss it 😅
Profile Image for Bibliophile.
850 reviews
November 29, 2020
I adore NR Walker, so it pains me to give her 1 star. But I gave her a low rating for Throwing Hearts and I'm going to so here as well.

This book feels phoned-in and it contains far too many elements that have become tropes for her. She needs to just eradicate these things from all future books to get out of this rut. They include:

-- Characters with no characterization or backstory that is beyond surface-deep. I literally couldn't tell who was talking at various points in the book. That's a bad thing. They should each come across as distinct characters. They don't. In fact, they feel like re-treds of the characters from the Spencer Cohen series, Throwing Hearts, etc.

--This books includes--yet again--another annoying monologue about the virtues of dating before having sex. I feel like I am getting preached to as a reader.

--Lots of dialogue about how cute each character is. How about instead of having the characters say that to one another...their cuteness is shown through their actions?

-- Other people telling them "they are perfect for each other." They've only known each other for three days. Isn't that too soon?

-- Speaking of, why are both characters so worried about their long term viability after 1-3 days? This feels heavily unrealistic.

-- I love Schitt's Creek and Legally Blonde, but I wanted to gouge my eyes out after the 10th reference. Enough!

I'm not even finished with this book but I was so frustrated, that I needed to stop and leave a review here.

I don't yet know if I'm going to finish this book, but if I do, I'll update my review when I'm done. Sigh....

UPDATES:
79% in -- earlier in the book, they spent pages (!) talking about the need/want to take things slow and not immediately have sex. Less than 24 hours later, they are having sex. FML.

80% in -- ...and now they are moving in together!
Profile Image for Bookreader87(Amanda).
1,066 reviews39 followers
December 2, 2020
Bah humbug

It saddens me to give this author two stars because I really enjoy her work. Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. Everything felt cookie cutter sweet with absolutely no depth. Let's not start on the over abundance of Schitt Creek references and Haimish constantly pointing out how it all felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Guess what I dislike those movies because even those are too cheesy for me and this book felt just like one. So, Haimish wasn't wrong there. I feel like Scrooge with this review but, I guess, I expect more from this author. 🤷🏽‍♀️
Profile Image for rebecca.
445 reviews14 followers
December 7, 2023
2.5/5

Um, so… I was bored? And it might have been too sweet for my liking? Maybe I also didn’t quite love the characters?

I feel bad for saying this, honestly. I wished it was more to my taste but it just didn’t do it for me.

And don’t get me wrong, Hamish was quite a funny character and Ren was kinda sweet and lovey-dovey and the dog was adorable and the plot was okay but I did not get into the story at all. Kinda sad, really.
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